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, the support structure (2) being an open half-shell structure with two chord members (6, 7) which extend in the longitudinal direction thereof, are spaced apart from each other by a web (8) and are connected to each other by the web (8), the longitudinal side edge of one chord member (6) is connected to the longitudinal side edge of the same side of the other chord member (7), and at least one attachment part (3, 3.1) connected to the support structure (2), having a connection section as part of the attachment part (3, 3.1), the attachment part (3, 3.1) has a connecting section (7) which passes through the chord member (7) and thus protrudes into the half-shell structure of the support structure (2) up to an opposite support structure wall in the insertion direction of the connecting section of the attachment part (3, 3.1) by the at least one through-hole (19, 19.1) and engages with the support structure (2) in the region of the through-hole (19, 19.1) and in the region of the support structure wall opposite the through-hole, according to the invention, the connecting section of the attachment part (3, 3.1) has two limbs (16, 16.1) which are spaced apart from one another in the longitudinal extension of the carrier structure (2) and which engage in half-shell structures of the carrier structure (2), and the carrier structure (2) has a passage opening (19, 19.1) for each limb (16, 16.1) of the connecting section of the attachment part (3, 3.1), and the limbs (16, 16.1) are connected to one another by means of a back part (17).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a dashboard support for a motor vehicle, having a support structure extending between two connection points.

[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 Components connected to such a dashboard support or its support structure include, among others, dashboard trim, steering columns, heating and air conditioning systems and displays, such as head-up displays or even directly readable displays, such as a central display.

[0004] A single-shell instrument panel bracket is known from patent document EP1544086A1. Unlike a double-shell bracket structure, this instrument panel bracket has only a single joining position that follows its longitudinal extension. This reduces the joining work consumption. However, the disadvantage is that in order to manufacture this single-shell instrument panel bracket, the metal sheet used to form the hollow profile must be shaped in such a way as to produce a joining flange arranged in the area of ​​the edge structure, so that it must have a consistent bending line extending over the entire longitudinal extension of the instrument panel bracket. As a result, the design freedom in the design of this instrument panel bracket or its bracket structure is limited.

[0005] From patent documents US9156488B1 and DE102009026299A1, dashboard brackets are known, in which a closed bracket structure for connecting a steering column is provided. The mounting parts on which the steering column is held each have a front protrusion that passes through the cavity contour. The side legs serve as walls.

[0006] Also known are dashboard brackets with a bracket structure having an open shell structure. To meet the required strength and stiffness requirements, a reinforced plastic structure is injected into it. Such a dashboard bracket is known from patent document US2019 / 0168818A1. In dashboard brackets designed in this way, a disadvantage is the manufacturing cost due to the need for different process steps. In addition, components with a material mixture (metal and plastic) are not desirable due to the additional cost of separating these materials during recycling.

[0007] It is desirable that, in the process of saving materials or resources, the support structure of such a dashboard support can be made lighter and can also be manufactured with less energy investment.

[0008] The above-mentioned object is achieved by the invention by a dashboard bracket having the features of claim 1 .

[0009] In the instrument panel bracket, its bracket structure is designed as an open half-shell structure. For this reason, it has been broken away from the existing teachings, according to which only when such a bracket structure is supplemented by a closing plate (Schließblech) or a second shell into a hollow profile or a reinforcement structure made of plastic is injected into the open bracket structure, can such a bracket structure meet the requirements set for it. The bracket structure of the instrument panel bracket according to the present invention is composed of two chord members (Gurte) extending in its longitudinal direction and a connecting bar (Steg) connecting the two chord members. The chord members are spaced apart from each other by the connecting bar. The connecting bar connects the two chord members at their longitudinal side edges pointing in the same direction. In the instrument panel bracket according to the present invention, it is utilized that different bracket structure segments of the bracket structure are subject to different required contours. For example, the bracket structure segment to be connected to the steering column has higher strength and rigidity requirements than the bracket structure segment extending on the co-pilot area. Correspondingly, it is applicable to the transition between the two bracket structure segments, for example, because the two bracket structure segments are arranged offset from each other in the x and / or z directions. The directions x and z specified in these designs are typical directions of vehicles. The x-direction extends in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. The z-direction is the height direction.

[0010] Surprisingly, despite the departure from the existing teachings on how to construct such a support structure, the requirements for such a support structure as part of an instrument panel support in its different support structure segments are met by the appropriate design of the above-mentioned components. The effects achieved in the prior art by the design of a hollow profile or by the injection of a plastic structure are achieved in this instrument panel support by the corresponding design of the individual components. The optimal adaptation of a single support structure segment to the required profiles set thereon can be achieved in a simple manner in the case of a support structure designed in this way. In addition, the open half-shell structure itself allows the design of a single support structure segment with a much greater design diversity than in the case of a closed profile. It should be emphasized in this instrument panel support that in different support structure segments, by optimally adapting to different required profiles, the support structure does not need to be oversized, which has a positive effect on material use and weight. In addition, it is advantageous that the open half-shell solution leads to the space surrounded by the support structure also being used for loading components, for example as a channel for engaging a part of an attached component that is guided through the support structure wall. In particular, such a component can be installed in an open half-shell structure without any problem, which is much simpler than a hollow profile.

[0011] Such support structures of dashboard supports are usually made of sheet steel, which is introduced into a defined half-shell structure in a pressing tool. Of course, the use of other materials and the use of material mixtures are also possible.

[0012] In this instrument panel support, a part of the attachment part that is usually connected to it is used to strengthen the support structure of the instrument panel support in sections. In this case, the open half-shell structure of the support structure is used so that the connecting section of this attachment part (the attachment part is embedded in the support structure from the open side of the support structure through this connecting section) is connected to it in the support structure (if it is feasible for space reasons), usually by welding. The connecting section is thus embedded in the channel provided by the support structure and passes through the channel in the transverse direction. The connecting section is engaged on the support structure wall into which the connecting section has been inserted and on the support structure wall opposite to the through hole in the insertion direction, so that this connecting section is arranged like a partition in the support structure, for example. This leads to a strengthening or reinforcement effect of the connecting section that is thus embedded in the support structure. Therefore, in this instrument panel support, the open design of the support structure and the necessity of connecting the attachment part to the support structure are cleverly utilized. The required profile of the support structure in terms of strength and rigidity is met by the joint action of the support structure and one or more reinforced connecting sections of the attachment part, in any case in the support structure section where this connecting section is engaged with the support structure. Additional connecting means for connecting the attachment part to the support structure are not required in the instrument panel support, at least for an attachment part having a connecting section as described above.

[0013] Strengthening the support structure by embedding the connecting section of the attachment part into the support structure can be influenced not only by the geometry of the connecting section, but also by its material thickness. If it is desired to achieve a higher reinforcement effect by connecting the connecting section of the attachment part to the support structure, this can be provided by a correspondingly higher material thickness in addition to the geometry of the connecting section. Therefore, in order to connect the steering column to such a support structure, the attachment part to which the steering column or the steering column module is connected can be designed with a higher material thickness. In other cases where such reinforcement of the support structure is not required, the attachment part together with its connecting section can also have a smaller material thickness. Then its geometry plays a role in particular. This is the case, for example, when the channel support is connected to the support structure. The above design includes that the connecting section of the attachment part can have a larger or smaller material thickness than the material thickness of the support structure as a whole or at least in the section in which the connecting section is connected to the support structure.

[0014] The through-hole for introducing the connecting section of such an attachment part into the channel surrounded by the support structure is located in the chord member or in the connecting rod connecting two chord members. In the latter case, the connecting rod is usually profiled, more precisely forming a bend, wherein the through-hole is located in the section of the connecting rod with the break width (Sprungweite) that causes the bend of the connecting rod. Due to this profile of the connecting rod, the support structure is shaped in the shape of a question mark at least in this section.

[0015] Basically, there is the possibility that the through hole for introducing the connecting section of the attachment part can also be located partially in the chord member and another part in the connecting rod. This enables the connecting section to be inserted from the edge connecting the chord member to the connecting rod.

[0016] In a preferred embodiment, the connecting section of such an attachment part is formed by two legs spaced apart from one another in the longitudinal extension of the support structure. These are usually oriented parallel to one another with respect to their planar extension. A connecting section constructed in this way can particularly effectively increase the rigidity, in particular the torsional rigidity of the support structure in the section in which the connecting section engages in the support structure and is joined thereto. In order to further increase the rigidity, such a connecting section is provided with two legs spaced apart from one another in the longitudinal extension of the support structure, which are connected to one another via a back part. The back part stabilizes the legs against torsion.

[0017] In this design of the dashboard bracket, each leg of the connecting section is preferably provided with its own through-hole. It then leads out as a slit. In order to facilitate the joining of the leg of the connecting section of the attachment part that passes through this slit, the slit width is only greater than the material thickness of the leg that passes through the through-hole by the necessary installation clearance.

[0018] According to one design, the connecting section of such an attachment part contacts the inner side of the support structure wall opposite the through hole with its free end face. In the case where it is desired to fix one or more legs in position on the support structure wall, the support structure wall can have a groove, into which the free end of the connecting section engages. If it is not possible to join to the support structure wall opposite the through hole inside the support structure due to lack of space, the support structure can also have a corresponding through hole in the support structure wall. The free end face of the connecting section then extends into or through the material of the support structure wall, so that the connecting section of the attachment part can be welded to the support structure wall of the support structure from the outside.

[0019] Typically, the two chord members are an upper chord member and a lower chord member, so that the two chord members are spaced apart from each other in the z direction (height direction in the vehicle direction). According to a preferred design, the support structure faces away from the passenger compartment with its open side and is thus open forward in the driving direction of the motor vehicle.

[0020] 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.

[0021] 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.

[0022] The present invention is described below with reference to the accompanying drawings based on embodiments.

[0023] Figure 1 : A perspective view showing a dashboard bracket having a bracket structure;

[0024] Figure 2 : Show Figure 1 A top view of a dashboard bracket;

[0025] Figure 3 :Show along Figure 2 A sectional view of the support structure of the instrument panel support through the section line AA of the aforementioned figure;

[0026] Figure 4: shows a part of the support structure of the previous figure in the area of ​​the attachment component 5.1, but the attachment component is not shown;

[0027] Figure 5 : Shown with attached part 5.1 Figure 4 View,

[0028] Figure 6 : Shown in Figure 5 A perspective view of the open side of the support structure in the area of ​​the mounted attachment component;

[0029] Figure 7 : A rear side view showing the viewing direction from the passenger compartment to a section of the support structure, the support structure having an attachment part for connecting a steering column;

[0030] Figure 8 :Show along Figure 7 The line BB passes through the cross section of the support structure;

[0031] Fig. 9 : shows a view of the open side of the support structure in the connection area of ​​the channel support, but without the channel support; and

[0032] Fig.10 : Shows the corresponding Fig. 9 View of a support with a channel.

[0033] The instrument panel support 1 comprises a support structure 2. The support structure 2 extends between the A-pillars of the vehicle. The end sections of the support structure 2 are designed to connect the support structure 2 and thus the instrument panel support 1 to the A-pillars opposite to each other with respect to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle. The support structure 2 is designed as an open half-shell structure. The opening of the support structure 2 points forward in the x-direction. Two channel supports 3, 3.1 are connected to the support structure 2 for supporting the support structure 2 of the instrument panel support on the chassis side. In addition, two forwardly protruding retainers 4, 4.1 are connected to the support structure 2. The support structure 2 is thus connected to the chassis-side ventilation device of the vehicle. At the same time, the retainers 4, 4.1 are used to mount a head-up display thereon. In the illustrated embodiment, the instrument panel support 1 is for installation in a "left-hand drive" vehicle. In order to connect the steering column or the steering column module to the support structure 2, two U-shaped attachment parts 5, 5.1 are connected to the support structure 2.

[0034] The support structure 2 is shaped in a ?-shaped manner in the region extending on the driver's side. Figure 3 Shown along Figure 2The section line AA of the support structure 2 passes through the cross section, which is located between the two attachment parts 5 and 5.1. Due to the?-shaped profile of the support structure 2 in this section, the connecting rod 8 is designed with a bend, through which the lower connecting rod section 13 and the upper connecting rod section 14 are spaced apart from each other in the x direction. The two connecting rod sections 13 and 14 are connected to each other by a connecting rod 15 that determines the break width of the bend. The connecting rod 15 is inclined by about 25° relative to the horizontal plane in the embodiment shown. This is basically necessary because the inclination of the steering column arranged parallel to the connecting rod 15 is usually between 20° and 30°. Therefore, the connecting rod 15 has a certain additional chord member function, specifically the function of the lower chord member 7. The shape of the support structure 2 in the section where it carries the attachment parts 5 and 5.1 caused by the shaping of the connecting rod 8 is used to connect the attachment parts 5 and 5.1. The attachment parts 5 and 5.1 are attachment blocks with a U-shaped shape in the cross section. The two parallel legs 16, 16.1 (see Figure 5 ) are connected to each other via a backing piece 17. The material thickness of the attachment part 5.1 is approximately twice the material thickness of the support structure 2. A fastening opening 18 for connecting a steering column or a steering column module is provided in the backing piece 17. The legs 16, 16.1 extend through the connecting strip 15. For this purpose, two slit-like through holes 19, 19.1 are provided in the connecting leg 15 (see Figure 4 ). In the installed state, the attachment part 5.1 contacts the outer side of the lower connecting section 13 with its end face facing the support structure 2, while the side legs 16, 16.1 are embedded in the cavity formed by the support structure 2 via the connecting strip 15. Figure 6 The side legs 16, 16.1 rest with their free ends on the underside of the upper chord member 6. The side legs 16, 16.1 are welded from the open side of the support structure 2 to the adjacent wall of the support structure 2. Figure 6 The relevant welds are schematically indicated by thick lines. Figure 6 The so-called straight weld section of the middle weld is shown, but it can also extend over a curved transition area between the chord member 6 and the upper connecting rod section 14 and between the upper connecting rod section 14 and the connecting rod 15. In addition, as Figure 5 As can be seen, the attachment part 5.1 is also welded in sections to the other side of the support structure, and more specifically, its free end face is in contact with the lower connecting bar section 13 (see FIG. Figure 5 ).

[0035] The legs 16, 16.1 as connecting sections of the attachment part 5.1 are arranged in engagement with the support structure 2. Figure 819.1 and is guided via its free end to the underside of the upper chord member 6. The support arrangement of the free end of the leg 16.1 and the support arrangement of the free end of the attachment part 5.1 on the lower connecting bar section 13 in the region of its back part 17 can also be clearly seen therein. By means of this support arrangement, not only is a secure connection of the attachment part 5.1 to the support structure 2 ensured, but also the attachment parts 5, 5.1 provide additional reinforcement in the region of this support structure section. This is thus achieved in the case of the instrument panel support 1 without additional components.

[0036] The attachment part 5 is connected in the same way to the support structure 2 of the dashboard support 1. Therefore, the above description of the attachment part 5.1 also applies to the attachment part 5.

[0037] The tunnel support 3 , 3 . 1 is also an attachment part of the instrument panel support 1 which is connected to the support structure 2 . Fig. 9 The section of the support structure 2 in the region of the connection of the channel strut 3.1 is shown. The channel strut 3.1 engages into the cavity of the support structure 2 via its connecting section, which in the case of the channel strut 3.1 is its upper end section. Figure 1 As can be seen, the channel support 3.1 has a U-shaped cross section, so that in the embodiment shown, two insertion slots are introduced as through holes 20, 21 into the lower chord member 7 (see Fig. 9 ). Fig.10 The channel support 3.1 is shown, which is engaged in the support structure 2 via its connecting section. The legs of the U-shaped profile pass through two through holes 20, 21 designed as slits. The free end of the channel support 3.1 is guided to the underside of the upper chord member 6. The legs of the connecting section of the channel support 3.1 are welded to the corresponding wall of the support structure 2, such as Fig.10 The cavity provided by the support structure 2 is also used to connect the channel support 3.1 so as to join the channel support 3.1 with the support structure 2. The section of the channel support 3.1 that is embedded in the support structure 2 is Fig. 9 and 10 In the illustrated support structure section, the support structure 2 is reinforced.

[0038] Reference numerals list

[0039] 1 Dashboard bracket

[0040] 2. Bracket structure

[0041] 3.3.1 Channel support

[0042] 4.4.1 Retainer

[0043] 5.5.1 Attached parts

[0044] 6 Upper chord member

[0045] 7 Lower chord member

[0046] 8-link

[0047] 9.9.1 Shell section

[0048] 10 Spacer Sleeve

[0049] 13 Lower connecting section

[0050] 14 Upper connecting strip

[0051] 15 Connecting strip

[0052] 16.1 Side Leg

[0053] 17 back piece

[0054] 18Fixed opening

[0055] 19.1 Through hole

[0056] 20.20.1 Through hole

Claims

1. A dashboard support for a motor vehicle, comprising a support structure (2) extending between two connection points, characterized in that: - the support structure (2) is an open half-shell structure with two chord members (6, 7) extending in the longitudinal direction thereof, spaced apart from each other and connected to each other by a connecting bar (8), through which the longitudinal side edge of one chord member (6) is connected to the longitudinal side edge of the other chord member (7) on the same side, and - at least one attachment part (3, 3.1, 5, 5.1) connected to the support structure (2), having a connecting section as part of the attachment part (3, 3.1, 5, 5.1), which connects through the chord element (7) and thereby engages in the half-shell structure of the support structure (2) up to the support structure wall opposite to at least one through-hole (19, 19.1, 20, 20.1) in the insertion direction of the connecting section of the attachment part (3, 3.1, 5, 5.1) and to the support structure (2) in the region of the through-hole (19, 19.1, 20, 20.1) and a support structure wall area opposite to the through hole, wherein the connecting section of the attachment part (3, 3.1, 5, 5.1) has two legs (16, 16.1) spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal extension of the support structure (2), the two legs being embedded in a half-shell structure of the support structure (2), and the support structure (2) has a through hole (19, 19.1, 20, 20.1) for each leg (16, 16.1) of the connecting section of the attachment part (3, 3.1, 5, 5.1), and the legs (16, 16.1) are connected to each other via a back piece (17).

2. The instrument panel bracket according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The through-holes (19, 19.1, 20, 20.1) for inserting the legs (16, 16.1) of the connecting section of the attachment component (3, 3.1, 5, 5.1) are designed as slits with a slit width which is greater than the material thickness of the connecting section by the necessary installation clearance.

3. The instrument panel bracket according to claim 1, characterized in that: The connecting section of the attachment part (3, 3.1, 5, 5.1) engages with or passes through the support structure wall opposite to the through hole (19, 19.1, 20, 20.1) via its end-side end.

4. The instrument panel bracket according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that The wall thickness of the connecting section of the attachment part which engages in the support structure (2) is greater than the wall thickness of the support structure (2) in the section in which the connecting section engages in the support structure (2).

5. The instrument panel bracket according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that The connecting section is engaged with the support structure (2) on all sides thereof which contact or penetrate the support structure (2).

6. The instrument panel support according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that The through-openings (19, 19.1, 20, 20.1) are delimited by contact strips which protrude from the plane of the support structure wall and rest against the surface of the connecting section of the attachment part.

7. The instrument panel support according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that The attachment part (3, 3.1, 5, 5.1) is a channel support, a holder or a connection block.

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