The present disclosure relates to the installation (and removal) of electronics modules in vehicles. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to the installation (and removal) of audio units, GPS units, etc., in a vehicle's instrument panel.
During a typical installation procedure, an electronics module is externally secured to a vehicle's instrument panel using fasteners, clips, or the like, which are then hidden or otherwise obscured using a trim (finishing) component. While such installation procedures ease serviceability, they can often result in an unsightly seam that detracts from the overall aesthetic appearance of the vehicle's instrument panel.
To address this concern, the present disclosure describes improved installation method (and associated structures and components) that maintain serviceability without disrupting the design of the instrument panel.
In one aspect of the present disclosure, a vehicle is disclosed that includes: an electronics module (e.g., an audio unit, a GPS unit, etc.); an instrument panel that is configured to receive the electronics module; and first and second brackets that are secured to the electronics module. The instrument panel includes a first track and a second track that collectively define a non-linear installation and removal path for the electronics module, and the first and second brackets include first and second bosses that are configured for insertion into the first and second tracks, respectively.
In certain embodiments, the electronics module may include a bezel that extends about a periphery thereof.
In certain embodiments, the bezel may define a tongue that is configured for insertion into a groove defined by the instrument panel.
In certain embodiments, the bezel may be secured to a structural frame of the electronics module. For example, in certain embodiments, the bezel may be heat staked to the structural frame of the electronics module.
In certain embodiments, the first track and the second track may each include a first segment and a second segment that is offset from the first segment along an axis that extends in transverse (e.g., generally orthogonal) relation to a direction of insertion of the electronics module.
In certain embodiments, the first track and the second track may be (generally) identical in configuration.
In certain embodiments, the first bracket may be secured to a first side of the electronics module and the second bracket may be secured to a second side of the electronics module that is opposite to the first side.
In certain embodiments, the first bracket and the second bracket may be non-identical.
In certain embodiments, the second bracket may include a configuration mirroring that of the first bracket.
In certain embodiments, the first bracket may include a first upper flange that is configured to receive a first fastener and a first lower flange that is configured to receive a second fastener.
In certain embodiments, the second bracket may include a second upper flange that is configured to receive a third fastener and a second lower flange that is configured to receive a fourth fastener.
In certain embodiments, the first upper flange, the second upper flange, the first lower flange, and the second lower flange may each extend transversely in relation to a direction of insertion of the electronics module.
In certain embodiments, the first upper flange may extend inwardly towards the second upper flange, the first lower flange may extend inwardly toward the second lower flange, the second upper flange may extend inwardly towards the first upper flange, and the second lower flange may extend inwardly towards the second lower flange.
In another aspect of the present disclosure, a bracket assembly is disclosed for an electronics module that is configured for insertion into an instrument panel in a vehicle. The bracket assembly includes a first bracket having: a trunk defining a longitudinal axis; an upper flange that extends inwardly from the trunk in transverse relation to the longitudinal axis; a lower flange that extends inwardly from the trunk in transverse relation to the longitudinal axis; and a boss that extends outwardly from the trunk in transverse relation to the longitudinal axis.
In certain embodiments, the upper flange and the lower flange may each define an opening that is configured to receive a fastener.
In certain embodiments, the trunk may include a mounting plate that is located between the upper flange and the lower flange.
In certain embodiments, the mounting plate may define a plurality of openings that are each configured to receive a fastener.
In certain embodiments, the boss may define an arcuate outer surface.
In certain embodiments, the bracket assembly may further include a second bracket with a configuration mirroring that of the first bracket such that the first bracket and the second bracket are non-identical.
In another aspect of the present disclosure an instrument panel is disclosed that is configured to support an electronics module in a vehicle. The instrument panel includes a first mounting surface defining a first track and a second mounting surface opposite to the first mounting surface and defining a second track. The first track and the second track are (generally) identical in configuration and collectively define a non-linear installation and removal path for the electronics module.
In certain embodiments, the first track and the second track may each include a first segment and a second segment that is offset from the first segment along an axis that extends in (generally) orthogonal relation to a direction of insertion of the electronics module.
In certain embodiments, the first segment and the second segment may be connected by a guide surface that extends in non-orthogonal relation to each of the first segment and the second segment.
According to common practice, the various features of the drawings may not be to scale, and may be arbitrarily expanded or reduced for clarity.
The present disclosure describes the installation (and removal) of an electronics module in a vehicle's instrument panel as well as the associated structures and components. To facilitate installation (and removal) of the electronics module, the instrument panel includes a pair of tracks that are configured to receive bosses extending from brackets that are secured to the electronics module. The tracks include (vertically) offset segments and collectively define a non-linear path followed by the electronics unit during installation (and removal). The vertical offset between the segments of the tracks allows for an adjustment in the vertical (elevational) position of the electronics unit during installation (and removal), which facilitates alignment between corresponding features on the electronics module and the instrument panel to properly orient and secure the electronics module.
Each bracket includes: a trunk that defines a longitudinal axis; upper and lower flanges that extends inwardly from the trunk; and the aforementioned boss, which extends outwardly from the trunk (e.g., in a direction that is (generally) opposite to the flanges). The upper and lower flanges each define an opening that is configured to receive a fastener to secure the brackets in relation to the instrument panel via connection to a steering member bracket in the vehicle.
The electronics module also includes a bezel that is secured to a structural frame of the electronics module (e.g., via heat staking). The bezel extends about a periphery of the electronics module so as to conceal (or other otherwise obscure) any spacing, joints, gapping, etc., between the electronics module and the instrument panel that may otherwise be visible, thereby improving the overall aesthetic impression of the instrument panel by creating a (generally) seamless appearance.
With reference to
The electronics module 100 includes a bezel 102 that is fixedly connected (secured) to a structural frame 104 thereof and configured to interface with the instrument panel 14. More specifically, the bezel 102 includes a tongue 106 (
The bezel 102 may be connected (secured) to the structural frame 104 of the electronics module 100 in any suitable manner. For example, in the particular embodiment illustrated throughout the figures, the bezel 102 and the structural frame 104 are connected via one or more heat stakes 108 (
With reference now to
The guide system 18 supports the electronics module 100 during installation (and removal) and facilitates forward loading via the application of an axial (pushing) force along the direction of insertion Xi such that the electronics module 100 slides relative to the instrument panel 14. As elaborated on below, the configuration of the guide system 18 obviates the need for (manual) lateral support of the electronics module 100 by the installer, which facilitates the establishment of any necessary electrical connections between the electronics module 100 and the vehicle 10 during installation.
The guide system 18 includes opposing (first and second) mounting surfaces 22i, 22ii (
The mounting surface 22i defines a (first) track 24i that is configured for engagement (contact) with the bracket 112i and the mounting surface 22ii defines a (second) track 24ii that is configured for engagement (contact) with the bracket 112ii. The tracks 24i, 24ii are (generally) identical in configuration and respectively include: ingresses/egresses 26i, 26ii; first (rear, lower) segments 28i, 28ii; and second (forward, upper) segments 30i, 30ii. The segments 28, 30 are offset along an axis Y (
As seen in
To further facilitate movement of the electronics module 100 between the segments 28, 30, the track 24i includes a (first, lower) interface 34i (
The bracket assembly 110 is configured for connection to the electronics module 100 and provides an interface between the electronics module 100 and the instrument panel 14. More specifically, the brackets 112i, 112ii are (mechanically) secured to opposing lateral ends (sides) 114i, 114ii (
The brackets 112i, 112ii include corresponding, non-identical configurations that are mirror-images of each other, which supports orientation of the brackets 112i, 112ii on the lateral ends 114i, 114ii of the electronics module 100, respectively. More specifically, with reference to
Each trunk 118 extends along a longitudinal axis B and includes respective upper and lower (first and second) legs 126, 128 and a mounting plate 130 that is located between the legs 126, 128. More specifically, the trunk 118i extends along a longitudinal axis Bi and includes: an upper (first) leg 126i; a lower (second) leg 128i that is offset from the upper leg 126i along an axis Oi that extends in (generally) parallel relation to the direction of insertion Xi; and a mounting plate 130i. Similarly, the trunk 118ii extends along a longitudinal axis Bii and includes: an upper (first) leg 126ii; a lower (second) leg 128ii that is offset from the upper leg 126ii along an axis Oii that extends in (generally) parallel relation to the direction of insertion Xi; and a mounting plate 130ii.
Each mounting plate 130 defines opening(s) 132 that are configured to receive the aforementioned fastener(s) 116 to secure the corresponding bracket 112 to the electronics module 100. While each mounting plate 130 is illustrated as being (generally) square-shaped in configuration, it should be appreciated that the particular geometrical configuration of the mounting plates 130 may be varied in alternate embodiments without departing from the scope of the present disclosure (e.g., depending on the particular configuration of the instrument panel 14, the particular configuration of the electronics module 100, spatial constraints, etc.).
The flanges 120 extends in transverse (e.g., (generally) orthogonal) relation to the longitudinal axis B defined by the trunk 118 of the corresponding bracket 112 (and the direction of insertion Xi of the electronics module 100). Each flange 120 defines an opening 134 that is configured to receive a fastener 136 (
The bosses 124 extend in transverse (e.g., (generally) orthogonal) relation to the longitudinal axis B defined by the trunk 118 of the corresponding bracket 112 (and the direction of insertion Xi of the electronics module 100) and are configured for insertion into (receipt by) the tracks 24 defined by the mounting surfaces 22 of the instrument panel 14. More specifically, the boss 124i is configured for insertion into (receipt by) the track 24i and the boss 124ii is configured for insertion into (receipt by) the track 24ii. As seen in
To secure the electronics module 100 to the instrument panel 14, the electronics module 100 and the instrument panel 14 include corresponding engagement features 140, 40 (
In various embodiments of the disclosure, it is envisioned that the particular number, location, and/or configuration of the engagement features 140, 40 may be altered (e.g., depending on the particular configuration of the instrument panel 14, the particular configuration of the electronics module 100, spatial constraints, etc.). As such, it should be appreciated that the engagement features 140, 40 may include any structure(s) and/or mechanism(s) suitable for the intended purpose of releasably connecting the electronics module 100 to the instrument panel 14.
To further facilitate proper installation of the electronics module 100, in certain embodiments, such as that illustrated throughout the figures, the electronics module 100 and the instrument panel 14 may include corresponding alignment features 150, 44 (
With reference now to
During forward advancement, the electronics module 100 follows the non-linear path P collectively defined by the tracks 24i, 24ii, which guide the electronics module 100 as the bosses 124 traverse the segments 28. Advancement of the electronics module 100 continues until the bosses 124 are located adjacent to the radiused interfaces 34 (
Following any necessary electrical connection(s), the electronics module 100 is advanced further into the cavity 20 such that the bosses 124 traverse the guide surfaces 32, which elevates (raises) the vertical position of the electronics module 100 relative to the instrument panel 14 to align the engagement features 140, 40 (
Following engagement (connection) of the clips 142 and the instrument panel 14, the flanges 120, 122 on the brackets 112 are connected to the instrument panel 14 and the steering member 38 via steering member brackets 48 (
To facilitate connection of the electronics module 100 to the steering member brackets 48i, 48ii, the instrument panel 14 is partially dissembled by removing one or more (e.g., upper and lower) covers 54 (
In the event that service of the electronics module 100 is necessary or desired, the cover(s) 54 (
Persons skilled in the art will understand that the various embodiments of the disclosure described herein and shown in the accompanying figures constitute non-limiting examples, and that additional components and features may be added to any of the embodiments discussed herein without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Additionally, persons skilled in the art will understand that the elements and features shown or described in connection with one embodiment may be combined with those of another embodiment without departing from the scope of the present disclosure and will appreciate further features and advantages of the presently disclosed subject matter based on the description provided. Variations, combinations, and/or modifications to any of the embodiments and/or features of the embodiments described herein that are within the abilities of a person having ordinary skill in the art are also within the scope of the disclosure, as are alternative embodiments that may result from combining, integrating, and/or omitting features from any of the disclosed embodiments.
Use of the term “optionally” with respect to any element of a claim means that the element may be included or omitted, with both alternatives being within the scope of the claim. Additionally, use of broader terms, such as “comprises,” “includes,” and “having,” should be understood to provide support for narrower terms, such as “consisting of,” “consisting essentially of,” and “comprised substantially of.” Accordingly, the scope of protection is not limited by the description set out above but is defined by the claims that follow and includes all equivalents of the subject matter of the claims.
In the preceding description, reference may be made to the spatial relationship between the various structures illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and to the spatial orientation of the structures. However, as will be recognized by those skilled in the art after a complete reading of this disclosure, the structures described herein may be positioned and oriented in any manner suitable for their intended purpose. Thus, the use of terms such as “above,” “below,” “upper,” “lower,” “inner,” “outer,” “left,” “right,” “upward,” “downward,” “inward,” “outward,” etc., should be understood to describe a relative relationship between the structures and/or a spatial orientation of the structures. Those skilled in the art will also recognize that the use of such terms may be provided in the context of the illustrations provided by the corresponding figure(s).
Additionally, terms such as “approximately,” “generally,” “substantially,” and the like should be understood to allow for variations in any numerical range or concept with which they are associated. For example, it is intended that the use of terms such as “approximately,” “generally,” and “substantially” should be understood to encompass variations on the order of 25% (e.g., to allow for manufacturing tolerances and/or deviations in design).
Although terms such as “first,” “second,” etc., may be used herein to describe various operations, elements, components, regions, and/or sections, these operations, elements, components, regions, and/or sections should not be limited by the use of these terms in that these terms are used to distinguish one operation, element, component, region, or section from another. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, a first operation, element, component, region, or section could be termed a second operation, element, component, region, or section without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.
Each and every claim is incorporated as further disclosure into the specification and represents embodiments of the present disclosure. Also, the phrases “at least one of A, B, and C” and “A and/or B and/or C” should each be interpreted to include only A, only B, only C, or any combination of A, B, and C.