Illuminated plaque

Abstract

Illuminated badge (2) for the interior of a vehicle with a housing part (4) which forms a display surface (6) which is at least partially translucent and on which at least one three-dimensional shaped area (8) is formed for reproducing a character content, and a lighting interface (20) for connecting the housing part (4) to a light source (L), wherein the three-dimensional shape region (8) extends away from a base surface (10) of the display surface (6) which has a lower light transmittance than the three-dimensional shape region (8), characterized in that the three-dimensional molding region (8) and the base surface (10) are formed by a common deep-drawing material (12) which extends in regions in the direction of the illumination interface (20) to form the three-dimensional molding region (8).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to an illuminated badge for use in the interior of a vehicle according to the preamble of claim 1. This badge has a housing part forming a display surface that is at least partially translucent and on which at least one three-dimensional shaped region is formed to reproduce a character content, which forms, for example, a symbol, logo, trademark, or character. Furthermore, the illuminated badge has an illumination interface that serves to connect a light source to the housing part. The three-dimensional shaped region extends from a closed, flat base area of ​​the display surface, which has a lower light transmittance than at least partial regions of the three-dimensional shaped region.

[0002] DE 10 2018 114 288 A1 discloses a vehicle assembly with an illuminated badge mounted on the exterior of a grille component. The badge includes a housing in the shape of a symbol, logo, or word and is made of a translucent plastic. A translucent metal foil is attached to the exterior of the badge to give it a metallic appearance. The housing also contains at least one light source to create a light effect through the housing and the metal foil.

[0003] The disadvantage of the known badge is that, to create a three-dimensional appearance, it protrudes relatively far from the exterior of the grille component and requires relatively high levels of illumination, with the resulting heat being dissipated through the open structure of the radiator grille. Therefore, the known illuminated badge is particularly unsuitable for use in the interior of a vehicle.

[0004] For use inside a vehicle, however, only very flat stickers are used to avoid disturbing or getting caught on the vehicle's occupants. Due to their flat design, such stickers are often poorly illuminated and generally difficult to see.

[0005] The object of the invention is to provide a generic illuminated badge which can be used in particular in the interior of a vehicle and generates a special lighting effect.

[0006] This object is achieved by an illuminated badge having the features of claim 1. The three-dimensional shaped area and the base surface are formed by a common deep-drawn material which extends in regions towards the illumination interface or rearward to form the three-dimensional shaped area. A deep-drawn material within the meaning of the invention is, in addition to a film material with a conventional film thickness that can be plastically deformed by deep-drawing and embossing, also a film-like planar structure, such as a sheet- or plate-shaped material or a metal sheet that can be plastically deformed similarly to a film, in particular by deep-drawing or embossing. Due to the higher light transmittance of the three-dimensional shaped area compared to the base surface, a clearly perceptible 3D effect is achieved even with a relatively flat badge design, particularly when illuminated.When viewed from the outside, the three-dimensional shaped area embedded in the base surface creates a special optical effect when illuminated. Despite the low height of the embedded shaped area compared to the flat base surface of a maximum of 10 mm, preferably between 0.3 and 3.0 mm, a clearly perceptible three-dimensional appearance of the character content can be created. The flat design of the display surface with the inwardly projecting shaped area enables versatile and non-disturbing use for occupants in the interior of a vehicle, for example on a display, in the area of ​​​​decorative strips, or on the surfaces of seats or doors.

[0007] It is particularly advantageous if the deep-drawn material is deep-drawn or embossed in certain areas to form the three-dimensional shaped area extending toward the illumination interface. Embossing or deep-drawing the deep-drawn material in this way makes it particularly easy to produce the display surface. Furthermore, the three-dimensional shaped area and the base surface are formed as a single piece, which in turn avoids open passages between the two areas where disruptive light emissions could occur during illumination.

[0008] Advantageously, the deep-drawing material has a light-inhibiting layer outside the three-dimensional molding area. This allows the translucent, and thus internally illuminated, three-dimensional molding area to be particularly easily and precisely demarcated from the less translucent or opaque base area. The three-dimensional molding area embedded in the base area creates a special lighting effect when illuminated, particularly when the base area appears completely unlit from the inside in contrast. This gives the character content of the molding area a particularly pronounced three-dimensional appearance, despite the flat design of the illuminated plaque.

[0009] In a particularly preferred embodiment, the light-transmitting layer is formed at least in some areas by injection molding or back-injection molding of the deep-drawing material with a synthetic resin. Alternatively or additionally, the light-transmitting layer can be formed by a synthetic resin filling. In any case, the light transmittance can be adjusted particularly precisely to different degrees in several areas in this way.

[0010] Alternatively, the light-inhibiting layer is advantageously formed, at least in some areas, by a printing ink or a colored film, which allows for particularly simple demarcation. The colored film can be applied, for example, using an in-mold process to enable the production of the illuminated plaque with consistent quality, even in high quantities.

[0011] Advantageously, the light-transmitting layer is arranged on the inside of the deep-drawn material, away from the display surface, in order to provide a uniform or closed metallic display surface, particularly when unlit. This allows the illuminated badge to exhibit a high-quality appearance even when unlit.

[0012] Alternatively, the light-transmitting layer is arranged on the outside of the deep-drawn material in order to create a particularly sharp-edged demarcation between two areas with different levels of light transmittance.

[0013] Advantageously, the deep-drawn material is formed by a metal foil, which gives the badge a metallic and therefore high-quality appearance even when unlit.

[0014] In addition, the lighting interface features a translucent resin filling incorporated into the housing, forming a mounting surface facing away from the display surface. The resin filling provides a relatively large, flat surface for connecting the illuminated badge to a light source that also has a flat surface. In addition to providing a mounting option, the resin filling can also function as an optical body, allowing a predetermined transmission or scattering of the light from the light source to be achieved.

[0015] In addition, the above-mentioned object is achieved by a light plaque arrangement with a light plaque in one of the above-mentioned embodiments, in which the light source is connected to the housing part via the lighting interface in order to achieve the desired 3D effect by exposing the differently translucent areas to light.

[0016] The light source can be formed by a light guide plate housed in the housing and connected to a power supply, allowing the illuminated badge and light source to be handled as a single unit. Furthermore, this allows the power of the light source or light guide plate to be optimally matched to the light transmittance of the display surface to create the desired optical effect.

[0017] Alternatively or additionally, the light source can be a self-illuminating display to which the illuminated badge is attached via the lighting interface. This allows the illuminated badge to be used both when the display is on and off to visually enhance it, or to attach a logo or symbol. This logo or symbol is thus visible even when the display is off and creates an additional three-dimensional optical effect when the display is on.

[0018] It is advantageous if a transparent double-sided adhesive film is provided between the mounting surface of the lighting interface and the display, by means of which the badge can be attached particularly flexibly and securely.

[0019] It is particularly preferred if the illuminated badge is housed in a material recess embedded in a display surface of the self-illuminating display. This allows the illuminated badge to be attached particularly securely to the display and harmoniously integrated into its overall appearance. The display can be visually enhanced by integrating the display surface of the illuminated badge, both when switched on and when switched off.

[0020] Advantageously, the self-illuminating display has at least one light-emitting area that is matched in shape and size to the illuminated badge. This allows a display installed on the vehicle, such as one integrated into the dashboard, to generate a suitable light intensity in the relevant area to create the desired 3D effect on the display surface.

[0021] It is pointed out that all features of the subject matter according to the invention described above are interchangeable or combinable with one another, unless an exchange or combination thereof is excluded for technical reasons.

[0022] The figures illustrate an exemplary embodiment of the invention. They show: Fig. 1 a perspective view of an illuminated plaque according to the invention, Fig. 2 a longitudinal section through the illuminated plaque according to Fig. 1, Fig. 3 an exploded view of an illuminated plaque arrangement with the illuminated plaque according to Fig. 1, Fig. 4 a view of an illuminated badge arrangement with the illuminated badge arranged on a self-illuminating display in the interior of a motor vehicle, Fig. 5 is an exploded view of an alternative embodiment of the illuminated badge assembly with the illuminated badge attachable to a light guide plate and Fig. 6 is an exploded view of another alternative embodiment of the illuminated badge assembly with a light guide plate received in a housing part.

[0023] The Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 show an illuminated badge 2 for the illuminated display of a character Z, such as a symbol, a logo, a trademark, and / or a character. The illuminated badge 2 is preferably used in the interior of a vehicle. For this purpose, the illuminated badge 2 forms a display surface 6 on a housing part 4, on which the respective character Z is displayed using a three-dimensionally extending shaped area 8.

[0024] The three-dimensional shaped area 8 extends inwards with a depth T of a maximum of 10 mm, preferably 0.3 to 3 mm, from a flat, closed-area base surface 10 of the display surface 6. This flat design of the display surface 6 and the illuminated badge 2 as a whole enables versatile use in the interior of a vehicle without disruption to occupants. The base surface 10 is translucent or at least has a significantly lower light transmittance than the three-dimensional shaped area 8. The shaped area 8 and the base surface 10 of the housing part 4 are formed from a common translucent deep-drawn material 12, such as a metal foil. The deep-drawn material 12 is formed from a conventional foil material with a conventional foil material thickness.Alternatively, the deep-drawing material 12 can also be formed by another film-like planar structure, such as a sheet-like or plate-like material or a sheet that can be deformed similarly to a film, in particular by deep-drawing or embossing.

[0025] In any case, the deep-drawing material 12 is deformed inwardly in some areas, i.e., toward a rear side, to form the inwardly extending molding region 8. Furthermore, an additional, light-transmitting layer 14 is provided in the area of ​​the base surface 10, outside the three-dimensional molding region 8. The layer 14, which is either light-transmitting or completely opaque, is produced, for example, by injection molding or by back-molding the deep-drawing material 12 with a synthetic resin. Alternatively or additionally, the light-transmitting layer 14 can also be formed, at least in some areas, by a printing ink or a colored film applied to the deep-drawing material 12. The layer 14 can, as shown, be applied externally to the display surface 6 of the housing part 4.Alternatively or additionally, the layer 14 can also be applied to the inside of an inner surface 16 of the housing part 4 (not shown).

[0026] To form the three-dimensional shaped area 8 with the character content Z, the deep-drawn material 12 is deep-drawn and / or embossed in certain areas starting from the display surface 6. In addition, the housing part 4 is generally shell-shaped and encloses a half-space R filled with a translucent synthetic resin filling 18. In this way, on the side of the illuminated badge 2 facing away from the display surface 6 of the housing part 4, a rear-side lighting interface 20 for connecting a light source L is formed, which is formed by a flat, translucent fastening surface 22. Alternatively, the half-space R can also be provided partially or entirely without the synthetic resin filling 18 in order to be able to accommodate the respective light source L within the housing part 4.In this case, the half-space R, or the receptacle formed therein, forms the rear-side illumination interface 20 for connecting the light source L. In any case, the deep-drawing material 12 extends to the rear side or in the direction of the illumination interface 20 to form the three-dimensional mold area 8.

[0027] To produce the illuminated badge 2, in a first step, the shell shape of the housing part 4 is produced from the common deep-drawing material 12, for example by deep-drawing and / or by embossing the deep-drawing material 12. In addition, the three-dimensional molded area 8 opposite the base surface is produced simultaneously or subsequently by deep-drawing or embossing. Subsequently, the half-space R formed by the shell shape can also be filled with the synthetic resin filling 18 to form the fastening surface 22.

[0028] In a second step, the deep-drawing material 12 is also provided with the light-transmitting layer 14 outside the molding area 8, for example by injection molding or back-injection of the deep-drawing material 12 and / or by screen printing, digital printing and / or pad printing or by applying a colored film. The light-transmitting layer 14 can be applied to the outside and / or inside of the deep-drawing material 12. Alternatively, the layer 14 can also be applied using an in-mold decoration process, in which the first and second steps are carried out simultaneously. In addition, it may be necessary to additionally repaint the housing part 4 in an edge area 24 in order to ensure lower light transmittance there as well compared to the three-dimensional molding area 8.

[0029] The illuminated plaque 2 produced in this way can then, as shown in Fig. 3, in order to complete an illuminated badge arrangement 26, in a third step, the fastening surface 22 can be connected to a surface 28 of the respective light source L, for example by gluing. As shown, the adhesive connection can be created by a transparent double-sided adhesive film 30 between the fastening surface 22 and the surface 28. The double-sided adhesive film 30 enables the secure fastening of the illuminated badge 2 to the flat surface 28 and the transmission of light emitted by the light source L via the fastening surface 22, which functions as an illumination interface, into the synthetic resin filling 18 and via this the illumination of the 3-dimensional shaped area 8 and its character content Z from the inside.

[0030] Fig. 4 shows an embodiment of the illuminated badge arrangement 26, in which the illuminated badge 2 is attached to a self-illuminating display 32 of a motor vehicle 34 as a light source L. The illuminated badge 2 is arranged, for example, in a material recess 36 which is embedded in a display surface 34 of the display 32 in order to ensure secure attachment and optical integration of the illuminated badge 2 within the display surface 38.

[0031] Furthermore, when mounted in this manner on the display 32 of a motor vehicle 34, the illuminated badge 2 can be mounted in a separately adjustable light emission area 40. The extent of this light emission area 40 can be adapted to the shape and size of the illuminated badge, and its luminous intensity can be adjusted to the light transmittance of the illuminated badge 2 such that, when illuminated from within, it stands out sufficiently from the flat base surface 10, particularly depending on the current ambient light. In this way, the illuminated badge 2 can be illuminated by the self-illuminating display 32 in such a way that the three-dimensional shape area 8 is illuminated in such a way that it appears with a clearly perceptible 3D effect.

[0032] Fig. 5 shows an alternative embodiment of the illuminated badge assembly 26, in which the illuminated badge 2 can be attached by means of the adhesive film 30 to a light guide plate 42 serving as a light source L. The light guide plate 42 can be connected to a power supply via a cable 44, so that the illuminated badge assembly 26 can be used flexibly as a functional unit.

[0033] Fig. 6 shows a further alternative embodiment of the illuminated badge assembly 26, in which the light guide plate 42 is dimensioned such that it can be accommodated in the half-space R of the housing part 4 serving as the illumination interface 20. For this purpose, the housing part 4 in this embodiment does not have a synthetic resin filling 18. In this embodiment, too, the illuminated badge assembly 26 can be used flexibly as a functional structural unit.

[0034] In both embodiments according to the Fig. 5 and Fig.6, the display surface 6 and the illuminated badge 2 as a whole have a relatively flat structure, which enables a diverse and trouble-free use in the interior of a vehicle, such as on a display, in the area of ​​decorative strips or on the surfaces of seats or doors (not shown).

[0035] It is pointed out that all elements and features of the various embodiments of the subject matter according to the invention described above are interchangeable or combinable with one another, unless an exchange or combination thereof is excluded for technical reasons. 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 2018 114 288 A1

[0002]

Claims

[1] Illuminated sticker (2) for the interior of a vehicle with a housing part (4) which forms a display surface (6) which is at least partially translucent and on which at least one three-dimensional shaped area (8) is formed for reproducing a character content, and a lighting interface (20) for connecting the housing part (4) to a light source (L), wherein the three-dimensional shape region (8) extends away from a base surface (10) of the display surface (6) which has a lower light transmittance than the three-dimensional shape region (8), characterized by that the three-dimensional molding area (8) and the base surface (10) are formed by a common deep-drawing material (12) which extends in regions in the direction of the illumination interface (20) to form the three-dimensional molding area (8). [2] Illuminated plaque according to claim 1, characterized bythat the deep-drawing material (12) is deep-drawn or embossed in certain regions to form the three-dimensional shaped region (8) extending in the direction of the lighting interface (20). [3] Illuminated plaque according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by that the deep-drawing material (12) has a light-transmitting layer (14) outside the three-dimensional molding area (8). [4] Illuminated plaque according to claim 3, characterized by that the light transmission-inhibiting layer (14) is formed at least in regions by injection molding or back-injection of the deep-drawing material (12) with a synthetic resin. [5] Illuminated plaque according to claim 3 or 4, characterized by that the light transmission-inhibiting layer (14) is formed at least in regions by a printing ink or a colored film. [6] Illuminated plaque according to one of claims 3 to 5, characterized bythat the light transmission-inhibiting layer (14) is formed on the deep-drawing material (12) on the inside, away from the display surface (6). [7] Illuminated plaque according to one of claims 3 to 6, characterized by that the light transmission-inhibiting layer (14) is formed on the outside of the deep-drawing material (12). [8] Illuminated plaque according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized by that the deep-drawing material (12) is formed by a metal foil. [9] Illuminated plaque according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized by that the lighting interface (20) has a translucent synthetic resin filling (18) introduced into the housing part (4), which forms a fastening surface (22) facing away from the display surface (6). [10] Illuminated plaque arrangement with an illuminated plaque according to one of claims 1 to 9 and a light source, characterized bythat the light source (L) is connected to the housing part (4) via the lighting interface (20). [11] Illuminated plaque arrangement according to claim 10, characterized by that the light source (L) is formed by a light guide plate (40) accommodated in the housing part (4) and connected to a power supply. [12] Illuminated plaque arrangement according to claim 11, characterized by that the light source (L) is formed by a self-luminous display (32) to which the illuminated plaque (2) is attached via the lighting interface (20). [13] Illuminated plaque according to claim 12, characterized by that a transparent double-sided adhesive film (30) is provided between the fastening surface (22) of the lighting interface (20) and the display (32). [14] Illuminated plaque arrangement according to claim 13, characterized bythat the illuminated plaque (2) is received in a material recess (36) which is embedded in a display surface (38) of the self-illuminating display (32). [15] Illuminated plaque arrangement according to claim 13 or 14, characterized by that the self-luminous display (32) has at least one light emission area (40) which is matched in shape and size to the illuminated plaque (2).

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