Lear Corporation

Jack S Palazzolo

Joseph J Davis, Jr

Michael J Hier

Timothy R Hubbert

John H Faarup

Dean Corrion

David Anthony Hein

David Jeffeory Berels

John P Slaven

Jeffrey L Soncrant

Arthur W Hess

Mark Allyn Folkert

Gerald O Morrison

Ian D Haynes

David J Cauvin

Davin J Cauvin

An air bag assembly, for use with a vehicle having a panel with a breakaway door, includes an air bag housing having first and second housing portions. Each housing portion has a connection flange, and the connection flanges are positioned adjacent each other and secured together. An air bag and inflator are disposed within the air bag housing, and the inflator is operable to inflate the air bag. The assembly further includes a tether having a first end adapted to be secured to the breakaway door of the panel and a second end that is secured between the connection flanges.

Air bag assembly with two piece air bag housing

The present invention involves a molded seamless vehicle interior panel having a seamless airbag door for concealing an airbag. The panel includes a retainer portion and a door portion circumscribed by the retainer portion. The retainer portion is disposed adjacent the airbag of the vehicle and has an opening to define a void over the airbag. The retainer portion has an appearance finish of an aesthetic look. The door portion disposed within the void integrally circumscribed by the retainer portion to define the seamless airbag door through which the airbag may deploy. The door portion has an appearance finish compatible to the appearance of the retainer portion such that no seam is visible. The door portion is molded together with the retainer portion and formed of a material different than the material of the retainer portion.

Molded seamless vehicle interior panel for concealing an airbag

A vehicle cup holder assembly comprising a vehicle component including a cup holder opening therein and an aperture formed adjacent the cup holder opening. A base injection molded from a first material and including an attachment feature which extends into the aperture and is selectively movable between extended and collapsed positions with respect to the aperture. An arm cup injection molded from a second material at least partially around the base and including an arm, wherein the second material is overmolded onto the base but not chemically bonded to the first material so that the arm cup and arm are rotatable with respect to the base for adjustably securing a cup in the cup holder opening.

Vehicle cup holder arm assembly

An outlet for a climate control system includes a support member and multiple vanes pivotally connected to the support member. The outlet also includes a link attached to the vanes such that the vanes are pivotable in unison. Furthermore, the link comprises a soft, rubbery material having a Shore A hardness in the range of 40 to 80.

Climate control system outlet

The present invention provides a method of manufacturing a vehicle cup holder arm, and a vehicle cup holder assembly produced thereby. The method includes injection molding a first material to form a base including an attachment feature adapted for engagement within an aperture adjacent a cup holder opening in a vehicle. A second material is injection molded to form an arm cup around the base and includes an arm. The second material does not chemically bond to the first material so that the arm cup and arm are rotatable with respect to the base for adjustably securing a cup in the cup holder opening. A third material is injection molded onto the arm to form a soft rubber grip for engaging a cup. The cup holder arm may be movable vertically for adjustment with respect to differently-sized cups.

Method of manufacturing a vehicle cup holder arm assembly

A plastic cross car beam for a motor vehicle includes first and second members joined together at sealing points to form at least two ducts. The cross sectional shapes of the ducts are essentially constant along the length of the cross car beam and shaped to provide structural support for various types of loadings. Each duct is provided with at least one inlet, aligned with an HVAC assembly, and one outlet, aligned with a vent or register. Preferably a support member, which is integral with one of the members, extends downward from one of the ducts and supports an HVAC case. Also, preferably, the support member is provided with a pocket for receiving an energy absorbing bracket.

Vehicle cross car beam

A method for manufacturing a cross car beam assembly for use with a vehicle includes joining first and second support brackets to opposite ends of a cross car beam using an adhesive, such that the adhesive is a primary attachment means for joining the support brackets to the cross car beam. Furthermore, the support brackets are attachable to the vehicle so as to support the cross car beam in the vehicle.

Method of making a cross car beam assembly using a structural adhesive

A configurable instrument panel design is provided that integrates component designs so that an instrument panel can be configured for a specific vehicle content as late in the vehicle assembly process as possible. An electrical system is provided that utilizes a flat flexible cable that is the same for every vehicle independent of vehicle content. Electronic modules are provided with connectors that only connect to the specific wires required for a particular module. A plurality of different multiplexing links are built-in to the electrical system and wiring arrangement allowing the system to be universal across all possible instrument panel configurations. This allows the system to accommodate lower option vehicles at a lower cost than conventional technology. Thin smart switch units can be installed at a final stage in the instrument panel assembly process to configure the feature content of the instrument panel. Features that can be configured include selecting between different types of audio system, climate control system, and integrated instrument panel, all without customizing the electrical system and wiring arrangement.

Modular instrument panel system having a flat flexible bus

A configurable instrument panel design is provided that integrates component designs so that an instrument panel can be configured for a specific vehicle content as late in the vehicle assembly process as possible. An electrical system and modular instrument cluster are provided that utilizes the same flat flexible cable for every vehicle independent of vehicle content. Instrument cluster modules are provided with universal connector arrangement, where the type and function of a particular module determine which connectors are live. A plurality of different multiplexing links are built-in to the electrical system and wiring arrangement allowing the system to be universal across all possible instrument cluster configurations. This allows the system to accommodate lower option vehicles at a lower cost than conventional technology. Instrument cluster features can be configured at the time of assembly, all without customizing the electrical system and wiring arrangement.

Reconfigurable modular instrument cluster arrangement

A cross-guard duct for a motor vehicle comprising a first member and a second member joined together at sealing points to form at least two chambers. Each chamber is provided with at least one inlet and at least one outlet. The chamber inlet is adapted to align with an outlet of a HVAC case. The chamber outlet is adapted to be connected to a vent or register of the motor vehicle. A support member extends downward from one of the chambers. The support member is an integral part of one of the members. The support member is adapted to support the HVAC case. The support member is provided with at least one pocket for receiving an energy-absorbing bracket. The invention is also directed towards a steering column support bracket comprising a metal and plastic molded over the metal.

Cross-guard duct and steering column support bracket

An instrument panel for use in a vehicle is disclosed. The instrument panel has a cross-car beam which provides structural support for the instrument panel and a retainer for securing a wire harness to the cross-car beam. The present invention provides a means to easily secure a wire harness to an instrument panel. Moreover, the retainer shields the wire harness thereby protecting the wire harness from damage.

Wire harness retainer

An unique airbag support assembly for an instrument panel airbag is formed of a unitary design. The airbag support assembly has a door flap which is secured by a flexible hinge member to an outer rim. The outer rim includes a support structure for supporting an airbag module. The outer rim and door flap are secured to an under face of the instrument panel by a welding technique. The instrument panel is formed with a tear seam on its under face, but no tear seam is formed on its front face.

Growing community of inventors

Dearborn, MI, United States of America

Jack S Palazzolo