Fitting structure of front pillar trim

Abstract

To provide a fitting structure of a front pillar trim which can remove a lower end part of the front pillar trim from an instrument panel easily without damaging an engaging pawl.SOLUTION: A fitting structure of a front pillar trim 25 includes an instrument panel 5 which is formed with a speaker housing chamber 10 in position adjoining a front pillar 6, a speaker grill 12 which is installed to the speaker housing chamber 10 so as to make it possible to attach and detach, a vertical wall 14, which is provided on the speaker grill 12 and is disposed along wall surface 10a of front pillar 6 side of the speaker housing chamber 10 when the speaker grill 12 for the speaker housing chamber 10 is installed, a notch 14b which is provided on the vertical wall 14 and an engaging pawl 25b which protrudes from a lower end part of a front pillar trim 25 downwards and engages with the notch 14b between wall surface 10a of the speaker housing chamber 10 and the vertical wall 14 of the speaker grill 12.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a mounting structure for a front pillar trim that covers a front pillar on the vehicle interior side. [Background technology]

[0002] Generally, the front pillar trim is attached to the inner panel of the front pillar by clips, and the lower portion of the front pillar trim is attached to the instrument panel by engagement.

[0003] For this reason, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, for example, the front pillar trim has a plurality of engaging claws that protrude downward. These engaging claws are individually inserted into and engaged with a plurality of engaging holes provided in the instrument panel. In this way, the lower part of the front pillar trim is attached to the instrument panel.

[0004] In recent years, in-vehicle devices such as ETC (Electronic Toll Collection Systems) and drive recorders have become widespread. When installing such in-vehicle devices in a vehicle, users may need to remove the front pillar trim from the vehicle body to perform wiring work. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] JP 2016-13771 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] However, the front pillar trim is difficult to handle due to its length, and therefore, when disengaging the engagement claw from the engagement hole, a large moment acts on the engagement claw, which may damage the engagement claw.

[0007] An object of the present invention is to provide a mounting structure for a front pillar trim that allows the lower end of the front pillar trim to be easily removed from the instrument panel without damaging the claw portion. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] A mounting structure for a front pillar trim according to one aspect of the present invention comprises an instrument panel having a recess formed in a position close to the front pillar, a cover removably attached to the recess, a vertical wall provided on the cover and positioned along the wall surface of the recess on the front pillar side when the cover is attached to the recess, a notch provided at the bottom of the vertical wall with an open lower end, and an engaging claw that protrudes downward from the lower end of the front pillar trim covering the front pillar and engages with the notch between the wall surface of the recess and the vertical wall. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the front pillar trim mounting structure of the present invention, the lower end of the front pillar trim can be easily removed from the instrument panel without damaging the claw portion. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] A perspective view showing the area around the front pillar from the passenger compartment side [Figure 2] An exploded perspective view showing the area around the front pillar from the passenger compartment side. [Figure 3] A perspective view showing the speaker grill [Figure 4] Cross-sectional view of the main part along line IV-IVI in Figure 1 [Figure 5] Cross-sectional view of the main part showing the area around the front pillar with the front pillar trim and speaker grill removed [Figure 6] Cross-sectional view of the main part along line VV in Figure 1 [Figure 7]Cross-sectional view of the main parts of the front pillar and front pillar trim when the anchor part is deployed DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] The present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing the vicinity of a front pillar from the passenger compartment side, and Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the vicinity of the front pillar from the passenger compartment side.

[0012] 1 and 2, vehicle 1 has an instrument panel 5 and left and right front pillars 6 at the front of the passenger compartment 2. The configuration around the left and right front pillars 6 is basically symmetrical. Therefore, in the following explanation, the configuration around the illustrated left front pillar 6 will be basically explained, and the explanation of the mounting structure of the right front pillar 6 will be omitted.

[0013] The instrument panel 5 extends in the vehicle width direction between left and right front pillars 6.

[0014] 2, the instrument panel 5 has a speaker housing chamber 10 at one end in the vehicle width direction. The speaker housing chamber 10 is formed, for example, by a rectangular recess. The speaker housing chamber 10 houses a speaker 11 therein.

[0015] The speaker housing chamber 10 is disposed in a position close to the front pillar 6. Of the wall surfaces 10a constituting the speaker housing chamber 10, the wall surface 10a on the front pillar 6 side extends along the front pillar 6 in the front-to-rear direction of the vehicle body.

[0016] Furthermore, the speaker housing chamber 10 has, for example, a plurality of engagement holes 10b on the bottom surface. In this embodiment, the engagement holes 10b are respectively arranged at positions along the front and rear wall surfaces 10a of the speaker housing chamber 10. Note that Fig. 2 only shows the engagement holes 10b located along the front wall surface 10a of the speaker housing chamber 10.

[0017] The speaker housing chamber 10 is covered by a cover, that is, a speaker grill 12. As shown in Fig. 2, the speaker grill 12 has a grill body 13 and a plurality of (for example, four) vertical walls 14.

[0018] The grill body 13 has, for example, a generally rectangular shape in plan view. The shape of the grill body 13 in plan view corresponds to the shape of the opening of the speaker housing chamber 10.

[0019] Each vertical wall 14 protrudes from the bottom surface of the grill body 13 along each side of the grill body 13. As a result, when the speaker grill 12 is attached to the speaker housing chamber 10, each vertical wall 14 is positioned to face each wall surface 10a of the speaker housing chamber 10.

[0020] Of these vertical walls 14, for example, each vertical wall 14 arranged in the front-to-rear direction of the speaker grill 12 is provided with a plurality of engagement claws 14a. Each engagement claw 14a protrudes downward from the lower end of each vertical wall 14. Each engagement claw 14a is arranged at a position corresponding to each engagement hole 10b. This allows each engagement claw 14a to engage with each engagement hole 10b. By each engagement claw 14a engaging with each engagement hole 10b, the speaker grill 12 is fixed to the instrument panel 5 while covering the speaker housing chamber 10.

[0021] Of the multiple vertical walls 14, the vertical wall 14 facing the wall surface 10a on the front pillar 6 side has multiple (e.g., two) notches 14b. As shown in Fig. 3, each of the notches 14b has, for example, a generally rectangular shape in side view. These notches 14b are provided in the lower part of the vertical wall 14. Furthermore, the lower end of each notch 14b is open downward.

[0022] As shown in FIGS. 4 to 7, the front pillar 6 has an outer panel 20, an inner panel 21, and a reinforcement 22.

[0023] The front and rear edges of the outer panel 20, the inner panel 21, and the reinforcement 22 are joined together by spot welding, etc. In this way, the outer panel 20, the inner panel 21, and the reinforcement 22 form a hollow front pillar 6.

[0024] As shown in FIG. 2, the inner panel 21 is provided with clip holes 21a at its upper and middle portions.

[0025] The inner panel 21 of the front pillar 6 is covered by a front pillar trim 25 inside the vehicle cabin.

[0026] The front pillar trim 25 is made of, for example, a resin molded product. As shown in Fig. 6, the front pillar trim 25 has a generally U-shaped cross section. Clip seats 26 are provided on the inner surface of the front pillar trim 25 at the top and middle of the front pillar trim 25. Each clip seat 26 has, for example, a generally bridge shape that protrudes toward the front pillar 6.

[0027] The tip of each clip seat 26 is flat and can face the corresponding clip hole 21a of the inner panel 21. The tip of each clip seat 26 has a clip holding hole 26a for holding the tether clip 27. Furthermore, the tip of each clip seat 26 has a slit (not shown) that crosses the clip holding hole 26a.

[0028] As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the tether clip 27 has a seat portion 27a, a pillar engaging portion 27b, a trim engaging portion 27c, a connecting portion 27d, and a movable locking portion 27e.

[0029] The seat portion 27a has, for example, a substantially disk shape. The outer diameter of the seat portion 27a is set to be larger than that of the clip holding hole 26a. This allows the seat portion 27a to abut against the protruding end surface of the clip seat 26 without falling into the clip holding hole 26a.

[0030] The pillar engaging portion 27b protrudes from one surface of the seat portion 27a. The pillar engaging portion 27b has a generally cylindrical shape. The pillar engaging portion 27b can be engaged with the clip hole 21a of the inner panel 21 by, for example, being press-fitted into the clip hole 21a.

[0031] The trim engagement portion 27c protrudes from the other surface of the seat portion 27a. This trim engagement portion 27c has, for example, an elastic ring shape. The trim engagement portion 27c is inserted into the clip holding hole 26a of the clip seat 26 while elastically deforming. After being inserted into the clip holding hole 26a, the trim engagement portion 27c returns to its original shape. As a result, the trim engagement portion 27c is engaged with the clip holding hole 26a.

[0032] The connecting portion 27d is a substantially string-like member, and connects the trim engaging portion 27c and the moving locking portion 27e.

[0033] The movable locking portion 27e is configured, for example, by a plate-like member having a substantially fan shape. This movable locking portion 27e can be inserted into the slit before the trim engagement portion 27c is engaged with the clip holding hole 26a. After the movable locking portion 27e is inserted into the slit, the seat portion 27a can rotate a predetermined angle relative to the clip seat 26. This rotation of the seat portion 27a prevents the movable locking portion 27e from slipping out of the slit, and the movable locking portion 27e can be locked in the clip holding hole 26a.

[0034] For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the tether clip 27 configured in this manner connects the front pillar trim 25 to the upper end and middle portion of the front pillar 6.

[0035] On the other hand, for example, when a curtain airbag (not shown) housed in the front pillar trim 25 deploys, the trim engaging portion 27c elastically deforms and disengages from the clip retaining hole 26a, as shown in Figure 7. At this time, the movable locking portion 27e is pulled toward the clip seat 26 via the connecting portion 27d, and the movable locking portion 27e is locked in the clip retaining hole 26a. As a result, the tether clip 27 allows the front pillar trim 25 to move within a predetermined stroke without causing the front pillar trim 25 to fall off the front pillar 6.

[0036] For example, as shown in FIGS. 2, 4 and 5, the lower end of the front pillar trim 25 is provided with an insertion plate 25a and a pair of front and rear engaging claws 25b.

[0037] The insertion plate 25a is, for example, a flat plate-shaped member that protrudes downward from the lower end of the front pillar trim 25. The insertion plate 25a is disposed in a position that can face the wall surface 10a of the speaker housing chamber 10 on the front pillar 6 side. In other words, the insertion plate 25a is provided only in a position of the lower end of the front pillar trim 25 that corresponds to the speaker housing chamber 10. This allows the insertion plate 25a to be inserted between the speaker housing chamber 10 and the speaker grill 12.

[0038] Each engagement claw 25b is integrally formed with the insertion plate 25a on the front pillar trim 25. Each engagement claw 25b is disposed at a position corresponding to each notch 14b of the speaker grill 12. Each engagement claw 25b has a base 25c and an end 25d.

[0039] The base 25c of the engaging claw 25b protrudes downward from the lower end of the insertion plate 25a, so that the base 25c, together with the insertion plate 25a, can be inserted between the wall surface 10a of the speaker housing chamber 10 and the vertical wall 14 of the speaker grill 12.

[0040] The end portions 25d protrude inward in the vehicle width direction from the base portion 25c, so that the end portions 25d of the engaging claws 25b can engage with the respective notches 14b of the speaker grille 12.

[0041] Next, an example of a process for attaching the front pillar trim 25 to the front pillar 6 will be described.

[0042] In this attachment process, the worker or the like connects the upper end and the middle portion of the front pillar trim 25 to the inner panel 21 using each tether clip 27 .

[0043] At this time, each of the engaging claws 25b of the front pillar trim 25 is disposed inside the speaker housing chamber 10 at a position along the wall surface 10a on the front pillar 6 side.

[0044] Next, the worker or the like covers the speaker housing chamber 10 with the speaker grill 12. At this time, the end portions 25d of the engaging claws 25b come into contact with the notches 14b.

[0045] Furthermore, the worker presses the speaker grill 12 against the speaker housing chamber 10, and engages the engagement claws 14a of the speaker grill 12 with the engagement holes 10b of the speaker housing chamber 10. As a result, the engagement claws 25b are engaged with the notches 14b while being pressed downward by the notches 14b. This engagement fixes the lower part of the front pillar trim 25 to the instrument panel 5 via the speaker grill 12.

[0046] Next, an example of a process for removing the front pillar trim 25 from the front pillar 6 will be described.

[0047] In this removal process, the user or the like uses a dedicated tool or a flathead screwdriver or the like to apply force in a direction that moves the speaker grill 12 upward and away from the speaker housing chamber 10. This releases the engagement between the engagement claws 14a and the engagement holes 10b, and the speaker grill 12 is removed from the speaker housing chamber 10.

[0048] When the speaker grill 12 is removed, the engaging claws 25b of the front pillar trim 25 are released from the notches 14b, thereby releasing the lower part of the front pillar trim 25 from the instrument panel 5.

[0049] Furthermore, the user moves the lower end of the front pillar trim 25 inward in the vehicle width direction, tilting the front pillar trim 25 relative to the front pillar. As a result, the trim engagement portion 27c of each tether clip 27 is released from the clip holding hole 26a while being elastically deformed, and a gap is formed between the front pillar trim 25 and the front pillar 6.

[0050] Furthermore, the user or the like removes each pillar engaging portion 27b from each clip hole 21a using a dedicated tool or the like.

[0051] In addition, when installing peripheral equipment on the vehicle, wiring inside the front pillar trim 25 can be done without completely removing the front pillar trim 25 from the front pillar 6, once a gap has formed between the front pillar trim 25 and the front pillar 6.

[0052] The mounting structure of such a front pillar trim 25 includes an instrument panel 5 in which a speaker housing chamber 10 is formed in a position close to the front pillar 6, a speaker grill 12 removably mounted in the speaker housing chamber 10, a vertical wall 14 provided on the speaker grill 12 and positioned along the wall surface 10a of the speaker housing chamber 10 on the front pillar 6 side when the speaker grill 12 is mounted to the speaker housing chamber 10, a notch 14b provided in the vertical wall 14, and an engaging claw 25b that protrudes downward from the lower end of the front pillar trim 25 and engages with the notch 14b between the wall surface 10a of the speaker housing chamber 10 and the vertical wall 14 of the speaker grill 12.

[0053] This allows the lower end of the front pillar trim 25 to be easily removed from the instrument panel 5 without damaging the engaging claws 25b.

[0054] That is, the engagement claws 25b protruding from the lower end of the front pillar trim 25 are engaged with the instrument panel 5 via the speaker grill 12, which is detachably attached to the speaker housing chamber 10. More specifically, the engagement claws 25b are engaged with notches 14b provided in the vertical wall between the wall surface 10a of the speaker housing chamber 10 and the vertical wall 14 of the speaker grill 12. Therefore, by removing the speaker grill 12 from the speaker housing chamber 10, the lower end of the front pillar trim 25 can be removed from the instrument panel 5. This allows the lower part of the front pillar trim 25 to be removed without applying excessive load to the engagement claws 25b.

[0055] In this case, the lower ends of the cutouts 14b for engaging the engaging claws 25b are open at the lower part of the vertical wall 14. This allows the speaker grill 12 to be removed from the speaker housing chamber 10 and the engagement of the engaging claws 25b with the cutouts 14b to be released at the same time.

[0056] The invention described in the above embodiments is not limited to these embodiments, and various modifications can be made in the implementation stage without departing from the gist of the invention. Furthermore, the above embodiments include inventions at various stages, and various inventions can be extracted by appropriate combinations of the disclosed multiple constituent elements.

[0057] For example, if the stated problem can be solved and the stated effect can be obtained even if some of the constituent elements are deleted from all the constituent elements shown in the above form, the configuration from which these constituent elements are deleted can be extracted as an invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0058] 1 … Vehicle 2 … Cabin 5...instrument panel 6... Front pillar 10...Speaker Containment Room 10a ... Wall 10b...Engagement hole 11...Speaker 12...Speaker grill 13...Grill body 14...Vertical wall 14a ... Engagement claw 14b ... notch 20...Outer panel 21... Inner panel 21a ... Clip hole 22... Reinforcement 25...Front pillar trim 25a ... Insert board 25b … Engaging claw 25c … base 25d … end 26 ... Clip seat 26a ... Clip retaining hole 27 ... Tether clip 27a … Seat part 27b ... Pillar engagement part 27c ... Trim engagement part 27d…Connection part 27e...Movement locking part

Claims

1. an instrument panel having a recess formed in a position adjacent to a front pillar; a cover detachably attached to the recess; a vertical wall provided on the cover and disposed along a wall surface of the recess on the front pillar side when the cover is attached to the recess; a notch provided in the vertical wall; an engaging claw that protrudes downward from a lower end of a front pillar trim that covers the front pillar and engages with the notch between a wall surface of the recess and the vertical wall; A mounting structure for a front pillar trim, comprising:

2. 2. The front pillar trim mounting structure according to claim 1, wherein the notch is provided in the lower portion of the vertical wall and has an open lower end.

3. the recess is a speaker housing chamber that houses a speaker, 2. The front pillar trim mounting structure according to claim 1, wherein the cover is a speaker grill that covers the speaker housing chamber.

4. 2. The front pillar trim mounting structure according to claim 1, wherein an end of the engaging claw projects inward in the vehicle width direction.

5. 2. The front pillar trim mounting structure according to claim 1, further comprising a tether clip provided on the front pillar trim and engaging with the front pillar.

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