GB2558941A - Interior car part with lighting element - Google Patents
Interior car part with lighting element Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- GB2558941A GB2558941A GB1701084.4A GB201701084A GB2558941A GB 2558941 A GB2558941 A GB 2558941A GB 201701084 A GB201701084 A GB 201701084A GB 2558941 A GB2558941 A GB 2558941A
- Authority
- GB
- United Kingdom
- Prior art keywords
- lighting element
- stencil
- layer
- substrate
- lacquer
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Granted
Links
- 239000000758 substrate Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 68
- 239000004922 lacquer Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 54
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 27
- 238000007789 sealing Methods 0.000 claims description 9
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 claims description 7
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 claims description 4
- 238000003801 milling Methods 0.000 claims description 3
- 238000005498 polishing Methods 0.000 claims description 3
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 abstract description 23
- 239000010410 layer Substances 0.000 description 61
- 239000000853 adhesive Substances 0.000 description 5
- 230000001070 adhesive effect Effects 0.000 description 5
- 239000004033 plastic Substances 0.000 description 3
- 229920003023 plastic Polymers 0.000 description 3
- 239000011241 protective layer Substances 0.000 description 3
- 239000003086 colorant Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 description 2
- 230000007935 neutral effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000001681 protective effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 239000007787 solid Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000000020 Nitrocellulose Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910000831 Steel Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- NIXOWILDQLNWCW-UHFFFAOYSA-N acrylic acid group Chemical group C(C=C)(=O)O NIXOWILDQLNWCW-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 239000002131 composite material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000001419 dependent effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000005530 etching Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000002648 laminated material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229920001220 nitrocellulos Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 239000002245 particle Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229920000642 polymer Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 229920005989 resin Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 239000011347 resin Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000002904 solvent Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000010959 steel Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000004924 water-based lacquer Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000002023 wood Substances 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60Q—ARRANGEMENT OF SIGNALLING OR LIGHTING DEVICES, THE MOUNTING OR SUPPORTING THEREOF OR CIRCUITS THEREFOR, FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60Q3/00—Arrangement of lighting devices for vehicle interiors; Lighting devices specially adapted for vehicle interiors
- B60Q3/70—Arrangement of lighting devices for vehicle interiors; Lighting devices specially adapted for vehicle interiors characterised by the purpose
- B60Q3/74—Arrangement of lighting devices for vehicle interiors; Lighting devices specially adapted for vehicle interiors characterised by the purpose for overall compartment lighting; for overall compartment lighting in combination with specific lighting, e.g. room lamps with reading lamps
- B60Q3/745—Arrangement of lighting devices for vehicle interiors; Lighting devices specially adapted for vehicle interiors characterised by the purpose for overall compartment lighting; for overall compartment lighting in combination with specific lighting, e.g. room lamps with reading lamps using lighting panels or mats, e.g. electro-luminescent panels, LED mats
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60Q—ARRANGEMENT OF SIGNALLING OR LIGHTING DEVICES, THE MOUNTING OR SUPPORTING THEREOF OR CIRCUITS THEREFOR, FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60Q3/00—Arrangement of lighting devices for vehicle interiors; Lighting devices specially adapted for vehicle interiors
- B60Q3/10—Arrangement of lighting devices for vehicle interiors; Lighting devices specially adapted for vehicle interiors for dashboards
- B60Q3/14—Arrangement of lighting devices for vehicle interiors; Lighting devices specially adapted for vehicle interiors for dashboards lighting through the surface to be illuminated
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60Q—ARRANGEMENT OF SIGNALLING OR LIGHTING DEVICES, THE MOUNTING OR SUPPORTING THEREOF OR CIRCUITS THEREFOR, FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60Q3/00—Arrangement of lighting devices for vehicle interiors; Lighting devices specially adapted for vehicle interiors
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60Q—ARRANGEMENT OF SIGNALLING OR LIGHTING DEVICES, THE MOUNTING OR SUPPORTING THEREOF OR CIRCUITS THEREFOR, FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60Q3/00—Arrangement of lighting devices for vehicle interiors; Lighting devices specially adapted for vehicle interiors
- B60Q3/10—Arrangement of lighting devices for vehicle interiors; Lighting devices specially adapted for vehicle interiors for dashboards
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60Q—ARRANGEMENT OF SIGNALLING OR LIGHTING DEVICES, THE MOUNTING OR SUPPORTING THEREOF OR CIRCUITS THEREFOR, FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60Q3/00—Arrangement of lighting devices for vehicle interiors; Lighting devices specially adapted for vehicle interiors
- B60Q3/20—Arrangement of lighting devices for vehicle interiors; Lighting devices specially adapted for vehicle interiors for lighting specific fittings of passenger or driving compartments; mounted on specific fittings of passenger or driving compartments
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60Q—ARRANGEMENT OF SIGNALLING OR LIGHTING DEVICES, THE MOUNTING OR SUPPORTING THEREOF OR CIRCUITS THEREFOR, FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60Q3/00—Arrangement of lighting devices for vehicle interiors; Lighting devices specially adapted for vehicle interiors
- B60Q3/50—Mounting arrangements
- B60Q3/54—Lighting devices embedded in interior trim, e.g. in roof liners
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Arrangements Of Lighting Devices For Vehicle Interiors, Mounting And Supporting Thereof, Circuits Therefore (AREA)
Abstract
An illuminated part (10) is provided for a car interior, wherein a lighting element (14) lies in a recess (12) in a substrate (11) and is covered by a translucent layer (16, e.g. of lacquer) and next a stencil or stencil layer (18), covered in turn by a top, translucent layer (22, e.g. of lacquer). From the front a visible effect of light through the stencil 18 is seen and when the lighting element 14 is switched off the presence of the element and the stencil 18 within the part is largely or completely hidden. Methods for making such car parts e.g. as panels, are provided. The part 10 may include an intermediate layer in line with the lighting element. The top translucent layer 16 and intermediate layer may be layers of lacquer. The lighting element 14 may comprise and electroluminescent (EL) device or one or more LEDs. The top translucent layer 16 and/or intermediate translucent layer may be tinted. The substrate 11 may comprise a recess or groove to partially or fully receive the lighting element 14. The recess or groove may be cut, milled or rebated into a front face of the substrate 11.
Description
(54) Title of the Invention: Interior car part with lighting element Abstract Title: Interior car part with lighting element (57) An illuminated part (10) is provided for a car interior, wherein a lighting element (14) lies in a recess (12) in a substrate (11) and is covered by a translucent layer (16, e.g. of lacquer) and next a stencil or stencil layer (18), covered in turn by a top, translucent layer (22, e.g. of lacquer). From the front a visible effect of light through the stencil 18 is seen and when the lighting element 14 is switched off the presence of the element and the stencil 18 within the part is largely or completely hidden. Methods for making such car parts e.g. as panels, are provided. The part 10 may include an intermediate layer in line with the lighting element. The top translucent layer 16 and intermediate layer may be layers of lacquer. The lighting element 14 may comprise and electroluminescent (EL) device or one or more LEDs. The top translucent layer 16 and/or intermediate translucent layer may be tinted. The substrate 11 may comprise a recess or groove to partially or fully receive the lighting element 14. The recess or groove may be cut, milled or rebated into a front face of the substrate 11.
1/1
12
FIG. 1
FIG. 2
FIG. 3
- 1 Interior Car Part With Lighting Element
Introduction
The present invention relates to an interior car part having a lighting element, to methods of making such car parts, and to panels and car trim incorporating such parts.
Background to the Invention
It is known to provide interior lighting in cars, including lighting that is within or projects onto car parts, especially car panels, instruments and/or interior displays.
Car panels having integral lighting elements are especially desirable in higher end vehicles, in which significant attention is paid to the interior trim and its finishing. These can include both decorative and also personalised lighting effects, in white and a range of colours and styles.
It is known to provide car panels having lights in frames and with protective covers that can be accessed from the front of the panel, e.g. by removing a protective front.
Another known lit part of a car interior is a tread plate, in which e.g. an illuminated car manufacturer name is presented by a lighting element shaped in the car manufacturer’s name fitted around a similarly shaped supporting, typically metal, frame.
A problem with known such panels and lighting effects is that the boundary of the effect is dictated by the boundary of and sometimes the straightness of the lighting element itself. For example, if a lighting element within a panel is slightly bent then a correspondingly slightly bent lighting effect is seen. A separate problem is that when the lighting element is turned off then the shape of the lighting element is still visible through the car panel front, and can be seen as a shaped lighting element that is currently not illuminated.
-2 Such known lighting elements are also easy to damage from the front where direct access to the lighting element is possible either immediately or via a front panel.
One illuminated panel is known e.g. from US 2009/0196058, in which light from a hidden lighting element illuminates a panel by being shone onto and reflecting from the front of the panel.
It is an aim of the current invention to provide alternative and preferably improved car panels containing lighting elements. One aim is to provide car interior panels having improved aesthetics both when lit (on) and unlit (off). A related aim is to provide higher quality and more easily customisable lighting effects. An aim of specific embodiments is to provide car panels having lighting elements in which the presence of the lighting element and the nature of the lighting effect is more or less hidden when the lighting element is turned off.
Summary of the Invention
Accordingly, the invention provides a method of making an interior car part, comprising:
providing a substrate, providing a lighting element in or on the substrate, locating a stencil over the lighting element, forming a top translucent layer over the stencil, wherein light from the lighting element is visible in use from the front of the part through the stencil and top translucent layer.
The invention also provides an interior car part, comprising a substrate, a lighting element in or on the substrate, a stencil over the lighting element, and a top translucent layer sealing the lighting element into the part, wherein light emitted from the lighting element is visible from the front of the panel through the stencil and the top translucent layer.
-3The invention further specifically provides a layered, interior car panel comprising the part above and a lighting element, comprising a substrate having a front panel face, the lighting element in or on the front panel face, a stencil over the lighting element, and a top translucent layer sealing the lighting element into the panel face, wherein light emitted from the lighting element is visible on the panel face through the stencil and the top translucent layer.
Still further provided in the invention is a car comprising the part or the panel of the invention
Details of the Invention
Hence, the part formed can have the lighting element and stencil embedded within it, with a flat, smooth front face; also, with no access from the front and with the potential to hide the lighting element when turned off, i.e. not operating.
As shown in examples below, embodiments of the invention hence are multilayered, having in order: the substrate layer, the lighting element in or on the substrate, the stencil layer and the top translucent layer, also referred to as the top, panel sealing layer (e.g. when the part is incorporated into a car panel). As further described herein, one or more additional intermediate layer(s) are optional.
Preferred methods, described in examples below, comprise forming an intermediate translucent layer over the lighting element and locating the stencil on that intermediate translucent layer substantially in line with the lighting element. The car part then comprises an intermediate, translucent layer between the substrate and the stencil. That intermediate layer can thus seal the lighting element into or onto the substrate.
The method may comprise forming the top translucent layer and the intermediate translucent layer, if present, by applying an initial translucent layer and then allowing the layer to harden and subsequently sanding back and/or polishing the hardened layer to form a final, finished translucent layer. The top translucent layer
-4and intermediate translucent layer, if present, are suitably layers of lacquer, which can be hardened to a smooth, glossy finish for the front of interior car trim or the front of a car panel. Forming the top translucent layer can comprise filling gaps in the stencil with translucent layer material, e.g. lacquer. This is preferably done carefully to avoid air bubbles within cut away portions of the stencil.
The lighting element is preferably recessed, wholly or partially, into the substrate. Suitable methods comprise cutting, milling or rebating a recess or groove into a front face of the substrate; the lighting element is then located in the recess or groove. It is usually fixed there, e.g. using conventional adhesive(s) prior to applying the stencil or intermediate layer. The substrate hence may comprise a recess or groove to partially or fully receive the lighting element (depending upon the respective sizes of each); this can also be formed in the initial substrate manufacturing process e.g. the substrate can be moulded incorporating a groove or recess, or a purpose-built substrate can be formed with the recess or groove already machined. When the lighting element is in the substrate it is visible from the front via an opening onto the front surface of the substrate. The recess or groove may be widened with respect to the opening. For example, a channel or bore may be provided to accommodate a lighting element that can be introduced from the side of the part / panel, and is optionally removable. That channel or recess comprises an opening to allow light to be visible from the front; the opening may be narrower in whole or part than the recess / channel width.
Electrical connections, e.g. wires, circuit board elements, drivers, can be located to a side of the part for connection of the lighting element with car lighting control circuitry. For aesthetics, these are preferably not visible at all from the front.
The invention is for use with lighting elements in general and as conventionally used in the automobile industry. The lighting element may comprise an electroluminescent device or one or more LEDs. It may be in the form of a strip or a wire or a planar panel (especially when made from an electroluminescent material). It may comprise one or a plurality of light sources, or one or more light sources in combination with a light guide. Suitable materials for the light guide include translucent plastics, diffracting plastics, and also resins, polymers etc.
-5containing reflective particles to direct or divert light from the source through gaps in the stencil.
Light sources can be white and/or coloured without limitation. Similarly, the light guide can be neutral or tinted. A coloured light guide can be used with a white light source. Multiple light sources of different colours can be used in combination, such as a plurality of differently coloured LEDs. Also, within the layered part the top translucent layer and/or the intermediate translucent layer, if present, may be transparent, neutral or tinted according to the final lighting effect desired.
An attractive feature of the panel is having an integral lighting element, yielding a single car part with a solid, continuous front. Preferred methods can include applying the top, translucent layer so as in effect to seal the stencil and lighting element into the car part to achieve this result.
The invention also provides the part perse. Accordingly, the invention provides an interior car part, comprising a substrate, a lighting element in or on the substrate, a stencil over the lighting element, and a top translucent layer sealing the lighting element into the part, wherein light emitted from the lighting element is visible from the front of the panel through the stencil and the top translucent layer.
Preferred and optional features of the part are as described above in relation to the methods of the invention.
The substrate for the invention is hence typically a starting point for a car panel and may be a partially completed car panel. It can be made in general of any suitable car panel material, including wood, plastic, metal and composite elements and it may be a multi-layered or laminated material prior to use in the method of the invention. It may be pre-formed or pre-shaped or moulded so that with application of the top layers, including the lighting element, it then forms the
-6completed car interior panel, shaped to fit into the car interior and in or around adjacent parts or panels.
The recess or groove in the substrate is generally designed to fit the lighting device, and designed for a snug or fairly tight fit, albeit the lighting element is conveniently affixed using adhesive, a fixing device or a combination. The recess or groove can be pre-formed in a moulded substrate or can be cut, milled or rebated into a face of the substrate. Its shape is to match the desired shape of the lighting effect and can be straight, curved, bent or a combination of designs, dependent upon the end lighting effect to be achieved. The lighting element may similarly be shaped to fit in the shaped groove or recess. They can hence be customised to fit each other. They can be designed so that the lighting element is removeable, for example by threading it into and out of the recess / groove. As further examples, electroluminescent strips or panels can be cut to fit any given shape, and a wire can be bent so as to lie within a corresponding groove or recess or light guide.
Light is visible from the front of the car part or panel through the stencil, which is hence provided with opaque and translucent portions, more typically with opaque and transparent portions. The cover layer(s), e.g. of lacquer, may fill those transparent portions if they are cut away into the stencil, and the lacquer may of course be substantially transparent or translucent or even tinted, as elsewhere described. Generally, the stencil is thin, say approximately 0.1-0.4mm, and the invention has been practiced with stencils of approximately 0.25mm depth. Stencils can be conventionally made, e.g. by etching away portions of the opaque stencil material. Stencils may also be provided having solid translucent / transparent portions. Opaque portions of the stencil block passage of light. Depending upon the respective positions of the stencil and the lighting element it is optional for the part to be constructed so that light may also pass around one or more sides of the stencil, e.g. diffusing through lacquer layers. This can be adapted as a further feature of a given lighting effect.
An advantage of the effect achieved using the invention is that the light seen from the front of the panel has a shape or outline dictated by the stencil rather than by
-7the shape of the lighting element. Thus, a sharply defined, e.g. straight or deliberately shaped effect can be achieved using the corresponding shape of the stencil even though the lighting element behind may not be so straight. As an example, a slightly bent wire in a lighting element of the invention, used in a car panel as described herein, behind a stencil will nevertheless be visible according to the shape of the stencil, eliminating the imperfections in the shape of the wire or in the way the wire has been fixed into the substrate.
Using stencils having multiple decorative features including e.g. personalised effects such as signatures gives a wide range of sharply defined and high quality lighting effects according to the nature of the stencil instead of the lighting element behind.
A further advantage that can be realised in embodiments of the invention is that the lighting effect is visible when the lighting element is turned on but, on the other hand, when the lighting element is turned off the car panel gives the impression of being a continuous, uniform panel. The stencil is hidden in the panel and is not visible with the light off. Thus, an attractive decorative feature is hidden and can be switched on and off using the lighting control circuitry of the car. This provides a high quality, improved aesthetic effect in the interior car trim.
As described herein in relation to specific embodiments, the protective layer in the part, or the protective layers if the intermediate layer is present, are generally made of lacquer. The lacquer material is conventional and applied in a conventional manner - e.g. by applying the lacquer and allowing the solvent to evaporate so the lacquer hardens or by allowing the lacquer to cure. It can be sanded and polished to the desired thickness and the desired finishing effect. Specific examples of lacquer types used in the invention include, but are not limited to, nitrocellulose-based lacquers, acrylic-based lacquers and water-based lacquers.
In a specific embodiment of the invention, described in more detail below, a multilayered, interior car panel having a lighting element comprises a base substrate having a front face, the lighting element being recessed into the face, a stencil
-8over the lighting element, said stencil having translucent and opaque portions, and a top translucent layer of lacquer sealing the lighting element to the substrate and forming a panel face, wherein light emitted from the lighting element within the panel is visible on the panel face through the stencil and the top translucent layer.
Further provided by the invention is a vehicle, especially a car, comprising a part or panel of the invention.
Specific embodiments of the invention are now described by way of illustration and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
Fig. 1 shows a schematic side view of a panel having a recessed lighting element of a first embodiment of the invention;
Fig. 2 shows a schematic side view of a panel having a recessed lighting element of a second embodiment of the invention; and
Fig. 3 shows a schematic side view of a panel having a recessed lighting element of a third embodiment of the invention.
Example 1
An interior, illuminated car panel 10 was made as now described and illustrated in fig. 1.
An “A” substrate 11 was prepared having a top veneer 13 and being approximately the correct dimensions for the desired end interior panel but lacking the final surface finishing. Into a front face of the substrate a recess 12 was cut out, the length of the intended illuminated section. Into this recess a lighting element 14 was laid, sitting slightly proud from the front surface of substrate 11 and approximately in line with the veneer 13.
Next, a layer of translucent lacquer 16 was applied, covering the face of the substrate and the projecting lighting element 14. This was allowed to harden and was then sanded and polished so that a thin layer of lacquer lay over the front of the substrate and continuously over the top of the lighting element. Layer 16 is shown schematically as a planar layer though in practice the lacquer will run into the open recess 12 above the element 14 prior to hardening.
-ΘΑ steel stencil shown generally as 18, of depth 0.25mm and having opaque portions 20 and cut away portions 19 was laid on top of the lacquer layer 16 immediately over and in line with the lighting element 14. This was fixed in place using adhesive and then a second layer of lacquer 22 applied. This was also allowed to harden and then was sanded and finally polished to the end finish, leaving a thin layer of lacquer 22 to complete and seal the front face of the part.
The lighting element 14 used was an electroluminescent strip, attached to a driver (not shown), and now recessed into a front face of the substrate with connecting wires (not shown) protruding from the side and ready for connection to internal electrical control units of the car in due course.
In use, when viewed from the front of the car panel, the presence of the stencil and the lighting element was not discernible until the lighting element was turned on, when the light passes through the cut away portions of the stencil giving the desired lighting panel effect.
Example 2
An alternative interior, illuminated car panel 24 was made as now described and illustrated in fig. 2.
As previously, an “A” substrate 11 was prepared having a top veneer 13 and being approximately the correct dimensions for the desired end interior panel but lacking the surface finishing. Into a front face of the substrate a flat, shallow channel 25 was cut, the length of the intended illuminated section. Into this recess a generally flat EL lighting panel 26 was laid.
Next, a layer of translucent lacquer 16 was applied, covering the face of the substrate and the lighting panel 26. This was allowed to harden and was then sanded and polished so that a thin layer of lacquer lay over the front of the substrate and continuously over the top of the flat lighting panel. Again the layer 13 is shown schematically and in practice the lacquer flowed into channel 25 prior to setting.
- 10A complex, multifaceted stencil shown generally as 27, of depth 0.25mm and having opaque portions 28 and cut away portions 29 was laid on top of the lacquer layer 16 and over and covering the whole width of the panel 26. This was fixed in place using adhesive and then a second layer of lacquer 22 applied. This was also allowed to harden and then was sanded and finally polished to the end finish, leaving a thin layer of lacquer 22 to complete and seal the front face of the part.
The lighting element 26 used was an electroluminescent flat panel, attached to a driver (not shown), and now recessed into a front face of the substrate with connecting wires (not shown) protruding from the side and ready for connection to internal electrical control units of the car.
Example 3
A simplified car panel 30 was prepared, with reference to fig. 3.
Substrate 31 was provided as a purpose-built substrate into which was machined channel 32, designed to take a removable lighting element and in the form of a generally circular bore just below the substrate surface and intersecting I accessing the surface at channel opening 33. An EL wire lighting element 34 was threaded into the recess, the EL element and recess depth being carefully designed so that the top of the element did not protrude beyond the front face of the substrate 31. This avoided the need for an intermediate layer of lacquer.
Next, stencil 38 having opaque portions 40 and cut away portion 39 was laid directly over the line of the EL element, supported by uncut portions of the substrate on either side of the channel 33, and stuck in place using adhesive.
To complete the panel, a top, protective layer of lacquer 42 was applied, allowed to harden and then sanded and polished to the desired depth, yielding a completed panel.
-11 As before, electrical connections (not shown) for the LED lighting element protruded from the side of the panel, ready for connection to car lighting control units.
The same effect was achieved as for examples 1 and 2, namely the presence of the lighting element within the panel was more or less hidden from the observer viewing from the front until the element was turned on, providing the desired lighting effect through the stencil.
The invention hence provides improved interior parts, e.g. panels for cars and methods of making the same.
Claims (19)
1. A method of making an interior car part, comprising: providing a substrate, providing a lighting element in or on the substrate, locating a stencil over the lighting element, and forming a top translucent layer over the stencil, light from the lighting element being visible in use from the front of the part through the stencil and top translucent layer.
2. A method according to claim 1, comprising forming an intermediate translucent layer over the lighting element and locating the stencil on that intermediate translucent layer in line with the lighting element.
3. A method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the top translucent layer, and intermediate translucent layer if present, are layers of lacquer.
4. A method according to any previous claim, comprising cutting, milling or rebating a recess or groove into a front face of the substrate and wherein providing the lighting element in or on this substrate comprises locating the lighting element in the recess or groove.
5. A method according to any previous claim, wherein forming the top translucent layer, and the intermediate translucent layer if present, comprises forming an initial translucent layer, e.g. of lacquer, allowing the layer to harden and subsequently sanding back and/or polishing the hardened layer to form a final translucent layer.
6. A method according to any previous claim, wherein forming the top translucent layer comprises filling gaps in the stencil with translucent layer material, e.g. lacquer.
- 137. A method according to any previous claim, comprising providing electrical connections to a side of the part for connection of the lighting element with car lighting control circuitry.
8. A method according to any previous claim, wherein the lighting element comprises an electroluminescent (EL) device or one or more LEDs.
9. A method according to any previous claim, comprising applying the top, translucent layer so as to seal the lighting element into the car part.
10. A method according to any previous claim, wherein the top translucent layer, and/or the intermediate translucent layer if present, are tinted.
11. An interior car part, comprising a substrate, a lighting element in or on the substrate, a stencil over the lighting element, and a top translucent layer sealing the lighting element into the part, wherein light emitted from the lighting element is visible from the front of the part through the stencil and the top translucent layer.
12. A car part according to claim 11, wherein the substrate comprises a recess or groove to partially or fully receive the lighting element.
13. A car part according to claim 12, wherein the recess or groove is cut, milled or rebated into a front face of the substrate.
14. A car part according to any of claims 11 to 13, wherein the lighting element comprises one or more light sources, or one or more light sources and a light guide.
15. A car part according to claim 14, wherein the lighting element comprises an EL device.
- 1416. A car part according to claim 14 or 15, comprising one or more LEDs.
17. A car part according to any of claims 11-16, wherein the stencil comprises opaque and translucent portions and optionally contains one or more transparent
5 portions.
18. A car part according to any of claims 11-17, comprising an intermediate, translucent layer between the substrate and the stencil.
10 19. A car part according to any of claims 11-18, wherein the top translucent layer, and the intermediate translucent layer if present, are layers of lacquer.
20. A layered, interior car panel comprising a part according to any of claims 11-19 and a lighting element, comprising
15 a substrate having a front panel face, the lighting element in or on the front panel face, a stencil over the lighting element, having translucent and opaque portions, and a top translucent layer sealing the lighting element into the panel face, 20 wherein light emitted from the lighting element is visible on the panel face through the stencil and the top translucent layer.
21. A car comprising a part or a panel according to any of claims 11-20.
Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows:Claims
21 12 17
1. A method of making an interior car part, comprising: providing a substrate,
5 providing a lighting element in or on the substrate, locating a stencil over the lighting element, and forming a top translucent layer of lacquer over the stencil, light from the lighting element being visible in use from the front of the part through the stencil and top translucent lacquer layer.
2. A method according to claim 1, comprising forming an intermediate translucent lacquer layer over the lighting element and locating the stencil on that intermediate translucent lacquer layer in line with the lighting element.
3. A method according to any previous claim, comprising cutting, milling or rebating a recess or groove into a front face of the substrate and wherein providing the lighting element in or on this substrate comprises locating the lighting element in the recess or groove.
4. A method according to any previous claim, wherein forming the top translucent layer, and the intermediate translucent layer if present, comprises forming an initial translucent layer of lacquer, allowing the lacquer layer to harden and subsequently sanding back and/or polishing the hardened lacquer layer to form
25 a final translucent layer.
5. A method according to any previous claim, wherein forming the top translucent lacquer layer comprises filling gaps in the stencil with lacquer.
30 6. A method according to any previous claim, comprising providing electrical connections to a side of the part for connection of the lighting element with car lighting control circuitry.
7. A method according to any previous claim, wherein the lighting element comprises an electroluminescent (EL) device or one or more LEDs.
8. A method according to any previous claim, comprising applying the 5 toptranslucent lacquer layer so as to seal the lighting element into the car part.
9. A method according to any previous claim, wherein the top translucent lacquer layer, and/or the intermediate translucent lacquer layer if present, are tinted.
10 10. An interior car part, comprising a substrate, a lighting element in or on the substrate, a stencil over the lighting element, and a top translucent layer of lacquer sealing the lighting element into the part,
15 wherein light emitted from the lighting element is visible from the front of the part __ through the stencil and the top translucent layer.
CM
11. A car part according to claim 10, wherein the substrate comprises a recess __ or groove to partially or fully receive the lighting element.
CM 20
12. A car part according to claim 11, wherein the recess or groove is cut, milled or rebated into a front face of the substrate.
13. A car part according to any of claims 10 to 12, wherein the lighting element 25 comprises one or more light sources, or one or more light sources and a light guide.
14 A car part according to claim 13, wherein the lighting element comprises an EL device.
30
15. A car part according to claim 13 or 14, comprising one or more LEDs.
16. A car part according to any of claims 10-15, wherein the stencil comprises opaque and translucent portions and optionally contains one or more transparent portions.
17. A car part according to any of claims 11-16, comprising an intermediate lacquer translucent layer between the substrate and the stencil.
18. A layered interior car panel comprising a part according to any of claims ΙΟΙ 7 and a lighting element, comprising a substrate having a front panel face, the lighting element in or on the front panel face,
10 a stencil over the lighting element, having translucent and opaque portions, and a top translucent lacquer layer sealing the lighting element into the panel face, wherein light emitted from the lighting element is visible on the panel face through the stencil and the top translucent lacquer layer.
21 12 17
19. A car comprising a part or a panel according to any of claims 10-16.
Intellectual
Property
Office
Application No: GB1701084.4
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB1701084.4A GB2558941B (en) | 2017-01-23 | 2017-01-23 | Interior car part with lighting element |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB1701084.4A GB2558941B (en) | 2017-01-23 | 2017-01-23 | Interior car part with lighting element |
Publications (3)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| GB201701084D0 GB201701084D0 (en) | 2017-03-08 |
| GB2558941A true GB2558941A (en) | 2018-07-25 |
| GB2558941B GB2558941B (en) | 2021-09-01 |
Family
ID=58462941
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB1701084.4A Active GB2558941B (en) | 2017-01-23 | 2017-01-23 | Interior car part with lighting element |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| GB (1) | GB2558941B (en) |
Cited By (2)
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| WO2021158133A1 (en) | 2020-02-04 | 2021-08-12 | Merit Automotive Electronics Systems S.L.U | Hidden until lit display panel and a display assembly comprising thereof |
| WO2021158132A1 (en) | 2020-02-03 | 2021-08-12 | Merit Automotive Electronics Systems S.L.U | Hidden until lit display panel and a display assembly comprising thereof |
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Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| GB2558941B (en) | 2021-09-01 |
| GB201701084D0 (en) | 2017-03-08 |
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