Patent ID: 12228760

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

100—trim;1—trim body;11—light-transmitting through hole;12—light-emitting region;13—light guide recess;101—inner surface;102—outer surface;2—flexible light emitter;21—first polyethylene terephthalate (PET) protective layer;22—transparent conductive layer;23—light-emitting layer;24—insulating layer;25—conductive dielectric layer;26—second PET protective layer;27—cable;3—light-transmitting member;31—light-transmitting member body;32—extension portion;4—adhesive.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In order to explain the technical contents, achieved objectives and effects of the present disclosure in detail, the following description will be given in conjunction with embodiments and the accompanying drawings.

With reference toFIG.2andFIG.7, a trim100for a vehicle is provided in the present disclosure. The trim100includes a trim body1, a flexible light emitter2, and a light-transmitting member3. The vehicle includes a motor vehicle, a train, an aircraft, a watercraft, etc. The trim body1has an inner surface101and an outer surface102opposite to the inner surface101. The flexible light emitter2is attached to the inner surface101. The trim body1defines multiple light-transmitting through holes11, and the multiple light-transmitting through holes11extend through the inner surface101and the outer surface102and form a light-emitting region12on the outer surface102. The light-transmitting member3is located between the trim body1and the flexible light emitter2and is configured to generate a light effect in the light-emitting region12. The flexible light emitter2is configured to generate light that exits through the light-transmitting member3and the multiple light-transmitting through holes11.

The operating principle of the present disclosure lies in that the flexible light emitter2is used to improve the fit between the flexible light emitter2and the inner surface101of the trim body1, reducing the difficulty of production, decreasing a visible angle defined between an optical path and an axis of the light-transmitting through hole11, and improving the light-emitting effect of the trim100.

As can be seen from the above description, the present disclosure has the beneficial effects that according to the present disclosure, the deformable flexible light emitter2is used, and the flexible light emitter2is attached to the inner surface101of the trim body1, so that the flexible light emitter2can be better adapted to the curvature of the inner surface101of the trim body1, so as to decrease the visible angle defined between the optical path generated by the flexible light emitter2and the axis of the light-transmitting through hole11, thereby improving the light-emitting effect of the trim100, and ensuring that the light emitted by the flexible light emitter2can pass through the light-transmitting through holes11, so as to allow the light-emitting effect of the light-emitting region12to reach an optimal state. In addition, the flexible light emitter2used can fit a complex curved surface and a narrow space on the inner surface101of the trim body1. Compared with a flat plate-shaped light emitter, the difficulty of assembly is reduced by using the flexible light emitter2.

Further, an outer contour of the flexible light emitter2is consistent with a contour of the inner surface101. Since the flexible light emitter2is easy to deform, the contour of the flexible light emitter2can be adjusted according to the contour of the inner surface101of the trim body1, so that the flexible light emitter2is adapted to the trim body1, thereby decreasing the visible angle defined between the optical path generated by the flexible light emitter2and the axis of the light-transmitting through hole11, and improving the light-emitting effect of the light-emitting region12.

Further, a light guide recess13is defined in the inner surface101, and the light guide recess13communicates with each of the multiple light-transmitting through holes11. The light-transmitting member3is located in the light guide recess13.

In this embodiment, the light guide recess13is defined, and the light guide recess13is filled with the light-transmitting member3, so that the connection strength between the light-transmitting member3and the trim body1can be improved, and the performance of the flexible light emitter2can be prevented from being affected due to dust and water vapor entering the trim100. Also, the light guide recess13is defined, so that the depth of the light-transmitting through hole11can be shortened to avoid the defect of a poor light transmission effect caused by excessive absorption of the light in the light-transmitting through holes11by walls of the light-transmitting through holes11, thereby improving the light-emitting effect of the trim100.

In an embodiment, the light-transmitting member3is further located in the multiple light-transmitting through holes11. In this embodiment, the light guide recess13and the light-transmitting through holes11are both filled with the light-transmitting member3, so that the sealing of the light-transmitting through holes11can be improved, and dust and water vapor can be further prevented from entering the trim100.

Specifically, the light-transmitting member3includes a light-transmitting member body31and multiple extension portions32fixedly connected to the light-transmitting member body31, the multiple extension portions32are arranged at intervals, and the multiple extension portions32correspond to the multiple light-transmitting through holes11on a one-to-one basis. The light-transmitting member3is mounted on the trim body1, one of the multiple extension portions32is located in a corresponding light-transmitting through hole11, and the light-transmitting member body31is located in the light guide recess13.

In this embodiment, the light-transmitting member3is an ultraviolet (UV) transparent adhesive, and the light-transmitting member3has plasticity. In other embodiments, the light-transmitting member3may also be made of other transparent materials. Since the UV transparent adhesive has the advantages of aging resistance, UV resistance, good light transmission performance, etc., using the UV transparent adhesive as the light-transmitting member3enables the service life of the trim100to be prolonged, and the sealing and the light transmission performance of the trim100to be ensured.

Further, the ratio of the depth of the light guide recess13in an axial direction of the light-transmitting through hole11to the thickness of the trim body1in the axial direction of the light-transmitting through hole11is 1:2-0.6:1.

It can be seen from the above description that the ratio of the depth of the light guide recess13to the thickness of the trim body1is 1:2-0.6:1, that is, the ratio of the thickness of the light guide recess13to the length of the light-transmitting through hole11in a circumferential direction is 1:1-2:3, and at this ratio, the light transmission effect can be enhanced.

Further, the optical path generated by the flexible light emitter2is parallel to the axis of the light-transmitting through hole11. That is to say, the light passing through the light-transmitting through hole11is parallel to the axis of the corresponding light-transmitting through hole11.

It can be seen from the above description that the optical path generated by the flexible light emitter2is parallel to the axis of the light-transmitting through hole11, so that the light-emitting effect reaches an optimal level, and the light emitted is softer and more even, and has a certain three-dimensional effect, compared with the related art.

Further, the multiple light-transmitting through holes11are evenly distributed.

It can be known from the above description that the multiple light-transmitting through holes11are evenly distributed, ensuring the light-emitting effect of the light-emitting region12.

Further, the light-transmitting through hole11has an inner diameter of 0.5 mm-0.8 mm.

It can be known from the above description that the inner diameter is within this numerical range, so that the light transmission effect of the light-transmitting through hole11reaches an optimal level.

Further, the flexible light emitter2is bonded to the inner surface101of the trim body1.

It can be seen from the above description that the flexible light emitter2is connected to the trim body1by bonding, facilitating assembly.

Further, the flexible light emitter2is an electroluminescent assembly. In other embodiments, the flexible light emitter2may also be other light-emitting assemblies.

A glass assembly (not shown) is further provided in the present disclosure. The glass assembly includes the trim100as described above.

Comparative Example 1

FIG.1is a diagram of an optical path of a trim in the prior art. Since a surface of the trim is usually not completely flat due to the requirements of the shape, when a light guide is used to conduct light for lighting, the trim has the defect of a poor light-emitting effect due to partial obstruction of the optical path in micro-holes.

Embodiment 1

With reference toFIG.2-FIG.6, a trim100for a vehicle includes a trim body1, a flexible light emitter2, and a light-transmitting member3. The trim body1has an inner surface101and an outer surface102. The inner surface101is opposite to the outer surface102. The trim body1defines multiple light-transmitting through holes11, and the multiple light-transmitting through holes11form a light-emitting region12on an outer side of the trim body1. The flexible light emitter2is attached to the inner surface101, and an outer contour of the flexible light emitter2is consistent with a contour of the inner surface101. The light-transmitting member3is located between the trim body1and the flexible light emitter2and is configured to generate a light effect in the light-emitting region12. The flexible light emitter2is configured to generate light, and the light generated by the flexible light emitter2exits through the light-transmitting member3and the light-transmitting through holes11and form a preset pattern in the light-emitting region12.

Compared with comparative example 1 (as shown inFIG.1), in this embodiment, the flexible light emitter2is used to improve the degree of fit between the light emitter and an inner side of the trim body1, so as to improve the light-emitting effect and reduce the difficulty of production. In addition, the visible angle defined between the optical path generated by the flexible light emitter2and the axis of the light-transmitting through hole11is decreased, improving the light-emitting effect, and ensuring that the light emitted by the flexible light emitter2can pass through the light-transmitting through holes11, so as to allow the light-emitting effect of the light-emitting region12to reach an optimal state.

Optionally, the trim body1is made of metal, such as aluminum, stainless steel, or plastic, such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polycarbonate (PC). In this embodiment, the trim body1is preferably made of the metal.

Embodiment 2

Referring toFIG.2-FIG.7, for the trim100for a vehicle, on the basis of embodiment 1, a light guide recess13is defined in the inner surface101of the trim body1and communicates with each of the multiple light-transmitting through holes11. The light-transmitting member3has plasticity and can achieve the effect of improving the sealing. The end of the light-transmitting member3away from the flexible light emitter2is embedded in the light-transmitting through holes11, and the end of the light-transmitting member3close to the flexible light emitter2is filled in the light guide recess13. In order to ensure that the light-emitting effect reaches the optimal level, the light-emitting region12of the trim body1is thinned, the light-transmitting through hole11has an inner diameter of 0.5 mm—0.8 mm, and the light guide recess13is defined on an inner side of the thinned light-emitting region12. Optionally, the ratio of the depth of the light guide recess13in an axial direction of the light-transmitting through hole11to the thickness of the trim body1in the axial direction of the light-transmitting through hole11is 1:2-0.6:1. Preferably, the ratio is 1:2.

Specifically, the light-transmitting member3includes a light-transmitting member body31and multiple extension portions32fixedly connected to the light-transmitting member body31, the multiple extension portions32are arranged at intervals, and the multiple extension portions32correspond to the multiple light-transmitting through holes11on a one-to-one basis. The light-transmitting member3is mounted on the trim body1, one of the multiple extension portions32is located in the corresponding light-transmitting through hole11, and the light-transmitting member body31is located in the light guide recess13.

Preferably, the light-transmitting member3is an UV transparent adhesive. Since corresponding light-transmitting holes or slots are defined in a surface of an exterior trim in the related art, there is a certain gap or unevenness between a light-transmitting member and the light-transmitting hole or slot, which can easily lead to accumulation of dust on the surface of the exterior trim in practical applications (dust or dirt remaining in the gaps or unevenness affects the aesthetics of the appearance). Moreover, due to the gap between the exterior trim and the light-transmitting member, it is impossible to ensure sealing and water proofing, and rainwater can easily enter the exterior trim. Even if sealing and waterproof structures are provided inside an integrated light source LED and an integrated circuit, long-term rainwater infiltration will affect the service life of electronic components.

Therefore, in this embodiment, the light-transmitting member3is filled in following manner. Before sealing treatment, prime-coating the light-transmitting through holes11with the UV transparent adhesive before curing to fill the light-transmitting through holes11by means of the fluidity of the UV transparent adhesive before curing, then curing the UV transparent adhesive by means of UV irradiation, then filling the light guide recess13with the UV transparent adhesive, and curing the UV transparent adhesive again by means of UV irradiation. The sealing and water proofing of the light-transmitting through holes11are improved, dust accumulation is avoided, the service life is thus prolonged, the precision of fit between the light-transmitting member3and the light guide recess13and the light-transmitting through holes11is improved, and the light-emitting effect is improved.

Referring toFIG.5, the optical path generated by the flexible light emitter2is parallel to the axis of the light-transmitting through hole11. Since inner and outer surfaces of a metal trim of a present motor vehicle are non-flat, arranging a flat-plate-type hard light emitter on the inner side of the trim body results in a larger visible angle between the optical path and the axis of the light-transmitting through hole11, and resulting in a poor light-emitting effect. In this embodiment, the flexible light emitter2is provided, and the optical path generated by the flexible light emitter2is parallel to the axis of the light-transmitting through hole11, so that the loss of light during propagation is reduced, and the light-emitting effect can be thus ensured.

Preferably, the multiple light-transmitting through holes11are evenly distributed, so that the light emitted by the light-emitting region12are more even.

Referring toFIG.5, the flexible light emitter2is bonded to the inner surface101of the trim body1. Specifically, the flexible light emitter2is bonded to the inner surface101of the trim body1by an adhesive4. Preferably, the adhesive4is a 3M™ adhesive. In other embodiments, the adhesive4may also be other adhesives, as long as it can fixedly connect the flexible light emitter2to the trim body1.

Optionally, the flexible light emitter2is an electroluminescent assembly or a light-emitting diode (LED) panel; and the flexible light emitter2is preferably an electroluminescent assembly.

Referring toFIG.7, when the flexible light emitter2is the electroluminescent assembly, the flexible light emitter2includes a first PET protective layer21, a transparent conductive layer22, a light-emitting layer23, an insulating layer24, a conductive dielectric layer25, and a second PET protective layer26. The first PET protective layer21, the transparent conductive layer22, the light-emitting layer23, the insulating layer24, the conductive dielectric layer25, and the second PET protective layer26are stacked in sequence. The first PET protective layer21is arranged facing the trim body1. The conductive dielectric layer25is configured to be electrically connected to an external power source by means of a cable27. Preferably, the flexible light emitter2is integrally packaged and formed. In this embodiment, since the electroluminescent assembly is integrally packaged and formed by stacking multiple layers of materials, the electroluminescent assembly has a good flexibility and can be closely attached to the trim body1, so that the light emitted by the light-emitting layer23pass through the transparent conductive layer22and the first PET protective layer21in sequence and then enter the light-transmitting through holes11, and the light emitted is softer and has a certain three-dimensional effect.

Embodiment 3

A glass assembly includes a trim100as described in embodiment 1 and embodiment 2.

The glass assembly in this embodiment further includes a glass pane and an encapsulation surrounding the glass pane. The trim100is mounted on the encapsulation.

The trim100in the present disclosure is preferably arranged on a glass assembly at a quarter window, but it is readily understood that in other embodiments of the present disclosure, the trim100may also be applied on an A-pillar, a B-pillar, a C-pillar of a motor vehicle, etc., or may be applied on any position of the exterior trim (such as a luggage rack, a waistline, and a door frame molding) of the motor vehicle. As a preferred embodiment, the present disclosure may also be applied on an interior trim of the vehicle.

In summary, the trim100for a vehicle is provided in the present disclosure. The multiple evenly distributed light-transmitting through holes11are defined to form the light-emitting region12on the surface of the trim body1, and the flexible electroluminescent assembly is used and better conforms to the curved surface of the inner surface101of the trim body1, so that the difficulty of assembly is reduced, the light generated in the light-emitting region12is softer and more even and has a good three-dimensional effect, and the sensory experience of a user is improved. Furthermore, the light-transmitting member3is the UV transparent adhesive, and after filling the light-transmitting through holes11and the light guide recess13in a liquid state, the UV transparent adhesive is cured by means of UV irradiation, so that the sealing of the light-transmitting through holes11is improved while the light-emitting effect is ensured, thereby providing waterproof.

The description above merely relates to the embodiments of the present disclosure, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. Any equivalent transformation made by using the contents of the description and drawings of the present disclosure, or any direct or indirect application of the contents of the description and drawings of the present disclosure in the related technical fields, is equally included in the scope of protection of the present disclosure.