Galvanically decorated decorative element with contour light

Abstract

Galvanically decorated decorative element with contour light, which is made from at least two plastic components (2, 4) in a materially bonded assembly and to which a light source (7) can be attached on the back, wherein a first plastic component (2) is galvanizable and forms the decorative element (3) and at least a second plastic component (4) is galvano-inert, i.e. undergoes the galvanizing process uncoated and unchanged and represents the translucent contour light region (5), wherein the component section made from the second plastic component (4) spans the translucent contour light region (5) and a region of the back (9) of the component section of the first plastic component (2).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a galvanically decorated decorative element with contour light which can be used with an additionally mounted light guide for ambient lighting in door panels, center consoles and instrument panels in vehicles.

[0002] DE 10 2008 057 332 A1 and DE 198 22 636 A1 disclose decorative elements that fulfill the desire for decoration while simultaneously providing translucency. In the cited prior art, symbolic or ambient lighting is achieved by a light source arranged behind the decorative element, which guides light through a partially or partly translucent decoration. The translucency of the decorative element is achieved through printing or in-mold decoration, or “IMD decoration” for short. In this process, a carrier film with the motif to be transferred is placed inside an open injection mold, with the motif having the desired color. The motif faces towards the opening of the mold. While the injection mold is filled with plastic, the color adheres to the cast parts and is detached from the film when the injection mold is opened. The coated part is then removed from the injection mold.In the case of a partial display, e.g. a symbol display, an additional barrier layer is applied to the back, which allows light transmission only in the specified areas.

[0003] However, neither version meets the current demand in the automotive industry for contour lighting on or in galvanized decorative elements.

[0004] The invention is therefore based on the object of providing a galvanically decorated decorative element with contour light, which has a compact structure, can be manufactured in a composite and with which filigree contour light solutions can be realized.

[0005] This problem is solved by a galvanically decorated decorative element with contour light having the features of claim 1.

[0006] The invention creates a galvanically decorated decorative element with contour lighting, which has a compact design and can be manufactured as a composite. Furthermore, the decorative element according to the invention can be used to create delicate contour lighting solutions. This is achieved by the two plastic components that are joined together in a materially bonded composite to form a component section. The first, galvanizable plastic component represents the decorative element, which is visually indistinguishable from known decorative elements. The second plastic component, which is not galvanizable, i.e., galvanoinert and thus undergoes the galvanizing process uncoated and unchanged, forms the transilluminable area. Components can thus be manufactured that fulfill the automotive industry's desire for contour lighting on or in galvanized decorative elements.

[0007] Advantageously, the second plastic component consists of an amorphous plastic such as polyamide (PA), and in particular a polycarbonate (PC), which can be transparent, translucent, or light-diffusing. Components made of polyamide (PA) or polycarbonate (PC) with the above properties allow for transillumination, thus enabling the desired contour lighting solutions to be realized.

[0008] Preferably, the component section made from the second plastic component encompasses the translucent contour light area as well as a region of the rear side of the component section of the first plastic component. At least partially surrounding the component section of the first plastic component improves the adhesion and bond between the two components. Furthermore, the reclamping has a positive effect on component warpage. Furthermore, fastening elements such as hooks or locking elements can be formed from the non-electroplatable component.

[0009] In a further development of the invention, the contour light area and the component area of ​​the decorative element to be electroplated are geometrically designed in such a way that, in the subsequent electroplating process, the deposited metal layers build up with sharp contours right up to the material joint of the two plastic components. This allows for the creation of extremely fine, translucent contours in the decorative element. This further enhances the design possibilities for vehicle interiors.

[0010] Further developments and refinements of the invention are specified in the remaining subclaims. Embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the drawings and described in detail below. They show: Fig. 1 the schematic representation of a galvanically decorated decorative element with contour light in section; Fig. 2 the schematic representation of a galvanically decorated decorative element with contour light in section in a different design.

[0011] The electroplated decorative element with contour lighting chosen as an exemplary embodiment is made of at least two plastic components 2, 4 in a materially bonded composite. The connection between the components 2, 4 is thus held together by atomic or molecular forces. The connection is non-detachable. It is manufactured using a two-component injection molding process. In a modification of the exemplary embodiments described below, it is also possible to provide multiple components of both the first and second plastic components.

[0012] One of the two plastic components 2—hereinafter referred to as the "first plastic component"—is electroplatable. It forms the decorative element 3. In the exemplary embodiment, the first plastic component 2 consists of a butadiene-containing copolymer. However, other materials can also be used, provided they are electroplatable.

[0013] The other plastic component 4 – hereinafter referred to as the "second plastic component" – is electroplating-inert. For the purposes of the present invention, this means that the plastic component 4 undergoes the electroplating process uncoated and unchanged. Therefore, no metallic deposits or coatings are deposited on the second plastic component 4 during the electroplating process.

[0014] The second plastic component 4 represents the transilluminable contour light area 5. In the exemplary embodiment, the second plastic component 4 also encompasses a large area of ​​the rear component section of the first plastic component 2. As can be seen in the exemplary embodiment according to the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, the second plastic component 4 covers the entire back 9 of the decorative element 3. The second plastic component 4 is made of an amorphous polyamide (PA) that is transparent, translucent, or light-scattering. Preferably, the plastic component 4 is made of a polycarbonate (PC). However, polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) or cycloolefin copolymers (COC) can also be used.

[0015] A component section is manufactured from the galvanized, second plastic component 4, which provides a fastening or fixation 6 for a rear-mounted light source 7. The light source 7 can be LEDs or light guides. Furthermore, the component section from the second plastic component 4 forms welding tabs 8. Fastening elements can also be used instead of the welding tabs.

[0016] In the embodiment according to Fig. 1, the first, electroplated plastic component 2 is U-shaped. In the assembled state, it represents the visible part of the decorative element 3. The second plastic component 4 is arranged in the U-shape of the first plastic component 2. In the embodiment according to Fig. 1, the plastic component 4 is also U-shaped, so that the second plastic component 4 has two legs connected to each other by a base oriented at right angles to the legs. Weld tabs 8 are provided at the free ends of the legs for attaching the decorative element 3 to the vehicle. Two fixing elements 6 are arranged at the base of the second plastic component 4, which serve to attach the illuminant 7, which in the exemplary embodiment is a light guide.

[0017] How Fig. 1, the base of the second plastic component 4 has a substantially triangular projection that is provided directly adjacent to the illuminant 7. After the second plastic component 4 has been electroplated, the triangular projection is substantially surrounded by the first plastic component 2. Only a narrow area above the tip of the triangular projection is not surrounded by the electroplatable plastic component 2, resulting in a very narrow translucent contour light area 5. This area is created in the area of ​​the material joint 10 between the two plastic components 2, 4. The material joint 10 is designed such that the electroplating separation is relocated to a non-visible area. As can be seen, the component section made from the second plastic component 4 encompasses the translucent contour light area 5 as well as the entire rear side 9 of the component section of the first plastic component 2.

[0018] In the embodiment according to Fig. 2, the first, electroplated plastic component 2 forms an L-shaped decorative element 3. The rear side 9 is filled with the second plastic component 4. The second plastic component 4 is essentially U-shaped, whereby it overlaps the L-shaped plastic component 2 with the help of a projection. In the area of ​​overlap is the material joint 10 of the two plastic components 2, 4. The projecting area of ​​the second plastic component 4 directed towards the viewing side 1 forms the translucent contour light area 5 in this embodiment. The illuminant 7 is in the embodiment according to Fig. 2 is arranged in a corner of the U-shaped second plastic component 4. It is secured there by the fixation 6. As can be seen, in this exemplary embodiment, too, the component section made from the second plastic component 4 encompasses the transilluminable contour light region 5 as well as the entire rear side 9 of the component section of the first plastic component 2. In a modification of the exemplary embodiment, it is also possible for the component section made from the second plastic component 4 to only encompass the rear side 9 in certain areas.

[0019] In the galvanically decorated decorative element according to the invention, the illuminant 7 is arranged on the back 9 of the decorative element 3. The arrangement of the illuminant 7 takes place in the immediate vicinity of the material joint 10 of the two plastic components 2, 4 and thus in the immediate vicinity of the transilluminable contour light area 5. The contour light area 5 is in the embodiment according to Fig. 1 is provided solely on the visible side 1 of the decorative element 3. In the embodiment according to Fig. 2, the contour light area 5 is provided both on the visible side 1 and laterally thereto. The in the embodiment according to Fig. The design chosen in Figure 2 provides the possibility of ambient lighting. In this case, the decorative element 3 can, for example, form a strip in a vehicle door or the dashboard, with the light being radiated towards the vehicle floor and thus illuminating the vehicle interior in certain areas. In contrast, the embodiment according to Fig. 1, in which the translucent contour light area 5 is formed with sharp contours on the viewing side 1. This allows stripes or symbols to be displayed with exact contours.

[0020] The electroplated decorative element according to the invention is manufactured in a manner known per se. First, a connection is made between the plastic components 2 and 4 using a two-component injection molding process. This is followed by electroplating, with the electroplated layer being deposited solely on the first, electroplated plastic component 2. The areas formed by the second, electroplated plastic component 4 remain free, thereby creating the translucent area 5. The contour light area 5 and the component area to be electroplated are geometrically designed such that the deposited metal layers build up with sharp contours during the electroplating process, extending precisely to the material joint 10 between the two plastic components 2, 4. The illuminant 7 is then installed in the decorative element 3, thus completing the decorative element according to the invention. 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 2008 057 332 A1

[0002] DE 198 22 636 A1

[0002]

Claims

[1] Galvanically decorated decorative element with contour light, which is made from at least two plastic components (2, 4) in a materially bonded assembly and to which a light source (7) can be attached on the back, wherein a first plastic component (2) is galvanizable and forms the decorative element (3) and at least a second plastic component (4) is galvano-inert, i.e. undergoes the galvanizing process uncoated and unchanged and represents the translucent contour light area (5), wherein the component section made from the second plastic component (4) spans the translucent contour light area (5) and an area of ​​the back (9) of the component section of the first plastic component (2). [2] Galvanically decorated decorative element according to claim 1, characterized by that the first plastic component (2) consists of a butadiene-containing copolymer. [3] Galvanically decorated decorative element according to claim 1 or 2, characterized bythat the second plastic component (4) consists of an amorphous plastic such as polyamide (PA), and in particular a polycarbonate (PC) which are transparent, translucent or light-scattering. [4] Galvanically decorated decorative element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the component section made from the second plastic component (4) takes over the fastening and fixing (6) of the rear-mounted illuminant (7) and forms fastening elements or welding tabs (8). [5] Galvanically decorated decorative element according to claim 4, characterized by that the light source (7) is formed by LEDs or LED-powered light guides. [6] Galvanically decorated decorative element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the contour light area (5) and the component area of ​​the decorative element (3) to be electroplated are geometrically designed in such a way that in the subsequent electroplating process the deposited metal layers build up with sharp contours up to exactly the material joint (10) of the two plastic components (2, 4). [7] Galvanically decorated decorative element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that a specially illustrated material joint (10) is formed which places the electroplating separation in a non-visible area.

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