AZEqualizer
04-23-2009, 01:11 PM
Autonews (http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090420/ANA03/904200326/-1)(subscription required) reported that French auto supplier Faurecia SA thinks the next generation of automotive seating could eliminate polyurethane foam.
http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autobloggreen.com/media/2009/04/faureciafoamlessseat.jpg
(Look Familure sort of like a seat that was proposed for the Persu Hybrid?)
With its concept Sustainable Comfort Seat, the company replaces foam inside the seat with two sheets of injection-molded thermoplastic polyurethane. The design echoes the visible structure in some athletic shoes and the molded seats of office chairs.
The twin-sheet structure is part of a seat system that is 17 percent lighter than standard seats and 30 millimeters thinner (1.25 Inches), resulting in more legroom for rear-seat passengers.
The entire seat also uses an injection-molded nylon and long-glass-fiber structural frame that replaces steel and an injection-molded head restraint in place of foam and steel.
The two sheets of thermoplastic polyurethane are designed with cavities and raised areas to provide both support and flexibility. They are vibration-welded and joined with an injection-molded outer shell at the rear of the seat and a textile cover.
The model that Faurecia is showing to potential customers makes that inner structure visible — just as Nike made its molded structure visible in the heel of its Air athletic shoes — although it also can be completely covered, Oliver Boinais (Faurecia SA industrial design manager.) said.
Other panels in vehicles could also be made with the same techinque such as teh intrament panel, center consoles, and door panels with acoustic chambers.
An abridged report can be found at autobloggreen. (http://www.autobloggreen.com/2009/04/22/the-future-of-your-car-seat-is-foamless/)
http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autobloggreen.com/media/2009/04/faureciafoamlessseat.jpg
(Look Familure sort of like a seat that was proposed for the Persu Hybrid?)
With its concept Sustainable Comfort Seat, the company replaces foam inside the seat with two sheets of injection-molded thermoplastic polyurethane. The design echoes the visible structure in some athletic shoes and the molded seats of office chairs.
The twin-sheet structure is part of a seat system that is 17 percent lighter than standard seats and 30 millimeters thinner (1.25 Inches), resulting in more legroom for rear-seat passengers.
The entire seat also uses an injection-molded nylon and long-glass-fiber structural frame that replaces steel and an injection-molded head restraint in place of foam and steel.
The two sheets of thermoplastic polyurethane are designed with cavities and raised areas to provide both support and flexibility. They are vibration-welded and joined with an injection-molded outer shell at the rear of the seat and a textile cover.
The model that Faurecia is showing to potential customers makes that inner structure visible — just as Nike made its molded structure visible in the heel of its Air athletic shoes — although it also can be completely covered, Oliver Boinais (Faurecia SA industrial design manager.) said.
Other panels in vehicles could also be made with the same techinque such as teh intrament panel, center consoles, and door panels with acoustic chambers.
An abridged report can be found at autobloggreen. (http://www.autobloggreen.com/2009/04/22/the-future-of-your-car-seat-is-foamless/)