PT107295B - SUPPORT PANEL OF INTRUSION PANEL REINFORCED BY COMPRESSION SPRINGS AND WITH VOLUME REDUCTION FUNCTION FOR TRANSPORTATION - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a support strut reinforced by compression-surfaced windscreens with a volume reduction function for transport applied to motor vehicles and intended to ensure the rigidity of the instrument panel comprising a main structure ( (2, 3, 4) having different dimensions, in that the tubes (2, 3, 4) are connected between them by means of mechanical fastening elements (14, 15, 20, 21), by means of TUBES OF GREATER DIMENSION (2) AND INTERMEDIATE (3) WILL PRESENT A SECTION VARIATION IN ONE OF THE EXTREMITIES (2.1, 3.1), BY HOLDING ELEMENTS SPRING (5, 6) TO THE EXTREMITIES OF THE TUBES OF GREATER DIAMETER (2) AND IN THE INTERMEDIATE TUBE (3, 4), the lower dimmer and intermediate tubes (3, 4) will have gaps in one of the varying geometry ends (16, 17) and in that the same tubes (3, 4) have the capacity to be collected inside the shaft TUBE OF LARGER DIAMETER (2), BY ROTARY MOVEMENT IONAL AND LONGITUDINAL, RESULTING IN A REDUCTION OF SIDE VOLUME IN TRANSPORT SITUATIONS.

Description

COMPRESSION SPRING ENHANCED INSTRUMENT SUPPORT PANEL WITH TRANSPORT VOLUME FUNCTION

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a compression-spring reinforced, transport-volume instrument panel support cross member applied to transverse instrument panel support beams comprising a main frame comprising several tubes, in the example presented by three, of different sizes and variation of end sections, which connect to each other via the geometrical configuration of the ends in contact, in which it integrates springs at one end of the larger and intermediate diameter pipes. The presented configuration promotes that the housed springs have the function of compressive strength, that is when the pipes of the main structure are requested, in response to situations of reduced lateral space, to the interior of the passenger compartment. The invention provides added value in the conveying and handling situation because of the ability of the smaller diameter tubes to move into the larger diameter tube, thereby reducing its volume.

PREVIOUS TECHNIQUE

One of the transverse crosspieces normally found on motor vehicles is under the dashboard and is connected at both ends to the A-pillars of the vehicle chassis. The purpose of this crossmember is to support the instrument panel itself, but also the various components associated with it, such as the steering column or airbags. Therefore, it is essential that this tray has the rigidity necessary to respond to the demands normally encountered. That is, we should introduce mass / material in the areas where the crossbar will be most requested and remove mass / material from the areas where it is not required.

At the same time, the crossmember must be designed in such a way that undesirable vibrations do not occur with the vehicle in operation, ie vibrations outside the limits considered permissible and defined by most customer specifications, and therefore their natural frequencies of transmission are particularly relevant. vibration. These vibrations are caused by the excitations / stresses to which the crossmember is subjected, mainly by the operation of the vehicle engine. This phenomenon is of utmost importance to the driver of the vehicle as if these vibrations arise, the driver will have a feeling of discomfort when in contact with the steering wheel of the vehicle.

In addition, due to the safety issues normally inherent in motor vehicles, and the fact that the crossmember promotes the link between the left and right A-Pillars of motor vehicles, these crossmembers tend to fulfill some of the energy absorbing functions in front and / or side impact case.

By way of example, here are some patent documents related to crossmembers for motor vehicles. Between them:

US2010090498—2009.08.10: Example of transverse beam with the function of absorbing energy in the event of lateral impact using springs.

JP2006027473-2004.07.16: Example of transverse beam with the function of absorbing energy / shock in case of side impact.

US2009026799—2006.01.27: Example of an element of the

Dashboard with energy absorbing function in case of shock.

US2011187147 (Al) —2007.08.23: Example of a Dashboard

Instruments contributing to non-intrusion on side impact.

The present invention has the following advantages over the above patent documents:

• The main purpose of the transverse beam is to actively contribute to excessive intrusion into the interior space of the passenger compartment;

• The pipes that form the main structure together with the springs are responsible for ensuring most of the stiffness of the crossmember in lateral bending; and • The pipes that form the main structure promote the lateral cross-sectional reduction by retracting the smaller pipes into the larger one.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

THE following description is based on the drawings Annexes which without any limiting character if represents: - At Figure 1, a view general perspective gives

crossmember, the main structure being formed by the different tubes (2, 3, 4), in the extended and normal functioning position, and their functional components (7, 8, 9, 10);

- Figure 2 shows a perspective overview of the crossmember, with the main structure (1.1) in the retracted position showing only the largest diameter pipe (2) and other functional components (7, 8, 9, 10);

- Figure 3 shows a perspective and cross-sectional view of the main structure (1.1) composed of the tubular elements (2, 3, 4) which characterize it, in the extended configuration and in a functional position, with reference to the spring elements (5, 6 ), which are housed within the upper (2) and intermediate (3) diameter tubes and the fasteners (14, 15, 20, 21);

Figure 4 shows a main view (1.1) of the pipe cross member (2, 3, 4) in the lower dimension position (3, 4) of the larger cross-sectional tube of the structure (1) formed by the three collapsed, where the tubes are inside (2) and with reference to the smaller tubes

Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view of part of the left side cross member structure, formed by the three tubes (2, retracted position, with reference to the variable geometry necks (16, the smaller tubes (3, 4) and the zones of contact (16.1,

16.2,

17.1, 17.2) that promote their alignment when in the retracted (2.8) and extended (3.2) position;

Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of the housing zones (2.1, 3.1) of the spring elements (5, 6) in the retracted position with reference to the end of the same spring elements (5, 6) with a variable shape geometry. , in the form of a semi-circle (5.1,

6.1) at the end and to the right of the major and intermediate pipes (2, 3);

Figure 7, a side view of the main structure (1.1), in the retracted position, with reference to the non-circular geometric shape of the housing area (2.1, 3.1) of the spring elements (5, 6), further allows to show the different tabs ( 2.4, 2.5, 2.6, 2.7) of the larger tube (2), and the flaps (3.4, 3.5, 3.6, 3.7) of the intermediate tube (3) which lock the same spring elements (5, 6) present in the respective aforementioned tube ends (2, 3);

Figure 8 is a cross-sectional top view of the housing (2.1) of the spring element (5) present in the larger tube (2) in the extended and functional position with reference to interference between the collar (16) of the tube. intermediate (3), with the face (5.1) of the spring (5) housed at the end (2.1) of the larger tube (2), also has the fastener (14) inserted into the circular hole (19.1) and subsequent oblong ( 19.3);

Figure 9 is a cross-sectional side view of the housing portion of the spring element (5) present in the larger tube (2) in the extended and functional position showing no interference between the collar (16) of the intermediate tube (3). since this tube (3) is rotated 90 ° with respect to the larger tube (2), with the spring face (5.1) (5) housed at the end (2.1) of the larger tube (2), it also has the fixing element (14) and their auxiliary element (15), inserted into the circular (19.1, 19.2) and oblong holes promoting rotational and longitudinal blocking, present in the larger diameter tubes (2)

Figure 10 is a sectional side view of the recess with reference to the different holes (19.1, 19.2, 19.3,

19.4, 19.5, 19.6, 19.7, 19.8), to the circulars (19.1,

19.2) present in everything with a larger diameter (2), also circular holes (19.5, 19.6) and oblong holes (19.3,

19.4) both in the intermediate diameter tube (3), but at opposite ends, and finally the oblong holes (19.7, 19.8) in the smaller diameter tube (4).

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The compression spring-reinforced and volume-reducing instrument panel support beam described in the present invention is applied to motor vehicles and intended to ensure the rigidity of the instrument panel is comprised of a main structure composed of several pipes of different sizes, because the pipes are connected to each other via mechanical fasteners, where the larger and intermediate sized pipes have a section variation at one end to accommodate spring members at the same ends.

The smaller and intermediate pipes of the main frame have collars at one end of the variable geometry to provide contact with the spring elements at their service position and extended configuration. The same tubes mentioned in this paragraph have the ability to be retracted into the larger diameter tube by rotational and longitudinal movements in order to optimize the volume of space occupied in handling and transport situations, resulting in added value in terms of logistics costs.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a variable section cross member (1), shown in Figure 1, which comprises a main structure (1.1) which allows the absorption of energy from a side impact as well as the reduction of its longitudinal dimension. , for better packaging in transport situations, intended to support the dashboard of a motor vehicle, to ensure its energy absorption and to support the various components of the dashboard.

The cross member (1) is composed of a main structure (1.1), shown in Figure 3, consisting of multiple tubular segments (2, 3, 4), which support and integrate spring elements (5, 6), and various components. outdoor connection functions (7, 8, 9, 10).

The main support structure of the crossbar (1.1) consists of a larger section pipe (2), an intermediate diameter pipe (3), which allows it to be inserted into the larger section pipe (2), by a smaller section tube (4) allowing its insertion into the intermediate tube (3).

Two of the pipes (2, 3) constituting the main frame (1.1) have cross-sectional variations at one end (2.1, 3.1), for non-circular geometry, which allow housing and prevent rotation of spring members (5, 6) inside. In turn, each of the tubular segments (3, 4) has a collar (16, 17) which, due to its variable shape around the surface of each tube, which has an upper protrusion on half of the collar, which will allow its introduction into the subsequent larger dimension segment by applying a 90 ° rotation therein. However, thanks to the same shape of the collar (16, 17), when the crossmember is in its extended configuration, ie the rotation of the segment is zero, there is interference between the spring and the respective collar at the position where half of the collar is more prominent and for the two opposite halves.

Thus, when there is a compressive stress on the crossbar, when it is in its extended configuration, each of the spring elements (5, 6) will provide the respective collar (16, 17), allowing its compression and performing its energy absorption function.

The spring elements (5, 6) housed within the upper section (2) and intermediate (3) tubes are introduced by the non-circular end (2.1, 3.1), which are retained at both ends via reducing the cross-section of the pipe (2.2, 3.2) on one side, which interferes with one side of the pipe (2.3, 3.3), and on the other, via interference with four tabs (2.4, 2.5, 2.6, 2.7, 3.4, 3.5, 3.6, 3.7) at each end (2.1, 3.1) of the major (2) and intermediate (3) pipes. The same spring elements (5, 6) are placed under slight tension to prevent movement and noise caused by the resonance of the motor.

In order to promote better contact between the collars (16, 17) present in the tubular segments (3, 4) and the spring elements (5, 6), the latter are faceted at one end, in the form of a semi circle (5.1, 6.1), either to promote better interaction in energy absorption or to fit better with the tabs that secure it (2.4, 2.5, 2.6, 2.7, 3.4, 3.5, 3.6, 3.7).

It is noted that the spring elements (5, 6) are not under high stress, but promote a reverse response to side impact and against the vehicle chassis A pillars, resulting in energy absorption by the same spring elements. (5, 6) because of passenger safety.

The volume reduction of the crossmember (1) is promoted by the consecutive bending of the tubular segments, whereby the tubular elements (3, 4) are included within the larger section tubular element (2), which is possible only by 90 ° rotation of the smaller pipe (2) with respect to the intermediate section pipe (3) followed by 90 ° rotation of the intermediate section pipe (3) in reverse with respect to the section pipe larger (2), due to the variable shape of the collars (6, 16) already described above. This results in a reduction in the total volume occupied by the transom, as shown in Figure 3, resulting in added value in handling and transportation, with significant impacts on logistics costs.

The tubular segments (2, 3, 4) of the main structure (1.1) have holes (19.1, 19.2, 19.3, 19.4,

19.5, 19.6, 19.7, 19.8) so that they can be positioned and fixed by fasteners (14, 15, 20, 21), which promote the connection between the tubes (2, 3, 4) and prevent rotation between them. . The holes in the tubes (3, 4) inside are oblong holes (19.3, 19.4,

19.7, 19.8), to allow a two-way clearance when moving the pipes relative to each other, where the fasteners (14, 15, 20, 21) will only be required after reaching the resistance limits of the spring elements (5 , 6), allowing the two intermediate (3) and smaller (4) tubes positioned inwardly to slide only with force from the springs (5, 6).

The mechanical fastening and restraining elements (14, 15, 20, 21) of the rotation of the tubes (3, 4) will only be required on condition that the spring elements (5, 6) reach their limit of longitudinal compressive strength. , for this reason the holes (19.3, 19.4, 19.7,

19.8) present in the inner tubes (3, 4) are oblong to prevent stresses from being concentrated in the holes (19.1, 19.2, 19.5, 19.6) of the outer tubes (2, 3), but in the spring elements (5, 6) and are only required in situations of application of high forces exceeding the resistance of the same springs (5, 6).

The different functional components (7, 8, 9, 10) are connected to the main structure (1.1) by any joining process, such as mechanical bonding or via welding. Each of these components has as its main function to support the components associated with the crossmember, such as the steering column, airbags and others.

This invention has as its main functions to increase the energy absorption capacities of the crossmember resulting in the protection / safety of the driver and passengers of the motor vehicle in the event of a side impact, and in transport and handling situation, enabling the reduction of occupied volume resulting space optimization and logistics cost.

The invention should be limited only by the spirit and scope of the following claims.

Claims (7)

1. Compression spring-reinforced instrument panel support crossmember (1) with transport volume reduction function, applied to motor vehicles, characterized in that the main structure (1.1) comprises: (a) larger (2) and intermediate (3) pipes having cross-sectional variation at one end (2.1, 3.1) and in which the spring elements (5, 6) are housed; b) smaller (4) and intermediate (3) tubes having at one end collars (16, 17) with greater protrusion at two collars halves and opposite sides; c) tubes (3, 4) suitable for collecting into the larger diameter tube (2) by rotational and longitudinal movements; and d) the pipes (2, 3, 4) are connected with fasteners (14, 15, 20, 21) by means of holes (19.1, 19.2, 19.3, 19.4, 19.5, 19.6, 19.7, 19.8), on the faces and contact limits (2.8, 16.1, 16.2, 17.1, 17.2). Crossbar (1) with main structure (1.1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that it includes spring elements (5, 6) at one end and of a semi-circle section (5.1, 6.1). Crossmember (1) with main structure (1.1) according to claim η. ^Ω 1 characterized in that the upper (2) and intermediate (3) pipes have a lower section on one side and flaps (2.4, 2.5, 2.6, 2.7, 3.4, 3.5, 3.6, 3.7) on the other side. Crossmember (1) with main structure (1.1) according to claim η. ^Ω 1 characterized in that the larger diameter tube (2) is suitable for the remaining tubes (3, 4) to be enclosed within it, and is specifically suitable for responding to the collection of the smaller tube (4) through its 90 ^rotação rotation in relation to the intermediate pipe (3), and in response to the intermediate pipe (3), through the 90 ^Ω rotation but in the opposite direction, be introduced into the larger pipe (2). Crossmember (1) with main structure (1.1) according to claim η. ^Ω 1 characterized in that the structure pipes fixing elements (14, 15, 20, fixing the pipes relative to each other, preventing the rotation of the pipes 4) and, being the maximum compression elements of the spring elements (5, 6), prevent longitudinal movements. Crossmember (1) with main structure (1.1) according to claim η. ^Ω 1 characterized in that the pipes of the main structure (2, 3, 4) have through holes (19.1, 19.2, 19.3, 19.4, 19.5, 19.6, 19.7, 19.8) which are positioned at the pipe ends and in the reduction zones. diameter (2.2, 3.2), they overlap over the oblong holes (19.3,19.4, 19.7, 19.8) present in the inner tubes (3, 4), and at their respective ends of the intermediate diameter (3) and lower (4) tubes. Crossmember (1) with main structure (1.1) according to claim η. ²¹ characterized in that the holes (19.1, 19.2, 19.3, 19.4, 19.5, 19.6, 19.7,19.8) overlap with the oblong holes (19.3,19.4, 19.7, 19.8) present at the ends of the tubes (3, 4), which are: i. circular (19.1, 19.2) in the tube (2); ii. circular (19.5, 19.6) and oblong (19.3, 19.4) in the tube (3) at opposite ends; and iii. oblong (19.7, 19.8) in the tube (4).