FIELD OF INVENTION
This invention is directed to instrument panel of vehicle for interchangeability
of passenger air bag, upper utility box and dummy cover of air bag and utility
box for various variants.
BACKGROUND/PRIOR ART
Higher variant of currently available vehicle is provided with instrument panel
accommodating passenger air bag (PAB) and upper utility box (upper glove
box), whereas lower variant of same vehicle does not have provision for the
same features i.e. passenger air bag and utility box.
In view of the above, said higher and lower variant require to have different
frame of instrument panel. Hence, the customer can not afford to upgrade from
lower variant to higher variant following vehicle purchase.
Further, it is not feasible to retrofit additional features in the lower variant
vehicle because it necessitates replacement of whole instrument panel frame,
which is quite cumbersome.
This is the reason for not offering the flexibility of upgradation to customers by
automobile industry.
Further, the provision of two types of frames gives rise the need of differently
skilled workforce and different assembly line, thereby adding to cost, time, man
power and provision of system accordingly.
According to a known art, a dashboard assembly for a vehicle includes a lower
housing part accommodating an air blowing system and an upper housing
portion together with an intermediate housing portion between the lower
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housing portion and the upper housing portion. The intermediate housing
portion comprises an inlet for connection to the air blowing system and at least
one channel integrally provided in said intermediate housing portion and
having an outlet, in which said channel being in flow communication with said
inlet.
In order to enable upgradation of lower variant to higher variant with ease, the
present invention introduces novel design of instrument panel of vehicle.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
An object of this invention is to propose instrument panel of vehicle for
interchangeability of passenger air bag, upper utility box and dummy cover of
air bag and utility box for various variants which obviates shortcomings of the
prior art.
Another object of this invention is to propose instrument panel of vehicle for
interchangeability of passenger air bag, upper utility box and dummy cover of
air bag and utility box for various variants which can be implemented to
various variants of particular model of vehicle.
Further object of this invention is to propose instrument panel of vehicle for
interchangeability of passenger air bag, upper utility box and dummy cover of
air bag and utility box for various variants which offers the flexibility' of
upgradation to customer from lower variant to higher variant.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
According to this invention there is provided instrument panel of vehicle for
interchangeability of passenger air bag, upper utility box and dummy cover of
air bag and utility box for various variants comprising a frame having a.
plurality of openings for accommodating air bag covered by means of a cover
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and upper utility box, which are replaceable with respective dummy cover for
interchangeability between said air bag, utility box and dummy cover.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS
Further objects and advantages of this invention will be more apparent from
the ensuing description when read in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings of exemplary embodiments of invention and wherein:
Fig. 1 shows: Location of air bag, utility box and duct for cooling box in the
instrument panel of vehicle.
Fig. 2 shows: Assembly of air bag and air bag cover with instrument panel
of vehicle according to present invention.
Fig. 3 shows: Mounting of air bag on cross car beam in present invention.
Fig. 4 shows: Assembly of utility box and dummy cover for box with
instrument panel of vehicle in accordance with present
invention.
DETAIL DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION WITH REFERENCE TO THE
ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS
The instant invention provides a technology in respect of instrument panel of
vehicle for interchangeability of passenger air bag, upper utility box and
dummy cover of air bag and utility box for various variants. It comprises a
frame having a plurality of openings for accommodating air bag covered by
means of a cover and utility box which are replaceable with respective dummy
cover. Here, the box can have a provision for cooling arrangement. For this,
reference may be made to fig. 1 indicating location of air bag with
cover/dummy air bag cover (1), upper utility box/dummy box cover (2) and
duct of cooling box (3).
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In the case of lower variant of vehicle without. availability of air bag and utility
box, dummy cover for air bag and a dummy cover for utility box can be
employed so as to provide coverage to the open space for the air bag as well as
box.
The aforesaid provision is made in the instrument panel facing co-driver, which
can be discussed hereinbelow:
The shape of cutouts (openings) for air bag, utility box and duct is in
accordance with the profile of air bag container, utility box without cover and
duct.
As illustrated in fig. 2, the cut out (1) for air bag is surrounded by means of
multitude of openings for mounting of air bag cover or dummy cover for air bag
(A).
Edge of the cover on multiple sides has a number of snaps(S) for locking and
locating the cover with precision while assembling on the instrument panel (I).
A plurality of clip mountings (C) are provided in proximity to bottom edge with
atleast one clip mounting (C) on both sides as shown for positive mounting and
to meet impact performance.
Further in order to strengthen the upper snap mounting, atleast one screw
mounting (S1) is provided on both sides of said cover.
Now, reference may be made to fig. 3. For robust mounting of air bag container
(A1) on cross car beam (B1), brackets (B) on bottom of the air bag container are
mounted on cross car beam (B') itself.
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In the absence of air bag with cover, a dummy air bag cover is provided which
has the same arrangement of various mountings as explained hereinabove. The
same is mounted in the openings on the boundary of air bag cut out (1) as in
fig. 2.
Now, reference may be made to fig. 4 regarding assembly of utility box/ its
dummy cover on instrument panel (I). A number of through holes for mounting
of utility box are provided on the whole boundary of cut out opening (2) for the
same. Further, there are additional openings on the resting surface of the box,
wherein the resting surface forms part of instrument panel (I).
Atleast two snaps (Si) are provided on both side edges of the box in proximity
to the cover (Ci) with a clip mounting (Mi) in between but away from the edge.
All are directed towards inside of instrument panel of vehicle (I).
A number of clip 'mountings (C2) are located near to the upper and lower edges
as best seen in the figure.4. Extreme surface of the box (E) towards the resting
surface is having a number of clip mountings (C3).
In the absence of the utility box, dummy cover (V) for box is employed to
provide coverage to the opening for the box. However, in. order to resist
movement of the cover towards inside under impact, it is stiffened with the
help of a sheet metal reinforcement (T) between the cover and frame (I),.
The sheet metal (T) is mounted on the frame at multiple points (P) and the
cover is connected to the sheet metal by means of a number of screw
mountings (M') located between the boundary mountings as shown.
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In addition to the above, there is a duct opening (3) to accommodate a duct for
cooling the box, which can be adjusted as per need.
To make the whole system robust, at the joinery, near to extreme edge of
dummy cover/air bag cover atleast two snaps (Z) are provided to be fitted into
the respective mating holes near to the extreme edge of the utility box/dummy
box cover as in fig. 2 and 4.
Thus, in order to avoid development of cracks at the joinery of cover of
passenger air bag and utility box/cover for utility box in case of frontal crash,
the cover/dummy cover of air bag is snap fitted into the slot of cover for
box/box itself. So that the passenger air bag/ cover of passenger air bag can't
hit the co-driver in case of frontal crash.
Various mountings like snap, clip arid screw are adopted according to the load
requirement, availability of space, aestheticness, ease of repair and ease of
assembly including economic significance.
There can be several combinations among the features including box, air bag
and respective cover listed hereinbelow:-
- Dummy cover of Utility Box + Air Bag
- Utility Box+ Dummy cover of Air Bag
- Utility Box+ Air Bag
- Utility Box with Cooling Duct + Air Bag
- Utility Box with Cooling Duct + Dummy Cover of Air Bag.
The above can be accommodated in different variants of same vehicle.
Advantageous Features
- Flexibility of interchangeability for upgradation.
- No need of skilled workers.
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- Cost effective.
- Improvement in productivity of automobile industry.
- Customer friendly with satisfaction.
It is to be noted that the present invention is susceptible to modifications,
adaptations and changes by those skilled in the art. Such variant embodiments
employing the concepts and features of this invention are intended to be within
the scope of the present invention, which is further set forth under the
following claims:-

WE CLAIM:
1. Instrument panel of vehicle for interchangeability of passenger air bag,
upper utility box and dummy cover of air bag and utility box for various
variants comprising a frame having a plurality of openings for
accommodating air bag covered by means of a cover and upper utility
box, which arc replaceable with respective dummy cover for
interchangeability between said air bag, utility box and dummy cover.
2. Instrument panel of vehicle for interchangeability of passenger air bag,
upper utility box and dummy cover of air bag and utility box for various
variants as claimed in claim 1 wherein the box can have provision for a
cooling duct, which is adjustable.
3. Instrument panel of vehicle for interchangeability of passenger air bag,
upper utility box and dummy cover of air bag and utility box for various
variants as claimed in claim 1 or 2 wherein the shape of cutouts for air
bag, utility box and duct is in accordance with the profile of air bag
container, utility box without cover and duct.
4. Instrument panel of vehicle for interchangeability of passenger air bag,
upper utility box and dummy cover of air bag and utility box for various
variants as claimed in any of the proceeding claims wherein the cutout
for air bag is surrounded by means of multitude of openings for
mounting of air bag cover or dummy coyer for air bag.
5. Instrument panel of vehicle for interchangeability of passenger air bag,
upper utility box and dummy cover of air bag and utility box for various
variants as claimed in any of the proceeding claims wherein, edge of the
cover on multiple sides has a number of snaps for locking and locating
the cover with precision while assembling on the instrument panel.
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6. Instrument panel of vehicle for interchangeability of passenger air bag,
upper utility box and dummy cover of air bag and utility box for various
variants as claimed in any of the proceeding claims wherein a plurality of
clip mountings are provided in proximity to bottom edge with atleast one
clip mounting on both sides.
7. Instrument panel of vehicle for interchangeability of passenger air bag,
upper utility box and dummy cover of air bag and utility box for various
variants as claimed in any of the proceeding claims wherein to
strengthen the upper snap mounting, atleast one screw mounting is
provided on both sides of said cover.
8. Instrument panel of vehicle for interchangeability of passenger air bag,
i
upper utility box and dummy cover of air bag and utility box for various
variants as claimed in any of the proceeding claims wherein brackets on
bottom of the air bag container are mounted on cross car beam.
9. Instrument panel of vehicle for interchangeability of passenger air bag,
upper utility box and dummy cover of air bag and utility box for various
variants as claimed in any of the proceeding claims wherein a number of
through holes for mounting of utility box are provided on the boundary of
cut out opening for the same together with additional openings on the
resting surface of the box.
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10. Instrument panel of vehicle for interchangeability of passenger air
bag, upper utility box and dummy cover of air bag and utility box for
various variants as claimed in any of the proceeding claims wherein
atleast two snaps are provided on both side edge3 of the box in proximity
to the cover with a clip mounting therebetween being away from the
edge, which are directed towards inside of instrument panel of vehicle.
11. Instrument panel of vehicle for interchangeability of passenger air
bag, upper utility box and dummy cover of air bag and utility box for
various variants as claimed in any of the proceeding claims wherein
multitude of clip mountings are located near to the upper and lower
edges.
12. Instrument panel of vehicle for interchangeability of passenger air
bag, upper utility box and dummy cover of air bag and utility box for
various variants as claimed in any of the proceeding claims wherein
extreme surface of the box towards the resting surface is having a
number of clip mountings.
13. Instrument panel of vehicle for interchangeability of passenger air
bag, upper utility box and dummy cover of air bag and utility box for
various variants as claimed in any of the proceeding claims wherein the
. dummy cover of said utility box is stiffened by a sheet metal
reinforcement facing the frame, wherein the sheet metal is mounted on
the frame at multiple
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points and the cover is connected to the sheet metal by means of a
number of screw mountings located between the boundary mountings
thereof.
14. Instrument panel of vehicle for interchangeability of passenger air
bag, upper utility box and dummy cover of air bag and utility box for
. various variants as claimed in any- of the proceeding claims wherein the
air bag cover/dummy air bag cover is integrated to multiple snaps in
proximity to extreme edge thereof to be snap fitted into the respective
mating slots adjacent to the extreme edge of the utility box/dummy box
cover.
15. Instrument panel of vehicle for interchangeability of passenger air
bag, upper utility box and dummy cover of air bag and utility box for
various variants as claimed in any of the proceeding claims wherein
various mountings like snap, clip and screw are adopted according to the
load requirement, availability of space, aestheticness, ease of repair and
ease of assembly including economic significance.
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16. Instrument panel of vehicle for interchangeability of passenger air
bag, upper utility box and dummy cover of air bag and utility box for
various variants as claimed in any of the preceding claims is associated
with the advantageous features such as herein described.