INSERT ELEMENT

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a packing element.

[0002] It is known to equip a trim element installed in a vehicle with a backlighting device in order to illuminate the interior of the vehicle and / or a particular element of the trim element, such as a pictogram, and / or to define a backlit decorative pattern on the external face of the trim element, with the aim of increasing passenger comfort and / or improving the external appearance of the trim element.

[0003] Typically, the lighting device is arranged under a perforated decorative layer and the light emitted by the lighting device illuminates the outer surface of the trim element through the perforations.

[0004] For the purpose of increasing passenger comfort, particularly if the trim element defines an armrest, the support layer, preferably a soft layer, may be disposed between the lighting device and the decorative layer to provide a soft appearance to the outer surface of the trim element.

[0005] The decorative aspect of such a trim element is unfortunately often unsatisfactory.

[0006] Indeed, the passenger can see through the perforations the surface extending under the decorative layer, in particular when the lighting device is switched off, which degrades the aesthetic appearance of the trim element, more particularly when the trim element is dark in color.

[0007] Document DE 10 2019 113124 A describes a trim element comprising a backlighting device.

[0008] An aim of the invention is to provide a trim element comprising a backlighting device and having a satisfactory decorative appearance.

[0009] For this purpose, the invention relates to a packing element according to claim 1.

[0010] Due to the fact that at least one of the support layer and the bonding layer has the same decorative color as the outer face of the decorative layer, the appearance of the trim element appears uniform to the passenger, and also through perforations, in particular when the lighting device is switched off. The trim element thus has a satisfactory decorative appearance.

[0011] The packing element according to the invention comprises one or more of the characteristics of claims 2 to 10, taken in isolation or in any technically possible combination.

[0012] The invention will be better understood by reading the following description, given solely by way of example, and made with reference to the appended drawings, in which: there figure 1 is a schematic sectional view of the packing element according to a first embodiment of the invention; and the figure 2 is a schematic sectional view of the packing element according to a second embodiment of the invention.

[0013] There figure 1 illustrates a trim element 10 comprising a decorative layer 12, a support layer 14, a bonding layer 16 between the decorative layer 12 and the support layer 14, and a lighting device 18 configured to at least partially illuminate the exterior surface 19 of the trim element 10.

[0014] The trim element 10 is, for example, a door panel, a center console, a dashboard, or a similar element configured to be installed inside a vehicle.

[0015] The decorative layer 12 comprises an external face 20 and an internal face 22 extending opposite the external face 20.

[0016] The external face 20 defines, for example, a support surface for the passenger, such as an armrest.

[0017] The external face 20 at least partially defines the external surface 19 of the trim element 10.

[0018] In other words, the external face 20 of the decorative layer 12 at least partially defines the surface visible to the passenger from the outside of the trim element 10, and thus gives its aesthetic appearance to the trim element 10.

[0019] At least the outer face 20 of the decorative layer 12 has a decorative color visible to the passenger.

[0020] The decorative layer 12 is for example composed of a flexible skin, and preferably made of leather or polyvinyl chloride (PVC).

[0021] The decorative layer 12 is, for example, a black or dark-colored PVC skin.

[0022] The thickness of the decorative layer 12, that is to say the distance measured between the external face 20 and the internal face 22, is for example between 0.5 mm and 1.5 mm, and more particularly between 0.8 mm and 1.2 mm.

[0023] The decorative layer 12 is opaque. By opaque is meant having a light transmission rate in the visible spectrum of less than 5%, and preferably close to 0%. In other words, the decorative layer 12 thus prevents the passage of light between the inner face 22 and the outer face 20 thereof.

[0024] At least a portion of the decorative layer 12 includes a plurality of orifices 24.

[0025] Each orifice 24 is a through opening extending between the internal face 22 and the external face 20 over the entire thickness of the decorative layer 12. In other words, each orifice 24 opens onto both the external face 20 and the internal face 22 and extends substantially perpendicular to the external face 20 and to the internal face 22.

[0026] The passenger can see, through the orifices 24, the layer extending under the decorative layer 12, here the connecting layer 16.

[0027] The holes 24 are for example perforated in the decorative layer 12.

[0028] The opening defined by the orifice 24 in the external face 20 may have any suitable shape. The orifices 24 form, for example, uniformly distributed bands extending over at least a portion of the external face 20. The orifices 24 are alternately circular in shape and together define a pattern on the decorative layer 12.

[0029] The support layer 14 comprises an outer face 26 and an inner face 28.

[0030] The external face 26 is closer to the decorative layer 12, and more particularly to the orifices 24 of the decorative layer 12, than the internal face 28.

[0031] The support layer 14 is translucent at least opposite the orifices 24 of the decorative layer 12, and is preferably translucent over its entire surface.

[0032] By translucent is meant having a light transmission rate in the visible spectrum of between 5% and 100%, and preferably greater than 50%. Light in the visible spectrum is thus able to pass through the support layer 14 between the inner face 28 and the outer face 26.

[0033] The support layer 14 advantageously has a soft feel to the touch.

[0034] The support layer 14 comprises at least one flexible layer. Such a flexible layer is made of a flexible material which can be easily elastically deformed, for example by pressure exerted by a passenger with his finger.

[0035] Such a flexible support layer 14 has the advantage of giving a soft appearance to the upholstery element 10, which is more comfortable for the passenger, in particular when the upholstery element 10 defines an armrest.

[0036] For this purpose, the support layer 14 is for example composed of a spacer fabric.

[0037] Such a spacer fabric comprises, for example, a first fabric defining the outer face 26 of the support layer 14, a second fabric defining the inner face 28 of the support layer 14, and spacer yarns connecting the two fabrics together. The spacer yarns provide flexibility to the spacer fabric. The fabrics and the spacer yarns are preferably made of sparsely distributed fibers, in order to remain translucent.

[0038] The thickness of the support layer 14 is for example between 1.5 mm and 5 mm.

[0039] The bonding layer 16 bonds the inner face 22 of the decorative layer 12 with the outer face 26 of the support layer 14.

[0040] The bonding layer 16 extends over the entire surface of the external face 26 of the support layer 14 and over the entire surface of the internal face 22 of the decorative layer 12, and more particularly also extends opposite the orifices 24. Consequently, the passenger can see the bonding layer 16 through the orifices 24.

[0041] The bonding layer 16 is translucent at least opposite the orifices 24 of the decorative layer 12, and is preferably translucent over its entire surface.

[0042] In other words, light in the visible spectrum is able to pass through the bonding layer 16, in order to exit through the orifices 24 of the decorative layer 12.

[0043] The bonding layer 16 is for example composed of glue.

[0044] More particularly, the glue constituting the bonding layer 16 is chosen as a water-based glue.

[0045] Water-based glue consists of an adhesive dissolved in water. The adhesive is, for example, a synthetic polymer such as polyvinyl acetate or an elastic polymer such as latex.

[0046] The water-based adhesive is for example distributed, for example by spraying, on the outer face 26 of the support layer 14 in order to form the bonding layer 16, and the inner face 22 of the decorative layer 12 is then placed on the bonding layer 16. Alternatively, the water-based adhesive is distributed on the inner face 22 of the decorative layer 12 and the outer face 26 of the support layer 14 is placed on the bonding layer 16.

[0047] When the water evaporates, the adhesive hardens and bonds the inner face 22 of the decorative layer 12 with the outer face 26 of the support layer 14.

[0048] Alternatively, the adhesive constituting the bonding layer 16 is chosen as a hot melt adhesive.

[0049] Hot melt glue is made of a thermoplastic material, such as ethylene vinyl acetate.

[0050] The thermoplastic material is applied in a molten state to the outer face 26 of the support layer 14, for example using a glue gun, in order to form the bonding layer 16, and the inner face 22 of the decorative layer 12 is placed on the bonding layer 16. Alternatively, it is the other way around, the thermoplastic material is applied to the inner face 22 of the decorative layer 12 and the outer face 26 of the support layer 14 is placed on the bonding layer 16.

[0051] As the thermoplastic material cools, the bonding layer 16 solidifies and forms a strong bond between the inner face 22 of the decorative layer 12 and the outer face 26 of the support layer 14.

[0052] Alternatively, hot melt glue is a heat-activated glue.

[0053] The thermoplastic material is cold applied to one of the inner face 22 of the decorative layer 12 and the outer face 26 of the support layer 14.

[0054] The thermoplastic material is then heated, for example to a temperature between 50°C and 150°C, so as to activate the adhesive properties of the heat-activated glue and form a strong bond between the inner face 22 of the decorative layer 12 and the outer face 26 of the support layer 14 when the thermoplastic material cools again.

[0055] The thickness of the bonding layer 16, i.e. the distance measured between the inner face 22 of the decorative layer 12 and the outer face 26 of the support layer 14, is between 2 µm and 500 µm, and preferably between 8 µm and 250 µm.

[0056] The low thickness of the bonding layer 16 allows good transmission of light through said bonding layer 16.

[0057] According to the invention, the bonding layer 16 has the same decorative color as the external face 20 of the decorative layer 12.

[0058] For this purpose, the bonding layer 16 comprises pigments of the decorative color of the external face 20 of the decorative layer 12.

[0059] For example, if the decorative layer 12 has an external face 20 of black decorative color, the glue is mixed with black colored pigments, such as carbon pigments for example.

[0060] The concentration of pigments in the glue is preferably between 0.1% and 1% so as to give the desired color to the bonding layer 16 while retaining the adhesive properties of the glue.

[0061] The passenger can see the bonding layer 16 through the holes 24 defined in the decorative layer 12.

[0062] Thus, the passenger sees through the orifices 24 the same decorative color as that of the external face 20 of the decorative layer 12.

[0063] The lighting device 18 is configured to emit light towards the inner face 28 of the support layer 14.

[0064] The lighting device 18 preferably emits white light to ensure better light transmission.

[0065] The lighting device 18 is for example a light box comprising a light source arranged in a housing with reflective walls to direct the light emitted by the light source towards the outer surface 19, and more particularly towards the inner face 28 of the support layer 14.

[0066] The light source is, for example, a light-emitting diode (LED).

[0067] Alternatively, the lighting device 18 is a light plate comprising a light guide extending against the inner face 28 of the support layer 14 and a light source emitting light in the light guide. The light guide is arranged so as to illuminate in the direction of the outer surface 19, and more particularly towards the inner face 28 of the support layer 14.

[0068] As another alternative, the lighting device 18 is a light sheet comprising a plurality of light sources, for example LEDs, emitting light towards the inner face 28 of the support layer 14.

[0069] The light thus emitted passes through the support layer 14, and more particularly from the internal face 28 to the external face 26, thanks to the at least partial translucency of the support layer 14.

[0070] The emitted light then passes through the bonding layer 16 thanks to the at least partial translucency of said bonding layer 16.

[0071] The emitted light finally passes through the orifices 24 and illuminates the outer surface 19 of the trim element 10 defined by the outer surface 20 of the decorative layer 12.

[0072] The emitted light cannot pass through the decorative layer 12, because it is opaque.

[0073] The aesthetic appearance of such a trim element 10 is satisfactory, because, when the lighting device 18 is off, the color seen through the orifices 24 is the same as the decorative color of the decorative layer 12, in particular thanks to the pigmentation of the connecting layer 16.

[0074] In addition, the white support layer 14 allows good transmission of the light emitted by the lighting device 18.

[0075] Furthermore, the support layer 14 of such a trim element 10 may be chosen so as to give a soft feel to the trim element 10 to increase passenger comfort.

[0076] In another embodiment of the invention illustrated in the figure 2 , the bonding layer 16 is not composed of glue, but the bonding layer 16 is a film comprising two adhesive layers 30 and at least one intermediate layer 32.

[0077] The intermediate layer 32 is arranged between the two adhesive layers 30, in the manner of a sandwich.

[0078] The intermediate layer 32 imparts its color and light transmission properties to the bonding layer 16.

[0079] The intermediate layer 32 comprises pigments in order to present the same decorative color as the external face 20 of the decorative layer 12.

[0080] The intermediate layer 32 is for example made of a thin plastic layer, and is for example made of a polyethylene-based material.

[0081] Alternatively, the bonding layer 16 comprises a plurality of intermediate layers 32, each imparting a color and light transmission property to the bonding layer 16.

[0082] The adhesive layers 30 are for example made of glue and confer their bonding property to the bonding layer 16.

[0083] The adhesive layers 30 and the intermediate layer 32 are compressed at temperature and pressure, for example between 0.8 bar and 1.2 bar and between 100°C and 180°C, so as to form a compact film.

[0084] Alternatively, the adhesive layers 30 and the intermediate layer 32 are directly sprayed onto the outer face 26 of the support layer 14 and / or onto the inner face 22 of the decorative layer 12.

[0085] In another embodiment of the invention, the support layer 14 has the same decorative color as the outer face 20 of the decorative layer 12.

[0086] For this purpose, the support layer 14 comprises pigments of said decorative color.

[0087] In the case where the support layer 14 is a spacer fabric, the fibers and / or yarns used to manufacture the support layer 14 are advantageously chosen to be the same color as the decorative color of the external face 20 of the decorative layer 12.

[0088] For example, pigments are integrated into the fibers and / or threads of the spacer fabric.

[0089] In order to increase the transmission of light, in this embodiment, the bonding layer 16 is advantageously chosen to be transparent and does not comprise pigment.

[0090] In this embodiment of the invention, the passenger sees, through the orifices 24, the decorative color of the support layer 14, which is the same as that of the external face 20 of the decorative layer 12.

[0091] In another embodiment of the invention, the support layer 14 and the bonding layer 16 both have the same decorative color as the outer face 20 of the decorative layer 12.

[0092] For this purpose, the support layer 14, as well as the bonding layer 16, comprise pigments of said decorative color.

[0093] In this embodiment of the invention, the decorative color seen by the passenger through the orifices is the same as that of the external face 20 of the decorative layer 12 and this color is intensified by the fact that the support layer 14 and the bonding layer 16 both have this color.

Claims

1. A trim element (10) comprising: - a decorative layer (12) comprising an outer face (20) at least partially defining the outer surface (19) of the trim element (10), an inner face (22) opposite the outer face (20), and a plurality of openings (24) extending between the outer face (20) and the inner face (22), at least the outer face (20) of the decorative layer (12) having a decorative color; - a support layer (14) comprising an outer face (26), an inner face (28) and at least one flexible layer, the support layer (14) being translucent at least opposite the openings (24) in the decorative layer (12); - a bonding layer (16) bonding the inner face (22) of the decorative layer (12) to the outer face (26) of the support layer (14), said bonding layer (16) being translucent at least opposite the openings (24) in the decorative layer (12); and - a lighting device (18) configured to emit light towards the inner face (28) of the support layer (14), said light passing through the support layer (14) and the bonding layer (16) and at least partially illuminating the outer surface (19) of the trim element (10) through the openings (24), characterized in that at least one of the support layer (14) and the bonding layer (16) has the same decorative color as the outer face (20) of the decorative layer (12).

2. The trim element according to claim 1, wherein the bonding layer (16) is composed of adhesive.

3. The trim element according to claim 2, wherein the adhesive is selected from a hot-melt adhesive and a water-based adhesive.

4. The trim element according to claim 1, wherein the bonding layer (16) is a film comprising two adhesive layers (30) and at least one intermediate layer (32), the intermediate layer (32) being arranged between the two adhesive layers (30).

5. The trim element according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the thickness of the bonding layer (16) is between 2 µm and 500 µm, preferably between 8 µm and 250 µm.

6. The trim element according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the bonding layer (16) is of the same decorative color as the outer face (20) of the decorative layer (12) and the support layer (14) is white in color.

7. The trim element according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the support layer (14) is of the same decorative color as the outer face (20) of the decorative layer (12).

8. The trim element according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the decorative layer (12) is composed of a flexible skin.

9. The trim element according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the support layer (14) is composed of a spacer fabric.

10. The trim element according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein at least one of the support layer (14) and the bonding layer (16) comprises pigments of the decorative color of the outer face (20) of the decorative layer (12).