VEHICLE INTERIOR TRIM PART FORMED WITH INTERGRATED ELECTRONICS AND METHOD OF MAKING
An assembly, the assembly including: a substrate; an injection molded structural electronic component; and a layer of polymer that partially encapsulates the substrate and the injection molded structural electronic component and unifies the substrate and the injection molded structural electronic component into one component.
1 . An assembly, comprising:
a substrate;
an injection molded structural electronic component; and
a layer of polymer that partially encapsulates the substrate and the injection molded structural electronic component and unifies the substrate and the injection molded structural electronic component into one component.
2 . The assembly as in claim 1 , further comprising another injection molded structural electronic component.
3 . The assembly as in claim 1 , further comprising alternative electronics.
4 . The assembly as in claim 3 , wherein the injection molded structural electronic component has a cut out portion that is configured to receive the alternative electronics.
5 . The assembly as in claim 1 , wherein the assembly is a portion of a vehicle interior.
6 . The assembly as in claim 1 , wherein the assembly comprises a plurality of icons.
7 . A method for providing an assembly, comprising:
forming an injection molded substrate;
forming at least one injection molded structural electronic component;
placing the injection molded substrate and the at least one injection molded structural electronic component in a tool; and
partially overmolding the injection molded substrate and the at least one injection molded structural electronic component with a polymer injected into the tool; and
unifying the injection molded substrate and the at least one injection molded structural electronic component into one component with the polymer.
8 . The method as in claim 7 , wherein another injection molded structural electronic component is placed in the tool prior to the partially overmolding step.
9 . The method as in claim 7 , wherein alternative electronics are inserted into the tool.
10 . The method as in claim 9 , wherein the at least one injection molded structural electronic component has a cut out portion that is configured to receive the alternative electronics.
11 . The method as in claim 7 , wherein the assembly is a portion of a vehicle interior.
12 . The method as in claim 7 , wherein the assembly comprises a plurality of icons.