JP2005306083A

JP2005306083A - Instrument panel reinforcement

Info

Publication number: JP2005306083A
Application number: JP2004122378A
Authority: JP
Inventors: Yusaku Furukawa; 裕作古川; Masato Ichiki; 正人市来; Shigeru Kashiwagi; 茂柏木
Original assignee: Toyota Auto Body Co Ltd
Current assignee: Toyota Auto Body Co Ltd
Priority date: 2004-04-19
Filing date: 2004-04-19
Publication date: 2005-11-04

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To eliminate unnatural feeling at the time of steering operation by improving the strength of a connecting part of a small diameter pipe and a large diameter pipe. <P>SOLUTION: An inner end part 21 of the large diameter pipe 2 mounted between left and right front pillars of a vehicle and arranged on a driver's seat is reduced in relation to an inner end part 31 of the small diameter pipe 3 arranged on a front passenger seat side, and the inner end parts 21 and 31 are connected by being overlapped in a fixed length range in a mutually contacting state of inner peripheral surface and outer peripheral surface. An opening 213 is formed on a peripheral wall of the pipe inner end part 21 located at the outside. The entire periphery of an opening edge of the opening 213 is welded to an outer peripheral surface of the pipe inner end part 31 located at the inside. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

本発明はインストルメントパネルリインホースメントに関し、特に、大径パイプと小径パイプを連結してなるインストルメントパネルリインホースメントの連結強度を向上させた構造に関する。 The present invention relates to an instrument panel reinforcement, and more particularly to a structure in which the connection strength of an instrument panel reinforcement formed by connecting a large diameter pipe and a small diameter pipe is improved.

図３にはインストルメントパネルリインホースメント（以下、インパネリインホースメントという）の外観を示す。インパネリインホースメント１は大径のパイプ２と小径のパイプ３を互いの一端部（内端部）にて、後述する構造で連結して構成されており、各他端部（外端部）に設けたブラケット４１によって左右のフロントピラー間に架設される。大径パイプ２は運転席側に位置させられ、その中間部外周にはステアリングコラムを支持するためのブラケット４２が設けられている。大径パイプ２と小径パイプ３の連結は例えば図４に一例を示すように、大径パイプ２の内端部２１をその内径が小径パイプ３の内端部３１外径にほぼ等しくなる程度まで縮径させた後、一定長さ範囲で平行パイプとする。そして、平行パイプとした大径パイプ２の内端部２１内に小径パイプ３の内端部３１を挿入して内端部３１外周が内端部２１内周と接した状態で互いにオーバラップさせ、図５に示すように、内端部２１の端面全周を小径パイプ３の外周面に溶接する。なお、特許文献１には、小径パイプの内端部を拡径して、その内部に大径パイプの内端部を圧入して連結した構造のインパネリインホースメントが示されている。
特開平９−２７７９６１号 FIG. 3 shows the appearance of an instrument panel reinforcement (hereinafter referred to as instrument panel reinforcement). The instrument panel reinforcement 1 is configured by connecting a large-diameter pipe 2 and a small-diameter pipe 3 at one end (inner end) of each other with a structure described later, and each other end (outer end). It is erected between the left and right front pillars by a bracket 41 provided on the right side. The large-diameter pipe 2 is positioned on the driver's seat side, and a bracket 42 for supporting the steering column is provided on the outer periphery of the intermediate portion. The connection between the large-diameter pipe 2 and the small-diameter pipe 3 is, for example, as shown in FIG. After reducing the diameter, a parallel pipe is formed within a certain length range. Then, the inner end portion 31 of the small diameter pipe 3 is inserted into the inner end portion 21 of the large diameter pipe 2 which is a parallel pipe, and the inner end portion 31 and the inner end portion 21 are overlapped with each other with the outer periphery in contact with the inner end portion 21. As shown in FIG. 5, the entire end surface of the inner end portion 21 is welded to the outer peripheral surface of the small-diameter pipe 3. Patent Document 1 discloses an instrument panel reinforcement having a structure in which an inner end portion of a small-diameter pipe is expanded and the inner end portion of the large-diameter pipe is press-fitted and connected to the inside.
JP-A-9-277961

しかし、上記従来の連結構造では、ステアリング操作時の荷重を受けると小径パイプと大径パイプの連結部が曲げ変形して、ステアリングの初期応答性やリニア感が損なわれることがあるという問題があった。 However, the conventional connection structure described above has a problem in that when a load is applied during steering operation, the connection portion between the small-diameter pipe and the large-diameter pipe is bent and deformed, and the initial response of the steering and the linear feeling may be impaired. It was.

そこで、本発明はこのような課題を解決するもので、小径パイプと大径パイプの連結部の強度を向上させて、ステアリング操作時の違和感を解消したインパネリインホースメントを提供することを目的とする。 Therefore, the present invention solves such a problem, and an object of the present invention is to provide an instrument panel reinforcement that improves the strength of the connecting portion between the small-diameter pipe and the large-diameter pipe and eliminates the uncomfortable feeling during the steering operation. To do.

上記目的を達成するために本第１発明では、車両の左右のフロントピラー間に架設され、運転席側に配設された大径パイプ（２）と助手席側に配設された小径パイプ（３）の各内端部（２１，３１）を、その一方を他方に対して拡径ないし縮径させて、互いに内周面と外周面が接した状態で一定長さ範囲でオーバラップさせ結合してなるインストルメントパネルリインホースメント（１）において、外方に位置するパイプ内端部（２１）の周壁に少なくとも一つの開口（２１３）を形成して、当該開口（２１３）の開口縁全周をその内方に位置するパイプ内端部（３１）の外周面に溶接する。 In order to achieve the above object, according to the first aspect of the present invention, a large-diameter pipe (2) disposed between the left and right front pillars of the vehicle and disposed on the driver's seat side and a small-diameter pipe disposed on the passenger seat side ( 3) The inner end portions (21, 31) of 3) are expanded or reduced in diameter with respect to the other, and are overlapped and joined within a certain length range with the inner and outer peripheral surfaces in contact with each other. In the instrument panel reinforcement (1) thus formed, at least one opening (213) is formed in the peripheral wall of the pipe inner end (21) located outside, and the entire opening edge of the opening (213) is formed. The circumference is welded to the outer peripheral surface of the pipe inner end (31) located inwardly.

本第１発明においては、大径パイプと小径パイプの内端部が、各開口の開口縁全周で互いに溶接されるから、両者の溶接長さおよび溶接領域が十分確保されて、大径パイプと小径パイプの連結強度が向上し、ステアリング操作に伴う荷重が印加してもこの部分が曲げ変形を生じない。これにより、ステアリング操作時の違和感が解消される。 In the first invention, the inner ends of the large-diameter pipe and the small-diameter pipe are welded to each other along the entire circumference of the opening edge of each opening. The connection strength of the small-diameter pipe is improved, and even when a load accompanying steering operation is applied, this portion does not undergo bending deformation. Thereby, the uncomfortable feeling at the time of steering operation is eliminated.

本第２発明では、さらに、外方に位置するパイプ内端部（２１）の端面全周をその内方に位置するパイプ（３）の外周面に溶接する。本第２発明においては、大径パイプと小径パイプの連結強度がさらに向上する。 In the second invention, the entire circumference of the end surface of the pipe inner end portion (21) positioned outward is welded to the outer peripheral surface of the pipe (3) positioned inward. In the second invention, the connection strength between the large-diameter pipe and the small-diameter pipe is further improved.

なお、上記カッコ内の符号は、後述する実施形態に記載の具体的手段との対応関係を示すものである。 In addition, the code | symbol in the said parenthesis shows the correspondence with the specific means as described in embodiment mentioned later.

以上のように、本発明のインパネリインホースメントによれば、小径パイプと大径パイプの連結部の強度を向上させて、ステアリング操作時の違和感を解消することができる。 As described above, according to the instrument panel reinforcement of the present invention, the strength of the connecting portion between the small-diameter pipe and the large-diameter pipe can be improved, and the uncomfortable feeling during the steering operation can be eliminated.

図１はインパネリインホースメント１を構成する大径パイプ２と小径パイプ３の連結部を示すもので、従来例における図４に対応するものである。図１において、円筒状の大径パイプ２の内端部２１は円筒状の小径パイプ３に向けて縮径させてある。すなわち、上記内端部２１はその内径が小径パイプ３の外径にほぼ等しくなる程度までテーパ状に縮径するテーパ部２１１と、これに続いて一定長さ範囲で平行パイプとなった連結部２１２よりなる。そして、連結部２１２の周壁には１２０°間隔で周方向の３ヶ所にパイプ長手方向へ延びる楕円形の開口２１３が設けられている。なお、図２には各開口２１３の形成位置を模擬的に示す。 FIG. 1 shows a connecting portion between a large-diameter pipe 2 and a small-diameter pipe 3 constituting the instrument panel reinforcement 1, and corresponds to FIG. 4 in the conventional example. In FIG. 1, the inner end 21 of the cylindrical large-diameter pipe 2 is reduced in diameter toward the cylindrical small-diameter pipe 3. That is, the inner end portion 21 has a tapered portion 211 whose inner diameter is reduced to a taper shape so as to be substantially equal to the outer diameter of the small-diameter pipe 3, and a connecting portion that subsequently becomes a parallel pipe within a certain length range. 212. The peripheral wall of the connecting portion 212 is provided with elliptical openings 213 extending in the pipe longitudinal direction at three locations in the circumferential direction at intervals of 120 °. FIG. 2 schematically shows the positions where the openings 213 are formed.

上記連結部２１２内には小径パイプ３の内端部３１が挿入されており、連結部２１２内周は小径パイプ３の内端部３１外周と接した状態で互いに一定長さ範囲でオーバラップさせられている。そして、各開口２１３では開口縁全周がその内方に位置する上記内端部３１の外周面に溶接されている。また、図２に示すように、連結部２１２の端面は全周が小径パイプ３の外周面に溶接されている。なお、図２の符号４２は大径パイプ２に設けられたステアリングコラム支持用のブラケットである（図３参照）。 The inner end portion 31 of the small diameter pipe 3 is inserted into the connecting portion 212, and the inner periphery of the connecting portion 212 is overlapped with each other within a certain length range in contact with the outer periphery of the inner end portion 31 of the small diameter pipe 3. It has been. In each opening 213, the entire periphery of the opening edge is welded to the outer peripheral surface of the inner end portion 31 located inside thereof. In addition, as shown in FIG. 2, the entire end surface of the connecting portion 212 is welded to the outer peripheral surface of the small-diameter pipe 3. 2 denotes a steering column support bracket provided on the large-diameter pipe 2 (see FIG. 3).

このような構造によれば、大径パイプ２の内端部２１が小径パイプ３の内端部３１に対し、内端部３１の端面全周に加えて各開口２１３の開口縁全周においても溶接されるから、互いの溶接長さおよび溶接領域が十分確保される。この結果、大径パイプ２と小径パイプ３の連結強度が向上し、ステアリング操作に伴う荷重が印加してもこの部分が曲げ変形することはない。これにより、ステアリング操作時の違和感が解消される。 According to such a structure, the inner end 21 of the large-diameter pipe 2 is also in the entire periphery of the opening edge of each opening 213 in addition to the entire end surface of the inner end 31 with respect to the inner end 31 of the small-diameter pipe 3. Since they are welded, the welding length and welding area of each other are sufficiently secured. As a result, the connection strength between the large-diameter pipe 2 and the small-diameter pipe 3 is improved, and this portion does not bend and deform even when a load accompanying the steering operation is applied. Thereby, the uncomfortable feeling at the time of steering operation is eliminated.

なお、上記実施形態では大径パイプ２の縮径させた内端部２１内に小径パイプ３の内端部３１を挿入しているが、小径パイプの内端部を拡径させてその内部に大径パイプの内端部を挿入した構造のインパネリインホースメントに対しても本発明を適用することができ、この場合には小径パイプの内端部周壁に開口を設ける。また、開口の数は３個に限らず、内端部の筒壁の強度を低下させない範囲で適当数設けるのが良い。また、開口の形状は楕円である必要はなく円形等であっても良いが、筒壁の強度低下をきたさないようにして、ある程度の数の開口を設けることができる点で、上記実施形態のようにパイプ長手方向へ延びる楕円形とするのが有利である。また、一方の内端部を他方の内端部内に圧入等することにより連結状態が得られる場合には、連結部端面の溶接は省略することができる。 In the above embodiment, the inner end portion 31 of the small diameter pipe 3 is inserted into the inner end portion 21 of the large diameter pipe 2 which has been reduced in diameter. The present invention can also be applied to an instrument panel reinforcement having a structure in which an inner end portion of a large-diameter pipe is inserted. In this case, an opening is provided in the peripheral wall of the inner end portion of the small-diameter pipe. Further, the number of openings is not limited to three, and an appropriate number may be provided as long as the strength of the cylindrical wall at the inner end is not lowered. Further, the shape of the opening need not be an ellipse and may be a circle or the like. However, a certain number of openings can be provided so as not to reduce the strength of the cylinder wall. Thus, it is advantageous to have an elliptical shape extending in the longitudinal direction of the pipe. Moreover, when a connection state is obtained by press-fitting one inner end portion into the other inner end portion, welding of the connection portion end face can be omitted.

本発明の一実施形態を示すインパネリインホースメントの、大径パイプと小径パイプの連結部の拡大側面図である。It is an expanded side view of the connection part of a large diameter pipe and a small diameter pipe of the instrument panel reinforcement which shows one Embodiment of this invention. 第１図のII−II線に沿った断面図である。It is sectional drawing along the II-II line of FIG. インパネリインホースメントの全体斜視図である。It is a whole perspective view of an instrument panel reinforcement. 従来のインパネリインホースメントの、大径パイプと小径パイプの連結部の拡大側面図で、図３におけるＡ部の拡大図である。It is an enlarged side view of the connection part of a large diameter pipe and a small diameter pipe of the conventional instrument panel reinforcement, and is the enlarged view of the A section in FIG. 図４のV−V線に沿った断面図である。It is sectional drawing along the VV line of FIG.

Explanation of symbols

１…インストルメントパンルリインホースメント、２…大径パイプ、２１…内端部、２１３…開口、３…小径パイプ、３１…内端部。 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Instrument pan reinforcement, 2 ... Large diameter pipe, 21 ... Inner end part, 213 ... Opening, 3 ... Small diameter pipe, 31 ... Inner end part.

Claims

The inner end of each of the large-diameter pipe installed on the driver's seat side and the small-diameter pipe installed on the passenger seat side is extended between the left and right front pillars of the vehicle. In an instrument panel reinforcement formed by reducing the diameter and overlapping and joining within a certain length range with the inner peripheral surface and the outer peripheral surface being in contact with each other, at least on the peripheral wall of the pipe inner end located outside An instrument panel reinforcement, wherein one opening is formed and the entire periphery of the opening edge of the opening is welded to the outer peripheral surface of the inner end of the pipe located inside thereof.

The instrument panel reinforcement according to claim 1, wherein the entire circumference of the end face of the pipe inner end located on the outer side is welded to the outer peripheral face of the pipe located on the inner side.