WO2008012090A1

WO2008012090A1 - Instrument panel and motor vehicles

Info

Publication number: WO2008012090A1
Application number: PCT/EP2007/006635
Authority: WO
Inventors: Christo Gavrilov; Marco Braun; Steve Kober
Original assignee: Faurecia Innenraum Systeme Gmbh
Priority date: 2006-07-26
Filing date: 2007-07-26
Publication date: 2008-01-31
Also published as: DE102006035591A1; DE102006035591B4

Abstract

The invention relates to a crossmember-free suspension of a Head-Up display (12) on a self-supporting instrument panel (100) and/or on a steering column arrangement (1), not being connected to a crossmember (101).

Description

Instrument panel and motor vehicle

The invention relates to an instrument panel and a motor vehicle with a steering column assembly and an instrument panel.

Usually, the main loads in the vehicle interior of a vehicle, in particular the load by a steering column or an instrument panel, are absorbed by a so-called. Cross member made of metal. Such cross members extend between two A-pillars of a body of the vehicle and may additionally be fixed to a center tunnel and in the region of the steering column with a cowl.

In future, the aim is to dispense with the cross member, since the elimination of additional space would be available inside a dashboard. The problem is, however, that both the instrument panel, and the steering column, as well as a Variety of applications, such. As air conditioning, head-up display (HUD) and on-board electronics, can no longer be attached to the cross member.

Typically, the connection of a HUD is implemented via a connection to a cross member and a cowl as a construction of one or more welded sheet metal parts. Such a construction requires a lot of installation space, which makes the positioning of the HUD extremely difficult. The weight of the HUD is supported by the cross member.

The steering column is loaded in a substantially vertical direction, for example, by the fact that the driver is supported on the associated steering wheel. Furthermore, loads due to the weight of the steering column are present. Motor vibrations or poor road surfaces can cause vibrations in the steering column and thus further loads, especially in the horizontal direction.

To accommodate these loads and damping of unwanted vibrations known cross member are particularly resistant to bending and torsionally formed. Disadvantage is that the cross member so that relatively difficult and in many cases, especially for other vehicle elements, must also be designed unfavorable space requirements.

Object of the present invention is thus to provide a receptacle for a head-up display, which is not attached to the cross member, and ensures a simple and stable installation of the head-up display.

The task is supported by a self-supporting instrument tentafel according to claim 1 and a motor vehicle with self-supporting instrument panel and steering column assembly according to claim 8 solved.

The self-supporting instrument panel of claim 1 has the advantage that the HUD is directly or directly connected or connectable to the self-supporting instrument panel by a frame on the receptacle, which has at least one recording stiffener. Thus, the assembly of both the head-up display on the instrument panel, as well as the instrument panel in the vehicle itself is facilitated. The HUD can be easily attached by means of the recording, so that the direction and position of the projection of the HUD leads through the passage for the optical signal of the head-up display. Thus, a concatenation of fault tolerances is avoided since head-up display and instrument panel are already positioned in such a way to each other before the installation of the instrument panel in the motor vehicle that the HUD device can project easily on the windshield.

Another advantage is that the HUD is decoupled from the low natural frequency of the cross member or the steering column and their indirect connection to the cross member, resulting in advantages in the vibration behavior of the HUDs. This advantage is due, in particular, to the fact that plastics have better damping properties than steels or metals, from which the cross members are usually shaped. Furthermore, the HUD can be decoupled strongly from the engine vibrations in the lower frequency range when mounted exclusively on the instrument panel. Thus, the quality of the projected image improves compared to the state of the art. nik.

Advantageous developments are described in the dependent claims.

Due to the fact that at least one receiving reinforcement is formed at least partially, preferably completely by the stiffeners in the vehicle longitudinal direction and / or to the transverse direction, components of the instrument panel reinforcement can already be defined as stable receiving points for the head-up display by appropriate design. At the same time, the weight of the instrument panel is kept low.

Advantageously, the at least one encloses

Pickup Reinforcement A portion of the inside of the instrument panel so that the HUD or frame of the HUD can be attached circumferentially to multiple edges.

Furthermore, it is advantageous if the head-up display is arranged above a steering column arrangement so as to allow the shortest possible path between the windshield and head-up display.

The subject matter of claim 8 provides a motor vehicle with a self-supporting instrument panel and a steering column assembly comprising a steering column and at least one respectively connected to the steering column tie strut and compression strut, which are provided for a rigid, resilient attachment of the steering column to a vehicle body, said means the tension strut, the steering column with a cowl of a vehicle body is connectable, and by means of the pressure strut, the steering column with an end wall of a vehicle body is connectable, so that tie rod and compression strut in the vertical plane span an angle and the tension strut by a force applied via the steering column vertically downward force in the direction of the alignment of the tension strut to train (ie, the tension strut is "pulled apart" by the applied forces) and the strut in the direction the orientation of the strut to pressure (ie, the strut is "compressed" by the forces acting on it).

According to the invention, the at least one tension strut and the at least one strut in the case of at least vertical loads on the steering column, including the burden of the weight of the steering column bear the brunt. A commonly provided, between two A-pillars of a body extending stable cross member made of metal is therefore not necessary to support the steering column. According to the invention it is thus possible to dispense with a cross member of this type. Advantages include reducing weight and creating extra space.

The division of the steering column connection in the direction of the runway offers decisive advantages, in particular for the connection of a head-up display.

By means of the steering column arrangement according to the invention, not only can sufficient space be made available for a HUD, but there are also suitable attachment points without having to make a support on the crossbeam. The attachment of a HUD can for example take place on the pressure and / or on the tension struts, wherein preferably the pressure strut extends below the HUD and the tension struts extend laterally therefrom. Preferably, the at least one tension strut and the at least one pressure strut are designed such that solely by these in a connected to a vehicle body as described above, a displacement of the steering column at a vertically downward force on the upper end of the steering column (ie the end at which the steering wheel is usually located) of 400N, preferably of 650N, of at most up to lmm, measured at the upper end of the steering column in the direction of force, is possible.

At the first indicated value of 400N, it is advantageous if the steering column is supported by additional elements for power absorption. For example, the steering column could additionally be connected to a suitably designed self-supporting instrument panel.

In the case where the arrangement is designed for a force of 650N as described above, such additional supports are not necessary. Alone through the struts, the steering column assembly can be sufficiently resilient connected to a body.

The at least one compression strut and the at least one tension strut are preferably connectable to a body in a manner described above such that the strut and tension strut define therebetween an angle in the range of 10 ° to 120 °, preferably 30 ° and 90 °. Preferably, the at least one tension strut is connectable to a cowl such that they are at an angle in the range of 10 ° to 80 °, preferably 30 ° to 60 °, relative to a vertically downwardly extending reference line (the example may correspond to the orientation of an end wall) in the direction of the vehicle interior is inclined.

The orientation of the tension or compression strut is given by the attachment points on the one hand to the steering column, and on the other to the appropriate, suitable points of a vehicle body, in particular on a cowl or an end wall, in particular a front wall support.

The at least one tension strut can be connected directly to the steering column. Alternatively, it is possible to connect the tension strut directly to the strut. The strut can be connected directly to the steering column. As an alternative to this, a mounting plate may be provided between the steering column and the strut, on one side of which the at least one strut is fixed directly to the other side of the steering column.

Preferably, the struts consist at least partially of a metal, for example steel, a light metal, for example aluminum or magnesium, or a plastic, in particular a fiber-reinforced plastic.

Furthermore, the struts are preferably formed as a flat element, for example as a sheet, or as a rod-shaped element, for example in the form of a solid or a hollow tube.

An advantageous development of the invention provides that the steering column assembly has at least one transverse strut, which is connected to the steering column and in substantially horizontal direction with a vehicle body, preferably with a A pillar of a vehicle body, can be connected to the horizontal stiffening of the steering column assembly.

By such a stiffening in the horizontal direction, it is for example possible to suppress vibrations of the steering column, in particular with low natural frequencies.

Preferably, the transverse strut is integrated in the instrument panel, in particular the instrument panel is designed in such a way, for example by stiffening, that it assumes the function of the transverse strut.

Alternatively, the cross member is formed as a separate component, for example, in a manner as indicated for compression and tension strut.

If required, for further attachment / support of the steering column, a further strut between the steering column and a center tunnel can be used. This can be designed in a way as was specified for compression and tension strut.

A further development provides that at least two tension struts and at least one compression strut or at least one tension strut and at least two compression struts are provided, wherein the at least two struts in the horizontal plane at a distance from each other on the right side and left side of the steering column with an end wall are connected or at least two tie rods in the horizontal plane at a distance from each other on the right side and left side of the steering column with a cowl are connectable. As a result, a construction is produced which can not only better distribute forces due to a further strut, but also makes it possible to additionally stiffen the steering column in the horizontal direction.

In the event that at least two tie rods are provided, preferably the distance of the two tie rods between their attachment points on the steering column or on the strut in the range of 50mm to 250mm. Furthermore, the two tension struts are preferably arranged such that they open towards the cowl with an opening angle in the range of 0 ° (parallel arrangement of the tension struts) to 60 °, particularly preferably from 0 ° to 20 °.

As a result, we created enough space in the area of the steering column, which can be advantageously utilized in particular for the arrangement of a HUD.

A further advantageous embodiment provides that the struts are substantially rectilinear in shape.

By a rectilinear shape of the struts is a direct, direct power transmission from the attachment points on the steering column or, in the case of the tie rods, alternatively on the at least one compression strut, to the possible attachment points, in particular on a vehicle body possible. Since the struts are optimally adapted in their shape to the flow of force, they can be formed with a small space requirement (for example, a curved strut for achieving a comparable rigidity in the loading direction would require a higher material thickness). A further advantageous embodiment of the invention provides that the steering column assembly is formed as a separate component.

According to the invention, the steering column arrangement is an independent component. This makes it possible, the steering column assembly independently of other components, in particular independent of an instrument panel, an instrument panel or a

Cross member to manufacture. Furthermore, this makes it possible to mount the steering column assembly as a single component, for example on a vehicle body and also to dismantle, which in the case of necessary repairs or replacement, for example, the steering column, is extremely advantageous.

Alternatively, it is of course possible to integrate pressure, tension and / or transverse strut (s) in other vehicle components, for example in an instrument panel arrangement, in particular an instrument panel carrier.

A further advantageous embodiment provides that the at least one pressure strut is connected directly to the steering column.

In known steering column assemblies, a so-called "mounting plate" is usually provided. The mounting plate serves as an aid for the attachment of the

Steering column on a cross member. As an interface between these two components, this usually has screw points in the horizontal direction for attachment of the steering column and in the vertical direction for attachment to the cross member. According to the invention, it is possible to dispense with such a mounting plate, which is generally relatively heavy and requires a relatively large amount of space. For this example, the struts, preferably the strut, be connected directly to the steering column. For example, screw points may be present on the strut on which the steering column can be fastened. This can save a lot of weight and space.

Alternatively, the struts, in particular due to their position, the strut, be at least partially integrated in the steering column.

The invention will be explained in more detail with reference to exemplary embodiments, which are represented by a plurality of figures. It shows

Fig. 1 shows a mounting of the HUD according to the prior art;

2a shows a self-supporting instrument panel according to the invention with recording and head-up display;

FIG. 2b shows a self-supporting instrument panel according to the invention from the perspective of a passenger; FIG.

Fig. 3 shows an alternative cross-carrier attachment of the head-up display to a steering column assembly.

In Fig. 1, the attachment of a head-up display according to the prior art is shown. Shown here is a steering column assembly 1, which extends to a large extent within an instrument panel 100, wherein both the steering column assembly 1 and the instrument panel 100 are fixed to the cross member 101. The steering column assembly 1 has a tension strut 3 and a compression strut 4, which are fastened to a cowl 5 or to the end wall 6 and / or the end wall support 10.

The instrument panel 100 is, as in modern

Motor vehicles usual, made of plastic or to a large extent made of plastic. Since these do not provide sufficient strength or stability, the HUD 12 is not attached to the inside of the instrument panel 100, but on the cowl 5 and the cross member 101.

In such an attachment, the HUD 12 is first fixed to the cross member 101 and then aligned with the application of the instrument panel 100 to this, creating a long tolerance error chain and a corresponding installation effort arises. Furthermore, by connecting the HUD 12 to the cross member 101, this is coupled to the natural frequency of the cross member 101 and the steering column assembly 1. The natural frequency of the steering is due to the high mass despite connection to metal carrier components at relatively low values. Calculations have shown that the natural frequency of the steering in particular is lower than that of components which directly to the plastic structure such. b. Glove compartment or airbag are connected. Due to the direct connection of the HUD 12 to the body (via the cowl 5, end wall 6 and cross member 101), motor vibrations are also forwarded, which severely impair the quality of the projected image.

In Fig. 2a, a self-supporting instrument panel made of plastic according to the invention is shown. Although the cross member 101 of a self-supporting instrument panel structure 100 is not necessary, it is drawn to demonstrate that attachment of the HUD 12 to the cross member 101 is no longer necessary.

The HUD 12 is connected via fasteners 13 with the receiving stiffeners 121 of the receptacle 120. In the cross section shown here, it is easy to see that the HUD 12 is no longer attached to body parts such as the cowl 5 or the end wall 6 or the cross member 101. In this way, the HUD 12 is almost completely decoupled from the engine vibrations or decoupled low natural frequencies of the cross member 101. With the help of the receptacle and stiffening stirrups, the problem is solved that, on the one hand, the HUD 12 can be fastened to the instrument panel 100 and, on the other hand, because of the plastic material, the instrument panel 100 with the HUD 12 have a different natural frequency structure than the engine compartment vibrations.

Instead of the screw connections, it is also conceivable for the connections between the HUD 12 and the stiffening stiffeners 121 to be realized by guide rails embedded in the stiffening stiffeners 121, into which the HUD 12 or a frame of the HUD is inserted, in which case a latching mechanism would be beneficial for securely locking the HUD. Simple Verklipsungen between the HUD 12 and the HUD frame and the stiffening stiffeners 121 are conceivable.

As mentioned above, neither the steering column assembly 1 nor the HUD 12 are fixed to the cross member 101. This is possible because the instrument panel made of synthetic material is a self-supporting instrument panel, which by means of stiffeners, which in vehicle longitudinal direction or in the vehicle transverse direction, has a sufficiently high intrinsic stability. This will be discussed in Fig. 2b.

The self-supporting instrument panel can be seen from the passenger compartment. For clarity, the various (running on the inside of the instrument panel) stiffeners of the self-supporting instrument panel 100, which extend in the vehicle transverse direction (stiffeners 110) and the vehicle longitudinal direction (stiffeners 110 '), visible. For higher stability, the receiving stiffeners 121 and / or stiffeners 110, HO ^{1 have} a honeycomb-like structure. In addition, the instrument panel is constructed such that the stiffeners 110, HO ¹ o- the surface alone is not stable, but because of the cohesive connection are very stable. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2b, the stiffening stiffeners are part of the stiffeners 110, 110 'running in the vehicle longitudinal and transverse directions of the vehicle. Thus, no additional components for receiving the HUDs are needed. The receptacle 120 is completely enclosed by the receiving reinforcement 121. In the receptacle 120 is a recess 122 through which the projection beam of the underlying HUD occurs and generates a projection on the windshield.

The steering column assembly 1 according to claim 8 includes a steering column 2, which receives a jacket tube 12, two connected to the steering column tie rods 3 and a strut 4, which are provided for a rigid, resilient attachment of the steering column 2 to a vehicle body. This variant of the crossbeam-free attachment of a HUD is shown in FIG. 3. For simplicity, the instrument panel is not shown.

By means of the tie rods 3, 3 ', the steering column 2 is connected to a cowl 5 belonging to the vehicle body. By means of the compression strut 4, the steering column 2 is connected to an end wall 6 belonging to the vehicle body in the region of an end wall support 10.

Pull struts 3,3 'and strut 4 stretch between them in the vertical plane (XZ plane) at an angle α, which is α = 44 ° in this embodiment. Furthermore, the tie rods 3 are connected to the cowl 5 such that this order an angle ß of 60 ° with respect to a vertically downwardly extending reference line (z-direction) are inclined in the direction of the vehicle interior.

The two tie rods 3,3 'are arranged in a common plane left and right side of the steering column 2. Both tie rods are connected to the one end directly to the cowl 5 and the other end directly to the strut 4. At the connection point on the strut 4, the distance between them is 200 mm. The tie rods 3,3 'open to the cowl 5 out at an opening angle of 20 °.

By a force applied via the steering column 2 vertically downward force F are the tension struts

3,3 'in the direction of alignment of the tie rods 3,3' on train F _z , and the strut 4 in the direction of alignment of the strut 4 to pressure F _D charged. The orientation of the tie rods 3,3 'and the strut 4 is characterized by the respective attachment points on the strut 4, the cowl 5 and given on the end wall support 10 and the steering column 2.

With the pressure strut 4, which is aligned parallel to the steering column 2 a, the tension struts 3, 3 'thus span a construction with which a good stiffening of the steering column arrangement is achieved with a relatively low constructional outlay. Alternatively, it is also possible to provide two instead of one compression strut 4, and one instead of two tension struts 3 in an arrangement similar to the above. The space between the struts is available for the arrangement of further vehicle components, in particular a HUD 12.

The steering column assembly 2 may additionally comprise a transverse strut, which could connect the steering column 2 with an A-pillar of the motor vehicle. This cross member may also be formed as part of the self-supporting instrument panel. The purpose is the horizontal stiffening of the steering column assembly.

The tie rods 3,3 'are formed in this embodiment by rectilinear metal sheets.

The strut 4 is formed as a plate-shaped element made of metal. It is additionally stiffened by ribs to absorb the pressure forces can. The strut 4 has screw points, via which the steering column 2 is connected to the strut 4. A mounting plate, as usual in the rule, is not provided. Furthermore, the compression strut 4 screwing points for the connection of the tie rods 3,3 'and the cross member 7 on.

The tie rods 3 and the strut 4 are such designed so that solely by these in a connected to a vehicle body as described above, a displacement of the steering column at a vertical downward force F on the upper end of the steering column of 650N of at most up to lmm, measured at the upper end of the steering column in the direction of force , is possible.

The steering column assembly 1 is connected via the tie rods 3 and the strut 4 and the cross member 7 releasably connected to the cowl, the end wall support or the A-pillar of the vehicle body. In this embodiment, this releasable connection is achieved by screw. By such compounds, it is possible, on the one hand to achieve a stable attachment of the steering column assembly to said components, on the other hand to subsequently remove the steering column assembly Ia again. The steering column assembly 1 is thus formed as an independent, self-contained component.

The strut 4 is not directly connected to the steering column 2. Thus, by moving the strut 11, the steering column 2 can be secured in different positions. The advantage is that standard steering systems, as they are delivered, can be adopted without having to modify the manufacturing or assembly process. The subsequent attachment of a HUD is also possible.

Furthermore, between the two tie rods 3,3 'and above the strut 4, a HUD 12 is arranged. The HUD 12 is attached on both sides with one of the tension struts 3 via a screw connection 13. The second variant of the cross-hanger mounting the HUD is qualitatively worse than the attachment to a recording of the instrument panel, but much better than a maintenance of the cross member and the associated space loss.

The HUD 12 is thus attached exclusively to the steering column assembly 1 and does not require a cross member, which must carry the weight of the HUDs. In contrast to the first crossbeam-free suspension variant of the HUD, however, care must be taken that the recess of the instrument panel through which the optical signal of the HUD passes corresponds with the beam direction and position of the HUD during subsequent assembly of the self-supporting instrument panel.

Claims

20Faurecia Innensysteme GmbH 077PCT 0496Patentansprüche

1. Self-supporting instrument panel with support structures made of plastic, which has stiffeners in the vehicle longitudinal direction and / or vehicle transverse direction, and a the interior of a motor vehicle facing outer wall and the

Interior of the motor vehicle facing away from the inner wall, and a recess in the instrument panel for the passage of an optical signal of a head-up display (HUD), characterized in that the inner wall has a receptacle for the sole carrying the HUD and / or at least one strut one of Instrument panel associated steering column assembly carries the HUD.

2. Self-supporting instrument panel according to claim 1, characterized in that the receptacle is limited by at least one receiving stiffening and the HUD is connected and / or connectable directly and / or by means of a frame with the at least one receiving stiffening.

3. Self-supporting instrument panel according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the HUD and / or the frame is connected exclusively to the receptacle and / or connectable.

4. Self-supporting instrument panel according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the HUD and / or the frame in addition to a 21

Part of a steering column assembly connected and / or connectable.

5. Self-supporting instrument panel according to one of the preceding claims, characterized marked, that the at least one Aufnahmeverstei- tion at least partially, preferably completely, are formed by the stiffeners in the vehicle longitudinal direction and / or vehicle transverse direction.

6. Self-supporting instrument panel according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one receiving reinforcement substantially encloses a portion of the inner side, wherein the portion includes the recess.

7. Self-supporting instrument panel according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the head-up display is arranged above a steering column arrangement.

8. Self-supporting instrument panel according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the steering column assembly includes a steering column and at least one respective connected to the steering column tie rod and strut, which for a rigid, resilient attachment of

Steering column are provided on the vehicle body, wherein by means of the tension strut, the steering column with an end wall of a vehicle body is connectable, so that tension strut and pressure strut in the vertical plane an angle (α) span and the tension strut by a force exerted on the steering column vertically downwards directed force in the direction of alignment of the 22

Tension strut on train and the strut in the direction of the alignment of the strut pressure is resilient and the steering column assembly of the at least one strut and at least one tension strut is designed for the arrangement of a HUD, wherein the at least one strut and / or the at least one tension strut for Attachment of the HUDs at least one attachment point, preferably a screw point having.

9. Motor vehicle according to claim 7, characterized in that a HUD and / or a frame is attached to a HUDs exclusively on a part of the steering column assembly.

10. A method for installing a self-supporting instrument panel according to one of the preceding claims in a motor vehicle, comprising the following steps:

a) mounting the head-up display or a frame with a head-up display arranged therein with a receptacle of the instrument panel provided for this purpose;

b) Installation of the instrument panel in the motor vehicle.