[001] The present application claims the benefit of the filing date of U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 61/325,914 (filed April 20, 2010) and the entirety of the contents of this application being hereby expressly incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[002] The present invention relates to a plastic vehicle-interior-part with an impact module.

[003] Plastic vehicle-interior-parts often comprise impact modules, which are used as internal features to prevent excessive deflection of plastic vehicle-interior-parts, for example the valance of a vehicle seat. The impact module's functionality is, for example, to prevent the side valance from deflecting more than 10 mm when subjected to a dynamic seat belt test.

[004] It is therefore the objective of the present invention to provide a plastic vehicle- interior-part with an impact module.

[005] The problem is solved with a plastic vehicle-interior-part with an impact module, whereas the impact module is made from an expanded plastic foam material.

[006] Preferably, the expanded foam material is an expanded polypropylene. The expanded plastic foam material can be at least partially covered with a coating, preferably a plastic coating, particularly to improve the grade of the surface of the impact module.

[007] Preferably, the impact module has a 3D-shape, whereas particularly the thickness of the impact module varies. Preferably, the shape of the impact module is adapted to the plastic vehicle-part to which it is attached. Preferably, the thickness of the impact module is reduced in its attachment region. Preferably, the impact module comprises a slot, more preferably a T-shaped slot, to attach the impact module to the plastic vehicle-part.

[008] The impact module can be attached to the plastic part by any means known to a person skilled in the art. The impact module can be for example glued to the plastic vehicle-part. The impact module can be molded together with the plastic vehicle-part. However, preferably, the impact module is attached to the plastic vehicle-interior-part by means of a form- and/or force-fitting-means. Preferably, there are two or more means to attach the impact module to the plastic vehicle-part. Preferably, the impact module is attached to the plastic vehicle-part with one or more plastic barb(s).

[009] The invention is explained in further detail according to figures 1 and 3. These explanations do not limit the scope of protection.

[010] Figure 1 shows the vehicle-interior-part with the impact module. [011] Figure 2 shows the impact module.

[012] Figure 3 shows the attachment of the vehicle-interior-part to a seat structure.

[013] Figure 4 shows the attachment of the impact module to the vehicle- interior-part.

[014] Figure 1 shows the inventive vehicle interior part 2, which is in the present case a side valance of a seat. Attached to this side valance 2 is an impact module 1 which is located in the area where the seat belt is fastened to the structure of the seat. The impact module 1 prevents the side valance 2 from deflecting more than 0 mm when subjected to a dynamic seat belt test (OSI2). The impact module is attached to the side valance by form- and/or force-fitting-means 2.1.

[015] Figures 2a - 2d show the impact module 1 in different views. As can be seen, the impact module as shaped three dimensionally and has slots 1.1 which allow a form- and/or force-fit between the impact module 1 and the side valance 2. The slot is, in the present case T-shaped, so that the form- and/or force-fitting-means 2.1 can be introduced into the slot at the top of the T and are then drawn or pushed downwards. The impact module is in the present case made from expanded polypropylene. The impact module may, at least partially, comprise a coating of its surface. In the area 1.1 , where the impact module 1 is attached to the plastic vehicle- part, it preferably comprises a reduced thickness.

[016] Figure 3 shows the attachment of the vehicle interior part 2 to the structure 3 of the seat. As can be seen, the side valance 2 together with the impact module 1 are attached to the side part 3 of the seat frame of a vehicle seat, which is preferably adjustable longitudinally with an upper- and a lower rail 4.

[017] Figures 4a and 4b show the attachment of the impact module 1 to the side valance 2. The side valance 2 comprises form- and/or force-fitting-means here plastic barbs 2.1 , which are inserted into the slots 1.1 of the impact module 1. Due to these barbs, a form- and/or a force-fit between the impact module 1 and the side valance 2 is realized. The form- and/or force-fitting-means 2.1 can be attached to the side valance 2 or the side valance 2 and the form- and/or force-fitting-means 2.1 can be provided as one piece, for example produced during one molding process.

List of reference signs:

1 impact module

1.1 area of attachment, slot

2 vehicle-interior-part, valance 2.1 form-fitting-means, plastic barb

3 metal structure of the seat

4 upper-, lower-rail