JP2022123459A - vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a vehicle which makes a meter unit less likely to interfere with a steering column when an information display device is moved to the vehicle rear by a load input from the vehicle front.SOLUTION: A vehicle includes: an instrument panel; a steering column; a meter unit disposed at the vehicle upper side relative to the steering column in the instrument panel; an information display device which is disposed at the vehicle front relative to the meter unit in the instrument panel; and a rotation mechanism configured to rotate at least one of a rear end part of the information display device and a front end part of the meter unit to the vehicle upper side when the information display device is moved to the vehicle rear by a load input from the vehicle front.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to a vehicle having an instrument panel with a meter unit and an information display device.

In the event of a frontal collision, an airbag deploys from the steering column handle to protect the driver. At that time, as a mechanism for weakening the impact on the driver, for example, Patent Document 1 discloses a mechanism for separating the steering column from the vehicle body. Further, Patent Document 2 discloses a mechanism for moving a steering column forward of the vehicle to absorb impact. In either mechanism, the driver's injury value is reduced by moving the steering column forward of the vehicle.

JP-A-10-129504 WO2012/026258

In recent years, an increasing number of vehicles have an information display device mounted in front of the vehicle rather than the meter unit on the instrument panel. Examples of information display devices include head-up displays.

FIG. 5 is a partial longitudinal sectional view of the vicinity of the instrument panel 2 in the vehicle 100 provided with the information display device 5. As shown in FIG. An instrument panel 2 of this vehicle 100 is provided with a steering column 3 , a meter unit 6 and an information display device 5 . A steering column 3 is attached to a cross member 4 . As shown in FIG. 5, most of the information display device 5 is arranged inside the instrument panel 2 . Therefore, when the cowl 10 is deformed due to a frontal collision or the like and a load is applied to the information display device 5 from the front of the vehicle, the information display device 5 tends to move rearward of the vehicle. If the information display device 5 pushes the meter unit 6 toward the rear of the vehicle, the meter unit 6 may interfere with the steering column 3 . In that case, when the driver collides with the airbag, it may be difficult for the steering column 3 to move forward of the vehicle.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION One of the objects of the present invention is to provide a vehicle in which the meter unit is less likely to interfere with the steering column when the information display device moves to the rear of the vehicle due to a load input from the front of the vehicle.

A vehicle according to one aspect of the present invention includes:
an instrument panel and
steering column and
a meter unit arranged above the steering column in the instrument panel;
an information display device arranged in front of the vehicle relative to the meter unit on the instrument panel;
At least one of the rear end portion of the information display device and the front end portion of the meter unit is configured to rotate upward in the vehicle when the information display device moves toward the rear of the vehicle due to an input of load from the front of the vehicle. and a rotating mechanism.

As one form of the vehicle according to the present invention,
The rotating mechanism includes a guide member arranged between the information display device and the meter unit,
The guide member may have a curved surface that guides the rear end portion of the information display device upward in the vehicle.

As one form of the vehicle according to the present invention,
The rotating mechanism may include a curved portion formed below the rear end portion of the information display device.

As one form of the vehicle according to the present invention,
The rotation mechanism includes a support provided on the instrument panel,
The supporting portion may support the meter unit so as to restrict the lower part of the rear end portion of the meter unit from moving to the rear of the vehicle when a load from the front of the vehicle acts on the meter unit. .

In the vehicle of the present invention, the presence of the rotation mechanism prevents the meter unit from interfering with the steering column when the information display device moves rearward due to a load input from the front of the vehicle. When the rotating mechanism rotates the rear end portion of the information display device upward in the vehicle, the information display device is prevented from pushing the entire meter unit rearward in the vehicle. Further, when the rotating mechanism rotates the front end portion of the meter unit upward in the vehicle, the rear end portion of the meter unit is less likely to move rearward in the vehicle. Therefore, the rotation mechanism prevents the meter unit from interfering with the steering column.

A guide member included in the rotating mechanism guides the rear end portion of the information display device upwardly of the vehicle with its curved surface. As a result, the information display device is prevented from pushing the entire meter unit toward the rear of the vehicle.

If the lower portion of the rear end portion of the information display device is curved, the rear end portion of the information display device is likely to rotate upward in the vehicle when the information display device moves rearward of the vehicle and contacts another member. . Other members include, for example, a guide member and a meter unit.

The support portion included in the rotation mechanism restricts the lower portion of the rear end portion of the meter unit from moving rearward of the vehicle. Therefore, when a load from the front of the vehicle acts on the meter unit, the front end of the meter unit tends to rotate upward in the vehicle.

FIG. 1 is a partial longitudinal sectional view of a vehicle shown in Embodiment 1. FIG. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the behavior of the information display device and the meter unit when a load acts on the information display device shown in FIG. 1 from the front of the vehicle. FIG. 3 is a partial longitudinal sectional view of the vehicle shown in Embodiment 2. FIG. FIG. 4 is a partial longitudinal sectional view of a vehicle shown in Embodiment 3. FIG. FIG. 5 is a partial longitudinal sectional view of a conventional vehicle.

A vehicle 1 according to an embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. The same reference numerals in the drawings indicate the same names. "FR" indicated by arrows in the figure indicates the front of the vehicle, "RR" indicates the rear of the vehicle, "UP" indicates the upper side of the vehicle, and "LWR" indicates the lower side of the vehicle. It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the exemplification of the embodiments, but is indicated by the scope of the claims, and is intended to include all modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the scope of the claims.

<Embodiment 1>
≪Overall composition≫
FIG. 1 is a partial longitudinal sectional view of the vehicle 1 in the vicinity of the cowl 10 of the vehicle 1. FIG. This vehicle 1 includes an instrument panel 2 , a steering column 3 , a meter unit 6 and an information display device 5 . The vehicle 1 of this example further includes a rotation mechanism 7 . Hereinafter, each configuration of the vehicle 1 of this example will be described in detail.

≪Instrument panel≫
A front end of the instrument panel 2 is connected to the cowl 10 . The upper surface of the instrument panel 2 faces the windshield 11. - 特許庁A portion of an information display device 5, which will be described later, protrudes from the upper surface of the instrument panel 2. As shown in FIG. The rear surface of the instrument panel 2 is provided with a recess 20 into which a meter unit 6 (to be described later) is fitted.

≪Steering column≫
A steering column 3 is provided below the instrument panel 2 . A steering handle 30 is provided at the end of the steering column 3 on the passenger compartment side. A steering shaft 31 extending from the steering column 3 passes through a partition wall 12 that separates the engine room and the vehicle compartment, and extends into the engine room.

The steering column 3 is fixed to a cross member 4 extending in the vehicle width direction via a bracket (not shown). The cross member 4 of this example is a pillar-to-pillar member that connects the left and right pillars.

The steering column 3 of this example has a configuration as shown in Patent Document 1, that is, a configuration that separates from the cross member 4 upon impact. Unlike this example, the steering column 3 may have a configuration as shown in Patent Document 2, that is, a configuration that absorbs impact.

≪Meter unit≫
The meter unit 6 is a composite unit including gauges such as a speedometer and a tachometer. The meter unit 6 is arranged on the instrument panel 2 above the steering column 3 in the vehicle. The speedometer and tachometer may be analog or digital. The meter unit 6 is fitted into a recess 20 of the instrument panel 2. As shown in FIG. The recess 20 is formed by recessing a portion of the instrument panel 2 forward of the vehicle.

A claw portion 60 is provided on the upper portion of the front end portion 6</b>F of the meter unit 6 . The claw portion 60 is hooked on the edge of the recessed portion 20 of the instrument panel 2 . The lower portion of the front end portion 6F of the meter unit 6 is in contact with the bottom portion of the recess 20 and supported from below, and is not engaged with any other member.

A lower portion 61 of the rear end portion 6B of the meter unit 6 protrudes rearward of the vehicle. This lower portion 61 is supported by a support portion 71 provided in the recessed portion 20 of the instrument panel 2 . The shape and role of the support portion 71 will be described later.

≪Information display device≫
The information display device 5 is arranged in front of the vehicle with respect to the meter unit 6 on the instrument panel 2 . A portion of the information display device 5 is exposed from the upper surface of the instrument panel 2 . The information display device 5 of this example is a head-up display. The head-up display of this example includes a projector that projects information onto the windshield 11 . The head-up display may have a configuration including a panel on which information is projected in addition to the projector. The above information includes information related to driving, such as speed, fuel consumption, and navigation route. The information may include information related to comfort in the vehicle, such as temperature, humidity, or a music playlist.

The information display device 5 is connected to electrical components inside the instrument panel 2 . Most of the information display device 5 is arranged inside the instrument panel 2 . Inside the instrument panel 2 , the front end portion 5</b>F of the information display device 5 of this example is arranged at a position facing the cowl 10 . A rear end portion 5B of the information display device 5 is arranged at a position facing a front end portion 6F of the meter unit 6 .

≪Rotating Mechanism≫
The rotating mechanism 7 rotates at least one of the rear end portion 5B of the information display device 5 and the front end portion 6F of the meter unit 6 to the upper side of the vehicle when the information display device 5 is moved rearward by a load input from the front of the vehicle. It is configured to rotate to The rotation mechanism 7 of this example includes a guide member 70 and a support portion 71 .

The guide member 70 is arranged between the rear end portion 5B of the information display device 5 and the front end portion 6F of the meter unit 6. As shown in FIG. The guide member 70 is fixed to the cross member 4 via a bracket (not shown) or the like. Therefore, the guide member 70 is immovable with respect to the cross member 4 . The guide member 70 does not change its position and orientation unless the cross member 4 is bent.

A front portion of the guide member 70 is provided with a curved surface 70s. The curved surface 70s is a curved surface recessed obliquely downward to the rear of the vehicle 1 . The lower portion of the rear end portion 5B of the information display device 5 is close to the lower portion of the curved surface 70s. Further, the upper end of this curved surface 70 s is close to the lower portion of the claw portion 60 of the meter unit 6 . The claw portion 60 protrudes forward of the vehicle from the upper end of the curved surface 70s.

The support portion 71 is provided at the lower edge of the opening of the recess 20 of the instrument panel 2 . The support portion 71 has a concave shape toward the rear of the vehicle when viewed from the front of the vehicle. A lower portion 61 of the rear end portion 6B of the meter unit 6 is fitted into the support portion 71 . Accordingly, the lower portion 61 of the rear end portion 6B of the meter unit 6 is supported by the support portion 71. As shown in FIG. Further, the support portion 71 restricts the lower portion 61 of the rear end portion 6B of the meter unit 6 from moving rearward of the vehicle when a load acts on the meter unit 6 from the front of the vehicle.

≪Effect≫
In the vehicle 1 of the embodiment, the presence of the rotation mechanism 7 prevents the meter unit 6 from interfering with the steering column 3 when the information display device 5 moves to the rear of the vehicle due to the load input from the front of the vehicle. The reason will be explained with reference to FIG.

As indicated by the white arrows in FIG. 2, when a load acts on the vehicle 1 from the front due to a frontal collision or the like, the information display device 5 is displayed when the cowl 10, the partition wall 12, and the instrument panel 2 are deformed. Move behind the vehicle. In the vehicle 1 of this example, since the curved surface 70s of the guide member 70 is arranged to face the rear end portion 5B of the information display device 5, the rear end portion 5B of the information display device 5 extends upward from the vehicle along the curved surface 70s. rotate to

When the information display device 5 is guided upward in the vehicle by the curved surface 70s, the rear end portion 5B of the information display device 5 pushes the claw portion 60 of the meter unit 6 upward. Since the lower portion 61 of the rear end portion 6B of the meter unit 6 is restricted from retreating by the support portion 71, the meter unit 6 rotates clockwise with the lower portion 61 as a fulcrum. That is, the front end portion 6F of the meter unit 6 rotates upward in the vehicle. Since the load input to the meter unit 6 is attenuated by this rotation, the meter unit 6 is prevented from coming off the recess 20 of the instrument panel 2 and interfering with the steering column 3 .

As described above, in the configuration of this example, the movement direction of the information display device 5 is changed with the rotation of the information display device 5 and the load is attenuated with the rotation of the meter unit 6 . As a result, interference of the meter unit 6 with the steering column 3 is effectively suppressed.

<Embodiment 2>
In the second embodiment, the vehicle 1 configured so that only the rear end portion 5B of the information display device 5 rotates upward will be described with reference to FIG.

The rotation mechanism 7 of Embodiment 2 includes a curved portion 72 in addition to the guide member 70 . The curved portion 72 is formed by rounding the lower portion of the rear end portion 5</b>B of the information display device 5 . In the configuration of this example, when the information display device 5 moves rearward of the vehicle due to a frontal collision or the like, the rear end portion 5B of the information display device 5 can easily rotate upward in the vehicle. Here, the guide member 70 is provided at a position closer to the information display device 5 . Therefore, the rear end portion 5B of the information display device 5 rotates upward without contacting the meter unit 6 . Therefore, the meter unit 6 is prevented from coming off the recess 20 and interfering with the steering column 3 .

As a modification of the second embodiment, the guide member 70 may not have the curved surface 70s. Since the curved portion 72 is formed at the rear end portion 5B of the information display device 5, the rear end portion 5B of the information display device 5 can easily rotate upward in the vehicle even if the guide member 70 does not have the curved surface 70s.

As another modification of the second embodiment, the guide member 70 itself may be omitted. In that case, it is preferable to firmly fix the meter unit 6 to the cross member 4 or the like. By doing so, the meter unit 6 functions as a guide member to rotate the rear end portion 5B of the information display device 5 upward in the vehicle.

<Embodiment 3>
In Embodiment 3, a vehicle 1 configured such that only the front end portion 6F of the meter unit 6 rotates upward will be described with reference to FIG.

The vehicle 1 of this example has a configuration in which the guide member 70 is removed from the vehicle 1 of the first embodiment. With such a configuration, the information display device 5 directly collides with the meter unit 6 when the information display device 5 moves rearward of the vehicle due to a frontal collision or the like. At that time, the load input to the meter unit 6 is attenuated by rotating the front end portion 6F of the meter unit 6 upward in the vehicle. As a result, the meter unit 6 is prevented from coming off the recess 20 of the instrument panel 2 and interfering with the steering column 3 .

1,100 vehicle 10 cowl 11 windshield 12 bulkhead 2 instrument panel 20 recess 3 steering column 30 steering handle 31 steering shaft 4 cross member 5 information display device 5B rear end 5F front end 6 meter unit 6B rear end Part 6F Front End 60 Claw Part 61 Lower Part 7 Rotation Mechanism 70 Guide Member 70s Curved Surface 71 Support Part 72 Curved Part

Claims (4)

an instrument panel and
steering column and
a meter unit arranged above the steering column in the instrument panel of the vehicle;
an information display device arranged in front of the vehicle relative to the meter unit on the instrument panel;
At least one of the rear end portion of the information display device and the front end portion of the meter unit is configured to rotate upward in the vehicle when the information display device moves toward the rear of the vehicle due to a load input from the front of the vehicle. and a rotating mechanism,
vehicle. The rotating mechanism includes a guide member arranged between the information display device and the meter unit,
The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the guide member has a curved surface that guides the rear end portion of the information display device upwardly of the vehicle. 3. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the rotating mechanism includes a curved portion formed below the rear end portion of the information display device. The rotation mechanism includes a support provided on the instrument panel,
The support portion supports the meter unit so as to restrict movement of a lower portion of a rear end portion of the meter unit toward the rear of the vehicle when a load from the front of the vehicle acts on the meter unit. A vehicle according to claim 3 .

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