Method for producing a component, in particular a cover, for a motor vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for producing a component (1) for a motor vehicle, comprising four measures a) to d). In a first measure a), a substrate (2) made of a metal substrate material is provided, said substrate having a front side (3), which acts as a visible side, and a back side (4), which is opposite the front side (3), and said substrate also having a predefined substrate thickness (d). According to a second measure b), substrate material is removed at least from the front side (3), preferably both from the front side (3) and from the back side (4), of the substrate (2) in the region of at least one first substrate portion (6a) by means of an etching process such that, after the removal, at least one through-hole (5) extending from the front side (3) to the back side (4) is present in the substrate (2) and also, after the removal, the substrate thickness (d) is reduced in at least one first substrate portion (6a) of the substrate (2) compared to at least one second substrate portion (6b) in which no substrate material was removed. In a third measure c), the front side of the substrate (2) is coated over the whole surface with a color layer (8), the color of which is different from a color of the front side (3) of the substrate (2) before the coating with the color layer (8), and subsequently the color layer is removed at least from the at least one second substrate portion (6b). In a fourth measure d), a light-active element (10) is applied to the back side (4) of the substrate at least in parts such that the light-active element (10) covers at least one through-hole (5).

Description

[0001] Method for producing a component, in particular a panel, for a motor vehicle

[0002] The invention relates to a method for producing a component, in particular a panel, for a motor vehicle, and to a component produced by means of this method.

[0003] Illuminated metal panels are widely used in the interiors of modern motor vehicles because they provide the viewer with a visually appealing design.

[0004] Against this background, conventional manufacturing processes for producing such apertures are known in which the aperture material has a different color than the light emitted by the aperture. Thus, two-color apertures can be produced using such processes.

[0005] It is an object of the present invention to demonstrate new approaches in the development of methods for producing illuminated panels. In particular, the aim is to create a manufacturing method that is as simple as possible for producing tricolor, illuminated panels. "Tricolor" in this context means that the surface of the panel visible to an observer is two-colored, with these two colors being different from the color of the light emitted by the panel.

[0006] This object is achieved by the subject matter of the independent patent claims. Preferred embodiments are the subject matter of the dependent patent claims.

[0007] The basic idea of ​​the invention is therefore to process a metallic substrate using a combination of an etching process, coating with a layer of color, and partially removing the layer of color, preferably by grinding. This makes it possible to create a two-tone surface that functions as the visible surface of a panel with comparatively little technical effort. During the etching process, openings are created in the metallic substrate that can be filled with a transparent, i.e., light-permeable material, or with a light-active, i.e., actively emitting material. A light-active element is therefore a light source, which can in particular comprise a light-emitting diode (LED). In particular, suitable, light-transparent plastics are used as light-active or light-permeable materials, since these can be processed particularly easily using the method according to the invention.

[0008] Thus, light can be emitted from these apertures in a color that differs from the two colors of the substrate surface. As a result, a component or aperture with the desired three-color visible surface can be produced.

[0009] Specifically, the method according to the invention for producing a component, in particular a panel, for a vehicle interior of a motor vehicle comprises four steps a) to d). In a first step a), a substrate made of a metallic substrate material is provided, which has a front side acting as the visible side and a rear side opposite the front side, as well as a predetermined substrate thickness. In particular, the substrate can be formed by a metal plate, preferably made of stainless steel.

[0010] According to a second measure b), substrate material is removed in the region of at least one first substrate section at least from the front side, preferably from both the front side and the back side, of the substrate, particularly preferably by means of an etching process, such that after the removal, at least one opening extending from the front side to the back side is formed in the substrate and, moreover, after the removal in at least one first substrate section of the substrate, the substrate thickness is reduced compared to at least one second substrate section in which no substrate material was removed. A first substrate thickness of the substrate in the region of the at least one first substrate section is thus smaller than a second substrate thickness of the substrate in the region of at least one second substrate section.The transition from a first to a second substrate section can be realized by means of a step formed on the front side.

[0011] In a third measure c), the front side of the substrate is coated, in particular over its entire surface, with a layer of color whose color differs from the color of the front side of the substrate before coating with this layer of color. In a fourth measure d), a light-active element is applied to the back side of the substrate, at least in some areas, so that the light-active element covers at least one opening.

[0012] According to an advantageous development of the above-described method according to the invention, this method comprises an optional step e) following step d). According to step e), a decorative coating is applied to the front side of the substrate, in the area of ​​the first substrate sections processed by removing substrate material in step b). In this way, the visual impression of the component on an observer can be further improved.

[0013] The decorative coating can be applied particularly effectively using a PVD process. A PVF process allows the decorative coating to be applied to the substrate particularly easily, ensuring permanent, reliable adhesion of the decorative layer to the substrate.

[0014] According to an advantageous development of the method according to the invention, the substrate can be reshaped, in particular bent, in an additional step z) before applying the light-active element according to step d). In this way, the substrate can be provided with the desired geometric shape.

[0015] According to a further advantageous development of the method according to the invention, this light-active element can also be introduced into at least one opening covered with the light-active element in step d). In this case, light can be emitted directly from the opening, which further enhances the visual impression of the component on an observer.

[0016] According to another advantageous development of the method according to the invention, a translucent element can be introduced into at least one opening, which is covered with the light-active element in step d), in an additional step y) before carrying out step d), so that light generated by the light-active element applied to the back of the substrate in step d) can pass through the translucent element and exit the opening on the front side of the substrate. Particularly expediently, the translucent element can consist of a plastic material or comprise a plastic material, which is preferably introduced into the opening by injection molding, casting, or coating.

[0017] Particularly preferably, the light-active element or the light-transmissive element can be introduced into at least one opening in such a way that the light-active element or the light-transmissive element protrudes from the opening after introduction on the front side of the substrate.

[0018] Particularly expediently, the light-active element can consist of a plastic material or comprise a plastic material which is preferably applied to the rear side of the substrate or introduced into at least one opening by means of gluing, casting or back-injection.

[0019] The invention further relates to a component for a motor vehicle, which comprises at least one component or panel which was produced by means of the method according to the invention proposed above.

[0020] Further important features and advantages of the invention emerge from the subclaims, from the drawings and from the associated description of the figures based on the drawings.

[0021] It is understood that the features mentioned above and those to be explained below can be used not only in the combination specified in each case, but also in other combinations or on their own, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0022] Preferred embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the drawings and are explained in more detail in the following description, wherein the same reference numerals refer to the same or similar or functionally identical components.

[0023] Showing schematically:

[0024] Fig. 1 is a flow chart illustrating the method according to the invention by way of example,

[0025] Fig. 2 shows a component manufactured using the method according to the invention. Figure 1 shows a flow diagram explaining the method according to the invention for manufacturing a component 1 according to the invention.

[0026] In a measure a) of the method, a substrate 2 made of a substrate material is provided which has a front side 3 acting as a visible side and a back side 4 opposite the front side 3 and also a predetermined substrate thickness d.

[0027] According to a further measure b), substrate material in the region of first substrate sections 6a (only one such first substrate section 6a is shown in Figure 1) is removed at least from the front side 3, preferably from both the front side 3 and the back side 4, of the substrate 2 by means of an etching process. The removal takes place in such a way that, after the removal, a plurality of openings 5 ​​are formed in the substrate 2, each extending from the front side 3 to the back side 4 (two such openings 5 ​​are shown as an example in Figure 1). Due to the removal, the substrate thickness d of the substrate 2 in the first substrate sections 6a is reduced compared to second substrate sections 6b, in which no substrate material was removed. A first substrate thickness d1 of the substrate 2 in the region of the first substrate sections 6a is therefore smaller than a second substrate thickness d2 of the substrate 2 in the region of the second substrate section 6b.The transition from a first substrate section 6a to a second substrate section 6b can be realized by means of a step 7 formed on the front side 3.

[0028] In a further measure c) of the method according to the invention, the front side 3 of the substrate 2 is coated over its entire surface with a color layer 8, the color of which is different from a color of the front side 3 of the substrate 2 before coating with this color layer 8. In the course of measure c), the color layer 8 is removed again from all second substrate sections 6b by grinding or lasering, so that the second substrate sections 6b have a surface 16 without the color layer 8 after grinding or lasering.

[0029] As Figure 1 shows, according to an optional additional measure y), a translucent element 11 made of a plastic material can be introduced into one of the two openings 5. In a further optional additional measure z), the substrate 2 can be bent as indicated in Figure 1.

[0030] In a further mandatory step d) of the method according to the invention, a light-active element 10 is then applied to the back side 4 of the substrate 2, so that this light-active element 10 covers the two openings 5 ​​shown. The light-active element 10 can also be introduced into the opening 5 into which no light-transmitting plastic has been introduced.

[0031] Light generated by the light-active element 10 applied to the rear side 4 can thus pass through the light-transmitting element 11 arranged in one of the two openings 5 ​​and exit from the respective opening 5 on the front side 4. Likewise, the light-active element 10 arranged in the other opening 5 can generate light, which also exits from the opening on the front side 4 of the substrate 2. After carrying out step d), the component 1 according to the invention is completed.

[0032] Optionally, in a further measure e) not shown in the figures, a decorative coating can be applied in the area of ​​the first substrate sections 6a. The decorative layer can be applied using a PVD process.

[0033] Figures 2a and 2b show, in schematic representation and in a cross-sectional view, an example of a component 1 according to the invention in the form of a panel. Figure 2a shows a plan view, and Figure 2b a sectional view. In the example of Figure 1, component 1 is part of a so-called "cup holder" 20 for holding a drinking vessel (not shown), such as a coffee cup or the like. As Figures 2a and 2b illustrate, light-active elements 10, ground surfaces 16, and the color layer 8 can be seen on the front side 3, which acts as the visible side.

Claims

Patent claims 1. A method for producing a component (1), in particular a panel, for a motor vehicle, comprising the following measures: a) providing a substrate (2) made of a metallic substrate material, which has a front side (3) acting as the visible side and a rear side (4) opposite the front side (3) and also has a predetermined substrate thickness (d), b) removing substrate material in the region of at least a first substrate section (6a) at least from the front side (3), preferably both from the front side (3) and from the rear side (4), of the substrate (2) by means of an etching process such that after the removal, at least one opening (5) extending from the front side (3) to the rear side (4) is formed and, furthermore, after the removal, the substrate (2) has the substrate thickness (d) in at least a first substrate section (6a) compared to at least a second substrate section (6b),in which no substrate material has been removed, c) coating the front side of the substrate (2) with a color layer (8) whose color is different from a color of the front side (3) of the substrate (2) before coating with the color layer (8) and removing the color layer (8) from the at least one second substrate section (6b), preferably by grinding. d) applying a light-active element (10) to the back side (4) of the substrate (2) at least in some areas, such that the light-active element (10) covers at least one opening (5).

2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the method comprises the following optional measure e) following measure d): e) Applying a decorative coating (13) to the front side of the substrate (2) in the region of the first substrate sections (6a).

3. Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the decorative coating (13) is applied by means of a PVD process.

4. Method according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the substrate (2) is reshaped, in particular bent, in an additional measure z) before the application of the light-active element (10) according to measure d) or c).

5. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that this light-active element (10) is also introduced into at least one opening (5) which is covered with the light-active element (10) in measure d).

6. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in at least one opening (5) which is covered with the light-active element (10) in measure d), a light-transmissive element (11) is introduced in an additional measure y) before carrying out measure d), so that light which is generated by the light-active element (10) applied to the back (4) in measure d) can pass through the light-transmissive element (11) and emerge from the opening (5) on the front side (3) of the substrate (2).

7. Method according to claim 6, characterized in that the light-permeable element (11) consists of a plastic material or comprises a plastic material which is preferably introduced into the opening (5) by means of injection molding, casting or painting.

8. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the light-active element (10) or the light-transmissive element (11) is introduced into at least one opening (5) in such a way that the light-active element (10) or the light-transmissive element (11) protrudes from the opening (5) after being introduced onto the front side (3) of the substrate (2).

9. Method according to claim 8, characterized in that the light-active element (10) consists of a plastic material or comprises a plastic material which is preferably applied to the rear side (4) of the substrate (2) or introduced into at least one opening (5) by means of gluing, casting or back-injection.

10. Component for a motor vehicle, comprising at least one component (1) manufactured by means of the method according to one of the preceding claims.

Images