Patent ID: 7954843
Filing Date: 2011-06-07
Classification: B60R

Abstract:
1. An automotive Passenger Side Inflatable Restraint (PSIR) hidden chute assembly contained behind an automotive instrument panel, the chute assembly comprising: first and second chute hinges respectively hingedly connected to chute forward and rearward doors, wherein the chute forward and rearward doors are attached to an inner layer of the instrument panel at a first set of connection points; a first chute sidewall integral with the first chute hinge and extending down from a top portion of the first chute hinge, a second chute sidewall integral with the second chute hinge and extending down from a top portion of the second chute hinge, and chute end walls connecting the first and second chute sidewalls; first and second chute flanges respectively coupled to the top portions of the first and second chute sidewalls, wherein the first and second chute flanges are attached to the inner layer of the instrument panel at a second set of connection points; and, wherein the chute forward and rearward doors, the first and second chute flanges, and the instrument panel are all constructed of a first material, and the first and second chute hinges, the first and second chute sidewalls, and the chute end walls are all constructed of a second material, wherein the first and second materials have different thermal expansion properties and different elastic modulus properties.