Motor vehicle interior trim panels

Abstract

The present invention relates to an interior trim panel (1) for a motor vehicle, the interior trim panel comprising a molded core (2) and: a base (3) molded over the core in an attachment region (4) and having a fork-shaped connector (5) protruding from the core; a ring (6) having a receiving device (7) interlocked with the fork-shaped connector and having two electrical connectors (8) and a central opening (9) having threads (10); a transducer (11) having a generally cylindrical attachment portion (12) having threads and screwing into the opening, the free end (13) of the attachment portion abutting in the region to ensure clamping contact between the fork-shaped connector and the receiving device, the transducer also having two interlocking electrical connectors (14) each of the connectors abutting on the interlocking electrical connector.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to an interior trim panel for motor vehicles equipped with an electro- or magnetostrictive transducer. Background Technology

[0002] It is known that manufacturing such a panel allows signals originating from an amplifier to propagate within the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle, and the use of a transducer instead of a speaker particularly allows for gains in terms of weight and space.

[0003] When implementing this arrangement, various issues arise: simplifying installation, optimizing signal transmission from the amplifier to the panel (via the transducer), ensuring the reliability of electrical contacts, and suppressing the risk of parasitic vibrations. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The present invention aims to provide a panel that allows for the reconciliation of these different requirements.

[0005] Therefore, the present invention provides an interior trim panel for a motor vehicle, the panel comprising a molded core, and the panel further comprising:

[0006] • A base, which is molded over the core in a fixed region, the base having forks protruding from the core.

[0007] A ring, having a receiving device interlocked with the fork-like structure for associating the ring with the base, and two electrical connectors intended for connection to the output of an amplifier, has a threaded central opening.

[0008] • An electro- or magnetostrictive transducer having an attachment portion in the general form of a threaded cylinder screwed into the opening, the free end of the attachment portion being supported in the region to generate a separation force between the ring and the base, ensuring clamping contact between the fork and the receiving device, the transducer also having two reciprocal electrical connectors, each of the connectors being supported on a reciprocal electrical connector.

[0009] Utilize the suggested layout:

[0010] Mounting the transducer on the panel is very simple, as it essentially involves interlocking the rings and screwing the transducer onto them. The rotational travel can be limited to a small angular sector to further simplify installation.

[0011] Embedding the base within the core allows for continuous surface contact between the base and the panel, rather than point contact (as in the case of an air gap between the base and the core, for example, when the base is fastened with screws), and thus optimizes the transmission of the amplifier's signal via the transducer to the panel.

[0012] • Optimal electrical contact is achieved through the tightening operation, which allows the contactor and the alternating contactor to be configured to support each other.

[0013] • The free end of the attachment portion supported in the fixed area allows for the generation of a separation force between the ring and the base, thereby ensuring close contact between the fork and the receiving device. This allows for the avoidance of gaps between the base and the ring, and between the ring and the transducer, and thus avoids parasitic vibrations. Attached Figure Description

[0014] Other special features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent in the following description with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0015] [ Figure 1 [This is a schematic exploded partial perspective semi-transparent view of a panel according to one embodiment.]

[0016] [ Figure 2 ]yes Figure 1 A schematic exploded partial cross-sectional view of the panel.

[0017] [ Figure 3 They are respectively Figure 1 A schematic front view of the panel's base, ring, and transducer.

[0018] [ Figure 4 ]yes Figure 1 A schematic non-decomposed partial cross-sectional view of the panel.

[0019] [ Figure 5 ] corresponds to Figure 4 A schematic front view. Detailed Implementation

[0020] Referring to the accompanying drawings, an interior trim panel 1 for a motor vehicle is described, such as a trunk lid, storage tray cover, or seatback shell, said panel including a molded core 2, and said panel further including:

[0021] • Base 3, specifically made of molded plastic material, is molded within the attachment region 4 by the core, and the base is provided with fork-shaped protrusions 5 extending from the core.

[0022] • Ring 6, specifically made of molded plastic material, is provided with a device 7 (here disposed on the periphery of the ring) for interlocking reception of the fork-like object, the device being disposed on the periphery of the ring to associate the ring with the base. The ring also has two electrical connectors 8, the two electrical connectors 8 being intended to connect to the output of an amplifier. The central opening 9 of the ring is provided with threads 10.

[0023] • An electro- or magnetostrictive transducer 11 is provided with an attachment portion 12, which is specifically made of molded plastic material and is in the general form of a threaded cylinder screwed into the opening. The free end 13 of the attachment portion is supported in the region, in the illustrated embodiment on the base, or in the embodiment not shown when the base is embedded in the core, so as to generate a separation force between the ring and the base, ensuring close contact between the fork and the receiving device. The transducer is also provided with two interactive electrical connectors 14, each of which is supported on an interactive electrical connector.

[0024] In particular, core 2 is based on rigid or semi-rigid polyurethane foam, i.e., non-compressible foam (unlike foam used for manufacturing seat cushions, for example), which cannot return to its initial geometry after being compressed to 50% of its initial thickness.

[0025] For example, core 2 takes the following form:

[0026] • Polyurethane foam blocks reinforced with glass fiber

[0027] • Or “honeycomb” panels, which are specifically made of cardboard with glass fiber sheets embedded in rigid polyurethane foam on both sides.

[0028] According to the illustrated embodiment, the free end 13 is internally connected in a planar bearing in a fixed region 4 located in the same plane to ensure surface contact between the two, allowing for optimized transmission of signals originating from the amplifier.

[0029] According to the illustrated embodiment, in a variant not shown, connector 8 or interoperable connector 14 is in the form of a terminal, and in a variant not shown, interoperable connector 14 or connector 8 is in the form of a concentric track, which allows electrical contact between the two to be guaranteed regardless of the angular travel performed to complete the tightening of transducer 11.

[0030] According to the illustrated embodiment, the terminals are in the form of posts 19 mounted on the spring 20 to ensure electrical contact with each corresponding track.

[0031] In variations not shown, the terminal may be in the form of a blade made of spring metal, pressed against a corresponding rail to ensure electrical contact with the rail.

[0032] Specifically, the track extends in the following manner:

[0033] In the illustrated embodiment, two parallel corner sectors extend over 360°, and the terminals are positioned relative to the tightening axis 15 at a radial dimension corresponding to the radial dimension of each of the sectors.

[0034] Alternatively, in embodiments not shown, the terminals are arranged at two different angular positions and according to the radial dimensions of the sectors, with the sectors being configured as two angular sectors that extend from each other.

[0035] According to the illustrated embodiment, in a variant not shown, the transducer 11 or ring 6 is provided with a circular rack that engages with a lug 17 protruding from the ring 6 or transducer 11 in a variant not shown. The lug is arranged such that tightening the attachment portion 12 requires a threshold force to transfer the lug from one notch 18 of the rack to another, thereby preventing accidental loosening of the transducer.

[0036] According to the partially illustrated embodiment, panel 1 also includes two cables 21 for connection to an amplifier, the cables being connected to connector 8, and panel also includes a groove formed in core 2 for allowing the cables to pass through.

Claims

1. A motor vehicle interior trim panel (1), the motor vehicle interior trim panel comprising a molded core (2), the motor vehicle interior trim panel further comprising: • Base (3), which is molded within a fixed region (4) by the core, and the base is provided with a fork (5) protruding from the core. • Ring (6), the ring having a receiving device (7) interlocked with the fork to associate the ring with the base, the ring also having two electrical connectors (8) intended to connect to the output of an amplifier, and the opening (9) at the center of the ring having threads (10). • An electro- or magnetostrictive transducer (11) having an attachment portion (12) in the form of a threaded cylinder screwed into the opening, the free end (13) of the attachment portion being supported in the fixed area to generate a separation force between the ring and the base, ensuring clamping contact between the fork and the receiving device, the electro- or magnetostrictive transducer also having two interlocking electrical connectors (14), each of the electrical connectors being supported on the interlocking electrical connector.

2. The interior trim panel for motor vehicles according to claim 1, characterized in that, The core (2) is based on rigid or semi-rigid polyurethane foam.

3. The interior trim panel of a motor vehicle according to any one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that, The free end (13) is inlaid in a planar bearing in the fixed region (4) located in the same plane to ensure surface contact between the two, thereby optimizing the transmission of signals originating from the amplifier.

4. The interior trim panel for a motor vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The electrical connector (8) or the interactive electrical connector (14) is in the form of a terminal, and the interactive electrical connector (14) or the electrical connector (8) is in the form of a concentric track.

5. The interior trim panel for motor vehicles according to claim 4, characterized in that, The terminals are in the form of posts (19) mounted on springs (20) to ensure electrical contact with each corresponding track.

6. The interior trim panel for a motor vehicle according to claim 4, characterized in that, The terminal is in the form of a blade made of spring metal, which presses against the corresponding rail to ensure electrical contact with the rail.

7. The interior trim panel for a motor vehicle according to any one of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that: The track extends along two parallel corner sectors, and the terminals are located at a radial dimension corresponding to the radial dimension of each corner sector. Alternatively, the track extends along two angular sectors that extend from each other, with the terminals positioned at two different angular locations and arranged according to the radial dimensions of the angular sectors.

8. The interior trim panel of a motor vehicle according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The electro- or magnetostrictive transducer (11) or the ring (6) is provided with a circular rack (16) that engages with a lug (17) protruding from the ring or the electro- or magnetostrictive transducer (11). The lug is arranged such that tightening the attachment portion (12) requires a threshold force to transfer the lug from one notch (18) of the rack to the other notch of the rack, in order to prevent accidental loosening of the electro- or magnetostrictive transducer.

9. The interior trim panel of a motor vehicle according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The vehicle interior trim panel also includes two cables (21) for connection to the amplifier, the cables being connected to the electrical connector (8), and the vehicle interior trim panel also includes a groove formed in the core (2) for the cables to pass through.

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