US20010016432A1 - Vehicle center cluster assembling structure with electrical connection - Google Patents
Vehicle center cluster assembling structure with electrical connection Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20010016432A1 US20010016432A1 US09/779,949 US77994901A US2001016432A1 US 20010016432 A1 US20010016432 A1 US 20010016432A1 US 77994901 A US77994901 A US 77994901A US 2001016432 A1 US2001016432 A1 US 2001016432A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- electrical
- electrical devices
- circuit substrate
- holding member
- vehicle
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Granted
Links
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Images
Classifications
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- B60K35/10—
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60H—ARRANGEMENTS OF HEATING, COOLING, VENTILATING OR OTHER AIR-TREATING DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR PASSENGER OR GOODS SPACES OF VEHICLES
- B60H1/00—Heating, cooling or ventilating [HVAC] devices
- B60H1/00642—Control systems or circuits; Control members or indication devices for heating, cooling or ventilating devices
- B60H1/00985—Control systems or circuits characterised by display or indicating devices, e.g. voice simulators
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- B60K35/50—
-
- B60K35/60—
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60K—ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PROPULSION UNITS OR OF TRANSMISSIONS IN VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PLURAL DIVERSE PRIME-MOVERS IN VEHICLES; AUXILIARY DRIVES FOR VEHICLES; INSTRUMENTATION OR DASHBOARDS FOR VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH COOLING, AIR INTAKE, GAS EXHAUST OR FUEL SUPPLY OF PROPULSION UNITS IN VEHICLES
- B60K37/00—Dashboards
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B60R11/00—Arrangements for holding or mounting articles, not otherwise provided for
- B60R11/02—Arrangements for holding or mounting articles, not otherwise provided for for radio sets, television sets, telephones, or the like; Arrangement of controls thereof
-
- B60K2360/774—
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B60R11/00—Arrangements for holding or mounting articles, not otherwise provided for
- B60R11/02—Arrangements for holding or mounting articles, not otherwise provided for for radio sets, television sets, telephones, or the like; Arrangement of controls thereof
- B60R11/0211—Arrangements for holding or mounting articles, not otherwise provided for for radio sets, television sets, telephones, or the like; Arrangement of controls thereof for record carriers apparatus, e.g. video recorders, tape players or CD players
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B60R11/00—Arrangements for holding or mounting articles, not otherwise provided for
- B60R11/02—Arrangements for holding or mounting articles, not otherwise provided for for radio sets, television sets, telephones, or the like; Arrangement of controls thereof
- B60R11/0229—Arrangements for holding or mounting articles, not otherwise provided for for radio sets, television sets, telephones, or the like; Arrangement of controls thereof for displays, e.g. cathodic tubes
- B60R11/0235—Arrangements for holding or mounting articles, not otherwise provided for for radio sets, television sets, telephones, or the like; Arrangement of controls thereof for displays, e.g. cathodic tubes of flat type, e.g. LCD
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B60R11/00—Arrangements for holding or mounting articles, not otherwise provided for
- B60R11/02—Arrangements for holding or mounting articles, not otherwise provided for for radio sets, television sets, telephones, or the like; Arrangement of controls thereof
- B60R11/0264—Arrangements for holding or mounting articles, not otherwise provided for for radio sets, television sets, telephones, or the like; Arrangement of controls thereof for control means
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B60R11/00—Arrangements for holding or mounting articles, not otherwise provided for
- B60R2011/0001—Arrangements for holding or mounting articles, not otherwise provided for characterised by position
- B60R2011/0003—Arrangements for holding or mounting articles, not otherwise provided for characterised by position inside the vehicle
- B60R2011/0005—Dashboard
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B60R11/00—Arrangements for holding or mounting articles, not otherwise provided for
- B60R2011/0042—Arrangements for holding or mounting articles, not otherwise provided for characterised by mounting means
- B60R2011/0043—Arrangements for holding or mounting articles, not otherwise provided for characterised by mounting means for integrated articles, i.e. not substantially protruding from the surrounding parts
- B60R2011/0045—Arrangements for holding or mounting articles, not otherwise provided for characterised by mounting means for integrated articles, i.e. not substantially protruding from the surrounding parts with visible part, e.g. flush mounted
- B60R2011/0047—Arrangements for holding or mounting articles, not otherwise provided for characterised by mounting means for integrated articles, i.e. not substantially protruding from the surrounding parts with visible part, e.g. flush mounted using hidden fastening means
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B60R11/00—Arrangements for holding or mounting articles, not otherwise provided for
- B60R11/02—Arrangements for holding or mounting articles, not otherwise provided for for radio sets, television sets, telephones, or the like; Arrangement of controls thereof
- B60R2011/0288—Apparatus made of several modules independently mounted
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a center cluster assembling structure in which a plurality of electrical devices disposed nearly centrally in a transverse direction of a vehicular instrument panel, such as an audio unit, a display unit, a navigation unit, and an air-conditioning operating unit, are clustered as an integral structure.
- a vehicular instrument panel such as an audio unit, a display unit, a navigation unit, and an air-conditioning operating unit
- the present invention relates to an electrical connection structure of the electrical devices.
- a center cluster 101 is constructed by an audio unit 140 and an air-conditioning operating unit 180 which are disposed centrally in a transverse direction (width direction) of a vehicular instrument panel.
- switch portions (not shown) of operating members 140 S for operating the audio unit 140 , a CD deck 142 , and a main electrical circuit substrate 161 are fixed within a case 107 by clamping means such as screws.
- Brackets 108 mounted sideways of the case 107 are clamped respectively to instrument panel-side mounting members 109 by bolts 108 a to hold the audio unit 140 in the vehicular instrument panel.
- the case 107 includes a case body 107 a which is formed into a box shape using a sheet metal, an ornamental panel 107 b made of resin and covering an opening of the case body 107 a, opened toward an inside of a passenger compartment, and a heat radiating fin 107 c which contacts a power IC 161 a formed on the main electrical circuit substrate 161 and which functions to radiate heat from the power IC 161 a.
- the operating members 140 S having the switch portions are disposed so as to be exposed directly into the passenger compartment from apertures formed in the ornament panel 107 b.
- the ornamental panel 107 b and the heat radiating fin 107 c are fastened to the case body 107 a using screws 107 d from both side and rear portions of the case body 107 a.
- a frame-shaped front panel 110 is fitted on outer edges of the cases 107 of the audio unit 140 and the air-conditioning operating unit 180 from the inside of the passenger compartment so that the brackets 108 and the like are hidden from the interior of the passenger compartment.
- the air-conditioning operating unit 180 is an obstacle to removal of the ornamental panel 107 b because it is disposed just above the screws 107 d.
- the ornamental panel 110 is removed and the case 107 is removed from the instrument panel-side mounting members 109 , then the ornamental panel 107 b or the heat radiating fin 107 c is removed from the case body 108 a , and thereafter the CD deck 142 and the main electrical circuit substrate 161 are removed from the case body 107 a.
- the present invention in an assembling structure of a center cluster disposed inside a dashboard of a vehicle at an approximate center portion in a vehicle right-left direction, electrical devices are assembled to a holding member to be respectively detachable from an inside of a passenger compartment of the vehicle while the holding member is fixed to the dashboard. Therefore, when one of the electrical devices (e.g., a deck) is removed from the center cluster, only the one of the electrical devices can be detached from the holding member without detaching the other electrical devices, in a state where the holding member is fixed to the dashboard.
- the electrical devices e.g., a deck
- the center cluster when the center cluster is assembled to the vehicle, first, the holding member is fixed to the dashboard from the inside of the passenger compartment, and then the electrical devices are respectively assembled to the holding member from the inside of the passenger compartment.
- any one of the electrical devices can be readily removed from the passenger compartment, and removing operation of the electrical device can be made simple.
- the electrical deck and the electrical circuit substrate are disposed to be stacked in a vertical direction. Therefore, the electrical deck and the electrical circuit substrate can be readily removed from the passenger compartment, among the electrical devices.
- the electrical devices have front side surfaces opposite to the inside of the passenger compartment in a vehicle front-rear direction, the front side surfaces of the electrical devices have engagement portions, respectively, being detachably engaged with engagement portions of the holding member, and at least one of the engagement portions of the electrical devices and the engagements of the holding member is elastically deformed while being engaged. Therefore, the electrical devices and the holding member can be fitted by an elastic deformation. Accordingly, the electrical devices can be readily detachably assembled to the holding member fixed to the dashboard.
- a wire harness for supplying electrical power to the electrical devices is electrically connected to one electrical device through a connection portion disposed at a vehicle rear side position of the one electrical device, and an ornamental panel is disposed at a vehicle rear side of the connection portion and the electrical devices and is assembled to be detachable from the inside of the passenger compartment. Accordingly, the electrical devices, the wire harness and the connection portion can be covered by the ornamental panel to be prevented from being exposed into the passenger compartment. Further, because the connection portion is disposed at the vehicle rear side of the one electrical device, the wire harness can be readily connected to or removed from the electrical device from the passenger compartment when the ornamental panel is removed from the passenger compartment. As a result, electrical connection operation and electrical removing operation between the wire harness and the electrical device can be readily accurately performed.
- an operating circuit substrate having an operating member is provided at a vehicle rear side of the electrical devices to operate the electrical devices from the inside of the passenger compartment, the electrical devices are electrically connected to the operating circuit substrate, and the electrical devices are electrically connected from each other through a printed circuit on the operating circuit substrate. Therefore, the electrical connection structure of the electrical devices of the center cluster can be made simple. Accordingly, assembling operation of the center cluster on the vehicle and removing operation of the center cluster from the vehicle can be made easy, with the simple electrical connection of the electrical devices.
- FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a center cluster when being viewed from a vehicle rear side, according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention
- FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the center cluster when being viewed from a vehicle front side, according to the first embodiment
- FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the center cluster when being viewed from a vehicle rear side, according to the first embodiment
- FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of a center cluster when being viewed from a vehicle front side, according to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention
- FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the center cluster when being viewed from a vehicle rear side, according to the second embodiment
- FIG. 6 is a sectional view showing an operating circuit substrate according the second embodiment
- FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of a center cluster when being viewed from a vehicle front side, according to a third preferred embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the center cluster when being viewed from a vehicle rear side, according to the first embodiment
- FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view of a center cluster when being viewed from a vehicle front side, according to a modification of the present invention.
- FIG. 10A is a front view of a center cluster when being viewed from a vehicle rear side according to an another modification of the present invention
- FIG. 10B is a side view of the center cluster when being viewed from a vehicle right side according to the another modification;
- FIG. 11A is an exploded perspective view of a conventional center cluster when being viewed from a vehicle rear side
- FIG. 11B is an exploded perspective view of the conventional center cluster when being viewed from a vehicle front side.
- FIGS. 1 - 3 A first preferred embodiment of the present invention will be now described with reference to FIGS. 1 - 3 .
- FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a center cluster 1 when being viewed from an inside of a vehicular passenger compartment (i.e., from a rear side of a vehicle).
- a plurality of electrical devices including a display unit 30 , an audio unit 40 and a navigation unit 60 , which will be described later, are clustered as an integral structure.
- the center cluster 1 is disposed centrally in a width direction of an instrument panel 100 .
- FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the center cluster 1 as seen from a front side of the vehicle
- FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective of the center cluster 1 as seen from a rear side of the vehicle.
- an ornamental panel (front panel) 10 , an operating circuit substrate 20 , and the display unit 30 are assembled as an integral structure and constitute a panel cluster 2 .
- the ornamental panel 10 is a resinous panel which covers the electrical devices 30 , 40 and 60 from the inside of the passenger compartment (rear side of the vehicle).
- the ornamental panel 10 is provided with plural apertures 10 a for insertion therein of operating members 40 S, 60 S and 80 S for operating the electrical devices 30 , 40 and 60 , and a liquid display portion 30 b of the display unit 30 .
- an operation member for operating the liquid display portion 30 b is not indicated.
- ornamental panel mounting lugs 10 b are formed at four positions.
- the mounting lugs 10 b projects to the vehicular front side, and can be vertically deformed elastically.
- the ornamental mounting lugs 10 b while being vertically deformed elastically, come into engagement with a holding member 50 to be described later to fasten the panel cluster 2 to the holding member 50 .
- the object to be engaged with the panel cluster 2 is not limited to the holding member 50 , but may be the instrument panel 100 .
- the operating circuit substrate 20 is disposed at a vehicular front side of the ornamental panel 10 in parallel with the ornamental panel 10 , and is provided with various electronic components (not shown). On both side surfaces of the operating circuit substrate 20 , printed circuits (not shown) of conductor patterns are formed. Through the printed circuits, the electrical devices 30 , 40 and 60 are electrically connected from each other on the operating circuit substrate 20 .
- operating members 40 S, 60 S and 80 S such as operating buttons, levers, or switches, which are connected to the printed circuits.
- the operating members 40 S, 60 S and 80 S are operated by the driver or a front passenger in the passenger compartment to operate the display unit 30 , the audio unit 40 and the navigation unit 60 to be described later.
- the operation member for operating the display unit 30 is not indicated in FIGS. 1 - 3 .
- the operating members 80 S is of an air-conditioning operating unit (not shown) which controls an air-conditioning operation (not shown) electronically.
- a display member 20 f (e.g., an electroluminescent display or a liquid crystal display), for displaying an operating condition of an air conditioner, is provided.
- operating circuit substrate-side connectors 20 b, 20 c and 20 d for electrical connection with the electrical devices 30 , 40 and 60 are provided.
- the connectors 20 b, 20 c and 20 d are connected to the printed circuits.
- the operating circuit substrate-side connectors 20 b, 20 c and 20 d are electrically connected with each other to permit the transfer of signals.
- Tapping screws are inserted into fastening holes 20 e formed in the operating circuit substrate 20 to fasten the substrate 20 to the ornamental panel 10 , and the operating members 40 S, 60 S, 80 S and the EL display 20 f are inserted into the apertures 10 a of the ornamental panel 10 to be exposed directly to the inside of the passenger compartment.
- the display unit 30 is for displaying various images, e.g., navigation maps and televisional images, to the vehicle driver or other passengers if any.
- the liquid crystal display portion 30 b of the display unit 30 is exposed directly to the interior of the passenger compartment from the associated aperture 10 a.
- the vehicular front side of the display unit 30 is provided with a flexible cable 31 for communication of image data, etc.
- the flexible cable 31 is connected to the connector 20 b of the operating circuit substrate 20 to effect intercommunication of image data, and the like, between the display unit 30 and the operating circuit substrate 20 .
- a display holding member 33 is formed into a plate like, and is disposed on the vehicular front side of the display unit 30 .
- the display holding member 33 is fixed to the display unit 30 using clamping means such as screws.
- An outer edge of the display holding member 33 is provided with four mounting pieces 33 a extending toward the ornamental panel 10 . By fastening the mounting pieces 33 a to the ornamental panel 10 with clamping means such as tapping screws, the display unit 30 is held in the ornamental panel 10 .
- the panel cluster 2 is constructed by mounting the operating circuit substrate 20 and the display unit 30 to the ornamental panel 10 .
- the holding member 50 is disposed on a vehicular front side of the panel cluster 2 for holding the whole of the center cluster 1 in the instrument panel 100 .
- the holding member 50 is formed by a rectangular plate in a shape of a frame having a central rectangular opening 50 b.
- the holding member 50 is made of a light metal (e.g., magnesium alloy).
- a suitable light metal is one having a thermal conductivity higher than that of a first integrated substrate 61 to be described later and having an earthing property and an electromagnetic shielding property for the first and second integrated substrates 61 , 62 .
- the holding member 50 is disposed so that its plate surface is perpendicular to the vehicular front-rear direction and bolts 9 a are inserted into bolt inserting holes (mounting portions) 50 a formed in the four corners of the holding member 50 to fasten the holding member 50 to instrument panel-side mounting brackets 9 .
- Decks (electrical device components) 41 - 43 as well as the first and second integrated substrates (electrical device components) 61 , 62 , are inserted into the opening 50 b of the holding member 50 in a vertically stacked fashion from the vehicular rear side (i.e., from the inside of the passenger compartment).
- guide portions 51 extending toward the vehicular rear side are provided to guide both right and left side surfaces of the decks 41 - 43 until the opening 50 b.
- a stopper portion 52 is formed into a U-shape to extend toward the vehicular front side and to contact vehicular front sides of the decks 41 - 43 .
- a connecting portion 53 is formed into a U-shape to extend toward the vehicular front side and to be connected mechanically with the first integrated substrate 61 .
- insertion holes (holding member-side fitting portions) 52 a, 52 b and 52 c into which projections 41 b, 42 b and 43 c of the decks 41 - 43 are inserted are provided.
- the audio unit 40 is disposed on a vehicular front side of the operating circuit substrate 20 .
- the audio unit 40 includes a MD deck 41 for reading an audio signal from an MD (mini disc), a CD deck 42 for reading an audio signal from a CD (compact disc), the first and second integrated substrates 61 , 62 which control the audio unit 40 electronically through an ECU 60 b, and the operating members 40 S.
- the first and second integrated substrates 61 , 62 also function to control the navigation unit 60 electronically and further control the electrical devices 30 , 40 and 60 synthetically. Further details will be described later.
- the MD deck 41 , the CD deck 42 , and the first and second integrated substrates 61 , 62 are stacked vertically.
- disc inserting slots 41 a and 42 a are formed so as to be exposed directly to the interior of the passenger compartment from the associated apertures 10 a formed in the ornamental panel 10 .
- Deck-side connectors (components-side connectors) 40 a are provided respectively in the MD deck 41 and the CD deck 42 opposite to the operating circuit substrate 20 .
- the connectors 40 a are inserted in the vehicular front-rear direction into the substrate-side connectors 20 c of the substrate 20 and are thus connected directly without the use of wiring.
- the navigation unit 60 includes the first and second integrated substrates 61 , 62 described above, a DVD deck 43 for reading signals such as map data signals for navigation from a DVD (digital video disc), and the operating members 60 S 20 described above.
- the second integrated substrate 62 , the first integrated substrate 61 , and the DVD deck 43 are stacked successively above the CD deck 42 .
- connecting portions 43 d extending upward for connection with the first and second integrated substrates 61 , 62 , respectively, are formed.
- a connecting member 63 is disposed on the vehicular front side of both substrates 61 and 62 . Both the substrates 61 and 62 and the DVD deck 43 are connected together mechanically through the connecting member 63 and the connecting portions 43 d of the DVD deck 43 by fastening means such as screws.
- the first and second integrated substrates 61 , 62 are connected together electrically by a first integrated substrate-side connector (not shown) and a second integrated substrate-side connector 62 a which are provided on the sides opposed to each other of the substrates 61 , 62 .
- the second integrated substrate 62 and the DVD deck 43 are electrically connected together by a second integrated substrate underside connector 62 b and a DVD deck-side connector 43 b which are provided on the sides opposed to each other of the substrate 52 and the deck 43 .
- a power IC (electronic component) 61 a which generates heat is provided on the vehicular front side of the first integrated substrate 61 .
- the power IC 61 a is disposed so as to contact the connecting portion 53 of the holding member 50 .
- a connector 61 b for a harness connection is connected to a connector 6 a of a vehicle-side wire harness 6 on the vehicular front side of the first integrated circuit 61 .
- a navigation unit-side connector (component-side connector) 60 a is provided on the vehicular rear side of the second integrated substrate 62 .
- the connector 60 a is connected electrically to the substrate-side connector 20 d of the operating circuit substrate 20 .
- the first and second integrated substrates 61 , 62 and the holding member 50 are connected together electrically, and the substrates 61 and 62 are earthed through the holding member 50 , whereby voltage variations on the electronic components mounted on the substrates 61 and 62 are suppressed and a stable voltage is applied to the electronic components.
- the DVD deck 43 is provided with a disc inserting slot 43 a, a projection 43 c, and a deck mounting portion 43 e.
- a dust-proof case 70 is formed into a box shape.
- the dust-proof case 70 is secured to the vehicular front side of the holding member 50 using fastening means such as screws.
- a wire harness aperture 70 a is formed in the vehicular front-side surface of the dust-proof case 70 , and the connector 6 a of the wire harness 6 is inserted into the aperture 70 a to be connected to the harness connecting connector 61 b of the first integrated substrate 61 .
- the vehicle-side wire harness 6 disposed inside the instrument panel 100 includes a plurality of electrical wires distributed from a single integrated electrical wire bundle (not shown) of a large number of trunk electrical wires for power supply and transfer of electrical signals to various portions of the vehicle.
- the supply of electrical power, as well as the input of ignition switch ON-OFF signals and head lamp and small lamp ON-OFF signals are performed to be sent to the center cluster 1 from the integrated electrical wire bundle through the vehicle-side wire harness 6 .
- signals for an audio receiving antenna disposed outside the passenger compartment and adapted to expand and contract electrically, and signals for speakers are output.
- Earth wire is also included in the vehicle-side wire harness 6 .
- the display unit 30 , the MD deck 41 , the CD deck 42 , the second integrated substrate 62 and the operating members 40 S, 60 S, 80 S are electrically connected with each other through the operating circuit substrate 20 .
- the first integrated substrate 61 is electrically connected to the second integrated substrate 62
- the DVD deck 43 is electrically connected to the first integrated substrate 61 .
- electrical power which is supplied from the vehicle-side wire harness 6 via the second integrated substrate 62 , as well as various electrical signals, are transmitted to the display unit 30 , the audio unit 40 , and the navigation unit 60 .
- various 20 electrical signals communicate with each other among the electrical devices 30 , 40 , and 60 .
- Electrical signals transmitted from the CD deck 42 to the operating circuit substrate 20 are a CD-ON detection signal indicating that a CD has been inserted into the inserting slot 42 a of the CD deck 42 , a power ON requesting signal calling for the application of power to the CD deck 42 , a right-hand aural signal for output from the right-hand speaker, and a left-hand aural signal for output from the left-hand speaker.
- the electrical devices 30 , 40 , and 60 operate in accordance with these signals.
- electrical signals e.g., an operational signal for determining an operating condition of the CD deck 42 in accordance with operation of an operator
- electrical signals produced from the operating switch 40 S and the like are transmitted.
- 5 V power, 8 V power, and power for a backup memory are supplied.
- earth wires for power supply and for electrical signals are connected to the CD deck 42 .
- Other transmission/reception signals include communication signals (e.g., TAB communication) based on a common protocol. For example, information on CD is transmitted to the display unit 30 , allowing the information to be displayed.
- the holding member 50 with the dust-proof case 70 attached thereto is fixed to the instrument panel-side mounting member 9 from the inside of the passenger compartment.
- the first and second integrated substrates 61 , 25 62 and the DVD deck 43 are connected together by the connecting member 63 and the connecting portion 43 d of the DVD deck 43 .
- the decks 41 - 43 are inserted into the opening 50 b of the holding member 50 from the inside of the passenger compartment. Further, the projections 41 b, 42 b and 43 c are inserted into the insertion holes 52 a, 52 b and 52 c, respectively.
- the mounting portions 41 c, 42 c and 43 e of the decks 41 - 43 contact the guide portions 51 . Thereafter, the mounting portions 41 c, 42 c and 43 e are clamped to the guide portions 51 by the fastening means such as screws, so that the decks 41 - 43 are held in the holding member 50 .
- the connector 6 a of the vehicle-side wire harness 6 is connected to the connector 61 b of the first integrated substrate 61 .
- the panel cluster 2 which is constructed by mounting the operating circuit substrate 20 and the display unit 30 beforehand to the ornamental panel 10 , is attached to the holding member 50 from the inside of the passenger compartment so as to cover the decks 41 - 43 and the substrates 61 and 62 .
- the ornamental panel mounting lugs 10 b of the ornamental panel 10 are engaged with upper and lower end portions of the holding member 50 , respectively.
- the substrate-side connectors 20 c and 20 d of the operating circuit substrate 20 are connected with the deck-side connector 40 a and the navigation-side connector 60 a simultaneously with the mounting of the panel cluster 2 to the holding member 50 .
- a replacing operation of replacing only the CD deck 42 will be explained.
- the panel cluster 2 is pulled out toward the inside of the passenger compartment against the elastic force of the ornamental panel mounting lugs 10 b.
- the connectors 20 c and 20 d are removed from the deck-side connector 40 a and the navigation-side connector 60 a.
- the fastening means used in the mounting portions 42 c of the CD deck 42 are removed and the projection 42 b is pulled out from the insertion hole 52 b, whereby the CD deck 42 alone is pulled out toward the inside of the passenger compartment from the holding member 50 .
- a desired component e.g., CD deck 42
- the decks 41 - 43 and the first and second integrated substrates 61 , 62 can be removed from the inside of the passenger compartment in a fastened state of the holding member 50 to the instrument panel-side mounting members 9 . Therefore, such heavy object for manual works as the work of removing the whole of the audio unit and the case assembling/disassembling work can be omitted and the work for removing the electrical device components 61 , 62 and 41 - 43 from the center cluster 1 can be made easier.
- the holding member 50 can have the function of cooling the power IC 61 a. Because the holding member 50 thus has the function of cooling the power IC 61 a in addition to the function of holding the center cluster 1 in the instrument panel 100 , it is not necessary to provide a specific cooling member for the power IC 61 a and hence it is possible to simplify the structure.
- the holding member 50 is formed of a material (e.g., magnesium alloy) having an electromagnetic shielding property, it is possible to cut off electromagnetic wave noises from the exterior of the substrates 61 and 62 and prevent leakage to the exterior of electromagnetic wave noises generated from the substrates 61 and 62 .
- the holding member 50 can have an electromagnetic shielding function for the first and second integrated substrates 61 , 62 .
- the substrates 61 and 62 are earthed through the holding member 50 , the holding member 50 can also be endowed with an earthing function for the substrates 61 and 62 .
- the bolt inserting holes 50 a is formed in the holding member 50 to be clamped to the instrument panel-side mounting brackets 9 , it is not necessary to provide brackets separated from the holding member 50 . Therefore, the number of components can be decreased and it is possible to attain a structural simplification and weight reduction of the center cluster 1 .
- the projections 41 b , 42 b and 43 c of the decks 41 - 43 are inserted into the insertion holes 52 a , 52 b and 52 c of the holding member 50 .
- the projections 41 b , 42 b and 43 c may be formed by resin molding to undergo an elastic deformation in a direction perpendicular to their projecting direction, allowing the projections 41 b , 42 b and 43 b to be deformed elastically and be fitted in the insertion holes 52 a , 52 b and 52 c , respectively, and allowing the fastening means 41 c, 42 c and 43 e to be omitted.
- projecting portions supporting the decks 41 - 43 from below may be formed inside the guide portions 51 . Accordingly, the decks 41 - 43 can be mounted to the holding member 50 which is in a fixed state to the instrument panel 100 , easily and detachably from the inside of the passenger compartment.
- FIGS. 4 - 6 A second preferred embodiment of the present invention will be now described with reference to FIGS. 4 - 6 .
- a plurality of electrical devices including the display unit 30 , the audio unit 40 and the navigation unit 60 are clustered as an integral structure.
- the ornamental panel 10 , the operating circuit substrate 20 and the display unit 30 are assembled as an integral structure and construct a panel cluster 2 .
- the operating circuit substrate 20 is disposed at a vehicle front side of the ornamental panel 10 in parallel with the ornamental panel 10 .
- FIG. 6 shows a sectional surface of the operating circuit substrate 20 , perpendicular to the vehicle width direction (vehicle right-left direction).
- Printed circuits 20 p of conductor patterns are provided on both surfaces of the operating circuit substrate 20 , and a through hole 20 q is provided in the operating circuit substrate 20 for conducting the printed circuits 20 p.
- operating members 40 S, 60 S and 80 S such as operating buttons, levers, or switches, which are connected to the printed circuits 20 p, are provided.
- operating circuit substrate-side connectors 20 b, 20 c and 20 d for electrical connection with the electrical devices 20 , 40 and 60 are provided.
- the connectors 20 b, 20 c and 20 d are connected to the printed circuits 20 p.
- Terminal pins 20 t of the operating members 40 S, 60 S, 80 S and the connectors 20 b, 20 c, 20 d are soldered to the printed circuits 20 p so that connectors 20 b, 20 c, 20 d are electrically connected with each other.
- the operating members 40 S, 60 S and 80 S are operated by the driver or a front passenger in the passenger compartment to operate the display unit 30 , the audio unit 40 and the navigation unit 60 .
- the operation member for operating the display unit 30 is not indicated directly in the second embodiment.
- the printed circuit 20 p can be formed on only one side surface of the vehicle front and rear surfaces of the operating circuit substrate 20 .
- the display member 20 f e.g., an electroluminescent display or a liquid crystal display
- the panel cluster 2 , the audio unit 40 and the holding member 50 are similar to those of the above-described first embodiment, and detail explanation thereof is omitted.
- the harness connection position is mainly different from that of the above-described first embodiment.
- a connector 62 c electrically connecting with a wire harness 6 and an option connector 62 d are provided on the second integrated substrate 62 at a vehicle rear side.
- the option connector 62 d is for connecting with an electronic device such as a CD changer, s VICS, a backing camera, a VTR adapter, a digital TV.
- the connectors 62 c, 62 d are disposed to be detachable from the wire harness 6 or a signal transmitting harness (not shown) with an electronic machine.
- the navigation unit-side connector 60 a is provided on the vehicular rear side of the second integrated substrate 62 .
- the connector 60 a is connected electrically to the substrate-side connector 20 d of the operating circuit substrate 20 .
- the first and second integrated substrates 61 , 62 and the holding member 50 are connected together electrically, and the substrates 61 and 62 are earthed through the holding member 50 .
- a single integrated electrical wire bundle 71 of a large number of trunk electrical wires for power supply and transfer of electrical signals to various portions of the vehicle is disposed inside the instrument panel 100 .
- plural wire harnesses 6 are branched for the electrical devices 30 , 50 , 60 .
- the wire harness 6 has the connector 6 a to be connected with the connector 62 b provided in the electrical devices 30 , 50 , 60 .
- the supply of electrical power, as well as the input of ignition switch ON-OFF signals and head lamp and small lamp ON-OFF signals, are performed to the center cluster 1 from the integrated electrical wire bundle 71 through the vehicle-side wire harness 6 .
- center cluster 1 from the center cluster 1 to the integrated electrical wire bundle 71 , signals for an audio receiving antenna disposed outside the passenger compartment and adapted to expand and contract electrically, and signals for speakers are output.
- Earth wire is also included in the vehicle-side wire harness 6 and the integrated electrical wire bundle 71 .
- the first and second integrated substrates 61 , 62 and the DVD deck 43 are connected together by the connecting member 63 and the connecting portion 43 d of the DVD deck 43 .
- the MD deck 41 , the CD deck 42 and the DVD deck 43 connected to the first and second integrated substrates 61 , 62 are inserted into the opening 50 b of the holding member 50 from the inside of the passenger compartment. Further, the projections 41 b , 42 b and 43 c are inserted into the insertion holes 52 a , 52 b and 52 c , respectively.
- the mounting portions 41 c, 42 c and 43 e of the decks 41 - 43 contact a guide portion. Thereafter, the mounting portions 41 c , 42 c and 43 e are clamped to a vehicle rear side surface of the holding member 50 by the fastening means such as screws, so that the decks 41 - 43 are held in the holding member 50 .
- the connector 6 a of the vehicle-side wire harness 6 is connected to the connector 61 c of the second integrated substrate 62 .
- a part of the wire harness 6 is disposed in a recess 50 c of the holding member 50 .
- a harness connector of the electronic devices is inserted into the option connector 62 d to be electrically connected thereto.
- the panel cluster 2 which is constructed by mounting the operating circuit substrate 20 and the display unit 30 beforehand to the ornamental panel 10 , is attached to the holding member 50 from the inside of the passenger compartment so as to cover the decks 41 - 43 , the substrates 61 and 62 , the wire harness 6 and the connectors 6 a , 62 c .
- the ornamental panel mounting lugs 10 b of the ornamental panel 10 are engaged with upper and lower end portions of the holding member 50 , respectively.
- the substrate-side connectors 20 c and 20 d of the operating circuit substrate 20 are connected with the deck-side connector 40 a and the navigation-side connector 60 a simultaneously with the mounting of the panel cluster 2 to the holding member 50 .
- the integrated substrates 61 , 62 , the decks 41 - 43 , the wire harness 6 and the connector 6 a , 62 c are covered by the ornamental panel 10 . Therefore, it can prevent the integrated substrates 61 , 62 , the decks 41 - 43 , the wire harness 6 and the connector 6 a , 62 c from being exposed to the onside of the passenger compartment.
- the ornamental panel 10 is detachably assembled from the passenger compartment, and the connector 62 c is provided in the second integrated substrate 62 at a vehicle rear side position. Therefore, even when the integrated substrates 61 , 62 and each deck 41 , 42 , 43 are attached to the holding member 50 before an electrical connection, an operator can readily operate the connector 62 c . Therefore, harness connection can be made simple.
- the operator can operate the connector 62 c in the attachment state where the integrated substrates 61 , 62 and each deck 41 , 42 , 43 are attached to the holding member 50 .
- the wire harness 6 can be readily detached from the connector 62 toward the inside (rear side) of the passenger compartment. Accordingly, connector connection operation and connector removing operation can be accurately readily performed while being viewed by the operator.
- the wire harness 6 is inserted into the recess 50 c of the holding member 50 , it can prevent a part of the wire harness 6 between the holding member 50 and the ornamental panel 10 from interfering from each other between the holding member 50 and the ornamental panel 10 .
- the display unit 30 , the MD deck 41 , the CD deck 42 , the second integrated substrate 62 and the operation members 60 S, 60 S, 80 S are electrically connected through the operating circuit substrate 20 . Therefore, electrical wire structure of the center cluster can be made simple. Accordingly, connector connection operation and connector detaching operation can be made simple.
- FIGS. 7 and 8 A third preferred embodiment of the present invention will be now described with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8.
- the present invention is typically applied to a vehicle center cluster 1 .
- a plurality of electrical devices including a display unit 30 , an audio unit 40 and a navigation unit 60 are clustered as an integral structure.
- the center cluster 1 is disposed centrally in the width direction of an instrument panel 100 .
- FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the center cluster 1 when being viewed from a front side of the vehicle
- FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective of the center cluster 1 when being viewed from a rear side of the vehicle.
- the ornamental panel 10 is a resinous panel which covers the electrical devices 30 , 40 and 60 from the inside of the passenger compartment (rear side of the vehicle).
- the ornamental panel 10 is provided with plural apertures 10 a for insertion therein of operating members 30 S, 40 S, 60 S for operating the electrical devices 30 , 40 and 60 and a liquid display portion 30 b of the display unit 30 .
- the operating circuit substrate 20 is disposed at a vehicular front side of the ornamental panel 10 in parallel with the ornamental panel 10 , and is provided with various electronic components (not shown). On both sides of the operating circuit substrate 20 , printed circuits of conductor patterns are formed similar to the above-described second embodiment.
- operating members 30 S 40 S, 60 S such as operating buttons, levers, or switches, which are connected to the printed circuits.
- the operating members 30 S, 40 S, 60 S are operated by the driver or a front passenger in the passenger compartment to operate the display unit 30 , the audio unit 40 and the navigation unit 60 .
- An operation member for operating an air conditioner is not indicated in the third embodiment.
- the operating member of the air conditioner controls an air-conditioning operation electronically.
- operating circuit substrate-side connectors 20 b, 20 c and 20 d for electrical connection with the electrical devices 30 , 40 and 60 are provided.
- the connectors 20 b , 20 c and 20 d are connected to the printed circuits. Terminal pins of the operating members 30 S, 40 S, 60 S and the connectors 20 b, 20 c , 20 d are soldered to the printed circuits of the operating circuit substrate 20 so that connectors 20 b , 20 c , 20 d are electrically connected with each other.
- the printed circuit can be formed on only one side of the vehicle front and rear surfaces of the operating circuit substrate 20 .
- the terminal pins of the connectors 20 b , 20 c , 20 d may penetrate through the operating circuit substrate 20 to be soldered at the vehicle rear side of the operating circuit substrate 20 .
- the soldering of the operation members 30 S, 40 S, 60 S may be performed at the vehicle front side of the operating circuit substrate 20 .
- the display unit 30 is for displaying various images, e.g., navigation maps and televisional images, to the vehicle driver or other passengers if any.
- the liquid crystal display portion 30 b of the display unit 30 is exposed directly to the interior of the passenger compartment from the associated aperture 10 a.
- the vehicular front side of the display unit 30 is provided with a flexible cable 31 for communication of image data, etc.
- the flexible cable 31 is provided with a connector 32 which is connected to the connector 20 b of the operating circuit substrate 20 to effect intercommunication of image data, and the like, between the display unit 30 and the operating circuit substrate 20 .
- a display holding member 33 is formed into a plate like, and is disposed on the vehicular front side of the display unit 30 .
- the display holding member 33 is fixed to the display unit 30 using clamping means such as screws.
- An outer edge of the display holding member 33 is provided with four mounting pieces 33 a extending toward the ornamental panel 10 . By fastening the mounting pieces 33 a to the ornamental panel 10 with clamping means such as tapping screws, the display unit 30 is held in the ornamental panel 10 .
- the audio unit 40 is disposed on a vehicular front side of the operating circuit substrate 20 .
- the audio unit 40 includes the MD deck 41 for reading an audio signal from an MD (mini disc), the CD deck 42 for reading an audio signal from a CD (compact disc), the first and second integrated substrates 61 , 62 , and the operating members 40 S.
- the first and second integrated substrates 61 , 62 also function to control the navigation unit 60 electronically and further control the electrical devices 30 , 40 and 60 synthetically.
- the MD deck 41 , the CD deck 42 , and the first and second integrated substrates 61 , 62 are stacked vertically.
- disc inserting slots 41 a and 42 a are formed so as to be exposed directly to the interior of the passenger compartment from the associated apertures 10 a formed in the ornamental panel 10 .
- Deck-side connectors (components-side connectors) 40 a are provided respectively in the MD deck 41 and the CD deck 42 opposite to the operating circuit substrate 20 .
- the connectors 40 a are inserted in the vehicular front-rear direction into the substrate-side connectors 20 c of the substrate 20 and are thus connected directly without the use of wiring.
- the holding member 50 is disposed on a vehicular front side of the decks 41 and 42 .
- the holding member 50 is formed by a rectangular plate in a shape of a frame having a central rectangular opening 50 b.
- the holding member 50 is made of a light metal having an electric-wave screening performance (e.g., magnesium alloy).
- the holding member 50 is disposed so that its plate surface is perpendicular to the vehicular front-rear direction.
- Bolt inserting holes (attachment portions) 50 a are formed in the four corners of the holding member 50 to fasten the holding member 50 to a vehicle frame.
- the rectangular opening 50 b is provided in the holding member 50 at a center position.
- guide portions 51 extending toward the vehicular rear side are provided to guide both right and left side surfaces of the decks 41 - 43 .
- Both stopper portions 52 are formed into U-shapes to extend toward the vehicular front side and to contact vehicular front side parts of the decks 41 - 43 .
- a connecting portion 53 is formed into a U-shape to extend toward the vehicular front side and to be connected mechanically with the navigation unit 60 .
- the connector portions 53 is provided between both the stopper portions 52 in an up-down direction.
- insertion holes (holding member-side fitting portions) 52 a into which projections 41 b , 42 b and 43 c of the decks 41 - 43 are inserted are provided.
- the decks 41 - 43 are inserted into the opening 50 b of the holding member 50 , so that the projections 41 b , 42 b and 43 c are inserted into the insertion holes 52 a , respectively.
- the decks 41 - 43 contact the stopper portions 52 so that the decks 41 - 43 are held in the holding member 50 .
- the navigation unit 60 includes the first and second integrated substrates 61 , 62 , a DVD deck 43 for reading signals such as map data signals for navigation from a DVD (digital video disc), and the operating members 60 S described above.
- the second integrated substrate 62 , the first integrated substrate 61 , and the DVD deck 43 are stacked successively above the CD deck 42 in this order.
- a connector 43 b is provided on a lower surface of the DVD deck 43 at a vehicle front side.
- the connector 43 b of the DVD deck 43 is electrically connected to the second integrated substrate 62 .
- the projection 43 c and the mounting portion 43 e are provided in the DVD deck 43 .
- a connector 60 b is provided on the upper surface of the first integrated substrate 61 at a vehicle rear side position, and is directly connected to the connector 43 b of the DVD deck 43 in the vehicle front-rear direction without using a wire.
- a connector 60 a is provided on the second integrated substrate 62 at a vehicle rear side position, and is directly connected to the connector 20 of the operating circuit substrate 20 d in the vehicle front-rear direction.
- a connector 62 b ′ for conneting with the connector 6 a of the wire harness 6 is provided on the second integrated substrate 62 .
- the first and second integrated substrates 61 , 62 are provided with connectors opposite with each other, through which the first and second integrated substrates 61 , 62 are directly electrically connected.
- both the first and second integrated substrates 61 , 62 are inserted into the opening 50 b of the holding member 50 from the vehicle front side at both upper and lower sides of the connection portion 53 .
- a power IC 62 a ′ is provided on the second integrated substrate 62 , and a surface of the power IC 62 a ′ facing the holding member 50 contacts the vehicle rear surface of the connection portion 53 of the holding member 50 to be fastened to the connection portion 53 using a fastening member (not shown).
- the first and second integrated substrates 61 , 62 and the holding member 50 are connected together electrically, and the substrates 61 and 62 are earthed through the holding member 50 , whereby voltage variations on the electronic components mounted on the substrates 61 and 62 are suppressed and a stable voltage is applied to the electronic components.
- a substrate holding portion 90 is provided so that the first and second integrated substrates 61 , 62 are held in the holding member 50 through the substrate holding portion 90 .
- the substrate holding portion 90 is made of a metal to have an approximate U shape.
- Four upper attachment pieces 91 and four lower attachment pieces 92 are provided at upper and lower outer peripheral parts of the substrate holding portion 90 , respectively.
- the first integrated substrate 61 is fixed to the upper attachment pieces 91 of the substrate holding portion 90 using a fastening member
- the second integrated substrate 62 is fixed to the lower attachment pieces 92 of the substrate holding portion 90 using a fastening member.
- two attachment pieces 93 are provided at both top ends of the U-shaped substrate holding portion 90 .
- the attachment pieces 93 of the substrate holding portion 90 are fixed onto the front surface of the holding member 50 . Further, a recess 94 is provided in the substrate holding portion 90 at a position where the connector 62 b ′ of the second integrated substrate 62 is formed.
- the vehicle-side wire harness 6 disposed inside the instrument panel 100 includes a plurality of electrical wires distributed from a single integrated electrical wire bundle (not shown) of a large number of trunk electrical wires for power supply and transfer of electrical signals to various portions of the vehicle.
- the supply of electrical power, as well as the input of ignition switch ON-OFF signals and head lamp and small lamp ON-OFF signals are performed to the center cluster 1 from the integrated electrical wire bundle through the vehicle-side wire harness 6 .
- signals for an audio receiving antenna disposed outside the passenger compartment and adapted to expand and contract electrically, and signals for speakers are output.
- Earth wire is also included in the vehicle-side wire harness 6 .
- the ornamental panel 10 to which the display unit 30 and the operating circuit substrate 20 are fastened, is pulled out toward the vehicle rear side to be removed inside the passenger compartment.
- the MD deck 41 , the CD deck 42 and the DVD deck 43 are detached from the connectors 20 c , 20 d of the operating circuit substrate 20 .
- each of the decks 41 - 43 is pulled out toward the vehicle rear side to be removed into the passenger compartment.
- the first integrated substrate 61 is detached from the connector 43 b of the DVD deck 43 . Accordingly, the decks 41 - 43 can be respectively removed.
- the operation of the center cluster 1 is similar to that of the above-described first embodiment, and the explanation thereof is omitted.
- the MD deck 41 , the CD deck 42 and the second integrated substrate 62 are electrically connected through the operating circuit substrate 20 without using a wire harness. Therefore, change operation of the decks 41 - 43 and maintenance operation of the center cluster 1 can be made easy. Further, assembling operation of the center cluster 1 onto the vehicle can be made easy.
- only the MD deck 41 and the CD deck 42 of the audio unit 40 may be electrically connected through the operating circuit substrate 20 .
- the holding member 50 has the function of cooling the power IC 62 a ′ in addition to the function of holding the center cluster 1 , it is not necessary to provide a specific cooling member for the power IC 62 a ′, and hence it is possible to simplify the structure. Additionally, because the bolt insertion holes 50 a are formed in the holding member 50 so that the holding member is fastened to a vehicle frame, it is not necessary to provide brackets separated from the holding member 50 .
- the display unit 30 is electrically connected to the operating circuit substrate 20 through the flexible cable 31 (i.e., jumper wire).
- a connector 30 a electrically connecting with the operating circuit substrate 20 can be provided on the rear side surface of the display unit 30 , and the connector 30 a may be directly inserted into the connector 20 b of the operating circuit substrate 20 in the vehicle front-rear direction without using a wire.
- a communication method, a necessary voltage, a signal sending method, and terminal number may be unified.
- the connectors 20 c connected to the connectors 40 a of the decks 41 , 42 may have the same shapes.
- the dimensions of the connectors 40 a in the vehicle right-left direction may be set to be equal. In this case, by only changing the shape of the opening 10 a of the ornamental panel 10 , the attachment positions of the MD deck 41 and the CD deck 42 can be changed.
- a preliminary connector 20 i having a shape equal to the connector 40 a may be provided without being connected to the connectors 30 a, 40 a, 60 a.
- an additional deck different from the MD deck 41 and the CD deck 42 may be provided.
Abstract
Description
- This application is related to and claims priority from Japanese Patent Applications No. 2000-38117 filed on Feb. 9, 2000, No. 2000-38219 filed on Feb. 10, 2000, and No. 2000-54422 filed on Feb. 25, 2000, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.
- 1. Field of the Invention
- The present invention relates to a center cluster assembling structure in which a plurality of electrical devices disposed nearly centrally in a transverse direction of a vehicular instrument panel, such as an audio unit, a display unit, a navigation unit, and an air-conditioning operating unit, are clustered as an integral structure. In addition, the present invention relates to an electrical connection structure of the electrical devices.
- 2. Description of Related Art
- As shown in FIGS. 11A, 11B, a
center cluster 101 is constructed by anaudio unit 140 and an air-conditioning operating unit 180 which are disposed centrally in a transverse direction (width direction) of a vehicular instrument panel. - In the
audio unit 140, switch portions (not shown) of operating members 140S for operating theaudio unit 140, aCD deck 142, and a mainelectrical circuit substrate 161 are fixed within acase 107 by clamping means such as screws.Brackets 108 mounted sideways of thecase 107 are clamped respectively to instrument panel-side mounting members 109 bybolts 108 a to hold theaudio unit 140 in the vehicular instrument panel. - The
case 107 includes acase body 107 a which is formed into a box shape using a sheet metal, anornamental panel 107 b made of resin and covering an opening of thecase body 107 a, opened toward an inside of a passenger compartment, and aheat radiating fin 107 c which contacts apower IC 161 a formed on the mainelectrical circuit substrate 161 and which functions to radiate heat from thepower IC 161 a. The operating members 140S having the switch portions are disposed so as to be exposed directly into the passenger compartment from apertures formed in theornament panel 107 b. Theornamental panel 107 b and theheat radiating fin 107 c are fastened to thecase body 107a using screws 107 d from both side and rear portions of thecase body 107 a. - Also, in the air-
conditioning operating unit 180, similarly to theaudio unit 140, acase 107 which incorporates therein switch portions (not shown) of operating members 180S and a main substrate (not shown) is clamped to the instrument panel-side mounting members 109 throughbrackets 108. - A frame-
shaped front panel 110 is fitted on outer edges of thecases 107 of theaudio unit 140 and the air-conditioning operating unit 180 from the inside of the passenger compartment so that thebrackets 108 and the like are hidden from the interior of the passenger compartment. - However, in a case where the
CD deck 142 or thesubstrate 161 are to be taken out from thecenter cluster 101 into the passenger compartment, when an attempt is made to remove theornamental panel 107 b from thecase body 107 a, the air-conditioning operating unit 180 is an obstacle to removal of theornamental panel 107 b because it is disposed just above thescrews 107 d. - Therefore, in a state where the
case body 107 a is fixed to the instrument panel, it is impossible to remove theCD deck 142 and the mainelectrical circuit substrate 161 from the inside of the passenger compartment. Unless thecase 107 is once taken out into the passenger compartment and is disassembled, it is impossible to take out theCD deck 142 and the mainelectrical circuit substrate 161 from the interior of thecase 107 into the passenger compartment. - More particularly, for taking out the
CD deck 142 and the mainelectrical circuit substrate 161 from thecenter cluster 101 into the passenger compartment, first theornamental panel 110 is removed and thecase 107 is removed from the instrument panel-side mounting members 109, then theornamental panel 107 b or theheat radiating fin 107 c is removed from thecase body 108 a, and thereafter theCD deck 142 and the mainelectrical circuit substrate 161 are removed from thecase body 107 a. - Thus, even when only the
CD deck 142 or themain substrate 161 is to be taken out into the passenger compartment, it is required to once take out the whole of theaudio unit 140 into the passenger compartment. Such a manual work for removing the whole of theaudio unit 140 which is heavy has been a heavy labor. Besides, an additional work is needed for disassembling thecase 107 into thecase body 107 a, theornamental panel 107 b and theheat radiating fin 107 c. Thus, the operation for removing theCD deck 142 and thesubstrate 161 is made to be complicated. - In view of the foregoing problems, it is an object of the present invention to provide a center cluster assembling structure which facilitates operation for removing such electrical devices of a vehicular center cluster as a CD deck and a main electrical circuit substrate.
- It is an another object of the present invention to provide an electrical connection structure of plural electrical devices of a vehicle center cluster, which improves electrical connection operation and electrical removing operation between the electrical devices and a wire harness.
- According to the present invention, in an assembling structure of a center cluster disposed inside a dashboard of a vehicle at an approximate center portion in a vehicle right-left direction, electrical devices are assembled to a holding member to be respectively detachable from an inside of a passenger compartment of the vehicle while the holding member is fixed to the dashboard. Therefore, when one of the electrical devices (e.g., a deck) is removed from the center cluster, only the one of the electrical devices can be detached from the holding member without detaching the other electrical devices, in a state where the holding member is fixed to the dashboard. Further, when the center cluster is assembled to the vehicle, first, the holding member is fixed to the dashboard from the inside of the passenger compartment, and then the electrical devices are respectively assembled to the holding member from the inside of the passenger compartment. As a result, any one of the electrical devices can be readily removed from the passenger compartment, and removing operation of the electrical device can be made simple.
- Preferably, the electrical deck and the electrical circuit substrate are disposed to be stacked in a vertical direction. Therefore, the electrical deck and the electrical circuit substrate can be readily removed from the passenger compartment, among the electrical devices.
- More preferably, the electrical devices have front side surfaces opposite to the inside of the passenger compartment in a vehicle front-rear direction, the front side surfaces of the electrical devices have engagement portions, respectively, being detachably engaged with engagement portions of the holding member, and at least one of the engagement portions of the electrical devices and the engagements of the holding member is elastically deformed while being engaged. Therefore, the electrical devices and the holding member can be fitted by an elastic deformation. Accordingly, the electrical devices can be readily detachably assembled to the holding member fixed to the dashboard.
- On the other hand, in an electrical connection structure of the vehicle center cluster, a wire harness for supplying electrical power to the electrical devices is electrically connected to one electrical device through a connection portion disposed at a vehicle rear side position of the one electrical device, and an ornamental panel is disposed at a vehicle rear side of the connection portion and the electrical devices and is assembled to be detachable from the inside of the passenger compartment. Accordingly, the electrical devices, the wire harness and the connection portion can be covered by the ornamental panel to be prevented from being exposed into the passenger compartment. Further, because the connection portion is disposed at the vehicle rear side of the one electrical device, the wire harness can be readily connected to or removed from the electrical device from the passenger compartment when the ornamental panel is removed from the passenger compartment. As a result, electrical connection operation and electrical removing operation between the wire harness and the electrical device can be readily accurately performed.
- Further, an operating circuit substrate having an operating member is provided at a vehicle rear side of the electrical devices to operate the electrical devices from the inside of the passenger compartment, the electrical devices are electrically connected to the operating circuit substrate, and the electrical devices are electrically connected from each other through a printed circuit on the operating circuit substrate. Therefore, the electrical connection structure of the electrical devices of the center cluster can be made simple. Accordingly, assembling operation of the center cluster on the vehicle and removing operation of the center cluster from the vehicle can be made easy, with the simple electrical connection of the electrical devices.
- Additional objects and advantages of the present invention will be more readily apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments when taken together with the accompanying drawings, in which:
- FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a center cluster when being viewed from a vehicle rear side, according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention;
- FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the center cluster when being viewed from a vehicle front side, according to the first embodiment;
- FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the center cluster when being viewed from a vehicle rear side, according to the first embodiment;
- FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of a center cluster when being viewed from a vehicle front side, according to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention;
- FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the center cluster when being viewed from a vehicle rear side, according to the second embodiment;
- FIG. 6 is a sectional view showing an operating circuit substrate according the second embodiment;
- FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of a center cluster when being viewed from a vehicle front side, according to a third preferred embodiment of the present invention;
- FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the center cluster when being viewed from a vehicle rear side, according to the first embodiment;
- FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view of a center cluster when being viewed from a vehicle front side, according to a modification of the present invention;
- FIG. 10A is a front view of a center cluster when being viewed from a vehicle rear side according to an another modification of the present invention, and FIG. 10B is a side view of the center cluster when being viewed from a vehicle right side according to the another modification; and
- FIG. 11A is an exploded perspective view of a conventional center cluster when being viewed from a vehicle rear side, and FIG. 11B is an exploded perspective view of the conventional center cluster when being viewed from a vehicle front side.
- Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings.
- A first preferred embodiment of the present invention will be now described with reference to FIGS.1-3.
- FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a
center cluster 1 when being viewed from an inside of a vehicular passenger compartment (i.e., from a rear side of a vehicle). In thecenter cluster 1, a plurality of electrical devices, including adisplay unit 30, anaudio unit 40 and anavigation unit 60, which will be described later, are clustered as an integral structure. Thecenter cluster 1 is disposed centrally in a width direction of aninstrument panel 100. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of thecenter cluster 1 as seen from a front side of the vehicle, and FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective of thecenter cluster 1 as seen from a rear side of the vehicle. In thecenter cluster 1, an ornamental panel (front panel) 10, anoperating circuit substrate 20, and thedisplay unit 30 are assembled as an integral structure and constitute apanel cluster 2. - First, the
panel cluster 2 will be now described. Theornamental panel 10 is a resinous panel which covers theelectrical devices ornamental panel 10 is provided withplural apertures 10 a for insertion therein of operatingmembers electrical devices liquid display portion 30 b of thedisplay unit 30. In the first embodiment, an operation member for operating theliquid display portion 30 b is not indicated. - On a vehicular front side of the
ornamental panel 10, ornamentalpanel mounting lugs 10 b are formed at four positions. The mounting lugs 10 b projects to the vehicular front side, and can be vertically deformed elastically. The ornamental mounting lugs 10 b, while being vertically deformed elastically, come into engagement with a holdingmember 50 to be described later to fasten thepanel cluster 2 to the holdingmember 50. In this case, the object to be engaged with thepanel cluster 2 is not limited to the holdingmember 50, but may be theinstrument panel 100. - The
operating circuit substrate 20 is disposed at a vehicular front side of theornamental panel 10 in parallel with theornamental panel 10, and is provided with various electronic components (not shown). On both side surfaces of theoperating circuit substrate 20, printed circuits (not shown) of conductor patterns are formed. Through the printed circuits, theelectrical devices operating circuit substrate 20. - On the vehicular rear side of the
operating circuit substrate 20, operatingmembers members display unit 30, theaudio unit 40 and thenavigation unit 60 to be described later. The operation member for operating thedisplay unit 30 is not indicated in FIGS. 1-3. The operating members 80S is of an air-conditioning operating unit (not shown) which controls an air-conditioning operation (not shown) electronically. - On the vehicular rear side of the
operating circuit substrate 20, adisplay member 20 f (e.g., an electroluminescent display or a liquid crystal display), for displaying an operating condition of an air conditioner, is provided. - On the vehicular front side of the
operating circuit substrate 20, operating circuit substrate-side connectors electrical devices connectors side connectors - Tapping screws (not shown) are inserted into
fastening holes 20 e formed in theoperating circuit substrate 20 to fasten thesubstrate 20 to theornamental panel 10, and theoperating members EL display 20 f are inserted into theapertures 10 a of theornamental panel 10 to be exposed directly to the inside of the passenger compartment. - The
display unit 30 is for displaying various images, e.g., navigation maps and televisional images, to the vehicle driver or other passengers if any. The liquidcrystal display portion 30 b of thedisplay unit 30 is exposed directly to the interior of the passenger compartment from the associatedaperture 10 a. The vehicular front side of thedisplay unit 30 is provided with aflexible cable 31 for communication of image data, etc. Theflexible cable 31 is connected to theconnector 20 b of theoperating circuit substrate 20 to effect intercommunication of image data, and the like, between thedisplay unit 30 and theoperating circuit substrate 20. - A
display holding member 33 is formed into a plate like, and is disposed on the vehicular front side of thedisplay unit 30. Thedisplay holding member 33 is fixed to thedisplay unit 30 using clamping means such as screws. An outer edge of thedisplay holding member 33 is provided with four mountingpieces 33 a extending toward theornamental panel 10. By fastening the mountingpieces 33 a to theornamental panel 10 with clamping means such as tapping screws, thedisplay unit 30 is held in theornamental panel 10. - Thus, the
panel cluster 2 is constructed by mounting theoperating circuit substrate 20 and thedisplay unit 30 to theornamental panel 10. - The holding
member 50 is disposed on a vehicular front side of thepanel cluster 2 for holding the whole of thecenter cluster 1 in theinstrument panel 100. The holdingmember 50 is formed by a rectangular plate in a shape of a frame having a centralrectangular opening 50 b. The holdingmember 50 is made of a light metal (e.g., magnesium alloy). A suitable light metal is one having a thermal conductivity higher than that of a firstintegrated substrate 61 to be described later and having an earthing property and an electromagnetic shielding property for the first and secondintegrated substrates - The holding
member 50 is disposed so that its plate surface is perpendicular to the vehicular front-rear direction andbolts 9 a are inserted into bolt inserting holes (mounting portions) 50 a formed in the four corners of the holdingmember 50 to fasten the holdingmember 50 to instrument panel-side mounting brackets 9. - Decks (electrical device components)41-43 as well as the first and second integrated substrates (electrical device components) 61, 62, are inserted into the
opening 50 b of the holdingmember 50 in a vertically stacked fashion from the vehicular rear side (i.e., from the inside of the passenger compartment). On both side edges in the vehicular width direction (right-left direction) of theopening 50 b, guideportions 51 extending toward the vehicular rear side are provided to guide both right and left side surfaces of the decks 41-43 until theopening 50 b. - Likewise, on both side edges in the vehicular width direction of the
opening 50 b, astopper portion 52 is formed into a U-shape to extend toward the vehicular front side and to contact vehicular front sides of the decks 41-43. Further, a connectingportion 53 is formed into a U-shape to extend toward the vehicular front side and to be connected mechanically with the firstintegrated substrate 61. Centrally in the vehicular width direction of thestopper 52, insertion holes (holding member-side fitting portions) 52 a, 52 b and 52 c into whichprojections - The
audio unit 40 is disposed on a vehicular front side of theoperating circuit substrate 20. Theaudio unit 40 includes aMD deck 41 for reading an audio signal from an MD (mini disc), aCD deck 42 for reading an audio signal from a CD (compact disc), the first and secondintegrated substrates audio unit 40 electronically through anECU 60 b, and theoperating members 40S. The first and secondintegrated substrates navigation unit 60 electronically and further control theelectrical devices - The
MD deck 41, theCD deck 42, and the first and secondintegrated substrates decks disc inserting slots apertures 10 a formed in theornamental panel 10. - Deck-side connectors (components-side connectors)40 a are provided respectively in the
MD deck 41 and theCD deck 42 opposite to theoperating circuit substrate 20. Theconnectors 40 a are inserted in the vehicular front-rear direction into the substrate-side connectors 20 c of thesubstrate 20 and are thus connected directly without the use of wiring. - On the vehicular front-side surfaces of the
decks projections decks deck mounting portions guide portion 51 of the holdingmember 50 to attach thedecks member 50. - The
navigation unit 60 includes the first and secondintegrated substrates DVD deck 43 for reading signals such as map data signals for navigation from a DVD (digital video disc), and theoperating members 60Sintegrated substrate 62, the firstintegrated substrate 61, and theDVD deck 43 are stacked successively above theCD deck 42. - On the vehicular rear-side surface of the
DVD deck 43, connectingportions 43 d extending upward for connection with the first and secondintegrated substrates substrates member 63 is disposed. Both thesubstrates DVD deck 43 are connected together mechanically through the connectingmember 63 and the connectingportions 43 d of theDVD deck 43 by fastening means such as screws. - The first and second
integrated substrates side connector 62 a which are provided on the sides opposed to each other of thesubstrates integrated substrate 62 and theDVD deck 43 are electrically connected together by a second integratedsubstrate underside connector 62 b and a DVD deck-side connector 43 b which are provided on the sides opposed to each other of thesubstrate 52 and thedeck 43. - On the vehicular front side of the first
integrated substrate 61, a power IC (electronic component) 61 a which generates heat is provided. Thepower IC 61 a is disposed so as to contact the connectingportion 53 of the holdingmember 50. Aconnector 61 b for a harness connection is connected to aconnector 6 a of a vehicle-side wire harness 6 on the vehicular front side of the firstintegrated circuit 61. - A navigation unit-side connector (component-side connector)60 a is provided on the vehicular rear side of the second
integrated substrate 62. Theconnector 60 a is connected electrically to the substrate-side connector 20 d of theoperating circuit substrate 20. - The first and second
integrated substrates member 50 are connected together electrically, and thesubstrates member 50, whereby voltage variations on the electronic components mounted on thesubstrates - Similarly to the MD and
CD decks DVD deck 43 is provided with adisc inserting slot 43 a, aprojection 43 c, and adeck mounting portion 43 e. - A dust-
proof case 70 is formed into a box shape. The dust-proof case 70 is secured to the vehicular front side of the holdingmember 50 using fastening means such as screws. Awire harness aperture 70 a is formed in the vehicular front-side surface of the dust-proof case 70, and theconnector 6 a of thewire harness 6 is inserted into theaperture 70 a to be connected to theharness connecting connector 61 b of the firstintegrated substrate 61. - The vehicle-
side wire harness 6 disposed inside theinstrument panel 100 includes a plurality of electrical wires distributed from a single integrated electrical wire bundle (not shown) of a large number of trunk electrical wires for power supply and transfer of electrical signals to various portions of the vehicle. The supply of electrical power, as well as the input of ignition switch ON-OFF signals and head lamp and small lamp ON-OFF signals are performed to be sent to thecenter cluster 1 from the integrated electrical wire bundle through the vehicle-side wire harness 6. On the other hand, from thecenter cluster 1 to the integrated electrical wire bundle, signals for an audio receiving antenna disposed outside the passenger compartment and adapted to expand and contract electrically, and signals for speakers are output. Earth wire is also included in the vehicle-side wire harness 6. - Next, operation of the
center cluster 1 constructed as above will be described below. - As described above, the
display unit 30, theMD deck 41, theCD deck 42, the secondintegrated substrate 62 and theoperating members operating circuit substrate 20. Further, the firstintegrated substrate 61 is electrically connected to the secondintegrated substrate 62, and theDVD deck 43 is electrically connected to the firstintegrated substrate 61. Through these connections, electrical power, which is supplied from the vehicle-side wire harness 6 via the secondintegrated substrate 62, as well as various electrical signals, are transmitted to thedisplay unit 30, theaudio unit 40, and thenavigation unit 60. In addition, various 20 electrical signals communicate with each other among theelectrical devices - For example, electrical signals between the operating
circuit substrate 20 and theCD deck 42 will now be explained concretely. Electrical signals transmitted from theCD deck 42 to theoperating circuit substrate 20 are a CD-ON detection signal indicating that a CD has been inserted into the insertingslot 42 a of theCD deck 42, a power ON requesting signal calling for the application of power to theCD deck 42, a right-hand aural signal for output from the right-hand speaker, and a left-hand aural signal for output from the left-hand speaker. Theelectrical devices - From the
operating circuit substrate 20 to theCD deck 42, electrical signals (e.g., an operational signal for determining an operating condition of theCD deck 42 in accordance with operation of an operator) produced from theoperating switch 40S and the like are transmitted. Also, 5 V power, 8 V power, and power for a backup memory are supplied. Further, earth wires for power supply and for electrical signals are connected to theCD deck 42. Other transmission/reception signals include communication signals (e.g., TAB communication) based on a common protocol. For example, information on CD is transmitted to thedisplay unit 30, allowing the information to be displayed. - A description will be given below about an assembling procedure for the
center cluster 1 constructed as above. - First, the holding
member 50 with the dust-proof case 70 attached thereto is fixed to the instrument panel-side mounting member 9 from the inside of the passenger compartment. - Next, the first and second
integrated substrates 61, 25 62 and theDVD deck 43 are connected together by the connectingmember 63 and the connectingportion 43 d of theDVD deck 43. - Then, while side surfaces of the
MD deck 41, theCD deck 42 and theDVD deck 43 are guided by theguide portions 51 of the holdingmember 50, the decks 41-43 are inserted into theopening 50 b of the holdingmember 50 from the inside of the passenger compartment. Further, theprojections portions guide portions 51. Thereafter, the mountingportions guide portions 51 by the fastening means such as screws, so that the decks 41-43 are held in the holdingmember 50. - Subsequently, the
connector 6 a of the vehicle-side wire harness 6 is connected to theconnector 61 b of the firstintegrated substrate 61. - Next, the
panel cluster 2, which is constructed by mounting theoperating circuit substrate 20 and thedisplay unit 30 beforehand to theornamental panel 10, is attached to the holdingmember 50 from the inside of the passenger compartment so as to cover the decks 41-43 and thesubstrates panel mounting lugs 10 b of theornamental panel 10 are engaged with upper and lower end portions of the holdingmember 50, respectively. The substrate-side connectors operating circuit substrate 20 are connected with the deck-side connector 40 a and the navigation-side connector 60 a simultaneously with the mounting of thepanel cluster 2 to the holdingmember 50. - A replacing operation of replacing only the
CD deck 42 will be explained. First, thepanel cluster 2 is pulled out toward the inside of the passenger compartment against the elastic force of the ornamentalpanel mounting lugs 10 b. At this time, theconnectors side connector 40 a and the navigation-side connector 60 a. Then, the fastening means used in the mountingportions 42 c of theCD deck 42 are removed and theprojection 42 b is pulled out from theinsertion hole 52 b, whereby theCD deck 42 alone is pulled out toward the inside of the passenger compartment from the holdingmember 50. - According to the assembling structure of the
center cluster 1 of the first embodiment, only a desired component (e.g., CD deck 42), among the decks 41-43 and the first and secondintegrated substrates member 50 to the instrument panel-side mounting members 9. Therefore, such heavy object for manual works as the work of removing the whole of the audio unit and the case assembling/disassembling work can be omitted and the work for removing theelectrical device components center cluster 1 can be made easier. - Besides, since the
power IC 61 a is disposed to contact the connectingportion 53 of the holdingmember 50, and the holdingmember 50 is formed using a material of a high thermal conductivity, the heat generated from thepower IC 61 a is conducted to the holdingmember 50, to perform a heat exchange with the surrounding air. Thus, the holdingmember 50 can have the function of cooling thepower IC 61 a. Because the holdingmember 50 thus has the function of cooling thepower IC 61 a in addition to the function of holding thecenter cluster 1 in theinstrument panel 100, it is not necessary to provide a specific cooling member for thepower IC 61 a and hence it is possible to simplify the structure. - Because the first and second
integrated substrates opening 50 b of the holdingmember 50, the first and secondintegrated substrate member 50. Moreover, because the holdingmember 50 is formed of a material (e.g., magnesium alloy) having an electromagnetic shielding property, it is possible to cut off electromagnetic wave noises from the exterior of thesubstrates substrates member 50 can have an electromagnetic shielding function for the first and secondintegrated substrates substrates member 50, the holdingmember 50 can also be endowed with an earthing function for thesubstrates - Additionally, because the
bolt inserting holes 50 a is formed in the holdingmember 50 to be clamped to the instrument panel-side mounting brackets 9, it is not necessary to provide brackets separated from the holdingmember 50. Therefore, the number of components can be decreased and it is possible to attain a structural simplification and weight reduction of thecenter cluster 1. - In the above-described first embodiment, the
projections member 50. However, theprojections projections guide portions 51. Accordingly, the decks 41-43 can be mounted to the holdingmember 50 which is in a fixed state to theinstrument panel 100, easily and detachably from the inside of the passenger compartment. - A second preferred embodiment of the present invention will be now described with reference to FIGS.4-6. In the second embodiment, components similar to those of the above-described first embodiment are indicated by the same reference numbers. In a
center cluster 1 of the second embodiment, a plurality of electrical devices, including thedisplay unit 30, theaudio unit 40 and thenavigation unit 60 are clustered as an integral structure. In thecenter cluster 1, theornamental panel 10, theoperating circuit substrate 20 and thedisplay unit 30 are assembled as an integral structure and construct apanel cluster 2. - In the second embodiment, the
operating circuit substrate 20 is disposed at a vehicle front side of theornamental panel 10 in parallel with theornamental panel 10. FIG. 6 shows a sectional surface of theoperating circuit substrate 20, perpendicular to the vehicle width direction (vehicle right-left direction). Printedcircuits 20 p of conductor patterns are provided on both surfaces of theoperating circuit substrate 20, and a throughhole 20 q is provided in theoperating circuit substrate 20 for conducting the printedcircuits 20 p. - On the vehicular rear side of the
operating circuit substrate 20, operatingmembers circuits 20 p, are provided. On the vehicular front side of theoperating circuit substrate 20, operating circuit substrate-side connectors electrical devices connectors circuits 20 p. Terminal pins 20 t of theoperating members connectors circuits 20 p so thatconnectors members display unit 30, theaudio unit 40 and thenavigation unit 60. The operation member for operating thedisplay unit 30 is not indicated directly in the second embodiment. - In the second embodiment, the printed
circuit 20 p can be formed on only one side surface of the vehicle front and rear surfaces of theoperating circuit substrate 20. - Similarly to the first embodiment, the
display member 20 f (e.g., an electroluminescent display or a liquid crystal display), for displaying an operating condition of an air conditioner, is provided on the vehicular rear side of theoperating circuit substrate 20. In the second embodiment, thepanel cluster 2, theaudio unit 40 and the holdingmember 50 are similar to those of the above-described first embodiment, and detail explanation thereof is omitted. In the second embodiment, the harness connection position is mainly different from that of the above-described first embodiment. - That is, in the second embodiment, a
connector 62 c electrically connecting with awire harness 6 and anoption connector 62 d are provided on the secondintegrated substrate 62 at a vehicle rear side. Theoption connector 62 d is for connecting with an electronic device such as a CD changer, s VICS, a backing camera, a VTR adapter, a digital TV. Theconnectors wire harness 6 or a signal transmitting harness (not shown) with an electronic machine. - The navigation unit-
side connector 60 a is provided on the vehicular rear side of the secondintegrated substrate 62. Theconnector 60 a is connected electrically to the substrate-side connector 20 d of theoperating circuit substrate 20. The first and secondintegrated substrates member 50 are connected together electrically, and thesubstrates member 50. - A single integrated
electrical wire bundle 71 of a large number of trunk electrical wires for power supply and transfer of electrical signals to various portions of the vehicle is disposed inside theinstrument panel 100. From the single integratedelectrical wire bundle 71, plural wire harnesses 6 are branched for theelectrical devices wire harness 6 has theconnector 6 a to be connected with theconnector 62 b provided in theelectrical devices center cluster 1 from the integratedelectrical wire bundle 71 through the vehicle-side wire harness 6. On the other hand, from thecenter cluster 1 to the integratedelectrical wire bundle 71, signals for an audio receiving antenna disposed outside the passenger compartment and adapted to expand and contract electrically, and signals for speakers are output. Earth wire is also included in the vehicle-side wire harness 6 and the integratedelectrical wire bundle 71. - Next, assembling steps of the
center cluster 1 according to the second embodiment will be now described. - First, the first and second
integrated substrates DVD deck 43 are connected together by the connectingmember 63 and the connectingportion 43 d of theDVD deck 43. - Then, the
MD deck 41, theCD deck 42 and theDVD deck 43 connected to the first and secondintegrated substrates opening 50 b of the holdingmember 50 from the inside of the passenger compartment. Further, theprojections portions portions member 50 by the fastening means such as screws, so that the decks 41-43 are held in the holdingmember 50. - Thereafter, the
connector 6 a of the vehicle-side wire harness 6 is connected to the connector 61 c of the secondintegrated substrate 62. In the second embodiment, a part of thewire harness 6 is disposed in arecess 50 c of the holdingmember 50. Further, a harness connector of the electronic devices is inserted into theoption connector 62 d to be electrically connected thereto. - Next, the
panel cluster 2, which is constructed by mounting theoperating circuit substrate 20 and thedisplay unit 30 beforehand to theornamental panel 10, is attached to the holdingmember 50 from the inside of the passenger compartment so as to cover the decks 41-43, thesubstrates wire harness 6 and theconnectors panel mounting lugs 10 b of theornamental panel 10 are engaged with upper and lower end portions of the holdingmember 50, respectively. The substrate-side connectors operating circuit substrate 20 are connected with the deck-side connector 40 a and the navigation-side connector 60 a simultaneously with the mounting of thepanel cluster 2 to the holdingmember 50. - A replacing operation of replacing only the
CD deck 42 will be explained. First, thepanel cluster 2 is pulled out toward the inside of the passenger compartment against the elastic force of the ornamentalpanel mounting lugs 10 b. At this time, theconnectors side connector 40 a and the navigation-side connector 60 a. Then, theconnector 6 a of thewire harness 6 is removed from theconnector 62 c of the secondintegrated substrate 62. Thereafter, the fastening means used in the mountingportions 42 c of theCD deck 42 are removed and theprojection 43 b is pulled out from theinsertion hole 52 b, whereby theCD deck 42 alone is pulled out toward the inside of the passenger compartment from the holdingmember 50. - According to the second embodiment, the
integrated substrates wire harness 6 and theconnector ornamental panel 10. Therefore, it can prevent theintegrated substrates wire harness 6 and theconnector - Further, the
ornamental panel 10 is detachably assembled from the passenger compartment, and theconnector 62 c is provided in the secondintegrated substrate 62 at a vehicle rear side position. Therefore, even when theintegrated substrates deck member 50 before an electrical connection, an operator can readily operate theconnector 62 c. Therefore, harness connection can be made simple. - Further, when the
electrical devices instrument panel 100, the operator can operate theconnector 62 c in the attachment state where theintegrated substrates deck member 50. - When the
ornamental panel 10 is removed toward the inside of the passenger compartment, thewire harness 6 can be readily detached from theconnector 62 toward the inside (rear side) of the passenger compartment. Accordingly, connector connection operation and connector removing operation can be accurately readily performed while being viewed by the operator. - Further, because the
wire harness 6 is inserted into therecess 50 c of the holdingmember 50, it can prevent a part of thewire harness 6 between the holdingmember 50 and theornamental panel 10 from interfering from each other between the holdingmember 50 and theornamental panel 10. - The
display unit 30, theMD deck 41, theCD deck 42, the secondintegrated substrate 62 and theoperation members operating circuit substrate 20. Therefore, electrical wire structure of the center cluster can be made simple. Accordingly, connector connection operation and connector detaching operation can be made simple. - In addition, it is unnecessary to distribute plural wire harnesses6 between the integrated
electrical wire bundle 71 and thecenter cluster 1. That is, thesingle wire harness 6 is distributed from the integratedelectrical wire bundle 71 so that electrical power is supplied to theelectrical devices operating circuit substrate 20. As a result, the electrical wire structure can be made simple. Further, in the second embodiment, only by removing theornamental panel 10, electrical connection of the above-described electronic devices can be readily performed using theoption connector 62 d. - A third preferred embodiment of the present invention will be now described with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8. In the third embodiment, the present invention is typically applied to a
vehicle center cluster 1. Similarly to the above-described first and second embodiment, in thecenter cluster 1, a plurality of electrical devices, including adisplay unit 30, anaudio unit 40 and anavigation unit 60 are clustered as an integral structure. Thecenter cluster 1 is disposed centrally in the width direction of aninstrument panel 100. FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of thecenter cluster 1 when being viewed from a front side of the vehicle, and FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective of thecenter cluster 1 when being viewed from a rear side of the vehicle. - Similarly to the first embodiment, the
ornamental panel 10 is a resinous panel which covers theelectrical devices ornamental panel 10 is provided withplural apertures 10 a for insertion therein of operatingmembers electrical devices liquid display portion 30 b of thedisplay unit 30. - The
operating circuit substrate 20 is disposed at a vehicular front side of theornamental panel 10 in parallel with theornamental panel 10, and is provided with various electronic components (not shown). On both sides of theoperating circuit substrate 20, printed circuits of conductor patterns are formed similar to the above-described second embodiment. - On the vehicular rear side of the
operating circuit substrate 20, operatingmembers 30Smembers display unit 30, theaudio unit 40 and thenavigation unit 60. An operation member for operating an air conditioner is not indicated in the third embodiment. The operating member of the air conditioner controls an air-conditioning operation electronically. - On the vehicular front side of the
operating circuit substrate 20, operating circuit substrate-side connectors electrical devices connectors operating members connectors operating circuit substrate 20 so thatconnectors - In the third embodiment, the printed circuit can be formed on only one side of the vehicle front and rear surfaces of the
operating circuit substrate 20. The terminal pins of theconnectors operating circuit substrate 20 to be soldered at the vehicle rear side of theoperating circuit substrate 20. Similarly, the soldering of theoperation members operating circuit substrate 20. - The
display unit 30 is for displaying various images, e.g., navigation maps and televisional images, to the vehicle driver or other passengers if any. The liquidcrystal display portion 30 b of thedisplay unit 30 is exposed directly to the interior of the passenger compartment from the associatedaperture 10 a. The vehicular front side of thedisplay unit 30 is provided with aflexible cable 31 for communication of image data, etc. Theflexible cable 31 is provided with aconnector 32 which is connected to theconnector 20 b of theoperating circuit substrate 20 to effect intercommunication of image data, and the like, between thedisplay unit 30 and theoperating circuit substrate 20. - A
display holding member 33 is formed into a plate like, and is disposed on the vehicular front side of thedisplay unit 30. Thedisplay holding member 33 is fixed to thedisplay unit 30 using clamping means such as screws. An outer edge of thedisplay holding member 33 is provided with four mountingpieces 33 a extending toward theornamental panel 10. By fastening the mountingpieces 33 a to theornamental panel 10 with clamping means such as tapping screws, thedisplay unit 30 is held in theornamental panel 10. - The
audio unit 40 is disposed on a vehicular front side of theoperating circuit substrate 20. Theaudio unit 40 includes theMD deck 41 for reading an audio signal from an MD (mini disc), theCD deck 42 for reading an audio signal from a CD (compact disc), the first and secondintegrated substrates operating members 40S. The first and secondintegrated substrates navigation unit 60 electronically and further control theelectrical devices - The
MD deck 41, theCD deck 42, and the first and secondintegrated substrates decks disc inserting slots apertures 10 a formed in theornamental panel 10. - Deck-side connectors (components-side connectors)40 a are provided respectively in the
MD deck 41 and theCD deck 42 opposite to theoperating circuit substrate 20. Theconnectors 40 a are inserted in the vehicular front-rear direction into the substrate-side connectors 20 c of thesubstrate 20 and are thus connected directly without the use of wiring. - On the vehicular front-side surfaces of the
decks projections decks deck mounting portions guide portion 51 of the holdingmember 50 to attach thedecks member 50. - The holding
member 50 is disposed on a vehicular front side of thedecks member 50 is formed by a rectangular plate in a shape of a frame having a centralrectangular opening 50 b. The holdingmember 50 is made of a light metal having an electric-wave screening performance (e.g., magnesium alloy). The holdingmember 50 is disposed so that its plate surface is perpendicular to the vehicular front-rear direction. Bolt inserting holes (attachment portions) 50 a are formed in the four corners of the holdingmember 50 to fasten the holdingmember 50 to a vehicle frame. - In the third embodiment, the
rectangular opening 50 b is provided in the holdingmember 50 at a center position. On both side edges in the vehicular width direction (right-left direction) of theopening 50 b, guideportions 51 extending toward the vehicular rear side are provided to guide both right and left side surfaces of the decks 41-43. Bothstopper portions 52 are formed into U-shapes to extend toward the vehicular front side and to contact vehicular front side parts of the decks 41-43. Further, a connectingportion 53 is formed into a U-shape to extend toward the vehicular front side and to be connected mechanically with thenavigation unit 60. In the third embodiment, theconnector portions 53 is provided between both thestopper portions 52 in an up-down direction. Centrally in the vehicular width direction of thestopper portions 52, insertion holes (holding member-side fitting portions) 52 a into whichprojections - While side surfaces of the
MD deck 41, theCD deck 42 and theDVD deck 43 are guided by theguide portions 51 of the holdingmember 50, the decks 41-43 are inserted into theopening 50 b of the holdingmember 50, so that theprojections stopper portions 52 so that the decks 41-43 are held in the holdingmember 50. - The
navigation unit 60 includes the first and secondintegrated substrates DVD deck 43 for reading signals such as map data signals for navigation from a DVD (digital video disc), and theoperating members 60S described above. The secondintegrated substrate 62, the firstintegrated substrate 61, and theDVD deck 43 are stacked successively above theCD deck 42 in this order. - In the third embodiment, a
connector 43 b is provided on a lower surface of theDVD deck 43 at a vehicle front side. Theconnector 43 b of theDVD deck 43 is electrically connected to the secondintegrated substrate 62. Theprojection 43 c and the mountingportion 43 e are provided in theDVD deck 43. - In the third embodiment, a
connector 60 b is provided on the upper surface of the firstintegrated substrate 61 at a vehicle rear side position, and is directly connected to theconnector 43 b of theDVD deck 43 in the vehicle front-rear direction without using a wire. On the other hand, aconnector 60 a is provided on the secondintegrated substrate 62 at a vehicle rear side position, and is directly connected to theconnector 20 of theoperating circuit substrate 20 d in the vehicle front-rear direction. - A
connector 62 b′ for conneting with theconnector 6 a of thewire harness 6 is provided on the secondintegrated substrate 62. The first and secondintegrated substrates integrated substrates - In the third embodiment, both the first and second
integrated substrates opening 50 b of the holdingmember 50 from the vehicle front side at both upper and lower sides of theconnection portion 53. Apower IC 62 a′ is provided on the secondintegrated substrate 62, and a surface of thepower IC 62 a′ facing the holdingmember 50 contacts the vehicle rear surface of theconnection portion 53 of the holdingmember 50 to be fastened to theconnection portion 53 using a fastening member (not shown). - Because the
power IC 62 a′ contacts the holdingmember 50, heat generated by thepower IC 62 a′ is transmitted to the holdingmember 50 to be heat-exchanged with air. Accordingly, the holdingmember 50 cools thepower IC 62 a′. - The first and second
integrated substrates member 50 are connected together electrically, and thesubstrates member 50, whereby voltage variations on the electronic components mounted on thesubstrates - In the third embodiment, a
substrate holding portion 90 is provided so that the first and secondintegrated substrates member 50 through thesubstrate holding portion 90. Thesubstrate holding portion 90 is made of a metal to have an approximate U shape. Fourupper attachment pieces 91 and fourlower attachment pieces 92 are provided at upper and lower outer peripheral parts of thesubstrate holding portion 90, respectively. The firstintegrated substrate 61 is fixed to theupper attachment pieces 91 of thesubstrate holding portion 90 using a fastening member, and the secondintegrated substrate 62 is fixed to thelower attachment pieces 92 of thesubstrate holding portion 90 using a fastening member. In addition, twoattachment pieces 93 are provided at both top ends of the U-shapedsubstrate holding portion 90. Theattachment pieces 93 of thesubstrate holding portion 90 are fixed onto the front surface of the holdingmember 50. Further, arecess 94 is provided in thesubstrate holding portion 90 at a position where theconnector 62 b′ of the secondintegrated substrate 62 is formed. - The vehicle-
side wire harness 6 disposed inside theinstrument panel 100 includes a plurality of electrical wires distributed from a single integrated electrical wire bundle (not shown) of a large number of trunk electrical wires for power supply and transfer of electrical signals to various portions of the vehicle. The supply of electrical power, as well as the input of ignition switch ON-OFF signals and head lamp and small lamp ON-OFF signals are performed to thecenter cluster 1 from the integrated electrical wire bundle through the vehicle-side wire harness 6. On the other hand, from thecenter cluster 1 to the integrated electrical wire bundle, signals for an audio receiving antenna disposed outside the passenger compartment and adapted to expand and contract electrically, and signals for speakers are output. Earth wire is also included in the vehicle-side wire harness 6. - In the assembled
center cluster 1 of the third embodiment, for removing the decks 41-43 into the passenger compartment, the following operation is performed. - First, the
ornamental panel 10, to which thedisplay unit 30 and theoperating circuit substrate 20 are fastened, is pulled out toward the vehicle rear side to be removed inside the passenger compartment. At this time, theMD deck 41, theCD deck 42 and theDVD deck 43 are detached from theconnectors operating circuit substrate 20. Then each of the decks 41-43 is pulled out toward the vehicle rear side to be removed into the passenger compartment. At this time, the firstintegrated substrate 61 is detached from theconnector 43 b of theDVD deck 43. Accordingly, the decks 41-43 can be respectively removed. The operation of thecenter cluster 1 is similar to that of the above-described first embodiment, and the explanation thereof is omitted. - According to the third embodiment of the present invention, the
MD deck 41, theCD deck 42 and the secondintegrated substrate 62 are electrically connected through theoperating circuit substrate 20 without using a wire harness. Therefore, change operation of the decks 41-43 and maintenance operation of thecenter cluster 1 can be made easy. Further, assembling operation of thecenter cluster 1 onto the vehicle can be made easy. - In the third embodiment, only the
MD deck 41 and theCD deck 42 of theaudio unit 40 may be electrically connected through theoperating circuit substrate 20. - Because the holding
member 50 has the function of cooling thepower IC 62 a′ in addition to the function of holding thecenter cluster 1, it is not necessary to provide a specific cooling member for thepower IC 62 a′, and hence it is possible to simplify the structure. Additionally, because the bolt insertion holes 50 a are formed in the holdingmember 50 so that the holding member is fastened to a vehicle frame, it is not necessary to provide brackets separated from the holdingmember 50. - Although the present invention has been fully described in connection with the preferred embodiments thereof with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be noted that various changes and modifications will become apparent to those skilled in the art.
- In the above-described embodiments, the
display unit 30 is electrically connected to theoperating circuit substrate 20 through the flexible cable 31 (i.e., jumper wire). However, as shown in FIG. 9, aconnector 30 a electrically connecting with theoperating circuit substrate 20 can be provided on the rear side surface of thedisplay unit 30, and theconnector 30 a may be directly inserted into theconnector 20 b of theoperating circuit substrate 20 in the vehicle front-rear direction without using a wire. - Further, in the
connectors 40 a of theMD deck 41 and theCD deck 42, a communication method, a necessary voltage, a signal sending method, and terminal number may be unified. Similarly, theconnectors 20 c connected to theconnectors 40 a of thedecks connectors 40 a in the vehicle right-left direction may be set to be equal. In this case, by only changing the shape of the opening 10 a of theornamental panel 10, the attachment positions of theMD deck 41 and theCD deck 42 can be changed. - Further, as shown in FIGS. 10A, 10B, a
preliminary connector 20 i having a shape equal to theconnector 40 a may be provided without being connected to theconnectors preliminary connector 20 i, an additional deck different from theMD deck 41 and theCD deck 42 may be provided. - Such changes and modifications are to be understood as being within the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.
Claims (24)
Applications Claiming Priority (7)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
JP2000038117A JP4465780B2 (en) | 2000-02-09 | 2000-02-09 | Electrical connection structure of vehicle center cluster |
JP2000-38117 | 2000-02-09 | ||
JP2000-038117 | 2000-02-09 | ||
JP2000-038219 | 2000-02-10 | ||
JP2000038219A JP4356171B2 (en) | 2000-02-10 | 2000-02-10 | Assembly structure of vehicle center cluster |
JP2000054422A JP4441970B2 (en) | 2000-02-25 | 2000-02-25 | Electrical wiring structure of vehicle instrument panel |
JP2000-054422 | 2000-02-25 |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
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US20010016432A1 true US20010016432A1 (en) | 2001-08-23 |
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US09/779,949 Expired - Lifetime US6388881B2 (en) | 2000-02-09 | 2001-02-09 | Vehicle center cluster assembling structure with electrical connection |
Country Status (3)
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US (1) | US6388881B2 (en) |
DE (1) | DE10105292B4 (en) |
FR (1) | FR2807364B1 (en) |
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2001
- 2001-02-06 DE DE10105292A patent/DE10105292B4/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 2001-02-07 FR FR0101652A patent/FR2807364B1/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 2001-02-09 US US09/779,949 patent/US6388881B2/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
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Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
FR2807364B1 (en) | 2006-06-16 |
US6388881B2 (en) | 2002-05-14 |
DE10105292A1 (en) | 2001-08-30 |
FR2807364A1 (en) | 2001-10-12 |
DE10105292B4 (en) | 2005-12-15 |
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