DE102005052767B3 - Automotive interior component for use with an audio speaker of vehicle comprises speaker grille mounted to door trim panel and having several sound passages, and electroluminescent lamp positioned between audio speaker and speaker grille - Google Patents

Abstract

An automotive interior component comprises a speaker grille (24) mounted to a door trim panel (10) and having several sound passages (26) for transmitting sound emitted by an audio speaker (25); and an electroluminescent lamp (28) positioned between the audio speaker and the speaker grille. The electroluminescence lamp is oriented for emitting visible light, when powered, through the sound passages. The electroluminescent lamp includes several apertures registered with the sound passages for transmitting sound emitted by the audio speaker. The component further comprises an audio signal source coupled with the audio speaker, and a controller connected between the audio signal source and the electroluminescence lamp. An independent claim is included for making an automotive interior component involving: placing an electroluminescent lamp between mold sections, closing the mold sections and injecting a molten polymer resin through a get to fill a portion of the mold cavity, and opening the mold sections after solidifying the resin.

Description

Territory of invention

The The present invention relates generally to interior equipment for automobiles and in particular speaker grills for automotive interiors.

background the invention

The door structures Vehicles conventionally have a metal door frame with an outer sheet metal panel or a skin that defines the outside of the door, and an inner sheet metal panel attached to the door frame. Various door components including Window guide rails Audio speakers, latches and the like, are in openings attached, the z. B. are defined in the inner sheet metal panel. The cover of the inner door panel is a removable trim panel that looks aesthetically pleasing appealing facade that can be seen by the inmates, which sit in the vehicle interior of the vehicle. On the panel panel are controls for Devices as for the seats, the door locks, the mirrors and the windows provided. The door lock is e.g. about one Cable with an internal release handle connected, which is mounted accessible on the trim panel for the vehicle occupant.

in the Passenger space are positioned at convenient places sources that Can emit light. The light emitting sources are used to form one or more several areas of the vehicle interior at strategic times to illuminate. For example, a light-emitting source in the Passenger room the device controls on the door panel panel illuminate.

The Audio speaker covers a decorative protective speaker grill, typically detachable from the audio speaker with a snap fit is appropriate. Conventional speaker grills are not lit, and are therefore for one Occupants in the passenger compartment in poor lighting conditions, like in the morning Evening or at dusk, or in the dark caused by occurring during the daytime Storms or Like. Not visible.

From the 103 16 678 B3, the JP 2002096691 AA or DE 20 2004 002 786 U1 go out loudspeakers, in which light emitting diodes (LEDs) are inserted into the speaker cabinet or in the speaker grill. However, the more light-emitting diodes are used, the more complex is the production of these speakers, because each light-emitting diode must be placed and used individually. In addition, the probability that individual LEDs will fail and need to be replaced increases.

It Therefore, a training of a speaker grill is needed, which conventional loudspeaker grill designs improved, in particular with a view to simplified production.

These Task is solved through an interior component for an automobile with the features of claim 1 or by a method with the features of claim 9. Advantageous developments The inventions are specified in the subclaims.

Summary the invention

In an embodiment of the invention comprises an interior component for an automobile, a door trim panel, one on the door panel panel mounted loudspeaker grill for transmitting sound emitted is from an audio speaker in a vehicle door device, and an electroluminescent lamp placed between the audio speaker and this speaker grill is positioned. The electroluminescent Lamp, once turned on, is oriented to dispensing visible Light, through the sound passages in the speaker grill. In certain embodiments the invention is the electroluminescent lamp on the speaker grill mounted, and, preferably, integrally molded into the loudspeaker grill.

In another embodiment The invention relates to a method for producing an interior component proposed in an automobile, in a mold with a Pair of half sections forming a cavity with a geometric Shape similar form at least one speaker grill, and also an inlet to fill the Mold cavity have. The method involves placing a electroluminescent lamp between the half sections of the mold, the closing the mold half sections, and the injection of a molten one Polymer resin through the inlet to fill a portion of the mold cavity, which is not already filled by the electroluminescent lamp. The method further comprises opening the mold half sections, after the molten polymer resin is solidified and evaluating the interior component for the automobile, the geometric shape of at least the speaker grill received from the mold.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following Drawings and their description.

Short description of drawings

The attached Drawings incorporated in this specification and one Partial constituting illustrate embodiments of the invention and serve to explain the principles of the invention, together with the above general description and the following detailed description the invention.

1 Figure 11 is a perspective view of a door trim panel attached to a vehicle door frame and including a loudspeaker grill according to the invention;

2 FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the speaker grill of the present invention; FIG.

2A is a detailed view of an area of 2 ; and

3 - 5 Fig. 15 are diagrammatic cross-sectional views illustrating a molding process for forming the speaker grille according to the invention.

detailed description

Referring to 1 becomes a door panel panel 10 shown constructed in accordance with an embodiment of the invention and attached to a door of a vehicle, such as an automobile, a truck, or an aircraft. More specific is the door panel panel 10 as a device with the inner panel of a door frame 12 which in turn hangs in a hinge attachment to a vehicle body of an automobile. The panel panel 10 can with matching fasteners (not shown) on the door frame 12 be attached, as is well known in this art. Those of ordinary skill in the art will also recognize that the door trim panel 10 may also be used on other door means than on the one shown, without being limited thereto, such as on sliding doors, flap doors, trunk flaps or the like. Furthermore, those of ordinary skill in the art will also recognize that the door frame 12 may also be made of other materials, such as fiberglass and / or carbon fiber composite plastics materials. For the purpose of accessing and exiting the passenger compartment, a passenger located in the passenger compartment of the automobile may manually move the built-in door relative to the vehicle body.

The door panel panel 10 includes a padding 14 providing an access opening to the space between the trim panel 10 and the door frame 12 covering, a switch panel 16 , an armrest 18 and a map pocket boundary 19 , In the switch panel 16 arranged control switch 20 are electrically connected by a hidden wiring harness to conventional, electrically operated components such as the door locks, the window regulators, the seat motors, and the side mirrors of the automobile. Inside the passenger compartment, for a passenger accommodated therein, there is an inner door opening lever (not shown) for actuating a door lock 23 accessible.

On the panel panel 10 is also a speaker grill 24 mounted, which is an audio speaker 25 ( 2 ) covering, in turn, on the door frame 12 is mounted. Incidentally, in an alternative embodiment, the invention includes that of the loudspeaker grill 24 an integral area of the panel panel 10 itself, which is formed by an injection molding process. The audio speaker 25 further comprises a magnetic device 29 and a membrane 31 which cooperate with one another, as known to those skilled in the art, for converting electrical signals into sound waves.

Referring to the 2 and 2A in which like reference numerals refer to like features 1 refer, has the speaker grill 24 a variety of sound passages 26 which extend between the front and rear grill surfaces. The speaker grill 24 could also be optional speaker enclosure 27 pointing out the outside circumference of the speaker grill 24 includes. The sound passages 26 are in the central section of the enclosure 27 Are defined. The sound passages 26 may each have a conventional cross-sectional profile, as seen from a perspective parallel to the passage centerline. The sound passages 26 are defined by intersecting or intertwined cross members 23 extending across the central section of the enclosure 27 extend.

An electroluminescent (EL) lamp 28 is between the audio speaker 25 and the speaker grill 24 arranged. The lamp 28 consists of a multi-layered layered structure supported by a convenient, flexible structural substrate 30 , The layered structure comprises a layer of an EL phosphor 32 between substantially parallel front and rear electrodes 34 and 36 is arranged. The phosphor layer 32 extends adjacent to the front electrode 34 but is from the rear electrode 36 spaced and by a dielectric location 38 electrically isolated. The front electrode 34 facing the interior of the passenger compartment is translucent (ie transparent or translucent) for transmitting light from the phosphor layer 32 is emitted when between the front and rear electrodes 34 . 36 an electric field is applied. The dielectric layer 38 may be pigmented to provide a dark or colored background for the emitted light.

The front electrode 34 the EL lamp 28 becomes optional from a protective encapsulation layer 40 from a translucent substance, such as polycarbonate or other polymer, which is useful for such applications, optionally covered. The encapsulation situation 40 may be applied to the layered structure as a printed ink layer. An electrical connector 42 Like an electrical edge connector, it includes power contacts connected to the front and back electrodes 34 . 36 , The power contacts of the electrical connector 42 are for making electrical contacts through the encapsulation layer 40 exposed.

The layers of the EL lamp 28 can be printed on the substrate by rotary screen printing, flexographic printing, or other printing processes using ink compositions that are conductive, insulating, and electroluminescent. The ink compositions are across a desired printing area on the substrate 30 printed, or alternatively on the encapsulation layer 40 , and then dried to remove liquid solvents to form stable layers. Some of the layers in the layered structure may be printed more than once to ensure proper thickness.

Phosphor ink compositions are available to emit light in many colors, such as green, blue and yellow, and may also be blended together to produce white or colored light emissions. Typical EL phosphors for EL lamps 28 have inorganic materials based on zinc sulfide that are doped to provide the desired color emission. Matching EL-phosphorus-printing ink compositions contain white, blue-green and yellow-green LUXPRINT ^® -elektrolumineszente printing inks, such as are commercially available from DuPont Microcircuit Materials (Research Triangle Park, NC).

In one embodiment of the invention, as the substrate 30 , the rear electrode 36 and the dielectric layer 38 the EL lamp 8th a flexible metallized film. Such metallized films comprise a thin layer of a metallic conductive material, such as aluminum, deposited on one side of a film material, such as polyester. The deposited metallic layer operates as the posterior electrode 36 while the film material than the dielectric layer 38 acts. The metallized film also serves as a substrate 30 for the application of the remaining printed component layers (eg the phosphor layer 32 and the front electrode 34 ) of the layered structure.

An inverter or a converter 44 electrically connects a DC electrical DC system of the vehicle, which is the vehicle battery 46 includes, with the electrical connector 42 , The converter 44 converts the DC voltage of the electrical system to generate an AC-AC drive voltage in the range of 80 to 200 VAC, preferably 110 VAC, at a frequency in the range of 300 to 500 Hz, preferably at about 400 Hz. Additional circuitry, as known to those of ordinary skill in the art, may be provided as necessary to ensure proper operation of the EL lamp 28 sure. Applying the AC drive voltage across the front and back electrodes 34 . 36 the EL lamp 28 generated in the phosphor layer 32 a varying electric field that causes the constituent phosphor particles to emit visible light. Generally, the brightness of the EL lamp decreases 28 with increasing voltage and frequency too. The current for the EL lamp 28 can be switched, for example, in coordination with the operation of a light switch 49 controlling the vehicle lighting or in accordance with the operation of the car audio system.

The EL lamp 28 includes openings 48 on the sound passages 26 the speaker grill 24 are aligned so that the sound from the audio speaker 25 can be transmitted continuously in the passenger compartment. At the same time are areas of the EL lamp 28 that the openings 48 surrounded by the passages 26 visible, which are significantly larger than the openings 48 so that's from the EL lamp 28 emitted visible light through the speaker grill 24 is visible.

The EL lamp 28 is on the speaker grill 24 mounted, and is even, preferably, integrally formed with the polymer body, the speaker grill 24 Are defined. However, the invention is not limited thereto, but it may be the EL lamp 28 instead, for example, be mounted on the audio speaker or on the area of the trim panel 10 that surrounds the opening for the speaker.

In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the EL lamp 28 in the speaker purely abstract 27 integrated and positioned so that the emitted visible light the outside circumference of the speaker grill 24 illuminated extensively.

In yet another alternative embodiment, this may be the speaker enclosure 27 forming polymer can be transparent or translucent, and can be the EL lamp 28 be positioned so that they pass through the enclosure 27 emitted light to the outside in the passenger compartment.

The EL lamp 28 is advantageously characterized by a very low power consumption and a very low heat generation compared to conventional light bulbs or lamps, as they are commonly used in these and in other applications in the automobile. Furthermore, the EL lamp 28 robust, and has excellent vibration and impact resistance. The EL lamp 28 has a very long life and therefore does not require routine replacement within the life of the automobile, as opposed to the need to periodically replace conventional light bulbs that are burned out. The resin material that the speaker grill 27 does not need to be heat-resistant, since the EL lamp 28 has a lower operating temperature than conventional light bulbs.

With reference to the 3 to 5 is a method of manufacturing the trim panel 10 The figures illustrate a method sequence in which the EL lamp 28 in a mold cavity 58 with the speaker grill 24 is integrally injection molded. Alternatively, the shape of the mold cavity 58 and the EL lamp 28 be changed to the EL lamp 28 into the speaker enclosure 27 to mold.

In 3 is an injection mold or a molding tool 50 provided, the first and second molding sections 52 . 54 Has. The EL lamp 28 is at a specified location between the first and second molding sections 52 . 54 placed so that the power contacts of the electrical connector 42 ( 2 ) are exposed after the molding process for making the electrical contacts. As in 4 shown, the mold is 50 closed, leaving the first and second molding sections 52 . 54 the mold cavity 58 define the general three-dimensional geometric shape of the speaker grill 24 Has.

As in 5 is shown by an extruder through one or more inlets 56 molten resin material in the mold cavity 58 injected the space inside the mold cavity 58 that is not filled by the EL lamp 28 is busy. The synthetic resin material is selected in view of the characteristics of the speaker grill 24 and may be any engineering polymer material suitable for an injection molding process. The injection molding process generates enough pressure and heat to adhere together the EL lamp 28 and the injected molten resin material around the speaker grill 24 as an integral structure. The mold 50 is opened by separating the molding sections 52 . 54 , Then the speaker grill 24 ejected from the mold, in a condition ready for delivery as a one-piece component, to a door assembly location of an automobile production line.

If necessary, the speaker grill 24 then subsequently partially or completely vacuum formed or thermoformed to obtain a final desired shape. In this regard, if appropriate, the shape of the mold cavity 58 do not accurately reflect the final three-dimensional geometric shape of the speaker grill since forming processes are used after the injection molding process to form the final shape.

The invention also includes that the article formed by the injection molding process covers the entire trim panel 10 with integrated speaker grill 24 who in turn could be the EL lamp 28 included. In this embodiment, the three-dimensional geometric shape of the mold cavity 58 the shape of the panel panel 10 or a subsequent forming process could be performed after injection molding to reshape the molded article and the final shape of the trim panel 10 to build.

Referring again to 2 can the EL lamp 28 through a controller 60 with a source 62 be connected to an audio signal, as with the stereo system of the vehicle. The controller 56 that interface with the converter 44 is connected, the light emission of the EL lamp varies 28 (eg lightening, darkening, or flashing) in response to the output signals from the source 62 for the audio signal. The occupants of the passenger compartment look at the loudspeaker grill 24 a visual representation characterized by periodic changes in light intensity in synchronism with variations of the output signals from the source 62 for the audio signal so that the light intensity changes are synchronized with the vocal sound heard by the occupants.

Although the invention has been illustrated by the description of one or more embodiments, and although the embodiments are illustrated with considerable details, is not intended in any way to limit the scope of the following claims to such details. Additional advantages and modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art. In its broader aspects, therefore, the invention is not limited to the specific details, representative apparatus and methods, and illustrative examples shown and described. Accordingly, deviations from such details may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of applicant's general inventive concept.

Claims (11)

An interior component for an automobile for use with an audio speaker of a vehicle, comprising: a door trim panel (10); 10 ); one on the door trim panel ( 10 ) mounted loudspeaker grill ( 24 ) with several sound passages ( 26 ) for transmitting sound transmitted through the audio loudspeaker ( 25 ) is delivered; and an electroluminescent lamp ( 28 ) between the audio loudspeaker ( 25 ) and the speaker grill ( 24 ), wherein the electroluminescent lamp ( 28 ), when switched on, for emitting visible light through the sound passages ( 26 ), characterized in that the electroluminescent lamp ( 28 ) comprises a layered structure of a plurality of layers, one of these layers being a layer ( 32 ) of a phosphorescent electroluminescent material. Interior component for an automobile according to claim 1, characterized in that the electroluminescent lamp ( 28 ) a plurality of openings ( 48 ) associated with the sound passages ( 26 ), the openings ( 48 ) for transmitting the sound coming from the audio loudspeaker ( 25 ) is emitted. Interior component for an automobile according to claim 2, characterized in that the openings ( 48 ) are smaller in diameter than the sound passages ( 26 ), and of the sound passages ( 26 ) are surrounded. Interior component for an automobile according to claim 1, characterized in that the electroluminescent lamp ( 28 ) on the speaker grill ( 24 ) is mounted. Interior component for an automobile according to claim 4, characterized in that the electroluminescent lamp ( 28 ) with the speaker grill ( 24 ) is integrally molded to form a one-piece device. Interior component according to claim 5, characterized in that the loudspeaker grill ( 24 ) and the door trim panel ( 10 ) comprise a one-piece molded device. Interior component for an automobile according to claim 1, characterized in that the loudspeaker grille ( 24 ) an integrally molded portion of the trim panel ( 10 ). Interior component for an automobile according to claim 1, further characterized by: one with the audio loudspeaker ( 25 ) connected source ( 62 ) for audio signals; and a controller ( 60 ), which is connected between the source ( 62 ) for the audio signal and the electroluminescent lamp ( 28 ), whereby the controller ( 60 ) is adapted to convert output signals from the source ( 62 ) for the audio signal in changes in the light intensity of the visible light emitted by the electroluminescent lamp ( 28 ) is emitted. Method for producing an interior component for an automobile in a mold ( 50 ), the molding sections ( 52 . 54 ), which has a mold cavity ( 58 ) define with a geometric shape, at least similar to that of a speaker grill ( 24 ), and which has an inlet ( 56 ) for filling the mold cavity ( 58 ), characterized by: placing an electroluminescent lamp ( 28 ) between the molding sections ( 52 . 54 ); Closing the molding sections ( 52 . 54 ) and injecting a molten polymer resin through the inlet ( 56 ) for filling the area of the mold cavity ( 58 ), not by the electroluminescent lamp ( 28 ) is claimed; and opening the molding sections ( 52 . 54 after solidifying the molten polymer resin and evaluating the interior component for an automobile that is subject to the mold ( 50 ) the geometric shape of at least the speaker grill ( 24 ) Has. The method of claim 9, further characterized by: reshaping the interior component for the automobile after evaluation from the mold ( 50 ) for defining a final shape of the speaker grill ( 24 ). Method according to claim 9, characterized in that the mold cavity ( 58 ) continue to be a trim panel ( 10 ) is formed similarly, such that the ejected interior component for the automobile an integrally formed device from the speaker grill ( 24 ) and the trim panel ( 10 ).