Column hole cover

Abstract

To provide a column hole cover which can be easily and stably fitted to a fixation part such as a panel member.SOLUTION: A column hole cover is fixed to a fixation part having first, second and third protrusions, and is provided with first, second and third insertion holes to which the first, second and third protrusions can be inserted respectively. The first, second and third insertion holes respectively has an engaging claw capable of engaging with the first, second and third protrusions, in a state that the first, second and third protrusions are inserted.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a column hole cover. [Background Art]

[0002] Conventionally, there has been known a column hole cover fixed to a panel member that partitions a vehicle interior and an engine compartment (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The column hole cover disclosed in Patent Document 1 has two clip mounting seat surfaces protruding toward the panel member at an upper end portion thereof. The column hole cover has two screw bolt holes at a lower end portion thereof. The column hole cover has two claws protruding toward the panel member at an intermediate portion between the upper end portion and the lower end portion. The column hole cover is attached to the panel member by two clips at the upper end portion, attached to the panel member by two screw bolts at the lower end portion, and attached to the panel member by two claws at the intermediate portion.

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2000-052814 [Summary of the Invention] [Problem to be Solved by the Invention]

[0004] A column hole cover is attached to a location that is difficult for an operator to reach inside a vehicle. In order to reduce the burden of attachment work, there is room for further improvement in the attachment structure of the column hole cover. An object of the present disclosure is to provide a column hole cover having a novel attachment structure. [Means for Solving the Problem]

[0005] A column hole cover according to one aspect of the present disclosure is a column hole cover fixed to a fixed part having first, second, and third projections. The column hole cover includes first, second, and third insertion holes into which the first, second, and third projections are respectively inserted. The first, second, and third insertion holes each have engaging claws that can engage with the first, second, and third projections when the first, second, and third projections are inserted. [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] According to this disclosure, a column hole cover having a novel mounting structure can be provided. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0007] [Figure 1] A perspective view showing the fixed state of the column hole cover. [Figure 2] Front view showing the column hole cover. [Figure 3] A side view showing the column hole cover. [Figure 4] Enlarged plan view showing the first insertion hole. [Figure 5] A magnified section of the first insertion hole. [Figure 6] Enlarged plan view showing the third insertion hole. [Figure 7] A magnified section of the third insertion hole. [Figure 8] A schematic diagram showing the fixed state of the third insertion hole. [Figure 9] A schematic diagram showing the fixed state of the third insertion hole. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0008] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, arrow W indicates the width direction of the column hole cover 1. Arrow H indicates the height direction intersecting the width direction W, with H1 being upward and H2 downward. Furthermore, arrow D indicates the depth direction intersecting the width direction W and the height direction H, with D1 being the front side and D2 being the back side.

[0009] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the column hole cover 1 fixed to the dash panel P. The column hole cover 1 is fixed to the dash panel (an example of a fixing part) P, which separates the interior and engine compartment at the front of the vehicle (not shown). The dash panel P in this embodiment is a metal plate-like member that extends along the width and vertical directions of the vehicle.

[0010] The dash panel P has a first projection P1, a second projection P2, and a third projection P3. The first projection P1 to the third projection P3 all extend in a direction intersecting the dash panel P.

[0011] In this embodiment, the first projection P1 to the third projection P3 are all bolts fixed to the dash panel P. The first projection P1 to the third projection P3 are inserted together with washers (not shown) into bolt fixing holes (not shown) pre-provided in the dash panel P, and are fixed so that their shafts protrude from the dash panel P toward the interior. However, the first projection P1 to the third projection P3 can be any rod shape that protrudes from the dash panel P toward the interior, and a wide variety of materials and shapes can be selected. In this embodiment, the first projection P1, the second projection P2, and the third projection P3 all have the same diameter. However, the first projection P1, the second projection P2, and the third projection P3 may each have different diameters.

[0012] The first projection P1, the second projection P2, and the third projection P3 are arranged on the dash panel P with a predetermined distance between them. In this embodiment, the first projection P1 to the third projection P3 are arranged to form the vertices of an isosceles triangle. The first projection P1 and the second projection P2 are positioned above the third projection P3 by a distance H1, and their distances from the third projection P3 are approximately equal. On the other hand, the distance from the first projection P1 to the second projection P2 is shorter than the distance from the second projection P2 to the third projection P3 and the distance from the third projection P3 to the first projection P1. In other words, the positional relationship between the first projection P1 to the third projection P3 on the dash panel P forms a downward-pointing isosceles triangle with the third projection P3 as its vertex.

[0013] The column hole cover 1 is attached to the dash panel P from the rear to the front of the vehicle, and the vehicle's steering column (not shown) is loosely inserted into it. When the column hole cover 1 is fixed, the width W is roughly the width of the vehicle, the height H is roughly the vertical direction of the vehicle, and the depth D is roughly the front-to-rear direction of the vehicle.

[0014] Figure 2 is a front view of the column hole cover 1 as seen from the front side D1 in the depth direction D. Figure 3 is a side view of the column hole cover 1 as seen along the width direction W. As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the column hole cover 1 of this embodiment is a resin molded member that is generally triangular in shape when viewed from the front. The column hole cover 1 of this embodiment is made of polypropylene (PP). However, it is not limited to polypropylene, and the column hole cover 1 can be made from a variety of materials, such as polyethylene (PE), general-purpose resin materials such as ABS resin, and other thermoplastic resin materials.

[0015] The column hole cover 1 comprises an opening 11, a peripheral wall portion 12, and a flange portion 13.

[0016] The opening 11 is an opening provided in an upper portion of the column hole cover 1, and a steering column (not shown) is loosely inserted therethrough in a fixed state. In a depth direction D, the opening 11 is arranged on a front side D1 relative to a flange portion 13. That is, in the fixed state, the opening 11 is arranged so as to protrude toward a vehicle compartment side from the flange portion 13. In the present embodiment, the opening 11 has a substantially U-shape opened toward an upper side H1. The opening 11 is not limited to this, and can adopt various shapes to receive the steering column in the fixed state.

[0017] A peripheral wall portion 12 extends at least along the depth direction D, and connects a periphery of the opening 11 to the flange portion 13. In the present embodiment, the peripheral wall portion 12 extends from the front side D1 in the depth direction D toward a depth side D2 and a lower side H2 in a height direction H, and is connected to the flange portion 13.

[0018] The flange portion 13 expands in a width direction W and the height direction H from an end edge of the peripheral wall portion 12 opposite to the opening 11. The outer shape of the flange portion 13 matches the outer shape of the column hole cover 1. In the present embodiment, the flange portion 13 includes a first flange 131, a second flange 132, a third flange 133, a first intermediate portion 134, and a second intermediate portion 135.

[0019] The first flange 131 expands along the width direction W from a vicinity of an upper end of the peripheral wall portion 12. Similarly to the first flange 131, the second flange 132 expands along the width direction W from the vicinity of the upper end of the peripheral wall portion 12 toward an opposite side to the first flange 131. The third flange 133 expands toward the lower side H2 from a vicinity of a lower end of the peripheral wall portion 12. The first intermediate portion 134 connects the first flange 131 and the third flange 133. The second intermediate portion 135 connects the second flange 132 and the third flange 133.

[0020] The column hole cover 1 further includes a first insertion hole 4, a second insertion hole 6, and a third insertion hole 8.

[0021] The first insertion hole 4 is a through hole located in the first flange 131. The first insertion hole 4 is into which the first projection P1 provided on the dash panel P can be inserted.

[0022] Figure 4 is a magnified view of the area indicated by A in Figure 2. Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view showing the CC section of Figure 4.

[0023] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the first insertion hole 4 is a through hole perpendicular to the first flange 131. The diameter of the first insertion hole 4 is the first diameter φ1. In this embodiment, the first insertion hole 4 is formed with a first diameter φ1 of approximately 20 mm.

[0024] The first insertion hole 4 has a first edge 41 that defines the first insertion hole 4 and a plurality of first engaging claws 42. The first engaging claws 42 extend radially from the first edge 41 toward the center of the first insertion hole 4 and protrude toward the front side D1 along the depth direction D. In this embodiment, three first engaging claws 42 are provided on the first edge 41 and are arranged at equal intervals. In addition, the first engaging claws 42 have a fan shape in which their width narrows from the first edge 41 toward the center of the first insertion hole 4 when viewed from the front. The radial length of the first engaging claws 42 is approximately one-third of the first diameter φ1.

[0025] The first engaging claw 42 includes a base portion 421, a connecting portion 422, and a claw portion 424.

[0026] The base portion 421 extends from the first edge portion 41 toward the center of the first insertion hole 4 and generally widens along the width direction W and the height direction H. In this embodiment, the base portion 421 extends from the first edge portion 41 toward the center of the first insertion hole 4 to a length of about one-eighth of the first diameter φ1.

[0027] The connecting portion 422 extends continuously from the base portion 421 toward the center of the first insertion hole 4. The connecting portion 422 is inclined diagonally toward the front side D1 in the depth direction D. As shown by the dashed line in Figure 5, in the fixed state in which the first projection P1 is inserted into the first insertion hole 4, the end portion 423 of the connecting portion 422 toward the center of the first insertion hole 4 engages with the side surface of the first projection P1. As a result, the first engaging claw 42 can lock onto the first projection P1. The connecting portion 422 in this embodiment is formed with approximately the same thickness as the base portion 421.

[0028] The claw portion 424 is provided on the connecting portion 422 and extends toward the center of the first insertion hole 4. When fixed, the claw portion 424 acts as a barb against the side surface of the first projection P1, preventing the first projection P1 from coming out of the first insertion hole 4.

[0029] As shown in Figure 2, the second insertion hole 6 is a through hole located in the second flange 132. The second projection P2 provided on the dash panel P can be inserted into the second insertion hole 6. The diameter of the second insertion hole 6 is the second diameter φ2. The second insertion hole 6 has a second edge portion 61 that defines the second insertion hole 6 and a plurality of second engaging claws 62. The second engaging claws 62 extend radially from the second edge portion 61 to the second insertion hole 6. Note that the second insertion hole 6 in this embodiment has the same shape as the first insertion hole 4 described above, so a redundant explanation will be omitted.

[0030] The third insertion hole 8 is a through hole located in the third flange 133. The third projection P3 provided on the dash panel P can be inserted into the third insertion hole 8.

[0031] Figure 6 is a magnified view of the area indicated by B in Figure 2. Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view showing the DD section of Figure 6.

[0032] As shown in Figures 6 and 7, the third insertion hole 8 is a through hole perpendicular to the third flange 133. The diameter of the third insertion hole 8 is the third diameter φ3. In this embodiment, the third insertion hole 8 is formed with a third diameter φ3 of approximately 24 mm.

[0033] The third insertion hole 8 has a third edge portion 81 that defines the third insertion hole 8 and a plurality of third engaging claws 82. Preferably, the third insertion hole 8 has five or more third engaging claws 82. The third engaging claws 82 extend radially from the third edge portion 81 toward the center of the third insertion hole 8 and protrude toward the front side D1 along the depth direction D.

[0034] In this embodiment, six third engaging claws 82 are provided on the third edge 81 and are arranged at equal intervals. Furthermore, the third engaging claws 82 are generally fan-shaped in plan view. The radial length of the third engaging claws 82 is approximately one-third of the third diameter φ3. The circumferential angular range (width) of the third engaging claws 82 is smaller than that of the first engaging claws 42 and the second engaging claws 62.

[0035] In this embodiment, the diameter of the first insertion hole 4 is a first diameter φ1. The diameter of the second insertion hole 6 is a second diameter φ2, which is the same as the first diameter φ1. The diameter of the third insertion hole 8 is a third diameter φ3, which is larger than the first diameter φ1 and the second diameter φ2. The radial length of the first engaging claw 42 is a first length. The radial length of the second engaging claw 62 is a second length, which is the same as the first length. The radial length of the third engaging claw 82 is a third length, which is longer than the first length and the second length.

[0036] The third engaging claw 82 includes a base portion 821, a connecting portion 822, a thin-walled portion 824, a protruding portion 825, and a constricted portion 826.

[0037] The base portion 821 extends from the third edge portion 81 toward the center of the third insertion hole 8 and generally widens along the width direction W and the height direction H. In this embodiment, the base portion 821 extends from the third edge portion 81 toward the center of the third insertion hole 8 to a length of about one-sixth of the third diameter φ3.

[0038] The connecting portion 822 extends continuously from the base portion 821 toward the center of the third insertion hole 8. The connecting portion 822 is inclined diagonally toward the front side D1 in the depth direction D. As shown by the dashed line in Figure 7, in the fixed state in which the third projection P3 is inserted into the third insertion hole 8, the end portion 823 of the connecting portion 822 toward the center of the third insertion hole 8 engages with the side surface of the third projection P3. As a result, the third engaging claw 82 can lock onto the third projection P3. In this embodiment, the connecting portion 822 is formed with approximately the same thickness as the base portion 821, except for the thin-walled portion 824.

[0039] The thin-walled portion 824 is provided between the base portion 821 and the end portion 823. The thin-walled portion 824 is formed to be thinner than the base portion 821 and the connecting portion 822. As a result, the third engaging claw 82 deforms starting from the thin-walled portion 824 when the third projection P3 is inserted into the third insertion hole 8. In this embodiment, the thin-walled portion 824 is provided near the connection point between the base portion 821 and the connecting portion 822. Specifically, the thin-walled portion 824 is provided as a notch on the rear side D2 in the depth direction D.

[0040] The protrusion 825 is provided on the connecting portion 822 and extends toward the opposite side from the dash panel P. In this embodiment, the protrusion 825 is a vertical wall that protrudes toward the front side D1 along the depth direction D. After the column hole cover 1 is fixed to the dash panel P, the third projection P3 may move relative to the column hole cover 1 in a direction that causes it to come out of the third insertion hole 8 due to internal stresses in the column hole cover 1, external forces applied to the column hole cover 1, and other forces. In this case, the end portion 823 is dragged and deformed by the third projection P3, causing the protrusion 825 to tilt toward the third projection P3. The protrusion 825 engages with the third projection P3 and restrains the movement of the third projection P3. This prevents the third projection P3 from coming out of the third insertion hole 8.

[0041] The diaphragm portion 826 is positioned at least on the third edge portion 81 side of the thin-walled portion 824. The width of the diaphragm portion 826, i.e., the circumferential angular range, decreases radially from the third edge portion 81 toward the center of the third insertion hole 8, takes a minimum value, and then increases.

[0042] The aperture portion 826 in this embodiment is provided between the connection point between the third edge portion 81 and the base portion 821, and the connection point between the base portion 821 and the connecting portion 822. The circumferential width of the aperture portion 826 is narrower than at least the width of the connection point between the base portion 821 and the connecting portion 822. As a result, the third engaging claw 82 deforms together with the aforementioned thin-walled portion 824 when the third projection P3 is inserted into the third insertion hole 8.

[0043] As shown in Figure 6, the circumferential angular range between the reference lines L1 and L2, which connect the connection point between the third edge 81 and the base 821 and the connection point between the base 821 and the connection point 822, is defined as the reference width w0. The circumferential angular range at the point where the aperture portion 826 takes its minimum value is defined as the minimum width w. The minimum width w is at least about 9 / 10 of the reference width w0.

[0044] Next, using Figures 8 and 9, we will explain how the third insertion hole 8 engages with the third projection P3 in the fixed state.

[0045] As mentioned above, the third diameter φ3 of the third insertion hole 8 is larger than the first diameter φ1 of the first insertion hole 4 and the second diameter φ2 of the second insertion hole 6. For this reason, the third projection P3 is easier to insert into the third insertion hole 8 than into the first insertion hole 4 and the second insertion hole 6.

[0046] Figure 8 is a schematic diagram showing the state in which the third projection P3 is inserted into and engaged with the third insertion hole 8 near its center. Figure 8(a) is a schematic diagram showing the positional relationship between the third projection P3 and the third insertion hole 8 in a front view. Figure 8(b) is a cross-sectional view showing the EE cross section when the third projection P3 is inserted into the third insertion hole 8 in the positional relationship shown in Figure 8(a).

[0047] As shown in Figure 8(a), when the third projection P3 is inserted so as to coincide with the center of the third insertion hole 8, the third engaging claws 82 press against and fix the outer circumferential surface of the third projection P3 along the radial direction of the third insertion hole 8. Specifically, as shown in Figure 8(b), all six third engaging claws 82 provided in the third insertion hole 8 of this embodiment engage with the outer circumferential surface of the third projection P3. As a result, the third projection P3 is pressed and fixed by the third engaging claws 82 from six intersecting directions.

[0048] On the other hand, Figure 9 is a schematic diagram showing the state in which the third projection P3 is inserted and engaged with respect to the center of the third insertion hole 8. Figure 9(a) is a schematic diagram showing the positional relationship between the third projection P3 and the third insertion hole 8 in a plan view. Figure 9(b) is a cross-sectional view showing the FF cross section when the third projection P3 is inserted into the third insertion hole 8 in the positional relationship shown in Figure 9(a).

[0049] As shown in Figure 9(a), when the third projection P3 is inserted offset from the center of the third insertion hole 8, the third engaging claw 82 presses against and fixes the outer circumferential surface of the third projection P3 along the radial direction of the third insertion hole 8. Specifically, as shown in Figure 9(b), only some of the six third engaging claws 82 provided in the third insertion hole 8 of this embodiment, specifically three to five third engaging claws 82, engage with the outer circumferential surface of the third projection P3. As a result, the third projection P3 is pressed against and fixed by the third engaging claws 82 from at least three intersecting directions. In this case, at least one of the third engaging claws 82 that engage with the outer circumferential surface of the third projection P3 undergoes a large amount of deformation, but the deformation is induced by the aforementioned thin-walled portion 824 and constricted portion 826, allowing it to engage with the outer circumferential surface of the third projection P3.

[0050] As described above, when the third projection P3 is inserted offset from the center of the third insertion hole 8, the third insertion hole 8 can engage the third projection P3 with the third engaging claws 82 from multiple directions. This ensures that when the third projection P3 is inserted into the third insertion hole 8, the column hole cover 1 can be reliably attached to the dash panel P and fixed in place, regardless of the mounting angle of the column hole cover 1 or the positional accuracy of the first projection P1 to the third projection P3.

[0051] The column hole cover 1 of this embodiment has a first insertion hole 4, a second insertion hole 6, and a third insertion hole 8. The first insertion hole 4 has a first engaging claw 42. The second insertion hole 6 has a second engaging claw 62. The third insertion hole 8 has a third engaging claw 82. As a result, when the first projection P1, the second projection P2, and the third projection P3 are inserted into the first insertion hole 4, the second insertion hole 6, and the third insertion hole 8, respectively, the first engaging claw 42, the second engaging claw 62, and the third engaging claw 82 of the column hole cover 1 engage with the first projection P1, the second projection P2, and the third projection P3, respectively.

[0052] In this embodiment, the column hole cover 1 is fixed to the dash panel P only by the first engaging claw 42, the second engaging claw 62, and the third engaging claw 82. As a result, the column hole cover 1 can be fixed to the dash panel P without using other fixing parts such as clips or screw bolts. Therefore, the worker can easily attach and fix the column hole cover 1 to the dash panel P.

[0053] The third insertion hole 8 in this embodiment has a larger diameter than the first insertion hole 4 and the second insertion hole 6. This allows the column hole cover 1 to absorb variations in the positional accuracy of the first projection P1 to the third projection P3 when it is attached to the dash panel P. Specifically, even if the first projection P1 to the third projection P3 are fixed with some variation from their predetermined positions, the column hole cover 1 can still insert the third projection P3 into the third insertion hole 8 while the first insertion hole 4 and the second insertion hole 6 remain inserted into the first projection P1 and the second projection P2, respectively.

[0054] As described above, this disclosure provides a column hole cover that can be easily and stably attached to a fixing part such as a panel member.

[0055] <Other Embodiments> Although embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the invention. In particular, the various modifications described herein can be combined as needed.

[0056] For example, in the above embodiment, the column hole cover 1 was described using the case where the third insertion hole 8 is larger than the first insertion hole 4 and the second insertion hole 6 as an example, but the disclosure is not limited thereto. That is, in the column hole cover 1, the insertion hole formed with a larger diameter may be any of the first insertion hole 4, the second insertion hole 6, and the third insertion hole 8.

[0057] Furthermore, although the above embodiment was described using an example in which the column hole cover 1 has a first insertion hole 4, a second insertion hole 6, and a third insertion hole 8, the disclosure is not limited thereto. That is, the number of insertion holes provided in the column hole cover 1 may be four or more.

[0058] For example, if the column hole cover 1 has four insertion holes, the diameter of one or two of the four insertion holes may be formed to be larger than the diameter of the other insertion holes. Also, if the column hole cover 1 has five or more insertion holes, the diameter of at least two of the five insertion holes may be formed to be larger than the diameter of the other insertion holes.

[0059] Furthermore, although the above embodiment was described using an example in which there are six third engaging claws 82 in the third insertion hole 8, the disclosure is not limited thereto. That is, it is preferable that five or more third engaging claws 82 are provided, and there may be five or seven or more. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0060] P: Dashboard P1: First projection P2: Second projection P3: Third projection 1: Column hole cover 4: First insertion hole 42: First engaging claw 6: Second insertion hole 62: Second engaging claw 8: Third insertion hole 82: Third engaging claw 821: Base 822: Connection part 823: End 824: Thin-walled section 825: Convex part 826: Aperture section

Claims

1. A column hole cover that is fixed to a fixing part having first, second, and third protrusions, It is provided with first, second, and third insertion holes into which the first, second, and third projections can be inserted, respectively. The first, second, and third insertion holes each have engaging claws that can engage with the first, second, and third projections when the first, second, and third projections are inserted, The engaging claw comprises a base portion connected to the edge of the insertion hole and a thin-walled portion provided between the end of the engaging claw and a protruding portion extending on the opposite side from the fixing portion. The aforementioned protrusion is a vertical wall provided on the end side of the thin-walled portion, and in the fixed state, it is separated from the projection, and when the projection moves relative to it in the direction of exiting the insertion hole, it tilts toward the projection and engages with the projection. Column hole cover.

2. The first insertion hole has a first engaging claw connected to the edge of the first insertion hole and extending radially from the first insertion hole. The second insertion hole has a second engaging claw connected to the edge of the second insertion hole and extending radially across the second insertion hole. The third insertion hole has a third engaging claw connected to the edge of the third insertion hole and extending radially across the third insertion hole. The inner diameter of the third insertion hole is larger than the inner diameters of the first and second insertion holes. The radial length of the third engaging claw is longer than the radial lengths of the first and second engaging claws. The column hole cover according to claim 1.

3. The width, which is the angular range of the third engaging claw, is smaller than the width of the first engaging claw and the second engaging claw. The column home cover according to claim 2.

4. The engaging claw has a constricted portion whose width is narrowed in the circumferential direction. The column hole cover according to claim 1.

5. The third engaging claws are provided in groups of five or more, spaced apart in the circumferential direction. The column hole cover according to claim 2.

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