Evaluation method and evaluation device for evaluating deformation of a pattern on a decorative sheet, and method for manufacturing a decorated molded product

Abstract

To provide an evaluation device that enables evaluation of a deformation of a pattern on a decorative sheet without making a molding die or a decorative molded product, and a method for manufacturing a decorative molded product including a molded decorative sheet.SOLUTION: A method for evaluating a deformation of a pattern of a decorative sheet after molding with respect to the decorative sheet before molding includes the steps of: generating or acquiring molded product data representing a three-dimensional shape of a decorative molded product; tentatively determining a molding die to be used for molding decorative sheets based on the molded product data; generating molding die data representing the three-dimensional shape of the tentatively determined molding die; generating or acquiring first image data representing the decorative sheet before molding; calculating an elongation of each part of the decorative sheet after molding compared to before molding based on the molding die data when the decorative sheet is molded with the tentatively determined molding die; and generating second image data representing the decorative sheet after molding with the tentatively determined molding die based on the calculated elongation of each part of the decorative sheet and the first image data.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 13

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an evaluation method and evaluation device for evaluating deformation of a pattern on a decorative sheet, and a method for manufacturing a decorated molded product. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, decorative molded products, in which a decorative sheet is laminated on the surface of a resin molded product, have been used as interior and exterior parts for automobiles, interior and exterior materials for building materials, and housings for home appliances. In the manufacturing process of such decorative molded products, the decorative sheet is molded into a shape that corresponds to the surface shape of the decorative molded product using a molding die. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-103794 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, depending on the surface shape of the decorated molded product and the shape of the molding die, some areas of the decorative sheet may stretch significantly. For example, some areas of the decorative sheet may stretch by 50% to 200%. If some areas of the decorative sheet bearing a pattern stretch by such a large stretch rate, the pattern on the decorative sheet may become noticeably distorted, and as a result, a design different from the intended design may be imparted to the decorated molded product.

[0005] An embodiment of the present disclosure aims to enable evaluation of deformation of a pattern on a decorative sheet when producing a decorated molded product without producing a mold or a decorated molded product. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] An embodiment of the present disclosure relates to the following [1] to

[53] .

[0007] [1] A method for evaluating deformation of a pattern of a decorative sheet after molding relative to the decorative sheet before molding when producing a decorated molded product including the molded decorative sheet, comprising: generating or acquiring molded product data representing a three-dimensional shape of the decorated molded product; a step of provisionally determining a molding die to be used for molding the decorative sheet based on the molded product data; generating forming mold data representing the provisionally determined three-dimensional shape of the forming mold; generating or acquiring first image data representing the decorative sheet before molding; a step of calculating, based on the mold data, elongation of each portion of the decorative sheet after molding relative to the decorative sheet before molding when the decorative sheet is molded using the provisionally determined mold; generating second image data representing the decorative sheet after molding using the provisionally determined molding die based on the calculated elongation of each portion of the decorative sheet and the first image data; Equipped with the first image data represents a decorative sheet having a pattern; The evaluation method, wherein the second image data is generated by deforming the pattern of the decorative sheet before molding represented by the first image data in accordance with the calculated elongation of each part of the decorative sheet.

[0008] [2] The evaluation method according to [1], further comprising a step of generating elongation display image data that visually represents the correspondence between each part of the decorative sheet after molding with the provisionally determined molding die and the calculated elongation of each part of the decorative sheet.

[0009] [3] The evaluation method according to [2], wherein the elongation display image data represents the calculated elongation of each portion of the decorative sheet in a color corresponding to the magnitude of the elongation.

[0010] [4] The evaluation method according to [2], wherein the elongation display image data represents the calculated elongation of each portion of the decorative sheet as a line distortion corresponding to the magnitude of the elongation.

[0011] [5] The evaluation method according to any one of [1] to [4], wherein the decorated molded article includes a connection region where two surfaces are connected, the two surfaces having an inclination angle of 45° or more relative to each other.

[0012] [6] further comprising a step of displaying the second image data on a display unit, The evaluation method according to [5], wherein, on the display unit, the second image data represents an area to be applied to the two surfaces and the connection area of ​​the decorative sheet.

[0013] [7] further comprising a step of displaying the second image data on a display unit, The evaluation method according to any one of [1] to [6], wherein the decorative sheet represented by the second image data can be translated, rotated, enlarged and / or reduced on the display unit.

[0014] [8] the first image data represents a colored decorative sheet; The evaluation method according to any one of [1] to [7], wherein the second image data is generated by changing the color of each part of the decorative sheet before molding represented by the first image data to a color corresponding to the calculated elongation of each part of the decorative sheet.

[0015] [9] the decorative sheet after molding represented by the second image data includes a first region used as a part of the decorated molded product and a second region other than the first region, The evaluation method according to any one of [1] to [8], further comprising the step of generating third image data representing only the first region based on the second image data.

[0016]

[10] further comprising a step of displaying the third image data on a display unit, The decorated molded article includes a connection region where two surfaces are connected, the two surfaces having an inclination angle of 45° or more relative to each other, The evaluation method according to [9], wherein, on the display unit, the third image data represents an area to be applied to the two surfaces and the connection area of ​​the decorative sheet.

[0017]

[11] further comprising a step of displaying the third image data on a display unit, The evaluation method according to [9] or

[10] , wherein the decorative sheet represented by the third image data can be translated, rotated, enlarged, and / or reduced on the display unit.

[0018]

[12] An apparatus for evaluating deformation of a pattern of a decorative sheet after molding relative to the decorative sheet before molding when producing a decorated molded product including the molded decorative sheet, a storage unit that stores molded product data representing a three-dimensional shape of the decorated molded product and first image data representing the decorative sheet before molding; a mold data generation unit that generates mold data representing a three-dimensional shape of a mold provisionally determined as a mold to be used in molding the decorative sheet based on the molded product data; a calculation unit that calculates, based on the mold data, an elongation of each portion of the decorative sheet after molding relative to the decorative sheet before molding when the decorative sheet is molded using the provisionally determined mold; a second image data generating unit that generates second image data representing the decorative sheet after molding using the provisionally determined molding die based on the calculated elongation of each portion of the decorative sheet and the first image data; Equipped with the first image data represents a decorative sheet having a pattern; The second image data generation unit generates the second image data by deforming the pattern of the decorative sheet before molding represented by the first image data according to the calculated elongation of each part of the decorative sheet.

[0019]

[13] an elongation display image data generating unit that generates elongation display image data that visually represents a correspondence relationship between each portion of the decorative sheet after molding using the provisionally determined molding die and the calculated elongation of each portion of the decorative sheet; a display unit that displays the stretched display image data; The evaluation device according to

[12] , further comprising:

[0020]

[14] The evaluation device according to

[12] , wherein the elongation display image data represents the calculated elongation of each portion of the decorative sheet in a color corresponding to the magnitude of the elongation.

[0021]

[15] The evaluation device according to

[12] , wherein the elongation display image data represents the calculated elongation of each portion of the decorative sheet as a line distortion corresponding to the magnitude of the elongation.

[0022]

[16] The evaluation device according to any one of

[12] to

[15] , wherein the decorated molded product includes a connection region where two surfaces are connected, the two surfaces having an inclination angle of 45° or more relative to each other.

[0023]

[17] further comprising a display unit that displays the second image data; The evaluation device according to

[16] , wherein, in the display unit, the second image data represents an area to be applied to the two surfaces and the connection area of ​​the decorative sheet.

[0024]

[18] further comprising a display unit that displays the second image data; The evaluation device according to any one of

[12] to

[17] , wherein the decorative sheet represented by the second image data can be translated, rotated, enlarged and / or reduced on the display unit.

[0025]

[19] the first image data represents a colored decorative sheet; The evaluation device according to any one of

[12] to

[18] , wherein the second image data generation unit generates the second image data by changing the color of each part of the decorative sheet before molding represented by the first image data to a color corresponding to the calculated elongation of each part of the decorative sheet.

[0026]

[20] the decorative sheet after molding represented by the second image data includes a first region used as a part of the decorated molded product and a second region other than the first region, The evaluation device according to any one of

[12] to

[19] , further comprising a third image data generation unit that generates third image data representing only the first region based on the second image data.

[0027] [twenty one] further comprising a display unit that displays the third image data; The decorated molded article includes a connection region where two surfaces are connected, the two surfaces having an inclination angle of 45° or more relative to each other, The evaluation device according to

[20] , wherein, in the display unit, the third image data represents an area to be applied to the two surfaces and the connection area of ​​the decorative sheet.

[0028] [twenty two] further comprising a display unit that displays the third image data; The evaluation device according to

[20] or

[21] , wherein the display unit is capable of translating, rotating, enlarging and / or reducing the decorative sheet represented by the third image data.

[0029] [twenty three] A method for producing a decorated molded product including a molded decorative sheet, comprising:

[10] A step of evaluating deformation of a pattern on the decorative sheet after molding relative to the decorative sheet before molding, when the decorative sheet is molded using the provisionally determined molding die, according to the evaluation method described in any one of [1] to

[11] ; a step of determining the decorative sheet and / or a molding die to be used for molding the decorative sheet based on the calculated deformation of the pattern of the decorative sheet; It is equipped with:

[0030] [twenty four] A method for producing a decorated molded product including a molded decorative sheet, comprising: generating or acquiring molded product data representing a three-dimensional shape of the decorated molded product; a step of provisionally determining a molding die to be used for molding the decorative sheet based on the molded product data; generating forming mold data representing the provisionally determined three-dimensional shape of the forming mold; generating or acquiring first image data representing the decorative sheet before molding; a step of calculating, based on the mold data, elongation of each portion of the decorative sheet after molding relative to the decorative sheet before molding when the decorative sheet is molded using the provisionally determined mold; If the elongation of the decorative sheet after molding is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold, generating second image data representing the decorative sheet after molding using the provisionally determined molding die based on the calculated elongation of each portion of the decorative sheet and the first image data; a step of changing or correcting the provisionally determined molding die when the elongation of the decorative sheet after molding is greater than the threshold value; Equipped with the first image data represents a decorative sheet having a pattern; The manufacturing method, wherein the second image data is generated by deforming a pattern of the decorative sheet before molding, which is represented by the first image data, in accordance with the calculated elongation of each portion of the decorative sheet.

[0031] [twenty five] A method for producing a decorated molded product including a molded decorative sheet, comprising: generating or acquiring molded product data representing a three-dimensional shape of the decorated molded product; a step of provisionally determining a molding die to be used for molding the decorative sheet based on the molded product data; generating forming mold data representing the provisionally determined three-dimensional shape of the forming mold; generating or acquiring first image data representing the decorative sheet before molding; a step of calculating, based on the mold data, elongation of each portion of the decorative sheet after molding relative to the decorative sheet before molding when the decorative sheet is molded using the provisionally determined mold; generating second image data representing the decorative sheet after molding using the provisionally determined molding die based on the calculated elongation of each portion of the decorative sheet and the first image data; determining whether to change or modify the provisionally determined molding mold based at least in part on the second image data; Equipped with the first image data represents a decorative sheet having a pattern; The manufacturing method, wherein the second image data is generated by deforming a pattern of the decorative sheet before molding, which is represented by the first image data, in accordance with the calculated elongation of each portion of the decorative sheet.

[0032]

[26] A method for producing a decorated molded product including a molded decorative sheet, comprising: generating or acquiring molded product data representing a three-dimensional shape of the decorated molded product; a step of provisionally determining a molding die to be used for molding the decorative sheet based on the molded product data; generating forming mold data representing the provisionally determined three-dimensional shape of the forming mold; generating or acquiring first image data representing the decorative sheet before molding; a step of calculating, based on the mold data, elongation of each portion of the decorative sheet after molding relative to the decorative sheet before molding when the decorative sheet is molded using the provisionally determined mold; generating second image data representing the decorative sheet after molding using the provisionally determined molding die based on the calculated elongation of each portion of the decorative sheet and the first image data; determining whether to change or modify the first image data based at least in part on the second image data; Equipped with the first image data represents a decorative sheet having a pattern; The manufacturing method, wherein the second image data is generated by deforming a pattern of the decorative sheet before molding, which is represented by the first image data, in accordance with the calculated elongation of each portion of the decorative sheet.

[0033]

[27] The manufacturing method according to any one of

[24] to

[26] , further comprising a step of generating elongation display image data that visually represents the correspondence between each part of the decorative sheet after molding with the provisionally determined molding die and the calculated elongation of each part of the decorative sheet.

[0034]

[28] The manufacturing method according to

[27] , wherein the elongation display image data represents the calculated elongation of each part of the decorative sheet in a color corresponding to the magnitude of the elongation.

[0035]

[29] The manufacturing method according to

[27] or

[28] , wherein the elongation display image data represents the calculated elongation of each part of the decorative sheet by a line distortion corresponding to the magnitude of the elongation.

[0036]

[30] The manufacturing method according to any one of

[24] to

[29] , wherein the decorated molded article includes a connection region where two surfaces are connected, the two surfaces having an inclination angle of 45° or more relative to each other.

[0037]

[31] further comprising a step of displaying the second image data on a display unit, The manufacturing method according to

[30] , wherein in the display unit, the second image data represents an area to be applied to the two surfaces and the connection area of ​​the decorative sheet.

[0038]

[32] The manufacturing method according to any one of

[24] to

[31] , wherein the elongation of each portion of the decorative sheet is calculated based on the mold data and the molding method of the decorated molded product.

[0039]

[33] further comprising a step of displaying the second image data on a display unit, The manufacturing method according to any one of

[24] to

[32] , wherein the decorative sheet represented by the second image data can be translated, rotated, enlarged and / or reduced on the display unit.

[0040]

[34] the first image data represents a colored decorative sheet; The manufacturing method according to any one of

[24] to

[33] , wherein the second image data is generated by changing the color of each part of the decorative sheet before molding represented by the first image data to a color corresponding to the calculated elongation of each part of the decorative sheet.

[0041]

[35] The manufacturing method according to any one of

[24] to

[34] , wherein the mold data includes data relating to a region corresponding to the decorated molded product and data relating to other regions.

[0042]

[36] the decorative sheet after molding represented by the second image data includes a first region used as a part of the decorated molded product and a second region other than the first region, The manufacturing method according to any one of

[24] to

[35] , further comprising the step of generating third image data representing only the first region based on the second image data.

[0043]

[37] further comprising a step of displaying the third image data on a display unit, The decorated molded article includes a connection region where two surfaces are connected, the two surfaces having an inclination angle of 45° or more relative to each other, The manufacturing method according to

[36] , wherein in the display unit, the third image data represents an area to be applied to the two surfaces and the connection area of ​​the decorative sheet.

[0044]

[38] further comprising a step of displaying the third image data on a display unit, The manufacturing method according to

[36] or

[37] , wherein the decorative sheet represented by the third image data can be translated, rotated, enlarged, and / or reduced on the display unit.

[0045]

[39] A method for producing a decorated molded product including a molded decorative sheet, comprising: generating or acquiring molded product data representing a three-dimensional shape of the decorated molded product; a step of provisionally determining a molding die to be used for molding the decorative sheet based on the molded product data; generating forming mold data representing the provisionally determined three-dimensional shape of the forming mold; generating or acquiring a plurality of first image data representing a plurality of decorative sheets before molding; a step of calculating, based on the molding die data, an elongation of each portion of the decorative sheet after molding relative to the decorative sheet before molding, when each of the plurality of decorative sheets represented by the plurality of first image data is molded using the provisionally determined molding die; generating second image data representing each decorative sheet after molding using the provisionally determined molding die based on the calculated elongation of each portion of each decorative sheet and the first image data representing the decorative sheet; determining a decorative sheet to be used in producing the decorated molded product based on a plurality of second image data corresponding to a plurality of first image data; Equipped with Each of the first image data represents a decorative sheet having a pattern; A manufacturing method in which each second image data is generated by deforming the pattern of the decorative sheet before molding, represented by the first image data corresponding to the second image data, in accordance with the calculated elongation of each part of the decorative sheet.

[0046]

[40] A method for producing a decorated molded product including a molded decorative sheet, comprising: generating or acquiring molded product data representing a three-dimensional shape of the decorated molded product; a step of provisionally determining a plurality of molding dies to be used for molding the decorative sheet based on the molded product data; generating a plurality of pieces of forming mold data representing the three-dimensional shapes of the plurality of provisionally determined forming molds; generating or acquiring first image data representing the decorative sheet before molding; a step of calculating, when the decorative sheet is molded using each of the provisionally determined molding dies, an elongation of each portion of the decorative sheet after molding relative to the decorative sheet before molding based on the molding die data corresponding to the molding die; generating a plurality of second image data representing the decorative sheet after molding using each of the provisionally determined plurality of molding dies based on the calculated elongation of each portion of the decorative sheet and the first image data; determining a molding die to be used for producing the decorated molded product based on the second image data; Equipped with the first image data represents a decorative sheet having a pattern; A manufacturing method in which each of the plurality of second image data is generated by deforming the pattern of the decorative sheet before molding represented by the first image data in accordance with the elongation of each part of the decorative sheet calculated based on molding mold data corresponding to the second image data.

[0047]

[41] An apparatus for evaluating deformation of a pattern of a decorative sheet after molding relative to the decorative sheet before molding when producing a decorated molded product including the molded decorative sheet, a storage unit that stores molded product data representing a three-dimensional shape of the decorated molded product and first image data representing the decorative sheet before molding; a mold data generation unit that generates mold data representing a three-dimensional shape of a mold provisionally determined as a mold to be used in molding the decorative sheet based on the molded product data; a calculation unit that calculates, based on the mold data, an elongation of each portion of the decorative sheet after molding relative to the decorative sheet before molding when the decorative sheet is molded using the provisionally determined mold; a second image data generating unit that generates second image data representing the decorative sheet after molding using the provisionally determined molding die based on the calculated elongation of each portion of the decorative sheet and the first image data when the elongation of the decorative sheet after molding is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold value; Equipped with the first image data represents a decorative sheet having a pattern; the second image data generation unit generates the second image data by deforming a pattern of the decorative sheet before molding represented by the first image data in accordance with the calculated elongation of each portion of the decorative sheet; When the elongation of the decorative sheet after molding is greater than the threshold value, the mold data generation unit generates new mold data representing the three-dimensional shape of a mold that is tentatively determined as the mold to be used to mold the decorative sheet, based on the molded product data.

[0048]

[42] an elongation display image data generating unit that generates elongation display image data that visually represents a correspondence relationship between each portion of the decorative sheet after molding using the provisionally determined molding die and the calculated elongation of each portion of the decorative sheet; a display unit that displays the stretched display image data; The evaluation device according to

[41] , further comprising:

[0049]

[43] The evaluation device according to

[42] , wherein the elongation display image data represents the calculated elongation of each portion of the decorative sheet in a color corresponding to the magnitude of the elongation.

[0050]

[44] The evaluation device according to

[42] or

[43] , wherein the elongation display image data represents the calculated elongation of each part of the decorative sheet by a line distortion corresponding to the magnitude of the elongation.

[0051]

[45] The evaluation device according to any one of

[41] to

[44] , wherein the decorated molded product includes a connection region where two surfaces are connected, the two surfaces having an inclination angle of 45° or more relative to each other.

[0052]

[46] further comprising a display unit that displays the second image data; The evaluation device according to

[45] , wherein, in the display unit, the second image data represents an area to be applied to the two surfaces and the connection area of ​​the decorative sheet.

[0053]

[47] The evaluation device according to any one of

[41] to

[46] , wherein the calculation unit calculates the elongation of each portion of the decorative sheet based on the molding die data and the molding method of the decorated molded product.

[0054]

[48] further comprising a display unit that displays the second image data; The evaluation device according to any one of

[41] to

[47] , wherein the decorative sheet represented by the second image data can be translated, rotated, enlarged and / or reduced on the display unit.

[0055]

[49] the first image data represents a colored decorative sheet; The evaluation device described in any one of

[41] to

[48] , wherein the second image data generation unit generates the second image data by changing the color of each part of the decorative sheet before molding represented by the first image data to a color corresponding to the calculated elongation of each part of the decorative sheet.

[0056]

[50] The evaluation device according to any one of

[41] to

[49] , wherein the mold data includes data relating to a region corresponding to the decorated molded product and data relating to other regions.

[0057]

[51] the decorative sheet after molding represented by the second image data includes a first region used as a part of the decorated molded product and a second region other than the first region, The evaluation device according to any one of

[41] to

[50] , further comprising a third image data generation unit that generates third image data representing only the first region based on the second image data.

[0058]

[52] further comprising a display unit that displays the third image data; The decorated molded article includes a connection region where two surfaces are connected, the two surfaces having an inclination angle of 45° or more relative to each other, The evaluation device according to

[51] , wherein, in the display unit, the third image data represents an area to be applied to the two surfaces and the connection area of ​​the decorative sheet.

[0059]

[53] further comprising a display unit that displays the third image data; The evaluation device according to

[51] or

[52] , wherein the display unit is capable of translating, rotating, enlarging and / or reducing the decorative sheet represented by the third image data. [Effects of the Invention]

[0060] According to the embodiments of the present disclosure, deformation of a pattern on a decorative sheet when producing a decorated molded product can be evaluated without producing a mold or a decorated molded product. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0061] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining one embodiment, and is a cross-sectional view for explaining the configuration of a decorated molded product. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining an example of a method for manufacturing the decorated molded product of FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining an example of a method for manufacturing the decorated molded product of FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining an example of a method for manufacturing the decorated molded product of FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an evaluation device used in the production of the decorated molded product of FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a three-dimensional shape represented by molded product data. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the molding die data. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the stretched display image data. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing another example of the stretched display image data. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a decorative sheet before molding. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of the decorative sheet after molding represented by the second image data. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of a decorative sheet represented by the third image data. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a method for manufacturing the decorated molded product of FIG. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a diagram showing yet another example of the stretched display image data. [Figure 15A] FIG. 15A is a diagram showing another example of the decorative sheet after molding, which is indicated by the second image data. [Figure 15B] FIG. 15B is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 15A. [Figure 16A] FIG. 16A is a diagram showing yet another example of the decorative sheet after molding, which is indicated by the second image data. [Figure 16B] FIG. 16B is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 16A. [Figure 17] FIG. 17 is a flowchart illustrating another example of the method for manufacturing the decorated molded article of FIG. [Figure 18] FIG. 18 is a flowchart illustrating yet another example of the method for manufacturing the decorated molded article of FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0062] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that in the drawings accompanying this specification, the scale and aspect ratios have been appropriately changed and exaggerated from those of the actual objects for the sake of ease of illustration and understanding.

[0063] First, the configuration and manufacturing method of a decorated molded product will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 4. Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the configuration of a decorated molded product 1. Figures 2 to 4 are diagrams for explaining an example of a manufacturing method of the decorated molded product 1 of Figure 1.

[0064] The decorated molded product 1 is used, for example, as an interior or exterior part of a moving object, an interior or exterior material for a building, or a housing for a home appliance. Examples of the moving object include an automobile, a railroad car, a dolly, a ship, an airplane, a helicopter, a drone, and a robot. As shown in Fig. 1, the decorated molded product 1 includes a molded portion 2 and a decorative sheet 3.

[0065] The molded portion 2 is produced by injection molding a resin material, as will be described later. The resin material forming the molded portion 2 is not particularly limited. Examples of resin materials forming the molded portion 2 include polycarbonate resin, acrylic resin such as polymethyl methacrylate, and ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene copolymer). The molded portion 2 may be transparent or opaque. The molded portion 2 may be colored.

[0066] The decorative sheet 3 covers at least a portion of the surface of the molded portion 2. In the illustrated example, the decorative sheet 3 is produced by laminating a design layer 5, a surface protection layer 6, etc. onto a base sheet 4 made of a resin material. Examples of resin materials that can form the base sheet 4 include acrylic resins such as polymethyl methacrylate, polyethylene terephthalate, vinyl chloride, ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene copolymer), polycarbonate, polyethylene naphthalate, polystyrene, cyclic polyolefin, polypropylene, etc. Sheets of the exemplified materials may be used in a single layer or in multiple layers; for example, acrylic resin and ABS may be laminated. The base sheet 4 may be transparent or opaque. The base sheet 4 may be colored.

[0067] The design layer 5 is a layer on which, for example, colors, patterns, figures, designs, pictures, photographs, characters, marks, pictograms, letters, numbers, or other designs are formed. Alternatively, the design layer 5 is a layer that has an internal uneven structure and presents a three-dimensional effect with depth. Such a design layer 5 can also express the texture of materials such as wood, cloth, leather, stone, and metal. The design layer 5 may be formed by printing or transfer.

[0068] The surface protection layer 6 forms the outermost surface of the decorated molded article 1. The surface protection layer 6 has properties such as scratch resistance. The surface protection layer 6 is made of, for example, a resin material. Examples of resin materials that can be used to form the surface protection layer 6 include thermoplastic resins, thermosetting resins, and ionizing radiation curable resins.

[0069] The configuration of the decorative sheet 3 is not limited to the above example. For example, the decorative sheet 3 may include functional layers such as an ultraviolet absorbing layer, an anti-reflection layer, a light diffusing layer, an adhesive layer, a backer layer, and a light-shielding pattern.

[0070] Such a decorated molded product 1 is produced, for example, by the following method. First, as shown in FIG. 2, a molding die 10 is prepared. The molding die 10 has a shape corresponding to the shape of the decorated molded product 1. The molding die 10 has a female die 11 and a male die 12. The female die 11 and the male die 12 each have cavity surfaces 13, 14 that define a space that will become the molding cavity C. The female die 11 is provided with a suction hole 15 for discharging air from the cavity C.

[0071] Next, as shown in FIG. 3, the decorative sheet 3 is placed facing the cavity surface 13 of the female mold 11 and fixed to the female mold 11 using a sheet clamp 16 or the like. In the illustrated example, the sheet clamp 16 is formed in a frame shape in a plan view. Next, the decorative sheet 3 is heated and softened with a heater 17, while the air between the decorative sheet 3 and the cavity surface 13 of the female mold 11 is exhausted through the suction holes 15. This causes the softened decorative sheet 3 to stretch and assume a shape that roughly conforms to the cavity surface 13. In this way, the decorative sheet 3 is preformed.

[0072] Next, as shown in FIG. 4, the cavity surface 14 of the male mold 12 is placed opposite the cavity surface 13 of the female mold 11, and the male mold 12 is tightly attached and fixed to the female mold 11. Next, the cavity C formed between the female mold 11 and the male mold 12 is filled with a heated and melted resin material R. The resin material R is the resin material that forms the molded portion 2. By filling the cavity C with the heated resin material R, the decorative sheet 3 takes on a shape corresponding to the cavity surface 13 of the female mold 11. In this way, the decorative sheet 3 is molded. At the same time, the molded portion 2 is also molded. After the resin material R in the cavity C has cooled and solidified, the molding die 10 is opened to remove the molded product, and unnecessary portions of the decorative sheet 3 are trimmed as necessary. In this way, a decorated molded product 1 is produced. Hereinafter, the above-described method for manufacturing a decorated molded product may be referred to as a first manufacturing method (the so-called Thermoject method).

[0073] 2 to 4. For example, the decorative sheet 3 may be preformed using a preforming mold before being applied to the molding die 10. In this case, the decorative molded product 1 may be produced by the following method. That is, the heated decorative sheet 3 is stretched along the preforming mold to preform it into a shape that roughly corresponds to the cavity surface 13 of the female die 11 of the molding die 10. Next, the preformed decorative sheet 3 is removed from the preforming mold and placed in the molding die 10 as shown in FIG. 4. Next, the cavity C is filled with molten resin material R. After the resin in the cavity C has cooled and solidified, the molding die 10 is opened and the molded product is removed. After or before molding the molded product in the molding die 10, unnecessary portions of the decorative sheet 3 are trimmed as necessary. In this way, the decorated molded product 1 is produced. Hereinafter, the above-mentioned method for producing a decorative molded product may be referred to as the second manufacturing method (the so-called film insert method). The decorated molded product may be manufactured using a third manufacturing method (for example, a method using a molding method such as in-mold molding) other than the first and second manufacturing methods exemplified above.

[0074] When a decorative sheet is molded, a portion of the decorative sheet may significantly elongate depending on the surface shape of the molded product and the shape of the molding die. The elongation rate of the portion may be, for example, 50% to 200%. In this case, the portion of the decorative sheet may elongate by 1.5 to 3 times compared to its size before molding. When a portion of the decorative sheet elongates at such a large elongation rate, the pattern on the decorative sheet may be significantly distorted, resulting in the decorative molded product having a design different from the intended design. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, if a decorative molded product 1 includes a first surface 1a, a second surface 1b having an inclination angle θ of 45° or more relative to the first surface 1a, and a connection region 1c where the first surface 1a and the second surface 1b are connected, and a decorative sheet 3 is applied from the first surface 1a to the second surface 1b, the decorative sheet 3 tends to significantly elongate in the connection region 1c. Such connection regions 1c are included, for example, in corners or corners of the decorative molded product 1. When the decorative molded product 1 includes such regions where the decorative sheet 3 significantly stretches, it is difficult to predict how the pattern on the decorative sheet 3 will deform due to the stretching. In such connection regions 1c, the decorative sheet 3 may stretch in multiple directions, making it even more difficult to predict how the pattern on the decorative sheet 3 will deform due to the stretching. Furthermore, such connection regions 1c are likely to attract the viewer's attention, and the pattern on the decorative sheet 3 in these regions 1c has a significant impact on the overall design of the decorative molded product 1. The inclination angle of the second surface 1b relative to the first surface 1a may be 50° or more, 55° or more, or 60° or more. There is no upper limit to the inclination angle θ, but it may be, for example, less than 90°.

[0075] If the decorative sheet's pattern becomes distorted due to significant elongation, it is possible to suppress the distortion by modifying the surface shape of the decorative molded product or the shape of the molding die. This allows the design imparted to the decorative molded product to be closer to the intended design. However, repeatedly remaking the molding die until a satisfactory decorative molded product is produced increases the time and cost required to complete the decorative molded product.

[0076] Furthermore, it is not possible to predict the deformation of the pattern on the decorative sheet simply by predicting the elongation of each part of the decorative sheet due to molding, because even if the decorative sheet is molded using the same mold, the degree of deformation of the pattern on the decorative sheet after molding as perceived by an observer will differ from the degree of deformation of the decorative sheet before molding, depending on the pattern on the decorative sheet.

[0077] For example, if the decorative sheet before molding has a pattern consisting of a regular two-dimensional arrangement pattern such as a mesh pattern, and if a portion of the decorative sheet is significantly stretched by molding, an observer will tend to easily notice the deformation of the pattern on the decorative sheet after molding compared to the decorative sheet before molding. On the other hand, if the decorative sheet before molding has a pattern whose regularity is difficult to grasp at a glance, such as a wood grain pattern, an observer will tend not to notice the deformation of the pattern on the decorative sheet after molding compared to the decorative sheet before molding, even if a portion of the decorative sheet is significantly stretched by molding.

[0078] Furthermore, even when decorative sheets are formed using the same mold, the degree of deformation of the pattern of the decorative sheet after molding relative to the decorative sheet before molding may differ depending on the positional relationship between the pattern of the decorative sheet and the mold when molding the decorative sheet. For example, consider a case where the pattern of the decorative sheet is a striped pattern composed of multiple lines. In this case, if the lines that make up the striped pattern extend over a region of the decorative sheet that is significantly stretched, the observer tends to easily notice the deformation of the pattern of the decorative sheet after molding relative to the decorative sheet before molding. On the other hand, if the lines that make up the striped pattern do not extend over a region of the decorative sheet that is significantly stretched, the observer tends to have a hard time noticing the deformation of the pattern of the decorative sheet after molding relative to the decorative sheet before molding.

[0079] In order to evaluate the deformation of the pattern on the decorative sheet, it is possible to produce multiple prototypes of decorated molded products using decorative sheets with different patterns for one molding mold, or to produce multiple prototypes of decorated molded products for one molding mold by changing the positional relationship between the pattern and the molding mold, but such methods lead to an increase in the time and cost required to complete the decorated molded product.

[0080] The manufacturing method of the decorated molded product according to this embodiment is devised so that deformation of the pattern on the decorative sheet when producing the decorated molded product can be evaluated without creating a mold or producing the decorated molded product.

[0081] In the illustrated example, the manufacturing method of the decorated molded product 1 uses an evaluation device 20 shown in Fig. 5, which makes it possible to evaluate deformation of the pattern on the decorative sheet 3 when manufacturing the decorated molded product 1 without manufacturing the molding die 10 or manufacturing the decorated molded product 1. The evaluation device 20 shown in Fig. 5 includes a storage unit 21, a molding die data generation unit 22, a calculation unit 23, an elongation display image data generation unit 24, a second image data generation unit 25, a third image data generation unit 26, and a display unit 27.

[0082] The storage unit 21 stores molded product data that represents the three-dimensional shape of the decorated molded product 1. The molded product data is, for example, three-dimensional CAD data. The molded product data is generated, for example, based on CAD data for designing the decorated molded product, or a model or image data that represents the external shape of the decorated molded product. The molded product data may be generated by the person who evaluates the deformation of the pattern on the decorative sheet 3, or may be obtained from a person other than the person who performs the evaluation (for example, a customer who requests the production of the decorated molded product 1).

[0083] The storage unit 21 also stores image data (hereinafter also referred to as "first image data") that represents the decorative sheet 3 before it is formed using the forming mold 10. The decorative sheet 3 represented by the first image data has a pattern. The first image data is generated, for example, based on a sample of the decorative sheet 3. The first image data may be two-dimensional image data that includes the design of the decorative sheet 3, or may be three-dimensional image data that includes the design and surface structure of the decorative sheet 3. The first image data may be generated by the person who evaluates the deformation of the pattern of the decorative sheet 3, or may be obtained from a party other than the person who performs the evaluation (for example, a supplier of the decorative sheet 3).

[0084] Based on the molded product data stored in the storage unit 21, the mold data generation unit 22 generates mold data representing the three-dimensional shape of a mold provisionally determined as the mold 10 used to mold the decorative sheet 3. For example, if the molded product data represents a three-dimensional shape as shown in FIG. 6, the mold data shown in FIG. 7 is generated based on the molded product data. In the example shown in FIG. 7, the mold data includes data on a region corresponding to the decorated molded product (a region corresponding to the "first region 31" described below) and data on other regions (a region corresponding to the "second region 32" described below). By including data on regions other than the region corresponding to the decorated molded product, the elongation of each portion of the decorative sheet 3 when molded using the mold represented by the mold data can be evaluated with higher accuracy. The mold data is, for example, three-dimensional CAD data. The provisional determination of the mold 10 may take into account, for example, the method for producing the decorated molded product 1 described above. In other words, when one of the first manufacturing method and the second manufacturing method described above is used as a method for producing the decorated molded product 1, a different mold may be provisionally determined as the mold 10 to be used for molding the decorative sheet 3. Furthermore, when one of the first manufacturing method, the second manufacturing method, and the other manufacturing method is used, a different mold may be provisionally determined as the mold 10 to be used for molding the decorative sheet 3, when another method is used.

[0085] When the decorative sheet 3 is molded using the provisionally determined mold 10, the calculation unit 23 calculates the elongation of each part of the decorative sheet 3 after molding relative to the decorative sheet 3 before molding, based on the mold data.

[0086] The stretch display image data generating unit 24 generates image data (hereinafter also referred to as "stretch display image data") visually showing the correspondence between each part of the decorative sheet 3 after molding with the provisionally determined molding die 10 and the calculated stretch of each part of the decorative sheet 3. FIGS. 8 and 9 are examples of stretch display image data, showing the stretch of each part of the decorative sheet 3 calculated based on the molding die data shown in FIG. 7. The stretch display image data shown in FIG. 8 indicates the calculated stretch of each part of the decorative sheet 3 with a color corresponding to the magnitude of the stretch. In the example shown in FIG. 8, the stretch display image data includes a chart 30 showing the correspondence between the magnitude of stretch and color. In the chart 30 shown in FIG. 8, a state in which the decorative sheet 3 has no stretch (a state in which the stretch rate is 0%) is set to "1," and a state in which the decorative sheet 3 has stretched 20% from a state in which the stretch rate is 20% is set to "1.2." However, this is merely an example, and the method of expressing the magnitude of stretch is not limited to this expression. Furthermore, the stretch display image data shown in FIG. 9 indicates the calculated stretch of each part of the decorative sheet 3 with a line distortion corresponding to the magnitude of the stretch. 9 expresses the calculated elongation of each part of the decorative sheet 3 by distortion of the lines forming the grid, but is not limited to this. By using such elongation display image data, it is possible to easily grasp the correspondence between each part of the decorative sheet 3 after molding and the calculated elongation of each part of the decorative sheet 3.

[0087] The second image data generating unit 25 generates image data (hereinafter also referred to as "second image data") that represents the decorative sheet 3 after molding with the provisionally determined molding die 10. The second image data is generated based on the elongation of each part of the decorative sheet 3 calculated by the calculation unit 23 and the first image data stored in the storage unit 21. Such second image data makes it possible to easily grasp the deformation of the pattern on the decorative sheet 3 molded with the provisionally determined molding die 10, and to easily grasp the design represented by the deformed pattern.

[0088] Specifically, the second image data generating unit 25 generates the second image data by deforming the pattern of the decorative sheet 3 before molding represented by the first image data according to the elongation of each part of the decorative sheet 3 calculated by the calculation unit 23. Furthermore, if the decorative sheet 3 represented by the first image data is colored, the second image data generating unit 25 may generate the second image data by changing the color of each part of the decorative sheet 3 before molding represented by the first image data to a color according to the elongation of each part of the decorative sheet 3 calculated by the calculation unit 23 (for example, by changing the color of a region of the decorative sheet 3 that is highly elongated to a lighter color than the color of the decorative sheet 3 represented by the first image data).

[0089] For example, consider a case where the first image data represents a decorative sheet having a striped pattern as shown in Fig. 10, and the elongation of each part of the decorative sheet 3 calculated by the calculation unit 23 is represented by the elongation display image data shown in Fig. 8 or 9. In this case, the decorative sheet 3 after molding represented by the second image data generated by the second image data generation unit 25 is roughly the decorative sheet as shown in Fig. 11. The striped pattern of the decorative sheet 3 shown in Fig. 11 is significantly distorted in a region of the decorative sheet 3 where the elongation calculated by the calculation unit 23 is large. The decorative sheet 3 shown in Fig. 11 includes a first region 31 used as part of the decorated molded product 1, and a second region 32 which is a region other than the first region 31.

[0090] The third image data generating unit 26 generates third image data representing only the first region 31 based on the second image data. That is, the third image data represents the decorative sheet 3 obtained by trimming the second region 32, which is an area unnecessary for the decorated molded product 1, from the decorative sheet 3 after molding represented by the second image data. For example, if the decorative sheet represented by the second image data is the decorative sheet 3 shown in FIG. 11, the decorative sheet represented by the third image data is the decorative sheet 3 shown in FIG. 12. Such third image data makes it easy to understand the design imparted to the decorated molded product 1 by the decorative sheet 3. In this specification, the expression "representing only the first region" means mainly representing the first region 31, and may also mean representing part of the second region 32 together with the first region 31.

[0091] The display unit 27 receives input from the elongated display image data generating unit 24 and displays the elongated display image data. In the illustrated example, the display unit 27 receives input from the third image data generating unit 26 and displays the third image data. The display unit 27 may also receive input from the second image data generating unit 25 and display the second image data.

[0092] 6 and 7, the molded product data and mold data represent the three-dimensional shapes of the decorated molded product 1 and mold 10 in a planar view, but are not limited to this. The molded product data and mold data may represent the three-dimensional shapes of the decorated molded product 1 and mold 10 when viewed from any direction (for example, when viewed from the side, diagonally above, or diagonally below). Similarly, in Figures 8, 9, 11, and 12, the stretch display image data, second image data, and third image data represent the three-dimensional shapes of the molded decorative sheet 3 in a planar view, but are not limited to this.

[0093] For example, the stretched display image data, the second image data, and the third image data may represent the three-dimensional shape of the molded decorative sheet 3 when viewed from any direction (e.g., from the side, diagonally above, or diagonally below). In particular, by using the second image data or the third image data to represent the molded decorative sheet 3 as viewed from the side, diagonally above, or diagonally below, the state of the pattern of the decorative sheet 3 in the connection region 1c described above can be more easily grasped. Furthermore, by using the second image data or the third image data to represent the molded decorative sheet 3 as viewed from diagonally above or diagonally below, the display unit 27 can simultaneously display multiple surfaces (upper or lower surface and side surfaces) of the molded product 1 and corners or edges where these surfaces connect (e.g., the first surface 1a, the second surface 1b, and the connection region 1c shown in FIG. 1). As a result, a person performing an overall evaluation of the decorative sheet 3 (described later) can simultaneously grasp the state of the pattern of the decorative sheet 3 on the multiple surfaces and the corners or edges. 14 to 16B, which will be described later, the second image data and the third image data represent the molded decorative sheet 3 as seen from diagonally above. Using such second image data and third image data, the top and side surfaces of the decorated molded product 1 and the corners or edges where these surfaces connect are simultaneously displayed on the display unit 27. As a result, the person making the overall evaluation can simultaneously check the state of the pattern of the decorative sheet 3 on the top and side surfaces of the decorated molded product 1 and the corners or edges where these surfaces connect.

[0094] Furthermore, the display unit 27 may be capable of translating, rotating, enlarging and / or reducing the decorative sheet 3 represented by the stretched display image data, the second image data and the third image data in response to a request from the person making the overall evaluation (for example, by operating an input means (not shown) such as a keyboard or a mouse). This allows the decorative sheet 3 to be observed in the same way as if the person were actually holding the decorated molded article 1 in their hands and observing it.

[0095] Next, a method for evaluating deformation of a pattern on the decorative sheet 3 using the evaluation device 20 shown in FIG. 5 and a method for manufacturing the decorated molded product 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0096] First, molded product data and first image data are generated or acquired and stored in the storage unit 21 (Step S1). Next, a molding die 10 is provisionally determined based on the molded product data (Step S2). Next, a molding die data generation unit 22 generates molding die data representing the three-dimensional shape of the provisionally determined molding die 10 (Step S3). Next, a calculation unit 23 calculates, based on the molding die data, the elongation of each portion of the decorative sheet 3 after molding relative to the decorative sheet 3 before molding when the decorative sheet 3 is molded using the provisionally determined molding die 10 (Step S4). Next, a stretch display image data generation unit 24 generates stretch display image data and displays it on the display unit 27 (Step S5). The elongation of the decorative sheet 3 after molding is evaluated based on the stretch display image data displayed on the display unit 27 (Step S6). If the elongation of each portion of the decorative sheet 3 after molding using the provisionally determined molding die 10 is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold ("Yes" in Step S6), a second image data generation unit 25 generates second image data (Step S7). Next, the third image data generating unit 26 generates third image data from the second image data and displays it on the display unit 27 (step S8). Then, an overall evaluation of the first region 31 of the decorative sheet 3 is performed based on the third image data displayed on the display unit 27. The overall evaluation includes an evaluation of the deformation of the pattern of the decorative sheet 3 in each part of the first region 31. The overall evaluation may be performed by a person other than the person who evaluated the elongation of the decorative sheet 3 in step S6 (for example, the customer who requested the production of the decorated molded product 1). If the decorative sheet 3 represented by the third image data is approved ("Yes" in step S9), the molding die 10 provisionally determined in step S2 is determined as the molding die to be used to produce the decorated molded product 1 (i.e., as the molding die to be used to mold the decorative sheet 3). The determined molding die 10 is then fabricated, and the decorated molded product 1 is manufactured using the fabricated molding die 10 and the decorative sheet 3 represented by the first image data.

[0097] If the elongation of any part of the decorative sheet 3 after molding is greater than the threshold value in step S6 ("No" in step S6), or if the third image data is not approved in step S9 ("No" in step S9), the process returns to step S2 and a molding die is tentatively determined again. Specifically, before performing step S6 or step S9, the molding die tentatively determined in step S2 is changed or modified. Then, the processes from step S3 onwards are repeated based on the changed or modified molding die.

[0098] It should be noted that various modifications can be made to the embodiment described above.

[0099] For example, in the example shown in Fig. 13, in step S9, the overall evaluation of the first region 31 of the decorative sheet 3 is performed based on the third image data, but this is not limited to this. In step S9, the overall evaluation may be performed based on the second image data. When the overall evaluation is performed based on the second image data, the third image data does not need to be generated. In other words, the process of step S8 in Fig. 13 does not need to be performed.

[0100] 13 ("No" in step S9), the first image data used to generate the second image data may be changed or corrected instead of returning to step S2 and provisionally deciding on the molding tool again. In this case, the second image data and the third image data are generated based on the changed or corrected first image data, and once approval is obtained in step S9, the decorated molded product 1 may be manufactured using the decorative sheet 3 represented by the changed or corrected first image data.

[0101] Specifically, consider the case where the second image data generated in step S7 represents the decorative sheet 3 shown in FIG. 11. In this case, by widening the spacing between the lines forming the striped pattern of the decorative sheet 3, a striped pattern with less distortion can be imparted to the decorated molded product 1. Therefore, the first image data is modified so that the spacing between the lines of the striped pattern of the decorative sheet 3 represented by the first image data is widened, and the second image data and third image data are generated using the modified first image data. Alternatively, in this case, by changing the positional relationship between the striped pattern of the decorative sheet 3 and the provisionally determined molding die, a striped pattern with less distortion can be imparted to the decorated molded product 1. Therefore, the first image data is modified so that the multiple lines forming the striped pattern of the decorative sheet 3 represented by the first image data are shifted in parallel along the direction in which the multiple lines are aligned, and the modified first image data is generated using the modified first image data. Then, once the third image data is approved in step S9, the decorated molded product 1 is manufactured using the decorative sheet 3 represented by the modified first image data. This allows the decorated molded product 1 to be manufactured with a striped pattern with less distortion.

[0102] Alternatively, consider a case where the first image data is changed from image data of a decorative sheet having a pattern composed of a regular two-dimensional array to image data of a decorative sheet having a pattern whose regularity is difficult to grasp at a glance. As a specific example, consider a case where the decorative sheet pattern represented by the first image data generated or acquired in step S1 is a mesh pattern composed of a regular two-dimensional array, the stretched display image data generated in step S5 is the image data shown in FIG. 14, and the second image data generated in step S7 based on these image data is the image data shown in FIG. 15A. FIG. 15B shows an enlarged portion of the second image data in FIG. 15A. In this case, as can be seen by comparing the stretched display image data in FIG. 14 with the second image data in FIGS. 15A and 15B, in areas where the stretch of the decorative sheet 3 is large, the distortion of the mesh pattern can be easily grasped from the second image data. If the third image data generated from this second image data is not approved in step S9, the first image data is changed to image data of a decorative sheet having a pattern whose regularity is difficult to grasp at a glance, such as a wood grain pattern. As a result, in step S7, second image data as shown in FIG. 16A is generated from the changed first image data and the stretched image data of FIG. 14. FIG. 16B shows an enlarged view of a portion of the second image data of FIG. 16A. In this case, as can be seen by comparing the stretched image data of FIG. 14 with the second image data of FIGS. 16A and 16B, distortion of the wood grain pattern is not easily detected from the second image data, even in areas where the stretching of the decorative sheet 3 is large. Then, once the third image data is approved in step S9, the decorative molded product 1 is manufactured using the decorative sheet 3 represented by the changed first image data. This makes it possible to manufacture a decorated molded product 1 with a wood grain pattern whose distortion is difficult to detect. Note that, in step S8 (or step S7), multiple sets of third image data (or multiple sets of second image data) may be displayed on the display unit 27 so that multiple sets of third image data (or multiple sets of second image data) can be compared simultaneously in step S9.

[0103] Furthermore, if the elongation rate of a certain decorative sheet 3 differs depending on the molding method of the decorative molded product 1 (for example, the above-mentioned first, second, and third manufacturing methods), the elongation display image data generated based on the first image data representing the decorative sheet 3 may also differ depending on the molding method of the decorative molded product 1. In other words, multiple different elongation display image data may be generated based on one decorative sheet 3 and multiple different molding methods. In this case, in step S5, multiple different elongation display image data generated based on the multiple different molding methods may be displayed on the display unit 27 so that differences in elongation of the decorative sheet 3 due to differences in the molding methods of the decorative molded product 1 can be compared. For example, two or more of the elongation display image data generated based on the first manufacturing method, the second manufacturing method, and the third manufacturing method may be displayed on the display unit 27.

[0104] In this way, in the example shown in FIG. 13, the mold data generation unit 22 generates one piece of mold data based on one piece of first image data in step S2, and the second image data generation unit 25 generates one piece of second image data based on one piece of mold data and one piece of first image data in step S7, but this is not limited to this.

[0105] For example, the second image data generating unit 25 may generate a plurality of second image data based on a plurality of first image data. Also, the third image data generating unit 26 may generate a plurality of third image data based on a plurality of second image data. In this case, the decorative sheet 3 used to produce the decorated molded product 1 may be determined by selecting one second image data and / or one third image data from the plurality of second image data and / or the plurality of third image data.

[0106] Furthermore, the molding die data generation unit 22 may generate a plurality of molding die data based on a plurality of provisionally determined molding dies. In this case, the elongation display image data generation unit 24 and the second image data generation unit 25 may generate a plurality of elongation display image data and a plurality of second image data based on the plurality of molding die data. Furthermore, the third image data generation unit 26 may generate a plurality of third image data based on the plurality of second image data. Then, the molding die to be used in producing the decorated molded product 1 may be determined by selecting one second image data and / or one third image data from the plurality of second image data and / or the plurality of third image data.

[0107] The stretch-display image data generating unit 24 may generate a plurality of stretch-display image data based on a plurality of mold data, and the second image data generating unit 25 may generate a plurality of second image data based on a plurality of mold data and a plurality of first image data. The third image data generating unit 26 may generate a plurality of third image data based on a plurality of second image data. In this case, the decorative sheet 3 and the mold 10 used to produce the decorated molded product 1 may be determined by selecting one second image data and / or one third image data from the plurality of second image data and / or the plurality of third image data.

[0108] FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing a method for manufacturing a decorated molded product 1, in which a decorative sheet 3 and a mold 10 to be used in producing the decorated molded product 1 are determined by selecting one piece of third image data from a plurality of pieces of third image data generated based on one piece of mold data and a plurality of pieces of first image data.

[0109] In the manufacturing method shown in FIG. 17, first, molded product data, one first image data, and other first image data are generated or acquired and stored in the storage unit 21 (step S11). The pattern of the decorative sheet 3 represented by the one first image data and the pattern of the decorative sheet 3 represented by the other first image data are different from each other. Next, one molding die 10 is provisionally determined based on the molded product data (step S12). Next, the molding die data generation unit 22 generates one molding die data representing the three-dimensional shape of the provisionally determined molding die 10 (step S13). Next, the calculation unit 23 calculates, based on the molding die data, the elongation of each part of the decorative sheet 3 after molding relative to the decorative sheet 3 before molding when the decorative sheet 3 is molded using the provisionally determined molding die 10 (step S14). Next, the elongation display image data generation unit 24 generates elongation display image data and displays it on the display unit 27 (step S15). The elongation of the decorative sheet 3 after molding is evaluated based on the elongation display image data displayed on the display unit 27 (step S16). If the elongation of each portion of the decorative sheet 3 after molding using the provisionally selected molding die 10 is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold ("Yes" in step S16), the second image data generation unit 25 generates one set of second image data and another set of second image data (step S17). The one set of second image data is second image data generated based on the molding die data and the one set of first image data. The other set of second image data is second image data generated based on the molding die data and the other set of first image data. Next, the third image data generation unit 26 generates one set of third image data from the one set of second image data, and generates another set of third image data from the other set of second image data. The one set of third image data is image data representing only the first region 31 of the decorative sheet 3 represented by the one set of second image data. The other set of third image data is image data representing only the first region 31 of the decorative sheet 3 represented by the other set of second image data. Then, the one third image data and the other third image data are displayed on the display unit 27 (step S18). Based on the third image data displayed on the display unit 27, an overall evaluation of the first region 31 of the decorative sheet 3 represented by the one third image data and the other third image data is performed, and either the one third image data or the other third image data is selected.Based on the selected third image data, the decorative sheet 3 and mold 10 to be used in producing the decorated molded product 1 are determined (step S19). Thereafter, the mold 10 determined in step S19 is produced, and the decorated molded product 1 is manufactured using the produced mold 10 and the decorative sheet 3 determined in step S19.

[0110] If the elongation of any part of the decorative sheet 3 after molding is greater than the threshold value in step S16 ("No" in step S16), the process returns to step S12 and a molding die is tentatively determined again. Specifically, before performing step S16, the molding die tentatively determined in step S12 is changed or modified. Thereafter, the processes from step S13 onwards are repeated based on the changed or modified molding die.

[0111] In the example shown in Fig. 17, in step S19, the overall evaluation of the first region 31 of the decorative sheet 3 is performed based on the third image data, but this is not limited to this. In step S19, the overall evaluation may be performed based on the second image data. When the overall evaluation is performed based on the second image data, the third image data does not need to be generated. In other words, the process of step S18 in Fig. 17 does not need to be performed.

[0112] FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing a method for manufacturing a decorated molded product 1, in which a decorative sheet 3 and a mold 10 to be used in producing the decorated molded product 1 are determined by selecting one piece of third image data from a plurality of pieces of third image data generated based on a plurality of mold data and a plurality of pieces of first image data.

[0113] 18, first, molded product data, one first image data, and another first image data are generated or acquired and stored in the storage unit 21 (step S21). The design of the decorative sheet 3 represented by the one first image data and the design of the decorative sheet 3 represented by the other first image data are different from each other.

[0114] Next, a forming mold 10 is provisionally determined for the decorative sheet 3 represented by the first image data based on the molded product data (step S22). Next, the forming mold data generation unit 22 generates a forming mold data representing the three-dimensional shape of the provisionally determined forming mold 10 (step S23). Next, the calculation unit 23 calculates, based on the forming mold data, the elongation of each part of the decorative sheet 3 after molding relative to the decorative sheet 3 before molding when the decorative sheet 3 is molded using the provisionally determined forming mold 10 (step S24). Next, the elongation display image data generation unit 24 generates a piece of elongation display image data representing the elongation of each part of the decorative sheet 3 calculated based on the forming mold data, and displays it on the display unit 27 (step S25). Based on the elongation display image data displayed on the display unit 27, the elongation of the decorative sheet 3 after molding is evaluated (step S26). If the elongation of each portion of the decorative sheet after molding with the provisionally selected molding die 10 is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold value ("Yes" in step S26), the second image data generation unit 25 generates a piece of second image data based on the molding die data and the piece of first image data (step S27). Next, the third image data generation unit 26 generates a piece of third image data from the piece of second image data, and displays it on the display unit 27 (step S28).

[0115] If the elongation of any part of the decorative sheet 3 after molding is greater than the threshold value in step S26 ("No" in step S26), the process returns to step S22, and one molding die is tentatively determined again. Specifically, before performing step S26, the one molding die tentatively determined in step S22 is changed or modified. Thereafter, the processes of steps S23 to S26 are repeated based on the changed or modified one molding die.

[0116] Furthermore, for the decorative sheet 3 represented by the other first image data, another molding die 10 different from the first molding die 10 is provisionally determined based on the molded product data (step S32). Next, the molding die data generating unit 22 generates other molding die data representing the three-dimensional shape of the provisionally determined other molding die 10 (step S33). Next, the calculation unit 23 calculates, based on the other molding die data, the elongation of each part of the decorative sheet 3 after molding relative to the decorative sheet 3 before molding when the decorative sheet 3 is molded using the provisionally determined other molding die 10 (step S34). Next, the elongation display image data generating unit 24 generates other elongation display image data representing the elongation of each part of the decorative sheet 3 calculated based on the other molding die data, and displays it on the display unit 27 (step S35). Based on the other elongation display image data displayed on the display unit 27, the elongation of the decorative sheet 3 after molding is evaluated (step S36). If the elongation of each portion of the decorative sheet after molding with the provisionally selected other molding die 10 is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold value ("Yes" in step S36), the second image data generation unit 25 generates other second image data based on the other molding die data and the other first image data (step S37). Next, the third image data generation unit 26 generates other third image data from the other second image data and displays it on the display unit 27 (step S38).

[0117] If the elongation of any part of the decorative sheet 3 after molding is greater than the threshold value in step S36 ("No" in step S36), the process returns to step S32, and another molding die is tentatively determined again. Specifically, before performing step S36, the other molding die tentatively determined in step S32 is changed or modified. Thereafter, the processes of steps S33 to S36 are repeated based on the changed or modified other molding die.

[0118] Next, based on the one third image data and the other third image data displayed on the display unit 27, an overall evaluation is performed on the first region 31 of the decorative sheet 3 represented by the one third image data and the other third image data, and one of the one third image data and the other third image data is selected. Based on the selected third image data, the decorative sheet 3 and the molding die 10 to be used in producing the decorated molded product 1 are determined (step S29). Thereafter, the molding die 10 determined in step S29 is produced, and the decorated molded product 1 is manufactured using the produced molding die 10 and the decorative sheet 3 determined in step S29.

[0119] In the example shown in Fig. 18, in step S29, the overall evaluation of the first region 31 of the decorative sheet 3 is performed based on the third image data, but this is not limited to this. In step S29, the overall evaluation may be performed based on the second image data. When the overall evaluation is performed based on the second image data, the third image data does not need to be generated. In other words, the processes of steps S28 and S38 in Fig. 18 do not need to be performed.

[0120] As yet another modification to the embodiment described above, for example, if the decorative sheet 3 represented by the first image data has an embossed surface with a matte texture, or if the decorative sheet 3 is made of a material that reduces the gloss of its surface (for example, a material with a matte texture), the second image data generation unit 25 may generate the second image data so that areas of the decorative sheet 3 with greater elongation appear to have a higher gloss than areas with less elongation.

[0121] From another perspective, the phenomenon of stretching of each part of the decorative sheet 3 can be considered as the phenomenon of thinning of the film thickness of the decorative sheet 3. Accordingly, for example, when the decorative sheet 3 represented by the first image data is made of a light-transmitting material, the second image data generating unit 25 may generate the second image data so that areas of the decorative sheet 3 that are more stretched appear brighter than areas of the decorative sheet 3 that are less stretched.

[0122] Furthermore, for example, consider a case where the decorative sheet represented by the first image data has a plurality of transparent holes that promote light transmission and are formed at a uniform density in a plan view of the decorative sheet 3. In this case, if it is considered that the opening area of ​​the transparent holes in the areas of high elongation of the decorative sheet 3 is larger than the opening area of ​​the transparent holes in the areas of low elongation of the decorative sheet 3, the second image data generation unit 25 may generate the second image data so that the areas of high elongation of the decorative sheet 3 appear brighter than the areas of low elongation of the decorative sheet 3. On the other hand, if it is considered that the density of the transparent holes in the areas of high elongation of the decorative sheet 3 is lower than the density of the transparent holes in the areas of low elongation of the decorative sheet 3, the second image data generation unit 25 may generate the second image data so that the areas of high elongation of the decorative sheet 3 appear darker than the areas of low elongation of the decorative sheet 3.

[0123] The evaluation method according to one embodiment described above is a method for evaluating deformation of a pattern on a molded decorative sheet 3 relative to the unmolded decorative sheet 3 when producing a decorated molded product 1 including the molded decorative sheet 3. The evaluation method includes the steps of generating or acquiring molded product data representing the three-dimensional shape of the decorated molded product 1, provisionally determining a mold 10 to be used to mold the decorative sheet 3 based on the molded product data, generating mold data representing the three-dimensional shape of the provisionally determined mold 10, generating or acquiring first image data representing the unmolded decorative sheet 3, calculating, based on the mold data, the elongation of each portion of the molded decorative sheet 3 relative to the unmolded decorative sheet 3 when molding the decorative sheet 3 with the provisionally determined mold 10, and generating second image data representing the unmolded decorative sheet 3 based on the calculated elongation of each portion of the decorative sheet 3 and the first image data. The first image data represents the decorative sheet 3 having a pattern. The second image data is generated by deforming the pattern of the decorative sheet 3 before molding, which is represented by the first image data, according to the calculated elongation of each part of the decorative sheet 3. According to this evaluation method, it is possible to evaluate the deformation of the pattern of the decorative sheet 3 when producing the decorated molded product 1 without producing the molding die 10 or the decorated molded product 1. This reduces the risk that the decorated molded product 1 produced will have a design that differs from the intended design, while reducing the time and cost required to produce the decorated molded product 1.

[0124] Furthermore, in the embodiment described above, the evaluation method further includes a step of generating elongation display image data that visually represents the correspondence between each portion of the decorative sheet 3 after molding with the provisionally determined molding die 10 and the calculated elongation of each portion of the decorative sheet 3. For example, the elongation display image data represents the calculated elongation of each portion of the decorative sheet 3 with a color corresponding to the magnitude of the elongation. Alternatively, the elongation display image data represents the calculated elongation of each portion of the decorative sheet 3 with a line distortion corresponding to the magnitude of the elongation. This makes it easy to understand the correspondence between each portion of the decorative sheet 3 molded with the provisionally determined molding die 10 and the calculated elongation of each portion of the decorative sheet 3.

[0125] Furthermore, in the embodiment described above, the decorated molded product 1 includes a connection region 1c where two surfaces 1a, 1b are connected, with an inclination angle θ of 45° or more relative to each other. When the decorative sheet 3 is applied to such a decorated molded product 1 from one surface 1a to the other surface 1b, the decorative sheet 3 tends to significantly stretch in the connection region 1c. When the decorated molded product 1 includes a region where the decorative sheet 3 significantly stretches, it is difficult to predict the deformation of the pattern of the decorative sheet 3 due to the stretching. However, according to the evaluation method described above, the deformation of the pattern of the decorative sheet 3 during the production of the decorated molded product 1 can be evaluated without producing the molding die 10 or the decorated molded product 1. In this case, the evaluation method further includes a step of displaying second image data on the display unit 27. On the display unit 27, the second image data may represent the region of the decorative sheet 3 that is applied to the two surfaces 1a, 1b and the connection region 1c. This makes it easy to grasp the deformation of the pattern on the decorative sheet 3 in the connection area 1c.

[0126] In the embodiment described above, the evaluation method further includes a step of displaying the second image data on the display unit 27. The decorative sheet 3 represented by the second image data can be translated, rotated, enlarged, and / or reduced on the display unit 27. In this case, the decorative sheet 3 can be observed in the same way as if the decorated molded article 1 were actually held in hand and observed.

[0127] Furthermore, in the embodiment described above, when the first image data represents a colored decorative sheet 3, the second image data is generated by changing the color of each part of the decorative sheet 3 before molding, which is shown in the first image data, to a color corresponding to the calculated elongation of each part of the decorative sheet 3. This makes it easy to grasp the design represented by the decorative sheet 3 molded with the provisionally determined molding die 10.

[0128] In the embodiment described above, the decorative sheet 3 after molding represented by the second image data includes a first region 31 used as part of the decorated molded product 1, and a second region 32 other than the first region 31. The evaluation method further includes a step of generating third image data representing only the first region 31 based on the second image data. This makes it possible to easily grasp the design imparted to the decorated molded product 1 by the decorative sheet 3.

[0129] In the embodiment described above, the evaluation method further includes a step of displaying third image data on the display unit 27. The decorated molded product 1 includes a connection region 1c where two surfaces 1a, 1b, which are inclined at an angle θ of 45° or more relative to each other, are connected. The display unit 27 displays the third image data representing the area of ​​the decorative sheet 3 that is applied to the two surfaces 1a, 1b and the connection region 1c. In this case, when the decorative sheet 3 is applied from one surface 1a to the other surface 1b of the decorated molded product 1, the decorative sheet 3 tends to significantly stretch in the connection region 1c. When the decorated molded product 1 includes a region where the decorative sheet 3 significantly stretches, it is difficult to predict the deformation of the pattern of the decorative sheet 3 due to the stretching. However, the evaluation method described above makes it easy to grasp the deformation of the pattern of the decorative sheet 3 in the connection region 1c.

[0130] In the embodiment described above, the evaluation method further includes a step of displaying the third image data on the display unit 27. The decorative sheet 3 represented by the third image data can be translated, rotated, enlarged, and / or reduced on the display unit 27. In this case, the decorative sheet 3 can be observed in the same way as if the decorated molded article 1 were actually held in hand and observed.

[0131] The evaluation device 20 according to the embodiment described above is a device for evaluating deformation of a pattern on a molded decorative sheet 3 relative to the pre-molded decorative sheet 3 when producing a decorated molded product 1 including the molded decorative sheet 3. The evaluation device 20 includes a storage unit 21 that stores molded product data representing the three-dimensional shape of the decorated molded product 1 and first image data representing the pre-molded decorative sheet 3, a mold data generation unit 22 that generates mold data representing the three-dimensional shape of a mold 10 provisionally determined as the mold to be used for molding the decorative sheet 3 based on the molded product data, a calculation unit 23 that calculates, based on the mold data, elongation of each portion of the molded decorative sheet 3 relative to the pre-molded decorative sheet 3 when molding the decorative sheet 3 with the provisionally determined mold 10, and a second image data generation unit 25 that generates second image data representing the decorative sheet 3 after molding with the provisionally determined mold based on the calculated elongation of each portion of the decorative sheet 3 and the first image data. Such an evaluation device 20 makes it possible to evaluate deformation of the pattern on the decorative sheet 3 when producing the decorated molded product 1 without producing the molding die 10 or the decorated molded product 1. This reduces the risk that the decorated molded product 1 produced will have a design different from the intended design, while reducing the time and cost required to produce the decorated molded product 1.

[0132] In the embodiment described above, the evaluation device 20 further includes an elongation display image data generation unit 24 that generates elongation display image data that visually represents the correspondence between each portion of the decorative sheet 3 after molding with the provisionally determined molding die 10 and the calculated elongation of each portion of the decorative sheet 3, and a display unit 27 that displays the elongation display image data. For example, the elongation display image data represents the calculated elongation of each portion of the decorative sheet 3 with a color corresponding to the magnitude of the elongation. Alternatively, the elongation display image data represents the calculated elongation of each portion of the decorative sheet 3 with a line distortion corresponding to the magnitude of the elongation. This makes it easy to understand the correspondence between each portion of the decorative sheet 3 molded with the provisionally determined molding die 10 and the calculated elongation of each portion of the decorative sheet 3.

[0133] Furthermore, in the embodiment described above, the decorated molded product 1 includes a connection region 1c where two surfaces 1a, 1b are connected, with an inclination angle θ of 45° or more relative to each other. When a decorative sheet 3 is applied to such a decorated molded product 1 from one surface 1a to the other surface 1b, the decorative sheet 3 tends to significantly stretch in the connection region 1c. When the decorated molded product 1 includes a region where the decorative sheet significantly stretches, it is difficult to predict the deformation of the decorative sheet's pattern due to the stretching. However, the evaluation device 20 described above can evaluate the deformation of the decorative sheet 3 when producing the decorated molded product 1 without producing the molding die 10 or the decorated molded product 1. In this case, the evaluation device 20 further includes a display unit 27 that displays second image data. The second image data may represent the region of the decorative sheet 3 that is applied to the two surfaces 1a, 1b and the connection region 1c. This makes it easy to grasp the deformation of the pattern on the decorative sheet 3 in the connection area 1c.

[0134] In the embodiment described above, the evaluation device 20 further includes a display unit 27 that displays the second image data. The decorative sheet 3 represented by the second image data can be translated, rotated, enlarged, and / or reduced on the display unit 27. In this case, the decorative sheet 3 can be observed in the same way as if the decorated molded article 1 were actually held in hand and observed.

[0135] Furthermore, in the embodiment described above, when the first image data represents a colored decorative sheet 3, the second image data generation unit 25 generates the second image data by changing the color of each part of the decorative sheet 3 before molding represented by the first image data to a color corresponding to the calculated elongation of each part of the decorative sheet 3. By displaying the second image data generated in this manner on the display unit 27, it is possible to easily grasp the design represented by the decorative sheet 3 when molded with the provisionally determined molding die 10.

[0136] Furthermore, in the embodiment described above, the decorative sheet 3 after molding represented by the second image data includes a first region 31 used as part of the decorated molded product 1 and a second region 32 other than the first region 31. The evaluation device 20 further includes a third image data generation unit 26 that generates third image data representing only the first region 31 based on the second image data. By displaying the third image data generated by the third image data generation unit 26 on the display unit 27, the design imparted to the decorated molded product 1 by the decorative sheet 3 can be easily grasped.

[0137] In the embodiment described above, the evaluation device 20 further includes a display unit 27 that displays third image data. The decorated molded product 1 includes a connection region 1c where two surfaces 1a, 1b, which are inclined at an angle of 45° or more relative to each other, are connected. The display unit 27 displays the third image data representing the area of ​​the decorative sheet 3 that is applied to the two surfaces 1a, 1b and the connection region 1c. In this case, when the decorative sheet 3 is applied from one surface 1a to the other surface 1b of the decorated molded product 1, the decorative sheet 3 tends to significantly stretch in the connection region 1c. When the decorated molded product 1 includes a region where the decorative sheet 3 significantly stretches, it is difficult to predict the deformation of the pattern of the decorative sheet 3 due to the stretching. However, the evaluation device 20 described above makes it easy to grasp the deformation of the pattern of the decorative sheet 3 in the connection region 1c.

[0138] In the embodiment described above, the evaluation device 20 further includes a display unit 27 that displays the third image data. The decorative sheet 3 represented by the third image data can be translated, rotated, enlarged, and / or reduced on the display unit 27. In this case, the decorative sheet 3 can be observed in the same way as if the decorated molded article 1 were actually held in hand and observed.

[0139] The manufacturing method according to one embodiment described above is a method for manufacturing a decorated molded product 1 including a molded decorative sheet 3. The manufacturing method includes the steps of: evaluating deformation of a pattern on the decorative sheet 3 after molding relative to the pre-molded decorative sheet 3 when molding the decorative sheet 3 using a provisionally determined molding die 10 according to the evaluation method described above; and determining the decorative sheet 3 and / or the molding die 10 to be used for molding the decorative sheet 3 based on the calculated deformation of the pattern on the decorative sheet 3. This manufacturing method makes it possible to evaluate the elongation of the decorative sheet 3 during production of the decorated molded product 1 before the decorated molded product 1 is actually produced. This reduces the risk of the decorated molded product 1 being imparted with a design different from the intended design, while reducing the time and cost required to produce the decorated molded product 1.

[0140] Although several modifications of the above-described embodiment have been described, it is of course possible to combine a plurality of modifications as appropriate. [Explanation of symbols]

[0141] 1 Decorative molding 2 Molding section 3 Decorative sheet 4 Base sheet 5 Design layer 6 Surface protective layer 10 mold 11 Female mold 12 male type 20 Evaluation equipment 21 Memory section 22 Mold data generation unit 23 Arithmetic section 24. Stretch display image data generation unit 25 Second image data generation unit 26 Third image data generation unit 27 Display section

Claims

1. A method for evaluating a change in design of a decorative sheet after molding compared to a decorative sheet before molding when producing a decorative molded product including the molded and light-transmitting decorative sheet, comprising: generating or acquiring molded product data representing a three-dimensional shape of the decorated molded product; a step of provisionally determining a molding die to be used for molding the decorative sheet based on the molded product data; generating forming mold data representing the provisionally determined three-dimensional shape of the forming mold; generating or acquiring first image data representing the decorative sheet before molding; a step of calculating, based on the mold data, elongation of each portion of the decorative sheet after molding relative to the decorative sheet before molding when the decorative sheet is molded using the provisionally determined mold; generating second image data representing the decorative sheet after molding using the provisionally determined molding die based on the calculated elongation of each portion of the decorative sheet and the first image data; Equipped with An evaluation method in which the second image data is generated by modifying the design of the decorative sheet before molding represented by the first image data according to the calculated elongation of each part of the decorative sheet so that areas with greater elongation appear brighter than areas with less elongation.

2. A method for evaluating a change in design of a decorative sheet after molding compared to a decorative sheet before molding when producing a decorative molded product including a decorative sheet having a plurality of light-transmitting holes, comprising: generating or acquiring molded product data representing a three-dimensional shape of the decorated molded product; a step of provisionally determining a molding die to be used for molding the decorative sheet based on the molded product data; generating forming mold data representing the provisionally determined three-dimensional shape of the forming mold; generating or acquiring first image data representing the decorative sheet before molding; a step of calculating, based on the mold data, elongation of each portion of the decorative sheet after molding relative to the decorative sheet before molding when the decorative sheet is molded using the provisionally determined mold; generating second image data representing the decorative sheet after molding using the provisionally determined molding die based on the calculated elongation of each portion of the decorative sheet and the first image data; Equipped with An evaluation method in which the second image data is generated by modifying the design of the decorative sheet before molding represented by the first image data according to the calculated elongation of each part of the decorative sheet so that areas with greater elongation appear darker than areas with less elongation.

3. 3. The evaluation method according to claim 1, further comprising a step of generating elongation display image data that visually represents a correspondence between each part of the decorative sheet after molding using the provisionally determined molding die and the calculated elongation of each part of the decorative sheet.

4. The evaluation method according to claim 3 , wherein the elongation display image data represents the calculated elongation of each portion of the decorative sheet in a color corresponding to the magnitude of the elongation.

5. The evaluation method according to claim 3 , wherein the elongation display image data represents the calculated elongation of each portion of the decorative sheet by a distortion of a line corresponding to the magnitude of the elongation.

6. The evaluation method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the decorated molded article includes a connection region where two surfaces are connected, the two surfaces having an inclination angle of 45° or more relative to each other.

7. The evaluation method according to claim 1 , wherein the elongation of each portion of the decorative sheet is calculated based on the molding die data and a molding method for the decorated molded product.

8. the first image data represents a colored decorative sheet; 3. The evaluation method according to claim 1, wherein the second image data is generated by changing the color of each part of the decorative sheet before molding represented by the first image data to a color corresponding to the calculated elongation of each part of the decorative sheet.

9. 3. The evaluation method according to claim 1, wherein the mold data includes data relating to a region corresponding to the decorated molded product and data relating to other regions.

10. the decorative sheet after molding represented by the second image data includes a first region used as a part of the decorated molded product and a second region other than the first region, The evaluation method according to claim 1 , further comprising the step of generating third image data representing only the first region based on the second image data.

11. An evaluation method as described in claim 1 or 2, wherein if the calculated elongation of each part of the decorative sheet is greater than a threshold value, the molding mold to be used for molding the decorative sheet is tentatively determined again in the process of tentatively determining the molding mold.

12. A method for evaluating a change in design of a decorative sheet after molding compared to a decorative sheet before molding when producing a decorative molded product including the molded and light-transmitting decorative sheet, comprising: generating or acquiring molded product data representing a three-dimensional shape of the decorated molded product; a step of provisionally determining a molding die to be used for molding the decorative sheet based on the molded product data; generating forming mold data representing the provisionally determined three-dimensional shape of the forming mold; generating or acquiring a plurality of first image data representing a plurality of decorative sheets before molding; a step of calculating, based on the molding die data, an elongation of each portion of the decorative sheet after molding relative to the decorative sheet before molding, when each of the plurality of decorative sheets represented by the plurality of first image data is molded using the provisionally determined molding die; generating second image data representing each decorative sheet after molding using the provisionally determined molding die based on the calculated elongation of each portion of each decorative sheet and the first image data representing the decorative sheet; Equipped with An evaluation method in which each second image data is generated by modifying the design of the decorative sheet before molding, represented by the first image data corresponding to the second image data, according to the calculated elongation of each part of the decorative sheet, so that areas with greater elongation appear brighter than areas with less elongation.

13. A method for evaluating a change in design of a decorative sheet after molding compared to a decorative sheet before molding when producing a decorative molded product including a decorative sheet that has been molded and has a plurality of light-transmitting holes, comprising: generating or acquiring molded product data representing a three-dimensional shape of the decorated molded product; a step of provisionally determining a molding die to be used for molding the decorative sheet based on the molded product data; generating forming mold data representing the provisionally determined three-dimensional shape of the forming mold; generating or acquiring a plurality of first image data representing a plurality of decorative sheets before molding; a step of calculating, based on the molding die data, an elongation of each portion of the decorative sheet after molding relative to the decorative sheet before molding, when each of the plurality of decorative sheets represented by the plurality of first image data is molded using the provisionally determined molding die; generating second image data representing each decorative sheet after molding using the provisionally determined molding die based on the calculated elongation of each portion of each decorative sheet and the first image data representing the decorative sheet; Equipped with An evaluation method in which each second image data is generated by modifying the design of the decorative sheet before molding, represented by the first image data corresponding to the second image data, according to the calculated elongation of each part of the decorative sheet, so that areas with greater elongation appear darker than areas with less elongation.

14. A method for evaluating a change in design of a decorative sheet after molding compared to a decorative sheet before molding when producing a decorative molded product including the molded and light-transmitting decorative sheet, comprising: generating or acquiring molded product data representing a three-dimensional shape of the decorated molded product; a step of provisionally determining a plurality of molding dies to be used for molding the decorative sheet based on the molded product data; generating a plurality of pieces of forming mold data representing the three-dimensional shapes of the plurality of provisionally determined forming molds; generating or acquiring first image data representing the decorative sheet before molding; a step of calculating, when the decorative sheet is molded using each of the provisionally determined molding dies, an elongation of each portion of the decorative sheet after molding relative to the decorative sheet before molding based on the molding die data corresponding to the molding die; generating a plurality of second image data representing the decorative sheet after molding using each of the provisionally determined molding dies based on the calculated elongation of each portion of the decorative sheet and the first image data; Equipped with An evaluation method in which each of the plurality of second image data is generated by modifying the design of the decorative sheet before molding represented by the first image data according to the elongation of each part of the decorative sheet calculated based on molding mold data corresponding to the second image data, so that areas with high elongation appear brighter than areas with low elongation.

15. A method for evaluating a change in design of a decorative sheet after molding compared to a decorative sheet before molding when producing a decorative molded product including a decorative sheet having a plurality of light-transmitting holes, comprising: generating or acquiring molded product data representing a three-dimensional shape of the decorated molded product; a step of provisionally determining a plurality of molding dies to be used for molding the decorative sheet based on the molded product data; generating a plurality of pieces of forming mold data representing the three-dimensional shapes of the plurality of provisionally determined forming molds; generating or acquiring first image data representing the decorative sheet before molding; a step of calculating, when the decorative sheet is molded using each of the provisionally determined molding dies, an elongation of each portion of the decorative sheet after molding relative to the decorative sheet before molding based on the molding die data corresponding to the molding die; generating a plurality of second image data representing the decorative sheet after molding using each of the provisionally determined molding dies based on the calculated elongation of each portion of the decorative sheet and the first image data; Equipped with An evaluation method in which each of the plurality of second image data is generated by modifying the design of the decorative sheet before molding represented by the first image data according to the elongation of each part of the decorative sheet calculated based on molding mold data corresponding to the second image data, so that areas with high elongation appear darker than areas with low elongation.

16. An apparatus for evaluating a change in design of a decorative sheet after molding compared to a decorative sheet before molding when producing a decorative molded product including the decorative sheet that is molded and transmits light, comprising: a storage unit that stores molded product data representing a three-dimensional shape of the decorated molded product and first image data representing the decorative sheet before molding; a mold data generation unit that generates mold data representing a three-dimensional shape of a mold provisionally determined as a mold to be used in molding the decorative sheet based on the molded product data; a calculation unit that calculates, based on the mold data, an elongation of each portion of the decorative sheet after molding relative to the decorative sheet before molding when the decorative sheet is molded using the provisionally determined mold; a second image data generating unit that generates second image data representing the decorative sheet after molding using the provisionally determined molding die based on the calculated elongation of each portion of the decorative sheet and the first image data; Equipped with The second image data generation unit generates the second image data by modifying the design of the decorative sheet before molding represented by the first image data according to the calculated elongation of each part of the decorative sheet so that areas with greater elongation appear brighter than areas with less elongation.

17. An apparatus for evaluating a change in the design of a decorative sheet after molding compared to the decorative sheet before molding when producing a decorative molded product including a decorative sheet that has been molded and has a plurality of light-transmitting holes, comprising: a storage unit that stores molded product data representing a three-dimensional shape of the decorated molded product and first image data representing the decorative sheet before molding; a mold data generation unit that generates mold data representing a three-dimensional shape of a mold provisionally determined as a mold to be used in molding the decorative sheet based on the molded product data; a calculation unit that calculates, based on the mold data, an elongation of each portion of the decorative sheet after molding relative to the decorative sheet before molding when the decorative sheet is molded using the provisionally determined mold; a second image data generating unit that generates second image data representing the decorative sheet after molding using the provisionally determined molding die based on the calculated elongation of each portion of the decorative sheet and the first image data; Equipped with The second image data generation unit generates the second image data by modifying the design of the decorative sheet before molding represented by the first image data according to the calculated elongation of each part of the decorative sheet so that areas with greater elongation appear darker than areas with less elongation.

18. an elongation display image data generating unit that generates elongation display image data that visually represents a correspondence relationship between each portion of the decorative sheet after molding using the provisionally determined molding die and the calculated elongation of each portion of the decorative sheet; a display unit that displays the stretched display image data; The evaluation device according to claim 16 or 17, further comprising:

19. The evaluation device according to claim 18 , wherein the elongation display image data represents the calculated elongation of each portion of the decorative sheet in a color corresponding to the magnitude of the elongation.

20. The evaluation device according to claim 18 , wherein the elongation display image data represents the calculated elongation of each portion of the decorative sheet by a distortion of a line corresponding to the magnitude of the elongation.

21. The evaluation device according to claim 16 or 17, wherein the decorated molded article includes a connection region where two surfaces are connected, the two surfaces having an inclination angle of 45° or more relative to each other.

22. 18. The evaluation device according to claim 16, wherein the calculation unit calculates the elongation of each portion of the decorative sheet based on the molding die data and a molding method for the decorated molded product.

23. the first image data represents a colored decorative sheet; 18. The evaluation device according to claim 16, wherein the second image data generation unit generates the second image data by changing the color of each part of the decorative sheet before molding represented by the first image data to a color corresponding to the calculated elongation of each part of the decorative sheet.

24. 18. The evaluation device according to claim 16, wherein the mold data includes data relating to a region corresponding to the decorated molded product and data relating to other regions.

25. the decorative sheet after molding represented by the second image data includes a first region used as a part of the decorated molded product and a second region other than the first region, The evaluation device according to claim 16 or 17, further comprising a third image data generation unit that generates third image data representing only the first region based on the second image data.

26. An apparatus for evaluating a change in the design of a decorative sheet after molding compared to a decorative sheet before molding when producing a decorative molded product including a molded and light-transmitting decorative sheet, comprising: a storage unit that stores molded product data representing a three-dimensional shape of the decorated molded product and a plurality of first image data representing a plurality of decorative sheets before molding; a mold data generation unit that generates mold data representing a three-dimensional shape of a mold provisionally determined as a mold to be used in molding the decorative sheet based on the molded product data; a calculation unit that calculates, based on the molding die data, an elongation of each portion of the decorative sheet after molding relative to the decorative sheet before molding when each of the plurality of decorative sheets represented by the plurality of first image data is molded using the provisionally determined molding die; a second image data generating unit that generates second image data representing each decorative sheet after molding using the provisionally determined molding die, based on the calculated elongation of each portion of each decorative sheet and the first image data representing the decorative sheet; Equipped with The second image data generation unit generates each second image data by modifying the design of the decorative sheet before molding represented by each first image data according to the calculated elongation of each part of the decorative sheet so that areas with greater elongation appear brighter than areas with less elongation, in an evaluation device.

27. ​​An apparatus for evaluating a change in the design of a decorative sheet after molding compared to the decorative sheet before molding when producing a decorative molded product including a decorative sheet that has been molded and has a plurality of light-transmitting holes, comprising: a storage unit that stores molded product data representing a three-dimensional shape of the decorated molded product and a plurality of first image data representing a plurality of decorative sheets before molding; a mold data generation unit that generates mold data representing a three-dimensional shape of a mold provisionally determined as a mold to be used in molding the decorative sheet based on the molded product data; a calculation unit that calculates, based on the molding die data, an elongation of each portion of the decorative sheet after molding relative to the decorative sheet before molding when each of the plurality of decorative sheets represented by the plurality of first image data is molded using the provisionally determined molding die; a second image data generating unit that generates second image data representing each decorative sheet after molding using the provisionally determined molding die, based on the calculated elongation of each portion of each decorative sheet and the first image data representing the decorative sheet; Equipped with The second image data generation unit generates each second image data by modifying the design of the decorative sheet before molding represented by each first image data in accordance with the calculated elongation of each part of the decorative sheet so that areas with greater elongation appear darker than areas with less elongation.

28. An apparatus for evaluating a change in the design of a decorative sheet after molding compared to the decorative sheet before molding when producing a decorative molded product including a molded and light-transmitting decorative sheet, comprising: a storage unit that stores molded product data representing a three-dimensional shape of the decorated molded product and first image data representing the decorative sheet before molding; a mold data generation unit that generates, based on the molded product data, a plurality of mold data representing the three-dimensional shapes of each of a plurality of molds provisionally determined as molds to be used in molding the decorative sheet; a calculation unit that calculates, when the decorative sheet is molded using each of the provisionally determined molding dies, an elongation of each portion of the decorative sheet after molding relative to the decorative sheet before molding based on the molding die data corresponding to the molding die; a second image data generating unit that generates a plurality of second image data representing the decorative sheet after molding using each of the provisionally determined molding dies based on the calculated elongation of each portion of the decorative sheet and the first image data; Equipped with The second image data generation unit generates each second image data by modifying the design of the decorative sheet before molding represented by the first image data according to the elongation of each part of the decorative sheet calculated based on the molding mold data corresponding to the second image data, so that areas with high elongation appear brighter than areas with low elongation.

29. An apparatus for evaluating a change in the design of a decorative sheet after molding compared to the decorative sheet before molding when producing a decorative molded product including a decorative sheet that has been molded and has a plurality of light-transmitting holes, comprising: a storage unit that stores molded product data representing a three-dimensional shape of the decorated molded product and first image data representing the decorative sheet before molding; a mold data generation unit that generates, based on the molded product data, a plurality of mold data representing the three-dimensional shapes of each of a plurality of molds provisionally determined as molds to be used in molding the decorative sheet; a calculation unit that calculates, when the decorative sheet is molded using each of the provisionally determined molding dies, an elongation of each portion of the decorative sheet after molding relative to the decorative sheet before molding based on the molding die data corresponding to the molding die; a second image data generating unit that generates a plurality of second image data representing the decorative sheet after molding using each of the provisionally determined molding dies based on the calculated elongation of each portion of the decorative sheet and the first image data; Equipped with The second image data generation unit generates each second image data by modifying the design of the decorative sheet before molding represented by the first image data in accordance with the elongation of each part of the decorative sheet calculated based on the molding mold data corresponding to the second image data, so that areas with high elongation appear darker than areas with low elongation.

30. A method for producing a decorated molded article comprising a molded, light-transmitting decorative sheet, comprising: a step of evaluating a change in design of the decorative sheet after molding relative to the decorative sheet before molding, when the decorative sheet is molded using the provisionally determined molding die, according to the evaluation method of any one of claims 1 to 15; determining the decorative sheet and / or a molding die to be used for molding the decorative sheet based on a change in the design of the decorative sheet; A manufacturing method comprising:

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