Assembly for a vehicle

Abstract

Assembly for a vehicle comprising a cross member (2) provided for connection to two columns opposite each other with respect to the xz-plane of the vehicle, a bracket (3) connected to the cross member (2) and projecting radially from it, comprising two holders (4, 4.1) spaced apart from each other in the y-direction and having end-end connection means, and a panel-shaped instrument, in particular a display (5), connected to the connection means of the bracket (3) at a distance from its upper end, which is held such that its operating surface points in the x-direction into the passenger compartment of the vehicle, characterized in that the two holders (4, 4.1) are each designed in the form of a half-shell, which are arranged with their opening side pointing in the y-direction, wherein the two legs (8, 9) of the holders (4, 4.1) designed as half-shells1) in the xy-plane and the web (10) connecting these legs (8, 9) in the yz-plane and the holders (4, 4.1) between their two attachment points each have at least one predetermined buckling point (S1, S2) provided by their geometry, at which they buckle when subjected to stress (x-direction) in the z- and / or y-direction.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to an assembly for a vehicle comprising a cross member provided for connection to two columns opposite each other with respect to the xz-plane of the vehicle, a bracket connected to the cross member and projecting radially from it, comprising two holders spaced apart from each other in the y-direction with end-side connection means, and a panel-shaped instrument, in particular a display, connected to the connection means of the bracket at a distance from its upper end, which is held in such a way that its operating surface points in the x-direction into the passenger compartment of the vehicle.

[0002] Larger display and control units – displays – are increasingly being installed in motor vehicles. These are panel-shaped instruments, often located as a central display roughly in the middle of the dashboard. The display and control surface of these screens is oriented towards the passenger compartment so that the driver and front passenger can easily read the information shown. In most cases, these displays also serve as input devices, and are therefore touch-sensitive. Due to the size of the displays, the often limited space available, and also for reasons of comfort and ergonomics, these displays cannot always be integrated into the dashboard trim but instead protrude above the top edge of the dashboard.There are also known designs in which such displays, which protrude above the dashboard in the operating position, can be retracted.

[0003] Panel-shaped instruments of this type, especially when they protrude wholly or partially above the top of the dashboard, should be positioned in such a way that they do not increase the risk of injury to vehicle occupants in the event of an accident. To this end, EP 3 045 340 B1 proposes mounting such a display on a support element extending behind it. The support element is angled. The display is connected to the leg extending vertically (yz-direction). On the outer side of the angled design, the two legs are connected by a metallic connecting plate made of a metallic leaf spring material. The support element is designed so that, if a certain force is applied to the upper area of ​​the display, the support element breaks and the display folds over in the direction of travel.For such panel-shaped instruments, which protrude at least partially from the dashboard surface, it must also be ensured that the mounting can withstand, without damage, the stress exerted on the dashboard when a person, for example, grasps the display at its top to assist themselves in lifting, thus using it as a handle and pulling themselves up. Such instances of stress, also referred to as misuse, must not lead to damage or destruction of the mounting.

[0004] German patent DE 10 2016 004 156 A1 discloses a mounting arrangement for a display device in the interior of a motor vehicle. In this mounting arrangement, the display device is located in front of the steering wheel. The display device detaches from its mounting when the steering column is moved upwards due to an accident. This movement of the steering column releases the display device from its mounting, and since it is no longer connected to a support, it no longer poses a risk of injury.

[0005] Another mounting for a display in a motor vehicle is known from JP 2008-290 508 A. This mounting comprises two separate brackets spaced apart from each other, one end of which is connected to the instrument panel crossmember. The brackets project upwards from the instrument panel crossmember in the z-direction. This is considered necessary to provide sufficient energy absorption within the available installation space. In addition to a leg extending in the z-direction, one end of which is connected to the crossmember, each bracket includes an angled, V-shaped bracket section, giving this section of the bracket an N-shaped appearance in a side view. An audio unit, integrated into the instrument panel, is attached to the shorter, parallel leg of the bracket, which also extends in the z-direction.As a result of this bracket design, when a force is applied to the audio unit in the x-direction, the distance between the two legs extending in the z-direction is reduced. The associated deformation work absorbs energy. To maintain the vertical alignment of the attached audio unit even in the event of deformation, a predetermined bending point is incorporated between the connection of the supporting leg of the bracket and the inclined connecting web by means of a material weakening. This bracket is designed to hold an audio system that does not protrude above the top of the dashboard. Therefore, this bracket does not need to meet the requirements for a display that extends beyond the surface of the dashboard.

[0006] JP 2013-082 362 A discloses a mounting for a panel-shaped instrument, comprising one or more holders. The holders are designed in two parts and are frictionally connected to each other by means of a screw. The holder connected to the cross member includes an elongated hole in which the screw is guided, so that the two parts are slidable relative to each other. In a crash, the holder is pushed together due to the force applied.

[0007] DE 10 2019 113 312 A1 discloses a bracket for an interior trim panel of a motor vehicle.

[0008] US 2004 / 0 212 220 A1 discloses an energy absorption carrier which, within its two-shell structure, includes additional reinforcing elements and yet still meets the energy absorption requirements in a crash.

[0009] US 9,409,606 B2 reveals a crossbeam that is weakened by means of a slotted hole, so that it buckles in the event of a crash.

[0010] EP 3 045 340 B1 discloses a holder for a panel-shaped instrument, the holders of which are designed as sheet metal with meandering predetermined bending points.

[0011] According to legal requirements for the mounting of such a panel-shaped instrument, such as a display, the mounting must be sufficiently flexible to prevent exceeding the maximum permissible acceleration acting on an occupant's head. Conversely, such a mounting must meet misuse requirements without plastically deforming or being destroyed. Misuse forces of approximately 300 N are assumed, with forces in the x-direction (both directions) and the z-direction (directed downwards) being particularly relevant.

[0012] Against the background of the prior art discussed above, the invention is based on the objective of further developing an assembly for a vehicle of the type mentioned at the outset in such a way that it not only meets the requirements for occupant safety, but is also suitable for carrying panel-shaped instruments, such as displays, which are arranged at least with a section above the top of the dashboard and thus also meet the misuse requirements, and which can also be used in confined installation conditions.

[0013] According to the invention, this problem is solved by an assembly of the generic type mentioned above, in which the two holders are designed in the form of half-shells, with their opening side pointing in the y-direction, wherein the two legs of the holders designed as half-shells are arranged in the xy-plane and the web connecting these legs is arranged in the yz-plane and the holders have at least one predetermined buckling point provided by their geometry between their two connection points, at which they buckle when subjected to stress (x-direction) in the z- and / or y-direction.

[0014] The directional and plane orientation (x, y, z) used in this design is that typically employed in vehicles. Accordingly, the x-direction corresponds to the longitudinal extent of the vehicle, the y-direction to its transverse direction, and the z-direction to its vertical direction. The planes referenced in connection with the spatial orientation of the legs of the two belts—the yz-plane and the xz-plane—are not to be understood as strictly geometric. Rather, the spatial orientation can deviate from the strictly geometric plane, as long as the projection of the actual spatial orientation (actual spatial orientation) onto the strictly geometric plane represents the greater part of the actual spatial orientation. Preferably, the deviation is no more than ± 40°. The same applies to the directional specifications.

[0015] The two holders of this assembly are designed as half-shells. The two half-shells are arranged in the assembly so that the opening side of the half-shells points in the y-direction. According to one embodiment, the opening sides of the half-shells are arranged facing each other. Each half-shell has two legs located in the xy-plane and a connecting web. The web is located in the yz-plane.

[0016] To ensure that the display is not misaligned by buckling at a defined point in the event of an acceleration exceeding a certain threshold, the brackets have at least one predetermined buckling point. This point is designed so that, in the event of a shear stress acting on the upper edge of the display (stress direction in the x-direction), the brackets buckle in the z- and / or y-direction. The buckling direction of the brackets is therefore perpendicular to the direction of the acceleration acting upon them.

[0017] The brackets are attached to the crossmember, projecting outwards in the x-direction. The crossmember, being inherently stable, thus acts as the abutment against which any acceleration acting on the display—which is absorbed by buckling—results in the desired adjustment of the display and energy absorption. The upper edge of the panel-shaped instrument is spaced in the z-direction from the upper edge of the brackets. If the display projects significantly above the top of the dashboard, the brackets are attached to the lower portion of the display. An acceleration acting on the display, typically caused in an accident by the impact of a vehicle occupant's head, results in a bending moment in the brackets, causing them to buckle at the designated buckling point under sufficient force.The intended buckling point is provided by the geometry of the bracket in the area of ​​the intended buckling point. If the bracket is to buckle in the z-direction, i.e., about a buckling axis extending in the y-direction, this can be adjusted via the height of the web in the z-direction. The buckling direction is also defined by the geometry. Buckling should occur upwards in the z-direction. For this purpose, such a bracket has a concave shape with respect to its upper geometry in the area of ​​the intended buckling point, with the buckling axis, extending in the y-direction, located at the apex of this shape. Typically, the path of the lower leg in its xy-plane follows the path of the upper leg, at least in the area of ​​the intended buckling point. It is of interest that such a geometric specification for providing the intended buckling point under a load in the x-direction with corresponding acceleration or...It reacts to a force acting upon it, but not to a pulling force acting upon it in the event of misuse, for example if an occupant grabs the top edge of the display to stand up.

[0018] In the event that compliance is required in the case of an accident, even when the panel-shaped instrument is subjected to an acceleration or force coupled into the brackets via their height, the brackets are designed to have an additional predetermined bending point. At this point, the bracket sections closer to the display bend inwards or outwards in the y-direction relative to the bracket sections on the opposite side of the bracket. This is achieved by a flexure with a y-direction offset in both brackets. This offset causes the two bracket sections separated by the flexure to be aligned with each other in the y-direction, preventing them from overlapping. When a load acts on such a bracket in the x-direction, the flexure acts as a hinge.The axis of the flexure typically runs in the z-direction. In such a configuration, the holder section carrying the connecting elements can be inclined opposite to the offset direction of the flexure, thus giving this holder section a certain predisposition for activating the intended bending point. Depending on the holder design, inclination angles between 16° and 18° relative to the geometric x-direction are sufficient. The other holder section, on the crossbeam connection side, does not necessarily need to have such a predisposition. The flexure is preferably located off-center along the longitudinal extent of the holder, offset towards the point where the holder connects to the crossbeam. In this case, the holder section supporting the panel-shaped instrument is longer and acts with a correspondingly greater lever arm on the intended bending point. Thus, the reaction of the intended bending point can also be influenced by the length of this holder section.

[0019] The design of such a bracket is advantageous if, in a section before the actual connection to the crossbeam, it exhibits a higher bending stiffness than in the adjacent bracket section with the at least one intended buckling point. This shifts the buckling resistance away from the crossbeam towards the intended buckling point.

[0020] The design of the brackets as half-shells, with their legs formed at an angle to a web, allows for individual adaptation to different requirements, as the stiffness and buckling behavior can be easily influenced by the respective leg height and width. Other measures to influence buckling behavior are also possible, such as varying material thickness, using different metal structures, and the like. It is also conceivable to incorporate one or more recesses into the web connecting the legs.

[0021] It should also be emphasized that this bracket only needs to be connected to the instrument panel crossmember. This is indeed the case in a preferred embodiment. Therefore, this bracket is suitable for forming an assembly of the aforementioned type where only relatively little installation space is available.

[0022] The invention is described below with reference to an exemplary embodiment and the accompanying figures. These show: Fig. 1: A perspective view of a vehicle assembly comprising a cross member and a display attached to it by means of a bracket, Fig. 2: a side view of the in Fig. 1 left holder of the bracket, Fig. 3: A top view of the holder of the Fig. 2, Fig. 4: a perspective view of the holder of the above figures and Fig. 5: a perspective view of the holder of the above figures from a different viewpoint.

[0023] A component group 1 for a vehicle comprises an instrument panel crossmember 2, which is in Fig. Figure 1 shows only a partial section. For simplicity, the crossbeam 2 is depicted as a tube in the figure. This tube can also have other cross-sectional geometries, for example, it can be composed of two shells to create the desired hollow chamber profile for such a crossbeam. In addition to the crossbeam 2, the assembly 1 includes a support 3. This support has two brackets 4, 4.1. The two brackets 4, 4.1 are mirror-symmetrical about the yz-plane. The brackets 4, 4.1 are connected to the crossbeam 2 at one end by a weld. The weld follows the contour of the brackets 4, 4.1 on the outside. Both the crossbeam 2 and the brackets 4, 4.1 are made of steel. The brackets 4, 4.1 are spaced apart from each other in the y-direction. At their ends opposite the crossbeam 2, the brackets 4, 4.1 are...1 of the bracket 3 is connected to the back of a display 5 as an example of a panel-shaped instrument. The connection of the brackets 4, 4.1 to the display 5 is carried out as shown in . Fig. 1 can be seen in its lower half with a small distance to the lower edge. Thus, the display 5 is connected to the bracket 3 off-center in the vertical direction (z-direction). The distance of the brackets 4, 4.1 in the z-direction from the upper edge 6 of the display 5 is significantly greater than the distance of the brackets 4, 4.1 from its lower edge 7.

[0024] As explained below with reference to holder 4, the brackets 4 and 4.1 have predetermined buckling points so that, in the event of an acceleration acting on the upper edge 6 of the display 5, for example, due to the impact of an occupant's head, the display 5 buckles at its upper edge 6 towards the cross member 2 to prevent or reduce the risk of injury. If an impact on the display 5 from the direction of the passenger compartment, towards which its operating surface faces, acts less as a tilting stress, which would couple a bending moment into the respective brackets 4 and 4.1, but rather as a stress in the x-direction across the height of the display 5, the brackets 4 and 4.1 buckle, thereby reducing the distance between the display 5 and the cross member 2. Thus, the brackets 4 and 4.1 serve to absorb energy and are designed not to break in the event of buckling.

[0025] The brackets 4 and 4.1 are spaced relatively far apart in the y-direction with respect to the extent of the display 5 in this direction and are connected to the lateral, y-direction-facing edge of the display 5 only a short distance away. The brackets 4 and 4.1 project from the cross member 2 in the x-direction.

[0026] The following descriptions of holder 4 apply equally to holder 4.1, which is designed in a mirror-symmetrical manner to holder 4.

[0027] The holder 4 is designed as a half-shell and has an upper leg 8 and a lower leg 9 spaced apart from it in the z-direction. The two legs 8, 9 are connected to each other by a web 10. In the illustrated embodiment, no openings are provided in the web 10. The two legs 8, 9 are located in the xy-plane. The web 10 connecting the legs 8, 9 is located in the yz-plane. The legs 8, 9 abut the web 10 with a radius. This radius is a result of the manufacturing process of the holder 4, which is produced as a stamped and bent part from a steel sheet. The horizontally lying legs 8, 9 are widened at their end section on the connection side 11, to which the display 5 is connected (see Fig. 3 and Fig. 4) so ​​that they can be equipped with connecting means to connect the display 5. In the illustrated embodiment, these connecting means are circular openings 12, 12.1 for inserting a screw fastener (not shown in the figures). As shown in the figures, the underside of the corresponding widening of the lower leg 9 is Fig. 5 recognizable, a press-fit nut 13 is attached, in whose internal thread a screw fastener can be fixed, the latter with its shaft passing through the opening 12 of the upper leg 8 and a connecting part 14 of the display 5.

[0028] The geometry of the holder 4 is designed so that it has a first predetermined bending point S1, through which the holder 4 buckles in the z-direction during an accident-related acceleration acting on the upper end 6 of the display 5, as shown in Fig. 2 indicated by the arrow. The predetermined bending point S1 is provided by a concave section 15 of its upper leg 8. The concave design is shown in the side view of the Fig. 2. This is recognizable by the changing spatial orientation of the upper leg 8 in the x-direction. When the bracket 4 buckles, the crossbeam 2, which lies behind the intended buckling point S1 in the x-direction with respect to the impact direction, acts as a buttress. In the bracket section providing the crossbeam connection 16, the legs 8, 9 have a greater width (see Fig. 3 and Fig. 4), which decreases in width towards the predetermined buckling point S1 along a curved contour. The increased width of the legs 8, 9 enlarges the joining surface for connecting the holder 4 to the crossbeam 2. At the same time, this increases the bending stiffness of the holder 4 in the area of ​​its crossbeam connection 16, defining the predetermined buckling point S1, where the connecting-side holder section buckles relative to the other holder section to absorb energy. In the illustrated embodiment, the concave section 15 of the holder 4 in its upper leg 8, at the apex of which the predetermined buckling point S1 is located, is provided by a transition in the inclination of the holder 4 in its section with the crossbeam connection 16 relative to the inclination of the holder section with the connection side 11. As can be seen from the side view of the Fig. As can be seen in Figure 2, these two support sections are arranged in a V-shape relative to each other, thus defining the buckling direction upwards in the z-direction. Therefore, this geometry of support 4 provides a specification regarding the definition of the buckling direction (z-direction). The buckling axis of the intended buckling point S1 runs in the y-direction.

[0029] Holder 4 is, as can be seen from the top view of the Fig. 3. The bracket is recognizably S-shaped in the xy-plane, forming a flexure. The offset of the flexure points in the y-direction. The bracket sections, offset from each other by the flexure, do not overlap in the x-direction. This geometry provides a predetermined buckling point S2 in the bracket 4, at which, when a corresponding force is applied to the display 5 in the x-direction, the bracket 4 buckles towards the crossbeam 2 in the y-direction. The buckling axis of this predetermined buckling point S2 runs in the z-direction.

[0030] The bracket section on the crossbeam connection side abuts the crossbeam 2 at a right angle in the yz plane. The bracket section on the connection side, which is spaced from this bracket section by the predetermined bending point S2, is inclined relative to this connection direction, specifically at an angle α of approximately 14° in the illustrated embodiment. This inclination, which is opposite to the offset direction of the flexure, serves as a guide for activating the predetermined bending point S2.

[0031] The holder 4 therefore has predetermined bending points S1, S2, by means of which it can bend in two directions to absorb energy.

[0032] In the holder 4, the height of the bridge 10 is reduced in the transition to the end sections which are widened with respect to its legs 8, 9 (see in particular Fig.2) In the illustrated embodiment, this height reduction occurs exclusively in the area of ​​the upper leg 8 of the holder 4 in the form of a flexure. This short flexure has a stiffening effect, so that the force coupled into the holder 4 via the display 5 is transferred to the intended buckling points S1, S2. In the area of ​​the crossbeam connection 16, this flexure, designed in the manner of a crank, also causes the actual abutment to shift towards the intended buckling points S1, S2.

[0033] The holder 4, which is divided into its two support sections by the two predetermined bending points S1, S2, is designed such that the support section with the cross member connection 16 is the shorter support section. Consequently, the lever exerted on the predetermined bending points S1, S2 by the support section on the instrument connection side is correspondingly greater.

[0034] In this concept, the forces required for buckling can be adjusted to the specific vehicle application, for example, by appropriately modifying the width of the legs 8, 9, the flexure-defined limit, or the height of the web 10, to name only the key influencing factors. Therefore, the holders 4, 4.1 of the bracket 3 can be very precisely adjusted to the forces to be absorbed in the event of an accident. Furthermore, the use of two holders 4, 4.1 allows them to be designed differently with regard to their crash performance, for example, because the driver's side holder is located behind the steering wheel in the x-direction, and thus a different crash performance is desired on this side of the display than on the passenger side.

[0035] The brackets 4, 4.1 of assembly 1 have a relatively low height on the instrument connection side. In conjunction with the connection of the brackets 4, 4.1 in the area of ​​the lower end 7 of the display 5, a relatively large lever is provided by this, with which the display 5 is adjusted in the area of ​​its upper end 6 in the event of an accident-related acceleration load.

[0036] The aforementioned design of the holders 4, 4.1 of the holder 3 makes it clear that a tensile force acting on the upper end 6 of the display 5 does not lead to a deformation of the holders 4, 4.1, at least not with a force that is coupled into the display 5 in the event of misuse by using the upper end 6 of the display 5 as a handle for lifting it up.

[0037] The holders described in the exemplary embodiment with reference to the figures are made from a steel plate. It is understood that other materials, such as aluminum alloys, can also be used instead. The use of non-metallic materials is also, of course, possible.

[0038] The invention has been described with reference to the figures and an exemplary embodiment. Without departing from the scope of the applicable claims, numerous further embodiments would be apparent to a person skilled in the art, without these needing to be detailed here. Reference symbol list 1 assembly 2 instrument panel cross members 3 brackets 4, 4.1 Holder 5 Display 6 upper termination 7 lower termination 8 upper thigh 9 lower thigh 10 Bridge 11 Connection side 12, 12.1 Breakthrough 13 Press-fit nuts 14 Connection part 15 concave section 16 Crossbeam connection α angle

Claims

[1] Assembly for a vehicle comprising a cross member (2) provided for connection to two columns opposite each other with respect to the xz-plane of the vehicle, a bracket (3) connected to the cross member (2) and projecting radially from it, comprising two holders (4, 4.1) spaced apart from each other in the y-direction and having end-end connection means, and a panel-shaped instrument, in particular a display (5), connected to the connection means of the bracket (3) at a distance from its upper end, which is held such that its operating surface points in the x-direction into the passenger compartment of the vehicle, characterized by, that the two holders (4, 4.1) are each designed in the form of a half-shell, with their opening side facing in the y-direction, wherein the two legs (8, 9) of the holders (4, 4.1) designed as half-shells are arranged in the xy-plane and the web (10) connecting these legs (8, 9) is arranged in the yz-plane and the holders (4, 4.1) have at least one predetermined buckling point (S1, S2) between their two connection points provided by their geometry, at which they buckle when subjected to stress (x-direction) in the z- and / or y-direction. [2] Assembly according to claim 1, characterized by , that the holders (4, 4.1) have a predetermined buckling point (S1) provided by their geometry, at which they buckle in the z-direction when subjected to stress in the x-direction. [3] Assembly according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by, that the holders (4. 4.1) each have a predetermined buckling point (S2) at which they buckle in the y-direction when subjected to stress in the x-direction. [4] Assembly according to claim 3, characterized by , that the holders (4, 4.1) in a projection of the same into the xy-plane have a flexure pointing in the y-direction with such an offset that the two holder sections offset from each other by the flexure do not overlap in the plane of their longitudinal extension in the y-direction. [5] Assembly according to claim 4, characterized by that the holder sections supporting the connecting means are inclined at an angle opposite to the offset direction of the flexure. [6] Assembly according to claim 5, characterized by , that the angle of inclination is between 12° and 18°. [7] Assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized by, that to form a predetermined buckling point (S1) at which a holder (4, 4.1) buckles in the z-direction when subjected to stress in the x-direction, this holder (4, 4.1) has a section (15) that is concave in the direction of its longitudinal extension and whose apex axis extends in the y-direction. [8] Assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized by , that due to the geometry in the design of the holders (4, 4.1) they have a higher bending stiffness at a distance from the at least one predetermined buckling point (S1, S2) in the direction of their crossbeam connection (16) than in the area of ​​a predetermined buckling point (S1, S2). [9] Assembly according to claim 8, characterized by , that to increase the bending stiffness of the holders (4. 4.1) the width of their legs (8, 9) located in the xy-plane increases in the direction towards the crossbeam connection (16). [10] Assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized by, that adjacent to the two attachment points of the holders (4, 4.1) the height of the web (10) connecting the legs (8, 9) of the half shell is reduced compared to the holder sections located in between. [11] Assembly according to claim 10, characterized by , that the height reduction of the bridge (10) is provided by a flexure of the upper leg (8) of the holders (4, 4.1) introduced in the yz-plane. [12] Assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized by , that the lower legs (9) of the holders (4, 4.1) located in the xy-plane each carry on their outer sides a press-fit nut (13) for fixing a fastening bolt, the shaft of which passes through an opening (12) in the upper leg (8) located in the xy-plane and through a connecting part (14) of the panel-shaped instrument located between these legs (8, 9) of the holders (4, 4.1) located in the xy-plane. [13] Assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized by , that the holders (4, 4.1) are manufactured as stamped and bent parts from a sheet of steel.

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