WO2017095597A1 - Interior trim components with integrated electrical wiring - Google Patents
Interior trim components with integrated electrical wiring Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- WO2017095597A1 WO2017095597A1 PCT/US2016/060770 US2016060770W WO2017095597A1 WO 2017095597 A1 WO2017095597 A1 WO 2017095597A1 US 2016060770 W US2016060770 W US 2016060770W WO 2017095597 A1 WO2017095597 A1 WO 2017095597A1
- Authority
- WO
- WIPO (PCT)
- Prior art keywords
- interior trim
- housing
- trim component
- electrical
- electrical conductor
- Prior art date
Links
- 238000009429 electrical wiring Methods 0.000 title description 6
- 239000004020 conductor Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 34
- 239000003989 dielectric material Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 12
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 10
- 238000010146 3D printing Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 7
- 238000000465 moulding Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 3
- 238000000151 deposition Methods 0.000 claims description 5
- 239000007769 metal material Substances 0.000 claims description 2
- 230000013011 mating Effects 0.000 description 4
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 3
- 239000004952 Polyamide Substances 0.000 description 2
- 229920002647 polyamide Polymers 0.000 description 2
- RYGMFSIKBFXOCR-UHFFFAOYSA-N Copper Chemical compound [Cu] RYGMFSIKBFXOCR-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 239000004677 Nylon Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000004676 acrylonitrile butadiene styrene Substances 0.000 description 1
- XAGFODPZIPBFFR-UHFFFAOYSA-N aluminium Chemical compound [Al] XAGFODPZIPBFFR-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 229910052782 aluminium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 238000013459 approach Methods 0.000 description 1
- 229910052802 copper Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000010949 copper Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000001419 dependent effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000008021 deposition Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000010292 electrical insulation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000011521 glass Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000001746 injection moulding Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000009413 insulation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 229920001778 nylon Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 238000004806 packaging method and process Methods 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B60R13/00—Elements for body-finishing, identifying, or decorating; Arrangements or adaptations for advertising purposes
- B60R13/02—Internal Trim mouldings ; Internal Ledges; Wall liners for passenger compartments; Roof liners
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B60R1/00—Optical viewing arrangements; Real-time viewing arrangements for drivers or passengers using optical image capturing systems, e.g. cameras or video systems specially adapted for use in or on vehicles
- B60R1/02—Rear-view mirror arrangements
- B60R1/04—Rear-view mirror arrangements mounted inside vehicle
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B60R16/00—Electric or fluid circuits specially adapted for vehicles and not otherwise provided for; Arrangement of elements of electric or fluid circuits specially adapted for vehicles and not otherwise provided for
- B60R16/02—Electric or fluid circuits specially adapted for vehicles and not otherwise provided for; Arrangement of elements of electric or fluid circuits specially adapted for vehicles and not otherwise provided for electric constitutive elements
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B60R16/00—Electric or fluid circuits specially adapted for vehicles and not otherwise provided for; Arrangement of elements of electric or fluid circuits specially adapted for vehicles and not otherwise provided for
- B60R16/02—Electric or fluid circuits specially adapted for vehicles and not otherwise provided for; Arrangement of elements of electric or fluid circuits specially adapted for vehicles and not otherwise provided for electric constitutive elements
- B60R16/0207—Wire harnesses
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B60R13/00—Elements for body-finishing, identifying, or decorating; Arrangements or adaptations for advertising purposes
- B60R13/02—Internal Trim mouldings ; Internal Ledges; Wall liners for passenger compartments; Roof liners
- B60R2013/0287—Internal Trim mouldings ; Internal Ledges; Wall liners for passenger compartments; Roof liners integrating other functions or accessories
Definitions
- the invention relates to interior trim components for vehicles, particularly trim components with integrated electrical wiring.
- trim components typically referred to as trimpieces, having a desired color, shape, and texture on the exterior surface to provide an aesthetically pleasing appearance within the interior compartment.
- wiring harness connecting lights, switches, and motors located above the vehicle headliner to the vehicle's electrical system are typically routed through the roof pillars.
- Trimpieces are attached to the roof pillars to hide the wiring harness from view of vehicle occupants.
- Another example is a trimpiece used to hide the wiring harness connection electrical devices in the rear view mirror to the vehicle's electrical system.
- the wiring harnesses is first connected to the mating connectors in the vehicle and then the trimpiece is attached to the vehicle, thereby covering the wiring harness. This requires at least two separate labor steps by an assembly operator.
- an interior trim component configured for use in a vehicle.
- the interior trim component includes a housing formed of a dielectric material and an electrical conductor encased within the housing being surrounded by and in intimate contact with the dielectric material forming the housing.
- the electrical conductor defines two exposed contact points.
- the electrical conductor may be formed of a metallic material.
- the interior trim component may be formed by insert molding the electrical conductor within the interior trim component.
- the interior trim component may be formed by a 3D printing process depositing the dielectric material forming the housing and depositing a conductive material forming the electrical conductor.
- the interior trim component may include a number of metallic electrical conductors.
- each conductor is encased within the housing and is surrounded by and in intimate contact with the dielectric material forming the housing and each electrical conductor defines two exposed contact points.
- An exterior surface of the housing may have a desired trim color and desired trim texture.
- the interior trim component may be configured to interconnect a rear view mirror to a vehicle electrical system.
- FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an interior trim components with integrated electrical wiring connecting a rear view mirror assembly to a vehicle electrical connector according to one embodiment
- Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the interior trim component of Fig. 1 according to one embodiment.
- FIG. 3 is a close up perspective view of the contact points of the interior trim component of Fig. 1 according to one embodiment.
- Fig. 1 illustrates a non-limiting example of a rear view mirror assembly, hereinafter referred to as the mirror 10.
- Mirrors in modern vehicles may include a wide variety of electrical and electronic components including, but not limited to, lights, switches, electrochromatic glass and light sensors for auto-dimming, and rear view camera displays. Therefore, in order to supply electrical power and signals from the vehicle's electrical wiring system to the mirror 10, a mirror electrical connector 12 is connected to a vehicle electrical connector 14 by an interior trim component 16 with integrated electrical wiring, hereinafter referred to as a trimpiece 16.
- Any number of attachment features known to those skilled in the art, such as snap locks or threaded fasteners, may be employed to attach the trimpiece 16 to the mirror connector 12 and vehicle connector 14. The type of attachment feature selected may be dependent on the size constraints of the connectors and trimpiece 16 as well as ergonomic requirements of the assembly process of attaching the trimpiece 16 to the connectors.
- the trimpiece 16 includes an enclosure or housing 18 that is formed of a dielectric, or electrically insulating, material such as acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) or polyamide (PA), commonly referred to as NYLON.
- the housing 18 encloses a number of electrical conductors 20 formed of an electrically conductive material, such as copper or aluminum based materials.
- the material forming the housing 18 surrounds and intimately contacts the conductive material forming the conductors 20.
- the housing 18 provides electrical insulation for the electrical conductors 20.
- Each conductor has two exposed contact points 22, one on each end of the conductor, that are configured to interface with the mirror and vehicle connectors 12, 14.
- the housing 18 also provides proper dimensional spacing and location for the electrical conductors 20 and contact points 22 for proper mating with the vehicle and mirror connectors 12, 14.
- each of the contact points 22 are curved to provide a spring force for the contact points 22 against the mating contact points 22 of the vehicle and mirror connectors 12, 14.
- the contact points may comprise male pin or blade terminals configured to interface with mating female terminals in the vehicle and mirror connectors 12, 14 or any other type of suitable electrical contact known to those skilled in the art.
- the trimpiece 16 may be integrally formed using a 3D printing process capable of deposition of both dielectric and conductive materials, such as the process described by Shinas, et al. in U.S Patent Publication No. 2015/0201499 entitled DEVICE, SYSTEM, AND METHOD OF THREE-DIMENSIONAL PRINTING.
- the electrical conductors 20 and contact points 22 can be printed and integrated into the trimpiece 16 during the 3D printing process.
- the conductors 20 can also be layered and formed in any shape required for packaging.
- the conductors 20 may be formed by stamping from a sheet of conductive material and then placed in a mold and insert molded within the housing 18 using an injection molding process.
- the housing 18 may be formed so that an exterior surface 24 of the trimpiece 16 has a desired trim color and trim texture to match or compliment other interior trim components.
- trimpiece 16 is used to connect a mirror 10 to the vehicle electrical system
- other embodiments of the trim piece may be used in other interior application, for example a roof pillar trimpiece that is used to connect the wiring in the vehicle headliner to the vehicle's' electrical system.
- Other embodiments may include structural elements formed of a dielectric material similarly encasing electrical conductors.
- the trimpiece 16 described herein provides the benefits of reducing assembly time since making electrical connections and installing a trimpiece can be accomplished in a single operation rather than two separate operations of connecting a separate wiring harness and installing a separate trimpiece as was required previously.
- the trimpiece 16 also provides the benefit of eliminating rattles that could previously occur if a separate wiring harness contacted an interior surface of a separate trimpiece due to vibration. Producing the trimpiece 16 using 3D printing methods would further provide the benefits of a reduction in part numbers, tooling and labor costs.
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Multimedia (AREA)
- Vehicle Interior And Exterior Ornaments, Soundproofing, And Insulation (AREA)
Abstract
Description
Claims
Priority Applications (4)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
KR1020187015120A KR20180080257A (en) | 2015-12-01 | 2016-11-07 | Internal trim parts with integral electrical wiring |
EP16871252.9A EP3383708B1 (en) | 2015-12-01 | 2016-11-07 | Interior trim components with integrated electrical wiring |
CN201680067714.1A CN108349443B (en) | 2015-12-01 | 2016-11-07 | Interior trim component with integrated electrical wire |
JP2018528296A JP6735828B2 (en) | 2015-12-01 | 2016-11-07 | Interior trim parts with integrated electrical wiring |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US14/955,139 US9783130B2 (en) | 2015-12-01 | 2015-12-01 | Interior trim components with integrated electrical wiring |
US14/955,139 | 2015-12-01 |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
WO2017095597A1 true WO2017095597A1 (en) | 2017-06-08 |
Family
ID=58778047
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/US2016/060770 WO2017095597A1 (en) | 2015-12-01 | 2016-11-07 | Interior trim components with integrated electrical wiring |
Country Status (6)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US9783130B2 (en) |
EP (1) | EP3383708B1 (en) |
JP (1) | JP6735828B2 (en) |
KR (1) | KR20180080257A (en) |
CN (1) | CN108349443B (en) |
WO (1) | WO2017095597A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
TW202416610A (en) * | 2022-07-08 | 2024-04-16 | 美商山鐵克公司 | Cable apparatus and method |
Citations (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US5848902A (en) * | 1996-06-24 | 1998-12-15 | Yazaki Corporation | Connector device |
WO2001012471A1 (en) * | 1999-08-17 | 2001-02-22 | Lear Corporation | Integrated flat cable connector |
GB2356837A (en) | 1999-12-03 | 2001-06-06 | New Transducers Ltd | A vehicle trim panel with electical conductors incorporated therein |
JP2005302671A (en) * | 2004-04-16 | 2005-10-27 | Fujikura Ltd | Electric connection device |
US20070091626A1 (en) * | 2005-10-21 | 2007-04-26 | Hook Richard R | Wire cover assembly for vehicle interior mirror |
US20130119691A1 (en) * | 1999-08-25 | 2013-05-16 | Donnelly Corporation | Accessory mounting system for a vehicle |
Family Cites Families (22)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
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JP3659689B2 (en) * | 1995-04-07 | 2005-06-15 | 菱星電装株式会社 | Wiring device for vehicle |
JPH1071901A (en) * | 1996-08-30 | 1998-03-17 | Harness Sogo Gijutsu Kenkyusho:Kk | Vehicle wiring structure |
US6036501A (en) * | 1998-08-05 | 2000-03-14 | Lear Automotive Dearborn, Inc. | Trim panel with integrally formed electrical connectors |
FR2784635B1 (en) * | 1998-10-15 | 2000-12-29 | Framatome Connectors Int | WIRING DEVICE FOR MOTOR VEHICLES OR THE LIKE |
FR2791309B1 (en) * | 1999-03-22 | 2001-05-25 | Sylea | MOTOR VEHICLE PADDLE TRIM |
DE19931189A1 (en) * | 1999-07-07 | 2001-01-25 | Meritor Automotive Gmbh | Process for the production of components with electrical conductor tracks arranged therein, and components manufactured according to them, in particular as door modules for motor vehicles |
US6371548B1 (en) * | 2000-07-25 | 2002-04-16 | Textron Automotive Company Inc. | Automotive trim panel with electrical wiring incorporated therein |
DE10109087A1 (en) * | 2001-02-24 | 2002-10-24 | Leoni Bordnetz Sys Gmbh & Co | Method for producing a molded component with an integrated conductor track |
CA2405341A1 (en) * | 2001-09-28 | 2003-03-28 | Intier Automotive Inc. | Conductive headliner layers |
ITTO20011000A1 (en) * | 2001-10-19 | 2003-04-19 | Atoma Roltra Spa | MODULAR LOCK FOR A VEHICLE DOOR AND DOOR PROVIDED WITH SUCH LOCK. |
US6565142B1 (en) * | 2001-10-31 | 2003-05-20 | Lear Corporation | Vehicle door inner trim panel assembly including electrical control panel |
DE10338205A1 (en) * | 2003-08-20 | 2005-03-10 | Volkswagen Ag | Illuminated component for use in automobile, e.g. operating knob, provided by base body with electroluminescent layer supplied via electrical circuit embedded in base body |
JP4701722B2 (en) * | 2005-01-11 | 2011-06-15 | 日産自動車株式会社 | Mounting structure for rearview mirror cover |
DE102006037857A1 (en) * | 2006-08-11 | 2008-02-21 | Johnson Controls Gmbh | Interior trim part with electronic component for controlling electrical devices |
US7614895B2 (en) * | 2008-01-30 | 2009-11-10 | Eaton Corporation | Electrical busway and coupling assembly therefor |
JP2012514560A (en) * | 2009-01-06 | 2012-06-28 | ジョンソン コントロールズ テクノロジー カンパニー | Headliner with integrated wire harness |
US8900002B2 (en) * | 2011-12-28 | 2014-12-02 | General Electric Company | Adjustable electrical busway joint |
US9241415B2 (en) * | 2013-05-10 | 2016-01-19 | GM Global Technology Operations LLC | Flexible electrical circuit assembly for a motor vehicle |
US20150201499A1 (en) * | 2014-01-12 | 2015-07-16 | Zohar SHINAR | Device, system, and method of three-dimensional printing |
US9386693B2 (en) * | 2014-05-05 | 2016-07-05 | Lockheed Martin Corporation | Board integrated interconnect |
US9455530B2 (en) * | 2014-07-01 | 2016-09-27 | Tyco Electronics Corporation | Electrical connector with ground bus |
JP6530699B2 (en) | 2015-11-27 | 2019-06-12 | 矢崎総業株式会社 | Vehicle panel and wiring structure for vehicle |
-
2015
- 2015-12-01 US US14/955,139 patent/US9783130B2/en active Active
-
2016
- 2016-11-07 WO PCT/US2016/060770 patent/WO2017095597A1/en active Application Filing
- 2016-11-07 KR KR1020187015120A patent/KR20180080257A/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 2016-11-07 EP EP16871252.9A patent/EP3383708B1/en active Active
- 2016-11-07 CN CN201680067714.1A patent/CN108349443B/en active Active
- 2016-11-07 JP JP2018528296A patent/JP6735828B2/en active Active
Patent Citations (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US5848902A (en) * | 1996-06-24 | 1998-12-15 | Yazaki Corporation | Connector device |
WO2001012471A1 (en) * | 1999-08-17 | 2001-02-22 | Lear Corporation | Integrated flat cable connector |
US20130119691A1 (en) * | 1999-08-25 | 2013-05-16 | Donnelly Corporation | Accessory mounting system for a vehicle |
GB2356837A (en) | 1999-12-03 | 2001-06-06 | New Transducers Ltd | A vehicle trim panel with electical conductors incorporated therein |
JP2005302671A (en) * | 2004-04-16 | 2005-10-27 | Fujikura Ltd | Electric connection device |
US20070091626A1 (en) * | 2005-10-21 | 2007-04-26 | Hook Richard R | Wire cover assembly for vehicle interior mirror |
Non-Patent Citations (1)
Title |
---|
See also references of EP3383708A4 |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
EP3383708B1 (en) | 2024-01-10 |
EP3383708A1 (en) | 2018-10-10 |
EP3383708A4 (en) | 2019-07-17 |
CN108349443B (en) | 2021-02-02 |
JP2019501058A (en) | 2019-01-17 |
CN108349443A (en) | 2018-07-31 |
US20170151915A1 (en) | 2017-06-01 |
US9783130B2 (en) | 2017-10-10 |
KR20180080257A (en) | 2018-07-11 |
JP6735828B2 (en) | 2020-08-05 |
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