Upholstery element comprising a decorative area with a backlit outline

Abstract

A trim element comprising a decorative area with a backlit outline. The element (1) comprises: - a decorative area (2) extending between an inner face and an outer face (5), substantially translucent; - a peripheral area (4) surrounding a portion of the decorative area (2), extending between an inner face and an outer face (5) and being opaque; - an opaque coating layer (6) extending over a portion of the outer face (5); - at least one backlit area (8) formed by the portion of the decorative area extending between the opaque coating layer (6) and the peripheral area (4), said backlit area (8) extending between a first edge (7), formed by an edge of the opaque coating layer, and a second edge (9), formed by an edge of the peripheral area (4), said backlit area (8) allowing light to pass from the inner face to the outer face (5). (See Figure 1 for abbreviations)

Description

Title of the invention: Upholstery element comprising a decorative area with a backlit outline

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle trim element comprising:

[0002] - at least one decorative area extending between an inner face and an outer face, said decorative area being substantially translucent so as to allow light to pass from the inner face to the outer face;

[0003] - at least one peripheral zone surrounding at least part of the zone of decoration, said peripheral zone extending between an inner face and an outer face and being opaque so as to prevent the passage of light from the inner face to the outer face;

[0004] - an opaque coating layer extending over part of the outer face of the decorative area, so as to prevent light from passing through the part of the decorative area extending opposite the opaque coating layer,

[0005] at least one backlit area formed by the part of the decoration area extending between the opaque coating layer and the peripheral area, said backlit area extending between a first edge, formed by an edge of the opaque coating layer, and a second edge, formed by an edge of the peripheral area, said backlit area allowing light to pass from the inner face to the outer face.

[0006] The invention relates, for example, to a trim element intended to form a vehicle bodywork element.

[0007] It is known to equip such a trim element with a decorative area having a particular appearance and / or shape compared to the rest of the trim element in order to give this trim element a distinctive look. Thus, it may be possible to integrate a medallion or other element into the trim element, for example, to display a symbol representing the vehicle model or a logo of the car manufacturer.

[0008] It may be possible to illuminate the decorative area in order to further enhance the appearance of the trim element. Such lighting is more specifically backlighting, that is to say, the light illuminating the decorative area is emitted from the side of an internal surface of the trim element and passes through the decorative area to be visible from the side of the external surface of the trim element.

[0009] However, integrating a medallion and backlighting into a trim element is a complex operation and the appearance of the resulting trim element can still be improved.

[0010] One of the aims of the invention is therefore to propose a trim element comprising a decorative area, part of which is backlit in a simple way and presenting a satisfactory appearance.

[0011] To this end, the invention relates to a vehicle trim element including:

[0012] - at least one decorative area extending between an inner face and an outer face, said decorative area being substantially translucent so as to allow light to pass from the inner face to the outer face;

[0013] - at least one peripheral zone surrounding at least part of the zone of decoration, said peripheral zone extending between an inner face and an outer face and being opaque so as to prevent the passage of light from the inner face to the outer face;

[0014] - an opaque coating layer extending over part of the outer face of the decorative area, so as to prevent light from passing through the part of the decorative area extending opposite the opaque coating layer,

[0015] at least one backlit area formed by the part of the decoration area extending between the opaque coating layer and the peripheral area, said backlit area extending between a first edge, formed by an edge of the opaque coating layer, and a second edge, formed by an edge of the peripheral area, said backlit area allowing light to pass from the inner face to the outer face.

[0016] The production of a trim element comprising a decorative area of ​​which at least part of the perimeter is backlit makes it possible to obtain a sharp contrast and to highlight the shape represented in the decorative area.

[0017] According to other advantageous aspects of the invention, the filling element comprises one or more of the following features, taken individually or in all technically possible combinations:

[0018] - the backlit area and the peripheral area are made of material comprising a translucent material to form the decorative area and an opaque material forming the peripheral area;

[0019] - the opaque coating layer is made of a metallic material;

[0020] - the peripheral zone completely surrounds the decoration zone;

[0021] - the backlit area completely surrounds the part of the decorative area covered with the opaque coating;

[0022] - a light source is placed on the inner face of the decoration area, said light source producing light visible from the outer face of the backlit area.

[0023] According to another aspect, the invention also relates to a method for producing a trim element as described above, the method comprising the following steps:

[0024] - creation of a decorative area in a translucent material;

[0025] - creation of a peripheral zone in an opaque material around at least one part of the scenery area;

[0026] - application of an opaque coating layer on the external face of at least one part of the scenery area;

[0027] - definition of a backlit area extending between a first edge, formed by a edge of the opaque coating layer, and a second edge, formed by an edge of the peripheral area, said backlit area allowing light to pass from the inner face to the outer face.

[0028] According to other advantageous aspects of the invention, the method for manufacturing the trim element comprises one or more of the following features, taken individually or in all technically possible combinations:

[0029] - an opaque coating layer is applied by physical vapor deposition of a metallic material;

[0030] - the opaque coating layer covers the entire external face of the area of decor, part of which is removed to form the backlit area;

[0031] - the decorative area and the peripheral area are made in one piece by two-component injection.

[0032] The invention will become clearer upon reading the following description, given solely by way of non-limiting example, and made with reference to the drawings in which:

[0033] [Fig-1] - [Fig.1] is a front view of a trim element according to the invention,

[0034] [Fig.2] - [Fig.2] is a schematic cross-sectional view of part of the element of filling, along axis II-II, of the [Fig.1],

[0035] [Fig.3] - [Fig.3] is a schematic cross-sectional view of part of element filling of [Fig.2] during a step in the fabrication of the filling element,

[0036] [Fig.4] - [Fig.4] is a schematic cross-sectional view of the part of the element trimming of [Fig.2], during another stage in the production of the trim element,

[0037] [Fig.5] - [Fig.5] is a schematic cross-sectional view of the trim element of [Fig.2], after the last step of the process.

[0038] With reference to [Fig. 1], a vehicle trim element 1 is described, extending between an inner face 3, intended to face towards the vehicle on which the trim element 1 is installed, and an outer face 5, visible in [Fig. 1], opposite the inner face 3 and intended to face outwards from the vehicle. The thickness of The trim element 1 is defined as the distance between the inner face 3 and the outer face 5 and extends along a longitudinal direction X, corresponding, for example, to the front-to-rear direction of the vehicle. The inner face 3 and the outer face 5 generally extend along a transverse direction Y, corresponding, for example, to the width of the vehicle, and an elevational direction Z, corresponding, for example, to the height of the vehicle.

[0039] The trim element 1 is, for example, a vehicle body element, such as a bumper skin or other.

[0040] The trim element 1 comprises at least one decorative area 2, forming for example a medallion, and at least one peripheral area 4 which surrounds at least part of the decorative area 2. The outer face 5 of the decorative area 2, located on the outer side of the trim element 1, is partly coated with a substantially opaque coating layer 6. As will be described in more detail later, between the opaque coating layer 6 and the peripheral area 4, the trim element 1 comprises a so-called backlit area 8.

[0041] By "opaque," it is understood that the coating layer does not allow light to pass through in the visible range from its inner face to its outer face. In other words, if the coating layer is illuminated from its inner face, the light does not pass through the coating layer and is not visible from its outer face.

[0042] The peripheral zone 4 is opaque, that is to say it does not allow light to pass through, at least from the inner face 3 to the outer face 5. To achieve this, the peripheral zone 4 is made of an opaque material preventing light from passing through the thickness of the peripheral zone 4.

[0043] The decorative area 2 is substantially translucent, at least from the inner face 3 to the outer face 5. The decorative area 2 can have any desired shape, for example, any geometric shape, a logo shape, an alphanumeric symbol, or something similar. As shown in [Fig. 2], the decorative area 2 can extend, at least partially, outward from the outer face 5 of the peripheral area. Alternatively, the decorative area 2 can extend inward from the outer face 5 of the peripheral area 4 or be flush with the outer face 5 of the peripheral area 4, so that the outer face 5 of the trim element is substantially flat or convex.

[0044] By "translucent" is meant that the decorative area allows at least some light to pass through in the visible spectrum from its inner face 3 to its outer face 5; in particular, it may allow all visible light to pass through. In other words, light emitted from the inner face 3 of the decorative area 2 can pass through the thickness of the decorative area 2 to be visible on its outer face 5.

[0045] According to one embodiment, the trim element 1 comprises at least two distinct decorative zones 2 separated from each other as shown in [Fig. 1], in which two decorative zones 2A, 2B of different shapes are depicted. The different decorative zones may be of any shape and size and may differ from each other.

[0046] As previously stated, the peripheral zone 4 extends around at least part of the decorative zone(s) 2. In other words, the peripheral zone 4 is adjacent to at least part of the decorative zone 2 in the transverse direction Y and / or in the elevation direction Z. In one embodiment, the peripheral zone 4 extends around the entire perimeter of the decorative zone 2. In this embodiment, the peripheral zone 4 therefore completely surrounds the decorative zone 2 in the transverse and elevation directions, as shown in [Fig. 1]. When the trim element 1 comprises several decorative zones, the peripheral zone 4 extends between the decorative zones and joins them together. In one embodiment, all the decorative zones are completely surrounded by the peripheral zone.

[0047] According to one embodiment, the peripheral zone 4 and the decorative zone 2 are formed from a single piece of material, i.e., the peripheral zone and the decorative zone(s) 2 are formed in one piece, for example by bi-injection, as will be described in more detail later. The peripheral and decorative zones are, for example, made of polycarbonate, the polycarbonate being opaque for the peripheral zone and translucent for the decorative zone(s).

[0048] A portion of the outer face of the decorative zone 2E is covered with an opaque coating layer 6, shown in [Fig. 5]. This opaque coating layer 6 creates an additional thickness E on a portion of the outer face 5 of the decorative zone 2, the thickness E being, for example, constant along the longitudinal direction. This opaque coating layer 6 on the outer face 5 of the decorative zone 2 can be metallic, for example, made of an aluminum or steel alloy. The portion of the decorative zone 2 coated with an opaque coating layer 6 is designated by the term "opaque zone".

[0049] Advantageously, the choice of metallic materials for the opaque coating 6 of the decorative area 2 makes it possible to ensure a chrome or glossy visual effect, for example, in the opaque area. Furthermore, since the coating layer is opaque, it blocks the passage of light beyond the outer face of the decorative area 2 into the opaque area. In other words, the light emitted from the inner face of the opaque area is not visible from outside the trim element at the level of the coating layer 6.

[0050] In an embodiment in which several distinct decorative zones exist, each of these zones is partially coated with an opaque coating layer 6 as defined above. Preferably, the thicknesses E of the different decorative zones 2A, 2B coated with an opaque coating layer 6 are equal; alternatively, they are different.

[0051] The opaque coating layer 6 does not completely cover the outer face 5 of the or each decorative area 2 and leaves at least a part of the contour of the or each decorative area 2 bare, i.e. uncoated by the opaque coating layer 6. This uncoated part forms the backlit area 8 of the trim element 1. In other words, from the outside of the trim element, the outer faces of the peripheral area, the backlit area(s) and the coating layer(s) are visible, while light emitted from the inner face is visible from the outer face 5 only in the backlit area 8. The outer face 5 of the part of the or each decorative area coated by an opaque coating layer 6 is, however, invisible from the outside of the trim element.

[0052] Thus, as shown in [Fig.5], the backlit area 8 is a part of the decoration area 2, which is not covered by the opaque coating layer 6 previously described and extends in the transverse and / or elevation direction between a first edge 7 formed by the edge of the opaque coating layer 6 and a second edge 9 formed by the peripheral area 4. This backlit area 8 has a width L, defined as the distance between the first edge 7 and the second edge 9, as shown in [Fig.1].

[0053] For example, this width L can be substantially constant around the entire perimeter of this backlit area 8.

[0054] In the particular embodiment shown in [Fig.1], the backlit area 8 totally surrounds the opaque area in the transverse Y and elevation Z directions.

[0055] In any embodiment comprising several scenery areas, each scenery area 2 defines a backlit area 8 as described above.

[0056] Since the backlit area 8 is translucent, it can, according to a particular embodiment, be illuminated by means of at least one light source 10 placed on the inner face of the trim element, so that this area visually contrasts with the peripheral area 4 and with the coated decorative area 2. The light source 10 can be of any shape, such as a surface or point source. The light source 10 is, for example, placed opposite the decorative area(s), on the inner face thereof.

[0057] According to one embodiment, the trim element comprises a single light source 10 illuminating the various backlit areas 8, for example, a panel of light-emitting diodes. Alternatively, the trim element comprises several light sources 10, each illuminating one or more backlit areas 8. It is also possible that only a portion of the backlit areas 8 are actually illuminated by a light source 10.

[0058] The invention thus makes it possible to create a decorative area 2, possibly in relief, with a chrome effect. This chrome effect can be highlighted by light from the backlit area 8, in particular by means of high luminous power thanks to the use of a light source 10 adapted to the need and placed behind the decorative area 2.

[0059] A method for producing the previously described trim element 1 will now be detailed.

[0060] A first step in the process of making the trim element 1, the result of which is visible [Fig.2], consists of making a decorative area 2 according to the invention.

[0061] A second step in the process of making the trim element 1 consists of making the peripheral area 4 according to the invention.

[0062] The first and second steps can be carried out by bi-injection of an opaque material to create the peripheral zone 4 and a translucent material to create the decorative zone 2. This improves the visual effect of the trim element 1 by the continuity between the two zones.

[0063] The shape of the two zones is free, in particular, the decoration zone 2 may have reliefs as illustrated in [Fig.2].

[0064] In a particular embodiment in which the trim element 1 contains several decoration zones 2A, 2B, then the first step consists of producing all these zones by bi-injection.

[0065] A third step in the process of making the trim element 1 consists of making the opaque coating layer 6 on the external face 5 of the decoration area 2.

[0066] In particular, this step can be carried out by physical vapor deposition of a metallic material.

[0067] The [Fig.3] shows the part at the third stage of the process.

[0068] As shown in [Fig.3], during the deposition of the opaque coating 6, the outer face 5 of its peripheral area 4 can be provided with a mask 12 to prevent the deposition of the opaque coating layer 6 on the peripheral area 4. In this case, the mask 12 is removed at the end of this third step, in order to continue the process.

[0069] In an embodiment in which several decorative areas 2 are present, a possible mask 12 may be composed of several openings, or the operation may involve the use of several masks 12. In all cases, if one or more masks 12 are used, they are all removed at the end of the operation. Advantageously, the operation of applying the opaque coating layer 6 is carried out in a single pass for all areas to be coated; alternatively, it may be carried out sequentially in several passes.

[0070] In a particular embodiment, the opaque coating layer 6 extends, after the third step, over the entire outer surface 5 of the decorative area 2, including the area intended to form a backlit zone 8. In this case, a fourth step consists of removing a portion of the opaque coating layer 6 to create the backlit zone 8. This removal can, for example, be carried out by laser. Such laser removal allows the precise definition of the shape of the backlit zone. This fourth operation can involve several decorative zones if the embodiment under consideration has several; it can involve some or all of these zones.

[0071] Alternatively, the opaque coating layer 6 does not extend over the backlit area 8, in which case it is not necessary to ablate part of the opaque coating layer 6. This embodiment can be achieved by using masks 12 that extend over the entire outer face 5 of the backlit area 8, i.e., that extend to the first edge 7, in addition to covering the peripheral area. If the embodiment involves several decorative areas 2, it may be necessary to perform laser ablation on some, all, or none of the decorative areas 2.

Claims

Demands

1. Vehicle trim element (1) comprising: - at least one decorative area (2) extending between an inner face (3) and an outer face (5), said decorative area (2) being substantially translucent so as to allow light to pass from the inner face (3) to the outer face (5) - at least one peripheral area (4) surrounding at least a portion of the decorative area (2), said peripheral area (4) extending between an inner face (3) and an outer face (5) and being opaque so as to prevent the passage of light from the inner face (3) to the outer face (5) - an opaque coating layer (6) extending over a portion of the outer face (5) of the decorative area (2), so as to prevent the passage of light through the portion of the decorative area (2) extending opposite the opaque coating layer (6),- at least one backlit area (8) formed by the portion of the decorative area extending between the opaque coating layer (6) and the peripheral area (4), said backlit area (8) extending between a first edge (7), formed by an edge of the opaque coating layer, and a second edge (9), formed by an edge of the peripheral area (4), said backlit area (8) allowing light to pass from the inner face (3) to the outer face (5).

2. Filling element (1) according to claim 1, wherein the backlit area (8) and the peripheral area are made of material comprising a translucent material to form the decoration area (2) and an opaque material forming the peripheral area (4).

3. A trim element according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the opaque coating layer (6) is made of a metallic material.

4. Upholstery element (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the peripheral area (4) completely surrounds the decoration area (2).

5. A trim element (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the backlit area (8) surrounds completely the part of the decor area (2) covered with the opaque coating (6).

6. A trim element (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a light source (10) is placed on the inner face (3) side of the decoration area (2), said light source (10) producing light visible from the outer face (5) of the backlit area (8).

7. Method of making a trim element (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, comprising the following steps: - Making a decorative area (2) out of a translucent material - Making a peripheral area (4) out of an opaque material around at least a part of the decorative area (2) - Applying an opaque coating layer (6) to the external face (5) of at least a part of the decorative area (2) - Defining a backlit area (8) extending between a first edge (7), formed by an edge of the opaque coating layer (6), and a second edge (9), formed by an edge of the peripheral area, said backlit area (8) allowing light to pass from the inner face (3) to the outer face (5).

8. A method for producing a trim element (1) according to claim 7, wherein an opaque coating layer (6) is applied by physical vapor deposition of a metallic material

9. Method of making a trim element (1) according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the opaque coating layer (6) covers the entire external face of the decoration area (2), part of which is removed to form the backlit area (8).

10. Method of making a trim element (1) according to any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein the decoration area (2) and the peripheral area (4) are made in one piece by bi-material injection.

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