Integration of light emitting devices and printed electronics into vehicle trim components
First Claim
1. A trim component capable of providing light for the interior of a vehicle, said trim component further including a surface, comprising:
- a device having a surface that emits light, wherein said device has a thickness of 0.5 mm to 3.0 mm, including at least two adjacent surfaces, wherein said device surface that emits light comprises a portion of said surface of said trim component;
said two adjacent surfaces of said device being partially embedded in molded plastic;
wherein said molded plastic comprises attachment structure for attaching said trim component in said vehicle;
wherein said device includes a light source and electronics printed on a light substrate.
13 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A relatively thin printed LED backlight device with an integral diffuser may be integrated into an interior trim component using a molding process, such as injection molding, compression molding and reaction injection molding. The display portion may be placed behind a textile surface or molded grille or may form a portion of the outer surface of the trim component to provide light to low light areas of the vehicle. Electronic circuitry and components may be printed on to the substrate of the device as part of an in-line continuous process at the molding station to allow low inventory and customization of each backlight device.
278 Citations
31 Claims
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1. A trim component capable of providing light for the interior of a vehicle, said trim component further including a surface, comprising:
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a device having a surface that emits light, wherein said device has a thickness of 0.5 mm to 3.0 mm, including at least two adjacent surfaces, wherein said device surface that emits light comprises a portion of said surface of said trim component; said two adjacent surfaces of said device being partially embedded in molded plastic; wherein said molded plastic comprises attachment structure for attaching said trim component in said vehicle; wherein said device includes a light source and electronics printed on a light substrate. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method for producing a trim component capable of providing light for the interior of a vehicle, comprising:
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providing a device having a surface that emits light wherein said device has a thickness of 0.5 mm to 3.0 mm, including at least two adjacent surfaces; forming said device to shape, wherein said shape complements a surface of a mold for forming said interior trim component; placing said formed device against said surface in said mold; and introducing a flowable plastic behind at least a portion of said device in said mold wherein said two adjacent surfaces of said device are partially embedded in said flowable plastic and wherein said flowable plastic forms attachment structure for said interior trim component in said vehicle, wherein said device includes a light source and electronics deposited on a light substrate. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A method for producing a trim component capable of providing light for the interior of a vehicle, comprising:
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providing a device having a surface that emits light wherein said device has a thickness of 0.5 mm to 3.0 mm, including at least two adjacent surfaces; placing said device in a mold for forming said interior trim component; and introducing a flowable plastic behind at least a portion of said formed device in said mold wherein said two adjacent surfaces of said device are partially embedded in said flowable plastic and wherein said flowable plastic forms attachment structure for said interior trim component in said vehicle, wherein said device includes a light source and electronics deposited on a light substrate. - View Dependent Claims (19)
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20. A method for the in-line production of a trim component capable of providing light for the interior of a vehicle, comprising:
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providing an inkjet printer adjacent to a plastic molding press; providing a sheet of plastic to said printer; advancing said sheet through said printer whereby droplets of ink are deposited from one or more printheads in said printer onto a surface of said sheet, said droplets deposited in such a pattern so as to create a printed electronic, optical and/or lighting device; drying said ink droplets; expelling said sheet from said printer, providing a top layer attached to said printed sheet; trimming said combination of top layer and sheet to provide said printed electronic, optical and/or lighting device having a thickness of 0.5 to 3.0 mm wherein said device includes two adjacent surfaces; directly forming said printed electronic, optical and/or lighting device to shape wherein said shape complements a surface of a mold for forming said interior trim component; placing said device against said surface in said mold; and introducing a flowable plastic behind at least a portion of said formed device in said mold wherein said two adjacent surfaces of said device are partially embedded in said flowable plastic and wherein said flowable plastic forms attachment structure for said interior trim component in said vehicle, wherein said device includes a light source and electronics deposited on a light substrate. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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30. A method for the in-line production of a trim component capable of providing light for the interior of a vehicle, comprising:
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providing an inkjet printer adjacent to a plastic molding press; providing a sheet of plastic to said printer; advancing said sheet through said printer whereby droplets of ink are deposited from one or more printheads in said printer onto a surface of said sheet, said droplets deposited in such a pattern so as to create a printed electronic, optical and/or lighting device; drying said ink droplets; expelling said sheet from said printer, trimming said sheet to provide said printed electronic, optical and/or lighting device having a thickness of 0.5 to 3.0 mm along with two adjacent surfaces; placing said device in a mold for forming said interior trim component; and introducing a flowable plastic behind at least a portion of said device in said mold wherein said two adjacent surfaces of said device are partially embedded in said flowable plastic and wherein said flowable plastic forms attachment structure for said interior trim component in said vehicle, wherein said device includes a light source and electronics deposited on a light substrate. - View Dependent Claims (31)
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Specification