Vehicle film component, and method for the production thereof
View Patent ↗A component such as a vehicle exterior part having a transparent area without creating gaps is produced by introducing a hole into a film for the transparent area, inserting the film into a component mold, and then back-molding the same with a transparent plastic material in the mold such that the hole is filled with the transparent plastic material.
1. A process for producing a vehicle component including the steps:
(a) providing a component mold ( 1 ),
(b) providing a film ( 5 ) having an inner surface, an outer surface, and a minimum thickness, and adapted to fit the mold and having at least one opening ( 4 ) with predetermined contour,
(c) introducing the film into the mold,
(d) at least partially back-molding the film in the mold with at least one transparent plastic material ( 8 ) at least in the area of the at least one opening ( 4 ) in such a manner that the opening is filled with the transparent plastic.
2. A motor vehicle unitary component ( 10 ) having an outer wall ( 9 ) and including:
a decorative film ( 5 ), the film having an inner surface, an outer surface, and a minimum thickness, and exhibiting as least one opening ( 4 ) with predetermined contour,
a plastic layer ( 8 ) adhered at least partially directly to the film, wherein the plastic is transparent and, in the area of the opening ( 4 ), constitutes the outer wall ( 9 ) of the component ( 10 ), such that the outer wall of the plastic layer is flush with the outer surface of the film ( 5 ) and seals the opening ( 4 ) in the film.
3. A motor vehicle unitary component according to claim 2 , wherein the plastic is a duromer or a thermoplast.
4. A motor vehicle unitary component according to claim 3 , wherein the duromer is a synthetic resin.
5. A motor vehicle unitary component according to claim 3 , wherein the thermoplast is selected from the group consisting of PMMA, PC and SAN.
6. A motor vehicle unitary component according to claim 2 , wherein the plastic is electrochromic.
7. A motor vehicle unitary component according to claim 2 , wherein the electrochromic plastic contains polyaniline.
8. A motor vehicle unitary component according to claim 2 , wherein the unitary component includes functional elements.
9. A motor vehicle unitary component according to claim 8 , wherein the functional elements are illumination means ( 6 ).
10. A motor vehicle unitary component ( 10 ) having an outer wall ( 9 ) and including:
a decorative film ( 5 ), the film having an inner surface, an outer surface, and a minimum thickness, and exhibiting as least one opening ( 4 ) with predetermined contour,
a plastic layer ( 8 ) adhered at least partially directly to the film, wherein the plastic is transparent and, in the area of the opening ( 4 ), constitutes the outer wall ( 9 ) of the component ( 10 ), such that the outer wall of the plastic layer is flush with the outer surface of the film ( 5 ) and seals the opening ( 4 ) in the film, and
at least one light emitting functional element embedded in said plastic layer ( 8 ).