Land vehicles: bodies and tops – Bodies – Auxiliary article compartments
Reexamination Certificate
1999-06-17
2001-05-15
Dayoan, D. Glenn (Department: 3612)
Land vehicles: bodies and tops
Bodies
Auxiliary article compartments
C296S024430, C296S037100, C296S037140, C296S208000, C224S400000, C224S539000, C224S540000, C224S542000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06231098
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This application claims the priority of 198 26 943.9-21, filed Jun. 17, 1998, the disclosure of which is expressly incorporated by reference herein.
The present invention relates to a motor vehicle tunnel covering having a supporting structure provided with at least one receiving space and at least one longitudinal wall aligned approximately vertically.
German Published Patent Application DE 195 40 399 A1 shows a center console in the form of a box-type tunnel covering construction reaching over the transmission tunnel. The tunnel covering construction has a plastic supporting structure which is shaped such that hollow, downwardly open double walls are obtained which are oriented in the vehicle longitudinal direction. The double walls are sealed off by insertion elements such that they can be used as air guiding ducts. An interior wall section also has an air opening for a receiving space provided in the tunnel covering. In sections, particularly in an area arranged between the backrests of the front seats, the supporting structure is reinforced by an integrated light-metal structure. The light-metal structure comprises several supporting elements, which are arranged in the vehicle transverse direction, and sheet metal shells which are worked into the exterior sections of the side walls.
DE 196 15 320 C1 shows a tunnel covering which has a multipart supporting structure formed of transverse and lateral partition walls. At the exterior side of at least one lateral partition wall, an additional lateral wall element is mounted. A duct is formed between the lateral partition wall and the lateral wall element. In the lateral partition wall, a ventilation opening is arranged above a receiving space provided within the tunnel covering. In addition, between a lateral partition wall and an assigned lateral wall element, reinforcing beads extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle are provided.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object of the invention is to provide a tunnel covering which, while its construction is simple, has improved utilization characteristics and a high variability.
This object has been achieved in that at least one lateral wall element, which is assigned to the longitudinal wall of the supporting structure, is mounted on the supporting structure constructed in one piece. The lateral wall element, at least in sections, together with the longitudinal wall of the supporting structure, bounds one or several hollow spaces. In this manner, at least one hollow space is provided between the supporting structure and the lateral wall element and is used as an air duct through which a flow can easily take place in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. While the interior supporting structure is maintained, different configurations of the tunnel covering can be implemented by differently designed and separately manufactured lateral wall elements which are joined to the supporting structure.
As a further aspect of the present invention, a ribbing, which is oriented in the vehicle transverse direction, is arranged between the supporting structure and the lateral wall element. Individual flat ribs between the supporting structure and the lateral wall element, which form the ribbing, are preferably arranged in approximately horizontal planes. Thereby, air flow ducts are provided which, on one hand, are oriented in the vehicle longitudinal direction and, on the other hand, result in a transverse reinforcing arrangement.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the ribbing is constructed in one piece with the supporting structure or the lateral wall element. In this manner, the ribbing can be integrated particularly easily between the supporting structure and the lateral wall element.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the supporting structure, the lateral wall element and the ribbing are undetachably fixedly connected with one another, particularly in a material-locking manner. As a result, a box-type tunnel covering is obtained which is stiff in the longitudinal as well as in the transverse direction and which can be used as a module in a vehicle.
In another embodiment of the invention, the hollow spaces are configured so that they can be utilized as an air guiding arrangement. Here, the ribbing is oriented particularly in the vehicle longitudinal direction and, at least in sections, is used as an air guiding device. A longitudinal wall of the supporting structure, at least one element of the ribbing and a lateral wall element define and bound an air guiding arrangement in the form of an air guiding duct which extends preferably from a tunnel covering forward area in which a fresh air feed is provided to a tunnel covering rearward area in which an air outlet is provided.
In another embodiment of the invention, at least one receiving tray is arranged in and constructed in one piece with the supporting structure. The receiving tray may be bounded by transverse walls which are used simultaneously as cross members for the supporting structure.
In another embodiment of the invention, at least one opening, which is used as an air inlet opening and/or as an air outlet opening for the receiving tray, is provided in the lateral wall of the supporting structure in the area of the receiving tray. In this manner, air can be supplied to and/or removed from the receiving tray so that the receiving tray is available as an air-conditioned space.
In yet another embodiment of the invention, at least two openings in the lateral wall of the supporting structure are assigned to the receiving tray. One opening is an air inlet opening connected with a first air guiding arrangement and another opening is an air outlet opening connected with a second air guiding arrangement. This arrangement permits a targeted air guidance in the receiving tray, particularly a continuous flow through the corresponding receiving tray. The air guidance preferably takes place from a first air guiding duct through the air inlet opening into the receiving tray and, from there, further through the air outlet opening into a second air guiding duct separated from the first.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3356409 (1967-12-01), Belsky et al.
patent: 3919926 (1975-11-01), Yamada
patent: 5897155 (1999-04-01), Kerner et al.
patent: 196 15 320 C1 (1996-04-01), None
patent: 195 40 399 A1 (1997-05-01), None
patent: 2 260 296 (1992-09-01), None
patent: 2 312 189 (1997-04-01), None
patent: 61-64552 (1986-04-01), None
patent: 6-72251 (1994-03-01), None
Schenk Bernd
Volkmann Tilo
Coletta Lori L
Daimler-Chrysler AG
Dayoan D. Glenn
Evenson, McKeown, Edwards & Lenahan P.L.L.C.
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