JP2006027468A - Vehicle structure - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a vehicle structure capable of suppressing degradation of the air supply performance of a duct 19 by installing the duct in an instrument panel without any complicated bent shape of the duct 19. <P>SOLUTION: A cylindrical first highly rigid member 5 having a column mounting part 11 is fixed to one side of a vehicle body 3. A cylindrical second highly rigid member 17 is fixed to the other side of the vehicle body 3. One end of a duct 19 is inserted in and fixed to the first highly rigid member 5, and the other end is inserted in and fixed to the second highly rigid member 17. Upper cases 39, 41 of an air-conditioning unit 37 are integrated with a part of the duct 19, and a case body 49 is joined with a lower part of the upper case 41. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a vehicle structure disposed in an instrument panel of a vehicle and constituting a part of the skeleton of the vehicle.

  An example of a conventional vehicle structure is shown in Patent Document 1. The configuration of the vehicle structure according to the prior art will be described as follows.

  That is, one end portion of the cross car beam extending in the vehicle width direction is fixed to one side portion of the vehicle body of the vehicle, and the other end portion of the cross car beam is fixed to the other side portion of the vehicle body. Has been. The cross car beam is made of iron and includes a column mounting member for attaching a steering column.

A part of an air conditioning unit capable of adjusting the temperature of the conditioned air is connected to the cross car beam, and the air conditioning unit is supported at the bottom of the vehicle body. The cross car beam is provided with a duct extending in the vehicle width direction, and the duct is made of resin. Furthermore, the duct has a passage through which the temperature-controlled conditioned air flows, and has a plurality of outlets for blowing the conditioned air on the outer periphery.
JP-A-7-52683

  By the way, the installation space in the instrument panel is not sufficiently wide, and in order to install the duct so as to avoid interference with the cross car beam or the like, it is necessary to make the duct a complicated bent shape. . On the other hand, when the duct has a complicated bent shape, the air blowing performance of the duct deteriorates, and there is a problem that the air conditioning efficiency of the air conditioning unit is reduced.

In the invention according to claim 1, in the vehicle structure that is disposed in the instrument panel of the vehicle and forms a part of the skeleton of the vehicle,
A cylindrical first high-rigidity member fixed to one side of the vehicle body of the vehicle, made of iron, and provided with a column mounting portion for attaching a steering column to the outer periphery;
A cylindrical second high-rigidity member fixed to the other side portion of the vehicle body and spaced apart from the first rigid member in the vehicle width direction and made of iron;
One end is fixed in a state inserted into the first high-rigidity member, the other end is fixed in a state inserted into the second high-rigidity member, extends in the vehicle width direction, and is made of resin. A duct having a passage through which temperature-controlled conditioned air flows and having an air outlet for blowing the conditioned air to the outer periphery;
It is characterized by comprising.

  According to the invention specific matter of the first aspect, the cylindrical first high-rigidity member is fixed to one side portion of the vehicle body, and the cylindrical second high-rigidity member is fixed to the other side portion of the vehicle body. In addition, one end of the duct is fixed in a state inserted into the first high-rigidity member, and the other end of the duct is fixed in a state inserted into the second high-rigidity member. Without using a cross car beam, the vehicle structure can have the function of the cross car beam.

In the invention according to claim 2, in addition to the invention specific matter according to claim 2, an upper case integrally formed with a part of the duct and a case joined to a lower portion of the upper case An air conditioning unit that has a main body and is capable of adjusting the temperature of the conditioned air;
It is characterized by comprising.

  According to the invention specific matter of the second aspect, in addition to the action of the invention specific matter of the second aspect, the upper case is formed in a part of the duct. By joining the case main body, the duct and the air conditioning unit can be integrated without the center of gravity of the air conditioning unit being significantly offset from the axial center of the duct.

  In the invention according to claim 3, in addition to the invention specific matter according to claim 2, the upper case has a center differential outlet and a center outlet on the upper surface in the front and rear, and A door mechanism is provided in the upper case, the door mechanism being switchable between a state in which conditioned air can be blown out from the center differential outlet and a state in which conditioned air can be blown out from the center outlet.

  According to the invention specific matter of claim 3, the same effect as the effect of the invention specific matter of claim 2 is obtained.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the invention specific matter according to any one of the first to third aspects, the duct is an upper duct segment joined by thermal caulking. And a lower duct segment.

  According to the invention specific matter described in claim 4, the same effect as the effect of the invention specific matter described in any one of claims 1 to 3 is achieved.

  In the invention according to claim 5, in addition to the invention specific matter according to claim 4, an insertion hole and an insertion hole are formed in one of the joint portion of the upper duct segment and the joint portion of the lower duct segment. A projection that can be inserted into the insertion hole is formed on the other of the joint portion of the upper duct segment and the joint portion of the lower duct segment. It is configured to flow into the circumferential groove.

  According to the invention specific matter of the fifth aspect, in addition to the action of the invention specific matter of the fourth aspect, when the upper duct segment and the lower duct segment are joined by thermal caulking, the head of the projection Flows into the circumferential groove.

  In the invention according to claim 6, in addition to the invention specific matter according to any one of claims 1 to 5, the resin is highly rigid with higher rigidity than a light alloy. It is a resin.

  According to the invention specific matter of claim 6, in addition to the action of the invention specific matter according to any one of claims 1 to 5, the resin has a higher rigidity than the light alloy. Since it is a rigid resin, the rigidity of the duct itself can be increased.

  According to the invention described in any one of claims 1 to 6, the vehicle structure can be provided with the function of the cross car beam without using the general cross car beam. Therefore, the duct can be installed in the instrument panel without having a complicated bent shape. Therefore, deterioration of the ventilation performance of the duct can be suppressed and the air conditioning efficiency of the air conditioning unit can be increased.

  According to the invention of any one of claims 2 to 6, the duct and the air conditioning unit are connected without the center of gravity of the air conditioning unit being significantly offset with respect to the axial center of the duct. Since it can integrate, the said vehicle structure can be easily installed in the said instrument panel, suppressing the bending of the said duct.

  According to the invention of claim 5 or claim 6, when the upper duct segment and the lower duct segment are joined by thermal caulking, the head of the protrusion flows into the circumferential groove, so the upper duct The segment and the lower duct segment can be firmly joined.

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

  Here, FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the vehicle structure according to the embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the vehicle structure according to the embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view of an air conditioning unit in a vehicle structure according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4 is a view showing a joining mode of an upper duct segment and a lower duct segment, and FIG. FIG. 5B is a diagram illustrating a state in which the head portion of the protrusion has flowed into the circumferential groove. In the drawings, “FF” indicates the forward direction, “FR” indicates the backward direction, “R” indicates the right direction, and “L” indicates Pointing to the left.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a vehicle structure 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention is disposed in an instrument panel (not shown) of a vehicle and forms a part of the skeleton of the vehicle. The specific structure of the vehicle structure 1 is as follows.

  A cylindrical first high-rigidity member 5 is fixed to the right side of the vehicle body 3 of the vehicle, and the first high-rigidity member 5 is made of iron. Moreover, the 1st highly rigid member 5 has the column attachment part 11 which attaches the steering column 7 with the bracket 9 etc. in the outer peripheral part, and the side blower outlet 13 which blows off an air conditioned wind, respectively. Note that a stay 15 is integrally formed in the vicinity of the left end of the first high-rigidity member 5, and the stay 15 is made of iron, and the lower end portion (tip portion) of the stay 15 is formed on the body 3. Fixed to the bottom.

  A cylindrical second high-rigidity member 17 is fixed to the left side portion of the vehicle body 3, and the second high-rigidity member 17 is separated from the first high-rigidity member 5 on the left and right sides. It is comprised by.

  A duct 19 extending in the vehicle width direction (left-right direction) is disposed in the instrument panel, and a right end portion of the duct 19 is fixed in a state of being inserted into the first high-rigidity member 5. The left end portion of 19 is fixed in a state of being inserted into the second high-rigidity member 17. Further, the duct 19 is made of a high-rigidity resin having higher rigidity than a light alloy, such as a polyamide resin containing glass fiber or carbon fiber, for example, and thus the rigidity of the duct 19 itself can be increased. Further, the duct 19 has a passage 21 (see FIG. 3) through which temperature-controlled conditioned air flows, and a pair of side air outlets 23 and 25 that blow out the conditioned air are provided on the outer periphery. Have. The side air outlet 25 communicates with the side air outlet 13 of the first high-rigidity member 5.

  The duct 19 is composed of an upper duct segment 27 and a lower duct segment 29 joined by heat caulking, and the joint portion 27a of the upper duct segment 27 is shown in FIGS. 4 and 5A and 5B. In addition, a plurality (only one is shown in FIGS. 4 and 5A and 5B) of insertion holes 31 and a plurality of (only one is shown in FIG. 4) circumferential grooves 33 surrounding each of the insertion holes 31. Is formed. In addition, a plurality of protrusions 35 (only one is shown in FIGS. 4, 5 (a), and (b)) that can be inserted into the insertion holes 31 that are aligned are formed on the joint portion 29 a of the lower duct segment 29. As shown in FIG. 5 (b), each protrusion 35 is configured such that the heat-crimped head flows into the circumferential groove 33 having a corresponding relationship. A plurality of insertion holes 31 and a plurality of circumferential grooves 33 are formed in the joint portion 27 a of the upper duct segment 27, and a plurality of protrusions 35 are formed in the joint portion 29 a of the lower duct segment 29. A plurality of insertion holes 31 and a plurality of circumferential grooves 33 may be formed in the joint portion 29a, and a plurality of protrusions 35 may be formed in the joint portion 27a of the upper duct segment 27.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, an air conditioning unit 37 capable of adjusting the temperature of the conditioned air is integrally provided at the center of the duct 19.

  That is, the first upper case 39 is integrally formed at the center of the upper duct segment 27, and the second upper case 41 is integrally formed at the center of the lower duct segment 29. Here, the 1st upper case 39 and the 2nd upper case 41 are each comprised by structural resin, and as mentioned above, they are joined by heat caulking. The first upper case 39 has a center differential outlet 43 and a center outlet 45 on the top and the front, and air conditioned air can be blown into the second upper case 41 from the center differential outlet 43. And a door mechanism 47 for switching to a state in which conditioned air can be blown out from the center outlet 45. A case main body 49 is joined to the lower portion of the second upper case 41 by the above-described heat caulking, and the case main body 49 incorporates a heater (not shown), an evaporator (not shown), and the like. .

  Next, the operation of the embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  The cylindrical first high-rigidity member 5 is fixed to the right side portion of the vehicle body 3, the cylindrical second high-rigidity member 17 is fixed to the left side portion of the vehicle body 3, and the right end portion of the duct 19 is the first height portion. Since it is fixed in a state where it is inserted into the rigid member 5 and the left end portion of the duct 19 is fixed in a state where it is inserted into the second high-rigidity member 17, it is possible to cross the vehicle structure 1 without using a general cross car beam. A car beam function can be provided.

  Further, since the first upper case 39 and the second upper case 41 are formed in a part of the duct 19, the center of gravity of the air conditioning unit 37 is made ductable by joining the case main body 49 to the lower part of the second upper case 41. The duct 19 and the air conditioning unit 37 can be integrated without being significantly offset with respect to the 19 axis.

  Further, when the upper duct segment 27 and the lower duct segment 29 are joined by thermal caulking, the heads of the protrusions 35 respectively flow into the circumferential grooves 33 having a corresponding relationship.

  As described above, according to the embodiment of the present invention, the vehicle structure 1 can be provided with the function of the cross car beam without using the general cross car beam. Without being shaped, it can be installed in the instrument panel. Therefore, deterioration of the air blowing performance of the duct 19 can be suppressed and the air conditioning efficiency of the air conditioning unit 37 can be increased.

  In addition, since the duct 19 and the air conditioning unit 37 can be integrated without the center of gravity of the air conditioning unit 37 being significantly offset with respect to the axis of the duct 19, the vehicle structure 1 can be connected to the instrument while suppressing the bending of the duct 19. Can be easily installed in the instrument panel.

  Further, when the upper duct segment 27 and the lower duct segment 29 are joined by thermal caulking, the heads of the protrusions 35 flow into the circumferential grooves 33 having a corresponding relationship, so that the upper duct segment 27 and the lower duct segment 29 are connected to each other. It can be firmly joined.

  In addition, this invention is not restricted to description of embodiment of the above-mentioned invention, By implementing an appropriate change, it can implement with a various aspect.

1 is a perspective view of a vehicle structure according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a vehicle structure according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a fragmentary sectional view of an air-conditioning unit in a vehicle structure concerning an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the joining aspect of an upper duct segment and a lower duct segment. FIG. 5A is a diagram illustrating a state in which the projection is inserted into the insertion hole, and FIG. 5B is a diagram illustrating a state in which the head portion of the projection has flowed into the circumferential groove.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Vehicle structure 3 Car body 5 1st highly rigid member 7 Steering column 11 Column attachment part 17 2nd highly rigid member 19 Duct 21 Passage 23 Side outlet 25 Side outlet 27 Upper duct segment 29 Lower duct segment 31 Insertion hole 33 circumference Groove 35 Projection 37 Air conditioning unit 39 First upper case 41 Second upper case 49 Case body

Claims (6)

In a vehicle structure disposed in an instrument panel of a vehicle and constituting a part of the skeleton of the vehicle,
A cylindrical first high-rigidity member fixed to one side of the vehicle body of the vehicle, made of iron, and provided with a column mounting portion for attaching a steering column to the outer periphery;
A cylindrical second high-rigidity member fixed to the other side portion of the vehicle body and spaced apart from the first rigid member in the vehicle width direction and made of iron;
One end is fixed in a state inserted into the first high-rigidity member, the other end is fixed in a state inserted into the second high-rigidity member, extends in the vehicle width direction, and is made of resin. A duct having a passage through which air-conditioned air whose temperature is adjusted flows inside, and a blow-out opening for blowing air-conditioned air to the outer periphery;
The vehicle structure characterized by comprising. An air conditioning unit comprising an upper case integrally formed with a part of the duct and a case main body joined to a lower portion of the upper case, the temperature of the conditioned air being adjustable;
The vehicle structure according to claim 1, comprising:   The upper case has a center differential outlet and a center outlet on the top and the front, and is capable of blowing conditioned air from the center differential outlet and air-conditioning from the center outlet in the upper case. The vehicle structure according to claim 2, further comprising a door mechanism that can be switched to a state in which wind can be blown out.   The vehicle structure according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the duct includes an upper duct segment and a lower duct segment joined by thermal caulking.   An insertion hole and a circumferential groove surrounding the insertion hole are formed in one of the joint portion of the upper duct segment and the joint portion of the lower duct segment, and the other of the joint portion of the upper duct segment and the joint portion of the lower duct segment The vehicle structure according to claim 4, wherein a protrusion that can be inserted into the insertion hole is formed, and the protrusion is configured such that a thermally crimped head flows into the circumferential groove. . The vehicle structure according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the resin is a high-rigidity resin having higher rigidity than a light alloy.

Images