Surface material

Abstract

To provide a skin material with a higher degree of freedom in designability.SOLUTION: A skin material 2 includes: a skin layer 20 having light transmissivity; an intermediate layer 21 arranged at a back side of the skin layer 20 and having lower light transmissivity than that of the skin layer 20; a design layer 22 placed at a back side of the intermediate layer 21 and having lower light transmissivity than that of the intermediate layer 21; and at least one recess 23 opening in a back face of the design layer 22. A bottom 232 of the recess 23 includes an intermediate layer reaching part 232b placed in the intermediate layer 21.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a skin material used for interior parts of a vehicle, for example. [Background technology]

[0002] In the field of vehicle interiors, development of skin materials that use backlighting to reveal patterns and switches is progressing. As an example, FIG. 11 shows a cross-sectional view of the decorative sheet of Patent Document 1 in the front-to-back direction. As shown in FIG. 11, a skin material (decorative sheet) 100 includes, from the front side to the back side, a base portion 101, a pattern portion 102, and a shielding portion 103. The skin material 100 also includes multiple recesses (light-transmitting portions) 104. The multiple recesses 104 are located in areas where the pattern portion 102 and the shielding portion 103 have been removed. The recesses 104 are recessed and open to the back side of the skin material 100. A display device 105 is located on the back side of the skin material 100.

[0003] When the display device 105 is off, the design of the cover material 100 itself appears on the surface of the cover material 100. When the display device 105 is on, predetermined patterns, switches, etc. appear on the surface of the cover material 100 due to light that has passed through the multiple recesses 104 and the base material 101. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-75371 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In the skin material 100 of Patent Document 1, the back surface of the base material 101 is uniformly used as the bottoms 104a of all recesses 104. As a result, light that passes through all recesses 104 uniformly transmits through the base material 101 and appears on the surface of the skin material 100. This results in limited design flexibility. Furthermore, in the skin material 100 of Patent Document 1, the depth of the bottoms 104a of all recesses 104 (the depth from the back surface of the skin material 100) is uniform. This also results in limited design flexibility. Furthermore, in the skin material 100 of Patent Document 1, all recesses 104 uniformly extend in the plane normal direction of the surface of the decorative sheet 100. This also results in limited design flexibility. Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a skin material with high design flexibility. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, the skin material of the present invention is a skin material comprising a translucent skin layer, an intermediate layer disposed on the back side of the skin layer and having lower translucency than the skin layer, a design layer disposed on the back side of the intermediate layer and having lower translucency than the intermediate layer, and at least one recess opening on the back side of the design layer, wherein the bottom of the recess has an intermediate layer reaching portion disposed in the intermediate layer. Here, forms in which the bottom of the recess has an intermediate layer reaching portion include forms in which part of the bottom of a single recess is an intermediate layer reaching portion, and forms in which some of the bottoms of a plurality of recesses are intermediate layer reaching portions.

[0007] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides a skin material comprising a translucent skin layer, an intermediate layer disposed on the back side of the skin layer and having a lower translucency than the skin layer, a design layer disposed on the back side of the intermediate layer and having a lower translucency than the intermediate layer, and at least one recess opening on the back side of the design layer, wherein the bottom of the recess has a base portion and a deep portion that is deeper than the base portion. Examples of the recess having a base portion and a deep portion include a single recess in which a portion of the bottom is a base portion and the remainder is a deep portion, and a plurality of recesses in which some of the bottoms are base portions and the remainder are deep portions.

[0008] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides a skin material comprising a translucent skin layer, an intermediate layer disposed on the back side of the skin layer and having lower translucency than the skin layer, a design layer disposed on the back side of the intermediate layer and having lower translucency than the intermediate layer, and at least one recess opening on the back side of the design layer, wherein the side of the recess has an inclined portion extending in a direction intersecting a surface normal to the surface of the skin layer. Here, examples of the recess having an inclined portion include a case in which a portion of the side of a single recess is an inclined portion, and a case in which some of the side of a plurality of recesses are an inclined portion. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] The bottom of the recess in the skin material of the present invention has an intermediate layer reaching portion. The intermediate layer reaching portion is located within the intermediate layer. Therefore, light transmittance can be reduced compared to when the bottom of the recess is uniformly located on the back surface of the skin layer. Conversely, light transmittance can be improved compared to when the bottom of the recess is uniformly located on the back surface of the intermediate layer. Furthermore, when the intermediate layer reaching portion is located closer to the skin layer, the recess becomes correspondingly deeper. Therefore, light transmittance can be improved. Conversely, when the intermediate layer reaching portion is located closer to the design layer, the recess becomes correspondingly shallower. Therefore, light transmittance can be reduced. In this way, by adjusting the front-to-back position of the intermediate layer reaching portion, the design that appears on the surface of the skin material can be adjusted. Therefore, the degree of freedom in design is increased.

[0010] Furthermore, the bottom of the recess of the skin material of the present invention has a base portion and a deep portion. The depth of the recess differs between the base portion and the deep portion. This difference in depth allows for a difference in light transmittance. This allows for adjustment of the design that appears on the surface of the skin material. This increases the degree of freedom in design.

[0011] Furthermore, the side surfaces of the recesses of the skin material of the present invention have inclined portions. The inclined portions extend in a direction intersecting the surface normal of the surface of the skin layer. Therefore, when light traveling in the surface normal direction of the recesses is incident on the inclined portions, at least a portion of the light may be reflected by the inclined portions. Furthermore, the light may be refracted by the inclined portions. This allows for adjustment of the design that appears on the surface of the skin material. This increases the degree of freedom in design. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a layout diagram of the skin material of the first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the inside of a frame II in FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line III-III in FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of the laser processing step in the method for producing the skin material. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the skin material of the second embodiment taken along the front-to-back direction. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a surface view of the design layer of FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a skin material of the third embodiment taken along the front-to-back direction. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the skin material of the fourth embodiment taken along the front and back directions. [Figure 9] 9(A) is a back view of the design layer of the skin material of another embodiment (part 1), and FIG. 9(B) is a back view of the design layer of the skin material of another embodiment (part 2). [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view in the front-to-back direction of a skin material of another embodiment (third example). [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a conventional decorative sheet taken in the front and back directions. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the skin material of the present invention will be described.

[0014] First Embodiment [Layout and composition of skin materials] First, the arrangement and configuration of the skin material of this embodiment will be described. Fig. 1 shows an arrangement diagram of the skin material of this embodiment. Fig. 2 shows an exploded perspective view of the area within box II in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 shows a cross-sectional view taken along the line III-III in Fig. 2. Fig. 4 shows a schematic diagram of the laser processing step in the method for manufacturing the skin material. Note that in Figs. 3 and 4, the thickness in the front and back directions is emphasized.

[0015] As shown in Fig. 1, the skin material 2 is disposed over the entire surface (top surface) of a console box (interior part) 90 in the vehicle interior. As shown in Fig. 2, the skin material 2 includes, from the front side (inside the vehicle, upper side) to the back side (outside the vehicle, lower side), a skin layer 20, an intermediate layer 21, a design layer 22, and a plurality of recesses 23.

[0016] As shown in FIG. 3 , the surface (upper surface) of the skin layer 20 is exposed to the vehicle interior. The skin layer 20 is made of synthetic leather and has a layered structure. The skin layer 20 is translucent and flexible. A grain pattern (not shown) is formed on the surface of the skin layer 20. The intermediate layer 21 is laminated on the back surface (lower surface) of the skin layer 20. The intermediate layer 21 is made of translucent ink and has a layered structure. The intermediate layer 21 is translucent and flexible. The intermediate layer 21 has a lower translucency than the skin layer 20. That is, the intermediate layer 21 is smoky-toned and translucent. The intermediate layer 21 is also colored and transparent. The design layer 22 is laminated on the back surface of the intermediate layer 21. The design layer 22 is made of opaque ink and has a layered structure. The design layer 22 is opaque and flexible. That is, the design layer 22 does not transmit light. The plurality of recesses 23 are recessed into the rear surface of the design layer 22. The recesses 23 will be described in detail later.

[0017] A sheet-like light source 80 is disposed on the back side of the design layer 22, that is, on the back side of the skin material 2. The light source 80 includes a plurality of LEDs (not shown). The entire surface of the light source 80 is capable of emitting light.

[0018] [Arrangement and configuration of recesses] Next, the arrangement and configuration of the recesses in the skin material of this embodiment will be described. Multiple recesses 23 are arranged across the entire back surface of the design layer 22, and as a whole form a polka dot design as shown in Figure 2. The recesses 23 are circular when viewed from the front and back directions. The internal space of each recess 23 is cylindrical.

[0019] 2 and 3, the recesses 23 are classified into a plurality of reference recesses 23a and a plurality of deep recesses 23b. The reference recesses 23a and the deep recesses 23b are alternately arranged in the left-right direction (uniaxial direction) of the lower surface of the design layer 22.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 3, the reference recess 23a has a side surface (inner peripheral surface) 230, an opening 231, and a base 232a. The side surface 230 extends in the front-to-back direction. The side surface 230 has a straight pipe shape (more specifically, the shape of the inner peripheral surface of a straight pipe). The side surface 230 extends parallel to the surface normal direction of the surface of the skin layer 20. The opening 231 is located on the back surface of the design layer 22. The base 232a is located closer to the front side than the opening 231. The deep recess 23b, like the reference recess 23a, has a side surface (inner peripheral surface) 230 and an opening 231. The deep recess 23b has a deep bottom 232b instead of the base 232a. The deep bottom 232b is included in the concepts of a "deep bottom" and "intermediate layer reaching portion" of the present invention.

[0021] The only difference between the reference recess 23a and the deep recess 23b is the bottom 232 (base portion 232a, deep portion 232b). Both the reference recess 23a and the deep recess 23b penetrate the design layer 22. The reference recess 23a does not reach the intermediate layer 21. The base portion 232a is located on the lower surface of the intermediate layer 21. On the other hand, the deep recess 23b reaches the intermediate layer 21. The deep portion 232b is located in the middle of the intermediate layer 21 in the front-to-back direction.

[0022] [Method of manufacturing skin material] Next, a method for manufacturing the skin material of this embodiment will be described. The method for manufacturing the skin material of this embodiment includes a lamination process and a laser processing process. First, in the lamination process, the intermediate layer 21 and the design layer 22 are laminated on the back surface of the skin layer 20 by screen printing. Next, as shown in FIG. 4, in the laser processing process, the laminate (skin layer 20, intermediate layer 21, and design layer 22) is placed upside down (with the back surface of the design layer 22 facing upward), and recesses 23 (reference recesses 23a and deep recesses 23b) are formed on the back surface of the design layer 22 using a laser processing machine 91. The nozzle 910 of the laser processing machine 91 is movable relative to the laminate in the horizontal direction Y3 and the oscillation direction Y4. By appropriately moving the nozzle 910, a polka-dot design consisting of multiple recesses 23 is formed on the back surface of the design layer 22. The depth of the recesses 23 is adjusted by adjusting the laser output (power value). That is, the reference recess 23a and the deep recess 23b are formed separately. Finally, the skin material 2 is placed on the front side of the light source 80.

[0023] [How to use the skin material] Next, a method of using the skin material of this embodiment will be described. As shown in Fig. 3, when the light source 80 is off, the light source 80 does not emit light. Therefore, the design of the skin material 2 itself (mainly the design of the skin layer 20 and intermediate layer 21) appears on the surface of the skin material 2. The intermediate layer 21 has lower translucency than the skin layer 20. Therefore, the design layer 22 is difficult to see from the front side of the skin material 2.

[0024] When the light source 80 is turned on, it emits light. As a result, the surface of the skin material 2 is illuminated with light that has passed through the multiple reference recesses 23a, the intermediate layer 21 (the entire thickness in the front-to-back direction), and the skin layer 20 (see arrow Y1 in FIG. 3), and light that has passed through the multiple deep recesses 23b, the intermediate layer 21 (part of the thickness in the front-to-back direction), and the skin layer 20 (see arrow Y2 in FIG. 3). These two types of light cause the design of the design layer 22 (the polka dot pattern shown in FIG. 2) to emerge on the surface of the skin material 2. The light that has passed through the deep recesses 23b (arrow Y2) is brighter than the light that has passed through the reference recesses 23a (arrow Y1). As a result, two types of polka dot patterns, one light and one dark, emerge on the surface of the skin material 2.

[0025] [Action and effect] Next, the effects of the skin material of this embodiment will be described. As shown in FIG. 3, the skin material 2 has deep recesses 23b, i.e., deep bottom portions 232b. The deep bottom portions 232b are located within the intermediate layer 21. This reduces light transmittance compared to when the bottoms 232 of the recesses 23 are uniformly located on the back surface of the skin layer 20. Conversely, this improves light transmittance from the light source 80 compared to when the bottoms 232 of the recesses 23 are uniformly located on the back surface of the intermediate layer 21. Furthermore, when the deep bottom portions 232b are located closer to the skin layer 20, the deep recesses 23b become deeper accordingly. This improves light transmittance from the light source 80. Conversely, when the deep bottom portions 232b are located closer to the design layer 22, the deep recesses 23b become shallower accordingly. This reduces light transmittance from the light source 80. In this way, the design appearing on the surface of the skin material 2 can be adjusted by adjusting the position of the deep bottom portions 232b in the front-to-back direction. Therefore, the degree of freedom in design is increased.

[0026] Furthermore, the depth of the recesses 23 (reference recesses 23a, deep recesses 23b) differs between the base portion 232a and the deep portion 232b. This difference in depth allows for a difference in light transmittance. This makes it possible to adjust the design that appears on the surface of the skin material 2. This increases the degree of freedom in design.

[0027] 3, the covering material 2 is provided with a translucent intermediate layer 21. Therefore, when the light source 80 is off, it is possible to suppress the appearance of the design of the design layer 22 on the surface of the covering material 2. On the other hand, when the light source 80 is on, it is possible to assist the appearance of the design of the design layer 22 on the surface of the covering material 2.

[0028] If the skin material 2 were manufactured using only screen printing, a screen mask corresponding to the design of the design layer 22 would need to be used when printing the design layer 22 on the back surface of the intermediate layer 21. Therefore, if the design of the design layer 22 is changed, the screen mask would need to be changed accordingly. In this regard, the manufacturing method for the skin material 2 of this embodiment includes a lamination step and a laser processing step. According to this manufacturing method for the skin material 2 of this embodiment, after printing the design layer 22 on the back surface of the intermediate layer 21, the recesses 23 can be formed in the design layer 22 by laser processing. Therefore, even if the design of the design layer 22 is changed, it is not necessary to change the screen mask accordingly. Changes in the design of the design layer 22 can be accommodated simply by changing the movement of the nozzle 910 shown in FIG. 4 or the laser output. Therefore, the cost and downtime required for design changes can be reduced. This method is also suitable for manufacturing a wide variety of skin materials 2 in small quantities.

[0029] Second Embodiment The difference between the skin material of this embodiment and the skin material of the first embodiment is that the recessed portion has an inclined portion. Here, only this difference will be described.

[0030] Fig. 5 shows a cross-sectional view of the skin material of this embodiment taken along the front-to-back direction. The same reference numerals are used to denote portions corresponding to those in Fig. 3. As shown in Fig. 5, the five recesses 23 are classified into one vertical recess 23c and four inclined recesses 23d to 23g. The bottoms 232 of the five recesses 23 (vertical recess 23c and inclined recesses 23d to 23g) are each located on the back surface of the intermediate layer 21. The side surfaces 230 of the recesses 23 include inclined portions 2300.

[0031] The vertical recess 23c extends in the vertical direction (front-to-back direction). That is, the axis L2 of the vertical recess 23c extends parallel to the extension direction (front-to-back direction) of the surface normal L1 of the surface of the skin layer 20 (the inclination angle is 0°). The inclined portion 2300 of the vertical recess 23c is tapered at an inclination angle θ1 from the front side to the back side.

[0032] The inclined recess 23d, which is adjacent to the vertical recess 23c on the left side, extends leftward from the opening 231 toward the bottom 232 (from the back side to the front side). That is, the axis L2 of the inclined recess 23d is inclined leftward by an inclination angle θ1 with respect to the extension direction of the surface normal L1. The side surface 230 of the inclined recess 23d has a straight pipe shape. Therefore, the inclined portion 2300 is inclined leftward by an inclination angle θ1, similar to the axis L2.

[0033] The inclined recess 23e, which is adjacent to the inclined recess 23d on the left side, extends leftward from the opening 231 toward the bottom 232. That is, the axis L2 of the inclined recess 23e is inclined leftward by an inclination angle θ2 (>θ1) with respect to the extension direction of the surface normal L1. The side surface 230 of the inclined recess 23e has a straight pipe shape. Therefore, the inclined portion 2300 is inclined leftward by an inclination angle θ2, similar to the axis L2.

[0034] The inclined recess 23f, which is adjacent to the right of the vertical recess 23c, extends rightward at an inclination angle θ1 from the opening 231 toward the bottom 232. The rest of the configuration is the same as that of the inclined recess 23d. The inclined recess 23g, which is adjacent to the right of the inclined recess 23f, extends rightward at an inclination angle θ2 from the opening 231 toward the bottom 232. The rest of the configuration is the same as that of the inclined recess 23e.

[0035] Figure 6 shows a surface view of the design layer of Figure 5. The design layer of Figure 5 corresponds to the VV direction cross-sectional view of Figure 6. As shown in Figure 6, when viewed from the front side (see-through), the outer peripheral edges of the bottoms 232 of the five recesses 23 (vertical recess 23c, inclined recesses 23d to 23g) and the outer peripheral edges of the openings 231 do not coincide with each other. In other words, when viewed from the front side, the outer peripheral edges of the bottoms 232 of the five recesses 23 and the outer peripheral edges of the openings 231 are arranged offset from each other.

[0036] The covering material of this embodiment and the covering material of the first embodiment have similar functions and effects with respect to the common configuration. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the side surfaces 230 of the plurality of recesses 23 (the vertical recess 23c and the inclined recesses 23d to 23g) each include an inclined portion 2300. The inclined portion 2300 extends in a direction intersecting the direction of the surface normal L1. Therefore, when light traveling in the recess 23 in the direction of the surface normal L1 is incident on the inclined portion 2300, at least a portion of the light may be reflected by the inclined portion 2300. The light may also be refracted by the inclined portion 2300. This allows for adjustment of the design that appears on the surface of the covering material 2. This increases the degree of freedom in design.

[0037] The inclination directions of the plurality of recesses 23 are different from one another. This also makes it possible to adjust the design that appears on the surface of the skin material 2. The inclination angles of the inclined portions 2300 of the plurality of recesses 23 are set to a plurality of angles (0°, θ1, θ2). This also makes it possible to adjust the design that appears on the surface of the skin material 2.

[0038] Third Embodiment The skin material of this embodiment differs from the skin materials of the first and second embodiments in that the recessed portion includes an intermediate layer reaching portion, a base portion, a deep bottom portion, and an inclined portion. Also, the intermediate layer has a two-layer structure. Here, only the differences will be described.

[0039] Fig. 7 shows a cross-sectional view of the skin material of this embodiment taken along the front-to-back direction. The same reference numerals are used to denote portions corresponding to those in Figs. 3 and 5. As shown in Fig. 7, the intermediate layer 21 includes a front layer (first layer) 210 and a back layer (second layer) 211. The front layer 210 and the back layer 211 each have translucency. The back layer 211 has lower translucency than the front layer 210. The back layer 211 and the front layer 210 have different colors.

[0040] Of the five recesses 23h-23l shown in FIG. 7, the rightmost recess 23l corresponds to the reference recess 23a in FIG. 3. The remaining four recesses 23h-23k correspond to the deep recess 23b in FIG. 3. That is, the bottom 232l of recess 23l (more specifically, the front-side end of the bottom; the same applies below) is included in the concept of the "base portion" of the present invention. Furthermore, the bottoms 232h-232k of recesses 23h-23k are included in the concepts of the "deep bottom portion" and "intermediate layer reaching portion" of the present invention. The bottoms 232h-232k are arranged within the intermediate layer 21.

[0041] 5. The five recesses 23h-23l correspond to the inclined recesses 23d-23g in FIG. 5. That is, the side surfaces 230 of the five recesses 23h-23l each include an inclined portion 2300. The axes L2 of the five recesses 23h-23l are inclined rightward at an inclination angle θ3 relative to the extending direction of the surface normal L1. The side surfaces 230 of the five recesses 23h-23l each have a straight pipe shape. Therefore, the five inclined portions 2300 are inclined rightward at an inclination angle θ3, similar to the axis L2.

[0042] The covering material of this embodiment and the covering materials of the first and second embodiments have similar functions and effects with respect to the common configurations. As in this embodiment, the multiple inclined portions 2300 may be inclined in the same direction. This allows the design appearing on the surface of the covering material 2 to have directionality (i.e., the design is easily visible from a predetermined direction (e.g., the driver's seat side or the passenger seat side)). The multiple inclined portions 2300 may also be inclined at the same inclination angle θ3. This allows the multiple inclined portions 2300 to have the same degree of light reflection and refraction. This allows the design appearing on the surface of the covering material 2 to have uniformity. The multiple recesses 23h-23l may all have different depths. If the design layer 22 is translucent, the base 232l of the recess 23l may be located within the design layer 22. The intermediate layer 21 may also be composed of multiple layers (a front layer 210 and a back layer 211). For example, the intermediate layer 21 may be made up of multiple layers, with the light transmittance of each layer gradually decreasing from the front side to the back side. Alternatively, the intermediate layer 21 may be made up of multiple layers, with each layer having a different color.

[0043] When the design layer 22 is translucent, similar to the intermediate layer 21, the design layer 22 may be composed of multiple layers, with the translucency of each layer gradually decreasing from the front side to the back side. Alternatively, the design layer 22 may be composed of multiple layers, with each layer having a different color.

[0044] <Fourth embodiment> The skin material of this embodiment differs from the skin material of the third embodiment in that the single recessed portion includes an intermediate layer reaching portion, a base portion, a deep bottom portion, and an inclined portion, and the intermediate layer has a single-layer structure. Here, only the differences will be described.

[0045] FIG. 8 shows a cross-sectional view of the skin material of this embodiment taken along the front-to-back direction. The same reference numerals are used to denote portions corresponding to those in FIGS. 3 and 5. As shown in FIG. 8, the bottom 232 of the recess 23 includes a base portion 232a and a deep portion 232b. The deep portion 232b is included in the concepts of the "deep portion" and "intermediate layer reaching portion" of the present invention. An inclined portion 2300 is disposed on the side surface 230 of the recess 23, in a portion that continues to the deep portion 232b. The inclined portion 2300 is inclined rightward by an inclination angle θ4 relative to the extension direction of the surface normal L1.

[0046] The skin material of this embodiment has the same effects as the skin materials of the first and second embodiments in terms of the common configuration. As in this embodiment, a single recess 23 may include a base portion 232a, a deep bottom portion (portion reaching the intermediate layer) 232b, and an inclined portion 2300.

[0047] <Other> The above describes the embodiments of the skin material of the present invention. However, the embodiments are not particularly limited to the above embodiments. Various modifications and improvements that can be made by those skilled in the art are also possible.

[0048] [About the configuration] Figure 9(A) shows a back view of the design layer of the skin material of another embodiment (part 1). Figure 9(B) shows a back view of the design layer of the skin material of another embodiment (part 2). Note that parts corresponding to those in Figure 3 are indicated by the same reference numerals. Also, recesses are hatched.

[0049] As shown in FIG. 9(A), the two recesses 23m, 23n each have a strip shape extending in the left-right direction. The recess 23m is included in the concept of the "wide width portion" of the present invention. The recess 23n is included in the concept of the "base width portion" of the present invention. The recess 23m has a wider opening width D (more specifically, the front-rear width of the opening 231 (the width in the direction perpendicular to the extension direction of the recesses 23m, 23n; the width in the short side direction)) than the recess 23n.

[0050] As shown in FIG. 9(B), the recess 23 has a strip shape extending in the left-right direction. The left portion 23o of the recess 23 is included in the concept of the "wide portion" of the present invention. The right portion 23p is included in the concept of the "base width portion" of the present invention. The left portion 23o has a wider opening width D than the right portion 23p. As shown in FIGS. 9(A) and 9(B), by arranging portions with different opening widths D (base width portion, wide width portion) in the recess 23, the design that appears on the surface of the skin material 2 can be adjusted. This increases the degree of freedom in design. The wide width portion and narrow width portion of FIGS. 9(A) and 9(B) can be incorporated into the recesses 23 of FIGS. 3, 5, 7, and 8.

[0051] FIG. 10 shows a cross-sectional view of a skin material according to another embodiment (part 3) in the front-to-back direction. Note that parts corresponding to those in FIG. 3 are designated by the same reference numerals. As shown in FIG. 10, the intermediate layer 21 includes a left layer (first layer) 212 and a right layer (second layer) 213. The left layer 212 and the right layer 213 are each translucent. The left layer 212 and the right layer 213 differ in color and translucency. The design layer 22 includes a left layer (first layer) 222 and a right layer (second layer) 223. The left layer 222 and the right layer 223 are each opaque. The left layer 222 and the right layer 223 differ in color. As shown in FIG. 10, at least one of the intermediate layer 21 and the design layer 22 may include multiple layers arranged in the surface direction (a direction perpendicular to the front-to-back direction). This allows the design appearing on the surface of the skin material 2 to be adjusted. This increases the degree of freedom in design.

[0052] The positions of the base portions 232a, 232l and the deep portions 232b, 232h to 232k shown in Figures 3, 7, and 8 are not particularly limited. They may be located within the design layer 22 (when the design layer 22 is translucent), on the back surface of the intermediate layer 21, or within the intermediate layer 21. The inclination angle and extension direction (inclination direction) of the inclined portion 2300 shown in Figures 5, 7, and 8 are not particularly limited.

[0053] The design that appears on the skin material 2 due to the recesses 23 is not particularly limited. Examples include designs that include one or more selected from patterns (polka dots, stripes, checkerboard patterns, wood grain patterns, marble patterns, etc.), characters (alphabet, hiragana, katakana, kanji, numbers, etc.), figures (polygons, circles, etc.), and symbols (device operation buttons, icons indicating the device status, etc.). The color of the design that appears on the skin material 2 may be a single color or multiple colors. The color may be displayed on the skin material 2 by one or more selected from the skin layer 20, intermediate layer 21, design layer 22, and light source 80. In particular, if the area that overlaps with the recesses 23 when viewed from the front side is colored, the color is more likely to appear on the skin material 2 due to the light from the light source 80.

[0054] The translucency of the skin layer 20 and the intermediate layer 21 is not particularly limited. They may be colorless and transparent, colored and transparent, or translucent. The intermediate layer 21 may have a color gradation that changes from the back surface to the front surface. This allows the color that appears on the surface of the skin material 2 to be changed depending on the position of the intermediate layer reaching portion (deep bottom portion 232b in FIGS. 3 and 8, bottom portions 232h to 232k in FIG. 7). The gradation of the intermediate layer 21 may be formed by multiple layers. The design layer 22 does not need to be opaque. That is, the design layer 22 only needs to have lower translucency than the intermediate layer 21. In this case, like the intermediate layer 21, the design layer 22 may have a color gradation that changes from the back surface to the front surface. This allows the color that appears on the surface of the skin material 2 to be changed depending on the position of the bottom portion (base portion 232l in FIG. 7). There are no particular limitations on the colors (hue, saturation, brightness) of the skin layer 20, the intermediate layer 21, the design layer 22, and the light source 80. In addition, there are no particular limitations on the brightness of the light source 80.

[0055] A light-transmitting sensor (for example, a capacitance sensor) may be interposed between the design layer 22 and the light source 80. In this case, the skin material 2 can be used as a sensor or a switch. There are no particular restrictions on when the light source 80 turns on. It may be always on. The light source 80 may also be turned on in conjunction with the vehicle's room lamps or headlights. The light source 80 may also be turned on when a proximity sensor (for example, a capacitance sensor) detects that the user is approaching the skin material 2.

[0056] The type of light source 80 is not particularly limited. It may be an organic EL sheet or an inorganic EL sheet. The light source 80 may also include a light source body (e.g., an LED) and a light guide plate (e.g., an acrylic plate). In this case, the light source body is disposed adjacent to the surface of the light guide plate, the surface of the light guide plate is made to emit light, and the skin material 2 is disposed on the front side of the light guide plate. The light source 80 may also be a luminous sheet.

[0057] There are no particular limitations on the interior parts on which the skin material 2 is to be placed. Examples include door trim, seats, floors, ceilings, instrument panels, center clusters, glove boxes, steering wheels (handles), center consoles, and cash registers. The surface on which the skin material 2 is installed in the interior components may be flat or curved. There are no particular limitations on the orientation (front and back directions) of the skin material 2 when it is placed. The skin material 2 may also be placed in the interior parts of ships, aircraft, buildings, and houses other than vehicles.

[0058] There are no particular limitations on the configuration of the skin material 2. Of the skin layer 20, the intermediate layer 21, the design layer 22, and the light source 80, another layer may be interposed between two adjacent layers in the front-to-back direction (between the skin layer 20 and the intermediate layer 21, between the intermediate layer 21 and the design layer 22, or between the design layer 22 and the light source 80). In addition, another layer may be disposed on the front side of the skin layer 20.

[0059] [About the material] The material of the surface layer 20 is not particularly limited. Examples include synthetic leather, resin, elastomer, nonwoven fabric, and various fabrics (woven fabric, knit fabric, etc.). Specific examples of synthetic leather, resin, and elastomer include acrylic, polyethylene terephthalate, polycarbonate, polyvinyl chloride, silicone, epoxy, polyurethane, styrene-based thermoplastic elastomer, olefin-based thermoplastic elastomer, and dynamically crosslinked thermoplastic elastomer. Examples of nonwoven fabric and various fabrics include polyester, polypropylene, nylon, and cotton. The surface layer 20 may contain colored particles such as colored polyethylene particles, light-diffusing particles such as titanium oxide, and light-absorbing particles such as titanium black and carbon black.

[0060] The visible light transmittance of the skin layer 20 is preferably 50% or more and 100% or less. This allows the design of the design layer 22 to stand out more clearly on the surface of the skin material 2 when the light source 80 is on. In this specification, the visible light transmittance is a value calculated in accordance with JIS A5759:2016 by measuring the transmission spectrum in the wavelength range of 380 to 780 nm using a spectrophotometer "UV3100PC" manufactured by Shimadzu Corporation.

[0061] There are no particular limitations on the material of intermediate layer 21. Examples include resins and elastomers such as acrylic, polyethylene terephthalate, polycarbonate, polyvinyl chloride, silicone, polyester, epoxy, polyurethane, styrene-based thermoplastic elastomer, olefin-based thermoplastic elastomer, and dynamically crosslinked thermoplastic elastomer. Intermediate layer 21 may contain colored particles such as colored polyethylene particles, light-diffusing particles such as titanium oxide, and light-absorbing particles such as titanium black and carbon black.

[0062] The visible light transmittance of the intermediate layer 21 is preferably more than 0% and not more than 40%, so that when the light source 80 is off, the design of the design layer 22 becomes less noticeable.

[0063] There are no particular limitations on the material of the design layer 22. Examples include resins and elastomers such as acrylic, polyethylene terephthalate, polycarbonate, polyvinyl chloride, silicone, polyester, epoxy, polyurethane, styrene-based thermoplastic elastomer, olefin-based thermoplastic elastomer, and dynamically crosslinked thermoplastic elastomer. The design layer 22 may contain colored particles such as colored polyethylene particles, light-diffusing particles such as titanium oxide, and light-absorbing particles such as titanium black and carbon black.

[0064] [Manufacturing method] There are no particular limitations on the method for laminating the skin layer 20, intermediate layer 21, and design layer 22. In addition to screen printing, gravure printing, inkjet printing, flexographic printing, etc. may be used. Furthermore, the layers may be laminated by adhesion, vapor deposition, etc. There are no particular limitations on the method for forming the recesses 23. In addition to laser processing, photoetching, etc. may also be used. [Explanation of symbols]

[0065] 2: skin material, 20: skin layer, 21: intermediate layer, 210: surface layer, 211: back layer, 212: left layer, 213: right layer, 22: design layer, 23: recess, 23a: standard recess, 23b: deep recess, 23c: vertical recess, 23d to 23g: inclined recess, 23h to 23l: recess, 23m: recess (wide portion), 23n: recess (base width portion), 23o: left side portion (wide portion) ), 23p: Right side (base width), 230: Side, 2300: Slope, 231: Opening, 232: Bottom, 232a: Base, 232b: Deep bottom (reaching middle layer), 2 32h~232k: Bottom (deep bottom, middle layer reaching part), 232l: Bottom (base), 80: Light source, 90: Console box, 91: Laser processing machine, 910: Nozzle θ1~θ4: Tilt angle, D: Opening width, L1: Surface normal, L2: Axis

Claims

1. a translucent skin layer; an intermediate layer disposed on the back side of the skin layer and having a lower light transmittance than the skin layer; a design layer disposed on the back side of the intermediate layer and having lower light transmittance than the intermediate layer; At least one recessed portion opening on the rear surface of the design layer; A skin material comprising: a bottom of the recessed portion having an intermediate layer reaching portion disposed in the intermediate layer; The recesses adjust the light transmittance of the skin material, thereby forming a design on the surface of the skin material.

2. The skin material according to claim 1 , wherein the bottom of the recess has a base portion and a deep portion that is deeper than the base portion.

3. The skin material according to claim 2 , wherein the recess has a side surface having an inclined portion extending in a direction intersecting a surface normal of the surface of the skin layer.

4. The skin material according to claim 1 , wherein the recess has a side surface having an inclined portion extending in a direction intersecting a surface normal of the surface of the skin layer.

5. 5. The skin material according to claim 3, wherein the side surface of the recess has a plurality of the inclined portions extending in different directions.

6. When viewed from the surface normal direction of the surface of the skin layer, 6. The skin material according to claim 1, wherein the recess has a base width portion and a wide width portion that is wider than the base width portion.

7. A skin material as described in any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the recess is tapered, becoming sharper from the front side to the back side.

8. A skin material as described in any one of claims 1 to 4 and claim 6, wherein the recess has a straight tubular shape.

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