Trim arrangement for a passenger compartment console of a motor vehicle
The sliding air conditioning cover in the trim arrangement addresses the issue of rigid trim assemblies causing ankle injuries by allowing it to move backward during impacts, enhancing safety and reducing the risk of injury.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- FR2023013550
- Authority / Receiving Office
- FR · FR
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2023-12-05
- Publication Date
- 2025-10-17
- Estimated Expiration
- 2043-12-05
AI Technical Summary
Existing trim assemblies in motor vehicle passenger compartments are rigid and prone to cause injuries during frontal impacts due to the detachment and transverse movement of the air conditioning cover, which can strike the driver's ankles.
The air conditioning cover is designed to slide relative to the console flanges along the longitudinal axis, allowing it to move backward instead of pivoting during an impact, with optional guide members for translation, such as dovetails, guide rails, or retaining claws, to enhance safety.
This design reduces the risk of ankle injuries by preventing the air conditioning cover from detaching and moving transversely, improving occupant safety during frontal impacts.
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Abstract
Description
Title of the invention: Trim arrangement for a passenger compartment console of a motor vehicle
[0001] The technical context of the present invention is that of equipment for trimming a motor vehicle passenger compartment, and more specifically occupant safety devices. More particularly, the invention relates to a trim arrangement for a passenger compartment console of a motor vehicle.
[0002] In the state of the art, trim arrangements for the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle are known, comprising in particular a dashboard and a central console, at the level of the row 1 seats of the motor vehicle. In such known trim arrangements, the central console extends along a longitudinal axis of the motor vehicle, between the two front seats, and in the direction of the dashboard, the central console is covered with two flanges which extend opposite each other and delimit said central console along a transverse axis. In front of the flanges of the central console, an air conditioning cover connects them to the dashboard in order to form a storage space on the one hand, and in order to mask a ventilation and air conditioning system located at the foot of the dashboard.
[0003] In a known manner, the air conditioning cover is fixed both, at its front part, to the dashboard panel and, at its rear part, to the flanges of the central console. Thus, the trim assembly formed by the air conditioning cover, the dashboard panel and the side flanges of the central console form a solid and rigid structure. Such a known trim assembly thus allows the fixing and positioning of the trim parts relative to each other, in particular the air conditioning cover, the dashboard panel and the side flanges of the central console.
[0004] A known problem with these known trim assemblies is related to their kinematics in the event of frontal impacts. Indeed, in these known trim assemblies, the air conditioning cover is fixed both to the ventilation and air conditioning system located at the front, under the dashboard, as well as to the flanges of the central console located at the rear. This fixing both at the front and at the rear leads to the fact that, during a frontal impact at high speed, the mechanical stresses resulting from the impact itself cause the apron and the ventilation and air conditioning system to move backward. The recoil of the ventilation and air conditioning system detaches the air conditioning cover at its front part, while it remains fixed to the central console flanges at its rear part. This residual connection, at the rear, leads to the frontal impact and the recoil of the ventilation and air conditioning system causing a detachment transverse placement of the air conditioning cover, towards the footwell at the driver's position. Such lateral translation can cause injuries to the driver's ankles.
[0005] Of course, this situation is not desired.
[0006] The object of the present invention is to propose a new trim arrangement for a motor vehicle passenger compartment console in order to address at least a large part of the preceding problems and to further lead to other advantages.
[0007] Another object of the invention is to improve the safety of the driver in the event of a frontal impact. More specifically, another object of the invention is to improve the kinematics of the various trim parts located in the passenger compartment - at the level of the central console - in the event of a frontal impact.
[0008] Another object of the invention is to propose such a cladding arrangement at a lower cost.
[0009] According to a first aspect of the invention, at least one of the aforementioned objectives is achieved with a trim arrangement for a passenger compartment console of a motor vehicle, the trim arrangement comprising:
[0010] - a dashboard covering a dashboard front and located at the rear of a passenger compartment apron, relative to a longitudinal axis;
[0011] - an air conditioning cover extending from a lower edge of the dashboard and rear of the dashboard, relative to the longitudinal axis;
[0012] - two flanges of a central console - called console flanges - the flanges of console extending relative to the longitudinal axis behind and in line with the air conditioning cover.
[0013] In the trim arrangement according to the invention, the air conditioning cover is mounted to slide relative to the console flanges, relative to the longitudinal axis.
[0014] In the context of the present invention, a longitudinal axis, a lateral axis and a vertical axis are defined relative to the motor vehicle on which the trim arrangement according to the first aspect of the invention is intended to be mounted. More particularly, the transverse axis is understood as a direction taken between a lateral side of the motor vehicle and an opposite lateral side of said motor vehicle. In other words, the transverse axis is understood as a direction which extends from a passenger side of the motor vehicle to a driver's side of said motor vehicle, or vice versa. The adjectives lateral, interior and exterior refer to such a transverse axis. Furthermore, the longitudinal axis extends as being taken along a direction which extends from front to rear or from rear to front of the motor vehicle. The longitudinal axis is perpendicular to the transverse axis.The adjectives frontal, front, and rear refer to this longitudinal axis. Finally, the vertical axis is understood to be taken along an axis that extends from the vehicle's wheels to the . car and towards the roof of said motor vehicle, or vice versa, the vertical axis being simultaneously perpendicular to the transverse axis and to the longitudinal axis. The adjectives above and below, or lower and upper refer to this vertical axis.
[0015] In the context of the present invention, the passenger compartment apron is a transversely extending panel which extends from one lateral edge to the other of the motor vehicle, in front of said passenger compartment. The passenger compartment apron makes it possible to close the passenger compartment at its front part, under a front windshield of the motor vehicle. The passenger compartment apron thus forms a dividing wall between the passenger compartment and an engine compartment of the motor vehicle. The passenger compartment apron is formed of one or more metal parts - typically sheet metal parts - assembled on a chassis of the motor vehicle.
[0016] In the context of the present invention, the dashboard is a shelf which extends from one lateral edge to the other of the motor vehicle, in front of the row 1 seats, that is to say above the feet of the driver and the front passenger, the dashboard houses, in addition to various light indicators used to report certain functional or navigation parameters of the motor vehicle, a variety of accessories intended for the comfort and safety of the occupants of the passenger compartment, such as for example a ventilation and air conditioning system for the passenger compartment, a car radio, storage spaces or even airbags. The dashboard is located behind the passenger compartment bulkhead, relative to the longitudinal axis.
[0017] In the context of the present invention, the air conditioning cover forms a trim plate which is associated with the ventilation and air conditioning system located at the foot of the dashboard, in the axis of the central console, the air conditioning cover thus forms a wall - or a combination of walls - which covers the ventilation and air conditioning system, and which adapts both to the lower part of the dashboard and to the front part of the central console, the air conditioning cover is advantageously integral with the lower part of the dashboard, either directly - by a direct fixing between the dashboard and the air conditioning cover - or indirectly, the air conditioning cover and the dashboard being both fixed to the ventilation and air conditioning system.
[0018] In the context of the present invention, the central console forms a span which extends mainly along the longitudinal axis between the two front seats of the motor vehicle. The central console generally groups together storage spaces for accessories introduced by the passengers of the motor vehicle. The central console extends in the extension of the air conditioning cover, relative to the longitudinal axis, up to approximately one back of the front seats.
[0019] In the context of the present invention, the console flanges form side walls of the center console. The console flanges extend predominantly along the longitudinal and vertical axes. The console plates extend from the air conditioning cover, relative to the longitudinal axis, to approximately one back of the front seats. At their front part, the console plates collaborate with the air conditioning cover.
[0020] Thus, the cladding arrangement according to the first aspect of the invention solves the technical problem in that the air conditioning cover is slidably mounted relative to the console flanges, relative to the longitudinal axis. Thus, the air conditioning cover is no longer fixed to the console flanges by fixing means which, in the event of a frontal impact, acted as pivot points for the air conditioning cover - relative to the vertical axis - and caused said air conditioning cover to pivot in the direction of the foot cellar. Conversely, once released from its connection with the ventilation and air conditioning system at its front part, the air conditioning cover can now slide relative to the console flanges, relative to the longitudinal axis. In other words, the air conditioning cover can now move back along the longitudinal axis and thus avoid pivoting in the direction of the foot cellar.Thus, the trim arrangement in accordance with the first aspect of the invention makes it possible to reduce injuries inflicted on the driver's ankles in the event of a frontal impact, and to improve the safety of its occupants.
[0021] The cladding arrangement in accordance with the first aspect of the invention advantageously comprises at least one of the improvements below, the technical characteristics forming these improvements being able to be taken alone or in combination:
[0022] - the air conditioning cover is fixed securely to the dashboard by means of fixing means. Alternatively, the air conditioning cover is fixed integrally to the ventilation and air conditioning system located at the foot of the dashboard, relative to the vertical axis. The fixing means are fusible in the event of mechanical stresses - resulting for example from a frontal impact - greater than a threshold value. In this case, the air conditioning cover is now freed from its attachment to the dashboard. As it is connected to the console flanges by means of a sliding connection, then the air conditioning cover is now able to be translated towards the rear - along the longitudinal axis - under the effect of the mechanical stresses transmitted to the trim assembly and resulting for example from the frontal impact;
[0023] - the air conditioning cover is connected to the console flanges by means of a connection slide. This slide connection allows for translation along the longitudinal axis in the event that the air conditioning cover is no longer held to the ventilation system and / or the dashboard at its front part;
[0024] - more particularly, according to a first embodiment, the arrangement of cladding further comprises a translational guide member along the Ion- axis horizontal of the air conditioning cover relative to the console flanges. The translation guide member comprises, for example, a dovetail arranged between the console flanges and the air conditioning cover;
[0025] - alternatively, according to a second embodiment, the guide member in translation comprises for example at least one guide rail secured to at least one of the console flanges, the guide rail collaborating with a rear part of the air conditioning cover;
[0026] - according to a third embodiment, the translational guide member comprises at least one retaining claw which projects from each console flange, the air conditioning cover comprising at least one guide surface which is engaged between the retaining claw located opposite and the corresponding console flange.
[0027] According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a motor vehicle comprising a passenger compartment equipped with a console and a trim arrangement in accordance with the first aspect of the invention or according to any of its improvements.
[0028] Various embodiments of the invention are provided, integrating according to all of their possible combinations the different optional characteristics set out here.
[0029] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description on the one hand, and from several examples of embodiment given for informational and non-limiting purposes with reference to the attached schematic drawings on the other hand, in which:
[0030] [Fig-1] illustrates a schematic side view of a compliant cladding arrangement to the first aspect of the invention;
[0031] [Fig.2] illustrates a schematic cross-sectional and detailed view of the dressing arrangement illustrated in [Fig.l];
[0032] [Fig.3] illustrates a schematic sectional view along the AA axis visible in [Fig.2].
[0033] Of course, the features, variants and different embodiments of the invention may be combined with each other, in various combinations, provided that they are not incompatible or mutually exclusive. In particular, variants of the invention may be imagined comprising only a selection of features described below in isolation from the other features described, if this selection of features is sufficient to confer a technical advantage or to differentiate the invention from the prior art.
[0034] In particular, all the variants and all the embodiments described can be combined with each other if nothing prevents this combination from a technical point of view.
[0035] In the figures, the elements common to several figures retain the same reference.
[0036] In the FIGURES described below, a longitudinal axis X, a lateral axis and a vertical axis Z are defined relative to the motor vehicle on which the trim arrangement 1 according to the invention is intended to be mounted.
[0037] More particularly, the transverse axis Y is understood as a direction taken between a lateral side of the motor vehicle and an opposite lateral side of said motor vehicle. In other words, the transverse axis Y is understood in a direction which extends from a passenger side of the motor vehicle to a driver's side of said motor vehicle, or vice versa. The adjectives lateral, interior and exterior refer to such a transverse axis Y.
[0038] Furthermore, the longitudinal axis X extends as taken along a direction that extends from front to rear or from back to front of the motor vehicle. The longitudinal axis X is perpendicular to the transverse axis Y. The adjectives frontal, front and rear refer to this longitudinal axis X.
[0039] Finally, the vertical axis Z is understood as being taken along an axis which extends from the wheels of the motor vehicle and towards the roof of said motor vehicle, or vice versa, the vertical axis Z being simultaneously perpendicular to the transverse axis Y and to the longitudinal axis X. The adjectives above and below, or lower and upper refer to this vertical axis Z.
[0040] With reference to FIGURES 1 to 3, the invention relates to a trim arrangement 1 for a passenger compartment console of a motor vehicle, the trim arrangement 1 comprising:
[0041] - a dashboard 11 covering a dashboard front and located at the rear of a passenger compartment apron 12, relative to a longitudinal axis X;
[0042] - an air conditioning cover 14 extending from a lower edge of the dashboard 11 and behind the dashboard 11, relative to the longitudinal axis X;
[0043] - two flanges of a central console 16 - called console flanges 15 - the flanges console 15 extending relative to the longitudinal axis X behind and in line with the air conditioning cover 14. The central console 16 is for example surmounted by an armrest 17 at its rear part.
[0044] In a particularly interesting manner, and unlike the trim arrangements known from the prior art, the air conditioning cover 14 of the trim arrangement 1 according to the invention is mounted both integrally - directly or indirectly - with the dashboard 11 and sliding relative to the console flanges 15, relative to the longitudinal axis X.
[0045] In other words, the air conditioning cover 14 of the trim arrangement 1 according to the invention is fixed integrally - at its front part - either to a ventilation and air conditioning system 13 housed under the dashboard 11 and between said dashboard 11 and an apron 12 in front of the passenger compartment, or directly to a lower part of the dashboard 11. In all cases, the air conditioning cover 14 of the trim arrangement 1 according to the invention is fixed integrally to the ventilation and air conditioning system 13 or to the dashboard 11 by fixing means securing the front part of said air conditioning cover 14.
[0046] Advantageously, at its rear part, the air conditioning cover 14 is mounted free relative to the console flanges 15. More particularly, the air conditioning cover 14 is connected to the console flanges 15 by means of a connection allowing at least one translation along the longitudinal axis X. In other words, the air conditioning cover 14 is connected to the console flanges 15 by means of a sliding connection which allows a translation along the longitudinal axis X in the case where the air conditioning cover is no longer retained on the ventilation system and / or on the dashboard 11 at its front part, for example in the event of a frontal impact.
[0047] This situation is illustrated schematically in [Fig. 2] in which, following a frontal impact, the front apron 12 and the air conditioning cover 14 are driven by a backward movement along the longitudinal axis X. This backward movement is represented by an arrow in [Fig. 2] and the positions taken by the air conditioning cover 14 and the front apron 12 following this backward movement are represented by dotted lines. Indeed, the air conditioning cover 14 being linked to the ventilation and air conditioning system 13 at its front part, when the front apron 12 is impacted by the backward movement of elements located in an engine compartment of the motor vehicle, it strikes the ventilation and air conditioning system 13 which, in turn, moves backwards towards the central console 16.
[0048] The absence of a fully constrained connection between the air conditioning cover 14 and the console flanges 15s at the rear part is particularly advantageous here because it allows such a retraction of the air conditioning cover 14, rather than constraining it to a movement or even a rotation along the transverse axis Y.
[0049] More particularly, the covering arrangement 1 comprises a guide member 151 for translation along the longitudinal axis X of the air conditioning cover 14 relative to the console flanges 15. The guide member 151 for translation is associated both with the air conditioning cover 14 and with the console flanges 15. In particular, the guide member 151 may be arranged from one and / or the other of the guide flanges and / or from the rear part of the air conditioning cover 14.
[0050] By way of non-limiting examples, the translational guide member 151 may comprise:
[0051] - a dovetail arranged between the console flanges 15 and the cli cover matizer 14;
[0052] - at least one guide rail secured to at least one of the console flanges 15, the guide rail collaborating with a rear part of the air conditioning cover 14;
[0053] - at least one retaining claw 152 which projects from one and / or the other console flanges 15, the air conditioning cover 14 comprising at least one guide surface which is engaged between the retaining claw 152 located opposite and the corresponding console flange 15. This configuration is illustrated in the sectional view of [Fig.3].
[0054] In summary, the invention relates to a trim arrangement 1 for a passenger compartment console of a motor vehicle, the trim arrangement 1 comprising a dashboard 11 covering a dashboard front and located behind an apron 12, an air conditioning cover 14 extending from a lower edge of the dashboard 11 and behind the dashboard 11, the air conditioning cover 14 being fixed integrally to a ventilation and air conditioning system 13 housed between the dashboard 11 and the apron 12, two console flanges 15 extending in the extension of the air conditioning cover 14. According to the invention, the air conditioning cover 14 is slidably mounted relative to the console flanges 15, relative to the longitudinal axis X, the trim arrangement 1 comprising guide members 151 for translation along the longitudinal axis X of said air conditioning cover 14 relatively to said console flanges 15.
[0055] Of course, the invention is not limited to the examples which have just been described and numerous adjustments can be made to these examples without departing from the scope of the invention. In particular, the different characteristics, forms, variants and embodiments of the invention can be associated with each other in various combinations insofar as they are not incompatible or mutually exclusive. In particular, all the variants and embodiments described above can be combined with each other.
Claims
Claims
1. Trim arrangement (1) for a passenger compartment console of a motor vehicle, the trim arrangement (1) comprising: - a dashboard (11) covering a dashboard front and located behind a passenger compartment apron (12), relative to a longitudinal axis (X); - an air conditioning cover (14) extending from a lower edge of the dashboard (11) and behind the dashboard (11), relative to the longitudinal axis (X); - two flanges of a central console (16) - called console flanges (15) - the console flanges (15) extending relative to the longitudinal axis (X) behind and in the extension of the air conditioning cover (14); characterized in that the air conditioning cover (14) is slidably mounted relative to the console flanges (15), relative to the longitudinal axis (X).
2. Trim arrangement (1) according to the preceding claim, in which the air conditioning cover (14) is fixedly attached to the dashboard (11) by means of fixing means.
3. Trim arrangement (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the air conditioning cover (14) is fixedly attached to a ventilation and air conditioning system (13) located at the foot of the dashboard (11), relative to a vertical axis (Z), by means of fixing means.
4. A trim arrangement (1) according to any one of claims 2 or 3, wherein the fixing means are fusible in the event of mechanical stresses - resulting for example from a frontal impact - greater than a threshold value.
5. A trim arrangement (1) according to any preceding claim, wherein the air conditioning cover (14) is connected to the console flanges (15) via a sliding connection.
6. Trim arrangement (1) according to the preceding claim, in which the trim arrangement (1) further comprises a guide member (151) in translation along the longitudinal axis (X) of the air conditioning cover (14) relative to the console flanges (15).
7. A cladding arrangement (1) according to claim 6, wherein the translational guide member (151) comprises a dovetail fitted between the console flanges (15) and the air conditioning cover (14).
8. A trim arrangement (1) according to claim 6, wherein the translational guide member (151) comprises at least one guide rail secured to at least one of the console flanges (15), the guide rail collaborating with a rear part of the air conditioning cover (14).
9. Trim arrangement (1) according to claim 6, in which the translational guide member (151) comprises at least one retaining claw (152) which projects from each console flange (15), the air conditioning cover (14) comprising at least one guide surface which is engaged between the retaining claw (152) located opposite and the corresponding console flange (15).
10. Motor vehicle comprising a passenger compartment equipped with a console and a trim arrangement (1) according to any one of the preceding claims.