JP6252237B2 - Column cover - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a structure of a column cover mounted on a vehicle.

  Conventionally, there has been proposed a column cover structure in which a first column cover and a second column cover made of resin are assembled in a vertical direction so as to cover a steering shaft of a vehicle (see Patent Document 1). In this structure, a flange portion having an opening formed on the inner surface of the first column cover is projected, and the first claw formed on the extension extending from the opening is formed on the inner surface of the second column cover. The second claw is engaged so that the first column cover and the second column cover are fitted.

JP 2002-67974 A

  In the column cover structure described in Patent Document 1, the second claw of the second column cover is inserted into the flange opening of the first column cover, but until the second claw engages with the first claw, Since the insertion direction is not restricted, there is a possibility that the assembling direction of the first column cover and the second column cover varies.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a structure that facilitates the assembly of the first column cover and the second column cover.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, a column cover according to an aspect of the present invention includes a first column cover part provided with a clip and a second part provided with a locking portion for locking the clip of the first column cover part. Column cover parts. The second column cover part is a guide part that restricts the movement of the clip in the second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction when the first column cover part is inserted in the first direction with respect to the second column cover part. Have The locking portion is provided at a position different from the guide portion in the first direction, and the first direction and the second direction when the first column cover part is inserted in the first direction with respect to the second column cover part. The movement of the clip in the third direction substantially orthogonal to is restricted.

  According to this aspect, the guide portion and the locking portion restrict the movement of the clip in the second direction and the third direction substantially orthogonal to the first direction that is the insertion direction, so that the operator can move to the second column cover component. On the other hand, the first column cover part can be easily inserted in the first direction.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the structure which makes easy the assembly | attachment of a 1st column cover and a 2nd column cover can be provided.

It is a figure which shows schematic structure of the column cover which concerns on the Example of this invention. It is a figure which shows the 1st cover component and 2nd cover component before an assembly | attachment. It is a figure which shows the state which mounted the clip in the rail part. It is a figure which shows the state which inserted the clip in the insertion port. It is a figure which shows the 1st cover component and 2nd cover component which the assembly | attachment was completed. It is a figure which shows an example of the structure of a 1st guide part. It is a figure which shows an example of the structure of a 2nd guide part. It is a figure which shows the modification of the structure of a 2nd guide part.

  FIG. 1 shows a schematic structure of a column cover 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The column cover 10 of the present embodiment includes three column cover parts, that is, a first cover part 1, a second cover part 2, and a third cover part 3. Here, the first cover part 1 and the second cover part 2 constitute an upper column cover 10, and the third cover part 3 constitutes a lower column cover 10. FIG. 1 shows a state in which the second cover part 2 and the third cover part 3 are fitted and fixed in the vertical direction.

  The 1st cover component 1 has the arm part extended in the front-back direction from right and left of a component main body, and the clip 20 is provided in the front-end | tip of each arm part. The second cover part 2 has a pair of locking portions 60 at positions separated in the width direction. With the second cover part 2 and the third cover part 3 assembled, the first cover part 1 is moved in the first direction 50 with respect to the second cover part 2, and the pair of clips 20 of the first cover part 1 are moved. The first cover component 1 is fixed to the second cover component 2 by being locked by the pair of locking portions 60 of the second cover component 2.

  In the process of assembling the column cover 10, the operator first fits the third cover part 3 and the second cover part 2 from above and below to fix the third cover part 3 and the second cover part 2. . Subsequently, the operator places the lower surface of the clip 20 on the rail portion 62 so that the pair of clips 20 of the first cover component 1 sandwich the pair of projecting portions 61 of the second cover component 2. 20 is pushed along the rail portion 62 in the front-rear direction (first direction 50). When the pair of clips 20 are inserted into the pair of insertion ports 66 and pushed into the end, the locking portion 60 locks the clip 20 and the first cover part 1 is fixed to the second cover part 2. . In this way, the assembly process of the column cover 10 composed of three column cover parts is completed.

  In the column cover 10 of the present embodiment, the second cover part 2 and the third cover part 3 are fitted and assembled in the vertical direction, while the first cover part 1 and the second cover part 2 are moved in the front-rear direction (first The structure is fitted and assembled in one direction 50). Therefore, when a design part or the like is already installed above the first cover part 1 in the vehicle interior, that is, there is no space for assembling the first cover part 1 from above with respect to the third cover part 3. In this case, it is a great advantage that the first cover part 1 can be assembled to the second cover part 2 from the first direction 50.

Hereinafter, the assembly process of the first cover part 1 and the second cover part 2 will be described with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 2 shows the first cover part 1 and the second cover part 2 before assembly. In order to facilitate understanding, a three-dimensional coordinate system relating to the column cover 10 is defined as follows.
The first direction 50 corresponds to the front-rear direction of the column cover 10 and is the direction in which the first cover part 1 is inserted into the second cover part 2 as described above.
The second direction 51 corresponds to the vertical direction of the column cover 10 and is a direction in which the second cover part 2 is fitted to the third cover part 3.
The third direction 52 corresponds to the width direction of the column cover 10. Here, the first direction 50, the second direction 51, and the third direction 52 are orthogonal to each other. Note that the first direction 50, the second direction 51, and the third direction 52 do not have to be strictly orthogonal to each other, and may be in a relationship of being substantially orthogonal to each other. In the following description, the terms “first direction 50”, “second direction 51”, and “third direction 52” will be used to indicate directions. However, for convenience, the terms “front-rear direction”, “vertical direction”, “width direction” may be used. In order to facilitate understanding, both terms may be used together.

  The bar-shaped clip 20 provided in the first cover part 1 has a locked portion 22 that protrudes inward in the third direction 52 (width direction) in the lower portion near the base. The second cover part 2 is formed on the inner side of the rail portion 62 extending in the first direction 50 (front-rear direction), the locking portion 60 erected on the inner side in the width direction of the rail portion 62, and the back side of the insertion port 66. The lower guide portion 64a and the upper guide portion 64b are provided. The lower guide portion 64a and the upper guide portion 64b are formed to extend from the insertion port 66 in the first direction 50, and restrict the movement of the clip 20 inserted from the insertion port 66 in the second direction 51 (vertical direction). It functions as a guide part. A tapered portion 24 is formed at the tip of the clip 20 and has a tapered shape that can be easily inserted into the insertion port 66.

  In addition, ribs 74 a, 74 b, 74 c (hereinafter sometimes collectively referred to as “ribs 74”) protruding inward in the width direction are provided on the back side of the insertion port 66. The locking portion 60 is formed to have a predetermined length in the front-rear direction, and functions as a guide portion that regulates the movement of the clip 20 in the width direction (third direction 52) together with the rib 74. The functions of the first guide part that restricts the movement of the clip 20 in the second direction 51 and the second guide part that restricts the movement of the clip 20 in the third direction 52 will be described later.

  FIG. 3 shows a state in which the clip 20 is placed on the rail portion 62. The operator places the lower surface of the clip 20 of the first cover component 1 in contact with the rail portion 62 of the second cover component 2, and the posture of the first cover component 1 so that the entire lower surface of the clip 20 contacts the rail portion 62. Determine. The rail portion 62 extends in the first direction 50, and the operator can easily adjust the posture of the first cover component 1 while holding the first cover component 1. In the state shown in FIG. 3, a part of the tapered portion 24 at the tip of the clip 20 enters the insertion port 66. In this state, the clip 20 has not been locked by the locking portion 60 yet.

  FIG. 4 shows a state where the clip 20 is inserted into the insertion slot 66. The operator pushes the first cover component 1 in the first direction 50 so as to slide the lower surface of the clip 20 along the rail portion 62. When the clip main body portion enters the insertion port 66 following the taper portion 24, the movement of the clip main body portion in the vertical direction (second direction 51) is restricted by the lower guide portion 64a and the upper guide portion 64b. Specifically, the lower guide part 64a restricts the movement of the lower surface of the clip body part, and the upper guide part 64b restricts the movement of the upper surface of the clip body part. When the clip body portion enters the insertion port 66 in this way, the first guide portion configured by the lower guide portion 64a and the upper guide portion 64b regulates the movement of the clip body portion in the second direction 51.

  Further, when the clip main body portion enters the insertion port 66, the movement of the clip main body portion in the width direction (third direction 52) is restricted by the locking portion 60 and the rib 74. Specifically, the locking portion 60 restricts the movement of the inner side surface 26 on the inner side in the width direction of the clip main body portion, and the rib 74 restricts the movement of the outer side surface 28 on the outer side in the width direction of the clip main body portion. When the clip main body portion enters the insertion port 66 in this way, the second guide portion configured by the locking portion 60 and the rib 74 restricts the movement of the clip main body portion in the third direction 52.

  Since the locking portion 60 functioning as the second guide portion is provided in front of the insertion port 66, the positioning of the clip 20 with respect to the insertion port 66 is facilitated, and the clip 20 smoothly enters the insertion port 66. It becomes possible. Further, since the clip 20 inserted into the insertion port 66 is restricted in movement in the vertical direction by the first guide part and restricted in movement in the width direction by the second guide part, the operator can easily perform the clip 20. Can be advanced along a predetermined insertion direction (first direction 50). In the state shown in FIG. 4, the clip 20 is not yet locked by the locking portion 60.

  FIG. 5 shows the first cover part 1 and the second cover part 2 that have been assembled. In this state, the clip 20 is completely pushed into the insertion port 66, and the locked portion 22 of the clip 20 is locked by the locking portion 60. At this time, the locking portion 60 is restrained from the side surface by the restriction portion 30 of the first cover component 1. Thereby, the 1st cover component 1 and the 2nd cover component 2 are fixed, and the assembly process of the 1st cover component 1 and the 2nd cover component 2 is completed.

  The locking portion 60 is provided at a position different from the first guide portion formed by the lower guide portion 64a and the upper guide portion 64b in the first direction 50, and the clip main body portion slides by the first guide portion. After being guided, the locked portion 22 is arranged to be locked. As described above, the locking portion 60 extends in the first direction 50 on the inner side in the width direction of the rail portion 62 and is erected to cooperate with the rib 74 so that the clip body portion of the clip 20. It also functions as a guide part that restricts the movement in the third direction 52. That is, the locking portion 60, together with the rib 74, regulates the movement of the clip 20 in the width direction, guides the slide of the clip 20, and slides and guides the locked portion 22. Thus, by providing the locking portion 60 with the slide guide function of the clip 20, the moving direction of the clip 20 can be efficiently regulated without increasing the number of parts, and the first cover relative to the second cover part 2 can be controlled. The positioning of the cover part 1 is facilitated.

Hereinafter, details of the first guide part and the second guide part will be described.
FIG. 6 shows the structure of the first guide part. As described above, the first guide portion is configured by the lower guide portion 64a and the upper guide portion 64b, and the lower guide portion 64a regulates the movement of the lower surface of the clip body portion, and the upper guide portion 64b The movement of the upper surface of the clip main body is restricted. Note that the upper surface and the lower surface of the clip main body portion do not have to be formed in parallel, and the upper surface may be inclined downward inward in the width direction. The interval between the lower guide portion 64a and the upper guide portion 64b may be formed to be substantially the same as the height of the clip main body portion.

  FIG. 7 shows the structure of the second guide portion. FIGS. 7A to 7D are views for explaining the relationship between the clip 20 and the locking portion 60 in the assembly process. 7 (a) to FIG. 7 (d) show a partial cut surface when cut by a horizontal plane defined by the first direction 50 and the third direction 52 at the position of the locked portion 22 of the clip 20, The illustration of the configuration other than the second guide portion is omitted.

  FIG. 7A shows a state when the clip 20 is placed on the rail portion 62. On the inner surface of the case body 76 of the second cover part 2, ribs 74a, 74b, and 74c are projected inward in the width direction. The locking portion 60 is provided extending in the first direction 50 and has a tip convex portion 70 and a locking convex portion 68. A thin concave portion 72 is formed between the tip convex portion 70 and the locking convex portion 68. As illustrated, the clip 20 has a locked portion 22 that protrudes inward in the width direction. When the clip 20 is placed on the rail portion 62, the tip convex portion 70 and the locking convex portion 68 come into contact with the inner side surface 26 on the inner side in the width direction of the clip 20, and guide the clip 20 so that it does not tilt in the width direction.

  FIG. 7B shows a state in which the clip 20 has advanced in the first direction 50 and the locked portion 22 has come into contact with the tip convex portion 70. When the locked portion 22 comes into contact with the tip convex portion 70, the vicinity of the tip convex portion 70 is elastically deformed to allow passage of the locked portion 22.

  FIG. 7C shows a state in which the locked portion 22 is close to the recess 72. The recess 72 is provided in order to reduce contact between the locked portion 22 that has passed through the tip protrusion 70 and the locking portion 60 and to suppress deformation of the locking portion 60. By forming the thin recessed portion 72, the sliding resistance between the locked portion 22 and the locking portion 60 is reduced, and the clip 20 can be smoothly pushed into the insertion port 66.

  When the clip 20 is pushed into the insertion port 66, the rib 74 comes into contact with the outer side surface 28 on the outer side in the width direction of the clip 20 and guides the clip 20 so as not to tilt in the width direction. At this time, the locking projection 68 is in contact with the inner surface 26 of the clip 20 to guide the clip 20 so that it does not tilt in the width direction. Thus, the locking part 60 and the rib 74 function as a second guide part that regulates the movement of the clip 20 in the width direction.

  FIG. 7D shows a state in which the locked portion 22 is locked by the locking convex portion 68. When the clip 20 is further pushed in the first direction 50 from the state shown in FIG. 7C, the vicinity of the locking projection 68 is elastically deformed and the locked portion 22 passes through the locking projection 68, and after passing. The locking projection 68 is elastically restored to return to the state before deformation, and the locked portion 22 is locked and fixed. At this time, the locking portion 60 is restrained from the side surface by the restricting portion 30 and maintains the engaged state between the locked portion 22 and the locking convex portion 68. In the column cover 10 of the present embodiment, the first cover part 1 is fitted and fixed to the second cover part 2 in this way.

  In the above, this invention was demonstrated based on the Example. The embodiments are merely examples, and it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications can be made to the combination of each component and each processing process, and such modifications are within the scope of the present invention.

  In the embodiment, the rib 74 is shown as the second guide portion that restricts the movement of the clip 20 in the width direction, but a configuration other than the rib 74 can also be adopted. For example, instead of the rib 74, an elastic body such as rubber may be used, or a protrusion that makes point contact or surface contact with the outer surface 28 of the clip 20 may be used. Moreover, although the vertical rib perpendicular | vertical with respect to the advancing direction of the clip 20 was shown in the Example, you may utilize a horizontal rib parallel with respect to the advancing direction. Thus, the second guide portion may take any configuration that restricts the movement of the clip 20 in the width direction.

  FIG. 8 shows a modification of the second guide part. In this modification, the insertion portion 20 a does not have a clip function, and is used as a configuration in which movement in the width direction is guided by the rib 74 and the locking portion 60. The locking part 60 has a locking projection 68a and locks the locked part 22a formed on the clip 30a. As described above, in the modified example, the clip function is provided to the clip 30a among the locked function and guided function of the clip 20 of the embodiment. Also in this modified example, the locking portion 60 is configured to have both a locking function and a guide function.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... 1st cover component, 2 ... 2nd cover component, 3 ... 3rd cover component, 10 ... Column cover, 20 ... Clip, 20a ... Insertion part, 22, 22a・ ・ ・ Locked part, 24 ・ ・ ・ Taper part, 26 ・ ・ ・ Inner side face, 28 ・ ・ ・ Outer side face, 30 ・ ・ ・ Regulator part, 30a ・ ・ ・ Clip, 50 ・ ・ ・ First direction, 51 ... 2nd direction, 52 ... 3rd direction, 60 ... Locking part, 61 ... Projection part, 62 ... Rail part, 64a ... Lower side guide part, 64b. ..Upper guide part, 66... Insertion port, 68, 68a .. locking convex part, 70... Tip convex part, 72 .. concave part, 74. .

Claims (2)

A first column cover part provided with a clip;
A column cover comprising: a second column cover part provided with a locking portion for locking the clip of the first column cover part;
The second column cover part is
When the first column cover part is inserted in the first direction with respect to the second column cover part, the guide part restricts the movement of the clip in the second direction substantially orthogonal to the first direction;
The locking portion is provided at a position rearward of the guide portion in the first direction in the first direction, and the first column cover part is inserted into the second column cover part in the first direction when the first column cover part is inserted in the first direction . A column cover that restricts movement of the clip in a third direction substantially orthogonal to the direction and the second direction. The second column cover part is
  An insertion port located between the locking portion and the guide portion, into which the clip is inserted;
  The column cover according to claim 1, further comprising a rib projecting in a third direction at a position in front of the insertion port in the insertion direction.

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