Vehicular interior space module

• US 6,612,640 B2
• Filed: 08/07/2002
• Issued: 09/02/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 08/10/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: ROOF SYSTEMS GERMANY GmbH (CIE Automotive SA)
• Original Assignee: Arvinmeritor Light Vehicle Systems FRA (Meritor, Inc. (Nevada))
• Inventors: Hock, Daniel, Zinsmeister, Arnulf
• Primary Examiner(s): Dayoan, D. Glenn
• Assistant Examiner(s): BLANKENSHIP, GREGORY A
• Application Number:
  US10/214,347
• Publication Number:
  US 20030030298A1
• Time in Patent Office: 391 Days
• Field of Search: 296/146.7, 296/39.1, 296/39.3, 296/191, 296/152, 296/210, 296/211, 296/214, 296/24.1, 296/37.3, 296/37.13, 296/1.1, 439/34, 439/36
• US Class Current: 296/146.7
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/51 for mounting lighting devices onto vehicle interior, e.g. onto ceiling or floor
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0217 for loud-speakers
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0247 for microphones or earphones
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 13/0212 Roof or head liners movable head-liners B60J7/0007
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 13/0243 Doors
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2013/0287 integrating other functions or accessories

Abstract

A vehicular interior space module comprises an interior space lining part that has a large surface area and is visible from inside in a state when installed in a vehicle, the interior space lining part including an opening. The module further comprises an insert which is located in the opening and fastened to the interior space lining part, the insert having an outer housing in which at least one electrical component is arranged. At least one exposed electrical contact surface area is provided on the interior space lining part arranged directly on an edge of the opening, the insert having a fastener for attaching the insert to the interior space lining part. The fastener includes a cooperating contact configured such that the contact surface area contacts the cooperating contact in an electrically conductive manner through fastening the insert in the opening.

Claims

1. A vehicular interior space module, comprising:

an interior space lining part including an opening;

an insert located in said opening and fastened to said interior space lining part, said insert having an outer housing in which at least one electrical component is arranged and a device for fastening said insert to said interior space lining part;

at least one exposed electrical contact surface area on said interior space lining part arranged on an edge of said opening; and

said device including a cooperating contact configured such that said contact surface area contacts said cooperating contact in an electrically conductive manner through fastening said insert in said opening.

2. The vehicular interior space module according to claim 1, wherein said contact surface area is exposed on at least one of a rear side of said interior space lining part facing away from a vehicle interior space and an inner side limiting said opening, and wherein said contact surface area is provided on said rear side and said inner side, respectively.

3. The vehicular interior space module according to claim 1, wherein said at least one electrical component is connected to a power source and to ground through said at least one electrical contact surface area.

4. The vehicular interior space module according to claim 1, wherein a latching connection is provided for fastening said insert.

5. The vehicular interior space module according to claim 4, wherein at least one latching device is provided that includes one of said contact surface area and said cooperating contact.

6. The vehicular interior space module according to claim 5, wherein said insert has an elastic latching spring that projects outwards and transversely to a direction of insertion and forms said cooperating contact.

7. The vehicular interior space module according to claim 6, wherein said latching spring is configured such that, when said insert is in an installed state, said latching spring clamps said edge between said latching spring and a protruding collar of said insert.

8. The vehicular interior space module according to claim 1, wherein said edge is formed by a reinforcement frame on which said contact surface area is provided.

9. The vehicular interior space module according to claim 8, wherein said reinforcement frame has at least one electrically conductive section of a conductive material, an outer surface of said section forming said contact surface area.

10. The vehicular interior space module according to claim 8, wherein said reinforcement frame together with said contact surface area forms a prefabricated part which is fastened to a remainder of said interior space lining part.

11. The vehicular interior space module according to claim 10, wherein said reinforcement frame is fastened to said remainder of said interior space lining part by one of foaming, gluing and clipping.

12. The vehicular interior space module according to claim 1, wherein a cable of a cable harness of a vehicle is provided and wherein said contact surface area is formed by a metal strip to which said cable of said cable harness is fastened.

13. The vehicular interior space module according to claim 1, wherein said insert is detachably fastened to said edge.

14. The vehicular interior space module according to claim 1, wherein said module is one of a roof liner module and a module for covering a door'"'"'s interior space.

15. The vehicular interior space module according to claim 1, wherein said electrical component is one of a lighting device, a switch, a microphone and a loudspeaker.

16. The vehicular interior space module according to claim 1, wherein said insert projects through said opening.

17. The vehicular interior space module according to claim 1, wherein said interior space lining part has an inner side facing an interior space, and wherein said insert is inserted into said opening from said inner side.