| Description |
|
Molded-in-Color IP with Seamless Passenger Side Airbag |
| OEM, Model, Model Year |
|
Hyundai, La Vita, 2001 |
| System Supplier, Contact, Phone |
|
Visteon Corporation/ Visteon Korea, D. J. Kim, (052)219-1003 |
| Molder/Processor |
|
Apollo |
| Toolmaker |
|
Hyundai Motor Company |
| Material Supplier, Contact and Phone |
|
LG Caltex Oil Ltd., Jaerim Choi, (042)866-1664 |
| Generic resin type |
|
PP + TF |
| Grade |
|
MT42 |
| OEM Engineer, Title and Phone |
|
Mr. Dong-Hee Hong, Senior VP, Ulsan R&D, Hyundai Motor Co. , (734)747-6600 |
| Nominated by, Company |
|
Cheryl L. Moore, Visteon Corporation |
| Address |
|
5500 Auto Club Drive, Dearborn, MI 48126 |
| Phone |
|
(313)755-1036 |
| Fax |
|
(313)755-1375 |
| Email |
|
cmoore10@visteon.com |
| Summary | | The seamless passenger side airbag door technology integrates the airbag door into the instrument panel by manufacturing it as one-piece component. A laser scoring method is used to define the tear seam. Weight Savings: N/A Cost Savings: N/A Cost Avoidance: Avoided the construction of two substrate injection tools for the HMC program. Cost estimate: $250,000.00 |
| Most Innovative Feature | | The innovation is the ability to provide a passenger airbag door integral to an automotive instrument panel; a continuous styled surface on the passenger side that is produced utilizing injection molding processes. |
| Other Innovative Features | | The seamless passenger side airbag door technology integrates the airbag door into the instrument panel by manufacturing it as one-piece component. |
| Forming Process | | The instrument panel and its integral airbag door are injection molded using a PP grade resin. |
| First time process used? | | YES |
| Previous Process Used | | Traditionally the passenger-side airbag door for a hard instrument panel is a separate piece assembled to the panel. The airbag door was molded in a TPE resin. |
| Tooling Innovations | | The door area in the injection molded instrument panel is weakened by a laser scoring method and a tear seam is defined. A polypropylene structural chute is welded to the substrate. |
| New Material Developments | | The LG PP resin was developed for the seamless airbag application. The material properties needed to meet laser scoring, welding and deployment requirements. |
| Weight Savings | | N/A |
| Direct Cost Savings | | N/A |
| Indirect Cost Savings | | The implementation of the passenger airbag door integral to the instrument panel avoided the construction of two substrate injection tools for the HMC program. Cost estimate: $250,000.00 |
| Direct Consumer Benefit | | Perfect color, gloss and texture match. Antitheft deterrent to the airbag module. The potential for squeak noise to occur from the separate airbag door and panel is eliminated. |
| Translates to other Vehicles? | | YES, the application of a molded in color instrument panel with a seamless passenger side airbag can be translated to other vehicle lines. |
| Safety Benefits | | N/A |
| Environmental Benefits | | The use of a common material for the I/P substrate and door simplify the potential to regrind PP resin and incorporate it into post-consumer use. |
| Additional Info | | The consumer benefits from the innovation by receiving a vehicle with and instrument panel that has a highly crafted appearance, a styled surface without the unsightly fit and finish associated with separate air bag doors. |