An embedded light source in a composite panel. A first electrode and a second electrode are associated with a first layer of material. A light source is positioned in electrical communication with the first electrode and the second electrode. An assembly comprising the first layer of material, the first electrode, the second electrode, and the light source is processed to form a multilayer panel with an embedded light source.

An embedded light source in a composite panel. A first electrode and a second electrode are associated with a first layer of material. A light source is positioned in electrical communication with the first electrode and the second electrode. An assembly comprising the first layer of material, the first electrode, the second electrode, and the light source is processed to form a multilayer panel with an embedded light source.

A method of fabricating a decorated molding article includes forming an all-in-one coating on a substrate and performing a curing step, thereby forming a composite layer structure with a protective effect, a color effect, and a bonding effect. The composite layer structure may form a molded film with better physical properties (e.g., higher hardness, better protection effect, and the like) after the blister molding process. Therefore, the molded film of the embodiments may be applied to a laser engraving process to form a variety of light-transmitting decorated molding articles.

Lighting may be provided using light sources such as lighting systems with arrays of light-emitting diodes. A lighting system may be integrated into a seat, a door panel, a dashboard, or other interior portions of a system such as a vehicle. The interior portions of the vehicle may be illuminated using lighting systems to provide ambient light, to provide custom surface textures and other decorative patterns, to provide icons, text, and other information, and to provide custom gauges and other illuminated regions. Illuminated regions may overlap sensors such as capacitive touch sensors, force sensors, and other sensors. The light-emitting diodes in a lighting system may supply light that passes through openings in a cover layer. The layer may be formed from fabric, leather, or other materials. Lens structures may guide light through the openings.

Lighting may be provided using light sources such as lighting systems with arrays of light-emitting diodes. A lighting system may be integrated into a seat, a door panel, a dashboard, or other interior portions of a system such as a vehicle. The interior portions of the vehicle may be illuminated using lighting systems to provide ambient light, to provide custom surface textures and other decorative patterns, to provide icons, text, and other information, and to provide custom gauges and other illuminated regions. Illuminated regions may overlap sensors such as capacitive touch sensors, force sensors, and other sensors. The light-emitting diodes in a lighting system may supply light that passes through openings in a cover layer. The layer may be formed from fabric, leather, or other materials. Lens structures may guide light through the openings.

A method for producing a panel with integrated conductor tracks and electronic components. The panel includes a panel body, wherein the panel body is in particular a sandwich structure, and a membrane. The membrane is connected to the panel body and has integrated conductor tracks and electronic components. At the beginning of the method, an operation for attaching the conductor tracks and the electronic components to the membrane is provided. The subsequent step includes an operation for connecting the membrane, fitted with the conductor tracks and the electronic components, to the panel body.

The skin (1) comprises at least a translucent elastomeric layer (5) composed of a pigmented plastic material and comprising at least one first portion (8) which is configured to be placed in front of a light source (9). The light of this light source (9) produces an image on this first portion (8) of the translucent layer due to the presence of a surface relief (17, 18) on the surface of the translucent layer (5). A clearly visible image can be obtained by providing even small differences in thickness of the translucent layer (5) when the pigmented plastic material thereof has an average spectral attenuation coefficient (α.sub.av) of between 1.0 and 25 mm.sup.−1. The difference in layer thickness (d.sub.2-d.sub.1) and the average spectral attenuation coefficient (α.sub.av) should moreover be large enough to meet the formula: α.sub.av(d .sub.2−d.sub.1)>-In a, wherein a is equal to 0.50. Since the surface relief (18an automatically be produced when moulding the translucent layer (5) against a mould surface, the image can easily be obtained in the correct position on the skin (1).

The skin (1) comprises at least a translucent elastomeric layer (5) composed of a pigmented plastic material and comprising at least one first portion (8) which is configured to be placed in front of a light source (9). The light of this light source (9) produces an image on this first portion (8) of the translucent layer due to the presence of a surface relief (17, 18) on the surface of the translucent layer (5). A clearly visible image can be obtained by providing even small differences in thickness of the translucent layer (5) when the pigmented plastic material thereof has an average spectral attenuation coefficient (α.sub.av) of between 1.0 and 25 mm.sup.−1. The difference in layer thickness (d.sub.2-d.sub.1) and the average spectral attenuation coefficient (α.sub.av) should moreover be large enough to meet the formula: α.sub.av(d .sub.2−d.sub.1)>-In a, wherein a is equal to 0.50. Since the surface relief (18an automatically be produced when moulding the translucent layer (5) against a mould surface, the image can easily be obtained in the correct position on the skin (1).

A trim element having a first aspect layer, a lighting device emitting light to the first aspect layer, and a first obturation layer extending between the lighting device and the first aspect layer. The first obturation layer includes at least two first optical obturation areas, configurable between an open position, in which a first optical obturation area lets light pass through, and a closed position, in which a first optical obturation area prevents the passage of light. The trim element includes a second aspect layer and a second obturation layer having at least two second optical obturation areas that are configurable between an open position and a closed position.

A vehicle interior component comprising a cover with a surface providing a display region is disclosed. The component may comprise a composite layer/structure and light source to provide light at a first and a second visible color/wavelength. The composite layer may comprise light-transmissive segments with color and light-transmissive transparent/translucent segments; light at the first wavelength is transmitted through a first segment and transparent/translucent segment to present a first image/visual effect at the display region; light at the second wavelength is transmitted through a second segment and transparent/translucent segment to present a second image/visual effect at the display region; light at the first wavelength is obstructed by the second segment; light at the second wavelength is obstructed by the first segment; transparent/translucent segments transmit light at first and second wavelengths. The composite layer may comprise a multi-layer form on the cover.