An automotive armrest includes an elastic core defining a patterned array of channels extending therethrough such that the elastic core exhibits a predetermined target vertical stiffness and a predetermined target lateral stiffness different than the predetermined target vertical stiffness. The automotive armrest also includes a skin arranged with the elastic core.

A component for the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle includes a rigid supporting body, made of plastic material, an outer upholstery skin, made of plastic material, and a padding body made of foamed plastic material, which is set between the rigid body and the outer upholstery skin. The rigid body and the outer skin have portions formed by a polymeric material with carbon-based nanofillers, which have respective inner surfaces facing the padding body, which include one or more paths where said polymeric material with carbon-based nanofillers has been rendered electrically conductive by laser irradiation to define one or more electrical circuits, and one or more piezoresistive areas where the polymeric material has been rendered piezoresistive by laser irradiation to define one or more electrical switches, which can be activated by exerting a localized pressure on the outer upholstery skin.

In-aircraft seats include plastic components having anti-microbial, metallic reinforcing fibers such as copper or silver. Copper or silver wires are embedded into the plastic at the time or molding to provide both structural reinforcement and anti-microbial properties. At the time of molding, copper or silver wires are disposed in a plastic mold prior to plastic application to ensure the metallic wires are generally disposed toward the surface of the molded part.

A vehicle armrest including a fabric member tensioned across a gap defined between inner and outer armrest substrates that are formed around a portion of the fabric member. At least one buckling member extends across the gap between the inner and outer armrest substrates and a cover member extends over and vertically supported by the fabric member.

A method for the manufacture of an interior cladding part with a visible side and a flat heating element includes arranging of the flat heating element as foam mat in a foaming tool such that the flat heating element abuts with a first flat side, which is facing the visible side of the interior cladding part to be manufactured, against an interior surface of the foaming tool, and introducing a first foam material into the foaming tool on a second flat side, opposite the first flat side, of the flat heating element such that the flat heating element is only back-foamed on the second flat side. The first foam material connects with the carrier element and the flat heating element.

A failure module includes a support element. A reinforcing element is disposed on the support element. The support element is chemically compatible with the reinforcing element. A homogeneous chemical bond is formed between the support element and the reinforcing element.

A hinged sliding armrest subsystem for a motor vehicle console assembly includes a console storage compartment lid, a console storage compartment upper element, and a pivoting hinge connecting the console lid and the console storage compartment upper element, all fabricated as a unit. A molded track for receiving a sliding armrest may be included in the console storage compartment lid. A torque hinge may be included as a hinge pin for the pivoting hinge. At least the console storage compartment lid and the pivoting hinge are fabricated of a suitably durable and lubricious material.

An arm rest assembly that includes a thermoplastic arm rest body that defines an internal cavity and a support structure disposed within the internal cavity. The support structure is chemically compatible with the thermoplastic arm rest body such that a homogeneous chemical bond is formed between the support structure and the thermoplastic arm rest body. An arm rest cover is coupled to the arm rest body such that the internal cavity is enclosed by the arm rest body and the arm rest cover.

An arm rest assembly that includes a thermoplastic arm rest body that defines an internal cavity and a support structure disposed within the internal cavity. The support structure is chemically compatible with the thermoplastic arm rest body such that a homogeneous chemical bond is formed between the support structure and the thermoplastic arm rest body. An arm rest cover is coupled to the arm rest body such that the internal cavity is enclosed by the arm rest body and the arm rest cover

An arm rest support includes a support element. A reinforcing element is disposed on the support element. The support element is chemically compatible with the reinforcing element. A homogeneous chemical bond is formed between the support element and the reinforcing element.