Fitting structure of cover member

Abstract

To provide a fitting structure of a cover member which can reduce a gap between a cover member and a console member due to ornamental design.SOLUTION: A fitting structure 10 of a cover member 30 comprises: a support member 20 which is fixed to a ceiling member 18 of a vehicle 12; a console member 40 which is fixed to the ceiling member 18; and the cover member 30 in which one end part thereof in a vehicle longitudinal direction is supported by a glass member 14 partitioning the inside and outside of a vehicle and the other end part in the vehicle longitudinal direction is attached, while being disposed adjacent to the console member 40 in the vehicle longitudinal direction, to the support member 20 so that a contained object is accommodated between the glass member 14 and the cover member. An elastic member 16 is interposed between the other end part of the cover member 30 in the vehicle longitudinal direction and the support member 20.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a cover member mounting structure. [Background technology]

[0002] A mounting structure for an external detection sensor for a vehicle has been proposed in the past (see Patent Document 1), in which the front part of the sensor cover is engaged with the sensor bracket via a front engaging portion that restricts displacement of the sensor cover in the vehicle's vertical direction while allowing displacement of the sensor cover in the vehicle's fore-and-aft and width directions and rotation around an axis along the vehicle's width direction, and the rear part of the sensor cover is engaged with the console bracket of the overhead console via a rear engaging portion that restricts displacement of the sensor cover in the vehicle's vertical direction and fore-and-aft directions while allowing displacement of the sensor cover in the vehicle's width direction, and the rear part of the sensor cover is biased in the vehicle's width direction by a rear spring portion. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2022-155010 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, depending on how the sensor cover and overhead console are assembled, when viewed from the side in the vehicle width direction, gravity may apply a force to the rear side of the sensor cover toward the bottom of the vehicle, with the front side of the sensor cover as the rotation fulcrum, which could result in a design gap between the rear end of the sensor cover and the front end of the overhead console.

[0005] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a cover member mounting structure that can reduce the design gap that occurs between the cover member and the console member. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the mounting structure for a cover member of a first aspect of the present invention comprises a support member fixed to a ceiling member of a vehicle, a console member fixed to the ceiling member, and a cover member having one end in the vehicle longitudinal direction supported by a glass member that separates the interior and exterior of the vehicle and the other end in the vehicle longitudinal direction attached to the support member, positioned adjacent to the console member in the vehicle longitudinal direction, and accommodating items between the cover member and the glass member, and an elastic member is interposed between the other end in the vehicle longitudinal direction of the cover member and the support member.

[0007] According to the first aspect of the invention, a cover member for storing items between itself and a glass member that separates the interior and exterior of a vehicle has one end in the vehicle longitudinal direction supported by the glass member and the other end in the vehicle longitudinal direction attached to a support member fixed to a ceiling member of the vehicle. The cover member is disposed adjacent to a console member fixed to the ceiling member in the vehicle longitudinal direction.

[0008] Here, an elastic member is interposed between the other end of the cover member in the vehicle longitudinal direction and the support member. That is, the other end of the cover member in the vehicle longitudinal direction is biased toward the one end of the cover member in the vehicle longitudinal direction relative to the support member by the elastic restoring force of the elastic member. Therefore, compared to when an elastic member is not interposed between the other end of the cover member in the vehicle longitudinal direction and the support member, even if a force toward the vehicle downward due to gravity is applied to the other end of the cover member in the vehicle longitudinal direction around the one end of the cover member in the vehicle longitudinal direction as a rotation fulcrum, the movement toward the vehicle downward is suppressed. This reduces the design gap that occurs between the cover member and the console member.

[0009] In addition, a second aspect of the cover member mounting structure according to the present invention is the cover member mounting structure of the first aspect, wherein the other end of the cover member in the vehicle fore-and-aft direction has a fitting portion that fits into a hole formed in the support member.

[0010] According to the second aspect of the invention, the other end of the cover member in the vehicle longitudinal direction has a fitting portion that fits into the hole formed in the support member, so that the other end of the cover member in the vehicle longitudinal direction can be attached to the support member with high precision.

[0011] Furthermore, a third aspect of the cover member mounting structure according to the present invention is the cover member mounting structure of the second aspect, wherein the fitting portion is formed with a flange portion that faces the support member, and the elastic member is interposed between the flange portion and the support member.

[0012] According to the third aspect of the invention, a flange portion facing the support member is formed in a fitting portion of the other end of the cover member in the vehicle longitudinal direction, and the elastic member is interposed between the flange portion and the support member. Therefore, the other end of the cover member in the vehicle longitudinal direction is more effectively biased toward the one end of the support member in the vehicle longitudinal direction by the elastic restoring force of the elastic member, and movement toward the lower side of the vehicle is more effectively suppressed.

[0013] Furthermore, a fourth aspect of the cover member mounting structure according to the present invention is a cover member mounting structure of any one of the first to third aspects, in which the elastic member is made of a resin material that is softer than the support member.

[0014] According to the fourth aspect of the invention, the elastic member is made of a resin material that is softer than the support member, and therefore the other end of the cover member in the vehicle longitudinal direction is more effectively biased toward the one end of the cover member in the vehicle longitudinal direction relative to the support member, compared to when the elastic member is made of a resin material that is harder than the support member.

[0015] Furthermore, a fifth aspect of the cover member mounting structure according to the present invention is the cover member mounting structure of any one of the first to fourth aspects, in which the elastic member is a roof lining that forms the ceiling of the vehicle compartment.

[0016] According to the fifth aspect of the invention, the elastic member is a roof lining that forms part of the ceiling of the vehicle compartment, which reduces the number of parts and manufacturing costs compared to when the elastic member is provided separately from the roof lining.

[0017] In addition, a sixth aspect of the cover member mounting structure according to the present invention is a cover member mounting structure of any one of the first to fifth aspects, in which an extension portion that overlaps the end of the cover member is formed at the end of the console member on the cover member side.

[0018] According to the sixth aspect of the invention, an extension is formed on the end of the console member facing the cover member, overlapping the end of the cover member, thereby concealing any design gap that may occur between the cover member and the console member.

[0019] Furthermore, a seventh aspect of the cover member mounting structure according to the present invention is a cover member mounting structure of any one of the first to sixth aspects, wherein one end of the cover member in the vehicle longitudinal direction is supported on the glass member via a cover support portion, and the cover support portion is configured to allow movement of the cover member in the vehicle longitudinal direction and the vehicle width direction.

[0020] According to the seventh aspect of the invention, one end of the cover member in the vehicle longitudinal direction is attached to the glass member via a cover support portion. The cover support portion is configured to allow movement of the cover member in the vehicle longitudinal direction and the vehicle width direction. Therefore, when the cover member is assembled, dimensional tolerances of the cover member relative to the cover support portion can be absorbed. [Effects of the Invention]

[0021] As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to reduce the design gap that occurs between the cover member and the console member. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0022] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view showing the mounting structure of the cover member according to the embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view showing the mounting structure of the cover member according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] 1 is a schematic side cross-sectional view showing a mounting structure of a cover member according to the present embodiment. [Figure 4] 3 is a schematic side cross-sectional view showing an enlarged view of the mounting structure of the cover member according to the embodiment. FIG. [Figure 5] 1 is a schematic perspective view showing a mounting structure for a cover member according to an embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from the vehicle interior side. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a schematic perspective view showing a mounting structure of a cover member according to a modified example of the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0023] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. For convenience of explanation, the arrow UP shown in each drawing indicates the upward direction of the vehicle, the arrow FR indicates the forward direction of the vehicle, the arrow RH indicates the rightward direction of the vehicle, and the arrow LH indicates the leftward direction of the vehicle. Therefore, in the following description, when directions such as up / down, front / rear, and left / right are mentioned unless otherwise specified, they refer to up / down in the vertical direction of the vehicle, front / rear in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, and left / right in the lateral direction of the vehicle (vehicle width direction).

[0024] 1 to 3, in this embodiment, a front windshield glass 14 is used as an example of a glass member that separates the interior and exterior of a vehicle. Therefore, a sensor cover 30 that covers, from below, a sensor unit (not shown) that is an example of an item disposed at the upper end of the front windshield glass 14 is used as an example of a cover member that constitutes the mounting structure 10 according to this embodiment. An overhead console 40 that is disposed behind the sensor cover 30 is used as an example of a console member.

[0025] The overhead console 40 has a console cover 42 (see also FIG. 5) that is placed on the passenger compartment side, and a housing 44 that incorporates a room light (not shown) and the like is provided on the upper surface of the console cover 42. The housing 44 is placed in an opening 16C (see FIG. 3) that is formed in the roof lining 16, which will be described later, and the console cover 42 is formed with an exposure portion (not shown) that exposes the lens of the room light and switches for turning the room light on and off.

[0026] As shown in Figures 1 to 3, a roof lining 16, at least a front end 16A of which functions as an elastic member, is provided on the ceiling of the passenger compartment side of a vehicle 12. A plurality of roof cross members 18 (see Figure 3) serving as ceiling members extending in the vehicle width direction are provided above the roof lining 16 at predetermined intervals in the front-to-rear direction. That is, each roof cross member 18 is mounted on a pair of left and right roof side rails (not shown).

[0027] Additionally, a ceiling bracket 20 serving as a support member is provided between the roof lining 16 and the roof cross member 18. The ceiling bracket 20 is formed in a substantially rectangular frame shape, and is attached and fixed to the roof cross member 18. A housing portion 44 of the overhead console 40 is disposed inside the ceiling bracket 20. The overhead console 40 (housing portion 44) is also attached and fixed to the roof cross member 18 (see FIG. 3).

[0028] The sensor unit includes a driving assistance (autonomous driving) camera and a sensor such as an infrared laser beam that detects information about the surroundings of the vehicle 12 (at least information about the position, direction, distance, etc. of objects in front of the vehicle 12). The sensor unit is supported by a cover bracket 26 (see FIGS. 1 and 2) that serves as a cover support and is attached to the inner surface and upper side of the front windshield glass 14 with an adhesive or the like.

[0029] The sensor cover 30 has its front end 30A attached to the cover bracket 26 and its rear end 30B attached to the ceiling bracket 20, so as to cover the sensor unit from below. In other words, the front end 30A of the sensor cover 30 is supported by the front windshield glass 14 via the cover bracket 26, and the rear end 30B of the sensor cover 30 is supported by the ceiling bracket 20, so as to house the sensor unit between the front windshield glass 14 and the sensor cover 30.

[0030] Furthermore, the cover bracket 26 is configured to allow movement of the sensor cover 30 in the front-rear direction and the vehicle width direction. Specifically, as shown in Fig. 2, the size of the cover bracket 26 is formed smaller than the size of the sensor cover 30, and predetermined gaps S1, S2 are formed between the cover bracket 26 and the sensor cover 30 in the front-rear direction and the vehicle width direction. These gaps S1, S2 allow the sensor cover 30 to be attached even if the position of the sensor cover 30 is slightly misaligned with respect to the position of the cover bracket 26.

[0031] Next, the mounting structure 10 for mounting the sensor cover 30 to the ceiling bracket 20 at the rear end 30B will be described in detail. As shown in Figures 1 to 4, a pair of vertical wall portions 32 extending upward a predetermined length are integrally formed at the rear end 30B of the sensor cover 30, on the left and right sides at a predetermined interval in the vehicle width direction. Furthermore, a horizontal wall portion 34 extending rearward a predetermined length is integrally formed at the upper part of each vertical wall portion 32.

[0032] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, clip members 36 are fitted onto each side wall portion 34 from the rear side. The rear-facing end of the clip member 36 forms a hinge portion 36A, and the front side is capable of opening and closing in the vertical direction. Therefore, each side wall portion 34 is clamped from above and below by each clip member 36. The front-facing end of the clip member 36 is integrally formed with flange portions 36B that are bent at approximately right angles and extend upward and downward, respectively.

[0033] 1 and 2, a connecting portion 21 that is generally U-shaped in plan view with the front side open is integrally formed in the center of the front portion of the ceiling bracket 20 in the vehicle width direction, extending in the vehicle width direction, and a flat plate-shaped mounting portion 22 that extends downward is integrally formed at each of the left and right front end portions of the connecting portion 21. Then, as shown in Fig. 4, a rectangular hole 22A that opens in the front-rear direction is formed in the upper portion of each mounting portion 22, and the hinge portion 36A side of the clip member 36 is fitted (press-fitted) into each hole 22A from the front side.

[0034] That is, a fitting portion 38 that fits into hole 22A of mounting portion 22 is configured by side wall portion 34 formed on rear end portion 30B of sensor cover 30 and clip member 36 fitted into side wall portion 34. When fitting portion 38 (the hinge portion 36A side of clip member 36) is fitted into hole 22A, the rear surface of flange portion 36B of clip member 36 faces the front surface of mounting portion 22 in the front-rear direction.

[0035] Here, in the mounting structure 10 according to this embodiment, the front end 16A of the roof lining 16 is configured to be interposed between the rear surface of the flange portion 36B of each clip member 36 and the front surface of the mounting portion 22. That is, the front end 16A of the roof lining 16 is bent so as to extend upward, and a rectangular through-hole 16B communicating with the hole portion 22A is also formed in the front end 16A. Therefore, the fitting portion 38 (on the hinge portion 36A side of the clip member 36) is inserted from the front side into the through-hole 16B of the roof lining 16 and the hole portion 22A and fitted therein.

[0036] This allows the rear end 30B of the sensor cover 30 to be attached with precision to the mounting portion 22 of the ceiling bracket 20, and the sensor cover 30 is arranged adjacent to the front side of the overhead console 40. The roof lining 16 is made of a resin material (such as urethane foam) that is softer than the ceiling bracket 20.

[0037] Also, as shown in Figure 5, an extension portion 46 that is approximately rectangular in bottom view and overlaps the underside of the rear end portion 30B of the sensor cover 30 is integrally formed on at least both the left and right sides of the front end portion (the end portion on the sensor cover 30 side) of the console cover 42 of the overhead console 40.

[0038] An electronic inner mirror 50 is disposed below the sensor cover 30 as a display device that displays at least an image of the rear side of the vehicle 12. The electronic inner mirror 50 is supported by a mirror bracket 28 provided on the front windshield glass 14 forward of the sensor cover 30.

[0039] Next, the operation of the mounting structure 10 for the sensor cover 30 according to this embodiment configured as described above will be described.

[0040] As described above, the sensor cover 30, which houses the sensor unit between itself and the front windshield glass 14, has its front end 30A supported on the front windshield glass 14 via the cover bracket 26, and its rear end 30B attached to the mounting portion 22 of the ceiling bracket 20 fixed to the roof cross member 18 of the vehicle 12.

[0041] Specifically, a hinge portion 36A side (fitting portion 38) of a clip member 36 provided on a lateral wall portion 34 formed at the rear end portion 30B of the sensor cover 30 is press-fitted into a through-hole 18B formed in the front end portion 16A of the roof lining 16 and a hole portion 22A formed in the mounting portion 22. The sensor cover 30 is disposed adjacent to the front side of an overhead console 40 fixed to the roof cross member 18.

[0042] Here, the front end 16A of the roof lining 16 is interposed between the flange portion 36B of the clip member 36 provided on the lateral wall portion 34 formed at the rear end 30B of the sensor cover 30 and the mounting portion 22. In other words, the front end 16A of the roof lining 16 is sandwiched between the flange portion 36B of the clip member 36 and the mounting portion 22 and crushed in the front-to-rear direction, and the lateral wall portion 34 formed at the rear end 30B of the sensor cover 30 is urged forward relative to the mounting portion 22 by the elastic restoring force of the front end 16A of the roof lining 16 via the clip member 36.

[0043] Therefore, compared to when no elastic member, such as the front end 16A of the roof lining 16, is interposed between the flange portion 36B of the clip member 36 and the mounting portion 22, even if a downward force due to gravity is applied to the rear end 30B of the sensor cover 30 with the front end 30A of the sensor cover 30 as the rotation fulcrum in a side view seen from the vehicle width direction, the downward movement is effectively suppressed. This makes it possible to reduce the design gap that occurs between the sensor cover 30 and the console cover 42 of the overhead console 40 when the rear end 30B of the sensor cover 30 drops, thereby improving the design.

[0044] Furthermore, the elastic member interposed between the flange portion 36B of the clip member 36 and the mounting portion 22 is the roof lining 16 made of a resin material softer than that of the ceiling bracket 20. Therefore, compared to when the elastic member is made of a resin material harder than that of the ceiling bracket 20, the lateral wall portion 34 formed at the rear end portion 30B of the sensor cover 30 is more effectively biased forward relative to the mounting portion 22 via the clip member 36. Furthermore, compared to when the elastic member is provided separately from the roof lining 16, the number of parts is reduced, resulting in lower manufacturing costs.

[0045] Furthermore, extensions 46 that overlap the underside of the rear end 30B of the sensor cover 30 are formed on at least both the left and right sides of the front end of the console cover 42 of the overhead console 40. Therefore, the extensions 46 can hide the design gap that occurs between the sensor cover 30 and the console cover 42 of the overhead console 40. In other words, it is possible to make it difficult for occupants to notice the design gap that occurs between the sensor cover 30 and the console cover 42 of the overhead console 40.

[0046] Furthermore, the front end 30A of the sensor cover 30 is attached to the front windshield glass 14 via a cover bracket 26, which is configured to allow movement of the sensor cover 30 in the front-rear direction and the vehicle width direction. Therefore, when the sensor cover 30 is assembled, the dimensional tolerance of the sensor cover 30 relative to the cover bracket 26 can be accommodated.

[0047] 6, the ceiling bracket 20 may be divided into two parts: a front part 20A having the mounting part 22 to which the fitting part 38 of the sensor cover 30 is attached, and a rear part 20B having the support piece 24. In this case, it is easier to accommodate the dimensional tolerance between the rear end part 30B of the sensor cover 30 and the mounting part 22 of the ceiling bracket 20. Also, in this case, it is possible to accommodate even if the dimension of the housing part 44 of the overhead console 40 in the fore-and-aft direction is changed, for example.

[0048] The mounting structure 10 for the sensor cover 30 according to this embodiment has been described above with reference to the drawings, but the mounting structure 10 for the sensor cover 30 according to this embodiment is not limited to the one shown in the drawings and can be modified in design as appropriate within the scope of the present invention. For example, the display device is not limited to the electronic inner mirror 50 and may be a normal optical mirror.

[0049] Also, the lower flange portion 36B of the clip member 36 may be extended further downward than shown in the drawing, and the height of the front end portion 16A of the roof lining 16 may be set to a height that abuts the underside of the clip member 36, with the front end portion 16A of the roof lining 16 being interposed between the lower flange portion 36B and the mounting portion 22. In other words, a configuration may be adopted in which the front end portion 16A of the roof lining 16 does not have to be formed with a through hole 16B that communicates with the hole portion 22A.

[0050] Furthermore, the front end 30A of the sensor cover 30 may be attached directly to the front windshield glass 14 without using the cover bracket 26. Furthermore, the cover member is not limited to the sensor cover 30 provided on the front windshield glass 14 side, and may be, for example, a sensor cover provided on the rear windshield glass (not shown). Furthermore, the contained item is not limited to a sensor unit, and may be, for example, an ETC, a drive recorder, etc. [Explanation of symbols]

[0051] 10 Mounting structure 12 vehicles 14 Front windshield glass (glass component) 16 Roof lining (elastic material) 18 Roof cross member (ceiling member) 20 Ceiling bracket (support member) 22A hole 26 Cover bracket (cover support part) 30 Sensor cover (cover material) 36B flange 38 Fitting part 40 Overhead console (console component) 46 Extension

Claims

1. a support member fixed to a ceiling member of the vehicle; a console member fixed to the ceiling member; a cover member having one end in the vehicle longitudinal direction supported by a glass member that separates the interior and exterior of the vehicle and having the other end in the vehicle longitudinal direction attached to the support member, the cover member being disposed adjacent to the console member in the vehicle longitudinal direction, and accommodating items between the cover member and the glass member; Equipped with The cover member mounting structure includes an elastic member interposed between the other end of the cover member in the vehicle front-rear direction and the support member.

2. 2. The cover member mounting structure according to claim 1, wherein the other end of the cover member in the vehicle longitudinal direction has a fitting portion that fits into a hole formed in the support member.

3. The fitting portion is formed with a flange portion facing the support member, 3. The cover member mounting structure according to claim 2, wherein the elastic member is interposed between the flange portion and the support member.

4. 4. The cover member mounting structure according to claim 1, wherein the elastic member is made of a resin material that is softer than the support member.

5. 4. The cover member mounting structure according to claim 1, wherein the elastic member is a roof lining that forms a ceiling of a vehicle compartment.

6. 4. The cover member mounting structure according to claim 1, wherein an extension portion is formed on an end portion of the console member on the cover member side, the extension portion overlapping the end portion of the cover member.

7. One end of the cover member in the vehicle front-rear direction is supported by the glass member via a cover support portion, 4. The cover member mounting structure according to claim 1, wherein the cover support portion is configured to allow movement of the cover member in the vehicle longitudinal direction and the vehicle width direction.

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