Vehicle Trim Part Layered Decorative Finish Light Pattern
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for an easily and inexpensively manufactured vehicle trim part with a decorative, layered finish that can form a light pattern, such as a logo or image, at the front of the part, which is not effectively addressed by existing technologies.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle trim part comprising a polymeric substrate, a decorative layer, and a light-transmissive protective layer with translucent surface finishes, where the decorative layer has openings aligned with the protective layer's surface portions to create visible light patterns when illuminated, and can be easily manufactured using compression molding techniques.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If genuine wood grain finishes are used to enhance aesthetic appeal, then the appearance quality is improved, but the manufacturing cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a printed film that replicates the appearance of genuine wood grain patterns. The film is applied to a plastic substrate and then vacuum-formed to match the contours of the trim part, creating a cost-effective copy of expensive wood finishes without using actual wood materials.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms the physical state and properties of materials through heating and vacuum-forming processes. The printed film is heated to become pliable, then vacuum-formed to conform to the substrate's shape, and finally cooled to set the decorative pattern in place, achieving aesthetic transformation through parameter changes.
2Illumination intensity
If decorative trim parts are made visible in darker conditions by placing logos within light source fields, then the visibility is improved, but the feasibility is reduced due to space constraints and heat issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the logo design from the traditional approach of placing it within a light source field and instead integrates it directly into the trim part's surface structure. The logo appears as a recessed or raised feature on the decorative film, eliminating the need for separate lighting compartments and reducing heat exposure risks.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the decorative trim function with the logo display function into a single integrated component. The logo is formed as part of the vacuum-formed decorative film itself, combining aesthetic decoration and brand identification in one element that can be directly installed on the trim surface.
3Ease of manufacture
If simulated wood grain finishes are used to reduce cost, then the manufacturing cost is reduced, but the aesthetic appeal deteriorates compared to genuine wood
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a flexible printed film that can be vacuum-formed to conform precisely to the three-dimensional contours of the trim part. This thin film technology allows for high-resolution wood grain patterns to be applied uniformly across complex surfaces, achieving aesthetic quality that closely approaches genuine wood while maintaining cost advantages.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite structure combining a plastic substrate with a printed decorative film. This composite material approach allows the inexpensive plastic base to provide structural function while the printed film layer provides the aesthetic wood grain appearance, achieving a cost-effective combination of form and function.
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 solution allows for the cost-effective production of vehicle trim parts with decorative, illuminated logos or images that are visible under both artificial and natural lighting conditions, enhancing the aesthetic appeal of vehicle interiors without the need for expensive genuine wood finishes.
Implementation Method 1
a light-transmissive, protective layer overlying and protecting the decorative layer. The protective layer includes a front surface and a rear surface having a surface portion with a translucent surface finish
Implementation Method 2
Both a cross section of the opening at the front surface of the decorative layer and the translucent surface finish are sized and shaped to form a light pattern which is visible at the front of the part when artificial lighting illuminates the translucent surface finish from the rear of the part
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle trim part having a layered, decorative finish is provided. The part includes a polymeric substrate, a decorative layer overlying the polymeric substrate and a light-transmissive, protective layer overlying and protecting the decorative layer. The protective layer includes a front surface and a rear surface having a surface portion with a translucent surface finish. The decorative layer has an opening extending from a rear surface of the decorative layer to a front surface of the decorative layer and aligned with the translucent surface finish. Both a cross section of the opening at the front surface of the decorative layer and the translucent surface finish are sized and shaped to form a light pattern which is visible at the front of the part when artificial lighting illuminates the translucent surface finish from the rear of the part.