Vehicle glove box structure

Abstract

To provide a vehicle glove box structure which enables improvement of workability of maintenance while inhibiting a stored object from contacting with a vehicle body side component with a simple structure.SOLUTION: A vehicle glove box structure includes: a glove box 1 attached to a glove box opening 2A formed at an instrument panel 2 supported by a steering support member 3 in an openable and closable manner; and a cover member 4 disposed above the glove box 1 within the instrument panel 2. At a rear part of a rear stay 32 extending from a pipe-like member 31 of the steering support member 3, an extending part 32B extending downward from a joint part 32A of the instrument panel 2 is formed. A striker 33 is fixed to a lower end portion of the extending part 32B. The cover member 4 has a stay opening 41 corresponding to the rear stay 32 and the extending part 32B is inserted into the stay opening 41.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a glove box structure for a vehicle. [Background technology]

[0002] A glove box for storing small items is provided in an instrument panel located at the front of a passenger compartment of a vehicle such as an automobile. Patent Document 1, for example, discloses a conventional structure for such a vehicle glove box, which includes an outer case disposed within the vehicle's instrument panel, a glove box lid that opens and closes an opening of the outer case, an inner case housed in the outer case so as to be retractable, and an interlocking mechanism that interlocks with the opening and closing operation of the glove box lid. In this glove box structure, when the glove box lid is opened or closed, the inner case slides along the back surface of the glove box lid via the interlocking mechanism, and the inner case can be inserted or removed from the outer case by utilizing the opening and closing force of the glove box lid.

[0003] Patent Document 2 discloses a vehicle accessory storage structure in which a drawer-type tray consisting of a guide member and a tray is arranged between the glove box and the upper surface of the instrument panel at a height position where the instrument panel bulges most toward the occupant. The drawer-type tray in this accessory storage structure is arranged below the instrument panel member, tilting forward and downward, and the guide member is engaged with a bracket connected to the instrument panel member and an instrument panel opening with which the drawer-type tray engages. The bracket extends rearward, and its rear end is fixed to the lower inside of the instrument panel opening, and a striker is attached to engage with a hook member of the glove box lid. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-306134 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-324668 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, with the glove box structure disclosed in Patent Document 1, in which the inner case is covered by the outer case, replacing a lamp or other component located within the instrument panel requires removing not only the glove box lid and inner case but also the entire glove box, including the outer case, from the instrument panel, resulting in a complex replacement process. Furthermore, the glove box structure of Patent Document 1 is designed so that the glove box lid is not fixed to a vehicle body component such as a stay. Therefore, it is necessary to increase the rigidity of the entire glove box to prevent the glove box lid from opening or closing unintentionally, which results in a complex glove box structure.

[0006] In the structure around the glove box as disclosed in Patent Document 2, the bracket (stay) connected to the instrument panel member, which is a vehicle body part, is located above the storage space of the glove box and is exposed to the storage space, so there is a possibility that items stored in the glove box may come into contact with the bracket and be damaged due to shaking while driving, etc.

[0007] The present invention has been made with the above points in mind, and aims to provide a glove box structure for a vehicle that has a simple structure that can reduce contact of stored items with vehicle body parts while improving maintenance workability. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] To achieve the above object, one aspect of the present invention provides a glove box structure for a vehicle, including a glove box opening formed in an instrument panel supported by a steering support member of a vehicle, and a glove box attached to the glove box opening in an openable manner and positioned within the instrument panel when the glove box opening is closed to form an upwardly open storage space. This glove box structure for a vehicle also includes a cover member disposed above the glove box within the instrument panel. The steering support member includes a pipe-shaped member extending in the vehicle width direction and a rear stay extending rearward from the pipe-shaped member, the rear portion of the rear stay having a joint to which the instrument panel is joined and an extension portion extending downward from the joint, and a striker to which the glove box is detachably connected is fixed at the lower end of the extension portion. The cover member has a stay opening formed at a position corresponding to the rear stay, and the extension portion is inserted into the stay opening. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the glove box structure for a vehicle according to the present invention, the simple structure can prevent stored items from coming into contact with vehicle body components, while improving the ease of maintenance work. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a glove box structure for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a state in which a glove box is removed in FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the cover member in the embodiment, seen from above and diagonally rearward. [Figure 5] 5 is an enlarged perspective view of the X portion of FIG. 4, seen obliquely from above. [Figure 6]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the periphery of a cover member fixed to a steering support member in the embodiment, as viewed from above diagonally rearward. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional side view taken along line BB in FIG. 6. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing the exterior of a glove box structure for a vehicle according to one embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing a state in which the glove box 1 in Fig. 1 has been removed. Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in Fig. 1. In each of the drawings described below, the arrow Fr direction indicates the front in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, the arrow U direction indicates the upward direction in the vertical direction of the vehicle, and the arrow R direction and the arrow L direction indicate the right and left when looking at the front of the vehicle from inside the vehicle cabin.

[0012] 1 to 3, a glove box 1 to which the structure according to this embodiment is applied is attached so as to be able to open and close to a glove box opening 2A formed in an instrument panel 2 of a vehicle such as an automobile. The glove box 1 is a member made of resin, and has a main body 11 and a lid 12.

[0013] The main body 11 forms a box-shaped storage space 1A that is open upward, and has a generally triangular shape in a side view that widens upward from a bottom portion located under the vehicle (FIG. 3). Two fitting portions (not shown) are integrally formed at the bottom portion of the main body 11 and spaced apart in the vehicle width direction. Each fitting portion fits into two shaft portions 2B (FIG. 2) that are spaced apart in the vehicle width direction below the glove box opening 2A. The glove box 1 is opened and closed by rotating the fitting portions about the shaft portions 2B.

[0014] The lid 12 is provided on the rear wall of the main body 11, located at the rear of the vehicle. The surface of the lid 12 facing the interior of the vehicle (rear surface) is the design surface of the glove box 1, and a locking unit 13 is provided near the upper center of this design surface (FIGS. 1 and 3). The locking unit 13 has a locking mechanism 13A and an unlocking knob 13B, which are attached in a state where they fit into a recessed portion 12A of the lid 12. The recessed portion 12A is formed so that the design surface of the lid 12 is recessed forward. The locking mechanism 13A engages with a striker 33, which will be described later, to lock the glove box 1 in a closed state. The unlocking knob 13B is connected to the locking mechanism 13A, and the occupant can unlock the glove box 1 by operating the unlocking knob 13B.

[0015] The instrument panel 2 is a resin member located at the front of the vehicle interior, facing the driver's seat and passenger seat (not shown). In this embodiment, the instrument panel 2 has an upper panel 21 (FIG. 3) and a lower panel 22 (FIGS. 1 to 3), and the lower end of the upper panel 21 and the upper end of the lower panel 22 are covered from the inside of the vehicle interior by a garnish 23 (FIG. 3). A substantially rectangular glove box opening 2A is formed on the passenger seat side of the lower panel 22. That is, the glove box opening 2A is located at the bottom of the passenger seat side of the instrument panel 2. Note that FIGS. 1 and 2 show the lower panel 22 located on the passenger seat side of the instrument panel 2 and the garnish 23 covering its upper portion.

[0016] A steering support member 3 and a cover member 4 are arranged inside the passenger-side instrument panel 2 (the space outside the vehicle compartment) (FIGS. 2 and 3). The steering support member 3 is a vehicle body component made of a highly rigid metal, and includes a single pipe-shaped member 31 extending in the vehicle width direction and a rear stay 32 extending rearward from the pipe-shaped member 31.

[0017] The pipe-shaped member 31 is disposed forward of the glove box opening 2A of the instrument panel 2. Both ends of the pipe-shaped member 31 in the vehicle width direction are fixed to dash side panels (not shown) that constitute the sides of the vehicle body. The front end of a rear stay 32 is fixed by welding or the like to a portion of the pipe-shaped member 31 in the longitudinal direction that corresponds to the center of the glove box opening 2A in the vehicle width direction (FIG. 3). In addition, the front end of a cover member 4 is fixed by clips, bolts, or the like to both the left and right sides of the fixing point of the rear stay 32 in the longitudinal direction of the pipe-shaped member 31 (FIG. 2).

[0018] The rear stay 32 is a sheet metal part that extends rearward from a fixed point with the pipe-shaped member 31, then bends, and extends at an angle rearward as it heads downward (FIG. 3). To the front portion of the rear stay 32 (a portion forward of the bend), a middle portion of the cover member 4 in the longitudinal direction is fixed with clips, bolts, etc., and a harness 5 routed within the instrument panel 2 is also fixed. In addition, the rear portion of the rear stay 32 (a portion rearward (lower) of the bend) is formed with a joint 32A to which the lower panel 22 of the instrument panel 2 is joined, and an extension 32B that extends diagonally rearward and downward from the joint 32A.

[0019] The striker 33, cushion rubber 34, and other components are fixed to the tip end of the extension 32B (the rear end of the rear stay 32) (FIGS. 2 and 3). The striker 33 has a generally U-shaped configuration and protrudes diagonally rearward and downward from the lower tip end of the extension 32B. A locking mechanism 13A of the locking unit 13 provided in the glove compartment 1 is detachably connected to the striker 33. The cushion rubber 34 has a convex shape that protrudes from the upper tip end of the extension 32B toward the interior of the vehicle. When the glove compartment 1 is closed, the cushion rubber 34 is pressed against the center of the upper end of the glove compartment 1 and elastically deforms, thereby absorbing and reducing the impact force transmitted from the glove compartment 1 to the instrument panel 2.

[0020] The cover member 4 is disposed above the glove box 1 within the instrument panel 2 (FIG. 2). In a closed state (FIG. 1) in which the glove box opening 2A of the instrument panel 2 is closed by the lid 12 of the glove box 1, the cover member 4 is arranged to cover the upper opening portion of the main body 11 of the glove box 1 (FIG. 3).

[0021] Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the cover member 4 in this embodiment, as seen from above and diagonally rearward, and Fig. 5 is an enlarged perspective view of the X portion of Fig. 4, as seen from above and diagonally lateralward. As shown in FIG. 4, the cover member 4 is a resin member molded into a plate shape that is gently curved upward and has a substantially rectangular shape in a plan view. Specifically, the front edge of the cover member 4 extends in the longitudinal direction (vehicle width direction) of the pipe-shaped member 31 of the steering support member 3 and is disposed between the lower end of the pipe-shaped member 31 and the upper end of the front wall of the main body 11 of the glove box 1 in the closed state (FIGS. 2 and 3). The right and left edges of the cover member 4 extend in the longitudinal direction while gently curving and are disposed adjacent to the upper end of the right and left walls of the main body 11 of the glove box 1 in the closed state. The rear edge of the cover member 4 extends in the vehicle width direction and is disposed adjacent to the upper edge of the glove box opening 2A of the instrument panel 2.

[0022] The cover member 4 has a stay opening 41 formed at a position corresponding to the rear stay 32 of the steering support member 3 (FIGS. 2 to 4). In this embodiment, the stay opening 41, which has a substantially rectangular shape in a plan view, is formed in the rear center of the cover member 4 in the vehicle width direction (FIG. 4). The extension portion 32B of the rear stay 32 is inserted into the inside of the stay opening 41 (FIGS. 2 and 3). As a result, the front portion, bent portion, and joint portion 32A of the rear stay 32 are arranged on the upper surface 4A side of the cover member 4 within the instrument panel 2, and the striker 33, cushion rubber 34, and the like, which are fixed to the tip portion of the extension portion 32B of the rear stay 32, are arranged on the lower surface 4B side of the cover member 4.

[0023] The stay opening 41 in this embodiment has a front wall portion 41A that protrudes downward from the center rear portion in the vehicle width direction of the curved lower surface 4B of the cover member 4, and side wall portions 41B that are connected to both left and right ends of the front wall portion 41A. The lower ends of the front wall portion 41A and the left and right side wall portions 41B respectively form the front edge and both left and right edges of the stay opening 41. In other words, the stay opening 41 of the cover member 4 is formed in a generally rectangular tube shape that extends downward away from the lower surface 4B of the cover member 4 as it extends forward.

[0024] The cover member 4 also has a first fixing portion 42 and a second fixing portion 43 that are fixed to the steering support member 3 (FIGS. 2 to 4). The first fixing portions 42 are formed in a convex shape that protrudes upward from respective portions located on both the left and right sides of the front portion of the upper surface 4A of the cover member 4 (FIG. 4), and the apex of each convex shape is fixed to the pipe-shaped member 31 of the steering support member 3 by clips, bolts, or the like (FIG. 2). The second fixing portion 43 is formed in a convex shape that protrudes upward from a portion located midway in the front-rear direction and in the center in the vehicle width direction on the upper surface 4A of the cover member 4 (FIG. 4), and the apex of the convex shape is fixed to the rear stay 32 of the steering support member 3 by clips, bolts, or the like (FIG. 3). As described above, the cover member 4 is fixed to the steering support member 3, which is a highly rigid vehicle body component, at a total of three locations: two locations on the first fixing portions 42 and one location on the second fixing portion 43.

[0025] Furthermore, the cover member 4 has a plurality of engagement claws 44 that engage with the instrument panel 2. In this embodiment, four engagement claws 44 are provided at intervals in the vehicle width direction on the rear portion of the upper surface 4A of the cover member 4. Each engagement claw 44 is formed at the tip of a convex base portion 44A that extends obliquely rearward as it extends upward from the upper surface 4A of the cover member 4. Each engagement claw 44 is configured to detachably engage with a respective engagement hole (not shown) formed in a portion of the instrument panel 2 (lower panel 22) located above the glove box opening 2A.

[0026] In addition to the engaging claws 44, the upper surface 4A of the cover member 4 is formed with multiple vertical ribs 45 that protrude upward and extend in the front-rear direction (FIG. 4). Here, the vertical ribs 45 are provided at three locations on the upper surface 4A of the cover member 4: the center in the vehicle width direction and on both the left and right sides. The central vertical rib 45 extends in the front-rear direction along the curved shape of the upper surface 4A from the base end of the convex shape of the second fixing portion 43 to the front end of the cover member 4. The right vertical rib 45 extends in the front-rear direction along the curved shape of the upper surface 4A from the base end of the convex shape of the right first fixing portion 42 to the rear end of the cover member 4. The left vertical rib 45 extends in the front-rear direction along the curved shape of the upper surface 4A from the base end of the convex shape of the left first fixing portion 42 to the base end of the base portion 44A of the left outer engaging claw 44. These vertical ribs 45 suppress out-of-plane deformation of the upper surface 4A of the cover member 4. However, each vertical rib 45 is formed with a deformation starting point 45A where the height H from the upper surface 4A of the cover member 4 is relatively low (FIGS. 4 and 5).

[0027] Specifically, as shown in the enlarged view of Fig. 5, the height H=H2 of the vertical rib 45 at the deformation starting point 45A is lower than the height H=H1 of the vertical rib 45 at other portions (H1>H2). Each deformation starting point 45A is located near the upper end of the inclined surface 4C, where the angle of inclination downward toward the front increases relatively, at the front of the upper surface 4A of the cover member 4 (Fig. 4). In this arrangement, the deformation starting points 45A of the three vertical ribs 45 are aligned in the vehicle width direction (left-right direction). This allows the cover member 4 to elastically deform in the up-down direction, starting from the vehicle width direction axis connecting the deformation starting points 45A.

[0028] The cover member 4 also has a lamp opening 46 corresponding to the lamp 6 that illuminates the storage space 1A of the glove box 1 (FIGS. 2 and 4). The lamp 6 is disposed above the glove box 1 and the cover member 4 within the instrument panel 2. The lamp opening 46 is formed in the cover member 4 at a position corresponding to the lamp 6 and has a generally rectangular shape in a plan view. In this embodiment, the lamp opening 46 is disposed between the second fixing portion 43 and the engaging claw 44 in the front-rear direction of the cover member 4, and is disposed close to the left wall 41B of the stay opening 41 in the vehicle width direction. In this arrangement, light from the lamp 6, which is illuminated by power supplied from the harness 5, passes through the lamp opening 46 and is irradiated into the storage space 1A of the glove box 1.

[0029] Next, the fixed state of the steering support member 3 and the cover member 4 in this embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 6 is a perspective view of the periphery of the cover member 4 fixed to the steering support member 3, as seen from above and diagonally rearward. Also, FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional side view taken along line BB in FIG.

[0030] As described above, in the glove box structure for a vehicle of this embodiment, the cover member 4 that covers the upper part of the storage space 1A of the glove box 1 is fixed to the pipe-shaped member 31 and the rear stay 32 of the steering support member 3. When assembling the cover member 4 to the steering support member 3, first, the lamp 6 is attached near the lamp opening 46 on the upper surface 4A of the cover member 4, and the harness 5 is connected to the lamp 6. Note that the lamp 6 is not shown in FIG. 6.

[0031] Then, the extension portion 32B of the rear stay 32 is inserted into the stay opening 41 of the cover member 4 from the upper surface 4A side to the lower surface 4B side of the cover member 4. At this time, the position of the cover member 4 is adjusted so that the left and right first fixing portions 42 formed in the front portion of the cover member 4 abut against the pipe-shaped member 31, and the second fixing portion 43 formed in the center portion of the cover member 4 abuts against the rear stay 32. Once the position of the cover member 4 is determined, the cover member 4 is fixed to the steering support member 3 using clips, bolts, etc.

[0032] 6 and 7, the top of the convex shape of the first fixing portion 42 of the cover member 4 is fixed to the lower part of the outer diameter surface of the pipe-shaped member 31 of the steering support member 3 using a clip 42A (FIG. 7). At this time, the head portion of the clip 42A fits inside the convex shape of the first fixing portion 42, thereby preventing contact with items stored in the glove box 1.

[0033] Furthermore, the top of the convex shape of the second fixing portion 43 of the cover member 4 is fixed to the underside of the front portion of the rear stay 32 of the steering support member 3, which extends in the front-rear direction, using a bolt 43A (FIGS. 6 and 7). At this time, similar to the clip 42A, the head portion of the bolt 43A also fits inside the convex shape of the second fixing portion 43, thereby preventing contact with items stored in the glove box 1. In the example of FIGS. 6 and 7, the central portion of the front portion of the rear stay 32 in the vehicle width direction is formed into a concave shape that is recessed upward, and the convex portion of the second fixing portion 43 of the cover member 4 is arranged so that it fits inside this concave portion. Due to the concave-convex shape of the front portion of the rear stay 32 and the second fixing portion 43 of the cover member 4, a sufficient size can be ensured as the storage space 1A of the glove box 1 even when the cover member 4 is provided.

[0034] With the first fixing portion 42 and the second fixing portion 43 of the cover member 4 fixed to the pipe-shaped member 31 and the rear stay 32 of the steering support member 3, respectively, the engagement claws 44 formed on the rear portion of the cover member 4 engage with the engagement holes formed in the instrument panel 2 (lower panel 22), which is not shown in Figures 6 and 7. That is, in the front-to-rear direction, the cover member 4 is fixed to the pipe-shaped member 31 at two locations on the front side, fixed to the rear stay 32 at one location on the center side, and engaged with the instrument panel 2 at four locations on the rear side. The instrument panel 2 is fixed to the steering support member 3 at multiple locations, including the joint portion 32A of the rear stay 32, using bolts or the like.

[0035] When the cover member 4 is attached to the steering support member 3 and the instrument panel 2 as described above, the fitting portion provided on the bottom of the glove compartment 1 fits onto the shaft portion 2B provided below the glove compartment opening 2A of the instrument panel 2. This allows the glove compartment 1 to be attached to the glove compartment opening 2A in an openable and closable manner. When the glove compartment 1 is closed, the locking mechanism 13A provided on the lid portion 12 of the glove compartment 1 engages with the striker 33 provided on the rear stay 32 of the steering support member 3, which has high rigidity. This ensures that the glove compartment 1 is securely locked in the closed position.

[0036] Even if items stored in the storage space 1A of the glove box 1 move around within the storage space 1A due to vibrations while the vehicle is traveling, the cover member 4 fixed to the highly rigid steering support member 3 prevents the stored items from coming into contact with the pipe-shaped member 31 and rear stay 32 of the steering support member 3, as well as the harness 5, lamp 6, and other components provided in the instrument panel 2. This prevents damage to the stored items in the glove box 1 and also keeps the harness 5, lamp 6, and other components in their predetermined positions within the instrument panel 2. Furthermore, the provision of the cover member 4 also makes it possible to prevent occupants from touching the edge of the rear stay 32, which is a sheet metal component, when storing or retrieving items in or from the glove box 1.

[0037] The glove box 1 attached to the glove box opening 2A of the instrument panel 2 as described above is removed from the glove box opening 2A by an operator when replacing a lamp 6 or the like provided inside the instrument panel 2. Then, the operator removes the bolt 43A that secures the second fixing portion 43 of the cover member 4 to the rear stay 32, and then pulls the rear portion of the cover member 4 diagonally downward and forward (arrow F in FIG. 7 ) using the first fixing portion 42 of the cover member 4 as a fulcrum, thereby disengaging the engagement claws 44 from the engagement holes. At this time, because the engagement claws 44 are formed to be inclined upward and rearward, the operator can easily remove the engagement claws 44.

[0038] Once the engaging claws 44 are disengaged from the engaging holes, the worker pushes the rear portion of the cover member 4 further downward. This causes the cover member 4 to elastically deform starting from the deformation starting point 45A of each vertical rib 45, forming a gap between the instrument panel 2 and the cover member 4. Using this gap, the worker can access the lamp 6 and the like inside the instrument panel 2 to perform the replacement work. Of course, the worker can also remove not only the second fixing portion 43 and each engaging claw 44 of the cover member 4, but also the clip 42A that fixes the first fixing portion 42 to the pipe-shaped member 31, and completely remove the cover member 4 before performing the replacement work.

[0039] As described above, in the glove box structure for a vehicle of this embodiment, the cover member 4 arranged above the glove box 1 within the instrument panel 2 has a stay opening 41 formed at a position corresponding to the rear stay 32 of the steering support member 3, and the extension portion 32B of the rear stay 32 is inserted into the stay opening 41, and the striker 33 to which the glove box 1 is detachably connected is fixed to the lower end (tip) portion of the extension portion 32B.

[0040] With this structure, the cover member 4 can be provided on the steering support member 3 while ensuring sufficient storage space 1A of the glove box 1, preventing damage to items stored in the glove box 1 and preventing an occupant from coming into contact with the edge of the rear stay 32. Furthermore, when the glove box 1 is closed, the locking mechanism 13A of the glove box 1 engages with the striker 33 provided on the highly rigid rear stay 32, thereby reliably locking the glove box 1 with a simple structure. Furthermore, even if the steering support member 3 is pushed rearward in the event of a frontal collision of the vehicle, the rear stay 32 and the cover member 4 are prevented from moving rearward, thereby protecting the occupant on the passenger seat.

[0041] In the glove box structure for a vehicle according to the present embodiment, a first fixing portion 42 formed in a convex shape and projecting upward from the front portion of the upper surface 4A of the cover member 4 is fixed to the pipe-shaped member 31 of the steering support member 3, and a second fixing portion 43 formed in a convex shape and projecting upward from a middle portion of the upper surface 4A of the cover member 4 in the fore-aft direction is fixed to the rear stay 32 of the steering support member 3. With this structure, the cover member 4 is fixed to the pipe-shaped member 31 and the rear stay 32 of the steering support member 3, which are highly rigid vehicle body components. Therefore, even if items stored in the glove box 1 come into contact with the cover member 4, the cover member 4 is unlikely to come off or deform. In addition, because the first fixing portion 42 and the second fixing portion 43 are formed in a convex shape and the heads of clips, bolts, and the like used to fasten the cover member to the steering support member 3 are recessed inside the convex shape, the heads do not come into contact with the stored items, thereby reliably preventing damage to the stored items.

[0042] In the glove box structure for a vehicle according to the present embodiment, the cover member 4 has an engaging claw 44 that extends obliquely rearward from the rear portion of the upper surface 4A thereof and engages with the instrument panel 2. The cover member 4 also has a vertical rib 45 that protrudes upward from the upper surface 4A thereof and extends in the front-to-rear direction. The vertical rib 45 has a deformation starting point 45A that is relatively low in height from the upper surface 4A of the cover member 4. With this structure, the engaging claw 44 of the cover member 4 can be easily removed from the instrument panel 2 by pulling the rear portion of the cover member 4 diagonally downward and forward with the second fixing portion 43 of the cover member 4 removed from the rear stay 32. Furthermore, a gap can be formed between the instrument panel 2 and the cover member 4 by pushing the rear portion of the cover member 4 downward and elastically deforming the cover member 4 at the deformation starting point 45A of the vertical rib 45. This allows efficient replacement of lamps 6 and other components in the instrument panel 2.

[0043] Furthermore, in the glove box structure for a vehicle according to this embodiment, the cover member 4 has a lamp opening 46, and light from the lamp 6 passes through the lamp opening 46 and is irradiated into the storage space 1A of the glove box 1. As a result, even if the cover member 4 is provided above the storage space 1A of the glove box 1, the light from the lamp 6 illuminates the storage space 1A, making stored items easier to see. In addition, the provision of the cover member 4 prevents items stored in the glove box 1 from coming into contact with the harness 5, lamp 6, and other components in the instrument panel 2 while the vehicle is traveling. This makes it possible to hold the harness 5, lamp 6, and other components in predetermined positions within the instrument panel 2.

[0044] Furthermore, in the vehicle glove box structure of this embodiment, the lamp opening 46 is disposed between the second fixing portion 43 and the engaging claw 44 in the front-rear direction of the cover member 4, and is disposed close to the side wall portion 41B of the stay opening 41 in the vehicle width direction. With this arrangement of the lamp opening 46 in the cover member 4, the side wall portion 41B of the stay opening 41 is located below the lamp opening 46, effectively preventing contact between items stored in the glove box 1 and the lamp 6, etc. In addition, since the lamp 6 is disposed behind the second fixing portion 43, which is a three-dimensionally shaped portion of the cover member 4, the lamp 6 can efficiently illuminate the storage space 1A of the glove box 1.

[0045] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications and changes are possible based on the technical concept of the present invention. For example, in the above-described embodiment, an example was described in which the cover member 4 is fixed to the pipe-shaped member 31 and the rear stay 32 of the steering support member 3, but the cover member 4 may be fixed to either the pipe-shaped member 31 or the rear stay 32, or to multiple different locations on the instrument panel 2.

[0046] In addition, in the above-described embodiment, an example has been shown in which one rear stay 32 corresponding to the glove box 1 extends rearward from the pipe-shaped member 31, but a plurality of rear stays may extend rearward from the pipe-shaped member 31 and the cover member 4 may be fixed across each of the rear stays. Furthermore, an example has been shown in which four engaging claws 44 and three vertical ribs 45 are formed on the upper surface 4A of the cover member 4, but the numbers of each of the engaging claws 44 and vertical ribs 45 can be determined appropriately depending on the size and shape of the cover member 4. [Explanation of symbols]

[0047] 1. Glove box 1A...Storage space 11...Main body 12...Lid 12A…Concave shaped part 13...Rock section 13A...locking mechanism 13B...Unlock knob 2...Instrument panel 2A...Glove box opening 21...Upper panel 22...Lower panel 23...Garnish 3...Steering support member 31...Pipe-shaped member 32...Rear stay 32A…Joint part 32B...Extension part 33...Strike 34...Cushion rubber 4...Cover member 4A…Top surface 4B…Bottom surface 41...Stay opening 41A…Front wall part 41B…Side wall part 42...First fixed part 42A...clip 43...Second fixed part 43A...Bolt 44...Engagement claw 44A...Base part 45...Vertical rib 45A...Deformation starting point 46...Lamp opening 5...Harness 6...Lamp H: Height of vertical rib

Claims

1. a glove box opening formed in an instrument panel supported by a steering support member of a vehicle; a glove box attached to the glove box opening in an openable and closable manner, the glove box being positioned within the instrument panel when the glove box opening is closed to form an upwardly open storage space, a cover member disposed above the glove box within the instrument panel; the steering support member has a pipe-shaped member extending in the vehicle width direction and a rear stay extending rearward from the pipe-shaped member, a joint portion to which the instrument panel is joined is formed at a rear portion of the rear stay, and an extension portion extending downward from the joint portion is formed, and a striker to which the glove box is detachably connected is fixed at a lower end portion of the extension portion, The cover member has a stay opening formed at a position corresponding to the rear stay, and the extension portion is inserted into the stay opening.

2. 2. The glove box structure for a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the cover member has a first fixing portion formed in a convex shape protruding upward from a front portion of the upper surface of the cover member and fixed to the pipe-shaped member, and a second fixing portion formed in a convex shape protruding upward from a middle portion of the upper surface of the cover member in the fore-and-aft direction and fixed to the rear stay.

3. The glove box structure for a vehicle as described in claim 2, characterized in that the cover member has an engaging claw that extends at a rearward incline as it moves upward from the rear portion of the upper surface of the cover member and engages with the instrument panel, and a vertical rib that protrudes upward from the upper surface of the cover member and extends in the fore-and-aft direction, and the vertical rib has a deformation starting point portion that is relatively low in height from the upper surface of the cover member, and the cover member is configured to be elastically deformable starting from the deformation starting point portion.

4. 2. The glove box structure for a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the cover member has a lamp opening formed at a position corresponding to a lamp located above the glove box in the instrument panel, and the cover member is configured so that light from the lamp passes through the lamp opening and is irradiated into the storage space.

5. the cover member has a first fixing portion formed in a convex shape protruding upward from a front portion of an upper surface of the cover member and fixed to the pipe-shaped member, a second fixing portion formed in a convex shape protruding upward from an intermediate portion of the upper surface of the cover member in the vehicle longitudinal direction and fixed to the rear stay, and an engaging claw extending obliquely rearward as it extends upward from the rear portion of the upper surface of the cover member and engages with the instrument panel, 5. The glove box structure for a vehicle according to claim 4, wherein the lamp opening is positioned between the second fixing portion and the engaging claw in the fore-and-aft direction of the cover member, and is positioned close to the side wall portion of the stay opening in the vehicle width direction.

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