IP Library Granted Patent US 12,466,311
Granted Patent B2
US 12,466,311 · App. 18/637,531 · Granted Nov 11, 2025

Trim element with partially reflective top layer

Inventors: Frank Huhnerbein (Sachsenheim, DE); Konstantin Schmidt (Stuttgart, DE); Stefan Brommer (Tamm, DE)
Assignee: JOYSONQUIN Automotive Systems GmbH
B60Q3/54B60Q3/64
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,466,311
App. No.
18/637,531
Granted
Nov 11, 2025
Kind
B2
Abstract

Trim element, in particular for a vehicle interior, with a multi-layer structure having a visible side and a carrier side, wherein the trim element comprises the following layers: a first cover layer, optionally a second cover layer which is arranged on the carrier side of the first cover layer and is light-transmissive, a first decorative layer which is arranged on the carrier side of the first cover layer and the second cover layer and is light-transmissive at least in part, an intermediate layer which is arranged on the carrier side of the first decorative layer and is light-transmissive, a second decorative layer which is arranged on the carrier side of the first intermediate layer, and optionally a carrier layer which is arranged on the carrier side of the second decorative layer. The trim element is characterized in that the first cover layer is reflective at least in part and light-transmissive at least in part.

Claims (47)

1 . A trim element with a multi-layer structure having a visible side and a carrier side, where said trim element comprises the following layers:

a first cover layer,

a first decorative layer which is arranged on the carrier side of said first cover layer and is light-transmissive at least in part,

an intermediate layer which is arranged on the carrier side of said first decorative layer and is light-transmissive,

a second decorative layer which is arranged on the carrier side of said first intermediate layer,

wherein said first decorative layer is reflective in part and light-transmissive in part, said trim element is adapted to be illuminated from inside of said trim element, and

wherein said first cover layer is configured such that said first cover layer appears either reflective or light-transmissive in dependence of an illumination in the inside of said trim element being switched on or off.

2 . The trim element according to claim 1 , wherein:

said second decorative layer has a surface that is reflective towards the visible side.

3 . The trim element according to claim 1 , wherein:

said first cover layer is light-transmissive when the illumination is switched on and is reflective when the illumination is switched off.

4 . The trim element according to claim 3 , further comprising:

an illumination device which comprises either a light source or is configured as a light conductor for connecting a light source.

5 . The trim element according to claim 4 , wherein:

said trim element is adapted to be illuminated from the carrier side.

6 . The trim element according to claim 4 , wherein:

said trim element is adapted to be illuminated in a direction parallel to said first cover layer.

7 . The trim element according to claim 4 , wherein:

said trim element is adapted to be illuminated from the carrier side and in a direction parallel to said first cover layer.

8 . The trim element according to claim 1 , wherein:

said first cover layer comprises a film.

9 . The trim element according to claim 1 , wherein:

said first cover layer is applied in the form of a PVD coating onto a second cover layer or said first decorative layer.

10 . The trim element according to claim 1 , wherein:

said first decorative layer comprises at least one of a fluorescent material or phosphorescent material.

11 . The trim element according to claim 1 , wherein:

said first decorative layer is formed by a light-transmissive plastic layer onto which at least one of a fluorescent or phosphorescent lacquer is printed.

12 . The trim element according to claim 1 , wherein:

said first decorative layer is formed by an interface between two adjacent lacquer layers of an at least two-layer lacquer structure, wherein said interface has a three-dimensional structure.

13 . The trim element according to claim 12 , wherein:

said three-dimensional structure is formed by laser engraving.

14 . The trim element according to claim 1 , wherein:

said first decorative layer is formed by a plastic layer with at least one of particles or fabrics embedded therein.

15 . The trim element according to claim 1 , further comprising:

a second cover layer which is arranged on the carrier side of said first cover layer and is light-transmissive.

16 . The trim element according to claim 15 , wherein:

said first decorative layer is formed by an interface between said second cover layer and said intermediate layer, wherein said interface has a three-dimensional structure.

17 . The trim element according to claim 15 , wherein:

said second cover layer is formed parallel to at least one or more of the following decorative layers: said first decorative layer and said second decorative layer.

18 . The trim element according to claim 1 , further comprising:

a carrier layer which is arranged on the carrier side of said second decorative layer.

19 . The trim element according to claim 1 , wherein:

said first decorative layer and said second decorative layer are formed parallel to each other.

20 . The trim element according to claim 19 , wherein said intermediate layer is formed parallel to said first decorative layer and to said second decorative layer.

21 . The trim element according to claim 1 , wherein:

said first cover layer is formed parallel to at least one or more of the following decorative layers: said first decorative layer and said second decorative layer.

22 . Method for producing a trim element according to claim 1 in which said trim element is first provided comprising said first decorative layer which is light-transmissive in part, said intermediate layer which is arranged on the carrier side of said first decorative layer and is light-transmissive, and said second decorative layer which is arranged on the carrier side of said first intermediate layer, and said first cover layer is subsequently applied onto the surface of said trim element on the visible side wherein, said first cover layer is reflective in part and light-transmissive in part.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 8, 2024
From: HUHNERBEIN, FRANK; SCHMIDT, KONSTANTIN; BROMMER, STEFAN
To: JOYSONQUIN AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS GMBH
Reel/Frame 067345/0321 →
Priority Claims (1)
DE 102023110228.1 · Apr 21, 2023 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20240351516A1 · Oct 24, 2024
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