U.S. patent application number 16/996578 was filed with the patent office on 2022-02-24 for illuminated wireless charging area for a vehicle interior panel.
The applicant listed for this patent is Faurecia Interior Systems, Inc.. Invention is credited to Hugo PICCIN.
Application Number | 20220060036 16/996578 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000005060928 |
Filed Date | 2022-02-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20220060036 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
PICCIN; Hugo |
February 24, 2022 |
ILLUMINATED WIRELESS CHARGING AREA FOR A VEHICLE INTERIOR PANEL
Abstract
A vehicle interior panel includes a decorative layer having a
decorative side, a sensor, a wireless charger, and a light source.
The sensor is configured to detect a mobile device situated on the
decorative side of the decorative layer, and the wireless charger
is configured to create a wireless charging area on the decorative
side of the decorative panel. The light source is configured to
display a trace sequence that is located between the mobile device
and the wireless charging area to help a user locate the wireless
charging area.
Inventors: |
PICCIN; Hugo; (Cupertino,
CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Faurecia Interior Systems, Inc. |
Auburn Hills |
MI |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
1000005060928 |
Appl. No.: |
16/996578 |
Filed: |
August 18, 2020 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60R 16/03 20130101;
B60Q 3/70 20170201; H02J 50/90 20160201; B60R 13/02 20130101; B60Q
3/54 20170201; G02B 6/001 20130101; B60Q 3/20 20170201; B60Q
2500/10 20130101; H02J 50/10 20160201; H02J 7/0047 20130101; H02J
7/02 20130101 |
International
Class: |
H02J 7/00 20060101
H02J007/00; H02J 7/02 20060101 H02J007/02; H02J 50/90 20060101
H02J050/90; H02J 50/10 20060101 H02J050/10; F21V 8/00 20060101
F21V008/00; B60Q 3/20 20060101 B60Q003/20; B60R 16/03 20060101
B60R016/03; B60R 13/02 20060101 B60R013/02; B60Q 3/70 20060101
B60Q003/70; B60Q 3/54 20060101 B60Q003/54 |
Claims
1. A vehicle interior panel, comprising: a decorative layer having
a decorative side; a sensor configured to detect a mobile device
situated on the decorative side of the decorative layer; a wireless
charger configured to create a wireless charging area on the
decorative side of the decorative layer; and a light source
configured to display a trace sequence that is located between the
mobile device and the wireless charging area.
2. The vehicle interior panel of claim 1, wherein the trace
sequence is a variable intensity grid pattern.
3. The vehicle interior panel of claim 2, wherein the light source
is an optical fiber mesh or two optical fiber sheets laid over each
other to form a grid of optical fibers.
4. The vehicle interior panel of claim 2, wherein the variable
intensity grid pattern includes a brightest cross-point near the
wireless charging area and a dimmest cross-point at a start of the
trace sequence.
5. The vehicle interior panel of claim 1, wherein the trace
sequence is a series of illuminated dots.
6. The vehicle interior panel of claim 5, wherein the series of
illuminated dots flash progressively toward the wireless charging
area.
7. The vehicle interior panel of claim 1, wherein the light source
is configured to display a confirmatory indicium when the mobile
device is placed at the wireless charging area.
8. The vehicle interior panel of claim 1, wherein the decorative
layer includes a light transmissive wood layer.
9. The vehicle interior panel of claim 1, wherein the decorative
layer includes a perforated surface having a plurality of
perforations and the plurality of perforations are non-visible from
the decorative side.
10. The vehicle interior panel of claim 1, wherein the sensor is a
force sensing foil that is larger in area than the wireless
charging area.
11. The vehicle interior panel of claim 10, wherein the light
source is an optical fiber mesh and the optical fiber mesh is
located between the decorative layer and the force sensing
foil.
12. The vehicle interior panel of claim 10, wherein the force
sensing foil is light transmissive.
13. The vehicle interior panel of claim 11, wherein the force
sensing foil is located between the decorative layer and a light
transmissive carrier.
14. The vehicle interior panel of claim 13, wherein the light
source is a screen that at least partially surrounds the wireless
charger.
15. The vehicle interior panel of claim 13, wherein the light
source includes one or more light emitting diodes (LEDs) that at
least partially surround the wireless charger.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present disclosure is related generally to vehicle
interiors and, more particularly, to built-in wireless charging
areas for vehicle interior panels.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Wireless charging areas can be integrated into vehicle
interior panels to provide easily accessible charging for a user's
mobile device. US Patent Application Publication 2014/0203770 to
Salter et al. is directed to a wireless charging system for a
vehicle that detects a charging status of the mobile device and
illuminates one or more light sources depending on the charge
status. Misalignment of the mobile device with respect to the
wireless charging area can be determined, and the wireless charging
area can be illuminated. However, this reference does not
contemplate a more intuitive illumination scheme to help a user
more easily guide a mobile device from outside of the wireless
charging area to the wireless charging area.
SUMMARY
[0003] An illustrative vehicle interior panel includes a decorative
layer having a decorative side, a sensor configured to detect a
mobile device situated on the decorative side of the decorative
layer, a wireless charger configured to create a wireless charging
area on the decorative side of the decorative layer, and a light
source configured to display a trace sequence that is located
between the mobile device and the wireless charging area.
[0004] In various embodiments, the trace sequence is a variable
intensity grid pattern.
[0005] In various embodiments, the light source is an optical fiber
mesh or two optical fiber sheets laid over each other to form a
grid of optical fibers.
[0006] In various embodiments, the variable intensity grid pattern
includes a brightest cross-point near the wireless charging area
and a dimmest cross-point at a start of the trace sequence.
[0007] In various embodiments, the trace sequence is a series of
illuminated dots.
[0008] In various embodiments, the series of illuminated dots flash
progressively toward the wireless charging area.
[0009] In various embodiments, the light source is configured to
display a confirmatory indicium when the mobile device is placed at
the wireless charging area.
[0010] In various embodiments, the decorative layer includes a
light transmissive wood layer.
[0011] In various embodiments, the decorative layer includes a
perforated surface having a plurality of perforations and the
plurality of perforations are non-visible from the decorative
side.
[0012] In various embodiments, the sensor is a force sensing foil
that is larger in area than the wireless charging area.
[0013] In various embodiments, light source is an optical fiber
mesh and the optical fiber mesh is located between the decorative
layer and the force sensing foil.
[0014] In various embodiments, the force sensing foil is light
transmissive.
[0015] In various embodiments, the force sensing foil is located
between the decorative layer and a light transmissive carrier.
[0016] In various embodiments, the light source is a screen that at
least partially surrounds the wireless charger.
[0017] In various embodiments, the light source includes one or
more light emitting diodes (LEDs) that at least partially surround
the wireless charger.
[0018] It is contemplated that any number of the individual
features of the above-described embodiments and of any other
embodiments depicted in the drawings or description below can be
combined in any combination to define an invention, except where
features are incompatible.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] Illustrative embodiments will hereinafter be described in
conjunction with the following figures, wherein like numerals
denote like elements, and wherein:
[0020] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the interior of a vehicle
passenger cabin showing one example vehicle interior panel with a
wireless charging area;
[0021] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the vehicle
interior panel of FIG. 1;
[0022] FIG. 3. is a plan view of a portion of a decorative side of
the vehicle interior panel of FIGS. 1 and 2, showing a trace
sequence to help a user guide the mobile device to the wireless
charging area;
[0023] FIG. 4 is a plan view of the portion of the decorative side
of the vehicle interior panel with the mobile device at the
wireless charging area of FIGS. 1-3;
[0024] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of a vehicle
interior panel in accordance with another embodiment;
[0025] FIG. 6 is a plan view of the portion of the decorative side
of the vehicle interior panel of FIG. 5, showing another embodiment
of a trace sequence to help a user guide the mobile device to the
wireless charging area; and
[0026] FIG. 7 is a plan view of the portion of the decorative side
of the vehicle interior panel with the mobile device at the
wireless charging area of FIGS. 5 and 6.
DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS
[0027] Described below is a vehicle interior panel that includes an
integrated wireless charging system that illuminates a trace
sequence to help a user intuitively guide a mobile device from
outside a wireless charging area to the wireless charging area.
Built-in light sources and force sensing can be used to create a
trace sequence between the mobile device and the wireless charging
area, thereby providing a charging path that the user can easily
follow. The trace sequence is configured to appear when the mobile
device is placed on the interior panel remote from the wireless
charging area. The trace sequence is illuminated upon detection of
the mobile device on the interior panel, and it is located between
the detected mobile device and the wireless charging area. The
trace sequence can have a variable intensity pattern that helps the
user track the intensity change to guide the mobile device across
the interior panel to the wireless charging area.
[0028] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an interior of a passenger
cabin 10 of a vehicle 12 having an interior panel 14 with a
wireless charging area 16. The wireless charging area 16 is
illustrated in dotted lines, since in an advantageous embodiment,
the wireless charging area 16 is generally invisible (when not
backlit) or wholly integrated with the vehicle interior panel 14.
This arrangement facilitates wireless charging without impacting
the integrity of the decor of the passenger cabin 10. The interior
panel 14 in the illustrated embodiment is part of a center console
18. However, other interior panels for vehicle components may be
integrated with wireless charging and the illumination schemes
described herein, such as one or more panels for the armrest 20,
door panel 22, or the instrument panel 24, to cite a few
examples.
[0029] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of an
embodiment of the vehicle interior panel 14. The vehicle interior
panel 14 includes a decorative layer 26 having a decorative side
28, a force sensor 30 configured to detect a mobile device 32
situated on the decorative side of the decorative layer, a wireless
charger 34 configured to create the wireless charging area 16 on
the decorative side of the decorative layer, a light source 36, and
a carrier 38. The light source 36 is configured to display a trace
sequence that is located between the mobile device 32 and the
wireless charging area 16. The trace sequence, detailed further
below, provides an intuitive path for the user to follow in order
to locate the mobile device 32 at the wireless charging area 16.
The mobile device 32 is illustrated in the figures as a phone;
however, the mobile device 32 can be any chargeable device situated
at or near the decorative side 28 of the interior panel 14.
Adhesive or bonding layers can be included between two or more of
the various layers or components of the interior panel 14. Further,
other layers may be included in addition to those particularly
described, such as one or more protective outer layers on the
decorative side 28, fabric interlayers, conductive electronic
layers, or other functional and/or aesthetic layers.
[0030] The decorative layer 26 has a decorative side 28, which is
the side of the panel 14 lining the interior of the passenger cabin
10 when installed in the vehicle. The decorative layer 26 is
"light-transmissive," meaning that at least some light from the
light source 36 is visible to a user in the interior of the
passenger cabin 10. Light transmissive may include any non-opaque
layer, such as one that is transparent, translucent,
semi-transparent, semi-translucent, etc. As detailed below, a light
transmissive layer may be made from an opaque material that has a
plurality of perforations that facilitate at least some degree of
light transmission. In an advantageous embodiment, the decorative
layer 26 is a wood veneer layer that is semi-transparent or
translucent. The decorative layer 26 can be a single layer, or it
may have a multi-layer structure (e.g., a wood sheet complex having
a fabric interlayer and one or more protective outer layers). Other
materials for the decorative layer are certainly possible, such as
fiber-containing resins, leather, or a polymer skin layer, to cite
a few examples. When a resin component is included in the
decorative layer, it may be colored or tinted for additional
contrast or visual interest. The decorative layer 26 may have a
thickness in a range from 0.5 mm to 2.5 mm, or preferably from 0.5
mm to 1.5 mm. In one example, the thickness of the decorative layer
26 is between 0.6 mm and 1.0 mm, or about 0.8 mm. Other thickness
ranges and configurations are certainly possible. For example, the
decorative layer 26 may be thicker in certain regions than others,
or it may have a curved or non-planar shape.
[0031] A force sensor 30 is included within the interior panel 14
to detect the presence, and in some embodiments, the location, of
the mobile device 32. In an advantageous embodiment, the force
sensor 30 comprises a pressure sensing foil 40 such as
VELOSTAT.TM.. Other force sensors and configurations are possible,
such as a series of discrete pressure sensors, one or more
capacitive touch sensors, one or more optical position sensors,
etc. In one embodiment, conductive sensors are used in a grid
pattern such that two connecting wires or lines can be used to
indicate the position of applied force. The pressure sensing foil
40 is particularly advantageous, as it can cover a larger area. The
pressure sensing should be functionally accessible on the
decorative side 28 of the decorative layer 26 in an area larger
than the wireless charging area 16. This allows for the formation
of a trace sequence 46 between a mobile device 32 situated outside
of the wireless charging area 16. In some embodiments, the pressure
sensing foil 40 is 3 to 5 times larger in area than the wireless
charging area 16. In a particularly advantageous embodiment, the
pressure sensing foil 40 is 4 times larger in area than the
wireless charging area 16. This size can help provide a
sufficiently sized area outside of the wireless charging area 16
for presentation of trace sequence 46. In the embodiment
illustrated in FIG. 2, the force sensor 30 can be fully opaque
(e.g., not light transmissive), as it is located further from the
decorative side 28 of the decorative layer 26 than the light source
36. If the force sensor 30 is light transmissive (e.g., translucent
or perforated opaque), it can be located between the decorative
layer 26 and the light source 36, as detailed further below.
[0032] With pressure sensing foil 40 for the force sensor 30, force
thresholds can be set to more precisely detect the center of
gravity of the mobile device 32. For example, the pressure sensing
foil 40 can capture low forces (e.g., a few Newtons), and the
detected pressure may only trigger generation of a trace sequence
between the mobile device 32 and the wireless charging area 16 if
the detected pressure correlates with a range of likely applied
pressures for standard mobile devices.
[0033] Wireless charger 34 provides for wireless charging of the
mobile device 32. The range of the wireless charger 34 generally
defines the size and shape of the wireless charging area 16 on the
decorative side 28 of the decorative layer 26 (along with other
factors, including but not limited to, the ability of the materials
of the panel 14 to allow for the transmission of wireless power).
The wireless charger 34 can be an integral component of the panel
14, or it may be separately provided beneath the panel when
installed in the vehicle 12, as schematically illustrated in FIG.
2. The wireless charger 34 typically consists of one or more coils
42 (see the schematic representation in FIGS. 3 and 4), and
electronics. It may be advantageous to embed the coils 42 into the
panel 14 (e.g., into the carrier 38 or in-between layers) so that
they are closer to the decorative side 28 of the decorative layer
26. Embedding the coils 42 closer to the decorative side 28 can
increase the size of the wireless charging area 16. In the
illustrated embodiments, the wireless charger 34, including both
the electronics and coils, is bonded or otherwise adhered to a
backside 44 of the carrier 38. The wireless charger 34 is powered
by a vehicle-based power source and may further include haptic
feedback capability, such as a piezoelectric oscillator that causes
vibrations to be induced in the panel 14 when triggered by touch,
proximity, or other input.
[0034] Light source 36 is configured to display a trace sequence 46
(see e.g., FIGS. 3 and 4) that is located between the mobile device
32 and the wireless charging area 16 to help a user intuitively
guide the mobile device to the wireless charging area when the
mobile device is located wholly outside of the wireless charging
area. This is distinguishable from wireless charging areas that
only display light to help align the mobile device with the
wireless charging area, as the trace sequence can provide a visual
cue or indication to a user that is more robust than standard
illumination techniques. The light source 36 can be powered by a
vehicle-based power source, along with the wireless charger 34. The
light source 36 can be any operable light source (e.g., fiber
optic, fluorescent or incandescent bulb, light emitting diode
(e.g., LED or OLED), etc.), the position of which may be at least
partially dictated by the materials in the other layers of the
panel 14. The light source 36 may only provide a single light
color, or it may provide multiple colors.
[0035] The light source 36 in the embodiment illustrated in FIGS.
2-4 creates a variable intensity grid pattern 48 for the trace
sequence 46. The variable intensity grid pattern 48 is formed from
two optical fiber sheets 50, 52 that are overlaid to form a grid 54
of optical fibers 56, 58, 60, 62, 64, 66. In another embodiment,
one layer or sheet includes a mesh of optical fibers forming the
grid 54. The illustration in FIG. 3 is merely schematic, as there
can be more than 3 optical fibers per sheet 50, 52 to form the grid
54. In one particular implementation, the optical fibers are spaced
1 mm apart in an area that is approximately 3-5 times larger than
the wireless charging area 16. The area of the force sensing foil
40 can be equal in size or close to equal in size to the area of
the grid 54.
[0036] Carrier 38 is the physical support layer of the panel 14.
The carrier 38 may for example be made from a plastic or
plastic-based material. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2,
carrier 38 can be made from a fully opaque or
non-light-transmissive material, but in other embodiments, such as
the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5, it is advantageous to have
the carrier 38 or at least portions of the carrier, be light
transmissive. When light transmission is required through the
carrier 38, light transmission properties must be balanced with
structural properties, some of which depend on the overall size of
the panel 14 and on its expected performance. While a perfectly
transparent carrier 38 may be desirable in some embodiments,
materials such as sheet glass, acrylic, and polycarbonate cannot
typically meet the physical performance requirements of a vehicle
interior panel, which can be very large (e.g., an instrument
panel), must endure severe temperature extremes without changing
shape, and must not exhibit brittle fractures in vehicle collision
scenarios.
[0037] In one embodiment, the carrier 38 is a molded component
formed from a translucent glass-fiber reinforced thermoplastic
material in which the majority component is a transparent resin
such as polycarbonate or acrylic. One suitable carrier material is
a glass-fiber reinforced polycarbonate/ABS (PC/ABS) alloy. The
glass fibers may be present in an amount between 10-30 wt % or
approximately 20 wt %. In applications in which the panel 14 is
relatively small and/or vertically oriented, the reinforcing fibers
may be omitted to improve the optical clarity of the carrier 38 if
desired. In some embodiments, the panel 14 is a relatively small
subpanel of a larger interior panel, in which case, an unreinforced
plastic material can be used for the carrier 38. For example, the
panel 14 could be made for insertion into the outer side of a
larger instrument panel, with the main body of the instrument panel
being made from a reinforced plastic material without the
requirement of optical clarity. The illustrated carrier 38 also
includes reference positioners 68 used to position and fix the
carrier and any attached layers or components in a repeatable
location during manufacture. The reference positioners 68
illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 5 are but one example of suitable
positioners. The thickness of the carrier 38 may be in a range from
0.5 mm to 5.0 mm, or preferably from 1.5 mm to 3.0 mm.
[0038] The various components of the panel 14 allow for the
formation of a trace sequence 46 on the decorative side 28 of the
decorative layer 26. The trace sequence 46 comprises an illuminated
pattern, trail, etc. that helps illuminate a path 70 to the
wireless charging area 16. The trace sequence 46 starts at or near
the mobile device 32 when the mobile device is outside of the
wireless charging area 16, and ends at or near the wireless
charging area. Accordingly, the trace sequence 46 is located
between the mobile device 32 and the wireless charging area 16, but
it is possible for one or more portions of the trace sequence 46 to
not be located exclusively between the mobile device and the
wireless charging area. A controller 72 can be used to calculate
the position of the mobile device 32 relative to the set or
established wireless charging area 16 and display the trace
sequence 46 via the light source 36 accordingly. The controller 72
can comprise a dedicated microcontroller having memory and a
processor that is used only for the panel 14. In other embodiments,
the controller 72 may be another vehicle controller that also helps
carry out other processes in the vehicle (e.g., a body control
module or BCM).
[0039] The trace sequence 46, in the embodiment illustrated in FIG.
3, is a variable intensity grid pattern 48. The path 70 and the
trace sequence 46 is generally defined by grid intersection points
74, 76, 78. However, as described above, it is possible to have
more grid intersection points along the trace sequence 46, or in
some embodiments, there may be fewer grid intersection points than
what is illustrated. In this embodiment, the grid intersection
point 74 is the dimmest in terms of light intensity, and the grid
intersection point 78 is the brightest in terms of light intensity.
Intervening grid intersection points, such as the grid intersection
point 76, can have a light intensity between that of the start
point 74 and the end point 78 of the trace sequence 46. This light
intensity distribution can provide an intuitive path 70 for a user
to follow to locate the wireless charging area 16. In the
illustrated embodiment, the light intensity of the trace sequence
46 is at least partially correlated with the sensor input from the
force sensor 30. A mobile device 32 that is placed further from the
wireless charging area 16 (e.g. outside of grid intersection point
74 as illustrated in FIG. 3) will have a larger extent of light
intensity distribution in the trace sequence 46 than when the
mobile device is placed closer to the wireless charging area (e.g.,
between grid intersection points 74, 76).
[0040] In an advantageous embodiment, the trace sequence 46
dynamically varies depending on the position of the mobile device
32. For example, if a user pushes the mobile device 32 from the
location illustrated in FIG. 3 toward the wireless charging area
16, illumination in the optical fibers 54, 56 may be turned off
once the mobile device passes grid intersection point 74.
Similarly, once the mobile device 32 passes the grid intersection
point 76, illumination in the optical fibers 58, 64 can be turned
off. This shortens a length of the trace sequence 46 as the
position of the mobile device 32 changes across the decorative side
28 of the decorative layer 26. Moreover, the overall light
intensity distribution (i.e., the difference between the lowest
intensity at the start point 74 of the trace sequence 46 and the
highest intensity at the end point 78 of the trace sequence)
decreases as the mobile device 32 gets closer to the wireless
charging area 16. Similarly, the overall light intensity
distribution can increase if the mobile device 32 gets farther from
the wireless charging area 16, and in turn, a length of the trace
sequence 46 increases. This increase in the overall light intensity
distribution of the trace sequence 46 can help guide a user back
toward the path 70 to the wireless chagrining area 16.
[0041] FIGS. 5-7 illustrate another embodiment of the panel 14. In
this embodiment, the light source 36 comprises an LED screen 80
that at least partially surrounds the wireless charger 34. The LED
screen 80 is mounted, via an adhesive layer or some other method of
attachment, to the backside 44 of the carrier 38. Given that there
are more intervening layers in the panel 14 between the light
source 36 and the decorative layer 26 in this embodiment, further
adaptations can be made to improve light transmission through the
panel. However, it is possible to reconfigure the layers when using
an LED screen or some other light source such that the light source
is located at a different position with respect to the decorative
layer 26 than those particularly illustrated herein.
[0042] In the embodiment of FIGS. 5-7, a pattern 82 of perforations
84 has been formed at least partially through the panel 14 to help
facilitate light transmission through one or more of the various
layers. The perforations 84 may have a diameter or width in a range
from 10 .mu.m to 70 .mu.m, extending entirely through the
decorative layer 26 and/or the pressure sensing foil 40. In some
embodiments, depending on the desired degree of light transmission,
the perforations 84 may extend only partially through the
decorative layer 26 and/or the pressure sensing foil 40. If one or
more adhesive layers are included in the panel 14, perforations may
also be formed in the adhesive layers, which allows the adhesive
layer(s) to be formed from an optically opaque material, offering a
larger selection of adhesives. As shown in FIG. 5, the perforations
84 may also extend only through the decorative layer 26 and not
through the pressure sensing foil 40. It is also possible to extend
the perforations 84 partly or entirely through the carrier 38.
[0043] The reference positioners 68 are useful in a perforation
process to provide an accurate datum from which to locate each
individual perforation 84. The perforations 84 can be formed via
laser or any other suitable means of selective removal of the
decorative layer 26. In one embodiment, an ultraviolet laser is
used to form the perforations 84 in the desired pattern 82 along
the decorative layer 26. In a particular embodiment, a 3 W hybrid
fiber optic/WVO.sub.4 crystal oscillator laser is used to form the
perforations 84. In another embodiment, the perforations 84 are
formed through the decorative layer 26 prior to attachment over the
carrier 38. In that case, the perforations 84 may be filled with a
resin material after formation to prevent the perforations from
collecting debris during storage and transport from the perforating
operation, particularly when the panel 14 is a backlit panel.
[0044] The perforations 84 in the decorative layer 26 permit the
wireless charger 34 to transmit or receive a wireless signal 86
through the panel 14, which, depending on the material composition,
the decorative layer 26 could otherwise block. As such, the
decorative layer 26 may include perforations 84 along only a
portion of the panel 14 corresponding to the location of the
underlying wireless charger 34 and/or corresponding to the location
of the underlying light source 36.
[0045] In some embodiments, the perforations 84 may be sized such
that they are non-visible from the decorative side 28 of the panel
14. More particularly, the perforations 84 can be made non-visible
in the absence of backlighting. As used herein, "non-visible" means
not visibly detectable from a distance of 0.5 meters in normal
daylight conditions by a person with 20/20 vision in the passenger
cabin of the vehicle in which the panel is installed.
[0046] The size of the perforations 84 may be in a range from 10
.mu.m to 70 .mu.m. Whether the perforations 84 are non-visible may
depend on factors other than their size. For example, perforations
having a diameter or width of 10 .mu.m may be non-visible under
almost any condition and in almost any material. But perforations
84 having a diameter or width of 50 .mu.m may be visible in a
smooth decorative layer 26 (e.g., a metal film or a high
resin-content carbon fiber product) while remaining substantially
non-visible in a more three-dimensional decorative layer, such as a
woven carbon fiber layer. Other factors such as color or
reflectivity of the decorative layer 26, diffusivity of a
protective layer, inter-perforation spacing, or the regularity of
any pattern of perforations may also play a role in their
visibility. Other factors such as process time must also be
considered. For example, while smaller perforations 84 may
naturally be less visible, the number of perforations required may
increase to achieve the same transparency to the wireless signal
86, which can increase the time required to make the
perforations.
[0047] The perforations 84 may be arranged in a pattern 82 such
that an illuminated pattern 82 corresponding to the trace sequence
46 appears at the decorative side 28 of the panel 14 when the panel
is backlit. The pattern 82 is any non-random arrangement of the
perforations 84 along the decorative layer 26. In the illustrated
example the pattern 82 and the trace sequence 46 are in the form of
a series 88 of dots 90, 92, 94, 96, 98, 100, 102. The illuminated
pattern 84 and trace sequence 46 may be any sort of symbol, such as
an alphanumeric character, a geometric shape, an icon, or any other
non-random shape intended to visually communicate information to a
user. Other non-random arrangements are possible, such as a
repeating stripe pattern, or some other pattern that helps a user
locate the wireless charging area 16.
[0048] The perforations 84 are discrete, and the spacing between
adjacent perforations 84 of the pattern 82 may have an effect on
the appearance of the illuminated trace sequence 46. For instance,
the perforations 84 may be spaced sufficiently close together so
that the illuminated pattern 82 is continuous--i.e., such that the
presence of discrete underlying perforations is not discernible. In
other examples, the perforations 84 may be spaced apart
sufficiently to intentionally create a pixelated or digital effect
in the illuminated pattern 82 and trace sequence 46.
[0049] In one particular example, the perforations 84 are sized in
a range from 10 .mu.m to 30 .mu.m, and each perforation 84 is
spaced from an adjacent perforation by an amount in a range from
0.4 mm to 0.6 mm. With a partially diffusive protective layer, this
arrangement of perforation size and spacing has been observed to
provide a non-visible pattern 84 of perforations 82 and to display
an illuminated trace sequence 46 in which the individual
perforations are not discernible. This perforation size and spacing
can also convert the otherwise wireless communication-blocking
material of the decorative layer 26 to a layer through which the
wireless communication signal 86 can pass.
[0050] The trace sequence 46 in the embodiment illustrated in FIG.
6 comprises the series 88 of illuminated dots 90-102. These dots
90-102 generally correspond to the pattern 82 of perforations 84;
however, it is possible to form the same pattern with alternative
materials or light sources. In an advantageous embodiment, the dots
90-102 flash progressively toward the wireless charging area 16 to
provide a visual cue and illuminate a path 70 to the wireless
charging area. For example, the controller 72 can illuminate all of
the dots 90-102 upon detection of the mobile device 32 with the
sensor 30. Then, the controller 72 can selectively de-illuminate
and re-illuminate each dot progressively from the start of the
trace sequence 46 at dot 90 to the end of the trace sequence 46 at
dot 102. As with the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3, the trace
sequence 46 can shorten in length as the mobile device 32 moves
closer toward the wireless charging area 16. Also, similar to the
FIG. 3 embodiment, instead of progressively flashing, the trace
sequence 46 can have a more static presentation, with or without a
light intensity distribution (e.g., dot 90 would be the dimmest in
intensity and dot 102 would be the brightest).
[0051] The dots 90-102 can take any desired shape, and the shape
may be at least partially dictated by the pattern 82 of
perforations 84. In some embodiments, the trace sequence 46 is
comprised of differently shaped dots, or an alternatively shaped
design altogether. For example, the trace sequence 46 may comprise
one or more lines, arrows, etc. that help indicate the presence of
the wireless charging area 16. Any operable shape or design that
exists at least partially outside of the wireless charging area 16
can be used for the trace sequence 46.
[0052] FIG. 7 shows the mobile device 32 located at the wireless
charging area 16 after following the path 70 as indicated by the
trace sequence 46 in FIG. 6. In this embodiment, a confirmatory
indicium 104 is illuminated once the mobile device 32 reaches the
wireless charging area 16. The confirmatory indicium or indicia 104
provides a visual cue to the user that the mobile device 32 is at
least partially or wholly within the wireless charging area 16.
Presentation of the confirmatory indicia 104 may occur at the same
time as the wireless signal 86 is sent out by the wireless charger
34 when the mobile device 32 reaches the wireless charging area 16.
In other embodiments, the wireless charger 34 begins to send signal
86 when the trace sequence 46 is presented.
[0053] The confirmatory indicium 104 in FIG. 7 is an illuminated
checkmark. The checkmark can be a different color than the trace
sequence 46 in order to enhance visual differentiation and cue the
user to proper placement of the mobile device 32 (e.g.,
confirmatory indicium 104 is green while the trace sequence 46 is
yellow or white). In other embodiments, the confirmatory indicium
104 can take other forms, such as an illuminated box or ring around
the wireless charging area 16, to cite one example. In yet other
embodiments, the confirmatory indicium 104 can blink or the like
until the mobile device 32 is properly located with respect to the
wireless charging area 16. At that point, the confirmatory indicium
104 can be statically illuminated upon proper positioning.
[0054] It is to be understood that the foregoing is a description
of one or more embodiments of the invention. The invention is not
limited to the particular embodiment(s) disclosed herein, but
rather is defined solely by the claims below. Furthermore, the
statements contained in the foregoing description relate to
particular embodiments and are not to be construed as limitations
on the scope of the invention or on the definition of terms used in
the claims, except where a term or phrase is expressly defined
above. Various other embodiments and various changes and
modifications to the disclosed embodiment(s) will become apparent
to those skilled in the art. All such other embodiments, changes,
and modifications are intended to come within the scope of the
appended claims.
[0055] As used in this specification and claims, the terms "e.g.,"
"for example," "for instance," "such as," and "like," and the verbs
"comprising," "having," "including," and their other verb forms,
when used in conjunction with a listing of one or more components
or other items, are each to be construed as open-ended, meaning
that the listing is not to be considered as excluding other,
additional components or items. Other terms are to be construed
using their broadest reasonable meaning unless they are used in a
context that requires a different interpretation. In addition, the
term "and/or" is to be construed as an inclusive OR. Therefore, for
example, the phrase "A, B, and/or C" is to be interpreted as
covering all the following: "A"; "B"; "C"; "A and B"; "A and C"; "B
and C"; and "A, B, and C."
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