Abstract: An automated method and system for making painted vehicle body panel skins and vehicle body panels, such as instrument panels, are provided wherein throughput and equipment utilization are greatly improved at a relatively low cost. The method includes transferring a mold having a mold surface from an entrance station to a paint station within a dispensing area. The method further includes applying paint on the mold surface to form a layer of paint on the mold surface at the paint station. The method still further includes spraying curable polyurethane elastomer on the painted surface at a spray station within the dispensing area. The paint and spray stations may be coincident.

Abstract: An automated method and system for making painted vehicle body panel skins and vehicle body panels, such as instrument panels, are provided wherein throughput and equipment utilization are greatly improved at a relatively low cost. The method includes transferring a mold having a mold surface from an entrance station to a paint station within a dispensing area. The method further includes applying paint on the mold surface to form a layer of paint on the mold surface at the paint station. The method still further includes spraying curable polyurethane elastomer on the painted surface at a spray station within the dispensing area. The paint and spray stations may be coincident.

Abstract: A system for controlling air flowing into a passenger compartment of a vehicle is provided. The system includes an air outlet assembly including a housing having an airway and one or more air-directing members mounted for movement within the airway. An actuator assembly moves each air-directing member in the airway. A discrete, touch-sensitive surface area functions as a user touch interface control. A touch sensor detects a touch input when a person is touching the surface area or is close to touching the surface area. Control logic is operative to determine a desired value for the position of each air-directing member in the airway as a function of the detected touch input and generates a position control signal based on the desired value. The actuator assembly moves its air-directing member to a desired position in the airway based on the position control signal.

Abstract: An automated method and system for making painted vehicle body panel skins and vehicle body panels. The method includes transferring a mold having a mold surface from an entrance station to a paint station within a dispensing area. The method further includes applying paint on the mold surface to form a layer of paint on the mold surface at the paint station. The method still further includes spraying curable polyurethane elastomer on the painted surface at a spray station within the dispensing area. The paint and spray stations may be coincident. The method still further includes, after the step of spraying and while the polyurethane elastomer is uncured, transferring the mold with the paint and the uncured polyurethane elastomer from the spray station to at least one accumulator station in a curing area to allow the polyurethane elastomer to completely cure in the mold and form the skin.

Abstract: An automated method and system for making painted vehicle body panel skins and vehicle body panels, such as instrument panels, are provided wherein throughput and equipment utilization are greatly improved at a relatively low cost. The method includes transferring a mold having a mold surface from an entrance station to a paint station within a dispensing area. The method further includes applying paint on the mold surface to form a layer of paint on the mold surface at the paint station. The method still further includes spraying curable polyurethane elastomer on the painted surface at a spray station within the dispensing area. The paint and spray stations may be coincident.

Abstract: An automated method and system for making painted vehicle body panel skins and vehicle body panels. The method includes transferring a mold having a mold surface from an entrance station to a paint station within a dispensing area. The method further includes applying paint on the mold surface to form a layer of paint on the mold surface at the paint station. The method still further includes spraying curable polyurethane elastomer on the painted surface at a spray station within the dispensing area. The paint and spray stations may be coincident. The method still further includes, after the step of spraying and while the polyurethane elastomer is uncured, transferring the mold with the paint and the uncured polyurethane elastomer from the spray station to at least one accumulator station in a curing area to allow the polyurethane elastomer to completely cure in the mold and form the skin.

Abstract: A plastic part such as an automotive vehicle interior plastic part having a dampening support surface is provided. The surface is capable of wirelessly and conductively allowing electrical signals including power signals to travel between the part and an electrical device such as a cell phone arbitrarily positioned and supported on the surface during vehicle motion.

Abstract: A system for controlling air flowing into a passenger compartment of a vehicle is provided. The system includes an air outlet assembly including a housing having an airway and one or more air-directing members mounted for movement within the airway. An actuator assembly moves each air-directing member in the airway. A discrete, touch-sensitive surface area functions as a user touch interface control. A touch sensor detects a touch input when a person is touching the surface area or is close to touching the surface area. Control logic is operative to determine a desired value for the position of each air-directing member in the airway as a function of the detected touch input and generates a position control signal based on the desired value. The actuator assembly moves its air-directing member to a desired position in the airway based on the position control signal.

Abstract: An assembly having a support surface capable of simultaneously supporting and wirelessly supplying electrical power to a portable electronic device supported on the support surface is provided. The assembly includes first and second members each of which is formed as a unitary molded part from at least one plastic formulated with an electrically conductive filler in a molding process. The members are assembled together so that a first set of surface portions of the first member are spaced apart and electrically isolated from a second set of surface portions of the second member to at least partially define the support surface and to allow the first and second sets of surface portions to be biased at first and second different voltage levels, respectively, at the same time to allow the wireless power transfer.

Abstract: An automotive vehicle interior plastic part having a vibration and shock damping support surface capable of wirelessly supplying electrical power to a supported electronic device during vehicle motion is provided. A part of the surface includes first and second sets of conductive, anti-vibration and anti-shock thermoplastic pads. Another part of the surface includes a non-conductive or insulating, unitary, anti-vibration and anti-shock plastic substrate bonded to the different sets of pads. The substrate electrically insulates the first set of pads from the second set of pads. A power source coupling includes first and second conductive power traces. The first trace is electrically coupled to each of the first set of pads and the second trace is electrically coupled to each of the second set of pads. The first and second traces form separate conductive pathways and are operable for biasing the different sets of pads at different voltage levels.

Abstract: A plastic part such as an automotive vehicle interior plastic part having a dampening support surface is provided. The surface is capable of wirelessly and conductively allowing electrical signals including power signals to travel between the part and an electrical device such as a cell phone arbitrarily positioned and supported on the surface during vehicle motion.

Abstract: An automated method and system for making painted vehicle body panel skins and vehicle body panels, such as instrument panels, are provided wherein throughput and equipment utilization are greatly improved at a relatively low cost. The method includes transferring a mold having a mold surface from an entrance station to a paint station within a dispensing area. The method further includes applying paint on the mold surface to form a layer of paint on the mold surface at the paint station. The method still further includes spraying curable polyurethane elastomer on the painted surface at a spray station within the dispensing area. The paint and spray stations may be coincident.

Abstract: An assembly having a support surface capable of simultaneously supporting and wirelessly supplying electrical power to a portable electronic device supported on the support surface is provided. The assembly includes first and second members each of which is formed as a unitary molded part from at least one plastic formulated with an electrically conductive filler in a molding process. The members are assembled together so that a first set of surface portions of the first member are spaced apart and electrically isolated from a second set of surface portions of the second member to at least partially define the support surface and to allow the first and second sets of surface portions to be biased at first and second different voltage levels, respectively, at the same time to allow the wireless power transfer.

Abstract: An automotive vehicle interior plastic part having a vibration and shock damping support surface capable of wirelessly supplying electrical power to a supported electronic device during vehicle motion is provided. A part of the surface includes first and second sets of conductive, anti-vibration and anti-shock thermoplastic pads. Another part of the surface includes a non-conductive or insulating, unitary, anti-vibration and anti-shock plastic substrate bonded to the different sets of pads. The substrate electrically insulates the first set of pads from the second set of pads. A power source coupling includes first and second conductive power traces. The first trace is electrically coupled to each of the first set of pads and the second trace is electrically coupled to each of the second set of pads. The first and second traces form separate conductive pathways and are operable for biasing the different sets of pads at different voltage levels.

Abstract: A kit and shelving system to store work tools, equipment and supplies in a motor vehicle and plastic shelves for use therein are provided. Each of the shelves includes a reinforced composite panel of the cellular core sandwich-type. Each of the panels has front, back and side edge portions. Each of the shelves includes a first shelf support having an outer facing surface and an inner channel dimensioned to receive and retain a first one of the edge portions of the panel. The first edge portion of the panel is bonded to the first shelf support within the inner channel.

Abstract: An automated method and system for making painted vehicle body panel skins and vehicle body panels, such as instrument panels, are provided wherein throughput and equipment utilization are greatly improved at a relatively low cost. The method includes transferring a mold having a mold surface from an entrance station to a paint station within a dispensing area. The method further includes applying paint on the mold surface to form a layer of paint on the mold surface at the paint station. The method still further includes spraying curable polyurethane elastomer on the painted surface at a spray station within the dispensing area. The paint and spray stations may be coincident.

Abstract: A method and system for making plastic cellular parts and thermoplastic composite articles utilizing the cellular parts are provided. The method includes providing a mold having a mold cavity with an interior surface to define the shape of the cellular part and at least one resin flow path extending from an outer surface of the mold to the mold cavity. The method further includes providing first and second sets of projections or pins. The first set of projections extend into the mold cavity from a first direction and the second set of projections extend into the mold cavity from a second direction opposite the first direction. The projections define cells which open to opposing outer surfaces of the cellular part. The method still further includes filling the mold cavity, with the projections extending into the mold cavity, with molten plastic resin from the at least one resin flow path and removing the cellular part from the mold cavity of the mold after the cellular part hardens.

Abstract: A kit from which a plurality of parts are selected and arranged in a cargo vehicle to obtain bulkhead assembly for the cargo vehicle is provided. The assembly partitions or divides a cargo area from a driver area in the vehicle. The kit includes a reinforced composite first panel of a cellular core sandwich-type for positioning proximate a first side of and within the vehicle. The kit also includes a reinforced composite second panel of a cellular core sandwich-type. The second panel includes a first portion for positioning proximate a second side of and within the vehicle, a door portion disposed between the first panel and the first portion and a living hinge portion disposed between the first and door portions to allow the door portion of the second panel to pivot between open and closed positions to allow the driver to move between the areas in the open position of the door portion.

Abstract: A kit from which a plurality of parts are selected and arranged in a cargo vehicle to obtain bulkhead assembly for the cargo vehicle is provided. The assembly partitions or divides a cargo area from a driver area in the vehicle. The kit includes a reinforced composite first panel of a cellular core sandwich-type for positioning proximate a first side of and within the vehicle. The kit also includes a reinforced composite second panel of a cellular core sandwich-type. The second panel includes a first portion for positioning proximate a second side of and within the vehicle, a door portion disposed between the first panel and the first portion and a living hinge portion disposed between the first and door portions to allow the door portion of the second panel to pivot between open and closed positions to allow the driver to move between the areas in the open position of the door portion.

Abstract: A kit and shelving system to store work tools, equipment and supplies in a motor vehicle and plastic shelves for use therein are provided. Each of the shelves includes a reinforced composite panel of the cellular core sandwich-type. Each of the panels has front, back and side edge portions. Each of the shelves includes a first shelf support having an outer facing surface and an inner channel dimensioned to receive and retain a first one of the edge portions of the panel. The first edge portion of the panel is bonded to the first shelf support within the inner channel.