Installation structure of emergency call device

Abstract

To provide an emergency call device mounting structure that enables the proper installation of an emergency call device not only on the driver's side but also on other sides. [Solution] The instrument panel 1 has a vertical surface portion 2 that extends vertically toward the rear of the vehicle compartment, an airbag storage body 3 that is provided projecting forward from the vertical surface portion 2 and houses an airbag unit 4 so that the airbag deploys toward the rear, and a bracket 8 having a fixing portion 8a fixed to the airbag storage body 3 and an emergency call device mounting portion 8b for attaching an emergency call device 7 that communicates wirelessly with the outside of the vehicle compartment. Installation structure for emergency call devices.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an attachment structure of an emergency notification device.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an attachment structure of an emergency notification device that attaches the emergency notification device to a high-rigidity anti-retreat bracket related to a support portion of a brake pedal.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The attachment structure of the emergency notification device of Patent Document 1 arranges the emergency notification device on the driver's seat side where there is a brake pedal, and does not consider arranging the emergency notification device on the passenger seat side. That is, the degree of freedom in arranging the emergency notification device is limited.

[0005] On the other hand, the emergency notification device of a vehicle needs to surely maintain the communication function even when the vehicle body is deformed.

[0006] The technology of the present disclosure has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide an attachment structure of an emergency notification device that enables the emergency notification device to be appropriately attached not only on the driver's seat side.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] One emergency call device mounting structure of the present disclosure comprises an instrument panel having a vertical surface portion extending vertically toward the rear of the vehicle compartment; an airbag housing provided on the vertical surface portion projecting forward and housing an airbag unit such that the airbag deploys toward the rear; a bracket having a fixing portion fixed to the airbag housing portion and an emergency call device mounting portion for mounting an emergency call device that communicates wirelessly with the outside of the vehicle compartment. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] One of the emergency call device mounting structures disclosed herein makes it possible to properly mount the emergency call device not only on the driver's side but also in other locations. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] This is a cross-sectional view showing the mounting structure of the vehicle emergency call device of this disclosure. [Figure 2] Figure 1 is a perspective view of the bracket in the mounting structure of the vehicle emergency call device, viewed from one viewpoint. [Figure 3] Figure 1 is a perspective view of the bracket in the mounting structure of the vehicle emergency call device, seen from a different viewpoint. [Figure 4] This figure shows the mounting configuration of the bracket in the mounting structure of the vehicle emergency call device shown in Figure 1. [Figure 5] This diagram illustrates the operation of the vehicle emergency call device shown in Figure 1. [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 mounting structure for a vehicle emergency call device according to one aspect of this disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In Figures 1 to 5, 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 represents the depth direction of the paper, which is not shown in Figure 1, and Lw represents the front direction of the paper.

[0013] In Figure 1, the mounting structure for the emergency call device of this disclosure comprises an instrument panel 1 having a vertical surface portion 2 extending vertically toward the rear of the vehicle compartment; an airbag storage body 3 provided projecting forward from the vertical surface portion 2 and housing an airbag unit 4 so that the airbag deploys toward the rear; a bracket 8 having a fixing portion 8a fixed to the airbag storage body 3 and an emergency call device mounting portion 8b for mounting an emergency call device 7 that communicates wirelessly with the outside of the vehicle compartment.

[0014] The vehicle's instrument panel 1 has a vertical surface 2 that extends vertically toward the rear of the passenger compartment. Here, "vertical" does not necessarily mean "perpendicular," but rather a direction similar to the vertical direction that is roughly perpendicular to the vehicle width direction and the front-rear direction.

[0015] The airbag storage unit 3 is provided on the vertical surface 2 of the instrument panel 1, protruding forward. The airbag storage unit 3 is a container having a high-strength housing 3a that houses the airbag unit 4 so that the airbag deploys to the rear. The airbag storage unit 3 has an opening 5 for deploying the airbag towards the rear. The opening 5 is normally sealed by an airbag cover 6.

[0016] Bracket 8 is provided on the front side of the housing 3a of the airbag storage unit 3. Bracket 8 is for mounting an emergency call device 7 that communicates wirelessly with the outside of the vehicle compartment. Bracket 8 has a fixing part 8a that is fixed to the housing 3a of the airbag storage unit 3, and an emergency call device mounting part 8b for mounting the emergency call device 7.

[0017] One aspect of the mounting structure of the emergency notification device includes a steering support pipe 10. The steering support pipe 10 extends in both vehicle width directions of the vehicle body having the mounting structure of the emergency notification device and supports the steering shaft 9 that transmits the operating force from an operation handle (not shown) to the steering wheel and the instrument panel 1 on the vehicle body. The airbag housing 3 is fixed to the steering support pipe 10 at a front fixed portion 3b. The fixed portion 3b is located below the bracket 8.

[0018] The housing 3a of the airbag housing 3 has a stepped portion 3d that separates a gap 11 between the airbag housing 3 and the bracket 8 at an upper portion of the attachment portion 3c with the fixed portion 8a of the bracket 8. The gap 11 allows the rotational displacement of the bracket 8 when a moment M (FIG. 5) that rotates the bracket 8 upward acts on the bracket 8 with the attachment portion 3c as a fulcrum.

[0019] In the mounting structure of the emergency notification device of the present disclosure, the stepped portion 3d formed on the housing 3a of the airbag housing 3 is located behind the steering support pipe 10. The steering support pipe 10 is a member with high rigidity and high strength. Therefore, even if the vehicle body front part is deformed by an impact force, the deformation is prevented from spreading to the rear side of the steering support pipe 10.

[0020] Therefore, even when the above-described moment M acts and the bracket 8 rotates and displaces, the rotational displacement is suppressed so that the portion of the bracket 8 that is separated from the fixed portion 8a located at the attachment portion 3c, which is the rotation center of the bracket 8, does not rotate into the rear of the steering support pipe 10. As a result, the avoidance of damage to the emergency notification device 7 becomes more complete.

[0021] Next, referring to FIG. 1 in combination with FIGS. 2, 3, and 4, the bracket 8 will be described. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the bracket 8 seen from one viewing angle. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the bracket 8 seen from another viewing angle. FIG. 4 is a view showing the mounting form of the bracket 8.

[0022] In the notations of FIGS. 2 and 3, 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. In the notation of FIG. 4, 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. In FIG. 4, the depth direction that does not appear is Bw, and the front direction of the paper surface is Fw.

[0023] The bracket 8 has an upper seat surface portion 12 where an emergency notification device attachment portion 8b is set, and side wall portions 13 that hang down from both lateral ends in the vehicle width direction of the seat surface portion 12, in a posture attached to the housing 3a of the airbag housing 3. The lower ends of the side wall portions 13 form an inclined portion 14 that is inclined upward from the rear to the front. The rear end sides of the left and right side wall portions 13 are connected by plate-like fixing plate portions 15 that extend left and right. A fixing portion 8a that is fixed to the housing 3a of the airbag housing 3 is set on the fixing plate portion 15.

[0024] As can be easily understood from FIG. 1, the bracket 8 is attached to the airbag housing 3 such that the fixing portion 8a of the bracket 8 is overlapped with the bracket attachment portion 3c of the airbag housing 3.

[0025] The airbag housing 3 has at least three pins at a bracket attachment portion 3c which is a portion where the bracket 8 is attached to the housing 3a of the airbag housing 3. In the view of FIG. 4, the first pin 16, the second pin 17, and the third pin 18, which are three pins provided to protrude forward, are visible at the bracket attachment portion 3c located on the back side of the fixing portion 8a.

[0026] Referring to Figure 3, the fixing portion 8a, which is the mounting surface of the bracket 8 to the airbag housing 3, is provided with a first pin hole 19, a second pin hole 20, and a third pin hole 21, corresponding to the first pin 16, the second pin 17, and the third pin 18, respectively. Referring also to Figure 4, the first pin 16 is a screw pin, and the second pin 17 and the third pin 18 are rocket pins. These three pins are passed through the corresponding first pin hole 19, the second pin hole 20, and the third pin hole 21, respectively. That is, the bracket 8 is aligned with the airbag housing 3 and prevented from rotating by the second pin 17 and the third pin 18, and is secured to the airbag housing 3 by the first pin 16 so that it does not detach.

[0027] Referring to Figure 4, in a front view of the vehicle, the first pin 16, the center of gravity of the emergency call device 7, and the center of gravity of the bracket 8 are all located on the same straight line L1. Also, in a front view of the vehicle, the second pin 17 and the third pin 18 are located at the ends of the base of an isosceles triangle, shown by the dashed line, with the first pin 16 as the vertex and the base perpendicular to the straight line L1 in a front view. In other words, the straight line L1 corresponds to a perpendicular line drawn from the vertex coinciding with the first pin 16 to the opposite side connecting the second pin 17 and the third pin 18.

[0028] As described above, the first pin 16, the second pin 17, and the third pin 18 are positioned at the corners of an isosceles triangle, and the second pin 17 and the third pin 18 are symmetrical in the vehicle width direction with respect to the line L1. As a result, the force applied to the fixing portion 8a of the bracket 8 due to the load is uniformly distributed in the vehicle width direction, and the support of the bracket 8 by the airbag housing 3 is stabilized. Furthermore, during assembly, the second pin 17 and the third pin 18 can be used like positioning pins, making it easy to position the bracket 8 relative to the housing 3a of the airbag housing 3.

[0029] Next, with reference to Figure 5, the effect of the mounting structure for the emergency call device of this disclosure on the deformation of the vehicle body will be explained. When a vehicle is subjected to the impact force of a frontal collision, the vehicle body deforms such that the front panel 22, including the so-called cowl upper panel and cowl top panel above the dash panel, moves backward from the state on the left side of Figure 5 to the state on the right side of Figure 5. Consequently, the front defroster duct (not shown), which is interposed between the front panel 22 and the front end of the bracket 8, also collapses and moves backward.

[0030] As the front panel 22 and front defroster duct move backward and are further compressed and displaced backward, the rearward-displaced portion comes into contact with the inclined portion 14 of the bracket 8. The inclined portion 14 is the lower end of the side wall portion 13, which is shaped to be inclined upward from rear to front. When a force acting in the rearward direction contacts the inclined portion 14, a force is generated that pushes the bracket 8 upward as a component force due to the inclination of the inclined portion 14.

[0031] In other words, the fixing portion 8a of the bracket 8 is attached to the mounting portion 3c of the housing 3a of the airbag storage unit 3, and a moment M acts on the bracket 8, causing its front end to rotate upward. When the bracket 8 attempts to rotate upward due to this moment M, if the area around the mounting portion 3c, which is the pivot point on the housing 3a, is simply a flat wall surface, this wall surface acts to prevent the rotation.

[0032] In this disclosure, the airbag housing 3 has a stepped portion 3d above the mounting portion 3c of the bracket 8 to the fixing portion 8a of the housing 3a, which separates the airbag housing 3 and the bracket 8, creating a gap 11 between them. In the left side of Figure 5, a circle is drawn to indicate the location of this gap 11 for the sake of explanation. This gap 11 allows for rotational displacement of the bracket. As a result, the housing 3a deforms relatively easily, and as shown on the right side of Figure 5, the gap 11 collapses and disappears.

[0033] The bracket 8, under the influence of a moment M, rotates clockwise around the mounting portion 3c on the housing 3a, as shown in Figure 5, while supporting the emergency call device 7 on the seating surface 12. This mitigates the impact force acting on the bracket 8, preventing significant damage to the emergency call device 7 and maintaining its wireless communication function.

[0034] The configurations and their effects in each aspect of the vehicle instrument panel structure of this disclosure are summarized below.

[0035] (1) The mounting structure for the emergency call device of the present disclosure comprises an instrument panel 1 having a vertical surface portion 2 extending vertically toward the rear of the vehicle compartment, an airbag storage body 3 provided protruding forward from the vertical surface portion 2 and housing an airbag unit 4 so that the airbag deploys toward the rear, a bracket 8 having a fixing portion 8a fixed to the airbag storage body 3 and an emergency call device mounting portion 8b for mounting an emergency call device 7 that communicates wirelessly with the outside of the vehicle compartment, Prepare.

[0036] In the emergency call device mounting structure described in (1) above, the airbag storage unit 3 is also positioned on the passenger side, making it possible to properly mount the emergency call device 7 not only on the driver's side but also on other sides, thus not hindering the freedom of layout. Furthermore, since the bracket 8 is fixed to the airbag storage unit 3, which is a highly rigid material that can withstand the recoil caused by the deployment of the airbag, the emergency call device 7 can be stably supported.

[0037] (2) In one embodiment of the mounting structure for the emergency call device described in (1) above, the steering shaft 9 and instrument panel 1 that transmit the operating force from the steering handle to the steering wheels are supported by a steering support pipe 10 that extends in both width directions of the vehicle body and is supported by the vehicle body, and the airbag housing 3 has a front fixing portion 3b that is fixed to the steering support pipe 10 below the bracket 8.

[0038] In the emergency call device mounting structure described in (2) above, the airbag housing 3 is directly fixed to the steering support pipe 10, which has particularly high rigidity among the various parts of the vehicle body structure, without the use of other components. As a result, the airbag housing 3 has a high-strength structure. Since the bracket 8 is fixed to such an airbag housing 3, the emergency call device 7 can be supported even more stably.

[0039] (3) In one embodiment of the mounting structure for the emergency call device described in (2) above, the airbag storage body 3 has a stepped portion 3d that separates the airbag storage body 3 and the bracket 8, and the gap 11 allows rotational displacement of the bracket 8 when a moment acts on the bracket 8 that rotates the bracket 8 upward with the mounting portion 3c between the bracket 8 and the airbag storage body 3 as the pivot point.

[0040] In the mounting structure for the emergency call device described in (3) above, when the bracket 8 attempts to rotate upward due to the moment, if the area around the mounting portion 3c, which is the pivot point at the center of rotation, is simply a flat wall surface, this wall surface will act to prevent rotation. However, the gap 11 in the stepped portion 3d allows the bracket 8 to rotate. As a result, the housing 3a of the airbag storage body 3 deforms relatively easily, and the bracket 8 rotates easily until the gap 11 is crushed and disappears. Therefore, the impact force acting on the bracket 8 is mitigated, damage to the emergency call device 7 is reduced, and its communication function is maintained.

[0041] (4) In one embodiment of the mounting structure for the emergency call device described in (3) above, the stepped portion 3d is located behind the steering support pipe 10.

[0042] In the emergency call device mounting structure described in (4) above, the stepped portion 3d of the housing 3a of the airbag storage body 3 is located behind the steering support pipe 10, which is a highly rigid and high-strength member. Therefore, even if the front of the vehicle body is deformed by an impact force, the deformation is prevented from spreading beyond the steering support pipe 10. As a result, even if the bracket 8 is rotationally displaced due to the aforementioned moment, the rotational displacement is suppressed to the extent that the front end portion of the bracket 8 does not wrap around beyond the steering support pipe 10, thereby more effectively avoiding damage to the emergency call device 7 and maintaining the communication function of the emergency call device 7.

[0043] (5) In one embodiment of the mounting structure for the emergency call device described in (4) above, the bracket 8, when attached to the airbag storage body 3, has an upper seat portion 12 on which the emergency call device mounting portion 8b is set, and side wall portions 13 hanging down from both ends of the seat portion 12 in the vehicle width direction, and the lower end of the side wall portion 13 forms an inclined portion 14 that is inclined upward from rear to front.

[0044] In the mounting structure for the emergency call device described in (5) above, the rigidity of the bracket 8 is strengthened by the side wall portion 13. Furthermore, when the deformed portion at the front of the vehicle body moves backward and contacts the inclined portion 14 of the bracket 8, the force that contacts the inclined portion 14 in a rearward direction generates a component force that pushes the bracket 8 upward due to the inclination of the inclined portion 14. This promotes the generation of a moment that rotates the bracket 8 upward, with the mounting portion 3c between the bracket 8 and the airbag housing 3 as the pivot point. The rotational displacement of the bracket 8 mitigates the impact force on the bracket 8, reducing damage to the emergency call device 7 and maintaining its communication function.

[0045] (6) In one embodiment of the mounting structure for the emergency call device described in (4) above, the airbag housing 3 has three pins at the part to which the bracket 8 is attached: a first pin 16 which is a screw pin, and a second pin 17 and a third pin 18 which are rocket pins. The bracket 8 has a fixing part 8a which is the mounting surface for the airbag housing 3, and pin holes for arranging the first pin 16, the second pin 17, and the third pin 18: a first pin hole 19, a second pin hole 20, and a third pin hole 21. In a front view of the vehicle, the first pin 16, the center of gravity of the emergency call device 7, and the center of gravity of the bracket 8 are located on the same straight line L1. In a front view of the vehicle, the second pin 17 and the third pin 18 are located at both ends (angles) of the base of an isosceles triangle with the position of the first pin 16 as the vertex and the base perpendicular to the straight line L1 in a front view.

[0046] In the mounting structure for the emergency call device described in (6) above, the first pin 16, the second pin 17, and the third pin 18 are positioned at the corners of an isosceles triangle, and the second pin 17 and the third pin 18 are symmetrical in the vehicle width direction with respect to a straight line L1 passing through the positions of the first pin 16, the center of gravity of the emergency call device 7, and the center of gravity of the bracket 8. As a result, the force applied to the fixing portion 8a of the bracket 8 due to the load is uniformly distributed in the vehicle width direction. Therefore, the support of the bracket 8 by the airbag housing 3 is stable. In addition, by using the second pin 17 and the third pin 18 as positioning pins during assembly, the positioning of the bracket 8 with respect to the housing 3a of the airbag housing 3 becomes easier. [Explanation of symbols]

[0047] 1…Instrument panel 2…Elevation 3…Airbag storage compartment 3a... Cabinet 3b…Fixed part 3c... Mounting part 3d...step shape part 4…Airbag unit 5…Aperture 6…Airbag cover 7…Emergency call device 8…Bracket 8a…Fixed part 8b…Emergency call device mounting section 9... Steering axis 10… Steering support pipe 11…Gap 12... Seat part 13... Side wall section 14…Slope part 15...Fixing plate part 16…1st pin 17...2nd pin 18…3rd pin 19…First pin hole 20…Second pin hole 21…Third pin hole 22…Front panel

Claims

1. The instrument panel has a vertical section that extends vertically towards the rear of the passenger compartment, An airbag housing is provided on the vertical surface, protruding forward, and houses the airbag unit so that the airbag deploys to the rear. The bracket comprises a fixing portion that is fixed to the airbag housing and an emergency call device mounting portion for attaching an emergency call device that communicates wirelessly with the outside of the vehicle compartment, Installation structure for emergency call devices.

2. The steering shaft that transmits the operating force from the steering handle to the steering wheels and the instrument panel are provided with a steering support pipe that extends in both width directions of the vehicle body and supports the vehicle body. The airbag housing has a front fixing portion that is fixed to the steering support pipe below the bracket. Mounting structure for an emergency call device according to claim 1.

3. The airbag housing has a stepped portion that separates the airbag housing and the bracket, The aforementioned gap allows for rotational displacement of the bracket when a moment acts on the bracket that rotates it upward, with the mounting portion between the bracket and the airbag housing acting as a pivot point. Mounting structure for an emergency notification device according to claim 2.

4. The stepped portion is located behind the steering support pipe. Mounting structure for an emergency notification device according to claim 3.

5. The bracket, in the position attached to the airbag housing, has an upper seat portion on which the emergency call device mounting portion is set, and side wall portions that hang down from both ends of the seat portion in the vehicle width direction, The lower end of the aforementioned side wall is inclined upward from rear to front. Mounting structure for an emergency call device according to claim 4.

6. The airbag housing has at least three pins at the part where the bracket is attached, The bracket has at least three pin holes on the mounting surface to the airbag housing for arranging at least three pins, In a front view of the vehicle body, one of the three pins, the center of gravity of the emergency call device, and the center of gravity of the bracket are all located on the same straight line. In a front view of the vehicle body, the other two of the three pins are located at the ends of the base of an isosceles triangle, with the position of the one pin as the vertex and the base perpendicular to the straight line in the front view. Mounting structure for an emergency call device according to claim 4.

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