Method of forming multi-component instrument panel skin using negative vacuum forming
First Claim
1. A method of forming a multi-component skin for an instrument panel assembly comprising:
- providing a negative vacuum forming tool adapted to form an instrument panel skin into a predetermined shape;
providing at least one skin element, being formed from a first material, and placing the at least one skin element within the negative vacuum forming tool;
securing the at least one skin element within the negative vacuum forming tool;
providing an instrument panel skin, being formed from a second material, heating the instrument panel skin, and placing the instrument panel skin within the negative vacuum forming tool, on top of the at least one skin element;
activating the negative vacuum forming tool to suck the instrument panel skin against the negative vacuum forming tool, wherein the instrument panel skin molds to the shape of the negative vacuum forming tool and around the skin element; and
allowing the instrument panel skin and the skin element to cool and removing the multi-component instrument panel skin from the negative vacuum forming tool.
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Abstract
A method of forming a multi-component skin for an instrument panel assembly includes providing a negative vacuum forming tool adapted to form an instrument panel skin into a predetermined shape; providing a skin element, made from a first material, placing the skin element within the negative vacuum forming tool and securing the skin element therein; providing an instrument panel skin, made from a second material, heating the instrument panel skin, and placing the instrument panel skin within the negative vacuum forming tool, on top of the skin element; activating the negative vacuum forming tool to suck the instrument panel skin against the negative vacuum forming tool, wherein the instrument panel skin molds to the shape of the negative vacuum forming tool and around the skin element; and allowing the instrument panel skin and the skin element to cool and removing the multi-component instrument panel skin from the negative vacuum forming tool.
19 Citations
15 Claims
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1. A method of forming a multi-component skin for an instrument panel assembly comprising:
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providing a negative vacuum forming tool adapted to form an instrument panel skin into a predetermined shape;
providing at least one skin element, being formed from a first material, and placing the at least one skin element within the negative vacuum forming tool;
securing the at least one skin element within the negative vacuum forming tool;
providing an instrument panel skin, being formed from a second material, heating the instrument panel skin, and placing the instrument panel skin within the negative vacuum forming tool, on top of the at least one skin element;
activating the negative vacuum forming tool to suck the instrument panel skin against the negative vacuum forming tool, wherein the instrument panel skin molds to the shape of the negative vacuum forming tool and around the skin element; and
allowing the instrument panel skin and the skin element to cool and removing the multi-component instrument panel skin from the negative vacuum forming tool. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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Specification