JP2006248260A - Metal die device for instrument panel, manufacturing method for instrument panel, and instrument panel - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an instrument panel capable of effectively using an inside space and abolishing a steering hanger beam, a metal mold device for the instrument panel for manufacturing the instrument panel, and a manufacturing method for the instrument panel. <P>SOLUTION: The die mold device is provided with an upper die 21 and a lower die 31 for die casting molding the symmetrical instrument panel 1, dies 26, 36 for a steering column support part forming a steering column mounting part 19, and the dies 28, 38 for an airbag support part forming an airbag mounting part 20 for a front passenger seat. The die mold device is provided with the mounting parts 27, 29 for the upper die and the mounting parts 37, 39 for the lower die for the dies 26, 36 for the steering column support part and the dies 28, 38 for the airbag support part respectively at the right and left of the upper die 21 and the lower die 31. The dies 26, 36 for the steering column support part and the dies 28, 38 for the airbag support part are replaceably mounted to the respective mounting parts. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a mold apparatus for an instrument panel of a vehicle such as an automobile, a manufacturing direction of the instrument panel, and an instrument panel.

  In general, a vehicle includes an instrument panel extending in the vehicle width direction, and various instruments such as various meters, audio devices, and airbags are installed on the instrument panel. Conventionally, in order to increase the rigidity of the vehicle body, a steering hanger beam extending in the entire width direction of the vehicle is provided in front of the instrument panel, and a steering column is attached to the steering hanger beam.

  As a conventional instrument panel structure, a resin-made instrument panel having a closed cross-sectional shape is known (for example, refer to Patent Document 1), and an instrument such as an air conditioner or an airbag is provided inside the instrument panel having a closed cross-section. Is housed. A steering support bracket supported by the vehicle body is fixed to the instrument panel, and a steering column is fixed to the bracket.

Another instrument panel structure is known in which an instrument panel and a steering hanger beam are integrated with resin (for example, see Patent Document 2).
In this instrument panel structure, a reinforcing portion formed by arranging a plurality of horizontally extending plate portions at intervals in the vertical direction is provided on the upper portion of the instrument panel, and this reinforcing portion functions as a steering hanger beam. A steering column is inserted into and supported by an opening provided in the instrument panel.
JP-A-10-273072 JP 2003-72421 A

However, in the instrument panel structure described in Patent Document 1, the instrument panel has a closed cross-sectional shape. Therefore, the instrument panel structure is restricted, and the internal space cannot be used effectively. It was. In addition, since the equipment is mounted inside the closed section, the mounting workability is poor.
Further, in the case of the instrument panel structure described in Patent Document 2, a reinforcing portion that functions as a steering hanger beam extends in the entire width direction of the vehicle, and equipment is accommodated inside the reinforcing portion. I can't. Therefore, the inner space of the instrument panel cannot be used effectively.
By the way, such an instrument panel is a component that increases the manufacturing cost because it is necessary to manufacture a wrong product because the position of the handle is reversed when the destination changes. Also, as mentioned above, in order to give strength to the instrument panel, it is possible to cast by metal, but there is still a problem that it is necessary to prepare molds opposite to the left and right sides, leading to cost increase There is.
Accordingly, the present invention provides an instrument panel in which the inner space can be used effectively and the steering hanger beam can be eliminated, a mold apparatus for an instrument panel for manufacturing the instrument panel, and manufacture of the instrument panel. A method is provided.

In order to achieve the above object, the invention of a mold apparatus for an instrument panel according to claim 1 is a die-cast main mold of an instrument panel (for example, instrument panel 1 in the embodiment) formed symmetrically. (For example, the upper mold 21 and the lower mold 31 in the embodiment) and a steering column support mold that is integrally formed with the instrument panel and forms a steering column mounting section (for example, the steering column mounting section 19 in the embodiment) ( For example, the steering column supporting portion molds 26 and 36 in the embodiment and the airbag that is integrally formed with the instrument panel and forms the passenger seat airbag mounting portion (for example, the passenger seat airbag mounting portion 20 in the embodiment). Support part mold (for example, airbag support part mold in the embodiment) 28, 38), and mounting portions (for example, the upper mold mounting portion 27 in the embodiment) of the steering column support portion mold and the airbag support portion mold on the left and right of the die-cast main mold. 29, lower mold attachment portions 37, 39), and the steering column support portion mold and the airbag support portion mold are interchangeably attached to the respective attachment portions. To do.
With this configuration, the steering column support mold and the airbag support for the die-cast main mold are formed using the same mold for the instrument panel for the left handle and the instrument panel for the right handle. It can be manufactured simply by changing the mounting position with the part mold.

An instrument panel mold apparatus according to a second aspect of the present invention is characterized in that each of the mounting portions is formed at a symmetrical position corresponding to the instrument panel.
With this configuration, the steering column support mold and the airbag support mold are exchanged for each mounting portion of the die cast main mold for the left handle specification and the right handle specification. Can be accommodated by mounting.

  The invention of the manufacturing method according to claim 3 includes: a die-cast main mold for an instrument panel formed symmetrically; and a steering column support mold that is integrally formed with the instrument panel and forms a steering column mounting portion. The mold for the airbag support part that is integrally formed on the instrument panel and forms the passenger seat airbag mounting part is clamped, and after the product is molded by pressurizing and filling molten metal into the filling space, the mold is released. Removing the airbag support mold from the mounting section of the airbag support mold of the die-cast main mold, and removing the steering column support mold from the mounting section of the steering column support mold In the state in which the airbag support mold and the steering column support mold are replaced with each other in the mounting portion, The door main mold and the steering column support part mold and the airbag support portion mold and mold clamping, and wherein the molding the product under pressure the molten metal into the filling space.

The invention described in claim 4 is an instrument panel manufactured by the manufacturing method described above.
By comprising in this way, it is not necessary to form in a closed cross-section structure, and the instrument panel which ensured required intensity | strength can be manufactured.

  According to the invention described in claim 1, the left-hand instrument panel and the right-hand instrument panel are formed using the same mold, and the steering column support mold for the die-cast main mold and the Because it can be manufactured simply by changing the mounting position with the airbag support mold, the steering column mounting section and passenger seat airbag mounting section can be used without changing the die casting main mold according to the specifications. This has the effect of significantly reducing costs.

  According to the invention described in claim 2, for the left handle specification and the right handle specification, the steering column support portion mold and the airbag support portion mold are attached to each mounting portion of the die cast main mold. On the other hand, it is possible to cope with the problem by exchanging and attaching, so that the manufacturing cost can be greatly reduced as compared with the case where the left handle and the right handle are separately manufactured.

  According to the invention described in claim 3, an instrument panel for a left-hand drive vehicle and an instrument panel for a right-hand drive vehicle can be manufactured by a simple changeover operation using the same mold on the same production line. There is an effect that can be done.

  According to the invention described in claim 4, it is not necessary to form a closed cross-sectional structure, and an instrument panel that secures a required strength can be realized. Therefore, the inner space can be used effectively, and the steering hanger beam can be eliminated. .

Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 shows an instrument panel 1 (partially simplified) according to an embodiment of the present invention. The instrument panel 1 has a driver seat on the left side and a passenger seat on the right side as viewed in FIG. Is for the so-called left steering wheel. The instrument panel 1 is integrally formed by die casting using a magnesium alloy as a raw material. This instrument panel 1 is arranged in the front seat of the vehicle together with an instrument panel pad 5 to be described later arranged behind this, and a meter unit, an airbag module, an audio & heater control unit, a steering column, a glove box, etc., not shown. It is mounted and configured as an instrument panel assembly.

  The instrument panel 1 extends along the vehicle width direction and extends substantially in the horizontal direction, and the front surface of the upper surface member 11 is bent at the vehicle interior side behind the vehicle and extends substantially vertically downward. It is comprised with the member 12, and is formed in the open cross section. A lower extending member 13 to which a display for navigation and an audio & heater control unit are attached is formed at the center of the front member 12 in the vehicle width direction. Further, side wall members 14 are attached to both ends of the instrument panel 1, and brackets 15 attached to the inner wall of the front pillar (not shown) are integrally formed on the side wall members 14. The instrument panel 1 is formed in a bilaterally symmetric shape except for portions of a steering column mounting portion 19 and a passenger seat airbag mounting portion 20 which will be described later.

On the left side of the instrument panel 1, a steering column mounting portion 19 is formed between the left end portion and the downward extending member 13. This steering column mounting portion 19 is conventionally set to a steering hanger beam, but since the instrument panel 1 is made of metal, rigidity can be secured. Is provided. Further, on the right side of the instrument panel 1, a passenger seat airbag mounting portion 20 is formed between the right end portion and the lower extending member 13. The passenger seat airbag mounting portion 20 is also conventionally provided in the steering hanger beam, but is provided on the instrument panel 1 because the instrument panel 1 has sufficient strength and rigidity.
And the formation site | part of these steering column attaching parts 19 and the passenger seat airbag attaching part 20 is set to the left-right symmetric position.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the upper surface member 11 of the instrument panel 1 is formed with an opening 11a between the right end portion and the lower extending member 13, and the airbag storage portion 2 is provided in the opening 11a. It has been. A resin lid member 3 is attached to a position covering the airbag storage portion 2. The lid member 3 includes an upper wall 6 that is formed continuously with the upper step portion 4 of the upper surface member 11, and a front wall 7 that is bent vertically downward on the vehicle interior side of the upper wall 6. The instrument panel pad 5 is arranged on the vehicle rear side of the lid member 3. The pad body 8 of the instrument panel pad 5 is formed of a hard resin (for example, hard urethane) having a high impact absorbing performance, and the interior side of the vehicle interior is formed in a curved shape that decreases toward the front side.

Here, a vehicle interior discharge duct 9 is embedded in the pad main body 8. The front portion of the pad main body 8 abuts on the front wall 7 of the lid member 3 and a part of the front member 12 of the instrument panel 1, and the lower front portion of the pad main body 8 is on the instrument panel 1. It is supported by the upper surface member 11.
Further, the upper wall 6 of the lid member 3 and the upper surface of the pad main body 8 are formed so as to be continuous, and these are uniformly provided on the upper surfaces of the instrument panel 1, the lid member 3 and the pad main body 8. A covering soft resin layer (for example, a soft urethane layer, a pef layer, etc.) 10 is formed, and a skin 10 a is formed on the upper surface of the soft resin layer 10.
Therefore, the instrument panel pad 5 is composed of the pad main body 8, the soft resin layer 10, and the skin 10a.

  The front member 12 of the instrument panel 1 is formed with the above-described passenger seat airbag mounting portion 20 on the front side of the vehicle, and the support bracket 17 provided on the passenger seat airbag 16 on the passenger seat airbag mounting portion 20. The rear end portion is fixed by a bolt 18.

Next, based on FIGS. 3-8, the die-cast metal mold | die for manufacturing the said instrument panel 1 is demonstrated.
The mold for manufacturing the instrument panel 1 is a die-cast mold, and an upper mold (die-cast main mold) 21 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 and a lower mold (die-cast main mold) shown in FIGS. The instrument panel 1 is manufactured by press-fitting a magnesium alloy into the filling space in the mold at high speed and high pressure after clamping.
As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the upper mold 21 is recessed so as to mainly form a filling space inner surface on the vehicle interior side of the instrument panel 1 and includes an upper mold filling space forming portion 22. The upper mold filling space forming portion 22 is formed symmetrically and includes an upper surface member forming portion 23, a front member forming portion 24, and a downward extending member forming portion 25 of the instrument panel 1.

  Further, the upper member forming portion 23 has a lower member forming portion 25 as the center in the vehicle width direction, and an upper die attaching portion for forming a steering column attaching portion 19 on the right side in FIG. 27, a steering column support portion mold 26 is detachably mounted (fixed using pins or bolts) as shown in FIG. On the other hand, the upper surface member forming portion 23 has an extending member forming portion 25 as the center in the vehicle width direction and is used for an upper mold of an air bag support die 28 that forms a passenger seat airbag mounting portion 20 on the left side in FIG. An attachment portion 29 is formed, and an airbag support die 28 is detachably mounted (fixed using pins and bolts) as shown in FIG.

  Here, the upper mold mounting portions 27 and 29 are formed at symmetrical positions corresponding to the instrument panel 1, and the width W, the depth L, and the depth D thereof have the same dimensions (the steering column support mold 26). The steering column support mold 26 and the airbag support mold 28 can be exchanged with respect to the upper mold mounting sections 27 and 29. It can be attached. Therefore, in the setting of the steering column support part mold 26 and the airbag support part mold 28 shown in FIG. 4, the airbag support part mold 28 is mounted on the upper mold mounting part 29, and the upper mold mounting part is attached. A steering column support mold 26 is mounted on the portion 27 to form a so-called upper mold 21 for molding an instrument panel for a left steering wheel. The steering column support mold 26 is used as an upper mold mounting section. 29. By simply replacing the airbag support mold 28 with the upper mold mounting section 27, a mold for molding an instrument panel for the right handle is obtained. Here, on both side portions of the upper die 21 are formed recesses S that engage with a slide die (not shown) that enters from the side when the lower die 31 is clamped.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the lower die 31 is mainly provided so as to form a filling space inner surface on the engine room side of the instrument panel 1 and includes a lower die filling space forming portion 32. is there. The lower mold filling space forming portion 32 is also formed symmetrically, and includes an upper surface member forming portion 33, a front member forming portion 34, and a downward extending member forming portion 35 of the instrument panel 1. Further, the upper surface member forming portion 33 has a lower extending member forming portion 35 as a center in the vehicle width direction, and a steering column supporting portion mold 36 for forming a steering column mounting portion 19 on the left side in FIG. As shown in FIG. 6, a steering column support portion mold 36 is detachably mounted (fixed using pins and bolts). On the other hand, the upper surface member forming portion 33 has a lower extending member forming portion 35 as the center in the vehicle width direction, and forms a passenger seat airbag mounting portion 20 on the right side in FIG. An attachment portion 39 is formed, and an airbag support die 38 is detachably mounted (fixed using pins or bolts) as shown in FIG.

  In the lower mold 31, similarly to the upper mold 21, the lower mold mounting portions 37 and 39 are formed at symmetrical positions corresponding to the instrument panel 1 and have the same width W, depth L, and depth D. The dimensions (the steering column support mold 36 and the airbag support mold 38 are the same) are set, and the steering column support mold 36 and the airbag support mold 38 are attached to each lower mold. The parts 37 and 39 are attached to be exchangeable. Therefore, in the setting of the steering column support part mold 36 and the airbag support part mold 38 shown in FIG. 6, the airbag support part mold 38 is mounted on the lower mold mounting part 39, and the lower mold mounting part is mounted. A steering column support mold 36 is mounted on the portion 37 to form a lower mold 31 for molding an instrument panel for a left steering wheel. The steering column support mold 36 is used as a lower mold mounting section. 39. By simply replacing the airbag support mold 38 with the lower mold mounting section 37, a mold for molding an instrument panel for the right handle is obtained. Here, also on both side portions of the lower die 31 are formed recesses S that engage with a slide die (not shown) that enters from the side when the upper die 21 is clamped.

  Therefore, as shown in FIG. 7, the steering column support part mold 26 and the airbag support part mold 28 are mounted on the upper mold 21 for the left handle, and the lower mold 31 is set for the left handle. With the steering column support mold 36 and the airbag support mold 38 attached, the upper mold 21 and the lower mold 31 are set in a die casting machine and clamped. After pressurizing and filling the molten metal magnesium alloy, which is a molten metal, and molding the product, opening the mold and releasing the mold, and then extruding the product, an instrument for the left handle as shown in FIGS. Panel 1 can be manufactured. Here, the opening 11a of the upper surface member 11 is formed by a part of the upper mold 21 and a part of the lower mold 31 coming into contact with each other during mold clamping.

Further, as shown in FIG. 8, when manufacturing the instrument panel 1 'for the right handle with the same model, the upper mold 21 and the lower mold 31 are set for the left handle as described above. An instrument panel for a right steering wheel can be obtained by simply replacing the steering column support mold 26 and the airbag support mold 28 and replacing the steering column support mold 36 and the airbag support mold 38. Since it can be a mold for molding, an instrument panel 1 'for the right handle can be manufactured.
Therefore, when the instrument panel 1 ′ for the left handle is manufactured after the instrument panel 1 for the left handle is manufactured, the steering column support mold 26 and the airbag support mold for the upper mold 21 are manufactured. The upper mold 21 and the lower mold can be mounted and removed and the steering column support mold 36 and the airbag support mold 38 can be mounted and removed from the lower mold 31 in the mold open state. It is possible to change the setup in a short time without removing 31.

  According to the instrument panel mold apparatus of the above embodiment, the left handle instrument panel 1 and the right handle instrument panel 1 ′ are composed of an upper mold 21, a lower mold 31, and an upper mold 21 and a lower mold 21. Steering column support molds 26 and 36 and airbag support molds 28 and 38 detachably mounted on the mold 31 are used, and the steering column support mold 26 and the airbag support section of the upper mold 21 are used. It can be manufactured by simply replacing the mold 28 and replacing the steering column support mold 36 and the airbag support mold 38 of the lower mold 31. Therefore, the steering column mounting portion 19 and the passenger seat airbag mounting portion 20 corresponding to the left handle or right handle specifications can be used without changing the upper mold 21 and the lower mold 31, and a separate mold for the left handle or right handle specifications. Compared with the case of manufacturing, the die cost can be greatly reduced and the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

  Further, the instrument panel 1 for the left-hand drive car and the instrument panel 1 'for the right-hand drive car are replaced with the steering column support part mold 26 and the airbag support part mold 28 of the upper mold 21. In addition, since it can be manufactured simply by replacing the steering column support mold 36 and the airbag support mold 38 of the lower mold 31, it is possible to perform a simple changeover operation using the same mold on the same production line. Instrument panels with different specifications (destination) such as left-hand drive specifications and right-hand drive specifications can be manufactured for the same vehicle type.

And since the manufactured instrument panel 1 is mainly formed in the open cross-sectional shape by the upper surface member 11 and the front surface member 12, the inner space by the side of an engine room can be used effectively, and installation work of equipment is performed. In addition, since the die-cast molding and high strength and rigidity are ensured, the steering hanger beam can be eliminated and the passenger airbag and the steering column can be reliably supported.
In addition, this invention is not restricted to the said embodiment, For example, you may make it provide the support bracket 17 provided in the said passenger seat airbag 16 in the passenger seat airbag attaching part 20. FIG.

It is a front view of an instrument panel of an embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing in the passenger seat airbag attachment position which shows the instrument panel assembly of embodiment of this invention. It is the perspective view of the upper mold | type which showed the condition where the metal mold | die for steering column support parts and the metal mold | die for airbag support parts were set for left handles. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an upper mold in which a steering column support mold and an airbag support mold are set for a left handle. It is the perspective view of the lower mold | type which showed the condition where the steering column support part metal mold | die and the airbag support part metal mold | die were set for right handles. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a lower mold in which a steering column support mold and an airbag support mold are set for a right handle. It is a perspective view which shows the mold open state of the die-casting die which shows the condition which manufactured the instrument panel for left handles. It is a perspective view which shows the mold open state of the die-casting mold | die which shows the condition which manufactured the instrument panel for right handles.

Explanation of symbols

1 Instrument panel (for left handle)
1 'Instrument panel (for right handle)
19 Steering column mounting part 20 Passenger seat airbag mounting part 21 Upper die (die-cast main mold)
26 Steering column support mold 27 Upper mold mounting section 28 Airbag support mold 29 Upper mold mounting section 31 Lower mold (die-cast main mold)
36 Steering column support die 37 Lower die attachment portion 38 Airbag support die 39 Lower die attachment portion

Claims (4)

  A die-cast main mold for an instrument panel formed symmetrically, a mold for a steering column support part that is formed integrally with the instrument panel and forms a steering column mounting part, and a passenger seat airbag formed integrally with the instrument panel An airbag support mold for forming the mounting portion, and mounting portions for the steering column support mold and the airbag support mold on the left and right of the die-cast main mold, respectively, An instrument panel mold apparatus, wherein the steering column support mold and the airbag support mold are interchangeably mounted to each mounting section.   2. The mold apparatus for an instrument panel according to claim 1, wherein each of the attachment portions is formed at a symmetrical position corresponding to the instrument panel.   A die-cast main mold for an instrument panel formed symmetrically, a mold for a steering column support part that is formed integrally with the instrument panel and forms a steering column mounting part, and a passenger seat airbag formed integrally with the instrument panel The air bag support part mold that forms the attachment part is clamped, the molten metal is pressurized and filled in the filling space, the product is molded, and then released, and the air bag support part of the die-cast main mold is released. The airbag support portion mold is removed from the mounting portion of the mold, the steering column support portion mold is removed from the mounting portion of the steering column support portion mold, and the airbag support portion mold and The die cast main mold and the steering column support in a state where the steering column support mold is replaced with another mounting part. Part mold and to the air bag support portion clamping a mold, a manufacturing method of the instrument panel, characterized in that the molded product of the molten metal is pressure filled into the filling space.   An instrument panel manufactured by the method for manufacturing an instrument panel according to claim 3.

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