Vehicle trim components

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10035473-B2
Application number	US-201615343660-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Nov 4, 2016
Priority date	Nov 4, 2016
Publication date	Jul 31, 2018
Grant date	Jul 31, 2018

Abstract

A vehicle includes an instrument panel. A trim piece is positioned on the instrument panel and includes a surface defining a pattern. The pattern includes a body portion and a border portion. A diffraction grating is positioned within the boarder portion. The diffraction grating has a thickness of between about 250 nm to about 1000 nm.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A trim piece positioned on an instrument panel, comprising:
a surface defining a pattern, the pattern defining a body portion and a border portion, wherein the border portion includes a plurality of sections separating the body portion into first and second portions; and
a diffraction grating integrally defined by the border portion, wherein the diffraction grating has a thickness of between about 250 nm to about 1000 nm.

2. The trim piece positioned on an instrument panel of claim 1 , wherein the thickness of the diffraction grating is between about 500 nm and about 750 nm.

3. The trim piece positioned on an instrument panel of claim 2 , wherein a period of the diffraction grating is between about 50 nm and about 5 microns.

4. The trim piece positioned on an instrument panel of claim 1 , wherein the diffraction grating extends over a length of the border portion to outline the pattern.

5. The trim piece positioned on an instrument panel of claim 4 , wherein the body portion is substantially free of the diffraction grating.

6. The trim piece positioned on an instrument panel of claim 1 , further comprising:
a photoluminescent structure positioned proximate the pattern.

7. The trim piece positioned on an instrument panel of claim 1 , wherein the pattern defines at least one of a logo and a simulated material.

8. The trim piece positioned on an instrument panel of claim 7 , wherein the pattern repeats across the trim piece.

9. An exterior trim component, comprising:
a surface defining a pattern, wherein the pattern comprises a body portion having first and second sections and a border portion separating the first and second portions of the body portion; and
a diffraction grating externally positioned within the border portion, wherein the diffraction grating comprises a plurality of ridges having a thickness of between about 250 nm to about 1000 nm and a period of the diffraction grating is between about 50 nm and about 5 microns.

10. The exterior trim component of claim 9 , wherein the diffraction grating extends over a length of the border portion to outline the pattern.

11. The exterior trim component of claim 9 , wherein the body portion is substantially free of the diffraction grating.

12. The exterior trim component of claim 9 , further comprising:
a photoluminescent structure positioned proximate the pattern.

13. The exterior trim component of claim 9 , wherein the pattern defines a logo.

14. The exterior trim component of claim 9 , wherein the pattern defines a simulated material.

15. A vehicle trim component, comprising:
a surface defining a pattern, wherein the pattern comprises a body portion and a border portion, the border portion comprising first and second border sections that intersect at an offsetting angle to at least partially define the body portion; and
a diffraction grating positioned within the border portion, wherein the diffraction grating extends over a length of the border portion to outline the pattern.

16. The trim component of claim 15 , wherein the body portion is substantially free of the diffraction grating.

17. The trim component of claim 16 , wherein the diffraction grating is configured to diffract incident light.

18. The trim component of claim 17 , wherein the pattern defines a logo.

19. The trim component of claim 18 , wherein the diffraction grating comprises a plurality of ridges having a thickness of between about 250 nm to about 1000 nm and a period of the diffraction grating is between about 50 nm and about 5 microns.

20. The trim component of claim 17 , wherein the pattern defines a simulated material.

Assignees

• Ford Global Tech Llc

Inventors

• Salter Stuart C
• Dellock Paul Kenneth
• Surman James J
• Musleh Michael A
• Myszka Joseph

Classifications

• B60R13/04

  External} Ornamental or guard strips; Ornamental inscriptive devices {thereon (fastening strips or bars to sheets or plates by means of clips F16B5/12) · CPC title

• B60R13/0256

  Dashboard liners · CPC title

• B60R13/005 Primary

  Manufacturers' emblems, name plates, bonnet ornaments, mascots or the like; Mounting means therefor · CPC title

• B60R13/02

  {Internal} Trim mouldings {; Internal} Ledges; Wall liners {for passenger compartments}; Roof liners (B60R13/01 takes precedence {; padded linings for the vehicle interior B60R21/04; arrangements or adaptations of floor mats or carpets in vehicles B60N3/04; internal lining for trains B61D17/18}) · CPC title

• B60Q3/78

  for generating luminous strips, e.g. for marking trim component edges · CPC title