# US 11,999,290 B2 · Component for vehicle interior

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- Number: US 11,999,290 B2
- Document ID: US11999290B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 18/119,817
- Filed: 2023-03-09
- Published: 2023-09-07
- Granted: 2024-06-04
- Earliest claimed: 2020-09-11
- Assignees: Shanghai Yanfeng Jinqiao Automotive Trim Systems Co. Ltd.
- Applicants: Shanghai Yanfeng Jinqiao Automotive Trim Systems Co. Ltd.
- Inventors: Wei Lange-Mao; Christian Kitzel; Iris Wegner
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11999290B2

## CPC

- B60Q 3/62: using light guides
- B60H 1/2227: {Electric heaters incorporated in vehicle trim components, e.g. panels or linings}
- B60K 35/10: Input arrangements, i.e. from user to vehicle, associated with vehicle functions or specially adapted therefor
- B60K 35/211: {producing three-dimensional [3D] effects, e.g. stereoscopic images}
- B60K 35/28: characterised by the type of the output information, e.g. video entertainment or vehicle dynamics information; characterised by the purpose of the output information, e.g. for attracting the attention of the driver
- B60K 35/60: Instruments characterised by their location or relative disposition in or on vehicles (arrangements of lighting devices on dashboards B60Q3/10)
- B60K 37/20: Dashboard panels
- B60Q 3/14: lighting through the surface to be illuminated
- B60Q 3/217: Doors, e.g. door sills; Steps
- B60Q 3/267: Door handles; Hand grips
- B60Q 3/54: Lighting devices embedded in interior trim, e.g. in roof liners
- B60Q 3/64: for a single lighting device
- B60Q 9/00: Arrangement or adaptation of signal devices not provided for in one of main groups B60Q1/00 - B60Q7/00 {, e.g. haptic signalling}
- B60R 13/02: {Internal} Trim mouldings {; Internal} Ledges; Wall liners {for passenger compartments}; Roof liners (B60R13/01 takes precedence {; padded linings for the vehicle interior B60R21/04; arrangements or adaptations of floor mats or carpets in vehicles B60N3/04; internal lining for trains B61D17/18})
- B60R 13/0243: {Doors}
- B60K 35/25: using haptic output
- B60K 35/26: using acoustic output
- B60K 2360/143: Touch sensitive instrument input devices
- B60K 2360/332: Light emitting diodes
- B60K 2360/336: Light guides
- B60K 2360/339: Translucent dashboard skins
- B60K 2360/774: on or in the centre console
- B60K 2360/794: on or in doors
- B60Q 2900/40: Several lamps activated in sequence, e.g. sweep effect, progressive activation
- B60R 2013/0287: {integrating other functions or accessories}
- B60Q: ARRANGEMENT OF SIGNALLING OR LIGHTING DEVICES, THE MOUNTING OR SUPPORTING THEREOF OR CIRCUITS THEREFOR, FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60H: ARRANGEMENTS OF HEATING, COOLING, VENTILATING OR OTHER AIR-TREATING DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR PASSENGER OR GOODS SPACES OF VEHICLES
- B60K: ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PROPULSION UNITS OR OF TRANSMISSIONS IN VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PLURAL DIVERSE PRIME-MOVERS IN VEHICLES; AUXILIARY DRIVES FOR VEHICLES; INSTRUMENTATION OR DASHBOARDS FOR VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH COOLING, AIR INTAKE, GAS EXHAUST OR FUEL SUPPLY OF PROPULSION UNITS IN VEHICLES
- B60R: VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR

## Abstract

A component for a vehicle interior configured to be illuminated by a light source may comprise a substrate; a light guide; and a cover comprising an exterior surface. The light guide may transmit light between the substrate and the cover. The cover may be at least partially light-transmissive. The cover may present an effect on the exterior surface. The effect may comprise an illumination/dynamic lighting effect when illuminated. The cover may comprise a profile configured to present a visual effect and/or a surface effect. The component may comprise a concealed heating element between a cover base and a cover layer of the cover. The heating element may comprise a three-dimensional form behind the cover. The cover layer may be formed into a three-dimensional form and the cover base may be formed into a three-dimensional form for the surface effect. The light guide may comprise micro-optical structures.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A component for a vehicle interior configured to be illuminated by light from a light source comprising:
(a) a substrate;
(b) a light guide; and
(c) a cover comprising an exterior surface;
wherein the light guide is configured to transmit light between the substrate and the cover;
wherein the cover comprises a cover layer comprising a three-dimensional form comprising a profile;
wherein the cover is at least partially light-transmissive;
wherein the cover is configured to present an effect on the exterior surface;
wherein the effect comprises an illumination effect when illuminated by light from the light source;
wherein the effect comprises a surface effect configured to be provided by the profile of the cover layer;
wherein the illumination effect comprises a dynamic lighting effect comprising light from the light source;
wherein the light source comprises a set of LED elements configured to illuminate each set of a set of segments to provide the dynamic lighting effect;
wherein a set of dividers is provided between each set of segments;
wherein each set of dividers is configured to provide an optical barrier;
wherein the light source is configured to selectively illuminate each set of the set of segments;
wherein the set of LED elements comprises at least one LED element for a segment of the set of segments
further comprising a heating element comprising a three-dimensional form comprising a profile;
wherein the profile of the heating element is integrated with the profile of the cover layer so that the heating element is at least partially concealed at the exterior surface of the cover.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The component of claim 1 wherein the cover comprises a texture on the cover layer configured to present the effect; wherein the effect comprises a visual effect and a surface effect provided by the texture of the cover layer and by the three-dimensional form of the profile of the cover layer.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The component of claim 1 wherein the cover comprises a cover base and the cover layer; further comprising the heating element between the cover base and the cover layer.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The component of claim 3 wherein the heating element comprises a set of heating wires; wherein the cover comprises the profile; wherein the set of heating wires is provided within the profile; wherein the profile comprises a three-dimensional form at the cover.

### Claim 5 (depends on 3)

The component of claim 3 wherein the heating element comprises a three-dimensional form behind the cover.

### Claim 6 (depends on 3)

The component of claim 3 wherein the heating element is configured for simultaneous operation with the illumination effect at the exterior surface of the cover.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The component of claim 1 wherein the effect comprises a surface effect at the cover layer; wherein the cover is formed into a three-dimensional form comprising the profile for the surface effect at the cover layer; wherein the three-dimensional form comprising the profile at the cover layer comprises a relief-structured cover layer.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The component of claim 1 wherein the effect comprises a surface effect; wherein the cover comprises a cover base and the cover layer; wherein the cover layer is formed into the three-dimensional form and wherein the cover base is formed into a three-dimensional form for the surface effect.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The component of claim 1 wherein the light guide comprises micro-optical structures.

### Claim 10

A component for a vehicle interior configured to provide a user interface illuminated by light from a light source comprising:
(a) a base;
(b) a light-transmissive cover comprising an exterior surface;
wherein the base comprises a housing;
wherein the cover is configured to present an effect on the exterior surface;
wherein the effect comprises an illumination effect when illuminated by light from the light source;
wherein the illumination effect comprises a dynamic lighting effect comprising light from the light source;
wherein the light source comprises a set of LED elements configured to illuminate each set of a set of segments to provide the dynamic lighting effect;
wherein a set of dividers is provided between each set of segments;
wherein each set of dividers is configured to provide an optical barrier;
wherein the light source is configured to selectively illuminate each set of the set of segments;
wherein the set of LED elements comprises at least one LED element for a segment of the set of segments
further comprising a heating element comprising a three-dimensional form comprising a profile;
wherein the profile of the heating element is integrated with the profile of the cover layer so that the heating element is at least partially concealed at the exterior surface of the cover.

### Claim 11 (depends on 10)

The component of claim 10 further comprising a light guide configured to transmit light from the light source to the cover; wherein the light guide comprises micro-optical structures on a three-dimensional form.

### Claim 12 (depends on 10)

The component of claim 10 wherein the dynamic lighting effect comprises at least one of an ambient light for the vehicle interior or a signal for at least one vehicle system or an alert for an occupant of the vehicle interior or a warning from a vehicle system or a warning from a network and/or or information from a vehicle system or network.

### Claim 13 (depends on 10)

The component of claim 10 wherein the light source comprises a set of LED elements; wherein the illumination effect comprises selective illumination of at least one LED element of the set of LED elements.

### Claim 14

A component for a vehicle interior configured to be illuminated by light from a light source comprising:
(a) a substrate;
(b) a cover comprising an exterior surface;
wherein the cover comprises a cover layer comprising a three-dimensional form comprising a profile;
wherein the cover is at least partially light-transmissive;
wherein the cover is configured to present an effect on the exterior surface;
wherein the effect comprises an illumination effect when illuminated by light from the light source;
wherein the effect comprises a surface effect configured to be provided by the profile of the cover layer;
wherein the illumination effect comprises a dynamic lighting effect comprising light from the light source;
wherein the light source comprises a set of LED elements configured to illuminate each set of a set of segments to provide the dynamic lighting effect;
wherein a set of dividers is provided between each set of segments;
wherein each set of dividers is configured to provide an optical barrier;
wherein the light source is configured to selectively illuminate each set of the set of segments;
wherein the set of LED elements comprises at least one LED element for a segment of the set of segments
further comprising a heating element comprising a three-dimensional form comprising a profile;
wherein the profile of the heating element is integrated with the profile of the cover layer so that the heating element is at least partially concealed at the exterior surface of the cover.