Exterior Vehicle Trim Panel With Concealed Heating Foil
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing exterior trim panels for vehicles have a heating foil that is visible from the outside, detracting from the visual appeal and aesthetics.
Innovation Solution
A decorative panel with a heating foil concealed behind a design foil, using a transparent or translucent polymer base body with an anti-reflection layer, ensuring the design foil is visible while hiding the heating foil and conductor tracks, and optionally incorporating a protective layer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a heating foil with conductor tracks is integrated into the decorative panel, then the panel provides heating functionality, but the conductor tracks become visible from the outside, deteriorating the visual appeal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a multi-layer structure where the heating foil is positioned in a rear layer while the design foil with decor is positioned in a front layer. This spatial arrangement in different dimensions allows the functional element (heating foil) to be hidden behind the aesthetic element (design foil), resolving the contradiction between functionality and visual appeal.
Solution Approach 2:
The heating foil is nested within the decorative panel structure, specifically positioned between the base body and the design foil. This nesting arrangement allows the heating functionality to be contained within the aesthetic shell, making the conductor tracks invisible from the outside while preserving the decorative appearance.
2Illumination intensity
If the decorative panel uses a transparent or translucent polymer material, then the panel allows light transmission for environment detection, but the heating foil becomes more visible through the transparent material
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions the heating foil in a rear layer behind the design foil, creating a dimensional separation where the transparent base body allows light transmission to the environment detection element, while the design foil in the front layer blocks the view of the heating foil, preventing it from being visible through the transparent material.
3Shape
If the design foil is positioned in front of the heating foil, then the aesthetic appearance is improved by hiding conductor tracks, but the heating functionality may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The heating foil is nested within the panel structure between the base body and the design foil, allowing it to remain functional while being aesthetically concealed. The design foil acts as a cover that does not interfere with the heating function, as the heat can still be generated and distributed through the panel structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The base body acts as an intermediary medium between the heating foil and the design foil, allowing thermal energy to pass through from the heating element to the outer surface while the design foil maintains its aesthetic function of hiding the conductor tracks.
4Measurement precision
If an anti-reflection layer is added to improve light penetration for the environment detection element, then the detection accuracy is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The anti-reflection layer is integrated into the existing multi-layer structure of the decorative panel, serving the dual function of improving light transmission for the environment detection element while maintaining the aesthetic and protective functions of the panel. This eliminates the need for a separate component, thereby minimizing the increase in device complexity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enhances visual appeal by concealing heating elements, maintaining functionality while providing improved aesthetics and protection.
Implementation Method 1
the heating foil, and in particular the conductor tracks on the heating foil, are visible from the outside
Implementation Method 2
the decorative panel consists of a flat base body made of a polymer material that is transparent or translucent for at least one wavelength of visible light
Implementation Method 3
the decorative panel additionally has an anti-reflection layer, wherein the anti-reflection layer is provided so that the electromagnetic radiation emitted by the environment detection element can penetrate into the decorative panel largely undisturbed (reflection losses less than 25%)
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
AI summary
The invention relates to an exterior trim part arrangement for a vehicle, comprising a decorative panel (1), wherein the decorative panel (1), when used as intended on the vehicle, has a visible outer side (A) and an inner side (B) opposite the outer side (A), and comprising an environment detection element (S), wherein the decorative panel (1) is positioned in front of the environment detection element (S) such that the environment detection element (S) faces the inner side (B) of the decorative panel (1), wherein the decorative panel (1) consists of a flat base body (3) made of a polymer material that is transparent or translucent for at least one wavelength of visible light, wherein the decorative panel (1) further comprises a heating foil (4) integrally connected to the base body (3), wherein the decorative panel (1) additionally comprises a design foil (6) forming a decor and/or a color of the decorative panel (1),wherein the design foil (6) is arranged on the base body (3) of the decorative panel (1) in such a way that it is arranged in front of the heating foil (4) coming from the outside (A).