Vehicle Interior Trim Insert for Hidden Sensor and Light Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing interior trim parts for vehicles lack versatility in integrating complex electrical function modules beyond illumination, such as sensors and control units, while maintaining a seamless appearance and avoiding visual or haptic distortion.
Innovation Solution
An interior trim part design featuring a support component with an opening covered by a cover layer, which can house an insert with a function module that includes illumination, display, or sensor units, utilizing a transparent or translucent cover layer to allow signal transmission without distortion, and a foam layer for haptic softness, with manufacturing processes ensuring no residual foam between the insert and decorative layer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a foam layer is applied to the back of the cover layer for haptic softness, then the comfort and aesthetic appearance are improved, but residual foam may form between the insert and decorative layer causing visual distortion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes a section of the foam layer in the region of the opening to prevent residual foam from forming between the insert and decorative layer. This extraction of the foam layer in the critical area eliminates the source of visual distortion while preserving the haptic softness in other areas where the foam layer remains.
Solution Approach 2:
The foam layer is applied selectively - present in areas where haptic softness is desired, but removed in the region of the opening where visual clarity is critical. This local differentiation allows the system to achieve both haptic comfort and visual precision simultaneously by optimizing the foam layer distribution for different functional requirements.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the cover layer is made transparent or translucent to allow signal transmission, then the functionality of illumination and display units is improved, but the hidden until lit appearance is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The cover layer exhibits different optical properties in different regions - it is transparent or translucent in the region of the opening to allow signal transmission from the function module, while remaining opaque in other areas to maintain the hidden until lit appearance. This spatial variation in optical properties enables simultaneous achievement of functionality and aesthetics.
3Adaptability or versatility
If an opening is formed in the support component to receive the insert, then the integration of electrical function modules is enabled, but the seamless appearance and haptic continuity are disrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The opening is formed by removing a section of the support component to receive the insert, but the cover layer is then applied to cover this opening. The foam layer is subsequently removed in the region of the opening to prevent visual distortion. This sequence of extraction and coverage restores the seamless appearance while maintaining the functional integration capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The cover layer acts as an intermediary element that bridges the opening in the support component and the external environment. It provides a continuous surface that conceals the opening and maintains haptic continuity, while the insert remains accessible for signal transmission through the transparent or translucent cover layer.
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure relates to an interior trim part for a motor vehicle, which comprises: a support component and a cover layer on a visible side of the support component, wherein the support component has an opening which is covered by the cover layer, and an insert, which is received in the opening and has a top side which is covered by the cover layer, wherein the insert receives an electrical function module or is coupled to the same, which function module is equipped in order to emit and/or receive light and/or signals through the surface of the insert and the cover layer.