Production method of vehicle interior parts

Abstract

To prevent incorrect assembly of built-in members in mixed flow production line of vehicle interior parts with several types of specifications.SOLUTION: A glove box 1 (a vehicle interior part) includes a coupling body 50 formed by connecting an inner member 10 (a first member) and an outer member 20 (a second member 20) to each other. An impact absorption member 30 (a built-in member) is stored in the storage space 51 of the coupling body 50. The grove boxes 1 with several types of specifications respectively have different impact absorption members 30. In order to prevent incorrect assembly of the impact absorption members 30 when the glove boxes 1 with several types of specifications are produced on the same production line, the impact absorption members 30 are colored in different colors. When the vehicle interior part with specifications to be produced is assembled, the glove box 1 is assembled by using the impact absorption member 30 having a color corresponding to the specifications. An inspection window 55 is formed at the coupling body 50, and the impact absorption member 30 is disposed so as to be observable through the inspection window 55.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for mixed-flow production of vehicle interior parts in which a built-in member is housed between two members.

Background Art

[0002] A vehicle interior part such as a glove box, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, includes an inner member (first member) integrally having a box part and a front wall, a panel-shaped outer member (second member) that covers the front wall of the inner member from the passenger compartment side, and a shock-absorbing member (built-in member) disposed in a housing space between the front wall of the inner member and the outer member.

[0003] As a method for producing the above glove box, in order to operate production equipment efficiently, a method of producing a plurality of specifications of glove boxes with common production equipment, so-called mixed-flow production method, is generally adopted.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] In the mixed-flow production of a plurality of specifications of glove boxes, a case where the shapes and structures of the shock-absorbing members are different for each specification will be described as an example. Although the shapes and structures of these shock-absorbing members are different but similar and have the same color, they are difficult to distinguish. Therefore, there is a possibility that a shock-absorbing member different from the regular shock-absorbing member may be erroneously incorporated into the glove box of the specification for which production is planned. It is required to minimize such mistakes associated with mixed-flow production.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and has a combined body configured by connecting a first member and a second member to each other and having an accommodation space, and a built-in member disposed in the accommodation space. In a method of mixed-flow production of vehicle interior parts of at least a plurality of different specifications, The colors of the built-in members of the vehicle interior parts of the plurality of specifications are made different from each other. When assembling the vehicle interior parts of the specification scheduled for production, the vehicle interior parts are assembled using the built-in members of the color corresponding to the specification. Further, an inspection window connected to the accommodation space is formed in the combined body, and in at least two of the plurality of specifications of vehicle interior parts, a part of the built-in member is arranged so as to be observable from the inspection window.

[0007] According to this method, by changing the color of the built-in member for each specification of the vehicle interior part, the distinguishability between the built-in members can be enhanced. Therefore, the proper built-in member can be surely incorporated into the vehicle interior part of the specification scheduled for production, and it is possible to prevent different built-in members from being incorporated. Further, after the production is completed, since the color of the built-in member can be observed from the inspection window of the vehicle interior part, it is also possible to confirm whether or not the proper built-in member is incorporated.

[0008] If the colors of the built-in members of the vehicle interior parts of the plurality of specifications are different from the first and second members, the distinguishability of the built-in members can be further enhanced.

[0009] The built-in member of the vehicle interior part of one of the plurality of specifications may be arranged at a position away from the inspection window and not observable from the inspection window. In this case, since it cannot be observed from the inspection window, it is possible to confirm that the proper built-in member of the vehicle interior part of the specification is accommodated.

[0010] Preferably, the inspection window is formed at a position hidden from the passenger compartment side when the vehicle interior part is equipped in the vehicle. According to this, even if there is an inspection window, the appearance of the vehicle interior part is not impaired.

[0011] In one embodiment, the vehicle interior part is a glove box, the first member is an inner member having a box part and a front wall, the second member is a panel-shaped outer member that covers the front wall of the inner member, the accommodation space is formed between the front wall and the outer member, and the inspection window is formed between the lower edge of the front wall and the lower edge of the outer member.

Advantages of the Invention

[0012] According to the present invention, even in mixed-flow production, it is possible to reliably prevent misassembly of built-in members, and it is possible to confirm whether a regular built-in member is assembled through the inspection window.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0013]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

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Figure 6

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Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0014] Hereinafter, a mixed-flow production method for a glove box (interior part for a vehicle) according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. As shown in FIG. 1, the glove box 1 is supported on the lower part on the passenger seat side of the instrument panel 2 so as to be openable and closable with respect to the instrument panel 2.

[0015] <Structure of the glove box> As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the glove box 1 is constituted by assembling three resin members made of injection-molded products, that is, an inner member 10 (first member), an outer member 20 (second member), and a shock-absorbing member 30 (built-in member). Hereinafter, each constituent member will be described with particular reference to FIGS. 3, 6 to 8.

[0016] The inner member 10 integrally has a box portion 11 and a curved front wall 12 facing the passenger compartment. Reinforcing portions 13 and 14 made of lattice-shaped ribs are formed on the upper edge portion and both side edge portions of the surface on the passenger compartment side of the front wall 12. On the surface on the passenger compartment side of the front wall 12, a temporary fixing claw portion 15 is formed substantially at the center, and temporary fixing claw portions 16 are formed on the left and right below the temporary fixing claw portion 15. A pair of convex portions 17 protruding downward are formed on the lower edge portion of the front wall 12 so as to be separated from each other in the left and right directions. Further, a pair of welding pieces 18 (shown only in FIG. 6) protruding downward are formed on the outer sides in the left and right directions from these convex portions 17.

[0017] The outer member 20 is disposed on the passenger compartment side of the inner member 10, and includes a curved panel portion 21 that covers the front wall 12 of the inner member 10 and a bearing portion 22 formed at the lower edge portion of the panel portion 21. A recess 23 for a handle is formed in the panel portion 21. Further, a welding piece 28 (shown only in FIG. 6) is formed in the bearing portion 22.

[0018] As described below, the front wall 12 of the inner member 10 and the panel portion 21 of the outer member 20 are connected to form a combined body 50. The combined body 50 has an accommodation space 51 between the front wall 12 and the panel portion 21.

[0019] The shock absorbing member 30 has a large number of lattice-shaped ribs over a wide area and is accommodated in the accommodation space 51 of the combined body 50. When the knee of the passenger in the passenger seat hits the outer member 20 during a vehicle collision, the shock absorbing member 30 can protect the knee of the passenger by plastically deforming or crushing to absorb the collision energy.

[0020] A notch 33 corresponding to the handle recess 23 of the outer member 20 is formed in the shock absorbing member 30. A temporary fixing hole 35 is formed at the center in the left-right direction, and temporary fixing holes 36 are formed on the left and right below the temporary fixing hole 35 at a distance from each other.

[0021] <Production method of glove box> As shown in FIG. 9, the production equipment for the glove box 1 includes a vibration welding machine 100. A work stage 101 for temporary assembly work is arranged on the loading side of the vibration welding machine 100. At this work stage 101, first, the shock absorbing member 30 is temporarily fixed to the inner member 10. Specifically, the shock absorbing member 30 is arranged along the front wall 12 of the inner member 10, and the temporary fixing protrusions 15 and 16 of the front wall 12 are fitted into the temporary fixing holes 35 and 36 of the shock absorbing member 30. Thereby, the shock absorbing member 30 is temporarily fixed in a state of being positioned on the front wall 12.

[0022] Furthermore, at the work stage 101, the panel portion 21 of the outer member 20 is placed on the front wall 12 of the inner member 10 so as to cover the shock absorbing member 30 and is temporarily assembled, and this temporarily assembled assembly is carried into the vibration welding machine 100. The temporary assembly work at the work stage 101 and the loading work into the vibration welding machine 100 are performed manually or by a robot.

[0023] In the vibration welding machine 100, as shown in FIGS. 6 to 8, the upper edge portion of the panel portion 21 of the outer member 20 is welded to the reinforcing portion 13 of the upper edge portion of the inner member 10, the left and right side edge portions of the panel portion 21 are welded to the reinforcing portions 14 of the left and right edge portions of the inner member 10, and the welding piece 28 of the outer member 20 is welded to the welding piece 18 of the inner member 10. At the same time, the shock absorbing member 30 is welded to the panel portion 21 of the outer member 20.

[0024] As described above, by connecting the front wall 12 of the inner member 10 and the panel portion 21 of the outer member 20 by vibration welding, a combined body 50 having a housing space 51 is formed, and the shock absorbing member 30 is housed in this housing space 51.

[0025] <Mixed-flow production of glove boxes> Next, a method for mixed-flow production of glove boxes 1 of a plurality of specifications using a common vibration welding machine 100 (production equipment) will be described. In the present embodiment, among the glove boxes 1 of a plurality of different specifications, the inner member 10 and the outer member 20 have a common shape and structure, and only the shock absorbing member 30 has a different shape and structure. In the present embodiment, glove boxes 1 of three specifications are produced in a mixed flow, and three different shock absorbing members 30A, 30B, and 30C shown in FIGS. 10(A) to 10(B) are assembled for each specification.

[0026] Since the shock absorbing member 30A has the same shape as the shock absorbing member 30 described above, the description thereof will be omitted. The shock absorbing member 30B has the same outer shape as the shock absorbing member 30A and has the notch 35 and the temporary fixing holes 35 and 36, but has a flat plate shape instead of the lattice-like ribs in a part of the region. The shock absorbing member 30C has a shape in which the lower part of the shock absorbing member 30B is omitted. In the following description, when the shock absorbing members are collectively referred to, the symbol "30" is used.

[0027] <Prevention of misassembly in mixed-flow production> In order to eliminate the possibility of misassembling a shock absorbing member 30 different from the regular shock absorbing member 30 corresponding to the specification of the glove box 1 scheduled for production, the following measures are taken in the present embodiment. (1) The three shock-absorbing members 30A, 30B, and 30C are molded in different colors from each other. In this embodiment, the colors of these shock-absorbing members 30A, 30B, and 30C are also different from the colors of the inner member 10 and the outer member 20 (for example, black). (2) As shown in FIGS. 4, 5, and 7, an inspection window 55 is formed in the combined body 50. This inspection window 55 is formed between a pair of convex portions 17 of the inner member 10, between the lower edge portion of the front wall 12 of the inner member 10 and the lower edge portion of the panel portion 21 of the outer member 20, and is continuous with the accommodation space 51. (3) As shown in FIG. 9, a color sensor 102 is installed at a predetermined position of the work stage 101, for example, above.

[0028] The inner member 10, the outer member 20, and the shock-absorbing member 30 are supplied to the work stage 101 according to the specifications of the production plan. However, depending on the color of the shock-absorbing member 30, it is possible to easily identify whether it is a regular shock-absorbing member 30 corresponding to the production plan specifications. As a result, the regular shock-absorbing member 30 of the color corresponding to the production plan specifications can be surely assembled to the inner member 10 and the outer member 20.

[0029] In this embodiment, it is also possible to identify whether the shock-absorbing member 30 is a regular one by the color sensor 102 that detects the color of the shock-absorbing member 30. For example, when the shock-absorbing member 30 is temporarily fixed to the inner member 10 and placed at a predetermined position of the work stage 101, the color of the shock-absorbing member 30 is detected by the color sensor 102. The color information detected by this color sensor 102 is sent to the control unit and compared with the color information corresponding to the production plan specifications. If the colors match, it is determined that it is a regular shock-absorbing member 30, and if the colors do not match, it is determined that it is different from the regular shock-absorbing member 30, and for example, an alarm is used to notify.

[0030] After the production of the glove box 1 is completed, for example, at the stages of storage, transportation, and installation on the instrument panel 2, it is possible to confirm whether the regular shock-absorbing member 30 is incorporated through the inspection window 55.

[0031] When either of the shock-absorbing members 30A or 30B is incorporated, as shown in Fig. 6, since the lower end portion thereof is located in the vicinity of the inspection window 55, its color can be visually recognized from the outside, and it is possible to confirm whether it is a genuine product. Since the color is different from that of the inner member 10 and the outer member 20, the confirmation work is even easier.

[0032] When the shock-absorbing member 30C is incorporated, the shock-absorbing member 30C is away from the inspection window 55 and cannot be visually recognized from the inspection window 55. By being unable to be visually recognized in this way, it is possible to confirm that the shock-absorbing member 30C is incorporated. In addition, the confirmation work at the inspection window 55 described above may be performed by an operator, or may be performed by a color sensor in the same manner as the work stage 101.

[0033] The produced glove box 1 is detachably attached to the instrument panel 2 by a rotating shaft 3 (shown only in Fig. 6) inserted through the bearing portion 22. In this attached state. Since the inspection window 55 is located at the lower edge portion of the glove box 1, it is hidden from the passenger compartment. More specifically, it is hidden from the line of sight of a passenger sitting on the seat. Therefore, the appearance of the glove box 1 is not damaged.

[0034] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various aspects are possible. For example, it can also be applied to the mixed-flow production of vehicle interior parts other than glove boxes. The assembly of the first and second members and the built-in member may use connection means other than welding, such as screws. In all specifications of vehicle interior parts, the built-in member may be arranged so as to be visually recognized from the inspection window.

Industrial Applicability

[0035] The present invention can be applied to the production of vehicle interior parts having a built-in member.

Explanation of Signs

[0036] 1 Glove box (vehicle interior part) 10 Inner member (first member) 11 Box part 12 Front wall 20 Outer member (second member) 21 Panel part 30, 30A, 30B, 30C Shock-absorbing member (built-in member) 50 Combined body 51 Accommodation space 55 Inspection window

Claims

1. A combined body formed by connecting a first member and a second member to each other and having an accommodation space, and a built-in member disposed in the accommodation space. In a method of mixed-flow production of vehicle interior parts of at least a plurality of different specifications, the colors of the built-in members of the vehicle interior parts of the plurality of specifications are made different from each other. When assembling the vehicle interior parts of the specification scheduled for production, the vehicle interior parts are assembled using the built-in member of the color corresponding to the specification, furthermore, an inspection window connected to the accommodation space is formed in the combined body, and in at least two of the plurality of specifications of vehicle interior parts, a part of the built-in member is arranged so as to be observable from the inspection window. A method for producing a vehicle interior part, characterized in that.

2. The method for producing a vehicle interior part according to claim 1, characterized in that the colors of the built-in members of the vehicle interior parts of the plurality of specifications are different from those of the first and second members.

3. The method for producing a vehicle interior part according to claim 1, characterized in that the built-in member of one of the plurality of specifications of vehicle interior parts is arranged at a position away from the inspection window and not observable from the inspection window.

4. The method for producing a vehicle interior part according to claim 1, characterized in that the inspection window is formed at a position hidden from the passenger compartment side when the vehicle interior part is installed in a vehicle.

5. The vehicle interior part is a glove box, the first member is an inner member having a box part and a front wall, the second member is a panel-shaped outer member covering the front wall of the inner member, and the accommodation space is formed between the front wall and the outer member, and the inspection window is formed between the lower edge of the front wall and the lower edge of the outer member. The method for producing a vehicle interior part according to claim 1, characterized in that.

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