Abstract:
A hollow article such as an active bolster for an automobile is formed of an injection molded panel having a ridge and furrow adjacent a panel perimeter and an injection molded sheet having a bonding section at a sheet outer periphery, wherein the bonding section is within the furrow. An injection molded bond is formed between the bonding section and furrow, wherein a compression area where the sheet overlies a region of the panel adjacent the furrow is configured to constrain the bond to the furrow. An associated process and system facilitates mold alignment, part alignment, material strength, design adaptability, efficient processing, reduced labor, increased production rates, reduced energy consumption per part, aesthetically pleasing surfaces, and reduces or eliminates the need for a separate welding operation.
Abstract:
An armrest for a captain's chair of a vehicle includes an outer layer and an inner layer including a foaming agent and defining a hollow core. At least one of the inner layer and the outer layer may include a reinforcing material and/or may be varied in thickness along its length. The armrest may include a third layer defining the hollow core. A related method includes heating a parison having a first and second layers, mixing a foaming agent into the second layer prior to heating, feeding the heated parison between mold halves, clamping the heated parison by moving the mold halves together, and pushing the layers of the heated parison outward, using blown air, such that the first layer is adjacent the mold and the second layer forms a hollow core of the armrest, the hollow core being partially filled by expansion of the second layer during cooling.
Abstract:
A storage compartment for a vehicle glove box includes at least one bumper stop defined by a resilient tab disposed on a storage compartment sidewall, the resilient tab including a cam face, a stop face, and a finger tab accessible from an interior of the storage compartment. The cam face may define an arcuate configuration. The stop face is carried by the finger tab whereby a deflecting force applied to the finger tab deflects the stop face from a retaining position to a releasing position. The storage compartment sidewall defines an aperture disposed to provide access to the finger tab from an interior of the storage compartment. Vehicle glove boxes including the described storage compartment are provided.
Abstract:
An automobile armrest is described. The armrest allows lateral movement in an outboard direction while resisting inboard movement. The armrest facilitates occupant egress and mitigates injury in a collision. Lateral outboard movement of the armrest is non-destructive and the armrest returns to a standard position upon removal of the outboard force.
Abstract:
An active bolster is provided for an interior trim surface of an automotive vehicle. A plastic-molded outer trim panel has a welding track on an inside surface. A plastic-molded expandable bladder member has a central attachment section configured to attach to a support structure of the vehicle, a welding flange along a peripheral edge with a first surface facing the trim panel inside surface and a second opposed surface, and a pleated region between the central attachment section and the welding flange. The welding track and the welding flange are joined by a closed-loop hot weld seam to form a sealed chamber. The welding track and welding flange comprise complementary surfaces having a plurality of corrugations making the weld seam at least partially shaped as an undulating ribbon. As a result, a majority of the forces on the weld seam during inflation are in shear instead of peel.
Abstract:
A cup holder assembly is disclosed herein. The cup holder assembly includes a receptacle defining a cavity and having an engagement feature. A resilient finger is operably coupled to the receptacle and is operable between a disengaged position and an engaged position, wherein the resilient finger is engaged with the engagement feature. A resilient arm is coupled to the resilient finger and is operable to flex from a first position to a second position resilient finger inboard of the first position to allow the resilient finger to move between the disengaged and engaged positions.
Abstract:
A storage compartment for a vehicle glove box includes at least one bumper stop defined by a resilient tab disposed on a storage compartment sidewall, the resilient tab including a cam face, a stop face, and a finger tab accessible from an interior of the storage compartment. The cam face may define an arcuate configuration. The stop face is carried by the finger tab whereby a deflecting force applied to the finger tab deflects the stop face from a retaining position to a releasing position. The storage compartment sidewall defines an aperture disposed to provide access to the finger tab from an interior of the storage compartment. Vehicle glove boxes including the described storage compartment are provided.
Abstract:
An airbag includes a manifold having an outer panel and an inflation chamber defined at least in party by the outer panel. The airbag further includes a first compartment and a second compartment spaced from the first compartment connected to the outer panel and positioned external to the inflation chamber. A first one-way valve is in fluid communication with the manifold and the first compartment, and a second one-way valve is in fluid communication with the manifold and the second compartment.
Abstract:
A glove box latch system for an automotive vehicle is provided. A glove box door is mounted in an instrument panel housing. The glove box door comprises a movable latch rod and an adjacent lock plate. In the event that the vehicle is involved in a collision, the lock plate engages the latch rod. The engaged lock plate arrests movement of the latch rod, securing the latch rod in the closed position and preventing the glove box door from opening. Exemplary methods and structures for restraining movement of latch rods are provided.
Abstract:
An active bolster mounts at an interior trim surface of an automotive vehicle to act as a cushion in an impact event. The bolster has a plastic-molded, expandable bladder wall having concentric pleats terminating with a skirt. A bilateral welding flange integrally extends from the skirt. A plastic-molded trim wall overlies the bladder wall. The bilateral welding flange forms a hot weld with the trim wall to provide an inflatable cavity for receiving an inflation gas during an impact event. The bilateral welding flange includes a plate member molded to extend radially outward from the skirt and a neck member molded to extend substantially parallel with the skirt. The hot weld deflects the neck member to extend radially inward from the skirt so that the neck member is exposed to the inflatable cavity whereby a pressure from the inflation gas pushes the neck member against the trim wall.