Vehicle ceiling structure

Abstract

To provide a vehicle ceiling structure in which an occupant can have open feeling without a troublesome operation.SOLUTION: A vehicle ceiling structure 1 includes: a ceiling front part 10A of a vehicle ceiling 10 which is arranged ahead of at least an occupant and is made of a translucent material that has light transmissivity; and a ceiling component 20 which is arranged at a cabin side of the ceiling front part 10A. The ceiling component 20 includes an opposite surface part 23 facing the ceiling front part 10A, at least a rear part of the opposite surface part 23 is arranged separated from the ceiling front part 10A to form a gap S1 open for the rear direction between the ceiling front part 10A and the opposite surface part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The technology disclosed in this specification relates to a vehicle ceiling structure. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, ceiling structures capable of improving the sense of openness of the front seats of vehicles such as automobiles have been proposed. For example, Patent Document 1 below discloses a sunroof that opens across almost the entire width of the front part of the roof and is covered with auxiliary glass. An overhead console that can slide in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle body is arranged in the center of the inside of the sunroof, and by moving the overhead console rearward as needed, it is possible to improve the sense of openness of the auxiliary glass area. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2007-191005 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, the conventional configurations described above require rail structures for moving ceiling components (such as overhead consoles and map lamps) and the disposal of excess wiring, which increases manufacturing costs. Furthermore, the ceiling components must be moved to create a sense of openness, which requires the occupant to perform the operation. Furthermore, when a ceiling component is moved toward the rear of the vehicle and then returned to its original position, the occupant must move their shoulders or arms backward, making the operation difficult. Furthermore, if the ceiling component includes a lighting device such as a map lamp, the position of the lighting also moves backward when the ceiling component is moved backward, which can result in a shift in the desired location.

[0005] The technology disclosed in this specification was developed in consideration of the above circumstances, and aims to provide a vehicle ceiling structure that allows passengers to feel a sense of openness without having to perform any cumbersome operations. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The technology disclosed in this specification, which was completed in consideration of the above circumstances, is a vehicle ceiling structure in which at least a front portion of the vehicle ceiling that is located in front of the occupants is made of a translucent material, and a ceiling part is arranged on the interior side of the vehicle cabin of the front portion of the ceiling, and the ceiling part has an opposing surface part that faces the front portion of the ceiling, and at least a rear portion of the opposing surface part is arranged away from the front portion of the ceiling, forming a gap that opens rearward between the front portion of the ceiling and the front portion of the ceiling.

[0007] With the above configuration, the ceiling component is less likely to obstruct the occupant's field of vision than when the rear portion of the ceiling component is positioned without a gap between it and the front portion of the ceiling. In other words, the gap allows the occupant to direct their line of sight further forward when looking diagonally upward, thereby enhancing the sense of openness. Moreover, there is no need to move the ceiling component to achieve this sense of openness.

[0008] The ceiling front portion may have an inclined surface portion that slopes forward and downward, and at least a part of a front portion of the opposing surface portion of the ceiling component may be attached to the inclined surface portion. Also, the ceiling front portion may be integrally connected to a front window of the vehicle.

[0009] The ceiling component may include an overhead console disposed at a center portion in a width direction of the vehicle, and the touch-type functional component may be provided at a rear end portion of the lower surface of the overhead console. With this configuration, by disposing the thin and small touch-type functional component at the rear end portion of the ceiling component (overhead console), a large gap can be formed between the opposing surface portion and the front portion of the ceiling.

[0010] The overhead console may further include a rearview mirror that projects downward in front of the touch-sensitive functional component, and a front portion of the overhead console may extend forward of the rearview mirror. With this configuration, the rearview mirror that projects downward makes it difficult for passengers to see the front portion of the overhead console.

[0011] The ceiling component may include an overhead console disposed in the center of the vehicle width direction, and a storage section having a storage space at the front of the overhead console. With this configuration, an on-board camera or the like can be disposed in the storage section.

[0012] The rear portion of the storage compartment may be closed by the facing surface portion that is inclined rearward and downward from the vehicle ceiling. With this configuration, the inside of the storage compartment can be hidden from view by the facing surface portion. Moreover, by inclining the facing surface portion rearward and downward from the vehicle ceiling, the facing surface portion can be prevented from blocking the view of the occupant.

[0013] The ceiling component may include an extension extending from the overhead console in the vehicle width direction to a side edge of the vehicle ceiling, and the extension may include an extension-side storage section therein, which is a space continuing from the storage section. With this configuration, wiring required in the overhead console can be routed within the extension-side storage section.

[0014] The ceiling component may also include an extension extending from the overhead console in the vehicle width direction and continuing to a side edge of the vehicle ceiling, and a sun visor may be attached to the extension. [Effects of the Invention]

[0015] According to the technology disclosed in this specification, it is possible to provide a vehicle ceiling structure that allows passengers to have a sense of openness without having to perform any cumbersome operations. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle ceiling structure according to a first embodiment, viewed from inside the vehicle compartment; [Figure 2] A perspective view of the vehicle ceiling structure seen from outside the vehicle compartment [Figure 3] Section II of Figure 1 [Figure 4] An explanatory diagram using the main part of Figure 3 [Figure 5] Cross-sectional view of a vehicle ceiling structure according to a second embodiment DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] <Embodiment 1> A first embodiment in which the vehicle ceiling structure 1 disclosed in this specification is applied to the ceiling of a vehicle will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 4. In the following description, the directions of the arrows FR and RR shown in each figure represent the front and rear of the vehicle (the direction of travel of the vehicle), the directions of the arrows R and L represent the right and left sides of the travel direction, and the directions of the arrows UP and DW represent the top and bottom of the vehicle, respectively.

[0018] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle ceiling (an example of a vehicle ceiling) 10 as viewed from inside the vehicle cabin. The vehicle ceiling 10 is formed of a plate-like member fitted between two side pillars 12 that curve and extend so as to bulge upward from the front to the rear of the vehicle. The vehicle ceiling 10 is made of a translucent material and is continuous with and formed integrally with a front window 11. A ceiling front portion 10A of the vehicle ceiling 10 that is continuous with the front window 11 is formed as an inclined surface that slopes forward and downward (an example of an inclined surface portion) (see FIGS. 3 and 4). The interior sides of the side pillars 12 are covered with side pillar garnishes 13 so that the side pillars 12 and the like are not exposed inside the vehicle cabin.

[0019] An overhead console (an example of a ceiling component) 20 is provided in the center of the ceiling front portion 10A in the vehicle width direction, on the interior side (below). As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 , the overhead console 20 includes a storage compartment 27, a map lamp 36, a touch switch 37, a rearview mirror monitor 38, and an in-vehicle camera 39. Specifically, the overhead console 20 includes a plate-like bottom wall portion 21 that is substantially D-shaped and slightly elongated in the front-to-rear direction with the front side of the vehicle bulging outward, and is disposed at a slight forward and downward inclination; a box-shaped protrusion 28 that is elongated in the vehicle width direction and flat in the front-to-rear direction and protrudes downward at a position spaced a predetermined distance forward from the rear end of the bottom wall portion 21; side wall portions 22 that rise upward from peripheral portions of the bottom wall portion 21 other than the rear end; and a rear wall portion 23 that rises from the rear end of the bottom wall portion 21. Details of the rear wall portion 23 will be described later. In the following description, the portion of the bottom wall 21 disposed in front of the protruding portion 28 will be referred to as a first portion 21A, and the portion disposed behind the protruding portion 28 will be referred to as a second portion 21B.

[0020] 1 and 2, extensions (an example of ceiling components) 30 are integrally provided at the rear ends of the left and right side wall portions 22 of the overhead console 20. The extensions 30 extend in a strip shape along the vehicle width direction and connect to the side ends (side pillar garnishes 13) of the vehicle ceiling 10. The extensions 30 are groove-shaped and open upward.

[0021] Flange portions 22A and 30A are provided at the upper end of the side wall portion 22 and at the upper end (opening edge of the groove) of the groove-shaped extending extension portion 30, respectively. In detail, the flange portion 22A provided at the upper end of the side wall portion 22 extends inward to face the bottom wall portion 21, and the flange portion 30A provided at the upper end of the extending portion 30 extends in directions approaching each other to face the bottom portion 31 of the groove-shaped extending portion 30. These flange portions 22A and 30A are adhered with an adhesive to the interior surface of the vehicle ceiling 10 (ceiling front portion 10A), thereby fixing the overhead console 20 and the extending portion 30 to the vehicle ceiling 10.

[0022] In this manner, when the overhead console 20 and the extension 30 are attached to the vehicle ceiling 10, the rear wall 23 (an example of a facing surface) of the overhead console 20 rises obliquely forward and upward from the rear end of the bottom wall 21 (see FIG. 3). More specifically, the rear wall 23 rises obliquely forward and upward from the bottom wall 21 in a bent, crank-shaped cross section, having a first inclined portion 24 that rises obliquely forward and upward from the rear end of the bottom wall 21, a parallel portion 25 that extends from the upper end of the first inclined portion 24 along the bottom wall 21, and a second inclined portion 26 that rises obliquely forward and upward from the front end of the parallel portion 25. In other words, the rear wall 23 can be said to be disposed opposite the vehicle ceiling 10 (ceiling front portion 10A).

[0023] The ratio of the lengths of the first inclined portion 24 and the second inclined portion 26 is approximately 1:4. A flange portion (an example of a facing surface portion) 23A extending forward is provided at the upper end of the rear wall portion 23, and this flange portion 23A is adhered to the interior surface of the vehicle ceiling 10 (ceiling front portion 10A), thereby keeping the overhead console 20 closed as a whole from the outside. With the rear wall portion 23 configured in this way, the overhead console 20 forms a gap S1 between itself and the vehicle ceiling 10 that has a wedge-shaped cross section and opens rearward.

[0024] In this way, the space formed by the wall portions of the overhead console 20, i.e., the space surrounded by the bottom wall portion 21, the side wall portion 22, the rear wall portion 23, and the vehicle ceiling 10, is the above-mentioned storage portion 27. Note that an extension-side storage portion 33 (see FIG. 2) formed between the groove-shaped extension portion 30 and the vehicle ceiling 10 is connected to the storage portion 27 of the overhead console 20. Furthermore, of the two groove walls facing each other in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle in the extension portion 30, the rear side groove wall 32R, which is disposed on the rear side, is also inclined forward and upward from the bottom portion 31 of the extension portion 30, similar to the rear wall portion 23 of the overhead console 20.

[0025] As shown in FIG. 3, a touch panel 35 is housed inside the housing 27 near the rear end, along the bottom wall 21. This touch panel 35 provides a map lamp 36 and a touch switch 37 (an example of a touch-type functional component) on the underside of the second portion 21B of the bottom wall 21 (see FIG. 1). The touch switch 37 is operated by capacitance and is smaller and thinner than a mechanical button switch. The map lamp 36 is also small and thin. The protrusion 28 houses a rearview mirror monitor 38 (an example of a rearview mirror) that displays an image of the rear of the vehicle captured by an onboard camera (not shown) installed at the rear of the vehicle, allowing passengers to view the screen of the rearview mirror monitor 38. The angle of the rearview mirror monitor 38 (protrusion 28) does not need to be adjusted. The front portion of the housing 27 houses an onboard camera 39 for capturing images of the area ahead of the vehicle.

[0026] 2, the wiring for these electrical components is routed from inside the housing 27 into a groove (extension-side housing 33) formed by the extension 30, and is connected to a control device provided in the vehicle body via the side pillar 12. In addition, a sun visor 40 is attached integrally to the extension 30 (see FIGS. 1 and 3).

[0027] Furthermore, in the translucent vehicle ceiling 10, a black ceramic line (not shown) is provided in the area where the overhead console 20 and the extension 30 are arranged to conceal them from the outside of the vehicle compartment. However, no ceramic line is provided in the area where the vehicle-mounted camera 39 is arranged.

[0028] Next, the effects will be described. In the vehicle ceiling structure 1 of this embodiment, at least a ceiling front portion 10A of the vehicle ceiling 10, which is disposed in front of the passenger, is made of a translucent material, and an overhead console 20 and an extension portion 30 are disposed on the interior side of the ceiling front portion 10A. The overhead console 20 has a rear wall portion 23 facing the ceiling front portion 10A, and the rear wall portion 23 is disposed at a distance from the ceiling front portion 10A, forming a gap S1 that opens rearward between the overhead console 20 and the ceiling front portion 10A. The extension portion 30 also has a rear side groove wall 32R facing the ceiling front portion 10A, and is disposed at a distance from the ceiling front portion 10A, forming a gap that opens rearward between the overhead console 20 and the ceiling front portion 10A.

[0029] With the above configuration, the overhead console 20 is less likely to obstruct the passenger's field of view than when the rear portion of the overhead console 20 is positioned without a gap S1 between it and the front ceiling portion 10A (for example, as shown by the double-dashed line in FIG. 4). In other words, the gap S1 allows the passenger to direct their line of sight further forward when looking diagonally upward, thereby enhancing the sense of openness. Moreover, there is no need to move the overhead console 20 to achieve a sense of openness. The same applies to the extension 30.

[0030] The ceiling front portion 10A is formed as an inclined surface that slopes forward and downward, and the flange portion 22A of the side wall portion 22, the flange portion 23A of the rear wall portion 23 of the overhead console 20, and the flange portion 30A of the extension portion 30 are attached to the inclined surface portion. This ceiling front portion 10A is integrally connected to the front window 11 of the vehicle.

[0031] Additionally, a thin and small map lamp 36 and a touch switch 37 are provided at the rear end of the underside of the overhead console 20. With this configuration, the thin and small touch panel 35 is provided at the rear end of the accommodation section 27 of the overhead console 20, and therefore a larger gap S1 can be formed between the rear wall 23 and the ceiling front section 10A compared to a configuration in which a mechanical button switch or the like is provided.

[0032] Additionally, the overhead console 20 is equipped with a rearview mirror monitor 38 that protrudes downward in front of the map lamps 36 and touch switches 37, and the front portion of the overhead console 20 extends further forward than the rearview mirror monitor 38. With this configuration, the rearview mirror monitor 38 that protrudes downward can make the front portion of the overhead console 20 less visible to passengers.

[0033] The front portion of the overhead console 20 is formed as a storage section 27 having a storage space. With this configuration, the storage section 27 can accommodate, for example, an in-vehicle camera 39 or the like.

[0034] Additionally, the rear portion of the storage space 27 is closed by the rear wall 23 that is disposed at an angle rearward and downward from the vehicle ceiling 10. With this configuration, the inside of the storage space 27 can be hidden from view of the occupants by the rear wall 23. Moreover, because the rear wall 23 is disposed at an angle rearward and downward from the vehicle ceiling 10, it is possible to prevent the rear wall 23 from blocking the occupants' view.

[0035] An extension 30 is provided that extends from the overhead console 20 in the vehicle width direction and continues to the side edge of the vehicle ceiling 10, and the extension 30 includes an extension-side storage section 33 therein, which is a space that continues from the storage section 27. With this configuration, the wiring required within the overhead console 20 can be routed within the extension-side storage section 33. A sun visor 40 can also be provided on the extension 30.

[0036] <Embodiment 2> Next, a second embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 5. In the following, only the configurations different from the first embodiment will be described, and the same configurations as those in the first embodiment will be given the same reference numerals, and duplicated explanations will be omitted.

[0037] The vehicle ceiling structure 2 of this embodiment differs from that of the first embodiment in the shape of the overhead console 50. Specifically, the overhead console 50 of this embodiment does not include the rear wall portion 23 of the first embodiment.

[0038] The overhead console (an example of a ceiling part) 50 of this embodiment comprises a roughly U-shaped frame portion 51 that curves toward the front of the vehicle, a box-shaped touch panel accommodating portion 52 that is long in the vehicle width direction and flat in the vertical direction and that is arranged to bridge the portions adjacent to the two rear ends of the frame portion 51, and a box-shaped protrusion 55 that is long in the vehicle width direction and flat in the front-to-rear direction and that protrudes downward from the front end of the touch panel accommodating portion 52.

[0039] An extension portion (an example of a ceiling component) 30 is integrally provided at both ends of the frame portion 51 of the overhead console 50. The extension portion 30 extends in a strip shape along the vehicle width direction and connects to the side end portion (side pillar garnish 13) of the vehicle ceiling 10. The configuration of the extension portion 30 is the same as that of the first embodiment, and is a groove-like shape that opens upward.

[0040] The frame-shaped portion 51 of the overhead console 50 has a groove-like shape that opens upward, and a flange portion 51A provided at the upper end of the groove wall on the outer periphery is adhered to the interior surface of the ceiling front portion 10A with an adhesive, thereby fixing the frame-shaped portion 51 to the interior surface of the ceiling front portion 10A. The groove formed by the frame-shaped portion 51 and the groove formed by the extension portion 30 are in communication with each other.

[0041] The touch panel housing portion 52 and the protruding portion 55 are connected in an L-shape. The touch panel 41 of this embodiment is smaller than the touch panel 35 of the first embodiment, and by housing the touch panel 41 in the touch panel housing portion 52, a map lamp and a touch switch are provided on the underside of the touch panel housing portion 52. The protruding portion 55 also houses the rearview mirror monitor 38, as in the first embodiment, and is configured to allow the passenger to view the screen of the rearview mirror monitor 38.

[0042] The upper wall portion (an example of a facing surface portion) 53 of the touch panel housing portion 52 of the overhead console 50 of this embodiment is disposed opposite the ceiling front portion 10A, and this upper wall portion 53 is disposed at a distance from the ceiling front portion 10A, forming a gap S2 that opens rearward between the upper wall portion 53 and the ceiling front portion 10A. Even with this configuration, the gap S2 allows the passenger's line of sight to be directed further forward when looking diagonally upward, thereby enhancing the sense of openness. Moreover, there is no need to move the overhead console 50 to achieve this sense of openness.

[0043] <Other embodiments> The technology disclosed in this specification is not limited to the embodiments described above and illustrated in the drawings, and the following embodiments, for example, are also included in the technical scope.

[0044] (1) In the above embodiment, the ceiling component is attached to the front portion of the ceiling, which is shaped like an inclined surface. However, the ceiling component may be attached to a ceiling arranged in a substantially horizontal direction or to the front window.

[0045] (2) The translucent ceiling may be separate from the front window.

[0046] (3) The ceiling components are not limited to overhead consoles or extensions. Even if an overhead console or extension is provided as a ceiling component, the form of the overhead console or extension may be changed as appropriate.

[0047] (4) In the above embodiment, a thin and small touch-type functional component is used, but components other than the touch-type functional component may also be used. Also, the present invention is not limited to a rearview mirror monitor, and an ordinary rearview mirror may also be used. [Explanation of symbols]

[0048] 1, 2: Vehicle ceiling structure (vehicle ceiling structure) 10: Vehicle ceiling (vehicle ceiling) 10A: Front ceiling portion 11: Front window 20, 50: Overhead console (ceiling part) 21: Bottom wall portion 22: Side wall portion 22A, 30A: Flange portion 23: Rear wall portion (opposing surface portion) 23A: Flange portion (opposing surface portion) 27: Storage portion 28: Protrusion portion 30: Extension portion (ceiling part) 35, 41: Touch panel (touch-type functional part) 37: Touch switch (touch-type functional part) 38: Rearview mirror monitor (rearview mirror) 40: Sun visor 52: Touch panel storage portion 53: Upper wall portion (opposing surface portion) S1, S2: Gap

Claims

1. A vehicle ceiling structure, in which at least a ceiling front portion of a vehicle ceiling disposed in front of a passenger is made of a light-transmitting material, and a ceiling component is disposed inside the vehicle cabin of the ceiling front portion, the ceiling component includes an opposing surface portion that faces the ceiling front portion, A vehicle ceiling structure in which at least a rear portion of the opposing surface portion is arranged separated from the ceiling front portion, forming a gap that opens rearward between the opposing surface portion and the ceiling front portion.

2. the front ceiling portion has an inclined surface portion that slopes forward and downward, 2. The vehicle ceiling structure according to claim 1, wherein at least a part of a front portion of the facing surface of the ceiling component is attached to the inclined surface.

3. 3. A vehicle ceiling structure according to claim 1, wherein the front portion of the ceiling is integrally connected to a front window of the vehicle.

4. The ceiling component includes an overhead console disposed at a center portion in a vehicle width direction, 3. The vehicle ceiling structure according to claim 1, wherein a touch-type functional component is provided at a rear end of the lower surface of the overhead console.

5. the overhead console includes a rearview mirror that protrudes downward in front of the touch-sensitive functional component; 5. The vehicle ceiling structure according to claim 4, wherein a forward portion of said overhead console extends forward of said rearview mirror.

6. 3. A vehicle ceiling structure according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the ceiling component includes an overhead console arranged in the center in the width direction of the vehicle, and a front portion of the overhead console is a storage section having a storage space.

7. 7. The vehicle ceiling structure according to claim 6, wherein a rear portion of the storage portion is closed by the facing surface portion that is inclined rearward and downward from the vehicle ceiling.

8. the ceiling component includes an extension extending from the overhead console in the vehicle width direction to a side end of the vehicle ceiling, The vehicle ceiling structure according to claim 6, wherein the extension portion includes an extension-side storage portion therein, the extension portion being a space portion connected to the storage portion.

9. the ceiling component includes an extension extending from the overhead console in the vehicle width direction to a side end of the vehicle ceiling, 5. The vehicle ceiling structure according to claim 4, wherein a sun visor is attached to the extension.

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