Vehicle console structure

Abstract

It effectively absorbs impact energy caused by impact loads and other forces acting on the console. [Solution] The vehicle console structure includes a frame structure 10 having side wall portions 11, a bracket 40 having fastening portions 20c to which the frame structure 10 is fastened and attaching the frame structure 10 to the floor, a storage box 30 positioned between the side wall portions 11 on both sides and extending in the vertical direction of the vehicle, and an armrest 35 positioned on the upper part of the storage box 30 and configured to open and close an upper opening 31. Below the storage box 30, at least one of the front and rear sides of the fastening portion 20c of the side wall portion 11 is provided with weak portions 23 and 34 that are weak in the vertical direction relative to the side wall portion 11 located outside the storage box 30.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a console structure for a vehicle.

Background Art

[0002] As disclosed in Patent Document 1, there is known a vehicle in which a center console is provided in a vehicle interior. The center console is an interior member and is attached, for example, to a floor portion located between a driver's seat and a passenger seat in the vehicle interior. For example, the center console is attached to a floor panel of the floor portion via a bracket provided at a lower portion of the center console.

[0003] An operation unit for operating equipment mounted on the vehicle is provided on the center console, for example. Further, the center console is used as an armrest and a luggage storage unit, for example.

[0004] The center console needs to ensure rigidity that can withstand normal use. For example, when the center console is used as an armrest, rigidity is required such that, when a passenger's arm is placed on the armrest, for example, a side portion of the center console does not deform. Further, the center console needs to have rigidity that can withstand a load acting when, for example, it is pressed by the feet of a passenger sitting on the rear seat.

[0005] In addition, when an impact load acts on the rear portion of the center console, for example, the rear portion of the armrest, it is required to effectively absorb the impact. For example, when an impact load due to a frontal collision of the vehicle acts and a passenger sitting on the rear seat moves forward in the vehicle and a part of the passenger's body collides with the upper portion of the center console, it is desirable for the center console to absorb the impact.

[0006] In the structure of the example above, the center console is provided with a storage compartment, and a weak point is provided at the rear of the bottom of the storage compartment. For example, when an impact load is applied to the armrest from above in the vertical direction of the vehicle, the impact load is transmitted from the armrest to the storage compartment, and then to the weak point provided at the bottom of the storage compartment. In this example, the impact is absorbed by the fracturing of the weak point, which separates the rear wall of the storage compartment from the bottom of the storage compartment. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0007] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2019-209836 [Overview of the Initiative] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0008] However, in the structure of the above example, load may not be easily transmitted to the weak points. For example, this can occur when the item stored in the storage compartment is long in the vertical direction of the vehicle, extends from the bottom of the storage compartment to the underside of the armrest, and has a certain degree of rigidity, such as a cylindrical metal item.

[0009] When such an item is stored in the storage compartment described above, and an impact load is applied to the armrest from above the vehicle, the load may be transmitted from the armrest through the item to the bottom of the storage compartment. In this case, the load is not transmitted to the weak point, but is transmitted from the bottom to the floor via the bracket. If the weak point does not break, the impact will not be absorbed. Therefore, in order to effectively absorb impact energy caused by impact loads acting on the center console, the structure of the above example had room for improvement.

[0010] The present invention was made to solve the above problems, and its objective is to provide a vehicle console structure that can effectively absorb impact energy caused by impact loads and the like acting on a console installed in the vehicle cabin. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] To achieve the above objective, the vehicle console structure according to the present invention comprises a frame structure extending in the vehicle longitudinal direction, having side wall portions spaced apart from each other in the vehicle width direction in the middle of the floor portion in the vehicle interior; a bracket for attaching the lower part of the frame structure to the floor portion; a storage portion disposed between the side wall portions on both sides, extending in the vehicle vertical direction, and having an opening at the top; and an armrest portion disposed above the storage portion and configured to open and close the opening. In this vehicle console structure, a weak portion that is fragile in the vehicle vertical direction is provided in the side wall portion located below the storage portion and on at least one of the vehicle front side and vehicle rear side of the bracket. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] According to the present invention, impact energy caused by impact loads acting on a console installed in the vehicle interior can be effectively absorbed. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0013] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view of the interior of a vehicle having the vehicle console structure according to the present invention, as seen from the rear of the vehicle. [Figure 2] Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of the rear console. [Figure 3] This is a side view showing the rear console with the right-side cover component removed, as shown in Figure 1. [Figure 4] Figure 3 is a magnified perspective view showing the seat and vulnerable areas. [Figure 5] Figure 4 is a perspective view of the vulnerable areas, etc., from the front of the vehicle. [Figure 6]Figure 3 is a perspective view of section AA as seen from the rear of the vehicle. [Figure 7] Figure 2 is a perspective view of the rear console as seen from below the vehicle, with the bottom of the armrest omitted. [Figure 8] Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of the armrest, showing the top surface as viewed from below. [Figure 9] Figure 2 is a perspective view showing the front of the storage box attached to the frame structure. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0014] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the vehicle console structure according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings (Figures 1 to 9). In the figures, the direction of arrow Fr indicates the front in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. In the description of the embodiment, "front (front end) and rear (rear end)" correspond to the front and rear of the vehicle in the longitudinal direction. Also, arrows R and L indicate the right and left sides when an occupant looks forward of the vehicle. Arrow U indicates the top of the vehicle.

[0015] The vehicle console structure of this embodiment is a console unit 1 positioned in the middle of the vehicle interior in the width direction. As shown in Figure 1, the console unit 1 of this embodiment is a so-called center console box positioned in the middle of the vehicle interior in the width direction, between the driver's seat (not shown) and the passenger seat (not shown) located in the vehicle interior. The console unit 1 of this embodiment has a predetermined width, extends from the floor upwards of the vehicle, and extends in the front-rear direction of the vehicle.

[0016] The vehicle console structure of this embodiment, i.e., the console unit 1, has a frame structure 10 that extends in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. The frame structure 10 is a component that constitutes the inner frame of the console unit 1 and is formed of, for example, a resin material. The frame structure 10 of this embodiment has side wall portions 11 that are spaced apart from each other in the vehicle width direction in the middle of the floor portion in the vehicle interior.

[0017] Further, the console unit 1 includes a bracket 40 that attaches the lower portion of the frame structure 10 to the floor portion, a storage box 30 that is disposed between the side wall portions 11 on both sides, extends in the vehicle up-and-down direction, and has an upper opening 31 (opening) at the upper portion, and an armrest 35 that is disposed above the storage box 30 and is configured to be able to open and close the upper opening 31. The armrest 35 functions as a lid of the storage box 30.

[0018] Also, a weak portion is provided in the side wall portion 11 located at least on one of the vehicle front side and the vehicle rear side of the bracket 40 below the storage box 30. The weak portion is weak (low rigidity) in the vehicle up-and-down direction with respect to the side wall portion 11 located outside the storage box 30.

[0019] The console unit 1 of the present embodiment includes a front console 50 and a rear console 2, and the front console 50 and the rear console 2 are arranged side by side in the vehicle front-rear direction. In the present embodiment, the portion including the armrest 35 shown in FIG. 1 is regarded as the rear console 2, and the portion located on the vehicle front side of the rear console 2 is regarded as the front console 50. Note that the front console 50 and the rear console 2 may be integrally formed. The above-described frame structure 10 constitutes the frame inside the front console 50 and the frame inside the rear console 2. That is, the portion of the frame structure 10 on the front side of the intermediate portion in the vehicle front-rear direction constitutes the frame inside the front console 50, and the portion on the rear side of the intermediate portion constitutes the frame inside the rear console 2.

[0020] First, the front console 50 will be described. The front console 50 has a lower unit 51 and an upper unit 53 that is disposed at an interval above the lower unit 51 in the vehicle. In this example, an opening 56 is provided in the side portion in the vehicle width direction between the upper unit 53 and the lower unit 51.

[0021] As shown in Figure 1, the lower unit 51 has side walls 52 positioned on both sides in the vehicle width direction. The side walls 52 extend upward from both ends of the floor panel 6 in the vehicle width direction and also extend in the vehicle's longitudinal direction. The side walls 52 include a cover that covers the sides of the frame structure 10 from the outside of the vehicle. The front part of the side wall 52 is positioned below the instrument panel 5 located in the front of the vehicle compartment. In addition, a storage compartment 57 for temporarily storing small items is provided at the top of the lower unit 51. Occupants can access the storage compartment 57 through an opening 56 between the upper unit 53 and the lower unit 51.

[0022] The upper part of the upper unit 53 is provided with a cup holder section 54 for placing cups, etc., and a shift selector 55 (shift lever) is positioned at the upper part of the cup holder section 54, which is located at the rear of the vehicle. The shift selector 55 protrudes upward from the rear of the upper part of the upper unit 53 and is configured to be operable by the occupant (driver). In addition, the armrest 35 of the rear console 2 is positioned next to the upper unit 53 on the rear side of the vehicle. Note that the upper unit 53 is a unit connected to the frame structure 10 and is a separate unit from the frame structure 10.

[0023] As shown in Figure 1, the rear console 2 is the portion that extends from the rear of the front console 50 toward the rear of the vehicle. The front part of the rear console 2 is connected to the rear part of the front console 50. The rear console 2 includes part of the frame structure 10 and further includes, as described above, a bracket 40, a storage box 30, an armrest 35, a side cover 47, and a rear cover 48. The aforementioned vulnerable part is provided on the side wall portion 11 of the frame structure 10 that constitutes the rear console 2.

[0024] The configuration of the frame structure 10 will now be described. The frame structure 10 of this embodiment is made of a resin material and, as shown in Figures 2 and 3, has side wall sections 11 and a plurality of beam sections. The side wall sections 11 are spaced apart from each other in the vehicle width direction. Each of the left and right side wall sections 11 extends in the vehicle longitudinal direction and the vehicle vertical direction. The plurality of beam sections also include two beam sections (first beam section 13 and second beam section 14) provided in the middle of the upper part of the side wall section 11 in the vehicle longitudinal direction. The second beam section 14 is spaced further rearward than the first beam section 13.

[0025] As shown in Figure 3, the rear of the upper unit 53 and the rear of the lower unit 51 are attached to the first beam section 13. It is preferable that the rear of the upper unit 53 overlaps the upper part of the rear of the lower unit 51 when attached to the first beam section 13. The second beam section 14 is provided with a front mounting section 14a to which the front of the storage box 30 is attached. The relationship between the second beam section 14 and the storage box 30 will be explained later.

[0026] The front portion of the side wall 11 forms part of the side wall of the lower unit 51 of the front console 50. In this example, the front portion of the side wall 11 is located further forward than the second beam 14. A resin cover, which forms part of the side wall of the front console 50, is attached to the front portion of the side wall 11. The front end of the side wall 11 is preferably connected to the instrument panel.

[0027] The rear portion of the side wall 11 forms part of the side wall of the rear console 2. In this example, the rear portion of the side wall 11 is located further rearward than the second beam 14. A storage box 30 is positioned between the two side wall portions 11, and an armrest 35 is positioned on top of the storage box 30. The lower part of the rear of the side wall 11 is attached to the floor via a bracket 40. Details of the rear portion of the side wall 11 will be described later.

[0028] Now, let's describe the bracket 40. The bracket 40 in this embodiment is a member for attaching the rear part of the side wall portion 11 of the frame structure 10 to the floor portion, and is a highly rigid member formed from a metal material.

[0029] As shown in Figure 2, the bracket 40 is a gate-shaped member when viewed from the side. The front of the bracket 40 is provided with a front wall 41 that extends upward from the floor panel 6 to the vehicle, and the lower end of the front wall 41 is provided with a front flange 41a that protrudes forward from the vehicle. The front flange 41a is fastened to the floor panel 6 by, for example, bolts. The rear of the bracket 40 is provided with rear walls 42 and 43 that extend upward from the floor panel 6 to the vehicle. The rear walls 42 and 43 consist of a left rear wall 42 and a right rear wall 43 that are spaced apart from each other in the vehicle width direction. The lower ends of the left rear wall 42 and the right rear wall 43 are provided with a rear flange 44a. The rear flange 44a is fastened to the floor panel 6 by, for example, bolts, similar to the front flange 41a.

[0030] As shown in Figure 2, a right flange 43a protruding to the rear of the vehicle is provided at the midpoint in the vehicle's vertical direction at the outer end in the vehicle width direction of the right rear wall 43. A through hole is formed in the right flange 43a. The right flange 43a is joined to the seating surface 20 of the right side wall 11 of the frame structure 10, which will be described later. In addition, a left flange 42a protruding to the rear of the vehicle is provided at the midpoint in the vehicle's vertical direction at the outer end in the vehicle width direction of the left rear wall 42 (Figure 6). Similar to the right flange 43a, a through hole is formed in the left flange 42a. Similar to the right flange 43a, the left flange 42a is joined to the seating surface 20 of the left side wall 11.

[0031] Furthermore, the upper part of the bracket 40 is provided with an upper surface portion 40a that connects the front wall 41 and the rear walls 42, 43. The upper surface portion 40a is a plate-like portion that extends in the vehicle width direction.

[0032] Next, the storage box 30 attached to the frame structure 10 will be described. As shown in Figure 2, the storage box 30 is a resin member that is positioned between the side walls 11 on both sides and extends in the vertical direction of the vehicle. An upper opening 31 is provided at the top of the storage box 30. In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 3, the bottom of the front part of the storage box 30 is positioned lower on the vehicle than the bottom of the rear part of the storage box 30. That is, the front part of the storage box 30 is configured to store longer (vertically elongated) items than the rear part.

[0033] As shown in Figure 9, the front edge of the upper opening 31 of the storage box 30 is attached to the front mounting portion 14a provided on the second beam portion 14. A flange 32 is provided at the front of the opening of the storage box 30, which protrudes forward of the vehicle, and the flange 32 has a through hole that penetrates in the vertical direction of the vehicle. The flange 32 is attached to the front mounting portion 14a provided on the second beam portion 14 by fastening material 20c such as a clip.

[0034] Next, the location of the weak point will be described. A weak point is provided at the lower part of the rear of the side wall portion 11. The weak point is preferably located below the storage box 30 and on the side wall portion 11 that is located on at least one of the vehicle front side and vehicle rear side of the bracket 40. As described above, the weak point is weak (low rigidity) in the vehicle vertical direction relative to the side wall portion 11 located outside the storage box 30. In this embodiment, the weak point includes a front weak point 24 located on the front side of the fastening portion 20c provided on the bracket 40, and a rear weak point 23 located on the rear side of the fastening portion 20c.

[0035] Here, the rear portion of the side wall 11 will be described in detail.

[0036] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the side wall portion 11 includes a base portion 12, a seating surface portion 20, a fastening portion 20c, a rear leg portion 16, and a front leg portion 17. The base portion 12 is located at the upper rear of the side wall portion 11 and has higher rigidity than the weaker portion. In this example, the base portion 12 is the portion shown by the dashed line in Figure 3 and is the side wall portion 11 located above the rear leg portion 16 and the front leg portion 17. The side wall portion 11 is provided with a plurality of openings, and ribs are formed in the side wall portion 11 located between adjacent openings. These ribs ensure the rigidity of the side wall portion 11, including the base portion 12.

[0037] The seat portion 20 is positioned below the base portion 12 with a gap between them. The seat portion 20 has a main portion 20a facing the vehicle width direction and an upper flange portion 20b provided on the upper part of the main portion 20a. The main portion 20a of the seat portion 20 is the part that abuts against the bracket 40. The main portion 20a of the seat portion 20 on the right side wall portion 11 abuts against the right flange 43a of the bracket 40, and the main portion 20a of the seat portion 20 on the left side wall portion 11 abuts against the left flange 42a of the bracket 40 (Figure 6). The upper flange portion 20b of the seat portion 20 is the part that protrudes inward in the vehicle width direction from the upper part of the main portion 20a, and the upper surface of the upper flange portion 20b is horizontal and extends in the vehicle longitudinal direction. A rear weak point 23 is provided on the upper part of the main portion 20a located on the rear side of the upper flange portion 20b, and a portion of the front weak point 24 is provided on the front part of the upper flange portion 20b. The weak points will be explained later.

[0038] The fastening portion 20c is provided in the middle of the main portion 20a of the seat surface 20 in the vehicle longitudinal direction and is fastened to the bracket 40 via the fastening portion 20c material. The fastening portion 20c includes a through hole provided in the main portion 20a of the seat surface 20, and the through hole is located in the middle of the main portion 20a of the seat surface 20 in the vehicle longitudinal direction and in the middle of the vehicle vertical direction. In this example, the through hole is located slightly above the lower end of the main portion 20a (lower part of the main portion 20a) and slightly forward of the rear end of the main portion 20a (rear part of the seat surface 20).

[0039] As shown in Figure 2, with fastening material 20c such as a bolt passing through the through-hole in the main part 20a of the right seating surface 20 and the through-hole in the right flange 43a, the main part 20a of the seating surface 20 abuts against the right flange 43a and is fastened. Similarly, with fastening material 20c such as a bolt passing through the through-hole in the main part 20a of the left seating surface 20 and the through-hole in the left flange 42a, the main part 20a of the seating surface 20 abuts against the left flange 42a and is fastened.

[0040] Next, the rear leg portion 16 will be described. As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the rear leg portion 16 is the part that extends from the rear of the lower part of the base portion 12 toward the rear of the seat portion 20. The rear leg portion 16 extends inclined toward the front of the vehicle as it extends toward the lower part of the vehicle. The lower part of the rear leg portion 16 is connected to the rear of the upper part of the seat portion 20. The rear leg portion 16 is also connected to the upper part of the seat portion 20 located on the rear side of the upper flange portion 20b of the seat portion 20. Furthermore, the length of the rear leg portion 16 in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle in this example is formed to be substantially constant along the direction of the inclination.

[0041] Next, the front leg portion 17 will be described. The front leg portion 17 is the part that extends from the middle of the lower part of the base portion 12 in the vehicle's longitudinal direction toward the front of the seat portion 20. The front leg portion 17 slopes toward the rear of the vehicle as it extends toward the lower part of the vehicle. The lower part of the front leg portion 17 is connected to the front of the upper flange portion 20b of the seat portion 20. In addition, the length of the front leg portion 17 in the vehicle's longitudinal direction is formed to become shorter as it extends toward the lower part of the vehicle.

[0042] Next, the rear weak point 23 will be described. As shown in Figure 3, the rear weak point 23 is located below the lower end of the storage box 30 in the vertical direction of the vehicle, and is located behind the fastening portion 20c of the bracket 40 in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. Note that Figure 3 shows a schematic representation of the outer shape of the storage box 30. As shown in Figures 4 to 6, the rear weak point 23 extends in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle and is inclined upward from the inner part in the vehicle width direction at the top of the seat surface 20 as it moves inward in the vehicle width direction. The inner part of the rear weak point 23 in the vehicle width direction is connected to the rear leg portion 16. The lower end of the rear leg portion 16 is located further inward and outward in the vehicle width direction than the main part 20a of the seat surface 20.

[0043] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the rear weak portion 23 is plate-shaped and extends in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, corresponding to the length of the lower part of the rear leg portion 16 in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. The rear weak portion 23 also protrudes inward in the vehicle width direction from the upper part of the rear of the main portion 20a of the seat surface portion 20. The direction of protrusion is inclined upward as described above. The inner end of the rear weak portion 23 in the vehicle width direction is connected to the lower end of the rear leg portion 16. Here, the angle formed outward in the vehicle width direction by the rear weak portion 23 and the rear leg portion 16 is an obtuse angle.

[0044] Furthermore, the upper flange portion 20b of the seating surface portion 20 is positioned on the vehicle-front side of the rear weak portion 23. The front end surface 23a of the rear weak portion 23 faces the front of the vehicle, as shown in Figure 5. The inner portion of the front end surface 23a in the vehicle width direction is positioned above the upper surface of the upper flange portion 20b of the seating surface portion 20 and extends along the aforementioned inclination direction. The outer portion of the front end surface 23a in the vehicle width direction extends upward from the rear end of the upper flange portion 20b of the seating surface portion 20. The rear weak portion 23 is inclined upward with respect to the upper flange portion 20b.

[0045] The portion where the rear weak portion 23 and the seat portion 20 connect is the outer portion in the vehicle width direction of the front end surface 23a, and the length in the vehicle width direction of the outer portion in the vehicle width direction of the front end surface 23a is set to be less than half the length in the vehicle width direction of the upper surface of the upper flange portion 20b. Due to the above configuration, the rear weak portion 23 is formed to be weaker than, for example, the base portion 12.

[0046] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the thickness Y of the rear weak portion 23 is formed to be thinner than the thickness Z of the main portion 20a of the seat portion 20, as shown in Figure 6, and the thickness Y of the rear weak portion 23 is also formed to be thinner than the thickness X of the rear leg portion 16. It is formed to be weaker than the main portion 20a of the seat portion 20 and the rear leg portion 16. For example, when impact energy transmitted from the rear leg portion 16 is transmitted to the seat portion 20 via the rear weak portion 23, the impact energy transmitted to the seat portion 20 can be reduced by the fracture of the rear weak portion 23.

[0047] Next, the front vulnerable portion 24 will be described. As shown in Figure 3, the front vulnerable portion 24 is located below the lower end of the storage box 30 and is positioned in front of the fastening portion 20c of the bracket 40 in the vehicle's longitudinal direction. In this embodiment, the front vulnerable portion 24 has a notch 24a and a connecting portion 24b.

[0048] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the notch 24a is provided on the upper part of the seat surface 20 on the vehicle front side and is cut out toward the front leg portion 17. The rear part of the notch 24a extends continuously upward from the front end surface of the seat surface 20. The upper end of the notch 24a is positioned above the upper end surface of the seat surface 20. The front part of the notch 24a slopes downward from the upper end of the notch 24a toward the vehicle front.

[0049] As shown in Figures 4 to 6, the connecting portion 24b is located on the rear side of the vehicle of the notch portion 24a. The connecting portion 24b is the part where the lower end of the front leg portion 17 is connected to the front part of the upper surface of the upper flange portion 20b of the seat portion 20. The lower end of the front leg portion 17 is located inward in the vehicle width direction from the outer edge in the vehicle width direction of the upper surface of the upper flange portion 20b.

[0050] At the connection portion 24b of the front weak section 24, the main portion 20a of the seat surface 20 and the lower end of the front leg portion 17 are offset in the vehicle width direction. In other words, the front weak section 24 has lower rigidity in the vehicle vertical direction compared to the main portion 20a and the front leg portion 17 by forming a step between the main portion 20a of the seat surface 20 and the front leg portion 17.

[0051] Next, the openings provided in the side wall portion 11 will be described. As shown in Figure 3, the side wall portion 11 has an upper front opening 18a, an upper rear opening 18b, a lower rear opening 18c, a lower intermediate opening 18d (side wall opening), and a lower front opening 18e. The upper rear opening 18b is an opening formed in the base portion 12 of the side wall portion 11. The upper front opening 18a is located on the front side of the base portion 12, and the lower rear opening 18c is located below the base portion 12, between the rear leg portion 16 and the front leg portion 17. Furthermore, the lower intermediate opening 18d is located on the front side of the front leg portion 17. A leg portion is formed in front of the lower intermediate opening 18d, and the lower front opening 18e is located on the front side of this leg portion. Ribs and the like are formed in the side wall portion 11 located around these openings to ensure a predetermined rigidity. Therefore, for example, the side wall 11 can sufficiently withstand the load acting when an occupant rests their elbow on the armrest 35. Furthermore, by increasing the rigidity of the side wall 11 located around each opening, it becomes possible to effectively distribute the load transmitted from the upper part of the side wall 11 and transmit it to the floor.

[0052] Here, we will explain how the load acting on the armrest 35 in a so-called normal state, such as when an occupant rests their elbow on the armrest 35. In the so-called normal use of the armrest 35, when an occupant rests their elbow on the armrest 35, the load acting on the armrest 35 is transmitted to the beam and side wall 11, for example, through the opening edge of the upper opening 31 of the storage box 30. The load transmitted to the upper part of the side wall 11 is transmitted to the legs, front legs 17, and rear legs 16, for example, through the base 12 (front and rear parts of the upper rear opening 18b), etc. Subsequently, the load is transmitted to the seat 20, for example, through the weak parts, etc., and to the floor (floor panel 6) via the bracket 40.

[0053] In contrast, let's consider a case where an impact load is applied to the armrest 35 from above. For example, when a vehicle is suddenly stopped or during a frontal collision, if a part of the body (e.g., the head) of an occupant seated in the center of the rear seat in the vehicle width direction collides with the console unit 1, the impact load due to the collision acts on the console unit 1, and the reaction force of the impact load acts on the part of the body. In this embodiment, when an impact load is applied, the impact load is transmitted to the rear weak part 23 and the front weak part 24 before they break, thus absorbing the impact energy due to the impact load.

[0054] In this embodiment, the rear weak point 23 and the front weak point 24 are provided on the side wall portion 11 located below the storage box 30. With this configuration, for example, even when a long item extending from the top to the bottom of the storage box 30 is stored inside the storage box 30, the impact load acting on the armrest 35 can be transmitted to the rear weak point 23 and the front weak point 24, which are located below the bottom of the storage box 30. In other words, in this embodiment, the rear console 2 is not hindered by the shape of the item stored in the storage box 30 from transmitting the load to the rear weak point 23 and the front weak point 24, and the impact load applied to the armrest 35 can be effectively transmitted to the rear weak point 23 and the front weak point 24. When an impact load is transmitted to the rear weak portion 23 and the front weak portion 24, the rear weak portion 23 and the front weak portion 24 fracture, and the impact energy due to the impact load is absorbed by the rear weak portion 23 and the front weak portion 24.

[0055] Furthermore, in this embodiment, a rear weak point 23 is provided near the rear end of the console unit 1. For example, during a sudden stop of the vehicle or a frontal collision, a part of the occupant's body may rotate around a predetermined position behind the console unit 1 and collide with the armrest 35. In response to such movement, it is desirable for the rear of the armrest 35 to deform downward first. In this embodiment, since the rear weak point 23 is provided at the above position, the rear of the armrest 35 can be effectively deformed. Moreover, since the rear leg portion 16 is positioned inward in the vehicle width direction from the seat portion 20, it is possible to suppress the deformation of the rear leg portion 16 outward toward the occupant after the rear weak point 23 has fractured.

[0056] Furthermore, in this embodiment, a front weak point 24 and a rear weak point 23 are provided at the rear and front of the upper part of the seat surface 20. For example, when the rear weak point 23 breaks, the rear of the rear console 2 deforms downward, and immediately afterward, an upward load (tensile load) acts on the front leg 17. This makes it possible to induce a fracture from the upper end of the roughly triangular notch 24a of the front weak point 24. This allows for effective absorption of impact energy. When a collision occurs, the rear leg 16 bends inward and the front leg 17 deforms outward. This allows for effective deformation of the rear console 2.

[0057] As shown in Figure 4, the longitudinal length of the front weak point 24 is set to be longer than the longitudinal length of the rear weak point 23. In this example, the longitudinal length of the connection portion 24b of the front weak point 24 is set to be longer than the longitudinal length of the rear weak point 23. This makes the front weak point 24 slightly more rigid than the rear weak point 23, making it possible to cause the rear weak point 23 to fracture before the front weak point 24. Therefore, the rear of the rear console 2 can be effectively deformed downward.

[0058] In this embodiment, a lower intermediate opening 18d (side wall opening) is provided in the side wall portion 11 located on the front side of the front leg portion 17. In addition, a front mounting portion 14a is provided at the front of the storage box 30, which is attached to the side wall portion 11. In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 9, the front mounting portion 14a is provided on a second beam portion 14 located on the front side of the front edge of the upper opening 31 of the storage box 30. As shown in Figure 3, the front mounting portion 14a is located on the upper side of the lower intermediate opening 18d on the vehicle side, in the middle of the vehicle's longitudinal direction. A portion of the impact load acting on the armrest 35 is transmitted to the side wall portion 11 via the front mounting portion 14a. Here, because the lower intermediate opening 18d and the front mounting portion 14a are in the positional relationship described above, the impact load can be easily transmitted to the front leg portion 17. As a result, the impact load is effectively transmitted to the front vulnerable portion 24, and the impact energy can be effectively absorbed.

[0059] Furthermore, the side wall portion 11 located below the lower intermediate opening 18d is positioned above the seat portion 20. Therefore, the lower part 11a of the side wall portion 11 located in front of the seat portion 20 is positioned above the floor portion. As a result, when an impact load is transmitted to the side wall portion 11, it is possible to prevent the lower part of the side wall portion 11 from coming into contact with the floor portion before the rear weak portion 23 and the front weak portion 24 break.

[0060] The structure of the armrest 35 will now be described. As shown in Figures 2 and 8, the armrest 35 has a top surface 36 and a bottom surface 38. The upper surface of the top surface 36 is the part that constitutes the upper surface of the armrest 35, and is the so-called design surface, which is the part that the occupant directly touches. The bottom surface 38 is a plate-shaped member positioned below the top surface 36 and is made of resin material. The top surface 36 is attached to the bottom surface 38, and the top surface 36 and bottom surface 38 together form a lid that opens and closes the upper opening 31. On both sides in the vehicle width direction of the lower surface of the bottom surface 38, there are connecting parts 39 that protrude downward from the lower surface and connect to the storage box 30. A through hole is provided at the rear of the connecting part 39 that penetrates in the vehicle width direction, and a pivot shaft 46a (Figure 7) is inserted through it.

[0061] Furthermore, a rear-side weak portion 37 is provided on the back surface (back surface of the upper surface) of the top surface portion 36 of this embodiment. The rear-side weak portion 37 is located between the connecting portions 39 on both sides in the vehicle width direction. As shown in Figure 7, the rear-side weak portion 37 is located further rear than the rear-side weak portion 23. The rear-side weak portion 37 is formed to be less rigid than the connecting portion 39. It is also formed to be less rigid than the top surface portion 36 located further forward and further rear than the rear-side weak portion 37.

[0062] As shown in Figure 8, a rib 36a is formed on the back surface of the top surface 36, extending in the vehicle's longitudinal direction and vehicle width direction. The weak back portion 37 in this embodiment has a notch formed in the rib 36a. The notch may be cut upward from the lower end of the rib 36a, for example. By providing the notch, the rigidity of the area around the notch is reduced.

[0063] By providing the rear weak point 37, when a part of the occupant's body collides with the armrest 35, for example, when the head collides with the armrest 35, the rear weak point 37 located between the connecting parts 39 breaks, absorbing the impact energy and effectively distributing it to the connecting parts 39 on both sides. Furthermore, because the rear weak point 37 is located further rearward than the rear weak point 23, it becomes possible to effectively deform the rear of the rear console 2.

[0064] The description of this embodiment is illustrative for explaining the present invention and does not limit the invention as 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.

[0065] For example, the vulnerable portion of this embodiment has a rear vulnerable portion 23 and a front vulnerable portion 24, but is not limited to this. For example, it may be either the rear vulnerable portion 23 or the front vulnerable portion 24. In this embodiment, an opening is provided in the main portion 20a of the seating surface 20 to provide a vulnerable portion against vertical loads, but is not limited to this. For example, an opening is not required in the main portion 20a, or a part of the main portion 20a may be made into a thin-walled structure. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0066] 1 Console Unit 2 Rear console 5. Instrument Panel 6 Floor Panels 10 Frame Structures 11 Side wall section 12 Base section 13 1st beam part 14 2nd beam part 14a Front mounting section 16 Rear leg 17 Forward leg 18a Upper front opening 18b Upper rear opening 18c lower rear opening 18d Lower middle opening (side wall opening) 18e Lower front opening 20 Seat part 20a Main section 20b Upper flange section 20c fastening part 23 Posterior vulnerable area 23a Front end surface 24 Anterior weak part 24a Notch 24b Connection section 30 Storage Boxes 31 Upper opening (opening) 32 flange 35 Armrest 36 Top section 37 Weak points on the back side 38 Bottom part 39 Connecting part 40 brackets 40a Top part 41 Front wall 41a Front flange 42 Left rear wall 42a Left flange 43 Right rear wall 43a Right flange 44a Rear flange 47 Side cover 48 Rear cover 50 Front Console 51 Lower unit 52 Side wall 53 Upper unit 54 Cup holder section 55 Shift selector (shift lever) 56 Opening 57 Storage compartment

Claims

1. A frame structure extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle has side walls arranged at intervals from each other in the vehicle width direction in the middle of the floor portion of the vehicle interior, The lower part of the frame structure has a fastening portion to which it is fastened, and the bracket attaches the vehicle body frame to the floor portion, A storage box is positioned between the aforementioned side walls on both sides, extending in the vertical direction of the vehicle, and having an opening at the top. An armrest positioned on top of the storage box and configured to allow the opening to be opened and closed, In a vehicle console structure having, A vehicle console structure characterized in that the side wall portion located below the storage box and at least one of the vehicle front side and vehicle rear side of the fastening portion is provided with a weak portion that is weaker in the vehicle vertical direction relative to the side wall portion located outside the storage box.

2. The aforementioned side wall portion is A base portion is positioned on the upper part of the side wall portion and has higher rigidity than the weak portion, A seating surface is positioned below the base portion and contacts the bracket, It has a rear leg portion that extends from the rear of the lower part of the base portion toward the rear of the seat portion, The fastening portion is provided in the middle of the seat surface portion in the vehicle's front-rear direction, The aforementioned weak portion includes a rear weak portion located on the rear side of the vehicle of the fastening portion. The aforementioned rear weak portion extends in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle and is inclined upward from the inner part in the vehicle width direction on the upper part of the seat surface as it moves inward in the vehicle width direction. The vehicle console structure according to claim 1, characterized in that the inner portion in the vehicle width direction of the rear weak portion is connected to the rear leg portion.

3. The aforementioned side wall portion is A base portion is positioned on the upper part of the side wall portion and has higher rigidity than the weak portion, A seating surface is positioned below the base portion and contacts the bracket, It has a front leg portion that extends from the middle of the vehicle in the front-rear direction at the lower part of the base portion toward the front of the seat portion, The fastening portion is provided in the middle of the seat surface portion in the vehicle's front-rear direction, The weak portion includes a front weak portion located on the vehicle front side of the bracket, The vehicle console structure according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that the front vulnerable portion is provided on the vehicle front side of the upper part of the seat surface and has a notch cut out toward the front leg portion.

4. The weak portion includes a front weak portion located on the front side of the fastening portion of the bracket, and a rear weak portion located on the rear side of the fastening portion. The aforementioned rear weak portion extends in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle and slopes upward from the inner part in the vehicle width direction at the upper part of the seat surface portion as it moves inward in the vehicle width direction, and the plate thickness of the rear weak portion is formed to be constant along the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. The length of the front leg portion in the vehicle's longitudinal direction is formed to decrease as it extends downwards. The vehicle console structure according to claim 3, characterized in that the length of the front weak portion in the vehicle longitudinal direction is set to be longer than the length of the rear weak portion in the vehicle longitudinal direction.

5. The vehicle console structure according to claim 3, characterized in that the thickness of the rear weak portion is formed to be thinner than the thickness of the seat portion and the thickness of the rear leg portion.

6. On both sides of the back surface of the upper surface of the armrest in the vehicle width direction, connecting portions are provided that protrude downward from the back surface and are connected to the storage box. On the back surface located between the connecting portions on both sides in the vehicle width direction, a back-side weak portion is provided, which is formed to be less rigid than the connecting portion. The vehicle console structure according to claim 2, characterized in that the rear weak portion is located further rear than the rear weak portion.

7. The side wall portion located on the front side of the front leg portion is provided with a side wall opening. The front of the storage box is provided with a front mounting portion that is attached to the side wall, The vehicle console structure according to claim 3, characterized in that the front mounting portion is located on the upper side of the side wall opening of the vehicle, in the middle portion in the front-rear direction of the vehicle.

8. The vehicle console structure according to claim 1, characterized in that the weak portion includes a front weak portion disposed on the front side of the bracket and a rear weak portion disposed on the rear side of the bracket.

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