Decorative Cover Element for a Motor Vehicle, and Vehicle Having Such a Cover Element

Abstract

A decorative cover element for a headlight of a vehicle includes a translucent element, a partially transparent element, and a light-guiding element. The translucent element, in the installed state, forms an outer skin of the vehicle and a safeguard for the headlight. The partially transparent element has translucent sections and opaque sections. The light-guiding element is designed to decouple coupled-in light at least in sections in the direction of the translucent element. The partially transparent element is arranged between the translucent element and the light-guiding element. In the installed state, the translucent sections and the opaque sections of the partially transparent element are at least partially arranged adjacent to the headlight.

Claims

1.-17. (canceled)

18. A decorative cover element for a headlight of a vehicle, comprising: a translucent element, which in the installed state forms an outer skin of the vehicle and a safeguard for the headlight; a partially transparent element, which has translucent sections and opaque sections; and a light-guiding element, which is designed to decouple coupled-in light at least in sections in the direction of the translucent element, wherein the partially transparent element is arranged between the translucent element and the light-guiding element, and in the installed state the translucent sections and the opaque sections of the partially transparent element are at least partially arranged adjacent to the headlight.

19. The cover element according to claim 18, wherein the translucent element, the partially transparent element, and the light-guiding element are provided as an inseparable layer composite.

20. The cover element according to claim 19, wherein the translucent element, the partially transparent element, and the light-guiding element are transmissive for radar beams.

21. The cover element according to claim 20, wherein the translucent element has a first transparent layer made of a first plastic.

22. The cover element according to claim 21, wherein the translucent element has a translucent first lacquer layer, which is arranged on a surface of the translucent element facing away from the partially transparent element.

23. The cover element according to claim 22, wherein the partially transparent element has a second transparent layer made of a second plastic.

24. The cover element according to claim 23, wherein the partially transparent element has an opaque layer, which is arranged at least in sections on a surface of the partially transparent element facing toward the translucent element and which forms the opaque sections.

25. The cover element according to claim 24, wherein the partially transparent element has an opaque layer, which is arranged at least in sections on a surface of the partially transparent element facing away from the translucent element, which the light-guiding element adjoins and which forms the opaque sections.

26. The cover element according to claim 25, wherein the partially transparent element has a third transparent layer made of a third plastic, which is arranged on a surface of the second transparent layer of the partially transparent element facing away from the translucent element.

27. The cover element according to claim 26, wherein the light-guiding element has a light-guiding layer.

28. The cover element according to claim 27, wherein the light-guiding element has a decoupling structure on a surface facing away from the partially transparent element.

29. The cover element according to claim 28, wherein the light-guiding element has a fourth transparent layer made of a fourth plastic, which adjoins the decoupling structure.

30. The cover element according to claim 29, wherein the light-guiding element has a second lacquer layer, which is arranged on a surface of the fourth transparent layer facing away from the light-guiding layer.

31. The cover element according to claim 30, further comprising an electrically conductive heating layer that is contacted by a plug connection and that is applied to the second transparent layer of the partially transparent element or to the fourth transparent layer of the light-guiding element.

32. The cover element according to claim 31, wherein the installed state the headlight adjoins the first transparent layer of the translucent element.

33. The cover element according to claim 32, wherein the installed state the headlight adjoins the fourth transparent layer of the light-guiding element.

34. A vehicle having a cover element according to claim 33.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] FIG. 1 shows a schematic illustration of a vehicle having two symmetrically formed decorative cover elements in the area of the vehicle front in a first operating mode;

[0028] FIG. 2 shows a schematic illustration of the vehicle shown in FIG. 1 having the cover elements according to the disclosure in a second operating mode;

[0029] FIG. 3 shows a cross-sectional illustration through the layer structure of a cover element according to the disclosure;

[0030] FIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional illustration through the layer structure of a cover element according to the disclosure;

[0031] FIGS. 5 to 7 show the cover elements arranged on a vehicle in different operating modes; and

[0032] FIGS. 8 to 11 show the cover elements arranged in a vehicle, which represent the staging of different surface lights in chronological sequence.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0033] Each of FIGS. 1 and 2 shows a vehicle 10 in a frontal view, the exterior of which is provided with a left decorative cover element 14L and a right decorative cover element 14R. The left and the right decorative cover elements 14L, 14R are arranged mirror symmetrically with respect to a vehicle vertical axis, which is not shown in greater detail and extends from top to bottom in the sheet direction.

[0034] In the following figures, the suffix L appended to a reference sign designates a component of the left decorative cover element 14L. The suffix R appended to a reference sign designates a component of the right decorative cover element 14R. The terms left and right relate to a vehicle direction from the viewpoint of an occupant seated on a seat, whose view is directed in the direction of travel.

[0035] The left decorative cover element 14L comprises an area 54L for a left position light and an area 56L for a left surface light. Similarly thereto, the right decorative cover element 14R comprises an area 54R for right position light and an area 56R for a right surface light. The areas 54L, 54R for the left and right position light represent a left and right headlight (running light and/or low beams and/or high beams) of the vehicle. The areas 56L, 56R for the left or right surface light represent a radiator grill of the vehicle 10.

[0036] FIG. 1 shows an illustration of the vehicle 10 in which light sources contained in the respective cover element 14L, 14R or light sources interacting with the respective cover element 14L, 14R are switched off. Such a light situation corresponds to the cold appearance and can be present, for example, when the vehicle is stationary or in the case of a vehicle 10 having ignition switched off. In the cold appearance, the cover elements 14L, 14R can have a black appearance, for example. In contrast, FIG. 2 shows a situation of the vehicle 10 in which both the areas 54L, 54R for the left and right position light and the areas 56L, 56R for the left and right surface light are illuminated. By means of the position lights, the travel area or the surroundings are illuminated in a manner suitable for the driver. By means of the surface lights, the areas 56L, 56R are illuminated to generate a decorative effect and in particular to simulate an emblem and/or radiator grill.

[0037] As will be apparent from the following description, the illumination or through lighting of the respective areas 54L, 54R for the left and right position light and the areas 56L, 56R for the left and right surface light are implemented by a light source of the respective decorative cover element 14L, 14R or a light source interacting with the respective cover element 14L, 14R. An operating situation as shown in FIG. 2, in which a position light and a surface light are switched on, could be implemented, for example, in a driving state and/or for greeting. The familiar silhouette of a radiator grill results here for the observer when the position lights are switched on.

[0038] The construction of the cover elements 14L, 14R will be described hereinafter on the basis of two exemplary embodiments in FIGS. 3 and 4. Since the fundamental structure of the left decorative cover element 14L and the right decorative cover element 14R is identical, reference is only made hereinafter to one decorative cover element 14, wherein descriptions made for this purpose apply similarly to the left decorative cover element 14L and the right decorative cover element 14R.

[0039] The decorative cover element 14 (in short hereinafter: cover element) comprises a translucent element 16, which in the installed state forms an outer skin of the vehicle 10 and a safeguard for a headlight 12 arranged in the vehicle interior, a partially transparent element 18, and a light-guiding element 24, which are each constructed in multiple layers and are permanently connected to one another. All layers are transmissive for radar beams. The cover element 14 can thus also be installed in front of a radar 52. A radar beam area of the radar 52 is identified by the reference sign 52RS.

[0040] The translucent element 16 has a first transparent layer made of a first plastic, wherein a translucent first lacquer layer 28 is applied to an outer side of the transparent layer 26 facing toward the vehicle. The first transparent layer 26 and the translucent first lacquer layer 28 are materially bonded to one another.

[0041] The first lacquer layer 28 forms the outer skin of the cover element 14 and is a transparent lacquer layer. The first lacquer layer 28 is a multicomponent lacquer system, in particular a lacquer system based on polyurethane or siloxane. The first lacquer layer 28 is advantageously a so-called hard coating for headlights. The first lacquer layer 28 has a layer thickness between approximately 7 ?m and approximately 0.7 mm. The first lacquer layer 28 has an index of refraction which corresponds to that of the first transparent layer 26.

[0042] The first transparent layer 26 is made of polycarbonate (PC) and has a thickness of approximately 3 mm. The index of refraction of the first transparent layer 26 is approximately 1.58. The shape of the first carrier layer 26 is adapted to the shaping of the vehicle body.

[0043] The translucent element 16 is materially bonded to the partially transparent element 18 on a side facing toward the vehicle interior. The partially transparent element 18 has translucent sections 20 and opaque sections 22, wherein the partially transparent element 18 has a second transparent layer 30, an opaque layer 32, and a third transparent layer 34. All layers of the partially transparent element 18 are materially bonded to one another.

[0044] The opaque layer 32 is applied according to the first exemplary embodiment in FIG. 3 to a side of the second transparent layer 30 facing toward the vehicle interior. The third transparent layer 34 is applied in the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 3 to the second transparent layer 30 on a side facing toward the vehicle exterior. In the variant shown in FIG. 4, the opaque layer 32 is arranged on the side of the second transparent layer 30 facing toward the vehicle exterior. In contrast, the third transparent layer 34 is provided on the side of the second transparent layer 30 facing toward the vehicle interior.

[0045] The second transparent layer 30 represents a carrier layer made of polycarbonate (PC). It has an index of refraction which corresponds to the index of refraction of the first transparent layer and is thus approximately 1.58. The opaque layer 32 ensures that no light can pass through the second and the first transparent layer. The opaque layer 32 preferably does not contain any metallic or conductive components and advantageously has a layer thickness of approximately 12 ?m. The opaque components can be attached or applied by printing, film application, or lacquering with subsequent laser processing. The opaque layer 32 is advantageously transmissive for radar beams, however.

[0046] The third transparent layer 34 preferably consists of PMMA or a lacquer and has low refractivity. This means the index of refraction is less than the index of refraction of the second transparent layer and is preferably approximately 1.4. The partially transparent element 18 having its layers can be provided as a semifinished product, in particular pre-molded and adapted to the shape of the translucent element 16.

[0047] As is furthermore apparent in FIGS. 3 and 4, the light-guiding element 24 has a light-guiding layer 36, a decoupling structure 38, a fourth transparent layer 40, and a second lacquer layer 42. In addition, a heating layer 48 and a plug connector 50 are optionally provided on a side of the fourth transparent layer 40 facing toward the vehicle interior. All layers and the decoupling structure as well as the heating layer 48 are materially bonded to one another.

[0048] The light-guiding layer 36 is used to decouple coupled-in light in the direction of the partially transparent element 18, in particular in the direction of the translucent sections 20. The light-guiding layer 36 has a thickness from approximately 2 mm to approximately 3 mm and an index of refraction of approximately 1.58.

[0049] Decoupling of light into the light-guiding layer 36 is carried out by means of a light source 44, which couples light via a coupling surface 46 into the light-guiding layer 36. The light source 44 is a light-emitting diode (LED) in the present case.

[0050] The decoupling structure 38 is arranged opposite to the translucent section 20, wherein the decoupling structure 38 is a spotted lacquer layer, which comprises white lacquer spots, for example, and which is applied to a surface of the light-guiding layer facing away from the partially transparent element 18. As is apparent from FIGS. 3 and 4, the decoupling structure 38 is applied to the fourth transparent layer 40 in the areas which are opposite to the translucent sections 20. The light coupled into the light-guiding layer 36 is thus initially reflected at the inner walls of the fourth transparent layer 40, and as soon as the light is incident on the decoupling structure 38, the light is decoupled in the direction of the partially transparent element 18, in particular in the direction of the translucent sections 28 and thus eliminates these areas.

[0051] The light-guiding layer 36 advantageously directly abuts the partially transparent element 18. The light-guiding layer 36 is advantageously transmissive for radar beams.

[0052] The fourth transparent layer 40 is used to keep the light guiding efficient in that the transparent layer 40 has an index of refraction which is less than the index of refraction of the light-guiding layer 36. The index of refraction of the fourth transparent layer 40 is advantageously approximately 1.35. The fourth transparent layer can be designated as a low index coating. The layer thickness of the fourth transparent layer 40 is advantageously between approximately 1 ?m and approximately 5 ?m. The fourth transparent layer 40 is advantageously transmissive for radar beams. The fourth transparent layer 40 can be a transparent protective lacquer layer, for example a polyurethane lacquer or siloxane lacquer.

[0053] The second lacquer layer 42 is formed as an impermeable protective lacquer, which faces toward the vehicle interior. The second lacquer layer advantageously has a layer thickness of approximately 30 ?m. The second lacquer layer 42 is made of polyurethane or an epoxy. It preferably faces toward the vehicle interior. The second lacquer layer 42 is preferably also transmissive for radar beams.

[0054] The cover element 14 is distinguished in that the translucent element 16, the partially transparent element 18, and the light-guiding element 24 are materially bonded to one another, wherein their index of refraction is less than the indices of refraction of the third transparent layer 34 and the fourth transparent layer 40. Lossless decoupling of the light is thus enabled. In addition, all layers and materials used are transmissive for radar beams so that the cover element 14 can be used in front of the radar 52 of the vehicle 10.

[0055] One possibility for production is to provide the second transparent layer 30 with the third transparent layer 34 (low index coating) and the opaque layer 32. Optionally, the heating layer 48 and the plug connector 50 can also be provided on the second transparent layer 30. For this purpose, the mentioned layers are inserted into a multicomponent injection molding tool and overmolded with the first transparent layer 28. Subsequently, the semifinished product thus created is moved into a further cavity of the injection molding tool and, on the tool wall opposite to the injected semifinished product, the fourth transparent layer 40, which is provided in film form, having the second lacquer layer 42 (low index coating) and the decoupling structure 38 is inserted. The light-guiding element is subsequently injected by creating the light-guiding layer 36.

[0056] For the suitability as an exterior element, the component thus created is subsequently coated using a hard coating (first lacquer layer 28 on the side of the first transparent layer 26 facing toward the vehicle exterior). To protect from mechanical action from behind, a mechanical coating 43 is possible, but optional. The installation of the cover element 14 on the vehicle is carried out in place of the headlight and the radiator grill provided up to this point.

[0057] As can be inferred from FIGS. 3 and 4, the headlight 12 is provided adjacent to the layer sequence of the partially transparent element 18 and the light-guiding element 24. For reasons of space, the light emitted from the light source 44 is coupled into the coupling surface 46 on the end face of the light-guiding layer 36 opposite to the headlight 12.

[0058] In an alternative embodiment (not shown), the headlight could also be arranged behind the partially transparent element 18, wherein then no opaque sections 22 are provided in the area of the headlight beam area 12 RS.

[0059] FIGS. 5 to 7 show different functional states of the left and right cover element 14L, 14R according to the disclosure, arranged on a vehicle (not shown). In FIG. 5, a first operating state 58 (OFF) is shown here, in which the ignition of the vehicle is off and both the headlights 12 arranged in the areas 54L and 54R for the position light are switched off, as well as the light structure generating a surface light in the areas 56L, 56R for the left and right surface light.

[0060] FIG. 6 shows a second operating mode 60 (ON 1), in which the headlights 12 are switched on, due to which the areas 54L, 54R are lighted. In contrast, the areas 56L, 56R for the left and the right surface light are switched off, i.e., the light sources 44 are switched off.

[0061] FIG. 7 shows a third operating mode 62 (ON 2), in which in addition to the areas 54L, 54R for the position lights, the areas 56L, 56R for the left and the right surface light are also illuminated. In this case, a strip-shaped structure is created by the design of the translucent sections 20 and the opaque sections 22.

[0062] This can be used for staging, for example, of a greeting light, as will be described hereinafter with reference to FIGS. 8 to 11. For this purpose, the areas for the left and right surface light 56L, 56R are respectively divided into a first to third left surface area 64L, 66L, 68L and a first to third right surface area 64R, 66R, 68R, which are enclosed by a respective circumferential contour light 70L, 70R. Each of the mentioned surface areas 64L, 66L, 68L and 64R, 66R, 68R are preferably assigned separately activatable light-guiding elements 24 and light sources 44 in each case. In FIGS. 8 to 11, lighted surface areas are shown without pattern coloration, and surface areas which are not lighted or are weakly lighted are shown with shading. The smaller the distance between two adjacent shading lines, the less the light emission of the relevant surface area.

[0063] In this case, it can be seen, for example, that at a first point in time shown in FIG. 8, initially only the first left and right surface areas 64L, 64R are illuminated. In FIG. 9, at a point in time following FIG. 8, the second left and right surface area 66L, 66R are additionally illuminated. The light intensity of the first left and right surface areas can be further increased here. In FIG. 10, at a point in time following FIG. 9, the light intensities of the second left and right surface areas 66L, 66R are increased. In FIG. 11, at a point in time following FIG. 10, finally the third left and right surface area 68L, 68R are also illuminated, due to which the light output of all surface areas is finally identical at the end of the staging.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

[0064] 10 vehicle [0065] 12 headlight [0066] 12RS headlight beam area [0067] 14 decorative cover element [0068] 16 translucent element [0069] 18 partially transparent element [0070] 20 translucent sections [0071] 22 opaque sections [0072] 24 light-guiding element [0073] 26 first transparent layer [0074] 28 first lacquer layer [0075] 30 second transparent layer [0076] 32 opaque layer [0077] 34 third transparent layer [0078] 36 light-guiding layer [0079] 38 decoupling structure [0080] 40 fourth transparent layer [0081] 42 second lacquer layer [0082] 43 black coating [0083] 44 light source [0084] 46 coupling surface [0085] 48 heating layer [0086] 50 plug connector [0087] 52 radar [0088] 52RS radar beam area [0089] 54L area for left position light [0090] 54R area for right position light [0091] 56L area for left surface light [0092] 56R area for right surface light [0093] 58 first operating mode (OFF) [0094] 60 second operating mode (ON 1) [0095] 62 third operating mode (ON 2) [0096] 64L first left surface area [0097] 66L second left surface area [0098] 68L third left surface area [0099] 64R first right surface area [0100] 66R second right surface area [0101] 68R third right surface area [0102] 70L circumferential contour light of the left surface light [0103] 70R circumferential contour light of the right surface light