Abstract: A storage compartment for a passenger cabin of a vehicle can provide a large opening and increased accessibility, while maintaining a large working surface. The storage compartment comprises a plurality of walls forming an interior storage area, the plurality of walls including an exterior comprising at least a first panel and a second panel. The first panel has an access end and the second panel has an access end. The access end of the first panel and the access end of the second panel are configured to create a working surface on the exterior when in a closed position. In an open position, the first panel or the second panel is configured to allow access to the interior storage area from two or more different sides of the exterior.

Abstract: A vehicle interior panel includes a diffuser spanning an air discharge opening. The diffuser has a spiral slot formed therethrough such that changing an axial distance between opposite ends of the slot changes an air flow capacity of the diffuser. The diffuser has an elegant and simplified design and can be made as one piece from a sheet material. Air is discharged from the diffuser radially and substantially equally in all radial directions. The diffuser can also function to provide ambient light from a light source and/or to deliver an air freshening agent to the passenger cabin.

Abstract: A storage compartment for a passenger cabin of a vehicle can provide a large opening and increased accessibility, while maintaining a large working surface. The storage compartment comprises a plurality of walls forming an interior storage area, the plurality of walls including an exterior comprising at least a first panel and a second panel. The first panel has an access end and the second panel has an access end. The access end of the first panel and the access end of the second panel are configured to create a working surface on the exterior when in a closed position. In an open position, the first panel or the second panel is configured to allow access to the interior storage area from two or more different sides of the exterior.

Abstract: A vehicle console has a rotatable portion with opposite sides that are different distances from a rotational axis. Rotation by 180 degrees from a first position to a second position changes the vertical position of a beam portion of the console. One side can have a particular look or functionality, and the opposite side can have a different look or functionality thereby giving users more choices while occupying the vehicle cabin.

Abstract: A vehicle interior panel includes a diffuser spanning an air discharge opening. The diffuser has a spiral slot formed therethrough such that changing an axial distance between opposite ends of the slot changes an air flow capacity of the diffuser. The diffuser has an elegant and simplified design and can be made as one piece from a sheet material. Air is discharged from the diffuser radially and substantially equally in all radial directions. The diffuser can also function to provide ambient light from a light source and/or to deliver an air freshening agent to the passenger cabin.

Abstract: A vehicle console has a rotatable portion with opposite sides that are different distances from a rotational axis. Rotation by 180 degrees from a first position to a second position changes the vertical position of a beam portion of the console. One side can have a particular look or functionality, and the opposite side can have a different look or functionality thereby giving users more choices while occupying the vehicle cabin.

Abstract: A vehicle seat includes a seat bottom (16) and a seat back (18) extending upwardly from the seat bottom. The seat back (18) includes a backrest and a backrest cover (28) coupled to the backrest, said backrest including a backrest frame (26) made from composite materials.

Abstract: A surface coating method includes the steps of preparing a solution containing a solvent and a material or its precursor, intended to cover a surface to be coated, which is non-volatile, film-forming and soluble or can be in suspension or dispersed in a solvent; and generating an aerosol of the solution. The method further includes generating an aerosol flow from a first end of a tube towards a second end of the tube, wherein the second end pre-determined cross-section (Se) and provided with a spray nozzle having an outlet with a cross-section (S) smaller than the cross-section (Se) of the second end of the tube, such that the ratio R1=F/S is greater than 4 metres per second. The method also includes the steps of directing the outlet of the nozzle towards the surface to be coated and spraying the aerosol onto the surface to be coated.

Abstract: A vehicle seat includes a seat bottom (16) and a seat back (18) extending upwardly from the seat bottom. The seat back (18) includes a backrest and a backrest cover (28) coupled to the backrest, said backrest including a backrest frame (26) made from composite materials.