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Instrument cluster finish panel with tear seams

A combination instrument and instrument panel technology, applied in the direction of instrument panels, vehicle components, pedestrian/passenger safety layout, etc., can solve the problems of system cost increase, poor appearance, difficult to realize and maintain, etc.

Active Publication Date: 2015-04-15
FORD GLOBAL TECH LLC
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

[0004] The associated manufacturing process requires additional tooling and additional assembly steps due to the use of separate coupling parts
Also, system costs increase due to the number of assemblies that must be designed, manufactured, shipped, and tracked
The need to assemble separate parts also introduces assembly and finishing requirements, but this is difficult to achieve and maintain, and can lead to poor appearance if the separate parts are not properly aligned

Method used

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  • Instrument cluster finish panel with tear seams
  • Instrument cluster finish panel with tear seams
  • Instrument cluster finish panel with tear seams

Examples

Experimental program
Comparison scheme
Effect test

Embodiment Construction

[0016] refer to figure 1 , the vehicle device 10 includes a combined meter panel 11 for mounting on an instrument panel 12 so as to frame various meters and meter displays, such as a meter 13 . The panel 11 comprises separately mounted parts including an upper plate 14 screwed directly onto the instrument panel 12 and a lower plate 15 having a concave side 16 that receives a steering column assembly 17 . The steering column assembly 17 includes a steering column 20 (shown in phantom) for carrying a steering wheel (not shown) at one end and having an upper shroud 21 mounted on its upper side.

[0017] Such as figure 2 As shown, the protrusion 22 of the upper shroud 21 contacts the lower plate 15 in an impact as the steering column assembly 17 strikes forward on the steering wheel in response to a driver impact. The lower plate 15 is not firmly screwed in place, but is mounted with releasable clips that release in response to the force exerted by the upper shroud 21 . The up...

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PUM

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Abstract

An instrument panel trim apparatus mounts in a vehicle to frame an instrument cluster above a collapsible steering column. An integrally molded plastic panel has an upper collar section, a lower bridge section, and a shroud section, wherein the upper collar section and lower bridge section are configured to form a frame around the instrument cluster. The upper collar section and lower bridge section converge along a pair of tear seams. The shroud section extends downward from the lower bridge section and has an arched shape to receive the steering column. A plurality of risers are disposed between the shroud section and the lower bridge section for concentrating stress at the tear seams when the shroud section is impinged by the steering column when collapsing, so that the tear seams separate and the lower bridge section and the shroud section can deflect upward.

Description

technical field [0001] The present invention relates generally to the field of automotive instrument clusters, and more particularly to an instrument cluster trim panel adapted to break apart under impact from a collapsible steering column so that the steering column can compress without significant hindrance from the trim panel. Background technique [0002] To avoid injury to the driver in the car during a crash, a folding steering column is employed that moves forward in response to the occupant applying load to the airbag steering wheel. The forward movement of the steering column is called the travel of the column. For aesthetics, steering columns include upper shrouds and other components to provide a finished look and hide associated structures such as struts and wires. When folded, the travel of the steering column can cause collisions between various trim structures, such as the upper shroud of the steering column hitting a trim panel disposed around the instrument...

Claims

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Application Information

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Patent Type & Authority Applications(China)
IPC IPC(8): B60K37/00B60R21/045
CPCB60R21/045B60R2021/0414B60R13/0256B60R13/0206
Inventor 迈克尔·巴斯洛艾伦·M·佩雷利杰夫·S·文顿
Owner FORD GLOBAL TECH LLC