Skin material and interior component

Abstract

To provide a skin material and an interior component, which allow for easy adjustment of light emitting state of optical fibers whose one ends are connected to a common light source.SOLUTION: A skin material 3 has a woven fabric into which a side emission optical fiber as either one of warp or weft, and a non-light guide yarn 6 are woven. The optical fiber has an exposed part 5a and a non-exposed part 5b. The non-light guide yarn has fineness larger than that of the optical fiber. A plurality of light emitting regions A, where a plurality of optical fibers disposed between a pair of non-light guide yarns are arranged across, are provided on the woven fabric. The light emitting region includes two or more regions among first to third light emitting regions A1 to A3. The first light emitting region A1 has the exposed part of the optical fiber adjacent to one of the non-light guide yarns and the exposed part of the optical fiber adjacent to the other of the non-light guide yarns. The second light emitting region A2 has the non-exposed part of the optical fiber adjacent to the one of the non-light guide yarns and the exposed part of the optical fiber adjacent to the other of the non-light guide yarns.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a skin material and an interior part, and more particularly to a skin material including a fabric woven with optical fibers and an interior part including the same. [Background technology]

[0002] As a conventional skin material, an optical fiber skin material comprising a fabric in which a side-emitting optical fiber and a non-light-guiding thread are woven is generally known (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2). Patent Document 1 describes an optical fiber skin material 103, as shown in Fig. 13, for example, which is configured with a multifilament or monofilament 106 made of synthetic resin fiber and optical fiber 105 as warp threads, with the optical fiber 105 woven between adjacent filaments 106. Patent Document 2 also describes an optical fiber skin material in which an exit portion is formed by irradiating a laser or the like into the cladding (outer layer) of an optical fiber to penetrate to the core (core portion), and light in the core of the optical fiber is irradiated from the exit portion. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-095078 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2024-007712 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Here, optical fiber skin materials may require designs in which the light emission state differs at any given part of the product shape. However, optical fibers connected at one end to a common light source transmit and emit a constant amount of light from the light source, resulting in the same light emission state. The optical fiber skin material 103 in Patent Document 1 has a structure designed to prevent scratches on the optical fibers 105, and is therefore unable to realize a design in which the light emission state differs between the optical fibers 105 connected to the light source. Furthermore, the optical fiber skin material in Patent Document 2 requires an additional processing step, such as laser irradiation, to create recesses after the skin material is manufactured.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above-described current situation, and aims to provide a covering material and an interior part that enable easy adjustment of the light emission state in optical fibers one end of which is connected to a common light source. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The present invention is as follows. 1. A skin material comprising a fabric in which side-emitting optical fibers and non-light-guiding yarns are woven as either warp or weft threads, The optical fiber has an exposed portion exposed on the design surface side of the fabric and a non-exposed portion covered by the other yarn and not exposed on the design surface side of the fabric, the non-light-guiding yarn has a fineness greater than that of the optical fiber, the woven fabric is provided with a plurality of light-emitting regions of a predetermined size across which a plurality of the optical fibers disposed between a pair of the non-light-guiding threads cross, the light-emitting region includes two or more regions selected from a first light-emitting region, a second light-emitting region, and a third light-emitting region; the first light-emitting region has the exposed portion of the optical fiber adjacent to the non-light-guiding thread on one side of the pair of non-light-guiding threads in the juxtaposition direction of the optical fibers, and the exposed portion of the optical fiber adjacent to the non-light-guiding thread on the other side, the second light-emitting region has the non-exposed portion of the optical fiber adjacent to the non-light-guiding thread on one side of the pair of non-light-guiding threads in the juxtaposition direction of the optical fibers, and the exposed portion of the optical fiber adjacent to the non-light-guiding thread on the other side, The third light-emitting region is a skin material characterized in that it has the exposed portion of the optical fiber adjacent to the non-light-guiding thread on one side of the pair of non-light-guiding threads in the juxtaposition direction of the optical fibers, and the non-exposed portion of the optical fiber adjacent to the non-light-guiding thread on the other side. 2. The skin material according to 1 above, wherein the light-emitting region includes the first light-emitting region, the second light-emitting region, and the third light-emitting region. 3. The skin material according to 1 or 2 above, wherein the light-emitting regions are formed in a dot pattern. 4. An interior part comprising a base material and the skin material according to any one of 1. to 3. above, which covers the surface of the base material. 5. The interior part according to 4 above, wherein a curved surface is formed on the surface of the base material. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, the light emission state of optical fibers, one end of which is connected to a common light source, can be easily adjusted by weaving a fabric. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] The present invention will be further described in the following detailed description by way of non-limiting examples of exemplary embodiments according to the present invention and with reference to the mentioned drawings, in which like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views of the drawings. [Figure 1] 1 is a front view of a vehicle door trim including an ornament according to an embodiment, viewed from inside a vehicle compartment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line II-II in FIG. [Figure 3] 2 is an enlarged view of a main part of FIG. 1, where (a) shows the state when the optical fiber is not guiding light, and (b) shows the emitting state when the optical fiber is guiding light. [Figure 4]1A and 1B are explanatory diagrams of light-emitting regions according to an embodiment, in which (a) shows a structural diagram of a first light-emitting region and its surrounding area, (b) shows a structural diagram of a second light-emitting region and its surrounding area, and (c) shows a structural diagram of a third light-emitting region and its surrounding area. [Figure 5] FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of the main part (woven fabric) of FIG. 2. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a development view taken along the arrow VI in FIG. 5. [Figure 7] FIG. 1 is a perspective view schematically illustrating a skin material according to an embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of a method for measuring the brightness of a skin material according to an experimental example. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is an image processing diagram of a main part including a first light-emitting region of a skin material. [Figure 10] 10A and 10B are explanatory diagrams of other types of skin materials, in which (a) shows a type in which three optical fibers are arranged between a pair of non-light-guiding threads, and (b) shows a type in which adjacent pairs of non-light-guiding threads are arranged independently. [Figure 11] 10A and 10B are explanatory diagrams of a skin material according to still another embodiment, in which (a) and (b) show an embodiment in which the first to third groups of light-emitting regions are arranged along the juxtaposition direction of the optical fibers, (c) shows an embodiment in which the first to third groups of light-emitting regions are arranged along the juxtaposition direction and longitudinal direction of the optical fibers, and (d) shows an embodiment in which the first to third groups of light-emitting regions are arranged along the longitudinal direction of the optical fibers. [Figure 12] 10A and 10B are explanatory views of a skin material according to still another embodiment, in which FIG. 10A shows an embodiment having a substrate with a convex curved surface formed on the surface, and FIG. 10B shows an embodiment having a substrate with a flat surface formed on the surface. [Figure 13] FIG. 1 is a perspective view schematically showing a conventional optical fiber skin material. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] The matters set forth herein are for illustrative purposes only and are intended to provide an illustrative description of the embodiments of the present invention, with the aim of providing what is believed to be the most effective and easily understandable explanation of the principles and conceptual features of the present invention. In this regard, it is not intended to show structural details of the present invention beyond the extent necessary for a fundamental understanding of the present invention, and the description, taken together with the drawings, will make clear to those skilled in the art how some forms of the present invention may be actually embodied.

[0010] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings and embodiments. In this embodiment, an ornament 1 constituting a vehicle door trim 21 is exemplified as an "interior part" according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle door trim 21 includes a trim main body 22 that covers a metal inner panel (not shown) constituting a vehicle door from the inside of the vehicle compartment. The trim main body 22 includes the ornament 1, a frame material 23, an upper board 24, etc. that form a design surface on the inside of the vehicle compartment.

[0011] As shown in FIG. 2 , the ornament 1 according to this embodiment includes a base material 2 and a skin material 3 that covers all or part of the surface of the base material 2. A curved surface 2a that is concave toward the outside of the vehicle cabin is formed on all or part of the surface of the base material 2. The skin material 3 conforms to the curved surface 2a of the base material 2, and a concave curved surface 3a is formed on its design surface. The base material 2 is formed in the shape of a long plate extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle from a synthetic resin or the like. Examples of resin materials that constitute the base material 2 include polyolefin, polyester, and polyamide. The base material 2 may be a fibrous molded product formed by binding reinforcing fibers with a binder resin such as polyolefin. Examples of reinforcing fibers that can be used include vegetable fibers (kenaf, hemp, jute, etc.), resin fibers (polyester fiber, polyamide fiber, etc.), and inorganic fibers (glass fiber, carbon fiber, etc.). The shape of the base material 2 is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected from the viewpoint of design, etc.

[0012] As shown in FIG. 7, the covering material 3 includes a woven fabric 9 into which side-emitting optical fibers 5 are woven. The woven fabric 9 is made of optical fibers 5 and non-light-guiding yarns 6 and 7 constituting weft threads and non-light-guiding yarns 8 constituting warp threads (see FIG. 4). The woven fabric 9 includes a converging portion 11 in which the tips of multiple optical fibers 5 extending from the edge are bundled with a sleeve or the like. The converging portion 11 is connected to a light source 12 such as an LED. There may be only one converging portion 11, or multiple converging portions 11 may be provided depending on the illumination design. The multiple optical fibers 5, one end of which is connected to the light source 12, extend along the longitudinal direction of the ornament 1 (see FIG. 3). The covering material 3 also includes a cushioning layer 13 laminated on the back surface of the woven fabric 9. However, a woven fabric 9 without the cushioning layer 13 may be used. The material of the cushioning layer 13 is not particularly limited, and a sheet material made of soft polyurethane foam, for example, is often used. Other soft resin foams may also be used as long as they have sufficient cushioning properties.

[0013] As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the non-light-guiding threads 6 have a fineness (e.g., 1500d) greater than that of the optical fiber 5 (e.g., 0.25 mm: equivalent to approximately 300d). The optical fiber 5 has an exposed portion 5a exposed on the design surface side of the fabric 9, and a non-exposed portion 5b covered with the non-light-guiding threads 8 and not exposed on the design surface side of the fabric 9. The exposed portion 5a and the non-exposed portion 5b are arranged adjacent to each other along the longitudinal direction of the optical fiber 5. In Figure 6, the exposed portion 5a of the optical fiber 5 is indicated by a solid line, and the non-exposed portion 5b of the optical fiber 5 is indicated by a dashed line.

[0014] The fabric 9 is provided with a plurality of light-emitting regions A of a predetermined size across which two optical fibers 5 arranged between a pair of non-light-guiding threads 6 cross. The light-emitting regions A are arranged along the longitudinal direction D1 and the juxtaposition direction D2 of the optical fibers 5. Each light-emitting region A includes a first light-emitting region A1, a second light-emitting region A2, and a third light-emitting region A3. These light-emitting regions A1 to A3 are arranged along the juxtaposition direction D2 of the optical fibers 5 (see FIG. 3). The light-emitting regions A1 to A3 are formed in the shape of dots of the same size (for example, dots of 1 mm square). Specifically, each light-emitting region A1 to A3 is formed in the shape of a dot with a vertical width substantially equal to the sum of the diameters of the two optical fibers 5 and a horizontal width substantially equal to the length of the exposed portion 5a along the longitudinal direction D1 of the optical fiber 5.

[0015] The diameter of the optical fiber 5 is not particularly limited, but from the viewpoint of weaving ease, it is preferably 0.01 to 2.0 mm, more preferably 0.05 to 1.5 mm, and even more preferably 0.1 to 1.0 mm. The optical fiber 5 may have a diameter of 0.25 mm and a fineness (df) of 300 d, for example, although this will depend on the material. The length of the exposed portion 5a of the optical fiber 5 is not particularly limited, but from the viewpoint of light-emitting properties, it is preferably 1 to 10 mm, more preferably 1 to 5 mm, and even more preferably 1 to 3 mm. The non-light-guiding thread 6 has a fineness (d1) greater than the fineness (df) of the optical fiber 5. The ratio of these finenesses (d1 / df) may be a value exceeding 1.0, but is preferably 2.0 or greater, more preferably 3.0 or greater, and even more preferably 4.0 or greater. The upper limit of the ratio of finenesses (d1 / df) is not particularly limited, but from the viewpoint of design, it is preferably 9.0 or less, more preferably 8.0 or less, and even more preferably 7.0 or less. The fineness (d1) of the non-light-guiding yarns 6 is not particularly limited, but can be 1000 to 4000d, preferably 2000 to 4000d, and more preferably 2500 to 4000d.

[0016] In the first light-emitting region A1 and its surrounding area, as shown in Fig. 4, optical fibers 5 (e.g., 0.25 mm in diameter), non-light-guiding threads 6 (e.g., 1500 d), and non-light-guiding threads 7 (e.g., 300 d) constituting the weft intersect with non-light-guiding threads 8 (e.g., 150 d) constituting the warp, and exposed portions 5a of two optical fibers 5 are present in the first light-emitting region A1 (see Fig. 4(a)). More specifically, the first light-emitting region A1 has the exposed portion 5a of one optical fiber 5 adjacent to the non-light-guiding thread 6 (specifically, the upper non-light-guiding thread 6) of the pair of non-light-guiding threads 6 on one side in the juxtaposition direction D2 of the optical fibers 5, and the exposed portion 5a of one optical fiber 5 adjacent to the non-light-guiding thread 6 (specifically, the lower non-light-guiding thread 6) on the other side (see Figs. 5 and 6).

[0017] In the second light-emitting region A2 and its periphery, the optical fibers 5, non-light-guiding threads 6, and non-light-guiding threads 7 constituting the weft intersect with the non-light-guiding threads 8 constituting the warp, and an exposed portion 5a of one optical fiber 5 is present in the second light-emitting region A2 (see FIG. 4(b)). More specifically, the second light-emitting region A2 has the non-exposed portion 5b of one optical fiber 5 adjacent to the non-light-guiding thread 6 (specifically the upper non-light-guiding thread 6) of the pair of non-light-guiding threads 6 on one side in the juxtaposition direction D2 of the optical fibers 5, and the exposed portion 5a of one optical fiber 5 adjacent to the non-light-guiding thread 6 (specifically the lower non-light-guiding thread 6) on the other side (see FIGS. 5 and 6).

[0018] In the third light-emitting region A3 and its periphery, the optical fibers 5, non-light-guiding threads 6, and non-light-guiding threads 7 constituting the weft intersect with the non-light-guiding threads 8 constituting the warp, and an exposed portion 5a of one optical fiber 5 is present in the third light-emitting region A3 (see FIG. 4(c)). More specifically, the third light-emitting region A3 has an exposed portion 5a of one optical fiber 5 adjacent to the non-light-guiding thread 6 (specifically the upper non-light-guiding thread 6) of the pair of non-light-guiding threads 6 on one side in the juxtaposition direction D2 of the optical fibers 5, and an unexposed portion 5b of one optical fiber 5 adjacent to the non-light-guiding thread 6 (specifically the lower non-light-guiding thread 6) on the other side (see FIGS. 5 and 6).

[0019] Here, the exposed area of ​​the exposed portion 5a constituting the second and third light-emitting regions A2 and A3 is smaller (specifically, 1 / 2) than the exposed area of ​​the exposed portion 5a constituting the first light-emitting region A1. Therefore, the second and third light-emitting regions A2 have lower light-emitting brightness than the first light-emitting region A1. Furthermore, because the line of sight of a user (occupant; specifically, a person sitting in a vehicle seat) toward the ornament is directed diagonally downward from above (see FIG. 5), more of the exposed portion 5a is shielded by the non-light-guiding threads 6 in the third light-emitting region A2 than in the second light-emitting region A2. In particular, due to the presence of the concave curved surface 3a on the design surface of the upholstery material 3, more of the exposed portion 5a is shielded by the non-light-guiding threads 6 in the third light-emitting region A3 than in the second light-emitting region A2. Therefore, the light-emitting properties (light-emitting states) of the light-emitting regions A1 to A3 as seen by the user decrease in the order of the first light-emitting region A1, the second light-emitting region A2, and the third light-emitting region A3. In each of the light-emitting regions A1 to A3, the two optical fibers 5 are arranged further back (outside the vehicle cabin) than the pair of non-light-guiding threads 6 that sandwich them (see FIG. 5).

[0020] The weave of the woven fabric 9 is not particularly limited, and conventionally known weaves (e.g., plain weave, twill weave, satin weave, etc.) can be used as appropriate. The braid structure of the woven fabric 9 is also not limited, and conventionally known weave structures (e.g., single-layer weave, multi-layer weave, etc.) can be used as appropriate. In the woven fabric 9, the optical fibers 5 may be included as warp threads, weft threads, or both warp and weft threads, but are preferably included as weft threads. The non-light-guiding threads 6 to 8 may be included as warp threads, weft threads, or both warp and weft threads, but are preferably included as warp and weft threads. The material constituting the non-light-guiding threads 6 to 8 is not limited, and materials such as plant-based and animal-based natural fibers, regenerated fibers such as rayon, semi-synthetic fibers such as acetate, and synthetic fibers made of synthetic resin can be used.

[0021] A side-emitting optical fiber 5 can guide light incident from one end to the other end while allowing the light to leak from the side. Specifically, the optical fiber 5 has a core-sheath structure with a core and a sheath (clad), and can guide light based on the difference in refractive index between the core and the sheath. The core-sheath structure may have one core per sheath, or two or more cores per sheath. The optical fiber 5 may be a multifilament, but is typically a monofilament. In the case of a multifilament, all of the constituent yarns constituting the filament may have light-guiding properties, or only some of the yarns may have light-guiding properties. In addition, from the viewpoint of weaving, the optical fiber 5 is preferably made of resin. Specifically, (1) an optical fiber in which a core resin and a clad resin are combined to have a refractive index relationship that prevents total reflection at the core-sheath interface, or (2) an optical fiber in which a light-scattering material is blended into the core resin, can be used.

[0022] The above (1) is a side-emitting optical fiber that utilizes the phenomenon that light guided through the core is not totally reflected at the core-sheath interface, but leaks out from the sheath. On the other hand, the above (2) is a side-emitting optical fiber that utilizes the phenomenon that light scattered by the light-scattering material during the light-guiding process leaks out from the side by blending a scattering material. Furthermore, in the above (2), the brightness can be controlled by adjusting the concentration of the light-scattering material blended. Furthermore, side-emitting optical fibers with other configurations may also be used. These may be used alone or in combination of two or more types.

[0023] Next, the effects of the ornament 1 configured as described above will be explained. In the ornament 1, when light is guided through the optical fibers 5, light is emitted as a discontinuous dot pattern (see FIG. 3(b)). At this time, in the first light-emitting region A1, light leaks and emits light from the exposed portions 5a of the two optical fibers 5 (see FIG. 4(a)). In the second light-emitting region A2, light leaks and emits light only from the exposed portion 5a of the optical fiber 5 adjacent to the lower non-light-guiding thread 6 (see FIG. 4(b)). In the third light-emitting region A3, light leaks and emits light only from the exposed portion 5a of the optical fiber 5 adjacent to the upper non-light-guiding thread 6 (see FIG. 4(c)).

[0024] As shown in FIG. 5, the first light-emitting region A1 is partially blocked from the user's line of sight by the upper non-light-guiding thread 6, but the exposed portions 5a of the two optical fibers 5 are visible, so the user sees a high amount of light emitted and exhibits high light emission. The second light-emitting region A2 is only visible from the user's line of sight to the exposed portion 5a of one optical fiber 5, so the user sees a moderate level of light emission. The third light-emitting region A3 is partially blocked from the user's line of sight by the upper non-light-guiding thread 6, so the user sees only the exposed portion 5a of one optical fiber 5, so the user sees a low amount of light emitted and exhibits low light emission. In other words, the dotted light emitted by the ornament 1 repeatedly emits light from the light-emitting regions A1 to A3, each of which emits light in a non-uniform manner (specifically, the light-emitting regions A1 to A3 have a decreasing amount of light emitted toward the top).

[0025] As described above, in the skin material 3 of this embodiment, the optical fiber 5 has an exposed portion 5a that is exposed on the design surface side of the fabric 9 and a non-exposed portion 5b that is covered with the other thread (non-light-guiding thread 8) and is not exposed on the design surface side of the fabric 9, the non-light-guiding thread 6 has a finer thread size than the optical fiber 5, and the fabric 9 is provided with a plurality of light-emitting regions A that are crossed by two optical fibers 5 arranged between a pair of non-light-guiding threads 6, and the light-emitting regions A include a first light-emitting region A1, a second light-emitting region A2 and a third light-emitting region A3. The first light-emitting region A1 has exposed portions 5a of two optical fibers 5 adjacent to the upper and lower non-light-guiding threads 6, the second light-emitting region A2 has an unexposed portion 5b of one optical fiber 5 adjacent to the upper non-light-guiding thread 6 and an exposed portion 5a of one optical fiber 5 adjacent to the lower non-light-guiding thread 6, and the third light-emitting region A3 has an exposed portion 5a of one optical fiber 5 adjacent to the upper non-light-guiding thread 6 and an unexposed portion 5b of one optical fiber 5 adjacent to the lower non-light-guiding thread 6. This makes it possible to easily adjust the light-emitting state of the optical fibers 5, one end of which is connected to a common light source 12, by weaving the fabric 9.

[0026] In this embodiment, the light emitting regions A1 to A3 are formed in a dot pattern, thereby creating a dot-patterned light emitting design.

[0027] Moreover, the ornament 1 of this embodiment includes the base material 2 and the above-described skin material 3 that covers the surface of the base material 2. As a result, by weaving the fabric 9, the light emission state of the optical fibers 5, one end of which is connected to the common light source 12, can be easily adjusted.

[0028] Furthermore, in this embodiment, a curved surface 2a is formed on the surface of the base material 2. As a result, a curved surface 3a is also formed on the design surface of the skin material 3 that follows the curved surface 2a of the base material 2. Therefore, when the user visually checks, the non-light-guiding threads 6 shield part of the exposed portions 5a of the optical fibers 5, thereby enabling more precise adjustment of the light emission amount in each of the light-emitting regions A1 to A3.

[0029] Here, a luminance measurement test of the skin material 3 of the experimental example will be described. As shown in Fig. 8, this skin material 3 has first to third light-emitting regions A1 to A3. In the first light-emitting region A1, light is emitted from the exposed portions 5a of the two optical fibers 5 (see Figs. 4(a) and 8). In the second light-emitting region A2, light is emitted only from the exposed portion 5a of the single optical fiber 5 adjacent to the lower non-light-guiding thread 6 (see Fig. 4(b)). In the third light-emitting region A3, light is emitted only from the exposed portion 5a of the single optical fiber 5 adjacent to the upper non-light-guiding thread 6 (see Fig. 4(c)).

[0030] In this brightness measurement test, one end of the optical fiber 5 crossing each of the light-emitting regions A1 to A3 of the covering material 3 was connected to a common light source 12 (LS-L150 manufactured by Sumita Optical Glass Co., Ltd.), and a brightness measuring device (CS-150 manufactured by Konica Minolta, Inc.) was used to measure the brightness of each of the light-emitting regions A1 to A3 located within a measurement range P (1.5 mm diameter) 300 mm from one end of the longitudinal direction of the covering material 3 four times each from the vertical direction. The measurement results are shown in the table below.

[0031] [Table 1]

[0032] According to this luminance measurement test, the average measured luminance of the second light-emitting region A2 (1.23) and the average measured luminance of the third light-emitting region A3 (1.29) were approximately 2 / 3 times the average measured luminance of the first light-emitting region A1 (1.93). This indicates that reducing the amount of light emitted from two exposed portions 5a of the optical fibers 5 to one exposed portion 5a of the optical fiber 5 changes the luminance to approximately 2 / 3, that is, it is possible to change the luminance of optical fibers 5 at the same distance from the light source 12. The ratio (L2 / L1) of the luminance L1 of the first light-emitting region A1 to the luminance L2 of the second light-emitting region A2 or the third light-emitting region A3 is, for example, 0.3 to 0.8 (preferably 0.4 to 0.7, and particularly preferably 0.5 to 0.7).

[0033] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications within the scope of the present invention are possible depending on the purpose and application. In other words, the above-described embodiment illustrates a skin material 3 having first to third light-emitting regions A1 to A3. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a skin material 3 having two of the first to third light-emitting regions A to A3 (e.g., a combination of light-emitting regions A1 and A2, a combination of light-emitting regions A1 and A3, or a combination of light-emitting regions A2 and A3) may be used. Even in this embodiment, at least two types of light-emitting states can be expressed. Furthermore, for example, a skin material 3 having one or more light-emitting regions with light-emitting states different from those of the light-emitting regions A1 to A3 in addition to the first to third light-emitting regions A1 to A3 may be used. According to this embodiment, even more diverse light-emitting states can be expressed.

[0034] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the light emitting region A is illustrated as being crossed by two optical fibers 5, but this is not limiting, and for example, a light emitting region A crossed by three or more optical fibers 5 may be employed. According to this embodiment, it is possible to express even more diverse light emitting states. For example, as shown in Fig. 10(a), a configuration can be employed in which a first light emitting region A1, second light emitting regions A2 and A2', and third light emitting region A3 are provided on a woven fabric 9, each crossed by three optical fibers 5. In this embodiment, the first light-emitting region A1 has an exposed portion 5a of one optical fiber 5 adjacent to the upper non-light-guiding thread 6 and an exposed portion 5a of one optical fiber 5 adjacent to the lower non-light-guiding thread 6, the second light-emitting region A2, A2' has a non-exposed portion 5b of one optical fiber 5 adjacent to the upper non-light-guiding thread 6 and an exposed portion 5a of one optical fiber 5 adjacent to the lower non-light-guiding thread 6, and the third light-emitting region A3 can have an exposed portion 5a of one optical fiber 5 adjacent to the upper non-light-guiding thread 6 and a non-exposed portion 5b of one optical fiber 5 adjacent to the lower non-light-guiding thread 6.

[0035] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, a configuration has been exemplified in which a pair of non-light-guiding threads 6 sandwiching multiple optical fibers 5, with adjacent ones in the juxtaposition direction D2 of the optical fibers 5 being a shared non-light-guiding thread 6. However, instead of or in addition to this, a configuration may also be adopted in which a pair of adjacent non-light-guiding threads 6 in the juxtaposition direction D2 of the optical fibers 5 are arranged independently, as shown in Figure 10(b), for example.

[0036] In the above embodiment, the light-emitting regions A1-A3 are arranged in order so that the light emission intensity gradually changes. However, this is not limiting. For example, the arrangement of the light-emitting regions A1-A3 can be appropriately selected depending on the light-emitting design. For example, as shown in FIG. 11, a skin material 3 may be used that has at least two light-emitting region groups: a first light-emitting region group G1 consisting of a plurality of first light-emitting regions A1 arranged vertically and horizontally; a second light-emitting region group G2 consisting of a plurality of second light-emitting regions A2 arranged vertically and horizontally; and a third light-emitting region group G3 consisting of a plurality of third light-emitting regions A3 arranged vertically and horizontally. More specifically, as shown in FIGS. 11(a) and 11(b), the light-emitting region groups G1-G3 may be arranged along the juxtaposition direction D2 of the optical fibers 5. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 11(c), the light-emitting region groups G1-G3 may be arranged along the longitudinal direction D1 and the juxtaposition direction D2 of the optical fibers 5. Furthermore, for example, as shown in FIG. 11(d), a configuration can be adopted in which the light emitting region groups G1 to G3 are arranged along the longitudinal direction D1 of the optical fiber 5.

[0037] In addition, in the above embodiment, a dot-shaped (e.g., square, rectangular, etc.) light-emitting area A is exemplified, but this is not limited to this, and a light-emitting area A having, for example, a cross shape, an L shape, a T shape, or a relatively large surface shape may also be used.

[0038] In the above embodiment, a concave curved surface 2a is formed on the surface of the base material 2 facing the outside of the vehicle cabin, and a concave curved surface 3a is formed on the design surface of the skin material 3 that follows the base material 2. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as shown in Fig. 12(a), a convex curved surface 2a is formed on the surface of the base material 2 facing the inside of the vehicle cabin, and a convex curved surface 3a is formed on the design surface of the skin material 3 that follows the base material 2. Furthermore, a flat surface is formed on the surface of the base material 2, and a flat surface 3b is formed on the design surface of the skin material 3 that follows the base material 2, as shown in Fig. 12(b), for example.

[0039] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the ornament 1 constituting the vehicle door trim 21 was exemplified as an interior part, but is not limited thereto. For example, the ornament 1 can be used as an interior part constituting a vehicle interior product (e.g., interior products for vehicles such as automobiles and trains, aircraft, and ships) such as door trim, instrument panel, roof trim, floor trim, luggage trim, rear side trim, rear parshell, package tray, pillar garnish, switch base, quarter panel, armrest, center console, overhead console, sun visor, and seat. It can also be used as an interior part constituting furniture such as sofas and chairs, or an interior wall of a house or building. Furthermore, the arrangement of the interior part is not particularly limited, but it can be arranged so that the user's line of sight intersects the juxtaposition direction D2 of the optical fibers 5 constituting the skin material 3 at a predetermined angle (e.g., an acute angle), as shown in FIGS. 2 and 5 .

[0040] The foregoing examples are for illustrative purposes only and are not to be construed as limiting the invention. While the invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it is understood that the language used in describing and illustrating the invention is descriptive and exemplary, rather than limiting. As detailed herein, changes may be made within the purview of the appended claims without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention in its form. While the description of the invention has referred to specific structures, materials, and examples, it is not intended that the invention be limited to the disclosures therein; rather, the invention is intended to cover all functionally equivalent structures, methods, and uses within the scope of the appended claims. [Industrial Applicability]

[0041] The present invention is widely used as a technology relating to a skin material having a fabric with optical fibers woven therein. [Explanation of symbols]

[0042] 1. Ornament (interior part) 2. Base material 2a; curved surface 3; skin material 5; Optical fiber 5a; Exposed part 5b; Non-exposed part 6; Non-light-guiding thread 9; Fabric A1; First light-emitting area A2: Second light-emitting area A3: Third light-emitting area

Claims

1. A skin material comprising a fabric in which a side-emitting optical fiber and a non-light-guiding yarn are woven as one of warp yarns and weft yarns, The optical fiber has an exposed portion exposed on the design surface side of the fabric and a non-exposed portion covered by the other yarn and not exposed on the design surface side of the fabric, the non-light-guiding yarn has a fineness greater than that of the optical fiber, the woven fabric is provided with a plurality of light-emitting regions of a predetermined size across which a plurality of the optical fibers disposed between a pair of the non-light-guiding threads cross, the light-emitting region includes two or more regions selected from a first light-emitting region, a second light-emitting region, and a third light-emitting region; the first light-emitting region has the exposed portion of the optical fiber adjacent to the non-light-guiding thread on one side of the pair of non-light-guiding threads in the juxtaposition direction of the optical fibers, and the exposed portion of the optical fiber adjacent to the non-light-guiding thread on the other side, the second light-emitting region has the non-exposed portion of the optical fiber adjacent to the non-light-guiding thread on one side of the pair of non-light-guiding threads in the juxtaposition direction of the optical fibers, and the exposed portion of the optical fiber adjacent to the non-light-guiding thread on the other side, The third light-emitting region is characterized by having the exposed portion of the optical fiber adjacent to the non-light-guiding thread on one side of the pair of non-light-guiding threads in the parallel arrangement direction of the optical fibers, and the non-exposed portion of the optical fiber adjacent to the non-light-guiding thread on the other side.

2. The covering material according to claim 1 , wherein the light-emitting region includes the first light-emitting region, the second light-emitting region, and the third light-emitting region.

3. The skin material according to claim 1 , wherein the light-emitting regions are formed in a dot pattern.

4. An interior part comprising: a base material; and the skin material according to claim 1 that covers a surface of the base material.

5. The interior part according to claim 4, wherein a curved surface is formed on the surface of the base material.

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