Interior trim components with integrated electrical wiring

• US 9,783,130 B2
• Filed: 12/01/2015
• Issued: 10/10/2017
• 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.
• Primary Examiner(s): Gilman, Alexander
• Application Number:
  US14/955,139
• Publication Number:
  US 20170151915A1
• Time in Patent Office: 679 Days
• Field of Search: 439212, 439213, 439 34, 439210
• 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

a plurality of metallic electrical conductors, wherein each electrical conductor of the plurality of metallic electrical conductors is encased within the housing and is surrounded by and in intimate contact with the dielectric material forming the housing, wherein each electrical conductor of the plurality of metallic electrical conductors defines two contact points exposed external to the housing, and wherein an exterior surface of the housing has a desired trip color and desired trim texture..

2. The interior trim component according to claim 1, wherein the interior trim component is formed by insert molding the plurality of metallic electrical conductors within the interior trim component.

3. 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 plurality of metallic electrical conductors.

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

5. The interior trim component according to claim 1, wherein the interior trim component is a roof pillar trimpiece configured to interconnect a wiring in the vehicle'"'"'s headliner to a vehicle electrical system.