Backlit Trim Element With Color-Matched Perforation Layers

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing trim elements with backlighting devices often have an unsatisfactory decorative appearance due to visibility of underlying surfaces through perforations, especially when the lighting is off and the trim element is dark in color, degrading the aesthetic experience for passengers.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a support layer and connecting layer with the same decorative color as the external face of the decorative layer, ensuring a uniform appearance through perforations even when the lighting is off, achieved by using translucent materials and pigmented adhesives or films that match the decorative color, preventing light leakage and maintaining aesthetic continuity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If a backlighting device is arranged under a perforated decorative layer to illuminate the trim element, then passenger comfort and external appearance are improved, but the underlying surface becomes visible through perforations when lighting is off, degrading aesthetic appearance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebacklighting illuminationVSAvoidvisibility of underlying surface through perforations
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The bonding layer is formulated with a decorative color that matches the external face of the decorative layer. This color matching ensures that when the backlighting is off, the underlying surface visible through perforations blends seamlessly with the decorative layer, eliminating the aesthetic degradation caused by visibility of the support layer or other underlying structures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #32Color changes

Solution Approach 2:

The bonding layer serves as an intermediary element between the support layer and the decorative layer. By positioning this color-matched bonding layer at the perforation interface, it mediates the visual transition, ensuring that the underlying surface appears consistent with the decorative layer's aesthetic when viewed through perforations in the dark state.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If a support layer is disposed between the lighting device and decorative layer to provide soft appearance, then passenger comfort is increased, but the uniform decorative appearance is compromised due to visibility of different underlying surfaces

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepassenger comfortVSAvoiduniformity of decorative appearance
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The bonding layer is specifically formulated with a decorative color matching the external face of the decorative layer. This color coordination ensures visual uniformity across the entire trim element surface, including areas visible through perforations, thereby maintaining the stability and consistency of the decorative appearance while allowing the support layer to provide tactile comfort.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #32Color changes

3Illumination intensity

If the trim element is dark in color to enhance aesthetic appearance, then external appearance is improved, but the visibility of underlying surfaces through perforations is increased when lighting is off

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaesthetic appearance in dark stateVSAvoidvisibility of underlying surface
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The bonding layer is formulated with a decorative color that matches the dark external face of the decorative layer. This color matching strategy ensures that even in dark-colored trim elements, the underlying surface visible through perforations blends seamlessly with the decorative layer, preventing the harmful effect of contrasting colors that would otherwise be visible in the dark state.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #32Color changes

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution provides a satisfactory decorative appearance by ensuring that the color seen through perforations matches the trim element's decorative color, enhancing passenger comfort and aesthetic appeal by maintaining a uniform appearance regardless of lighting conditions.

Implementation Method 1

a bonding layer (16) between the decorative layer (12) and the support layer (14)... a lighting device (18) configured to at least partially illuminate the exterior surface (19) of the trim element (10)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight transmission: Light

Implementation Method 2

The support layer (14) is translucent at least opposite the orifices (24) of the decorative layer (12)... The bonding layer (16) is translucent at least opposite the orifices (24) of the decorative layer (12)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTranslucency:

Data Source

PatentEP4101702B1Trim element
Publication Date: 2025.01.08 FAURECIA INTERIEUR IND
  • EP4101702B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4101702B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

A filling element (10) comprises: - a decorative layer (12) including an outer face (20), an inner face (22), and a plurality of openings (24) extending between the outer face (20) and the inner face (22); - a support layer (14) including an outer face (26), an inner face (28), and at least one flexible layer; - a bonding layer (16) connecting the inner face (22) of the decorative layer (12) with the outer face (26) of the support layer (14); and - a lighting device (18) configured to emit light in the direction of the inner face (28) of the support layer (14). At least one of the support layer (14) and the bonding layer (16) has the same decorative color as the outer face (20) of the decorative layer (12).