JP3303677B2 - Vehicle instrument panel assembly structure and assembly method - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a mounting structure of an instrument panel mounted in front of a driver's seat of a vehicle and to which meters and various operating members are mounted, and a mounting method thereof. The present invention relates to an instrument panel mounting structure and a mounting method for a vehicle, which achieves a reduction in the number of parts and the simplification of mounting work.

[0002]

2. Related Art In front of a driver's seat in a vehicle, an instrument panel to which meters and various operation members are attached is mounted in addition to a steering wheel, an accelerator and a brake pedal, and the like. This type of instrument panel has a structure in which a display unit such as meters, an operating member including various switches, and a functional component for a vehicle such as an air conditioning unit are mounted on an instrument panel body that forms a skeleton of the instrument panel. , Covering the vehicle body in front of the driver's seat.

[0003] On the back side of the instrument panel main body, a deck cross member for reinforcing the instrument panel is usually supported at both ends thereof, for example, a front pillar / lower which is a left and right frame member of the vehicle. Is provided. A relatively heavy vehicle functional component such as a vehicle acoustic device incorporated in an instrument panel is generally supported by attaching its main body to the above-mentioned deck cross member. The panel is provided so as to face the front surface of the panel via an opening formed in the panel body. That is, the instrument panel main body is provided so as to cover the deck cross member, and the operation section of the heavy vehicle functional component attached to the deck cross member is exposed from the opening to the front side of the panel. Relatively light functional parts for vehicles, such as meters and switches, are directly mounted on predetermined portions of the instrument panel body surface.

[0004]

The problem to be solved by the invention
251380 and JP-A-64-30839,
JP-A-3-193567 and JP-A-6-22728
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8 (1999) discloses a structure in which a functional component for a vehicle is attached in advance to an instrument panel main body forming the skeleton to form a module, and this module structure is integrated into a vehicle. Adopting such a module structure eliminates the need to attach the functional parts for the vehicle to the instrument panel body in a narrow cabin,
It is possible to simplify the assembling work.

[0005] However, the assembling structures disclosed in these publications are basically merely modularized by assembling the vehicle functional parts directly attached to the instrument panel body outside the vehicle in advance, and thus eventually. It is necessary to assemble a considerable part in the cabin. For example, when the module structure is mounted on a deck cross member covered by an instrument panel main body, it must be mounted on a deck cross member fixed to the vehicle before the module structure is mounted on the vehicle. Further, even if a support member corresponding to the deck cross member is previously arranged on the back side of the instrument panel main body to form a module structure integrally with the instrument panel main body, for example, a set on the back side of the instrument panel main body may be used. There is a problem that the mounting operation is required, and the mounting structure itself is considerably complicated.

The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and has as its object to simplify the structure for assembling an instrument panel, reduce the number of parts, and further simplify the assembling work. It is an object of the present invention to provide a vehicle instrument panel mounting structure and a mounting method which can achieve the above.

[0007]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an instrument panel assembling structure for a vehicle, which extends in a vehicle width direction and has opposite ends. made of aluminum extruded material of the annular section which is fixed to the left and right frame members of the front of the driver's seat of the vehicle, on the peripheral surface
A deck cross member provided with a groove along the longitudinal direction, this
An instrument panel body fixed to the deck cross member positioned on the front side of the deck cross member, and engaged with the groove of the deck cross member.
The functional parts for vehicles such as meters and the like, which are mounted on a deck cross member fixed to the front surface of the instrument panel main body. It is mounted on the front of the driver's seat of the vehicle together with the cross member.

That is, the deck cross member fixed to the left and right frame members of the vehicle is positioned outside the instrument panel main body, and the instrument panel main body is mounted on the deck cross member, and positioned on the front side of the instrument panel main body. The present invention is characterized in that the functional structure for a vehicle is directly mounted on a deck cross member to be used, thereby simplifying an assembling structure thereof. Further, the present invention is characterized in that the instrument panel body and the deck cross member to which the functional parts for a vehicle are mounted are mounted on the vehicle, so that these are mounted collectively as an assembly part having a modular structure on the vehicle.

In particular, in the invention according to the second aspect, the mounting portion of the instrument panel main body to the deck cross member is the front surface of the instrument panel main body facing the front of the driver's seat of the vehicle, so that the mounting structure is simplified. Can be achieved. According to a third aspect of the present invention, the deck cross member has a substantially annular cross-sectional structure.
And has two grooves at opposing portions of the outer peripheral surface thereof.
The outer peripheral side sandwiched by these grooves is flattened.
The structure is suitable for assembling functional parts for a vehicle by having a structure.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of assembling an instrument panel for a vehicle, comprising: attaching a front surface of an instrument panel body to a deck cross member extending in a vehicle width direction of the vehicle; After attaching functional parts for a vehicle such as meters, both end portions of the deck cross member are respectively fixed to left and right frame members in front of a driver's seat of the vehicle body, and the instrument panel body and the vehicle are fixed together with the deck cross member. The functional component is mounted in front of the driver's seat of the vehicle.

That is, after a functional structure for a vehicle is assembled to a deck cross member provided to be exposed on the front surface of the instrument panel body to form a module structure, the deck cross member is connected to the left and right frame members in front of the driver's seat of the vehicle body, for example, It is characterized in that by assembling it between the pillar and the lower, the assembling work on the back side of the instrument panel body is unnecessary.

[0012]

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing a schematic configuration of a front panel according to an embodiment, and 1 is an instrument panel main body disposed in front of a driver's seat. The instrument panel body 1 has a shape extending in the vehicle width direction and covering a vehicle body portion in front of a driver's seat, in particular, a lower portion of a windshield, and having an arcuate cross section with a front surface protruding toward the vehicle compartment. It consists of a panel body. Reference numeral 2 denotes a center console which is attached to the front center of the instrument panel main body 1 and is integrated with the instrument panel main body 1. The instrument panel body 1 and the center console 2 are made of molded parts made of a synthetic resin material.

On the other hand, a long bar-shaped deck cross member 3 provided on the front surface of the instrument panel body 1 is made of, for example, an extruded aluminum pipe, and both ends thereof are front pillars which are left and right frame members of the vehicle. -Each is fixed to the lower (cowl side panel) 10 and stretched in the vehicle width direction. The instrument panel body 1 is basically supported by the deck cross member 3 and assembled to a vehicle. As described later, the deck cross member 3 is integrally formed with a groove 4 along the longitudinal direction as a locking portion on a peripheral surface thereof. By engaging with the grooves 4, functional parts for a vehicle such as a combination meter 5, an air duct body 6 of an air conditioner, and a steering column 8 that supports a steering shaft are respectively attached to the deck cross member 3. ing.

As shown in FIG. 2, the front pillar / lower 10 is a portion which is raised from a side sill 11 on the side of the vehicle body and forms left and right frame members on the front side of the vehicle. A front door (not shown) is attached to the front pillar lower 10 via a hinge, and a vehicle room and an engine room in front of the vehicle room are roughly separated from the position of the front pillar lower 10. .

If the structure of the instrument panel described above is added from another viewpoint, the deck cross member 3 is basically composed of the instrument panel main body 1.
Is generally provided on the back side of the instrument panel main body 1. In the present invention, as shown in FIG. 1, it is provided on the front side of the instrument panel main body 1. It is provided exposed. In other words, the deck cross member 3 is attached and fixed to the front surface of the instrument panel body 1 along the vehicle width direction, and the instrument panel body 1 is supported by the deck cross member 3 exposed in the vehicle interior. Has become.

In general, the combination meter 5 and the air duct body 6 of the air conditioner, which are assembled to the instrument panel main body 1, are connected to the deck by using the deck cross member 3 exposed on the front surface of the instrument panel main body 1. By attaching directly to the cross member 3,
The mounting structure is simplified and the mounting workability is improved. In addition, since the combination meter 5 and the air duct body 6 of the air conditioner are attached to the deck cross member 3 and the functional parts for the vehicle are attached, it is not necessary to form holes for mounting these functional parts for the vehicle from the instrument panel body 1. Accordingly, a decrease in the strength of the instrument panel body 1 is suppressed.

Here, the instrument panel body 1
The fixing of the deck cross member 3 to the front of the vehicle and the mounting structure of the vehicle functional component to the deck cross member 3 will be described. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the deck cross member 3 has a substantially annular cross-sectional structure. It has a structure in which two grooves 4 are formed along the longitudinal direction at opposing portions of the outer peripheral surface, and one outer peripheral side sandwiched by these grooves 4 is flattened. The groove 4 has a cross-sectional shape in which the opening edge protrudes inward, and has a structure in which the components fitted in the groove 4 can be locked at the opening edge. . The deck cross member 3 having such a cross-sectional shape is continuously formed in a long shape by extruding aluminum as a raw material under a predetermined mold, and is obtained by cutting into a predetermined length.

When the deck cross member 3 is fixed to the front surface of the instrument panel main body 1, the flat outer peripheral portion is brought into contact with the front surface of the instrument panel main body 1,
For example, a screw 12 is screwed from the back side of the instrument panel body 1 toward a screw hole provided in a flat portion of the deck cross member 3, and the instrument panel body 1 and the deck cross member 3 are connected via the screw 12. Are integrated. The fixing of the deck cross member 3 by the screws 12 is performed at a plurality of positions along the vehicle width direction of the instrument panel main body 1, respectively.

It is also possible to fix the instrument panel body 1 and the deck cross member 3 using self-tapping screws without providing a screw hole in the deck cross member 3. Of course, the instrument panel main body 1 and the deck cross member 3 can be fixed using a fastener (not shown) fixed to the front surface.

With respect to the deck cross member 3 fixed to the front surface of the instrument panel main body 1 as described above, a pedestal portion to be fitted in the groove 4 as shown in FIGS. The air duct body 6, the column shaft holder 8, and the combination meter 5 provided in the above are mounted respectively. Installation of these functional parts
The pedestal is fitted in the groove 4 and is moved in the axial direction of the deck cross member 3 to adjust the mounting position. When the functional component is positioned with respect to the deck cross member 3, the pedestal portion is fixed to the deck cross member 3 using screws, for example.
Incidentally, it is also possible to provide a mounting structure in which the mounting position can be adjusted somewhat according to the user's specifications and the like.

In addition, a center console 2 is attached to the deck cross member 3 as shown in FIG.
Further, the pad 9 is wound. The center console 2 includes, for example, a hazard switch 13, an air conditioner switch 14, and a shift dial 1.
5 are pre-installed as a sub-assembly. The shift dial 15 is for electrically switching and controlling a transmission mechanism (transmission), and corresponds to a gear shift lever. And these switches,
A box-shaped center console 2 which is pre-installed on its front surface and has an open back surface has the deck cross member 3 inserted through a hole provided on the side wall thereof, and has an opening edge on the back side of the instrument panel main body 1. It is brought into contact with the front surface (front surface) and is joined and integrated with the instrument panel body 1 by bolts or the like.

The instrument panel composed of the functional parts for the vehicle such as the instrument panel body 1, the deck cross member 3, and the combination meter 5 attached to the deck cross member 3 is, for example, a deck cross member outside the vehicle. 3 is assembled in advance in the vehicle as a panel assembly having a modular structure.

Specifically, first, the deck cross member 3 is attached and fixed to the front surface of the instrument panel main body 1. Then, the center console 2 is attached to the center of the deck cross member 3, and the center console 2 is further joined and integrated with the instrument panel main body 1.
Thereafter, vehicle functional components such as a combination meter 5 are sequentially attached to a deck cross member 3 that is exposed on the front surface of the instrument panel main body 1 and extends on both sides of the center console 2 to obtain a modularly structured panel assembly.

Thereafter, the panel assembly is carried in the vehicle, and both ends of the deck cross member 3 are fixed to the front pillars / lower members 10 as left and right frame members of the vehicle. By fixing the deck cross member 3 to the front pillar / lower 10, basically, the instrument panel body 1 and the vehicle functional component attached to the deck cross member 3 are attached to the vehicle. Then, the upper side edge of the instrument panel body 1 is fixed to the upper part of the dash panel extending between the left and right front pillars, and the lower edge of the instrument panel body 1 is fixed to the lower part of the dash panel. Complete the assembly.

At the time of this assembling, the air duct body 6 is connected to an air hose of an air conditioner provided in advance along a dash panel, and a lead wire extended from the combination meter 5 and various switches is connected to the air hose.
This is performed while being connected to a lead wire provided on the dash panel side via a connector. At the same time, the lower part of the steering column 8 attached to the deck cross member 3 is fixed to the support member, which is a part of the frame member of the vehicle. By fixing the steering column 8 to the support member, the deck cross member 3 is supported by the vehicle body at an intermediate position through the steering column 8, and is coupled with both ends fixed to the front pillar / lower 10. It will be firmly supported at three points.

Thus, according to the instrument panel having the above-mentioned structure and being modularized and assembled to the vehicle body, basically, the deck cross member 3
Just attach it to the front pillar / lower 10,
It can be easily assembled. Moreover, by attaching a functional component for a vehicle to the deck cross member 3 exposed on the front surface of the instrument panel body 1, a simple module structure can be realized, and the assemblability thereof can be improved. Furthermore, since the instrument panel body 1 and the functional parts for the vehicle are attached to the deck cross member 3 using the deck cross member 3 as a core, it is easy to assemble, exchange, and rearrange various components. Can be played.

Secondly, since the deck cross member 3 is exposed on the front surface of the instrument panel main body 1, the deck cross member 3 can have the function of a knee protector. Since the instrument panel main body 1 is arranged behind 3,
To that extent, the cabin space can be widened. Further, by giving depth to the upper surface of the panel, it becomes possible to give the passenger compartment a sense of depth and a sense of expansion. Further, if the above-described structure is employed, the deck cross member 3 and the like can be shared between different vehicle types, and effects such as reduction in cost can be achieved.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, the deck cross member 3 can be realized as a pipe having an elliptical cross section or a round pipe. In this case, a small hole or a depression may be formed in the peripheral surface of the locking portion for attaching the vehicle functional component, for example. As for the attachment of the functional component to the deck cross member 3, as shown in FIGS. 5 (a) to 5 (f), an elastic locking piece engaging with the edge of the groove 4 is used, or a fixing structure using screws. Or a clamp structure that sandwiches the periphery of the deck cross member 3. In addition, the present invention can be variously modified and implemented without departing from the gist thereof.

[0029]

As described above, according to the present invention, an aluminum extrusion having a circular cross section whose both ends are fixed to left and right frame members in front of the driver's seat of the vehicle extends in the vehicle width direction.
Made by material, the de <br/> Tsu key cross member having a groove along the longitudinal direction on its peripheral surface, prior to the instrument panel main body
Position the instrument panel body on the
Fixed to the deck cross member, further since the structure for attaching a vehicle functional components such as the meters to the deck cross member located on the front of the instrument panel body, the vehicle equipment, such as the meters to the deck cross member
After the functional parts are assembled in advance and modularized, they can be easily mounted in front of the driver's seat of the vehicle.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the portion of the instrument panel body fixed to the deck cross member is the front surface of the panel body facing the front of the driver's seat of the vehicle. Therefore, the mounting of the vehicle functional component can be facilitated, and the assembly structure itself can be simplified. According to the third aspect of the present invention, the deck cross member has a substantially annular cross-sectional structure.
Having two grooves in opposing portions of the outer peripheral surface thereof,
Flatten one outer peripheral side sandwiched by these grooves
Because of this structure, a highly versatile structure suitable for assembling functional parts for vehicles can be obtained.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the front surface of the instrument panel body is attached to the deck cross member extending in the vehicle width direction via the fixing means, and the vehicle functional parts such as meters and the like are provided. Is assembled to the deck cross member to form a module structure, and then both ends of the deck cross member are fixed to left and right frame members in front of a driver's seat of the vehicle body, respectively, and the instrument panel body and the vehicle are mounted together with the deck cross member. Since the functional parts are mounted in front of the driver's seat of the vehicle, there is no need to perform an assembling operation on the back side of the instrument panel main body, so that the effects can be achieved easily and with good workability.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a view showing an assembly structure of an instrument panel according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a basic vehicle body structure of a vehicle.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an assembling structure of a deck cross member attached to the instrument panel main body and an air duct body attached to the deck cross member.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an assembling structure of a deck cross member attached to the instrument panel main body, and a combination meter and a steering column attached to the deck cross member.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a typical assembling structure of functional parts for a vehicle to a deck cross member.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Instrument panel body 2 Center console 3 Deck cross member 4 Groove 5 Combination meter 6 Air duct body 8 Steering column 9 Pad 10 Front pillar / lower 11 Side sill 12 Screw 13 Hazard switch 14 Air conditioner switch 15 Shift dial

Continuation of front page (58) Field surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) B60K 37/00

Claims (4)

(57) [Claims] 1. A cross-sectional circle extending in the vehicle width direction of a vehicle and having both ends fixed to left and right frame members in front of a driver's seat of the vehicle.
It is made of an extruded aluminum ring and has a circumferential surface
Deck cross member with grooves along it and this deck cross member positioned on its own front side
And the instrument panel body to be fixed to the deck cross member Te, the deck is engaged with the groove of the cross member consists of a vehicle functional components such as the meters to be mounted, for the instrument panel main body and the vehicle A vehicle instrument panel assembling structure, wherein the functional parts are respectively assembled to the deck cross members, and mounted together with the deck cross members in front of the driver's seat of the vehicle. 2. The instrument panel body according to claim 1, wherein the portion of the instrument panel body fixed to the deck cross member is a front surface of the instrument panel body facing forward of a driver's seat of the vehicle. The vehicle's instrument panel assembly structure. 3. The deck cross member is substantially annular.
With a cross-sectional structure of
Grooves and one of the outer peripheral surfaces sandwiched by these grooves
2. The vehicle instrument panel assembly structure according to claim 1, wherein the vehicle has a flattened structure. 4. A front side of the instrument panel body is attached to a deck cross member extending in a vehicle width direction of the vehicle, and a front side of the instrument panel body.
After attach the vehicle functional components such as main <br/> over data such in the deck cross member positioned exposed on the left and right backbone of the driver's seat in front of the vehicle body to both ends of the deck cross member A method of assembling an instrument panel for a vehicle, comprising: fixing the instrument panel body and the vehicle functional component together with the deck cross member to a front portion of a driver's seat of the vehicle together with the member.