Vehicle Interior Trim Cover Layer for Hidden Operating Elements
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing trim parts for vehicle interiors with low transmittance cover layers are unsuitable for light sources with lower luminance, such as LCD or OLED displays, as they fail to maintain low visibility of operating elements, and higher transmittance cover layers make the elements behind them visible.
Innovation Solution
A trim part design featuring a carrier element with a recess, a partially light-transmissive cover layer, and an air gap, where the optical properties of the contact region are adjusted to ensure that light reflected from both the cover layer and the air gap have the same brightness and color, making the operating element less visible, even with higher transmittance cover layers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a cover layer with very low transmittance (less than 5 percent) is used to hide the operating element, then the visibility of the operating element is reduced, but this solution becomes unsuitable for light sources with lower luminance such as LCD or OLED displays
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different optical properties to different regions: the contact region has optimized optical properties (reflectance, absorbance) to match the air gap region, while the recess region allows light transmission for display visibility. This local differentiation enables the cover layer to maintain low operating element visibility while being compatible with low-luminance displays.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes optical parameters (reflectance, absorbance, transmittance) of the cover layer material to achieve a balance: the cover layer has transmittance between 5-50% for display visibility, while the contact region has specific reflectance (10-70%) and absorbance properties to minimize operating element visibility. This parameter optimization enables compatibility with both low-luminance displays and visibility requirements.
2Illumination intensity
If a cover layer with higher transmittance is used to allow display visibility, then the operating element behind the cover layer becomes clearly visible
Solution Approach 1:
The cover layer is divided into functional regions: the recess region with higher transmittance (5-50%) for display visibility, and the contact region with optimized reflectance (10-70%) and absorbance properties to reflect surrounding light and hide the operating element. This spatial differentiation of optical properties resolves the contradiction between display visibility and operating element concealment.
Solution Approach 2:
The contact region acts as an intermediary that reflects surrounding light into the air gap region, creating a light field that masks the operating element. The intermediate layer or adhesive in the contact region mediates between the cover layer and carrier element to achieve the desired optical effect of hiding the operating element while maintaining display visibility.
3Ease of operation
If air gaps are formed between the operating element and cover layer for movable operation, then the operating element can be operated, but visual differences appear between the contact region and air gap region
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the optical properties of the contact region (reflectance, absorbance) to match the visual appearance of the air gap region. The contact region has reflectance between 10-70% and specific absorbance properties that compensate for the absence of the operating element, creating visual uniformity across the cover layer while maintaining the air gap for operability.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical design creates a feedback mechanism where surrounding light reflected in the contact region and transmitted through the cover layer compensates for the visual difference caused by the air gap. The reflected light from the contact region fills the optical space where the operating element would be visible, maintaining visual uniformity while preserving mechanical operability.
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 solution effectively reduces the visibility of the operating element, making it suitable for use with low-luminance light sources, and allows for flexible adaptation of optical properties through minor design adjustments, ensuring the operating element remains minimally visible even when the cover layer transmittance is high.
Implementation Method 1
a first part of a visible surrounding light, which passes through the cover layer from the front side of the trim part, is reflected in the contact region
Implementation Method 2
a second part of the surrounding light is reflected in the region of the air gap
Data Source
AI summary
A trim part for a vehicle interior, comprising a carrier element with a recess, an operating element arranged at least partially in the recess operable from a front side of the trim part, and a partially light-transmissive cover layer arranged on the front side of the trim part covering the recess. The cover layer is supported on and/or flatly connected to the carrier element in a contact region. An air gap is formed between the operating element and the cover layer and/or the carrier element. A first part of a visible surrounding light passing through the cover layer from the front side of the trim part is reflected in the contact region and a second part of the surrounding light is reflected in a region of the air gap. The reflected first part and second part of the surrounding light have substantially the same brightness and/or color after passing through the cover layer.