US 11,061,475 B2 · Vehicle interior component

Abstract

A vehicle interior component configured to provide a user interface for vehicle systems is disclosed. The component may comprise a composite structure configured to provide the user interface providing a cover with an exterior surface, a sensor, a display, a functional layer and a positioning layer. The cover may comprise a layer configured to facilitate the transmission of light (e.g. light-transmissive material). The sensor may be configured to detect input from a vehicle occupant at or adjacent to the exterior surface of the cover. The display may be configured to provide illumination through the cover. The user interface may be configured for input at the cover detected by the sensor and/or output from the display presented at least partially through the cover. The composite structure may comprise a substrate and/or may be configured in a contoured shape. The functional layer may comprise a diffuser. The positioning layer may comprise a foam material and/or a spacer fabric. The cover may comprise an at least partially translucent cover; illumination from the display at the exterior surface of the composite structure may comprise visible light transmitted through the functional layer and through the at least partially translucent cover. The composite structure may be coupled to at least one of a trim component, a panel, a door panel, an instrument panel, a surface, a console, a base, etc. A method of operating the user interface provided by the composite structure is also disclosed. The user interface may be coupled to a control system.

Claims34

Dependent claims

A vehicle interior component configured to provide a user interface for a vehicle occupant in a vehicle comprising vehicle systems comprising:

a composite structure configured to provide the user interface comprising:
(a) a cover providing an exterior surface;
(b) a sensor;
(c) a display;
(d) a functional layer;
(e) a positioning layer separate from the functional layer;
wherein the cover comprises a layer configured to facilitate transmission of light;
wherein the sensor is configured to detect input from the vehicle occupant at or adjacent to the exterior surface of the cover;
wherein the display is configured to provide illumination at least partially visible through the exterior surface of the cover;
wherein the positioning layer is configured to provide separation between the cover and the display;
wherein the positioning layer comprises at least one of (a) a spacer;
(b) a flexible spacer;
(c) a foam material;
(d) polyurethane;
(e) a spacer material;
wherein the user interface is configured to facilitate interaction with the vehicle occupant;
so that operation of the user interface for the vehicle occupant comprises (a) output from illumination from the display through the positioning layer and through the layer of the cover configured to facilitate transmission of light to the exterior surface of the cover and (b) input detected by the sensor at or adjacent to the exterior surface of the cover.

14 more elements

A trim component for a vehicle interior configured to provide a user interface for a vehicle occupant in a vehicle comprising vehicle systems comprising:

a composite structure configured to provide the user interface comprising:
(a) a cover providing an exterior surface;
(b) a sensor;
(c) a display;
and
(d) a functional layer;
wherein the cover comprises a light-transmissive layer;
wherein the sensor is configured to detect input from the vehicle occupant at or adjacent to the exterior surface of the cover;
wherein the display comprises a panel configured to provide illumination at least partially visible through the functional layer and the exterior surface of the cover;
wherein the functional layer is configured to provide separation between the cover and the display;
wherein the sensor is configured to detect input from the vehicle occupant at or adjacent to the exterior surface of the cover from at least one of (a) touch;
(b) pressure;
(c) proximity;
(d) movement;
(e) gesture;
(f) positioning;
wherein the user interface is configured to facilitate interaction with the vehicle occupant;
so that operation of the user interface for the vehicle occupant comprises (a) output from illumination from the display through the functional layer and through the light-transmissive layer of the cover to the exterior surface of the cover and (b) input detected by the sensor at or adjacent to the exterior surface of the cover.

15 more elements

A method of operating a trim component for a vehicle interior comprising a composite structure comprising a cover with an exterior surface and at least one functional layer and providing a sensor and a display configured to provide a user interface for a vehicle occupant in a vehicle with vehicle systems comprising the steps of:

(a) pressing the cover toward the sensor to a distance where input can be detected by the sensor;
and
(b) contacting the exterior surface within a distance where input can be detected by the sensor;
wherein the cover comprises a light-transmissive layer configured to facilitate transmission of light;
wherein the sensor is configured to detect input from the vehicle occupant at or adjacent to the exterior surface of the cover from at least one of (a) touch;
(b) pressure;
(c) proximity;
(d) movement;
(e) gesture;
(f) positioning;
wherein the display is configured to provide illumination at least partially visible through the exterior surface of the cover;
wherein the user interface is configured to facilitate interaction with the vehicle occupant;
wherein operation of the user interface for the vehicle occupant comprises (a) output from illumination from the display through the at least one functional layer and through the cover comprising the light-transmissive layer to the exterior surface of the cover and (b) input detected by the sensor at or adjacent to the exterior surface of the cover;
wherein the at least one functional layer comprises a first functional layer configured for diffusion of illumination from the display and a second functional layer separate from the first functional layer configured as a positioning layer;
wherein the second functional layer comprises a foam material configured to provide separation between the cover and the display;
wherein the second functional layer comprises a light-transmissive layer configured to facilitate transmission of illumination from the display to the exterior surface of the cover;
wherein the composite structure comprises (a) the cover comprising the light-transmissive layer;
(b) the first functional layer configured for diffusion of illumination from the display;
(c) the sensor;
(d) the second functional layer comprising the positioning layer configured to provide separation between the cover and the display and to facilitate transmission of illumination from the display to the exterior surface of the cover;
(e) the display configured to provide illumination at least partially visible through the exterior surface of the cover;
(f) a substrate.

19 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Vehicle interior component

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Vehicle interior component

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Abstract

Claims34