Vehicle trim assembly

• US 9,958,138 B2
• Filed: 09/22/2017
• Issued: 05/01/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 11/21/2013
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Salter, Stuart C., Surman, James J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Sawhney, Hargobind S
• Application Number:
  US15/712,956
• Publication Number:
  US 20180010769A1
• Time in Patent Office: 221 Days
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/141 Activation of instrument input devices by approaching fingers or pens
• 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: B60Q 1/324 for signalling that a door is open or intended to be opened
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/217 Doors, e.g. door sills; Steps
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/68 using ultraviolet light
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/80 Circuits; Control arrangements for dashboards B60Q3/16; for mass transit vehicles B60Q3/47
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/82 Switches specially adapted for vehicle interior lighting, e.g. switching by tilting the lens
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 9/32 characterised by the arrangement of the photoluminescent material
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 9/38 Combination of two or more photoluminescent elements of different materials

Abstract

A trim assembly for a vehicle is provided herein. The trim assembly includes a substrate and a housing forming a cavity therebetween. A conductive layer is coupled to the housing and has first and second portions each including an electrically conductive material. The first portion is separated from the second portion by an electrically insulative gap.

Claims

1. A trim assembly for a vehicle comprising:

a substrate and a housing forming a cavity therebetween; and

a conductive layer coupled to the housing and having first and second portions each including an electrically conductive material, the first portion separated from the second portion by an electrically insulative gap.

2. The trim assembly of claim 1, wherein the substrate is coupled to a vehicle door trim panel.

3. The trim assembly of claim 1, further comprising:

a light source within the cavity.

4. The trim assembly of claim 1, wherein the conductive material is configured as a proximity sensor that is operably coupled to a controller to actuate a control output.

5. The trim assembly of claim 4, wherein the proximity sensor is configured as a capacitive sensor that detects changes in capacitance due to movement of an object proximate to or in contact with the proximity sensor.

6. The trim assembly of claim 1, wherein the gap is a hollow void.

7. The trim assembly of claim 1, wherein the gap is filled with an electrically insulative material.

8. The trim assembly of claim 1, further comprising:

a protective layer disposed outwardly of the housing.

9. The trim assembly of claim 1, further comprising:

a conductive interconnect disposed between a substrate and the housing, wherein the interconnect supplies electrical power to each conductive material on the housing.

10. The trim assembly of claim 9, wherein the first and second portions of the conductive layer are disposed on first and second opposing surfaces of the housing, the second surface aligned with the conductive interconnect.

11. The trim assembly of claim 9, wherein the housing is resiliently movable relative to the substrate.

12. A trim assembly for a vehicle, the assembly comprising:

a housing having a layer thereon having first and second portions each formed with an electrically conductive material and separated by an electrically insulative gap;

a conductive interconnect disposed between a substrate and the housing, wherein the interconnect supplies electrical power to each conductive material on the housing; and

a light source disposed between the substrate and housing.

13. The trim assembly of claim 12, wherein the first and second portions of the conductive material are disposed on first and second opposing surfaces of the housing, the second surface aligned with the conductive interconnect.

14. The trim assembly of claim 12, wherein the housing is resiliently movable relative to the substrate.

15. The trim assembly of claim 12, wherein the conductive material is configured as a proximity sensor that is operably coupled to a controller to actuate a control output.

16. A trim assembly for a vehicle, the assembly comprising:

a substrate coupled to a housing, the housing having a conductive layer thereon including first and second portions separated by an electrically insulative gap; and

a conductive interconnect disposed between the substrate and the housing, wherein the interconnect supplies electrical power to the conductive layer on the housing.

17. The trim assembly of claim 16, further comprising:

a light source within a cavity defined between the substrate and the housing.

18. The trim assembly of claim 16, wherein the first and second portions of the conductive layer are disposed on first and second opposing surfaces of the housing, the second surface aligned with the conductive interconnect.

19. The trim assembly of claim 16, wherein the first or second portions of the conductive layer is configured as a proximity sensor that is operably coupled to a controller to actuate a control output.

20. The trim assembly of claim 16, wherein the housing is resiliently movable relative to the substrate.