Four-component armrest assembly and method of manufacturing same

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10336228-B2
Application number	US-201715458069-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Mar 14, 2017
Priority date	Mar 14, 2017
Publication date	Jul 2, 2019
Grant date	Jul 2, 2019

Abstract

An armrest assembly includes a support substrate, a fabric layer stretching across a receiver of the support substrate and a matrix interface connecting the fabric layer to the support substrate. A cushion overlies the fabric layer and the receiver and a coverstock conceals the cushion and the fabric layer while closing the receiver. A method of producing the armrest assembly is also disclosed.

First claim

What is claimed:

1. An armrest subassembly, comprising:
a support substrate including a receiver defined within an upstanding upper lip;
a fabric layer stretching across said receiver; and
a matrix interface connecting said fabric layer to said support substrate, wherein said matrix interface includes a portion of said fabric layer impregnated with resin of said support substrate.

2. The armrest subassembly of claim 1 , wherein said matrix interface extends continuously around a peripheral margin of said fabric layer.

3. The armrest subassembly of claim 2 wherein said receiver includes a bottom wall at least partially underlying said fabric layer.

4. The armrest subassembly of claim 3 , wherein bottom wall includes a continuous perimeter shoulder contiguous with the matrix interface.

5. An armrest assembly, comprising:
a support substrate including a receiver defined within an upstanding outer lip;
a fabric layer stretching across said receiver;
a matrix interface connecting said fabric layer to said support substrate, said matrix interface includes a portion of said fabric layer impregnated with a resin of said support substrate;
a cushion overlying said fabric layer on said receiver; and
a coverstock concealing said cushion and said fabric layer and closing said receiver.

6. The armrest assembly of claim 1 , wherein said matrix interface extends continuously around a peripheral margin of said fabric layer.

7. The armrest assembly of claim 6 , wherein said receiver includes a bottom wall at least partially underlying said fabric layer.

8. The armrest assembly of claim 7 , wherein said bottom wall includes a continuous perimeter shoulder contiguous with said matrix interface.

9. The armrest assembly of claim 8 , wherein said bottom wall further includes at least one support section spanning said continuous perimeter shoulder.

10. The armrest assembly of claim 9 , wherein said continuous perimeter shoulder and said at least one support section define a plurality of relief openings underlying said fabric layer.

11. An armrest assembly, comprising:
a support substrate including a receiver;
a fabric layer stretching across said receiver, wherein said receiver includes a bottom wall at least partially underlying said fabric layer;
a matrix interface connecting said fabric layer to said support substrate, wherein said matrix interface includes a portion of said fabric layer impregnated with a resin of said support substrate, wherein said matrix interface extends continuously around a peripheral margin of said fabric layer, and wherein said bottom wall includes a continuous perimeter shoulder contiguous with said matrix interface;
a cushion overlying said fabric layer on said receiver; and
a coverstock concealing said cushion and said fabric layer and closing said receiver.

Assignees

• Ford Global Tech Llc
• Ford Global Tech Pllc

Inventors

• Memetla Martinez Humberto

Classifications

• B29K2913/00

  Use of textile products or fabrics as mould materials · CPC title

• B60N2/75 Primary

  Arm-rests · CPC title

• B29L2031/3026

  Arm-rests · CPC title

• B29C70/48

  and impregnating the reinforcements in the closed mould, e.g. resin transfer moulding [RTM] {, e.g. by vacuum} · CPC title

• B29C70/46

  using matched moulds, e.g. for deforming sheet moulding compounds [SMC] or prepregs · CPC title