Abstract:
An instrument panel assembly having a generally symmetrical upper cowl portion ( 56 ) defining a cutout region ( 57 ) having a center stack assembly ( 50 ) disposed within the cutout region ( 57 ). The central stack assembly ( 50 ) is capable of slidably receiving a number of service modules ( 58 ).

Description:
This application claims the benefit of Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/142,711 filed Jul. 7, 2000. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Technical Field 
     This invention generally relates to a vehicle interior and, more particularly, to an instrument panel having a center stack assembly capable of slidably receiving service modules. 
     2. Discussion 
     With ever increasing pressure from automotive consumers, flexibility and adaptability of vehicle interiors is increasingly required in order to provide a vehicle that meets broad customer demands. Further, with increased social awareness of a vehicle&#39;s impact on the environment, there is an increasing demand to minimize the overall mass of vehicle while still meeting the feature requirements of the consumer. By reducing the mass of the interior components of the vehicle, several goals can be achieved. First, the overall weight of the vehicle can be minimized thereby reducing the power and fuel required to operate the vehicle. Secondly, by reducing the mass of the interior components and optimizing the interior volume of the vehicle the energy required to heat or cool the interior of the vehicle can be minimized. In particular, the cooling system of a vehicle accounts for a significant portion of the energy consumption of the vehicle when in use. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In accordance with the teachings of the present invention, a highly adaptable front cockpit center stack assembly is disclosed which provides mounting for standard and optional features historically mounted in the instrument panel or floor console of the vehicle. The center stack assembly further provides flexibility and adaptability for incorporation of interchangeable modules allowing the customer, dealer, or original equipment manufacturer to vary the content and location of the components mounted to the center stack assembly. 
     In accordance with the further teachings of the present invention, a steering column system is provided which, particularly when used in conjunction with the center stacked assembly, incorporates additional controls for the vehicle in a preferred ergonomic location relative to the vehicle driver. Specifically included in the system is a paddle shifter system allowing the vehicle driver to sequentially select the vehicle gear in a convenient fashion while maintaining contact with the steering wheel with both hands. 
     Further disclosed is a light-weight, flexible instrument panel requiring minimal content when used in conjunction with the center stack assembly and thereby providing increased flexibility for right-hand or left-hand drive versions of the vehicle in which it is incorporated. By providing increased space availability in the instrument panel, features such as a parking brake handle and release mechanism can be incorporated into the instrument panel instead of being located in the traditional positions which typically require floor space and reduce the flexibility of the remainder of the interior. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The various advantages of the present invention will become apparent to one skilled in the art upon reading the following specification and by reference to the drawings in which: 
     FIGS. 1 and 2 provide perspective views of a center stack assembly and cowl in accordance with the teachings of the present invention; 
     FIGS. 3-5 show a variety of views of the center stack assembly in accordance to the teachings of the present invention; 
     FIGS. 6 a - 6   c  show the center stack module receiving a number of service modules in accordance with the teachings of the present invention; 
     FIGS. 7 a - 7   c  are cross-sections of the mounting mechanisms for slidably mounting the service modules of the present invention to the center stack assembly; 
     FIG. 8 depicts the center stack assembly having a deploying air safety restraint; and 
     FIGS. 9 a  and  9   b  depict the steering wheel assembly and parking brake levers incorporated into the instrument panel assembly of the current invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The following description of the preferred embodiments is merely exemplary in nature and is no way intended to limit the invention, or its application, or uses. 
     Referring to FIGS. 1-5, there is shown a center stack assembly  50  which is located in the front cockpit area  52  of the vehicle  47 , and is preferably supported by the floor  54  of the vehicle  47 . The center stack assembly  50  is supported separate from and can provide support to the cowl or instrument panel  56  if desired. By providing a centralized location for accommodating a wide variety of required and optional features in the front cockpit area  52  which is independent of the instrument panel  56 , the instrument panel  56  itself is less complex and reduced in weight. The reduced weight of the instrument panel  56  (particularly in a traditional overhanging, cantilever supported system) minimizes the instrument panel&#39;s  56  susceptibility to resonance at low frequencies which may be incurred while driving. The content of the center stack assembly  50  is flexible and by providing interchangeable modules  58 , can be customized by the customer, adapted to incorporate newly developed features by a dealer, or provide flexibility for the original equipment manufacturer to provide multiple levels of content at the assembly plant while maintaining a common support structure. A variety of snap-in type modules  58  can provide connection to power or communication contacts or buses located in the center stack structure to integrate the systems in the vehicle by utilizing a “plug and play” type approach. Further, the center stack assembly  50  provides an overall increased volume for packaging of large items (such as subwoofers) when compared to the traditional package available in an instrument panel. This packing efficiency is available because of the rearward projection toward and between the front seat assemblies which allows the instrument panel surface to be farther forward in the vehicle and provide a greater space for the occupants. 
     A further advantage of providing the centrally located content within the center stack assembly  50  is that the instrument panel  56  can be easily adapted to provide right-hand drive or left-hand drive vehicles with minimal change to the remainder of the vehicle. A common center stack assembly  50  can be utilized regardless of whether the vehicle is a right-hand drive or a left-hand drive vehicle while still providing ergonomically correct and accessible positions for the contents of the center stack assembly  50 . 
     Center stack assembly  50  is characterized by its shape, which add both decorative and functional improvements to the system. The center stack assembly  50  has a top surface  51  which is located forward in the front cockpit area  52  from the bottom portion  53  of the center stack assembly  50 . The center stack assembly  50  further has a front face  55  which defines a gradual slope between the top  51  and bottom portion  53  of the center stack assembly  50 . In addition to the aesthetic aspects of the shape of the center stack assembly  50 , the gradual slope of the front face  55  allows for an occupant positioned in the front seat  59  easy access to the various service modules  58 . The top  51  and bottom  53  as well as sides define a central cavity  101 . 
     Features which are incorporated within the center stack are intended to include, but are not limited to the hazard flasher switch and module, the audio system and controls. HVAC controls and distribution components, cup holders, lockable storage, ash receivers, cigar lighters, power ports, open storage bins, subwoofer modules, and RF receiver modules including vehicle security and vehicle information displays. 
     Referring again to FIGS. 1 and 2, the instrument panel  56  of the present invention is shown. As opposed to a traditional instrument panel, the present invention effectively provides a trim panel which extends substantially from the lower edge of the windshield  60  and provides aesthetic and acoustic shielding from the front of dash  62  structure of the vehicle. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the instrument panel  56  provides a centrally located display  64  which displays a wide variety of information to the driver or front seat passenger of the vehicle. The display  64  can be limited to the type of information which can be displayed, or can be completely programmable depending upon the intended use and which optional module has been incorporated in the vehicle. 
     The instrument panel  56  further includes a cross-car structural beam  57  (shown in FIG. 9 a ) which is integrated with a knee bolster  66  support to improve the occupant protection within the vehicle. Duct work for the HVAC system (not shown) can be integrated within the instrument panel  56 , as well as additional distribution controls or mechanisms which are not included in the center stack assembly  50  (as previously described). While a passenger side airbag assembly  68  can be located within the instrument panel  56 , the preferred embodiment would locate the passenger side airbag  68  in the center stack assembly  50 , while the driver side airbag  70  would be included in the steering wheel hub  72 , as described below. 
     One benefit of reducing the content within the instrument panel  56  itself is the ability to transfer items traditionally located elsewhere in the vehicle to the instrument panel  56 . One example is shown in FIGS. 9 a  and  9   b  where the parking brake lever  78  and mechanism  80  is shown incorporated on a lower surface  82  of the instrument panel  56 . Traditionally, the parking brake lever or handle  78  has been located on the inboard or outboard side of the driver seat  59  and thereby occupies valuable floor space in that vicinity. Alternately, parking brake foot actuated pedals  84  have been mounted on the lower cowl  86  side below the instrument panel  56 . This location occupies space where the driver may wish to rest their foot and prevents the incorporation of a foot rest or support to improve the driver&#39;s comfort during long drives or aggressive maneuvers. Depending upon the particular use, the parking brake handle  78  and a release mechanism  80  can be horizontally positioned or vertically positioned with equal results. Preferably, the mechanical attachment of the parking brake mechanism  80  extends to the structure of the front of dash or cross-car beam support  57  of the instrument panel  56  to provide the structural rigidity required. 
     Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 9, the steering column assembly  81  of the present invention is shown. The steering column assembly  81  includes, but is not limited to, a steering wheel  88  having a hub  72  mounted driver side airbag  70 , a multi-function stalk control  90  for controlling commonly utilized features, and an electronic “paddle shifter” system  92 . The stalk control  90  incorporates features which are commonly used by the driver including turn signals, wiper/washers, headlight on/off, headlight bright/dim, and other features such as cruise control. The paddle shifter system  92  allows for sequential selection of the vehicle gears (PRNDL)by actuating for example, the right paddle one time to go from park to reverse and two additional times to go from reverse to drive. Manual transmissions can also be utilized in conjunction with the paddle shifters  92  where for example, right paddle actuation causes the vehicle transmission to up-shift or shift to a higher gear (first gear to second gear) and the left paddle causes the vehicle transmission to down-shift (from second gear to first gear). The steering column assembly  81  is positionable on either the left hand side of the center console  50  or the right hand side of the center console  50  for left or right hand drive vehicles, respectively. 
     As can be seen in FIGS. 3-5, the center stack assembly  50  is configured to easily accept many various types of service modules  58 . It is specifically envisioned that the center stack assembly  50  be configurable by an automobile manufacturer to have various adaptable configurations depending on a vehicle model or a specific options package. The center stack assembly  50  allows the automobile manufacturer or dealer to quickly modify the options in a vehicle prior to sale. The center stack assembly  50  is capable of receiving at least one service module such as a hazard button, an AM-FM stereo, HVAC controls, a lockable storage unit, an ash tray, a power port, an open bin, a subwoofer module, a plug and play bus system, a security key port, power window switches, GPS system, cup holder, and a programmable controller such as a HOME LINK® system. 
     Depicted in FIGS. 6 a - 6   c  is a perspective view of the center stack assembly  50  slidably receiving service modules  58  therein. As can be seen FIG. 6 a , each service module has disposed on its side  98  a coupling mechanism  100 . The coupling mechanism  100  can take various forms such as a C-channel of a tongue and groove disposed in either the service module  58  or in the inside surface  102  of the center stack assembly  50 . 
     FIGS. 7 a - 7   c  depict various coupling mechanism which can be used to couple varying service modules to the center stack assembly  50 . As is shown, a varying number of styles such as tongue and groove or dovetails can be used to capture and support the various service modules  58 . The center stack assembly  50  includes left and right module guides  48  and  49  located on the inside surface  102 . The module guides  48  and  49  can be a single unit made of a heat conductive metal, such as aluminum and include a plurality of parallel tabs  103  and  105  extending from front to back that define a groove  106  therebetween each tab  103  and  105 . Each service module  58  includes a pair of side tabs  108  that is inserted in one of the grooves  106  in the module guides  48  and  49 . When the service module  58  is slid into the center stack assembly  50 , an electrical connector is connected with a mating electrical connector (not shown) at the back of the center stack assembly  50  to provide the desired electrical connection. Multiple service modules  58  are slid into the center stack assembly  50  in a parallel format to provide the overall electrical system. It is generally desirable to set the spacing of the module grooves  48  and  49  and the thickness of the service modules  58  to allow as many modules as possible to be stored in the center stack assembly  50  to conserve space. 
     Many of the service modules  58  generate heat during operation. The center stack assembly  50  therefore provides assisted cooling for the service modules  58  to draw away the heat. To provide the cooling, forced air is caused to circulate across the module guides  48  and  49  to draw heat away from the service modules  58 . 
     FIG. 8 depicts the instrument panel assembly of the current invention having a deploying passenger airbag. It is envisioned that the airbag assembly can either be incorporated into the center stack assembly  50  or inserted therein as a service module  58 . 
     Also included within the steering column assembly  81  is an instrument cluster  94 , which preferably contains essential or primary instruments to minimize the weight and provide a simplified view for the driver. The instrument cluster  94  moves with the steering column if the height or angle of the steering column is adjusted. The instrument cluster  94  is separately pivotal relative to the steering column to provide an improved viewing angle for the driver. Alternatively, a head-up display  96  can be incorporated into the instrument panel or, preferably, into the center stack assembly to further minimize the weight and clutter of the steering column assembly. As shown in FIGS. 1 through 9, a wide variety of features can be utilized in the various innovative systems disclosed and described above. 
     It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the exact construction illustrated and described above, but that various changes may be made if not thereby departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.