Instrument panel for vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a dashboard (1) for a vehicle, comprising a steering wheel (6) arranged on the dashboard (1), an airbag assembly (4) arranged on the steering wheel (6), and a support assembly (10) arranged on the dashboard (1) in the region of the steering wheel (6), the support assembly having at least one support geometry (12) and an erecting device (14), the erecting device (14) being designed to erect the steering wheel (6) on the dashboard (1). In the event of a crash, the at least one support geometry (12) is raised from the stowed position into a use position in which the at least one support geometry (12) supports the inflated driver airbag (7) of the airbag assembly (4) and is held in the use position.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to an instrument panel for a vehicle. Background Art

[0002] A number of variations of dashboards for vehicles are known. Modern dashboards with a display device that is displaced in the direction of the windshield do not provide a suitable auxiliary support geometry for a deployed and inflated driver airbag arranged on the steering wheel, because the display device is located outside the area of ​​action of the driver airbag. During driving, the view to the front display device arranged between the steering wheel and the windshield must not be blocked by any components. In comparison with a steering wheel with a closed circular or oval steering wheel bezel / steering wheel rim, a steering wheel with an open steering wheel bezel or with a flat closed steering wheel bezel also does not provide support for a deployed and inflated driver airbag. As a result, the restraining effect on the driver in the event of a collision is significantly reduced.

[0003] From FR 2 861 657 B1 a dashboard with a foldable display device is known, which is arranged between a steering wheel with an open steering wheel rim and the front windshield.

[0004] US Pat. No. 7,441,799 B2 discloses a steering wheel having an open steering wheel rim and an airbag module with a driver airbag arranged in a buffer / damping pot of the steering wheel. The driver airbag is arranged in a folded-up manner in the buffer of the steering wheel in the static state and can be transferred to its inflated operating state in the event of a crash. Additional support surfaces are provided on the airbag module and / or on the steering wheel cover and / or on the open steering wheel rim and / or on the steering column for supporting the deployed and inflated driver airbag.

[0005] A steering wheel is known from US Pat. No. 7,669,890 B2, which has an open steering wheel rim and an airbag module with a driver airbag arranged in a buffer of the steering wheel. In addition to the driver airbag, the airbag module also includes a further airbag, which is deployed and inflated in order to overcome the pressure exerted by the driver on the driver airbag and to support the driver airbag in the inflated use position of the driver airbag. Alternatively, a supporting element can be arranged on the buffer, which in the event of a severe collision is transferred into its use position, in which the supporting element supports the driver airbag in the inflated use position of the driver airbag.

[0006] A steering wheel with an open steering wheel rim and an airbag module with a driver airbag arranged in a buffer of the steering wheel is known from US Pat. No. 8,079,615 B2. The steering wheel comprises a support unit which can be transferred from a stowed position into an operating position facing the driver in the event of a crash, in which the support unit supports the rear surface of the deployed and inflated driver airbag in the open area of ​​the steering wheel rim. Summary of the invention

[0007] The object of the present invention is to provide an instrument panel for a vehicle having a steering wheel arranged on the instrument panel and an airbag module arranged on the steering wheel, which improves the support of the deployed and inflated driver airbag of the airbag module in the event of a collision.

[0008] This object is achieved by an instrument panel for a vehicle having the features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments of the invention with expedient developments are specified in the dependent claims.

[0009] In order to provide an instrument panel for a vehicle, the instrument panel having a steering wheel arranged on the instrument panel and an airbag module arranged on the steering wheel, which improves the support of the deployed and inflated driver airbag of the airbag module in the event of a crash, a support module is arranged on the instrument panel in the region of the steering wheel, the support module having at least one supporting geometry and an erecting device. The erecting device is designed to erect the at least one supporting geometry from a storage position into a use position and to hold it in the use position in the event of a crash. In the use position, the at least one supporting geometry supports the inflated driver airbag of the airbag module.

[0010] In this way, the restraining effect on the driver in the event of a crash can be improved, in particular in steering wheels with an open steering wheel rim. The raising of the supporting geometry can be realized in an active or passive manner by various technical solutions. Since the supporting geometry is only raised in the event of a crash, the view to the front display device arranged between the steering wheel and the front windshield is advantageously not obstructed during driving.

[0011] Preferably, at least one supporting geometry can support at least one head region of an inflated driver airbag in the use position, the driver airbag protruding beyond the steering wheel rim and exerting a restraining effect on the driver's head, thereby ensuring support of the inflated driver airbag despite the fact that the steering wheel rim is disconnected in the upper region in the basic position of the steering wheel.

[0012] Furthermore, at least one supporting geometry can be integrated into the instrument panel in the stowed position so that the view to the front display device arranged between the steering wheel and the front windshield is not obstructed during driving. Furthermore, the side flush with the instrument panel surface can be designed as a decorative element and improve the visual appearance of the vehicle interior.

[0013] Preferably, the driver airbag can be arranged in a folded-up manner in a damper of the steering wheel in the rest state and can be transferred into its inflated operating state in the event of a crash.

[0014] In an advantageous embodiment of the instrument panel, the steering wheel can have a collapsible steering column / energy-absorbing steering column, which, in the event of a crash, due to the force of the driver on the inflated driver airbag, moves the steering wheel in the direction of the instrument panel until it stops. Energy can thus be dissipated. Furthermore, the forces acting on the driver in the event of a crash can be reduced.

[0015] In another advantageous embodiment of the instrument panel, the raising device can be designed as a passive raising device, which has an raising mechanism that can be activated by the movement of the collapsible steering column in the event of a collision. In this case, the raising mechanism can include, for example, two guide elements, which can each have an inclined guide surface. The first guide element can be connected to an actuating lever for at least one supporting geometry, and the second guide element can be connected to the collapsible steering column. Preferably, the second guide element can be connected to the collapsible steering column in such a way that the movement of the collapsible steering column can move the inclined guide surface of the second guide element below the inclined guide surface of the first guide element, whereby the first guide element and the actuating lever can be lifted and the at least one supporting geometry can be raised from the storage position into the working position.

[0016] In an alternative embodiment of the instrument panel, the erecting device can be designed as an active erecting device, which has at least one actuator that can be activated together with the driver airbag by the crash sensor system in the event of a crash. In this case, the at least one actuator can preferably be designed as a reciprocating piston guided in a cylinder, which can be moved from a retracted rest position into an extended operating position by means of an ignition capsule in a pyrotechnically controlled manner or by means of at least one preloaded spring element. By activating the driver airbag and the active erecting device, it can be ensured that the inflated driver airbag can be supported by the supporting geometry in the event that the driver crashes into the driver airbag and moves the driver airbag in the direction of the windshield or the instrument panel.

[0017] In another advantageous embodiment of the instrument panel, at least one supporting geometry can include a supporting body that can be pivoted about a pivot axis or a supporting bracket that can be pivoted about a pivot axis. In this case, the supporting body can be designed, for example, as a housing for a camera. The camera can be used to observe the driver and, for example, determine the driver's seat position.

[0018] The features and feature combinations mentioned above in the specification and the features and feature combinations mentioned below in the description of the figures and / or shown separately in the figures can be used not only in the respective given combination, but also in other combinations or alone, as long as it does not leave the scope of the present invention. Therefore, embodiments that are not explicitly shown or described in the drawings but can be derived or generated by the combination of individual features in the described embodiments should also be regarded as included and disclosed by the present invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] Embodiments of the present invention are shown in the drawings and are described in more detail in the following description. In the drawings, the same reference numerals represent components or elements that perform the same or similar functions. The drawings show:

[0020] Figure 1 A schematic partial cross-sectional view showing a vehicle interior having a first embodiment of an instrument panel for a vehicle according to the present invention; and

[0021] Figure 2 A second embodiment of an instrument panel for a vehicle according to the present invention is shown. Figure 1 Schematic partial cross-sectional view of the vehicle interior. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0022] As from Figure 1 and Figure 2 As can be seen in the illustrated section of the vehicle interior 2, the exemplary embodiment of the instrument panel 1, 1A, 1B for a vehicle according to the invention comprises a steering wheel 6 arranged on the instrument panel 1, an airbag assembly 4, 4A, 4B arranged on the steering wheel 6, and a support assembly 10, 10A, 10B arranged on the instrument panel 1, 1A, 1B in the region of the steering wheel 6, the support assembly having at least one support geometry 12 and an erection device 14. In this case, in the event of a collision, the erection device 14 causes at least one support geometry 12 to be lifted from the support geometry 12. Figure 1 and Figure 2 The storage position shown in dotted line in FIG. Figure 1 and Figure 2 In the use position shown in solid lines in FIG. 4 and maintaining at least one supporting geometry. In the use position, at least one supporting geometry 12 supports the inflated driver airbag 7 of the airbag assembly 4.

[0023] In the illustrated embodiment, the steering wheel 6 is designed with a flat steering wheel outer ring 6.1, so that the driver airbag 7 in the illustrated inflated operating state, in particular in the head region 8, significantly protrudes beyond the flat steering wheel outer ring 6.1, which has a restraining effect on the head 9.1 of the driver 9. In the static state (not shown in detail), the driver airbag 7 is arranged in a folded manner in a buffer 6.2 of the steering wheel 6 and is transferred to its position in the event of a collision. Figure 1 and Figure 2 In the inflated working state shown in Figure 1 and Figure 2 In the dashed diagram, the steering wheel 6 and the inflated driver airbag 7 are shown before the driver 9 crashes into the driver airbag 7. In the illustrated embodiment, the steering wheel 6 has a collapsible steering column 6.3, which, in the event of a crash, moves the steering wheel 6 in the direction of the instrument panel 1 until it is stopped due to the force exerted by the driver 9 on the inflated driver airbag 7. Figure 1 and Figure 2 , the solid line diagram shows the steering wheel 6 and the inflated driver airbag 7 resting against the instrument panel 1 after the force action caused by the driver's collision into the driver airbag 7. In this case, the steering wheel outer ring generates a supporting force FLK that supports the inflated driver airbag 7. In this use position, at least one supporting geometry 12 additionally generates a further supporting force FSG that supports the driver airbag 7 at least in the head region 8 of the inflated driver airbag 7, which protrudes beyond the steering wheel outer ring 6.1 and has a restraining effect on the head 9.1 of the driver 9.

[0024] As from Figure 1 and Figure 2 It can also be seen that at least one supporting geometry 12 is integrated into the instrument panel 1 , 1A, 1B in the storage position shown in dashed lines. As a result, the view to the front display device 5 arranged between the steering wheel 6 and the front windshield 3 is not obstructed during driving.

[0025] As from Figure 1It can also be seen that in the first embodiment of the instrument panel 1A shown, the erecting device 14 is designed as a passive erecting device 14A, which has an erecting mechanism 18 that is activated by the movement of the collapsible steering column 6.3 in the event of a collision. In the embodiment shown, the erecting mechanism 18 includes two guide elements 18A, 18B, which each have an inclined guide surface 18.1, 18.2. In this case, the first guide element 18A is connected to an actuating rod 19 for at least one supporting geometry 12. The second guide element 18B is connected to the collapsible steering column 6.3. The second guide element 18B is connected to the collapsible steering column 6.3 in such a way that the movement of the collapsible steering column 6.3 moves the inclined guide surface 18.2 of the second guide element 18B below the inclined guide surface 18.1 of the first guide element 18A, whereby the first guide element 18A and the actuating rod 19 are lifted and the at least one supporting geometry 12 is erected from the storage position into the working position.

[0026] As from Figure 1 It can also be seen that in the first embodiment of the instrument panel 1A, at least one supporting geometric structure 12 comprises a supporting body 12A which can be swung about a swung axis DA1. Figure 1 It can also be seen that the support body 12A is erected about the swing axis DA1 in the direction of the front windshield 3. In the embodiment shown, the support body 12A is designed as a housing for a camera for observing the driver. The support body 12A can have any other two-dimensional or three-dimensional shape that is suitable for supporting the inflated driver airbag 7 in the event of a collision.

[0027] As from Figure 2 It can also be seen that in the second embodiment of the instrument panel 1B shown, the erecting device 14 is designed as an active erecting device 14B, which has at least one actuator 16 that can be activated together with the driver airbag 7 by a crash sensor system in the event of a crash. As a crash sensor system for triggering the driver airbag 7 and the active erecting device 14B, any crash sensor system known from the prior art can be used, so that the crash sensor system will not be described in detail here. In the embodiment shown, the at least one actuator 16 is designed as a reciprocating piston 16A guided in a cylinder, which is moved pyrotechnically from a retracted rest position to an extended working position by means of an ignition capsule 16.1.

[0028] As from Figure 2 It can also be seen that in the second embodiment of the instrument panel 1B, at least one supporting geometric structure 12 comprises a supporting bracket 12B which can be swung around the swung axis DA2. Figure 2 It can also be seen in FIG. 1 that the support bracket 12B is erected about the pivot axis DA2 in the direction of the steering wheel 6 .

[0029] In an alternative embodiment (not shown) of the active erecting device 14B, at least one actuator 16 designed as a reciprocating piston 16A guided in a cylinder is moved from a retracted rest position into an extended working position by at least one preloaded spring element (which is released in the event of a crash).

[0030] Of course, in Figure 1 The support body 12A shown in FIG. 1 may also be connected to the support body 12A shown in FIG. Figure 2 Similarly, in Figure 2 The support bracket 12B shown in FIG. 1 may also be used with Figure 1 The passive erection device 14A shown in FIG.

[0031] List of reference numerals:

[0032] 1.1A, 1B Dashboard

[0033] 2 Vehicle interior

[0034] 3 Front windshield

[0035] 4, 4A, 4B airbag components

[0036] 5 Display device

[0037] 6 Steering wheel

[0038] 6.1 Steering wheel outer ring

[0039] 6.2 Buffer

[0040] 6.3 Collapsible Steering Column

[0041] 7 Driver airbag

[0042] 8 Head area

[0043] 9. Driver

[0044] 9.1 Head

[0045] 10, 10A, 10B Support assembly

[0046] 12 Support Geometry

[0047] 12A Support

[0048] 12B Support bracket

[0049] 14. Erecting device

[0050] 14A Passive erection device

[0051] 14B Active erection device

[0052] 16 Actuator

[0053] 16A Reciprocating piston

[0054] 16.1 Ignition Capsule

[0055] 18 Erecting mechanism

[0056] 18A, 18B Guide element

[0057] 18.1, 18.2 Inclined guide surface

[0058] 19 Joystick

[0059] FSG first support

[0060] FLK Second support

[0061] DA1, DA2 rotation axis

Claims

1. An instrument panel (1) for a vehicle, the instrument panel comprising a steering wheel (6) arranged on the instrument panel (1), an airbag assembly (4) arranged on the steering wheel (6), and a support assembly (10) arranged on the instrument panel (1) in the region of the steering wheel (6), the support assembly comprising at least one support geometry (12) and an erecting device (14), wherein: The raising device (14) is designed to raise the at least one supporting geometry (12) from a storage position to a use position and to hold it in the use position in the event of a crash, wherein in the use position the at least one supporting geometry (12) supports an inflated driver airbag (7) of the airbag module (4).

2. The instrument panel (1) according to claim 1, It is characterized in that The at least one supporting geometry (12) is integrated into the instrument panel (1) in the storage position.

3. The instrument panel (1) according to claim 1 or 2, It is characterized in that The at least one supporting geometry (12) supports at least one head region (8) of an inflated driver airbag (7) in the use position, the driver airbag protruding beyond the steering wheel rim (6.1) and exerting a restraining effect on the head (9.1) of the driver (9).

4. The instrument panel (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, It is characterized in that The driver airbag (7) is arranged in a folded-up manner in a damper (6.2) of the steering wheel (6) in the static state and can be transferred into its inflated operating state in the event of a crash.

5. The instrument panel (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, It is characterized in that The steering wheel (6) has a collapsible steering column (6.3) which, in the event of a collision, moves the steering wheel (6) in the direction of the instrument panel (1) until it is stopped due to the force of the driver (9) on the inflated driver airbag (7).

6. The instrument panel (1) according to claim 5, It is characterized in that The raising device (14) is designed as a passive raising device (14A) having an raising mechanism (18) which can be activated by the movement of the collapsible steering column (6.3) in the event of a crash.

7. The instrument panel (1) according to claim 6, It is characterized in that The raising mechanism (18) comprises two guide elements (18A, 18B), each of which has an inclined guide surface (18.1, 18.2), wherein the first guide element (18A) is connected to an operating lever (19) for the at least one supporting geometry (12), and the second guide element (18B) is connected to a collapsible steering column (6.3).

8. The instrument panel (1) according to claim 7, It is characterized in that The second guide element (18B) is connected to the collapsible steering column (6.3) in such a way that the movement of the collapsible steering column (6.3) causes the inclined guide surface (18.2) of the second guide element (18B) to move below the inclined guide surface (18.1) of the first guide element (18A), whereby the first guide element (18A) and the operating lever (19) are lifted and the at least one supporting geometric structure (12) is erected from a storage position to a working position.

9. The instrument panel (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, It is characterized in that The raising device (14) is designed as an active raising device (14B) which has at least one actuator (16) which can be activated together with the driver airbag (7) by a crash sensor system in the event of a crash.

10. The instrument panel (1) according to claim 9, It is characterized in that The at least one actuator (16) is designed as a reciprocating piston (16A) guided in a cylinder, which can be moved pyrotechnically by means of an ignition capsule (16.1) or by means of at least one preloaded spring element from a retracted rest position into an extended working position.

11. The instrument panel (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, It is characterized in that The at least one supporting geometric structure (12) comprises a supporting body (12A) which can be pivoted about a pivot axis (DA1) or a supporting bracket (12B) which can be pivoted about a pivot axis (DA2).

12. The instrument panel (1) according to claim 11, It is characterized in that The supporting body (12A) is designed as a housing of a camera.

Images