Components for motor vehicles

Abstract

A motor vehicle component comprising a light reflective or refractive first surface, wherein the first surface comprises a predetermined 3D pattern for reflecting or projecting a predetermined image onto a second, external, surface. Advantageously, once the motor vehicle component is manufactured, there is no requirement for additional manufacturing processes to mask or create the predetermined image.

Description

[0001] COMPONENTS FOR MOTOR VEHICLES>

[0002] TECHNICAL FIELD>

[0003] The present invention related to components for motor vehicles, in particular to reflecting or projecting motor vehicle components for forming bespoke images inside or outside a motor vehicle.

[0004] <BACKGROUND>

[0005] Projecting images inside or outside motor vehicles (automobiles) is known. For example puddle lights or projector lenses may be used to project a logo of the vehicle manufacturer onto the ground next to the vehicle. Such components require manufacturing steps wherein predetermined images have to be printed, bonded or etched into a projecting surface to produce the desired image.

[0006] Aspects of the present invention relate to improved methods of providing components for motor vehicles configured to produce such images.

[0007] <SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION>

[0008] According to one independent aspect of the invention, there is provided a motor vehicle component comprising a light reflective or refractive first surface, wherein the first surface comprises a predetermined 3D pattern for reflecting or projecting a predetermined image onto a second surface. Further aspects are also set out in the subsequent claims and description herein. Advantageously, in contrast with existing prior art such as a puddle light, once the motor vehicle component is manufactured, there is no requirement for additional manufacturing processes to mask or create the predetermined image. Thus a wide range of images could be applied whilst keeping the vehicle assembly process consistent. This can improve efficiency and productivity of vehicle production while increasing the range of bespoke modifications of a vehicle.

[0009] Examples of predetermined images include images of a motor vehicle, motor vehicle logo, a brand identity, luminary symbols or any other bespoke image relevant to a user. Embodiments of the invention enable ‘hidden messages’ or ‘hidden images’ invisible to the naked eye to be introduced in motor vehicle components in a surprising manner, through use of light, either via reflection or refraction, enhancing user experience.

[0010] Vehicle components according to the invention might be internal or external to the vehicle body itself. Examples are: headliners, headrests, body panels, lamps, mirrors, internal or external light fixtures casings, central consoles, and the like.

[0011] The first surface may be a reflective surface for reflecting the predetermined image onto the second surface. The second surface is a projecting surface external to said component.

[0012] Alternatively, the first surface may be a refractive surface for projecting the predetermined image onto the second surface.

[0013] The first surface may be comprised in a caustic lens.

[0014] The caustic lens may have a prism wherein the predetermined 3D pattern comprises a matrix of relatively small lenses which together give rise to an interference pattern of incident light to form the said predetermined image onto the second surface (i.e. an external surface).

[0015] The predetermined 3D pattern may be determined by way of light ray modelling.

[0016] According to second independent aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of manufacturing a motor vehicle component according to claim 7.

[0017] The predetermined 3D pattern may be generated by way of 3D printing, machining or moulding. <BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS>

[0018] Embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the following Figures in which:

[0019] Figure 1A shows a method of manufacturing according to motor vehicle component with a reflective surface;

[0020] Figure 1 B shows a method of manufacturing according to motor vehicle component with a refractive surface;

[0021] Figure 2A shows processes applying software light ray modelling (‘caustic engineering’ methodology);

[0022] Figure 2B shows a light source shining through a caustic lens, forming an image on a receiving surface;

[0023] Figure 3 shows an example embodiment according to the invention;

[0024] Figure 4 shows a further example embodiment according to the invention.

[0025] <DETAILED DESCRIPTION>

[0026] Figure 1A shows a method of manufacturing according to motor vehicle component with a reflective surface. At step 1000, a designer or user chooses a target image 150 and a product 160 having a reflective surface for processing. The designer or user may chose to modify an existing product with predefined customisable locations.

[0027] Step 2000 represents a process that applies software light ray modelling using a computer algorithm to calculate the shape of the predetermined 3D pattern. In this step, the algorithm, for a specified light source X distance away from the second surface and Y distance away from the first surface, computationally traces the light ray paths from source to second surface. The resultant / projected image on the second surface is compared to the pre-determined image and the lens topology is changed iteratively, through machine learning code, until the difference or Delta between the pre-determined and actual image on the second surface is below thresholds coded into the algorithm. As such, the output of this process is a 3D mesh lens refractive surface. Step 3000 represents a process of manufacturing a motor vehicle component with a reflective surface using the 3D mesh lens refractive surface calculations. The resultant lens topology is exported from the algorithm and can then be integrated into CAD of existing or new products.

[0028] Algorithms may include light ray modelling such as adaptations of Mitsuba 3 (TM) or other suitable algorithms.

[0029] Figure 1 B shows a method of manufacturing according to motor vehicle component with a refractive surface. The method steps are the same as for Figure 1 A, except the product chosen 180 for processing is transparent rather than reflective.

[0030] Figure 2A shows processes applying software light ray modelling (‘caustic engineering’ methodology). Figure 2A shows a representation of the iterative process of lens topology manipulation. In this manner, predetermined 3D patterns (‘caustic patterns’) are provided to form any desired shaped by optimising the geometry of the reflective or refractive surface generating the caustic effect.

[0031] Referring to Figure 2B, a light source 10 shines through an engineered lens 20, casting an image from caustics 30 on the receiving surface 40.

[0032] Example embodiments of caustic lenses include a prism. For example, the predetermined 3D pattern may comprise a matrix of relatively small lenses which together give rise to an interference pattern of incident light to form the said predetermined image onto the receiving surface.

[0033] It would be appreciated that embodiments of the invention can be applied to components and / or accessories inside or outside a motor vehicle.

[0034] Figures 3 and 4 show examples of centre consoles according to the invention.

[0035] Other examples of internal components include: headliners, headrests, internal light fixture casings, internal mirrors, drinking vessels bases and / or walls, etc.

[0036] Examples of external components include: body panels, vehicle exterior lighting systems, external mirrors etc.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A motor vehicle component comprising a light reflective or refractive first surface, wherein the first surface comprises a predetermined 3D pattern for reflecting or projecting a predetermined image onto a second surface.

2. A motor vehicle component according to claim 1 , wherein the first surface is a reflective surface for reflecting the predetermined image onto the second surface.

3. A motor vehicle component according to claim 1 , wherein the first surface is a refractive surface for projecting the predetermined image onto the second surface.

4. A motor vehicle component according to any preceding claim, wherein the first surface is comprised in a caustic lens.

5. A motor vehicle component according to claim 4, wherein the caustic lens has a prism wherein the predetermined 3D pattern comprises a matrix of relatively small lenses which together give rise to an interference pattern of incident light to form the said predetermined image onto the second surface.

6. A motor vehicle component according to any preceding claim, wherein the predetermined 3D pattern is determined by way of light ray modelling.

7. A method of manufacturing a motor vehicle component comprising a light reflective or refractive first surface, comprising the steps of:- identifying an image desired to be projected onto a second surface;- applying software light ray modelling to calculate the light ray paths from the first surface to the second surface which would project the said image; and- forming a predetermined 3D pattern on the first surface according to the calculated light ray paths.

8. A method according to claim 7, wherein forming the predetermined 3D pattern by way of 3D printing, machining or moulding.

Images