JPH0531529Y2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Purpose of the Invention] (Field of Industrial Application) The present invention relates to an improvement of a meter case mounting device suitable for attaching a meter case to an instrument panel in an automobile.

(Prior Art) It is generally known that a meter case in which instruments such as a speedometer and a fuel gauge, a clock, etc. are incorporated in an automobile is attached to an instrument panel provided on the vehicle body.

Conventionally, this meter case has been inserted into a recess provided in an instrument panel and attached to the instrument panel by bolting or the like.

(Problem to be solved by the invention) However, in the conventional technology as described above, when inserting the meter case into the recess of the instrument panel, the insertion cannot be performed smoothly because it does not have any positioning mechanism. Therefore, the contact between the electrical contacts provided on the meter case and the electrical contacts provided on the instrument panel was poor, resulting in low electrical contact efficiency and damage to the contacts. .

An object of the present invention is to provide a meter case mounting device that eliminates the drawbacks of the prior art as described above.

[Structure of the invention] (Means for solving the problems) In order to solve the problems of the above-mentioned conventional technology and achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention has a method of inserting the meter case into the recess of the instrument panel. A plurality of positioning mechanisms are provided between the meter case and the instrument panel to guide and position the instrument panel. One positioning mechanism is configured as a pilot positioning mechanism that guides and positions the meter case before the other positioning mechanisms.

(Function) This pilot positioning mechanism can determine the insertion position of the meter case when it is inserted into the recess of the instrument panel. Further, by using this pilot positioning mechanism and other positioning mechanisms, the meter case can be inserted smoothly and reliably.

(Example) Referring to FIG. 1, a meter case mounting device according to the present invention is shown. This attachment device is used to attach a meter case 1 to an instrument panel 2 in an automobile. The meter case 1 is inserted into a recess 2a provided in the meter panel 2. Figures 2 and 3 are shown in meter case 1.
As shown in the figure, for example, a speedometer 3 is attached. As is well known, other instruments such as a tachometer and a fuel gauge (not shown) are attached to the meter case 1.

The meter case 1 is also provided with a stem portion of the speedometer 3 as a first contact 4 of the speedometer 3, and female connectors as a second contact 5 and a third contact 6. The instrument panel 2 includes a meter cable connector as a fourth contact 7 engageable with the first contact 4;
A male connector as a fifth contact 8 that can be engaged with the contact 5 and a male connector as a sixth contact 9 that can be engaged with the third contact 6 are provided. The structures of these first to sixth contacts are well known, except that the corresponding contacts are engaged in sequence, as will be described later, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

The mounting device according to the present invention includes a plurality of positioning mechanisms provided between the meter case 1 and the instrument panel 2. These positioning mechanisms are for guiding and positioning the meter case 1 when the meter case 1 is inserted into the recess 2a of the instrument panel 2.

In the illustrated embodiment, these positioning mechanisms include first to third positioning mechanisms 10a, 10b, and 10c. The first positioning mechanism 10a is arranged on the instrument panel 2 so that the protrusion 11a provided on the upper surface of the meter case 1 fits into the protrusion 11a.
It consists of an engagement groove 12a provided in. The second and third positioning mechanisms 10b and 10c are protrusions 11b and 11 provided on both sides of the meter case 1.
engagement grooves 12b and 1 provided on the instrument panel 2 so that the protrusions c and each of these protrusions fit together;
It consists of 2c.

Although three positioning mechanisms are provided in the illustrated embodiment, the number is not limited to this, and an engagement groove may be provided in the meter case 1 and a protrusion may be provided in the instrument panel 2.

First to third positioning mechanisms 10a, 10b,
10c is for positioning the meter case 1 when the meter case 1 is inserted into the recess 2a of the instrument panel 2, but it should be noted that the first positioning mechanism 10a is connected to the other positioning mechanism 10b. , 10c, the meter case 1 is configured as a pilot positioning mechanism that guides and positions the meter case 1 into the recessed portion before the meter case 1 does.

The order of engagement between these positioning mechanisms and the first to sixth contacts is set as follows.

When the meter case 1 is inserted into the recess 2a of the instrument panel 2, the first positioning mechanism 10a, ie, the pilot positioning mechanism, is first engaged. In detail, first, the tip of the projection 11a of the meter case 1 is inserted into the engagement groove 12a of the instrument panel 2, and the pilot is positioned. It is preferable to provide a taper 13 at the entrance of the engagement groove 12a so that the projection 11a can be easily inserted into the engagement groove 12a. This pilot positioning facilitates the insertion positioning of the meter case 1. As the meter case 1 is further inserted, the protrusions 1 on the positioning mechanisms 10b and 10c
1b and 11c are their corresponding engagement grooves 12b,
12c, respectively. The meter case 1 is reliably positioned on the instrument panel 2 by engagement of these three positioning mechanisms. As the meter case 1 is further inserted, the first contact 4 and the fourth contact 7 engage, then the second contact 5 and the fifth contact 8, and the third contact 6 and the sixth contact The contact point 9 of is engaged. When the meter case 1 is completely inserted into the instrument panel 2, each contact becomes fully engaged.

Incidentally, reference numeral 14 indicates a plurality of brackets provided on the meter case (see FIGS. 1 and 3).
These brackets are provided with bolt holes 14a. Screw holes (not shown) are provided in the instrument panel 2 opposite to these bolt holes 14a. When the meter case 1 is completely inserted into the instrument panel 2, bolts (not shown) are inserted into the bolt holes 14a, and these bolts are screwed into the screw holes. Thereby, the meter case 1 is firmly fixed to the instrument panel 2.

[Effects of the invention] According to the invention, as described above, a plurality of positioning mechanisms are provided between the meter case and the instrument panel, and one of them guides and positions the meter case before the other positioning mechanisms. By being configured as a pilot positioning mechanism, the meter case can be easily and reliably attached to the instrument panel, which has the practical benefit of preventing damage to contacts and attachment errors.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Fig. 1 is a partially sectional plan view of a meter case mounting device according to the present invention, Fig. 2 is a partially sectional plan view of the meter case, and Fig. 3 is a front view taken from line A-A in Fig. 2. It is a diagram. 1...Meter case, 2...Instrument panel, 2a...Recess, 10a, 10b, 10c
...Positioning mechanism, 11a, 11b, 11c...
Projections, 12a, 12b, 12c...engaging grooves.

Claims (1)

[Scope of utility model registration request] In a meter case mounting device for mounting a meter case in a recess of an instrument panel, the instrument panel and the meter case are connected to each other so as to guide and position the meter case when inserted into the recess of the instrument panel. Meter case mounting comprising a plurality of positioning mechanisms provided between the two positioning mechanisms, one of the positioning mechanisms being configured as a pilot positioning mechanism that guides and positions the meter case before the other positioning mechanisms. Device.