JPH04301414A - Automobile interior finish by woven fiber in transparent base body - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To make a material aesthetically appealing and increase the sufficient structure strength of the material by containing specified fibers set into the shape of an interior trimming material in a transparent matrix finish material and applying the transparent coating finish on an outer surface of strong resistance to damage. CONSTITUTION: A material 10 is provided with beautiful appearance and resistance to damage and is of a multilayer structure to be easily formed into the desired shape. The material 10 is provided with a base 12 acting as back sections of nets 14 of woven fibers 16. For example, fibers 16 are composed for carbon, and iridescent color is provided on the outer surface of the material 10. As another example, net layers 14 can be formed of quebra, boron or arimide fibers. The woven nets 14 and the base 12 are formed into the desired shape and set in a transparent matrix finishing material such as polyester.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

0001

TECHNICAL FIELD This invention relates to decorative materials used in vehicle interiors, and more particularly to woven fibers set within a transparent matrix finish molded into the form of a desired part. , concerning woven fibers that exhibit a unique interior appearance.

0002

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Historically, solid interior components of automobile passenger compartments have been made of wood, simulated wood, or plastic. Typically, wood interiors are used to give a luxurious look, while plastic may be used as a more economical application. Plastics are easily molded into any shape and thickness to accommodate a variety of components. Wooden interiors have a more limited range of application and are therefore used less frequently as important interiors. Wood products suitable for luxury applications such as automobile interiors are used relatively infrequently, increasing the cost of the interior.

0003

OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention overcomes the deficiencies of known automotive interiors by using aesthetic materials that can be formed into various fitted products in the passenger compartment. Automotive interior decorative fitting materials can initially be molded into any desired shape, but are inherently rigid in nature. One preferred embodiment of the aesthetic material comprises a glass fiber base supporting the surface material, with a material thickness, decorative woven fibers set within a transparent matrix material such as polyester; and an outer layer of clear coated finish. The woven fibers are preferably carbon fibers, but may also be Kevlar, boron, arimide, and the like. The woven fibers set within the transparent matrix have an attractive iridescent color. The protective coating prevents scratches and other damage to the mounting material. Fiberglass substrates are designed solely as moldable substrates placed behind woven fibers set within a polyester material. In one method of decorative upholstery, a fiberglass substrate is molded into the desired configuration. Once molded, the woven fibers are applied onto a substrate and set within a clear polyester matrix. After the material is set, a clear coat finish may be added.

[0004] Alternatively, the fibers to be woven may first be molded and formed into the desired shape, and then the fiberglass matrix is added thereon. This combination will then be embedded and set in a polyester material. A clear coat finish may be added to protect the part after removal from the mold. Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0005]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The drawing shows a plan and cross-sectional perspective view of a portion of a decorative material 10 according to the invention. During manufacture, material 10 may be molded into any shape suitable for vehicle interiors. The unique aesthetic appearance of material 10 gives it a luxurious appeal. Material 10 is intended to be used for fixture veneers as well as to provide a unique appearance to instrument panels, consoles, and door interior panels. The unique appearance of material 10 and its durability make it well suited for use in frequently impacted areas.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, material 10 has a multilayered structure to facilitate molding into a desired shape while providing an aesthetic appearance and resistance to damage. Material 10 has a base 12 that acts as a backing for a network 14 of woven fibers 16. In a preferred embodiment, fiber 1
6 is made of carbon, giving the outer surface of material 10 an iridescent color. Alternatively, the mesh layer 14 may be made of Kevlar, boron, or arimide fibers. Woven mesh 14 and substrate 12 can be molded or formed into the desired configuration. To set base 12 and screen 14, the molded members are set into a transparent matrix finish, such as polyester resin. When the polyester finish hardens, it provides a rigid form suitable for installation within the passenger compartment of a vehicle. The transparent matrix finish gives the carbon fiber network 14 an iridescent appearance, giving the component an attractive aesthetic appearance.

Once set, the molded member is removed from the mold or other support structure. A protective clear coating or gel coat finish 18 may be applied to the portion so as not to damage the appearance of the component. Thus, aesthetically appealing yet damage resistant components can be produced at a significantly lower cost than conventional finishes.

[0008] Parts containing the material 10 of the present invention can be molded using several different processes. In a preferred method, fiberglass substrate 12 is molded into the desired configuration. The woven fiber network 14 is then added to the base 12 and the polyester resin is added. Once the molded part is set, a clear coating top layer 18 is applied. In other methods, the mesh layer 14 is placed in a mold having the desired configuration. A fiberglass mat backing 12 is subsequently molded onto the interior surface of the screen 14. After forming the basic elements of the part, the mesh 14 and base 12 are embedded in the polyester resin material and set. The set configuration is then removed from the mold and a transparent coating 18 is applied to the outer surface of the part. It is to be understood that the foregoing detailed description has been made for clarity of understanding only and is not intended to impose unnecessary limitations and to limit the scope of the appended claims. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that several modifications may be made without departing from the spirit.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a part of the surface of the decorative interior material of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the decorative interior material of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 Decorative materials 12 Foundation 14 Net 16 Woven fibers

Claims (15)

[Claims] 1. An aesthetic surface material for an interior component of a vehicle, comprising decorative fibers molded into the shape of the component and woven into a net, and a transparent matrix resin in which the mesh of the molded fibers is embedded. and a base resin that forms a solid surface of the interior member after the resin is set. 2. The material further comprises a glass molded in the form of a member with the fibrous network and embedded within the resin together with the fibrous network, thereby forming an internal support surface supporting the fibrous network. 2. Material according to claim 1, characterized in that it has a fiber base. 3. Material according to claim 2, characterized in that the outer surface of the fiber network set within the fibers is provided with a protective coating. 4. Material according to claim 1, characterized in that the decorative fibers are carbon fibers giving an iridescent color to the woven netting. 5. Material according to claim 1, characterized in that the decorative fibers are Kevlar fibers which impart an iridescent color to the woven mesh. 6. Material according to claim 1, characterized in that the decorative fibers are boron fibers which impart an iridescent color to the woven mesh. 7. The material according to claim 1, wherein the transparent matrix resin is a polyester resin. 8. An aesthetic surface material for use as an interior component of a vehicle, comprising a glass fiber base and a decorative fiber woven into a mesh, the mesh and the glass fiber base being molded into the form of a component. , a decorative fiber forming an outer surface with the fiber network supported on the back by the base, and a transparent matrix resin in which the molded fiber network and the base are embedded, and the resin is set. and a matrix resin forming a rigid surface of the mounting member. 9. The material further comprises a protective coating applied to an outer surface of the material.
Materials listed in. 10. Material according to claim 8, characterized in that the decorative fibers are carbon fibers giving an iridescent color to the woven netting. 11. The material according to claim 8, wherein the transparent matrix resin is a polyester resin. 12. An internally installed member of a passenger compartment of a vehicle, the decorative fibers being woven into a net and backed by a glass base, the reticulate mesh and the glass fiber base being molded into the form of the member; Decorative fibers embedded in a transparent matrix resin such that, when the resin is set, the fiber network forms a solid decorative surface of the material. 13. The member of claim 12, wherein the member further includes a protective coating on the outer surface of the mesh set within the resin. 14. Claim 13, wherein the decorative fibers are carbon fibers that give the woven net an iridescent color.
Materials listed in. 15. The material according to claim 14, wherein the transparent matrix resin is a polyester resin.