DE102015102394A1 - Vehicle interior trim part with metal layer and ceramic layer - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a vehicle interior trim part (100) comprising a metal layer (102) and a ceramic layer (104) located directly on the metal layer (102), the ceramic layer (104) providing the immediate visible side of the interior trim part (100), the metal layer (102) has a translucent visible light perforation (108), wherein the visible light ceramic layer (104) is translucent.

Description

The invention relates to a vehicle interior trim part with a metal layer and a ceramic layer and a method for producing a vehicle interior trim part.

Passenger spaces of "vehicles" such as ships, trains and motor vehicles, such as cars and trucks, are typically equipped with lighting means. Lighting devices have different tasks. On the one hand, there are lighting devices that are designed to illuminate the passenger compartment "passenger compartment" in a corresponding manner. On the other hand, there are lighting devices which exclusively serve to highlight and thus visually detect control elements in the passenger compartment. Furthermore, there are bulbs, which serve exclusively to give the passenger compartment by the illumination of surfaces a certain design touch.

For example, the DE 10 2006 011 849 A1 a vehicle with a arranged in the field of view of occupants of the vehicle decorative element in which a part of the decorative element is formed by a ceramic layer which is permanently connected to a plastic carrier part of the decorative element. The plastic carrier part can be made, for example, of a light-transmitting or light-conducting material in order to backlight or shine through the ceramic layer.

Further, the DE 10 2011 013 200 A1 an operating element for a vehicle with a plastic carrier part and a ceramic cover layer, wherein the cover layer has openings, which are formed as Lichtleitkanäle.

The invention has for its object to provide an improved vehicle interior trim part and a method for producing a vehicle interior trim part.

The objects underlying the invention are achieved by the features of the independent claims. Preferred embodiments of the invention are indicated in the dependent claims.

A vehicle interior trim part, such as, for example, for motor vehicles, an instrument panel, a center console, a door bracket, or the like, is described, wherein the vehicle interior trim part has a metal layer and a ceramic layer located directly on the metal layer. The ceramic layer provides the immediate visible side of the interior trim part, the metal layer having a translucent visible light perforation, the visible light ceramic layer being translucent.

Translucency is understood here to be the ability of the material to allow the light to show through in part, but not to be transparent. The ceramic layer is therefore translucent.

Embodiments of the invention could have the advantage that on the one hand, for example, a discreet and diffuse illumination of surfaces of the vehicle interior trim part can be ensured and on the other hand, however, does not have to dispense with the features of a high quality vehicle interior trim part. By using the metal layer, for example, a very high mechanical stability can be ensured, although the metal layer is weakened due to the perforation.

Furthermore, metal has a much lower specific heat capacity and a significantly higher thermal conductivity, in particular with respect to plastic, so that the vehicle interior trim part has the ability to adapt very quickly and in a pleasant manner to the interior temperatures of the motor vehicle, especially when used in motor vehicles. This could for example have a high relevance in summer, where it must be ensured that the vehicle interior and thus the vehicle interior trim parts must be cooled down as quickly as possible by means of an air conditioner to a comfortable temperature. Especially the combination of metal and ceramic offers the advantage that due to similar specific heat capacities this effect of rapid adaptability to the ambient temperatures of the vehicle interior can be ensured despite the coating of the metal with a ceramic. With regard to the thermal conductivity, ceramic offers a considerably more favorable compatibility with metal than would be the case with ceramic surfaces in comparison with plastics.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the holes of the perforation are arranged in the form of a visually detectable sign. It may thus be possible to provide visually detectable information for a vehicle occupant by the backlighting of the metal layer. This could be a warning or a hint for informational purposes. Such an information purpose could be, for example, the on or off state of various electrical components in the vehicle.

It should be noted at this point that the holes of the perforation are preferably formed so that when the light is off, the perforation as such is imperceptible. Thus, a so-called "black panel effect" occurs here. Only when the light is switched on, the presence of a light bulb is even perceived.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the metal of the metal layer is aluminum. Preferably, the aluminum is self-supporting. Overall, aluminum could have the advantage that it has a very high mechanical stability in addition to extreme lightweightness. For this reason, aluminum could be outstandingly suitable for a motor vehicle interior trim part, in particular an instrument panel, which must also be able to absorb higher mechanical forces due to, for example, the vehicle occupant being supported on the vehicle interior trim part. Compared to plastic, this aluminum has the advantage that it can withstand a higher load without deformation with the same weight. Further, aluminum has the above-described excellent properties in terms of thermal conductivity and heat capacity.

For example, the ceramic of the ceramic layer is enamel. In addition to a high surface resistance of enamel, enamel has the advantage that it can be applied in a reproducible manner as a layer on the metal layer. For this purpose, no high temperatures, for example burning of the ceramic are necessary, so that overall there is a good compatibility between enamel and aluminum in particular. In addition, enamel has the advantage that by adding oxides or dioxides from the group titanium, antimony, zirconium and tin the opacity (the inverted value of the translucency) can be adjusted as desired. By adjusting the concentration of these additives, it is thus possible in a simple manner to adjust the refractive index of the enamel layer and thus the opacity of the enamel layer in the desired manner.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, the vehicle interior trim part further comprises a lighting means for providing the visible light, wherein the lighting means is arranged on the side facing away from the ceramic layer of the metal layer. By way of example, the illuminant is a planar luminous element or a point light source such as a light-emitting diode.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, the vehicle interior trim part further comprises a detector, wherein the detector is arranged on the side facing away from the ceramic layer of the metal layer, wherein the detector is adapted to a user contact of the ceramic layer of the vehicle interior trim part in a predetermined and spatially limited Detect area.

For example, the area is defined by the flag defined. In another example, the detector includes a capacitive proximity switch.

So instead of providing a mechanically flexible plastic part as a switch, which is mechanically actuated, it is proposed not to affect the overall stability of the vehicle interior trim part and instead to use a proximity switch. As a result, there is no weakening of the vehicle interior trim part due to the provision of the switch. A proximity switch paired with a metal layer could therefore make the switch more robust overall.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the holes of the perforation have a cylindrical shape, wherein the holes have a circular cross-section and whose cylindrical longitudinal axis extends in the direction of the longitudinal direction of the hole, wherein the diameter of the holes between 20 .mu.m and 2 mm, preferably 1 mm, is and / or wherein the length of the holes in the direction of the cylinder longitudinal axis is between 0.3 and 5 mm.

Preferably, the aspect ratio between the diameter of the holes and the length of the holes in the direction of the cylinder longitudinal axis is between 0.025 and 0.05. The latter could have the advantage that light can reach the ceramic layer without lossy scattering through the perforation. The said aspect ratio has proved to be advantageous in a special way and surprisingly. With a smaller aspect ratio, the disadvantage could arise that the luminous efficacy on the ceramic layer becomes too small, and if the aspect ratio is too high, a considerable light loss also occurs due to a large light scattering in the holes. This is especially true because the cylindrical holes have no internal mirroring, so that any unwanted reflection in one of the cylindrical holes leads to a loss of light.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, the thickness of the ceramic layer is between 40 μm and 300 μm. In this thickness range, the ceramic layer has a sufficiently high mechanical stability against mechanical influences that prevent "abrasion" of the ceramic layer from the metal layer during normal use. On On the other hand, it is ensured in this thickness range that sufficient light can be transmitted through the ceramic layer so that the desired lighting effect can be ensured.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, the vehicle interior trim part is an instrument panel, in particular for a motor vehicle.

• – Bereitstellen einer Metallschicht, wobei die Metallschicht eine lichtdurchlässige Perforation für sichtbares Licht aufweist,
• – Aufbringen einer Keramikschicht auf die Metallschicht, wobei die Keramikschicht in flüssiger oder viskoser Form auf die Metallschicht aufgebracht wird, wobei die Keramikschicht für das sichtbare Licht transluzent ist,
• – Trocknen der auf der Metallschicht befindlichen Keramikschicht, wobei während dem Aufbringen und Trocknen der Keramikschicht die Metallschicht vertikal gehalten wird.

In a further aspect, the invention relates to a method of manufacturing a vehicle interior trim part, the method comprising:

• Providing a metal layer, the metal layer having a translucent visible light perforation,
• Applying a ceramic layer to the metal layer, the ceramic layer being applied in liquid or viscous form to the metal layer, the ceramic layer being translucent to the visible light,
• - Drying of the ceramic layer located on the metal layer, wherein during the application and drying of the ceramic layer, the metal layer is held vertically.

The vertical holding of the metal layer could have the advantage of preventing the material of the ceramic from penetrating into the holes of the perforation during the application of the ceramic layer to the metal layer and the drying process. Thus, due to the vertical holding of the metal layer, a uniform thickness of the applied ceramic layer is ensured also in the region of the perforation. Vertical holding of the metal layer means that the metal layer is held perpendicular to the earth's surface.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the holes of the perforation have a cylindrical shape, wherein the ceramic layer is applied by spraying on the metal layer, wherein the spray direction deviates by an angle between 30 and 70 ° from the direction of the axis of the cylindrical shape. For example, if the axis of the cylindrical shape is in the horizontal direction, according to the said embodiment, it is provided that, with respect to the horizontal direction, the spray angle deviates by a value between 30 and 70 ° from this horizontal direction. This could have the advantage that, when the ceramic layer is sprayed onto the metal layer, it is prevented that material of the sprayed-on ceramic layer is introduced directly into the holes of the perforation. This could also contribute to the fact that the thickness of the applied ceramic layer is the same even in the area of the perforation in comparison to the z. B. Spray position in which the ceramic layer would be applied to the metal layer without underlying perforation.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the viscosity of the material of the applied ceramic layer is selected so that the capillary rise height of the material in the perforation holes due to capillary asperity in the longitudinal direction of the holes is less than 15% of the length of the holes. Under a Kapillaraszension is understood the ability that the holes of the perforation "suck" the liquid or viscous material of the sprayed ceramic. By suitable choice of the viscosity of the sprayed ceramic, the capillary effect is minimized in this regard. This, too, could help ensure that the thickness of the applied ceramic layer is constant, regardless of the presence of the perforation over the entire vehicle interior trim part.

The viscosity of the sprayed ceramic material can be adjusted for example by the addition of water. Usually, the addition of water is between 35 and 60% of the total mass of the sprayed material. Preferably, the viscosity should be greater than 1 Pa · s. The grain size of the solid particles contained in the ceramic should be in the micrometer range or less.

Embodiments of the invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to the drawings.

Show it:

1 a schematic cross-sectional view of a vehicle interior trim part with metal and ceramic layer,

2 a schematic cross-sectional view of another vehicle interior trim part,

3 a further schematic cross-sectional view of a vehicle interior trim part with cooling element,

4 a further schematic view of a vehicle interior trim part with sensor function,

5 an illustration of the procedure for applying the ceramic layer to the metal layer,

6 a flowchart of a method for producing a vehicle interior trim part.

Hereinafter, similar elements will be denoted by the same reference numerals.

In the following, it was assumed without restriction of generality that the vehicle interior trim part is used in a motor vehicle.

The 1 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a motor vehicle interior trim part 100 comprising a metal layer 102 and a ceramic layer directly on the metal layer 104 , The ceramic layer is facing a vehicle interior (not shown in detail) and thus forms the visible side, which can directly see a vehicle occupant in the vehicle interior with respect to the vehicle interior trim part.

The metal layer has a translucent perforation for visible light, the perforation being through a number of cylindrical holes 108 given in the metal layer. The holes 108 each have a substantially circular cross-section. The cylinder longitudinal axis is substantially perpendicular to the surface of the metal layer 102 in the area of the respective hole. The holes thus have a length in the direction of the cylinder longitudinal axis, which corresponds to the thickness of the metal layer. Illuminants, such as light emitting diodes 106 , Can from behind, that is, the ceramic layer facing away from the holes 108 shine so that the light passes through the holes on the ceramic layer 104 incident.

Because the ceramic layer 104 even for this through the holes 108 light passing through is translucent, the illumination of the holes simultaneously leads to a diffuse illumination of the surface of the ceramic layer 104 in the places below the holes 108 ,

If these holes are arranged, for example, in the form of a visually detectable information mark, for example "airbag defect", then a user can switch on the lamps when they are switched on 106 realize that obviously the airbag is broken. Other logos and instructions are of course conceivable.

Preferably, the density and the diameter / length ratio of the holes is now given so that when switched off bulbs 106 a vehicle occupant in view of the ceramic layer 104 behind it holes 108 as such can not recognize. This property of the vehicle interior trim part is referred to as "black panel effect", which should make it clear that in the off state of the bulb 106 a viewer can not distinguish which areas of the vehicle interior trim part now with holes 108 are provided and what areas are not with these holes 108 are provided.

Preferably, the metal layer is 102 around an aluminum layer and at the ceramic layer 104 around an enamel layer.

The 2 shows a modification of the vehicle interior trim part 100 of the 1 such that the holes 108 no longer completely parallel, but in neighboring areas 200 V-shaped are arranged to each other. The cylinder longitudinal axis of the holes is thus inclined relative to the surface of the metal layer, whereby the length of the holes in the direction of the cylinder longitudinal axis is longer. This could have the advantage of using a single light source 106 , which may be punctiform in this case, a plurality of spatially spaced surface regions of the ceramic layer 104 can be illuminated. This makes it possible overall, with a reduced number of bulbs a larger area 200 provide the ceramic layer with light. Starting from a single light source 106 lead the holes with it 108 V-shaped, ie radiating to different parts of the ceramic layer 104 ,

The 3 shows a variant of the vehicle interior trim part 100 of the 1 in which additionally the metal layer 102 with a heat exchange element 300 is provided. Due to the low specific heat capacities of metals and their high thermal conductivity, it is possible, for example, via a heat exchange element "cooling element" 300 Heat energy from the to the ceramic layer 104 "pull out" adjacent vehicle interior. This would be when using plastic as a replacement for the metal layer 102 almost impossible because plastic is a very bad heat transfer element.

So it is conceivable, for example, that it is the cooling element 300 is an active cooling element, which actively cools the temperature of the vehicle interior trim part to a predetermined temperature. It also contributes to the cooling of the vehicle interior. However, it is also possible that with the heat exchange element 300 a warm-up of the vehicle interior trim part is made so that, for example, in the winter months in a relatively short time, an increase in the temperature of the vehicle interior trim part is reached to a comfortable temperature, for example 20 ° C.

It is also possible that in a universal way the heat exchange element 300 Having ribs, which of an air flow of the Ventilation system of the vehicle are flowed around, in which the vehicle interior trim part is used. This automatically ensures that when the air flow is heated, the vehicle interior trim part is heated, and when the air flow cools, the vehicle interior trim part cools down.

In another example, the vehicle interior trim part is an instrument panel, so over a larger area overall, regulation of the temperature balance of the vehicle interior over the element 300 can be made.

The 4 shows a variant of a control element using the vehicle interior trim part 100 , here are the holes 108 are arranged in an exemplary manner so that thus an operating region of the ceramic layer 104 is spatially contained. For example, surround the holes 108 this operating area circular. On the ceramic layer 104 opposite side of the metal layer 102 At the height of the operating area there is a capacitive sensor 400 , This is adjusted so that when approaching or even touching the ceramic layer 104 through a human finger 402 in the region of the said operating area, such a touch is detected due to a change in capacitance. A detection of a touch can then trigger further shifts inside the vehicle.

The bulbs 106 serve to show a user the operating area to be touched. Preferably, however, an indication is only made if user input is necessary at all. This means that in the case of no user input is necessary, the user does not perceive the input surface as such and in particular is not confused by it. Overall, this can be minimized the number of average on the passenger interior simultaneously operable input elements. It could be perceptible to the user only those input elements, which require a corresponding user input.

In order generally to produce a vehicle interior trim part described above, it is provided initially a metal layer 102 to provide, wherein the metal layer is a translucent perforation, that is holes 108 , for visible light. In the 5 is this metal layer 102 shown schematically and in the 6 In the flowchart shown there, the step of providing the metal layer is indicated by reference numerals 600 characterized.

To get a ceramic layer in the next step 602 on the metal layer 102 is applied, it is provided that the ceramic layer is applied in liquid or viscous form to the metal layer, for example, sprayed, is. The ceramic layer, which is sprayed, should be given in its thickness and its optical properties so that the resulting ceramic layer is translucent to the visible light.

Finally, in step 604 drying the ceramic layer located on the metal layer, wherein during the application and drying of the ceramic layer, the metal layer 102 is held vertically. By this vertical holding flows after applying the liquid or viscous ceramic to the metal layer, this ceramic in the vertical direction 504 due to the effect of gravity. It becomes due to the vertical holding of the metal layer 102 prevents the ceramic in the holes 108 can run into it. This could prevent clogging of the holes by the applied ceramic.

It is also possible that the ceramic layer by spraying on the metal layer 102 is applied, in which case a spray tool 500 is used. The spray tool 500 has a spray direction 502 which deviates by an angle α from the axial direction of the cylindrical holes. The deviation is in the direction 504 that is, seen in the vertical direction. The angle α is between 30 and 70 °.

Again, this could help prevent the ceramics from accidentally leaking into the holes during the spraying process 108 the metal layer 102 is introduced.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

100

Vehicle interior trim part

102

metal layer

104

ceramic layer

106

Lamp

108

hole

200

Area

300

Heat exchange element

400

capacitive sensor

402

finger

500

spraying tool

502

spray direction

504

vertical direction

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• DE 102006011849 A1 [0003]
• DE 102011013200 A1 [0004]

Claims (12)

Vehicle interior trim part ( 100 ) comprising a metal layer ( 102 ) and one directly on the metal layer ( 102 ) ceramic layer ( 104 ), whereby through the ceramic layer ( 104 ) the immediate visible side of the interior trim part ( 100 ), the metal layer ( 102 ) a translucent perforation ( 108 ) for visible light, wherein the ceramic layer ( 104 ) is translucent for the visible light. Vehicle interior trim part ( 100 ) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the metal of the metal layer ( 102 ) is aluminum. Vehicle interior trim part ( 100 ) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein it is in the ceramic of the ceramic layer ( 104 ) is about enamel. Vehicle interior trim part ( 100 ) according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising a detector ( 400 ), the detector ( 400 ) on the ceramic layer ( 104 ) facing away from the metal layer ( 102 ), wherein the detector ( 400 ) is adapted to a user touch the ceramic layer ( 104 ) of the vehicle interior trim part ( 100 ) in a predetermined and spatially limited area to detect. Vehicle interior trim part ( 100 ) according to claim 4, wherein the detector ( 400 ) comprises a capacitive proximity switch. Vehicle interior trim part ( 100 ) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the holes of the perforation ( 108 ) have a cylindrical shape, wherein the holes have a circular cross-section and with its cylinder longitudinal axis extending in the direction of the longitudinal direction of the hole, wherein the diameter of the holes between 20 .mu.m and 2 mm, preferably 1 mm, and / or wherein the length of the holes in the direction of the cylinder longitudinal axis between 0.3 mm and 5 mm. Vehicle interior trim part ( 100 ) according to claim 6, wherein the aspect ratio between the diameter of the holes and the length of the holes in the direction of the cylinder longitudinal axis is between 0.025 and 0.05. Vehicle interior trim part ( 100 ) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the thickness of the ceramic layer ( 104 ) is between 40 microns and 300 microns. Vehicle interior trim part ( 100 ) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein it is in the vehicle interior trim part ( 100 ) is an instrument panel for a motor vehicle. Method for producing a vehicle interior trim part ( 100 ), the method comprising: providing a metal layer ( 102 ), wherein the metal layer ( 102 ) a translucent perforation ( 108 ) for visible light, - applying a ceramic layer ( 104 ) on the metal layer ( 102 ), wherein the ceramic layer ( 104 ) in liquid or viscous form on the metal layer ( 102 ) is applied, wherein the ceramic layer ( 104 ) for the visible light is translucent, - drying the on the metal layer ( 102 ) ceramic layer ( 104 ), during the application and drying of the ceramic layer ( 104 ) the metal layer ( 102 ) is held vertically. Method according to claim 10, wherein the holes of the perforation ( 108 ) have a cylindrical shape, wherein the ceramic layer ( 104 ) by spraying onto the metal layer ( 102 ) is applied, wherein the spray direction deviates by an angle between 30 and 70 degrees from the direction of the axis of the cylindrical shape. Method according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the viscosity of the material of the ceramic layer to be applied ( 104 ) is selected so that the capillary rise height of the material in the holes of the perforation ( 108 ) is less than 15% of the length of the holes due to capillary ascent in the longitudinal direction of the holes.

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