Abstract: An automobile storage system is disclosed. The system includes a base, a pair of opposed side walls, and an end wall. The system further includes an adjustable divider tray with a first segment and a second segment. The first segment is pivotally connected to the end wall or one of the side walls along a first hinge axis, and the first segment is pivotally connected to the second segment along a second hinge axis. The hinge axes are parallel. The tray has a closed position in which the tray divides the interior into a first compartment and a second compartment, the first compartment is accessible, and the divider tray is disposed between the access opening and the second compartment. The tray is movable away from the closed position to an open position in which the interior of the system functions as a unitary compartment.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an automotive instrument panel for eliminating distortion in an area of vibration welded air bags comprises: providing a weld fixture including at least one pre-stressor protrusion; placing the at least one pre-stressor protrusion against an instrument panel; generating a force to press the weld fixture against the instrument panel to create compression in a first surface of the instrument panel where the weld fixture contacts the instrument panel and to create tension in a second surface of the instrument panel, the second surface opposite to the first surface; and vibration welding an air bag chute to the instrument panel such that a weld bar of the air bag chute is welded to the second surface of the instrument panel.

Abstract: The invention provides for an apparatus and method for attaching a Passenger Side Inflatable Restraint (PSIR) chute. In one embodiment an automotive interior component comprises an automotive instrument panel having an outer surface and an inner surface. The automotive interior component further comprises an automotive PSIR hidden chute assembly contained behind the automotive instrument panel, wherein the PSIR hidden chute assembly has a chute and at least one PSIR door. The chute is connected to the inner surface of the automotive instrument panel. The automotive interior component further comprises a tuning clip connected to the chute and configured to engage the PSIR door. Engagement of the tuning clip to the PSIR door reduces deflection of the automotive instrument panel visible on the outer surface by biasing the PSIR door upward.

Abstract: An automotive Passenger Side Inflatable Restraint (PSIR) hidden door system contained in an automotive instrument panel and a method of scoring the PSIR door system. The system includes forward and rearward doors hingedly connected at first and second hinges, respectively, to a PSIR airbag chute. The system further includes a common tear line of reduced material thickness integrally joining the forward and rearward doors. The common tear line has a substantially non-linear shape with first and second linear ends.

Abstract: A method of producing tight bezel fits between automotive interior panels and their mating subcomponents. The method includes forming at laminate preform, injection molding a substrate layer behind the laminate preform to form a molded automotive interior panel, and forming an opening in the molded automotive interior panel. The method further includes post embossing the molded automotive interior panel adjacent a perimeter of the opening to produce an embossed interface between the molded automotive interior panel and a mating subcomponent installed in the opening, thereby producing a tight bezel fit between the molded automotive interior panel and the mating subcomponent installed in the opening. Alternatively, the method includes utilizing a vacuum wrapped automotive interior panel with the embossing step described above. The invention also provides for an automotive interior panel including a tight bezel fit between the panel and mating subcomponents, formed by the aforementioned methods.

Abstract: An automotive PSIR hidden chute assembly contained behind an automotive instrument panel. The PSIR may include chute forward and rearward doors, first and second chute flanges, and an instrument panel, each constructed of a first hard material, and first and second chute hinges, first and second chute sidewalls and a chute end wall, each constructed of a second tough ductile material, such that the first material and the second material have different thermal expansion properties and different elastic modulus properties.

Abstract: A vehicle trim panel is illuminated from behind to create an illuminated design (e.g., logo and/or lettering) includes a transparent layer and an opaque layer with an opening(s) in the shape of the design. An opaque or partially opaque design piece may be placed over the opening(s) in the opaque layer and be lit around its edges. The vehicle trim panel may be formed by forming a panel with a transparent layer and an opaque layer. An opening in the opaque layer may be formed by removing opaque material (e.g., by machining or laser etching) or by masking (the mask is placed between the opaque layer and transparent layer and removed taking a portion of the opaque layer with it). A design piece may be placed over the location of the opening in the opaque layer.

Abstract: An automotive center console lid/armrest slide bracing system comprising a center console lid/armrest including a lid/armrest cover having a nose portion, a lid/armrest base, and a linear slide. The lid/armrest cover has at least one first wedge surface inside the lid/armrest cover that engages at least one first corresponding wedge surface on the lid/armrest base, when the center console lid/armrest is positioned fully rearward to lock the nose of the lid/armrest cover up and down to resist higher loading requirements when open.

Abstract: A glove box hinge mechanism may include a plurality of linkages pivotally attaching a glove box to a vehicle dashboard structure. The linkages may be configured to pivot and translate the glove box upwards and outwards, limiting downward travel of the glove box. At least one torque tube may extend between the plurality of linkages to coordinate movement of the linkages. The torque tube may rotate with the plurality of linkages. A striker may be affixed to the torque tube so that the striker rotates towards a latch when the glove box is closed and so that the striker rotates to provide unobstructed access to the glove box in the open position.

Abstract: The invention provides for a multi-layer automotive interior component and method of making the same. The multi-layer automotive interior component comprises a skin layer having an exterior portion and an underside portion, where the exterior portion is visible. The multi-layer automotive interior component further comprises a foam dam formed on the underside portion of the skin layer, a cantilevered skin portion extending from the foam dam, a substrate disposed opposite the underside portion of the skin layer, and a foam layer between the substrate and the underside portion of the skin layer. The foam layer is limited by the foam dam, and the foam layer is substantially uniform.

Abstract: The invention provides for an apparatus and method for attaching a Passenger Side Inflatable Restraint (PSIR) chute. In one embodiment an automotive interior component comprises an automotive instrument panel having an outer surface and an inner surface. The automotive interior component further comprises an automotive PSIR hidden chute assembly contained behind the automotive instrument panel, wherein the PSIR hidden chute assembly has a chute and at least one PSIR door. The chute is connected to the inner surface of the automotive instrument panel. The automotive interior component further comprises a tuning clip connected to the chute and configured to engage the PSIR door. Engagement of the tuning clip to the PSIR door reduces deflection of the automotive instrument panel visible on the outer surface by biasing the PSIR door upward.

Abstract: The invention provides for an automotive interior component and method of making the same. The automotive interior component comprises a dock for receiving an object, a holder for receiving the dock and configured to movably store the dock, and a light source operatively connected to the dock. The light source provides continuous illumination of the dock as the dock moves from the holder to a deployed position, allowing ease of visible location and augmenting visual appeal of an automotive interior.

Abstract: A method of producing tight bezel fits between automotive interior panels and their mating subcomponents. The method includes forming at laminate preform, injection molding a substrate layer behind the laminate preform to form a molded automotive interior panel, and forming an opening in the molded automotive interior panel. The method further includes post embossing the molded automotive interior panel adjacent a perimeter of the opening to produce an embossed interface between the molded automotive interior panel and a mating subcomponent installed in the opening, thereby producing a tight bezel fit between the molded automotive interior panel and the mating subcomponent installed in the opening. Alternatively, the method includes utilizing a vacuum wrapped automotive interior panel with the embossing step described above. The invention also provides for an automotive interior panel including a tight bezel fit between the panel and mating subcomponents, formed by the aforementioned methods.

Abstract: An automotive interior component including an airbag chute having at least one weld bar, and a pre-stressed instrument panel having a substrate layer for bonding to the weld bar. The pre-stressing provides tensile stress at weld bar bonding areas to reduce any deformation visible on an exposed surface of the instrument panel.

Abstract: A trapezoidal automotive PSIR door system including one or more lateral doors including two or more tear lines disposed at first and second oblique angles relative to a longitudinal direction of an automobile. The PSIR door system further includes a forward door including one or more tear lines in common with one of the lateral door tear lines, and a rearward door including one or more tear lines in common with another one of the lateral door tear lines.

Abstract: A windshield closeout system including an instrument panel having a reaction injection molded skin layer, and a closeout component including a resiliently biased closeout section extending from and integrally formed with the skin layer. The closeout section may be biased upwards in a predetermined direction for contiguous engagement with a windshield upon installation of the instrument panel relative to the windshield.

Abstract: An automotive airbag system including a PSIR chute having a door end, and first and portions. The door end of the PSIR chute may include one or more openings, and a door may be connected to the door end of the PSIR chute. The door may include an inner edge and an outer edge, with the inner edge providing an axis about which the outer edge rotates upon deployment of an airbag. The inner edge may also include one or more tabs configured to pass through the opening of the PSIR chute and extend from the door area of the PSIR chute to a weld flange area of the PSIR chute. For the airbag system configured as discussed above, translation of the inner edge of the door is limited by the tab.

Abstract: A method of producing tight bezel fits between automotive interior panels and their mating subcomponents. The method includes forming at laminate preform, injection molding a substrate layer behind the laminate preform to form a molded automotive interior panel, and forming an opening in the molded automotive interior panel. The method further includes post embossing the molded automotive interior panel adjacent a perimeter of the opening to produce an embossed interface between the molded automotive interior panel and a mating subcomponent installed in the opening, thereby producing a tight bezel fit between the molded automotive interior panel and the mating subcomponent installed in the opening. Alternatively, the method includes utilizing a vacuum wrapped automotive interior panel with the embossing step described above. The invention also provides for an automotive interior panel including a tight bezel fit between the panel and mating subcomponents, formed by the aforementioned methods.

Abstract: A method of molding a composite structure of a polymeric preformed skin with tightly radiused features and a polymeric foam body is provided. The method includes providing a mold cavity having a first edge; placing the preformed skin in the mold cavity with a preformed first edge of the preformed skin adjacent to the first edge of the mold cavity; heating the preformed skin adjacent the first edge; exposing the first edge to a vacuum to reform the preformed skin first edge to be adjacent the mold cavity first edge and injecting a foam polymeric material into the mold.

Abstract: A method of molding a composite structure of a polymeric preformed skin with tightly radiused features and a polymeric foam body is provided. The method includes providing a mold cavity having a first edge; placing the preformed skin in the mold cavity with a preformed first edge of the preformed skin adjacent to the first edge of the mold cavity; heating the preformed skin adjacent the first edge; exposing the first edge to a vacuum to reform the preformed skin first edge to be adjacent the mold cavity first edge and injecting a foam polymeric material into the mold.