Abstract:
A component for a vehicle interior is disclosed; a method for producing the component is also disclosed. The component comprises a base and a cover comprising an exterior surface providing the visible surface and an interior surface; the visible surface at the cover may comprise a display operated by light source/panel configured to present an image at an image presentation area. The image presentation area may comprise a formed image presentation area; the formed image presentation area may comprise at least one formed hole formation segment comprising at least one formed hole formation based on a hole pattern segment for a pattern image area. The image presentation area of the cover may comprise each formed hole formation comprising formed hole formation segments; each formed hole formation may comprise an opening through the cover generally corresponding to a hole of the hole pattern segment. A composite visual effect may be presented at the cover of the component; the external surface of the cover may comprise a surface effect such as by a veneer configured to provide a visual effect; the formed image presentation area is configured to provide a visual effect such as by the image illuminated at the display from the light source/panel. The formed hole formations for the image presentation area of the cover may comprise laser-formed openings formed through the internal surface and external surface of the cover.
Abstract:
A vehicle interior component is disclosed. The component may comprise a base and a core comprising a core structure. The core may provide functional features such as resilience, passage of illumination and/or passage of air flow. The core structure may comprise a framework of resilient elements, a matrix of projections or spring members/elements, a lattice, a set of sheets, curved sheets, a set of layers, a multi-layer framework, etc.; the core structure may comprise any of a variety of forms (including composite forms) configured to provide intended overall and/or localized variation in physical properties for the component (e.g. comfort/feel, resilience/compressibility, rigidity/stiffness, strength, mass/weight, shape/form, fit, manufacturability/assembly, material properties/selection, light-transmissibility/translucence, air/scent flow, ornamental effect/appearance, etc.). The core may be configured for efficient production by additive manufacturing processes and/or thermoforming, molding, etc. The component may comprise a console, panel, occupant support, etc.
Abstract:
A component for a vehicle interior is disclosed. The component may be illuminated and may comprise a cover formed on a substrate. The substrate and/or cover may be at least partially light-transmissive. The cover may present a visual and/or surface effect on its exterior surface. The visual effect may comprise an illumination effect when illuminated. The cover may comprise a base layer formed on a cover layer. The cover may comprise a coating formed on the cover layer. The cover may present a texture visible through the coating. The cover may comprise a set of light-transmissive sections to provide illumination. The light-transmissive sections may comprise voids, holes or openings in the cover. The cover may comprise a deposited material formed on the substrate. The deposited material may comprise resin. The deposited material may comprise a form on the substrate. A method of forming the component is also disclosed.
Abstract:
A vehicle interior component is disclosed. The component may comprise a base, bin and tray. The bin may move from a closed position to an open position for access. The tray may move from a retracted position to an intermediate or extended position for access. The component may comprise a cover that may move from an upward position to cover the tray to a lowered position to uncover the tray. The component may comprise a first actuator to move the tray from the retracted to the intermediate position and a second actuator to move the bin from the closed to the open position. The bin may move from the closed to the open position when the tray is in the retracted, intermediate and extended positions. The tray may move from the retracted to the intermediate and extended positions when the bin is in the closed and open positions.
Abstract:
A trim component for a vehicle interior is disclosed. The trim panel is prepared from a fiber panel. The trim component may be formed by concurrent compression forming and injection molding of the fiber panel within a single mold apparatus. Thermoplastic resin may be melted and injected to the back side of the fiber panel to improve structural rigidity and create greater strength difference between adjacent areas. The trim panel may provide at least one score line on the back side configured to direct airbag deployment. The score line may be compression formed onto the backside of the trim panel. The score line may reduce the strength of the area of the trim panel near the score line. Less energy may be required to break through the trim panel during air bag deployment. The trim panel may also provide a smooth visible surface.
Abstract:
A system and method for producing a vehicle interior component is disclosed. The system and method is configured to a method of manufacturing a vehicle trim component utilizing a mold that includes at least a first part and a second part, wherein each of the first and second parts includes a surface that defines a cavity. The method comprises supplying a material comprising fibers into the cavity, compressing the material between at least one of the first and second parts of the mold to form the material into a formed component comprising a first side and a second side, cutting at least a portion of the formed component to form the vehicle trim component and removing the vehicle trim component from the cavity. The system and method is provided an improved system and method for producing a vehicle interior component from a panel providing for variations in thickness and/or density to provide options useful for design and configuration variations for the component such as rigidification, weight, reduction, etc.
Abstract:
A vehicle interior component may comprise a steering wheel comprising a base and a rim comprising a composite structure and a frame connected to the base. The composite structure may comprise at least one segment comprising an intermediate layer under a cover. The cover may comprise an exterior surface for the rim. The intermediate layer may comprise a soft material, a resilient material, a foam material and/or a spacer material. The component may comprise a carrier layer beneath the intermediate layer. The at least one segment may comprise at least one shell segment comprising an engagement portion. The at least one segment may comprise a set of selectable segments assembled onto the frame. The rim may comprise a multi-segment construction. A cover on a first segment may be different than a cover on a second segment. The composite structure may be configured for mass/weight reduction.
Abstract:
A system and method comprising use of a sensor in a vehicle interior configured for interaction with at least one vehicle occupant and/or vehicle system is disclosed. The system may comprise a user interface and a processor configured to process an input signal from the sensor to facilitate an operation and to provide an output signal. The system may provide interactive connectivity for a vehicle occupant to vehicle systems and/or networks in a wide variety of situations such as events, incidents, conditions, etc. The input signal may comprise a detected event, incident, condition, object, occupant, etc. The operation may comprise operation of vehicle system and/or network communication and/or data analytics/analysis. The output signal may comprise an output at a user interface such as a report/alert and/or to a vehicle system and/or a network communication. The sensor may comprise a sensor array and/or a sensor matrix. The sensor matrix may provide a sensor field for detection. The system with sensor/matrix may be configured for use/operation as a component for an interior of vehicles such as personal vehicles or commercial vehicles or autonomous vehicles.
Abstract:
A vehicle interior component configured for response in event of a side impact is disclosed. The component may comprise an armrest assembly for a door panel. The armrest assembly may comprise a base section and an armrest section and a region configured for response to side impact at the door panel. The region may comprise a movable/deformable structure. Response of the armrest assembly may comprise deformation to partially absorb force and/or movement of the armrest section relative to the base section to partially cover the base section. The armrest assembly may comprise a carrier and/or mechanism to attach the armrest section to the door panel. The carrier/mechanism may be configured to guide/direct movement of the armrest section and/or to partially absorb the side impact force. The mechanism may comprise a set of pins movable within a set of slots to provide for movement of the armrest section.
Abstract:
A vehicle interior component is disclosed. The component may comprise a base with cover. The cover may comprise a first door and a second door coupled by a link/link mechanism; each door may be movable between a closed position and an open position. The link may comprise an effective length in a default length to couple door movement and when both doors are open and/or closed; the effective length may comprise a non-default length to allow movement of one door relative to the other door. The link may comprise a first member and a second member movable relative to the first member; the second member may extend and/or retract relative to the first member. The link mechanism may comprise a detent mechanism with notch and/or projection to retain the link at the default length. The link mechanism may comprise a spring mechanism.