Vehicle compartment front structure

Abstract

To stably install a display device or the like on an upper part of an instrument panel.SOLUTION: The vehicle cabin front structure includes the steering support member 20 that supports the instrument panel, the display device 10 that is installed on the upper portion of the instrument panel, the plurality of first support portions 41,42 that are provided in the steering support member 20 and support the instrument panel, and the plurality of second support portions 55,65 that are provided in the instrument panel and support the display device 10, and the plurality of first support portions 41,42 include the front side first support portion 41 and the rear side first support portion 42 that are disposed to be spaced apart from each other in the vehicle front-rear direction. The second support portion 55,65 is disposed between the front side first support portion 41 and the rear side first support portion 42.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle cabin 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 a driver or other passenger. For example, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, a structure in which a display device is attached to the top of the instrument panel is known. The display device installed on the top of the instrument panel improves visibility for a user such as a driver.

[0003] In the above example structure, a recess is provided in, for example, the top surface of the instrument panel, and the lower part of the display device is attached to the recess. Also, a control unit is disposed below and in front of the display device. The control unit is disposed on the lower side of the top surface. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 5991237 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] As the number of electronic devices installed in vehicles increases due to the electrification of vehicles, the amount of information displayed on the display screen also increases. For example, by expanding the size of the display screen in the vehicle width direction, it becomes possible to accommodate the increased amount of information displayed.

[0006] A display device typically includes a liquid crystal panel and a base for supporting the liquid crystal panel. The base is made of a metal material to ensure a certain level of rigidity. Therefore, increasing the size of the liquid crystal panel also increases the size of the base. As a result, the weight of the display device increases, and the load acting on the instrument panel also increases. Furthermore, as the number of electronic devices installed in a vehicle increases, the number of control units for controlling the electronic devices also increases. The control unit typically includes an electronic board electrically connected to the electronic device and a case for accommodating the electronic board. The case must ensure a certain level of rigidity to protect the electronic board. Therefore, the case is often made of a metal material, for example. Thus, as the number of control units increases, the load acting on the instrument panel also increases.

[0007] The display device and the control unit are mounted on an instrument panel made of a resin material. As the weight of the display device and the control unit increases, the load acting on the instrument panel also increases. In the above-described structure, if the display device is enlarged to increase the amount of information displayed on the display device, the instrument panel must be made more resistant to the load. Therefore, the above-described structure leaves room for improvement in terms of stably mounting a larger display device on the instrument panel.

[0008] The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and its purpose is to provide a front structure of a vehicle compartment that allows a display device, etc. to be stably installed on the top of the instrument panel. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] To achieve the above object, the present invention provides a vehicle compartment front structure including an instrument panel disposed in the front of a vehicle compartment, a support member disposed on the vehicle front side of the instrument panel, connected to a vehicle body, and supporting the instrument panel, and a display device installed on an upper portion of the instrument panel, protruding upward from the upper portion and extending in the vehicle width direction. The vehicle compartment front structure includes a plurality of first support portions provided on the support member and supporting the instrument panel, and a plurality of second support portions provided on the instrument panel and supporting the display device, the plurality of first support portions having front first support portions and rear first support portions arranged at an interval from each other in the vehicle longitudinal direction, and the second support portion being arranged between the front first support portion and the rear first support portion in the vehicle longitudinal direction. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to the present invention, it is possible to stably install a display device or the like on the upper part of the instrument panel. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic perspective view of a vehicle cabin front structure according to the present invention as seen from inside the vehicle cabin, showing a state before electrical devices and display devices are installed on an instrument panel. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view showing a state in which an electric device is installed in the instrument panel of FIG. 1. [Figure 3] 2 is a top view of the installation opening of the instrument panel of FIG. 1 as seen from above. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view showing a state in which an upper panel of FIG. 1 is removed. [Figure 5] 5 is a schematic perspective view showing the steering support member of FIG. 4 alone, and showing the position of a third support portion virtually by means of a fastening member. FIG. [Figure 6] 6 is a schematic perspective view of the steering support member of FIG. 5 as seen from the left rear side, with the positions of the second support portion and the third support portion being virtually indicated by fastening members. FIG. [Figure 7] 6 is a top view of the steering support member of FIG. 5, in which the positions of the second support portion and the third support portion are virtually shown by fastening members. FIG. [Figure 8] 2 is a schematic side view showing a virtual state in which the display device of FIG. 1 is installed on an instrument panel, and showing the positions of second and third support portions by fastening members. FIG. [Figure 9] 8 is a schematic side view of the steering support member of FIG. 7, showing the positions of the second support portion and the third support portion virtually by fastening members. FIG. [Figure 10] 2 is a partial perspective view showing a state in which the display device of FIG. 1 is installed on an instrument panel. FIG. [Figure 11] 11 is a partial perspective view showing an enlarged view of a second support section and its periphery with the display device of FIG. 10 removed. FIG. [Figure 12] 9 is a schematic perspective view of the display device of FIG. 8, a first pipe of the steering support member, and a sub-member, as viewed from the front side of the vehicle. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] Hereinafter, an embodiment of a vehicle compartment front structure according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings (FIGS. 1 to 12). In the drawings, the direction of the arrow Fr indicates the front in the vehicle longitudinal direction. In the description of the embodiment, the "front (front end) and rear (rear end)" correspond to the front and rear in the vehicle longitudinal direction. 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 vehicle vertical direction.

[0013] 1 and 2, the vehicle compartment front structure of this embodiment includes an instrument panel 50, a steering support member 20 (support member), a display device 10, and an electrical device 70. The vehicle compartment front structure of this embodiment further includes a plurality of first support portions 41, 42, 43 that are provided on the steering support member 20 and support the instrument panel 50, and a plurality of second support portions 55, 65 that are provided on the instrument panel 50 and support the display device 10. In this embodiment, the plurality of first support portions 41, 42, 43 include a front first support portion 41 and a rear first support portion 42 that are spaced apart from each other in the vehicle longitudinal direction, and the second support portions 55, 65 are disposed between the front first support portion 41 and the rear first support portion 42 in the vehicle longitudinal direction. The vehicle compartment front structure will be described in detail below.

[0014] First, the steering support member 20 will be described. As shown in Figs. 4 to 6, the steering support member 20 is a member disposed on the vehicle front side of the instrument panel 50, and is a member for directly or indirectly supporting a steering system having a steering wheel (steering wheel), a steering shaft, a steering column, etc., and is a highly rigid member made of a metal material (steel material). As shown in Figs. 4 and 5, the steering support member 20 has a first pipe 21, a sub-member 30, and a plurality of stays. Furthermore, as described above, the steering support member 20 is provided with a plurality of first support portions 41, 42, 43 that support the instrument panel 50. Each portion will be described below.

[0015] As shown in Fig. 4, the first pipe 21 extends in the vehicle width direction so as to connect both sides of the vehicle body. As shown in Figs. 6 to 9, the first pipe 21 is a member having, for example, a circular cross section, and is a highly rigid member made of a metal material. Side brackets are joined to the outer sides of the first pipe 21 in the vehicle width direction. Both sides of the first pipe 21 in the vehicle width direction are joined to the sides of the vehicle body via the side brackets. In addition, a sub-member 30 and a plurality of stays are joined to the middle part of the first pipe 21 in the vehicle width direction.

[0016] The multiple stays include upper stays 22, 23 extending upward from the first pipe 21, a vertical stay 24 extending upward and downward from the first pipe 21, a lower stay 25 extending downward from the first pipe 21, a rear stay 26 extending rearward from the pipe, and a front stay 27 extending forward from the pipe. These stays are joined between the left and right ends of the first pipe 21 (at the middle part of the first pipe 21 in the vehicle width direction). The multiple stays also include an upper connecting stay 32 and a lower connecting stay 33 that constitute the sub-member 30.

[0017] The upper stays 22, 23 include a left upper stay 22 joined to the left of the center of the first pipe 21 in the vehicle width direction, and a central upper stay 23 joined to a position close to the center of the first pipe 21 in the vehicle width direction. In addition, the vertical stay 24 is joined to the rear of the first pipe 21 located to the right of the central upper stay 23.

[0018] The rear stay 26 is joined to the rear of the first pipe 21 located between the central upper stay 23 and the vertical stay 24, and extends toward the rear of the vehicle. The lower stay 25 is joined to a lower part of the first pipe 21 located further to the right of the vertical stay 24.

[0019] 7 to 9, the sub-member 30 has a second pipe 31, an upper connecting stay 32 (connecting member), and a lower connecting stay 33 (connecting member). The second pipe 31 is a member that extends in the vehicle width direction, and is arranged to the left of the center of the first pipe 21 in the vehicle width direction and at a distance rearward of the first pipe 21. Like the first pipe 21, the second pipe 31 has a circular cross section and is a highly rigid member that is made of a metal material.

[0020] The upper connecting stays 32 and the lower connecting stays 33 are members for connecting the second pipe 31 to the first pipe 21, and are made of metal material and have a predetermined rigidity. As shown in Figures 6 and 7, the upper connecting stays 32 are joined to both ends of the second pipe 31 in the vehicle width direction, and extend from each end toward the front of the vehicle. The front portions of the upper connecting stays 32 are joined to the first pipe 21.

[0021] The lower connecting stay 33 has a front member 33a joined to the first pipe 21 and a rear member 33b joined to the second pipe 31. The front member 33a is made of a metal material and extends downward from a lower part of the middle part in the vehicle width direction of the first pipe 21, and then bends and extends obliquely forward as it heads downward.

[0022] 5 and 6, the rear member 33b is made of a metal material and is joined to a lower portion of the second pipe 31, slightly inside the outer end in the vehicle width direction. The rear member 33b extends at an angle toward the front of the vehicle as it extends downward, and is joined to the underside of the angled portion of the front member 33a. In this example, the upper connecting stay 32 and the lower connecting stay 33 form a substantially triangular frame shape when viewed in the vehicle width direction.

[0023] As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the steering support member 20 has a front member 28 and a front stay 27 that extend forward of the vehicle and are joined to, for example, a dash panel (not shown), and has a lower member 29 that extends downward of the vehicle and is joined to the vehicle body.

[0024] Next, the first support portions 41, 42, and 43 will be described. In this embodiment, as described above, the steering support member 20 is provided with a plurality of first support portions 41, 42, and 43 for supporting the instrument panel 50. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the plurality of first support portions 41, 42, and 43 include a front first support portion 41 and a rear first support portion 42 that are spaced apart from each other in the vehicle longitudinal direction. In this example, an intermediate first support portion 43 is provided between the front first support portion 41 and the rear first support portion 42.

[0025] 5 and 6, the front first support portion 41 is provided on an upper portion of the left upper stay 22, an upper portion of the central upper stay 23, and an upper portion of the vertical stay 24. The front first support portion 41 provided on the upper portion of the left upper stay 22 faces the rear of the vehicle and has a vertical wall 41a extending in the vertical direction, with a through-hole formed in the vertical wall 41a penetrating in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle. Similarly to the front first support portion 41 provided on the left upper stay 22, the front first support portions 41 provided on the upper portions of the central upper stay 23 and the vertical stay 24 each have a vertical wall 41a with a through-hole formed in the vertical wall 41a.

[0026] For example, by passing a fastening member such as a clip through a through-hole provided in the vertical wall 41a, a front mounting portion 61 of a lower panel 60 (described later) of the instrument panel 50 abuts against the vertical wall 41a of the front first support portion 41, and the lower panel 60 is attached to the front first support portion 41. In this way, the lower panel 60 is supported by the front first support portion 41. The front mounting portion 61 of the lower panel 60 will be described later.

[0027] 5 and 6, the rear first support portion 42 is provided at the rear of the rear stay 26. The rear first support portion 42 faces the rear of the vehicle and has a vertical wall 42a extending in the up-down direction, with a through-hole formed in the vertical wall 42a that penetrates in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle. Similar to the front first support portion 41, a rear mounting portion 62 of a lower panel 60 of the instrument panel 50 is attached to the rear first support portion 42, whereby the lower panel 60 is supported by the rear first support portion 42.

[0028] The intermediate first support portion 43 is provided at the rear of the second pipe 31. In this example, two intermediate first support portions 43 are arranged on the second pipe 31 with a gap between them in the vehicle width direction. An intermediate mounting portion 63 of the lower panel 60 of the instrument panel 50 is attached to the intermediate first support portion 43, thereby supporting the lower panel 60 by the intermediate first support portion 43. As shown in FIG. 7 , the sub-member 30 including the second pipe 31, the first pipe 21, and the upper connecting stays 32 on both the left and right sides form a closed cross-sectional structure when viewed from above the vehicle. The closed cross-sectional structure ensures that the structure including the sub-member 30 has a predetermined rigidity. In other words, the instrument panel 50 can be supported in a portion where high rigidity is ensured. Therefore, the instrument panel 50, which is larger in volume than other components constituting the vehicle interior, can be stably installed.

[0029] Next, the instrument panel 50 will be described. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the instrument panel 50 is a resin member extending from one end to the other in the vehicle width direction at the front of the vehicle cabin, and has main surface portions 51b, 60a facing the interior of the vehicle cabin, and a top surface portion 51a extending forward from the upper end of the main surface portion 51b to, for example, the bottom of the windshield (not shown). The instrument panel 50 also has an upper panel 51 and a lower panel 60.

[0030] The instrument panel 50 is also provided with a plurality of second support portions 55, 65 that support the display device 10. Here, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the plurality of second support portions 55, 65 include a front second support portion 55 and a rear second support portion 65 that are arranged at intervals in the vehicle longitudinal direction. The front second support portion 55 is provided on the upper panel 51, and the rear second support portion 65 is provided on the lower panel 60.

[0031] First, the upper panel 51 will be described. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the upper panel 51 is disposed above the lower panel 60 and attached to the lower panel 60 and the steering support member 20. The upper panel 51 has a top surface portion 51a and an upper main surface portion 51b. In this example, the upper main surface portion 51b is located slightly below the rear end of the top surface portion 51a and is a portion to which a decorative member such as a garnish is attached. The upper portion of the upper main surface portion 51b, connected to the top surface portion 51a, is a design surface exposed inside the vehicle cabin. In this example, the design surfaces of the upper main surface portion 51b are disposed on both sides of the display device 10 in the vehicle width direction.

[0032] The top surface portion 51a is a portion disposed at the top of the instrument panel 50, and extends forward from the upper end of the upper main surface portion 51b, for example, to the bottom of the windshield (not shown). Most of the top surface portion 51a is a design surface exposed to the interior of the vehicle. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, an installation opening 52 for mounting the display device 10, electrical device 70, etc. is provided on the left side of the top surface portion 51a. As shown in FIG. 3, the installation opening 52 has a front wall portion 52a extending downward from the front edge of the installation opening 52, and a bottom portion 52b extending rearward from the lower end of the front wall portion 52a.

[0033] 3, the upper panel 51 has a plurality of device receiving portions 54, the front second support portion 55, the front upper engaging portion 57, the rear upper engaging portion 58, and the intermediate upper engaging portion 59. The front wall portion 52a and the bottom portion 52b of the installation opening 52 are provided with a plurality of harness insertion holes 53 through which a harness (not shown) connected to the electric device 70 is inserted. The bottom portion 52b of the installation opening 52 is also provided with a plurality of device receiving portions 54, to which mounting portions of the electric device 70 are attached, arranged at intervals from one another around the harness insertion holes 53.

[0034] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the front second support parts 55 are provided on both outer sides in the vehicle width direction inside the installation opening 52. The front second support parts 55 are portions that engage with the later-described front engagement claws 15, 16 of the display device 10, and have a seating surface part 55a facing upward in the vehicle, with a through-hole 55b formed in the seating surface part 55a that penetrates in the vehicle up-down direction. The seating surface part 55a is further provided on the front side with a claw insertion opening 55d into which the front engagement claws 15, 16 of the display device 10 can be inserted. The state in which the front engagement claws 15, 16 (FIG. 10) of the display device 10 are attached to the front second support parts 55 will be described later.

[0035] The front upper engagement portions 57 are provided on both outer sides in the vehicle width direction inside the installation opening 52. In this example, they are arranged at a distance forward of the respective front second support portions 55 on both sides in the vehicle width direction. Each front upper engagement portion 57 is attached to the front third support portion 67 and has a vertical wall. Two through holes that pass through in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle are formed in the vertical wall. One of the through holes can accommodate a positioning pin 67c provided on the front third support portion 67, and the other through hole can accommodate a fastening member such as a clip. The front third support portion 67 will be described later.

[0036] The rear upper engagement portion 58 is disposed on the upper main surface portion 51b, which is disposed on the vehicle rear side of the front upper engagement portion 57 with a gap therebetween and located forward of the installation opening 52. In this example, it is disposed rearward of the rear first support portion 42 provided on the rear stay 26. The rear upper engagement portion 58 is disposed between the front upper engagement portions 57 on both sides in the vehicle width direction, and is disposed closer to the left front upper engagement portion 57 than the right front upper engagement portion 57. The rear upper engagement portion 58 is attached to the rear third support portion 68. The rear third support portion 68 will be described later.

[0037] The intermediate upper engagement portion 59 is disposed between the front upper engagement portion 57 and the rear upper engagement portion 58 in the vehicle longitudinal direction. In this example, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, four intermediate upper engagement portions 59 are disposed in front of the installation opening 52 and spaced apart from one another in the vehicle width direction. The intermediate upper engagement portions 59 are attached to intermediate third support portions 69. The intermediate third support portions 69 will be described later.

[0038] Next, the lower panel 60 will be described. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the lower panel 60 is a member attached to the steering support member 20 and has a lower main surface portion 60a. The lower main surface portion 60a constitutes the lower portion of the main surface portion of the instrument panel 50, and 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.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 4 , the lower panel 60 of this embodiment has a front mounting portion 61, a rear mounting portion 62, and an intermediate mounting portion 63. The front mounting portion 61 is attached to the front first support portion 41 provided on the steering support member 20. In this example, the lower panel 60 has three front mounting portions 61, which are spaced apart from one another in the vehicle width direction. Each front mounting portion 61 has a vertical wall extending in the vehicle up-down direction, and a through-hole penetrating the vertical wall in the vehicle fore-aft direction is formed in the vertical wall. The left front mounting portion 61 is attached to the front first support portion 41 provided on the upper part of the left upper stay 22. The vertical wall of the left front mounting portion 61 and the vertical wall 41a of the front first support portion 41 abut against each other and are fastened together by a fastening member such as a clip. As a result, the front mounting portion 61 is supported by the front first support portion 41.

[0040] 4, the front mounting portion 61 located in the center is fastened to and supported by the front first support portion 41 provided on the central upper stay 23. Similarly, the front mounting portion 61 located on the right side is fastened to and supported by the front first support portion 41 provided on the vertical stay 24.

[0041] 4, the rear mounting portion 62 is disposed on the vehicle rear side of the front mounting portion 61 in the vehicle longitudinal direction with a gap therebetween, and is attached to a first rear support portion 42 provided at the rear of the rear stay 26 of the steering support member 20. The rear mounting portion 62 is disposed between the front mounting portion 61 located in the center and the front mounting portion 61 located on the right side in the vehicle width direction. The rear mounting portion 62 is also disposed forward of a third rear support portion 68, which will be described later.

[0042] The intermediate mounting portion 63 is disposed between the front mounting portion 61 and the rear mounting portion 62 in the vehicle longitudinal direction. In this example, the two intermediate mounting portions 63 are provided at positions corresponding to the two intermediate first support portions 43 provided on the second pipe 31. An intermediate third support portion 69, which will be described later, is disposed above the intermediate mounting portions 63.

[0043] As described above, the lower panel 60 also has the rear second support portions 65. In this example, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 10, the lower panel 60 has three rear second support portions 65, which are arranged at intervals in the vehicle width direction. Each rear second support portion 65 has a vertical wall 65a extending in the vehicle up-down direction. The vertical wall 65a has a through-hole 65b formed therethrough in the vehicle front-rear direction. Furthermore, the vertical wall 65a located below the through-hole 65b has a positioning pin 65c formed therein that protrudes toward the rear of the vehicle. Furthermore, a claw insertion opening 65d is formed on the front side of the vertical wall 65a, into which the lower engagement claws 17, 18, 19 of the display device 10 can be inserted.

[0044] The rear second support portion 65 located on the left side is disposed to the left of the intermediate mounting portion 63 located on the left side in the vehicle width direction, with a gap therebetween. In other words, it is disposed adjacent to the left side of the sub-member 30 of the steering support member 20. The rear second support portion 65 located in the center is disposed to the right of the intermediate mounting portion 63 located in the center, with a gap therebetween, in the vehicle width direction. In other words, it is disposed adjacent to the left side of the sub-member 30.

[0045] The right-side rear second support portion 65 is disposed to the right of the rear mounting portion 62. In other words, it is disposed adjacent to the right side of the rear stay 26 of the steering support member 20. In this way, the rear second support portion 65 that supports the display device 10 is provided in a position close to the highly rigid sub-member 30 and the rear stay 26, and therefore can stably support the display device 10.

[0046] The lower panel 60 also has a plurality of third support portions 67, 68, and 69. In this example, as shown in Fig. 4, the lower panel 60 has a front third support portion 67, a rear third support portion 68, and a middle third support portion 69.

[0047] The front third support portion 67 is a portion to which the front upper engagement portion 57 of the upper panel 51 is attached. The front third support portion 67 has a vertical wall 67a facing the rear of the vehicle. The vertical wall 67a has a through-hole formed therein into which a fastening member such as a clip can be inserted, and a positioning pin 67c is provided on the vertical wall 67a adjacent to the through-hole. In this example, the two front third support portions 67 are spaced apart from each other in the vehicle width direction. The left front third support portion 67 is disposed on the vehicle front side of the left front mounting portion 61, and the left front upper engagement portion 57 is positioned by the positioning pin 67c and fastened by a fastening member. Similarly, the right front third support portion 67 is disposed on the vehicle front side of the right front mounting portion 61, and the right front upper engagement portion 57 is positioned by the positioning pin 67c and fastened by a fastening member.

[0048] 4, the rear third support portion 68 is disposed on the rear side of the rear mounting portion 62, and the rear upper engaging portion 58 is positioned by a positioning pin 68c and fastened by a fastening member. The rear third support portion 68 and the rear upper engaging portion 58 are fastened to the rear portion of the highly rigid rear stay 26 at the usable position, making it possible to stabilize the fastened state.

[0049] The intermediate third support portion 69 is disposed between the front third support portion 67 and the rear third support portion 68 in the vehicle longitudinal direction. In this example, as shown in FIG. 4, the four intermediate third support portions 69 are disposed at intervals from one another in the vehicle width direction so as to correspond to the four intermediate upper engagement portions 59 (FIG. 1). The intermediate third support portion 69 has a vertical wall 69a. The vertical wall 69a is further formed with a through-hole through which a fastening member can be inserted and a positioning pin 69c disposed adjacent to the through-hole and protruding toward the rear of the vehicle. The positioning pin 69c is inserted into the through-hole of the intermediate upper engagement portion 59. The intermediate upper engagement portion 59 is fastened to the intermediate third support portion 69 by a fastening member. The intermediate third support portion 69 is disposed adjacent to and above the high-rigidity sub-member 30. This makes it possible to ensure the support rigidity of the intermediate third support portion 69.

[0050] Next, the display device 10 will be described. As shown in Figures 8, 10, and 12, the display device 10 has a screen unit 10A capable of displaying information, a frame unit 11 surrounding the outer periphery of the screen unit 10A, a base unit 13 disposed adjacent to the front side of the vehicle of the screen unit 10A and extending in the vehicle width direction and the vehicle up-down direction, and a cover unit 12 covering the base unit 13 from the front side. Furthermore, the display device 10 includes front engagement claws 15, 16 and lower engagement claws 17, 18, 19 for installing the display device 10 on the instrument panel 50.

[0051] The screen unit 10A has a generally rectangular shape that extends in the vehicle width direction and the vehicle up-down direction, and information that can be displayed on the screen unit 10A includes, for example, information from a navigation system, a center meter, etc. As shown in Figures 1 and 12, the screen unit 10A has a generally trapezoidal shape in which the length of the upper part in the vehicle width direction is shorter than the length of the lower part in the vehicle width direction, and the right and left sides are formed almost symmetrically. The right and left sides are inclined so that they approach each other as they approach the top.

[0052] The frame portion 11 is a portion that surrounds the screen portion 10A. The upper and lower portions of the frame portion 11 extend in the vehicle width direction, and the left portion of the frame portion 11 extends in the vehicle up-down direction so as to connect the left ends of the upper and lower portions of the frame portion 11 in the vehicle width direction. Similar to the left portion, the right portion of the frame portion 11 also extends in the vehicle up-down direction so as to connect the right ends of the upper and lower portions of the frame portion 11 in the vehicle width direction.

[0053] The base portion 13 is disposed adjacent to the front side of the vehicle of the screen portion 10A and extends in the vehicle width direction and the vehicle up-down direction. The main body of the base portion 13 is formed of a cast iron material. Although not shown, electronic components, electronic boards, liquid crystal components, etc. are disposed on the rear side of the base portion 13. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 12, terminals 14 to which a harness is connected, etc. are provided on the front side of the base portion 13.

[0054] As shown in Fig. 12, the cover portion 12 is a member that covers the front side of the base portion 13 and is made of a resin material. The front surface of the cover portion 12, which is located above the top surface portion 51a of the upper panel 51, is a design surface. The front surface of the cover portion 12 is provided with a through-hole 12a through which a harness connected to the terminal 14 can be inserted. In addition, the cover portion 12 is provided on its outer side in the vehicle width direction with a through-hole 12b through which a left front engagement claw 15 and a right front engagement claw 16 pass.

[0055] The front engagement claws 15, 16 are arranged at intervals from each other in the vehicle width direction, and include a left front engagement claw 15 and a right front engagement claw 16 that are aligned in the vehicle width direction (left and right). The left front engagement claw 15 and the right front engagement claw 16 each protrude from the front side of the base portion 13 toward the front of the vehicle, and have through holes 15b, 16b that penetrate in the vertical direction of the vehicle when the display device 10 is installed on the instrument panel 50. Furthermore, the left front engagement claw 15 and the right front engagement claw 16 are arranged at intervals from each other on the left and right.

[0056] The left front engagement claw 15 is made of a metal material and is provided on the left side of the front surface (not shown) of the base portion 13, extending from the front surface toward the front of the vehicle. The left front engagement claw 15 is preferably made of a cast iron material, like the base portion 13. In this case, the base portion 13 and the left front engagement claw 15 are preferably formed integrally. The left front engagement claw 15 has a bottom surface portion 15a that faces upward of the vehicle when the display device 10 is installed on the instrument panel 50, and a side wall portion 15d provided at the right end of the bottom surface portion 15a. The through hole 15b is provided in the bottom surface portion 15a.

[0057] The bottom surface 15a of the left front engagement claw 15 is placed on the seat surface 55a of the front second support part 55 located on the left side, and a fastening member such as a clip is inserted into the through hole 15b of the bottom surface 15a and the through hole 55b of the seat surface 55a (Figure 10), and the left front engagement claw 15 is attached to the front second support part 55 located on the left side.

[0058] The right front engagement claw 16 is made of a metal material, is provided on the right side of the front surface (not shown) of the base portion 13, and extends from the front surface toward the front of the vehicle. Like the left front engagement claw 15, the right front engagement claw 16 is made of cast iron material and is preferably formed integrally with the base portion 13. Like the left front engagement claw 15, the right front engagement claw 16 has a bottom surface portion 16a and a side wall portion 16d, and is preferably formed symmetrically with the left front engagement claw 15.

[0059] The bottom surface 16a of the right front engagement claw 16 is placed on the seat surface 55a of the front second support part 55 located on the right side, and a fastening member such as a clip is inserted into the through hole 16b of the bottom surface 16a and the through hole 55b of the seat surface 55a, and the right front engagement claw 16 is attached to the front second support part 55 located on the left side.

[0060] As shown in FIG. 12, the lower engagement claws 17, 18, 19 include a central lower engagement claw 17, a left lower engagement claw 18, and a right lower engagement claw 19.

[0061] The left lower engagement claw 18 is made of a metal material and is provided on the lower side of the frame portion 11 on the left side in the vehicle width direction, and extends downward. In this embodiment, the left lower engagement claw 18 extends downward from a lower portion of the base portion 13 located on the front side of the frame portion 11. The left lower engagement claw 18 is preferably made of a cast iron material, like the base portion 13. In this case, the base portion 13 and the left lower engagement claw 18 are preferably formed integrally. Two through holes 18f are formed in the left lower engagement claw 18, penetrating in the front-to-rear direction of the vehicle. As shown in FIG. 10 , a positioning pin 65c provided in a vertical wall 65a of the rear second support portion 65 located on the left side is inserted into one of the through holes 18f, and a fastening member such as a clip is inserted into the other through hole 18f, which communicates with a through hole 65b provided in the vertical wall 65a. At this time, the left lower engaging claw 18 is attached to the rear second support part 65 in a state where it is inserted into the claw insertion opening 65d of the rear second support part 65 located on the left side.

[0062] The right lower engagement claw 19 is made of a metal material and is provided on the lower side of the frame portion 11 on the right side in the vehicle width direction, and extends downward. In this embodiment, the right lower engagement claw 19 extends downward from a lower part of the base portion 13 located on the front side of the frame portion 11. Like the left lower engagement claw 18, the right lower engagement claw 19 is made of a cast iron material and is preferably formed integrally with the base portion 13. Like the left lower engagement claw 18, the right lower engagement claw 19 is formed with two through holes 19f, one of which is adapted to receive a positioning pin 65c provided in the vertical wall 65a of the rear second support portion 65 located on the right side, and the other is connected to a through hole 65b provided in the vertical wall 65a, and a fastening member such as a clip is inserted into the other through hole 19f. At this time, the right lower engaging claw 19 is attached to the rear second support part 65 in a state where it is inserted into the claw insertion opening 65d of the rear second support part 65 located on the right side.

[0063] The central lower engagement claw 17 is made of a metal material and is disposed between the left lower engagement claw 18 and the right lower engagement claw 19. As shown in Figures 10 and 12, the central lower engagement claw 17 is provided on the lower side of the intermediate portion of the frame portion 11 in the vehicle width direction and extends downward. In this example, the central lower engagement claw 17 extends downward from the lower portion of the base portion 13 located on the front side of the frame portion 11. The central engagement claw is preferably made of a cast iron material, like the base portion 13, and is formed integrally with the base portion 13.

[0064] Similarly to the left lower engagement claw 18, two through holes 17f are formed in the central lower engagement claw 17, and a positioning pin 65c provided on the vertical wall 65a of the centrally located rear second support part 65 is inserted into one of the through holes 17f, and a fastening member such as a clip is inserted into the other through hole 17f, which communicates with a through hole 65b provided on the vertical wall 65a. At this time, the central lower engagement claw 17 is attached to the rear second support part 65 in a state where it is inserted into a claw insertion port 65d of the centrally located rear second support part 65.

[0065] Next, the electric device 70 will be described. As shown in Fig. 2, the electric device 70 has a metal case 71 in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape and an electronic board (not shown) housed in the case 71. Furthermore, a mounting portion is provided on the side of the electric device 70 to be attached to a device receiving portion 54 provided on the bottom 52b of the installation opening 52. Although not shown in detail, the mounting portion is plate-shaped and protrudes outward from the lower part of the side of the case 71, and is provided with a through-hole through which a fastening member such as a clip can pass. The mounting portion is attached to the device receiving portion 54 with a clip or the like, and the electric device 70 is fixed to the bottom 52b of the installation opening 52.

[0066] The rear of the electric device 70 is disposed forward and spaced from the rear surface of the cover portion 12 of the display device 10. Although not shown, a lid member is disposed above the electric device 70. The lid member constitutes part of the top surface portion 51a.

[0067] In this embodiment, the second support portions 55, 65 are disposed between the front first support portion 41 and the rear first support portion 42 in the vehicle longitudinal direction. In FIGS. 6 to 9, the second support portions 55, 65 are virtually shown by fastening members only. For example, in FIGS. 6 to 9, the left and right front second support portions 55 are shown by fastening members extending in the up-down direction, and the rear second support portion 65 is shown by a fastening member extending in the vehicle longitudinal direction. A range R2 in the vehicle longitudinal direction of the front second support portion 55 and the rear second support portion 65 is disposed within a range R1 between the front first support portion 41 and the rear first support portion 42.

[0068] The position of the front first support portion 41 in the vehicle longitudinal direction is approximately the center of the longitudinal length of the fastening member of the front first support portion 41 provided on the vertical stay 24, and the position of the rear first support portion 42 is approximately the center of the longitudinal length of the fastening member of the rear first support portion 42. The position of the front second support portion 55 in the vehicle longitudinal direction is the radial center of the fastening member, and the position of the rear second support portion 65 is approximately the center of the longitudinal length of the fastening member.

[0069] In this example, the front first support portion 41 provided on each of the upper portions of the left upper stay 22, the upper portion of the central upper stay 23, and the upper portion of the vertical stay 24 is disposed closer to the front of the vehicle than the left and right front second support portions 55. The front first support portion 41 provided on the upper portion of the left upper stay 22 is disposed closer to the front of the front second support portion 55 located on the left side and spaced apart on the outer side (left side) in the vehicle width direction. The front first support portion 41 provided on the upper portion of the vertical stay 24 is disposed closer to the front of the front second support portion 55 located on the right side and spaced apart on the outer side (right side) in the vehicle width direction. The front first support portion 41 provided on the upper portion of the central upper stay 23 is disposed between the left and right front second support portions 55 in the vehicle width direction.

[0070] Furthermore, the rear first support portion 42 provided at the rear of the rear stay 26 is disposed further rearward of the vehicle than the three rear second support portions 65 aligned in the vehicle width direction. In this example, the rear second support portion 65 is disposed between the front second support portion 55 located in the center and the front second support portion 55 located on the right side in the vehicle width direction.

[0071] In the configuration in which the first support portions 41, 42 and the second support portions 55, 65 are arranged as described above, the support portions (first support portions 41, 42, 43) of the instrument panel 50 provided on the upper portions of the stays (left upper stay 22, central upper stay 23, vertical stay 24) of the steering support member 20 are arranged in front and behind the display device 10 below.

[0072] The front first support portion 41 and the rear first support portion 42 are support portions provided on the highly rigid steering support member 20, and are therefore capable of stably supporting components. In this embodiment, the front first support portion 41 and the rear first support portion 42, which have high support rigidity, are arranged at an interval in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, and a second support portion that supports the display device 10 is arranged between the front first support portion 41 and the rear first support portion 42, making it possible to stably support the display device 10.

[0073] Since the instrument panel 50 is made of a resin material, distortion may occur in the support portion that supports the heavy display device 10. In contrast, with the above configuration, the load that the second support portion receives from the display device 10 can be effectively distributed to the front first support portion 41 and the rear first support portion 42, thereby making it possible to suppress such distortion.

[0074] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as described above, the lower panel 60 of the instrument panel 50 is provided with a plurality of third support portions 67, 68, 69 that support the upper panel 51, and the plurality of third support portions 67, 68, 69 have a front third support portion 67 and a rear third support portion 68 that are arranged at intervals from each other in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle, and the center of gravity of the electrical device 70 is arranged between the front third support portion 67 and the rear third support portion 68 in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle.

[0075] As described above, in Figures 6 to 9, the third support portions 67, 68, 69 are virtually shown by fastening members only. For example, in Figures 6 to 9, the front third support portion 67 is shown by fastening members that extend at an inclined downward angle toward the front, and the rear third support portion 68 and the intermediate third support portion 69 are shown by fastening members that extend in the vehicle longitudinal direction. In this embodiment, the center of gravity of the electric device 70 is located within a range R3 between the front third support portion 67 and the rear third support portion 68 in the vehicle longitudinal direction.

[0076] The position of the front third support portion 67 in the vehicle longitudinal direction is approximately the center of the longitudinal length of the fastening member of the front third support portion 67, and the position of the rear third support portion 68 is approximately the center of the longitudinal length of the fastening member of the rear third support portion 68.

[0077] As described above, the electric device 70 has a metal case 71 and the like, and is therefore heavier than the in-vehicle devices installed in the instrument panel 50. Therefore, a certain load acts on the upper panel 51 to which the electric device 70 is attached. Furthermore, the harness insertion hole 53 through which the harness is inserted is provided in the bottom 52b of the installation opening 52 of the upper panel 51, and the rigidity of the surrounding area is lower than that of other areas. In this embodiment, the center of gravity of the electric device 70 is positioned between the front third support portion 67 and the rear third support portion 68, so that the electric device 70 is stably supported by the device receiving portion 54 of the bottom 52b of the installation opening 52. As a result, in this embodiment, the entire display unit including the electric device 70 and the display device 10 can be stably supported.

[0078] Furthermore, since the electric device 70 is disposed in front of the display device 10, there is no need to dispose the display device 10 higher to avoid the electric device 70. Therefore, in this embodiment, it is possible to prevent the field of view of the driver or the like from being narrowed when the driver or the like looks ahead of the vehicle.

[0079] 2, the multiple electrical devices 70 are arranged side by side in the vehicle width direction between both ends of the display device 10 in the vehicle width direction. In this example, three electrical devices 70 are arranged on the front side of the display device 10. If the display device 10 is designed to have a long dimension in the vehicle width direction, it becomes possible to arrange more electrical devices 70, and it becomes possible to effectively use the space inside the top surface portion 51a of the instrument panel 50.

[0080] In this embodiment, the three electrical devices 70 are arranged from the left end to the right end of the display device 10, and the centers of gravity of the three electrical devices are arranged between the front third support portion 67 and the rear third support portion 68, as described above. This allows the electrical devices 70 to effectively bear the load acting on the instrument panel 50.

[0081] 6 to 9, in the vehicle longitudinal direction, the first support portions 41, 42, 43 are disposed between the front third support portion 67 and the rear third support portion 68. That is, a range R1 in the vehicle longitudinal direction in which the first support portions 41, 42, 43 are disposed is disposed within a range R3 between the front third support portion 67 and the rear third support portion 68.

[0082] In this example, the left and right front second support portions 55 are disposed further forward of the vehicle than the front first support portions 41 provided at the upper portion of the left upper stay 22, the upper portion of the central upper stay 23, and the upper portion of the vertical stay 24. The front second support portion 55 located on the left side is disposed slightly inward (to the right) in the vehicle width direction than the front first support portion 41 provided at the upper portion of the left upper stay 22, and the front second support portion 55 located on the right side is disposed slightly inward (to the left) in the vehicle width direction than the front first support portion 41 provided at the upper portion of the vertical stay 24. In addition, the rear third support portion 68 is disposed further rearward of the rear first support portion 42 provided at the rear of the rear stay 26 and is disposed to the right.

[0083] By arranging the first support parts 41, 42 and the third support parts 67, 68 as described above, it is possible to position the center of gravity of the electric device 70 near the first support parts, for example, and therefore it is possible to support the electric device 70 more stably.

[0084] A load acting on the lower panel 60 supported by the steering support member 20 from the upper panel 51 supporting the electrical device 70 is transmitted to the front third support portion 67 and the rear third support portion 68 of the lower panel 60 via the front upper engagement portion 57 and the rear upper engagement portion 58 of the upper panel 51. In this embodiment, the front third support portion 67 is disposed adjacent to the front first support portion 41 on the front side in the vehicle longitudinal direction and is also disposed adjacent to the front first support portion 41 in the vehicle width direction. This allows the load received by the front third support portion 67 to be transmitted effectively to the front first support portion 41.

[0085] Similarly, the rear third support portion 68 is disposed adjacent to the rear first support portion 42 on the rear side in the vehicle longitudinal direction, and is also disposed adjacent to the rear first support portion 42 in the vehicle width direction, so that the load received by the rear third support portion can be effectively transmitted to the rear first support portion 42. This makes it possible to effectively transmit the load acting on the upper panel 51 by the electric device 70 to the steering support member 20.

[0086] The steering support member 20 is made of steel, and the base portion 13 of the display device 10 is made of cast iron, which has higher rigidity than the steel. That is, the display device 10 incorporates the base portion 13, most of which is made of cast iron. In this embodiment, the steering support member 20, which has high support capacity and extends in the vehicle width direction, and the display device 10, which is highly rigid and is located rearward of the vehicle from the steering support member 20 and extends in the vehicle width direction, are connected via the instrument panel 50. This increases the rigidity in the vehicle's vertical direction and in the vehicle width direction, ensuring high support rigidity.

[0087] In this embodiment, the second support portion is provided on each of the upper panel 51 and the lower panel 60. In this example, as described above, the front second support portion 55 is provided on the upper panel 51, and the rear second support portion 65 is provided on the lower panel 60. As a result, the display device 10 is supported by both the upper panel 51 and the lower panel 60, and the display device 10 is supported by both the steering support member 20 and the instrument panel 50, so that the support rigidity of the display device 10 can be further increased.

[0088] In this embodiment, a portion of the sub-member 30 is disposed between the front second support portion 55 and the rear second support portion 65 in the vehicle longitudinal direction. As shown in FIGS. 7 to 9 , the rear portion of the second pipe 31, the rear portion of the upper connecting stay 32, and the rear member 33b of the lower connecting stay 33, which constitute the sub-member 30, are disposed within a range R2 in the vehicle longitudinal direction between the front second support portion 55 and the rear second support portion 65, when viewed from above the vehicle and in the vehicle width direction. In this example, the second pipe 31 is provided with an intermediate first support portion 43, which supports the lower panel 60 of the instrument panel 50. The rear second support portion 65 is disposed above the intermediate first support portion 43.

[0089] Additionally, a second pipe 31 having a first intermediate support portion 43 is disposed below the display device 10. The sub-member 30 and the first pipe 21 form a closed cross-sectional structure in plan view. Therefore, the first intermediate support portion 43 has higher support rigidity. Because the closed cross-sectional structure is disposed below the display device 10, the display device 10 is stably supported over a wide range in the vehicle longitudinal direction and width direction.

[0090] 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.

[0091] For example, in this embodiment, the second support portions 55, 65 are disposed between the front first support portion 41 and the rear first support portion 42. Alternatively, the intermediate first support portion 43 may be disposed rearward of the second support portions 55, 65. Also, in this embodiment, the display device 10 is attached to the left side of the top surface portion 51a of the instrument panel 50, but this is not limiting. For example, the display device 10 may be attached to the right side of the top surface portion 51a. [Explanation of symbols]

[0092] 10 Display device 10A screen section 11 Frame 12 Cover 13 Base 15 Left front engaging claw 15a Bottom part 15b Through hole 15d Side wall part 16 Right front engaging claw 16a Bottom part 16b Through hole 16d Side wall part 17 Central lower engagement claw 17f through hole 18 Lower left engagement claw 18f through hole 19 Lower right engagement claw 19f through hole 20 Steering support member (support member) 21 First Pipe 22 Upper left stay 23 Upper center stay 24 Vertical stay 25 Lower stay 26 Rear stay 27 Front stay 28 Front member 29 Lower Member 30 Sub-members 31 Second Pipe 32 Upper connecting stay (connecting member) 33 Lower connecting stay (connecting member) 33a Front member 33b Rear member 41 Front first support part (first support part) 42 Rear side first support part (first support part) 43 Intermediate first support part (first support part) 50 Instrument Panel 51 Upper panel 51a Top section 52 Installation opening 52a Front wall 52b bottom 53 Harness insertion hole 54 Device receiving part 55 Front second support part (second support part) 55a Seat part 55d Nail insertion hole 57 Front upper engagement part 58 Rear upper engagement part 59 Intermediate upper engagement part 60 Lower panel 60a Main surface part 61 Front mounting part 62 Rear mounting part 63 Intermediate mounting part 65 Rear second support part (second support part) 65a Vertical wall 65b Through hole 65c Locating Pin 65d Nail insertion hole 67 Front third support part 68 Rear third support part 69 Intermediate 3rd support part 70 Electrical Equipment 71 cases

Claims

1. A vehicle cabin front structure comprising: an instrument panel disposed in a front portion of a vehicle cabin; a support member disposed on the vehicle front side of the instrument panel, connected to a vehicle body, and supporting the instrument panel; and a display device disposed on an upper portion of the instrument panel, protruding upward from the upper portion and extending in a vehicle width direction, a plurality of first support portions provided on the support member and configured to support the instrument panel; a plurality of second support portions provided on the instrument panel and configured to support the display device; and the plurality of first support portions include a front first support portion and a rear first support portion that are arranged at intervals from each other in the vehicle longitudinal direction, A vehicle compartment front structure, characterized in that the second support portion is disposed between the front first support portion and the rear first support portion in the vehicle longitudinal direction.

2. the instrument panel includes an upper panel and a lower panel disposed below the upper panel, the lower panel is provided with a plurality of third support portions that support the upper panel, the plurality of third support portions include a front third support portion and a rear third support portion that are arranged at intervals from each other in the vehicle front-rear direction, an electric device is disposed on the upper panel located on the vehicle front side of the display device; 2. The vehicle compartment front structure according to claim 1, wherein a center of gravity of the electrical device is disposed between the front third support portion and the rear third support portion in the vehicle longitudinal direction.

3. 3. The vehicle front compartment structure according to claim 2, wherein the plurality of electrical devices are arranged side by side in the vehicle width direction between both ends of the display device in the vehicle width direction.

4. 3. The vehicle compartment front structure according to claim 2, wherein the first support portion is disposed between the front third support portion and the rear third support portion in the vehicle longitudinal direction.

5. The support member is made of a steel material, 2. The vehicle cabin front structure according to claim 1, wherein the display device has a screen portion and a base portion disposed in front of the screen portion and formed of a cast iron material having higher rigidity than the steel material.

6. the instrument panel includes an upper panel and a lower panel disposed below the upper panel, 2. The vehicle cabin front structure according to claim 1, wherein the second support portion is provided on each of the upper panel and the lower panel.

7. The support member is a first pipe extending in the vehicle width direction so as to connect both side portions of the vehicle body; a sub-member provided on the rear side of the first pipe in the vehicle width direction, the sub-member includes a second pipe that is disposed rearward of the first pipe and extends in a vehicle width direction, and a connecting member that connects the second pipe to the first pipe; the plurality of second support portions include a front second support portion and a rear second support portion that are arranged at intervals in the vehicle front-rear direction, 2. The vehicle compartment front structure according to claim 1, wherein a portion of the sub-member is disposed between the front second support portion and the rear second support portion in the vehicle longitudinal direction.

Images