Cladding Part

Abstract

A cladding part has a carrier part and a surface covering, which is arranged on a side of the carrier part that faces the surface covering. The surface covering is made of an intrinsically stiff knitted-fabric material.

Claims

1. A cladding part, comprising: a carrier part; and a surface covering arranged on a side of the carrier part that faces the surface covering, wherein the surface covering is made of a knitted-fabric material and is intrinsically stiff.

2. The cladding part according to claim 1, wherein the surface covering comprises two layers, wherein one layer is a knitted-fabric material, onto which an intrinsically stiff layer is arranged.

3. The cladding part according to claim 2, wherein the intrinsically stiff layer is translucent.

4. The cladding part according to claim 1, further comprising: at least one light source provided on a side of the carrier part that faces away from the surface covering.

5. The cladding part according to claim 1, wherein the carrier part comprises an opaque material, and translucent apertures are provided in the carrier part.

6. The cladding part according to claim 1, wherein the surface covering is materially bonded to the carrier part.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary carrier part; and

[0020] FIG. 2 is an exemplary sectional view through a cladding part before the surface covering is applied.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] FIG. 1 shows, by way of example, an instrument panel carrier 10, which is to serve as a carrier part 10 for the purpose of explaining the method. As an alternative to the instrument panel carrier illustrated, all of the cladding parts located in the interior, such as glove boxes, central arm rests, central consoles, panels, armrests in the door claddings, door claddings, roof liners, rear consoles, pillar claddings, etc. may also serve as carrier structure 10. This instrument panel carrier 10 has a surface 10o, which is to be covered by means of a surface covering 20. As is illustrated in FIG. 1, this surface 10o may concern merely a portion, such as for example the upper surface of the binnacle of what is known as the instrument cluster. The surface 10o to be covered may, however, also be that part of the surface of the carrier part 10 that would be visible to an occupant of the vehicle in the interior space of the vehicle. As a further alternative, the surface 10o may also comprise the entire surface of the carrier part 10, although in that case regions of the carrier part 10 that are not visible to an occupant of the vehicle would also be laminated.

[0022] FIG. 2 depicts a cladding part 30, specifically in a partially exploded illustration. Here, the surface covering 20 has not yet been applied to the carrier part 10. The surface covering 20 has a two-layer structure and comprises a first layer 21, which forms a decorative layer visible to an occupant of the vehicle. A second layer 22, which is in touching contact with the first layer 21, is provided underneath the first layer in the figure. The second layer 22 thus forms a back material which has sufficient stiffness and intrinsic stability features. The first layer 21 may, for example, be materially bonded, in particular adhesively bonded, to the second layer 22.

[0023] The carrier part 10 has a surface 10o facing the surface covering 20. The surface covering is laminated onto this surface. In the process, for example, a material bond can be created by means of applying glue between the second layer 22 of the surface covering 20 and the surface 10o of the carrier part 10. By way of example, FIG. 2 depicts a light source 40 on an opposite side of the carrier part 10 to the surface covering 20. The light source emits light, which can shine through the otherwise opaque material of the carrier part 10 as a result of apertures 11.

[0024] The foregoing disclosure has been set forth merely to illustrate the invention and is not intended to be limiting. Since modifications of the disclosed embodiments incorporating the spirit and substance of the invention may occur to persons skilled in the art, the invention should be construed to include everything within the scope of the appended claims and equivalents thereof.