JPH115495A - Mounting structure for vehicular control device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To assemble a control device assembly in which a panel body and a plurality of control units are formed into a set, with an instrument panel with ease. SOLUTION: A panel body P provided with switches for control units U1 to U3 and with displays in its surface, is formed into one part of an instrument panel 1. The control units U1 to U3 for radios, CD decks or the like are integrally connected together in the back face side of the panel body P so as to be formed into an assembly KP. When the insertion of the assembly KP is kept on into the opening part 2 of the instrument panel 1, an engaging projection 18 provided for the assembly KP is engaged with an engaging hole 15 provided for a support member 14 at the side of a car body while being movably supported and guide member a guide-member 13, arid concurrently, the connector 52 of the assembly KP is thereby connected with a connector 53 at the side of a car body. In state that the aforesaid engagement has been completed, the engaging projection 18 is brought into a floating condition with respect to the guide member 13 based on the inclination setting between the engaging projection 18 and the engaging hole 15.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a mounting structure for a vehicle control device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In vehicles, particularly automobiles, the number (kind) of control units (also referred to as information processing units and space occupation units) that are operated in response to occupant operations tends to increase. In particular, there is a tendency that the instrument panel is concentrated and disposed in an intermediate portion between the driver's seat and the passenger seat. That is, units for air-conditioning control and audio control are arranged in this portion, and an input section operated by an occupant, such as an operation switch, and a unit of the unit are provided on the front surface, that is, the vehicle interior surface side. An output unit such as a display for displaying the operation status is arranged. Recently, the types of audio units have been increasing, and AM / F
In addition to the M radio, a cassette deck, a CD player, an MD player, an equalizer, etc., have a considerable number of audio alone. In addition, in addition to the above, recently, there is a strong tendency to mount a navigation, and a display for displaying a map of the navigation is required.

Conventionally, units having different functions (contents of control or information processing) are independent from each other.
Each independent unit has an input unit operated by an occupant and an output unit for the occupant on the front surface, that is, the surface facing the passenger compartment side. Then, in order to concentrate or share the output unit and a large number of input units as much as possible, a plurality of units having different functions are combined into one unit.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 61-244636 proposes that a plurality of independent units having different functions are combined into one set using one frame. That is, there has been proposed a frame body having a chassis portion for connecting a plurality of units in a state of being stacked in a vertical direction, and a front plate portion constituting a vehicle interior wall surface. However, each unit has an output unit and an input unit independently of each other. The front plate unit has an opening for enabling the output unit to be viewed from the vehicle interior, and a vehicle for the input unit. Only an opening for allowing operation from the chamber side is formed. That is, the frame simply functions as a fastening member for setting a plurality of independent units into one.

[0005]

As described above, when many units are concentrated in a narrow place, the arrangement of the output unit and the many input units is greatly restricted, and the operability and visibility are low. However, as the number of units increases, the operability and visibility of some units deteriorate.

One method for improving operability and visibility is to configure functions different from each other as one unit as described above. However,
In this case, taking into account that the number and type of units (number and types of functions) to be mounted differ depending on the grade even in the same vehicle type, the number of units and types to be mounted becomes a considerable number of combinations, If one set is prepared for each of the numbers corresponding to the large number of combinations, the number (type) of one set is considerably increased. This implies that there is a limit to making one set, and that one set
Since the number of products produced for each type is reduced, the cost is unfavorable.

In particular, in recent vehicles, an air-conditioning operation unit is arranged in advance in the vehicle panel at a substantially intermediate portion in the vehicle width direction of the instrument panel, and a part other than the air-conditioning operation unit is 2DIN standard. The 2DIN space must be provided with a unit for audio or navigation, etc.
It also causes a great restriction on the arrangement of the operation unit and the output unit of the unit.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present applicant has developed the following control device assembly mounted on a vehicle. That is, a panel body having an output unit for the occupant and an input unit operated by the occupant on the front side, and each of the panel bodies is formed separately from the panel body and connected to the panel body on the back side of the panel body. A control device comprising: a plurality of control units, wherein the control unit is operated in response to an operation of the input unit, and an operation state of at least a part of the control unit is set to be output to the output unit. An assembly was developed. In such a control device assembly, the plurality of control units are housed in the instrument panel through an opening formed in the instrument panel, and the panel body covers the opening to form the instrument. Part of the ment panel.

In the above-described control device assembly, the occupant input section for each control unit, that is, the operation section and the output section for notifying the occupant of the operation status of the control unit are all provided on the panel body, In each case, an input unit and an output unit are not provided. This means that a control panel assembly may be configured by selecting a panel body according to a vehicle type or a grade and selecting a control unit according to the selected panel body. , Car type and gray
It becomes possible to share individual dedicated items without simplicity according to the network.

When the above-mentioned control device assembly is incorporated into a vehicle body, that is, an instrument panel, there is a problem that how easily the control device assembly is incorporated into the instrument panel, since the control device assembly has a considerable weight as a whole.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has as its object to provide a control device comprising a panel unit and a plurality of control units formed separately from the panel unit. It is an object of the present invention to provide a mounting structure of a control device for a vehicle, in which an assembly can be easily incorporated into an instrument panel.

[0012]

To achieve the above object, the present invention adopts the following solution. That is, a panel body having an output unit for the occupant and an input unit operated by the occupant on the front side, and each of the panel bodies is formed separately from the panel body and connected to the panel body on the back side of the panel body. A control device set comprising: a plurality of control units, wherein the control unit is operated in response to an operation of the input unit, and an operation state of at least a part of the control units is set to be output to the output unit. A mounting structure for a vehicle control device for mounting a three-dimensional object to a vehicle, wherein the plurality of control units are housed in the instrument panel through an opening formed in an instrument panel, and the panel body is connected to the opening. To form a part of the instrument panel, and the control device assembly is assembled to the instrument panel. When the control device assembly is assembled to the instrument panel, a supported portion provided on the back surface of the control device assembly is provided with a vehicle body-side support portion provided in the instrument panel. The control device assembly is set so that the weight of the control device assembly is supported by the support portion, and when the control device assembly is incorporated into the instrument panel, A guide member for guiding the supported portion toward the support portion is provided, and as the fitting of the supported portion to the support portion progresses, the control device assembly is separated upward from the guide member. The fitting relationship between the supported portion and the supporting portion is set. Preferred embodiments on the premise of the above solution are as described in claim 2 and the following claims.

[0013]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, because of the structure of the control device assembly, the output unit and the input unit of the control unit are provided on the panel body formed separately from the control unit. The degree of freedom of the arrangement of the input unit and the output unit is greatly improved, which is preferable in terms of operability and visibility. Also, since the panel body is formed separately from the control unit, the panel body, in particular, the surface of the panel body facing the cabin is designed to be suitable as the inner wall surface of the vehicle body,
This is preferable in terms of improving decorativeness. Furthermore, control units having different functions can be used as they are simply by replacing the panel body. That is, by simply replacing the panel body in accordance with the combination of the number and types of control units, it is possible to function in the same manner as a unit in which a plurality of units having different functions are set as one. This makes it possible to flexibly cope with a combination of a plurality of control units having different functions, to easily increase the number of the combinations, and to be advantageous in terms of cost. Further, the restriction on the arrangement position of the control unit is much smaller because it is not necessary to consider operability and visibility as compared with a case where an output unit and an input unit are provided for each control unit. This is preferable in terms of effective use of the space inside the indoor wall surface.

In addition to the above, the control device assembly is assembled so that the control unit is housed in the instrument panel using the guide member as a guide, so that the assembly is easy. In addition, in the process of assembling the control unit through the opening formed in the instrument panel so as to be housed in the instrument panel, that is, in the process of inserting the control unit through the opening, the supported portion is automatically moved. Since it is fitted so as to be fitted to the support portion and its weight is supported on the vehicle body side, the assembling of the control device assembly to the instrument panel is greatly improved. Further, in a state where the control device assembly is completely assembled to the instrument panel, the control device assembly is separated upward from the guide member, so that the control device assembly, which is a considerably heavy object, is driven in accordance with the traveling of the vehicle. Even if it vibrates in the vertical direction, the situation where the guide member and the control device assembly come into contact with each other from the vertical direction is prevented, and abnormal noise is generated in the instrument panel during traveling due to this contact. That situation can also be prevented.

According to the second aspect, the connection between the first connector on the control device assembly side and the second connector on the vehicle body can be automatically connected in the process of assembling the control device assembly into the instrument panel. . In particular, the connection between the first connector and the second connector can be reliably performed by utilizing the guiding action of the control device assembly by the guide member and also utilizing the centering function of each connector.

According to the third aspect, the second step is performed by using the temporary fixing.
While the position of the connector is maintained at a position suitable for connection with the first connector, the second connector is set in a floating state in the connection completed state, and the control device assembly vibrates in the up and down direction during traveling. This also prevents an excessive force from acting on the connection portion of the connector, which is preferable in maintaining a reliable connection relationship.

According to the fourth aspect, the second connector is prevented from being displaced in the front-rear direction, that is, in the direction of connection and disconnection with the first connector, so that reliable connection is ensured and reliable after connection. This is preferable for securing the connection state.

According to the fifth aspect, a specific method for temporarily fixing is provided. In particular, the temporary fixing is ensured as long as the weakened portion provided in the second connector is not broken, which is preferable in ensuring the temporary fixing function. In addition, the magnitude of the external force when the weakened portion is broken can be easily set as a size that does not force the connector, so that the connector of the connector after the assembly of the control device assembly to the instrument panel is completed. This is also preferable for ensuring the floating state.

According to the sixth aspect, the vertical vibration of the control device assembly assembled to the instrument panel is:
Even when an external force is applied to the connector to slightly rotate it around the left-right axis, this vertical vibration prevents an excessive force from acting on the connector,
This is preferable for ensuring a reliable connection state of the connector.

According to the seventh aspect, the support portion and the guide member are fixed to the steering support member as a strength member of the vehicle body, so that the support portion and the guide member are firmly fixed to the vehicle body. It can be done. This is preferable for the guide member to reliably guide the control device assembly in a desired direction. Further, the support portion is preferable in that the control device assembly is firmly supported on the vehicle body side.

According to the eighth aspect, by fixing the panel body to the instrument panel using the fixing tool,
This is preferable in that the control device assembly is more firmly supported on the instrument panel, that is, on the vehicle body side in combination with the support operation by the support portion. Further, by setting the fixed portion to the instrument panel at the outer peripheral edge of the panel body, the fixed portion does not limit the arrangement of the input unit and the output unit, and the panel body has a considerably large area. Is fixed at its outer peripheral edge, which is preferable for firm fixing. Of course, the peripheral edge of the opening of the instrument panel is always located at the position corresponding to the outer peripheral edge of the panel body, which is extremely preferable for setting the position of the fixed portion.

[0022]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[Explanation of FIGS. 1 to 7] First, referring to FIGS. 1 and 2,
The general outline of the present invention will be described. 1 and 2, reference numeral 1 denotes an instrument panel as a panel member constituting a vehicle interior wall surface, and an opening 2 is formed at a substantially intermediate portion in a vehicle width direction. The opening 2 is larger than the size of the 2DIN standard in both the vertical and horizontal directions. Such an opening 2 is covered with a panel body P so as to be invisible from the vehicle interior. The panel body P substantially constitutes a part of the instrument panel 1.

On the rear side of the panel body P, that is, on the side opposite to the cabin, three control units (information processing unit, space occupying unit) U1 are located so as to be located in the opening 2, that is, in the instrument panel 1. U2 and U3 are arranged. The panel body P and each unit U1, U2, U3
They are connected and integrated with each other, and are connected for signal transmission. Unit U1 is for AM / FM radio, unit U2 is for CD player and U3
Is for air conditioning control (but for manual air conditioning). Each of the units U1 to U3 has approximately 1 DIN
It is formed in a size within the standard, is formed in the shape of a box having a small width in the vertical direction, and is stacked in the vertical direction.

Each of the units U1 to U3 does not have an input section operated by an occupant or a display section for displaying an operation status or the like (this applies to other control units described below). ), This unit U1
All output units and input units for U3 are provided on the panel body P. That is, on the front side of the panel body P, a display 5 as a visual display unit (corresponding to an output unit) composed of a liquid crystal display unit, and a CD disk for entering and exiting the unit U1 formed below the display 5. Opening 6
And an operation switch group 7 for audio arranged around the opening 6 and a switch group 8 for air-conditioning control provided below the opening 6 and the switch group 7 (the switch group corresponds to the input unit). Is provided.

The display 5 includes units U1 to U3
It is also used for The switch group 7 is also used for the units U1 and U2. The switch group 8 is dedicated to the unit U3. in this way,
The operation of the occupants for the units U1 to U3 is performed by the panel body P
The operation state of each unit U1 to U3 according to the operation state of the switch groups 7 and 8 is performed using the switch groups 7 and 8 as an input unit provided in the The display 5 includes the operation selection state). The types of switches included in the switch groups 7 and 8 and the contents displayed on the display 5 are the same as those for a conventional CD player, AM / FM radio, and air conditioning control.

The panel body P is further provided with an ashtray 9 and a cigar lighter 10 in parallel with each other below the air conditioning control switch group 8 in the vehicle width direction. The panel body P is provided with air-conditioning air outlets 11 at left and right ends thereof.

The opening 2 is divided into three small openings 2 in the left-right direction by a pair of right-left partitions 3 extending vertically.
A, 2C. The units U1 to U3 are stored in the largest small opening 2A. Small opening portions 2C formed on the left and right of the small opening portion 2A serve as air conditioning air passages aligned with the air conditioning air outlets 11 of the panel body P, to which an air conditioning air duct not shown is connected. It is.

The panel body P and each of the units U1 to U3 are
Control device assembly K integrated before mounting on the vehicle
P, the units U1 to U3 are connected to the small opening 2A.
, Is approached to the opening 2 from the unit U1 to U3 side and mounted on the vehicle. Then, in the assembled state, the panel body P substantially constitutes a part of the instrument panel 1. Note that the outer peripheral edge of the panel body P is made substantially flush with the opening edge of the opening 2, that is, the instrument panel 1 in a state where the assembly to the instrument panel 1 is completed.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, a steering axle member 54 extending in the left-right direction, that is, in the vehicle width direction is located in the instrument panel 1. As is known, the steering axle member 54 is a strength member on the vehicle body side, and the member 12 formed by processing a metal plate such as an iron plate is fixed to the steering axle member 54 by, for example, welding. . The member 12 serves as a guide member 13 and a support member 14. The guide member 13 has a flat plate shape as a whole, and extends rearward, that is, toward the opening 2 from the steering support member 54. At least the upper surface of such a guide member 13 is substantially horizontal near the steering support member 54, but is gradually lowered as it approaches the opening 2 (when viewed from the opening 2 side). , As it approaches the steering support member 54, that is, as it moves forward, and becomes substantially horizontal near the steering support member 54.

The support member 14 is formed by partially raising the member 12 upward near the steering support member 54. A fitting hole (fitting recess) 15 is formed in the support member 14 at a predetermined height position as shown in FIG. The fitting hole 15 is slightly inclined so as to gradually rise upward as it goes forward, and a cylindrical elastic body 16 made of rubber or the like is fitted on the inner surface thereof. That is, the inner hole of the elastic body substantially constitutes the fitting hole 15.

The plurality of control units U1 to U3 constituting the control device assembly KP are surrounded by a case body 17, which is composed of a plurality of control units U
1 to U3 are firmly connected (particularly in the vertical direction), and are also fixed to the back surface of the panel body P, thereby reinforcing the integration of the control device assembly KP as a whole. On the front surface of the case body 17, that is, on the surface near the steering support member 54, a fitting projection 18 is integrally formed by extending forward. The fitting projection 18 is fitted into the fitting hole 15, that is, the elastic body 16, and is slightly inclined so as to gradually increase toward the front.

A first connector 52 serving as a connector on the control device assembly KP side is provided on the lower surface of the case body 17. The member 12 corresponds to the first connector 52.
The second connector K2 as a vehicle body side connector
Is provided. The connection of the first connector 52 faces forward, and the one connection of the second connector K2 faces rear. Each of the connectors 52 and 53 is of a centering type, as is known, and can be connected to each other in a fitting manner even if there is a slight displacement. Note that this connector 5
The connection using 2, 53 is for connection with external devices (devices on the vehicle body side) outside the control device assembly KP, for example, for connection of a speaker, an antenna, a power supply, and the like.

Next, a procedure for assembling the control device assembly KP into the instrument panel 1 will be described. First, the control device assembly KP including the case body 17 previously set as one set includes its control units U1 to U1.
From the U3 side, it is inserted into the instrument panel 1 through the opening 2. At the beginning of this insertion,
The lower end of the front end of the control device assembly KP is placed on the guide member 13, and thereafter, while the guide member 13 supports the weight of the control device assembly KP, the above-described insertion proceeds.
The insertion of the control device assembly KP by the guide member 13 can be performed more easily.

When the insertion proceeds and the control device assembly KP is supported in a substantially horizontal portion of the guide member 13, that is, in the vicinity of the steering support member 54, the fitting protrusion 1
8, the first connector 52 is positioned immediately adjacent the second connector 53 (see FIG. 3). When the insertion is further advanced from the state of FIG.
Eventually, the insertion of the fitting projection 18 into the fitting hole 15 starts, and at this time, the first connector 52 becomes the second connector 53.
Start to be connected to.

By further insertion, the fitting projection 18 is fitted into the fitting hole 15 deeply. However, the control device assembly KP is moved slightly upward from the guide member 13 by the above-described inclination setting of the two and 18. It will be lifted and separated (K in FIG. 4 indicates the separation distance). At the same time, the first connector 52 is completely connected to the second connector 53. Thereafter, the panel body P is moved from the outer peripheral edge thereof to the instrument panel 1 (the peripheral edge of the opening 2).
The fixing to the instrument panel 1 is completed by fixing with the fixing members 19 such as screws.

When inserting the control device assembly KP through the opening 2, the partition 2 of the instrument panel 1
By C, the large left and right displacement is prevented,
The fitting between the fitting hole 15 and the fitting projection 18 and the connection between the connectors 52 and 53 are more easily performed. Also,
The distal end of the fitting projection 18 is tapered as shown in FIG. 5 so that the fitting projection 18 can be securely fitted into the fitting hole 15 while absorbing a slight misalignment with the fitting hole 15. I have. To remove the control device assembly KP from the instrument panel 1, the procedure may be reversed.

When the assembly of the control device assembly KP to the instrument panel 1 is completed, the control device assembly KP
Is firmly supported by the steering support member 54 via the support member 14 on the front end side, and is supported by the instrument panel 1 by the fixture 19 on the rear end side. Since the control device assembly KP, which is a heavy object, is floating from the guide member 13 extending in a cantilever manner from the steering support member 54, the control device assembly KP is running.
Is prevented from contacting the guide member 13 to generate vibration. Of course, the elastic body 16 also prevents noise generation at the fitting projection 18.

6 and 7 show modifications of the fitting hole 15 and the fitting projection 18, respectively. That is, FIG.
In the example, the fitting hole 15 has a tapered shape whose diameter gradually increases toward the rear, while the fitting projection 18 also has a tapered shape whose diameter gradually decreases toward the tip. Both 18
And 15 are fitted while preventing a slight displacement. The tapered fitting hole 15
Since the contact bottom surface between the fitting projection 18 and the fitting projection 18 gradually increases toward the front, the above-described floating state indicated by the reference symbol L in FIG. 4 is obtained.

In the example shown in FIG. 7, the fitting hole 15 becomes large enough toward the rear, that is, the fitting protrusion 18
Are formed larger than the corresponding portions, and the function of absorbing the positional deviation is further enhanced. The fitting projection 18 is
It is tapered as in the case of FIG.
The inclination is set so as to be positioned gradually upward toward the front end, so that the floating amount indicated by the reference numeral L in FIG. 4 is obtained more sufficiently and reliably.

[Description of FIGS. 8 to 11] FIGS.
This shows a preferred example of attachment of the second connector 53 to the vehicle body side, in which the control device assembly KP is floatingly supported in the vertical direction when the control device assembly KP is assembled to the instrument panel 12. First, a support protrusion 32 is formed on each of the left and right side surfaces of the second connector 53, and an extension protrusion 32a slightly protruding in the front-rear direction is formed on a lower portion of the support protrusion 32. The extension projection 32a is easily broken by a relatively small force.

On the other hand, a support bracket 33 is integrated with the bottom surface of the member 12. The bracket 33 has a pair of left and right support legs 34, and an opening 35 is formed in the support legs 34. An extension opening 35 a slightly extending in the front-rear direction is formed in a lower portion of the opening 35. As shown in FIG. 9, the support projection 32 is fitted into the opening 35, but the extension projection 3 is inserted into the extension opening 35a.
2a is fitted, and the displacement of the second connector 53 upward with respect to the bracket 33 is restricted. This figure 9
Is a temporarily fixed state of the second connector 53, and the stepped portion 34a of the support leg portion 34 at the boundary portion with the extended opening portion 35a abuts on the upper surface of the extended projection portion 32a as a weakened portion and the second connector 53 It serves as a locking portion that regulates the upward displacement of 53.

In the process of assembling the control device assembly KP to the instrument panel 1, after the first connector 52 has been connected to the second connector 53, the control device assembly KP is displaced slightly upward, and Under the external force due to the displacement, the extension protrusion 32a is broken, and the second connector 53 is displaced slightly upward with respect to the bracket 32 (see FIG. 10). The length of the opening 35 in the up-down direction is sufficiently larger than the length in the up-down direction of the support protrusion 32 in which the extension protrusion 32a is broken. This allows
Even if the control device assembly KP vibrates up and down during traveling,
The second connector 53 vibrates or displaces in the vertical direction according to the vertical vibration of the control device assembly KP, so that an excessive force is prevented from acting on the connection portion with the first connector 52 (reliable connection). Maintenance). The front-rear dimension of the opening 35 is slightly larger than the front-rear dimension of the support protrusion 32, and the displacement of the second connector 53 in the front-rear direction is restricted.

FIG. 11 shows an example in which the extension protrusion 32a is more reliably broken, and the step 34a is formed as a sharp portion (cutter) directed toward the extension protrusion 32a. It is formed in. As shown by the dashed line in FIG. 9, for example, the end face in the front-rear direction of the extension protrusion 32 is formed in a circular arc shape so as to be convex. 4) clockwise or counterclockwise slightly in FIG. 4, the second connector 53 absorbs this swing by rotating with respect to the bracket 33, and the connector 52 It is further prevented that an excessive force acts on the connection portion between the first and third members.

[Explanation of FIG. 12] Next, the relationship between the panel body P and the units (U1 to U3) will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 12, but in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, only a part of the functions shown in FIG. 12 is realized. It has become.

Assuming the above, a portion surrounded by a dashed line in FIG. This panel body P
Has a microcomputer, that is, a CPU, a plurality of I / O ports 21 to 23, an A / D port 24,
An I / SO port 25. The I / O port 21 is
Various switches S1 to S through digital I / F 26
11 are connected. In addition, switches S1 to S21
12, only one is typically shown in FIG. 12, but it may actually be composed of a plurality of switches and the like.

S1 is a navigation switch,
S2 is a switch for a CD player, and S3 is a switch for an MD (mini disc) player. S4 is DVD
(Digital video disc) switch, S5 is a cassette deck switch, and S6 is an AM / FM radio switch. S7 is a driver information system switch for requesting display of a current vehicle running state, a road environment state, and the like. For example, traffic information, current fuel consumption, average vehicle speed to date, and the like are displayed. It is for requesting display.

S8 is a sensor for detecting a vehicle interior environment, for example, detecting a temperature, a noise level and the like in the vehicle interior. S
Reference numeral 9 denotes a light receiving unit as a receiving unit, which serves as an input unit for a wireless signal (for example, an infrared signal) from a separately provided remote control switch. S10 is a microphone, which detects, for example, a voice of an occupant when using a car phone, and inputs a voice to the unit. S11 is an air conditioning control switch.

The A / D port 24 is an analog I / F
Signals from switches S12 to S14 and the like are input via 27. S12 is a switch for selecting an air-conditioning air blowing mode. S13 is a temperature selection switch for air conditioning air. S14 is an air-conditioning air blowing amount selection switch.

The panel body P is a monitor / screen module 2
The display 5 as a display unit is connected to the module 28. The display 5
For example, a 7-inch display using a large liquid crystal as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 can be used.
In addition, a 1DIN standard color display or a 1DIN standard monochrome display can be used.

The panel body P is provided with switches S15 to S17 related to other control units other than the unit connected to the panel body P. S15 is an engine switch, which performs the function of a normally provided ignition switch. S16 is a hazard switch.
S17 is a switch for the rear window glass fogging hot wire.

FIG. 12 shows a navigation unit U4 and an audio unit UO as units provided in association with the panel body P. The audio unit UO is, for example, an AM / FM radio. , A cassette tape player, an MD player, a DVD player and the like. The speaker 29 is connected to the audio unit UO.

Outside the panel body P, a driver 3
0 and a communication IC 31 are provided, and various kinds of devices requiring a large driving force (electric power) such as a defroster are connected to the driver 30. The communication IC 31 has a multiplex communication card.
Through the cables, switches provided on the panel body P and devices related to the display are connected.

[Description of FIGS. 13 to 19] FIGS. 13 to 19
The connection method and the connection method between the panel body P and the control unit will be described with reference to FIG. 2. However, each unit is an example in which the number of control units connected and connected to the panel body P is three. When identifying UA, UB,
UC (corresponding to U1, U2, U3) is used, and when it is not necessary to identify each unit, the U code is used.

First, FIG. 13 shows an example of a method of connecting the panel body P to each of the units UA, UB, and UC. That is, the units UA and UB are mutually connected by the bus circuit 81, and the units UB and UC are connected to the bus circuit 82.
The unit UC and the panel body P are mutually connected by the bus circuit 83. That is, the unit UB is connected to the panel body P via the unit UC, and the unit UA is connected to the units UC and U.
B. Then, the first connector 52
Are collectively provided in the unit UC.

The above connection method is preferable in reducing the number of units connected to the panel body P to only one. Unit U
When A, UB, and UC are connected to each other in a vertically stacked state, it is also advantageous in that a connection relationship is obtained in accordance with the connection (the connection and connection method in FIGS. 17 to 18 described later will be described). See also).

FIG. 14 is different from the case of FIG. 13 in that an extension 84 is formed separately from the panel body P to extend toward the units UA, UB, and UC, and a connector 52 is provided at the tip of the extension 84. It is. In this case, there is an advantage that the connector 52 is provided on the panel body P which is always used.

FIG. 15 shows that each of the units UA, UB, and UC is individually and independently connected to the panel body P. The connector 52 is provided in the lowermost unit UC. In this case, there is an advantage that each unit is securely connected to the panel body, which is preferable in terms of connection reliability as compared with the case where each unit is connected to the panel body P via another unit. Become.

In FIG. 16, when the units are connected in a vertically stacked state, a buffer member 85 made of an elastic member such as rubber is interposed between the units. In FIG. 16, the cushioning member 85 is drawn to be extremely thick in order to clearly show it. However, it is actually quite thin, and a connection method in a vertically stacked state between units to be described later is described. This buffer member 85 can be provided also in the case of adoption.

In FIG. 16, the lowermost unit UC is formed integrally with the panel body P. In other words, as the unit UC, a unit having a function that is assumed to be always used together with the predetermined panel body P is selected. A connector 52 is provided in the unit UC.

FIGS. 17 and 18 show an example of a method of connecting the panel body P to the units UA, UB and UC.
That is, each of the units UA, UB, and UC is formed in a box shape having a thin width in the upper and lower directions 2, and a plurality of (two in the embodiment) coupling recesses 88 are formed on the upper surface. , On the lower surface thereof (in the embodiment, 2
Are formed, and the units UA, U
When B and UC are vertically stacked (UA, UB, U
The selection of the vertical position of C is not limited to that shown in the figure, but may be arbitrary. In addition, the protrusions 89 are tightly fitted into the recesses 88 so that mutual connection is performed. Then, the recess 88
The projection 89 also serves as a connector for connecting the bus circuit shown in FIG. 13 and the like, and connection is made simultaneously with connection.

On the rear surface of the panel body P, a connecting concave portion 90 is formed. On the lowermost unit UC, for example, a connecting convex portion 91 is provided on the panel body P side mounting surface. And the convex portion 91 are tightly fitted, so that the panel body P and the unit UC (therefore, UB,
UA). The concave portion 90 and the convex portion 91 also serve as a connector for connecting a bus circuit. Each of the units UA, UB, and UC is provided with a first connector 52 on a surface opposite to the panel body P.

In the connection and connection methods shown in FIGS. 17 and 18, no matter which unit is selected according to the panel body P (according to the type of vehicle or its grade), the units can easily be connected to each other and the units can be easily connected. Connection and connection between the panel body P and the panel body P can be easily obtained. Further, the connection to the vehicle body side connector 53 can be easily obtained irrespective of changing the vertical position of each unit.

For example, when the second connector 53 on the vehicle body side is arranged at the height position of the lowermost unit UC, it is not necessary to provide a unit at the height position of the lowermost unit UC. Using a separate dummy unit (having a frame constituting the outer shape and concave and convex portions 88, 89, 91 and connectors 52 for connection and connection) and a connector corresponding to the vehicle body side connector 53, , And the connector 52 may be necessarily positioned. In addition, each of the units UA to UC may be provided with a projection 91 for connection and connection with the panel body P. Of course, the formation relationship between each concave portion and the convex portion may be set to be opposite to that shown in the figure.

In order to strengthen the connection of the unit to the panel body P, a fixing device such as a screw may be separately used. That is, as shown in FIG. 19, a short mounting bracket 92 extending, for example, to the left and right is projected from the mounting surface on the panel body P side of each unit.
3 is opened, and the screw portion of the screw 94 is
, And then screwed into a screw hole formed on the back surface of the panel body P. When such a connection method is adopted, the case body 17 as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 can be eliminated, and the connection using the case body 17 can also be performed.

[Explanation of FIG. 20] FIG. 20 is a diagram for obtaining an assembly of a unit and a panel body corresponding to a difference in grade of a vehicle from a plurality of control units and a plurality of panel bodies prepared in advance. 3 conceptually shows the situation. In FIG. 20, five types of control units U11 to U15 are prepared. The plurality of units U11 to U
The combination of units selected from 15 is K1 to K
There are a total of six types. And the panel body is K
A total of six types are prepared corresponding to the six types 1 to K6.

One of the unit combinations K1 to K6 is selected according to the grade of the vehicle. Similarly, depending on the grade, a plurality of panel bodies P11
One panel body is selected from P16. Then, any one combination of the selected K1 to K5,
Any one of the selected panel bodies P11 to P16 is connected and connected to each other to form KP1 to KP.
6 is obtained, and this assembly is mounted on a vehicle.

The assemblies KP1 to KP6 can be prepared in advance. That is, when considering a grade as a reference, a combination of units is selected according to the grade (one of K1 to K6 is selected), and
The panel body is selected according to the grade (P11 to P1
6 is selected), and the combination of the selected unit and the selected panel body are connected and connected to obtain assemblies P11 to P16.

When considering the combinations K1 to K6,
A required panel body is selected according to this combination (P1
1 to P16), and an assembly (KP11 to KP16) corresponding to the combination of units is obtained. When considering the panel bodies P11 to P16 as a reference, a combination of units corresponding to the panel bodies is selected (K1 to P16).
One is selected from K5), and the assemblies KP11 to KP16 corresponding to the panel body are obtained.

The number of combinations according to the number (type) of units may be the same as the number of units, may be smaller than the number of units, or may be larger than the number of units. In general, the same number (types) of panel bodies as the number of combinations are prepared. For example, by using the panel body of the upper grade as the panel body of the lower grade, the number of the combinations is reduced. It is also possible to reduce the number of unnecessary openings (unnecessary openings are covered with blind covers, or some switches are not used).
Of course, the number (kind) of units, the number (kind) of combinations, and the number (kind) of panel bodies are not limited to the number (kind) shown in FIG. The greater the number of combinations and the number of combinations, the greater the advantages of the present invention.

Although the embodiment has been described above, the present invention is not limited to this, and includes, for example, the following cases. The units connected to and connected to the panel body P are not limited to those shown in the figure, and may include, in addition, a vehicle control unit, an engine control unit, a control unit for an automatic transmission, an ABS control unit, an automobile control unit, Steering control unit, anti-theft control unit, vehicle height adjustment control unit, driver identification control unit (for example, identification using an ID card), lighting control unit for vehicle lamps, etc. it can.
In this case, depending on the control unit, at least one of the output unit and the input unit may be provided on the panel body P and arranged at a position away from the panel body P (the panel body P Is not linked). In particular, it is preferable not to connect the panel unit P to a control unit having a small number of input units such as switches operated by the occupant.

The panel body P is not equipped with a relatively expensive CPU, and the CPU and the RO associated therewith are not provided.
Ancillary electronic components such as M may be formed separately from the panel body P as a common control unit, and connected and connected to the panel body P. In this case, a signal from a switch provided on the panel body P is temporarily output to another control unit via the common control unit, and the operation status of the other control unit is determined via the common control unit. May be transmitted to the output unit. However, since the image signal for navigation has a large transmission signal amount, the output of the panel body P from the navigation control unit does not need to pass through the common control unit in order to reduce the load on the common control unit. It is preferable to output directly to the unit (display).

A supported portion is constituted by the fitting projection 18 and a supporting portion is constituted by the support member 14 and the fitting hole 15. The fitting projection 18 is provided on the vehicle body side to control the fitting hole 15. It may be provided on the device assembly KP side. The fitting protrusion 18 provided on the control device assembly KP side may be formed separately from the control unit, for example, and fixed to the control unit by a fixture or the like.

The guide member 13 is not limited to a flat plate shape, and may guide the control device assembly KP by, for example, a groove type or a rail type. The position at which the guide member 13 is provided can be appropriately selected such as to the side or above the control device assembly KP (control unit thereof) incorporated in the instrument panel 1, but in any case. Even if there is, it is preferable to set so as to support the weight of the control device assembly KP that is being inserted.

The second connector 53 may be temporarily fixed, that is, held in a low position, by urging the second connector 53 downward with an elastic body capable of being elastically deformed in the vertical direction. The objects of the present invention are not limited to those specified,
It implies to provide what is described as substantially preferred or advantageous. In addition, the present invention can be expressed as a method of mounting the vehicle control device.

[0075]

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example in which the present invention is applied to an instrument panel.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a main part of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a side cross-sectional view illustrating a state where the control device assembly is being assembled to an instrument panel.

FIG. 4 is a side sectional view showing a state where the control device assembly has been assembled to the instrument panel.

FIG. 5 is a side sectional view showing a first fitting example of the supported portion and the support portion.

FIG. 6 is a side sectional view showing a second example of fitting between the supported portion and the support portion.

FIG. 7 is a side sectional view showing a third fitting example of the supported portion and the support portion.

FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view showing a preferred example of supporting the second connector.

FIG. 9 is a side view showing a temporary fixing example of the second connector.

FIG. 10 is a side view showing a state where the temporary fixing of FIG. 9 is released.

FIG. 11 is a side view showing a preferred example of releasing the temporary fixing of the second connector.

FIG. 12 is a system diagram showing a connection example of a panel body and a control unit and the like.

FIG. 13 is a system diagram showing a connection example of a panel body and a control unit and the like.

FIG. 14 is a system diagram showing a connection example of a panel body and a control unit and the like.

FIG. 15 is a simplified side view showing an example of a connection relationship between a plurality of units and a panel body.

FIG. 16 is a simplified side view showing an example of a connection relationship between a plurality of units and a panel body.

FIG. 17 is a simplified side view showing an example of a connection and connection relationship between a plurality of units and a panel body.

FIG. 18 is an exploded side view, partially in section, of FIG. 17;

FIG. 19 is a perspective view showing details of the unit shown in FIGS. 17 and 18;

FIG. 20 is an explanatory view showing a situation where a required assembly is obtained from a plurality of control units and a plurality of panel bodies.

[Description of sign]

 1: Instrument panel 2: Opening 5: Display (output unit) 7: Switch group (for audio-input unit) 8: Switch group (for air-conditioning control-input unit) 13: Guide member 14: Support member 15 : Fitting hole 17: Case body (for connection and connection) 18: Fitting projection (non-supporting part) 19: Fixture 32: Supporting projection 32 a: Extended projection (weakened part) 33: Bracket 34: Support leg 35: Opening 35a: Extension opening 34a: Step (locking part) S1 to S7, S11 to S17: Switch (input part) 52: First connector (assembly side) 53: Second connector (vehicle side) 54: Steering support member U1-U3: Control unit UA-UC: Control unit U11-U15: Control unit P: Panel body P11-P16: Panel body K1-K6: Combination of units KP: Control device assembly KP1 to KP6: Control device assembly

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Kunihiko Matsumura, Inventor 3-1, Fuchu-cho, Shinchu, Aki-gun, Hiroshima Mazda Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Hiroshi Omura 3-1, Fuchi-cho, Fuchu-cho, Aki, Hiroshima Mazda Inside

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A panel body having an output portion for an occupant and an input portion operated by the occupant on the front side, and each of the panel bodies is formed separately from the panel body, and the panel body is formed on the back side of the panel body. A plurality of control units connected to each other, wherein the control unit is operated in response to an operation of the input unit, and an operation state of at least some of the control units is set to be output to the output unit. A mounting structure of a vehicle control device for mounting a control device assembly to a vehicle, wherein the plurality of control units are housed in the instrument panel through an opening formed in an instrument panel, and the panel body is The control device assembly is mounted on the instrument panel by covering the opening to form a part of the instrument panel. When the control device assembly is assembled to the instrument panel, a supported portion provided on a back surface of the control device assembly is supported by a vehicle body side support provided in the instrument panel. The control device assembly is set so that the weight of the control device assembly is supported by the support portion, and when the control device assembly is incorporated into the instrument panel, A guide member for guiding the supported portion toward the support portion is provided, and as the fitting of the supported portion to the support portion progresses, the control device assembly separates upward from the guide member. A fitting relationship between the supported portion and the supporting portion is set in the vehicle control device. 2. The control device assembly according to claim 1, further comprising: a centering type first connector provided on the control device assembly; and a centering type second connector supported on a vehicle body side in the instrument panel. When the control device assembly is assembled into the instrument panel, the first connector is connected to the second connector while the control device assembly is guided by the guide member so that the control device assembly is aligned. , The positional relationship between the first connector and the second connector is set,
A mounting structure for a vehicle control device, comprising: 3. The assembly according to claim 2, wherein the second connector is temporarily fixed to a vehicle body, and the second connector is in an assembled state in which the supported portion is completely fitted to the support portion. A mounting structure for a control device for a vehicle, characterized in that the temporary fixing is released and the second connector is set in a floating state in a vertical direction with respect to the vehicle body. 4. The second connector according to claim 3, wherein the second connector is supported on the vehicle body such that the second connector is vertically displaceable but not longitudinally displaceable. The temporary connector is released, and the second connector is connected to the flow connector.
Wherein the second connector is moved up and down in accordance with the up and down movement of the control device assembly while the displacement in the front-rear direction is regulated when the control device assembly is moved up and down. Control device mounting structure. 5. The temporary fixing state according to claim 3, wherein the temporary fixing state is displaced upward by a weakening portion provided on the second connector being locked by a locking portion provided on the vehicle body side. When the external force is applied to the second connector upward, the weakened portion is broken, and the second connector is displaced upward from the temporary fixing state. A mounting structure for a control device for a vehicle. 6. The vehicle body according to claim 2, wherein the second connector is rotatable around an axis extending in the left-right direction at least in a state where connection with the first connector is completed. A mounting structure for a vehicle control device, which is supported on a side of the vehicle. 7. The steering device according to claim 1, wherein the support portion and the guide member are respectively fixed to a steering support member arranged in the instrument panel. Mounting structure for a vehicle control device. 8. The instrument panel according to claim 1, wherein an outer peripheral edge of the panel body is fixed to the instrument panel by a fixing tool with the panel body covering the opening. Mounting structure for a vehicle control device, wherein the mounting structure is fixed.