Abstract:
A modular system for a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle, whereby the vehicle is to be provided with a selected instrument panel and at least one selected door, which can be arranged on the vehicle in a pivotal manner in order to close or release a vehicle door opening adjoining the instrument panel, whereby the modular system has at least two different instrument panels and/or at least two different doors for selection, whereby each instrument panel has a first joint region, and each door has a second joint region which corresponds to the first joint region such that each first joint region and the respective second joint region always form the same joint in the closed position of the door.

Description:
[0001]    This nonprovisional application is a continuation of International Application No. PCT/EP2015/070901, which was filed on Sep. 11, 2015, and which claims priority to German Patent Application No. 10 2014 218 698.6, which was filed in Germany on Sep. 17, 2014, and which are both herein incorporated by reference. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The invention relates to a modular system for a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle, whereby the vehicle is to be provided with a selected instrument panel and at least one selected door, which can be arranged on the vehicle in a pivotal manner in order to close or release a vehicle door opening adjoining the instrument panel. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Background Art 
         [0005]    So that a vehicle door adjoining an instrument panel can be closed securely, a joint remains between the door and the instrument panel in the closed door position. It is known from the Unexamined German Patent Application DE 198 13 037 A1 that to enhance the visual impression, the door overlaps an end section of the instrument panel without a gap, so that the joint is substantially covered. An assembly set for manufacturing a door module, which is to be integrated into a vehicle door and is intended to facilitate a modular motor vehicle door design adapted to different requirements, is known furthermore from the Unexamined German Patent Application DE 10 2009 012 645 A1. If the interior design is to be redesigned or modified, up to now the door and instrument panel must again be matched to one another, so that the necessary joint is retained. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a modular system that enables a high number of variations in the design of in particular the vehicle interior in a simple and cost-effective manner. 
         [0007]    In an exemplary embodiment, an advantage is that the instrument panel and door always form a joint that satisfies the requirements of a predeterminable gap size, irrespective of which door or which instrument panel of the modular system is installed. As a result, an interchangeability of the instrument panel and/or doors within the modular system is assured, which offers different design options without changes having to be made structurally. The modular system of the invention provides at least two different instrument panels and/or at least two different doors for selection, whereby each particular instrument panel has a first joint region and each particular door has a second joint region corresponding to the first joint region, such that the particular first joint region and the particular second joint region always form the same joint in the closed door position. The doors and/or instrument panels are therefore formed such that regardless of which combination of door and instrument panel within the modular system is selected, the same joint is always formed between the door and instrument panel and thus the free combinability of door and instrument panel is assured. “Same joint” in the context of the present application can be understood to mean that the joints formed according to the invention have substantially the same or the same joint width, in other words, a joint gap of the same width. Preferably, the joints formed according to the invention each also have the same orientation, in other words, the same or substantially the same angular plane in the spatial coordinate system of the vehicle. 
         [0008]    Expediently, the second joint region of the different doors and the first joint region of the different instrument panels can be formed identically for this purpose. Apart from the first or second joint region, the instrument panels and/or doors are expediently formed differently, for example, to fulfill different functions. Even with a small number of a plurality of different doors and/or instrument panels, many different variation options can be realized cost-effectively as a result. Preferably, each modular system has a plurality of doors of a first type and a plurality of doors of at least one second type, each of which have the same second joint region. Accordingly, the modular system alternatively or in addition preferably has a plurality of instrument panels of a first type and a plurality of instrument panels of at least one second type, each of which have the same first joint region. Particularly preferably, the modular system has more than only two types of instrument panels and/or doors so as to increase further the variety or variability of the modular system. 
         [0009]    It is provided according to an embodiment of the invention that the different doors in their second joint region have a depression for partially receiving the particular instrument panel with its first joint region. Because the instrument panel at its first joint region is partially received by the door, an overlap arises between the door and instrument panel which covers at least in sections the joint between the door and instrument panel, as a result of which the visual impression is improved. Because the doors of the modular system, on the one hand, and the instrument panels of the modular system, on the other, each have the same first or the same second joint region, the variable combinability within the modular system is assured in this design as well. 
         [0010]    It is provided according to an embodiment of the invention that the different doors in particular on their inner side have armrests of different width. It is possible as result, for example, to provide wider armrests in a vehicle that has two seats in the first row of seats and narrower armrests in a vehicle that has three seats in the first row of seats, in order to always utilize the interior space optimally. The advantageous modular system therefore allows adaptation of the interior trim in a simple manner to the interior design, in particular the number of seats in a first row of seats of the vehicle, located opposite to the instrument panel. 
         [0011]    It is provided according to an embodiment of the invention that the different instrument panels are made with a different width. As a result, the instrument panels can be used, for example, in different vehicle types. In addition, if a number of different doors of the type of the invention are provided, thus these can be combined differently with the selected instrument panel. Thus, the doors can be provided both in a vehicle with a broad instrument panel and in a vehicle with a narrower instrument panel. The width of the instrument panel in this case can be understood to mean the extent of the instrument panel from the driver side to the passenger side of the vehicle or motor vehicle, therefore, in particular the extent of the instrument panel from one door to an opposite further door. Expediently, the modular system has a plurality of different doors for the driver side and a plurality of different doors for the passenger side, whereby the doors for the driver side can be made as a mirror image to the doors for the passenger side. 
         [0012]    The doors can each have a door frame and an insert part arranged on the door frames, whereby the insert part forms the first joint region. The doors therefore can be formed as multiple parts in each case, whereby the part forming the first joint region is formed by an insert part arranged on a door frame. It is possible as a result that the door frames of the different doors are always made the same, and the design of the door results only by the provision of different insert parts. There can be a further saving of manufacturing costs as a result. In particular, different insert parts can be provided, which have, for example, armrests of different width, a different arrangement of control elements, and/or different arrangements of or mounting provisions for loudspeakers. In particular, the different instrument panels and/or the different doors are also characterized in that they are provided with a different decoration. The different doors can have different door frames, which are formed in particular with a different width. Thus, preferably overall at least two different door frames, at least two different insert parts, and at least two different instrument panels are available in the modular system for use in a motor vehicle, and these can be combined with one another. 
         [0013]    The door frames and the insert parts can be formed such that each insert part can be arranged in/on each door frame. As a result, the insert parts can also be freely combined with the door frames, as a result of which the variability of the modular system can be increased still further. In particular, the door frames can have insert part receptacles with identical inner contours, whereas the insert parts are provided with identical outer contours, corresponding to the inner contours, so that the insert parts can always be inserted in the insert part receptacles of the particular door frame. 
         [0014]    Further scope of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description given hereinafter. However, it should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes, combinations, and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0015]    The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description given hereinbelow and the accompanying drawings which are given by way of illustration only, and thus, are not limitive of the present invention, and wherein: 
           [0016]      FIG. 1  shows a vehicle in a simplified interior view; 
           [0017]      FIGS. 2A to 2C  show a modular system for the vehicle in a simplified illustration; 
           [0018]      FIGS. 3A to 3H  show different combination options for the modular system, each in a simplified illustration. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0019]      FIG. 1  shows interior  1  of a motor vehicle in a perspective illustration. Interior  1  in the region of the front row of seats of the motor vehicle is characterized by an instrument panel  2  and interior trim  3  of a door  4 . Shown is the view of instrument panel  2  and door  4 , which in this respect represents a passenger door of the motor vehicle. The driver door is not shown for the sake of clarity. 
         [0020]    Instrument panel  2  is formed of multiple parts and extends from the driver side to the passenger side over the entire width of interior  1  of the motor vehicle. As is customary, instrument panel  2  contains display instruments and control elements of the motor vehicle and optionally, a passenger airbag and air vents. Interior trim  3  of door  4  abuts laterally against the passenger-side end of instrument panel  2 , as a result of which a joint  5 , also called the king&#39;s joint, is formed between door  4  and instrument panel  2 . 
         [0021]      FIG. 2  shows a modular system for interior  1  of the motor vehicle. Modular system  6  according to  FIG. 2A  has two instrument panels A 1 , A 2 , which are formed differently. It is provided in particular that instrument panels A 1 , A 2  have a different design, whereby instrument panel A 1  is formed, for example, for the passenger vehicle sector, whereas instrument panel A 2  was designed for the commercial vehicle sector. To this end, instrument panels A 1 , A 2  can differ, for example, in that instrument panel A 2  has more storage options available, whereas instrument panel A 1  is designed with a higher quality and with a more sophisticated design. 
         [0022]    Instrument panels A 1 , A 2  on their passenger-door-side or driver-door-side ends each have a first joint region F 1 , which in the installed state, as shown in  FIG. 1 , concurrently forms joint  5  between instrument panel A 2  and passenger door  4  or the driver door (not shown). 
         [0023]    Modular system  6 , furthermore, has two different doors T 1  and T 2 , which are shown in  FIG. 2B  in a side view and in  FIG. 2C  in a top plan view. Doors T 1  and T 2  have the same dimensions in the side view. It can be seen in the top plan view according to  FIG. 2C  that door T 2  has a width B 2 , which is made greater than width B 1  of door T 1 . Doors T 1  and T 2  each have a door frame R 1  and R 2 , which is mountable pivotably on motor vehicle  2 , or on an auto body of motor vehicle  2 . Further, the particular door T 1 , T 2  has an insert part E 1  or E 2 , respectively, which forms at least substantially interior trim  3 . Insert parts E 1  and E 2  each have a second joint region F 2 . Joint regions F 2  of doors T 1 , T 2  or insert parts E 1 , E 2  are formed identical to one another. In other respects, doors T 1 , T 2  are formed differently. Thus, it can be provided in particular that armrest  8  in door T 1  is made narrower than armrest  8  in door T 2 . As a result, door T 1 , for example, is more suitable for motor vehicles that have three seats in the first row of seats and in this regard require more room in terms of width. Door T 2  is then of advantage, if the first row of seats has only two seats, so that more room is available overall and in particular the seating comfort for the occupants is to be optimized by a wider armrest. 
         [0024]    Joint regions F 1  and F 2  are formed corresponding to one another. Because joint region F 2  of respective door T 1 , T 2  is formed identical, doors T 1  and T 2  can be combined as desired with instrument panels A 1 , A 2  whose joint regions F 1  are formed identical to one another. For this reason, different variations for the interior design of the motor vehicle can be realized without great cost by modular system  6 . 
         [0025]    Insert parts E 1  and E 2  differ further preferably in that they have a different visual and optionally high-value design, whereby, for example, insert part E 1  is formed for the passenger vehicle sector and the other insert part E 2  probably for the commercial vehicle sector, like instrument panels A 1  and A 2 . In this case, it can be provided, for example, that insert part E 1  supports an operating switch for an electrical window operator, whereas insert part E 2  supports a crank handle for the manual operation of the window. 
         [0026]      FIGS. 3A  to H show different combinations of instrument panel  2  and door  4  from modular system  6 .  FIG. 3A  shows a first combination in which instrument panel A 1  is combined with door T 1 . It is provided here that door T 1  is also provided on the driver side of the motor vehicle. Expediently, door T 1  on the driver side of the motor vehicle is made as a mirror image to door T 1  on the passenger side. Expediently, modular system  6  has appropriate versions of doors T 1  and T 2  or door frames R 1  and R 2  and insert parts E 1  and E 2  both for the driver door and for the passenger door. In the first exemplary embodiment of  FIG. 3A , the vehicle has three seats S in the first row of seats between doors T 1  on the driver side and passenger side. Doors T 1  with insert parts E 1  are made narrow and have narrow armrests, so that the maximum possible room for three vehicle occupants is provided. 
         [0027]      FIG. 3B  shows a second exemplary embodiment in which only two seats are provided in the first row of seats. To increase driving comfort, in this case doors T 1  are formed by door frames R 1  and insert parts E 2 , so that, on the one hand, there is a narrow door frame and, on the other, a wide armrest is provided by insert part E 2 . To this end, door frames R 1  and R 2  expediently have the same insert part receptacles, so that insert parts E 1 , E 2  can be combined as desired with door frames R 1  and R 2 . 
         [0028]      FIG. 3C  shows a further exemplary embodiment in which instrument panel A 1  is combined with doors T 2 , whereby doors T 2  according to  FIGS. 2B  and C are formed by door frame R 2  and insert part E 2 . 
         [0029]      FIG. 3D  in a further exemplary embodiment shows a variant in which instrument panel A 2  was combined with narrow door frames R 1  or doors T 1 , whereby doors T 1  has insert parts E 2 , and whereby three seats S are provided next to one another in the first row of seats. 
         [0030]      FIG. 3E  shows a further exemplary embodiment which corresponds substantially to the previous exemplary embodiment, whereby only two seats S are provided in the first row of seats, and in each case insert parts E 2  are arranged in door frames R 1 . 
         [0031]      FIG. 3F  shows an exemplary embodiment in which instrument panel A 2  was combined with door T 2 , whereby insert parts E 2  were replaced by insert parts E 1 . 
         [0032]      FIG. 3G  shows a further exemplary embodiment in which instrument panel A 1  was combined with doors T 2 , and whereby insert parts E 1  are provided on doors T 2 , as in the exemplary embodiment of  FIG. 3F . In this case, the two seats S in the first row of seats are disposed rotatably in the motor vehicle, as indicated by an arrow  7 . 
         [0033]      FIG. 3H  shows a further exemplary embodiment, which in contrast to the exemplary embodiment of  FIG. 3G  combines doors T 1  with instrument panel  1 , whereby insert parts E 2  are provided instead of insert parts E 1 . 
         [0034]    It becomes clear based on the exemplary embodiments that a diverse combination of instrument panels A 1 , A 2  and doors T 1 , T 2  or door frames R 1 , R 2  and insert parts E 1 , E 2  is possible. Because first joint regions F 1  and second joint regions F 2  are each made identical, so that first joint region F 1  of the selected instrument panel always corresponds to second joint region F 2  of selected door T 1 , T 2  in order to always form joint  5  the same, it is possible accordingly to combine freely with one another the components for the interior design of the vehicle from modular system  6 , so that, for example, for two-seat vehicles wide door interior trims with decorative strips can be provided, whereas for three-seat vehicles narrow doors without decorative strips can be provided. Joint  5  in this case has the same joint gap width and the same angular plane orientation in the spatial coordinate system of the vehicle. 
         [0035]    The invention being thus described, it will be obvious that the same may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention, and all such modifications as would be obvious to one skilled in the art are to be included within the scope of the following claims.