Interior structure

Abstract

The present invention provides an interior vehicle structure that is simple in structure, ensures safety, and allows the driver to perceive the depth axis and vertical axis. [Solution] In the passenger compartment 1a of the vehicle 1, the meter hood 13 is positioned around the meter 12 and near the steering wheel 11. The meter hood 13 has two linear sections 13a and 13b, each extending in the front-rear direction and spaced apart from each other in the vehicle width direction. The two linear sections 13a and 13b are positioned so that they are visible to the driver above the rim of the steering wheel 11 and below the lower edge 17a of the front windshield 17. Furthermore, the two linear sections 13a and 13b are aligned along a central virtual axis L passing through the driver's seating center and the vanishing point Pv. DC When drawing, in the vehicle width direction, the central virtual axis L DC They are arranged in a line-symmetric relationship with respect to each other.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This invention relates to the interior structure of a vehicle, and more particularly to the structure in front of the driver. [Background technology]

[0002] For a driver to drive as intended, it is crucial to allow the driver to recognize the correspondence with the vanishing point (vertical axis) to stabilize their head, and to allow the driver to perceive the foreground through a reference point for the vehicle's position (depth axis). Various research and development efforts are being made to enable drivers to drive as intended.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a configuration in which a projection is provided on the top of the meter hood as a vanishing point marker. The projection in Patent Document 1 is disclosed to be positioned on a virtual axis extending toward the driver from the vanishing point when the driver is seated in the driver's seat and looking ahead.

[0004] Furthermore, Patent Document 2 discloses a configuration in which the contour lines of a part of the interior structure of a vehicle are provided to substantially coincide with a virtual axis line that radiates from the vanishing point when a driver seated in the driver's seat looks ahead. Patent Document 2 also discloses that the ridge lines on both sides in the vehicle width direction of the meter hood can be used as the contour lines described above.

[0005] Furthermore, Patent Document 3 discloses a configuration that can project the shape of the road ahead at a predetermined time onto the front windshield based on information acquired from a navigation device. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2019-38405 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2019-38404 [Patent Document 3] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2009-190537 [Overview of the Initiative] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0007] However, each of the configurations disclosed in the above-mentioned Patent Documents 1 to 3 is considered to have room for improvement. Specifically, in the configuration disclosed in Patent Document 1, a projection (vanishing point marker) is provided on the top of the meter hood, but since this projection is provided so as to protrude above the rim of the steering wheel, there is concern that it may cause the driver to feel pressured and obstruct their forward view. Furthermore, if the configuration disclosed in Patent Document 1 is to be adopted, there is concern that the degree of design freedom in the vehicle interior will be reduced.

[0008] Furthermore, in the configuration disclosed in Patent Document 2, the ridges on both sides in the vehicle width direction of the meter hood are made to coincide approximately with the virtual axis. Therefore, there is a concern that adopting the configuration disclosed in Patent Document 2 would reduce the design freedom within the vehicle interior.

[0009] Furthermore, the configuration disclosed in Patent Document 3 above projects the shape of the road ahead after a predetermined time onto the front windshield. However, since the projected road shape differs from the actual foreground seen by the driver, it may cause annoyance to the driver.

[0010] The present invention aims to solve the above-mentioned problems and provides an in-vehicle structure that is simple in structure, ensures safety, and allows the driver to perceive the depth axis and the vertical axis. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] First, the inventors, through diligent study, have found that by arranging lines (line segments) along the lane markings of the vehicle being driven symmetrically (equally or oppositely) at the driver's seating center within the vehicle cabin, the driver's head can be stabilized, and by aligning these positions with the holopter surface, the driver can drive as intended. The holopter surface extends laterally from the driver's seating center, appearing to move further forward from the driver as it moves from the seating center, and closer to the driver as it moves to the left and right of the seating center.

[0012] Therefore, an interior structure of a vehicle according to one aspect of the present invention comprises a steering wheel positioned in front of the driver's seat, a meter positioned in front of the steering wheel and visible to the driver within the rim of the steering wheel, and a meter peripheral member positioned around the meter and near the steering wheel, wherein the meter peripheral member has two linear portions, each extending in the front-rear direction and spaced apart from each other in the vehicle width direction, and the two linear portions are positioned visible to the driver above the rim of the steering wheel and below the lower edge of the front windshield, and when drawing a virtual central axis passing through the seating center of the driver seated in the driver's seat and a vanishing point, the two linear portions are positioned in a symmetrical relationship with respect to the virtual central axis in the vehicle width direction.

[0013] The vehicle interior structure according to the above embodiment includes a meter surround member having two linear sections. Each of the two linear sections in the meter surround member appears to the driver as following an imaginary line that radiates outwards from the vanishing point into the vehicle interior. Therefore, by looking at each of the two linear sections, the driver can perceive their own lane (depth axis perception).

[0014] Furthermore, in the above embodiment of the vehicle interior structure, the two linear sections are arranged in a symmetrical relationship with respect to the central virtual axis. Therefore, the driver can stabilize their head (perceive the vertical axis) by looking at the two linear sections.

[0015] Note that the "line symmetry" mentioned above does not necessarily require that the two line parts be formed in a completely line-symmetrical relationship. That is, the "line symmetry" mentioned above only requires that a driver who views the two line parts can perceive the vertical axis, and it means that even those with different angles and line segment lengths within the range of manufacturing errors are included. The same applies hereinafter.

[0016] In addition, since the two line parts are provided on the meter peripheral member, compared with the above Patent Document 3, it is possible to suppress the annoyance of the driver during driving and ensure safety.

[0017] Moreover, the vehicle interior structure according to the above aspect only has a simple configuration of two line parts formed on the meter peripheral member in order to enable the driver to perceive the depth axis and the vertical axis. Therefore, since the above vehicle interior structure does not have a complicated structure as disclosed in the above Patent Document 3, it is possible to facilitate manufacturing and suppress an increase in manufacturing cost.

[0018] In the vehicle interior structure according to the above aspect, the two line parts may be arranged parallel to each other in a plan view from above, and may be arranged parallel to the vehicle horizontal axis extending in the front-rear direction in a side view from the side in the vehicle width direction.

[0019] The vehicle interior structure according to the above aspect is provided with two line parts that are parallel to each other in a plan view and parallel to the vehicle horizontal axis in a side view. Therefore, a driver who views the two line parts can see that the intervals between the line parts narrow toward the front along the virtual lines extending radially as described above. Thus, the above vehicle interior structure can enable the driver to perceive the depth axis and the vertical axis only by providing a simple configuration of two line parts parallel to each other in a plan view on the meter peripheral member. Even if there are physical differences among drivers, by providing the two line parts as described above, the driver can perceive the two line parts along the lane in which the own vehicle is traveling.

[0020] In the above, "parallel to each other" means that the vertical inclination of the two line sections is in the range of 3 degrees to 0 degrees and they are positioned side by side. Also, in the above, "parallel to the vehicle's horizontal axis" means that each line section is positioned within a range of ±3 degrees relative to the vehicle's horizontal axis.

[0021] In the vehicle interior structure according to the above embodiment, the two lines may be provided so as to be visible to the driver along an optical flow that radiates outward from the vanishing point toward the vehicle interior.

[0022] The interior structure of the vehicle according to the above embodiment is provided with two lines that are visible along the optical flow, making it easier for the driver to perceive their own lane (perception of the depth axis) by viewing each of the two lines.

[0023] In the vehicle interior structure according to the above embodiment, each of the two line portions may have a length that allows it to be seen at an angle of 5 degrees or more in the driver's vertical field of vision.

[0024] In the above-described interior structure of a vehicle, each line section is formed to have a length that allows the driver to see it at an angle of 5 degrees or more in their vertical field of vision, thus minimizing the discrepancy between the vehicle's position and the road shape of the lane it is traveling in. Therefore, the above-described interior structure can further reduce the sense of unease the driver experiences.

[0025] In the vehicle interior structure according to the above embodiment, the two line portions may be positioned inward from the outer circumference of the rim of the steering wheel in the vehicle width direction.

[0026] In the above-described interior structure, the two line segments are positioned in the vehicle width direction, inside the outer circumference of the steering wheel rim, that is, along the holopter surface in an area close to the driver's seating center, that is, close to the center of the field of vision. As a result, even when looking at something far away, the line segments become easier to perceive clearly within the field of vision, and the driver's perception of the depth axis and vertical axis becomes even easier.

[0027] In the vehicle interior structure according to the above embodiment, the meter surrounding member is a meter hood arranged to cover an area from above the meter to diagonally above, and the portion above the meter may include a ceiling portion having an upper surface aligned with the vehicle's horizontal axis. In this case, the two lines may be provided on the upper surface of the ceiling portion.

[0028] In the above embodiment, the interior structure of the vehicle is equipped with a meter hood as a component surrounding the meter, and the upper surface of the ceiling is formed as a plane aligned with the vehicle's horizontal axis. The two lines are formed on the upper surface of the flat ceiling. By forming the two lines in this way, the driver can be given a sense of depth and vertical axis without making significant layout changes from the interior structure of existing vehicles.

[0029] In the vehicle interior structure according to the above embodiment, the meter peripheral member may be a cover comprising a left-upper diagonal cover portion arranged to cover the left-upper diagonal of the meter and a right-upper diagonal cover portion arranged to cover the right-upper diagonal of the meter, with an opening between the left-upper diagonal cover portion and the right-upper diagonal cover portion in the vehicle width direction. In this case, one of the two lines may be the edge portion of the left-upper diagonal cover portion facing the opening, and the other may be the edge portion of the right-upper diagonal cover portion facing the opening.

[0030] In the above-described interior structure, a cover with an opening between the upper left diagonal cover portion and the upper right diagonal cover portion is used as a component around the meter. Therefore, in the above-described interior structure, without reducing the steering column angle, the cover is prevented from obstructing the driver's gaze when shifting their gaze between the meter and the foreground.

[0031] In the above embodiment of the interior structure of a vehicle, a front pillar is provided that extends vertically along the side edge of the front windshield, and the front pillar may be provided such that the lower edge, which is the lower end, extends smoothly from the outside in the vehicle width direction to the inside in the vehicle width direction as it goes from the rear to the front.

[0032] In the above-described interior structure, the lower edge of the front pillar is provided to extend smoothly from the outside in the vehicle width direction to the inside as it moves from the rear to the front, so that the lower edge appears to the driver as if it were following an imaginary line that radiates outward from the vanishing point into the interior of the vehicle. Therefore, the above-described interior structure is even more suitable for enabling the driver to perceive their own lane (perception of the depth axis). Although the lower edge of the front pillar is located outward in the left-right direction from the driver's seating center, as described above, the further it is outward in the left-right direction from the seating center, the closer it appears to the driver.

[0033] Furthermore, within a person's field of vision, peripheral vision has lower cognitive function compared to central vision; however, even in peripheral vision, cognitive function is ensured if the image lies on the holopter surface. [Effects of the Invention]

[0034] The interior structure of each of the above embodiments is constructed with a simple structure and allows the driver to perceive the depth axis and vertical axis while ensuring safety. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0035] [Figure 1] This diagram shows a portion of the interior structure of a vehicle according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a plan view of the meter hood of the first embodiment, seen from above. [Figure 3] This is a schematic diagram showing the arrangement of the lines of the meter hood with respect to the vehicle's horizontal axis. [Figure 4] This is a schematic diagram showing the relationship between the driver's vertical field of vision and the length of the lines. [Figure 5](a) is a diagram showing the front pillar of an embodiment, and (b) is a diagram showing the front pillar of a comparative example. [Figure 6] This figure shows a portion of the interior structure of a vehicle according to the second embodiment. [Figure 7] This is a plan view of the cover of the second embodiment, seen from above. [Figure 8] (a) is a schematic diagram showing the relationship between the arrangement of meters and the steering post angle in the interior structure of a vehicle according to Comparative Example 1, (b) is a schematic diagram showing the relationship between the arrangement of meters and the steering post angle in the interior structure of a vehicle according to Comparative Example 2, and (c) is a schematic diagram showing the relationship between the arrangement of meters and the steering post angle in the interior structure of a vehicle according to the second embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0036] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The embodiments described below are illustrative examples of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to these embodiments except for its essential configuration.

[0037] Furthermore, in the diagrams used in the following explanation, "FR" indicates the front of the vehicle, "RR" indicates the rear of the vehicle, "LH" indicates the left side of the vehicle, "RH" indicates the right side of the vehicle, "UP" indicates the top of the vehicle, and "LO" indicates the bottom of the vehicle.

[0038] [First Embodiment] 1. Vehicle interior structure The interior structure of the vehicle according to the first embodiment will be explained with reference to Figure 1. Figure 1 is a diagram showing a part of the structure of the vehicle interior 1a as seen from the driver's seat looking forward.

[0039] Vehicle 1 according to this embodiment includes a steering wheel 11, a meter 12, a meter hood (meter surrounding member) 13, and an air conditioning vent 14 within the passenger compartment 1a. The steering wheel 11 is located in front of the driver's seat (not shown). The meter 12 provides the driver with information such as the vehicle's speed and is located in front of the steering wheel 11. In vehicle 1, the meter 12 is positioned so that it can be seen by the driver seated in the driver's seat, within the rim 11a of the steering wheel 11 and on the hub 11b. The meter hood 13 is located around the meter 12 and is positioned near the steering wheel 11. The air conditioning vents 14 are located below the meter hood 13 and on both the left and right sides of the meter 12.

[0040] Vehicle 1 comprises a front pillar 15, side doors 16, and a front windshield 17. The front pillar 15 is positioned on both sides in the vehicle width direction in front of the passenger compartment 1a and extends toward the roof. The side doors 16 are provided on both sides of the front seats (only one side door 16 is shown in Figure 1). The trim of the side doors 16 is provided so as to extend in the front-rear direction on both sides in the vehicle width direction. The front windshield 17 is provided so as to separate the passenger compartment 1a from the area in front of it.

[0041] The meter hood 13 has two lines 13a and 13b on the ceiling portion 13d on the steering wheel 11 side. The two lines 13a and 13b will be described later, but they are formed to extend in the front-rear direction parallel to each other. The two lines 13a and 13b on the meter hood 13 are positioned so that they can be seen by the driver seated in the driver's seat on the rim 11a of the steering wheel 11.

[0042] Furthermore, the two lines 13a and 13b are positioned so that they can be seen by the driver seated in the driver's seat below the lower edge 17a of the front windshield 17.

[0043] A central virtual axis L passes through the center of the driver's seat and the vanishing point Pv in the foreground of vehicle 1. DC Draw a line. In this case, the two line sections 13a and 13b are the central virtual axis L DC They are arranged in a symmetrical relationship with respect to each other in the left-right direction (vehicle width direction).

[0044] Furthermore, the two lines 13a and 13b are positioned inward in the vehicle width direction compared to the outer circumference of the steering wheel 11 (the outer circumference of the rim 11a). As a result, the two lines 13a and 13b are located within the driver's field of vision (within the stable field of view). Therefore, the two lines 13a and 13b are clearly visible to the driver.

[0045] When vehicle 1 is in motion, the driver can see lines 13a and 13b along the optical flows OFa and OFb, which are located inside the left and right lane markings LN1 and LN2, which are perceived to radiate from the vanishing point Pv toward the passenger compartment 1a.

[0046] 2. Configuration of the meter hood 13 The configuration of the meter hood 13 will be explained using Figures 2 to 4.

[0047] As shown in Figure 2, the meter hood 13 is provided with two linear sections 13a and 13b having a predetermined length extending forward from the rear edge 13c on the side of the steering wheel 11 (see Figure 1). The two linear sections 13a and 13b are provided on the ceiling section 13d which is aligned with the horizontal axis of the vehicle. The ceiling section 13d is located in the middle of the vehicle width direction and in a region with a predetermined length extending forward from the rear edge 13c.

[0048] Here, the two lines 13a and 13b are not particularly limited in their specific configuration as long as they are visible to the driver. For example, they may be formed as lines that are more convex or concave than other parts of the ceiling 13d, or they may be painted in a different color from other parts. Furthermore, decorative members may be used to form the lines 13a and 13b. In addition, the lines 13a and 13b may be composed of line lighting capable of emitting line-shaped light.

[0049] As described above, the two line sections 13a and 13b are arranged parallel to each other. In this case, "parallel to each other" means that the vertical inclination of the two line sections 13a and 13b is in the range of 3 degrees to 0 degrees.

[0050] Furthermore, both line sections 13a and 13b are arranged so as to be parallel to the vehicle's horizontal axis. In this case, "parallel to the vehicle's horizontal axis" means that, as shown in Figure 3, each line section 13a and 13b is provided within a range of ±3 degrees with respect to the vehicle's horizontal axis AxVH. That is, in this embodiment, it includes not only cases where line sections 13a and 13b are parallel to the vehicle's horizontal axis AxVH, but also line sections 13a1, 13a2, 13b1, and 13b2 that have a slight inclination within a range of ±3 degrees.

[0051] As shown in Figure 4, the wire sections 13a and 13b provided on the ceiling portion 13d of the meter hood 13 have a length L in the front-rear direction. In this embodiment, the wire sections 13a and 13b are provided such that their front ends 13a3 and 13b3 coincide with the front end of the ceiling portion 13d, and their rear ends 13a4 and 13b4 coincide with the rear end of the ceiling portion 13d. However, the front ends 13a3 and 13b3 of the wire sections 13a and 13b may be located behind the front end of the ceiling portion 13d, or the rear ends 13a4 and 13b4 of the wire sections 13a and 13b may be located in front of the rear end of the ceiling portion 13d.

[0052] When a driver seated in the driver's seat views lines 13a and 13b, they are visible between lines of sight LNv1 and LNv2. In this case, the length L of lines 13a and 13b is set such that the angle θ between lines of sight LNv1 and LNv2 is 5 degrees or more. As a result, the driver can perceive that lines 13a and 13b follow the general lane markings LN1 and LN2 (see Figure 1) among optical flow OFa and OFb.

[0053] 3. Configuration of the front pillar 15 The configuration of the front pillar 15 in vehicle 1 will be explained using Figure 5. Figure 5(a) shows a part of the front pillar 15 of vehicle 1 according to this embodiment, and Figure 5(b) shows a part of the front pillar 95 of a vehicle according to a comparative example. Note that only the left front pillar 15 is shown in Figure 5(a), but the right front pillar 15 has a configuration that is symmetrical to the left front pillar 15 shown in Figure 5(a).

[0054] As shown in Figure 5(a), the front pillar 15 of the vehicle 1 according to this embodiment is formed such that the lower end edge 15b of the lower end portion (root portion) 15a smoothly displaces from the outside in the vehicle width direction to the inside in the vehicle width direction as it moves from the rear to the front.

[0055] In contrast, as shown in Figure 5(b), the front pillar 95 of the comparative example is provided such that the lower edge 95b of the lower end portion 95a faces from the inside in the vehicle width direction to the outside in the vehicle width direction in the front portion (indicated by arrow A2). That is, in the vehicle of the comparative example, the lower edge 95b of the front pillar 95 is formed to face from the outside in the vehicle width direction to the inside in the vehicle width direction in the rear portion, similar to the lower edge 15b of the embodiment, but in the front portion it is formed to face in the opposite direction, from the inside in the vehicle width direction to the outside in the vehicle width direction.

[0056] As described above, the front pillar 15 of the vehicle 1 according to this embodiment is formed such that the lower edge 15b of the front portion (the portion indicated by arrow A1) is oriented from the outside in the vehicle width direction to the inside in the vehicle width direction. The lower edge 15b having such a shape is a line portion that is visible to the driver so as to conform to the shape of the driver's holopter. As described above, the holopter surface is the seating center (center virtual axis L) when the driver is seated in the driver's seat. DC A surface extending from ) in the left-right direction, with a virtual central axis L DC The closer it is, the further it is from the driver in front, and the central virtual axis L DC The surface is designed to appear closer to the driver as it moves away from the driver in the left-right direction. In this embodiment, the lower edge 15b of the vehicle 1 is visible along the holopter surface at the lower end 15a of the front pillar 15. This stabilizes the driver's head movement.

[0057] 4. Effects The structure inside the passenger compartment 1a of the vehicle 1 according to this embodiment includes a meter hood (meter surrounding member) 13 having two linear sections 13a and 13b. Each of the two linear sections 13a and 13b in the meter hood 13 appears to the driver to follow a virtual line (optical flow OFa, OFb) that radiates from the vanishing point Pv into the passenger compartment 1a. Therefore, by looking at each of the two linear sections 13a and 13b, the driver can perceive their own lane (depth axis perception).

[0058] Furthermore, in the vehicle 1 according to this embodiment, the structure inside the passenger compartment 1a is such that two linear sections 13a and 13b form a central virtual axis L DC The two lines 13a and 13b are arranged symmetrically to each other in the left-right direction. Therefore, the driver can stabilize their head (perceive the vertical axis) by looking at the two lines 13a and 13b.

[0059] Furthermore, since the two wire sections 13a and 13b are provided on the meter hood 13, the configuration is improved compared to the above-mentioned Patent Document 3, and safety can be ensured by minimizing inconvenience to the driver while driving.

[0060] Furthermore, the structure of the passenger compartment 1a in the vehicle 1 according to this embodiment is simply provided with two lines 13a and 13b formed on the meter hood 13 to allow the driver to perceive the depth axis and the vertical axis. Therefore, since the structure of the passenger compartment 1a according to this embodiment does not have a complex structure like the one disclosed in Patent Document 3, it is possible to manufacture it easily and suppress increases in manufacturing costs.

[0061] Furthermore, the structure inside the passenger compartment 1a according to this embodiment is provided with two lines 13a and 13b that are parallel to each other in a plan view and parallel to the vehicle's horizontal axis AxVH in a side view. Therefore, when a driver sees the two lines 13a and 13b, they can perceive that each line 13a and 13b follows the optical flow OFa and OFb, and that the distance between them narrows towards the front. Thus, the structure inside the passenger compartment 1a according to this embodiment allows the driver to perceive the depth axis and vertical axis simply by providing the meter hood 13 with a simple configuration of two lines 13a and 13b that are parallel to each other in a plan view. Even if there are differences in the driver's physique, by providing the two lines 13a and 13b in the manner described in this embodiment, the driver can perceive the two lines 13a and 13b as being in line with the lane in which their vehicle is traveling.

[0062] Furthermore, the structure inside the passenger compartment 1a according to this embodiment is provided with two lines 13a and 13b that are visible along the optical flows OFa and OFb, making it easier for the driver to accurately perceive their own lane (perception of the depth axis) by visually observing each of the two lines 13a and 13b.

[0063] Furthermore, in the structure of the passenger compartment 1a according to this embodiment, each line section 13a, 13b is formed to have a length L that can be seen by the driver at an angle of 5 degrees or more in the vertical field of view, so that the deviation from the road shape of the lane in which the vehicle (vehicle 1) is traveling can be kept to a minimum. Therefore, in the structure of the passenger compartment 1a according to this embodiment, the sense of discomfort experienced by the driver can be further reduced.

[0064] Furthermore, in the structure of the passenger compartment 1a according to this embodiment, in the vehicle width direction, the two linear portions 13a and 13b are located inside the outer circumference of the rim 11a of the steering wheel 11, that is, the driver's seating center (center virtual axis L DC Because it is positioned along the holopter surface in an area close to the center of the field of view, even when looking at distant objects, line segments become easier to recognize clearly within the field of view, and the driver's perception of the depth axis and vertical axis becomes even easier.

[0065] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the structure of the passenger compartment 1a is such that the upper surface of the ceiling portion 13d of the meter hood 13 is a plane that aligns with the vehicle's horizontal axis AxVH. Since the two lines 13a and 13b are located on the upper surface of the plane ceiling portion 13d, the driver can be given a sense of depth and vertical axis without making significant layout changes from the passenger compartment structure of existing vehicles.

[0066] As described above, the structure of the passenger compartment 1a of the vehicle 1 according to this embodiment is configured with a simple structure and allows the driver to perceive the depth axis and the vertical axis while ensuring safety.

[0067] [Second Embodiment] The structure of the passenger compartment 1a of the vehicle 1 according to the second embodiment will be explained with reference to Figures 6 to 8. Note that Figure 6 shows only a portion of the structure of the passenger compartment 1a. The configurations that are not shown are the same as those in the first embodiment described above.

[0068] As shown in Figure 6, the structure inside the passenger compartment 1a according to this embodiment includes a cover 23 as a meter peripheral member positioned around the meter 12. This is a difference from the first embodiment described above. The cover 23 is positioned in front of the steering wheel 11. The cover 23 comprises two cover portions 23b and 23c.

[0069] One of the two cover parts 23b and 23c is arranged to cover the upper left diagonal of the meter 12. The other cover part 23c is arranged to cover the upper right diagonal of the meter 12. In this specification, the cover part 23b may be described as the upper left diagonal cover part, and the cover part 23c may be described as the upper right diagonal cover part.

[0070] The upper left diagonal cover part 23b and the upper right diagonal cover part 23c are configured to have a line symmetry relationship with respect to the central virtual axis L DC that passes through the seating center of the driver seated in the driver's seat and the vanishing point Pv (see FIG. 1) in the foreground of the vehicle 1.

[0071] Between the upper left diagonal cover part 23b and the upper right diagonal cover part 23c in the vehicle width direction, it is opened upward (opening 23a).

[0072] The upper ends of the respective cover parts 23b and 23c are arranged on the radially outer side of the outer circumference of the steering wheel 11 and are arranged below the lower end line L CR (corresponding to the lower edge 17a in FIG. 1) of the front windshield 17. The driver seated in the driver's seat can visually recognize the upper ends of the cover parts 23b and 23c between the outer circumference of the steering wheel 11 and the lower end line L CR of the front windshield 17.

[0073] As shown in FIG. 7, the cover 23 is provided such that in a plan view from above, the upper left diagonal cover part 23b and the upper right diagonal cover part 23c face each other with the opening 23a interposed therebetween. An HUD (Head-Up Display) hole 1b is provided in the front part of the opening 23a.

[0074] The edges facing the opening 23a in each of the upper left diagonal cover part 23b and the upper right diagonal cover part 23c constitute line parts 23d and 23e. The two line parts 23d and 23e facing each other in the vehicle width direction with the opening 23a interposed therebetween are arranged to have a line symmetry relationship with respect to the central virtual axis L DC (see FIG. 6).

[0075] Furthermore, the two lines 23d and 23e are positioned inward in the vehicle width direction from the outer circumference of the steering wheel 11. As a result, similar to the first embodiment described above, the two lines 23d and 23e are located within the driver's field of vision (within the stable field of view). Therefore, the two lines 23d and 23e are clearly visible to the driver.

[0076] Furthermore, the two lines 23d and 23e on the cover 23 are arranged parallel to each other in a plan view from above, and parallel to the vehicle's horizontal axis in a side view from the vehicle width direction, similar to the two lines 13a and 13b in the first embodiment described above. The meaning of "parallel" in this case is the same as described above.

[0077] The opening 23a of the cover 23 is provided such that the width between the lines 23d and 23e is narrower than the width of the portion further forward. This prevents the portion of the cover 23 that is forward of the left upper diagonal cover portion 23b and the right upper diagonal cover portion 23c from overlapping with the two lines 23d and 23e when the driver is seated in the driver's seat and looking forward. Therefore, the driver can clearly see the two lines 23d and 23e while driving the vehicle 1.

[0078] Next, the reason for adopting a cover 23 that does not have a ceiling portion 13d like the meter hood 13 of the first embodiment described above will be explained with reference to Figure 8.

[0079] As shown in Figure 7, the cover 23 has an opening 23a between the two lines 23d and 23e. This is to allow the driver to concentrate on driving without reducing the steering post angle, by ensuring that there are no structures that obstruct the driver's line of sight when moving between the meter 12, which is located within the rim 11a of the steering wheel 11 (see Figure 1), and the foreground. For example, in an interior structure that employs a meter hood 923 that covers the upper part of the meter 12, as shown in Figure 8(a), the driver 500's line of sight LN V3 ,LN V4When shifting your gaze upwards from a position where you are viewing meter 12 to look at the foreground, a portion of the meter hood 923 becomes visible in between.

[0080] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 8(b), the line of sight LN of the driver 500 who is viewing the foreground. V3 ,LN V4 To avoid obstruction, let's assume the steering wheel 11 and meter 12 are lowered as indicated by arrow B1. In this case, the angle θ2 of the steering shaft central axis Ax11 with respect to the vehicle's horizontal axis (steering post angle) must be smaller than the angle θ1 shown in Figure 8(a). When the steering post angle θ2 is small in this way, the operability of the steering wheel 11 during turns becomes poor.

[0081] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 8(b), when attempting to lower the steering wheel 11, the steering wheel 11 will come into contact with the driver's 500's lower limbs, as indicated by arrow B2, making it impossible to actually adopt the configuration shown in Figure 8(b).

[0082] In contrast, as shown in Figure 8(c), in this embodiment, the cover 23 has an opening 23a above the meter 12 (see Figures 6 and 7), so the driver 500's line of sight LN V3 ,LN V4 When the driver wants to look at the foreground from a position where they are viewing the meter 12, they can shift their gaze through the opening 23a provided in the cover 23. Therefore, the structure of the passenger compartment 1a according to this embodiment allows the driver to concentrate on driving.

[0083] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 8(c), the structure of the passenger compartment 1a according to this embodiment does not obstruct the driver's view of the foreground even without reducing the steering post angle θ3, which is the angle of the steering shaft central axis Ax11 with respect to the vehicle's horizontal axis, as shown in Figure 8(b). Therefore, the structure of the passenger compartment 1a according to this embodiment can ensure high operability of the steering wheel 11 while enabling smooth eye movement between the meter 12 and the foreground.

[0084] The structure of the passenger compartment 1a in the vehicle 1 according to this embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that it includes a cover 23 as a meter surrounding member, but the other configurations are the same. Therefore, the structure of the passenger compartment 1a in the vehicle 1 according to this embodiment can obtain the same effects as the first embodiment.

[0085] Furthermore, in the vehicle 1 according to this embodiment, the structure inside the passenger compartment 1a employs a cover 23 as a meter surrounding member, which has an opening 23a between the upper left diagonal cover portion 23b and the upper right diagonal cover portion 23c. As a result, as described above, high operability of the steering wheel 11 during turns can be ensured, and the cover is prevented from obstructing the driver's gaze when shifting their gaze between the meter and the foreground.

[0086] In addition, the line sections 23d and 23e in this embodiment may also be configured as line lighting capable of emitting line-shaped light, similar to the line sections 13a and 13b in the first embodiment described above.

[0087] [Differentiation] In the first and second embodiments described above, the line portions 13a, 13b, 23d, and 23e were assumed to be straight line segments extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. However, the present invention is not limited to structures in which the line portions are formed in a straight line. For example, the line may be curved within a range that can be visually perceived by the driver along the optical flow OFa and OFb. Furthermore, it is not essential that the line portions are continuous line segments; they may be a series of convex or concave portions arranged in a linear fashion. In this case, it is desirable that the spacing between the convex portions and concave portions be within a range that allows the driver to recall the line portion.

[0088] Furthermore, in the first and second embodiments described above, the lines 13a, 13b, 23d, and 23e were assumed to be parallel to the vehicle's horizontal axis. However, in the present invention, they do not necessarily have to be parallel depending on the driver's seating height. For example, in the case of a truck where the seating position is relatively high, the lines can be inclined so that the front is positioned lower than the rear. Also, in the case of a low vehicle height and a relatively low seating position, the lines can be inclined so that the front is positioned higher than the rear.

[0089] Furthermore, in the first and second embodiments described above, two wire sections 13a, 13b, 23d, and 23e were provided on each of the meter peripheral members (meter hood 13 and cover 23), but in the present invention, four or more wire sections may be provided.

[0090] Furthermore, in the first and second embodiments described above, the shape of the lower edge 15b of the front pillar 15 is as shown in Figure 5(a). However, the present invention does not necessarily require the adoption of a front pillar having the lower edge shape shown in Figure 5(a). For example, it is also possible to adopt a front pillar 95 having the lower edge 95b shape shown in Figure 5(b).

[0091] Furthermore, while the first and second embodiments described above used a so-called left-hand drive vehicle, in which the steering wheel 11 is located on the left side of the passenger compartment 1a, as an example, the present invention can also be applied to right-hand drive vehicles. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0092] 1a Cabin 11 Steering Wheel 12 meters 13. Meter hood (meter surrounding components) 13a,13b,23d,23e Line part 15 Front pillar 23 Cover (Meter surrounding components) L DC Central virtual axis OFa, OFb Optical Flow Pv vanishing point

Claims

1. The steering wheel is located in front of the driver's seat, A meter positioned in front of the steering wheel and visible to the driver within the rim of the steering wheel, A meter peripheral member located around the meter and near the steering wheel, Equipped with, Each of the meter surrounding members has two linear sections that extend in the front-rear direction and are spaced apart from each other in the vehicle width direction. The two lines mentioned above are, The driver is positioned so as to be visible above the rim of the steering wheel and below the lower edge of the front windshield, When drawing a virtual central axis passing through the seating center of the driver seated in the driver's seat and the vanishing point, the following arrangements are arranged in a symmetrical relationship with respect to the virtual central axis in the vehicle width direction: Vehicle interior structure.

2. The two aforementioned lines are arranged parallel to each other in a plan view from above, and are also arranged parallel to the vehicle's horizontal axis extending in the longitudinal direction in a side view from the side in the vehicle width direction. The vehicle interior structure according to claim 1.

3. The two aforementioned lines are positioned to be visible to the driver, along the optical flow that radiates outward from the vanishing point towards the interior of the vehicle. The vehicle interior structure according to claim 1.

4. Each of the two aforementioned line sections has a length that allows it to be seen at an angle of 5 degrees or more in the driver's vertical field of view. The vehicle interior structure according to claim 1.

5. The two aforementioned line portions are positioned inward from the outer circumference of the rim of the steering wheel in the vehicle width direction. The vehicle interior structure according to claim 1.

6. The meter surrounding member is a meter hood arranged to cover the area from above the meter to diagonally above, and the portion above the meter is provided with a ceiling portion having an upper surface aligned with the vehicle's horizontal axis. The two lines mentioned above are provided on the upper surface of the ceiling portion. The vehicle interior structure according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. The meter peripheral member comprises a left-upper diagonal cover portion positioned to cover the left-upper diagonal of the meter, and a right-upper diagonal cover portion positioned to cover the right-upper diagonal of the meter, and is a cover with an opening between the left-upper diagonal cover portion and the right-upper diagonal cover portion in the vehicle width direction. The two lines are such that one is the edge of the upper left diagonal cover portion facing the opening, and the other is the edge of the upper right diagonal cover portion facing the opening. The vehicle interior structure according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

8. It features a front pillar that extends vertically along the side edge of the front windshield, The aforementioned front pillar is provided such that its lower edge extends smoothly from the outer side in the vehicle width direction to the inner side in the vehicle width direction as it moves from the rear to the front. The vehicle interior structure according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

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