Illuminated Vehicle Interior Cover With Layered Additive Texture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current vehicle interior components lack an efficient method to produce decorative and illuminated features using additive manufacturing, which limits their visual and surface effects such as patterns, textures, and illumination.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle interior component is created using a substrate with a light-transmissive cover formed by a base layer and a cover layer, where the cover layer includes light-transmissive sections and a coating to provide visual and surface effects, such as illumination and texture, through the use of additive manufacturing techniques, including UV curing and inkjet printing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If traditional manufacturing methods are used for vehicle interior components, then production process is simple, but visual and surface effects such as patterns, textures, and illumination are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The cover is divided into multiple layers including a base layer and a cover layer, where each layer can be manufactured separately and then combined. This segmentation allows different manufacturing techniques to be applied to different layers, enabling complex visual and surface effects while maintaining manufacturing efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses composite material structures where the base layer and cover layer are made from different materials with specific properties. The base layer provides structural support while the cover layer provides decorative surfaces, allowing both manufacturing simplicity and visual versatility to be achieved
2Adaptability or versatility
If additive manufacturing is used to create complex visual and surface effects, then aesthetic appeal is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The manufacturing process is segmented into distinct stages: manufacturing the base layer, manufacturing the cover layer, and assembling them together. This segmentation reduces the complexity of any single manufacturing step while achieving complex overall effects through the combination of layers
Solution Approach 2:
The base layer acts as an intermediary between the substrate and the cover layer, providing a transition zone that simplifies the manufacturing process. The base layer can be manufactured separately with simpler processes, then used to support the more complex cover layer during assembly
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
This method enables the production of vehicle interior components with enhanced visual and surface effects, including patterns and textures, while providing illumination, improving aesthetic appeal and user interaction.
Implementation Method 1
The substrate may be at least partially light-transmissive. The cover may be at least partially light-transmissive. The visual effect may comprise an illumination effect when illuminated by light from the light source.
Implementation Method 2
The method may comprise the step of curing material of the cover using at least one of ultraviolet (UV) light; UV-A light; UV-B light; UV-C light; light in a wave length created by UV-LED; light in a wave length created by UV-Mercury lamp
Data Source
AI summary
A component for a vehicle interior 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.