Vehicle with at least one decorative part

Abstract

The invention relates to a decorative part (1), in particular a vehicle exterior decorative part, for a vehicle (2), comprising a lens unit (4) with at least one lens (5) and a light source unit (6) arranged on an inner side of the at least one lens (5) for illuminating the at least one lens (5) in a switched-on state of the light source unit (6). According to the invention, a light-transmitting film (7) is arranged at least partially on an outer side of the at least one lens (5) facing away from the light source unit (6), which has a metallic appearance when the light source unit (6) is switched off. Furthermore, the invention relates to a vehicle (2) with at least one such decorative part (1).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a vehicle with at least one decorative part.

[0002] As described in DE 10 2020 133 633 A1, a lighting system and a lighting method for vehicles are known from the prior art. The lighting system includes a radiator grille that extends transversely across an opening in a vehicle. The lighting system also includes a light bar assembly with lamps arranged behind the radiator grille. The lamps are configured to be switched on in order to emit light through the radiator grille openings.

[0003] WO 2022 / 199 728 A1 describes an assembly of an illuminated vehicle radiator grille. The assembly comprises a radiator grille frame, the radiator grille itself, a light strip, and a light guide. The light guide has a light-intake surface. The light strip runs along this surface, so that the light is guided from the light strip through the light guide. The radiator grille frame, the light guide, and an edge area of ​​the radiator grille together define a cavity located on the front of the grille. The light strip is positioned within this cavity. The light guide is designed to emit light from the light strip in front of the vehicle and to the front of the radiator grille. Thus, the light guide illuminates both the area in front of the vehicle and the front of the radiator grille simultaneously.

[0004] An illuminated chromatic vehicle emblem is known from DE 20 2013 102 543 U1. An illuminated vehicle emblem assembly comprises a power source, a base element, a light-generating assembly coupled to the power source and supported by the base element, which contains an electroluminescent light source, a translucent base area above the light source, a chromatic layer above the translucent base area, and a translucent sealing structure designed to seal the base element, the light-generating assembly, and the chromatic layer.

[0005] WO 2022 / 167 523 A1 describes an external body part with design structures and a method for manufacturing attachment components. The body part, designed as a plastic injection-molded part, is a radiator guard featuring a raised design element projecting from a front surface, formed as a three-dimensional structure. The body part is designed in two parts: a front, painted surface section with a design opening and a rear attachment section with a raised design element that protrudes through the design opening when installed.

[0006] From DE 10 2020 005 896 A1, a method for manufacturing a flat cladding element for a vehicle is known. The cladding element has an ornament with a three-dimensional appearance, the edge of which is illuminated by a light source that can be arranged on the object side of the cladding element.The process comprises providing an opaque layer body with a visible side and an object side, which has a recess with the contour of the ornament at the location of the ornament to be formed; providing a tool mold with the shape of the visible side of the layer body, wherein a depression is formed at the location of the recess; placing the layer body in the tool mold; coating the object side of the layer body with transparent plastic, whereby a raised ornament with an ornament top surface and an ornament side wall is formed by filling the depression towards the visible side; removing the layer body; applying an ornament top layer to the ornament top surface with a predetermined light transmission and color; and applying a transparent protective layer to the visible side of the layer body.

[0007] EP 3 848 628 A1 describes a light emission system comprising a light guide, a light source located inside the system, a mask, and a lens enclosing the interior of the system, the light guide, and the light source. The lens has an inner surface, an outer surface opposite the inner surface, and a continuous transparent or translucent coating on the outer surface.

[0008] The invention is based on the objective of providing a vehicle that is improved compared to the prior art.

[0009] The problem is solved according to the invention by a vehicle with the features of claim 1.

[0010] Advantageous embodiments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

[0011] A decorative part for a vehicle according to the invention comprises a lens unit with at least one lens and a light source unit. The lens unit, in particular its at least one lens, is also referred to as a light source.

[0012] The at least one lens is in particular light-transmitting, i.e. translucent or transparent, and in particular light-scattering, in particular diffusely light-scattering, i.e. in particular made of a corresponding material.

[0013] For example, at least one lens is made of PMMA (polymethyl methacrylate), also known as acrylic glass, in particular PMMA DF23. This material is particularly diffusely light-scattering.

[0014] The light source unit is designed to illuminate the at least one lens when the light source unit is switched on and is therefore arranged on an inside side of the at least one lens.

[0015] According to the invention, a light-transmitting, i.e., at least translucent, film is arranged, at least partially, on an outer surface of the at least one lens facing away from the light source unit. This film has a metallic, particularly chrome-plated, appearance when the light source unit is switched off, i.e., a metallic look, particularly a chrome look. At least one visible side of the film facing away from the lens thus advantageously has this appearance when the light source unit is switched off.

[0016] For example, the film is metallized, i.e., specifically designed as a metallized film. For example, it has a metallization, i.e., a metallic coating, particularly on the viewing side facing away from the lens. This metallization, i.e., metallic coating, is transparent, i.e., at least translucent. For example, it is designed to be so thin and / or has openings such that it is transparent. If the metallization, i.e., the metallic coating, has openings, the film does not have a metallization, i.e., no metallic coating, at these openings. The film is then not metallized across its entire surface, but only in sections, i.e., only metallically coated.

[0017] The film is bonded to the outer surface of the at least one lens, particularly by hot stamping, and especially by a material-bonded connection. The lens unit, or at least one of its lenses, is advantageously designed to be suitable for hot stamping, particularly in the section connecting it to the film.

[0018] The decorative part is an exterior vehicle component. It is therefore intended for placement on the outside of the vehicle or for placement on the vehicle in such a way that it is at least partially located on its exterior.

[0019] The decorative element is designed as an elongated, especially rod-shaped, component. The length of the decorative element is therefore significantly greater, in particular several times greater, in particular many times greater, in particular at least one order of magnitude greater, than the width and / or depth and / or thickness of the decorative element.

[0020] The decorative part is designed in particular as a decorative strut, especially for a front panel or for a radiator grille of the vehicle.

[0021] The vehicle according to the invention has at least one such decorative element. According to the invention, the at least one decorative element is arranged completely or at least partially on an outer surface of the vehicle, in particular as a decorative strut, in a front panel or in a radiator grille of the vehicle. The front panel or radiator grille may, for example, have several such decorative elements. These decorative elements are, for example, aligned in the vertical or transverse direction of the vehicle. They are, for example, spaced apart from one another and, in particular, embedded in the front panel or radiator grille. The front panel or radiator grille is, in particular, not translucent, i.e., opaque. The front panel or radiator grille is, for example, black or another color, painted, or coated.

[0022] The light source unit comprises, in particular, at least one optical fiber and at least one light source, which is arranged at a light coupling point of the at least one optical fiber, in particular at an end face of the optical fiber, wherein the at least one optical fiber has at least one light coupling point, advantageously several light coupling points, for coupling the light in the direction of the at least one lens. Thus, advantageously, only one light source is required, the light of which is transmitted by means of the optical fiber and advantageously distributed to several light coupling points and coupled out at the respective light coupling point in the direction of the at least one lens.

[0023] The optical fiber is made of a transparent or at least translucent material and has one or more optical geometries, for example prisms, for light extraction, i.e., at least one optical geometry, for example a prism, at the at least one or each light extraction point. The at least one or each light extraction point, and in particular its optical geometry, is designed such that the light from the switched-on light source is extracted, in particular homogeneously, in the direction of the at least one lens.

[0024] The at least one light source is, in particular, a component of an electronic unit, especially a light module, which functions as an electronic component. The electronic unit, especially the light module, is therefore also a component of the light source unit. The at least one light source is, for example, an LED (light-emitting diode). However, a differently designed light source can also be used.

[0025] It is particularly intended that the light source unit is arranged in a housing sealed by the lens unit. The lens unit is advantageously bonded or welded to the housing, and / or housing components are, for example, bonded or welded together. The housing, particularly in conjunction with the lens unit, is thus sealed in a watertight manner.

[0026] In one embodiment, the housing, or at least an inner surface of the housing, is made entirely or at least partially of a light-reflecting material, for example, a white or at least light-colored material and / or a mirror-like material. Alternatively or additionally, the housing, particularly its inner surface, has at least one light reflector; that is, this light reflector can then be a separate component arranged in the housing, particularly on the inner surface of the housing. The reflection of light within the housing can improve the efficiency of the light exiting through the at least one lens.

[0027] In one embodiment according to the invention, the lens unit and its at least one lens are designed as a hat-shaped hollow body, or, according to the invention, as a hollow volume body. It thus has, according to the invention, a central section and a side section adjoining it circumferentially, and, according to the invention, completely, which is angled relative to the central section and thus encloses a cavity circumferentially, according to the invention, completely. For example, a collar section adjoins this side section on a side facing away from the central section, and in particular, also completely, which increases the outer circumference of the side section on the side facing away from the central section. According to the invention, the film is arranged, in particular exclusively, on the central section.

[0028] In an alternative embodiment according to the invention, the lens unit and its at least one lens are designed as a filled volume, or according to the invention, as a solid volume. According to the invention, this filled volume has a collar section in the region of the inner surface facing the light source unit, in particular a collar section extending around the entire circumference, which increases the outer circumference of the volume. According to the invention, the film is arranged, in particular exclusively, on a section of the volume opposite the collar section.

[0029] In one embodiment, a lateral outer circumference of the lens unit and / or the at least one lens is enclosed, at least partially, by a decorative diaphragm. The decorative diaphragm is made of a light-impermeable, i.e., particularly opaque, material. This decorative diaphragm can be designed in various color variations and / or surface finishes, for example, in black or another color, and / or, for example, with a textured, such as grained, surface or with a smooth surface. This has no effect on the appearance of the light pattern produced by the decorative element when the light source unit is switched on, since the decorative diaphragm is not illuminated through it.

[0030] In one embodiment, the lens unit is designed as a two-component component, wherein the at least one lens is formed by one of the two components and the other component is an opaque material that is arranged section by section on an outer surface facing away from the light source unit and / or on an inner surface of the lens facing the light source unit. This prevents, for example, light leakage through a gap between the at least one lens and the decorative diaphragm and / or light emission from, for example, lateral surfaces of the at least one lens. This results, for example, in a more sharply defined light pattern at the edges.

[0031] In one embodiment, the lens unit comprises multiple lenses. These multiple lenses are, for example, combined into a single component, in particular a common lens unit. As a result, the decorative element has multiple lenses and thus multiple hollow or solid volume bodies in or on a common housing.

[0032] The described solution provides a decorative element, in particular designed as a decorative strut, which has a metallic-looking surface, especially a chrome-plated surface, when the light source unit is switched off, and which illuminates when the light source unit is switched on, since the light emitted by the light source unit then passes through the at least one lens and the film. The decorative element thus enables, in particular, a cold appearance in the form of the metallic, especially chrome-plated, appearance and a warm appearance in the form of the illuminated state, i.e., when illuminated by the switched-on light source unit.

[0033] According to the invention, the decorative part forms a protruding hollow or solid volume body, according to the invention by means of its at least one lens, in the front panel or in the radiator grille of the vehicle, which can light up when the light source unit is switched on and then has in particular a circumferential light emission and / or a luminous front surface, and which, when the light source unit is switched off, has a metal look, in particular a chrome look, in particular on the front surface.

[0034] Different designs of the film used are possible, which can result in different appearances, especially both when the light source unit is switched off and when it is switched on.

[0035] Exemplary embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to drawings.

[0036] This shows: Fig. 1. Schematic front view of a front panel or radiator grille of a vehicle with decorative parts, Fig. 2. Schematic sectional view of the front panel or radiator grille with an embodiment of the decorative part in the area of ​​the decorative part. Fig. 3. Schematic exploded view of one embodiment of the decorative part, Fig. 4 schematically another front view of a front panel or radiator grille of a vehicle with decorative parts, Fig. 5 schematically a sectional view of an embodiment of the decorative part according to the section plane VV in Fig. 4, Fig. 6 schematically another front view of a front panel or radiator grille of a vehicle with decorative parts, Fig. 7 schematically a sectional view of an embodiment of the decorative part according to section plane VII-VII in Fig. 6, Fig. 8 schematically a perspective sectional view of the front panel or the radiator grille with an embodiment of the decorative part in the area of ​​the decorative part, Fig. 9 schematically another front view of a front panel or radiator grille of a vehicle with decorative parts, Fig. 10 schematically a sectional view of an embodiment of the decorative part according to the section plane XX in Fig. 9, Fig. 11 schematically another front view of a front panel or radiator grille of a vehicle with decorative parts, and Fig. 12 schematically a sectional view of an embodiment of the decorative part according to the section plane XII-XII in Fig. 11.

[0037] Corresponding parts are marked with the same reference symbols in all figures.

[0038] The Fig. 1, Fig. 2, Fig. 3, Fig. 4, Fig. 5, Fig. 6, Fig. 7, Fig. 8, Fig. 9, Fig. 10, Fig. 11 to Fig. Figure 12 shows exemplary schematic representations of embodiments of a decorative part 1 for a vehicle 2 or of embodiments of a vehicle 2 with at least one such decorative part 1, wherein, for the sake of clarity, only a front panel 3 or a radiator grille 3 with several such decorative parts 1 of the vehicle 2 is shown, in particular in the Fig. 1, Fig. 4, Fig. 6, Fig. 9 and Fig. 11. Fig. Figure 2 shows a sectional view of the front panel 3 or the radiator grille 3 in the area of ​​the decorative part 1 and Fig. Figure 8 shows a perspective sectional view of a section of the front panel 3 or the radiator grille 3 in the area of ​​the decorative part 1. Fig. Figure 3 shows an exploded view of decorative part 1 and the Fig. 5, Fig. 7, Fig. 10 and Fig. Figure 12 shows embodiments of the decorative part 1 in a respective sectional view.

[0039] In the illustrated embodiments, the decorative part 1 is an exterior vehicle decorative part. It is therefore specifically designed for placement on the outside of the vehicle 2 or for placement on the vehicle 2 such that it is at least partially located on its outside.

[0040] The decorative element 1 is designed, in particular, as an elongated, especially rod-shaped, component. The length of the decorative element 1 is therefore significantly greater, in particular several times greater, in particular many times greater, in particular at least one order of magnitude greater, than the width and / or depth and / or thickness of the decorative element 1, as, for example, in the Fig. 3, Fig. 7 and Fig. 8 is recognizable.

[0041] In the illustrated embodiments, the decorative element 1 is designed as a decorative strut for the front panel 3 or for the radiator grille 3 of the vehicle 2. In the illustrated embodiments, the vehicle 2 has several such decorative elements 1, each of which is arranged at least partially on the outside of the vehicle 2, in the illustrated embodiments each as a decorative strut in the front panel 3 or in the radiator grille 3 of the vehicle 2. In the illustrated embodiments, the decorative elements 1 are aligned in the vertical axis direction of the vehicle 2, spaced apart from one another, and are, in particular, embedded in the front panel 3 or in the radiator grille 3. The front panel 3 or the radiator grille 3 is, in particular, not translucent, i.e., opaque. The front panel 3 or the radiator grille 3 is, for example, black, painted, or coated.

[0042] The decorative element 1 comprises a lens unit 4 with at least one lens 5 and a light source unit 6. In the illustrated embodiments, the lens unit 4 comprises exactly one lens 5. In other embodiments not shown, however, the lens unit 4 can also comprise several lenses 5. These multiple lenses 5 can then, for example, be combined into a single component, in particular into the common lens unit 4.

[0043] The lens 5 is transparent, i.e. at least translucent, and in particular light-scattering, in particular diffusely light-scattering, designed, i.e. in particular made of a corresponding material.

[0044] For example, lens 5 is made of PMMA (polymethyl methacrylate), also known as acrylic glass, in particular of PMMA DF23. This material is particularly diffusely light-scattering.

[0045] The light source unit 6 is designed to illuminate the lens 5 when the light source unit 6 is switched on and is therefore arranged on an inside side of the lens 5.

[0046] On an outer surface of the lens 5 facing away from the light source unit 6, a light-transmitting, i.e., at least translucent, film 7 is arranged, at least partially. When the light source unit 6 is switched off, this film has a metallic, in particular chrome-plated, appearance, i.e., a metallic look, specifically a chrome look. At least one visible side of the film 7 facing away from the lens 5 thus has this appearance when the light source unit 6 is switched off. The film 7 is, in particular, metallized, i.e., specifically designed as a metallized film 7.

[0047] The described solution thus provides a decorative element 1 which, when the light source unit 6 is switched off, has a metallic-looking surface, in particular a chrome-plated-looking surface, and which illuminates when the light source unit 6 is switched on, since the light emitted by the light source unit 6 then passes through the lens 5 and the film 7. Light radiation from the light emitted by the light source unit 6 and passing through the lens 5 and the film 7 is thus present. Fig. 8 schematically represented by means of light radiation arrows P.

[0048] The foil 7 is bonded to the outer surface of the lens 5, particularly by hot stamping, and especially by a material-bonded connection. The lens unit 4, or at least its lens 5, is designed to be hot stamped for this purpose, particularly in the connection section with the foil 7.

[0049] In the illustrated embodiments, the light source unit 6 has a light guide 8 and a Fig. Figure 3 shows an exemplary light source 9, which is arranged at a light coupling point of the light guide 8, in the illustrated embodiments at an end face of the light guide 8. The light source 9 is, in particular, a component of an electronic unit, especially a light module, which functions as an electronic component. The electronic unit, in particular the light module, is thus also a component of the light source unit 6.

[0050] In the illustrated embodiments, the light guide 8 has several light extraction points for extracting light towards the lens 5. Advantageously, only one light source 9 is required, the light of which is transmitted via the light guide 8 and advantageously distributed to several light extraction points, and extracted at each light extraction point towards the lens 5.

[0051] The optical fiber 8 is in particular made of a transparent or at least translucent material and in particular has optical geometries, for example prisms, for light extraction, i.e. at least one optical geometry, for example a prism, at the respective light extraction point. The light extraction points, in particular their optical geometries, are in particular designed such that the light from the switched-on light source 9 is extracted, in particular homogeneously, in the direction of the at least one lens 5.

[0052] The light source unit 6 is arranged in a housing 10 which is sealed by the lens unit 4. In the illustrated embodiments, the lens unit 4 is bonded or welded to the housing 10. The housing 10, particularly in conjunction with the lens unit 4, is thus sealed in a watertight manner.

[0053] In the illustrated embodiments, the housing 10, or at least an inner surface of the housing 10, is made entirely or at least partially of a light-reflecting material; in the illustrated examples, this material is white. In other embodiments not shown, the housing 10, in particular its inner surface, has at least one light reflector; that is, this light reflector can then be, in particular, a separate component arranged in the housing 10, especially on the inner surface of the housing 10.

[0054] The reflection of the light in the housing 10 can improve the yield of the light exiting through the lens 5.

[0055] In the embodiments according to the Fig. 2, Fig. 3, Fig. 4, Fig. 5, Fig. 6, Fig. 7 to Fig. In the embodiments 8, 11, and 12, the lens unit 4 and / or its at least one lens 5 is designed as a hat-shaped hollow body, in particular a hollow volume body. It thus has, in particular, a central section 11 and a side section 12 adjoining it circumferentially, in particular completely, which is oriented at an angle to the central section 11 and thus encloses a cavity 13 circumferentially, in particular completely. In the aforementioned embodiments, a collar section 14 adjoins this side section 12 on a side facing away from the central section 11, in particular also completely, and increases the outer circumference of the side section 12 on the side facing away from the central section 11. The film 7 is arranged, in particular or exclusively, on the central section 11.

[0056] In the Fig. 9 and Fig. In the embodiment shown in Figure 10, the lens unit 4 and / or its at least one lens 5 is designed as a filled volume, in particular as a solid volume. In the illustrated embodiment, this filled volume has a collar section 14 in the region of the inner surface facing the light source unit 6, in particular extending all around the volume, which increases the outer circumference of the volume. The film 7 is arranged, in particular or exclusively, on a section of the volume facing away from the collar section 14.

[0057] As in the Fig. 2, Fig. 5, Fig. 7, Fig. 8, Fig. 10 and Fig. As shown in Figure 12, in the illustrated embodiments it is particularly provided that a lateral outer circumference of the lens unit 4 and / or the lens 5 is enclosed, at least partially, by a decorative diaphragm 15. The decorative diaphragm 15 is made of an opaque material. This decorative diaphragm 15 can be designed in various colors and / or surface finishes, for example, in black and, for example, with a textured surface. This has no effect on the appearance of the light pattern produced by the decorative element 1 when the light source unit 6 is switched on, since the decorative diaphragm 15 is not illuminated through it.

[0058] In the illustrated embodiments, the decorative aperture 15 is funnel-shaped. This funnel shape has a through-opening through which the lens unit 4, in particular its lens 5, is passed and thus is arranged at least partially in a funnel-shaped recess of the decorative aperture 15.

[0059] In the embodiment according to the Fig. 11 and Fig.12 The lens unit 4 is designed as a two-component component. The lens 5 is formed by one of the two components, in particular from the material described above, and the other component is an opaque material 16, which is arranged section by section, in the illustrated example, on an outer surface of the lens 5 facing away from the light source unit 6, in particular on lateral surfaces of the lens 5 not covered by the film 7. This prevents, for example, light leakage through a gap between the lens 5 and the decorative diaphragm 15 and / or light emission, for example, from the lateral surfaces of the lens 5.

Claims

[1] Vehicle (2) with at least one decorative part (1) as an exterior vehicle decorative part for the vehicle (2), wherein the at least one decorative part (1) is arranged at least partially on an outside of the vehicle (2) in a front panel (3) or in a radiator grille (3), wherein the decorative part (1) has a lens unit (4) with at least one lens (5) and a light source unit (6) arranged on an inside of the at least one lens (5) for illuminating the at least one lens (5) when the light source unit (6) is switched on, wherein a translucent film (7) is arranged at least partially on an outside of the at least one lens (5) facing away from the light source unit (6), which has a metallic appearance when the light source unit (6) is switched off, wherein - the lens unit (4) with at least one lens (5) is designed as a hat-shaped hollow volume body and has a central section (11) and a side section (12) fully adjoining it on its circumference, which is oriented at an angle to the central section (11) and thus fully encloses a cavity (13) on its side circumference, wherein the film (7) is arranged on the central section (11), or - the lens unit (4) with its at least one lens (5) is designed as a filled solid volume body, which has a collar section (14) in the area of ​​the inside facing the light source unit (6), which increases an outer circumference of the solid volume body, wherein the film (7) is arranged on a section of the volume body facing away from the collar section (14), and wherein the decorative part (1) forms a protruding hollow or solid volume body in the front panel (3) or in the radiator housing (3) by means of its at least one lens (5), which illuminates when the light source unit (6) is switched on and then has a circumferential light emission and a luminous front surface, and which has a metal optic on the front surface when the light source unit (6) is switched off. [2] Vehicle (2) according to claim 1, characterized by , that the foil (7) is bonded to the outside of the at least one lens (5) by hot stamping. [3] Vehicle (2) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the light source unit (6) has at least one light guide (8) and at least one light source (9) which is arranged at a light coupling point of the at least one light guide (8), wherein the at least one light guide (8) has at least one light coupling point for light coupling in the direction of the at least one lens (5). [4] Vehicle (2) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the light source unit (6) is arranged in a housing (10) enclosed by the lens unit (4), wherein the lens unit (4) is bonded or welded to the housing (10). [5] Vehicle (2) according to claim 4, characterized by , that at least one inner surface of the housing (10) is formed at least partially from a light-reflecting material or has at least one light reflector. [6] Vehicle (2) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the lens unit (4) is designed as a two-component component, wherein the at least one lens (5) is formed by one of the two components and the other component is an opaque material (16) which is arranged section by section on an outer side facing away from the light source unit (6) and / or on an inner side of the lens (5) facing the light source unit (6). [7] Vehicle (2) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by , that a lateral outer circumference of the lens unit (4) and / or the at least one lens (5) is enclosed at least partially by a decorative aperture (15). [8] Vehicle (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by a design as an elongated, especially rod-shaped, component.

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