US 12,017,591 B2 · Trim panel for an external pillar of a motor vehicle and method for manufacturing such a trim panel

Abstract

A trim panel for an external pillar of a motor vehicle, including: a first trim element which is formed by a first translucent or transparent material or a material which permits the diffusion of light which has a given wavelength, a second trim element which is formed by a second non-translucent and non-transparent material which does not allow the diffusion of light which has a given wavelength, the second element having an external surface in contact with an internal surface of the first element, the second element further having at least one recess which does not have the second material; an insert which is formed by a third translucent or transparent material or by a material which permits the diffusion of light which has a given wavelength, the insert comprising a nesting portion which is arranged so as to completely fill the recess of the second element.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A trim panel for an external pillar of a motor vehicle, comprising:

a first trim element formed by a first material which is translucent or transparent or enabling diffusion of light at a determined wavelength, the first element having an outer surface oriented outwardly of the vehicle and an inner surface oriented inwardly of the vehicle;
a second trim element formed by a second material which is non-translucent or non-transparent or not enabling the diffusion of light at a determined wavelength, the second element having an outer surface in contact with the inner surface of the first element, the second element further having at least one recess which is devoid of the second material;
an insert formed by a third material which is translucent or transparent or enabling the diffusion of light at a determined wavelength, the insert comprising an interlocking portion arranged so as to completely fill the recess of the second element.

A method for manufacturing a trim panel for an external pillar of a motor vehicle, comprising the steps of:

a) providing an insert formed by a material which is translucent or transparent or enabling diffusion of light at a determined wavelength, the insert comprising an interlocking portion,
b) providing a first trim element formed by a material which is translucent or transparent or enabling diffusion of light at a determined wavelength,
c) assembling the first trim element with the insert such that an inner surface of the first trim element is in contact at least locally with the interlocking portion of the insert,
d) disposing the assembly formed at step c) within an injection mold,
e) closing the mold, the assembly formed at step c) being positioned within the mold so as to leave at least one inner cavity devoid of any material,
f) injecting a material which is non-translucent and non-transparent or not enabling the diffusion of light at a determined wavelength into the at least one inner cavity so as to form a second trim element,
g) opening the mold, and
h) ejecting the trim panel thus formed.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Trim panel for an external pillar of a motor vehicle and method for manufacturing such a trim panel

Life of this patent

Trim panel for an external pillar of a motor vehicle and method for manufacturing such a trim panel

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20