Interior Trim Components With Integrated Electrical Wiring

• US 20170151915A1
• Filed: 12/01/2015
• Published: 06/01/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 12/01/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Aptiv Technologies AG
• Original Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc. (BorgWarner Incorporated)
• Inventors: Seidler, Robert J., Rhinehart,, JR., Gerald A.
• Granted Patent: US 9,783,130 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/04 mounted inside vehicle B60R1/025, B60R1/08 take precedence
• 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 16/0207 Wire harnesses
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2013/0287 integrating other functions or accessories

Abstract

An interior trim component configured for use in a vehicle including a housing formed of a dielectric material and an electrical conductor encased within the housing being surrounded by and in intimate contact with the dielectric material forming the housing. The electrical conductor defines two exposed contact points. An exterior surface of the housing has a desired trim color and desired trim texture. The trim component may be manufactured using a 3D printing process or an insert molding process.

Claims

1. An interior trim component configured for use in a vehicle, comprising:

a housing formed of a dielectric material; and

an electrical conductor encased within the housing being surrounded by and in intimate contact with the dielectric material forming the housing, wherein the electrical conductor defines two exposed contact points.

2. The interior trim component according to claim 1, wherein the electrical conductor is formed of a metallic material.

3. The interior trim component according to claim 2, wherein the interior trim component is formed by insert molding the electrical conductor within the interior trim component.

4. The interior trim component according to claim 1, wherein the interior trim component is formed by a 3D printing process depositing the dielectric material forming the housing and depositing a conductive material forming the electrical conductor.

5. The interior trim component according to claim 1, further comprising a plurality of metallic electrical conductors, wherein each conductor is encased within the housing and is surrounded by and in intimate contact with the dielectric material forming the housing and wherein each electrical conductor defines two exposed contact points.

6. The interior trim component according to claim 1, wherein an exterior surface of the housing has a desired trim color and desired trim texture.

7. The interior trim component according to claim 1, wherein the interior trim component is configured to interconnect a rear view mirror to a vehicle electrical system.