Abstract: An engagement portion to be engaged with a vehicle body is formed on the lower surface of the front end of a joined portion of a defroster duct. The engagement portion is engaged with a fitting hole of a cowl panel. The joined portion of the defroster duct has a curve portion formed thereon, in which a rib of an instrument panel abuts against a duct portion of the defroster duct. When the duct portion is pressed forward of the vehicle, the curve portion elastically deforms so as to keep a blow port of the defroster duct aligned with a blow port of the instrument panel.

Abstract: A B-column roof module has fastening points for vehicle interior equipment parts, such as holding grips, lights, etc. The B-column roof module has an oblong basic body which, in the installed condition, extends from the roof-side end of a B-column transversely thereto on a roof frame. In addition, the vehicle interior equipment parts are functionally integrated in the roof module.

Abstract: A sliding interior sunroof panel assembly for covering the lower side of a sliding panel of a sliding sunroof construction and for the ventilation of the vehicle interior with a partially, opened or raised sliding panel consists of a rigid interior roof panel (1) and a ventilation strip (4) attached near the front of the panel. The ventilation strip (4) is set into an opening in the interior roof panel (1) with longitudinal play and latched there in a particular manner so that differing coefficients of thermal expansion of the different materials used for the interior roof panel (1) and the ventilation strip (4) cannot lead to undesirable undulation of the ventilation strip (4) with corresponding temperature conditions since stress is regulated at the latch positions by displacement movements between the latch elements (16, 19). The ventilation strip (4) always, therefore, lies flat against the covered (12, 13), lower visible surface of the sliding interior sunroof panel.

Abstract: An automobile has a ventilation shaft extending lengthwise on the vehicle floor between the front seats, the shaft being connected to an air-conditioning system to ventilate the foot area of the rear seats. A console is displaceably mounted on the top of the ventilation shaft, with an air duct formed in the bottom area of the console. The duct communicates in an air-exchange relationship with the ventilation shaft. To use the console that can be displaced lengthwise for optimally providing the rear seat passengers with air that is either warmed or air-conditioned as desired, the opening of the air duct that is at the end of the console that faces the rear seats is configured to optionally close or open, and a plurality of air outlet openings is provided in the shaft wall of the ventilation shaft. The openings are arranged in series within the displacement range of the console and are each provided with a closing element. A control mechanism operates between the console and the closing elements.

Abstract: An air exhaust and water management system for a motor vehicle to allow air to flow out of the vehicle cabin and to restrict air and water from flowing into the vehicle cabin is provided. The system includes a vehicle body having an aperture formed therein. The system also includes an air exhauster received in the aperture including outboard actuating flaps to allow air to flow out of the cabin while restricting air from flowing into the vehicle. The system also includes a water diverter nested between the air exhauster and the vehicle body to collect and funnel water out of the cabin that may have entered the cabin through the aperture in the body.

Abstract: There is provided an arrangement for preventing a wire harness, which is laid along the frame provided around a rear window glass, from projecting over the glass insertion side and into a glass insertion area of the door. At arc-shaped portions of the frame, arc-shaped guide components, such as a guide bar, a guide tube, etc., are attached to the wire harness laid along the frame provided around the rear window glass of the back door for automobile. The guide bar may be formed of a resin, including polyamide, polypropylene, nylon, vinyl chloride, etc., and the guide tube may be suitably formed of polyethylene. Clamps are attached to the wire harness at linear portions of the frame, and then the clamps are inserted into clamp holes provided in the frame and anchored thereat, thereby preventing the wire harness from projecting over the frame and into a glass insertion area of the door.

Abstract: A covering part for mounting on a front wall of an occupant compartment of a vehicle, having an instrument panel and a center console which starts in the center on a lower instrument panel area and continues in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle occupant compartment. For providing a sufficiently large free surface for a combined accommodation of a plurality of operating elements with or without control and display elements in a cohesive operating unit and of large-surface air outlet openings, the instrument panel is constructed with a hood-shaped center part which extends in a diagonally sloped manner with respect to the center console and changes into the center console at the end side. The center part is provided with a bridge console spanning the center part at a distance from its front surface, which bridge console extends from the upper instrument panel area to the center console.

Abstract: Pipe-like air duct is formed of hard aluminum foil. Concaves and convexes give flexibility to the air duct. For the air duct, kraft paper is wound on both surfaces of the aluminum foil. This air duct is disposed between an outer panel and an inner panel of vehicle body along the panels, laid to the rear seat of the vehicle, and connected to a blow-off port for the rear seat. In a collision of the vehicle, the air duct is subjected to plastic deformation, by which the shock energy caused by an external force is absorbed.

Abstract: A panel body of an instrument panel in an automobile is formed of a synthetic resin foam. A duct element made of a synthetic resin foam having a compatibility with the panel body is welded to a back of the panel body to define air-conditioning air passages between the panel body and the duct element. Thus, the instrument panel also serves as a single duct element. Therefore, it is possible to provide an inexpensive air conditioning duct device in an automobile, which can be produced from a decreased number of parts and at a decreased number of assembling steps.

Abstract: A trim panel for mounting to a cabin wall of a vehicle, wherein the cabin wall includes an exhauster for relieving pressure within the cabin of the vehicle and a child-seat anchor for retaining a child seat. The trim panel includes a generally rigid support structure mounted to the cabin wall. The support structure includes a front surface and a rear surface. A plurality of channels is disposed on the rear surface of the support structure. These channels generally extend from a position adjacent the exhauster to an edge of the support structure. These channels further cooperate with the cabin wall of the vehicle to define a plurality of airflow paths between the cabin and the exhauster. More preferably, the trim panel of the present invention includes a sound-insulating membrane molded within the support structure for minimizing sound infiltration from the exhauster into the cabin.

Abstract: An apparatus for directing conditioned air into a vehicle passenger compartment including an integrally formed attachment member for securing the apparatus to a vehicle support structure. The attachment member has a flexible free end, an elongated body, an aperture, and a plurality of living hinges. The elongated body is inserted into a vehicle support structure aperture. The elongated body is then folded onto itself until the flexible free end is able to be inserted into locked engagement with the aperture in the elongated body. Thus, the present invention minimizes the cost of the apparatus, the number of parts, assembly time and complexity.

Abstract: A windshield molding is installed in the space between a windshield and a periphery of a window opening of a vehicle body panel. The windshield molding comprises a pair of extruded side molding parts, a pair of extruded corner molding parts, and an extruded upper molding part integral with and extending between the side and corner molding parts. Each of the side molding parts associated with each side edge of the windshield is larger in thickness compared to the upper and corner molding parts, where a water drain channel is formed.

Abstract: A disclosed drain structure of a vehicle is provided with a cowl top panel, a dam portion provided to a front end of the cowl top panel, a framework forming member connected to a side end of the cowl top panel, an opening provided to an upper surface of the framework forming member such as to communicate with the dam portion, and a space portion defined by use of the framework forming member and having a closed section. Here, liquid introduced onto the upper surface of the cowl top panel flows through the dam portion and the opening sequentially, and reaches the space portion.

Abstract: A guide member 10 made of an elastic material has an arcuate portion 10a which extends and contracts while twisting. A wiring harness D.multidot.W/H is arranged between a door and a body of a vehicle after being mounted on the guide member 10, and the opposite ends of the guide member 10 are fixed to the door and the body, so that the movements of the guide member and the wiring harness can follow the opening and closing movements of the door. The arcuate portion 10a is so configured as to construct a part of a torsion coil spring.

Abstract: The invention concerns a heating/air conditioning installation for the passenger compartment of a vehicle.It comprises treatment means produced in the form of at least one removable box suitable for being installed underneath the floor of the vehicle and containing an air inlet, an optional evaporator, a heating radiator and at least one air outlet suitable for being connected to distribution vents distributed within the passenger compartment.

Abstract: A plastic air duct is attached to a headliner surface. The plastic air duct is generally u-shaped and communicates air from an air supply to openings through the headliner. The use of the molded plastic part reduces the overall weight and cost of the headliner. Also, the plastic duct can be formed to have precisely designed structure such that a more precise control over the final shape of the duct is provided.

Abstract: A harness assembling structure for assembling a harness on a vehicle floor includes: an inner side sill having a projection piece extending upwardly; an outer side sill having a projection piece extending along the projection piece of the inner side sill; a scuff plate housing the harness and covering the inner side sill and the outer side sill, the scuff plate including, a U-shaped housing portion having an opening downward, for housing the harness, covering pieces continuously and pivotably provided at the housing portion and engage with the opening of the housing portion, and a clamp engaging with the outer side sill; and a hook provided at an end portion of a carpet laid on a floor panel, wherein the hooks are engaged with the projection pieces so as to fix the end portion of the carpet, the clamp is engaged with the outer side sill, so that lower walls of the covering pieces abut against an upper wall of the carpet, and an outer wall of the housing portion fastens the end portion of the carpet together w

Abstract: A vehicle-body-side air guiding device guides a first air current A such that it, is blown out directly in front of and exclusively in the area of the front wheels through blow-out openings provided on the bottom side of the vehicle in the direction of the roadway and, in the driving operation, forms an air wedge so that the air current B flowing through between the roadway and the bottom side of the vehicle is guided around the front wheels. So that the front wheel lift is not increased during the blowing-out of the air current, it is provided that, viewed in the flow direction of the air current, one deflection blade respectively is provided which is connected behind the blow-out openings and which deflects the air current emerging from the outlet openings toward the exterior side of the vehicle.

Abstract: An instrument panel for a motor vehicle comprises structural parts that, with the exception of the space required for the components of an air temperature conditioning system including at least one of a heater and an air conditioner, virtually completely fill the interior of the instrument panel. The structural parts are shaped to form air duct.

Abstract: A base member 13 is laid in a space portion, which is defined by an instrument panel, in a vehicle width direction over a generally entire width of the vehicle, and a plurality of ducts 15 to 20 are integrally formed with the base member 13. Furthermore, a meter placing portion 23 on which a meter is placed and an air bag placing portion 24 on which an air bag is placed are formed on the base member 13, and a harness placing portion 26 on which a flat harness is placed is also formed on the base member 13 in the vehicle width direction. Accordingly, the base member with which the plurality of ducts are integrally formed is a separate body from the instrument panel. Even in the case where the size of the instrument panel is changed, the base member is not required to correspond to the instrument panel and therefore, the ducts can be commonly used. Moreover, since the base member is formed with ducts each having a closed structure in section, it has a predetermined physical strength.

Abstract: An apparatus for cooling electrical components contained inside an enclosed housing, which is positioned proximate to a dashboard of a vehicle, includes an inlet pipe which receives a forced air flow and an outlet pipe which expels air from the enclosed housing. The inlet pipe receives the forced air flow either from a fan or from an air intake mechanism which supplies filtered air to an intake manifold of the vehicle engine. The air intake mechanism also maintains the temperature of the vehicle battery at a predetermined temperature by use of heated air from the engine exhaust manifold.

Abstract: An instrument panel for a motor vehicle comprises a plurality of layers which have voided areas. The plurality of layers are fitted together to construct an instrument panel so that the voided areas cooperate to form one or more air ducts that can extend in three-dimensions.

Abstract: A structural cross car beam for transverse mounting to A-pillars on opposite sides of an automotive vehicle body. The beam comprises outer, intermediate and inner nesting structural members fixed together at upper and lower edge portions and opposite end portions and internally configured to provide a structurally stiff load carrying and support beam. The outer member has a generally U-shaped cross section with upper, rear and lower sides and an open frontal area. The intermediate member has a modified generally W-shaped cross section with upper and lower sides nested with the corresponding sides of the outer member, spaced intermediate sides angled toward one another from adjacent the upper and lower sides to connect with a short front side, and open frontal areas between ends of the short front side and the upper and lower sides of the intermediate member.

Abstract: A vehicle, in particular road or railway vehicle such as tour bus or the like having a skeleton frame comprising side-wall parts containing vertical sections and joining these panel-like floor and roof elements, a roof beam being provided on both sides of the roof element--is such that the structural roof beam is in the form of channel section that is open downwards, and, forming a roof space which opens on the upwards facing side, is fitted to the downwards facing end of the inner flange of the roof beam. Further, both roof beam flanges are joined by transverse rods or plates which are spaced apart from each other and are attached at one end to the downward facing end of the inner roof beam. Vertical sections or columns of the side-wall part are situated opposite holding rails which are attached to the inner channel flange of the roof beam.

Abstract: A clamp-like device for the fastening of an element to a metal sheet part of a vehicle, comprising a tongue directly cut out in the metal sheet of the vehicle part and suitably shaped in accordance with the element to be held, the device being applicable to an automotive vehicle and in particular to the fastening of electric cable or piping harnesses.

Abstract: A blowing system for controlling the aerodynamics of a ground vehicle comprises a source of compressed air, a valve for regulating the flow of the compressed air, and a plenum for discharging the air at a rear portion of the vehicle. The air discharged through the plenum prevents flow separation and consequently reduces the drag on the vehicle. It may also increase lift, reducing effective weight and thus rolling resistance of the tires, or decrease lift to improve tire traction and handling. The blowing system may have separate plenums for the left and right sides of the vehicle whereby vortex roll-up and flow separation which occur on only one side of the vehicle may be eliminated. Asymmetrical blowing of only one plenum will produce rolling and yawing moments to restore the vehicle's lateral/directional stability when exposed to a side wind.

Abstract: Door entry area for a motor vehicle has a cover for a cable duct and a door entry rail joined by metal clamps with a sill flange lengthwise member. The cover for the cable duct has a strip-shaped projection that overlaps the sill flange by force and in a sealing fashion, and the door entry rail is designed as a T-section that has a central retaining member and two shaped legs that project approximately horizontally in the assembled state, with the retaining rib being lockable by means of a latching connection accessible for disassembly in a receiving groove of the cover that abuts the projection and runs along the sill flange.

Abstract: A drainage structure for use in a sunroof apparatus is provided including a pair of drain drips (7) respectively attached to one ends of a pair of longitudinally extending opposite guide rails (3) of the sunroof apparatus mounted on a vehicle roof (2), the pair of drain drips (7) each having a drain path portion (9) and a communication path portion (11), the respective communication path portions (11) of the pair of drain drips (7) being interconnected through a communication tube (10) and oriented toward a transversely central side of the vehicle roof (2). With this drainage structure, even when water flows from an upper one of the drain drips (7) to a lower one of the drain drips (7) due to tilting of the vehicle to the right and left, the water is less likely to flow into a lower one of the guide rails (3) and hence is prevented from leaking into the inside of the vehicle.

Abstract: Provision of abutments on exposed and/or unexposed portions of roof and side outer members at a boundary portion causes the members not to be vertically overlapped to each other at the boundary portion. Therefore, the roof member can be placed on the side outer member from right above with no trouble since the unexposed surface portion of the roof member does not interfere with the exposed and unexposed surface portions of the underlying side outer member.

Abstract: A circuit body (4) is received in an S-shaped configuration in a receiver (3) in a door. A protector (5) with a connector (6) is outwardly slidably provided inside the receiver (3). A circuit body fixing member (12) is provided at a front portion of the receiver (3), and a guide roller (15) is provided at a rear portion of the protector. The circuit body is wired from the fixing member (12) via the guide roller (15) into the protector and to the connector (6).Alternatively, a circuit body fixing member (12) and a guide roller (23) may be provided at a front portion of a receiver (10), the latter in such a manner as to be positioned inside the protector 27. The circuit body is held down by the guide roller (23) inside the protector.The circuit body is smoothly expanded and contracted with the opening and closing of the door.

Abstract: A floor covering assembly for covering the floor pan area of a vehicle in which the floor pan area includes a recess for routing an operating component, such as a wire harness, for the vehicle. The assembly includes an aesthetic material, a padding material, and a shield. The aesthetic material, such as a carpet, is adapted to be coextensive with the floor pan area to cover the floor pan area and the recess. The padding material has one side attached to the aesthetic material and is substantially coextensive therewith. The shield protects the operating component and is selectively attached to the other side of the padding material at a predetermined location smaller than the floor pan area, whereby to cover the recess in the floor pan area protectively when the assembly is installed in the vehicle to cover the floor pan aesthetically.

Abstract: A vehicle door drain slot plug includes a base portion having opposing sides and opposing ends, the base portion being adapted to substantially cover the drain slot. First and second snap-tabs extend from the base portion near the opposing ends on one of the sides for securing the base portion with respect to the slot. A plurality of stand-off members extend from the one side of the base portion and are spaced about the periphery of the base portion for engaging the vehicle door to create a gap between the base portion and the vehicle door in order to allow water to drain out of the slot.

Abstract: A drain trough for recreational vehicles includes a base with two side walls upwardly extending therefrom to define a drain channel for receiving rain water and solid debris. The drain trough is slidably engageable with an existing awning track protruding from a wall of a recreational vehicle via a suspension rod. The suspension rod laterally extends from a top of one of the side walls of the drain trough. This same side wall has a support foot laterally extending proximate the base. The combination of the suspension rod and support foot dispose the drain trough in an upright, functional attitude in order to prevent damage to the vehicle by dripping and accumulating rainwater and debris. The drain trough optionally includes a splice for interconnecting two drain trough sections together, as well as an end cap for preventing rain and debris from exiting one end of the drain trough.

Abstract: A preferred embodiment of the present invention, a blowing system for high performance vehicles, comprises a source of compressed air and a mechanism for regulating and controlling the flow of air from the source. Referring to FIG. 2, the compressed air is routed from its source through the regulating mechanism and to an aerodynamic surface (17) attached to the automobile in any appropriate manner. Although not required, the present system could be augmented by placing a plenum (21) inside the aerodynamic surface (17) for collecting the compressed air. This aerodynamic surface (17) preferably has a rounded trailing edge (19) or edges. The compressed air will be discharged from the aerodynamic surface (17) through a slot (22) in an outer surface of the aerodynamic surface (17). Preferably, the slot (22) would be on an under-side of a rear portion of the aerodynamic surface (17). However, the presence of a second slot on an upper-side of a rear portion of the aerodynamic surface (17) may also be desirable.

Abstract: A fresh air duct system for a vehicle that includes an engine air cleaner with an attached conduit for passing fresh air into the air cleaner. The system includes a bumper beam that has elongated upper and lower air passageways that can be in fluid flow communication with the conduit for defining an air flow path between the air cleaner and the passageways. Fresh air can be introduced into the air duct system such that at least one of the air flow passageways can simultaneously act as a sound resonator and a resonator tuner.

Abstract: An aerodynamically designed sun visor with side and front visor portions permit the flow of air upwardly between the vehicle and visor portions. In addition, air is also preferably permitted to exit at the rear of the side visor portion and through at least one opening provided at each side visor portion. Aerodynamically contoured front mounts may be used to couple the front visor section to the vehicle as well as to couple the side visor sections to the vehicle.

Abstract: A motor vehicle body has an instrument panel construction that includes a structural instrument panel carrier of plastic material for mounting instrument panel components. The carrier is attached to side pillars located at a juncture of passenger and engine compartments so as to form a cross beam. The instrument panel construction has its external appearance determined by adding facial instrument panel coverings to the instrument panel carrier after the instrument panel components are mounted on the instrument panel carrier. The structural instrument panel carrier may also be integrated with a front of dash (FOD) panel that may be composed of the same material and that provides a second cross beam.

Abstract: A new aerodynamic design for an automobile is called the Forward Tilt Windshield. By positioning the car's windshield such that the angle between the windshield and hood is less than ninety degrees, the Forward Tilt Windshield will direct downward the air encountered by the car during forward travel. The air flow will then be directed into a open-ended channel, from the base of the windshield to the bottom of the car, by contouring the windshield such that its outer edges at the sides of the car are further forward than the middle of the windshield. This total design concept will reduce the "over-weighting" effect caused by conventional windshield and will improve the car's fuel efficiency.

Abstract: A vehicle has a windshield and a hood extending away from the lower edge of the windshield. A modular windshield washing and wiping apparatus, disposed adjacent to the lower edge of the windshield, comprises at least two modules, arranged to be assembled together and to the remainder of the vehicle. One of the modules contains a screen washing liquid so as to act as a reservoir for the latter, while another module carries the screen wiping equipment. One of the modules includes at least one further component which is a component of a ventilating and/or air conditioning apparatus of the vehicle.

Abstract: A gutter for a truck having a roof over a cargo storage area. The gutter is employed for channeling water which would cascade from the roof of the truck's rear opening. The gutter includes a clip for removably attaching it to the roof of the truck and a channel for capturing water and directing the water to at least one side of the cargo storage area.

Abstract: A cross car support structure of an instrument panel assembly is provided for attachment to the vehicle side structure. The cross car support structure includes a one-piece, integrally molded beam preferably made entirely of plastic, the plastic beam having first and second opposing ends connected to the vehicle side structure. In addition, the beam includes a plurality of laterally extending, upwardly opening, U-shaped duct channels having upwardly facing edges. The cross car support further includes an instrument panel cover including a substrate layer having a bottom surface. The bottom surface of the substrate layer of the instrument panel cover is continuously secured to the upwardly facing edges of the beam so that the continuously secured instrument panel cover interconnects the upwardly facing edges and stiffens the beam such that the beam and the continuously secured instrument panel cover cooperatively provide the entire cross car support structure for the instrument panel assembly.

Abstract: An automobile window molding includes an elongated leg having an embedded core member, an outer head portion having a contact portion, an inner support portion, a seal lip and a position control portion. The molding is suited to position a window in a supporting window frame. The head portion is integrally formed at an upper end of the leg and extends over a portion of the front widow glass. The contact portion is defined by a projection positioned between the head portion and the inner support portion so as to touch the end surface of the front window glass. The inner support portion is formed at a lower end of the leg and is configured to touch an inner surface of the front window glass. The perimeter of the front window glass is held between the head portion and the inner support portion. At least one seal lip is formed on the leg so as to contact a window frame.

Abstract: The present invention provides a drain clip for use in combination with a weather strip for an automobile to drain water leaked into the weather strip attached to the flange of the body of the automobile, capable of being securely attached to a weather strip at a predetermined position on the weather strip so that the drain clip may not fall off the weather strip or may not be dislocated, and of improving the efficiency of the work for attaching the weather strip to the body of an automobile. The drain clip has a base part having an L-shaped cross section and provided in its outer surface with a drain groove formed so as to extend from one to the other end thereof. One of the legs of the drain clip is inserted between the flange of the body of the automobile and the weather strip put on the flange to form a drain passage connecting the internal space of the weather strip and the external environment.

Abstract: An acoustic baffle apparatus is provided for sealing a cavity of a vehicle body at a predetermined cross section of the cavity. The apparatus includes a piece of heat expandable sealing material that is formed in a shape corresponding to but smaller than the shape of the cross section of the cavity. The sealing material has an activation temperature at which the material expands, and a support element can be provided beneath the piece of sealing material for supporting it. A drain assembly is secured to the support element and extends upward past the piece of sealing material. The drain assembly includes an outer side wall defining a drain passage having an upper end above the support element and a lower end beneath the support element, and a plurality of baffles are secured within the drain passage for defining a serpentine path between the upper and lower ends.

Abstract: A windshield molding which drains rainwater smoothly through the rainwater groove provided at necessary sections and having different depth in the longitudinal direction for better drainage and which can be produced simply and continuously as a single molding without the addition of cutting or other processes.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of assembling vehicle instrument panel structural and electronic components includes: 1) fabricating an insulative instrument panel base substrate; 2) applying a conductive pattern to the base substrate; and 3) attaching electronic components to the base substrate in electrical communication with the conductive pattern.

Abstract: A sound attenuating drain stop for an orifice in an automotive floor pan has a resilient plug portion disposed in the orifice and a drainage bore extending axially therethrough, an annular groove for receiving the body panel so as to secure the plug portion thereto, and a compliant element completely obstructing the bore and selectively unobstructing cross-sectional areas of the bore in response to weight variation of fluid thereabove. The compliant element has a resilient, three-legged bridge member spanning the bore and deflectable under the weight of a first predetermined quantity of fluid to drain fluid above the element, and three pie-shaped flexible flaps defined by the bridge member and extending from an interior surface of the bore to the bridge member, the flexible flaps deflectable under the weight of a second predetermined quantity of water when the bridge member is undeflected.

Abstract: A frame member for the front of the interior of an automobile is in the form of a casting and has a cross-sectional shape with an opening which opens at least downwardly. The frame member has, integrally formed therewith, a steering component support, an air-conditioner support and structural section, and an ECU support and structural section. The frame member also has an electrical harness passage and an air bag inflator module attachment disposed on an upper portion thereof.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for both conveying air and for housing electronic devices in a vehicle. The apparatus comprises a molded ventilation duct with a parallel housing secured to the duct for housing electronic devices. The housing is molded integrally with the duct and metallized with electronic circuitry and devices. This design improves packaging efficiency underneath the vehicle instrument panel.

Abstract: A base member is laid in a space portion, which is defined by an instrument panel, in a vehicle width direction over a generally entire width of the vehicle, and a plurality of ducts is integrally formed with the base member. Furthermore, a meter placing portion, on which a meter is placed, and an air bag placing portion 24, on which an air bag is placed, are formed on the base member, and a harness placing portion, on which a flat harness is placed, is also formed on the base member in the vehicle width direction. Accordingly, the base member with which the plurality of ducts is integrally formed is a separate body from the instrument panel. Even in the case where the size of the instrument panel is changed, the base member is not required to correspond to the instrument panel and, therefore, the ducts can be commonly used. Moreover, since the base member is formed with ducts each having a closed structure, in section, it has a predetermined physical strength.