Decorative piece for dashboard and set including such a decorative piece

Abstract

Dashboard trim piece and assembly comprising such a trim piece. The invention relates to a trim piece (11) for the dashboard of a motor vehicle passenger compartment, adapted for mounting behind the steering wheel of said vehicle. According to the invention, the trim piece includes a mounting interface (23) for a camera of a driver monitoring and vigilance device, said mounting interface comprising: - a receiving opening (27) for said camera, made in said trim piece, adapted to receive a camera frame, - a mounting bracket (41) for said camera, on which said camera is intended to be fixed. Figure 3

Description

Title of the invention: Decorative part for dashboard and assembly comprising such an ornamental part Technical field

[0001] The invention relates to the field of motor vehicles, in particular to the field of the safety of occupants present on board the motor vehicle.

[0002] The invention relates more particularly to an ornamental part for a dashboard of a motor vehicle passenger compartment and an assembly comprising such an ornamental part. Prior art

[0003] Road safety regulations are constantly evolving. As such, new regulations require motor vehicles sold from 2026 onwards to be equipped with a driver vigilance and monitoring device to check the driver's level of attention.

[0004] The aim of such a device is to reduce the risk of accidents linked to fatigue and inattention. To do this, this device typically comprises a camera, mounted in the passenger compartment of the motor vehicle and facing the driver's face, connected to the vehicle's on-board computer.

[0005] The computer monitors certain parameters of the driver's attention, for example the opening of the eyelids, the position of the pupils, head movements, etc.

[0006] When the computer's algorithm detects an abnormal and dangerous situation, for example a situation of the driver falling asleep or being distracted, an alert is transmitted to the driver.

[0007] In one embodiment, the camera of the driver monitoring and vigilance device is fixed to the driver's side bay pillar.

[0008] In another embodiment, it is envisaged to integrate the camera of the driver vigilance and monitoring device directly into the dashboard of the passenger compartment, at the level of the upper part of the steering column trim, also called the upper half-sheath.

[0009] The upper half-sheath is an ornamental part which embellishes the communicating part located behind the steering wheel of the vehicle on which are fixed in particular the headlight controls, windshield wipers, indicators, etc.

[0010] In one embodiment, the upper half-sheath is a relatively flexible plastic part, in particular polypropylene.

[0011] Direct attachment of the camera to the flexible upper half-sheath is not possible because it does not comply with the manufacturer's specifications in terms of of desired aesthetics.

[0012] Also, once fixed on the half-sheath in position, the camera of the driver vigilance and monitoring device would have a tendency to move in the event of an attempt at manipulation by a user, or in the event of significant vibrations of the vehicle transmitted to the dashboard. This causes the user to have a poor perception of the quality of the materials used in the passenger compartment of the motor vehicle. Also, the camera must be held on its support part and not become loose in order to provide good impact resistance during an accident. Indeed, poor impact resistance would risk further injuring one or more occupants. Statement of the invention

[0013] The present invention aims to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks, and to this end relates to an ornamental part for the dashboard of a motor vehicle passenger compartment, adapted to be mounted behind a steering wheel of said motor vehicle, remarkable in that it comprises an interface for fixing a camera of a driver vigilance and monitoring device, said fixing interface comprising: - an opening for receiving said camera, made in said decorative part, adapted to receive a chassis of said camera, - a mounting bracket for said camera, on which said camera is intended to be fixed.

[0014] Thus, the decorative part according to the invention is adapted to be mounted behind a vehicle steering wheel and comprises, on the one hand, an opening for receiving a camera of a driver vigilance and monitoring device adapted to receive a chassis of said camera, and, on the other hand, a support for fixing said camera on which said camera is intended to be fixed.

[0015] In this way, the rigidity of the decorative part at the fixing interface is increased, which ensures robust fixing of the camera despite the flexibility of the decorative part on which it is fixed.

[0016] Thus, thanks to the present invention, the risk of the camera of the driver monitoring and surveillance device moving in the event of an attempt at manipulation by the user or in the event of significant vibrations of the vehicle is limited despite the flexibility of the decorative part on which it is fixed.

[0017] According to optional characteristics of the ornamental piece according to the invention: - said mounting bracket for said camera is arranged in a cantilevered manner relative to said decorative piece; - said mounting bracket for said camera comprises a hole for fixing a screw for fixing said camera; - said receiving opening of said camera comprises a rear opening, arranged behind said fixing support of said camera, two lateral openings, extending said rear opening towards the front of said ornamental part and being arranged laterally relative to said fixing support of said camera; - said fixing interface comprises at least one chamfer to assist in mounting said camera, arranged in at least one of said lateral openings of said receiving opening; - said fixing interface comprises a network of reinforcing ribs arranged under said fixing support of said camera; - said fixing interface comprises a complementary support face of said camera arranged at a rear edge of said fixing interface; - said fixing interface comprises at least one transverse centering interface for said camera, arranged laterally relative to said receiving opening of said camera; - said fixing interface comprises at least one longitudinal centering interface for said camera, arranged at a front edge of said fixing interface.

[0018] The invention also relates to an assembly comprising an ornamental part of a dashboard of a motor vehicle passenger compartment and a camera of a driver vigilance and monitoring device, remarkable in that said ornamental part is according to the invention, in that said camera comprises a chassis received in said receiving opening of said fixing interface of said ornamental part and in that said camera is fixed on said fixing support of said fixing interface of said ornamental part. Brief description of the drawings

[0019] Other characteristics, aims and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the detailed description which follows for the understanding of which reference will be made to the appended drawings in which:

[0020] [Fig-1] partially shows a passenger compartment of a motor vehicle according to the invention, seen in perspective.

[0021] [Fig.2] is a perspective view of the cabin of the invention, centered on the room ornamental, the camera of the driver vigilance and monitoring device having been removed.

[0022] [Fig.3] is a top view of the attachment interface of the ornamental part.

[0023] [Fig.4] shows an assembly set comprising the ornamental piece and the camera seen in longitudinal section along lines IV-IV of [Fig.3].

[0024] [Fig.5] is a longitudinal sectional view of the whole of [Fig.4] along the lines V-Vdela [Fig.3].

[0025] [Fig.6] is a cross-sectional view of the whole of [Fig.4] along lines VI-VI of [Fig.3].

[0026] [Fig.7] is a cross-sectional view of the whole of [Fig.4] along lines VII-VII of [Fig.3].

[0027] [Fig.8] is a bottom view of the attachment interface of the ornamental part. Description of the embodiments

[0028] In the remainder of the description, elements having an identical structure or similar functions are designated by the same reference.

[0029] By convention, longitudinal, vertical and transverse orientations indicated by the direct trihedron (L, V, T) designating the longitudinal, vertical and transverse axes of the vehicle will be adopted, without limitation.

[0030] In the following, the terms “left”, “right”, “lower” and “upper” are understood in relation to the vehicle.

[0031] Similarly, the terms “front” and “rear” are understood in relation to the general orientation of the vehicle as taken in its normal direction of travel.

[0032] Reference is made to [Fig.l] partially showing a passenger compartment 1 of a motor vehicle 3 according to the invention, seen in perspective.

[0033] The passenger compartment 1 comprises a dashboard 5, extending transversely relative to the motor vehicle 3.

[0034] The dashboard 5 supports, for example, a steering wheel 7 and an on-board computer 9.

[0035] Behind the steering wheel 7, the dashboard 5 includes an ornamental part 11, also called an upper half-sheath, designed to embellish the communicating part located behind the steering wheel 7 and on which are fixed in particular the headlight and indicator control 13 and the windshield wiper control 15.

[0036] The decorative piece 11 defines the upper part of the steering column trim (not visible) of the motor vehicle 3. It is fixed at its lower part to a lower half-sheath 17 defining the lower part of the steering column trim.

[0037] In one embodiment, the decorative piece 11 is a relatively flexible plastic piece, for example polypropylene.

[0038] The motor vehicle 3 is equipped with a driver vigilance and monitoring device 19, designed to check the driver's level of attention.

[0039] The driver monitoring and surveillance device 19 comprises a camera 21, mounted in the passenger compartment 1 of the motor vehicle 3 and facing the driver's face (not shown).

[0040] The camera 21 of the driver's vigilance and monitoring device 19 is connected to the on-board computer (not shown) of the motor vehicle 1.

[0041] The camera 21 is integrated into the dashboard 5 of the passenger compartment 1, at the level of the decorative part 11.

[0042] Reference is made to [Fig. 2] which is a perspective view of the passenger compartment 1, centered on the decorative part 11, the camera 21 of the driver's vigilance and monitoring device 19 having been removed.

[0043] The decorative piece 11 comprises a fixing interface 23 designed to allow the camera 21 to be positioned and to allow its fixing on the decorative piece 11.

[0044] Reference is made to [Fig.3] showing the fixing interface 23 of the ornamental part 11 in top view.

[0045] Simultaneously, reference is made to figures 4, 5, 6 and 7 showing respectively: - an assembly 25 comprising the ornamental part 11 and the camera 21 seen in longitudinal section along lines IV-IV of [Fig.3], - the assembly 25 seen in longitudinal section along lines VV of [Fig.3], - the assembly 25 seen in cross-section along lines VLVI of [Fig.3], and - the set 25 seen in cross-section along lines VILVII of [Fig.3].

[0046] The fixing interface 23 comprises an opening 27 for receiving the camera 21.

[0047] The receiving opening 27 is made in the decorative piece 11.

[0048] The receiving opening 27 consists of a recessed area adapted to receive a part of the frame 29 of the camera 21 which extends generally in a vertical direction. In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in the figures, the receiving opening 27 adopts a generally rectangular shape.

[0049] The chassis 29 of the camera can for example be made of magnesium. It supports in particular an electronic card 31 adapted to manage the processing of the information and a lens 33.

[0050] The camera 21 further comprises a front covering cover 35 and a rear covering cover 37, 1' "front" and 1' "rear" being understood here relative to the camera 21 when the camera 21 is mounted in the passenger compartment 1. Alternatively, the camera comprises a single covering cover.

[0051] The front covering cover 35 is assembled to the rear covering cover 37 and then these two covers 35, 37 are assembled to the chassis 29 of the camera 21 by means of two internal assembly screws 39 ([Fig.4] showing one of two internal assembly screws 39 and [Fig.6] showing the two internal assembly screws 39).

[0052] The fixing interface 23 further comprises a fixing support 41 for the camera 21, on which the camera 21 is intended to be fixed.

[0053] The fixing support 41 is arranged in front of the receiving opening 27.

[0054] The fixing support 41 consists of a bearing face, generally flat, of a rear portion 43 of the chassis 29 of the camera 21.

[0055] In the exemplary embodiment of the invention, the fixing support 41 of the camera 21 is arranged cantilevered relative to the ornamental piece 11, from a front edge 45 of the ornamental piece.

[0056] In the embodiment illustrated in the figures, the fixing support 41 of the camera 21 comprises a fixing orifice 47 adapted to receive a fixing screw 49 of the camera 21 and allowing the camera 21 to be fixed to the decorative part 11.

[0057] On either side of the fixing orifice 47, the fixing support 41 comprises two counter-stamped portions 50, 51 adapted to create a clearance between the internal assembly screws 39 of the fixing support 41 of the camera 21.

[0058] In the embodiment illustrated in the figures, the fixing interface 23 optionally comprises a complementary support face 53 arranged at a rear edge 55 of the fixing interface 23. The presence of the complementary support face 53 makes it possible to support the camera 21 also in the rear part of the fixing interface, as visible in [Fig. 5].

[0059] According to an optional arrangement of the exemplary embodiment illustrated in the figures, in order to allow longitudinal centering of the camera 21, the fixing interface 23 comprises longitudinal centering interfaces 57, 59 of the camera 21, arranged at the level of the front edge 45.

[0060] Also, in order to allow transverse centering of the camera 21, the fixing interface 23 comprises transverse centering interfaces 61, 63 of the camera 21, arranged laterally relative to the receiving opening 27 of the camera 21 respectively at a left lateral edge 65 and a right lateral edge 67 of the fixing interface 23.

[0061] According to an alternative embodiment not shown in the figures, no transverse centering interface is provided in the fixing interface 23, the transverse centering then being achieved solely by adjusting the camera 21 directly in the receiving opening 27.

[0062] When the camera 21 is in position in the fixing interface 23 and the fixing screw 49 fixes the camera 21 on the ornamental part 11, the six degrees of freedom of the camera 21 are blocked.

[0063] In the embodiment illustrated in the figures, the receiving opening 27 of the fixing interface 23 comprises a rear opening 69, arranged behind the fixing support 41 of the camera 21. The receiving opening 27 further comprises two lateral openings 71, 73, extending the rear opening 69 towards the front of the ornamental part 11 and being arranged laterally relative to the fixing support 41 of the camera 21. The assembly formed by the rear opening 69 and the lateral openings 71, 73 defines a U shape.

[0064] The presence of the lateral openings 71, 73 makes it possible to receive pre-holding arms 75, 77 of the camera 21, visible in [Fig. 6]. The pre-holding arms 75, 77 laterally extend a cup 79 arranged between the chassis 29 and the front 35 and rear 37 covering covers of the camera 21.

[0065] In order to facilitate the introduction of the pre-holding arms 75, 77 into the lateral openings 71, 73 of the receiving opening 27 of the fixing interface 23, the fixing interface 23 may comprise two chamfers 81, 83 arranged in the lateral openings 71, 73.

[0066] The presence of the chamfers 81, 83 helps an operator to introduce the pre-holding arms 75, 77 of the camera 21 into the lateral openings 71, 73 during the operation of mounting the camera 21 in the fixing interface 23.

[0067] Reference is made to [Fig.8] showing the fixing interface 23 of the ornamental part 11 in a bottom view.

[0068] The fixing interface 23 may comprise a network 85 of reinforcing ribs arranged under the fixing support 41 of the camera 21, that is to say at the level of a lower face 87 of the fixing support 4L

[0069] The presence of the network 85 of reinforcing ribs makes it possible to reinforce the fixing support 41 arranged in a cantilever relative to the decorative piece 11.

[0070] In the embodiment shown in the figures, two reinforcing ribs 89, 91 are made along the lower face 87 of the fixing support 4L. They are made on either side of the fixing orifice 47 receiving the fixing screw 49 of the camera 21.

[0071] Also, the reinforcing ribs 89, 91 each adopt a “Y” shape making it possible to bypass the longitudinal centering interfaces 57, 59 of the camera 21 arranged at the level of the front edge 45.

[0072] The reinforcing ribs 89, 91 have zones 93, 95 of wider width than the rest of the rib, this in order to increase the rigidity in the zones of the interface which are hidden by the camera 21.

[0073] In the embodiment illustrated in the figures, the reinforcing ribs 89, 91 are connected to a centering pilot 97 which makes it possible to position the decorative part 11 on the communicating part located behind the steering wheel 7. This improves the rigidity of the assembly.

[0074] The decorative part 11 according to the invention can be produced by plastic injection. The fixing interface 23 produced in the decorative part 11 has the advantage of being able to be demolded naturally, without additional operation at the injection mold.

[0075] As goes without saying, the present invention is not limited to the sole embodiments of this decorative part for dashboard and of this assembly comprising such an ornamental part, described above solely as illustrative examples, but on the contrary it embraces all the variants involving the equivalents techniques of the means described as well as their combinations if these fall within the scope of the invention.

Claims

Claims

1. Ornamental part (11) for dashboard (5) of passenger compartment (1) of motor vehicle (3), adapted to be mounted behind a steering wheel (7) of said motor vehicle (3), characterized in that it comprises a fixing interface (23) of a camera (21) of a driver vigilance and monitoring device (19), said fixing interface (23) comprising: - a receiving opening (27) of said camera (21), made in said ornamental part (11), adapted to receive a chassis (29) of said camera (21), - a fixing support (41) of said camera (21), on which said camera (21) is intended to be fixed.

2. Ornamental piece (11) according to claim 1, characterized in that said fixing support (41) of said camera (21) is arranged in a cantilever relative to said ornamental piece (11).

3. Ornamental part (11) according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that said fixing support (41) of said camera (21) comprises a fixing orifice (47) for a fixing screw of said camera (21).

4. Ornamental piece (11) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that said receiving opening (27) of said camera (21) comprises: - a rear opening (69), arranged behind said fixing support (41) of said camera (21), - two lateral openings (71, 73), extending said rear opening (69) towards the front of said ornamental piece (11) and being arranged laterally relative to said fixing support (41) of said camera (21).

5. Ornamental part (11) according to claim 4, characterized in that said fixing interface (23) comprises at least one chamfer (81, 83) to assist in mounting said camera (21), arranged in at least one of said lateral openings (71, 73) of said receiving opening (27).

6. Ornamental part (11) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that said fixing interface (23) comprises a network (85) of reinforcing ribs (89, 91) arranged under said fixing support (41) of said camera (21).

7. Ornamental part (11) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that said fixing interface (23) comprises a complementary bearing face (53) of said camera (21) arranged at a rear edge (55) of said fixing interface (23).

8. Ornamental piece (11) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that said fixing interface (23) comprises at least one transverse centering interface (61, 63) of said camera (21), arranged laterally relative to said receiving opening (27) of said camera (21).

9. Ornamental part (11) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that said fixing interface (23) comprises at least one longitudinal centering interface (57, 59) of said camera (21), arranged at a front edge (45) of said fixing interface (23).

10. Assembly (25) comprising an ornamental part (11) of a dashboard (5) of a passenger compartment (1) of a motor vehicle (3) and a camera (21) of a driver monitoring and surveillance device (19), characterized in that said ornamental part (11) is according to any one of claims 1 to 9, in that said camera (21) comprises a chassis (29) received in said receiving opening (27) of said fixing interface (23) of said ornamental part (11) and in that said camera (21) is fixed on said fixing support (41) of said fixing interface (23) of said ornamental part (11).

Images