MULTI-FINISH DEEP DRAW MOLD BEHIND FILM

• US 20100178460A1
• Filed: 01/04/2008
• Published: 07/15/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 01/05/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company (Johnson Controls International plc)
• Original Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company (Johnson Controls International plc)
• Inventors: Busch, David B., Hamelink, Robert, Pierce, Kristan M., Showalter, John L. II, Kadzban, Mark P.
• Application Number:
  US12/521,846
• Publication Number:
  US 20100178460A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 428/140
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/143 Touch sensitive instrument input devices
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2370/143 Touch sensitive input devices
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/10 Input arrangements, i.e. from user to vehicle, associated with vehicle functions or specially adapted therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/02 for radio sets, television sets, telephones, or the like; Arrangement of controls thereof
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0264 for control means
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 13/02 Internal Trim mouldings ; Internal Ledges; Wall liners for passenger compartments; Roof liners B60R13/01 takes precedence ; padded linings for the vehicle interior B60R21/04; arrangements or adaptations of floor mats or carpets in vehicles B60N3/04; internal lining for trains B61D17/18
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0028 Ceiling, e.g. roof rails
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2013/0287 integrating other functions or accessories
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2209/016 Protection layer, e.g. for legend, anti-scratch
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2215/006 Only mechanical function
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2217/018 Indication of switch sites
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2217/024 Profile on actuator
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2219/028 Printed information
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2221/004 U-shaped openings surrounding keys
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2231/026 Car
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/24347 From both sides

Abstract

A portion of an automobile interior is provided with buttons, lenses or the like integrated into a protective cover of the automobile interior. By incorporating the buttons, lenses and the like into the protective cover of the automobile interior, additional parts typically necessary to perform the desired functions can be eliminated. The elimination of the additional parts results in a lower cost and reduced number of steps necessary for assembly. Additionally, the elimination of the additional parts results in a reduction in the number of apertures in the protective cover and the likelihood of component failure and/or manufacturing defects associated with the additional parts.

Claims

1. A control assembly for a portion of an automobile interior comprising:

a film layer having at least one functional region;

a substrate provided behind at least a portion of the film layer;

at least one controllable element provided behind the film layer and engagable by an occupant of the vehicle by interacting with a corresponding one of the at least one functional of the film layer.

2. The control of claim 1, further comprising:

at least one aperture provided in the substrate and substantially aligned with a corresponding one of the at least one functional region of the film layer.

3. The control of claim 1, wherein the portion of an automobile interior is an overhead console.

4. The control of claim 1, wherein at least one edge of at least one functional region is defined by a channel provided in the film layer.

5. The control of claim 4, further comprising a rib provided in the channel and projecting beyond an outer surface of the film layer.

6. The control of claim 1, wherein at least one edge of at least one functional region is defined by a depression in the film layer.

7. The control of claim 1, wherein at least one functional region comprises a popple provided in the film layer.

8. A method of making an overhead console assembly comprising:

forming at least one functional region in a film layer of the overhead console;

providing a support substrate behind at least a portion of the film layer;

providing at least one controllable element behind the film layer that is engagable by an occupant of the vehicle by interaction with a corresponding one of the at least one functional region of the film layer.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising:

providing at least one aperture in the support substrate that is substantially aligned with a corresponding one of the at least one functional region of the film layer.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein forming at least one functional region comprises providing a channel in the film layer along at least a first edge of at least one of the at least one functional region.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising, for at least one functional region provided with a channel, providing a hinge line along at least a second edge of that functional region.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein providing the hinge line comprises thinning material in at least one of the film layer and the support substrate in a location corresponding to the hinge line.

13. The method of claim 8, wherein forming at least one functional region comprises providing at least a first draw in the film layer on at least a first edge of the at least one functional region.

14. The method of claim 8, wherein forming at least one functional region comprises providing at least one popple in the film layer.