Partially translucent exterior panel of a vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a partially translucent outer trim part of a vehicle, which is designed to be transilluminable by a rear-side light source (L) at least in a transillumination region (2), wherein the outer trim part has a base body (1) with a designated visible side (A) and a rear side (B) opposite the visible side (A), which consists at least in the transillumination region (2) of a translucent or transparent polymer material which is transilluminable for spectral regions of visible light with a low absorption, and wherein an opaque coating (3) or a coating (3) with a high absorption for spectral regions of visible light is arranged at least on the transillumination region (2) of the base body (1), wherein the coating (3) has recesses (4) in the transillumination region (2) which make the coating (3) partially transilluminable,wherein the base body (1) has a laser-structured surface (5) in the region of the recesses (4) which has hydrophobic or superhydrophobic properties.,

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a partially translucent outer trim part of a vehicle, which is designed to be transilluminable by a rear-side light source at least in one transillumination region, wherein the outer trim part has a base body with a designated visible side and a rear side opposite the visible side, which consists at least in the transillumination region of a translucent or transparent polymer material which is transilluminable for spectral regions of visible light with low absorption, and wherein an opaque coating or a coating with high absorption for spectral regions of visible light is arranged at least on the transillumination region of the base body, wherein the coating has recesses in the transillumination region which make the coating partially transilluminable.

[0002] A generic exterior cladding part is disclosed in the document DE10 2012 003 200 A1.

[0003] A disadvantage of one of the prior art processes is that the coating must be subsequently removed using a laser, or an additional anti-adhesive agent must first be applied to the base body. Laser removal can result in contamination of the outer panel due to the burn-off products of the removed coating. If the selected coating is a colored paint, there can also be problems because the laser wavelength couples differently in one colored paint than in another - thus requiring constant adjustment of the laser removal process. Applying an anti-adhesive agent is particularly problematic in terms of resolution accuracy, as the anti-adhesive agent can only be applied with limited detail and can also "run" afterwards.

[0004] The object of the invention is therefore to provide a method which, compared to the prior art, enables a more reliable production of a partially translucent exterior trim part for a vehicle.

[0005] According to the invention, this object is achieved by a partially translucent outer trim part of a vehicle, which is designed to be transilluminable by a rear-side light source at least in one transillumination area, wherein the outer trim part has a base body with a designated visible side and a rear side opposite the visible side, which consists at least in the transillumination area of ​​a translucent or transparent polymer material which is transilluminable for spectral ranges of visible light with a low absorption, and wherein an opaque coating or a coating with a high absorption for spectral ranges of visible light is arranged at least on the transillumination area of ​​the base body, wherein the coating has recesses in the transillumination area which make the coating partially transilluminable,wherein the base body has a laser-structured surface in the region of the recesses, which has hydrophobic or superhydrophobic properties.

[0006] The production and construction of a laser-structured surface can be found, for example, in the documents DE 10 2021 117 204 A1 or WO 23227720 A1, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

[0007] The coating can be arranged in particular on the back of the base body.

[0008] An additional protective layer can be provided on the visible side, which is preferably transparent or translucent.

[0009] The coating may be multi-layered. The coating may comprise at least one lacquer layer, in particular a color-imparting lacquer layer.

[0010] The recesses can in particular be designed as perforations. The diameter range of the perforations can preferably be in the range of 50 µm to 500 µm.

[0011] The translucent or transparent polymer material of the base body can comprise or can be formed from polypropylene and / or polycarbonate and / or polyethylene terephthalate and / or polycarbonate and / or acrylonitrile butadiene styrene and / or polymethyl methacrylate and / or polyamide, at least in the transmission area.

[0012] The exterior trim part can be a bumper fascia or a radiator grille fascia or a fender fascia or an A-, B-, C-, or D-pillar fascia or a spoiler outer skin or a sill panel or an outer door panel or an outer door lid panel or a front mask. The exterior trim part can also form part of a bumper fascia or a radiator grille fascia or a fender fascia or an A-, B-, C-, or D-pillar fascia or a spoiler outer skin or a sill panel or an outer door panel or an outer door lid panel or a front mask. A front mask is the part of a vehicle where the radiator grille was located in combustion vehicles.Especially in electric vehicles, this front mask is no longer designed as an air inlet to the radiator (which is no longer present here), but rather as a design element in the center of the vehicle.

[0013] Part of the invention is also a system comprising a partially translucent outer cladding part as described above and a light source arranged behind the intended visible side of the base body, wherein the light source preferably has a minimum luminous intensity of 500 cd / m 2 has.

[0014] A method according to the invention can be described as follows: Method for producing a partially translucent exterior trim part for a vehicle, in particular a partially translucent exterior trim part as described above, comprising the following steps: - Providing a base body with a designated visible side and a rear side opposite the visible side, which consists at least in the transmission area of ​​a translucent or transparent polymer material which is transmissible for spectral ranges of visible light with a low absorption, - Laser structuring of the surface of the base body in the transmission range at points which are to have hydrophobic or superhydrophobic properties as a result of the laser structuring, - applying an opaque coating or a coating with a high absorption for spectral ranges of visible light at least to the transmission area of ​​the base body, wherein no coating can be applied to the laser-structured areas of the base body, so that the coating has recesses at these areas which make the coating partially translucent.

[0015] The step of providing the base body can in particular comprise an injection molding process or a thermoforming process.

[0016] The invention is explained in more detail with reference to the following drawings, which merely represent exemplary embodiments.

[0017] They show: Fig. 1 a three-dimensional view of the visible side of an exterior cladding part; Fig. 2a-d schematic sectional views through the radiation area of ​​the base body; Fig. 3a-d schematic sectional views through the radiation area of ​​the base body in another variant.

[0018] Identical or functionally equivalent elements are provided with the same reference symbols.

[0019] In the Fig. 1 shows a front view of a partially translucent outer panel part of a vehicle according to the invention, which is designed to be transilluminable by a rear-side light source L at least in a transillumination region 2.

[0020] The outer cladding part has a base body 1 with a designated visible side A and a rear side B opposite the visible side A, which consists, at least in the transmission area 2, of a translucent or transparent polymer material which is transmissible for spectral ranges of visible light with a low absorption (cf. Fig. 2a, Fig. 3a).

[0021] At least on the transmission area 2 of the base body 1, an opaque coating 3 or a coating 3 with a high absorption for spectral ranges of visible light is arranged (cf. Fig. 2d, Fig. 3d). Coating 3 has a multi-layer structure.

[0022] The coating 3 has recesses 4 in the transmission area 2, which make the coating 3 partially transmissible (cf. Fig. 2a, Fig. 2b).

[0023] The base body 1 has a laser-structured surface 5 in the area of ​​the recesses 4, which has hydrophobic or superhydrophobic properties.

[0024] The coating 3 can be arranged on the back side B of the base body (cf. Fig. 3d), but can also be arranged on the visible side A of the base body 1 (cf. Fig. 2d).

[0025] The coating 3 comprises at least one lacquer layer, wherein the lacquer layer comprises a color-imparting lacquer layer.

[0026] The translucent or transparent polymer material of the base body 1, at least in the transmission region 2, may preferably comprise or be formed from polypropylene and / or polycarbonate and / or polyethylene terephthalate and / or polycarbonate and / or acrylonitrile butadiene styrene and / or polymethyl methacrylate and / or polyamide.

[0027] The Fig. The outer trim part shown in Figure 1 forms part of a bumper cover or is a front mask.

[0028] In the Fig. 2d and Fig. 3d shows a system comprising a partially translucent outer cladding part and a light source L arranged behind the intended visible side A of the base body 1, wherein the light source L preferably has a minimum luminous intensity of 500 cd / m 2 has.

[0029] A method for producing a partially translucent exterior trim part for a vehicle, in particular a partially translucent exterior trim part according to one of claims 1 to 6, comprises the following steps: - Providing a base body 1 with a designated visible side A and a rear side B opposite the visible side A, which consists at least in the transmission area 2 of a translucent or transparent polymer material which can be transilluminated for spectral ranges of visible light with a low absorption (cf. Fig. 2a and Fig. 3a), - Laser structuring of the surface 5 of the base body 1 in the transmission range at locations which are to have hydrophobic or superhydrophobic properties as a result of the laser structuring (cf. Fig. 2b, c and Fig. 3b, c), - Applying an opaque coating 3 or a coating 3 with a high absorption for spectral ranges of visible light at least to the transmission area 2 of the base body 1, wherein no coating can be applied to the laser-structured areas on the base body 1, so that the coating 3 has recesses 4 at these areas, which make the coating 3 partially translucent (cf. Fig. Fig. 2d and Fig. 3d).

[0030] The step of providing the base body 1 comprises an injection molding process or a thermoforming process. QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents submitted by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the convenience of the reader. This list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] DE 10 2012 003 200 A1

[0002] DE 10 2021 117 204 A1

[0006] WO 23227720 A1

[0006]

Claims

[1] Partially translucent outer paneling part of a vehicle, which is designed to be transilluminable by a rear light source (L) at least in one transillumination area (2), wherein the outer cladding part has a base body (1) with a designated visible side (A) and a rear side (B) opposite the visible side (A), which consists at least in the transmission area (2) of a translucent or transparent polymer material which is transmissible for spectral ranges of visible light with a low absorption, and wherein an opaque coating (3) or a coating (3) with a high absorption for spectral ranges of visible light is arranged at least on the transmission area (2) of the base body (1), wherein the coating (3) has recesses (4) in the transillumination area (2) which make the coating (3) partially transilluminable, characterized by , that the base body (1) has a laser-structured surface (5) in the region of the recesses (4) which has hydrophobic or superhydrophobic properties. [2] Partially translucent exterior cladding part according to claim 1, characterized by that the coating (3) is arranged on the back (B) of the base body. [3] Partially translucent exterior cladding part according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the coating (3) comprises at least one lacquer layer. [4] Partially translucent exterior cladding part according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the recesses (4) are designed as perforations. [5] Partially translucent exterior cladding part according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the translucent or transparent polymer material of the base body (1) in the radiation region (2) comprises or is formed from polypropylene and / or polycarbonate and / or polyethylene terephthalate and / or polycarbonate and / or acrylonitrile butadiene styrene and / or polymethyl methacrylate and / or polyamide. [6] Partially translucent exterior cladding part according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the outer trim part is a bumper trim or a radiator grille trim or a fender trim or an A-, B-, C-, or D-pillar trim or a spoiler outer skin or a sill trim or an outer door trim or an outer door flap trim or a front mask or that the outer trim part forms part of a bumper trim or a radiator grille trim or a fender trim or an A-, B-, C-, or D-pillar trim or a spoiler outer skin or a sill trim or an outer door trim or an outer door flap trim or a front mask. [7] System comprising a partially translucent outer cladding part according to one of the preceding claims and a light source (L) arranged behind the intended visible side (A) of the base body (1), wherein the light source (L) preferably has a minimum luminous intensity of 500 cd / m 2 has. [8] Method for producing a partially translucent exterior trim part for a vehicle, in particular a partially translucent exterior trim part according to one of claims 1 to 6, comprising the following steps: - Providing a base body (1) with a designated visible side (A) and a rear side (B) opposite the visible side (A), which consists at least in the transmission area (2) of a translucent or transparent polymer material which is transmissible for spectral ranges of visible light with a low absorption, - laser structuring of the surface (5) of the base body (1) in the transmission range at locations which are to have hydrophobic or superhydrophobic properties as a result of the laser structuring, - applying an opaque coating (3) or a coating (3) with a high absorption for spectral ranges of visible light at least to the transmission region (2) of the base body (1), wherein no coating can be applied to the laser-structured areas on the base body (1), so that the coating (3) has recesses (4) at these areas, which make the coating (3) partially translucent. [9] Method for producing a partially translucent exterior cladding part according to claim 8, characterized by that the step of providing the base body (1) comprises an injection molding process or a thermoforming process.

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