Abstract: Embodiments include a plasma processing method for cleaning polymer byproducts from interior surfaces of the plasma chamber. In an embodiment the plasma process may include processing a workpiece in a plasma processing chamber. Thereafter, the method may include removing the workpiece from the processing chamber. After the workpiece is removed, embodiments may include cleaning the plasma processing chamber with a cleaning process that includes a high pressure cleaning process, a first low pressure cleaning process, and a second low pressure cleaning process, wherein the second low pressure cleaning process includes applying a pulsed bias.

Abstract: A collapsible vehicular armrest substrate includes load-bearing strips extending across a gap defined within a support frame. A first tunable element secures the load-bearing strips in a support position on the support frame. A first tension-adjusting portion sets a predetermined first tension limit of the first tunable element. The load-bearing strips disengage from the support position when the first tunable element experiences an actual tension greater than the predetermined first tension limit.

Abstract: A vehicle door assembly may include an interior door panel having an armrest, the armrest having a handle defining an opening therein and a receptacle arranged below the armrest and configured to be selectively arranged under the handle to create a repository within the opening to receive objects.

Abstract: A collapsible vehicular armrest substrate includes load-bearing strips extending across a gap defined within a support frame. A first tunable element secures the load-bearing strips in a support position on the support frame. A first tension-adjusting portion sets a predetermined first tension limit of the first tunable element. The load-bearing strips disengage from the support position when the first tunable element experiences an actual tension greater than the predetermined first tension limit.

Abstract: A composite applique assembly for a vehicle interior trim piece includes a flexible receiver element and a flexible insert connected to the flexible receiver element by a sliding joint. An end of the flexible receiver element is fixedly connected to a vehicle door element. An end of the flexible insert opposite to the flexible receiver element end is fixedly connected to a vehicle door element. The flexible receiver element defines an internal channel configured for slidingly receiving the flexible insert therein. The flexible receiver element further defines at least a partial-length slot providing fluid communication with the internal channel.

Abstract: A vehicle door assembly includes a door and a trim panel. The trim panel has a mount defining an aperture with a main portion and a keyway. A clip of the assembly includes a base connected to the door, a primary retainer, and a secondary retainer. The primary retainer is configured to extend through the aperture and engage with a periphery of the main portion. The secondary retainer is configured to extend through the aperture and to freely release through the aperture when the secondary retainer is disposed in the main portion allowing the clip to disconnect from the trim panel, and is configured to engage with the mount preventing release of the clip from the trim panel when the secondary retainer is disposed in the keyway.

Abstract: A vehicle armrest includes a unitary frame defining a horizontal portion having a thinner pliable body and a thicker stiffer perimeter surrounding the body, and first and second vertical portions extending in opposite directions from ends of the horizontal portion. The first vertical portion abuts an inner doorframe, and the horizontal and first vertical portions define a cavity configured to retain a cushion over the body. The vehicle armrest further includes a cover layer over the cushion and frame.

Abstract: An assembly includes a door trim panel, and an armrest assembly supported by the door trim panel. The armrest assembly includes a crushable member. The crushable member includes a substrate defining a gap extending through the substrate. The crushable member includes a plug disposed in the gap and fixed to the substrate on a perimeter of the gap. The substrate is rigid relative to the plug.

Abstract: A vehicle armrest includes a unitary frame defining a horizontal portion having a thinner pliable body and a thicker stiffer perimeter surrounding the body, and first and second vertical portions extending in opposite directions from ends of the horizontal portion. The first vertical portion abuts an inner doorframe, and the horizontal and first vertical portions define a cavity configured to retain a cushion over the body. The vehicle armrest further includes a cover layer over the cushion and frame.

Abstract: A composite applique assembly for a vehicle interior trim piece includes a flexible receiver element and a flexible insert connected to the flexible receiver element by a sliding joint. An end of the flexible receiver element is fixedly connected to a vehicle door element. An end of the flexible insert opposite to the flexible receiver element end is fixedly connected to a vehicle door element. The flexible receiver element defines an internal channel configured for slidingly receiving the flexible insert therein. The flexible receiver element further defines at least a partial-length slot providing fluid communication with the internal channel.

Abstract: A vehicle door assembly includes a door and a trim panel. The trim panel has a mount defining an aperture with a main portion and a keyway. A clip of the assembly includes a base connected to the door, a primary retainer, and a secondary retainer. The primary retainer is configured to extend through the aperture and engage with a periphery of the main portion. The secondary retainer is configured to extend through the aperture and to freely release through the aperture when the secondary retainer is disposed in the main portion allowing the clip to disconnect from the trim panel, and is configured to engage with the mount preventing release of the clip from the trim panel when the secondary retainer is disposed in the keyway.

Abstract: A vehicle door includes a door inner and a trim panel fixed to the door inner. An energy absorber having a vehicle-rearward end and a vehicle-forward end is disposed between the door inner and the trim panel and elongated in a vehicle-forward direction from the vehicle-rearward end to the vehicle-forward end. The energy absorber includes a first energy-absorbing component defining a cavity facing the trim panel, and a second energy-absorbing component disposed in the cavity. The energy absorber has a stiffness that decreases in the vehicle-forward direction.

Abstract: A door assembly for a vehicle includes a door panel and a door trim panel comprising a shaped pelvic load path energy-absorbing feature disposed on a door panel-facing surface of the door trim panel. The shaped pelvic load path energy-absorbing feature is defined by a plurality of stepped surfaces, which in turn may define as various cross-sectional shapes for the shaped pelvic load path energy-absorbing feature.

Abstract: A collapsible vehicle armrest includes an armrest substrate extending between a door frame and a door trim and defining an opening therebetween. The opening has a longitudinal axis substantially parallel with the door frame. A plurality of support bands extends co-planar across the opening and parallel with the longitudinal axis. A plurality of stubs extends across each gap defined between adjacent support bands. Each stub is free of alignment with each other of the plurality of stubs in a direction perpendicular to the plurality of support bands. A cover member extends over the armrest substrate and the plurality of support bands, wherein the cover member is vertically supported proximate the opening by the plurality of parallel support bands and the plurality of stubs.

Abstract: A heat stake for a plastic part includes a body having a proximal end, a flared section and a distal end. The proximal end has a first cross-sectional area A1 and the flared section has a second cross-sectional area A2 where A1<A2. The distal end has a dual taper. That plastic part incorporating the heat stake is also disclosed.

Abstract: A vehicle armrest including a fabric member tensioned across a gap defined between inner and outer armrest substrates that are formed around a portion of the fabric member. At least one buckling member extends across the gap between the inner and outer armrest substrates and a cover member extends over and vertically supported by the fabric member.

Abstract: A door assembly for a vehicle includes a door panel and a door trim panel comprising a shaped pelvic load path energy-absorbing feature disposed on a door panel-facing surface of the door trim panel. The shaped pelvic load path energy-absorbing feature is defined by a plurality of stepped surfaces, which in turn may define as various cross-sectional shapes for the shaped pelvic load path energy-absorbing feature.

Abstract: A composite applique assembly for a vehicle interior trim piece includes a flexible receiver element and a flexible insert connected to the flexible receiver element by a sliding joint. An end of the flexible receiver element is fixedly connected to a vehicle door element. An end of the flexible insert opposite to the flexible receiver element end is fixedly connected to a vehicle door element. The flexible receiver element defines an internal channel configured for slidingly receiving the flexible insert therein. The flexible receiver element further defines at least a partial-length slot providing fluid communication with the internal channel.

Abstract: A composite applique assembly for a vehicle interior trim piece includes a flexible receiver element and a flexible insert connected to the flexible receiver element by a sliding joint. An end of the flexible receiver element is fixedly connected to a vehicle door element. An end of the flexible insert opposite to the flexible receiver element end is fixedly connected to a vehicle door element. The flexible receiver element defines an internal channel configured for slidingly receiving the flexible insert therein. The flexible receiver element further defines at least a partial-length slot providing fluid communication with the internal channel.

Abstract: A trim assembly is provided. That trim assembly includes a trim applique having a mounting boss and a hook. The trim assembly also includes a bezel having a recess and a window. When properly assembled, the hook on the trim applique is received through the window of the bezel and the mounting boss on the trim applique is received in the recess of the bezel.