Indexing device for mounting a center console.

Abstract

The invention relates to an indexing device (1) comprising an indexer (9) designed to project from the dashboard and extend to a free end (10), each indexer (9) comprising a guide surface (12) extending from the free end (10) to allow the sliding of the interior component, the guide surface (12) comprising a first section (13) extending from the free end (10) and a second section (14) extending from the first section (13), the first (13) and second (14) sections forming a break in slope (15) such that, when the device (1) is mounted on the dashboard with the guide surface (12) oriented so as to allow the interior component (2) to rest on the guide surface (12), the interior component (2) is raised, along an axis of elevation, relative to the dashboard, as it moves from the first section (13) to the second section (14). (Figure 1)

Description

Title of the invention: Indexing device for mounting a central console.

[0001] The technical field concerns indexing devices for guiding and indexing the mounting of a passenger compartment element on a dashboard, and vehicles having such a device.

[0002] Car manufacturers take great care to improve the comfort of their vehicles' passengers. Furthermore, for car manufacturers, the quality of their vehicles' finish, their aesthetic aspects and the features offered are essential to stand out from other brands. In this context, the console, which provides storage solutions between the front seats, represents an important element of comfort and aesthetics for customers and users of a vehicle.

[0003] Generally, consoles comprise a body provided with covers for accessing a receptacle provided in the body, as well as an armrest articulated in rotation on the body around an adjustment axis, so as to be able to take several stable positions for adjusting the support height.

[0004] Among the storage solutions offered by consoles, it is common to find at least one cup holder, which requires opening at least one cover and / or raising the armrest into a position that is uncomfortable for the passenger or driver. Thus, the use of a cup holder is restrictive, uncomfortable and detracts from the aesthetics of the passenger compartment.

[0005] In this context, an innovative central console is proposed, forming an arch connecting the dashboard to a central armrest and which frees up storage space under the arch in order, for example, to allow the use of a cup holder without degrading the comfort and / or the aesthetics of the vehicle interior. This central console is thus connected to the dashboard by a mounting end located cantilevered from a fixing base of the central console.

[0006] The assembly of a passenger compartment element is generally a delicate operation to carry out for the assembly operator due to difficult ergonomic conditions. Also, in order to assist in the assembly of the passenger compartment element, it is common to use pilots, arranged on the element to be assembled, allowing the assembly to be guided by introducing them into guide holes provided for this purpose in the receiving part. The pilots protrude from the passenger compartment element to be assembled and therefore require space to allow the element to be moved and aligned. However, the innovative central console is particularly large and makes it difficult to move in the cabin.

[0007] Furthermore, the shape and more particularly the overhang, the equipment and the materials used for the innovative central console causes a slight sagging of the mounting end of the console, before its attachment to the dashboard, thus generating a misalignment of the pilots. However, such misalignment considerably complicates the alignment and attachment of the mounting end to the dashboard.

[0008] Thus, there is a need for a solution for mounting a passenger compartment element that is likely to deform under its own weight to a dashboard in a cluttered environment.

[0009] The present invention aims to overcome the problems set out above. In this technical context, one aim of the present invention is to provide an indexing device making it possible to reduce the size of a passenger compartment element to be assembled and to correct alignment problems between a dashboard and the passenger compartment element to be assembled.

[0010] For this purpose, the present invention relates to an indexing device for guiding the connection between a passenger compartment element and a dashboard of a motor vehicle, the device comprising at least one indexer each designed to project from the dashboard and extend to a free end in order to be introduced into an indexing orifice of the passenger compartment element, each indexer comprising at least one guide surface extending from the free end, each designed to allow the passenger compartment element to slide on the guide surface, each guide surface comprising, on the one hand, a first section extending from the free end, and, on the other hand, a second section extending the first section away from the free end, the first and second sections forming a break in slope such that,when the device is mounted on the dashboard with the guide surface oriented so as to allow the passenger compartment element to rest on the guide surface, the passenger compartment element resting and sliding on the guide surface undergoes an elevation, along an elevation axis, relative to the dashboard installed in the vehicle, passing from the first section to the second section.

[0011] The invention also relates to an assembly comprising a device according to the invention secured to a dashboard and a passenger compartment element consisting of a central console, each indexer of the device being introduced into an indexing orifice provided at a mounting end of the central console resting on the dashboard, each indexer cooperating with the periphery of its corresponding indexing orifice to index the positioning of the passenger compartment element on the dashboard.

[0012] The invention finally relates to a motor vehicle having an assembly according to the invention.

[0013] Thus, the device according to the invention makes it possible to reduce the size of the passenger compartment element to be assembled. Indeed, the indexers of the device according to the invention protrude from the dashboard instead of protruding from the passenger compartment element. The indexers thus make it possible to limit the size of the passenger compartment element to facilitate its movement in the passenger compartment during its assembly. Furthermore, the guide surface of each indexer is designed to compensate for a sagging of the passenger compartment element and facilitate the guiding of the latter to its final position. In particular, the sliding of the passenger compartment element on the guide surface and the transition between the first and second sections causes a raising of the passenger compartment element to allow the misalignment to be corrected, thus making it possible to assemble the passenger compartment element.In addition to correcting misalignment, the device's indexers allow a precise path to be imposed on the passenger compartment element when it is mounted in relation to the dashboard.

[0014] According to one embodiment of the invention, the guide surface comprises an angular point or an inflection point between the first and second sections.

[0015] According to one possibility, the first section comprises a rectilinear portion, the second section forming a step relative to the rectilinear portion.

[0016] According to one embodiment, each indexer has an H-shaped profile section at each first section.

[0017] Advantageously, each indexer has at least one centering rib projecting from the indexer and allowing indexing of the passenger compartment element along an axis perpendicular to the elevation axis when the passenger compartment element slides on the second section.

[0018] In one embodiment of the device, each indexer has a reinforcement extending opposite the second section of the guide surface.

[0019] Advantageously, the device forms at least part of a structure of the dashboard.

[0020] According to one possibility, the mounting end of the center console is cantilevered from a mounting base allowing the center console to be attached to a floor of the vehicle.

[0021] The invention will be better understood on reading the detailed description which follows, given solely by way of non-limiting example and made with reference to the appended drawings in which:

[0022] [Fig.l] [Fig.l] represents a perspective view of an indexing device according to the invention;

[0023] [Fig.2] [Fig.2] represents a side view of a passenger compartment element consisting of a center console;

[0024] [Fig.3] [Fig.3] represents a detailed and cross-sectional view of the device indexing of [Fig.l] and the passenger compartment element of [Fig.2], before indexing the latter on the device;

[0025] [Fig.4] [Fig.4] represents a detailed and cross-sectional view similar to the [Fig.3], in which the cabin element is supported and slides on the first section of the guide surface;

[0026] [Fig.5] [Fig.5] represents a detailed and cross-sectional view similar to the [Fig.3], in which the cabin element is supported and slides on the second section of the guide surface;

[0027] In these figures, the same references are used to designate the same elements.

[0028] An indexing device 1 according to the invention, illustrated in [Fig. 1], is designed to guide the connection between a passenger compartment element 2, illustrated in [Fig. 2], and a dashboard 3 of a motor vehicle, partially illustrated in [Fig. 1]. In the example illustrated in the figures, the passenger compartment element 2 is a central console 4 having a mounting end 5 and a fixing base 6, the mounting end 5 being cantilevered from the fixing base 6 allowing the central console 4 to be fixed to a floor of the vehicle. Furthermore, the conformation of the central console 4 is such that it undergoes deformation under the effect of gravity so that its mounting end 5 undergoes a sagging of the order of a few millimeters in the absence of fixing of the mounting end 5. This sagging phenomenon is in particular due to its own weight and to the numerous equipment installed on the central console 4.For example, the central console 4 has a cantilever length of the order of 450 mm and its mounting end 5 has a sag 7, illustrated in [Fig.3] and calculated by modeling, of approximately 4.7 mm.

[0029] As illustrated in [Fig. 3], when mounting the passenger compartment element 2 in the vehicle, the mounting end 5 of the central console 4 is collapsed so that the screw holes of the central console 4, not illustrated, are not opposite the corresponding screw holes, not illustrated, provided in the structure of the dashboard 3.

[0030] In the example illustrated in the figures, the device 1 according to the invention forms at least part of a structure 8 of the dashboard 3.

[0031] The device 1 comprises at least one indexer 9, in this case two indexers 9 illustrated in [Fig.l], each designed to project from the dashboard 3 and extend to a free end 10 in order to be introduced into an indexing orifice 11, illustrated in FIGS. 3 to 5, of the passenger compartment element 2.

[0032] Each indexer 9 comprises at least one guide surface 12 extending from the free end 10, each designed to allow sliding of the element of passenger compartment 2 on the guide surface 12. Each guide surface 12 comprises, on the one hand, a first section 13 extending from the free end 10, and, on the other hand, a second section 14 extending the first section 13 away from the free end 10. The first 13 and second 14 sections form a break in slope 15. This break in slope 15 is such that the passenger compartment element 2 resting and sliding on the guide surface 12 undergoes an elevation, along an elevation axis A (illustrated in [Fig. 3]), relative to the dashboard 3 installed in the vehicle, passing from the first section 13 to the second section 14, when the device 1 is mounted on the dashboard 3 with the guide surface 12 oriented so as to allow the passenger compartment element 2 to rest on the guide surface 12. At this In effect, [Fig.3] represents the passenger compartment element 2 with and without the sag 7.

[0033] In particular, the guide surface comprises an angular point or an inflection point between the first 13 and second 14 sections.

[0034] As illustrated in Figures 3 to 5, the first section 13 comprises the free end 10, having a rounded profile, and is extended by a rectilinear portion 16. The second section 14 forms a step 17 relative to the rectilinear portion 16.

[0035] Thus, as illustrated in [Fig.4], the first section 13 is positioned so as to allow the sliding of the passenger compartment element 2 on the first section 13. During the movement of the passenger compartment element 2 on the first section 13, part of the sagging 7 is compensated by forcing the free end 10 to undergo an elevation along the elevation axis A.

[0036] When the assembly of the passenger compartment element 2 is continued, the passenger compartment element 2 continues to rest and slide on the guide surface 12 and undergoes an elevation to finish compensating for the sagging 7, as illustrated in [Fig.5].

[0037] As illustrated in [Fig.l], each indexer 9 has an H-shaped section at each first section 13. Each indexer 9 has at least one centering rib 18 projecting from the indexer 9 and allowing indexing of the passenger compartment element 2 along an axis perpendicular to the elevation axis A, when the passenger compartment element 2 slides on the second section 14. In this case, each centering rib 18 cooperates with the edges of an indexing orifice 11.

[0038] Furthermore, in the example illustrated in [Fig.l], each indexer 9 has a reinforcement 19 extending in opposition to the second section 14 of the guide surface 12. In the example illustrated in [Fig.l], each reinforcement 19 has a surface oriented towards the floor of the vehicle when the device 1 is secured to the dashboard 3.

[0039] In addition to compensating for the sag 7, the indexing device 1 makes it possible, for example, to guide the approach of the central console 4 during its assembly to ensure that the assembly end 5 is guided above a trim of the dashboard 3.

[0040] Thus, the indexing device 1 makes it possible to produce an assembly 20, illustrated in [Fig. 5], comprising the device 1 secured to the dashboard 3 and the central console 4. In the assembly 20, each indexer 9 of the device 1 is introduced into the corresponding indexing orifice 11 to index the positioning of the passenger compartment element 2 on the dashboard 3. Each reinforcement 19 is shaped to participate in the indexing of the indexer 9 in the indexing orifice 11.

[0041] Thus, the device 1 makes it possible to reduce the size of the passenger compartment element 2 thanks to the indexers 9 of the device 1 which protrude from the dashboard 3 instead of protruding from the passenger compartment element 2. The indexers 9 thus make it possible to limit the size of the passenger compartment element 2 to facilitate its movement in the passenger compartment during its assembly. Furthermore, the guide surface 12 of each indexer 9 is designed to compensate for the sagging 7 of the free end 10 of the central console 4 and to facilitate the guiding of this free end 10 to its final position. In particular, the sliding of the central console 4 on the guide surface 12 and the transition between the first 13 and second 14 sections causes a raising of the mounting end 5 to allow the misalignment due to the sagging 7 to be corrected.

[0042] The invention is not limited to the embodiment of the indexing device described above, only by way of example, but other embodiments can be designed by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and scope of the present invention.

Claims

Claims

1. An indexing device (1) for guiding the connection between a passenger compartment element (2) and a dashboard (3) of a motor vehicle, the device (1) comprising at least one indexer (9) each designed to project from the dashboard (3) and extend to a free end (10) in order to be introduced into an indexing orifice (11) of the passenger compartment element (2), each indexer (9) comprising at least one guide surface (12) extending from the free end (10), each designed to allow the passenger compartment element (2) to slide on the guide surface (12), each guide surface (12) comprising, on the one hand, a first section (13) extending from the free end (10), and, on the other hand, a second section (14) extending the first section (13) away from the free end (10), the first (13) and second (14) sections forming a slope break (15) such that,when the device (1) is mounted on the dashboard (3) with the guide surface (12) oriented so as to allow the passenger compartment element (2) to rest on the guide surface (12), the passenger compartment element (2) resting and sliding on the guide surface (12) undergoes an elevation, along an elevation axis (A), relative to the dashboard (3) installed in the vehicle, passing from the first section (13) to the second section (14).,

2. Device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the guide surface (12) has an angular point or an inflection point between the first (13) and second (14) sections.

3. Device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the first section (13) comprises a rectilinear portion (16), the second section (14) forming a step (17) relative to the rectilinear portion (16).

4. Device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that each indexer (9) has an H-shaped profile section at the level of each first section (13).

5. Device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that each indexer (9) has at least one centering rib (18) projecting from the indexer (9) and allowing indexing of the passenger compartment element (2) along an axis perpendicular to the elevation axis (A) when the passenger compartment element (2) slides on the second section (14).

6. Device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that each indexer (9) has a reinforcement (19) extending opposite the second section (14) of the guide surface (12).

7. Device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that it forms at least part of a structure (8) of the dashboard (3).

8. Assembly (20) comprising a device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 7 secured to a dashboard (3) and a passenger compartment element (2) consisting of a central console (4), each indexer (9) of the device (1) being introduced into an indexing orifice (11) provided at a mounting end (5) of the central console (4) resting on the dashboard (3), each indexer (9) cooperating with the periphery of its corresponding indexing orifice (11) to index the positioning of the passenger compartment element (2) on the dashboard (3).

9. An assembly (20) according to claim 8, characterized in that the mounting end (5) of the central console (4) is cantilevered from a fixing base (6) allowing the fixing of the central console (4) to a floor of the vehicle.

10. A motor vehicle having an assembly (20) according to claim 8 or 9.

Images