DESC:TECHNICAL FIELD
[001] The embodiments herein generally relate to dash panel assembly in vehicles and more particularly, but not exclusively to dash panel assembly that is capable of meeting packaging of dash panel mounted components and styling constraints of a SUV (sports utility vehicle) in addition to accommodation of middle passenger seating requirement in a front seating row of a vehicle.

BACKGROUND
[002] Generally, a dash panel assembly in a vehicle is the separation between a passenger compartment and an engine compartment of the vehicle. The dash panel assembly provides mountings to HVAC (heating, ventilation and air-conditioning) unit, brake booster, control pedals, IP (instrumental panel) locators, CCB (cross car beam) mounting, parking brake, gear shifter, insulator, wiring harness engine and engine compartment, wiper, applique, dead pedal and steering column universal joint. If the requirements are such that the vehicle needs to accommodate a mid passenger in the front seating row, then the conventional dash panel assembly cannot be used at least because of the positioning of center console, parking brake mounting, gear shifter, and cross car beam (CCB) mountings in the conventional dash panel assembly. In addition to the aforementioned, the assembly should also meet clearance requirements with engine rocking envelope, tire articulation and other serviceability requirements. Further, the aforementioned dash panel assembly should also meet functional requirement of crashworthiness, durability and NVH (noise, vibration and harshness) characteristics.
[003] Therefore, there exists a need for a dash panel assembly for a vehicle, which obviates the aforementioned drawbacks of the conventional dash panel assemblies.

OBJECTS
[004] The principal object of an embodiment of this invention is to provide a dash panel assembly for a vehicle, which is capable of meeting packaging of dash panel mounted components and styling constraints of a SUV (sports utility vehicle) in addition to accommodation of middle passenger seating requirement in a front seating row of a vehicle.
[005] Another object of an embodiment of this invention is to provide a dash panel assembly for a vehicle, which facilitates effective mounting and packaging of HVAC (Heating, ventilation and air conditioning) unit thereto in addition to accommodation of middle passenger seating requirement in a front seating row of a vehicle.
[006] Yet another object of an embodiment of this invention is to provide a dash panel assembly for a vehicle, which operably supports mounting of parking brake lever thereto.
[007] A further object of an embodiment of this invention is to provide a dash panel assembly for a vehicle, which is durable and has better noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) characteristics.
[008] These and other aspects 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, through out 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 a dash panel assembly for a vehicle, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein;
[0011] Fig. 2 depicts another perspective view of the dash panel assembly, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein;
[0012] Fig. 3 depicts a perspective view of a dash panel of the dash panel assembly, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein;
[0013] Fig. 4 depicts a rear view of the dash panel, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein;
[0014] Fig. 5 depicts a perspective view of a plenum panel of the dash panel assembly, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein;
[0015] Fig. 6 depicts a top view of the plenum panel, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein;
[0016] Fig. 7 depicts a bottom view of the plenum panel, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein;
[0017] Fig. 8 depicts a perspective view of a windshield panel of the dash panel assembly, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein;
[0018] Fig. 9 depicts a perspective view of the dash panel, the plenum panel and the windshield panel in assembled condition, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein;
[0019] Fig. 10 depicts a side view of the dash panel, the plenum panel and the windshield panel in assembled condition, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein;
[0020] Fig. 11 depicts a top view of the dash panel and the HVAC unit in assembled condition, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein; and
[0021] Fig. 12 depicts a cross-sectional view of the dash panel, the plenum panel and the windshield panel in assembled condition, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0022] 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.
[0023] The embodiments herein achieve a a dash panel assembly for a vehicle, which is capable of meeting packaging of dash panel mounted components and styling constraints of a SUV (sports utility vehicle) in addition to accommodation of middle passenger seating requirement in a front seating row of a vehicle. Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to Figs. 1 through 12, where similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the figures, there are shown embodiments.
[0024] Fig. 1 depicts a perspective view of the dash panel assembly 10 for a vehicle, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein. In an embodiment, the dash panel assembly 10 (as shown in fig. 1, fig. 2, fig. 9, fig. 10, fig. 11 and fig. 12) includes a dash panel 100 (as shown in fig. 1, fig. 2, fig. 3, fig. 4, fig. 9, fig. 10, fig. 11 and fig. 12), a plenum panel 20 (as shown in fig. fig. 1, fig. 2, fig. 5, fig. 6, fig. 7, fig. 9, fig. 10 and fig. 12), a windshield panel 30 (as shown in fig. 1, fig. 2, fig. 8, fig. 9, fig. 10 and fig. 12), a brake clutch reinforcement bracket A, a steering grommet mounting bracket B, a dash panel left hand side bracket C, a Cross car beam (hereinafter CCB) bottom mounting left hand side bracket D, a steering column universal joint bracket E, an electrical clip mounting bracket F, a foot rest dead pedal bracket G, a heating, ventilation and air conditioning (hereinafter HVAC) unit H, a parking pulley bracket I, a CCB bottom mounting right hand side bracket J, a dash panel right hand side bracket K, a plurality of instrumental panel (hereinafter IP) locator mounting brackets L, a CCB top mounting bracket M, a plenum gusset N, a wiper spindle bracket O, a wiper motor mounting bracket P, a wiper spindle left hand side bracket Q, an electrical connector bracket R, a dash panel cross-member S, a gear shifter grommet (not shown), hood cable grommet (not shown) and may include other standard components as present in standard vehicle dash panel assembly.
[0025] Fig. 3 depicts a perspective view of a dash panel 100 of the dash panel assembly 10, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein. In an embodiment, the dash panel 100 includes a first portion 102, a first side portion 104, a second side portion 106, a second portion 108, a peripheral connecting portion 110 and may include other standard portions/elements as present in standard dash panel. In an embodiment, the first portion 102 of the dash panel 100 includes a first mounting portion 102a, a second mounting portion 102b, a third mounting portion 102c, a fourth mounting portion 102d, a fifth mounting portion 102e, a sixth mounting portion 102f, a seventh mounting portion 102g (as shown in fig. 4), a eighth mounting portion 102h (as shown in fig. 4), a first opening 102i, a second opening 102j and a third opening 102k. The first mounting portion 102a of the first portion 102 of the dash panel 100 is adapted to be disposed away from the first portion 102 to facilitate mounting and packaging of the HVAC unit H. The first mounting portion 102a of the first portion 102 of the dash panel 100 defines a HVAC thermostatic expansion valve entry opening 102p adapted to receive the HVAC thermostatic expansion valve, an electrical grommet opening 102q adapted to receive an electrical grommet (not shown) and a heater hose opening 102r adapted to receive a heater hose (not shown). The second mounting portion 102b of the first portion 102 of the dash panel 100 is used to mount the CCB bottom mounting left hand side bracket D. The third mounting portion 102c of the first portion 102 of the dash panel 100 is used to mount the CCB bottom mounting right hand side bracket J. The fourth mounting portion 102d of the first portion 102 of the dash panel 100 is used to mount the brake clutch reinforcement bracket A, where the fourth mounting portion 102d is between the first mounting portion 102a and the second side portion 106 of the dash panel 100. The fourth mounting portion 102d of the first portion 102 of the dash panel 100 defines a CMC mounting opening 102m adapted to receive CMC mounting member (not shown) thereby facilitating mounting of CMC mounting, an electrical grommet opening 102n adapted to receive the electrical grommet (not shown) and a booster member opening 102o adapted to receive the booster member (not shown). The fifth mounting portion 102e of the first portion 102 of the dash panel 100 is used to mount the steering grommet mounting bracket B, where the fifth mounting portion 102e is adjacent to the third mounting portion 102c. The sixth mounting portion 102f of the first portion 102 of the dash panel 100 is used to mount the gear shifter grommet (not shown). The sixth mounting portion 102f of the first portion 102 defines an opening 102l adapted to receive gear shifter cable (not shown) and gear selector cable. The seventh mounting portion 102g of the first portion 102 of the dash panel 100 is used to mount the electrical connector bracket R, where the seventh mounting portion 102f is located on rear side of the first portion 102 and is adjacent to an engine compartment (not shown) of the vehicle. The eighth mounting portion 102h of the first portion 102 of the dash panel 100 is used to mount the dash panel cross member S, where the eighth mounting portion 102h is located on rear side of the first portion 102 and is adjacent to the engine compartment (not shown) of the vehicle. The first opening 102i of the first portion 102 of the dash panel 100 is used receive HVAC drain pipe (not shown). The second opening 102j of the first portion 102 of the dash panel 100 is used to receive the steering column universal joint bracket E thereby facilitating the mounting of steering column universal joint bracket E, where the second opening 102j is adjacent to the fourth mounting portion 102d adapted to mount the brake clutch reinforcement bracket A. The third opening 102k of the first portion 102 of the dash panel 100 is used to receive a hood cable grommet (not shown).
[0026] In an embodiment, the first side portion 104 of the dash panel 100 is extending from the first mounting portion 102a of the first portion 102 and disposed at a pre-defined angle from the first portion 102. The first side portion 104 defines a dash panel left hand side bracket mounting portion 104a adapted to mount the dash panel left hand side bracket C.
[0027] In an embodiment, the second side portion 106 of the dash panel 100 is extending from the first portion 102 and disposed at a pre-defined angle from the first portion 102. The second side portion 106 of the dash panel 100 defines a dash panel right hand side bracket mounting portion 106a adapted to mount the dash panel right hand side bracket K.
[0028] In an embodiment, the second portion 108 of the dash panel 100 is extending from the first portion 102 between the first side portion 104 and the second side portion 106, and disposed at a predefined angle from the first portion 102. The second portion 108 is adapted provide space/accommodate for a mid passenger in a front seating row of the vehicle, where the mid passenger sits on a middle passenger seat adapted to be disposed between a driver seat and corresponding passenger seat. In an embodiment, the second portion 108 defines a parking pulley bracket mounting portion 108a, a foot rest dead pedal bracket mounting portion 108b and an electrical clip bracket mounting portion 108c. The parking pulley bracket mounting portion 108a of the second portion 108 of the dash panel 100 is adapted to mount a parking pulley bracket I thereby facilitating mounting of a parking brake lever of the vehicle to the parking pulley bracket mounting portion 108a of the second portion 108 of the dash panel 100, where the parking pulley bracket mounting portion 108a is disposed below the sixth mounting portion 102f of the first portion 102 of the dash panel 100. The foot rest dead pedal bracket mounting portion 108b of the second portion 108 of the dash panel 100 is used to mount foot rest dead pedal bracket G. The electrical clip bracket mounting portion 108c of the second portion 108 of the dash panel 100 is used to mount the electrical clip mounting bracket F.
[0029] The peripheral connecting portion 110 of the dash panel 100 is extending from the first portion 102, the first side portion 104 and the second side portion 106, and disposed above the first portion 102, the first side portion 104 and the second side portion 106, where the peripheral connecting portion 110 extends along widthwise direction of the vehicle.
[0030] Fig. 6 depicts a top view of the plenum panel 20, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein. The plenum panel 20 includes a base 22, a first portion 24 and a second portion 26. The base 22 of the plenum panel 20 defines a connecting portion 22a corresponding to the peripheral connecting portion 110 of the dash panel 100, the connecting portion 22a extends along the widthwise direction of the vehicle, where the connecting portion 22a is adapted to be connected to the peripheral connecting portion 110 of the dash panel 10. The base 22 of the plenum panel 20 defines a plurality of water outlet portion 22b adapted to facilitate exit of water from plenum panel during rainy condition or manually watering the vehicle. The base 22 of the plenum panel 20 defines a wiper motor bracket mounting portion 22c adapted to mount the wiper motor mounting bracket P. The first portion 24 is transversely extending from the base 22 of the plenum panel 20. The first portion 24 of the plenum panel 20 defining a portion 24a (as shown in fig. 7) and at least one air inlet 24b. The portion 24a of the first portion 24 of the plenum panel 20 is adapted to be disposed away from the first portion 24 to facilitate packaging of the HVAC unit H. The portion 24a of the first portion 24 of the plenum panel 20 defines substantially a hump shape configuration. The air inlet 24b of the first portion 24 of the plenum panel 20 is used to facilitate entry of air from the plenum panel 20 to the HVAC unit H. The second portion 26 is transversely extending from the base 22 of the plenum panel 20. The plenum gusset N is adapted to be mounted to corresponding portion (not shown) of the first portion 24 of the plenum panel 20.
[0031] Fig. 8 depicts a perspective view of a windshield panel 30 of the dash panel assembly 10, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein. The windshield panel 30 defining a peripheral connecting portion 30a corresponding to the connecting portion 22a of the plenum panel 20, the peripheral connecting portion 30a extends along the widthwise direction of the vehicle, where the peripheral connecting portion 30a is adapted to be connected to the connecting portion 22a of the plenum panel 20. The windshield panel 30 defines a plurality of air inlets 30b adapted to facilitate entry of air from windshield panel 30 to the plenum panel 20. The windshield panel 30 defines a plurality of portions 30c adapted to mount corresponding IP locator mounting bracket L. The windshield panel 30 defines a wiper spindle bracket mounting portion 30d adapted to mount the wiper spindle bracket O.
[0032] The brake clutch reinforcement bracket A is adapted to be mounted to the fourth mounting portion 102d of the first portion 102 of the dash panel 100. The steering grommet mounting bracket B is adapted to be mounted to the fifth mounting portion 102e of the first portion 102 of the dash panel 100. The dash panel left hand side bracket C is adapted to be mounted to the dash panel left hand side bracket mounting portion 104a of the first side portion 104 of the dash panel 100. The cross car beam bottom mounting left hand side bracket D is adapted to be mounted to second mounting portion 102b of the first portion 102 of the dash panel 100. The steering column universal joint bracket E is adapted to be mounted to the second opening 102j of the first portion 102 of the dash panel 100. The electrical clip mounting bracket F is adapted to be mounted to the electrical clip bracket mounting portion 108c of the second portion 108 of the dash panel 100. The foot rest dead pedal bracket G is adapted to be mounted to the foot rest dead pedal bracket mounting portion 108b of the second portion 108 of the dash panel 100. The HVAC unit H is adapted to be mounted and packaged to the first mounting portion 102a of the first portion 102 of the dash panel 100. The parking pulley bracket I is adapted to be mounted to the parking pulley bracket mounting portion 108a of the second portion 108 of the dash panel 100. The CCB bottom mounting right hand side bracket J is adapted to be mounted to the third mounting portion 102c of the first portion 102 of the dash panel 100. The dash panel right hand side bracket K is adapted to be mounted to the dash panel right hand side bracket mounting portion 106a of the second side portion 106 of the dash panel 100. Each IP locator mounting bracket L is adapted to be mounted to corresponding portion 30c of the windshield panel 30. The CCB top mounting bracket M is adapted to be mounted to the corresponding portion (not shown) of the first portion 24 of the plenum panel 20. The wiper spindle bracket O is adapted to be mounted to the wiper spindle bracket mounting portion 30d of the windshield panel 30. The wiper motor mounting bracket P is adapted to be mounted to the wiper motor bracket mounting portion 22c of the base 22 of the plenum panel 20. One end of the wiper spindle left hand side bracket Q is adapted to be connected to the second portion 26 of the plenum panel 20 and the other end of the wiper spindle left hand side bracket Q is adapted to be connected to first portion 24 of the plenum panel 20. The electrical connector bracket R is adapted to be mounted to the seventh mounting portion 102g of the first portion 102 of the dash panel 100. The dash panel cross-member S is adapted to be mounted to the eighth mounting portion 102h of the first portion 102 of the dash panel 100.
[0033] The second portion 108 of the dash panel 100 and the first mounting portion 102a of the first portion 102 of the dash panel 100 are adapted to provide pre-defined space for a mid passenger in a front seating row of the vehicle, where the mid passenger sits on a middle passenger seat adapted to be disposed between a driver seat and corresponding passenger seat. The dash panel 100, the plenum panel 20 and the windshield panel 30 in assembled condition defines substantially a bow shape configuration (as shown in fig. 10 and fig. 12). The dash panel assembly 100 is adapted to be connected to the floor panel (not shown) and side body structure (not shown) of the vehicle. The plenum panel 20 and the windshield panel 30 facilitate effective packaging of a wiper (not shown) of the vehicle.
[0034] The foregoing 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 preferred 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.
,CLAIMS: CLAIMS
We claim,
1. A dash panel assembly 10 for a vehicle, said dash panel assembly 10 comprising:
a dash panel 100 having a first portion 102 defining a first mounting portion 102a adapted to be disposed away from said first portion 102 to facilitate mounting and packaging of a HVAC unit H of the vehicle; a first side portion 104 extending from the first mounting portion 102a and disposed at a pre-defined angle from the first mounting portion 102a; a second side portion 106 extending from said first portion 102 and disposed at a pre-defined angle from said first portion 102; and a second portion 108 extending from said first portion 102 between said first side portion 104 and said second side portion 106, and disposed at a predefined angle from said first portion 102, said second portion 108 and the first mounting portion 102a are adapted to provide pre-defined space for a mid passenger in a front seating row of the vehicle, where the mid passenger sits on a middle passenger seat adapted to be disposed between a driver seat and corresponding passenger seat,
wherein
said first portion 102 defining a second mounting portion 102b adapted to mount a CCB bottom mounting left hand side bracket D, and a third mounting portion 102c adapted to mount a CCB bottom mounting right hand side bracket J; and
said second portion 108 defining a parking pulley bracket mounting portion 108a adapted to mount a parking pulley bracket I thereby facilitating mounting of a parking brake lever of the vehicle to the parking pulley bracket mounting portion 108a of said second portion 108 of said dash panel 100.

2. The dash panel assembly 10 as claimed in claim 1, wherein said dash panel defining a peripheral connecting portion 110 adapted to be extending from said first portion 102, said first side portion 104 and said second side portion 106, and disposed above said first portion 102, said first side portion 104 and said second side portion 106, where the peripheral connecting portion 110 extends along the widthwise direction of the vehicle.

3. The dash panel assembly 10 as claimed in claim 2, further comprising a plenum panel 20 having a base 22 defining a connecting portion 22a corresponding to the peripheral connecting portion 110 of said dash panel 100, the connecting portion 22a extends along the widthwise direction of the vehicle, where the connecting portion 22a is adapted to be connected to the peripheral connecting portion 110 of said dash panel 100.
4. The dash panel assembly 10 as claimed in claim 3, further comprising a windshield panel 30 defining a peripheral connecting portion 30a corresponding to the connecting portion 22a of said plenum panel 20, the peripheral connecting portion 30a extends along the widthwise direction of the vehicle, where the peripheral connecting portion 30a is adapted to be connected to the connecting portion 22a of said plenum panel 20.

5. The dash panel assembly 10 as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first portion 102 defines a fourth mounting portion 102d adapted to mount a brake clutch reinforcement bracket A, where the fourth mounting portion 102d is between the first mounting portion 102a and said second side portion 106 of said dash panel 100.

6. The dash panel assembly 10 as claimed in claim 5, wherein said first portion 102 defines a fifth mounting portion 102e adapted to mount a steering grommet mounting bracket B, where the fifth mounting portion 102e is adjacent to the third mounting portion 102c of said first portion 102.

7. The dash panel assembly 10 as claimed in claim 6, wherein said first portion 102 defines a sixth mounting portion 102f adapted to mount a gear shifter grommet.

8. A dash panel assembly 10 for a vehicle, said dash panel assembly 10 comprising:
a dash panel 100 having a first portion 102 defining a first mounting portion 102a adapted to be disposed away from said first portion 102 to facilitate mounting and packaging of a HVAC unit H of the vehicle; a first side portion 104 extending from the first mounting portion 102a and disposed at a pre-defined angle from the first mounting portion 102a; a second side portion 106 extending from said first portion 102 and disposed at a pre-defined angle from said first portion 102; and a second portion 108 extending from said first portion 102 between said first side portion 104 and said second side portion 106, and disposed at a predefined angle from said first portion 102, said second portion 108 and the first mounting portion 102a are adapted to provide pre-defined space for a mid passenger in a front seating row of the vehicle, where the mid passenger sits on a middle passenger seat adapted to be disposed between a driver seat and corresponding passenger seat; and a peripheral connecting portion 110 adapted to be extending from said first portion 102, said first side portion 104 and said second side portion 106, and disposed above said first portion 102, said first side portion 104 and said second side portion 106, where the peripheral connecting portion 110 extends along the widthwise direction of the vehicle;
a plenum panel 20 having a base 22 defining a connecting portion 22a corresponding to the peripheral connecting portion 110 of said dash panel 100, the connecting portion 22a extends along the widthwise direction of the vehicle, where the connecting portion 22a is adapted to be connected to the peripheral connecting portion 110 of said dash panel 100; and a first portion 24 extending from the base 22, the first portion 24 defining a portion 24a adapted to be disposed away from the first portion 24 to facilitate packaging of the HVAC unit H; and
a windshield panel 30 defining a peripheral connecting portion 30a corresponding to the connecting portion 22a of said plenum panel 20, the peripheral connecting portion 30a extends along the widthwise direction of the vehicle, where the peripheral connecting portion 30a is adapted to be connected to the connecting portion 22a of said plenum panel 20,
wherein
said first portion 102 defining a second mounting portion 102b adapted to mount a CCB bottom mounting left hand side bracket D, and a third mounting portion 102c adapted to mount a CCB bottom mounting right hand side bracket J;
said second portion 104 defining a parking pulley bracket mounting portion 104a adapted to mount a parking pulley bracket B thereby facilitating mounting of a parking brake lever of the vehicle to the parking pulley bracket mounting portion 104a of said second portion 108 of said dash panel 100; and
an entirety of at least one of the peripheral connecting portion 110 of said dash panel 100, the connecting portion 22a of said plenum panel 20 and the connecting portion 30a of said windshield panel 30 are substantially co-planar to each other.

9. The dash panel assembly 10 as claimed in claim 8, wherein said dash panel 100, said plenum panel 20 and said windshield panel 30 in assembled condition defines substantially a bow shaped configuration.

10. The dash panel assembly 10 as claimed in claim 8, wherein the portion 24a of the first portion 24 of said plenum panel 20 defines substantially a hump shape configuration.