Vehicle hvac control panel receptacles and hvac control panel assemblies

An HVAC control panel assembly for a headliner of a vehicle, the HVAC control panel assembly comprising a receptacle and an HVAC control panel removably inserted in the receptacle, wherein:

• the receptacle comprises a frame for receiving the HVAC control panel and at least one unlocking lever flexibly connected to an underside of the frame, the at least one unlocking lever comprising a handle portion extending from a tapered portion which pivotally connects the at least one unlocking lever to an underside of the frame, and a shoulder disposed on the at least one unlocking lever between the handle portion and the tapered portion, the shoulder portion for releasably engaging the HVAC control panel in the frame, wherein actuation of the handle portion elastically flexes the unlocking lever with respect to the frame and disengages the HVAC control panel from the receptacle;
• and
• the HVAC control panel comprises a control enclosure, a panel surface positioned on the control enclosure and at least one locking lug disposed on the control enclosure, wherein, when the HVAC control panel is inserted in the receptacle, the at least one locking lug is engaged with the shoulder of the at least one unlocking lever.

A vehicle comprising a headliner with an HVAC control panel assembly disposed in the headliner, the HVAC control panel assembly comprising a receptacle and an HVAC control panel removably inserted in the receptacle, wherein:

• the receptacle is positioned in an opening in the headliner and comprises a frame for receiving the HVAC control panel and at least one unlocking lever comprising a handle portion extending from a tapered portion and a shoulder for releasably engaging the HVAC control panel in the frame, wherein the frame comprises a chamfered interior corner and the unlocking lever is flexibly connected to the underside of the frame at the tapered portion such that actuation of the handle portion elastically flexes the unlocking lever with respect to the frame and disengages the HVAC control panel from the receptacle;
• and
• the HVAC control panel comprises a control enclosure comprising a chamfered exterior corner corresponding to the chamfered corner of the frame for orienting the HVAC control panel in the receptacle, a panel surface positioned on the control enclosure and at least one locking lug disposed on the control enclosure, wherein, when the HVAC control panel is inserted in the receptacle, the headliner is disposed between the HVAC control panel and the receptacle and the at least one locking lug is engaged with the shoulder of the at least one unlocking lever.

(canceled)