Trim means for a motor vehicle having integrated lighting system

US8506141B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• International Automotive Components Group GmbH · US

Inventors

• Carter Scott Cannon · Birkenfeld, DE
• Michael Behnke · Mendota, US
• Daniel Christochowitz · Leonberg, DE
• Christian Mauritz · Leinfelden, DE
• Carsten Müller · Euerbach, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Aug 1, 2011
• Grant date: Aug 13, 2013
• Expiry date: Feb 9, 2032

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B60R2013/0287
• WIPO field: Transport
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

A trim means for a motor vehicle comprises a carrier having a B side and a C side. A recess is formed into the B side of the carrier, and the carrier has an aperture in the region at the edge of the recess. A planar lighting unit comes to lie flush in the recess on the B side of the carrier, so that on the B side of the carrier a substantially continuous planar surface of the carrier with the lighting unit is produced. The lighting unit has a connection cable which is guided through the aperture to the C side of the carrier, where it is connected with a plug connector, a further conductor or directly with a control unit. A cover layer is applied onto the B side of the carrier and covers the planar lighting unit and at least a portion of the surface of the carrier. The cover layer forms the visible side of the trim means and is permeable to the light emitted from the lighting unit.