Vehicle parts, and vehicles

Abstract

To provide a vehicle component that allows a worker to easily identify a predetermined hole where a male screw is to be placed at a glance during vehicle manufacturing, and a vehicle having such a vehicle component. [Solution] The vehicle part comprises a part body that constitutes a part of the vehicle and has multiple holes on one surface, and a target mark provided around the position of a predetermined hole among the multiple holes of the part body in which a male screw is to be placed, and which is convex and protrudes from the surface around the position of the predetermined hole, in order to indicate the placement of the male screw.

Description

Technical Field

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[0001] The present invention relates to vehicle parts and a vehicle having such parts.

Background Art

[0002] When manufacturing a vehicle, for example, a plurality of holes are provided as holes for attaching peripheral parts to a part body that is a part such as an instrument panel base. These holes are formed as screw holes such as screws and bolts, and may also be formed as fitting holes or engagement holes to which other parts are attached.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] When an operator moves their line of sight during vehicle manufacturing, it is expected that workability will improve if the operator can easily recognize the predetermined hole for placing the male screw to be attached from among the plurality of holes, rather than searching around for the predetermined hole for placing the male screw.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle part and a vehicle having the vehicle part that make it easy for an operator to grasp, at a glance, the predetermined hole for placing a male screw during vehicle manufacturing.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] A vehicle part according to one aspect of the present invention comprises a part body that constitutes a part of a vehicle and has a plurality of holes on one surface, and a target mark provided around the position of a predetermined hole among the plurality of holes of the part body in which a male screw is to be placed, and which is convex and protrudes from the surface around the position of the predetermined hole, in order to indicate the placement of the male screw. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a vehicle component that makes it easy for a worker to quickly identify a predetermined hole where a male screw is to be placed during the manufacturing of a vehicle, and a vehicle having such a vehicle component. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] A schematic diagram showing a portion of the front section of a vehicle according to this embodiment. [Figure 2] A schematic diagram showing an example of a part surface at the position indicated by the symbol II in Figure 1. [Figure 3] A schematic perspective view showing the target mark including the designated hole in Figure 2. [Figure 4] A schematic diagram showing the state in which a male screw is placed in the designated hole in Figure 2. [Figure 5] Cross-sectional view along the VV line in Figure 4. [Figure 6] A schematic diagram showing a comparative example of the surface of the component at the position indicated by the symbol II in Figure 1, compared to Figure 2. [Figure 7] A schematic diagram showing the state in which a male screw is placed in the designated hole in Figure 6. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] The base material 18, which serves as a component for the vehicle 10 according to this embodiment, will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 7. Note that the manufacturing of the vehicle 10 as described herein is not limited to making the vehicle 10 drivable, but also includes the installation of various components, such as a display unit 20 having a display 20a for displaying map information, and the installation of auxiliary devices that assist the driver of the vehicle 10 or ensure passenger comfort, such as an air conditioning system.

[0010] Figure 1 shows a schematic view of the front side of vehicle 10 as seen from the top side (roof side) of vehicle 10. A Cartesian XYZ coordinate system is used in Figure 1. In Figure 1, the top of the paper is the front side of vehicle 10 along the +Y axis, the right side is the right side along the +X axis, the left side is the left side along the -X axis, and the bottom is the rear side along the -Y axis. Note that in Figure 1, only the parts of vehicle 10 used for explanation in the embodiment are shown, and other parts are omitted from the illustration.

[0011] Vehicle 10 here can be a so-called engine-powered vehicle, and can be any of the following: EV (Electric Vehicle), HEV (Hybrid Electric Vehicle), PHV (Plug-in Hybrid Vehicle), FCV (Fuel Cell Vehicle), etc.

[0012] As shown in Figure 1, the vehicle 10 has, for example, a left side member 12, a right side member 14, a cylindrical beam 16 connecting the left side member 12 and the right side member 14, and a base material (instrument panel base) 18 on the front side of the vehicle 10. The beam 16 is fixed to the left side member 12 and the right side member 14 with bolts or the like (not shown). The beam 16 may be cylindrical or may be a suitable polygonal cylinder.

[0013] A base material (instrument panel base) 18 for fixing the display unit 20 to the cab side (rear side) with respect to the beam 16 is fixed to the beam 16. The base material 18 is an example of a component for the vehicle 10. Here, although the base material 18 is exemplified as a component for the vehicle 10, as components for the vehicle 10, plate materials, block materials, etc. at various positions in the vehicle 10 are allowed. And, a display unit 20 having a display 20a visible to, for example, the occupants of the vehicle 10 is fixed to the base material 18.

[0014] Note that the base material 18 is formed of a resin material as an example, but it may be formed of a metal material.

[0015] The instrument panel portion 22 is disposed on the rear side (cab side) with respect to the beam 16.

[0016] In the present embodiment, the display unit 20 will be described as being disposed at the center in the width direction of the instrument panel portion 22, but it may be displaced to the right side or may be displaced to the left side.

[0017] For example, in addition to the display unit 20 having the display २०a visible to the occupants of the vehicle 10 being fixed to the base material 18 of the vehicle 10, various components such as a wire harness are fixed by screwing, clipping, etc.

[0018] FIG. 2 is a schematic view showing a plate-like member (component main body) 18a which is a part of the base material 18 as a component for the vehicle 10, as viewed from the direction indicated by the reference numeral II in FIG. 1. Therefore, FIG. 2 is a schematic view showing the surface 19 of the plate-like member as the component main body 18a.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 2, the surface 19 of the plate-like member 18a of the base material 18 has a predetermined hole portion 32 in which a predetermined male screw 50 is disposed, and one or a plurality of hole portions 32a, 34, 36, 38 different therefrom. The shapes of the predetermined hole portion 32 and the hole portions 32a, 34, 36, 38 are appropriately set.

[0020] In this embodiment, an example is described in which a bolt fastened with a nut 52 (see Figure 5) is used as a predetermined male screw 50 to be placed in a predetermined hole 32. If the inner edge of the predetermined hole 32 is formed as a female screw, a male screw 50 without a nut 52 may be used. In this case, the nut 52 may not be necessary.

[0021] The predetermined hole 32 can be of various shapes and sizes, as long as the threaded portion of the male screw (bolt) 50 can be screwed into or inserted into it, and the head does not come out to the back of the predetermined hole 32.

[0022] Hole 32a, separate from the predetermined hole 32, is an example of a circular hole of the same size as the predetermined hole 32. Hole 34 is an example of an elongated hole. Hole 36 is an example of a rectangular hole. Hole 38 is an example of a hole similar in shape to hole 34 but different in size.

[0023] Among the predetermined holes 32 and a plurality of holes 32a, 34, 36, 38 on one surface 19 of the base material 18, a target mark 40 is formed around the position of the predetermined hole 32 where the male screw 50 is to be placed, to indicate the placement of the male screw 50.

[0024] Figure 3 is a schematic perspective view showing a target mark including a predetermined hole in Figure 2. As shown in Figure 3, the target mark 40 is convex and protrudes from the surface 19 surrounding the location of the predetermined hole 32 where the male screw 50 is located.

[0025] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram showing the state in which a male screw 50 is placed in a predetermined hole 32 within the target mark 40 in Figure 2. Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view along the VV line in Figure 4.

[0026] As shown in Figures 2 to 5, the target mark 40 comprises a circular edge portion 42 provided concentrically with the center of a predetermined hole portion 32, and a plurality (e.g., two pairs) of ribs 44, 46 extending radially outward from the circular edge portion 42. Preferably, four ribs 44, 46 are arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction.

[0027] Assume that the seating surface of the male screw 50 is the same as the surface 19. The circular edge 42 and the two pairs of ribs 44, 46 preferably protrude about 1 mm from the surface 19, i.e., the seating surface of the male screw 50. The circular edge 42 and the two pairs of ribs 44, 46 preferably form flush with the surface, but for example, they may be inclined so that they approach the surface 19 as they move toward the distal end of the ribs 44, 46 relative to the circular edge 42. The extension length of the two pairs of ribs 44, 46 relative to the circular edge 42 is preferably about a few millimeters.

[0028] The circular edge portion 42 has an inner diameter that is at least larger than the outer diameter of the head of the male screw 50. Therefore, the head of the male screw 50 fits inside the circular edge portion 42. Preferably, the inner diameter of the circular edge portion 42 is within a few times the diameter of the head of the male screw 50.

[0029] The circular edge portion 42 may have its inner and outer edges formed as polygons. The circular edge portion 42 and the two pairs of ribs 44 and 46 are formed in such a way as to prevent stress concentration, such as by chamfering the edges.

[0030] In this embodiment, the target mark 40 does not require the coloring of the predetermined hole 32 where the predetermined male screw 50 is placed by separate coloring or other means. For example, when manufacturing the base material 18 with a mold, the predetermined hole 32 where the male screw 50 is placed and the target mark 40 can be formed together with the surrounding holes 32a, 34, 36, and 38. Therefore, the predetermined hole 32 and the target mark 40 are formed, for example, by punching out the mold, and no coloring or other work is required.

[0031] Furthermore, it is preferable that the plate thickness of the main body 18a of the component for the vehicle 10 is the same as in the conventional model, for example, in the part without the target mark 40.

[0032] In fact, during the manufacturing of the vehicle 10, the worker's eyes are guided to the intersection of a virtual axis C1 along the extension direction of one pair of ribs 44 and a virtual axis C2 along the extension direction of the other pair of ribs 46, among the four ribs 44 and 46 arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction of the target mark 40. At this time, the worker can easily understand that the intersection of the two virtual axes C1 and C2 is the position of the predetermined hole 32 where the male screw 50 will be placed. Therefore, during the manufacturing of the vehicle 10, when the worker looks at the surface 19 which has the predetermined hole 32 and multiple holes 32a, 34, 36, 38 and the target mark 40 for the placement of the male screw 50, the worker can easily find the target mark 40.

[0033] In the example shown in Figure 5, the nut 52 is a nut having a flange 52a. The through hole 60a of the plate material 60 is fitted into the nut 52.

[0034] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram showing a plate-shaped member (part body) 18a, which is part of the base material 18 as a vehicle part according to the comparative example, without the target mark 40 shown in Figure 2. In other words, Figure 6 is a schematic diagram showing the surface 19 of the plate-shaped member as the part body 18a, without the target mark 40. Figure 7 is a schematic diagram showing a plate-shaped member (part body) 18a, which is part of the base material 18 as a vehicle part according to the comparative example, without the target mark 40 shown in Figure 4. In Figure 7, a male screw 50 is placed in the hole 32 shown in Figure 6.

[0035] In the comparative example shown in Figure 6, the surface 19 surrounding the predetermined hole 32 where the male screw 50 is placed is simply a flat surface. Therefore, when the worker places the male screw 50, it is more difficult for the worker's line of sight to be directed towards the predetermined hole 32 compared to the example of the present embodiment shown in Figure 2. On the other hand, the predetermined hole 32 indicated by the target mark 40 in the present embodiment can guide the worker's line of sight, and when the worker places the male screw 50 in the predetermined hole 32, the worker can approach the predetermined hole 32 without hesitation using a tool, thereby improving work efficiency and making it easier to place the male screw 50 in the predetermined hole 32.

[0036] Therefore, according to this embodiment, it is possible to provide a part for a vehicle 10 and a vehicle 10 having such a part, which makes it easy for a worker to quickly grasp the predetermined hole 32 where the male screw 50 is to be placed during the manufacturing of the vehicle 10.

[0037] Furthermore, compared to the case where a worker repeatedly places the male screw 50 in the predetermined hole 32 as shown in Figure 7 in the comparative example shown in Figure 6, when a worker repeatedly places the male screw 50 in the predetermined hole 32 as shown in Figure 4 in the predetermined hole 32 of this embodiment shown in Figure 2, worker fatigue is suppressed and the work can be completed in a shorter time. In addition, since the predetermined hole 32 can be clearly distinguished as the position for placing the male screw 50 from the surrounding holes 32a, 34, 36, 38, etc., it is possible to prevent errors in placing the male screw 50. Therefore, the manufacturing process of the vehicle 10 can proceed smoothly to subsequent operations.

[0038] In this embodiment, Figure 1 shows a part of the front section of the vehicle 10 as an example, but the target mark 40 for the male screw 50 may be provided on the rear section, or at any position on the vehicle 10.

[0039] In the example shown in Figure 5, a through hole is described as the predetermined hole portion 32. However, the predetermined hole portion 32 is not limited to a through hole; it may also be a concave hole.

[0040] Although surface 19 is shown as a flat surface, it is not limited to a flat surface; it may also be a curved surface or a surface with appropriate irregularities.

[0041] In this embodiment, as described above, the base material 18 was described as a part for the vehicle 10. When the vehicle 10 is in circulation, if there is a part that can be recognized as a target mark 40 having a predetermined hole 32 for a male screw 50 inside the circular edge 42, that part is recognized as equivalent to the part 18 for the vehicle 10.

[0042] Furthermore, although the part body 18a was described using a plate-like member of the base material 18 as an example, the entire part of a certain component, excluding the target mark 40, may also be recognized as the part body 18a.

[0043] Furthermore, in this embodiment, an example was described in which a circular edge portion 42 and two pairs of ribs 44, 46 are used as the target mark 40. However, if the worker's gaze can be drawn to a predetermined hole portion 32 without separately coloring the part 18 itself, that can also be used as the target mark 40. For this reason, the configuration of the target mark 40 can be changed in various ways. In this case as well, it is preferable for the target mark 40 to protrude from the surface 19. In this case, for example, the thickness of the part 18 does not need to be reduced, and the strength of the part 18 can be easily maintained.

[0044] Furthermore, although an example with four ribs 44 and 46 has been described, there may also be three or five or more ribs arranged at equal intervals around the outer circumference of the circular edge portion 42 with a predetermined hole portion 32 at its center.

[0045] It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and can be modified in various ways during implementation without departing from its essence. Furthermore, each embodiment may be combined as appropriate, and in that case, the combined effects can be obtained. Moreover, the above embodiments include various inventions, and various inventions can be extracted by selecting combinations from the multiple constituent elements disclosed. For example, if the problem can be solved and effects obtained even if some constituent elements are deleted from all the constituent elements shown in the embodiment, then the configuration with these deleted constituent elements can be extracted as an invention. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0046] 10...vehicle, 12...left side member, 14...right side member, 16...beam, 18...base material (part for vehicle 10), 18a...plate-shaped member (part body), 19...surface, 20...display unit, 20a...display, 22...instrument panel section, 32...predetermined hole section, 32a, 34, 36, 38...hole sections, 40...target mark, 42...circular edge section, 44, 46...rib, 50...male screw, 52...nut, 52a...flange, 60...plate material, 60a...through hole, C1, C2...axis.

Claims

1. A part that constitutes a vehicle, with a main body having multiple holes on one surface, A target mark is provided around the location of a predetermined hole in the main body of the component where a male screw is to be placed, and is convex in shape that protrudes from the surface around the location of the predetermined hole, in order to clearly indicate the placement of the male screw. A vehicle part having [a certain characteristic].

2. The aforementioned target mark is, A circular edge portion having a diameter larger than the outer diameter of the head of the male screw, and provided concentrically with the center of the predetermined hole portion, Multiple ribs extend radially outward from the circular edge portion and The component according to claim 1, comprising:

3. The aforementioned multiple ribs are arranged in groups of four at equal intervals in the circumferential direction. The component according to claim 2.

4. The part body is the part according to claim 1 or claim 2, having an instrument panel base.

5. A vehicle having the part described in claim 1 or claim 2.

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