Integral center stack storage door for instrument panel assembly
AssigneeLear Corporation
InventorTerence M. Duncan
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
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.
Claims8
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.
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.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.