# US 10,308,287 B2 · Air inlet splash panel assembly for a vehicle

> Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt

- Number: US 10,308,287 B2
- Document ID: US10308287B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 15/676,412
- Filed: 2017-08-14
- Published: 2019-02-14
- Granted: 2019-06-04
- Earliest claimed: 2017-08-14
- Assignees: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
- Applicants: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
- Inventors: Vishal Gupta; Anjum Baig; Steven R. Granke; Kyle A. Kuznicki
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10308287B2

## CPC

- B62D 25/085: {Front-end modules}
- B60K 11/08: Air inlets for cooling; Shutters or blinds therefor
- B60R 21/34: Protecting non-occupants of a vehicle, e.g. pedestrians {(B60R19/02 takes precedence)}
- B62D 21/15: having impact absorbing means, e.g. a frame designed to permanently or temporarily change shape or dimension upon impact with another body (bumpers B60R19/02; shock absorbers in general F16F)
- B62D 21/152: {Front or rear frames}
- B62D 25/082: {Engine compartments}
- B60R 2021/343: {using deformable body panel, bodywork or components}
- B62D: MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS (steering, or guiding on a desired track, of agricultural machines or implements A01B69/00; wheels, castors, axles, increasing wheel adhesion B60B; vehicle tyres, tyre inflation or tyre changing B60C; connections between vehicles of a train or the like B60D; vehicles for use on rail and road, amphibious or convertible vehicles B60F; suspension arrangements B60G; heating, cooling, ventilating or other air treating devices B60H; windows, windscreens, non-fixed roofs, doors or similar devices, protective coverings for vehicles not in use B60J; propulsion plant arrangements, auxiliary drives, transmissions, controls, instrumentation or dashboards B60K; electric equipment or propulsion of electrically-propelled vehicles B60L; power supply for electrically-propelled vehicles B60M; passenger accommodation not otherwise provided for B60N; adaptations for load transportation or to carry special loads or objects B60P; arrangement of signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor, for vehicles in general B60Q; vehicles, vehicle fittings or vehicle parts not otherwise provided for B60R; servicing, cleaning, repairing, supporting, lifting, or manoeuvring, not otherwise provided for, B60S; brake arrangements, brake control systems or parts thereof B60T; air-cushion vehicles B60V; motor-cycles, accessories therefor B62J, B62K; testing of vehicles G01M)
- B60K: ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PROPULSION UNITS OR OF TRANSMISSIONS IN VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PLURAL DIVERSE PRIME-MOVERS IN VEHICLES; AUXILIARY DRIVES FOR VEHICLES; INSTRUMENTATION OR DASHBOARDS FOR VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH COOLING, AIR INTAKE, GAS EXHAUST OR FUEL SUPPLY OF PROPULSION UNITS IN VEHICLES
- B60R: VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR

## Abstract

An air inlet splash panel assembly for a vehicle includes a composite wall and a homogenous wall. The composite wall includes inner and outer layers. The homogeneous wall is attached to the composite wall, and the homogeneous wall and the inner layer define a chamber for the flow of air.

## Claims

### Claim 1

An air inlet splash panel assembly for a vehicle comprising:
a composite wall including inner and outer layers; and
a homogeneous wall attached to the composite wall, wherein the homogeneous wall and the inner layer define a chamber for the flow of air.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The air inlet splash panel assembly set forth in claim 1, wherein one of the composite wall and the homogeneous wall defines at least one air inlet in fluid communication with the chamber.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The air inlet splash panel assembly set forth in claim 2, wherein one of the composite wall and the homogeneous wall defines an air outlet in fluid communication with the chamber.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The air inlet splash panel assembly set forth in claim 3, wherein the homogeneous wall defines the at least one air inlet and the air outlet.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The air inlet splash panel assembly set forth in claim 1, wherein the composite wall is an upper cap, and the homogeneous wall is a lower tray.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The air inlet splash panel assembly set forth in claim 5, wherein the tray defines a plurality of air inlets and an air outlet both in fluid communication with the chamber.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The air inlet splash panel assembly set forth in claim 1, wherein one of the inner and outer layers is a resiliently flexible layer and the other of the inner and outer layers is a structural layer.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

The air inlet splash panel assembly set forth in claim 7, wherein the inner layer is the structural layer.

### Claim 9 (depends on 7)

The air inlet splash panel assembly set forth in claim 7, wherein the structural layer defines a plurality of perforations.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

The air inlet splash panel assembly set forth in claim 9, wherein each one of the plurality of perforations is in fluid communication with the chamber.

### Claim 11 (depends on 7)

The air inlet splash panel assembly set forth in claim 7, wherein the structural layer is honeycombed.

### Claim 12 (depends on 7)

The air inlet splash panel assembly set forth in claim 7, wherein the structural layer includes a plurality of slots for stress relief.

### Claim 13 (depends on 7)

The air inlet splash panel assembly set forth in claim 7, wherein the resiliently flexible layer is elastomeric and the structural layer is plastic.