A vehicle interior panel includes an in-vehicle support substrate and a docking station for a mobile device. The docking station includes a top edge, a bottom wall, and a reception surface for the mobile device between the top edge and the bottom wall. The reception surface is pivotably attached with respect to the support substrate. A first portion of the bottom wall is configured to hold the mobile device, and a second portion of the bottom wall is configured to remain recessed within the support substrate when the docking station is in a tilted position. This structure for a docking station helps improve within vehicle integration.

A radiant panel includes a surface layer that is thermally conductive and includes exterior and interior surfaces. A first interior layer is electrically conductive and includes exterior and interior surfaces. The exterior surface of the first interior layer and the interior surface of the surface layer are coupled to one another. A second interior layer includes thermally insulative properties and a first rigidity. The second interior layer includes exterior and interior surfaces. The exterior surface of the second interior layer and the interior surface of the first interior layer are coupled to one another. A third interior layer includes thermally insulative properties and a second rigidity. The third interior layer includes exterior and interior surfaces. The exterior surface of the third interior layer and the interior surface of the second interior layer are coupled to one another. The second rigidity is greater than the first rigidity.

A radiant panel includes a surface layer that is thermally conductive and includes exterior and interior surfaces. A first interior layer is electrically conductive and includes exterior and interior surfaces. The exterior surface of the first interior layer and the interior surface of the surface layer are coupled to one another. A second interior layer includes thermally insulative properties and a first rigidity. The second interior layer includes exterior and interior surfaces. The exterior surface of the second interior layer and the interior surface of the first interior layer are coupled to one another. A third interior layer includes thermally insulative properties and a second rigidity. The third interior layer includes exterior and interior surfaces. The exterior surface of the third interior layer and the interior surface of the second interior layer are coupled to one another. The second rigidity is greater than the first rigidity.

A light-translucent artificial leatherette (e.g., for use in an automotive interior) consists of a surface treating agent layer and a multilayer polymer material construction. The multilayer polymer material construction is comprised of at least an epidermal layer, which is a pigmented layer, and a surface treating agent layer, which is affixed to the epidermal layer. The light-translucent artificial leatherette is further comprised of a light-shielding layer, within which an inverse mask or light-transparent patterned structure is incorporated. The light-shielding layer is positioned between two laminates of the multilayer polymer construction adjacent thereto. The light-shielding layer is positioned directly between two laminates of the multilayer polymer construction adjacent thereto, and an inverse mask pattern is embedded into the light-shielding layer. A light source can illuminate the inverse mask structure and thereby display an inverse mask pattern on the light-translucent artificial leatherette surface.

A shaped part can comprise an opaque decorative layer, at least two symbols on the front side, a translucent base, the decorative layer having one or more first light channels, one or more first functional having a first light element, a first functional layer on the rear side of the base, the first functional elements on the front side of the first functional layer, the decorative layer having one or more second light channels, one or more second functional elements having a second light element, a second functional layer on the rear side of the decorative layer, the second functional elements in or on the second functional layer, and being provided at least partially in the second light channels, the second functional elements covering the second light channels of the decorative layer such that the second light channels become or are shielded from light of the first light elements.

A shaped part can comprise an opaque decorative layer, at least two symbols on the front side, a translucent base, the decorative layer having one or more first light channels, one or more first functional having a first light element, a first functional layer on the rear side of the base, the first functional elements on the front side of the first functional layer, the decorative layer having one or more second light channels, one or more second functional elements having a second light element, a second functional layer on the rear side of the decorative layer, the second functional elements in or on the second functional layer, and being provided at least partially in the second light channels, the second functional elements covering the second light channels of the decorative layer such that the second light channels become or are shielded from light of the first light elements.

A method for manufacturing a heating mat for a motor vehicle. The method includes the following steps: providing a heating ply having a deformable structure and two heating elements inserted into the structure, said two heating elements being separated by a deformation area of the structure; stacking the heating ply between an upper layer and a lower layer, wherein at least one of the heating ply and the upper and lower layers includes a thermoformable material; assembling the stack by at least one fastening rod; and thermoforming the stack thus assembled, so as to secure the heating ply and the upper and lower layers into a single piece; and stretching the deformation area in the stacking direction.

A method for manufacturing a heating mat for a motor vehicle. The method includes the following steps: providing a heating ply having a deformable structure and two heating elements inserted into the structure, said two heating elements being separated by a deformation area of the structure; stacking the heating ply between an upper layer and a lower layer, wherein at least one of the heating ply and the upper and lower layers includes a thermoformable material; assembling the stack by at least one fastening rod; and thermoforming the stack thus assembled, so as to secure the heating ply and the upper and lower layers into a single piece; and stretching the deformation area in the stacking direction.

A spring clip for coupling a panel to a vehicle structure having at least one mounting member, includes a base portion, with upper and lower surface, configured to couplingly engage with the mounting member, and a body portion, having a central axis extending away from the lower surface of the base portion and having a first planar wall member and a second planar wall member, opposingly spaced apart from the first wall member with regards to the central axis, each one of the planar wall members extending away from the lower surface towards and joiningly converging into a distal end on the central axis. The body portion further includes at least a first pair of opposing retention elements, each one disposed on and extending laterally outwards from a respective one of the planar wall members, configured to fixingly engage when inserted into an orifice of the panel, during use.

A method for manufacturing an aluminum alloy sheet may include melting aluminum alloy composition containing silicon (Si), iron (Fe), copper (Cu) and manganese (Mn) in weight% on the basis of remainder of aluminum (Al) to make cast alloy having a constant initial thickness; rolling the cast alloy to allow the initial thickness to be reduced, whereby the cast alloy is elongated to aluminum alloy sheet; and performing heat treatment on the aluminum alloy sheet.