Translucent Deformable Trim Surface for Haptic Illumination
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing automotive interior trim components with decorative surfaces struggle to integrate sensor systems due to extreme strain and temperature fluctuations, limiting their ability to provide individualized and personalized haptic experiences with functionalization and illumination.
Innovation Solution
A multilayered film with a flexible, elastomeric polymer composite that can be reversibly deformed and transilluminated, incorporating actuators and sensors for dynamic surface geometry changes and integrated operating elements, allowing for haptic and visual customization while maintaining a uniform appearance without illumination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If sensor systems are integrated into flexible surface materials with grained or embossed surfaces, then functionalization and operational control are enabled, but the reliability deteriorates due to extreme strains and temperature fluctuations during production and operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a multilayered film structure where the sensor system is integrated into flexible surface materials. The film comprises a cover layer with grained or embossed surface structure and underlying layers containing sensor elements, allowing the system to maintain flexibility and conformability while enabling operational control functions through the integrated sensors
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a multilayered composite film structure combining different materials with specific properties. The cover layer provides the desired surface structure and aesthetics, while underlying layers contain sensor elements and adhesive components, creating a composite material that balances functional requirements with environmental resistance
2Adaptability or versatility
If decorative surfaces are functionalized with sensor systems, then operational control functions are provided, but the device complexity increases making integration difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the decorative surface function with sensor integration by combining multiple layers into a single film assembly. The cover layer with embossed surface is integrated with underlying sensor layers, adhesive layers, and substrate layers, allowing operational control functions to be embedded within the decorative surface itself rather than adding separate control elements
Solution Approach 2:
The multilayered film structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: the cover layer provides aesthetic appearance and surface structure, underlying layers provide sensor functionality, adhesive layers provide bonding, and the overall structure maintains flexibility and conformability, enabling a single component to fulfill decorative, functional, and structural roles
3Illumination intensity
If the film is made light-transmissive for transillumination, then visual signaling and illumination are enabled, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase due to the need for uniform appearance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by making specific regions of the film light-transmissive while maintaining other properties. The cover layer is designed with selective light transmissivity in areas where signaling is needed, while maintaining the embossed surface structure and aesthetic appearance in other regions, allowing localized illumination without compromising overall manufacturing precision
4Ease of operation
If the surface geometry is dynamically changed through deformation, then haptic individualization and signaling are improved, but the manufacturing precision deteriorates due to reversible deformation requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by enabling the film surface geometry to change over time through reversible deformation. The multilayered structure allows the cover layer to be deformed and return to its original shape, enabling dynamic haptic feedback and visual signaling while maintaining the integrity and precision of the embossed surface structure through controlled elastic deformation
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 enables a high-quality, customizable surface that can change geometry and provide functional illumination only when needed, offering enhanced haptic experience and operational control through reversible deformation and transillumination, maintaining a uniform appearance until activated.
Implementation Method 1
wherein the film (10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60) comprises a layer composite composed of at least one outer cover layer (1a, 1b, 1c, 2a, 2b, 3, 4) which is at least partly light-transmissive and is optionally provided with a coating, and at least one further layer (1a, 1b, 1c, 2a, 2b, 3, 4) which is at least partly light-transmissive and is arranged on the rear side of the cover layer (1a, 1b, 1c, 2a, 2b, 3, 4)
Implementation Method 2
at least one outer cover layer (1a, 1b, 1c, 2a, 2b, 3, 4) which is at least partly light-transmissive
Data Source
AI summary
A component with an exterior decorative surface and with signaling or operating elements arranged in the surface or near the surface, in particular an interior trim component of a vehicle, wherein the component comprises a component carrier as supporting structure or substructure and a multilayered film arranged on the exterior thereof, wherein the film comprises a layer composite composed of at least one outer cover layer which is at least partly light-transmissive and is optionally provided with a coating, and at least one further layer which is at least partly light-transmissive and is arranged on the rear side of the cover layer, wherein the layers forming the film consist of a flexible, elastomeric and reversibly deformable polymer, and the component carrier comprises devices which act on the film for the at least regional deformation of the film, i.e. deformation that concerns partial regions of the surface, and also devices for the at least regional transillumination of the film.