Vehicle interior component

Abstract

A trim panel for a vehicle interior to provide a user interface for an occupant is disclosed. The trim panel may comprise a composite structure comprising a light-transmissive cover, a light panel/display, a functional layer and a positioning layer. The user interface may facilitate interaction with the vehicle occupant so that operation of the user interface for the vehicle occupant comprises output from illumination from the light panel through the functional layer and through the cover to an exterior surface of the cover. The positioning layer may comprise a deformable spacer. The positioning layer may comprise a foam layer under the cover. The trim panel may comprise a sensor to detect input from the occupant at or adjacent to the cover. The composite structure may comprise a cover segment comprising a fabric and/or leather and a cover segment comprising a plastic or film.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A trim panel for a vehicle interior configured to provide a user interface for a vehicle occupant in a vehicle comprising vehicle systems comprising:
 a composite structure configured to provide the user interface comprising:   (a) a cover providing an exterior surface;   (b) a light panel;   (c) a functional layer; and   (d) a positioning layer separate from the functional layer;   wherein the cover comprises a light-transmissive layer;   wherein the light panel is configured to provide illumination at least partially visible through the exterior surface of the cover;   wherein the functional layer is configured for at least one of (a) optical enhancement; (b) electrical charging for a device; (c) interaction with a mobile device; (d) interaction with a vehicle system; (e) interaction with the vehicle occupant; (f) monitoring; (g) alerting; (h) messaging; (i) light guiding;   wherein the user interface is configured to facilitate interaction with the vehicle occupant;   so that operation of the user interface for the vehicle occupant comprises output from illumination from the light panel through the functional layer and through the light-transmissive layer of the cover to the exterior surface of the cover.   
     
     
         2 . The trim panel of  claim 1  wherein the positioning layer comprises a deformable spacer. 
     
     
         3 . The trim panel of  claim 1  wherein the positioning layer comprises a foam layer under the cover. 
     
     
         4 . The trim panel of  claim 1  wherein the functional layer comprises a light diffuser. 
     
     
         5 . The trim panel of  claim 1  wherein the cover comprises at least one of (a) textile; (b) fabric; (c) fiber mesh; (d) leather; (e) grain surface; (f) synthetic fiber fabric; (g) natural fibers; (h) artificial leather; (i) polyester; (j) synthetic fibers; (k) fabric sheet; (l) upholstered material; (m) a fleece material; (n) a woven material; (o) a non-woven material; (p) a sheet material; (q) a perforated material; (r) a composite of multiple fiber materials; (s) a translucent material; (t) a resilient material; (u) a leather material configured to facilitate the transmission of visible light; (v) a material that is partially transparent and partially opaque; (w) a layer configured to facilitate transmission of visible light; (x) a surface material perforated to improve the visibility of light from a display. 
     
     
         6 . The trim panel of  claim 1  wherein the cover comprises at least one of (a) film; (b) resin; (c) polycarbonate; (d) polyurethane; (e) polyvinyl material; (f) TPO; (g) a plastic material; (h) a plastic film; (i) a composite of multiple plastic materials; (j) a composite of multiple materials; (k) a composite of fiber material; (l) natural material; (m) metal; (n) a perforated material; (o) a translucent layer. 
     
     
         7 . The trim panel of  claim 1  further comprising a sensor configured to detect input from the vehicle occupant at or adjacent to the exterior surface of the cover. 
     
     
         8 . The trim panel of  claim 7  wherein the sensor comprises at least one of (a) an array; (b) a grid; (c) a foil; (d) a panel; (e) a touch panel; (f) a flexible panel; (g) a detector; (h) a proximity detector; (i) a capacitive touch panel; (j) a pressure sensitive panel; (k) a camera. 
     
     
         9 . The trim panel of  claim 1  wherein the light panel comprises at least one of (a) an array; (b) a grid; (c) a panel; (d) a display screen; (e) a flexible panel; (f) a lighting array; (g) a lighting device array; (h) a light-emitting device array; (i) an LED array; (j) a flexible LED array; (k) an OLED array; (l) a flexible LED matrix; (m) a flexible sheet; (n) a display. 
     
     
         10 . The trim panel of  claim 1  wherein the composite structure comprises a first cover segment and a second cover segment; wherein the first cover segment comprises a fabric and the second cover segment comprises a plastic. 
     
     
         11 . A trim panel for a vehicle interior configured to provide a user interface for a vehicle occupant in a vehicle comprising:
 a composite structure configured to provide the user interface comprising:   (a) a cover providing an exterior surface;   (b) a light panel; and   (c) a functional layer;   wherein the cover comprises a light-transmissive layer;   wherein the light panel is configured to provide illumination at least partially visible through the exterior surface of the cover;   wherein the functional layer is configured for at least one of (a) positioning; (b) spacing; (c) cushioning; (d) tactile shear/feel performance; (e) diffusion of illumination from the light panel;   wherein the user interface is configured to facilitate interaction with the vehicle occupant;   so that operation of the user interface for the vehicle occupant comprises output from illumination from the light panel through the functional layer and through the light-transmissive layer of the cover to the exterior surface of the cover.   
     
     
         12 . The trim panel of  claim 11  wherein the functional layer comprises a first functional layer and a second functional layer. 
     
     
         13 . The trim panel of  claim 12  wherein the first functional layer comprises a functional layer configured for diffusion of illumination from the light panel and the second functional layer comprises a positioning layer. 
     
     
         14 . The trim panel of  claim 11  further comprising a positioning layer comprising at least one of (a) a spacer; (b) a flexible spacer; (c) a spacer fabric; (d) a fabric material; (e) a foam material; (f) a plastic material; (g) a woven material; (h) fabric; (i) polyurethane; (j) a spacer material; (k) a deformable spacer; (l) a deformable spacer material; (m) a material configured to provide haptic feedback. 
     
     
         15 . A trim panel for a vehicle interior configured to provide a user interface for a vehicle occupant in a vehicle comprising:
 a composite structure configured to provide the user interface comprising:   (a) a cover providing an exterior surface;   (b) a light panel;   (c) a functional layer; and   (d) a positioning layer;   wherein the cover comprises a light-transmissive layer;   wherein the cover comprises at least one of (a) textile; (b) fabric; (c) leather; (d) artificial leather; (e) a woven material; (f) a non-woven material;   wherein the light panel is configured to provide illumination at least partially visible through the exterior surface of the cover;   wherein the user interface is configured to facilitate interaction with the vehicle occupant;   so that operation of the user interface for the vehicle occupant comprises output from illumination from the light panel through the functional layer and through the light-transmissive layer of the cover to the exterior surface of the cover.   
     
     
         16 . The trim panel of  claim 15  wherein the cover comprises at least one of (a) a translucent material; (b) a material that is partially light-transmissive and partially opaque; (c) a layer configured to facilitate transmission of visible light; (d) a perforated material. 
     
     
         17 . The trim panel of  claim 15  wherein the positioning layer comprises a foam layer under the cover. 
     
     
         18 . The trim panel of  claim 15  wherein the positioning layer comprises at least one of (a) a spacer; (b) a flexible spacer; (c) a spacer fabric; (d) a fabric material; (e) a foam material; (f) a plastic material; (g) a woven material; (h) fabric; (i) polyurethane; (j) a spacer material; (k) a deformable spacer; (l) a deformable spacer material. 
     
     
         19 . The trim panel of  claim 15  further comprising a sensor so that operation of the user interface further comprises input from the vehicle occupant at or adjacent to the exterior surface of the cover. 
     
     
         20 . The trim panel of  claim 15  wherein the functional layer is configured for at least one of (a) positioning; (b) spacing; (c) haptic feedback; (d) tactile feedback such as vibration; (e) audible feedback such as sound; (f) optical enhancement; (g) light shielding; (h) electrical shielding; (i) interference shielding; (j) electrical charging for a device; (k) interaction with a mobile device; (l) interaction with a vehicle system; (m) cushioning; (n) adhesion or bonding; (o) tactile shear/feel performance; (p) thermal management; (q) heating; (r) cooling; (s) providing Peltier effect; (t) diffusion of illumination from the light panel; (u) monitoring; (v) recording; (w) alerting; (x) messaging; (y) light guiding; (z) flexibility.