Instrument panel support

Abstract

The invention relates to an instrument panel support (1) for a motor vehicle, comprising a support structure (2) which extends between two connection points and which has two chord members (7, 8) which extend in the longitudinal direction thereof and are arranged at a distance from one another by means of a web (9) or web arrangement (27) and which delimit a cavity, wherein the two chord members 7, 8 are connected to one another in a friction-fit and / or form-fit and / or material-fit manner over at least one length for reinforcing the at least one support structure section by means of a reinforcing element 3, the cavity between the two chord members 7, 8 being delimited by the rear side of the reinforcing element, and by means of the reinforcing element in the form of a closure plate, the two chord members 7, 8 are connected to one another in a friction-fit and / or form-fit and / or material-fit manner. The support structure 2, 23, 31 is formed as a cavity profile over the longitudinal extension of the reinforcing element, and the reinforcing element (3) is at the same time part of the rear wall or housing of the device (6) to be mounted or already mounted on the support structure 2, 23, 31.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a dashboard support for a motor vehicle, with a support structure extending between two connection points, the support structure having two chord members extending in its longitudinal direction and spaced apart from each other by a connecting rod or a connecting rod arrangement, defining a cavity boundary.

[0002] Dashboard brackets are used to mount components such as instruments, devices and steering columns in vehicles. Such dashboard brackets are mounted between two pillars of the vehicle body, more precisely the A-pillars. For connection to the A-pillars, the dashboard bracket has correspondingly designed mechanical connectors at its two ends. An important component of such dashboard brackets is the bracket structure extending between the connection points. Pillars or supports, such as tunnel supports, can be connected thereto for chassis-side support of the bracket structure between the two end-side connection points.

[0003] The requirements placed on such a dashboard support are varied. Such a dashboard support is designed with regard to the mechanical requirements imposed on it so that in the event of a frontal or side impact, the relevant load paths are available for the best possible load distribution. Furthermore, the dashboard support serves to prevent intrusion into the passenger compartment. Furthermore, such a dashboard support must have a sufficiently high rigidity, since further components are connected to it and these must not only be held mechanically but also in a vibration-free manner. Finally, the component assembly should not have a negative effect on audible or perceptible vibrations in the motor vehicle and should therefore have favourable NVH properties ( N oise, V ibration, H arshness: noise, vibration, comfort). Components connected to such a dashboard support or its support structure also include dashboard panels, heating and air conditioning devices and displays, such as head-up displays or even directly readable displays, such as central displays. Large central displays are used in modern motor vehicles. They sometimes extend over the entire width of the passenger compartment and thus over the largest part of the longitudinal extension of the support structure. Such displays, which are particularly large in size, usually have to be actively cooled because they are usually integrated into the dashboard panel (plastic panel). The reason for the heating is the backlight required for such a display. Such a display comprises a rigidly connected rear wall, sometimes with surrounding side walls formed thereon, and a front cover. The front cover also includes a pixel panel. The backlight is located between these two components of such a display. Especially in the case of large-sized displays, the rear wall or housing part used as a support structure must have sufficient bending and connection rigidity so that the display is sufficiently rigid. The larger the display, the more material is taken into account for providing the rear wall to achieve the required bending and connection rigidity. The weight of such an attached component is accordingly greater.

[0004] In many cases, the support structure is designed as a hollow profile to meet the requirements imposed on it. Such a support structure can be realized in a shell construction or as a stretched tube / profile. For connecting attached components such as a display, a connecting element is used, which is connected to the support structure on the one hand and to the rear wall of such a display on the other hand. Such a dashboard support is known, for example, from patent document DE 10 2006 025 386 A1.

[0005] In addition to the above-mentioned dashboard supports, integrated central reinforcements are also known, as described in patent document EP 2 019026 A1. In the case of such a central reinforcement, the support structure is designed as a frame structure and has an opening, into which the attachment parts can be inserted. The frame structure is designed to be self-supporting. This solution simplifies the installation of the attachment parts because no additional connecting parts are required. A disadvantage of this solution is that the frame structure leaves almost no room for design variations or modularization with regard to the opening for accommodating the attachment parts. In addition, such a frame structure requires corresponding installation space. It is also desired to reduce the material usage and thereby reduce the weight of such a dashboard support, as well as to reduce manufacturing costs.

[0006] Patent document DE 12 39 583 discloses a dashboard support for a motor vehicle. The dashboard support comprises an end portion pointing toward the interior of the vehicle, a central portion and a rear end portion. These components, together with the devices mounted thereon or therein, are pre-mounted on a cross member extending over the entire width of the vehicle. The cross member is fastened to a side wall or to the front wall of the passenger compartment.

[0007] Patent document US 6 139 082 A describes an instrument panel support, wherein the device to be connected thereto can be arranged at any position. Patent documents DE 12 39 583 A and US 6 139 082 A do not disclose or suggest additional reinforcement elements for reinforcing at least one support structure section of the support structure.

[0008] Starting from the prior art discussed, the object of the present invention is to improve a dashboard bracket of the type mentioned in the introduction so that it can be produced with a lower weight while maintaining the mechanical requirements imposed on it.

[0009] The above-mentioned object is achieved by the invention by a dashboard support of the type mentioned at the outset having the further features of claim 1 .

[0010] In the dashboard bracket, the bracket structure is designed in the manner of an open half-shell structure, for example with a cross-sectional profile that is even only in the form of a cap. The bracket structure, together with its two chord members (Gurte) and the connecting rod connecting the two chord members, is supplemented by a reinforcing element to meet the mechanical requirements placed on the bracket structure. The reinforcing element, which is usually designed in the manner of a plate-like element, extends at least over a certain length of the bracket structure. The reinforcing element can extend substantially over the entire length of the bracket structure or can also extend only on a sub-section, more precisely, on the length required for the attachment component. For example, such a reinforcing element can extend over a section of the bracket structure in the driver or co-pilot area. The reinforcing element is connected to the two chord members in a form-fitting and / or material-fitting and / or friction-fitting manner. Therefore, the reinforcing element acts as an additional connecting rod connecting the two chord members. In the region of the reinforcing element, the otherwise half-shell-shaped and therefore open bracket structure is closed. Therefore, the bracket structure is designed as a hollow profile by a reinforcing element in the form of a sealing plate on its longitudinal extension. In particular, the reinforcing element is also part of a component to be mounted on the dashboard bracket, such as a part of a display. In the case of a display, the reinforcing element usually forms a part of the rear wall or its housing, for example a rear wall with side walls or side wall segments formed thereon. Here, in the dashboard support, the component to be installed, such as a display, does not need its own, additional, rear wall of mechanical stability required for smooth display display. This is provided by the reinforcing element connected to the support structure. Therefore, the reinforcing element not only realizes the function of reinforcing the support structure in the section of the reinforcing element, but also realizes the function of providing a sufficiently stable rigid support plate, for example as a rear wall for the display. It is not necessary that the reinforcing element is represented as a part of the housing of the rear wall or the attached component in its entire planar extension. The surface area of ​​the reinforcing element as a reinforcing element for the rear wall or housing part of the attached component can be designed completely in the longitudinal extension direction of the support structure and in its transverse direction, to be precise in the height direction. The reinforcing element itself is a component manufactured in one piece in the preferred design. It is entirely feasible that the reinforcing element is also composed of a single component section, for example in this way, that is, the actual rear wall or the surface area of ​​the housing part forming the attached component is provided by its own component part.

[0011] Many advantages are thus produced.Through this dual function of the reinforcing element, compared with the traditional connection of the display, material and weight are saved, which is especially important in large-size displays.In addition, it is also important for large-size displays that the reinforcing element does not need to have the rigidity that the rear wall designed for such a display must have in other cases, because the reinforcing element itself is strengthened by the support structure, just as the reinforcing element is strengthened by the support structure.The result is that the material used in the size of the rear wall or the shell part surrounding the rear wall is further reduced, thereby further reducing the weight.Material and weight reduction bring about a reduction in cost, which is also because no additional component connector is required to connect such a display to the support structure as an attachment component.In addition, using the reinforcing element as an attachment component, such as the rear wall or shell part of the display, brings great advantages for the cooling that may be needed, because the cavity of the support structure defined by two chord rods and the connecting strip can be used as an air guide channel for such cooling.Therefore, the heat emitted by the backlight device of the display is emitted via the reinforcing element, and is emitted directly from the rear wall of the display into the cavity in the support structure with this. If the support structure is designed in the manner of a half shell, a cavity contour is formed by the reinforcement element in its extension, the cavity of which can be used as a ventilation channel for conducting a cooling air flow. Thus, display cooling that is otherwise required outside the support structure can be provided in the support structure, which in turn leads to a reduction in the installation space required by such a dashboard support.

[0012] The interior of the support structure can also be designed as a compartment structure by means of a plurality of connecting bars connecting two chord elements. It is open pointing away from the reinforcement element. The connecting bars then form cooling ribs in particular, by means of which the heat dissipation surface of the rear side of the reinforcement element is significantly enlarged. It is understood that in this case at least the connecting bars, and usually even the two chord elements separated from each other by the connecting bars, are made of a material that conducts heat well, for example aluminum or magnesium die-cast or extruded profiles. Active cooling is sometimes no longer necessary.

[0013] The reinforcing element can of course have a greater extension in the direction of the spacing of the two chord elements relative to one another. The reinforcing element then projects in the spacing direction beyond at least one, usually beyond both chord elements. The contour geometry of such a reinforcing element can be designed to a certain extent arbitrarily. Thus, there is no need to take into account the design freedom with regard to the contour geometry of the device to be installed, for example, a display to be installed.

[0014] If the device to be connected to the support structure of the instrument panel support is a central display, then at least in the support structure section in which the reinforcement element forming the rear wall of the central display is arranged, the support structure is designed so that one of the two chord members is an upper chord member and the other is a lower chord member. In this design, the two chord members are therefore spaced apart from each other in the z direction (height direction) according to the usual vehicle direction. In contrast, in the case of a head-up display, it can be provided that one of the two chord members is a front chord member and the other is a rear chord member, which are then spaced apart from each other in the x direction (longitudinal direction) corresponding to the usual vehicle direction. In this case, the support structure can also be composed of at least two support structure sections that differ in their chord member layout.

[0015] Such a reinforcing element can be connected to the chord member of the support structure in different ways, provided that it is ensured that it is connected to the chord member with a friction fit. This can be done, for example, by a joining process, by using fixing elements, such as rivets. Adhesion is also possible. The contact surface on the chord member, at which the element of the reinforcing element can be connected to the chord member, can be provided in different ways. According to one design provision, at least one of the two chord members has a mounting flange protruding from its chord member surface. Such a mounting flange can extend over the entire longitudinal extension of the support structure and is used as part of the support structure design in the section where no reinforcing element is mounted to achieve the required strength and rigidity. Such a flange is usually formed on the chord member facing away from the other chord member. If both chord members have such a mounting flange, the support structure has a hat-shaped profile in cross section. According to another design provision, the reinforcing element carries at least one fixing link protruding from its rear side, which fixing link is therefore usually formed on the reinforcing element and is located in a spatial position so that it contacts the chord member surface in a planar manner. This can be the surface of the chord member facing outwards or the surface facing inwards. Combinations of these measures are also possible, for example in the form of one chord element having a mounting flange which is bent over relative to the chord element surface and which abuts against a complementary mounting seat or a corresponding mounting angle of the reinforcing element, while the reinforcing element, on the other hand, carries a fixing web for contacting the surface of the other chord element.

[0016] Regardless of whether the rear side of the reinforcement element is actively or passively cooled, it is provided that, in particular, in the case where the reinforcement element is a rear wall or housing part of a device to be cooled, such as a display, the reinforcement element itself can have structures that expand the surface on its rear side. These shaped surface-enlarging structures can be, for example, ribs extending in the longitudinal direction of the reinforcement element.

[0017] The two connection points between which the support structure extends can be, for example, two columns that are opposite to each other in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, such as A-pillars. In one design of the instrument panel support, a housing part is inserted into the direction of the support structure through which the required load path extends, in which design two support structures of the above-mentioned type are used. One of the two connection points is the connection point of this support structure on the housing of the component connected in the middle, which provides the load path. This can be, for example, a heating and air conditioning system. The other connection point is the connection point for connecting the instrument panel support, for example, to the A-pillar of the vehicle body.

[0018] If the support structure of such an instrument panel support is designed as a half-shell structure, it is a sheet metal component manufactured by forming a prepared sheet metal according to an embodiment. Various profiles of the support structure can be produced by forming the sheet metal, so that the support structure can have a plurality of different support structure sections with different cross-sectional profiles.

[0019] The present invention is described below with reference to the accompanying drawings based on embodiments.

[0020] Figure 1 : A perspective view showing an instrument panel bracket according to a first design in an exploded view;

[0021] Figure 2 : Show Figure 1 A three-dimensional view of a support structure of an instrument panel support;

[0022] Figure 3 : Show Figure 1 The instrument panel bracket corresponds to Figure 2 Stereoscopic image of

[0023] Figure 4 :Shows the section line AB passing through Figure 3 A cross section of a dashboard bracket;

[0024] Figure 5 :show the use Figure 2 Another design of the instrument panel bracket in the case of a bracket structure;

[0025] Figure 6 : A three-dimensional view showing another instrument panel bracket;

[0026] Figure 7 : A perspective view showing another dashboard bracket from a first viewing direction; and

[0027] Figure 8 :Showing from another angle Figure 7 Dashboard bracket.

[0028] The dashboard support 1 comprises a support structure 2, which is designed as a half shell in the embodiment shown, a reinforcement element 3 and components of a display extending substantially over the entire longitudinal extension of the support structure 2. The display components are a front cover 4 with a pixel panel and a backlight 5. The front cover 4 and the backlight 5 are conventional components. The reinforcement element 3 serves as a support plate or rear wall for the other two components of the display 6.

[0029] The support structure 2 is provided by an upper chord member 7 and a lower chord member 8 spaced therefrom (see Figure 2 ). The two chord members 7, 8 are connected to each other by a connecting bar 9 and are spaced apart from each other by the connecting bar. The two chord members 7, 8 are spaced apart in the z direction, which corresponds to the height direction in the normal vehicle direction. The connecting bar 9 is formed on the longitudinal side edges of the two chord members 7, 8 facing forward in the x direction of the vehicle. The support structure 2 is a formed steel sheet part. Two channel support members 10, 10.1 are connected to the support structure 2 at a distance from each other in its central area. The support structure 2 has connecting sections 11, 11.1 on the end sides, through which the dashboard support 1 is connected to the A-pillar of the motor vehicle. In the area of ​​the connecting sections 11, 11.1, the half-shell structure of the support structure 2 is closed by clamps 12, 12.1 respectively. The sleeve 13 is inserted between the clamps 12, 12.1 and the section of the connecting bar 9 widened at this position. It should be understood that these clamps 12, 12.1 can also be designed as edge forming parts (German: Kantteile) in one piece with the sleeve 13.

[0030] Figure 2 The support structure 2 is shown through a view toward the open side of the half-shell structure. It can be seen that a connecting / reinforcing element 14 is inserted on the driver's side for connecting the steering column.

[0031] The lower chord member 8 has a plurality of fixing openings 15 which are arranged at intervals from one another and pass through the lower chord member 8 along its longitudinal side edge which faces away from the connecting strip 9. The upper chord member 7 is provided with a mounting flange 16 on its longitudinal side edge which faces away from the connecting strip 9, which is bent relative to the surface of the upper chord member 7 in a direction facing away from the lower chord member 8. A fixing opening 17 which passes through the mounting flange 16 is also provided. The lower chord member 8 with its fixing openings 15 and the mounting flange 16 with its fixing openings 17 are used to connect the reinforcement element 3. The reinforcement element 3 is an extruded aluminum profile segment which has a fixing strip 18 formed on its back. It extends in the longitudinal direction of the reinforcement element 3 and is used to contact the inner side of the lower chord member 8 (see also Figure 4 In order to connect the reinforcing element 3 to the mounting flange 16, a mounting angle structure 19 is formed on the reinforcing element 3 (see also Figure 4The fixing strips 18 and the mounting angle structures 19 also carry fixing openings at positions aligned with the fixing openings 15 and / or 17. In the embodiment shown, the reinforcing element 3 is connected to the support structure 2 by means of rivets or other connecting means (not shown).

[0032] The dashboard support 1 is arranged in a direction of sight directed toward the display 6 carried by it. Figure 3 Shown in. Figure 4 The cross section shown in the figure through the viewing direction of the connecting section 11 shows the positive connection of the reinforcing element 3 to the support structure 2 designed as a half shell. The contact of the fixing link 18 on the inner side of the lower chord member 8 and the support of the mounting angle structure 19 with its end face on the mounting flange 16 are clearly visible. For the sake of simplicity, the rivets for connecting the two components are not shown.

[0033] from Figure 4 It can also be clearly seen in the figure that the rear side of the reinforcing element 3 has a plurality of ribs 20 extending parallel to each other as a surface enlargement structure. The rear side of the reinforcing element 3 is the side facing away from the front cover 4 and / or the backlight device 5. Figure 4 It is shown that the air guide channel 21 is provided by the reinforcement element 3 and the half-shell structure of the support structure 2. If the heat generated by the display 6 is so great that the passive cooling by the ribs 20 is insufficient, a cooling air flow through the air guide channel 21 can be generated by installing a fan in the area of ​​one of the two connecting sections 11 or 11.1. Therefore, in this design, the dashboard support 1 or its support structure 2 has a reinforcement element 3 that reinforces it and at the same time provides an air guide channel for heat dissipation or for ventilation of the vehicle interior. It is also conceivable here that the existing structural space is used to accommodate the cable harness.

[0034] Figure 5 Another design of the dashboard support 1.1 is shown, but its display 6.1 only extends over the driver's side region. Therefore, it is also provided that its reinforcement element 3.1, which forms the rear wall of the display 6.1, also extends only over this region.

[0035] Figure 6Another dashboard support 22 is shown. In the case of the dashboard support 22, its support structure 23 is manufactured in one piece with the reinforcement element 24 that reinforces it, specifically as a magnesium die-casting in the illustrated embodiment. The upper chord member 25 is connected to the lower chord member 26 by a plurality of connecting bars 27. It is located in the space between the two chord members 25, 26 and forms a compartment structure therein, which is a honeycomb structure in this case. The connecting bars 27, which are also formed on the reinforcement element 24, greatly increase its heat emitting surface. Therefore, in the end, the entire support structure 23, in particular together with the connecting bars 27, which can also be called a support device, is regarded as a heat dissipation surface. Therefore, in this design, even when the display constructed with the reinforcement element 24 emits a lot of heat, active cooling is not required. In this embodiment, the channel supports 28, 28.1 are integrally formed on the support structure 23.

[0036] Figure 7 Another instrument panel bracket 29 is shown. The instrument panel bracket 29 is designed with a bracket structure section 30 on its driver side, such as in combination with Figure 6 The remaining part of the support structure 31 of the instrument panel support 29 is designed as a support structure section 32 with a half-shell cross-sectional profile, as described in accordance with the embodiment for Figures 1 to 5 The support structure of the embodiment 2 is described. Figure 7 In the embodiment of the present invention, various possibilities are used for producing the geometry relative to the support structure segment 30, so that the reinforcing element 33 is simultaneously used as a joint connector for supporting the connection of the support structure segment 30 to another support structure segment 32. For this purpose, an installation angle section corresponding to the installation angle structure 19 of the instrument panel bracket 1 and a fixing connecting strip section that abuts against the inner side of the lower chord of the support structure segment 32 and is connected thereto are formed on the rear side of the reinforcing element 33 in the overlapping section with the support structure segment 32.

[0037] Figure 8 The dashboard support 29 is shown from a viewing direction directed toward the front of its display 34 .

[0038] The present invention is explained based on the exemplary embodiments. Without departing from the effective protection scope, a person skilled in the art has many other possible solutions to realize the content of the present invention, which do not need to be given individually within the scope of these designs.

Claims

1. An instrument panel support for a motor vehicle, comprising a support structure (2, 23, 31) extending between two connection points, the support structure having two chord members (7, 8; 25, 26) extending in its longitudinal direction and spaced apart from each other by a connecting rod (9) or a connecting rod device (27), defining a cavity boundary, characterized in that: The two chord members (7, 8; 25, 26) are connected to each other by friction fit and / or form fit and / or material fit over at least one length for reinforcing at least one support structure segment by means of a reinforcing element (3, 3.1, 24, 33), a cavity between the two chord members (7, 8; 25, 26) being bounded by the rear side of the reinforcing element, and the support structure (2, 23, 31) is formed as a cavity contour in the longitudinal extension of the reinforcing element by means of the reinforcing element in the form of a closed plate, and the reinforcing element (3, 3.1; 24; 33) is simultaneously part of a rear wall or housing of a device (6, 6.1, 34) to be mounted or mounted on the support structure (2, 23, 31).

2. The instrument panel bracket according to claim 1, characterized in that: The reinforcing element (3, 3.1; 24; 33) has a greater extension in the spacing direction of the two chord members (7, 8; 25, 26) than the two chord members have with respect to each other.

3. The instrument panel bracket according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The two chord members (7, 8) are connected to each other via a connecting strip (9) connected to the longitudinal side edges of the chord members (7, 8) opposite to the reinforcing elements (3, 3.1; 24; 33), so that the support structure 2 is at least partially constructed as an open half-shell structure.

4. The instrument panel bracket according to claim 3, characterized in that: The cavity enclosed by the support structure (2) or the support structure segment and the reinforcement element (3, 3.1) forms an air guide channel (21) for conducting a cooling air flow for cooling the reinforcement element (3, 3.1), which forms a rear wall or housing part of a device to be installed or installed.

5. The instrument panel bracket according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that The reinforcement element is at the same time the rear wall of a display (6, 6.1; 34) to be mounted or mounted on the support structure (2, 23, 31).

6. The instrument panel bracket according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The two chord members (25, 26) are connected to each other via a connecting rod device having a plurality of connecting rods (27), and the connecting rod device forms a compartment structure that is open in a direction away from the reinforcing element (24) in a cavity between the two chord members (25, 26).

7. The instrument panel bracket according to claim 6, characterized in that: The support structure (23) is an injection-cast or die-cast part.

8. The instrument panel bracket according to claim 7, characterized in that: The reinforcing element (24) is part of an injection-molded or die-cast part.

9. The instrument panel support according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that One of the two chord members is an upper chord member (7, 25), and the other is a lower chord member (8, 26).

10. The instrument panel support according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that On at least one of the chord members (7), a flange (16) protruding from the surface of the chord member is formed on the side thereof facing the reinforcing element (3, 3.1).

11. The instrument panel support according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that At least one fixing link (18) protruding from the rear side of the reinforcing element (3, 3.1) is formed on the reinforcing element (3, 3.1), and the fixing link has a spatial position such that the fixing link is in planar contact with the surface of the chord member and is connected thereto.

12. The instrument panel support according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that A surface-enlarged structure is integrally formed on the rear side of the reinforcing element (3, 3.1).

13. The instrument panel bracket according to claim 12, characterized in that: The surface-enlarging structures are designed as ribs (20) extending in the longitudinal direction of the reinforcing element.

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