Multi-Component Interior Trim Part for Noise-Decoupled Light Guides
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicle interior trim parts with integrated lighting or backlighting often produce undesirable creaking noises due to relative movements of components, which negatively impact passenger experience and product value.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle interior trim part is designed as an injection-molded multi-component component with a hard and soft plastic combination, where the soft component forms a light guide receptacle and decouples noise from the hard component, eliminating the need for separate light guide holders and ensuring noise-free operation during movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If separate light guide holders are used in the trim panel, then the lighting components can be mounted, but unwanted creaking noises occur during relative movement
Solution Approach 1:
The light guide holder is integrated directly into the carrier part as a soft component through injection molding, eliminating separate mounting steps and the associated noise from relative movement between separate components
Solution Approach 2:
A soft component acts as an intermediary between the light guide holder and the hard carrier part, providing noise decoupling while maintaining functional connection for light guide mounting
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate components are assembled in the trim panel, then functional requirements are met, but assembly errors and incorrect mounting occur
Solution Approach 1:
The light guide holder and carrier part are merged into a single injection-molded multi-component part, eliminating assembly steps and ensuring precise positioning without risk of incorrect mounting
Solution Approach 2:
The carrier part is segmented into hard and soft components with distinct functions, where the soft component specifically provides noise decoupling for the light guide holder integration
3Strength
If hard components are used throughout the trim panel, then structural strength is maintained, but noise from relative movement increases
Solution Approach 1:
The carrier part has different local qualities: hard components for structural strength and a soft component specifically at the light guide holder integration area for noise decoupling
Solution Approach 2:
The carrier part is formed as a multi-component component combining hard and soft plastics, where each material provides its specific properties: strength from the hard component and noise decoupling from the soft component
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 effectively decouples noise from the light guide receptacle, preventing unwanted sounds during use and ensuring even lighting or backlighting without additional assembly steps, enhancing passenger comfort and product value.
Implementation Method 1
The soft component serves as a physical decoupling element, acting as a damping element between adjacent plastic components that could otherwise cause unwanted creaking noises during relative movement
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
The invention relates to a trim part (1) that is configured for a vehicle interior and designed to be back-lit or transilluminated, the trim part (1) comprising a support part (3), designed to fasten the trim part (1) in the vehicle interior, and said support part (3) being formed as an injection-moulded multi-component part consisting of at least two different plastic materials, a first plastic material acting as a hard component and a second plastic material acting as a soft component being joined together by injection-moulding. The trim part (1) has at least one light guide receiving portion (2) for securely receiving, in a manner decoupled from the support part (3), at least one light guide (5), and the light guide receiving portion (2) is formed from the soft component of the support part (3).