Trim for a motor vehicle

• US 9,533,628 B2
• Filed: 03/03/2015
• Issued: 01/03/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 04/07/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Plasman US Holdco LLC (Plasman Holdings LP)
• Original Assignee: Dura Automotive Holdings U.K., Ltd
• Inventors: Gerndorf, Ralf, Schulze Zur Wiesche, Jochen, Bittner, Norfried, Nsken, Axel, Schulte, Martin
• Primary Examiner(s): Daniels, Jason S
• Application Number:
  US14/636,333
• Publication Number:
  US 20150307035A1
• Time in Patent Office: 672 Days
• Field of Search: 296/1.08, 296/21, 362/84, 362/487, 362/488, 362/489, 362/546, 200/5.A, 200/600, 327/517
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0235 of flat type, e.g. LCD
• 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 13/0243 Doors
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 13/025 Pillars; Roof rails
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 13/04 External Ornamental or guard strips; Ornamental inscriptive devices thereon fastening strips or bars to sheets or plates by means of clips F16B5/12
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0071 using latches, clips, clamps, straps or the like
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2013/0287 integrating other functions or accessories
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/01 operating on vehicle systems or fittings, e.g. on doors, seats or windscreens
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/23 using manual input of alphanumerical codes
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 25/04 Door pillars ; windshield pillars

Abstract

A trim made of plastics for a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle, comprises a first component (7) made of plastics and a second component (8) made of plastics. To improve such trim, the first component (7) is at least partly transparent or semi-transparent. The second component (8) includes one or more recesses (10, 11, 12) for a display element and/or for an input element (FIG. 2).

Claims

1. An exterior vehicle trim for one of the pillars of a vehicle and/or for a vehicle door comprising:

a first plastic component layer that forms a decorative or covering surface of the trim, the first plastic component layer is at least partly transparent or semitransparent and is continuously formed without any recesses there through;

a second plastic component layer that lies behind relative to the exterior of the vehicle and is directly molded to the first plastic component layer, the second plastic component layer including one or more cut-outs;

a keypad and/or a sensor having display elements, the keypad and/or sensor is located in the one or more cutouts of the second plastic component layer and disposed behind the decorative or covering surface of the trim; and

a hook spaced apart from an edge of the second component that defines the one or more cut-outs, the hook molded to the second plastic component layer and protruding from the second plastic component layer to attach to the keypad and/or sensor;

wherein the keypad and/or the sensor are self-luminous or can be illuminated to make the display elements visible through the decorative or covering surface of the trim.

2. The trim according to claim 1 wherein the decorative or covering surface of the trim has a glossy, continuous, chiefly smooth surface.

3. A trim according to claim 1 wherein the first plastic component and the second plastic component together form a visible surface of the trim.

4. A trim according to claim 3 wherein the second plastic component layer is black.

5. A trim according to claim 1 wherein the keypad and/or sensor have input elements that can be actuated through the first component.

6. A trim according to claim 1 wherein the second plastic component layer has a mechanical function and a fastening section for a vehicle.

7. A vehicle trim comprising:

a first component formed of an at least semitransparent first material, the first component having an outer surface defining a portion of an exterior of the vehicle trim; and

a second component formed of a second material less transparent than the first material, the second component disposed on the first component and defining an inner surface of the vehicle trim, the second component defining a recess that is free from the second material and having a frame protruding from a rear portion of the second component and proximal to the recess, wherein the recess is defined by a border of the second component disposed inside and spaced apart from the frame, and

wherein the recess is configured to receive an illuminable electronic element and when illuminated the electronic element is visible through the outer surface of the first component.

8. The vehicle trim of claim 7 wherein a thickness of the first component surrounding the recess is substantially the same as a thickness of the first component overtop the recess.

9. The vehicle trim of claim 7 wherein a thickness of the first component overtop the recess is greater than a thickness of the first component surrounding the recess.

10. The vehicle trim of claim 7 wherein a thickness of the first component is greater than a thickness of the second component in a portion of the second component without the recess.

11. The vehicle trim of claim 7 wherein the first component and the second component are molded together using a multi-component injection molding method.

12. The vehicle trim of claim 11 wherein the multi-component injection molding method is a two-component injection molding method.

13. The vehicle trim of claim 7 wherein the recess is defined by an edge of the second component.

14. The vehicle trim of claim 7 wherein the recess has a substantially rectangular shape and the electronic element has a complimentary rectangular shape.

15. The vehicle trim of claim 7 wherein the recess extends in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle trim.

16. The vehicle trim of claim 15 wherein the recess is spaced inward from an edge of the trim and is surrounded by the second component.

17. The vehicle trim of claim 15 wherein the recess extends to an edge of the trim.

18. The vehicle trim of claim 17 wherein the recess extends to a longitudinal edge of the trim.

19. The vehicle trim of claim 7 wherein the second component further defines a second recess free from the second material for receiving a second electronic element.

20. The vehicle trim of claim 19 wherein the first and second recesses are spaced apart from one another.

21. The vehicle trim of claim 20 wherein the first recess is positioned longitudinally below the second recess.

22. The vehicle trim of claim 21 wherein the first recess receives an input element and the second recess receives a display element.

23. The vehicle trim of claim 7 further comprising a housing connected to the second component for attaching the electronic element to the second component.

24. The vehicle trim of claim 23 wherein the housing covers the recess and locates the electrical element in the recess.

25. The vehicle trim of claim 24 wherein the electronic element is directly adjacent to a rear surface of the first component.

26. The vehicle trim of claim 25 wherein the housing completely conceals the recess when viewed from the rear surface of the trim.

27. The vehicle trim of claim 25 wherein the housing further comprises a circumferentially-extending edge arranged to enclose a frame that protrudes from the rear surface of the second component.

28. The vehicle trim of claim 27 further comprising a circumferential seal disposed between the circumferentially-extending edge and the frame.

29. The vehicle trim of claim 27 wherein the housing extends beyond the frame and is secured to the second component at a location spaced outwardly from the frame.

30. The vehicle trim of claim 7 wherein the frame includes edges that define the recess.

31. The vehicle trim of claim 7 wherein the frame extends circumferentially around the recess.

32. The vehicle trim of claim 7 wherein the frame has a U-shaped configuration surrounding a substantial portion of the recess.

33. The vehicle trim of claim 7 further comprising a fastening element molded to the second component and protruding from the second component, the fastening element configured to attach the electrical element to the trim.

34. The vehicle trim of claim 33 wherein the fastening element is a hook spaced apart from an edge of the second component that defines the recess.

35. The vehicle trim of claim 7 further comprising a strip formed on the second component and spaced apart from the recess, wherein the strip is configured to attach to a vehicle.

36. The vehicle trim of claim 7 wherein the vehicle trim is a pillar trim.

37. The vehicle trim of claim 7 wherein the second component layer has substantially the same outer peripheral shape as the first component.

38. A vehicle trim comprising:

a first component formed of an at least semitransparent first material, the first component having an outer surface defining a portion of an exterior of the vehicle trim; and

a second component formed of a second material less transparent than the first material, the second component disposed on the first component and defining an inner surface of the vehicle trim, the second component defining a recess that is free from the second material and having a strip formed on the second component and spaced apart from the recess, wherein the strip is configured to attach to a vehicle, and

wherein the recess is configured to receive an illuminable electronic element and when illuminated the electronic element is visible through the outer surface of the first component.

39. The vehicle trim of claim 38 wherein the electronic element is operable in an illuminated condition wherein the electronic element is visible through the first component.

40. The vehicle trim of claim 38 wherein the electronic element completely fills the recess.

41. The vehicle trim of claim 38 wherein the electronic element is in contact with the first component when disposed in the recess.

42. The vehicle trim of claim 38 wherein the electronic element is illuminated by an illuminating means.

43. The vehicle trim of claim 38 wherein the illumination of the electronic element is activated by a sensor.

44. The vehicle trim of claim 38 wherein the electronic element is visible through the first component only upon activation of the electronic element.

45. The vehicle trim of claim 38 wherein the electronic element includes an input element which is actuated through the first component.

46. The vehicle trim of claim 45 wherein the input element is a fingerprint sensor.

47. The vehicle trim of claim 45 wherein the input element is a keypad having display elements and input elements for entering an access code.

48. The vehicle trim of claim 47 wherein the electronic element is a display element for displaying information optically.

49. The vehicle trim of claim 48 wherein the display element provides locking information.

50. The vehicle trim of claim 48 wherein the display element provides a logo.

51. The vehicle trim of claim 48 wherein the display element provides a charge condition of the vehicle.