Trim panel having light-transmitting pattern and optical assembly for vehicle

Abstract

Provided are a trim panel (3) having a light-transmitting pattern and an optical assembly (2) for a vehicle. The trim panel (3) having a light-transmitting pattern comprises: an opaque main body panel (31) having an inner surface (311) and an outer surface (312) opposite to the inner surface (311), a plurality of hollowed-out units (313) spaced apart from each other being constructed on the main body panel (31); and a light-transmitting pattern (32) comprising a plurality of light-transmitting pattern units (321), each pattern unit (321) being formed by injection molding a light-transmitting material in a corresponding hollowed-out unit (313). An injection-molding flow channel (33) is constructed on the inner surface (311) of the main body panel (31), the injection-molding flow channel (33) is in communication with at least one of the plurality of hollowed-out units (313), and gates (333) are respectively provided at the hollowed-out units (313) and / or in the injection-molding flow channel (33), such that the gates (333) do not interfere with each other, thereby reducing the difficulty of manufacturing the trim panel (3) having a light-transmitting pattern.

Description

Trim panels with translucent patterns and optical components for vehicles. Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of vehicle technology, and in particular to a trim panel with a light-transmitting pattern. This application also relates to optical components for vehicles incorporating such a trim panel. Background Technology

[0002] Vehicles are typically equipped with interior lighting boxes. An interior lighting box includes a base plate, a top plate mounted on the base plate, and a light source disposed within a cavity enclosed by the base plate and the top plate. Typically, the top plate consists of an opaque main body and a translucent pattern formed on the main body. When the light source is illuminated, light shines through the translucent pattern from within the cavity, causing the interior lighting box to display the pattern.

[0003] Typically, during the manufacturing of the roof panel, multiple spaced-apart cutout units are pre-formed on the main body panel, and then transparent material is injected into each of these cutout units to create a light-transmitting pattern. However, when the light-transmitting pattern is relatively intricate, the size of these cutout units is small, and the distance between adjacent cutout units is also small. This makes it difficult to set gates for injecting transparent material at each of these cutout units, thus making the manufacturing of the interior light box more challenging. Summary of the Invention

[0004] To address the aforementioned technical problems, a first aspect of this application proposes a decorative panel with a light-transmitting pattern. The decorative panel includes an opaque main body panel having an inner surface and an outer surface opposite to the inner surface; a plurality of spaced-apart cutout units are constructed on the main body panel; and the light-transmitting pattern includes a plurality of pattern units formed by injection molding a light-transmitting material into the respective cutout units; wherein an injection molding channel is constructed on the inner surface of the main body panel; the injection molding channel communicates with at least one of the plurality of cutout units.

[0005] In one embodiment, the injection runner is filled with a light-transmitting material, and at least a portion of the light incident on each pattern unit is adapted to diffuse within the light-transmitting material in the injection runner connected to the pattern unit, thereby defining a light-passing distance within the injection runner; the length of the injection runner between any two of the plurality of cutout units is greater than the light-passing distance.

[0006] In one embodiment, the injection runner includes: a first runner having an extension spaced apart from the light-transmitting pattern; and a second runner extending from the extension of the first runner and communicating with at least one of a plurality of cutout units.

[0007] In one embodiment, there are multiple second flow channels, and the connection points between two adjacent second flow channels and the first flow channel are spaced apart from each other.

[0008] In one embodiment, the plurality of cutout units include a first cutout unit connected to the first flow channel via a second flow channel; and a second cutout unit spaced apart from the second flow channel and the first flow channel; the injection flow channel further includes a connecting flow channel connecting the first cutout unit and the second cutout unit, such that the second cutout unit is connected to the second flow channel via the connecting flow channel and the first cutout unit.

[0009] In one embodiment, the connecting channel is configured in a curved form.

[0010] In one embodiment, the connection between the second flow channel and the first flow channel is constructed with an arc-shaped chamfer.

[0011] In one embodiment, the first flow channel is annular and surrounds multiple hollow units.

[0012] In one embodiment, the first flow channel is straight, and multiple hollow units are located on the same side or both sides of the first flow channel.

[0013] In one embodiment, at least a portion of at least one patterned unit protrudes from the inner surface of the body plate.

[0014] A second aspect of this application provides an optical assembly for a vehicle. The optical assembly includes a base plate; a trim panel with a light-transmitting pattern as described above, the trim panel being connected to the base plate and together defining a cavity; and a plurality of light sources disposed within the cavity; each light source being configured to correspond to a corresponding pattern unit such that light emitted by each light source is emitted through the corresponding pattern unit.

[0015] The beneficial effects of this application are as follows: According to the technical solution of this application, an injection molding channel communicating with at least one hollow unit is provided on the inner surface of the main body plate. When manufacturing the trim panel, gates can be provided at the hollow unit and / or in the injection molding channel respectively, so that these gates do not interfere with each other, which reduces the manufacturing difficulty of the trim panel and the optical components for vehicles including the trim panel. Attached Figure Description

[0016] With the aid of non-limiting examples of exemplary embodiments of this application, the present application will be further described in a detailed description following with reference to several accompanying drawings. The drawings are not drawn to scale.

[0017] Figure 1 schematically shows a vehicle according to one embodiment of this application.

[0018] Figure 2 schematically shows an optical assembly for a vehicle according to one embodiment of this application.

[0019] Figure 3 schematically shows a cross-sectional view of the optical component.

[0020] Figure 4A schematically shows a view of the inner surface of the trim panel of the first embodiment.

[0021] Figure 4B schematically shows the light-transmitting pattern and the light-transmitting material in the injection molding channel.

[0022] Figure 5 schematically shows a view of the outer surface of the trim panel shown in Figure 4A.

[0023] Figure 6A schematically shows the AA cross-sectional view of Figure 4A.

[0024] Figure 6B schematically shows the BB cross-section of Figure 4A.

[0025] Figure 7A schematically shows a view of the inner surface of the trim panel in the second embodiment.

[0026] Figure 7B schematically shows the light-transmitting pattern and the light-transmitting material in the injection molding channel.

[0027] Figure 8 schematically shows a view of the outer surface of the trim panel shown in Figure 7A.

[0028] Figure 9A schematically shows a view of the inner surface of the trim panel in the third embodiment.

[0029] Figure 9B schematically shows the light-transmitting pattern and the light-transmitting material in the injection molding channel.

[0030] Figure 10 schematically shows a view of the outer surface of the trim panel shown in Figure 9A.

[0031] List of reference numerals: 1: Vehicle; 10: Instrument panel; 11: Roof; 12: Door panel; 2: Optical components for the vehicle; 201: Chamber; 21: Base plate; 22: Light source; 3: Trim panel with translucent pattern; 31: Main body plate; 311: Inner surface; 312: Outer surface; 313: Hollowed-out unit; 313a: First hollowed-out unit; 313b: Second hollowed-out unit; 32: Translucent pattern; 321: Pattern unit; 33: Injection runner; 331: First runner; 332: Second runner; 333: Gate; 334: Connecting runner; 331a: Translucent material in the first runner; 332a: Translucent material in the second runner; 334a: Translucent material in the connecting runner; D: Thickness direction of the main body plate. Detailed Implementation

[0032] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this application clearer, the technical solutions of this application will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with specific embodiments and corresponding drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of this application, and not all of them. Based on the embodiments in this application, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0033] In this application, the term "outside" refers to a direction generally away from the light source; the term "inside" refers to a direction generally towards the light source, which is the opposite of the direction indicated by "outside".

[0034] Figure 1 schematically shows a vehicle 1 according to an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 1, the vehicle 1 includes multiple interior trim pieces, such as a dashboard 10, a headliner 11, and door panels 12. An optical assembly 2 for the vehicle (hereinafter referred to as optical assembly 2) may be provided on any of these interior trim pieces to enable the interior trim piece to display specific optical effects as needed.

[0035] Referring to Figures 2 and 3, the optical component 2 includes a base plate 21, multiple light sources 22, and a decorative plate 3 with a light-transmitting pattern (hereinafter referred to as the decorative plate 3).

[0036] The decorative panel 3 includes an opaque main panel 31 and a translucent pattern 32 on the main panel 31. The translucent pattern 32 includes a plurality of translucent pattern units 321. For example, these pattern units 321 are spaced apart from each other.

[0037] In some embodiments, the light source 22 can be an LED chip. Of course, the light source can also be any other suitable light-emitting device, and there are no limitations on this.

[0038] The base plate 21 is constructed as an open receiving groove. The decorative panel 3 is connected to the base plate 21 and together defines the cavity 201. Multiple light sources 22 are located within the cavity 201 and are respectively arranged corresponding to the corresponding pattern units 321 on the decorative panel 3. When these light sources 22 are lit, the light emitted by each light source 22 passes through the corresponding pattern unit 321 and exits outside the cavity 201, so that the optical component 2 (or the decorative panel 3) displays a pattern.

[0039] It should be understood that in some embodiments, the trim panel can also be applied separately to interior components of the vehicle, as long as the interior component can provide light suitable for illuminating the patterned unit, which will not be elaborated here.

[0040] It should also be understood that, depending on the actual situation, the translucent patterns on the decorative panels can be constructed to display beacons, images, numbers, letters, symbols, etc., without any restrictions.

[0041] The first embodiment of the decorative panel will now be described.

[0042] Referring to Figures 4A and 5, the main body plate 31 of the decorative panel 3 in the first embodiment has an inner surface 311 facing the light source 22 and an outer surface 312 opposite to the inner surface 311 (i.e., the outer surface 312 faces away from the light source 22). A plurality of spaced-apart cutout units 313 are constructed on the main body plate 31. By injection molding a light-transmitting material into each cutout unit 313, these cutout units 313 are formed into light-transmitting pattern units 321. These pattern units 321 constitute a light-transmitting pattern 32 on the main body plate 31.

[0043] As shown in Figure 5, each pattern unit 321 is generally a straight line segment, and these pattern units 321 are combined to form three Arabic numerals "8" side by side (that is, the light-transmitting pattern 32 includes three Arabic numerals "8" side by side). In this way, the optical component 2 is suitable for displaying numbers.

[0044] In one embodiment, the body panel 31 and the translucent pattern 32 (or pattern unit 321) are manufactured by two-color injection molding. The first shot of the two-color injection molding uses an opaque material (e.g., opaque ABS or PC-ABS, etc.) to form an opaque body panel with a perforated pattern. The second shot of the two-color injection molding injects a translucent material (e.g., transparent PC or acrylic, etc.) into the perforated pattern to form a translucent pattern on the body panel. The two-color injection molding process is well known to those skilled in the art and will not be described in detail here. Of course, other materials and / or other processes, such as insert molding, can also be used to manufacture the body panel and the translucent pattern, depending on the specific circumstances.

[0045] Referring to Figures 4A, 6A, and 6B, injection molding channels 33 are formed on the inner surface 311 of the main body plate 31. The injection molding channels 33 communicate with these cutout units 313. In one embodiment, at least part or all of the injection molding channels 33 may be recessed within the main body plate 31; at least part or all of the injection molding channels 33 may also protrude beyond the inner surface of the main body plate 33, as determined by the specific circumstances.

[0046] When manufacturing the decorative panel 3 of this application, multiple gates 333 can be provided at the hollowed-out unit 313 and / or on the injection runner 33, so that the spacing between these gates 333 is large and they do not interfere with each other. In this way, injection molding material can be conveniently injected into each hollowed-out unit 313 through these gates 333 and the injection runner 33, thereby completing the manufacturing of the decorative panel 3. It should be understood that in the decorative panel 3, both the injection runner 33 and the hollowed-out unit 313 are filled with a light-transmitting material.

[0047] According to the decorative panel 3 of this application, each pattern unit 321 is completely surrounded by the opaque main panel 31 along the thickness direction D of the main panel 31 (as shown in Figures 6A and 6B). Thus, after the light source 22 is lit, the light emitted by the light source 22 can only be emitted from the corresponding pattern unit 321 and cannot be emitted from adjacent or other pattern units (i.e., a pattern unit corresponding to a certain light source cannot be lit by other light sources), thereby avoiding light crosstalk on the decorative panel 3 and helping to clearly display the translucent pattern 32 on the decorative panel 3. In this application, light crosstalk refers to the phenomenon where at least a portion of the light emitted by one or more light sources is emitted from the pattern unit corresponding to one or more other non-light-emitting light sources, resulting in at least a portion of that pattern unit being lit.

[0048] In some embodiments not shown, the light-transmitting pattern protrudes from the inner surface of the main body panel. This protruding structure helps improve the assembly accuracy of the trim panel and the base plate, avoiding light leakage caused by assembly errors.

[0049] As shown in Figure 4A, the injection runner 33 includes a first runner 331 and multiple second runners 332.

[0050] The first flow channel 331 is an elliptical ring surrounding the hollowed-out units 313, and is also spaced apart from these hollowed-out units 313 (i.e., the first flow channel is not directly connected to each hollowed-out unit). Of course, depending on the actual situation, the first flow channel can also be constructed as a ring, which is not limited here. In some embodiments not shown, the first flow channel can also be constructed as a non-closed shape, such as a straight segment or a curved segment. In this case, one or both ends of the first flow channel can be connected to one or more hollowed-out units, and the portion between the two ends of the first flow channel forms an extension spaced apart from the light-transmitting pattern.

[0051] Each second runner 332 extends from the first runner 331 into the area defined by the first runner 331 and communicates with at least one of these cutout units 313. Thus, the first runner 331 can have a longer length, thereby providing more space for the gate 333, which further facilitates the manufacture of the decorative panel 3. The specific lengths of the first runner 331 and the second runner 332 can be determined according to actual conditions and are not limited here.

[0052] As shown in Figure 4A, the connection points of two adjacent second runners 332 and the first runner 331 are spaced apart. In this case, gates 333 can be provided at the connection points of the second runners 332 and the first runner 331 (i.e., the number of gates 333 is equal to the number of second runners 332), and adjacent gates 333 do not interfere with each other. Compared to setting gates at other locations on the first runner, setting gates at the connection points helps to reduce the amount of injection molding material remaining in the injection runners 33 during the injection molding process, thereby improving the effective utilization rate of injection molding material and reducing the manufacturing cost of the decorative panel 3. Of course, depending on the actual situation, gates can also be set at locations off the connection points on the first runner and / or the second runner, and / or at certain openwork patterns, as long as adjacent gates do not interfere with each other.

[0053] In some cases, during the injection molding process, the injection materials in different second flow channels 332 can flow to each other through the first flow channel 331 to replenish each other, so as to ensure that all the hollow units 313 are filled.

[0054] In some cases, the number of gates is less than the number of second runners. This allows for a greater distance between adjacent gates, further preventing interference between them. During injection molding, the injection material flows through the first runner into each of the second runners and eventually fills all the cutout units.

[0055] In other cases, where the number of cutout units is large and / or complex, multiple first runners can be provided. These first runners are spaced apart from each other, and one or more second runners extend from each first runner. A gate is provided on each first runner (and / or the corresponding second runner), so that the distance between adjacent gates can be greater, further avoiding interference between adjacent gates.

[0056] The connection between each second runner 332 and the first runner 331 is constructed with an arc-shaped chamfer (not shown in the figure). During the injection molding process, the chamfer helps to reduce the flow resistance of the injection molding material and avoid the formation of weld lines or cold runner marks at the connection point between the second runner 332 and the first runner 331, thereby improving the sensory quality of the trim panel 3.

[0057] In one embodiment, the first flow channel 331 is recessed within the body plate 31, and the depth of the first flow channel 331 is between 30% and 60% of the thickness of the body plate 31. The same applies to the second flow channel 332. For example, if the thickness of the body plate 31 is between 2 mm and 3 mm, the depth of the first flow channel 331 (or the second flow channel 332) is between 1 mm and 1.2 mm. This results in lower flow resistance of the injection molding material within the injection channel 33. The widths of the first flow channel 331 and the second flow channel 332 can be determined according to actual conditions; for example, both can be approximately 2 mm wide, which also helps reduce the flow resistance of the injection molding material within the injection channel 33. Of course, the depth and width of the first flow channel 331 and the second flow channel 332 can also be other values ​​depending on the actual conditions.

[0058] As also shown in Figure 4A, these cutout units 313 include a plurality of first cutout units 313a and a plurality of second cutout units 313b. Each first cutout unit 313a is connected to a second flow channel 332 (i.e., each first cutout unit 313a is connected to a first flow channel 331 via a second flow channel 332), and the second cutout units 313b are spaced apart from the first flow channel 331 and these second flow channels 332. The injection molding runner 33 also includes a connecting flow channel 334 (as shown in Figure 6B) connecting at least one first cutout unit 313a and at least one second cutout unit 313b, whereby each second cutout unit 313b is connected to the corresponding second flow channel 332 via the corresponding connecting flow channel 334 and the corresponding first cutout unit 313a, and further connected to the first flow channel 331. For example, a straight connecting flow channel 334 connects two oppositely arranged first cutout units 313a and second cutout units 313b. For example, in the case where two first cutout units 313a and two second cutout units 313b form a rectangle, a generally cross-shaped connecting channel 334 is constructed within the rectangle. The four ends of this cross-shaped connecting channel 334 communicate with the two first cutout units 313a and the two second cutout units 313b, respectively. Thus, during injection molding, the injection material in the first cutout unit 313a can flow through the connecting channel 334 into the corresponding second cutout unit 313b, thereby filling these second cutout units 313b with injection material.

[0059] It should be noted that in the cross-shaped connecting channels, the bends of the connecting channels are also constructed with rounded chamfers to reduce the flow resistance of the injection molding material.

[0060] It should also be noted that, as shown in Figure 4B, the first flow channel is filled with a light-transmitting material 331a, the second flow channel is filled with a light-transmitting material 332a, and the connecting flow channel is filled with a light-transmitting material 334a. Taking the light-transmitting material 334a in the connecting flow channel as an example, after the light source is lit, at least a portion of the light incident on each pattern unit can diffuse within the light-transmitting material 334a in the connecting flow channel connected to that pattern unit, thus defining a light-crossing distance within the connecting flow channel. In other words, as the light propagates within the light-transmitting material 334a in the connecting flow channel, the brightness of the light gradually decreases. The length along the corresponding connecting flow channel between the pattern unit and the position where the brightness of the light decreases to a predetermined value is the light-crossing distance. It should be noted that the "predetermined value of light brightness" mentioned above can be determined according to actual conditions, and will not be elaborated here. In one embodiment, the light-crossing distance is related to the brightness of the light source, the flow channel parameters, the light-guiding performance of the light-transmitting material, etc.

[0061] The length of the connecting channel between any two hollow units (or pattern units) is greater than the light-transmitting distance. Thus, when using the decorative panel 3, light illuminating one pattern unit will not propagate through the transparent injection molding material in the connecting channel 334 to adjacent pattern units (i.e., light leakage between these two pattern units is prevented through the connecting channel), thereby improving the display quality of the decorative panel 3. The same applies to the first and second channels, which will not be elaborated further here.

[0062] In one embodiment, the connecting channel 334 is configured in a curved form (the light-transmitting material 334a within the connecting channel is also correspondingly curved) to prevent light leakage between the two pattern units connected by the curved connecting channel. For example, in the case where two first cutout units 313a and two second cutout units 313b form a rectangle, the cross-shaped connecting channel can prevent light leakage between the cutout units that are the two adjacent sides of the rectangle.

[0063] The second embodiment of the decorative panel will now be described.

[0064] The decorative panel of the second embodiment is largely the same as that of the first embodiment; the differences between the two are mainly described below. As shown in FIG7A, three spaced-apart arc-shaped cutout patterns 313 are constructed on the main body plate 31, and the three cutout patterns 313 are generally concentric. After injecting light-transmitting material into each cutout unit 313, a pattern unit 321 is formed. For example, these pattern units 321 are combined to form a light-transmitting pattern 32 that can be used to indicate WiFi signals (as shown in FIG8).

[0065] As shown in Figure 7A, the injection runner 33 includes a first runner 331 and three second runners 332. The first runner 331 is generally annular and surrounds the cutout units 313, and is also spaced apart from the cutout units 313. Each second runner 332 connects one cutout unit 313 to the first runner 331.

[0066] The connection points between these second runners 332 and the first runner 331 are spaced apart from each other. A gate 333 is provided at each connection point, and adjacent gates 333 do not interfere with each other.

[0067] It should be understood that although Figure 7A shows two second flow channels facing each other radially along the first flow channel 331, and the remaining second flow channel is at a 90-degree angle to the two second flow channels, three second flow channels can also be set in other ways depending on the actual situation. For example, the three second flow channels can be evenly distributed circumferentially along the first flow channel, and the three gates can also be evenly distributed circumferentially along the first flow channel accordingly.

[0068] As shown in Figure 7B, the first flow channel is filled with a light-transmitting material 331a, and the second flow channel is filled with a light-transmitting material 332a. Similar to the first embodiment of the decorative panel, in Figure 7B, the length of the flow channel between any two pattern units is greater than the light-transmitting distance formed within that flow channel. As shown in Figure 8, each of the three pattern units 321 is completely surrounded by an opaque main body plate 31. Therefore, no light-transmitting phenomenon occurs between the three pattern units 321.

[0069] The third embodiment of the decorative panel will now be described.

[0070] The decorative panel of the third embodiment is largely the same as that of the first embodiment; the differences between the two are mainly described below. As shown in FIG9A, three spaced-apart circular cutout patterns 313 are constructed on the main body plate 31, and the three cutout patterns 313 are generally arranged in a straight line. After injecting light-transmitting material into each cutout unit 313, a pattern unit 321 is formed. For example, these pattern units 321 are combined to form a light-transmitting pattern 32 that can be used to indicate a certain intensity level signal (as shown in FIG10).

[0071] As shown in Figure 9A, the injection molding runner 33 includes a first runner 331 and three second runners 332. The first runner 331 is straight, and the three cutout patterns 313 are located on the same side of the first runner 331. The first runner 331 is also spaced apart from these cutout units 313. The length of the first runner 331 can be equal to or greater than the length of the line segment on which the three cutout patterns 313 are located. Each second runner 332 connects one cutout unit 313 to the first runner 331.

[0072] A gate 333 is provided on the first runner 331. During the injection molding process, injection molding material is injected into the three cutout units 313 through this gate 333. Of course, multiple gates can also be provided on the first runner, or some gates can be set at the cutout pattern and / or on the second runner, as long as adjacent gates do not interfere with each other.

[0073] It should be understood that, depending on the actual situation, the three perforated patterns can also be distributed on both sides of the straight first flow channel, and the three second flow channels are correspondingly distributed on both sides of the first flow channel. For example, one perforated pattern is on one side of the first flow channel, and the other two perforated patterns are on the other side of the first flow channel; correspondingly, one second flow channel is on one side of the first flow channel and connected to the one perforated pattern, and the other two second flow channels are on the other side of the first flow channel and connected to the other two perforated patterns respectively.

[0074] As shown in Figure 9B, both the first and second flow channels are filled with a light-transmitting material. Similar to the first embodiment of the decorative panel, in Figure 9B, the length of the flow channel between any two pattern units is greater than the light-transmitting distance formed within that flow channel. As shown in Figure 10, each of the three pattern units 321 is completely surrounded by an opaque main body plate 31. Therefore, no light-transmitting phenomenon occurs between the three pattern units 321.

[0075] It should be noted that the present invention (e.g., inventive concepts, etc.) has been described in the specification of this patent document and / or illustrated in the figures according to exemplary embodiments; embodiments of the present invention are presented by way of example only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. The structure and / or arrangement of the elements of the inventive concept embodied in the present invention as described in the specification and / or illustrated in the figures are merely illustrative. Although exemplary embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail in this patent document, it will be readily understood by those skilled in the art that equivalents, modifications, variations, etc., of the subject matter of the exemplary and alternative embodiments are possible and are considered to be within the scope of the present invention; all such subject matter (e.g., modifications, variations, embodiments, combinations, equivalents, etc.) are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention. It should also be noted that various / other modifications, variations, substitutions, equivalents, alterations, omissions, etc., may be made in the configuration and / or arrangement of the exemplary embodiments (e.g., in terms of concept, design, structure, apparatus, form, assembly, construction, means, function, system, process / method, steps, sequence of process / method steps, operation, operating conditions, performance, materials, composition, combination, etc.). All such subject matter (e.g., modifications, variations, embodiments, combinations, equivalents, etc.) is intended to be included within the scope of this invention without departing from its scope; all such subject matter (e.g., modifications, variations, embodiments, combinations, equivalents, etc.) is intended to be included within the scope of this invention. The scope of this invention is not intended to be limited to the subject matter (e.g., details, structures, functions, materials, behaviors, steps, sequences, systems, results, etc.) described in the specification and / or figures of this patent document. It should be understood that the claims of this patent document will be properly interpreted to cover the full scope of the subject matter of this invention (e.g., including any and all such modifications, variations, embodiments, combinations, equivalents, etc.); the terminology used in this patent document is intended to provide a description of the subject matter of exemplary embodiments and not to limit the scope of the invention.

[0076] It should also be noted that, according to exemplary embodiments, the present invention may include conventional techniques (e.g., techniques implemented and / or integrated in exemplary embodiments, modifications, variations, combinations, equivalents, etc.), or may include any other applicable techniques (now and / or in the future) with the ability to perform the functions and processes / operations described in the specification and / or illustrated in the figures. All such techniques (e.g., techniques implemented in the manner of embodiments, modifications, variations, combinations, equivalents, etc.) are considered to be within the scope of the present invention of this patent document.

Claims

1. A decorative panel with a translucent pattern, characterized in that, The decorative panel includes: An opaque main body panel has an inner surface and an outer surface opposite to the inner surface; a plurality of spaced-apart cutout units are constructed on the main body panel; and The translucent pattern includes multiple pattern units formed by injection molding translucent material into the respective hollowed-out units; An injection molding channel is formed on the inner surface of the main body plate; the injection molding channel is connected to at least one of the plurality of hollowed-out units.

2. The decorative panel according to claim 1, characterized in that, The injection molding channel is filled with the light-transmitting material, and at least a portion of the light incident on each of the pattern units is adapted to diffuse within the light-transmitting material in the injection molding channel connected to the pattern unit, thereby defining a light-diffusing distance within the injection molding channel. The length of the injection channel between any two of the plurality of hollow units is greater than the light-diffusing distance.

3. The decorative panel according to claim 1, characterized in that, The injection molding channel includes: The first channel has an extension spaced apart from the light-transmitting pattern; and The second flow channel extends from the extension of the first flow channel and communicates with at least one of the plurality of hollowed-out units.

4. The decorative panel according to claim 3, characterized in that, There are multiple second flow channels, and the connection points between two adjacent second flow channels and the first flow channel are spaced apart from each other.

5. The decorative panel according to claim 3, characterized in that, The plurality of hollowed-out units include: The first hollowed-out unit is connected to the first flow channel through the second flow channel; and The second hollowed-out unit is spaced apart from the second flow channel and the first flow channel; The injection molding flow channel also includes a connecting flow channel between the first hollow unit and the second hollow unit, so that the second hollow unit is connected to the second flow channel through the connecting flow channel and the first hollow unit.

6. The decorative panel according to claim 5, characterized in that, The connecting channel is configured in a curved shape.

7. The decorative panel according to claim 3, characterized in that, The connection between the second flow channel and the first flow channel is constructed with an arc-shaped chamfer.

8. The decorative panel according to claim 3, characterized in that, The first flow channel is annular and surrounds the plurality of said hollow units.

9. The decorative panel according to claim 3, characterized in that, The first flow channel is straight, and the plurality of the hollowed-out units are located on the same side or both sides of the first flow channel.

10. The decorative panel according to claim 1, characterized in that, At least a portion of at least one of the patterned units protrudes from the inner surface of the body plate.

11. An optical component for a vehicle, characterized in that, The optical components include: Base plate; A decorative panel with a translucent pattern according to any one of claims 1 to 10, said decorative panel being connected to the base plate and together defining a cavity; and Multiple light sources are disposed within the cavity; each light source is configured to correspond to a corresponding pattern unit, such that light emitted by each light source is emitted through the corresponding pattern unit.

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