Vehicle front structure

Abstract

To operate an airbag device of a top surface part of an instrument panel stably.SOLUTION: A channel part 20 which encloses an airbag device 50 is provided at a top surface part 11 of an upper panel 10 of an instrument panel 1. A steering support member 40 has: a pipe member 41; a support bracket 42 provided at the pipe member 41 and supporting the airbag device 50; upper stays 43, 44 extending upward from parts of the pipe member 41 located on both sides of the airbag device 50; and a rear stay 45 which is arranged so as to overlap with at least a part of the support bracket 42 and extends rearward from the pipe member 41. The upper stays 43, 44 and the rear stay 45 are joined to a lower panel 30 of the instrument panel 1.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle front structure. [Background technology]

[0002] An instrument panel is disposed in the front of the vehicle cabin. The instrument panel is equipped with, for example, a display device that displays vehicle speed and other information, and in-vehicle devices that can be operated by occupants such as the driver. For example, in an instrument panel that has an upper panel and a lower panel, the boundary between the upper panel and the lower panel may be located in a portion visible to the occupant (user), such as the side of the instrument panel.

[0003] If the boundary between the upper panel and the lower panel is visible to the occupants, the boundary will affect the appearance quality, so the upper panel and the lower panel must be assembled with high precision. The lower panel must support the upper panel, and is attached to a highly rigid vehicle body structure such as a steering support member.

[0004] The upper panel of the instrument panel has a top surface facing upward in the vehicle. For example, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, a structure is known in which an airbag device is disposed on the rear side of the top surface located in front of the passenger seat. The airbag device is attached to the rear side (lower side) of the top surface of the instrument panel. A tearing portion is provided on the top surface located above the airbag device. When the airbag device is activated, an impact load acts on the top surface, tearing the tearing portion and deploying the airbag into the vehicle cabin. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-143502 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] For example, when an airbag device such as the one described above is applied to an instrument panel having an upper panel and a lower panel, the airbag device is attached to the upper panel. In this structure, when the airbag device is deployed, an impact load caused by the airbag deploying acts on the top surface of the upper panel from below toward above.

[0007] The impact load causes the tearing portion on the top surface to tear, deploying the airbag into the vehicle cabin. When the impact load acts on the top surface, a reaction force acts from the upper panel to the lower panel. When this reaction force acts, the load on the lower panel increases, which may increase the deformation of the instrument panel.

[0008] On the other hand, when the airbag device in the above example is attached to the top surface of the upper panel, not only does the deformation of the upper panel increase when the airbag is deployed, but there is also a possibility that the top surface of the upper panel may be ruptured. Therefore, in a structure for attaching an airbag device to the upper panel of an instrument panel, there is room for improvement in the structure in the above example in order to suppress deformation and rupture of the instrument panel and ensure stable operation of the airbag device.

[0009] The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and its purpose is to provide a vehicle front structure that enables stable operation of an airbag device in a structure in which an airbag device is mounted on the top surface of an upper panel in an instrument panel having an upper panel and a lower panel. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] To achieve the above object, the present invention provides a vehicle front structure comprising: an instrument panel disposed in the front of a vehicle cabin; a steering support member disposed on a vehicle front side of the instrument panel; and an airbag device attached to the steering support member, wherein the instrument panel comprises an upper panel having a top surface portion disposed above the airbag device and a lower panel disposed below the upper panel, the top surface portion having a channel portion surrounding the airbag device. In the vehicle front structure, the steering support member comprises a pipe member extending in a vehicle width direction, support brackets attached to the pipe member and supporting a lower portion of the airbag device, upper stays extending upward from the pipe member on both sides of the airbag device in the vehicle width direction, and rear stays extending from the pipe member to the vehicle rearward so as to overlap at least a portion of the support brackets in the vehicle width direction, the upper stays and the rear stays being joined to the lower panel. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] According to the present invention, in a structure in which an airbag device is provided on the top surface portion of an upper panel of an instrument panel having an upper panel and a lower panel, it is possible to stably operate the airbag device. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] 1 is a partial perspective view of a vehicle front structure according to the present invention as seen from inside a vehicle cabin. [Figure 2] 2 is a perspective view showing the vehicle front structure of FIG. 1, in which an airbag device and the like are indicated by dashed lines. [Figure 3] 3 is an enlarged perspective view of the airbag device and the like in FIG. 2, as viewed from above the vehicle. FIG. [Figure 4] 2 is a perspective view of the instrument panel and other components of the vehicle front structure of FIG. 1, as viewed from the front side of the vehicle. [Figure 5]5 is a perspective view of the vehicle front structure of FIG. 4 with the glove box and other components removed, as viewed from below. [Figure 6] 5 is a perspective view of the airbag device, the channel portion, etc. of FIG. 4 as viewed from below. [Figure 7] 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. 3, showing the state before and after the top surface and other parts are split open. [Figure 8] FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along the arrow BB in FIG. 5. [Figure 9] FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along the CC arrow in FIG. 5. [Figure 10] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line DD in FIG. 5. [Figure 11] FIG. 6 is an enlarged perspective view of the front stay of FIG. 5. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] Hereinafter, an embodiment of a vehicle front structure according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings (Figs. 1 to 11). In the drawings, the direction of the arrow Fr indicates the front in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. In the description of the embodiment, the "front (front end) and rear (rear end)" correspond to the front and rear in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. Furthermore, the arrows R and L indicate the right and left sides when an occupant looks forward of the vehicle. Furthermore, the arrow U indicates the upward direction in the vertical direction of the vehicle.

[0014] The vehicle front structure of this embodiment includes an instrument panel 1, a steering support member 40, and an airbag device 50. First, the instrument panel 1 will be described. As shown in Fig. 1, the instrument panel 1 includes an upper panel 10 and a lower panel 30. In the vehicle of this embodiment, the driver's seat is located on the left side, and the passenger seat is located on the right side.

[0015] The upper panel 10 is disposed above the lower panel 30 and attached to the lower panel 30 and the steering support member 40. As shown in FIG. 1, the upper panel 10 has a top surface portion 11, an upper main surface portion 16, and upper side wall portions. The top surface portion 11 is disposed at the top of the instrument panel 1 and extends forward from the upper end of the upper main surface portion 16, for example, to the bottom of the windshield (not shown). Most of the top surface portion 11 is a design surface exposed to the interior of the vehicle. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, an airbag device 50 is attached to the lower surface (rear surface side) of the top surface portion 11, which is located in front of the passenger seat. The relationship between the top surface portion 11 and the airbag device 50 will be described later.

[0016] The airbag device 50 of this embodiment is disposed on the rear side of the top panel 11 located in front of the passenger seat. An airbag (not shown) housed inside the airbag device 50 is deployed into the vehicle cabin when the top panel 11 is torn open. The configuration of the airbag device 50 will be described later.

[0017] The upper main surface portion 16 is a portion of the instrument panel 1 that constitutes the upper portion of the main surface portion that faces the interior of the vehicle cabin, and has a plurality of openings to which in-vehicle devices and the like are attached, a portion to which decorative members such as the garnish 65 are attached, and a portion that is exposed to the interior of the vehicle cabin. For example, the portion that is exposed to the interior of the vehicle cabin is a design surface.

[0018] Although detailed explanation using the drawings is omitted, the upper side wall portion is a portion that extends forward of the vehicle from the outer end in the vehicle width direction of the upper main surface portion 16, and is a wall portion that extends downward of the vehicle from the outer end in the vehicle width direction of the top surface portion 11. The upper side wall portion has an outer wall surface that faces outward in the vehicle width direction, and this outer wall surface is a design surface that can be seen from outside the vehicle when, for example, the side door is open.

[0019] Next, the lower panel 30 will be described. As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the lower panel 30 is attached to a rigid member that constitutes the vehicle body. In this example, the lower panel 30 is fastened to a steering support member 40 by a fastening member such as a clip. The joining (fastening) of the lower panel 30 and the steering support member 40 will be described later. The lower panel 30 has a lower main surface portion 31 that constitutes the lower part of the main surface portion of the instrument panel 1, and a vertical wall portion for attaching the lower panel 30 to the vehicle body.

[0020] Like the upper main surface portion 16, the lower main surface portion 31 has a plurality of openings to which on-board devices are attached, a portion to which decorative members such as garnishes are attached, and a portion exposed to the interior of the vehicle. For example, the portion exposed to the interior of the vehicle is a design surface. Furthermore, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, the plurality of openings includes a glove box opening 38 to which a glove box 60 is attached.

[0021] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, a plurality of vertical wall portions are provided on the rear side of the instrument panel 1. Each vertical wall portion is a wall portion located on the vehicle front side of the lower main surface portion 31 and faces the front of the vehicle. In this embodiment, the vertical wall portion includes an outer vertical wall portion 32, an intermediate vertical wall portion 34, and inner vertical wall portions 33a, 33b. As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the outer vertical wall portion 32 is located on the front side of the lower main surface portion 31, on the outer side in the vehicle width direction. In this example, it is joined to an outer upper stay 43, which will be described later.

[0022] 5 and 10, the inner vertical wall portion 33 is disposed in a middle portion in the vehicle width direction on the front side (rear side) of the lower main surface portion 31. In this example, the inner vertical wall portion 33 includes an upper inner vertical wall portion 33a and a lower inner vertical wall portion 33b. The upper inner vertical wall portion 33a is disposed on the inner side of the airbag device 50 in the vehicle width direction with a gap therebetween, and the lower inner vertical wall portion 33b is disposed on the inner side and lower side of the glove box opening 38 in the vehicle width direction. The upper inner vertical wall portion 33a is joined to an upper joint portion 44a of an inner upper stay 44 described later, and the lower inner vertical wall portion 33b is joined to a lower joint portion 44b described later.

[0023] 8 and 10, the intermediate vertical wall portion 34 is disposed between the outer vertical wall portion 32 and the inner vertical wall portion 33 in the vehicle width direction, and is joined to the rear portion of a rear stay 45, which will be described later. In this example, the intermediate vertical wall portion 34 is provided above the glove box opening 38 of the lower panel 30.

[0024] Next, we will explain the steering support member 40. The steering support member 40 is a member that is placed on the vehicle front side of the instrument panel 1 and is a highly rigid member that directly or indirectly supports the steering wheel, steering shaft, steering column, etc.

[0025] 4 and 5, the steering support member 40 has a pipe member 41 extending in the vehicle width direction, a support bracket 42 attached to the pipe member 41 and supporting a lower portion of the airbag device 50, and a plurality of stays attached to the pipe member 41. In this embodiment, the plurality of stays include a front stay 48, an outer upper stay 43 (upper stay), an inner upper stay 44 (upper stay), and a rear stay 45. The outer upper stay 43, the inner upper stay 44, and the rear stay 45 are joined to the lower panel 30. Each of the members constituting the steering support member 40 will be described below.

[0026] The pipe member 41 extends in the vehicle width direction so as to connect the left and right ends of the vehicle body. It is a hollow member having, for example, a circular cross section and is a highly rigid member made of a metal material. The pipe member 41 is attached to the vehicle body structure via the stays described above. The outer side of the pipe member 41 in the vehicle width direction is joined to, for example, an inner panel or the like arranged on the side of the vehicle body via an outer upper stay 43 described below.

[0027] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the outer upper stay 43 extends upward and downward from the pipe member 41 located on the outer side of the airbag device 50 in the vehicle width direction. In this embodiment, the outer upper stay 43 is a metal member extending in the vehicle up-down direction. The outer upper stay 43 has an outer wall portion 43a facing outward in the vehicle width direction, and a flange portion 43b provided on an upper portion of the outer wall portion 43a. The outer end portion of the pipe member 41 in the vehicle width direction is joined to a middle portion of the outer wall portion 43a in the vehicle up-down direction by, for example, arc welding.

[0028] The outer wall portion 43a, which is located higher than the pipe member 41, is provided with an upper fastening portion 43a1 that is fastened to a vehicle body structure with a bolt or the like. Similarly to the upper fastening portion 43a1, the outer wall portion 43a, which is located lower than the pipe member 41, is provided with a lower fastening portion 43a2 that is fastened to a vehicle body structure with a bolt. The outer upper stay 43 is fastened to a vehicle body structure, such as an inner panel, by the upper fastening portion 43a1 and the lower fastening portion 43a2. In other words, the vehicle width direction outer portion of the steering support member 40 is attached to the vehicle body structure with high mounting rigidity. The pipe member 41 also functions as a highly rigid framework member that connects the vehicle body structures on both sides in the vehicle width direction.

[0029] The flange portion 43b protrudes inward in the vehicle width direction from an upper portion at the rear of the outer wall portion 43a and extends upward toward the vehicle. The flange portion 43b has a joining surface facing the rear of the vehicle. The outer vertical wall portion 32 of the lower panel 30 of the instrument panel 1 is joined to the flange portion 43b. In this example, through holes are provided in the flange portion 43b and the outer vertical wall portion 32, and the flange portion 43b and the outer wall portion 43a are fastened to each other with clips or the like in a state of abutting against each other.

[0030] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the inner upper stay 44 extends upward from the pipe member 41 located on the inner side of the airbag device 50 in the vehicle width direction. The inner upper stay 44 of this embodiment is a metal member that extends in the vehicle up-down direction, similar to the outer upper stay 43. The upper end of the inner upper stay 44 is located higher in the vehicle than the upper end of the outer upper stay 43, and the lower end of the inner upper stay 44 is located lower in the vehicle than the lower end of the outer upper stay 43. In other words, the inner upper stay 44 has a longer dimension in the vehicle up-down direction than the outer upper stay 43.

[0031] A vehicle width direction intermediate portion of the pipe member 41 is joined to a vehicle up-down direction intermediate portion of the inner upper stay 44. As shown in Figures 5 and 10, an upper joint portion 44a and a lower joint portion 44b are provided at the upper and lower portions of the inner upper stay 44, to which the lower panel 30 of the instrument panel 1 is attached. An upper inner vertical wall portion 33a and a lower inner vertical wall portion 33b provided at the upper and lower portions of the lower panel 30, respectively, are joined to the upper joint portion 44a and the lower joint portion 44b with clips or the like.

[0032] As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the rear stay 45 is disposed so as to overlap at least a portion of the support bracket 42 in the vehicle width direction, and extends from the pipe member 41 toward the vehicle rear. As shown in Figures 5, 8, and 10, the rear stay 45 of this embodiment is a metal member that extends from the vehicle width direction intermediate portion of the pipe member 41 toward the vehicle rear, and is inclined slightly upward toward the vehicle rear. The side portions of the rear stay 45 are provided with wall portions that protrude downward toward the vehicle, thereby increasing the rigidity of the rear stay 45. In addition, the front portion of the rear stay 45 is joined to the pipe member 41 by, for example, arc welding, and the rear portion of the rear stay 45 is joined to the intermediate vertical wall portion 34 provided on the front portion of the lower panel 30 of the instrument panel 1.

[0033] As shown in Figures 5, 8, and 10, the rear portion of the rear stay 45 is provided with a rear joint portion 45a extending downwardly of the vehicle. The rear joint portion 45a faces the rear of the vehicle. A through hole for a clip is provided in the rear joint portion 45a. The joint surface of the rear joint portion 45a is joined by a clip or the like while abutting against the intermediate vertical wall portion 34 located above the glove box opening 38 of the lower panel 30. The rear stay 45 increases the rigidity of the opening edge of the glove box opening 38.

[0034] As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 , the rear stay 45 is disposed between the outer upper stay 43 and the inner upper stay 44 in the vehicle width direction. In this example, the glove box opening 38 is provided in the lower panel 30 located between the outer upper stay 43 and the inner upper stay 44 in the vehicle width direction, as described above. Metal box support members 49 extending in the vertical direction are disposed at positions corresponding to both sides of the glove box opening 38. The upper portions of the two box support members 49 are joined to the pipe member 41 by, for example, arc welding. The two box support members 49 are disposed between the outer upper stay 43 and the inner upper stay 44. The rear stay 45 is disposed between the two box support members 49.

[0035] 4, 5 and 11, the front stay 48 is a metal member that extends from the middle portion of the pipe member 41 in the vehicle width direction toward the front of the vehicle. The rear portion of the front stay 48 is joined to the pipe member 41 by, for example, arc welding. The front stay 48 will be described in detail later.

[0036] Next, the airbag device 50 will be described. As shown in Figs. 2 to 6, the airbag device 50 has a device main body 51 and mounting arm portions 52A and 52B. The airbag device 50 is mounted to the upper panel 10 in a state where it is disposed inside a channel portion 20 provided in the upper panel 10. The channel portion 20 will be described later.

[0037] As shown in FIGS. 4 to 6 , the device main body 51 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, and the bottom of the device main body 51 is fastened to and supported by two support brackets 42 (described later). A folded airbag is housed inside the device main body 51. The rear surface of the device main body 51 is disposed on the front side of the upper main surface 16 of the upper panel 10 with a gap therebetween. Two claws 51a are provided on the front surface of the device main body 51. Each claw 51a protrudes forward from a central portion of the front surface in the vehicle up-down direction and bends downward. The two claws 51a are disposed on the left and right with a gap between them. The claws 51a are disposed so as to correspond to elongated through-holes 24b formed in the front wall 24 of the channel 20 (described later). The claws 51a are spaced apart from the elongated through-holes 24b but are engageable when the device main body 51 moves downward.

[0038] The mounting arms 52A and 52B are respectively attached to the left and right side surfaces of the device main body 51. The left mounting arm 52A is provided on the left side surface of the device main body 51, and the right mounting arm 52B is provided on the right side surface of the device main body 51.

[0039] 6, the left mounting arm 52A protrudes leftward from the left side surface of the device main body 51, extends upward from the left end at an inclination forward, and protrudes outward to the left from its upper end. The upper portion of the left mounting arm 52A extends in the vehicle width direction and is attached to the device mounting portion 15A of the top surface 11 with a fastening member such as a clip. The device mounting portion 15A will be described later.

[0040] 4 and 9, like the left mounting arm 52A, the right mounting arm 52B protrudes to the right from the right side surface of the device main body 51, extends upward from the right end at an inclination forward, and extends outward to the right from the upper end. The upper part of the right mounting arm 52B is attached to the device mounting portion 15B of the top surface 11.

[0041] Here, the structure of the support bracket 42 that supports the airbag device 50 will be described. In this embodiment, as shown in Figs. 4 to 6, two support brackets 42 are arranged at an interval from each other in the vehicle width direction below the device main body 51 of the airbag device 50. The two support brackets 42 are joined to the pipe member 41 of the steering support member 40.

[0042] As shown in Fig. 6, each of the two support brackets 42 has two side wall portions 42a and a fastening surface portion 42b, which form a U-shape. The two side wall portions 42a are vertical walls extending from the front portion of the pipe member 41 toward the front of the vehicle and have wall surfaces facing in the vehicle width direction. The two side wall portions 42a are arranged spaced apart in the vehicle width direction. The front portions of the two side wall portions 42a are curved along the outer peripheral surface of the pipe member 41 and are joined to the outer peripheral surface of the pipe member 41 by, for example, arc welding.

[0043] The fastening surface portion 42b is a flat portion connecting the upper ends of the two side wall portions 42a, and is provided with a through-hole through which a fastening member such as a bolt can pass. The rear portion of the fastening surface portion 42b is joined to the upper portion of the pipe member 41. Because the fastening surface portion 42b and the two side wall portions 42a are joined to the pipe member 41, the support bracket 42 has high support rigidity.

[0044] Next, the top surface 11 to which the airbag device 50 is attached will be described in detail. A channel portion 20 is provided on the underside of the top surface 11. A device main body 51 of the airbag device 50 is disposed inside the channel portion 20. Furthermore, as shown in Figures 2, 3 and 6, device attachment portions 15A and 15B to which a left attachment arm portion 52A and a right attachment arm portion 52B are attached are provided on both outer sides of the channel portion 20 in the vehicle width direction.

[0045] The following describes the structure of the channel portion 20. The channel portion 20 has an upper surface portion 21, a front wall portion 24, a rear wall portion 25, a left wall portion 26, and a right wall portion 27. The channel portion 20 in this example has a box-like shape that is open at the bottom.

[0046] As shown in Figures 4 to 6, the front wall 24 faces the front of the vehicle and is slightly inclined forward as it extends downward. Two elongated through-holes 24b extending in the vehicle width direction are provided in the middle of the front wall 24 in the vertical direction of the vehicle, and these elongated through-holes 24b are arranged at an interval from each other in the vehicle width direction. In addition, a plurality of ribs 29a, 29b are formed on the front wall 24.

[0047] In this example, the front wall portion 24 has three long ribs 29a and two short ribs 29b to maintain the rigidity of the wall surface. The long ribs 29a are arranged outside each long through hole 24b and between two long through holes 24b. The short ribs 29b are arranged between adjacent long ribs 29a in the vehicle width direction. A front flange 24a that protrudes forward is provided at the upper end of the front wall portion 24. The front flange 24a abuts against the lower surface of the top surface portion 11.

[0048] 7 and 8, the rear wall portion 25 faces the rear of the vehicle and is inclined slightly forward as it extends downward, similar to the front wall portion 24. Although not shown in detail, the rear wall portion 25 has a plurality of ribs 29a, 29b, similar to the front wall portion 24. In addition, as shown in FIG. 2, the upper end of the rear wall portion 25 is provided with a rear flange 25a that abuts against the lower surface of the top surface portion 11.

[0049] The left wall portion 26 connects the left end of the front wall portion 24 and the left end of the rear wall portion 25, and has a notch in the lower portion of the left wall portion 26. The left protruding portion of the left mounting arm portion 52A passes through the notch in the vehicle width direction. The left vertical portion of the left mounting arm portion 52A is disposed along the left wall portion 26. A left flange 26a that protrudes to the left in the vehicle width direction is provided at the upper end of the left wall portion 26, and the left flange 26a abuts against the lower surface of the top surface portion 11.

[0050] The right wall portion 27 connects the right end of the front wall portion 24 and the right end of the rear wall portion 25, and has a notch formed in the lower portion of the right wall portion 27, similar to the left wall portion 26. The right protruding portion of the right mounting arm portion 52B passes through the notch in the vehicle width direction. The right vertical portion of the right mounting arm portion 52B is disposed along the right wall portion 27. A right flange 27a protruding to the right in the vehicle width direction is formed at the upper end of the right wall portion 27, and the right flange 27a abuts against the lower surface of the top surface portion 11.

[0051] 2 and 3, the upper surface portion 21 is a portion that can abut against the top surface portion 11. In this example, the left side of the upper surface portion 21 is disposed to the left of the left flange 26a with a gap therebetween. Similarly, the right side of the upper surface portion 21 is disposed to the right of the right flange 27a with a gap therebetween. In other words, a gap 23 is provided between the left and right sides of the upper surface portion 21 and the left flange 26a and the right flange 27a.

[0052] When the airbag device 50 is activated, the upper surface 21 and the top surface 11 are torn open, and the airbag is deployed inside the vehicle cabin. In this example, the front wall 24, rear wall 25, left wall 26, and right wall 27 of the channel portion 20 are provided with ribs 29a, 29b, etc., to ensure a predetermined rigidity. Therefore, when the airbag device 50 is activated and the airbag is deployed inside the vehicle cabin, the front wall 24, rear wall 25, left wall 26, and right wall 27 function as guides to stabilize the protrusion direction of the airbag.

[0053] When the airbag device 50 is activated, an upward impact load acts on the top surface 11 located above the airbag device 50 and the upper surface 21 of the channel portion 20, causing the top surface 11 and the upper surface 21 to split open. At this time, as shown in Fig. 8, a reaction force P1 of the impact load acts downward on the device main body 51.

[0054] In this embodiment, as described above, the rear stay 45 is disposed so as to overlap at least a portion of the support bracket 42 in the vehicle width direction. In this example, the right support bracket 42 and the rear stay 45 are disposed so as to overlap in the vehicle width direction, i.e., lined up in the vehicle front-rear direction. This ensures a predetermined support rigidity against the reaction force P1 when the airbag device 50 is activated. As a result, even when the airbag device 50 is activated, the structure of this embodiment can stably support the airbag device 50, allowing the airbag to deploy in the intended direction and enabling the airbag device 50 to be activated normally.

[0055] In the above structure, the airbag device 50 is supported by the steering support member 40, which is a rigid member, so that the reaction force can be received by a portion having high support rigidity. Furthermore, by providing the support bracket 42 extending forward from the front portion of the pipe member 41, the degree of freedom is improved in the position in the vehicle longitudinal direction where the airbag device 50 is supported, the angle of the airbag device 50, and the like. In other words, the airbag device 50 can be stably supported, and the degree of freedom in the layout of the airbag device 50 can be ensured.

[0056] In this embodiment, upper stays 43, 44 are arranged on both sides of the airbag device 50 in the vehicle width direction. In this example, the outer upper stay 43 is arranged on the outer side of the airbag device 50, and the inner upper stay 44 is arranged on the inner side of the airbag device 50. As a result, when an impact load acts on the top surface portion 11 of the upper panel 10 during activation of the airbag device 50, the impact load on the top surface portion 11 located around the airbag device 50 can be received by a portion with high rigidity.

[0057] Furthermore, because the support bracket 42 is disposed further forward than the pipe member 41, when the airbag device 50 is activated, a reaction force P1 acting downward is transmitted to the support bracket 42. At this time, the reaction force P1 is transformed into a rotational force P2 that rotates the support bracket 42 counterclockwise around the pipe member 41 as viewed in the vehicle width direction in FIG. 8. At this time, because the support bracket 42 and the rear stay 45 are disposed side by side in the front-to-rear direction of the vehicle as described above, the rotational force P2 acting counterclockwise can be received by the rear stay 45, and the rotational force P2 can be prevented from acting on the upper panel 10 of the instrument panel 1.

[0058] Furthermore, when the airbag device 50 is activated, a downward reaction force P1 acts on the device main body 51, causing the device main body 51 to move downward. In this case, the claw portion 51a engages with the lower edges of the long through holes 24b, 25b, thereby preventing the device main body 51 from moving downward.

[0059] 2 and 3 , the upper panel 10 of this embodiment has a tearing portion 12 that is provided on the top surface portion 11, extends in the vehicle width direction, and tears when the airbag device 50 is activated, a rear pivot shaft portion 13 (pivot shaft portion) that is located rearward of the tearing portion 12 and extends in the vehicle width direction, an inclined surface portion 17 that inclines toward the front of the vehicle as it extends downward from a rear end portion 11a of the top surface portion 11 located rearward of the rear pivot shaft portion 13, and a front pivot shaft portion 14 that is located forward of the tearing portion 12 and extends in the vehicle width direction. The inclined surface portion 17 is a part of the upper main surface portion 16, and is inclined in the above direction from the rear end portion 11a of the top surface portion 11. In this embodiment, the angle formed by the top surface portion 11 and the inclined surface portion 17 toward the front of the vehicle, with the rear end portion 11a of the top surface portion 11 as the apex, is an acute angle.

[0060] In this embodiment, the top surface portion 11 that abuts against the top surface portion 21 of the channel portion 20 is integrally formed with the top surface portion 21. That is, the tearing portion 12 is provided on both the top surface portion 11 and the top surface portion 21. Similarly, the rear rotating shaft portion 13 and the front rotating shaft portion 14 are also provided on both the top surface portion 11 and the top surface portion 21.

[0061] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 , the tearing portion 12 is a portion extending in the vehicle width direction and tearing due to the impact load generated when the airbag deploys into the vehicle cabin during activation of the airbag device 50. In this embodiment, the tearing portion 12 extends in the vehicle width direction. The left end of the tearing portion 12 in the vehicle width direction is preferably located to the left of the left end of the device main body 51 of the airbag device 50. Similarly, the right end of the tearing portion 12 is preferably located to the right of the right end of the device main body 51. For example, the tearing portion 12 located on the top surface 11 may be provided by forming a groove extending in the vehicle width direction on the underside of the top surface 11. By providing this groove, the top surface 11 around the tearing portion 12 becomes thinner and more fragile. Note that the groove may be provided on the upper surface of the top surface 11, provided that it does not impair the design. The tearing portion 12 located on the upper surface portion 21 may have a groove like the top surface portion 11, but may also have an elongated hole shape. In this embodiment, a gap is provided between the front and rear portions of the tearing portion 12.

[0062] Furthermore, a vertically weakened portion extending in the vehicle front-rear direction may be provided on the underside of the top surface portion 11 at the vehicle widthwise outer end of the tearing portion 12. Similar to the tearing portion 12, the vertically weakened portion is a portion that tears when it receives an impact load generated when the airbag deploys into the vehicle cabin during activation of the airbag device 50. The vertically weakened portion may be, for example, a groove extending in the vehicle width direction provided on the underside of the top surface portion 11. Note that the groove may also be provided on the upper surface of the top surface portion 11, provided that the design is not impaired. The left and right sides of the top surface portion 21 are located below the vertically weakened portions. That is, the left vertically weakened portion is located above the gap 23 between the left side of the top surface portion 21 and the left flange 26a of the left side wall, and the right vertically weakened portion is located above the gap 23 between the right side of the top surface portion 21 and the right flange 27a of the right side wall.

[0063] 2 and 3, the rear pivot shaft 13 is a portion that is disposed rearward of the tearing portion 12 at a distance and extends in the vehicle width direction, and the front pivot shaft 14 is a portion that is disposed forward of the tearing portion 12 at a distance and extends in the vehicle width direction. When the airbag deploys into the vehicle cabin upon activation of the airbag device 50, the tearing portion 12 and the left and right vertically weak portions tear, and then the top surface 11 and the upper surface 21 between the rear pivot shaft 13 and the tearing portion 12 rotate around the rear pivot shaft, and the top surface 11 and the upper surface 21 between the front pivot shaft 14 and the tearing portion 12 rotate around the front pivot shaft 14. In other words, when the airbag device 50 deploys, the top surface 11 and the upper surface 21 open around the tearing portion 12 like a double-door, and the airbag deploys into the vehicle cabin.

[0064] As described above, the rear pivot shaft 13 is provided on the top surface 11 and the upper surface 21. Similar to the tearing portion 12, the rear pivot shaft 13 located on the top surface 11 may have a weakened portion formed by, for example, providing a groove extending in the vehicle width direction on the underside of the top surface 11. This allows the tearing portion 12 to bend at the groove after it has been torn.

[0065] On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 7 , the rear pivot shaft 13 located on the top surface 21 is provided on the top surface 21 located at the upper end of the rear wall 25 of the channel portion 20. In this example, a U-shaped recess 22 is provided in the top surface 21 located slightly forward of the rear wall 25, and the rear portion at the upper end of the recess 22 is made weaker than the other portions. This weak portion becomes the rear pivot shaft 13 on the top surface 21. The rear pivot shaft 13 of the top surface 11 should be located above the rear pivot shaft 13 on the top surface 21. As a result, the rear pivot shaft 13 located on the top surface 21 and the rear pivot shaft 13 located on the top surface 11 form an integrated shaft portion, and the top surface 11 and the top surface 21 between the rear pivot shaft 13 and the split portion 12 rotate around the rear pivot shaft.

[0066] 2 and 3, the front rotating shaft 14 is provided on the top surface 11 and the upper surface 21, similar to the rear rotating shaft 13. The front rotating shaft 14 located on the upper surface 21 and the front rotating shaft 14 located on the top surface 11 form an integrated shaft, and the top surface 11 and the upper surface 21 between the front rotating shaft 14 and the split portion 12 rotate around the front rotating shaft 14.

[0067] When the airbag device 50 is activated, as described above, the top surface 11 and the upper surface 21, which are located between the rupture portion 12 and the rear pivot shaft 13, rotate in an arc around the rear pivot shaft 13. That is, the rupture portion 12 moves to the rear end 11a of the top surface 11 while rotating and comes into contact with the rear end 11a. At this time, the load of the moment of the rotating top surface 11 and upper surface 21 can be received by the upper part of the inclined surface 17. At this time, the provision of the inclined surface 17 improves the rigidity of the upper main surface 16 against the moment, making it possible to suppress damage to the upper main surface 16 when the airbag device 50 is activated.

[0068] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the distance between the rear pivot shaft 13 and the tearing portion 12 in the vehicle longitudinal direction corresponds to the distance between the rear pivot shaft 13 and the rear end 11a of the top surface 11. That is, in this embodiment, the top surface 11 and the upper surface 21, which are located between the tearing portion 12 and the rear pivot shaft 13, are configured so that the tearing portion 12 is likely to come into contact with the rear end 11a after the top surface 11 and the upper surface 21 rotate around the rear pivot shaft 13. This allows the rear end 11a and the inclined surface 17 of the top surface 11 to effectively bear the moment load caused by the rotation. As a result, the effect of suppressing damage to the upper main surface 16 when the airbag device 50 is activated can be improved.

[0069] 2, 3, and 6, in this embodiment, device mounting portions 15A, 15B to which the airbag device 50 is attached are provided on the underside of the top surface 11 located on both the left and right sides of the airbag device 50 in the vehicle width direction. The device mounting portions 15A, 15B on both the left and right sides protrude downward from the underside of the top surface 11. The lower ends of the device mounting portions 15A, 15B are inclined downward from an extension line of the tearing portion 12 in the vehicle width direction (imaginary line L in FIGS. 2 and 3) toward the front of the vehicle.

[0070] Further, a mounting surface that slopes downward and rearward is provided at the front of each of the device mounting portions 15A, 15B. For example, the upper left mounting portion of the left mounting arm portion 52A is attached by a clip or the like to the mounting surface of the left device mounting portions 15A, 15B provided on the left side of the airbag device 50, and the upper right mounting portion of the right mounting arm portion 52B is attached by a clip or the like to the mounting surface of the right device mounting portions 15A, 15B.

[0071] In this embodiment, when the airbag device 50 is activated, an impact load acts on the top surface 11 and the upper surface 21 from below the top surface 11 and the upper surface 21 toward the upper side. Because the tearing portion 12 is weaker than other parts of the top surface 11 as described above, the load is likely to be transmitted further outward than the outer end of the tearing portion 12 in the vehicle width direction. In response to this, by providing the device mounting portions 15A and 15B in the above positions, the rigidity of the top surface 11 located outside the tearing portion 12 in the vehicle width direction is improved. As a result, it is possible to suppress damage to the top surface 11 around the tearing portion 12 when the airbag device 50 is activated.

[0072] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as described above, the steering support member 40 has the front stay 48 extending from the pipe member 41 toward the front of the vehicle. As shown in Figures 4 and 11, the front stay 48 is disposed in the vehicle width direction between the inner upper stay 44, which is disposed on the inner side in the vehicle width direction, and the airbag device 50. The front portion of the front stay 48 is joined to the vehicle body structural body disposed on the vehicle front side of the instrument panel 1, and the side portion of the front stay 48 is provided with a recessed portion 48a extending in the vehicle up-down direction.

[0073] The front stay 48 is a metal member that extends in the vehicle front-rear direction as a whole. The rear portion of the front stay 48 is joined to the outer peripheral surface of the pipe member 41. In this example, the lower portion of the rear portion of the front stay 48 is joined to the lower portion of the pipe member 41 by, for example, arc welding. In addition, flanges that protrude outward and extend along the outer peripheral surface of the pipe member 41 are provided on both outer portions in the vehicle width direction of the rear portion of the front stay 48, and these flanges are joined to the outer peripheral surface of the pipe member 41 by, for example, arc welding.

[0074] A front portion of the front stay 48 is joined to a vehicle body structure, such as a cowl top panel, that is disposed in front of the instrument panel 1. For example, the front portion of the front stay 48 is fastened to the cowl top panel by a fastening member, such as a bolt, via a bracket 48e or the like. In this example, the front end portion 48b of the bracket 48e is fastened to the cowl top panel or the like. The bracket 48e is preferably configured so that the amount by which it protrudes from the front end of the front stay 48 can be adjusted during assembly.

[0075] The front stay 48 has a wall surface that faces in the vehicle width direction and extends in the vehicle front-rear direction. In this embodiment, the front stay 48 has a wall surface on the right side thereof. The wall surface is provided with the above-described recessed portion 48a. The recessed portion 48a is recessed toward the left side in the vehicle width direction relative to the wall surface and extends from the upper end to the lower end of the front stay 48.

[0076] The front stay 48 is configured to bend easily from the recessed portion 48a, which serves as a weakened portion, when subjected to an impact load, for example, due to a frontal collision. This prevents the steering support member 40 and the instrument panel 1 from being pushed toward the rear of the vehicle (inside the vehicle cabin), thereby protecting occupants in the vehicle cabin. Meanwhile, because the recessed portion 48a of the front stay 48 extends in the vehicle vertical direction, it is less likely to bend in the vehicle vertical direction and maintains a predetermined strength. This allows the front stay 48 to resist the reaction force P1 (FIG. 8) when the airbag device 50 is activated. Therefore, providing the front stay 48 allows the airbag device 50 to operate normally while protecting occupants in a frontal collision.

[0077] The front stay 48 is preferably located near the airbag device 50 in the vehicle width direction, and is preferably located toward the center in the vehicle width direction. On the other hand, if the front stay 48 is located on the vehicle front side of the airbag device 50, there is a possibility that the front stay 48 will come into contact with the airbag device 50 in the event of a frontal collision.

[0078] In contrast to this, in the present embodiment, the front stay 48 is positioned offset in the vehicle width direction relative to the airbag device 50, and is positioned between the outer upper stay 43 and the inner upper stay 44. Therefore, in the event of a frontal collision, it is possible to avoid contact between the airbag device 50 and the front stay 48, and providing the front stay 48 makes it possible to further increase the rigidity of the front part of the vehicle.

[0079] 1 and 8 to 10, a garnish 65 is attached to the main surface (rear portion) of the instrument panel 1 located between the two upper stays, i.e., between the outer upper stay 43 and the inner upper stay 44. The garnish 65 is disposed so as to straddle the upper panel 10 and the lower panel 30, and the lower end of the garnish 65 is disposed so as to correspond to the joint between the rear portion of the rear stay 45 and the front portion of the lower panel 30.

[0080] The garnish 65 of this embodiment is a member that bulges toward the rear of the vehicle (toward the interior of the vehicle) and extends in the vehicle width direction, and is made of a resin material. A front portion of an upper portion 65a of the garnish 65 is attached to the lower portion of the inclined surface portion 17 of the upper panel 10. A front portion of a lower portion 65b of the garnish 65 is attached to the upper portion of the lower panel 30, which in this example is attached to the upper portion of the glove box opening 38. In addition, the front portion of the lower portion 65b of the garnish 65 is disposed rearward of the intermediate vertical wall portion 34.

[0081] 10, the mounting portion of the lower portion 65b of the garnish 65 is positioned behind the middle vertical wall portion 34, thereby maintaining the rigidity of the lower portion of the upper panel 10. By improving the support rigidity of the lower portion of the upper panel 10, deformation of the lower portion of the upper panel 10 can be suppressed even if a load acts on the upper panel 10 when the tearing portion 12 of the top surface portion 11 or the like tears during activation of the airbag device 50, for example.

[0082] Therefore, according to the vehicle front structure of this embodiment, in a structure in which the airbag device 50 is mounted on the top surface 11 of the instrument panel 1 having the upper panel 10 and the lower panel 30, it is possible to stably operate the airbag device 50.

[0083] The description of the present embodiment is merely an example for explaining the present invention, and does not limit the invention described in the claims. Furthermore, the configuration of each part of the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications are possible within the technical scope described in the claims.

[0084] For example, in this embodiment, the channel portion 20 is provided with the top surface portion 21, but this is not limiting. For example, the channel portion 20 of this embodiment may be configured with a front wall portion 24, a rear wall portion 25, a left wall portion 26, and a right wall portion 27. In this case, the airbag device 50 is disposed below the top surface portion 11, and when the airbag device 50 is activated, the top surface portion 11 is ruptured to deploy the airbag into the vehicle cabin. [Explanation of symbols]

[0085] 1. Instrument panel 10 Upper panel 11 Top section 11a Rear end 12 Cleavage 13 Rear pivot shaft (rotation shaft) 14 Front rotation shaft 15A Left side device mounting part (mounting part) 15B Right side device mounting part (mounting part) 16 Upper main surface 17 Slope section 20 Channel Section 21 Top part 22 recess 23 Gap 24 Front wall 24a Front flange 24b Through hole 25 Rear wall 25a rear flange 25b Through hole 26 Left wall 26a Left flange 26c notch 27 Right wall 27a Right flange 27c notch 29a Long Rib 29b Short Rib 30 Lower panel 31 Lower main surface 32 Outer vertical wall section 33a Upper inner vertical wall 33b Lower inner vertical wall 34 Intermediate vertical wall 38 Glove box opening 40 Steering support member 41 Pipe members 42 Support bracket 42a Side wall part 42b Fastening surface part 43 Outer upper stay (upper stay) 43a Outer wall 43a1 Upper fastening part 43a2 Lower fastening section 43b Flange part 44 Inner upper stay (upper stay) 44a Upper joint 44b Lower joint 45 Rear stay 45a Posterior joint 48 Front stay 48a Concave portion 49 Box support member 50 Airbag device 51 Device main body 51a Claw part 52A Left side mounting arm 52B Right side mounting arm 60 Glove box 65 Garnish 65a Garnish top 65b Lower garnish

Claims

1. The vehicle seat includes an instrument panel disposed at the front of a vehicle interior, a steering support member disposed on the vehicle front side of the instrument panel, and an airbag device attached to the steering support member, the instrument panel includes an upper panel having a top surface portion disposed above the airbag device, and a lower panel disposed below the upper panel, The top surface portion is provided with a channel portion surrounding the airbag device, The steering support member is a pipe member extending in the vehicle width direction; a support bracket provided on the pipe member for supporting a lower portion of the airbag device; upper stays extending upward from the pipe members located on both sides of the airbag device in a vehicle width direction; a rear stay disposed so as to overlap at least a portion of the support bracket in the vehicle width direction and extending from the pipe member toward the rear of the vehicle, The vehicle front structure, wherein the upper stay and the rear stay are joined to the lower panel.

2. The upper panel is a tearing portion provided on the top surface portion, extending in the vehicle width direction, and tearing when the airbag device is activated; A pivot shaft portion disposed rearward of the tearing portion and extending in the vehicle width direction; 2. The vehicle front structure according to claim 1, further comprising an inclined surface portion that slopes forward from the rear end of the top surface portion located behind the pivot shaft portion toward the vehicle bottom.

3. 3. The vehicle front structure according to claim 2, wherein the distance between the pivot shaft and the tearing portion in the vehicle longitudinal direction corresponds to the distance between the pivot shaft and the rear end portion.

4. mounting portions to which the airbag device is attached are provided on lower surfaces of the top surface portions located on both sides of the airbag device in a vehicle width direction, and the mounting portions protrude from the lower surface of the top surface portions toward a lower side of the vehicle, 3. The vehicle front structure according to claim 1, wherein a rear portion of the mounting portion is inclined downward from an extension of the tearing portion in the vehicle width direction toward the front of the vehicle.

5. the steering support member has a front stay extending from the pipe member toward the front of the vehicle, the front stay is disposed between the upper stay, which is disposed on the inner side in the vehicle width direction, and the airbag device, in the vehicle width direction; a front portion of the front stay is joined to a vehicle body structure that is disposed on a vehicle front side of the instrument panel, 3. The vehicle front structure according to claim 1, wherein a recessed portion extending in the vertical direction of the vehicle is provided on a side portion of the front stay.

6. a garnish is attached to a rear portion of the instrument panel located between the two upper stays; The garnish is disposed so as to straddle the upper panel and the lower panel, 2. The vehicle front structure according to claim 1, wherein a lower end of the garnish is disposed so as to correspond to a joint between a rear portion of the rear stay and a front portion of the lower panel.

Images