Vehicle structure and the method for its assembly

Claim 2

A vehicle structure, comprising: (a) a body defining an engine compartment and a passenger compartment communicating with each other through an opening between them; (b) a dividing element between the passenger compartment and engine compartment; (c) said dividing element comprising a panel independent of said body and arranged to close said opening between the engine compartment and passenger compartment; (d) said panel comprising a rigid element having a mechanical support function and a soundproofing element formed of expanded material of cellular structure; (e) said soundproofing element forming a single body with said rigid element; (f) said panel including an upper portion of cross-member form and a lower portion of bulkhead form; (g) said rigid element defining a load-bearing framework of said panel and being embedded in said soundproofing element; and (h) said soundproofing element covering said upper portion of said panel on a side facing the engine compartment and said lower portion on a side facing the passenger compartment.

Claim 3

A vehicle structure as in claim 1, wherein: (a) said upper portion includes means for connecting said panel to said body and a support bracket means for connecting an instrument dashboard to said panel.

Claim 4

A vehicle structure as in claim 1, wherein: (a) said lower portion includes passage holes and connection means for vehicle controls and accessories.

Claim 5

A vehicle structure as in claim 1, wherein: (a) said panel includes a through aperture disposed between said upper and lower portions.

Claim 6

A vehicle structure as in claim 1, wherein: (a) an instrument dashboard is secured to and supported by said panel; and (b) said instrument dashboard defines internally the ducts for a vehicle aeration system.

Claim 7

A vehicle structure as in claim 1, wherein: (a) said rigid element is formed of a molded flame-resistant synthetic plastic material; and (b) said soundproofing element is co-molded on said rigid element so as to be integral with said rigid element.

Claim 8

A vehicle structure as in claim 1, wherein: (a) said panel is substantially T-shaped perimetrally and comprises a central protuberance projecting into the engine compartment such that its concavity faces the passenger compartment; (b) said protuberance is shaped to be able to house in its cavity an aeration device for the vehicle passenger compartment; and (c) said aperture cooperates with an intake mouth of the aeration device.

Claim 9

A vehicle structure, comprising: (a) a body defining an engine compartment and a passenger compartment communicating with each other through an opening between them; (b) a dividing element between the passenger compartment and the engine compartment, said dividing element including an instrument dashboard; (c) said dividing element including a panel independent of said body and arranged to close said opening between the engine compartment and passenger compartment; (d) said panel being composed of a rigid element having a mechanical support function and a soundproofing element formed of expanded material of cellular structure; (e) said soundproofing element forming a single body with said rigid element; (f) said instrument dashboard being fixed to and supported by said panel to define therewith a self-supporting sub-unit which is fixed perimetrally to said vehicle body; (g) said panel comprising an upper portion substantially in the form of a cross-member and including bracket means for connecting to said vehicle body and at least one support bracket means for securing said instrument dashboard thereto, and a lower portion of bulkhead form having passage holes and connection means for vehicle controls and accessories; (h) said panel including a through aperture substantially between said upper cross-member portion and said lower bulkhead portion; (i) said rigid element defining a load-bearing framework of said panel which is embedded in said soundproofing element; and (j) said soundproofing element being shaped in such a manner as to cover said rigid element on a side facing said engine compartment over the entire upper portion of said panel and as far as the extent of said aperture, and on a side facing said passenger compartment over the entire portion of said rigid element below said aperture.

Claim 10

A vehicle structure, comprising: (a) a body defining an engine compartment and a passenger compartment communicating with each other through an opening between them; (b) a dividing element between the passenger compartment and the engine compartment, said dividing element including an instrument dashboard; (c) said dividing element including a panel independent of said body and arranged to close said opening between the engine compartment and passenger compartment; (d) said panel being composed of a rigid element having a mechanical support function and a soundproofing element formed of expanded material of cellular structure; (e) said soundproofing element forming a single body with said rigid element; (f) said instrument dashboard being fixed to and supported by said panel to define therewith a self-supporting sub-unit which is fixed perimetrally to said vehicle body; (g) said panel comprising an upper portion substantially in the form of a cross-member and including bracket means for connecting to said vehicle body and at least one support bracket means for securing said instrument dashboard thereto, and a lower portion of bulkhead form having passage holes and connection means for vehicle controls and accessories; (h) said panel including a through aperture substantially between said upper cross-member portion and said lower bulkhead portion; (i) said rigid element defining a load-bearing framework of said panel which is embedded in said soundproofing element; and (j) said soundproofing element being shaped in such a manner as to cover said rigid element on a side facing said engine compartment over the entire upper portion of said panel and as far as the extent of said aperture, and on a side facing said passenger compartment over the entire portion of said rigid element below said aperture.

Claim 11

A vehicle structure as in claim 8, wherein: (a) said instrument dashboard defines internally ducts for a vehicle aeration system.

Claim 12

A vehicle structure as ian claim 8, wherein: (a) said rigid element is formed of a molded flame-resistant synthetic plastic material; and (b) said soundproofing element is co-molded on said rigid element so as to be integral and form a single piece with said rigid element.

Claim 13

A vehicle structure as in claim 8, wherein: (a) said panel is substantially T-shaped perimetrally and comprises a central protuberance which projects into the engine compartment such that its concavity faces the passenger compartment; (b) said protuberance is shaped to house in its cavity an aeration device for the vehicle passenger compartment; and (c) said aperture cooperates with an intake mouth of the aeration device.