Adjustable and flexible damper structure for instrument clusters

• US 9,481,401 B2
• Filed: 05/09/2014
• Issued: 11/01/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 05/09/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems, Inc. (Continental AG)
• Original Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems, Inc. (Continental AG)
• Inventors: Zenteno Snchez, Claudio Csar
• Primary Examiner(s): Patel, Kiran B
• Application Number:
  US14/273,742
• Publication Number:
  US 20150321702A1
• Time in Patent Office: 907 Days
• Field of Search: 296/72, 296/37.12
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/688 Frames or decorative parts
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/691 Housings
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/692 Sealings
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/96 by assembling
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2370/688 Frames or decorative parts
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2370/691 Housings
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2370/692 Sealings
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2370/91 Assembly of instruments
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/60 Instruments characterised by their location or relative disposition in or on vehicles arrangements of lighting devices on dashboards B60Q3/10
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 37/00 Dashboards as road-vehicle superstructure sub-units B62D25/14
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 25/14 Dashboards as superstructure sub-units other dashboard aspects B60K
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 27/04 resilient
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 65/14 the sub-units or components being passenger compartment fittings, e.g. seats, linings, trim, instrument panels
• CPC Class Codes: F16F 1/371 characterised by inserts or auxiliary extension or exterior elements, e.g. for rigidification F16F1/387 takes precedence; non-embedded reinforcing elements for flexibly-walled air springs F16F9/0436
• CPC Class Codes: F16F 1/373 characterised by having a particular shape F16F9/58 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16F 1/377 having holes or openings F16F1/37 , F16F1/387 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16F 13/20 characterised by comprising also a pneumatic spring F16F13/22, F16F13/26 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16F 15/022 using dampers and springs in combination
• CPC Class Codes: F16F 15/04 using elastic means single elements or their attachment F16F1/00 - F16F13/00; F16F15/023, F16F15/03 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16F 9/04 in a chamber with a flexible wall producing hollow articles of plastics, e.g. air bellows, B29D22/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49828 : Progressively advancing of work assembly station or assembled portion of work

Abstract

Damping structure provides damping between a first component and a second component of an instrument cluster of a vehicle. The damping structure includes a resilient and flexible damper having a body with first and second opposing ends. The first end is closed and the second end is open to communicate with a generally cylindrical recess in the body. A holding member is coupled to and extends from the first component. The holding member includes a body having a recess therein. At least a portion of the body of the holding member is received in the recess of the damper, with the closed end of the damper covering the recess in the body of the holding member so as to trap air therein. When the first component is coupled to the second component, the closed end of the damper engages the second component so that the damper is under compression loading.

Claims

1. Damping structure providing damping between a first component and a second component of an instrument cluster of a vehicle, the damping structure comprising:

a resilient and flexible damper having a body with first and second opposing ends, the first end being closed and the second end being open to communicate with a generally cylindrical recess in the body, and

a holding member coupled to and extending from the first component, the holding member including a body having a recess therein, at least a portion of the body of the holding member being received in the recess of the damper, with the closed end of the damper covering the recess in the body of the holding member so as to trap air therein,

wherein, when the first component is coupled to the second component, the closed end of the damper engages the second component so that the damper is under compression loading.

2. The damping structure of claim 1, wherein the damper is made from viscoelastic material.

3. The damping structure of claim 2, wherein the material is silicone rubber.

4. The damping structure of claim 1, wherein each of the body and recess of the damper is generally cylindrical and the body of the housing member is generally cylindrical.

5. The damping structure of claim 1, in combination with the first and second components, wherein the first component is a mask of the instrument cluster and the second component is a housing of the instrument cluster.

6. The combination of claim 5, wherein the mask and housing are coupled together using latch connections, each latch connection including a tab on the mask or housing that is received in an opening in the other of the mask or housing.

7. The combination of claim 6, wherein a plurality of damping structures are provided with at least one damping structure being located generally adjacent to a latch connection.

8. The combination of claim 6, wherein the housing includes a surface engaged by the closed end of the damper causing compression of the damper.

9. An instrument cluster comprising:

a mask,

a housing coupled to the mask via a plurality of latch connections, and

damping structure comprising;

a resilient and flexible damper having a body with first and second opposing ends, the first end being closed and the second end being open to communicate with a generally cylindrical recess in the body, and

a holding member coupled to and extending from the mask, the holding member including a body having a recess therein, at least a portion of the body of the holding member being received in the recess of the damper, with the closed end of the damper covering the recess in the body of the holding member so as to trap air therein,

wherein, the closed end of the damper engages the housing so that the damper is under compression loading.

10. The instrument cluster of claim 9, wherein the damper is made from viscoelastic material.

11. The instrument cluster of claim 10, wherein the material is silicone rubber.

12. The instrument cluster of claim 9, wherein each of the body and recess of the damper is generally cylindrical and the body of the housing member is generally cylindrical.

13. The instrument cluster of claim 9, wherein each latch connection includes a tab on the housing that is received in an opening in the mask.

14. The instrument cluster of claim 13, wherein a plurality of damping structures are provided with at least one damping structure being located generally adjacent to a latch connection.

15. The instrument cluster of claim 9, wherein the housing includes a surface engaged by the closed end of the damper causing compression of the damper.

16. A method of providing damping between first and second components of an instrument cluster of a vehicle, the method comprising steps of:

providing a plurality of holding members coupled to and extending from the first component, each holding member including a body having a recess therein, providing a plurality of resilient and flexible dampers each having a body with first and second opposing ends, the first end being closed and the second end being open to communicate with a generally cylindrical recess in the body of the damper,

coupling each damper to an associated holding member, with at least a portion of the body of the holding member being received in the recess of the associated damper and with the closed end of the damper covering the recess in the body of the holding member so as to trap air therein, and

coupling the first component to the second component with the dampers sandwiched there-between under compression loading.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the first component is a mask of the instrument cluster and the second component is a housing of the instrument cluster and wherein the coupling step includes the use of latch connections, each latch connection including a tab on the mask or housing that is received in an opening in the other of the mask or housing.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein at least one a holding member and an associated damper is provided generally adjacent to a latch connection.

19. The method of claim 16, further including providing a surface in the housing that is engaged by the closed end of the damper causing compression of the damper.

20. The method of claim 16, wherein each damper is provided from viscoelastic material.