Abstract: In an all terrain vehicle, a radiator is disposed forward of a front panel in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle. The radiator is also disposed in a transverse center of the vehicle. A fan is configured to blow air from the front to an area behind the radiator. An engine unit is disposed rearward of the front panel. A cargo bed is disposed rearward of a seat. An exhaust device is disposed under the cargo bed. The exhaust device is disposed in the transverse center of the vehicle. A communication path is positioned in the transverse center of the vehicle. The communication path connects a space positioned behind the radiator and a space that the exhaust device is disposed. The communication path at least partially overlaps with the fan in a front view of the vehicle.

Abstract: A reflective fog filter is comprised of a substantially flat white substrate upon which a translucent color filter is applied. A preferred embodiment comprises a blue translucent acetate filter applied to a bright white metallic substrate. The subject apparatus is placed on the dashboard and/or cowl of a motor vehicle with the filter side up. Ambient light striking the apparatus is filtered and reflected onto the windshield directly in the driver's field of view. The apparatus therefore uses ambient light to project a filter onto the windshield. Visibility of objects in fog and other conditions that scatter light is enhanced when light reflecting from the objects is viewed through that portion of the windshield onto which the filter is reflected.

Abstract: The trim (17) comprises a soft outer skin (51). It comprises a plurality of protrusions (53) which are integral with the outer skin (51) and are to rest on a frame (13) for supporting the component (11). Each protrusion (53) extends from an inner face (57) of the skin (51). The protrusions (53) delimit between them spaces (55) for deformation of the trim (17). The ratio of the thickness (ep) of the skin (17), taken orthogonally to the inner face (57), to the thickness (es) of each protrusion (53), taken along the inner face (57), is greater than 2. The ratio of the thickness (ep) of the skin (17) to the minimum distance (dn) separating each pair of facing protrusions (53A, 53E), taken along the inner surface (57), is greater than 0.3.

Abstract: The invention concerns the assembly of a cross-member and an instrument panel. The invention concerns an assembly method including assembling a ventilation element (40, 42) on a cross-member (26, 28), and assembling the panel instrument on the cross-member (26, 28) such that a centering device penetrates into the orifice. The method includes: prior to assembling the ventilation elements (40, 42) on the cross-member (26, 28), arranging thereon a base (10) of the centering device of reduced height so that it does not obstruct the assembling of the ventilation elements (40, 42), and, prior to assembling the instrument panel on the cross-member (26, 28), arranging, on the base (10), a body of the centering device. The invention is applicable to motor vehicle cockpits.

Abstract: A structure of a vehicle instrument panel area, which is capable of sufficiently ensuring a frontward displacement of a steering column adapted to be displaced frontwardly in response to an impact load applied thereto frontwardly, even under a condition that a column cover is disposed to overlap with a meter unit when viewed in an axial direction of the steering column. A meter unit 3 is attached to an instrument panel 1 through brittles portions 31g, 31g, 33g, 33g, in such a manner as to allow the attachment therebetween to be released when a column cover 5 is brought into contact with the meter unit 3.

Abstract: A vehicle cockpit of modular construction includes at least one crossmember extending over the width of the cockpit and at least two submodules, each of which accommodates preassembled components. The submodules can each be fastened to the crossmember. The submodules are self-supporting so that they are able to be freely handled as preassembled subassemblies and so that they pass on their own weight and external loads directly to the crossmember. Installation and fitting the vehicle cockpit of modular construction includes first preassembling a plurality of submodules with a variety of different components groupings, selecting ones of the preassembled submodules to be installed, and connecting the selected submodules to the crossmember.

Abstract: A removable console for a boat and a boat including such a removable console are disclosed. The removable console is adapted to be positioned before a passenger seating position in the boat to shield the passenger position from wind. The connection between the deck of the boat and the removable console is fastenerless, so as to facilitate easy installation and replacement. The console itself may be enclosed, with both upper and lower surfaces.

Abstract: A device for protection against an impact includes at least one energy absorption body, which is arranged behind an interior car body component, so that a force (F) in effect during an impact is transferred from an exterior car body component through an opening of the interior car body component to the energy absorption body.

Abstract: A multifunction device to be situated within a central console of a motor vehicle has an instrument panel for receiving one or more elements (e.g., display and/or operating elements), the instrument panel being designed as movable and being transferable from a closed position into an open position, the instrument panel being situated within an opening of the central console in the closed position. Furthermore the central console has a storage element, which is situated outside the field of vision of the vehicle occupants in the closed position of the instrument panel and which is freely accessible to the vehicle occupants in the open position of the instrument pane. It is thus possible to provide a multifunction device to be situated within a central console of a motor vehicle, which is particularly easily reachable for the driver of the motor vehicle and simultaneously can increase the possible useful space within a motor vehicle.

Abstract: A support for an airbag housing of a motor vehicle, in particular for a knee airbag housing, has a support strut which is connected to the airbag housing. The support strut is mounted in a carrying frame of the vehicle by at least one elastic element. As a result of the mounting of the support strut by way of the elastic element, connecting elements, for example screws, can be dispensed with and noise generation is prevented.

Abstract: Noise occurring in an upright air-conditioning unit is greatly reduced. An upright air-conditioning unit 1 is disposed under a steering member support part 23, a vent opening 15 and a vent outlet port 20 are made to communicate with each other via a vent duct 25, a defrost opening 16 and a defrost outlet port 21 are made to communicate with each other via a defrost duct 26. The vent opening 15 assumes a position further frontward than the steering member support part 23 along the frontward/rearward direction relative to the vehicle body whereas the defrost opening 16 assumes a position further rearward than the steering member support part 23 along the frontward/rearward direction relative to the vehicle body.

Abstract: A vehicle interior assembly includes an interior panel and trim panel. The interior panel includes an opening and a mating part. The trim panel is snap-fitted into the opening of the interior panel and includes a main body. An accessory opening is provided in the main body adjacent to a first end thereof. The accessory opening is configured to receive an accessory adaptor that is insertable and removable perpendicularly to the first direction of the main body. A retention tab extends away from the first end of the main body along a section of a concealed surface of the interior panel adjacent to the opening and prevents movement of the trim panel perpendicularly to the first direction of the main body. A snap-fit part is releasably secured to the mating part of the interior panel portion.

Abstract: The present invention is drawn to a ventilation system for a “climate object”, in particular all components with which the user of a vehicle may come in contact in a passenger compartment such as, for example, a steering mechanism for a vehicle, a dashboard, an armrest, a door paneling, a seat cover, a heating blanket, a padding, a cover or a seat, all which include at least one air flow device to guide air through the climate object.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an automotive interior member placed on a part that receives sunlight (R) entering through a window (2) of an automobile (1). A corrugated sunlight-receiving surface (6) receives the sunlight (R). The corrugated sunlight-receiving surface (6) comprises a first slope (8), which receives the sunlight (R) entering through the window (2), and a second slope (9), which is disposed on a part where the sunlight (R) is blocked by the first slope (8), i.e., which faces the inside of an automotive compartment (1a). A cooling air passage (10) that extends along the underside of the sunlight-receiving surface (6) is provided in the interior member, and a blowing means (13) is provided in an air duct (12) that communicates with the cooling air passage (10).

Abstract: A modular dashboard assembly for a vehicle, such as a tactical vehicle, is described. In some cases, the dashboard assembly includes a smart back plane and removably attachable front modules. The back plane may facilitate communications between components within the front modules and systems with the vehicle, or between components.

Abstract: The mixture of the invention contains, for 100 parts in weight of (A)+(B): (A) 10 to 90 parts in weight of at least one non-nanostructured olefinic thermoplastic polymer; (B) 90 to 10 parts in weight of a formulation of at least one elastomer having unsaturated double bonds and capable of reacting with a cross-linking or vulcanization agent, said formulation containing a crosslinking or vulcanization system of said elastomer(s), at least one plasticizer, and the standard additives present in elastomer formulations; (C) up to 100 parts in weight, relative to (A)+(B), of at least one copolymer grafted with polyamide blocks, said copolymer comprising a polyolefin trunk and at least 1.

Abstract: A cover for use in an opening of a vehicle instrument panel. The cover may include a top surface, an underside and one or more clips for securing the cover in an opening of the vehicle instrument panel. The cover may also include one or more lock-out ribs extending from the underside of the cover. The lock-out ribs prevent the cover from being improperly installed in an instrument panel opening where an accessory is present.

Abstract: System for engaging two components with each other wherein one of the components has hook-like devices (1) which are suitable for being engaged in an opening (L) of the other component and for co-operating with an engagement lock (2) and which can be moved between a retracted assembly/disassembly position for the two components and an active position for engaging the two components under the control of an operating device (3).

Abstract: An instrument panel for a vehicle includes an IP substrate and an IP skin with foam disposed there between. The instrument panel may include openings for receiving accessories. The IP skin material may extend into the opening. The portion of the skin material extending into the opening may include a opening datum. A cover for the opening in the instrument panel may include one or more datum ribs. When the cover is inserted in the opening in the instrument panel, the datum rib engages with the opening datum pushing the cover towards the instrument panel thereby improving the fit of the cover in the instrument panel.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for aiding in the assembly of a substrate to a vehicle body structure wherein the substrate includes a cable configured to attach to an electrical component mounted onto the vehicle body structure. The substrate includes a retaining device selectively disposed on the substrate and configured to releasably retain the cable. The retaining device is disposed on the substrate so as to position the cable along the substrate in such a manner that the cable will not interfere with the attachment of the substrate to the vehicle body structure. Accordingly upon attachment of the substrate to the vehicle body structure, the cable is manually removed from the retaining device and attached to the electrical component thereby preventing the cable from being trapped between the substrate and the vehicle body structure during the assembly process.

Abstract: A dashboard support extending between the A-pillars of a motor vehicle includes a passenger-side beam member constructed to suit a load exposure on a passenger side, a driver-side beam member which is constructed to suit a load exposure on a driver side and connected to the passenger-side beam member; and an air guiding channel which is made of plastic and arranged in the driver-side beam member. The air guiding channel is supported on the inside by the driver-side beam member so as to be aligned in its three rotary degrees of freedom and its translational degrees of freedom in travel direction and vertical direction. The air guiding channel has a sidewall which is formed, for securement in a direction transversely to the travel direction, with an outwardly directed protuberance for engagement in a receiving member in the driver-side beam member when the air guiding channel is displaced transversely to the travel direction.

Abstract: An instrument panel includes a panel body and a joint member. The panel body includes a core member and an outer layer that covers the core member, and is formed by reaction injection molding. The panel body includes a meter installed portion. A recess of the meter installed portion becomes an undercut at the time of molding. A core member is provided with a deformable portion which is elastically deformable. The molded panel body can be demolded by deforming the deformable portion. There is no need to provide a slide core with a molding die. A deformation of the deformable portion is prevented by installing the joint member onto the demolded panel body. According to the instrument panel, it is possible to improve a product quality and reduce manufacturing cost.

Abstract: A reconfigurable vehicle console having a plurality of interchangeable tongue-and-groove blank and equipment mounting panels and quick disconnect clamps associated with each panel.

Abstract: A sanitizing and cooling apparatus particularly for motor vehicle cabins includes a ventilation and climate control device connected to a plurality of main ducts provided with vents and includes a plurality of flow redirection devices. The particularity of the present invention resides in that it includes an extraction and sanitizing means which is connected to the main ducts and cooperates with the ventilation and air-conditioning device and with the flow redirection devices.

Abstract: A vehicle interior assembly that includes a first component and a second component fixedly installed within the vehicle interior assembly at spaced apart locations. A trim panel is fixedly attached to the first component in a fixed positional orientation relative to the first component and is attached to the second component in a predetermined range of orientations in order to compensate for minor alignment variations resulting from the manufacturing and assembly tolerances of the first and second components.

Abstract: An integrated structural system for a vehicle is provided. The integrated structural system includes a molded duct system configured to guide airflow having a first section and a second section and configured to operably attach a vehicle component thereto. The integrated structural system also includes a metal structure integrated with the molded duct system by means for integrating the metal structure with the molded duct system forming an integrated structural load path assembly. The integrated structural load path assembly is configured as a load bearing area to distribute a load of the vehicle component operably attached thereto. The means for integrating the metal structure with said molded duct system include, but not limited to, at least one of, sonic welding, heat staking, insert molding, and gluing.

Abstract: A concave notch portion to which an interference body is fitted is formed in an interference region with the interference body existing in an incorporated portion of at least one side edge portion of an interior trim member. A cushion body made of an elastically deformable material is arranged in a periphery including the concave notch portion, and a structure member made of a material which is light and harder than the cushion body is arranged in the other region than the arranged region of the cushion body in the interior trim member. The skin member, the structure member and the cushion body are integrated by a molding. Consequently, an interior trim member is removable from an incorporated position, even in the case that a post exists in a driver seat, in the rigid interior trim member incorporated in the driver seat of various work vehicle.

Abstract: Dashboard (1) for a motor vehicle, of the type including a line of less resistance which delimits a flap (4) which is intended to open under the pressure of the deployment of a safety airbag (10) when the motor vehicle is subjected to an impact, the flap including a wall (18) which has an inner face (24) at the side of a casing (8) which includes the airbag and an outer face (26) opposite the inner face, characterised in that it includes a relief (6) with which the flap comes into contact when it opens, and in that the wall of the flap includes at least one break starting point (40) which is located in the region of a contact point (P) between the flap and the relief and which allows the wall to be broken into several pieces.

Abstract: A dashboard of a vehicle includes an accommodation unit provided at a longitudinal end of the dashboard and positioned adjacent to a door and a side mirror located outside the door adjacent to the accommodation unit, the accommodation unit configured to receive an article, and the accommodation unit including a lid, wherein the lid is configured to stand up adjacent to the side mirror when in an open position.

Abstract: A switch box includes an optical-axis-changeover switch for headlamps, an on/off-changeover switch for the headlamps and a starter switch arranged on the same operation board. A main switch can turn on and off a main electric source of an MUV 1 in cooperation with a portable key. The switch box and the main switch are arranged on the instrument panel. The switch box is partially or fully disposed in a projective area of the steering wheel in a driver's eyesight. The starter switch is made to be of a push-type, whereas the optical-axis-changeover switch and the on/off-changeover switch for the headlamps are made to be of a seesaw-type. A segment display of a meter device includes a unit indication member for switchably indicating kilometer indication and mile indication by displaying only an arbitrary display element of a plurality of display elements arranged adjacently to each other in a horizontal direction.

Abstract: An instrument panel with a one piece body constructed of a thermoformed material and exhibiting first and second visually differentiable surface patterns. An associated process includes the creation of an instrument panel, such as through the use of a clamshell slush mold, and including the formation of a groove between the surface patterns which exhibits a visually appealing and rounded cross sectional profile.

Abstract: An instrument panel system includes box sections that increase the stiffness, rigidity, and natural frequency of the instrument panel system. A two-piece instrument panel system provides a two-tone appearance with differing die draws and grains.

Abstract: A vehicle-mounted display elevating device comprising a display rack for mounting a display, and being provided with a threaded structure; a screw rod, engaging with the threaded structure; a gear transmission pair for coupling the output shaft of a motor with the screw rod; a guide bar carrier, one end of which is connected to the base support, and on which lower guide bars are provided; upper guide bars located in the display rack; and a stop block, on which are provided with lower guide holes and upper guide holes, and stoppers. The vehicle-mounted display elevating device is provided with anti-clamping and self-protection functions, and can be fixed inside an instrument panel, thus reducing the possibility that the display is damaged due to long time exposure.

Abstract: A method for forming an integrated structural system for a vehicle is provided. The method including the steps of: securing a first beam component to a structural member by a molding process, the first beam component being molded from a first amount of thermoplastic material, the structural member being formed from a material different than the first amount of thermoplastic material; and securing a second beam component to the first beam component, the second beam component being separately molded from a second amount of thermoplastic material, the second beam component having a configuration different from the first beam component.

Abstract: A center cluster panel 2 is formed with a projected portion 20 including an upper panel 21 extended to a vehicle rear side and disposed at an uppermost portion thereof, a curved face panel 22 connected to a rear portion of the upper panel 21 and directed to a vehicle front side by being bent from the connected portion 24, and a lower panel 23 connected to the curved face panel 22, extended to a front side and disposed on a vehicle lower side of the upper panel 21. The upper panel 21 and the lower panel 23 are formed such that respective wall thicknesses t1 and t2 are uniform. The wall thickness t1 of the upper panel 21 is made to be thicker than the wall thickness t2 of the lower panel 23. The curved face panel 22 is formed such that a wall thickness t3 thereof is equal to the wall thickness t1 of the upper panel 21 at the portion 24 connected with the upper panel 21 and formed such that the more proximate to the lower panel 23 from the connected portion 24, the more thinned the wall thickness t3 gradually.

Abstract: Dashboard panel, partitioning between an engine compartment and a passenger compartment, includes a reinforcing frame structure or connection member that extends, through the interior space of the dashboard panel, to linearly interconnect a horizontal rear end portion of each of left and right front side frames and a front end portion of a corresponding one of left and right side sills.

Abstract: A method of making a composite component and the composite component is disclosed. The composite component can comprise multiple portions with different materials. By configuring the composite component with different materials, the weight of the composite component can be reduced while maintaining the strength and support of the composite component for a cockpit assembly. Furthermore, the method provides for an increase in the efficiency of the die casting process used to create the composite component.

Abstract: An energy transferring system for transferring energy from an occupant's knees through an instrument panel assembly to a vehicle cross beam when an occupant's knee drives the instrument panel assembly into the cross beam as a result of an external load placed on the vehicle. The system having an elongated member projecting from the cross beam towards the instrument panel assembly, and an instrument panel assembly having an energy transferring member and a recess registered to said elongated member. Said elongated member and recess working in concert to prevent said cross beam from slipping past said energy transferring member thereby increasing the energy transferring from an occupant's knees to other vehicle structures.

Abstract: An under-cover support structure comprising: a dash panel provided in a front part of a vehicle cabin; a dash insulator attached to and extending along a cabin-side surface of the dash panel; an instrument panel mounted on the dash insulator in an inner side of the vehicle cabin; and an under cover member bridged between the cabin-side surface of the dash panel and a forward edge of a lower edge portion of the instrument panel, and covering a lower side of the instrument panel, the under cover member having a press-fit end portion on a side of the dash insulator, wherein the dash insulator is provided with a supporting portion which is elastically deformable by the press-fit end portion of the under cover member being pressed against the supporting portion.

Abstract: A modular dashboard assembly for a vehicle, such as a tactical vehicle, is described. In some cases, the dashboard assembly includes a smart back plane and removably attachable front modules. The back plane may facilitate communications between components within the front modules and systems with the vehicle, or between components.

Abstract: A control panel configuration for a motor vehicle has a cross member that extends transversely to the vehicle longitudinal direction and is retained on fixed lateral construction structures. A control panel provides coverage toward the vehicle interior, and a knee retainer has a section for fastening the knee retainer to the cross member. A force absorption section extends essentially in the direction of the knee of an occupant. To reduce an intrusion of the control panel bottom parts, the knee retainer can be a rod-shaped support element that is loaded essentially longitudinally to its axis.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to fixtures and methods for assembling automotive instrument panels. Some embodiments include a means for locating an instrument panel in a lateral direction and in a selected rotational direction. Some embodiments also include a means for locking the panel in specific desired rotational position. Furthermore, some embodiments may accommodate a wide variety of panel designs having variable lengths.

Abstract: An instrument panel for a motor vehicle is disclosed herein. The instrument panel includes a body extending along a lateral axis between an outboard side and an inboard side. The body has an outwardly-facing surface for display in a passenger compartment of a motor vehicle and an inwardly-facing surface opposite the outwardly-facing surface. The instrument panel also includes a plurality of mounting structures associated with the body. The instrument panel also includes a score pattern formed in the inwardly-facing surface including first and second score lines extending substantially parallel to one another. The score pattern also includes a third score line extending between the first and second score lines. The third score line being oblique to at least one of the first and second score lines.

Abstract: A core, a flexible pad covering the core and a synthetic resinous skin covering the pad are layered each other. A thread is arranged on a surface side of the skin and has portions inserted in grooves of the pad through through-holes of the skin. Stoppers engage a rear side of the skin for stopping the portions of the thread from coming off from the skin. A sewing line is formed along the though-holes.

Abstract: A cross member, in particular a cockpit cross member, for a motor vehicle, is connectable at both ends to a vehicle body and supportable in a central area via a supporting element on a longitudinal transmission tunnel of the vehicle. The cross member has at least two cross member elements which are joined together at the end in a central area of the cross member via a connecting member. The connecting member allows compensation of tolerance in the transverse direction of the vehicle. The cross member is connected to the supporting element via the connecting member, the connection between the connecting member and the supporting element allowing compensation of tolerance in the z direction.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an instrument panel assembly affording for installment in a motor vehicle as one unit even though the assembly has a final width that is greater than a predetermined maximum width criterion for passing the assembly through a doorframe. The instrument panel assembly includes an instrument panel having a front side and a rear side, the front side having a temporary attachment structure and a permanent attachment structure. The assembly also includes an electronic panel with a temporary attachment structure and a permanent attachment structure, the electronic panel being operable to temporarily attach to the instrument panel in a position that affords for a reduced width of the instrument panel assembly. A process is also disclosed for installing an instrument panel assembly having an overall width that is greater than a predetermined maximum width criterion.

Abstract: An instrument panel assembly for a motor vehicle includes a first component, a second component and a frame. The first component has a first aperture. The second component has a second aperture. The frame has a main wall. The frame includes a generally cylindrical boss extending outwardly from the main wall. The boss has an outer surface. The boss has a bore aligned with the first aperture of the first component to receive a fastener therethrough to secure the first component to the frame. The boss extends through the second aperture of the second component such that the outer surface locates the second component relative to the frame along a plane generally orthogonal to a longitudinal axis of the boss. The second component is disposed between the first component and the frame so as to be constrained along the longitudinal axis of the boss.

Abstract: A dashboard for a motor vehicle is prearranged in such a way that the air for ventilation of the passenger compartment of the motor vehicle that exits from a top opening of the dashboard is deviated, by the Coanda effect, along the top surface of the dashboard and beyond the dashboard in the direction of the occupants of the passenger compartment. The dashboard is moreover provided with at least one flow-perturbing element, which can be brought into an active position thereof, in which it projects above the top surface of the dashboard, in an area immediately downstream of the aforesaid top opening, with reference to the direction of the flow of air coming out of the top opening. In the active position of the flow-perturbing element, the flow of air coming out of the top opening is deviated towards the windscreen of the motor vehicle.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are interior vehicle surfaces having a substrate and a covering having imposed thereon a decorative pattern. The covering is applied to the substrate oriented so that a segment of the decorative pattern forms an angle of less than ninety degrees with a visual reference line. Application of the covering includes determining a visual reference line with respect to the interior vehicle surface to be covered, rotating the covering less than ninety degrees such that a segment of the pattern originally parallel to the visual reference line is now angled with respect to the visual reference line and applying the rotated covering to the interior vehicle surface.

Abstract: A gripping device arranged in a bracket is disclosed. In at least one embodiment, the gripping device includes a gripping element with an adjustable gripping range. The gripping element extends as a substantially closed loop, and is adapted to receive objects of varying shapes and sizes. The gripping device further includes a support structure and a displacing device, the displacing device being adapted to displace the support structure relative to the bracket and adjust the gripping range by changing a distance between a first attachment on the gripping element arranged adjacent the support structure, and a second attachment on the gripping element which is arranged adjacent the displacing device. A corresponding method of providing a gripping device is also disclosed.