Vehicle instrument panel structure to support electronics packaging
AssigneeVisteon Global Technologies, Inc.
InventorsAndrew Z. Glovatsky, Thomas B. Krautheim, Daniel R. Vander Sluis
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Abstract
An automobile instrument panel assembly for the cockpit of an automobile. The assembly includes, in one embodiment, a cross-car beam structure for supporting the assembly. The structure extends across a substantial portion of the cockpit and defines a plurality of generally planar mounting sites and further defines at least one recess. At least one substrate is mounted to the beam and includes at least one area of the substrate populated by electronic components on both sides of the substrate. The area is aligned over the at least one recess, and an instrument panel cover is removably positioned over the substrate and the structure.
Claims19
An automobile instrument panel assembly for the cockpit area of an automobile, said assembly comprising:
- a cross-car beam structure for supporting said assembly, said structure extending across a substantial portion of said cockpit, said structure defining a plurality of generally planar mounting sites, said sites further defining at least one recess;
- at least one substrate mounted to said beam and including at least one area of said substrate populated by electronic components on both sides of said substrate, said area aligned over said at least one recess;
- and
- an instrument panel skin removably positioned over said substrate and said structure.
A cross-car structure for supporting an instrument panel, said structure comprising:
- at least one integrated and elongated beam;
- said beam defining a plurality of generally planar mounting areas for attachment to flatwire and populated flatwire sites;
- said beam further defining a plurality of recesses adapted to receive double-sided populated substrates in communication with said flatwire.
A method for supporting an instrument panel and associated electronic componentry, said method including the steps of:
- providing a cross-car beam having at least one integrated and elongated beam;
- said beam defining a plurality of generally planar mounting areas for attachment to flatwire and populated flatwire sites;
- said beam further defining a plurality of recesses adapted to receive double-sided populated substrates in communication with said flatwire;
- connecting a populated substrate and flatwire with said beam;
- connecting a substrate having at least one double-sided populated area with said beam and aligning said area over said at least one recess;
- and
- removably attaching a cover to the instrument panel assembly over at least a portion of said substrate and beam.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.