# US 12,214,722 B2 · Interior trim article for a motor vehicle

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- Number: US 12,214,722 B2
- Document ID: US12214722B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 18/247,101
- Filed: 2021-09-30
- Published: 2023-11-23
- Granted: 2025-02-04
- Earliest claimed: 2020-09-30
- Assignees: International Automotive Components Group GmbH
- Applicants: International Automotive Components Group GmbH
- Inventors: Sung-uk Kim; Benno Berger; Florian Ross; Carter Cannon
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12214722B2

## CPC

- B60Q 3/54: Lighting devices embedded in interior trim, e.g. in roof liners
- B60Q 3/64: for a single lighting device
- B60Q 3/82: Switches specially adapted for vehicle interior lighting, e.g. switching by tilting the lens
- 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 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
- B60R: VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR

## Abstract

An interior trim article for a motor vehicle, comprises a decorative outer skin; a touch-sensor or proximity sensor; and a backlight lighting source disposed behind said touch sensor or proximity sensor to emit light through the touch-sensor and through the decorative outer skin.

## Claims

### Claim 1

An interior trim article for a motor vehicle, comprising:
a decorative outer skin;
an electronic apparatus comprising,
a touch-sensor or proximity sensor; and
a backlight lighting source disposed behind said touch sensor or proximity sensor to emit light through the touch-sensor and through the decorative outer skin;
a substrate having a transparent or translucent region; and
a rear closure, which covers the electronic apparatus and is removably fastenable to the substrate.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The interior trim article of claim 1 wherein said decorative outer skin includes one or a plurality of recesses.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The interior trim article of claim 2 wherein the recesses are blind recesses.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The interior trim article of claim 3 wherein the blind recesses are at least partially filled with a transparent or translucent support material.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The interior trim article of claim 1 wherein the transparent or translucent region of the substrate includes a window, which is occupied by a light transmissive member.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The interior trim article of claim 5 wherein the window or the light transmissive member includes one or more graphics.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The interior trim article of claim 1 wherein the decorative outer skin includes one or more tactile switch indicators on its surface to operate functions of the electronic apparatus and/or the motor vehicle.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The interior trim article of claim 1 wherein the electronic apparatus includes a haptic actuator, which provides tactile feedback to a user of the electronic apparatus in response to activation of the touch-sensor or proximity sensor.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The interior trim article of claim 1 wherein the touch-sensor or proximity sensor comprises a touch-sensor foil.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The interior trim article of claim 1 wherein regions of the decorative outer skin are configured as a mask to block light from being emitted from a front side of the decorative outer skin.

### Claim 11 (depends on 10)

The interior trim article of claim 10 having a defined boundary between light transmissive and opaque regions of the decorative outer skin.

### Claim 12 (depends on 1)

The interior trim article of claim 1 further comprising a soft touch layer wherein the substrate supports the decorative outer skin and the soft touch layer as well as the interior trim article and is configured for attachment to the motor vehicle.

### Claim 13 (depends on 1)

A motor vehicle including the interior trim article of claim 1 wherein the interior trim article is part of a center floor console, IP instrument panel, IP center stack, or door trim panel.