COVERING DEVICE, BODY PART AND MOTOR VEHICLE

Abstract

The present invention relates to a covering device 3 for arrangement on at least one outer or one inner region of a motor vehicle 1, comprising at least one form element 5 which is produced and/or can be produced by means of injection moulding and has an inner side 5i oriented towards the motor vehicle and an outer side 5a oriented away from the motor vehicle 1, one or more lighting devices 21, 24, 27 for emitting light and at least one covering element 7 which, for covering the form element 5 at least in regions, is arranged at least in regions on the outer side 5a of the form element 5, at least part of the light emitted by the lighting device 21, 24, 27 being able to pass through the form element 5 and/or the covering element 7 in at least one first region 13 of the covering device 3, the form element 5 and the covering element 7 being at least translucent at least in the first region 13.

Claims

1-26. (canceled)

27. A covering device for arranging on at least one outer or one inner portion of a motor vehicle, comprising: at least one form element which is produced by injection molding and has an inner side oriented towards the motor vehicle and an outer side oriented away from the motor vehicle to a space inside the vehicle or to a space outside the vehicle; at least one covering element which is arranged at least in regions on the outside of the form element for covering the form element at least in regions; and one or more lighting devices, the one or more lighting devices being arranged on the inner side of the form element or connected at least to the inner side and the form element covers the one or more lighting devices, wherein at least part of the light emitted by the one or more lighting devices is able to pass through the form element and the covering element to the space inside the vehicle or to a space outside the vehicle in at least a first region of the covering device, the form element being translucent at least in the first region and the covering element being translucent at least in the first region.

28. The covering device according to claim 1, wherein the covering device further comprises at least one light guide for distributing at least part of the light emitted by the one or more lighting devices at least to the first region.

29. The covering device according to claim 1, wherein at least one of: the translucency of the form element or of both mold and covering elements is adjusted in the injection molding process; or different translucencies are introduced in the injection molding process.

30. The covering device according to claim 1, wherein the covering element comprises at least one metal coating which is produced using a thin-film technology.

31. The covering device according to claim 31, wherein the metal coating comprises a chromium-containing layer, and the chromium-containing layer is a chromium alloy or a doped chromium layer.

32. The covering device according to claim 1, wherein the covering device further comprises at least one display means or at least one emblem.

33. The covering device according to claim 32, wherein the display means is at least regionally or at least partially translucent or transparent, and is arranged at least partially in the first region.

34. The covering device according to claim 32, wherein the covering element, at least in regions, covers the indicating means.

35. The covering device according to claim 1, wherein the shaping element forms at least one projection or cavity for receiving the one or more lighting devices.

36. The covering device according to claim 1, wherein the one or more lighting devices comprises at least one or more light emitting diodes (LED) or organic light emitting diodes (OLED), or flexible LEDs arranged on at least one flexible band or flexible OLEDs, the LEDs or OLEDs being arranged on the inside of the shaping element or the display means.

37. The covering device according to claim 1, wherein the one or more lighting devices comprises at least one display device, a monitor, or an LCD monitor, for displaying at least one display or logo or emblem.

38. The covering device according to claim 1, wherein the one or more lighting devices comprises at least one projection device for projecting at least one piece of information or logo onto at least one surface, or an illuminating device, a floor lamp, or puddle lamp for illuminating at least one surface on at least one region of the ground.

39. The covering device according to claim 1, wherein one or more of the illumination device or the projection device has a radiation angle of 2 to 70°.

40. The covering device according to claim 1, wherein the one or more lighting devices, are configured to at least one of: display different colors as a multi-colored illuminating device, (ii) play or display multiple images, or (iii) convey user-related ads through key-specific information.

41. The covering device according to claim 1, wherein: the one or more lighting devices is clipped, braced, glued, screwed or otherwise connected to the motor vehicle, (ii) the one or more lighting devices is connected to the brake lighting circuit, or (iii) the dimensions of the one or more lighting devices are between 5 mm×5 mm and 25 cm×40 cm.

42. The covering device according to claim 1, wherein the one or more lighting devices are used in a multiplicity of lighting devices for providing different information.

43. The covering device according to claim 1, wherein the covering device further comprises a plurality of light guides and a plurality of first regions, wherein at least a first one of the light guides distributes light to at least one of the first regions and at least a second one of the light guides distributes light to at least another first region.

44. The covering device according to claim 1, further comprising: a light module control system for receiving a dynamic input from a vehicle system, the light module control system comprising: a control module to convert the dynamic input into a graduated scale; and a dynamic display with an illuminated graduate scale for a dynamic viewing situation depending on the operation mode of the motor vehicle or of the display itself.

45. The covering device according to claim 44, wherein the vehicle system and the dynamic display are selected from a speedometer, a fuel display means, a battery charge display means, a r.p.m. counter, a compass direction, a g-force display means, a shift gear indication, or a blind spot detection.

46. A body component for a motor vehicle, comprising at least one covering device according to claim 1.

47. A motor vehicle, comprising at least one covering device according to claim 1.

48. The motor vehicle according to claim 47, wherein the covering device is arranged on the motor vehicle as a one-piece covering device or as a multi-piece covering device comprising a plurality of separate parts, wherein in the case of the multi-piece covering device the individual parts are arranged on regions of the motor vehicle which are movable relative to one another.

49. The motor vehicle according to claim 47, wherein the one-piece covering device covers a door region or from one pillar part to the other pillar part of the same door region, or covers at least one region of the roof of the motor vehicle above the door region as a roof trim strip or as a roof covering, or the roof covering or the roof trim strip extends continuously from a position in the region of an A-pillar of the motor vehicle to at least one position in the region of a C-pillar of the motor vehicle.

50. The motor vehicle according to claim 47, wherein the one-piece covering device is arranged as a spoiler in the roof region, in the region of a rear window or in the region of a vehicle rear end, or the spoiler extends from one side of the motor vehicle to the other side of the motor vehicle.

51. The motor vehicle according to claim 47, wherein the multi-part covering device extends laterally on the motor vehicle over different door regions, or from a position in the region of the A-pillar to a position in the region of the C-pillar.

52. The motor vehicle according to claim 51, wherein the multi-part covering device is arranged as a door shaft strip.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0044] Further characteristics and advantages of the invention result from the following description, in which preferred forms of execution of the invention are explained by means of figures.

[0045] FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of a motor vehicle with an inventive covering device in accordance with a first design;

[0046] FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of a motor vehicle with a covering device according to the invention according to a further design;

[0047] FIG. 3 is a schematic representation of a motor vehicle with a covering device in accordance with the invention in a further design form;

[0048] FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional representation of an inventive covering device in a further design form;

[0049] FIG. 5 is a design of the inventive covering device in the lateral cut;

[0050] FIG. 6 is a further version of the invented covering device in the lateral cut;

[0051] FIG. 7 is a front view on a light module control system in form of a dashboard 71;

[0052] FIG. 8 is a front view on a charging port of a car surrounded by a ring;

[0053] FIGS. 9a and 9b is a front view and a section on a dynamic display of a separate r.p.m. counter with a bezel,

[0054] FIG. 10 is a front view on a g-force display means as an elongated dynamic display

[0055] FIG. 11 is a front view on the inner side of a left front door with a veneer; and

[0056] FIG. 12 is a front view on a speedometer with a surround.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0057] FIG. 1 shows a schematic representation of a motor vehicle 1 according to the third aspect of the invention in a first form. This has an inventive covering device 3 according to the first aspect of the invention in a first execution form.

[0058] The covering device 3, shown here as a one-piece covering device, comprises a form element 5 which can be produced by an injection moulding process and which reproduces the desired shape of the corresponding side section of the motor vehicle 1. The form element 5 is covered with a covering element 7 in the form of a chrome coating. Covering element 7 covers or is arranged on the entire surface area of the form element 5 pointing outwards. In FIG. 1, the corresponding area is highlighted hatched. This clearly shows that the covering device 3 extends laterally and longitudinally of the motor vehicle 1 as a roof trim 42 above the door area 40, from a position 9 in the area of the A-pillar of the motor vehicle 1 continuously to a position 11 in the area of the C-pillar of the motor vehicle 1. Likewise the covering device 3 could cover a door region 40 preferably from one pillar part to the other pillar part of the same door region 40 or as roof covering 43 at least one region of the roof 41 of the motor vehicle 1, wherein the roof covering 43 could extend continuously from a position 9 in the region of an A-column of the motor vehicle 1 to at least one position 11 in the region of a C-column of the motor vehicle 1.

[0059] The covering device 3 has a lighting device 21 (not shown in FIG. 1) (see FIGS. 4-6) for emitting light, which is covered by the form element 5 or the covering element 7 in plan view from the outside. A part of the light emitted by the lighting device may pass out through the moulding 5 and the covering element 7 in at least a first region 13 of the covering device 3 located in the area of the C-pillar of the motor vehicle 1. In the first region, 13, the forming element 5 and the covering element 7 have a passage opening 15. In the first region 13 and within the passage opening 15, a display means 17 in the form of an emblem is arranged which is enclosed by the covering device 3. The display means 17 is designed to be translucent in some areas and can therefore be illuminated from behind by light from the lighting device 21, which emerges visibly outwards at the translucent points.

[0060] The motor vehicle 1 also has a further covering device 3 in accordance with the first aspect of the invention, in a second design which extends transversely and in the transverse direction of the motor vehicle 1, namely a spoiler 19, which extends continuously from a position 11 in the region of the C-pillar on one side of the motor vehicle 1 to the same position on the other side of the motor vehicle 1. The spoiler 19 in other versions could not be arranged above the rear window 44, but at the rear of the vehicle 45.

[0061] In another design form not shown in FIG. 1, in a first region 13 of the covering device 3, the light from a lighting device 21 surrounded by the covering device 3 can exit in a first region 13 of the covering device 3, which is translucent both in the form element 5 and in the covering element 7, and thus produce a flat luminous impression.

[0062] FIG. 2 shows a schematic representation of a motor vehicle 1 in accordance with the invention according to the third aspect of the invention a further design. The elements and operation of the invention multi-part covering device 3′ correspond as far as possible to the elements and operation modes shown in FIG. 1, where the individual parts of the multi-part covering device 3′ are arranged on the two doors 40 as movable areas of motor vehicle 1 against each other. So that both doors can be opened further separately, the part of the 3′ covering device on the front door 40 is designed separately to the other part on the rear door 40. There is no covering device on roof 41. Of course the forms of FIGS. 1 and 2 can be combined with each other.

[0063] As can be seen from FIG. 2, the design of the covering device 3′ differs from that of the covering device 3 in FIG. 1 in terms of its physical shape. For example, the covering device 3′ does not run laterally above but below the windows of motor vehicle 1 as a door shaft strip 46. The position of the display means 17 also differs. This underlines the high design freedom, which is made possible by the inventive covering devices 3, 3′.

[0064] FIG. 3 shows a schematic representation of a motor vehicle 1 according to the invention in another design form. This has an inventive multi-part covering device 3′, the elements and functions of which correspond as closely as possible to the designs in FIGS. 1 and 2.

[0065] For reasons of clarity, neither the form element 5 nor the covering element 7 of the covering device 3′ is shown in detail in FIG. 3. The seven lighting devices 21 can be identified for this purpose. Each of the lighting devices 21 is distributed over various positions behind the form element 5 and the covering element 7. The form element 5 and the covering element 7 are both translucent in this area. This achieves a wide-area lighting effect along the entire side surface of vehicle 1. In addition, light guides (not explicitly shown in FIG. 3) are used which are included in the 3′ covering device. These also direct the light from the individual lighting devices 21 to other points within the respective first region, making the lighting effect more uniform. Lighting device 21 shall preferably include light-emitting diodes. Another lighting device, which is not visible in FIG. 3, is located behind the display means 17.

[0066] FIG. 4 shows a schematic cross-sectional representation in a further version of an inventive covering device 3, 3′.

[0067] In the lateral section, the cross-section passes through position 11 of the covering device 3, 3′ in the area of the C-pillar. As can be seen from FIG. 4, the covering device 3, 3′ has two lighting devices 21. Namely, on the one hand, a light-emitting diode as a display device 24, the light of which passes through the form element 5 and the covering element 7 in a first translucent region 13 in the direction of the radiation of the light emission 25. And on the other hand a projection device 27, the light of which in the direction of radiation 29 passes through another first region 13 through a passage opening in the form element 5 and in the covering element 7 through the same. On a surface 31 of the ground below the covering device 3, 3′, a logo 33 is projected onto the ground 31 by the projection device 27.

[0068] FIG. 5 shows a schematic representation of a design of the covering device 3, 3′ in a lateral section, from which the layers of form element 5 and covering element 7 emerge particularly clearly. In this case, the form element 5 forms a cavity on the outside of the motor vehicle 1 in which the lighting device 21 is accommodated. The covering element 7 is arranged on the outside 5a of the form element (5) to cover it to the outside. A display means 17, preferably at least one emblem, is arranged on the inside 5i of the form element. Here the display means 17 is designed at least in regions and/or at least partially translucent, in particular transparent, and is arranged in the first region 13, through which at least part of the light emitted by the lighting device 21 can pass outwards through the shaping element 5 and/or the covering element 7. The lighting device 21 is here connected via the display means 17 to the inside 5i of the form element 5 with the first region 13 covering the lighting device 21. In this design, the lighting device 21 can be a flat arrangement of several LEDs or a flat OLED. The covering element 7 comprises here at least one metal coating which is preferably produced and/or producible by means of thin-film technology. The metal coating can include a chromium-containing layer, preferably a chromium alloy or a doped chromium layer. The covering element 7 covers the display means 17.

[0069] FIG. 6 shows another version of the invented covering device in a lateral cut. In contrast to FIG. 5, here the lighting device 21 is not arranged on the display 17. Here the covering device 3, 3′ further comprises a light guide 18 which distributes the light emitted by the lighting device 21 to the first region 13 by extending from the lighting device 21 to the display means 17. The illumination device 21 is designed as an LED or as a linear chain of LEDS. In other designs, the covering device 3, 3′ could also comprise a plurality of light guides 18 and a plurality of first regions (13), wherein at least a first one of the light guides 18 distributes light to at least one of the first regions 13 and at least a second one of the light guides 18 distributes light to at least another first region 13. For the remaining components, please refer to the description in FIG. 5.

[0070] FIG. 7 shows a light module control system 70 in form of a dashboard 71 of a motor vehicle 1. Three dynamic displays 72, 73, 74 have each an illuminated graduate scale 75 to display a dynamic input 76 from the vehicle system 2, which has been converted to a converted signal 76′ for the graduate scale 75 by a control module 77. The dynamic displays 72, 73, 74 are shown in dotted lines, since depending on the operation mode of the motor vehicle 1 activated or stopped or of the operation mode of the display itself being activated or stopped, the dynamic displays 72, 73, 74 appear through the metallic coating of the dashboard 71 or not by using a light array behind the dashboard 71. The dynamic displays with the corresponding graduate scale 75 are an r.p.m. counter 72, a speedometer 73 and a fuel display means 74. Instead of a fuel display means, a battery charge display means could be used. To indicate the value of the graduated scale 75, a hand 78 can be displayed together with the graduated scale 75.

[0071] FIG. 8 shows a charging port 80 of a car surrounded by a ring 81 which is multicolor to show the charge status at the place where a charger (not shown) is connected to the car. The color of the ring can change from red—empty to green—full or the ring 81 can have segments 82 which are switched on one after the other depending on the charging status of the battery.

[0072] FIG. 9a, b shows a dynamic display 90 of a separate r.p.m. counter with a bezel 91 surrounding an inner display area 92, all being covered with a metallic coating. A graduated scale 93 shows the information, when the dynamic display is activated and illuminated by an inner light source 94. Without illumination, the display 90 would appear as a metallic surface 95 only.

[0073] FIG. 10 shows a g-force display means as an elongated dynamic display 100 with a graduated scale 101 and a logo 102 appearing through the metallic coating when activated and illuminated from the backside. Such a g-force display means could be placed in the field of view of the passenger to indicate the g-force during acceleration or braking of the car as well as side accelerations in driving around bends. This display could be activated if a special mode of operation is selected, for example a sport mode. This kind of display could also be used to indicate other dynamic inputs such as a r.p.m. counter.

[0074] FIG. 11 shows the inner side of a left front door 110 with a window 111. The covering device is a veneer 112 surrounding at least partially the window 111 and being placed in the direction of view of an exterior mirror (not shown). The veneer 111 is covered with a metallic coating and has a hidden til lit function with functional images that appear if and when required, p. ex. a vehicle blind spot symbol (not shown).

[0075] FIG. 12 shows a dynamic display 120 in form of a speedometer with a surround 121 with a metallic appearance around a graduated scale 122. The surround 121 is illuminated corresponding to a value of another graduated scale not shown, p.ex. a r.p.m. counter and can change color if a shift needs to occur. The illumination of the surround 121 is independent oft the value on the graduated scale 122, indicated by the hand 123 or 123′ in a different situation.

[0076] The characteristics revealed in the preceding description, in the figures and in the claims may be essential to the invention in its various forms, either individually or in any combination.

REFERENCE CHARACTER LIST

[0077] 1 Car [0078] 3 (one-piece) covering device [0079] 3′ (multi-part) covering device [0080] 5 Form element [0081] 5i inner side of the form element oriented towards the motor vehicle [0082] 5a outer side of the form element oriented away from the motor vehicle [0083] 7 Covering element [0084] 9 Position in the area of the A-pillar of the motor vehicle [0085] 11 Position in the area of the C-pillar of the motor vehicle [0086] 13 first region [0087] 15 opening [0088] 17 Light guide [0089] 18 Light guide [0090] 19 Spoiler [0091] 21 Lighting device [0092] 24 Display unit [0093] 25 Light emission of Display device [0094] 27 Projection device, illumination device [0095] 29 Light emission of the projection device or illuminating device [0096] 31 Area, e.g. the soil [0097] 33 Information, such as a logo [0098] 40 Door or door area of the motor vehicle [0099] 41 Roof of the motor vehicle [0100] 42 Covering device as roof molding [0101] 43 Covering device as roof covering [0102] 44 Rear window of the motor vehicle [0103] 45 Rear of the motor vehicle [0104] 46 Covering device as door shaft strip [0105] 70 light module control system [0106] 71 dashboard [0107] 72 r.p.m. counter [0108] 73 speedometer [0109] 74 fuel display means [0110] 75 graduated scale [0111] 76 dynamic input [0112] 76′ converted signal [0113] 77 control module [0114] 78 hand [0115] 80 charging port [0116] 81 ring [0117] 82 segments [0118] 90 dynamic display [0119] 91 bezel [0120] 92 inner display area [0121] 93 graduated scale [0122] 94 inner light source [0123] 95 metallic surface [0124] 100 elongated dynamic display [0125] 101 graduated scale [0126] 102 logo [0127] 110 left front door [0128] 111 window [0129] 112 veneer [0130] 120 display [0131] 121 surround [0132] 122 graduated scale [0133] 123 hand [0134] 123′ hand