Console box

Abstract

To reduce labor for assembly while suppressing dew condensation.SOLUTION: The console box 20 includes the vertical wall portion 32 protruding downward from the bottom wall portion 22 of the box body 21, the horizontal wall portions 33 to 35 protruding outward in the left-right direction from the vertical wall portion 32, and the side panel 41 covering the box body 21, the vertical wall portion 32, and the horizontal wall portions 33 to 35 from the outside in the left-right direction and joined to the distal end portions of the horizontal wall portions 33 to 35. The lateral wall portions 33 to 35 protrude to the same outer side in the left-right direction from a plurality of locations of the vertical wall portion 32 that are separated downward from the bottom wall portion 22 and are separated from each other in the up-down direction. The box body 21, the vertical wall portion 32, and the lateral wall portions 33 to 35 are integrally formed. The vertical wall portion 32, the horizontal wall portion 33,34, and the side panel 41 constitute the upper duct 51 having the upper passage 52. A space surrounded by the bottom wall portion 22, the vertical wall portion 32, the horizontal wall portion 33, and the side panel 41 forms a dew condensation suppression portion 55.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a console box to be installed in a vehicle interior. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes a console box including a box body for storing items. In this console box, a duct component and a side panel are arranged on both sides of the box body in the vehicle width direction.

[0003] Here, in the vehicle width direction, the side away from the center of the box body in the same direction is referred to as the outer side, and the side closer to the center is referred to as the inner side. The outer end of each duct component in the vehicle width direction is open. Each side panel covers the box body and each duct component from the outside in the vehicle width direction. Each duct component is fixed to an adjacent side panel. The open portion of each duct component is closed by the adjacent side panel. A cylindrical duct is formed by the duct component and the side panel. The internal space of each duct forms a passage for air conditioning air.

[0004] An engaging portion is formed on each of the outer surfaces of the box body in the vehicle width direction. A claw is formed on the inner surface of each duct component in the vehicle width direction. The claws engage with the engaging portions, thereby attaching the duct component with the side panel fixed to the box body.

[0005] Furthermore, a heat insulating material made of a heat insulating sheet is interposed between the duct component and the side panel. When the conditioned air flowing through the passage in the duct is cooled, the heat insulating material prevents the side panel from being cooled by the conditioned air. This prevents condensation from forming on the outer surface of the side panel in the vehicle width direction. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2012-224271 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] However, in the conventional console box described in Patent Document 1, the box body and the duct are separate, so when manufacturing the console box, the duct must be assembled to the box body, which poses a problem of time and effort. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] Various aspects of the console box for solving the above problems will be described below. [Aspect 1] A console box includes a box body for storing items, the box body having a bottom wall extending in the longitudinal direction and the width direction of the vehicle, and when the side of the box body in the width direction away from the center of the box body in the same direction is defined as the outside, the console box includes a vertical wall protruding downward from the bottom wall, a horizontal wall protruding outward in the width direction from the vertical wall, and a side panel that covers the box body, the vertical wall, and the horizontal wall from the outside in the width direction of the vehicle and is joined to a tip end of the horizontal wall, and the horizontal wall has a configuration in which the vertical wall has a a console box in which a plurality of portions protrude downward from a bottom wall portion and in the same outward direction in the vehicle width direction from a plurality of positions spaced apart in the vertical direction from each other, the box body, the vertical wall portions, and the horizontal wall portions are integrally formed, a cylindrical duct is formed by the vertical wall portions, a pair of the horizontal wall portions adjacent to each other in the vertical direction, and the side panels, and a space within the duct forms a passage for air conditioning air, and a space surrounded by the bottom wall portion, the vertical wall portions, the uppermost horizontal wall portion, and the side panels forms a condensation suppression portion that suppresses condensation on the inner bottom surface of the bottom wall portion.

[0009] According to the above configuration, when manufacturing the console box, the box main body and the vertical and horizontal wall portions integrally formed therewith are covered with side panels from the outside in the vehicle width direction. The side panels are joined to the leading ends of the horizontal wall portions. Then, a cylindrical duct having a passage for air conditioning air is formed by the vertical wall portions, a pair of vertically adjacent horizontal wall portions, and the side panels. Furthermore, a condensation suppression portion consisting of a space surrounded by the bottom wall portion, the vertical wall portions, the uppermost horizontal wall portion, and the side panels is formed. Unlike conventional console boxes, a console box having a duct can be obtained without assembling the duct to the box main body. Since the work of assembling the duct is not required, the labor required for assembling the console box is reduced.

[0010] In addition, the condensation suppression section, which is made up of a space, provides thermal insulation. When cooled air for air conditioning flows through the duct passage, the condensation suppression section prevents the air for air conditioning from cooling the bottom wall of the box body. As a result, condensation is prevented from forming on the inner bottom surface of the bottom wall.

[0011] [Aspect 2] A console box as described in [Aspect 1], wherein the horizontal wall portions protrude from the vertical wall portions at three or more locations spaced apart from each other in the vertical direction, and the vertical wall portions, all of the horizontal wall portions, and the side panels form multiple ducts adjacent to each other in the vertical direction.

[0012] According to the above configuration, the side panels cover the box body, the vertical wall portions, and all of the horizontal wall portions from the outside in the vehicle width direction and are joined to the leading ends of all of the horizontal wall portions, thereby forming multiple ducts that are adjacent to each other in the vertical direction. The air for conditioning flows through the passages in the multiple ducts that are adjacent to each other in the vertical direction. Therefore, it is possible to guide the air for conditioning in multiple different directions in the vertical direction.

[0013] [Aspect 3] A console box as described in [Aspect 1] or [Aspect 2], in which an auxiliary side panel is arranged at a location outside the side panel in the vehicle width direction and below the box body, spaced outward in the vehicle width direction from the location, and the space between the side panel and the auxiliary side panel forms an auxiliary condensation suppression section that suppresses condensation on the outer surface of the auxiliary side panel in the vehicle width direction.

[0014] According to the above configuration, the auxiliary condensation suppression portion, which is formed of a space, exhibits a heat insulating effect. When cooled air for air conditioning flows through the passage in the duct, the auxiliary condensation suppression portion prevents the auxiliary side panel from being cooled by the air for air conditioning. As a result, condensation is suppressed on the outer surface of the auxiliary side panel in the vehicle width direction.

[0015] [Aspect 4] A console box described in any one of [Aspect 1] to [Aspect 3], wherein the side panels and the horizontal wall portions are provided in pairs, the pair of side panels are arranged on both sides of the box body in the vehicle width direction, and the pair of horizontal wall portions protrude from the vertical wall portions in opposite directions in the vehicle width direction and are joined to the side panels.

[0016] According to the above configuration, one side panel covers the box body, the vertical wall portion, and the multiple lateral wall portions protruding toward one side in the vehicle width direction and is joined to the leading ends of those lateral wall portions, thereby forming a duct having a passage for air conditioning air. Furthermore, the other side panel covers the box body, the vertical wall portion, and the multiple lateral wall portions protruding toward the other side in the vehicle width direction and is joined to the leading ends of those lateral wall portions, thereby forming a duct having a passage for air conditioning air. The air conditioning air flows through each passage in the pair of ducts aligned in the vehicle width direction. This makes it possible to guide the air conditioning air over a wide area in the vehicle width direction.

[0017] [Aspect 5] A console box as described in [Aspect 4], in which a pair of vertical wall portions are provided, the pair of vertical wall portions are spaced apart from each other in the vehicle width direction, a reinforcing rib protrudes downward from the bottom wall portion, and the reinforcing rib is bridged between the pair of vertical wall portions.

[0018] According to the above configuration, each vertical wall portion is connected to the bottom wall portion and the other vertical wall portion by the reinforcing rib. Therefore, although the pair of vertical wall portions are spaced apart from each other in the vehicle width direction, they are reinforced by the reinforcing rib and are less likely to deform. [Effects of the Invention]

[0019] According to the present invention, it is possible to reduce the effort required for assembly while suppressing condensation. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0020] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing one embodiment, and is a partial cross-sectional view showing a console box with a portion thereof omitted, together with a portion of a cross member. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a partially exploded cross-sectional view of the console box shown in FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0021] Hereinafter, an embodiment of a console box will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the forward direction of the vehicle 10 is referred to as the front, and the backward direction as the rear. In Figures 1 and 2, the direction perpendicular to the paper surface is the front-rear direction. The up-down direction refers to the up-down direction of the vehicle 10. The left-right direction refers to the vehicle width direction, and coincides with the left-right direction when the vehicle 10 is moving forward.

[0022] As shown in FIG. 1 , a cross member 13 extending in the left-right direction is provided on a floor that forms the interior bottom of a passenger compartment 11 of a vehicle 10. A console box 20 is disposed between a driver's seat 14 and a passenger seat 15. The console box 20 has a shape that is larger in the vertical direction than in the horizontal direction. The console box 20 is attached to the cross member 13.

[0023] 1 and 2, the console box 20 includes a box body 21, a lid 27, a pair of duct components 31, a pair of side panels 41, and a pair of auxiliary side panels 56. Next, each part of the console box 20 will be described.

[0024] <Box body 21> The box body 21 forms a framework of the console box 20 that is higher in the up-down direction than the lower part. The box body 21 is box-shaped and longer in the front-to-rear direction than in the left-to-right direction. The box body 21 includes a bottom wall 22, a pair of opposing wall portions 23 (only one of which is shown in Figures 1 and 2), and a pair of side wall portions 24. The bottom wall 22 extends in the front-to-rear and left-to-right directions. Each opposing wall portion 23 extends in the left-to-right and up-to-down directions and faces each other in the front-to-rear direction. Each side wall portion 24 extends in the front-to-rear and up-to-down directions and faces each other in the left-to-right direction. The space surrounded by the bottom wall 22, the pair of opposing wall portions 23, and the pair of side wall portions 24 forms a storage section 25 for storing items. The storage section 25 has an opening 26 at its upper end.

[0025] Here, to identify the position of the console box 20 in the left-right direction, the center of the box body 21 in that direction is used as a reference. In the left-right direction, directions or sides approaching the center are referred to as "inner," "inner side," "inside," etc., and directions or sides moving away from the center are referred to as "outer," "outside," "outside," etc.

[0026] <Lid 27> The lid 27 is used to open and close the opening 26. In this embodiment, the lid 27 is flexible and also functions as an armrest. The lid 27 includes a base material 28 made of a hard resin material, a cushion layer 29 made of foam and laminated on the base material 28, and a skin 30 laminated on the cushion layer 29.

[0027] The lid 27 may be formed into a plate shape using a hard resin material so as to function as a tray. In this case, the peripheral edge of the upper surface of the lid 27 may be formed to protrude upward relative to other parts of the upper surface.

[0028] <Pair of duct components 31> Each duct constituent portion 31 has a vertical wall portion 32 and horizontal wall portions 33, 34, 35. The vertical wall portion 32 of each duct constituent portion 31 protrudes downward from a location on the bottom wall portion 22 that is a certain distance outward from the center in the left-right direction. The vertical wall portion 32 of each duct constituent portion 31 extends in the front-rear direction. The respective vertical wall portions 32 of a pair of duct constituent portions 31 are spaced apart from each other in the left-right direction.

[0029] The horizontal wall portions 33 to 35 of each duct component 31 protrude outward in the same direction in the left-right direction from three or more locations (three locations in this embodiment) of the vertical wall portion 32 that satisfy the following conditions 1 to 3.

[0030] Condition 1: The topmost point must be a point spaced a certain distance downward from the bottom wall portion 22. Condition 2: The lowest point must be a point spaced a certain distance above the lower edge of the vertical wall portion 32.

[0031] Condition 3: The multiple locations (three locations) must be separated from each other in the vertical direction. The horizontal wall portions 33-35 of one duct constituent portion 31 protrude outward in one direction in the left-right direction, for example, to the left. The horizontal wall portions 33-35 of the other duct constituent portion 31 protrude outward in the other direction in the left-right direction, in this case, to the right. The left and right horizontal wall portions 33-35 each extend in the front-rear direction together with the vertical wall portion 32. The tip end of each horizontal wall portion 33-35 is located slightly inward in the left-right direction from the side wall portion 24 of the box main body 21.

[0032] In this embodiment, the uppermost horizontal wall portions 33 of the pair of duct components 31 are positioned at the same height, and the lowermost horizontal wall portions 35 are positioned at the same height. Furthermore, the horizontal wall portions 34 in the vertical center are positioned at the same height.

[0033] The vertical wall portion 32, the uppermost horizontal wall portion 33, and the horizontal wall portion 34 in the vertical center form an upper duct component 36 whose outer end in the left-right direction is open. The vertical wall portion 32, the horizontal wall portion 34 in the vertical center, and the horizontal wall portion 35 in the lowermost portion form a lower duct component 37 whose outer end in the left-right direction is open. The horizontal wall portion 34 in the vertical center serves both as the lower horizontal wall portion of the upper duct component 36 and the upper horizontal wall portion of the lower duct component 37. Each of the pair of duct components 31 includes an upper duct component 36 and a lower duct component 37.

[0034] A reinforcing rib 38 protrudes downward from a portion of the bottom wall portion 22 between the pair of vertical wall portions 32. The reinforcing rib 38 extends in the left-right direction and bridges between the pair of vertical wall portions 32. Each vertical wall portion 32 is connected to the other vertical wall portion 32 and the bottom wall portion 22 by this reinforcing rib 38. The reinforcing ribs 38 are provided at multiple locations spaced apart from each other in the front-rear direction.

[0035] Each duct constituent part 31 further includes mounting legs 39. The mounting legs 39 protrude downward from a plurality of locations on the lowermost horizontal wall part 35 of each duct constituent part 31, the locations being spaced outward in the left-right direction from the vertical wall part 32 and spaced apart from one another in the same direction. Each mounting leg part 39 extends in the front-rear direction. In this embodiment, the height of each lower edge of the plurality of mounting legs 39 is set to be the same as the height of the lower edge of the vertical wall part 32.

[0036] The pair of duct constituent parts 31 are each formed integrally with the box body 21. The objects formed integrally with the box body 21 are the pair of vertical wall parts 32, all of the horizontal wall parts 33 to 35, the reinforcing rib 38, and all of the mounting leg parts 39.

[0037] <Pair of side panels 41> The pair of side panels 41 are formed from separate members from the box body 21 and the pair of duct components 31 described above.

[0038] The pair of side panels 41 cover the box main body 21 and the pair of duct components 31 from both the left and right outer sides. Each side panel 41 covers the vertical wall portion 32, the horizontal wall portions 33 to 35, and the mounting legs 39. In other words, the left side panel 41 covers the box main body 21, the left vertical wall portion 32, the multiple horizontal wall portions 33 to 35 protruding leftward from the vertical wall portion 32, and the multiple left mounting legs 39 from the left side. The right side panel 41 covers the box main body 21, the right vertical wall portion 32, the multiple horizontal wall portions 33 to 35 protruding rightward from the vertical wall portion 32, and the multiple right mounting legs 39 from the right side.

[0039] Each of the left and right side panels 41 includes an upper panel portion 42, a connecting portion 48, and a lower panel portion 44. The upper panel portion 42 of each side panel 41 extends in the front-rear and up-down directions at a location that is outward in the left-right direction from the side wall portion 24 of the box main body 21. The outer surface of each upper panel portion 42 in the left-right direction forms part of the outer surface of the console box 20 in the same direction.

[0040] Ribs 43 protrude inward in the left-right direction from multiple locations spaced apart from each other in the up-down direction on the upper panel portion 42 of each side panel 41. The multiple ribs 43 form part of the side panel 41. The multiple ribs 43 and the upper panel portion 42 are integrally formed. The tip of each of the multiple ribs 43 is airtightly joined to the corresponding side wall portion 24 of the box body 21 by welding, adhesive, or other method.

[0041] The lower panel portion 44 of each side panel 41 is located inside the upper panel portion 42 in the left-right direction and extends in the front-rear and up-down directions. The left lower panel portion 44 is airtightly joined to the leading ends of each of the left lateral wall portions 33 to 35 by welding, adhesive, or other methods. The right lower panel portion 44 is airtightly joined to the leading ends of each of the right lateral wall portions 33 to 35 by welding, adhesive, or other methods.

[0042] Mounting protrusions 45 that protrude outward in the left-right direction are formed on the upper and lower parts of the lower panel portion 44 of each side panel 41. The upper and lower mounting protrusions 45 are spaced apart from each other in the up-down direction. Pairs of mounting protrusions 45 that face each other in the up-down direction are provided at multiple locations that are spaced apart from each other in the front-to-rear direction. A reinforcing rib 46 protrudes outward in the left-right direction from the lower panel portion 44 of each side panel 41 and bridges between the pair of mounting protrusions 45 that face each other in the up-down direction. Each mounting protrusion 45 has a locking hole 47 at its tip that penetrates in the left-right direction.

[0043] As described above, the outer ends in the left-right direction of the upper duct component 36 and the lower duct component 37 are open. These open portions are closed by the lower panel portions 44 of the side panels 41 joined to the tip ends of the lateral wall portions 33 to 35.

[0044] The connecting portion 48 of each side panel 41 connects the upper panel portion 42 and the lower panel portion 44. More specifically, each connecting portion 48 is inclined with respect to the horizontal plane so that it is higher on the outer side in the left-right direction. The lower end of each connecting portion 48 is connected to the upper end of the lower panel portion 44. The upper end of each connecting portion 48 is connected to the lower end of the upper panel portion 42.

[0045] The box body 21, the pair of duct forming portions 31, and the pair of side panels 41 joined thereto constitute a joint body 49 (see FIG. 1). In the joint body 49, a pair of left and right cylindrical upper ducts 51 are formed by the left and right vertical wall portions 32, a pair of horizontal wall portions 33, 34 adjacent to each other in the vertical direction, and each lower panel portion 44. The internal space of each of the left and right upper ducts 51 forms an upper passage 52 with its front end as the upstream end and its rear end as the downstream end. Air for air conditioning is supplied to the upstream ends of each of the left and right upper passages 52 from an air conditioner (not shown) mounted on the vehicle 10. The downstream ends of each of the left and right upper passages 52 are connected to an air conditioning register (not shown) having an outlet for air for air conditioning. Each of the left and right upper passages 52 guides the air for air conditioning supplied to its upstream end from the air conditioner to the air conditioning register connected to its downstream end.

[0046] In the joint body 49, a pair of left and right cylindrical lower ducts 53 are formed by the left and right vertical wall portions 32, a pair of vertically adjacent horizontal wall portions 34, 35, and each lower panel portion 44. The internal space of each lower duct 53 forms a lower passage 54 with its front end as the upstream end and its rear end as the downstream end. Air for conditioning is supplied from the air conditioner to the upstream ends of each of the left and right lower passages 54. The downstream ends of each of the left and right lower passages 54 are connected to an air conditioning register (not shown) having an outlet for the air for conditioning. Each of the left and right lower passages 54 guides the air for conditioning supplied from the air conditioner to its upstream end to the air conditioning register connected to its downstream end.

[0047] The left upper duct 51 and the left lower duct 53 are adjacent to each other in the up-down direction via the lateral wall portion 34. The same applies to the right upper duct 51 and the right lower duct 53. The pair of left and right upper ducts 51 and the pair of left and right lower ducts 53 are each provided as a cylindrical duct. The pair of left and right upper passages 52 and the pair of left and right lower passages 54 are each provided as a passage for air conditioning air.

[0048] The air conditioning registers connected to the downstream ends of the upper passages 52 and the air conditioning registers connected to the downstream ends of the lower passages 54 are set to have their air outlet directions set so that they blow out conditioned air in different directions. In this embodiment, the air outlet direction of the former air conditioning registers is set to be toward the faces of the left and right rear seat passengers. The air outlet direction of the latter air conditioning registers is set to be toward the feet of the left and right rear seat passengers.

[0049] In the joined body 49, the space surrounded by the bottom wall portion 22, the vertical wall portions 32 and the uppermost horizontal wall portion 33 of each duct constituent portion 31, and a portion of the side panel 41 constitutes a condensation suppression portion 55 that suppresses condensation on the inner bottom surface 22a of the bottom wall portion 22. In this case, the portion of the side panel 41 is the lowest one of the multiple ribs 43, the lower end portion of the upper panel portion 42, the connecting portion 48, and the upper end portion of the lower panel portion 44.

[0050] <Pair of auxiliary side panels 56> Each of the pair of auxiliary side panels 56 is formed from a separate member from the box body 21, the pair of duct components 31, and the pair of side panels 41.

[0051] Each auxiliary side panel 56 includes a plate-shaped auxiliary panel portion 57 extending in the front-rear and up-down directions. The auxiliary panel portion 57 of each auxiliary side panel 56 is disposed outside the side panel 41 in the left-right direction and below the box main body 21, in this case, outside the lower panel portion 44 in the left-right direction. An outer surface 58 in the left-right direction of the auxiliary panel portion 57 of each auxiliary side panel 56 forms the lower part of the outer surface of the console box 20 in the same direction. In this embodiment, the outer surface 58 is located on the same plane as the outer surface in the left-right direction of the upper panel portion 42 that is adjacent to the upper side of the auxiliary panel portion 57.

[0052] Mounting protrusions 61 protruding inward in the left-right direction are formed at the upper and lower portions of the auxiliary panel portion 57 of each auxiliary side panel 56, at locations that face the mounting protrusions 45 of the side panel 41 in the left-right direction. The upper and lower mounting protrusions 61 are spaced apart from each other in the up-down direction. Pairs of mounting protrusions 61 facing each other in the up-down direction are provided at multiple locations that are spaced apart from each other in the front-to-rear direction. A reinforcing rib 62 protrudes inward in the left-right direction from the auxiliary panel portion 57 of each auxiliary side panel 56. The reinforcing rib 62 of each auxiliary side panel 56 spans between a pair of mounting protrusions 61 facing each other in the up-down direction. Each mounting protrusion 61 has a locking claw 63 that protrudes inward in the left-right direction.

[0053] Each of the left and right auxiliary side panels 56 is attached to the lower panel portion 44 by inserting and locking each of the locking claws 63 into the corresponding locking hole 47. The mounting protrusions 45 and 61, which face each other in the left-right direction, come into contact with each other, so that the auxiliary panel portion 57 of each auxiliary side panel 56 is positioned at a location spaced a certain distance outward in the right direction from the lower panel portion 44 and is maintained in that position.

[0054] The space between the lower panel portion 44 of each side panel 41 and the auxiliary panel portion 57 of the auxiliary side panel 56 attached to that lower panel portion 44 forms an auxiliary condensation suppression portion 64 that suppresses condensation from occurring on the outer surface 58 of the auxiliary panel portion 57.

[0055] <Console box 20 mounting structure> When attaching the console box 20 to the cross member 13, the lower edge of the vertical wall portion 32 of each duct configuration portion 31 and the lower edge of each of the multiple mounting legs 39 come into contact with the cross member 13. In this state, the console box 20 is attached to the cross member 13 at locations not shown by fastening members such as bolts and nuts.

[0056] <Operation of this embodiment> Next, the operation of the console box 20 of this embodiment configured as described above will be described.

[0057] (Assembling the console box 20) When manufacturing the console box 20, the box main body 21 and the left duct configuration portion 31 formed integrally therewith are covered from the left side by the left side panel 41. The leading ends of each rib 43 of the left upper panel portion 42 are joined to the left side wall portion 24, and the left lower panel portion 44 is joined to the leading ends of each of the left lateral wall portions 33 to 35. This forms a left upper duct 51 having an upper passage 52 and a left lower duct 53 having a lower passage 54 and adjacent to the lower side of the upper duct 51 via the lateral wall portion 34. In addition, a left condensation suppression portion 55 is formed between the left side panel 41, the left lateral wall portion 33, and the bottom wall portion 22.

[0058] Furthermore, the box main body 21 and the right duct configuration portion 31 formed integrally therewith are covered from the right side by a right side panel 41. The leading ends of each rib 43 of the right upper panel portion 42 are joined to the right side wall portion 24, and the right lower panel portion 44 is joined to the leading ends of each of the right lateral wall portions 33 to 35. This forms a right upper duct 51 having an upper passage 52 and a right lower duct 53 having a lower passage 54 and adjacent to the underside of the upper duct 51 via the lateral wall portion 34. Furthermore, a right condensation suppression portion 55 is formed between the right side panel 41, the right lateral wall portion 33, and the bottom wall portion 22.

[0059] The joining described above forms a joined body 49. Furthermore, the locking claws 63 are inserted into and locked into the locking holes 47, whereby each auxiliary side panel 56 is attached to the corresponding lower panel portion 44.

[0060] (Regarding the rigidity of each duct component 31) In the console box 20, the pair of duct components 31 are located at positions spaced apart in the left-right direction. Therefore, if measures to increase rigidity are not taken, there is a risk that each duct component 31 will be deformed when an external force is applied.

[0061] In this regard, in this embodiment, one vertical wall portion 32 is connected to the bottom wall portion 22 and the other vertical wall portion 32 by a reinforcing rib 38 that protrudes downward from the bottom wall portion 22 between the pair of vertical wall portions 32. Therefore, although the pair of duct components 31, each having a vertical wall portion 32, are separated from each other in the left-right direction, they are reinforced by the reinforcing rib 38. This reinforcement increases rigidity, making each duct component 31 less likely to deform.

[0062] (Regarding the functions of the upper duct 51 and the lower duct 53) The air conditioner supplies cooled or heated air for conditioning to the left and right upper passages 52 and the left and right lower passages 54.

[0063] The conditioned air flows through the left and right upper passages 52 and is led to the air conditioning registers connected to the rear ends of the upper passages 52. When the air outlets of the air conditioning registers are opened, the conditioned air is blown out from the outlets toward the faces of the left and right passengers in the rear seats.

[0064] The conditioned air flows through the left and right lower passages 54 and is guided to the air conditioning registers connected to the rear ends of the lower passages 54. When the air outlets of the air conditioning registers are opened, the conditioned air is blown out from the outlets toward the feet of the left and right passengers in the rear seats.

[0065] (Regarding condensation prevention) If the air conditioning air flowing through the left and right upper passages 52 is cooled, and the air conditioning air cools the bottom wall 22, the following problem may occur: water vapor contained in the air inside the storage section 25 is cooled by the cooled bottom wall 22, causing it to condense and adhere to the inner bottom surface 22a of the bottom wall 22 as water droplets, a phenomenon known as condensation.

[0066] In this regard, in the present embodiment, the left and right condensation suppression portions 55, each formed of a space, exhibit a heat insulating effect. That is, the left and right condensation suppression portions 55 suppress the bottom wall portion 22 from being cooled by the cooled air for air conditioning flowing through the left and right upper passages 52.

[0067] Furthermore, if the air conditioning air flowing through each upper passage 52 and each lower passage 54 is cold, the air conditioning air cools each lower panel portion 44, which may cause condensation on the outer surfaces of the lower panel portions 44 in the left-right direction. If water droplets due to condensation adhere to the outer surfaces of each of the left and right lower panel portions 44, the water droplets would be visible to occupants if the auxiliary side panels 56 were not provided, deteriorating the appearance. Furthermore, if occupants come into contact with the water droplets, they would get wet, which would reduce the usability of the console box 20.

[0068] In this regard, in this embodiment, auxiliary side panels 56 are disposed on the outer side in the left-right direction of each lower panel portion 44. Each lower panel portion 44 is covered by the auxiliary side panels 56. Therefore, even if water droplets form on the outer surface of each lower panel portion 44, they are difficult for the occupant to see. In addition, the occupant is unlikely to come into contact with the water droplets.

[0069] However, if the auxiliary side panels 56 are cooled by the cooled air for air conditioning flowing through the upper passage 52 and the lower passage 54, the following problem may occur: Water vapor contained in the air outside the auxiliary side panels 56 in the left-right direction is cooled by the cooled auxiliary panel portions 57, causing condensation, and the water droplets adhere to the outer surfaces 58 of the auxiliary panel portions 57 (condensation).

[0070] In this regard, in this embodiment, the left and right auxiliary condensation suppression portions 64, each of which is formed as a space, exhibit a heat insulating effect. That is, the auxiliary condensation suppression portions 64 prevent the auxiliary side panel 56 from being cooled by the cooled air for air conditioning flowing through the upper passage 52 and the lower passage 54, respectively.

[0071] <Effects of this embodiment> Next, the effects of the console box 20 of this embodiment will be described. (1) In the console box 20, the pair of duct components 31, each having a vertical wall 32, a plurality of horizontal walls 33 to 35, and a plurality of mounting legs 39, are formed integrally with the box body .

[0072] Therefore, compared to when the duct configuration portion 31 is configured as a separate part from the box body 21, the number of parts in the console box 20 can be reduced. (2) In addition to the configuration of (1) above, a joined body 49 is formed by joining opposing ones of a pair of side panels 41 to the box body 21 and each of a pair of duct-forming portions 31. Of the joined body 49, the vertical wall portion 32, the pair of horizontal wall portions 33, 34 adjacent to each other in the vertical direction, and the side panel 41 form an upper duct 51 having an upper passage 52. Also, of the joined body 49, the vertical wall portion 32, the pair of horizontal wall portions 34, 35 adjacent to each other in the vertical direction, and the side panel 41 form a lower duct 53 having a lower passage 54.

[0073] Therefore, unlike the conventional console box described in Patent Document 1, when manufacturing the console box 20, it is possible to obtain the console box 20 having the ducts (upper duct 51 and lower duct 53) without assembling the ducts to the box body. Since the work of assembling the ducts is not required, the labor required for assembling the console box 20 can be reduced.

[0074] (3) In this embodiment, of the joint 49 in (2) above, the bottom wall portion 22 of the box main body 21, the vertical wall portion 32, the uppermost horizontal wall portion 33, and the side panel 41 form a condensation suppression portion 55 consisting of a space portion.

[0075] This can prevent condensation from occurring on the inner bottom surface 22a of the bottom wall portion 22. This can prevent items stored in the storage section 25 from coming into contact with water droplets formed on the inner bottom surface 22a of the bottom wall portion 22 due to condensation and becoming wet.

[0076] (4) In this embodiment, the auxiliary side panels 56 are attached to the lower panel portions 44 in a state where the auxiliary side panels 56 are positioned at locations spaced outward in the left-right direction from the left and right lower panel portions 44 .

[0077] Therefore, even if water droplets form on the outer surfaces of the lower panel portions 44 in the left-right direction due to condensation, they can be hidden by the auxiliary side panels 56. This can prevent the water droplets from deteriorating the appearance and usability.

[0078] (5) In the conventional console box described in Patent Document 1, a heat insulating material such as a heat insulating sheet is interposed between each duct component and the side panel to prevent condensation on the side panel. Therefore, a heat insulating material is required for each side panel to prevent condensation, which increases the number of parts in the console box. Furthermore, the work required to assemble each heat insulating material between the duct component and the side panel increases. These factors increase the cost of the console box.

[0079] In this regard, in the present embodiment, a space is provided between the side panel 41 and the auxiliary side panel 56, and this space constitutes the auxiliary condensation suppression portion 64. Therefore, unlike the conventional console box described in Patent Document 1, condensation can be suppressed on the outer surfaces 58 of the auxiliary panel portions 57 without using a separate heat insulating material. This can prevent occupants from getting wet by touching the outer surfaces 58 of the auxiliary panel portions 57. Because the outer surfaces 58 are located in places visible to the occupants, the above-described condensation suppression is also effective in terms of appearance.

[0080] Furthermore, since no heat insulating material is used, the number of parts of the console box 20 can be reduced, and the work of assembling heat insulating material is not required. Therefore, the cost of the console box 20 can be reduced.

[0081] (6) On each of the left and right vertical wall portions 32, horizontal wall portions 33 to 35 protrude outward in the left-right direction from three locations spaced apart from one another in the up-down direction. The vertical wall portion 32, all of the horizontal wall portions 33 to 35, and the side panel 41 form the upper duct 51 and the lower duct 53 as multiple ducts adjacent to one another in the up-down direction. Therefore, by using the upper passage 52 in the upper duct 51 and the lower passage 54 in the lower duct 53 as passages for air conditioning air, it is possible to guide the air conditioning air in multiple different directions in the up-down direction.

[0082] For this reason, in this embodiment, conditioned air is blown toward the faces of rear seat passengers from the air outlet of the air conditioning register connected to the downstream end of the upper passage 52. Also, conditioned air is blown toward the feet of rear seat passengers from the air outlet of the air conditioning register connected to the downstream end of the lower passage 54. As a result, conditioned air can be supplied to the faces and feet of rear seat passengers, thereby improving passenger comfort.

[0083] (7) The horizontal wall portion is made up of a plurality of horizontal wall portions 33-35 protruding leftward from a plurality of positions on the vertical wall portion 32, and a plurality of horizontal wall portions 33-35 protruding rightward from a plurality of positions on the vertical wall portion 32. The side panels are made up of a pair of side panels 41 arranged in the left-right direction. The left side panel 41 covers the box main body 21, the vertical wall portion 32, and a plurality of left horizontal wall portions 33-35 protruding leftward from the vertical wall portion 32, and is joined to the tip ends of those horizontal wall portions 33-35. The right side panel 41 covers the box main body 21, the vertical wall portion 32, and a plurality of horizontal wall portions 33-35 protruding rightward from the vertical wall portion 32, and is joined to the tip ends of those horizontal wall portions 33-35.

[0084] In this way, two sets of combinations of lateral wall portions 33 to 35 and side panels 41 are provided in the left-right direction. Because the conditioned air flows through each of the pair of upper ducts 51 arranged in the left-right direction and the pair of lower ducts 53 arranged in the same direction, the conditioned air can be guided over a wide area in the left-right direction.

[0085] (8) Since the console box 20 is disposed between the driver's seat 14 and the passenger seat 15, the dimension of the console box 20 in the left-right direction is restricted by the dimension between the driver's seat 14 and the passenger seat 15.

[0086] In this regard, in the conventional console box described in Patent Document 1, ducts are arranged on both sides of the box body in the left-right direction. Therefore, the left-right dimension of the box body is reduced by the amount of the ducts. This makes it difficult to store items that are large in the left-right direction in the storage section.

[0087] In contrast, in this embodiment, the upper duct 51 and the lower duct 53 are formed below the box body 21. Therefore, the dimension of the box body 21 in the left-right direction can be made larger than the dimension of the box body in the same direction of the conventional console box. This makes it possible to store items with larger dimensions in the left-right direction in the storage section 25 than in conventional console boxes. This improves the item storage capacity of the console box 20.

[0088] (9) In the console box 20 of this embodiment, a reinforcing rib 38 protrudes downward from the bottom wall portion 22. The reinforcing rib 38 spans between a pair of vertical wall portions 32 spaced apart from each other in the left-right direction. Therefore, the pair of duct components 31, each having a vertical wall portion 32, can be reinforced by the reinforcing rib 38. The rigidity of each of the left and right duct components 31 can be increased. Furthermore, in each of the left and right duct components 31, the multiple horizontal wall portions 33-35 are joined to the opposing lower panel portion 44 by welding or the like. This also increases the rigidity of each of the left and right duct components 31. Furthermore, auxiliary side panels 56 are attached to the left and right lower panel portions 44 by claw engagement. Moreover, each of the left and right lower panel portions 44 is reinforced by the reinforcing rib 46. Each of the left and right auxiliary side panels 56 is reinforced by the reinforcing rib 62. Therefore, the rigidity of each of the left and right lower panel portions 44, and therefore the rigidity of each of the left and right duct components 31, can be increased. These factors make it possible to make the left and right duct configuration portions 31 less susceptible to deformation, and furthermore, the rigidity of the console box 20 can be increased.

[0089] In addition, ribs 43 protruding from the upper panel 42 are joined to the left and right side wall portions 24 of the box body 21 by welding or the like, thereby increasing the rigidity of the box body 21. This also contributes to increasing the rigidity of the console box 20.

[0090] (10) In the conventional console box described in Patent Document 1, if a mounting portion is provided in the center of the lower part of the box body in the left-right direction and this mounting portion is attached to the vehicle floor by bolting, crimping, or the like, the following concern arises: The mounting strength of the console box to the floor is not sufficiently high. As a result, when an external force is applied from the left or right direction, the console box may deform and tilt in the left or right direction, with the mounting portion to the floor as a fulcrum. In particular, in the above conventional console box, the ducts are arranged on both sides of the box body in the left-right direction, and the dimensions of the console box in that direction are large, making the above phenomenon more likely to occur.

[0091] In this regard, in this embodiment, the upper duct 51 and the lower duct 53 are formed below the box body 21, and no ducts are formed on either side of the box body 21 in the left-right direction. The dimensions of the console box 20 in the left-right direction are smaller than in a case where ducts are located on either side of the box body in the left-right direction.

[0092] In this embodiment, the lower edge of the vertical wall portion 32 of each duct configuration portion 31 and the lower edge of each of the multiple mounting legs 39 are in contact with the cross member 13. As described above, the console box 20 is attached to the cross member 13 with a wide area of ​​the console box 20 in the left-right direction in contact with the cross member 13.

[0093] This increases the mounting strength of the console box 20 to the cross member 13. Even if an external force is applied from the left or right, it is possible to prevent the console box 20 from being deformed and tilted in the same direction. Also, there is no need to use a reinforcing member such as a bracket to ensure the mounting strength of the console box 20.

[0094] (11) If the required height of the console box 20 differs depending on the vehicle model, class, etc., for example, the auxiliary side panels 56 may be changed to have different vertical dimensions. The vertical dimensions of the portion of each side panel 41 below the upper panel portion 42 may be changed. The vertical dimensions of a part of each duct configuration portion 31, for example, the mounting leg portion 39, may be changed, or the overall vertical dimensions of the duct configuration portion 31 may be changed. By making these changes, the height of the console box 20 can be adjusted to the required height.

[0095] (12) The outer surface 58 of each auxiliary panel portion 57 is located on the same plane as the outer surface in the left-right direction of the adjacent upper panel portion 42. Therefore, the appearance of the console box 20 can be improved compared to when the outer surface 58 of the former is not located on the same plane as the outer surface of the latter.

[0096] <Example of change> This embodiment can be modified as follows: This embodiment and the following modifications can be combined and implemented within the scope of technical compatibility.

[0097] The opening 26 of the storage section 25 may be opened and closed by a shutter that is configured to be bendable. The number of ducts formed by the duct configuration portion 31 and the lower panel portion 44 may be changed to one or three or more. In this case, this can be easily accommodated by changing the number of horizontal wall portions 33 to 35 protruding from each vertical wall portion 32.

[0098] The vertical dimension of the upper passage 52 and the vertical dimension of the lower passage 54 may be the same as or different from each other. The left and right upper passages 52 may have different vertical dimensions. The left and right lower passages 54 may have different vertical dimensions.

[0099] The uppermost lateral wall portions 33 of the pair of duct components 31 may be located at different heights. The lowermost lateral wall portions 35 of the pair of duct components 31 may be located at different heights. The lateral wall portions 34 of the pair of duct components 31 in the vertical center may be located at different heights.

[0100] One of the pair of duct components 31 may be omitted. In this case, there is only one vertical wall portion 32, and the multiple horizontal wall portions 33 to 35 protrude outward from the vertical wall portion 32 to one side in the left-right direction.

[0101] The pair of vertical wall portions 32 may be formed by a single common vertical wall portion. In this case, the horizontal wall portions 33 to 35 are made to protrude in opposite directions from the common vertical wall portion in the left-right direction. The auxiliary side panel 56 may be attached to the lower panel portion 44 by a method other than hook-and-loop. The tip of each rib 43 may be attached to the side wall 24 by a method other than welding or adhesion, such as by screwing.

[0102] The auxiliary side panel 56 may be omitted as appropriate. In conjunction with this omission, the auxiliary condensation suppression portion 64 is omitted, and the mounting protrusion 45 and reinforcing rib 46 are omitted from the lower panel portion 44. In this case, the position of the lower panel portion 44 in the left-right direction may be changed to the same position as the position of the upper panel portion 42 in the same direction. In conjunction with this change, the lateral wall portions 33 to 35 are extended outward in the left-right direction and joined to the lower panel portion 44 after the above-mentioned position change. [Explanation of symbols]

[0103] 10...Vehicle 20...Console box 21...Box body 22...Bottom wall 22a…Inner bottom surface 32...Vertical wall part 33, 34, 35...Side wall 38...Reinforcing rib 41...Side panel 51...Upper duct (duct) 52...Upper passage (passage) 53...Lower duct (duct) 54…Lower passage (passage) 55...Condensation suppression part 56...Auxiliary side panel 58...Outer surface 64…Auxiliary condensation suppressor

Claims

1. A console box including a box body for storing items, the box body having a bottom wall portion extending in a front-rear direction and a width direction of a vehicle, In the vehicle width direction, when the side away from the center of the box body in the same direction is defined as the outside, a vertical wall portion protruding downward from the bottom wall portion; a lateral wall portion protruding outward in the vehicle width direction from the vertical wall portion; a side panel that covers the box body, the vertical wall portion, and the horizontal wall portion from the outside in the vehicle width direction and is joined to a tip end portion of the horizontal wall portion, The lateral wall portion protrudes outward from a plurality of locations on the vertical wall portion that are spaced downward from the bottom wall portion and that are spaced apart from each other in the up-down direction to the same outer side in the vehicle width direction, The box body, the vertical wall portion, and the horizontal wall portion are integrally formed, a cylindrical duct is formed by the vertical wall portion, the pair of horizontal wall portions adjacent to each other in the vertical direction, and the side panel, and a space within the duct forms a passage for air conditioning air, A console box in which the space surrounded by the bottom wall portion, the vertical wall portion, the uppermost horizontal wall portion, and the side panel constitutes a condensation suppression portion that suppresses condensation on the inner bottom surface of the bottom wall portion.

2. The horizontal wall portion protrudes from three or more of the vertical wall portion, the plurality of positions being spaced apart from each other in the up-down direction, The console box according to claim 1 , wherein the vertical wall portions, all of the horizontal wall portions, and the side panels define a plurality of ducts adjacent to each other in the vertical direction.

3. an auxiliary side panel is disposed at a location that is outwardly spaced in the vehicle width direction from a location that is outwardly of the side panel in the vehicle width direction and that is lower than the box body; 2. The console box according to claim 1, wherein a space between the side panel and the auxiliary side panel constitutes an auxiliary condensation suppression portion that suppresses condensation on an outer surface of the auxiliary side panel in the vehicle width direction.

4. The side panels and the lateral wall portions are provided in pairs, The pair of side panels are arranged on both sides of the box body in the vehicle width direction, The console box according to claim 1 , wherein the pair of lateral wall portions protrude from the vertical wall portion in opposite directions in the vehicle width direction and are joined to the side panels.

5. A pair of the vertical wall portions is provided, The pair of vertical wall portions are spaced apart from each other in the vehicle width direction, A reinforcing rib protrudes downward from the bottom wall portion, The console box according to claim 4, wherein the reinforcing rib is bridged between the pair of vertical wall portions.

Images