WO2003024733A1

WO2003024733A1 - Cluster assembly integrated into instrument panel

Info

Publication number: WO2003024733A1
Application number: PCT/US2002/029709
Authority: WO
Inventors: Steve Polakowski; Jeffrey Soncrant; Richard Hager
Original assignee: Intier Automotive Inc.
Priority date: 2001-09-19
Filing date: 2002-09-19
Publication date: 2003-03-27
Also published as: WO2003024733A9

Abstract

An instrument panel assembly for an automotive vehicle includes a cluster assembly (10) including a faceplate (20) having a display panel (22) for displaying predetermined vehicle information to the vehicle occupant, a circuit board (60) operatively coupled to the faceplate for controlling the information on the panels, a shroud (40) for interconnecting the circuit board and the faceplate, and a bezel assembly (70) having a frame fixedly secured to the faceplate, circuit board and shroud. The frame includes an upper portion having an outer raised rib (76) and a lower portion. A recessed cavity is formed in the instrument panel and defined by an upper wall having a recessed area and opposite lower wall. The cluster assembly is slidably received within the recessed cavity and removably secured to the instrument panel by mating engagement between the raised rib and the recessed area. A biasing member extends between the lower wall and the lower portion of the frame for biasing the raised rib of the cluster assembly against the recessed area of the upper wall.

Description

CLUSTER ASSEMBLY INTEGRATED INTO INSTRUMENT PANEL

Field of the Invention

The subject invention relates to an instrument cluster assembly for an automotive vehicle and, more particularly, to a bezel assembly for attaching the instrument cluster assembly to the instrument panel of the vehicle.

Description of the Prior Art

Automotive vehicle instrument panels include instrument cluster assemblies for displaying vehicle information, such as the vehicle speed, engine speed, temperature, video, or digital displays. The instrument cluster assemblies typically include a faceplate for displaying the vehicle information, a shroud for preventing light from escaping around the faceplate, a printed circuit board for controlling the displays on the faceplate, and a housing for attaching the cluster assembly to the instrument panel. The cluster assemblies are inserted into the instrument panel and are generally fastened with external fasteners into place for securing the cluster assemblies to the panel prior to assembly into a vehicle. Conventional cluster assemblies are cumbersome and difficult to assemble both during assembly of the cluster assemblies and during fastening of the cluster assemblies to the instrument panel.

Therefore, it remains desirable to provide a cluster assembly that is easy to assemble and is easily fastened to an instrument panel.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided an instrument panel for an automotive vehicle. The instrument panel includes a cluster assembly for displaying predetermined vehicle information to a vehicle occupant and a bezel assembly having a frame fixedly secured to the cluster assembly The frame includes an outer peripheral surface and a raised rib formed in the outer peripheral surface The instrument panel also includes a recessed cavity defined by an upper wall having an indentation formed therein for mating engagement with the raised rib and a lower wall, whereby the cluster assembly is shdably received between the upper and lower walls of the recessed cavity and removably secured to the instrument panel by mating engagement between the raised rib and the indentation

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein

Figure 1 is a side view of an instrument cluster assembly according to one embodiment of the invention, and

Figure 2 is a partial cross sectional view of the instrument panel and cluster assembly

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to Figure 1, an instrument cluster assembly for an automotive vehicle is generally indicated at 10 The cluster assembly 10 may display a variety of information about the vehicle to the driver, such as the vehicle speed, the engine speed, the engine temperature, video, global positioning system

The cluster assembly 10 includes a faceplate 20 for displaying the vehicle information, a shroud 40 for preventing light from escaping around the faceplate 20, and a printed circuit board 60 for controlling the faceplate 20 and providing illumination of the faceplate 20, and a bezel assembly 70 The faceplate 20 includes a plurality of displays 22, such as analog gauges having pivotal pointers or digital displays, for identifying and displaying the information on the faceplate 20. The printed circuit board 60 includes a plurality of lights 64 for projecting light toward the faceplate 20 to illuminate the faceplate 20 and displays 22. The shroud 40 surrounds the periphery of the faceplate 20 for aligning the printed circuit board 60 with the faceplate 20 and for preventing light emitted from the plurality of lights 64 from escaping around the faceplate 20. The shroud 40 includes a plurality of fasteners or mounting elements, such as plastic retainer clips, for securing and supporting both the faceplate 20 and printed circuit board 60 thereto. The printed circuit board 60 also includes a connector 62 for electrically connecting the cluster 10 to a vehicle wiring system 66, as shown in Figure 2.

The bezel assembly 70 is fixedly secured to the cluster assembly 10 by any suitable fastening means, such as bolts, screws or locking tabs. The bezel assembly 70 includes a frame 72 surrounding the faceplate 20. The frame 72 extends between opposite front 71 and rear 73 ends. The frame 72 includes an outer peripheral surface 77 extending between the front 71 and rear 73 ends and having upper 78 and lower 79 portions. An outer raised rib or detent 76 is formed in the upper portion 78 of the outer peripheral surface 77 of the frame 72.

A transparent face or lens 74 is fixedly secured to the front end 71 of the frame 72 by conventional means, such as screws or snap-fitting. The lens 74 is generally transparent for allowing viewing of the faceplate 20 through the lens 74 from the occupant position.

Referring now to Figure 2, an instrument panel is generally indicated at 80. The instrument panel 80 includes a recessed cavity 82 for receiving and supporting the cluster assembly 10 therein. The recessed cavity 82 includes a generally C-shaped cross section defined by a rear wall 88 extending between generally parallel and spaced apart upper 84 and lower 86 walls. An indentation 90 is formed in the upper wall 84 for engaging the rib or detent 76. A biasing member or spring clip 92 is compressed between the lower wall 86 and the lower portion 79 of the bezel assembly 70 for maintaining engagement between the rib or detent 76 and the indentation 90. Alternatively, the rib 42 may be located on the shroud 40 and the spring clip 92 may act between the shroud 40 and the instrument panel 80 for securing the cluster assembly 10 to the instrument panel 80.

In assembly, the cluster assembly 10 and bezel assembly 70 are placed in the cavity 82. The upper 84 and lower 86 walls guide the cluster assembly 10 into the cavity 82. As the cluster 10 and bezel 70 are inserted into the cavity 82, the spring clip 92 forces the bezel 70 against the upper wall 84 and eventually causes the rib or detent 76 to engage the recess 90. Engagement between the rib or detent 76 and the recess 90 provides a positive locating stop during insertion of the cluster 10 and bezel 70 assemblies into the cavity 82 and helps to retain the cluster 10 and bezel 70 assemblies within the cavity 82.

The invention has been described in an illustrative manner, and it is to be understood that the terminology, which has been used, is intended to be in the nature of words of description rather than of limitation.

Many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is, therefore, to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced other than as specifically described.

Claims

What is claimed is

1 An instrument panel assembly for an automotive vehicle comprising a cluster assembly for displaying predetermined vehicle information to a vehicle occupant, said cluster assembly including a bezel assembly having a frame including an outer peripheral surface and a raised rib formed in said outer peripheral surface, and a recessed cavity defined by an upper wall having an indentation formed therein for mating engagement with said raised rib and a lower wall, whereby said cluster assembly is shdably received between said upper and lower walls of said recessed cavity and removably secured to said instrument panel by mating engagement between said raised rib and said indentation

2 An instrument panel assembly as set forth in claim 1 further including a biasing member extending between said lower wall and said outer peripheral surface of said frame for biasing said raised rib toward mating engagement with said indentation in said upper wall

3 An instrument panel assembly as set forth in claim 2 wherein said cluster assembly includes a faceplate having at least one display panel for displaying predetermined vehicle information to a vehicle occupant

4 An instrument panel assembly as set forth in claim 3 wherein said cluster assembly includes a circuit board operatively coupled to said faceplate for controlling said vehicle information displayed on said panel 5 An instrument panel assembly as set forth in claim 4 wherein said circuit board includes a plurality of lights for projecting light toward said faceplate for illuminating said display panel on said face plate

6 An instrument panel assembly as set forth in claim 5 wherein said cluster assembly includes a shroud surrounding said faceplate for preventing said light emitted from said plurality of lights from passing around said faceplate

7 An instrument panel assembly as set forth in claim 6 wherein said bezel assembly includes a lens fixedly secured to said frame for allowing viewing of said display panel on said face plate through said lens