阅读说明：本技术 包括背光区域的装饰元件 (Decorative element comprising a backlit area ) 是由 克里斯托夫·屈维利耶 阿尔芒·布鲁塞勒 于 2021-04-29 设计创作，主要内容包括：本发明涉及一种装饰元件(1),包括覆盖层(2),该覆盖层包含防止光通过的至少一个不透明区域(18)以及至少一个背光区域(16),该背光区域是半透明的以使光能够通过,装饰元件(1)还包括至少一个光源(4)和至少一个反射性表面(38),该反射表面与光源(4)相对地延伸并被布置为将光源(4)发出的光朝着背光区域(16)反射。光源(4)与不透明区域(18)相对地附接在覆盖层(2)上,反射性表面(38)与覆盖层(2)相对地延伸以将光源(4)发出的光朝着背光区域(16)反射。(The invention relates to a decorative element (1) comprising a cover layer (2) containing at least one opaque region (18) preventing the passage of light and at least one backlit region (16) which is translucent so as to allow the passage of light, the decorative element (1) further comprising at least one light source (4) and at least one reflective surface (38) extending opposite the light source (4) and arranged to reflect light emitted by the light source (4) towards the backlit region (16). The light source (4) is attached to the cover layer (2) opposite the opaque area (18), and the reflective surface (38) extends opposite the cover layer (2) to reflect light emitted by the light source (4) towards the backlight area (16).)

1. Decorative element (1) comprising a cover layer (2) defining an outer surface (6) and an inner surface (8) opposite to the outer surface (6), the outer surface (6) forming the outer surface of the decorative element, the cover layer (2) comprising at least one opaque area (18) preventing light from passing from the inner surface (8) to the outer surface (6) and at least one backlit area (16), the cover layer (2) being translucent in the backlit area (16) to allow light to pass from the inner surface (8) to the outer surface (6), the backlit area (16) extending around at least a portion of the opaque area (18), the decorative element (1) further comprising at least one light source (4) and at least one reflective surface (38), the reflective surface (38) extending opposite to the light source (4) and being arranged to transmit the light source (4) The emitted light is reflected towards the backlight area (16),

the decorative element (1) is characterized in that the light source (4) is attached on the inner surface (8) of the cover layer (2) opposite the opaque area (18), the reflective surface (38) extending opposite the inner surface (8) of the cover layer (2) and being oriented with respect to the inner surface (8) to reflect light emitted by the light source (4) towards the backlight area (16).

2. Decorative element (1) according to claim 1, further comprising a support (34), the covering layer (2) extending at least partially over the support (34),

the reflective surface (38) comprises a plurality of reflective surfaces (28) which are inclined with respect to each other and extend between the support (34) and the cover layer (2) and direct light emitted by the light source (4) towards the backlight area (16).

3. Decorative element (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that light is emitted from the light source (4) towards the reflective surface (38) at least in a first direction (I) away from the cover layer (2) and is reflected from the reflective surface (38) towards the backlight area (16) at least in a second direction (R) extending towards the cover layer (2).

4. The decorative element (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a light guide (22) comprising:

-an outer face portion (23) extending opposite to the backlight area (16) on at least a portion of the inner surface (8) of the cover layer (2) and covering the light source (4), and

an inner face (24) extending over at least a portion of the reflective surface (38),

the light guiding means (22) is arranged to diffuse light emitted by the light source (4) towards the reflective surface (38) and from the reflective surface (38) towards the backlight area (16).

5. Decorative element (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that said light guiding means (22) are overmolded on said inner surface (8) of said covering layer (2) and on each light source (4).

6. Decorative element (1) according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that said reflective surface (38) is defined by a reflective layer (37) extending at least partially on said inner face (24) of said light guiding means (22).

7. Decorative element (1) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that at least one backlight area (16) extends completely around the opaque area (18),

said reflective surface (38) having an axis of symmetry (A-A') passing through said light source (4) and extending substantially perpendicularly to said outer surface of said decorative element (1),

the reflective surface (38) reflects light emitted by the light source (4) towards the backlight area (16), the light being distributed over the entire backlight area (16).

8. Decorative element (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising a printed circuit on the inner surface (8) of the cover layer (2) which electrically connects each light source (4) to a power source.

9. Decorative element (1) according to claim 8, further comprising a switch and a touch membrane,

the switch is electrically connected to the light source (4) and the power source and is movable between a closed position in which the power source supplies power to the light source (4) and an open position in which the power source does not supply power to the light source (4),

the touch film extends on the inner surface (8) of the cover layer (2) opposite the opaque region (18) and is configured to cause the switch to bounce between its closed and open positions when pressure is applied to the touch film.

10. Decorative element (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, further comprising a functional element (20) extending on the outer surface (6) of the covering layer (2) opposite to the opaque area (18).

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a vehicle trim element of the type comprising a cover layer defining an outer surface and an inner surface opposite the outer surface, the outer surface forming an outer surface of the trim element, the cover layer comprising at least one opaque region preventing light from passing from the inner surface to the outer surface and at least one backlit region in which the cover layer is translucent to allow light to pass from the inner surface to the outer surface, the backlit region extending around at least a portion of the opaque region, the trim element further comprising at least one light source and at least one reflective surface extending opposite the light source and arranged to reflect light emitted by the light source towards the backlit region.

Background

It is known to provide a backlit area on the outer surface of a decorative element in order to illuminate a pattern, such as a pictogram or decorative pattern, or to indicate the presence of a functional element, such as a control button.

To this end, the cover layer comprises translucent areas having the shape of the pattern to be displayed, and light sources are arranged on the inner side of the cover layer opposite these translucent areas to illuminate it.

However, in order to ensure good uniformity of the light as it reaches the outer surface of the trim element, it is necessary to provide a certain distance between the light source and the backlight area, which increases the thickness of the trim element and its bulk.

The present invention aims to overcome this drawback by proposing a decorative element whose arrangement of light sources and reflecting elements is optimized, thus reducing the space requirements.

Disclosure of Invention

To this end, the invention relates to a decorative element of the aforementioned type, wherein a light source is attached on an inner surface of the cover layer opposite the opaque areas, and a reflective surface extends opposite the inner surface of the cover layer and is oriented relative to the inner surface to reflect light emitted by the light source towards the backlit areas.

Providing such an arrangement of light sources within the trim element ensures that the light is correctly homogenized when it reaches the backlight area, while the thickness of the trim element is significantly reduced.

In fact, the light travels back and forth between the covering layer and the reflective surface, which makes it possible to reduce the thickness of the decorative element, while maintaining a light covering for a distance sufficient to enable it to be sufficiently homogenized.

Other optional features of the decorative element according to the invention considered alone or according to all technically feasible combinations:

the decorative element further comprises a support on which the covering layer extends at least partially,

the reflective surface comprises a plurality of reflective surfaces inclined with respect to each other and extending between the support and the cover layer and directing light emitted by the light source towards the backlight area;

-light is emitted from the light source towards the reflective surface at least in a first direction away from the cover layer and is reflected from the reflective surface towards the backlight area at least in a second direction extending towards the cover layer;

the decorative element further comprises light guide means comprising:

an outer face portion extending opposite the backlight area over at least a portion of an inner surface of the cover layer and covering the light source, an

An inner face portion extending over at least a portion of the reflective surface,

the light guide is arranged to diffuse light emitted by the light source towards the reflective surface and from the reflective surface towards the backlight area;

-the light guiding means are over-moulded (over-mold) on the inner surface of the cover layer and on each light source;

the reflective surface is defined by a reflective layer extending at least partially over the inner face of the light guide;

-at least one backlight area extends completely around the opaque area,

the reflective surface has an axis of symmetry passing through the light source and extending substantially perpendicular to the outer surface of the decorative element,

the reflecting surface reflects light emitted from the light source toward a backlight area, the light being distributed over the entire backlight area;

the decorative element further comprises a printed circuit on the inner surface of the covering layer, which electrically connects each light source to the power supply; and

the decorative element further comprises a switch and a touch membrane,

the switch is electrically connected to the light source and the power source and is movable between a closed position in which the power source supplies power to the light source and an open position in which the power source does not supply power to the light source,

a touch film extending on an inner surface of the cover layer opposite the opaque region and configured to cause the switch to bounce between its closed and open positions when pressure is applied to the touch film;

the decorative element further comprises a functional element extending on the outer surface of the cover layer opposite the opaque area.

Drawings

Further aspects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description, given by way of example and made with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a portion of a decorative element according to one embodiment of the invention,

fig. 2 is a schematic view of a decorative element according to another embodiment of the invention, seen from above.

Detailed Description

With reference to fig. 1 and 2, a vehicle trim element 1 comprising a cover layer 2 and at least one light source 4 is described. Such a decorative element 1 forms, for example, all or part of a door panel, a center console, a vehicle dashboard, etc.

The overlay 2 comprises an outer surface 6 forming at least part of the visible surface of the trim element 1 and an inner surface 8 opposite the outer surface 6 and extending over the inner side of the trim element 1. The outer surface 6 thus forms the outer surface of the decorative element 1 and, for example, gives at least a part of the decorative element 1 its appearance, while the inner surface 8 is intended to face towards the part of the vehicle on which the decorative element 1 is to be mounted. The cover layer 2 may comprise a plurality of layers. For example, the cover layer 2 comprises at least one functional layer defining an inner surface 8 of the cover layer 2. For example, the cover layer 2 also includes at least one appearance layer defining an outer surface 6 of the cover layer. The cover layer 2 comprises at least a functional layer and an appearance layer is optional.

In one variant, for example, the cover layer 2 comprises a transparent layer defining the outer surface 6, the appearance layer then being at least partially covered by the transparent layer. The transparent layer is treated, for example, with scratch-resistant, stain-resistant, anti-reflective, or other treatments.

The functional layer is formed, for example, from a plastic material, for example Polycarbonate (PC), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) or even a mixture of PC and PMMA. For example, it has a thickness of between 175 μm and 2 mm.

For example, the appearance layer is substantially continuous and covers all or a portion of the decorative element 1. For example, the appearance layer is formed by a skin, which may be formed of any suitable material, such as a plastic material, a wooden material, and the like. In one variant, the appearance layer may be a simple varnish layer applied to the functional layer.

The appearance layer comprises a back face opposite the outer face 6, on which the functional layer extends.

The cover layer 2 comprises at least one backlight area 16 and at least one opaque area 18.

The backlit area 16 is transparent or translucent so as to allow light emitted by the light source 4 to pass through the cover layer 2 from the inner surface 8 to the outer surface 6 of the cover layer 2 so as to be visible from the exterior of the trim component 1. By translucent is meant a light transmission between 5% and 100%, where 100% corresponds to the transparent layer. The backlight area 16 may be made translucent by the material forming the backlight area 16 or by its thickness.

The backlight area 16 may have any desired shape, depending on what is desired to be displayed on the outer surface 6 of the cover layer 2. For example, the backlight area 16 has the shape of a pictogram or pattern to be displayed. The shape of the backlight area 16 may be different from one backlight area 16 to another. The cover layer 2 may comprise a plurality of backlit areas 16, for example more than two backlit areas 16, depending on what is desired to be displayed on the outer surface 6 of the cover layer 2.

The backlight area 16 extends, for example, around at least a portion of the opaque area 18. According to the embodiment shown in fig. 1 and 2, the backlight area 16 extends completely around the opaque area 18 to surround the opaque area 18.

According to this embodiment, the backlight area 16 surrounds a functional area comprising functional elements 20. The functional element 20 extends on the outer surface 6 of the cover layer 2 opposite the opaque area 18.

For example, the functional element 20 is a controller configured to control a switch (not shown) of the decorative element 1.

According to one embodiment, the light source 4 is attached to an electrical connection circuit (not shown) formed on the inner surface 8 of the cover layer 2 facing the opaque area 18. For example, the tracks of such an electrical connection circuit are printed on the inner surface 8 of the cover layer 2 and the light source 4 is electrically connected to the electrical connection circuit. The electrical connection is, for example, powered by a power source, for example of the vehicle on which the decorative element 1 is mounted. Thus, also provided on the inner surface 8 of the cover layer 2 are tracks for connecting the electrical connection circuit to the power supply, the switch and the switch controller. The electrical connection circuit is formed, for example, by a conductive ink layer (e.g., a silver-based conductive ink layer).

The cover layer 2 also comprises at least one decorative ink layer, for example printed on the inner or outer surface of the functional layer.

The switch is configured to electrically connect the light source 4 with a power source and is movable between a closed position in which the switch enables the power source to power the light source 4 and an open position in which the switch prevents the power source from powering the light source 4. In particular, in the closed position the power supply supplies power to the light source 4 and the light source 4 emits light, whereas in the open position the power supply does not supply power to the light source 4 and the light source 4 does not emit light.

The switch controller is configured to toggle the switch between a closed position and an open position of the switch.

For example, the switch controller is a touch film that extends on the inner surface 8 of the cover layer 2 opposite the opaque area 18 and is configured to switch the switch between its closed and open positions when pressure is applied to the touch film. According to one variant, the layer of conductive ink is printed on the touch film.

According to a variant of this embodiment, the switch control is a push button, which extends for example on the outer surface 6 of the cover layer 2 and can be touched by a passenger of the vehicle.

The functional element 20 is, for example, a button for controlling an element of the vehicle on which the decorative element 1 is mounted. For example, the function element 20 is a button for controlling a hazard lamp of the vehicle, which button is movable between a nominal position in which the hazard lamp is turned off and a hazard position in which the hazard lamp is turned on. The backlit area 16 may, for example, indicate the presence of the functional element 20 such that the functional element 20 is visible to an occupant of the vehicle. The backlight area 16 may also be used, for example, to indicate the status of the functional element 20. For example, the backlight area 16 may be capable of indicating whether a hazard light control button of the vehicle is in its nominal position or its hazardous position depending on whether light emitted from the light source 4 passes through the backlight area 16.

According to a variant, the functional element 20 may also be a surface presenting information, for example in the form of icons. The functional element 20 is, for example, an instrument panel indicator of a vehicle in which the decorative element 1 is installed. For example, the dashboard indicator is configured to indicate a failure of a vehicle component. The backlight area 16 allows to indicate whether the vehicle component is faulty or not, for example, depending on whether or not the light emitted from the light source 4 passes through the backlight area 16.

For example, when the functional element 20 allows control of a vehicle component such as a hazard light of a vehicle, the electrical connection circuit allows connection of the switch to the functional element 20. For example, the switch is configured to switch to a closed position of the switch when the hazard lamp control button is in the hazard position, and is configured to switch to an open position of the switch when the hazard lamp control button is in the nominal position.

In one variation, the electrical connection circuit enables the switch to be connected to a sensor configured to generate information about the state of the vehicle component. For example, the sensor is configured to generate ignition information when the hazard lamp is lit. In this way, the switch is configured to switch to its closed position when the sensor generates ignition information and to switch to its open position when no ignition information is generated.

According to yet another variant, for example, when the functional element 20 is a vehicle dashboard indicator configured to indicate a failure of a vehicle component, the electrical connection circuit enables the switch to be connected to a sensor configured to generate information about the presence of a failure when the component fails. For example, the switch is configured to switch to its closed position when the sensor generates fault presence information and otherwise to switch to its open position.

According to the embodiment shown in fig. 1 and 2, the cover layer 2 comprises a backlight area 16 extending symmetrically with respect to the opaque area 18 completely around the opaque area 18. In particular, the backlight area 16 is annular, centered on an opaque area 18. Thus, the backlight area 16 may precisely define and position the functional element 20 such that it may be easily detected by a vehicle occupant, particularly when the light emitted by the light source 4 passes through the backlight area 16.

The opaque areas 18 are arranged to prevent light from passing from the inner surface 8 to the outer surface 6 of the cover layer 2. By opaque is meant a light transmission of less than 5%, preferably close to or equal to 0%. This opacity is achieved by the material used to make the opaque region 18 and/or by the thickness of the cover layer 2. Referring to fig. 1 and 2, opaque region 18 may also extend around backlight region 16.

The backlight area 16 may be obtained by forming an opening in the opaque area 18, the shape of the opening defining the shape of the backlight area 16. According to one embodiment, the opening is further filled with a light transmissive material, such as an optical gel or the like. For example, the opening is recessed into the cover layer 2, or the cover layer 2 is provided with an opening in the opaque area 18.

It will be appreciated that the cover layer 2 may comprise other layers. According to the embodiment shown in fig. 1 and 2, the cover layer 2 is formed as a single layer comprising one or more backlit areas 16 and one or more opaque areas 18 extending from the inner surface 8 to the outer surface 6.

The light source 4 is arranged to illuminate at least one backlight area 16. However, it should be understood that multiple light sources 4 may be used to illuminate a single backlight area 16.

The light source 4 is formed, for example, by a light emitting diode that emits light in the visible light range. When a plurality of light sources 4 are used, they are not necessarily the same, and may be formed, for example, by light emitting diodes emitting light of different colors.

The light source 4 is attached to the inner surface 8 of the cover layer 2 opposite the opaque area 18. Thus, each light source 4 does not extend opposite the backlight area 16 that the light source 4 is to illuminate. In other words, the light sources 4 are offset on the inner surface 8 with respect to the backlight area 16. More specifically, the distance between the light source 4 and the corresponding backlight area 16 is between 5mm and 30mm, measured along the inner surface 8 of the cover layer 2. More specifically, the distance d is measured from the light emitting point of the light source 4 to the point of the backlight area 16 closest to the light source 4. This range of values of d ensures a high-quality illumination of the backlight area 16 while limiting the volume of the assembly formed by the light source 4 and the backlight area 16, as will be described in more detail later.

The light guide 22 extends between the light sources 4 and the backlit areas 16 such that light emitted by the light sources 4 is directed towards the backlit areas 16 and transmitted to these areas to be visible on the outer surface 6 of the cover layer 2. The light guide 22 is therefore made of a material suitable for light transmission, for example a transparent plastic material such as PC or PMMA.

The light guide 22 is, for example, overmolded on the inner surface 8 of the cover layer 2 and on each light source 4. In one variant, the light guide 22 is, for example, an insert, a print deposit or an additive manufactured item, for example a three-dimensional print.

The light guiding means 22 comprise an outer face portion 23 extending over at least a part of the inner surface 8 of the cover layer 2 (in particular at least opposite the backlight area 16) and covering the light sources 4 arranged to illuminate in particular said backlight area 16. Covering means that the light guiding means 22 encloses the light source(s) 4 such that all light emitted by these light sources 4 is injected into the light guiding means 22. The light guide 22, for example, guides the light emitted by the light source 4 to the plurality of backlight areas 16, i.e., the light injected into the light guide 22 is transmitted to the plurality of backlight areas 16 via the light guide 22.

The light guide 22 is delimited by an inner face 24, which inner face 24 is opposite the outer face 23 and protrudes from the inner surface 8 of the cover layer 2 around the light source 4. According to the embodiment shown in fig. 1, the inner face 24 comprises a plurality of guide surfaces 26 inclined with respect to each other.

According to this same embodiment, the decorative element 1 has, in part, an axis of symmetry a-a' passing through the light source 4, through the opaque region 18 and extending substantially perpendicular to the covering layer 2, in particular substantially perpendicular to the outer surface of the decorative element 1. Thus, the backlight area 16, the opaque area(s) 18 and the light guide 22 are arranged to conform to the resulting axial symmetry. In particular, the guide surface 26 is arranged symmetrically completely around the axis of symmetry a-a'.

According to the embodiment shown in fig. 1 and 2, the decorative element 1 further comprises a support 34, which support 34 extends at least partially on the inner surface 8 of the decorative layer 2 at the periphery of the light guide 22 and covers the light guide 22. In particular, the support 34 is arranged to impart rigidity and shape to the decorative element 1. In particular, the covering layer 2 conforms to the shape of the outer surface of the support 34. By "covering the light guide 22" is meant that the light guide 22 extends entirely within the support 34 and that the support 34 covers at least a portion of the inner surface 24 of the light guide 22, and in particular the entire inner face portion 24.

The light guide 22 is formed, for example, from a resin deposited in a cavity formed by the support 34.

According to one embodiment, the inner face 24 of the light guide 22 is additionally covered by a reflective element 36, which reflective element 36 is arranged to reflect light rays from the light source 4 covered by the light guide 22 and incident on the inner face 24 of the light guide 22. The reflected light rays are directed more specifically towards the backlight area 16.

As shown in fig. 1, the reflective element 36 is formed, for example, by a reflective layer 37 defining a reflective surface 38, which reflective layer 37 is applied to at least a portion of the inner face portion 24 of the light guide 22, optionally between the light guide 22 and the support 34. Thus, the reflective layer 37 extends at least partially over the inner face 24 of the light guide 22. In particular, a reflective layer 37 is applied to the guide surfaces 26 of the light guide 22, forming a reflective surface 28 on each guide surface 26.

Each reflective surface 28 is, for example, planar or curved.

All of the reflective surfaces 28 together constitute a reflective surface 38. The reflective surfaces 28 are inclined with respect to each other and extend between the support 34 and the cover layer 2. Which are arranged to direct light emitted by the light source 4 towards the backlight area 16.

Thus, the reflective surface 38 extends opposite the inner surface 8 of the cover layer 2 and in particular opposite the light sources 4 and is arranged to reflect light emitted by the light sources 4 towards the backlight area 16.

In particular, light is emitted by the light source 4 towards the reflective surface 38 in at least a first direction I opposite to the cover layer 2 and is reflected from the reflective surface 38 towards the backlight area(s) 16 at least in a second direction R extending towards the cover layer 2.

In particular, the reflective surface 38 is oriented relative to the inner surface 8 of the cover layer 2 to reflect light emitted from the light source 4 toward the backlight area 16.

According to the embodiment shown in fig. 1, the reflective surface 38 comprises a central conical reflective surface 40, the apex of which is directed towards the light source 4 and the axis of which coincides with the axis of symmetry a-a'. According to a variant, the central reflecting surface 40 is frustoconical.

According to this same embodiment, the reflective surface 38 comprises at least one peripheral reflective surface 41, the peripheral reflective surface 41 extending around the central reflective surface 40 from the central reflective surface 40 towards the cover layer 2. The peripheral reflecting surface 41 is formed, for example, by a plurality of frustoconical surfaces whose apexes point toward the support 34. These frustoconical surfaces are arranged so that they have a decreasing cone angle as the distance between them and the cover layer 2 decreases.

According to a variant of this embodiment, the peripheral reflecting surface 41 comprises a single paraboloid opposite the covering layer 2, the paraboloid axis of which passes through the light source 4.

According to a further variant of this embodiment, the reflective surface 38 comprises only a conical, truncated conical or parabolic reflective surface, the vertex of which points towards the support 34 of the conical and truncated conical reflective surface, respectively, and the parabola of which faces towards the cover layer 2 of the parabolic reflective surface.

According to the embodiment shown in fig. 1, when a light ray emitted by the light source 4 reaches the central reflecting surface 40, it is reflected off axis a-a' and towards the peripheral reflecting surface 41. When the light beam reflected by the central reflecting surface 40 reaches the peripheral reflecting surface 41, it is again reflected and directed towards the other peripheral reflecting surface 41 or the cover layer 2, in particular towards the backlight area 16 of the cover layer 2.

Thus, the light guide 22 is arranged to diffuse light emitted by the light sources 4 towards the reflective surface 38 and from the reflective surface 38 towards the backlight area(s) 16.

According to another embodiment, the support 34 is made directly of a reflective material, such that the support 34 is also a reflective element 36 and defines a reflective surface 38. Thus, all light rays emitted by the light source 4 and directed towards the inner side 24 of the light guide 22 in which the light source 4 is placed are reflected by the reflective surface 38 towards the backlight area 16 and pass through the backlight area 16 to the outer surface 6 of the cover layer 2.

According to one embodiment, a layer of reflective material is applied to the inner surface 8 of the cover layer 2 around the light sources 4 opposite each backlight area 16.

The distance traveled by the light-guiding means 22 and by the light emitted by the light source 4 towards the backlight area 16 ensures a high quality display on the outer surface 6 of the cover layer 2. In fact, due to the distance light has to travel from the light source 4 towards the reflective surface 38 and from the reflective surface 38 towards the backlight area 16, it is ensured that the light emitted by the light source 4 is homogenized when it reaches the outer surface 6 of the cover layer 2 through the backlight area 16. This is because reflections within the light guide 22 can lengthen the path of light between the light source 4 and the outer surface 6, thereby harmonizing the light.

As a result of the arrangement of the light source 4 against the inner surface 8 of the decorative layer 2, the decorative element 1 according to the invention can be kept relatively thin in size while exhibiting satisfactory illumination of the backlight area 16. The minimum thickness of the decorative element 1 from the point of the light guide 22 furthest from the cover layer 2 to the outer surface 6 of the cover layer 2 can thus be, for example, 4mm, whereas in the case of a light source arranged opposite the backlight area, this thickness is typically about 15mm due to the light source. By providing a distance between the light source 4 and the corresponding backlighting area 16 of less than or equal to 9mm, it is ensured that the space requirement of the light guide 22 remains limited and in particular that a large number of backlighting areas 16 adjacent to each other can be achieved.

Thus, the decorative element 1 is able to obtain a satisfactory illuminated backlit area with harmonious light, while limiting the thickness of the decorative element 1, thereby reducing its space requirements.

In addition, due to its arrangement, the decorative element 1 is able to illuminate a large backlit area with a single light source, in which case other decorative elements having different arrangements would require multiple light sources to achieve illumination of a backlit area of comparable size.