Patent ID: 6312633
Filing Date: 2001-11-06
Classification: B29C

Abstract:
A method of producing dashboard, door or side trim panels for motor vehicles with a predetermined breaking line for an airbag flap, comprising the steps of:introducing a slush material into a mold which can be heated to a molding temperature and which determines the shape of a slush membrane to be formed;distributing the slush material and depositing it on the heated mold surface by rotation of the mold;said distributed and deposited slush material being then sintered and gelled;after cooling the mold, removing the now formed slush membrane from the mold by unmolding;wherein to create a predetermined breaking line in the formed slush membrane, at the step of introducing the slush material into the mold, using a mold having a divider on its mold surface at the location of the predetermined breaking line to be created;controlling rotation and positioning of the mold during at least one of the application of a powder and gelation of the slush material, so that a reduction in layer thickness of the slush material to an extent that establishes a predetermined breaking line in the formed slush membrane for use as an airbag flap is achieved;wherein the height of the divider is smaller than the average layer thickness of the slush material, and its shape is such that its sides enclose an angle smaller that 120 degrees and form a pointed ridge.