Abstract
The present invention relates to a self-supporting carrier structure for an instrument panel in a vehicle, comprising a network of a plurality of hollow support elements and solid support elements arranged according to the results of a load path analysis, wherein the hollow support elements form at least one manifold used as an air duct comprising at least one air inlet for introducing air into the hollow support elements and at least one air outlet for guiding the air into a passenger compartment of a vehicle. Furthermore, the invention is directed to an instrument panel comprising such a carrier structure and is directed to a vehicle equipped with such an instrument panel.
Claims
1. A self-supporting carrier structure for an instrument panel in a vehicle, comprising, a network of a plurality of hollow support elements and solid support elements arranged according to a load path analysis, wherein the hollow support elements form at least one manifold used as an air duct comprising at least one air inlet for introducing air into the hollow support elements and at least one air outlet for guiding the air into a passenger compartment of the vehicle.
2. The self-supporting carrier structure according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the hollow support elements forms a single outlet nozzle.
3. The self-supporting carrier structure according to claim 1, wherein at least two hollow support elements form a common outlet nozzle.
4. The self-supporting carrier structure according to claim 3, wherein at least one external nozzle unit is connected to one or more hollow support elements.
5. The self-supporting carrier structure according to claim 4, wherein at least one hollow support element comprises a shaping section matching with the external nozzle unit.
6. The self-supporting carrier structure according to claim 1, wherein the carrier structure forms at least one mechanical connection section for connecting the carrier structure with neighboring construction elements of the vehicle.
7. The self-supporting carrier structure according to claim 1, wherein the carrier structure forms at least one steering column bearing section for bearing a steering column on the carrier structure.
8. The self-supporting carrier structure according to claim 1, wherein the carrier structure forms at least one head-up display mounting section for mounting a head-up display on the carrier structure.
9. The self-supporting carrier structure according to claim 1, wherein the carrier structure forms at least one airbag mounting section for mounting an airbag on the carrier structure.
10. The self-supporting carrier structure according to claim 9, wherein the carrier structure forms at least one chute channel for an airbag of the vehicle.
11. The self-supporting carrier structure according to claim 1, wherein the carrier structure forms at least one sensor- or display receptacle for at least one vehicle display or at least one vehicle sensor.
12. The self-supporting carrier structure according to claim 11, wherein the carrier structure forms a guide section for guiding air to the head-up display mounting section, the sensor- or display receptacle and/or to any electric component mounted on the carrier structure.
13. The self-supporting carrier structure according to claim 1, wherein the carrier structure forms at least one glove box receptacle for a vehicle glove box.
14. An instrument panel in a vehicle, comprising, a self-supporting carrier structure according to claim 1, and a cover layer covering the carrier structure.
15. A vehicle, comprising, a first A-pillar and a second A-pillar, a partition wall separating the passenger compartment from a front compartment of the vehicle, and an instrument panel according to claim 14 fastened to the first A-pillar and the second A-pillar and the partition wall.
16. The vehicle according to claim 15, wherein the partition wall comprises a connecting plate connected to the carrier structure and providing a fluid communication between the front compartment and the air inlet.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
[0034] The present invention is described in detail with reference to the drawings attached wherein Throughout all the Figures, same or corresponding elements are generally indicated by same reference numerals.
[0035] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a first embodiment of an inventive carrier structure,
[0036] FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of an inventive instrument panel comprising the carrier structure of FIG. 1,
[0037] FIG. 3 shows a schematic sketch of a second embodiment of the inventive carrier structure,
[0038] FIG. 4A shows the carrier structure of FIG. 1 and enlarged sections of hollow support elements,
[0039] FIG. 4B shows a schematic sketch of a first embodiment of an external nozzle unit connected to a hollow support element,
[0040] FIG. 4C shows a schematic sketch of a second embodiment of an external nozzle unit connected to a hollow support element,
[0041] FIG. 5 is a schematic sketch of a guide section for guiding air to an electrical or electronical component mounted on the carrier structure, and
[0042] FIG. 6 is a schematic sketch of a vehicle equipped with the inventive instrument panel, and
[0043] FIG. 7 shows an enlarged perspective view of a connecting plate.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0044] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a first embodiment of an inventive self-supporting carrier structure 10.sub.1. The carrier structure 10.sub.1 comprises a coherent network of a plurality of hollow support elements 12 and solid support elements 14. The hollow support elements 12 and the solid support elements 14 are arranged according to the results of a load path analysis conducted for example by a bionic topology optimization using methods like soft-kill-option. The resulting carrier structure 10.sub.1 has a skeleton-like and complex geometry. The manufacturing of the carrier structure 10.sub.1 may therefore include the use of additive production processes. Other conventional production processes like injection molding, extrusion or blow molding may likewise be employed.
[0045] The hollow support elements 12 form a manifold 16 comprising a number of air inlets 18 and a number of air outlets 20. The manifold 16 is used as an air duct to guide the air through the carrier structure 10.sub.1. As evident from FIG. 1, three hollow support elements 12 form a common outlet nozzle 22 that extends approximately over half of the width of the carrier structure 10.sub.1. One of the hollow support elements 12 forms a single outlet nozzle 24 that is significantly smaller compared to the common outlet nozzle 22. Another hollow support element 12 forms a defrost outlet nozzle 26 directed to a windscreen of a given vehicle 27 (see FIG. 6). Additionally, yet another hollow support element 12 forms a legroom outlet nozzle 28 directed to the legroom of a given vehicle 27.
[0046] The carrier structure 10.sub.1 forms a plurality of mechanical connection section 30 for connecting the carrier structure 10.sub.1 with neighboring construction elements, e.g. with a first A-pillar 31.sub.1 and a second A-pillar 31.sub.2 of a vehicle 27 (see FIGS. 3 and 6). Moreover, the carrier structure 10.sub.1 forms a steering column mounting section 32 for mounting a steering column 42 (see FIG. 3) on the carrier structure 10.sub.1. A steering wheel 34 may be connected to the steering column 42. Beyond that, the carrier structure 10.sub.1 forms a head-up display mounting section 36 for mounting a head-up display 38 on the carrier structure 10.sub.1.
[0047] FIG. 2 shows an instrument panel 39 comprising the carrier structure 10.sub.1 of FIG. 1. The instrument panel 39 comprises a cover layer 40 that covers the carrier structure 10.sub.1. The cover layer 40 may be an integral part of the carrier structure 10.sub.1 and also contribute to the load bearing capacity of the instrument panel 39. Alternatively the cover layer 40 may be a separate unit that may be produced by injection molding and being fiber-reinforced. The cover layer 40 may as an example also be produced by grouting of fiber-reinforced thermoplastic mats, e.g., made of natural fiber enforced polypropylene (NFPP).
[0048] FIG. 2 also shows the head-up display 38 and a steering column 42 to which the steering wheel 34 may be mounted (see FIG. 3).
[0049] FIG. 3 shows a principle sectional sketch through a second embodiment of the inventive carrier structure 10.sub.2 mounted in a passenger compartment 44 of a vehicle 27. For the sake of clarity no distinction is made between solid support elements 14 and hollow support elements 16. The carrier structure 10.sub.2 according to the second embodiment also comprises the steering column bearing section 32 for bearing a steering column 42 on the carrier structure 10.sub.2. Moreover, the carrier structure 10.sub.2 forms at least one airbag mounting section 48 for mounting an airbag module 50 on the carrier structure 10.sub.2. The airbag module 50 carries a folded airbag 52 and the units necessary to release the airbag 52. In the event the airbag 52 is released the airbag is guided by a chute channel 54 also formed by the carrier structure 10.sub.2. Beyond that the carrier structure 10.sub.2 forms at least one sensor- or display receptacle 56 for a vehicle display 58 or a vehicle sensor. The vehicle display 58 may be the display of a navigation system and/or of a vehicle control center. The receptacles 56 may also be designed for goods the driver wants to deposit on the instrument panel 39, e.g. a beverage can or the like. The carrier structure 10.sub.2 also forms at least one glove box receptacle 60 for a vehicle glove box 62.
[0050] It is apparent from FIG. 3 that the instrument panel 39 is fastened to the two A-pillars 31.sub.1, 31.sub.2 by means of the mechanical connection sections 30. The legroom of the passenger compartment 44 below the instrument panel 39 is not limited by girders or the like.
[0051] In FIG. 4A sectional views through the hollow support elements 12 of the carrier structure 10.sub.1 according to FIG. 1 along the section planes A-A and B-B are shown. The sectional views demonstrate that a hollow support element 12 may comprise a plurality of channels 64 for guiding the air throughout the carrier structure 10.sub.1. Referring to sectional view B-B the hollow support element 12 comprised in total four channels 64. An upper channel 65 is connected to the defrost outlet nozzle 26 whereas the two middle channels 67 are connected to the common outlet nozzle 22 and the single nozzle 24, the two middle channels 67 separated by a separating wall 69. A lower channel 71 is connected to the legroom outlet nozzle 28. Regarding the two middle channels 67 the separating wall 69 may primarily have a stiffening effect on the carrier structure 10.sub.1 so that equally conditioned air may be guided through the two middle cannels to the same outlet nozzles 22, 24.
[0052] As shown in FIG. 4B an external nozzle unit 76.sub.1 according to a first embodiment is connected to at least one of the hollow support elements 12. The external nozzle unit 76.sub.1 may be equipped with air baffles (see FIG. 4B) to regulate the amount of air introduced into the passenger compartment 44 and its direction by which the air is entering the passenger compartment 44. The hollow support element 12 forms a plane opening 78 into which the external nozzle unit 76.sub.1 is introduced for connection with the hollow support element 12.
[0053] In FIG. 4C an external nozzle unit 76.sub.2 according to a second embodiment is connected to the hollow support element 12. Instead of a plane opening 78 the hollow support element 12 forms a shaping section 80 that is formed like a half shell. The external nozzle unit 76.sub.1 is mounted on the shaping section 80. The external nozzle unit 76.sub.1 comprises air baffles 82 or other means to guide and regulate the air flow. The shaping section 80 and the external nozzle unit 76.sub.2 together form an air outlet 20 through which the air can be introduced into the passenger compartment 44.
[0054] In FIG. 5 a guide section 84 formed by the carrier structure 10 is shown. As already mentioned the carrier structure 10 forms at least one sensor- or display receptacle 56 in this case for the vehicle display 58. At least one of the hollow support members 12.sub.1 is arranged to guide air to the backside of the vehicle display 58. The heat produced during the operation of the vehicle display 58 is dissipated by the air flowing along the backside of the vehicle display 58. In the shown embodiment the air that has absorbed the heat is guided back into hollow spaces of the instrument panel 39. FIG. 5 further shows a further hollow support 12.sub.2 member that forms an air outlet 20. The hollow support member 12.sub.1 may branch off from the further support element 12.sub.2. By means of a further baffle or similar means the amount of air guided to the vehicle display 58 may be kept constant irrespective of the amount of air introduced into the passenger compartment 44 via the air outlet 20.
[0055] Of course air may be guided to electric or electronic components other than displays, e.g., to cameras, sensors or interactive surface elements. Their common feature is that they produce heat in operation that needs to be dissipated to avoid heat accumulation that may lead to mal-functioning. In some cases it may be necessary to provide heated air to avoid the condensation of moisture on the components. In this case the air is conditioned accordingly.
[0056] In an embodiment not shown the air having absorbed the heat produced by the vehicle display 58 may be introduced e.g. into the hollow support element 12.sub.2 shown in FIG. 5 that forms one of the air outlets 20. The heat produced by the vehicle display 58 can be used to heat the passenger compartment 44. However, a control unit may be employed that makes sure that the air having absorbed the heat produced by the vehicle display 58 is only introduced into the hollow support element 12.sub.2 in case the temperature of the passenger compartment 44 should be increased. If not the air having absorbed the heat of the vehicle display 58 may be guided to the surroundings of the vehicle 27.
[0057] FIG. 6 shows a schematic sketch of a vehicle 27 equipped with the inventive instrument panel 39. It is clearly recognizable that the instrument panel 39 is not only fastened to the two A-pillars 31.sub.1, 31.sub.2 of the vehicle 27 but also to a partition wall 66 that separates the passenger compartment 44 from a front compartment 68, e.g. an engine compartment. As is the case with the A-pillars 31.sub.1, 31.sub.2 the instrument panel 39 is fastened to the partition wall 66 by means of the mechanical connection sections 30. The partition wall 66 is designed to absorb the forces imposed by the instrument panel 39. In the partition wall 66 a connecting plate 70 is arranged that is connected to the carrier structure 10.sub.1. The connecting plate 70 provides a fluid communication between the front compartment 68 and the air inlet 18 of the manifold 16. An air conditioner 72 is located in the front compartment 68 that provides air conditioned according to the passengers' request. The air conditioner 72 is connected to the connecting plate by a tubing 74.
[0058] FIG. 7 shows an enlarged perspective view of the connecting plate 70.
[0059] While the invention has been illustrated and described as embodied in, it is not intended to be limited to the details shown since various modifications and structural changes may be made without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and practical application to thereby enable a person skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.
[0060] What is claimed as new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent is set forth in the appended claims and their equivalents:
