Motor Vehicle Outer Trim with Selective Backlit Protrusions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing procedures for producing exterior cladding parts for motor vehicles cannot selectively highlight areas with surveys when a light source is positioned behind the cladding, limiting visual appeal and illumination options.
Innovation Solution
A procedure involving a transparent or translucent plastic base body with surveys, where a light-permeable layer is applied on the view side and surveys, and a color layer is partially or completely removed from the surveys to allow light illumination, using methods like laser radiation and tampon printing or hot blast procedures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If an opaque paint layer is applied to the entire base body including protrusions, then a uniform color appearance is achieved, but the protrusions cannot be selectively illuminated from behind
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different optical properties to different regions: the recesses receive opaque paint while the protrusions remain transparent or receive a different treatment, enabling selective illumination of protrusions from behind while maintaining color appearance in recesses
Solution Approach 2:
The base body is segmented into protrusions and recesses with different surface treatments. The paint application is segmented to cover only specific areas (recesses), leaving other areas (protrusions) transparent for backlighting
2Illumination intensity
If the base body is made transparent to allow backlighting, then selective illumination is possible, but the color appearance is lost in unlit areas
Solution Approach 1:
Different regions of the base body have different optical properties: protrusions are transparent for backlighting while recesses have opaque paint for color appearance, achieving both illumination and color retention simultaneously
3Illumination intensity
If the protrusions are completely transparent, then maximum light transmission is achieved, but the decorative appearance is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses transparent or translucent materials that can change their effective optical appearance based on lighting conditions, providing both high light transmission when lit and decorative appearance when unlit
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
Enables the exterior cladding part to be visually appealing and partially illuminated in areas of surveys, while maintaining color optics when lighting is deactivated, and effectively displaying functional light or signal lights at night without overpowering ambient light during the day.
Implementation Method 1
the paint layer on the raised areas is partially or completely removed, so that these areas of the raised areas are again translucent to light
Implementation Method 2
A preferred hot stamping process comprises the following features: a hot stamping process for transferring a transfer layer (decorative foil) of a hot stamping foil at a stamping temperature and pressure onto a substrate
Implementation Method 3
Pad printing is an indirect gravure printing process in which ink is transferred from a printing plate to the substrate (in this case, the raised areas) as an ink layer by an elastic pad made of, for example, silicone rubber. The transfer of the ink layer to the substrate is achieved by applying pressure with appropriate pressure
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a method for manufacturing an exterior trim part (1) for a motor vehicle, comprising the following steps: providing a base body (2) defining the exterior trim part (1), wherein the base body (2) consists of a light-transparent or translucent plastic material and has a designated visible side (A) and a rear side (B) opposite the visible side (A), wherein a plurality of projections (3) are provided which extend from the surface of the visible side (A) of the base body (2) and are formed integrally with the base body (2); applying an opaque paint layer (4) to the visible side (A) of the base body (2) and to the projections (3) of the base body (2);wherein in a further step the color layer (4) on the raised areas (3) is partially or completely removed so that these areas (5) of the raised areas (3) are again translucent with light and that subsequently at least on these areas (5) a translucent decorative layer (6) or decorative film (6) is applied so that the outer cladding part (1) is partially translucent with light in these areas (5).