Materials

Abstract

To provide a member which exhibits improved designability in a planar or curved surface-shaped design surface.SOLUTION: A resin molded article including a planar or curved surface-shaped design surface 1S is provided in which fan-shaped scaly regions 11 are arranged in the design surface 1S in such a way as to form a scaly shape, wherein in the fan-shaped scaly regions 11, a plurality of concentric arc-shaped projecting ridges 1R are formed, and wherein there are difference in widths between adjacent two convex projecting ridges 1R, as a result, there are roughness and fineness in the projecting ridges 1R.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a member including a decorative surface. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, many resin molded products used as interior parts such as upper housings of shift lever devices in automobiles, console boxes, and instrument panels have been known that have patterns such as grain patterns formed on their surfaces. The grain patterns are formed, for example, by transferring a pattern on a molding surface of a resin molding die (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The pattern on the molding surface of the die is formed, for example, by a graining process using chemical etching.

[0003] By using an etching-based embossing process, a pattern consisting of gently continuing fine unevenness can be formed on the molding surface of a mold. The pattern on the molding surface is transferred to the resin molded product made by this mold, forming a gently uneven grain pattern. This grain pattern on the resin molded product disperses light incident on the uneven surface in multiple directions, resulting in a matte pattern. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-025046 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, the grain patterns of resin molded products that can be formed in this manner have little variation in surface properties, and therefore there is a problem in that it is difficult to fully meet the needs for diversification of designs.

[0006] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, and aims to provide a member with improved design. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The present invention is a component including a design surface composed of at least one of a flat surface and a curved surface, The design surface has: Same specifications The fan-shaped areas are arranged in a scale-like pattern, The sector-shaped area Inside the an arc forming the outer edge of the sector; Between Shared Center On the other hand, a circular arc with a smaller diameter than the outer edge On an arc Follow Multiple convex ridges or concave grooves are formed. And, Inside the sector-shaped area, The component is characterized in that there is a difference in the arrangement pitch of the convex ridges or concave grooves that are arranged in parallel in the radial direction of the fan shape, and there is a difference in the density of the convex ridges or concave grooves in the radial direction of the fan shape. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] In the member of the present invention, the fan-shaped area arranged in a scale-like pattern Inside In this fan-shaped region, a plurality of convex ridges or concave grooves are formed along the arcs that share the same center as the fan-shaped region. Inside In the case of the fan-shaped grooves, the convex ridges or concave grooves are arranged at different pitches, and the convex ridges or concave grooves vary in density in the radial direction of the fan-shaped grooves.

[0009] For example, if the reflection of light is weak in the ridges or grooves, the ridges or grooves will be dark, and shadows or light and dark areas will occur depending on the density of the ridges or grooves. Also, if the reflection of light is strong on the surface of the ridges or the inner surface of the grooves, there is a high possibility that the reflection intensity of light will vary depending on the longitudinal direction of the surface or inner surface, i.e., the direction of the ridges or grooves. In such cases, Inside, this A fan-shaped area with an even narrower angle than a fan-shaped area Within The ridges or grooves appear shiny and the fan-shaped area of Inside At your sideLight and dark areas can occur because the ridges or grooves are oriented in the same direction in the narrow-angle fan-shaped area.

[0010] In this way, the member of the present invention enhances the design by the shading and light and dark within the fan-shaped areas arranged in a scale-like pattern. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] FIG. [Figure 2] An enlarged view of a portion of the top surface of a resin molded product. [Figure 3] FIG. [Figure 4] Cross-sectional view of the molding surface. [Figure 5] An explanatory diagram of the pattern. [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of areas that make up a pattern. [Figure 7] An illustration of how the pattern reflects light. [Figure 8] A photo of the top surface of a resin molded product (partially enlarged). DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] The embodiments of the present invention will be specifically described using the following examples. Example 1 This example relates to a resin molded product 1 which is an example of a member including a design surface composed of flat and curved surfaces. The resin molded product 1 of this example will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0013] The resin molded product 1 (Fig. 1) is a component that forms the upper housing of a shift lever device (not shown) for a vehicle. The resin molded product 1 has a substantially rectangular front shape and has a side wall 18 on its outer periphery. When the shift lever device is attached to the vehicle, the top surface 1S of the resin molded product 1 is exposed to the passenger compartment and is either flush with the surrounding area or recessed from the surrounding area. Therefore, the side wall 18 of the resin molded product 1 is not visible to vehicle occupants. The top surface 1S of the resin molded product 1 is a design surface that decorates the passenger compartment. Hereinafter, the top surface of the resin molded product 1 will be referred to as the design surface 1S.

[0014] In an assembled shift lever device (not shown), a shift lever operated by a vehicle driver is disposed through a lever through-hole 10 provided on the inner periphery of a resin molded product 1, which is an upper housing. The lever through-hole 10 is a rectangular opening provided so that the shift lever can be operated in a shift direction along the longitudinal direction of the vehicle and in a select direction along the vehicle width direction. In the resin molded product 1, a long and narrow indicator window 101 is provided at a position adjacent to the lever through-hole 10 in the vehicle width direction. The indicator window 101 is an opening through which an indicator panel (not shown) can be seen, which displays the arrangement of shift ranges such as parking range, drive range, neutral range, and reverse range.

[0015] The resin molded product 1 is a molded product made of a resin material such as ABS resin, polycarbonate resin, or ASA resin. The resin material in this example is a colored resin material kneaded with a colorant such as a black pigment. The resin molded product 1 made of this resin material is black in an unpainted state.

[0016] A pattern 100 shown in Fig. 2 is formed over the entire design surface 1S of the surface of the resin molded product 1. This pattern 100 is a pattern in which fan-shaped regions 11 on which arc-shaped convex ridges 1R are formed are arranged in a scale-like pattern. Fig. 2 is an enlarged view of region 19 indicated by a circular dashed line in Fig. 1. The pattern 100 made of the convex ridges 1R corresponds to the pattern on the molding surface 40 of the molding die 4 (see Fig. 3) used to mold the resin molded product 1, and is formed during resin molding.

[0017] Here, the molding die 4 for the resin molded product 1 will be described. The molding die 4 (Fig. 3) is a die consisting of a combination of a metal upper die 42 and a lower die 41. The molding die 4 has holes (not shown) for pouring molten resin material into the interior when the upper die 42 and the lower die 41 are clamped together. The resin molded product 1 can be molded by injecting resin material into the interior of the clamped molding die 4. The lower die 41 is a die that molds the shape of the design surface 1S side, which corresponds to the top surface of the resin molded product 1. The upper die 2 is a die that molds the shape of the back side of the resin molded product 1. With the molding die 4 illustrated in Fig. 3, the resin molded product 1 is molded upside down.

[0018] The molding surface 40 of the lower mold 41 is provided with a pattern corresponding to the pattern 100 (Fig. 2) on the design surface 1S of the resin molded product 1. The pattern on the molding surface 40 of the lower mold 41 is a pattern consisting of concave grooves 4T corresponding to the convex ridges 1R that make up the pattern 100. The grooves 4T (Fig. 4) on the molding surface 40 are grooves with a wedge-shaped cross section formed, for example, by laser processing. The convex ridges 1R that make up the pattern 100 (see Fig. 2) on the design surface 1S of the resin molded product 1 are formed to correspond to the wedge-shaped grooves 4T in cross section and have a triangular cross section. The depth D of the grooves 4T on the molding surface 40 is approximately 10 μm. The width W of the grooves 4T is 50 μm.

[0019] The molding surface 40 of the lower mold 41 is subjected to cutting, followed by polishing for a mirror finish, and then laser processing to form the grooves 4T. The design surface 1S of the resin molded product 1 molded by this molding surface 40 is a surface composed of convex ridges 1R and a glossy surface 118, as will be described in detail later with reference to Figure 7.

[0020] The design surface 1S (Figs. 5 and 6) of the resin molded product 1 is a design surface that has a three-dimensional effect and an enhanced aesthetic appearance due to the scale-like pattern 100. As described above, this pattern 100 is formed by arc-shaped ridges 1R. The smallest unit of the pattern 100 is a fan-shaped region 11 (Fig. 6). The pattern on the design surface 1S of the resin molded product 1 is formed by combining fan-shaped regions 11 of the same specifications in a scale-like pattern without any gaps.

[0021] The fan-shaped region 11 (Figure 6) is a region in which a plurality of concentric arc-shaped ridges 1R are formed. Here, concentric arc-shaped ridges 1R refer to ridges formed along an arc that shares a center with the arc that forms the outer edge of the fan-shaped region 11. Since the centers of the arc-shaped ridges 1R are aligned, the width of the gap between any two ridges 1R in the fan-shaped region 11 is the same and constant at each position in the circumferential direction. Meanwhile, the arrangement pitch of the parallel ridges 1R in the radial direction of the fan-shaped region 11 is varied, resulting in a variation in the density of the ridges 1R in the radial direction of the fan shape. Here, the arrangement pitch refers to the distance between the centers of two adjacent ridges 1R in the radial direction of the fan shape (dimension P in Figure 7). In this example, the closer to the outer periphery of the arc, the wider the arrangement pitch of the ridges 1R, making the ridges 1R denser, and the closer to the center of the arc, the wider the arrangement pitch of the ridges 1R, making the ridges 1R sparser.

[0022] The height of the ridges 1R is 10 μm, corresponding to the approximately 10 μm depth D of the grooves 4T (see FIG. 4) on the molding surface 40. The formation width of the ridges 1R is 50 μm, corresponding to the 50 μm formation width W of the grooves 4T on the molding surface 40. The arrangement pitch (dimension P in FIG. 7) between two adjacent ridges 1R is 120 to 480 μm. Because the formation width W of the grooves 4T is 50 μm, the width of the gap between adjacent ridges 1R (dimension G in FIG. 7) is 70 to 430 μm.

[0023] Next, the visual effect of the pattern 100 formed on the design surface 1S of the resin molded product 1 will be described with reference to Fig. 7. This figure illustrates a cross-sectional structure perpendicular to the arc-shaped ridges 1R. The figure shows the cross sections of two adjacent ridges 1R.

[0024] As shown in Figure 7, the design surface 1S of the resin molded product 1 on which this pattern 100 is formed is composed of convex ridges 1R and glossy surfaces 118 between the ridges 1R. Here, the glossy surfaces 118 are highly smooth surfaces formed by the mirror-finished molding surface 40 of the molding die 4. For example, when viewing the design surface 1S from viewpoint A in Figure 7, the direction in which light is reflected will differ depending on the slopes on both sides of the ridges 1R and the glossy surfaces 118 between the ridges 1R.

[0025] Furthermore, the direction of the ridges 1R (the tangent direction of the arc) changes in the circumferential direction, and the orientation of the slopes of the ridges 1R differs depending on the circumferential position. Therefore, for example, the intensity of the reflected light from the slopes of the ridges 1R (the surfaces of the ridges 1R) changes depending on the circumferential position of the arc-shaped ridges 1R.

[0026] This is easily seen in the photograph of the design surface 1S shown in Figure 8. In the photograph, the reflected light is stronger in the arc-shaped ridges 1R of each sector-shaped region 11 where the tangential direction slopes downward to the right from the horizontal direction in the figure. Therefore, in the photograph, the ridges 1R belonging to the narrow-angle sector area 111 located to the right of the center of the sector-shaped region 11 are shining, and this narrow-angle sector area 111 appears bright. Furthermore, in this narrow-angle sector area 111, the width of the gaps between adjacent ridges 1R is narrower and denser on the outer periphery, making it appear brighter than the inner periphery.

[0027] In the example photograph of Figure 8, the light and dark areas due to the density of the arc-shaped ridges 1R in the fan-shaped region 11, and the light and dark areas within the region 11 depending on the direction (tangential direction) of the ridges 1R, create complex light and dark areas throughout the pattern 100, and this light and dark area creates a three-dimensional effect.

[0028] For example, when the viewpoint moves (e.g., from A to B in FIG. 7), the conditions for reflecting light in each fan-shaped region 11 may change. For example, the direction of the ridges 1R (the tangent direction of the arc) in which the reflected light is stronger may change as the viewpoint moves. In such cases, the narrow-angle fan-shaped area 111 that appears bright within each fan-shaped region 11 changes as if it were rotating around the center of the fan shape. Furthermore, as a result of the viewpoint moving, the reflected light from the glossy surface 118 may become stronger. In this case, the inner periphery of the fan-shaped region 11, where the ridges 1R are sparse and the glossy surface 118 occupies a higher proportion of the ridges 1R, will have stronger reflected light and will appear brighter than the outer periphery of the fan-shaped region 11, where the ridges 1R are dense.

[0029] Furthermore, in the resin molded product 1 of this example, the design surface 1S is not flat, but has curved surfaces at the upper and lower edges. On a curved surface, the direction of light reflection varies depending on the position. Therefore, on the curved surface, the direction of the ridges 1R, which increase the light reflection intensity, may vary depending on the position, and the ridges 1R and the glossy surface 118 may switch sides that strongly reflect light. In this way, on a curved surface, more complex shadows or light and dark areas may occur, creating a variety of visual effects.

[0030] As described above, the resin molded product 1 of this example has a highly varied and colorful visual effect due to the pattern 100 on the design surface 1S, and has an excellent aesthetic appearance. This pattern 100 is a pattern in which the fan-shaped regions 11 are arranged in an orderly manner to form scales, and the viewer is impressed by the beauty of the orderly arrangement.

[0031] In each of the fan-shaped regions 11 that make up the pattern 100, the density of the arc-shaped ridges 1R varies, creating shade and light and shade, creating a three-dimensional effect. The entire pattern 100 can produce a wide variety of visual effects, such as variations in the shade and light of each fan-shaped region 11 depending on the viewing direction, which can change the three-dimensional effect. Furthermore, on a surface where the inclination of the surface to which the pattern 100 is applied varies, such as a curved surface, different visual effects can be produced at different positions.

[0032] Furthermore, the design surface 1S of the resin molded product 1 of this example can produce a visual effect on the surface without requiring work processes such as painting or surface treatment. Therefore, this resin molded product 1 is an excellent product that exhibits high design while keeping production costs down. Since the resin molded product 1 of this example is molded from a black colored resin material, it does not require painting.

[0033] The fine ridges 1R provided on the design surface 1S have the effect of preventing fingerprints from adhering to the glossy surface 118 between the ridges 1R, scratches, etc. Therefore, the design surface provided with the ridges 1R can maintain its aesthetic appearance for a long time.

[0034] In this example, the fan-shaped region 11 is illustrated as having ridges 1R along arcs of a constant diameter, but the fan-shaped region may have ridges along elliptical arcs. In this case, the outer edge of the fan-shaped region is an elliptical arc.

[0035] In this example, the resin molded product 1 is exemplified as an upper housing for a shift lever device. However, the resin molded product may be used for decorative parts for vehicles, such as interior components for vehicles, such as console boxes and instrument panels, or exterior components for vehicles, such as grilles and wheel caps. Furthermore, in addition to decorative parts for vehicles, resin molded products may be used for decorative parts for various items, such as home appliances, office equipment, and furniture. Furthermore, colored resin materials other than black may be used as the resin material. The surface shape of the design surface is not limited to a flat surface, but may be a convex curved surface, a concave curved surface, or may include a convex or concave step. Furthermore, a pattern consisting of ridges 1R may be provided on only a portion of the design surface, rather than the entire surface. Furthermore, the cross-sectional shape of the ridges 1R may be a mountain shape, a semicircular shape, a trapezoidal shape, or the like.

[0036] In this example, laser processing is used as an example of a processing method for providing the grooves 4T on the molding surface 40 of the mold 4. Instead of laser processing, the grooves 4T may be formed by, for example, engraving or cutting. Furthermore, as a resin molding method for the resin molded product 1, in addition to the injection molding of this example, molding methods such as blow molding and compression molding may also be used.

[0037] In this example, the visual effect is enhanced by providing convex ridges 1R on the surface of the resin molded product 1, but concave grooves may be provided instead of the convex ridges 1R. Concave grooves can also produce a visual effect similar to that of this example. However, in terms of the effect of preventing fingerprints and the like from adhering to the design surface, the ridges 1R are expected to have a higher anti-fouling effect.

[0038] In this example, the formation width of the ridges 1R is 50 μm. The formation width of the ridges 1R is preferably a width that is difficult to see when viewed from the extension direction of the ridges 1R, and is preferably 10 to 200 μm. If it is less than 10 μm, the reflection of light on the inclined surface of the ridges 1R may be difficult to see. If it exceeds 200 μm, the ridges 1R may be easily seen as lines, and the difference in appearance from conventional line patterns may be reduced. Preferably, the formation width of the ridges 1R is 50 μm ± 20 μm. If the formation width of the ridges 1R is 50 μm ± 20 μm, the ridges 1R are difficult to see as lines when viewed from the extension direction of the ridges 1R, and the areas of ridges 1R lined up in the same direction are seen as if they were a single surface.

[0039] In this example, the arrangement pitch of the ridges 1R (dimension P in Figure 7) is 120 to 480 μm. The width of the gaps between the ridges 1R is preferably 20 to 800 μm. If it is less than 20 μm, the width of the flat portion between adjacent ridges 1R is reduced, reducing the glossy surface that reflects light, which may reduce the contrast between light and dark and make it difficult to visually recognize the three-dimensional effect. If it exceeds 800 μm, the width of the flat portion increases, resulting in excessive glossy surface that reflects light, which may be perceived as a simple glossy design. The maximum width of the gaps between the ridges 1R is preferably 150 μm. If the gap width is 150 μm or less, the width of the flat portion can ensure a glossy surface that reflects light appropriately, resulting in a well-balanced contrast between light and dark and an easily visually recognized three-dimensional effect.

[0040] In this example, the height of the ridges 1R is 10 μm. The height of the ridges 1R should be 2 to 30 μm. If the height is less than 2 μm, the reflective surface of the ridges 1R becomes small, reducing the difference in reflection between the flat portion and the inclined surface, which may make it difficult to visually recognize the three-dimensional effect. If the height exceeds 30 μm, it may have an adverse effect on the releasability of the resin molding. Preferably, the height of the ridges 1R should be 5 μm to 25 μm. If the height of the ridges 1R is 5 μm to 25 μm, the angle of the uneven slope becomes appropriate and the difference in reflection between the flat portion and the inclined surface can be ensured, making the three-dimensional effect more easily visible and achieving the effect of improving the releasability of the resin molding. In this example, a metal molding die 4 is used as an example, but a resin molding die may also be used.

[0041] Although specific examples of the present invention have been described in detail as examples, these examples merely disclose examples of the technology encompassed by the claims. Needless to say, the scope of the claims should not be interpreted as being limited by the configurations, numerical values, etc. of the specific examples. The claims encompass technologies that are obtained by variously modifying, changing, or appropriately combining the specific examples using publicly known technology and the knowledge of those skilled in the art. [Explanation of symbols]

[0042] 1. Resin molded products (components) 1R ridge 1S Design surface (top) 11 Fan-shaped area 118 Glossy surface 100 patterns 4 Molding mold 4T groove 40 Molding surface 41 Lower mold 42 Upper mold

Claims

1. A component including a design surface composed of at least one of a flat surface and a curved surface, The design surface has fan-shaped areas of the same specifications arranged in a scale pattern, A plurality of convex ridges or concave grooves are formed inside the sector-shaped region, the convex ridges or concave grooves being aligned along arcs having a smaller diameter than the arcs forming the outer edge of the sector, while sharing a center with the arcs forming the outer edge of the sector, A component characterized in that, inside the fan-shaped region, there is a difference in the arrangement pitch of the convex ridges or concave grooves that are arranged in parallel in the radial direction of the fan shape, and the convex ridges or concave grooves vary in density in the radial direction of the fan shape.

2. 2. The component according to claim 1, wherein, inside the sector-shaped region, the arrangement pitch narrows or widens as it approaches the outer periphery of the sector.

3. 3. A member according to claim 1, wherein the surface of the inner surface of said sector-shaped region, which forms a gap between adjacent said convex ridges or concave grooves, is formed as a glossy surface.

4. 4. The member according to claim 1, wherein convex ridges are formed inside the sector-shaped region.

5. 5. The member according to claim 1, which is an interior member for a vehicle.

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