Gm Global Technolgoy Operations, Inc.

Catherine A Ostrander

Charles K Buehler

Michael P Balogh

Steven J Schmidt

Daniel E Schmeckpeper

Jay H Ovenshire

Joel Colombo

Charles C Mentzer

Kitty L Gong

Michael A Szymberski

Charles Calvin Mentzer, Jr

Mary K Gusie

A light assembly including two light sources through a single inner lens made of two separate materials includes a first light source that is operable to emit light for a position light function of the vehicle, and a second light source that is operable to emit light for a Daytime Running Light function of the vehicle. The light assembly further includes an inner lens having a first portion and a second portion. The first portion is formed from a mixture of polymethyl methacrylate and polyetheresteramide, and is operable to receive light from the first light source adjacent a light receiving edge of the first portion and reflect the light to provide the position light function. The second portion of the inner lens is formed from polymethyl methacrylate without polyetheresteramide, and is operable to receive light from the second light source and direct the light to provide the DRL function.

Automotive light assembly with inner lens for combined daytime running light and position light functions

A method of forming an emblem assembly configured for attachment to a vehicle includes positioning a mask adjacent and in contact with a second element so that the mask covers only a selected portion of the second element and does not cover an exposed portion of the second element. The method includes vacuum metalizing a first coating onto only the exposed portion, wherein the first coating has a distal edge surface abutting the mask, and, after vacuum metalizing, removing the mask from the second element to uncover the selected portion. The method includes depositing a back coating onto only the first coating and the selected portion to thereby wrap the back coating around the distal edge surface, and, after depositing, inserting the second element into a first element configured for attachment to the vehicle so that the first coating does not contact the first element to form the assembly.

Emblem assembly and method of forming same

A thermoforming methodology for laminated thermoplastic sheets which preserves the class 'A' finish and high gloss thereof. In a thermoforming process including heating followed by vacuum and opposing air pressure application, and then followed by application of chilled compressed air, control of spherulite formation using any of: addition of a nucleating agent to the paint film, using the chilled compressed air at a temperature of substantially about 32&#xb0; F., heating to no more than about 311&#xb0; F., selecting a paint film having a high melting point temperature, and selecting a paint film that is non-crystalline.

Thermoforming process for producing class 'A' finish, high gloss automotive exterior parts

A thermoforming methodology for laminated thermoplastic sheets which preserves the class 'A' finish and high gloss thereof. A thermoformer has a vacuum box component which includes a mold, and a pressure box component which is selectively sealable in relation to the vacuum box component. A heated laminated thermoplastic sheet is placed in the thermoformer, the class 'A' side thereof facing away from the mold, and the thermoformer sealed. Vacuum is applied to the vacuum box component and simultaneously air pressure is applied to the pressure box component, including application of chilled compressed air, resulting in forming of the sheet on the mold and controlled cooling of the sheet which preserves its class &#x201c;A&#x201d; finish and high gloss.

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Grand Blanc, MI, United States of America

Catherine A Ostrander