Dashboard Carrier For A Motor Vehicle

Abstract

A dashboard carrier 1 for a motor vehicle with a first hollow carrier profile 3 and with a second hollow carrier profile 3.1, said two hollow carrier profiles 3, 3.1 being aligned in the longitudinal extension of the dashboard carrier 1, being arranged at a distance from one another, and being connected to one another by a carrier connector 5 spanning the distance between the two hollow carrier profiles 3, 3.1, wherein the two hollow carrier profiles 3, 3.1 are connected to one another, by means of the carrier connector 5, eccentrically and asymmetrically in relation to the longitudinal axis of the hollow carrier profiles 3, 3.1 to be connected, the carrier connector 5 has, on each end side, an attachment portion 6, 6.1 and a carrier portion 7 connecting the attachment portions 6, 6.1 and is connected, with one of its two attachment portions 6, 6.1, to a respective circumferential portion of the lateral surface of the two hollow carrier profiles 3, 3.1, and the carrier portion 7 is arranged radially on or outside an imaginary lateral surface connecting the lateral surfaces of the two hollow carrier profiles 3, 3.1 and thus the space located between the mutual-facing ends of the hollow carrier profiles 3, 3.1 can be used as an installation space 13 for an assembly or a component of the vehicle.

Claims

1. A dashboard carrier for a motor vehicle with a first hollow carrier profile (3) and with a second hollow carrier profile (3.1), which two hollow carrier profiles (3, 3.1) are aligned in the longitudinal extension of the dashboard carrier (1), arranged at a distance from one another, and connected to one another by a carrier connector (5) spanning the distance between the two hollow carrier profiles (3, 3.1), characterized in that the two hollow carrier profiles (3, 3.1) are connected to one another, by the carrier connector (5), eccentrically and asymmetrically in relation to the longitudinal axis of the hollow carrier profiles (3, 3.1) to be connected, the carrier connector (5) has, on each end side, an attachment portion (6, 6.1) and a carrier portion (7) connecting the attachment portions (6, 6.1) and is connected, with one of its two attachment portions (6, 6.1), to a respective circumferential portion of the lateral surface of the two hollow carrier profiles (3, 3.1), and the carrier portion (7) is arranged radially on or outside an imaginary lateral surface connecting the lateral surfaces of the two hollow carrier profiles (3, 3.1) and thus the space located between the mutual-facing ends of the hollow carrier profiles (3, 3.1) can be used as an installation space (13) for an assembly or a component of the vehicle.

2. The dashboard carrier according to claim 1, characterized in that the carrier portion (7) is arranged in the region of the underside of the imaginary lateral surface connecting the two hollow carrier profiles (3, 3.1).

3. The dashboard carrier according to claim 2, characterized in that the carrier portion (7) of the carrier connector (5) is arranged at a radial distance from the imaginary lateral surface.

4. The dashboard carrier according to any of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the carrier portion (7) of the carrier connector (5) is forked in relation to the attachment portions (6, 6.1).

5. The dashboard carrier according to any of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the attachment portions (6, 6.1) are arranged at an angle to the longitudinal extension of the carrier portion (7), wherein the angle enclosed by the attachment portions (6, 6.1) with the carrier portion (7) is greater than 100°.

6. The dashboard carrier according to any of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the carrier connector (5) is a two-shell carrier component.

7. The dashboard carrier according to any of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that a single floor support (11) is connected to the carrier connector (5).

8. The dashboard carrier according to any of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the two hollow carrier profiles (3, 3.1) are identical parts.

9. The dashboard carrier according to claim 8, characterized in that the hollow carrier profiles (3, 3.1) together with terminal connectors (4, 4.1) arranged at the opposite-facing ends thereof for connecting the dashboard carrier (1) to an A-pillar of a motor vehicle are identical parts.

10. The dashboard carrier according to any of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the hollow carrier profiles (3, 3.1) are tubular pieces.

11. The dashboard carrier according to any of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the hollow carrier profiles are hollow chamber profiles composed of half-shells.

Description

[0021] The invention is described in the following using an exemplary embodiment with reference made to the appended figures. The following is shown:

[0022] FIG. 1: a perspective view of a dashboard carrier;

[0023] FIG. 2: a front view of the dashboard carrier in FIG. 1, as viewed in the direction of travel of the vehicle into which this dashboard carrier is to be installed; and

[0024] FIG. 3: a side view of the dashboard carrier in FIG. 2.

[0025] A dashboard carrier 1—a so-called cross car beam—comprises two subassemblies 2, 2.1 formed as identical parts. Subassembly 2 comprises a hollow carrier profile 3, to the end of which facing away from the other subassembly 2.1 a terminal connector 4 is connected. The terminal connector 4 is used to connect the dashboard carrier 1 to the A-pillar of a motor vehicle. Subassembly 2.1, which is an identical part to subassembly 2, is rotated by 180° with respect to subassembly 2. Hollow carrier profile 3.1 is aligned with hollow carrier profile 3 of subassembly 2. The hollow carrier profiles 3, 3.1 of the two subassemblies 2, 2.1 are arranged at a distance from one another in the y-direction and thus in the longitudinal extension of the dashboard carrier 1. The distance between the ends of the two hollow carrier profiles 3, 3.1 corresponds to approximately 20% of the total length of the dashboard carrier 1 in the exemplary embodiment shown in the figures. The two subassemblies 2, 2.1 are connected to one another via their hollow carrier profiles 3, 3.1 by means of a carrier connector 5. The carrier connector 5 of the exemplary embodiment shown comprises two attachment portions 6, 6.1, between which a carrier portion 7 is located. The attachment portions 6, 6.1 are connected to the carrier portion 7 (see FIG. 2) at an angle, with the attachment portions 6, 6.1 forming an angle of approximately 120° with the carrier portion 7. The attachment portions 6, 6.1 have a contact region against which the lateral surface of a respective hollow carrier profile 3, 3.1 rests. The carrier connector 5 is welded to the ends of attachment portions 6, 6.1 thereof with the respectively adjacent hollow carrier profile 3, 3.1. The carrier connector 5 of the exemplary embodiment shown is a two-shell sheet steel component. It is understood that one-piece pressed steel parts can also be used for this purpose, as well as those produced from an aluminum alloy. The carrier portion 7 is forked, as a result of which it has two legs 8, 8.1 and a passage 9 arranged between the legs 8, 8.1. Furthermore, a cowl connection 10 is connected to the hollow carrier profile 3, specifically in the region of that end portion to which the carrier connector 5 is also connected with the attachment portion 6 thereof. The cowl connection 10 is part of subassembly 2. As a result, subassembly 2.1 designed as an identical part also has a cowl connection 10.1.

[0026] In the exemplary embodiment shown, a floor support 11 is connected to the leg 8 of the carrier portion 7 of the carrier connector 5.

[0027] The dashboard carrier 1 is therefore composed of three subassemblies, namely subassembly 2 with its hollow carrier profile 3, its terminal connector 4, and the cowl connection 10; subassembly 2.1 designed as an identical part; and the carrier connector subassembly with the carrier connector 5 and the floor support 11 connected thereto. Such a dashboard carrier, which can be used for virtually any vehicle, is customized by connecting the steering column or the pedals. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the steering column connection 12 is on the left-hand side, as viewed in the direction of travel, and is therefore assigned to subassembly 2.

[0028] FIG. 2 illustrates the clever introduction of force from the hollow carrier profiles 3, 3.1 of the subassemblies 2, 2.1 into the floor support 11 and thus the floor assembly of the motor vehicle. The floor support 11 is arranged in the middle, which has advantages for symmetrical load absorption in the event of a front crash. At the same time, such a central support creates more legroom for the driver and front passenger.

[0029] A particular advantage of the dashboard carrier 1 is the installation space 13 gained by the above-described design of the carrier connector 5, which installation space is between the mutual-facing ends of the hollow carrier profiles 3, 3.1. This installation space 13 can be used to arrange a vehicle assembly therein. The installation space 13 can also be used for an assembly located in front of the dashboard carrier 1 as viewed in the direction of travel, so that the assembly does not act against the dashboard carrier 1 in the event of a front crash, but instead is pushed into the unoccupied installation space 13 in such a case.

[0030] FIG. 3 shows the dashboard carrier 1 in a side view.

[0031] The invention has been described on the basis of exemplary embodiments. Without leaving the scope of the present claims, numerous further options result for a person skilled in the art for implementing the invention within the context of the applicable claims, without having to explain them in greater detail in the context of these statements.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0032] 1 Dashboard carrier [0033] 2, 2.1 Subassembly [0034] 3, 3.1 Hollow carrier profile [0035] 4, 4.1 Terminal connector [0036] 5 Carrier connector [0037] 6, 6.1 Attachment portion [0038] 7 Carrier portion [0039] 8, 8.1 Leg [0040] 9 Passage [0041] 10, 10.1 Cowl connection [0042] 11 Floor support [0043] 12 Steering column connection [0044] 13 Installation space