Claims:We Claim:
1. A modular trim panel 100 for a vehicle interior, the modular trim panel 100 has an exterior surface 100a and an interior surface 100b, the exterior surface 100a being visibly configured over an interior panel 200 of the vehicle and the interior surface 100b being attachable to the interior panel 200, the modular trim panel 100 comprising:
a guiding arrangement 110 for aligning the modular trim panel 100 on the interior panel 200 of the vehicle,
a locking arrangement 120 for locking the modular trim panel 100 with the interior panel 200 of the vehicle; and
a locking element 130 lockable with the locking arrangement 120,
wherein the locking arrangement 120 is having an operating member 122 for unlocking and pushing the modular trim panel 100 away from the interior panel 200 upon actuation of the operating member 122 in a first direction.

2. The modular trim panel 100 for a vehicle interior as claimed in claim 1, wherein the guiding member 110 and locking element 130 are configured on the interior surface 100b of the modular trim panel 100.

3. The modular trim panel 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein the operating member 122 of the locking arrangement 120 is having a hook 120a with a cam profile and a biasing member 124 thereon.

4. The modular trim panel 100 as claimed in claim 1, 2 and 3, wherein the operating member 122 of the locking arrangement 120 is configured on the interior panel 200.

5. The modular trim panel 100 as claimed in claims 1 and 2, wherein the hook 120a engages with the locking element 130 for locking the modular trim panel 100 against the interior panel 200.

6. The modular trim panel 100 as claimed in claims 1 and 2, wherein the cam profile of the hook 120a pushes the modular trim panel 100 away from the interior panel 200 upon operating the operating member 122.

7. The modular trim panel 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein the locking element 130 is a cavity or a slot or any projections having openings to which the hook 120a engages with.

8. The modular trim panel 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein the guiding arrangement 110 is having a plurality of projections, upon mounting the modular trim panel 100, the plurality of projections guides the modular trim panel 100 to slides inside a respective slots configured on the interior panel 200.

9. The modular trim panel 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein the operating member 122 has a pin 122a extended for easy actuation of the operation member 122 to replace the modular trim panel 100.
10. The modular trim panel 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein the locking arrangement 120 is rotatably actuated to unlock and to push away the modular trim panel 100 from the interior panel 200.
, Description:Field of the Invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a modular trim panel for a vehicle interior. More particularly, the present invention relates to an arrangement for assembling a modular trim panel inside a vehicle interior.

Background of the Invention

[0002] Every external part of a vehicle can be customisable according to user preference such as colour, pattern and material of external panels. However, when it comes to the interior of a vehicle, the customisation option is very less. The customisation is done for the aesthetical pleasing of the user. Currently, interior panel customisation is done from OEM for a particular trim level, and the user can't change it. The user has to be satisfied with the default interior arrangements. In case if the user wanted to retrofit a trim panel for the vehicle interior, the user has to contact the nearby dealer for fitting the panels. Further, stickers and laminates are available which can be temporarily laminated on the interior panels for decoration purposes, but these laminates may peel off eventually after a certain period.

[0003] Further, the mechanism for replacing the trim panels and arranging the panels is a difficult task. The complexity of the mechanism refrain the users from customising the interior systems of their vehicle.
[0004] Therefore, there is a need to provide a customisable trim panel inside a vehicle interior which can be easily replaceable by the user, which overcomes few or all of the drawbacks of the existing interior trim panels.

Objects of the Invention

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a modular trim panel for a vehicle interior.

[0006] Another object of the present invention is to provide a modular trim panel for a vehicle interior, which can be easily replaceable by a user.

[0007] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a modular trim panel for a vehicle interior, which is having lesser complexity in operation.

[0008] One more object of the present invention is to provide a modular trim panel for a vehicle interior, which can be retrofitted to a door panel or instrument panel and the like.

[0009] Further object of the present invention is to provide a modular trim panel for a vehicle interior, which allows easy upgrade and change of decorations to the interior panels.
Summary of the invention

[0010] According to the present invention, a modular trim panel for a vehicle interior is provided. The modular trim panel is attachable to an interior panel of the vehicle interior. The interior panel can be an instrumental panel or a door panel or a centre console panel of the vehicle interior or the like. It may be obvious to a person skilled in the art to configure the modular trim panel on any portions of the vehicle interior. The modular trim panel can be any types of cover that can be used to close or to cover a panel system. Also, the modular trim panel can be a lid for a storage box or centre console or the like. In the present embodiment, the modular trim panel is a replaceable panel, which can be customised according to user preferences.

[0011] The modular trim panel is having an exterior surface and an interior surface. The exterior surface is visibly configured over the interior panel. The interior surface of the modular trim panel is attachable to the interior panel. The modular trim panel is provided with a guiding arrangement, a locking arrangement and a locking element. The guiding arrangement allows the modular trim panel to be aligned along the interior panels. The guiding arrangement is having a plurality of projections extending vertically downwards. Upon mounting the modular trim panel, the plurality of projections guides the modular trim panel to slides inside respective slots configured on the interior panel.

[0012] Further, the locking element is configured on the interior surface of the modular trim panel which is lockable with the locking arrangement configured on the interior panel. The locking element is a cavity or a slot or any projections having openings.

[0013] The locking arrangement is operably connected to the modular trim panel. The locking arrangement is an extending member extended vertically toward the interior panels. The locking arrangement is rotatably actuated to unlock and to push away the modular trim panel from the interior panel.

[0014] The locking arrangement has an operating member which is operable by the user manually. The operating member is an extended portion of the locking arrangement. In an embodiment, the operating member has a pin extended for easy actuation of the operation member to replace the modular trim panel.

[0015] The operating member of the locking arrangement is having a hook with a cam profile and a biasing member thereon. Specifically, the hook engages with the locking element on the interior panel for locking the modular trim panel against the interior panel. The operating member may be configured between the glove box and the modular trim panel, allowing the operating member to be operable from the inside of the glove box. The user may open the glove box to operate the operating member. The operating member is rotatable in a first direction and a second direction along a Y-axis. Specifically, upon actuation of the operating member in the first direction, the locking arrangement unlocks and pushes the modular trim panel away from the interior panel thereby removing the modular trim panel. Specifically, the cam profile of the hook pushes the modular trim panel away from the interior panel upon operating the operating member in the first direction.

[0016] For attaching the modular trim panel, the modular trim panel is pressed against the interior panel. Upon pressing the modular trim panel against the interior panel, the guiding arrangement aligns the modular trim panel and locks the locking arrangement with the locking element.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0017] The advantages and features of the present invention will be understood better with reference to the following detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which:

[0018] Figure 1 illustrates a modular trim panel arranged on an instrument panel of a vehicle interior in accordance with the present invention;

[0019] Figure 2 illustrates a lower surface of the modular trim panel;

[0020] Figure 3 illustrates a configuration of an operating member of the locking arrangement between the glove box and modular trim panel;

[0021] Figure 4 illustrates a configuration of the locking arrangement locking with a locking element of the modular trim panel; and

[0022] Figure 5 illustrates a perspective of figure 3 in accordance with the present invention.

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0023] An embodiment of this invention, illustrating its features, will now be described in detail. The words "comprising, "having, "containing," and "including," and other forms thereof, are intended to be equivalent in meaning and be open ended in that an item or items following any one of these words is not meant to be an exhaustive listing of such item or items, or meant to be limited to only the listed item or items.

[0024] The terms “first,” “second,” and the like, herein do not denote any order, quantity, or importance, but rather are used to distinguish one element from another, and the terms “an” and “a” herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced item.

[0025] The disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which may be embodied in various forms.

[0026] Referring to figure 1, a modular trim panel 100 for a vehicle interior in accordance with the present invention is illustrated. The modular trim panel 100 is attachable to an interior panel 200 of the vehicle interior. The interior panel 200 can be an instrumental panel or a door panel or a centre console panel of the vehicle interior or the like. The present embodiment is shown to provide the modular trim panel 100 configured on the instrument panel of the vehicle. It may be obvious to a person skilled in the art to configure the modular trim panel 100 on any other portions of the vehicle interior. The modular trim panel 100 can be any types of cover that can be used to close or to cover a panel system. Also, the modular trim panel 100 can be a lid for a storage box or centre console or the like. In the present embodiment, the modular trim panel 100 is a replaceable panel, which can be customised according to user preferences.

[0027] The modular trim panel 100 is having an exterior surface 100a and an interior surface 100b. The exterior surface 100a is visibly configured over the interior panel 200 as shown in figure 1. The interior surface 100b of the modular trim panel 100 is attachable to the interior panel 200. The interior surface 100b of the modular trim panel 100 is provided with a guiding arrangement 110, a locking arrangement 120 and a locking element 130 as shown in figure 2.

[0028] The guiding arrangement 110 allows the modular trim panel 100 to be aligned along the interior panels 200. The guiding arrangement 100 is having a plurality of projections. Upon mounting the modular trim panel 100, the plurality of projections guides the modular trim panel 100 to slides inside respective slots (not shown) configured on the interior panel 200. The plurality of projections may be a male fixing element, and the slots may be a female fixing element. The male fixing element and the female fixing elements enable the modular trim panel 100 to fit thereon the interior panels 200 positively.

[0029] Further, the locking element 130 is configured on the interior surface 100b of the modular trim panel 100 which is lockable with the locking arrangement 120 configured on the interior panel 200. The locking element 130 is a cavity or a slot or any projections having openings.

[0030] The locking arrangement 120 is operably connected to the modular trim panel 100. The locking arrangement 120 is an extending member extended vertically toward the interior panels 200. The locking arrangement 120 is rotatably actuated to unlock and to push away the modular trim panel 100 from the interior panel 200.

[0031] Specifically, the operation of the locking arrangement 120 enables unlocking of the modular trim panel 100 for detaching the modular trim panel 100 from the interior panel 200. The locking arrangement 120 is having an operating member 122 which is operable manually by the user. The operating member 120 is configured on the interior panel 200. The operating member 122 is an extended portion of the locking arrangement 120 as shown in figure 3. In the present embodiment, the operating member 122 has a pin 122a extended for easy actuation of the operation member 122 to replace the modular trim panel 100. The pin 122a can be an extended portion of the operating member 122 or a separate pin 122a can be inserted to actuate the operating member 122 for replacing the modular trim panel 100.

[0032] Further, the operating member 122 is rotatably configured on a cam mechanism 140 arranged between the modular trim panel 100 and the interior panel 200 as shown in figure 4. The cam mechanism 140 enable the rotational movement of the operating member 122 between a first direction and a second direction. The operating member 122 of the locking arrangement 120 is having a hook 120a with a cam profile and a biasing member 124 thereon. Specifically, the hook 120a engages with the locking element 130 on the interior panel 200 for locking the modular trim panel 100 against the interior panel 200.

[0033] Referring again to figure 1, the modular trim panel 100 is configured on the instrument panel of the vehicle interior. In this embodiment, the operating member 122 is configured between a glove box 150 and the modular trim panel 100, allowing the operating member 122 to be operable from the inside of the glove box 150 as shown in figures 3 and 5. The user can open the glove box 150 to operate the pin 122a of the operating member 122. The operating member 122 is rotatable between the first direction and the second direction along a Y-axis. Specifically, upon actuation of the operating member 122 in the first direction, the locking arrangement 120 unlocks and pushes the modular trim panel 100 away from the interior panel 200 thereby removing the modular trim panel 100.

[0034] Specifically, the cam profile of the hook 120a pushes the modular trim panel 100 away from the interior panel 200 upon operating the operating member 122 in the first direction. The first direction facilitates the locking arrangement 120 to push against the modular trim panel 100 thereby detaching the modular trim panel 100 from the interior panel 200. The first direction can be a clockwise direction or anticlockwise direction. The modular trim panel 100 is manually detachable from the interior panel 200 in the latter step.
[0035] After unlocking the hook 120a and after releasing the operating member 122, the biasing member 124 biases the hook 120a and rotates the locking arrangement 120 in the second direction. In the second direction, the hook 120a may or may not engages with the locking element 130.

[0036] For attaching the modular trim panel 100, the modular trim panel 100 is pressed against the interior panel 200. Upon pressing the modular trim panel 100 against the interior panel 200, the guiding arrangement 110 aligns the modular trim panel 100 and locks the locking arrangement 120 with the locking element 130. Specifically, upon pressing the modular trim panel 100 against the interior panel 200, the hook 120a engages with the locking element 130 and thereby attaching the modular trim panel 100 on the interior panel 200.

[0037] Therefore the present invention has an advantage of providing a modular trim panel 100 which can be easily replaceable by a user. The modular trim panel 100 is having lesser complexity in operation. Further, it can be retrofitted to a door panel or instrument panel and the like. Also, the modular trim panel 100 allows easy upgrade and change of decorations to the interior panels.

[0038] The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the present invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the present invention and its practical application, and to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilise the present invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is understood that various omissions and substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstances may suggest or render expedient, but such omissions and substitutions are intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the scope of the claims of the present invention.