Patent ID: 8109812
Filing Date: 2012-02-07
Classification: B60H

Abstract:
1. An instrument panel assembly for a motor vehicle, said instrument panel assembly comprising: a panel member having a vent for directing air toward a window in the vehicle; a first conduit having a first end coupled to a bottom side of the panel member and providing air to the vent, the first conduit having a second end with a peripheral wail forming an inlet; and a second conduit having an outlet that provides air to the inlet of the first conduit, the second conduit having a flange that extends outwardly from the outlet and includes a support surface for supporting a gasket for sealing an interface between the outlet of the second conduit and the inlet of the first conduit, at least a portion of the flange extending inwardly from a second conduit peripheral wall, the second conduit having a lip that extends outwardly from the support surface of the flange and supports the gasket to prevent deformation of the gasket during assembly of the first conduit and second conduit, the lip having a first portion being generally orthogonal to the bottom side of the panel and at an obtuse angle to the flange, and wherein the first portion of the lip protrudes into an air path defined by the first conduit and the second conduit, wherein the peripheral wall is adapted to contact an inner surface of the gasket.