Automotive interior trim kit

Abstract

The invention relates to an interior trim assembly for a motor vehicle equipped with an adjustable steering column. It comprises: - a dashboard having an opening delimited by an arched upper edge (18), through which the steering column passes; - a shell (12) surrounding said column, and having a lower and a convex upper portion (30) extending through said opening under said arched upper edge (18); - a flexible trim (32') extending between said upper portion (30) and said arched upper edge (18); said upper portion of the shell (30) has a lateral wing (70) forming with said lower portion of the shell a housing (72) for receiving a locking mechanism for said steering column. And said flexible trim (32') includes a lateral tab (54) connected to said lateral wing (70). Figure to be published with the abstract: Fig. 4

Description

Title of the invention: Interior trim assembly for a motor vehicle

[0001] The present invention relates to an interior trim assembly for a motor vehicle equipped with an adjustable steering column.

[0002] Such a trim assembly usually includes a dashboard, which has an opening to allow passage of the steering column, the upper end of which protrudes into the vehicle's passenger compartment. The steering column includes a shaft which receives, at one of its ends, a steering wheel inside the passenger compartment.

[0003] Also, the dashboard opening is delimited by an arched upper border, while the trim assembly further includes a rigid shell surrounding the column and extending through the opening in cooperation with the arched upper border.

[0004] Thus, the hull has a lower part and a convex upper part extending under the arched edge.

[0005] In order to conceal the technical elements located behind the dashboard, and in particular the cable channels, fuses and other control devices, a flexible trim, made of a coated textile, is extended between the upper part of the shell and the upper arched edge.

[0006] Thanks to this flexible trim, the shell and the steering column that surrounds it can be adjusted forward or backward, and also in travel for the greatest comfort of the driver, without the space between the upper part of the shell and the upper arched edge being constantly obscured and the rear of the dashboard appearing in the driver's view.

[0007] Reference may be made to document FR3100788, which describes such a set of coverings.

[0008] However, in certain circumstances, particularly when implementing certain equipment around the hull and steering column, it is difficult to conceal the space between the upper part of the hull and the upper arched edge when adjusting the position of the steering column.

[0009] In order to solve this problem, according to a first object, an interior trim assembly for a motor vehicle equipped with an adjustable steering column and comprising is proposed:

[0010] - a dashboard having an opening delimited by an upper border in an arch, the said steering column being adapted to extend through the said opening;

[0011] - a shell surrounding said steering column, said shell having a part lower hull and a convex upper hull portion extending through said opening beneath said arched upper rim; and,

[0012] - a flexible gasket extending between said upper part of the shell and said upper arched border, said flexible trim being adapted to deform when said shell and said steering column are driven into motion relative to said dashboard.

[0013] Also, said upper part of the shell has a side wing forming with said lower part of the shell a housing receiving a locking element for said steering column, and the flexible trim includes a side tab connected to said side wing.

[0014] Thus, a feature of the invention lies in the implementation of a flexible trim piece equipped with a lateral tab, where the body has a projecting lateral wing, and by connecting the lateral tab to said lateral wing. In this way, when the steering column and the body are adjusted in position relative to the dashboard, the wing to which the lateral tab is attached follows its movement and makes it possible to keep the space between the upper part of the body and the upper arched edge covered.

[0015] According to a particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention, said lateral tab has a free end, and said free end is connected to said lateral wing. In this way, maximum mobility of the tab is taken advantage of, and consequently, the adjustment of the steering column and the hull can be carried out with a maximum range.

[0016] Furthermore, advantageously, the lateral wing, according to the invention, has a rear edge opposite an anterior edge, and the rear edge has hooks adapted to engage with the lateral tab. In this way, the lateral tab is firmly anchored to the rear edge. And the lateral tab perfectly follows the movement of the lateral wing when adjusting the position of the steering column.

[0017] Furthermore, according to the invention, said flexible trim has a rear edge adapted to engage with said arched upper edge of said dashboard and a front edge engaging with said upper part of the shell. The rear and front edges extend substantially parallel to each other so as not to form a crease. Also, openings are made in the edges so that they can be carried in the grip in the dashboard and in the upper part of the shell.

[0018] Furthermore, the upper part of the hull comprises, according to the invention, an arc-shaped anterior portion and two lateral posterior branches extending parallel to each other, the lateral wing extending along one of the said lateral posterior branches. The arc-shaped anterior portion has two lateral parts converging towards an apex, the two posterior branches extending respectively from said two parts.

[0019] Also, said anterior portion has a posterior attachment edge for said flexible lining, said posterior attachment edge joining said lateral posterior branches. The posterior attachment edge has posterior anchoring slots, and the anterior edge of the flexible lining is then clamped between the attachment edge and a bar equipped with anchoring elements. The anchoring elements of the bar are engaged through the anterior edge of the lining and engage through the anchoring slots, as will be explained in more detail later in the description.

[0020] Advantageously, and according to the invention, said flexible trim has a portion running along said front edge and adapted to be extended between said two arms. The two arms have lateral anchoring slots for attaching the flexible trim to them.

[0021] Preferably, according to the invention, said flexible seal is made of a sheet material coated with a polymer material. The polymer material is preferably an elastomer so as to obtain elastic recovery after deformation. The sheet material is, for example, coated with a polyurethane.

[0022] Furthermore, said sheet material is a textile material. Preferably, the textile material is woven in such a way as to give it good resistance to deformation, along the direction of the woven yarns.

[0023] According to a second object, the present invention relates to a motor vehicle equipped with an interior trim set as described above.

[0024] Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of a particular embodiment of the invention, given by way of example but not limitation, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0025] [Fig.1] is a schematic three-quarter front left perspective view of a conventional dressing assembly;

[0026] [Fig.2] is a schematic three-quarter front left perspective view of a trim assembly according to the invention;

[0027] [Fig.3] is a schematic three-quarter rear view of an element of the object of [Fig.2];

[0028] [Fig.4] is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of the object of the invention illustrated on [Fig.2] and in a first state;

[0029] [Fig.5] is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of the object of the invention illustrated in [Fig. 2] and in a second state; and,

[0030] [Fig.6] is a schematic flat top view of an element of the object of the invention illustrated in [Fig.2].

[0031] Fig. 1 shows from three-quarter front left an interior trim assembly 10 and a shell 12 suitable for surrounding an oblique tubular space 15 in which a steering column (not shown) extends, in a motor vehicle.

[0032] This bodywork assembly 10 is inscribed in an orthogonal coordinate system X, Y, Z of the motor vehicle, in which the X axis extends along a front-to-back longitudinal direction, oriented towards the rear of the vehicle; the Y axis extends along a transverse direction of the vehicle, oriented from left to right when in a driving situation; and the Z axis extends along a vertical direction, oriented away from the ground.

[0033] The trim assembly 10 includes a dashboard 14, which has an opening 16 into which the shell 12 extends. The opening 16 is delimited in its upper part by an arched upper edge 18. The arched edge 18 has an upper cross member 20 and two lateral supports 22, 24. The arched edge 18 defines a first median plane Pmi, and the two lateral supports 22, 24 are symmetrical to each other with respect to the first median plane Pmi.

[0034] The housing 12 extends substantially beyond the dashboard 14 of the vehicle's passenger compartment through the opening 16 and terminates in a free end 26 from which a shaft for the vehicle's steering wheel is adapted to extend. The steering wheel and the shaft are not shown here.

[0035] The shell 12 has a lower part 28, and at the free end 26, it has a convex upper part 30 which laterally joins, on each side of the oblique tubular space 15, the lower part 28.

[0036] Also, the convex upper part 30 extends in an arc under the arched upper border 18. The convex upper part 30 defines a second median plane Pm2, which is parallel to the first median plane Pmi of the arched upper border 18. In a mid-position of the shell 12, the two median planes Pmi and Pm2 are substantially coincident.

[0037] Furthermore, the shell 12 and the steering column it surrounds are adapted to be adjusted to a position suitable for the driver. To this end, the shell 12 and the steering column are adapted to be able to be moved in a travel or forward / backward direction, and locking means allow them to be held in a fixed position suitable for the driver.

[0038] Consequently, the convex upper portion 30 of the shell 12 is adjustable in a plurality of positions relative to the arched upper edge 18 of the dashboard. And to conceal the gap extending between the convex upper portion 30 and the arched upper edge 18, a flexible trim 32 is extended.

[0039] This flexible trim 32 conceals the rear of the dashboard 14 where technical elements run, including electrical cables, ventilation and heating ducts and the vehicle's control components.

[0040] Figure 6 shows a flexible lining 32', according to the invention, in a flat top view. It is made of a textile, corresponding to the rear face 33, and coated with a layer of polymer, called the coated face 35 and corresponding to the front face. The textile 33 extends towards the rear of the plane of Figure 6, while the polymer layer 35 is viewed from the front.

[0041] The textile is, for example, a textile made of woven synthetic yarns. And it is coated with a polyurethane-type elastomer to give it good elasticity.

[0042] The flexible trim 32' has an anterior border 34 and an opposing posterior border 36. It further has an anterior portion 38 running transversely along the anterior border 34 and a posterior portion 40 running transversely along the posterior border 36.

[0043] Also, the flexible trim 32' has a left edge 42 opposite a right edge 44. The left edge 42 has, in its front portion 38, a left-hand attachment tab 46, and in the right edge 44, a right-hand attachment tab 48. The two attachment tabs 46, 48 are substantially rectangular and extend respectively beyond the left edge 42 and right edge 44. Each tab also has two short sides substantially perpendicular to the edges and one long side substantially perpendicular to the short sides. In addition, they have anchoring holes 50, 52.

[0044] The front edge 34 also has anchor holes 50, 52, of the same type as the anchor holes of the hook tabs 46, 48.

[0045] In addition, the right edge 44 has, at the rear portion 40, a free lateral tab 54. It is formed by an L-shaped cut 56 in the right edge 44. Also, the lateral tab 54 extends in a direction substantially perpendicular to the two hooking tabs 46, 48. And it has a hooking slot 58 at its free end.

[0046] Also, still at the level of the posterior portion 40, opposite the anterior border 34, the posterior border 36 presents, a left posterior tongue 60 in the continuation of the left border 42, and opposite a right posterior tongue 62 in the continuation of the right border 44. This right posterior tongue 62 extends opposite the lateral tongue 54.

[0047] Between these two rear left 60 and right 62 tabs, the rear border 36 has three intermediate rear hooking tabs, a central one 64 and two others, a left 66 and a right 68, respectively contiguous to the two rear left 60, right 62 tabs.

[0048] It will be observed that the flexible lining, according to the prior art, does not have a free lateral tab and that it has two lateral parts symmetrical to each other with respect to a median line Lm.

[0049] This is the case of the flexible gasket 32 ​​illustrated in [Fig. 1].

[0050] It will be observed, on this [Fig.1], that the upper convex part 30 of the hull 12 has a right lateral wing 70 which forms with the lower part 28, a housing 72 adapted to receive a locking element, of the steering column not shown.

[0051] Now, this right side wing 70 combined with the lower part 28, allows a glimpse, through the ellipse 74 drawn on the [Fig.1], of the rear of the dashboard 14 when the flexible trim 32 is made according to the prior art.

[0052] Also, the upper convex part 30 will be detailed in relation to [Fig.3].

[0053] It comprises an anterior part in the shape of an arc 76 and two posterior lateral branches, a left 78 and a right 80, extending substantially parallel to each other.

[0054] In addition, there is the right lateral wing 70 which extends jointly along the right lateral posterior branch 80. The anterior arc-shaped part 76 has two lateral parts, a left 82 and a right 84, which converge towards a common vertex 86. Thus, the two posterior branches 78, 80 extend respectively from the two parts 82, 84.

[0055] The anterior arc-shaped part 76 of the convex upper part 30 has two successive notches 88, 90 ending with a posterior attachment border 92. The posterior attachment border 92 then joins on each side the two lateral posterior branches 78, 80.

[0056] The rear attachment edge 92 has rear anchoring lights 94.

[0057] In addition, the two posterior lateral branches 78, 80 respectively have left lateral anchoring lights 96 and right 98.

[0058] Furthermore, it will be observed that the right lateral wing 70 has, opposite the anterior arched portion 76, a posterior margin 99, from which two harpoon-shaped hooks 100 project. The posterior margin 99 of the right lateral wing 70 has, opposite it, an anterior margin 101.

[0059] In this way, the flexible gasket 32' as shown in [Fig. 6] is first fitted onto the convex upper part 30. More precisely, it is first the anterior portion 38 which is connected solidly to the posterior attachment border 92 and to the two posterior lateral branches 78, 80.

[0060] To achieve this, the front edge 34 of the flexible lining 32' is connected, on its front face 35, to the rear attachment edge 92 by means of a rear bar equipped with anchoring members. The anchoring members engage respectively in the anchoring holes 50, 52, while the bar pinches the front edge 34. The flexible lining 32' is then folded back towards the two rear arms 78, 80 and, in the same way, the two attachment tabs 46, 48, on the side of their coated face 35, are connected respectively to the two lateral rear arms 78, 80 by means of lateral bars engaging in the left lateral anchoring slots 96 and right lateral anchoring slots 98.

[0061] Furthermore, the two harpoon-shaped hooks 100 are engaged in the hooking slot 58 of the lateral tab 54, so that the rear edge 99 of the right lateral wing 70 comes into contact with the coated face 35 of the flexible trim 32'. In this way, the free end of the lateral tab 54 is integral with the rear edge 99.

[0062] After which, the rear border 36 of the flexible trim 32' is connected according to the same principle as the front border 34, to the arched border 18, as illustrated in [Fig.2].

[0063] We thus find on this [Fig.2], the flexible trim 32' extending between the upper convex part 30 and the upper arched border 18. And we will then observe that the lateral tab 54, folded over the right lateral wing 70, comes to hide the rear of the dashboard 14, located at the right of the ellipse 74.

[0064] Reference will now be made to [Fig.4] and [Fig.5] illustrating in longitudinal vertical section along the X, Z plane, at the right of the tongue 54, the two extreme front and rear positions of the shell 12 of the steering column which it surrounds.

[0065] Thus, [Fig. 4] illustrates a first situation where the shell 12 and the convex upper part 30 extend in an extreme rearward position. In other words, the upper part 30 and the arched upper edge 18 are separated from each other.

[0066] Thus, the right-hand side wing 70 is located above the housing 72, which is adapted to receive the locking mechanism. Also present are the side tab 54 and the two harpoon-shaped hooks 100 of the right-hand wing 70, engaged in its attachment slot 58. Furthermore, the rear edge 99 of the right-hand side wing 70 is applied against the coated face 35 of the flexible lining 32'.

[0067] In this relative position, away from the upper part 30 and the upper arched border 18, the lateral tab 54 masks the rear of the dashboard 14 as illustrated in [Fig.2].

[0068] In a second situation, as illustrated in [Fig. 5], the shell 12 and the convex upper part 30 extend into an extreme forward position. The upper part 30 and the arched upper rim 18 are then brought closer together. During the movement of the shell 12 relative to the arched upper rim 18, the flexible lining 32' deforms without being damaged due to its flexible and substantially elastic nature.

[0069] Thus, we find the right-hand side wing 70 and the housing 72 that it delimits. And we also find the extended side tab 54 and the two hooks 100 of the right-hand wing 70, engaged in the attachment slot 58. The rear edge 99 also comes into contact with the coated face 35 of the flexible trim 32'.

[0070] In this second situation, where the upper part 30 and the upper arched border 18 are brought close together, the side tab 54 also masks the rear of the dashboard 14 as illustrated in [Fig.2].

[0071] Of course, this occlusion remains independent of the adjustment in deflection of the hull 12 to the right or to the left.

Claims

Demands

1. Interior trim assembly for a motor vehicle equipped with an adjustable steering column and comprising: - a dashboard (14) having an opening (16) delimited by an arched upper edge (18), said steering column being adapted to extend through said opening; - a shell (12) surrounding said steering column, said shell having a lower shell portion (28) and a convex upper shell portion (30) extending through said opening (16) under said arched upper edge (18); - a flexible trim (32; 32') extending between said upper shell portion (30) and said arched upper edge (18), said flexible trim being adapted to deform when said shell (12) and said steering column are moved relative to said dashboard (14);characterized in that said upper part of the shell (30) has a lateral wing (70) forming with said lower part of the shell (28) a housing (72) receiving a locking element for said steering column; and in that said flexible lining (32') includes a lateral tab (54) connected to said lateral wing (70).

2. Interior trim assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that said side tab (54) has a free end, and in that said free end is connected to said side wing (70).

3. Interior trim assembly according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said side wing (70) has a rear edge (99) opposite a front edge, and in that said rear edge has hooks (100) adapted to engage in said side tab (54).

4. Interior trim assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that said flexible trim (32') has a rear edge (36) adapted to engage with said arched upper edge (18) of said dashboard (14) and a front edge (34) engaged with said upper part of shell (30).

5. An interior trim assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that said upper part of hull (30) comprises an anterior arc-shaped part (76) and two posterior lateral branches (78, 80) extending parallel to each other, said lateral wing (70) extending along one (80) of said posterior lateral branches.

6. Interior trim assembly according to claim 5, characterized in that said front part (76) has a rear attachment edge (92) for said flexible trim (32'), said rear attachment edge joining said rear lateral branches (78, 80).

7. Interior trim assembly according to claims 4 and 5 or 4 and 6, characterized in that said flexible trim (32') has a portion (38) running along said front edge (34) and adapted to be extended between said two arms (78, 80).

8. Interior trim assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that said flexible trim (32') is made of a sheet material coated with a polymer material.

9. Interior lining assembly according to claim 8, characterized in that said sheet material is a textile material.

10. Motor vehicle comprising an interior trim assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

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