Adjustable panel closure bumpers incorporating shape memory polymers

A method of installing and setting an adjustable bumper adapted for attachment to either of a vehicle body or a closure panel, the bumper having an initial height, greater than a set height, and comprising a mounting feature attached to an end of shape memory polymer (SMP) portion with a height and a transition temperature, the SMP portion having an opposing end attached to an end of an elastomeric portion, the elastomeric portion having an opposing end for contacting a surface of a vehicle body or a surface of a closure panel to maintain a predetermined spacing between a surface of a vehicle body and an opposing surface of an opposed closure panel, the method comprising:

• securing the mounting feature of the adjustable bumper to either of the vehicle body or closure panel without contacting the surface of the opposing closure panel or vehicle body with the opposing end of the polymer portion;
• heating at least the SMP portion to its transition temperature;
• then
• forcibly rotating the closure panel in a direction suitable for bringing the surfaces of the vehicle body and closure panel to the predetermined spacing so that one or other of the vehicle body or closure panel surfaces is brought into contact with the opposing end of the elastomeric portion and, under continuing rotation, compressing the bumper to reduce its height to the set height by deforming at least the SMP portion of the bumper so that it adopts a deformed shape;
• then
• cooling at least the SMP portion of the bumper while maintaining the vehicle body and the closure panel in the predetermined position until the temperature of the SMP portion is less than its transition temperature to thereby render permanent the deformed shape of the SMP portion and the set height of the bumper.