Vehicle center console structure

Abstract

The present invention provides a vehicle center console structure that allows components that abut a sealing member to be appropriately positioned. This prevents liquid from flowing from behind a center console panel to a connector, thereby suppressing connector failure. The vehicle center console structure of the present invention is a vehicle center console structure disposed on a vehicle floor and equipped with a switch 40. The structure includes a panel 20 on which the switch 40 is disposed, a flexible sealing member 26 disposed on the rear end surface of the panel 20, and a base 10 connected to the panel 20. The sealing member 26 abuts against the end surface of the base 10.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a central console structure for a vehicle. Background Art

[0002] A center console is provided on the floor of the vehicle's interior, extending rearward from the lower center portion of the instrument panel in the vehicle's longitudinal direction. The center console includes switches for the electronic parking brake (EPB), a shift knob, and a cup holder (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] The center console has switches arranged around the cup holders. Therefore, a structure was adopted to prevent spilled beverages from the cup holders from seeping into and accumulating in the switches, potentially causing malfunctions.

[0004] [Prior art literature]

[0005] (Patent Document)

[0006] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2016-49848 Summary of the Invention

[0007] [Problems to be solved by the invention]

[0008] Conventionally, a structure for suppressing malfunctions of switches caused by spillage of beverages from a beverage container placed in a cup holder has been employed: an extension portion is provided by extending a portion of a frame material surrounding a shift knob, the upper end of the extension portion is positioned above the upper surface of a center console, and switches are arranged within the extension portion.

[0009] However, this configuration cannot fully prevent switch failures. Figure 7 As shown, the switch 40Z is provided on the plate 20Z of the center console 1Z, but for example, a connector 50Z for electrically connecting to the switch 40Z is provided on the lower side of the switch 40Z. Figure 7 This is a perspective view showing a cross section of the main parts of a conventional vehicle center console structure.

[0010] A base 10Z connected to the plate 20Z is arranged at the rear side of the plate 20Z in the vehicle front-rear direction. Figure 7 As shown by the dashed arrow in FIG, beverage liquid W spilled onto base 10Z flows along the upper surface of base 10Z and into the space between base 10Z and plate 20Z. Furthermore, beverage liquid W flows to rear end surface 201Z of plate 20Z, which covers the rear end surface of switch 40Z, and flows downward to connector 50Z located below switch 40Z, causing a malfunction of connector 50Z.

[0011] For example, in order to prevent the beverage liquid W from flowing into the connector 50Z, it is conceivable to provide a sealing member. However, it is not easy to arrange a member that contacts the sealing member at an appropriate position.

[0012] An object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle center console structure that can arrange a member that contacts a sealing member at an appropriate position, thereby preventing liquid from flowing from behind a center console panel to a connector and suppressing connector failure.

[0013] [Technical means to solve the problem]

[0014] In order to achieve the aforementioned objectives, the present invention provides a vehicle center console structure, which is a vehicle center console structure arranged on the floor of the vehicle and equipped with switches (for example, the shift operation switch group 30 and the rear switch group 40 described later), wherein the structure comprises a plate on which the aforementioned switches are provided (for example, the plate 20 described later), a flexible sealing component (for example, the sealing component 26 described later) arranged on the rear end surface of the aforementioned plate, and a base (for example, the base 10 described later) connected to the aforementioned plate, wherein the aforementioned sealing component abuts against the end surface of the aforementioned base (for example, the end surface 101 described later).

[0015] Thus, when assembling the center console, the sealing member has flexibility, so that the end surface of the base can be fixed in an appropriate position relative to the sealing member while the sealing member is in contact with the end surface of the base.

[0016] In this case, the sealing member is preferably made of waterproof urethane. This makes the sealing member waterproof, so that sealing can be performed more effectively.

[0017] In this case, when the portion of the rear end face of the plate (e.g., rear end face 201 described below) on which the sealing member is provided is located closer to the end face of the base (e.g., end face 101 described below) than a predetermined position, the plate preferably has an interfering portion (e.g., upper restricting portion 22 described below) that interferes with the base. This prevents the sealing member adhered to the plate from peeling off during assembly of the center console.

[0018] In this case, when the interference portion interferes with the base, the lower end of the sealing member (e.g., lower end 263 described below) is preferably separated from the base. Thus, the interference portion interferes with the base, preventing the base from abutting the sealing member. This reliably prevents the sealing member adhered to the panel from peeling off during assembly of the center console.

[0019] [Effects of the Invention]

[0020] According to the present invention, a vehicle center console structure can be provided in which a member contacting a sealing member is arranged at an appropriate position, thereby preventing liquid from flowing from behind a center console panel to a connector and suppressing connector failure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] Figure 1 This is a plan view showing a center console having a vehicle center console structure according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] Figure 2 This is a perspective view showing a cross section of a main portion of a center console having a vehicle center console structure according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] Figure 3 This is a cross-sectional perspective view of essential parts showing a situation in which a base of a center console having a vehicle center console structure according to one embodiment of the present invention interferes with an upper restricting portion during assembly of the center console.

[0024] Figure 4 This is a perspective view of a main part in section showing a center console having a vehicle center console structure according to one embodiment of the present invention before a panel and a base are connected.

[0025] Figure 5 This is a cross-sectional perspective view of essential parts showing a state in which a sealing member of a panel of a center console having a vehicle center console structure according to one embodiment of the present invention is brought into contact with a base.

[0026] Figure 6 This is a perspective view of a main part in section showing a state in which a sealing member is arranged between a panel and a base of a center console having a vehicle center console structure according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] Figure 7 This is a perspective view showing a cross section of the main parts of a conventional vehicle center console structure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0029] Figure 1 It is a plan view showing a center console 1 having a vehicle center console structure. Figure 2 It is a perspective view showing a cross section of a main part of a center console 1 having a structure of a vehicle center console. Figure 3 This is a cross-sectional perspective view of essential parts showing how the base 10 of the center console 1 having the vehicle center console structure interferes with the upper restricting portion 22 when the center console 1 is assembled.

[0030] Below, in Figure 2 etc., the direction from the plate 20 toward the base 10 ( Figure 2 Figure 6 The direction from the upper left to the lower right in the figure is defined as the rear direction of the vehicle's front-to-rear direction, and the opposite direction is defined as the front direction for explanation.

[0031] The center console 1 having a vehicle center console structure is arranged to extend rearward in the vehicle front-rear direction from the rear of the lower center portion of the instrument panel provided in the front portion of the vehicle interior. Figure 1 As shown, the center console 1 includes a base 10 , a plate 20 , a shift operation switch group 30 , and a rear switch group 40 such as an electronic parking brake (EPB).

[0032] The base 10 is arranged and fixed on the vehicle floor, and the plate 20 is fixed to the base 10. On the plate 20, a shift operation switch group 30 and a rear switch group 40 such as an electronic parking brake (EPB) are arranged in order in the rearward direction of the vehicle.

[0033] The shift operation switch group 30 includes a parking button, a reverse button, a neutral button, and a forward button. Shifting operations can be performed by operating these buttons. Switches toggled by these buttons and connectors (not shown) for electrical connections are provided below the shift operation switch group 30.

[0034] The rear switch group 40 includes buttons for the electronic parking brake (EPB), such as parking brake and brake hold. By operating these buttons, the parking brake can be applied, or the brake can be maintained in the applied state even if the foot is temporarily removed from the brake pedal when waiting at a traffic light. The switches to be switched by these buttons and the connector 50 for electrical connection are provided on the lower side of the rear switch group 40. Figure 2 As shown in FIG. 1 , the rear end surface of the rear switch group 40 is covered by the rear end surface 201 of the plate 20 .

[0035] The plate 20 has a curved extension portion 202 extending toward the rear of the vehicle and curving downward at the upper end portion of the rear end surface 201. Figure 3 As shown, the left and right ends of the base 21 of the curved extension 202 have upper restricting portions 22 as interfering portions that extend downward and further extend away from the base 21 in the left and right directions, respectively.

[0036] A flexible sealing member 26 is provided on the lower side of the curved extension 202. The sealing member 26 is made of a waterproof urethane, such as Figure 2 As shown in FIG. 1 , the front surface 261 of the sealing member 26 is adhered to the rear end surface 201 of the plate 20 .

[0037] The end face of the front end of the base 10 abuts against the rear surface 262 of the sealing member 26. The front end of the base 10 abuts against the rear surface 262 of the sealing member 26 in an inserted manner. Therefore, the portion of the rear surface 262 of the sealing member 26 abutted by the front end of the base 10 elastically deforms into a U-shape. Figure 2 As shown in FIG. 1 , the lower end 263 of the rear surface 262 of the sealing member 26 is located further rearward than the end surface 101 of the front end portion of the base 10 .

[0038] like Figure 3 As shown, the left and right ends of the base 10 have vehicle width direction end portions 12 that bend upward from the front flat plate portion 11 and further extend leftward and rightward away from the front flat plate portion 11, respectively. The upper surfaces 121 of the vehicle width direction end portions 12 are located vertically above the lower surface 221 of the upper restricting portion 22.

[0039] In addition, Figure 3 In the figure, the lower surface 221 of the upper restricting portion 22 interferes with and abuts the upper surface 121 of the vehicle widthwise end portion 12, and is located in a vertically aligned position. This represents an example of a state in which the center console is being assembled, so this position is the case. Furthermore, in this state, the upper edge 112 of the front flat plate portion 11 is located below the lower end 263 of the rear surface 262 of the sealing member 26, and the front flat plate portion 11 of the base 10 and the sealing member 26 do not abut.

[0040] Next, the contact of the base 10 with the sealing member 26 during assembly of the center console will be described. Figure 4 It is a cross-sectional perspective view of the main parts showing the center console 1 having the vehicle center console structure before the panel 20 and the base 10 are connected. Figure 5 This is a cross-sectional perspective view of essential parts showing a state in which the sealing member 26 of the panel 20 of the center console 1 having the vehicle center console structure is brought into contact with the base 10 . Figure 6 This is a cross-sectional perspective view of essential parts showing a state in which a sealing member 26 is arranged between a panel 20 and a base 10 of a center console 1 having a vehicle center console structure.

[0041] When assembling the center console 1, the base 10 is brought into contact with the sealing member 26 of the plate 20 and assembled. Figure 4 As shown, the plate 20 and the sealing member 26 attached to the rear end surface 201 of the plate 20 are lowered relative to the front end of the base 10. Figure 5 As shown, the lower end 263 of the rear surface 262 of the sealing member 26 abuts against the upper edge 112 of the front flat plate portion 11 of the base 10 .

[0042] At this time, due to dimensional errors or the like, if the portion of the rear end surface 201 of the plate 20 to which the sealing member 26 is adhered is located closer to the front end portion of the base 10 than the designated position, as shown in FIG. Figure 3 As shown, the upper surface 121 of the vehicle width direction end portion 12 of the base 10 abuts against and interferes with the lower surface 221 of the upper restricting portion 22 of the plate 20. As a result, the plate 20 cannot be lowered further relative to the base 10.

[0043] Here, the so-called designated position refers to a position in the front-to-rear direction of the vehicle that is extremely close to the front surface 261 of the sealing component 26 adhered to the rear end face 201 of the plate 20. When the position continues to approach, if the plate 20 and the sealing component 26 adhered to the rear end face 201 of the plate 20 are further lowered relative to the front end portion of the base 10, the adhesion between the sealing component 26 and the rear end face 201 of the plate 20 will peel off.

[0044] Thus, when the upper surface 121 of the vehicle width direction end portion 12 of the base 10 abuts against and interferes with the lower surface 221 of the upper restricting portion 22 of the panel 20, the lower end 263 (lower end surface) of the rear surface 262 of the sealing member 26 is located above the upper end edge 112 of the front end flat plate portion 11 of the base 10 in the vertical direction and is separated from the front end flat plate portion 11 of the base 10. This prevents the upper end edge 112 of the front end flat plate portion 11 of the base 10 from abutting against a portion close to the adhered portion of the sealing member 26 adhered to the rear end surface 201 of the panel 20.

[0045] In this case, the plate 20 is moved forward relative to the base 10 in the vehicle front-rear direction so that the vehicle width direction end portion 12 of the base 10 and the upper restricting portion 22 of the plate 20 are not in contact with each other in the vertical direction. This moving step is not performed if the upper surface 121 of the vehicle width direction end portion 12 of the base 10 does not contact or interfere with the lower surface 221 of the upper restricting portion 22 of the plate 20.

[0046] Furthermore, if the plate 20 and the sealing member 26 attached to the rear end surface 201 of the plate 20 are further lowered relative to the front end portion of the base 10, the upper edge 112 of the front end flat plate portion 11 of the base 10 sinks into the sealing member 26 from the lower end portion thereof, causing the sealing member 26 to elastically deform. Figure 6 As shown, the end surface 101 of the front end portion of the base 10 is inserted into and abuts against the rear surface 262 of the sealing member 26, causing the sealing member 26 to elastically deform into a U-shape, thereby connecting and fixing the plate 20 and the base 10.

[0047] In this manner, the front end portion of the base 10 is inserted into and abuts against the rear surface 262 of the sealing member 26 , whereby the sealing member 26 is elastically deformed into a U-shape, and the center console is completed.

[0048] In this center console, when the beverage liquid W flows forward in the vehicle front-rear direction on the base 10, the beverage liquid W does not flow inside the sealing member 26 or between the sealing member 26 and the rear end 201 of the plate 20 because the sealing member 26 is made of waterproof urethane and the sealing member 26 and the rear end 201 of the plate 20 are adhered. Figure 6 As shown by the dashed arrow in FIG, the beverage liquid W flows in a U-shape between the rear surface 262 of the sealing member 26 and the end surface 101 of the front end portion of the base 10, and drips downward from the lower end 263 of the rear surface 262 of the sealing member 26. Therefore, the beverage liquid W does not flow downward along the rear end surface 201 of the plate 20 covering the rear end surface of the switch 40. As a result, the beverage liquid W does not flow to the connector 50 provided on the lower side of the switch 40.

[0049] According to this embodiment, the following effects are achieved.

[0050] In this embodiment, the vehicle center console structure is a vehicle center console structure that is arranged on the floor of the vehicle and has switches (a switch group 30 for shifting operation and a rear switch group 40), wherein the structure comprises a plate 20 on which switches are provided, a flexible sealing component 26 provided on the rear end surface of the plate 20, and a base 10 connected to the plate 20, wherein the sealing component 26 abuts against the end surface 101 of the base 10.

[0051] Thus, when assembling the center console 1 , the end surface 101 of the base 10 can be fixed in an appropriate position relative to the sealing member 26 while the sealing member 26 abuts against the end surface of the base 10 due to the flexibility of the sealing member 26 .

[0052] In addition, in this embodiment, the sealing member 26 is made of urethane having water-repellent properties. This makes the sealing member 26 water-repellent, and thus enables more effective sealing.

[0053] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the plate 20 has an upper restricting portion 22 that serves as an interfering portion with the base 10 when the portion of the rear end surface 201 of the plate 20 provided with the sealing member 26 is located closer to the end surface 101 of the base 10 than a predetermined position. This prevents the sealing member 26 adhered to the plate 20 from peeling off when the center console 1 is assembled.

[0054] Furthermore, in this embodiment, when the upper restricting portion 22, serving as the interfering portion, interferes with the base 10, the lower end 263 of the sealing member 26 separates from the base 10. Thus, the upper restricting portion 22 interferes with the base 10, preventing the base 10 from abutting against the sealing member 26. This reliably prevents the sealing member 26, which has adhered to the panel 20, from peeling off from the panel 20 when the center console 1 is assembled.

[0055] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications and variations are possible based on the technical concept of the present invention. For example, the base and plate structures are not limited to the base 10 and plate 20 of this embodiment.

[0056] Explanation of symbols

[0057] 1 Center console

[0058] 10 base

[0059] 20 boards

[0060] 22 Upper limiter (interference part)

[0061] 26 Sealing parts

[0062] 30 Shift operation switch group (switch)

[0063] 40 Rear switch group (switch)

[0064] 101 end face

[0065] 201 rear end

[0066] 263 lower end

Claims

1. A vehicle center console structure, which is provided on the floor of a vehicle and has switches, wherein: A plate provided with the switch, a flexible sealing member provided on the rear end surface of the plate, and a base connected to the plate, The sealing member and the end surface of the base are in contact with each other. The end surface of the front end portion of the base is inserted into and abuts against the rear surface of the sealing member, and the sealing member is elastically deformed into a U-shape, whereby the plate and the base are connected and fixed.

2. The vehicle center console structure according to claim 1, wherein: The sealing member is made of waterproof urethane.

3. The vehicle center console structure according to claim 1, wherein: When the portion of the rear end surface of the plate where the sealing member is provided is located closer to the end surface of the base than a predetermined position, the plate has an interfering portion that interferes with the base.

4. The vehicle center console structure according to claim 3, wherein: When the interfering portion interferes with the base, the lower end of the sealing member moves away from the base.

Images