Illuminated plaque

Abstract

The invention relates to an illuminated plaque (2) having a housing part (4), which forms a display surface (6) which is designed to be at least partially light-permeable and on which there is formed at least one three-dimensional shaped region (8) to display character content, and a lighting interface (22) for connecting the housing part (4) to a light source (L). According to the invention, the three-dimensional shaped region (8) extends away from a base face (10) of the display surface (6), which has a lower light permeability than the three-dimensional shaped region (8).

Description

[0001] Illuminated plaque

[0002] Description

[0003] The invention relates to an illuminated plaque according to the preamble of claim 1 and a method for producing such an illuminated plaque. It comprises a housing part forming a display surface that is at least partially translucent and on which at least one three-dimensional shaped area is formed for displaying a character content, for example, a symbol, logo, trademark, or character. Furthermore, the illuminated plaque comprises an illumination interface that serves to connect a light source to the housing part.

[0004] 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 housing to give the badge a metallic appearance. The housing also contains at least one light source to create a light effect through the housing and the metal foil.

[0005] 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. The known illuminated badge is therefore particularly unsuitable for use in the interior of a vehicle.

[0006] For use inside a vehicle, however, only very flat stickers are used to avoid disturbing or getting stuck to the vehicle's occupants. Due to their flat design, such stickers are often insufficiently illuminated and generally difficult to see. The object of the invention is to provide a generic illuminated sticker that is particularly suitable for use inside a vehicle and offers greater visibility.

[0007] This problem is solved by an illuminated plaque having the features of claim 1. The three-dimensional shaped area extends in raised form from a closed, flat base area of ​​the display surface, which base area has a lower light transmittance than the three-dimensional shaped area. Due to the higher light transmittance of the three-dimensional shaped area compared to the base area, a clearly perceptible 3D effect is achieved even with a relatively flat plaque design, particularly when illuminated. The three-dimensional shaped area stands out particularly strongly from the flat base area when illuminated, especially when the base area appears completely unlit from the inside. Despite the raised shaped area being at most 10 mm high, preferably between 0.3 and 3.0 mm high, compared to the flat base area, a clearly perceptible three-dimensional appearance of the character content can be created.The flat design of the display surface and the illuminated plate as a whole enables a diverse 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.

[0008] It is advantageous if the three-dimensional molding area and the base surface are formed by a common carrier film, which is deformed in certain areas to form the three-dimensional molding area. This allows for particularly simple production of the display surface, while the one-piece design of the three-dimensional molding area and the base surface also avoids open passages between the two areas, where disruptive light emissions could occur during illumination.

[0009] It is particularly advantageous if the three-dimensional shaped area is produced by deep-drawing the common carrier film in certain areas, ensuring a particularly high-quality design of the character content. Alternatively, or in addition to this, the three-dimensional shaped area is produced by embossing the common carrier film, allowing particularly delicate shapes to be incorporated into the display surface.

[0010] Advantageously, the common carrier foil is formed by a metal foil, which gives the badge a metallic and thus high-quality appearance even when unlit.

[0011] It is also advantageous if a light-inhibiting coating is provided on the carrier film outside the three-dimensional shaped area. This allows the translucent, and thus internally illuminated, three-dimensional shaped area to be demarcated particularly easily and precisely from the less translucent or opaque base area. When illuminated, the three-dimensional shaped area stands out particularly strongly from the flat base area, especially if the latter appears completely unlit from the inside. This gives the character content of the shaped area a particularly pronounced three-dimensional appearance, despite the flat design of the illuminated plaque.

[0012] It is advantageous if the light-inhibiting coating is formed by a printing ink or colored film applied to the carrier film, which allows for particularly variable and precise demarcation. The colored film can be applied, for example, using an in-mold process to enable the illuminated badge to be produced with consistent quality even in high quantities.

[0013] Advantageously, the light transmission-inhibiting coating is applied to the outside of the display surface in order to create a particularly sharp-edged demarcation between two areas with different light transmission.

[0014] Alternatively or additionally, the light-inhibiting coating is applied to an inner surface of the housing part to provide a uniform or closed metallic display surface, especially when unlit. This allows the illuminated badge to convey a high-quality appearance even when unlit.

[0015] In a further preferred embodiment, the illumination interface comprises a translucent synthetic resin filling incorporated into the housing part, which forms a mounting surface facing away from the display surface. This provides a relatively large, flat surface for attaching the illuminated plaque to a light source that also has a flat surface. In addition to providing a mounting option, the synthetic resin filling can simultaneously function as an optical body, through which a predetermined transmission or scattering of the light from the light source can be generated.

[0016] 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.

[0017] 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, the power of the light source or light guide plate can be precisely matched to the light transmittance of the display surface, creating the desired optical effect.

[0018] 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 switched on and off to visually enhance the display, or to attach a logo or symbol. This logo or symbol is thus visible even when the display is switched off and creates an additional three-dimensional optical effect when the display is switched on. It is advantageous to provide a transparent, double-sided adhesive film between the mounting surface of the lighting interface and the display, allowing the badge to 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 whose shape and size are matched to the illuminated badge. This allows a display installed on the vehicle, such as one integrated into the dashboard, to generate the appropriate light intensity in the relevant area to create the desired 3D effect on the display surface.

[0021] Furthermore, the above-mentioned object is achieved by a method for producing an illuminated badge in one of the embodiments described above, in which, in a first step, the three-dimensional shaped area is formed from the carrier film in a raised manner relative to the base surface; in a second step, the carrier film is provided with the light-inhibiting coating outside the shaped area; and, in a third step, the illuminated badge is connected to the light source via the illumination interface. This makes the shaped area of ​​the illuminated badge, which can be exposed to light, particularly easy to produce.

[0022] It is advantageous if the light-transmitting coating is applied in the second step by means of screen printing, digital printing and / or pad printing, which enables a particularly delicate demarcation of the areas with different levels of light transmittance.

[0023] Advantageously, the second and third steps can be carried out together in an in-mold decoration process, whereby the illuminated plaque can be produced in large quantities with consistently precisely defined areas with different levels of light transmittance.

[0024] Furthermore, it is advantageous if, in the second step, a peripheral edge area of ​​the housing part is additionally repainted in order to avoid manufacturing-related light penetration, which can occur due to insufficient coverage of the edge area by the light-transmitting coating.

[0025] 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.

[0026] The figures illustrate an exemplary embodiment of the invention. They show:

[0027] Figure 1 is a perspective view of an illuminated plaque according to the invention,

[0028] Figure 2 shows a longitudinal section through the illuminated plaque according to Figure 1,

[0029] Figure 3 is an exploded view of a light badge arrangement with the

[0030] Illuminated plaque according to Figure 1,

[0031] Figure 4 is a view of an illuminated badge arrangement with the illuminated badge arranged on a self-illuminating display in the interior of a motor vehicle,

[0032] Figure 5 is an exploded view of an alternative embodiment of the illuminated badge arrangement with the illuminated badge attachable to a light guide plate and Figure 6 is an exploded view of a further alternative embodiment of the illuminated badge arrangement with a light guide plate accommodated in a housing part.

[0033] Figures 1 and 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 represented by means of a three-dimensionally extending shaped area 8.

[0034] The three-dimensional shaped area 8 protrudes with a height H of a maximum of 10 mm, preferably 0.3 to 3 mm, from a flat, continuously extending base surface 10 of the display surface 6. This flat design of the display surface 6 and of the illuminated badge 2 as a whole enables versatile use in the interior of a vehicle without disruption to passengers. 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 carrier film 12, such as a metal foil, on which an additional, light-transmitting coating 14 is provided in the area of ​​the base surface 10, outside the three-dimensional shaped area 8.The coating 14, which is either light-inhibiting or completely opaque, can be formed, for example, by a printing ink or a colored film applied to the carrier film 12. The coating 14 can be applied externally to the display surface 6 of the housing part 4, as shown. Alternatively or additionally, the coating 14 can also be applied internally to an inner surface 16 of the housing part 4 (not shown).

[0035] To form the three-dimensional shaped area 8 with the character content Z, the carrier film 12 is deformed accordingly in certain areas on 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, an illumination interface 20 for connecting a light source L is formed on the side of the illuminated badge 2 facing away from the display surface 6 of the housing part 4. This illumination interface 20 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 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 illumination interface 20 for connecting the light source L.

[0036] To produce the illuminated badge 2, in a first step, the three-dimensional molding area 8 is formed from the common carrier film 12 in a raised manner relative to the base surface, and the shell shape of the housing part 4 is produced, for example by deep drawing and / or by embossing the carrier film 12. Subsequently, the half-space R formed by the shell shape can also be filled with the synthetic resin filling 18 in order to form the fastening surface 22.

[0037] In a second step, the carrier film is also provided with the light-transmitting coating 14 outside the molding area 8, for example by screen printing, digital printing and / or pad printing, or by applying a colored film. Alternatively, the coating 14 can also be applied using an in-mold decoration process, in which the first and second steps are performed simultaneously. Furthermore, it may be necessary to additionally repaint the housing part 4 at an edge area 24 to ensure lower light transmittance there as well compared to the three-dimensional molding area 8.

[0038] The illuminated plaque 2 produced in this way can then, as can be seen from Figure 3, be connected to a surface 28 of the respective light source L by means of the fastening surface 22 in a third step, for example by gluing, to complete an illuminated plaque arrangement 26. 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 plaque 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.

[0039] Figure 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.

[0040] Furthermore, when mounted in this way on the display 32 of a motor vehicle 34, the illuminated badge 2 can be mounted in a separately adjustable light emission area 40. This light emission area can be adapted in terms of its extent 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.

[0041] Figure 5 shows an alternative embodiment of the illuminated plaque assembly 26, in which the illuminated plaque 2 can be attached by means of the adhesive film 30 to a light guide plate 40 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 plaque assembly 26 can be used flexibly as a functional unit.

[0042] Figure 6 shows a further alternative embodiment of the illuminated badge arrangement 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 arrangement 26 can be used flexibly as a functional structural unit. In both embodiments according to Figures 5 and 6, the display surface 6 and the illuminated badge 2 have a relatively flat structure overall, which enables diverse and trouble-free use 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 (not shown).

[0043] 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.

Claims

Patent claims 1. Light-up badge (2) with a housing part (4) forming a display surface (6) which is at least partially transparent and on which at least one three-dimensional shape area (8) is formed for the reproduction of a character content, and a lighting interface (22) for connecting the housing part (4) to a light source (L), characterized in that the three-dimensional shape area (8) extends away from a base surface (10) of the display surface (6) which has a lower light transmittance than the three-dimensional shape area (8).

2. Light-up badge according to claim 1, characterized in that the three-dimensional shape area (8) and the base surface (10) are formed by a common carrier film (12) which is deformed in certain areas to form the three-dimensional shape area (8).

3. Light-up badge according to claim 2, characterized in that the three-dimensional shape area (8) is produced by partial deep drawing of the carrier film (12).

4. Light-up badge according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the three-dimensional shape area (8) is produced by embossing the carrier film (12).

5. Illuminated badge according to one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the carrier film (12) is formed by a metal film.

6. Light-up badge according to one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that the carrier film (12) has a light-transmitting coating (14) outside the three-dimensional shape area (8).

7. Light-up badge according to claim 6, characterized in that the light-transmitting coating (14) is formed by a printing ink or a colored film.

8. Light-up badge according to claim 7, characterized in that the light-transmitting coating (14) is applied to the outside of the display surface (6).

9. Light-up badge according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the light-transmitting coating (14) is applied on the inside of an inner surface (16) of the housing part (4).

10. Illuminated badge according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the illumination interface (20) has a translucent synthetic resin filling (18) introduced into the housing part (4), which forms a mounting surface (22) facing away from the display surface (6).

11. Light plate arrangement comprising a light plate according to one of claims 1 to 10 and a light source, characterized in that the light source (L) is connected to the housing part (4) via the lighting interface (20).

12. Light plate arrangement according to claim 11, characterized in that the light source (L) is formed by a light guide plate (40) received in the housing part (4) and connected to a power supply.

13. Light plate arrangement according to claim 11, characterized in that the light source (L) is formed by a self-illuminating display (32) to which the light plate (2) is attached via the lighting interface (20).

14. Light-up badge according to claim 13, characterized in that a transparent double-sided adhesive film (30) is provided between the mounting surface (22) of the lighting interface (20) and the display (32).

15. Light plate arrangement according to claim 14, characterized in that the light plate (2) is received in a material recess (36) which is embedded in a display surface (38) of the self-illuminating display (32).

16. Light plate arrangement according to claim 14 or 15, characterized in that the self-illuminating display (32) has at least one light emission area (40) which is adapted in shape and size to the light plate (2).

17. Method for producing a light-up badge according to one of claims 1 to 16, characterized in that in a first step the three-dimensional shape area (8) is formed on the common carrier film (12) in a raised form relative to the base surface (10), in a second step the carrier film (12) is provided with the light-transmitting coating (14) outside the shape area (8) and in a third step the light-up badge (2) is connected to the light source (L) by means of the illumination interface (20).

18. Method according to claim 17, characterized in that in the second step the application of the light-transmitting coating (14) is carried out by means of screen printing, digital printing and / or pad printing.

19. A method according to claim 17, characterized in that the second and third steps are carried out together in an in-mould decoration process.

0. A method according to any one of claims 17 to 19, characterized in that in the second step, a circumferential edge region (24) of the housing part (4) is additionally repainted.

Images