Dashboard support.

Abstract

The invention relates to a dashboard support (1) designed to allow the attachment of constituent elements of a motor vehicle dashboard, the dashboard support (1) being designed to be attached to a dashboard crossmember, the support (1) comprising at least one vertical member (9), each designed to extend along a strut (3) of the crossmember, each vertical member (9) having at least one opening (10) provided in the support (1) to allow a dashboard element (5) to bear against the strut (3), each opening (10) being delimited by a perimeter (12), the support (1) comprising at least one attachment interface (13), each of which is provided on a portion of one perimeter (12) and is designed to make it possible to attach to the support (1) a dashboard element (5) at least partially introduced into the corresponding opening (10).

Description

Description Title of the invention: Dashboard support

[0001] The present invention claims priority from French application 2312735 filed on November 20, 2023, the content of which (text, drawings and claims) is incorporated herein by reference. The technical field relates to dashboard supports, dashboards comprising such a support and motor vehicles equipped with such dashboards.

[0002] Car manufacturers take great care to improve the comfort of their vehicles' passengers. Furthermore, for car manufacturers, the quality of their vehicles' finish, their aesthetic aspects, and the features offered are essential to stand out from other brands. A center console, which provides storage solutions arranged between the front seats, represents an important element of comfort and aesthetics for customers and users of a vehicle. Of course, car manufacturers seek to maximize the volumes of storage spaces offered by the console while respecting the constraints defined by their architects, particularly those responsible for ergonomics and style.

[0003] A console is usually attached to a support structure to which each element of the dashboard is attached. The support structure is itself attached to a dashboard crossmember that extends across the passenger compartment and forms the backbone of the dashboard. To enable, among other things, the attachment of the console, the support structure usually has two vertical uprights between which the console is arranged and attached. Each upright surrounds a strut of the crossmember, which serves to reinforce the support structure.

[0004] To maintain style and conceal items stored in console storage areas, some storage spaces are equipped with sliding curtains. Sliding curtains require rails on either side of the curtain to allow the curtain to slide. To maximize the curtain's dimensions and facilitate access to the storage space it conceals, the rails, usually attached to a console frame, are positioned to rest on the uprights of the support structure. The spacing of the uprights thus limits the width of the sliding curtain.

[0005] Thus, there is a need for a solution that allows the dimensions of a sliding curtain installed on a central console to be increased while preserving the strength of the console assemblies on the dashboard.

[0006] 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 support making it possible to widen the width of a sliding curtain arranged between two struts of a dashboard crossmember.

[0007] To this end, the present invention relates to a dashboard support designed to allow the fixing of constituent elements of a dashboard of a motor vehicle, the dashboard support being designed to be fixed to a dashboard crossmember, the support comprising at least one upright, each designed to extend along a strut of the crossmember, each upright comprising at least one opening provided in the support to allow the support of a dashboard element against the strut, each opening being delimited by a periphery, the support comprising at least one fixing interface each provided on a part of a periphery and designed to allow the fixing to the support of a dashboard element at least partly introduced into the corresponding opening.

[0008] The invention also relates to a dashboard comprising a dashboard crossmember adapted to extend horizontally across the passenger compartment, the crossmember having at least one strut, each adapted to extend vertically from the crossmember, the dashboard having a dashboard support according to the invention fixed to the dashboard crossmember, each upright extending along a strut.

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

[0010] Thus, the support according to the invention allows the attachment of a dashboard element to enable a dashboard to be assembled. In the reception space arranged between two struts, the support according to the invention allows space to be saved since the space arranged between the strut and the support, including the thickness of the support, is freed up at each opening to allow the passage of a part of the dashboard element. The fixing interface allows, for its part, to reinforce the support around the opening, which is likely to weaken the support. Thus, fixing a dashboard element on the support allows space to be saved while preserving the strength of the support. When the dashboard element is a central console, each opening allows, for example, to free up space for fixing the rails of a sliding curtain. Consequently, the support according to the invention makes it possible to provide a dashboard according to the invention in which a sliding curtain has an increased width, without modifying the distance between two struts.

[0011] According to one embodiment of the invention, each opening has an L shape. Thus, one branch of the L shape allows the passage of a portion of the dashboard element while the other branch of the L allows the insertion of a dashboard trim element into the opening to obtain a suitable fit.

[0012] According to one possibility of the dashboard support, at least one fixing interface comprises centering means designed to interact with complementary centering means of the dashboard element in order to guarantee the relative positioning of the dashboard element with respect to the support.

[0013] Advantageously, the centering means comprise a centering orifice designed to accommodate a centering crosspiece of the complementary centering means projecting from the dashboard element.

[0014] In one embodiment of the dashboard support according to the invention, the fixing interface comprises first fixing means designed to allow the dashboard element to be fixed to the support.

[0015] Advantageously, the first fixing means comprise a metal nut secured to the support and designed to accommodate a fixing screw.

[0016] According to one possibility of the dashboard support, the fixing interface comprises second fixing means designed to allow the support to be fixed to a strut of the dashboard crossmember.

[0017] According to one possibility of the dashboard, the crossmember has two struts delimiting a reception space, a dashboard element, constituting a central console, being fixed to the support and being introduced into the reception space and into at least one opening of the support.

[0018] The invention will be better understood upon reading the detailed description which follows, given solely as a non-limiting example and made with reference to the appended drawings in which:

[0019] [Fig. 1] Figure 1 represents a partial perspective view of a dashboard according to the invention comprising a dashboard element constituting a central console;

[0020] [Fig. 2] Figure 2 represents a detail view of the dashboard of Figure 1 showing an opening in the dashboard support;

[0021] [Fig. 3] Figure 3 represents a detailed view of the fixing interface of the support implemented in the dashboard of Figure 1, before assembly of the central console;

[0022] In these figures, the same references are used to designate the same elements.

[0023] A dashboard support 1 according to the invention, illustrated in the figures, is designed to allow the fixing of constituent elements of a dashboard 2, illustrated in Figure 1, of a motor vehicle according to the invention.

[0024] The dashboard support 1 is designed to be attached to a dashboard crossmember. The crossmember is designed to extend horizontally across the passenger compartment, by means of a transverse tube, and has at least one strut 3, in this case two struts 3, each designed to extend vertically from the transverse tube of the crossmember. The two struts 3 delimit between them a reception space 4 designed to accommodate a dashboard element 5 constituting, for example, a central console 6, partially illustrated in FIG. 1. In the example illustrated in the figures, the dashboard element 5 is a storage compartment 7 provided with a sliding curtain 8.

[0025] The support 1 comprises at least one upright 9, each designed to extend along a strut 3 of the cross member. Each upright 9 comprises at least one opening 10, illustrated in particular in FIG. 2, formed in the support 1 to allow the dashboard element 5 to pass through and possibly the dashboard element 5 to rest against the strut 3. In this case, the storage compartment 7 has two rails 11, each occupying at least part of an opening 10, when the storage compartment 7 is fixed to the support 1. The rails 11 allow the sliding curtain 8 to slide.

[0026] As illustrated in Figure 2, each opening 10 is delimited by a perimeter 12 and the support 1 comprises at least one fixing interface 13 each provided on a part of a perimeter 12. Each fixing interface 13 is designed to allow the fixing to the support 1 of the dashboard element 5 at least partly introduced into the corresponding opening 10.

[0027] As illustrated in Figure 2, each opening 10 has an L shape. For example, each interface 13 is arranged between the two branches of the L shape. One branch of the L shape, arranged opposite the reception space 4, thus allows the passage of the pocket 7 while the other branch of the L shape allows the passage of a covering element not illustrated. The opening 10 therefore allows the dashboard element 5, in this case the storage compartment 7 or the trim element, to rest and / or pass against the strut 3. It should be noted that the support of the dashboard element 5 against the strut 3 makes it possible, for example, to facilitate assembly. However, in the dashboard 2 according to the invention, the dashboard element 5 is possibly spaced from the strut 3, for example, by assembly clearances.

[0028] As illustrated in Figures 2 and 3, each fixing interface 13 comprises centering means 14 designed to interact with complementary centering means 15, illustrated in Figure 3, of the dashboard element 5 in order to guarantee the relative positioning of the dashboard element 5 with respect to the support 1. In the example of Figure 3, the centering means 14 comprise a centering orifice 16 designed to receive a centering crosspiece 17 projecting from the dashboard element 5. The centering orifice 16 is sized to interact with the centering crosspiece 17 and control the approach of the dashboard element 5 to the support 1, during its assembly.

[0029] The fixing interface 13 further comprises first fixing means 18 designed to allow the dashboard element 5 to be fixed to the support 1. In this case, the first fixing means 18 comprise a metal nut 19 secured to the support 1 and designed to accommodate a fixing screw 20, illustrated in FIG. 3, allowing the dashboard element 5 to be fixed to the support 1. The fixing screw 20 is, for example, an M6 type screw.

[0030] The fixing interface 13 further comprises second fixing means 21 designed to allow the fixing of the support 1 on a strut 3 of the dashboard crossmember. For example, the second fixing means 21 have a fixing surface 22 into which a self-tapping screw 23 is screwed, designed to pierce the corresponding strut 3. In order to facilitate the fixing of the support 1, the strut 3 has, for example, a metal tab, not shown, welded to the strut 3 and positioned so as to be pierced by the self-tapping screw 23 when fixing the support 1 to the strut 3.

[0031] Advantageously, the conformation of the fixing interface 13, as illustrated in the figures, in which the first fixing means 18 are arranged between the centering means 14 and the second fixing means 21 gives the support 1 adequate rigidity, in particular rigidity making it possible to guarantee the absence of breakage under the effect of the vibrations generated during operation of the vehicle.

[0032] Thus, the support 1 allows the dashboard element 5 to be fixed to allow the dashboard 2 according to the invention to be assembled. In the reception space 4 arranged between the two struts 3, the support 1 allows space to be saved since the space arranged between the strut 3 and the support 1, including the thickness of the support 1, is freed up at each opening 10. The fixing interface 13 allows, for its part, to reinforce the support 1 around the opening 10, which could weaken the support 1. Thus, the fixing of the dashboard element 5 on the support 1 allows space to be saved while preserving the solidity of the support 1. Consequently, the support 1 according to the invention makes it possible to propose a dashboard 2 whose sliding curtain 8 has an increased width compared to known solutions without modifying the distance between the two struts 3.

[0033] The invention is not limited to the embodiment of the board support 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. Dashboard support (1) designed to allow the fixing of constituent elements of a dashboard (2) of a motor vehicle, the dashboard support (1) being designed to be fixed to a dashboard crossmember, the support (1) comprising at least one upright (9), each designed to extend along a strut (3) of the crossmember, each upright (9) comprising at least one opening (10) provided in the support (1) to allow the support of a dashboard element (5) against the strut (3), each opening (10) being delimited by a periphery (12), the support (1) comprising at least one fixing interface (13) each provided on a part of a periphery (12) and designed to allow the fixing to the support (1) of a dashboard element (5) at least partly introduced into the corresponding opening (10).

2. Board support (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that each opening (10) has an L shape.

3. Dashboard support (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that at least one fixing interface (13) comprises centering means (14) designed to interact with complementary centering means (15) of the dashboard element (5) in order to guarantee the relative positioning of the dashboard element (5) with respect to the support (1).

4. Dashboard support (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that the centering means (14) comprise a centering orifice (16) designed to accommodate a centering crosspiece (17) of the complementary centering means (15) projecting from the dashboard element (5).

5. Dashboard support (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the fixing interface (13) comprises first fixing means (18) designed to allow the fixing of the dashboard element (5) on the support (1).

6. Board support (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that the first fixing means (18) comprise a metal nut (19) secured to the support (1) and designed to accommodate a fixing screw (20).

7. Dashboard support (1) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the fixing interface (13) comprises second fixing means (21) designed to allow the support (1) to be fixed to a strut (3) of the dashboard crossmember.

8. Dashboard (2) comprising a dashboard crossmember adapted to extend horizontally across the passenger compartment, the crossmember having at least one strut (3), each adapted to extend vertically from the crossmember, the dashboard (2) having a dashboard support (1) according to one of claims 1 to 7 fixed on the dashboard crossmember, each upright (9) extending along a strut (3).

9. Dashboard (2) according to claim 8, characterized in that the crosspiece has two struts (3) delimiting a reception space (4), a dashboard element (5), constituting a central console (6), being fixed to the support (1) and being introduced into the reception space (4) and into at least one opening (10) of the support (1).

10. Motor vehicle having a dashboard (2) according to claim 8 or 9.

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