Instrument panel support

Abstract

Disclosed is an instrument panel support (1) for a motor vehicle having at least two support parts (2, 3) along a longitudinal extent of the instrument panel support and arranged so as to overlap each other with their mutually facing end portions, with a first support part (2) having a contact seat (10) in its overlapping portion; according to the invention, the second support part (3) rests on the contact seat (10) with its connecting portion (6) provided by an overlapping arrangement with its side surfaces and is integrally bonded to the first support part (2), the contact seat (10) of the first support part (2) being provided by an embossing designed as a negative structure with respect to the first support part (2).

Description

[0001] The connection relates to an instrument panel support for a motor vehicle having at least two support parts, which follow the longitudinal extension of the instrument panel support and are arranged to overlap each other with their end parts facing each other, wherein a first support part has a contact seat in its overlapping part; a second support part rests on the contact seat with its connection part provided by the overlapping arrangement with its side surface and is materially bonded to the first support part.

[0002] The instrument panel support is used for mounting instruments and the steering column in the vehicle. Such an instrument panel support is arranged between two columns, namely the A-pillars of the motor vehicle. For connection to the A-pillars, the instrument panel support has corresponding mechanical connectors at both ends. An important component of such an instrument panel support is the support structure. It extends between the columns of the vehicle body. The support structure can be provided with connections for instruments and other fixing points relative to the vehicle, such as floor supports, by means of which the support structure is supported with the floor of the vehicle, for example in the area of ​​the tunnel.

[0003] The dashboard support can, but does not have to be, straight. Typically, the structure of such an dashboard support is designed so that its parts are offset from each other relative to their longitudinal extension. The support is generally a tubular body, which can also be composed of two or more shells or shell parts. In addition to dashboard supports made of a continuous supporting tube, those dashboard supports are also used in which several supporting parts are arranged along the longitudinal extension. Depending on the design of the desired dashboard support, these dashboard supports are arranged to be axially aligned with each other or offset from each other relative to their longitudinal extension. In the first case, a connecting sleeve is usually used to connect the two supporting parts. In a staggered arrangement, a beam connector (in many cases a metal connector) is used to connect the two beams. This connector bridges the gap caused by the offset between two adjacent supporting parts.

[0004] For example, DE 10 2008 045 914 A1 discloses an instrument panel support in which two support parts are connected to each other by inserting a metal support part connector. This metal connector consists of two half shells, which are arranged with their open sides facing each other and their joints adjacent to each other so as to provide a hollow chamber profile in the part connecting the support parts. Each half shell provides a front stop for the support parts. The two support parts are arranged in the area of ​​the support part connector so as to overlap each other in the direction of their longitudinal extension. The two shells of the metal connector are firmly connected to each other. The same applies to the connection between the connector and the two support parts to be connected thereto. A similar design of a support part connector is known from US 8,939,497 B2, in which the support parts to be connected are arranged to be offset relative to their longitudinal axis. This support part connector also consists of two half shells inserted into each other.

[0005] Another instrument panel support is known from EP 1 816 055 A1, which consists of two support parts along the longitudinal extension of the instrument panel support. According to one embodiment of the prior art, the two support parts are connected without additional connector parts. In order to connect two support parts designed as tubes of different diameters, a longitudinal cut is made on one of the support parts along the overlapping length. By removing this material from the carrier profile, an intervention option is provided, in which the other support part can sink its side surface according to the width of the longitudinal cut. As a result, the first support part then rests on the side surface of the second support part in its connecting part with the joint of its longitudinal cut and can be welded to the second support part on the outside. In this previously known instrument panel support, the second support part has a larger diameter and a thicker wall thickness. This support part is located on the driver's side so that it can withstand the higher loads of the instrument panel support on the driver's side. For this reason, the longitudinal recess is located in the support part connected to the driver's side support part. A disadvantage of this concept is the proposed connection of the two support parts of the instrument panel support, because this is not suitable for forming a hybrid material instrument panel support. An adhesive connection between the two support parts is not possible.

[0006] A dashboard support is known from EP 1 655 209 A1. It comprises a central profile, a supporting strut leading to the vehicle floor and a reinforcement structure on the driver's side. This previously known dashboard support is an extruded profile having a first partial profile and a second partial profile, wherein the first partial profile corresponds to the central profile and the second partial profile corresponds to the reinforcement structure. In one design of this dashboard support, different extruded profiles are used for the two partial profiles. The first partial profile corresponding to the central profile has a cross-sectional geometry with a concave recess. The reinforcement profile corresponding to the second partial profile is embedded in this recess so that the reinforcement profile with its outer contour rests rigidly on the wall of the recess of the central profile. Two adjacent profiles are welded together. Profiles with a cross section (such as in the example with a concave recess) can be easily manufactured as extruded profiles (hollow chamber profiles), but require increased effort if they are to be manufactured in a shell construction (e.g. made of steel).

[0007] Based on the prior art according to EP 1 816 055 A1 or also according to EP 1 655 209 A1, the present invention is based on the following object: to design an instrument panel support of the type mentioned at the beginning in such a way that it not only meets the high load requirements with regard to the connection point between two supporting parts, but the supporting parts can also be integrally connected to one another by an adhesive connection if necessary, and the supporting parts can also be manufactured cost-effectively according to the shell construction (for example made of steel sheet).

[0008] According to the invention, this object is achieved by an instrument panel support of the generic type mentioned at the outset, in which the contact seat of the first support part is provided by an embossing which is designed as a negative structure with respect to the first support part and reinforces this part of the first support part in the manner of a bead.

[0009] In this instrument panel support, the embossing of the first support part, which is designed as a negative structure, serves as a contact seat for the connecting part of the second support part. This embossing creates a structure facing the inside of the first support part. This not only reinforces this part of the first support part in the form of a bead. This embossing simultaneously provides a surface against which the side surface of the connecting part of the second support part comes into contact with the part. Since a part of the connecting part of the second support part fits into the embossing and then rests on the outside of the embossing, a material doubling is created in this part of the instrument panel support, which is provided by the material thickness of the embossing of the first support part and the material thickness of the connecting part of the second support part, which in turn increases the rigidity of the instrument panel support, especially in the overlapping area of ​​the two supporting parts of the instrument panel support. At the same time, this also has a vibration-damping effect. By placing a part of the connecting part of the second support part on the usually complementary outside of the embossing, a sufficiently large area is provided so that both support parts can also be connected to each other as a material-bonded connection via an adhesive connection if necessary. Such an instrument panel support can therefore be easily designed as a hybrid instrument panel support with regard to the materials used for its supporting parts, even in a material composition in which one of the two supporting parts is a metal part and the other supporting part is a plastic part (usually fiber-reinforced).

[0010] The arrangement of the two support parts overlapping each other in a defined manner and the direct connection allow tolerance compensation during assembly with respect to the extension of the instrument panel support in its longitudinal direction (y direction).

[0011] The directions used in these descriptions are those customary in vehicles. The x direction points to the longitudinal extension of the vehicle. The y direction is the direction transverse thereto. The z direction corresponds to the vertical direction.

[0012] In the embodiment in which the connecting portion of the second support part is circular, in particular annular, the outer contour of the embossing is expediently designed as a contact seat of the first support part with a complementary radius of curvature. In addition to other possible geometries, the embossing can also have a geometry that is complementary to the rounded design of the connecting portion of the second support part.

[0013] An advantageous embodiment is one in which the embossing extending with its longitudinal axis in the y-direction is open in both the x-direction and the z-direction. This has the advantage that, for example, forces acting on the embossing of the first support part via the connecting portion of the second support part located in the embossing are introduced into two portions of the first support part extending in different directions or are divided into these directions depending on the direction in which the force is applied. In both directions, and therefore in both the x-direction and the z-direction, such forces then act in the direction of extension of the region of the first support part adjacent to the embossing, and not transversely to said direction.

[0014] In an exemplary embodiment of such an instrument panel support, the diameter of the first support part with the embossing is greater than the diameter of the connecting part of the second support part. In this embodiment, the central longitudinal axis of the connecting part of the second support part can be located in the region of the side surface of the first support part or even inside it before the embossing has been produced. For example, the central longitudinal axis of the connecting part of the second support part is located in a space surrounded by a horizontal plane arranged at the upper end of the embossing and a vertical plane arranged at the end of the embossing facing the passenger compartment. In this embodiment, the second support part is offset from the first support part in the direction of the passenger compartment. Of course, it is also possible to connect the second support part to the opposite side of the first support part. The above-mentioned space is then limited by a vertical plane arranged at the front end of the embossing and pointing in the direction of travel.

[0015] As provided in one embodiment of the invention, the portion of the first support part having the contact seat embossing can be a portion that is widened in its cross-sectional area compared to adjacent support part portions. This portion of the first support part does not necessarily have to be widened to obtain a larger cross-sectional geometry, but can be constructed in this way.

[0016] According to one embodiment, the first support part is a rectangular hollow chamber profile in cross section, at least in the region of its contact seat, usually with rounded corners. The embossing forming the seat is preferably placed in such a corner region. In this embodiment, the corner region, which initially represents a positive structure, is turned inwards by the embossing. Such a first carrier part can be composed of several housing parts, wherein the individual housing parts can be made of different materials and / or different material sections.

[0017] In the case of a particularly tight connection between the two support parts of such an instrument panel support, an additional fastening element can be applied. According to one embodiment, such a fastening element is a bracket which surrounds the part of the connection part of the second support part protruding from the embossing and is fixed in a materially bonded manner to the first support part adjacent to the contact seat (embossing).

[0018] It is not uncommon to support the instrument panel support part on the chassis side adjacent to the driver's side support part (which is usually the first support part) with a pillar, in particular a floor pillar. With this instrument panel support part, this is also possible.

[0019] The present invention is described below using exemplary embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings:

[0020] FIG1 : A perspective view in exploded view of a portion of an instrument panel support, wherein two support parts follow the longitudinal extension of the instrument panel support and are connected to one another,

[0021] Figure 2: Magnified view of the connection area of ​​the two supporting parts.

[0022] FIG3 : A portion of the instrument panel support of FIG1 in its assembled state and

[0023] FIG. 4 : A side view of the instrument panel support of FIG. 3 .

[0024] The instrument panel support 1 to be arranged between the two A-pillars of a motor vehicle has several support parts, of which a first support part 2 and a second support part 3 are shown in the figures. The first support part 2 is located in a part of the instrument panel support 1 assigned to the driver's side of the vehicle and consists of two shells 4, 5 in the exemplary embodiment shown. The assembled shells 4, 5 form a hollow chamber profile. It does not have to be completely closed around the entire longitudinal extension of the support part 2. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the second support part 3 is a cylindrical tube.

[0025] The two support parts 2, 3 extending in the longitudinal extension of the instrument panel support 1 are arranged with their mutually facing end parts overlapping and connected to each other in a materially bonded manner. In the context of these embodiments, the end part of the second support part 3 that is used to overlap with the first support part 2 is called the connecting part 6. Due to the corresponding design of the housing 4, 5, the support part 2 is not annular, but rectangular, with rounded edges in the overlapping part. The cross-sectional area of ​​the overlapping part of the first support part 2 is several times the cross-sectional area of ​​the second support part 3. The arranged instrument panel support 1 is arranged with respect to the orientation of its first support part 2 assigned to the driver's side so that the front wall and the rear wall 7 facing the passenger compartment of the motor vehicle extend in the z direction. The contact seat 10 is formed in the edge 9, which is designed with a radius and connects the rear wall 7 with the upper wall 8 and extends above the overlap with the support part 3. The contact seat 10 is a negative structure relative to the design of the support part 2, i.e. an embossed part introduced into the support part 2 or the housing 4 in the direction of the interior of the support part 2. The embossing is designed with a radius which, in the exemplary embodiment shown, corresponds to the radius of the side surface of the connecting portion 6 of the support part 3. The contact seat 10 extends approximately 90 degrees in the circumferential direction of the connecting portion 6, so that the connecting portion 6 rests on the contact seat 10 of the support part 2 over a portion of approximately 90 degrees. The contact seat 10 is open in the direction of the support part 3. At its other end, in the direction of the longitudinal extension of the instrument panel support 1, there is a transition section in which the negative structure formed by the embossing transitions into the adjacent section of the support part 3.

[0026] The flat contact seat 10 provides a sufficiently large contact area between the two support parts 2, 3, so that both support parts 2, 3 can be firmly attached to each other in a material-bonded manner by gluing when necessary. If the two support parts 2, 3 are metal parts, the support parts 2, 3 can be welded together as an alternative or supplement to the adhesive connection. The transition from the contact seat 10 to the rear wall 7 and the upper wall 8 is suitable for placing a weld seam, because this will produce a groove in each case. This weld seam can extend over the entire length of the overlap or connecting part 6. In addition, another weld seam can be placed on the part of the end face of the support part 3 that borders the contact seat 10 and between the side surface of the support part 3 and the open end of the contact seat 10. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the housing 4, 5 of the support part 2 and the support part 3 are made of steel suitable for these purposes. The material-bonded joint is a welded joint.

[0027] If increased requirements are placed on the connection between the two support parts 2, 3, a bracket 11 can be additionally provided as a fastening element, as is the case in the exemplary embodiment shown. This bracket is designed so that its central curved portion 12 surrounds the part of the side surface of the connecting part 6 that is not located on the contact seat 10. Connecting parts 13, 14 are formed on this middle part for the material connection of the bracket 11 to the support part 2. The connecting part 13 serves to connect the bracket 11 to the rear wall 7, while the connecting part 14 serves to rest on the upper wall 8 and to be connected thereto. The material connection between the bracket 11 and the support part 2 can then be connected to the support part 2 in a materially bonded manner and, if necessary, also to the support part 3 by gluing or welding.

[0028] If the individual parts of the dashboard support are joined together by adhesive connections, it may be advisable to harden them inductively if at least one of the joining partners has the necessary ferromagnetic properties. This is the case when steel is used for such applications.

[0029] The support column 15 is connected to the portion of the instrument panel support 1 shown in the figures adjacent to the support part connection portion. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the support column 15 is a support column. The upper end of the support column 15 adapted to the curvature of the side surface of the support part 3 is connected to the support part 3 by a joint connection. In addition, the front side of the support column 15 facing the support part 2 is integrally connected to the support part by material bonding.

[0030] FIG. 3 shows a section of the instrument panel support 1 in the assembly of the two support parts 2 , 3 , the bracket 11 and the strut 15 .

[0031] Fig. 4 shows a side view from the viewing direction of the support part 3 onto the support part 2. In this illustration, the upper end portion of the support 15 is shown cut away in order to be able to see the entire bracket 11. The contact of the side surface of the connecting part 6 with the outer side of the contact seat 10 formed by the embossing can be clearly seen.

[0032] It can also be seen particularly clearly from the illustration in FIG. 4 that the second support part 3 and its connecting portion 6 protrude upwards from the embossed portion of the support part 2 forming the contact seat 10 both in the x-direction (i.e. in the direction of the passenger compartment of the vehicle) and in the z-direction. The contact surface between the connecting portion 6 of the support part 3 and the contact seat 10 of the support part 2, which extends approximately 90 degrees above the side surface of the connecting portion, results in the central longitudinal axis 16 of the connecting portion 6 being located within the boundaries of the space formed by the plane 17 extended by the upper wall 8 and the plane 18 extended by the rear wall 7. Due to this arrangement measure (provided by the embossing designed as a negative structure for forming the contact seat 10), the forces between the support part 2 and the support part 3 are transmitted to or via the rear wall 7 and the upper wall 8 into the support part 3 and vice versa. Therefore, even when forces are applied, deformations of the contour of the contact seat 10 and thus impairment of the connection between the two support parts 2, 3 are effectively counteracted.

[0033] Reference numerals list

[0034] 1 Instrument panel support

[0035] 2 Support parts

[0036] 3 Support parts

[0037] 4 Housing

[0038] 5 Housing

[0039] 6 Connection part

[0040] 7 Back wall

[0041] 8 upper wall

[0042] 9 Edge

[0043] 10 Contact seat

[0044] 11 Bracket

[0045] 12 Middle section

[0046] 13 Connection

[0047] 14 Connection

[0048] 15 Pillars

[0049] 16 Longitudinal axis

[0050] 17 Plane

[0051] 18 Plane

Claims

1. An instrument panel support for a motor vehicle having at least two support parts (2, 3), the at least two support parts extending along the longitudinal extent of the instrument panel support (1) and arranged to overlap each other with their mutually facing end parts, wherein a first support part (2) has a contact seat (10) in its overlapping part; a second support part (3) rests on the contact seat with its connection part (6) provided by the overlapping arrangement with its side surface and is materially connected to the first support part (2), characterized in that The contact seat (10) of the first supporting part (2) is provided by an embossing which is designed as a negative structure with respect to the first supporting part (2) and reinforces this part of the first supporting part (2) in the manner of a bead.

2. The instrument panel support according to claim 1, characterized in that: The contour of the outer side of the embossed portion of the contact seat (10) corresponds at least in part to the side surface of the second support part (3) provided in its connecting portion (6) for contact with the contact seat (10).

3. The instrument panel support according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The cross-sectional geometry of the second supporting part (3) in its connecting portion (6) is annular, and the outer side of the embossed portion and the portion of the second supporting part (3) in contact with the embossed portion have the same radius of curvature.

4. The instrument panel support according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The embossing of the first supporting element (2) is open in the x-direction and in the z-direction, and the second supporting element protrudes with its connecting parts in the x-direction and in the z-direction from the embossing formed by the negative structure.

5. The instrument panel support according to claim 4, characterized in that: The central longitudinal axis (16) of the connecting portion (6) of the second supporting part (3) is located in a space enclosed by a horizontal plane (17) forming the upper end of the embossing and a vertical plane (18) forming the end of the embossing pointing into the passenger compartment.

6. The instrument panel support according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that: The upper end of the embossing continues into the portion of the first supporting part (2) extending in the x-direction.

7. The instrument panel support according to any one of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that: The end of the embossing pointing into the passenger compartment continues into the section of the first supporting part (2) extending in the z-direction.

8. The instrument panel support according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that: The first supporting part (2) is a hollow chamber profile with a rectangular cross section at least in the area of ​​its contact seat (10), and the embossing forming the contact seat (10) is introduced in the upper corner area facing the passenger compartment.

9. The instrument panel support according to claim 8, characterized in that: The first support element (2) has a larger cross-sectional geometry in the region of its contact seat (10) than the support element adjacent thereto.

10. The instrument panel support according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that: The first supporting part (2) is composed of a plurality of shells (4, 5).

11. The instrument panel support according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that: The connection between the connecting portion (6) of the second supporting part (3) and the first supporting part (2) is additionally secured by a bracket (11), which is fixed to the first supporting part as a fastening element in a materially bonded manner adjacent to the contact seat (10) of the first supporting part (2).

12. The instrument panel support according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that: A support column (15) for supporting the instrument panel support member (1) on the chassis side is connected to the second support member adjacent to the connecting portion (6) of the second support member (3).

13. The instrument panel support according to claim 12, characterized in that: The support (15) is a channel support.

14. The instrument panel support according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that: The material bonding connection between the first supporting part and the second supporting part is a fusion bond, which is carried out at least between the embossing of the first supporting part or the edge of the embossing and the side surface of the connecting part of the second supporting part, in a groove along the longitudinal extension of the embossing.

15. The instrument panel support according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that: The material-bonded connection between the first supporting part and the second supporting part is an adhesive connection between the side surfaces of the connecting portion of the second supporting part resting on the embossing on the surface of the embossing.

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