Interior materials for vehicles

Abstract

To provide interior materials for vehicles that allow for design changes while suppressing situations where the aesthetic appeal deteriorates. [Solution] The system comprises a panel 20 having a protruding end face 22A facing the interior of the vehicle, and a panel 40 having a surface 41A facing the interior of the vehicle and covering the protruding end face 22A from the interior of the vehicle. The panel 40 has a recess 43 that opens toward the panel 20, and the panel 20 has a protrusion 22 that can be fitted into the recess 43. The configuration allows the panel 40 to be detachably attached to the panel 20 by fitting the protrusion 22 into the recess 43. The system is configured to allow switching between a first state in which the protruding end face 22A is exposed to the interior of the vehicle when the panel 40 is removed from the panel 20, and a second state in which the surface 41A is exposed to the interior of the vehicle when the panel 40 is attached to the panel 20.

Description

Technical Field

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[0001] The technology disclosed in this specification relates to interior materials for vehicles.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, as an interior material for vehicles, the one described in Patent Document 1 below is known. The interior material for vehicles described in this Patent Document 1 includes a first panel (door trim body) and a second panel (ornament) that covers the first panel from the vehicle interior side. The second panel has claw portions (fitting claws), and the second panel is attached to the first panel by inserting these claw portions into through holes (fitting holes) formed in the first panel.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In interior materials for vehicles, there is a desire for passengers to change the design. In order to realize such a desire, it is conceivable to make the second panel detachable from the first panel. As a result, in the state where the second panel is removed from the first panel, the surface of the first panel can be used as the design surface (the surface exposed on the vehicle interior side), and in the state where the second panel is attached to the first panel, the surface of the second panel can be used as the design surface. However, in the attachment structure in which the claw portions of the second panel are inserted into the through holes formed in the first panel as in the above patent document, there is a problem that the through holes of the first panel are visible from the vehicle interior side in the state where the second panel is removed, and the design property is deteriorated.

[0005] The technology disclosed herein was developed based on the circumstances described above, and aims to provide interior materials for vehicles that allow for design modification while suppressing situations where the aesthetic appeal is diminished. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] As a means to solve the above problems, the interior material for vehicles disclosed herein comprises a first panel having a first surface facing the interior of the vehicle, and a second panel having a second surface facing the interior of the vehicle and covering the first surface from the interior of the vehicle, wherein one of the first panel and the second panel has a recess that opens toward the other panel, and the other panel has a protrusion that can be fitted into the recess, and the second panel can be detachably attached to the first panel by fitting the protrusion into the recess, and is characterized in that it is possible to switch between a first state in which the first surface becomes a design surface exposed to the interior of the vehicle by removing the second panel from the first panel, and a second state in which the second surface becomes a design surface exposed to the interior of the vehicle by attaching the second panel to the first panel.

[0007] The design can be changed by switching between a first state where the first surface of the first panel is the design surface and a second state where the second surface of the second panel is the design surface. The second panel is attached to the first panel by fitting the protrusion into the recess. If the configuration were such that a locking claw formed in the second panel is inserted through a through hole formed in the first panel, the through hole would be exposed to the vehicle interior when the second panel is removed from the first panel, reducing the aesthetic appeal. Furthermore, forming a through hole in the first panel raises concerns about reduced waterproofing. By attaching the second panel to the first panel using the concave-convex fitting method as described above, it is possible to suppress the reduction of both aesthetic appeal and waterproofing.

[0008] Furthermore, a fitting recess can be formed on the side surface of the protrusion, and when the protrusion is fitted into the recess, a projection formed on the inner surface of the recess can be fitted into the fitting recess. By the projection fitting into the fitting recess, the protrusion can be prevented from coming out of the recess, and the mounting strength of the second panel to the first panel can be increased.

[0009] Furthermore, the recess is made of an elastic material. When fitting the protrusion into the recess, the recess elastically deforms, making the fitting process easy.

[0010] Furthermore, the first panel may have the protrusions, which are made of metal, and the protruding end faces of the protrusions may constitute at least a part of the first surface. This prevents wear of the protrusions when fitting them into recesses and when releasing them from recesses. This prevents a decrease in aesthetic appeal when the protruding end faces of the protrusions are used as design surfaces. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide interior materials for vehicles that allow for design changes while suppressing situations where the aesthetic appeal deteriorates. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0012] [Figure 1] Exploded perspective view showing a door trim according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] Front view of the door trim as seen from inside the vehicle. [Figure 3] Cross-sectional view showing the door trim (corresponding to the view cut along line III-III in Figure 2) [Figure 4] Figure 3 shows a magnified view of the upper end of the door trim. [Figure 5] Front view showing the door trim with panels 40 and 50 removed. [Figure 6]Cross-sectional view showing the door trim with panels 40 and 50 removed (corresponding to the view cut along line VII-VI in Figure 5) [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0013] One embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 6. In this embodiment, a door trim 10 (vehicle door trim) positioned to the side of the occupant in a vehicle is given as an example of interior material for a vehicle. The door trim 10 constitutes the interior surface of the vehicle door. As shown in Figure 1, the door trim 10 comprises four panels 20, 30, 40, and 50.

[0014] Panel 20 (first panel) covers the outer panel (not shown) of the vehicle door from the inside of the vehicle interior and is sometimes called an inner panel. Panel 20 comprises a plate-shaped panel body portion 21. As shown in Figure 1, panel 20 also has a protrusion 22 formed on the upper part of the interior-facing surface of the panel body portion 21 and a protrusion 25 formed on the lower part of the interior-facing surface of the panel body portion 21.

[0015] The protrusion 22 projects inward into the vehicle interior and, in a front view, has a rectangular shape that is elongated in the vehicle's longitudinal direction. The protrusion 22 has a protruding end face 22A (first face) facing inward into the vehicle interior. The protrusion 25 projects inward into the vehicle interior and, in a front view, has a rectangular shape that is elongated in the vehicle's longitudinal direction. The protrusion 25 has a protruding end face 25A (first face) facing inward into the vehicle interior. In addition, an opening 21A extending in the vehicle's longitudinal direction is formed in the vertical center of the panel body 21, and a circular opening 21B is formed in the panel body 21 on the vehicle front side relative to the protrusion 25. The panel 20 is made of metal (for example, aluminum alloy). When aluminum alloy is used, the panel 20 is manufactured, for example, by aluminum die casting. In other words, the protrusions 22 and 25 are made of metal.

[0016] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the panel 30 is configured to cover a portion of the panel 20 that includes the openings 21A and 21B (the portion of the panel 20 other than the convex portions 22 and 25) from the vehicle interior side. The panel 30 is made of a synthetic resin. Examples of the synthetic resin used for the panel 30 include, in addition to polypropylene resin, polyethylene resin, polystyrene resin, polyester resin, and resins obtained by blending natural fibers with these resins. Further, a speaker grill 31 that covers the opening 21B from the vehicle interior side is formed in the panel 30.

[0017] The panel 40 (one of the second panel, the first panel, and the second panel) is configured to cover the protruding end face 22A from the vehicle interior side (the left side in FIG. 3) as shown in FIG. 3. The panel 40 includes a plate-shaped panel main body portion 41 and a recessed portion forming portion 42 provided on the vehicle exterior side surface of the panel main body portion 41. The panel main body portion 41 has a surface 41A (the second surface) facing the vehicle interior side. The surface 41A is provided with a design by means of a decorative film, painting, printing, etc.

[0018] As shown in FIG. 3, the recessed portion forming portion 42 has a box shape with a recess 43 that opens to the vehicle exterior side (the right side in FIG. 3). That is, the recess 43 opens toward the panel 20 (the other panel). More specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, the recessed portion forming portion 42 includes a plate-shaped bottom surface forming portion 42A that constitutes the bottom surface of the recess 43, and a standing wall portion 42B that rises from the outer peripheral edge portion of the bottom surface forming portion 42A to the vehicle exterior side and constitutes the side surface of the recess 43. The convex portion 22 of the panel 20 can be fitted into the recess 43. The recessed portion forming portion 42 is made of, for example, urethane rubber, silicone rubber, or the like. That is, the recess 43 is made of an elastic member and has elasticity. Note that the material of the recessed portion forming portion 42 is not limited to the above and can be appropriately changed, but silicone rubber is more preferable from the viewpoint of heat resistance.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 1, the convex portion 22 that is substantially square-shaped in a front view has four side surfaces 22B, 22C, 22D, and 22E. Fitting concave portions 23 are formed on the side surfaces 22B, 22C, 22D, and 22E. The fitting concave portions 23 extend along the longitudinal direction of each of the side surfaces 22B, 22C, 22D, and 22E and form an annular shape. That is, the fitting concave portions 23 are groove portions that extend over the entire circumference of the side surfaces 22B, 22C, 22D, and 22E.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 4, in a state where the convex portion 22 is fitted into the concave portion 43, a protruding portion 44 formed on the inner surface of the concave portion 43 is fitted into the fitting concave portion 23. The protruding portion 44 is provided near the opening edge portion in the concave portion 43 (more specifically, the end portion on the vehicle exterior side in the vertical wall portion 42B) and extends over the entire circumference of the fitting concave portion 23. By fitting the protruding portion 44 into the fitting concave portion 23, it is possible to prevent the concave portion 43 from coming off the convex portion 22. In FIG. 4, the portion formed on the side surface 22B (the upper side surface of the convex portion 22) in the fitting concave portion 23 is illustrated.

[0021] Note that the height (the length in the vehicle interior and exterior direction) of the vertical wall portion 42B can be changed for each part. For example, as in the present embodiment, when the convex portion 22 is square-shaped in a front view, the convex portion 22 has four corner portions 24A, 24B, 24C, and 24D (the connecting portions of two adjacent side surfaces in the convex portion 22, see FIG. 1). In this case, by making the height of the portions corresponding to the respective corner portions 24A, 24B, 24C, and 24D in the vertical wall portion 42B larger than other portions, the fitting force of the convex portion 22 with respect to the concave portion 43 (the frictional force generated between the side surface of the concave portion 43 and the side surface of the convex portion 22) may be increased.

[0022] Note that when fitting the convex portion 22 into the concave portion 43, the vertical wall portion 42B elastically deforms, enabling the fitting. Also, as shown in FIG. 4, the end portion on the vehicle interior side of the side surface of the convex portion 22 (side surface 22B in FIG. 4) is an inclined surface 26 that inclines in a direction away from the vertical wall portion 42B as it goes toward the vehicle interior side. This facilitates fitting the convex portion 22 into the concave portion 43.

[0023] As shown in Figure 3, panel 50 (the second panel, one of the panels) is configured to cover the protruding end face 25A of the convex portion 25 from the inside of the vehicle interior. Panel 50 comprises a plate-shaped panel body portion 51 and a recessed portion 52 provided on the outside surface of the panel body portion 51. The panel body portion 51 has a surface 51A (second surface) facing the inside of the vehicle interior. The surface 51A is decorated with a design using decorative film, paint, printing, etc.

[0024] As shown in Figure 3, the recessed component 52 is box-shaped and has a recess 53 that opens to the outside of the vehicle interior. In other words, the recess 53 opens toward panel 20 (the other panel). More specifically, the recessed component 52 comprises a plate-shaped bottom component 52A that forms the bottom surface of the recess 53, and a vertical wall component 52B that rises from the outer peripheral edge of the bottom component 52A toward the outside of the vehicle interior and forms the side surface of the recess 53.

[0025] The protrusion 25 of the panel 20 can be fitted into the recess 53. The recess component 52 is made of, for example, urethane rubber or silicone rubber. Therefore, the recess 53 is made of an elastic material and has elasticity. Of course, silicone rubber is more preferable as the material for the recess component 52 from the viewpoint of heat resistance.

[0026] When the protrusion 25 is not fitted into the recess 53, the length of the recess 53 is slightly smaller than the length of the protrusion 25 in both the vertical and longitudinal directions of the vehicle. During the process of fitting the protrusion 25 into the recess 53, the vertical wall portion 52B that constitutes the recess 53 undergoes slight elastic deformation, increasing the dimensions of the recess 53 and making it possible to fit the protrusion 25 into the recess 53. When the protrusion 25 is fitted into the recess 53, the elastic restorative force of the vertical wall portion 52B causes the side of the recess 53 to press against the side of the protrusion 25, generating a frictional force between the two surfaces, which prevents the recess 53 from coming loose from the protrusion 25.

[0027] In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 3, the panel 40 can be detachably attached to the panel 20 by fitting the protrusion 22 into the recess 43. The configuration allows switching between a first state, where the protruding end surface 22A of the protrusion 22 is exposed to the interior of the vehicle by removing the panel 40 from the panel 20, as shown in Figures 5 and 6, and a second state, where the surface 41A of the panel 40 is exposed to the interior of the vehicle by attaching the panel 40 to the panel 20, as shown in Figures 2 and 3.

[0028] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as shown in Figure 3, the protrusion 25 fits into the recess 53, allowing the panel 50 to be detachably attached to the panel 20. The configuration allows switching between a first state, where the protruding end surface 25A of the protrusion 25 is exposed to the interior of the vehicle, as shown in Figures 5 and 6, by removing the panel 50 from the panel 20, and a second state, where the surface 51A of the panel 50 is exposed to the interior of the vehicle, as shown in Figures 2 and 3, by attaching the panel 50 to the panel 20.

[0029] Next, the effects of this embodiment will be described. The door trim 10 of this embodiment comprises a panel 20 having a protruding end surface 22A facing the interior of the vehicle, and a panel 40 having a surface 41A facing the interior of the vehicle and covering the protruding end surface 22A from the interior of the vehicle. The panel 40 has a recess 43 that opens toward the panel 20, and the panel 20 has a protrusion 22 that can be fitted into the recess 43. The panel 40 can be detachably attached to the panel 20 by fitting the protrusion 22 into the recess 43. The configuration allows for switching between a first state in which the protruding end surface 22A is exposed to the interior of the vehicle when the panel 40 is removed from the panel 20, and a second state in which the surface 41A is exposed to the interior of the vehicle when the panel 40 is attached to the panel 20.

[0030] The design can be changed by switching between a first state in which the protruding end face 22A of panel 20 is the design surface and a second state in which the surface 41A of panel 40 is the design surface. Panel 40 is attached to panel 20 by fitting the protrusion 22 into the recess 43. If the panel 40 were to be inserted through a through hole formed in panel 20, the through hole would be exposed to the passenger compartment when panel 40 is removed from panel 20, resulting in a decrease in design aesthetics. Furthermore, forming a through hole in panel 20 raises concerns about reduced waterproofing. As described above, attaching panel 40 to panel 20 by interlocking recesses and protrusions can prevent a decrease in both design aesthetics and waterproofing.

[0031] Furthermore, a fitting recess 23 is formed on the side surface 22B of the protrusion 22, and when the protrusion 22 is fitted into the recess 43, a projection 44 formed on the inner surface of the recess 43 fits into the fitting recess 23. By the projection 44 fitting into the fitting recess 23, the protrusion 22 can be prevented from coming out of the recess 43, and the mounting strength of the panel 40 to the panel 20 can be increased.

[0032] Furthermore, the recess 43 is made of an elastic material. When fitting the protrusion 22 into the recess 43, the recess 43 elastically deforms, making the fitting process easy.

[0033] Furthermore, the panel 20 has a protrusion 22, which is made of metal, and the protruding end surface 22A of the protrusion 22 forms a surface facing the interior of the vehicle. When fitting the protrusion 22 into the recess 43 and when releasing the fitting of the protrusion 22 from the recess 43, wear of the protrusion 22 can be suppressed. This prevents a decrease in aesthetic appeal when the protruding end surface 22A of the protrusion 22 is used as the design surface.

[0034] <Other Embodiments> The technologies disclosed herein are not limited to the embodiments described above in the description and drawings, but also include, for example, the following embodiments. (1) In the above embodiment, a vehicle door trim was given as an example of a vehicle interior material, but it is not limited to this. For example, the vehicle interior material may be a vehicle interior material other than a door trim (such as a pillar garnish), or an interior material for an airplane, ship, etc. (2) In the above embodiment, an example was given in which panel 20 has a convex portion and panel 40 has a concave portion, but the embodiment is not limited thereto. Panel 20 may have a concave portion and panel 40 may have a convex portion. (3) In the above embodiment, the panel 20 is shown to be made of metal, but it is not limited to this. For example, the panel 20 may be made of synthetic resin. (4) Panels 40 and 50 may be provided with functional components. For example, panel 40 may be provided with a door pocket as a functional component. (5) In the above embodiment, the fitting recess 23 is shown to be formed across each side surface of the protrusion 22, but it may also be formed on only a part of the side surface. [Explanation of symbols]

[0035] 10...Door trim (interior material for vehicles), 20...Panel (first panel, other panel), 22,25...Protrusion, 22A...Protruding end face (first surface), 22B...Side of protrusion, 23...Fitting recess, 25A...Protruding end face (first surface), 40...Panel (second panel, either panel from the first panel and the second panel), 41A...Surface (second surface), 43,53...Recess, 44...Protrusion, 50...Panel (either panel from the second panel, the first panel and the second panel), 51A...Surface (second surface)

Claims

1. A first panel having a first surface facing the interior of the vehicle, It comprises a second surface facing the interior of the vehicle and a second panel that covers the first surface from the interior of the vehicle, Of the first panel and the second panel, one of the panels has a recess that opens toward the other panel. The other panel has a protrusion that can be fitted into the recess, The configuration allows the second panel to be detachably attached to the first panel by fitting the protrusion into the recess. By removing the second panel from the first panel, a first state is reached in which the first surface becomes a design surface exposed to the interior side of the vehicle, An interior material for a vehicle, having a configuration that allows switching between a second state in which the second surface becomes a design surface exposed to the interior side of the vehicle by attaching the second panel to the first panel.

2. A fitting recess is formed on the side surface of the aforementioned protrusion. The interior material for a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein, in a state in which the convex portion is fitted into the recess, the projection formed on the inner surface of the recess fits into the fitting recess.

3. The interior material for a vehicle according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the recess is made of an elastic member.

4. The first panel has the protrusion, The aforementioned protrusion is made of metal, The interior material for a vehicle according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the protruding end face of the convex portion constitutes at least a part of the first surface.

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