Land vehicles: bodies and tops – Bodies – Dashboards
Reexamination Certificate
1999-11-12
2001-08-21
Pape, Joseph D. (Department: 3612)
Land vehicles: bodies and tops
Bodies
Dashboards
C296S070000, C296S190050
Reexamination Certificate
active
06276739
ABSTRACT:
FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to an assembly for a cockpit area of a vehicle, in particular of a motor vehicle, having a cross member extending approximately over the width of a vehicle interior, the cross member having attachment points at its end regions for the connection to a vehicle cell and an attachment point which is eccentric to the vehicle longitudinal axis, for the connection to a steering column.
A cross member for a motor vehicle dashboard, which cross member extends over the width of the motor vehicle interior and has a mounting for a steering column screwed to its lower side, is known. This cross member consists of a plurality of extruded parts which are connected by welding. In conjunction with the steering column mounting which is to be screwed on, a cross member of this type is complex to produce and cannot be used for left-hand and right-hand drive vehicles without being modified.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In order to remedy this, the object of the present invention is to provide an assembly of the type mentioned for a cockpit area of a vehicle and having a cross member in such a manner that production is simplified and the wide variety of types of components used is reduced.
The object is achieved in the case of an assembly of the type mentioned in that the cross member and the attachment points form a constructional unit and in that the external shape of the cross member and the attachment points for the connection to the vehicle cell and for the connection to the steering column are symmetrical to the longitudinal central plane of the cross member, the steering central plane of the cross member being that plane which extends vertically and in the direction of the vehicle transverse axis and which intersects the geometrical central point of the cross member, which central point is situated on a parallel line to the vehicle longitudinal axis and perpendicularly above said longitudinal axis. Aside from a largely modular formation of the possibility of using standardized components, an assembly according to the invention offers the additional advantage that the cross member can be used, without structural modifications, both for left-hand drive vehicles and for those vehicles whose steering wheel is situated in the right half of the vehicle. For this purpose, the cross member is installed into the vehicle in such a manner that its geometrical central point is situated perpendicularly above the vehicle longitudinal axis. The vehicle longitudinal axis is the vehicle central axis which runs in the direction of the longitudinal extent of the vehicle. Perpendicularly thereto and in a plane which is parallel to the plane through the vehicle vertical points, the vehicle has a transverse axis. The point of intersection of the vehicle longitudinal axis and the vehicle transverse axis define the point of origin of the system of coordinates of the vehicle. The third axis of this spatial system of coordinates is described as the vehicle vertical axis. By virtue of the symmetry of the cross member and also of the most important attachment points to the longitudinal central plane of the cross member, i.e. a plane which is parallel to the plane of the vehicle vertical and transverse axis and which contains the longitudinal central axis of the cross member, which longitudinal central axis runs in the direction of the vehicle transverse axis, the cross member, by being installed rotated through 180° at the vertical axis, is suitable for use both in left-hand and also in right-hand drive vehicles. As a result, the assembly is simplified and also the number of components to be supplied is reduced.
Alternatively, the object on which the invention is based is achieved in that the cross member and the attachment points form a constructional unit and in that the external shape of the cross member and the attachment points for the connection to the vehicle cell and for the connection to the steering column are symmetrical to the geometrical central point of the cross member, which central point is situated on a parallel line to the vehicle longitudinal axis and perpendicularly above said longitudinal axis. Depending on the steering arrangement provided for a vehicle being assembled, a point-assembled cross member of this type can be installed either rotated through 180° about its vertical axis intersecting the geometrical central point of the cross member or—with the same effect—rotated through 180° about its longitudinal axis which likewise intersects the geometrical central point of the cross member and runs parallel to the vehicle transverse axis. As also in the case of the above-described cross member according to the invention, the attachment points for the connection to a vehicle cell and for the connection to a steering column are situated at a required points in each variant of the steering. A cross member of this type likewise simplifies keeping it in stock and reduces the outlay on assembly.
It is also conceivable that by means of—advantageously symmetrical—intermediate pieces which can be attached to the longitudinal ends of the cross member, the cross member can be used not only for different steering arrangements of a vehicle but also for different vehicle widths.
In the region of the attachment point for the connection to a steering column, the cross member preferably has a bulge in the direction of the vehicle upper side, with the result that a clearance for receiving the steering column and associated add-on parts is obtained. Since for a steering wheel to be able to be controlled well and also for a low risk of injury in the event of an accident it is not possible for the steering column to be installed into the vehicle at any desired angle, an above-described bulge makes it possible for the cross member to be installed more freely and better corresponding to stability requirements. It is of particular advantage if the cross member has an attachment point which is eccentric to the vehicle longitudinal axis, lies opposite the attachment point for the connection to a steering column and is intended for the connection to an airbag device. This enables the number of variants and the logistical complexity to be reduced further. Moreover, it is particularly favorable if, in the region of the attachment point for the connection to an airbag device, the cross member has a bulge in the direction of the vehicle lower side. An installed airbag device then does not form a protruding component of the assembly and, as a result, the assembly according to the invention is more compact and offers greater freedom in terms of design as regards its covering by, for example, a dashboard.
The cross member of an assembly according to the invention is particularly versatile if it has further attachment points for the connection to add-on parts. An example of one thing to do would be to provide a connecting point for a support for a center console. The support, which is used to reinforce the center console, is connected to the cross member or is omitted depending on the vehicle type and equipment. For example, a support is necessary if a large number of built-in devices, for example an air-conditioning system or an audio-video device, are to be accommodated in the center console. In contrast, a support of this type is unnecessary if—for example in construction site vehicles or passenger vehicles having simple equipment—only a radio device is to be installed, which does not substantially affect the stability of the center console. According to the invention, the same cross member can be used for these different applications. Further attachment points, which can preferably be provided on the cross member, are concerned with providing a connection to a vehicle central electronic unit and/or to an air-conditioning device and/or dashboard and/or pedal unit and/or to a splashboard. It is all the more favorable in this case the more these attachment points, which are occasionally required, are provided on the cross member, since this enables the outlay on manufacture
Farber Martin A.
Mannesmann VDO AG
Pape Joseph D.
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