Integral center stack storage door for instrument panel assembly

• US 6,176,534 B1
• Filed: 08/02/1999
• Issued: 01/23/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 08/02/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: International Automotive Components Group North America (Lear Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Lear Corporation
• Inventors: Duncan, Terence M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Dayoan, D. Glenn
• Assistant Examiner(s): GUTMAN, HILARY L
• Application Number:
  US09/365,005
• Time in Patent Office: 540 Days
• Field of Search: 296/37.12, 296/37.8, 296/70, 180/90, 454/69, 454/75
• US Class Current: 296/37.12
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2370/81 Fastening of instruments, e.g. to dashboard
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/10 Input arrangements, i.e. from user to vehicle, associated with vehicle functions or specially adapted therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/50 Instruments characterised by their means of attachment to or integration in the vehicle B60K35/231 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 7/04 in driver or passenger space , e.g. using racks B60R7/005, B60R7/08 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 7/06 mounted on or below dashboards

Abstract

A vehicle instrument panel includes a movable storage bin positioned in a center stack area of the instrument panel. The storage bin is movable between a closed position for storage and an open position for convenient driver access. The movable storage bin includes a faceplate having vehicle system controls exposed thereon, such as radio and HVAC controls. The radio or other electronic components associated with the system controls are preferably mounted elsewhere in the vehicle, and connected by flex cable, flat wire or transmitted signals to the system controls.

Claims

1. A vehicle instrument panel assembly comprising:

a movable storage bin positioned in a center stack area of the vehicle instrument panel assembly for a vehicle and movable between a closed position for storage and an open position for convenient driver access;

wherein said movable storage bin is pivotally connected to an instrument panel component about a horizontal axis of rotation;

wherein said movable storage bin includes a front portion having vehicle system controls exposed thereon;

wherein said vehicle system controls are accessible to vehicle occupants when the movable storage bin is in the open position and the closed position; and

wherein said vehicle system controls are operatively connected to electronic equipment located elsewhere in the vehicle.

2. The vehicle instrument panel assembly of claim 1, wherein said vehicle system controls comprise radio and HVAC controls.

3. The vehicle instrument panel assembly of claim 1, further comprising an electrical flex cable operatively connected to said vehicle system controls.

4. The vehicle instrument panel assembly of claim 1, further comprising a release button positioned on the storage bin for selectively unlocking the storage bin for movement between said closed and open positions.

5. The vehicle instrument panel assembly of claim 1, wherein said storage bin comprises injection molded plastic.

7. The vehicle instrument panel assembly of claim 5, further comprising a release button positioned on the storage bin for selectively unlocking the storage bin for movement between said closed and open positions.

8. The vehicle instrument panel assembly of claim 5, wherein said storage bin comprises injection molded plastic.

6. A vehicle instrument panel assembly comprising:

a movable storage bin positioned in a center stack area of the vehicle instrument panel assembly for a vehicle and movable between a closed position for storage and an open position for convenient driver access;

wherein said movable storage bin is pivotally connected to an instrument panel component about a horizontal axis of rotation;

wherein said movable storage bin includes a face plate having controls exposed thereon for a radio and HVAC system;

wherein said controls are operatively connected to said radio and HVAC system, which are located elsewhere in the vehicle; and

an electrical flex cable operatively connected to said controls.