Importance

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Abstract

A structural cross car beam for transverse mounting to A-pillars on opposite sides of an automotive vehicle body. The beam comprises outer, intermediate and inner nesting structural members fixed together at upper and lower edge portions and opposite end portions and internally configured to provide a structurally stiff load carrying and support beam. The outer member has a generally U-shaped cross section with upper, rear and lower sides and an open frontal area. The intermediate member has a modified generally W-shaped cross section with upper and lower sides nested with the corresponding sides of the outer member, spaced intermediate sides angled toward one another from adjacent the upper and lower sides to connect with a short front side, and open frontal areas between ends of the short front side and the upper and lower sides of the intermediate member. The inner member has a generally flat cross section closing the open ends of the outer and intermediate members and nesting with the short front side of the intermediate member. The beam provides structural load carrying support between the body A-pillars and for carrying associated components mountable at the forward end of a vehicle passenger compartment. The beam may also define internal passages for distributing air from an associated HVAC unit to the passenger compartment for ventilation and temperature control and to the windshield and side windows for defogging or demisting of their surfaces.

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First Claim