Instrument panel support device

Abstract

The present invention provides an instrument panel support device, comprising: a support portion (15); and a connecting portion (CP1) connecting the support portion (15) and the end of an instrument panel (20). The device is configured so that the end of the instrument panel (20) is supported by a vehicle-mounted device (10). The connecting portion (CP1) comprises a snap-fit ​​portion (210) provided at the end of the instrument panel (20) and a snap-fit ​​portion (160) provided on the support portion (15) and engaged with the snap-fit ​​portion (210) when the instrument panel (20) is pressed into the support portion (15) and the instrument panel (20) and the support portion (15) are connected. In the connecting portion (CP1), the snap-fit ​​portion (210) snaps into contact with the snap-fit ​​portion (160) by elastic deformation.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an instrument panel supporting device for supporting an instrument panel from vehicle-mounted equipment. Background Art

[0002] As such a device, a device that supports the end of an instrument panel from an in-vehicle device via a cover is known. Such a device is described, for example, in Patent Document 1. In the device described in Patent Document 1, a support bracket is provided inside the end of the instrument panel, and the front end of the support bracket is engaged with a recessed engagement portion of the cover. This allows the cover and the support bracket to support the end of the instrument panel from the in-vehicle device.

[0003] However, in the device described in Patent Document 1, the end portion of the cover is disposed close to the upper surface of the instrument panel. Therefore, due to vibrations during driving, the cover and the instrument panel may repeatedly contact each other, thereby generating noise.

[0004] Prior art literature

[0005] Patent Literature

[0006] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-217849 (JP 2019-217849 A). Summary of the Invention

[0007] One technical solution of the present invention is an instrument panel support device for supporting the end of an instrument panel from an in-vehicle device. The device comprises: a support portion formed from the in-vehicle device or a fixing member fixed to the in-vehicle device; and a connecting portion connecting the support portion to the end of the instrument panel. The connecting portion includes an engaging portion provided at the end of the instrument panel and an engaged portion provided on the support portion, which engages the engaging portion when one of the instrument panel and the support portion is pressed against the other in a predetermined direction. The engaging portion of the connecting portion engages with the engaged portion or a peripheral portion of the engaged portion by elastic deformation. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] The objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be further clarified through the following description of the embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0009] Figure 1 This is a perspective view showing a state in which a navigation unit, to which the instrument panel support device according to the embodiment of the present invention is applied, is mounted on a vehicle.

[0010] Figure 2 It shows Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of the main components of the navigation unit.

[0011] Figure 3 It shows Figure 1The main view of the overall composition of the dashboard.

[0012] Figure 4 It is shown in Figure 1 Rear view of the state where the navigation unit is installed on the back of the dashboard.

[0013] Figure 5 It shows Figure 2 An enlarged view of the main components.

[0014] Figure 6A These are diagrams for explaining the engagement operation at the first connecting portion of the instrument panel support device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0015] Figure 6B It is the successor Figure 6A A diagram illustrating the subsequent engagement operation.

[0016] Figure 6C It is the successor Figure 6B A diagram illustrating the subsequent engagement operation.

[0017] Figure 7A These are diagrams for explaining the engagement operation at the second connecting portion of the instrument panel support device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0018] Figure 7B It is the successor Figure 7A A diagram illustrating the subsequent engagement operation.

[0019] Figure 7C It is the successor Figure 7B A diagram illustrating the subsequent engagement operation.

[0020] Figure 8A It is along Figure 4 A cross-sectional view taken along line VIII-VIII.

[0021] Figure 8B It shows Figure 8A A cross-sectional view of a comparative example.

[0022] Figure 9 This is a perspective view showing a state in which a navigation board is fixed to a navigation unit to which the instrument panel support device according to the embodiment of the present invention is applied.

[0023] Figure 10 yes Figure 9 A perspective view of the navigation board.

[0024] Figure 11A It shows Figure 10 A cross-sectional view of the connection between the navigation panel and the instrument panel.

[0025] Figure 11B is shown Figure 10The connection status of the navigation panel and the dashboard Figure 11A Cross-sectional views of different parts. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] The following reference Figures 1 to 11B An embodiment of the present invention will be described. The instrument panel support device of the embodiment of the present invention is configured to support the instrument panel from an in-vehicle device. An example of using a navigation unit installed in the center of the instrument panel at the front interior of the vehicle as the in-vehicle device will be described below.

[0027] Figure 1 This is a perspective view showing a navigation unit 10, employing an instrument panel support device according to an embodiment of the present invention, mounted on a vehicle. Below, the vehicle's longitudinal direction (vehicle length), lateral direction (vehicle width), and vertical direction (vehicle height) are defined as shown in the figure for convenience, and the configuration of each component is explained based on these definitions.

[0028] Figure 1 This is a diagram showing the navigation unit 10 viewed from the rear in the vehicle. Figure 1 As shown, the navigation unit 10 includes a generally rectangular thin display 11 extending in the vertical, horizontal, and horizontal directions, and is located behind an instrument panel 20 in the center of the vehicle width. The display 11 is positioned upright with its display surface 11a facing rearward, or tilted slightly upward and facing rearward. The display 11 (display surface 11a) displays not only road map information and route guidance information to the destination, but also images captured by an onboard camera (e.g., a rear-mounted camera) (not shown).

[0029] The navigation unit 10 includes a main body 12, which is integrally mounted below the display 11 and extends rearward. The main body 12 houses the control circuitry for controlling the display 11 and also includes a removable disk 13, such as a CD or DVD. It should be noted that a radio, CD player, DVD player, or digital audio player, etc., can also be installed in the main body 12, with the sound output from speakers installed in the vehicle. In other words, the navigation unit 10 can also be used as an in-car audio system. In this case, the display 11 can also display various guidance information and images received by a television broadcast receiver.

[0030] Figure 2 : is a longitudinal (up-down) cross-sectional view of the navigation unit 10. Figure 2As shown, the display 11 is surrounded by a housing 15. The housing 15 is a finished product made of resin, and has a front wall 16 extending in the vertical direction and the left-right direction on its front surface. The upper surface 12a of the main body 12 extends roughly horizontally forward from a predetermined position of the front wall 16 corresponding to the middle part of the upper and lower directions of the display 11. An instrument panel 20 is arranged above the upper surface 12a of the main body 12. The instrument panel 20 is formed into a roughly rectangular frame shape as a whole. It should be noted that Figure 2 The instrument panel 20 is shown in a state where it is disconnected midway.

[0031] Figure 3 2 is a front view (viewed from the rear) showing the overall structure of the instrument panel 20. Figure 3 As shown, a generally rectangular opening 20a is provided at the rear end of the instrument panel 20. More specifically, the instrument panel 20 includes a pair of upper and lower panels, namely an upper wall 21 and a bottom wall 22, extending horizontally, and a pair of left and right panels, namely left and right side walls 23 and 24, extending vertically. A generally box-shaped storage space SP is formed inside the instrument panel 20, surrounded by the upper wall 21, the bottom wall 22, and the side walls 23 and 24, and connected to the opening 20a.

[0032] Figure 4 1 is a rear view (viewed from the front) showing a state where the instrument panel 20 is mounted on the back side (front wall 16) of the navigation unit 10. Figure 4 As shown, the main body 12 of the navigation unit 10 is accommodated in the accommodation space SP of the instrument panel 20 , inserted through the opening 20 a . In this state, the rear end of the instrument panel 20 is supported by the front wall 16 behind the display 11 .

[0033] However, the instrument panel 20 is formed by integrally molding the resin as the constituent material. Therefore, the instrument panel 20 may be damaged during the resin molding stage or due to aging. Figure 3 As shown by the arrow and the dotted line, the upper wall 21 is bent and deformed inward (downward). As a result, it is sometimes difficult to Figure 4 As shown, the instrument panel 20 is supported by a predetermined location of the navigation unit 10 (eg, the front wall 16 ).

[0034] In addition, when the instrument panel 20 is supported by the navigation unit 10, the instrument panel 20 and the navigation unit 10 may repeatedly contact each other due to vibration during driving, thereby generating noise. Figure 3 When the dashed line of the dashed line is deformed, the positional relationship between the instrument panel 20 and the navigation unit 10 is easily shifted, which can easily generate noise. Therefore, in this embodiment, in order to suppress the generation of noise caused by the contact between the instrument panel 20 and the navigation unit 10, the instrument panel support device is constructed as follows.

[0035] Figure 5This is a diagram showing the main structure of the instrument panel support device of this embodiment ( Figure 2 ), is a diagram showing the structure of the connecting portion CP1 connecting the rear end portion of the upper wall 21 of the instrument panel 20 and the housing 15 of the display 11. Figure 5 As shown, the connection portion CP1 includes a claw portion 210 provided at the rear end of the upper wall 21 and a stepped portion 160 provided on the front wall 16 of the housing 15. The claw portion 210 protrudes downward from the bottom surface of the upper wall 21. The stepped portion 160 protrudes upward from the upper surface of the protrusion 161 at the front end portion thereof, which protrudes forward corresponding to the position of the claw portion 210.

[0036] like Figure 4 As shown, the connection portions CP1 (claws 210 and step portions 160 ) are provided at equal intervals at three locations in the left-right direction, namely, at the left-right center, right side, and left side of the instrument panel 20 .

[0037] Figures 6A to 6C 1 is a diagram showing the engagement operation of the claw portion 210 and the step portion 160 at the connection portion CP1 between the navigation unit 10 and the instrument panel 20, which is equivalent to the engagement operation of the claw portion 210 and the step portion 160 along the Figure 4 The cross-sectional view of the VI-VI line. Figure 6A As shown, the claw portion 210 has a surface located at its top end, namely a rear end surface 210a, a conical surface 210b extending downward and forward from the rear end surface 210a, a bottom surface 210c extending from the front end of the conical surface 210b and roughly parallel to the upper surface of the upper wall 21 (in the front-to-back direction), and a front end surface 210d extending upward from the front end of the bottom surface 210c.

[0038] Step 160 is provided at the front end of a protrusion 161 extending forward from the front surface 16a of the front wall 16. Step 160 includes a front end surface 160a at its top end, a tapered surface 160b extending upward and rearwardly from the front end surface 160a, an upper surface 160c extending generally horizontally rearwardly from the rear end of the tapered surface 160b, and a rear end surface 160d extending downwardly from the rear end of the upper surface 160c. An opening 16b extending through the front wall 16 in the front-to-back direction is provided above the protrusion 161. A recess 16c is provided on the front surface 16a of the front wall 16, connecting to the opening 16b.

[0039] When the instrument panel 20 is mounted on the navigation unit 10, Figure 6AAs shown by the arrow A, the claw portion 210 is pressed into the stepped portion 160 from the front of the front wall 16. In this case, first, the conical surface 210b of the claw portion 210 abuts against the conical surface 160b of the stepped portion 160, and while the conical surfaces 210b and 160b slide against each other, the claw portion 210 moves upward toward the stepped portion 160 mainly through the elastic deformation of the upper wall 21. That is, the claw portion 210 is pushed upward by the stepped portion 160. As a result, the downward curvature of the upper wall 21 is corrected. Next, as shown in FIG. Figure 6B As shown, the bottom surface 210 c of the claw portion 210 abuts against the upper surface 160 c of the step portion 160 , and the claw portion 210 moves rearward while the bottom surface 210 c and the upper surface 160 c slide.

[0040] Next, if Figure 6C As shown, claw 210 passes over step 160. Specifically, front end 210d of claw 210 moves forward relative to rear end 160d of step 160. At this point, claw 210 moves downward due to the restoring force of elastic deformation, and the tip (rear end) of claw 210 engages with recess 16c of front surface 16a of front wall 16. This constrains the instrument panel 20's front-to-back position.

[0041] It should be noted that in Figure 6C In the figure, for convenience, the front end portion of the instrument panel 20 (claw portion 210, upper wall 21) is shown separated from the front wall 16 (step portion 160, protrusion 161, recess 16c), but in reality, the front end portion of the instrument panel 20 is pushed toward the front wall 16 by the restoring force and is in contact with the front wall 16. For example, the bottom surface of the upper wall 21 is in contact with the upper surface 160c of the step portion 160, the bottom surface 210c of the claw portion 210 is in contact with the upper surface of the protrusion 161, or the rear end surface 210a of the claw portion 210 is in contact with the bottom surface of the recess 16c.

[0042] Thus, in this embodiment, the connection portion CP1 between the navigation unit 10 and the instrument panel 20 is configured so that the claw portion 210 is pushed upward from the step portion 160 during the assembly operation of the instrument panel 20. Figure 3 The position of the upper wall 21 is corrected, making it easier to install the instrument panel 20. In this case, the claw 210 and the stepped portion 160 engage through elastic deformation of the upper wall 21, etc., maintaining their contact. This suppresses the generation of noise caused by repeated contact between the navigation unit 10 and the instrument panel 20 due to vibration during driving.

[0043] After the instrument panel 20 is mounted on the navigation unit 10, the rear end of the instrument panel 20 is positioned above the protrusion 161 of the front wall 16 of the navigation unit 10. This prevents sagging (downward bending) of the instrument panel 20 due to aging, and stably supports the instrument panel 20. Furthermore, the claw portion 210 engages with the stepped portion 160 in the front-to-back direction, thereby restricting the position of the instrument panel 20 relative to the navigation unit 10 in the front-to-back direction. Furthermore, the front end of the claw portion 210 engages with the recessed portion 16c of the front surface 16a of the front wall 16, preventing the claw portion 210 from moving upwards. This ensures that the claw portion 210 is stably held in the engaged position.

[0044] In this embodiment, not only the connection portion CP1 but also the connection portion CP2 that connects the instrument panel 20 and the navigation unit 10 is provided. Figure 4 As shown, the connection part CP2 and the connection part CP1 are alternately arranged in the left-right direction and are arranged at four positions in the left-right direction. More specifically, they are arranged between the connection part CP1 in the left-right center and the connection part CP1 on the left-right outer side and on the left and right outer sides of the connection part CP1 on the left-right outer side. Figure 3 As shown, ribs 211 extending downward are provided at four locations in the left-right direction on the upper wall 21 of the instrument panel 20 corresponding to the connection portion CP2. The ribs 211 are provided with openings 211a extending through the ribs 211 in the front-rear direction and having a substantially rectangular shape in front view.

[0045] Figures 7A to 7C FIG is a diagram showing the engagement action of the rib 211 at the connection portion CP2 between the navigation unit 10 and the instrument panel 20, which is equivalent to the engagement action of the rib 211 at the connection portion CP2 between the navigation unit 10 and the instrument panel 20. Figure 4 It should be noted that, Figures 7A to 7C Corresponding to Figures 6A to 6C The engagement action of the connecting portion CP1. Figure 7A As shown, the rib 211 has an upper rib 212 on the upper side of the opening 211a and a lower rib 213 on the lower side. The upper rib 212 protrudes further rearward than the lower rib 213, and the rear end surface 212a of the upper rib 212 is located further rearward than the rear end surface 213a of the lower rib 213. Figure 6A The upper wall 21 is substantially at the same height in the up-down direction.

[0046] A protrusion 162 is provided on the front surface 16a of the front wall 16 so as to protrude forward corresponding to the position of the rib 211. The thickness (vertical length) of the protrusion 162 is shorter than the vertical length of the opening 211a of the rib 211. A tapered surface 162a is formed at the lower corner of the front end of the protrusion 162. A recess 16d is provided above the protrusion 162 on the front surface 16a of the front wall 16. The vertical position of the recess 16d is the same as that of the protrusion 162. Figure 6A The positions of the recesses 16c in the up-down direction are substantially the same.

[0047] When the instrument panel 20 is mounted on the navigation unit 10, Figure 6A As shown, when the top end of the claw portion 210 begins to abut against the step portion 160, as shown in FIG. Figure 7A As shown, the rear end of the rib 211 is located in front of the front end of the protrusion 162, and the two are separated from each other. At this time, the opening 211a of the rib 211 is located below the protrusion 162. Figure 6B As shown, when the claw portion 210 is placed on the step portion 160, the upper wall 21 is pushed upward, as shown in FIG. Figure 7B As shown, the rib 211 is also pushed upward, and the upper end surface of the lower rib 213 abuts against the tapered surface 162a of the protrusion 162. As a result, the protrusion 162 is inserted into the opening 211a.

[0048] Afterwards, the lower rib 213 slides along the bottom surface of the protrusion 162 while the rib 211 moves rearward. Figure 6C As shown in FIG. 1 , when the claw portion 210 passes over the step portion 160 and the top end of the claw portion 210 engages with the recess 16c, as shown in FIG. Figure 7C As shown, the top end (rear end) of the upper rib 212 engages with the recess 16d of the front surface 16a of the front wall 16. Figure 7C In the figure, for convenience, the rib 211 is shown as being separated from the protrusion 162 and the recess 16d, but in reality the rib 211 is in contact with the protrusion 162 and the recess 16d.

[0049] Thus, when the instrument panel 20 is mounted, the protrusion 162 is inserted into the opening 211a of the rib 211, so that the instrument panel 20 can be positioned with high precision and mounted on the navigation unit 10. In particular, at the connection portion CP1, the bottom surface 210c of the claw portion 210 contacts the upper surface 10c of the step portion 160, thereby suppressing the downward movement of the instrument panel 20 ( Figure 6B ), on the other hand, at the connection portion CP2, the upper surface of the lower rib 213 contacts the bottom surface of the protruding portion 162 to suppress the upward movement of the instrument panel 20 ( Figure 7B ).

[0050] Therefore, the vertical positional accuracy of the instrument panel 20 relative to the navigation unit 10 can be improved, and the navigation unit 10 and the instrument panel 20 can be reliably brought into contact at a predetermined position. As a result, the navigation unit 10 and the instrument panel 20 can be kept in contact at a predetermined position, and noise generated by repeated contact between the navigation unit 10 and the instrument panel 20 can be suppressed.

[0051] like Figure 4As shown, in the present embodiment, the connection portion CP3 with the navigation unit 10 is provided not only on the upper wall 21 of the instrument panel 20 but also on the left and right side walls 23 and 24 . Figure 8A The structure of the connection portion CP3 at the right side wall 24 is shown along Figure 4 It should be noted that the structure of the connection portion CP3 at the left side wall 23 is also the same as that of the left side wall 23. Figure 8A The same, illustration omitted.

[0052] like Figure 8A As shown, protrusions 161 and 162 are provided on the front and rear surfaces of the front wall 16 of the housing 15 of the navigation unit 10, respectively, and are arranged in an up-down direction. Protrusion 161 is located to the left of the right end of the front wall 16, while protrusion 162 is located further to the left of protrusion 161. An opening 163 is provided on the front wall 16 to the left of protrusion 162, extending through the front wall 16 in the forward-backward direction. Meanwhile, a bracket 25 is provided on the left side of the side wall 24, protruding to the left. The bracket 25 includes a base 251 extending leftward from the left surface of the side wall 24 and a protrusion 252 extending rearward from the left end of the base 251. The bracket 25 has a generally L-shaped cross-section. The protrusion 252 protrudes rearward from the side wall 24, with a rear end surface 252a of the protrusion 252 located rearward from the rear end surface 24a of the side wall 24.

[0053] When the instrument panel 20 is installed, the tip of the protrusion 252 is inserted into the opening 163 of the front wall 16. At this point, the rear end surface 252a of the protrusion 252 is positioned further rearward than the rear surface of the front wall 16, and the right surface of the protrusion 252 abuts the right edge of the opening 163, positioning the side wall 24 in the left-right direction relative to the front wall 16. It should be noted that the contact between the protrusion 252 and the opening 163 is not surface contact, but rather line contact or point contact, for example.

[0054] When the protrusion 252 is in contact with the opening 163, the rear end of the side wall 24 is arranged to the right of the protrusion 162. Thus, when the side wall 24 is separated from the protrusion 162, the outer side of the protrusion 162 is covered by the side wall 24 (referred to as the cover portion 24b) that is located further back than the base 251 of the bracket 25. Therefore, because the connection portion CP3 (protrusion 252, opening 163) is hidden, the aesthetics (design) of the instrument panel 20 when viewed from the side is improved. In particular, the side wall 24 is not used for positioning in the left-right direction, but the bracket 25 that protrudes in a manner separated from the side wall 24 is used for positioning in the left-right direction, so the side wall 24 is arranged separately from the protrusion 162. Thus, the side wall 24 can be easily formed without creating a dent in the side wall 24, giving priority to aesthetics when viewed from the side.

[0055] In contrast, as a comparative example of this embodiment, Figure 8B As shown, when the front end of the side wall 24 is configured to fit with the front wall 16 (for example, the protrusion 162), the side wall 24 must be positioned first to form the side wall 24. Therefore, dents are easily formed on the side wall 24, which degrades the design.

[0056] The present embodiment can achieve the following effects.

[0057] (1) The instrument panel support device of this embodiment includes: a navigation unit 10; and a connecting portion CP1 connecting the front wall 16 of the navigation unit 10 and the rear end of the instrument panel 20, and the device is configured to support the rear end of the instrument panel 20 from the navigation unit 10 ( Figure 5 The connecting portion CP1 includes a claw portion 210 provided at the rear end of the instrument panel 20 and a step portion 160. The step portion 160 is provided on the front wall 16 of the navigation unit 10. When the instrument panel 20 is pressed into the front wall 16 in the front-to-back direction and the instrument panel 20 and the navigation unit 10 are connected, the claw portion 210 is engaged ( Figure 5 In the connection portion CP1, the claw portion 210 is engaged with the step portion 160 or the periphery of the step portion 160 by utilizing the elastic deformation of the upper wall 21 of the instrument panel 20 ( Figures 6A to 6C ).

[0058] As a result, the navigation unit 10 and the instrument panel 20 are always in stable contact at the connection portion CP1. This prevents repeated contact between the navigation unit 10 and the instrument panel 20 due to vibrations during driving, thereby suppressing the generation of noise. Furthermore, as the instrument panel 20 is pressed in, the rear end of the instrument panel 20 is pushed along the step 160. This corrects any positional deviations caused by deformation (e.g., sagging) of the instrument panel 20, allowing the instrument panel 20 to easily engage with the navigation unit 10 at a predetermined position.

[0059] (2) The connecting portion CP1 is provided at a plurality of positions in the vehicle width direction (left-right direction) ( Figure 4 Thus, the instrument panel 20 can be firmly supported by the navigation unit 10 , and the generation of noise due to contact between the navigation unit 10 and the instrument panel 20 can be effectively suppressed.

[0060] (3) The instrument panel support device further includes a connecting portion CP2 ( Figures 7A to 7C The connecting portion CP2 includes an opening portion 211a provided at the rear end portion of the instrument panel 20 and formed into a concave shape in the front-to-rear direction, and a protrusion 162 provided on the front wall 16 and engaged with the opening portion 211a when the instrument panel 20 and the navigation unit 10 are connected ( Figures 7A to 7CThe connecting portion CP2 is provided at a plurality of positions in the vehicle width direction in a manner alternating with the connecting portion CP1 in the vehicle width direction. This allows the instrument panel 20 to be supported more firmly, effectively suppressing the generation of noise.

[0061] (4) The claw portion 210 is provided to protrude downward, and the top end surface is formed into a tapered shape ( Figures 6A to 6C The step portion 160 is provided to protrude upward so that the claw portion 210 can abut against and pass over the step portion 160 when the instrument panel 20 and the navigation unit 10 are connected. Figures 6A to 6C Thus, as the instrument panel 20 is pushed in, the positional deviation of the instrument panel 20 can be corrected while the instrument panel 20 is held at a predetermined position relative to the navigation unit 10 .

[0062] (5) The instrument panel 20 has side walls 23 and 24 connected to the upper wall 21 and extending in the vertical direction. Figure 3 The side walls 23 and 24 have protrusions 252 extending in the front-rear direction, and the front wall 16 has an opening 163 ( Figure 8A ). Thus, it is possible to suppress the generation of noise at the side surface side of the instrument panel 20 due to contact with the navigation unit 10.

[0063] (6) The side wall 24 has a cover portion 24b extending parallel to the protrusion 252 on the vehicle width direction outer side of the protrusion 252. Figure 8A The front wall 16 has a protrusion 162 ( ) disposed so as to be separated from the cover portion 24b on the left-right outer side of the opening 163 and on the vehicle width inner side of the cover portion 24b. Figure 8A Since the cover portion 24b does not contact the navigation unit 10 (protrusion 162, etc.), the cover portion 24b can improve the appearance of the side surface of the instrument panel 20 without generating noise due to contact with the cover portion 24b.

[0064] This embodiment can be modified in various ways. Several modified examples are described below. In the above embodiment, when the navigation unit 10 and the instrument panel 20 are connected, the instrument panel 20 is pressed in the front-to-back direction to connect, but it is also possible to press in the up-down direction to connect. In the above embodiment, the rear end portion of the instrument panel 20 is supported by the housing 15 of the navigation unit 10, more specifically, the display 11, which is an in-vehicle device, but the structure of the supporting portion is not limited to this. It is also possible to fix parts such as a plate member (an example of a fixing member) to the navigation unit 10, and support the instrument panel 20 from the navigation unit 10 with the help of the plate member.

[0065] Figure 9This is an example in which the navigation panel 50 as a plate member is fixed to the back surface of the navigation unit 10 (display 11). The navigation panel 50 is fixed to the housing 15 on the back surface of the display 11 by bolts 14 that penetrate the navigation panel 50 in the front-back direction. Figure 10 5 is a perspective view showing the structure of the navigation board 50 in more detail. Figure 10 As shown, the navigation panel 50 has a base 51 that is substantially rectangular in shape when viewed from the front, and a pair of left and right plate portions 510 extending downward and forward from the left and right ends of the base 51. The main body 12 of the navigation unit 10 is arranged inside the left and right plate portions 510. At the upper end of the base 51, stepped portions 52 and slit holes 53 are alternately arranged in the left and right directions. At the rear end of the instrument panel 20, a corresponding portion is provided corresponding to the stepped portion 52. Figure 6A The claw portion 210 of the claw portion and the slit hole 53 are provided corresponding to the slit hole 53. Figure 7A The instrument panel 20 is pressed into the step portion 52 and the slit hole 53 from above, and the instrument panel 20 is connected to the navigation panel 50.

[0066] Figure 11A 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of the connection portion CP4 between the step portion 52 and the instrument panel 20. Figure 11B 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of the connection portion CP5 between the slit hole 53 and the instrument panel 20. Figure 11A As shown, the connecting portion CP4 has the same structure as the instrument panel 20 except that the pressing direction of the instrument panel 20 is different. Figure 5 That is, the connection portion CP4 has a step portion 52 and a claw portion 26 provided on the instrument panel 20 and crossing the step portion 52 and engaging with the step portion 52. Figure 11B As shown, the connection portion CP5 includes a slit hole 53 and a plate portion 27 provided on the instrument panel 20 and fitted into the slit hole 53 .

[0067] It should be noted that, in the above embodiment ( Figure 5 ), the claw portion 210, which serves as the engaging projection at the rear end of the instrument panel 20, engages with the stepped portion 160, which serves as the engaged projection on the front wall 16 of the navigation unit 10. However, the configuration of the engaging and engaged portions is not limited to the configuration described above. In other words, the connection portion (first connection portion) may be configured in any manner as long as the engaging portion utilizes elastic deformation to engage with the engaged portion or its peripheral portion. In the above embodiment, connection portions CP1 are provided at three locations in the vehicle width direction, but the number of connection portions CP1 is not limited to the configuration described above.

[0068] In the above embodiment ( Figures 7A to 7C), as a second connection portion connecting the navigation unit 10 and the instrument panel 20, the opening 211a of the rib 211 at the rear end of the instrument panel 20 is engaged with the protrusion 162 of the front wall 16 of the navigation unit 10. However, the configuration of the engaging portion and the engaged portion is not limited to the above. The engaging portion at the end of the instrument panel 20 may also be formed into a convex shape. In the above embodiment, the connection portion between the navigation unit 10 and the instrument panel 20 is provided alternately with the connection portions CP1 and CP4 (first connection portions) and the connection portions CP2 and CP5 (second connection portions) in the vehicle width direction. However, it is also possible to provide only the first connection portion or only the second connection portion.

[0069] In the above embodiment ( Figure 8A ), a bracket 25 is provided protruding from the side walls 23 and 24 (side wall portions) of the instrument panel 20, and a protrusion 252 is provided on the bracket 25 protruding toward the front wall 16, so that the protrusion 252 abuts against the opening 163 of the front wall 16. However, the configuration of the protrusion extending in a predetermined direction and the configuration of the abutment portion with which the side surface of the protrusion abuts are not limited to this. In the above embodiment, the cover portion 24b at the front end portion of the side wall 24 is arranged separately from the protrusion 162 (wall portion), but the configuration of the cover portion and the wall portion is not limited to this.

[0070] In the above embodiment, the instrument panel 20 is supported by the navigation unit 10, but the end of the instrument panel may be supported by other in-vehicle equipment. That is, the in-vehicle equipment to which the present invention is applied is not limited to the above.

[0071] One or more of the above-described embodiments and modifications may be arbitrarily combined, and modifications may be combined with each other.

[0072] According to the present invention, it is possible to suppress the generation of noise caused by contact between the instrument panel and surrounding parts.

[0073] The present invention has been described above in conjunction with preferred embodiments. It should be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made without departing from the scope of the claims set forth below.

Claims

1. An instrument panel support device, wherein an on-vehicle device (10) supports an end portion of an instrument panel (20), characterized in that: have: a supporting portion, which is composed of the vehicle-mounted device (10) or a fixing member fixed to the vehicle-mounted device (10); and a connecting portion (CP1) connecting the supporting portion and the end portion of the instrument panel (20), The connecting portion (CP1) has: a snap-fit ​​portion (210) provided at an end portion of the instrument panel (20); and The engaged portion (160, 52) is provided on the support portion and is engaged with the engaging portion (210) when either the instrument panel (20) or the support portion is pressed into the other in a predetermined direction and the instrument panel (20) and the support portion are connected. In the connecting portion (CP1), the engaging portion (210) engages with the engaged portion (160, 52) or the peripheral portion of the engaged portion (160, 52) by elastic deformation. The instrument panel (20) further comprises side wall portions (23, 24) extending in the up-down direction. The side wall portions (23, 24) have protrusions (252) extending in the prescribed direction. The support portion includes an abutment portion (163) for abutting a side surface of the protrusion (252) when the instrument panel (20) is connected to the support portion. The protruding portion (252) is provided on a bracket (25) that is provided protrudingly in a manner separated from the side wall portions (23, 24).

2. The instrument panel support device according to claim 1, wherein: The connecting portion (CP1) is provided at a plurality of positions in the vehicle width direction.

3. The instrument panel support device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The connecting portion (CP1) is the first connecting portion, The instrument panel support device further comprises a second connecting portion (CP2) connecting the supporting portion and an end portion of the instrument panel (20). The second connecting portion (CP2) has: a plurality of engaging portions (211a) provided at the end of the instrument panel (20) and formed into a concave or convex shape; and an engaged portion (162) provided on the supporting portion and engaged with the engaging portion (211a) when the instrument panel (20) is connected to the supporting portion. The second connecting portion (CP2) is provided at a plurality of positions in the vehicle width direction so as to alternate with the first connecting portion in the vehicle width direction.

4. The instrument panel support device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The engaging portion (210) has a top end surface (210b) at its front end portion formed into a tapered engaging protrusion. The engaged portion (160, 52) has an engaged convex portion for the engaging convex portion to abut against and pass over when the instrument panel (20) is connected to the supporting portion.

5. The instrument panel support device according to claim 1, wherein: The side wall portions (23, 24) further include a cover portion (24b) extending parallel to the protrusion (252) on the outside of the protrusion (252) in the vehicle width direction. The support portion includes an engaged portion (162) disposed separately from the cover portion (24b) on the outside of the abutment portion (163) in the vehicle width direction and on the inside of the cover portion (24b) in the vehicle width direction.

6. The instrument panel support device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The engaging portion (210) is provided at an end portion of an upper wall (21) of the instrument panel (20). The engaged portion (160) is arranged in such a manner as to push the engaging portion (210) upward when the instrument panel (20) is connected to the supporting portion.

7. The instrument panel support device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The support portion has a wall portion (16) extending in the vertical direction, The engaged portion (160) is protruded from the surface (16a) of the wall portion (16) toward the instrument panel (20). The wall portion (16) has a recessed portion (16c) on the surface (16a) for engaging an end portion of the instrument panel (20) when the instrument panel (20) is connected to the support portion.

8. The instrument panel support device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The vehicle-mounted device (10) is a navigation unit having a display (11) and a main body (12). The instrument panel (20) is arranged in a manner that surrounds the main body (12) and an end portion of the instrument panel (20) abuts against a housing of the display (11).

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