Antenna Installation Structure of a Vehicle

Abstract

To provide an antenna installation structure for a vehicle capable of securing an installation space for an antenna within an instrument panel and also capable of firmly installing the antenna within the instrument panel.SOLUTION: An antenna installation structure for a vehicle A includes, within an instrument panel 1 of the vehicle A: an air conditioning duct 3; and an antenna 4 that receives at least information wirelessly. The antenna 4 is installed on the air conditioning duct 3. Furthermore, within the instrument panel 1, there are also included a steering hanger 5 and a body member 6 disposed in front of the air conditioning duct 3. The air conditioning duct 3 is fixed to the steering hanger 5 and the body member 6.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an antenna installation structure for a vehicle.

Background Art

[0002] Generally, an air duct of an air conditioner is arranged inside an instrument panel of an automobile (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In addition, instruments such as a speedometer, a tachometer, an odometer, a fuel gauge, etc., and a navigation system are installed on the instrument panel. For this reason, the inside of the instrument panel is complicated by the arrangement of wirings for various devices and pipes of the air conditioner.

[0003] On the other hand, a vehicle information system is known as an example in which an antenna capable of wirelessly transmitting and receiving information is arranged in a vehicle (see, for example, Patent Document 2). When attaching the antenna to the vehicle body or the like, since the vehicle body vibrates during traveling, it is necessary to firmly fix the antenna to the skeletal member of the vehicle body or the like.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] When installing an antenna such as a vehicle information system described in Patent Document 2 in a vehicle, it is desirable to install the antenna at a location suitable for transmission and reception in view of the transmission and reception performance of the antenna. When the antenna is installed on the outer surface of the vehicle, the sensitivity becomes good, but it is considered that the antenna may be damaged by contacting a foreign object or the like. Therefore, it is conceivable to attach the antenna inside the instrument panel.

[0006] However, since various wirings, pipes, devices, etc. are arranged inside the instrument panel, the fixing members such as the steering hanger cannot necessarily be arranged at positions suitable for the antenna. For this reason, the installation structure of the antenna for firmly fixing the antenna at a place suitable for transmission and reception has been an issue.

[0007] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an antenna installation structure for a vehicle that can secure an installation space for the antenna inside the instrument panel and can firmly install the antenna inside the instrument panel.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0008] In order to solve the above problems, an antenna installation structure for a vehicle according to the present invention includes an air duct, an antenna that receives at least information wirelessly, a steering hanger, and is provided inside the instrument panel of the vehicle, and the antenna is installed on the air duct 、 the air duct is provided with a bracket that extends to the rear side of the vehicle and is fixed to the steering hanger, and an antenna fixing pedestal for fixing the antenna is fixed on the bracket .

Effects of the Invention

[0009] The present invention can provide an antenna installation structure for a vehicle that can secure an installation space for the antenna inside the instrument panel and can firmly install the antenna inside the instrument panel.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0010]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Embodiment for Carrying Out the Invention

[0011] With reference to FIGS. 1 to 8, the antenna installation structure of the vehicle A according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the embodiment of the present invention, "front" refers to the front side of the vehicle A, "rear" refers to the rear side of the vehicle A, "up" refers to the vertically upward side, "down" refers to the vertically downward side, and "left and right" refers to the vehicle width direction side of the vehicle A.

[0012] ≪Vehicle≫ In the vehicle A shown in FIG. 1, an air conditioner 2 (see FIG. 4) for adjusting the temperature and humidity of the air in the passenger compartment R is mounted. An instrument panel 1 is provided at the front part in the passenger compartment R of the vehicle A. Air outlets 30 of the air duct 3 are arranged at the central part and both ends in the vehicle width direction of the instrument panel 1.

[0013] ≪Instrument Panel≫ As shown in FIG. 1, the instrument panel 1 is a member on which instruments 11 such as a speedometer, a tachometer, an odometer, and a fuel gauge, a display, air outlets 30 of the air conditioner 2, and an operation part (not shown) are installed. As shown in FIG. 1 or FIG. 2, inside the instrument panel 1, there are an air duct 3, an antenna 4 that receives information wirelessly at least, a steering hanger 5, and a body member 6. The instrument panel 1 is formed of a synthetic resin member that can allow radio waves transmitted and received by the antenna 4 to pass through.

[0014] As shown in FIG. 2, an air-conditioning duct connecting portion 12 protrudes from the lower surface of the front end portion of the instrument panel 1. The front end portion of the instrument panel 1 is fixed to the defroster duct 31 by press-fitting a fixture 91 composed of a connecting pin or the like implanted in the defroster duct fixing bracket portion 315 of the defroster duct 31 into the fixture installation hole 12a of the air-conditioning duct connecting portion 12. The rear portion of the instrument panel 1 is fixed to the steering hanger 5 by a fixture 93 composed of a body pin or the like.

[0015] <<Air-conditioning device>> The air-conditioning device 2 shown in FIG. 4 is a device for adjusting the temperature and humidity of the air in the passenger compartment R. The air outlet (not shown) of the air-conditioning device 2 is connected to the air-conditioning duct 3. The air whose temperature and humidity are adjusted by the air-conditioning device 2 is blown out from the air-conditioning device 2 into the passenger compartment R through the air-conditioning duct 3 from the air outlet 30.

[0016] <<Air outlet>> The air outlet 30 is composed of a front defroster air outlet 312, a side defroster air outlet 314, a center vent air outlet 322, and a side vent air outlet 324, which will be described later.

[0017] <<Air-conditioning duct>> The air-conditioning duct 3 is a tubular member for sending the air adjusted by the air-conditioning device 2 to the air outlet 30. The air-conditioning duct 3 is composed of a resin member formed by blow molding or the like. The air-conditioning duct 3 is integrally formed by combining a defroster duct 31, a vent duct 32, and a bracket 33.

[0018] <<Defroster duct>> As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the defroster duct 31 is a substantially tubular member for sending temperature-controlled air to the inner surface of the windshield glass. The defroster duct 31 has a front defroster duct 311, a front defroster air outlet 312, a side defroster duct 313, a side defroster air outlet 314, a defroster duct fixing bracket portion 315, a defroster duct fixing bracket portion 316, an instrument panel fixing hole 317, a vehicle body fixing hole 318 (see FIG. 6), and a defroster duct mounting component 34 (see FIG. 6).

[0019] As shown in FIG. 5, the duct 31 is configured by connecting a duct half 31A formed on the side where the front duct 311 is located and a duct half 31B formed on the side where the side duct 313 is located with fixtures 92 and 98. In the duct half 31A, a fixture installation hole 311a and a fixture 98 are provided at the outer end in the vehicle width direction of the front duct 311. In the duct half 31B, a fixture 92 and a fixture installation hole 313b are provided at a connecting portion 313a at the inner end in the vehicle width direction of the side duct 313 facing the fixture installation hole 311a. The duct half 31A is connected to the duct half 31B by press-fitting the fixture 92 into the fixture installation hole 311a and press-fitting the fixture 98 into the fixture installation hole 313b.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 4, the front duct 311 is a substantially tubular member for sending temperature-controlled air to the front glass. The front duct 311 has a front duct air outlet 312 for discharging temperature-controlled air to the front glass at its tip.

[0021] The side duct 313 is a substantially tubular member for sending temperature-controlled air to the side glass. The side duct 313 has a side duct air outlet 314 for discharging temperature-controlled air to the side glass at its tip.

[0022] The duct fixing bracket portion 315 is composed of a plurality of protruding pieces for fixing the duct 31 to the instrument panel 1. The duct fixing bracket portion 315 is formed to protrude forward from the vicinity of the front duct air outlet 312 at the tip of the duct 31. At least one of the plurality of duct fixing bracket portions 315 has an in-pan fixing hole 317 formed therein. Also, as shown in FIG. 6, at least one of the plurality of duct fixing bracket portions 315 integrally forms a locking piece 315a, a locking protrusion 315b, an in-pan fixing piece 315c, and a vehicle body fixing hole 318.

[0023] The locking piece 315a is a protruding piece that is locked to the engaging portion 34a of the duct mounting part 34 for firmly fixing the duct 31 to the duct fixing bracket portion 315. The locking piece 315a is integrally formed at the lower end portion of the duct fixing bracket portion 315.

[0024] The locking protrusion 315b is an extending piece that is locked to the fixing portion 34b having a plurality of through holes formed in the duct mounting part 34. The locking protrusion 315b is integrally formed at the upper side portion of the duct fixing bracket portion 315.

[0025] The instrument panel fixing piece 315c is a protruding piece into which a fixing tool 99 for fixing the duct fixing bracket portion 315 of the duct 31 to the vehicle body fixing portion 1a of the instrument panel 1 is inserted. The instrument panel fixing piece 315c is integrally formed at the upper end portion of the duct fixing bracket portion 315.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 6, the vehicle body fixing hole 318 is a hole into which a fixing tool 90 for fixing the body member 6 to the duct fixing bracket portion 315 is press-fitted. The vehicle body fixing hole 318 is formed in the front central portion of the duct fixing bracket portion 315.

[0027] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the duct fixing bracket portion 316 is composed of a protruding piece for fixing the duct 31 to the bracket 33 of the vent duct 32. The duct fixing bracket portion 316 protrudes from the side duct 313 toward the duct fixing pedestal portion 339 and is screwed to the duct fixing pedestal portion 339.

[0028] As shown in FIG. 3, the instrument panel fixing hole 317 is composed of a plurality of through holes formed at the upper front end portion of the duct 31. A fixing tool 91 for fixing the duct 31 to the instrument panel 1 is inserted into the instrument panel fixing hole 317 shown in FIG. 2. Further, a protruding piece (not shown) integrally protruding from the instrument panel 1 is engaged with the instrument panel fixing hole 317.

[0029] <Deflector mounting part> As shown in Fig. 6, the deflector mounting part 34 is a resin support that supports the deflector 31 from the rear side. The deflector 31 is held by a deflector fixing bracket part 315 that supports the front side of the deflector 31 and a deflector mounting part 34 that supports the rear side of the deflector 31, and is fixed to the instrument panel 1 and the body member 6. The deflector mounting part 34 has the engaging part 34a and the fixing part 34b described above.

[0030] <Body member> The body member 6 shown in Fig. 6 is a member that is arranged in front of the air duct 3 and forms a part of the vehicle body. The body member 6 is composed of partition walls 61 and 62 that partition the motor room MR and the passenger compartment R. The partition wall 61 is composed of, for example, two metal plate members. Note that the partition walls 61 and 62 may be a single metal plate member composed of either one of them.

[0031] <Vent duct> As shown in Fig. 4, the vent duct 32 is a substantially tubular member for sending temperature-controlled air to the driver's seat and the front passenger seat. That is, the vent duct 32 is a tubular member for sending temperature-controlled air from the air conditioner 2 to the center vent outlet 322 and the side vent outlet 324. The vent duct 32 has a center vent duct 321, a center vent outlet 322, a side vent duct 323, a side vent outlet 324, a duct connection part 325 (see Fig. 5), and a bracket 33. The vent duct 32 (air duct 3) extends toward the rear side of the vehicle and is provided with a bracket 33 that is fixed to the steering hanger 5. As shown in Fig. 3, the vent duct 32 (air duct 3) is fixed to the steering hanger 5 and the body member 6 (see Fig. 2).

[0032] As shown in Fig. 4, the center vent duct 321 is a tubular member for sending temperature-controlled air to the center part of the front seats. An air conditioner 2 is provided at the base end of the center vent duct 321. A center vent outlet 322 for discharging temperature-controlled air toward the front seats is formed at the tip of the center vent duct 321.

[0033] The side vent duct 323 is a tubular member that sends conditioned air to the outside in the vehicle width direction of the front seat. An air conditioner 2 is provided at the base end portion of the side vent duct 323. At the tip end portion of the side vent duct 323, a side vent outlet 324 that discharges conditioned air toward the outside in the vehicle width direction of the front seat is formed. The right side vent duct 323 extends substantially horizontally in the vehicle width direction from the base end portion, and then bends at the right side portion of the vehicle body and extends rearward.

[0034] The duct connection portion 325 shown in FIG. 5 is a connecting piece for connecting the vent duct 32 and the defroster duct 31. The duct connection portion 325 is composed of a protruding piece that protrudes in a substantially arc shape when viewed from the side from the front side of the outer peripheral portion of the vent duct 32. The duct connection portion 325 is integrally formed with the vent duct 32 by resin. At the tip end portion of the duct connection portion 325, a fixture 98 composed of a connecting pin for fixing the duct connection portion 325 to the defroster duct 31 and connecting the defroster half body 31B to the defroster half body 31A is attached.

[0035] <Bracket> As shown in FIG. 3, the bracket 33 is a fixing portion for fixing the air duct 3 to the vehicle body (steering hanger 5). The bracket 33 is integrally formed with the vent duct 32 by resin. The front and both sides in the vehicle width direction of the bracket 33 are connected to the air duct 3. The bracket 33 is disposed at a position surrounded by the air duct 3 at the front and both sides in the vehicle width direction. That is, the bracket 33 is installed so as to be installed between the center vent duct 321 and the side vent duct 323. An antenna fixing pedestal 8 for fixing the antenna 4 is fixed on the bracket 33.

[0036] As shown in FIG. 4, the bracket 33 has a pedestal installation portion 331, pedestal support portions 332, 333, 334, positioning holes 335, 336, a hanger fixing portion bracket portion 337, a hanger fixing hole 338, and a defroster duct fixing pedestal portion 339.

[0037] As shown in FIG. 3 or FIG. 4, the pedestal installation portion 331 is a location where the antenna fixing pedestal 8 is installed. The pedestal installation portion 331 is formed substantially flat integrally with the vent duct 32 between the center vent duct 321 and the side vent duct 323 of the vent duct 32 arranged in a substantially concave shape in plan view.

[0038] The pedestal support portions 332, 333, 334 shown in FIG. 4 are locations where the lower ends of the fixing pieces 83, 84, 85 of the antenna fixing pedestal 8 shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 are placed. As shown in FIG. 4, the pedestal support portion 332 is composed of a location formed flat at a position one step lower from the rear end portion of the pedestal installation portion 331. A female screw member 73 to which a fixture 96 (see FIGS. 2 and 7) composed of a male screw member is screwed is fixed to the pedestal support portion 332.

[0039] The pedestal support portion 333 is composed of a location formed flat at a position one step higher toward the center in the vehicle width direction from the pedestal installation portion 331. A female screw member 72 to which a fixture 95 (see FIGS. 2 and 7) composed of a male screw member is screwed, and a positioning hole 335 into which a positioning projection 84b (see FIG. 7) of the antenna fixing pedestal 8 is inserted, are formed in the pedestal support portion 333.

[0040] As shown in FIG. 4, the pedestal support portion 334 is composed of a location formed flat at a position one step higher toward the outside in the vehicle width direction from the pedestal installation portion 331. A female screw member 71 to which a fixture 97 (see FIG. 7) composed of a male screw member is screwed, and a positioning hole 336 into which a positioning projection 83b (see FIG. 7) of the antenna fixing pedestal 8 is inserted, are formed in the pedestal support portion 334.

[0041] As shown in FIG. 3, the hanger fixing portion bracket portion 337 is composed of a tongue-like piece for connecting to the air duct support portion 51 of the steering hanger 5. The hanger fixing portion bracket portion 337 extends downward from the rear end portion of the pedestal support portion 332. A plurality of hanger fixing holes 338 to which a fixture 94 for screwing to the air duct support portion 51 is attached are formed in the hanger fixing portion bracket portion 337.

[0042] As shown in FIG. 4, the deflector duct fixing pedestal portion 339 is a pedestal on which the flat lower end portion of the deflector duct fixing bracket portion 316 protruding downward from the side deflector duct 313 is placed. The deflector duct fixing pedestal portion 339 bulges upward from the outside of the vehicle width direction of the pedestal support portion 334. The upper end portion of the deflector duct fixing pedestal portion 339 supports the side deflector duct 313 from below by screwing the side deflector duct 313, and connects the vent duct 32 and the deflector duct 31.

[0043] <Steering hanger> The steering hanger 5 shown in FIG. 3 is a vehicle body frame member composed of a beam member such as a metal pipe extending along the vehicle width direction. The steering hanger 5 is disposed within the instrument panel 1. Side wall members 53 disposed on the sides of both ends in the vehicle width direction of the steering hanger 5 are coupled to the side closer to the front of the passenger compartment R. An air duct support portion 51 and a hanger bracket portion 52 are welded to the center portion in the vehicle width direction of the steering hanger 5.

[0044] The air duct support portion 51 is a support member that supports the bracket 33 of the air duct 3 from below. The air duct support portion 51 is fixed to the hanger fixing portion bracket portion 337 by a fixture 94. The hanger bracket portion 52 is a support member that supports a dash upper member and a vehicle body member (not shown) with a connecting member interposed therebetween.

[0045] ≪Antenna≫ The antenna 4 shown in FIG. 1 is an in-vehicle antenna device installed in a vehicle A as a moving body. The antenna 4 is installed on an air duct 3 (see FIG. 3) inside an instrument panel 1 (dashboard) in a passenger compartment R of the vehicle A. The antenna 4 is configured to include, for example, a first antenna 41 and a second antenna 42. Note that the communication method of the antenna 4 is not particularly limited.

[0046] <First Antenna> As shown in FIG. 8, the first antenna 41 is, for example, a telematics antenna for receiving road information, accident-related information, etc. The first antenna 41 includes a housing 41a made of a resin body that transmits radio waves, a circuit board (not shown) installed inside the housing 41a, and a connector (not shown) connected to the circuit board. The connector (not shown) is connected to a cable for in-vehicle LAN. Thereby, the communication device of the first antenna 41 and each in-vehicle device connected to the in-vehicle LAN can communicate with each other.

[0047] <Second Antenna> The second antenna 42 is, for example, a GPS antenna for receiving vehicle position information from artificial satellites or a GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) antenna. Similar to the first antenna 41, the second antenna 42 includes a housing 42a made of a resin body that transmits radio waves, a circuit board (not shown) installed inside the housing 42a, and a connector (not shown) connected to the circuit board.

[0048] ≪Antenna Fixed Base≫ As shown in FIG. 3, the antenna fixing pedestal 8 is a member for fixing the antenna 4 to the bracket 33 of the air duct 3 by means of fixtures 95, 96, 97 (see FIG. 7). As shown in FIG. 7, the antenna fixing pedestal 8 is integrally formed of resin with a first antenna unit installation portion 81, a second antenna unit installation portion 82, fixing pieces 83, 84, 85, a reinforcing portion 86, and ribs 87. The antenna fixing pedestal 8 is formed to be elongated in the vehicle width direction in plan view. The antenna fixing pedestal 8 is fastened to the bracket 33 at three locations: the central portion in the vehicle width direction and both end portions in the vehicle width direction, by fixtures 95, 96, 97 made of male screw members or the like.

[0049] As shown in FIG. 7 or FIG. 8, the first antenna unit installation portion 81 is a portion for mounting the first antenna 41. The first antenna unit installation portion 81 is composed of a flat portion extending in the vehicle width direction. The first antenna unit installation portion 81 is formed in an inversely concave shape in a longitudinal sectional view. A pair of left and right positioning convex portions 81a and a pair of left and right antenna mounting holes 81b are formed in the first antenna unit installation portion 81.

[0050] The positioning convex portion 81a is composed of a cylindrical convex portion that is inserted into a positioning hole (not shown) formed on the lower surface of the housing 41a of the first antenna 41. The antenna mounting hole 81b is a screw installation hole through which a screw member for fixing the housing 41a to the first antenna unit installation portion 81 is inserted.

[0051] As shown in FIG. 7 or FIG. 8, the second antenna unit installation portion 82 is a portion for mounting the second antenna 42. The second antenna unit installation portion 82 is composed of a substantially flat portion extending from the first antenna unit installation portion 81 toward the central side in the vehicle width direction. A pair of left and right positioning convex portions 82a, antenna mounting holes 82b formed at the front and rear portions of both outer ends in the vehicle width direction, and a reinforcing portion 86 including concave portions 86a, 86b are formed in the second antenna unit installation portion 82. The second antenna unit installation portion 82 has a larger width dimension in the front-rear direction than the first antenna unit installation portion 81.

[0052] The positioning convex portion 82a is composed of a cylindrical convex portion that is inserted into a positioning hole (not shown) formed on the lower surface of the housing 42a of the second antenna 42. The antenna mounting hole 82b is composed of a screw installation hole through which a screw member for fixing the housing 42a to the second antenna unit installation portion 82 is inserted. The reinforcing portion 86 is a portion where a number of square recesses 86a, 86b are arranged in a substantially lattice pattern to improve the strength of the second antenna unit installation portion 82. Since the reinforcing portion 86 is formed in a hollowed-out shape by a number of recesses 86a, 86b, it contributes to the weight reduction of the antenna fixing pedestal 8.

[0053] As shown in FIG. 7 or FIG. 8, the fixing pieces 83, 84, 85 are protruding pieces for three-point supporting the antenna fixing pedestal 8 on the bracket 33 by the fixtures 95, 96, 97. The fixing piece 83 is formed to protrude outward in the vehicle width direction of the first antenna unit installation portion 81. The fixing piece 83 is formed with a fixing hole 83a for inserting a fixture 97 screwed to the female screw member 71 (see FIG. 4), and a positioning protrusion 83b inserted into the positioning hole 336 (see FIG. 4).

[0054] The fixing piece 84 is formed to protrude toward the center in the vehicle width direction of the second antenna unit installation portion 82. The fixing piece 84 is formed with a fixing hole 84a for inserting a fixture 95 screwed to the female screw member 72 (see FIG. 4), and a positioning protrusion 84b inserted into the positioning hole 335 (see FIG. 4).

[0055] The fixing piece 85 is formed to protrude downward at the outer front end in the vehicle width direction of the second antenna unit installation portion 82. The fixing piece 85 is formed with a fixing hole 85a for inserting a fixture 96 screwed to the female screw member 73 (see FIG. 4), and reinforcing ribs 85b extending vertically on both sides in the vehicle width direction of the fixing piece 85 for reinforcing the fixing piece 85.

[0056] As shown in FIG. 7, the rib 87 is a protruding piece for reinforcing the lower part of the second antenna unit installation part 82 formed in a rectangular shape when viewed from the back. The rib 87 is formed at the outer peripheral edge of the lower part of the second antenna unit installation part 82.

[0057] Thus, as shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 3 or 4, the antenna installation structure of the vehicle A according to the embodiment of the present invention includes an air duct 3 and an antenna 4 that receives at least information wirelessly, inside the instrument panel 1 of the vehicle A, and the antenna 4 is installed on the air duct 3.

[0058] According to such a configuration, in the antenna installation structure of the vehicle A of the present invention, by installing the antenna 4 on the air duct 3 inside the instrument panel 1, a mounting space for the antenna 4 can be secured inside the instrument panel 1. Furthermore, since the antenna 4 is installed on the air duct 3, it can be firmly installed inside the instrument panel 1. Also, since the antenna 4 is fixed on the air duct 3 with a large occupied area inside the instrument panel 1, the antenna 4 can be installed at a place where it functions well.

[0059] Also, as shown in FIG. 2, the steering hanger 5 and a body member 6 arranged in front of the air duct 3 are provided inside the instrument panel 1 of the vehicle A, and the air duct 3 is fixed to the steering hanger 5 and the body member 6.

[0060] According to such a configuration, since the air duct 3 is fixed to the steering hanger 5 and the body member 6, it can be firmly fixed without rattling. By fixing the front part of the air duct 3 to the body member 6 and the rear part to the steering hanger 5, the antenna 4 can be firmly fixed and installed at a place where it functions well as the antenna 4.

[0061] Also, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the steering hanger 5 is provided inside the instrument panel 1 of the vehicle A, and the air duct 3 is provided with a bracket 33 that extends rearward of the vehicle and is fixed to the steering hanger 5. An antenna fixing pedestal 8 for fixing the antenna 4 is fixed on the bracket 33.

[0062] According to such a configuration, since the air duct 3 is provided with the bracket 33 fixed to the steering hanger 5 which is a rigid member, it can be firmly fixed to the steering hanger 5. Since the bracket 33 has the antenna fixing pedestal 8 for fixing the antenna 4 fixed thereto, even when receiving the load of the antenna 4, it is fixed to the steering hanger 5, so that the antenna 4 can be firmly supported. Since the air duct 3 is an air-conditioning passage, it is difficult to secure an installation location for the antenna 4 as it is, but it can be fixed via the fixing pedestal to the bracket 33 extending from the air duct 3.

[0063] Also, as shown in FIG. 4, the bracket 33 is disposed at a position surrounded by the air duct 3 on both the front side and both side portions in the vehicle width direction, and both the front side and both side portions in the vehicle width direction of the bracket 33 are connected to the air duct 3.

[0064] According to such a configuration, since the bracket 33 is surrounded by the air duct 3 on both the front side and both side portions in the vehicle width direction, it can be arranged so that an external force is not directly applied to the bracket 33. Also, even inside the instrument panel 1 with a layout having no margin due to the arrangement of other components, the antenna 4 can be arranged at a location where it functions well. Further, since both the front side and both side portions in the vehicle width direction of the bracket 33 are connected and integrated with the air duct 3, the antenna 4 can be firmly fixed to the air duct 3.

[0065] Also, the bracket 33 is integrally formed with the air duct 3 by resin.

[0066] According to such a configuration, the bracket 33 is integrally formed with the air duct 3 by resin, so that the number of parts and the man-hour for assembly can be reduced, and cost reduction can be achieved.

[0067] Also, as shown in FIG. 7, the antenna fixing pedestal 8 is formed with a reinforcing portion 86 composed of a plurality of recesses 86a, 86b.

[0068] According to such a configuration, the antenna fixing pedestal 8 has the reinforcing portion 86 composed of a plurality of recesses 86a, 86b, so that the rigidity can be improved, and thus the antenna 4 can be firmly supported.

[0069] [Modification Example] Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications and changes are possible within the scope of the technical idea thereof. Of course, the present invention also extends to these modified and changed inventions.

[0070] For example, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the antenna 4 includes the first antenna 41 and the second antenna 42 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the antenna 4 may include only one of the first antenna 41 and the second antenna 42. According to such a configuration, since the antenna 4 is composed of one antenna unit, it can be made small, and thus the degree of freedom and efficiency of the layout can be improved. Also, three antenna units may be arranged for the antenna 4.

[0071] The antenna 4 has been described by taking a telematics antenna, a GPS antenna, and a GNSS antenna as examples. However, an ETC antenna or a DSRC antenna that receives radio waves with stronger directivity than the wireless communication of the telematics system may also be used.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0072] 1 Instrument Panel 3 Air Duct 4 Antenna 5 Steering hanger 6 Body member 8 Antenna fixing pedestal 33 Bracket 86 Reinforcing part 86a, 86b Recess A Vehicle

Claims

1. An air duct, an antenna that receives at least information wirelessly, and a steering hanger, are provided within an instrument panel of a vehicle, the antenna is installed on the air duct, the air duct includes a bracket that extends rearward of the vehicle and is fixed to the steering hanger, an antenna fixing pedestal for fixing the antenna is fixed on the bracket, An antenna installation structure for a vehicle.

2. The vehicle instrument panel includes a body member disposed in front of the air duct, the air duct is fixed to the steering hanger and the body member, The antenna installation structure for a vehicle according to Claim 1.

3. the bracket is disposed at a position surrounded by the air duct on the front side and both sides in the vehicle width direction, the front side and both sides in the vehicle width direction of the bracket are connected to the air duct, The antenna installation structure for a vehicle according to Claim 1.

4. the bracket is integrally formed with the air duct by resin, The antenna installation structure for a vehicle according to Claim 1.

5. a reinforcing portion composed of a plurality of recesses is formed on the antenna fixing pedestal, The antenna installation structure for a vehicle according to Claim 1.

Images