Description:AN INTERIOR STRUCTURE OF A VEHICLE WITH COMMON MOUNTING POINT

TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present disclosure generally relates to an interior structure of a vehicle. The present invention, in particular, relates to an interior structure of a vehicle with common mounting point.

BACKGROUND
[0002] In automotive industry, car interior takes center stage as buyers focus on cabin experience. Interior structure of a vehicle in floor console region of a floor panel, is one of the most important structure that define aesthetics of the vehicle. The floor console region is located between driver seat and front passenger seat. In the floor console region, various mechanical and electronic components are provided. In particular, the floor console region of the floor panel at least has a gear stick and an airbag controller. The gear stick is provided between driver seat and front passenger seat to facilitate shifting of gears with ease. In addition, an airbag controller is provided on the floor panel of the vehicle. To cover the gear stick in the floor console region of the floor panel, the interior structure is utilized. The interior structure primarily has an engine mount member and a center console to prevent damage to the components concealed inside the center console. In addition, an airbag controller cover is provided on the floor panel to cover the airbag controller. The airbag controller cover prevents any damage to the airbag controller.
[0003] Vehicles have different types of designs based on the position of engine. Accordingly, vehicle can either have engine front mount type configuration or engine center mount type configuration or engine rear mount type configuration. In vehicles with engine front mount type configuration and engine rear mount type configuration the floor panel in the floor console region is substantially planar and various mechanical and electronic components can be positioned on same plane. Contrary to this, in engine center mount type configuration, engine is mounted below the seat of driver and front passenger. Accordingly, the floor panel of the vehicle is not planar.
[0004] FIG. 1a and 1b illustrates an exemplary interior structure in engine center mount type configuration of a vehicle in accordance with existing art. In the engine center mount type configuration, the floor panel 101 has a first member 101a and a second member 101b. The first member 101a is fixedly attached perpendicularly from the second member 101b of the floor panel 101. In this configuration, various mechanical and electronic components are placed in different planes. For instance, the gear stick is positioned in the first member 101a region of the floor panel 101 and airbag controller is positioned in the second member 101b region of the floor panel 101. Accordingly, the center console 102 and the engine mount member (not shown) of the interior structure 100 is positioned in the first member 101a region of the floor panel 101. The airbag controller cover 103 of the interior structure 100 is positioned in the second member 101b region of the floor panel 101. The airbag controller cover 103 is completely isolated from the center console 102 and the engine mount member in this type of configuration.
[0005] In the engine center mount type configuration of a vehicle, the airbag controller cover 103 is mounted over the second member 101b of the floor panel 101. The airbag controller cover 103 is fixedly attached with the second member 101b of the floor panel 101 at three mounting points 104a, 104b, 104c including two side mounting points 104b, 104c. However, no mounting point lie on the first member of the floor panel 101. Since, the airbag controller cover 103 is not attached with the first member 101a of the floor panel 101, the airbag controller cover 103 may experience dangling problems.
[0006] Due to the dangling problem, the airbag controller cover 103 may shift from its secured position thus creating a fragile interior structure 100. To make the interior structure 100 robust, a unified structure is desired. However, the floor panel 101 in engine center mount type configuration is not planar so unified structure in this configuration is not possible. Nevertheless, the interior structure 100 can be made robust by creating a common mounting point for its constituting components.
[0007] Accordingly, there is a need for a solution to provide an interior structure of a vehicle with common mounting point.

SUMMARY
[0008] This summary is provided to introduce concepts related to an interior structure of a vehicle with common mounting point. The concepts are further described below in the detailed description. This summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter.
[0009] The present subject matter relates to an interior structure of a vehicle with common mounting point. The interior structure comprises an engine mount member, a center console and an airbag controller cover. The engine mount member has a front edge portion adapted to fixedly attached over first member of the floor panel. Corners of the front edge of the engine mount member has extended portions with mounting holes. The center console is provided on top of the engine mount member having a base member and a main member. Front edge corners of the base member has extended legs with mounting holes. The airbag controller cover rests over second member of the floor panel with rear end corners of the airbag controller cover having extended portion with mounting holes. The extended portions of the engine mount member, the extended legs of the center console and the extended portions of the airbag controller cover are secured together at common mounting point.
[0010] In an aspect, the mounting holes of the engine mount member, the center console and the airbag controller cover are aligned together creating the common mounting point adapted to receive a fastener to secure the engine mount member, the center console and the airbag controller cover together.
[0011] In an aspect, a locator is provided on bottom face of the extended portions of the airbag controller cover in vicinity of the mounting hole to appropriately align the airbag controller in secured position.
[0012] In an aspect, a plurality of longitudinal ribs is provided in the vicinity of the locator on the extended portion of the airbag controller cover.
[0013] In an aspect, a clearance is maintained between the extended legs of the center console and the extended portion of the airbag controller cover, in secured position.
[0014] In an aspect, extended portions of the airbag controller cover is sandwiched between the extended portions of the engine mount member and the extended legs of the center console.
[0015] In an aspect, the extended leg of the center console comprises a horizontal portion and a vertical portion. The horizontal portion has mounting holes. The vertical portion extends integrally downwards from the horizontal portion.
[0016] To further understand the characteristics and technical contents of the present subject matter, a description relating thereto will be made with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the drawings are illustrative only but not used to limit the scope of the present subject matter.
[0017] Various objects, features, aspects, and advantages of the inventive subject matter will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments, along with the accompanying drawing figures in which like numerals represent like components.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES
[0018] The illustrated embodiments of the present disclosure will be best understood by reference to the drawings, wherein like parts are designated by like numerals throughout. The following description is intended only by way of example, and simply illustrates certain selected embodiments of devices, systems, and processes that are consistent with the subject matter as claimed herein, wherein:
[0019] FIG. 1a and 1b illustrates an exemplary interior structure in engine center mount type configuration of a vehicle in accordance with existing art;
[0020] FIG. 2 illustrates exploded view of an exemplary interior structure that can be utilized to implement one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure;
[0021] FIG. 3 illustrates top view of an exemplary engine mount member that can be utilized to implement one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure;
[0022] FIG. 4 illustrates isometric view of an exemplary center console that can be utilized to implement one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure;
[0023] FIG. 5 illustrates top view of rear end of the airbag controller cover in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure;
[0024] FIG. 6 illustrates bottom view of extended portion of the airbag controller cover in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure;
[0025] FIG. 7 illustrates side sectional view of interior structure in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure;
[0026] FIG. 8 illustrates extended portions of the center console and the airbag controller cover in secured position in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure;
[0027] FIG. 9 illustrates front sectional view of the interior structure in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure; and
[0028] FIG. 10 illustrates the assembled interior structure in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0029] The figures depict embodiments of the present subject matter for the purposes of illustration only. A person skilled in the art will easily recognize from the following description that alternative embodiments of the structures and methods illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles of the disclosure described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0030] A few aspects of the present disclosure are explained in detail below with reference to the various figures. Example implementations are described to illustrate the disclosed subject matter, not to limit its scope, which is defined by the claims. Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize a number of equivalent variations of the various features provided in the description that follows.
Definitions
[0031] In the disclosure hereinafter, one or more terms are used to describe various aspects of the present disclosure. For a better understanding of the present disclosure, a few definitions are provided herein for better understating of the present disclosure.
[0032] “Common Mounting Point” may be defined, in context of the disclosure, as the point on which various components of the interior structure are attached to the floor panel.

EXEMPLARY IMPLEMENTATIONS
[0033] While the present disclosure may be embodied in various forms, there are shown in the drawings, and will hereinafter be described, some exemplary and non-limiting embodiments, with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered an exemplification of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiments illustrated. Not all of the depicted components described in this disclosure may be required, however, and some implementations may include additional, different, or fewer components from those expressly described in this disclosure. Variations in the arrangement and type of the components may be made without departing from the scope of the claims as set forth herein.
[0034] In the engine center mount type configuration of a vehicle, the interior structure is not robust as the floor panel is not planar. The floor panel comprises a second member and a first member. The first member is fixedly attached perpendicularly from the second member. Thus, the first member and the second member are not in a plane.
[0035] In order to provide a robust interior structure, an interior structure with common mounting point may be utilized. The interior structure is described in more detail below.
[0036] FIG. 2 illustrates exploded view of an exemplary interior structure that can be utilized to implement one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. The interior structure 200 comprises an engine mount member 201, a center console 202 and an airbag controller cover 203. The engine mount member 201 is fixedly attached to the first member 204a of the floor panel 204. The engine mount member 201 has a front edge 201a adapted to fixedly attached over the first member 204a of the floor panel 204. Corners of the front edge 201a of the engine mount member 201 has extended portions 201b. The extended portions 201b integrally extend from corners of the front edge 201a in the same plane. The extended portions 201b of the engine mount member 201 are provided with mounting holes adapted to accommodate fasteners.
[0037] The center console 202 is provided above the engine mount member 201. The center console 202 has a base member 202a and a main member 202b. The base member 202a is the part of center console 202 that rests on the engine mount member 201. The main member 202b integrally extends vertically from the base member 202a. Provision is provided on the main member 202b to accommodate gear stick. The center console 202 also fixedly attached to the first member 204a of the floor panel 204. In particular, the center console 202 has a front edge 202c adapted to fixedly attached over the first member 204b of the floor panel 204. Corners of the front edge 202c of the center console 202 has extended legs 202d. The extended legs 202d integrally extend from corners of the front edge 202c in the same plane. The extended legs 202d of the center console 202 are provided with mounting holes adapted to accommodate fasteners.
[0038] The airbag controller cover 203 rests over the second member 204b of the floor panel 204. Rear end 203a of the airbag controller cover 203 is adapted to fixedly attached with the first member 204a of the floor panel 204. Thus, height of the rear end 203a of the airbag controller cover 203 is proportional to height of the first member 204a of the floor panel 204. Corners of the rear end 203a of the airbag controller cover 203 has an extended portion 203b. The extended portions 203b integrally extends from corners of the front edge 203a in the same plane. The extended portions 203b of the airbag controller cover 203 are provided with mounting holes adapted to accommodate fasteners. In an aspect, the extended portions 201b of the engine mount member 201, the extended legs 202d of the center console 202 and the extended portions 203b of the airbag controller cover 203 are secured together at common mounting point. The mounting holes of the engine mount member 201, the center console 202 and the airbag controller cover 203 are aligned together creating a common mounting point adapted to receive a fastener to secure the engine mount member 201, the center console 202 and the airbag controller cover 203 together.
[0039] FIG. 3 illustrates isometric view of an exemplary engine mount member that can be utilized to implement one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. The engine mount member 201 is a planar component with an opening provided for passage of gear stick. The extended portions 201b integrally extend from the corners of the front edge 201a along with the mounting holes are shown in the figure.
[0040] FIG. 4 illustrates isometric view of an exemplary center console that can be utilized to implement one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. The base member 202a of the center console 202 has extended legs 202d. The extended leg 202d comprises a horizontal portion 202da and a vertical portion 202db. The vertical portion 202db extends integrally downwards from the horizontal portion 202da. The mounting holes are provided on the horizontal portion of the center console 202.
[0041] FIG. 5 illustrates top view of rear end of the airbag controller cover in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. The extended portions 501, with mounting holes 502, on the rear end 203a of the airbag controller cover 203.
[0042] FIG. 6 illustrates bottom view of extended portion of the airbag controller cover in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. As discussed, the mounting holes of the engine mount member 201, the center console 202 and the airbag controller cover 203 are aligned together creating a common mounting point adapted to receive a fastener to secure the engine mount member 201, the center console 202 and the airbag controller cover 203 together. To facilitate the alignment, a locator 601 is provided on the extended portion 501 of the airbag controller cover 203. In an aspect, the locator 601 is provided in vicinity of the mounting hole 502 provided on the extended portion 501 of the airbag controller cover 203. To maintain alignment, a plurality of longitudinal ribs 602 is provided in the vicinity of the locator 601 on the extended portion of the airbag controller cover 203.
[0043] FIG. 7 illustrates side sectional view of interior structure in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. The common mounting point is shown with fastener 701. The extended portion 501 of the airbag controller cover 203 is sandwiched between the extended portion 201b of the engine mount member 201 and the extended legs 202d of the center console 202. The locator 601 is positioned in the vicinity of the fastener 701.
[0044] FIG. 8 illustrates extended portions of the center console and the airbag controller cover in secured position in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. The extended legs 202d of the center console 202 surround the extended portions 501 of the airbag controller cover 203 in secured position. Thus, the extended legs 202d guide the center console 202 to take proper position during assembly.
[0045] FIG. 9 illustrates front sectional view of the interior structure in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. A clearance 901 is maintained between the extended legs 202d of the center console 202 and the extended portions 501 of the airbag controller cover 203, in secured position, to avoid noise generation. In addition, the clearance 901 also guides the center console 202 to the common mounting point during assembly and hide the interior components to enhance aesthetics.
[0046] FIG. 10 illustrates the assembled interior structure in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. The common mounting point is positioned on the first member 204a of the floor panel 204. The extended portions 201b, 202d, 203b of the engine mounting member 201, the center console 202 and the airbag controller cover 203 meet each other at the common mounting point. The mounting holes on the extended portions 201b, 202d, 203b of the engine mounting member 201, the center console 202 and the airbag controller cover 203 are aligned together and a fastener 701 is passed through the aligned mounting holes. In an aspect, the fastener includes bolts, rivets, screw and nut, etc.
ADVANTAGES
[0047] The proposed interior structure is robust as all the components of the interior structure is joined with the floor panel at common mounting point. Further, the interior structure is easy to assemble as provisions like locator is provided on the airbag controller cover. Furthermore, the problem of dangling is solved as provision like plurality of ribs are provided on the airbag controller cover.
[0048] The above description does not provide specific details of the manufacture or design of the various components. Those of skill in the art are familiar with such details, and unless departures from those techniques are set out, techniques, known, related art or later developed designs and materials should be employed. Those in the art are capable of choosing suitable manufacturing and design details.
[0049] Further, the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the disclosure. It will be appreciated that several of the above-disclosed and other features and functions, or alternatives thereof, may be combined into other systems or applications. Various presently unforeseen or unanticipated alternatives, modifications, variations, or improvements therein may subsequently be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present disclosure as encompassed by the following claims.
[0050] The claims, as originally presented and as they may be amended, encompass variations, alternatives, modifications, improvements, equivalents, and substantial equivalents of the embodiments and teachings disclosed herein, including those that are presently unforeseen or unappreciated, and that, for example, may arise from applicants/patentees and others.
[0051] It will be appreciated that variants of the above-disclosed and other features and functions, or alternatives thereof, may be combined into many other different systems or applications. Various presently unforeseen or unanticipated alternatives, modifications, variations, or improvements therein may be subsequently made by those skilled in the art which are also intended to be encompassed by the following claims.
, Claims:We Claim:
1. An interior structure (200) of a vehicle with common mounting point, the structure (200) comprises:
an engine mount member (201) having a front edge (201a) portion adapted to fixedly attached over first member (204a) of the floor panel (204), wherein corners of the front edge (201a) of the engine mount member (201) has extended portions (201b) with mounting holes;
a center console (202) provided on top of the engine mount member (201) having a base member (202a) and a main member (202b), wherein front edge (202c) corners of the base member (202a) has extended legs (202d) with mounting holes; and
an airbag controller cover (203) resting over second member (204b) of the floor panel (204) with rear end 203a corners of the airbag controller cover (203) having extended portions (501) with mounting holes (502), wherein the extended portions (201b) of the engine mount member (201), the extended legs (202d) of the center console (202) and the extended portions (501) of the airbag controller cover (203) are secured together at common mounting point.
2. The interior structure (200) as claimed in claim 1, the mounting holes of the engine mount member (201), the center console (202) and the airbag controller cover (203) are aligned together creating the common mounting point adapted to receive a fastener (701) to secure the engine mount member (201), the center console (202) and the airbag controller cover (203) together.
3. The interior structure (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein a locator (601) is provided on bottom face of the extended portions (501) of the airbag controller cover (203) in vicinity of the mounting hole to appropriately align the airbag controller cover (203) in secured position.
4. The interior structure (200) as claimed in claim 1 and 3, wherein a plurality of longitudinal ribs (602) is provided in the vicinity of the locator (601) on the extended portion (501) of the airbag controller cover (203).
5. The interior structure (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein a clearance (901) is maintained between the extended legs (202d) of the center console (202) and the extended portion (501) of the airbag controller cover (203), in secured position.
6. The interior structure (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein extended portions (501) of the airbag controller cover (203) is sandwiched between the extended portions (201b) of the engine mount member (201) and the extended legs (202d) of the center console (202).
7. The interior structure (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the extended leg (202d) of the center console (202) comprises:
a horizontal portion (202da) having a mounting holes; and
a vertical portion (202db) extending integrally downwards from the horizontal portion (202da).