A motor-vehicle dashboard assembly provided with a lower central structural portion and related manufacturing method

Abstract

A motor-vehicle dashboard assembly (1), comprising: - a load-bearing insert (3) having a passenger side area and a driver side area, - an aesthetic covering body (4) applied to the load-bearing insert (3), - a lower central structural portion (5) obtained between said passenger side area and said driver side area, wherein said lower central structural portion (5) protrudes frontally, with respect to said areas, towards a central area of the vehicle passenger compartment, so as to create, in the final assembled configuration of the vehicle, a general shape substantially shaped like a shelf surmounting a front portion of a vehicle central tunnel, - wherein said lower central structural portion (5) and said covering body (4) are made in a single piece, - a first structural reinforcement (6) rigidly connected along a part of the internal surface of the load-bearing insert (3), - a second structural reinforcement (7) associated with the first structural reinforcement (6) and rigidly connected along a further surface part of the load-bearing insert (3), so as to further reinforce the lower central structural portion (5) also at areas not covered by the first reinforcement (6).

Description

[0001] “A motor-vehicle dashboard assembly provided with a lower central structural portion and related manufacturing method”,

[0002] ****

[0003] TEXT OF THE DESCRIPTION

[0004] Field of the invention

[0005] The present invention relates, in general, to the field of motor-vehicle interiors and concerns, in particular, a dashboard assembly comprising:

[0006] - a load-bearing insert having a passenger side area and a driver side area,

[0007] - an aesthetic covering body applied to the load-bearing insert, having a front portion and an upper portion, wherein, in the final assembled configuration on the vehicle, the front area substantially faces towards the vehicle seats, and the upper area substantially faces towards the vehicle windscreen, wherein the covering body includes a main external surface visible from the outside and a corresponding main internal surface applied to the load-bearing insert,

[0008] - a lower central structural portion obtained between said passenger side area and said driver side area, wherein said lower central structural portion protrudes frontally, with respect to said areas, towards the vehicle passenger compartment, so as to create, in the final assembled configuration of the vehicle, a general shape substantially shaped like a shelf surmounting a front portion of a vehicle central tunnel,

[0009] - wherein said lower central structural portion and said covering body are made in a single piece.

[0010] Prior art

[0011] Document EP 3 880 542 B1 illustrates a motor-vehicle dashboard including the features reported above.

[0012] To date, the design of the dashboard assembly must be related to modem style demands and new concepts of internal habitability for passengers, which require an improvement in the perceived space in the passenger compartment, as well as a rethinking of the overall shape to provide the desired aesthetic features.

[0013] In some cases, the general shape of the dashboard must include a lower central portion that is particularly cantilevered, essentially creating a shelf that surmounts the front portion of the central tunnel. Due to this conformation, the lower central portion may be subject to particularly significant loads, also due to incorrect use of this part.

[0014] In this perspective, it is therefore felt necessary to develop a particularly effective solution to make this portion particularly resistant, with a related manufacturing method that is simple and low-cost.

[0015] Object of the invention

[0016] It is an object of the present invention to provide a motor-vehicle dashboard assembly equipped with a lower central portion as indicated above, which can meet said structural requirements.

[0017] A further object of the present invention is to provide such a solution using relatively simple and low-cost means to implement, respecting the expected tolerances and aesthetic features.

[0018] Summary of the invention

[0019] In order to achieve these aims, the invention has as its object a dashboard assembly and a related manufacturing method as indicated in the attached claims.

[0020] Brief description of the figures

[0021] Further features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description with reference to the attached drawings, provided purely by way of non-limiting example, in which:

[0022] - Figure 1 is a front perspective view of a motor-vehicle dashboard assembly, according to an embodiment,

[0023] - Figure 2 is a perspective view of a support crosspiece for supporting the dashboard assembly,

[0024] - Figures 3-6 are perspective views illustrating various assembly steps of the dashboard assembly, according to an embodiment.

[0025] Detailed description of several embodiments

[0026] In the following description, various specific details are illustrated for the purpose of a thorough understanding of examples of one or more embodiments. The embodiments may be made without one or more of the specific details, or with other methods, components, materials, etc.

[0027] In other cases, known structures, materials or operations are not shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring various aspects of the embodiments. Reference to “an / one embodiment” in this specification means that a particular configuration, structure or feature described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment.

[0028] Thus, phrases such as “in an / one embodiment,” which may appear in several places in this description, do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment.

[0029] Furthermore, particular configurations, structures or features may be appropriately combined in one or more embodiments and / or associated with embodiments in a way other than as illustrated herein, such that, for example, a feature exemplified herein in connection with one figure may be applied to one or more embodiments exemplified in a different figure.

[0030] The references illustrated here are for convenience only and therefore do not delimit the extent of protection or the scope of the embodiments.

[0031] In figure 1 , reference 1 indicates as a whole a motor-vehicle dashboard assembly. The dashboard assembly 1 extends substantially across the entire width of the vehicle passenger compartment, and is modelled to perform various functions, including making the instrument panel, various button panels, adjustment sliders, air vents, the infotainment system, etc. available for use.

[0032] Figure 2 is a perspective view illustrating a support crosspiece assembly 2, designed to support the dashboard assembly 1. The support crosspiece assembly 2 comprises a hollow main element 2’, of elongated shape, for example with a circular cross-section, intended for fixing to the body or chassis of the motor-vehicle, transversely to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle. In the embodiment illustrated in figure 2, the crosspiece assembly 2 comprises the main element 2’ and a fixing assembly 2” for connection to a part of the dashboard assembly 1 , as detailed below.

[0033] Returning to the perspective view of figure 1 , the dashboard assembly 1 comprises a load-bearing insert 3 spaced from one side of the passenger compartment to the other, including a driver side area, a central area set up for the installation of the infotainment system, and a passenger side area. According to different embodiments, the load-bearing insert 3 can be advantageously formed in a single piece or from multiple parts appropriately coupled together.

[0034] As is known, the dashboard assembly 1 can comprise decorative panels and / or aesthetic completion parts and / or finishing elements, so as to give the dashboard assembly 1 the desired aesthetic connotation and final shape, depending on the style requirements of the interior. In this perspective, according to a further feature illustrated in figure 1 , the dashboard assembly 1 also comprises an aesthetic covering body 4 applied on the load-bearing insert 3, which extends substantially from one side of the passenger compartment to the other.

[0035] More specifically, the covering body 4 may comprise a front area 4’, substantially facing towards the vehicle seats in the final assembled configuration of the vehicle, and an upper area 4”, substantially in proximity to the vehicle windscreen, again in the final assembled configuration. Overall, the covering body 4 comprises a main external surface visible from the outside and a corresponding main internal surface applied to the loadbearing insert 3.

[0036] According to a further feature illustrated in the attached drawings, the dashboard assembly 1 comprises a lower central structural portion 5, obtained between the driver side area and the passenger side area, which protrudes frontally towards a central area of the vehicle passenger compartment, so as to create a substantially shelf-like body surmounting the front portion of a vehicle central tunnel.

[0037] As illustrated in the attached drawings, the lower central structural portion 5 has a particularly protruded and narrow overall shape, which is substantially cantilevered with respect to the general plane of the dashboard. Precisely because of its shape, this lower central structural portion may be subjected to significant loads, due for example to improper use by the passenger, who could use this shelf shape to lean on, for example, when moving to another part of the passenger compartment.

[0038] In one or more embodiments, the lower central structural portion 5 is made of plastic material (for example PC+ABS or polypropylene loaded with talc / glass) or metal (for example aluminum). According to an essential feature of the present invention, the lower central structural portion 5 and the covering body 4 are made in a single piece. In other words, the aesthetic covering body 4 is shaped so as to also include said lower central structural portion 5 with said shelf-like shape surmounting the vehicle central tunnel.

[0039] With reference to the specific embodiment illustrated, the lower central structural body 5 includes a main opening 5’, useful for proceeding with the mounting of the dashboard assembly 1 , covered by an aesthetic escutcheon 8 illustrated in figure 6.

[0040] According to a further feature illustrated in figures 3, 4, the dashboard assembly 1 comprises a first structural reinforcement 6 rigidly connected along a part of the internal surface of the load-bearing insert 3, resulting in it being substantially extended along an internal side of the lower central structural portion 5.

[0041] In one or more embodiments, said first structural reinforcement 6 is welded and riveted to the load-bearing insert 3, substantially along the entire perimeter of the first reinforcement 6.

[0042] According to a further relevant feature illustrated in figure 4, the dashboard assembly 1 also comprises a second structural reinforcement 7 associated with the first structural reinforcement 6 and rigidly connected along a further surface portion of the load-bearing insert 3, so as to further reinforce the lower central structural portion 5 even at areas not covered by the first reinforcement 6.

[0043] In one or more embodiments, as illustrated in figure 4, the first reinforcement 6 is fixed along the entire protruding part of the lower central structural portion 5, while the second structural reinforcement 7 extends more towards a more central area of the insert 3.

[0044] In one or more embodiments, the second structural reinforcement 7 covers an area of the insert 3 significantly larger than the area covered by the first reinforcement 6.

[0045] In one or more embodiments, the first and second structural reinforcements 6, 7 are also mutually connected, in particular by welding.

[0046] According to a further feature, the lower central structural portion includes said aesthetic escutcheon 8, and a frontal completion aesthetic layer 9. The escutcheon 8 can be made, for example, of polycarbonate or polypropylene; the frontal completion aesthetic layer 9 can be made of PU- Spray coated plastic material.

[0047] In light of the previous features, it will therefore be appreciated that this option of dashboard assembly 1 has been defined to guarantee the robustness of a cantilevered structure in highly stressed areas and where the final layout of the dashboard is extremely complex (presence of control units, cable routes, air conditioning unit, etc.).

[0048] In a possible manufacturing method, the lower central structural portion 5 provided with said reinforcements 6, 7 is mounted on the fixing assembly 2” of the support crosspiece 2.

[0049] In light of the structural features described above, the present invention also refers to a manufacturing method for achieving the dashboard assembly 1 , comprising the structural insert 3, the covering body 4 and the lower central structural portion 5 made in a single piece, and the two reinforcements 6, 7.

[0050] A possible manufacturing method of the dashboard assembly 1 as described above may comprise:

[0051] - providing the covering body 4 including the lower central structural portion with a cantilevered shape with respect to a general plane of the dashboard,

[0052] - assembling the covering body 4 on the load-bearing insert 3,

[0053] - assembling the first and second structural reinforcement 6, 7 on the load-bearing insert 3, in association with the lower central structural portion 5,

[0054] - mounting the dashboard assembly 1 on the crosspiece assembly 2, in particular the lower central structural portion 5 on the fixing assembly 2”,

[0055] - completing the lower central structural portion 5 by assembling said aesthetic escutcheon 8 and said frontal completion aesthetic layer 9.

[0056] Of course, notwithstanding the principle of the invention, the construction details and the embodiments may vary with respect to what is described and illustrated purely by way of example, without thereby departing from the scope of the present invention as defined in the attached claims.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A motor-vehicle dashboard assembly (1 ), comprising:- a load-bearing insert (3) having a passenger side area and a driver side area,- an aesthetic covering body (4) applied to the load-bearing insert (3), having a front area (4’) and an upper area (4”), wherein, in the final assembled configuration on the vehicle, the front area (4’) substantially faces towards the vehicle seats, and the upper area (4”) substantially faces towards the vehicle windscreen, wherein the covering body (4) includes a main external surface visible from the outside and a corresponding main internal surface applied to the load-bearing insert (3),- a lower central structural portion (5) obtained between said passenger side area and said driver side area, wherein said lower central structural portion (5) protrudes frontally, with respect to said areas, towards the vehicle passenger compartment, so as to create, in the final assembled configuration of the vehicle, a general shape substantially shaped like a shelf surmounting a front portion of a vehicle central tunnel,- wherein said lower central structural portion (5) and said covering body (4) are made in a single piece, said dashboard assembly (1 ) being characterized in that it also comprises:- a first structural reinforcement (6) rigidly connected along a part of the internal surface of the load-bearing insert (3), substantially extending along an internal side of the lower central structural portion (5),- a second structural reinforcement (7) associated with the first structural reinforcement (6) and rigidly connected along a further part of the internal surface of the load-bearing insert (3), so as to further reinforce the lower central structural portion (5) also at areas not covered by the first reinforcement (6).

2. The dashboard assembly (1 ) according to claim 1 , wherein said first structural reinforcement (6) is welded and riveted to the load-bearing insert (3), substantially along the entire perimeter of the first reinforcement (6).

3. The dashboard assembly (1 ) according to claim 1 or 2, whereinthe first reinforcement (6) is fixed along the entire protruding part of the lower central structural portion (5), while the second structural reinforcement (7) extends towards a more central area of the insert (3).

4. The dashboard assembly (1 ) according to any of the previous claims, wherein the first and second structural reinforcements (6, 7) are mutually connected, in particular by welding.

5. The dashboard assembly (1 ) according to any of the previous claims, wherein the lower central structural portion (5) includes a main opening (5’).

6. The dashboard assembly (1 ) according to claim 5, comprising an aesthetic escutcheon (8) mounted to cover said main opening (5’), and an aesthetic layer (9) for completing frontally the lower central structural portion (5).

7. The dashboard assembly (1 ) according to any of the previous claims, comprising a support crosspiece assembly (2) including a hollow main element (2’) of elongated shape and a fixing assembly (2”) connected to said lower central structural portion (5).

8. A method for manufacturing a motor-vehicle dashboard assembly(1 ) according to any of the previous claims, comprising the following steps:- providing the covering body (4) including the lower central structural portion (5),- assembling the covering body (4) on the load-bearing insert (3),- assembling the first and second structural reinforcement (6, 7) on the load-bearing insert (3), in association with the lower central structural portion (5),- mounting the dashboard assembly (1 ) on the crosspiece assembly(2), in particular the lower central structural portion (5) on the fixing assembly (2”),- completing the lower central structural portion (5) by assembling said aesthetic escutcheon (8) and said aesthetic layer (9).

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