Control panel with centring pin(s) for a dashboard of an automobile and associated attachment method

The invention relates to motor vehicles, and more specifically the fixing of control panels on the dashboard such vehicles.

Some vehicles are equipped with a radio, CD-type media player or K7, which is initially supplied the factory with a facade devoid of man / machine control (buttons, actuators and / or buttons).

This type of unit is then installed in the vehicle behind a control panel (also called "electronic bib" or "piece front") which is provided with a man / machine interface for control of the radio, so that optionally at least one other man / machine interface for control of another system, such as the vehicle aérothermie the control system (air conditioning or heating) or a navigational aid system.

The human / machine interface dedicated to the control of the unit is coupled to the latter either directly by electrical wires or indirectly via an interface module comprising gears loaded to convert the commands entered by a passenger controls adapted to the car radio.

This separation of the unit from its man / machine control is advantageous in that it offers more freedom of design. However, it requires that the control panel is accurately positioned relative to the radio, and more specifically the media through slot that includes the control panel is exactly positioned opposite the media playback slot the car radio.

For this precise positioning, it is known to fix the control panel not only to the dashboard (as well as possibly to another element of the vehicle), but also plates which are precisely positioned relative to the structure vehicle and therefore also with respect to the car radio. The installation of the control panel in a precise position therefore requires many operations (procedures) manual and several fastening means, which increases assembly time and cost of the vehicle.

The invention therefore aims to improve the situation, and more precisely to allow a precise positioning of the control panel relative to the radio, with a limited number of assembly operations and fixing means.

It proposes for this purpose a table dedicated to the control of at least one radio that includes at least one media slot reader, comprising a media passage slot, and designed to be fixed at least to the dashboard of a motor vehicle.

This control board is characterized in that it comprises:<ul><li>on a rear face, at least one centering pin for insertion into a housing of the unit for positioning the media passage slot facing the media slot reader,</li><li>in a top, clipping means for fixing articulated table to the dashboard and to allow rotating the table for the introduction of each centering pin into the slot, and</li><li>in a portion below the upper portion, fixing means suitable for allowing the fixing of the table to an element of the vehicle.</li></ul>

The control panel according to the invention can comprise other characteristics that can be taken separately or in combination, including:<ul><li>its portion which is located below its upper portion may be an area including the fixing means and intended to be hidden;</li><li>its portion which is located below its upper portion may be a lower portion that is located substantially opposite to the upper portion;</li><li>its fixing means can be arranged in the form of at least one through hole suitable for passage of a screw;</li><li>the element on which it is attached may be a lower portion of the dashboard;</li><li>it can also be adapted to control one of the aerothermal control system within the vehicle;</li><li>it may comprise at least one other slot dedicated to the passage of an electronic card that stores digital data or connector;</li><li>it may comprise i) at least one man / machine control system available on a front face, and ii) an interface module attached to its rear face and including gears coupled to the man / machine control and adapted to convert commands entered by a passenger orders adapted to vehicle bodies;<ul><li>➢ the interface module can be fixed by clipping on its rear face.</li></ul></li></ul>

The invention also provides a method of securing a control panel (of the type described above) to at least a dashboard of a motor vehicle.

This process is characterized in that it consists, after installing the radio in the vehicle:<ul><li>to partially introduce the top of the table behind the dashboard so as to secure its clipping means in the dashboard, then</li><li>ii) rotate the table to introduce each of the table centering pin in the radio correspondent housing and position the media through slot of the table facing the media slot reader of the car radio, and</li><li>for attachment to a vehicle component part of the table which is located below its upper part, using at least the attachment means which are located in this part to be fixed.</li></ul>

It is for example set to the element part of the table which is located below its upper part by means of at least one screw which is inserted in a hole part of the table attachment means.

The invention also provides a control panel adapted to be secured at least to a dashboard of a motor vehicle and comprising a media passage slot, a first man / machine interface for the control of a car radio, comprising at least a media slot reader, a man / machine interface for the control of a control system of the aerothermal the vehicle, and a multiplexing circuit the signals coming from commands entered by means of at least first and second man / machine interfaces.

This control board is characterized in that it further comprises:<ul><li>at least one centering pin for insertion into a housing of the unit for positioning the media passage slot facing the media slot reader,</li><li>clipping means articulated own to fix an upper part of the table in the dashboard, while being invisible inside the vehicle and to enable the rotational drive of the table with a view to the introduction of each piece of centering in the corresponding housing and</li><li>at least one hole suitable for the passage of a screw for fixing to an element of the vehicle a hidden part of the table located below its upper part, thereby accurately positioning the table relative to the unit while limiting the number of assembly operations.</li></ul>

The invention also provides a control panel adapted to be secured at least to a dashboard of a motor vehicle and comprising at least:<ul><li>a first man / machine interface for the control of a radio comprising at least one media slot reader,</li><li>one second man / machine interface for control of an air vehicle,</li><li>a multiplexing circuit of the output signals of the first and second man / machine interfaces, for connection to the vehicle electronic network,</li></ul>and further comprising: <ul><li>a media passage gap</li><li>a centering system for centering the media passage slot on the media slot reader of the car radio,</li><li>a hinge system at the top of the control panel, for its part fixed in the dashboard, and</li><li>a fastening system located below the first and second man / machine interfaces.</li></ul>

This fixing system is arranged to avoid the effects of cooperation with elements which are located on the sides of the control panel, allowing the latter to constitute a sort of "bib" (or front) removable.

Other features and advantages of the invention will appear on examining the detailed description below and the appended drawings, in which:<ul><li>the <figref idrefs="f0001">figure 1</figref> illustrates in a cross-sectional view a first embodiment of a control panel according to the invention attached to a control panel of a motor vehicle, and</li><li>the <figref idrefs="f0001">2</figref> illustrates in a cross-sectional view a second embodiment of a control panel according to the invention attached to a control panel of a motor vehicle.</li></ul>

The attached drawings may not only serve to complete the invention, but also contribute to its definition, if appropriate.

As illustrated in <figref idrefs="f0001">figure 1</figref>The invention provides a new TC control panel to be fixed to at least the PB dashboard of a motor vehicle and to control at least one AR radio, CD-type media player or K7 and whose facade lacks man / machine control (buttons, actuators and / or buttons).

As illustrated, the unit AR includes at least one F1 media slot reader, for example for receiving a CD for playback and opening on its front (or front). Furthermore, and as shown, the radio AR may optionally comprise at least one other F3 slot for receiving another medium, such as an electronic card that stores digital data, or connector (eg Jack or USB type) .

The radio also includes AR, in at least one location of its facade, LP a housing for receiving a centering pin PC, which will be discussed further.

The control panel CT, according to the invention comprises firstly an F2 slot dedicated to the media passage (here CDs) to be played on the car radio AR once introduced into the F1 media slot reader. It also comprises at least one point on its rear face at least a FR PC centering pin designed to be inserted in a corresponding housing of the radio LP AR to enable precise positioning of F2 media passage slot under the F1 media slot reader. It will be understood that one can provide a plurality of centering studs PC, possibly of different shapes and / or optionally in different locations.

The TC control panel also comprises, in an upper portion PS (and preferably at its upper end), clipping means articulated MC. The articulated word must be understood in a broad and not limited to a joint or a hinge. Indeed, the clipping means MC must first enable the fixing, by clipping (or equivalent) of the upper part of the PS TC control panel on a P1 part of the dashboard PB and training in rotation of TC control panel with respect to said portion P1 of the PB dashboard.

For this purpose, the clipping means MC (mechanical type) may comprise a part dedicated to the clipping (fixation) on a P3 portion of the P1 part of the PB dashboard which is adapted for this purpose, and at least a portion made of a flexible material, for example plastic or semi-flexible composite. The portion of the clipping means MC which is dedicated to clip may also be made of the same flexible material. Alternatively, each clipping means MC can be mounted on a hinge or joint. For example, the clipping means MC comprise at least one male-type clip (or female) for cooperating with the corresponding means of clipping, type female (or male) of the portion P3. The average number of clipping is selected so as to optimize the imobilisation of the upper TC PS control panel relative to the portion P1 of the PB dashboard.

The rotation of the TC control panel, once the upper part PS secured to the portion P1 of the PB dashboard, is intended to fold it towards the radio AR for the introduction of each centering pin PC that includes the LP corresponding housing of the car radio AR. After (s) pawn (s) introduced PC center (s) in the (s) housing (s) correspondent (s), it is certain that the F2 media slot passage is positioned exactly opposite the slot F1 media playback. The TC control panel is thus "indexed" with respect to the unit AR.

It then remains is to set the TC control panel to another P2 member fixed to the vehicle structure so that it is permanently installed. It is important to note that the P2 element is not necessarily a subset of the PB dashboard. This may be the case, as in the examples shown in<figref idrefs="f0001">Figures 1 and 2</figref>But alternatively it may not be the case. In this variant, the P2 element may for example be the floor of the vehicle or a part attached to this floor.

According to the invention, this fixing is done with PV fastening means which are defined in an IP part of the TC control panel, which is located below its upper part PS. This PI is part, as illustrated in<figref idrefs="f0001">Figures 1 and 2</figref>, Preferably the lower part TC control panel, which is located substantially opposite the upper part (PS where are located the clipping means articulated TM).

As illustrated in <figref idrefs="f0001">Figures 1 and 2</figref>, PV attachment means may be arranged in the form of at least one through hole suitable for the passage of a screw V to be screwed in a threaded seat defined in the LF corresponding element P2. It is understood that there may be provided several through holes PV, optionally located in different locations of the PI portion of the TC control panel. But one or two holes through PV combined with one or two screws V, are generally sufficient to ensure quality of fixation.

Note that all attachment means known to those skilled in the art can be used to ensure the fixing of the PI portion of the TC control panel to the P2 element. Thus, for example, could consider using clipping means defined on the back FR instead of at least one through hole.

Also preferably, the PV fixing means are defined in one (or more) portion (s) of the PI portion which is (are) not directly visible (s) by a passenger. Thus, in the non-limiting example of<figref idrefs="f0001">figure 1</figref>, PV fixing means (hole (s) through (s)) are defined at the bottom of a recess RT that includes the PI portion of the TC control panel. This recess may for example be a storage, possibly controlled access by a door rotatably mounted on the front FV, or accommodating a sliding or removable drawer (optionally using ashtray). Alternatively, we could define the (s) hole (s) through (s) Minutes from the front and FV outside a recess, and put a decorative cover on the head of each screw V.

In the nonlimiting example of <figref idrefs="f0001">2</figref>, PV fixing means (a hole (s) through (s)) are defined in a PI portion which constitutes the end portion of the lower part of the TC control panel and which is bent (to the engine compartment (before ) of the vehicle). This PI part being disposed substantially perpendicular to the rest of the control panel, it is not in passenger visibility when seated in the front seats of the vehicle. Therefore, PV fixing means are hidden without being located in a recess or behind a decorative cover.

The terminal portion of the lower end portion TC control panel can optionally include, as shown, one (or more) ridge (s) (or groove (s)) for NF (s) to cooperate with (or ) groove (s) (or rib (s)) corresponding RF (s) define (s) of the P2 element.

As illustrated in <figref idrefs="f0001">figure 1</figref>TC control panel also includes at least a first man / I1 machine dedicated to control the car radio AR. This first interface I1 projects partially on the front FV TC control panel to allow a passenger to enter control instructions from the radio. More specifically, it is at least of the gripping elements (or command), such as buttons, actuators and / or touch-sensitive areas, which protrude on the front FV.

The first interface I1 may be coupled to the car radio AR either by electric cables or indirectly (as shown in <figref idrefs="f0001">figure 1</figref>) Via an IM interface module. The latter is preferably clipped onto the back FR TC control panel and devoid of electronic components (which are preferably contained in the first interface I1), but includes, for example gears that are responsible for converting the commands entered by a passenger by means of the first interface I1 into commands adapted to the car radio AR.

As illustrated in <figref idrefs="f0001">figure 1</figref>TC control panel may also include at least one second man / machine interface I2 eg dedicated to controlling a vehicle aérothermie the control system (air conditioner or heating) or a help system to navigation.

This second interface I2 projects partially on the front control panel FV TC to allow a passenger to enter the corresponding system control instructions. More specifically, it is at least of the gripping elements (or command), such as buttons, actuators and / or touch-sensitive areas, which protrude on the front FV.

This second interface I2 can be coupled to corresponding system either directly by electric cables or indirectly via the IM interface module. It then comprises, for example, gears which are responsible for converting the commands entered by a passenger using the second interface I2 in commands tailored for the system concerned.

When the TC control panel includes an IM interface module coupled to a second interface I2 dedicated air conditioning, and the controls of the air conditioner includes a zipper-type body for control of manual recycling, this zipper is preferably part of the MI interface module.

Although it is not shown in the figures, the TC control panel may also include a multiplexing circuit of some signals from commands entered through at least the first I1 and I2 second man / machine interfaces .

The installation of the TC control panel in the vehicle is done by performing the steps of the fixing method described below.

This fixing process begins once the unit AR has been installed in the vehicle.

It begins by partially introduce the top PS TC control panel behind the dashboard PB, specifically behind its part P1 to secure, by clipping, through its clipping means MC and corresponding means P3 defined on the portion of the P1 part of the PB dashboard.

When the TC control panel comprises a first interface I1, but not IM interface module, the procedure for connecting the first interface I1 to the car radio AR via electric cables or via the multiplexing circuit. When the TC control panel comprises a first interface I1 coupled to the IM interface module, the procedure for connecting the MI interface module to the car radio AR via electric cables or via the multiplexing circuit.

Moreover, if the TC control panel comprises at least one second interface I2, but no MI interface module is performed for connecting the second interface I2 corresponding to the system via electric cables or via the multiplexing circuit. When the TC control panel includes a second interface I2 coupled to the IM interface module, the procedure for connecting the MI interface module to the system corresponding to this second interface I2 via electric cables or via the multiplexing circuit.

Then, TC control panel is rotated toward the rear car radio to introduce each PC centering pin of the TC control panel in the housing LP correspondent radio AR and thus position the media through slot F2 opposite to F1 media reading slot (and any other F4 passage slot next to any other slot reader or F3 connecting the car radio or of any other equipment or element). Every other F3 reading slot may for example include a plug type jack or a USB port (or the like).

Finally, the PI portion of the TC control panel is fixed to the P2 element of the vehicle which is located below its upper part PS, exerting slight pressure on the front of TC FV control panel, and using at least PV attachment means which are located in the IP part. In both non-limiting examples illustrated, PV fixing means consist of at least one through hole. Therefore, the fixing is done by inserting a screw in each through hole V PV, then screwing each screw into the threaded housing LF corresponding to the P2 element.

The installation of the TC control panel is complete. Additional equipment (or accessories), such as an ashtray or a drawer or a cigarette lighter, can then be attached to it if necessary.

The invention is particularly advantageous because it provides an accurate positioning of the control panel relative to the radio, limits the number of fixing means (including screws) used and the number of manual operations to be performed, thereby reducing the mounting time and reduces costs, eliminates what man of art called "technical trespass" on the style front (or control panel) and allows a possible non-destructive removal of the control panel .

The invention is not limited to the control panel embodiments and attachment method described above, only as examples, but encompasses all the variants that may be envisaged by the art in the scope of the claims below.