One piece instrument panel with molded upper bin

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9457755-B2
Application number	US-201514601688-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jan 21, 2015
Priority date	Jan 9, 2015
Publication date	Oct 4, 2016
Grant date	Oct 4, 2016

Abstract

An instrument panel and energy absorbing system for a vehicle includes an instrument panel reinforcement extending from a passenger side to a driver side of a vehicle. At least one bracket is secured to the instrument panel reinforcement. A one piece instrument panel includes an open bin structure formed thereon. An opening is formed in the instrument panel and receives a glove box structure. A trim panel is connected to the instrument panel about the opening and open bin structure. When an impact force is applied to the glove box, the glove box travels along a path from an unengaged position to an engaged position wherein the trim panel contacts the at least one bracket to absorb at least a portion of the impact force, when the glove box is in the engaged position.

First claim

I claim:

1. An instrument panel and energy absorbing system for a vehicle comprising:
an instrument panel reinforcement extending from a passenger side to a driver side of a vehicle;
at least one bracket secured to the instrument panel reinforcement;
a one piece instrument panel, the instrument panel including an open bin structure formed thereon;
an opening formed in the instrument panel, the opening receiving a glove box structure;
a trim panel connected to the instrument panel about the opening and open bin structure, the trim panel including a contact structure spaced from the at least one bracket in an unengaged position;
wherein when an impact force is applied to the glove box, a glove box travels along a path from the unengaged position to an engaged position, and wherein the glove box contacts the trim panel transferring at least a portion of the impact force to the trim panel and wherein the trim panel moves and the contact structure contacts the at least one bracket to absorb at least a portion of the impact force, when the glove box is in the engaged position.

2. The instrument panel and energy absorbing system of claim 1 wherein the open bin structure includes a slot formed therein receiving a fastener connecting the open bin structure to the bracket wherein when the impact force is applied to the glove box at least a portion of the impact force is transferred through the open bin and fastener to the bracket.

3. The instrument panel and energy absorbing system of claim 1 wherein the trim panel includes a slot formed therein receiving a fastener connecting the trim panel to the instrument panel wherein when the impact force is applied to the glove box at least a portion of the impact force is transferred through the trim panel and fastener to the instrument panel.

4. The instrument panel and energy absorbing system of claim 1 wherein the trim panel includes at least one rib formed thereon wherein when the impact force is applied to the glove box at least a portion of the impact force is transferred through the at least one trim panel rib to the instrument panel.

5. The instrument panel and energy absorbing system of claim 1 wherein the instrument panel includes at least one rib formed thereon wherein when the impact force is applied to the glove box at least a portion of the impact force is transferred through the at least one instrument panel rib to the bracket.

6. The instrument panel and energy absorbing system of claim 1 wherein when the impact force is applied to the glove box, the instrument panel reinforcement and the bracket are configured to deform in order to absorb at least a portion of the impact force.

7. The instrument panel and energy absorbing system of claim 1 wherein the instrument panel includes at least one access window formed therein allowing connection of components on a rear side of the instrument panel.

8. The instrument panel and energy absorbing system of claim 1 further including a decorative trim panel disposed over the at least one access window.

9. The instrument panel and energy absorbing system of claim 1 wherein the instrument panel includes a box structure formed therein and positioned adjacent the at least one access window.

10. An instrument panel and energy absorbing system for a vehicle comprising:
an instrument panel reinforcement extending from a passenger side to a driver side of a vehicle;
at least one bracket secured to the instrument panel reinforcement;
a one piece instrument panel, the instrument panel including an open bin structure formed thereon wherein the open bin structure includes a slot formed therein receiving a fastener connecting the open bin structure to the bracket;
an opening formed in the instrument panel, the opening receiving a glove box structure;
a trim panel connected to the instrument panel about the opening and open bin structure wherein the trim panel includes a slot formed therein receiving a fastener connecting the trim panel to the instrument panel, the trim panel including a contact structure spaced from the at least one bracket in an unengaged position;
wherein when an impact force is applied to the glove box, the glove box travels along a path from the unengaged position to an engaged position, and wherein the trim panel moves and the contact structure contacts the at least one bracket and at least a portion of the impact force is transferred through the trim panel and fastener to the instrument panel and through the open bin and fastener to the bracket.

11. The instrument panel and energy absorbing system of claim 10 wherein the trim panel includes at least one rib formed thereon wherein when the impact force is applied to the glove box at least a portion of the impact force is transferred through the at least one trim panel rib to the instrument panel.

12. The instrument panel and energy absorbing system of claim 10 wherein the instrument panel includes at least one rib formed thereon wherein when the impact force is applied to the glove box at least a portion of the impact force is transferred through the at least one instrument panel rib to the bracket.

13. The instrument panel and energy absorbing system of claim 10 wherein when the impact force is applied to the glove box, the instrument panel reinforcement and the bracket are configured to deform in order to absorb at least a portion of the impact force.

14. An instrument panel and energy absorbing system for a vehicle comprising:
an instrument panel reinforcement extending from a passenger side to a driver side of a vehicle;
at least one bracket secured to the instrument panel reinforcement;
a one piece instrument panel, the instrument panel including an open bin structure formed thereon and the instrument panel includes at least one rib formed thereon;
an opening formed in the instrument panel, the opening receiving a glove box structure;
a trim panel connected to the instrument panel about the opening and open bin structure wherein the trim panel includes at least one rib formed thereon, the trim panel including a contact structure spaced from the at least one bracket in an unengaged position;
wherein when an impact force is applied to the glove box, the glove box travels along a path from the unengaged position to an engaged position, and wherein at least a portion of the impact force is transferred through the at least one trim panel rib to the instrument panel and at least a portion of the impact force is transferred through the at least one instrument panel rib to the bracket.

15. The instrument panel and energy absorbing system of claim 14 wherein the open bin structure includes a slot formed therein receiving a fastener connecting the open bin structure to the bracket wherein when the impact force is applied to the glove box at least a portion of the impact force is transferred through the open bin and fastener to the bracket.

16. The instrument panel and energy absorbing system of claim 14 wherein the trim panel includes a slot formed therein receiving a fastener connecting the trim panel to the instrument panel wherein when the impact force is applied to the glove box at least a portion of the impact force is transferred through the trim panel and fastener to the instrument panel.

17. The instrument panel and energy absorbing system of claim 14 wherein when the impact force is applied to the glove box, the instrument panel reinforcement and the bracket are configured to deform in order to absorb at least a portion of the impact force.

Assignees

• Toyota Motor Eng & Mfg North America Inc

Inventors

• Merkel Nicholas Earl

Classifications

• B60R7/06

  mounted on or below dashboards · CPC title

• B60R21/045 Primary

  associated with the instrument panel or dashboard · CPC title

• B62D25/145

  having a crossbeam incorporated therein · CPC title

• B60R2021/0414

  using energy absorbing ribs · CPC title

• B60R21/04

  Padded linings for the vehicle interior {; Energy absorbing structures associated with padded or non-padded linings} · CPC title