JP3346136B2 - Vehicle instrument panel structure - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an instrument panel structure for an automobile.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a conventional automobile instrument panel structure, there are, for example, those shown in FIGS. 5 to 8 and those shown in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 5-310063.

In other words, according to the conventional example shown in FIGS. 5 to 8, the instrument panel structure of an automobile is composed of a steering member 1 installed between vehicle body side portions, ie, a front pillar lower panel (not shown), and a vehicle (not shown). One end 21 which is located on the front side of both sides of the passenger seat in the room and located on the front side FR of the automobile via a bracket 11 suspended from the steering member 1 is fastened by bolts 12 and fixed. The knee protector brackets 2, 2 having a substantially V shape in a side view and the free end portions 23, 23 of the knee protector brackets 2, 2 located on the rear side RP of the vehicle, and the end portion 31 is provided. A solid rod-shaped knee prober 3 which is squashed flat and supported by welding to the free ends 23, 23,
A reinforcement 6 disposed in the lid 51 of the glove box 5 disposed in the opening 542 of the panel main body 41 of the instrument panel 4 of the automobile and receiving an impact load input from a passenger's knee (not shown); At least be prepared.

Reference numeral 7 in FIGS. 5 and 7 and 8 denotes a member for tuning the impact energy absorbing stroke of the knee protector bracket 2, which is formed between one end 21 and a free end 23 of the knee protector bracket 2. The front and rear ends are supported by the one end 21 and the free end 23 by welding.

[0005] Reference numeral 43 in FIG. 5 denotes a duct for an air conditioner provided on the back side of the panel main body 41 of the instrument panel 4 of the automobile.

The lid 51 of the glove box 5 shown in FIG. 5 has a lock member 53 which can be disengaged from a striker (not shown) supported by a box body 52 at the center, as shown in FIG. The box body 52
An outer panel 55 having a flat plate-like shape having a hinge portion 54 rotatably supported on the outer panel 55, and an inner panel 58 supported by a screw 56 inside the outer panel 55 and having a storage section 57 for small items. The inner panel 58 is provided with a bump rubber 5 so as to be in elastic contact with the box body 52.
9, 59 are provided.

[0007] As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the reinforce 6 is a plate 62 made of an iron plate provided with an opening 61 for avoiding interference with the lock member 53.
And a bead member 63 disposed on the back surface of the plate 62.
And

In such an instrument panel structure of an automobile, when the occupant's knee hits the lid 51 of the glove box 5 in the event of an automobile collision, the flat reinforcement 6 shown in a solid line in FIG. As the lid 51 deforms, it hits the free ends 23 of the knee protector bracket 2 and deforms as shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. Are deformed within the impact energy absorbing stroke of the knee protector bracket 2 to absorb the impact energy.

[0009]

However, according to the prior art, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the reinforce 6 is connected to the free end 2 of the knee protector bracket 2.
As shown in FIG. 5, when the bumper 3 hits against the front end FR of the automobile, the reinforcement 6 does not slip from the free ends 23 of the knee protector bracket 2 to the front side FR of the vehicle.
The glove box 5 is disposed so that the position of the knee probe 3 is vertically close to the position of the reinforcement 6.
The upper limit of the box body 52 is limited, whereby the capacity of the glove box 5 is limited, and the freedom of layout is also limited.

The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object of the present invention is to increase the capacity of a glove box while maintaining a function of reliably absorbing impact energy. To provide an instrument panel structure for an automobile.

[0011]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a first aspect of the present invention is to provide a steering member which is installed between the side portions of a vehicle body and a front side of both sides of a passenger seat in a vehicle interior. A knee protector bracket having a substantially V-shaped side view in which one end is fixed to the steering member; a knee protector provided between free ends of the knee protector bracket; and an opening in the panel body. An instrument for a vehicle comprising at least a reinforce that is arranged in a glove box provided and receives a shock load input from an occupant's knee to hit the knee protector bracket to absorb shock energy. In the panel structure, a bent portion is provided at a portion on the free end side of the knee protector bracket facing the reinforcement. It provided it and, to the site of the reinforcement facing the bent portion of the knee protector bracket is characterized in that a dividing portion.

Therefore, according to the first aspect, when a sudden load is applied to an occupant such as an automobile impact and the occupant's knee moves forward, the occupant may hit the glove box. The arranged rain force moves toward and hits the free end of the knee protector bracket, and the rain force is bent up and down by the bent portion of the knee protector bracket at the dividing portion, and a ridge line is generated in the rain force, and the knee force is generated. The margin of the protector bracket on the free end side increases, and the function of reliably absorbing impact energy can be maintained.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an instrument panel structure for an automobile according to the first aspect, wherein the reinforcement is provided on a plate made of an iron plate, and is disposed on an upper side and a lower side of the plate. According to the second aspect, the free end portion is formed of a reinforcing member separated from the divided portion, so that the reinforce moves in response to an input from an occupant's knee. The reinforce collides with the bent portion on the free end side of the knee protector bracket. Only the part can be bent.

[0014] The invention of claim 3 is claim 1 or claim 2.
It is an instrument panel structure of the car described,
The knee protector has a rod shape, and has, at both ends thereof, a fixing portion supported on a free end side of the knee protector bracket, and a central portion thereof at a position one step above the position of the fixing portion. It is characterized by being arranged.

Therefore, according to the third aspect, since the central portion of the knee probe is disposed at a position one step above the position of the fixing portion, the capacity of the glove box is increased accordingly. .

[0016]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIGS. 1 to 4 show an automobile instrument panel structure according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The same members as those of the conventional example shown in FIG. 5 to FIG.

That is, the instrument panel structure of the automobile is located at the front of both sides of the steering member 1 installed between the front pillar lower panels (not shown) and the passenger seat (not shown). Bracket 1 suspended on the steering member 1
Knee protector brackets 2 and 2 having one end 21 located on the front side FR of the automobile via 1 and fastened by bolts 12 and fixed and having a substantially V-shape in side view;
The knee protector brackets 2, 2 located on the rear side RP of the vehicle are disposed between the free ends 24, 24 of the knee protector brackets 2, 2 and both ends 82 are supported by the free ends 24, 24 by welding. A solid rod-shaped knee probe 8
Lid 5 of glove box 5 disposed in opening 42 of panel body 41 of instrument panel 4 of the vehicle
1 for receiving an impact load inputted from a knee of an occupant (not shown).

Reference numeral 7 in FIG. 1 is a member for tuning the impact energy absorbing stroke of the knee protector bracket 2, which is interposed between one end 21 and a free end 24 of the knee protector bracket 2. The front and rear ends are supported by the one end 21 and the free end 24 by welding.

Reference numeral 43 in FIG. 1 denotes a duct for an air conditioner provided on the back side of the panel main body 41 of the instrument panel 4 of the automobile.

The lid 51 of the glove box 5 shown in FIG. 2 includes an outer panel 55 and an inner panel 58 with the reinforcement 9 interposed therebetween, as shown in FIG.

The outer panel 55 has a substantially flat plate-like shape, and has a lock member 53 at the center thereof, which can be detachably engaged with a striker (not shown) supported by the box body 52, and a hinge rotatably supported by the box body 52. Part 54
Having.

The inner panel 58 is supported by a screw 56 inside the outer panel 55 and has a small article storage portion 57.

As shown in FIG.
A position on the free end 24, 24 side of the knee protector bracket 2, 2 facing to the position corresponding to the invasion trajectory F of the knee that moves at the time of collision in a state where the mannequin specified by JSAE is seated on a seat (not shown). Are provided with bent portions 25, 25 protruding from the rear side of the vehicle.

The knee protector brackets 2, 2 formed to be raised by the bent portions 25, 25
As described above, the surfaces 26, 26 on the free end portions 24, 24 at right angles to the intrusion trajectory F of the knee that moves at the time of collision in a state where the mannequin specified by JSAE is seated on a seat (not shown). Direction.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the reinforce 9 has an opening 91 for avoiding interference with the lock member 53, and has an iron plate having dimensions of 100 millimeters vertically and 400 millimeters horizontally. And a 5.5 mm-long plate 92 disposed along the upper end 93 of the front side FR of the vehicle and having its free end 95 bent downward. A first reinforcing member 94 and a front side F of the vehicle of the plate 92;
A 7 mm second reinforcing member 97 is disposed along the lower end 96 of the R surface and has a free end 98 bent upward. The first reinforcing member 94 and the The free ends 95 of the second reinforcing member 97 are separated by 5 mm, and the separated portion is referred to as a divided portion 99 in the present invention.

The split portion 99 is formed in a position facing the bent portions 25, 25 of the knee protector brackets 2, 2, that is, in a state where the mannequin specified by JSAE is seated on a seat (not shown). It is formed at a position that matches the invasion trajectory F of the knee that moves during a collision.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the knee probe 8 has a central portion 81 having a shaft diameter of 15.9 mm, and both end portions 82 are bent downward. And crushed back and forth.

Then, both ends 82 of the knee probe 8,
82 has fixing portions 83, 83 supported by welding on the surfaces 26, 26 on the free end portions 24, 24 side of the knee protector brackets 2, 2, and the central portion 81 side has the fixing portions 83, 83. It is arranged at a position one step above the position of 83.

In other words, the knee prober 8 has a front central portion 81 arranged above the position where the glove box 5 is disposed, that is, above the box body 52, and both end portions 82, 82 are formed as described above. Box body 5
2, the knee protector brackets 2, 2 are bent downward to a position where they are welded to the free ends 24, 24 of the knee protector brackets 2, 2.

The glove box 5 includes the box main body 52 disposed at the opening 42 of the panel main body 41 of the instrument panel 4 of the automobile by a nut 59,
The bucket-type glove lid 51 is supported by the box main body 52 via a hinge 54 so as to be freely retractable.

The reinforce 9 includes an outer panel 55 of the glove lid 51 and an inner panel 5.
8 and supported by a tapping screw or the like.

As described above, according to the configuration of the first embodiment of the present invention, in such an instrument panel structure of an automobile, the knee of the occupant hits the lid 51 of the glove box 5 due to an automobile collision or the like. As a result, the reinforcement 9 disposed in the lid 51 hits the free ends 24, 24 of the knee protector bracket 2, and the free ends 24, 24 of the knee protector bracket 2 are impacted by the knee protector bracket 2. It deforms within the energy absorption stroke to absorb impact energy.

Therefore, when a sudden load is applied to the occupant due to a collision of a car and the occupant's knee moves forward, the occupant may hit the glove box 5. 9 moves toward the free ends 24, 24 of the knee protector bracket 2 and collides with the knee protector bracket 2, and as shown in FIGS.
Of the knee protector bracket 2 is bent up and down by the bent portions 25, 25 of the knee protector bracket 2 at the dividing portion 99, and a ridge line 100 is generated on the plate 92 of the reinforce 9, and the free end portion 24,
Engagement with the 24 side is increased, and the function of reliably absorbing impact energy can be maintained.

The plate 92 of the reinforce 9 moves in response to an input from the occupant's knee, so that the knee protector bracket 2 is bent at the bent portions 25, 25 on the free ends 24, 24 side. The first reinforcement member 94 and the second reinforcement member 97 are supported by the plate 92 of the reinforcement 9, and therefore, the plate 92 of the reinforcement 9 is bent except at the divided portion 99. It is possible to reliably bend only at the dividing portion 99 without bending.

Further, since the center portion 81 of the knee probe 8 is arranged at a position one step above the position of the fixing portion 83, the capacity of the glove box 5 is increased accordingly.

[0037]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the first aspect of the present invention, when a sudden load is applied to an occupant due to a car collision or the like and the occupant's knee moves forward, the occupant hits the glove box. Although there is a possibility, the reinforce arranged in the glove box moves toward and hits the free end of the knee protector bracket, and the reinforce is bent up and down by the bent portion of the knee protector bracket at the divided portion. A ridge line is generated on the reinforcement, and the margin of the knee protector bracket against the free end increases, so that the function of reliably absorbing impact energy can be maintained.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, in addition to the effects of the first aspect, the knee protector bracket is bent at the free end by moving the reinforce in response to the input from the occupant's knee. The reinforce collides with the portion, but since the reinforcing member is supported by the plate of the reinforce, the reinforce is not bent except at the divided portion, and can be surely bent only at the divided portion.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, in addition to the effects of the first or second aspect, the central portion of the knee probe is disposed at a position one step above the position of the fixing portion. The capacity of the glove box increases accordingly.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory sectional view of an instrument panel structure of an automobile according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view taken along arrow A in FIG.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory front view according to an arrow B in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an explanatory perspective view of the reinforcement 9 of FIG. 1 after deformation.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory sectional view corresponding to FIG. 1 of a conventional example.

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view taken in the direction of arrow C in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is an explanatory perspective view taken along an arrow D in FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is an explanatory front view according to arrow E in FIG. 7;

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Steering member 2 Knee protector bracket 4 Instrument panel of car 5 Glove box 8 Knee protector 9 Reinforce 21 One end of knee protector bracket 24 Free end of knee protector bracket 25 Bend of knee protector bracket 26 Free end of knee protector bracket Side surface 41 Panel body of instrument panel of car 42 Opening of panel body 51 Glove lid of glove box 52 Box body of glove box 55 Outer panel of lid 58 Inner panel of lid 81 Center part of knee prober 82 Both ends of knee prober 83 Fixing part of knee prober 92 Plate of reinforce 94 First reinforcement member of reinforcement 97 Second reinforcement member of reinforcement 99 minutes Invasion locus of knee movement during part F collision

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuation of the front page (56) References JP-A-7-266995 (JP, A) JP-A-8-175302 (JP, A) JP-A-5-310063 (JP, A) 9628 (JP, U) Japanese Utility Model Showa 58-85532 (JP, U) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) B60K 37/00

Claims (3)

(57) [Claims] 1. A steering member, which is provided between side portions of a vehicle body, and a substantially V-shaped side view, which is located in front of both sides of a passenger seat in a vehicle interior and has one end fixed to the steering member. A knee protector bracket, a knee protector erected between the free end sides of the knee protector bracket, and an impact load inputted from the occupant's knee disposed in a glove box disposed in an opening of the panel body. And a reinforce capable of absorbing impact energy by hitting the knee protector bracket by receiving the knee protector bracket. The instrument panel structure of a vehicle, comprising: a free end side of the knee protector bracket facing the reinforce; The part is provided with a bent part, and is opposed to the bent part of the knee protector bracket. Serial The site of reinforcement, instrument panel of a motor vehicle, characterized in that a dividing portion. 2. The instrument panel structure of a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein said reinforcement is provided on a plate made of an iron plate, and is disposed on an upper side and a lower side of said plate. An instrument panel structure for an automobile, comprising a reinforcing member separated at a divided portion. 3. The instrument panel structure for an automobile according to claim 1, wherein the knee protector has a rod shape, and both ends of the knee protector are supported by a free end side of the knee protector bracket. An instrument panel structure for an automobile, comprising: a fixing portion, a central portion of which is disposed at a position one step above the position of the fixing portion.