Retention Structure of Display Panel

Abstract

To reduce oppressive feeling felt by occupants from an embedded type display panel and an instrument panel in which the display panel is embedded.SOLUTION: A decoration panel 14 extending in a vehicle width direction is provided on a surface of an instrument panel 10 of a vehicle. The instrument panel 10 has an opening 10a which is provided at the front side relative to the decoration panel 14 and is open to the rear. An embedded type display panel 18 is disposed at the front side relative to the decoration panel 14 so as to be exposed to the rear through the opening 10a. A lower area 18a of the display panel 18 is disposed at the lower side relative to an upper end 14a of the decoration panel 14 (in a manner that the lower area 18a gets into the back side of the decoration panel 14 when viewed from an indoor space).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a holding structure of a display panel, and more particularly to a holding structure of a display panel embedded in an instrument panel of a vehicle.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a display panel has been provided in front of the front seat of a vehicle. For example, a navigation screen, an operation screen for audio, etc. are displayed on the display panel.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a dashboard-type navigation device including a device body and a display panel, in which only the device body is embedded in the instrument panel. Further, Non-Patent Document 1 discloses a display panel erected and arranged on the upper surface of the instrument panel.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Non-Patent Documents

[0005]

Non-Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] Incidentally, there are cases where an opening that opens to the rear side in the vehicle front-rear direction is provided in the instrument panel, and a display panel is arranged so as to be exposed from the opening. When the display panel is arranged in this way, a sense of unity between the display panel and the instrument panel is created, and a neat impression can be given to the passengers. In this specification, such a display panel is referred to as an embedded display panel. The embedded display panel is a different type from, for example, the in-dash type in which only the device body is embedded in the instrument panel as disclosed in Patent Document 1, or the display panel erected and arranged on the upper surface of the instrument panel as disclosed in Non-Patent Document 1.

[0007] Recently, the size of the display panel provided in vehicles has been increasing. It is conceivable that large-sized ones (for example, a 12.3-inch display panel) are used as the embedded display panel. When the size of the embedded display panel increases, the height of the upper end of the display panel may increase. As a result, there arises a problem that the passengers feel a sense of pressure from the display panel.

[0008] Also, when the size of the embedded display panel increases, the opening of the instrument panel for exposing the display panel must be enlarged. Then, inevitably, the instrument panel itself also becomes larger. When the instrument panel becomes larger, the height of the instrument panel may increase. As a result, there arises a problem that the passengers feel a sense of pressure from the instrument panel.

[0009] In particular, there may be a case where a panel member extending in the vehicle width direction (for example, a decorative panel for improving design) is provided on the surface of the instrument panel. When such a panel member is provided, the embedded display panel needs to be provided at a position avoiding the panel member. From the viewpoint of ensuring the visibility of the display panel, the embedded display panel is preferably provided as high as possible, that is, above the panel member. Then, depending on the position (height) where the panel member is provided, the upper end of the embedded display panel may be at a high position, or the height of the instrument panel itself may become high.

[0010] An object of the present invention is to reduce the sense of pressure received by the occupant from the embedded display panel and the instrument panel in which the display panel is embedded.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0011] The present invention is an instrument panel having a rear surface facing the vehicle interior space, and is provided at the rear surface and the uppermost part of the instrument panel, and opens rearward in the vehicle longitudinal direction and its upper end is located above the upper end of the instrument panel provided in front of the driver's seat An instrument panel having an opening, a panel member provided rearward of the opening in the vehicle longitudinal direction and extending in the vehicle width direction, and disposed forward of the panel member in the vehicle longitudinal direction, and its surface being flush with the rear surface and exposed from the opening and its upper end is located above the upper end of the instrument panel A display panel, and a holding structure of the display panel, characterized in that a lower region of the display panel is disposed below an upper end of the panel member.

[0012] According to the above configuration, after arranging the embedded display panel above the panel member, at least compared with the case where the lower region of the display panel is not arranged below the upper end of the panel member, the display panel can be arranged at a lower position. At the same time, since the position of the opening of the instrument panel for exposing the display panel can also be at a lower position, the height of the instrument panel can also be made lower.

Effect of the Invention

[0013] According to the present invention, it is possible to reduce the sense of pressure received by the occupant from the embedded display panel and the instrument panel in which the display panel is embedded.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0014]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Embodiment for Carrying out the Invention

[0015] Hereinafter, with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3, the holding structure of the display panel according to the present embodiment will be described. In this specification, "front" and "rear" mean the front and rear in the vehicle longitudinal direction, "right" and "left" mean the right and left when facing the front side, and "upper" and "lower" mean the upper and lower in the vehicle vertical direction. In FIGS. 1 to 3, the X-axis direction represents the vehicle width direction, the Y-axis direction represents the vehicle longitudinal direction, and the Z-axis direction represents the vehicle vertical direction.

[0016] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an instrument panel 10 of a vehicle. The instrument panel 10 is an interior panel provided in front of the front seats of the vehicle and below the windshield 12. The instrument panel 10 is a panel-shaped (plate-shaped) member formed of resin or the like. The instrument panel 10 functions as a cover for housing various devices provided in front of the front seats.

[0017] The surface of the instrument panel 10 is exposed to the vehicle interior space, and various designs may be applied to the surface for improving the design quality. In particular, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, a decorative panel 14 as a panel member extending in the vehicle width direction is provided on the surface of the instrument panel 10. The decorative panel 14 is a panel that exclusively contributes to improving the design quality (in other words, for decoration). Although not limited thereto, as the decorative panel 14, for example, a member to which a film with a design (such as a wood grain pattern, a geometric pattern, or a concave-convex shape) is attached to the surface of a resin member. Note that the panel member is not limited to the decorative panel 14 and may be a member provided for purposes other than decoration.

[0018] In the present embodiment, the decorative panel 14 extends in the vehicle width direction from approximately the center in the vehicle width direction, in other words, from in front of the center console to in front of the passenger seat (the front left seat in the present embodiment). Of course, the decorative panel 14 may extend over the entire vehicle width direction. Further, since the decorative panel 14 is a member for improving the design quality, it is provided at a height that can be clearly seen by the passengers sitting in the front seats. In the present embodiment, the decorative panel 14 is provided at substantially the same height as the lower end of the instrument panel 16 provided in front of the driver's seat (the front right seat in the present embodiment).

[0019] In this embodiment, the panel member (the decorative panel 14 in this embodiment) is a component separate from the instrument panel 10 and is a member attached to the instrument panel 10. However, the panel member may form a part of the instrument panel 10. For example, the panel member may be integrally formed as a part of the instrument panel 10.

[0020] An opening 10a that opens rearward is provided in the instrument panel 10. Specifically, the instrument panel 10 has a rear surface 10b that stands upright in a substantially vertical direction and faces the interior space of the vehicle cabin, and the opening 10a is provided in the rear surface 10b. The opening 10a is substantially rectangular and has a horizontally long shape extending in the vehicle width direction. In this embodiment, the opening 10a is provided substantially at the center in the vehicle width direction, in other words, in front of the center console. The opening 10a is provided on the front side (the back side when viewed from the interior space of the vehicle cabin) of the decorative panel 14. In particular, in this embodiment, the opening 10a is provided adjacent to the front side of the decorative panel 14. The opening 10a is provided to expose the display panel 18, which will be described later, to the rear (that is, the interior space of the vehicle cabin).

[0021] In order to ensure the visibility of the display panel 18, the opening 10a is provided such that its upper part extends above the upper end of the decorative panel 14 so that the display panel 18 can be arranged above the decorative panel 14. That is, the opening 10a is provided at a position higher than the decorative panel 14. From the viewpoint of making the height of the instrument panel 10 as low as possible, the opening 10a is provided at the uppermost part of the instrument panel 10.

[0022] Also, the lower part of the opening 10a extends below the upper end of the decorative panel 14. In this embodiment, since the opening 10a is provided adjacent to the front side of the decorative panel 14, the lower part of the opening 10a is blocked by the decorative panel 14. In other words, it can be said that the decorative panel 14 is provided at the lower end of the opening 10a.

[0023] The display panel 18 is arranged so as to be exposed rearward from the opening 10a. The display panel 18 is arranged such that its surface is substantially flush with the rear side surface 10b of the instrument panel 10 having the opening 10a. As described above, since the opening 10a is provided on the front side of the decorative panel 14, the display panel 18 is arranged on the front side of the decorative panel 14. In particular, in the present embodiment, since the opening 10a is provided adjacent to the front side of the decorative panel 14, the display panel 18 is arranged adjacent to the front side of the decorative panel 14.

[0024] Thus, since the display panel 18 is arranged so as to be exposed from the opening 10a of the instrument panel 10, the display panel 18 is an embedded display panel. In the present embodiment, the display panel 18 is large, for example, having a size of 12.3 inches or more.

[0025] The surface of the display panel 18 is formed of glass. Although the entire surface of the display panel 18 is covered with glass, the display panel 18 includes a display area 22 where an image is displayed and a non-display area 24 that is a portion constituting a frame surrounding the display area 22 where no image is displayed.

[0026] Note that the display panel 18 is a member constituting a part of the display device. The display device includes a device main body 20 (see FIG. 2) including a power supply circuit, a display control circuit, etc. and the display panel 18. Since the device main body 20 is arranged in front of the display panel 18 and covered by the instrument panel 10, it cannot be visually recognized from the interior space of the vehicle.

[0027] FIG. 2 is an end view seen from the A-A direction of FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a front view of the display panel 18. As shown in FIG. 2, the display panel 18 is arranged such that its lower region 18a is below the upper end 14a of the decorative panel 14. That is, when viewed from the interior space of the vehicle, the lower region 18a of the display panel 18 is in a form that enters and is embedded behind the decorative panel 14.

[0028] Specifically, first, before the decorative panel 14 is attached to the instrument panel 10, the display device (i.e., the display panel 18 and the device main body 20) is inserted into the opening 10a of the instrument panel 10 from the rear (the interior space side of the vehicle). Then, the display device is fixed at a position where the display panel 18 and the rear side surface 10b (see FIG. 1) of the instrument panel 10 are substantially flush. For example, it is fixed by a method such as screwing the side surface of the device main body 20 to the instrument panel 10. After that, the decorative panel 14 is attached to the instrument panel 10. By attaching the decorative panel 14, the lower region 18a of the display panel 18 (and the lower region of the opening 10a) is covered by the decorative panel 14. As a result, the lower region 18a is arranged below the upper end 14a of the decorative panel 14. In addition, when the decorative panel 14 forms a part of the instrument panel 10, the display device is arranged such that the display panel 18 is exposed from the opening 10a by a method other than the method of inserting from the opening 10a (for example, inserted into the instrument panel 10 from another opening).

[0029] As a result, at least when the lower region 18a is not disposed below the upper end 14a of the decorative panel 14, the display panel 18 can be disposed at a lower position. The fact that the display panel 18 can be disposed at a lower position means that the position of the opening 10a of the instrument panel 10 can also be set at a lower position, so that the height of the instrument panel 10 itself can also be made lower. In FIGS. 2 and 3, the position 10c of the upper end of the instrument panel 10 when the height of the lower end 18b of the display panel 18 and the upper end 14a of the decorative panel 14 are made to coincide (that is, when the lower region 18a is not disposed below the upper end 14a of the decorative panel 14) is indicated by a one-dot chain line.

[0030] Thus, according to the present embodiment, since the embedded display panel 18 can be disposed at a lower position, the sense of pressure applied to the occupant from the display panel 18 and the instrument panel 10 can be reduced.

[0031] When viewed from the vehicle interior space, the display panel 18 is disposed so that the display area 22 is not hidden by the decorative panel 14. That is, the display panel 18 is disposed such that the lower end 22a of the display area 22 is above the upper end 14a of the decorative panel 14. Here, in order to provide the display panel 18 at a position as low as possible, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the display panel 18 is disposed such that the height of the lower end 22a of the display area 22 coincides with the height of the upper end 14a of the decorative panel 14. That is, what is disposed below the upper end 14a of the decorative panel 14 (in other words, enters the back side of the decorative panel 14 when viewed from the vehicle interior space) is the non-display area 24 located below the display area 22. As a result, when viewed from the vehicle interior space, the display panel 18 can be disposed at a lower position without the display area 22 being hidden by the decorative panel 14.

[0032] As described above, the embodiments according to the present invention have been explained. However, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

Description of Reference Numerals

[0033] 10 Instrument panel, 10a Opening, 14 Decorative panel, 14a Upper end, 18 Display panel, 18a Lower region, 22 Display area, 22a Lower end, 24 Non-display area.

Claims

1. An instrument panel having a rear surface facing the interior space of the vehicle cabin, the rear surface and the uppermost part of the instrument panel being provided with an opening that opens rearward in the vehicle longitudinal direction, and the upper end of the opening being located above the upper end of the instrument panel provided in front of the driver's seat. An instrument panel having an opening, A panel member provided rearward of the opening in the vehicle longitudinal direction and extending in the vehicle width direction, A display panel disposed in front of the panel member in the vehicle longitudinal direction, having a surface flush with the rear surface and exposed from the opening, and an upper end located above the upper end of the instrument panel, Comprising, A lower region of the display panel is disposed below the upper end of the panel member, A holding structure for a display panel, characterized in that.

2. The display panel includes a display area where a screen is displayed and a non-display area surrounding the display area, The height of the lower end of the display area coincides with the height of the upper end of the panel member, The holding structure for a display panel according to claim 1, characterized in that.

3. The panel member is a decorative panel attached to the instrument panel, The holding structure for a display panel according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that.

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