Vehicle Interior Metal Trim Engraving With Micro-Perforated Graphics
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle interior trim parts with metallic surface elements and graphic designs face issues where the designs are not integral to the surface and their visibility is heavily dependent on daylight, lacking consistency in lighting conditions.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle interior trim part with a metallic surface element featuring a graphic design as an engraving with micro-perforations, where the holes have a diameter of 0.05 mm and a 0.05 mm distance, allowing for consistent visibility regardless of lighting conditions, and can be produced using etching and laser techniques, with the option for partial backlighting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If graphic design is applied as a separate layer or coating on metallic surface element, then production flexibility is improved, but integration into the metallic surface element deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The graphic design is merged with the metallic surface element by creating an engraving directly in the metal surface. The micro-perforations are integrated into the engraved graphic design, combining what were previously separate components (graphic layer + metallic surface) into a single integrated structure. This eliminates the need for separate application layers while maintaining production feasibility through laser-based direct fabrication.
2Ease of manufacture
If traditional engraving without micro-perforation is used, then production simplicity is maintained, but visibility and optical effect under different lighting conditions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The graphic design engraving is transformed into a porous structure by introducing micro-perforations with diameters of 0.05-0.5 mm. These pores interact with light in specific ways, allowing the engraved graphic to be visible both in reflected light during the day and in transmitted light when backlit at night. The porous structure maintains production simplicity through laser-based direct fabrication while dramatically improving optical performance across different lighting conditions.
3Illumination intensity
If micro-perforation with larger hole diameter is used, then light transmission for backlighting is improved, but production complexity and precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The micro-perforation parameters are optimized to a specific range: hole diameters of 0.05-0.5 mm and spacing of 0.1-1.0 mm. These parameter specifications balance light transmission requirements for effective backlighting with the capabilities of standard laser production equipment. The defined parameter range ensures sufficient light transmission while maintaining manufacturing feasibility with conventional laser systems, avoiding the need for ultra-precision manufacturing.
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
The graphic design is consistently visible both day and night, integrated into the metallic surface element, and can be produced simply using known methods, with the ability to be backlit for enhanced visibility.
Implementation Method 1
the micro-perforation is incorporated into a partial or entire surface of the decorative layer using laser technology
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to an interior trim component of a vehicle with a metallic surface element, which is provided with at least one graphic design, such as a logo or symbol. The object of the invention is therefore to create a new interior trim component of a vehicle with a metallic surface element, in which the graphic design does not exhibit the disadvantages described above. The solution to this problem is achieved by the features of claim 1, according to which the graphic design is formed as an engraving created by material removal and that the engraving at least partially comprises a microperforation consisting of a plurality of bores.