Abstract: The invention relates to a support crossbeam for an instrument panel to be assembled between two side elements of a frame of an automotive vehicle next to a front part of an interior. The crossbeam integrates several anchoring and supporting configurations for the steering column, several airbags, fuse boxes, ventilation system elements, sound equipment, among others, and is obtained by pressure die-casting of a light metal alloy, such a magnesium alloy, in an elongated single part extending between first and second ends. This single part has an open cross-section general profile, adapted to be demolded in a transverse direction of the crossbeam, with at least one tubular portion with a cross-section closed in at least one of said first or second ends, adapted to be demolded in the longitudinal direction of the crossbeam.

Abstract: A vehicle front structure including: a closed-section cross member connected to a pair of front pillars; a closed-section hood ledge extending frontward from a portion of a corresponding one of the front pillars, where the cross member is connected to the corresponding one of the front pillars; and a strut housing provided on an inner side in a vehicle transverse direction of and adjacent to the hood ledge. The hood ledge is provided with two gussets dividing an internal space thereof into sections in the longitudinal direction of the hood ledge, and an intermediate portion of the hood ledge between the two gussets is located forward of the cross member and rearward of the strut housing.

Abstract: A vehicle having a cowl tray and a Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) system is provided with one or more coolant-to-air heat exchangers near the intake opening of the HVAC system or attached to the cowl tray, in order to prevent an accumulation of snow and ice from blocking the flow of intake air into the HVAC system and interfering with the windshield wiper system. The accumulation of snow and ice in the HVAC intake is a problem commonly experienced by vehicles having the HVAC intake located near the base of the vehicle windshield, due to turbulent precipitation.

Abstract: An integrated windshield cowl and seal assembly includes a body of a rigid thermoplastic material and upper and lower forward and lower rear resilient seals bonded to the body. The seals may be either bonded by material compatibility or by mechanical, interlocking or other mechanisms. The cowl assembly according to the present invention significantly reduces the number of parts when compared to prior art assemblies. The cowl and seal assembly may also include fender closeouts which extend to the adjacent inner surfaces of the fenders and seal thereagainst.

Abstract: A cowl top cover for an automotive vehicle having a body panel with a support plate and for defining an engine room, a hood covering the engine room, and a cowl portion arranged behind the engine room, wherein the cowl top cover includes a base having a mounting portion, a first wall extending from the base to the hood and supporting a sealing member abutting on the hood, and a second wall extending from the base and covering the cowl portion, wherein the base is supported by the support plate at the mounting portion and exposed to the engine room, and the mounting portion is covered with a covering portion.

Abstract: A cross-member configuration for a motor vehicle has a basic member for receiving functional elements, and a body cross-member. The basic member is fastened to the body cross-member via holding elements. The holding elements have, on the body cross-member side, a stepped connecting region which is connected to a connecting region which is configured in a complementary manner thereto on the body cross-member. In addition, it is provided that the connecting regions each have at least two stepped surfaces which bear against one another when holding elements are connected to the body cross-member.

Abstract: A hybrid transmission including two electric motors and a plurality of planetary gear sets operatively connectable to the motors and to an engine is provided. Novel motor features are provided including structure adapted to improve reliability and to facilitate assembly. More precisely, a method is provided for locating and installing the components of a motor, including a rotor and a stator, within a covered housing to form a motor module. A plurality of rotor bearings and a position/speed sensor are also preferably added to the motor module. After the motor module is assembled, the motor may be tested and thereafter the motor module can be installed into a hybrid transmission as a single component utilizing conventional transmission assembly methods.

Abstract: An automotive vehicle body includes a generally tubular, hydroformed cowl with integral mounting flanges which are welded to an engine compartment structural member and a cowlside member. The cowl may be hydroformed from several different preforms having both symmetrical and asymmetrical geometric characteristics.

Abstract: A cowl cover is produced with an integrated washer fluid passageway using a gas-assisted injection molding process. The cowl cover has a single unitary layer that is defined between upper and lower surfaces. The washer fluid passageway is formed in the single unitary layer between the upper and lower surfaces including by gas-assisted injection molding such that the cowl cover is a unitary, single-piece homogenous member.

Abstract: In a vehicle, a cowl portion for supporting a front end of a windshield is disposed above the dash panel so as to extend in a width direction of the vehicle, an instrument panel member is located backward away from the cowl portion so as to extend in the width direction of the vehicle above the dash panel, a recess portion is formed in such manner that a central portion of the dash panel in the width direction of the vehicle is recessed backward from the cowl portion to the instrument panel member, and the driving device for the vehicle is disposed in the recess portion such that the driving device is located in front of and close to the instrument panel member.

Abstract: An automotive cowl cover includes a first wall and a second wall disposed from the first wall, the first and second walls defining opposing sides of a channel configured for receiving an edge of a windshield, and a tapered shim having a non-uniform height extending from the first wall toward the second wall. The defined channel can engage an edge of the windshield of the automobile.

Abstract: The hinge device includes a housing (30), a cam (60), a cam follower (40) to interact with the cam, and a resilient member (80). The housing contains the cam, cam follower and resilient member. The cam moves linearly, and the cam follower rotates. The cam has a peak (76), a valley (77), and a straight line section (78) in which the cam follower holds its position.

Abstract: A vehicle body includes a front part having a dashboard. The dashboard has an upper end portion bulged in a rearward direction of the vehicle body. The bulged upper end portion covers an upper portion of a rear reinforcing member with a constant interval provided therebetween. The bulged upper end portion is joined to an upper member and a damper housing. The bulged upper end portion and the rear reinforcing member are combined together to form a closed cross-sectional member directed towards a front pillar and extending from a side frame to the upper member. The rear reinforcing member extends from a lower joining portion located forwardly of a lower part of the dashboard through inside of the bulged upper end portion to the upper member. The rear reinforcing member takes the form of a generally straight line, as viewed in all of front elevation, top plan and side elevation.

Abstract: Front structure for a vehicle includes a unitary panel formed to define a vehicle cowl and a vehicle bulkhead. The vehicle cowl may form an air intake plenum. The unitary panel is configured to at least partially define a front compartment of the vehicle. An alternative unitary panel is formed to define a hood having inner and outer panel portions and, optionally, fenders. Another alternative unitary panel is formed to define a cowl, a bulkhead and a hood. The preferable method for forming the panels is quick plastic forming, superplastic forming or sheet hydroforming.

Abstract: The modular front end forms the front portion of a motor vehicle. The modular front end includes a bulkhead defining a plurality of integrally formed attachment mounts. A drive train assembly carrying at least an engine of the motor vehicle is attached to the bulkhead at the attachment mounts. A crash energy absorption assembly is attached to the attachment mounts on the bulkhead and generally extends around the drive train assembly. An apron assembly is attached to the bulkhead at the attachment mounts and is generally positioned above the drive train assembly and crash energy absorption assembly.

Abstract: A cowl grille structure for positioning in a space between a lower edge of a motor vehicle windshield and a rear edge of a motor vehicle hood. In one embodiment the cowl grille structure includes a molded main body planar leaf screen portion, a washer fluid channel extending along the main body portion and molded integrally with the main body portion, and mounting structure molded integrally with the main body portion for receiving a windshield washer nozzle member with the nozzle member in fluid communication with the integral channel whereby windshield washer fluid may be delivered to the nozzle member through the integral channel. In a second embodiment the washer fluid channel is defined by a molding positioned along the rear edge of the main body leaf screen portion between the rear edge of the main body portion and the lower edge of the windshield.

Abstract: An electronic system generally includes a flatwire electronic site and a flatwire bus electronically connecting the flatwire electronic site to an electronic device in the engine compartment. The flatwire electronic site has a flexible substrate with electronic components attached to the substrate for operation of the electronic device. The flatwire electronic site is mounted to the passenger site of the bulkhead for thermal cooling as well as protection from the harsh environment of the engine compartment. The bulkhead has an aperture sized to allow the flatwire bus to pass through the bulkhead into the engine compartment. By utilizing a flatwire bus, this aperture is small in size and the integrity of the bulkhead is improved.

Abstract: A front end assembly for a vehicle includes a U-shaped tubular structure, a body portion having a pair of laterally-spaced, longitudinally extending cowl sides, and, a pair of laterally-spaced A-pillar structures. The U-shaped tubular structure is secured to each A-pillar and each cowl side at longitudinally-spaced apart locations. The laterally-spaced connection points provide improved rigidity and reduce distortion.

Abstract: A tailored blank article having a lead-in opening structure, which is free from water leakage even through a lead-in opening is located at a step formed on one surface of the tailored blank article consisting of two metal plates with different thicknesses butt-welded together. The lead-in opening structure includes a recessed portion formed in the stepped surface of the tailored blank article along a peripheral edge of the opening, a sealing material filled in the recessed portion to undergo leveling of the peripheral edge of the opening including the step, and a seal plate covering the sealing material and attached to the tailored blank article.

Abstract: A structure of a cowl and its vicinities is provided which is capable of, even in a vehicle which has an open cowl structure, using the open cowl structure as a member which connects the right and left bodies of the vehicle, and at the same time, realizing a structure that is useful for protecting a pedestrian. At the end part of a cowl 12 in the vehicle rear direction, one end of a dash upper panel 16 is connected; its other end extends below the cowl 12 and in the vehicle front direction; from its middle part in the vehicle front-and-rear directions, a cowl cross-member lower 9 extends in the vehicle upper direction; at the upper-end part of the cowl cross-member lower 9, a protrusion portion 25 is formed; and by welding it to a cowl cross-member upper 10, a closed-section portion 27 is formed between them. Herein, the cowl cross-member upper 10 is thinner than the cowl cross-member lower 9.

Abstract: A vehicle cowl structure basically comprises a cowl panel and a vent pipe disposed in the cowl panel at a low drainage point on a lateral wall portion of the cowl panel. The vent pipe includes an opening that is split by a divider into an upper air passageway and a lower water drain passageway. The vent pipe also includes a mounting flange that contacts with an interior surface of the lateral wall portion and retaining projections to create a snap-fit between the vent pipe and the drainage aperture of the cowl panel. The vent pipe is also inserted into a hole formed in a vehicle body section such that a retaining member installed over the vent pipe contacts the vehicle body section around the hole and seals a space between the vent pipe and the hole of the vehicle body member.

Abstract: A front vehicle body structure is configured to transmit and disperse loads imparted from a front of the vehicle body to a wider portion of the vehicle body for improving the energy absorption efficiency. A generally rectangular or C-shaped frame-like structural body is formed by a pair of upper front pillar portions, an upper cross dash portion and either the front roof rail or a pair of side roof rails. Forward-protruding box-cross-section parts are connected to the bottom end parts of the upper front pillar portions and the rear ends of hood ledge members. Lower front pillar portions are connected to the upper front pillar portions, the box-cross-section parts, the upper cross dash portion, and the side sills. The upper cross dash portion is arranged on the axes of the upper front pillar portions as seen in a side elevational view.

Abstract: A windshield stop is operable in a conventional manner to support the lower edge of an automotive windshield while the adhesive material mounting the windshield to the body of the automobile cures, and is also operable to provide an attachment of the cowl grille assembly covering the gap between the windshield and the hood of the automobile. The windshield stop has a cowl mounting portion integrally formed with the finger supports for the windshield. An opening through the cowl mounting portion can receive a conventional push pin to attach the cowl grille assembly to the windshield stop and provide a fixed support therefore.

Abstract: An upper mounting part of a front strut assembly adapted to reinforce the rigidity of the periphery of a frontal mounting hole, rear mounting hole, and central mounting hole by a lower cowl panel mounted for integrally welding to the shock absorber housing upper panel placed at both sides of the engine room, and a lower cowl reinforcing means welded onto the lower cowl panel is disclosed. The structure minimizes resonance generated by the load transmitted from the outside of the vehicle, reduces driving noise and improves the vehicle ride and steering.

Abstract: The modular front end forms the front portion of a motor vehicle. The modular front end includes a bulkhead defining a plurality of integrally formed attachment mounts. A drive train assembly carrying at least an engine of the motor vehicle is attached to the bulkhead at the attachment mounts. A crash energy absorption assembly is attached to the attachment mounts on the bulkhead and generally extends around the drive train assembly. An apron assembly is attached to the bulkhead at the attachment mounts and is generally positioned above the drive train assembly and crash energy absorption assembly.

Abstract: A structure in which a plurality of electrical equipments are arranged in a motor vehicle is provided in which electrical equipments, such as an engine control computer, a relay block, a junction box, an ABS actuator, and a meter unit, which were conventionally arranged apart from each other in an engine room and cabin of the vehicle, are concentrated in a generally central region of the vehicle as viewed in the vehicle width direction, namely, on a centerline that extends in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle body and in the vicinity thereof.

Abstract: A vehicle has a fluid center that comprises a cowl tray mounted to the cowl structure of its operator cabin below a lower end of the windshield of the operator cabin. In addition to a cowl tray the fluid center comprises a fluid reservoir and/or a fluid-center-mounted engine-air-intake duct with an inlet that is directly or indirectly in fluid communication the atmosphere and an outlet that is in fluid communication with other engine-air-intake ducts of the vehicle.

Abstract: A cowl structure for a vehicle, which includes: a box-section cross member under a windshield of the vehicle; an extension member extending frontward from a base wall of the cross member; and a wiper bracket attached to a front wall of the cross member and the extension member. Either the base wall of the cross member or the extension member is provided with a rigidity changing part.

Abstract: An instrument panel is formed in such a manner as to be vertically divided into an upper panel and a lower panel along a transverse direction of the body of a vehicle. A steering support beam and a blower unit are integrally mounted on the lower panel to construct a unitized component before they are mounted on the vehicle body. After the unitized component is mounted on the vehicle body from an upper side of the lower panel, the upper panel is mounted on the vehicle body.

Abstract: A vehicle body ventilation system for a vehicle having a windshield, a hood, and a cowl assembly, wherein the cowl assembly comprises a cowl grille panel having a front and a rear edge and a first seal including a sealing portion and a carrier portion wherein the carrier portion is frictionally engaged with the front edge of the cowl grille panel. A second seal is provided that includes a sealing portion and a carrier portion wherein the carrier portion is frictionally engaged with the rear edge of the cowl grille panel. The carrier portion of the first seal and the second seal are of a first durometer and the sealing portion of the first seal and the sealing portion of the second seal each are of a second durometer for sealing to a vehicle windshield and hood, wherein the second durometer is less than the first durometer.

Abstract: In a motor vehicle, a strut is arranged between the cowl cross member and the center console cross member. The strut is supported in the cowl cross member on a junction element by way of a holder. The junction element includes a profile element and a structural foam part arranged above the latter, which structural foam part swells as a result of a heat treatment, and a precisely fitting filling-out of the interior of the cowl cross member is achieved.

Abstract: An apparatus for aligning and supporting a rotatable shaft through a plastic molded support member includes an integral boss formed in the plastic molded support allowing insertion of the rotatable shaft to be supported therethrough. At least one bearing is associated with the boss for establishing proper orientation of a rotational axis of the rotatable shaft to be mounted through the boss. At least one bearing is press fit into the boss. In the preferred configuration, a pair of hat-shaped cylindrical bearings are press fit in opposite ends of the boss to define the rotational axis of the shaft to be mounted through the boss.

Abstract: An electronic system generally includes a flatwire electronic site and a flatwire bus electronically connecting the flatwire electronic site to an electronic device in the engine compartment. The flatwire electronic site has a flexible substrate with electronic components attached to the substrate for operation of the electronic device. The flatwire electronic site is mounted to the passenger site of the bulkhead for thermal cooling as well as protection from the harsh environment of the engine compartment. The bulkhead has an aperture sized to allow the flatwire bus to pass through the bulkhead into the engine compartment. By utilizing a flatwire bus, this aperture is small in size and the integrity of the bulkhead is improved.

Abstract: The modular front end forms the front portion of a motor vehicle. The modular front end includes a bulkhead defining a plurality of integrally formed attachment mounts. A drive train assembly carrying at least an engine of the motor vehicle is attached to the bulkhead at the attachment mounts. A crash energy absorption assembly is attached to the attachment mounts on the bulkhead and generally extends around the drive train assembly. An apron assembly is attached to the bulkhead at the attachment mounts and is generally positioned above the drive train assembly and crash energy absorption assembly.

Abstract: A vehicle body ventilation system for a vehicle having a windshield, a hood, and a cowl assembly, wherein the cowl assembly comprises a cowl grille panel having a front and a rear edge and a first seal including a sealing portion and a carrier portion wherein the carrier portion is frictionally engaged with the front edge of the cowl grille panel. A second seal is provided that includes a sealing portion and a carrier portion wherein the carrier portion is frictionally engaged with the rear edge of the cowl grille panel. The carrier portion of the first seal and the second seal are of a first durometer and the sealing portion of the first seal and the sealing portion of the second seal each are of a second durometer for sealing to a vehicle windshield and hood, wherein the second durometer is less than the first durometer.

Abstract: A passenger compartment isolator system interposed between the engine compartment and passenger compartment of an automotive vehicle includes a dash panel having generally vertical and horizontal portions extending under the leading edge of the vehicle's windshield, and an isolator panel affixed to the horizontal and vertical portions of the dash panel on the engine compartment side of the dash panel.

Abstract: An apparatus for aligning and supporting a rotatable shaft through a plastic molded support member includes an integral boss formed in the plastic molded support allowing insertion of the rotatable shaft to be supported therethrough. At least one bearing is associated with the boss for establishing proper orientation of a rotational axis of the rotatable shaft to be mounted through the boss. At least one bearing is press fit into the boss. In the preferred configuration, a pair of hat-shaped cylindrical bearings are press fit in opposite ends of the boss to define the rotational axis of the shaft to be mounted through the boss.

Abstract: An apparatus for supporting an assembly including a wiper drive motor, a linkage, and a pair of wiper arm drive shafts with respect to a windshield of a motor vehicle to be cleaned includes a molded cowl/plenum member having two integral bosses extending therethrough. Each boss receives a wiper arm drive shaft extending therethrough. The cowl/plenum member also includes an integral wiper drive motor mount. At least one bearing is associated with each boss for establishing the proper orientation of a rotational axis of each drive shaft to be mounted through the integral bosses. The bearing preferably includes a pair of hat-shaped cylindrical bearings press fit into opposite ends of each boss to define the rotational axis of the drive shaft.

Abstract: A reinforcement (10) is connected between right and left-side front pillars, and reinforces an instrument panel. A section of the reinforcement (10) has a letter-H type shape. Therefore, a torsional rigidity needed for the reinforcement is secured, and a wire harness (33), a first steering support (14) or the liked can be disposed in a space formed by the letter-H type shape, so that space is effectively used. Furthermore, the reinforcement (10) is formed integrally with a center brace (13), the first and second steering supports (14, 15), a passenger seat-side airbag-securing member (16), a striker (17) of a glove box, and the like, by a die-cast method, so that the number of component parts and the production cost can be reduced.

Abstract: A vehicle having an engine compartment and a passenger compartment formed therein includes a cowl and a dash board disposed below the dash board. The cowl is halved into right and left halves. The dash board includes a dash board body and a dash board flange. The cowl includes a cowl body, a cowl flange, and a cover portion. A seal member is interposed between the dash board flange and the cowl flange. The seal member has a portion tightly contacting the cover portion and the dash board body.

Abstract: The modular front end forms the front portion of a motor vehicle. The modular front end includes a bulkhead defining a plurality of integrally formed attachment mounts. A drive train assembly carrying at least an engine of the motor vehicle is attached to the bulkhead at the attachment mounts. A crash energy absorption assembly is attached to the attachment mounts on the bulkhead and generally extends around the drive train assembly. An apron assembly is attached to the bulkhead at the attachment mounts and is generally positioned above the drive train assembly and crash energy absorption assembly.

Abstract: A process for injection molding a composite of rigid thermoplastic and soft thermoplastic, the soft thermoplastic including a cavity established with pressurized assist gas or an assist liquid. The process includes the steps of: injecting a hard molten thermoplastic into a first mold chamber; injecting a soft molten thermoplastic into a second mold chamber; establishing communication between the first chamber and the second chamber so that the rigid thermoplastic and soft thermoplastic integrally bond; and injecting an assist fluid into the soft thermoplastic to form a cavity. In a preferred embodiment, the formed composite is an automotive cowl where the rigid thermoplastic forms the rigid body portion of the cowl and the integrally bonded soft thermoplastic forms a compressible bulb seal.

Abstract: An engine room harness routing structure is provided that allows a harness trunk line to be routed without imposing restrictions on the design of the vehicle body. The harness trunk line is housed in an upper position inside a cowl box having a relatively large amount of leeway in its cross sectional area and is routed in the widthwise direction of the vehicle inside the cowl box. Consequently, there is no need to secure space for mounting the harness between the under surface of the cowl box and the upper surface a brake master cylinder back installed there below. As a result, the problem of the height of the cowl box from the ground increasing and affecting the design of the vehicle body can be avoided and the layout of harness trunk line can be established so as not to restrict the vehicle model.

Abstract: A cowl structure for a vehicle, which includes: a box-section cross member under a windshield of the vehicle; an extension member extending frontward from a base wall of the cross member; and a wiper bracket attached to a front wall of the cross member and the extension member. Either the base wall of the cross member or the extension member is provided with a rigidity changing part.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a structure for mounting a crash pad of an automobile and more particularly, to the structure for mounting a crash pad of an automobile which can prevent from easy separation of a pin from a cap by employing an interlocking structure between the pin of a crash pad and the cap of a cowl panel and ensure better efficient processability by having a locking means formed at a lower end of the pin to lock a low portion of a cap.

Abstract: The invention relates to a motor vehicle with a supporting structure provided at one end of a safety passenger compartment with a crumple zone and two wheel arches located in the vicinity of the crumple zone on the sides. A wheel is located in each respective wheel arch held by wheel guide members. A deflecting area extends diagonally to a central lengthwise axis of the motor vehicle for the associated wheel, between the safety passenger compartment and the rolling circumference of the two wheels in the straight-ahead position of the deflecting surface for the associated wheel against which the wheel moved by the crash-produced deformation of the crumple zone against the deflecting surface is deflected past the end of the safety passenger compartment. The deflecting surfaces are diagonally downwardly directed deflecting ramps by which the wheels are directed toward the safety passenger compartment and below the floor of the motor vehicle as the crumple zone collapses.

Abstract: A vehicle having an engine compartment and a passenger compartment formed therein includes a cowl and a dash board disposed below the dash board. The cowl is halved into right and left halves. The dash board includes a dash board body and a dash board flange. The cowl includes a cowl body, a cowl flange, and a cover portion. A seal member is interposed between the dash board flange and the cowl flange. The seal member has a portion tightly contacting the cover portion and the dash board body.

Abstract: A holding part of a cowl inner panel is disposed below a hood seal part of a cowl louver main body away therefrom by a predetermined distance, and the hood seal part is deformed by the impact force of a predetermined size or larger from the hood panel so as to reduce the deformation load on the hood panel. In the case impact force of a predetermined size or larger is applied on the hood panel, the impact force is transmitted to the hood seal part so that the hood seal part is deformed. Accordingly, the hood panel can be deformed drastically so that the impact to be applied from the hood panel onto the opposite party of the collision can be alleviated. Further, both end parts of a seal main body made from an elastic soft material, having a substantially U-shaped cross-section is fixed with a cowl louver and a flat plate part, respectively as well as the cowl louver and the flat plate part are fixed on the car body directly or indirectly.

Abstract: The modular front end forms the front portion of a motor vehicle. The modular front end includes a bulkhead defining a plurality of integrally formed attachment mounts. A drive train assembly carrying at least an engine of the motor vehicle is attached to the bulkhead at the attachment mounts. A crash energy absorption assembly is attached to the attachment mounts on the bulkhead and generally extends around the drive train assembly. An apron assembly is attached to the bulkhead at the attachment mounts and is generally positioned above the drive train assembly and crash energy absorption assembly.

Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, the present invention provides a high temperature injection molded polymeric rainhat for a heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning air intake of an automotive vehicle is provided. The rainhat includes a flange for adhesively and sealably joining to a portion of the generally planar automotive vehicle cowling encircling a flared air inlet opening. A water dam joined to the flange extends beyond an end of the flared opening. The water dam has an extreme upper edge forming an opening. A foreign matter ingestion preventer has a plurality of first curvilinear supports extending in a first direction over the water dam upper edge opening. Each first support has opposite ends joined with the water dam, and each first support has a middle portion domed above the opening of the water dam. Each first support has a tapered exterior side. The foreign matter ingestion preventer also has plurality of second supports intersecting with the first curvilinear supports.