TRIM ELEMENT

Abstract

A trim element, in particular for a vehicle interior, which conveys a particular aesthetic impression. A trim element with a first decorative layer that is light-transmissive at least in part between a light-transmissive intermediate layer on a rear side of the first decorative layer and a transparent cover layer and a second decorative layer of the intermediate layer on a front side of the second decorative layer and a carrier, where the second decorative layer is visible at least in part through the intermediate layer.

Claims

1. Trim element, in particular for a vehicle interior, comprising: a first decorative layer that is light-transmissive at least in part between a light-transmissive intermediate layer on a rear side of said first decorative layer and a transparent cover layer, and a second decorative layer between said intermediate layer on a front side of said second decorative layer and a carrier, wherein said second decorative layer is visible at least in part through said intermediate layer.

2. Trim element according to claim 1, wherein said second decorative layer is light-transmissive at least in part.

3. Trim element according to claim 2, wherein said carrier is light-transmissive at least in part and that a light guide layer is provided on the rear side of said carrier.

4. Trim element according to claim 1, wherein said cover layer or said intermediate layer are formed from a plastic material.

5. Trim element according to claim 1, wherein said cover layer and said intermediate layer are formed from a plastic material.

6. Trim element according to claim 4, wherein said plastic material is PUR, PMMA or TPU.

7. Trim element according to claim 1, wherein, starting out from a surface of said trim element formed on a visible side of said trim element, said transparent cover layer, said first decorative layer, said intermediate layer, said second decorative layer and said carrier are provided immediately subsequent to one another.

8. Trim element according to claim 3, wherein, starting out from a surface of said trim element formed on a visible side of said trim element, said transparent cover layer, said first decorative layer, said intermediate layer, said second decorative layer, said carrier and said light guide layer are provided immediately subsequent to one another.

9. Trim element according to claim 1, wherein said first decorative layer is a layer provided with through holes.

10. Trim element according to claim 1, wherein said second decorative layer has a surface that is reflective in the direction toward said transparent cover layer.

11. Trim element according to claim 1, wherein said second decorative layer is an IMD layer or in-mold decoration layer.

12. Trim element according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the first decorative layer and the second decorative layer is formed from a different material than the light-transmissive intermediate layer and the transparent cover layer.

13. Trim element according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the first decorative layer and the second decorative layer comprises at least one opaque layer region with a decorative appearance.

14. Trim element according to claim 1, wherein the first decorative layer comprises a woven fabric, a knitted fabric, a metal layer or a veneer, the veneer being formed and made light-transmissive at least in part by punching an initially uniform veneer layer.

15. Method for producing a trim element according to claim 1, in which said second decorative layer is first back-injection molded with carrier plastic material on the rear side, intermediate layer plastic material is subsequently injected into a gap between said first and said second decorative layer, and said first decorative layer is finally injection-overmolded with cover layer plastic material.

16. Method for producing a trim element according to claim 1, in which said first and said second decorative layer are first bonded to one another by way of said intermediate layer and said second decorative layer is back-injection molded with carrier plastic material and said first decorative layer is injection-overmolded with cover layer plastic material.

17. Method according to claim 16, wherein said first and said second decorative layer are bonded to one another by injecting intermediate layer plastic material into a gap between said first and said second decorative layer.

18. Method according to claim 17, in which a planar intermediate product comprising said intermediate layer, said first decorative layer, and said second decorative layer is first produced and thereafter formed into a reshaped intermediate product which is then back-injection molded with carrier plastic material and injection-overmolded with said cover layer plastic material.

19. Trim element according to claim 5, wherein said plastic material is PUR, PMMA or TPU.

20. A trim element for a vehicle interior comprising: a transparent cover layer forming a surface; a light-transmissive first decorative layer with first decorative elements placed on said transparent cover; a light-transmissive intermediate layer placed on said first decorative layer; a second decorative layer with second decorative elements placed on said light-transmissive intermediate layer; a carrier placed on said second decorative layer; and a substructure placed on said carrier, whereby the second decorative elements are visible through said light-transmissive intermediate layer.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

[0022] The FIGURE in the drawing schematically illustrates layers of the trim element of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING AND INVENTION

[0023] The present invention shall be explained in more detail below on the basis of an embodiment in conjunction with the drawing, which illustrates schematically different layers of the trim element that are illustrated spaced from each other in the drawing for reasons of illustration. The trim element is identified as a whole by reference numeral 1. The transparent cover layer 2, which forms a surface 4 of the trim element 1, is located on the visible side. A first decorative layer 6 that is translucent in part is located on the rear side of the transparent cover layer 2 disposed opposite to the surface 4. It can be formed, for example, by a metal mesh or a veneer provided with a hole pattern. Disposed on the rear side of the first decorative layer 6 located opposite to the transparent cover layer 2 is a light-transmissive intermediate layer 8 which in the present case is made of PMMA.

[0024] Disposed on its rear side in turn in the embodiment is a second decorative layer 10 which is formed by a mirror film. This second decorative layer is backed by a plastic carrier 12 which is supported by a substructure 14. The substructure 14 can be alight guide or a base carrier with an illumination device integrated therein or a light coupling layer or a light guide layer.

[0025] The first decorative layer 6 preferably also has a visually appealing design on its rear side. In the embodiment outlined, it is possible for a viewer of the trim element 1 to look through the one or more through holes in the first decorative layer 6 onto the second decorative layer 10 which directs the view to the rear side of the first decorative layer 6. With regard to this special visual effect, the rear side of the first decorative layer can be colored or designed differently than the front side of the first decorative layer 6. The first decorative layer 6 can also be a composite layer which is formed, for example, on the front side by a metal film and on the rear side by a veneer, whereby the visual appearance of the trim element is further improved.

[0026] The second decorative layer can be light-transmissive in part, so that light rays emitted from the substructure 14 pass through the plastic carrier 12 that is translucent at least in part through the second decorative layer, penetrate the intermediate layer 8 and the first decorative layer 6 as well as the transparent cover layer 2 and accordingly backlight the trim element 1. The second decorative layer 10 or the plastic carrier 12 there do not need to be transparent. Both layers or one of the layers can let the light beam pass through, at the same time refract the light beam, which leads to a uniform distribution of the light in the second decorative layer 10 and/or the plastic carrier 12.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0027] 1 trim element [0028] 2 transparent cover layer [0029] 4 surface [0030] 6 first decorative layer [0031] 8 light-transmissive intermediate layer [0032] 10 second decorative layer [0033] 12 plastic carrier [0034] 14 substructure