Window surround module
AssigneeMagna Mirrors of America, Inc.
InventorsIan Boddy, Peter John Ellis
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A window surround module (10) for installation to the perimeter of a window opening (120, 248) in a motor vehicle door panel (118, 244) comprises individual window surround components that are fabricated into a unitary structure. The individual components include two or more of a header molding (16, 130), a bell molding (18, 132), a mirror base (12, 28, 140), a B-pillar trim piece (14, 134), a glass run channel (150, 260), a wire harness (264), a wire harness support (262), seals (24, 200, 202, 2004), a mirror (30, 114), and a window (122, 246). At least some of the components are molded together to form a unit to which other components are mounted.
Claims8
A method of fabricating a window surround module, including a header molding, a belt molding, a glass run channel, and a mirror base, for installation around a window opening in a motor vehicle door panel utilizing a mold assembly having a mold section including a cooling surface, the method comprising the steps of:
- molding the header molding and belt molding using a thermoplastic material having a first melting temperature;
- cooling the cooling surface associated with the formation of the header molding and the belt molding;
- molding the mirror base and the glass run channel using a thermoplastic material having a second melting temperature greater than the first melting temperature;
- maintaining the header molding and belt molding at a temperature below the first melting temperature while the thermoplastic material for the mirror base and the glass run channel is heated to the second melting temperature;
- and
- removing the window surround module from the mold.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.