Decorative Element, Vehicle Comprising Such a Decorative Element, and Method for Producing a Decorative Element

Abstract

A decorative element for the exterior of a vehicle includes a first component made of a first plastic and a second component made of a second plastic. The components are connected together, where the second component forms a translucent region, the first plastic can be galvanized, and the second plastic is made of silicone. A vehicle includes such a decorative element and a method is provided to produce the decorative element.

Claims

1.-8. (canceled)

9. A decorative element for an exterior of a vehicle, comprising: a first component made of a first plastic; and a second component made of a second plastic, the first and second components being bonded to one another, wherein the second component forms a translucent region, and the first plastic is galvanizable and the second plastic is made of silicone.

10. The decorative element according to claim 9, wherein the silicone is a silicone elastomer.

11. The decorative element according to claim 9, wherein the first plastic is composed of acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer, polyamide, a compound composed of acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer and polycarbonate, or a butadiene-containing copolymer.

12. The decorative element according to claim 9, wherein the first component and the second component are form-fittingly and/or cohesively bonded to one another.

13. The decorative element according to claim 9, wherein the second component concludes in a form-fitting manner with an outer contour of the first component.

14. The decorative element according to claim 9, wherein the first component has a first section and a second section, and the second component is disposed between the first and second sections.

15. A vehicle comprising a decorative element according to claim 9.

16. A process for producing a decorative element, comprising: a. injection molding a first component from a galvanizable plastic; b. injection molding a second component made of silicone onto the first component, such that the second component concludes in a form-fitting manner with the first component and forms a translucent region; c. galvanizing the first and second components, with application of a galvanic layer solely to the first component.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a vehicle having a decorative element;

[0025] FIG. 2 is a perspective diagram of the decorative element; and

[0026] FIG. 3 a cross section through the decorative element shown in FIG. 2 along the line III-III.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] FIG. 1 shows a vehicle 10, the exterior of which has been provided with a decorative element 12. The decorative element 12 in the present case is used as a kidney frame.

[0028] As is apparent in FIGS. 2 and 3, the decorative element 12 has a first component 14 made of a first plastic and a second component 16 made of a second plastic, which are bonded to one another.

[0029] The first component 14 has a first section 18 and a second section 20, which are separated from one another by a clear space 22.

[0030] The first plastic, of which the two parts 18, 20 consist, is composed of a galvanizable plastic. In the present case, the plastic of the first component 14 is composed of acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer (ABS). In addition, the first plastic may be composed of polyamide (PA), of a compound of acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer (ABS) and polycarbonate (PC), or of a butadiene-containing copolymer.

[0031] As is apparent in FIG. 3, the two sections 18, 20 are provided with a galvanic layer 24, where the galvanic layer in this case is a chrome layer.

[0032] The second component 16 connects the two parts 18, 20 to one another, in that the second component 16 is cohesively bonded to the two parts 18, 20 and fills the clear space 22.

[0033] The second plastic is composed of silicone, especially of silicone elastomer, and forms a translucent region 26 within the clear space 22. Through the use of silicone in the translucent region 26, it is firstly possible to achieve improved cohesion with the two sections 18, 20, and the silicone is secondly resistant to media and weathering. Furthermore, silicone has very good optical properties and can be colored, and is additionally extremely flexible.

[0034] As is apparent in FIG. 3 in particular, the second component 16 spans regionally the first section 18 and the second section 20, with the second component 16 in each case lying in a form-fitting manner in a recess 28 in the two sections 18, 20.

[0035] There follows a description of a possible process for producing the decorative element 12. The decorative element 12 is produced by the 2-component injection molding method. For this purpose, first of all, the first plastic is injected into a first cavity of an injection mold. Subsequently, the silicone is injected into a second cavity of the injection mold, with the silicone being injection-molded onto the two sections 18, 20. Thereafter, the decorative element 12 is removed from the injection mold and galvanized directly, with application of the galvanic layer 24 solely to the two parts 18, 20 of the first component 14.

[0036] Through the use of silicone in the translucent region 26, it is possible to achieve very good cohesion with the galvanizable first component 14. Furthermore, silicone is resistant to media and weathering, and has very good optical properties. As a result, the decorative element 12 can be used for the exterior of the vehicle 10. In addition, silicone is colorable and flexible.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0037] 10 vehicle [0038] 12 decorative element [0039] 14 first component [0040] 16 second component [0041] 18 first section [0042] 20 second section [0043] 22 clear space [0044] 24 galvanic layer [0045] 26 translucent region [0046] 28 recess