Decoma International Corporation

Other

Gerhard F Hirmer

Robert J Passera

David G Jenkins

Kevin Garcia

Robert Joseph Pagano

Joseph A Griffin

Lassi Mauno Ojanen

Earlby E Wakefield

Rudolph Allan Schrempf

Shueh-Mo Lee

A panel assembly ( ) for an automotive vehicle has a transparent panel ( ) having opposing first ( ) and second ( ) surfaces. A portion of the first surface includes refractive structure ( ) integral with the panel ( ). At least one light source ( ) is positioned at an edge of the panel for introducing light into the panel ( ). The refractive structure ( ) reflects light from the light source ( ) out through a portion of the second surface ( ). A film laminate ( ) is positioned generally opposite the refractive structure ( ). When the light source ( ) is operatively connected to a vehicle braking system and the film laminate ( ) is red, the panel assembly ( ) will indicate a braking condition.

Panel assembly with integrated stop signal

A rear signal lamp of an automotive vehicle comprising a lamp housing and a curved cover lens for enclosing a thin light managing system. The thin light managing systems includes a plurality of backlight light-emitting diodes mounted in a light mounting substrate and secured to the lamp housing. A control module operatively connected to the light-emitting diodes for controlling the operation and illumination of the light-emitting diodes. A reflector matrix having a plurality of reflector cones corresponding to each of the light-emitting diodes in the mounting substrate and a hybrid optics panel having a direct lensing section covering the reflector matrix and light-emitting diodes and a double redirecting light pipe section surrounding the lensing section. A single light-emitting diodes is coupled along spaced apart quadrants of the redirecting light pipe. Each single light-emitting diodes emits light to the respective quadrant of the optics panel which is reflected and redirected from one or more lens facets to illuminated the front surface of the panel. The direct lensing section and redirecting light pipe illuminate distinct area on the curved cover lens.

Thin light managing system for directing and distributing light from one or more light sources and method for making optics structures for use in the system

A backlight assembly for a convertible roof of a vehicle has a fabric roof cover having a backlight opening formed therein and a plurality of apertures formed therein about a periphery of the backlight opening. A glazing is disposed in the backlight opening. The glazing has a flange extending about a periphery thereof which overlaps a portion of the fabric roof cover. The flange has a plurality of fastener-receiving structures, each of which are received within a corresponding one of the plurality of apertures in the roof cover. A first frame member extends about a periphery of the glazing and overlaps the flange and sealingly engages the roof cover. A second frame member extends about periphery of the glazing and overlaps the flange. The second frame member is disposed opposite the first frame member with the flange and the roof cover disposed therebetween. The second frame member has a plurality of fasteners, each interlocking with a corresponding one of the fastener-receiving structures to fasten the second frame member to the flange to thereby secure the glazing to the roof cover.

Insert molded frame and glazing assembly and method for making the same

A separation optics structure comprising a transparent unitary body portion extending between a first wide end and a second distal end defines a wedge-shaped structure. The body portion includes a front portion defining a generally planar front illumination surface, a back portion having a plurality of beveled redirecting facets spaced apart by intermediate areas, and a plurality of optics elements disposed within the intermediate areas. A first light source is coupled at the wide end to transmitted light longitudinally through the body portion toward the redirecting facets. The redirecting facets having reflective surfaces transverse to the planar front illumination surface to reflect and scatter the light toward the front surface in a relatively low intensity light distribution. A second light source is coupled adjacent the back portion behind the intermediate areas. The optics elements transmit the light directly through the intermediate areas toward the front surface in a relative high intensity light distribution. The optics elements may also include concave, convex and/or facet for shaping the direct light toward the front illumination surface.

Optics for separation of high and low intensity light

Thin light managing system for directing and distributing light from one

A method and apparatus for manufacturing an injection-molded article having an outer film on an exposed surface. The method includes securing the film about its periphery within a mold cavity prior to injection of molten material into the cavity. One way of securing the film is by applying vacuum pressure through peripheral holes in a frame surrounding the mold cavity. Molten material is injected into the cavity, behind the film and the film slips from its initial position to be forced against a wall of the cavity by molten material being injected into the cavity. The apparatus includes a frame for a molding apparatus, adapted to initially secure the film in place prior to movement of the core block into place and to permit the film to slip from its initial position to be forced against the cavity wall as molten material fills the cavity.

Method for manufacturing an injection-molded article with outer film

A vehicle window including a relatively thin sheet of clear plastic material having opposed surfaces, an electrically operable defrosting grid adhered to one surface of the relatively thin sheet, and a relatively thick substrate layer of clear plastic material having opposed surfaces curved into a vehicle window configuration. The relatively thick substrate layer is adhered to the one surface of the relatively thin sheet and the electrically operable defrosting grid adhered thereto while in contact therewith in a molten state under heat and pressure within a cavity defined by two generally parallel curved die surfaces of cooperating injection molding dies so that upon solidification the surfaces of the relatively thin sheet are retained in a curved configuration in generally parallel coextensive relation to corresponding curved surfaces of the relatively thick substrate layer and a method of making the window wherein the electrically operable defrosting grid is formed by silk screening onto one surface of the relatively thin sheet while in a substantially planar condition a curable electrically conductive ink in the form of a defrosting grid and then curing the curable electrically conductive ink on the one surface of said relatively thin sheet so that the defrosting grid is stably adhered thereto.

Method of making a vehicle window

The present invention relates to a vehicle sunroof having variable optical transmission and a method for making the same. Specifically, a vehicle sunroof is provided that, in accordance with the present invention, comprises a relatively thin film having variable optical transmission and a relatively thick substrate layer of clear plastic material adhered to a surface of the relatively thin film. The relatively thin film is positioned in a first molding die of a pair of injection molding dies such that it is adjacent a surface of the first die. The relatively thick substrate layer is adhered to one surface of the relatively thin film while in contact therewith in a molten state under heat and pressure within a cavity defined by the injection molding dies.

Vehicle sunroof and method of making the same

A vehicle window comprising a relatively thin sheet of clear plastic material having opposed surfaces, an electrically operable defrosting grid adhered to one surface of the relatively thin sheet, and a relatively thick substrate layer of clear plastic material having opposed surfaces curved into a vehicle window configuration. The relatively thick substrate layer is adhered to the one surface of the relatively thin sheet and the electrically operable defrosting grid adhered thereto while in contact therewith in a molten state under heat and pressure within a cavity defined by two generally parallel curved die surfaces of cooperating injection molding dies so that upon solidification the surfaces of the relatively thin sheet are retained in a curved configuration in generally parallel coextensive relation to corresponding curved surfaces of the relatively thick substrate layer and a method of making the window wherein the electrically operable defrosting grid is formed by silk screening onto one surface of the relatively thin sheet while in a substantially planar condition a curable electrically conductive ink in the form of a defrosting grid and then curing the curable electrically conductive ink on the one surface of said relatively thin sheet so that the defrosting grid is stably adhered thereto.

Vehicle window and method of making the same

A process for manufacture of an automotive trim piece having a polymeric skin fastened to substrate. The polymer, for example, polyvinyl chloride has the property that upon cooling to a relatively rigid state the polymer shrinks. The process includes a step of molding the polymeric skin separately from the substrate such that the skin has a rear face for abutment with an obverse face of the substrate and a pair of lips extending from ends of the rear face. The lips are configured for engaging corresponding edges of the substrate. The skin is cooled to a relatively elastic state, and the skin and substrate are assembled while the skin is in the relatively elastic state. On further cooling, shrinkage forces of the skin and the skin lips in abutment with the corresponding edges of the substrate produce a snug fit from edge to edge of the skin to the substrate and the skin becomes relatively rigid.

Growing community of inventors

Aurora, Canada

Gerhard F Hirmer