Abstract:
In an instrument panel arrangement, a first permanent fixture is attached a second permanent fixture via a latch mechanism including a latch member engaging the first permanent fixture to the second permanent fixture and a handle member for selectively disengaging the latch member. The latch system allows the first and second permanent fixtures to be installed and removed in a simple manner, and this not only simplifies the assembly and maintenance work, but also facilitates the work in separating component parts for recycling when discarding or scrapping the automobile.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates to an arrangement for an instrument panel for motor vehicles which is located in front of the vehicle operator in the passenger compartment to mount various instrument panel components such as an instrument display module and a control board module. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Conventionally, an instrument panel is mounted to a vehicle body by using screws, threaded bolts or quick fasteners which can be used repeatedly for assembling rand, later, for removing for servicing and recycling purposes. Access to such fasteners is typically gained from the reverse side of the instrument panel, but the worker often experiences some difficulty in reaching the fasteners because the access is not always favorable. 
     This increases the cost of the vehicle due to the increase in the amount of assembly work that is required. Such fasteners are often more difficult to unfasten than fasten, and it means an even more increased difficulty in unfastening them for servicing purposes. Also, due to the increased awareness of the need for environmental protection, component parts made of different materials are required to be separated into different groups for the convenience of recycling, and it has become a major concern to facilitate the work in separating component parts for recycling. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In view of such problems of the prior art, a primary object of the present invention is to provide an instrument panel arrangement for motor vehicles which is easy to assemble. 
     A second object of the present invention is to provide an instrument panel arrangement for motor vehicles which is easy to disassemble. 
     A third object of the present invention is to provide an instrument panel arrangement for motor vehicles which is adapted for recycling. 
     A fourth object of the present invention is to provide an instrument panel arrangement for motor vehicles which is easy to assemble and disassemble but discourages an attempt to disassemble by an unauthorized person. 
     According to the present invention, such objects can be accomplished by providing an instrument panel arrangement for motor vehicles, comprising: a first member integrally attached to a vehicle body; and a second member integrally attached to the first member, the first and second members being permanent fixtures to the vehicle body associated with an instrument panel; the second member being attached to the first member via a latch mechanism including a latch member engaging the first member to the second member and a handle member for selectively disengaging the latch member. Typically, the first member comprises a vehicle body member, and the second member comprises the instrument panel. In this case, the vehicle body member may comprise a member selected from a group consisting of a dashboard panel, a front cross beam, and a component attached thereto. Alternatively, the first member comprises an instrument panel, and second member comprises an instrument panel component. 
     In either case, both the assembling and disassembling work is simplified, and not only the assembling process is simplified but also the disassembling process for servicing and recycling purposes is simplified. 
     In the former case, to allow access to the handle member but to prevent unauthorized tampering, the handle member is preferably provided inside an opening provided in the instrument panel, the opening being adapted to be closed by an instrument panel component. Also, to ensure a proper registration and a structural integrity, the arrangement may further comprise a locating pin provided to one of the first and second members, and a hole for receiving the locating pin provided in the other of the first and second members. 
     In the latter case, to aid the assembling and disassembling work, the arrangement may further comprise a guide mechanism for guiding the instrument panel component toward a final position at which the latch mechanism retains the instrument panel component to the instrument panel. The instrument panel component may consist of a member selected from a group consisting of an instrument display module and a control board module. Also, to prevent unauthorized tampering, the guide mechanism for the instrument panel component may be adapted to cause an interference between the instrument panel component and a member selected from a group consisting of a steering wheel and a column shift lever when removing the instrument panel component. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Now the present invention is described in the following with reference to the appended drawings, in which: 
     FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of an instrument panel and a dashboard panel embodying the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a see-through front view of the instrument panel; 
     FIG. 3 is a fragmentary enlarged view of the latch mechanism as seen from the back of the instrument panel; 
     FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the instrument panel and associated instrument panel components according to the present invention; 
     FIG. 5 is a fragmentary exploded sectional view of the mount structure for an instrument display module; 
     FIG. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of the latch mechanism for the instrument display module; 
     FIG. 7 is a fragmentary exploded sectional view of the mount structure for a control board module; 
     FIG. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of the latch mechanism for the control board module; and 
     FIG. 9 is a front view of the instrument panel in a fully assembled state. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of an instrument panel assembly embodying the present invention. Referring to FIG. 1, a front cross beam  2  extends laterally across front side panel inners (not shown in the drawing) opposite an upper side of a dashboard panel  1  or a bulkhead panel separating a passenger compartment from an engine room. The front cross beam  2  supports a bracket  3  for supporting an instrument display module, a bracket  4  for supporting a control board module, an air conditioner duct  5 , and an air bag module  6 . Each end of the front cross beam  2  is provided with a mounting bracket  7  for attachment to the corresponding front side panel inner. A plurality of locating pins  11  are provided in appropriate parts of the upper part of the dashboard panel  1  and the various components attached to the front cross beam  2 . 
     A latch mechanism  8  for securing an instrument panel  12  as described hereinafter is provided in each of the mounting brackets  7  on either lateral end of the front cross beam  2 , and a control handle  9  for actuating the latch mechanisms  8  is attached to the control board module bracket  4  which is connected to each latch mechanism  8  via a push-pull cable  10  such as a Boden (trade name) cable. 
     The instrument panel  12  consists of a one-piece molded plastic member, and includes an instrument display module opening  13  in a right hand side part thereof, and a control board module opening  14  for mounting audio equipment and an air conditioner air outlet in a middle part thereof. The reverse surface of the instrument panel  12  is provided with a plurality of bosses  15  in appropriate parts thereof, each having an opening for receiving the corresponding locating pin  11 . 
     Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, each latch mechanism  8  comprises a holder  16  attached to the mounting bracket  7 , and a latch member  17  slidably received in the holder  16 , in and out of the laterally outer end thereof. The control handle  9  is incorporated with a rotational/linear motion converting mechanism  18  which, for instance, may include an eccentric cam mechanism. Thus, as the control handle  9  is turned, the push-pull cable  10  extending from each side of the rotational/linear motion converting mechanism  18  is pushed or pulled depending on the direction of the rotation of the control handle  9 , and this in turn causes the free end of the corresponding latch member  17  to move out of or into the holder  16 . 
     A lost-motion mechanism is incorporated between each latch member  17  and the corresponding push-pull cable  10  although it is not shown in the drawing, and the latch member  17  is urged in the projecting direction by a spring member not shown in the drawings. Thus, as the control handle  9  is turned in the unlatching direction, the push-pull cable  10  is pulled, and each of the latch members  17  retracts into the holder  16  against the biasing force of the spring member. As the control handle  9  is turned in the latching direction, the push-pull cable  10  is pushed, and the latch member  17  is allowed to project out of the holder  16 . The spring member also urges the latch member  17  out of the holder  16 . Also, if the latch member  17  is subjected to an external force in the retracting direction, even when the push-cable  10  is in a position for projecting the latch member  17 , the latch member  17  can be pushed back into the holder  16  against the urging force of the spring member owing to the action of the lost-motion mechanism. 
     When the instrument panel  12  is desired to be mounted to the dashboard panel  1 , the control handle  9  is placed at the latch position, and the instrument panel  12  is pushed onto the dashboard panel  1  so that the locating pins  11  projecting from the dashboard panel  1  fit into the holes of the corresponding bosses  15  on the backside of the instrument panel  12 . 
     As the instrument panel  12  is pushed further, the tapered surface of each latch member  17  is engaged by a striker member  19  projecting from the backside of the instrument panel  12 , and this causes the latch member  17  to be retracted into the holder  16  against the urging force of the spring member. Once the latch member  17  rides over the striker member  19 , the latch member  17  and striker member  19  are engaged to each other so as to firmly secure the instrument panel  12  to the dashboard panel  1  until the control handle  9  is turned in the unlatching direction to pull the push-pull cable  10  in the direction to retract the latch member  17  and disengage it from the striker member  19 . 
     The access to the control handle  9  is provided by the instrument display module opening  14 . However, in the fully assembled state of the instrument panel  12 , the opening  14  is closed by an instrument display module, and this prevents any inadvertent or unauthorized operation of the control handle  9 . 
     FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view showing the instrument panel  12  and components that are attached to the instrument panel  12 . An instrument display module support base  24  and a control board module support base  25  are attached to the backside of the instrument panel  12  around the openings  13  and  14  of the instrument panel  12 . These support bases  24  and  25  are essentially made of stamp formed sheet metal pieces, and are placed inside the instrument panel  12  when the instrument panel  12  is attached to the dashboard panel  1 . 
     The instrument display module support base  24  for supporting an instrument display module  31  comprises a front wall  26  spaced from the surface of the instrument panel  12  toward the dashboard panel  1  and a pair of side walls  27 . The front wall  26  is centrally provided with a striker opening  28  in an upper part thereof for engaging a latch mechanism which is described hereinafter, and a connector  29  in a lower part thereof for connecting signal cables. The opposing surfaces of the side walls  27  are each provided with a fixed guide member  30  defining a substantially horizontal groove  30   a.    
     The instrument display module  31  comprises an LCD panel  32  and a cover  33 . The frame  34  of the instrument display module  31  comprises key members  35  extending in the fore-and-aft direction on either side thereof for engagement with the grooves  30   a  of the guide members  30 , and a latch mechanism  36  which is adapted to cooperate with the striker opening  28  provided in the upper part of the front wall  26  of the support base  24 . 
     The latch mechanism  36  of the instrument display module  31  comprises a lever member  37  which is pivotally supported by a laterally extending shaft at a middle part thereof so as to effect a rocking motion as best illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6. The front end of the lever member  37  is provided with a pawl  38  which is adapted to be engaged by the striker opening  28 , and the rear end thereof is provided with an operation knob  39 . The lever member  37  is urged by a torsion coil spring or the like (not shown in the drawings) in the direction to raise the operation knob  39  to in the direction to keep the pawl  38  engaged by the striker opening  28 . 
     The control board module support base  25  for supporting a control board module  45  comprises a front wall  40  spaced from the surface of the instrument panel  12  toward the dashboard panel  1  and a pair of side walls  41 . The front wall  40  is centrally provided with a connector for connecting signal cables. The opposing surfaces of the side walls  41  are each provided with a fixed guide member  43  defining a substantially horizontal groove  43   a , and a striker member  44  defining a striker opening  44   a , one above the other. 
     The control board module  45  comprises an LCD panel  46  and a cover  47 . The frame  48  of the control board module  45  comprises, on either side thereof, a pair of key members  49  extending in the fore-and-aft direction for engagement with the grooves  43   a  of the guide members  43 , and a pair of latch mechanisms  50  which are adapted to cooperate with the striker openings  44   a  provided in the striker members  44  of the side walls  41  of the support base  25 . 
     Each of the latch mechanisms  50  of the control board module  45  is provided with a lever member  51  which is pivotally supported by a vertical shaft at a middle part thereof so as to effect a lateral rocking motion as best illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8. The front end of the lever member  51  is provided with a pawl  52  adapted to be engaged by the striker opening  44   a  of the corresponding striker member  44 , and the rear end thereof is provided with a control knob  53 . The lever member  51  is resiliently urged by a torsion coil spring or the like in the direction to urge the pawl  52  outward or in the direction to keep the pawl  52  engaged by the striker opening  44   a.    
     The instrument display module  31  is mounted to the support base  24  from outside the instrument panel  12 . The module  31  is pushed forward or into the corresponding opening  13  of the instrument panel  12  with the front end of the key members  35  aligned with the rear ends of the guide grooves  30   a  of the guide members  30 . Once the module  31  is fully pushed into the corresponding opening  13 , the pawl  38  of the lever member  37  fits into the striker opening  8  of the striker member  6 , and is kept engaged in this engaged position by the resilient force of the corresponding spring member. Thus, the module  31  is firmly retained in the corresponding opening  13  of the instrument panel  12 . Thereafter, a plug at the free ends of cables extending from the module is engaged with the corresponding connector  29  to establish the necessary electric connection for the module  31 . 
     The control board module  45  is mounted to the support base  25  from outside the instrument panel  12 . The module  45  is pushed forward or into the corresponding opening  14  of the instrument panel  12  with the front end of the key members  49  aligned with the rear ends of the guide grooves  43   a  of the guide members  43 . Once the module  45  is fully pushed into the corresponding opening  14 , the pawl  52  of each lever member  51  fits into the striker opening  44   a  of the corresponding striker member  44 , and is kept engaged in this engaged position by the resilient force of the corresponding spring member. Thus, the module  45  is firmly retained in the corresponding opening  14  of the instrument panel  12 . Thereafter, a plug at the free ends of cables extending from the module  45  is engaged with the corresponding connector  42  to establish the necessary electric connection for the module  45 . 
     When the module  31  or  45  is desired to be removed from the corresponding opening  13  or  14  of the instrument panel  12  for servicing or recycling purpose, simply by moving the control knob  39  downward in the case of the instrument display module  31  and the control knobs  53  inward in the case of the control board module  45  to disengage the pawl  38  or pawls  52  from the corresponding striker opening  28  or openings  44   a , the module  31  or  45  can be pulled rearward out of the corresponding opening  13  or  14  of the instrument panel  12 . Access to the control knobs  39  and  53  may be secured by providing openings in the instrument panel  12 , and these openings may be normally closed by suitable plugs or caps to conceal them from the view of the vehicle operator. 
     Simplifying the removal of the instrument panel components may increase the risk of a theft. However, a steering wheel  60  and a column shift lever  61  which are mounted after the instrument display module  31  and control board module  45  are fully assembled interfere with the removal of the instrument display module  31  and control board module  45  as indicated in FIG. 9. A thief is not typically equipped with tools for removing the steering wheel  60  and column shift lever  61 , but a mechanic working in a shop equipped with proper tools can be readily removed them without any difficulty. 
     The latch systems described above allow the instrument panel and instrument components to be installed and removed in a simple manner, and this not only simplifies the assembly and maintenance work, but also facilitates the work in separating component parts for recycling when discarding or scrapping the automobile. 
     Although the present invention has been described in terms of preferred embodiments thereof, it is obvious to a person skilled in the art that various alterations and modifications are possible without departing from the scope of the present invention which is set forth in the appended claims. For instance, although the fuel and oxidant for the fuel cells are described and claimed as consisting of gases throughout the text of this application, it should be understood that they may also consist of liquid without departing from the scope and spirit of this application.