Heinze, Mark (Clarkston, MI, US)
Dry, Alan G. (Grosse Point Woods, MI, US)
Dooley, David J. (Troy, MI, US)
Lu, Leyang (Southfield, MI, US)

Plaque It! Sponsored by: Flash of Genius

11/534778

08/19/2008

09/25/2006

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International Automotive Components Group North America, Inc. (Dearborn, MI, US)

296/146.7

296/153, 296/146.6

B60R13/02

49/502, 296/152, 296/146.7, 296/39.1, 29/897.2, 296/153, 296/146.6

2922674	Arm rest assembly	January, 1960	Hollerbach	296/153
5090158	Support for preassembled and preadjusted fittings for a motor vehicle door, and a door having this support	February, 1992	Bertolini	49/348
5308138	Door cartridge module with discrete energy absorbing elements	May, 1994	Hlavaty	296/146.6
5573272	Vehicle upholstery member	November, 1996	Teshima	280/751
5636866	Shock absorbing structure for motor vehicle	June, 1997	Suzuki et al.	280/748
5857702	Impact energy absorbing member suitable for a vehicle door	January, 1999	Suga et al.	280/751
5927020	Modular insert trim unit for motor vehicle door	July, 1999	Kobrechel
6145919	Automatic folding armrest for sliding vehicle door	November, 2000	Mysliwiec et al.	296/153
6196605	Portable storage apparatus for motor vehicle	March, 2001	Baldas et al.	296/37.13
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6612641	Vehicle door and process for manufacturing same	September, 2003	Schutt et al.	296/152
6854785	Equipment module for a motor vehicle opening panel	February, 2005	Simon et al.	296/146.7
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7108311	Method of forming a vehicle panel assembly	September, 2006	Dooley et al.	296/146.7
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20020113459	Device for absorbing energy during impact, and motor vehicle door comprising such a device	August, 2002	Laborie et al.	296/146.6
20040155483	Trim door hardware carrier and methods of assembling vehicle door	August, 2004	Lin et al.
20050140167	Vehicle interior trim panel component assembly and in-mold method of manufacturing same	June, 2005	Jaggi	296/146.7

DE3510018	January, 1986		296/140
DE4435287	July, 1996
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DE19943989	April, 2001
JP58105836	June, 1983			RECEPTACLE STRUCTURE EQUIPPED WITH ARM REST FOR AUTOMOBILE
JP03045421	February, 1991		296/146.4	ENERGY ABSORBING STRUCTURE FOR SIDE SECTION OF CAR BODY
JP03139446	June, 1991			INTERIOR TRIM FOR AUTOMOBILE
JP04183636	June, 1992		296/146.5	DECORATIVE MEMBER FITTING STRUCTURE IN DOOR TRIM FOR VEHICLE

German Office Action for the corresponding German Patent Application No. 10 2007 045 735.0-24 mailed May 8, 2008.

Dayoan, Glenn D.

Chenevert, Paul A.

Brooks Kushman P.C.

What is claimed is:

1. A trim system configured to be assembled in an assembled position with a vehicle door panel substrate having a first feature receiving portion and a second feature receiving portion, the system comprising: a first trim feature configured to be received by the first feature receiving portion; and a second trim feature configured to be received by the second feature receiving portion, the second trim feature being moveable, after the first trim feature is assembled with the substrate, relative to the first trim feature and within the second feature receiving portion to position the second trim feature within the second feature receiving portion in the assembled position.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein, after assembly with the substrate, a distance between the first trim feature and the second trim feature is greater than the distance between the first trim feature and the second trim feature before assembly with the substrate.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein the first trim feature and the second trim feature are molded substantially in the assembled position.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein at least one of the first trim feature and the second trim feature is molded substantially out of the assembled position.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein the first trim feature is at least one of an impact bracket, a bolster, a speaker grille, and a pocket.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein an appearance of the first trim feature and an appearance of the second trim feature are different.

7. The system of claim 1 further comprising a variable length runner connected with the first trim feature and the second trim feature.

8. The system of claim 7 wherein a material of one of the first trim feature and the second trim feature and a material of a portion of the runner are different.

9. The system of claim 7 wherein the runner includes at least one of a bellows portion and a curved portion permitting the runner to have a variable length.

10. A trim system configured to be assembled in an assembled position with a vehicle door panel substrate having a plurality of receiving locators and a plurality of feature receiving portions, the system comprising: a feature locator being configured to locate the trim system relative to the substrate via one of the plurality of receiving locators; and a pair of trim features being associated with the feature locator, each of the pair of trim features being configured to be received by one of the plurality of feature receiving portions, the pair of trim features being hingedly moveable relative to each other in order to position the pair of trim features in the assembled position prior to locating the trim system relative to the substrate.

11. The system of claim 10 wherein at least one of the feature locator and the pair of trim features is molded substantially out of the assembled position.

12. The system of 10 wherein each of the pair of trim features is at least one of an impact bracket, a bolster, a speaker grille, and a pocket.

13. A trim system configured to be assembled in an assembled position with a vehicle door panel substrate having a plurality of feature receiving portions and a plurality of receiving locators, the system comprising: a plurality of feature locators, at least one of the plurality of feature locators being configured to locate the trim system relative to the substrate via one of the plurality of receiving locators; and a plurality of trim features each being connected with at least one of the plurality of feature locators, one of the plurality of trim features being moveable, after the trim system is located relative to the substrate, within one of the plurality of feature receiving portions and relative to the one of the plurality of receiving locators in order to position another one of the plurality of feature locators relative to another one of the plurality of receiving locators.

14. The system of claim 13 wherein the plurality of feature locators and the plurality of trim features are molded substantially in the assembled position.

15. The system of claim 13 wherein at least one of the plurality of feature locators and at least one of the plurality of trim features are molded substantially out of the assembled position.

16. The system of claim 13 wherein each of the plurality of trim features is at least one of an impact bracket, a bolster, a speaker grille, and a pocket.

17. The system of claim 13 further comprising a variable length runner connected with the one of the plurality of trim features, the one of the plurality of trim features being moveable within the one of the plurality of feature receiving portions via the variable length runner.

18. The system of claim 17 wherein a material of the one of the plurality of trim features and a material of a portion of the runner are different.

19. The system of claim 17 wherein the runner includes at least one of a bellows portion and a curved portion permitting the runner to have a variable length.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The invention generally relates to trim systems for vehicle doors.

SUMMARY

A trim system is configured to be assembled in an assembled position with a vehicle door panel substrate having a pluraity of feature receiving portions and a plurality of receiving locators. The system includes a plurality of feature locators. At least one of the plurality of feature locators is configured to locate the trim system relative to the substrate via one of the plurality of receiving locators. The system also includes a plurality of trim features each connected with at least one of the plurality of feature locators. One of the plurality of trim features is moveable, after the trim system is located relative to the one of the plurality of receiving locators in order to position another one of the plurality of feature locators relative to another one of the plurality of receiving locators.

A trim system is configured to be assembled in an assembled position with a vehicle door panel substrate having a plurality of receiving locators and a plurality of feature receiving portions. The system includes a feature locator configured to locate the trim system relative to the substrate via one of the plurality of receiving locators. The system also includes a pair of trim features associated with the feature locator. Each of the pair of trim features is configured to be received by one of the plurality of feature receiving portions. The pair of trim features are hingedly moveable relative to each other in order to position the pair of trim features in the assembled position prior to locating the trim system relative to the substrate.

A trim system is configured to be assembled in an assembled position with a vehicle door panel substrate having a first feature receiving portion and a second feature receiving portion. The system includes a first trim feature configured to be received by the first feature receiving portion and a second trim feature configured to be received by the second feature receiving portion. The second trim feature is moveable, after the first trim feature is assembled with the substrate, relative to the first trim feature and within the second feature receiving portion to position the second trim feature within the second feature receiving portion in the assembled position.

While exemplary embodiments in accordance with the invention are illustrated and disclosed, such disclosure should not be construed to limit the claims. It is anticipated that various modifications and alternative designs may be made without departing from the scope of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 a shows a trim system in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 1 b shows a front side of a substrate configured to receive the trim system of FIG. 1 a;

FIG. 1 c shows a back side of the substrate of FIG. 1 b;

FIG. 2 a shows a cross-section of a trim system in an as-molded position in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 b shows a cross-section of the trim system of FIG. 2 a in an assembled position in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3 a shows a cross-section of a trim system in an as-molded position in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3 b shows a cross-section of the trim system of FIG. 3 a in an assembled position in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4 a shows a portion of a trim system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 4 b and 4 c show the trim system of FIG. 4 a in further detail;

FIG. 4 d shows a cross-section of the trim system of FIG. 4 a in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 a shows a portion of a trim system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 b shows a cross-section of the trim system of FIG. 5 a in an as-molded position in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 c shows a cross-section of the trim system of FIG. 5 a in an assembled position in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 a shows a trim system in an as-molded position in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 6 b shows the trim system of FIG. 6 a in an assembled position in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 7 a shows a portion of a trim system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 7 b shows a portion of a trim system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1 a , 1 b , and 1 c show trim system 10 , e.g., cartridge, that may be assembled with vehicle door panel substrate 28 . Trim system 10 includes upper bolster 12 , arm rest 14 , lower bolster 16 , and side impact molding 18 . Trim system 10 also includes map pocket close-out 20 , speaker grill 22 , two-way slots 24 , and four-way round holes 26 . Two-way slots 24 and four-way round holes 26 are used to locate portions of trim system 10 to substrate 28 as will be explained in detail below.

FIG. 1 b shows the front side of substrate 28 . Substrate 28 includes upper bolster opening 30 , arm rest opening 32 , and lower bolster opening 34 . Substrate 28 also includes an area 36 supported by side impact molding 18 , map pocket close-out opening 38 , and speaker grill opening 40 . Once assembled, portions of upper bolster 12 , arm rest 14 , lower bolster 16 , speaker grille 22 , and map pocket close-out 20 are visible through openings 30 , 32 , 34 , 40 , and 38 or feature receiving portions, respectively.

FIG. 1 c shows the back side of substrate 28 . Substrate 28 includes receiving locators 42 , e.g., heat stakes, that, in combination with feature locators, e.g., two-way slots 24 and four-way round holes 26 , locate trim system 10 relative to substrate 28 .

When molding trim system 10 , manufacturing tolerances may cause two-way slots 24 and four-way round holes 26 associated with each of upper bolster 12 , arm rest 14 , lower bolster 16 , side impact molding 18 , map pocket close-out 20 , and speaker grille 22 to be out of position relative to respective heat stakes 42 associated with openings 30 , 32 , 34 , area 36 , and openings 38 , 40 . As a result, upper bolster 12 , arm rest 14 , lower bolster 16 , side impact molding 18 , map pocket close-out 20 , and speaker grille 22 are adjustable relative to each other as will be explained in detail below.

FIG. 2 a a shows a cross-section of trim system 10 taken along section line 2 a - 2 a of FIG. 1 a . In the embodiment of FIG. 2 a , these features are molded in different materials. As such, a knit line may occur in the connector, or tie, between these features. These features, however, may be molded in the same material.

Upper bolster 12 , arm rest 14 , and side impact molding 18 are shown in the as-molded position 44 . In the as-molded position 44 , axis 46 passes through each of upper bolster 12 , arm rest 14 , and side impact molding 18 as shown.

FIG. 2 b shows upper bolster 12 , arm rest 14 , and side impact molding 18 in assembled position 48 . Arm rest 14 has been rotated relative to upper bolster 12 and now rests at approximately a 90° angle from axis 46 . Side impact molding 18 has translated relative to its molded position 44 . Connectors between upper bolster 12 , arm rest 14 , and side impact molding 18 allow for such movement as will be explained in detail below.

FIG. 3 a shows a cross-section of an alternative trim system 10 ′ including upper bolster 12 ′, arm rest 14 ′, and side impact molding 18 ′ in molded position 44 ′.

FIG. 3 b shows upper bolster 12 ′, arm rest 14 ′, and side impact molding 18 ′ in another assembled position 48 ′. In this assembled position, side impact molding 18 ′ and arm rest 14 ′ are rotated relative to upper bolster 12 ′. Again, flexible connectors between upper bolster 12 ′, arm rest 14 ′, and side impact molding 18 ′ allow for such movement as will be explained in detail below.

FIG. 4 a shows the joint between upper bolster 12 and arm rest 14 . Upper bolster 12 includes upper bolster brim 50 , heat stake holes 52 , and kitting pin holes 54 . Substrate 28 further includes heat stakes (not shown) corresponding to holes 52 to facilitate attachment between trim system 10 and substrate 28 . Arm rest 14 includes kitting pins 56 .

Ribbon tie 58 connects upper bolster 12 with arm rest 14 . Ribbon tie 58 may be less than 1 mm thick, e.g., 0.5 mm. Ribbon tie 58 allows arm rest 14 to rotate relative to upper bolster 12 as shown in some of the previous Figures. Kitting pins 56 are snapped into kitting pin holes 54 thus holding arm rest 14 in place relative to upper bolster 12 as will be explained in detail below.

FIG. 4 b shows a portion of arm rest 14 . Kitting pins 56 are molded perpendicular to die draw in the parting line of its tool.

FIG. 4 c shows a kitting pin 56 in detail. Kitting pin 56 includes kitting pin flash 60 . Kitting pin flash 60 may be approximately 1 mm and, when inserted into a kitting pin hole 54 , may provide friction retention further holding arm rest 14 in place relative to upper bolster 12 .

FIG. 4 d shows a cross-section of upper bolster 12 and arm rest 14 taken along section line 4 d - 4 d of FIG. 4 a . Upper bolster 12 and arm rest 14 are shown in an assembled position where a kitting pin 56 is inserted into a respective kitting pin hole 54 of upper bolster brim 50 .

FIG. 5 a shows upper bolster 12 ′ and side impact molding 18 ′ in molded position 44 ′. Side impact molding 18 ′ includes side impact molding brim 62 and heat stake holes 52 . Ribbon tie 64 connects upper bolster 12 ′ to side impact molding 18 ′ and may be less than 1 mm thick, e.g., 0.5 mm.

FIG. 5 b shows a cross-section of upper bolster 12 ′ and side impact molding 18 ′ taken along section line 5 b - 5 b of FIG. 5 a . Side impact molding 18 ′ and upper bolster 12 ′ include holes 52 capable of receiving corresponding heat stakes of substrate 28 .

FIG. 5 c shows side impact molding 18 ′ in the as-kitted position, e.g., rotated 180° relative to upper bolster 12 ′. Side impact molding 18 ′ can be secured in place relative to upper bolster 12 ′ using heat stakes of substrate 28 inserted through holes 52 .

Referring to FIGS. 1 a , 1 b , and 1 c , lower bolster brim 68 , map pocket close-out brim 70 , speaker grille brim 72 , and variable length ties 74 are shown. Variable length ties 74 allow upper bolster 12 , lower bolster 16 , side impact molding 18 , map pocket close-out 20 , and speaker grille 22 to be positioned relative to one another as shown previously.

To assemble trim system 10 with substrate 28 , arm rest 14 would be rotated 90° relative to upper bolster 12 and secured in place via kitting pins 56 as explained with reference to FIGS. 4 a - 4 d . Four-way round hole 26 a would be inserted onto heat stake 42 a and two-way slot 24 b would be inserted onto heat stake 42 b . Manufacturing variability, however, may result in the rest of two-way slots 24 and four-way round holes 26 associated with lower bolster 16 , side impact molding 18 , map pocket close-out 20 , and speaker grille 22 to be misaligned relative to their respective heat stakes 42 of substrate 28 .

Variable length ties 74 allow lower bolster 16 , side impact molding 18 , map pocket close-out 20 , and speaker grille 22 to move relative to each other and relative to four-way round hole 26 and two-way slot 24 associated with upper bolster 12 such that the four-way round holes 26 and two-way slots 24 associated with each of lower bolster 16 , side impact molding 18 , map pocket close-out 20 , and speaker grille 22 may be aligned with their respective heat stakes 42 of substrate 28 .

With arm rest 14 rotated 90° relative to upper bolster 12 and secured in place as discussed above, lower bolster 16 can then be adjusted within opening 34 and placed onto appropriate heat stakes 42 followed by speaker grille 22 , map pocket close-out 20 , and side impact molding 18 .

FIG. 6 a shows portions of trim system 10 in as-molded position 44 . “L” is the distance between four-way round hole 26 a associated with upper bolster 12 and lower bolster 16 . “Q” is the distance between upper bolster 12 and lower bolster 16 .

FIG. 6 b shows portions of trim system 10 after assembly with substrate 28 . Distance “L” in the as-molded position 44 is less than distance “L” after assembly with substrate 28 . Distance “Q” in the as-molded position 44 is less than distance “Q” after assembly with substrate 28 .

FIG. 7 a shows a bellows configuration for a portion of tie 74 . This bellows configuration would allow features or locators connected with it to be adjustable. FIG. 7 b shows a curved configuration for a portion of tie 74 . This curved configuration would allow features or locators connected with it to be adjustable. Ties 74 , however, may have any suitable configuration, or be made from any suitable material, such as an elastomer, that would allow them to achieve a variable length.

System 10 may be molded using polypropylene (PP), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), or any other suitable material.

Sequential valve gates may be used to fill each part separately.

To provide a full or partial coverstock, e.g., cloth or vinyl, Low Pressure Molding (LPIM) or In Mold Lamination (IML) techniques can be employed. These techniques allow a combination of covered and uncovered surfaces on a single part or sequence of parts. In either case the coverstock is hung in the tool and resin injected behind it.

Two shot molding technology can further enhance the surface finishes available within system 10 . In this case, either a moving core or rotating cavity technology can be employed. The two shot technique provides for areas of soft surface resins to be molded over a structural surface and thus provides well supported but soft regions.

Multi barrel technology can be used to inject multiple resins having, for example, differing structural, tactile, or color qualities to enhance the perception of quality in a vehicle.

In the event that features are molded from chemically incompatible materials that will not bond, these features may be mechanically attached either during the molding process in the tool or manually by the use of snaps at the demolding or kitting table.

While embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described, it is not intended that these embodiments illustrate and describe all possible forms of the invention. Rather, the words used in the specification are words of description rather than limitation, and it is understood that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.