Light veil
AssigneeFlex-N-Gate Advanced Product Development, LLC
InventorTodd Nykerk
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method of making a fascia for an automobile includes providing an article, the article being one of translucent or transparent and applying a deposited pattern onto at least a first portion of a first side of the article. The method further includes forming the article into a shape, the shape being configured to be consonant with a vehicle exterior configuration. A fascia system includes a transparent member mounted on a vehicle, the member having printed matter on one side, and the member being included into a vehicle exterior design. Additionally, the member is oriented in front of an illumination device and is illuminated by the device.
Claims17
A method of making a fascia for an automobile, the method comprising:
- providing a substantially flat thermoplastic article, the article being one of translucent or transparent;
- printing a pattern onto at least a first portion of a first side of the article;
- creating the article to have an occlusive portion and either transparent or translucent other portions;
- drying the pattern on the article using ultraviolet (UV) light;
- forming the substantially flat article into a shape, the shape being configured to be consonant with a vehicle exterior configuration and wherein the first side of the article is internal to a lamp housing;
- establishing a back-lighting arrangement behind the article;
- and
- configuring the back-lighting arrangement to avoid the occlusive portion.
A method of making a fascia for an automobile, the 25. method comprising:
- providing a substantially flat article;
- printing a pattern onto a first side of the article wherein the pattern includes:
- a substantially occlusive portion, and one or more transparent or translucent portions;
- drying the deposited pattern on the article using ultraviolet (UV) light;
- forming the article into a shape, the shape being configured to be consonant with a vehicle exterior configuration and wherein the first side of the article is internal;
- installing a homogenizing optical sheet between one or more LED light sources and the first side of the article such that the first side of the article is directly exposed to an air gap established between the article and the homogenizing optical sheet;
- and;
- directing the one or more LED light sources to illuminate through a transparent or a translucent portion of the article while avoiding an occluded portion of the article to create an optical effect.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.