Lear Corporation

International Automotive Components Group North America, Inc.

Fca US LLC

Michael P Schoemann

John David Youngs

Glenn A Cowelchuk

Randy S Reed

Michael W Moran

Mark Heinze

Anthony Spagnuolo

Raymond K Cummins

Alan George Dry

David Dooley

Robert J Adams

Kenneth W Shaner

Thomas W Spanos

Timothy Noggle

Matthew S Brummer

William J Noble

Edward G Curtindale

Sorin Stancu

David Turczynski

Eric Stefan Mozer

Richard Power

Brian Begg

Richard J Trombley

Les A Gilewski

William L Manto

John L Fox

Kenneth Jarzynski

Dennis Bunker

A vehicle trim piece assembly for an interior of a vehicle includes a mount and a trim piece coupled to the mount. The trim piece has an inboard surface and an outboard surface, at least one projection extending from the outboard surface in a first direction to an outer surface, and a guard extending from the outboard surface in the first direction to a location beyond the outer surface. The projection is received within the at least one opening to secure the trim piece to the mount. In use, an airbag tether engages the guard which directs the tether over the projection so that the tether does not become snagged on the projection.

Vehicle interior trim assembly

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

The present invention provides a method for molding an over-molded part by a multi-shot molding method. The method of the invention comprises combining a first mold section having one or more retractable tool portions and a second mold section to form a first mold cavity. A first thermoplastic resin is injected into a first mold cavity to form a first molded part. Subsequently, the second mold section is separated from the second mold section such that the first molded part remains in contact with the first mold section. The retractable tool portion is retracted to expose one or more channels. Next, a third mold section is combined with the first mold section to form a second mold cavity. A second thermoplastic resin is then injected into the second mold cavity to form the over-molded part which may then be removed from the mold section. The present invention also provides a method in which a first mold section having one or more retractable tool portions is combined with a second mold section also having one or more tool sections. Finally, the present invention also provides a molding apparatus which executes the methods of the invention.

Method of over-molding TPE components using zero gate

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

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

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 cover member. The substrate and the cover member define a vehicle trim panel, such that the cover member defines an expandable portion of the storage compartment.

A living hinge comprising a spring portion having a first end and a second end and a first arm portion and a second arm portion coextruded with the spring portion is disclosed. The first arm portion extends from the first end and the second arm portion extends from the second end. A component having the living hinge is also disclosed. Methods of making the component having the living hinge are also discloses.

Coextruded living hinge, a component incorporating the hinge, and methods of making the component

A blow molded structure comprising a body made out of a first polymeric material and an integrally molded, coextruded living hinge made out of a second, more flexible polymeric material. A method of making a blow molded article having a coextruded living hinge.

Blow molded article having an integrally molded living hinge and method of making the 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.

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.

Growing community of inventors

Waterford, MI, United States of America

Michael P Schoemann