US 11,104,229 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 comprising a cover to facilitate transmission of light (e.g. light-transmissive material), a sensor to detect input at or adjacent to the cover, a light panel/display to provide illumination through the cover, a functional layer and a positioning layer. The display may 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. A method of operating the user interface provided by the composite structure is also disclosed.

Claims20

Dependent claims

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 light panel;
and
(d) a positioning layer;
wherein the cover comprises a layer configured to facilitate transmission of light from the light panel;
wherein the sensor is configured to detect input from the vehicle occupant at or adjacent to the exterior surface of the cover;
wherein the light panel 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;
so that operation of the user interface for the vehicle occupant comprises (a) output from illumination from the light panel 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.

8 more elements

A trim panel 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 light panel;
and
(c) a functional layer;
wherein the cover comprises a light-transmissive layer;
wherein the light panel is configured to provide illumination at least partially visible through the exterior surface of the cover;
wherein the functional layer is configured for at least one of (a) positioning;
(b) spacing;
(c) haptic feedback;
(d) tactile feedback such as vibration;
(e) audible feedback such as sound;
(f) optical enhancement;
(g) light shielding;
(h) electrical shielding;
(i) interference shielding;
(j) electrical charging for a device;
(k) interaction with a mobile device;
(l) interaction with a vehicle system;
(m) cushioning;
(n) adhesion or bonding;
(o) tactile shear/feel performance;
(p) thermal management;
(q) heating;
(r) cooling;
(s) providing Peltier effect;
(t) diffusion of illumination from the light panel;
(u) monitoring;
(v) recording;
(w) alerting;
(x) messaging;
(y) light guiding;
(z) flexibility;
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 output from illumination from the light panel through the functional layer and through the light-transmissive layer of the cover to the exterior surface of the cover.

32 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 positioning layer;
(c) a sensor;
(d) a light panel;
and
(e) a functional layer separate from the positioning 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 light panel 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 light panel through the positioning layer and 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.

9 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Vehicle interior component

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Vehicle interior component

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20