Vehicle interior lighting

• US 20040062054A1
• Filed: 09/26/2002
• Published: 04/01/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 09/26/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: International Automotive Components Group North America (Lear Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Lear Corporation
• Inventors: Hsu, Henry, Sturt, Alan, Berta, Michael J., Tucci, Lisa
• Granted Patent: US 6,974,238 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 362/545
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/43 General lighting
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/64 for a single lighting device
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/74 for overall compartment lighting; for overall compartment lighting in combination with specific lighting, e.g. room lamps with reading lamps general lighting mounted on specific fittings B60Q3/20; general lighting for mass transit vehicles B60Q3/43
• 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 2013/0287 integrating other functions or accessories

Abstract

An interior trim component for a vehicle includes a main body having an exterior surface for facing the interior of the vehicle. The body defines an internal cavity formed therein and an opening in the exterior surface. The cavity and the opening are in communication with each other. A source of light is mounted in the cavity such that the source of light is hidden from direct normal viewing within the interior of the vehicle.

Claims

1. An interior trim component for a vehicle comprising:

a main body having an exterior surface for facing the interior of the vehicle, said body defining an internal cavity formed therein and an opening in said exterior surface in communication with said cavity; and

a source of light mounted in said cavity such that said source of light is hidden from direct normal viewing within the interior of the vehicle.

2. The trim component of claim 1, wherein said interior trim component is a sill panel for covering a sill frame member of a vehicle.

3. The trim component of claim 2, wherein said source of light emits light through said opening and is directed at the floor of the vehicle.

4. The trim component of claim 1, wherein said source of light is a fluorescent bulb.

5. The trim component of claim 1, wherein said source of light is a neon light tube.

6. The trim component of claim 1, wherein said source of light is a light emitting diode.

7. The trim component of claim 1, wherein said source of light includes a linear light guide made of a translucent material.

8. The trim component of claim 7, wherein said source of light further includes at least one light emitting diode attached to one end of said light guide for emitting light through said light guide.

9. The trim component of claim 1, wherein said source of light is a multicolored light emitting diode capable of altering the color of the light emitted therefrom.

10. The trim component of claim 1, wherein said cavity is elongated and defines a first axis, and wherein said body includes a plurality of vanes extending in a direction different from said first axis, such that said plurality of vanes form a plurality of spaced apart openings.

11. The trim component of claim 10, wherein said plurality of vanes extend in a direction normal to the first axis.

12. The trim component of claim 10, wherein said source of light is emitted from an elongated member mounted on said plurality of vanes.

13. The trim component of claim 1, wherein said inteiror trim component is a door panel.

14. The trim component of claim 13, wherein said door panel includes an armrest having a recess formed in a lower portion thereof, wherein said recess defines said cavity and opening.

15. A method of assembling a portion of a vehicle comprising:

a. manufacturing an interior trim component including a main body having an exterior surface for facing the interior of the vehicle, the body defining an internal cavity formed therein and an opening in the exterior surface in communication with the cavity;

b. mounting a source of light in the cavity to form a trim assembly such that the source of light can be emitted from the openings; and

c. transporting the trim assembly to a vehicle assembly plant for installation of the trim assembly as a single unit into an interior of a vehicle.

16. The method of claim 15 further including the step of installing the trim assembly into an interior of the vehicle.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the trim assembly is installed into the interior of the vehicle such that the source of light is hidden from direct normal viewing within the interior of the vehicle.

18. The method of claim 15, wherein said source of light includes an electrical harness to provide an electrical path from a source of power to said source of light, and the method further including the step of attaching the electrical harness to a source of power.