Vehicle trim kit with backlighting

Abstract

Vehicle Wrapping Arrangement with Backlighting. The invention relates to a vehicle wrapping arrangement (10) comprising a surface piece (12) and a backlighting device (14). The surface piece comprises: a coating layer (16) and a first pattern (20) formed on said layer. The first pattern comprises: first holes (30) formed in the coating layer (16); and a first wire (32, 34) passing through the first holes. The backlighting device (14) is disposed on an inner side (26) of the layer (16), such that light is visible from an outer side (24) of said layer, through the first holes. The surface piece (12) further comprises a second pattern (22) comprising second holes (43) formed in the coating layer (16). The second set of holes is covered by the first thread (32) of the first motif (20). Figure for the abbreviation: Figure 2

Description

Title of the invention: Vehicle trim system with backlighting

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle trim arrangement of the type comprising: a surface piece and a backlighting device, the surface piece comprising: a coating layer, including an outer face and an inner face; and a first pattern formed on the coating layer; the first pattern comprising: a series of first holes, formed in the coating layer, each first hole connecting the outer face and the inner face of said coating layer; and a first wire passing through the first holes, said first wire comprising first portions arranged in contact with the outer face of the coating layer;the backlighting device being capable of emitting light radiation, said backlighting device being disposed on the inner face of the coating layer, so that said light radiation is visible on the outer face of said coating layer, through the first openings.

[0002] Such a dressing arrangement is described in particular in document FR2932735.

[0003] In such arrangements, it is common for the edges of the first motif to be While the first motif is correctly illuminated by the backlighting device, a central portion of it contains shadows. This results in a low-quality appearance of the motif within the arrangement.

[0004] The present invention aims to solve this problem. To this end, the invention relates to an arrangement of the type described above, in which the surface piece further comprises a second pattern formed on the coating layer, said second pattern comprising a series of second holes, formed in the coating layer, each second hole connecting the external face and the internal face of said coating layer, the second holes being covered by the first portions of the first wire of the first pattern, so that the light radiation from the backlighting device is visible on the side of the external face of the coating layer, through said second holes and said first portions.

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

[0006] - the second motif further comprises a second thread passing through the second orifices, said second wire comprising second portions arranged in contact with the external face of the coating layer, said second portions being covered by the first portions of the first wire of the first pattern;

[0007] - the second wire is transparent, translucent or white in color;

[0008] - the first portions of the first wire, arranged in contact with the outer face of the coating layer, define a covered area of ​​said external face, delimited by an edge; and each of the second orifices is spaced from the edge of the covered area by a non-zero distance;

[0009] - the first wire is transparent, translucent or white in color;

[0010] - the coating layer is opaque.

[0011] The invention further relates to a method of making a covering arrangement as described above, comprising the following steps: supplying the coating layer; then making the second holes in said coating layer; then making the first holes in said coating layer and assembling the first wire with said coating layer and with said first holes, so that the first portions of said first wire cover the second holes; then arranging the backlighting device on the side of the inner face of the coating layer.

[0012] According to other advantageous aspects of the invention, the method comprises one or more of the following features, taken individually or in all technically possible combinations:

[0013] - the creation of the first holes in the coating layer and the assembly of the The first thread with said layer are made simultaneously, using a sewing needle;

[0014] - before the step of assembling the first wire with the coating layer, the process includes a step of assembling the second wire with said coating layer and with the second holes, so that the second portions of said second wire are arranged in contact with the outer face of said coating layer; and during the step of assembling the first wire with said coating layer, the first portions of said first wire cover the second portions of said second wire;

[0015] - the creation of the second holes in the coating layer and the assembly The second thread and the said layer are made simultaneously, using a sewing needle.

[0016] The invention will be better understood upon reading the following description, given solely by way of non-limiting example and made with reference to the drawings in which:

[0017] [Fig-1] [Fig.1] is a detailed, top view of an arrangement according to a first method of implementing the invention;

[0018] [Fig.2] [Fig.2] is a cross-sectional view of the arrangement of [Fig.1];

[0019] [Fig.3] [Fig.3] is a top view of a step in a process for manufacturing the arrangement of figures 1 and 2; and

[0020] [Fig.4] [Fig.4] is a top view of a step in a process for making a arrangement according to a second embodiment of the invention.

[0021] Figures 1 and 2 show an arrangement 10 according to one embodiment of the invention.

[0022] The arrangement 10 is intended in particular for the interior trim of a vehicle, such as a car. For example, the arrangement 10 is intended to equip a vehicle seat, an armrest or an interior door trim, or any surface that may interact with the vehicle's passengers.

[0023] The arrangement 10 comprises: a surface piece 12; and a backlighting device 14, visible in [Fig.2].

[0024] The surface part 12 comprises: a coating layer 16; and a first 20 and a second 22, 122 patterns, formed on said coating layer 16.

[0025] The coating layer 16 comprises an outer face 24 and an inner face 26. The coating layer 16 is, for example, made of a material chosen from a textile, a natural leather, a synthetic leather or a plastic material.

[0026] Preferably, the coating layer 16 is made of a material sufficiently flexible to support sewing operations, as will be described below.

[0027] Preferably, the coating layer 16 is made of an opaque material. The term "opaque" will be defined below.

[0028] The first motif 20 forms, for example, a visual signal on the outer face 24 of the coating layer 16.

[0029] The first motif 20 comprises a series of first holes 30 formed in the coating layer 16. Each first hole 30 connects the outer face 24 and the inner face 26 of said layer 16.

[0030] The first motif 20 further includes at least one first thread 32, 34. In the embodiment shown, as seen in [Fig.2], the first thread 32, 34 is part of a first stitching assembly 36.

[0031] More specifically, the first assembly 36 comprises a first main wire 32 and a first support wire 34, intertwined with each other. The first support wire 34 is positioned in contact with the inner face 26 of the layer 16.

[0032] The first main wire 32 has first internal portions 36 and first external portions 38, arranged alternately along said first main wire 32. Each of the first internal portions 36 passes through one of the first orifices 30 and winds around the first support wire 34 at the level of the internal face 26 of the layer 16. Each of the first external portions 38 is arranged in contact with the external face 24 of the coating layer 16.

[0033] Preferably, the first consecutive outer portions 38 of the first main thread 32 are arranged substantially parallel to each other and in contact with each other, so as to form an embroidery on the outer face 24 of the layer 16.

[0034] The first external portions 38 of the first main wire 32 define a covered area 39 of said external face, covered by said first external portions 38. Said covered area 39 is delimited by an edge 40.

[0035] In the embodiment shown, the covered area 39 comprises a central part 41 and a peripheral part 42, separated from each other on the outer face 24 of the layer 16. The peripheral part 42 is closed upon itself and surrounds the central part 41. The edge 40 of the covered area 39 is therefore formed by a contour of the central part 41 and an inner edge and an outer edge of the peripheral part 42. The edge 40 passes substantially through the ends of the first orifices 30 arranged on the outer face 24 of the layer 16.

[0036] According to one embodiment, the first main wire 32 is transparent, translucent, or white. According to another embodiment, the first support wire 34 is also transparent, translucent, or white.

[0037] The second motif 22, 122 comprises a series of second holes 43, 143 formed in the coating layer 16. Each second hole 43, 143 connects the outer face 24 and the inner face 26 of said layer 16.

[0038] As will be detailed below, at the level of the external face 24 of the layer 16, the second orifices 43, 143 of the second motif 22, 122 are covered by the first external portions 38 of the first main wire 32 of the first motif.

[0039] In the embodiment shown, the second motif 22, 122 comprises a central part 44, 144 and a peripheral part 45, 145 separated from each other on the outer face 24 of the layer 16. The peripheral part 45, 145 is closed on itself and surrounds the central part 44, 144.

[0040] More specifically, the central part 44, 144 of the second motif 22, 122 extends over the central part 41 of the covered area 39; and the peripheral part 45, 145 of the second motif 22, 122 extends over the peripheral part 42 of said covered area 39.

[0041] Preferably, each of the second orifices 43, 143 of the second motif 22, 122 is separated from the edge 40 of the covered area 39 by a non-zero distance 46.

[0042] The arrangement 10 of Figures 1 and 2 comprises a second motif 22 according to a first embodiment of the invention, said second motif 22 also being shown in [Fig. 3]. According to a second embodiment of the invention, the arrangement comprises a second motif 122 shown in [Fig. 4], which will be described later.

[0043] In the embodiment of figures 1 to 3, the second motif 22 includes at least a second thread 47, 48. In the embodiment shown, as seen in figures 2 and 3, the second thread 47, 48 is part of a second stitching assembly 50.

[0044] More specifically, the second assembly 50 comprises a second main wire 47 and a second support wire 48, intertwined with each other. The second support wire 48 is positioned in contact with the inner face 26 of the layer 16.

[0045] The second main wire 47 has internal second portions 52 and external second portions 54, arranged alternately along said second main wire 47. Each of the internal second portions 52 passes through one of the second orifices 43 and winds around the second support wire 48 at the level of the internal face 26 of the layer 16. Each of the external second portions 54 is arranged in contact with the external face 24 of the coating layer 16.

[0046] In the embodiment of figures 1 and 2, the first external portions 38 of the first main yarn 32 of the first motif 20 cover the second external portions 54 of the second main yarn 47 of the second motif 22.

[0047] Preferably, the second main wire 47 is transparent, translucent, or white. More preferably, the second support wire 48 is also transparent, translucent, or white.

[0048] According to the second embodiment of [Fig.4], the second motif 122 does not include a second wire and is formed solely from the second holes 43, 143.

[0049] The backlighting device 14 comprises one or more light sources 60, capable of emitting light radiation, particularly visible light. The light source or sources 60 is, for example, a light-emitting diode.

[0050] In the embodiment shown in [Fig. 2], the backlighting device 14 further comprises a diffusion plate 62, formed of a transparent or translucent material. The diffusion plate 62 is interposed between the light source(s) 60 and the coating layer 16.

[0051] The backlighting device 14 is disposed under the coating layer 16, i.e. on the side of the inner face 26. Preferably, the diffusion plate 62 is disposed in contact with said inner face 26 of the layer 16.

[0052] As previously stated, the coating layer 16 is preferably made of an opaque material. By "opaque" is meant that, at a distance from the first 30 and second 43, 143 orifices, light radiation emitted by the light sources 60 of the device 14 is not visible from the side of the external face 24 of the layer 16.

[0053] As described below, the arrangement 10 is configured so that the light radiation emitted by the light sources 60 is visible from the outer face 24 of layer 16, through the first orifices 30. Furthermore, the arrangement 10 is configured so that said light radiation is also visible on the side of said external face 24, through the second orifices 43 of the second motif 22, 122 and the first external portions 38 of the first main wire 32.

[0054] A method for realizing an arrangement 10 as described above will now be described.

[0055] Such a method comprises the following steps: supplying the coating layer 16; then making the second holes 43, 143 in said layer; then making the first holes 30 in said layer and assembling the first wire 32, 34 with said layer and with said first holes 30; then arranging the backlighting device 14 on the side of the inner face 24 of the coating layer 16.

[0056] According to the first embodiment described above, before the step of assembling the first wire 32, 34 with the coating layer 16, the process includes a step of assembling the second wire 47, 48 with said layer and with the second holes 43.

[0057] Preferably, the creation of the second holes 43 in the coating layer 16 and the assembly of the second thread 47, 48 with said layer are carried out simultaneously, using at least one sewing needle. More preferably, the second motif 22 is created on the coating layer 16 using a sewing machine.

[0058] The second motif 22 thus obtained is shown in [Fig. 3]. Such a second motif 22 is particularly suitable for a coating layer 16 made of flexible material, especially textile or synthetic leather. Indeed, the second internal portions 52 of the second main yarn 47 of the second motif keep the second orifices 43 open, keeping the fibers forming said textile material separated.

[0059] The first motif 20 is then made over said second motif 22. Preferably, the making of the first holes 30 in the coating layer 16 and the assembly of the first thread 32, 34 with said layer are carried out simultaneously, by means of a sewing needle, more preferably a sewing machine.

[0060] The first motif 20, visible in [Fig. 1], is thus obtained. As previously stated, the first motif 20 covers the second motif 22; more precisely, the first outer portions 38 of the first main yarn 32 of the first motif 20 cover the second outer portions 54 of the second main yarn 47 of the second motif 22.

[0061] According to the second embodiment described above, the second orifices 143 are preferably made in the coating layer 16 by perforation or punching said layer by means of one or more needles.

[0062] The second motif 122 thus obtained is shown in [Fig. 4]. Such a second motif 122 is particularly suitable for a coating layer 16 made of a material comprising a plastic matrix, in particular of the textile or synthetic leather type. This material is indeed capable of retaining the shape of the second orifices 143, allowing the passage of light emitted by the backlighting device 14.

[0063] The first motif 20 is then made over said second motif 122, in a manner analogous to the first embodiment described above. As indicated previously, the first outer portions 38 of the first main wire 32 of the first motif 20 cover the second holes 143.

[0064] After realization of the first pattern 20, the backlighting device 14 is assembled to the surface part 12 thus obtained, leading to the arrangement 10.

[0065] When the light sources 60 of the device 14 emit light radiation, said radiation is visible on the side of the outer face 24 of the layer 16, through the first orifices 30. At least the edges of the first pattern 20 thus appear illuminated to a user located on the side of said outer face 24.

[0066] Moreover, said light radiation is also visible on the side of said external face 24, through the second orifices 43 of the second motif 22, 122 and the first external portions 38 of the first main wire 32. The first motif 20 thus appears illuminated, even at a distance from the edge 40 of the covered area 39. Better visibility of said first motif 20 is thus obtained.

[0067] In the case of the first embodiment, the white color or the transparency properties of the second wire 47, 48 make it possible to conduct the light radiation more efficiently from the inner face 26 to the outer face 24 of the layer 16.

[0068] In order to improve the brightness of the first pattern 20, the first main wire 32 and / or the first support wire 34 can also be chosen to be transparent, translucent or white in color.

Claims

Demands

1. Vehicle trim arrangement (10), comprising a surface piece (12) and a backlighting device (14), the surface piece (12) comprising: a coating layer (16), comprising an outer face (24) and an inner face (26); and a first pattern (20) formed on the coating layer; the first pattern (20) comprising: a series of first holes (30), formed in the coating layer (16), each first hole (30) connecting the outer face (24) and the inner face (26) of said coating layer (16); and a first wire (32, 34) passing through the first holes (30), said first wire (32, 34) comprising first portions (38) disposed in contact with the outer face (24) of the coating layer (16);the backlighting device (14) being capable of emitting light radiation, said backlighting device (14) being disposed on the side of the inner face (26) of the coating layer (16) so that said light radiation is visible on the side of the outer face (24) of said coating layer (16), through the first orifices (30);the dressing arrangement (10) being characterized in that the surface piece (12) further comprises a second pattern (22, 122) formed on the coating layer (16), said second pattern (22, 122) comprising a series of second holes (43, 143), formed in the coating layer (16), each second hole (43, 143) connecting the outer face (24) and the inner face (26) of said coating layer (16), the second holes (43, 143) being covered by the first portions (38) of the first wire (32) of the first pattern (20), so that the light radiation from the backlighting device is visible on the outer face (24) of the coating layer (16), through said second holes (43, 143) and said first portions (38).

2. A covering arrangement (10) according to claim 1, wherein the second motif (22) further comprises a second wire (47, 48) passing through the second orifices (43), said second wire (47, 48) comprising second portions (54) disposed in contact with the outer face (24) of the coating layer (16), said second portions (54) being covered by the first portions (38) of the first thread (32) of the first motif.

3. Dressing arrangement (10) according to claim 2, wherein the second wire (47, 48) is transparent, translucent or white in color.

4. Dressing arrangement (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: the first portions (38) of the first wire (32, 34), arranged in contact with the outer face (24) of the coating layer (16), define a covered area (39) of said outer face (24), delimited by an edge (40); and each of the second orifices (43) is separated from the edge (40) of the covered area (39) by a non-zero distance (46).

5. Dressing arrangement (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first wire (32, 34) is transparent, translucent or white in color.

6. Dressing arrangement (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the coating layer (16) is opaque.

7. A method for making a covering arrangement (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising the following steps: - supplying the coating layer (16); then - making the second holes (43, 143) in said coating layer (16); then - making the first holes (30) in said coating layer (16) and assembling the first wire (32, 34) with said coating layer (16) and with said first holes (30), so that the first portions (38) of said first wire (32, 34) cover the second holes (43, 143); then - arranging the backlighting device (14) on the inner face (26) side of the coating layer (16).

8. Method according to claim 7, wherein the making of the first holes (30) in the coating layer (16) and the assembly of the first thread (32, 34) with said layer are carried out simultaneously, by means of a sewing needle.

9. A method according to claim 7 or 8, for making a covering arrangement (10) according to any one of claims 2 to 5, such that, before the step of assembling the first wire (32, 34) with the coating layer (16), the method includes a step of assembling the second wire (47, 48) with said layer (16) of coating and with the second holes (43), so that the second portions (54) of said second wire (47, 48) are arranged in contact with the external face (24) of said coating layer (16); and such that, during the step of assembling the first wire (32, 34) with said coating layer (16), the first portions (38) of said first wire (32, 34) cover the second portions (54) of said second wire (47, 48).

10. A method according to claim 9, wherein the making of the second holes (43) in the coating layer (16) and the assembly of the second thread (47, 48) with said layer are carried out simultaneously, by means of a sewing needle.

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