COCKPIT FOR A VEHICLE

Abstract

A cockpit for a vehicle, wherein the cockpit comprises a first module with a support and a second module with a support. The support of the second module is arranged in a first direction behind the support of the first module and higher than the support of the first module, so that the support of the first module slides at least partially under the support of the second module in the first direction in a crash case with a force acting on the first module.

Claims

1. A cockpit for a vehicle, the cockpit comprising: a first module with a first support; and a second module with a second support arranged in a first direction behind the first support of the first module and higher than the first support of the first module, so that, in a crash case with a force acting on the first module in the first direction, the first support of the first module slides at least partially under the second support of the second module.

2. The cockpit according to claim 1, wherein the second support of the second module at least partially encloses a free space, and wherein the first support of the first module slides into the free space in the crash case.

3. The cockpit according to claim 1, wherein the first support of the first module has predetermined buckling points so that the first support of the first module folds in a Z-shape in the crash case.

4. The cockpit according to claim 3, wherein the first support of the first module has at least three regions, and wherein a predetermined buckling point is formed between respective adjacent regions.

5. The cockpit according to claim 3, wherein the predetermined buckling points are formed by a geometric formation of the first support and/or by local material weakenings.

6. The cockpit according to claim 5, wherein the geometric formation is an angled formation of the first support and/or a reduced height of the first support.

7. The cockpit according to claim 1, wherein the first module and the second module are connected to each other by an engaging of lugs of the first module and recesses of the second module.

8. The cockpit according to claim 7, wherein the lugs extend in the first direction, wherein the first support of the first module folds in the first direction in a crash case with a force acting on the first module such that the lugs are pulled out of the recesses and the connection between the first module and the second module is released.

9. A vehicle comprising a cockpit according to claim 1.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description given hereinbelow and the accompanying drawings which are given by way of illustration only, and thus, are not limitive of the present invention, and wherein:

[0029] FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a cockpit according to the invention along the first direction as well as the height direction of a vehicle;

[0030] FIG. 2 is a detailed view of the connection region between the support of the first module and the support of the second module of FIG. 1;

[0031] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the support of the first module of the cockpit of FIG. 1;

[0032] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a portion of the support of the first module; and

[0033] FIGS. 5 and 6 show folding of the support of the first module of the cockpit of FIG. 1 in a crash case with a force applied to the first module in the first direction.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0034] FIG. 1 shows a sectional view of a cockpit 10 according to the invention along the first direction 11 as well as the height direction of a vehicle.

[0035] The cockpit 10 has a first module 12 and a second module 35. The first module 12 comprises a support 13, and the second module 35 comprises a support 36. Furthermore, the first module 12 comprises a top 14.

[0036] The support 13 is already preformed at an angle so that it folds in a Z-shape in the first direction 11 in a crash case with a force applied to the first module 12. The support 13 has a first region 15 with a first end 16 facing the first direction 11 and a second end 17. Further, the support 13 has a second region 19 with a first end 20 and a second end 21, and a third region 23 with a first end 24 and a second end 25.

[0037] Predetermined buckling points 29 are formed between the corresponding regions. These are formed by a geometrical formation of the support 13. Namely, the first region 15 includes a first angle 18 with the first direction 11, while the second region 19 includes a second angle 22 with the first direction 11. The third region 23 includes a third angle 26 with the first direction 11. Further, the first region 15 includes a fourth angle 27 with the second region 19, and the second region 19 includes a fifth angle 28 with the third region 23.

[0038] The first region 15 of the support 13 has projections 30 which project downwards in FIG. 1. The same applies to the third region 23, which also has corresponding projections 30. Except for the projections 30, the support 13 of the first module 12 includes a height region 31 with an upper end 32 and a lower end 33. The support 36 of the second module 35 is arranged at least over the entire height of the height region 31 and protrudes beyond the upper end 32 of the height region 31, so that it is arranged higher overall than the support 13 of the first module 12.

[0039] Further, the second module 35 may comprise an air bag 37 and a cross member 38.

[0040] FIG. 2 shows a detailed view of the connection region between the support 13 of the first module 12 and the support 36 of the second module 35 of FIG. 1. The support 13 of the first module 12 has lugs 34 which engage in recesses 39 of the support 36 of the second module 35.

[0041] FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of the support 13 of the first module 12 of the cockpit 10. Clearly visible are the protrusions 30 as well as the different regions, namely the first region 15, the second region 19 and the third regions 23 of the support 13. Material weakenings 40 are provided which contribute to the formation of corresponding predetermined buckling points. A corresponding material weakening 40 can also be seen, for example, in FIG. 4, which shows a perspective view of a region of the support 13 of the first module 12.

[0042] In FIGS. 5 and 6, it is shown how the support 13 of the first module 12 of the cockpit 10 folds in the first direction 11 in a crash case with a force applied to the first module 12. Namely, it can be seen there how the second end 17 of the first region 15 slides upwards, while, as can be seen in FIG. 6, the first end 24 of the third region 23 slides downwards. Furthermore, the first end 24 of the third region 23 and the second end 21 of the second region 19, respectively, slide towards the first end 16 of the first region 15. After the first module 12 has been Z-folded to the second module 35, which acts as a counter-bearing, the first module 12 is pulled into the free space 41 below the second module 35.

[0043] The invention being thus described, it will be obvious that the same may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention, and all such modifications as would be obvious to one skilled in the art are to be included within the scope of the following claims.