Lear Corporation

International Automotive Components Group North America, Inc.

Lear Automotive Dearborn, Inc.

Ut Automotive Dearborn, Inc.

John David Youngs

Michael P Schoemann

Glenn A Cowelchuk

Randy S Reed

Mark Heinze

Bogdan Radu

Kenneth W Shaner

James Gregory

David Dooley

Robert J Adams

Nelson E Williams, Jr

Thomas W Spanos

Raymond K Cummins

Matthew S Brummer

Alan George Dry

H Winston Maue

Joseph A Paradiso

Gerald O Morrison

Edward G Curtindale

Michael W Cass

Michael Berta

Richard David George

Michael W Moran

David Turczynski

Richard Meinzer

Eric Stefan Mozer

Charles D Bailey

Mark Feldmeier

Thomas R Caraher

William J Noble

Brian P Skarb

Jonathon A Flowers

Richard J Trombley

Tom Kopcha

Dick George

Mike P Schoemann

A door trim panel including a cover stock, an armrest coupled to the cover stock and having a first density, an upper energy absorber disposed above the armrest and having a second density higher than the first density, and a lower energy absorber disposed below the armrest and having a third density higher than the first density.

Door trim panel with dual density bolster armrest and integrated components

In at least certain embodiments, the present invention relates to a trim panel and an apparatus and method of making the same. In at least one embodiment, the trim panel comprises a first portion and a second portion with a transition portion extending therebetween with the first portion and the second portion having curved portions having radii of less than 5 mm.

Method of making a trim panel having a narrow transition radius and apparatus

Apparatus for molding a trim panel assembly having a narrow transition radius

An interior trim panel for a vehicle door is provided according to alternative methods. The interior trim panel includes a bolster to which a polyurethane skin is molded by a spraying operation. Expanded polyurethane foam is sprayed over the polyurethane skin and a backing panel is either integrally formed or assembled to the polyurethane foam layer.

Method of making an interior panel for a door and an article made thereby

The present invention provides a two-shot injection molded polymeric component having first and second shots made from polymeric materials. The first shot is made from a relatively hard polymeric material, while the second shot is made from a polymeric material which may differ from the first shot by way of color or polymer type. In this way, the second shot provides texture and aesthetic value to the component. Integrally molded with the second shot is an attachment feature that allows an accessory to be attached proximate the back side of the component without the use of a separate fastener or other separate attachment feature.

Two-shot polymeric component with attachment feature and method of producing same

A method of manufacturing a vehicle trim panel having a storage compartment includes providing a first mold assembly comprising a first mold section and a second mold section, wherein the first mold assembly defines a first cavity. A second mold assembly is provided and comprises a third mold section and a fourth mold section. The second mold assembly defines a second cavity. A first material is introduced into the first cavity, thereby producing a substrate. A second material is introduced into the second cavity, such that the second material forms a movable wall. The substrate and the movable wall define a vehicle trim panel, wherein the movable wall includes a fold formed therein for permitting movement of the movable wall to expand the storage compartment.

Method of forming a vehicle component

The present invention provides for an improved hardware carrier for use in a trim panel assembly, and a method of making the same. To this end, the hardware carrier includes a body having a front and back surface and a seal molded to the front surface of the body for contacting the doorframe structure of a motor vehicle to seal the carrier thereto. A two-shot molding process utilizing a single mold assembly is used to form the carrier, with the body being formed in the first shot and the seal being formed in the second shot so that the seal is bonded thereto. The molded seal advantageously is provided with a non-linear configuration, such as a substantially repeating v-shaped configuration, and includes a planar top surface. The non-linear configuration of the seal, in conjunction with the top planar surface, advantageously provides a substantial surface area for contacting the doorframe to prevent water leakage within the vehicle.

Automotive hardware carrier and method of making same

The present invention relates to a trim panel assembly for a vehicle having integrated energy management characteristics and method of manufacture. The trim panel assembly comprises a panel made of a first material having a first panel surface and a second panel surface, a skin covering at least a portion of the first panel surface of the panel, with the skin being made of a second material less rigid then the first material, and a rib depending from the second panel surface away from the skin. The rib has at least a first portion being made of the second material.

Trim panel assembly having integrated energy management characteristics and method of manufacture

A method of manufacturing a vehicle trim panel having a storage compartment includes providing a first mold assembly comprising a first mold section and a second mold section, wherein the first mold assembly defines a first cavity. A second mold assembly is provided and comprises a third mold section and a fourth mold section. The second mold assembly defines a second cavity. A first material is introduced into the first cavity, thereby producing a substrate. A second material is introduced into the second cavity, such that the second material defines a flexible member. The substrate and the flexible member define a vehicle trim panel, such that the flexible member defines an expandable portion of the storage compartment.

A connector for securing an interior trim assembly to a support of an automobile. The connector includes a connector body having a head portion formed at a proximal end of the connector body and a shank portion extending from the head portion toward a distal end of the connector body. A sealing gasket is integrally molded onto the connector body distally of the head portion. A two-shot molding process may be used to form the connector with the connector body being formed in the first shot of the molding process and the sealing gasket being formed onto the connector body in the second shot of the molding process.

Connector for automotive interior trim

A method of making an integrated inner trim panel for a vehicle door and an inner trim panel made thereby are disclosed. The method includes sequentially spraying a skin layer, a padding layer, and applying a structural layer in an open mold that defines the facing surface of the inner panel of a door. The integrated inner trim panel may be provided with areas of greater and lesser padding. The skin layer may be formed from a reactant mixture of polyurethane. The padding layer may be a foam polyurethane composition. The structural layer may be a glass-reinforced polyurethane reactant mixture. The inner door panel is an integrated layered structure including a skin layer, a padding layer, and a structural layer. The padding layer may be varied in thickness to provide selectively variable padding in predetermined areas.

Method of making an integrated door inner panel and an article made thereby

The present invention relates to a two-shot, non-shut-off method of manufacturing a 100% grained trim component for a vehicle. The method includes actuating a tool insert between a mold cavity and a secondary void to form a molded trim component having a groove. A first shot of material is injected to form a first trim element having a grained class-A side. During the first shot, flash enters the secondary void to provide a non-shut-off condition. The tool insert is retracted to define a ditch in the first trim element. A second shot of material is injected to form a second trim element having a grained class-A side, during which time a portion of the second shot enters the ditch to provide a non-shut-off condition. The trim elements are then bonded where a portion the second trim element bonded to the first trim element within the groove.

Method of manufacturing, 100% grained with non-shut-off condition two shot interior component

A method of manufacturing two trim components with a common mold assembly includes providing a mold assembly having a first cavity, a second cavity, and a movable mold element. The movable mold element is movable between a first position to expose the second cavity, and a second position to obstruct the second cavity. One of the two trim components is then produced. A first trim component is produced by positioning the mold element into the first position and then introducing a first material into the first and second cavities. A second trim component is produced subsequent to the mold assembly being provided. Then, the mold element is positioned into the second position. One of the first material and a second material is then introduced into the first cavity. The mold element is then moved into the first position, and a third material is introduced into the second cavity.

Method of forming a vehicle trim panel

A mold assembly for forming a multi-shot molded part includes a mold system defining a mold cavity, and a retracting member disposed in the mold system selectively movable between extended and retracted positions in the mold cavity. A first molding material is injected in the mold cavity when the mold system is in a configuration with the retracting member in the extended position, forming a first portion of a molded part including a thin wall portion. A second molding material is injected in the mold cavity when the mold system is in another configuration with the retracting member in the retracted position, forming a second portion of the molded part and providing open cavity portions adjacent both surfaces of the thin wall portion. The second material penetrates the thin wall portion, filling the open cavity portions and forming a connection between the first and second portions of the molded part.

Multi-shot molding method and assembly

Growing community of inventors

Southgate, MI, United States of America

John David Youngs