US 12,109,939 B2
Light engine assembly for automotive interior
Patrick McDonald, Livonia, MI (US)
Assigned to Ford Global Technologies, LLC, Dearborn, MI (US)
Filed by Ford Global Technologies, LLC, Dearborn, MI (US)
Filed on Apr. 12, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/228,355.
Prior Publication US 2022/0324378 A1, Oct. 13, 2022
Int. Cl. B60Q 3/14 (2017.01); B29C 45/16 (2006.01); B60R 13/02 (2006.01); F21V 3/10 (2018.01); F21V 15/015 (2006.01); F21V 31/00 (2006.01); B29L 31/30 (2006.01)
CPC B60Q 3/14 (2017.02) [B29C 45/1676 (2013.01); B60R 13/02 (2013.01); F21V 3/10 (2018.02); F21V 15/015 (2013.01); F21V 31/005 (2013.01); B29L 2031/3008 (2013.01); B60R 2013/0287 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method for forming a light engine assembly for a vehicle trim panel, comprising the steps of:
injecting a light trough material into a trough mold, thereby forming a light trough including a trough body having first and second longitudinal edges;
injecting a seal material into the trough mold, thereby forming first and second seals configured to couple the first and second longitudinal edges of the trough body, respectively, wherein the seal material is different from and compatible with the light trough material;
cooling one of the light trough material and the seal material to form a bond between the light trough material and the seal material, thereby forming a unitary light trough part;
ejecting the light trough part;
coupling a lighting unit with the light trough part; and
assembling the light engine assembly on the vehicle trim panel.