The present invention relates to a dashboard assembly alignment apparatus which is used to fix the dashboard assembly to the vehicle.

Background of the Invention

While the dashboard assembly is being fixed to the vehicle, the dashboard assembly should remain at the determined position and it also need to be fixed with the screw when it is at the determined position. The said operations need to be performed simultaneously; when one person tries to perform the said operation by her/his self, various problems occur.

The dashboard assembly is mounted on the vehicle with a dashboard cross member. In the state of the art, the dashboard assembly is aligned to the vehicle body in two directions being right and left sides of the vehicle. The procedure of referencing the dashboard in y axis is performed with the help of a device called dashboard mounting partner. The dashboard assembly is referenced together on the vehicle body by being mounted on the dashboard mounting partner from its reference points. The reference can be taken from one side of the vehicle since the width of the body size can vary.

The alignment apparatus opens outward inside the slot present in vehicle body by means of its "reverse threaded" structure as a result of the dashboard cross member being tightened with a screw; thus the slot is filled.

In procedure of fixing the dashboard assembly, the tightening is performed by two operators or a robotic system which can perform tightening at both sides of the dashboard. While the fixing is performed, holding at a certain level is provided and an electrical or mechanic system performs tightening simultaneously. Even if positioning and tightening procedures are performed at the same time by two operators or a robotic system, giving deviation cannot be performed for accurate alignment when it is need by the alignment system comparing the actual size value and the nominal value of the body. For this reason, mathematical accuracy cannot be provided in aligning the dashboard assembly to the vehicle. Also automatic alignment systems need to be placed at both sides of the dashboard assembly in order to perform proper alignment. And this causes the cost to be increased.

United States Patent document US2005095059, an application known in the state of the art, discloses an arrangement which enables connection between two pieces. The arrangement comprises a connection apparatus one end of which is fixed to the piece to be connected and which has thread on its inner surface, a screw-like component which extends toward the fixed piece on which the said piece is to be connected and which has thread on its outer surface and a center piece between the said apparatus and the component.

United States Patent document no US20070207012, an application known in the state of the art, discloses a device which compensates the size differences stemming from the tolerances of the member during mounting of the members on the vehicle body. The device comprises a tubular member, an outer member having a mounting slot and a screw which connects the said members to each other.

United States Patent document no US2009101775, an application known in the state of the art, discloses a screw which enters into the cross member and references by rotating on the gear during mounting of the dashboard cross member.

Summary of the Invention

The objective of the present invention is to realize a dashboard assembly alignment apparatus which enables aligned mounting when it is used on one surface of the dashboard assembly. A further objective of the present invention is to realize a dashboard assembly alignment apparatus which enables the dashboard assembly to be attached with single operator.

Yet another objective of the present invention is to realize a dashboard assembly alignment apparatus which does not require performing positioning and tightening procedures at the same time. Detailed Description of the Invention

A dashboard assembly alignment apparatus" realized to fulfill the objective of the present invention is illustrated in the accompanying figures, in which:

Figure 1 is the perspective view of the alignment apparatus.

Figure 2 is the perspective view of the retainer apparatus.

Figure 3 is the A- A section view of Figure 1 of the alignment apparatus.

Figure 4 is the perspective view of the alignment apparatus on the dashboard body. The components illustrated in the figure are each given a reference number where the numbers refer to the following:

1. Alignment apparatus

11. Retainer member

111. Slot

112. Screw route

113. Extension

114. Holding surface

12. Fixing member

121. Clearance

122. Volute

123. Plate 124. Protrusion

125. Tab

13. Pressure spring

2. Retainer apparatus

21. Fin

22. Projected structure

23. Plate

T. Dashboard assembly

G. Vehicle body

The inventive alignment apparatus (1) is a connection member which is used to attach a unit such as dashboard assembly (T) to the vehicle body (G). The dashboard assembly (T) is fixed to the vehicle body (G) from two directions being right and left sides by using the alignment apparatus (1 ).

The inventive alignment apparatus (1) comprises at least one retainer member (11) and at least one fixing member (12) engaging each other. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the alignment apparatus (1) comprises at least one pressure spring (13) which compresses to the fixing member (12) with the retainer member (11).

The retainer member (11) is preferably cylindrical and comprises at least one holding surface (114) which enables the user to grab comfortably on one part of the side surface, at least one screw route (112) which is located inside the holding surface (114) and wherein the fixing member (12) can fit, at least one slot (111) which enables the fixing member (12) to be able to enter into the retainer member (11), at least one extension (113) which enables the retainer member (11) to attach to vehicle body (G) on surface of the retainer member (11) corresponding the vehicle body (G). The fixing member (12) being the complementary unit of the alignment apparatus (1) is preferably a hollow cylinder and comprises a volute (122) which will enable the fixing member (12) to move inside the screw route (112) by rotating at +H and -H direction (figure 1) on outer surface of the said cylindrical structure, at least one clearance (121) which is preferably cylindrical on its inner surface, at least one protrusion (124) which is located inside the clearance (121) on the surface of the fixing member (12) corresponding to the retainer member (11) and which prevents the pressure spring (113) from going out of the screw route (112), at least one plate (123) on its other surface, at least one tab (125) which is attached to the side surface of the plate (123).

The pressure spring (13) located between the retainer member (11) and the fixing member (12) and on the screw route (112) increases the pressure as the fixing member (12) moves on y axis, and holds the fixing member (12).

The dashboard assembly (T) is connected to the vehicle body (G) with the inventive alignment apparatus (1) from its one surface whereas it connected from its other surface with a retainer apparatus (2) having different structure. The retainer apparatus (2) has preferably a hollow cylindrical structure and comprises at least one plate (123) on one surface with support purpose, more than one fins (21) which are on other surface and compose a cylindrical structure when they come together, at least one projected structure (22) which enables holding on outer surfaces of the said fins (21). While the dashboard assembly (T) is fixed to the vehicle body (G), the inventive alignment apparatus (1) takes the difference between actual width size of the vehicle body (G) in y axis and the nominal size. The dashboard assembly (T) is enabled to be aligned to the vehicle body (G) in most proper way mathematically by means of giving deviation to the alignment apparatus (1) as half of the said difference. The resistance between the retainer member (11) and the fixing member (12) is enabled by connection of the said members to each other with shrink fit method or by using a pressure spring (13) between the members. Within the scope of these basic concepts, it is possible to develop various embodiments of the inventive dashboard assembly alignment apparatus (1). The invention can not be limited to the examples described herein and it is essentially according to the claims.