Filler body with switchable backlit areas

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle trim element, comprising a covering layer defining an outer surface and an inner surface, opposite the outer surface, said covering layer comprising at least two distinct backlit pattern areas, wherein said covering layer is at least partly translucent so as to allow light to pass from the inner surface to the outer surface, the trim element further comprising at least one lighting module extending on the inner surface side of the covering layer, said lighting module comprising at least one light source and a first light guide arranged to guide light from the light source to the backlit areas of the covering layer.

[0002] The invention also relates to a method for producing such a packing element.

[0003] It is known to provide backlit areas on the external surface of a trim element in order to illuminate patterns, such as pictograms or decorative patterns, on this external surface.

[0004] To do this, the coating layer includes translucent areas having the shape of the patterns to be displayed and light sources are arranged opposite these translucent areas on the inner side of the coating layer in order to illuminate the translucent areas. In order to ensure good illumination of the backlit areas, the light sources are arranged in "light boxes" extending between the light sources and the backlit areas. The walls of the light box are reflective so that the light rays from the light sources are transmitted to the backlit areas by the light boxes.

[0005] However, in order to ensure good homogenization of the light when it reaches the external surface of the trim element, it is necessary to provide a certain distance between the light sources and the backlit areas, which increases the thickness of the trim element and its bulk.

[0006] US 2013 / 0027953 A1 discloses a vehicle indicator display according to the state of the art.

[0007] To overcome this drawback, it has been proposed to place the light sources against the inner surface of the light layer and to guide the light to the backlit areas by light guides. However, the quality of the light reaching the backlit areas is then not satisfactory.

[0008] It has also been proposed to replace the light sources and backlit areas with a liquid crystal display (LCD) placed under the coating layer and displaying images on the outer surface of the coating layer. This also allows for separate patterns to be placed very close to each other.

[0009] However, such a screen is not entirely satisfactory because it requires the addition of a window opposite the screen in the covering layer, which breaks the continuity of appearance of the covering layer, even if the window is arranged to have a similar appearance to that of the rest of the covering layer. In addition, the difference in contrast between the illuminated areas and the unlit areas on the screen are visible through the window, which makes the integration of the screen in the trim element too visible from outside the trim element.

[0010] One of the aims of the invention is to overcome these drawbacks by proposing a space-saving filling element, having a satisfactory appearance and allowing backlit patterns to be very close to each other.

[0011] To this end, the invention relates to a trim element of the aforementioned type, further comprising a switching module extending between the coating layer and the lighting module, the switching module comprising at least two optical shutter zones, at least one optical shutter zone extending opposite each backlit pattern zone of the coating layer and being configurable between an open position, in which said optical shutter zone allows light to pass from the first light guide of the lighting module to the backlit pattern zone of the coating layer extending opposite said optical shutter zone, and a closed position, in which said optical shutter zone prevents the passage of light from the first light guide to the backlit pattern zone extending opposite said optical shutter zone.

[0012] Using a switching module, multiple backlit areas can be selectively illuminated with a single lighting module. This allows the backlit areas to be placed very close together and reduces the space requirement of the trim element. In addition, the coating layer has a uniform appearance both in front of and around the backlit areas, especially when the backlit areas are not illuminated. In other words, the presence of a backlit area is only detectable when it is illuminated by the lighting module.

[0013] The packing element according to the invention may comprise one or more of the following characteristics, taken individually or in any technically conceivable combination: each optical shutter area has a surface area greater than or equal to the surface area of ​​the backlit pattern area extending opposite said optical shutter area, each backlit pattern area being surrounded at least in part by an opaque area preventing the passage of light from the inner surface to the outer surface of the coating layer, the coating layer comprises at least one translucent appearance layer and at least one masking layer extending against the appearance layer, said masking layer comprising at least two openings, each having the shape of one of the backlit pattern areas of the coating layer, each optical shutter area of ​​the switching module extending opposite an opening of the masking layer, a second light guide formed by a translucent element extends against the inner surface of the coating layer,the switching module extending against said translucent element arranged to guide light passing through said switching module to the backlit pattern areas of the covering layer, the trim element comprises a support extending around the lighting module and the switching module, said support encapsulating a portion of the first light guide, said support being made of a reflective material, the lighting module is mounted on a substrate comprising at least one electrical connection circuit of the light source of the lighting module, the light source being connected to said connection circuit, the switching module is further connected to the connection circuit, the optical shutter areas being electrically powered by said electrical connection circuit, and the distance between the two backlit pattern areas is substantially between 0.3 mm and 2 mm.

[0014] According to another aspect, the invention also relates to a method of producing a packing element as described above, comprising the following steps: producing a coating layer comprising at least two distinct backlit pattern areas, wherein said coating layer is at least partly translucent so as to allow light to pass from an inner surface to an outer surface of the coating layer, producing a switching module comprising at least two optical shutter areas, producing a lighting module comprising at least one light source and a first light guide, assembling the coating layer, the switching module and the lighting module by positioning at least one optical shutter area of ​​the switching module opposite each backlit pattern area of ​​the coating layer and by positioning the first light guide of the lighting module so that the light emitted by the light source is guided towards the backlit pattern areas of the coating layer via the optical shutter areas of the switching module.

[0015] According to an optional feature of the production method, the step of positioning the optical shutter zones of the switching module opposite the backlit pattern zones of the coating layer comprises the following steps: placing at least one optical shutter zone in the open position, at least one light source being arranged to display a pattern on the side of the outer surface of the coating layer passing through said optical shutter zone in the open position, placing at least one corresponding pattern opposite a backlit pattern area of ​​the coating layer extending opposite the optical shutter zone in the open position, using an imaging device to acquire at least one image of the outer surface of the coating layer to determine whether the pattern displayed by the light source through the optical shutter zone in the open position is superimposed with the pattern opposite the corresponding backlit pattern area, if the patterns are not superimposed, moving the switching module relative to the coating layer to superimpose the patterns before permanently fixing the coating layer,the switching module and the lighting module. ,

[0016] Other aspects and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the following description, given by way of example and with reference to the appended drawings, in which: [ Fig 1 ] - there Fig. 1 is a schematic sectional representation of a packing element according to one embodiment of the invention, [ Fig 2 ] - there Fig. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional representation of the coating layer and a second light guide of the trim element of the Fig. 1 , [ Fig 3 ] - there Fig. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional representation of a portion of the lighting module of the trim element of the Fig. 1 , And [ Fig 4 ] [ Fig 5 ] [ Fig 6 ] - THE Figs. 4 has 6are schematic sectional representations of a part of a packing element according to an embodiment of the invention during different stages of the method of producing such a packing element.

[0017] In reference to the Fig. 1 , a vehicle trim element 1 is described comprising a covering layer 2, a lighting module 4 and a switching module 6. Such a trim element 1 forms, for example, all or part of a door panel, a central console, a vehicle dashboard or the like.

[0018] The covering layer 2 comprises an outer surface 8, forming at least a part of the visible surface of the trim element 1, and an inner surface 10, opposite the outer surface 8 and extending on the inner side of the trim element 1. Thus, the outer surface 8 gives its appearance to at least a part of the trim element 1 while the inner surface 10 is intended to be turned towards the part of the vehicle on which the trim element 1 is intended to be installed. The covering layer 2 may comprise several layers. According to the embodiment shown in the Figs. 1 And 2, the coating layer 2 thus comprises at least one appearance layer 12, defining the external surface of the coating layer 2, and a masking layer 14, defining the internal surface 10 of the coating layer 2. As will be described later with reference to another embodiment, the coating layer 2 may comprise other layers.

[0019] The appearance layer 12 is for example substantially continuous and covers all or part of the trim element 1. Opposite the external surface 8, the appearance layer 12 comprises a back surface on which the masking layer 14 extends. The appearance layer 12 is for example substantially translucent, that is to say that it allows light to pass from the back surface to the external surface 8. By translucent, we mean a light transmission rate of between 5% and 100%, 100% corresponding to a transparent layer. The translucency of the appearance layer 12 can be given to it either due to the material forming the appearance layer 12, or due to its thickness. Alternatively, only certain areas of the appearance layer 12 are translucent, for example by making perforations in the appearance layer 12 in these areas.The appearance layer 12 is for example formed by a skin which can be formed from any suitable material, such as a plastic material, a woody material or other. Depending on the embodiment of the . Figs. 1 , 2 And 4 , the appearance layer 12 is formed by a substrate having a thickness substantially equal to or greater than 0.175 mm and for example substantially equal to or less than 2 mm. The appearance layer 12 may comprise on the side of the external surface 8 an anti-scratch protection and / or any other treatment suitable for preserving the appearance layer 12. The appearance layer 12 is for example made of a plastic material, such as polycarbonate (PC), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) or polycarbonate / polymethyl methacrylate (PC / PMMA). Alternatively, as shown in the Fig. 6 , the appearance layer 12 can be a simple layer of varnish applied to the masking layer 14.

[0020] The masking layer 14 extends over the back surface of the appearance layer 12 and comprises at least two backlit pattern areas 16 and at least one opaque area 18.

[0021] Each backlit pattern area 16 is at least partly translucent, or even transparent, so as to allow light to pass through the masking layer 14 of the internal surface 10 to the appearance layer 12 in the translucent part(s) of each backlit pattern area 16. According to one embodiment, the backlit pattern areas 16 are formed by openings passing through the masking layer 14, as will be described later. The backlit pattern areas 16 are arranged opposite a translucent area of ​​the appearance layer 12 so that light passing through a backlit pattern area 16 is transmitted to the outer surface 8 of the covering layer 2 so as to be visible from the outside of the trim element 1. Each backlit pattern area 16 can have any desired shape depending on what is desired to be displayed on the outer surface 8 of the covering layer 2.Thus, a backlit pattern area 16 has, for example, the shape of a pictogram or a pattern to be displayed. A backlit pattern area 16 may allow light to pass through its entire surface, for example by being formed from a single opening. Alternatively, within a backlit pattern area 16, portions allowing light to pass through and portions blocking this passage may be provided to define the shape to be displayed on the outer surface 8 of the coating layer 2.

[0022] The shape of the backlit pattern areas 16 may differ from one backlit pattern area 16 to another. The coating layer 2 may comprise more than two backlit pattern areas 16, depending on what is desired to be displayed on the outer surface 8 of the coating layer 2.

[0023] The opaque zone 18 is arranged to prevent the passage of light from the internal surface 10 to the appearance layer 12 through the opaque zone 18. By opaque, we mean a transmission rate of less than 5%, preferably close to or equal to 0%. This opacity is obtained by the material used to make the opaque zone 18 and / or by the thickness of the masking layer 14. However, in order to limit the size of the trim element, it is preferable that the opacity is obtained by using an opaque material even with a very low thickness. The opaque zone 18 extends at least between the backlit pattern zones 16 so as to separate them. By separate, we mean that the backlit pattern zones 16 do not communicate with each other so that the light passing through a backlit pattern zone 16 is not transmitted to another backlit pattern zone.According to the invention, and as will be described later, the backlit pattern areas may be brought closer to each other, while being separated by an opaque area 18. By close together, it is meant that the distance between two backlit pattern areas is for example substantially between 0.3 mm and 2 mm, this distance being measured between the two points closest to each other of the backlit pattern areas. As shown in the figures, the opaque area 18 may further extend around the backlit pattern areas 16 and form the entire masking layer 14 outside the backlit pattern areas 16. Several opaque areas 18 may be provided, for example when a backlit pattern area extends over an entire part of the trim element requiring an interruption of the opaque area 18.

[0024] As shown in the Fig. 2 and as previously described, the backlit pattern areas 16 may be formed by openings in the opaque area 18, the shape of the openings defining the shape of the backlit pattern areas. Thus, when a backlit pattern area 16 lets light pass over its entire surface, this area is formed by a single opening in the opaque area 18. When a backlit pattern area comprises light-transmitting portions and light-blocking portions, this area is formed by several openings in the opaque area 18, each opening having the shape of one of the light-transmitting portions of the backlit pattern area and the light-blocking portions being formed by opaque area portions 18 around these openings.

[0025] According to one embodiment, the masking layer 14 is obtained by printing, for example with an opaque ink, on the back surface of the appearance layer 12, parts of the back surface not being printed to define the openings forming the backlit pattern areas. Such a masking layer 14 has, for example, a light absorption rate greater than or equal to 95%. According to a particular embodiment, the backlit pattern areas 16 are printed with a translucent material, for example a colored ink, in order to give a particular appearance to the light passing through the backlit pattern areas 16 and displayed on the external surface 8 of the coating layer 2. Different colors may, for example, be provided for the different backlit pattern areas 16 so that the different pictograms or patterns displayed on the external surface 8 of the coating layer 2 have a different appearance from each other.

[0026] As indicated above, the coating layer 2 may comprise other layers, as will be described later. Alternatively, the coating layer 2 comprises only a single layer comprising the backlit pattern areas 16 and the opaque area(s) 18 which then extend from the inner surface 10 to the outer surface 8.

[0027] According to one embodiment, a translucent element 20 extends against the inner surface 10 of the coating layer 2 and forms a light guide towards the coating layer 2, as will be described later. This translucent element 20 is for example made of a translucent plastic material, for example a resin injected onto the inner surface 10 of the coating layer 2. The material of the translucent element 20 is for example polycarbonate (PC), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), polycarbonate / polymethyl methacrylate (PC / PMMA), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) or other. The translucent element 20 has for example a thickness less than or equal to 2 mm and a refractive index substantially between 1.2 and 1.9.The translucent element 20 is for example slightly smoked to give a particular appearance to the light passing through it and then passing through the backlit pattern areas 16 to be visible on the external surface 8 of the appearance layer 2.

[0028] The lighting module 4 extends on the side of the internal surface 10 of the coating layer 2 at least opposite the backlit pattern areas 16 of the coating layer and is arranged to emit light towards these backlit pattern areas 16 in order to display illuminated pictograms or patterns on the external surface 8 of the coating layer 2.

[0029] The lighting module 4 comprises at least one light source 22 and a first light guide 24 arranged to guide the light emitted by the light source 22 towards the backlit pattern areas 16 of the coating layer 2.

[0030] The light source 22 is for example formed by a light-emitting diode emitting light in the visible range. It is understood that the lighting module 4 may comprise several light sources 22. Advantageously, however, a single light source 22 is used to illuminate several backlit pattern areas 16, or even all the backlit pattern areas 16, by means of the first light guide 24, which makes it possible to reduce the energy consumption of the lighting module 4.

[0031] As shown in the Fig. 3 , the or each light source 22 is for example mounted on an electrical power supply circuit 26, more particularly on connection terminals of the electrical circuit 26. Such an electrical circuit 26 is for example formed by tracks, for example in silver, carbon or copper ink, printed on a substrate 28 or on an opaque layer 30, itself printed on the substrate 28. The substrate 28 is for example formed by a plastic material such as PC, PET, PMMA or PC / PMMA and has a thickness greater than or equal to 0.175 mm and for example less than or equal to 2 mm. The substrate 28 can be shaped to have any desired shape, for example a three-dimensional shape matching the shape of the trim element 1 on the inner side thereof. The shaping of the substrate 28 is for example carried out by thermoforming.

[0032] Alternatively, the substrate 28 may be formed by a printed circuit board, or PCB for “Printed Circuit Board”, integrating the electrical circuit 26. Such a substrate is rigid and is for example made of a composite material based on epoxy resin, for example reinforced by glass fibers (FR-4 composite) or reinforced by glass and cellulose fibers (CEM-1 composite). The printed circuit board has for example a thickness substantially between 0.8 mm and 2 mm.

[0033] The opaque layer 30 is for example of the same nature as the masking layer 14 extending over the back surface of the appearance layer 12 and has an absorption rate greater than or equal to 95%. Furthermore, the opaque layer 30 and / or the substrate 28 are non-conductive.

[0034] According to one embodiment, a reflective layer 32 extends over the opaque layer 30, for example only opposite the lighting module 4 and / or around, on or under the electrical circuit 26, as shown in the Fig. 3 . In other words, the light circulating in the lighting module 4 and directed towards the substrate 28 is reflected by the reflective layer 32. The reflective layer 32 has a reflection rate greater than or equal to 95%. Alternatively, the light source(s) 22 are mounted directly on a printed circuit board.

[0035] The light emitted by the light source(s) 22 is injected into the first light guide 24 which is arranged to guide the light towards the backlit pattern areas 16. The first light guide 24 has a dimension such that the light is harmonized upon arriving on the external surface 8 as a function of the elements extending between the first light guide and the external surface 8. The harmonization of the light is obtained in particular thanks to the reflections inside the light guide 24.To do this, the light source(s) 22 are for example not arranged directly opposite the backlit pattern areas in the direction of the thickness of the trim element, but are offset relative to these backlit pattern areas 16 and the first light guide 24 extends on the substrate 28 or on the opaque layer 30, preferably on the reflective layer 32, from these light sources 22 to an area opposite the backlit pattern areas 16 in the direction of the thickness of the trim element so as to bring the light from the light sources 22 to this area, in which the light leaves the first light guide 24 to be directed towards the backlit pattern areas 16. The surface of the first light guide 24 facing the external surface 8 may be smooth or have a graining making it possible to improve the harmonization or homogeneity of the light.Along the grained surface of the first light guide 24, the graining of the surface of the first light guide 24 may vary, for example by varying its density, by providing more or less deep grains and / or by having different patterns. The graining is arranged so that the light has satisfactory homogeneity on the external surface 8 of the trim element 1.

[0036] According to one embodiment, the lighting module 4 is arranged so that all the light emitted by the light source(s) 22 is injected into the first light guide 24 in order to illuminate all the backlit pattern areas 16. In other words, the invention makes it possible to illuminate all the backlit pattern areas 16 with a single lighting module 4, which makes it possible to achieve energy savings and to simplify the structure and the connections of the trim element. For this purpose, the first light guide 24 is for example arranged to encapsulate the light source(s) 22. By encapsulate, it is meant that the material forming the first light guide 24 coats the light source(s) 22 on all sides of these light sources 22 with the exception of the part of these which are mounted on the substrate 28.

[0037] The first light guide 24 is made of a material suitable for transmitting light, such as a transparent plastic material. Such a material is, for example, PC or PMMA.

[0038] A support 34 extends between the substrate 28, or the opaque layer 30, and the coating layer 2, or the translucent element 20, around the first light guide 24 and the switching module 6, as shown in the Fig. 1 . The support 34, for example, gives its shape and rigidity to the trim element 1. The support 34 encapsulates a portion of the first light guide 24 and of the switching module 6. The support 34 is in particular arranged to prevent the light coming from the lighting module 4 from “leaking” towards the outside of the trim element 1 outside the path provided for it through the switching module 6 and the backlit pattern areas 16. The support 34 thus extends around the first light guide 24 and the switching module 6, and in particular over the portion of the first light guide 24 which is not covered by the switching module 6, as will be described later.The support 34 is for example made of a reflective material, having a light reflection rate greater than or equal to 75% so that the light circulating in the first light guide 24 is reflected when it is incident on a wall of the first light guide 24 or of the switching module 6 which is covered by the support 34, the light thus remaining in the intended path. In addition, these reflections make it possible to harmonize the light in the first light guide 24. The support 34 is for example made of a plastic material, such as PC, PC ABS or PMMA.

[0039] The switching module 6 extends between the lighting module 4 and the coating layer 2, more particularly between a part of the first light guide 24 spaced from the light source 22 and facing the backlit pattern areas 16 against the translucent element 20, as shown in the Fig. 1 The switching module 6 is for example laminated on the first light guide 24 and / or on the support 34.

[0040] The switching module 6 comprises at least two optical shutter zones 36 each extending opposite a backlit pattern zone 16. More particularly, the switching module 6 comprises at least as many optical shutter zones 36 as there are backlit pattern zones 16 and each backlit pattern zone 16 extends opposite at least one shutter zone 36. Each shutter zone 36 is configurable between an open position, in which the shutter zone 36 allows light from the lighting module 4 to pass towards the backlit pattern zone 16 opposite which the shutter zone 36 extends, and a closed position, in which the shutter zone 36 prevents the passage of light from the first light guide 24 towards the backlit pattern zone 16 extending opposite the shutter zone 36.Each shutter zone 36 has a surface area greater than or equal to the surface area of ​​the backlit pattern area 16 opposite which the shutter zone 36 extends so that the entirety of this backlit pattern area 16 is illuminated when the shutter zone 36 is in the open position.

[0041] Each optical shutter zone 36 can be controlled independently of the other shutter zones 36, i.e. each shutter zone 36 can be placed individually in the open position or in the closed position.

[0042] According to one embodiment, a color filter is placed opposite each optical shutter zone 36 or certain shutter zones 36 so as to allow the desired wavelengths of light from the lighting module 4 to pass when the corresponding optical shutter zone 36 is in the open position. This makes it possible, from a single white light source, to illuminate the different backlit pattern zones 16 with different colors, for example to transmit particular information to the passengers of the vehicle.

[0043] According to one embodiment, several optical shutter zones 36 are provided for each backlit pattern zone 16, a color filter being associated with each optical shutter zone 36. Each optical shutter zone 36 for the same backlit pattern zone 16 is then provided to illuminate a portion of the backlit pattern zone 16 in the open position, another optical shutter zone 36 for this same backlit pattern zone 16 being provided to illuminate another portion of the backlit pattern zone.By suitably arranging the different parts illuminated by different optical shutter zones 36 and by sizing the optical shutter zones 36 so that the entire backlit pattern zone 16 is illuminated by a homogeneous light, for example according to the principle of the different pixels of a screen, it is then possible to illuminate the same backlit pattern zone 16 in different colors by placing one or more optical shutter zones 36 associated with this backlit pattern zone 16 in the open position and the other optical shutter zones 36 associated with this zone in the closed position.

[0044] The switching module 6 is for example formed by an electrochemical or liquid crystal element dispersed in a polymer material known as PDLC (for “Polymer Dispersed Liquid Crystal”). Such an element is flexible and is in the form of a film. Alternatively, the switching module can be rigid by being formed for example by a segment LCD display, a screen based on thin film transistors (TFT for “Thin Film Transistor”), an electrochemical glass, etc. Such elements make it possible to form optical shutter zones switchable between the open position and the closed position by applying an electric current to these optical shutter zones 36. For this purpose, the switching module 6 is for example supplied with electricity by means of the electrical supply circuit 26, passing through a connection element 38 extending in the support 34, as shown in the Fig. 1 . It should be noted that on the Fig. 1 another connection element 38 is provided between the coating layer 2 and the electrical circuit 26, this connection element 38 being able to supply electricity to the coating layer 2 for example when the latter comprises one or more capacitive films to form touch surfaces on the external surface 8 of the coating layer 2.

[0045] The operation of the packing element 1 described above will now be described.

[0046] The light source(s) 22 are switched on so as to emit light radiation into the first light guide 24 which brings the light to the switching module 6. Depending on the backlit pattern area(s) 16 to be illuminated, for example depending on a particular state of the vehicle or a vehicle element, the optical shutter area(s) 36 extending opposite these backlit pattern areas 16 are placed in the open position. The optical shutter area(s) 36 extending opposite backlit pattern areas 16 which are not to be illuminated are left in the closed position. The light then passes through the optical shutter areas 36 in the open position and not through those which are in the closed position.The light is transmitted to the translucent element 20 which then forms a second light guide transmitting the light to the backlit pattern area(s) 16 which are to be illuminated and not to the others. It is in particular thanks to the small thickness of the translucent element 20 that the light is not transmitted between the different backlit pattern areas. In addition, the opaque areas 18 of the masking layer 14 absorb the light and thus limit the propagation of the light within the second light guide, which makes it possible to prevent light leakage from one backlit pattern area 16 to another.

[0047] The translucent element 20 makes it possible to protect the switching module 6, in particular from the pressure exerted by a user pressing on the external surface 8 of the trim element.

[0048] The illumination of the backlit pattern areas 16 can be modulated simply by switching the desired optical shutter areas 36 from the closed position to the open position and vice versa. As previously indicated, a single light source 22 can be used for all the backlit pattern areas 16 which can be placed very close to each other. When no backlit pattern areas are illuminated, the outer surface 8 of the coating layer 2 has a substantially uniform appearance.

[0049] A method of producing a packing element 1 as described above will now be described.

[0050] The individual elements of the trim element 1, namely the covering layer 2, the lighting module 4 and the switching module 6, are for example produced separately before being assembled.

[0051] According to one embodiment, the coating layer 2 is for example formed by printing the masking layer 14 on the internal surface of the appearance layer 12 to produce the backlit pattern areas 16 and the translucent element 20 is produced by injection onto the internal surface of the appearance layer 12 and onto the masking layer 14. According to a variant shown in the Figs. 5 And 6 , the masking layer 14 is formed on the external surface of a receiving layer 40 on the reverse side of which the translucent element 20 is for example produced by injection. According to this variant, the masking layer 14 does not comprise backlit pattern areas, which will only be produced after an alignment step with the switching module 6, as will be described later. Only at least one window 42 is produced in the masking layer 14 to carry out the alignment step. Preferably, two windows 42 are produced.

[0052] The lighting module 4 is formed by assembling the light source(s) 22 on the connection circuit 26, which is for example produced by printing on an opaque layer 30 and / or a reflective layer 32, the opaque layer 30 being formed on a substrate 28. Alternatively, the light source(s) 22 are assembled on a printed circuit board. The first light guide 24 and the support 34 are then produced for example by injection onto the substrate 28 or onto the printed circuit board so that the first light guide 24 encapsulates the light source(s) 22. Orifices are for example produced in the support 34 for the passage of the connection elements 38.

[0053] The switching module 6 is then assembled onto the lighting module 4, for example by lamination.

[0054] As previously indicated, the assembly of the switching module 6 with the coating layer 2 requires positioning the optical shutter areas 36 opposite the corresponding backlit pattern areas 16 by precisely aligning the shutter areas 36 and the backlit pattern areas 16.

[0055] The switching module 6 is first positioned “roughly” relative to the coating layer 2 so as to position the shutter zones 36 opposite the backlit pattern zones 16, without necessarily aligning them precisely.

[0056] At least one target is placed opposite a backlit pattern area 16, or a window 42 depending on the variant of the Figs. 5 And 6, on the side of the external surface 8 of the coating layer 2. The optical shutter area 36 extending opposite the backlit pattern area 16 or the window 42 receiving the target is driven to be in the open position and a light source 44 arranged to display a target, of the same shape as the target placed on the coating layer 2, is used to illuminate the optical shutter area 36. An imaging device 46, such as a camera, is used on the side of the external surface 8 of the trim element to acquire at least one image of the external surface 8 with the two targets and to check whether these are superimposed or not. If the targets are not superimposed, the switching module 6 is moved relative to the coating layer 2 in order to superimpose the targets.When the patterns are superimposed, which can be verified by repeating the above steps, the switching module 6 is positioned correctly relative to the backlit pattern areas 16 and the coating layer 2, the switching module 6 and the lighting module 4 can be permanently fixed. Preferably, two patterns are provided for the coating layer 2 to allow the positioning of the switching module to be adjusted according to both the length of the coating layer and its width.

[0057] As shown in the Figs. 4 à 6 , the alignment is preferably carried out with two targets arranged on the coating layer 2 and two light sources 44 arranged to display corresponding targets. In this case, two corresponding optical shutter zones 36 are placed in the open position. Alternatively, the light source 22 is used as the sole light source to display all the targets, the light being fed to these targets by the first light guide 24.

[0058] Depending on the variant of the Figs. 5 And 6 , the backlit pattern areas 16 are produced in the masking layer 14 after the alignment step described above, for example by laser scratching opposite the optical shutter areas 36. An appearance layer 12, for example formed by an anti-scratch coating, is then deposited on the masking layer 14, as shown in the Fig. 6 .

[0059] The method described above makes it possible to obtain a trim element 1 whose backlit pattern areas 16 are precisely illuminated, which makes it possible to have clear patterns displayed on the external surface 2 of the coating layer 2.

Claims

1. Vehicle trim element (1), comprising a coating layer (2) defining an outer surface (8) and an inner surface (10), opposite the outer surface (8), said coating layer (2) comprising at least two distinct backlit pattern zones (16), in which said coating layer (2) is at least partly translucent so as to let the light pass from the inner surface (10) to the outer surface (8), the trim element further comprising at least one illumination module (4) which extends on the inner surface (10) side of the coating layer (2), said illumination module comprising at least one light source (22) and a first light guide (24) arranged to guide the light from the light source (22) to the backlit zones (16) of the coating layer (2), the trim element being characterized in that it further comprises a switching module (6) which extends between the coating layer (2) and the illumination module (4), the switching module (6) comprising at least two optical shutter zones (36), at least one optical shutter zone (36) extending opposite each backlit pattern zone (16) of the coating layer (2) and being configurable between an open position, in which said optical shutter zone (36) allows the light to pass from the first light guide (24) of the illumination module (4) to the backlit pattern zone (16) of the coating layer (2) extending opposite said optical shutter zone (36), and a closed position, in which said optical shutter zone (36) prevents the light from passing from the first light guide (24) to the backlit pattern zone (16) extending opposite said optical shutter zone (36).

2. Trim element according to claim 1, wherein each optical shutter zone (36) has a surface area greater than or equal to the surface area of the backlit pattern zone (16) extending opposite said optical shutter zone (36), each backlit pattern zone (16) being surrounded at least partly by an opaque zone (18) preventing the light from passing from the inner surface to the outer surface (8) of the coating layer (2).

3. Trim element according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the coating layer (2) comprises at least one translucent appearance layer (12) and at least one masking layer (14) which extends against the appearance layer (12), said masking layer (14) comprising at least two apertures, each in the form of one of the backlit pattern zones (16) of the coating layer (2), each optical shutter zone (36) of the switching module (6) extending opposite an aperture in the masking layer (14).

4. Trim element according to any of claims 1 to 3, wherein a second light guide formed by a translucent element (20) extends against the inner surface (10) of the coating layer (2), the switching module (6) extending against said translucent element (20) arranged to guide the light passing through said switching module (6) to the backlit pattern zones (16) of the coating layer (2).

5. Trim element according to any of claims 1 to 4, comprising a support (34) which extends around the illumination module (4) and the switching module (6), said support (34) encapsulating part of the first light guide (24), said support (34) being made of a reflective material.

6. Trim element according to any of claims 1 to 5, wherein the illumination module (4) is mounted on a substrate (28) comprising at least one electrical connection circuit (26) for the light source (22) of the illumination module (4), the light source (22) being connected to said connection circuit (26).

7. Trim element according to claim 6, wherein the switching module (6) is further connected to the connection circuit (26), the optical shutter zones (36) being electrically supplied by said electrical connection circuit (26).

8. Trim element according to any of claims 1 to 7, wherein the distance between the two backlit pattern zones (16) is substantially between 0.3 mm and 2 mm.

9. Method for producing a trim element according to any of claims 1 to 8, said method comprising the following steps: - producing a coating layer (2) comprising at least two distinct backlit pattern zones (16), in which said coating layer (2) is at least partly translucent so as to let the light pass from an inner surface (10) to an outer surface (8) of the coating layer (2), - producing a switching module (6) comprising at least two optical shutter zones (36), - producing an illumination module (4) comprising at least one light source (22) and a first light guide (24), - assembling the coating layer (2), the switching module (6) and the illumination module (4) by positioning at least one optical shutter zone (36) of the switching module (6) opposite each backlit pattern zone (16) of the coating layer (2) and by positioning the first light guide (24) of the illumination module (4) so that the light emitted by the light source (2) is guided to the backlit pattern zones (16) of the coating layer (2) via the optical shutter zones (36) of the switching module (6).

10. Production method according to claim 9, wherein the step of positioning the optical shutter zones (36) of the switching module (6) opposite the backlit pattern zones (16) of the coating layer (2) comprises the following steps: - placing at least one optical shutter zone (36) in the open position, at least one light source (44) being arranged to display a test pattern on the outer surface side of the coating layer (2) via said optical shutter zone (36) in the open position, - placing at least one corresponding test pattern opposite a backlit pattern zone (16) of the coating layer (2) extending opposite the optical shutter zone (36) in the open position, - using an imaging device (46) to acquire at least one image of the outer surface (8) of the coating layer (2) to determine whether the test pattern displayed by the light source (44) through the optical shutter zone (36) in the open position is superimposed with the test pattern opposite the corresponding backlit pattern zone (16), - if the test patterns are not superimposed, moving the switching module (6) relative to the coating layer (2) to superimpose the test patterns before permanently fixing the coating layer (2), the switching module (6) and the illumination module (4).