Decorative parts with skin

Abstract

To reduce plumping feeling generated on a peripheral area of a recess in a decorative component with a skin material.SOLUTION: A decoration panel (1) includes a substrate (20), and a skin material (40) for covering a surface of the substrate (20). A recess (24) is provided on the surface of the substrate (20). The skin material (40) is laminated from an outer periphery of the recess (24) on the surface of the substrate (20) over an inner surface, and is fixed on a peripheral part of the substrate (20) or on the underside. A rib (60) applied to the substrate (20) is provided on a part corresponding to the periphery of the recess (24) on the skin material (40).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a decorative part with a skin material. [Background technology]

[0002] Decorative parts with skin materials have traditionally been used in vehicle interior materials. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an armrest as an example of such a vehicle interior material. The armrest in Patent Document 1 comprises an armrest core and an armrest skin. The armrest core is a base material made of an injection-molded synthetic resin. The armrest skin is a skin material that is integrally coated on the surface of the armrest core, and provides the armrest with good feel, texture, and cushioning. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 8-91406 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] For decorative parts with skins, it is preferable to attach the skin to the base material without using adhesive or with only a small amount of adhesive to facilitate recycling of each material. Therefore, it is possible to attach the skin to the surface of the base material by fixing the outer periphery of the skin to the periphery or back surface of the base material. However, this configuration may cause the skin to partially float from the surface of the base material depending on the shape of the base material.

[0005] Specifically, in a decorative part with a skin material, even if a recess is provided on the surface of the base material and the skin material is molded to fit the recess, the skin material will not adhere tightly to the surface of the base material at the position corresponding to the periphery of the recess due to the degree of stretching of the skin material when attached to the base material and variations in molding, and a gap is likely to form between the base material and the skin material. When this happens, when the periphery of the recess in the decorative part is pressed from the outside, it will elastically deform and bend, causing a so-called floppy feeling.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to reduce the soft feeling that occurs around the periphery of a recess in a decorative part with a skin material. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to achieve the above object, in the present invention, the portion of the skin material corresponding to the periphery of the recess is supported by the base material when pressed from the outside.

[0008] Specifically, the first invention is directed to a decorative part with a skin material. The decorative part with a skin material of the first invention comprises a base material and a skin material covering the surface of the base material. A recess is provided on the surface of the base material. The skin material is layered from the outer periphery of the recess on the surface of the base material to the inner surface, and is fixed to the peripheral portion or back surface of the base material. One of the base material and the skin material has a rib attached to the other member in a portion corresponding to the periphery of the recess.

[0009] A second invention is the decorative part with a skin material of the first invention, wherein the rib is provided on the back surface of the skin material.

[0010] A third invention is a decorative part with a skin material according to the first or second invention, wherein the ribs are arranged in multiple numbers along the periphery of the recess and extend across the periphery of the recess.

[0011] A fourth invention is a decorative part with a skin material according to any one of the first to third inventions, wherein the skin material is hooked onto the peripheral edge or rear surface of the base material.

[0012] A fifth aspect of the present invention is a decorative part with a skin material according to any one of the first to fourth aspects of the present invention, which is used as an interior material for a vehicle. [Effects of the Invention]

[0013] In the first aspect of the present invention, a rib is provided on one of the substrate and the skin material. The rib is attached to the other of the substrate and the skin material at a position corresponding to the periphery of the recess. This prevents the skin material from elastically deforming and bending even when the periphery of the recess in the decorative part is pressed from the outside. This reduces the soft feeling that occurs around the periphery of the recess in a decorative part with a skin material.

[0014] In the second invention, ribs are provided on the back surface of the skin material. This increases the rigidity of the corner portions of the skin material that correspond to the periphery of the recess. If the rigidity of the skin material is low at the corner portions, it is difficult to determine the shape of the skin material at those corner portions, and the ridge shape of the skin material that corresponds to the periphery of the recess is likely to fluctuate. In contrast, if the rigidity of the corner portions of the skin material that correspond to the periphery of the recess is increased, the shape of the skin material at those corner portions can be more easily determined, and the ridge shape of the skin material that corresponds to the periphery of the recess can be suitably adjusted.

[0015] In a third aspect of the present invention, a plurality of ribs are arranged along the periphery of the recess. Each of the plurality of ribs extends across the periphery of the recess. This reduces the soft feeling of the skin when pressed over a relatively wide area around the periphery of the recess of the decorative part with skin.

[0016] In the fourth aspect of the present invention, the skin material is fastened to the peripheral edge or rear surface of the base material. This allows the skin material to be fixed to the base material without using adhesive or with a relatively small amount of adhesive. This simplifies the process of attaching the skin material to the base material and is advantageous in facilitating recycling of the decorative panel by material.

[0017] In a fifth aspect of the present invention, the decorative part with a skin material is used as an interior material for a vehicle. Vehicle interior materials often have recesses to improve design or to avoid interference with adjacent parts. Therefore, the present invention is effective for vehicle interior materials. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0018] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a front view showing approximately the left half of an automobile instrument panel to which a decorative panel according to an embodiment is attached. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the decorative panel of the embodiment as seen from the back side. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the decorative panel taken along line III-III in FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the decorative panel taken along line IV-IV in FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a main part of the decorative panel surrounded by V in FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a plan view showing the main part of the rear surface of the covering material of the embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a main part of the rear surface of the covering material of the embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of a main part of a decorative panel according to a modified example, which is equivalent to FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a view equivalent to FIG. 4 of a decorative panel according to another embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is an enlarged view equivalent to FIG. 5 showing a main part of a decorative panel of a comparative example. [Figure 11]FIG. 11 is an enlarged view equivalent to FIG. 5 showing a main part of a decorative panel of a comparative example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0019] Exemplary embodiments will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. In the following embodiments, a decorative panel will be described as an example of a decorative component with a skin material according to the technology of the present disclosure. Note that the drawings are intended to conceptually explain the present disclosure. Therefore, in the drawings, dimensions, ratios, or numbers may be exaggerated or simplified to facilitate understanding of the technology of the present disclosure.

[0020] The instrument panel 1 shown in Fig. 1 is a panel including an instrument panel on which various devices such as an engine tachometer and a speedometer are mounted, and is disposed in the front part of the vehicle compartment. The instrument panel 1 is supported by an instrument panel reinforcement (not shown) extending in the vehicle width direction and attached to the vehicle body. The instrument panel 1 constitutes a dashboard that separates the engine compartment from the vehicle compartment.

[0021] One side of the instrument panel 1 in the left-right direction (the right side not shown in FIG. 1) corresponds to the driver's seat, and the other side (the left side shown in FIG. 1) corresponds to the passenger seat. A glove compartment 3 is attached to the instrument panel 1 below the portion corresponding to the passenger seat in an openable and closable manner. A panel mounting portion 5 is provided above the glove compartment 3 on the instrument panel 1.

[0022] The panel mounting portion 5 is formed in a horizontally elongated recess that extends in a strip-like shape in the vehicle width direction. A decorative panel 10 is fitted into the panel mounting portion 5. The decorative panel 10 covers the opening of the panel mounting portion 5 and is fixed to the instrument panel body. The decorative panel 10 is used as an interior material for the vehicle and adds a design accent to the interior of the automobile. The decorative panel 10 is formed in a horizontally elongated, approximately rectangular shape when viewed from the front.

[0023] The decorative panel 10 has a plurality of decorative recesses 12 (three decorative recesses in the example shown in FIG. 1 ). The decorative recesses 12 are spaced apart from one another in the longitudinal direction of the decorative panel 10. Each of the decorative recesses 12 is recessed into the back side of the decorative panel 10 and opens to the front side. In this example, the decorative recess 12 is formed in an elliptical hemispherical shape. The major axis of the decorative recess 12 is oriented, for example, in the longitudinal direction of the decorative panel 10.

[0024] As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the decorative panel 10 includes a base material 20 and a skin material 40. As shown in FIG.

[0025] The base material 20 is a one-piece molded product made of resin. The base material 20 is formed by, for example, injection molding. Examples of materials for the base material 20 include polypropylene (PP) and acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS). The base material 20 includes a main plate portion 22 and a side wall portion 36. The main plate portion 22 is formed in the shape of a horizontally long strip. The main plate portion 22 has a surface facing the interior of the vehicle cabin.

[0026] A plurality of recesses 24 are provided on the surface of the main plate portion 22. Each of the recesses 24 constitutes the back side of a corresponding decorative recess 12. The number of recesses 24 corresponds to the number of decorative recesses 12. Each recess 24 is formed in a shape (an elliptical hemisphere) corresponding to the decorative recess 12. The surface of the base material 20, excluding the recesses 24, is flat or curved so as to protrude into the interior of the vehicle.

[0027] A plurality of mounting projections 26 (two mounting projections in the example shown in FIG. 2) are integrally formed on the back surface of the main plate portion 22. The mounting projections 26 are located between adjacent recesses 24 in the vertical middle of the base material 20. Each of the plurality of mounting projections 26 has a base portion 28 and an engaging claw 30. The base portion 28 is formed in a box shape that is open in one direction. The engaging claw 30 is formed on the back side of the base portion 28.

[0028] The engaging claws 30 are formed with tongue pieces 32. The tongue pieces 32 have claw portions 34 on one side. The tongue pieces 32 are surrounded by U-shaped slits and are relatively flexible. Engagement holes 7 are formed in the bottom surface of the panel mounting part 5 in the areas corresponding to the engaging claws 30. The decorative panel 10 is attached to the panel mounting part 5 by inserting each engaging claw 30 into the corresponding engagement hole 7 while bending the tongue pieces 32, and engaging the engaging claws with the periphery of the engagement hole 7.

[0029] The side wall portion 36 is provided around the entire outer periphery of the main plate portion 22. The side wall portion 36 extends from the outer periphery of the main plate portion 22 to the rear side. The side wall portion 36 constitutes the peripheral portion of the base material 20. A plurality of protrusions 38 are formed on the end surface located on the rear side of the side wall portion 36. The plurality of protrusions 38 are provided at intervals from one another in the circumferential direction of the side wall portion 36. Each protrusion 38 is used to fasten the covering material 40 to the base material 20.

[0030] The skin material 40 is a sheet-like material made of resin. The skin material 40 is formed by, for example, injection molding. The skin material 40 is made of, for example, synthetic leather. Examples of materials for the skin material 40 include polyvinyl chloride (PVC), thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) olefin-based (TPO), urethane-based (TPU), and styrene-based (TPS). The thickness of the skin material 40 is, for example, 0.5 mm or more and 2.0 mm or less. The skin material 40 is provided in a state of being attached to the surface of the base material 20. The outer periphery of the skin material 40 is fixed to the peripheral edge of the base material 20.

[0031] The skin material 40 is both flexible and extensible. The skin material 40 has a main surface portion 42 and a fastening piece 44. The main surface portion 42 of the skin material 40 covers the surface of the base material 20. Specifically, the main surface portion 42 covers the surface of the main plate portion 22 of the base material 20 and the outer circumferential surface of the side wall portion 36 while tension is applied. The main surface portion 42 is layered from the outer periphery to the inner surface of the recess 24 on the surface of the base material 20. The tension applied to the skin material 40 causes it to adhere closely to the surface of the base material 20.

[0032] A plurality of fastening pieces 44 are provided along the outer periphery of the main surface portion 42. A fastening hole 46 is formed in each of the plurality of fastening pieces 44. Each fastening piece 44 is folded back to the back side of the base material 20 and abuts against the end face of the side wall portion 36. The protrusions 38 of the side wall portion 36 are inserted into the fastening holes 46 of each fastening piece 44. This allows the covering material 40 to be hooked onto the peripheral edge portion of the base material 20. In this way, the covering material 40 is attached to the base material 20 without using adhesive.

[0033] A plurality of recessed surface portions 48 are provided on the main surface portion 42 of the skin material 40. Each of the plurality of recessed surface portions 48 constitutes a surface portion of the decorative recess 12. The number of recessed surface portions 48 corresponds to the number of recesses 24 in the base material 20. Each recessed surface portion 48 is formed in a shape (an elliptical hemisphere) that follows the inner surface of the recess 24 in the base material 20. Corner portions 50 are formed on the outer periphery of the recessed surface portions 48 in the skin material 40. The corner portions 50 form a ridge that forms the periphery of the decorative recess 12.

[0034] Even if the skin material 40 is formed to a shape that follows the recess 24, depending on the degree of stretching of the skin material 40 when it is attached to the base material 20 and variations in molding, the skin material 40 may not adhere tightly to the surface of the base material 20 at a position corresponding to the periphery of the recess 24 and may become floating, resulting in a gap G between the base material 20 and the skin material 40. In this case, as shown in Fig. 10, when the periphery of the recess 24 in the decorative panel 10 is pressed from the outside, it will bend due to elastic deformation, causing a so-called floppy feeling.

[0035] Furthermore, if the rigidity of the skin material 40 is low at the corner portions 50, it is difficult to determine the shape of the skin material 40 at those corner portions 50, and the shape of the ridges of the skin material 40 corresponding to the periphery of the recessed portion 24 is likely to fluctuate. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 11, depending on the degree of stretch of the skin material 40, the portion of the skin material 40 that floats above the surface of the base material 20 (gap G) may extend into the area inside the recessed portion 24 of the base material 20. In this case, the soft, squishy feeling when the floating portion of the skin material 40 is pressed becomes more pronounced.

[0036] Therefore, in the decorative panel 10 of this example, as shown in FIGS. 5 to 7 , a plurality of ribs 60 are provided on the back surface of the skin material 40 in portions corresponding to the periphery of the recess 24. The plurality of ribs 60 are provided on the back surface of the skin material 40. The plurality of ribs 60 are arranged at intervals from one another along the corner portion 50 of the skin material 40, that is, along the periphery of the recess 24 in the base material 20. The plurality of ribs 60 are formed, for example, at equal intervals around the entire periphery of the corner portion 50 of the skin material 40. Each of the plurality of ribs 60 extends radially at the opening of the recessed surface portion 48 in a plan view so as to straddle the periphery of the recess 24.

[0037] Each rib 60 is formed in a roughly boomerang shape in side view (shown with dotted hatching in FIG. 5). Each rib 60 is applied to the peripheral portion of the recess 24 in the base material 20. Each rib 60 has a contact surface 62. The contact surface 62 is a surface facing the outer periphery of the recessed surface portion 48, and is in contact with the surface of the base material 20. The contact surface 62 has a shape that follows the surface of the base material 20 that is in contact with it, specifically the surface of the peripheral portion of the recess 24. These multiple ribs 60 reinforce the rigidity of the corner portions 50 of the covering material 40.

[0038] -Features of the embodiment- In the decorative panel 10 of this embodiment, a plurality of ribs 60 are provided on the back surface of the skin material 40. Each rib 60 is applied to the peripheral portion of the recess 24 of the base material 20. This prevents the skin material 40 from being elastically deformed and flexed even when the peripheral portion of the decorative recess 12 in the decorative panel 10 (the peripheral portion of the recess 24) is pressed from the outside. Therefore, the floppy feeling that occurs in the peripheral portion of the decorative recess 12 in the decorative panel 10 can be reduced.

[0039] In the decorative panel 10 of this embodiment, the ribs 60 are provided on the back surface of the skin material 40. This increases the rigidity of the corner portions 50 of the skin material 40. On the other hand, when the rigidity of the corner portions 50 of the skin material 40 is increased, the shape of the skin material 40 is easily determined by the corner portions 50, and the shape of the ridges of the skin material 40 corresponding to the periphery of the recess 24 (the ridges of the decorative recesses 12) can be suitably adjusted.

[0040] In the decorative panel 10 of this embodiment, a plurality of ribs 60 are arranged along the periphery of the recess 24. Each of the plurality of ribs 60 extends so as to straddle the periphery of the recess 24. This reduces the soft feeling when the skin material 40 is pressed over a relatively wide area around the periphery of the recess 24 of the decorative panel 10.

[0041] In the decorative panel 10 of this embodiment, the skin material 40 is hooked onto the peripheral edge of the base material 20. This allows the skin material 40 to be fixed to the base material 20 without using adhesive. This simplifies the attachment of the skin material 40 to the base material 20 and is advantageous in facilitating recycling of the decorative panel 10 by material.

[0042] The decorative panel 10 of this embodiment is used as an interior material for a vehicle. The decorative panel 10 of this example is provided with a plurality of decorative recesses 12 for the purpose of improving the design. Therefore, the present invention is effective for the decorative panel 10 because it can reduce the floppy feeling that occurs around the edges of the decorative recesses 12.

[0043] -Variations- As shown in FIG. 8 , in the decorative panel 10, the ribs 60 of the skin material 40 extend in the circumferential direction of the corner portion 50. The multiple ribs 60 are provided at intervals in the radial direction of the recessed surface portion 48. Each rib 60 is formed in a ring shape around the entire circumference of the corner portion 50. Each rib 60 may be divided and provided intermittently in the circumferential direction of the corner portion 50. Each rib 60 is assigned to the peripheral portion of the recessed portion 24 in the base material 20.

[0044] As described above, preferred embodiments have been described as examples of the present invention. However, the present invention is not limited to these, and can be applied to embodiments in which appropriate modifications, substitutions, additions, omissions, etc. are made. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications can be made to the above-described embodiments without departing from the spirit of the present invention, and that such modifications also fall within the scope of the present invention.

[0045] For example, the above embodiment may be configured as follows.

[0046] In the above embodiment, the skin material 40 is fixed to the peripheral portion of the base material 20, but this is not limiting. The skin material 40 may also be fixed to the back surface of the base material 20. For example, as shown in FIG. 9 , an extension piece 70 that folds back onto the back surface of the base material 20 is provided on the outer periphery of the skin material 40. A gate-shaped bridge portion 72 is provided on the back surface of the base material 20. The bridge portion 72 forms an engagement hole 74 between itself and the main plate portion 22. The engagement hole 74 penetrates from the outer periphery of the base material 20 toward the center. The extension piece 70 of the skin material 40 is passed through the engagement hole 74 and hooked onto the bridge portion 72, thereby being fixed to the back surface of the base material 20.

[0047] In the above embodiment, the ribs 60 are provided on the back surface of the skin 40, but this is not limiting. For example, the ribs 60 may be provided on the peripheral portion of the recess 24 on the front surface of the base material 20. Furthermore, the ribs 60 may be provided on both the front surface of the base material 20 and the back surface of the skin 40 in portions corresponding to the peripheral portion of the recess 24. The ribs 60 provided on the base material 20 are applied to the back surface of the skin 40. The ribs 60 provided on the skin 40 are applied to the front surface of the base material 20.

[0048] In the above embodiment, the skin material 40 is attached to the base material 20 without using an adhesive, but this is not limited to this. For example, the skin material 40 may be attached to the base material 20 by bonding only its outer periphery to the peripheral edge or back surface of the base material 20 using an adhesive.

[0049] In the above embodiment, the decorative panel 10 has been configured such that the skin material 40 is directly laminated on the surface of the base material 20, but this is not limiting. For example, another functional layer, such as a cushion layer made of polyurethane (PU), may be provided between the base material 20 and the skin material 40 in the area on the surface of the base material 20 excluding the recess 24 and its periphery.

[0050] In the above embodiment, the decorative panel 10 has been described as an example of a decorative part with a skin material according to the present invention, but the present invention is not limited to this. The present invention can also be applied to other vehicle interior materials such as center console and door trim panels, armrests, console box lids, and meter hoods.

[0051] In the above embodiment, the recess 24 (decorative recess 12) is formed to improve the design, but this is not limiting. For example, the recess 24 may be provided in the interior material of a vehicle for the purpose of ensuring clearance between the interior material and surrounding components. The present invention is also effective in such interior material of a vehicle.

[0052] Furthermore, vehicle interior materials are merely one example of decorative parts with skin materials, and the present invention can be applied to decorative parts for any purpose other than vehicle interior materials, as long as the skin material 40 is attached to the surface of the base material 20. [Industrial Applicability]

[0053] As described above, the present invention is useful for decorative parts with skin materials. [Explanation of symbols]

[0054] 1 Decorative panel (decorative part with skin material) 20 Base material 24 recess 40 Skin material 60 Ribs

Claims

1. a substrate (20); a skin material (40) that covers the surface of the base material (20), A recess (24) is provided on the surface of the substrate (20), The skin material (40) is laminated from the outer periphery to the inner surface of the recess (24) on the surface of the base material (20), and is fixed to the peripheral portion or the back surface of the base material (20), one of the base material (20) and the skin material (40) is provided with a rib (60) at a portion corresponding to a periphery of the recess (24), the rib being attached to the other member; The rib (60) is a plate-shaped protruding piece and has a contact surface (62) on the protruding end surface thereof that contacts the other member. A decorative part with a skin material.

2. The decorative part with a skin material according to claim 1, The rib (60) is provided on the back surface of the skin material (40). A decorative part with a skin material.

3. The decorative part with a skin material according to claim 1 or 2, The ribs (60) are arranged in plurality along the periphery of the recess (24) and extend across the periphery of the recess (24). A decorative part with a skin material.

4. The decorative part with a skin material according to any one of claims 1 to 3, The skin material (40) is hooked onto the peripheral edge or rear surface of the base material (20). A decorative part with a skin material.

5. The decorative part with a skin material according to any one of claims 1 to 4, Used as interior materials for vehicles A decorative part with a skin material.

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