Abstract:
A method of forming a motor vehicle instrument panel with a flexibly tethered air bag deployment door includes the steps of molding an instrument panel with a first plastics material to a desired shape and with an integral air bag deployment door whose opening is defined by a tear seam formed by a groove molded in one side of the panel and with an integral mounting/hinge flange that extends from an inside surface of the door, and forming a bonded layer of second plastics material on one side of the flange and the inside surface of a potentially frangible portion of the door. The second plastics material has the physical characteristic of remaining ductile to a substantial degree at low temperatures substantial below the temperature at which the first plastics material becomes brittle and as a result the bonded layer forms a tether that connects the frangible door portion to the mounting/hinge flange in a flexible manner when this door portion breaks away from the flange because of embrittlement of the first plastics material at the low temperatures on tearing of the tear seam and opening movement of the door by an inflating air bag pressing against the inside surface of the frangible door portion.
Abstract:
An inflatable restraint apparatus for an automotive vehicle includes an air bag deployment door formed in a trim panel. The air bag deployment door outer surface has an area of 5 in2 to 35 in2, and at least a portion of the perimeter comprises a frangible marginal edge. The frangible marginal edge includes a frangible length, and at least 20% of the frangible length is non-linear. The apparatus also includes an air bag dispenser containing an air bag having a volume of at least 90 liters. The air bag dispenser includes an elongated container having an air bag receptacle containing an air bag and an inflator receptacle containing an inflator.
Abstract:
A vehicle passenger compartment console assembly including a console body having an outer shell and an access opening disposed in the console body outer shell. A positioning apparatus is movably supported within the console body outer shell. At least two storage modules are disposed within the shell and are movably supported on the positioning apparatus. The storage modules are sequentially movable between one or more concealed positions displaced from the access opening and a displayed position adjacent the access opening. The positioning apparatus is configured to support any one of the storage modules in the display position while simultaneously supporting at least one of the other storage modules in a concealed position. This arrangement allows passenger compartment occupants to gain physical access to a module and its contents through the access opening while leaving other modules concealed within the shell.
Abstract:
A discrete air bag tear seam is provided in the finishing cover of an interior component of an automotive vehicle. An applique installed on the cover has an elongated external decorator head concealing the tear seam. Elongated and laterally spaced retention flanges of the applique stabilize and releasably retain the cover at the tear seam. The applique is secured to a fixed retainer part of the component and operates by releasing the cover at the tear seam to form an air bag door in response to the forced outward movement of an underlying door substrate on air bag deployment. The underlying door substrate exerts a force on the cover and particularly the outer skin thereof and causes it to pull away from the applique starting at the concealed tear seam to establish an opening for improved air bag deployment.
Abstract translation:在机动车辆的内部部件的整理罩中提供分立的气囊撕裂缝。 安装在盖上的贴花+ E,acu e + EE具有隐藏撕裂缝的细长外部装饰头。 贴片+ E,acu e + EE的延长和横向隔开的保持法兰稳定并可释放地将盖保持在撕裂缝处。 贴片+ E,acu e + EE被固定到部件的固定保持器部分,并且通过在撕裂缝处释放盖来操作,以响应于下面的门基板在气囊上的强制向外移动而形成气囊门 部署。 下面的门基材在盖子上,特别是其外皮上施加力,并使其从隐蔽的撕裂缝开始从贴布+ E,acu e + EE拉开,以建立用于改进气囊展开的开口。
Abstract:
A vehicle passenger compartment floor console includes a module receptacle and a plurality of interchangeable storage and appliance modules designed to fit within the module receptacle. The floor console may also include a drum-type carrousel supported for rotation about a generally horizontal axis within the console outer shell. The carrousel holds three storage modules and is positioned to sequentially rotate each module past an access opening cut or formed through the console outer shell. A passenger compartment occupant may use the console to selectively present any one of a number of interchangeable modules for occupant access while traveling.
Abstract:
A method for molding a thin walled plastic shell utilizes the following apparatus. An apparatus (40) for molding a thin walled plastic shell includes a mold box (42) having an inner mold surface (48). A powder box (52) includes an internal chamber and first divider wall (54) for separating the internal chamber into at least two sections (56,58). A carrier framework (60) is removably mounted on the mold box (42) and includes a peripheral seal for perfecting a seal between the mold box (42) and the powder box (52) when the same are connected thereto. A second divider wall (64) is connectable to the first divider wall (54) separating the inner mold surface into two chambers continuous with the two sections of the powder box (52). The carrier framework (60) further includes a mold surface seal (66) for perfecting a seal between the second divider wall (64) and mold surface (48).
Abstract:
A method for manufacturing decorative features in situ in a base layer of cast plastic material includes the steps of providing a heated mold tool with a selectively heated surface in the form of a desired decorative feature; depositing a covering of thermoplastic material in the recessed surface and heating the recessed surface to partially fuse the thermoplastic material on the recessed surface to form segments of plastic corresponding to the desired decorative feature; dumping excess thermoplastic material from the heated mold tool; thereafter spray coating the mold at the recessed surface to stabilize the location of the partially fused material in the recessed surface; reheating the mold tool to partially remelt the retained stabilized segments and thereafter depositing a base layer of thermoplastic material across the full surface of the mold and reheating the mold to bond the retained stabilized segments to the base layer and cooling and stripping the mold to form a finished plastic shell having a decorative feature formed in situ therein.