Vehicle wrap panel with transparent side panel

Abstract

Vehicle Trim Panel with Transparent Wall The present invention relates to a vehicle trim panel (10) comprising a first (12) and a second (14) part adapted to be assembled together; the first part comprising a first assembly element (24) raised relative to a first surface (16); the second part comprising a second assembly element (28) raised relative to a second surface (18). In an assembled configuration, the first and second assembly elements are nested one inside the other, so as to prevent movement of the first (12) and second (14) parts relative to each other. The first part (12) is made of a transparent material and has a third surface (32) opposite the first surface. In the assembled configuration, the assembly elements are visible from the third surface of the first part. Figure for the abstract: Figure 2

Description

Title of the invention: Vehicle trim panel with transparent wall

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle trim panel, of the type comprising a first and a second part, the first part comprising a first surface, the second part comprising a second surface, the first and second parts being capable of being assembled to each other in an assembled configuration, in which the first and second surfaces are in contact with each other; the trim panel comprising at least one assembly member, said assembly member comprising a first and a second assembly element, the first assembly element being carried by the first part, in relief relative to the first surface; the second assembly element being carried by the second part, in relief relative to the second surface; each of the first and second assembly elements being chosen from a recessed element and an element projecting relative to the corresponding first or second surface;the assembly member being configured such that, in the assembled configuration, the first and second assembly elements are nested within each other, so as to block movement of the first and second parts relative to each other along the first and second surfaces.;

[0002] Such a covering panel is notably described in document CN218912107.

[0003] When fitting the first and second assembly elements into each other, it is difficult for the operator to visually check the correct relative positioning of the first and second parts. It may be necessary to use devices ensuring such relative positioning when assembling the parts, which complicates the manufacturing process of the cladding panel.

[0004] In order to solve this problem, the invention relates to a covering panel of the aforementioned type, in which the first part is made of a transparent or translucent material and comprises a third surface substantially opposite the first surface, so that, in the assembled configuration, the assembly member is visible from the third surface of the first part.

[0005] According to other advantageous aspects of the invention, the cladding panel comprises one or more of the following characteristics, taken individually or in all technically possible combinations:

[0006] - the first assembly element projects relative to the first surface and the second assembly element is recessed relative to the second surface;

[0007] - the second part further comprises one or more cavities formed in the second surface;

[0008] - the second part has several cavities forming a pattern in an area assembly of the second surface, the second assembly element being included in said assembly zone;

[0009] - the second part further comprises a visual marking arranged on an area of signage of the second surface, separate from the assembly area;

[0010] - the trim panel further comprises a backlighting device for the visual marking;

[0011] - the trim panel is capable of being integrated into a vehicle interior, so that that the third surface is the visible surface of the second room by an occupant of the vehicle;

[0012] - the trim panel comprises a layer of paint on the second surface of the second room.

[0013] The invention will be better understood on reading the description which follows, given solely by way of non-limiting example and made with reference to the drawings in which:

[0014] [Fig-1] [Fig.l] is a partial view of a cladding panel according to a method of carrying out the invention, in a dissociated configuration; and

[0015] [Fig.2] [Fig.2] is a sectional view of the trim panel of [Fig.l], in an assembled configuration.

[0016] Figures 1 and 2 show a trim panel 10, according to one embodiment of the invention. The panel 10 is in particular intended to equip the interior of a vehicle (not shown), in particular a motor vehicle. In particular, the panel 10 is intended to be integrated into a vehicle dashboard (not shown).

[0017] Preferably, the panel 10 has an elongated shape. In the embodiment shown, the panel 10 extends in a longitudinal direction X.

[0018] The panel 10 comprises a first part 12 and a second part 14. The first 12 and second 14 parts are intended to be assembled together in the assembled configuration of [Fig.2], so as to form the panel 10. In [Fig.l], the first 12 and second 14 parts are shown separate from each other.

[0019] More specifically, the first part 12 comprises a first surface 16 and the second part comprises a second surface 18. In the assembled configuration of [Fig.2], the first 16 and second 18 surfaces are in contact with each other.

[0020] Each of the first 16 and second 18 surfaces is substantially planar. In the remainder of the description, an orthonormal base (X, Y, Z) associated with the second part 14 is considered. In the assembled configuration of [Fig. 2], each of the first 16 and second 18 surfaces extends substantially in a plane (X, Y).

[0021] The covering panel 10 comprises at least one assembly member 20, 22, and preferably a plurality of assembly members 20, 22. A first 20 and a second 22 assembly members of the panel 10 are visible in [Fig. 1]. Only the first assembly member 20 is visible in [Fig. 2].

[0022] Each assembly member 20, 22 comprises a first 24, 26 and a second 28, 30 assembly element. The first assembly element 24, 26 is carried by the first part 12, in relief relative to the first surface 16. The second assembly element 28, 30 is carried by the second part 14, in relief relative to the second surface 18.

[0023] More specifically, each of the first 24, 26 and second 28, 30 assembly elements is chosen from a hollow element and an element projecting relative to the corresponding first 16 or second 18 surface. In the embodiment shown, the first assembly elements 24, 26 project relative to the first surface 16 and the second assembly elements 28, 30 are hollow relative to the second surface 18.

[0024] In the assembled configuration of [Fig. 2], the first 24, 26 and second 28, 30 assembly elements of the or each assembly member 20, 22 are fitted into one another, so as to block a movement of the first 12 and second 14 parts relative to one another along the first 16 and second 18 surfaces.

[0025] Furthermore, the first part 12 comprises a third surface 32, substantially opposite the first surface 16. In the embodiment shown, the third surface 32 is substantially flat and parallel to the first surface 16.

[0026] The first part 12 is made of a transparent or translucent material. Preferably, said first part 12 is formed from a piece of said transparent or translucent material.

[0027] Preferably, the second part 14 is at least partially made of an opaque material. Also, in the assembled configuration of [Fig. 2], the second surface 18 of the second part 14 is visible to an observer located on the side of the third surface 32 of the first part 12. Similarly, the first 24, 26 and second 28, 30 assembly elements of the or each assembly member 20, 22 are visible to said user.

[0028] The shape of the first 24, 26 and second 28, 30 assembly elements is designed to take this visibility into account. In the embodiment shown, each of the first assembly elements 24, 26 has the shape of a substantially rectilinear rib; and each of the second assembly elements 28, 30 has the shape of a substantially rectilinear groove, capable of receiving said rib in the assembled configuration, as visible in [Fig. 2].

[0029] Preferably, the second part 14 comprises a plurality of cavities 34, 36 formed in the second surface 18. More preferably, said cavities are distributed over one or more zones 40, 42, called assembly zones, of the second surface 18. Each assembly zone 40, 42 includes a second assembly element 28, 30.

[0030] More precisely, the cavities 34, 36 are arranged in the corresponding assembly zones 40, 42 so as to form a visual pattern encompassing the second corresponding assembly element 28, 30. In the embodiment shown, the cavities 34, 36 are in the form of substantially rectilinear striations.

[0031] Thus, for an observer located on the side of the third surface 32 of the first part 12, the cavities 34, 36 have a similar appearance to the groove forming the second assembly element 28, 30 of the corresponding assembly zone 40, 42.

[0032] Preferably, the second part 14 further comprises one or more visual markings 44. More preferably, the second surface 14 comprises one or more zones 46, called signaling zones, distinct from the assembly zones 40, 42. In the embodiment shown, a signaling zone 46 is arranged between two assembly zones 40, 42 in the longitudinal direction X.

[0033] The visual markings 44 are in particular signaling markings adapted to the equipment of a vehicle dashboard.

[0034] According to one embodiment, the panel 10 further comprises a backlighting device 48. Said device 48 is for example arranged at a fourth face 50 of the second part 14, said fourth face 50 being opposite the second face 18.

[0035] The backlighting device 48 is in particular intended to backlight the visual marking(s) 44, so as to make them visible to the observer located on the side of the third surface 32 of the first part 12.

[0036] A method of manufacturing the panel 10 will now be described.

[0037] The first 12 and second 14 parts are produced independently of each other. Preferably, the first part is produced in one piece, for example by molding a transparent or translucent plastic material.

[0038] The first surface 16 of the first part 12 and the second surface 18 of the second part 14 are then brought closer to each other, so as to insert the or each first assembly element 24, 26 into the or each corresponding second assembly element 28, 30. During this insertion, the correct relative positioning of the first 12 and second 14 parts is visually checked by the operator, located on the side of the third surface 32 of the first part 12.

[0039] The first 12 and second 14 parts are then in the assembled configuration of [Fig. 2]. The assembly members 20, 22 block a movement of the first 12 and second 14 parts relative to each other in a plane (X, Y), along the first 16 and second 18 surfaces.

[0040] The second assembly elements 28, 30 being incorporated into visual patterns formed on the assembly zones 40, 42, the assembly members 20, 22 are very little visible to the observer located on the side of the third surface 32 of the first part 12, which improves the aesthetics of the panel 10.

[0041] Then, the first 12 and second 14 parts are preferably fixed to each other permanently, for example by assembling the edges of said parts by an adhesive or by welding. The backlighting device 48 is also assembled to the second part 14.

[0042] The panel 10 can thus be incorporated into the dashboard of a motor vehicle. Preferably, the fourth face 50 of the second part 14 is assembled to said dashboard. Thus, the third surface 32 of the first part 12 is oriented towards the users of said dashboard.

Claims

Claims

1. A vehicle trim panel (10) comprising a first (12) and a second (14) part, the first part comprising a first surface (16), the second part comprising a second surface (18), the first (12) and second (14) parts being assembled to each other in an assembled configuration, in which the first (16) and second (18) surfaces are in contact with each other; the trim panel comprising at least one assembly member (20, 22), said assembly member comprising a first (24, 26) and a second (28, 30) assembly element, the first assembly element (24, 26) being carried by the first part (12), in relief relative to the first surface (16); the second assembly element (28, 30) being carried by the second part (14), in relief relative to the second surface (18);each of the first (24, 26) and second (28, 30) assembly elements being selected from a recessed element and an element projecting relative to the corresponding first (16) or second (18) surface; the assembly member being configured such that, in the assembled configuration, the first (24, 26) and second (28, 30) assembly elements are fitted into one another, so as to block a movement of the first (12) and second (14) parts relative to one another along the first (16) and second (18) surfaces; the cladding panel being characterized in that the first part (12) is made of a transparent or translucent material and comprises a third surface (32) substantially opposite the first surface, such that, in the assembled configuration, the assembly member (20, 22) is visible from the third surface of the first part.;

2. A cladding panel according to claim 1, wherein the first assembly element (24, 26) projects relative to the first surface (16) and the second assembly element (28, 30) is recessed relative to the second surface (18).

3. A trim panel according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the second part (14) further comprises one or more cavities (34, 36) formed in the second surface (18).

4. A cladding panel according to claim 3, wherein the second part comprises several cavities (34, 36) forming a pattern in an assembly zone (40, 42) of the second surface, the second assembly element being included in said assembly zone.

5. A trim panel according to claim 4, wherein the second part (14) further comprises a visual marking (44) disposed on a signaling area (46) of the second surface, distinct from the assembly area (40, 42).

6. A trim panel according to claim 5, further comprising a device (48) for backlighting the visual marking (44).

7. A trim panel according to one of the preceding claims, integrated into a vehicle interior, such that the third surface (32) is the visible surface of the second part (14) by an occupant of the vehicle.

8. A cladding panel according to any preceding claim, comprising a layer of paint on the second surface (18) of the second part (14).

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