Chrysler Corporation

Chrysler Group LLC

Kenneth S Deneau

Robert M Schoen

Patrick J Gibbons

William J Elliott

James A Cotton

Tushar A Desai

Chad H Morrison

Dean M Martin

A blower assembly for an automotive heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system includes a housing having an opening and a blower wheel supported by the housing that directs air through the opening of the housing. A plurality of ribs are disposed within the opening of the housing and define a plurality of channels for directing air through the opening of the housing and toward the blower wheel.

Recirculation air flow arrangement for vehicle HVAC system

A suspension system for a motor vehicle includes a torsion member having a generally arcuate longitudinal axis. The suspension system further includes first and second control arms operatively interconnecting first and second vehicle wheels with a frame. The first and second control arms are mounted to the frame for pivotally movement. The torsion member directly connects the first and second control arms and is operative to selectively transfer torque therebetween in response to vertical displacement of the first and second wheels. When the first and second wheels are vertically displaced in unison, no torque is transferred between the control arms and the torsion member merely rotates about its generally arcuate longitudinal axis. When a difference in vertical displacement of the first and second wheels exist, for example, during cornering of the vehicle, each control arm would input opposite rotation in the torsion member, thereby generating a resisting torque.

Vehicle suspension system including arcuate torsion member

A reinforced instrument panel assembly capable of being preassembled and then installed as a unit in a motor vehicle. The instrument panel assembly comprises an instrument panel and motor vehicle instruments mounted on a rigid reinforcing bar. A mounting bracket is secured to each end of the reinforcing bar. When the preassembled instrument panel assembly is placed inside the vehicle body and moved forwardly to the installed position, the mounting brackets contact side frame members of the vehicle body and are readily accessible to the installer so that the mounting brackets can be secured to the side frame members quickly and easily. The instrument panel assembly can be moved to a position for installation with a direct forward movement in an ergonomic manner. Hooks on the mounting brackets guide the instrument panel assembly to its installed position. When the instrument panel is installed, the reinforcing bar serves as a brace to resist the effect of side impact on the body in a collision. The securement of the mounting bracket to the side frame member on the driver side of the vehicle includes a slotted connection which is capable of releasing in the event of a frontal impact when the driver is thrown forwardly against the instrument panel assembly. The reinforcing bar has crush-inducing formations enabling it to bend and crush in a frontal impact.

Reinforced instrument panel assembly

A reinforced instrument panel assembly capable of being pre-assembled and then installed as a unit in a motor vehicle. The instrument panel assembly comprises an instrument panel and motor vehicle instruments mounted on a rigid reinforcing bar. A mounting bracket is secured to each end of the reinforcing bar. When the pre-assembled instrument panel assembly is placed inside the vehicle body and moved forwardly to the installed position, the mounting brackets contact side frame members of the vehicle body and are readily accessible to the installer so that the mounting brackets can be secured to the side frame members quickly and easily. The instrument panel assembly can be moved to a position for installation with a direct forward movement in an ergonomic manner. Hooks on the mounting brackets guide the instrument panel assembly to its installed position. When the instrument panel is installed, the reinforcing bar serves as a brace to resist the effect of side impact on the body in a collision.

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Troy, MI, United States of America

Kenneth S Deneau