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01/11/2007
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In pursuing its modular strategy, Plastic Omnium Auto Exterior has developed new solutions in three fields – motorised rear access doors, vehicle front ends and bumpers.
While the tailgate market is progressing fast, motorised systems are being chosen increasingly frequently and are required to be as light as possible. The group’s latest solutions, INOVA X-Tray and INOVA Replay, use thermoplastics for decorative parts with thermoset semi-structural element.
X-Tray has two opening parts. A motorised tailgate at the top opens onto a first loading level while a bottom gate opens onto space beneath. The bottom gate is integral with a sliding floor to help with loading and unloading. The intermediate shelf can be folded away if large objects need to be transported.
Designed for mini-van and sports estate vehicles, INOVA Replay has two opening modes – a mini tailgate and a huge rear door opening. The mini tailgate is motorised and combines rotation and translation motion, to withdraw to the top of the vehicle. This motion makes the luggage space easier to access and reduces the overall dimensions when open.
The two rear openings achieve a significant reduction in weight (up to 20%), and include the bumper function in the lower part of the tailgate. They help to reduce the weight of the bodywork.
The ‘design-to-cost’ approach reduces costs (by up to 30% for REPLAY).
The vehicle front-end structure proposed by Plastic Omnium has been designed to improve pedestrian protection. The top part in thermoset composite material comprises the bonnet lining (mounted onto the aluminum or metal cover) as well as the fender reinforcement and its insert. The lower, thermoplastic, part includes a complete energy absorber frame. The combination of composite and thermoplastic parts allows new functions to be integrated and reduces weight at the front of the vehicle.
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Author
Roger Bishop
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Copyright European Automotive Design.
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