DE102016108614B4 - Method for producing an at least partially transilluminable component and component - Google Patents

Abstract

Method for producing an at least partially transilluminable component (1) having a front side (2) and a rear side (3), comprising the following method steps: a) producing the component (1) made of translucent plastic with one introduced into the rear side (3) on the back (3) arranged structure or contour (4) by means of a plastic injection molding process, wherein - the introduced or arranged structure or contour (4) is formed with a greater roughness than the remaining rear side (3), or - the introduced or arranged structure or contour (4) is formed by an array of small ridges and depressions arranged close to one another, or - the arranged structure or contour (4) is formed by an arrangement of ribs or riblets, or - the arranged structure or contour (4) of FIG a survey is formed, which rises from the back with a radius or a flank, lit b) Beschich of the rear side (3) with an opaque material, wherein - as an opaque material for coating the rear side (3) a lacquer is used, which is sprayed uniformly over the rear side (3), and - by the introduced or arranged structure or contour ( 4) the sprayed-on lacquer is deposited on the introduced or arranged structure or contour (4) with a smaller layer thickness (7) than on the remaining rear side (3).

Description

The present invention relates to a method for producing an at least partially transilluminable component having the features of patent claim 1 and a component having the features of patent claim 3.

In order to facilitate the operation of devices and the finding of controls on electrical devices or of controls in motor vehicles, it is common practice that the corresponding components or controls are illuminated or backlit. In the motor vehicle this is further solved in the way that when switching on the vehicle in the interior of individual elements backlit or lit and in particular when you turn on the stare or dimming the backlighting of the display or controls is enhanced. If an operating element in the motor vehicle is switched on or selected or selected by means of a function, this frequently leads to the operating and / or display element being more strongly backlit, in which case functional lighting is used. In addition to the selective illumination of functions, it is also known to illuminate control elements areally to give the interior a corresponding visual appearance. The brightness of the backlight is adjustable, for example via a controller.

Out US Pat. No. 6,590,174 B2 an operating element for a motor vehicle is known, which on the one hand facilitates the locating of the operating element and, moreover, ensures a special visual appearance of the operating element. In this case, the control knob is backlit in such a way by means of a luminous means or a luminous element that the viewer is given an appearance, as if the control knob is supported by light rays. Although the light-scattering light element is visible to the operator, the shaft of the control knob is covered by the light-guiding element.

Out DE 10 2006 005 089 A1 is another control for a motor vehicle known. The operating element consists of a translucent material and has at least one opaque, provided with a symbolic, coating. A transparent lacquer layer is arranged on the coating, the lacquer layer having particles which can be activated by means of laser energy. In addition, the control element is provided with a laser-removable coating, which is identical to the areas of the laser-activatable lacquer layer and is removed to form the symbolism. As a result, areas are formed by which light from one side to the other can penetrate the operating element and thus the operating element can be backlit.

Out DE 20 2004 021 432 U1 an illuminable information unit is known. The illuminable information unit is intended for use in technical devices or machines with a housing. The illuminable information unit consists of a transparent plastic element embedded in the transparent scattering body. The plastic element is provided with an opaque cover layer. In the cover layer recesses are introduced.

• – Bereitstellen einer teilweise transparenten oder transparenten Scheibe mit einer Vorderseite und einer gegenüberliegenden Rückseite;
• – Auftragen einer Beschichtung auf der Rückseite der Scheibe;
• – Entfernen einer Kontur, welche die Form des mindestens einen Symbols aufweist, aus der Beschichtung;
• – Anordnung der Scheibe in einer Anzeigevorrichtung mit der Vorderseite nach außen.

Out DE 10 2014 008 205 A1 A method for providing a display with at least one symbol in a display device for a motor vehicle is disclosed. The method has the following method steps

• Providing a partially transparent or transparent pane having a front side and an opposite rear side;
• - Applying a coating on the back of the disc;
• Removing from the coating a contour having the shape of the at least one symbol;
• - Arrangement of the disc in a display device with the front to the outside.

Out WO 2007/124900 For example, a control cap and a manufacturing method for a control cap are known, wherein the control cap has a cap body for covering and / or operating a switch of an associated control element. In the cap body, a lighting or projection surface is designed such that irradiation by a light source arranged on the switch side makes a symbol for an operator of the operating element visible on or through the lighting or projection surface visible. The control cap is characterized in that the light emitting or projection surface comprises a foil, the foil being a transparent substrate, a plurality of refractive globules being in optical contact with the substrate, an opaque matrix surrounding the globules, and optionally includes a diffuser or a diffuser layer. The light originating from the light source passes through the refractive globules, the substrate and optionally the diffuser or diffuser layer.

Out EP 0 622 535 A1 For example, a switch or key assembly is known which is provided with a graphic image in a first color which, when backlighted, provides a graphic image in a different color. The switch or button assembly consists of a transparent molded cap member having a predetermined shape, a first outer surface and a second one Inner surface. The second inner surface is provided with opaque means having a predetermined free portion forming the graphic image. There is a first translucent colorant on the second side of the cap that covers at least the clear graphic image portion. Furthermore, a second translucent inking device is provided on the second side of the cap covering at least the first inking device. Finally, a cap-connected transparent key support means for supporting the cap and for cooperating with the second side of the cap is provided behind the first and second colors. The button assembly, when viewed from the first side of the cap, has a graphic image having a color corresponding to that of the first color device.

A disadvantage of the known methods and illuminable components that initially a covering and opaque layer must be applied and then this layer must be partially removed again, for. B by means of a laser. In addition, the removed layer is always visible, so it is not possible for the removed layer to be visible only at backlighting.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to refine the known methods in such a way that post-processing by means of a laser or other devices is not required after the application of the opaque cover layer.

This object is achieved by a method having the features of claim 1 and a component having the features of claim 3.

In the dependent claims developments are specified in detail.

• lit a) Herstellen des Bauteils aus lichtdurchlässigem Kunststoff mit einer in die Rückseite eingebrachten oder auf der Rückseite angeordneten Kontur oder Struktur mittels eines Kunststoffspritzgießverfahrens;
• lit b) Beschichten der Rückseite mit einem lichtundurchlässigen Material, wobei – als lichtundurchlässiges Material zur Beschichtung der Rückseite ein Lack verwendet wird, der gleichmäßig über die Rückseite gesprüht wird, und – durch die eingebrachte oder angeordnete Struktur oder Kontur der aufgesprühte Lack auf der eingebrachten oder angeordneten Struktur oder Kontur mit einer geringeren Schichtdicke angelagert wird als auf der restlichen Rückseite.

The present invention shows a method for producing an at least partially transilluminable component. The component has a front side and a rear side and is produced by the following method steps:

• a) producing the component from translucent plastic with a introduced into the back or arranged on the back contour or structure by means of a Kunststoffspritzgießverfahrens;
• (b) coating the back with an opaque material, using: - as opaque material for coating the back, a lacquer which is uniformly sprayed over the back, and - by the applied or arranged structure or contour of the sprayed lacquer on the inserted or arranged structure or contour is deposited with a smaller layer thickness than on the remaining back.

It is advantageous that a lacquer is used as the opaque material for coating the back, which is sprayed uniformly over the back.

It is envisaged that the introduced or arranged structure or contour is formed with a roughness greater than the remainder of the back or the introduced or arranged structure or contour is formed by an array of small closely spaced elevations and depressions or the arranged structure of an assembly is formed by ribs or riblets.

It is envisaged that the arranged structure or contour is formed by a survey, which rises from the back with a radius or a flank.

It is advantageous that is deposited by the introduced or arranged structure or contour of the sprayed paint on the introduced or arranged structure or contour with a smaller layer thickness than on the remaining back.

It is advantageous according to claim 2, that a paint with low or low viscosity is used, wherein a lotus effect or a rippling effect is formed by the introduced or arranged structure or contour.

The invention further shows a component made according to the method described above.

The invention also relates to a component which consists of a translucent or partially translucent or opaque plastic. The component has a front side and a rear side, wherein a structure contour is introduced on or in the rear side, the rear side is coated with an opaque lacquer, and the thickness of the lacquer layer in the region of the structure or contour is less than on the remaining rear side , wherein the opaque lacquer through the structure or contour on the structure or contour has a smaller layer thickness than on the remaining back.

Advantageously according to claim 4 is that the component is a molded part in the form of a decorative part, a control panel or a display part or a display, wherein almost only at backlighting of Back with a bulb the structure or contour on the visible side is visible and / or this lights up.

It is provided that the structure or contour is a lettering, a letter combination, at least one letter, at least one symbol or at least one surface or a surface region or a structure. A lettering is however mirrored to install.

It is envisaged that the structure or contour will form an area with a roughness greater than the remainder of the back or an area with an array of small elevations and depressions arranged close to one another or an array of ribs or the arranged structure or contour that rises from the back with a radius or a flank.

Advantageously according to claim 5 is that the component by the structure or contour a lotus effect or lotus effect or a riplet effect.

It is advantageous according to claim 6 that the thickness of the lacquer layer in the region of the structure or contour is different due to the different interfacial tensions and / or adhesions of the lacquer at the transition between the back and the structure or contour.

Further advantages, features and design options will become apparent from the following description of a non-limiting embodiment to be understood.

In the figures shows

1 a schematic representation of the prior art;

2 a schematic representation of the invention;

3 a section through the representation acc. 2 ;

4 an enlargement 2 and

5 another sectional view through a component.

In the following the invention with reference to a concrete embodiment by way of example with reference to the attached 2 to 5 explained. This description of the invention with reference to the concrete embodiments does not represent a limitation of the invention to one of these concrete embodiments.

In the following description of figures with reference to a concrete embodiment are cross-figure for identical elements in the figures 2 to 5 in each case the same reference numerals used in all figures. This serves for the clarity and better understandability of the further concrete description of the invention with reference to the figures 2 to 5 ,

In 1 schematically a transilluminous component according to the prior art is shown. The component S1 has a front side S2 and a rear side S3. The component S1 should have backlit and by a corresponding imprints or labels, which is visible when backlighting on the front side S2. For this purpose, an opaque lacquer layer is applied to the rear side S3 and in a subsequent step, the lacquer layer is removed, for example, with a laser, so that a symbol or a lettering remains, which is then illuminated by means of an arranged in the back of S3 S3 lighting. In the case of lighting, the symbol or lettering lights up on the front.

In 2 is an inventive component 1 shown. The component according to the invention 1 has a flat, flat and smooth front 2 and a back 3 on. The component 1 is made of translucent, at least teillichtdurchlässigen, plastic. On the back side 3 are contours 4 , such as As letters, lettering, symbols and / or signatures or introduced. According to the embodiment according to 2 are applied four letters AAAA. These letters stand out of the back and form a convex contour 4 , The letters are arranged mirror-inverted. In an advantageous embodiment, the contour may also be concave and be introduced into the back in a kind of depression.

According to the embodiment according to 2 is the contour 4 a number of letters raised on the back 3 are arranged.

There may be other structures or figures, symbols or representations or structural features corresponding to the back 3 be arranged.

This contour 4 is the area that later when backlighting towards the front 2 translucent, so when backlighting the contour 4 , according to 2 the letters AAAA, can be seen illuminated.

In 3 is a cut through 2 , there with AA, marked, represented. It is in 3 on average, the component 1 shown with the front side 2 that is flat and smooth, as well as the back 3 with the contour 4 , The cutting path through the component 1 passes through one of the letters A. The contour 4 is raised on the back 3 arranged and forms at the transition from the back 3 to the contour 4 a radius 5 out.

In 4 is the contour 4 out of 2 enlarged in the area of the letter A. The contour 4 is formed by an arrangement of a plurality of small and close to each other, but not linear or evenly arranged side by side elevations and depressions. These elevations and depressions form the contour 4 according to the embodiment according to 4 from A.

Alternatively, as in 4 Also shown is the contour 4 by an arrangement of ribs, called riblets, trainable. The riblets form a defined flank rise 6 out. Due to the configuration of the riblets or else the elevation and depressions, which may advantageously also be configured in the manner of a wart or wart, forms the contour 4 an area that has a lotus-like effect or a riblet effect.

Will now be a paint layer on the back 3 sprayed on, is formed by the riblet effect or the lotus effect or lotus effect in the contour 4 a thinner lacquer layer or a lacquer layer with a smaller layer thickness than in the remaining area of the rear side 3 ,

In 5 is a section through the component after 4 in the area of the contour 4 shown. The component 1 is on the back 3 varnished and it has the varnish layer 7 educated. In addition, a light source in the form of a light emitting diode 8th behind the back 3 of the component 1 arranged. The light-emitting diode 8th when activated, emits light towards the back 3 of the component 1 , The paint layer 8th on the back 3 of the component 1 exists, possesses in the area of the contour 4 a significantly thinner layer thickness, than in the remaining area of the back 3 , A varnish layer 7 is in the area of the contour 4 Although present, but it is so small that light rays from the light emitting diode 8th be emitted, in the area of the contour 4 through the paint layer 7 penetrate. In the remaining area of the back 3 the light is not transmitted by the opaque paint view, due to its layer thickness. On the front 2 is in this case the contour 4 visible as a luminous contour.

It takes place at the component 1 in the case of backlighting only fluoroscopy in the area of the contour 4 ; this is then visible to a user on the front.

In the area of the back 3 , except in the area of the contour 4 , is the paint layer 7 so thick that light can not penetrate.

As the layer thickness of the paint 7 in the area of the contour 4 has a remaining, albeit smaller, layer thickness than on the remaining back 3 , is the contour 4 from the front 2 only recognizable if a backlight of the component 1 he follows. Otherwise, the front page appears 2 consistently uniform and the office 4 is not recognizable.

Thus, in an advantageous embodiment of the invention z. As a housing are made, which has a uniform color and only at backlighting operating areas can be seen.

The different lacquer layer thickness is determined by the contour 4 produced during the manufacturing process by these by adhesion to the contour 4 or the wart-like formations or riblets or the elevations and depressions, etc., the sprayed paint 7 accumulates differently in the paint thickness or layer thickness and on the contour 4 at least partially forms a thinner paint layer.

The contour 4 thus forms a riblet effect or a lotus effect or lotus effect and the lacquer layer 7 is so on the back 3 of the component 1 different strengths. In this way, a transilluminous component 1 without additional steps of the subsequent removal of the applied lacquer layer 7 , getting produced.

The corresponding component 1 is produced by the following process steps:
First, make a mold for the plastic component. In this plastic form is the shape of the component 1 contribute. At the same time is the contour 4 on the back 3 is to be arranged to provide in the injection mold. The front 2 is advantageous plan and just designed, but can also have a 3D contour.

It is by an injection molding process, a per se known plastic injection molding process, the component 1 produced. For this purpose, translucent plastic with a predetermined temperature and under a predeterminable pressure is injected into the injection mold in the closed injection mold. After injection and cooling, the mold is opened and the component 1 taken. Subsequently, the back is 3 the component with an opaque paint, which preferably has a low or low viscosity, painted. It is also possible to use paints which have a low viscosity but also thixotropic properties. The paint is preferably sprayed on. The low or low viscosity allows the contour 4 , through whose structure, ie by their wart-like formation or by their riblets a lotus or lotus effect or a Ribleteffekt forms, so that the thickness or thickness of the lacquer layer 7 in the area of the contour 4 less forms than in the remaining area of the back 3 ,

Alternatively, an elevation or depression can also be formed; there also forms, due to the rise in the flank, the increase in radius or the radius drop or flank drop between the contour 4 and back 3 a different paint thickness.

After drying the paint, the component must 1 not be further processed because the paint layer 7 a different strength in the area of the contour 4 opposite the other backside 3 owns, can the contour 4 be illuminated with a suitable backlight. For backlighting of the component 3 is the contour 4 on the front 2 of the component 1 visible, noticeable.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

S1

component

S2

front

S3

back

1

component

2

front

3

back

4

contour

5

radius

6

rise

7

paint layer

8th

led

Claims (6)

Method for producing an at least partially transilluminable component ( 1 ) with a front side ( 2 ) and a back ( 3 ), with the following process steps: a) manufacture of the component ( 1 ) made of translucent plastic with one in the back ( 3 ) or on the back ( 3 ) arranged structure or contour ( 4 ) by means of a plastic injection molding process, wherein - the introduced or arranged structure or contour ( 4 ) with a greater roughness than the rest of the back ( 3 ), or - the introduced or arranged structure or contour ( 4 ) is formed by an arrangement of small elevations and depressions arranged close to one another, or - the arranged structure or contour ( 4 ) is formed by an arrangement of ribs or riblets, or - the arranged structure or contour ( 4 ) is formed by a survey that rises from the back with a radius or a flank, lit b) coating the back ( 3 ) with an opaque material, wherein - as an opaque material for coating the back ( 3 ) a paint is used, which is evenly over the back ( 3 ), and - by the introduced or arranged structure or contour ( 4 ) the sprayed paint on the introduced or arranged structure or contour ( 4 ) with a smaller layer thickness ( 7 ) is deposited as on the remaining back ( 3 ). A method according to claim 1, characterized in that a paint of low viscosity is used, wherein by the introduced or arranged structure or contour ( 4 ) a lotus effect or lotus effect or a riblet effect is formed. Component ( 1 ) consisting of a translucent or partially translucent or opaque plastic, comprising a front side ( 2 ) and a back ( 3 ), where on or in the back ( 3 ) a structure or contour ( 4 ), wherein - the structure or contour ( 4 ) is a lettering, a letter combination, at least one letter, at least one symbol or at least one surface or a surface area or a structure, or - the structure or contour ( 4 ) an area with a greater roughness than the rest of the back ( 3 ), or an area with an array of small elevations and depressions arranged close to one another, or an arrangement of ribs or riblets, or the structure or contour arranged (FIG. 4 ) forms a survey that rises from the back with a radius or a flank, and the back ( 3 ) is coated with an opaque lacquer, and the thickness of the lacquer layer ( 7 ) in the area of the structure or contour ( 4 ) is thinner than on the remaining back ( 3 ), whereby the opaque paint is replaced by the structure or contour ( 4 ) on the structure or contour ( 4 ) a smaller layer thickness ( 7 ) than on the remaining back ( 3 ). Component ( 1 ) according to claim 3, characterized in that the component ( 1 ) is a molded part in the form of a decorative part, a control panel or a display part or a display, wherein almost only with backlighting of the back ( 3 ) with a light source ( 8th ) the structure or contour ( 4 ) on the front ( 2 ) is recognizable and / or this lights up. Component ( 1 ) according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that by the structure or contour ( 4 ) a lotus effect or lotus effect or a riblet effect can be generated or formed. Component ( 1 ) according to one of the claims 3 to 5, characterized in that the thickness of the lacquer layer ( 7 ) in the area of the structure or contour ( 4 ) due to the different interfacial tensions and / or adhesions of the lacquer at the transition between the rear side ( 3 ) and the structure or contour ( 4 ) is different.

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