Trim element for at least partly surrounding an image sensor or a light source

Abstract

The invention relates to a trim element (10), in particular for a motor vehicle, for at least partly surrounding an image sensor or a light source (2), characterised in that it comprises at least two flaps (11-14) interconnected by at least one flexible hinge (15a, 15c) forming a one-piece assembly with the flaps (11-14), the at least one flexible hinge (15a-15c) being configured to allow the trim element (10) to be folded about at least one axis of rotation (Xa-Xc) so as to cause the trim element (10) to pass from a first state, referred to as the unfolded state, in which the flaps (11-14) are aligned in the same plane, to a second state, referred to as the folded state, in which the flaps (11-14) form a non-zero angle with respect to one another, and in that each of the flaps (11-14) is provided on an inner face (17a-17d) with a microstructure formed by a series of bumps and troughs, the microstructure giving the inner face (17a-17d) at least one physical property from a gloss of less than 0.3 GU, as measured by a 60-degree surface gloss meter, a gloss of less than 0.5 GU, as measured by an 85-degree surface gloss meter, and a reflectance of less than 2%, as measured in the visible spectrum according to the ASTM E 1331 method.

Description

[0001] A housing element designed to at least partially surround an image sensor or light source

[0002] The present invention relates to a housing element intended to at least partially enclose an image sensor or a light source. The housing element according to the invention is specifically designed for integration into a motor vehicle. However, this housing element may also have other applications, for example in non-motor vehicles, such as aircraft or trains.

[0003] The purpose of the covering element of the invention is, in particular, to prevent light reflected by the walls of the covering element or coming from an external source from interfering with the light received by the image sensor or emitted by the light source.

[0004] The invention also relates to a method for manufacturing such an interior trim element.

[0005] Modern motor vehicles are increasingly equipped with digital camera modules mounted, for example, inside the vehicle, behind the windshield to monitor the road ahead, or on headlights, mirrors, door or window pillars, or even rear spoilers. These camera modules typically integrate a digital sensor and a microcomputer capable of analyzing the digital video signals generated by the sensor. Some advanced models include multiple sensors (for example, for stereo vision) and / or several dedicated microcomputers (for example, an image processor and a module processor). These modules perform various essential functions such as lane departure warning, lane keeping assist, automatic high beam control, forward collision warning, traffic sign recognition, and driver facial recognition.Future, even more sophisticated applications, particularly those related to autonomous driving, are also being considered with these modules.

[0006] These camera modules are typically mounted inside the passenger compartment behind the windshield, in a central and elevated position within the area swept by the windshield wipers, ensuring optimal visibility despite rain or contaminants. Furthermore, an air duct directed from the vehicle's defroster is often included to prevent fogging on the inside of the windshield, further enhancing the reliability of these systems in various weather conditions.

[0007] External light sources, such as the sun or headlights, can alter the quality and contrast of images captured by the camera. To ensure accurate perception of the environment within the camera's field of view, it is important to minimize glare from these lights, which could compromise image analysis. Known solutions for reducing glare include placing a housing around the camera with its internal surfaces coated with a layer of paint or a low-gloss film, or with a flocking treatment (the deposition of very fine fibers onto the surface of a part coated with adhesive). Another known solution involves creating a stepped shape for the housing to reduce the reflection of light rays back towards the image or the camera.This last solution, which does not offer good light reflection performance, can be combined with one of the previously described solutions. However, all these solutions have the disadvantage of being relatively expensive to implement. Furthermore, solutions with multiple layers of different materials (paint, film, fibers, etc.) do not allow for good recyclability of these cladding elements and promote the emission of volatile substances (residual monomers from the adhesive in the case of flocking or residual monomers from surface-applied paint), the emission levels of which are strictly regulated.

[0008] At the same time, motor vehicles are increasingly equipped with illuminated display devices integrated into their dashboards. These devices are capable of emitting light either towards the driver or towards the windshield, such as head-up displays. These display devices face visibility problems caused by sunlight, or any other light source from streetlights, other vehicles, or the reflection of headlights off the dashboard. This stray light disrupts image clarity, thus limiting the effectiveness of the devices.

[0009] To address this problem, one solution is to enclose these illuminated display devices with a frame whose inner walls are coated with an anti-reflective film, or to give these inner walls a stepped shape. However, these solutions fail to provide optimal anti-reflective performance across a wide range of wavelengths and angles of light incidence. And, as we saw earlier, paint or flocking solutions are expensive and present issues with recyclability and the emission of volatile components.

[0010] Thus, the invention described in this patent aims to simultaneously meet all of these needs and, in particular, aims to provide a housing element intended to at least partially surround an image sensor or a light source, in which the internal walls of the housing element have their own anti-reflective power, without needing to deposit an anti-reflective paint or film or very fine fibers on said walls.

[0011] To this end, according to a first aspect, the invention relates to a trim element, particularly for a motor vehicle, intended to at least partially surround an image sensor or a light source, the trim element comprising at least two flaps connected to each other by at least one flexible hinge forming a single unit with said flaps, said at least one flexible hinge being configured to allow the trim element to be folded around at least one axis of rotation so as to pass the trim element from a first state, called the unfolded state, in which the flaps are aligned in the same plane, to a second state, called the folded state, in which the flaps form a non-zero angle with respect to each other, and in which each of the flaps is provided on an inner face with a microstructure formed of a series of bumps and hollows, the microstructure conferring on the inner face at least one physical property among a gloss,as measured by a surface glossmeter at 60 degrees, less than 0.3 GU, a gloss, as measured by a surface glossmeter at 85 degrees, less than 0.5 GU, and a reflectance, as measured in the visible spectrum according to ASTM E 1331 method, less than 2%.

[0012] Thus configured, the housing element according to the invention will possess inherent anti-reflective properties due to the presence of the microstructure on its inner face. Furthermore, thanks to the flexible hinges, it can be folded into a substantially multi-sided polyhedral structure, each side at least partially surrounding an image sensor or a light source.

[0013] According to other characteristics, the cladding element of the invention comprises one or more of the following optional characteristics considered alone or in all possible combinations:

[0014] - the microstructure has an asymmetry factor Ssk, as measured according to the NF ISO 25178 standard, between - 0.2 and + 0.3.

[0015] - the microstructure has a flatness factor Sku, as measured according to the NF ISO 25178 standard, between 1.4 and 1.9.

[0016] - the cladding element is made of a thermoplastic material chosen from the family of styrenes, such as TPS, ASA, TABS, polyolefins, such as PP / TPE, polyamides, such as PA6, PA6-6, PA6T6, polyurethanes, such as TPU, or polyesters, such as PBT.

[0017] - said at least one flexible hinge has a thickness less than the thickness of the shutters, and has a substantially U-shaped profile, formed of two thicker end zones surrounding a thinner middle zone.

[0018] - in the folded state of the trim element, the end areas are in contact with each other along contact lines parallel to the axis of rotation.

[0019] - The axis of rotation is located at the level of the median zone, such that, when the cladding element transitions from its unfolded to its folded state, said median zone deforms and creates a whitening effect on one of its outer faces. - The cladding element comprises four panels, respectively two central panels surrounded by two end panels, said panels being arranged to form a parallelepiped structure in the folded state of the cladding element, the central panels being connected to each other by a flexible hinge and each of the end panels being connected to one of the central panels by another flexible hinge, the flexible hinges forming a single unit with the panels.

[0020] - the end flaps are connected to each other by clipping.

[0021] According to a second aspect, the invention relates to a motor vehicle cabin comprising an image sensor and / or a light source, said image sensor and / or said light source being surrounded at least partially by a trim element as defined above.

[0022] According to a third aspect, the invention relates to a method for manufacturing a trim element as defined above, the method comprising:

[0023] - the supply of an injection molding machine comprising an injection mold formed of a first half-mold and a second half-mold, the half-molds being able to move relative to each other between a demolding position, in which the half-molds are separated from each other, and a molding position, in which the half-molds are joined tightly by defining a molding cavity having a shape identical to the cladding element in its unfolded state, at least one of the first and second half-molds being provided with a microtextured surface formed of a series of protruding and recessed shapes, each of the protruding and recessed shapes extending substantially symmetrically around an axis of symmetry;

[0024] - the movement of the mold halves of the molding machine until they reach the molding position;

[0025] - the injection of a liquid thermoplastic material into the molding cavity of the molding machine;

[0026] - the hardening of the thermoplastic material until a solid molded part is obtained;

[0027] - the movement of the mold halves of the molding machine until they reach the demolding position;

[0028] - the extraction of the solid molded part, the extraction taking place along an extraction direction which is substantially parallel to the axes of symmetry of the protruding and recessed shapes of the microtextured surface.

[0029] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the process of the invention further comprises:

[0030] - a shaping operation involving folding the flaps, and

[0031] - an assembly operation by clipping the end flaps. The invention will be better understood with the aid of the following description with reference to the attached figures representing by way of non-limiting example, an embodiment of a trim element according to the invention, as well as a device for manufacturing this trim element.

[0032] [Fig. 1] is a schematic view of a vehicle interior incorporating a trim element according to the invention.

[0033] [Fig. 2] is a perspective view of a trim element according to an embodiment of the invention, the trim element being in its folded position.

[0034] [Fig. 3] is a perspective view of the trim element of Figure 2, the trim element being in a partially folded position.

[0035] [Fig. 4] is an enlarged view of detail D1 from figure 3.

[0036] [Fig. 5] is an enlarged view of detail D2 from figure 2.

[0037] [Fig. 6] is an enlarged view of detail D3 from figure 2.

[0038] [Fig. 7] is a schematic view of part of an injection mold intended for the manufacture of a trim element according to the invention.

[0039] As illustrated in Figure 1, a trim element 10 according to an embodiment of the invention is integrated into the dashboard 1 of a vehicle passenger compartment 100. The trim element 10 is arranged so that it surrounds a projection display device 2 mounted inside the dashboard 1. The display device 2 is configured to project an image 3 onto the windshield 4 of the vehicle. Thus, various types of vehicle-related information can be displayed on the windshield 4 and will be useful to the driver or passengers while driving the vehicle. As explained in detail below, the trim element 10 is configured to prevent light reflections from interfering with the light signal projected onto the windshield 4.

[0040] As shown in Figure 2, the cladding element 10 can be presented, in a final folded state, in the form of a parallelepiped structure comprising four flaps 11 to 14, respectively two contiguous central flaps 12, 13 surrounded by two end flaps 11, 14, the flaps 11 to 14 surrounding a central hollow area 16 of the cladding element 10. The central flaps 12, 13 are connected to each other by a first flexible hinge 15a, while the end flap 11 is connected to the central flap 12 by a second flexible hinge 15b and the end flap 14 is connected to the central flap 13 by a third flexible hinge 15c. To keep the trim element 10 in its folded state, it is also planned to connect the two end flaps 11 and 14 by means of additional connecting elements provided on the respective free edges of said flaps.These additional connecting elements can, for example, be configured to ensure a clip-on connection of the end flaps 11, 14. The structure formed by the flaps 11 to 14 and the flexible hinges 15a to 15c forms a single unit because it is produced by an injection molding process, as explained later. Thus, the cover element 10 can be made of a thermoplastic material, such as, for example, styrenes (TPS, ASA, ABS), polyolefins (PP / TPE), polyamides (PA6, PA6-6, PA6T6), polyurethanes (TPU, ...), or polyesters (PBT, ...).

[0041] The respective inner faces 17a to 17d of the shutters 11 to 14, which are oriented towards the central zone 16, are at least partially provided with a microstructure formed by a series of bumps and hollows. This microstructure provides anti-reflective properties to the area of ​​the inner faces 17a-17d that is equipped with it. Preferably, the microstructure covers the entire surface of the inner faces 17a-17d.This microstructure will thus be able to confer to the inner faces 17a-17d at least one of the following physical properties: a gloss measured by a surface glossmeter at 60 degrees less than 0.3 GU, the surface glossmeter measurements being expressed in gloss units, denoted "Gloss Unit" or GU, a gloss measured by a surface glossmeter at 85 degrees less than 0.5 GU, a reflectance (ratio between the reflected luminous flux (cpr) and the incident luminous flux (cpO): (p=cpr / cpO)) measured in the visible spectrum according to the ASTM E 1331 method less than 2%.

[0042] These physical properties result from the profile and three-dimensional distribution of hollows and bumps in the microstructure. In particular, the aforementioned physical properties are obtained when the microstructure has an asymmetry factor Ssk, as measured according to standard NF ISO 25178, between -0.2 and +0.3, and / or a flatness factor Sku, as measured according to standard NF ISO 25178, between 1.4 and 1.9.

[0043] With reference to Figure 3, the trim element 10 is shown in a partially folded state. In this state, the flaps 11 to 13 are substantially coplanar, and the end flap 14 is positioned substantially at a right angle to the central flap 13. This state results from folding the trim element 10 at the hinge 15c when it is in an unfolded state (not shown) in which the flaps 11 to 14 are substantially in the same plane. As detailed later, this unfolded state is that obtained upon exiting the injection mold. This unfolded or flat state allows the trim element 10 to be extracted from the injection mold along an extraction direction that is perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to a mean plane defined by the flaps 11 to 14. By "substantially perpendicular," we mean a direction that makes an angle between 88° and 92° with said mean plane.This extraction direction will advantageously be parallel or substantially parallel to a direction along which the bumps and hollows of the microstructure extend. In particular, where each bump and hollow extends substantially symmetrically around an axis of symmetry, the extraction of the trim element will be optimal if it is carried out parallel to the axes of symmetry of the bumps and hollows of the microstructure. This will prevent, in particular, the bumps and / or hollows of the microstructure, created during the injection of the thermoplastic material into the mold, from being damaged during the extraction of the trim element 10 from the injection mold.Indeed, during extraction from the injection mold, the trim element 10 can potentially come into contact with protruding parts of the injection mold, particularly those intended for forming the microstructure recesses, if the extraction is performed at an angle to the optimal extraction direction mentioned above. Incorporating flexible hinges into the trim element allows for injection molding of this element in its unfolded or flat state, and then folding it at the flexible hinges to achieve the functional folded state of the trim element. Clearly, injection molding the trim element in its folded state in a single step and using a single mold is not feasible, as it would result in damage to the microstructures on the flaps, which are positioned parallel to the extraction direction, during extraction.Thus, without these flexible hinges, the cladding element would have had to be formed in several molding stages, each stage producing only one of the cladding element's panels, which would then be assembled using additional fastening methods. The solution of the invention is therefore advantageous in terms of the homogeneity of the single-piece microstructure produced during injection molding, which ensures consistent gloss and light reflectance performance for all surfaces of the cladding element, as well as ease of assembly and reduced assembly costs. Similarly, this solution of the invention is more easily transportable in its unfolded (flat) position, thereby contributing to the optimization of the logistical costs of the cladding element.

[0044] With reference to Figure 4, the flexible hinge 15a connecting the two central flaps 12 and 13 of the trim element 10 is shown enlarged, before these central flaps 12, 13 are folded at a right angle as shown in Figure 2. The details given below will apply equally to the flexible hinges 15b and 15c.

[0045] The flexible hinge 15a forms a thinned area between the flaps 12 and 13. It has a roughly U-shaped profile, formed by two thicker end zones 151 and 153 surrounding a thinner central zone 152. The thickness e1 of the end zones 151 and 153 is thus slightly greater than the thickness e2 of the central zone 152, and the respective thicknesses e3 and e4 of the flaps 12 and 13 are greater than the thicknesses e1 and e2. The end zones 151 and 153 form two straight ribs with rounded apexes on the surface of the cover element 10, and the central zone 152 forms a flat-bottomed cavity extending between these two ribs. During the transition from the unfolded state to the folded state of the covering element 10, the flaps 12, 13 will be moved angularly relative to each other.This displacement corresponds to a pivoting movement around an axis of rotation Xa, which, as illustrated in Figure 4, is located at the level of the median zone 152 and is substantially equidistant from the end zones 151, 153. As shown in Figure 3, similar axes of rotation Xb and Xc are also defined at the hinges 15b and 15c respectively, so as to allow the right-angle folding of the pairs of flaps 11, 12 and 13, 14.

[0046] With reference to Figure 5, the flexible hinge 15a is shown enlarged after the central flaps 12 and 13 have been folded at a right angle. The details given below will apply equally to the flexible hinges 15b and 15c.

[0047] It is visible in Figure 5 that the median zone 152 has deformed and bleached at an external face 154 (represented by hatching in Figure 5), an external face 154 which does not participate in the reflection of light within the cladding element. The deformation of the textured surface in zone 152 (not visible in Figure 5) does not create a discontinuity in the microstructure of the internal walls of the cladding element and, like the external face 154, does not participate in the reflection of light within the cladding element. This bleaching results from a physical phenomenon called cavitation or microfractures. Indeed, the cladding element 10 is made of a polymer material composed of long molecular chains. These chains are generally arranged in a disordered (amorphous) or partially ordered (semi-crystalline) manner. When this polymer material is bent, it is subjected to mechanical stress. This leads to a deformation of the polymer chains.In areas of bending, some parts of the plastic stretch (tension) while others compress. Under stress, the bonds between molecules can reorient or break locally, creating forced crystallization through deformation. This results in microcracks, compressions, or small cavities (air bubbles) on the surface and within the material. These discontinuities alter how light interacts with the material. The microcracks and cavities scatter incident light in different directions. This scattering phenomenon makes the bending area appear white, as the light no longer passes through the plastic uniformly. The perception of "white" comes from the diffuse and disordered reflection of light.It will be advantageous to position the rotation axis Xa, at which the material folds, so that the whitening phenomenon occurs only on the outer face 154 (see Figure 5). This will notably prevent the formation of white areas on the inner walls of the cladding element 10. These white areas could indeed weaken the anti-reflective properties of the cladding element 10. It is also visible in Figure 5 that the end zones 151 and 153 are now in contact with each other at contact lines 155 and 156, respectively. As shown in Figure 4, these contact lines 155 and 156 are parallel to the rotation axis Xa. These contact lines 155 and 156 mask the area 152 of material deformation by compression.

[0048] With reference to Figure 6, the end edges of flaps 11 and 14 are shown enlarged when they are joined together in the folded state of the trim element 10 shown in Figure 2. This clip-on connection between flaps 11 and 14 is achieved by means of a clip-on hook 112 extending from the free end edge 111 of flap 11. This hook 112 has a shape substantially complementary to that of an annular housing 142 extending from the free end edge 141 of flap 14. The housing 142 has a central cavity 143 into which the hook 112 is engaged. The hook 112 is sufficiently flexible to allow for temporary deformation when inserted into the housing 142.The hook 112 is notably equipped with a slightly inclined bearing edge 113, which, during assembly, interacts with a retaining tab 144 attached to the housing 142. This forces the hook 112 to tilt downwards when the bearing edge 113 contacts the retaining tab 144, thus facilitating the engagement of the hook 112 during assembly. The retaining tab 144 also acts as a stop for the hook 112 once the clip connection is established, preventing accidental disengagement of the hook 112. Furthermore, lateral reinforcements 146 are provided around the hook 112, increasing the rigidity of the connection and preventing lateral movement or play of the hook 112 within the central cavity 143.

[0049] To improve the light tightness of the cladding element 10 and ensure continuity of the microstructure over all the inner faces 17a to 17d of the cladding element 10 and prevent external light rays from being reflected into the central hollow area 16 of the cladding element 10 through an intercalated space formed between the end flaps 11 and 14, these flaps 11, 14 each have a beveled shape, respectively 115, 145, at their respective end edge 111, 141. These beveled shapes 115, 145 are configured to ensure perfect surface continuity between the inner faces 17a and 17d of the flaps 11 and 14 when the cladding element 10 is in its folded and assembled state, as shown in Figure 2.

[0050] With reference to Figure 7, a portion of an injection mold 20 intended for forming a trim element according to the invention is shown. This mold 20 will be fitted to an injection molding machine (not shown) in which a thermoplastic material injection step will be carried out. The mold 20 is formed of a first half-mold 21 and a second half-mold 22. The first half-mold 21 comprises a microtextured upper surface 211 having a series of protruding shapes 212 and recessed shapes 214, each of the protruding shapes 212 and each of the recessed shapes 214 extending substantially symmetrically around an axis of symmetry, respectively Zs and Zc. The upper surface 211 is intended to come into contact with the material introduced into the mold 20, so as to leave its impression.In this way, it is possible to form a plastic part with a microstructure consisting of a series of bumps and hollows on the surface of the molded part, the bumps corresponding to the hollow shapes 214 of the half-mold 21 and the hollows corresponding to the protruding shapes 212 of the half-mold 21. The height of the protruding shapes 212 and the hollow shapes 214 can be, for example, defined by a parameter Sz (i.e. the maximum height which corresponds for example to the distance between the highest point of the surface and the lowest point of the surface) of the order of 250 pm when the part to be molded has a thickness of about 2.5 mm.The profile and three-dimensional distribution of the protruding shapes 212 and the hollow shapes 214 in the first half-mold 21 will be advantageously configured to give the microstructure formed in the part at least one of the following physical parameters: an asymmetry factor Ssk, as measured according to standard NF ISO 25178, between -0.2 and +0.3, and / or a flatness factor Sku, as measured according to standard NF ISO 25178, between 1.4 and 1.9.

[0051] The second half-mold 22 includes a lower surface 221 that does not require an anti-reflective function. This half-mold 22 may be provided with an internal channel 222 through which the thermoplastic material will be fed for injection. The internal channel 222 may be temporarily closed by means of a shutter 223.

[0052] The first half-mold 21 and the second half-mold 22 are movable between an open position (not shown) and a closed position (shown in figure 7).

[0053] In the open position, the half-molds 21, 22 are disjointed, separated from each other, allowing access to the inside of the half-molds 21, 22.

[0054] In the closed position, the half-molds 21, 22 are joined, that is to say in contact with each other, and define a sealed molding cavity 23, which has a volume, an imprint, a shape identical to the part to be molded.

[0055] Once the cavity 23 is formed, molten thermoplastic material is injected under pressure into the internal channel of the half-mold 22, so as to completely fill the cavity 23 with said thermoplastic material. The molten thermoplastic material then comes into contact with the surface 211 of the half-mold 21.

[0056] Subsequently, the thermoplastic material solidifies, for example by stopping the heating of the half-molds 21, 22. In a subsequent step, the half-molds 21, 22 are placed in an open position, which allows the molded part to be extracted.

[0057] As shown in Figure 7, the molded part is extracted along an extraction direction De. This extraction direction De is advantageously parallel or substantially parallel to the symmetry axes Zs of the protruding features 212 and the symmetry axes Zc of the recessed features 214 of the surface 211 of the half-mold 21. "Substantially parallel" means a direction that forms an angle between -2 degrees and +2 degrees with these symmetry axes. This extraction direction De therefore prevents the molded part from coming into contact with the protruding features 212 of the half-mold 21 during its extraction, which would result in damage to the microstructure formed in the molded part.

[0058] It goes without saying that the invention is not limited to the embodiment described below by way of example, but on the contrary encompasses all conceivable variants.

[0059] In particular, the dressing element of the invention may, in other embodiments, comprise a number of flaps less than four or more than four.

[0060] Thus, in one possible embodiment, the cladding element may consist of only two panels connected by a flexible hinge forming a single unit with said panels. This flexible hinge will be configured to allow the cladding element to be folded around at least one axis of rotation so as to move the cladding element from a first state, called the unfolded state, in which the two panels are aligned in the same plane, to a second state, called the folded state, in which the two panels are oriented obliquely to each other.Each of the shutters will also be provided on an inner face with a microstructure formed of a series of bumps and hollows, the microstructure giving the inner face at least one physical property among a brightness, as measured by a surface glossmeter at 60 degrees, of less than 0.3 GU, a brightness, as measured by a surface glossmeter at 85 degrees, of less than 0.5 GU, and a reflectance, as measured in the visible spectrum according to the ASTM E 1331 method, of less than 2%.

[0061] In another possible embodiment, the cladding element may include at least one panel intended to form a background.

[0062] In another possible embodiment, the covering element may include at least one flap intended to form a base and at least one other flap intended to form a lid in order to form a box when all the flaps are folded.

Claims

DEMANDS 1. A housing element (10), particularly for a motor vehicle, intended to at least partially surround an image sensor or a light source (2), characterized in that it comprises at least two flaps (11-14) connected to each other by at least one flexible hinge (15a, 15c) forming a single unit with said flaps (11-14), said at least one flexible hinge (15a-15c) being configured to allow the housing element (10) to be folded around at least one axis of rotation (Xa-Xc) such that the housing element (10) passes from a first state, called the unfolded state, in which the flaps (11-14) are aligned in the same plane, to a second state, called the folded state, in which the flaps (11-14) form a non-zero angle with respect to each other, and in that each of the flaps (11-14) is provided on an inner face (17a-17d) with a microstructure formed of a series of bumps and hollows,the microstructure conferring on the inner face (17a-17d) at least one physical property among a gloss, as measured by a surface glossmeter at 60 degrees, less than 0.3 GU, a gloss, as measured by a surface glossmeter at 85 degrees, less than 0.5 GU, and a reflectance, as measured in the visible spectrum according to ASTM E 1331 method, less than 2%.

2. Dressing element (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the microstructure has an asymmetry factor Ssk, as measured according to standard NF ISO 25178, between -0.2 and +0.

3.

3. Dressing element (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the microstructure has a flatness factor Sku, as measured according to standard NF ISO 25178, between 1.4 and 1.

9.

4. A covering element (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is made of a thermoplastic material selected from the family of styrenics, such as TPS, ASA, TABS, polyolefins, such as PP / TPE, polyamides, such as PA6, PA6-6, PA6T6, polyurethanes, such as TPU, or polyesters, such as PBT.

5. A trim element (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said at least one flexible hinge (15a-15c) has a thickness (e1, e2) less than the thickness (e3, e4) of the flaps (11-14), and has a substantially U-shaped profile, formed of two end zones (151, 153) of greater thickness (e1) surrounding a middle zone (152) of lesser thickness (e2).

6. Dressing element (10) according to claim 5, characterized in that, in the folded state of the dressing element, the end areas (151, 153) are in contact with each other along contact lines (155, 156) parallel to the axis of rotation (Xa).

7. Dressing element (10) according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the axis of rotation (Xa) is located at the level of the median zone (152), such that, during the transition from the unfolded state to the folded state of the dressing element, said median zone (152) deforms and creates a whitening at the level of an external face (154).

8. A covering element (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises four flaps (11-14), respectively two central flaps (12, 13) surrounded by two end flaps (11, 14), said flaps (11-14) being arranged so as to form a parallelepiped structure in the folded state of the covering element, and in that the central flaps (12, 13) are connected to each other by a flexible hinge (15a) and each of the end flaps (11, 14) is connected to one of the central flaps (12, 13) by another flexible hinge (15b, 15c), the flexible hinges (15a-15c) forming a single unit with the flaps (11-14).

9. Dressing element (10) according to claim 8, characterized in that the end flaps (11, 14) are connected to each other by clipping.

10. Motor vehicle passenger compartment (100) comprising an image sensor and / or a light source (2), said image sensor and / or said light source (2) being surrounded at least partially by a trim element (10) according to one of the preceding claims.

11. A method for manufacturing a trim element (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, the method comprising: - the supply of an injection molding machine comprising an injection mold (20) formed of a first half-mold (21) and a second half-mold (22), the half-molds (21, 22) being capable of moving relative to each other between a demolding position, in which the half-molds (21, 22) are separated from each other, and a molding position, in which the half-molds (21, 22) are sealed together, defining a molding cavity (23) having a shape identical to the trim element (10) in its unfolded state, at least one of the first and second half-molds (21, 22) being provided with a microtextured surface (211) formed of a series of protruding shapes (212) and recessed shapes (214), each of the protruding shapes (212) and each of the hollow shapes (214) extending from in a substantially symmetrical manner around an axis of symmetry (Zs, Zc); - the movement of the half-molds (21, 22) of the molding machine until they reach the molding position; - the injection of a liquid thermoplastic material into the molding cavity (23) of the molding machine; - the hardening of the thermoplastic material until a solid molded part is obtained; - the movement of the half-molds (21, 22) of the molding machine until they reach the demolding position; - the extraction of the solid molded part, the extraction taking place along an extraction direction (De) which is substantially parallel to the axes of symmetry (Zs, Zc) of the protruding shapes (212) and the hollow shapes (214) of the microtextured surface (211).

12. The method according to claim 11, the method further comprising, where the covering element (10) conforms to claim 8 or 9: - a shaping operation by folding the flaps (11-14), and - an assembly operation by clipping the end flaps (11, 14).

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