Components for motor vehicles

Abstract

A motor vehicle component comprising a light reflective or refractive first surface, wherein the first surface comprises a predetermined 3D pattern for reflecting or projecting a predetermined image o

Claims

1. A motor vehicle component comprising a light reflective or refractive first surface, wherein the first surface comprises a predetermined 3D pattern for reflecting or projecting a predetermined image onto a second surface.

2. A motor vehicle component according to claim 1, wherein the first surface is a reflective surface for reflecting the predetermined image onto the second surface.

3. A motor vehicle component according to claim 1, wherein the first surface is a refractive surface for projecting the predetermined image onto the second surface.

4. A motor vehicle component according to any preceding claim, wherein the first surface is comprised in a caustic lens.

5. A motor vehicle component according to claim 4, wherein the caustic lens has a prism wherein the predetermined 3D pattern comprises a matrix of relatively small lenses which together give rise to an interference pattern of incident light to form the said predetermined image onto the second surface.

6. A motor vehicle component according to any preceding claim, wherein the predetermined 3D pattern is determined by way of light ray modelling.

7. A method of manufacturing a motor vehicle component comprising a light reflective or refractive first surface, comprising the steps of:- identifying an image desired to be projected onto a second surface;- applying software light ray modelling to calculate the light ray paths from the first surface to the second surface which would project the said image; and- forming a predetermined 3D pattern on the first surface according to the calculated light ray paths.

8. A method according to claim 7, wherein forming the predetermined 3D pattern by way of 3D printing, machining or moulding.AMENDMENTS TO THE CLAIMS HAVE BEEN FILED AS FOLLOWS:08 01 256CLAIMS1. A motor vehicle component comprising a light reflective or refractive first surface, wherein the first surface comprises a predetermined 3D pattern for reflecting or projecting a predetermined image onto a second surface, wherein the first surface is comprised in a caustic lens.

2. A motor vehicle component according to claim 1, wherein the first surface is a reflective surface for reflecting the predetermined image onto the second surface.

3. A motor vehicle component according to claim 1, wherein the first surface is a refractive surface for projecting the predetermined image onto the second surface.

4. A motor vehicle component according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the caustic lens has a prism wherein the predetermined 3D pattern comprises a matrix of relatively small lenses which together give rise to an interference pattern of incident light to form the said predetermined image onto the second surface.

5. A motor vehicle component according to any preceding claim, wherein the predetermined 3D pattern is determined by way of light ray modelling.

6. A method of manufacturing a motor vehicle component comprising a light reflective or refractive first surface, comprising the steps of:- identifying an image desired to be projected onto a second surface;- applying software light ray modelling to calculate the light ray paths from the first surface to the second surface which would project the said image; and- forming a predetermined 3D pattern on the first surface according to the calculated light ray paths.

7. A method according to claim 6, wherein forming the predetermined 3D pattern by way of 3D printing, machining or moulding.

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