Center console cross member in a motor vehicle and method of making same

• US 6,315,347 B1
• Filed: 06/12/2000
• Issued: 11/13/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 06/11/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Dr Ing hc F Porsche AG (Volkswagen AG)
• Original Assignee: Dr Ing hc F Porsche AG (Volkswagen AG)
• Inventors: Götz, Erwin
• Primary Examiner(s): Gordon, Stephen T.
• Assistant Examiner(s): ENGLE, PATRICIA LYNN
• Application Number:
  US09/592,269
• Time in Patent Office: 519 Days
• Field of Search: 296/70, 296/72, 296/194, 296/203.02, 180/90, 280/728.2, 280/732, 280/779, 280/752
• US Class Current: 296/72
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 25/147 with adjustable connection to the A-pillars

Abstract

A center console cross member in a vehicle is aligned in a forward structure at a level of an instrument panel in a transverse direction of the vehicle. The cross member is fastened by one end respectively on opposite vehicle body parts of the motor vehicle. The center console cross member includes a tube-shaped basic member, on which at least one holding element for mounting vehicle function elements, and lateral fastening consoles are mounted. For providing a center console cross member, which, while its construction is simple, can be used for several different vehicles of a vehicle family and by means of which large tolerances can be compensated, it is provided that, onto a basic member of a defined length, one or several holding elements and the two lateral fastening consoles can be slid and can be fixed in the intended position by clamping fastenings, the holding elements and the fastening consoles almost completely enclosing the basic member in areas.

Claims

1. Center console cross member in a motor vehicle, which, aligned in the forward structure at the level of an instrument panel in the transverse direction of the vehicle, is fastened by means of one end respectively on the opposite vehicle body parts of the motor vehicle, the center console cross member comprising a tube-shaped basic member, on which at least one holding element for mounting vehicle function elements, and lateral fastening consoles are mounted,

wherein at least one holding element and two lateral fastening consoles can be slid onto the basic member of a defined length and can be fixed in an intended use position by clamping fastenings,

wherein said basic member and said at least one holding element are configured to accommodate both sliding and swivelling movement of the at least one holding element with respect to the basic member.

2. Center console cross member according to claim 1,

wherein the at least one holding element includes a first holding element for a steering column.

3. Center console cross member according to claim 2,

wherein the at least one holding element includes a second holding element for a front passenger air bag.

4. Center console cross member according to claim 3,

wherein the first and the second holding element have identical constructions.

5. Center console cross member according to claim 3, wherein the first and the second holding elements are additionally connected to a vehicle-body-fixed upper cowl cross member and are fastened thereto when in an in use position.

6. Center console cross member according to claim 1,

wherein the at least one holding element includes a holding element which can be slid onto the basic member at one end and is connected with its other end to a floor or a longitudinal tunnel of the vehicle body.

7. Center console cross member according to claim 6,

wherein the at least one holding element includes a holding element that can be swivelled up into a release position for the installation and the removal of a heater/air conditioner.

8. Center console cross member according to claim 1,

wherein the at least one holding element and the fastening consoles each have a transversely extending receiving device which is constructed in one piece with the respective holding elements and the fastening consoles.

9. Center console cross member according to claim 8,

wherein the receiving devices provided on the holding elements have locally recessed areas.

10. Center console cross member according to claim 8,

wherein each of the receiving devices has a respective circular ring segment surrounding the basic member with flanges extending away from respective ends of the circular ring segment, which flanges extend in areas in parallel and at a narrow distance from one another, and wherein the two flanges are braced with respect to one another by means of at least one clamping screw.

11. Center console cross member according to claim 10,

wherein the circular ring segment extends approximately 270°

around the basic member.

12. Center console cross member according to claim 10,

wherein the flanges include a first linear flange tangentially connected to an end of the circular ring segment and a second flange constructed approximately in an L-shape.

13. A vehicle console cross member assembly which in use extends transversely of a vehicle body and is fastened at respective ends thereof to vehicle body parts, said cross member assembly comprising:

a tube-shaped basic member,

a first fastening console detachably attachable to one end of the basic member and serving in use to facilitate fastening of the basic member to a first vehicle body part,

a second fastening console detachably attachable to an opposite end of the basic member and serving in use to facilitate fastening of the basic member to a second vehicle body part spaced transversely from the first vehicle body part, and

at least one holding element for holding respective vehicle function elements, said at least one holding element being detachably attachable to the basic member intermediate to the first and second fastening consoles,

wherein the basic member and the fastening consoles and at least one holding element are configured to facilitate sliding of the fastening consoles and the at least one holding element over and along the basic member while substantially enclosing the basic member, to thereby facilitate fastening of the fastening consoles and the at least one holding element to the basic member at a plurality of respective different use positions; and

wherein said basic member and said at least one holding element are configured to accommodate both sliding and swivelling movement of the at least one holding element with respect to the basic member.

14. A vehicle cross member console assembly according to claim 13,

wherein the basic member is a cylindrical tube with a constant cross section along at least portions of its length which in use accommodate sliding of the respective fastening consoles and the at least one holding element, and

wherein the at least one holding element and the fastening consoles have transversely extending receiving devices which are constructed in one piece with the respective holding elements and the fastening consoles.

15. A vehicle cross member according to claim 14,

wherein each receiving device has a circular ring segment surrounding the basic member with flanges extending away from respective ends of the circular ring segment, which flanges extend in areas in parallel and at a narrow distance from one another, and wherein the two flanges are braced with respect to one another by means of at least one clamping screw.

16. A vehicle cross member according to claim 15,

wherein the at least one holding element includes a first holding element for a steering column.

17. A vehicle cross member according to claim 16,

wherein the at least one holding element includes a second holding element for a front passenger air bag.

18. A vehicle cross-member assembly according to claim 15, wherein the circular ring segment extends approximately 270°

around the basic member.

19. A vehicle cross-member assembly according to claim 15,

wherein the flanges include a first linear flange tangentially connected to an end of the circular ring segment and a second flange constructed approximately in an L-shape.

20. A method of making a vehicle body assembly comprising:

providing a vehicle body structure including A-columns disposed at opposite lateral sides of a vehicle centerline,

forming a tube-shaped basic member,

sliding at least one holding element for a vehicle function element over and along the basic member,

sliding a pair of fastening consoles over respective opposite ends of the basic member,

disposing the basic member with the at least one holding element and the fastening consoles between the A-columns, and

fastening the basic member to the A-columns using the fastening consoles; and

wherein said basic member and said at least one holding element are configured to accommodate both sliding and swiveling movement of the at least one holding element with respect to the basic member.

21. A method according to claim 20,

wherein the basic member is formed as a cylindrical tubular member of constant cross section along at least portions thereof where the holding elements and fastening consoles are to be slidably disposed.

22. A method according to claim 21,

wherein the fastening consoles and holding elements each includes a cylindrical recess which in use encloses a major part of the circumference of the basic body clamping flanges extending radially of the cylindrical recesses, and

wherein said fastening includes clamping the flanges together by threaded members.

23. A method according to claim 22,

wherein the at least one holding element includes a first holding element for a steering column.

24. A method according to claim 23,

wherein the at least one holding element includes a second holding element for a front passenger air bag.

25. A method according to claim 20,

wherein the at least one holding element includes a holding element which can be slid onto the basic member at one end and is connected with its other end to a floor or a longitudinal tunnel of the vehicle body.

26. A method according to claim 25,

wherein the at least one holding element includes a holding element that can be swivelled up into a release position for the installation and the removal of a heater/air conditioner.

27. A method according to claim 20,

wherein the at least one holding element includes a holding element that can be swivelled up into a release position for the installation and the removal of a heater/air conditioner.

28. Center console cross member in a motor vehicle, which, aligned in the forward structure at the level of an instrument panel in the transverse direction of the vehicle, is fastened by means of one end respectively on the opposite vehicle body parts of the motor vehicle, the center console cross member comprising a tube-shaped basic member, on which at least one holding element for mounting vehicle function elements, and lateral fastening consoles are mounted,

wherein at least one holding element and two lateral fastening consoles can be slid onto the basic member of a defined length and can be fixed in an intended use position by clamping fastenings;

and

wherein the at least one holding element includes a first holding element for a steering column and a second holding element for a front passenger airbag of identical constructions.

29. Center console cross member in a motor vehicle, which, aligned in the forward structure at the level of an instrument panel in the transverse direction of the vehicle, is fastened by means of one end respectively on the opposite vehicle body parts of the motor vehicle, the center console cross member comprising a tube-shaped basic member, on which at least one holding element for mounting vehicle function elements, and lateral fastening consoles are mounted,

wherein at least one holding element and two lateral fastening consoles can be slid onto the basic member of a defined length and can be fixed in an intended use position by clamping fastenings;

and

wherein the at least one holding element includes a first holding element for a steering column and a second holding element for a front passenger airbag, and

wherein the first and second holding elements are additionally connected to a vehicle-body-fixed upper cowl cross member and are fastened thereto when in an in use position.

30. Center console cross member in a motor vehicle, which, aligned in the forward structure at the level of an instrument panel in the transverse direction of the vehicle, is fastened by means of one end respectively on the opposite vehicle body parts of the motor vehicle, the center console cross member comprising a tube-shaped basic member, on which at least one holding element for mounting vehicle function elements, and lateral fastening consoles are mounted,

wherein at least one holding element and two lateral fastening consoles can be slid onto the basic member of a defined length and can be fixed in an intended use position by clamping fastenings;

and

wherein the at least one holding element and the fastening consoles have transversely extending receiving devices which are constructed in one piece with the respective holding elements and the fastening consoles, and

wherein each of the receiving devices has a respective circular ring segment surrounding the basic member with flanges extending away from respective ends of the circular ring segment, which flanges extend in areas in parallel and at a narrow distance from one another, and wherein the two flanges are braced with respect to one another by means of at least one clamping screw.

31. A vehicle console cross member assembly which in use extends transversely of a vehicle body and is fastened at respective ends thereof to vehicle body parts, said cross member assembly comprising:

a tube-shaped basic member,

a first fastening console detachably attachable to one end of the basic member and serving in use to facilitate fastening of the basic member to a first vehicle body part,

a second fastening console detachably attachable to an opposite end of the basic member and serving in use to facilitate fastening of the basic member to a second vehicle body part spaced transversely from the first vehicle body part, and

at least one holding clement for holding respective vehicle function elements, said at least one holding element being detachably attachable to the basic member intermediate to the first and second fastening consoles,

wherein the basic member and the fastening consoles and at least one holding element are configured to facilitate sliding of the fastening consoles and the at least one holding element over and along the basic member while substantially enclosing the basic member, to thereby facilitate fastening of the fastening consoles and the at least one holding element to the basic member at a plurality of respective different use positions;

wherein the basic member is a cylindrical tube with a constant cross section along at least portions of its length which in use accommodate sliding of the respective fastening consoles and the at least one holding element, and

wherein the at least one holding element and the fastening consoles have transversely extending receiving devices which are constructed in one piece with the respective holding elements and the fastening consoles; and

wherein each of the receiving devices has a respective circular ring segment surrounding the basic member with flanges extending away from respective ends of the circular ring segment, which flanges extend in areas in parallel and at a narrow distance from one another, and wherein the two flanges are braced with respect to one another by means of at least one clamping screw.

32. A vehicle console cross member assembly according to claim 31,

wherein the at least one holding element includes a first holding element for a steering column.

33. A vehicle console cross member assembly according to claim 32,

wherein the at least one holding element includes a second holding element for a front passenger air bag.

34. A method of making a vehicle body assembly comprising:

providing a vehicle body structure including A-frame body parts disposed at opposite lateral sides of a vehicle centerline,

forming a tube-shaped basic member,

sliding at least one holding element for a vehicle function element over and along the basic member,

sliding a pair of fastening consoles over respective opposite ends of the basic member,

disposing the basic member with the at least one holding element and the fastening consoles between the A-frame body parts, and

fastening the basic member to the A-frame ports using the fastening consoles,

wherein the basic member is formed as a cylindrical tubular member of constant cross section along at least portions thereof where the holding elements and fastening consoles are to be slidably disposed,

wherein the fastening consoles and holding elements each includes a cylindrical recess which in use encloses a major part of the circumference of the basic body clamping flanges extending radially of the cylindrical recesses, and

wherein said fastening includes clamping the flanges together by threaded members.

35. A method of making a vehicle body assembly according to claim 34,

wherein the at least one holding element includes a first holding element for a steering column.

36. A method of making a vehicle body assembly according to claim 35,

wherein the at least one holding element includes a second holding element for a front passenger air bag.