Abstract: A vehicle center console assembly includes a console having a side wall dimensioned to receive a bin therein and a bin including a side wall having a top edge including a pair of opposed strikers. A hinged bin lid includes a dual pawl latching mechanism disposed on a bottom surface thereof whereby the dual pawl latching mechanism does not extend beyond an exterior dimension defined by the bin lid. The bin lid may include a pair of opposed bin lid side walls. The latching mechanism is disposed on the bin lid bottom surface whereby a gap is defined between an outer portion of the latching mechanism and an inner portion of the opposed bin lid side walls. The console side wall includes a top edge configured to define a mating surface for the bin lid side walls.

Abstract: A vehicle center console assembly includes a console having a side wall dimensioned to receive a bin therein and a bin including a side wall having a top edge including a pair of opposed strikers. A hinged bin lid includes a dual pawl latching mechanism disposed on a bottom surface thereof whereby the dual pawl latching mechanism does not extend beyond an exterior dimension defined by the bin lid. The bin lid may include a pair of opposed bin lid side walls. The latching mechanism is disposed on the bin lid bottom surface whereby a gap is defined between an outer portion of the latching mechanism and an inner portion of the opposed bin lid side walls. The console side wall includes a top edge configured to define a mating surface for the bin lid side walls.

Abstract: A storage bin shell for a vehicle includes a main bin portion defining a storage bin having a latch opening and an integrated latch opening close-out member configured to provide a latch opening close-out. The integrated latch opening close-out member includes a hinged portion, which may be a living hinge. The hinged portion further includes a retainer for engaging a co-operating receiver defined in the main bin portion, whereby rotating or folding the hinged portion allows engaging the co-operating receiver by the retainer to define the latch opening close-out.

Abstract: A vehicle center console assembly includes a console having a side wall dimensioned to receive a bin therein and a bin including a side wall having a top edge including a pair of opposed strikers. A hinged bin lid includes a dual pawl latching mechanism disposed on a bottom surface thereof whereby the dual pawl latching mechanism does not extend beyond an exterior dimension defined by the bin lid. The bin lid may include a pair of opposed bin lid side walls. The latching mechanism is disposed on the bin lid bottom surface whereby a gap is defined between an outer portion of the latching mechanism and an inner portion of the opposed bin lid side walls. The console side wall includes a top edge configured to define a mating surface for the bin lid side walls.

Abstract: A storage bin shell for a vehicle includes a main bin portion defining a storage bin having a latch opening and an integrated latch opening close-out member configured to provide a latch opening close-out. The integrated latch opening close-out member includes a hinged portion, which may be a living hinge. The hinged portion further includes a retainer for engaging a co-operating receiver defined in the main bin portion, whereby rotating or folding the hinged portion allows engaging the co-operating receiver by the retainer to define the latch opening close-out.

Abstract: A vehicle center console assembly includes a console having a side wall dimensioned to receive a bin therein and a bin including a side wall having a top edge including a pair of opposed strikers. A hinged bin lid includes a dual pawl latching mechanism disposed on a bottom surface thereof whereby the dual pawl latching mechanism does not extend beyond an exterior dimension defined by the bin lid. The bin lid may include a pair of opposed bin lid side walls. The latching mechanism is disposed on the bin lid bottom surface whereby a gap is defined between an outer portion of the latching mechanism and an inner portion of the opposed bin lid side walls. The console side wall includes a top edge configured to define a mating surface for the bin lid side walls.

Abstract: A storage bin shell for a vehicle includes a main bin portion defining a storage bin having a latch opening and an integrated latch opening close-out member configured to provide a latch opening close-out. The integrated latch opening close-out member includes a hinged portion, which may be a living hinge. The hinged portion further includes a retainer for engaging a co-operating receiver defined in the main bin portion, whereby rotating or folding the hinged portion allows engaging the co-operating receiver by the retainer to define the latch opening close-out.

Abstract: A container holder for a vehicle includes a container bin unit with a cavity and a size adjustment mechanism. The cavity has a first portion and a second portion. The adjustment mechanism includes a dual adjustment piece and a single adjustment piece, which are movable between at least a retracted and extended position. When in the extended position, the dual or single adjustment pieces extend into the first portion and/or second portion of the cavity to adjust the diameter of the portions. The adjustment pieces allow for the container holder to adequately hold one small container and one large container, two small containers, or two large containers.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a multilayer piezoelectric transformer that uses a composite resonant vibration mode for step-up voltage conversion. More specifically, a multilayer piezoelectric transformer is provided using radial and shear vibration modes for step-up voltage conversion applications. Adjacent layers of piezoelectric ceramic act as a constraint on the deformation of one face of the input layers, leading to a gradient in the radial deformation of both the input and output portions. The piezoelectric transformer is used in a circuit for providing electro-luminescent (EL) backlighting.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a multilayer piezoelectric transformer that uses a composite resonant vibration mode for step-up voltage conversion. More specifically, a multilayer piezoelectric transformer is provided using radial and shear vibration modes for step-up voltage conversion applications. Adjacent layers of piezoelectric ceramic act as a constraint on the deformation of one face of the input layers, leading to a gradient in the radial deformation of both the input and output portions. The piezoelectric transformer is used in a circuit for providing electro-luminescent (EL) backlighting.

Abstract: A part retention system for mating parts comprises a pair of flexible guide ribs, integrated into a cap which is to be attached or interlocked. Each of the guide ribs incorporates one or more detents, which force the guide ribs apart as a tab on the mating component moves along the detents. The guide ribs having angled locating portions to direct the guide ribs over the tab to facilitate blind installation.