DESC:TECHNICAL FIELD
[001] The embodiments herein generally relate to an overhead console in a vehicle, and more particularly, but not exclusively to an overhead console assembly having a damping means to reduce noise and vibration, and a method of mounting the overhead console in the vehicle.

BACKGROUND
[002] Generally, an overhead console is a compartment in an interior system of a vehicle that is used for storing various accessories or things like sunglasses, CD, gadgets etc., and for mounting various lights, displays and controls of the vehicle. The overhead console is typically mounted to a roof of the vehicle. When the vehicle is in motion, body vibration or vibration frequency of any member or component that coincides with the inside cavity mode amplifies a cavity pressure of the vehicle cabin, which in turn generates a boom noise inside the vehicle cabin. NVH (noise, vibration and harness) simulations indicate that the vibrations in a front header and the overhead console are the critical areas where the boom noise is generated. The noise generated from the overhead console is undesirable to an occupant of the vehicle. Further, the vibrations generated from the overhead console leads to malfunction of accessories or gadgets that are stored in or mounted thereof. Conventional solutions for reducing noise and/or vibration from the overhead consoles are usually difficult and incur a huge structural change which results in complicated design, increases a weight of the vehicle, occupies more space and incur high manufacturing costs. Conventional system and method for mounting the overhead console in the vehicle results in high NVH (noise, vibration and harness).
[003] Therefore, there exists a need for a simple and cost-effective overhead console having a damping means and method for mounting a overhead console in the vehicles which obviates the aforementioned drawbacks.
OBJECTS
[004] The principal object of an embodiment of this invention is to provide an overhead console assembly having a damping means to reduce noise and vibration in a vehicle.
[005] Another object of an embodiment of this invention is to provide a mounting means for mounting an overhead console assembly in a vehicle.
[006] Yet another object of an embodiment of this invention is to provide an overhead console assembly for a vehicle to improve NVH (noise, vibration and harness) characteristics.
[007] Still another object of an embodiment of this invention is to provide a method for mounting an overhead console in a vehicle.
[008] The objects of the embodiments herein will be better appreciated and understood when considered in conjunction with the following description and the accompanying drawings. It should be understood, however, that the following descriptions, while indicating embodiments and numerous specific details thereof, are given by way of illustration and not of limitation. Many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the embodiments herein without departing from the spirit thereof, and the embodiments herein include all such modifications.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[009] The embodiments of this invention are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, throughout which like reference letters indicate corresponding parts in the various figures. The embodiments herein will be better understood from the following description with reference to the drawings, in which:
[0010] FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of an overhead console assembly mounted to a vehicle front roof header, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein;
[0011] FIG. 2 depicts a perspective view of the overhead console assembly with a mounting bracket and a plurality of second connecting members mounted thereon, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein;
[0012] FIG. 3 depicts a front view of a damping member of an overhead console assembly, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein;
[0013] FIG. 4 depicts a front view of a second connecting member of the overhead console assembly, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein; and
[0014] FIG. 5 depicts a flowchart of a method for mounting an overhead console in a vehicle, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0015] The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained more fully with reference to the non-limiting embodiments that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and detailed in the following description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.
[0016] The embodiments herein achieve an overhead console assembly having a damping means to reduce noise and vibration in a vehicle. Further, the embodiments herein achieve a mounting means for mounting an overhead console assembly in a vehicle. Furthermore, the embodiments herein achieve a method for mounting an overhead console in a vehicle. Referring now to the drawings and more particularly to FIG. 1 through 5, where similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the figures, there are shown embodiments.
[0017] FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of an overhead console assembly mounted to a vehicle front roof header, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein. The overhead console assembly 100 includes a vehicle having a body structure (not shown), a vehicle front roof header 102, at least one first connecting member 104 connected to the vehicle front roof header 102, a plurality of mounting brackets 106, at least one damping member 108 mounted at each of the mounting bracket 106, a central threaded opening 118 in each of the damping member 108 and at least one second connecting member 110 inserted in each opening of the damping member 108, a pin portion 112 of the second connecting member 110, a threaded portion 114 of the second connecting member 110, and at least one overhead console 116.
[0018] In an embodiment, the overhead console assembly 100 includes the at least one first connecting member 104. In an embodiment, the at least one first connecting member 104 is connected to the vehicle front roof header 102. In an embodiment, the at least one first connecting member 104 is made up of a plate having a predetermined shape. In an embodiment, the at least one first connecting member 104 is selected from a group consisting of steel plate, plastic plate, sheet metal, metal strip, and plastic strip. In an embodiment, at least one overhead console 116 is attached to the at least one first connecting member 104.
[0019] FIG. 2 depicts a perspective view of the overhead console assembly with a mounting bracket and a plurality of second connecting members mounted thereon, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein. In an embodiment, the overhead console assembly 100 includes the plurality of mounting brackets 106 defined in the at least one first connecting member 104 at predetermined locations.
[0020] FIG. 3 depicts a front view of a damping member of an overhead console assembly, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein. In an embodiment, each of the plurality of mounting bracket 106 includes the at least one damping member 108. In an embodiment, the at least one damping member 108 is mounted within each of the plurality of mounting bracket 106. In an embodiment, the at least one damping member 108 includes a central opening 118 configured to receive the at least one second connecting member 110. In an embodiment, the opening 118 is made up of internal threaded section (herein after central threaded opening) as shown in FIG. 3.
[0021] In an embodiment, the at least one damping member 108 effectively dampens a noise generated from the overhead console. In an embodiment, the at least one damping member 108 acts as a tuned mass damper to stabilize violent motion of the front roof header 102 caused by harmonic vibrations. In an embodiment, the at least one damping member 108 is configured to reduce noise, shock and vibration in the overhead console assembly 100 of the vehicle. In an embodiment, the at least one damping member 108 is selected from a group consisting of elastomeric vibration isolators and mechanical vibration isolators. In an embodiment, the at least one damping member 108 is made up of rubber isolator. In an embodiment, the at least one damping member 108 is mounted within each of the mounting bracket 106 by at least one of snap fit and press fit.
[0022] FIG. 4 depicts a front view of a second connecting member of the overhead console assembly, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein. In an embodiment, the overhead console assembly 100 includes the at least one second connecting member 110 inserted in the opening of each of the damping member 108. In an embodiment, the at least one second connecting member 110 is configured to connect the at least one first connecting member 104 with the vehicle front roof header 102. In an embodiment, the at least one second connecting member 110 includes a pin portion 112 and a threaded portion 114. In an embodiment, the pin portion 112 is configured to snap fit with the vehicle front roof header 102. Further, the threaded portion is configured to engage with the central threaded opening 118 of the at least one damping member 108. In an embodiment, the at least one second connecting member 110 is connected to the vehicle front roof header 102 by at least one of snap fit, press fit, and fasteners.
[0023] In an embodiment, the overhead console assembly 100 facilitates in noise reduction and also provides a mounting provision for the overhead console 116.
[0024] FIG. 5 depicts a flowchart of a method 500 for mounting an overhead console assembly in a vehicle, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein. In an embodiment, the method 500 for mounting an overhead console 116 in a vehicle, the vehicle includes a body structure having a vehicle front roof header 102, the method comprising steps of, connecting at least one first connecting member 104 to the vehicle front roof header 102 (step 502). Further, the method includes, mounting a plurality of mounting bracket 106 in the at least one first connecting member 104 at predetermined locations (step 504). Furthermore, the method includes, mounting at least one damping member 108 in each of the plurality of mounting bracket 106, wherein the at least one damping member 108 includes a central opening 118 (step 506). In addition, the method includes, inserting at least one second connecting member 110 in the opening 118 of each of the at least one damping member 108 (step 508), wherein the at least one second connecting member 110 is configured to connect the at least one first connecting member 104 with the vehicle front roof header 102.
[0025] The technical advantages provided by the embodiments herein include less weight, robust mounting design for holding any type of console in the vehicle, huge reduction of boom noise, no or minimal structural changes and less manufacturing cost, can provide mounting for all types of consoles (such as LCD TV, HVAC units, Light console, etc.,), good vibration isolation to the console there by increasing life of components, avoiding fatigue failures, reduction in mirror vibrations, can safely house/accommodate expensive, sophisticated and heavy gadgets, and protect high end gadget from shocks and vibrations.
[0026] The technical advancements provided by the embodiments herein are explained as follows. Irrespective of constrained packaging space, the mounting of the overhead console is very flexible and can be accommodated in available space. Size and thickness of the steel plate (first connecting member 104) can be varied and the overhead console assembly can be tuned as per the designed requirements of TMD (tuned mass damper) mass for the specific problematic frequency. Further, the overhead console assembly provides better NVH quality/vibration response.
[0027] The flexibility provided by the embodiments herein is explained as follows. Design of rubber isolator is very flexible and is driven by the physics and the principle of TMD design which primarily depends upon the nature of problem, problematic frequency and vibration behavior of particular vehicle at specific critical frequency. Hence proposed embodiments provide a modular and flexible designed overhead console assembly for different part of the vehicle as per the nature of problem. Further, the embodiment herein can be applied in the others areas of the vehicle where plastic is fitted with structural part (for example IP panel, door trims, etc).
[0028] The following description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the embodiments as described herein.
Referral Numerals:
Overhead console assembly 100
Front roof header 102
First connecting member 104
Mounting bracket 106
Damping member 108
Second connecting member 110
Pin portion of Second connecting member 112
Threaded portion of second connecting member 114
Console 116
Opening in damping member 118
,CLAIMS:STATEMENT OF CLAIMS
We claim,
1. An overhead console assembly 100 for a vehicle, the vehicle includes a body structure having a vehicle front roof header 102, the assembly 100 comprising:
at least one first connecting member 104 connected to the vehicle front roof header 102;
a plurality of mounting bracket 106 defined in the at least one first connecting member 104 at predetermined locations;
at least one damping member 108 mounted in each of the plurality of mounting bracket 106, wherein the at least one damping member 108 includes a central opening 118;
and
at least one second connecting member 110 inserted in the opening 118 of each of the at least one damping member 108;
wherein
the at least one second connecting member 110 is configured to connect the at least one first connecting member 104 with the vehicle front roof header 102.

2. The overhead console assembly 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one first connecting member 104 is attached to at least one overhead console 116.

3. The overhead console assembly 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one damping member 108 is selected from a group consisting of elastomeric vibration isolators and mechanical vibration isolators.

4. The overhead console assembly 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one damping member 108 includes the central opening 118 having an internal threaded section.

5. The overhead console assembly 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one second connecting member 110 includes:
a pin portion 112; and
a threaded portion 114 to engage with the internal threaded section of the at least one damping member 108.

6. The overhead console assembly 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one second connecting member 110 is connected to the vehicle front roof header 102 by at least one of snap fit, press fit, and fasteners.

7. The overhead console assembly 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one first connecting member 104 is selected from a group consisting of steel plate, plastic plate, sheet metal, metal strip, and plastic strip.

8. The overhead console assembly 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one damping member 108 is configured to reduce noise, shock and vibration in the overhead console assembly 100 of the vehicle.

9. The overhead console assembly 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one damping member 108 is mounted within the plurality of mounting bracket 106 by at least one of snap fit and press fit.

10. A method 500 for mounting an overhead console in a vehicle, the vehicle includes a body structure having a vehicle front roof header 102, the method 500 comprising steps of:
connecting at least one first connecting member 104 to the vehicle front roof header 102;
mounting a plurality of mounting bracket 106 in the at least one first connecting member 104 at predetermined locations;
mounting at least one damping member 108 in each of the plurality of mounting bracket 106, wherein the at least one damping member 108 includes a central opening 118;
and
inserting at least one second connecting member 110 in the opening 118 of each of the at least one damping member 108;
wherein
the at least one second connecting member 110 is configured to connect the at least one first connecting member 104 with the vehicle front roof header 102.