JP2842080B2 - Structure for mounting automotive strength members - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a structure for mounting a strength member, for example, a steering member, which is provided between left and right front pillars of an automobile along a vehicle width direction.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as this kind, there is, for example, one as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 (see Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 62-127860). In the figure, reference numeral 1 denotes front pillars arranged on the left and right, and a steering member 2 is installed between the front pillars 1 and 1 as a strength member.

More specifically, the steering member 2 is configured as shown in FIG.
5, the right end 2 a is bolted to the right front pillar 1, and the left end 2 b is fixed to the left front pillar 1 via the upper bracket 4 and the lower bracket 5 in FIG.

The left end portion 2b is inserted between the semi-cylindrical portions 4a and 5a of the brackets 4 and 5 in a state where the upper and lower brackets 4 and 5 are fitted together, and is clamped and clamped by bolts 6. The flange portions 4b and 5b of the upper and lower brackets 4 and 5 are fixed to the left front pillar 1 with bolts 7.

In this case, by adjusting the tightening position of the left end portion 2b of the steering member 2 with respect to the upper and lower brackets 4 and 5, it is possible to cope with a case where a pitch error or the like between the front pillars 1 occurs. .

[0006] Another example of this type is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 60-36005.

[0007]

However, in such a conventional device, the left end 2b of the steering member 2 is connected to the front pillar 1 via the upper and lower brackets 4 and 5 to absorb the pitch error. First, the two semi-cylindrical parts 4 are attached with bolts 6.
a, 5a, the steering member 2 is sandwiched between the front pillar 1 and the two brackets 4, 5 with bolts 7.
Since it is designed to be mounted on the device, man-hours for mounting work are increased. In addition, the right end 2a is fixed to the front pillar 1 in advance, and when the brackets 4 and 5 are attached to the left end 2b of the steering member thereafter, there is no positioning means in the rotation direction around the shaft.
It is troublesome to attach the brackets 4 and 5 at a predetermined position, and when the brackets 4 and 5 are attached to the front pillar 1 with the bolts 7, it may be difficult to adjust the positions.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, the present invention provides a structure for mounting a strength member for an automobile which can improve the workability of mounting a strength member such as a steering member and can reliably prevent the strength member from rotating around an axial direction. Is an issue.

[0009]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problem, and a strength member is provided along the vehicle width direction between left and right front pillars, and at least one of the strength members is provided. In an automotive strength member mounting structure in which an end of the strength member is attached to the front pillar via a bracket, the strength member has a hollow rod shape, and the end of the strength member attached via the bracket has another end. The cross-sectional shape is formed larger than the portion, and a tapered surface is formed at a portion where the cross-section changes, and a slit extending from the open end to a position including the tapered surface substantially along the vehicle width direction at the end. While the bracket is
It has a hollow shape, and has an insertion portion into which the end portion of the strength member is inserted, and a mounting surface portion which is screwed by being brought into contact with the front pillar, and the insertion portion has an outer surface formed on the tapered surface.
It is characterized in that it is a structure for mounting a strength member for automobiles, wherein a contact portion that contacts from the side is formed, and an anti-rotation claw that is inserted and locked in a slit at the end of the strength member is formed.

[0010]

According to this means, for example, when one end of the strength member is fixed to the front pillar and then the other end is attached to the front pillar via a bracket, first, the end of the strength member is used. Is inserted into the insertion portion of the bracket, and the mounting surface of the bracket is screwed to the front pillar.

As the screws are tightened, the bracket is pulled toward the front pillar, so that the abutting portion of the bracket slides on the tapered surface of the strength member.
Press from outside . Thereby, the insertion part of the strength member is
The slits are elastically deformed so as to reduce the gap, so that the reaction force at this time enhances the adhesion between the bracket and the strength member, and reduces the relative strength of the bracket to the strength member.
Movement absorbs pitch error between left and right front pillars
Then, the strength member is attached to the front pillar via the bracket.

As described above, since the bracket can be mounted simply by screwing the mounting surface of the bracket to the front pillar, the mounting workability is improved as compared with the related art.

Before the bracket mounting surface is screwed, the anti-rotation claw of the bracket is inserted into the slit of the strength member to position the bracket in the rotation direction about the axial direction of the strength member. Therefore, the mounting surface of the bracket can be positioned at a predetermined position with respect to the front pillar, thereby improving the mounting workability.

In the above description, the bracket is provided at one end of the strength member, but it is also possible to provide the bracket at both ends.

[0015]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIGS. 1 to 4 show an embodiment of the present invention.

First, the structure will be described. In the drawing, reference numeral 11 denotes a steering member as a strength member. The right end (not shown) of the steering member 11 is attached to the right front pillar as in the prior art, and the left end 12 is a bracket. 13 to be attached to the left front pillar 1.

Specifically, the steering member 11
It has a hollow rod shape, and the left end portion 12 is formed to have a larger cross-sectional shape than other portions. The left end portion 12 has a tapered surface 12a formed at a portion where the cross section changes, and a pair of slits 12b is formed from the opening end to a position including the tapered surface 12a substantially along the vehicle width direction.

On the other hand, the bracket 13 has a hollow shape, and has an insertion portion 14 into which the left end portion 12 of the steering member is inserted, and a mounting surface portion 15 abutting on the front pillar 1 and screwed. I have. This insertion part 14
The abutting portion 1 that abuts against the tapered surface 12a from outside.
4a, and a rotation preventing claw 14b which is inserted into the slit 12b of the left end portion 12 of the steering member and locked. In addition, a weld nut 15a is provided on the mounting surface portion 15. A bolt 13 is screwed into the weld nut 15a so that a bracket 13 is attached to the front pillar 1.

Next, the operation will be described.

To dispose the steering member 11,
In advance, the left end 12 of the steering member is
Is inserted in the insertion portion 14. From this state, first, the right end of the steering member 11 is directly screwed to the right front pillar as in the related art. Thereafter, the left end portion 12 of the steering member is attached to the left front pillar 1 via the bracket 13. That is, (a) in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 1, before the bolt 16 is fastened to the weld nut 15a, the distance L1 from the front pillar 1 to the mounting surface 15 is about 5 mm. As a result, in the state shown in FIG.
3 abuts against the tapered surface 12 a of the steering member 11. In this state, when further tightened, the contact portion 14a slides while pressing the tapered surface 12a from the outside . Thereby, the gap between the slits 12b is elastically deformed so as to be narrowed, so that the reaction force increases the adhesion between the bracket 13 and the steering member 11, and the relative movement of the bracket with respect to the strength member.
Absorbs pitch errors between the left and right front pillars
As a result, the steering member 11 is attached to the front pillar 1 via the bracket 13. In this mounting completed state, the mounting surface 15 is the front pillar 1
However, a gap L2 between the end surface of the left end portion 12 of the steering member and the front pillar 1 is about 3 mm (see FIG. 1C).

As described above, the mounting surface 1 of the bracket 13
5 can be attached to the front pillar 1 only by fixing the bolt 16 to the front pillar 1, so that workability is improved as compared with the related art.

Before the mounting surface 15 is screwed, the slit 12 of the steering member 11
By inserting the rotation preventing claw 14b of the bracket 13 into the position b, the bracket 13 is positioned in the rotation direction about the axis of the steering member 11. Therefore, by fixing the right end of the steering member 11 to the front pillar, the mounting surface 15 of the bracket 13 can also be automatically positioned at a predetermined position with respect to the left front pillar 1, thereby improving mounting workability.

When the mounting of the steering member 11 is completed, the slit 12b of the steering member 11 is closed.
In addition, since the rotation preventing claw 14b of the bracket 13 is locked, a rotational force about the axis of the steering member 11 can be borne, and rotation is prevented, thereby supporting a steering shaft (not shown). Strength can be improved.

Further, at the time of a vehicle side collision, the front pillar 1 is deformed and hits the left end portion 12 thereof, and the cylindrical steering member 11 bears the burden. In the state before the collision, as shown in FIG. 1C, a gap L2 between the front pillar 1 and the left end portion 12 of the steering member is about 3 mm in order to absorb a molding error or the like. Since the front pillar 1 is deformed, there is almost no problem in the gap L2 when the steering member 11 absorbs an impact.

In addition, when an air-conditioning unit or the like (not shown) is mounted, in a state before the steering member 11 is provided,
Since there is nothing protruding from the inner wall surface of the front pillar 1, mounting workability is ensured.

In the above embodiment, the steering member 11 has been described. However, it is needless to say that the steering member other than the steering shaft may be supported, or the vehicle body may be simply reinforced. In the embodiment, the strength member has a cylindrical shape. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Needless to say, the cross section may have a square shape as long as it has a hollow shape.

[0028]

As described above, according to the present invention, the man-hour for mounting the strength member can be reduced, the workability of the mounting can be improved, and the rotation of the strength member about the axial direction can be ensured. At the time of screwing
The bracket is pulled to the front pillar side
As a result, the contact part of the bracket makes the tapered surface of the strength member
Press from outside, this will reduce the gap between slits
The end of the strength member is elastically deformed and
Will be relatively moved to the front pillar side,
At this time, the interval between the slits generated at the end of the strength member increases.
The adhesion between the bracket and the strength member is improved by the reaction force in the direction
And relative movement of the bracket to the strength member
Absorbs the pitch error between the left and right front pillars
In practical use.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing the operation of one embodiment of a structure for mounting a strength member for a vehicle according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing a steering member and a bracket of the same embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a state in which the steering member of the same embodiment is attached to a front pillar via a bracket.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the same embodiment, taken along line AA of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a front view of a steering member and the like showing a conventional example.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a state in which a steering member according to the related art is mounted.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 1 front pillar 11 steering member (strength member) 12 left end (end) 12a tapered surface 12b slit 13 bracket 14 insertion portion 14a abutment portion 14b anti-rotation claw 15 mounting surface portion 16 bolt

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuation of the front page (56) References Japanese Utility Model Sho 63-111365 (JP, U) Japanese Utility Model Sho 63-108870 (JP, U) Japanese Utility Model Sho 63-133472 (JP, U) Japanese Utility Model Sho 59- 157967 (JP, U) Hira 1-59784 (JP, U) (58) Field surveyed (Int. Cl. ⁶ , DB name) B62D 25/08 B62D 1/16 B62D 25/04

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] A strength member is provided between left and right front pillars along a vehicle width direction, and at least one end of the strength member is attached to the front pillar via a bracket. In the mounting structure, the strength member has a hollow rod shape, and the end of the strength member mounted via a bracket is
The cross-sectional shape is formed large, a tapered surface is formed at a portion where the cross-section changes, and a slit is formed at the end from the opening end to a position including the tapered surface substantially along the vehicle width direction, On the other hand, the bracket has a hollow shape, and has an insertion portion into which the end portion of the strength member is inserted, and a mounting surface portion that is screwed by being brought into contact with the front pillar. A structure for mounting a strength member for an automobile, wherein a contact portion that contacts the tapered surface from outside is formed, and a rotation preventing claw that is inserted into a slit at an end portion of the strength member and locked is formed.