DASHBOARD FOR MOTOR VEHICLES INCLUDING A PEDESTRIAN PROTECTION DEVICE

Abstract

DASHBOARD FOR A MOTOR VEHICLE COMPRISING A PEDESTRIAN PROTECTION DEVICE The present invention relates to a dashboard (4) for a motor vehicle (2), comprising: - a lower support structure including attachment zones for mounting tabs of a dashboard crossmember of the motor vehicle; - an upper wall (6) covering the lower support structure; notable in that said lower support structure includes, at least in one of the attachment zones, a frangible portion adapted to break the attachment upon impact on the upper wall by the head of a pedestrian, or an absorbing portion including a vertical perforated wall adapted to deform and absorb said impact above the attachment. (Figure to be published with the abbreviation: Figure 1)

Description

Title of the invention: DASHBOARD FOR A MOTOR VEHICLE COMPRISING A PEDESTRIAN PROTECTION DEVICE Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of motor vehicles, more particularly the field of dashboards of motor vehicles. Prior art

[0002] Road safety has always been a major concern for car manufacturers and regulatory bodies. Among the many standards and regulations that have been put in place to ensure the safety of vehicles and road users, the EuroNCAP (European New Car Assessment Programme) standard occupies a central place, including in particular the “ECE 127” regulation assessing the ability of a motor vehicle to ensure the safety of pedestrians in the event of a collision.

[0003] The dashboards of motor vehicles generally constitute a final impact surface for the heads of pedestrians in the event of an accident.

[0004] There is a clear need to consider improvements in the area of ​​impact absorption by dashboards. This would allow for more satisfactory performance in crash test procedures, with the aim of significantly increasing pedestrian safety in accident situations. Statement of the invention

[0005] The present invention aims to overcome at least one of the drawbacks of the aforementioned state of the art. More particularly, the invention aims to provide a dashboard having an adequate energy absorption capacity in order to prevent possible serious injuries resulting from a collision between the head of a pedestrian and said dashboard, while maintaining sufficient rigidity to guarantee satisfactory perceived quality.

[0006] To this end, the invention relates to a dashboard for a motor vehicle, comprising: - a lower support structure comprising areas for attachment to attachment lugs of a dashboard crossmember of the motor vehicle; - an upper wall covering the lower support structure; remarkable in that said lower structure comprises at least one of the fixing zones a frangible portion capable of breaking the fixing during an impact on the wall upper by the head of a pedestrian or an absorbent portion comprising an openwork vertical wall capable of deforming and absorbing said shock above the attachment.

[0007] Advantageously, the perforated vertical wall of the absorbent portion can be inclined by at most 20° relative to a strictly vertical direction of the motor vehicle.

[0008] According to one embodiment, the at least one frangible portion comprises a horizontal wall intended to be located above the corresponding fixing lug and provided with a weakening line capable of breaking upon impact.

[0009] Preferably, the wall of the frangible portion is horizontal when the dashboard is in the normal mounting position on the motor vehicle, with the upper wall generally horizontal.

[0010] According to one embodiment, the at least one frangible portion is located in a central zone of the dashboard.

[0011] According to one embodiment, the frangible portion comprises a total surface area of ​​between 200 mm2 and 5000 mm2.

[0012] According to one embodiment, the frangible portion comprises a substantially rectangular shape.

[0013] According to one embodiment, the lower structure comprises two lateral end portions from which extends, respectively, an indexing foot intended to engage longitudinally with a corresponding opening in the crosspiece.

[0014] According to one embodiment, each lateral end portion comprises the vertical wall of the absorbent portion, formed with the lower structure and provided with at least one slot passing entirely through a thickness of said vertical wall.

[0015] According to one embodiment, the at least one slot comprises between two and five slots arranged parallel to one another so as to form vents configured to allow deformation of the vertical wall during the impact inducing a movement of the dashboard towards the crossmember, in a direction vertical to the motor vehicle.

[0016] According to one embodiment, the at least one slot is inclined relative to a longitudinal direction of the motor vehicle by an angle of between 40° and 80°, so as to allow crushing of the vertical wall during impact.

[0017] The invention also relates to a motor vehicle comprising: - a crosspiece; - a dashboard mounted on the crossmember; remarkable in that the dashboard is according to the invention.

[0018] The measures of the invention are advantageous in that the lower structure makes it possible to increase the absorption of energy in the event of a pedestrian's head hitting the upper wall of the dashboard, thanks to the at least one frangible portion or the at least one absorbent portion which are configured to locally maximize energy absorption at the crossbar attachment lugs to reduce pedestrian injury

[0019] In addition, the dashboard of the present invention is economical, since it does not require the addition of additional parts such as absorbent foams or shock-absorbing pads. This also saves time in assembling the motor vehicle. Brief description of the drawings

[0020] [Fig. 1] represents a perspective view of a motor vehicle dashboard according to the invention;

[0021] [Fig.2] represents a perspective view of a cross member of the motor vehicle on which the dashboard of [Fig.l] is mounted;

[0022] [Fig.3] represents an enlarged perspective view of a central area of ​​the dashboard comprising a frangible portion capable of breaking during an impact by the head of a pedestrian on an upper wall of the dashboard;

[0023] [Fig.4] represents a sectional view along an axis AA passing longitudinally through the dashboard of [Fig.l], showing a fixing zone of a lower structure of the dashboard, comprising the frangible portion bearing directly on a fixing lug of the crossmember;

[0024] [Fig.5] represents a sectional view along an axis BB passing longitudinally through the dashboard of [Fig.l], showing an absorbent portion arranged at a lateral end of the dashboard, and comprising an openwork vertical wall capable of deforming and absorbing the shock of a pedestrian's head on the upper wall. Detailed description

[0025] [Fig.l] represents a perspective view of a dashboard 4 of a motor vehicle 2 according to the invention.

[0026] The dashboard 4 comprises an upper wall 6 covering a lower support structure (not shown here) mounted on a dashboard crossmember of the motor vehicle 2 by means of fixing zones on the lower structure (visible in figures 4 and 5).

[0027] The dashboard 4 comprises at the level of the upper wall 6 a head-up display system 8, commonly designated by VTH 8, and an opening 6.1 at the level of a central zone 4.1 of the dashboard 4 comprising at least one loudspeaker 10.

[0028] [Fig. 2] represents a perspective view of the crossmember 12 of the motor vehicle 2 on which the dashboard 4 of [Fig. 1] is mounted.

[0029] Referring to Figures 1 and 2, it can be seen that the crosspiece 12 comprises three legs fixing 12.1, 12.2 and 12.3 projecting from said crosspiece 12 and making it possible to fix the dashboard 4 to the structure of the motor vehicle 2 via the fixing zones of the lower structure.

[0030] Thanks to simulations reproducing collision test protocols between the motor vehicle 2 and the heads of pedestrians, the inventors were able to determine that the most restrictive impact points on the dashboard 4, i.e. producing the most damage (possible injuries) to the pedestrian, correspond to points II, 12 and 13 visible in [Fig.l], the latter being located directly above the fixing lugs 12.1, 12.2 and 12.3, because they act as stops limiting the absorption of the energy of the impact against the dashboard 4.

[0031] The present invention aims to considerably improve the absorption of the energy of the impact of the pedestrian's head on the dashboard 4, in particular at the impact points II, 12 and 13.

[0032] In this respect, the lower structure of the dashboard advantageously comprises a frangible portion and / or an absorbent portion at the level of the fixing zones with the fixing lugs 12.1, 12.2, 12.3 of the crossmember 12.

[0033] The central fixing lug 12.2 advantageously allows the maintenance of an on-board infotainment (IVI) box of the motor vehicle 2 (not shown). The lateral fixing lugs 12.1 and 12.3 allow the lateral ends of the dashboard to be supported.

[0034] [Fig. 3] represents an enlarged perspective view of the central zone 4.1 of the dashboard 4 comprising the frangible portion 14 arranged at right angles to a fixing of the lower support structure 7 with the central fixing lug of the dashboard 4.

[0035] The frangible portion 14 is preferably formed by means of a weakening line 14.1, also designated by a fusible line 14.1, deposited on a horizontal wall 7.1 of the lower support structure 7 of the dashboard 4.

[0036] The lower support structure 7 preferably corresponds to a molded plastic part, fixed to the upper wall 6 by means of an upper structure (not shown), said upper wall 6 thus covering the upper structure and the lower support structure 7.

[0037] Preferably, the frangible portion 14 comprises a substantially rectangular shape having a total surface area of ​​between 100 mm2 and 10,000 mm2, and more preferably of between 200 mm2 and 5,000 mm2.

[0038] It can be seen in [Fig.4] that the frangible portion 14, located on the horizontal wall 7.1 below the loudspeaker 10, is directly arranged above the central fixing lug 12.2 of the crosspiece 12, the latter being more precisely arranged in surface contact support with one end of said lug 12.2.

[0039] In this configuration, the fusible line 14.1 is capable of breaking upon impact with the pedestrian's head, causing the dashboard 4 to move towards the crossmember 12. Advantageously, the fusible line 14.1 being closed, this allows the frangible portion 14 to be completely ejected, thus allowing the fixing lug 12.2 to pass through the lower structure 7 and break the fixing with the latter (breaking of the fixing screw 15 illustrated in [Fig.4]).

[0040] For this purpose, the dashboard 4 is capable of sinking further downwards, in a direction vertical to the motor vehicle, which makes it possible to increase the capacity for absorbing impact energy in order to limit the forces and therefore injuries to the pedestrian.

[0041] [Fig.5] represents a sectional view along an axis BB passing longitudinally through the dashboard 4 of [Fig.1], showing an absorbent portion 16 arranged at the level of the fixing lug 12.3 of the crossmember 12.

[0042] The absorbent portion 16 is more precisely arranged at a lateral end 4.2 of the lower structure 7, and comprises a perforated vertical wall 16.1 capable of deforming to absorb the impact of the pedestrian's head on the upper wall 6.

[0043] Preferably, the lower structure 7 comprises two lateral end portions 4.2 (along the transverse direction of the motor vehicle) from which extends, respectively, an indexing foot 7.2 intended to engage longitudinally with a corresponding opening 13 of the cross member 12. Here, it is the left fixing lug 12.3 which is crossed by the indexing foot 7.2.

[0044] Each lateral end portion 4.2 of the lower structure 7 comprises the absorbent portion 16 with the perforated vertical wall 16.1, as well as an indexing foot 7.2 extending preferentially towards the front of the motor vehicle.

[0045] Preferably, the perforated vertical wall 16.1 comprises between two and five slots 18 passing entirely through a thickness of said vertical wall 16.1.

[0046] Advantageously, the slots 18 are arranged parallel to one another so as to form openings configured to allow deformation of the vertical wall 16.1 during impact.

[0047] In this regard, each slot 18 is inclined relative to the longitudinal direction of the motor vehicle (corresponding to the horizontal) by an angle a of between 40° and 80°, so as to allow crushing of the vertical wall 16.1 during the impact. This allows the movement of the dashboard 4 vertically towards the crossmember 12, thus making it possible to reduce the force at which the pedestrian's head comes into contact with the dashboard 4, in order to reduce injuries suffered by the pedestrian.

[0048] The present invention is not limited to three fixing lugs and two absorbent portions on either side of the frangible portion. For example, for each of the three fixing lugs of the crosspiece, the lower structure may exclusively comprise a corresponding frangible portion or a corresponding absorbent portion. In another alternative, the lower structure may comprise an absorbent portion with a vertical wall perforated at the central fixing tab, and a frangible portion at the two lateral fixing tabs.

Claims

Claims

1. Dashboard (4) for a motor vehicle (2), comprising: - a lower support structure (7) comprising areas for attachment to attachment lugs (12.1, 12.2, 12.3) of a crossmember (12) of the dashboard of the motor vehicle (2); - an upper wall (6) covering the lower support structure (7); characterized in that said lower support structure (7) comprises at least one of the attachment areas a frangible portion (14) capable of breaking the attachment during an impact on the upper wall (6) by the head of a pedestrian or an absorbent portion (16) comprising a perforated vertical wall (16.1) capable of deforming and absorbing said impact above the attachment.

2. Dashboard (4) according to claim 1, in which the at least one frangible portion (14) comprises a horizontal wall (7.1) intended to be located above the corresponding fixing lug (12.2) and provided with a weakening line (14.1) capable of breaking upon impact.

3. Dashboard (4) according to one of claims 1 and 2, in which the at least one frangible portion (14) is located in a central zone of the dashboard (4).

4. Dashboard (4) according to one of claims 1 to 3, in which the frangible portion (14) comprises a total surface area of ​​between 200 mm2 and 5000 mm2.

5. Dashboard (4) according to one of claims 1 to 4, in which the frangible portion (14) comprises a substantially rectangular shape.

6. Dashboard (4) according to one of claims 1 to 5, in which the lower support structure (7) comprises two lateral end portions (4.2) from which extends, respectively, an indexing foot (7.2) intended to engage longitudinally with a corresponding opening (13) of the cross member (12).

7. Dashboard (4) according to claim 6, wherein each lateral end portion (4.2) comprises the vertical wall (16.1) of the absorbent portion (16), formed with the lower structure and provided with at least one slot passing entirely through a thickness of said vertical wall.

8. Dashboard (4) according to claim 7, in which the at least one slot (18) comprises between two and five slots (18) arranged parai- joined one next to the other so as to form vents configured to allow deformation of the vertical wall (16.1) during the impact inducing a movement of the dashboard (4) towards the crossmember (12), in a direction vertical to the motor vehicle (2).

9. Dashboard (4) according to one of claims 7 and 8, in which the at least one slot (18) is inclined relative to a longitudinal direction of the motor vehicle (2) by an angle of between 40° and 80°, so as to allow crushing of the vertical wall (16.1) during impact.

10. Motor vehicle (2) comprising: - a crossmember (12); - a dashboard (4) mounted on the crossmember (12); characterized in that the dashboard (4) is according to one of claims 1 to 9.

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