JP5282140B2 - Steering hanger beam structure for vehicles - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve a degree of freedom in layout of an instrument panel and to achieve suppression of a weight increase and high rigidity and high strength. <P>SOLUTION: A steering hanger beam structure for a vehicle is configured to be arranged at the back of a dashboard 15 of a vehicle 10 and to extend between right and left front pillars 17, 17. The structure includes: a first beam 21 extending from one of the right and left front pillars 17 to the vehicle width center side; a second beam 22 extending from the other of the right and left front pillars 17 to the vehicle width center side and whose extending end 96 is disposed at a position offset in the front and rear direction or in the vertical direction with respect to the first beam 21; a pair of brackets 27, 28 connected to the vehicle width center side part of each of the first and second beams 21, 22 and forming a well curb structure 31; and a dash connecting bracket 32 connecting the well curb structure 31 with the dashboard 15. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2013,JPO&amp;INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a vehicle steering hanger beam structure disposed between left and right front pillars behind a dashboard of a vehicle.

  The steering hanger beam structure for vehicles takes into account the layout of the steering column position, audio device (audio) attached to the instrument panel (instrument panel), navigation device (navigation), air conditioner duct (air conditioner duct), etc. In some cases, the steering hanger beam is offset in the vehicle front-rear direction or the vehicle body height direction on the driver seat side (DR side) and the passenger seat side (AS side). Hereinafter, the driver seat side is referred to as the DR side, and the passenger seat side is referred to as the AS side.

  According to the steering hanger beam structure for a vehicle, the layout flexibility in the vicinity of the steering hanger beam is improved, so that the vehicle interior space can be used effectively, and the steering hanger beam can have an appropriate strength and strength according to the required performance. It is possible to give rigidity (for example, refer to Patent Document 1).

  Further, in the vehicle steering hanger beam structure, the required performance (mainly rigidity) is different between the DR side and the AS side, and in order to cope with this, the diameter of the steering hanger beam is different between the DR side and the AS side. There is also a technology for joining on the same axis. That is, the steering column side, which is the DR side, is formed with a large diameter pipe, the AS side is formed with a small diameter pipe, an enlarged portion with one end enlarged is formed on the small diameter pipe, and one end of the large diameter pipe is connected to the small diameter pipe. A steering hanger beam is constructed by press-fitting into the expanded diameter portion.

  According to the steering hanger beam structure for a vehicle, it is possible to give the steering hanger beam appropriate strength and rigidity on the DR side and the AS side (see, for example, Patent Document 2).

Japanese Utility Model Publication No.59-109576 JP-A-9-277961

In the vehicle steering hanger beam structure of Patent Document 1, the DR side and the AS side are offset from each other. For this reason, stress concentrates on a portion connecting the DR side and the AS side of the steering hanger beam, and the load transmission efficiency deteriorates. Therefore, the rigidity of the steering hanger beam is lowered, and the torsional rigidity of the vehicle body and the support rigidity of the steering column are considered to be reduced.
Further, since the steering hanger beam plays a role of transmitting the side impact load input from one of the side portions of the vehicle body to the other, when the side impact load acts on one end of the steering hanger beam, the steering side hanger beam and the AS side. Stress concentrates on the part connecting the sides, and the transmission efficiency of the side impact load is deteriorated.
As a result, it is necessary to increase the rigidity and strength of the steering hanger beam, and the pipe must be enlarged or thickened, which may increase the vehicle weight.

  In the vehicle steering hanger beam structure of Patent Document 2, the DR side beam and the AS side beam having different diameters are joined on the same axis. In this case, the degree of freedom in layout of the steering column, audio, navigation, air conditioning duct, etc. is reduced.

An object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle steering hanger beam structure that can improve the degree of freedom of layout of an instrument panel, suppress an increase in weight, and have high rigidity and high strength.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a vehicle steering hanger beam structure capable of suppressing an increase in vehicle weight and improving a transmission efficiency of a side impact load.

  The invention according to claim 1 is a vehicle steering hanger beam structure that is located behind a dashboard of a vehicle and extends between the left and right front pillars, and extends from the left and right front pillars toward the vehicle width center side. A first beam, a second beam that extends from the other front pillar toward the vehicle width center side, and whose extended end is disposed at a position that is offset in the front-rear or vertical direction with respect to the first beam; And a pair of brackets connected to the vehicle width central portion of each of the second beams to form a cross beam structure, and a dash connection bracket connecting the cross beam structure and the dashboard.

  In the invention according to claim 2, at least one of the pair of brackets is a steering support bracket for supporting the steering, and the dash coupling bracket is formed separately from the steering support bracket, and the steering support bracket And a dashboard are connected.

  The invention according to claim 3 is characterized in that the steering support bracket includes a first coupling portion coupled to the first beam and a second coupling portion coupled to the second beam.

  The invention according to claim 4 is characterized in that the steering support bracket is provided with a cover body that is formed in a U-shaped cross section and that closes the U-shaped cross section to form a closed cross section.

  In the invention according to claim 5, the steering support bracket has three sides coupled to the first beam or the second beam, and the cover body has at least one side coupled to the first beam or the second beam. It is characterized by.

  The invention according to claim 6 is characterized in that the dash connection bracket is formed by press-molding a plate material and has a notch partway in the front-rear direction.

The present invention has the following effects.
In the invention according to claim 1, the steering hanger beam structure for a vehicle is a structure in which the steering hanger beam extends behind the dashboard of the vehicle and between the left and right front pillars.
A first beam extending from the left and right front pillars to the vehicle width center side, and extending from the other front pillar to the vehicle width center side, and an extending end portion in the front-rear or vertical direction with respect to the first beam A second beam arranged at an offset position, a pair of brackets connected to the vehicle width central portion of each of the first beam and the second beam to form a cross beam structure, and a dash connecting the cross beam structure and the dashboard Since the connection bracket is provided, even if the first beam and the second beam on the AS side and the DR side are offset for the layout of the instrument panel, a cross beam structure is formed to form a pair of beams (first beam). And the second beam). Thereby, while improving the layout property of an instrument panel, the strength and rigidity of a connection part can be improved.
Moreover, the load transmitted to the cross beam structure can be transmitted to the dashboard via the dash connection bracket. As a result, an increase in vehicle weight can be suppressed, and rigidity in the up-down direction, left-right direction (vehicle width direction), and front-rear direction of the vehicle body can be improved.

In the invention according to claim 2, at least one of the pair of brackets is a steering support bracket for supporting the steering, and the dash coupling bracket is formed separately from the steering support bracket, and the steering support bracket And the dashboard.
That is, since the thickness of each of the steering support bracket and the dash connection bracket can be freely set, the necessary performance can be given to each. In other words, the steering support bracket should be set thick to obtain the rigidity required to support the steering, and the dash connection bracket should be made of a thin plate to improve the shock absorption performance at the time of the front impact. Can do.

  In the invention according to claim 3, the steering support bracket includes the first coupling portion coupled to the first beam and the second coupling portion coupled to the second beam. The number of parts can be reduced without using a bracket.

  In the invention according to claim 4, since the steering support bracket is provided with a cover body that is formed in a U-shaped cross section and closes the U-shaped cross section to form a closed cross section, the rigidity of the steering support bracket is improved. Can be planned.

  In the invention according to claim 5, the steering support bracket has three sides coupled to the first beam or the second beam, and the cover body has at least one side coupled to the first beam or the second beam. Thus, the coupling strength of the steering support bracket to the beam can be improved.

  In the invention according to claim 6, the dash connecting bracket is formed by press-molding a plate material and has a notch partway in the front-rear direction. Absorption can be promoted.

1 is a perspective view showing a vehicle in which a vehicle steering hanger beam structure according to the present invention is adopted. 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle steering hanger beam structure according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of a main part of the vehicle steering hanger beam structure shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of first and second beams of the vehicle steering hanger beam structure shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line 5-5 of FIG. FIG. 3 is a side view of the vehicle steering hanger beam structure shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the vehicle steering hanger beam structure shown in FIG. 2 as viewed from the right side of the vehicle. FIG. 3 is a plan view of the vehicle steering hanger beam structure shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 9-9 in FIG. 7. It is a perspective view of the steering hanger beam structure for vehicles of 2nd Example which concerns on this invention. It is a perspective view of the floor connection frame of the steering hanger beam structure for vehicles shown in FIG. 12 is a sectional view taken along line 12-12 of FIG. It is a perspective view of the steering hanger beam structure for vehicles of the 3rd example concerning the present invention. FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 14-14 of FIG. It is a side view of the steering hanger beam structure for vehicles of the 4th example concerning the present invention. FIG. 16 is a side view of the vehicle steering hanger beam structure shown in FIG. 15. It is a perspective view of the steering hanger beam structure for vehicles of the 5th example concerning the present invention. FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the floor connection frame of the vehicle steering hanger beam structure shown in FIG. 17. It is sectional drawing of the steering hanger beam structure for vehicles shown by FIG.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The drawings are viewed in the direction of the reference numerals.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle 10 includes a vehicle body 11, a dashboard 15 that partitions the vehicle compartment 12 and the engine room 13, and a floor (floor panel) 16 that extends from the dashboard 15 to the rear of the vehicle body. Front pillars 17 and 17 (one not shown) provided on the side of the dashboard 15, side sills 18 and 18 (one not shown) extending from the lower part of the front pillars 17 and 17 to the rear of the vehicle body, and left and right front pillars A steering hanger beam (vehicle steering hanger beam) 20 extending between 17 and 17 and a steering device 23 supported by the steering hanger beam 20 are disposed.

Here, one front pillar 17 is a right front pillar, and the other front pillar 17 is a left front pillar.
The dashboard 15 includes a dashboard lower panel 15a and a dashboard upper panel 15b.

The steering device 23 rotatably supports the steering shaft 24 having one end fitted to a gear box (not shown) in the engine room 13, a steering wheel 25 attached to the other end of the steering shaft 24, and the steering shaft 24. The steering column 26 is a main component.
The vehicle 10 is a right-hand drive vehicle in which the steering of the steering device 23 is disposed on the right side of the vehicle body 11. A steering column 26 is supported on the steering hanger beam 20.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 9, the steering hanger beam 20 includes a first beam 21 extending from one front pillar 17 toward the vehicle width center side, and the other front pillar 17 extending toward the vehicle width center side. The second beam 22 to be emitted, a pair of brackets 27, 28 connected to the vehicle width central portion of each of the first beam 21 and the second beam 22, one of the pair of brackets 27, 28, and the dashboard 15. And a dash connecting bracket 32 for connecting the two.
The first beam 21, the second beam 22, and the pair of brackets 27 and 28 constitute a cross beam structure 31.

  The first beam 21 is one of the beams arranged on the driver's seat side (DR side) whose vehicle width outer end portion is supported (attached) to one front pillar 17 via one hanger support 34. .

The second beam 22 is the other beam disposed on the passenger seat side (AS side) whose vehicle width outer end is supported (attached) to the other front pillar 17 via the other hanger support 35. . Further, the second beam 22 is disposed at a position where the extending end portion 96 on the vehicle width center side is offset in the front-rear direction or the vertical direction with respect to the first beam 21.
A pair of glove box support members 33 and 33 for supporting a glove box (not shown) are attached to the second beam 22.

  The pair of brackets 27 and 28 is a steering support bracket (first bracket) 27 for one bracket 27 to support the steering (specifically, the steering column 26), and the other of the pair of brackets 27 and 28 is This is a floor connection frame (first bracket) 28 for connecting the first and second beams 21 and 22 and the floor 16.

The steering hanger beam structure for a vehicle is the structure of the steering hanger beam 20 and is arranged behind the dashboard 15 of the vehicle 10 and between the left and right front pillars 17 and 17.
Hereinafter, the vehicle steering hanger beam structure will be described in detail.

The dash connection bracket 32 is formed by press molding a plate material. Specifically, the dash connection bracket 32 includes a dash connection side surface portion 37 facing in the vehicle width direction, a dash side upper surface portion 38 obtained by bending the upper end of the dash connection side surface portion 37, and the dash connection side surface portion 37. A dash side lower surface portion 39 that is bent rearward at the lower end, a dash side front surface portion 41 that is bent at the front end of the dash connection side surface portion 37, and a notch portion that is cut out in the front-rear direction of the lower end of the dash connection side surface portion 37. 42 is formed.

A dash side front surface portion 41 is coupled to the dashboard 15. A dash coupling side surface portion 37 is coupled to the steering support bracket 27.
The dash connection side surface portion 37 is provided with a plurality of escape holes 43 a to 43 d in addition to the notch portion 42, and appropriate strength and rigidity are ensured for the dash connection bracket 32. The dash side upper surface portion 38 is also provided with an upper surface notch 44 that ensures appropriate strength and rigidity.

  The dash connection bracket 32 is a member that connects the cross beam structure 31 and the dashboard 15. Specifically, the dash connection bracket 32 is formed separately from the steering support bracket 27 and connects the steering support bracket 27 and the dashboard 15.

  The steering support bracket (first bracket) 27 is a bracket connected to the vehicle width central portion of each of the first beam 21 and the second beam 22. Further, the steering support bracket 27 is formed in a U-shaped cross-section 46 with a bottom surface portion 51 and left and right side surface portions 52, 52, and a cover body 48 that forms a closed cross-section 47 by closing the U-shaped cross-section 46. Prepare.

  Specifically, the steering support bracket 27 includes a bottom surface portion 51 facing downward in the vehicle body, left and right side surface portions 52 and 52 raised from the bottom surface portion 51, and a front extending from the bottom surface portion 51 to the front of the vehicle body. The extending piece 53 and left and right bent pieces 54, 54 directed outward from the vehicle width from the left and right side surfaces 52, 52 are configured.

  A U-shaped cross-section 46 is formed by the bottom surface portion 51 and the left and right side surface portions 52, 52. The front extension piece 53 is coupled to the lower surface 21 b (see FIGS. 4 and 6) of the first beam 21, and the left and right bent pieces 54 and 54 are attached to the front surfaces 21 c and 22 c of the first beam 21 and the second beam 22. Combined.

The cover body 48 includes an upper surface portion 56 facing upward from the vehicle body, left and right cover side surface portions 57, 57 bent downward from the upper surface portion 56, and extending upwardly from the upper surface portion 56 toward the front of the vehicle body. And an extended front cover piece 58.
A cover-side U-shaped cross section 59 is formed by the upper surface portion 56 and the left and right cover side surface portions 57, 57. Is formed.

The steering support bracket 27 includes a first coupling portion 61 coupled to the first beam 21 and a second coupling portion 62 coupled to the second beam 22.
The first coupling portion 61 includes lower portions 54 b and 54 b of the left and right bent pieces 54 and 54 and a front extending piece 53. The second coupling portion 62 includes upper portions 54 a and 54 a of the left and right bent pieces 54 and 54 and a front cover extending piece 58 of the cover body 48.

  From the above, the steering support bracket 27 is connected to the first beam 21 or the second beam 22 at the three sides of the front extension piece 53 and the left and right bent pieces 54, 54, and the cover body 48 is connected to the first beam 21. Alternatively, at least one side of the front cover extending piece 58 is coupled to the second beam 22, and the three sides and one side are opened outward from the closed cross-section 47 to the first beam 21 or the second beam 22. It can be said that they are combined.

  The steering support bracket 27 described above is a bracket provided on the inner side of the vehicle width of the steering device 23 (steering shaft 24). Another steering support bracket 64 that supports only one beam 21 (see FIGS. 1 and 3) is provided.

  Similar to the steering support bracket 27, the other steering support bracket 64 is provided with another cover body 65 and is connected to the dashboard 15 by another dash connection bracket 66.

  The floor connection frame (second bracket) 28 is provided at a position separated from the first bracket (steering support bracket) 27 in the vehicle width direction. The floor connection frame 28 includes a bracket portion 71 coupled to the first beam 21 and the second beam 22, and a stay portion (floor connection portion) that extends downward from the bracket portion 71 and is supported by the floor (floor panel) 16. 72. The bracket part 71 and the stay part 72 are integrally formed.

  The floor connection frame (second bracket) 28 can be said to be a frame including a stay portion (floor connection portion) 72 that extends from a first flange 81 and a second flange 82 described later and is connected to the floor 16.

The bracket portion 71 is opposed to a center portion (extended end portion) 95 on the vehicle width center side of the first beam (one beam) 21, and is bent from the facing surface portion 73 to the front surface 21 c of the first beam 21. A front coupling portion 74 to be coupled, a rear surface coupling portion 75 bent from the opposing surface portion 73 and coupled to the rear surface 21d of the first beam 21, and a lower surface 21b of the first beam (one beam) 21 from the opposing surface portion 73. A lower coupling portion 76 that is coupled to a portion on the lower surface 21b side of one beam 21, and an upper surface coupling portion 77 that is bent from the facing surface portion 73 and coupled to the lower surface 22b at the rear position of the second beam 22. Consists of. The lower coupling portion 76 is a diaphragm portion that protrudes toward the extended end portion 95 of the first beam 21.
Note that an R (curved portion) 78 (see FIG. 9) is provided between the facing surface portion 73 and the first flange (first coupling portion) 81 for convenience of formability.

  A front coupling portion 74, a rear coupling portion 75, and a lower coupling portion 76 are coupled to the first beam 21. An upper surface coupling portion 77 is coupled to the second beam 22. The first beam 21 is formed by a pipe-shaped member.

  The first beam 21 is formed continuously from the general portion 91 extending from one front pillar 17 to the inside of the vehicle width, and the diameter of the pipe is compared with the other general portion 91. And an enlarged diameter enlarged portion 92. The enlarged diameter portion 92 includes a divergent portion 93 that is enlarged from the general portion 91, and a flat surface portion 94 that extends from the divergent portion 93 toward the extending end portion 95.

The enlarged diameter portion 92 is coupled to the outer peripheral surface 22 a of the second beam (the other beam) 22 via the second flange 82.
The end spreading part 93 gradually increases in diameter toward the extended end part 95. The flat surface portion 94 is a surface along the extending direction of the first beam (one beam) 21 closer to the extending end portion 95 side than the end widening portion 93 of the enlarged diameter portion 92, and the first flange 81 is coupled thereto. .

  When the first beam 21 and the second beam 22 are projected in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body, the boundary line between the general part 91 and the divergent part 93 is the upper base 97, and the boundary line between the divergent part 93 and the flat surface part 94 is the lower base 98. The first beam (one beam) 21 is composed of an upper base 97, a lower base 98, and a pair of opposite sides 99, 99 when the outer shape of the divergent portion 93 is set to a pair of opposite sides 99, 99. It has a trapezoidal space S1.

  The enlarged diameter portion 92 may be directly coupled to the outer peripheral surface 22a of the second beam 22. As shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, the enlarged diameter portion 192 is provided in the fourth embodiment. A structure directly coupled to the outer peripheral surface 172a of the second beam 172 will be described. In this case, the first beam (one beam), the 171 second beam (the other beam) 172, the enlarged diameter portion 192, and the steering support bracket (first bracket) 177 form a cross beam structure 181.

The front coupling portion 74 and the rear coupling portion 75 constitute a first flange 81 that extends along the first beam 21 and is coupled to the outer peripheral surface 21 a of the first beam 21. The first flange (first coupling portion) 81 includes a front coupling portion 74 coupled to the front surface 21c of one beam 21 and a rear coupling portion 75 coupled to the rear surface 21d of one beam 21. Has been.
The second beam 22 is formed by a pipe-shaped member.

  That is, the floor connection frame (second bracket) 28 extends along the first beam (one beam) 21 and is coupled to the outer peripheral surface 21 a of the enlarged diameter portion 92 of the first beam (one beam) 21. And a second flange 82 coupled to the second beam (the other beam) 22. It can be said that the first flange 81 extends from the facing surface portion 73 along the outer peripheral surface 21 a of the first beam (one beam) 21.

  The upper surface coupling portion 77 corresponds to the second flange (second coupling portion) 82. That is, the second flange 82 protrudes from the first flange 81 toward the second beam (the other beam) 22 and extends along the second beam (the other beam) 22. Coupled to the outer peripheral surface 22a.

The stay portion 72 includes a side wall 83 extending in the vehicle width direction extending from the facing surface portion 73 toward the floor 16, a front wall 84 extending from the side wall 83 in the vehicle width direction and continuing to the front coupling portion 74, and a vehicle width direction. And a rear wall 85 extending to the rear surface coupling portion 75 and a floor coupling portion 86 coupled to the floor 16.
The side wall 83, the front wall 84, and the rear wall 85 constitute a U-shaped section 87 in cross section.

  As shown in FIGS. 10 to 12, the floor connection frame 108 of another embodiment includes a bracket portion 111 coupled to a first beam (one beam) 101 and a second beam (the other beam) 102, and the bracket. The stay portion 112 extends downward from the portion 111 and is supported by the floor (floor panel) 16 (see FIG. 2). The bracket part 111 and the stay part 112 are integrally formed.

  The bracket portion 111 includes a facing surface portion 113 facing the vehicle width direction of the floor connecting frame 108, a through hole 118 through which the first beam 101 formed in the facing surface portion 113 can pass, and a hole edge 118a of the through hole 118. The extending flange 119 extends along the outer peripheral surface 101 a of the one beam 101, and the upper surface coupling portion 117 that is bent from the facing surface portion 113 and coupled to the lower surface of the rear portion of the second beam 102.

The through hole 118 and the extending flange 119 are formed by burring on the front side of the facing surface portion 113. The outer peripheral surface 101 a of the first beam 101 is fitted into the through hole 118 and the extended flange 119.
The extension flange 119 is oriented with the tip 119a facing the one hanger support (see FIG. 1) on which the first beam 101 is supported.

The first flange 121 includes a through hole 118 and an extended flange 119 and is coupled to the outer peripheral surface 101 a of the first beam 101.
The second flange 122 includes an upper surface coupling portion 117 and is coupled to the outer peripheral surface 102 a of the second beam 102.

  As shown in FIGS. 10 to 12, in the vehicle steering hanger beam structure, the first flange 121 is formed on the facing surface portion 113 facing the vehicle width direction of the floor connecting frame 108, and one beam (first beam) is formed. ) 101 through which through-hole 118 can be passed, and an extending flange 119 extending from the hole edge 118 a of the through-hole 118 along the outer peripheral surface 101 a of one beam 101.

  That is, when the beam wheel width inner end portion 101b passes through the through hole 118, an error in the position of the beam wheel width inner end portion 101b can be absorbed. That is, the first beam 101 may vary in axial length due to a shaping error, but the beam wheel width outer end (end on the front pillar 17 side, see FIG. 1) is joined to the front pillar 16. Since the position is determined, the variation in the axial length of the single beam is affected by the variation in the position of the beam wheel width inner end portion 101b. The beam wheel width inner side end portion 101b penetrates the through hole 118, so that the position variation of the beam wheel width inner side end portion 101b can be absorbed.

  As shown in FIG. 11, in the vehicle steering hanger beam structure, the through hole 118 and the extension flange 119 are formed by burring the facing surface portion 113, so that the through hole 118 and the extension flange 119 can be easily formed. Can be formed.

  As shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the floor connection frame 138 of still another embodiment includes a floor connection frame 138, a bracket part 141 coupled to the first beam 131 and the second beam 132, and the bracket part 141. And a stay portion 142 that extends downward and is supported by the floor 16. The bracket part 141 and the stay part 142 are configured separately.

The bracket portion 141 includes a facing surface portion 143 that faces the vehicle width center side end portion of the first beam (one beam) 131, and a front coupling portion 144 that is bent from the facing surface portion 143 and coupled to the front surface of the first beam 131. A rear surface coupling portion 145 that is bent from the opposed surface portion 143 and coupled to the rear surface of the first beam 131, and protrudes along the lower surface of the first beam (one beam) 131 from the opposed surface portion 143, and the lower surface of the one beam 131. A lower coupling portion 146 coupled to the side portion, an upper surface coupling portion 147 bent from the opposing surface portion 143 and coupled to the lower surface of the rear portion of the second beam 132, and a bracket side joint portion 148 joined to the stay portion 142 It consists of.
The first flange 161 includes a front coupling part 144 and a rear coupling part 145. The second flange 162 corresponds to the upper surface coupling portion 147.

The stay portion 142 includes a side wall 153 facing in the vehicle width direction extending from the facing surface portion 143 toward the floor 16, a front wall 154 extending in the vehicle width direction from the side wall 153 and continuing to the front coupling portion 144 and a rear surface coupling portion 145. The rear wall 155 is continuous with the floor 16, a floor coupling portion (not shown) coupled to the floor 16, and a stay side joint portion 152 where the bracket side joint portion 148 of the bracket portion 141 is spot welded.
The side wall 153, the front wall 154, and the rear wall 155 constitute a U-shaped section 157.
Note that the bracket side joint portion 148 and the stay side joint portion 152 may be bolt-fastened.

As shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, a steering hanger beam (vehicle steering hanger beam) 170 according to another embodiment extends from one front pillar 17 (see FIG. 1) to the vehicle width center side. A beam 171, a second beam 172 extending from the other front pillar 17 toward the vehicle width center side, and a pair of brackets 177 connected to the vehicle width center side portion of each of the first beam 171 and the second beam 172, 178 and a dash connection bracket 182 that connects one of the pair of brackets 177 and 178 and the dashboard 15 (see FIG. 1).
Further, the second beam 172 is disposed at a position where the extended end 196 on the vehicle width center side is offset in the front-rear or vertical direction with respect to the first beam 171.

  One bracket 177 is a steering support bracket (first bracket) 177 for supporting the steering device 23 (specifically, the steering column 26, see FIG. 1), and the other bracket is the first and second beams 171. , 172 and the floor 16 are connected to each other by a floor connecting frame (second bracket) 178.

The first beam 171 is formed by a pipe-shaped member.
The first beam 171 is formed continuously from the general part 191 that extends inward of the vehicle width from one front pillar 17 and the general part 191, and the diameter of the pipe is enlarged compared to the general part 191. An enlarged diameter portion 192.

The enlarged diameter portion 192 includes a divergent portion 193 that is enlarged from the general portion 191, and a flat surface portion 194 that extends from the divergent portion 193 toward the extended end portion 195. That is, the enlarged diameter portion 192 includes a divergent portion 193 whose diameter gradually increases toward the extended end portion 195. The flat surface portion 194 of the enlarged diameter portion 192 corresponds to the outer peripheral surface 171a of the first beam 171.
The second beam 172 is disposed at a position where the extended end portion 196 on the vehicle width center side is offset in the front-rear direction or the vertical direction with respect to the first beam 171.

  In the vehicle steering hanger beam structure, the enlarged diameter portion 192 is directly coupled to the outer peripheral surface 172a of the second beam 172 (the other beam). The first beam 171, the second beam 172, the enlarged diameter portion 192, and the first bracket (steering support bracket) 177 form a cross beam structure 181.

  The floor connecting frame 178 includes a bracket portion 201 coupled to the first beam 171 and the second beam 172, and a stay portion (floor connecting portion) 202 that extends downward from the bracket portion 201 and is supported by the floor 16. Become. The bracket part 201 and the stay part 202 are integrally formed.

  The bracket portion 201 includes a facing surface portion 203 that faces the vehicle width center side end portion of the first beam (one beam) 171, a front surface coupling portion 204 that is bent from the facing surface portion 203 and coupled to the front surface of the first beam 171. A rear surface coupling portion 205 that is bent from the opposed surface portion 203 and coupled to the rear surface of the first beam 171, and protrudes along the lower surface of the first beam (one beam) 171 from the opposed surface portion 203, and the lower surface of the one beam 21. A lower coupling portion 206 coupled to the side portion, and a notched portion extending from the opposing surface portion 203 to the front coupling portion 204, and the enlarged diameter portion 192 abuts against the lower surface of the rear position of the second beam 172. And an upper surface relief portion 207 that allows

  Thereby, by forming the upper surface relief portion 207, the flat surface portion 194 of the enlarged diameter portion 192 can be directly applied to the outer peripheral surface 172a of the second beam 172. The enlarged diameter portion 192 is welded to the second beam 172.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 to 9, the vehicle steering hanger beam structure has a structure in which the steering hanger beam 20 extends behind the dashboard 15 of the vehicle 10 and between the left and right front pillars 17 and 17. is there.

  A first beam 21 extending from the left and right front pillars 17 toward the vehicle width center side, and extending from the other front pillar 17 toward the vehicle width center side, and an extending end portion 96 with respect to the first beam 21. A pair of brackets 27, 28 that form a cross-girder structure 31 connected to the second beam 22 disposed at a position offset in the front-rear or up-down direction and the vehicle width central portion of each of the first beam 21 and the second beam 22. And the dash coupling bracket 32 that couples the cross-girder structure 31 and the dashboard 15, so that the first and second beams 21 and 2 on the AS side and DR side are arranged for the layout of the instrument panel (not shown). Even if the beam 22 is offset, the pair of beams (the first beam 21 and the second beam 22) can be connected by forming the cross beam structure 31. Thereby, while improving the layout property of an instrument panel, the intensity | strength and rigidity of a connection part can be improved, and the improvement of the transmission efficiency of a side impact load can be aimed at.

  Further, the load transmitted to the cross beam structure 31 can be transmitted to the dashboard 15 via the dash connection bracket 32. As a result, an increase in the vehicle weight can be suppressed, and the rigidity of the vehicle body 11 in the vertical direction, the horizontal direction (vehicle width direction), and the front-rear direction can be improved.

  As shown in FIG. 6, in the vehicle steering hanger beam structure, at least one of the pair of brackets 27 and 28 is the steering support bracket 27 for supporting the steering, and the dash connection bracket 32 is the steering support bracket. It is formed separately from the bracket 27 and connects the steering support bracket 27 and the dashboard 15.

  That is, since the thickness of each of the steering support bracket 27 and the dash connection bracket 32 can be freely set, necessary performance can be given to each. That is, the steering support bracket 27 is set to have a large thickness in order to obtain the rigidity necessary for supporting the steering, or the dash connection bracket 32 is formed from a thin plate in order to improve the impact absorption performance at the time of the front collision. can do.

  As shown in FIG. 4, in the vehicle steering hanger beam structure, the steering support bracket 27, the first coupling portion 61 coupled to the first beam 21, and the second coupling portion coupled to the second beam 22. 62, it is not necessary to use a separate bracket to make the cross-girder structure 31, and the number of parts can be reduced.

  As shown in FIG. 4, in the vehicle steering hanger beam structure, the steering support bracket 27 is formed with a U-shaped cross-section 46 and the U-shaped cross-section 46 is closed to form a closed cross-section 47. Since the body 48 is provided, the rigidity of the steering support bracket 27 can be improved.

  As shown in FIG. 4, in the vehicle steering hanger beam structure, the steering support bracket 27 has three sides (front extension piece 53 and left and right bent pieces 54, 54) and at least one side (the cover extending piece 58) of the cover body 48 is coupled to the first beam 21 or the second beam 22, the coupling strength of the steering support bracket 27 to the beam is improved. Can be achieved.

  As shown in FIG. 6, in the vehicle steering hanger beam structure, the dash connection bracket 32 is formed by press-molding a plate material and includes a notch 42 in the front-rear direction. The cutout portion 42 becomes a starting point of folding and can promote shock absorption.

  As shown in FIGS. 17 to 19, a steering hanger beam (vehicle steering hanger beam) 210 of still another embodiment is a first extending from the one front pillar 17 (see FIG. 1) to the vehicle width center side. A beam (one beam) 211, a second beam 212 (the other beam) extending from the other front pillar 17 to the vehicle width center side, and the vehicle width center side of each of the first beam 211 and the second beam 212 A pair of brackets 217 and 218 connected to the part.

The bracket 217 is a steering support bracket (first bracket) for supporting the steering (specifically, the steering column 26 (see FIG. 1)). The steering support bracket 217 is a component having substantially the same configuration as the steering support bracket 27 (see FIG. 1). The bracket 218 is a floor connection frame (second bracket) for connecting the first and second beams 211 and 212 and the floor 16 (see FIG. 1).
The first beam 211, the second beam 212, the steering support bracket 217, and 218 form a cross beam structure 219.

  The floor connecting frame 218 includes a bracket portion 221 coupled to the first beam 211 and the second beam 212, and a stay portion that extends downward from the bracket portion 221 and is supported by the floor (floor panel) 16 (see FIG. 2). 222. The bracket part 221 and the stay part 222 are integrally formed.

  The bracket portion 221 includes a facing surface portion 223 facing the vehicle width direction of the floor connection frame 218, a through hole 228 through which the first beam 211 formed in the facing surface portion 223 can pass, and a hole edge 228a of the through hole 228. An extended flange 229 extending along the outer peripheral surface 211a of the first beam 211, an upper surface coupling portion 227 bent (extended) from the opposing surface portion 223 and coupled to the lower surface of the rear position of the second beam 212, A front wall 224 in which the front surface of the facing surface portion 223 is bent (extended); and a rear wall 225 in which the rear surface of the facing surface portion 223 is bent (extended).

The front wall 224 includes an inclined front inclined flange 234 that gradually reduces the extension width from the upper surface coupling portion 227 toward the region where the extension flange 229 is formed.
The rear wall 225 includes an inclined rear inclined flange 235 that gradually reduces the extension width from the upper surface coupling portion 227 toward the region where the extension flange 229 is formed.

The through hole 228 and the extending flange 229 are formed by burring on the front side of the facing surface portion 223. The outer peripheral surface 211 a of the first beam 211 is fitted into the through hole 228 and the extending flange 229. A beam wheel width inner side end portion 211 b of the first beam 211 passes through the through hole 228.
The extension flange 229 has a tip 229a directed to one hanger support (see FIG. 1) side on which the first beam 211 is supported.

The first flange 231 includes a through hole 228 and an extended flange 229 and is coupled to the outer peripheral surface 211 a of the first beam 211.
The second flange 232 includes an upper surface coupling part 227 and is coupled to the outer peripheral surface 212 a of the second beam 212.

  That is, the floor connection frame 218 protrudes from the first flange 231 toward the other beam 212 of the first beam 211 or the second beam 212, extends along the other beam 212, and is formed on the outer peripheral surface 212a. The second flange 232 is coupled to the pillar (front pillar) 17 (see FIG. 1) to which the other beam 212 is coupled, and the extension flange 229 is provided on one side. It can be said that the beam 211 extends toward the pillar on the side to which the beam 211 is coupled (it can be said that the beam 211 is extended toward the steering hanger 34 (see FIG. 1) where the beam 211 is supported).

  The second flange 232 extends toward the pillar (front pillar) 17 (see FIG. 1) on the side to which the other beam 212 is coupled, so that the load between the other beam 212 and the floor connection frame 218 is increased. Transmission efficiency can be further increased. Therefore, there is no need to provide a load transmission member such as a gusset, and the number of parts, cost, and weight can be reduced.

  Further, when the second flange 232 and the extension flange 229 are extended in the same direction, the second flange 232 and the extension flange become shorter as the offset distance between the first and second beams 211 and 212 is shorter. The distance to 229 will approach. If the distance between the second flange 232 and the extended flange 229 is too close, the flange cannot be formed. Therefore, it is necessary to make a predetermined distance (offset) between the first and second beams 211 and 212. Therefore, the degree of freedom in layout of the first and second beams 211 and 212 is reduced.

  On the other hand, the extension flange 229 extends toward the pillar on the side to which one beam 211 is coupled (extends to the steering hanger 34 (see FIG. 1) side on which the one beam 211 is supported). As a result, the second flange 232 extends in the opposite direction, the formability of the floor connection frame 218 is improved, and the layout freedom of the first and second beams 211 and 212 is improved.

  Further, it can be said that the floor connection frame 218 includes inclined flanges 234 and 235 that gradually reduce the extension width from the second flange 232 toward the region where the extension flange 229 is formed.

  By providing the floor connection frame 218 with inclined flanges 234 and 235 that gradually reduce the extension width from the second flange 232 toward the region where the extension flange 229 is formed, the other beam 212 and the floor connection frame 218 are provided. The load transmission efficiency between the two can be further increased.

  Although the vehicle steering hanger beam structure according to the present invention has been described in Examples 1 to 5 as shown in FIGS. 1 to 16, these examples may be appropriately combined.

  In the vehicle steering hanger beam structure according to the present invention, as shown in FIG. 2, the first beam (one beam, DR side) 21 is arranged on the right side of the vehicle body 11, and the second beam (the other beam, AS side). ) 22 is used in the right-hand drive vehicle 10 disposed on the left side of the vehicle body 11, but is not limited to this. In the left-hand drive vehicle, the first beam (one beam, DR side) ) 21 is arranged on the left side of the vehicle body, and the second beam (the other beam, AS side) 22 is not prevented from being arranged on the right side of the vehicle body.

  Further, the first beam 21 is one beam and the second beam 22 is the other beam. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The first beam 21 is the other beam, and the second beam 22 is the one beam. May be.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the floor connection frame 28 is connected to the floor (floor panel) 16, but is not limited thereto, and may be connected to the dashboard lower panel 15 a.

  The vehicle steering hanger beam structure according to the present invention is suitable for use in passenger cars such as sedans and wagons.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Vehicle, 15 ... Dashboard, 17 ... Front pillar, 20 ... Steering hanger beam, 21 ... 1st beam (DR side), 22 ... 2nd beam (AS side), 27 ... Steering support bracket (one bracket) 28 ... Floor connection frame (the other bracket) 31 ... Wood girder structure 32 ... Dash connection bracket 42 ... Notch portion of the dash connection bracket 47: Closed cross section 53,54,54 ... Steering support bracket three sides 58 ... One side of the cover body, 61 ... First coupling portion of the steering support bracket, 62 ... Second coupling portion of the steering support bracket.

Claims (6)

A steering hanger beam structure for a vehicle that extends behind a vehicle dashboard and between left and right front pillars,
A first beam extending from the left and right front pillars to the vehicle width center side, and extending from the other front pillar to the vehicle width center side, and an extending end portion is front and rear with respect to the first beam or A second beam arranged at a position offset in the vertical direction;
A pair of brackets connected to the vehicle width central portion of each of the first beam and the second beam to form a cross beam structure;
A steering hanger beam structure for a vehicle, comprising: a dash connection bracket that connects the cross beam structure and the dashboard. At least one of the pair of brackets is a steering support bracket for supporting steering,
2. The vehicle steering hanger beam structure according to claim 1, wherein the dash connection bracket is formed separately from the steering support bracket and connects the steering support bracket and the dashboard. 3.   The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the steering support bracket includes a first coupling portion coupled to the first beam and a second coupling portion coupled to the second beam. Steering hanger beam structure.   The said steering support bracket is provided with the cover body which closes a U-shaped cross section and comprises a closed cross section while being formed in a U-shaped cross section. Steering hanger beam structure for vehicles.   The steering support bracket has three sides coupled to the first beam or the second beam, and the cover body has at least one side coupled to the first beam or the second beam. The steering hanger beam structure for a vehicle according to claim 4.   6. The vehicle steering hanger beam structure according to claim 1, wherein the dash connecting bracket is formed by press-molding a plate material and includes a notch in the middle of the front-rear direction. .

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