Backlit vehicle trim-part, in particular vehicle badge

Abstract

A backlit vehicle-trim part, in particular a vehicle badge, comprising a three-dimensionally shaped film-like visible part (3) made of plastic, which can be at least partially transilluminated and the visible side of which forms the externally visible trim part or vehicle badge, and a light housing (15), which is arranged on the rear side of the visible part (3), contains one or more light elements (18, 19) and is connected to the visible part, wherein the film-like visible part (3) is connected to the light housing (15) in an in-mold back-molding operation.

Claims

1. A backlit vehicle trim part, in particular a vehicle badge, comprising a three-dimensionally shaped film-like visible part made of plastic, which can be at least partially transilluminated and the visible side of which forms the externally visible trim part or vehicle badge, and a light housing, which is arranged on the rear side of the visible part, contains one or a plurality of light elements and is joined to the visible part, characterized in that the film-like visible part is made of plastic and is joined on the rear side to the light housing using an in-mold back-molding operation, and that three-dimensional deformations, in the form of convex embossings, are integrally formed in the film-like visible part.

2. The vehicle trim part according to claim 1, characterized in that the molded-on light housing made of plastic has a U-shaped profile in cross-section and a cylindrical or pot-shaped design.

3. The vehicle trim part according to claim 2, characterized in that light-guiding structures are arranged in the cover surface of the light housing.

4. The vehicle trim part according to claim 1, characterized in that the film-like visible part has a thickness in the range of 0.3 to 0.6 mm.

5. The vehicle trim part according to claim 1, characterized in that one or a plurality of print layers are arranged on the rear side of the visible part, which are covered toward the bottom by an adhesion promoter.

6. The vehicle trim part according to claim 1, characterized in that the embossings are translucent when backlit, and are chrome-colored or metal-colored when back-lighting is absent.

7. The vehicle trim part according to claim 6, characterized in that the film-like visible part is made of a multi-layer film that is at least partially translucent in the region of the embossings.

8. The vehicle trim part according to claim 6, characterized in that the film-like visible part is made of a single-layer or multi-layer film that is at least partially transparent, which is at least transparent in the region of the embossings and, in this region, has a translucent metal layer vapor-deposited or sputtered thereon.

9. The vehicle trim part according to claim 1, characterized in that the light housing, on the side thereof that is open toward the bottom, is joined to a housing bottom by means of a detent or screw or weld or adhesive connection.

10. A method for producing a vehicle trim part according to claim 1, characterized in that the light housing is molded onto the rear side of the three-dimensionally deformed visible part using the in-mold method.

11. (canceled)

Description

IN THE DRAWINGS

[0052] FIG. 1 shows a schematic sectional view through a first specific embodiment of a backlit vehicle badge.

[0053] FIG. 2 shows a top view onto the visible side of the assembly according to FIG. 1.

[0054] FIG. 3 shows a sectional view through a first specific embodiment of the three-dimensionally deformed film-like visible part.

[0055] FIG. 4 shows a sectional view through a second specific embodiment of the three-dimensionally deformed visible part.

[0056] FIG. 5 shows an enlarged sectional view through a multi-layer filter film of a visible part.

[0057] FIG. 6 shows a sectional view through a specific embodiment that is modified compared to FIG. 5, in which the same film according to FIG. 5 is coated with a carrier layer on the front and rear sides.

[0058] FIG. 7 shows a top view onto the light-emitting side of a light housing.

[0059] FIG. 8 shows a sectional view through a light housing according to FIG. 7

[0060] FIG. 9 shows a schematic sectional view through a modification of a light housing illuminated by way of a light guide bundle

[0061] Even though the drawings show a vehicle badge 1, the invention is not limited thereto. The invention generally refers to backlit vehicle trim parts, wherein each of the exemplary embodiments according to FIGS. 1 to 9 only shows one aspect of the invention since such a round and rotation-symmetrically designed badge 1 can also be designed as an elongated vehicle trim part taking on any shape. It can preferably be an illuminated door sill plate or the like.

[0062] In the sectional view according to FIG. 1, the backlit badge 1 is coated on the top side thereof with a top coat 2, which covers the three-dimensionally deformed film-like visible part 3. The visible part 3 can take on various specific embodiments, as will be described in more detail based on FIGS. 3 and 4. A print layer 4, which can have various colors, is applied to the rear side of the visible part 3.

[0063] The rear side of the print layer 4 is formed by an adhesion promoter 13, which rests across the entire surface or part of the surface of the rear side of the print layer 4.

[0064] Such a film-like thin visible part 3 emulates, for example, a Mercedes star or a colored BMW badge having a chrome trim part effect and colored surfaces and is designed as a rotation-symmetrical part in the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 2.

[0065] In the specific embodiments shown here, a special light impression is achieved in that the embossings 6 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, which correspond to the vehicle logo or another graphical symbol and which are introduced on the rear side of the visible part 3, preferably in the form of embossings, achieve a special light effect.

[0066] The embossings 6 emulate, for example, the vehicle logo or another geometrical shaped element. They can preferably be rings or characters or the like. These embossings 6 are characterized in that, when illuminated with light beams 10 from the rear side, these regions 6, 7, 8 are transparent and allow the light to pass freely so that these regions, in particular due to the transparency thereof, yield a brilliant light impression. In addition, there are the regions covered by the print layer 4, which can be designed to be semi-transparent or transparent or not transparent or single-colored or multi-colored. These regions can also generate a desired, including colored, light impression on the visible side when backlit.

[0067] In this way, a color impression results in the outer ring 31, which is, for example, completely black and intransparent, for example in the top view onto the visible side of such a badge 1, wherein only the letters A, B, C are designed as embossings in the film-like visible part 3 and shine when backlit.

[0068] Sector-like decorative surfaces are then formed in the inner ring 32, which corresponds to a badge embossing 7, wherein, for example, the delimitation between the badge embossing 7 and the outer circumference of the inner ring 32 and the inner circumference of the outer ring 31 is designed as a ring embossing 8, so that this ring shines when backlit from the rear side.

[0069] Likewise, the sector-like surfaces in the inner ring 32 shine since these are covered by semi-transparent and colored print layers.

[0070] FIG. 3 shows a three-dimensionally deformed film-like visible part 3a, serving as a first specific embodiment, which on the top side thereof bears a print layer 4, which can be semi-transparent and/or not transparent and/or colored and/or not colored.

[0071] The print layer 4 preferably does not cover the embossings 7, 8 shown here, so that the embossings 7, 8 emit the radiant power of the light sources arranged in the light housing 15, 15a to the outside onto the visible side 11 with high efficiency.

[0072] It is preferred when the inner side of the visible part 3a, which is designed as a colored film according to FIGS. 5 and 6, is also coated with an adhesion promoter 13, which is preferably only applied across parts of the surface, so that the regions formed by the embossings 6, 7, 8 are kept free of the adhesion promoter so as to allow light to pass through the embossings 6, 7, 8 unimpaired.

[0073] The adhesion promoter 13 is then used for the bonding, in one piece from a single material, with the light housing 15, 15a in the back-molding operation, which will be described below.

[0074] FIGS. 5 and 6 show the special configuration of the colored film 3a, from which it is apparent that the multi-layer film 3a functions as a filter film. Several nano-thick colored layers 9 are layered here one on top the other, and, when light passes through, have a filter effect so that the embossed and/or debossed regions of the film have a chrome-like (silver) appearance from the visible side when no light is passing through. When backlit, however, these regions become transparent and allow the light beams 10 from the light housing 15, 15a to pass through.

[0075] FIG. 6 shows as another exemplary embodiment that the multi-layer colored film 3a can also be coated on the top side and/or bottom side with a carrier layer 12 made of polycarbonate so as to enable ideal adhesion for the colored layers applied thereto and the adhesion promoter 13.

[0076] However, the invention is not limited to a multi-layer colored film 3a in which, due to a filter action of light beams passing through, the color impression changes on the visible side.

[0077] In a second embodiment, it may be provided according to FIG. 4 to use a transparent film 3b as the film-like visible part 3, which is only coated on the rear side thereof with a print layer 4, wherein the print layer 4 can be transparent and/or semi-transparent and/or colored.

[0078] It is also preferred here when the print layer 4 does not extend across the embossings 6, 7, 8 so as to enable light to pass through unimpaired from the bottom side.

[0079] It is furthermore preferred when additionally a PVD coating 5 is applied to the rear side of the print layer 4, which is preferably made of vapor-deposited or sputtered-on aluminum molecules. In this way, a silver color impression can be generated on the visible surfaces outside the embossings 6, 7, 8, which exactly matches an aluminum or chrome color impression so as to ensure a complete emulation of a badge 1 made of aluminum or chrome.

[0080] The PVD coating 5 according to FIG. 4 may only extend across the bottom side of the embossings 6, 7, 8 so as to generate a silver color impression in the region of these embossings. Likewise, however, the PVD coating 5 may also be dispensed with in this region of the embossings. In another embodiment, it may be provided that, instead of the PVD coating 5, the colored film 3a described based on FIGS. 3, 5 and 6 is inserted as an added part, which likewise generates the desired chrome trim part effect in the region of the embossings.

[0081] In all specific embodiments of the drawings, it may be provided that the inserted colored film 3a according to FIGS. 5 and 6 is additionally provided with light-guiding structures.

[0082] It is preferred according to the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 4 when an adhesion promoter 13 is now applied to the rear side of the PVD coating or the colored film 3a used instead, with the adhesion promoter ensuring the necessary adhesive bond during the molding to the cover surface 16 of the light housing 15.

[0083] In the case of the inserted film 3a, the adhesion promoter 13 would also have to be applied to both sides, and FIG. 6 also shows, as another exemplary embodiment, that carrier layers 12 made of polycarbonate can be provided on the top side and bottom side of a colored film 3a.

[0084] FIG. 7 shows the top view onto the cover surface 16 of the light housing 15, from which it is apparent that light-guiding structures 17 can also be arranged in the cover surface 16, which are then completely enclosed in the back-molding operation. Furthermore, it is also apparent through the translucent or transparent cover surface 16 that light-emitting structures, such as LEDs 16, are arranged in the interior.

[0085] FIG. 8 shows a sectional view through the assembly according to FIG. 7, from which it is apparent that the light housing 15, 15a in the cross-section has an approximately U-shaped profile, that is, it is a preferably pot-shaped or cylindrical housing that is open toward the bottom, which is preferably snapped onto the outer circumference of a housing bottom 20 in a sealed manner with the aid of detent feet 22 that are directed toward one another and an interposed annular seal 21.

[0086] Instead of the detent connection shown here, the light housing 15 open toward the bottom can also be connected by an adhesive joint, a screw joint or a weld joint to the housing bottom 20. The connections 33 for a power supply are routed through the housing bottom 20, which lead to the circuit board 18 equipped with electronics, on which further electronic components, which are not shown, can be arranged.

[0087] The LEDs 19 arranged in this way on the circuit board 18 thus emit light beams 10 toward the top in the direction of the arrow 24, which additionally can be distributed by a diffusing lens 30 arranged thereabove and also additionally by a diffusing foil 26 arranged thereabove.

[0088] The aforementioned light-guiding structures 17 can also be arranged in the cover surface 16; they can be designed as debossings, embossings, slots or notches or as punctiform depressions (dots).

[0089] It is also possible for dot matrices to be provided so that the light beams 25 reach the bottom side of the film-like visible part 3.

[0090] It shall also be mentioned that the detent connection with the detent feet 22 of the light housing 15 cooperates with a detent groove 23 in the housing bottom 20.

[0091] In another exemplary embodiment of the invention, it may be provided that, instead of the light-emitting structures including the LEDs 19 according to FIG. 8, one or more light guides 27 are routed through the housing bottom 20 and lead into the interior of the light housing with in a light-emitting manner with light distributors 28 which emit light beams 24 toward the top, which can additionally be distributed by a diffusing lens 30 and by one or more diffusing foils 26.

[0092] In the exemplary embodiments of FIGS. 8 and 9, the light guide housing 15, 15 A has a two-piece design and is thus composed of the top part 29 and the housing bottom 20.

[0093] In other embodiments, however, a one-piece design or connection can be provided between the light housing 15, 15 A and the housing bottom 20.

[0094] The technical teaching of the invention therefore makes it possible for the first time to produce a backlit vehicle badge or plastic trim part using plastics technology, which achieves a particularly stable, warp-free structure with a brilliant color scheme, and a chrome trim part effect.

[0095] It shall also be added that the adhesion promoter 13 shown in FIG. 1 is applied to the initially undeformed film-like visible part 3, and only then is the film-like visible part 3 provided with embossings and optionally debossings.

[0096] This has the advantage that all the layers can applied to the initially undeformed film-like visible part 3, including the print layers and the adhesion promoter, and only then is the visible part 3, namely the colored film 3A or transparent film 3B, three-dimensionally deformed. The deformation of this part is preferably carried out according to the AccuForm process by Hytech. However, it is also possible for another heat-induced deformation to be carried out, such as, for example, in a thermoforming process or a Niebling process.

[0097] In another embodiment, the adhesion promoter can also be applied after the deformation process.

DRAWING LEGEND

[0098] 1 Badge [0099] 2 Top coat [0100] 3 film-like visible part [0101] 3a Colored film [0102] 3b Transparent film [0103] 4 Print layer [0104] 5 PVD coating [0105] 6 Embossing [0106] 7 Badge Embossing [0107] 8 Ring Embossing [0108] 9 Colored layer (of 3a) [0109] 10 Light beam [0110] 11 Visible side [0111] 12 Carrier layer (for example Polycarbonate) [0112] 13 Adhesion promoter [0113] 14 Adhesive surface [0114] 15 Light housing [0115] 15a Light housing [0116] 16 Cover surface [0117] 17 Light-guiding structure [0118] 18 Circuit board with electronics [0119] 19 LED [0120] 20 Housing bottom [0121] 21 Annular seal [0122] 22 Detent foot [0123] 23 Detent groove [0124] 24 Direction of arrow [0125] 25 Light beam [0126] 26 Diffusing foil [0127] 27 Light guide [0128] 28 Light distributor [0129] 29 Top part (of 15, 15a) [0130] 30 Diffusing lens [0131] 31 Ring (outside) [0132] 32 Ring (inside) [0133] 33 Connections