JP2001253368A - Instrument panel reinforcement - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide instrument panel reinforcement capable of being made lightweight as a whole for a reduction in man hours for assembly, and suited for recycling. SOLUTION: The instrument panel reinforcement 1 is mounted in an automobile and includes a pair of right and left beams 2 and 4 of different cross-sectional forms each made of an extruded shape of an aluminum alloy, and a cylindrical connector 6 made of an aluminum alloy which is interposed between the beams and secured to the beams 2 and 4 by mechanical means such as bolts 8.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a vehicle dashboard, which is disposed along the width of a vehicle body and supports a steering shaft, various instruments, an air conditioner, an airbag, and the like. The present invention relates to an instrument panel reinforcement for fixing a mounting bracket.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In general, as shown in FIG. 10A, an instrument panel reinforcement 190 includes a large-diameter steel pipe 191 on the driver side where a steering wheel 194 is located,
It has a small-diameter steel pipe 192 located on the passenger seat side, and is connected to the tapered pipe 193 by welding. For the steel pipes 191 and 192, thin pipes are used. For the tapered pipe 193, for example, the steel pipes 191 and 192 are welded by bending a thin steel plate so that their axes are concentric or eccentric or by drawing. And a steel pipe 191 or the like is welded to both ends. In addition, small-diameter steel pipe 1
An airbag mounting bracket 197 is welded to the 92, and a steering column bracket 196 for supporting a steering shaft 195 of a steering wheel 194 is mounted on the large-diameter steel pipe 191 as shown in FIG. Is welded.

Further, as shown in FIG. 10 (A), a mounting bracket 198 for an air conditioner or the like is welded to the tapered pipe 193, and a steel mounting body made of steel is attached to the outer ends of the steel pipes 191 and 192. Brackets 199 are each welded. In addition, Instrument Panel Reinforcement 1
Numeral 90 covers the entire surface of each part having a complicated shape as described above, and is coated with a black paint film for rust prevention. However, the instrument panel reinforcement 190 formed of a steel material such as a steel pipe is not preferable in terms of the fuel efficiency of an automobile and the environment since the entire weight is increased. Further, since a large number of welding operations with individually different specifications are required, the process is complicated and requires a lot of man-hours. In addition, painting for rust prevention is added, so that more man-hours are required for assembly. The outer diameters of the steel pipes 191 and 192 are different as described above because the external force applied through the parts attached to these steel pipes is large on the driver's seat side and small on the passenger seat side, and the weight of the vehicle body is reduced. In addition, this is for effectively utilizing the vehicle interior volume and increasing the volume of the growth box and the like.

[0004]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention solves the above-mentioned problems in the prior art, and provides an instrument panel reinforcement that can be lightened as a whole, reduces the number of assembly steps, and is suitable for recycling. To do.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention utilizes an extruded aluminum alloy and focuses on applying mechanical fixing means such as bolting. It is a thing. That is, the instrument panel reinforcement of the present invention is mounted on an automobile, is made of an extruded member made of an aluminum alloy, has a pair of left and right beams having different cross-sectional shapes from each other, and is interposed between the pair of beams and screwed with both beams. And a connector for connecting the pair of beams by fixing with a mechanical means such as a stopper.

[0006] According to this, since the pair of beams is formed of an extruded member of an aluminum alloy, the overall weight can be reduced.
The fuel efficiency of the vehicle to be mounted can be improved. In addition, it can be assembled with a small number of steps consisting of simple steps of only fastening work of bolts and nuts. Furthermore, it is a material that is suitable for recycling, and because of its high fuel efficiency, it is a favorable instrument panel reinforcement from an environmental point of view.
It becomes possible. Note that the magnitude of the cross-sectional shape indicates a mode in which the outer diameter of the pair of beams is a large diameter and a small diameter, and a mode in which the cross-sectional shape is large or small. The mechanical means includes, for example, self-tapping bolts and rivets in addition to bolts and nuts. Further, as the connecting member, an aluminum alloy is preferable from the viewpoint of easiness of recycling, but a casting or a forging of another metal or alloy is also used, and a molded product of a resin having high strength can be applied. . Moreover, the cowl toe brace to be connected to the cowl, the floor brace to be connected to the floor, and the like can be integrated with the connecting tool.

[0007] The pair of beams also include an instrument panel reinforcement having a cross section substantially similar to each other and being fixed to the connecting member in a state where their axes are eccentric. According to this, it is possible to easily form the instrument panel reinforcement of a required shape and form only by simply fixing the pair of beams to the connecting tool in accordance with the type of the vehicle to be mounted and the position of the brackets to be mounted. While this is possible, design restrictions near the dashboard can be reduced. Further, the pair of beams includes an instrument panel reinforcement that includes a hollow portion along the axis and has a cross section of an irregular shape such as a circular shape, a regular polygon shape, or a deformed polygon shape. According to this, since any cross-sectional shape can be obtained, the weight can be further reduced, and careless rotation of the beam after assembly can be prevented, and mechanical means such as brackets to be attached to the pair of beams. Can be easily fixed, and the assembling work can be further simplified.

[0008] The pair of beams may have a ridge extending along an axial direction on an outer peripheral surface and / or an inner peripheral surface of the hollow section.
An instrument panel reinforcement having any one of a flat surface, a concave groove, and a partition wall is also included. According to this, the rigidity of the beam can be increased, and the fixing to the brackets to be attached to the pair of beams by mechanical means can be performed with good fit and appearance, and can be performed firmly.
Further, the connecting member is a cylindrical body located between ends of the beams in which the pair of beams overlap and fit, or is located between the ends of the pair of beams. And having a pair of fitting portions on both sides to be fitted with the respective end portions,
Includes instrumental reinforcements. According to this, between the end portions of a pair of beams having different cross-sectional shapes, the two can be easily and individually positioned at predetermined positions, and the screwing operation and the like can be performed reliably and quickly in a stable state. It can be carried out.

[0009] The fitting part of the connecting tool may be an outer fitting part for receiving an end of the beam and / or an inner fitting part inserted into a hollow part at the end of the other beam. , And instrumental reinforcement. According to this, the end of each beam can be more easily positioned at a predetermined position, and screws and bolting work can be reliably performed in a more stable state. Further, at both outer ends of a pair of beams fixed and connected via the connecting tool,
Also included is an instrument panel reinforcement in which a body connection bracket fixed by mechanical means such as screwing while being fitted to the outer end is fixed. According to this,
At each outer end of the pair of beams having large and small cross sections, a body connection bracket having a shape corresponding to the cross-sectional shape of each beam can be easily fixed.

The body connection bracket is fixed by the mechanical means. In addition, the above-mentioned bracket is also a cast or forged product made of aluminum alloy or the like,
It is also possible to apply a resin molded product having high strength. Further, the body connection bracket also includes an instrument panel reinforcement including a surrounding portion or an insertion portion fitted to each outer end portion of the pair of beams, and a flange integrally provided at one end thereof. . According to this, since the outer end of each beam can be easily prevented from moving in the axial direction, it is possible to connect the pair of beams to the body safely and reliably.

[0011] The present invention also includes an instrument panel reinforcement in which the connecting member has a mounting bracket for an air conditioner, a cowl, or a brace for connecting to a floor protruding from the outside or one end surface thereof. According to this, the pair of beams are connected via the connecting tool to form the instrument panel reinforcement, and the obtained instrument panel reinforcement itself is securely and easily supported on the floor or the cowl of the vehicle body. Can be. Therefore, it is possible to omit a dedicated member for fixing the instrument panel reinforcement to a floor or the like and a fixing operation thereof, and it is possible to reduce the number of assembling steps inside the vehicle body.

In addition, there is also included an instrument panel reinforcement in which a beam having a large cross section among the beams is fixed to a steering shaft mounting bracket surrounding the beam and having a holding portion orthogonal to the beam. According to this, the steering shaft mounting bracket can be easily fixed to the beam having a large cross section. For example, since the instrument panel reinforcement in which the bracket is fixed in advance can be formed, the number of assembly steps inside the vehicle body can be reduced. Is also possible.

[0013]

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1A shows a front view of the instrument panel reinforcement 1 of the present invention. As shown in FIGS. 1 (B) and (E), the instrument panel reinforcement 1 is provided in a vehicle having a right steering wheel.
A beam 2 with a large diameter on the right and a beam 4 with a small diameter on the left are provided. Beams 2 and 4 are made of aluminum alloy (JIS: A606
3, A6N01, A6061 etc.).
As shown in FIG. 1 (D), a cylindrical connecting member (cylindrical body) 6 having a hollow portion 7 is interposed between the beams 2 and 4. It is desirable to use the same aluminum alloy extruded profile or a profile produced by the backward extrusion method as the connecting member 6, but forged products and die cast products can also be used. The connecting tool 6 is inserted into the hollow portion 3 at the left end of the beam 2 as shown in FIG.
The right end of the beam 4 is inserted into the hollow portion 7 of FIG. In this state, as shown in FIG. 1 (F), bolts 8 are passed through through holes 2a of beam 2, upper and lower through holes 6a of connecting member 6, and through holes 4a and hollow portion 5 of beam 4. Nut 10 through 9
To conclude. Thus, the beams 2 and 4 are connected via the connecting tool 6 in a state where the axes thereof are aligned with each other.

As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1F, brackets 11 for body connection,
15 are fixed symmetrically. Both are cast products made of an aluminum alloy having cylindrical surrounding portions 13 and 17 into which the outer ends of the beams 2 and 4 are inserted and fitted, and rectangular flanges 12 and 16 integrally provided at one end thereof. It is. Surrounding part 1
A pair of upper and lower through-holes 13a, 17a are perforated in 3, 3 and 17, as shown in FIG. 1 (F), inner peripheral portions 14, 18 of the surrounding portions 13, 17 and hollow portions 3, 4 of the beams 2, 4. 5, the nuts 10 are fastened through the bolts 8 a and 8 b and the washers 9. Thereby, the brackets 11 and 15 are individually fixed to the outer ends of the beams 2 and 4. In addition, flange 1
A plurality of through holes 12a and 16a for bolt penetration for connecting the above-described instrument panel reinforcement 1 to an automobile (not shown) are formed in the holes 2 and 16.

According to the instrument panel reinforcement 1 as described above, since the left and right beams 2, 4, the connecting member 6, and the body connection brackets 11, 15 are made of an aluminum alloy, the overall weight can be reduced. The fuel efficiency of the vehicle on which it is mounted can be improved. In addition, since it is hard to rust and its strength is not easily reduced, its durability is improved, it is suitable for recycling, and it is preferable from the viewpoint of reducing environmental load by improving combustion efficiency. Furthermore, bolt 8 and nut 1
Since the assembling can be performed with a small number of steps including only a simple process of the fastening operation of No. 0, the manufacturing can be performed quickly and at low cost.

FIG. 2 relates to a connecting member having a different form and an instrument panel reinforcement using the connecting member. In the following, the same reference numerals are used for the same elements as those in the above-described embodiment. FIG. 2A shows a cylindrical connecting member (cylindrical body) 6 ′ in which the hollow portion 7 is eccentric with respect to the axis. As shown in FIG.
The connecting member 6 'is interposed between the large-diameter and small-diameter beams 2 and 4, and these are attached to the bolts 8 penetrating in the same manner as described above.
By fastening 0, the instrument panel reinforcement 1 'including the beams 2 and 4 whose axes are eccentrically connected to each other can be formed. As a result, it is possible to arrange the vehicle in a predetermined position in the vehicle. In addition, an extruded member of an aluminum alloy is used as a suitable material for the connecting member 6 '.

FIG. 2C shows a pair of concave grooves 2 in the hollow portion 22.
3 shows a cylindrical connector (cylindrical body) 20 formed symmetrically, and a pair of through holes 24 are perforated through each concave groove 23. As shown in FIG. 2 (D), the beam 4
The blind nut 28 is fixed to the
0 is interposed between the beams 2 and 4. At this time, the head of the nut 28 is housed in each groove 23 of the connecting tool 20. In this state, the bolt 25 is inserted into the left and right through holes 2 a of the beam 2 and the through hole 24 of the connecting tool 20 via the washer 26, and is screwed to the female screw portion 27 of the nut 28. This makes it possible to easily form the instrument panel reinforcement 1a in which the beams 2 and 4 are coaxially connected via the connecting tool 20 by the pair of short bolts 25. FIG. 2E shows a cylindrical connecting member (cylindrical body) 20 ′ in which the hollow portion 22 is eccentric with respect to the axis, and has the same concave groove 23 and through hole 24 as described above. As shown in FIG. 2 (F), the connecting tool 20 'is interposed between the beams 2 and 4 in the same manner as described above, and the bolts 25 and the blind nuts 28 are screw-coupled to each other so that their axes are eccentric. The instrument panel reinforcement 1a 'connecting the beams 2 and 4 can be easily formed.

FIG. 3 relates to a connector having a different form and an instrument panel reinforcement using the same. FIG.
The connecting tool 30 shown in (A) is made of an extruded material of an aluminum alloy having a cross-shaped cross section in which the horizontal piece 31 and the vertical piece 32 are orthogonal to each other, and the right end along the axial direction from the left end face in the drawing. A pair of slits (inner fitting portions) 33 and 34 each having a curved cross section are formed in the middle part of the horizontal piece 31 and the vertical piece 32 at a position up to this side. Each slit 3 above
3 and 34 correspond to one circular locus when viewed from the left end side in FIG. The horizontal piece 31 and the vertical piece 3
2 slits 33, 3 from the curved outer curved surface (outer fitting part)
4, through holes 35a and 36a are formed,
Further, screw holes 35a, 36 are formed through slits 33, 34.
Screw holes 35b and 36b are formed on the same axis as a to enter the center of the horizontal piece 31 or the vertical piece 32.

As shown in FIG. 3 (B), the four curved outer surfaces of the horizontal piece 31 and the vertical piece 32 of the connector 30 are inserted into the large-diameter beam 2 while being in contact with the hollow portion 3 at the end thereof. At the same time, the end of the small diameter beam 4 is inserted into each of the slits 33 and 34 from the opposite side. In this state, the through-holes 2a and the like for the upper and lower left and right beams 2 and 4 and the screw through holes 35a and
The bolt 37 penetrates the screw holes 35b and 36b through the hole 36a.
Is screwed through the washer 38, thereby easily and accurately forming the instrument panel reinforcement in which the beams 2 and 4 are coaxially connected via the connecting member 30.

FIG. 3C shows a connecting member 30 'in which each of the slits 33 and 34 is formed eccentrically downward with respect to the axis. As shown in FIG.
By interposing 0 'between the ends of the beams 2 and 4 and screwing the bolts 37 together, it is possible to easily form an instrument panel reinforcement in which the beams 2 and 4 whose axes are decentered are connected. . In addition, the connecting tools 30, 30 '
It is also possible to form the sheet including the slits 33 and 34 by precision casting or forging of an aluminum alloy or the like. It is desirable that the slits 33 and 34 have a curved cross-sectional shape corresponding to the end of the beam 4. However, as long as the end of the beam 4 can be inserted, the slits 33 and 34 may have a straight cross-sectional shape that does not curve. In order to prevent the screw holes 35a and 36a from interfering with each other, the holes are shifted so as to penetrate the horizontal piece 31 or the vertical piece 32, through which through bolts (not shown) are inserted via washers and nuts are fastened. In this way, the instrument panel reinforcement can be easily formed.

The connecting member 40 shown in FIG. 3E has a large-diameter portion (inner fitting portion) 41 and a small-diameter portion (inner fitting portion) which are substantially similar in cross section and integrated coaxially. 46, a casting or forging made of an aluminum alloy having a cross-shaped cross section in which the vertical pieces 42, 47 and the horizontal pieces 43, 48 are orthogonal to each other. Also, the vertical pieces 42, 47 and the horizontal pieces 43,
Screw holes 44 and 49 are respectively formed near the center of the 48 curved outer curved surface. Further, the large diameter portion 4
Four vertical steps 45 are symmetrically arranged in the vertical and horizontal directions between 1 and the small diameter part 46. As shown in FIG. 3 (F), the vertical piece 42 and the horizontal piece 44 in the large diameter portion 41 of the connecting tool 40 are provided.
The large-diameter portion 41 is fitted while the four curved outer surfaces are brought into contact with the hollow portion 3 at the end of the large-diameter beam 2. Also, the vertical piece 47 and the horizontal piece 4 in the small diameter portion 46
8, the small-diameter portion 46 itself is fitted into the hollow portion 5 while the hollow portion 5 at the end of the small-diameter beam 4 is brought into contact with the four curved outer surfaces from the opposite side. Contact each step 45.

As described above, the connecting member 40 and the beams 2 and 4
Are screwed into the through holes 2a and 4a of the beams 2 and 4 and the screw holes 44 and 49 via the washers 38. Thereby, it is possible to easily and accurately form the instrument panel reinforcement in which the beams 2 and 4 are coaxially connected via the connecting tool 40. In addition, by using a connecting tool (not shown) in which the large-diameter portion 41 and the small-diameter portion 46 of the connecting tool 40 are integrated with each other with their eccentric axes eccentric, the mutual axial center similar to FIG. It is possible to easily form an instrument panel reinforcement in which the eccentric beams 2 and 4 are connected.

A pair of through holes that penetrate the vertical piece 42 and the horizontal piece 44 and do not interfere with each other are drilled, and through bolts (not shown) are inserted through washers, and nuts are fastened to easily install the instrument panel. Reinforcement can also be formed. Further, the beams 2 and 4 may have cross sections not similar to each other. Alternatively, due to the dimensional relationship between the beams 2 and 4 and the eccentric form of the axes, the cross sections of the beams 2 and 4 overlap each other, and the dimensional relationship does not allow the small-diameter beam 4 to be inserted into the large-diameter beam 2. It is also possible. Further, a molded article of a resin having high strength, such as polycarbonate, can be applied to the connection tool 40.

FIG. 4 relates to a coupler and a beam having a different form from the above, and to an instrument panel reinforcement using the same. 4 (A) and 4 (B) shows a connector 50 having a disc-shaped base 51 and a thin wall which stands symmetrically from a part of the same circular locus on the left side surface of the base 51 as shown. In this case, four arc pieces 52 and four thick arc pieces 56 are integrally formed on the right side surface of the base 51 and inside the outer peripheral edge 57. Such arc pieces 52, 56
Is located at the same position as the axis of the base 51. Further, gaps 53 and 58 are formed at the same position on both side surfaces of the base 51 between the arc pieces 52 and between the arc pieces 56, and a through hole 55 is formed in the base 51 sandwiched therebetween. . Inside the four arc pieces 52, four through holes 54 penetrating the base 51 are formed at equal intervals. In addition, each arc piece 52,
56 each form a single outer / inner fitting. In addition, a casting or a forged product made of an aluminum alloy or the above resin is used for the connection tool 50.

FIG. 4C shows an end face of a large-diameter beam 2b made of an extruded member, and screw holes 2c are provided at four positions in the hollow portion 3 at equal intervals along the longitudinal direction. .
Note that a screw hole 4c is also formed in the narrow beam 4b. As shown in FIG. 4 (D), the end of the beam 4b is inserted into the inner peripheral surface of each arc piece 52 of the connecting tool 50,
In the figure, a self-tapping bolt 59 is screwed into the screw hole 4c from the right side surface of the base 51 through the through hole 54.
Next, the end of the beam 2b is inserted into the outer peripheral surface of each arc piece 56 of the connecting tool 50, and the self-tapping bolt 59 is screwed into the screw hole 2c through the through hole 55 from the left side of the base 51 as shown. This makes it possible to easily and accurately form an instrumental reinforcement in which the beams 2b and 4b are coaxially connected via the connecting tool 50.

The center of each of the arc pieces 52, 56 is aligned with the base 5
By arranging the arc pieces 52 and 56 at positions eccentric to each other at different positions on the front and back surfaces of the first and second surfaces, an instrument panel reinforcement in which the beams 2b and 4b whose axes are eccentric to each other can be easily formed. can do. In addition, the coupler 50 can be applied between beams having a cross-sectional shape other than a circular cross-section by making necessary changes. However, in any case, the arrangement position of the bolt 59 is adjusted to the position of the screw hole 2c or the like.

A coupling tool 60 shown in FIGS. 4E and 4F has a disk-shaped base 61 and a sleeve which stands on the left side of the base 61 in FIG. (Outer fitting part)
62 and a pair of through holes 64 symmetrically drilled in the base 61 on the bottom surface of the inner peripheral portion 63. Further, on the right side surface of the base 61 in FIG. 4 (F), a pair of thick circular arc pieces (inner fitting portions) which are part of the same circular locus, ) 66 is erected, and a columnar gap 68 is formed between both ends of the arc pieces 66, 66. One end of the through hole 64 is open in the gap 68. Further, a circular locus is formed that traverses the vicinity of the center of each gap 68 and forms one circular locus, and a ring groove 67 located inside each arc piece 66 is provided. A column-shaped central portion 69 protrudes. and,
At the center of the outer peripheral surface of each arc piece 66, the ring groove 6
A screw hole 69a is formed, which extends across the center 7 into the central portion 69.

As shown in FIG. 4 (G), the end of the small diameter beam 4b is inserted into the inner peripheral portion 63 of the sleeve 62 of the connecting member 60, and each screw hole 4c is aligned with each through hole 64. After the self-tapping bolt 59
Is screwed into the screw hole 4c through the through hole 64. Next, the beam 2 having a large diameter is fitted on the outer peripheral surface of each of the arc pieces 66 while the hollow portion 3 is in contact with the outer peripheral surface, and the end surface thereof is brought into contact with the outer peripheral edge 65. 59 is screwed into the screw hole 69a. Thereby, as shown in FIG. 4 (G), it is possible to easily and accurately form the instrument panel reinforcement in which the beams 2 and 4b are coaxially connected via the connecting tool 60.

FIG. 4 (G) shows that the beam 2 is a double tube having a concentric inner annular portion 2d provided in the hollow portion 3 thereof, and the beam 4b is formed as shown by a broken line in the drawing. A double tube having a concentric outer annular portion 4d on the outside is provided.
Also, a form in which b is connected via the connecting tool 60 is shown. In the beams 2 and 4b, the web (not shown) that supports the inner and outer annular portions 2d and 4d has notches in advance at the ends close to the coupler 60. The beam 4b and the respective ends of the outer annular portion 4d are fitted to the inner and outer peripheral portions of the sleeve 62 of the connecting tool 60, and are directed from the right side of the through hole 64 of the connecting tool 60 into the screw hole 4c of the beam 4b. The bolt 59 is screwed.
Next, the end of the beam 2 is brought into contact with the outer peripheral edge 65 of the connecting member 60 and the end of the inner annular portion 2d of the beam 2 is fitted into the ring groove 67, and the bolt 59 is inserted into the through hole of the beam 2. It can also be screwed into the central part 69 through the 2a and the screw hole 69a. In this case, the sleeve 62 serves as an inner / outer fitting portion, the ring groove 67 serves as an inner fitting portion, and the arc piece 66 serves as an outer fitting portion. According to the connecting tool 60 as described above, the beams 2 and 4b having different diameters can be easily connected concentrically with each other.

4 (H) and 4 (I) show a connecting tool 70 whose left and right sides are eccentric with the disc-shaped base 71 and the base 71 on the left side of the base 71 in FIG. 4 (H). A sleeve (outer fitting portion) 72 to be provided and a pair of through holes 74 pierced symmetrically in the base 71 on the bottom surface of the inner peripheral portion 73 are included. In addition, on the right side of the base 71 in FIG. 4 (I), a sleeve (inner fitting portion) 76 concentric with the base 71 is erected inside the outer peripheral edge 75, and a pair of through holes 78 are formed in the sleeve. Have been. That is, the sleeves 72 and 76 are formed eccentric to each other.
The through hole 74 is provided on the bottom surface of the inner peripheral portion 77 of the sleeve 76.
Is open.

As shown in FIG. 4 (J), the end of the small diameter beam 4b is inserted into the inner peripheral portion 73 of the sleeve 72 of the connecting member 70, and each screw hole 4c is aligned with each through hole 74. After the self-tapping bolt 59
Is screwed into the screw hole 4c through the through hole 74. Next, after the end surface of the beam 2 having a large diameter is brought into contact with the outer peripheral edge 75 while the hollow portion 3 is in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the sleeve 76,
A blind rivet 79 is driven from the through hole 2 a of the beam 2 into the through hole 78. Thereby, as shown in FIG. 4 (J), it is possible to easily and accurately form the instrument panel reinforcement in which the beams 2 and 4b are eccentrically connected to each other via the connector 70. Further, instead of the blind rivet 79, an instrument panel reinforcement can be formed even if a nut is fastened after penetrating a through bolt through a washer.

FIG. 5A shows an instrument panel reinforcement 80 having a different form from the above. The instrument panel reinforcement 80 includes a large-diameter beam 82 made of an extruded profile on the right side and a small-diameter beam 84 on the left side in FIG. Beams 82 and 84 are formed into substantially semicircular hollow portions 83 and 85.
In addition, it has flat surfaces 82a and 84a partially along the entire length in the longitudinal direction. A connecting member is provided between the beams 82 and 84.
A (cylindrical body) 86 is interposed and also has a flat portion 86a.
That is, the beams 82 and 84 and the connector 86 have a substantially semicircular cross section similar to each other. As shown in FIG.
The connector 86 is provided with a hollow portion 83 at the left end of the beam 82.
The beam 84 is inserted into the
Insert the right end of the. In this state, nuts are fastened to bolts that penetrate the beams 82 and 84, the connecting tool 86, and the hollow portion 85 as in FIG. Thus, the beams 82 and 84 are coaxially connected via the connecting tool 86.

Further, at both outer ends of the beams 82 and 84,
The body connection brackets 87 and 88 are symmetrically fixed. Both are substantially cylindrical surrounding flat portions 87a, 88a into which the outer ends of the beams 82, 84 are inserted and fitted.
And rectangular flanges 89, 89 provided integrally at one end thereof.
This is a casting made of an aluminum alloy in which the above is integrated. As shown in FIG. 1F, bolts pass through the surrounding portions 87a and 88a together with the outer ends of the beams 82 and 84, and fasten nuts to the bolts. Thus, the brackets 87 and 88 are individually fixed to the outer ends of the beams 82 and 84. The flange 89 has a plurality of through holes 89a for bolt penetration for connecting the above-described instrument panel reinforcement 80 to an automobile (not shown).

In the instrument panel reinforcement 80 as described above, since the beams 82, 84 and the connecting member 86 have non-circular and irregular cross-sections having similar flat surfaces 82a and the like, they can be accurately separated from each other. Bolts can be easily inserted and bolts can be inserted and nuts can be fastened in a stable state. FIG. 5B shows a use state of the instrument panel reinforcement 80, in which the steering column bracket 92 attached to the steering shaft 91 of the steering wheel 90 is mounted on the flat shaft 82a of the beam 82 having a large diameter. It can be firmly fixed by a bolt or the like (not shown) in a stable posture in contact with the surface 82a. The flat surface 82a and the small diameter beam 8
By utilizing the flat surface 84a in 4, it is also possible to fix and attach an airbag or air conditioner mounting bracket (not shown), a cowl toe brace, a floor brace, or the like.

FIGS. 5C-5H relate to a beam having a non-circular cross section. Here, a large diameter with a similar cross section
Both (large diameter) and small diameter (small diameter) beams are shown in common.
The beam 93 shown in FIG. 5 (C) is made of a hollow extruded profile and has a regular pentagonal cross section, and the beam 94 shown in FIG.
It has a regular hexagonal cross section. The beam 95 shown in FIG. 5E has a regular octagonal cross section, and the beam 96 shown in FIG. 5F has a regular dodecagonal cross section. Further, the beam 97 shown in FIG. 5 (G) is made of a hollow extruded shape, has a substantially rectangular cross section with rounded corners, and has a flat surface 97a on a pair of upper and lower long sides. In addition, the beam 98 shown in FIG. 5 (H) is a hollow profile having an oval cross section,
It has a pair of flat surfaces 98a at the top and bottom in the figure. Similarly to the instrument panel reinforcement 80, these beams 93 to 98 can easily connect the large-diameter beam and the small-diameter beam via a connector having a similar cross section, and utilize the flat portion 97a on the outer peripheral surface. By doing so, it is also possible to easily fix various brackets. Also, beams 93 to 9
It is also easy to make the cross section of each of the modified polygons 6 into a deformed polygon by using an extruded profile.

FIG. 6 relates to a beam having a circular cross section. Note that, here, both large-diameter and small-diameter beams having similar cross sections are shown in common. The beam 10 shown in FIG.
No. 0 is made of an extruded aluminum alloy material and has a hollow portion 1
01, and four ridges 102 are symmetrically provided on the outer peripheral surface 103 along the axial direction along the entire length in the longitudinal direction. Such a beam 100 is
The rigidity can be increased by each ridge 102. Beam 1
When using both the large-diameter beam and the small-diameter beam, the connecting tool interposed between the two beams includes the ridges 1 of the small-diameter beam 100.
02 is formed in advance on the inner peripheral surface of the hollow portion. By fitting the ridge 102 and the concave groove, the beam 1
00 rotation can be prevented.

The beam 104 shown in FIG. 6 (B) is also made of an extruded member of an aluminum alloy, has a circular cross section including a hollow portion 105, and is formed on the inner peripheral surface 105 along the axial direction. The four ridges 106 are symmetrical and protrude along the entire length in the longitudinal direction. Such a beam 104 is provided with each ridge 1
06 increases the rigidity. When the beam 104 is used for both a large diameter beam and a small diameter beam, the connecting tool interposed therebetween has at least a concave groove for receiving each ridge 106 of the large diameter beam 104 in advance. It is desirable to form it on the inner peripheral surface. The fitting of the ridge 106 and the concave groove can prevent the beam 104 from rotating.

Further, the beam 108 shown in FIG. 6C is also made of an extruded shape, has a circular cross section including a hollow portion 110,
Along the axial direction, four wide curved ridges 114 and a concave groove 112 therebetween are provided on the outer peripheral surface symmetrically with each other and along the entire length in the longitudinal direction. The rigidity of the beam 108 is increased by the protrusions 114. When both the large beam and the small beam are used as the beam 108, the connecting member interposed between the two beams has the small beam 10
It is preferable that a concave groove for receiving each of the ridges 8 is formed in advance on the inner peripheral surface of the hollow portion. Such ridge 11
The fitting of the groove 4 with the groove can prevent the beam 108 from rotating.

In addition, the beam 116 shown in FIG. 6 (D) is also formed of an extruded shape member, and has four symmetrical hollow sections 118 having a fan-shaped cross section, and a partition wall 1 having a cross-shaped cross section for partitioning them.
19 are provided along the entire length in the longitudinal direction. The rigidity of the beam 116 is increased by providing the partition wall 119 therein. When the beam 116 is used for both the large diameter beam and the small diameter beam, a plurality of protrusions (fitting portions) that fit into the hollow portions 118 of the beams 116 are provided on the connecting tool interposed therebetween. It is desirable to form them on both sides in advance. The above ridges 102, 106, 1
14 and the partition wall 119 are the beams 93 having the non-circular cross section.
To 98 as appropriate.

FIG. 7 relates to a bracket for body connection other than the above-described embodiment. Note that these are described as being commonly used for both large-diameter and small-diameter beams having similar cross sections. The body connection bracket 120 shown in FIG.
It has a surrounding portion 122 having a regular octagonal cross section, into which the outer end of the beam 95 having a regular octagonal shape is inserted and fitted, and a rectangular flange 121 integrally provided at one end thereof. FIG.
As shown in FIG. 3A, a pair of left and right through holes 123 is formed in the surrounding portion 122, and a pair of upper and lower through holes 124 are formed in the flange 121. A bolt that penetrates and fixes the beam 95 is provided in the through hole 123.
The bolts fixed to the vehicle body pass through the.

The body connection bracket 125 shown in FIG. 7 (B) has a circular cross section 127 to which the outer end of the beam 100 having the four ridges 102 on the outer peripheral surface 103 is inserted and fitted. And a rectangular flange 121 integrally provided at one end thereof. As shown in FIG. 7 (B), four grooves 128 for receiving the protrusions 102 are formed symmetrically on the inner peripheral surface of the surrounding portion 127, and the left and right grooves 12 are formed.
8 is provided with a through hole 129 for a bolt that penetrates and fixes the beam 100. Also, the flange 126
A pair of upper and lower through-holes 126a through which bolts fixed to the vehicle body pass are formed.

Further, a body connection bracket 130 shown in FIG. 7C has a substantially columnar shape which is inserted into and fitted to the outer end of the beam 104 having the four ridges 106 on the inner peripheral surface 105. It has a portion 132 and a rectangular flange 131 integrally provided at one end thereof. As shown in FIG. 7 (C), four grooves 133 for receiving the ridges 106 are formed symmetrically on the outer peripheral surface of the insertion portion 132, and the left and right grooves 13 are formed.
Between the three, a through hole 134 for a bolt penetrating and fixing the beam 104 is formed. Also, the flange 13
A pair of upper and lower through holes 131a through which a bolt to be fixed to the vehicle body penetrates is formed in the hole 1.

The body connection bracket 1 shown in FIG.
Reference numeral 35 denotes a pair of screw holes 2c,
It has a substantially cylindrical insertion portion 137 which is inserted into and fitted to the outer ends of the beams 2b, 4b having the 4c, and a rectangular flange 136 integrally provided at one end thereof. FIG.
As shown in (D), a pair of upper and lower arc grooves 138 are formed in the insertion portion 137 to receive the screw holes 2c, 4c of the beams 2b, 4b. Further, the insertion portion 137 has a horizontal through hole 13 for a bolt for fixing the beams 2b and 4b.
9 penetrates, and a pair of upper and lower through holes 136 a for bolts to be fixed to the vehicle body are formed in the flange 136.

The body connection bracket 140 shown in FIG. 7 (E) has a circular surrounding section 144 into which the outer end of the beam 100 is inserted and fitted, and a rectangular section integrally provided at one end thereof. And a flange 141. As shown in FIG. 7 (E), the ridge 102
And three surrounding grooves 146 for receiving the
A pair of flat plate portions 147 are provided upright on both sides of the narrow gap 145 opened at the upper part of the 44. A bolt (not shown) is passed through a through hole 148 formed in each flat plate portion 147, and a nut is fastened to make the pair of flat plate portions 147 approach each other with elasticity.
As a result, the beam 100 inserted into the surrounding portion 144 is
Can be firmly fixed without screwing the outer end. The flange 141 has a pair of upper and lower through holes 142 through which bolts fixed to the vehicle body pass. The depth of the gap 145 ends at the flange 141.

Further, a body connection bracket 150 shown in FIG. 7F has an enclosure 151 having an enclosure 152 having a substantially circular cross section, into which the outer end of the beam 100 is inserted and fitted.
And a rectangular plate 156 fixed to both ends thereof. On the inner peripheral surface of the surrounding portion 152 in the surrounding body 151,
Except for the opening 153, three concave grooves 154 for receiving the ridges 102 of the beam 100 are formed.
A pair of flat plate pieces 155 extend symmetrically at both edges of 53. By bringing each flat plate piece 155 into contact with the plate 156 and fixing it with bolts 158 or the like, this bracket 1
50 are obtained. A pair of through holes 157 for bolts to be fixed to the vehicle body are formed in the upper and lower ends of the plate 156. According to the bracket 150, the outer end of the beam 100 is inserted into the surrounding part 152, and the surrounding body 151 is inserted.
By bolting the plate and the plate 156, the instrument panel reinforcement can be firmly fixed to the vehicle body. The envelope 151 can be used simply by cutting an extruded aluminum alloy material into a short length. The bracket 150 is suitable when the mounting surface on the vehicle body side is in the same direction as the longitudinal direction of the instrument panel reinforcement.

FIG. 8A shows a steering shaft mounting bracket 160 fixed to the large-diameter beam 2. The bracket 160 is a cast product made of an aluminum alloy or the like integrally having an upper annular portion 162 having a hollow portion 163 through which the beam 2 is inserted and a lower trapezoidal portion 161. The annular portion 162 has a pair of flanges 165 with a slit 164 along the longitudinal direction of the hollow portion 163 interposed therebetween. The slit 164 is narrowed by passing a bolt (not shown) through the through hole 166 of each flange 165 and fastening a nut. Thereby, the hollow portion 16
The main bracket 160 is firmly fixed to the beam 2 previously inserted into the inside 3.

Further, as shown in FIG.
1 has a through hole 169 orthogonal to the hollow portion 163 in plan view.
Penetrates between the pair of inclined surfaces 167 and 168. The steering shaft is inserted into the through hole 169. By fixing the bracket 160 to the beam 2 as described above, the steering shaft can be reliably supported by the instrument panel reinforcement 1. By changing the sectional shape of the hollow portion 163, the bracket 160 can be fixed to the instrument panel reinforcement having the beams 82, 93 to 98, and 100 to 116.

FIG. 8B shows a steering shaft mounting bracket 170 of a different form which is fixed to the large diameter beam 2. The bracket 170 has an upper half 171.
And a lower half 177 of an aluminum alloy or the like. The upper half 171 has a central hollow portion 172 and a pair of flanges 174 with a slit 173 extending along the longitudinal direction. By passing a bolt (not shown) through the through hole 175 of each flange 174 and fastening a nut, the slit 173 is narrowed. Thereby, the hollow portion 17
The bracket 17 is firmly attached to the beam 2 previously inserted into the bracket 2.
0 is fixed. Flanges 176 at both ends of upper half 171
Has a through hole 176a.

Further, as shown in FIG.
Reference numeral 7 has a substantially inverted Ω-shaped cross section, and includes an arc groove 178 orthogonal to the hollow portion 172, and a pair of flanges 179 on both sides of the opening 178a. As shown, upper half 1
The flange 179 is brought into contact with each of the flanges 176 of the base 71, and a bolt is inserted into a through hole (not shown) of the through hole 176 a and the nut is fastened. Thus, the steering shaft previously inserted into the arc groove 178 can be reliably supported by the instrument panel reinforcement 1. The bracket 170 can be fixed to the beams 82, 93 to 98, etc. by changing the cross-sectional shape of the hollow portion 172.

FIGS. 9A and 9B show a connecting member 180 for connecting a pair of beams 2 and 4 having body connection brackets 11 and 15 at the outer ends. The connecting tool 180 includes a cylindrical base 181 having an inner fitting portion 182 and an outer fitting portion (not shown) on both sides, a floor brace 183 hanging down on the floor F from the base 181, and extending horizontally from the base 181. Cowling braces 18 connected to cowls not shown
4 is made of a cast product of an aluminum alloy or the like having the same as one. The brace 184 has a plurality of openings 185 and a fixing flange 186 extending at a right angle at a tip thereof and having a bolt hole. According to the connecting tool 180, the instrument panel reinforcement can be easily formed by connecting the beams 2 and 4, and the obtained instrument panel reinforcement itself can be reliably supported by the floor F and the cowl. In the connection tool 180, one of the floor brace 183 and the cowl toe brace 184 may be omitted. An appropriately shaped floor brace or the like may be integrally protruded from an exposed end surface of the cylindrical connecting member or an outer peripheral surface of a base piece of the connecting member having inner / outer fitting portions on both sides, or an air conditioner. It is also possible to form a mounting bracket such as.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above. For example, a pair of beams having different cross-sectional shapes can be used for one instrument panel reinforcement. In this case, the connecting member interposed between the ends of the beams is a cylindrical body having both inner and outer peripheral surfaces having a cross-sectional shape following the cross-sectional shape of each beam, or an inner / outer fitting following the cross-sectional shape of each beam. The form having both parts is applied. It is also possible to connect a pair of beams via a connector so that the respective axes intersect with each other with a slight inclination. In this case, the inner and outer peripheral surfaces of the cylindrical body and the axes of the inner / outer fitting portions of the connecting member are formed so as to be inclined and intersect in the same manner. Further, a ridge projecting from the outer peripheral surface of the beam can be used for fixing the various brackets by mechanical means such as a bolt. In addition, the flange of the body connection bracket is not limited to the rectangular shape as in the above-described embodiment, but may be formed in a shape that does not impair the function according to the shape of the mounting surface or how it fits with the surrounding members. .

[0052]

According to the present invention described above,
The overall weight can be reduced, so that the fuel efficiency of the vehicle on which it is mounted can be increased, and it can be assembled with a small number of man-hours consisting of simple steps of fastening bolts and nuts. It becomes possible to make it a preferable instrumental reinforcement. Also,
According to the instrument panel reinforcement of the third and fourth aspects, the beam can have an arbitrary hollow cross section, so that the weight can be further reduced, and unintended rotation after assembly can be prevented. In addition, the fixing to the brackets to be attached to the pair of beams by mechanical means can be easily performed with good fit, and the assembling work can be further simplified.

Further, according to the instrument panel reinforcement of the fifth and sixth aspects, the connecting members interposed between the ends of the pair of beams having different cross-sectional shapes can easily move the two beams individually to predetermined positions. , And the screwing operation and the like can be performed reliably and quickly in a stable state. According to the instrument panel reinforcement of the ninth aspect, an instrument panel reinforcement in which a pair of beams are connected via a connecting tool can be formed, and the obtained instrument panel reinforcement itself can be securely attached to a floor or a cowl of a vehicle body. In addition, it can be easily supported, and the number of assembly steps inside the vehicle body can be reduced.
Further, according to the instrument panel reinforcement of the tenth aspect, the bracket for mounting the steering shaft can be easily fixed to the beam having a large cross section. For example, the instrument panel reinforcement in which the bracket is fixed in advance can be formed. It is also possible to reduce the number of assembly steps inside the vehicle body.

[Brief description of the drawings]

1A is a front view showing an embodiment of the instrument panel reinforcement of the present invention, FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB in FIG. 1A, and FIG. Enlarged sectional view of a dashed-dotted line portion C of FIG.
(D) is a perspective view of the connector used for this, (E) is E in (A).
Sectional drawing along the -E line.

2 (A), 2 (C), and 2 (E) are perspective views showing couplers of different forms, and FIGS. 2 (B), 2 (D), and 2 (F) are instrument panels in which a pair of beams are connected by using them. Sectional drawing of a force.

3 (A), 3 (C) and 3 (E) are perspective views showing further different types of couplers, and FIGS. 3 (B), 3 (D) and 3 (F) are instrument panels in which a pair of beams are coupled using them. Sectional drawing of reinforcement.

4 (A) and 4 (B) are perspective views showing respective side surfaces of a connector of another form, FIG. 4 (C) is an end view showing a beam of a different form, and FIG. (E), (F) and (H), (I) are perspective views showing the respective side surfaces of the connector of another embodiment, and (G) and (J) are a pair of these. Sectional drawing which shows the state which connected the beam of FIG.

5A is a perspective view showing a different form of instrument panel reinforcement, FIG. 5B is a schematic view showing a use state thereof,
(C)-(H) is sectional drawing which shows the beam of a further different form.

FIGS. 6A to 6D are cross-sectional views showing another type of beam.

FIGS. 7A to 7F are perspective views showing different types of body connection brackets.

8 (A) and 8 (B) are perspective views showing a steering shaft mounting bracket used for the instrument panel reinforcement of the present invention.

FIG. 9 (A) is a perspective view of an instrument panel reinforcement using a coupling tool of a different form, and FIG. 9 (B) is a schematic view showing a use state thereof.

FIG. 10 (A) is a perspective view showing a conventional instrument panel reinforcement, and FIG. 10 (B) is a schematic view showing a use state thereof.

[Explanation of Signs] 1,1 ', 1a, 1a', 80 ................. Inpanelinforcement 2,2b, 4,4b, 82,84,93-98,100,104,108,1
16 …… Beam 3,5,83,85,101,105,110,118 ………………………
……… Hollow part 6,6 ', 20,20', 30,30 ', 40,50,60,7
0,86… Connector 8,8a, 8b, 25,37,59 ……………………………
Bolts (mechanical means) 11, 15, 120, 125, 130, 135, 140, 150 ...... Brackets for body connection 33, 34 ............ ............
Slits (inner fitting part) 41, 46 ……………………………………………
Large / small diameter part (inner fitting part) 52 ……………………………………………
Arc piece (outer fitting part) 56, 66 …………………………………………
Arc pieces (inner fitting portions) 62, 72 …………………………………………
Sleeve (outer fitting part) 76 ……………………………………………………
Sleeve (inner fitting portion) 82a, 84a, 97a, 98a .....................
Flat surface 102,106,114 ……………………………………
Ridge 112 ………………………………………………
Recessed groove 119 …………………………………………………
Partition wall 160, 170 ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
Coupling device 183 …………………………………………………
Floor brace 184 ………………………………………………………
Cowl to brace

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page F term (reference) 3D003 AA04 AA11 BB01 CA05 CA09 DA09

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. A pair of left and right beams which are mounted on an automobile and are made of extruded aluminum alloy members and have mutually different cross-sectional shapes, and mechanical means interposed between the pair of beams and screwed to the two beams. And a connector for connecting the pair of beams by fixing with the above. 2. The instrument panel according to claim 1, wherein said pair of beams have substantially similar cross sections and are fixed to said connector with their respective axes being eccentric. Ment. 3. The pair of beams according to claim 1, wherein the pair of beams includes a hollow portion along an axis and has a cross section of an irregular shape such as a circle, a regular polygon, or a deformed polygon. The described instrumental reinforcement. 4. The pair of beams integrally have any one of a ridge, a flat surface, a groove, and a partition wall along an axial direction on an outer peripheral surface and / or an inner peripheral surface in a hollow cross section. The instrument panel reinforcement according to claim 3, characterized in that: 5. The connecting member is a tubular member located between ends of the beams in which the pair of beams overlap and fit, or between the ends of the pair of beams. 5. The instrument panel according to claim 1, further comprising a pair of fitting portions which are located on both sides and which are fitted to the respective end portions. 6. 6. A fitting part of the connecting tool is an outer fitting part for receiving an end of the beam and / or an inner fitting part inserted into a hollow part at an end of the beam. The instrument panel reinforcement according to claim 5, characterized in that: 7. A body connection bracket fixed to both outer ends of a pair of beams fixed and connected via the connecting tool by mechanical means such as screwing while being fitted to the outer ends. Is fixed.
The instrument panel reinforcement according to any one of the above. 8. The body connection bracket includes an enclosing portion or an insertion portion fitted to each outer end of the pair of beams, and a flange integrally provided at one end thereof. The instrument panel reinforcement according to claim 7, 9. The connecting tool according to claim 1, wherein a bracket for mounting an air conditioner, a cowl, a brace for connecting to a floor, or the like protrudes from an outer surface or one end surface thereof. The instrument panel reinforcement according to any one of the above. 10. A steering shaft mounting bracket that surrounds the beam and has a holding portion that is orthogonal to the beam is fixed to a beam having a large cross section among the beams. 9. The instrument panel reinforcement according to any one of 9.