# US 2016/0355124 A1 · Molded electroluminescent automotive interior components > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2016/0355124 A1 - Document ID: US20160355124A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 14/730,264 - Filed: 2015-06-04 - Published: 2016-12-08 - Earliest claimed: 2015-06-04 - Assignees: Ford Global Technologies, LLC - Applicants: Ford Global Technologies, LLC - Inventors: Guillermo Cesar Cervantes Guarneros; Armando Enrique Gutierrez Lopez de Lara - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20160355124A1 ## CPC - B60Q 3/80: Circuits; Control arrangements (for dashboards B60Q3/16; for mass transit vehicles B60Q3/47) - B60Q 3/54: Lighting devices embedded in interior trim, e.g. in roof liners - B60Q 3/745: {using lighting panels or mats, e.g. electro-luminescent panels, LED mats} - B60Q: ARRANGEMENT OF SIGNALLING OR LIGHTING DEVICES, THE MOUNTING OR SUPPORTING THEREOF OR CIRCUITS THEREFOR, FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL ## Abstract An electroluminescent interior trim component for a vehicle includes a shaped electroluminescent polymer film and an interior trim component molded to the shaped film. A controller causes the electroluminescent film to emit a predetermined sequence of light colors and/or light intensities. An actuator is provided for actuating the predetermined sequence. Methods of manufacturing an electroluminescent interior trim component as described include shaping the electroluminescent polymer films to a form defining the desired shape of the automotive trim component, and depositing a suitable substrate on the shaped films to define the trim component body. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An actuable electroluminescent interior trim component for a vehicle, comprising: one or more shaped electroluminescent polymer films; an interior trim component molded to the one or more shaped electroluminescent polymer films; a controller configured to cause the one or more shaped electroluminescent polymer films to emit a predetermined sequence of light colors and/or light intensities; and an actuator for actuating the predetermined sequence. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The component of claim 1, further including a power source for providing an electrical current to the one or more shaped electroluminescent polymer films. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The component of claim 1, wherein the controller is a microchip including at least a processor and memory and provided with logic including executable instructions to cause the one or more shaped electroluminescent polymer films to emit the sequence. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The component of claim 1, wherein the actuator is a tactile sensor embedded in the one or more shaped electroluminescent polymer films. ### Claim 5 (depends on 2) The component of claim 2, wherein the power source is a solar cell embedded in in the one or more shaped electroluminescent polymer films. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The component of claim 1, wherein the interior trim component is injection molded to a form holding the one or more shaped electroluminescent polymer films. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) A vehicle interior trim part including the component of claim 1. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) A vehicle including the component of claim 1. ### Claim 9 An actuable electroluminescent interior trim component for a vehicle, comprising: one or more shaped electroluminescent polymer films; an interior trim component molded to the one or more shaped electroluminescent polymer films; a controller configured to cause the one or more shaped electroluminescent polymer films to emit a predetermined sequence of light colors and/or light intensities; and a tactile switch embedded in the one or more shaped electroluminescent polymer films for actuating the predetermined sequence. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The component of claim 9, further including a power source for providing an electrical current to the one or more shaped electroluminescent polymer films. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The component of claim 9, wherein the controller is a microchip including at least a processor and memory and provided with logic including executable instructions to cause the one or more shaped electroluminescent polymer films to emit the sequence. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The component of claim 10, wherein the power source is a solar cell embedded in the one or more shaped electroluminescent polymer films. ### Claim 13 (depends on 9) The component of claim 9, wherein the interior trim component is injection molded to a form holding the one or more shaped electroluminescent polymer films. ### Claim 14 (depends on 9) A vehicle interior trim part including the component of claim 9. ### Claim 15 (depends on 9) A vehicle including the component of claim 9. ### Claim 16 A method for providing an actuable electroluminescent interior trim component for a vehicle, comprising: shaping one or more electroluminescent polymer films to a desired interior trim component shape; depositing a substrate on the one or more shaped electroluminescent polymer films to define an interior trim component; providing a controller configured to cause the one or more shaped electroluminescent polymer films to emit a predetermined sequence of light colors and/or light intensities; and providing an actuator embedded in the one or more shaped electroluminescent polymer films for actuating the predetermined sequence. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The method of claim 16, further including providing a power source for providing an electrical current to the one or more shaped electroluminescent polymer films. ### Claim 18 (depends on 16) The method of claim 16, including providing a microchip controller including at least a processor and memory and logic including executable instructions to cause the one or more shaped electroluminescent polymer films to emit the sequence. ### Claim 19 (depends on 16) The method of claim 16, including providing a tactile sensor actuator embedded in the one or more shaped electroluminescent polymer films. ### Claim 20 (depends on 17) The method of claim 17, including providing a solar cell power source embedded in the one or more shaped electroluminescent polymer films. ### Claim 21 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9, including injection molding the substrate in a form holding the one or more shaped electroluminescent polymer films to define the interior trim component.