Console box structure

Abstract

To provide a console box structure which improves absorption capacity regarding a side-collision load.SOLUTION: A console box structure 10 is disposed between a first seat S1 and a second seat S2 arranged in parallel in a vehicle width direction of a vehicle 100. The console box structure 10 comprises: a console box 12; a console bracket 14 which is arranged in the console box 12 and extends upward from a vehicle body floor; and a load pass component 16 which is disposed in the console box 12, fixed to an upper part of the console bracket 14, and consists of a cylindrical member 17 whose axis is along a vehicle width direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a console box structure. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, efforts to provide access to sustainable transport systems that take into consideration vulnerable transport participants such as the elderly, people with disabilities, and children have been gaining momentum. To achieve this, research and development is being conducted to further improve road safety and convenience through development of crash safety performance.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a structure for improving the side impact performance of a vehicle. In this structure, a flat reinforcing member is disposed inside a center console box inside the vehicle. The reinforcing member functions as a wall that divides the center console box in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. With this structure, the reinforcing member is positioned in a state where it is stretched like a vertical wall in the load input direction. Therefore, even if a side impact load is input to the vehicle and transmitted from the driver's side or passenger's side, the side impact load can be absorbed. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6895236 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] As mentioned above, Patent Document 1 discloses a structure equipped with a reinforcing member. However, there is room for improvement in the ability to absorb side impact loads. Such improvements would contribute to the development of a sustainable transportation system.

[0006] The present invention aims to solve the above-mentioned problems. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] One aspect of the present invention is a console box structure provided in a vehicle between a first seat and a second seat lined up in the vehicle width direction, comprising: a console box; a console bracket disposed within the console box and extending upward from the vehicle floor; and a load path member disposed within the console box, fixed to an upper portion of the console bracket, and consisting of a tubular member whose axial direction is along the vehicle width direction. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, because the load path member is made of a tubular member, when a side impact load is input to the vehicle, the load path member can reliably absorb the side impact load from the first or second seat and effectively transmit the side impact load from one side of the first or second seat to the other side, thereby improving side impact performance. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the interior of a vehicle in which a console box structure according to an embodiment of the present invention is arranged. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the console box structure and its surroundings inside the vehicle. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the console box structure taken along line III-III in FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the console bracket and the load path member. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VV in FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a console box structure according to a modified example. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a console bracket and a load path member of a console box structure according to a modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] As shown in FIG. 1, the console box structure 10 according to this embodiment is disposed below and behind a dashboard 102 in the passenger compartment of a vehicle 100. The power source of the vehicle 100 is not particularly limited, and the vehicle 100 may be either an internal combustion engine vehicle or an electric vehicle. In the following description, "forward" means forward (X1 direction) in the vehicle's longitudinal direction (X direction). "Rear" means rearward (X2 direction) in the vehicle's longitudinal direction. "Upward" means upward in the vertical direction (Z direction). "Downward" means downward in the vertical direction. The vehicle width direction (Y direction) is the left-right direction of the vehicle 100. Within the vehicle width direction, the Y1 direction is the rightward direction, and the Y2 direction is the leftward direction.

[0011] As shown in Fig. 2, a first seat S1 and a second seat S2 are arranged side by side in the vehicle width direction within the vehicle cabin. The first seat S1 and the second seat S2 are two front seats in the vehicle 100. One of the first seat S1 and the second seat S2 is a driver's seat. The other of the first seat S1 and the second seat S2 is a passenger seat. The console box structure 10 is arranged between the first seat S1 and the second seat S2.

[0012] The console box structure 10 includes a console box 12, a console bracket 14, and a load path member 16. The console box 12 is a hollow structure disposed on a vehicle floor 104. The console box 12 extends in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle between the first seat S1 and the second seat S2, and protrudes upward from the vehicle floor 104. The console box 12 is made of, for example, resin.

[0013] As shown in FIG. 3, the console box 12 has a peripheral wall 20 and a top wall 22. The peripheral wall 20 extends in the vertical direction and is a wall that surrounds the hollow portion of the console box 12 from the front, rear, left, and right. The peripheral wall 20 has left and right side walls 20R, 20L located on both sides in the vehicle width direction. A rear wall 24 of the peripheral wall 20 connects the rear ends of the left and right side walls 20R, 20L. The top wall 22 is a wall that forms the upper part of the console box 12 and extends in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle. A recess 26 that is recessed downward is provided at the rear end of the top wall 22. A cover plate 28 is placed on the top of the top wall 22.

[0014] The console bracket 14 is a plate-like member disposed inside the console box 12. The console bracket 14 is made of, for example, metal. The console bracket 14 faces the rear wall 24 of the console box 12 at the rear of the console box 12. The console bracket 14 extends upward from the vehicle floor 104. As shown in FIG. 4 , the console bracket 14 has a base portion 30, a rising portion 32, an inclined portion 34, a protruding portion 36, and a pair of ribs 37.

[0015] As shown in FIG. 3 , the base portion 30 is fixed to the vehicle floor 104 by fastening parts 38 such as bolts. The rising portion 32 is a portion that extends upward from the base portion 30 and extends in a substantially vertical direction. The inclined portion 34 is a portion that bends at the upper end of the rising portion 32 relative to the rising portion 32 and extends diagonally forward. The protruding portion 36 is a portion that bends at the upper end of the inclined portion 34 relative to the inclined portion 34 and extends diagonally rearward. The protruding portion 36 is fixed to the console box 12 by a clip 40. In this embodiment, the protruding portion 36 is fixed to the bottom portion of a recess 26 provided in the top wall portion 22 of the console box 12.

[0016] The clip 40 is a plug-in clip. The shaft 40b of the clip 40 is inserted through a first insertion hole 41 provided in the top wall portion 22 (recess 26) and a second insertion hole 42 provided in the protrusion 36 of the console bracket 14. The head 40a of the clip 40 is housed in the recess 26. The cover plate 28 closes the opening (top) of the recess 26. Therefore, the head 40a of the clip 40 is covered by the cover plate 28. Note that means for fixing the console bracket 14 to the console box 12 may be something other than the clip 40. The means for fixing the console bracket 14 to the console box 12 may be, for example, a bolt.

[0017] The direction in which the console bracket 14 is fixed to the console box 12 is inclined with respect to the vertical direction. However, the direction in which the console bracket 14 is fixed to the console box 12 may be vertical. A pair of ribs 37 protrude from both the left and right sides of the base portion 30, the rising portion 32, the inclined portion 34, and the protruding portion 36 in the thickness direction thereof.

[0018] The load path member 16 is disposed within the console box 12. The load path member 16 is made of, for example, metal. The load path member 16 is fixed to the upper part of the console bracket 14. Specifically, the load path member 16 is fixed to the inclined portion 34 of the console bracket 14 by welding or the like. The load path member 16 may also be fixed to the console bracket 14 by other fixing means (such as bolts). The load path member 16 is disposed forward relative to the console bracket 14.

[0019] As shown in Figure 4, the load path member 16 is made up of a cylindrical member 17. The axial direction of the load path member 16 (cylindrical member 17) is aligned with the vehicle width direction. Both axial ends of the load path member 16 are open. The load path member 16 has a polygonal shape when viewed in the vehicle width direction.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 3 , one of the multiple sides of the polygonal shape of the load path member 16 (hereinafter referred to as the "specific side 16a") is fixed to the console bracket 14. The specific side 16a is inclined with respect to the vertical direction. In this embodiment, the load path member 16 is pentagonal. However, the load path member 16 may have a polygonal shape other than a pentagon. The load path member 16 may have, for example, a triangular or rectangular shape. The load path member 16 may have a polygonal shape with six or more vertices. The load path member 16 may have a cylindrical shape other than a polygonal shape when viewed in the vehicle width direction. Therefore, the load path member 16 may have a cylindrical or elliptical shape when viewed in the vehicle width direction.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 5, the load path member 16 is disposed between the left and right side walls 20R, 20L of the console box 12. The load path member 16 is disposed between the frame F1 of the first seat S1 and the frame F2 of the second seat S2. In the vehicle width direction, the width of the load path member 16 is greater than the width of the console bracket 14. Inside the console box 12, noise-reducing felt members 46, 46 are attached to the left and right side walls 20R, 20L of the console box 12. One and the other axial ends of the load path member 16 come into contact with the left and right felt members 46, 46.

[0022] The felt members 46, 46 also serve to fill the gap between the load path member 16 and the left and right side walls 20R, 20L of the console box 12. The felt members 46, 46 are other members fixed to the left and right side walls 20R, 20L of the console box 12. The felt members 46, 46 do not necessarily have to be provided. In this case, the load path member 16 may be in contact with the left and right side walls 20R, 20L of the console box 12.

[0023] This embodiment has the following advantages.

[0024] The console box structure 10 includes a console bracket 14 disposed within the console box 12, and a load path member 16 made of a tubular member 17 fixed to the upper part of the console bracket 14. With this configuration, because the load path member 16 is made of the tubular member 17, when a side collision load is input to the vehicle 100, the load path member 16 can reliably absorb the side collision load from the first seat S1 or the second seat S2 and can effectively transmit the side collision load from one side of the first seat S1 or the second seat S2 to the other side. This improves side collision performance.

[0025] That is, for example, when a side impact load is applied from the right side of the vehicle 100, the frame F1 of the first seat S1 moves toward the console box 12, and the side impact load is transmitted to the load pass member 16 via the console box 12. As the load pass member 16 is pushed by the side impact load, the console bracket 14 deforms. This allows the side impact load to be absorbed by the load pass member 16 and the console bracket 14. Furthermore, as the load pass member 16 moves, the console box 12 moves in the same direction, and the side impact load is transmitted to the frame F2 of the second seat S2. This allows the side impact load to be transmitted effectively from the first seat S1 to the second seat S2. Similarly, when a side impact load is applied from the left side of the vehicle 100, the side impact load can be transmitted effectively from the second seat S2 to the first seat S1 via the load pass member 16.

[0026] 3, the load path member 16 has a polygonal shape when viewed in the vehicle width direction. With this configuration, the rigidity of the load path member 16 is improved, thereby making it possible to more effectively improve side collision performance.

[0027] The direction in which the console bracket 14 is fixed to the console box 12 is vertical or inclined relative to the vertical. With this configuration, the assembly work of fixing the console bracket 14 to the console box 12 is easy.

[0028] The console bracket 14 is fixed to the console box 12 by a clip 40. With this configuration, the assembly workability can be further improved.

[0029] 5, one and the other axial ends of the load path member 16 contact the side walls 20R, 20L of the console box 12 in the vehicle width direction or other members (felt members 46, 46) fixed to the side walls 20R, 20L. With this configuration, a side collision load input to the console box 12 via the first seat S1 or the second seat S2 can be effectively transmitted to the load path member 16.

[0030] 6, in a console box structure 10A according to the modified example, a load path member 16A is fixed to the console box 12 by clips 40. Specifically, the upper end portion 16b of the load path member 16A and the top wall portion 22 of the console box 12 are fixed in the vertical direction by the clips 40. Therefore, when viewed from the vertical direction, the recessed portion 26 of the top wall portion 22 is positioned so as to overlap the upper end portion 16b of the load path member 16A.

[0031] The load path member 16A is formed by deforming a plate-shaped member 19 into a cylindrical shape. The load path member 16A has an overlapping portion 50 formed by welding one end (first end 19a) and the other end (second end 19b) of the plate-shaped member 19 together. The overlapping portion 50 and the console bracket 14A are joined together by welding.

[0032] 7, the overlapping portion 50 and the console bracket 14A are joined by a plurality of welds 52. At each weld 52, three members (the first end 19a and the second end 19b of the plate-like member 19, and the console bracket 14A) are joined together in an overlapping relationship. With this configuration, the overlapping portion 50 and the console bracket 14A can be overlapped to improve rigidity, suppress excessive deformation when a load is applied, and effectively absorb and transmit the load.

[0033] A pair of protrusions 56 are provided at both ends of the load path member 16A in the vehicle width direction (Y direction). The pair of protrusions 56 protrude from the second end 19b of the plate-shaped member 19. The pair of protrusions 56 bend rearward and upward relative to the main body of the load path member 16A. The pair of protrusions 56 have a plane perpendicular to the vehicle width direction. The upper part of the console bracket 14A is disposed between the pair of protrusions 56. Because the load path member 16A has the pair of protrusions 56, a side collision load from the first seat S1 or the second seat S2 (see FIG. 2) can be received by the load path member 16A across its surface, enabling the load to be transmitted effectively.

[0034] The console bracket 14A has a bead portion 58. The bead portion 58 bulges in the thickness direction of the console bracket 14A and extends in the longitudinal direction of the console bracket 14A. The bead portion 58 bulges from the surface 16S of the console bracket 14A opposite the surface that is joined to the load path member 16A. The bead portion 58 extends from the bottom to the top of the console bracket 14A. As such, because the console bracket 14A has the bead portion 58, twisting of the console bracket 14A in response to input of a side impact load from the first seat S1 or the second seat S2 can be suppressed. This allows the side impact load to be effectively absorbed and transmitted.

[0035] At the upper portion (inclined portion 34) of the console bracket 14A, the bead portion 58 has a pair of side beads 58b that protrude on both sides in the vehicle width direction (Y direction) from a vertical bead 58a that is the main body of the bead portion 58. The pair of side beads 58b are respectively connected to the pair of ribs 37. This makes it possible to more effectively transmit a side collision load from the first seat S1 or the second seat S2.

[0036] The following additional notes are further disclosed regarding the above embodiment.

[0037] (Appendix 1) The console box structure (10) of the present disclosure is a console box structure provided between a first seat (S1) and a second seat (S2) arranged side by side in the vehicle width direction in a vehicle (100), and includes a console box (12), a console bracket (14) arranged within the console box and extending upward from a vehicle body floor (104), and a load path member (16) arranged within the console box, fixed to an upper part of the console bracket, and consisting of a tubular member (17) whose axial direction is along the vehicle width direction.

[0038] (Supplementary Note 2) In the console box structure described in Supplementary Note 1, the load path member may have a polygonal shape when viewed in the vehicle width direction.

[0039] (Supplementary Note 3) In the console box structure described in Supplementary Note 1 or Supplementary Note 2, the fixing direction of the console bracket to the console box may be vertical or inclined with respect to the vertical.

[0040] (Supplementary Note 4) In the console box structure described in Supplementary Note 3, the console bracket may be fixed to the console box by a clip (40).

[0041] (Appendix 5) In the console box structure described in any one of Appendices 1 to 4, one end and the other end in the axial direction of the load path member may contact side walls (20L, 20R) of the console box in the vehicle width direction or other members fixed to the side walls.

[0042] (Supplementary Note 6) In the console box structure described in any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 5, protrusions (56) may be provided at both ends of the load path member in the vehicle width direction, the protrusions being bent relative to the main body of the load path member and having a plane perpendicular to the vehicle width direction.

[0043] (Appendix 7) In the console box structure described in any one of Appendices 1 to 6, the console bracket may have a bead portion (58) that bulges in the thickness direction of the console bracket and extends in the longitudinal direction of the console bracket.

[0044] (Appendix 8) In the console box structure described in any one of Appendices 1 to 7, the load path member may be formed by deforming a plate-shaped member (19) into a cylindrical shape, and may have an overlapping portion (50) where one end and the other end of the plate-shaped member overlap each other, and the overlapping portion and the console bracket may be joined to each other.

[0045] Although the present disclosure has been described in detail, the present disclosure is not limited to the individual embodiments described above. Various additions, substitutions, modifications, partial deletions, etc. are possible in these embodiments without departing from the gist of the present disclosure or the spirit of the present disclosure derived from the content of the claims and their equivalents. These embodiments can also be implemented in combination. For example, in the above-described embodiments, the order of each operation and the order of each process are shown as examples and are not limited to these. The same applies when numerical values ​​or mathematical expressions are used in the description of the above-described embodiments. [Explanation of symbols]

[0046] 10, 10A...Console box structure 12...Console box 14, 14A...Console bracket 16, 16A...Load path member 17...Cylindrical member 40...Clip 100...Vehicle 104...Vehicle floor S1…1st seat S2…2nd seat

Claims

1. A console box structure provided between a first seat and a second seat arranged in a vehicle width direction, The console box and a plate-shaped console bracket disposed in the console box and extending upward from a vehicle body floor; a load path member that is disposed within the console box, fixed to an upper portion of the console bracket, and is made of a tubular member whose axial direction is along the vehicle width direction, the console bracket includes a base portion, a rising portion extending upward from the base portion, and an inclined portion bending from an upper end of the rising portion toward the rising portion and extending diagonally forward, the load path member has a specific side portion inclined with respect to the vertical direction, A console box structure, wherein the inclined portion is fixed to the specific side portion.

2. The console box structure according to claim 1, The load path member has a polygonal shape when viewed in the vehicle width direction.

3. The console box structure according to claim 1, A console box structure, wherein the fixing direction of the console bracket to the console box is the vertical direction or a direction inclined relative to the vertical direction.

4. The console box structure according to claim 3, The console bracket is fixed to the console box by a clip.

5. The console box structure according to any one of claims 1 to 4, a console box structure in which one end and the other end of the load path member in the axial direction contact a side wall of the console box in the vehicle width direction or another member fixed to the side wall.

6. A console box structure provided between a first seat and a second seat arranged in a vehicle width direction, The console box and a plate-shaped console bracket disposed in the console box and extending upward from a vehicle body floor; a load path member that is disposed within the console box, fixed to an upper portion of the console bracket, and is made of a tubular member whose axial direction is along the vehicle width direction, a protrusion, bent relative to a main body of the load path member and having a plane perpendicular to the vehicle width direction, provided at both ends of the load path member in the vehicle width direction.

7. The console box structure according to any one of claims 1 to 4, The console bracket has a bead portion that bulges in a thickness direction of the console bracket and extends in a longitudinal direction of the console bracket.

8. A console box structure provided between a first seat and a second seat arranged in a vehicle width direction, The console box and a plate-shaped console bracket disposed in the console box and extending upward from a vehicle body floor; a load path member that is disposed within the console box, fixed to an upper portion of the console bracket, and is made of a tubular member whose axial direction is along the vehicle width direction, the load path member is formed by deforming a plate-like member into a cylindrical shape, and has an overlapping portion where one end and the other end of the plate-like member overlap each other, A console box structure, in which the overlapping portion and the console bracket are joined to each other.

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