GB2552996A

GB2552996A - Illuminated panel assembly

Info

Publication number: GB2552996A
Application number: GB1614186.3A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Graham Jason; Myatt David
Original assignee: Gsm Automotive Ltd
Current assignee: Gsm Automotive Ltd
Priority date: 2016-08-19
Filing date: 2016-08-19
Publication date: 2018-02-21
Also published as: GB201614186D0

Abstract

A panel assembly for use on a vehicle comprising a substantially transparent panel 10, wherein a first side of the panel is selectively provided with an optically opaque coating 13 defining text and/or indicia through which light can pass and a second side provided with a light transmissive coating 15. A light source 12 is configured to emit light into the panel and through the text and/or indicia of the opaque coating, wherein the panel assembly is integrated into a surface of the vehicle and the text and/or indicia appear illuminated to an observer when the light source is activated. The opaque coating may comprise of ink and the transmissive coating may comprise a coloured paint. The panel assembly may also appear not visible when not illuminated. A method of manufacturing an illuminated panel assembly for a vehicle is also provided.

Description

(54) Title of the Invention: Illuminated panel assembly Abstract Title: Illuminated Vehicle Panel Assembly (57) A panel assembly for use on a vehicle comprising a substantially transparent panel 10, wherein a first side of the panel is selectively provided with an optically opaque coating 13 defining text and/or indicia through which light can pass and a second side provided with a light transmissive coating 15. A light source 12 is configured to emit light into the panel and through the text and/or indicia of the opaque coating, wherein the panel assembly is integrated into a surface of the vehicle and the text and/or indicia appear illuminated to an observer when the light source is activated. The opaque coating may comprise of ink and the transmissive coating may comprise a coloured paint. The panel assembly may also appear not visible when not illuminated. A method of manufacturing an illuminated panel assembly for a vehicle is also provided.

At least one drawing originally filed was informal and the print reproduced here is taken from a later filed formal copy.

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Figure 3

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Figure 4B

ILLUMINATED PANEL ASSEMBLY

Technical Field

The present invention relates to illuminated panel assemblies. In particular, the invention relates to illuminated panel assemblies for use on motor vehicles.

Background

Motor vehicles are provided with external lights, typically on the front and rear of the vehicle. Internal vehicle lighting is also provided. Badges which can be illuminated may be attached to a motor vehicle, often to a vehicle’s exterior. Such badges may identify the manufacturer of the motor vehicle, or may carry bespoke text or insignia. The text or insignia may or may not be visible when the badge is not illuminated, however, the badge itself will always be visible on the vehicle exterior or interior.

Vehicle exteriors are usually spray painted with coloured paint, including metallic type paint. Many different colours and finishes are available in the market place today. Vehicle exterior paint systems generally comprise a primer, a top coat and a lacquer. The paint system is applied to the exterior and may also be applied to an interior of the vehicle. A combined average automotive paint system on a factory produced car may have a total thickness (primer, top coat and lacquer) of around 0.28 mm. Automotive vehicle paint systems and colours are subject to material and environmental testing which is a requirement standard of the automotive industry.

Summary

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a panel assembly for use on a vehicle, the panel assembly comprising a substantially transparent panel, wherein a first side of the panel is selectively provided with an optically opaque coating defining text and/or indicia through which light can pass, and wherein a second side of the panel is provided with a light transmissive coating; the panel assembly further comprising a light source, configured to emit light into the panel and through the text and/or indicia of the opaque coating on the first side of the panel; wherein the panel assembly is integrated into a surface of the vehicle and the text and/or indicia appear illuminated to an observer when the light source is activated.

The second side of the panel may further comprise a substantially transparent coating applied over the light transmissive coating.

The substantially transparent coating may comprise a solvent or a water-based lacquer.

The opaque coating may comprise one of a primer, an ink.

The light transmissive coating may comprise a coloured paint.

The coloured paint may be a vehicle manufacturer’s standard paint having modified opacity.

The light source may comprise one or more LEDs.

The light source may further comprise a power supply.

The power supply may receive electrical power from the vehicle.

The panel assembly may be contoured.

The substantially transparent panel may comprise a plastic material.

The text and/or indicia may not be visible to an observer when not illuminated.

According to a second aspect, there is provided a method of manufacturing an illuminated panel assembly for a vehicle, the method comprising providing a substantially transparent panel; coating at least a portion of a first side of the panel with an opaque coating; forming, on the first side of the panel, text and/or indicia through which light can pass; painting a second side of the panel with a light transmissive coating; and providing a light source configured to emit light into the panel and through the text and/or indicia on the first side of the panel.

The method may comprise carrying out the coating step and the forming step simultaneously.

The coating step may comprise coating all of the first side of the panel with the opaque coating and the method may further comprise removing selected portions of the opaque coating to define text and/or indicia.

The removing step may comprise laser etching.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Figure 1 is a schematic view of a panel assembly in an unilluminated condition;

Figure 2 is a schematic view of the panel assembly of Figure 1 in an illuminated condition;

Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the panel assembly of Figure 1;

Figure 4A is an exploded view of the panel assembly of Figure 1; and

Figure 4B is an enlarged view of a section of the assembly of Figure 4A.

Detailed Description

Described herein is an automotive grade paint system which can be applied to the surface of a panel to form a painted panel assembly for inclusion on a vehicle, such as a car. The assembly permits graphics or text to be illuminated through the painted surface.

Figure 1 is a schematic view of a painted panel assembly 10 for inclusion on a vehicle. The panel assembly 10 may be located on an exterior or an interior of the vehicle. The panel assembly 10 in this illustrated example is substantially flat, but in other embodiments at least a part of the panel assembly 10 may be contoured. The panel assembly 10 may be a moulded panel which forms all or part of a standard vehicle panel or component, such as a door panel, wing panel, door trim or sill. Alternatively, the panel assembly 10 may be affixed onto an existing vehicle interior or exterior surface, to replace an existing panel or other component of the vehicle.

The panel assembly 10 of Figure 1 is illustrated in an unilluminated or unlit condition. Figure 2 illustrates the same panel assembly 10 in an illuminated condition. In other words, in Figure 2 the light source which forms part of the panel assembly 10 has been switched on, as will be discussed in more detail below. In the illuminated condition, the panel assembly 10 displays illuminated text 11. It will be appreciated that the panel assembly 10 may alternatively or additionally comprise insignia, such as logos, images, graphics, symbols, stripes and the like.

From the illustrated example of Figures 1 and 2 it can be seen that the text 11 is invisible to an observer when the painted panel assembly 10 is in an unilluminated condition and is only visible when the painted panel assembly 10 is illuminated.

Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view and Figure 4A is an exploded view of the painted panel assembly 10 of Figure 1. The panel assembly 10 comprises a base panel 14 having front and back surfaces to which are applied multiple layers 13, 15, 16 of paint and lacquer. The base panel may be generally planar or, as noted above, may be contoured. The panel assembly 10 further comprises a light source 12.

The light source 12 in this example comprises a plurality of LEDs (not shown) emitting white light. The LEDS are protected by a housing having a transparent lid. The remainder of the housing may be opaque, in order to minimise light leakage. Other suitable light sources may be used, including electroluminescent materials. The emitted light may alternatively be coloured, or may comprise a combination of different colours emitted by different LEDs. In this example, the light source is integrated into a vehicle panel such that it is substantially recessed within the surrounding surface of the vehicle. Alternatively, the light source may be flush with an existing vehicle panel. The light source 12 may be configured to provide visible light of a specified brightness and in a specified direction, and in this respect the light source 12 may further include a light guide.

The light source 12 in this example is electrically connected to a power supply of the vehicle. The light source 12 may be automatically activated, for example, when the vehicle headlights or sidelights are activated, or when the vehicle engine is switched on, when the vehicle is unlocked, or when a door of the vehicle is opened. Alternatively or additionally, the light source 12 may be activated manually by a user of the vehicle, as desired, by means of one or more controls located within the vehicle. The light source 12 may be deactivated automatically as described above or manually as desired by the vehicle user. The light source 12 may remain activated while the vehicle lights are in use or while the engine is running, or the light source 12 may be deactivated automatically after a specified period of time. For example, the light source 12 may be activated when the engine is switched on, and automatically switched off after a period of a few minutes. Alternatively, the light source 12 may be activated upon unlocking of the vehicle and automatically deactivated once the vehicle ignition is switched on. It will be appreciated that vehicle interior and exterior illumination must comply with the relevant legislation. The light source 12 may comprise its own power supply, which may for example be battery operated or solar powered.

The panel 14 in this example comprises a sheet of transparent plastic material, such as polycarbonate, acrylic, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS), polypropylene, or blends thereof. Such materials can be formed to the required shape and size and can be produced by conventional manufacturing methods.

The plastic panel 14 is substantially clear, colourless and allows visible light from the light source 12 to pass through i.e. it is light-transmissive. The panel 14 in this example is affixed to an upper surface of the light source 12, and the panel 14 is substantially flush with a surface of the vehicle. In this example, the light source 12 is located directly below the panel 14 such that a travelling distance of light emitted by the light source 12 is minimised. It will be appreciated that the dimensions of the light source 12 need not be the same as the dimensions of the plastic panel 14. For example, the light source 12 may be substantially flat while the panel 14 may be larger and may be contoured. Typically, the light source 12 may be between around 1 mm to 10 mm thick, and the plastic panel 14 may be between around 0.5 mm and 20 mm thick.

A surface of the panel 14 which faces the light source 12, indicated in Figure 4A as surface B, is sprayed or otherwise coated with a layer of primer 13. The primer 13 is light-obliterating in that it does not permit visible light to pass through. Portions of the layer of primer 13 are then removed, for example by laser etching, to form areas through which light from the light source 12 can pass. These areas form the text or indicia 11 which is displayed by the panel assembly 10 when in the illuminated condition, as described with reference to Figure 2 above. In other embodiments, the primer 13 may be replaced by an opaque ink which is reverse screen-printed onto surface B to form the desired text and/or indicia through which light can pass. Beneficially, this is a single-step rather than a two-step process. In all other respects, the method of manufacture of the panel assembly remains the same.

As shown in Figure 4B, the text or indicia 11 formed in the layer of primer 13 on surface B of the plastic panel 14 are reversed such that they appear to an observer the correct way around when the panel assembly 10 is in place on the vehicle exterior or interior.

A layer of top coat paint 15 comprising coloured, pigmented paint is sprayed or otherwise applied to a surface of the panel 14 which faces away from the light source 12, indicated in Figure 4A as surface A. In contrast to the illuminated badge discussed above, this allows the panel assembly 10 to blend in with the surrounding components of the vehicle’s exterior or interior, such that the text 11 is substantially invisible to an observer when the painted panel assembly 10 is in an unilluminated condition, becoming visible only when the painted panel assembly 10 is illuminated.

The layer of top coat 15 comprises a standard manufacturer’s colour, including metallic paint effects, and matches the colour of the surrounding exterior/interior of the vehicle. For example, the light emitting top coat paint 15 may be a standard existing paint type such as solid, twin pack acrylic, metallic or matt. The top coat layer 15 may be black, silver, red, white, blue, green, brown and so on in colour.

This layer of top coat 15 might be expected to effectively prevent light emitted by the light source 12 through the text or indicia 11 from passing through the panel assembly 10 to the exterior/interior of the vehicle. However, the inventors have realised that the layer of top coat 15 can be configured to be light-emitting i.e. to allow at least some of the light from the light source 12 to pass through. The top coat paint 15 is therefore modified depending upon the colour and finish selected for the vehicle. This modification may include modification of the paint’s opacity, the thickness of the coating layer and the method of application, in order to achieve the desired illumination effect. However, this modification of the top coat 15 does not cause the panel assembly 10 to have a significantly different appearance, when in the unilluminated condition, to the surrounding vehicle surface.

For example, modification of the top coat paint 15 as applied to surface A of the panel 14 may comprise reducing the number of top coat paint “passes” or layers from the number of passes which would normally be applied to a standard panel. Such a method reduces the overall volume of top coat paint which is applied to the surface A. If too many “passes” are applied the light projected from the light source 12 is unable to pass through the assembly 10, resulting in a dull illumination, or no illumination. Conversely, If not enough paint is applied the text or graphics 11 become visible in the unilluminated condition. Although the modification of the top coat paint 15 is dependent upon the specific colour and finish selected for the vehicle, the inventors have found that around 10 passes or layers of top coat paint is optimal. Typically, the top coat 15 layer thickness may be between around 20 to 25 microns.

Alternatively, the translucency of the top coat paint 15 may be modified by addition of a suitable thinner. Again, the thinner to paint ratio will vary depending upon the specific application, however, typically a 5% to 20% thinner to paint ratio may be utilised to achieve the desired translucency and light transmittal.

A further alternative method may be to modify the process equipment settings i.e. to modify the spraying system used to apply the top coat paint 15. Automotive paint is usually pressurised and forced into droplets or aerosol by a high-velocity airstream which distributes the paint onto a surface. The sprayed paint is patterned onto the surface by an applicator nozzle which utilises the Venturi effect (the reduction in fluid pressure caused when fluid flows through a choke point or constriction) to control paint pressure. A paint gun or applicator is used in conjunction with an automated paint spraying system. The choice of applicator and system therefore combine to dictate the pattern, droplet size, angle, and intensity of the paint spray.

The above methods of modification of the top coat paint 15 may be used individually or in combination, as required. Other methods of modification of the top coat paint 15 may be employed depending upon the specific application.

As illustrated in Figures 3 and 4, the painted panel assembly 10 further comprises a layer 16 of substantially transparent, light-transmissive lacquer, which may be solvent or water based. The lacquer 16 is sprayed or otherwise applied directly onto the surface of the light emitting top coat paint 15. The layer 16 of lacquer protects the layer of top coat paint 15 and provides the painted panel 10 with an attractive appearance. The thickness of the lacquer layer 16 and the opacity of the lacquer 16 may be modified according to the desired illumination effect. This modification may be achieved in ways similar to those described above. Alternatively, the lacquer may be unmodified and may be applied as it would be to a standard vehicle panel.

When the panel assembly 10 is in the illuminated condition, as shown in Figure 2, the paint system described above allows at least some of the light from the light source 12 to pass through the rest of the panel assembly 10, illuminating the text or indicia 11 which the panel assembly 10 is configured to display. When the panel assembly 10 is in the unilluminated condition, the text or indicia 11 is not visible to an observer. Since the top coat 15 and lacquer layer 16 have substantially the same appearance as that used on other parts of the vehicle interior or exterior, the painted panel assembly 10 is unobtrusive and its illuminated features remain hidden until the light source is activated.

In use, a vehicle may comprise a plurality of painted panel assemblies 10. The assemblies 10 may be incorporated into an exterior surface of the vehicle, such that the surface of each panel assembly 10 is substantially flush with the vehicle exterior. The illuminated text or indicia, or insignia, such as logos, images, graphics, symbols, stripes and the like, or combinations thereof, enhance the visibility of the vehicle, particularly from the side, and also provide a decorative effect. It will be appreciated that enhancing the visibility of a vehicle in this way may improve the vehicle’s safety.

The illuminated text, indicia or insignia may also provide information regarding the vehicle, which may be relevant to other road users. For example, one or more panel assemblies may be configured, when illuminated, to indicate that a vehicle is being used in an official capacity, for example, as a police vehicle. The panel assembly 10 is configured to be substantially indistinguishable from the rest of the vehicle’s surface when the assembly 10 is in an unilluminated condition, and so a user of the vehicle may choose when to make the text, indicia or insignia of the assembly 10 visible.

The illuminated panel assembly 10 may also be utilised to illuminate specific features of the vehicle, in order to assist a user of the vehicle, or to provide a welcoming feature. For example, one or more panel assemblies 10 may be configured to illuminate one or more door handles of a vehicle once the vehicle has been unlocked. Alternatively, one or more panel assemblies 10 may be configured to illuminate one or more vehicle sills once the vehicle ignition has been switched off, in order to assist users in exiting the vehicle. The integrated nature of the panel assembly 10 enables its use in situations where an externally mounted illuminated badge would interfere with the vehicle’s use, for example, adjacent to a vehicle door handle.

Unlike an illuminated badge which is affixed to a vehicle’s surface, the inclusion of one or more integrated panel assemblies 10 does not significantly detract from the overall appearance of the vehicle, and does not affect its aerodynamic shape. A panel assembly 10 is also unlikely to be accidentally removed from a vehicle, for example, during pressure-washing or maintenance. Since the panel assembly 10 may replace a standard vehicle panel, the panel assembly 10 does not significantly add to the overall weight of the vehicle. A number of panel assemblies 10 may therefore be used to illuminate an entire side of a vehicle, without adding the weight that a number of illuminated badges, or one large badge, would add.

The dimensions, shape and contours of the painted panel assembly 10 may be modified in order to meet the requirements of the vehicle panel or component into which the assembly 10 is to be incorporated, or to which it is to be applied. In this respect, the panel assembly 10 may be a moulded, formed panel.

It is envisaged that the panel assembly 10 described herein will be incorporated into the exterior and interior panels or other components of a vehicle during the vehicle’s manufacture. However, the painted panel assembly 10 may also be retrofitted to a vehicle by replacing existing panels or components with panels or components into which the assembly 10 has been incorporated. The panel assembly 10 may be used on vehicles such as cars, vans, motorcycles, heavy goods vehicles, mopeds, bicycles and the like. The assembly 10 may similarly be used on trailers, caravans, horse boxes and the like.

“Modification” or “modified”, as used herein, refers to deviation from a standard application or manufacturing process.

It will be appreciated by the person skilled in the art that various modifications may be made to the above described embodiment, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A panel assembly for use on a vehicle, the panel assembly comprising:

a substantially transparent panel, wherein a first side of the panel is selectively provided with an optically opaque coating defining text and/or indicia through which light can pass, and wherein a second side of the panel is provided with a light transmissive coating; and a light source, configured to emit light into the panel and through the text and/or indicia of the opaque coating on the first side of the panel;

wherein the panel assembly is integrated into a surface of the vehicle and the text and/or indicia appear illuminated to an observer when the light source is activated.

2. A panel assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second side of the panel further comprises a substantially transparent coating applied over the light transmissive coating.

3. A panel assembly as claimed in claim 2, wherein the substantially transparent coating comprises a solvent or a water-based lacquer.

4. A panel assembly as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the opaque coating comprises one of a primer, an ink.

5. A panel assembly as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the light transmissive coating comprises a coloured paint.

6. A panel assembly as claimed in claim 5, wherein the coloured paint is a vehicle manufacturer’s standard paint having modified opacity.

7. A panel assembly as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the light source comprises one or more LEDs.

8. A panel assembly as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the light source further comprises a power supply.

9. A panel assembly as claimed in claim 8, wherein the power supply receives electrical power from the vehicle.

10. A panel assembly as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the panel assembly is contoured.

11. A panel assembly as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the substantially transparent panel comprises a plastic material.

12. A panel assembly as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the text and/or indicia are not visible to an observer when not illuminated.

13. A method of manufacturing an illuminated panel assembly for a vehicle, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a substantially transparent panel;

coating at least a portion of a first side of the panel with an opaque coating; forming, on the first side of the panel, text and/or indicia through which light can pass;

painting a second side of the panel with a light transmissive coating; and providing a light source configured to emit light into the panel and through the text and/or indicia on the first side of the panel.

14. A method as claimed in claim 13, wherein the coating step and the forming step are carried out simultaneously.

15. A method as claimed in claim 13, wherein the coating step comprises coating all of the first side of the panel with the opaque coating and the method further comprises removing selected portions of the opaque coating to define text and/or indicia.

16. A method as claimed in claim 15, wherein the removing step comprises laser etching.

17. A panel assembly substantially as herein described and with reference to the accompanying drawings.

18. A method of manufacturing an illuminated panel assembly substantially as herein described and with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Intellectual

Property

Office

Application No: GB1614186.3 Examiner: Mr Tony Judge