COMPONENT FOR A MEANS OF TRANSPORTATION, AS WELL AS MEANS OF TRANSPORTATION

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a component for a means of transport and to a means of transport comprising such a component.

[0002] Modern motor vehicles increasingly use displays to show relevant driving information, operate vehicle features, or play media. These displays are typically located in the dashboard. Display devices for vehicles require protection against glass breakage in the event of an accident to prevent vehicle occupants from being injured by splinters or sharp edges in the event of a head or knee impact. The same applies to other components at risk of breakage or splintering, such as touch-sensitive modules with glass covers. Currently, adequate protection of vehicle occupants from sharp edges and shattering glass is primarily provided by airbags.

[0003] In this context, WO 2021 / 242558 A2 describes structural design solutions for flexible display devices for use in automotive interiors. The display devices comprise a flexible connecting section and are configured to meet the requirements of the head impact tests commonly used in the automotive industry. Another prior art display device is shown in WO 2017 / 097583 A1.

[0004] Current design trends, such as seamless design, in which adjacent components adjoin one another with virtually no gaps and form a common surface, mean that glass elements can quickly break in an accident. Particularly in a side impact, adjacent display devices or cover elements can collide.

[0005] This is especially true when the shared surface extends across the entire width of the vehicle. A beveled edge on one of the components involved is generally of little use, as the glass thickness doesn't offer much scope for beveling. A beveled edge would also result in sharp edges on such thin elements.

[0006] It is an object of the invention to provide improved solutions for protection against glass breakage in the event of an accident involving a means of transport.

[0007] This object is achieved by a component having the features of claim 1 and by a means of locomotion according to claim 10. Preferred embodiments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

[0008] According to a first aspect of the invention, a component for a means of transport comprises: a support element; a component arranged on the support element; and a cover element arranged on the support element adjacent to the component; wherein the support element has a lever mechanism configured to lift the cover element above a surface of the component in response to a force acting parallel to a surface of the cover element.

[0009] In the solution according to the invention, the support element is designed such that, in the event of an accident, a lateral force or the resulting lateral movement leads to a perpendicular movement of the edge of the cover element relative to the adjacent component. In this way, the shatter-resistant edge of the cover element is pushed over and preferably also in front of a sensitive glass edge of the adjacent component, preventing the two edges from colliding. This reduces the risk of glass breakage and provides better protection for the occupants from splinters.

[0010] If the cover element overlaps the glass edge of the component, it blocks the direct path of any possible fragments into the vehicle interior, even in the event of glass breakage. The component could be, for example, a display device or another component vulnerable to breakage or shattering.

[0011] According to one aspect of the invention, the support element has a deformation region. Such a deformation region has the advantage that the deformation absorbs energy from the accident and slows down the movement of the cover element.

[0012] According to one aspect of the invention, the cover element is beveled toward the edge on its underside in an area adjacent to the component. Such a bevel has the advantage of allowing the cover element to slide onto the component even with only a slight lifting of the edge area of ​​the cover element above the surface of the component.

[0013] According to one aspect of the invention, the lever mechanism has a long lever arm region, a short lever arm region, and a pivot region. Since a relatively large lifting movement of the cover element must be achieved even with a small lateral movement, lever arm regions of different lengths are used. The pivot region serves to trigger a rotation of the two lever arm regions. In this case, any deformation region is preferably designed such that the deformation only begins when the long lever arm region has lifted the cover element far enough that it can slide over the surface of the component without colliding with the component.

[0014] According to one aspect of the invention, the short lever arm region and the articulation region are connected by a connecting region. The connecting region is designed such that it is more easily deformable than the short lever arm region and the articulation region, such that the two regions are partially decoupled. For this purpose, for example, the thickness of the connecting region can be smaller than the thickness of the articulation region and the thickness of the short lever arm region. When the cover element is lifted by the lever mechanism, the angle of the short lever arm region changes relative to the acting force, which is compensated for by the connecting region. In addition, the connecting region can be designed as a predetermined breaking point, at which breakage occurs under continued force application once the cover element has been lifted sufficiently.

[0015] According to one aspect of the invention, the support element is designed as a single piece. This single-piece design has the advantage of enabling cost-effective production of the support element. In particular, no assembly of individual elements of the support element is required. The single-piece design can be achieved, for example, by appropriately shaping the support element. This also enables the use of magnesium-based materials for the support element. Magnesium is particularly light, yet stable enough to support, in particular, large-area components. Of course, other materials can also be used for the support element.

[0016] According to one aspect of the invention, the lever mechanism is formed by recesses in the support element. This has the advantage that the lever mechanism can be implemented without the need to mount additional elements on the support element. This further reduces the manufacturing costs for the component.

[0017] According to one aspect of the invention, the support element has two or more lever mechanisms. For example, a second lever mechanism can be used to move a side of the cover element facing away from the component below the level of the component's surface. In this way, a uniform angle of attack of the cover element relative to the component is achieved while the function is distributed across multiple lever mechanisms. This is particularly advantageous in confined spaces.

[0018] According to one aspect of the invention, the surface of the cover element and the surface of the component merge into one another essentially seamlessly. Essentially seamless means that there is no gap between the two surfaces and that any curvature of the surfaces is uniform. However, there may be a slight, narrow gap between the surfaces. Such a gap preferably has a maximum width of 0.5 mm. The essentially seamless transition allows the component to be used within a seamless design.

[0019] A component according to the invention is preferably used in a means of transportation, e.g., in the form of a dashboard. The means of transportation can be, for example, a motor vehicle, but alternatively also an aircraft, a rail vehicle, or a watercraft.

[0020] Further features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description and the appended claims taken in conjunction with the figures. Figure overview

[0021] Fig. 1 schematically shows a dashboard for a motor vehicle; Fig. 2 illustrates damage to a display device installed in a conventional component; Fig. 3 illustrates the avoidance of damage to a display device installed in a component according to the invention; Fig. 4 schematically shows a simple lever mechanism for a component according to the invention; Fig. 5 schematically shows a support element with a lever mechanism; Fig. 6 schematically shows a first embodiment of a support element with two lever mechanisms; Fig. 7 schematically shows a second embodiment of a support element with two lever mechanisms; Fig. 8 schematically shows a plan view of a support element with several lever mechanisms; and Fig. 9 schematically shows a means of transport that uses a component according to the invention. Character description

[0022] To better understand the principles of the present invention, embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to the figures. Like reference numerals are used throughout the figures for like or equivalent elements and are not necessarily described again for each figure.

[0023] Fig. 1 shows a schematic diagram of a dashboard 51 for a motor vehicle as an example of a component 1. The dashboard 51 is designed such that it extends across the entire width of the motor vehicle. It has a plurality of display devices 3 and adjacent cover elements 4. In this example, the cover elements 4 also serve as covers for air vents. The display devices 3 and the cover elements 4 are arranged such that they adjoin one another with almost no gaps and form a common surface. In the event of an accident, particularly a side impact, this can quickly lead to the display devices 3 and the cover elements 4 colliding with one another, which can cause glass elements to break. The resulting splinters and sharp edges pose a risk of injury to the vehicle occupants. The same applies to other components that are at risk of breaking or splintering, such as touch-sensitive modules with glass covers.

[0024] Fig. 2 illustrates damage to a display device 3 installed in a conventional component 1. The display device 3 is arranged on a carrier element 2, 2'. Adjacent to the display device 3, a cover element 4 is arranged on the carrier element 2, 2'. In this example, the carrier element 2, 2' is formed from two individual elements. Between the display device 3 and the cover element 4 there is a gap 5 with a width of generally not more than 1 mm, preferably less than 0.5 mm. As a result of a side impact, a force F acting essentially laterally is exerted on the cover element 4. This is shown in Fig. 2a ). The force F leads to a displacement of the cover element 4 in the direction of the display device 3 until the cover element 4 finally hits the display device 3. This situation is shown in Fig. 2b ). As a result of a continued lateral force, the display device 3 eventually breaks, which can result in glass splinters and sharp edges. This is shown in Fig. 2c ) is shown.

[0025] Fig. 3 illustrates the prevention of damage to a display device 3 installed in a component 1 according to the invention. The display device 3 is arranged on a carrier element 2, 2'. Adjacent to the display device 3, a cover element 4 is arranged on the carrier element 2, 2'. Between the display device 3 and the cover element 4 there is a gap 5 with a width of less than 1 mm, preferably less than 0.5 mm. As a result of a side impact, a force F acting essentially laterally is exerted on the cover element 4. This is shown in Fig. 3a ). The support element 2, 2' now has a lever mechanism 20. This is designed to lift the cover element 4 above a surface 30 of the display device 3 in response to a force acting parallel to a surface 40 of the cover element 4. As in Fig. 3b ), the force F initially leads to a rotation of the cover element 4 about a rotation axis 26. In doing so, the cover element 4 is lifted so far that it can slide over the display device 3 as the force continues to act, ie a lateral impact of the cover element 4 against the display device 3 is avoided. As a result of a continued lateral force effect, the support element 2, 2' is finally deformed in a deformation region 6. This is shown in Fig. 3c ). Should the display device 3 break, the cover element 4 blocks the direct path of possible fragments into the vehicle interior. As shown in Fig. 3 As indicated, the cover element 4 can be beveled towards the edge on its underside 42 in an area 41 adjacent to the display device 3. This has the advantage that the cover element 4 can slide onto the display device 3 even if the edge area 41 of the cover element 4 is only slightly raised above the surface 30 of the display device 3.

[0026] Fig. 4 shows a schematic of a simple lever mechanism 20 for a component according to the invention. The lever mechanism 20 has a long lever arm region 21, a short lever arm region 22 and a pivot region 23. The thickness of the cover element is on the order of magnitude of approximately 2 mm, whereas the gap between the cover element and the display device has a width of preferably less than 0.5 mm. Therefore, even a small sideways movement of the cover element must achieve a relatively large lifting movement. For this purpose, lever arm regions 21, 22 of different lengths are used, which are arranged at an angle to one another, e.g. at an angle between 70° and 90°. The pivot region 23 serves to trigger a rotation of the two lever arm regions 21, 22 about a rotation axis 26. In the example shown, the short lever arm region 22 and the pivot region 23 are connected by a connecting region 24.The connecting region 24 is designed to be more easily deformable than the short lever arm region 22 and the articulation region 23. This ensures that the two regions 22, 23 are partially decoupled. The decoupling can be achieved, for example, by making the thickness of the connecting region 24 smaller than the thickness of the articulation region 23 and the thickness of the short lever arm region 22. Furthermore, the connecting region 24 can be designed as a predetermined breaking point, which will break under continuous force when the cover element has been sufficiently lifted.

[0027] Fig. 5 shows schematically a support element 2, 2' with a lever mechanism 20. In this case, Fig. 5a ) a plan view of the support element 2, 2' is shown. The support element 2, 2' consists of two elements which are connected to one another by means of two webs 7. The webs 7 are formed by recesses 25 in the support element 2, 2' and define a rotation axis 26 for the lever mechanism 20. A short lever arm region 22 and a linkage region 23 are formed integrally on the support element 2, 2'. A part of the support element 2, 2' serves as the long lever arm region 21. During assembly, the cover element is merely fastened to the movable second element 2' of the support element 2, 2' so that it can be raised relative to the rigid first element 2 of the support element 2, 2'. Fig. 5b ) shows a detailed view of the short lever arm region 22 and the articulation region 23. The two regions 22, 23 are connected by a connecting region 24 of reduced thickness, which partially decouples the short lever arm region 22 and the articulation region 23. However, an additional reinforcement 27 can be provided if necessary.

[0028] Fig. 6 shows schematically a first embodiment of a support element 2, 2' with two lever mechanisms 20. In this embodiment, the support element 2, 2' also consists of two elements connected to one another, i.e. a rigid first element 2 and a second element 2' which is movable relative to the first element. The two elements of the support element 2, 2' are movably connected to one another by webs 7 which are fixed to fixed points 28 of the first element 2 of the support element 2, 2' and are part of the lever mechanisms 20. During assembly, the cover element is only fastened to the movable second element 2' of the support element 2, 2' so that it can be raised relative to the rigid first element 2 of the support element 2, 2'. Fig. 6a ) shows the situation at the beginning of a laterally acting force F. The force causes a rotation of the movable second element 2' relative to the rigid first element 2 of the support element 2, 2'. This rotation is in Fig. 6b ) is shown.

[0029] Fig. 7 shows schematically a second embodiment of a support element 2, 2' with two lever mechanisms 20. In this embodiment, the support element 2, 2' also consists of two elements connected to one another, i.e. a rigid first element 2 and a second element 2' which is movable relative to the first element. The two elements of the support element 2, 2' are movably connected to one another by webs 7 which are fixed to fixed points 28 of the first element 2 of the support element 2, 2' and are part of the lever mechanisms 20. During assembly, the cover element is only fastened to the movable second element 2' of the support element 2, 2' so that it can be raised relative to the rigid first element 2 of the support element 2, 2'.

[0030] Fig. 7a ) shows the situation at the beginning of a laterally acting force F. The force causes a rotation of the movable second element 2' relative to the rigid first element 2 of the support element 2, 2'. This rotation is in Fig. 7b ) is shown.

[0031] Fig. 8 shows a schematic plan view of a support element 2, 2' with several lever mechanisms 20. The support element 2, 2' consists of two elements that are connected to one another by means of several webs 7. The webs 7 are formed by recesses 25 in the support element 2, 2', which are fixed to fixed points 28 of the first element 2 of the support element 2, 2' and are part of the lever mechanisms 20. During assembly, the cover element is simply fastened to the movable second element 2' of the support element 2, 2' so that it can be raised relative to the rigid first element 2 of the support element 2, 2'. For this purpose, the movable second element 2' has a number of adhesive areas 29.

[0032] Fig. 9 shows a schematic representation of a means of transport 50 that uses a component according to the invention. In this example, the means of transport 50 is a motor vehicle, and the component is the dashboard 51. The motor vehicle has a display device 3 that is arranged in the dashboard 51. Data on the vehicle's surroundings can be acquired using a sensor system 52. The sensor system 52 can, in particular, comprise sensors for environmental detection, e.g., ultrasonic sensors, laser scanners, radar sensors, lidar sensors, or cameras. The information acquired by the sensor system 52 can be used to generate content to be displayed for the display device 3. Further components of the motor vehicle in this example are a navigation system 53, by means of which position information can be provided, and a data transmission unit 54. By means of the data transmission unit 54, for example,A connection to a backend can be established, for example, to obtain updated software for components of the motor vehicle. A memory 55 is provided for storing data. Data exchange between the various components of the motor vehicle takes place via a network 56. Bezugszeichenliste

[0033] 1 Component 2, 2`Support element 20Lever mechanism 21Long lever arm area 22Short lever arm area 23Articulation area 24Connection area 25Recess 26Rotation axis 27Reinforcement 28Fixed point 29Adhesive area 3Display device 30Surface of the display device 4Cover element 40Surface of the cover element 41Adjacent area 42Underside 5Gap 6Deformation area 7Web 50Means of transport 51Dashboard 52Sensors 53Navigation system 54Data transmission unit 55Memory 56Network FKraft

Claims

1. Structural part (1) for a transportation means (50), having: - a support element (2, 2'); - a component (3) which is arranged on the support element (2, 2'); and - a cover element (4) which is arranged on the support element (2, 2') so as to be adjacent to the component (3); characterized in that the support element (2, 2') has a lever mechanism (20) which is configured to lift the cover element (4) beyond a surface (30) of the component (3) in response to a force acting parallel to a surface (40) of the cover element (4).

2. Structural part (1) according to Claim 1, wherein the support element (2, 2') has a deformation region (6).

3. Structural part (1) according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein, in a region (41) adjacent to the component (3), the cover element (4) is bevelled towards the edge on its bottom side (42).

4. Structural part (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the lever mechanism (20) has a long lever-arm region (21), a short lever-arm region (22) and an articulation region (23).

5. Structural part (1) according to Claim 4, wherein the short lever-arm region (22) and the articulation region (23) are connected by a connecting region (24).

6. Structural part (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the support element (2, 2') is formed in one piece.

7. Structural part (1) according to Claim 6, wherein the lever mechanism (20) is formed by cutouts (25) of the support element (2, 2').

8. Structural part (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the support element (2, 2') has two or more lever mechanisms (20).

9. Structural part (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the surface (40) of the cover element (4) and the surface (30) of the component (3) merge into one another in an essentially seamless manner.

10. Transportation means (50) having a structural part (1) according to one of the preceding claims.