Abstract: A clearance 44 is provided between the outer periphery of a duct 42 and a vehicle body, that is, a radiator support 50 and, at the same time, the clearance 44 is made to have a labyrinth structure. In this structure, it is possible to prevent vibrations of the vehicle body from being propagated from the radiator support 50 to the duct 42 while preventing a current of air, such as one caused by movement of the vehicle, from flowing around heat exchangers, such as a radiator 10, and flowing downstream through the clearance 44. Therefore, it is possible to improve the cooling performance of heat exchangers such as the radiator 10 while preventing the duct 42, that is, a duct shroud 40 from being damaged by vibration.

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 luggage loft assembly for supporting articles for overhead storage in a mass transit vehicle includes an inner shell having a shelf panel and a back wall that extends upward from an outboard edge of the shelf panel and connects at an upper edge to the ceiling of a vehicle passenger compartment. An outer shell has an inboard edge connected to an inboard edge of the inner shell and an outboard edge connectable to a supporting structure such as a vehicle passenger compartment wall. The outer shell partially defines a longitudinal cavity between the outer shell, the wall, and the ceiling of the vehicle passenger compartment. Stanchions connect at respective lower ends to the inboard edge of one of the inner and outer shells. The stanchions have upper ends connectable to a supporting structure such as the ceiling of a vehicle passenger compartment. The outer shell comprises inboard and outboard channels that interconnect with each other and with the inner shell.

Abstract: A mounting arrangement for accepting a pipe through a boundary in a vehicle includes a dash defining a boundary between an engine compartment and a passenger compartment. A dash mat is disposed adjacent to the dash. A pipe extends through the dash between the engine compartment and the passenger compartment. A first mounting plate is positioned in the passenger compartment and accepts the pipe through a passage therein. A noise abating material is disposed between the dash and the mounting plate. The noise abating material contacts an outer circumferential surface of the pipe and overlaps a portion of the dash mat in an assembled position.

Abstract: An accelerated vehicle development process includes establishing a common, standardized interface system whereby different types of vehicle bodies may be attached to a single chassis design. Chassis and bodies are designed, manufactured and validated independently of each other in accordance with the standardized interface system, thereby accelerating the development process. As new bodies are designed to mate with the previously manufactured and validated chassis, the newly designed bodies may be developed more quickly in response to market demand and attached to the previously validated chassis.

Abstract: A windowpane is supported in a gasket by a support member so that a space for allowing the windowpane to shift therein is ensured between an end surface of the windowpane and a surface in a channel of the gasket facing the end surface, the gasket having the channel for receiving a peripheral edge of the windowpane, and the support member being removable from the gasket. The windowpane can be easily removed from a body panel by removing the support member and shifting the windowpane into the space.

Abstract: The invention relates to a structural component for a motor vehicle, especially a stretcher to be used in the driver's compartment. The structural component (10) is configured as a lightweight component that comprises a shell-shaped base (12) and plastic reinforcement ribs (20, 26) molded onto said base. The aim of the invention is to provide an improved structural component that has the advantages of a lightweight component while being capable of fulfilling other functions in addition to its structural function. To this end, at least one channel (16) is completely or partially injection-molded into the interior (14) of the base (12) along with the reinforcement ribs (20).

Abstract: A multifunctional bumper assembly, for use with a vehicle, which provides energy absorption structure as well as an air intake assembly housed within the interior of the bumper assembly to increase engine compartment space. The bumper assembly has an elongated wall having a generally C-shaped cross section internally defining a channel housing the air intake assembly. The air intake assembly includes an elongated duct having inlet and outlet ends and a housing for an intake air filter element connected intermediate the ends for filtering air drawn in through the inlet end and discharged through the outlet end to an engine air intake.

Abstract: A structural member of the present invention includes a substrate having portions defining an inwardly extending channel and a blow molded member in contact with the substrate. The blow molded member has portions that engage the portions of the substrate that define the inwardly extending channel such that the blow molded member is secured to the substrate.

Abstract: A vehicle door includes a hollow box section, a window glass module projecting from the hollow box section, and a cable harness near the region where the window glass module exits from the hollow box section. A sub-assembly including the window glass module and a window regulator is introduced inside the hollow box section through an opening. The cable harness powers electrical components (such as a window regulator inside the door) and can then be introduced into the hollow box section through the opening without forming a supplementary opening through the door edge and require the operator to work blindly. The cable harness connects to the electrical components of the door more simply and less expensively.

Abstract: An HVAC duct is mounted within a pillar providing a frame element of a framing structure defining a passenger compartment of a vehicle such as a van, an SUV or a station wagon. The HVAC duct is stabilized within the pillar by a layer of structural foam or other cellular structure which is adhered to the interior surface of a wall of the pillar, for example, by heat expanded epoxy adhesive. In a method of assembling the HVAC duct and pillar, the duct is mounted on an interior wall portion of the pillar prior to enclosing the duct in the pillar by welding an exterior wall portion of the pillar to the interior wall portion of the pillar. Upon heating the pillar to bake the frame assembly after painting the frame assembly, the heat expandable epoxy expands and adheres to interior surfaces of the pillar walls. The resulting structure reduces structural intrusion into the passenger compartment by the duct and pillar assemblage, while increasing the cross-sectional area of the pillar.

Abstract: A ceiling air passage system for a vehicle air conditioner has an air passage into which conditioned air from an air conditioning unit is introduced, a three-dimension structure member having a three-dimension passage shape. The air passage is provided along a vehicle ceiling portion, and the three-dimension structure member is disposed substantially in an entire area of the air passage. Further, a passage member for defining a lower part of the air passage is provided with innumerable air outlets from which conditioned air in the air passage is blown downward in the passenger compartment. Accordingly, the conditioned air can be relatively uniformly blown in a wide area of the vehicle ceiling portion.

Abstract: The invention relates to a component, in particular a crossmember for arranging between A-pillars of a motor vehicle, having an essentially tubular base body in which at least one duct is provided. In order to provide an improved lightweight component which can be produced in a more simple manner using fewer working steps and therefore more cost-effectively and in which, in an advantageous manner, a duct can be integrated, it is proposed that the base body is lined on the inside with plastic in order to form duct walls consisting of plastic. The component according to the invention is used as a dashboard support in a motor vehicle.

Abstract: A cable guide (1) has a plurality of tubular links (11) consecutively connected to one another for pivoting about substantially parallel axes. At least some of the cables to be inserted into a cable guide (1) are flat cables (5) placed one over another so that the width of the flat cables (5) is parallel to the pivotal axes of the links (11) of the cable guide (1).

Abstract: Vehicle storage and ventilation systems are provided. A first system comprises a body including at least one lumen formed therein. A first lumen includes a ventilation lumen for allowing airflow therethrough. A second lumen includes a storage lumen. A lid member is moveable from a closed position substantially covering the storage lumen, to an open position substantially clear of the storage lumen. The ventilation lumen provides a transverse airflow pathway from a first vehicle side to a second vehicle side. A second system comprises means for transverse airflow from a first vehicle side to a second vehicle side, load floor means, and storage means including lid means.

Abstract: A headliner assembly for a vehicle. The headliner assembly includes a headliner body and a flexible air duct. The headliner body includes a vent aperture and first and second surfaces. The first surface is disposed adjacent to a roof of the vehicle and the second surface is disposed opposite the first surface. The flexible air duct includes an inlet for receiving pressurized air and a duct portion that channels pressurized air from the inlet to the vent aperture. The flexible air duct is attached to the first surface and inflates when air is provided through the inlet and at least partially deflates when air is not provided through the inlet.

Abstract: The invention concerns a motor vehicle air duct also serving as crosspiece forming part of the structure of the vehicle. The invention is characterised in that the duct comprises two half-shells (2, 12) including each a tubular portion (6, 16) and two lateral flanks (4a, 4b; 14a, 14b); it further comprises: two stop elements (22a, 22b) defining each a rib projecting relative to one of the contact surfaces of one of the half-shells and having a stop surface arranged immediately proximate to an abutting surface (40a, 40b) provided on the other half-shell (12), a continuous weld bead (13a, 13b) extending between the contact surfaces of the half-shells which are in contact with each other.

Abstract: A strength member, for vehicle use, extending in the vehicle width direction inside an instrument panel of a vehicle has a reinforcing bar in which a closed space is formed, and the reinforcing bar has a driver's seat side region, a central region and an assistant driver's seat side region, the reinforcing bar being composed of a metallic member arranged in the driver's seat side region and a resin member or a resin and metallic member arranged in the central region and the assistant driver's seat side region.

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: An instrument panel (2) includes a surface-side molded panel member (3) made of a synthetic resin and a back-side molded panel member (4) made of a synthetic resin. The back-side molded panel member (4) is vibration-welded to the surface-side molded panel member (3) through a plurality of projections (5) existing on its surface opposed to the surface-side molded panel member (3), and a heat-insulating gap (6) is left between both of the molded panel members (3, 4). An air-conditioning duct (10) is formed using a portion (22) of the back-side molded panel member (4) as a portion of its peripheral wall. Thus, it is possible to provide an instrument panel-air conditioning duct assembly (1) for a vehicle, which is produced at a reduced number of steps.

Abstract: A cross car duct for use in an instrument panel assembly of an automotive vehicle includes an upper beam of one piece molded plastic extending longitudinally between opposing A-pillars of the vehicle. The cross car duct also includes a lower beam of one piece molded plastic attached to the upper beam and extending longitudinally between the A-pillars. A magnesium steering column support for supporting conventional steering components on the cross car duct is fixedly secured to the upper beam. The upper beam includes a plurality of air ducts and the lower beam includes a plurality of air openings aligned with the air ducts for passing air through the beams. The lower beam also includes a housing for supporting an HVAC module. The cross car duct further includes a plurality of integrated mode doors and actuators operatively connected to the housing of the lower beam for actuation between an open position spaced from the air openings and a closed position covering the air openings in the lower beam.

Abstract: A vehicle console has multiple storage areas and multiple access points. The vehicle console includes a housing and first through third modules. The housing has first and second sections. The first module is slidingly coupled to the housing and configured to slide over the first section. The second module is slidingly coupled to the housing and the first module and configured to slide over the first and second sections. The third module pivotally coupled to the housing and pivotally moveable between a first position substantially covering the second section and a second position substantially uncovering the second section.

Abstract: The present invention is generally directed towards a composite structural fluid handling duct in a motor vehicle. The composite structural fluid handling duct comprises a substrate defining an aperture and a blow molded member, wherein a portion of the blow molded member extends into the aperture to form a retaining member. A portion of the substrate forming the aperture is deformed such that the aperture has an inner dimension and an outer dimension. The composite structural fluid handling duct also has an inlet for allowing fluid to enter, and at least one outlet for exhausting fluid from the duct.

Abstract: A method for creating a hot melt foamed form for an air induction system. A block of thermal mastic elastomer is melted and blended with nitrogen gas to create a foamed material. The foamed material is applied by robotic techniques over a base material on the surface of a polypropylene glass lower shell. After the foamed material cures, a polypropylene glass cover is applied over the foamed material form to create an air tight dust/water seal. The cover does not adhere to the cured foamed material and is removable when service is necessary. The foam material can also be dispensed into a mold and then transferred to the base, allowing for changes in the shape and profile of the foamed material. This method can also be employed to create an isolation pad on an air induction system to absorb engine shock. The thermal mastic elastomer can also be employed to create a seal between the cover neck of an air induction assembly and a mass air flow sensor.

Abstract: A vehicle headliner assembly (152) includes a headliner structural layer. A foam beam (174) is joined to the headliner structural layer. A washer fluid line (168) is embedded within the foam beam (174). A method of forming a headliner structure is provided. The method includes forming a headliner main body (170). The headliner main body (170) is positioned in a mold (220) that has a recess (224). The mold (220) is closed. Foam is introduced into the recess to form a foam beam (174) and to join the foam beam (174) to the headliner main body (170). A portion of a washer fluid line (168) is embedded in the foam.

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 assembly body has a vent duct arranged below an instrument panel of a vehicle and a glove compartment is provided. This duct assembly body includes of two panels divided into an upper-half and a lower-half, which are formed by resin injection molding, and a lower-half of the vent duct and the glove compartment are integrally molded in the lower-half panel.

Abstract: An electric wire excess length absorbing device has a casing, a reel pivotably provided in the casing for winding an electric wire, and an energizing member to energize the reel in a direction to wind the electric wire, which casing has an opening portion to lead out the electric wire. The casing may be formed long between a portion having the reel and the opening portion. A sliding door-use power feeding apparatus has an electric wire excess length absorbing device installed in a sliding door or on a vehicle body. A moving-side electric wire is arranged on one of the sliding door and the vehicle body, and a fixed-side electric wire 3b is arranged on the other of the sliding door and the vehicle body.

Abstract: The invention concerns a motor vehicle air duct also serving as crosspiece forming part of the structure of the vehicle. The invention is characterised in that the duct comprises two half-shells (2, 12) including each a tubular portion (6, 16) and two lateral flanks (4a, 4b; 14a, 14b); it further comprises: two stop elements (22a, 22b) defining each a rib projecting relative to one of the contact surfaces of one of the half-shells and having a stop surface arranged immediately proximate to an abutting surface (40a, 40b) provided on the other half-shell (12), a continuous weld bead (13a, 13b) extending between the contact surfaces of the half-shells which are in contact with each other.

Abstract: An air conditioning duct to be positioned on a rear surface of a vehicular instrument panel (10). The duct (20) allows an air conditioning duct with complicated share to be formed of a plurality of separate cylindrical members (30 to 60). Joining the plurality of cylindrical members with a plurality of fixture members (71) allows the air conditioning duct to be obtained. The cylindrical members have leg portions (39A to 39C, 45, 55, 65) designed to be mounted to the instrument panel.

Abstract: An air diversion device captures a flow of air from above a roadway vehicle, more specifically large tractor trailer rigs operating over the highway, and forcibly diverts the captured air to the heart of the low pressure air void created behind the roadway vehicle as it passes over a roadway, reducing the amount of drag force applied to the roadway vehicle, thus increasing and enhancing the efficiency of operation of the roadway vehicle. The diversion device includes at least one air intake manifold placed on the top of the roadway vehicle near the rear of the roadway vehicle, a channeled duct system, and a forced air outlet projecting the forced air gathered by the air intake manifold through the channeled duct system, ejecting the forced air in a relatively horizontal plane into the mid-center portion of the rear of the roadway vehicle at a highly accelerated rate.

Abstract: An improved seating system that includes a seat back assembly (10) that is fabricated to include a seat back (12) with a first panel portion (14) that is optionally secured to a second panel portion (16) with one or more fasteners such as welds, adhesives, tack-offs, steel brackets or otherwise. The first panel portion (14), the second panel portion (16) or both preferably are plastic. The seat back assembly (10) may include one or more integrated reinforcement structures (20).

Abstract: The invention relates to a dashboard (1), designed to be mounted in the passenger compartment of a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle, including one or more fittings (2) and at least one member (8) for supporting said fitting or fittings (2), the latter having at least a first portion (9) secured to said supporting member or members (8) and a second portion (10), or socalled free portion, designed to be emerge and/or project from the passenger compartment. According to the invention, said dashboard further includes means (12) for positioning said free portion (10) of said fitting or fittings (2) in relation to said supporting member or members (8). The invention also relates to body for a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle, including such a dashboard.

Abstract: A vehicle air-conditioning duct 1 has an oblong cross-sectional configuration. The air-conditioning duct 1 has a top wall 16, a bottom wall 18 and side walls 12, 14 enclosing an interior space and at least one constriction 22, 24 formed by a projection protruding from at least one of the top wall 16 and the bottom wall 18 into the air-conditioning duct 1 so as to connect the top wall 16 with the bottom wall 18. The constriction 22, 24 continuously extends in an air flow direction so that cross-sectional areas of the constriction 22, 24 are constant in the air flow direction.

Abstract: A hybrid supporting structure for a vehicle dashboard, including: a metal cross member (10) having an elongated shape along a principal axis (12); an air-distribution duct (18) made of plastic material, including at least one duct of elongated shape (20), which extends parallel to the metal cross member (10), and an air-distribution box (22) anchored to the metal cross member (10) by co-moulding; and at least one support (28, 30) made of plastic material, anchored to the metal cross member (10) by co-moulding and connected to said air-distribution duct (20) so as to allow freedom of relative movement between the duct (20) and the support (28, 30) in a direction parallel to said principal axis (12).

Abstract: A body panel assembly having an inner panel and an outer panel. The outer panel has a greater coefficient of thermal expansion than the inner panel. An adhesive is disposed between the inner panel and the outer panel. A portion of the outer panel is hemmed to the inner panel to join the inner and outer panels together. A scrim pad may be provided between inner and outer panels to inhibit galvanic corrosion.

Abstract: An instrument panel (2) includes a surface-side molded panel member (3) made of a synthetic resin and a back-side molded panel member (4) made of a synthetic resin. The back-side molded panel member (4) is vibration-welded to the surface-side molded panel member (3) through a plurality of projections (5) existing on its surface opposed to the surface-side molded panel member (3), and a heat-insulating gap (6) is left between both of the molded panel members (3, 4). An air-conditioning duct (10) is formed using a portion (22) of the back-side molded panel member (4) as a portion of its peripheral wall. Thus, it is possible to provide an instrument panel-air conditioning duct assembly (1) for a vehicle, which is produced at a reduced number of steps.

Abstract: Vehicle floor coverings are provided with tubular air ducts therewithin that are configured to deliver air from air sources upwardly through a porous structure of the floor covering and into a vehicle compartment. Vehicle floor coverings are provided with electrical wiring harnesses therewithin that can facilitate the interconnection of various vehicle electronic components. Vehicle floor coverings are provided with optical fibers therewithin that are configured to deliver light from a light source to one or more locations within a vehicle and/or to provide special effects and customization of vehicle interiors.

Abstract: The present invention is generally directed towards a composite structural fluid handling duct in a motor vehicle. The composite structural fluid handling duct comprises a substrate defining an aperture and a blow molded member, wherein a portion of the blow molded member extends into the aperture to form a retaining member. A portion of the substrate forming the aperture is deformed such that the aperture has an inner dimension and an outer dimension. The composite structural fluid handling duct also has an inlet for allowing fluid to enter, and at least one outlet for exhausting fluid from the duct.

Abstract: A ceiling air passage system for a vehicle air conditioner has an air passage into which conditioned air from an air conditioning unit is introduced, a three-dimension structure member having a three-dimension passage shape. The air passage is provided along a vehicle ceiling portion, and the three-dimension structure member is disposed substantially in an entire area of the air passage. Further, a passage member for defining a lower part of the air passage is provided with innumerable air outlets from which conditioned air in the air passage is blown downward in the passenger compartment. Accordingly, the conditioned air can be relatively uniformly blown in a wide area of the vehicle ceiling portion.

Abstract: In a sealing element for a movable roof section of a vehicle which seal element includes a pocket delimited by a sealing wall of the sealing element and is open toward one side for receiving cables, a cable guide channel is formed on the inside of the sealing wall so as to be accessible by way of the open side of the pocket and a sealing lip extends over the open side of the pocket and forms, between the outside of the sealing wall and the sealing lip, a seal channel for receiving a part of the movable roof section when the movable roof section is closed.

Abstract: An instrument support member with an integrated air conducting unit to be mounted between the A-columns of a motor vehicle is composed of at least two metal shells which are connected to each other by plasma jet welding with an effective focus remote from the nozzle, and a plastic tube surrounded by the shells. The plastic tube is mounted at a radial distance from the shells.

Abstract: A center console for a vehicle includes air vents at a rear end of the center console. An air passage to deliver heated or cooled air to the vents is formed within the center console by foam molded to the hard plastic which forms the center console housing. The foam is molded to include an internal passage that acts as the air passage.

Abstract: An air-conditioning duct structure is included in a vehicular dash beam member. Material for the duct is made of a heat insulating and sound absorbing material and is adhered onto the surface of a sheet material for the beam member which is then bent into a semi-tubular shape so that the material for the duct is positioned inside thereby forming beam member bodies. Beam member bodies are combined by joining their joining surfaces that face each other to thereby form a tubular closed sectional shape. Achieving vibration attenuation, noise absorption and the heat insulating functions with an inner surface sheet member of an air conditioning duct is achievable. An air conditioning duct extending across a vehicle's width is formed by joining a metal reinforcing member and a resin cover. The sheet member is put between the reinforcing member and the cover.

Abstract: In a connecting structure of an air duct of a vehicular air conditioning unit, an end of the air duct is engaged with an air conditioning case when an instrument panel is mounted on a vehicle body with the air duct. Therefore, a sealing member such as packing is not required between the connecting portions of the end of the air duct and an air outlet port of the case.

Abstract: An air channeler device is provided for use with a vehicle having a forward and rearward end for reducing wind resistance of the vehicle. The air channeler has an air inlet for positioning within an air stream surrounding the vehicle so that air is received in the inlet as the air stream moves about the vehicle. An air discharge is provided for positioning at a generally central location of the rearward end of the vehicle and has a width that is substantially less than the width of the rearward end of the body so that the air discharge is spaced inward from the edges of the rearward end. An air conduit couples to the vehicle and has a generally tubular passageway that is in communication between the air inlet and the air discharge for directing air from the air inlet through the conduit to the discharge.

Abstract: A molded cross vehicle beam which includes a hollow blow molded thermoplastic rigid member that is integrally attached to a rigid support, e.g., a U-shaped metal plate, and at least one attachment element, is described. The rigid support (12) has a first surface, a second surface and a plurality of perforations having edges. The attachment element(s) (81, 84) have a first surface, a second surface and a plurality of perforations having edges. The attachment element provides a manner of attaching the molded cross vehicle beam to a separate structure (e.g., the A-pillars of an automobile). A thermoplastic parison precursor of the hollow rigid thermoplastic member (15) is blow molded against the first surfaces of the rigid support (12) and the attachment element (81, 84).

Abstract: A method of producing a vehicle panel. The method comprises the steps of: laying wire on a first sheet of thermoplastic or thermoset composite material in a desired configuration; placing or forming a second sheet of thermoplastic or thermoset material on the first sheet of material thereby sandwiching the wire; and, pressing the sheets together so that they encase and insulate the wire, wherein the wire is left exposed at connection points formed by apertures in the sheets. A vehicle panel made according to the method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method and device for enveloping and fixing a bundle of electrical cables. The bundle is inserted into a channel-shaped elongate shell (2) through a longitudinal entry aperture (4) the width of which, at rest, is less than the diameter of the bundle and can be increased by elastic deformation of the shell, the latter itself being inserted into an elongate housing (7) provided in the support, through a longitudinal entry aperture (8) the width of which is less than the outside diameter of the shell at rest. The assembly is particularly useful to support electrical power supplies and the transmission of electrical signals in a motor vehicle.

Abstract: An interior, in particular front, cross member (10) of a vehicle for circulating an air stream and fixing equipment items of the vehicle. The cross member is provided by an extruded profile (10) defining at least an air flow conduit (11, 12) and zones (13, 14, 15) of extra thickness for fixing the equipment items.