Vehicle interior fitting part and method for the
production thereof
5 The present invention relates to a vehicle interior
fitting part comprising a support element and an energy
absorption element and a, method for the production
thereof.
10 Such vehicle interior fitting parts are generally
known, in particular for the cladding of vehicle
interiors. For example, a reinforcement part for impact
protection of a side region of a motor vehicle is
disclosed in the German published patent application DE
15 10 2004 034 124 Al, wherein the reinforcement part
comprises a
together. In
material and
prior art
20 structure
part it
structure
frame consisting of webs connected
this case, the webs are made from plastics
are of honeycomb design. A drawback in the
is that when producing the honeycomb
together with the vehicle interior fitting
is not possible to prevent the honeycomb
from being visible at least by way of
indication on the front face (i.e. the side of the
vehicle interior fitting part remote from the honeycomb
25 structure). Moreover, said vehicle interior fitting
part is very complex to produce, very heavy and
relatively cost-intensive.
It is an object of the present invention to produce a
30 vehicle interior fitting part, in particular for a
motor vehicle, which combines a high degree of safety
in the event of an accident with the ability to be
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produced simply and cost-effectively and is also
weight-saving and may be produced easily.
The object is achieved by a vehicle interior fitting
5 part, in particular for a motor vehicle, comprising a
support element and an absorption element, wherein the
support element and the absorption element are made
from the same material. As a result, according to the
invention, it is, possible in a particularly cost--
10 effective manner to provide a component to fulfill a
plurality of different functions, wherein preassembly
is provided, in particular, for implementing said
different functions, in order to install the vehicle
interior fitting part in a motor vehicle and/or in a
15 motor vehicle component.
The present invention relates to a vehicle interior
fitting part, in particular the cladding of the
bodywork of the vehicle and/or a dashboard. The vehicle
20 interior fitting part is preferably a door lining.
According to the invention, said vehicle interior
fitting part comprises a support element which, for
example, is connected to the bodywork, in particular to
the basic door structure. An energy absorption element
25 is -arranged on said support element, said energy
absorption element absorbing energy in the event of an
accident and, as a result, minimizing the consequences
of an ' accident. for the vehicle occupant.
30 According to the invention, the support element and the
energy absorption element are made from the same
material. Preferably, the material is a so-called NF
material, which is a mixture of a thermoplastic
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material and a fiber material, particularly preferably
fibers of natural origin. In particular, the NF
material is a material comprising a thermoplastic
material, in particular polypropylene and fiber
5 material, wherein the thermoplastic component is, for
example, 40-60%. Renewable natural fiber material, such
as kenaf, flax, hemp or the like, is considered as
fiber material.
10 Preferably, the support element and the energy
absorption element are shaped under pressure and/or at
a temperature from a planar, in particular web-like or
sheet-like material and then separated, for example cut
out or stamped out.
15
Preferably, the support element and the energy
absorption element are designed and/or arranged on the
initial material such that the energy absorption
element may be made from regions of.the material web or
20 material sheet which would otherwise accumulate as
waste. As a result the material consumption is reduced.
According to a further subject according to the
invention or preferred subject of the present
25 invention, the energy absorption element is provided in
one piece and extends over a plurality of planes. In
particular, this refers to a plurality of planes
between the vehicle occupant and the vehicle bodywork.
As a result of the different planes, the energy
30 absorption element is not deformed over its entire
surface but the deformation takes place plane by plane.
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Preferably, the energy absorption element comprises a
plurality of indentations which are designed to be at
least partially of different depths, i.e. preferably
the size of the indentations between the vehicle
5 occupant and the vehicle bodywork is variable.
Preferably, the cross-sectional shape of the
indentations differs.
Preferably, the energy absorption element comprises at
10 least one, preferably two planes of symmetry, which are
preferably located perpendicular to one another. The
planes of symmetry preferably extend in the X and/or Z
direction.
15 Preferably, the energy absorption element is arranged
in a recess of the support element and particularly
preferably connected positively to the support element.
Preferably, a decorative material is provided on the
20 support element, wherein the decorative material is
connected, in particular by a material connection,^to
the support material, particularly preferably when
shaped. It is particularly preferred according to the
invention if the support element has an integrally
25 connected decorative material in a partial region of
its surface. As a result, the decorative material may
be applied to a partial region of the support element
without a further connecting step.
30 Preferably, a storage compartment is located in the
energy absorption element. Preferably, one of the
indentations is provided as a storage compartment,
which is particularly preferably covered by a cover.
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A further subject of the present invention relates to a
method for producing the vehicle interior fitting part
according to the invention, wherein the support element
5 and the energy absorption element are shaped in one
method step. For example, both the support element and
the energy absorption element are shaped from a
material web or material sheet and/or the elements are
stamped ouL simultaneously in one stamping process.
10
As a result, costs may be specifically saved during the
production, of the vehicle interior fitting part whilst
a vehicle interior fitting part with a plurality of
functions may be provided. Moreover, by creating said
15 plurality of functions by means of a support element
and an absorption element made from the same material
and in the same production step, it is ensured that
unnecessary logistical effort does not have to be
expended, namely due to a plurality of parts numbers or
20 the like, and costs may be reduced. According to the
invention, for shaping the support element and the
absorption element, in particular, a pressing process
is provided in a pressing tool, wherein an initial
material extended in a planar manner is deformed three-
25 dimensionally and a stamping step is provided before,
during or after the shaping step.
Exemplary embodiments of the invention are shown in the
drawings and described in more detail in the following
30 description. In the drawings:
figure 1 shows a vehicle interior fitting part
according to the invention comprising a
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support element and an absorption
element in a sectional view along a
cutting line„
5 Figure 2 shows a detail of the vehicle interior
fitting part according to the invention
in a sectional view along a further
cutting line.
10 Figure 3 shows the absorption element in a plan
view and in a sectional view.
Figures 4 & 5 show the absorption element in each case
in a perspective view.
15
In figures 1, 2 and 3 a vehicle interior fitting part
10 is shown in each case, said vehicle interior fitting
part comprising a support element 20 and an absorption
element 30. In the example shown, the vehicle interior
20 fitting part 10 also comprises a covering and/or
fastening element 11. The absorption element 30 serves
for energy absorption in the event of an accidrit and
thus for the protection of the vehicle occupants. In
the exemplary embodiment shown, the support element 20
25 comprises a visible face in a partial region and in
this region a decorative material 25. Preferably, said
decorative material 25 is integrally connected in the
same 'method step (i.e. without a further connecting
material, such as for example an adhesive or the like)
30 to the material of the support element 20. The
absorption element 30 according to the invention is
preferably shaped with the support element 20 and also
preferably produced from the same material, preferably
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from a so--called NF material, which is a mixture of a
thermoplastic material and a fiber material,
particularly preferably fibers of natural origin. In
particular, the NF material is a material comprising
5 polypropylene and fiber material, wherein the
polypropylene component is, for example, 50%. For
example, renewable natural fiber material, such as
kenaf, flax, hemp or the like, is considered as fiber
material.
10
Preferably, the absorption element 30 is positioned in
a recess 22 of the support element 20 and subsequently
connected thereto by means of the covering and/or
fastening element 11. For example, the connection is
15 carried out via fastening pins, which are inserted
through the energy absorption element 30 and the
support element 20 and particularly preferably latched
thereto. The covering and/or fastening element 11 may
additionally have a serrated structure 12, in order to
20 facilitate or to improve the fastening of the support
element 20 and the absorption element 30. Moreover, sthe
covering and/or fastening element 11 may also have a
reinforcement structure 13, namely in the region of the
absorption element 30.
25
In figure 2, a detail of a vehicle interior fitting
part 10 according to the invention is shown in a
sectional view along a further cutting line, wherein
the covering and/or fastening element 11, the support
30 element 20 and the absorption element 30 are shown in
turn. In the view according to figure 2, a reflective
vest 40 (shown in a sectional view) is also illustrated
as an example of an object which is accommodated in a
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storage compartment integrated in the vehicle interior
fitting part. In the covering and/or fastening element
11 a corresponding, optionally coverable opening is
provided in order to provide access to the storage
5 compartment.
Figures 3 to 5 show different views of the absorption
element 30. Figure 3 shows the energy absorption
element 30 in the left-hand part of the figure in a
10 plan view and in the right-hand part of the figure in a
sectional view. Figures 4 and 5 show the energy
absorption element 30 in each case in a perspective
view. From all views of figures 3 to 5 it is clear that
the energy absorption element 30 has different planes
15 which are denoted by the reference numerals 1, 2, 3 and
4 and which extend from the vehicle occupant in the
direction of the vehicle bodywork. It is clear from
said drawings that, due to its deep-drawn and/or
pressed shape, the energy absorption element 30 is able
20 to absorb a large amount of deformation energy. The
energy absorption element 30 comprises a plurality] of
indentations 1-4, which at least partially have a
variable cross section. As may be derived from figure
3, in particular, the indentations 1-4 are arranged
25 according to two planes of symmetry X, Z.
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List of reference numerals
1, 2, 3, 4 Different planes of the absorption
element, indentations
5 10 Vehicle interior fitting part
11
12
13
20
10 22
25
30
40
Covering element, fastening element
Serrated structure
Reinforcement structure
Support element
Recess
Decorative material
Energy absorption element
Reflective vest
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Claims
1. A vehicle interior fitting part (10) comprising a
support element (11) and an energy absorption element
5 (30), characterized in that the support element (11)
and the energy absorption element (30) are made from
the same material.
2. The vehicle interior fitting part (10) as claimed
10 in claim 1, characterized in that the energy absorption
element (30) is made from waste from the support
element (11).
3. The vehicle interior fitting part (10) as claimed
15 in one of the preceding claims or as claimed in the
preamble of claim 1, characterized in that the energy
absorption element (30) is provided in one piece and
extends over a plurality of planes (1-4).
20 4. The vehicle interior fitting part (30) as claimed
in claim 3, characterized in that the energy absorption
element comprises a plurality of indentations (1-4), at
least partially of different depths.
25 5. The vehicle interior fitting part (30) as claimed
in one of claims 3, 4, characterized in that the crosssectional
shape of the indentations differs.
6. The vehicle interior fitting part (10) as claimed
30 in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that
the energy absorption element (30) is located in a
recess (22) of the support element.
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7. The vehicle interior fitting part (10) as claimed
in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that
the energy absorption element (30) is connected
positively to the support element (20).
5
8. The vehicle interior fitting part (10) as claimed
in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a
decorative:: material (25) is provided on the support
element (20).
10
9. The vehicle interior fitting part '(10) as, claimed
in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a
storage compartment is located in the energy absorption
element (30).
15
10. A method for producing the vehicle interior
fitting part as claimed in one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that the support element (20), and the
energy absorption element (30) are shaped in one method
20 step.
11. The method as claimed in claim 10, characterized
in= that the support element (20) and the energy
absorption element (30) are subsequently separated.