Abstract: A vehicle interior assembly includes a tambour door that is moveable along end guides between an open position and a closed position. The tambour door includes a plurality of slats interconnected by a unidirectional cord embedded in a plastic material of each one of the slats. The cord, such as yarn of aramid fibers can be molded-in to each one of the slats to simplified formation of the articulated joints between slats.

Abstract: A vehicle interior assembly includes a non-visible display facing a surface configured to reflect an image appearing on the display toward an occupant area of a vehicle passenger cabin in which the assembly is installed. The assembly is configured to emit light directly from a light-emitting portion of the surface facing the occupant area. The vehicle interior assembly may include a panel that includes the surface. The panel may be at least partially transparent at the light-emitting portion. The panel may be at least partially transparent at an image-reflecting portion of the surface. The light-emitting portion and the image-reflecting portion may form a continuous planar surface. An icon may be formed when light is emitted from the light-emitting portion of the surface. The icon may be a warning icon.

Abstract: A vehicle interior panel includes a decorative fabric layer adhered to a concave side of a perforated substrate. Attachment of the fabric layer is via an adhesive layer initially provided in the form of a film. The film is laminated to the fabric layer, which is then adhered to the substrate via the film. Perforations can be formed through the film prior to lamination. The panel is suitable for use over an audio speaker or other device.

Abstract: A vehicle interior panel includes an electromagnet configured to add a localized recess to a base contour of the panel when activated. The recess can provide a visual and tactile feature along the outer surface of the panel to allow a user to interact with the panel. The panel may be touch sensitive and/or include a proximity sensor that triggers formation of the recess.

Abstract: A method includes synthesizing pigment in situ in a porous material and includes impregnating the porous material with a first reactant, and subsequently impregnating the porous material with a second reactant to form the pigment in situ. The method is contrasted with applying a pigment to a material via an external surface of the material, where pigment penetration is limited, and the pigment is not protected from environmental hazards such as ultraviolet light. Forming the pigment within the cells of the porous material provides pigmentation throughout the material and protects the pigment over the life of the product.

Abstract: A vehicle interior assembly includes a frame and a fall away door that closes off an opening in the frame when in a closed position. The door moves between the closed position and an open position via sequential vertical and horizontal movements. From the closed position, the door first drops vertically to a dropped position. A final portion of this vertical movement may be damped movement. From the dropped position, the door moves horizontally to the open position, at which the door is concealed from view from the exterior of the assembly. Various guides can be provided to define the movement path of the door. Various types of non-visible sensors can be used to detect a user's intention to open and close the door.

Abstract: A backlit vehicle interior panel includes a non-polymeric decorative layer and a mask layer. The mask layer includes an aperture formed through a layer of opaque material. The decorative layer can be a wood layer that is part of a wood sheet complex that overlies the mask layer. A blind hole is formed in the decorative sheet complex and extends through the decorative layer. The blind hole is aligned with the aperture. Light from a light source passes through the aperture of the mask layer and the aligned blind hole of the sheet complex to partly define an illuminated symbol along at outer surface of the panel. The illuminated symbol can be generated through the decorative layer even when the decorative layer is opaque, and the symbol can have sharper features than can be produced through a translucent decorative layer.

Abstract: A vehicle interior control panel includes a pressure-sensitive slider switch embedded within the thickness and beneath a decorative surface of a deco panel. The slider switch in non-visible and includes a variable resistance layer that sequentially and electrically connects different pairs of electrical contacts in the deco panel as a user-applied pressure is moved across the decorative surface and over the slider switch. The slider switch operates to change a parameter or characteristic of a display panel during use. Light from a light source beneath the deco panel is emitted at the decorative surface through otherwise non-visible perforations. The control panel appears to be only a wood panel until activated via user-applied pressure.

Abstract: A vehicle interior assembly includes a tambour door that is moveable along end guides between an open position and a closed position. The tambour door includes a plurality of slats interconnected by a unidirectional cord embedded in a plastic material of each one of the slats. The cord, such as yarn of aramid fibers can be molded-in to each one of the slats to simplified formation of the articulated joints between slats.

Abstract: A vehicle interior panel includes a decorative fabric layer adhered to a concave side of a perforated substrate. Attachment of the fabric layer is via an adhesive layer initially provided in the form of a film. The film is laminated to the fabric layer, which is then adhered to the substrate via the film. Perforations can be formed through the film prior to lamination. The panel is suitable for use over an audio speaker or other device.

Abstract: A method and processing station for producing a veneer having two parallel opposed faces and including at least one lignocellulosic layer made of lignocellulosic fibers having a grain extending along the opposed faces of the veneer. The processing station carries out the method by applying a compressive force to the veneer along at least one direction extending along the opposed faces of the veneer so as to mechanically compress the lignocellulosic fibers.

Abstract: A vehicle interior control panel includes a pressure-sensitive slider switch embedded within the thickness and beneath a decorative surface of a deco panel. The slider switch in non-visible and includes a variable resistance layer that sequentially and electrically connects different pairs of electrical contacts in the deco panel as a user-applied pressure is moved across the decorative surface and over the slider switch. The slider switch operates to change a parameter or characteristic of a display panel during use. Light from a light source beneath the deco panel is emitted at the decorative surface through otherwise non-visible perforations. The control panel appears to be only a wood panel until activated via user-applied pressure.

Abstract: A vehicle interior assembly includes a frame and a fall away door that closes off an opening in the frame when in a closed position. The door moves between the closed position and an open position via sequential vertical and horizontal movements. From the closed position, the door first drops vertically to a dropped position. A final portion of this vertical movement may be damped movement. From the dropped position, the door moves horizontally to the open position, at which the door is concealed from view from the exterior of the assembly. Various guides can be provided to define the movement path of the door. Various types of non-visible sensors can be used to detect a user's intention to open and close the door.

Abstract: A vehicle interior panel includes a decorative layer formed from a material that blocks transmission of a range of wireless communication frequencies. Perforations are formed through the material so that the decorative layer permits wireless communication through the panel. The perforations may be formed in a pattern so that an illuminated pattern is displayed at a decorative side of the panel when backlit. The perforations can be made non-visible and enable the use of carbon fiber and other conductive materials in the decorative layer without sacrificing wireless communication capability.

Abstract: A vehicle interior panel includes a decorative layer having a decorative side, a sensor, a wireless charger, and a light source. The sensor is configured to detect a mobile device situated on the decorative side of the decorative layer, and the wireless charger is configured to create a wireless charging area on the decorative side of the decorative panel. The light source is configured to display a trace sequence that is located between the mobile device and the wireless charging area to help a user locate the wireless charging area.

Abstract: A vehicle interior panel includes a decorative layer having a decorative side, a sensor, a wireless charger, and a light source. The sensor is configured to detect a mobile device situated on the decorative side of the decorative layer, and the wireless charger is configured to create a wireless charging area on the decorative side of the decorative panel. The light source is configured to display a trace sequence that is located between the mobile device and the wireless charging area to help a user locate the wireless charging area.

Abstract: A backlit vehicle interior panel includes a non-polymeric decorative layer and a mask layer. The mask layer includes an aperture formed through a layer of opaque material. The decorative layer can be a wood layer that is part of a wood sheet complex that overlies the mask layer. A blind hole is formed in the decorative sheet complex and extends through the decorative layer. The blind hole is aligned with the aperture. Light from a light source passes through the aperture of the mask layer and the aligned blind hole of the sheet complex to partly define an illuminated symbol along at outer surface of the panel. The illuminated symbol can be generated through the decorative layer even when the decorative layer is opaque, and the symbol can have sharper features than can be produced through a translucent decorative layer.

Abstract: A vehicle interior panel includes a decorative layer formed from a material that blocks transmission of a range of wireless communication frequencies. Perforations are formed through the material so that the decorative layer permits wireless communication through the panel. The perforations may be formed in a pattern so that an illuminated pattern is displayed at a decorative side of the panel when backlit. The perforations can be made non-visible and enable the use of carbon fiber and other conductive materials in the decorative layer without sacrificing wireless communication capability.

Abstract: A method and processing station for producing a veneer having two parallel opposed faces and including at least one lignocellulosic layer made of lignocellulosic fibers having a grain extending along the opposed faces of the veneer. The processing station carries out the method by applying a compressive force to the veneer along at least one direction extending along the opposed faces of the veneer so as to mechanically compress the lignocellulosic fibers.

Abstract: A method and processing station for producing a veneer having two parallel opposed faces and including at least one lignocellulosic layer made of lignocellulosic fibers having a grain extending along the opposed faces of the veneer. The processing station carries out the method by applying a compressive force to the veneer along at least one direction extending along the opposed faces of the veneer so as to mechanically compress the lignocellulosic fibers.