Galvanizable Decorative Element with Transilluminable Contour Light
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current decorative elements in vehicles fail to achieve contour light lighting on or in galvanized surfaces, which is a desired feature in the automotive industry for ambient lighting in door panels, center consoles, and instrument trims.
Innovation Solution
A galvanically decorated decorative element is produced using a material-fit composite of two plastic components, where one is galvanizable and forms the decorative element, and the other is galvano-inert, allowing for transilluminable contour light regions, achieved through a two-component injection-molding process and electroplating, with the galvano-inert component being made of amorphous plastics like polyamide or polycarbonate for effective light guidance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a single plastic component is used for the decorative element, then the electroplating process can be applied uniformly, but contour light regions cannot be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The decorative element is segmented into two distinct plastic components: a galvanizable component for the decorative surface and a galvano-inert component for the contour light region. This segmentation allows each component to have specialized properties - one optimized for electroplating and the other for light transmission - thereby achieving contour light functionality without compromising the decorative quality of the plated surface.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the decorative element are assigned different material qualities. The first plastic component (galvanizable) provides the decorative platable surface, while the second plastic component (galvano-inert) provides the transilluminable contour light region. This local differentiation of material properties enables simultaneous achievement of decorative electroplating and contour lighting effects in different areas of the same component.
2Illumination intensity
If a galvanizable plastic is used for the entire decorative element, then a uniform decorative surface is achieved, but light transmission for contour light is blocked
Solution Approach 1:
The galvano-inert second plastic component acts as an intermediary element that separates the electroplating process from the light transmission function. It provides a dedicated region that does not interfere with the electroplating of the first component while simultaneously enabling light transmission for the contour light effect, thus mediating between the conflicting requirements of decorative plating and lighting functionality.
3Illumination intensity
If multiple separate components are used to achieve contour light, then lighting functionality is achieved, but the structure becomes less compact and production more complex
Solution Approach 1:
Two plastic components with different functional properties are merged into a single integrated decorative element through material-fit composite technology. This merging combines the decorative electroplatable surface and the transilluminable contour light region into one unified component, achieving compact structure and simplified production while maintaining both decorative and lighting functionalities.
Solution Approach 2:
The decorative element utilizes a composite structure made from two different plastic materials with complementary properties. The galvanizable plastic component provides decorative surface quality suitable for electroplating, while the galvano-inert plastic component provides light transmission properties. This composite material approach enables simultaneous achievement of decorative and lighting functions in a single integrated component.
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
This solution enables the creation of compact, delicate contour light solutions with improved adhesion and design possibilities, fulfilling the automotive industry's demand for contour light lighting on galvanized decorative elements, enhancing interior design and lighting in vehicles.
Implementation Method 1
A first plastic component (2) is galvanizable and forms the decorative element (3)
Implementation Method 2
at least one second plastic component (4) is galvano-inert, in other words, the component passes through the electroplating process in uncoated and unchanged manner, and represents the transilluminable contour light region
Data Source
AI summary
A galvanically decorated decorative element with contour light is produced from at least two plastic components in a material-fit composite, wherein a first plastic component is galvanigable and forms the decorative element. At least one second plastic component is galvano-inert. Consequently, it is uncoated and passes through the electroplating process unchanged. It represents a transilluminable contour light region.