Abstract: An interior trim component for a vehicle includes a main body having an exterior surface for facing the interior of the vehicle. The body defines an internal cavity formed therein and an opening in the exterior surface. The cavity and the opening are in communication with each other. A source of light is mounted in the cavity such that the source of light is hidden from direct normal viewing within the interior of the vehicle.

Abstract: A wireless switch is provided having a twenty-year life energy harvesting arrangement for self-powering a wireless transmitter. The energy harvesting arrangement is implemented in one embodiment using a piezoelectric switch element. A tritium light source and photovoltaic device are used in a second embodiment, while a black light source and photovoltaic device are used in a third embodiment. The energy harvesting wireless switch arrangement of the present invention can be combined, for example, with a vehicle side mirror switch, to reduce the complexity of the wire harness feeding the door. The wireless switch can be located without regard to accessability of a wiring harness or connector.

Abstract: A door assembly includes a carrier panel attachable to a vehicle door outer structure such that the carrier panel substantially covers an opening of the door outer structure. The carrier panel is configured to function as a water shield between the door outer structure and a vehicle occupant compartment. The carrier panel also includes an upper portion and a lower portion, and the lower portion defines a lower appearance surface. The assembly further includes a hardware component mounted to and supported by the carrier panel, and an upper trim panel arrangement that is attachable to the carrier panel after the carrier panel has been attached to the door outer structure. The upper trim panel arrangement is configured to substantially cover the upper portion of the carrier panel and defines an upper appearance surface.

Abstract: A wireless switch is provided having a twenty-year life energy harvesting arrangement for self-powering a wireless transmitter. The energy harvesting arrangement is implemented in one embodiment using a piezoelectric switch element. A tritium light source and photovoltaic device are used in a second embodiment, while a black light source and photovoltaic device are used in a third embodiment. The energy harvesting wireless switch arrangement of the present invention can be combined, for example, with a vehicle side mirror switch, to reduce the complexity of the wire harness feeding the door. The wireless switch can be located without regard to accessability of a wiring harness or connector.

Abstract: A vehicle seat component (14, 14a, 14′) and its method for making same with a seating portion (20) molded from either expanded polyethylene or expanded polypropylene to have a density in the range of 0.3 to 2.8 pounds per cubic foot with a softness to provide seating comfort. A seat support (22) of the seat component is molded from expanded polypropylene and has a density in the range of 5 to 10 pounds per cubic foot so as to provide structural support. The seating portion (14, 14a) can be molded from either expanded pellets (28) or extruded and expanded tubes (34) of either polyethylene or polypropylene, while the seat support (22) is molded from expanded polypropylene pellets (30). The seat component (14′) may have a cover (36′) molded to the seating portion (20), and both the moldings may be sequentially in the same mold (44).

Abstract: An interior trim component for a vehicle includes a main body having an exterior surface for facing the interior of the vehicle. The body defines an internal cavity formed therein and an opening in the exterior surface. The cavity and the opening are in communication with each other. A source of light is mounted in the cavity such that the source of light is hidden from direct normal viewing within the interior of the vehicle.

Abstract: A door assembly includes a carrier panel attachable to a vehicle door outer structure such that the carrier panel substantially covers an opening of the door outer structure. The carrier panel is configured to function as a water shield between the door outer structure and a vehicle occupant compartment. The carrier panel also includes an upper portion and a lower portion, and the lower portion defines a lower appearance surface. The assembly further includes a hardware component mounted to and supported by the carrier panel, and an upper trim panel arrangement that is attachable to the carrier panel after the carrier panel has been attached to the door outer structure. The upper trim panel arrangement is configured to substantially cover the upper portion of the carrier panel and defines an upper appearance surface.

Abstract: A vehicle door (10) and subassembly (16) thereof are made by mounting vehicle door hardware including a door latch actuator mechanism (32) and a window regulator mechanism (34) directly on a hidden surface (28) of a lower trim panel portion (20) of an inner trim panel (18) that also includes an upper trim panel portion (22). A wire harness (50) is also mounted directly on the hidden surface (28) of the lower trim panel portion (20) of the inner trim panel (18). The window regulator mechanism (34) has a construction that permits pivoting thereof to facilitate assembly within a vehicle door outer structure (12).

Abstract: A part for use with a vehicle includes a structural member made of foamed plastic material. The part also includes an expanded polypropylene substrate integrally attached to the structural member. Furthermore, the substrate cooperates with the structural member to provide a sufficient structural characteristic to the part.

Abstract: A vehicle door inner trim panel assembly (12) includes an inner trim panel (15) having a first electrical connector (18) and the assembly also includes an electrical control panel (36) having a second electrical connector (38) that is electrically connected to the first electrical connector upon mounting of the electrical control panel on a mount (16) of the inner trim panel. Electrical switches, (40, 42, 44 and 46) of the electrical control panel (36) control operation of associated vehicle electrical components.

Abstract: A vehicle door inner trim panel assembly (12) includes an inner trim panel (15) having a first electrical connector (18) and the assembly also includes an electrical control panel (36) having a second electrical connector (38) that is electrically connected to the first electrical connector upon mounting of the electrical control panel on a mount (16) of the inner trim panel. Electrical switches, (40, 42, 44 and 46) of the electrical control panel (36) control operation of associated vehicle electrical components.

Abstract: A vehicle lighting system includes a sensor to detect a first set of conditions and a second set of conditions. The vehicle lighting system also includes a light emitting source. The light emitting source is operable to illuminate selectively between a first lighting characteristic and a second lighting characteristic. The light emitting source is adapted to be actuated at the first lighting characteristic in response to a first signal operatively generated by the sensor indicating the first set of conditions. The light emitting source is also adapted to be actuated at the second lighting characteristic in response to a second signal operatively generated by the sensor indicating the second set of conditions.

Abstract: A vehicle door (10) and subassembly (16) thereof are made by mounting vehicle door hardware including a door latch actuator mechanism (32) and a window regulator mechanism (34) directly on a hidden surface (28) of a lower trim panel portion (20) of an inner trim panel (18) that also includes an upper trim panel portion (22). A wire harness (50) is also mounted directly on the hidden surface (28) of the lower trim panel portion (20) of the inner trim panel (18). The window regulator mechanism (34) has a construction that permits pivoting thereof to facilitate assembly within a vehicle door outer structure (12).

Abstract: A vehicle door (10) and subassembly (16) thereof are made by mounting vehicle door hardware including a door latch actuator mechanism (32) and a window regulator mechanism (34) directly on a hidden surface (28) of a lower trim panel portion (20) of a two piece inner trim panel (18) that also includes an upper trim panel portion (22). A wire harness (50) is also mounted directly on the hidden surface (28) of the lower trim panel portion (20) of the inner trim panel (18). The window regulator mechanism (34) has a construction that permits pivoting thereof to facilitate assembly within a vehicle door outer structure (12).

Abstract: A wireless switch is provided having a twenty-year life energy harvesting arrangement for self-powering a wireless transmitter. The energy harvesting arrangement is implemented in one embodiment using a piezoelectric switch element. A tritium light source and photovoltaic device are used in a second embodiment, while a black light source and photovoltaic device are used in a third embodiment. The energy harvesting wireless switch arrangement of the present invention can be combined, for example, with a vehicle side mirror switch, to reduce the complexity of the wire harness feeding the door. The wireless switch can be located without regard to accessability of a wiring harness or connector.