JP4489623B2 - Knee input energy absorption structure of instrument case for instrument panel - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a knee input energy absorbing structure for an instrument panel device.

  As shown in FIG. 6, a vehicle such as an automobile is provided with an instrument panel 1 in the front part of the vehicle interior. The instrument panel 1 is provided with an instrument panel storage device 2 such as a glove box. The instrument panel storage device 2 includes a storage device body 3 and a lid portion 5 (lid) attached to the opening of the storage device body 3 so as to be opened and closed. And this lid part 5 is normally comprised by the lid outer member 6 and the lid inner member 7 (for example, refer patent document 1).

  In order to protect the occupant's knee in the event of an emergency with respect to such an instrument panel storage device 2, it is considered to install an energy absorbing knee protector 8 in the knee entry region of the lid portion 5. Has been.

  Such an energy absorbing knee protector 8 is fixed to, for example, a large number of iron plates 9 to 11 specially designed to receive and optimally absorb knee input energy, and upper and lower edges of the iron plates 9 to 11. It is comprised by the iron rod-shaped member 12 etc. for the intensity | strength and rigidity improvement made. This energy-absorbing knee protector 8 is installed, for example, substantially along the back surface of the lid outer member 6.

When an occupant's knee enters the lid portion 5 in an emergency, the energy absorbing knee protector 8 provided so as to substantially follow the back surface of the lid outer member 6 receives the knee input energy, and then deforms the knee. Absorbs input energy optimally. Thereby, a passenger | crew's knee is protected.
JP 2001-301533 A

  However, the knee input energy absorbing structure of the instrument panel device has the following problems. That is, the energy absorbing knee protector 8 is provided with an iron bar member 12 attached to the upper and lower edges to increase strength and rigidity, but this iron bar member 12 causes an increase in weight. An increase in the opening speed of the lid portion 5 and an increase in the closing force of the lid portion 5 were caused, which caused the operational feeling to deteriorate.

  Further, in recent years, in the instrument panel storage device 2 such as a glove box, an increasing number of devices that employ a side lock mechanism that is advantageous for increasing the storage capacity as a lock device for the lid portion 5 as compared with a normal center lock mechanism. ing. However, since the side lock mechanism has rod portions extending from the lock mechanism portion to both sides in the vehicle width direction, that is, the side lock mechanism extends over the entire width direction of the lid portion 5. For this reason, there may be a problem in installation with the energy absorbing knee protector 8.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, in the invention described in claim 1, an instrument panel storage device includes a lid portion having a lid outer member and a lid inner member, and the lid outer member is disposed on both sides in the vehicle width direction. A side lock mechanism having a rod portion extending toward the front and a lock mechanism portion for allowing the tip of the rod portion to enter and exit from both sides of the lid portion, and an energy absorbing knee protector is installed substantially along the back surface of the lid outer member. A closed cross-section member that extends in the vehicle width direction with a substantially uniform cross section and surrounds the side lock mechanism is attached to a position corresponding to the side lock mechanism of the energy absorbing knee protector, and the side lock mechanism is fitted with a one-touch fitting. Instrument configured so that the lock mechanism and rod can be separated and joined via the joint It is characterized in knee input energy absorbing structure of a panel for a product inlet device.

  According to the invention of claim 1, by attaching a closed cross-section member extending in the vehicle width direction with a substantially uniform cross section and surrounding the side lock mechanism at a position corresponding to the side lock mechanism of the energy absorbing knee protector, It is possible to increase the strength and rigidity of the energy absorbing knee protector without increasing the weight, and it is possible to ensure desired energy absorbing performance. Thereby, it becomes possible to reduce and reduce the opening speed and closing force of a lid part, and to improve an operation feeling. Since the closed cross-section member has a uniform cross section with respect to the vehicle width direction, the closed cross-section member is deformed almost uniformly, so that the design is easy and the expected energy absorption performance is ensured. It will be possible to demonstrate. Further, the side lock mechanism is configured so that the lock mechanism portion and the rod portion can be separated and coupled via the one-touch fitting portion, so that the energy absorbing knee protector and the closed cross-section member are attached first. Even in this state, the rod portion can be retrofitted by inserting it from the side of the closed cross-section member and coupling it to the lock mechanism portion.

  For the purpose of increasing the strength and rigidity of the energy absorbing knee protector without increasing the weight, it extends in the vehicle width direction with a substantially uniform cross section at the position corresponding to the side lock mechanism of the energy absorbing knee protector. Means for attaching a closed section surrounding the side lock mechanism, and the side lock mechanism is configured so that the lock mechanism portion and the rod portion can be separated and coupled via the one-touch fitting portion. Realized.

  Hereinafter, embodiments embodying the present invention will be described together with illustrated examples.

  1 to 5 show an embodiment of the present invention.

  First, the structure will be described. An instrument panel 21 as shown in FIG. 1 is provided in a front part of a vehicle interior in a vehicle such as an automobile. The instrument panel 21 is provided with an instrument panel storage device 22 such as a glove box on the passenger seat side. As shown in FIG. 2, the instrument panel storage device 22 includes a storage device body 23 and a lid portion 25 (lid) attached to the opening of the storage device body 23 so as to be opened and closed. I have.

  The lid portion 25 is generally composed of a lid outer member 26 and a lid inner member 27. Here, the lid outer member 26 constitutes the outer surface design of the lid portion 25 and is constituted by a resin molded product. The lid inner member 27 constitutes an inner surface design of the lid portion 25 and backs and reinforces the lid outer member 26, and is formed of a resin molded product. Each of the lid outer member 26 and the lid inner member 27 is formed to have a substantially uniform thickness as a whole, and includes a required surface portion and a required outer peripheral flange portion serving as a mating portion. Further, if necessary, reinforcing ribs, bosses, and the like are formed to project appropriately. Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the lid outer member 26 has hinge shaft claw receiving portions 26 c protrudingly formed at both ends of the lower edge portion on the back surface side. On the other hand, hinge shaft part 23c (refer FIG. 2) is protrudingly formed and formed in the both ends of the lower edge part of the opening part in the storage apparatus main body 23. FIG. When the hinge shaft claw receiving portion 26c is pivotally locked to the hinge shaft portion 23c, the lid portion 25 is opened downward with the lower edge portion as the center.

  Then, a side lock mechanism 31 that is advantageous in increasing the storage capacity as compared with a normal center lock mechanism is installed in the lid portion 25. The side lock mechanism 31 includes a pair of left and right rod portions 32 that extend substantially toward both sides in the vehicle width direction, and a lock mechanism portion 33 that allows the tips of these rod portions 32 to enter and exit from both side portions of the lid portion 25. Yes. A claw portion is formed at the distal end of the rod portion 32, and a claw receiving portion (not shown) is formed on both sides of the object storage device main body 23, and these are cooperatively locked and released. Further, the lock mechanism unit 33 includes an operation lever unit that is operated by a passenger by hand, and a drive mechanism unit that operates by operating the operation lever unit.

  The side lock mechanism 31 is attached in the vicinity of the upper edge of the back surface of the lid outer member 26. For this purpose, on the back side of the lid outer member 26, a lock mechanism part installation recess 34 for installing the lock mechanism part 33 and a rod holding part 35 for holding the vicinity of the tip of the rod part 32 in an inserted state are formed.

  The recess 34 for installing the lock mechanism portion has a substantially uniform thickness with the surface portion of the lid outer member 26, and is recessed from the surface portion to the back surface side. The locking mechanism installation recess 34 includes substantially fan-shaped side surfaces and a curved back surface connecting the both surfaces. The opening which connects is formed. Then, a mounting seat 34a is projected substantially upward from the rear edge of the opening, and the lock mechanism 33 is screwed to the mounting seat 34a. On the other hand, the rod holding part 35 has a vertical rib shape that faces substantially in the vertical direction. The recess 34 for installing the lock mechanism portion can be installed at the center in the width direction of the lid outer member 26. Here, the lock mechanism portion installation recess 34 is formed so as to be shifted to the driver's seat side so that the driver's side passenger can directly operate it. Has been. Therefore, the left and right rod portions 32 have different lengths so that the driver's seat side becomes shorter and the opposite passenger seat side becomes longer.

  And in this Example, such a side lock mechanism 31 is installed in the knee approach area | region 41 which is an area | region where a passenger | crew's knee approachs at the time of emergency. In particular, the side lock mechanism 31 is installed in the knee approach area 41 at the position of the knee contact portion 42 (see FIG. 1) where the average physique male knee is most likely to come into direct contact. Normally, the upper edge portion of the lid portion 25 is installed at a considerably higher position than in this embodiment, so that the side lock mechanism 31 overlaps with the knee entry region 41 and the position of the knee contact portion 42. There is little that can happen.

  In such a situation, first, in order to protect the passenger's knee in an emergency, an energy absorbing knee protector 45 as shown in FIG. 2 is installed so as to substantially cover the knee entry area 41 of the lid portion 25. . This energy-absorbing knee protector 45 is constituted by, for example, an iron plate specially designed to receive and optimally absorb knee input energy. Have different functions. In this case, the energy absorbing knee protector 45 is provided substantially along the back surface of the lid outer member 26. The energy absorbing knee protector 45 is composed of a single iron plate. This energy-absorbing knee protector 45 satisfies the two contradicting demands of a function of receiving knee input energy (without deformation) and a function of absorbing (transforming) knee input energy with a single iron plate. It has a special bending shape that is specially designed and calculated. This bent shape is precisely tuned by repeating analysis and experiment. In this embodiment, for example, a plurality of rectangular cross-section bead portions having a required depth and width dimensions and extending in the vehicle width direction are used. The energy absorbing knee protector 45 has a notch (not shown) at a position corresponding to the recess 34 for installing the lock mechanism portion and the rod holding portion 35 so that the energy absorbing knee protector 45 can be attached without causing interference. It is configured. In this embodiment, the energy absorbing knee protector 45 is attached by screwing the upper and lower edges to the back surface of the lid outer member 26 (screw 47).

  A closed cross-section member 46 that extends in the vehicle width direction with a substantially uniform cross section and surrounds the side lock mechanism 31 is attached to a position corresponding to the side lock mechanism 31 of the energy absorbing knee protector 45. The closed cross-section member 46 is formed of a single iron plate different from the energy absorbing knee protector 45. The closed cross-section member 46 has a cross-sectional shape that can accommodate the lock mechanism portion installation recess 34 and the driver seat side rod portion 32 that are projected to the largest back side by the side lock mechanism 31. The closed cross-section member 46 is fixed to the back surface of the energy absorbing knee protector 45 (that is, the surface on the lid inner member 27 side) by spot welding or the like, for example. Further, the upper edge portion of the closed cross-section member 46 is fastened together with the energy absorbing knee protector 45 to the back surface of the lid outer member 26 (see FIG. 2).

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the side lock mechanism 31 is configured to be able to separate and couple the lock mechanism portion 33 and the rod portion 32 via the one-touch fitting portion 51. In this embodiment, the one-touch fitting portion 51 includes a claw portion 52 formed on the rod portion 32 side and a claw receiving portion 53 formed on the lock mechanism portion 33 side. The claw portion 52 has a tapered guide portion 54 and a locking portion 55 at the tip, and further, a hollow portion 56 is formed to facilitate deformation. The claw receiving portion 53 has a fitting hole 57 for fitting the tip of the claw portion 52 and a receiving hole 58 for receiving the locking portion 55.

  Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described.

  By opening and closing the lid portion 25 with respect to the material storage device main body 23 of the instrument panel material storage device 22, objects can be taken in and out. The lid portion 25 is opened and closed through a side lock mechanism 31 that is advantageous in expanding the storage capacity as compared with a normal center lock mechanism. The side lock mechanism 31 is unlocked by operating the operation lever of the lock mechanism portion 33 to retract the rod portion 32 inward in the vehicle width direction, and releasing the operation lever to move the rod portion 32 out of the vehicle width direction. The lock is applied by projecting in the direction.

  When an occupant's knee enters the lid portion 25 in an emergency, the energy absorbing knee protector 45 provided so as to substantially cover the knee entry region 41 substantially along the back surface of the lid outer member 26 (without deformation) ) Receives knee input energy and then absorbs it optimally by deforming. Thereby, a passenger | crew's knee is protected.

  In this embodiment, a closed cross-section member 46 that extends in the vehicle width direction with a substantially uniform cross section and surrounds the side lock mechanism 31 is attached to a position corresponding to the side lock mechanism 31 of the energy absorbing knee protector 45. It is possible to increase the strength and rigidity of the energy absorbing knee protector 45 without causing an increase in weight, and it is possible to ensure a desired energy absorbing performance. As a result, the opening speed and closing force of the lid portion 25 can be reduced and reduced to improve the operational feeling. Since the closed cross-section member 46 has a uniform cross section in the vehicle width direction, the closed cross-section member 46 is deformed almost uniformly, so that the design is easy and the expected energy absorption performance is obtained. It is possible to make sure it is exhibited.

  In particular, when the side lock mechanism 31 is installed in the knee contact area 42 in the knee approaching area 41 where the knees of an average physique are in direct contact with each other, it is more difficult to ensure energy absorption performance and severeness. However, even in such a case, the strength and rigidity can be increased by the closed cross-section member 46, so that it is possible to ensure optimum energy absorption performance.

  Further, the side lock mechanism 31 is configured so that the lock mechanism portion 33 and the rod portion 32 can be separated and coupled via the one-touch fitting portion 51, whereby the energy absorbing knee protector 45 and the closed cross-section member 46 are provided. Even in a state in which the rod portion 32 is attached first, the rod portion 32 can be retrofitted by inserting it from the side of the closed cross-section member 46 and coupling it to the lock mechanism portion 33.

  Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail with reference to the drawings, the embodiments are only examples of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to the configurations of the embodiments. Needless to say, design changes and the like within a range not departing from the gist of the invention are included in the present invention.

1 is an overall perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention. It is a sectional side view of the lid part of FIG. It is the perspective view which looked at the lid outer member of Drawing 1 from the back side. It is an exploded view of the lock mechanism part provided with the one-touch fitting part. It is an assembly drawing of FIG. It is side sectional drawing of a prior art example.

Explanation of symbols

22 Instrument panel storage device 25 Lid part 26 Lid outer member 27 Lid inner member 31 Side lock mechanism

32 Rod part 33 Lock mechanism part 45 Knee protector for energy absorption 46 Closed-section member 51 One-touch fitting part

Claims (1)

An instrument panel storage device includes a lid portion having a lid outer member and a lid inner member, wherein the lid outer member extends toward both sides in the vehicle width direction, and ends of the rod portion are disposed on both side portions of the lid portion. A side lock mechanism having a lock mechanism part to be moved in and out from,
An energy absorbing knee protector is installed substantially along the back surface of the lid outer member, and extends in the vehicle width direction with a substantially uniform cross section at a position corresponding to the side lock mechanism of the energy absorbing knee protector to surround the side lock mechanism. A closed cross-section member is attached,
A knee input energy absorbing structure for a storage device for an instrument panel, wherein the side lock mechanism is configured to be able to separate and couple the lock mechanism part and the rod part via a one-touch fitting part.

Images