Illuminated decorative multilayer composite for vehicles and vehicles

Abstract

The present invention relates to a litable decorative multilayer composite (1) particularly for vehicles, comprising an outer layer (2) having a visible surface (3) and a back surface (4) opposite to the visible surface. A light guide layer (5) is positioned on the back surface (4) of the outer layer (2) to guide light, and light can be coupled to this light guide layer from the lateral edge (6) of the decorative multilayer composite (1), and the light guide layer has at least one light separation member (7) for separating light, and a support layer (9) having at least one illuminable design member (10) is positioned on the back surface (8) of the light guide layer (5), and a coating layer (12) is positioned on the back surface (11) opposite to the light guide layer (5), thereby achieving an improved energy efficiency and simplified manufacturing process. In this case, the design member is designed as a raised portion (13) of the support layer (9), and the coating layer (12) has a recess (16) facing away from the support layer (9), and a laminate (14) is positioned within this recess (16), and this laminate (14) is provided on the coating layer (12) and / or raised portion (13) by thermal embossing. The present invention further relates to a vehicle comprising such a decorative multilayer composite (1).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an illuminated decorative multilayer composite as described in the preamble of claim 1. The present invention further relates to a vehicle comprising such a decorative multilayer composite. The present invention further relates to a vehicle comprising such a mounting part that can be illuminated by a lighting device or a decorative material composite that can be illuminated by a lighting device.

Background Art

[0002] Illuminated decorative multilayer composites are known from Patent Document 1. The decorative multilayer composite has a layer structure including a light-transmissive region and is configured to be backlit by a lighting device.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The present invention addresses the problem of providing an improved or at least alternative embodiment for a decorative multilayer composite of the type described at the beginning and for a vehicle comprising such a decorative multilayer composite.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] According to the present invention, the above problems are solved by the subject matter of the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments are the subject matter of the dependent claims. Accordingly, the present invention provides a decorative multilayer composite comprising an outer layer having a visible surface and a back surface opposite to the visible surface, wherein a light-transmitting light guide layer is placed on the back surface of the outer layer, configured to guide light, and light can be coupled to this light guide layer from the lateral edges of the decorative multilayer composite, and the light guide layer has at least one light-separating member for separating light. Furthermore, a light-transmitting support layer is placed on the back surface of the light guide layer opposite to the outer layer, and this support layer has at least one design member for displaying information, patterns, or symbols. The decorative multilayer composite further comprises a painted layer placed on the back surface of the support layer opposite to the light guide layer. At least one design member is assigned to at least one light-separating member such that at least one design member and / or at least partially the painted layer can be illuminated. At least one of the at least one design members, preferably each design member, is formed as a raised portion of the support layer projecting in the direction of the painted layer. That is, at least one design member is a projection of the support layer projecting in the direction of the painted layer. The coating layer has a recess oriented away from the support layer for at least one of the at least one of the raised portions. A laminate is placed in the recess, which is provided on the coating layer and / or the raised portion by thermal embossing, so that the laminate is sandwiched between the coating layer and the raised portion.

[0006] In other words, in this decorative multilayer composite, the light guide layer that directs the light is not located behind the decorative multilayer composite or design element, as in conventional backlighting. Instead, the light guide layer is incorporated between the outer layer and the support layer in the decorative multilayer composite, and therefore positioned in front of at least one design element. This allows the design element to be illuminated from above, so to speak. This enables more energy-efficient illumination of the decorative multilayer composite than was previously possible. Furthermore, the light guide layer is fabricated relatively thin, for example as a light guide foil, and is configured so that light can be coupled from the edges of the decorative multilayer composite, for example, via corresponding light coupling points, thereby allowing the proposed decorative multilayer composite to be configured relatively compactly.

[0007] At least one design element is visible from the outside, i.e., from the outer layer, when the decorative multilayer complex is not illuminated, and in particular, it creates a three-dimensional effect. When the decorative multilayer complex is illuminated, i.e., when light is coupled to the decorative multilayer complex via its lateral edges, at least one design element is illuminated, and advantageously, the painted layer is also illuminated. This has the effect that at least one design element and / or the painted layer produce a visual luminescence that is more visually pronounced than when the decorative multilayer complex is not illuminated. In particular, the painted layer becomes perceptible in almost its original color tone.

[0008] As a result of the laminate being sandwiched between the support layer and the coating layer, the support layer or the raised portion, and the laminate having an interface on which the laminate is provided, cooperate with the raised portion and / or interface to produce a light effect that is visually apparent when the decorative multilayer composite is illuminated, i.e., when light is coupled to the decorative multilayer composite via the lateral edges. This can provide additional or alternative light effects that are visually apparent when the decorative multilayer composite is illuminated.

[0009] By forming the laminate by thermal embossing, the manufacturing of decorative multilayer composites is significantly simplified compared to, for example, physical vapor deposition (PVD), which is also commonly known as "PVD." This allows for the production of decorative multilayer composites with improved cycle times and / or at a lower cost. This is particularly because, compared to, for example, PVD, post-processing of PVD-formed laminates can be omitted. In PVD, since it is applied over a large area, such post-processing would involve removing the laminate from areas where it is not needed, such as areas that should not be illuminated and / or should be displayed in the vehicle's color. Another such post-processing would be partial painting of areas that should be illuminated, for example, with a contrasting color. Thermal embossing of the laminate eliminates the need for such post-processing.

[0010] The recessed portion purposefully defines the volume in which the laminate is to be placed between the painted layer and the raised portion. In this case, the laminate can fill this volume.

[0011] The raised portion and the recessed portion are preferably arranged to face each other.

[0012] The raised portion can fit into the recess.

[0013] Embodiments in which the laminate is formed by paint, i.e., a paint laminate, are considered preferable. This means that the paint is provided / provided as a laminate in the paint layer and / or raised portion by thermal embossing.

[0014] Advantageously, the paint laminate has a different color from the paint layer. Preferably, the laminate has a color that contrasts with the paint layer, and in particular with the color of the relevant vehicle outer skin.

[0015] The present invention understands layers, particularly outer layers and / or light guide layers and / or support layers and / or paint layers, and laminates as planar formations. Further understanding of the present invention, the visible surface of the outer layer is, advantageously, the outer surface of a decorative multilayer composite component that can be visually perceived by the user of the decorative multilayer composite. The outer surface of a decorative multilayer composite component can form, for example, a vehicle outerskin. The term "light-transmitting" is, advantageously, according to the understanding of the present invention, fully light-transmitting (transparent) or partially light-transmitting (translucent). The paint layer can have any color, for example, the color of a vehicle's vehicle outskin. The present invention understands information, patterns, or symbols particularly as three-dimensional shapes. The color of the paint layer can define the coloring of mounting components, which will be further described below.

[0016] Advantageously, at least one design member is formed by a planar foil member disposed on a support layer. The foil member can be disposed on the back surface of the optical guide layer and connected to it, and can project from the back surface of the optical guide layer into the support layer. Alternatively or additionally, the foil member can be disposed on the back surface of the support layer and connected to it, and can project from the back surface of the support layer into the support layer. The foil member may be bonded to the optical guide layer in a material bonding manner, particularly by lamination.

[0017] Preferably, the foil member described above has the following features, namely - Printed chrome foil, - Plastic foils with indium coating and color printing, especially polycarbonate foils, -Color-printed chrome foil and polycarbonate foil with indium coating, - Chrome foil with screen printing, It is intended to have one or more of these.

[0018] In a preferred embodiment, the foil member is formed from printed chrome foil. Furthermore, the film member may be formed from indium-coated and color-printed plastic foil, particularly polycarbonate foil. Alternatively, the foil member may be formed from color-printed chrome foil and a polycarbonate film having an indium coating. Furthermore, the foil member may be formed from screen-printed chrome foil. This provides a preferred embodiment of the proposed foil member.

[0019] In particular, a decorative multilayer composite can be intended to have at least two or more design elements. In this case, at least one design element is formed by the type of raised portion described above. For this purpose, it is conceivable that at least one design element is formed by the type of foil member described above. Thus, each decorative multilayer composite has different design elements, which can be used to generate a visually distinctive effect or light effect.

[0020] Furthermore, it is conceivable that the light-transmitting optical guide layer be fabricated from a plastic material, particularly polycarbonate (PC).

[0021] A light-transmitting optical guide layer can facilitate or enable deformation of the optical guide layer, particularly when the decorative multilayer composite is manufactured by, for example, thermoforming. When the foil member described above is placed on and connected to the optical guide layer, it is advantageous to intend that the foil member has material properties that facilitate or enable deformation of the foil member together with the optical guide layer during the manufacturing of the decorative multilayer composite, for example, by thermoforming.

[0022] Advantageously, it can be contemplated that the light-transmissive support layer is made of a plastic material, particularly polycarbonate (abbreviation PC) or polymethyl methacrylate (abbreviation PMMA). Alternatively or additionally, it can be contemplated that the plastic material forming the light-transmissive support layer is sprayed onto the back surface of the light guide layer in an injectable state. Thereby, the light-transmissive support layer can be provided at a low cost, and in particular, it can be connected in a material-bonding manner to the light guide layer material.

[0023] More advantageously, it can be contemplated that the outer layer is formed by or has a hard coat layer or a polyurethane layer (abbreviation PU layer). Thereby, an advantageous outer layer is provided.

[0024] Advantageously, it can be contemplated that at least one light separation member is located on the opposite side of at least one assigned design member. In particular, at least one light separation member and at least one assigned design member are linearly opposed. Furthermore, in particular, at least one light separation member and at least one assigned design member can be arranged so as to be located on one straight line, and this straight line stands perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the flat viewing surface of the outer layer.

[0025] More advantageously, in order to improve the adhesion between the outer layer and the light guide layer, it can be contemplated that an adhesive layer, particularly a primer layer, is arranged between the outer layer and the light guide layer. Using this, the outer layer and the light guide layer are bonded to each other.

[0026] The above-described lateral edge of the decorative multilayer composite is advantageously formed by the narrow-side end faces of each layer of the decorative multilayer composite. The narrow-side end faces of each layer, that is, the lateral edges, are advantageously perpendicular to the relatively large-area viewing surface of the outer layer and / or perpendicular to the relatively large-area back surface of the coating layer.

[0027] According to another basic concept of the present invention, a mounting component for a vehicle is intended to be assembled to a vehicle, the mounting component having at least one decorative multilayer composite as described above.

[0028] According to another basic concept of the present invention, a vehicle is envisioned comprising at least one mounting component as described in the previous paragraph, or at least one decorative material complex as described above, which is illuminated by a lighting device.

[0029] Other important features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the dependent claims, drawings, and the description of relevant figures based on the drawings.

[0030] Needless to say, the features described above and further described below can be used not only in the combinations described, but also in other combinations or individually, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0031] Preferred embodiments of the present invention are shown in the drawings and described in detail below, where the same reference numerals refer to the same, similar, or functionally identical parts. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0032] [Figure 1] This is a greatly simplified cross-sectional view of the decorative multilayer composite according to the first embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0033] The illuminated decorative multilayer complex 1 illustrated in Figure 1 can be switched between an unilluminated state and an illuminated state. When unilluminated, the light provided is not coupled to the decorative multilayer complex 1, and the decorative multilayer complex 1 achieves a visible three-dimensional effect from the outside, i.e., from the surroundings 21, by at least one design member 10. When the decorative multilayer complex 1 is illuminated, the light provided is coupled to the decorative multilayer complex 1 via its edges 6, thereby illuminating at least one design member 10. This generates a visual light effect, which makes the three-dimensional effect visually stronger than when it is unilluminated. Furthermore, this type of illumination allows the painted layers 12 of the decorative multilayer complex 1 to be perceived in nearly their original colors. Such a decorative multilayer complex 1 can be incorporated into, for example, mounting parts intended for installation on a vehicle (each not shown in detail), or it can form a mounting part.

[0034] According to Figure 1, the decorative multilayer composite 1 has an outer layer 2 having a visible surface 3 facing the periphery 21 and a back surface 4 opposite to the visible surface 3. The outer layer 2 may be formed by, for example, a hard coat layer or by a plastic material such as polyurethane (PU). A relatively thin, light-transmitting optical guide layer 5, such as an optical guide foil, is positioned on the back surface 4 of the outer layer 2, configured to guide light. To improve adhesion between the outer layer 2 and the optical guide layer 5, an adhesive layer 17 can be used, sandwiched between the outer layer 2 and the optical guide layer 5. The adhesive layer 17 may be a primer layer. The optical guide layer 5 has, for example, an optical separator 7, represented by a simple small triangle, configured to separate light. The optical guide layer 5 terminates at the end face side, at such a lateral edge 6 of the decorative multilayer composite 1, thereby allowing light supplied thereto to be coupled to the optical guide layer 5. The light necessary to illuminate the decorative multilayer composite 1 can be provided by, for example, an illumination device (not shown), particularly one having LEDs, which can be coupled to the optical guide layer 5. The decorative multilayer composite 1 may also have an optical coupling member 18a or light-emitting means 18b, particularly an LED, of a lighting device incorporated into or placed in the optical guide layer 5 in the region of the lateral edge 6.

[0035] In the exemplary embodiment shown, the light guide layer 5 is deformed, for example by thermoforming, during the manufacture of the decorative multilayer composite 1, and then a light-transmitting support layer 9 is attached to the back surface 8 of the light guide layer 5 opposite to the outer layer 2, particularly by integral injection molding. For the support layer 9, plastic materials such as polycarbonate (PC) or polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) can be used. The support layer 9 has, herein exemplary, a single design member 10 that represents information, a pattern, or a symbol. Such information, a pattern, or a symbol may be embodied, for example, by a three-dimensional object. The design member 10 is assigned to a light separation member 7 and positioned, for example, on the opposite side, so that it is illuminated when the decorative multilayer composite 1 is illuminated and not illuminated when the decorative multilayer composite 1 is not illuminated. The decorative multilayer composite 1 further has a paint layer 12 located on the back surface 11 of the support layer 9 opposite to the light guide layer 5. The paint layer 12 can have basically any color, but it is preferably a color corresponding to the color of the vehicle's outer skin.

[0036] As can be seen in Figure 1, the design member 10 is formed by a raised portion 13 of the support layer 9 that protrudes toward the painted layer 12. The painted layer 12 has a recess 16 that faces away from the support layer 9 for the purpose of the raised portion 13, and this recess is positioned on the opposite side of the raised portion 13, and in the illustrated embodiment, it is shaped complementary to the raised portion 13. A laminate 14, which is provided on the painted layer 12 and / or the raised portion 13 by thermal embossing, is placed in the recess 16, so that the laminate 14 is sandwiched between the painted layer 12 and the raised portion 13. Therefore, compared to providing the laminate 14 by physical vapor deposition, also known as "PVD", post-processing of the laminate 14, such as removal of the laminate 14 in areas where it is not needed (e.g., where the part should not be illuminated and should be displayed in the car color), and / or partial painting (in a contrasting color) in areas that should be illuminated can be omitted.

[0037] In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, the laminate 14 is a paint laminate 15, which has a different color from the paint layer 12, preferably a color that contrasts with the paint layer 12. As can be seen further from Figure 1, in the illustrated exemplary embodiment, the raised portion 13 fits into the recess 16.

Claims

1. A litable decorative multilayer composite (1) particularly for vehicles, - In the decorative multilayer composite (1), which comprises an outer layer (2) having a visible surface (3) and a back surface (4) opposite to the visible surface, - A light-transmitting optical guide layer (5) is disposed on the back surface (4) of the outer layer (2) and is configured to guide light, and the optical guide layer is capable of coupling light from the lateral edge (6) of the decorative multilayer composite (1), and the optical guide layer has at least one optical separation member (7) for separating light. - A light-transmitting support layer (9) is disposed on the back surface (8) of the light guide layer (5) opposite to the outer layer (2), having at least one design member (10) for displaying information, patterns, or symbols, and at least one of the design members (10) is assigned to at least one of the light separation members (7) so as to be illuminable. - A coating layer (12) is placed on the back surface (11) of the support layer (9) opposite to the light guide layer (5), - At least one of the design members (10), in particular each design member (10), is designed as a raised portion (13) of the support layer (9) that protrudes toward the paint layer (12), - The decorative multilayer composite (1) is characterized in that the coating layer (12) has a recess (16) facing away from the support layer (9) for at least one of the raised portions (13), preferably for each raised portion (13), and a laminate (14) provided on the coating layer (12) and / or the raised portions (13) by thermal embossing is disposed within the recess (16), so that the laminate (14) is sandwiched between the coating layer (12) and the raised portions (13).

2. The decorative multilayer composite according to claim 1, characterized in that the laminate (14) is a paint laminate (15) having a color different from that of the paint layer (12).

3. The decorative multilayer composite according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the support layer (9) is embedded within the raised portion (13).

4. A vehicle comprising a decorative material composite (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, which can be illuminated by a lighting device.

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