Abstract: A vehicle interior component is disclosed. The component may comprise a composite structure comprising a substrate and light guide and surface/cover with holes/pattern of apertures configured for illumination (by a light source/module) to provide an interface/display (with decorative and/or instrumentation region). The light guide may comprise a resin material formed as the set of projections in the pattern of apertures. The cover may comprise a decorative layer with backing configured to provide a visual/surface effect (e.g. natural material, wood veneer, etc.); the display may present a visual/decorative effect when illuminated at the pattern of apertures/light guide. The interface/display at the surface (by illuminated light guide/pattern of holes) may present indicia for a vehicle system and/or decorative effect. The component may comprise a trim/trim panel, instrument panel/dashboard, door panel/armrest, console, overhead trim/headliner, pillar/structure, seat, etc.

Abstract: A component for a vehicle interior may be illuminated and may comprise a cover formed on a substrate. The substrate and/or cover may be at least partially light-transmissive. The cover may present a visual and/or surface effect on its exterior surface. The visual effect may comprise an illumination effect when illuminated. The cover may comprise a base layer formed on a cover layer. The cover may comprise a coating formed on the cover layer. The cover may present a texture visible through the coating. The cover may comprise a set of light-transmissive sections to provide illumination. The light-transmissive sections may comprise voids, holes or openings in the cover. The cover may comprise a deposited material formed on the substrate. The deposited material may comprise resin. The deposited material may comprise a form on the substrate. A method of forming the component is also disclosed.

Abstract: A cross-member structure/assembly for a vehicle providing an instrument panel is disclosed. The assembly may comprise a composite structure/assembly comprising a plastic beam structure and a metal structural support section to reinforce the plastic beam structure. The assembly may comprise a metal structural member and/or metal bracket member. The assembly may provide structural reinforcement and integrate vehicle systems/subsystems with the instrument panel. The assembly may comprise a set of sections/segments such as an arrangement of beam/structure sections, mounting sections, and structural elements including members, webs, flanges, stiffeners, reinforcement, plates, walls, surfaces, etc. The assembly may comprise an intermediate structural support section configured to support the beam structure. The metal structural support section may be assembled with the plastic beam structure; the metal structural member may be formed with the plastic beam structure (e.g. insert molding, over-molding, etc.).

Abstract: A component for a vehicle interior configured to be illuminated by a light source may comprise a substrate; a light guide; and a cover comprising an exterior surface. The light guide may transmit light between the substrate and the cover. The cover may be at least partially light-transmissive. The cover may present an effect on the exterior surface. The effect may comprise an illumination/dynamic lighting effect when illuminated. The cover may comprise a profile configured to present a visual effect and/or a surface effect. The component may comprise a concealed heating element between a cover base and a cover layer of the cover. The heating element may comprise a three-dimensional form behind the cover. The cover layer may be formed into a three-dimensional form and the cover base may be formed into a three-dimensional form for the surface effect. The light guide may comprise micro-optical structures.

Abstract: A component for a vehicle interior may comprise a display system comprising a light source and a composite structure comprising a base layer, an intermediate layer and a cover layer. The base layer may comprise a surface comprising a set of elements. The composite structure may present a composite visual effect contributed by the composite structure and/or a visual effect contributed by light from the light source. The visual effect contributed by the composite structure may comprise a visual effect without light from the light source and/or a visual effect with light from the light source transmitted through the composite structure. The composite visual effect of the display system may comprise a visual effect of the form/elements of the base layer and/or the form/visual object/pattern of the intermediate layer and/or the form/visual object/pattern of the cover layer.

Abstract: A vehicle interior component is disclosed. The component may comprise a track and a console configured to latch to the track and unlatch from the track to move along the track. The component may comprise a drive mechanism comprising a motor, a first cable to move the console forward and a second cable to move the console rearward. The component may comprise a controller and a retaining mechanism comprising an actuator and a lock mechanism. The controller may send a signal to the actuator to actuate the lock mechanism and may send a signal to the drive mechanism to move the console. The actuator may be configured to move a pin into engagement with a hole in the track to secure the console to the track. The lock mechanism may comprise a set of pins configured to engage a set of holes in the track.

Abstract: A component for a vehicle interior may comprise a light guide to allow light transmission from a light source for a user interface, and a cover to cover the light guide. The user interface may be presented at the cover. The cover may comprise a depression in an inner surface of the cover and the light guide may comprise a projection comprising a light-transmissive resin fit within the depression. The projection may comprise an icon to be presented at the user interface when illuminated, and to be hidden by the cover when not illuminated. The user interface may comprise a light display and an input device connected to a sensor. The icon may comprise an image. The cover thickness may be greater than the projection height. The component may comprise a steering wheel, console, floor console, center console, instrument panel, door panel, dashboard, display, armrest, or cockpit.

Abstract: A vehicle interior component is disclosed. The component may comprise a base comprising a bin; a cover moveable from a closed to an open position through an unlatched position; and a mechanism moveable to an extended position to prevent the cover from opening when subjected to an inertial force. The mechanism may hold the cover in a blocked position partially uncovering the bin. The mechanism may be re-set by opening the cover. The mechanism may comprise a blocker to prevent the cover from moving from the unlatched position to the open position. The cover may comprise a cam surface configured to move the blocker to re-set the mechanism and allow the cover to open. The cover may comprise an interface/bottom surface accessible when the cover is blocked by the mechanism. The component may comprise a console; storage compartment; instrument panel; floor console; or center console.

Abstract: A component for a vehicle interior configured to provide a moveable panel/door is disclosed. The component may comprise a structural substrate and a reinforcement for the panel at a hinge area. The reinforcement may comprise a stitch pattern to reinforce the hinge area during movement of the panel. The stitch pattern may comprise thread sewn into the structural substrate. The stitch pattern may be pressed into a surface of the structural substrate. The structural substrate may comprise a compression-formed component, a generally rigid fiber mat, or a fiber panel. The stitch pattern may be concealed at an exterior surface of the component by a cover. The component may comprise at least one of an instrument panel, a door panel, a trim panel, a trim component, etc. A vehicle interior/trim component comprising a structural substrate with a reinforcement to provide a door/opening for airbag deployment is also disclosed.

Abstract: A vehicle interior component configured to provide an illuminated display/image and comprising a composite structure is disclosed. The component may comprise a cover providing a surface for the illuminated display/image and a substrate; the cover may comprise a cover layer, bottom layer and/or intermediate layer. The cover layer may comprise a surface layer and a base layer. The base layer and/or bottom layer may comprise a reinforcing layer. The surface layer, cover layer and/or base layer may comprise a pigment. The surface layer, cover layer and/or bottom layer may comprise a colorant (or pigment, dye, etc.). The bottom layer may comprise a pattern region comprising the image, a mask and/or light-blocking layer. The composite structure may comprise the cover, a functional layer, spacer/buffer layer, diffuser layer, sensor grid, capacitive sensor, textile and/or base/substrate. The cover surface may comprise a skin.

Abstract: A component for a vehicle interior may comprise a housing; a cover structure comprising a cover surface; and a user interface at the cover surface comprising a light display. The light display may comprise a light guide comprising a projection. The cover structure may comprise a cover base and a cover layer. The cover layer may be molded on the cover base. The cover base may comprise the light guide. The cover layer may comprise an aperture. The projection may extend into the aperture. The cover base may comprise an aperture, recess, notch and/or indentation. The cover layer may comprise a generally opaque material preventing visibility of a recess in the cover base. The cover base may comprise a different color and/or softness than the cover layer. The cover structure may comprise apertures and/or recesses for the light guide.

Abstract: A vehicle interior component is disclosed. The component provides a user interface with a display/image when illuminated. The component comprises a composite structure with a cover material providing a light-transmissive effect and a surface providing a surface effect (grain/wood texture) visible when the display is off. The image is presented at the cover surface when the display is on. The cover may comprise a wood veneer with backing (paper, fiber material, etc.). The composite structure may comprise a mask layer and a lens, filter, colorant, etc. The user interface may include a sensor. The light source may comprise a display panel, LED/array, module, etc. The image is visible at the user interface when display functionality is in operation; when display functionality is not in operation the surface effect of the cover (e.g. wood texture) is visible with substantially no indication of display functionality.

Abstract: A vehicle interior component configured to provide a user interface for vehicle systems is disclosed. The component may provide a user interface for a vehicle occupant. The component may comprise a composite structure to provide the user interface comprising a cover providing an exterior surface, a sensor, light panel, absorber panel and/or decorative material. The light panel may provide output visible at the exterior surface; the decorative layer and/or absorber panel may provide a visual effect. The cover may comprise a light-transmissive cover; illumination from a display may comprise visible light transmitted through a functional layer and through an at least partially translucent cover. The component may comprise a light panel to provide output visible at the cover exterior surface. A method of operating the user interface provided by the composite structure is also disclosed. The user interface may be coupled to a control system.

Abstract: A component for a vehicle interior configured to dispense scent in a vehicle interior is disclosed. The component may comprise a scent-dispensing apparatus comprising a module configured for at least one scent-dispensing cartridge (removable/replaceable) containing scent media. An actuator may be configured to operate the module in a bypass mode or for selection/actuation of a cartridge. A selected cartridge may be actuated from a sealed state to prevent airflow through scent media to an unsealed state to allow airflow across/through scent media and into the vehicle interior. The actuator may comprise a mechanism (e.g. slider, cam mechanism); each cartridge may comprise a valve mechanism actuated by the actuator; each mechanism may comprise a spring. The module may comprise a fan to provide airflow. The component may provide a user interface. The component may comprise a console, overhead console, floor console, center console, etc.

Abstract: A vehicle interior component configured to present a user interface for a vehicle occupant with vehicle systems may comprise a housing, cover structure and user interface system to present the user interface at a cover surface. The user interface may comprise a light display to transmit light from a light source and/or an input device comprising a mechanical coupling to interface with a sensor arrangement. The user interface may comprise output from the light display and/or input by interaction with the input device at the cover surface. The component may comprise a module comprising the light display and the input device. The module may comprise an absorber. The light display may comprise a light guide and/or display panel. The light guide may comprise a projection and/or icon to transmit light through an aperture and/or recess of the cover structure.

Abstract: A track system for providing a movable component in a vehicle interior may comprise a track assembly comprising a track for the movable component and a base comprising a chassis for the movable component to be movable along the track. The track assembly may comprise a track cover. The chassis may move the track cover to uncover the track under the chassis. The track cover may comprise a front section, a rear section and a middle section. The front section and the rear section may cover the track. The chassis may comprise a ramp configured to raise the front section as the chassis moves in a forward direction. The middle section may extend below the front section, the rear section and the chassis. The track cover may slide along a pulley between the front section and the middle section.

Abstract: A vehicle interior component comprising a cover with a surface providing a display region is disclosed. The component may comprise a composite layer/structure and light source to provide light at a first and a second visible color/wavelength. The composite layer may comprise light-transmissive segments with color and light-transmissive transparent/translucent segments; light at the first wavelength is transmitted through a first segment and transparent/translucent segment to present a first image/visual effect at the display region; light at the second wavelength is transmitted through a second segment and transparent/translucent segment to present a second image/visual effect at the display region; light at the first wavelength is obstructed by the second segment; light at the second wavelength is obstructed by the first segment; transparent/translucent segments transmit light at first and second wavelengths. The composite layer may comprise a multi-layer form on the cover.

Abstract: A component for a vehicle may comprise a roller rotatable relative to a base, a sheet coupled to the roller and movable between a retracted state and an extended state, a lock mechanism and a button. The lock mechanism may disengage to allow sheet movement and engage to block sheet movement. The lock mechanism may comprise an arm to engage the teeth on the roller to hold the sheet in the extended state. The button may comprise a latch to prevent engagement. The component may comprise an actuator to move the lock mechanism to block sheet movement and rotate the roller to provide tension in the sheet. The actuator may comprise a motor. The component may comprise a sensor and a controller for the actuator/motor. The component may comprise a cover or retractable table.

Abstract: A vehicle interior component configured to be actuated by an inertia force is disclosed. The component may comprise a cover moveable relative to a base between closed and open positions and a latch mechanism to provide a latched state for the cover when actuated by the inertia force and to hold the cover in an unlatched state. The latch mechanism may be configured to change state of the cover from the unlatched state to the latched state when actuated by the inertia force. The cover may comprise the latch mechanism. The latch mechanism may extend from the cover in the latched state. The latch mechanism may form a generally continuous surface with a wall of the cover when unlatched. The latch mechanism may comprise a spring to hold the cover in the unlatched state. The component may comprise at least one of a console; center console; floor console; an armrest.

Abstract: A vehicle interior component comprising a cover rotatably coupled to a base at a pivot joint is disclosed. The component may comprise a mechanism comprising a projection engaging a first surface when the cover is closed and engaging a ramp as the cover is rotated between closed and open positions. The pivot joint may comprise an axle to provide an axis of rotation. The pivot joint may comprise the projection on the axle. One of the projection and the ramp may slide along the other as the cover opens and/or closes. The mechanism may comprise a cam surface and a follower. The base and/or cover may flex at the pivot joint. The cover may comprise a door, bin or sunglass bin. The component may comprise a console, center stack/console, floor console, overhead console, instrument panel, door panel, etc.