Decorative arrangement for an interior lining of a motor vehicle and method for producing same

A decorative arrangement for an interior lining of a motor vehicle has a carrier layer (20), a decorative layer (6) on the carrier layer (20), and a protective layer provided on the decorative layer (6). The decorative layer (6) is composed of a wood or wood veneer material. A metal structure (8) is provided on the decorative layer (6). The metal structure (8) is inlaid into the decorative layer (6).

FIELD

The disclosure relates to a decorative arrangement for an interior lining of a motor vehicle, having a carrier layer, a decorative layer provided on the carrier layer, and a protective layer provided on the decorative layer. The decorative layer is of a wood or wood veneer material. A metal structure is provided in the region of the decorative layer. The disclosure further relates to a method of producing such a decorative arrangement.

BACKGROUND

The interior lining of a motor vehicle determines, to a great extent, the impression obtained by a vehicle user in terms of value and functionality of the motor vehicle. Decorative arrangements for the dashboard or for door trim panels, in particular, offer the opportunity to customize the motor vehicle according to customer demands. For this purpose, a new decorative arrangement has been developed, that is also known as a “mesh” look. For this arrangement, a decorative layer is produced from a wood or wood veneer material. A metal structure, ideally composed of narrow metal strips, is provided in the decorative layer.

Such a decorative arrangement is known from DE 20 2004 021 271 U1. Here a metal structure is applied to a wood material and bonded to the wood material by a protective layer. It should be clear that with a production method of this type, although the two materials can be attached to one another, a precise, high-quality, uniform overall impression cannot be produced. Moreover, even the smallest inclusions of the protective layer with the wood layer can result in undesirable irregularities. The number of different metal structure designs is also severely limited due to the required embodiment of the metal structure as a wire mesh. Furthermore, to process such a wire mesh a minimum thickness of the wire in the millimeter range must be ensured.

SUMMARY

It is therefore an object of the disclosure to provide a simple and cost-effective decorative arrangement and a method for producing such a decorative arrangement that avoids the aforementioned disadvantages.

This object is achieved by a decorative arrangement where the metal structure is inlaid in the decorative layer. In this way, a true composite of the metal structure with the wood or wood veneer material is produced. In a particularly advantageous manner, the metal structure is constructed from metal strips. The strips have a maximum width of 0.5 mm, preferably of 0.2 mm.

To ensure particularly high flexibility with respect to the configuration of the metal structure, the metal structure may be produced from a metal paste.

Advantageously, the carrier layer is produced at least partially from plastic. The protective layer is advantageously produced from a transparent lacquer.

Since the side of the decorative layer that faces away from view features a lamination, the decorative layer can be deformed particularly easily to adapt the layer to specific interior lining parts. On the visible side, the decorative layer can advantageously have a lacquer layer.

The object is likewise achieved by a method of producing such a decorative arrangement. In a first step, a decorative structure is molded injection-compression molding into the decorative layer. The decorative layer is placed in an injection-compression molding tool. On the side facing away from view, an injection pressure is generated by liquid plastic. This molds a desired decorative structure into the decorative layer. After curing, the plastic forms the carrier layer. In a second step, the decorative structure is filled with a metal paste. In a third step, the decorative layer, with the metal structure, is machined to the desired size. In a fourth step, the protective layer is applied to the decorative layer with metal structure.

With a method of this type, particularly narrow metal strips and ornaments of the metal structure can be produced. The minimum width may be about 0.2 mm, for instance.

Advantageously, the decorative layer can be reshaped into a 3D geometry prior to the first step.

It may also be advantageous for the overmolded parts of the decorative layer to be removed prior to the second step.

This ensures particularly sharp edges. It is also possible for the decorative layer to be treated by grinding, staining, and/or sealing after the removal of the overmolded parts. Particularly advantageously, the injection-compression molding tool has a depth contour TWK, with TWK>TSDK, that corresponds to the desired depth contour of the decorative structure.

In this way, overmolded parts are produced over the entire surface of the decorative structure. Thus, this ensures clear, sharp edges.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1shows a schematic view of a dashboard2, known per se, with a decorative arrangement4according to the disclosure. This has what is known as a “mesh” look. For this purpose, a metal structure8is inlaid into a decorative layer6. The decorative layer6is composed of a wood veneer material. The metal structure8, in this case, is constructed of metal strips with a minimum width of 0.2 mm. The metal structure8is produced using a metal paste22(seeFIG. 3), known per se, by filling a decorative structure10with injection-compression molded grooves11(see in particularFIG. 2).

FIG. 2shows a schematic view of the decorative arrangement4in an injection-compression molding tool12. As described above in reference toFIG. 1, the decorative arrangement4has a decorative layer14made of a wood veneer material. On the side facing away from view, the decorative layer14has a lamination16, in a known manner. On the visible side, a lacquer layer18is provided on the decorative layer. The lacquer layer18is intended, in particular, to prevent the decorative layer14from becoming soiled during filling of the grooves11with the metal paste8.

In the method for producing the decorative arrangement4, the described decorative layer14is placed in the injection-compression molding tool12. The side of the decorative layer14that faces away from view, that is provided with the lamination16, is acted on by an injection pressure of a liquid plastic. This molds the desired decorative structure10, including the grooves11, into the decorative layer14. Once the injected plastic cures, it forms a carrier layer20for the decorative arrangement4. To have a desired 3D geometry, it is advantageous for the decorative layer14to be reshaped prior to the described first step. The injection-compression molding tool12should have a depth contour TWKthat is greater than a desired depth contour TSWKof the grooves11of the decorative structure. This will ensure that overmolding occurs over the entire region of the decorative structure10. This will be eliminated in a subsequent removal process in order to obtain the sharpest possible edges of the grooves11. Thus, ensuring an accurate and precise view of the metal structure8. For this purpose it is possible, but not necessary, for overmolded parts of the decorative layer14to be removed prior to the second step described in the next section.

In the second step, as shown inFIG. 3, the grooves11of the decorative structure10are then filled with a metal paste22. In a third step, the decorative layer14with the metal structure8is machined to a desired target dimension. In this case, it is by a grinding tool24. If desired, the applied lacquer layer18can be removed to the greatest extent possible to allow the decorative layer14to be treated by grinding, pickling, and/or sealing after the removal of the overmolded parts. This influences the coloring of the decorative layer. At the same time, of course, the gloss level of the metal structure8can also be influenced.

In the fourth and last step, as shown inFIG. 4, a protective layer26, which in the present exemplary embodiment is a clear lacquer, is then applied to the decorative layer14with the metal structure8.