The present disclosure relates to a method for installing an illuminated fiber as a trim for a vehicle interior surface, and particularly where installing includes using a laser etcher to cut, etch, score or gouge a channel in which to seat the illuminated fiber.
Specialized lighting elements are frequently installed in vehicle interiors to add to a sense of luxury and value. Such specialization may include installing LED fiber optics or other illuminated fibers as trimming for a section of a surface, such as the LED fiber optic seat cover disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,854,869 (incorporated by reference herein). It is possible to go beyond the simple addition of an illuminated fiber optic, however, and additional embellishments may be added through embedding the illuminated fiber in the vehicle interior surface and securing the illuminated fiber into place with a variety of decorative methods.
It is desirable to develop a method for quickly creating a channel, especially a channel created in a desired location, to guide the installation of an embedded and secured illuminated fiber in vehicle interior surfaces.
Disclosed herein is a method for installing an illuminated fiber as a trim element in a vehicle interior surface, and particularly where installing includes using a laser to create a channel in which to seat the illuminated fiber. In one embodiment, the method comprises creating a channel in the interior surface, installing an illuminated fiber into the channel, and securing the illuminated fiber in the channel. In one embodiment, the channel is a continuous line. In one embodiment, the illuminated fiber is at least partially exposed and emits light.
In another disclosed embodiment, the channel may be created by means of scoring, etching, cutting, or gouging. In another disclosed embodiment, the scoring, etching, cutting, or gouging is performed by a laser. In another disclosed embodiment, the channel is created at a depth that allows the exposed portions of the illuminated fiber to sit flush with the surface. In another disclosed embodiment, the channel has at least one curve. In another disclosed embodiment, the channel is created in the surface in a manner that presents a design pattern.
In another disclosed embodiment, installing includes applying adhesive to the channel before installing the illuminated fiber.
In another disclosed embodiment, securing includes stitching a thread over at least a portion of the illuminated fiber. In another disclosed embodiment, securing includes heat sealing at least a portion of the illuminated fiber.
In another disclosed embodiment, the illuminated fiber is connected to a lighting control device, wherein the lighting control device determines the color and intensity of the light to be emitted by the illuminated fiber.
In another disclosed embodiment, the vehicle interior surface is comprised of a material that allows for sharp embossment to lodge the illuminated fiber within. In another disclosed embodiment, the vehicle interior surface may include at least one material from the set of leather, wood, metal, and plastic.
Other aspects, features, and techniques will be apparent to one skilled in the relevant art in view of the following detailed description of the embodiments.
The features, objects, and advantages of the disclosed embodiments will become more apparent from the detailed description set forth below when taken in conjunction with the drawings in which like reference characters identify correspondingly throughout and wherein:
One aspect of the disclosure is directed to a method for installing an illuminated fiber as a trim for a vehicle interior surface.
References throughout this document to “one embodiment,” “certain embodiments,” “an embodiment,” or similar term mean that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. Thus, the appearances of such phrases in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner on one or more embodiments without limitation. For example, two or more of the illuminated fiber embodiments described herein may be combined in a single device, but the application is not limited to the specific exemplary combinations of an illuminated fiber or of methods for installing an illuminated fiber that are described herein.
As used herein, the terms “a” or “an” shall mean one or more than one. The term “plurality” shall mean two or more than two. The term “another” is defined as a second or more. The terms “including” and/or “having” are open ended (e.g., comprising). The term “or” as used herein is to be interpreted as inclusive or meaning any one or any combination. Therefore, “A, B or C” means “any of the following: A; B; C; A and B; A and C; B and C; A, B and C”. An exception to this definition will occur only when a combination of elements, functions, steps or acts are in some way inherently mutually exclusive.
A detailed description of various embodiments is provided; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary and may be embodied in various and alternative forms. The figures are not necessarily to scale; some features may be exaggerated or minimized to show details of particular components. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the disclosed embodiments.
According to one embodiment, the illuminated fiber 220 may be secured to the channel 230 by an adhesive. The dimensions of the channel 230 may be adjusted accordingly such that the illuminated fiber 220 still sits flush with the vehicle interior surface 230 even with the additional thickness of the adhesive.
One of the advantages of using a laser 300 to create the channel 230 is that the process may allow for the ablation of multiple types of materials that may be used for the vehicle interior surface 210, including but not limited to leather, wood, metal, and plastic. In one embodiment, a single laser 300 may accomplish the task of creating the channel 230 in a variety of surfaces with a simple adjustment of settings, as opposed to the creation of an entirely different tool.
While this disclosure makes reference to exemplary embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the scope of the claimed embodiments.