PRE-INDEXING LEG FOR MOTOR VEHICLE FRONT CONSOLE

Abstract

PRE-INDEXING LEG FOR FRONT CONSOLE OF MOTOR VEHICLE The present invention relates to a motor vehicle (2) comprising: - a dashboard; - a front central console (8) on a central tunnel of the motor vehicle and connected to the dashboard, said front central console and the dashboard comprising means for indexing the front central console relative to the dashboard; noteworthy in that the front central console and the dashboard further comprise pre-indexing means (20) configured to, during a longitudinal movement of the front central console towards the dashboard, engage before the indexing means, so as to promote engagement of said indexing means. (Figure to be published with the abstract: Figure 2)

Description

Title of the invention: PRE-INDEXING LEG FOR FRONT CONSOLE OF MOTOR VEHICLE Technical field

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

[0002] Central consoles of motor vehicles generally have technical drawbacks when installed in the passenger compartment. For example, during the assembly of vehicles, assembly technicians, usually positioned outside said motor vehicles without direct access to them, frequently face problems such as limited visibility of the fixing points and unfavorable assembly ergonomics.

[0003] Often, assembly technicians perform blind assembly of the center console onto the dashboard. In this context, the connection between the console and the dashboard usually includes indexers ensuring positioning allowing the final fixing of the assembly. However, precision problems can arise, particularly related to dispersions and offsets between the indexers and the corresponding holes, requiring more attention and care from the fitters during assembly.

[0004] Published patent document DE 10 2012 021 870 A1 discloses a motor vehicle center console comprising, at a junction with the dashboard, a centering system comprising a guide rod passing through a receiving element arranged at an interface between one end of the dashboard and the center console, respectively.

[0005] However, the solution proposed by the document does not make it possible to effectively overcome the technical constraints linked to the assembly of central consoles known from the state of the art, because the risk of offset between the guide rod and the receiving element is always present during assembly. Statement of the invention

[0006] 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 propose a simple, efficient and economical solution making it possible to improve the precision and ergonomics of the mounting of central consoles in the passenger compartment of motor vehicles.

[0007] To this end, the invention relates to a motor vehicle comprising: - a dashboard; - a front central console on a central tunnel of the motor vehicle and connected to the dashboard, said front central console and the dashboard comprising means for indexing the front central console relative to the dashboard; remarkable in that the front central console and the dashboard further comprise pre-indexing means configured to, during a longitudinal movement of the front central console towards the dashboard, engage before the indexing means, so as to promote engagement of said indexing means.

[0008] According to one embodiment, the indexing and pre-indexing means are arranged on a front face of the front central console opposite the dashboard.

[0009] According to one embodiment, the indexing means comprise at least two indexing fingers on the front central console and at least two corresponding orifices on the dashboard or vice versa.

[0010] According to one embodiment, the pre-indexing means comprise at least two pads on the front central console and at least two corresponding cavities on the dashboard, each of the cavities comprising a lower surface for guiding the corresponding pad, said lower guide surface comprising an entry portion inclined downwards and backwards so as to allow sliding and raising of the corresponding pad.

[0011] According to one embodiment, each of the at least two cavities comprises at least one lateral surface for guiding the corresponding pad.

[0012] According to one embodiment, in each of the at least two cavities, the at least one lateral guide surface is located longitudinally at a distance from and in front of the inclined inlet portion of the corresponding lower guide surface.

[0013] According to one embodiment, each of the pads has a horizontal lower face and side faces with a beveled profile at a front end of said pad.

[0014] According to one embodiment, each of the pads comprises a transverse rib forming with the lateral faces a box comprising a first hollow portion facing the corresponding lateral guide surface.

[0015] According to one embodiment, the transverse rib further forms, with the lateral faces, a second hollow portion arranged longitudinally behind the transverse rib, said second hollow portion receiving at least one screw for fixing a storage compartment fixed above the corresponding pad, in a vertical direction of said motor vehicle.

[0016] According to one embodiment, each of the pads has a cross-section in the shape of an inverted U.

[0017] The measures of the invention are advantageous in that the two pads engaging with their corresponding cavities in the dashboard, allow the front face of the front central console to be supported opposite the dashboard, in order to ensure precise positioning of the indexing fingers opposite their corresponding holes. The assembly technician only has to push the console horizontally towards the front of the vehicle to drive the assembly in translation and engage the indexing fingers in their holes, to allow final screwing in the assembly position. Brief description of the drawings

[0018] [Fig-1] represents a perspective view of a passenger compartment of a motor vehicle comprising a front central console according to the invention, fixed to a dashboard of said motor vehicle;

[0019] [Fig.2] represents a perspective view of a front face of the front central console comprising pre-indexing means which comprise two pads intended to cooperate with corresponding cavities on the dashboard of the motor vehicle;

[0020] [Fig.3] represents a sectional and perspective view, along a longitudinal cutting axis passing through one of the pads of [Fig.2] as well as the corresponding cavity on the dashboard, during assembly of the central console in the passenger compartment of the motor vehicle;

[0021] [Fig.4] represents a perspective view of the indexing means comprising an indexing finger facing a corresponding orifice on the dashboard, when the pad of [Fig.2] is engaged with the corresponding cavity. Detailed description

[0022] [Fig.l] represents a perspective view of a passenger compartment 4 of a motor vehicle 2 comprising a front central console 8 according to the invention.

[0023] The motor vehicle 2 comprises a dashboard 6 and a central armrest 12 at a rear portion of the front central console 8. The vehicle 2 also comprises an upper control panel 16 arranged downstream of a hand rest 10, said panel 16 allowing the occupants of the vehicle to control, among other things, an infotainment device (not shown) which may be arranged at the dashboard 6. In this regard, the upper control panel 16 may comprise a touch-sensitive area.

[0024] Preferably, the hand rest 10 is arranged downstream of the central armrest 12 in an intermediate position between the dashboard 6 and said central armrest 12, so as to receive the palm of a hand of an occupant of the motor vehicle 2 when the central armrest 12 receives an elbow of the occupant.

[0025] The front central console 8 preferably comprises a longitudinal section in V comprising an upper part 16 (corresponding to the upper control panel) and a lower part 11 which are both directly fixed to the dashboard 6 at two separate fixing points 16.1 and 11.1.

[0026] The upper control panel 16 extends towards the front and upwards of the motor vehicle up to the connection of the latter to the dashboard 6. In this respect, the front central console 8 comprises a fixing frame (not visible in [Fig.l]) fixed to a front end 16.1 of the upper control panel 16.

[0027] The lower part 11 advantageously has storage spaces covered by a closure 15. Preferably, the lower part 11 is arranged above a central tunnel of the motor vehicle 2, and comprises a rear portion 11.2 arranged on a platform (not shown) provided, preferably, with two guide rails making it possible to guide the rear portion 11.2 in translation during the assembly of the front central console 8 in the passenger compartment 4 of the motor vehicle 2. The translation of the lower part 11 on the platform allows the installer to manually move the front central console 8 back, prior to a connection of said lower part 11 with the dashboard 6, said connection being preferably ensured by indexing means arranged at a front face 11.1 of the lower part 11, and will be detailed later in this description.

[0028] [Fig.2] represents a perspective view of a front face 11.1 of the front central console 8 comprising pre-indexing means 20 which comprise two pads 22 intended to cooperate with corresponding cavities on the dashboard of the motor vehicle.

[0029] The two pads 22 are formed with a frame 19 of the lower part 11 of the front central console 8, and advantageously allow pre-indexing of said console with the dashboard, so as to guarantee precise indexing before final fixing by the assembly technician.

[0030] Preferably, the storage spaces of the lower part 11 comprise a storage compartment 17 fixed by screwing above each of the pads 22, in a vertical direction Z.

[0031] The two pads 22 are preferably symmetrical and both extend longitudinally along the X axis. Each pad 22 comprises lateral faces 22.2 provided with a beveled profile at a front end 22.1 of said pad 22 by means of a chamfer 22.3 between said lateral faces 22.2. Each chamfer 22.3 preferably being between 1 and 8 mm.

[0032] The side faces 22.2 have a box shape of the rectangular parallelepiped type with a horizontal lower face 22.4 intended to slide along a lower guide surface (visible in [Fig.3]) extending from the dashboard.

[0033] Each pad 22 comprises a transverse rib 22.5 forming with the faces lateral 22.2 a first hollow portion 24 close to the front end 22.1 of the pad 22 and a second hollow portion 26 arranged longitudinally behind the transverse rib 22.5 receiving a fixing screw 21 of the storage compartment 17.

[0034] [Fig. 3] represents a sectional and perspective view, along a longitudinal cutting axis passing through one of the pads 22 of [Fig. 2] as well as the corresponding cavity 28 on the dashboard 6, during assembly of the central console in the passenger compartment of the motor vehicle.

[0035] It can be seen that the pad 22 has a cross-section in the shape of an inverted U formed by each of the two hollow portions 24, 26 which are intended to be arranged directly opposite a lower guide surface 30.1 of the corresponding cavity 30 on the dashboard 6, when the indexing means (visible in [Fig.4]) are engaged with their corresponding orifices.

[0036] The pad 22 preferably comprises, at the level of the second hollow portion 26, an insert 21.1 receiving the fixing screw of the storage compartment 17.

[0037] Prior to assembling the central console to the dashboard, the lower part 11 of [Fig.l] which is positioned on its platform, is moved back manually and by sliding to a rear stop. In this position, the lower part 11 has a distance of approximately 40 mm between the front end 22.1 and a bottom wall 6.1 of the dashboard 6, and in this same position, the horizontal lower face 22.4 is arranged below the lower guide surface 30.1.

[0038] Preferably, the lower guide surface 30.1 comprises an entry portion 30.2 inclined downwards and backwards, with an angle of inclination of between 30° and 50°. In this configuration, the engagement of the pad 22 in its corresponding cavity 30 is followed by sliding and vertical raising of the corresponding pad 22, bringing the face 22.4 to the same level as the lower surface 30.1.

[0039] At the front end 22.1 of the pad 22, the chamfer 22.3 makes it easier for said pad 22 to slide along the entry portion 30.2.

[0040] The cavity 30 advantageously comprises at least one lateral surface 30.3 for guiding the corresponding pad 22, and more preferably comprises two lateral surfaces 30.3 for guiding each of the two pads 22, in particular when the pad 22 is close to a final mounting position (adjacent to the bottom wall 6.1). For this purpose, the lateral guide surface 30.3 is arranged longitudinally towards the front of the inlet portion 30.3 at least 10 mm from the latter.

[0041] The arrangement of the pad 22 in [Fig. 3] allows the indexing means to be directly opposite their corresponding orifices, as illustrated in [Fig. 4].

[0042] With reference to [Fig.4], the indexing means 32 preferably comprise two indexing fingers 32, including a left indexing finger (visible in [Fig.4]) arranged directly opposite a corresponding orifice 34 on the dashboard 6.

[0043] The indexing fingers 32 are formed with the frame 19 of the lower part 11 of the front central console, preferably formed from injected plastic.

[0044] In this configuration, the assembly technician only has to manually push the central console forward, to cause the indexing fingers 32 to be inserted into the orifices 34. This is ensured, in particular thanks to the pre-indexing means 20 of FIGS. 2 and 3, without any misalignment and / or collision between the indexing fingers 32 in the dashboard 6, offering the possibility of ensuring blind assembly of the central console, in an easy and ergonomic manner, with a simple longitudinal movement of the assembly.

[0045] The lower part of the front central console further comprises a central air duct (not shown) intended to be fitted to a corresponding sleeve extending from the dashboard 6. The invention also makes it possible to guarantee precise fitting of the central air duct.

[0046] Advantageously, the present invention makes it possible to considerably improve the ergonomics and precision of the mounting of the central console in the passenger compartment of the motor vehicle, while guaranteeing a rigid mounting of the frame 19 on the dashboard 6, giving it resistance to stresses which may exceed 40 DaN in the vertical direction and 25 DaN in the transverse direction, as well as vibration resistance at frequencies of approximately 34 Hz.

[0047] The invention is not limited to a particular number of indexing means and / or pre-indexing means, and each of the latter may be arranged on the dashboard or on the central console, for example, and in an alternative, the indexing fingers may extend from the dashboard and the frame of the console may comprise their corresponding orifices.

Claims

Claims

1. Motor vehicle (2) comprising: - a dashboard (6); - a front central console (8) on a central tunnel of the motor vehicle (2) and connected to the dashboard (6), said front central console (8) and the dashboard (6) comprising indexing means (32) for the front central console (8) relative to the dashboard (6); characterized in that the front central console (8) and the dashboard (6) further comprise pre-indexing means (20) configured to, during a longitudinal movement of the front central console (8) towards the dashboard (6), engage before the indexing means (32), so as to promote engagement of said indexing means (32).

2. Motor vehicle (2) according to claim 1, in which the indexing (32) and pre-indexing (20) means are arranged on a front face (11.1) of the front central console (8) opposite the dashboard (6).

3. Motor vehicle (2) according to one of claims 1 and 2, in which the indexing means (32) comprise at least two indexing fingers (32) on the front central console (8) and at least two corresponding orifices (34) on the dashboard (6) or vice versa.

4. Motor vehicle (2) according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the pre-indexing means (20) comprise at least two pads (22) on the front central console (8) and at least two corresponding cavities (30) on the dashboard (6), each of the cavities (30) comprising a lower guide surface (30.1) for the corresponding pad (22), said lower guide surface (30.1) comprising an entry portion (30.2) inclined downwards and backwards so as to allow sliding and raising of the corresponding pad (22).

5. Motor vehicle (2) according to claim 4, wherein each of the at least two cavities (30) comprises at least one lateral guide surface (30.3) of the corresponding pad (22).

6. A motor vehicle (2) according to claim 5, wherein in each of the at least two cavities (30), the at least one lateral guide surface (30.3) is located longitudinally at a distance from and in front of the inclined inlet portion (30.2) of the corresponding lower guide surface (30.1).

7. Motor vehicle (2) according to one of claims 4 to 6, in which each of the pads (22) has a horizontal lower face (22.4) and lateral faces (22.2) with a beveled profile at a front end (22.1) of said pad (22).

8. Motor vehicle (2) according to claim 7, in which each of the pads (22) comprises a transverse rib (22.5) forming with the lateral faces (22.2) a box comprising a first hollow portion (24) facing the corresponding lateral guide surface (30.1).

9. Motor vehicle (2) according to claim 8, wherein the transverse rib (22.5) further forms, with the lateral faces (22.2), a second hollow portion (26) arranged longitudinally behind the transverse rib (22.5), said second hollow portion (26) receiving at least one fixing screw (21) of a storage compartment (17) fixed above the corresponding pad (22), in a vertical direction (Z) of said motor vehicle (2).

10. Motor vehicle (2) according to one of claims 4 to 9, in which each of the pads (22) has a cross-section in the shape of an inverted U.

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