IP Library Granted Patent US 11,787,161
Granted Patent B2
US 11,787,161 · App. 17/145,836 · Granted Oct 17, 2023

Trim element

Inventors: Ann-Kathrin Diehl (Stuttgart, DE); Frank Huhnerbein (Sachsenheim, DE)
Assignee: Joysonquin Automotive Systems GmbH
B32B27/08B32B3/266B32B2307/412
View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,787,161
App. No.
17/145,836
Granted
Oct 17, 2023
Kind
B2
Abstract

A trim element, in particular for a vehicle interior, which conveys a particular aesthetic impression. A trim element with a first decorative layer that is light-transmissive at least in part between a light-transmissive intermediate layer on a rear side of the first decorative layer and a transparent cover layer and a second decorative layer of the intermediate layer on a front side of the second decorative layer and a carrier, where the second decorative layer is visible at least in part through the intermediate layer.

Claims (32)

1. Trim element, in particular for a vehicle interior, comprising:

a first decorative layer that is light-transmissive at least in part between a light-transmissive intermediate layer on a rear side of said first decorative layer and a transparent cover layer, wherein said transparent cover layer and said intermediate layer are formed from a plastic material, and

a second decorative layer between said intermediate layer on a front side of said second decorative layer and a carrier,

wherein said second decorative layer is visible at least in part through said intermediate layer, and said second decorative layer has a decorative layer surface that is reflective in the direction towards said transparent cover layer and the decorative layer surface is formed from a mirror film which forms said second decorative layer, and

wherein, starting out from a surface of said trim element formed on a visible side of said trim element, said transparent cover layer, said first decorative layer, said intermediate layer, said second decorative layer, and said carrier are provided immediately subsequent to one another.

2. Trim element according to claim 1 , wherein said second decorative layer is light-transmissive at least in part.

3. Trim element according to claim 2 , wherein said carrier is light-transmissive at least in part and that a light guide layer is provided on the rear side of said carrier.

4. Trim element according to claim 1 , wherein said plastic material is PUR, PMMA or TPU.

5. Trim element according to claim 1 , wherein said first decorative layer is a layer provided with through holes.

6. Trim element according to claim 1 , wherein said second decorative layer is an IMD layer or in-mold decoration layer.

7. Trim element according to claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first decorative layer and the second decorative layer is formed from a different material than the light-transmissive intermediate layer and the transparent cover layer.

8. Trim element according to claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first decorative layer and the second decorative layer comprises at least one opaque layer region with a decorative appearance.

9. Trim element according to claim 1 , wherein the first decorative layer comprises a woven fabric, a knitted fabric, a metal layer or a veneer, the veneer being formed and made light-transmissive at least in part by punching an initially uniform veneer layer.

10. Method for producing a trim element according to claim 1 , in which

said second decorative layer is first back-injection molded with carrier plastic material on the rear side,

intermediate layer plastic material is subsequently injected into a gap between said first and said second decorative layer, and

said first decorative layer is finally injection-overmolded with cover layer plastic material.

11. Method for producing a trim element according to claim 1 , in which

said first and said second decorative layer are first bonded to one another by way of said intermediate layer and

said second decorative layer is back-injection molded with carrier plastic material and said first decorative layer is injection-overmolded with cover layer plastic material.

12. Method according to claim 11 , wherein said first and said second decorative layer are bonded to one another by injecting intermediate layer plastic material into a gap between said first and said second decorative layer.

13. Method according to claim 12 , in which a planar intermediate product comprising said intermediate layer, said first decorative layer, and said second decorative layer is first produced and thereafter formed into a reshaped intermediate product which is then back-injection molded with carrier plastic material and injection-overmolded with said cover layer plastic material.

14. A trim element for a vehicle interior comprising:

a plastic transparent cover layer forming a surface;

a fluid-permeable light-transmissive first decorative layer with first decorative elements placed on said transparent cover;

a plastic light-transmissive intermediate layer placed on said first decorative layer;

a second decorative layer comprising a mirror film with second decorative elements placed on said plastic light-transmissive intermediate layer;

a carrier placed on said second decorative layer; and

a substructure placed on said carrier,

whereby said first plastic transparent cover layer and said plastic light-transmissive intermediate layer are capable of adhering together through said fluid-permeable light-transmissive first decorative layer and the second decorative elements are visible through said plastic light-transmissive intermediate layer.

15. A trim element according to claim 14 wherein:

said plastic transparent cover layer and said plastic light-transmissive intermediate layer are made from the same plastic materials.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 29, 2021
From: DIEHL, ANN-KATHRIN; HUHNERBEIN, FRANK
To: JOYSONQUIN AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS GMBH
Reel/Frame 055084/0493 →
Priority Claims (1)
DE 102020200312.2 · Jan 13, 2020 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20210213890A1 · Jul 15, 2021