Front panel for one-piece air diffuser

Abstract

The invention relates to a front panel (1) for an air diffuser (2) of a dashboard (3) of a motor vehicle passenger compartment, the front panel (1) being designed to allow the attachment of at least one air diffuser (2) to the front panel (1) and to form at least one first trim panel (4) of the dashboard (3), the front panel (1) comprising a first part (8) designed to allow the attachment to the front panel (1) of at least one functional element (9) other than a diffuser (2), the front panel (1) comprising a second part designed to allow the attachment of the front panel (1) to the dashboard (3) and to form a rigid skeleton for the front panel (1) in order to limit vibrations in the dashboard (3) when the front panel (1) is mounted in the dashboard (3), the front panel (1) being a single piece. (Figure 1)

Description

Title of the invention: Front panel for a one-piece ventilation diffuser

[0001] The technical field relates to the fronts for housing an air diffuser of a dashboard, dashboards equipped with at least one such front and motor vehicles having such a dashboard.

[0002] For automobile manufacturers, controlling the production costs of their vehicles is a constant concern. However, the diversity of parts required to produce a vehicle family considerably limits this cost control. Indeed, this diversity of part numbers has repercussions on numerous aspects, ranging from sourcing and storage to production: several part numbers often require several production tools to manufacture each one. Furthermore, the different part numbers necessitate managing multiple production and supply flows.

[0003] Thus, in general, the diversity of part numbers necessarily leads to an increase in development and production costs, as well as a more complex supply chain for the assembly lines and the assembly of the different versions of the vehicle. There is therefore a need to reduce the diversity of part numbers used within a vehicle family.

[0004] In this context, a motor vehicle dashboard typically includes air vents that direct the airflow from a ventilation system into the passenger compartment. Since the quality of the finish and the aesthetic appearance of a dashboard are essential, the vents are generally covered with trim elements. Furthermore, it is not uncommon for driver-accessible controls to be located near a centrally positioned vent on the dashboard. Assembling such a dashboard requires numerous parts, thus increasing the diversity of components needed. Moreover, to prevent vibrations when the vehicle is in operation, the assembly of these parts must be reinforced with a strengthening component, which is sometimes insufficient to eliminate the overall robustness and vibration issues.Furthermore, each of these parts obviously requires its own mold, which increases production costs. Finally, the dashboard often comprises several distinct trim elements that must nevertheless have the same appearance and color. However, the multiplication of trim elements increases the risk that some of these elements will differ from others in their appearance and / or color.

[0005] Thus, there is a need for a solution that reduces the number of parts required to assemble an air diffuser and the controls located nearby, while avoiding any aesthetic defects and vibrations.

[0006] The present invention aims to overcome the problems described above. In this technical context, one objective of the present invention is to provide a front panel for assembling an air diffuser and at least one functional element, which also forms part of the dashboard trim, while limiting the number of parts required.

[0007] To this end, the present invention relates to a front panel for an air diffuser of a dashboard of a motor vehicle passenger compartment, the front panel being designed to allow the attachment of at least one air diffuser on the front panel and to form at least a first trim of the dashboard, the front panel comprising a first part designed to allow the attachment on the front panel of at least one functional element other than a diffuser, the front panel comprising a second part designed to allow the attachment of the front panel in the dashboard and to form a skeleton stiffening the front panel in order to limit vibrations in the dashboard when the front panel is mounted in the dashboard, the front panel being a single piece.

[0008] The invention also relates to a dashboard of a motor vehicle comprising at least one front panel according to the invention fixed in the dashboard, the dashboard further comprising a second dashboard trim, the first and second trims at least partially masking each second part.

[0009] The invention finally relates to a motor vehicle having a dashboard according to the invention.

[0010] Thus, the front panel according to the invention allows a diffuser, at least one functional element, and part of the trim to be attached to a dashboard according to the invention with a single, monolithic piece. The front panel according to the invention therefore reduces the number of parts required. Furthermore, the second part strengthens the assembly to limit vibration problems. Finally, the first trim piece prevents misalignment since it is located on a single piece. The front panel according to the invention therefore reduces the number of parts required for assembling the dashboard, limits the risk of visual defects in the trim, and limits the risk of unwanted vibrations.

[0011] According to one embodiment of the facade, the first trim has at least one surface designed to be painted.

[0012] According to one possibility of the front panel, the first part is designed to receive a plurality of controls that can be operated by a passenger of the vehicle, in particular a parking brake button.

[0013] Advantageously, the first trimming surrounds at least part of at least one control.

[0014] According to one embodiment of the front panel, the second part comprises a plurality of fixing tabs designed to allow the front panel to be fixed to the dashboard.

[0015] According to one possibility, the facade includes at least one housing designed to accommodate a diffuser.

[0016] According to one embodiment of the facade, the first trim is designed to extend at least one fin of the diffuser.

[0017] The invention will be better understood upon reading the following detailed description, given solely by way of non-limiting example and made with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0018] [Fig-1] [Fig. 1] represents a partial perspective view of a dashboard according to the invention seen from the passenger compartment and showing a front panel according to the invention integrated into the dashboard;

[0019] [Fig.2] [Fig.2] represents a partial perspective view of the dashboard of [Fig.1] seen from inside the dashboard and showing the second part of the front panel according to the invention;

[0020] In these figures, the same references are used to designate the same elements.

[0021] A front panel 1 according to the invention, illustrated in the figures, is designed to accommodate an air diffuser 2, in this case two diffusers 2, of a dashboard 3 according to the invention of a motor vehicle passenger compartment and to form at least a first trim 4 of the dashboard 3. In the example illustrated in the figures, the front panel 1 is integrated into the dashboard 3, which also includes a second trim 5 covering at least part of the front panel 1.

[0022] The facade 1 according to the invention is obtained, for example, by molding plastic material.

[0023] In order to receive each air diffuser 2, the front 1 has at least one housing 6, illustrated in [Fig.2], each allowing the attachment of an air diffuser 2.

[0024] In the example described, the first trim 4 has at least one surface 7 designed to be painted. In this case, in the example illustrated in [Fig. 1], the front 1 has four surfaces 7 intended to be painted.

[0025] The front 1 includes a first part 8 designed to allow the attachment to the front 1 of at least one functional element 9 other than a diffuser 2. As illustrated in [Fig.1], the first part 8 is designed to receive a plurality of controls 10 which can be operated by a passenger of the vehicle, in particular a parking brake button 11, illustrated in [Fig.1].

[0026] As illustrated in [Fig. 1], the first trim 4 surrounds at least partially at least one control 10. In the example described, the first trim 4 has a surface 7 intended to be painted and surrounding each control 10 and the button 11. Furthermore, the first trim 4 is designed to extend at least one fin 12 of the air diffuser 2. In addition, one of the surfaces 7 partially surrounds an air diffuser 2.

[0027] The front panel 1 further includes a second part 13 designed to allow the front panel 1 to be fixed in the dashboard 3 and to form a skeleton 14, visible in [Fig.2], stiffening the front panel 1 in order to limit vibrations in the dashboard 3, when the front panel 1 is mounted in the dashboard 3.

[0028] The facade 1 is a single piece.

[0029] The second part 13 includes, for example, a plurality of fixing tabs 15, illustrated in [Fig.2], designed to allow the front panel 1 to be fixed to the dashboard 3. The skeleton 14 is thus dimensioned to allow, among other things, the holding of the fixing tabs 15.

[0030] In the dashboard 3, as illustrated in [Fig.1], the first 4 and second 5 trim pieces conceal the second part 13.

[0031] Thus, the front panel 1 allows at least one diffuser 2, at least one functional element 9, and a portion of the trim to be fixed to the dashboard 3, all in a single, monobloc piece. The front panel 1 therefore reduces the number of parts required. Furthermore, the second part 13 reinforces the assembly to limit vibration problems. Finally, the first trim piece 4 prevents misalignment since it is a single piece.

[0032] The invention is not limited to the embodiment of the facade according to the invention described above, only by way of example, but other embodiments can be designed by a person skilled in the art without going out of the scope and extent of the present invention.

Claims

Demands

1. Fascia (1) for an air diffuser (2) of a dashboard (3) of a motor vehicle passenger compartment, the fascia (1) being designed to allow the attachment of at least one air diffuser (2) to the fascia (1) and to form at least a first trim (4) of the dashboard (3), the fascia (1) comprising a first part (8) designed to allow the attachment to the fascia (1) of at least one functional element (9) other than a diffuser (2), the fascia (1) comprising a second part (13) designed to allow the attachment of the fascia (1) in the dashboard (3) and to form a skeleton (14) stiffening the fascia (1) in order to limit vibrations in the dashboard (3) when the fascia (1) is mounted in the dashboard (3), the fascia (1) being a single piece.

2. Facade (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the first trim (4) has at least one surface (7) designed to be painted.

3. Facade (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the first part (8) is designed to receive a plurality of controls (10) operable by a passenger of the vehicle, in particular a parking brake button (11).

4. Facade (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that the first trim (4) surrounds at least in part at least one control (10).

5. Fascia (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the second part (13) comprises a plurality of fixing tabs (15) designed to allow the fascia (1) to be fixed to the dashboard (3).

6. Facade (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that it comprises at least one housing (6) designed to accommodate a diffuser (2).

7. Facade (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the first trim (4) is designed to extend at least one fin (12) of the diffuser (2).

8. Dashboard (3) of a motor vehicle comprising at least one front panel (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7 fixed in the dashboard (3), the dashboard (3) further comprising a second dashboard trim (5), the first (4)

9. and second (5) fillings masking at least partially each second part (13). Motor vehicle having a dashboard (3) according to claim 8.

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