Instrument panel assembly

• US 7,234,763 B2
• Filed: 10/27/2004
• Issued: 06/26/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 08/15/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Trinseo Europe Gmbh
• Original Assignee: Dow Global Technologies, Inc. (Dow, Inc.)
• Inventors: Gupta, Vikas, Koelman, Hein J., Kurtycz, Eric, Ramanathan, Ravi, Rogers, Steve J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Dayoan; D. Glenn
• Assistant Examiner(s): BLANKENSHIP, GREGORY A
• Application Number:
  US10/974,568
• Publication Number:
  US 20050082896A1
• Time in Patent Office: 972 Days
• Field of Search: 296/70, 296/72, 296/193.02, 296/192, 296/208, 296/203.02, 180/90, 138/155, 138/156, 138/171, 138/172
• US Class Current: 296/208
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/3013 the back-rest being hinged on the vehicle frame
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/36 into a loading platform B60N2/065 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/366 characterised by the locking device
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/682 Joining means
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/686 Panel like structures
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2205/35 Seat, bench or back-rests being split laterally in two or more parts
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 3/02 of hand grips or straps

Abstract

An improved seating system that includes a seat back assembly (10) that is fabricated to include a seat back (12) with a first panel portion (14) that is optionally secured to a second panel portion (16) with one or more fasteners such as welds, adhesives, tack-offs, steel brackets or otherwise. The first panel portion (14), the second panel portion (16) or both preferably are plastic. The seat back assembly (10) may include one or more integrated reinforcement structures (20).

Claims

1. A method of forming an instrument panel assembly for an automotive vehicle, comprising:

providing a first cross-vehicle structure configured for extending in a cross-vehicle direction relative to the vehicle, the first structure being formed of a first material wherein the first material is a plastic and wherein the first structure includes a flange extending along a side of the first structure and forming a distal edge extending in the cross-vehicle directions;

providing a second cross-vehicle structure also configured for extending in the cross-vehicle directions, the second cross-vehicle structure being formed of a second material wherein the second material is a plastic and wherein the second structure includes a flange extending along a side of the second structure and forming a distal edge extending in the cross-vehicle directions;

joining the first structure to the second structure including vibration or ultrasonic welding the flange of the first structure to the flange of the second structure such that the distal edges of the first and second structures cooperatively form a distal edge of instrument panel assembly;

wherein the first and second cross-vehicle structures cooperatively form an HVAC duct of the instrument panel assembly;

wherein the flange of the first structure and the flange of the second structure extend cross-vehicle and extend along a substantial portion of the sides of the first and second structures; and

wherein the flange of the first structure and the flange of the second structure extend away from the duct.

2. A method as in claim 1 wherein the step of joining the first structure to the second structure additionally includes fastening the first structure to the second structure with a mechanical fastener.

3. A method as in claim 1 wherein the first cross-vehicle structure, the second cross vehicle structure or both at least partially form one or more openings for fluid communication to a cabin of the automotive vehicle.

4. A method as in claim 1 wherein the step of providing the first structure includes at least one of injection molding, compression molding or blow molding the structure to the desired shape.

5. A method as in claim 1 wherein the step of providing the second structure includes at least one of injection molding, compression molding or blow molding the structure to the desired shape.

6. A method as in claim 1 wherein the first and second structures are panels.

7. A method as in claim 1 wherein at least one of the first and second structures is joined to a dashboard and, wherein the dashboard adjoins a windshield mounted to a body structure of the automotive vehicle.

8. A method as in claim 1 wherein the first material and the second material includes at least one of a styrenic, a polyamide, a polyolefin, a polycarbonate, a polyester or mixtures thereof.

9. A method as in claim 1 wherein the first cross-vehicle structure and second structure are adapted to be joined to a separate show surface of the vehicle.

10. A method as in claim 9 wherein one or both of the first panel and the second panel include an opening for receiving an instrument or a gauge.

11. A method as in claim 10 wherein the show surface is formed of a molded-in-color thermoplastic polyolefin.

12. A method as in claim 1 wherein one or both of the first panel and the second panel include an opening for receiving a gauge.

13. A method as in claim 1 wherein the step of joining the first structure to the second structure additionally includes fastening the first structure to the second structure with a mechanical fastener.

14. A method as in claim 1 wherein the step of providing the first structure includes at least one of injection molding, compression molding or blow molding the structure to the desired shape and, wherein the step of providing the second structure includes at least one of injection molding, compression molding or blow molding the structure to the desired shape.

15. A method as in claim 9 wherein the show surface adjoins a windshield mounted to a body structure of the automotive vehicle.

16. A method as in claim 1 wherein the first structure is generally symmetrical relative to the second structure.

17. A method as in claim 1 wherein the first structure and the second structure are formed by compression molding.

18. A method as in claim 1 wherein the first structure and the second structure are formed by injection molding.

19. A method as in claim 1 wherein the flange of the first structure is vibration welded to the flange of the second structure.

20. A method as in claim 1 wherein the flange of the first structure is ultrasonically welded to the flange of the second structure.

21. A method as in claim 1 wherein the flange of the first structure and the flange of the second structure extend continuously cross-vehicle.