Column cover

Abstract

This column cover is attached to a steering column, which protrudes rearward beyond an instrument panel, so as to cover the steering column. The column cover has a lower cover which constitutes a lower portion of the column cover, an upper cover which is attached to the lower cover and constitutes an upper portion of the column cover, and an on-board device which is attached to an attachment area on an upper surface of the upper cover; and the on-board device can fall off from the upper cover when the on-board device has come into contact with the instrument panel as the column cover is displaced forward with forward displacement of the steering column.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a column cover that covers a rear portion of a steering column. [Background technology]

[0002] When a vehicle has a primary collision, inertial force causes the driver to collide with the steering wheel in front of the vehicle. For this reason, a commonly known configuration is to contract the steering column when the vehicle has a primary collision, absorbing the energy of the collision and reducing the load acting on the driver in a secondary collision while also ensuring space for the airbag to deploy.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a column cover that is made up of upper and lower parts and covers the rear end of a steering column, and that allows the upper part to be easily detached from the steering column and the lower parts. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 6-298101 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The column cover described in Patent Document 1 is intended to maintain a good appearance while maintaining the ability to absorb energy caused by the contraction of the steering column. However, in recent years, various on-board devices have been installed inside the vehicle, and there is a problem that the contraction of the steering column may be hindered, particularly by on-board devices installed on the top of the column cover.

[0006] The present invention was made in consideration of the above circumstances, and aims to provide a column cover that prevents an on-board device mounted on the column cover from getting caught on the instrument panel, thereby preventing the rear end of the steering column from being hindered from moving forward as the steering column contracts. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The above object of the present invention can be achieved by the following configuration. [1] A column cover attached to a steering column so as to cover the steering column protruding rearward from an instrument panel, the column cover includes a lower cover constituting a lower portion of the column cover, an upper cover attached to the lower cover and constituting an upper portion of the column cover, and an in-vehicle device attached to an attachment area on an upper surface of the upper cover, the in-vehicle device can be detached from the upper cover when the column cover is displaced forward together with the forward displacement of the steering column and the in-vehicle device comes into contact with the instrument panel; Column cover. [2] The upper cover can be detached from the lower cover when the column cover is displaced forward together with the forward displacement of the steering column and the upper cover comes into contact with the instrument panel. [1] The column cover described in [1]. [3] The in-vehicle device has a fastening member that fastens the in-vehicle device to the mounting area, The mounting area includes a first fastening hole to which the fastening member is fastened, and a second fastening hole formed rearward of the first fastening hole, continuous with the first fastening hole, and having a larger diameter than the first fastening hole, When the column cover is displaced forward together with the forward displacement of the steering column and the in-vehicle device comes into contact with the instrument panel, the fastening member is released from the first fastening hole and is accommodated in the second fastening hole together with the forward movement of the in-vehicle device. [1] or [2]. The column cover. [4] The in-vehicle device has a rib that is inserted into a positioning hole in the front-rear direction formed in the mounting area, The rib slopes upward toward the rear. A column cover according to any one of [1] to [3]. [5] The mounting area has a recess into which the in-vehicle device is fitted, The recess is open at the rear side. A column cover according to any one of [1] to [4]. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, when the steering column is contracted due to an impact load of a predetermined magnitude or greater received forward from the steering handle due to a vehicle collision or the like, the on-board device can be prevented from getting caught on the instrument panel side, thereby preventing the rear end of the steering column from being hindered from moving forward. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a side view showing an outline of a peripheral structure of an instrument panel of a vehicle to which a column cover according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the column cover as seen from the rear side of the vehicle. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the column cover seen from the front of the vehicle. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a bottom perspective view of the upper cover on which the in-vehicle device is mounted. [Figure 5] FIG. 5(A) is a schematic diagram showing the shape of the rib on the in-vehicle device side, and FIG. 5(B) is a schematic diagram showing the direction in which the in-vehicle device falls off. [Figure 6] 6(A) to 6(C) are a top perspective view, a bottom perspective view, and a side view showing the in-vehicle device. [Figure 7] 7(A) and 7(B) are a top perspective view and a bottom view of the upper cover showing the mounting portion. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Hereinafter, a column cover according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. This embodiment is merely an example of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. Various modifications and improvements can be made to this embodiment, and such modifications and improvements can also be included in the present invention.

[0011] (Overall composition) Fig. 1 is a side view showing an outline of the peripheral structure of a vehicle instrument panel to which a column cover according to this embodiment is applied. As shown in Fig. 1, an instrument panel 10 at the front of the vehicle cabin has a meter unit 12 provided in front of the driver's seat. Below the meter unit 12 is provided a steering column 14 that penetrates in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle and extends rearward. A steering shaft 16 is provided inside the steering column 14.

[0012] A steering wheel 18 is attached to the rear end of the steering shaft 16, which is the end inside the vehicle cabin. The steering wheel 18 is connected to the front wheels via the steering shaft 16, a universal joint, a connecting shaft, a steering gear, a tie rod, and a knuckle arm (not shown). Therefore, the front wheels are steered by turning the steering wheel 18.

[0013] The steering column 14 extends in the front-rear direction from the front of the instrument panel 10 to the rear of the instrument panel 10 within the vehicle interior, and surrounds the steering shaft 16 . The steering column 14 and the steering shaft 16 are configured so that their rear ends are displaced forward when an impact load acts from the steering handle 18 side due to the driver leaning forward during a head-on collision of the vehicle.

[0014] An example of a specific configuration of the steering column 14 will be described below. The steering column 14 has a front tubular portion that is fixed to a deck cross pipe (not shown) in the left-right direction that supports the instrument panel 10, and a rear tubular portion that is fixed to the front tubular portion via a resin mounting bracket (not shown) and into which the front tubular portion is inserted. When the mounting bracket breaks due to an impact load input from the steering handle 18, the rear tubular portion of the steering column 14 moves forward relative to the front tubular portion. In other words, when the vehicle experiences a primary collision, the steering column 14 contracts in the extension direction, thereby efficiently absorbing the collision energy and reducing the impact of the secondary collision on the driver, while also creating space between the steering wheel 18 and the driver for the airbag to deploy.

[0015] The rear portion of the steering column 14 that protrudes from the instrument panel 10 into the vehicle interior is covered with a column cover 30. The column cover 30 is arranged with the tip side of the column cover 30 inserted into an insertion opening 20 formed in the instrument panel 10, and covers the rear end side, which is part of the steering column 14, along its axial direction.

[0016] In this embodiment, the direction of travel of the vehicle is referred to as "front," and the rear of the vehicle when traveling backward is referred to as "rear." The left side of the vehicle's direction of travel is referred to as "left," and the right side of the vehicle's direction of travel is referred to as "right." Furthermore, the left-right direction and the vehicle width direction are synonymous, and the front-rear direction and the vehicle direction are synonymous. Additionally, "front end" refers to the front side of the vehicle. Additionally, "rear end" refers to the rear side of the vehicle, and refers to the direction toward the side where the steering handle 18 is attached relative to the steering column 14. The same definitions apply hereinafter.

[0017] Next, a specific configuration of the column cover will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 3. Figure 2 is a perspective view of the column cover seen from the rear side of the vehicle, and Figure 3 is a perspective view of the column cover seen from the front of the vehicle.

[0018] The column cover 30 is a molded product made of resin, and includes an upper cover 31 and a lower cover 32. The upper cover 31 and the lower cover 32 each have a half shape obtained by dividing a bottomed box body having a generally rectangular cross section into two halves, upper and lower. An in-vehicle device 40, which will be described later, is provided on the upper surface side of the upper cover 31.

[0019] The upper cover 31 has a rear end side wall portion 31a, a left side wall portion 31b, a right side wall portion 31c, and an upper wall portion 31d. The upper cover 31 is open at its tip end side and at its lower vertical side, and covers the steering column 14 from above in the vertical direction. A substantially semicircular rear cutout 34, through which the steering column 14 is inserted, is formed in the lower edge of the rear end side wall 31a of the upper cover 31. Substantially semicircular side cutouts 35L, 35R, through which an operating lever or the like is inserted, are formed in the lower end edges of the left and right side wall portions 31b, 31c of the upper cover 31. This configuration can be seen in Figures 2 to 5. The upper wall portion 31d of the upper cover 31 is formed by arranging, in order from the rear side, a first upper wall portion 31d1 and a second upper wall portion 31d2 in the front-to-rear direction. The first upper wall portion 31d1 is formed at a higher position than the second upper wall portion 31d2 via a step portion in the vertical direction. Furthermore, the upper wall portion 31d of the upper cover 31 is curved in an arc shape along the upper part of the steering column 14 when viewed from the driver's side. The in-vehicle device 40 is attached via an attachment portion 50 provided on the rear end side of the upper cover 31, on the first upper wall portion 31d1, at the center in the left-right direction.

[0020] The lower cover 32 has a rear end side wall portion 32a, a left side wall portion 32b, a right side wall portion 32c, and a lower wall portion 32d. The lower cover 32 is open at its tip and at its upper side in the vertical direction, and faces the upper cover 31 to cover the steering column 14 from below in the vertical direction. A substantially semicircular rear cutout 37, through which the steering column 14 is inserted, is formed in the upper edge of the rear side wall 32a of the lower cover 32. Substantially semicircular side cutouts 38L, 38R, through which an operating lever or the like is inserted, are formed in the upper edges of the left and right side wall portions 32b, 32c of the lower cover 32. The lower wall portion 32d of the lower cover 32 is curved in an arc shape along the lower portion of the steering column 14 when viewed from the driver's side.

[0021] In this embodiment, a plurality of mating claws (not shown) are arranged on the lower edges of the left and right side wall portions 31b, 31c of the upper cover 31. Meanwhile, mating portions (not shown) that fit into the mating claws are provided on the upper edges of the left and right side wall portions 32b, 32c of the lower cover 32. As a result, the box-shaped column cover 30 is formed by butting the lower edges of the side wall portions 31b, 31c of the upper cover 31 and the upper edges of the side wall portions 32b, 32c of the lower cover 32 together. As a result, the upper cover 31 is joined to the lower cover 32 in an easily detachable manner.

[0022] According to this configuration, when the rear end of the steering column 14 is displaced forward and the front end of the upper cover 31 comes into contact with the insertion opening 20 formed in the instrument panel 10 or the meter unit 12, the upper cover 31 smoothly falls off from the lower cover 32. That is, when an impact load is applied to the steering column 14 from the steering wheel 18, the column cover 30 can be efficiently prevented from getting caught on the instrument panel 10 side and impeding the forward movement of the steering column 14.

[0023] Next, the specific configuration of the in-vehicle device and the mounting portion on the upper cover side will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 7. Figure 4 is a bottom perspective view of the upper cover on which the in-vehicle device is mounted, Figure 5(A) is a schematic diagram showing the shape of the ribs on the in-vehicle device side, Figure 5(B) is a schematic diagram showing the detachment direction of the in-vehicle device, Figures 6(A) to 6(C) are a top perspective view, a bottom perspective view, and a side view showing the in-vehicle device, and Figures 7(A) and 7(B) are a top perspective view and a bottom view of the upper cover showing the mounting portion.

[0024] The in-vehicle device 40 has a storage section 41, a bottom plate section 42, and a fastening member 43. In this embodiment, an in-vehicle camera that captures images of the interior of the vehicle is mounted in the space formed by the storage section 41 and the bottom plate section 42 as the in-vehicle device 40. A harness 48 that is connected to a control section and a power source in the vehicle is also connected to the in-vehicle camera. The harness 48 is taken out from the rear side of the bottom plate section 42. Note that the equipment mounted in the storage section 41 as the in-vehicle device 40 is not limited to the in-vehicle camera. The in-vehicle device 40 is positioned vertically between the column cover 30 and the meter unit 12 in a side view. The in-vehicle device 40 is positioned longitudinally between the steering wheel 18 and the meter unit 12 in a side view. As a result, the in-vehicle device 40 does not protrude above the steering wheel 18, and can be installed without affecting the visibility of the meter unit 12. Meanwhile, the rear end side of the in-vehicle device 40 is positioned so as to be visible from the driver's side through an opening (not shown) formed between spokes formed at the top of the steering wheel 18. This configuration can be seen in FIG. 1.

[0025] The storage section 41 has a rear surface 41a, a left surface 41b, a right surface 41c, and an upper surface 41d, so that the storage section 41 is formed in a box shape that is open downward and accommodates the vehicle-mounted camera. Further, the lower edge of the frame-shaped accommodation portion 41 is provided with a protrusion 47 for positioning on the attachment portion 50, a rib 46, and a locking piece 45.

[0026] The rear surface 41a of the storage section 41 is a flat surface that extends upward from the upper edge of the rear end wall 31a of the upper cover 31 and along the rear end wall 31a. The left-right direction of the rear surface 41a of the storage section 41 is curved in an arc shape along the upper edge of the rear end wall 31a of the upper cover 31. This configuration can be seen in Figures 2 and 6(A). At least the rear surface 41a of the storage section 41 is formed from a light-transmitting material. The upper surface 41d of the storage section 41 has a first upper surface 41d1 that slopes or curves smoothly downward from the upper end of the rear surface 41a of the storage section 41, which is also the rear end, toward the front, and a second upper surface 41d2 that slopes sharply downward from the rear end of the first upper surface 41d1. This configuration can be seen in Figures 3 and 6(C). The upper edges of the left side surface 41b and the right side surface 41c of the storage portion 41 are connected at their upper ends to both left and right ends of the top surface 41d of the storage portion 41, respectively.

[0027] The protruding portion 47 is an arc-shaped protruding piece formed by protruding the lower end side of the rear surface portion 41a of the storage portion 41 downward from the bottom plate portion 42. This configuration can be seen in Figures 5(A), 5(B), and 6(C).

[0028] The ribs 46 are provided in pairs at the front and rear of the lower edge of the frame-shaped housing portion 41, on the lower end sides of the left side surface portion 41b and the right side surface portion 41c of the housing portion 41. Note that the left side surface portion 41b and the right side surface portion 41c are inclined inwardly to the left and right as they extend forward, and therefore the ribs 46, 46 arranged side by side at the front and rear are also offset in the left and right direction. Each rib 46 is a plate-like member that protrudes downward from the lower end of the left side surface 41b and the right side surface 41c of the storage portion 41, and has a guide portion 46a that slopes upward toward the rear. In other words, the guide portion 46a slopes downward from the rear end of the rib 46 toward the front. This configuration can be seen in Figures 4 and 6.

[0029] The locking piece 45 is provided on the lower edge of the frame-shaped housing portion 41, at the center of the left and right sides of the rear end of the upper surface portion 41d of the housing portion 41. The locking piece 45 is a plate-like member bent into an L-shape, and extends downward from the lower surface side of the rear end of the upper surface portion 41d of the housing portion 41. This configuration can be seen in FIG. 6(B).

[0030] The bottom plate portion 42 is a plate-like member that closes the lower surface of the open storage portion 41. The upper surface of the bottom plate portion 42 supports the vehicle-mounted camera stored in the storage portion 41. The lower surface of the bottom plate portion 42 abuts against the first upper wall portion 31d1 (mounting portion 50) of the upper cover 31.

[0031] The fastening member 43 is a member that fastens the in-vehicle device 40 to the upper cover 31. In the example shown, one fastening member 43 is arranged in the center in the left-right direction on the front end side of the bottom plate portion 42, and a pair of fastening members 43 are arranged on the left and right sides on the rear end side of the bottom plate portion 42. In this embodiment, the fastening member 43 includes a shaft portion 43a that protrudes downward from the underside of the bottom plate portion 42, and a disk-shaped head portion 43b that is provided on the lower end side of the shaft portion 43a and has a larger diameter than the shaft portion 43a. The bottom plate portion 42 is provided with a front fixing hole 42a and rear fixing holes 42b, 42b to which the fastening member 43 is fixed. This configuration can be seen in Figures 4 and 6(B).

[0032] The harness 48, which is connected to the in-vehicle device 40 and extends toward the upper cover 31, is provided with an excess length. The excess length of the harness 48 is set to be at least longer than the amount of movement of the column cover 30 when the steering column 14 is contracted. In other words, the length of the harness 48 connected to the in-vehicle device 40 is provided with an excess length in preparation for the in-vehicle device 40 falling off.

[0033] The mounting portion 50 on the upper cover 31 side has an abutment surface 51, a first locking hole 52, second locking holes 53, 53, a third locking hole 54, guide holes 55, 55, 55, 55, a harness insertion portion 56, and a recess 57. The mounting portion 50 is a mounting area where the in-vehicle device 40 is mounted, and is formed on the first upper wall portion 31d1 of the upper cover 31. The mounting portion 50 also has a detachment mechanism 60 that allows the in-vehicle device 40 to be detached from the upper cover 31 side.

[0034] The contact surface 51 is a flat surface formed in a rectangular shape in a plan view, and contacts the entire bottom plate portion 42 of the in-vehicle device 40. The contact surface 51 is formed by recessing the upper surface side of the first upper wall portion 31d1 of the upper cover 31, which is curved in an arc shape.

[0035] The first locking hole 52 is a locking portion that locks the in-vehicle device 40 to the mounting portion 50 side, and is a hole provided on the abutment surface 51 so that the fastening member 43 can be inserted therethrough. The first locking hole 52 is located near the rear of the center in the left-right direction of the abutment surface 51. The first locking hole 52 is sized to allow the shaft 43a of the fastening member 43 to be inserted therethrough, but is sized to prevent the head 43b of the fastening member 43 from being inserted therethrough.

[0036] The second locking holes 53, 53 are locking portions that lock the in-vehicle device 40 to the mounting portion 50 side, and are holes provided on the abutment surface 51 so that the fastening member 43 can be inserted therethrough. The second locking holes 53, 53 are arranged in pairs on both the left and right sides of the rear end of the abutment surface 51. The second locking holes 53 are sized to allow the shaft portion 43a of the fastening member 43 to be inserted therethrough, but are sized to prevent the head portion 43b of the fastening member 43 from being inserted therethrough. Furthermore, the second locking holes 53 are formed in the shape of elongated holes facing rearward by a second displacement allowing portion 62 described below.

[0037] The third locking hole 54 is a hole on the contact surface 51 to which the locking piece 45 of the in-vehicle device 40 is locked. The third locking hole 54 is located in front of the first locking hole 52, on the front end side of the center in the left-right direction of the contact surface 51, and is a through-hole in the up-down direction that is L-shaped in a plan view.

[0038] The guide holes 55 are holes on the contact surface 51 through which the ribs 46 of the in-vehicle device 40 are inserted. The guide holes 55 are rectangular holes that are long in the front-rear direction and are arranged on both the left and right ends of the contact surface 51, and a pair of guide holes 55 are provided on the front and rear sides. For the state in which the ribs 46 are inserted into the guide holes 55, please refer to Figure 5(A).

[0039] The harness insertion portion 56 is a hole on the contact surface 51 through which the harness 48 connected to the in-vehicle device 40 is inserted. The harness insertion portion 56 is located on the front end side of the contact surface 51, is connected to one side of the third locking hole 54 in the left-right direction, and is formed with a large opening facing rearward beyond the third locking hole 54. This configuration can be seen in Figures 7(A) and 7(B).

[0040] The recess 57 is a recess into which the protrusion 47 of the in-vehicle device 40 fits. The recess 57 is formed by cutting out the rear end side of the abutment surface 51 in an arc shape along the rear end of the upper cover 31. The recess 57 is also formed by cutting out the rear end of the abutment surface 51 downward toward the front so that the rear is open. In the illustrated example, the left-right center of the rear end of the abutment surface 51 is flush with the left-right center of the rear end of the upper cover 31. Therefore, a pair of recesses 57 are arranged on the left and right outer sides of the rear end of the abutment surface 51. This configuration can be seen in Figures 5(A), 5(B), and 7(A).

[0041] The detachment mechanism 60 provided in the mounting portion 50 includes a first displacement-allowing portion 61 arranged in line behind the first locking hole 52, and a second displacement-allowing portion 62 arranged continuously behind the second locking hole 53.

[0042] The first displacement allowance portion 61 is a hole arranged next to the first locking hole 52 and connected via a connection portion 63. The first displacement allowance portion 61 has a larger diameter than the first locking hole 52 and is formed to a size that allows the head 43b of the fastening member 43 to be inserted therethrough with ease. In other words, the fastening member 43 inserted into the first displacement allowance portion 61 can easily slip out from above the upper cover 31. The connecting portion 63 is formed so that its width in the left-right direction is the same as or slightly smaller than that of the shaft portion 43a of the fastening member 43, and can be elastically expanded. That is, first locking hole 52, connecting portion 63, and first displacement-allowing portion 61 are formed in a gourd shape in a plan view. Furthermore, shaft portion 43a of fastening member 43 inserted into first locking hole 52 can slide into first displacement-allowing portion 61 via connecting portion 63.

[0043] The second displacement allowance portion 62 is a hole provided adjacent to the rear end side of the second locking hole 53, which is a long hole in the front-rear direction, and is a portion formed to be wider in the left-right direction than the second locking hole 53. The second displacement allowance portion 62 is formed to be larger in diameter than the head 43b of the fastening member 43. In other words, the fastening member 43 inserted into the second displacement allowance portion 62 can be removed from above the upper cover 31.

[0044] (Action and effect) According to the above-described configuration, the vehicle-mounted device 40 placed on the abutment surface 51 of the upper cover 31 is attached to the upper cover 31 side by fixing the fastening member 43 inserted into the first locking hole 52 of the upper cover 31 to the front fixing hole 42a of the bottom plate portion 42, and fixing the fastening members 43, 43 inserted into the second locking holes 53, 53 of the upper cover 31 to the rear fixing holes 42b, 42b of the bottom plate portion 42.

[0045] At this time, the ribs 46 provided on both the left and right ends of the lower end of the vehicle-mounted device 40 are inserted into the guide holes 55 on the abutment surface 51 side, and the locking piece 45 provided on the front end side of the lower end of the vehicle-mounted device 40 is inserted into the third locking hole 54, thereby positioning the vehicle-mounted device 40 at a predetermined position on the abutment surface 51. Similarly, by fitting the protrusion 47 provided at the rear end on the lower side of the vehicle-mounted device 40 into the recess 57 on the rear end side of the abutment surface 51, the vehicle-mounted device 40 can be positioned at a predetermined position on the abutment surface 51 while allowing the vehicle-mounted device 40 to slide rearward. This makes it easier to attach the in-vehicle device 40 to the upper cover 31.

[0046] When a rearward or downward external force F acts on the front part of the upper surface 41d of the storage section 41, which slopes downward as it approaches the front, the in-vehicle device 40 attached to the upper surface of the upper cover 31 slides rearward and upward as the guide portion 46a of the rib 46 rides up onto the rear end side of the guide hole 55, causing the in-vehicle device 40 to smoothly drop off from the upper cover 31. This configuration can be seen in Figures 5(A) and 5(B).

[0047] Similarly, the in-vehicle device 40 attached to the upper surface of the upper cover 31 is only permitted to move rearward and upward by the protrusion 47 of the in-vehicle device 40. Therefore, when a rearward or downward external force F acts on the upper surface 41d of the accommodation section 41, the in-vehicle device 40 smoothly falls off from the upper cover 31. This configuration can be seen in Figures 5(A) and 5(B).

[0048] When an external force F of a predetermined magnitude or greater is applied to the fastening member 43 that attaches the in-vehicle device 40 to the upper cover 31 side, causing the in-vehicle device 40 to slide rearward, the shaft portion 43a of the fastening member 43 elastically deforms the connection portion 63 and slides from the first locking hole 52 to the first displacement-allowing portion 61. As a result, the fastening member 43 of the in-vehicle device 40 is smoothly released from the upper cover 31 side by the external force F. Similarly, as the in-vehicle device 40 slides rearward, the shaft 43a of the fastening member 43 that attaches the in-vehicle device 40 to the upper cover 31 slides to the second displacement allowance portion 62. As a result, the fastening member 43 of the in-vehicle device 40 is smoothly released from the upper cover 31 side by the external force F.

[0049] As described above, when the steering column 14 contracts due to a primary vehicle collision, the column cover 30 moves forward (the column cover 30 displaces forward along with the displacement of the rear end of the steering column 14), and if the in-vehicle device 40 on the column cover 30 comes into contact with the meter unit 12 or the like on the instrument panel 10 side, the in-vehicle device 40 smoothly falls off the column cover 30. This prevents the in-vehicle device 40 from interfering with the contraction of the steering column 14.

[0050] Furthermore, the harness 48 connected to the in-vehicle device 40 has an excess length greater than the amount of movement of the column cover 30 caused by the contraction of the steering column 14, so when the in-vehicle device 40 falls off the column cover 30, the harness 48 does not hinder the in-vehicle device 40 from falling off.

[0051] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and modifications and improvements can be made as appropriate.

[0052] As described above, the present specification discloses the following: (1) A column cover attached to a steering column protruding rearward from an instrument panel, the column cover includes a lower cover constituting a lower portion of the column cover, an upper cover attached to the lower cover and constituting an upper portion of the column cover, and an in-vehicle device attached to an attachment area on an upper surface of the upper cover, the in-vehicle device can be detached from the upper cover when the column cover is displaced forward together with the forward displacement of the steering column and the in-vehicle device comes into contact with the instrument panel; Column cover. According to this configuration, when the steering wheel receives an impact load of a predetermined magnitude or more due to a vehicle collision or the like, causing the steering column to displace forward, the on-board device can be prevented from getting caught on the instrument panel, thereby preventing the forward movement of the steering column from being hindered.

[0053] (2) The upper cover can be detached from the lower cover when the column cover is displaced forward together with the forward displacement of the steering column and the upper cover comes into contact with the instrument panel. The column cover described in (1). According to this configuration, when the instrument panel and the upper cover interfere with each other, the upper cover can be caused to drop off from the lower cover and the steering column, thereby allowing the steering column to contract.

[0054] (3) The in-vehicle device has a fastening member that fastens the in-vehicle device to the mounting area, The mounting area includes a first fastening hole to which the fastening member is fastened, and a second fastening hole formed rearward of the first fastening hole, continuous with the first fastening hole, and having a larger diameter than the first fastening hole, When the column cover is displaced forward together with the forward displacement of the steering column and the in-vehicle device comes into contact with the instrument panel, the fastening member is released from the first fastening hole and is accommodated in the second fastening hole together with the forward movement of the in-vehicle device. A column cover according to (1) or (2). According to this configuration, even if the on-board device gets caught on the instrument panel when the steering column moves forward, the on-board device will not move backward relative to the upper cover and fall off, thereby preventing the forward movement of the upper cover, and the steering column will move forward smoothly.

[0055] (4) The in-vehicle device has a rib that is inserted into a positioning hole in the front-rear direction formed in the mounting area, The rib slopes upward toward the rear. A column cover according to any one of (1) to (3). This configuration facilitates positioning of the vehicle-mounted device at the mounting position. Furthermore, when the front end of the vehicle-mounted device comes into contact with the instrument panel, the inclination of the rib causes the vehicle-mounted device to fly upward and rearward from the upper cover. This allows the vehicle-mounted device to be more smoothly removed from the upper cover.

[0056] (5) The mounting area is formed with a recess into which the in-vehicle device is fitted, The recess is open at the rear side. A column cover according to any one of (1) to (4). According to this configuration, the in-vehicle device can slide in the front-rear direction relative to the upper portion of the column cover, and can be more reliably removed. [Explanation of symbols]

[0057] 10. Instrument panel 12 Meter unit 14 Steering column 16 Steering shaft 18 Steering wheel 20 Insertion opening 30 Column cover 31 Upper cover 31a Rear end side wall 31b Left side wall 31c Right side wall 31d Upper wall section 31d1 First upper wall 31d2 2nd upper wall part 32 Lower cover 32a Rear end side wall 32b Left side wall 32c Right side wall 32d Lower wall part 34L, 34R, 37L, 37R rear notch 35L, 35R, 38L, 38R Side notch 40 Onboard equipment 41 Storage unit 41a Rear part 41b Left side part 41c Right side part 41d Top part 41d1 1st top section 41d2 2nd top section 42 Bottom plate part 42a Front fixation hole 42b Rear fixation hole 43 Fastening members 43a Shaft 43b Head 45 Locking piece 46 Ribs 46a Guide part 50 Mounting section (mounting area) 51 Contact surface 52 First locking hole (first fastening hole) 53 Second locking hole 54 Third locking hole 55 Guide hole 56 Harness insertion part 57 Recess 60 Falling mechanism 61 First displacement allowance portion (second fastening hole) 62 Second displacement allowance section 63 Connection

Claims

1. A column cover attached to a steering column so as to cover the steering column protruding rearward from an instrument panel, the column cover includes a lower cover constituting a lower portion of the column cover, an upper cover attached to the lower cover and constituting an upper portion of the column cover, and an in-vehicle device attached to an attachment area on an upper surface of the upper cover, the in-vehicle device can be detached from the upper cover when the column cover is displaced forward together with the forward displacement of the steering column and the in-vehicle device comes into contact with the instrument panel; Column cover.

2. the upper cover is capable of coming off from the lower cover when the column cover is displaced forward together with the forward displacement of the steering column and the upper cover comes into contact with the instrument panel; The column cover according to claim 1 .

3. the in-vehicle device has a fastening member that fastens the in-vehicle device to the mounting area, The mounting area includes a first fastening hole to which the fastening member is fastened, and a second fastening hole formed rearward of the first fastening hole, continuous with the first fastening hole, and having a larger diameter than the first fastening hole, When the column cover is displaced forward together with the forward displacement of the steering column and the in-vehicle device comes into contact with the instrument panel, the fastening member is released from the first fastening hole as the in-vehicle device moves forward and is accommodated in the second fastening hole. The column cover according to claim 1 .

4. the in-vehicle device has a rib that is inserted into a positioning hole formed in the mounting area in the front-rear direction, The rib slopes upward toward the rear. The column cover according to claim 1 .

5. a recess into which the in-vehicle device is fitted is formed in the mounting area; The recess is open at the rear side. The column cover according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

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