IP Library Granted Patent US 11,891,017
Granted Patent B2
US 11,891,017 · App. 17/583,662 · Granted Feb 6, 2024

Under hood front storage closeout

Inventors: Robert J. Kukla (Rochester Hills, MI); Kyle C. Smith (Rochester Hills, MI); Andre Hormiz (Windsor, CA)
Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
B60R5/02B62D25/12
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,891,017
App. No.
17/583,662
Granted
Feb 6, 2024
Kind
B2
Abstract

An under hood storage system of a vehicle includes an under hood storage compartment located in an under hood area of a vehicle, and a hood assembly that, when in a closed position closes the under hood storage compartment. The hood assembly includes an under hood panel having a first portion formed from a first material, and a second portion surrounding the first portion defining an outer perimeter of the under hood panel. The second portion is formed from a second material softer than the first material. One or more attachment features secure the under hood panel to the hood assembly. The under hood panel interacts with the under hood storage compartment to close the under hood storage compartment.

Claims (38)

1. An under hood panel of a vehicle comprising:

a first portion formed from a first material;

a second portion surrounding the first portion defining an outer perimeter of the under hood panel, the second portion formed from a second material softer than the first material; and

one or more attachment features extending through the second portion to attach the under hood panel to a hood assembly of a vehicle.

2. The under hood panel of claim 1 , wherein the second portion seals to an under hood storage compartment when the hood assembly is in a closed position.

3. The under hood panel of claim 1 , wherein the second portion is attached to the first portion at an outer perimeter of the first portion.

4. The under hood panel of claim 3 , wherein the second portion is attached to the first portion via stake welding.

5. The under hood panel of claim 1 , further comprising a panel seal to seal between the second portion and the first portion.

6. The under hood panel of claim 5 , wherein the panel seal is disposed in a panel recess of the second portion and extends toward the first portion.

7. The under hood panel of claim 6 , wherein the one or more attachment features are disposed in the panel recess.

8. The under hood panel of claim 1 , wherein:

the first portion is formed from a polypropylene material; and

the second portion is formed from an ethylene propylene diene monomer material.

9. An under hood storage system of a vehicle, comprising:

an under hood storage compartment disposed in an under hood area of a vehicle; and

a hood assembly that, when in a closed position closes the under hood storage compartment, the hood assembly including an under hood panel having:

a first portion formed from a first material;

a second portion surrounding the first portion defining an outer perimeter of the under hood panel, the second portion formed from a second material softer than the first material; and

one or more attachment features extending through the second portion to secure the under hood panel to the hood assembly;

wherein the under hood panel interacts with the under hood storage compartment to close the under hood storage compartment.

10. The under hood storage system of claim 9 , wherein the second portion seals to an under hood storage compartment when the hood assembly is in a closed position.

11. The under hood storage system of claim 9 , wherein the second portion is attached to the first portion at an outer perimeter of the first portion.

12. The under hood storage system of claim 11 , wherein the second portion is attached to the first portion via stake welding.

13. The under hood storage system of claim 9 , further comprising a panel seal to seal between the second portion and the first portion.

14. The under hood storage system of claim 13 , wherein the panel seal is disposed in a panel recess between the second portion and extends toward the first portion.

15. The under hood storage system of claim 14 , wherein the one or more attachment features are disposed in the panel recess.

16. The under hood storage system of claim 9 , wherein:

the first portion is formed from a polypropylene material; and

the second portion is formed from an ethylene propylene diene monomer material.

17. The under hood storage system of claim 9 , wherein the second portion interacts with a compartment lip of the under hood storage compartment.

18. A method of enclosing an under hood storage compartment of a vehicle, comprising:

positioning an under hood storage compartment in an under hood area of a vehicle; and

closing a hood assembly over the under hood storage compartment, such that an under hood panel of the hood assembly interacts with the under hood storage compartment to enclose the under hood storage compartment, the under hood panel including:

a first portion formed from a first material;

a second portion surrounding the first portion defining an outer perimeter of the under hood panel, the second portion formed from a second material softer than the first material; and

one or more attachment features extending through the second portion to secure the under hood panel to the hood assembly.

19. The method of claim 18 , further comprising sealing between the second portion and the under hood storage compartment to seal the under hood storage compartment.

20. The method of claim 18 , wherein the second portion interacts with a compartment lip of the under hood storage compartment.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 25, 2022
From: KUKLA, ROBERT J.; SMITH, KYLE C.; HORMIZ, ANDRE
To: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
Reel/Frame 058843/0062 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20230234512A1 · Jul 27, 2023
Cited By (2)
US 1,119,727 US 12,735,115