Integrated modular instrument panel assembly

An integrated modular instrument panel assembly for a vehicle body of the type having a forward compartment and an occupant compartment located rearward of the forward compartment, the vehicle body providing an unobstructed passage between the forward compartment and the occupant compartment, the instrument panel assembly comprising:

• a base module including a platform having a transverse generally vertical wall coordinated with and attachable to the vehicle body to separate and provide a barrier between the occupant compartment and the forward compartment, said platform further including a transverse generally horizontal wall located above and integrally formed with said generally vertical wall, said base module further including a plenum top and a plenum bottom separately formed and integrally secured to said horizontal wall of said platform, said plenum top and said plenum bottom forming a cavity therebetween;
• an air distribution module including a generally rectangular transverse front duct assembly and a generally rectangular transverse rear duct assembly, said front duct assembly and said rear duct assembly being separately formed and integrally secured to one another, said front duct assembly and said rear duct assembly providing a transverse distribution plenum in communication with said cavity formed between said plenum top and said plenum bottom, said air distribution module being integrally secured to said base module prior to attaching said generally vertical wall to the vehicle body;
• wherein said base module and said air distribution module provide structural rigidity to the vehicle body when said vertical wall is attached to the vehicle body.

An integrated modular instrument panel assembly for a vehicle body of the type having a forward compartment and an occupant compartment located rearward of the forward compartment, the vehicle body providing an unobstructed passage between the forward compartment and the occupant compartment, the instrument panel assembly comprising:

• a generally planar elongated transverse plenum top made of a polymeric material having a peripheral edge;
• an elongated generally rectangular transverse plenum bottom made of a polymeric material having a peripheral edge coordinated with a portion of said peripheral edge of said plenum top;
• a platform made of a polymeric material and having a generally vertical transverse first wall and a generally horizontal transverse second wall projecting rearward of said first wall, said platform having a peripheral edge about said second wall coordinated with said peripheral edge of one of said plenum top and said plenum bottom, said second wall further providing a lip extending rearward of said coordinated peripheral edge;
• a pair of base module end brackets made of polymeric material and coordinated with opposite transverse ends of said plenum top, said plenum bottom, and said second wall of said platform, wherein said plenum top, said plenum bottom, and said platform are secured together about said coordinated peripheral edges and said pair of base module end brackets are secured to said ends, thereby forming a base module;
• a generally rectangular transverse front duct assembly made of polymeric material and having a first portion of a transverse distribution duct formed therein, and having a peripheral edge;
• a generally rectangular transverse rear duct assembly made of a polymeric material and having a second portion of a transverse distribution duct therein, and having a peripheral edge coordinated with said peripheral edge of said front duct assembly;
• a pair of air distribution module end brackets made of a polymeric material and coordinated with opposite transverse ends of said front duct assembly and said rear duct assembly, wherein said front duct assembly and said rear duct assembly are secured together about said coordinated peripheral edges and said pair of air distribution module end brackets are secured to said ends, thereby forming an air distribution module;
• wherein said air distribution module is secured to said base module along said lip extending from said second wall of said platform such that an integrated assembly is formed.