Interface for attaching a central console to a dashboard.

The dashboard structure with a fixing interface and guide ramps addresses the challenges of assembling a large and heavy central console by enabling easy alignment and fixation, thus simplifying the assembly process.

FR3155752A1Pending Publication Date: 2025-05-30STELLANTIS AUTO SAS
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Patent Information

Application Number
FR2023012920
Authority / Receiving Office
FR · FR
Patent Type
Applications
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2023-11-23
Publication Date
2025-05-30

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

The assembly of a central console to a dashboard is challenging due to ergonomic difficulties and the large size and weight of the console, which makes it hard to align and fix correctly.

Method used

A dashboard structure with a fixing interface that includes a base and guide ramps allows the central console to be indexed and fixed securely, facilitating assembly by enabling the console to slide into place regardless of its initial positioning.

Benefits of technology

The solution simplifies the assembly process by allowing the central console to be easily aligned and fixed to the dashboard, addressing the challenges of ergonomic difficulties and the console's size and weight.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Abstract

The invention relates to a dashboard structure (1) of a motor vehicle, comprising a fixing interface (6) designed to allow the connection of a central console to the structure (1), the interface (6) comprising a base (7) on which the central console rests and is indexed when it is fixed to the dashboard structure (1), the interface (6) further comprising at least one guide ramp (12), each projecting from the base (7) and designed to allow the central console to be pressed and to be slid in order to bring the central console into a resting position on the base (7), in which the central console is fixable to the structure (1), each ramp (12) having an inclined section (13) shaped so that the sliding of the central console on the ramp (12) towards the base (7) causes the central console to be raised in the passenger compartment. (Figure 2)
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Description

Title of the invention: Interface for attaching a central console to a dashboard.

[0001] The technical field concerns dashboard structures allowing the mounting of a central console, assemblies comprising such a structure and a central console and finally vehicles equipped with such an assembly.

[0002] Car manufacturers take great care to improve the comfort of their vehicles' passengers. Furthermore, for car manufacturers, the quality of the finish of their vehicles, 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, the 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 the 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, 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 aesthetics of the vehicle interior. Arranged under the arch, the central console also has a lower part connected to the dashboard.

[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 passenger compartment. The significant mass of this innovative console requires assembly in two successive stages. In the first stage, the console is positioned on supports arranged on the floor of the passenger compartment in order to provide stable support at the front and rear of the console and allow the operator to reposition himself. The second stage then consists of sliding the console onto its supports to bring it into the fixing position. Given its weight, experience shows that it is difficult for the operator to correctly carry out this second stage and bring the console into its fixing position. In addition, the central console is not properly supported before its fixing, which makes it very difficult for the drivers to align themselves with the guide holes and therefore to position the central console in relation to the dashboard for its fixing.

[0007] Thus, there is a need for a solution making it possible to guide the positioning of the central console with respect to the dashboard with a view to its fixing, despite a large dispersion in the positioning of the central console.

[0008] The present invention aims to overcome the problems set out above. In this technical context, one aim of the present invention is to provide a dashboard structure for guiding the approach and indexing of a central console relative to the structure for the purpose of fixing the central console.

[0009] For this purpose, the present invention relates to a dashboard structure of a motor vehicle, comprising a fixing interface designed to allow the connection of a central console to the structure, the interface comprising at least one base on which the central console rests and is indexed when the central console is fixed to the dashboard structure, the interface further comprising at least one guide ramp, each projecting from the base and designed to allow the central console to rest and slide on each guide ramp in order to bring the central console into a resting position on the base in a fixing position, in which the central console is fixable to the structure, each guide ramp having an inclined section shaped so that the sliding of the central console on the ramp towards the base causes the central console to rise in the passenger compartment, when the structure is mounted in the passenger compartment.

[0010] The invention also relates to a central console designed to be placed on the base of the fixing interface of a dashboard structure according to the invention, the central console having a complementary interface designed to cooperate with the fixing interface by sliding on each guide ramp to bring the central console into the fixing position.

[0011] The invention also relates to an assembly comprising a central console according to the invention resting on a base of a fixing interface of a dashboard structure according to the invention, the complementary interface of the central console cooperating with the fixing interface to index the central console on the dashboard structure. on board.

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

[0013] Thus, the dashboard structure according to the invention allows the central console according to the invention to be fixed. The fixing interface in fact allows the central console to rest in a fixing position in an indexed manner to allow its fixing. The approach during the assembly of the central console is facilitated by the guide ramp which allows the central console to slide towards its fixing position regardless of the starting position of the central console. Indeed, thanks to the shape of the guide ramp and in particular the inclined section, the assembly allows a large dispersion in the initial positioning of the central console. Thus, the structure and the central console according to the invention allow easy assembly by an operator of the central console on the structure to form the assembly according to the invention.

[0014] According to one embodiment of the invention, each guide ramp has a support section, substantially horizontal when the structure is mounted in the passenger compartment, extending the inclined section and the base.

[0015] According to one possibility, each inclined section is reinforced by boxing and / or ribbing.

[0016] In one embodiment of the dashboard structure, the base has at least two centering walls designed to interact with the central console to block the translation of the central console on the base along a transverse axis of the vehicle.

[0017] Advantageously, the centering walls are connected two by two by a rib extending along a horizontal plane.

[0018] According to a possibility of the central console, the complementary interface has at least one guide finger sized to slide on a guide ramp.

[0019] Advantageously, the fixing interface and the complementary interface each have a part of at least one air conditioning duct, the sliding of the central console on the guide ramp allowing the connection of the parts of each duct.

[0020] 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:

[0021] [Fig. 1] [Fig. 1] represents a perspective and side view of a central console connected to a dashboard having a structure according to the invention;

[0022] [Fig.2] [Fig.2] represents a detailed view of the dashboard structure of [Fig.l], showing the attachment interface;

[0023] [Fig.3] [Fig.3] represents a sectional view of the interacting fixing interface with an additional central console interface being fitted.

[0024] In these figures, the same references are used to designate the same elements.

[0025] A dashboard structure 1 according to the invention, illustrated in the figures, makes it possible to support a dashboard 2 intended to equip the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle according to the invention, not illustrated in the figures.

[0026] As illustrated in [Fig.l], the dashboard structure 1, forming an integral part of the dashboard 2, is designed to allow the connection of a central console 3 having an arch-shaped upper part 4 connected to the dashboard 2. In addition to the upper part 4, the central console 3 also has a lower part 5 connected to the structure 1. For this purpose, the structure 1 comprises a fixing interface 6 designed to allow the connection of the lower part 5 of the central console 3 to the structure 1.

[0027] As illustrated in Figures 2 and 3, the interface 6 comprises at least one base 7 on which the central console 3 rests and is indexed when the central console 3 is fixed to the dashboard structure 1. The base 7 extends from a wall 8 of the structure 1, on which the lower part 5 of the central console 3 abuts, when the latter is mounted on the structure 1. The base 7 further comprises a plurality of bearing surfaces 9, extending along horizontal planes of the vehicle, to allow the lower part 5 to rest.

[0028] The base 7 has at least two centering walls 10 designed to interact with the lower part 5 of the central console 3, to block the translation of the central console 3 on the base 7 along a transverse axis A of the vehicle. In the example illustrated in Figures 2 and 3, each centering wall 10 advantageously extends along a vertical plane of the vehicle, from a support surface 9. In order to give the interface 6 adequate strength to support the central console 3, the centering walls 10 are connected two by two by a rib 11 extending along a horizontal plane.

[0029] The interface 6 for fixing the structure 1 further comprises at least one guide ramp 12, each projecting from the base 7 and designed to allow the central console 3 to rest and slide on each guide ramp 12, in order to bring the central console 3 into a resting position on the base 7 in a fixing position, in which the central console 3 can be fixed to the structure 1. Each guide ramp 12 has an inclined section 13 shaped so that the sliding of the central console 3 on the ramp 12 towards the base 7 causes the lower part 5 of the central console 3 to rise in the passenger compartment, when the structure 1 is mounted in the passenger compartment.

[0030] Each guide ramp 12 has a support section 14, extending along a horizontal plane when the structure 1 is mounted in the passenger compartment. Each section support 14 extends the inclined section 13 and the base 7, in particular a support surface 9. Advantageously, the inclined section 13 forms an angle of approximately 45° with the support section 14.

[0031] To assist in guiding the central console 3 during its assembly, each guide ramp 12 is at least partly bordered by a centering wall 10. In order to reinforce each ramp 12, each inclined section 13 is reinforced by a box 15, connecting the inclined section 13 to the wall 8 and / or a rib 16, connecting the inclined section 13 to a centering wall 10, both illustrated in [Fig.2].

[0032] The lower part 5 of the central console 3 is designed to be placed on the base 7 of the fixing interface 6 of the structure 1. For this purpose, the central console 3 has a complementary interface 17 designed to cooperate with the fixing interface 6 by sliding on each guide ramp 12 in order to bring the central console 3 into the fixing position. As illustrated in [Fig. 3], the complementary interface 17 has at least one guide finger 18, having, for example, a parallelepiped shape with rounded edges. Each guide finger 18 is dimensioned to slide on a guide ramp 12 and rest on a bearing surface 9 of the base 7 by occupying the space between two centering walls 10. In the fixing position, each guide finger 18 comes into abutment with at least one centering wall 10.

[0033] Thus, the lower part 5 of the central console 3 and the interface 6 for fixing the dashboard structure 1 make it possible to form an assembly according to the invention in which the central console 3 rests on the base 7, the complementary interface 17 of the central console 3 cooperating with the fixing interface 6 to index the central console 3 on the dashboard structure 1. In order to improve the indexing of the central console 3, the assembly advantageously comprises a centering crosspiece, not shown, for example projecting from the central console 3 and intended to be introduced into a centering orifice, not shown, provided in the structure 1 to form an indexing.

[0034] Advantageously again, the fixing interface 6 and the complementary interface 17 each have a part 19 of at least one air conditioning duct 20, the sliding of the central console 3 on the guide ramp 12 allowing the connection of the parts 19 of each duct 20 in order to ensure continuity of the duct 20 and allow the circulation of the conditioned air in each duct 20.

[0035] Thus, the dashboard structure 1 according to the invention allows the central console 3 to be fixed. The fixing interface 6 in fact allows the central console 3 to rest on the base 7 in a fixing position in an indexed manner with a view to its fixing, for example, by screwing and / or clipping. The approach during the assembly of the central console 3 is facilitated by the guide ramp 12 which allows the central console 3 to slide towards its fixing position, whatever the starting position of the central console 3. Indeed, thanks to the shape of the inclined section 13, the assembly allows a large dispersion in the initial positioning of the central console 3. Thus, the structure 1 and the central console 3 allow their easy assembly by an operator to form the assembly according to the invention.

[0036] The invention is not limited to the embodiment of the dashboard structure 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. A dashboard structure (1) of a motor vehicle, comprising a fixing interface (6) designed to allow the connection of a central console (3) to the structure (1), the interface (6) comprising at least one base (7) on which the central console (3) rests and is indexed when the central console (3) is fixed to the dashboard structure (1), the interface (6) further comprising at least one guide ramp (12), each projecting from the base (7) and designed to allow the central console (3) to rest and slide on each guide ramp (12) in order to bring the central console (3) into a resting position on the base (7), in which the central console (3) is fixable to the structure (1),each guide ramp (12) having an inclined section (13) shaped so that the sliding of the central console (3) on the ramp (12) towards the base (7) causes a rise of the central console (3) in the passenger compartment, when the structure (1) is mounted in the passenger compartment.,

2. Dashboard structure (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that each guide ramp (12) has a support section (14), substantially horizontal when the structure (1) is mounted in the passenger compartment, extending the inclined section (13) and the base (7).

3. Dashboard structure (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that each inclined section (13) is reinforced by boxing (15) and / or ribbing (16).

4. Dashboard structure (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the base (7) has at least two centering walls (10) designed to interact with the central console (3) to block the translation of the central console (3) on the base (7) along a transverse axis (A) of the vehicle.

5. Dashboard structure (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that the centering walls (10) are connected two by two by a rib (11) extending along a horizontal plane.

6. Central console (3) designed to be placed on the base (7) of the interface (6) for fixing a dashboard structure (1) according to one of claims 1 to 5, the central console (3) having a complementary interface (17) designed to cooperate with the fixing interface (6) by sliding on each guide ramp (12) to bring the central console (3) into the fixing position.

7. Central console (3) according to claim 6, characterized in that the complementary interface (17) has at least one guide finger (18) sized to slide on a guide ramp (12).

8. Assembly comprising a central console (3) according to claim 6 or 7 resting on a base (7) of an interface (6) for fixing a dashboard structure (1) according to one of claims 1 to 5, the complementary interface (17) of the central console (3) cooperating with the fixing interface (6) to index the central console (3) on the dashboard structure (1).

9. Assembly according to claim 8, characterized in that the fixing interface (6) and the complementary interface (17) each have a part of at least one air conditioning duct, the sliding of the central console (3) on the guide ramp (12) allowing the connection of the parts of each duct.

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

Citation Information

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