Abstract:
An automotive center console is adjustable in fore and aft directions. In one embodiment, the console includes a console housing slidably mounted within the vehicle interior and a controllable damper having high and low damping states. In the high damping state, the controllable damper maintains the console housing in a selected position. When it is desired to relocate the console housing to a new position, the controllable damper is actuated to the low damping state, whereby the console housing may be freely moved to the desired position. The controllable damper is actuated back to the high damping state to maintain the console housing in the new position.
Abstract:
An automotive assembly having an integrated spring mechanism. The assembly includes a first member and a second member pivotally coupled to the first member and moveable between a first and second position with respect to the first member. The assembly further includes a resilient element integrally molded with one of the first and second members. The resilient element includes an extension portion having a free end that is coupled to the other one of the first and second members. The extension portion imposes a force on the second member to bias the second member in at least one direction. A method of making the assembly includes a two shot molding process where the one of the first and second members is formed in a first shot of the molding operation and the resilient element is integrally molded thereto in the second shot of the molding operation.
Abstract:
The present invention provides for an improved trim part, e.g. a bolster or trim plate, with integrated appliqué for use in a trim assembly, and to a continuous two-shot molding operation that may be performed utilizing a single mold assembly. In an exemplary embodiment, the trim part, i.e. a bolster, includes a substrate formed by injecting a first material into a first shot mold cavity in a first shot of a molding operation. An appliqué is provided in a second shot mold cavity then a cover is formed between the substrate and appliqué by injecting into a mold chamber a second foamed material in a second shot of the molding operation. The formed cover is integrally molded to at least a portion of the substrate and the appliqué to form a trim part with integrated appliqué.
Abstract:
A method of making an automotive trim assembly includes injection molding a first curable polymer to form a substrate including a deployment door in a first shot of a molding operation. A cover is then formed on at least a portion of both the substrate and deployment door by injection molding a second curable polymer in a second shot of the molding operation. The cover includes an inner and outer layer of the second polymer having a substantially non-cellular structure and a core of the second polymer having a cellular structure between the inner and outer layers. At least one score line is formed in the substrate to define the deployment door therein. The score line may be formed during the molding operation or in a post-molding process, such as a laser scoring process.
Abstract:
An overmolded interior vehicle trim panel includes a substrate having a front face and an under face. The under face has a tear seam integrally molded therein to allow an airbag to exit the substrate when the airbag is deployed. The tear seam defines an airbag door. An outer layer is bonded to the front face of the substrate in a mold, thereby forming an overmolded interior vehicle trim panel. The trim panel can include a sheet of hinge material attached to one of the substrate and the outer layer of the overmolded interior trim panel. A portion of the sheet of hinge material defines a hinge member.
Abstract:
A flexible touch-sense switch includes a force sensitive composite and an at least one proximity sensor. The force sensitive composite includes a plurality of force sensors disposed between a first layer and a second layer of polymide film defining a displacement region. The at least one proximity sensor generates an electromagnetic field that defines a detection region. The force sensitive composite and the at least one proximity sensor are mounted to the first layer of the polymide film for forming a flexible printed circuit board. A control circuit is electrically connected to the force sensitive composite and the at least one proximity sensor for selectively controlling the touch-sense switch activation in response to coincident actuation thereof.
Abstract:
A portable tray for use at multiple locations of the interior of a vehicle includes a body adapted to be operatively supported to the interior of the vehicle and defining at least one substantially planar work surface. The tray also includes a support mechanism connected to the body and adapted to removably support the body to structural components of the interior of the vehicle such that the tray can be manually moved and used at various locations within the interior of the vehicle.
Abstract:
A door assembly for an interior component of a vehicle includes a door body movably attached to an interior component of a vehicle. A sensor is adapted to generate a signal that is a function of a desired position of the door body. An actuator is selectively coupled to the door body, and the actuator is operable to enable the door body to move in response to the signal.
Abstract:
A conductive plastic touch switch includes a plastic substrate having a first side surface including at least two channels formed within the first side surface and a second side surface including a manual activation region opposite of the at least two channels. At least two conductive traces are formed within the at least two channels, respectively. A printed circuit board is electrically attached to the at least two conductive traces. The plastic substrate is formed during a first mold process and said at least two conductive traces are in-molded during a second mold process.
Abstract:
An automotive interior trim assembly has at least one area which provides an enhanced tactile feel that is soft to the touch. The interior trim assembly includes a substrate member and a cover member supported on the substrate member. The cover member comprises an inner foam layer which is encased by a pliable outer layer. In one embodiment, the interior trim assembly is formed in a two-shot injection molding operation wherein a first material is injected in the first shot to form the substrate member. Second and third materials are co-injected in the second shot to form the cover member on the substrate member.