Patents by Inventor Iris Wegner

Iris Wegner has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20240253691
    Abstract: A component for a vehicle interior may comprise a steering wheel comprising a composite structure assembled on a frame. The composite structure may comprise a cover and a carrier. The composite structure may comprise a set of segments comprising a decorative segment and/or a functional segment. The composite structure may comprise a rim comprising the set of segments. The functional segment may provide a user interface; operation of the user interface may comprise an output signal and/or an input signal; a control system may facilitate operation of a vehicle system through the user interface. The functional segment may comprise a transducer and/or sensor to detect input at/adjacent the cover. The functional segment may comprise a functional module; a functional layer; a heating element; a hands-off detector; and/or a positioning layer. The composite structure may comprise a modular design for efficient assembly and/or mass reduction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2024
    Publication date: August 1, 2024
    Inventors: Peter Thielhorn, Holger Maul, Heinz Gielen, Daniel Grosch, Iris Wegner, Lucas Steffens
  • Patent number: 11999290
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2023
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2024
    Assignee: Shanghai Yanfeng Jinqiao Automotive Trim Systems Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Wei Lange-Mao, Christian Kitzel, Iris Wegner
  • Publication number: 20240025091
    Abstract: A method of producing a component for a vehicle interior may comprise placing a liner in a forming tool, placing a heater element on the liner, applying a foam material, and forming the heater element on a substrate. Adhesive may be applied to the heater element and liner. The liner may comprise a tool liner configured to facilitate removal of the component from the forming tool. The tool liner may remain in the forming tool when the component is removed from the forming tool. The tool liner may be re-usable. The adhesive/tape may comprise a pressure-sensitive adhesive with suitable adhesion for the heater element/mat without requiring activation; the adhesive/tape may comprise a side with lower adhesion to the mold liner (temporary adhesion) and with higher adhesion to the body of the heater element/mat (permanent adhesion). A pre-fix tool may be used.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2023
    Publication date: January 25, 2024
    Inventors: Knut Schnitzler, Iris Wegner
  • Publication number: 20230278490
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2023
    Publication date: September 7, 2023
    Inventors: Wei Lange-Mao, Christian Kitzel, Iris Wegner
  • Patent number: 11701968
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: Shanghai Yanfeng Jinqiao Automotive Trim Systems Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Yanning Zhao, Hannes Rene Boehm, Steffen Proemmel, Iris Wegner, Amit Mukund Patankar, Danny Brian Larsen
  • Publication number: 20220111731
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2021
    Publication date: April 14, 2022
    Inventors: Yanning Zhao, Hannes Rene Boehm, Steffen Proemmel, Iris Wegner, Amit Mukund Patankar, Danny Brian Larson
  • Publication number: 20170312958
    Abstract: A vehicle interior component is disclosed. The component for a vehicle interior may comprise a base comprising a surface and a depression in the surface and a first decorative layer coupled to the base and comprising a front surface and a rear surface. The first decorative layer may be at least partially contained in the depression of the surface of the base. The first decorative layer may be at least partially absorbed into the base. The vehicle interior component may comprise one or more of the inventive concepts and features shown and described in the FIGURES and Appendices and specification.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2017
    Publication date: November 2, 2017
    Inventors: Iris Wegner, Martin Kuckertz