WO2001012458A1

WO2001012458A1 - Modular instrument panel

Info

Publication number: WO2001012458A1
Application number: PCT/US2000/022626
Authority: WO
Inventors: Arthur W. Hess; David Hein; Joseph J. Davis, Jr.
Original assignee: Lear Corporation
Priority date: 1999-08-17
Filing date: 2000-08-17
Publication date: 2001-02-22

Abstract

A modular instrument panel design is disclosed. The modular instrument panel includes a cross-car beam (14) for providing structural support for the instrument panel (10), a base panel (16) attached to the cross-car beam for providing a visible base surface, a center stack (18) connected to the base panel (16), the center stack having a visible center stack surface, and a top panel (12) attachable to the base panel (16), the top panel having a visible top surface. The top panel (12) and center stack (18) are exchangable with at least one other top panel and at least one other center stack to provide visible surfaces which are different than the visible surfaces of the first top and first center stack surfaces.

Description

MODULAR INSTRUMENT PANEL

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to vehicle instrument panels and more particularly to instrument panels having modular designs.

BACKGROUND ART

An instrument panel is the primary driver interface in a vehicle. The instrument panel provides information to the driver as well as receives input from the driver. Displays and gauges provide information to the driver for everything from speed to the volume on a radio. The driver inputs commands by manipulating a plurality of switches on the instrument panel which control greater than ninety percent of the functions of the vehicle.

An instrument panel also functions as a key component to the interior design of a vehicle. The instrument determines interior personality of the vehicle.

Through the selection of surface material and contour, as well as types of display switches, the interior style can change from a sophisticated luxury vehicle to a low cost economy vehicle.

Due to the importance to interior style, as well as cost reduction pressures, a need exists for an instrument panel having a flexible design architecture. The new and improved instrument panel must readily support changes in features, accessories, options and interior configurations to provide a vehicle original equipment manufacturer with the ability to produce different vehicle brands and create niche vehicles . DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

It is therefore a benefit of the present invention to provide an instrument panel contemplating the following enumerated features and advantages.

A removable upper panel: the top panel of the instrument panel can be easily removed for quick access to the mechanical, as well as electrical connections and to the main wire harness system. The removable upper panel allows quick assembly, diagnostics, and service.

A configurable upper panel: The upper panel can be replaced with a new upper panel to drastically change an interior styling of the vehicle. This new upper panel will interface with the same mechanical hard point on the instrument panel.

A configurable center cluster panel: A center cluster panel which is easily removable from the instrument panel, and can be replaced with a new center stack panel to change the interior styling of the vehicle.

In accordance with these and other features, the present invention provides a modular instrument panel design. The modular instrument panel includes a cross-car beam for providing structural support for the instrument panel, a base panel attached to the cross-car beam for providing a visible base surface, a center stack connected to the base panel, the center stack having a visible center stack surface, and a top panel attachable to the base panel, the top panel having a visible top surface. The top panel and center stack are exchangable with at least one other top panel and at least one other center stack to provide visible surfaces which are different than the visible surfaces of the first top and first center stack surfaces.

The above features, benefits and advantages and other features, benefits and advantages of the present invention are readily apparent from the following detailed description of the best mode for carrying out the invention when taken together with the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIGURE 1 is an exploded perspective view of a modular instrument panel having a first appearance for use in an automobile, in accordance with the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is an assembled perspective view of a modular instrument panel having a first appearance for use in an automobile, in accordance with the present invention;

FIGURE 3 is an exploded perspective view of a modular instrument panel having a second appearance for use in an automobile, in accordance with the present invention; and

FIGURE 4 is an assembled perspective view of a modular instrument panel having a second appearance for use in an automobile, in accordance with the present invention.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Referring now to Figure 1, a modular instrument panel 10 is illustrated, in accordance with the present invention. Modular instrument panel 10 includes a top panel 12, a cross car beam 14, a base panel 16, and a center stack 18.

Top panel 12 is configured to mount to base panel 16 and to cross car beam 14 using conventional fasteners, such as screws and clips. A plurality of apertures 20 and 22 are disposed along a top panel rim portion 23 on the top panel 12 and along a base rim portion 25 on base panel 16, respectively, for this purpose. Similarly, center stack 18 mounts to base panel 16 and top panel 12 as required to form an integrated instrument panel having a particular surface appearance and style which matches a particular vehicle interior design style. Instrument panel 10 has a driver side 20 and a passenger side 22 which are positioned on the driver and passenger sides of a vehicle respectively. Generally, the driver side 20 and passenger side 22 of instrument panel 10 are fastened to vehicle side structures to secure the instrument panel within the vehicle.

Referring now to Figure 2, instrument panel 10 is shown fully assembled, in accordance with the present invention. As readily apparent from Figure 2, top panel 12, together with center stack 18, create an interior surface which defines the style of an interior of a particular vehicle. Instrument panel 10 further includes trim pieces 28 which are configured to cover the plurality of apertures on the base rim portion 25 and on the top panel rim portion 23. The modular design of instrument panel 10 allows the top panel 12 to be removed from base panel 16 and exchanged with a different top panel 12' (shown in Figure 3).

As illustrated in Figure 3, a different top panel 12' having a dramatically different style and surface appearance may be received by base panel 16. Further, center stack 18' having a different appearance and functional content than center stack 18 may also be exchanged to add a different styling appearance, as well as a different set electronic accessories 19' . Top panel 12' as with top panel 12 (shown in Figure 1) has a top panel rim portion 23' which is configured to mate with base panel rim portion 25. More specifically, base panel 16 as well as the base panel rim portion 25 does not require modification to receive new top panel 12' . Further, the same attachment points and clips used to attach the rear edge of top panel 12 to cross-car beam 14 are used to attach the rear edge of top panel 12' to cross-car beam 14. Thus, the present invention allows vehicle marketers to offer vehicles having varying levels of styling and convenience accessories such as map lights, cup holders, CD players, cassette players, AM/FM radios, stereos, etc..

Base panel 16, as well as cross car beam 14, remain the same allowing the majority of the instrument panel 10 assembly to be used across a series of vehicle lines . This provides significant styling differences between the vehicle lines while reducing design, development and assembly costs. Referring now to Figure 4, a different top panel 12' and center stack 18' is shown assembled to base panel 16 and cross car beam 14. As is readily apparent, instrument panel 10' has taken on a significantly different styling appearance than instrument panel 10 as shown in Figure 2, yet a significant portion of the instrument panel 10' is the same as instrument panel 10. As with instrument panel 10, trim pieces 28' are secured to instrument panel 10' to cover the plurality of apertures on the base rim portion 25 and on the top panel rim portion 23 ' . Center stack 18' has a different appearance as well as functional accessories as compared to center stack 18 (shown in Figures 1 and 2). Thus, the present invention allows vehicle stylists and instrument panel engineers to greatly reduce the time required to make changes to the interior styling of a vehicle.

The present invention has many advantages and benefits over the prior art. For example, the overall appearance and major surfaces of the instrument panel 10 may be quickly and easily changed by removing the top panel and center stack and replacing them with a different top panel and center stack. Moreover, center stack 18 which comprises a variety of electronic devices, such as radio and air conditioning controls, may be exchanged with a center stack that has a different set of electronic devices providing a vehicle having an entirely different set of accessory options. Furthermore, modular instrument panel 10 reduces the cost of designing and developing an instrument panel by reusing a large number of parts, namely the base panel and cross car beam across a number of different vehicle lines.

While embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described, it is not intended that these embodiments illustrate and describe all possible forms of the invention. Rather, the words used in the specification are words of description rather than limitation, and it is understood that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A modular instrument panel for use in a vehicle, comprising: a base closure panel for covering a base portion of the instrument panel, the base closure panel having a base visible surface; and a top closure panel for covering a top portion of the instrument panel, the top closure panel having a top visible surface, and wherein the base closure panel is configured to receive a different top closure panel which has a different top visible surface.

2. The modular instrument panel of claim 1 , wherein the base closure panel further comprises a rim portion for mounting the top closure panel thereto.

3. The modular instrument panel of claim 2, wherein the rim portion further comprises a plurality of apertures for receiving a plurality of fasteners which secure the top closure panel to the base closure panel.

4. The modular instrument panel of claim 1 , further comprising a front closure panel for covering a front portion of the instrument panel.

5. The modular instrument panel of claim 4, wherein the front closure panel is a center stack.

6. The modular instrument panel of claim 5, wherein the center stack includes a plurality of electrical accessories.

7. A modular instrument panel for use in a vehicle, comprising: a cross-car beam for providing structural support for the instrument panel; a base panel attached to the cross-car beam for providing a visible first interior surface; a first center stack connected to the base panel, the first center stack having a visible second surface; and a first top panel attachable to the base panel, the first top panel having a visible third surface, wherein the first top panel and first center stack are exchangable with at least one second top panel and at least one second center stack to provide visible surfaces which are different than the visible first surface and visible second surface.

8. The modular instrument panel of claim 7, wherein the base panel further comprises a rim portion for mounting the top panel thereto.

9. The modular instrument panel of claim 8, wherein the rim portion further comprises a plurality of apertures for receiving a plurality of fasteners which secure the top panel to the base panel.

10. The modular instrument panel of claim 7, wherein the base panel further comprises an opening for receiving the first center stack.

11. The modular instrument panel of claim 10, wherein the opening further comprises an opening rim portion for mounting the first center stack thereto.

12. The modular instrument panel of claim 7, wherein the first center stack includes a plurality of electrical accessories which are different than a plurality of electrical accessories included on the at least one second center stack.