FR2978944A1 - Vehicle-interior structure for vehicle-interior structure group, has rigid element, outer casing connected with rigid element and light source, where outer casing has transparent zone and transparent layer - Google Patents

Abstract

The vehicle-interior structure (1) has a rigid element (3), an outer casing (5) connected with the rigid element and a light source (7), where the outer casing has a transparent zone and a transparent layer (13). A fastening element of the outer casing is attached at the rigid element and a fastening element of the light source is attached at the outer casing. The fastening element of the outer casing and the fastening element of the light source are operated in a piece with the transparent layer. The light source is received in an opening with a closed contour.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The invention relates generally to a backlit vehicle interior structure. More specifically, the invention relates to a vehicle interior structure, of the type comprising: - a rigid element; an outer coating bonded to the rigid element and having at least one translucent zone; - a light source. In the known structures, the outer coating comprises two injected parts, a visible part and a reflector, the light source being placed between the two parts. Automobile manufacturers generally provide several ranges of interior structures, backlit for high-end vehicles and not backlit for entry-level vehicles. To limit costs, the outer coating has the same shape in both cases. For entry-level vehicles, making the two-part outer skin is expensive and unnecessary. Moreover, such an outer coating is bulky. In this context, the invention aims to provide an interior structure that can be produced in two versions, namely backlit and not backlit, and for which the non-backlit version is not unnecessarily expensive. To this end, the invention relates to an internal structure of the aforementioned type, characterized in that the outer coating comprises a translucent layer, at least one fastener of the coating to the rigid element, and at least one fastener of the the light source to the coating, the fastener of the coating and the fixing member of the light source being integral with the translucent layer. Thus, the translucent layer provides all the mechanical functions. It provides both the fixation on the rigid element of the inner structure, and the fixation of the light source on the outer coating. Thus, it is not necessary to provide a second injected part, acting as a reflector, and carrying the fasteners of the outer coating on the rigid element. It is sufficient to provide a light reflector, having no function of mechanical strength, and which is present only for backlit interior structures.

The part constituting the translucent layer, the fixing member of the light source and the fastener of the coating have the same shape for backlit and non-backlit interior structures. They can therefore be produced in the same injection mold. For example, for the backlit interior structures, this part is made of a translucent material, whereas for the non-backlit interior structures, the part is made of a non-translucent material. The inner structure is economical to produce, because the outer coating comprises a single piece of injected plastic material, not two pieces as in the state of the art. This is true for both backlit and non-backlit interior structures, both of which are more economical to produce than in the state of the art. The interior structure is typically a dashboard of a motor vehicle, or a dashboard element. For example, the interior structure is a dashboard cap, or a dashboard cap element. Alternatively, the inner structure is a lining for an opening, or any other type of interior structure. The rigid element is a structure typically made of plastic, having a high rigidity and imparting its shape to the inner structure. It is placed towards the interior of the interior structure, and is not visible to the passengers of the vehicle. This element is itself rigidly fixed on, for example, the dashboard crossbar. The outer covering covers the rigid element, and constitutes the visible element of the inner structure. It presents a decorated face, turned towards the cabin of the vehicle. In addition to the translucent layer, the outer coating typically comprises different layers having decorative or protective functions. For example, the translucent layer is covered by a layer of opaque paint, or a decorative sheet of plastic, or wood, or any other material. The decorative paint and / or sheet is advantageously covered with a layer of varnish, protecting the outer coating against aging due in particular to ultraviolet radiation. The decorative layer is typically produced by the process known as "Insert Molding" or by the method known as "In Mold Labeling" or by immersion, or by application of laser painting and scraping. In any case, the outer coating has one or more translucent zones whose appearance varies depending on whether the light source is activated or inactive. Where the translucent areas are distributed over all or part of the outer skin, and generally define a decorative pattern.

The translucent layer extends substantially over the entire surface of the outer coating. It is made of a material such as ABS / PC, polycarbonate, PMMA, etc. Here is meant by translucent any material allowing a significant fraction of the light emitted by the light source, for example 50% of light, to pass through. the light emitted by the light source. The material constituting the translucent layer may be transparent or on the contrary be slightly colored, and absorb some of the visible light emitted by the light source. The outer coating generally comprises several fasteners of the coating to the rigid element, distributed at different points of the translucent layer. Similarly, the outer coating generally comprises a plurality of fasteners of the light source, distributed at different points of the translucent layer. The or each fixing member of the light source advantageously projects relative to an inner face of the translucent layer facing the rigid element. According to one embodiment, each fastener comprises an orifice in which is housed the light source. More precisely, the light source is simply threaded or engaged in the orifice. Thus, the light source is easy and quick to mount and attach to the outer skin. The orifice is generally closed contour, so that the light source is firmly attached to the outer coating.

Each orifice has a shape conjugate with that of the light source, to ensure a contact between the edges of the orifice and the light source, and block said source in position in the orifice. According to another embodiment, the fixing member of the light source delimits with an inner face of the translucent layer facing the rigid element a slot in which the light source is received. Thus, in the first embodiment, the orifice was entirely delimited by the fastener. In the second embodiment, the slot is partially delimited by the translucent layer, and partially delimited by the fixing member. The first embodiment is well suited when the light source must be spaced from the inner face of the translucent layer. This is particularly the case when the light source is a waveguide of strong section. The second embodiment is well suited when the light source is preferably pressed against the inner face of the translucent layer. In this case, the light source is taken between the inner face and the fixing member, and pressed against the inner face by the fixing member.

The slots may be closed contour, the light source being in this case successively slid into the different slots. The slots may also not be closed contour. Their peripheral edges in this case are interruptions, by which it is possible to introduce the light source in the slots. The inner structure may also include a plurality of closed contour slots and a plurality of non-closed contour slots. Slit means here an elongate opening in a longitudinal direction. The longitudinal direction is here substantially parallel to the inner face of the translucent layer. Fixing the light source through a plurality of slots between the translucent layer on the one hand and the fasteners on the other hand makes it possible to use a light source which is in one piece, and covers practically all of the light. of the inner face of the translucent layer. Thus, there is no discontinuity in the lighting that appears on the visible side. Moreover, this makes it easy to assemble the light source to the coating. This can be done manually, and at a lower cost. Such a fixation does not require the use of glue or screws, or any other additional fastening means. This reduces the cost of production, and also reduces the weight of the inner structure.

In an advantageous variant, a mask is disposed in the slots provided between the fasteners and the inner face of the translucent layer. This mask comprises for example a silkscreened decoration, and is made of a translucent material. It makes it possible to create at a lower cost a decoration on the visible face of the interior structure when the light source is active. Thus, it is possible to easily create limited series with a particular decoration, changing only the mask. Such a mask can be used in the case where the light source is mounted in orifices remote from the inner face, and also in the case where the light source is slid into the slots defined between the fasteners and the translucent layer. In the latter case, the mask is pressed against the inner face of the translucent layer, the light source being pressed against the mask. In some embodiments, the inner structure includes a reflector, the light source being disposed between the translucent layer and the reflector. Since all the mechanical functions, in particular the fixing functions, are carried out via the translucent layer, the reflector is a light piece that does not need to have a high structural strength. The reflector is advantageously a thermoformed plastic sheet. Thus, the reflector is not made by injecting a plastic material into a mold but simply by thermoforming. It is for example made of PIE, ABS, PC, etc. It is particularly light. The reflector is typically made of an opaque plastic material, its face facing the translucent layer having a high light reflection coefficient. Such a reflector is particularly useful when the light source is a waveguide, mounted in orifices remote from the inner face of the translucent layer. In this case, the waveguide has a side adapted to allow the emission of light out of the guide, and a side preventing the emission of light out of the guide, the two sides being opposite to each other. The emissive side is turned towards the reflector, and the non-emissive side is turned towards the translucent layer. The light rays emitted by the waveguide are reflected by the reflector and returned to the translucent layer. This makes it possible to obtain uniform illumination of the outer coating.

Alternatively, the light source comprises a fabric comprising interlaced optical fibers, pressed against an inner face of the translucent layer facing the rigid element. In this case, the light source comprises at least one light generating member adapted to emit said light into the optical fibers. The optical fibers propagate the light along the inner face of the translucent layer.

Such a fabric is known, and is described, for example in FR 2859736A1 and FR 2859737A1. Such a fabric comprises textile fibers and optical fibers, the optical fibers and the textile fibers being interwoven with each other. More specifically, the textile fibers and the optical fibers are woven with each other or arranged in regular meshes. For example, the textile fibers constitute the warp threads of the fabric, and the optical fibers the weft threads of the fabric. The optical fibers are designed to emit light towards the inner face of the translucent layer. Alternatively, the fabric has a reflective layer on one side opposite to the translucent layer. In this case, the optical fibers can emit light to the reflective layer in addition to or instead of light emitted to the translucent layer. Such a fabric typically has a small thickness, less than 3 mm, preferably less than 2 mm, and is for example 1 mm. The use of such a fabric allows for compact interior structures, compact.

Advantageously, the structure comprises at least one material bridge, integral with the translucent layer and defining with the translucent layer a tubular space. The fastener of the coating is carried by the material bridge. Typically, the structure comprises several material bridges of this type, distributed along the outer coating and each carrying a lining fastener. The fasteners of the coating on the rigid element are typically lugs provided to snap into the orifices of the rigid element. In a variant, the fasteners may be of any suitable type.

Typically, each material bridge has two legs integral with the translucent layer and a central portion carrying the lining fastener. These fasteners of the coating point in a direction opposite to the translucent layer. Some fasteners of the light source may be constituted by the legs. Thus, each leg may comprise an orifice allowing passage of the light source, or be separated from the translucent layer by a slot. Other fasteners may be constituted by sails closing the tubular spaces delimited by the material bridges. These sails have holes or delimit slots with the translucent layer.

In the same interior structure, the fasteners may all be jambs, or all be sails, or alternatively some organs are jambs and others are sails. This allows to perform by injection, in a simple manner, both the fasteners of the coating and the fasteners of the light source.

Other features and advantages of the invention will emerge from the detailed description given below, for information only and in no way limitative, with reference to the appended figures, in which: FIG. 1 is a sectional schematic view of an inner structure according to the invention, taken according to the incidence of the arrows I of Figure 2, for a first embodiment of the invention; - Figure 2 is a perspective view of the outer coating and the light source, the reflector being shown separated from the outer coating; - Figure 3 is a sectional view similar to that of Figure 1, taken according to the incidence of arrows III of Figure 2; Figure 4 is a perspective view of an area of the outer skin having a material bridge; Figure 5 is a perspective view of another area of the outer skin of Figure 2; - Figure 6 is a sectional view of an inner structure according to a second embodiment of the invention, taken according to the incidence of arrows VI of Figure 7; Figure 7 is a perspective view of the coating and the light source of Figure 6; and Figure 8 is a perspective view of an area of the coating of Figure 6 showing a material bridge. The interior structure shown in Figures 1 and 2 is a part of a cap for a motor vehicle dashboard. This inner structure 1 comprises, as can be seen in FIG. 1, a rigid element 3, an outer coating 5 bonded to the rigid element 3 and having at least one translucent zone, a light source 7, a mask 9, and a reflector 11 The rigid element 3 is a piece of plastic structure, which is only partially shown in Figure 1. The outer coating 5, as shown in Figure 2, has an elongate shape in a longitudinal direction. As visible in Figure 1, the outer coating 5 comprises a translucent layer 13 and a decorative layer 15 covering one side of the translucent layer facing the passenger compartment. The layer 15 is for example an opaque paint layer allowing less than 10% of the light emitted by the light source to pass. The paint is removed in some areas of the outer coating, for example by laser scraping. The outer coating thus has translucent zones, designed to let in the light emitted by the light source when it is activated. Alternatively, the layer 15 is a translucent, plastic decorative layer attached to the translucent layer 13 at the time of injection of the translucent layer 13. This process may be the method known as "Insert Molding" or the process known as "In Mold Labeling".

Layer 15 can also be obtained by the process known as the dipping process. The immersion process consists of immersing the plastic part in a water bath on which is suspended a film of inks, previously printed on a water-soluble support film. Inks adhere to the part as soon as they come in contact with it.

The light source 7 comprises a light emitting member 17 and a waveguide 19 arranged to conduct the light emitted by the emitter member 17 along the outer coating and diffuse this light through the translucent layer. The light emitting member 17 is a LED type diode. It is rigidly attached to a first longitudinal end of the translucent layer. It is arranged to emit light in a first end 21 of the waveguide.

The waveguide 19 extends substantially over the entire longitudinal length of the outer coating. The waveguide is an optical fiber. It has a diameter of between 0.1 to 1.0 mm, typically worth 0.5 mm. This diameter is a function of the required luminous power and the required shape constraints. The smaller the diameter, the softer the fiber.

The inner structure further comprises a reflector 23 covering substantially the entire inner surface 25 of the translucent layer 13. The reflector 23 has a generally concave shape, concavity facing the inner face 25. The reflector 23 is a thermo formed part, in one plastic material such as P / E, ABS, PC. It has a reflective inner surface 27 adapted to reflect almost all the light emitted by the waveguide 19. For this purpose, the reflector 23 is made of an opaque material. Alternatively, the reflector has on the concave side a layer of a highly reflective material. The reflector 23 has a peripheral edge 29 pressed against an edge zone 31 of the inner face 25 of the translucent layer. Thus, the losses of light are minimum. The waveguide 19 is disposed in the volume delimited between the inner face 25 of the translucent layer and the deflector 23. As can be seen in FIG. 3, the waveguide 19 is arranged to emit light from a opposite side to the inner face 25. The light is reflected by the reflective surface 27 of the baffle to the translucent layer 13. The outer coating 5 comprises several material bridges 33, 35, projecting from the inner face 25 of the layer translucent. The material bridges 33 are oriented at 90 ° of the material bridges 35, as can be seen in FIG. 2. Each bridge of material comprises two legs 37 spaced apart from one another, connected to each other by a central portion 39. Each leg 37 is connected at one end to the translucent layer, and at its end opposite the central portion 39. The material bridges 33 are arranged so that the two legs 37 of the same bridge are spaced apart. from each other in the longitudinal direction.

On the contrary, for the material bridges 35, the legs 37 are spaced from each other in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction.

The outer coating further comprises fasteners for fixing the light source to the coating. In the embodiment of Figures 1 to 5, these fasteners comprise the legs 37 of the material bridges 33. The orifices 41 are drilled in the legs 37, as shown in Figures 2 and 4. The orifices 41 are contoured closed. They have a conjugate section of the outer section of the waveguide 19. The orifices 41 formed in the two legs 37 of the same material bridge are placed in relation to each other. The waveguide 19 is engaged through the orifices 41.

The fixing members also comprise webs 43 secured to the material bridges 35. More specifically, as can be seen in particular in FIGS. 1, 2 and 5, each material bridge 35 defines with the translucent layer a tubular space, closed to one of its ends 43. The web 43 has an orifice 45 with a closed contour, of internal section conjugate with the outer section of the waveguide 19. The waveguide 19 is engaged in the various orifices 45. Thus, the coating external comprises several fasteners of the light source to the coating, distributed along the waveguide. The material bridges 33 are arranged along a longitudinal portion of the outer liner having, perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, a relatively smaller width. The material bridges 35 are arranged along a longitudinal portion of the coating having, relatively perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, a relatively larger width. The outer coating 5 further comprises a plurality of fasteners for the coating 5 on the rigid element 3. These fasteners are tabs 47 provided to snap into orifices 49 formed in the rigid element 3 (FIG. 1). The tabs 47 are carried by the central portions 39 of the material bridges, and point towards the rigid element, that is to say the opposite of the inner face 25. The fasteners of the light source, the Fixing members of the coating and the translucent layer came from injection.

As can be seen in FIGS. 1 and 4, the mask 9 is slid into slots 51, 53 and held pressed against the inner face 25. The mask 9 is a sheet of a plastics material, such as polycarbonate PC, PMMA or polyethylene, printed with clear or opaque ink. The ink forms a pattern that is visible at night when the light source is active.

This is particularly advantageous when the decor sheet 15 has a uniform decor, and does not itself have patterns.

The mask 9 has a small thickness, for example between 1 and 2 mm. The mask 9 substantially covers the entire inner surface 25 of the translucent layer.

The slots 51 are formed at the base of the legs 37 of the material bridges 33. More specifically, they are delimited on one side by the legs 37 and on the other by the inner face 25. Each slot 51 is blind. It is closed at one end, to which the leg 37 is integral with the translucent layer 13. It is open at its opposite end, so as to allow the introduction of the mask 9 into said slot. The slots 53 are formed at the base of the webs 43. More specifically, the slots 53 are delimited on one side by a lower edge of the web 43, and on the other by the inner face 25 of the translucent layer. The slots 53 are closed contour. As shown in Figure 1, the reflector 23 is clamped between the material bridges 33, 35 and the rigid element 3. The reflector is thus locked in position. Furthermore, on the concave side, it has a shape complementary to that of the material bridges 33, 35 and bears against these bridges of material. When the light source is inactive, the passengers of the vehicle see the decor of the layer 15.

On the other hand, when the light source is active, the light emitted by the transmitting member 17 is transmitted to the waveguide 19 and projected by the waveguide against the reflector 23. The reflector 23 reflects this light towards the translucent layer 13. The light rays pass through the mask 9, the translucent layer 13 and the decorative layer 15. The pattern printed on the mask 9 appears on the decorative layer 15. It should be noted that the slots 53, formed at the base of the sails 43 , prevent shadows appear on the visible side of the outer coating. In the absence of these slots, the sails 43 would create such shadows. A second embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to Figures 6 to 8. Only the points by which the second embodiment differs from the first will be detailed below. The identical elements or ensuring the same function in the two embodiments will be designated by the same references. In the second embodiment, the light source comprises an LED type diode, or multiple diodes, and a flexible fabric 55 in which a plurality of optical fibers 57 are interwoven. The diodes are not shown in Figures 6 to 8.

More specifically, the fabric 55 comprises a plurality of textile fibers, and a plurality of optical fibers 55 interwoven with each other. For example, the textile fibers and the optical fibers are woven with each other, the textile fibers constituting the weft threads and the optical fibers constituting the warp threads.

Optical fibers are small fibers, having a cross section for example between 0.1 mm and 1.0 mm. The fabric covers substantially the entire inner surface 25 of the translucent layer 13. It has a thickness of less than 3 mm, preferably less than 2 mm, and is for example 1 mm.

The fabric 55 is slid into the slots 51 and 53. In the absence of a mask, the fabric 55 is pressed directly against the inner face 25. When the inner structure comprises a mask 9, the mask 9 is slid into the same slots 51 and 53 and pressed against the inner face 25. The fabric 55 is slid into the slots 51, 53 and pressed against the mask 9.

In this embodiment, the slits have a thickness of between 1 and 5 mm, preferably between 1 and 3 mm, and more preferably between 1 and 2 mm. In this embodiment, the inner structure has no reflector 23.

The optical fibers 57 interwoven in the fabric 55 are in fact arranged to diffuse the light directly to the translucent layer 13. In a variant, the fabric comprises a layer of a reflective material attached to the interlaced fibers. This layer is arranged on one side of the fibers opposed to the inner surface 25. The webs 43 and the legs 37 of the material bridges 33 do not comprise orifices 41, 45. The invention also covers a set of interior structures, with at least one backlit interior structure as described above, and a non-backlit interior structure devoid of a light source. In this case, the non-backlit interior structure comprises a rigid element and an outer coating of shapes identical respectively to the rigid element and the outer coating of the backlit interior structure. On the other hand, the non-backlit interior structure does not have a light source. It does not have a reflector either. In addition, in the backlit structure, the layer 13 which is integral with the external coating fastener is of a translucent material. In the non-backlit interior structure, this same layer is in an opaque material.

Claims (1)

CLAIMS1.- Interior structure of the vehicle, the inner structure (1) comprising: - a rigid element (3); an outer coating (5) bonded to the rigid element (3) and having at least one translucent zone; a light source (7); characterized in that the outer coating (5) comprises a translucent layer (13), at least one fastener (47) of the outer coating (5) to the rigid member (3), and at least one member (37, 43) for fixing the light source (7) to the outer coating (5), the member (47) for fixing the outer coating (5) and the member (37, 43) for fixing the light source (7) having come from matter with the translucent layer (13). 2. Structure according to claim 1, characterized in that the member (37, 43) for fixing the light source (7) protrudes with respect to an inner face (25) of the translucent layer (13) facing towards the rigid element (3), and has an orifice (41, 45) in which is housed the light source (7). 3. Structure according to claim 1, characterized in that the member (37, 43) for fixing the light source (7) delimits with an inner face (25) of the translucent layer (13) facing the element. rigid (3) a slot (51, 53) in which is received the light source (7). 4. Structure according to claim 3, characterized in that the slot (51) is open by an end provided for the introduction of the light source (7) in the slot (51). 5. Structure according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the member (37, 43) for fixing the light source (7) delimits with the inner face (25) a slot (51, 53) in which is received a mask (9). 6. Structure according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a reflector (23), the light source (7) being arranged between the translucent layer (13) and the reflector (23), the reflector (23) being a thermoformed plastic sheet. 7. Structure according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the light source (7) comprises a waveguide (19) disposed at a distance from an inner face (25) of the translucent layer (13). ) facing the rigid element (3). 8. Structure according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the light source (7) comprises a fabric (55) comprising interlaced optical fibers (57), pressed against an inner face (25) of the translucent layer. (13) facing the rigid element (3). 9. Structure according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises at least one material bridge (33, 35) integral with the translucent layer (13) and defining with said translucent layer (13) a tubular space, the fixing member of the light source (7) being a web (43) closing one end of the tubular space or being a leg (37) of the material bridge, the fixing member (47) the outer covering (5) being carried by the material bridge (33, 35). 10.- set of interior structures comprising at least one backlit interior structure according to any one of the preceding claims, and at least one non-backlit interior structure devoid of light source, the respective internal elements (3) of the retro interior structure illuminated and the non-backlit interior structure being of identical shapes, the respective outer coverings (5) of the backlit interior structure and the non-backlit interior structure being of identical shapes.