Instrument panel structure

Abstract

To provide an instrument panel structure with excellent rigidity of the top surface while ensuring layout flexibility by utilizing existing component forms. [Solution] An instrument panel structure comprising: an instrument panel 5 having a recess 17 at the top center in the width direction of the vehicle for positioning a display device 16, with its top surface 3 facing the windshield 2 of the vehicle 1; and a first bracket 19 positioned inside the instrument panel 5, fixed to the recess 17, and supporting the antenna 15 of an emergency call device.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an instrument panel structure.

Background Art

[0002] The top surface facing the windshield in the instrument panel of a vehicle is a location where it is difficult to ensure rigidity.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses an instrument panel structure that sets the path of the ventilation duct in the air conditioning unit of a vehicle to go behind and below the meters, and fixes the meters on top of this ventilation duct to ensure the rigidity of the top surface.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] In the instrument panel structure of Patent Document 1, the ventilation duct in the air conditioning unit is made to function as a strength member for supplementing the rigidity of the top surface. Therefore, since the ventilation duct needs to have appropriate rigidity and the path needs to be set to pass below the meters, the degree of freedom in the layout of the instrument panel is restricted.

[0006] The technology of the present disclosure has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide an instrument panel structure that has excellent rigidity of the top surface while ensuring the degree of freedom in layout by using members in existing forms.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] One instrument panel structure of the present disclosure comprises an instrument panel having a recess for arranging a display device at the top center in the vehicle width direction, with its top surface facing the windshield of the vehicle, and a first bracket disposed inside the instrument panel and fixed to the recess to support an antenna for an emergency call device. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] One instrument panel structure disclosed herein can achieve an instrument panel structure with excellent rigidity of the top surface while ensuring layout flexibility by utilizing existing components. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] This is a cross-sectional view showing the vehicle instrument panel structure of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing a recess formed on the top surface of the vehicle instrument panel structure. [Figure 3] This is a conceptual diagram illustrating the various parts that make up the recess in Figure 2. [Figure 4] Figure 1 shows how the antenna of the emergency call device is supported by a bracket in the vehicle instrument panel structure. [Figure 5] This figure shows the mounting configurations of the antenna for the emergency call device and the antenna for the Global Positioning System (GSO) device. [Figure 6] Figure 4 is a perspective view of the legs supporting the bracket, seen from the underside of the top surface. [Figure 7] Figure 5 illustrates the relationship between the mounting position of the antenna for the emergency call device and the mounting position of the antenna for the Global Positioning System (GSO). [Figure 8] This diagram illustrates the area to be selected as the mounting location for the antenna of the emergency call device shown in Figure 5. [Figure 9] Figure 3 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the bracket. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] In all drawings of this application, the front-rear direction of the vehicle is illustrated by arrows Fw (Forward) and Bw (Backward), the left-right direction in the vehicle width direction is illustrated by arrows Lw (Leftward) and Rw (Rightward), and the up-down direction of the vehicle is illustrated by arrows Uw (Upward) and Dw (Downward).

[0011] A vehicle instrument panel structure according to one aspect of this disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In Figures 1 to 10, which are referenced below, corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0012] In the notation in Figure 1, the bidirectional arrows Fw-Bw indicate the front-to-back direction of the vehicle, and the bidirectional arrows Uw-Dw indicate the up-to-down direction of the vehicle. Rw is the depth direction of the paper, which is not shown in Figure 1, and Lw is the direction towards the viewer. In Figure 1, the instrument panel 5 is positioned behind the front panel 4 of the vehicle body of the vehicle 1, having a top surface 3 facing the windshield 2 of the vehicle 1 and a bottom surface 3a corresponding to the back surface of the top surface 3.

[0013] The front body panel 4 comprises a dash panel 6, a cowl upper panel 7, and a cowl top panel 8. The dash panel 6 rises upward from a portion connected to a floor-side structural member (not shown) of the vehicle 1 and separates the engine compartment (not shown) from the passenger compartment.

[0014] The cowl upper panel 7 includes a vertical wall portion 7a, a stepped portion 7b, and a connecting portion 7c to which both portions are connected. The vertical wall portion 7a extends upward from the connecting portion 7c, and the stepped portion 7b extends forward and upward in a two-step manner from the connecting portion 7c. The cowl upper panel 7 as a whole has a U-shaped cross-section when viewed in the vehicle width direction, and the connecting portion 7c is the lowest part in the vertical direction of the vehicle. The lower surface of the connecting portion 7c or its vicinity of the cowl upper panel 7 is joined to the upper end of the dash panel 6.

[0015] The cowl top panel 8 extends from the upper end side of the dash panel 6, specifically from the upper end of the upright wall portion 7a of the cowl upper panel 7, to the top surface 3 up to the contact portion 9 between the top surface 3 and the front glass 2, and supports the front end portion of the top surface 3 from the bottom surface 3a. The cowl top panel 8 includes an inclined panel portion 8a that extends forward and inclined from the upper end of the upright wall portion 7a of the cowl upper panel 7 toward the contact portion 9.

[0016] Below the top surface 3 of the instrument panel 5, a front defroster duct 11 is arranged. The front defroster duct 11 has a discharge port 10 that opens toward the front glass 2 on the top surface 3 of the instrument panel 5. The front defroster duct 11 includes an upper duct 13 that extends downward and inclined forward from the discharge port 10 and reaches a bent portion 12 where the direction of extending downward turns from the forward inclination to the rearward inclination, and a lower duct 14 that extends downward and inclined rearward from the bent portion 12 to reach the lower end. The lower duct 14 is inclined rearward and extends downward as a whole, and the rearward inclined surface portion 14a of the lower duct 14 also extends inclined rearward.

[0017] Behind the front defroster duct 11, an antenna 15 of an emergency reporting device is arranged. The relative position in the vertical direction of the vehicle 1 between the lower duct 14 of the front defroster duct 11 and the antenna 15 of the emergency reporting device is in the following relationship. That is, the lower duct 14 is at the same vertical position as the vertical position of the vehicle 1 at the bottom 15a of the antenna 15 of the emergency reporting device.

[0018] Referring to FIG. 2, the form of the top surface 3 of the instrument panel 5 will be described. In the notation of FIG. 2, the bidirectional arrow Fw-Bw indicates the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, the bidirectional arrow Lw-Rw indicates the lateral direction of the vehicle, and the bidirectional arrow Uw-Dw indicates the vertical direction of the vehicle. The top surface 3 of the instrument panel 5 has a recess 17 for arranging the display device 16 (FIG. 3) at the central top in the vehicle width direction. The display device 16 is an electronic device arranged at the center in the vehicle width direction of the top surface 3, generally called a center meter for example, and may take a form including a display unit that performs various displays regarding the speed, travel distance, and other states of the vehicle. Also, the display device 16 may be a car navigation system having a display unit. The back surface 16a of the display device 16 on the side opposite to the display unit side forms an inclined surface where the lower end is located behind the upper end.

[0019] In front of the recess 17 in FIG. 2 and behind the front defroster duct 11 in FIG. 1, the antenna 15 of the emergency notification device is arranged. Also, the antenna 18 of the global positioning system device is arranged so as to be aligned with the antenna 15 of the emergency notification device in the vehicle width direction of the vehicle 1. Hereinafter, the antenna 15 of the emergency notification device will be appropriately referred to as the first antenna 15, and the antenna 18 of the global positioning system device will be referred to as the second antenna 18.

[0020] The first antenna 15 is supported by a first bracket 19 fixed to the back surface on the side opposite to the surface for arranging the display device 16 of the recess 17 and arranged inside the instrument panel 5. The second antenna 18 is supported by a second bracket 20 arranged inside the instrument panel 5 and fixed to the recess 17. The first bracket 19 and the second bracket 20 are aligned in the vehicle width direction of the vehicle 1.

[0021] As a result, the first bracket 19 and the second bracket 20 are located near the top surface 3 of the instrument panel 5 and close to the windshield 2, which does not have an electromagnetic shielding effect. Therefore, both the first antenna 15 supported by the first bracket 19 and the second antenna 18 supported by the second bracket 20 are able to communicate well. Furthermore, since both the first antenna 15 and the second antenna 18 are located in the center of the top surface 3 in the vehicle width direction, the propagation of radio waves related to communication by the first antenna 15 and the second antenna 18 is not obstructed by the left and right front pillars of the vehicle 1. This also enables the first antenna 15 and the second antenna 18 to communicate well.

[0022] Figure 3 is a conceptual diagram illustrating the various parts that make up the recess 17 in Figure 2. In the notation of Figure 3, the bidirectional arrows Fw-Bw indicate the front-to-back direction of the vehicle, the bidirectional arrows Lw-Rw indicate the left-to-right direction of the vehicle, and the bidirectional arrows Uw-Dw indicate the up-to-down direction of the vehicle.

[0023] The recess 17 is composed of a left wall portion 21 and a right wall portion 22 that run along both sides of the vehicle width direction of the positioned display device 16, a front vertical wall portion 23 that faces the rear side which is the front side of the display device 16, and an intermediate bottom surface portion 24 that is located above the left wall portion 21, the right wall portion 22 and the front vertical wall portion 23 and below the top surface 3.

[0024] The intermediate bottom portion 24 is composed of an inner intermediate bottom portion 24a that extends forward in connection with the upper end of the front vertical wall portion 23, and outer intermediate bottom portions 24b that extend outward in the vehicle width direction, connected to both ends of the inner intermediate bottom portion 24a in the vehicle width direction.

[0025] Next, the mounting configuration of the first antenna 15 by the first bracket 19 will be described in more detail with reference to Figures 1, 4, and 5. Figure 5 also shows how the second antenna 18 is supported by the second bracket 20. The first bracket 19 has a bottom portion 19a, a front wall portion 19b, and an inclined surface portion 19c.

[0026] The bottom portion 19a supports the bottom portion 15a of the first antenna 15. The front wall portion 19b is located in front of the first antenna 15. The inclined surface portion 19c is positioned within a vertically defined region from the lower end to the upper end of the lower duct 14, and extends inclined backward from the lower part of the front wall portion 19b toward the front part of the bottom portion 19a.

[0027] The first antenna 15 is surrounded by the first bracket 19, with its bottom portion 15a supported by the bottom portion 19a of the first bracket 19, while maintaining a certain distance from the front wall portion 19b and the inclined surface portion 19c.

[0028] Next, with reference to Figures 4 and 6, an embodiment in which the first bracket 19 is supported inside the instrument panel 5 will be described. The first bracket 19 is supported by legs 25 on the back side opposite to the surface on which the display device 16 is placed in the recess 17 of the top surface 3. The legs 25 extend from a base 25a connected to the bottom surface 3a of the instrument panel 5 toward the inclined panel portion 8a (Figure 1). The base 25a supports the first bracket 19 with its extending tip 25b.

[0029] More specifically, as shown in Figure 6, the leg portion 25 has, for example, a rod-shaped main body portion 25c and a so-called tapered tip portion 25b that protrudes from the main body portion 25c and tapers to a point. The pointed portion is passed through the corresponding hole of the first bracket 19 for positioning. After positioning, the first bracket 19 can be supported by fastening the tip of a fastening leg portion 25d, which is one part of the leg portion 25 provided adjacent to the pointed portion, to the leg portion 25.

[0030] Multiple legs 25 are provided. Specifically, the legs 25 are provided on the back surfaces of the intermediate bottom surface 24 and the front vertical wall 23, on the sides opposite to the back surface 16a of the display device. As a result, the first bracket 19 is mounted spanning both the intermediate bottom surface 24 and the front vertical wall 23.

[0031] More specifically, the leg portion 25 is provided on the inner intermediate bottom portion 24a, the outer intermediate bottom portion 24b, and the front vertical wall portion 23, respectively. As a result, the first bracket 19 is mounted spanning the inner intermediate bottom portion 24a, the outer intermediate bottom portion 24b, and the front vertical wall portion 23. The first bracket 19 is a member that supports the first antenna 15 and has a corresponding degree of rigidity. Because the first bracket 19 is mounted spanning the inner intermediate bottom portion 24a, the outer intermediate bottom portion 24b, and the front vertical wall portion 23, the rigidity of the top surface 3, including the recess 17 and its vicinity, is improved. Furthermore, since the rigidity of the top surface 3 is ensured without using special members solely for ensuring the rigidity of the top surface 3, the freedom of layout is not hindered.

[0032] Next, with reference to Figures 5 and 7, the relationship between the mounting position of the first antenna 15 and the mounting position of the second antenna 18 will be explained. The first bracket 19 supporting the first antenna 15 and the second bracket 20 supporting the second antenna 18 are arranged side by side when viewed in the vehicle width direction. As a result, the first antenna 15 and the second antenna 18 are positioned so that their positions partially overlap when viewed in the vehicle width direction. As shown in Figure 5, the longitudinal positions of the first antenna 15 and the second antenna 18 are such that the entire shape of the second antenna 18 in the vehicle width direction is included within the area occupied by the first antenna 15 in the longitudinal direction.

[0033] Referring to Figure 7, the second antenna 18 is contained within the vertical region sandwiched between the height position h1 of the bottom 15a of the first antenna 15 and the height position h2 of the top surface of the first antenna 15. More specifically, with the height position of the top surface of the second antenna 18 approximately aligned with position h2, the entire front view of the second antenna 18 is contained within the vertical region from position h1 to position h2.

[0034] Figure 8 shows the area to be selected as the mounting position for the first antenna 15. Specifically, the mounting position of the first antenna 15 is selected so that it is located within the front-rear region sandwiched between the contact point 9 between the instrument panel 5 and the windshield 2 and a point at a distance d rearward from this contact point 9.

[0035] As explained with reference to Figure 5, the second antenna 18 is located within the area occupied by the first antenna 15 in the front-rear direction, with its entire shape included in the vehicle width direction view. Therefore, the second antenna 18, supported by the second bracket 20, is located within the front-rear region sandwiched between the contact area 9 between the instrument panel 5 and the windshield 2 in Figure 8 and a position at a distance d rearward from this contact area 9.

[0036] In other words, the first antenna 15 supported by the first bracket 19 and the second antenna 18 supported by the second bracket 20 are positioned within a front-to-back region sandwiched between the contact point 9 between the instrument panel 5 and the windshield 2 and a point at a distance d rearward from this contact point 9. The distance d can be, for example, 200 millimeters.

[0037] Referring to the partial cross-sectional perspective view in Figure 9, the configuration in which the first antenna 15 is supported by the first bracket 19 will be described. The first bracket 19 has a bracket recess 19d facing the bottom 15a of the first antenna 15. On the other hand, the first antenna 15 has a sheet metal member 26 at its bottom 15a that straddles the bracket recess 19d of the first bracket 19 and connects both sides of the bracket recess 19d in the vehicle width direction.

[0038] The sheet metal member 26 has fastening portions 26a that protrude equally from the bottom portion 15a of the first antenna 15, which has an outer shape that is roughly rectangular, toward one side and the other side along the vehicle width direction. The sheet metal member 26 is placed across the bracket recess 19d and fastened with screws at the fastening portions 26a to the parts on one side and the other side of the bracket recess 19d. By having a shape that includes the bracket recess 19d, the first bracket 19 can be made relatively thin and lightweight while obtaining the required rigidity.

[0039] The configurations and their effects in each embodiment of the vehicle instrument panel structure of this disclosure are summarized below.

[0040] (1) The instrument panel structure of the present disclosure comprises an instrument panel 5 having a recess 17 at the top center in the vehicle width direction for arranging a display device 16, with the top surface 3 facing the windshield 2 of the vehicle 1, and a first bracket 19 arranged inside the instrument panel 5 and fixed to the recess 17 to support the antenna 15 of the emergency call device.

[0041] In the instrument panel structure described in (1) above, a recess 17 is formed in a part of the top surface 3 that is near the highly rigid windshield 2 and has a certain level of rigidity, thereby strengthening the rigidity of the recess 17 and its vicinity. A first bracket 19 is provided on the inner part of the instrument panel 5 in the recess 17 where the rigidity is strengthened, to support the antenna 15 of the emergency call device. This ensures that the antenna 15 of the emergency call device is securely supported. Furthermore, since the antenna 15 of the emergency call device is positioned close to the windshield 2, which does not have an electromagnetic shielding effect, communication with the outside by the antenna 15 of the emergency call device can be performed well. In addition, since the rigidity of the top surface 3 is ensured without using special members solely for ensuring the rigidity of the top surface 3, the freedom of layout is not hindered.

[0042] (2) In one embodiment of the instrument panel structure described in (1) above, the recess 17 has a left wall portion 21 and a right wall portion 22 which are side walls along both sides of the vehicle width direction of the placed display device 16, a front vertical wall portion 23 facing the front side of the display device 16, and an intermediate bottom portion 24 which is located above the left wall portion 21, the right wall portion 22 and the front vertical wall portion 23 and below the top surface 3, and the first bracket 19 is mounted spanning the intermediate bottom portion 24 and the front vertical wall portion 23.

[0043] In the instrument panel structure described in (2) above, the first bracket 19, which originally has a certain degree of rigidity, is attached across the intermediate bottom surface 24 and the front vertical wall 23, thereby ensuring the rigidity of the top surface 3 of the instrument panel 5.

[0044] (3) In one embodiment of the instrument panel structure described in (2) above, the intermediate bottom portion 24 has an inner intermediate bottom portion 24a that extends forward in connection with the upper end of the front vertical wall portion 23, and an outer intermediate bottom portion 24b that extends outward in the vehicle width direction, connected to both ends of the inner intermediate bottom portion 24a in the vehicle width direction, and the first bracket 19 is attached to the inner intermediate bottom portion 24a, the outer intermediate bottom portion 24b and the front vertical wall portion 23.

[0045] In the instrument panel structure described in (3) above, the first bracket 19, which originally has a reasonable degree of rigidity, is attached across the inner intermediate bottom surface 24a, the outer intermediate bottom surface 24b, and the front vertical wall 23, thereby improving the rigidity of the top surface 3, including the recess 17 and its vicinity.

[0046] (4) In one embodiment of the instrument panel structure described in (1) above, a second bracket 20 is provided inside the instrument panel 5, fixed to a recess 17 and supporting the antenna 18 of the Global Positioning System, and is positioned alongside the first bracket 19 in the vehicle width direction. The antenna 15 of the emergency call device supported by the first bracket 19 and the antenna 18 of the Global Positioning System supported by the second bracket 20 partially overlap in position when viewed in the vehicle width direction.

[0047] In the instrument panel structure described in (4) above, the antenna 15 of the emergency call device supported by the first bracket 19 and the antenna 18 of the global positioning system device supported by the second bracket 20 are arranged with their upper surfaces facing the windshield 2, which does not have an electromagnetic shielding effect, and their positions in the vertical direction are approximately equal. As a result, good communication can be achieved without obstruction of radio wave propagation or mutual interference.

[0048] (5) In one embodiment of the instrument panel structure described in (4) above, the antenna 15 of the emergency call device supported by the first bracket 19 and the antenna 18 of the global positioning system device supported by the second bracket 20 are located within a front-to-back region of 200 millimeters behind the contact area 9 between the instrument panel 5 and the windshield 2.

[0049] In the instrument panel structure described in (5) above, the antenna 15 of the emergency call device and the antenna 18 of the global positioning system are positioned close to the windshield 2, which does not have an electromagnetic shielding effect, so that both the antenna 15 of the emergency call device and the antenna 18 of the global positioning system can communicate well with the outside of the vehicle. Furthermore, since the antenna 15 of the emergency call device and the antenna 18 of the global positioning system are positioned close to the contact area 9 between the highly rigid windshield 2 and the instrument panel 5, the mounting of the antenna 15 of the emergency call device and the antenna 18 of the global positioning system is rigid and robust.

[0050] (6) In one embodiment of the instrument panel structure described in (3) above, the first bracket 19 has a bracket recess 19d facing the bottom 15a of the antenna 15 of the emergency call device, and the antenna 15 of the emergency call device has a sheet metal member 26 at its bottom 15a that straddles the bracket recess 19d of the first bracket 19 and connects both sides of the bracket recess 19d in the vehicle width direction.

[0051] In the instrument panel structure described in (6) above, the first bracket 19 can be made relatively thin and lightweight while still achieving the required rigidity by having a bracket recess 19d. Furthermore, the rigidity of the first bracket 19 can be strengthened by fastening the sheet metal member 26 so as to span both sides of the bracket recess 19d. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0052] 1…Vehicle 2…windshield 3…Top surface 3a…Bottom surface 4…Front panel of the vehicle 5…Instrument panel 6…Dash panel 7… Cowl upper panel 7a…Standing wall part 7b...Step-shaped section 7c…Connection part 8... Cowl top panel 8a... Inclined panel section 9…Contact site 10…Discharge port 11…Front defroster duct 12...Bend 13… Upper duct 14…Lower duct 14a...Rear side inclined surface part 15…Emergency call system antenna (first antenna) 15a...Bottom 16…Display device 16a... Rear of the display device 17…recess 18…Antenna of the Global Positioning System (2nd Antenna) 19…First bracket 19a…Bottom part 19b...Front wall part 19c...Slope section 19d…Bracket recess 20…Second bracket 21...Left side wall 22...Right side wall 23...Front standing wall part 24…Intermediate bottom part 24a…Inner middle bottom part 24b...Outer middle bottom part 25...legs 25a...Base 25b...Tip 25c…Body part 25d...Legs for fastening 26…Sheet metal components 26a... Fastening part

Claims

1. An instrument panel having a recess for positioning a display device at the top center in the vehicle width direction, with its top surface facing the vehicle's windshield, A first bracket is positioned inside the instrument panel and fixed to the recess to support the antenna of the emergency call device, An instrument panel structure equipped with [this feature].

2. The recess has side wall portions along both sides in the vehicle width direction of the positioned display device, a front vertical wall portion facing the front side of the display device, and an intermediate bottom portion located above the side wall portions and the front vertical wall portion and below the top surface. The first bracket is mounted spanning the intermediate bottom portion and the front vertical wall portion. The instrument panel structure according to claim 1.

3. The aforementioned intermediate bottom portion is An inner intermediate bottom surface portion extending forward, connected to the upper end of the aforementioned front vertical wall portion, The inner intermediate bottom surface has outer intermediate bottom surfaces that are connected to both ends in the vehicle width direction and extend outward in the vehicle width direction, The first bracket is attached to the inner intermediate bottom surface, the outer intermediate bottom surface, and the front vertical wall. The instrument panel structure according to claim 2.

4. A second bracket is provided on the inside of the instrument panel, fixed to the recess and supporting the antenna of the Global Positioning System, aligned with the first bracket in the vehicle width direction. The antenna of the emergency call device supported by the first bracket and the antenna of the global positioning system device supported by the second bracket partially overlap in position when viewed in the direction of the vehicle width. The instrument panel structure according to claim 1.

5. The antenna of the emergency call device supported by the first bracket and the antenna of the global positioning system device supported by the second bracket are located within a front-to-back region of 200 millimeters behind the contact point between the instrument panel and the windshield. The instrument panel structure according to claim 4.

6. The first bracket has a bracket recess facing the bottom surface of the antenna of the emergency call device, The antenna of the emergency call device has a sheet metal member on its bottom surface that straddles the bracket recess of the first bracket and connects both sides of the bracket recess in the vehicle width direction. The instrument panel structure according to claim 3.

Images