Abstract: A component for a vehicle interior may comprise a light guide to allow light transmission from a light source, and a cover to cover the light guide. The light guide may comprise an icon or indicator and the cover may comprise a depression or indentation in an inner surface of the cover. The icon/indicator of the light guide may comprise a light-transmissive resin material configured to fit within the depression/indentation in the cover. The icon/indicator may be presented when illuminated and hidden by the cover when not illuminated. The cover may comprise a polymer material coupled to the light guide. The cover may present a user interface. A surface of the cover may comprise an information region and/or a decorative region. The component may comprise a steering wheel, console, floor console, center console, instrument panel, door panel, dashboard, display, armrest, or cockpit.

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 component for a vehicle interior may comprise a composite structure comprising a cover base; a cover layer to provide a cover surface at a surface level; and an element to present a visual object. The element may present the visual object at the cover surface of the composite structure. The cover layer may comprise an aperture. The element may project from the base into the aperture of the cover layer. The element may project to a level above or below the surface level of the cover surface of the cover layer. The visual object may comprise an image, symbol, icon, logo, indicator and/or an illuminable visual object. The element may comprise a decorative layer below an underside of the cover layer. The cover layer may be molded on the cover base. The cover base may comprise a light guide to illuminate the visual object when illuminated.

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 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 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 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 vehicle interior component providing a user interface for an occupant is disclosed. The component may comprise a base; a cover comprising a surface; an intermediate layer comprising a foam material; and a sensor to detect an electrical signal in response to input at the user interface, contact at the surface of the cover, or compression of the foam material. The foam material may comprise electrical properties, conductivity, resistance, compression-responsive electrical properties, or variation in voltage. The foam material may comprise an additive, an additive material, a conductive material, a conductive additive, conductive particles, carbon particles, carbon black particles, carbon dust, carbon particles in a substrate, or carbon particles interspersed with a non-conductive substrate. The foam material may comprise foam with conductive particles, carbon foam, carbon additive foam, polyurethane foam, or polyurethane with carbon particles.

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

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

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 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 system and method of treating a surface in a vehicle interior by radiation/ultraviolet light is disclosed. The method may comprise determining a dose of radiation/ultraviolet light for the surface and directing ultraviolet light to the surface in the dose. The system may comprise a radiation/ultraviolet light source directed by a mechanism and operated by a controller to administer a dose of radiation/ultraviolet light for treatment of the surface. The controller may direct the radiation source on a path to multiple positions/zones of the vehicle interior. The system may comprise at least one apparatus comprising a base and mechanism and ultraviolet light source. Treatment/dose of ultraviolet light may be based on biomatter type potentially on the surface, distance from ultraviolet light source to surface, duration/intensity of applied ultraviolet light and/or other factors/parameters. The dose may be intended to substantially sanitize a surface; different doses may be applied to different surfaces.

Abstract: A vehicle interior component providing a user interface for an occupant is disclosed. The component may comprise a base; a cover comprising a surface; an intermediate layer comprising a foam material; and a sensor to detect an electrical signal in response to input at the user interface, contact at the surface of the cover, or compression of the foam material. The foam material may comprise electrical properties, conductivity, resistance, compression-responsive electrical properties, or variation in voltage. The foam material may comprise an additive, an additive material, a conductive material, a conductive additive, conductive particles, carbon particles, carbon black particles, carbon dust, carbon particles in a substrate, or carbon particles interspersed with a non-conductive substrate. The foam material may comprise foam with conductive particles, carbon foam, carbon additive foam, polyurethane foam, or polyurethane with carbon particles.

Abstract: A user interface system for a vehicle interior includes a contact surface, a sensor grid and a controller. The sensor grid is configured for variable electrical resistance in response to applied pressure and the controller is configured to detect the electrical resistance of the sensor grid by monitoring a voltage. The controller detects the location of an input from a vehicle occupant, the intensity of the input, and the duration of the input.

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 user interface system for a vehicle interior includes a contact surface, a sensor grid and a controller. The sensor grid is configured for variable electrical resistance in response to applied pressure and the controller is configured to detect the electrical resistance of the sensor grid by monitoring a voltage. The controller detects the location of an input from a vehicle occupant, the intensity of the input, and the duration of the input.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a vehicle interior panel includes providing a composite panel having a first thickness, inserting the composite panel into a mold, heating the composite panel, and compressing a first portion of the composite panel in a first region of the mold to a second thickness that is less than the first thickness.

Abstract: A vehicle interior assembly is provided that includes a fabric having multiple colored portions. The vehicle interior assembly further includes a substrate coupled to the fabric and configured to enhance rigidity to the fabric. Moreover, the substrate includes a recess, and a transition of the fabric between a first colored portion and a second colored portion of the multiple colored portions is disposed within the recess.