FRONT END PANEL FOR AN ELECTRIC VEHICLE

Abstract

The invention relates to a front end panel assembly (100) for an electric vehicle (300), the assembly comprising: —an at least partially optically transparent laminate sheet (108) having side edges, comprising an optically transparent thermoplastic substrate and at least one protective layer; —a spacing structure (112) comprising a base (110) and a peripheral upstanding wall (120) extending from the base, wherein the upstanding wall connects to the laminate at or near at least part of the side edges of the laminate, such that a space (122) is formed and enclosed between the laminate sheet and the spacing structure, and wherein the at least one protective layer of the laminate faces away from the spacing structure.

Claims

1-15. (canceled)

16. A front end panel assembly for an electric vehicle, the assembly comprising: an at least partially optically transparent laminate sheet having side edges, comprising an optically transparent thermoplastic substrate; a spacing structure comprising a base and a peripheral upstanding wall extending from the base, wherein the upstanding wall connects to the laminate sheet at or near at least part of the side edges of the laminate, such that a closed space is formed, the closed space having one at least partially optically transparent side where the laminate sheet is provided.

17. The assembly according to claim 16, wherein the laminate sheet comprises at least one protective layer; and wherein the at least one protective layer of the laminate sheet faces away from the spacing structure.

18. The assembly according to claim 16, wherein the closed space has multiple optically transparent or opaque, or a combination thereof, sides where the spacing structure is provided.

19. The assembly according to claim 16, wherein the laminate sheet comprises a pattern layer facing the spacing structure, which pattern layer renders part of the laminate sheet opaque for pattern formation.

20. The assembly according to claim 16, further comprising a light module enclosed within the closed space formed between the laminate sheet and the spacing structure.

21. The assembly according to claim 16, wherein the base of the spacing structure has an inner surface facing the laminate sheet, and wherein the inner surface is smooth, textured and/or corrugated.

22. The assembly according to claim 16, wherein an inner surface of at least the base of the spacing structure comprises a mirror for reflection of visible light, and an inner surface of the laminate sheet facing the spacing structure comprises a semi-transparent mirror, such that an infinity mirror is created in the front end panel assembly.

23. The assembly according to claim 16, comprising a receiving portion for an electronic component for integration with the assembly; and wherein the receiving portion extends to the laminate sheet and is at least partially enclosed by the spacing structure.

24. The assembly according to claim 16, wherein the laminate sheet comprises a peripheral opaque band that extends from the side edge of the laminate sheet.

25. The assembly according to claim 16, further comprising a light module enclosed within the closed space formed between the laminate sheet and the spacing structure; wherein the spacing structure comprises a thermoplastic material; wherein the base of the spacing structure has an inner surface facing the laminate sheet, and wherein the inner surface is smooth, textured and/or corrugated; wherein an inner surface of at least the base of the spacing structure comprises a mirror for reflection of visible light, and an inner surface of the laminate sheet facing the spacing structure comprises a semi-transparent mirror, such that an infinity mirror is created in the front end panel assembly; further comprising a receiving portion for an electronic component for integration with the assembly; and wherein the laminate sheet comprises a peripheral opaque band that extends from the side edge of the laminate sheet; and wherein the receiving portion extends to the laminate sheet and is at least partially enclosed by the spacing structure.

26. A closed grille panel assembly for an electric vehicle, the assembly comprising: an at least partially optically transparent laminate sheet having side edges, comprising an optically transparent thermoplastic substrate, wherein the at least partially optically transparent laminate sheet is shaped to sit flush with components of a front fascia; a spacing structure comprising a base and a peripheral upstanding wall extending from the base, wherein the upstanding wall connects to the laminate sheet at or near at least part of the side edges of the laminate, such that a closed space is formed, the closed space having one at least partially optically transparent side where the laminate sheet is provided.

27. The assembly according to claim 26, wherein the laminate sheet comprises at least one protective layer; and wherein the at least one protective layer of the laminate sheet faces away from the spacing structure.

28. The assembly according to claim 26, wherein the closed space has multiple optically transparent or opaque, or a combination thereof, sides where the spacing structure is provided.

29. The assembly according to claim 26, wherein the laminate sheet comprises a pattern layer facing the spacing structure, which pattern layer renders part of the laminate sheet opaque for pattern formation.

30. The assembly according to claim 26, further comprising a light module enclosed within the closed space formed between the laminate sheet and the spacing structure.

31. The assembly according to claim 26, wherein the base of the spacing structure has an inner surface facing the laminate sheet, and wherein the inner surface is smooth, textured and/or corrugated.

32. The assembly according to claim 26, wherein an inner surface of at least the base of the spacing structure comprises a mirror for reflection of visible light, and an inner surface of the laminate sheet facing the spacing structure comprises a semi-transparent mirror, such that an infinity mirror is created in the closed grille panel assembly.

33. The assembly according to claim 26, comprising a receiving portion for an electronic component for integration with the assembly; and wherein the receiving portion extends to the laminate sheet and is at least partially enclosed by the spacing structure.

34. The assembly according to claim 26, wherein the laminate sheet comprises a peripheral opaque band that extends from the side edge of the laminate sheet.

35. The assembly according to claim 26, further comprising a light module enclosed within the closed space formed between the laminate sheet and the spacing structure; wherein the spacing structure comprises a thermoplastic material; wherein the base of the spacing structure has an inner surface facing the laminate sheet, and wherein the inner surface is smooth, textured and/or corrugated; wherein an inner surface of at least the base of the spacing structure comprises a mirror for reflection of visible light, and an inner surface of the laminate sheet facing the spacing structure comprises a semi-transparent mirror, such that an infinity mirror is created in the closed grille panel assembly; further comprising a receiving portion for an electronic component for integration with the assembly; and wherein the laminate sheet comprises a peripheral opaque band that extends from the side edge of the laminate sheet; and wherein the receiving portion extends to the laminate sheet and is at least partially enclosed by the spacing structure.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] The features and advantages of the invention will be further appreciated upon reference to the following drawings of a number of exemplary embodiments, in which:

[0021] FIG. 1a shows a front end panel assembly according to a first embodiment of the present invention in perspective view;

[0022] FIG. 1b shows a cross section along A-A of the front end panel assembly of FIG. 1a;

[0023] FIG. 2 shows a cross section of a front end panel assembly according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

[0024] FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of a front end panel module comprising a front end panel assembly according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

[0025] FIG. 1a shows a front end panel assembly 100 according to a first embodiment of the present invention in perspective view. The front end panel assembly 100 is provided as a component of a front fascia 304 of a vehicle 300. The front end panel assembly 100 comprises a laminate sheet 108 (see FIG. 1b) at its front, which laminate that is partially opaque at an opaque peripheral band 102 and at the opaque lines 104 of a pattern 106. The front end panel assembly is located between a pair of head lights 302 at its sides. At its top end, the hood 308 of the vehicle is located; at its bottom end a bumper assembly 306 of the vehicle is provided, see also FIG. 3. Next to the opaque peripheral band and the opaque pattern lines, the pattern 106 comprises an open structured portion where the optically transparent laminate sheet 108 (see FIG. 1b) is visible. Behind the laminate sheet, a corrugated base 110 of the spacing structure 112 (see FIG. 1b) is shown.

[0026] FIG. 1b shows a cross section along A-A of the front end panel assembly of FIG. 1a. The front end panel assembly 100 is shown to have a laminate sheet 108 that is located at the front end of the vehicle front fascia, see also FIG. 1a, in between the head light assemblies 302. The external surface of the laminate sheet 108 comprises one or more protective layers to protect the laminate, in particular its thermoplastic substrate, from environmental factors, such as abrasion and ultraviolet radiation. The laminate sheet 108 comprises an optically transparent substrate, preferably of a polycarbonate resin. In addition, the laminate sheet 108 has a pattern layer 106 made up with opaque lines 104. The opaque band 102 may be part of the pattern layer 106. In between the opaque lines 104 and bands 102, the optically transparent laminate sheet is exposed. Viewed from the laminate sheet 108, a spacing structure 112 is provided behind the laminate sheet 108. The spacing structure 112 comprises a base 110 and a peripheral upstanding wall 120 that extends from the base 110 and connects with the laminate sheet 108 at or near its side edges, or instance at the location of the peripheral opaque band 102. The peripheral upstanding wall 120 spaces the base 110 from the laminate sheet 108. The laminate sheet 108 and the spacing structure 112 together enclose a space 122. The base 110 in fig. lb is corrugated with zigzag waves. Any other corrugation wave may be used as well. The corrugated base adds a 3D effect to the front end panel assembly, in particular to the pattern provided on the laminate sheet. An inner surface 114 of the base 110 may be provided with a foil, a minor, a screen print or any other surface enhancing layer to optimize the 3D effect.

[0027] The front end panel assembly further comprises a receiving portion 116 to receive an electronic component 118, such as a sensor or a LiDAR component, or a light module. The receiving portion 116 extends through the base 119 to the laminate sheet 108 and is enclosed by the peripheral wall 120 of the spacing structure 112.

[0028] FIG. 2 shows a cross section of a front end panel assembly 100 according to a second embodiment of the present invention. This second embodiment shows the laminate sheet 108 with a pattern 106 that is a foil 107 with a pre-fabricated pattern made of optically transparent and opaque regions 104, 105, including a peripheral opaque band 102 at the side edges of the laminate sheet 108. The spacing structure 112 comprises a base 110 and a peripheral upstanding wall 120 that extends from the base 110, in FIG. 2 via a smoothly curved transition region 113 towards the side edge of the laminate sheet 108, or substantially perpendicular at the receiving portion 116.

[0029] The inner surface 114 of the spacing structure may be laser marked to include color change due to chemical/molecular alteration, charring, foaming, melting, ablation, and more.

[0030] This laser marking adds to the 3D effect of the pattern and the spacing between the laminate sheet and the base of the spacing structure. Between the base and the laminate sheet, the front end panel assembly may further comprise a light module 124 for highlighting the pattern and the 3D effect of the front end panel assembly. The light module 124 may also be used for design purposes, such as brand identity or for a welcoming signal to a driver of a vehicle.

[0031] FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of a front end panel module 130 comprising a front end panel assembly 100, 101, 103 according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

[0032] Three front end panel assemblies 100, 101, 103 together form a front end panel module 130. A middle front end panel assembly 101 has a laminate sheet that is largely opaque, except for one or more receiving portions 116 for electronic components 118. Two side front end panel assemblies 103 provided on each side of the middle front end panel assembly 101, comprise a largely optically transparent laminate sheet 108 and a spacing structure or carrier structure 112 placed behind the laminate sheet. Within the space enclosed by the laminate structure 108 and the spacing structure 112 a light module 124 is placed. This lighting module 124 is designed in a certain pattern that is visible when the light module is turned off, and highlighted when the light module is turned on.

LIST OF ITEMS

[0033] 100. Front end panel assembly
101. Middle front end panel assembly
102. Peripheral opaque band
103. Side front end panel assembly
104. Opaque pattern line
105. Transparent pattern part
106. Pattern layer

107. Foil

[0034] 108. Laminate sheet

110. Base

[0035] 112. Spacing structure
113. Transition region
114. Inner surface of base
116. Receiving portion
118. Electronic component
120. Peripheral upstanding wall

122. Space

[0036] 124. Light module
130. Front end panel module

300. Vehicle

[0037] 302. Head light
304. Front fascia
306. Bumper assembly

308. Hood