Interior specialist Johnson Controls has launched innovative new centre console, overhead storage and seating systems at the 2007 Detroit show.
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The ‘Slim Seat’, which the supplier said would be ready for production vehicles from 2010, is designed for front-seat applications and has a “premium look and feel”, and an ultra-thin seatback that delivers additional knee room for second-row occupants.
Despite the thinner seatback, the slim seat is claimed to provide the same level of comfort, convenience and safety as conventional automotive seats.
“Today’s consumers are ready for significant innovation in the design, functionality and aesthetic appeal of vehicle seats, while automakers have a strong interest in creating more spacious interiors,” said Jeff Williams, group vice president and general manager, North America for Johnson Controls’ automotive unit. “Our Slim Seat is an elegant, cost-effective solution on both fronts, for both consumers and automakers.”
The back of the seat is made from tubular steel. Using this approach, engineers and designers at relied on conventional materials, but ensured that the seat has a robust, modern and upscale appearance, with strong consumer appeal.
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By GlobalDataThe seat also features a thin, centerline cross-section; ‘Comfort’n’Space’ technology, in which outstanding occupant comfort is ensured, even with thin packaging; and a ‘state-of-the-art’ cushion.
“The Slim Seat delivers on consumer appeal, thin packaging, occupant comfort and interior spaciousness, at a time when automakers are seeking to add interior space and features without making vehicles larger,” Williams said.
It can be produced using currently available materials, processes and components.
The new ‘Access Floor Console’ is a distinctive new design with increased storage volume; additional features; improved, integrated ergonomic soft surfaces; and unique finish possibilities.
The console, located between the front seats, uses Johnson Controls’ CrafTec PFIP (partial foam in place) process to replace the traditional armrest assembly with an integrated comfort zone for a soft user interface adjacent to the seating areas.
CrafTec PFIP is a process in which plush softness is applied using the main substrate instead of separate, layered pieces.
By functioning independently of the storage function, the integrated armrest on top of the console provides easier access to stored items. The integrated, soft-comfort zone accommodates most sizes of occupant without the need for multiple, costly moving parts.
The new console is as tall as most other front-seat centre consoles, but its integrated armrest enables it to utilise the traditional armrest zone for increased storage. There are console storage spaces accessed from the top as well as the lower rear via a slide-out drawer in the second-row seating area. Its design yields an average storage volume increase of 30% over traditional floor consoles, and in some cases the volume increase could be up to 150%.
The increased storage volume not only accommodates more cargo, but it provides space for added feature content by automakers. The product provides modular storage content, allowing vehicle occupants to configure items in ways that best suits their storage needs.
The console comes with tambour doors that cover the primary storage area and can be treated with a proprietary process to enable use of multiple patterns and finishes – including wood, metallic or technical – to differentiate various trim levels without the need for additional tooling.
The process can enable an instrument panel centre stack design theme to be carried on through the floor console zone, providing a continuous and harmonious appearance.
The side profile of the new floor console is larger than that of a traditional unit, providing a larger area to showcase parts that usually are hidden between the front seats. Those parts could use finishing processes such as CrafTec MCI (multi-colour injection) and CrafTec PMB (partial mould behind) to provide multiple colours, materials and finishes in the same part.
The new ‘Clear Solution Overhead System’ was created in response to the growing market for ever-larger glass roofs integrated into vehicles and will also be ready for production in 2010.
This brings more flexibility in product design and content with a multi-piece headliner with integrated side curtain airbags and cross-car consoles that make the most of overhead space while bringing additional light into the interior. The trim enables component integration, including safety, lighting and entertainment systems at consumer-use points inside the vehicle.
Johnson Controls said advantages for automakers include advanced design flexibility, the opportunity to differentiate vehicles, reduced production waste, increased quality, optimised value, and the addition of new features. The system also reduces the number of parts in the assembly process.
The overhead unit reduces waste by using less purchased material compared with traditional headliner products and is cost-effective in a number of ways including the integration of airbags which simplifies vehicle assembly.
By producing the front header using Johnson CrafTec technology, multiple components are made all at one time, bringing savings from reduced assembly time, indirect labour and logistics related to fewer parts.
The three-dimensional vinyl/TPO visors can provide quality , value and contours not possible using traditional methods. Over the second row area, the Targa console can include integrated individual seat lighting for passengers, as well as a rear-seat entertainment system.
