The present subjectmatter described herein, r~lates to an instrument panel
structure of a vehicle and, in particular, to an instrument panel with rib structure in
centre area of the instrumental panel behind central louver garnish for improving
safety of occupant seating in front of the central louver garnish.
BACKGROUND AND PRIOR ART:
10 [002] . An instrument panel (i.e., IP), also called as dashboard or cockpit of
vehicle, is an interior part of an automobile/vehicle. The IP is located below the
Windshield of the vehicle and in front of the driver and passenger seats. In IP
various components are assembled to · provide safe and enjoyable journey to
occupant of the vehicle. The IP accommodates several components, such as
15 integrates· meters including speedometer and fuel meter, c·onvenience devices,
such as air bag controls, radio/music system, air conditioner and heater· control
units, louver garnish to c.irculate cold and hot air inside room/cabin of the vehicle.
[003] All the components are mounted on the instrumental panel of the vehicle
with clustering, joints, and mountings. Each component is working independently ·
20 from the other component, and mounted on the instrumental- panel separately to
increase the serviceability and replace-ability of the component. During an .
impact, such as head collision with the instrumental panel displaces the placement
of the components, for example, central louver garnish. Big displacements of the·
components in the instrumental panel may lead to fly off of parts of the
25 component and generate sharp edges in the component. The fly off the parts may
cause injury to the occupant of the vehicle or persons sitting in the vehicle.
Further, the generated sharp edges in the louver ·garnish may also cause serious
injuries to the persons.
(004] Manufactures of automobile vehicles, such as passenger cars· and trucks,
30 there are many safety standards that must be met by the vehicles to reduce the
likelihood ~dlor severity of injury to occupants during an accident. There are
safety standards which ha,ve to be satisfied by the vehicle manufactures. These
standards deal with the risk of head injury arising from contacting the instrument
panel of the vehicle during a frontal crash. In order to meet the safety standard,
5 portions of an instrument panel assembly are required to absorb at least some
portion of the energy/force of an impact by the head collision of the ~ont seat
occupants during a crash .. Where the major portion of the instrument panel that is
configured to sustain an impact from the head collision from a front seat occupant
during a crash is called a central louver garnish. This portion of the instrument
10 panel exist~ in front seat from where cool and hot air circulates in the vehicle
·cabin. During the testing of the vehicle Government tests are conducted on
vehicles to determine ifthey meet the safety standard in normal conditions.·
[005) In order to serve the purpose, i.e., to save the occupant of the vehicle from
the head injuries, several modifications has been done in the instrumental panel to
15 avoid displacement· and deformation of the central louver garnish. In the existing
models, a screw mounting is provided at the front of the instrumental panel to
restrict the movement of the central louver garnish. This is a positive mounting to
restrict the movement of the central louver garnish.
[006] Fig. 1 illustrates the placement of the central louver garnish over the
20 instrumental panel of the vehicle through screw mounting. ·The placement
includes instrumental panel 1, screw mountings 2, and central louver garnish 3. In
the present placement, screws add extra weight on the instrumental panel and also
reduce the aesthetic appeal of the· instrumental panel. Further, extra labor is
required to screwing the screws of the central louver garnish 3 in the instrumental
25 panel 1. In orderto hide the outside surfaces of the screws, a cover .is required to
put on the screws \lVhich also add extra cost. In the present placement, during the
impact, all pressure comes on the screws 2 which are holding the central louver
garnish 3 on the instrumental pane}. 1. The high pressure may cause breaking of
the screw mounting· 2, and the mounted screws along with the cover may pop
30 out/jump out from the instrumental panel 1 which may cause injury to the
occupant of the vehicle. Further, this also adds extra cost in terms of labor and
material required to cover the openings of the screw. In other existing models, the
central louver garnish 3 is screw mounted on the instrumental panel 1 from the
behind to save the ~over cost. This type of placement of the central louver garnish
. 5 3 on the instrumental panel 1 also adds extra weight of the screws. Further, the
serviceability and replace-ability of the central louver garnish 3 in case of fault is
very difficult due to un-mounting of the central louver garnish 3 from back side of
the instrumental panel 1. It also adds more cost in the instrumental panel.
[007] Conventionally, a rib structure is provided at complete periphery, i.e.,
10 upper, lower, left side, and right side of the central louver garnish to restrict the
movement of the central louver garnish during the impact or head collision. The
rib structure is provided on the periphery of the central louver garnish during the
molding of the central louver garnish which causes impression of the rib structure
on the outer surface of the central ·louver garnish. The impressions appear ori the
15 outer surface of the central louver garnish which reduces the aesthetic appeal of
the instrumental panel.· Further, there is high requirement of the material to make
the rib structure around the periphery of the central louver garnish which also adds
extra cost. The placement of the rib structure at the entire back of the central
louver garnish reduces flexibility of the central louver garnish which results less
20 shock absorbing abilities during impact.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION:
[008) The principal objective of the present invention is to provide a rib structure
in centre area of the instrumental panel behind the central louver garnish to reduce
the collision impact and prevent head injury to the occupant of the vehicle.
25 [009] Another object of the present invention is to provide a structure of the
instrumental panel which is easy and fast in serviceability and replace-ability of
central louver garnish.
[0010] Another object of the present invention is to reduce the requirement of the
material to make the rib structure for the central louver garnish.
. (0011] Yet another object of the present invention is to increase the aesthetic
appearance of the central louver garnish by eliminating the rib structure from the
back side of the central louver garnish ..
[0012] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a rib structure for
5 the instrumental panel at centre top location to reduce the impact of the collision.
[0013] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide the rib structure
which can be implemented at other components of the instrumental panel.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION:
(0014] The present invention relates a rib structure in upper centre area of the
1 0 instrumental panel behind central louver garnish for improving safety of occupant
seating in front of the central louver garnish. The present structure enhances the
aesthetic appearance of the central louver garnish and instrumental panel.
[0015] In order to further understand the characteristics and technical contents of
the present subject matter, a description relating thereto will be made with
15 reference to the accompanying drawings.· However, the drawings are illustrative
only but not used to lirpit scope of the present subject matter.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
(0016] It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only
typical embodiments of the present subject matter and are therefore not to be
20 considered for limiting of its scope, for the invention may admit to other equally
effective embodiments. The detailed description is described with reference to the
accompanying figures; In the figures, the left-most digit(s) of a reference number
identifies the figure in which the reference number first appears. The same
numbers are used throughout the figures to reference like features and
25 components. Some embodiments of system or methods in accordance with
embodiments of the present subject matter are now described, by way of example,
and with reference to the accompanying figures, in which:
[0017] Fig. 1 illustrates placement of central louver garnish over the instrumental
panel with screw mounting known in the art;
(0018] Fig. 2 illustrates mounting ofthe central louver garnish on the instrumental
panel via snap fitting or clip mounting, in accordance with an embodiment of the
present subject matter;
[0019] Fig. 3 illustrates a rib structure· on the instrumental panel at upper central
5 portion, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter; and
[0020] Fig. 4 illustrates cross sectional view of placement of the central louver
garnish on the instrumental panel having rib structure behind the central louver
garnish, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[0021) The figures depict. embodiments of the present subject matter for the
10 purposes of illustration only. A person skilled in the art will easily recognize from
the . following d~scription that alternative embodiments .of the structures and
methods illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles
of the disclosure described herein.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS:
15 [0022] The subject matter disclosed herein relates to rib structure in central area
of instrumental panel of vehicle. Further, the rib structure is provided behind the ·
central louver garnish to prevent head injury to occupant of the vehicle during
collision. The rib structure is present on the instrumental panel at upper central
portion.
20 (0023] As explained above, the in~trumental panel has many components, such as
air bag controls, radio/music system, air conditioner and heater control units,
louver garnish to circulate cold and hot air inside the room of the vehicle are ·
assembled. The conventional technologies do not provide the rib structure on the
instrumental panel. Further, the rib structure is present on the central louver
25 garnish which reduc.es the aesthetic appeal of the component.
[0024] According to an implementation of the present subject matter, a rib
structure is provided in upper central portion of the instrumental panel behind
· central louver garnish to prevent head injury during the collision is described. The
present structure comprises a .rib structure for stopping/restricting the movement
of the central louver garnish during the head collision or frontal crash. The rib
structure is provided at the upper central portion of the instrumental panel where ·
the pressure on the central louver garnish is high due to head collision.
[0025) In one embodiment ofthe present subject matter, the central louver garnish
5 is fitted by a clip mounting on the instnunental panel. The clip mounting reduces ·
the requirement of screws to mount the central louver garnish on the instrumental
panel. Further, it also reduces the weight of the instrumental pant:l. The . clip
mounting provides easy serviceability and replace-ability features to the central
louver garnish in the vehicle. In the clip mounting, engaging portions of the
1 0 central louver garnish engaged with the instrumental panel and provide a strong
mounting.
[0026] In another embodiment of the present subject matter, there is a gap in
range of 2-5mm, preferably 3mm between the central louver garnish and the rib
structure mounted on the instrumental panel. The present gap allows the
15 movement of the central louver garnish in the inward direction to absorb the shock.
generated through collision. Further, the gap increases the shock absorbing
capacity of the central louver garnish and stops jumping out of the parts of the
central louver garnish. It also prevents deformation and displacement of the rib
structure on the instrumental panel due to small intensity collision.
20 [0027] In one implementation of the present subject matter, the rib structure is
made up of vertical and horizontal beams/ribs of plastic material. These
beams/ribs provide the necessary shock absorbing strength to the rib structure.
The. vertical and horizontal beams make a cage like structure which has necessary
strength and reinforcement to provide necessary back support to the central louver
25 garnish during impact. Further, the rib structure absorbs the shock force and
prevents the displacement and jumping out of the central louver garnish from the
instrumental panel.
[0028] It should be 'noted that the description and figures merely illustrate the
principles of .the present subject matter. It should be appreciated by those skilled
30 in the art that conception and specific embodiment disclosed may be readily
utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other structures for carrying out the
same purposes of the present subject matter. It should also·be appreciated by those
skilled in the art that by devising various arrangements that, although not
explicitly described or shown herein, embody the principles of the present subject
5 matter and are included within its spirit and scope. Furthermore, all examples
recited herein are principally intended expressly to be for pedagogical purposes to ·
aid the reader in understanding the principles of the present subject matter and.the
' concepts contributed by the inventor(s) to furthering the art, and are. to be
construed as being without limitation to such specifically recited examples and
10 conditions. The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of the
present subject matter, both as to its organization and method of operation,
together with further objects and advantages will be better understood from the
following description when considered in connection with the acc:;ompanying
figures.
15 [0029] These and other advantages of the present subject matter would be
described in greater detail with reference to the following figures. It should be
noted that the description merely illustrates the principles of the present subject
matter. It will thus be appreciated that those skilled in the art will be able to devise
various arrangements that, although not explicitly described herein, embody the
20 principles of the present subject matter and are included within its scope.
[0030] Fig. 2 illustrates clip mounting of central louver garnish 3 on instrumental
panel 1, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. In the
said embodiment, the central louver garnish 3 is mounted on the instrumental
panel 1 through clip mounting from front side of the instrumental panel 1. In the
25 clip mounting, engaging portions of the centrai louver garnish 3 engaged with the
instrumental panel 1. The engaging portions of the central louver garnish 3 are
guided through holes 5 (as shown in figure 3) present in the instrumental panel 1
to make the engaged portions. The central louver garnish 3 strongly mounted on
the instrumental panel1 through the clip mounting without using any screw.
[0031] Fig. 3 illustrates location of rib structure 4 on the instrumental panel 1, in
accordance with the present subject matter. In the instrumental panel 1, the rib
structure 4 is located at the upper central portion where the central louver garnish
3 is to be fitted. The rib structure 4 is located at opening 6 on the instrumental
5 panel 1 which receives the central louver garnish 3 from the front end. The rib
structure 4 is made up of plastic material. The plastic martial may be any high
tensile material including Polypropylene (PP), PolyVinyl Chloride (PVC),
Low Density Poly Ethylene (LDPE), and High Density Poly Etylene (HDPE). The
rib structure 4 comprises of vertical and. horizontal beams/ribs to provide
10 necessary tensile strength to the rib structure. The vertical and horizontal beams
make a cage like structure which gives necessary reinforcement to the central
louver garnish 3 during the impact. Due to the cage like structure, the rib structure
4 does not easily· deform during the impact and preveri.t the cracking andjumping
out of the parts of the central louver garnish 3 from the instrumental panel.
15 [0032] Surface of the instrumental panel 1 has several small openings to engage
the central louver garnish 3 by clip mounting mechanism.
[0033] Fig. 4 illustrates the engagement of the central louver garnish 3, the rib
structure 4, and the instrumental panel 1, in accordance with the present. subject
matter. Further, the fig. 4 shows the cross sectional view of the engagement. In the
20 present engagement, there is gap 5 between the central louver garnish 3 and the
rib structure 4 .. The gap 5 is in range of2-5mm but most preferably gap range is
3mm. ·When there is an impact or head collision on the central louver garnish 3,
the central louver garnish 3 moves inward direction due to collision force and
absorbs the shock force generated from the collision. Further, the gap 5 allows the
25 movements ofthe central louver garnish 3 upto 3mm._The gap 5 absorbs the intial
shock force generated through impact and prevents cracking and jumping out of
parts of the central louver garnish 3. It also prevents the formation of sharp ·edges
in the central louver garnish 3 due to impact. Further, it" also prevents deformation
and displacement of the rib structure 4 on the instrumental panel due to small
30 intensity collision or impact.
IPO DELHI 18-0l-2016 17 .46
[0034] In an implementation, when there is continuous force and intensity of the
force is high, for example, the speed of headfoam which· varies from 20 to 25
Km/h on the central louver garnish 3, the central louver garnish 3. covers the gap
5, arid moves in the inward direction and stops by the rib structure 4 for further
5 movement. Further, the rib structure .4 absorbs the high shock force generated
from the impact or head collision. As illustrated in the fig. 2, the rib structure 4 is
located at the upper central location of the opening for central louver garnish 2 in
. the instrumental panel 1 where the impact pressure is high. Therefore, present
subject matter provides the necessary strength at the right place to the central
1 0 louver garnish 3 during impact. When the impact force generated after hitting of
head foam with speed of 20-25km/h , the rib structure 4 absorbs the. shock force
and deforms, but it does not allow cracking and the jumping out of the parts of the
central louver garnish 3.
[0035] Further, the rib structure 4 is present on the instrumental panel 1 instead of .
15 the central louver garnish 3. There is no impression of the rib structure on the
outer surface of the central louver garnish. Therefore, the present structure
enp.ances the aesthetic appeal of the dashboard of the vehicle.
[0036] Furthermore, the present structure uses the clip mounting to mount the
central louver garnish 3 on the instrumental panel 1 from the front end. Therefore,
20 there is no extra cost of screws and no extra weight of screws on the instrumental
panel. Further, assembly and disassembly of the 'central louver garnish 3 is easy
and less laborer as compared to screw mounting. In the clip !J10unting, there is no
danger of flying of screws during the impact in the cabin of the vehicle.
[0037] Although embodiments for the present subject matter have been described
25 in language specific to structural features, it is to be understood that the present
subject matter is not necessarily limited to the specific features described. Rather,
the specific features and methods are disclosed as embodiments for the present
subject matter. Numerous modifications and adaptations of the system/device of
the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art, and thus it is
IP.O DELHI 18-Gl-201S 17 46
intended by the appended claims to cover all such modifications and adaptations
which fall within the scope of the present subject matter.
IPO DELHI 18-01-2018 17:46 11

We Claim:
1. A structure for an instrumental panel ( 1) for a vehicle for absorbing shock
during impact or head collision, the structure for the instrumental panel (1)
comprising :
5 a central louver garnish (3) is mounted on the instrumental pand (1)
10
2.
for circulating cool and hot air; and
a rib structure (4) is provided on the instrumental panel (1), wherein
the rib structure (4) is behind the central louver garnish (3) to prevent
defonilation and displacement of the central louver garnish (3) when impact
is applied.
The structure for t~e instrumental panel ( 1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein
the rib stru~ture ( 4) is provided at specific location of the instrumental panel
(1), wherein the specific location can be top, left and right side, bottom of
15 opening in the instrumental panel (1) to receive the central louver garnish
20
. 3.
(3).
The structure for the instrumental panel (1) as claimed in claim 2, wherein
the rib structure (4) is provided at central upper location of the opening in ·
the instrumental panel (1).
4. The structure for the instrumental panel ( 1) as claimed in claim 1 , wherein
the rib structure is not visible from outside.
25 5. The structure for the instrumental panel ( 1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein
the structure. for the instrillnental panel ( 1) further comprises:
6.
30
a gap between the rib structure (4) and central louver garnish (3),
wherein the gap is in range of 2-5 mm.
The structure for the instrumental panel ( 1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein
thiCkness ofthe rib structure (4) is in range of0.5 -10mm.
IPO OEL.HI 18-0l-.2016 17 46
12
5
· 7. The structure for the instrumental panel ( 1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein
material of the rib structure (4) is one of Polypropylene (PP), Poly
Vinyl Chloride (PVC), Low Density Poly Ethylene (LDPE), and
High Density Poly Etylene (HDPE).
8.
/
The structure for the instrumental panel ( 1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein
the central louver garnish (3) is mounted on the instrum.ental panel ( 1 ) by a
dip mounting from front side ofthe instrumental panel (1).
1 0 9. The structure for the instrumental panel ( 1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein
the rib structure (4) is formed by connecting a plurality of horizontal and
vertical beams to provide strength to the rib structure (4).
10. The structure for the instrumental panel (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein
15 the central louver garnish (3) moves in inward direction when the impact
happens.