GB2492100A

GB2492100A - Illuminated panel for a vehicle

Info

Publication number: GB2492100A
Application number: GB1110486.6A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Bharat Jina
Original assignee: Jaguar Cars Ltd
Current assignee: Jaguar Land Rover Ltd
Priority date: 2011-06-21
Filing date: 2011-06-21
Publication date: 2012-12-26
Also published as: GB201110486D0; GB201211028D0; GB2492232B; GB2492232A

Abstract

A method of fabricating an illuminated trim panel member 110, in which the panel member comprises a trim element, the trim element having first and second sides 110A, 110B and the method comprises forming at least one aperture 112 through the trim element from the second side to the first side; applying a layer 130 of a light-transmitting coating medium to the first side thereby to cover at least a portion of the first side and the aperture 112, whereby light may be transmitted through the aperture and through the layer of coating medium from the second side to the first side for viewing from the first side.

Description

ILLUMINATED PANEL AND METHOD OF FABRICATION THEREOF

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to illuminated panels and to a method of fabrication of an illuminated panel. In particular but not exclusively the invention relates to an illuminated trim panel and a method of fabrication of an illuminated trim panel. Aspects of the invention relate to a trim panel member, to a method and to a vehicle.

BACKGROUND

It is known to provide a trim panel for improving an aesthetic appearance of a structure such as a portion of a motor vehicle, vessel, aircraft or building. Known trim panels are typically in the form of a plate or like member that is attached permanently or removably to a structural component to mask the component from view. The structural component may for example be a door or a dashboard of a motor vehicle or any other suitable component.

In some applications, properties of trim panels are subject to regulatory requirements which may include performance requirements that must be met in response to an unintended event such as a fire or collision.

STATEMENT OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a method of fabricating an illuminated trim panel member having first and second sides, the method comprising forming at least one aperture through the trim panel member from the second side to the first side, and applying a layer of a light-transmitting coating medium to the first side thereby to cover at least a portion of the first side and substantially the whole of the at least one aperture, whereby light may be transmitted through the at least one aperture and through the layer of coating medium from the second side to the first side for viewing from the first side.

The trim panel member may comprise a trim element.

Embodiments of the invention have the advantage that an illuminated trim panel member may be provided having a first side visible to a person viewing the panel member without requiring mechanical light fixings to be provided. Thus, embodiments of the invention allow discrete illumination to be provided to a trim panel. This is at least in part because light fittings such as lens fittings, diffusers and the like are not required to be provided on the first side.

The at least one aperture may be formed by mechanical drilling, laser drilling, by means of an abrasive jet, a fluid jet such as a water jet or any other suitable means.

Advantageously the step of applying the light-transmitting coating medium comprises applying the coating medium whereby the at least one aperture through the panel is at least partially filled with coating medium.

This feature has the advantage that fabrication of the panel member is simplified since it is not required to fill the aperture with a separate filler medium. The filler medium may for example be an epoxy resin, a polyurethane or any other suitable light transmitting medium.

Optionally the method comprises the step of at least partially filling the at least one aperture with a light transmitting fill medium.

This feature has the advantage that in some embodiments larger apertures may be formed in the panel member than might otherwise be possible.

Advantageously the step of at least partially filling the at least one aperture is followed by the step of applying at least one layer of coating medium to the first side of the panel member.

Further advantageously the method of applying a layer of coating medium comprises applying a layer of a fluid coating medium.

By fluid is included a liquid including an emulsion, a gel or any other fluid coating medium.

Advantageously the coating medium is a liquid coating medium. Further advantageously the coating medium is a lacquer.

Advantageously the step of applying the layer of coating medium is followed by the step of reducing a thickness the layer of coating medium to reduce a variation in thickness of the coating over the first side.

By the term thinning is included mechanically thinning such as polishing or any other method of abrasion to reduce thickness and surface roughness of the layer, chemical thinning or any other suitable method of thinning the layer to increase flatness of the layer.

Further advantageously the method comprises the step of repeatedly applying a layer of coating medium and abrading the layer thereby to reduce a variation in thickness of the coating below a prescribed value.

The step of applying a layer of a light-transmitting coating medium may comprise applying a film of material.

Optionally the method of applying a layer of a light-transmitting coating medium comprises applying a pre-formed film of material.

Advantageously the pre-formed film material comprises a plastics film material.

Optionally the method further comprises the step of applying a barrier medium to the layer of coating medium thereby to partially block light emerging from the first side of the trim element when light is shone through the aperture from the second side.

This feature has the advantage that pleasing aesthetic effects may be obtained. For example, the barrier medium may be arranged to enhance an appearance of a graphic, a word, text or the like.

The at least one aperture optionally has at least one dimension in the plane of the first surface in the range of one selected from amongst substantially from 0.2mm to 10mm, from 0.2mm to 5mm, from 0.2mm to 4mm, from 0.2mm to 3mm, from 0.2mm to 2mm and from 0.25mm to 1.5mm.

Other sizes are also useful.

The at least one aperture may be at least one selected from amongst substantially circular, substantially square, substantially rectangular, substantially oblong, substantially oblate, substantially elliptical and substantially triangular.

Optionally the at least one aperture is shaped to spell a word.

it is to be understood that a single aperture may be shaped to spell a word or a plurality of apertures may be employed.

Advantageously the method comprises the step of coupling the trim element to a substrate element.

Advantageously the method comprises providing at least one aperture through the substrate element at a location corresponding to the at least one aperture of the trim element thereby to allow light to pass through the substrate element and the trim element.

The aperture may be formed in the substrate element either before or after the trim element is coupled to the substrate element.

The aperture may be formed in the trim and substrate elements by any suitable technique such as laser drilling, mechanical drilling, etching or any other suitable technique. A different method may be used to form the hole in one element or the same method may be used for both elements.

Alternatively the apertures may be formed in one or both elements in a moulding, forging or pressing operation. Other methods and arrangements are also useful.

Advantageously the method comprises the step of coupling a light source to the trim panel member whereby light from the light source may be projected through the at least one aperture from the second side to the first side of the trim element.

The light source may comprise a light emitting diode source, an incandescent source, an electroluminescent source, a fluorescent source or any other suitable source of light.

According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided an illuminated trim panel member, the panel member comprising a trim element, the trim element having first and second sides; at least one aperture formed therethrough from the second side to the first side; and a layer of a light-transmitting coating medium on the first side covering at least a portion of the first side and substantially the whole of the at least one aperture, the panel member being arranged wherein light may be transmitted through the at least one aperture and through the layer of coating medium from the second side to the first side for viewing by a person.

Advantageously the trim panel member is provided in combination with a light source arranged wherein light from the light source may be projected through the at least one aperture from the second side to the first side of the trim element.

Optionally the light source is coupled to the trim panel member.

In one aspect of the invention there is provided a motor vehicle comprising a trim panel member according to the preceding aspect.

Optionally the trim panel member is coupled to an interior surface of the vehicle.

The trim panel member may be coupled to one selected from amongst a door, a floor, a sill, a dashboard, a centre console, a seat, an A post, a B post and a C post.

Alternatively the trim panel member may be coupled to an exterior surface of the vehicle.

The trim panel member may be coupled to a body panel of the vehicle.

Within the scope of this application it is envisaged that the various aspects, embodiments, examples, features and alternatives set out in the preceding paragraphs, in the claims and/or in the following description and drawings may be taken independently or in any combination thereof. For example, features disclosed in connection with one embodiment are applicable to all embodiments, except where there is incompatibility of features.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying figures in which: FIGURE 1 is a schematic illustration of a process of forming a trim panel according to (a) a first embodiment and (b) a second embodiment of the present invention whereby a veneer of a trim material is bonded to a substrate at elevated temperature and pressure; FIGURE 2 is a cross-sectional schematic illustration of a portion of a trim panel according to an embodiment of the invention; FIGURE 3 is a schematic illustration of a process of forming a trim panel according to (a) a third embodiment and (b) a fourth embodiment of the present invention; FIGURE 4 is a cross-sectional schematic illustration of a trim panel having an aperture too large for a layer of lacquer to bridge the aperture in the absence of a support medium such as a filler medium; FIGURE 5 is an exploded view of a trim panel according to an embodiment of the invention; and FIGURE 6 shows a trim panel according to an embodiment of the invention installed to a door panel of a motor vehicle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1(a) shows a method of forming a trim panel member 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

At step (i) of FIG. 1(a) a trim element 110 in the form of a wooden veneer shell is provided.

Other materials are also useful for forming the trim element 11 0 such as plastics materials, wood materials including a cork material, carbon fibre materials, metals, a coral material or any other suitable material. However in some applications a wood material may be preferred for aesthetic reasons.

The trim element 110 may be subjected to a pressing operation in order to form the element into a required shape. The pressing operation is suitable for forming trim elements 110 of a variety of different materials into required shapes including plastics materials, wood materials, metal materials and the like.

At step (ii) the trim element 110 is subjected to a drilling operation in which a series of holes (or apertures) 112 each around 1 mm in diameter are formed in the element 110. In some embodiments the holes 112 are formed to have a pitch of around 5 to 10mm, i.e. a distance between centres of adjacent holes 112 is around 5 to 10mm. Other values of pitch are also useful. The holes are formed from a front or A' surface 1 1 0A of the element 110 through to a rear or B' surface 11OB of the element 110 being a surface on a side of the element 110 opposite the A surface 11 GA.

Other diameters of hole are useful. In particular diameters in the range of from around 0.2mm to around 1.5mm, optionally from around 0.25 to around 1.5mm.

At step (iii) a trim substrate element 120 is provided having a shape corresponding to that of the B surface 11 OB of the trim element 110. In some embodiments the substrate element 120 is formed from an alloy casting or forging, such as an aluminium casting. Other metals are also useful. Other materials are also useful such as plastics materials, wood materials, carbon fibre materials and any other suitable material.

An aperture 122 is formed through the substrate element 120 at a location corresponding to that of the aperture 112 in the trim element 110. In the embodiment shown the aperture 122 in the substrate element 120 is larger in diameter than the aperture 112 formed in the trim element 110 in order to increase an alignment tolerance of the respective elements 110, 120.

The aperture 122 may be large enough to encompass a plurality of apertures 112 formed in the trim element 110.

At step (iv) the trim element 110 is bonded to the substrate 120 by means of an adhesive provided therebetween.

At step (v) the A surface 11 OA of the trim element 110 is spray-coated with a layer 130 of a lacquer as shown in further detail in FIG. 2. The lacquer is arranged to coat the A surface 11 GA and to cover the apertures 112 provided through the trim element 110. Under the influence of surface tension the layer 130 is arranged to remain continuous across each of the apertures 112. However it is to be understood that in the vicinity of the apertures 112 sink of the layer 130 may occur whereby a height of a free surface 131 of the layer 130 above the A surface 11 GA reduces in the region of the aperture by a distance of up to ti,'.

If the variation in thickness is not acceptable, the layer 130 is subject to a thinning operation in which a total thickness tL of the layer is reduced to tL. This reduces the value of t by an amount corresponding to the difference between tL and tL'.

In some embodiments a further layer of lacquer is formed over the thinned layer 130 and the thinning process repeated until the value of t is sufficiently low and the total thickness of lacquer over the A surface 11 OA is sufficiently high.

Typically, application of up to around 5 coats of lacquer, each coat followed by a thinning operation, is found to be sufficient.

Step (iva) is an optional step in which a filler material is deposited within the aperture 112 in the trim element 110 (and/or the aperture 1 22 in the substrate element 120) in order to at least partially fill the aperture 112 in the trim element 110 before application of the lacquer layer 130. This has the effect of providing a support for the lacquer layer 130, reducing the value of t.

It is to be understood that the larger the aperture 112 the greater the value of t, unless filler is provided within the aperture 112. Furthermore, in some embodiments the larger the aperture 112 the more likely a person viewing the trim element 112 is to notice the aperture. Thus it is found to be advantageous to provide relatively small apertures in the trim element 110.

FIG. 1(b) shows a method of forming a trim panel member 200 according to a further embodiment of the present invention. Like features of the embodiment of FIG. 1(b) to those of the embodiment of FIG. 1(a) are provided with like reference signs prefixed numeral 2 instead of numeral 1.

At step (i) a trim element 210 is bonded to a substrate 220 that has an aperture 222 already provided therethrough. As noted above in respect of substrate 120, in some embodiments the aperture 222 is formed by drilling. Other methods of forming an aperture 222 are also useful.

At step (ii) an aperture 212 is formed through the trim element 210 at a location corresponding to that of the aperture 222 in the substrate 220. The aperture 212 may be formed by drilling with a mechanical drill bit, by laser drilling or by any suitable method.

At step (iia) a filler material may be provided within the aperture 212 in order to provide a support for a layer of lacquer to be coated over the exposed A surface 21 OA.

At step (iii) the A surface 210A of the trim element 210 is coated with a layer 230 of lacquer.

The layer 230 is arranged to cover the aperture 210 in a similar manner to that described in respect of the embodiment of FIG. 1(a). A similar method of obtaining a smooth layer 230 of lacquer may also be employed, i.e. application of a layer 230 followed by thinning, recoating and thinning until the layer 230 is sufficiently smooth.

FIG. 3(a) and (b) show respective methods of forming a trim panel member 300, 400 in which at step (i) a trim element 310, 410 is bonded to a substrate element 320, 420 in a bag pressing process. In some embodiments the trim element 310, 410 is wet bonded to the substrate element 320, 420.

In the method of FIG. 3(a), at step (ii) an aperture 312 is formed in the trim element 310 and a corresponding aperture 322 is formed in the substrate element 320 in a single drilling operation in which drilling is performed through both the trim element 310 and the substrate element 320 one after the other. In the embodiment shown a mechanical drill bit is employed to drill through the elements 310,320 in a single operation. Other arrangements are also useful, such as laser drilling. In some embodiments the order in which the apertures 312, 322 are formed is found to be important in reducing an amount of damage suffered by the A surface of the trim element 310.

In some embodiments drilling through both elements 310, 320 is not possible without causing damage to one or both of the elements 310, 320.

For example, in the case of laser drilling through a trim element 310 formed from wood and a substrate element 320 formed from aluminium, heating of the substrate 320 during the process of laser drilling therethrough can lead to burning or scorching of the trim &ement 310, reducing an aesthetic appeal thereof.

At step (iii) a layer 330 of lacquer is applied to the A surface 310A of the trim element 310, the layer 330 being arranged to cover the aperture 312. A filler material may optionally be provided within the aperture 312 to support the layer 330.

The layer 330 is subsequently thinned to reduce a variation in thickness thereof due to sink of the layer 330 in the region of the aperture 312.

A process of repeated deposition of lacquer and subsequent thinning may be performed in order to reduce the variation in thickness of the layer 330.

In the embodiment of FIG. 3(b), at step (i) an aperture 422 if formed through the substrate element 420 following bonding of the trim and substrate elements 410, 420 together as described above. As can be seen from FIG. 3(b) the aperture 422 is blind in the sense that it does not penetrate from the free surface 420B of the substrate element 420 through the entire thickness of the substrate element 420 to the B surface 410B of the trim element 410. This is so as to reduce a risk of damage to the trim element 420 due to drilling. This feature of the step may be particularly important where laser drilling is performed since it may reduce an amount of thermal damage to the trim element 410.

At step (ii) an aperture 412 is formed through the trim element 410 from the A surface 410A, again by drilling. The drilling operation is performed through the trim element 410 and the remaining portion of the substrate element 420 thereby to form an aperture 402 through the entire thickness of the trim panel member 400.

At step (iii) a layer 430 of lacquer is formed over the trim element 410 in a similar manner to that described in respect of the embodiments of FIG. 1 and FIG. 3(a). A filler material may optionally be provided within the aperture 412 to reduce sink of the layer 430 and encourage formation of a layer 430 that bridges the aperture 412 in a substantially continuous manner.

By way of illustration of this problem, FIG. 5 shows an arrangement in which an aperture 512 formed in a trim element 510 is too large to allow a layer 530 of lacquer to bridge the aperture 512. The layer therefore coats a portion of a wall 512' of the aperture 512 without bridging the aperture 512. In contrast, as shown in FIG. 2, if the aperture 112 is of sufficiently small diameter the layer 130 is able to bridge the aperture 112.

In some embodiments a trim element is formed into a shape corresponding to that of a substrate to which the element is to be coupled in a pressing operation as noted above.

Apertures may then be formed in the trim element and the trim element subsequently bonded to the substrate, for example by wet bonding. Lacquer may then be applied to the trim element to fill the aperture as described above.

The substrate may be formed from one of a number of different methods, for example by means of die casting, extrusion, pressing or any other suitable method.

In one arrangement the trim element is pressed to form a desired shape and a substrate material applied to a B surface of the trim element in a back-moulding operation. One or more apertures may then be formed through the trim element and the substrate material, FIG. 5 is an exploded view of a panel member 600 according to a further embodiment of the invention.

The panel member 600 has a translucent substrate element 620 formed from a translucent plastics material although materials other than plastics materials are also useful. In the embodiment shown the substrate element 620 is formed from an SLA (stereolithography) resin. The trim panel element 610 is bonded to the substrate element 620 by means of an adhesive.

The trim element 610 is in the form of a wooden veneer having an aperture 615 formed therethrough. The aperture 615 is shaped to define a script. In the embodiment shown the script is the word AUTOBIOGRAPHY. Materials other than wood veneer are also useful including plastics materials, metallic materials and the like. It is to be understood the aperture 615 may be of any suitable script, logo or other graphical design. A plurality of apertures 615 may be provided instead of a single aperture.

A layer 630 of a coating medium is provided over the trim element 610. The coating medium is applied in such a way as to infill the aperture 615 such that an A surface of the trim element 610 facing the layer 630 is substantially flat and aperture 615 is substantially filed with the layer 630. In some embodiments the aperture 615 may be at least partially filled with a light transmitting filler medium in addition to or instead of layer 630.

In the embodiment shown the layer 630 is formed by applying a liquid lacquer to the trim element 610 in a similar manner to that described above in respect of the embodiments of FIG. 1 to FIG. 3. That is, a layer 630 of lacquer is applied to the trim element 610 and the layer 630 subsequently thinned. The process of applying a layer of lacquer and thinning the layer 630 may be repeated until the layer 630 is sufficiently smooth for the intended application.

A metallic light-barrier layer 640 is then bonded to the layer 630 over the trim element 610.

The barrier layer 640 is shaped in a manner corresponding substantially to that of the aperture 615 but arranged such that when applied to the trim element 610 over the aperture 615 light is able to pass out from the trim element 610 around an outer edge of the barrier layer 640 and not through the barrier layer 640. Thus the barrier layer 640 blocks light from passing through an area that is smaller than the aperture 615. Other arrangements in which a layer 640 at least partially blocks light passing out from the aperture 615 are also useful. Translucent barrier layers 640 that partially transmit light incident thereon are also useful, such as coloured or grey-scale layers 640.

In the embodiment shown the panel member 600 is arranged to provide an illuminated scuff plate at an entrance to a motor vehicle over a sill of the vehicle. The aperture 615 in the trim element 610 and letters of the barrier layer 640 are sized such that when the scuff plate is viewed along a line of sight 681 normal to the panel member 600 with a light source behind the substrate element 620, an illuminated border of around 1 mm is provided around the letters of the barrier layer 640 between the letters and edges of the aperture 615. As noted above other arrangements are also useful.

A final layer 650 of lacquer is provided over the barrier layer 640. The final layer 650 is formed by applying a layer of lacquer, thinning the layer and re-applying a layer until the final layer 650 is sufficiently smooth. It is to be understood that if only one layer of lacquer is applied as the final layer 650 the layer 650 may not be sufficiently smooth due to the presence of the barrier layer 640, which has a finite thickness.

It is to be understood that in some arrangements the barrier layer 640 is provided in the form of a transparent sheet having a light absorbing and/or light scattering medium provided at certain locations corresponding to the position of the aperture 615. The light absorbing and/or light scattering medium may comprise a metallic material such as a thin sheet or layer of metallic material, a printed layer and/or any other suitable layer. Such a barrier layer 640 may be arranged to overlay the trim element 610 such that the trim element 610 is visible through the transparent portion of the barrier layer 640, the light blocking and/or light scattering medium being arranged to overlay at least a portion of the aperture 615.

FIG. 6 shows an example of a trim panel 700 according to an embodiment of the invention having a trim element 710 formed from a wood veneer. Apertures 715 through the trim element are illuminated by a light emitting diode light engine provided behind the panel 700.

In some embodiment the light engine is switched on when the door is opened or when headlamps of the vehicle are switched on. Other arrangements are also useful.

Embodiments of the invention have the advantage that existing trim panel technologies such as technologies for forming trim panels comprising wood such as wood veneer materials may be adapted to have illumination functionality without addition of further components on an external surface thereof. This has the advantage that panels already meeting stringent safety requirements such as impact performance requirements may be adapted to provide illumination functionality, precluding a necessity to entirely redesign a panel.

Furthermore, trim panel members according to some embodiments of the invention may be made such that the illumination functionality is not apparent to a person viewing the panel member unless the panel is illuminated. That is, light guides such as the apertures of the embodiments of FIG. 1 to FIG. 4 may be formed to be barely visible (if at all) to a user under normal ambient illumination conditions. The panel members may be arranged such that it is only when a light source projects light through the panel member from behind that the existence of light guides in the panel member becomes apparent.

Some embodiments of the invention are advantageous in allowing known materials to be employed in trim panel members without spoiling an aesthetic appearance of the panel members. This is because in some embodiments light guides used to project light from the panel member are provided in the form of small apertures in the material, the presence of the apertures not being apparent to a casual observer until the panel is illuminated from behind.

Embodiments of the invention allow illumination of panels in areas where provision of alternative lighting means is not possible for example due to package or safety constraints as noted above. Provision of illumination capability is limited only by an ability to provide an illumination source. With the advent of compact LED, electroluminescent and other illumination sources, embodiments of the present invention may be provided in a number of locations that are unsuitable for the provision of convention panel illumination devices.

It is to be understood that the panel illumination according to embodiments of the present invention may be provided in surfaces that are not flat or smooth.

Embodiments of the present invention have the advantage that a process of providing illumination functionality to a panel may be incorporated into existing process technologies such as wood veneer processing technologies with relatively minor interruption.

As described above in some embodiments plastics materials and metallic materials as well as wood veneer materials may be provided with illumination functionality.

Throughout the description and claims of this specification, the words "comprise" and "contain" and variations of the words, for example "comprising" and "comprises", means "including but not limited to", and is not intended to (and does not) exclude other moieties, additives, components, integers or steps.

Throughout the description and claims of this specification, the singular encompasses the plural unless the context otherwise requires. In particular, where the indefinite article is used, the specification is to be understood as contemplating plurality as well as singularity, unless the context requires otherwise.

Features, integers, characteristics, compounds, chemical moieties or groups described in conjunction with a particular aspect, embodiment or example of the invention are to be understood to be applicable to any other aspect, embodiment or example described herein unless incompatible therewith.

Claims

CLAIMS: 1. A method of fabricating an illuminated trim panel member, the panel member comprising a trim element having first and second sides, the method comprising: forming at least one aperture through the trim element from the second side to the first side; applying a layer of a light-transmitting coating medium to the first side thereby to cover at least a portion of the first side and substantially the whole of the at least one aperture, whereby light may be transmitted through the at least one aperture and through the layer of coating medium from the second side to the first side for viewing from the first side.
2. A method as claimed in claim 1 whereby the step of applying the light-transmitting coating medium comprises applying the coating medium whereby the at least one aperture through the panel is at least partially filled with coating medium.
3. A method as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 comprising the step of at least partially filling the at least one aperture with a light transmitting fill medium.
4. A method as claimed in claim 3 whereby the step of at least partially filling the at least one aperture is followed by the step of applying at least one layer of coating medium to the first side of the panel member.
5. A method as claimed in any preceding claim whereby the method of applying a layer of coating medium comprises applying a layer of a fluid coating medium.
6. A method as claimed in claim 5 wherein the step of applying the layer of coating medium is followed by the step of reducing a thickness of the layer of coating medium to reduce a variation in thickness of the coating over the first side.
7. A method as claimed in claim 6 comprising the step of repeatedly applying a layer of coating medium and abrading the layer thereby to reduce a variation in thickness of the coating below a prescribed value.
8. A method as claimed in any preceding claim whereby the method of applying a layer of a light-transmitting coating medium comprises applying a pre-formed film of material.
9. A method as claimed in claim 8 wherein the pre-formed film material comprises a plastics film material.
10. A method as claimed in any preceding claim comprising the step of applying a barrier medium to the layer of coating medium thereby to partially block light emerging from the first side of the trim element when light is shone through the aperture from the second side.
11. A method as claimed in any preceding claim whereby the at least one aperture has at least one dimension in the plane of the first surface in the range of one selected from amongst substantially from 0.2mm to 10mm, from 0.2mm to 5mm, from 0.2mm to 4mm, from 0.2mm to 3mm, from 0.2mm to 2mm and from 0.25mm to 1.5mm.
12. A method as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the at least one aperture is at least one selected from amongst substantially circular, substantially square, substantially rectangular, substantially oblong, substantially oblate, substantially elliptical and substantially triangular.
13. A method as claimed in any preceding claim whereby the at least one aperture is shaped to spell a word.
14. A method as claimed in any preceding claim comprising the step of coupling the trim element to a substrate element.
15. A method as claimed in claim 14 comprising providing at least one aperture through the substrate element at a location corresponding to the at least one aperture of the trim element thereby to allow light to pass through the substrate element and the trim element.
16. A method as claimed in any preceding claim comprising the step of coupling a light source to the trim panel member whereby light from the light source may be projected through the at least one aperture from the second side to the first side of the trim element.
17. A method as claimed in any preceding claim comprising the step of coupling the trim panel member to a motor vehicle.
18. An illuminated trim panel member, the panel member comprising: a trim element, the trim element having: first and second sides; and at least one aperture formed therethrough from the second side to the first side; and a layer of a light-transmitting coating medium on the first side covering at least a portion of the first side and substantially the whole of the at least one aperture, the panel member being arranged wherein light may be transmitted through the at least one aperture and through the layer of coating medium from the second side to the first side for viewing by a person.
19. A trim panel member as claimed in claim 18 in combination with a light source arranged wherein light from the light source may be projected through the at least one aperture from the second side to the first side of the trim element.
20. A trim panel member as claimed in claim 19 wherein the light source is coupled to the trim panel member.
21. A motor vehicle comprising a trim panel member as claimed in any one of claims 18 to 20.
22. A motor vehicle as claimed in claim 21 wherein the trim panel member is coupled to an interior surface of the vehicle.
23. A motor vehicle as claimed in claim 22 wherein the trim panel member is coupled to one selected from amongst a door, a floor, a sill, a dashboard, a centre console, a seat, an A post, a B post and a C post.
24. A motor vehicle as claimed in claim 21 wherein the trim panel member is coupled to an exterior surface of the vehicle.
25. A motor vehicle as claimed in claim 24 wherein the trim panel member is coupled to a body panel of the vehicle.
26. A method substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
27. A panel member substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
28. A motor vehicle substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.