Vehicle beam

Abstract

To provide a vehicle beam which achieves reduction of the vehicle beam and improvement of rigidity and strength.SOLUTION: A beam 10 includes: a cylindrical beam body 30 extending in a vehicle width direction within an instrument panel and attached at both ends in the vehicle width direction to a vehicle body; and a steering support part 41 protruding from the beam body 30 in a direction intersecting with the vehicle width direction and connecting a steering column 11 with the beam body 30. Reinforcing ribs 36, 44 protruding outward are integrally formed on respective outer surfaces of the beam body 30 and the steering support part 41. The beam 10 comprises two split bodies 21, 23 formed by dividing the beam body 30 in a circumferential direction of the beam body 30 and integrally molded from a resin material.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a beam for a vehicle. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes a steering support beam (hereinafter referred to as a beam). This beam has a beam body that extends in the left-right direction of the vehicle inside the instrument panel. A plurality of metal brackets are attached to the beam body to connect the beam body to the steering shaft, etc.

[0003] The beam body is formed into a substantially rectangular cylindrical shape by assembling two resin divided members together. The beam body has an outer peripheral surface on which lattice-shaped ribs extending outward are formed. The lattice-shaped ribs are molded integrally with each of the divided members.

[0004] In such a beam, the rib portion increases the section modulus of the beam body, thereby improving the rigidity and strength of the beam body. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-345396 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] Incidentally, it is desirable for such beams to be lightweight while also improving their rigidity and strength. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] Various aspects of a vehicle beam for solving the above problems will be described. [Mode 1] A vehicle beam comprising: a cylindrical beam body extending in the vehicle width direction within the instrument panel and having both ends in the vehicle width direction attached to the vehicle body; and a connecting portion protruding from the beam body in a direction intersecting the vehicle width direction and connecting the beam body to peripheral components thereof, wherein a reinforcing rib protruding outward is integrally formed on the outer surface of each of the beam body and the connecting portion; and the vehicle beam is composed of a plurality of divided bodies that divide the beam body in the circumferential direction of the beam body and are each integrally molded from a resin material.

[0008] According to the above-mentioned configuration, a vehicle beam having connecting portions protruding from the beam body is formed by assembling a plurality of segments integrally molded from a resin material, which allows the vehicle beam to be lighter than conventional vehicle beams in which connecting portions are made of a metal material.

[0009] Furthermore, with the above-described configuration, reinforcing ribs are formed on the beam body and the connecting portion, which increases the section modulus of the connecting portion as well as the beam body, thereby improving the rigidity and strength of the connecting portion.

[0010] Therefore, it is possible to achieve both a reduction in the weight of the vehicle beam and improvements in its rigidity and strength. [Aspect 2] A vehicle beam as described in [Aspect 1], wherein the resin material is fiber-reinforced resin and the protruding height of the reinforcing rib formed on the beam body is smaller than the protruding height of the reinforcing rib formed on the connecting portion.

[0011] When each of the multiple segments is integrally molded from fiber-reinforced resin, the orientation of the fibers in the resin in the reinforcing ribs protruding from the outer surface tends to align in the direction of extension of the reinforcing ribs. Furthermore, this tendency is stronger the higher the protruding height of the reinforcing ribs. Fiber-reinforced resins have increased rigidity and strength in the direction in which the fibers are oriented, but decreased rigidity and strength in the direction perpendicular to the direction in which the fibers are oriented. Therefore, in the segments, deformation along the extension direction during molding shrinkage is suppressed by the reinforcing ribs, but deformation along the orthogonal direction perpendicular to the extension direction is less suppressed by the reinforcing ribs.

[0012] However, if deformation occurs in the portion of the segment that constitutes the beam main body, misalignment may occur at the joints between the multiple segments when forming the vehicle beam, which may make it difficult to assemble the segments together. For this reason, measures are desired to prevent deformation along the orthogonal direction, especially in the portion of the segment that constitutes the beam main body.

[0013] In this regard, according to the above configuration, the protruding height of the reinforcing ribs formed on the beam body is smaller than the protruding height of the reinforcing ribs formed on the connecting portions. Therefore, the orientation of the fibers in the resin in the reinforcing ribs of the beam body is less likely to be aligned in the extension direction than in the reinforcing ribs of the connecting portions. This increases the rigidity and strength of the beam body in the orthogonal direction compared to when the protruding height of the reinforcing ribs of the beam body is equal to or greater than the protruding height of the reinforcing ribs of the connecting portions. Furthermore, by appropriately setting the protruding height of the reinforcing ribs of the beam body, the rigidity and strength of the beam body in the orthogonal direction can be increased while maintaining the necessary rigidity and strength in the extension direction.

[0014] Therefore, the rigidity and strength of the beam body, and therefore of the vehicle beam, can be further improved. [Aspect 3] The beam body has a duct portion extending in the vehicle width direction and forming a flow path through which air conditioning air from the air conditioning unit flows, a vehicle beam described in [Aspect 1] or [Aspect 2].

[0015] According to the above-mentioned configuration, the vehicle beam functions as an air conditioning duct, which eliminates the need to provide a separate air conditioning duct within the instrument panel, thereby reducing the number of parts within the instrument panel. [Effects of the Invention]

[0016] According to the present invention, it is possible to achieve both a reduction in the weight of a vehicle beam and improvements in rigidity and strength. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0017] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of a vehicle beam. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the vehicle beam of FIG. 1 as seen from the opposite side. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 3-3 in FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a portion where a steering support portion protrudes from a beam body in a vehicle beam according to one embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the vehicle beam of FIG. 4, focusing on a reinforcing rib formed on the beam body. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a reinforcing rib formed in a steering support portion of the vehicle beam of FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] Hereinafter, one embodiment of a vehicle beam will be described with reference to FIGS. Hereinafter, the longitudinal direction of the vehicle will be referred to as the longitudinal direction, and the front and rear in the longitudinal direction will be simply referred to as the front and rear. The width direction of the vehicle will be referred to as the vehicle width direction, and the right and left sides in the vehicle width direction when viewed from the rear to the front will be simply referred to as the right and left. The vertical direction of the vehicle when the vehicle is positioned on a horizontal plane will be referred to as the vertical direction, and the upper and lower sides in the vertical direction will be simply referred to as the upper and lower.

[0019] <Beam 10> As shown in Figures 1 to 4, the vehicle beam (hereinafter referred to as beam 10) supports a steering column 11 (see Figure 4) and the like within the instrument panel, extends in the vehicle width direction as a whole, and both ends in the vehicle width direction are attached to the vehicle body.

[0020] The beam 10 has a beam body 30 and a peripheral portion 40 as other components. <Beam body 30> 1 to 3, the beam main body 30 has a duct portion 31, an inlet 33, an outlet 34, and an attachment portion 35. The beam main body 30 has a generally cylindrical shape as a whole.

[0021] The duct portion 31 extends in the vehicle width direction and mainly constitutes the beam body 30. The duct portion 31 has a hollow shape. Specifically, the duct portion 31 is cylindrical with both ends in the vehicle width direction closed. Inside the duct portion 31, a flow path 32 is formed through which the conditioned air A from the air conditioner 12 flows (see FIG. 3).

[0022] The inlet 33 is cylindrical and protrudes forward from the center of the duct portion 31 in the vehicle width direction. The cross-sectional shape of the inlet 33 along an imaginary plane perpendicular to the front-to-rear direction is a rectangle that is long in the vehicle width direction. The front end of the inlet 33 is connected to the air conditioner 12 (see FIG. 2). Thus, the inlet 33 functions to guide the air-conditioning air A from the air conditioner 12 to the flow path 32.

[0023] The outlet 34 is cylindrical and protrudes rearward from the duct portion 31. The cross section of the outlet 34 along an imaginary plane perpendicular to the front-to-rear direction is square. The rear end of the outlet 34 is connected to an outlet 13 for air conditioning air A attached to the instrument panel (see FIG. 1). Thus, the outlet 34 functions to guide the air conditioning air A flowing through the flow path 32 toward the outlet 13. In this embodiment, two outlets 34 are provided in the center of the duct portion 31 in the vehicle width direction, and one each at both ends of the duct portion 31 in the vehicle width direction, corresponding to the outlets 13.

[0024] The mounting portions 35 are provided on both ends of the duct portion 31 in the vehicle width direction. Each mounting portion 35 has an upper mounting portion 35a that protrudes upward from the outer surface of the duct portion 31 and a lower mounting portion 35b that protrudes downward from the outer surface. When each mounting portion 35 is fastened to a front pillar (not shown) of the vehicle body, the beam main body 30, and therefore the beam 10, is fixed to the vehicle body.

[0025] <Periphery 40> The peripheral portion 40 protrudes from the beam main body 30 in a direction intersecting the vehicle width direction, and includes, for example, a plurality of support portions for attaching various parts to the beam main body 30, and a plurality of stay portions for connecting the beam main body 30 to the vehicle body.

[0026] As shown in Fig. 4, the multiple support parts include a steering support part 41 that supports and suspends from above the steering column 11, which is a peripheral member of the beam main body 30. Note that Fig. 4 shows a cross section of the part of the beam 10 where the steering support part 41 protrudes from the beam main body 30, taken along an imaginary plane perpendicular to the vehicle width direction.

[0027] The steering support part 41 has a front support part 42 that protrudes forward from the beam body 30, and a rear support part 43 that protrudes rearward from the beam body 30. The front end 11a of the steering column 11 is fastened to the front support part 42 via a bracket or the like (not shown). A portion 11b of the steering column 11 that is rearward of the front end 11a is fastened to the rear support part 43 via a bracket or the like (not shown). In other words, the steering support part 41 in this embodiment corresponds to the connecting part according to the present invention. In this embodiment, the steering support part 41 is provided integrally with the right portion of the beam body 30. In other words, the beam 10 is a vehicle beam that is used in right-hand drive vehicles.

[0028] The plurality of support parts include, in addition to the steering support part 41, for example, an airbag support part that supports an airbag device for protecting an occupant seated in the passenger seat from an impact such as a frontal collision. The airbag support part is provided integrally with the left portion of the beam main body 30.

[0029] The stay portions are provided integrally with the right portion of the beam body 30, for example, and are fastened to the cowl panel or dash panel of the vehicle body. 1 and 2, for the sake of convenience, the peripheral portion 40 and the portion of the beam main body 30 where the peripheral portion 40 is provided are omitted from illustration.

[0030] <Upper divided body 21, lower divided body 23> 1 to 4, the beam 10 is made up of a plurality of divided bodies. In this embodiment, the beam 10 is made up of two divided bodies: an upper divided body 21 that forms the upper part of the beam 10, and a lower divided body 23 that forms the lower part of the beam 10. The divided bodies 21 and 23 divide the beam main body 30 into two in the circumferential direction of the beam main body 30.

[0031] Each of the divided bodies 21, 23 is integrally molded from a resin material. From the viewpoint of improving rigidity and strength, it is preferable to use a fiber-reinforced resin as the resin material. In this embodiment, a polyamide resin containing glass fiber is used.

[0032] The upper divided body 21 has an upper beam half body 30a that constitutes the upper half of the beam main body 30, and an upper support portion divided body 41a that constitutes the upper portion of the steering support portion 41 (see FIG. 4).

[0033] As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the upper beam half body 30a has a semi-cylindrical upper peripheral wall portion 31a, an upper inlet half body 33a that is connected to the upper peripheral wall portion 31a and protrudes forward, and multiple upper outlet half bodies 34a that are connected to the upper peripheral wall portion 31a and protrude rearward.

[0034] The upper peripheral wall portion 31a constitutes the upper half of the duct portion 31. The upper inlet half body 33a constitutes the upper half of the inlet 33. The upper outlet half body a constitutes the upper half of the outlet .

[0035] A flange-shaped upper connecting portion 22 is integrally provided on the peripheral edge of the upper peripheral wall portion 31a and on the lower end portions of the upper inlet half body 33a and the upper outlet half body 34a which are continuous with the peripheral edge.

[0036] As shown in FIG. 3, the upper connection portion 22 has an upper opposing surface 22a extending along the dividing surface of the beam body 30, and an upper welding rib 22b protruding downward from the upper opposing surface 22a.

[0037] 4, the portion of the upper support section segment 41a that forms the upper portion of the front support section 42 extends further forward from the front end of the upper connecting section 22. The portion of the upper support section segment 41a that forms the upper portion of the rear support section 43 extends further rearward from the rear end of the upper connecting section 22.

[0038] As shown in Figures 1 to 4, the lower partition 23 has a lower beam half 30b that forms the lower half of the beam main body 30, and a lower support portion partition 41b that forms the lower part of the steering support portion 41 (see Figure 4).

[0039] As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the lower beam half body 30b has a semi-cylindrical lower peripheral wall portion 31b, a lower inlet half body 33b connected to the lower peripheral wall portion 31b and protruding forward, and a plurality of lower outlet half bodies 34b connected to the lower peripheral wall portion 31b and protruding rearward.

[0040] The lower peripheral wall portion 31b forms the lower half of the duct portion 31. The lower inlet half body 33b forms the lower half of the inlet 33. The lower outlet half body b forms the lower half of the outlet .

[0041] A flange-shaped lower connecting portion 24 is integrally provided on the peripheral edge of the lower peripheral wall portion 31b and on the upper ends of the lower inlet half body 33b and the lower outlet half body 34b that are continuous with the peripheral edge.

[0042] 3, the lower connection portion 24 has a lower opposing surface 24a extending along the dividing surface of the beam body 30, and a lower welding rib 24b protruding upward from the lower opposing surface 24a. The lower opposing surface 24a faces the upper opposing surface 22a in the vertical direction.

[0043] The upper welding rib 22b and the lower welding rib 24b are welded together using a known welding method such as vibration welding, thereby joining the upper connecting portion 22 and the lower connecting portion 24, and ultimately the upper division body 21 and the lower division body 23 together.

[0044] 4, the portion of the lower support section segment 41b that constitutes the lower part of the front support section 42 protrudes forward from the outer surface of the lower peripheral wall section 31b that includes the lower connecting section 24. The portion of the lower support section segment 41b that constitutes the lower part of the rear support section 43 extends further rearward from the rear end of the lower connecting section 24.

[0045] <Reinforcing ribs 36, 44> As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the beam 10 has a first reinforcing rib 36 formed on the outer surface of the beam body 30 and a second reinforcing rib 44 formed on the outer surface of the steering support portion 41.

[0046] The first reinforcing rib 36 has an upper first reinforcing rib 36a and a lower first reinforcing rib 36b. The upper first reinforcing ribs 36a are formed integrally with the upper beam half 30a. The upper first reinforcing ribs 36a protrude upward from the outer surface of the upper peripheral wall 31a and extend in a mesh pattern along the outer surface. The protruding height of the upper first reinforcing ribs 36a in the up-down direction is constant throughout the entire extension direction.

[0047] The lower first reinforcing ribs 36b are formed integrally with the lower beam half 30b. The lower first reinforcing ribs 36b protrude downward from the outer surface of the lower peripheral wall 31b and extend in a mesh pattern along the outer surface. The protruding height of the lower first reinforcing ribs 36b in the up-down direction is constant throughout the entire extension direction.

[0048] FIG. 5 schematically shows the orientation of the glass fibers 50 in the upper first reinforcing rib 36a of the first reinforcing rib 36. As shown in FIG. As shown in Figure 5, the glass fibers 50 in the first reinforcing rib 36 include multiple glass fibers 50a aligned along the extension direction of the first reinforcing rib 36 and multiple glass fibers 50b that intersect with the extension direction of the first reinforcing rib 36.

[0049] In the first reinforcing rib 36, the proportion of the glass fibers 50a in the glass fibers 50 is greater than the proportion of the glass fibers 50b in the glass fibers 50 at any point in the extending direction of the first reinforcing rib 36.

[0050] As shown in FIG. 4, the second reinforcing rib 44 has an upper second reinforcing rib 44a and a lower second reinforcing rib 44b. The upper second reinforcing ribs 44a are formed integrally with the upper support section segment 41a. The upper second reinforcing ribs 44a protrude upward from the outer surface of the upper support section segment 41a. Although not shown, like the first reinforcing ribs 36, the upper second reinforcing ribs 44a extend in a mesh pattern along the outer surface of the upper support section segment 41a.

[0051] The lower second reinforcing ribs 44b are provided integrally with the lower support section segment 41b. The lower second reinforcing ribs 44b protrude downward from the outer surface of the lower support section segment 41b. Although not shown, like the first reinforcing ribs 36, the lower second reinforcing ribs 44b extend in a mesh pattern along the outer surface of the lower support section segment 41b.

[0052] 4, the protruding height in the vertical direction of the second reinforcing rib 44 is greater than the protruding height in the vertical direction of the first reinforcing rib 36. In addition, the width of the second reinforcing rib 44 (the length in the direction perpendicular to the extension direction of the second reinforcing rib 44) is approximately the same as the width of the first reinforcing rib 36 (the length in the direction perpendicular to the extension direction of the first reinforcing rib 36).

[0053] FIG. 6 schematically shows the orientation of the glass fibers 50 in the upper second reinforcing rib 44a of the second reinforcing rib 44. As shown in FIG. 6, the orientation of the glass fibers 50 in the second reinforcing rib 44 is aligned in the extension direction of the second reinforcing rib 44. In the second reinforcing rib 44, the orientation of the glass fibers 50 is aligned in the same extension direction at any point in the extension direction of the second reinforcing rib 44. Note that in the second reinforcing rib 44, the proportion of glass fibers (not shown) that intersect with the extension direction of the second reinforcing rib 44 among the glass fibers 50 is smaller than the proportion of glass fibers 50b among the glass fibers 50 in the first reinforcing rib 36.

[0054] <Operation of this embodiment> Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described. When the two segments 21, 23 are integrally molded from fiber-reinforced resin, the orientation of the glass fibers 50 in the resin of the first reinforcing rib 36 and the second reinforcing rib 44 protruding from the outer surface tends to be aligned in the direction of extension of the reinforcing ribs 36, 44. This tendency is stronger the higher the protruding height of the reinforcing ribs 36, 44 in the vertical direction. Fiber-reinforced resin has increased rigidity and strength in the direction in which the orientation of the glass fibers 50 is aligned, but decreased rigidity and strength in the direction perpendicular to the direction in which the orientation of the glass fibers 50 is aligned. For this reason, in the segments 21, 23, deformation along the extension direction during molding shrinkage is suppressed by the reinforcing ribs 36, 44, but deformation along the orthogonal direction perpendicular to the extension direction is less suppressed by the reinforcing ribs 36, 44.

[0055] Incidentally, if deformation occurs in the beam half bodies 30a, 30b, which are parts of the segments 21, 23 that make up the beam main body 30, misalignment of the connecting parts 22, 24 between the multiple segments 21, 23 may occur when forming the beam 10, making it difficult to assemble the segments 21, 23 together. For this reason, measures are desired to prevent deformation along the orthogonal direction, particularly in the beam half bodies 30a, 30b of the segments 21, 23.

[0056] In this regard, according to the beam 10 of this embodiment, the protruding height in the vertical direction of the first reinforcing rib 36 formed on the beam main body 30 is smaller than the protruding height in the vertical direction of the second reinforcing rib 44 formed on the steering support portion 41. Therefore, in the first reinforcing rib 36 of the beam main body 30, the orientation of the glass fibers 50 in the resin is less likely to be aligned in the extension direction than in the second reinforcing rib 44 of the steering support portion 41. This increases the rigidity and strength of the beam main body 30 in the orthogonal direction compared to when the protruding height of the first reinforcing rib 36 is equal to or greater than the protruding height of the second reinforcing rib 44. Furthermore, by appropriately setting the protruding height in the vertical direction of the first reinforcing rib 36 of the beam main body 30, the rigidity and strength of the beam main body 30 in the orthogonal direction can be increased while maintaining the necessary rigidity and strength in the extension direction.

[0057] <Effects of this embodiment> Next, the effects of this embodiment will be described. (1) The beam 10 includes a cylindrical beam body 30 that extends in the vehicle width direction within the instrument panel and has both ends in the vehicle width direction attached to the vehicle body, and a steering support portion 41 that protrudes in the longitudinal direction from the beam body 30 and serves as a connecting portion that connects the beam body 30 to a steering column 11 that is a peripheral member of the beam body 30. Reinforcing ribs 36, 44 that protrude upward and downward are integrally formed on the outer surfaces of the beam body 30 and the steering support portion 41. The beam 10 divides the beam body 30 in the circumferential direction of the beam body 30 and is composed of two divided bodies 21, 23 that are each integrally molded from a resin material.

[0058] According to this configuration, by assembling together two divided bodies 21, 23 integrally molded from a resin material, the beam 10 is formed in which the steering support portion 41 protrudes from the beam main body 30. Therefore, the weight of the beam 10 can be reduced compared to conventional vehicle beams in which the steering support portion is made of a metal material.

[0059] Furthermore, according to the above configuration, the reinforcing ribs 36, 44 are formed on the beam main body 30 and the steering support part 41. Therefore, the section modulus of the steering support part 41 is increased in addition to the beam main body 30. This improves the rigidity and strength of the steering support part 41.

[0060] Therefore, it is possible to achieve both a reduction in the weight of the beam 10 and improvements in its rigidity and strength. (2) The resin material is a polyamide resin containing glass fibers. The vertical protrusion height of the first reinforcing rib 36 formed on the beam body 30 is smaller than the vertical protrusion height of the second reinforcing rib 44 formed on the steering support portion 41.

[0061] This configuration provides the effects described in the function of this embodiment, and therefore the rigidity and strength of the beam body 30, and therefore the beam 10, can be further improved. (3) The beam body 30 has a duct portion 31 that extends in the vehicle width direction and forms a flow path 32 through which the air-conditioning air A from the air conditioner 12 flows.

[0062] With this configuration, the beam 10 functions as an air conditioning duct, eliminating the need to provide a separate air conditioning duct within the instrument panel, thereby reducing the number of parts within the instrument panel.

[0063] <Example of change> This embodiment can be modified as follows: This embodiment and the following modifications can be combined and implemented within the scope of technical compatibility.

[0064] The inlet 33 is not limited to one that protrudes forward from the duct portion 31. For example, the inlet 33 may extend at an angle from the duct portion 31 so that it is positioned higher toward the front, or may extend at an angle from the duct portion 31 so that it is positioned lower toward the front.

[0065] The cross-sectional shapes of the inlet 33 and the outlet 34 are not limited to the shapes exemplified in this embodiment, and may be, for example, oval shapes that are long in the vehicle width direction. The beam 10 does not necessarily have to function as a so-called air conditioning duct in which the beam main body 30 guides the conditioned air A from the air conditioner 12 to the air outlet 13. In this case, the inlet 33 and the outlet 34 can be omitted from the beam main body 30.

[0066] The protruding height of the first reinforcing ribs 36 does not have to be uniform throughout the entire extension direction, as long as it is smaller than the protruding height of the second reinforcing ribs 44 . The connecting portion according to the present invention is not limited to the steering support portion 41 exemplified in this embodiment. The connecting portion may be any portion that protrudes from the beam body 30 in a direction intersecting the vehicle width direction, connects the beam body 30 to a peripheral member of the beam body 30, and has the second reinforcing rib 44 protruding from its outer surface. For example, the stay portion exemplified as the peripheral portion 40 may also be embodied as the connecting portion. In this case, the cowl panel or dash panel of the vehicle body would correspond to the peripheral member according to the present invention.

[0067] The connecting portion according to the present invention is not limited to being divided into an upper support portion segment 41a and a lower support portion segment 41b as in the steering support portion 41 exemplified in this embodiment, and may be an undivided portion. In this case, the connecting portion may protrude from only one of the beam half portions 30a, 30b.

[0068] In the present embodiment, the upper division body 21 and the lower division body 23 are joined by welding the upper welding rib 22b and the lower welding rib 24b, but the method for joining the upper division body 21 and the lower division body 23 is not limited to this. Any joining method can be used as long as it defines the flow path 32. For example, the upper division body 21 and the lower division body 23 may be joined by fastening the upper connection portion 22 and the lower connection portion 24 together using a plurality of bolts.

[0069] The beam 10 is not limited to being divided into an upper segment 21 and a lower segment 23 as exemplified in this embodiment. For example, the beam 10 may be divided into a front segment and a rear segment. Furthermore, the beam 10 is not limited to being divided into two segments in the circumferential direction of the beam main body 30, but may be divided into three or more segments in the circumferential direction.

[0070] The vehicle beam according to the present invention is not limited to the beam 10 applied to a right-hand drive vehicle, but may also be applied to a left-hand drive vehicle. That is, the vehicle beam may have the steering support portion 41 provided on the left side of the beam body 30. [Explanation of symbols]

[0071] A: Air conditioning air 10...Beam 11...Steering column 11a…front part 11b...part 12...Air conditioner 13…Air outlet 21...Upper division body 22...Upper connection part 22a...Upper opposing surface 22b...Upper welding rib 23…Lower division body 24...Lower connection part 24a...Lower opposing surface 24b...Lower welding rib 30...Beam body 30a...Upper beam half 30b...Lower beam half 31...Duct section 31a...Upper peripheral wall part 31b…Lower peripheral wall part 32...Flow path 33...Inlet 33a...Upper inlet half 33b...Lower inlet half 34...Outlet 34a...Upper outlet half 34b...Lower outlet half 35...Mounting part 35a...Upper mounting part 35b...Lower mounting part 36...First reinforcing rib 36a...Upper first reinforcing rib 36b...Lower first reinforcing rib 40...periphery 41...Steering support part (connection part) 41a...Upper support segment 41b…Lower support part split body 42...Front support part 43...Rear support part 44...Second reinforcing rib 44a...Upper second reinforcing rib 44b...Lower second reinforcing rib 50...glass fiber 50a...glass fiber 50b...glass fiber

Claims

1. a cylindrical beam body extending in a vehicle width direction within the instrument panel and having both ends in the vehicle width direction attached to a vehicle body; A vehicle beam comprising: a connecting portion that protrudes from the beam body in a direction intersecting the vehicle width direction and connects a peripheral member of the beam body to the beam body; a reinforcing rib protruding outward is integrally formed on the outer surface of each of the beam body and the connecting portion; The vehicle beam is configured by dividing the beam body in the circumferential direction of the beam body and by a plurality of divided bodies each integrally molded from a resin material. Vehicle beam.

2. the resin material is a fiber-reinforced resin, a protruding height of the reinforcing rib formed on the beam body is smaller than a protruding height of the reinforcing rib formed on the connecting portion; 2. The vehicle beam according to claim 1.

3. The beam body has a duct portion extending in the vehicle width direction and forming a flow path through which air for conditioning from an air conditioning device flows.

3. A vehicle beam according to claim 1 or 2.

Images