Automotive interior trim panel with integral acoustic chamber and pelvic bolster

• US 7,237,825 B1
• Filed: 04/25/2005
• Issued: 07/03/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 04/25/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Deng, Zhibing, Whitens, Michael, Li, Chunhui, Shin, Se Kyoon, Tilli, Robert, Coon, Benjamin
• Primary Examiner(s): Pedder; Dennis H.
• Assistant Examiner(s): HERNANDEZ, MICHAEL
• Application Number:
  US10/907,999
• Time in Patent Office: 799 Days
• Field of Search: 296/146.6, 296/146.7, 296/1.07, 296/187.05, 181/150, 181/151, 381/389
• US Class Current: 296/146.7
• CPC Class Codes: B60J 5/0416 Assembly panels to be installed in doors as a module with components, e.g. lock or window lifter, attached thereto

Abstract

An automotive interior trim panel includes a contoured panel having an interior surface forming a portion of a passenger compartment of a vehicle, and an exterior surface cooperating with an exterior body panel to define a first volume. A speaker port is formed in the contoured panel for locating a speaker within the first volume. A shell including an integral acoustic volume and a pelvic bolster circumscribes a portion of the exterior surface of the contoured panel, including a speaker port. The shell is mounted to the exterior surface of the contoured panel so as to define both an acoustic chamber and a pelvic bolster supported by the contoured panel and extending within the first volume.

Claims

1. An automotive interior trim panel, comprising:

a contoured panel having an interior surface forming a portion of a passenger compartment of a vehicle, and an exterior surface cooperating with an exterior body panel to define a first volume;

a speaker port, formed in said contoured panel, for locating a speaker at least partly within said first volume;

a speaker mounted within said speaker port and having a magnet portion extending into said first volume; and

a shell, comprising an integral acoustic volume and pelvic bolster, circumscribing a portion of said exterior surface of said contoured panel including said speaker port, with said shell being mounted to said exterior surface and within said first volume, so as to define both an acoustic chamber and a pelvic bolster supported by the contoured panel.

2. An automotive trim panel according to claim 1, wherein said shell is bonded about substantially its entire periphery to said contoured panel.

3. An automotive trim panel according to claim 1, wherein a portion of said shell is bonded to the periphery of said speaker port.

4. An automotive trim panel according to claim 1, wherein said

shell defines a pelvic bolster having a plurality of hollow, tiered force transmission segments.

5. An automotive trim panel according to claim 1, wherein said shell is ultrasonically welded about substantially its entire periphery to said contoured panel, such that said acoustic chamber is a sealed acoustic chamber.

6. An automotive interior trim panel, comprising:

a contoured panel having an interior surface defining a portion of the passenger compartment of a vehicle, and an exterior surface cooperating with an exterior body panel to define a first volume;

a speaker port, formed in said contoured panel, for locating a speaker within said first volume;

a speaker mounted to said speaker port and having a magnet portion extending into said first volume; and

an integral shell, bonded about substantially its entire periphery to a portion of said exterior surface of the contoured panel, including the speaker port, so as to define a sealed acoustic chamber and pelvic bolster located within said first volume and supported entirely by the contoured panel, with said port being in communication with said acoustic chamber.

7. An automotive trim panel according to claim 6, wherein said integral shell is friction welded to said contoured panel.

8. An automotive body structure, comprising:

a formed exterior panel;

a contoured panel having an interior surface for defining a portion of a passenger compartment of a vehicle, and an exterior surface cooperating with said exterior panel to define a first volume;

a speaker port, formed in said contoured panel, for locating a speaker within said first volume;

a speaker mounted to said contoured panel within said speaker port; and

a unitary, combination pelvic bolster and acoustic chamber shell, mounted to at least a portion of the exterior surface of the contoured panel and extending within said first volume, such that said shell circumscribes said speaker port and defines a fixed tuning volume behind said speaker, and with said pelvic bolster comprising an integral, hollow, multiplanar member for transmitting force through said contoured panel and into the pelvic region of an occupant of a vehicle seated adjacent said contoured panel.

9. An automotive body structure according to claim 8, wherein said shell is bonded about substantially its entire periphery to said contoured panel.

10. An automotive body structure according to claim 8, wherein said shell is friction welded to said contoured panel.

11. An automotive body structure according to claim 8, wherein said speaker and said shell are sealingly mounted to said speaker port, with said shell being sealingly mounted about substantially its entire periphery to said contoured panel.

12. An automotive body structure according to claim 8, wherein said multiplanar member comprises a portion of said fixed tuning volume.

13. An automotive body structure according to claim 8, wherein said speaker comprises a subwoofer.

14. An automotive body structure according to claim 13, wherein said formed exterior panel comprises an outer surface of a passenger door.