Basf Se Corporation

Basf Corporation

Faurecia Automotive Seating, LLC

Kipp O Grumm

Gregory Brncick

Ankur Bhosale

Philippe Duhamel

Prasanna S Kondapalli

Amit Kulkarni

Bernard Denis

Peter A Zorney

The present invention is directed to a closed structural component and process for preparing the same.

Closed structural component and process for preparing the same

A composite compression limiter () includes a cylindrical body () extending axially with an aperture () extending axially therethrough to receive a fastener (), the body () being made of a continuous fiber polymeric tape reinforced by a plurality of fibers ranging from approximately 20% to approximately 65% by weight.

Composite thermoplastic structure and composite compression limiter for same

A method forms a frame of a seat back for a vehicle. The frame includes a first polymeric material and a reinforcing composite layer that includes a second polymeric material and a plurality of fibers impregnated in the second polymeric material. The method includes the steps of supporting the reinforcing composite layer on moveable members in a mold and extending the moveable members relative to the mold to an extended position in the mold. The method also includes the steps of introducing the first polymeric material in a molten state into the mold and into contact with the reinforcing composite layer and displacing the reinforcing composite layer away from the moveable members by introducing the first polymeric material in the molten state between the moveable members and the reinforcing composite layer while the moveable members are in the extended position. The method further includes the steps of causing the first polymeric material to solidify in the mold and retracting the moveable members from the first polymeric material.

Method of forming a frame of a seat back for a vehicle

A seat back includes a backrest formed of a first polymeric material for supporting an occupant. A bracket formed of a different material than the first polymeric material of the backrest is anchored to the backrest for coupling to a seat cushion. A reinforcing composite layer is connected to the backrest and is formed of a second polymeric material and a plurality of fibers impregnated in the second polymeric material. The first polymeric material of the backrest is mechanically engaged with the bracket free of melt bonding between the first polymeric material of the backrest and the bracket. The first polymeric material of the backrest is melt bonded to the second polymeric material of the reinforcing composite layer integrating the backrest, the bracket, and the reinforcing composite layer.

Seat back including integrated backrest and reinforcing composite layer

The subject invention provides composite articles () and associated systems (). A first composite article () includes a piezoelectric layer () having a piezoelectric property. The piezoelectric layer () is sandwiched between a first conductive layer () and a second conductive layer (). At least one of the conductive layers () is a conductive polymer having an electrically conductive property. A second composite article () includes first and second piezoelectric layers () having a piezoelectric property. The first and second piezoelectric layers sandwich an insulating layer (). A first system () and a second system () each include a control device () electrically connected to the first composite article () or the second composite article (), respectively. The control device () measures an electrical signal generated by the respective piezoelectric layers () and/orproduces an electrical signal to actuate the respective piezoelectric layers ().

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Grand Rapids, MI, United States of America

Kipp O Grumm