Light veil

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2020282925-A1
Application number	US-202016807989-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Mar 3, 2020
Priority date	Mar 4, 2019
Publication date	Sep 10, 2020
Grant date	—

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.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1 . A method of making a fascia for an automobile, the method comprising:
providing an article, the article being one of translucent or transparent; applying a deposited pattern onto at least a first portion of a first side of the article; and forming the article into a shape, the shape being configured to be consonant with a vehicle exterior configuration.

2 . The method of claim 1 comprising:
using a printing process to accomplish the applying step.

3 . The method of claim 2 comprising:
executing the printing process using an inkjet printing process.

4 . The method of claim 3 comprising:
executing the printing process using a flatbed printer.

5 . The method of claim 2 comprising:
executing the printing process using a multi-axis robotic system.

6 . The method of claim 5 comprising:
using an inkjet head mounted to the multi-axis robotic system to print the deposited pattern onto a non-flat three-dimensional surface of the article.

7 . The method of claim 6 comprising:
drying the deposited pattern on the article using ultraviolet (UV) light.

8 . The method of claim 1 comprising:
depositing a protective coating atop the ink once deposited.

9 . The method of claim 1 comprising:
selecting a flat member to serve as the article in the providing step; and
configuring the article into a non-flat shape during the forming step.

10 . The method of claim 1 comprising:
selecting a substantially transparent material to comprise the article in the providing step;
allowing the first portion, once subjected to the deposited pattern, to retain at least portions of transparency or translucence; and
depositing a substantially occlusive ink or paint onto a second portion of the first side of the article.

11 . The method of claim 1 comprising:
configuring the shape of the article during the forming step such that the first side of the article is internal, thus protecting the deposited pattern against the elements.

12 . The method of claim 1 comprising:
selecting, in the providing step, a clear thermoplastic as a material for which the article is constructed.

13 . The method of claim 12 comprising:
selecting one of Polycarbonate, Poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), Polypropylenes (PPs), Natural PP, Polycarbonate (PC) blended with Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene polymer (ABS), or Natural PC/ABS as the thermoplastic.

14 . The method of claim 1 comprising:
installing the article onto a vehicle after the forming step and causing the deposited pattern to be animated by illumination created behind the article.

15 . The method of claim 14 comprising:
creating the animation by selectively turning on and off different LEDs in a plurality of LEDs.

16 . The method of claim 1 wherein the providing step comprises:
cutting the article from a sheet to create an initial flat shape.

17 . The method of claim 16 comprising:
cutting the article such that the flat shape is generally triangular, and has sharp and rounded corners.

18 . The method of claim 1 comprising:
using one of a lithographic press or digital press to accomplish the applying step.

19 . The method of claim 1 wherein the forming step further comprises:
heating, molding, and then cooling the article to create a permanent fold in the article, the fold contributing to an ultimate configuration of the article, the ultimate configuration being consonant with surrounding fascia configurations in an automotive design.

20 . The method of claim 19 wherein the heating, molding, and then cooling steps further comprise:
leaving first and second planar portions on either side of the permanent fold, the permanent fold serving as a transition between the deposited pattern and a remaining portion of the article.

21 . The method of claim 20 comprising:
depositing a different pattern onto the remaining portion of the article.

22 . A fascia system comprising:
a transparent member mounted on a vehicle, the member having printed matter on one side of the member; and the member being included into a vehicle exterior design, the member being oriented in front of an illumination device, the printed matter being illuminated by the device.

23 . The fascia system of claim 22 comprising:
different portions of the member being configured to be all of: (i) substantially occlusive, (ii) patterned, and (iii) either transparent or translucent.

24 . The fascia system of claim 22 comprising a homogenizing optical sheet between the illumination device and the transparent member.

Assignees

• Flex N Gate Advanced Product Dev Llc
• Flex N_Gate Advanced Product Dev Llc

Inventors

• Nykerk Todd

Classifications

• B41M5/0088

  by ink-jet printing · CPC title

• B41M5/0047

  by ink-jet printing · CPC title

• B41M7/0081

  using electromagnetic radiation or waves, e.g. ultraviolet radiation, electron beams · CPC title

• B41M5/0064

  on plastics, horn, rubber, or other organic polymers · CPC title

• F21S43/26 Primary

  Refractors, transparent cover plates, light guides or filters not provided in groups F21S43/235 - F21S43/255 · CPC title