Decorative panel mounting structure for vehicle interior material

Abstract

To provide a mounting structure for a decorative panel 4 to a decorative panel 3 in which the fixing strength can be increased by second fixing means F2 in a case where the fixing strength by first fixing means F1 is insufficient.SOLUTION: In a mounting structure for a decorative panel 4 to a decorative panel 3, on the rear side of which an airbag device 2 is disposed, the decorative panels 3 and 4 are formed of resin injection-molded articles. The decorative panel 4 is fixed to the decorative panel 3 by first fixing means F1 and can also be fixed to the decorative panel 3 by second fixing means F2. The second fixing means F2 includes: a boss portion 44 which is provided so as to protrude to the back side of the decorative panel 4 and has a tapping hole 46a; and a housing recess 34 which is formed in the decorative panel 3 and recessed in the protruding direction of the boss portion 44 to accommodate the boss portion 44. The housing recess 34 has a bottom wall portion 36 facing the tip of the boss portion 44. The protruding length of the boss portion 44 is set such that a clearance Cb is formed between the tip of the boss portion 44 and the bottom wall portion 36.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a structure for attaching a decorative panel to an interior trim material for a vehicle.

Background Art

[0002] A decorative panel may be attached to an interior trim material for a vehicle to enhance its decorativeness. As an interior trim material for a vehicle, an instrument panel is generally equipped with an airbag device for the passenger seat inside. When the airbag device for the passenger seat operates, the impact acts on the instrument panel, and there is a risk that the decorative panel may come off the instrument panel and scatter inside the vehicle cabin. For the safety of the passengers, it is required that the decorative panel be attached with sufficient fixing strength so as not to come off.

[0003] Patent Document 1 below discloses an attachment structure of a finisher (decorative panel) to an instrument panel (interior trim material for a vehicle). In this attachment structure, the finisher is fixed to the instrument panel by engaging an engagement piece on the back surface of the finisher with an engagement hole in the instrument panel as a fixing means.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] A test is conducted on whether a decorative panel attached to an interior trim material for a vehicle has the necessary fixing strength with respect to the interior trim material for a vehicle at the prototype stage. If the fixing strength is sufficient, it is commercialized. However, when the fixing strength is insufficient, the attachment structure of Patent Document 1 does not have other fixing means for increasing the fixing strength.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0006] The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and a decorative panel mounting structure for a vehicle interior material according to an aspect of the present invention is a decorative panel mounting structure for a vehicle interior material in which an airbag device is disposed on the back side, and the interior material and the decorative panel are made of resin injection molded products, the decorative panel is fixed to the interior material by a first fixing means and can be fixed to the interior material by a second fixing means, the second fixing means includes a boss portion provided in a protruding state on the back side of the decorative panel and having a tapping hole, and a housing recess formed in the interior material and recessed in the protruding direction of the boss portion to house the boss portion, and this housing recess has a bottom wall portion facing the tip of the boss portion, the protruding length of the boss portion is set so that a clearance is formed between the bottom wall portion and the tip of the boss portion.

[0007] According to the above configuration, a structure is provided that constitutes a second fixing means used when the fixing strength between the decorative panel and the interior material by the first fixing means is insufficient. When the fixing strength by the first fixing means is sufficient and the second fixing means is not used, a clearance is formed between the boss portion in the second fixing means and the bottom wall portion of the housing recess, thereby preventing the generation of abnormal noise during vehicle travel.

[0008] Preferably, the second fixing means has a tapping screw, and this tapping screw is screwed into the tapping hole of the boss portion from the back side of the bottom wall portion. According to the above configuration, when the fixing strength between the decorative panel and the interior material by the first fixing means is insufficient, the second fixing means is used, and the tapping screw penetrates the bottom wall portion of the housing recess and is screwed into the boss portion of the decorative panel, thereby increasing the fixing strength between the decorative panel and the interior material.

[0009] The decorative panel mounting structure for a vehicle interior material according to another aspect of the present invention is a decorative panel mounting structure for a vehicle interior material in which an airbag device is disposed on the back side, wherein the interior material and the decorative panel are made of resin injection molded products, the decorative panel is fixed to the interior material by a first fixing means and is also fixed to the interior material by a second fixing means that supplements the fixing strength by the first fixing means, the second fixing means includes a tapping screw, a boss portion provided in a protruding state on the back side of the decorative panel and having a tapping hole, and a receiving recess formed in the interior material and recessed in the protruding direction of the boss portion to receive the boss portion, and this receiving recess has a bottom wall portion facing the tip of the boss portion, a lower hole facing the tapping hole of the boss portion is formed in this bottom wall portion, the height of the boss portion is set so that the bottom wall portion and the tip of the boss portion are in contact with each other, and the tapping screw is screwed into the tapping hole of the boss portion through the lower hole from the back side of the bottom wall portion.

[0010] According to the above configuration, in the second fixing means that supplements the fixing strength by the first fixing means, since the tip of the boss portion abuts against the bottom wall portion and the lower hole is formed in the bottom wall portion, it is easy to screw in the tapping screw. In the molding of the decorative panel, since the boss portion can be molded by a cavity defined by the tip surface of the sleeve pin of the molding die, if the change in the height of the boss portion is dealt with by exchanging the sleeve pin, the molding period of the molding die for molding the boss portion with a changed height can be shortened. Also, in the molding of the interior material, if the change to the specification in which the lower hole is formed in the bottom wall portion is dealt with by exchanging the inserts of the molding die, the molding period of the molding die for forming the lower hole can be shortened.

Advantages of the Invention

[0011] According to the present invention, when the fixing strength by the first fixing means is insufficient, it is possible to provide a decorative panel mounting structure for a vehicle interior material that can increase the fixing strength by the second fixing means.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0012]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0013] Hereinafter, a decorative panel mounting structure for an interior material for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 9. This embodiment applies the present invention to a mounting structure between a decorative panel (interior material) attached to an instrument panel of a vehicle and another decorative panel.

[0014] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, in a vehicle such as an automobile, an instrument panel 1 (hereinafter abbreviated as an IP) is provided as an interior material at the front part of the passenger compartment. An airbag device 2 is provided in a storage space S on the back side of the passenger seat side of the IP 1, and a decorative panel 3 is attached as an interior material for enhancing decorativeness from the front side (passenger compartment side). In this embodiment, a decorative panel 4 is further attached as an interior material for enhancing decorativeness to the decorative panel 3 from the passenger compartment side. The decorative panel 4 is fixed to the decorative panel 3 by a first fixing means F1 and can be fixed by a second fixing means F2.

[0015] <Instrument Panel 1> The IP 1 has a shape that is long in the vehicle width direction and has a core material 10 formed by injection molding a relatively hard synthetic resin as shown in FIG. 2. A part of the surface of the core material 10 is covered with a laminated cushion material 10a and a skin 10b. The cushion material 10a is made of a foamed resin and is sandwiched between the core material 10 and the skin 10b. The skin 10b is made of synthetic resin and has a designed surface.

[0016] A mounting hole 11 penetrating the core material 10 is formed on the upper surface of the core material 10 of the IP 1 on the passenger seat side. An airbag lid 20 is attached to the mounting hole 11. The airbag lid 20 may be formed by injection molding the same synthetic resin as the core material 10 and integrally has a lid portion 21 and a frame portion 22. The surface of the lid portion 21 is covered with the cushion material 10a and the skin 10b that cover the surface of the core material 10 of the IP 1.

[0017] On the back surface of the lid portion 21, a groove-shaped weak portion 21a that breaks when the airbag device 2 operates is formed. The frame portion 22 protrudes from the back surface of the lid portion 21, and the portion surrounded by the lid portion 21 and the frame portion 22 is the accommodation space S for accommodating the airbag device 2. The airbag device 2 is locked to the frame portion 22 and fixed to the steering support member 5 via a bracket (not shown).

[0018] <Decorative panel 3> As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, in this embodiment, the decorative panel 3 is attached to the position of the instrument panel 1 facing the passenger seat. The decorative panel 3 has a main body portion 30 formed by injection molding a relatively rigid synthetic resin and having a shape extending long in the vehicle width direction. The surface of this main body portion 30 is covered with a soft skin 31.

[0019] The decorative panel 3 has a plurality of locking claws (not shown) on the back side of the main body portion 30. Corresponding to these locking claws, a plurality of locking holes (not shown) are formed in the core material 10 of the instrument panel 1. By locking each locking claw to each locking hole, the decorative panel 3 is fixed and attached to the core material 10 of the instrument panel 1.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 2, the decorative panel 3 has an anchor 32 protruding from the back surface of the main body portion 30. The anchor 32 is for preventing the decorative panel 3 from falling off the instrument panel 1, and has an insertion portion 32a provided integrally with the main body portion 30 and extending toward the instrument panel 1 side, and a hook portion 32b provided at the tip thereof.

[0021] When the decorative panel 3 is attached to the instrument panel 1, the insertion portion 32a and the hook portion 32b are inserted into an insertion hole 12 formed in the instrument panel 1. When the fixing of the decorative panel 3 and the instrument panel 1 is disengaged due to the impact during the operation of the airbag device 2, the hook portion 32b is caught by the peripheral edge portion of the insertion hole 12, thereby preventing the decorative panel 3 from falling off the instrument panel 1.

[0022] <Decorative panel 4> As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the decorative panel 4 is attached to the lower part of the decorative panel 3 in this embodiment and has a main body part 40 that extends long in the vehicle width direction. The main body part 40 is formed by injection molding a synthetic resin and may be formed of the same synthetic resin as the main body part 30 of the decorative panel 3.

[0023] <First fixing means F1> The first fixing means F1 for fixing the decorative panel 4 to the decorative panel 3 includes a locking hole 33 formed in the lower part of the main body part 30 of the decorative panel 3 shown in FIG. 1 and a locking claw 41 that the decorative panel 4 has on the back side of the main body part 40 shown in FIG. 3. In this embodiment, five (a plurality of) locking holes 33 are arranged at intervals in the vehicle width direction, and five locking claws 41 corresponding to the five locking holes 33 are arranged at intervals in the vehicle width direction on the back side of the main body part 40.

[0024] As shown in FIG. 3, the locking claw 41 of the decorative panel 4 has a mounting plate part 42 provided integrally with the main body part 40 and protruding toward the decorative panel 3, and a clip 43 attached to the tip of the mounting plate part 42. The clip 43 is made of synthetic resin or metal and has elasticity. The locking claw 41 may integrally form the mounting plate part 42 and the clip 43. When the clip 43 of the locking claw 41 is locked to the locking hole 33 (FIG. 1) of the decorative panel 3, the decorative panel 4 is fixed and attached to the decorative panel 3.

[0025] <Second fixing means F2> The second fixing means F2 is for complementing the fixing strength between the decorative panel 3 and the decorative panel 4 by the first fixing means F1, and is prepared in advance for the case where the fixing strength by the first fixing means F1 is insufficient. The second fixing means F2 can include a boss part 44 that the decorative panel 4 has on the back surface of the main body part 40 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a receiving recess 34 that the decorative panel 3 has shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, and a tapping screw 6 shown in FIG. 5.

[0026] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the boss portion 44 is disposed between the first and second locking claws 41, 41 from the left in the vehicle width direction in the main body portion 40 of the decorative panel 4. As shown in FIG. 4, the boss portion 44 is provided integrally with the main body portion 40 of the decorative panel 4 on the back surface of the main body portion 40 of the decorative panel 4 and protrudes toward the decorative panel 3, and has a base portion 45 on the proximal end side and a boss main body portion 46 on the distal end side. The base portion 45 is hollow and is formed larger than the boss main body portion 46 in the vertical direction. The boss main body portion 46 has a bottomed cylindrical shape, and a circular tapping hole 46a is formed inside.

[0027] As shown in FIG. 2, the accommodation recess 34 of the decorative panel 3 is provided integrally with the lower portion of the main body portion 30 of the decorative panel 3 and recessed in the protruding direction of the boss portion 44. As shown in FIG. 4, the accommodation recess 34 has a side wall portion 35 and a bottom wall portion 36, and is formed in a size capable of accommodating the boss main body portion 46. A clearance Ca is set between the boss main body portion 46 and the side wall portion 35, and a clearance Cb is set between the distal end of the boss main body portion 46 and the bottom wall portion 36.

[0028] In the second fixing means F2, as shown in FIG. 5, the decorative panel 3 and the decorative panel 4 can be fixed by screwing the tapping screw 6 into the bottom wall portion 36 and the tapping hole 46a from the back side of the decorative panel 3 as needed. When the fixing by the second fixing means F2 is not performed, due to the existence of the clearances Ca and Cb shown in FIG. 4, the boss main body portion 46 and the accommodation recess 34 are not in contact, so that the generation of abnormal noise during vehicle running can be prevented.

[0029] <Judgment on the use of the second fixing means F2> Regarding the attachment structure of the decorative panel 4 to the decorative panel 3 described above, at the stage of a prototype before productization, a test assuming the impact during the operation of the airbag device 2 is performed. In this test, when sufficient fixing strength is obtained by fixing the decorative panel 3 and the decorative panel 4 by the first fixing means F1, the prototype can be productized without fixing by the second fixing means F2.

[0030] In the above test, if sufficient fixing strength cannot be obtained by fixing the decorative panel 3 and the decorative panel 4 by the first fixing means F1, in the commercialized product, fixing by the second fixing means F2 will be performed as described above.

[0031] In the fixing by the second fixing means F2, as shown in FIG. 6, it is preferable for screwing the tapping screw 6 as shown in FIG. 7 that the tip of the boss main body portion 46 abuts on the bottom wall portion 36 and a lower hole 36a facing the tapping hole 46a of the boss main body portion 46 is formed in the bottom wall portion 36. Therefore, at the time of commercialization, the specifications of the decorative panels 3 and 4 may be changed so that the protruding length of the boss main body portion 46 is increased and the lower hole 36a is formed in the bottom wall portion 36.

[0032] <Injection molding die 7 for decorative panel 3> The decorative panel 3 having the above-described configuration can be molded using the injection molding die 7 shown in FIG. 8(A). The injection molding die 7 has a fixed die 71 and a movable die 72, and the main body portion 30 and the accommodation recess 34 of the decorative panel 3 are molded by a molding space 73 formed between the molding surface 71a of the fixed die 71 and the molding surface 72a of the movable die 72.

[0033] The movable die 72 is formed with a nest receiving portion 72b that opens to the molding surface 72a, and a nest 74 is removably accommodated in the nest receiving portion 72b. The bottom wall portion 36 of the accommodation recess 34 is molded by the upper end surface 74a of the nest 74 and the molding surface 71a of the fixed die 71 facing the upper end surface 74a.

[0034] When the second fixing means F2 is used for fixing the decorative panel 3 and the decorative panel 4, and a lower hole 36a is formed in the bottom wall portion 36 as shown in FIG. 6 to facilitate screwing of the tapping screw 6, in the injection molding die 7, instead of the nest 74, the nest 74A shown in FIG. 8(B) is used. The nest 74A has a columnar convex portion 74b (convex portion) on the upper end surface 74a. When the convex portion 74b is disposed in the molding space 73, the lower hole 36a is formed in the bottom wall portion 36.

[0035] In the injection mold 7 with the above-described configuration, it is possible to cope with a specification change of the decorative panel 3 that forms a blind hole 36a in the bottom wall portion 36 by replacing the insert. Therefore, it does not take time to finish the mold so that the redesigned decorative panel 3 is molded as designed, and the completion period is shortened.

[0036] <Injection Mold 8 for Decorative Panel 4> The decorative panel 4 with the above-described configuration can be molded using the injection mold 8 shown in Fig. 9(A). The injection mold 8 has a fixed mold 81 and a movable mold 82. The main body portion 40 and the boss portion 44 of the decorative panel 4 are molded by a molding space 83 formed between the molding surface 81a of the fixed mold 81 and the molding surface 82a of the movable mold 82.

[0037] In the movable mold 82, a boss portion forming cavity 83a is formed so as to open to the molding surface 82a, and a sleeve pin 84 is slidably inserted into the boss portion forming cavity 83a. A center pin 85 is slidably fitted to the inner circumference of the sleeve pin 84, and the center pin 85 protrudes into the boss portion forming cavity 83a from the upper end surface 84a of the sleeve pin 84. A slide block 86 is provided above the center pin 85.

[0038] In the injection mold 8 with the above-described configuration, the main body portion 40 of the decorative panel 4 is molded between the molding surface 81a of the fixed mold 81, the molding surface 82a of the movable mold 82, and the upper end surface 86a of the slide block 86. The base portion 45 integrated with the main body portion 40 is molded by the slide block 86 and the boss portion forming cavity 83a. The boss main body portion 46 integrated with the base portion 45 is molded by the upper end surface 84a of the sleeve pin 84 and the boss portion forming cavity 83a, and a tapping hole 46a is formed in the boss main body portion 46 by the center pin 85 protruding from the sleeve pin 84.

[0039] After forming the decorative panel 4 with the injection mold 8, the movable mold 82 is moved relative to the fixed mold 81, and the slide block 86 is slid in a direction intersecting the plane of FIG. 9(A). Thereafter, the sleeve pin 84 is pushed up toward the fixed mold 81 side, so that the boss portion 44 is withdrawn from the boss portion forming cavity 83a, and the decorative panel 4 is demolded.

[0040] This is a case where the second fixing means F2 is used to fix the decorative panel 3 and the decorative panel 4. In order to facilitate the screwing of the tapping screw 6, as shown in FIG. 6, when the protruding length of the boss main body portion 46 is increased so that the tip of the boss main body portion 46 abuts against the bottom wall portion 36, in the injection mold 8 described above, instead of the sleeve pin 84, a sleeve pin 84A shorter than the sleeve pin 84 shown in FIG. 9(B) is used. The upper end surface 84a of the sleeve pin 84A is arranged at a position deeper than the upper end surface 84a of the sleeve pin 84 with respect to the molding surface 82a within the boss forming cavity 83a. Thereby, the boss main body portion 46 having a long protruding length is formed.

[0041] In the injection mold 8 having the above-described configuration, it is possible to cope with a specification change of the decorative panel 4 such as increasing the protruding length of the boss main body portion 46 by replacing the sleeve pin. Therefore, it does not take time to finish the mold so that the decorative panel 4 with the specification change is molded as designed, and the production period is shortened.

[0042] <Effects of the Embodiment> According to the above-described embodiment, the structure constituting the second fixing means F2 is provided in advance in the decorative panels 3 and 4, and when the fixing strength between the decorative panel 3 and the decorative panel 4 by the first fixing means F1 is insufficient, the fixing strength can be increased by the second fixing means F2 including the screwing of the tapping screw 6. By setting clearances Ca and Cb between the boss main body portion 46 of the decorative panel 4 forming the second fixing means F2 and the housing recess 34 of the decorative panel 3, when the fixing strength by the first fixing means F1 is sufficient and the second fixing means F2 is not used, it is possible to prevent the generation of abnormal noise during vehicle travel. When the second fixing means F2 is used for fixing, in order to improve the workability of screwing in the tapping screw 6, the boss main body portion 46 of the decorative panel 4 is brought into contact with the bottom wall portion 36 of the decorative panel 3, and it is easy to change the specifications of the decorative panels 3 and 4 so that a pilot hole 36a is formed in the bottom wall portion 36. This is because the insert 74 of the injection mold 7 of the decorative panel 3 can be replaced with the insert 74A, and the sleeve pin 84 of the injection mold 8 of the decorative panel 4 can be replaced with the sleeve pin 84A. Consequently, the molding period of the injection molds 7 and 8 can be shortened.

[0043] <Modification Example> Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be appropriately changed without departing from the gist thereof. In the above embodiment, the attachment structure of the decorative panel 4 to the decorative panel 3 (interior material) has been described, but the present invention may be applied to a structure for attaching the decorative panel to the instrument panel or other structures for attaching to other interior materials. As the first fixing means F1 of the decorative panel 4 to the decorative panel 3, not only locking by the locking hole 33 and the locking claw 41, but also attachment using a double-sided tape or the like, adhesion using an adhesive or the like, welding or the like, or other fixing means may be used. A plurality of second fixing means may be provided at a plurality of locations.

Industrial Applicability

[0044] The present invention can be applied to a structure for attaching a decorative panel to an interior material for a vehicle.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0045] 1: Instrument panel, 10: Core material, 10a: Cushion material, 10b: Skin, 11: Mounting hole, 12: Insertion hole, 2: Airbag device, 20: Airbag lid, 21: Lid portion, 21a: Weak portion, 22: Frame portion, 3: Decorative panel (interior material for vehicle), 30: Main body portion, 31: Skin, 32: Anchor, 32a: Insertion portion, 32b: Hanging portion, 33: Locking hole (first fixing means), 34: Accommodating recess (second fixing means), 35: Side wall portion, 36: Bottom wall portion, 36a: Pilot hole, 4: Decorative panel, 40: Main body part, 41: Locking claw (first fixing means), 42: Mounting plate part, 43: Clip, 44: Boss part (second fixing means), 45: Base part, 46: Boss main body part, 46a: Tapping hole, 5: Steering support member, 6: Tapping screw (second fixing means), 7: Injection mold, 71: Fixed mold, 71a: Forming surface of fixed mold, 72: Movable mold, 72a: Forming surface of movable mold, 72b: Insert receiving part, 73: Forming space, 74, 74A: Insert, 74a: Upper end surface of insert, 74b: Convex part (convex shape) of insert, 8: Injection mold, 81: Fixed mold, 81a: Forming surface of fixed mold, 82: Movable mold, 82a: Forming surface of movable mold, 83: Forming space, 83a: Boss part forming cavity, 84, 84A: Sleeve pin, 84a: Upper end surface of sleeve pin, 85: Center pin, 86: Slide block, 86a: Upper end surface of slide block, S: Accommodation space of airbag device, F1: First fixing means, F2: Second fixing means, Ca, Cb: Clearance

Claims

1. A decorative panel mounting structure for a vehicle interior material in which an airbag device is disposed on the back side, wherein the interior material and the decorative panel are made of resin injection molded products, the decorative panel is fixed to the interior material by a first fixing means and can be fixed to the interior material by a second fixing means, the second fixing means includes a boss portion provided in a protruding state on the back side of the decorative panel and having a tapping hole, and a receiving recess formed in the interior material and recessed in the protruding direction of the boss portion to receive the boss portion, and this receiving recess has a bottom wall portion facing the tip of the boss portion, A decorative panel mounting structure for a vehicle interior material, characterized in that the protruding length of the boss portion is set so that a clearance is formed between the bottom wall portion and the tip of the boss portion.

2. The decorative panel mounting structure for a vehicle interior material according to claim 1, wherein the second fixing means has a tapping screw, and this tapping screw is screwed into the tapping hole of the boss portion from the back side of the bottom wall portion.

3. A decorative panel mounting structure for a vehicle interior material in which an airbag device is disposed on the back side, wherein the interior material and the decorative panel are made of resin injection molded products, the decorative panel is fixed to the interior material by a first fixing means and is also fixed to the interior material by a second fixing means that supplements the fixing strength by the first fixing means, the second fixing means includes a tapping screw, a boss portion provided in a protruding state on the back side of the decorative panel and having a tapping hole, and a receiving recess formed in the interior material and recessed in the protruding direction of the boss portion to receive the boss portion, and this receiving recess has a bottom wall portion facing the tip of the boss portion, a pilot hole facing the tapping hole of the boss portion is formed in this bottom wall portion, the height of the boss portion is set so that the bottom wall portion and the tip of the boss portion are in contact with each other, A decorative panel mounting structure for a vehicle interior material, characterized in that the tapping screw is screwed into the tapping hole of the boss portion through the pilot hole from the back side of the bottom wall portion.

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