Ascorium Gmbh

Basf Se Corporation

Geert Trossaert

Yvan Vanluchene

Koen Vanlandschoot

Linda Dedoncker

Rudi Farinon

Eddie Du Prez

The skin () comprises at least an outer elastomeric layer () with an inner surface and an outer surface and at least one operating element (A) which is adhered to the inner surface of the outer skin layer (). The operating element (A) is intended to be connected to an electric or electronic component to enable to control the operation of this component. In order to indicate the location of the operating element (A) in the skin () with a minimal distortion of the visual appearance of the skin, the operating surface () of the operating element (A) extends in a first area () of the visible surface of said skin (), which first area () has a first surface texture which is different from the surface texture of the surrounding area () of the visible surface of the skin. Both textures may in particular produce a different gloss and the first area () may further be provided with surface relief elements ().

Skin for a vehicle interior trim part containing an operating element

The skin () comprises at least a translucent elastomeric layer () composed of a pigmented plastic material and comprising at least one first portion () which is configured to be placed in front of a light source (). The light of this light source () produces an image on this first portion () of the translucent layer due to the presence of a surface relief () on the surface of the translucent layer (). A clearly visible image can be obtained by providing even small differences in thickness of the translucent layer () when the pigmented plastic material thereof has an average spectral attenuation coefficient (&#x3b1;) of between 1.0 and 25 mm. The difference in layer thickness (d&#x2212;d) and the average spectral attenuation coefficient (&#x3b1;) should moreover be large enough to meet the formula: &#x3b1;(d&#x2212;d)&#x3e;&#x2212;In a, wherein a is equal to 0.50. Since the surface relief () can automatically be produced when moulding the translucent layer () against a mould surface, the image can easily be obtained in the correct position on the skin ().

Skin for a vehicle interior trim part comprising a light source

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Wetteren, Belgium

Geert Trossaert