IP Library Granted Patent US 8,915,001
Granted Patent B2
US 8,915,001 · App. 13/262,283 · Granted Dec 23, 2014

Decorative element and method for production thereof and method for actuating the same

Inventors: Steffen Breunig (Pforzheim, DE); Lutz Schmittat (Lohmar, DE)
Assignee: Daimler AG
B60Q3/004B29C45/1643B29C45/1671B60Q1/323B60Q3/044B60R13/02B29C45/14688B29C45/14778B29K2995/0026B29L2031/3005B60Q2500/10B60R2013/0281B60R2013/0287
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,915,001
App. No.
13/262,283
Granted
Dec 23, 2014
Kind
B2
Abstract

The invention relates to a decorative element ( 10 ) for a motor vehicle and to a method for producing the same. The decorative element ( 10 ) thereby comprises an at least partially transparent decorative film ( 12 ) applied to a flat carrier element ( 30 ) and back injection molded with two plastic layers ( 14, 16 ). At least the first plastic layer ( 14 ) is thereby at least partially transparent. The use of the first plastic layer ( 14 ) as an optical conductor is thereby made possible, allowing particularly optically attractive light coupling into the decorative element, and opening particularly extensive latitude in design.

Claims (18)

1. A decorative element ( 10 ) suitable for use as an interior trim component ( 32 ) of a motor vehicle, comprising an at least partially transparent decorative film ( 12 ) applied to a flat carrier element ( 30 ), wherein a first layer ( 14 ) of a transparent plastic material is placed between the carrier element and the decorative film ( 12 ), into which first layer ( 14 ) light can be coupled from a light source ( 28 ), wherein a second layer ( 16 ) of a further plastic material is provided between the carrier element ( 30 ) and the first layer ( 14 ) and the light source ( 28 ) is placed at the side of the first layer ( 14 ) and in the layer sequence behind the first layer ( 14 ).

2. The decorative element ( 10 ) according to claim 1 , wherein the light source ( 28 ) has at least two different selectable emission spectra.

3. The decorative element ( 10 ) according to claim 1 , wherein the first layer ( 14 ) comprises at least one coupling-out element ( 18 ) for coupling out light in an emission direction extending substantially in the direction of a surface normal of the decorative film ( 12 ).

4. The decorative element ( 10 ) according to claim 3 , wherein the first layer ( 14 ) comprises a plurality of coupling-out elements ( 18 ) for coupling out light variably in a location-dependent manner in an emission direction ( 24 ) extending substantially in the direction of the surface normal of the decorative film ( 12 ).

5. The decorative element ( 10 ) according to claim 1 , wherein the coupling-out elements ( 18 ) are represented by thickenings or notches of the first layer ( 14 ).

6. The decorative element ( 10 ) according to claim 1 , wherein a further decorative film ( 12 ) which is directly joined to the first decorative film ( 12 ) is provided.

7. The decorative element ( 10 ) according to claim 1 , wherein the decorative films ( 12 ) are printed on the side facing the first layer ( 14 ) and/or on the side remote from the first layer ( 14 ).

8. A use of a decorative element ( 10 ) according to claim 1 for an interior trim of a motor vehicle or for a piece of furniture.

9. A method for the production of a decorative element ( 10 ) for an interior trim ( 32 ) of a motor vehicle, comprising the following steps:

a) providing a decorative film ( 12 ),

b) thermoforming the decorative film ( 12 ),

c) applying a first layer ( 14 ) of an at least partially transparent plastic material to the decorative film ( 12 ) in an in-mould decoration process,

d) applying a second layer ( 16 ) of a further plastic material to the first layer ( 14 ) in an in-mould decoration process,

e) applying a carrier part ( 30 ) of the interior trim ( 32 ) to the second layer ( 16 ) in an in-mould decoration process.

10. A method for actuating a lit decorative element ( 10 ) for an interior trim ( 32 ) of a motor vehicle, which decorative element comprises an at least partially transparent decorative film ( 12 ) behind which is placed at least one partially transparent layer ( 14 ) of a plastic material, the method comprising:

providing a light source ( 28 ) for coupling light into the layer and at least one coupling-out element ( 18 ) for coupling light out of the layer ( 14 ) in an emission direction ( 24 ) extending substantially in the direction of a surface normal of the decorative film, and

altering the emission characteristic of the light source ( 28 ) in dependence on information transmitted by a driver assistance system.

11. The method according to claim 10 , wherein the light source ( 28 ) or an emission spectrum of the light source ( 28 ) is activated and/or deactivated in dependence upon the information.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 4, 2011
From: BREUNIG, STEFFEN; SCHMITTAT, LUTZ
To: DAIMLER AG
Reel/Frame 027010/0776 →
Priority Claims (1)
DE 10 2009 017 363 · Apr 14, 2009 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20120032592A1 · Feb 9, 2012