Shanghai Yanfeng Jinqiao Automotive Trim Systems Co. Ltd.

Johnson Controls Technology Company

Motus Integrated Technologies

Christopher Scott Kring

Scott Allen Hansen

Bryan Todd Jones

James Bradley Price

Dale Todd Glynn

Tyler Lacroix

Jack Johnson

Ben Edward Sapak

Qiongxia Duan

Tyler James Newkirk

Ankit Singh

Dennis Jack VanHouten

Anthony DeGrote

Wang Bin

Liu Cheng

Bin Wang

Cheng Liu

Michael Robert Catlin

Brent Donald Rockafellow

Todd D Nellis

Kevin A Tomasek

Peter Oosting

Mario Javier Enriquez Ortiz

Mario J Enriques Ortiz

Dennis J Vanhouten

William J Homik

Rade Milanovic

Jason M Scholten

Albert Charles Haak

Julie M DeVries

Bobby Bagby

Jack Lawrence Johnson

A vehicle interior component is disclosed. The component may comprise a composite structure comprising a substrate and light guide and surface/cover with holes/pattern of apertures configured for illumination (by a light source/module) to provide an interface/display (with decorative and/or instrumentation region). The light guide may comprise a resin material formed as the set of projections in the pattern of apertures. The cover may comprise a decorative layer with backing configured to provide a visual/surface effect (e.g. natural material, wood veneer, etc.); the display may present a visual/decorative effect when illuminated at the pattern of apertures/light guide. The interface/display at the surface (by illuminated light guide/pattern of holes) may present indicia for a vehicle system and/or decorative effect. The component may comprise a trim/trim panel, instrument panel/dashboard, door panel/armrest, console, overhead trim/headliner, pillar/structure, seat, etc.

Vehicle interior component

A component for a vehicle interior may comprise a light guide to allow light transmission from a light source for a user interface, and a cover to cover the light guide. The user interface may be presented at the cover. The cover may comprise a depression in an inner surface of the cover and the light guide may comprise a projection comprising a light-transmissive resin fit within the depression. The projection may comprise an icon to be presented at the user interface when illuminated, and to be hidden by the cover when not illuminated. The user interface may comprise a light display and an input device connected to a sensor. The icon may comprise an image. The cover thickness may be greater than the projection height. The component may comprise a steering wheel, console, floor console, center console, instrument panel, door panel, dashboard, display, armrest, or cockpit.

Component for vehicle interior

A component for a vehicle interior may comprise a housing; a cover structure comprising a cover surface; and a user interface at the cover surface comprising a light display. The light display may comprise a light guide comprising a projection. The cover structure may comprise a cover base and a cover layer. The cover layer may be molded on the cover base. The cover base may comprise the light guide. The cover layer may comprise an aperture. The projection may extend into the aperture. The cover base may comprise an aperture, recess, notch and/or indentation. The cover layer may comprise a generally opaque material preventing visibility of a recess in the cover base. The cover base may comprise a different color and/or softness than the cover layer. The cover structure may comprise apertures and/or recesses for the light guide.

A vehicle interior component configured to present a user interface for a vehicle occupant with vehicle systems may comprise a housing, cover structure and user interface system to present the user interface at a cover surface. The user interface may comprise a light display to transmit light from a light source and/or an input device comprising a mechanical coupling to interface with a sensor arrangement. The user interface may comprise output from the light display and/or input by interaction with the input device at the cover surface. The component may comprise a module comprising the light display and the input device. The module may comprise an absorber. The light display may comprise a light guide and/or display panel. The light guide may comprise a projection and/or icon to transmit light through an aperture and/or recess of the cover structure.

Component for a vehicle interior

A vehicle interior component providing a user interface for an occupant is disclosed. The component may comprise a base; a cover comprising a surface; an intermediate layer comprising a foam material; and a sensor to detect an electrical signal in response to input at the user interface, contact at the surface of the cover, or compression of the foam material. The foam material may comprise electrical properties, conductivity, resistance, compression-responsive electrical properties, or variation in voltage. The foam material may comprise an additive, an additive material, a conductive material, a conductive additive, conductive particles, carbon particles, carbon black particles, carbon dust, carbon particles in a substrate, or carbon particles interspersed with a non-conductive substrate. The foam material may comprise foam with conductive particles, carbon foam, carbon additive foam, polyurethane foam, or polyurethane with carbon particles. The cover may comprise a non-conductive material, leather, vinyl, textile, or fabric.

A vehicle interior component configured to present a user interface for a vehicle occupant with at least one vehicle system and/or network is disclosed. The component may comprise a housing, cover structure and user interface system configured to present the user interface at a cover surface. The user interface may comprise a light display configured to transmit light from a light source and/or an input device configured to interface with a sensor arrangement. The user interface may comprise output from the light display and/or input by interaction with the input device at the cover surface through the sensor arrangement. The component may comprise an interface module comprising the light display and the input device. The light display may comprise a light guide and/or display panel. The light guide may comprise a projection and/or icon configured to transmit light through an aperture and/or recess of the cover structure.

A user interface system for a vehicle interior includes a contact surface, a sensor grid and a controller. The sensor grid is configured for variable electrical resistance in response to applied pressure and the controller is configured to detect the electrical resistance of the sensor grid by monitoring a voltage. The controller detects the location of an input from a vehicle occupant, the intensity of the input, and the duration of the input.

Vehicle interior component with user interface

An interior panel, for use in a vehicle that includes a plurality of electrical devices and a vehicle component frame, includes printed electrical connection means for connecting the electrical devices in the vehicle and a substrate layer that has an inner surface directed towards the vehicle component frame. The electrical connection means are printed on the inner surface of the substrate layer using an electrically conductive ink.

Vehicle interior panel with integral wire harness

This invention relates to a roof structure in a vehicle, wherein the roof structure () is provided with printed electrical connection means () for connecting electrical devices in the vehicle. The invention further relates to a method for manufacturing such a roof structure and to a system comprising an electrical device, a roof structure () with printed electrical connection means (), a printed conductive pad () and an electrical connector, wherein the electrical connector () is pierced through the roof structure () to connect the electrical device with the conductive pad ().

Headliner with integral wire harness

A vehicle panel with a folded-over or wrapped edge is disclosed. The vehicle panel comprises a main body portion. The main body portion includes a first layer and a second layer. The first layer is formed of a substantially rigid material and has a first surface, a second surface and an edge. The second layer is coupled to the second surface of the first layer and formed of a substantially flexible material. The vehicle panel also comprises a flap integrally formed with the main body portion at the edge and comprises at least the second layer. The vehicle panel further comprises a hinge separating the flap from the main body portion, the hinge is defined by at least a portion of the first layer having a reduced thickness. The flap is folded back about the hinge towards the first surface of the first layer to substantially conceal the edge.

Vehicle panel

Growing community of inventors

Grand Haven, MI, United States of America

Christopher Scott Kring