JP2009061827A - Coupling structure of vehicular components - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To firmly fix a member to be coupled to a base material, to the base material while maintaining the excellent positional accuracy of the member with respect to the base material, in a coupling structure of vehicular components using oscillation welding. <P>SOLUTION: A coupling structure of vehicular components comprises: an instrument panel (1); a main bracket (12) to be coupled to the instrument panel; positioning parts (21, 22, 61, 62) formed between the instrument panel and an intermediate member; and a sub bracket (13) which holds the main bracket between the instrument panel and itself and is subjected to the oscillation welding to the instrument panel. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a vehicular component coupling structure, and more particularly to a vehicular component coupling structure using frictional heat generated by vibrating a member.

  Conventionally, there is a technique in which a resin member such as a bracket is bonded to a resin base material such as an instrument panel in front of a driver seat of an automobile by vibration welding. With regard to the structure for joining vehicle parts by vibration welding, for example, a projecting piece that can be elastically deformed in the vibration direction from an instrument panel of an automobile toward a resin member is projected, and fitted to the tip of the projecting piece. It is known that a resin member to be vibration welded can be positioned at a predetermined position of an instrument panel by forming a fitting groove in the resin member (see Patent Document 1).

JP 2004-90697 A

  By the way, the prior art described in the said patent document 1 enables positioning of the resin member with respect to an instrument panel by making the protrusion provided in the instrument panel fit in the fitting groove provided in the resin member. Is. However, since the projecting piece is provided so as to be easily elastically deformed when a force is applied in the vibration direction, the projecting piece may be deformed in the vibration direction even during positioning. When positioning is required, there is a problem that such deformation of the projecting piece cannot be ignored.

  Further, in the above prior art, when a plurality of resin members are coupled to the instrument panel, it is necessary to provide the protruding pieces as described above at the positions where the resin members are coupled, so the shape of the instrument panel is complicated. The manufacturing process is complicated.

  The present invention has been devised in view of such problems of the prior art, and the member is to be bonded using vibration welding while maintaining a good positional accuracy of the member to be bonded to the base material. It is an object of the present invention to provide a connecting structure for vehicle parts that can be firmly fixed to a base material.

  A first invention made to solve the above problems is formed between a base material (1), an intermediate member (12) to be coupled to the base material, and the base material and the intermediate member. A positioning member (21, 22, 61, 62) and a welding member (13) sandwiched between the base material and vibration welded to the base material And

  As a second invention made to solve the above-mentioned problems, it is possible to prevent the two members from being separated between the intermediate member and the welding member while allowing relative movement of both members in the vibration direction of the vibration welding. It can be set as the structure which formed the engaging part (26,27,44,45) to perform.

  As a third aspect of the invention made to solve the above-mentioned problems, it is possible to adopt a configuration in which an attachment portion (28) for attaching another component is formed on the intermediate member.

  As a fourth aspect of the invention made to solve the above-mentioned problems, the intermediate member can be configured to have openings (23 to 25) that expose the base material with respect to the welding portion of the welding member. .

  As a fifth aspect of the invention made to solve the above problems, the welding member can be vibration welded to the intermediate member.

  According to the first aspect, the intermediate member can be firmly fixed to the base material using vibration welding while maintaining the positional accuracy of the intermediate member to be joined to the base material with good accuracy. it can. According to the second aspect of the invention, when the welding member is vibration welded to the base material, the intermediate member and the welding member can be integrated in a state where they can be relatively moved in the vibration direction in advance. Workability can be improved. Moreover, according to the said 3rd invention, the attachment precision with respect to the base material of other components which should be attached to a base material, and attachment strength can be improved. Further, according to the fourth aspect, with a simple configuration, the welding member can be vibration welded to the base material with the intermediate member sandwiched between the base material and the base member. Moreover, according to the said 5th invention, an intermediate member can be fixed more firmly with respect to a base material.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Here, as an example of a vehicle component coupling structure according to the present invention, a display visor mounting bracket coupling structure for a passenger car instrument panel (hereinafter referred to as "instrument panel") will be described.

  FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the instrument panel according to the first embodiment of the present invention viewed from the driver seat side.

  The instrument panel 1 is provided with a plurality of openings 2 to which a car navigation system, an audio system, an air conditioning operation switch, and the like are attached at the center, and an opening 3 to which instruments such as a speedometer, a fuel gauge, and a tachometer are attached, and a glove box Is provided with an opening 4 or the like. The instrument panel 1 is formed of a material that can be welded at least partially. Here, the entire instrument panel 1 is integrally formed of a thermoplastic resin.

  The display visor 5 is a component for covering the periphery of a display such as a liquid crystal display (not shown), and is inserted into the mounting opening 6 from the front side (driver's seat side) of the instrument panel 1. It is attached to the instrument panel 1 via a mounting bracket 11 (see FIG. 2) connected to a connecting surface 7 that defines an edge. The display visor 5 includes a plurality of mounting claws 8 that engage with corresponding portions of the mounting bracket 11, and is thereby fixed to the mounting bracket 11.

  2 is an exploded perspective view of the mounting bracket as seen from the back side of the instrument panel. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the mounting bracket in a temporarily assembled state as seen from the front side (below the instrument panel). It is the perspective view which looked at the bracket for attachment of a temporary assembly state from the back surface side (upper side of an instrument panel).

  The mounting bracket 11 is vibration-welded to the instrument panel 1 with the main bracket 12 having a seating surface for mounting as a display visor mounting base and the main bracket 12 sandwiched between the instrument panel 1 and the sub-panel 1. It consists of a bracket 13. At least a part of the main bracket 12 and the sub bracket 13 is formed of a weldable material, and here, the whole is integrally formed of a thermoplastic resin.

  Although details will be described later, when the sub-bracket 13 is vibration welded to the instrument panel 1, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the main bracket 12 and the sub-bracket 13 are preliminarily assembled temporarily (that is, both brackets are Then, the main bracket 12 is positioned with respect to the instrument panel 1.

  The main bracket 12 has a pair of engaging portions 21 and a pair of convex portions 22 that function as positioning portions for positioning with respect to the instrument panel 1, and a bonding surface 7 of the instrument panel 1 with respect to a welding portion of the sub bracket 13. As an attachment portion for attaching the display visor 5 to the instrument panel 1 and the opening 26 (see FIG. 4) and the engagement piece 27 (see FIG. 3) used for temporary assembly of the openings 23 to 25 to be exposed and the sub bracket 13 A functioning mounting hole 28 is provided.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the engaging portions 21 are provided on both sides of the front upper portion of the main bracket 12, and have a predetermined interval from a locking claw 31 protruding in the left-right direction and a rear end 31 a of the locking claw 31. It has a locking piece 32 provided so as to protrude in the left-right direction, and a locking block 33 provided so as to sandwich the locking claw 31 from the vertical direction. The locking block 33 is provided with ridges 33a protruding upward or downward (not shown). The convex portions 22 are provided so as to protrude rightward or leftward (not shown) on both sides of the lower front portion of the main bracket 12.

  The sub bracket 13 includes welding portions 41 to 43 that are vibration welded to the instrument panel 1 and the main bracket 12, an opening 44 (see FIG. 3) used for a temporary assembly with the main bracket 12, and an engagement piece 45 (see FIG. 4). With. The sub bracket 13 is vibrated in the left-right direction indicated by an arrow (see FIG. 2) during vibration welding. Here, the sub bracket 13 is used as a fixing member for fixing the main bracket 12 to the instrument panel 1. For parts and the like that do not require high mounting accuracy, the sub bracket 13 has a mounting hole 28 of the main bracket 12. By forming such an attachment portion, attachment to the sub bracket 13 is possible.

  The welded portions 41 to 43 are provided on the back side of the sub bracket 13 and are respectively disposed at positions corresponding to the openings 23 to 25 of the main bracket 12. Each welding part 41-43 pinches | interposes the 1st welding piece 51 as a welding site | part with a pair of 1st welding pieces 51-53 (refer FIG. 4) arranged in parallel as a welding site | part with the instrument panel 1, and the main bracket 12. As shown in FIG. And a pair of second welding pieces 54 to 56 (see FIG. 5). The opening 44 and the engagement piece 45 are provided at positions corresponding to the engagement piece 27 and the opening 26 of the main bracket 12, respectively. It is sufficient that the welded portions 41 to 43 of the sub bracket 13 have at least a welded portion with the instrument panel 11. However, the welded portion with the main bracket 12 further has the main bracket 12 attached to the instrument panel 1. There is an advantage that it can be firmly fixed.

  In the present embodiment, the main bracket 12 is provided with the openings 23 to 25 so that the sub bracket 13 can be welded to the instrument panel 1 while the main bracket 12 is sandwiched between the instrument panel 1. Various modifications are possible as long as the object of exposing the instrument panel 1 to the welded portion of the sub bracket 13 can be achieved. For example, the shape, position, and quantity of the opening provided in the main bracket can be changed as appropriate (the same applies to the corresponding welded portion), and the opening can be provided in the peripheral edge of the main bracket 12 to have a notch shape. In some cases, the welded portion of the sub bracket 13 is surrounded so as to surround the periphery of the main bracket 12 in a temporarily assembled state so that the sub bracket 13 can be welded to the instrument panel 1 without providing an opening or the like in the main bracket 12. You may arrange.

  When the main bracket 12 and the sub bracket 13 are temporarily assembled, as shown in FIG. 3, the engagement pieces 27 of the main bracket 12 are fitted into the openings 44 of the sub bracket 13, respectively. Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the first welding pieces 51 to 53 of the sub bracket 13 are fitted into the openings 23 to 25 of the main bracket 12, respectively, and the engagement pieces 45 of the sub bracket 13 are opened to the main bracket 12. 26, respectively.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 4, the sizes of the openings 23 to 25 of the main bracket 12 in the excitation direction (arrow direction) at the time of welding are set larger than the first welding pieces 51 to 53, respectively. That is, a constant gap G1 is secured between the left and right end portions 52a and 52b of the first welding piece 52 and the left and right edge portions 24a and 24b of the opening 24 (the same applies to the first welding pieces 51 and 53). ). Similarly, a constant gap G <b> 2 is secured between the left and right ends of the engagement piece 45 of the sub bracket 13 and the left and right edges of the opening 26 of the main bracket 12. Similarly, as shown in FIG. 3, a constant gap G <b> 3 is secured between the left and right ends of the engagement piece 27 of the main bracket 12 and the left and right edges of the opening 44 of the sub bracket 13. The sizes of the gaps G1 to G3 can be set in consideration of the amplitude at the time of vibration welding.

  By securing such gaps G1 to G3, the relative movement in the vibration direction between the main bracket 12 and the sub bracket 13 is possible during vibration welding (in the temporarily assembled state), and the vibration is not hindered. Welding is possible. Further, by integrating the main bracket 12 and the sub bracket 13 by such temporary assembly, workability when the mounting bracket 11 is coupled to the instrument panel 1 can be improved.

  When the main bracket 12 is positioned with respect to the instrument panel 1, the engaging portions 21 of the main bracket 12 are inserted into the openings 61 provided on both sides of the mounting opening 6 of the instrument panel 1, and at the same time, the main bracket 12 The protrusions 22 are fitted into openings 62 a provided in the left and right walls 62 on the coupling surface 7.

  At this time, the rear end 31a of the locking claw 31 abuts on the back side of the left and right edges 61a and 61b of the opening 61, and the locking piece 32 contacts the front surface of the left and right edges 61a and 61b of the opening 15. By being in contact with each other, the locking claw 31 and the locking piece 32 are fixed so as to sandwich both side edges of the opening 15 in the front-rear direction. In addition, the protrusion 33 a of the locking block 33 is in contact with the upper and lower edges 61 c and 61 d of the opening 61. Thereby, the movement of the main bracket 12 with respect to the instrument panel 1 is restricted, and the positioning of the main bracket 12 with respect to the instrument panel 1 can be performed with high accuracy. Further, at this time, the convex portions 22 of the main bracket 12 are respectively inserted into the openings 62a of the wall 62, whereby the movement of the main bracket 12 in the left-right direction (excitation direction) with respect to the instrument panel 1 is restricted. The positioning of the bracket 12 with respect to the instrument panel 1 can be performed with higher accuracy.

  When the display visor 5 is attached to the attachment bracket 11, the display visor attachment claws 8 are inserted into the attachment holes 28 of the main bracket 12 fixed to the instrument panel 1. In this way, the mounting accuracy and mounting strength of the display visor 5 with respect to the instrument panel 1 can be improved.

  FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a method of coupling the mounting bracket according to the first embodiment of the present invention to the instrument panel. The cross section shown here corresponds to the VV cross section shown in FIG. 3 and the cross section of the instrument panel at a position corresponding thereto.

  First, as shown in FIG. 5A, the sub bracket 13 is lowered from above the main bracket 12 in the arrow direction. Accordingly, the sub bracket 13 is arranged at a predetermined position on the placement surface 71 of the main bracket 12.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 5B, the main bracket 12 and the sub bracket 13 are temporarily assembled. At this time, as shown in FIG. 4, the first welding piece 52 of the sub bracket 13 is inserted into the opening 24 of the main bracket 12, while the second welding piece 55 is brought into contact with the mounting surface in the vicinity of the opening 24. (Hereinafter, the same applies to the first welding pieces 51 and 53 and the second welding pieces 54 and 56).

  Next, as shown in FIG.5 (c), the main bracket 12 is positioned with respect to the instrument panel 1, and vibration welding is implemented. At this time, the vibration jig 72 of the vibration welding apparatus is pressed from the surface side of the welding portion of the sub bracket 13 and is vibrated in a direction perpendicular to the drawing in a state where the sub bracket 13 is pressed toward the instrument panel 1. This vibration welding can be performed using a well-known welding machine using a frictional heat generated by vibrating a member. Although the vibration direction in vibration welding is constant as described above, the vibration frequency can be variously changed according to the object to be welded.

  Then, the melting of the resin due to frictional heat generated between the first welding piece 52 of the sub bracket 13 and the coupling surface 7 of the instrument panel 1 joins the tip 52c of the first welding piece 52 to the coupling surface 7, and The tip 55c of the second welding piece 55 is placed on the mounting surface of the main bracket 12 due to the melting of the resin due to frictional heat generated between the second welding piece 55 of the sub bracket 13 and the mounting surface 71 of the main bracket 12. 71 is joined. Thereby, the main bracket 12 is firmly fixed to the instrument panel 1.

  FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the mounting bracket according to the second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the mounting bracket as viewed from below. In the second embodiment, matters not particularly mentioned below are the same as those in the above-described first embodiment.

  Here, positioning ribs 81 are provided on the mounting surface 71 of the main bracket 12 to determine a relative position with respect to the sub bracket 13, and the ribs 81 of the main bracket 12 are temporarily attached to the sub bracket 13 during temporary assembly. The opening 82 which can be fitted is provided.

  The positioning rib 81 is a substantially triangular flat plate member provided so as to be elastically deformable in the vibration direction (the arrow direction in FIG. 6), and its bottom portion is connected to the mounting surface 71, while Opposing top portions protrude from the mounting surface 71 in the vertical direction. The positioning ribs 81 can be formed integrally with the main bracket 12, but in some cases, the positioning ribs 81 can be formed separately using a material that is more advantageous for elastic deformation. In addition, the thickness of the positioning rib 81 in the vibration direction is set so as to realize a deformation that does not hinder vibration during welding. The opening 82 is provided in such a size that at least a part of the positioning rib 81 can be fitted therein.

  When the main bracket 12 and the sub bracket 13 are temporarily assembled, as shown in FIG. 7, the tip end portion of the positioning rib 81 of the main bracket 12 is fitted into the opening 82 of the sub bracket 13. As a result, the relative position shift between the main bracket 12 and the sub bracket 13 in the vibration direction during temporary assembly is eliminated, and the gaps G1 to G3 shown in FIG. 4 can be more reliably maintained. It is possible to stably secure the amplitude and suppress the occurrence of poor welding. Further, the shape of the positioning rib and the opening into which the positioning rib is inserted can be variously changed, but as described above, only the top of the positioning rib 81 having a triangular shape is fitted into the opening 82. Deformation of the positioning rib 81 that does not hinder vibration during welding can be easily realized.

  FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a method of coupling the mounting bracket according to the second embodiment of the present invention to the instrument panel. The cross section shown here corresponds to the VIII-VIII cross section shown in FIG. 7 and the cross section of the instrument panel at a position corresponding thereto.

  First, as shown in FIG. 8A, the sub bracket 13 is lowered from above the main bracket 12 in the direction of the arrow so that the positioning rib 81 of the main bracket 12 is fitted into the opening 82 of the sub bracket 13. Accordingly, the sub bracket 13 is arranged at a predetermined position on the placement surface 71 of the main bracket 12.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 8B, the main bracket 12 and the sub bracket 13 are temporarily assembled. This temporary assembly process is substantially the same as in the case of FIG.

  Next, as shown in FIG.8 (c), the main bracket 12 is positioned with respect to the instrument panel 1, and vibration welding is implemented. The vibration wearing process is substantially the same as in the case of FIG. 5C described above, but at this time, the positioning rib 81 of the main bracket 12 is easy in the vibration direction (direction perpendicular to the paper surface of FIG. 8). It is elastically deformed. Thereby, position shift with the main bracket 12 and the sub bracket 13 in an excitation direction can be prevented, without inhibiting the vibration at the time of welding.

  Although the present invention has been described in detail based on specific embodiments, these embodiments are merely examples, and the present invention is not limited to these embodiments. For example, the vehicle component coupling structure according to the present invention is not limited to the one shown in the embodiment as long as it can be coupled using frictional heat generated by vibrating at least a member in a certain direction. It can be applied to the joining of members.

The perspective view seen from the driver's seat side of the instrument panel concerning a 1st embodiment of the present invention An exploded perspective view of the mounting bracket as seen from the back side of the instrument panel A perspective view of the mounting bracket in the temporarily assembled state as seen from the front side A perspective view of the mounting bracket in the temporarily assembled state as seen from the back side Sectional view showing the method of connecting the mounting bracket to the instrument panel The disassembled perspective view of the bracket for attachment which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention. The perspective view which looked at the mounting bracket of the temporarily assembled state which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention from the back surface side. Sectional drawing which shows the coupling | bonding method with respect to the instrument panel of the mounting bracket which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Instrument panel 5 Display visor 6 Attachment opening 7 Joint surface 8 Attachment nail 11 Attachment bracket 12 Main bracket 13 Sub bracket 21 Engagement part 22 Protrusion part 26 Opening 27 Engagement piece 28 Attachment hole 41-43 Welding part 44 Opening 45 Engagement Joint pieces 51-53 First welding pieces 54-56 Second welding piece 62 Wall 62a Opening 71 Mounting surface 72 Excitation jig 81 Positioning rib 82 Opening G1-G3 Gap

Claims (5)

With the base material,
An intermediate member to be coupled to the base material;
A positioning portion formed between the base material and the intermediate member;
A vehicular component coupling structure comprising: the intermediate member sandwiched between the base material and a welding member that is vibration welded to the base material.   2. An engaging portion is formed between the intermediate member and the welding member to prevent the two members from separating while allowing relative movement of the two members in the vibration direction of the vibration welding. 2. A structure for connecting vehicle parts described in 1.   The mounting structure for a vehicle component according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a mounting portion for mounting another component is formed on the intermediate member.   4. The vehicle component coupling structure according to claim 1, wherein the intermediate member is formed with an opening for exposing the base material to a welding portion of the welding member.   5. The vehicle component coupling structure according to claim 1, wherein the welding member is vibration welded to the intermediate member.

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