DESC:FIELD
The present disclosure relates to the field of vehicle dashboards. More particularly, the disclosure relates to internal structures of dashboards.
BACKGROUND
The background information herein below relates to the present disclosure but is not necessarily prior art.
Typically, a dashboard assembly includes instrumentation and controls associated with the operation, functionality, and/or monitoring of the vehicle parameters. For example, a dashboard includes multiple gauges (such as speedometers, tachometers, odometers, and/or fuel gauges), indicators (such as gear shift position, seat belt warning lights, and/or engine malfunction lights), and other instruments or components such as music player, glove box compartment, driver panel, cluster, airbag compartments, and the like. Different variants of vehicle such as a right hand drive (RHD) or left hand drive (LHD) variant require positioning of certain components at specific desired locations on the dashboard according to the variant of the vehicle. Hence, for each variant, a new type of internal structure is required for mounting different dashboard components at the desired locations. This increases cost of material required for making a new internal structure every time for a vehicle variant. Also, require more setup time to manufacture molds of different variant, thereby leading to less productivity.
Thus, there is felt a need for an internal structure of dashboard that alleviates the aforementioned drawbacks.
OBJECTS
Some of the objects of the present disclosure, which at least one embodiment herein satisfies, are as follows:
It is an object of the present disclosure to ameliorate one or more problems of the prior art or to at least provide a useful alternative.
An object of the present disclosure is to provide a modular internal structure of dashboard.
Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a modular internal structure of dashboard that accommodates various components of dashboard according to requirement of different vehicle variants.
Yet another object of the present disclosure is to provide a modular internal structure of dashboard that accommodates various components of dashboard with minimal changes in the structure.
Still another object of the present disclosure is to provide a modular internal structure that is cost effective.
Still another object of the present disclosure is to provide a modular internal structure that improves manufacturing productivity.
Other objects and advantages of the present disclosure will be more apparent from the following description when read in conjunction with the accompanying figures, which are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.
SUMMARY
The present disclosure discloses an internal structure of dashboard for a vehicle. The structure comprises a left side portion, a right side portion, and a central portion. The structure is configured to allow modification at least at one location of the portion(s) to accommodate components of dashboard for plurality of variant(s) of the vehicle.
In an embodiment, the structure is configured to provide fitment locations for accommodation of the dashboard components by processing the structure at desired location(s) at the portion(s).
In an embodiment, the processing of the structure at desired location(s) includes laser cutting operation performed on the structure to provide desired fitment location(s).
In an embodiment, the vehicle variant includes all variants of right hand drive (RHD) vehicle. In another embodiment, the vehicle variant includes all variants of left hand drive (LHD) vehicle.
In an embodiment, the fitment locations are formed at least at one of the left portion, or the right portion, or the central portion to receive dashboard components.
In an embodiment, the structure is made of a polypropylene long glass fibre (PPLGF) material.
In an embodiment, the structure is formed by a plastic moulding machine.
The present disclosure also discloses a method of forming an internal structure of dashboard for a vehicle. The method comprises steps of:
i. forming the structure to form a left portion, a right portion, and a central portion thereon; and
ii. modifying the structure at least at one location of the portion(s) to accommodate components of dashboard.
An internal structure of dashboard for a vehicle is produced from a plastic moulding machine. The moulding machine comprises at least a replaceable/removable block(s) configured to produce opening at desired location onto the structure to accommodate dashboard components. The block(s) being placed or removed in the moulding machine during moulding process depending on the requirement of opening required for dashboard component(s) for particular vehicle variant.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWING
The internal structure of dashboard of the present disclosure will now be described with the help of the accompanying drawing, in which:
Figure 1 illustrates a front view of the internal structure of dashboard, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
Figure 2A illustrates a front view of the internal structure of Figure 1 machined at desired location(s) to suit a high variant of a right hand drive (RHD) vehicle;
Figure 2B illustrates a front view of the internal structure of Figure 2A provided with components fitted over the machined location(s);
Figure 3A illustrates a front view of the internal structure of Figure 1 machined at desired location(s) to suit a lower variant of a left hand drive (RHD) vehicle;
Figure 3B illustrates a front view of the internal structure of Figure 3A provided with components fitted over the machined location(s);
Figure 4A illustrates a front view of the internal structure of Figure 1 machined at desired location(s) to suit a high variant of a right hand drive (RHD) vehicle;
Figure 4B illustrates a front view of the internal structure of Figure 4A provided with components fitted over the machined location(s);
Figure 5A illustrates a front view of the internal structure of Figure 1 machined at desired location(s) to suit a high variant of a left hand drive (RHD) vehicle;
Figure 5B illustrates a front view of the internal structure of Figure 5A provided with components fitted over the machined location(s);
Figure 6 illustrates an isometric view depicting a laser cutting setup machining the internal structure of Figure 1 at desired location(s); and
Figure 7A illustrates a front view depicting the internal structure to be machined by machine set up shown in Figure 6;
Figure 7B illustrates a front view of the internal structure machined by the laser cutting setup of Figure 6;
Figure 8 illustrates an isometric view of a mounting structure of a vehicle on which machined internal structure is fitted;
Figure 9 illustrates an isometric view depicting fitment of machined internal structure on the mounting structure as shown in Figure 8; and
Figure 10 illustrates an isometric view of the complete assembly of a vehicle dashboard mounted onto the machined internal structure along with components such as glove box, steering wheel for a RHD vehicle variant.
LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS
2 – Left side portion
4 – Right side portion
6 – Central portion
100 – Internal structure of dashboard
101 – Vehicle
102 – Glove box fitment location
102A – Glove box
103 – Mounting structure
104 – Driver panel fitment location
104A – Driver panel/ steering wheel
105 – Mounting locations
106 – Air bag compartment fitment location
106A – Air bag
108 – Cluster fitment location
108A – Cluster
110 – Air condition louver fitment location
110A – Air condition louvers
112 – Infotainment fitment location
112A – Infotainment components
114 – Laser cutting machine
116 – Holder

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Embodiments, of the present disclosure, will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing.
Embodiments are provided so as to thoroughly and fully convey the scope of the present disclosure to the person skilled in the art. Numerous details are set forth, relating to specific components, and methods, to provide a complete understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to the person skilled in the art that the details provided in the embodiments should not be construed to limit the scope of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, well-known processes, well-known apparatus structures, and well-known techniques are not described in detail.
Terms such as “inner,” “outer,” "beneath," "below," "lower," "above," "upper," and the like, may be used in the present disclosure to describe relationships between different elements as depicted from the figures.
The terminology used, in the present disclosure, is only for the purpose of explaining a particular embodiment and such terminology shall not be considered to limit the scope of the present disclosure. As used in the present disclosure, the forms "a,” "an," and "the" may be intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly suggests otherwise. The terms “including,” and “having,” are open ended transitional phrases and therefore specify the presence of stated features, integers, operations, elements and/or components, but do not forbid the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.
The present disclosure discloses a modular internal structure of dashboard for a vehicle. The modular internal structure (hereinafter referred to as “internal structure 100”) of dashboard for a vehicle will now be described with reference to Figure 1 through Figure 10.
Referring to Figure 1, the internal structure 100 comprises a left side portion 2, a right side portion 4, and a central portion 6.
The structure 100 is configured to allow modification at least at one location of the portions 2, 4, 6 to accommodate various components of dashboard for different variants of the vehicle.
The components of dashboard includes multiple gauges (such as speedometers, tachometers, odometers, and/or fuel gauges), indicators (such as gear shift position, seat belt warning lights, and/or engine malfunction lights), and other components such as a music player, a glove box, a driver panel, a cluster, airbags, and the like.
In an embodiment, the internal structure 100 is made of a polypropylene long glass fibre (PPLGF) material. The polypropylene long glass fibre (PPLGF) material has less weight, high strength, and the material does not sag over a period of time as compared to conventional structures made of polypropylene talc filled Hostacom (PP TF Hostacom) material.
The below Table 1 provides comparative analysis of the two materials in terms of tensile strength, flexural strength, flexural modulus, and density:
Sr. no. Properties PP TF HOSTACOM PPLGF
1 Tensile Strength (Megapascals (Mpa)) 16 Mpa 59 Mpa
2 Flexural Strength (Megapascals (Mpa)) 22 Mpa 85 Mpa
3 Flexural Modulus (Megapascals (Mpa)) 1400 Mpa 3000 Mpa
4 Density (gm/ cm3) 1.05 1.03
TABLE 1
In one embodiment, the internal structure 100 is designed such that the left portion 2, the right portion 4, and the central portion 6 to accommodate the common components of different vehicle variants having the same location or position on the dashboard for LHD and RHD variants. The central portion 6 of the internal structure 100 includes an infotainment fitment location 112 for accommodation of infotainment components 112A such as music player and other control panel compartments, while the lower region of the left portion 2 and the right portion 4 have glove box fitment location 102, driver panel fitment location 104, and air condition louvers fitment locations 110 for accommodation of glove box 102A, driver panel 104A, and air condition louvers 110A. The locations 102, 104, 110 and 112 share fixed position on the dashboard for various LHD and RHD vehicle variants, and can be interchangeably used for accommodation of different dashboard components. Further, the internal structure 100 requires minimal processing at the specific desired location(s) at the portions 2, 4, and 6 to provide additional fitment locations for accommodation of various components of dashboard as per vehicle variant.
In an embodiment, the processing of the internal structure 100 includes laser cutting operation (as shown in Figures 6 and 7A) to provide the desired fitment location(s) at the portion(s) 2, 4, and 6 (as shown in Figure 7B). The internal structure 100 having the fitment locations 102, 104, 110 and 112 only needs to be machined or laser cut by a laser cutting machine 114 (as shown in Figure 6). The laser cutting machine 114 has a holder 116 to allow the internal structure 100 to be mounted thereon. The internal structure 100 is machined at desired locations to provide fitment locations 106, 108 as per vehicle variant. In an embodiment, the vehicle variant includes various variants of right hand drive (RHD) vehicles and left hand drive (LHD) vehicles. In an embodiment, a mounting structure 103 is fitted inside the front portion of a vehicle 101 as shown in Figure 8. The mounting structure 103 includes a plurality of mounting locations 105 to enable fitment of the machined internal structure 100 thereon (refer Figure 9). Figure 10 depicts a dashboard of a RHD vehicle variant mounted onto the internal structure 100 along with the components such as glove box 102A, steering wheel 104A etc.
Thus, slight machining of the internal structure 100 enables accommodation of dashboard components for various variants of the LHD and RHD vehicles, and saves money and improves manufacturing productivity as compared to conventional internal structures.
In a first exemplary embodiment, in case of lower vehicle variants for RHD vehicles, the internal structure 100 having the fitment locations 102, 104, 110 and 112 only needs to be machined or laser cut by the laser cutting machine 114 to allow the internal structure 100 to be machined at the top region of the left portion 2 to provide the air bag fitment location 106 for accommodation of the passenger air bag compartment 106A. Further, the internal structure 100 requires machining at the top region of the right portion 4 to provide the cluster fitment location 108 for accommodation of the cluster 108A (refer Figure 2A and Figure 2B).
In a second exemplary embodiment, in case of lower vehicle variants for LHD vehicles, the internal structure 100 having the fitment locations 102, 104, 110 and 112 only needs to be machined or laser cut at the top region of the left portion 2 to provide the cluster fitment location 108 to allow accommodation of the cluster 108A. Further, the internal structure 100 is machined at the top region of the right portion 4 to provide the air bag compartment fitment location 106 for accommodation of the passenger air bag compartment 106A (refer Figure 3A and Figure 3B).
In a third exemplary embodiment, in case of higher variants in RHD vehicles, the internal structure 100 having the fitment locations 102, 104, 110 and 112 only needs to be machined or laser cut at the top region of the left portion 2 to provide the air bag fitment location 106 to allow accommodation of the passenger air bag compartment 106A at that location (refer Figure 4A and Figure 4B).
In a fourth exemplary embodiment, in case of higher variants in LHD vehicles, the internal structure 100 having the fitment locations 102, 104, 110 and 112 only needs to be machined or laser cut at the top region of the right portion 4 to provide the air bag fitment location 106 to allow accommodation of the passenger air bag compartment 106A at that location (refer Figure 5A and Figure 5B).
The present disclosure also discloses a method of forming the internal structure 100 of dashboard for a vehicle. The method comprises steps of:
i. forming the structure to form the left portion 2, the right portion 4, and the central portion 6 thereon; and
ii. modifying the structure 100 at at least one location of the portion(s) 2, 4, and 6 to accommodate components of the dashboard.
In an alternate embodiment, the structure 100 is formed by a plastic moulding machine. The moulding machine comprises block(s) at the fixed locations to obtain the fitment locations 102, 104, 110, and 112 on the internal structure 100. Further, at least one replaceable/ removable block(s) is fitted into the die block to produce opening(s) at a desired location(s) onto the structure 100 to accommodate dashboard components as per LHD or RHD vehicle variants.
The removable block(s) are placed or removed in the moulding machine during moulding process depending on the requirement of opening required for dashboard component(s) for particular vehicle variant. For example, to obtain the fitment locations 106 and 108 into the structure 100 for lower variant LHD or RHD vehicles, the removable block(s) are selectively fitted on the operative bottom portion of the die block to allow formation of openings at the specific desired locations 106 and 108 at the upper region of the left portion 2 and the right portion 4 of the structure 100 for accommodation of the air bag compartment 106A and the cluster 108A.
Similarly, for the higher variants of LHD and RHD vehicles, additional removable block(s) are selectively fitted on the die block to enable formation of air bag compartment fitment location 106 at top region of the left portion 2 or at right portion 4 of the internal structure 100 for accommodation of the air bag compartment 106A as per LHD or RHD variant.
The internal structure 100 of the present disclosure reduces tooling cost, as common tool is used for all variants (cost of one tool is @ 1.7. crore to 2 crore).
Thus, the moulding of the internal structure 100 with removable block(s) eliminates need of separate moulding tools to produce the structure 100 for the different vehicle variants. The use of removable block(s) increases manufacturing productivity.
The foregoing description of the embodiments has been provided for purposes of illustration and not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. Individual components of a particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particular embodiment, but are interchangeable. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the present disclosure, and all such modifications are considered to be within the scope of the present disclosure.
TECHNICAL ADVANCEMENTS
The present disclosure described herein above has several technical advantages including, but not limited to, the realization of an internal structure of dashboard, that:
• accommodates various components of dashboard according to requirement of different vehicle variants;
• accommodates various components of dashboard as per different vehicle variants with very minimal changes in the internal structure;
• improves manufacturing productivity; and
• saves cost required for obtaining new structures for different vehicle variants.
The embodiments herein, the various features, and advantageous details thereof are explained with reference to the non-limiting embodiments 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.
The disclosure has been described with reference to the accompanying embodiments which do not limit the scope and ambit of the disclosure. The description provided is purely by way of example and illustration.
The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained with reference to the non-limiting embodiments 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.
The foregoing description of the specific embodiments so fully reveals 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.
While considerable emphasis has been placed herein on the components and component parts of the preferred embodiments, it will be appreciated that many embodiments can be made and that many changes can be made in the preferred embodiments without departing from the principles of the disclosure. These and other changes in the preferred embodiment as well as other embodiments of the disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the disclosure herein, whereby it is to be distinctly understood that the foregoing descriptive matter is to be interpreted merely as illustrative of the disclosure and not as a limitation. ,CLAIMS:WE CLAIM:
1. An internal structure (100) of dashboard for a vehicle, said structure (100) comprising:
a. a left side portion (2);
b. a right side portion (4); and
c. a central portion (6),
wherein said structure (100) configured to allow modification at least at one location of said portions (2, 4, 6) to accommodate various components of the dashboard for a plurality of variants of the vehicle.
2. The internal structure (100) of dashboard as claimed in claim 1, wherein said structure (100) is configured to provide fitment locations (106, 108) for accommodation of the dashboard components by processing the said structure (100) at desired location(s) at said portions (2, 4, 6).
3. The internal structure (100) of dashboard as claimed in claim 2, wherein processing of said structure (100) at desired location(s) include laser cutting operation performed on said structure (100) by a laser cutting machine (114) to provide desired fitment location(s) (106, 108).
4. The internal structure (100) of dashboard as claimed in claim 2, wherein said vehicle variant includes all variants of right hand drive (RHD) vehicle.
5. The internal structure (100) of dashboard as claimed in claim 2, wherein said vehicle variant includes all variants of left hand drive (LHD) vehicle.
6. The internal structure (100) of dashboard as claimed in claim 4 or 5, wherein said fitment locations (106, 108) are formed at least at one of the left portion (2), or the right portion (4), or the central portion (6) to receive dashboard components.
7. The internal structure (100) of dashboard as claimed in claim 1, wherein said structure (100) is made of a polypropylene long glass fibre (PPLGF) material.
8. The internal structure (100) of dashboard as claimed in claim 1, wherein said structure (100) is formed by a plastic moulding machine.
9. A method of forming an internal structure (100) of dashboard for a vehicle as claimed in claim 1, said method comprising steps of:
a. forming said structure (100) to form a left portion (2), a right portion (4), and a central portion (6) thereon; and
b. modifying said structure (100) at least at one location of said portions (2, 4, 6) to accommodate components of dashboard.
10. An internal structure (100) of dashboard for a vehicle produced from a plastic moulding machine, wherein said moulding machine comprising at least a replaceable/ removable block(s) configured to produce opening at desired fitment location(s) (106, 108) onto the said structure (100) to accommodate dashboard components: the said block(s) placed or removed in the moulding machine during moulding process depending on the requirement of opening required for dashboard component(s) for particular vehicle variant.
Dated this 1st day of August, 2022

_______________________________
MOHAN RAJKUMAR DEWAN, IN/PA – 25
of R.K.DEWAN & CO.
Authorized Agent of Applicant