Abstract: A structure for holding switches in a passenger compartment of a vehicle. The structure includes a switchboard arranged on a panel in the passenger compartment. The switches are mounted on the switchboard. An accommodating case is arranged adjacent to the switchboard. A common shaft, which is shared by the switchboard and the accommodating case, pivotally supports the switchboard and the accommodating case. The switchboard and the accommodating case are each pivoted about the common shaft between a retracted position and an operational position. The switchboard and the accommodating case are each accommodated in the panel when located at the retracted position and exposed from the panel when located at the operational position. The switchboard remains at the retracted position when the accommodating case is located at the operational position.

Abstract: An automotive display unit includes a display unit 13 installed in an accommodating portion 5 provided in a dashboard portion, a closing member 15 for closing and/or opening an opening in the accommodating portion 5, a driving mechanism 17 provided with a motor 31 for driving the closing member 15, and a control unit, wherein the motor 31 is a pulse motor with an encoder, whereby while referring to a pulse output from the pulse motor 31, the control unit controls the driving of the motor 31 so as to adjust an opening width of the closing member 15 based on an opening or closing command inputted thereinto.

Abstract: An automotive display unit includes a display unit 13 ins talled in an accommodating portion 5 provided in a dashboard portion, a closing member 15 for closing and/or opening an proning in the accommodating portion 5, a driving mechanism 17 vided with a motor 31 for driving the closing member 15, and a control unit, wherein the motor 31 is a pulse motor with an encoder, whereby while referring to a pulse output from the pulse motor 31, the control unit controls the driving of the motor 31 so as to adjust an opening width of the closing member 15 based on an opening or closing command inputted thereinto.

Abstract: A storage box including a body, a lid and an arm member. The body is provided with a storage portion and a guide portion. The lid is provided with a sliding portion engaged with and directed by the guide portion. The arm member is held rotatably by the body at an opposite end, and is held rotatably by the lid at a remaining opposite end. This construction accommodates various loads or forces applied to the lid during opening and closing, thereby decreasing overall strain upon the storage box and eliminating the need to reinforce the body, the lid and the arm member. The result is a functionally simplified yet strengthened storage box capable of being manufactured at reduced costs.

Abstract: A control assembly for an automotive vehicle having an audio system and a climate control system, the control assembly having improved design characteristics, a reduced number of parts, and providing a reduced number of installation steps. The control assembly includes a control casing having a casing cover surface adapted to face an interior compartment of a vehicle and defining a plurality of openings therein, control elements adapted to produce operation signals for controlling the audio system and the climate control system, and an input-output section for receiving the operation signals and transmitting control signals for controlling the audio system and the climate control system. The input-output section is secured to the control casing so that the control elements are operably disposed on the cover surface through the openings. The casing cover, control elements and input-output section comprise an integral assembly that is easily installed in a production line of motor vehicles.

Abstract: An interior finish member having a door suitable for an air bag comprises a main body and a cover portion. The main body surrounds the periphery of the cover portion, and the main body and the cover portion form a continuous surface. The cover portion covers a folded air bag of an air bag device. The cover portion comprises: a door portion which covers the folded air bag; a breakable portion defined by a recessed periphery of the door portion whose thickness is thinner than adjacent portions of the interior finish member so that it may be broken easily in deployment of the air bag; and a hinge portion for connecting the door portion with the main body and for providing a pivot around which the door portion rotates when the door portion opens under a force of an expanding air bag. The main body is made of thermoplastic resin, and the cover portion is made of thermoplastic elastomer. Because they are capable of thermally fusing with each other, the main body and the cover portion can be integrally formed.

Abstract: Light shielding portions made from light shielding resin material, and light conducting portions made from transparent or translucent resin material are formed integrally with each other by two-layer molding to thereby reduce the number of manufacturing steps and to thereby make the assembling easy. The light conducting portions for conducting light from light sources furnished in a control panel to light-emission portions of the control panel are constituted by operating dial light-emission portions, label light-emission portions, a CD insertion hole light-emission portion, and so on. Further, temporarily locking claws for locking the light shielding portions in the control panel temporarily may be formed by integral molding with the light shielding portions to thereby make the assembling easier.

Abstract: A resin part such as an instrument panel, a console box or door trim has a substrate body made of hard resin and a skin mounted on a surface of the substrate. To produce the resin part, a preformed elastic sheet is set within a mold cavity. Then, a molten resin is injected into the cavity through gates. The molten resin is first injected into the cavity through gates that are opposed to the skin and after the passage of a predetermined time, the resin is injected through gates that are not opposed to the skin, thereby forming a substrate that has the skin thermally fused to a surface thereof.

Abstract: An air bag cover and manufacturing method thereof wherein the air bag cover comprises a core member which can be formed by injection molding, and a decorative sheet disposed on the surface of the core member. The decorative sheet includes at least two layers, an outer layer and a barrier layer disposed on a back side of the outer layer to protect the outer layer when the core member is injection molded. The core member is made of thermoplastic elastomer which can be thermally fused to the barrier layer. A breakable portion is provided in the barrier layer and core member.

Abstract: An interior finish member having a door suitable for an air bag comprises a main body and a cover portion. The main body surrounds the periphery of the cover portion, and the main body and the cover portion form a continuous surface. The cover portion covers a folded air bag of an air bag device. The cover portion comprises: a door portion which covers the folded air bag; a breakable portion defined by a recessed periphery of the door portion whose thickness is thinner than adjacent portions of the interior finish member so that it may be broken easily in deployment of the air bag; and a hinge portion for connecting the door portion with the main body and for providing a pivot around which the door portion rotates when the door portion opens under a force of an expanding air bag. The main body is made of thermoplastic resin, and the cover portion is made of thermoplastic elastomer. Because they are capable of thermally fusing with each other, the main body and the cover portion can be integrally formed.

Abstract: Garnish members according to this invention are installed and fixed to peripheries of a door opening in the interior of a vehicle body. The garnish members have an air bag therein and include elongate garnish bodies disposed in the interior of a vehicle body fixing portions. The fixing portions are hinged to the garnish bodies at a rear side of the garnish bodies and can be fixed to the body. The fixing portions include brackets capable of maintaining folding conditions of the air bag, which brackets can be ruptured when the air bag is inflated.

Abstract: A console lid comprises a base having a predetermined rigidity and a skin layer member having an inner layer and an outer layer, which covers the base. A cushioning layer made of foamed polyurethane having a thickness that decreases toward the ends thereof is provided between the top of the base and the skin layer member. The skin layer member which has been trimmed is positioned in a mold and the cushioning layer is positioned so that it is in contact with the skin layer member. A plasticized resin is charged into a mold cavity from a gate to form a base. Excellent soft touch and feel is provided by the resulting composite structure since the cushioning layer, made of a soft material, is provided between the base and the skin layer member in a position where such a soft touch or cushioning is most desirable.

Abstract: An air bag cover and manufacturing method thereof wherein the air bag cover comprises a core member which can be formed by injection molding, and a decorative sheet disposed on the surface of the core member. The decorative sheet includes at least two layers, an outer layer and a barrier layer disposed on a back side of the outer layer to protect the outer layer when the core member is injection molded. The core member is made of thermoplastic elastomer which can be thermally fused to the barrier layer. A breakable portion is provided in the barrier layer and core member.

Abstract: A manufacturing method for an article having a foamed layer, comprising the steps of: retaining and fixing an adherent portion having a resin-made reinforcing layer and a foamed layer, the reinforcing layer having an integrally formed design surface; and vibration welding, with a low-frequency wave, the reinforcing layer and a base portion together so as to be integrally bonded while the base portion, formed of resin which can be welded to the reinforcing layer, is in contact with the reinforcing layer. Thus, it is possible to reduce the processes which require a great deal of man-hours, such as the applying and drying of an adhesive material, sewing and mechanically affixing. Consequently, an attractive article can be produced while reducing manufacturing man-hours and providing for automated manufacture.