CN111971201A - Functional leather member and method for producing same - Google Patents

Abstract

A functional vehicle component and related method includes a functional leather assembly secured over the vehicle component. The functional leather assembly includes a leather sheet, a flexible electronic circuit disposed on a first surface of the leather sheet facing away from the vehicle component, and a colored coating disposed over the circuit. The circuit optionally includes one or more electronic components, such as piezoelectric switches, which can be actuated to form or break conductive paths in the circuit. The piezoelectric switch provides a tactile signal indicative of actuation of the piezoelectric switch. The entire functional leather component, including the circuit, may be embossed to provide an embossed pattern to the exposed surface of the functional leather component.

Description

Functional leather part and method of making the same

Background technique

Vehicle interior components often include a surface layer of high-quality natural leather. Leather is wrapped and fastened to the substructure. The leather is flexible and therefore conforms to the contours of the underlying structure. In luxury vehicles, leather is typically used as the top layer for components that come into direct contact with vehicle occupants, such as interior panels, seats, and door liners. The main function of the leather surface coating is to be aesthetically pleasing and to provide a luxurious appearance to the interior of the vehicle. However, natural leather does not provide any functionality for vehicle components. Accordingly, there is a need for improved top layers for vehicle components.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect, a method of making a functional leather part includes providing a leather sheet, applying a flexible electronic circuit to an A surface of the leather sheet, and disposing a pigmented coating over the circuit.

According to another aspect, a method of making a vehicle system includes: applying a flexible electronic circuit to a surface A of a leather sheet; electrically connecting a light source to the circuit, the light source configured to emit light when powered; disposing a colored coating on the circuit over the electrical circuit and over the light source; securing the leather sheet over the surface of the vehicle component such that the A surface of the leather sheet faces away from the vehicle component; and connecting the electrical circuit to the vehicle electronic control unit and the vehicle power supply. Optionally, the colored coating inhibits or prevents the circuits and light sources from being visible through the colored coating. The light emitted by the light source is visible through the colored coating.

According to another aspect, a functional vehicle component includes a vehicle component, a leather sheet secured over a surface of the vehicle component, a flexible electronic circuit contacting the A-surface of the leather sheet and comprising a printed and cured conductive ink, and a flexible electronic circuit disposed on the electronic Tinted coating above the circuit.

According to another aspect, a vehicle system includes a vehicle electrical system and an electronic control unit electrically connected to the vehicle electrical system. The vehicle system also includes a functional vehicle component including: a vehicle component, a leather sheet secured over a surface of the vehicle component, a flexible electronic circuit contacting the A-surface of the leather sheet and comprising a printed and cured conductive ink , and a colored coating disposed over the electronic circuit. The circuit is electrically connected to an electronic control unit configured to control the operation of functional vehicle components.

According to another aspect, a wireless charger for a vehicle includes a vehicle power source; and a wireless charging device comprising: a vehicle component, a leather sheet secured over a surface of the vehicle component, a surface A contacting the leather sheet, and A flexible electronic circuit comprising a printed and cured conductive ink, and a colored coating disposed over the circuit. The circuit is electrically connected to a power source and includes a wireless transmitter configured to generate an oscillating electromagnetic field when powered by the power source.

According to another aspect, a smart functional vehicle component includes: a vehicle component, a leather sheet secured over a surface of the vehicle component; a flexible electronic circuit contacting the A-surface of the leather sheet and comprising a printed and cured conductive ink; supplying power thereto a light source that emits light when electrically connected to the circuit; and a colored coating disposed over the electronic circuit and over the light source.

According to another aspect, a vehicle system includes a vehicle electrical system; an electronic control unit electrically connected to the vehicle electrical system; and an intelligent functional vehicle component, the intelligent functional vehicle component comprising: a vehicle component, fixed to the vehicle A leather sheet over the surface of the part, a flexible electronic circuit that contacts the A-surface of the leather sheet and includes a printed and cured conductive ink that is electrically connected to an electronic control unit, a miniature light-emitting diode that emits light when powered by the vehicle electrical system, A miniature light emitting diode electrically connected to the circuit, and a colored coating disposed over the electronic circuit and over the miniature light emitting diode. The electronic control unit is configured to control the operation of the functional vehicle component.

According to another aspect, an intelligent functional vehicle steering wheel includes a vehicle steering wheel, a leather sheet secured over a surface of the steering wheel, a flexible electronic circuit contacting the A surface of the leather sheet and comprising printed and cured conductive ink, and a flexible electronic circuit disposed on the electronic Tinted coating above the circuit. The circuit extends around the entire circumference of the steering wheel and includes one or more pressure sensors disposed around the entire circumference of the steering wheel.

According to another aspect, a method of making a functional leather assembly includes: providing a leather sheet; and applying a flexible electronic circuit to a first surface of the leather sheet, the flexible electronic circuit including a piezoelectric switch capable of being actuated move to make or break a conductive path in a circuit. When the switch is actuated to make or break a conductive path in the circuit, the piezoelectric switch provides tactile feedback that the piezoelectric switch has been actuated.

According to another aspect, a method of making a functional leather assembly includes: providing a leather sheet; applying a flexible electronic circuit to a first surface of the leather sheet, the flexible electronic circuit including a piezoelectric switch capable of being actuated to form or break conductive paths in an electrical circuit; and dispose a colored coating over the electrical circuit. When the switch is actuated to make or break a conductive path in the circuit, the piezoelectric switch provides tactile feedback that the piezoelectric switch has been actuated.

According to another aspect, a functional vehicle component includes a vehicle component covered by a functional leather assembly. The functional leather assembly includes: a leather sheet covering the vehicle component; and a flexible electronic circuit disposed on an outermost surface of the leather sheet facing away from the vehicle component. The flexible electronic circuit includes a piezoelectric switch that can be actuated to make or break a conductive path in the circuit. Upon actuation of the piezoelectric switch to form or break a conductive path in the circuit, the piezoelectric switch provides a tactile signal indicative of actuation of the piezoelectric switch.

According to another aspect, a functional vehicle component includes a vehicle component covered by a functional leather assembly. The functional leather component includes: a leather sheet covering the vehicle part; a flexible electronic circuit arranged on the outermost surface of the leather sheet facing away from the vehicle part; and a colored coating, the colored A coating is placed over the circuit. The flexible electronic circuit includes a piezoelectric switch that can be actuated to make or break a conductive path in the circuit. Upon actuation of the piezoelectric switch to form or break a conductive path in the circuit, the piezoelectric switch provides a tactile signal indicative of actuation of the piezoelectric switch.

According to another aspect, a method of making a functional vehicle component includes applying a flexible electronic circuit including a piezoelectric switch to a first surface of a leather sheet, the piezoelectric switch actuatable to form or break a conductive path in the circuit disposing the pigmented coating over the first surface of the leather sheet and over the flexible electronic circuit including the piezoelectric switches; securing the leather sheet over the surface of the vehicle part such that the first surface of the leather sheet faces away from the vehicle part , thereby defining the outermost surface of the leather sheet; and connecting the electrical circuit to the vehicle electronic control unit and the vehicle power supply. Upon actuation of the piezoelectric switch to form or break a conductive path in the circuit, the piezoelectric switch provides a tactile signal indicative of actuation of the piezoelectric switch. Optionally, the colored coating inhibits or prevents the circuit including the piezoelectric switch from being visible through the colored coating.

According to another aspect, a method of making a functional vehicle component includes applying a flexible electronic circuit including a piezoelectric switch to a first surface of a leather sheet, the piezoelectric switch actuatable to form or break a conductive path in the circuit securing the leather sheet over a surface of the vehicle component such that a first surface of the leather sheet faces away from the vehicle component, thereby defining an outermost surface of the leather sheet; and connecting electrical circuits to the vehicle electronic control unit and the vehicle power supply. Upon actuation of the piezoelectric switch to form or break a conductive path in the circuit, the piezoelectric switch provides a tactile signal indicative of actuation of the piezoelectric switch.

According to one aspect, a method of making an embossed functional vehicle component includes preparing a functional leather assembly including providing a leather substrate including a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface ; and applying flexible conductive traces over the first surface of the leather substrate. The functional leather component is embossed to provide an embossed texture at the first surface of the functional leather substrate.

According to another aspect, a method of making an embossed functional leather component includes providing a leather substrate including a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface; disposing a pigmented coating on the on the first surface of the leather substrate; applying flexible conductive traces over the pigmented coating on the first surface of the leather substrate; optionally applying a topcoat over the flexible conductive traces; and The resulting assembly is embossed to provide an embossed texture at the first surface of the functional leather substrate.

According to another aspect, a method of making an embossed functional leather component includes preparing a functional leather component including providing a leather substrate including a first surface and a second opposite the first surface surface; applying flexible conductive traces over the first surface of the leather substrate; and disposing a pigmented coating on the first surface of the leather substrate so as to cover the traces. The functional leather component is embossed to provide an embossed texture at the first surface of the functional leather substrate.

According to another aspect, a method of making a functional vehicle component includes preparing a functional leather component by applying an electronic circuit including flexible conductive traces to a first surface of a leather substrate. The functional leather component is embossed to provide an embossed texture at the first surface of the functional leather substrate, and the functional leather component is arranged to cover the surface of the vehicle component such that the leather substrate has the The first surface faces away from the vehicle component.

According to another aspect, a method of making a functional vehicle component includes preparing a functional leather component by applying an electronic circuit including flexible conductive traces to a first surface of a leather substrate; disposing a pigmented coating on the leather substrate on the first surface of the material, thereby covering the circuit; and applying an antifouling layer to the pigmented coating. The functional leather component is embossed to provide an embossed texture at the first surface of the functional leather substrate, and the functional leather component is arranged to cover the surface of the vehicle component such that the leather substrate has the The first surface faces away from the vehicle component.

According to another aspect, a functional vehicle component includes a functional leather assembly. The functional leather component includes a leather substrate including a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface and flexible conductive traces disposed on the first surface of the leather substrate on the surface. The functional leather component is embossed with an embossed texture at the first surface of the leather substrate.

According to another aspect, a functional vehicle component includes a functional leather assembly. The functional leather component includes a leather substrate including a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, flexible conductive traces and a pigmented coating, the flexible conductive traces being disposed on the leather substrate On the first surface of the leather substrate, the colored coating is on the one surface of the leather substrate and covers the trace. The functional leather component is embossed with an embossed texture at the first surface of the leather substrate.

Description of drawings

1 is a partially exploded schematic view of a portion of an intelligent functional vehicle component in accordance with the present subject matter.

2 is a perspective view of the use of an intelligent functional vehicle component in accordance with the present subject matter.

3 is a perspective view of another intelligent functional vehicle component in accordance with the present subject matter.

4 is a front view of another intelligent functional vehicle component in accordance with the present subject matter.

5 is a front view of another intelligent functional vehicle component in accordance with the present subject matter.

6 is a side view of another intelligent functional vehicle component in accordance with the present subject matter.

7 is a schematic illustration of an embossed smart functional leather assembly in accordance with the present subject matter.

Figure 8 is a method of making an embossed smart functional leather component in accordance with the present subject matter.

Figure 9 is a method of making a smart functional leather component according to the inventive subject matter.

Detailed ways

In the era of smartphones and research aimed at autonomous vehicles, there is a need to create intelligent functional interior vehicle components with real-time biofeedback loops and dynamic surfaces. Smart functional vehicle components can be used to make the driving experience for the driver and passengers more comfortable and enjoyable than non-functional vehicle components.

The present subject matter provides a flexible smart functional leather component, so that it can be wrapped over various vehicle components to make the vehicle components smart and functional. The leather assembly may be arranged inside or outside the vehicle. The outermost surface of this leather component presents a smooth and clean appearance, so it looks neat despite its smart functional performance.

The present subject matter includes: substrates (eg, natural substrates such as leather sheets, textiles, etc.), and including making substrates available by including visible buttons, sensors, or other functional or smart elements on the A surface of the substrate Conductive, smart and functional without cluttering the look of the substrate. The inventive subject matter can provide the occupants of a vehicle with a dynamic interior experience, yet provide functional vehicle components with a clean appearance. The subject invention includes smart functional leather components, and methods of making leather sheets smart and functional, not just for aesthetic purposes, without cluttering the leather sheet's appearance. For this purpose, the smart functional leather assembly may include electronic elements including, for example, traces on the A-surface of the leather sheet, switches (eg actuating buttons), sensors or other functional or smart elements. When used in the interior of a vehicle, the functional leather package provides the occupants of the vehicle with a dynamic interior experience, but provides functional vehicle components with a clean appearance.

Referring now to the drawings, wherein the illustration is for the purpose of illustrating one or more embodiments only and not for the purpose of limiting one or more embodiments, FIG. 1 depicts a smart functional leather assembly 2 (also referred to herein as "Functional Leather 2" or "Leather Components 2"). As depicted, functional leather assembly 2 includes leather sheet 4 , flexible electronic circuit layer 6 , pigmented coating 8 , and optional stain resistant component layer 10 . In another embodiment, smart functional vehicle component 12 includes smart functional leather assembly 2 disposed on vehicle component 16 .

Smart functional vehicle component 12 includes: leather sheet 4 secured over top surface 14 of vehicle component 16, flexible electronics applied to an A-surface 18 (also referred to herein as "first surface") of leather sheet 4 The circuit layer 6 and the colored coating 8 over the circuit layer 6 . As used herein, "A surface 18" refers to the outermost surface of the leather sheet 4 that faces the vehicle occupant after the functional vehicle component 12 including the leather assembly 2 is assembled and disposed in/on the vehicle; while the B surface, The C-surface, D-surface, etc. are other surfaces of the leather sheet 4 that are further away from the occupant-facing surface than the A-surface 18 . On a functional vehicle component 1212 inside a vehicle, the A-surface 18 of the leather sheet 4 faces the vehicle occupants and is visible to the vehicle occupants unless covered by another layer or feature, such as the tinted coating 8 . The A surface 18 may be what is known in the leather industry as the grain side, the skin side, the top side or the hair side of the leather sheet 4 . The grain side, skin side, top side or hair side is the flesh side or back side 20 of the leather sheet 4 and what is known in the leather industry as the leather sheet 4 (eg, the B surface, also referred to herein as "the" second surface") on the opposite side. The meat side is the side of the leather sheet 4 that is connected to the meat of the animal from which the leather sheet 4 is taken.

The functional leather component 2 optionally includes a layer 10 of antifouling components. However, in an alternative embodiment, the functional leather component 2 may not include a separate and distinct layer 10 of stain resistant components, but may instead include stain resistant components as part of the pigmented coating 8 .

Vehicle component 16 is not particularly limited by the present subject matter, and may include any interior vehicle component, such as trim panels, doors, seats, steering wheels, armrests, instrument panels, center consoles, gear shifters, or any leather-wrapped other internal parts. Optionally, vehicle components 16 may include external vehicle components. The vehicle component 16 differs from the smart functional vehicle component 12 in that the vehicle component 16 does not include the smart functional leather component 2 applied over its top surface 14 or A-surface. In one non-limiting embodiment, the vehicle component 16 does not include any intelligent or functional elements or features, such as sensors, processors, circuits, switches, etc., prior to assembly with the functional leather assembly 2 . It should be understood, however, that vehicle components 16 may include smart or functional elements in addition to those included on smart functional leather assembly 2 .

The top surface 14 of the vehicle component 16 may be smooth or textured, and flat or contoured. In one non-limiting example, the surface 14 of the vehicle component 16 has a contour. In any event, the functional leather component 2 is secured over the surface 14 of the vehicle component 16 so that the vehicle component 16 is intelligent and functional.

The leather sheet 4 may be secured over the top surface 14 of the vehicle component 16 to enhance the aesthetics of the vehicle component 16 . The leather sheet 4 may be naturally flexible, pliable, and stretchable, and thus may wrap around or over the vehicle component 16 and conform to the contours of the surface 14 of the vehicle component 16 . Because circuit layer 6 and circuit 22 are flexible and applied to A-surface 18 of leather sheet 4 , circuit layer 6 and circuit 22 also conform to the contours of surface 14 of vehicle component 16 . The leather sheet 4 may be in direct contact with the surface 14 of the vehicle component 16 or may have one or more optional layers in between. Optionally, the leather sheet 4 may only cover or lie over the surface 14 of the vehicle component 16 .

Leather sheet 4 may be prepared in any manner, including by conventional tanning processes. The leather sheet 4 may be processed from natural animal hides, or may comprise composite leather (eg, regenerated leather) or synthetic leather products. When natural animal hides are used as the leather sheet 4, the animal hides may be subjected to a leather preparation process including one or more of tanning, soaking, decoction, shaving, sanding/separating, drying, sewing and grinding. Then, after applying the base coat, the hide may be cut into a desired shape for a particular application, such as to cover a seat, trim panel, steering wheel, or other vehicle component 16 in a vehicle to form the smart functional vehicle component 12 . The leather sheet 4 may be replaced or supplemented by regenerated leather, synthetic leather, other leather composites or other materials or layers as required. The leather sheet 4 may be cut or formed into a specific size or shape to correspond to the shape and size of the vehicle component 16 it will wrap. In accordance with the present subject matter, the leather sheet 4 may have a shape and size configured to wrap over a surface 14 of a component 16 (eg, an interior trim panel, door, seat, steering wheel, instrument panel, center console, or gear shifter) .

After the leather sheet 4 is prepared as desired, and before or after the leather sheet 4 is secured over the surface 14 of the vehicle component 16, various other layers of the functional leather assembly 2 (ie, the circuit layer 6, the coloring Coating 8 and optional antifouling component layer 10) are applied to leather sheet 4. In one embodiment, the leather sheet 4 is secured over the surface 14 of the vehicle component 16 after the various other layers of the functional leather assembly 2 are applied to the leather sheet 4 . In another embodiment, the leather sheet 4 is secured over the surface 14 of the vehicle component 16 before the various other layers of the functional leather assembly 2 are applied to the leather sheet 4 .

The leather sheet 4 may be flexible, and thus, in one non-limiting embodiment, may be secured over the surface 14 of the vehicle component 16 by stretching and wrapping the leather sheet 4 around the vehicle component 16 . The leather sheet 4 may be secured to the surface 14 and/or other portions of the vehicle component 16, such as by adhesives or fasteners.

In one embodiment, the circuit layer 6, the pigmented coating 8, and the optional antifouling component layer 10 (even though they are applied over the A-surface 18 of the leather sheet 4) still allow some properties of the leather sheet 4 (eg, , surface texture or texture, and softness) are at least partially perceived by occupants of the vehicle, such as by tactile or visual perception.

The circuit layer 6 is flexible and is disposed over the A-surface 18 of the leather sheet 4, optionally in direct contact with the A-surface 18 or with one or more intervening layers disposed therebetween to provide intelligence to the leather sheet 4 functional properties. The circuit layer 6 may include one or more flexible electronic circuits 22 (also referred to herein as "electronic circuits" or "circuits") and are disposed on the A-surface 18 of the leather sheet 4 . Although the circuit layer 6 is depicted in FIG. 1 as a continuous layer, this is for convenience only to illustrate the arrangement of the various layers of the intelligent functional vehicle component 12 and it should be understood that the circuit layer 6 may or may not include The voids between the conductive traces 23 of the one or more circuits 22, and thus the circuit layer 6, may or may not be a continuous layer as depicted. Traces 23 (also referred to herein as "conductive traces," "conductive paths," or "traces") may be applied directly to leather sheet 4, so that in one or more of traces 23 and electrical circuits 22 optional One or more voids are included between the electronic components. However, the circuit layer 6 may be a continuous layer as depicted, for example, the circuit 22 may be formed on the surface of the film and the film carrying the circuit 22 may be applied directly to the leather sheet 4 .

In one embodiment, the circuit layer 6 contacts the A surface 18 of the leather sheet 4 . In another embodiment, the circuit layer 6 is disposed on a polymer film, which is then disposed over the A surface 18 of the leather sheet 4 . The one or more circuits 22 of circuit layer 6 each include one or more flexible conductive traces 23 . By "flexible" is meant that a layer, circuit, trace, or other element or material is not rigid, brittle, or rigid, but rather is bendable, stretchable, shape-changing, or otherwise Said to be capable of yielding to external forces, but not breaking or losing functionality when subjected to such forces. When referring to a "flexible electronic circuit" is meant an electronic circuit 22 that does not break and retains its conductivity even when bent, stretched, twisted or otherwise deformed to a strain of 10% to at least 20%. In one embodiment, circuits 22 and traces 23 do not break when so deformed.

In one embodiment, the circuit layer 6 includes only one electronic circuit 22 . In another embodiment, the circuit layer 6 includes more than one electronic circuit 22 , such as two, three or more electronic circuits 22 . When more than one circuit 22 is included in the circuit layer 6, each individual circuit 22 may be configured to perform a different function than the other circuits 22, which may mean that each circuit 22 is electrically isolated/separated from the other circuits 22, Either the circuits 22 may be operated independently, or each circuit 22 may operate independently of the other circuits 22, or the circuits 22 may be electrically connected to different types of electronic components.

One or more circuits 22 (including one or more conductive traces 23 ) and electronic components may each be formed using a conductive ink including a binder (eg, a polymer material such as polyimide) and conductive particles , including, for example, copper, silver, carbon, silver chloride, or other conductive particles. The one or more circuits 22 may be formed by applying (eg, printing) a conductive ink directly on the A surface 18 of the leather sheet 4 and then curing, drying, hardening, etc. the conductive ink to form the conductive ink of the circuit layer 6 Traces 23, circuits 22 and electronic components. In other words, the conductive traces 23, circuits 22, and electronic components may be defined or included by printed and cured conductive ink. Conductive inks suitable for forming the one or more circuits 22 and their electronic components are not particularly limited and may include, for example, PE671, PE773, PE873 and PE971 stretchable conductors available from EI du Pont de Nemours and Company , PE410 inkjet silver conductors, 5021, 5025, 5028 and 5064HY silver conductors, ME601 and ME602 stretchable silver conductors, PE827 and PE828 ultra-low temperature cured silver composite conductors, Kapton ^TM KA801 polyimide silver conductors; CI-1036, CI-4040, CI-2051 and CI-1062 stretchable conductive inks are available from Engineered Materials Systems, Inc. (EMS).

These conductive inks may be applied to the A surface 18 of the leather sheet 4 by any method including, for example, pad printing, flexographic printing, rotogravure printing, spraying, dipping, syringe dispensing, plate making, screen printing, gas Sol jet printing or ink jet printing to form electronic circuits. The flexible electronic circuit 22 may be formed using other materials or processes including, for example, etching, in-mold formation of the electronic circuit 22, selective photocuring, and circuit scribing. In an exemplary embodiment, the one or more circuits 22 are formed by screen printing conductive ink on the A surface 18 of the leather sheet 4 .

The one or more circuits 22 may each include electronic components such as power supplies, capacitors, inductors, diodes, resistors, transformers, switches, sensors, loads, light sources, fuses, antennas, wireless transmitters, heaters, etc., among others. Each can be flexible. It should be understood, however, that these or other electronic components may be included in electrical communication with the circuit 22 but arranged not to be part of the circuit layer 6 . In one non-limiting example, the light source 24 is included as an electronic component in the functional vehicle component 12 . In another non-limiting example, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 , a wireless transmitter 30 (eg, an induction coil or capacitive plate) is included as an electronic component in the functional vehicle component 12 . In another non-limiting example, one or more sensors 28 are included in the electronic circuitry of circuit layer 6 . In yet another non-limiting example, the switch 26 is included in the electronic circuit of the circuit layer 6 .

A colored coating 8 may be disposed over the circuit layer 6 to at least partially mask or obscure the circuit layer 6 including electronic components. A pigmented coating 8 may be arranged between the leather sheet 4 and the circuit layer 6 . The colored coating 8 may be arranged in direct contact with the circuit layer 6, or may be arranged with one or more intervening layers in between. In another embodiment, the tinted coating 8 is not included, or the tinted coating 8 is transparent (ie, optically transparent) and/or the circuit layer 6 and its electronic components may be positioned on top of the tinted coating 8 . The pigmented coating 8 is not particularly limited by the subject matter of the present invention, and may comprise a translucent layer, film or coating disposed over the flexible circuit layer 6 . By "translucent" is meant a material or layer that allows light to pass therethrough, but results in sufficient diffusion to prevent a different image from being perceived through the material or layer. In another embodiment, the tinted coating 8 is not included, or the tinted coating 8 is transparent (ie, optically transparent) and/or the circuit layer 6 and its electronic components are positioned on top of the tinted coating 8 . In a non-limiting example, the colored coating 8 produces sufficient light diffusion to transmit through the colored coating 8 of the flexible electronic circuit 22 and all electronic components of the circuit layer 6 except for light (L) emitted by the light source 24 . The visibility is suppressed by the pigmented coating 8 . In one embodiment, the flexible electronic circuit 22 and all electronic components of the circuit layer 6 are not visible through the colored coating 8 . The light source 24 is also under the tinted coating 8 so that the visibility of the light source 24 through the tinted coating is optionally suppressed by the tinted coating 8 . In one embodiment, the light source 24 is also invisible through the colored coating 8 . However, the colored coating 8 is sufficiently translucent (rather than opaque) that light emitted by the light source 24 is visible through the colored coating 8 . Thus, the tinted coating 8 conceals at least the flexible circuit layer 6 (including the light sources 24 ) to some extent, but allows light emitted from the light sources 24 to transmit therethrough so that the emitted light is visible through the tinted coating 8 and can be seen . The light emitted from the light source 24 and transmitted through the colored coating 8 may be seen, for example, by a vehicle occupant, and may be used for vehicle lighting or as a visual indication to convey information to the vehicle occupant.

Pigmented coating 8 may include polymers, textiles, composites, enamels, paper, glass, metals, ceramics, other materials, and combinations thereof. In one non-limiting example, the pigmented coating 8 includes a pigmented layer comprising, for example, a mixture of polymer and pigment particles. The polymer can be, for example, an acrylic urethane resin. Pigmented coating 8 may be formed by applying a polymer/pigment mixture as a liquid over flexible circuit layer 6 and curing the polymer to produce pigmented coating 8 as a solid. Pigmented coating 8 may have a pigment loading and/or thickness sufficient to inhibit or prevent circuits 22 and electronic components including light sources 24 from being visible through pigmented coating 8 . However, the tinted coating 8 is sufficiently translucent, rather than opaque, so that light emitted by the light source 24 can be seen through the tinted coating 8 . In a non-limiting embodiment, the colored coating 8 has a thickness of 5 μm to 50 μm, 15 μm to 40 μm, or 20 μm to 30 μm. Other thicknesses may be used.

In one embodiment, for example, the pigmented coating 8 comprises a multi-layered structure comprising a 20-45 micron thick base color layer applied wet on the leather sheet 4 and in the Dry at about 100°C for one minute; then apply a 15-20 micron thick color coat wet wet and dry at 100°C for one minute; then apply three coats of 5-20 microns each wet (15-60 micrometer thick) topcoat and then dried at 100°C for one minute. The base color layer, color coat layer, and top coat layer can each be applied by spraying, and each can include a urethane acrylic dispersion with a pigment. Includes base color coat and color coat to provide abrasion resistance and color consistency. Top coats are used for tactile and color properties. The leather substrate may also be initially applied with a base coat of polyurethane and acrylic dispersion, applied by rollers, and included to provide adhesion to the leather sheet 4 .

The antifouling component layer 10 or antifouling component included in the pigmented coating 8 may present exposed surfaces 32 of the functional vehicle component 12 , and these are optionally included to resist soiling, dirt, stains or stains on the leather component 2 . The accumulation of other debris while maintaining all physical and aesthetic properties of the underlying layers of the leather component 2. The antifouling component layer 10 is not particularly limited by the present subject matter, and may include antifouling components included as different layers, as depicted in FIG. 1 . Alternatively, the antifouling component may be included as part of the pigmented coating 8 . In the non-limiting embodiment shown in Figure 1, when included as a distinct layer in functional leather assembly 2, anti-fouling component layer 10 is substantially transparent (and may be optically transparent) such that anti-fouling component layer 10 is substantially transparent (and may be optically transparent) The dirt component layer 10 does not significantly interfere with the transmission of light emitted by the light source 24 . In another embodiment, the antifouling feature layer 10 may be slightly colored such that it helps the colored coating 8 to hide the circuit layer 6 . In one non-limiting embodiment, the antifouling feature layer 10 has a thickness of 0.1 μm to 10 μm, 1 μm to 8 μm, or 4 μm to 6 μm. In one non-limiting embodiment, the antifouling component layer 10 includes a polymeric carrier and is applied at a thickness of 1-10 microns and then dried at 100° C. for one minute to form a coating on the leather component 2 . Other supports, thicknesses, and drying times and temperatures can be used. In a non-limiting embodiment as depicted in FIG. 1, when included as a distinct layer in functional leather component 2, anti-soiling component layer 10 may be substantially transparent (and may be optically transparent) such that Antifouling component layer 10 does not significantly interfere with the transmission of light emitted by light source 24 or affect the aesthetics of pigmented coating 8 . In another embodiment, the antifouling component layer 10 may be colored such that it helps the colored coating 8 to hide the circuit layer 6 .

The antifouling member included in the antifouling member layer 10 or the colored coating layer 8 is not particularly limited, and may include acrylic urethane resin, urethane resin, polyisocyanate, carbodiimide, fluorine-containing material such as tetrafluoroethylene (TFE) Copolymers, siloxanes, etc.

Operation of functional vehicle components 12, electronic circuits 22, and associated electronic components may correspond to signals or data from one or more electronic systems emitted by the vehicle, or may be continuously activated during vehicle operation. The data or signal may be accessed from, sensed by, generated by, or otherwise obtained or produced from one or more of the vehicle electronic systems. Additionally, functional vehicle components 12, electronic circuits 22, and associated electronic components may provide signals or data to one or more electronic systems of the vehicle. For example, and as described in greater detail herein, functional vehicle component 12 may include sensors 28, and signals from sensors 28 may be communicated to vehicle electronic systems and may be used to operate other electronic components in functional vehicle component 12 or to operate different Functional vehicle components.

Vehicle electronic systems that emit or communicate with the data or these signals are not particularly limited and may include communication with the vehicle engine, transmission, body, chassis, passive and active safety features, vehicle performance, driver assistance, One or more vehicle electronic control units (ECUs) associated with interior and exterior environments, vehicle diagnostics, vehicle controls, audio/visual entertainment, navigation, electrical systems, in-vehicle communication systems, and combinations thereof. The vehicle electronic system may include a door control unit, an engine control unit, an electric steering control unit, a human-machine interface (HMI), a power transmission control module, a transmission control unit; a seat control unit, a speed control unit, an on-board communication control unit, a transmission control unit Control unit, brake control module (ABS or ESC), battery management system, central control module, central timing module, general electronic module, body control module, suspension control module, or a combination thereof.

In a non-limiting example, one or more flexible electronic circuits 22 are in communication with a vehicle electronic control unit (ECU) 36 that may control the operation of functional vehicle components 12 , electronic circuits 22 and associated electronic components . The ECU 36 may be electrically connected to a vehicle power source 40 for powering the ECU 36 or the flexible electronic circuit 22 . Functional vehicle components 12 (including one or more circuits 22 of circuit layer 6 ), along with various electronic components, may be based on interactions with the vehicle or vehicle components, vehicle occupants or vehicle environment (including the immediate or remote surroundings of the vehicle), and their Operate selectively in combination with relevant current conditions or situations.

Non-limiting examples of vehicle conditions that may be used as a basis for such selective operation include historical, current, or predicted vehicle performance characteristics or diagnostic information, and the like. Conditions of the vehicle occupant that may be used as a basis for such selective operation may include the driver's physical condition (such as the driver being drowsy or inattentive while driving), or objects relative to the vehicle or functional vehicle components 12 (such as an occupant). or occupant's hand) or GPS proximity. Conditions of the surrounding environment that may be used as a basis for such selective operations may include the proximity of an object (such as another vehicle) to the vehicle, the current time, news feeds, Amber alerts, nearby points of interest, and the like.

In another non-limiting example, one or more circuits 22 are in communication with a human machine interface (HMI) 38 that can control the function of functional vehicle components 12 , electronic circuits 22 and associated electronic components. Such an arrangement may allow a user to provide input through HMI 38 to selectively activate circuit 22 and associated electronics. Such user input may be active (user-initiated) or passive (user-sensed input), and may include auditory or tactile input. For example, the system may be configured to allow a user to audibly select the operation of functional vehicle components 12 , electronic circuits 22 , and associated electronic components. Operation of the functional leather assembly 2 may be controlled by an integrally actuated button (eg, switch 26 ) included in the electrical circuit 22 .

As previously disclosed, one or more separate and distinct light sources 24 may be included as electronic components in the functional vehicle component 12 . The light source 24 emits light when activated and is electrically connected to the electronic circuit 22 of the circuit layer 6 . The light sources 24 may provide illumination only by emitting light, which may be used to provide illumination to the interior or exterior of the vehicle, and may emit light of one or more colors and/or intensities. In one non-limiting example, the light sources 24 may emit light of various colors and intensities to create a particular "feel" or "mood" for the occupant of the vehicle. For example, the light sources 24 may be paired with certain functions of the vehicle or vehicle components such that the light sources 24 operate to emit light of different intensities and/or colors depending on conditions including, for example, during normal vehicle operation, during operation of the vehicle entertainment system , during hazardous operation of the vehicle or as required by other situations or circumstances.

Alternatively, the light source 24 may be configured to emit light that provides a visual indication of communicating information to a vehicle occupant, such as by being arranged or operated to emit light. In other words, the light sources 24 may be arranged or may emit light in such a manner that the light emitted by the light sources 24 provides not only illumination, but additionally conveys information to vehicle occupants.

Visual indications are not specifically limited by the present disclosure, and may provide information such as warnings, notifications (eg, time), alerts, instructions, information about current conditions or conditions related to the vehicle or vehicle components, the occupants of the vehicle, or the environment of the vehicle (including the immediate surroundings of the vehicle), and combinations thereof. The visual indications may include one or more directional indications, such as turn-by-turn navigation from a navigation system, blind spot warnings, turn signal indications, and combinations thereof. However, such indications are not limited to any particular type or combination. Other illustrative examples include battery levels for displaying maintenance indications such as fluid levels/amounts such as oil or gas (or the need to replace one or more fluids such as oil), battery levels for displaying characteristics of one or more batteries on a vehicle An indication, an indication of vehicle characteristics (eg, the current speed of the vehicle), and an indication showing the distance to the desired driving destination. In one exemplary embodiment, light emitted by light source 24 indicates the location of one or more electronic circuits 22 or electronic components that are electrically connected to electronic circuits 22 of circuit layer 6 . In another exemplary embodiment, the light source 24 emits light that provides a directional indication to the driver of the vehicle, or the current time or amount of fuel reserve for the vehicle.

The light source 24 may be activated to emit light when an associated object is within a predetermined distance from the functional vehicle component 12 . In one embodiment, the light source 24 is activated to emit light when the portable electronic device 42 is within a predetermined distance from the functional vehicle component 12 . In another embodiment, the functional vehicle component 12 is in communication with the HMI 38 , thereby allowing a user to provide input to activate the light source 24 by selecting a particular type of information to be displayed by the light source 24 . For example, the system may be configured to allow the user to audibly select which fluid level (such as gas, oil, windshield wipers) is indicated in real time or to allow the user to audio request the time required to reach a desired destination.

The visual indications may correspond to signals or data emanating from electronic systems of the vehicle or HMI 38 . In one embodiment, the vehicle's electronic systems provide real-time signals or data that can be displayed by the light source 24 . Communication between functional vehicle components 12 and vehicle electronic systems or HMI 38 may be established through one or more intermediary systems or devices, and such communication may be established, for example, through the use of communication links or connections such as through wired connections, Wi-Fi connections , Bluetooth connection, etc. to execute. This communication connection allows data or signals sent from/to the vehicle electronic system or HMI to be communicated to activate the light sources 24, thereby providing visual indications to vehicle occupants corresponding to such data or signals.

The light sources 24 are not limited in any way, and may include emissive light sources (eg, electroluminescent light sources, photoluminescent light sources, mechanoluminescent light sources) and incandescent light sources. Illustrative examples of light sources 24 include light emitting diodes (LEDs), organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs), or photoluminescent or electroluminescent light sources constructed within a film or sheet. In one non-limiting example, the one or more light sources 24 include LEDs having light-emitting areas of dimensions 100 μm×100 μm (ie, 100 μm diameter) or less, referred to herein as micro LEDs. Micro LEDs are light sources that include an array of one or more individual light emitters, where the array may have a diameter of about 2 μm to 20 mm, and the individual light emitters have a typical diameter of about 2 μm to 20 μm. In one aspect, the one or more micro LEDs are arranged as part of the electronic circuit 22 of the circuit layer 6 .

As previously described, and as depicted in FIG. 2, the functional vehicle component 12 may include a smart functional wireless charger 44 including a wireless transmitter 30 (eg, an induction coil or capacitive plate) that The wireless transmitter is included in the functional vehicle component 12 as an electronic component. Wireless transmitter 30 may optionally be formed by printing conductive ink in the method as described herein with respect to flex circuit 22, wherein the conductive ink is applied in the form of an induction coil or capacitive plate. The wireless transmitter 30 may be configured to generate an oscillating electromagnetic field 82 when activated, which may be transmitted to a corresponding wireless receiver configured to receive the oscillating electromagnetic field. The wireless transmitter 30 and the generated oscillating electromagnetic field 82 may be used to charge a portable electronic device 42 (eg, a cell phone, see FIG. 2 ) that includes a corresponding wireless receiver that receives the oscillating electromagnetic field 82 and will oscillate the oscillating electromagnetic field 82 . Converted back to DC or AC current usable by the electrical load in the portable electronic device 42 .

As conventional, the wireless transmitter 30 may be capable of transmitting the oscillating electromagnetic field 82 to the corresponding wireless receiver in the portable electronic device 42 only over short distances (eg, about 1 to 10 times the diameter of the transmitter 30 or receiver) . Thus, in one embodiment, the wireless transmitter 30 is configured to operate only when the portable electronic device 42 or associated wireless receiver is within a predetermined distance from the wireless transmitter 30 (eg, about 1 inch diameter of the transmitter 30 or receiver). to 10 times) to generate an oscillating electromagnetic field 82. Such activation may be based on signals or data from proximity sensors or other devices included in circuit layer 6 or elsewhere that may sense the proximity of portable electronic device 42 relative to functional vehicle component 12 . Alternatively, activation of the wireless transmitter 30 may be based on communication between the portable electronic device 42 and the functional vehicle component 12 (eg, Bluetooth, cellular, near field, RFID, Wi-Fi, or infrared communication).

As depicted in FIG. 2 , the smart functional wireless charger 44 may include a plurality of individual light sources 24 arranged, for example, in a ring around the wireless transmitter 30 . In this ring or any other configuration, the individual light sources 24 each emit light that collectively indicates the location of the wireless transmitter 30 on the functional vehicle component 12 . Such an indication is useful because the tinted coating 8 can optionally mask the wireless transmitter 30 and other parts of the circuit 22 from being visible through the tinted coating 8, so a user may not be able to locate the wireless transmitter 30 for viewing. Portable electronic device 42 is charged. However, the light emitted by the light source 24 may be visible through the colored coating 8, so the emitted light may provide an indication of the location of the wireless transmitter 30 to allow the portable electronic device 42 to be wirelessly charged. In one aspect, the color of light emitted by light source 24 changes from an initial color (eg, red light) that appears when portable electronic device 42 begins charging to a second color (eg, green light) that appears when portable electronic device 42 is fully charged ). Other lighting capabilities are contemplated for this embodiment, for example, the light source 24 may be illuminated when the vehicle's doors are opened, when the vehicle is started, and/or when the portable electronic device 42 is moved within a predetermined distance from the wireless transmitter 30 . Activate to emit light. Regarding the color of light emitted by light source 24, different colors may be provided based on selection for light source 24, based on the use of different lighting circuits, and/or based on programming of microcontroller 34 to control the function of light source 24 as desired. The functional leather assembly 2 as depicted in FIG. 2 may be included on any vehicle component 16 as desired, eg, on any interior surface of the vehicle, such as a vehicle seat, dashboard, or center console.

As described herein, one or more sensors 28 may be included in the electronic circuit 22 of the circuit layer 6 . Sensors 28 are not particularly limited and may include sensors of any configuration, including those capable of sensing pressure, temperature, proximity, position, velocity, speed, acceleration, inclination, movement, humidity, light, vehicle Sensors for occupant biometrics, etc. In one embodiment, circuit layer 6 includes one or more pressure sensors. The pressure sensor may include a first layer of flexible conductive material, a second layer of flexible dielectric material, and a third layer of flexible conductive material, wherein the second dielectric layer is disposed between and connects the first and third conductive layers separated. The first and third conductive layers of the pressure sensor can optionally be formed by applying the conductive inks described herein, while the second dielectric layer can be formed by applying a dielectric material (eg, similar to the conductive inks described herein but ink with dielectric properties).

As described herein, the switch 26 may be included in the electronic circuit 22 of the circuit layer 6 . Switch 26 is operable to make or break a conductive path (eg, conductive trace 23 ) in circuit 22 in order to activate circuit 22 , an electronic component of circuit 22 , or a particular function of a vehicle system or component. Switch 26 may be, for example, a parallel plate capacitive switch, or other types of switches such as membrane switches or piezoelectric switches as desired. The parallel plate capacitive switch or piezoelectric switch may be similar to the pressure sensor arrangement as previously described herein, wherein the capacitive switch or piezoelectric switch may include a first or underlying flexible conductive trace printed in electrical connection with the first conductive trace A layer of material (eg, ink), followed by a subsequently printed second intermediate layer disposed over the underlying conductive layer, and finally a third layer of conductive material printed over the intermediate layer and electrically connected to the second conductive traces Top flexible layer. For capacitive switches, the intermediate layer may comprise a flex-printed layer of a dielectric material, such as a dielectric ink. For piezoelectric switches, the intermediate layer may include piezoelectric material, which may or may not be printed and cured. Piezo switches may include other layers and components.

The bottom layer of the switch is cured before the intermediate layer is applied, and if printed, the intermediate layer is cured before the top layer is printed. That is, the bottom, middle and top layers of the switch 26 have overlapping regions, and the second middle layer is disposed between and thus separates the first and third conductive layers open.

A dielectric intermediate layer in a dielectric switch may include one or more sublayers (eg, two sublayers) of the same or different dielectric material printed and cured over the underlying layer. A piezoelectric intermediate layer in a piezoelectric switch may include one or more sub-layers (eg, two or more sub-layers) of piezoelectric material, which may also be printed and cured sequentially over an underlying layer. The conductive top and bottom layers may each include one or more sublayers (eg, two sublayers) of the same or different conductive ink printed and cured below and above the intermediate layer. The thicknesses of the first, second, and third layers are not particularly limited, and in one non-limiting example of a dielectric switch, the thickness may be in the range of about 100 nm to 10 μm. The first and third conductive layers of the switches can optionally be formed by printing conductive inks as described herein with respect to the flex circuit 22, while the second dielectric layer of the dielectric switches can be formed by printing similar but dielectric inks formed. In this configuration, the capacitive switch can function as a pressure sensor when electrical contact is made between the first and third conductive layers by pressing the first and third conductive layers together. Additionally, capacitive switches may be used to measure biometrics of vehicle occupants in contact with functional vehicle components 12, wherein, for example, the rate at which electrical contact is made between a first conductive layer and a third conductive layer may be used to determine the occupant's heart rate .

The piezoelectric switch is not particularly limited, and the piezoelectric material in the intermediate layer may include crystalline piezoelectric material, ceramic piezoelectric material, polymer piezoelectric material, III-V and II-VI semiconductors, organic nanostructures , natural materials, bone, and combinations thereof. Piezoelectric materials may include, for example, lead zirconate titanate, barium titanate, quartz, berlinite, sucrose, Rochelle salts, topaz, tourmaline group minerals, lead titanate, potassium niobate, sodium tungstate, zinc oxide (fiber Zincite structure), Ba ₂ NaNb ₅ O ₅ , Pb ₂ KNb ₅ O ₁₅ , sodium potassium niobate, bismuth ferrite, sodium niobate, barium titanate, bismuth titanate, bismuth sodium titanate, polyvinylidene fluoride , vinylidene fluoride-trifluoroethylene-chlorotrifluoroethylene terpolymer, P(VDF-TrFE-CTFE), vinylidene fluoride-trifluoroethylene-chlorofluoroethylene terpolymer, P(VDF-TrFE -CFE), or a combination thereof.

In one embodiment, the piezoelectric layer of the piezoelectric switch comprises a piezoelectric polymer, such as P(VDF-TrFE-CTFE) or P(VDF-TrFE-CFE), and is printed and cured on the bottom and top layers of the switch 26 between. Piezo switches are actuatable to form or break conductive paths in the conductive traces 23 of the circuit 22 . The piezoelectric switch may be actuatable to form or break a conductive path by the user/occupant pressing the piezoelectric switch, thereby deforming/compressing the piezoelectric layer between the bottom and top layers of the switch 26, and thus causing the pressure Electrical materials generate an electric charge. This charge can be sent to a trigger device in switch 26 that is transitioned to a stable "on" state, allowing current to pass therethrough and forming a conductive path in circuit 22 . Further deformation/compression of the piezoelectric material will generate an additional charge which will cause the trigger device in switch 26 to transition to a stable "off" state, thereby not allowing current to pass therethrough and breaking the conductive path in circuit 22. Alternatively, the current generated from the piezoelectric switch may utilize a semiconductor device such as a field effect transistor (FET) that provides a temporary "on" state, but returns to a stable "off" state when the charge is dissipated .

The piezoelectric switch may be connected to the vehicle's power supply 40 , which may provide an electrical charge to the piezoelectric switch when the user actuates the piezoelectric switch by pressing the switch 26 . The charge provided to the piezoelectric switch may cause the piezoelectric layer to deform. This deformation is tactilely felt by the user when the user depresses the switch 26 to actuate the switch. Such deformations can be felt as haptic vibrations of various frequencies and/or amplitudes. This vibration may be characterized as a haptic signal that provides the user with haptic feedback that the piezoelectric switch has been actuated to make or break a conductive path in circuit 22 .

The functional leather component 2 may include various other layers or components as desired. In one embodiment, although not shown in the figures, functional leather component 2 includes a dielectric layer over or between one or more circuits 22 or conductive traces 23 of circuit layer 6 . The dielectric material may typically include a non-conductive resin that is cured to form a dielectric layer. In one embodiment, a dielectric layer is disposed between the circuit layer 6 and the colored coating 8 to avoid exposure to moisture during the formation of the colored coating 8, or to make the circuit layer 6 more durable and wear resistant, and thus Remains conductive after repeated use. The dielectric layer or coating may also act as an insulator, eg, to provide electrical isolation between a first trace or circuit and an overlying second trace or circuit. The dielectric layer may cover only the traces or circuits, or may also cover substantially the circuit layer 6 or other parts of the leather sheet 4 . That is, the dielectric layer may typically be applied as one continuous layer over the first circuit, with the conductive traces of the first circuit and the spaces between them covered by the dielectric layer, or may be applied as conductive layers covering only the first circuit Traces are applied in discrete layers that do not cover the spaces between them. In one non-limiting example, the dielectric layer is applied only where the second trace or circuit overlaps the first trace or circuit. In this regard, the circuit layer 6 may include a plurality of separate and distinct traces 23 and/or circuits 22 that may be arranged in different planes or sub-layers of the circuit layer 6, wherein the various conductive traces 23 may be mutually overlapping. For example, referring to FIGS. 1 and 2 , although traces 23 are depicted as not overlapping (and appear to be in the same plane or sublayer), traces 23 may be located in different planes within circuit layer 6 and constructed as overlap each other. Thus, the circuit layer 6 may comprise first traces printed on the leather sheet 4, followed by a dielectric layer applied over the first traces, then printed on the leather sheet 4 and at least partially associated with the first traces The traces overlap the second trace, however the first and second traces are electrically isolated from each other due to the intervening dielectric layer. Thus, the inventive subject matter is not limited to any particular shape or orientation of the traces 23, circuits 22, and electronic components depicted in the various figures, but rather may have other arrangements and orientations. In another example, the conductive ink is first printed directly on the leather sheet 4 to form the wireless transmitter 30, then a dielectric layer is placed over the wireless transmitter 30, and then the conductive ink is printed over the dielectric layer (or Overlap a portion thereof) to form separate conductive traces for different electronic components, such as light source 24, and then optionally print another dielectric layer over the light source traces to provide abrasion resistance to the layers below. In this example, a dielectric layer between the wireless transmitter 30 and the light source traces electrically isolates the wireless transmitter 30 from the light source traces.

In another embodiment, the functional leather assembly 2 includes a microcontroller 34 electrically connected to the circuit layer 6 at the edges of the leather sheet 4 . The microcontroller 34 may be used to electrically connect the circuits 22 of the circuit layer 6, and thus may provide communication with, or control the functionality of, one or more of the circuits 22 and electronic components. The microcontroller 34 may be mounted at the edges of the leather sheet 4 and the functional leather component 2 before or after the functional leather component 2 is secured over the top surface 14 of the vehicle component 16 . Various vehicle electronic systems, such as the ECU 36 , the HMI 38 or the power supply 40 , may be electrically connected to the functional leather assembly 2 through the microcontroller 34 for communication with the functional leather assembly 2 .

One or more of the circuits 22 and the electronic components may each be electrically connected to the power supply 40 of the vehicle for powering the circuits 22 to activate the electronic components. The vehicle power source 40 may include, for example, a vehicle battery, an engine, or an alternator. The power supply 40 may be connected to the functional leather assembly 2 through the microcontroller 34 . In one embodiment, the smart functional vehicle system 84 includes the smart functional vehicle components 12 and one or more of the microcontroller 34 , the ECU 36 , the HMI 38 , and the vehicle power supply 40 .

Referring to FIG. 3 , an illustrative example of an intelligent functional vehicle component 12 includes an intelligent functional vehicle seat 48 (also referred to herein as a “vehicle seat” or “seat”). The seat 48 includes a bottom 50 , a back 52 and a headrest 54 . The vehicle seat 48 includes the functional leather assembly 2 located above the front surface 56 of the back 52 of the seat 48 . It should be understood that although the visibility of the electrical circuit 22 in the functional leather assembly 2 may be inhibited or blocked by the pigmented coating 8 and thus obscured by the pigmented coating 8, the electrical circuit 22 is schematically depicted in FIG. 3 in order to indicate its presence in the vehicle Arrangement on seat 48. As in other embodiments, the functional leather component 2 of the vehicle seat 48 may include one or more electronic components. As depicted, the functional leather assembly 2 of the seat 48 includes two separate light sources 24 and two sensors 28 . More or less different electronic components may be included on the seat 48 as desired. Sensors 28 may be configured to sense biometrics of a vehicle occupant seated on seat 48 , such as heart rate, body temperature, blood pressure, and the like. The light sources 24 may be configured to activate when the doors are opened to provide illumination to the seats 48 , or to activate during vehicle operation to provide mood lighting in the vehicle's passenger compartment. Additionally, a switch 26, such as a piezoelectric switch, may be provided to manually turn the light source 24 on or off or to generate other functions. More or less different electronic components may be included on the seat 48 and at different locations on the seat 48, including the bottom 50, headrest 54, or armrests (not shown).

Referring to FIG. 4 , an illustrative example of an intelligent functional vehicle component 12 includes an intelligent functional steering wheel 58 (also referred to herein as a “steering wheel”). The steering wheel 58 includes a central hub 60 , an outer wheel 62 , and spokes 64 extending between the hub 60 and the outer wheel 62 . Functional leather assembly 2 may be included over one or more of hub 60 , outer wheel 62 and spokes 64 . In one embodiment, the outer wheel 62 includes one or more sensors 28 . The one or more sensors 28 may be pressure sensors for sensing the presence of a user's hand on the outer wheel 62 . Sensors 28 may also be configured to sense biometrics of the user, such as heart rate, body temperature, blood pressure, and the like. It should be understood that a plurality of sensors 28 are schematically depicted in FIG. 4 to indicate their placement on the outer wheel 62, although the visibility of the sensors 28 may be inhibited or prevented by the pigmented coating 8 of the functional leather component 2 . As depicted, the sensors 28 are spaced apart from each other and are disposed on exposed portions of the outer wheel 62 and around the entire circumference of the outer wheel 62 . In one non-limiting example, each of the sensors 28 is circumferentially spaced no more than two inches from an adjacent sensor 28 . In other words, there must be one sensor 28 over the entire circumference of the outer wheel 62 for more than two consecutive inches. With this arrangement, the sensors 28 are present wherever the driver places their hands on the outer wheel 62 , so no matter where the user's hands touch the outer wheel 62 , the sensors 28 can collectively sense the presence of the user's hand. Steering wheel 58 may alternatively include one continuous sensor disposed on the exposed portion of outer wheel 62 and extending around the entire circumference of outer wheel 62 .

In another embodiment, the hub 60 includes the light source 24 including an array 68 of individual light sources. Light sources not separately depicted in FIG. 4 may be arranged in array 68 in a manner such that light emitted from array 68 communicates information to vehicle occupants. As shown, the array 68 is displaying a visual indication 70, which may be a directional indication based on information or data sent from the navigation system. The visual indication 70 indicates the direction the vehicle is to follow (ie, turn right) in order to reach the predetermined destination.

As shown, the array 68 covers an area on the surface of the hub 60 and has an illuminated area 72 and a non-illuminated area 74 . Right turn visual indication 70 is provided by the light between an illuminated area 72 of the array 68 (light visible through the pigmented coating 8 of the functional leather component 2) and a non-illuminated area 74 of the array 68 (invisible through the pigmented coating 8). Contrast to present. Thus, the visual indication 70 is determined by activating a particular combination of individual light sources in the array 68 . It should be understood that different combinations of individual light sources in array 68 may be activated as desired to provide different arrangements between illuminated areas 72 and non-illuminated areas 74 such that light emitted by illuminated areas 72 may convey other visual indications and other information, such as other directional indications, current speed or time, etc.

In another embodiment, one or more of the spokes 64 of the steering wheel 58 may each include a switch 26, such as a capacitive switch or a piezoelectric switch. As schematically depicted, one switch 26 is included on each of two of the spokes 64 . It should be understood that the switches 26 are schematically depicted in FIG. 4 to indicate their placement on the spokes 64, although the visibility of the switches 26 may be inhibited or prevented by the pigmented coating 8 of the functional leather component 2 . The switch 26 may be configured to control one or more functions of the vehicle or vehicle system (eg, entertainment system).

As depicted, a plurality of individual light sources 24 are provided on the spokes 64 and arranged around the perimeter of the two switches 26 . In this configuration, the individual light sources 24 each emit light that collectively indicates the position of the switch 26 . Such indications are useful because the tinted coating 8 may obscure the switch 26 from being easily visible through the tinted coating 8 and the user may not be able to position the switch 26 for controlling one or more functions of the vehicle or vehicle system . However, the light emitted by the light source 24 is visible through the colored coating 8 and thus the emitted light provides an indication of the position of the switch 26 . In a non-limiting example, the light source 24 may be activated to continuously emit light during vehicle operation to indicate the position of the switch 26 and may be deactivated when the vehicle is not being operated to present a flat surface for the spokes 64 of the steering wheel 58 exposed surface. More or less different electronic components may be included on the steering wheel 58 as desired.

Referring to FIG. 5 , an illustrative example of an intelligent functional vehicle component 12 includes an intelligent functional instrument panel 76 (also referred to herein as “the instrument panel”), which may include an instrument panel 78 and a glove box 80 . Dashboard 76 includes functional leather assembly 2 as discussed herein. The functional leather assembly 2 is secured over the A-surface of the instrument panel 76 and presents a flat top exposed surface for the instrument panel 76 . As depicted, instrument panel 76 includes light source 24 including an array 68 of individual light sources. The array 68 shown in FIG. 5 may be similar to the array 68 on the hub 60 of the steering wheel 58 shown in FIG. 4 .

As shown, the array 68 is displaying a visual indication 70, which may be the current speed of the vehicle. As shown in FIG. 4 , array 68 covers an area on the surface of instrument panel 76 and has illuminated areas 72 and non-illuminated areas 74 . The visual indication 70 showing the current speed is represented by the contrast between the illuminated areas 72 of the array 68 and the non-illuminated areas 74 of the array 68 . Thus, the visual indication 70 is determined by activating a particular combination of individual light sources in the array 68 . It should be understood that different combinations of individual light sources in array 68 may be activated as desired to provide different arrangements between illuminated areas 72 and non-illuminated areas 74 such that light emitted by illuminated areas 72 may convey other visual indications and other information , such as the current time, the current fuel reserve of the vehicle, etc. Activation of the array 68 on the instrument panel 76 or on the steering wheel 58 may be activated by an audio signal from the user. For example, the user may audio request the array 68 on the instrument panel 76 or on the steering wheel 58 to display the current speed, the vehicle's current fuel reserve, the distance to the selected destination, and the like. More or less different electronic components may be included on the instrument panel 76 as desired.

Referring to FIG. 6 , an illustrative example of an intelligent functional vehicle component 12 includes an intelligent functional door panel 86 (also referred to herein as a “door panel”). Door panel 86 includes functional leather assembly 2 as discussed herein. The functional leather assembly 2 is secured over the A surface of the door panel 86 and presents a flat exposed surface for the door panel 86 . The door panel 86 may include one or more switches 26 , such as capacitive switches or piezoelectric switches, operable to move the windows 88 , adjust the mirrors 90 , or operate the vehicle's interior lights 92 . The smart functional door panel 86 may include a plurality of individual light sources 24 arranged on the circuit 22 and arranged in a ring around the switch 26, for example. In this ring configuration, the individual light sources 24 each emit light that collectively indicates the position of the switch 26 on the functional door panel 86 . This indication is useful because the tinted coating 8 may obscure the switch 26 and other parts of the circuit 22 from being visible through the tinted coating 8 , and thus the user may not be able to easily locate the switch 26 for operating the window 88 and mirror 90 . However, the light emitted by the light source 24 may be visible through the colored coating 8, and thus the emitted light may provide an indication of the position of the switch 26 to allow the switch 26 to operate. Furthermore, if the switch 26 is a piezoelectric switch, its operation may result in providing a tactile feedback to the user indicating that the switch 26 has been operated.

The smart functional vehicle component 12 may provide various functions in the vehicle including a dynamic lighting experience by providing changing emissions to the vehicle interior based on vehicle speed, driving mode, driver mood/condition based on biofeedback data, current music selection light color. The smart functional vehicle components 12 may also be used to monitor the condition of the driver to maintain safe driving, by using sensors 28 to monitor heart rate, peripheral capillary oxygen saturation, or the health of the driver, and data from such monitoring is available To improve the driver's user experience. The lighting provided by the functional vehicle components 12 may also be used to maintain the driver's concentration by providing real-time feedback. When the functional vehicle component 12 is the seat 48, the use of the functional vehicle component 12 may reduce the complexity of the seat because the functional vehicle component 12 may include a number of different electronic components. That is, the functional vehicle component 12 may act as the pressure sensor 28 on the seat 48 and measure the pressure point. This helps identify driver seat pressure and automatically adjusts seat position for driver comfort. This also reduces the need for a separate component for a pressure sensor mounted separately on the seat. Functional vehicle components 12 may also be used to provide opportunities to create innovative vehicle styles, such as creating navigational directions on steering wheel 58 (FIG. 4) or vehicle speed displayed on interior panels (FIG. 5). Functional vehicle component 12 may also serve as a wireless charging pad for charging portable electronic device 42 (FIG. 2).

The subject of the invention includes a method of making a functional leather component 2 . The functional leather component 2 can be prepared by subjecting the hides to conventional methods such as soaking, boiling, shaving, sanding/separating, drying, sewing and grinding. The hides are then set aside after the base coat has been applied. The hide is then cut into a predetermined shape to produce a leather sheet 4 that fits over a particular vehicle part 16 . The electronic circuit 22 is then printed on the A surface 18 of the leather sheet 4 using conductive ink. The conductive ink can be applied by any method, and in exemplary embodiments, by one of (a) screen printing, (b) aerosol jet printing, and (c) ink jet printing. Light sources 24 (eg, micro LEDs) or other electronic components may be formed with or placed on circuit 22 . A pigmented coating 8 may then be applied over the circuit 22 and light source 24 , resulting in a functional leather assembly 2 . The functional leather component 2 can be placed, for example, in the interior of a vehicle as an interior panel lining, door lining or seat cover.

The inventive subject matter includes a method of making a functional vehicle component 12 . The functional vehicle component 12 may be, for example, a smart functional wireless charger 44, a smart functional vehicle seat 48, a smart functional steering wheel 58, a smart functional dashboard 76, or other smart functional vehicle components.

The functional vehicle component 12 may be fabricated by securing the leather sheet 4 over the surface 14 of the vehicle component 16 such that the leather sheet 4 conforms to the contours of the vehicle component 16 . A flexible electronic circuit 22 is applied (eg, printed) to the A-surface 18 of the leather sheet 4 and a pigmented coating 8 is disposed over the circuit 22 . The visibility of the circuit 22 through the colored coating 8 is optionally masked or masked by the colored coating, and in one embodiment, the circuit 22 is not visible through the colored coating 8 . In one embodiment, the colored coating 8 is a colored layer, and the pigments loaded in the colored coating 8 may be sufficient to inhibit or prevent the circuit 22 from being visible through the colored coating 8 . The electrical circuit 22 and the tinted coating 8 may be applied to the leather sheet 4 before or after the leather sheet 4 is secured over the top surface 14 of the vehicle component 16 . During securing of the leather sheet 4 over the top surface 14 of the vehicle component 16 , the circuit 22 conforms to the contours of the surface 14 of the vehicle component 16 . The method may also include applying a dielectric layer over the circuit 22 , wherein the dielectric layer is disposed between the circuit 22 and the colored coating 8 .

The method may include electrically connecting the circuit 22 to the vehicle ECU 36 , the vehicle power supply 40 , the vehicle HMI 38 , or other vehicle systems, and such connections may be directly through wires or through an intermediate microcontroller 34 located at the edge of the leather sheet 4 conduct.

The method may include providing a light source 24 that emits light when activated, and electrically connecting the light source to the circuit 22 . One or more individual light sources 24, such as micro LEDs, may be connected to circuit 22, for example, by soldering of electrical contacts or other methods. The light source 24 is arranged within the flexible circuit layer 6 and directly contacts the circuit 22 . Thus, the colored coating 8 is arranged over the circuit 22 and over the light source 24 . Visibility of light source 24 through tinted coating 8 may be suppressed by tinted coating 8, and in one embodiment, light source 24 is not visible through tinted coating 8, but light emitted by light source 24 is visible through tinted coating 8 . The light sources 24 are arranged or configured to emit light in such a manner that the light emitted by the light sources provides visual indications that convey information to vehicle occupants.

The method may include applying an acrylic urethane stain resistant feature over surface A of the leather sheet 4, wherein the stain resistant feature is included a) as part of the pigmented coating 8, or b) as a surface coating over the pigmented coating 8 (ie, the antifouling member layer 10).

The entire leather component 2 may be embossed as depicted in FIG. 7 prior to being disposed on the surface 14 of the vehicle component 16 to provide an embossed texture on the exposed surface 32 of the leather component 2, which may be considered the A of the leather component 2 surface 32. The function of the circuit 22 is not destroyed by the embossing. In other words, the conductivity of the conductive traces 23 is not destroyed by embossing the functional leather component 2, and the optional electronic components of the circuit 22 still function after embossing. Thus, even after embossing the leather component 2, the electrical circuit 22 is able to perform electronic operations.

The embossing of the leather component 2 may include roll-to-roll heat embossing by treating the leather component 2 with a heated embossing roll 94 to impart an embossed texture over the exposed surface 32 of the leather component 2 . Roll-to-roll heat embossing may include embossing at 80-100° C., 20-30 bar and a holding speed of 2.5-4.5 to apply a natural leather grain embossing pattern to the functional leather component 2. on exposed surface 32 . Embossing of the leather assembly 2 may include other methods including roll-to-board, roll-to-die, embossing, clamping, punching, pressing, and the use of various embossing rolls, embossing dies, embossing stamps, or other embossing tools. The embossed texture is not particularly limited and may include leather grain, dimples or other textures, patterns, markings or combinations thereof. Leather grain textures can include reproductions of various animal grains, including cows, snakes, crocodiles, other animals, and variations and combinations thereof. By applying different types of embossing, the smart functional leather component 2 can have different types of aesthetic appearance and feel on the exposed surface 32 , while maintaining the function imparted by the circuit layer 6 .

The embossed texture is applied directly to the exposed surface 32 of the leather component 2 and over the circuit layer 6 , eg, as depicted in FIG. 7 . Embossing parameters (eg, the pressure applied by the embossing rolls 94 to the leather assembly 2, the dwell time of the leather assembly 2 between the embossing rolls 94 and the temperature of the embossing rolls 94 and the various components of the leather assembly 2 (eg, leather) The parameters of the thickness and composition) of the sheet 4, circuit layer 6, pigmented coating 8 and antifouling component layer 10a) can be tailored to avoid the function of the circuit layer 6 being eliminated or damaged by embossing. In one embodiment, the function of the circuit layer 6 is not eliminated by the embossing process, so that the conductivity of the conductive traces 23 is not destroyed and the embossing of the functional leather component 2 does not eliminate the function of other electronic components. The function of the circuit layer 6, including the conductive traces 23 and electronic components, can be evaluated after embossing the functional leather component 2.

In one embodiment, the vehicle component 16 is a steering wheel 58 , the circuit 22 includes the pressure sensor 28 , and the pressure sensor 28 is arranged around the entire circumference of the steering wheel 58 .

In another embodiment, the vehicle component 16 is a seat 48 and the circuit 22 includes a biometric sensor 28 configured to measure the biometrics of a user seated on the seat 48 .

The method may include applying a second flexible electronic circuit to the A-surface 18 of the leather sheet 4 . The second flexible electronic circuit may be similar to the first flexible electronic circuit, such that the colored coating 8 is arranged over the second circuit. Thus, the colored coating 8 may inhibit or prevent the second circuit from being visible through the colored coating 8 . The second circuit is configured to perform a different function than the first circuit, which can mean that each circuit is electrically isolated/separated from the other circuits, or each circuit can be operated independently, or each circuit can operate independently of the other circuits. In one embodiment, the second circuit is electrically isolated from the first circuit.

In one embodiment, the second circuit includes a wireless transmitter 30 configured to generate an oscillating electromagnetic field 82 when the associated portable electronic device 42 is within a predetermined distance from the wireless transmitter 30 . Light source 24 may be configured to emit light indicative of the location of wireless transmitter 30 when portable electronic device 42 is within a predetermined distance from wireless transmitter 30 .

In another embodiment, the second circuit may include a switch 26, such as a capacitive switch or a piezoelectric switch, operable to form or break a conductive path (eg, conductive trace 23) in the second circuit; and the light source 24 is configured to emit light indicative of the position of switch 26 .

The inventive subject matter also includes a method of making the vehicle system 84 . The method includes applying a flexible electronic circuit 22 to the A-surface 18 of the leather sheet 4 . The light source 24 is electrically connected to the circuit 22 . Light source 24 is configured to emit light when powered. The colored coating 8 is arranged over the circuit 22 and over the light source 24 . The method includes securing the leather sheet 4 over the surface 14 of the vehicle component 16 such that the A-surface 18 of the leather sheet 4 faces away from the vehicle component 16 . The circuit 22 is electrically connected to the vehicle electronic control unit 36 and the vehicle power supply 40 . Colored coating 8 optionally inhibits or prevents circuits 22 and light sources 24 from being visible through colored coating 8 . However, the light emitted by the light source 24 is visible through the colored coating 8 . In one embodiment, vehicle components 16 include: interior trim panels, doors, seats, steering wheels, instrument panels, center consoles, or shifters.

A method of making a functional leather assembly may include: providing a leather sheet 4; applying a flexible electronic circuit 22 to the A-surface 18 of the leather sheet 4, the flexible electronic circuit including a piezoelectric switch 26 capable of being actuated to form or break conductive paths in the electrical circuit 22; and to place the colored coating 8 over the electrical circuit 22. When the user actuates the switch 26 to make or break a conductive path in the circuit 22, the piezoelectric switch 26 provides tactile feedback to the user indicating that the piezoelectric switch 26 has been actuated. The colored coating 8 may inhibit or prevent the circuit 22 including the piezoelectric switch 26 from being visible through the colored coating 8 . Piezoelectric switches 26 may be applied to the A-surface 18 of the leather sheet 4 by printing piezoelectric material on the A-surface 18 of the leather sheet 4 . The leather sheet 4, flexible electronic circuit 22 and colored coating 8 may then be embossed to impart an embossed pattern over the A surface 18 of the leather sheet 4. Embossing may include passing the leather sheet 4, flexible electronic circuit 22 and pigmented coating 8 through a roll-to-roll embossing machine. A light source 24 may be provided that emits light when power is supplied to the light source 24 . Light source 24 may be electrically connected to circuit 22 . The tinted coating 8 may be disposed over the light sources 24 and may inhibit or prevent the light sources 24 from being visible through the tinted coating 8 . However, the light emitted by the light source 24 may be visible through the colored coating 8 . Light source 24 may include miniature light emitting diodes and may be configured to emit light indicative of the position of piezoelectric switch 26 . An acrylic urethane stain repellent component may be applied over the A surface 18 of the leather sheet 4 . The antifouling component may be included a) as part of the pigmented coating 8 or b) as a topcoat antifouling component layer 10 over the pigmented coating 8 . The leather sheet 4 may be secured over the surface 14 of the vehicle component 16 . During fixation, the circuit 22 may conform to the contours of the surface 14 of the vehicle component 16 . Vehicle components 16 may include steering wheels, seats, armrests, center consoles, instrument panels, interior trim panels, doors, shifters, or combinations thereof.

The method of making the functional vehicle component 12 may include applying a flexible electronic circuit 22 to the A-surface 18 of the leather sheet 4 , the flexible electronic circuit including a piezoelectric switch 26 actuatable to form in the circuit 22 Or break the conductive path; place the pigmented coating 8 over the A surface 18 of the leather sheet 4 and over the flexible electronic circuit 22 including the piezoelectric switch 26; secure the leather sheet 4 over the surface 14 of the vehicle part 16, The A-surface 18 of the leather sheet 4 is turned away from the vehicle component 16 ; and the electrical circuit 22 is connected to the vehicle electronic control unit 36 and the vehicle power supply 40 . The piezoelectric switch 26 may provide a tactile signal indicative of actuation of the piezoelectric switch 26 when the piezoelectric switch 26 is actuated to form or break a conductive path in the circuit 22 . The colored coating 8 may inhibit or prevent the circuit 22 including the piezoelectric switch 26 from being visible through the colored coating 8 . Vehicle components may include steering wheels, seats, armrests, center consoles, instrument panels, interior trim panels, doors, gear shifters, or combinations thereof.

The inventive subject matter also includes a method 96 of making an embossed functional leather component 2 . As shown in FIG. 8 , the method 96 includes the step 98 of preparing the intelligent functional leather component 2 , and then includes the step 100 of embossing the intelligent functional leather component 2 . Step 98 of method 96 of FIG. 8 may include, in whole or in part, method 102 ( FIG. 9 ) of making functional leather component 2 . The method 102 of FIG. 9 includes the step 104 of providing the leather sheet 4 , applying the electrical circuit 22 to the leather sheet 4 at step 106 , optionally connecting electronic components to the circuit 22 at step 108 , and applying the pigmented coating 8 at step 110 The circuit 22 is applied, and the antifouling component layer 10 is applied over the pigmented coating 8 at step 112 .

Leather sheet 4 may be provided as animal hide in step 104 of method 102 by subjecting the animal hide to various processing (such as soaking, decoction, shaving, sanding/separating, drying, sewing and grinding) prior to application of electrical circuit 22 and preliminary preparation. The hides can then be set aside after the base coat has been applied. This hide can then be cut into a predetermined shape to produce a leather sheet 4 that can be placed on a particular vehicle part 16 .

The electronic circuit 22 may then be applied by printing conductive ink on the A surface 18 of the leather sheet 4 in step 106 of the method 102 . The conductive ink may be applied by any suitable process or technique, and in exemplary embodiments, by one or more of (a) screen printing, (b) aerosol jet printing, and (c) inkjet printing imposed. In step 108 of method 102 , one or more electronic components (eg, light sources 24 such as micro LEDs) may be disposed on leather sheet 4 as part of electrical circuit 22 .

The colored coating 8 may then be applied to the circuit 22 in step 110 of the method 102 . Colored coating 8 may include one or more separately applied layers, each layer including a pigment, such that colored coating 8 may inhibit or prevent circuit 22 from being visible therethrough. In step 112 of the method 102, the antifouling component layer 10 is optionally applied over the pigmented coating 8, thereby producing the functional leather component 2. Step 112 optionally includes applying the acrylic urethane resin antifouling component as part of the pigmented coating 8 and/or as a topcoat (ie, antifouling component layer 10 ) separate from and applied over the pigmented coating 8 .

The functional leather component 2 is then embossed in step 100 of the method 96 . Embossing can be accomplished by roll-to-roll embossing, for example, by passing the functional leather component 2 through two embossing rolls 94 (as indicated by the left arrow in Figure 7), thereby obtaining the embossed functionality Leather components 2. The embossing is performed so that the circuit 22 and the associated electronic components of the circuit 22 do not lose function. The embossed functional leather component 2 can be arranged on the vehicle part 16 to form a functional surface recess for the vehicle part 16 which can then be used, for example, as a functional interior trim panel, seat or steering wheel . The method may also include connecting the microcontroller 34 to the circuit 22 to optionally connect to the power supply 40, the ECU 36 and/or the HMI 38 to allow the circuit 22 to perform operations.

It will be appreciated that various of the above-disclosed and other features and functions, or alternatives or variations thereof, may be desirably combined into many other different systems or applications. Furthermore, various presently unanticipated or unanticipated substitutions, modifications, changes or improvements herein may be made later by those skilled in the art, which are also intended to be encompassed by the appended claims.

Claims (41)

1. A method of making a functional leather component comprising:

providing a leather sheet, and

applying a flexible electronic circuit to a first surface of the leather sheet, the flexible electronic circuit comprising a piezoelectric switch that can be actuated to form or break a conductive path in the circuit;

wherein the piezoelectric switch provides tactile feedback indicating that the piezoelectric switch has been actuated when the switch is actuated to make or break the conductive path in the circuit.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the piezoelectric switch is applied to the first surface of the leather sheet by printing a piezoelectric material on the first surface of the leather sheet.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising embossing the first surface of the leather sheet including the flexible electronic circuit, thereby imparting an embossed pattern to the first surface.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein embossing comprises passing the leather sheet and the flexible electronic circuit through a roll-to-roll embossing press.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the method further includes disposing a colored coating over the circuit; and is

The first surface is a grain side of the leather sheet.

6. The method of claim 5, further comprising:

providing a light source that emits light when power is supplied to the light source, an

Electrically connecting the light source to the electrical circuit,

wherein the colored coating is disposed over the light source,

wherein light emitted by the light source is visible through the pigmented coating layer,

wherein the light source comprises a micro light emitting diode, and

wherein the light source is configured to emit light indicative of a position of the piezoelectric switch.

7. The method of claim 5, further comprising applying an acrylic polyurethane anti-soil component over the first surface of the leather sheet, wherein the anti-soil component is included a) as part of the colored coating or b) as a top coat over the colored coating.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising securing the leather sheet over a surface of a vehicle component, wherein the electrical circuit conforms to a contour of the surface of the vehicle component during securing.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the vehicle component is selected from the group consisting of a steering wheel, a seat, an armrest, a center console, an instrument panel, an interior trim panel, a door, a shifter, and combinations thereof.

10. A functional part comprising a part covered by the functional leather component, wherein:

the functional leather component comprises:

a leather sheet covering the component; and

a flexible electronic circuit disposed on an outermost surface of the leather sheet facing away from the component, the flexible electronic circuit comprising a piezoelectric switch that can be actuated to make or break a conductive path in the circuit; and is

Upon actuation of the piezoelectric switch to form or break the conductive path in the circuit, the piezoelectric switch provides a haptic signal indicative of the actuation of the piezoelectric switch.

11. The functional component of claim 10, wherein the piezoelectric switch comprises a printed piezoelectric material disposed between two conductive layers.

12. The functional part of claim 10, wherein the functional leather component comprises an embossed pattern over the outermost surface of the leather sheet and over the flexible electronic circuit.

13. The functional component of claim 10 wherein the circuit further comprises a light source.

14. The functional part of claim 13, wherein:

the light source comprises a micro light emitting diode; and is

The light emitted by the light source indicates a position of the piezoelectric switch.

15. The functional component of claim 10, further comprising a colored coating disposed over the circuit comprising the piezoelectric switch.

16. The functional part of claim 15 wherein the functional leather assembly further comprises an acrylic polyurethane stain resistant part over the outermost surface of the leather sheet, wherein the stain resistant part is comprised of a) being part of the colored coating or b) being a top coat over the colored coating.

17. The functional part of claim 10, wherein:

the component is a vehicle component;

the functional leather component is secured over a surface of the vehicle component, and

the electrical circuit conforms to a contour of the surface of the vehicle component.

18. The functional component of claim 10 wherein the vehicle component is selected from the group consisting of a steering wheel, a seat, an armrest, a center console, an instrument panel, an interior trim panel, a door, a shifter, and combinations thereof.

19. A method of making a functional component, comprising:

applying a flexible electronic circuit to a first surface of a leather sheet, the flexible electronic circuit comprising a piezoelectric switch that can be actuated to form or break a conductive path in the circuit;

securing the leather sheet over a surface of a part such that the first surface of the leather sheet faces away from the part, thereby defining an outermost surface of the leather sheet; and

connecting the circuit to an electronic control unit and a power source;

wherein upon actuation of the piezoelectric switch to form or break a conductive path in the circuit, the piezoelectric switch provides a haptic signal indicative of the actuation of the piezoelectric switch.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the method further comprises disposing a colored coating over the first surface of the leather sheet and over the flexible electronic circuit comprising the piezoelectric switch.

21. The method of claim 19, wherein the component is a vehicle component selected from the group consisting of a steering wheel, a seat, an armrest, a center console, a dashboard, an interior trim panel, a door, a shifter, and combinations thereof.

22. A method of making an embossed functional leather component comprising:

preparing a functional leather component comprising:

providing a leather substrate comprising a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface; and

applying an electrically conductive trace over the first surface of the leather substrate; and

embossing the first surface of the leather substrate to provide an embossed texture at the first surface.

23. The method of claim 22, further comprising disposing a colored coating over the first surface of the leather substrate, thereby covering the trace;

wherein the colored coating comprises:

a first coating applied at a thickness of 20-45 microns;

a second coating applied at a thickness of 5-20 microns; and

a third coating applied at a thickness of 15-60 microns.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein:

preparing the functional leather component further includes electrically connecting an electronic component to the trace,

the electronic part is covered with the colored coating layer, and

the traces and the electronic components are camouflaged by the pigmented coating layer.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein:

the electronic component includes a light source, and

when the light source is actuated, light emitted by the light source is visible through the colored coating.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein the light source comprises a light emitting diode.

27. The method of claim 26, wherein the embossed texture is produced by roll-to-roll heat embossing.

28. The method of claim 23, wherein preparing the functional leather component further comprises disposing a stain resistant layer on the colored coating.

29. The method of claim 22, further comprising electrically connecting a microcontroller to the traces.

30. The method of claim 20, wherein the embossed texture comprises a leather grain texture.

31. A method of making a functional vehicle component, comprising:

preparing a functional leather component comprising applying an electronic circuit comprising conductive traces to a first surface of a leather substrate;

embossing the functional leather component to provide an embossed texture at the first surface of the leather substrate; and

arranging the embossed functional leather component to cover a surface of a vehicle component such that the first surface of the leather substrate faces away from the vehicle component.

32. The method of claim 31, further comprising disposing a colored coating on the first surface of the leather substrate, thereby covering the electrical circuit; and optionally applying a stain resistant layer over the pigmented coating layer;

wherein the circuit comprises a plurality of electronic components including light emitting diodes.

33. The method of claim 31, wherein the embossed texture comprises a leather grain side texture produced by roll-to-roll heat embossing.

34. The method of claim 31, further comprising electrically connecting a microcontroller to the circuit.

35. A functional vehicle component comprising a functional leather assembly, the functional leather assembly comprising:

a leather substrate comprising a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface; and

a conductive trace disposed on the first surface of the leather substrate;

wherein the functional leather component is embossed with an embossed texture at the first surface of the leather substrate.

36. The functional vehicle part of claim 35, further comprising a colored coating on the first surface of the leather substrate and covering the trace;

wherein the colored coating comprises:

a first coating applied at a thickness of 20-45 microns;

a second coating applied at a thickness of 5-20 microns; and

a third coating applied at a thickness of 15-60 microns.

37. The functional vehicle component of claim 36, wherein:

the functional leather assembly further includes an electronic component electrically connected to the trace and covered by the colored coating; and is

The conductive traces and the electronic component are camouflaged by the pigmented coating layer.

38. The functional vehicle component of claim 37, wherein:

the electronic component includes a light source, and

when the light source is actuated, light emitted by the light source is visible through the colored coating.

39. The functional vehicle component of claim 35, further comprising a vehicle component having a surface, wherein:

the functional leather component is disposed on the surface of the vehicle component; and is

The vehicle component comprises an interior trim panel, a seat or a steering wheel.

40. The functional vehicle component of claim 36, wherein the functional leather assembly further comprises a stain resistant layer disposed on the colored coating.

41. The functional vehicle part of claim 35, wherein the embossed texture comprises a leather grain texture.

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