Ford Global Technolgoies, LLC

Ford Motor Company Limited

Junko Pauken

Haoliang Michael Sun

Sean Bayle West

Gary D Mullen

Michael James Whitens

Ellen Cheng-chi Lee

James Hugh Fowler

Charles Alan Rocco

Martin Arthur Trapp

Norman Haidous

Robert S Parsons

Vishwanath Daita

Ellen Cheng-Chi Lee

A mold apparatus for forming a molded part includes a mold body, a mold cavity formed in said mold body, a plurality of valve gates associated with said mold body, and a controller in communication with said plurality of valve gates. The controller is programmed to time opening of each valve gate based on a selected flow rate required to eliminate weld lines in the product.

Method to chase weld lines by timing and positioning of gates

An apparatus and method for eliminating mold lines when molding a part having ferromagnetic pigments is provided. A mold assembly having a mold with a cavity and valve gates is formed. Pucks are fitted at the gates to collect residual cold plastic. The calculation of a specific sequence and timing of the opening of the valve gates is determined based on a calculation of the total number of valve gates needed to fill a part while maintaining acceptable injection molding pressure. Once calculated, the gates are positioned around the mold cavity to balance flow length ratio. A primary gate is chosen for initial injection. The time for the material to flow from the first to the second gate is established. The second gate is opened after the flow front reaches the second gate. This pattern continues until all valve gates are opened.

An injection molding apparatus and method are provided. The method includes a molded cavity coupled to a resin injection apparatus which injects molten resin under pressure with a gas such that the resin foams within the mold cavity. An electrical heater is in contact with a first cavity surface, and a cooling medium cools the mold. The resin may include metallic flakes.

Foamed resin injection molding method

A storage bin attached to the upper wall of a vehicle trunk. The storage bin is movable between a stowed position in which the bin is moved upward and is locked against the upper wall of the trunk and a deployed position in which the bin is moved downward and is open for storage of one or more items. When moving between a stowed position and a deployed position, the bin might pivot or sides of the bin might collapse.

Deployable trunk stowage system for vehicle

A stowage retainer is provided for retaining an object, such as a portable electronic device, in a vehicle. The retainer includes a body having at least a bottom wall and side walls. The retainer also includes one or more flexible retention arms extending from the body for retaining a device in the retainer. The flexible retention arms each comprise a flexible inner wire and a soft outer covering material. The flexible retention arms are bendable to reform into a desired configuration to retain a device in the retainer.

Flexible arm stowage retainer for vehicle

A lockable latch system includes an anchor bar rigidly connected to a vehicle and a rigid hook operably engaged with the anchor bar. A springboard is disposed on the rigid hook. The springboard is operable between an obstructing position, wherein the springboard prevents disengagement of the rigid hook from the bar and an unobstructing position, wherein the springboard does not prevent disengagement of the rigid hook from the bar. A lock assembly includes a cam operable between an interference position, wherein the cam prevents the springboard from entering the unobstructing position and a non-interference position, wherein the cam does not prevent the springboard from entering the unobstructing position.

Lockable latch

The invention relates to a molded assembly having reduced squeaking and rattling. The molded assembly includes a first component of a vehicle that has a first surface. The assembly also includes a second component of a vehicle having a second surface. The second component is assembled to the first component. An isolator is disposed between the first and second components and is secured to the first surface. The isolator comprises an injection-moldable self-lubricating elastomer impregnated with a fatty amide. An interface between the isolator and the second surface has a ratio of a co-efficient of static friction to a co-efficient of dynamic friction less than 1.4.

Molded assembly having a reduced tendency to squeak and a method of manufacturing the assembly

An instrument panel assembly for a passenger vehicle is provided with a protective film. The protective film has only one unfolded layer. The film layer is sized to cover an opening in an instrument panel. The opening is sized for an airbag to deploy through. The film layer is provided with a slit for separating into portions. The portions extend through the instrument panel as the airbag deploys. The protective film prevents the airbag from being damaged. The film layer also prevents the airbag from damaging the instrument panel. The instrument panel may be provided with a door for selectively covering the opening. The instrument panel assembly may include a hinge for pivotally connecting the door to the instrument panel.

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Canton, MI, United States of America

Junko Pauken