DE102017220241A1 - Surface element for an interior component of a vehicle and interior component for a vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a surface element (10) for an interior component (1) of a vehicle, comprising a layer structure (11) of layer elements (12), wherein an uppermost layer element (12) is formed by a flat, at least partially translucent, top product element (20) , Furthermore, the invention relates to an interior component (1) for a vehicle, comprising a surface element (10) with a layer structure (11) of layer elements (12), wherein an uppermost layer element (12) formed by a flat, at least partially translucent Oberwarenelement (20) is.

Description

The present invention relates to a surface element for an interior component of a vehicle, comprising a layer structure of layer elements, wherein an uppermost layer element is formed by a flat, at least partially translucent Oberwarenelement. Furthermore, the invention relates to an interior component for a vehicle, comprising a surface element with a layer structure of layer elements, wherein an uppermost layer element is formed by a flat, at least partially translucent Oberwarenelement.

Surfaces of interior components of vehicles are often equipped with special surface elements, for example, to be able to set a look and / or a feel of the interior component targeted. In modern vehicles, devices for emitting light, in particular ambient light, may also be provided in such interior components and their surface elements. In the prior art, it is also known in particular to design such light-emitting surfaces of interior components as hard-coated and / or hard-injected surfaces with a corresponding transillumination. Surface elements that provide a soft touch haptic for interior components, however, can often be used in the prior art only with the use of high light intensities to provide illumination, in particular ambient lighting. This is due in particular to the fact that in most cases the entire surface element has to be transilluminated, which results in high absorption losses, which in turn causes the high light output or light intensity to be used.

It is therefore an object of the present invention, at least partially remedy the disadvantages described above for surface elements for interior components of vehicles and interior components for vehicles. In particular, it is an object of the present invention to provide a surface element for an interior component and an interior component in a particularly simple and cost-effective manner, which has a haptically soft surface and at the same time is designed to provide illumination, in particular with an ambient light.

The above object is achieved by a surface element for an interior component of a vehicle with the features of independent claim 1. Further, the object is achieved by an interior component for a vehicle having the features of the independent claim 16. Further features and details of the invention will become apparent from the dependent claims , the description and the drawings. In this case, features and details that are described in connection with the surface element according to the invention apply, of course, also in connection with the interior component according to the invention and in each case vice versa, so with respect to the disclosure of the individual aspects of the invention always reciprocal reference is or may be.

According to a first aspect of the invention, the object is achieved by a surface element for an interior component of a vehicle, comprising a layer structure of layer elements, wherein an uppermost layer element is formed by a flat, at least partially translucent, top-product element. A surface element according to the invention is characterized in that further layer elements of the layer structure are formed as a planar luminous element for emitting light and a flat elastomer layer for providing a soft feel of the surface element, wherein each layer element of the layer structure which is arranged between the luminous element and the top product element, at least partially translucent is formed.

A surface element according to the invention is designed to provide a soft feel for the surface of the interior component of the vehicle on which the surface element is installed. For this purpose, the surface element according to the invention has, in particular, an elastomer layer which, as a flat layer, forms a layer element of the layer structure of the surface element according to the invention. An elastomer in the sense of the invention may in particular be a material, in particular a plastic, which is at least partially elastically deformable on pressure and thereby can convey a haptically soft sensory impression upon contact of the surface element. Furthermore, a surface element according to the invention as a layer element of the layer structure of the surface element has a planar luminous element. This light-emitting element is designed in particular for emitting light. Due to the planar configuration of the luminous element, it is particularly easy to form a layer element of the layer structure of the surface element according to the invention. A flat emission of light is thereby made possible in a simplified manner, as a result of which, in particular, the provision of ambient lighting can be made particularly simple. By embedding the luminous element in the surface element, provided by the design of the luminous element as a layer element of the layer structure of the surface element, it can be avoided that the entire surface element has to be transilluminated by a luminous means. The luminous element of the invention Surface element may therefore be formed with a lower intensity. Due to the design of the layer structure essential to the invention in that all layer elements of the layer structure between the light-emitting element and the top product element are at least translucent, it can be ensured in particular that the light emitted by the light element can also penetrate to the top product element. Since the Oberwarenelement is also formed at least translucent, the light can illuminate ambient by this leakage and thereby the interior of the vehicle. Translucent in the sense of the invention is to be understood in particular as a generic term to be transparent, so that by translucent any embodiment of the layer elements are included, can penetrate through the light at least partially. Also, materials with a milky cloudy visual appearance or with only partial areas that are transparent, are thus covered by translucent within the meaning of the invention. The design of the entire surface element as a layer structure with laminar layer elements can in particular also provide a particularly small thickness of the surface element. The surface element may have a free space as a layer element of the layer structure, in particular also as a spacer layer, so that two successive layer elements can also be arranged at a distance from one another, in particular at a variable distance. Also, the used upholstery element is not subject to any significant restrictions other than the condition of at least partial translucency, so that any upper fabric element can be used that is at least partially translucent. A use of natural or nature-identical materials such as leather as Oberwarenelement is also possible. Due to the design of the surface element with the previously described small thickness, also very different geometries of an interior component can be simulated by the surface element. A broad applicability or a high diversity in the use of a surface element according to the invention on an interior component of a vehicle can thereby be provided.

In summary, a soft touch for an interior component of a vehicle can thus be provided by a surface element according to the invention, wherein at the same time a particularly ambient lighting of the interior of the vehicle can be made possible by the surface element according to the invention.

Furthermore, it can be provided in a surface element according to the invention that the luminous element is designed as a textile of fiber-like light guides and / or as a planar light guide. In this way, a flat luminous element is particularly easy to provide, in particular by an embodiment of the luminous element is further improved as a layer element and / or simplified. The ambiente emission of light through the light emitting element can be further simplified by an embodiment of the light emitting element as a textile of fiber-like light guides and / or as a planar light guide.

In addition, it can be provided in a surface element according to the invention that the elastomer layer comprises a thermoplastic elastomer, in particular a thermoplastic polyurethane. These materials are particularly preferred since they are readily deformable and in particular easy to process. In particular, by a heat effect on such a trained elastomer layer, this can be particularly easily deformed. Particularly many design possibilities of a surface element according to the invention and in particular also with regard to the interior component of the vehicle, for which the surface element according to the invention is provided, can thereby be provided.

Furthermore, a surface element according to the invention can be designed in such a way that the layer structure has a layer element designed as a reflection layer on a side of the luminous element facing away from the upper goods element for reflecting the light emitted by the luminous element. In this way, it can be provided that the light emitted from the luminous element in a direction away from the commodity element is reflected by the layered element formed as a reflection layer and thus also emitted toward the commodity element. An increase in the luminous efficacy of the luminous element can be increased in this way. A lesser loss in the generation of the light or the possibility of reducing the energy consumption of the luminous element can be made possible in this way.

Furthermore, in the case of a surface element according to the invention, it can be provided that the layer structure has a layer element with dark areas formed as a light shaping layer on a side of the luminous element facing the upper goods element for at least partially blocking the light emitted by the luminous element. In this way it can be provided, for example, to impart information to the light of the luminous element. The dark areas of the light-shaping layer shield the light and thus appear dark in contrast to the rest of the light-shaping layer, through which the light of the luminous element shines through at least substantially unhindered. Various forms of the areas, the light emit, can thus be provided in a surface element according to the invention. In particular, the use of controllable, in particular electrically controllable, dark areas is conceivable, whereby an active influence of the dark areas can be made possible. In this way, for example, a variable information with a changing information content can be displayed for a user of a vehicle, for example alphanumerically and / or with pictograms. A dimming of an illumination by controlling the dark areas of such a light-shaping layer can also be provided.

Furthermore, a surface element according to the invention can be designed in such a way that the layer structure has on a side of the luminous element facing away from the upper goods element a layer element designed as a cover layer for blocking the light emitted by the luminous element. In this way, it can be ensured that the leakage of light on a lower surface of the surface element, which is formed by a side of the surface element facing away from the Oberwarenelement, can be safely avoided. Avoiding stray light in other areas of the vehicle, in particular, for example, the vehicle interior, can be provided safely in this way.

According to a particularly preferred embodiment of a surface element according to the invention may further be provided that the elastomer layer is formed at least partially translucent and is arranged in the layer structure between the Oberwarenelement and the luminous element. Thus, in this first preferred embodiment, the elastomer which provides the soft feel of the surface member is located between the luminous element and the top product element. By means of a translucent, in particular even transparent, configuration of the elastomer, it can be ensured that the light emitted by the luminous element can penetrate through the elastomer layer and thus the ambiente illumination of the vehicle interior is not hindered. In this embodiment, in particular, it can be provided that the elastomer layer is arranged closer to the top goods element, whereby the soft feel of the entire surface element can be further increased.

In accordance with a further development of a surface element according to the invention, provision may also be made for the elastomer layer to be sprayed on and / or scrape off and / or cast onto the top-product element and / or the light-shaping layer. These types of production are particularly simple ways to arrange the elastomer layer on the Oberwarenelement and / or the Lichtformungsschicht. A direct, in particular cohesive, connection between the elastomer layer and the top product element or light-shaping layer can be provided in this way.

In addition, a surface element according to the invention can be further developed such that the elastomer layer is arranged on a layer element formed as a carrier layer, wherein the carrier layer between the elastomer layer and the luminous element is arranged, and further wherein the carrier layer is at least partially translucent and a greater rigidity than the Elastomer layer has. As a result of such a layer element formed as a carrier layer, overall a higher stability can be imparted to the surface element according to the invention. This can be provided in particular in that the carrier layer has a greater rigidity than the elastomer layer and in particular forms in this way the layer element of the surface element according to the invention, which has the greatest rigidity and thus the greatest stability. The inventive arrangement, in particular that the elastomer layer between the support layer and the Oberwarenelement is arranged, yet the soft feel, which is provided by the elastomer layer is obtained. In particular, a translucent configuration of the carrier layer makes it possible for the light of the luminous element, which is arranged on a side of the carrier layer facing away from the top product element, to be able to pass through the carrier layer and is particularly preferably not or only slightly influenced by the carrier layer. A particularly stable surface element, which at the same time has a soft feel, can be provided by being additionally usable for ambient interior illumination of an interior of a vehicle.

Particularly preferably, a surface element according to the invention can be further developed such that the elastomer layer and / or the carrier layer form a scattering element for uniformly distributing the light emitted by the luminous element. In other words, the elastomer layer and / or the carrier layer can provide a diffusing screen for the light emitted by the luminous element. An even better distribution of light generated by the luminous element can be made possible in this way. Ambient illumination of the vehicle interior can be generated even more uniformly in this way.

According to a particularly preferred further development of a surface element according to the invention, it may further be provided that the elastomer layer is injected between the upper product element and the carrier layer or that the elastomer layer is injected between the light-shaping layer and the carrier layer. Injection in the sense of the invention may mean, in particular, that the top-goods element and / or the top-product element and the light-shaping layer are placed in a tool and drawn there, for example by negative pressure, into a mold which preferably corresponds to the later surface element. The carrier layer can now also be inserted into this tool and the elastomer layer can then be injected between these two elements. It is also possible to merely inject the top goods element or element and the light-shaping layer with the elastomer to form the elastomer layer. In this way, an at least partial production of a surface element according to the invention with a few steps and thereby particularly time and cost can be provided.

Alternatively it can be provided in a surface element according to the invention that the elastomer layer and the carrier layer are made together in a two-component injection molding process. In this way, it can be provided, for example, that the carrier layer and the elastomer layer are already produced in advance of the production of a surface element according to the invention. By a suitable choice of the materials which are used for the elastomer layer and the carrier layer, a wide range of production variants can be provided, which meet a very wide range of requirements for a translucency according to the invention, a stability or a softness of the haptic.

According to an alternative embodiment, it may be provided in the surface element according to the invention that the luminous element is arranged in the layer structure between the elastomer layer and the upper goods element. In this second embodiment, therefore, the elastomer of the elastomer layer is located with respect to the Oberwarenelement below the luminous element. A translucent embodiment of the elastomer layer is not necessary in this embodiment, since the light of the luminous element does not have to penetrate through the elastomer layer. A choice of materials for the production of the elastomer layer can thus be extended in this embodiment. Preferably, the luminous element may be formed so thin that the provided by the elastomer layer soft feel for the entire surface element according to the invention is not or at least only slightly affected.

In this embodiment of a surface element according to the invention, it can be provided that the elastomer layer is arranged on a layer element designed as a carrier layer, wherein the carrier layer is arranged on a side facing away from the luminous element of the elastomer layer and further wherein the carrier layer has a greater stiffness than the elastomer layer. In particular, the carrier layer also gives the entire surface element a higher stability. Due to the fact that the carrier layer is arranged below the elastomer layer, in particular with respect to the top product element, the soft feel provided by the elastomer layer nevertheless remains. Furthermore, in this embodiment of a surface element according to the invention, the support also need not be made translucent, whereby here too a greater choice of materials in the production of the support layer for the surface element according to the invention can be provided.

In addition, a surface element according to the invention can be further developed such that the elastomer layer and the carrier layer are produced together in a two-component injection-molding process. Again, it can be provided by the fact that the elastomer layer and the carrier layer can already be prepared and provided in advance of a production of a surface element according to the invention. By a suitable choice of materials for the production of the elastomer layer and the carrier layer, a particularly wide range of production variants can be made possible, wherein in particular a wide variety of requirements for a surface element according to the invention can be considered, for example with regard to the desired properties of stability, or a soft feel.

According to a second aspect of the invention, the object is achieved by an interior component for a vehicle, comprising a surface element with a layer structure of layer elements, wherein an uppermost layer element is formed by a flat, at least partially translucent Oberwarenelement. An inventive interior component is characterized in that the surface element is formed according to the first aspect of the invention. An interior component according to the invention according to the second aspect of the invention, which comprises a surface element according to the first aspect of the invention, thus has all the advantages which have already been described in detail with respect to a surface element according to the first aspect of the invention.

• 1 eine erste Ausgestaltungsform eines erfindungsgemäßen Oberflächenelements, und
• 2 eine zweite Ausgestaltungsform eines erfindungsgemäßen Oberflächenelements.

Further advantages, features and details of the invention will become apparent from the following description in which, with reference to the drawings, embodiments of the invention are described in detail. The features mentioned in the claims and in the description may each be essential to the invention individually or in any desired combination. Elements with the same function and mode of action are in the 1 and 2 provided with the same reference numerals. It shows schematically:

• 1 a first embodiment of a surface element according to the invention, and
• 2 a second embodiment of a surface element according to the invention.

In 1 is a surface element according to the invention 10 shown as it is on an interior component according to the invention 1 can be used for a vehicle. The surface element according to the invention 10 is in particular in a layered structure 11 constructed, the layer structure 11 from several layer elements 12 is formed. It is essential that the individual layer elements 12 are formed flat, whereby a particularly small thickness of a surface element according to the invention 10 can be provided. A top layer element 12 is by a Oberwarenelement 20 educated. This Oberwarenelement 20 can be chosen arbitrarily and in particular adapted to various requirements. Decisive is only that the Oberwarenelement 20 at least partially translucent is formed. Translucent means in particular that the Oberwarenelement 20 at least partially translucent. This is especially important in that the surface element according to the invention 10 a flat luminous element 30 also as a layered element 12 is trained. Light, that of the flat light element 30 , which is formed, for example, as a textile of fiber-like light guides is emitted, penetrates through at least partially translucent layer elements formed 12 between the lighting element 30 and the headwear element 20 through and then emerges as ambiente lighting from the Oberwarenelement 20 out. The between the light element 30 and the headwear element 20 in this embodiment of a surface element according to the invention 10 arranged layer elements 12 are in particular an elastomer layer 40 and a carrier layer 50 and a light-shaping layer 70 , Through the elastomer layer 40 in particular comprising a thermoplastic elastomer, preferably a thermoplastic polyurethane, in particular a soft haptic appearance of the entire surface element 10 to be provided. A carrier layer 50 on which the elastomer layer 40 is arranged, in particular has a higher stability than the elastomer layer 40 and thus ensures a total of greater stability of the entire surface element 10 , The elastomer layer 40 and the carrier layer 50 Both are translucent, at least partially translucent and in particular together form a scattering element 90 whereby a uniform distribution of the light through the element 30 emitted light can be further increased. Below the top product element 20 There is also a light-shaping layer 70 in the dark areas 71 are provided to illuminated or non-illuminated areas of the surface element 10 to build. Through the dark areas 71 in particular, that is due to the luminous element 30 Covered light covered and thus does not reach the Oberwarenelement 20 , As the lowermost layer has in this embodiment, the surface element according to the invention 10 a reflection layer 60 on, causing the light through the element 30 in the direction of the reflection layer 60 emitted light is reflected and also by the Oberwarenelement 20 exit. A luminous efficacy of the luminous element 30 can be increased. The reflection layer 60 is also as a topcoat 80 formed, which in particular prevents light down from the surface element 10 exit. Unintentional scattered light can be prevented in this way. In a production of a surface element according to the invention 10 There are several options. For example, the elastomer layer 40 directly on the top product element 20 or the light-shaping layer 70 sprayed on, scrounged and / or poured. Also a preparation of the elastomer layer 40 and the carrier layer 50 together in a two-component injection molding process is conceivable. In addition, the elastomer layer 40 between the main product element 20 or the light-shaping layer 70 and the carrier layer 50 be injected.

2 shows a further embodiment of a surface element according to the invention 10 that on an interior component according to the invention 1 a vehicle can be used. Again, this surface element 10 as a layered structure 11 of layer elements 12 built, compared to the in 1 shown embodiment, the order of the layer elements 12 has changed. In this embodiment, in particular, the elastomer layer 40 and the carrier layer 50 on one of Oberwarenelement 20 remote side of the luminous element 30 arranged. In this way, the elastomer layer must 40 and the carrier layer 50 be formed not translucent. The for the elastomer layer 40 or the carrier layer 50 used materials, can be selected in this way from a greater variability in possible materials. All other layer elements 12 correspond in their structure and function in the 1 shown layer elements 12 so as to the description of the UI element 10 according to 1 is referenced.

In summary, in both embodiments of a surface element according to the invention 10 for an interior component 1 be provided for a vehicle, in particular by the elastomer layer 40 has a soft feel. Furthermore, by the lighting element 30 that as a layer element 12 in the layered structure 11 of the surface element 10 is integrated, a lighting, in particular ambiente lighting, an interior of a vehicle can be provided.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

Interior component

10

interface element

11

layer structure

12

layer element

20

Upper goods element

30

light element

40

elastomer layer

50

backing

60

reflective layer

70

Light shaping layer

71

dark area

80

topcoat

90

scattering element

Claims (16)

Surface element (10) for an interior component (1) of a vehicle, comprising a layer structure (11) of layer elements (12), wherein an uppermost layer element (12) by a flat, at least partially translucent Oberwarenelement (20) is formed, characterized in that further layer elements (12) of the layer structure (11) are formed as a planar luminous element (30) for emitting light and a flat elastomer layer (40) for providing a soft feel to the surface element (10), each layer element (12) of the layer structure ( 11), which is arranged between the luminous element (30) and the upper goods element (20), is at least partially translucent. Surface element (10) after Claim 1 , characterized in that the luminous element (30) is formed as a textile of fiber-like light guides and / or as a planar light guide. Surface element (10) after Claim 1 or 2 , characterized in that the elastomer layer (40) comprises a thermoplastic elastomer, in particular a thermoplastic polyurethane. Surface element (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the layer structure (11) on a side remote from the upper goods element (20) side of the luminous element (30) as a reflection layer (60) formed layer element (12) for reflecting the luminous element ( 30) emitted light. Surface element (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the layer structure (11) on a side facing the upper goods element (20) of the luminous element (30) as a light shaping layer (70) formed layer element (12) with dark areas (71) at least partially blocking the light emitted by the luminous element (30). Surface element (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the layer structure (11) on a side facing away from the Oberwarenelement (20) side of the luminous element (30) as a cover layer (80) formed layer element (12) for blocking the luminous element (30 ) emitted light. Surface element (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the elastomer layer (40) is at least partially translucent and in the layer structure (11) between the Oberwarenelement (20) and the luminous element (30) is arranged. Surface element (10) after Claim 7 , characterized in that the elastomeric layer (40) is sprayed onto and / or scrape and / or cast on the overlay element (20) and / or the light shaping layer (70). Surface element (10) after Claim 7 or 8th , Characterized in that the elastomer layer (40) (12) is formed on a as a carrier layer (50) layer member, said support layer (50) between the elastomeric layer (40) and the luminous element (30) is disposed, and further wherein the Carrier layer (50) is at least partially translucent and has a greater rigidity than the elastomer layer (40). Surface element (10) after Claim 9 , characterized in that the elastomer layer (40) and / or the carrier layer (50) form a scattering element (90) for uniformly distributing the light emitted by the luminous element (30). Surface element (10) after Claim 9 or 10 characterized in that the elastomeric layer (40) is injected between the topsheet member (20) and the backing layer (50) or that the elastomeric layer (40) is injected between the light shaping layer (70) and the backing layer (50). Surface element (10) after Claim 9 or 10 , characterized in that the elastomer layer (40) and the carrier layer (50) are made together in a two-component injection molding process. Surface element (10) one of the preceding Claims 1 to 6 , characterized in that the luminous element (30) in the layer structure (11) between the elastomer layer (40) and the Oberwarenelement (20) is arranged. Surface element (10) after Claim 13 Characterized in that the elastomer layer (40) (12) formed on a as a carrier layer (50) layer member, wherein the support layer (50) facing away from one of the light-emitting element (30) of the elastomeric layer (40) is disposed, and further wherein the carrier layer (50) has a greater rigidity than the elastomer layer (40). Surface element (10) after Claim 14 , characterized in that the elastomer layer (40) and the carrier layer (50) are made together in a two-component injection molding process. Interior component (1) for a vehicle, comprising a surface element (10) with a layer structure (11) of layer elements (12), wherein an uppermost layer element (12) is formed by a flat, at least partially translucent, upper product element (20), characterized in that the surface element (10) is designed according to one of the preceding claims.

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