Sleek, smooth, and able to blend with the rest of the interior, they look as if they’re designed for mere decoration. In reality, the door panels that are installed on the inside of your vehicle are more functional than many drivers realize. Decades ago, interior panels were considered a luxury. They were seldom available even when consumers wanted them. Today, of course, every car, truck, and SUV that rolls off the factory floors is outfitted with attractive, functional door panels.

In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the installation of this important piece of your vehicle’s interior. I’ll explain the purposes of your car’s interior panels – beyond offering aesthetic appeal – and describe how they’re installed on the assembly line. I’ll also explain the complementary demands of automakers and consumers in the paneling’s design.

What Purpose Do They Serve?

The first benefit provided by the interior panels is that they serve as a sheath for your car’s windows. By functioning as a covering, the panels prevent the windows from being damaged after they have been rolled down.

This leads to a second benefit: protection for the occupants. By separating the windows from the driver and passengers, injury is avoided. The occupants may otherwise inadvertently break the windows and cut themselves.

Another purpose of the panels is to protect the components and wiring that are responsible for moving your windows up and down, and managing your locks. These mechanisms hide behind the panels. The paneling shelters them from damage – by the vehicle’s occupants or otherwise.

A fourth way the door panels provide value involves noise reduction. They create a barrier between those who are inside the vehicle’s cabin and the noise outside. The noise your tires make on the pavement, the rattling of parts, and other sounds are dampened.

On The Manufacturing Line

When door panels were first introduced in automobiles, they were installed by those who worked on the assembly floor. Like much of the assembly process back then, it was painstaking work. The people on the line needed to be precise with the installation in order to prevent the panels from detaching themselves while drivers were on the road.

Today, they are installed using robotics. Mechanical arms, cameras, and hydraulics are overseen by line workers as they fit the interior panels on the doors. This might be done by clipping or fastening the panels onto the door’s frame, or by applying an adhesive formulation and pressing the individual pieces together. Precision is critical. If a piece is applied incorrectly, or is slightly off, it is removed and installed again.

Balancing The Goals Of Automakers And Consumers

Over the last few decades, most interior door panels have evolved from heavy, metal-based materials to lighter plastic and fiberglass. The exception are those which are constructed from wood. This evolution has occurred for a few reasons.

First, automakers have striven to make their vehicles lighter, and thus more fuel-efficient. As fuel prices continue to rise, this works in drivers’ favor.

Second, consumers have an expectation regarding how door panels should appear. Few people are aware regarding the purposes for which the paneling was originally introduced. Their demand for visually-appealing panels must be balanced with the automakers’ goals for safer, lighter, more fuel-efficient vehicles. Fortunately, these goals dovetail.

The design and installation of interior panels are still evolving. To that end, car manufacturers have begun testing methods for installing protective materials between the paneling and doors. The purpose is to provide a cushion for occupants in the event of a side collision. This creates a challenge for automakers because the materials need to be light enough to maximize fuel-efficiency. Within a few years, however, a large number of vehicles may come equipped with door panels that double as a safety feature.

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Category: Automotive
Keywords: cars, automobiles, car, vehicles, car repair, car maintenance