Abstract: An electronic control module interface system may include a sensing surface having a symbol representative of a function of a motor vehicle, a sensing device coupled to the sensing surface, configured to sense a proximity between a physical pointer and the sensing surface and to generate a browsing signal when the proximity is less than a predefined proximity threshold value, and configured to generate a selection signal when the physical pointer contacts or depresses the sensing surface, and an output device coupled to the sensing device, and configured to produce an output representative of the function of the motor vehicle upon receiving the browsing signal.

Abstract: Systems and methods for a vehicle smart calendar are described. One embodiment includes obtaining information related to a user preference, a user schedule, and third party information and receiving a communication directly from a vehicle computing device of a vehicle, the communication including authenticating information for a user. Some embodiments include, in response to authenticating the user, automatically providing, by a remote computing device, a reminder for an event on the user schedule to the vehicle computing device, a predetermined time prior to the event.

Abstract: An electronic control module interface system may include a sensing surface having a symbol representative of a function of a motor vehicle, a sensing device coupled to the sensing surface, configured to sense a proximity between a physical pointer and the sensing surface and to generate a browsing signal when the proximity is less than a predefined proximity threshold value, and configured to generate a selection signal when the physical pointer contacts or depresses the sensing surface, and an output device coupled to the sensing device, and configured to produce an output representative of the function of the motor vehicle upon receiving the browsing signal.

Abstract: A vehicle console center console assembly including a first portion secured to an instrument panel and incorporating a gear shifter and a second portion supported upon a vehicle floor and establishing a mating profile along each of first and second sides with the first portion. Upper located and angled mating shoulders established between the portions limit the effect of sagging of the first portion, via support provided from the second portion. The appearance of gaps in the mating profiles is further limited by overlapping the edges of the second portion to those of the first portion. The second portion further includes inwardly configured support tabs proximate its side edges and which establish channels therebetween for seating the trailing edges of the first portion and permitting a limited degree of non-evident misalignment between the portions.

Abstract: A vehicle center console assembly having a bin secured to a floor of the vehicle and revealing an interior bounded in part by first and second extending sides. A pair of support rails extend along inner surfaces of the extending sides in communication with its interior. A first tray is supported upon the rails and adapted to be slidably displaced between forward and rearward locations associated with the bin. A second tray includes side projecting lip edges overlaying the support rails and is adapted to being releasably secured to an exposed edge location of the first tray, such that the second tray is capable of being displaced with the first tray in substantially non-contacting fashion with top surfaces of the support rails.

Abstract: According to one aspect of the invention, a storage compartment having an illuminating device mounted therein and a tray having a lens mounted thereon. The tray is movable within the storage compartment between a forward position and a rear position. The illuminating device may provide light to both the interior of the storage compartment and the tray depending upon the position of the tray.

Abstract: A container assembly for use in a passenger compartment of a motor vehicle includes a housing having a storage space. The housing has an outer surface and an opening formed in the outer surface providing access to the storage space. The container assembly also includes a door movably coupled to the housing for movement between a closed position covering the opening and preventing access to the storage space and an open position disposed below the outer surface to reveal the opening and allow access to the storage space. This allows the container assembly to slide beneath a bin lid of a center console when the door of the container assembly is in either the closed position or the open position without interfering with the bin door.

Abstract: A removable cup adaptor is for holding a beverage container for use in a cup holder that eliminates rattling of the beverage container when both the cup adaptor and beverage container are seated in a cup holder. The removable cup adaptor has a plurality of ribs extending radially outward from the outer surface. The removable cup adaptor eliminates rattle of the beverage containers by having the ribs maintaining contact with an inner surface of the vehicle console cup holder. The ribs are made of a flexible material such as rubber, such that the removable cup adaptor may be fittingly seated into cup holders of different diameters, but rigid enough such that the ribs provide stability while the removable adaptor is seated therein.

Abstract: A forward/rearward slidable and upwardly pivotable armrest supported upon an open center console. Retractable pins associated with inner underside locations of the armrest are displaced upon actuation of a lever component associated with the armrest, and which selectively reseats the armrest at linear travel locations along first and second rails defined upon the side walls of the console. Seating locations established between a slidable and upper support portion of the armrest and the recessed stops defined along inwardly facing surfaces of the rails permit the armrest to be translated to either forward or rearward locations of a center nominal position, relative to a fixed lower carriage with pivot support bracket.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an instrument panel assembly affording for installment in a motor vehicle as one unit even though the assembly has a final width that is greater than a predetermined maximum width criterion for passing the assembly through a doorframe. The instrument panel assembly includes an instrument panel having a front side and a rear side, the front side having a temporary attachment structure and a permanent attachment structure. The assembly also includes an electronic panel with a temporary attachment structure and a permanent attachment structure, the electronic panel being operable to temporarily attach to the instrument panel in a position that affords for a reduced width of the instrument panel assembly. A process is also disclosed for installing an instrument panel assembly having an overall width that is greater than a predetermined maximum width criterion.

Abstract: A container assembly for a motor vehicle passenger compartment includes a housing, a door, an arm, a helical spring and a cam. The door is pivotally coupled to the housing for movement about a first pivot between a closed position wherein the door covers an opening in the housing and an open position wherein the door is pivoted about the first pivot to allow access through the opening to a storage space in the housing. The arm is pivotally coupled to the housing for movement about a second pivot. The arm has a cam surface. The helical spring continuously biases the arm toward the first pivot. The cam is coupled to the door and movable with the door about the first pivot between the closed position and the open position. The cam has a center portion and a lobe extending outwardly from the center portion. The lobe remains in contact with the cam surface of the arm.

Abstract: A center console assembly for a motor vehicle includes a pair of side walls generally parallel and spaced apart from each other; a storage compartment extending between the side walls; and a tray supported on the side walls. A tab extends outwardly from at least one of the side walls and extends into a recess formed in the tray to retain the tray in a retained position to prevent the tray from sliding along the side walls. The tab has a ramped leading surface that facilitates insertion of the tab into the recess as the tray is moved along the side walls toward the retained position.

Abstract: A trim assembly for use in an interior of an automotive vehicle includes a substrate and a flexible insert. The substrate has a peripheral edge, an end wall and a side wall. The end wall protrudes from the peripheral edge of the substrate. The side wall extends from the peripheral edge. The side wall is generally orthogonal relative to the end wall and spaced apart from the peripheral edge to define a retaining portion. The flexible insert has a groove for receiving the end wall therein to retain the insert along a first axis relative to the substrate. The insert further has a finger that extends into the retaining portion to retain the insert along a second axis relative to the substrate, wherein the second axis is generally orthogonal to the first axis. The retaining portion also retains the finger along a third axis generally orthogonal to both the first and second axes.

Abstract: A trim assembly for use in an interior of an automotive vehicle includes a substrate and a flexible insert. The substrate has a peripheral edge, an end wall and a side wall. The end wall protrudes from the peripheral edge of the substrate. The side wall extends from the peripheral edge. The side wall is generally orthogonal relative to the end wall and spaced apart from the peripheral edge to define a retaining portion. The flexible insert has a groove for receiving the end wall therein to retain the insert along a first axis relative to the substrate. The insert further has a finger that extends into the retaining portion to retain the insert along a second axis relative to the substrate, wherein the second axis is generally orthogonal to the first axis. The retaining portion also retains the finger along a third axis generally orthogonal to both the first and second axes.