CN217048503U - vehicle trim element - Google Patents

Abstract

The utility model relates to a vehicle decoration element, comprising a support layer (2) having an inner surface (8) and an outer surface (10), and a heating element (6) arranged to heat at least one heating area of the outer surface (14) of the decoration element ). The trim element further comprises a proximity sensor (7) arranged to detect the presence of a part of the user's body near and/or in contact with the outer surface (14), when such presence is detected the heating element (6) The power supply is cut off and the proximity sensor (7) includes a capacitive circuit including at least one pattern (38) formed in the carbon material layer (40).

Description

vehicle trim element

technical field

The utility model relates to a vehicle trim element, the trim element comprising at least one support layer comprising an inner surface and an outer surface; and at least one heating element arranged to heat at least an outer surface of the trim element when the heating element is activated a heated area.

The present invention also relates to a method of manufacturing such a decorative element and a method of using the decorative element.

Background technique

The invention is applied, for example, to decorative elements forming door panels, coverings of center consoles or instrument panels of vehicles, and the like.

It is known to provide heating elements in such trim elements to heat areas of the outer surface of the trim element in order to improve the comfort of the vehicle cabin.

However, the heated area can injure the occupants of the vehicle when an occupant touches it or gets too close to it, especially if the heated area is not particularly visible from the outside of the trim element.

Utility model content

An object of the present invention is to overcome this disadvantage by providing a decorative element comprising a heating element that can be used in a safe manner.

To this end, the present invention relates to a decorative element of the type described above, comprising: at least one support layer comprising an inner face and an outer face; and at least one heating element arranged to heat the decorative element when the heating element is activated at least one heated area of the outer surface of the trim element, which further comprises a proximity sensor arranged to detect the presence of a part of the user's body near and/or in contact with the outer surface of the trim element, when the proximity sensor detects such presence , cutting off power to the heating element, the proximity sensor comprising a capacitive circuit comprising at least one pattern formed in the carbon material layer, the pattern comprising at least one conductive region formed of the carbon material and a conductive region formed by the carbon material layer The hole forms at least one non-conductive area, and the conductive layer is powered by a current source electrically connected to the conductive area.

Proximity sensors allow the heating element to be deactivated when the passenger touches the heated area or gets too close to it. By forming the proximity sensor in the carbon material layer, the proximity sensor can be realized in a simple manner. Furthermore, the layer of carbon material can strengthen the support layer and improve the mechanical characteristics of the trim element, in particular its rigidity and self-supporting characteristics.

Based on the other features of the decorative element according to the invention, these features can be employed individually or in any technically conceivable combination:

- a layer of carbon material extending between the heating element and the outer surface;

- the barrier layer extends between the heating element and the carbon material layer;

- the decorative element comprises a cloth upholstery which extends facing the outer face of the support layer and forms the outer face of the decorative element, on the inner face of which the carbon material layer extends;

- the heating element is formed by a pattern extending in a functional layer made of carbon material, said pattern comprising at least one conductive area made of carbon material and at least one non-conductive layer formed by through holes in the functional layer, so the conductive layer is powered by a current source electrically connected to the conductive region;

- the functional layer extends over at least a portion of the inner or outer face of the support layer; and

- The support layer is made of a composite material comprising natural fibers in a polypropylene matrix.

According to another aspect, the present invention relates to a method for producing the above-mentioned decorative element, comprising the following steps:

- Provide carbon material layers,

- cutting the carbon material layer over its entire thickness to form a pattern comprising at least one conductive area made of carbon material and at least one non-conductive area formed by vias in the carbon material layer to form a proximity sensor,

- applying a layer of carbon material on the support layer comprising at least one heating element,

- Electrically connecting the electrically conductive areas forming the pattern of the proximity sensor and the heating element to at least one current source.

According to another feature of the method of the invention, the carbon material layer is cut by laser attack, chemical attack, milling or drilling in the carbon material.

According to another aspect, the present invention relates to a method of using the above-mentioned decorative element, comprising the following steps:

- activating the heating element by energizing the heating element with a current source, and

- when the proximity sensor detects the presence of a part of the user's body near and/or in contact with the outer surface of the trim element, switching off the power supply to the heating element.

Description of drawings

The present invention will be better understood by reading the following description, given by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a portion of a decorative element according to an embodiment of the present invention,

2 is a schematic diagram of a heating element of a trim element according to a particular embodiment of the present invention,

Figures 3 to 6 are schematic cross-sectional views of a portion of a decorative element during different steps of a method of manufacturing a decorative element, and

7 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a portion of a decorative element according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed ways

Referring to Figure 1, a vehicle trim element is described comprising at least one support layer 2, a cloth upholstery layer 4 and a heating element 6 and a proximity sensor 7. Such decorative elements are used, for example, to form door panels, dashboards or coverings of center consoles, or the like.

The support layer 2 is arranged to impart its shape and its mechanical characteristics, in particular its rigidity, to the decorative element. The support layer 2 is thus for example made of a substantially rigid material for door panels, such as plastic or composite material. According to an embodiment, the support layer 2 is made of a composite material comprising natural fibers in a polypropylene matrix, also known by the abbreviation "natural fiber polypropylene" as NFPP. Natural fibers are for example selected from flax, hemp, kenaf and/or wood. The support layer 2 is formed, for example, by hot pressing in a pressing tool of the support layer 2 having the desired shape corresponding to the shape of the decorative element. Thus, the support layer 2 has, for example, a three-dimensional shape with raised areas. As an example, the support layer 2 may eg comprise a protruding area relative to the rest of the support layer 2 to form a handrail.

As a variant, the support layer 2 is produced by injecting a plastic material such as polypropylene (PP), polycarbonate acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (PCABS) or the like into a mould cavity with the desired shape. According to another variant, the support layer 2 is obtained by additive manufacturing of the desired shape.

The support layer 2 comprises an inner face 8 for extending from the side of the part of the vehicle on which the decorative elements should be mounted (eg in the case of a door panel, the door of the vehicle) and an outer face 10 , the outer face 10 being opposite the inner face 8 And for steering the cabin of the vehicle.

The upholstery layer 4 extends from the side of the outer face 10 of the support layer 2 over at least a portion thereof. The upholstery layer 4 is arranged to impart its look and feel to the decorative element. The upholstery layer 4 is thus, for example, made of a flexible or rigid material that exhibits the particular look and/or feel desired to impart to the decorative element. Therefore, the cloth upholstery layer 4 is made of, for example, a textile material, a plastic material, a wood material, leather or artificial leather, or the like. The upholstery layer 4 conforms to the outer face 10 of the support layer 2, that is, it substantially matches the shape of the outer face 10 in the area of the support layer 2 it covers. According to an embodiment, the upholstery layer 4 covers the entire support layer 2 .

The upholstery layer 4 comprises an inner face 12 extending facing the outer face 10 of the support layer 2 and an outer face 14 extending towards the outside of the trim element and forming the trim element, ie the portion of the trim element visible from the cabin of the vehicle. The outer face 14 may include an upholstery pattern or indication to indicate to the user, for example, the presence of a functional area, as will be described later. As a variant or in addition, the upholstery layer 4 may be translucent, at least in certain areas, to allow light to pass from the inner face 12 to the outer face 14, which allows these areas to be backlit to inform the user of, for example, heating areas or The presence of other functional areas.

The upholstery layer 4 is fixed to the assembly formed by the support layer 2 , the heating element 6 and the proximity sensor 7 , for example by means of a tie layer, eg a glue layer, an adhesive layer, a heat-activatable polypropylene film layer, as will be described later. It will be appreciated that the upholstery layer 4 may be secured to the support layer 2 or other layers in other suitable ways. This fixation can be obtained, for example, by sewing, overmolding, welding or foaming of the joining layers, in particular depending on the material used to manufacture the support layer 2 and/or the upholstery layer 4 .

Alternatively, the decorative element is devoid of the upholstery layer 4 and the outer surface 14 of the decorative element is formed by the outer surface of the support layer 2 and/or by the layer comprising the heating element 6 and/or by the layer comprising the proximity sensor 7 .

The heating element 6 is an element arranged to heat at least one heating area of the outer surface 14 of the decorative element when the heating element 6 is activated. To this end, the heating element is formed, for example, by a resistive circuit arranged to emit heat when the resistive circuit is powered by a current source. The heating element 6 is for example fixed to the support layer 2 and is arranged to emit heat towards the outer surface 14 . While the heating element may be secured to the inner face 8 of the support layer 2, the heating element 6 is preferably secured to the outer face 10 of the support layer 2 to be closer to the outer surface and so that heat does not have to be emitted through the support layer 2 to reach the outer surface of the trim element 14. However, in the case where the outer surface 14 is formed by the outer surface 10 of the support layer 2, the heating element 6 is for example fixed on the inner surface 8 of the support layer 2.

According to certain embodiments and as shown in FIGS. 1 , 2 and 7 , the heating element 6 is formed, for example, in a functional layer 15 made of carbon material and extends over the support layer 2 , for example over at least a part of the outer face 10 , as shown in FIG. 1 shown. According to an embodiment, the functional layer 15 is also a reinforcement layer of the support layer 2, and in this case the functional layer 15 extends more specifically at least in one or more areas where the support layer 2 should be reinforced. According to an embodiment, the functional layer 15 extends between the outer surface 10 and the outer surface 14 , for example between the outer surface 10 and the upholstery layer 4 . According to an embodiment, the functional layer 15 extends over the entire surface of the face in the support layer 2 on which the functional layer 15 is applied. According to the embodiment, the functional layer 15 extends over the entire surface of the inner face 8 or the outer face 10 of the support layer. According to an embodiment, the functional layer 15 is applied directly to the support layer 2 , that is to say without an intermediate layer between the support layer 2 and the functional layer 15 . The functional layer 15 conforms to the portion of the surface of the support layer 2 covered by the functional layer 15 , that is, the functional layer 15 conforms to the shape of the portion of the surface of the support layer 2 .

The functional layer 15 is a layer made of carbon material and comprising at least one pattern 18 forming a heating element for heating at least a portion of the outer surface of the decorative element, as will be described later. The material is, for example, in the form of unsized carbon fibers and/or in the form of recycled carbon fibers. The fact that there is no sizing allows the electrical properties of the pattern 18 to be improved. Thus, the pattern 18 has better electrical conductivity and better electrical contact continuity after the three-dimensional shaping of the decorative element, as will be described later. The functional layer 15 has, for example, a thickness substantially between 20 μm and 200 μm. In addition, the carbon material may also include polypropylene, eg, in an amount less than or equal to 40% by weight of the composition of the functional layer.

When the functional layer 15 is used as a reinforcing layer for the support layer 2, the functional layer 15 improves the mechanical properties of the decorative element, in particular in terms of stiffness and self-support, more particularly when the support layer 2 is made of composite material. According to an embodiment, the functional layer 15 is formed of a film glued or laminated to the support layer 2 and/or the upholstery layer 4 . In this case, the functional layer need not necessarily form the reinforcement layer of the support layer 2 .

The pattern 18 formed in the functional layer 15 includes at least one conductive area 20 formed from the carbon material of the functional layer 6 and at least one non-conductive area 22 formed from vias in the thickness of the functional layer 15 . The shape of the conductive area 20 and the non-conductive area 22, an example of which is shown in Figure 2, is arranged such that the pattern 18 forms a heating element when the conductive area 20 is energized. In other words, the pattern 18 is such that it defines a resistive circuit forming the heating element 6 when the circuit is powered. Depending on the surface to be heated and its shape, the pattern may include a different plurality of conductive areas 20 and non-conductive areas 22 . Typically, pattern 18 includes non-conductive regions 22 surrounding one or more conductive regions 20 to isolate the circuitry forming the heating element from the remainder of functional layer 15 .

This resistive circuit allows heating of a portion of the exterior surface 14 of the decorative element facing the pattern 18 when the conductive areas 20 of the pattern 18 are powered. For example, the shape of the resistive circuit corresponds to the shape of the heating area on the outer surface 14 of the trim element. Thus, as shown in Fig. 2, the profile of the pattern 18 is, for example, circular and comprises a plurality of conductive regions 20 in the shape of a spiral, which are separated by non-conductive regions 22 in the shape of a spiral. At the ends of the conductive area 20, two connection terminals 24 are provided for connection to a current source (not shown), as will be described later. This pattern shape is given as an example only and it should be understood that other shapes may be provided depending on the shape of the area to be heated on the outer surface 14 of the decorative element. According to an embodiment, the conductive areas of the pattern 18 are formed by a widened area of the functional layer, and the one or more vias forming the one or more non-conductive areas are formed by the outline of the widened area.

According to an embodiment, the functional layer 15 is arranged on the inner face 8 and the outer face 10 of the support layer 2 . In this case, the pattern 18 may be formed in one or both of the functional layers 15 .

According to an embodiment, a part of the resistive circuit forming the heating element, and more specifically the part of the circuit that is heated when the heating element is energized, is formed in the functional layer 15 applied to the outer face 10, and another part of the resistive circuit, More specifically, the portion of the circuit including the connection terminals 24 is formed in the functional layer 15 extending on the inner face 8 of the support layer 2 . The two parts of the resistive circuit are connected together by one or more connecting elements, such as connecting rods, extending through the support layer 2 . Such a connecting element is formed, for example, by a conductive material filled in the extending apertures in the support layer 2 between the parts of the resistive circuit that are connected together. This embodiment advantageously facilitates connection of the resistive circuit to a current source, as will be described later. According to an embodiment, the part of the circuit comprising the connection terminals 24 is not formed in the functional layer but is applied separately on the inner face 8 of the support element 2 .

According to another embodiment shown in FIG. 7 , the heating element 6 comprises two electrodes 26 applied to the functional layer 15 . The electrodes 26 are spaced apart from each other and applied to different regions of the functional layer 15 . The portions of the functional layer 15 extending between the regions on which the electrodes 26 are applied form heating portions 28 which are heated by the Joule effect when current flows from one electrode 26 through the heating portion 28 to the other electrode 26 . Therefore, according to this embodiment, only the outer contour of the heating portion 28 forming the pattern 18 needs to be cut to form the non-conductive region, and the method of manufacturing the package can be simplified. According to the embodiment of Fig. 7, the functional layer 15 extends on the outside of the support layer. As a variant, the functional layer 15 extends on the inner face of the support layer 2 . According to a variant, the electrodes 26 are inserted into the functional layer 15 .

It should be understood that in addition to the one or more heating elements, other functional elements may be formed in one or more functional layers 15 of the decorative element. Such functional elements include, for example, one or more capacitive circuits to form a touch pad, a touch surface called a "touch slider" (touch cursor) or touch buttons on the outer surface 14 of the cover element 1 , one or more flexible resistors The circuit can be deformed to sense pressure on the outer surface 14 of the trim element to form a pressure sensor. Such functional elements are also formed by patterns formed in one or more functional layers other than the one or more patterns 18 forming one or more heating elements.

The or each pattern 18 is powered by at least one current source (not shown) electrically connected to one or more conductive regions 20 of the pattern 18 , eg, to each terminal 24 of the pattern 18 . The current source is connected to the conductive area 20, for example, by a cable 34 connected directly or via an electrical connector 36 to the conductive area 20 of the pattern 18. The connectors 36 extend, for example, in the housing of the support layer 2 or in through-holes in the support layer 2 from the inner face 8 to the outer face 10 . The cables 34 are then connected to electrical connectors 36 on the inner face 8 side of the support layer 2, and the electrical connectors 36 are connected to the conductive areas 20 on the outer face 10 side of the support layer 2. According to the above-described embodiment, the cables 34 may be connected to connection terminals 24 extending on the inner face 8 of the support layer 2 , the current supplying the heating portion of the resistive circuit via one or more connection elements extending through the support layer 2 . The cable 34 is, for example, connected to an electrical system in the vehicle which then forms a current source. When multiple circuits are provided in one or more functional layers 15 , each circuit is powered by the same current source or multiple current sources through the cable 34 .

According to certain embodiments, the decorative element may further comprise a transparent or translucent cover extending over the fabric layer 4 or over the support layer and/or the functional layer 15 and/or the layer comprising the proximity sensor 7 , the fabric layer 4 Either the support layer and/or the functional layer 15 and/or the layer comprising the proximity sensor 7 is visible through this cover. Such a covering is, for example, a varnish or a translucent film, for example based on polypropylene, allowing to protect the layers extending underneath and in particular to prevent deterioration of the pattern or patterns 18 . It is particularly advantageous to make the support layer visible if the support layer has a satisfactory appearance, for example in the case of layers made of NFPP.

The above-mentioned decorative elements allow the integration of one or more heating elements and possibly other functional elements into one or more functional layers 15 of the support layer 2, thereby reducing the complexity of the decorative elements and allowing to facilitate the relationship between the support layer 2 and the or positioning of the upholstery layer 4 these elements.

The proximity sensor 7 is arranged to detect the presence of a part of the user's body near and/or in contact with a heated area of the outer surface 14 of the trim element. The proximity sensor 7 is thus arranged to detect whether the user is approaching the outer surface 14 of the decorative element, more particularly the outer surface 14 of the area heated by the heating element, for example with his hand or his finger. The proximity sensor 7 is also arranged to turn off the heating element when a part of the user's body approaches the heating area to protect the user from damage due to the heat of the heating area. More specifically, the proximity sensor 7 is for example arranged to detect the presence of a part of the user's body in a predetermined detection field around the heating zone, which predetermined field corresponds to if the user were to touch the outer surface 14 of the decorative element in this zone, while Heat may harm the user's distance. In other words, when the trim element is used, with the heating element 6 powered, the heating element 6 is switched off when the proximity sensor 7 detects the presence of an area of a part of the user's body that is particularly close to the outer surface 14 heated by the heating element .

The proximity sensor 7 is formed by the pattern 38 formed in the carbon material layer 40 . More specifically, the pattern 38 is cut from the carbon material layer 40 to form a capacitive circuit so that when the capacitive circuit is powered, a detection field is emitted around the heated area on the outer surface 14 side of the decorative element. The carbon material of the carbon material layer 40 includes, for example, unsized carbon fiber and/or recycled carbon fiber. The fact that there is no sizing allows the electrical properties of the pattern 38 to be improved. Thus, the pattern 38 has better electrical conductivity and better electrical contact continuity after three-dimensional shaping of the decorative element, as will be described later. The carbon material layer 40 has a thickness of, for example, between 20 μm and 300 μm. Additionally, the carbon material may also include polypropylene, eg, in an amount less than or equal to 40% by weight of the composition of the carbon material layer.

Pattern 38 includes at least one conductive region 42 and at least one non-conductive region 44 formed by vias in carbon material layer 40 . Depending on the shape of the heating area and the size of the detection area, the pattern 38 may include a plurality of conductive areas 42 and/or a plurality of non-conductive areas 44, and the shape of the pattern 38 may be adapted to the shape of the heating area. Typically, pattern 38 includes non-conductive regions 44 surrounding one or more conductive regions 42 to isolate the circuitry forming proximity sensor 7 from the remainder of carbon material layer 40 .

Several proximity sensors 7 may be provided, eg as many proximity sensors as heating elements 6 .

To power the capacitive circuit formed by the pattern 38 , the capacitive circuit is electrically connected to a current source, eg the same current source that powers the heating element 6 . To this end, one or more conductive areas 42 of the capacitive circuit are connected to one or more electrical connectors 36 in the support layer 2, for example by one or more cables 34, as shown in Figure 1 . In order to emit the detection field on the side of the outer surface 14 of the trim element, a layer of carbon material 40 extends, for example, in the vicinity of the upholstery layer 4 , for example against the inner face of the upholstery layer or against the joining layer through which the upholstery layer 4 passes The layers are fixed to the assembly formed by the support layer 2 , the heating element 6 and the proximity sensor 7 . It will be appreciated that the proximity sensor 7 can be placed elsewhere on the trim element, but placing it close to the outer surface allows a large detection area to be obtained on one side of the outer surface 14 with a simple capacitive circuit, while the proximity sensor 7 can be held from outside the trim element Invisible. According to a variant, the proximity sensor 7 may be further away from the outer surface 14 than the heating element 6 . According to an embodiment, one of the heating element 6 and the proximity sensor 7 extends over the outer face 10 of the support layer 2 and the other extends over the inner face 8 of the support layer 2 .

When the carbon material layer 40 extends between the heating element 6 and the outer surface 14 , the barrier layer 46 extends between the functional layer 15 and the carbon material layer 40 . The barrier layer 46 is provided to electrically insulate the two conductive layers, that is, the functional layer 15 and the carbon material layer 40 constituting the proximity sensor 7 . The barrier layer 46 is, for example, resistant to high temperatures to prevent degradation when the heating element 6 heats the outer surface 14 of the trim element. The barrier layer 46 is, for example, a thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) layer or a copolyester (CoPES) layer. A barrier layer 46 may be disposed between the two adhesive layers 48 to allow the barrier layer 46 to adhere to the functional layer 15 and/or to the support layer 2 and to allow the carbon material layer 40 to adhere to the barrier layer 46. According to the embodiment, the barrier layer 46 is formed of a three-layer film that should be laminated with the functional layer 15 and the carbon material layer 40. In this case, barrier layer 46 includes a material layer that is chemically compatible with carbon material layer 40 that melts during lamination, a heat resistant barrier layer 46 that does not melt, and a functional layer 15 that also melts during lamination Chemically compatible material layers.

A method of manufacturing a decorative element according to the embodiment of FIG. 1 will now be described with reference to FIGS. 3 to 6 .

As shown in FIG. 3 , the carbon material layer 40 is cut to form the proximity sensor 7 . To this end, at least one via is cut through the carbon material layer 40 to create one or more non-conductive regions 44. "Through" is understood to mean that the carbon material layer 40 is cut through its entire thickness. The shape of the one or more vias in the carbon material layer 40 defines the shape of the pattern 38 and its one or more conductive regions 42 . According to the embodiment of FIG. 3 , the carbon material layer 40 is hollowed out by laser radiation 50 , which allows to define the shape of the pattern 38 very precisely. As a variant, the carbon material layer 40 is cut by chemical attack, milling or drilling in the carbon material. As described above, a plurality of patterns may be cut in the carbon material layer 40 .

When the barrier layer 46 is provided, the carbon material layer 40 is then laminated with the barrier layer 46, an adhesive layer 48 extending between the barrier layer 46 and the layer (or a layer that can be melted during the lamination process as described above), The carbon material layer 40 is allowed to adhere to the barrier layer 46 through the adhesive layer 48 as shown in FIG. 4 .

During, before or after the above-mentioned steps, the heating element 6 is fixed to the support layer 2 . According to embodiments in which the heating element 6 is formed by the pattern 18 in the functional layer 15, the functional layer 15 is applied to all or part of the inner or outer layers 8, 10 of the support layer 2, as described above. According to an embodiment, a functional layer 15 is applied on the inner face 8 and a further functional layer is applied on the outer face 10 of the support layer 2 . In FIG. 5 , the functional layer extends on the outer face 10 of the support layer 2 . The application of the functional layer 15 is obtained, for example, by assembling a carbon fiber and polypropylene fiber mat obtained by a needling process and applied to the support layer 2 . A pattern 18 is then fabricated in the functional layer 15 to form the heating element 6 . For this purpose, at least one via hole is formed through the functional layer 15 to produce the non-conductive region 22 . The shape of the one or more vias in functional layer 15 defines the shape of pattern 18 and its one or more conductive regions 20 . According to an embodiment, the functional layer is hollowed out by laser radiation, which allows to define the shape of the pattern 18 very precisely. As a variant, the functional layer is cut by chemical attack, milling or drilling in the carbon material. As described above, a plurality of patterns 18 may be provided in the functional layer 15 .

The carbon material layer 40 is then affixed to the assembly formed by the support layer 2 and the functional layer 15, for example by an adhesive layer 48 extending on the backside of the barrier layer 46, as shown in Figure 6, (or by lamination as described above) layers that can be melted during the process).

It should be understood that one or more patterns in the carbon material layer 40 and/or the functional layer 15 may be cut when these layers are assembled with the support layer 2 .

If required, the upholstery layer 4 is then fastened, for example by gluing, on the carbon material layer 40 or on the functional layer 15 and on the support layer 2, depending on the layers extending below the upholstery layer 4. Likewise, when a cover layer is provided, the cover may be applied over the appropriate layer.

The proximity sensor 7 and heating element 6 are then connected to one or more current sources, eg when the trim element is mounted on the vehicle. When the electrical connectors 36 are provided, they are introduced, for example, into through holes previously made in the support layer 2 . Likewise, when connecting elements are provided, they are first introduced into the through openings previously made in the support layer 2 .

A three-dimensional shaping step of the support layer 2 can be provided to impart the desired shape to the decorative element. This step can be carried out before or after assembling the upholstery layer 4 and/or applying the covering.

Therefore, the method is particularly simple and inexpensive to implement. Furthermore, the positioning of one or more patterns can be precisely ensured.

Claims (7)

1. A vehicle trim component, comprising:

at least one supporting layer (2) comprising an inner face (8) and an outer face (10); and

at least one heating element (6) arranged to heat at least one heating area of an outer surface (14) of the decorative element when the heating element (6) is activated,

characterized in that it further comprises a proximity sensor (7) arranged to detect the presence of a portion of the body of a user in proximity to and/or in contact with an outer surface (14) of the decorative element, the power supply of the heating element (6) being cut off when such presence is detected by the proximity sensor (7), the proximity sensor (7) comprising a capacitive circuit comprising at least one pattern (38) formed in a layer (40) of carbon material, the pattern (38) comprising at least one conductive area (42) made of carbon material and at least one non-conductive area (44) formed by a through hole in the layer (40) of carbon material, the conductive area (42) being powered by a current source electrically connected to the conductive area (42).

2. Vehicle trim element according to claim 1, characterized in that the layer (40) of carbon material extends between the heating element (6) and the outer surface (14).

3. Vehicle trim element according to claim 2, characterized in that a barrier layer (46) extends between the heating element (6) and the carbon material layer (40).

4. The vehicle trim element according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by comprising a cloth layer (4) extending facing an outer face (10) of the supporting layer (2) and forming an outer face (14) of the trim element, the layer (40) of carbon material extending on an inner face of the cloth layer (4).

5. Vehicle trim element according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the heating element (6) is formed by a pattern extending in a functional layer (15) made of carbon material, the pattern comprising at least one electrically conductive region made of carbon material and at least one electrically non-conductive region formed by a through hole in the functional layer (15), the electrically conductive region being supplied by an electrical current source connected to the electrically conductive region.

6. The vehicle trim element according to claim 5, characterized in that the functional layer (15) extends over at least a part of the inner face (8) or the outer face (10) of the carrier layer (2).

7. Vehicle trim element according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the carrier layer (2) is made of a composite material comprising natural fibers in a polypropylene matrix.

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