Attachment for vehicle interior materials

Abstract

To allow a vehicle interior material to be shared by enabling attachment to the vehicle interior material of a component in a shape that does not match a fitting hole of the vehicle interior material.SOLUTION: An attachment 20 attached to a fitting hole 12 of a front defroster grill 10 includes a contact plate part 21 and a slip-off stop part 23. The contact plate part 21 cannot be inserted to the fitting hole 12 and has an insertion hole 22 on the center. The slip-off stop part 23 is provided on the rear side of the contact plate part 21. The slip-off stop part 23 is inserted to the fitting hole 12, the contact plate part 21 is brought into contact from the front side and lock parts 24, 25 of the slip-off stop part 23 are engaged from the rear side with the peripheral part of the fitting hole 12, thereby the attachment 20 is attached to the fitting hole 12. A trunk part 32 of a solar sensor 30 is inserted to the insertion hole 22, a head part 31 of the solar sensor 30 is brought into contact with the contact plate part 21 and a locking claw 33 of the trunk part 32 of the solar sensor 30 is engaged with the lock part 26 of the slip-off stop part 23. With this, the solar sensor 30 is attached to the front defroster grill 10.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an attachment to be mounted in a mounting hole formed in an interior trim material of a vehicle for attaching a component to the mounting hole.

Background Art

[0002] Various electrical components are attached to the interior trim materials of a vehicle cabin. As an example of the interior trim material, a solar sensor, which is an example of an electrical component, may be attached to the top surface of an instrument panel disposed at the front of the vehicle cabin.

[0003] Patent Document 1 below discloses a mounting structure of a solar sensor to an instrument panel. The solar sensor has a flange portion and a body portion, and a locking claw formed of a spring that is elastically displaceable in the radial direction is provided on the body portion. The solar sensor is attached to the instrument panel by inserting its body portion into a mounting hole formed in the instrument panel, and bringing the flange portion of the solar sensor into contact with the peripheral edge portion of the mounting hole from the front side and engaging the locking claw of the body portion from the back side.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] In the mounting structure of the solar sensor to the instrument panel described in Patent Document 1 above, the mounting hole of the instrument panel is formed corresponding to the shape of the solar sensor. Therefore, when it becomes necessary to attach a solar sensor having a different shape due to a specification change, a new instrument panel having a mounting hole corresponding to the shape of the solar sensor is required. As a result, it was necessary to newly manufacture the mold of the instrument panel.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0006] This invention has been made to solve at least one of the above problems, and an attachment for a vehicle interior material according to one aspect of this invention is an attachment to be mounted in the mounting hole formed in the vehicle interior material for attaching a component to the mounting hole, the component having a body portion and a head portion protruding in a flange shape from the body portion, and the body portion being provided with locking claws that can be elastically displaced in the radial direction thereof, a contact plate portion provided with a size that cannot be inserted into the mounting hole of the vehicle interior material and having an insertion hole at the center, and first and second retaining portions provided on the back side of the contact plate portion and capable of being inserted into the mounting hole of the vehicle interior material, the first and second retaining portions are inserted into the mounting hole of the vehicle interior material, and when the contact plate portion abuts against the peripheral edge portion of the mounting hole in the vehicle interior material from the front side and the first retaining portion engages from the back side, it is mounted in the mounting hole, the insertion hole of the contact plate portion is formed with a size that allows the body portion of the component to be inserted and does not allow the head portion of the component to be inserted, characterized in that the body portion of the component is inserted into the insertion hole, the head portion of the component abuts against the contact plate portion, and the locking claw of the body portion of the component engages with the second retaining portion, whereby the component is attached.

[0007] According to the above configuration, even a component having a shape that does not fit the mounting hole can be attached to the vehicle interior material through the attachment. As a result, it is not necessary to prepare a new vehicle interior material in which a mounting hole suitable for each mounting component having a different shape is formed, and thus it is not necessary to manufacture a new mold for the new vehicle interior material. That is, the vehicle interior material can be shared for mounting components having different shapes.

[0008] Preferably, a plurality of the first and second retaining portions are provided respectively and are arranged along the peripheral edge portion of the insertion hole. According to the above configuration, the effect of preventing the attachment from coming off from the mounting hole can be enhanced by the plurality of first retaining portions, and the effect of preventing the components from coming off from the attachment can be enhanced by the plurality of second retaining portions.

[0009] Preferably, the first retaining portion is provided with a displacement portion formed in a cantilever shape and extending in the axial direction of the insertion hole, and the tip end portion thereof is elastically displaceable in the radial direction. A protruding portion protruding radially outward is provided outside the displacement portion. When the first retaining portion is inserted into the mounting hole of the vehicle interior material, the protruding portion gets over the mounting hole due to the elastic deformation of the displacement portion and is engaged with the back side of the vehicle interior material. According to the above configuration, the workability of assembling the attachment to the vehicle interior material can be improved.

[0010] Preferably, the second retaining portion is formed as a plate-like piece extending in the axial direction, and a locking claw of the component is engaged with the tip end of the plate-like piece. According to the above configuration, the components can be engaged with a simplified structure.

Effect of the Invention

[0011] According to the present invention, it is possible to attach a component having a shape that does not conform to the mounting hole to the vehicle interior material, and the vehicle interior material can be shared.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0012]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0013] Hereinafter, an attachment for a vehicle interior material according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. This embodiment applies the present invention to an attachment 20 that is attached to a front defroster grill 10 (vehicle interior material) in the passenger compartment of an automobile and to which a solar sensor 30 (component) is attached, enabling the attachment of the solar sensor 30 that cannot be directly attached to the front defroster grill 10.

[0014] The front defroster grill 10 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is attached to the center portion in the vehicle width direction at the front edge of an instrument panel (not shown) installed in the front of the passenger compartment of the automobile. The front defroster grill 10 is made of resin and formed in a long shape extending in the vehicle width direction by injection molding, and is arranged along the lower edge of a front window (not shown). The front defroster grill 10 has a pair of left and right air outlets 11L and 11R for blowing air from the air conditioner toward the front window.

[0015] The front defroster grille 10 is formed with mounting holes 12 for attaching components between the two air outlets 11L and 11R. A solar sensor 30 shown in FIGS. 1 to 5 and a solar sensor 40 shown in FIG. 7 are adapted to be attached to the mounting holes 12 as the attachment components. The solar sensors 30 and 40 detect the intensity (brightness) of the sun and output it as an electrical signal. This electrical signal is used for automatic headlight lighting control, air conditioner control, and the like.

[0016] The mounting hole 12 is formed in a shape that conforms to the shape of one of the solar sensors 40 (FIG. 7) among the two solar sensors 30 and 40. Therefore, the solar sensor 40 can be directly attached to the mounting hole 12. However, the solar sensor 30 (FIGS. 1 to 5) has a different shape from the solar sensor 40 and cannot be directly attached to the mounting hole 12. Therefore, the solar sensor 30 is adapted to be attached to the mounting hole 12 by interposing an attachment 20.

[0017] (Structure for directly attaching a solar sensor) First, a structure for directly attaching the solar sensor 40 to the mounting hole 12 will be described with reference to FIG. 7. The solar sensor 40 has a head 41 and a body 42. The head 41 is formed in a flat disk shape and has a size that cannot be inserted into the mounting hole 12. The outer peripheral portion of the head 41 protrudes from the body 42 in a flange shape.

[0018] The body 42 is provided on the back surface of the head 41. The outer shape of the base end portion (head 41 side) of the body 42 has a D-shaped cross-sectional shape, and includes a flat portion 42a, a bulging portion 42b that protrudes in a bowed state, and side surface portions 42c, 42c that connect the flat portion 42a and the bulging portion 42b.

[0019] The mounting hole 12 having a shape conforming to the solar sensor 40 penetrates the front defroster grill 10 in its plate thickness direction. As shown in FIG. 7(A), the mounting hole 12 is formed corresponding to the D-shaped cross-sectional shape of the body portion 42 of the solar sensor 40, and has a straight portion 12a, an arcuate curved portion 12b facing this, and side portions 12c, 12c connecting the ends of the straight portion 12a and the curved portion 22b.

[0020] Locking claws 43, 43 are respectively provided on the side surface portions 42c, 42c forming the peripheral wall of the body portion 42 of the solar sensor 40. Each locking claw 43 has inclined surfaces 43a, 43b on the head portion 41 side and the tip side of the body portion 42, respectively.

[0021] The inclined surface 43a of the locking claw 43 is inclined outward in the radial direction of the body portion 42 as it moves away from the head portion 41 in the axial direction, and the inclined surface 43b is inclined inward in the radial direction of the body portion 42 as it moves away from the head portion 41 in the axial direction. The locking claw 43 is elastically displaceable inward in the radial direction of the body portion 42.

[0022] (Method of directly mounting the solar sensor) The attachment of the solar sensor 40 to the mounting hole 12 will be described. As shown in FIG. 7(A), above the front defroster grill 10, in order to align the positions of the mounting hole 12 and the body portion 42 of the solar sensor 40, the flat portion 42a, the bulging portion 42b, and the side surface portions 42c, 42c of the body portion 42 are respectively made to correspond to the straight portion 12a, the curved portion 12b, and the side portions 12c, 12c of the mounting hole 12. At this time, the locking claws 43, 43 of the body portion 42 are in a natural state where no external force acts, and project radially outward from the side portions 12c, 12c of the mounting hole 12.

[0023] As shown in FIG. 7(B), when the body portion 42 is inserted into the mounting hole 12 and the locking claw 43 gets over the mounting hole 12, the head portion 41 abuts against the front defroster grill 10 at the peripheral edge of the mounting hole 12 from the front side, and the inclined surface 43a of the locking claw 43 engages from the back side. Thereby, the solar sensor 40 is directly attached to the mounting hole 12.

[0024] (Structure for attaching a solar sensor via an attachment) Next, a structure for attaching a solar sensor 30 that does not fit the shape of the mounting hole 12 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6. When the component to be attached to the mounting hole 12 is changed from the solar sensor 40 shown in FIG. 7 to the solar sensor 30 shown in FIG. 2 due to a specification change, the solar sensor 30 cannot be directly attached to the mounting hole 12 because its shape is different from that of the solar sensor 40 and its outer shape is slightly smaller.

[0025] If a new front defroster grill having a mounting hole that fits the solar sensor 30 (FIG. 2) is to be prepared, a mold for the new front defroster grill must be manufactured. To avoid this inconvenience, an attachment 20 is attached to the mounting hole 12 for the solar sensor 40 (FIG. 7), and the solar sensor 30 is attached to this attachment 20, so that the solar sensor 30 can be attached to the mounting hole 12.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 2, the solar sensor 30 has a disk-shaped head 31 and a body 32, similar to the above-described solar sensor 40. The outer peripheral portion of the head 31 protrudes from the body 32 in a flange shape. The tip of the body 32 (opposite to the head 31) has an outer shape with an octagonal cross-sectional shape. Locking claws 33, 33 are provided in a cantilevered manner on a pair of opposing side surfaces at the tip of the body 32.

[0027] Each locking claw 33 has an inclined surface 33a and an inclined surface 33b. The inclined surface 33b is continuous with the body 32 and is inclined outward in the radial direction of the body 32 as it goes toward the head 31 side in the axial direction of the body 32. The inclined surface 33a is continuous with the tip of the inclined surface 33b and is inclined inward in the radial direction of the body 32 as it goes toward the head 31 side in the axial direction of the body 32.

[0028] The inclined surface 33b of the locking claw 33 is inclined more gently than the inclined surface 33a. The locking claw 33 is elastically displaceable in the radial direction of the body 32.

[0029] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 6, the attachment 20 includes a disk-shaped contact plate portion 21 and a retaining portion 23 provided on the back side of the contact plate portion 21. The contact plate portion 21 is sized such that it cannot be inserted into the mounting hole 12 of the front defroster grill 10. An insertion hole 22 penetrating in the plate thickness direction is formed in the central portion of the contact plate portion 21.

[0030] The insertion hole 22 is formed in a D shape and has a straight portion 22a, a curved portion 22b facing this, and side portions 22c, 22c connecting the ends of the straight portion 22a and the curved portion 22b. The body portion 32 of the solar sensor 30 can be inserted through this insertion hole 22, but the head portion 31 cannot be inserted.

[0031] The retaining portion 23 is provided along the peripheral edge of the insertion hole 22 and has a locking portion 24 (first retaining portion), two locking portions 25 (first retaining portions), and two locking portions 26 (second retaining portions).

[0032] The locking portion 24 is provided at a position along the straight portion 22a of the insertion hole 22. The two locking portions 25 are provided at positions along the curved portion 22b of the insertion hole 22. The locking portions 26, 26 are provided at positions along the side portions 22c, 22c, respectively. The above retaining portion 23 (locking portions 24, 25, 26) can be inserted through the mounting hole 12 of the front defroster grill 10.

[0033] The locking portions 24, 25, 25 (first retaining portions) prevent the attachment 20 mounted in the mounting hole 12 from coming out. The presence of a plurality of first retaining portions enhances the effect of preventing the attachment 20 from coming out of the mounting hole 12.

[0034] Also, the locking portions 26, 26 (second retaining portions) prevent the solar sensor 30 attached to the attachment 20 from coming out. The presence of a plurality of second retaining portions enhances the effect of preventing the solar sensor 30 from coming out of the attachment 20.

[0035] Each of the locking portions 24, 25, and 26 will be described in detail. As shown in FIG. 6, the locking portion 24 has a plate-like piece 24a that extends in the axial direction of the insertion hole 22 from a position along the straight portion 22a in the contact plate portion 21. A slit 24b that is U-shaped and convex toward the contact plate portion 21 is formed in the plate-like piece 24a.

[0036] The portion surrounded by the slit 24b is the displacement portion 24c. The displacement portion 24c has a cantilever shape, and the tip portion (upper end portion) is a free end. The free end is displaceable so as to elastically rotate about the base end portion.

[0037] As shown in FIG. 4(A), a protrusion 24d is provided on the outer surface of the free end of the displacement portion 24c. The protrusion 24d has inclined surfaces 24e and 24f on the contact plate portion 21 side and the tip side of the plate-like piece 24a, respectively.

[0038] The inclined surface 24e is inclined radially outward as it moves away from the contact plate portion 21 in the axial direction of the insertion hole 22. The inclined surface 24f is inclined radially inward as it moves away from the contact plate portion 21 in the axial direction of the insertion hole 22. The inclined surface 24f is inclined more gently than the inclined surface 24e.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 6, each locking portion 25 has a plate-like piece 25a that extends in the axial direction of the insertion hole 22 from a position along the curved portion 22b in the contact plate portion 21. The plate-like piece 25a has a cantilever shape, and the tip portion (lower end portion) is a free end. The free end is displaceable so as to elastically rotate about the base end portion.

[0040] A protrusion 25b is provided on the outer surface of each plate-like piece 25a. As shown in FIGS. 4(A) and 6, the protrusion 25b has inclined surfaces 25c and 25d on the contact plate portion 21 side and the tip side of the plate-like piece 25a, respectively.

[0041] The inclined surface 25c inclines outward in the radial direction as it moves away from the contact plate portion 21 in the axial direction of the insertion hole 22, and the inclined surface 25d inclines inward in the radial direction as it moves away from the contact plate portion 21 in the axial direction of the insertion hole 22. The inclined surface 25d inclines more gently than the inclined surface 25c.

[0042] As shown in FIGS. 4(B) and 6, each locking portion 26 is formed as a plate-like piece and extends in the axial direction of the insertion hole 22 from a position along the side portion 22c in the contact plate portion 21. The tip of the locking portion 26 has an engaging surface 26a that is cut at a right angle to the extending direction and faces downward. As will be described later, the locking claw 33 of the solar sensor 30 is engaged with this engaging surface 26a. That is, the solar sensor 30 is engaged with a simplified structure.

[0043] (Method of attaching a solar sensor via an attachment) The attachment of the attachment 20 having the above-described structure to the attachment hole 12 will be described. As shown in FIG. 2, above the front defroster grill 10, the positions of the attachment hole 12 and the retaining portion 23 of the attachment 20 are aligned. Specifically, the locking portion 24 of the attachment 20 is made to correspond to the straight portion 12a of the attachment hole 12, the locking portions 25, 25 are made to correspond to the curved portion 12b, and the respective locking portions 26, 26 are made to correspond to the respective side portions 12c, 12c.

[0044] At this time, the locking portion 24 and the locking portion 25 are in a natural state where no external force acts. The protruding portion 24d of the locking portion 24 protrudes radially outward from the straight portion 12a of the attachment hole 12, and the protruding portion 25b of the locking portion 25 protrudes radially outward from the curved portion 12b of the attachment hole 12.

[0045] As shown in FIG. 4, when the retaining portion 23 of the attachment 20 is inserted into the attachment hole 12, as shown in FIG. 4(A), the protruding portion 24d of the locking portion 24 gets over the straight portion 12a of the attachment hole 12, and the protruding portion 25b of the locking portion 25 gets over the curved portion 12b of the attachment hole 12.

[0046] At this time, in the front defroster grille 10 at the peripheral edge of the mounting hole 12, the contact plate portion 21 contacts the front side, and on the back side, the inclined surface 24e of the locking portion 24 and the inclined surface 25c of the locking portion 25 are engaged. Thereby, the attachment 20 is attached to the mounting hole 12.

[0047] In the locking portions 24 and 25, since the inclined surfaces 24f and 25d on the side far from the contact plate portion 21 have a gentle inclination, it is easy to cross the mounting hole 12, and since the inclined surfaces 24e and 25c on the side close to the contact plate portion 21 have a steep inclination, it is difficult to cross the mounting hole 12. That is, the attachment 20 is easy to attach to the mounting hole 12 and difficult to come off.

[0048] In particular, due to the gentle inclination of the inclined surfaces 24f and 25d and the fact that the displacement portion 24c having the inclined surface 24f and the plate-like piece 25a having the inclined surface 25d can be elastically displaced, the workability in assembling the attachment 20 to the front defroster grille 10 is improved.

[0049] Next, the attachment of the solar sensor 30 to the attachment 20 attached to the mounting hole 12 will be described. As shown in FIG. 2, the positions of the insertion hole 22 of the attachment 20 and the body portion 32 of the solar sensor 30 are aligned. Specifically, the locking claws 33, 33 of the body portion 32 are made to correspond to the side portions 22c, 22c of the insertion hole 22.

[0050] At this time, the locking claws 33, 33 of the body portion 32 of the solar sensor 30 are in a natural state where no external force acts, and protrude radially outward from the side portions 22c, 22c of the insertion hole 22. As shown in FIG. 5, when the body portion 32 of the solar sensor 30 is inserted into the insertion hole 22, as shown in FIG. 5(B), each locking claw 33 crosses the side portion 22c of the insertion hole 22 and the locking portion 26.

[0051] At this time, the head 31 of the solar sensor 30 is in contact with the contact plate portion 21 forming the peripheral edge of the insertion hole 22 from the front side. Further, the inclined surface 33a of the locking claw 33 of the solar sensor 30 is engaged with the engaging surface 26a of the locking portion 26. Thereby, the solar sensor 30 is attached to the attachment 20, and thus, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, it is attached to the attachment hole 12 of the front defroster grill 10.

[0052] In the locking claw 33, the inclined surface 33b with a gentle slope makes it easy to overcome the insertion hole 22 and the locking portion 26. On the other hand, the inclined surface 33a has a steep slope, and since the engaging surface 26a of the attachment 20 that engages with the inclined surface 33a faces the insertion direction of the solar sensor 30, it is difficult for the inclined surface 33a to overcome the locking portion 26. That is, the solar sensor 30 is easy to attach to the insertion hole 22 of the attachment 20 and is difficult to come off.

[0053] (Effect by attachment) According to the above attachment 20, it is possible to attach the solar sensor 30 having a shape that does not fit the attachment hole 12 of the front defroster grill 10 to the front defroster grill 10. As a result, it is not necessary to prepare a new front defroster grill having an attachment hole adapted to the solar sensor for each solar sensor having a different shape, and thus it is not necessary to manufacture a new mold for injection molding the new front defroster grill. That is, the front defroster grill can be shared for solar sensors having different shapes.

[0054] Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be appropriately modified without departing from the gist thereof. The vehicle interior material is not limited to the front defroster grill, and may be various vehicle interior materials such as an instrument panel, a door trim, a roof trim, a roof side trim, and a pillar trim. The attachment parts to the vehicle interior material are not limited to the solar sensor, and may be various parts such as other electrical components.

Industrial applicability

[0055] The present invention can be applied to an attachment attached to a mounting hole for attaching a component to a mounting hole formed in an interior material of a vehicle.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0056] 10 Front defroster grille (interior material of vehicle) 11L, 11R Air outlets 12 Mounting hole 12a Straight portion 12b Curved portion 12c Side portion 20 Attachment 21 Contact plate portion 22 Insertion hole 22a Straight portion 22b Curved portion 22c Side portion 23 Retaining portion (first retaining portion, second retaining portion) 24 Locking portion (first retaining portion) 24a Plate-like portion 24b Slit 24c Displacement portion 24d Protruding portion 24e, 24f Inclined surfaces 25 Locking portion (first retaining portion) 25a Plate-like piece 25b Protruding portion 25c, 25d Inclined surfaces 26 Locking portion (second retaining portion) 26a Engaging surface 30 Solar sensor (component) 31 Head 32 Body 33 Locking claw 33a, 33b Inclined surfaces 40 Solar sensor 41 Head 42 Body 42a Flat portion 42b Bulging portion 42c Side surface portion 43 Locking claw Inclined surfaces 43a, 43b

Claims

1. An attachment to be mounted in a mounting hole formed in an interior trim material of a vehicle for attaching a component to the mounting hole, wherein the component has a body portion and a head portion protruding in a flange shape from the body portion, and the body portion is provided with locking claws that can be elastically displaced in the radial direction thereof. A contact plate portion provided with a size that cannot be inserted into the mounting hole of the vehicle interior trim material and having an insertion hole at the center. A first and a second retaining portion provided on the back side of the contact plate portion and capable of being inserted into the mounting hole of the vehicle interior trim material. In the mounting hole of the vehicle interior trim material, another component having a size larger than that of the above-mentioned component and having locking claws can be attached by engaging the locking claws with the peripheral portion of the mounting hole. With the second retaining portion aligned with the engagement position of the locking claws of the other component at the peripheral portion of the mounting hole, the first and second retaining portions are inserted into the mounting hole, and the contact plate portion abuts against the peripheral portion of the mounting hole in the vehicle interior trim material from the front side while the first retaining portion engages from the back side, thereby being mounted in the mounting hole. The insertion hole of the contact plate portion is formed with a size that allows the body portion of the component to be inserted and does not allow the head portion of the component to be inserted. The body portion of the component is inserted into the insertion hole, the head portion of the component abuts against the contact plate portion, and the locking claws of the body portion of the component engage with the second retaining portion, whereby the component is attached. An attachment for a vehicle interior trim material, characterized in that.

2. The attachment for a vehicle interior trim material according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of the first and second retaining portions are provided respectively and arranged along the peripheral portion of the insertion hole.

3. The first retaining portion is provided with a displacement portion formed in a cantilever shape and extending in the axial direction of the insertion hole, and the tip of which can be elastically displaced in the radial direction, and a protruding portion protruding radially outward is provided outside the displacement portion. When the first retaining portion is inserted into the mounting hole of the vehicle interior trim material, the protruding portion gets over the mounting hole due to the elastic deformation of the displacement portion and engages with the back side of the vehicle interior trim material. The attachment for a vehicle interior trim material according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that.

4. The second retaining portion is formed as a plate-like piece extending in the axial direction, and the locking claws of the component engage with the tip of the plate-like piece. The attachment for a vehicle interior trim material according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that.

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