Vehicle interior member and method for removal thereof

Abstract

Problem: To provide a vehicle interior member affixing member capable of improving the efficiency of attachment and removal operations.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

FIG. 1 A perspective view showing an assist grip according to an embodiment of the present invention attached to the upper side surface of a vehicle cabin interior with interior materials such as the roof trim removed.

FIGS. 2 A side view of an assist grip according to an embodiment of the present invention attached to a bracket, as seen from the front of the vehicle.

FIG. 3 A side sectional view of an assist grip according to an embodiment of the present invention affixed to a bracket.

FIG. 4 A perspective view showing one of the assist grip hinge portions.

FIG. 5 A perspective view of a hinge main body seen from the vehicle cabin interior side.

FIG. 6 A perspective view of a hinge main body seen from outside the vehicle cabin.

FIG. 7 A perspective view of a dip.

FIG. 8 A perspective view of a cap.

FIG. 9 A side view of a clip according to a variation.

EXPLANATION OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

• 1 Assist Grip
• 2 Window
• 4 Bracket
• 4 a Opening Portion
• 6 Curtain Airbag
• 8 Roof Trim
• 10 Holding Portion
• 12 Hinge Portion
• 12 a Shaft
• 14 Hinge Main body
• 14 a Base Portion
• 14 b Tubular portion
• 14 c Bearing Portion
• 14 d Rectangular Hole
• 14 e Engaging Protuberance
• 14 f Raised Portion
• 16 Clip
• 16 a, 16 b Inserted Portion
• 16 c Connecting Portion
• 16 d Tab Portion
• 16 e Angled Portion
• 16 f Protuberance Receiving Hole
• 18 Cap
• 18 a Cover Portion
• 18 b Spacer Member
• 18 c Spacer Joint Portion
• 18 d Fitting Boss
• 116 Clip According to a Variation
• 116 a, 116 b Inserted Portion
• 116 c Connecting Portion
• 116 d Tab Portion
• 116 e Angled Portion

Claims

1. A vehicle interior member attached to an attaching portion disposed in a vehicle cabin comprising: an interior member main body andan affixing member for attaching the interior member main body to the attaching portion by insertion thereof into an opening portion formed on the attaching portion,wherein the affixing member has:two inserted portions arranged so as to be mutually separated, the leading end sides of which are inserted into the opening portion;a tab portion disposed on at least one of these inserted portions, so as to engage the edge portion of the opening portion when the interior member main body is attached to the attaching portion, thereby preventing the affixing member from falling out of the opening portion; anda connecting portion connecting the two inserted portions in such a way that the width at the base end side of the affixing member is approximately the same as or greater than the width at the opening portion;wherein the vehicle interior member is constituted in such a way that when the interior member main body is attached to the attaching portion, the two inserted portions are placed at a spacing such that the tab portion engages the opening portion, and when the two inserted portions are pulled out from the opening portion, the gap at the leading end side of the two inserted portions is elastically deformed to become narrow, and the engagement between the tab portion and the opening portion is released.

2. The vehicle interior member according to claim 1, further comprising a falling out prevention means for preventing a narrowing of the gap at the leading end sides of the two inserted portions when the interior member main body is attached to the attaching portion.

3. The vehicle interior member according to claim 2, wherein the falling out prevention means has two spacer members disposed between the two inserted portions and extending on both sides of the connecting portion, and a spacer joining portion which joins these spacer members at the leading end side relative to the connecting portion.

4. The vehicle interior member according to claim 1, further comprising a falling out prevention means for preventing the dropping-out of the affixing member, whereby the falling out prevention means has two spacer members arranged between the two inserted members and extending on both sides of the connecting portion, and a spacer connecting portion for connecting the two spacer members at the leading end side relative to the connecting portion, such that when the interior member main body is attached to the attaching portion, the two inserted portions are placed at an spacing whereby the tab portion engages the opening portion, and by moving the two spacer members to the base end side it becomes possible to elastically deform the affixing member such that the gap on the leading end side of the two inserted portions narrows, thus enabling a release of the engagement between the tab portion and the opening portion to be released.

5. The vehicle interior member according to claim 4, wherein the two spacer members extend from the base end side of the inserted portion up to the vicinity of the tab portion.

6. The vehicle interior member according to claim 1, wherein angled portions bent in a mutually approaching direction are respectively disposed at the leading ends of the two inserted portions, and these angled portions are formed such that their leading ends do not interfere, even if the gap between the two inserted portions is narrowed.

7. The vehicle interior member according to claim 1, wherein the interior member main body has a main body connecting portion; an inserted portion connecting portion which engages the main body connecting portion and connects the interior member and the affixing member is formed on the inserted portions, and when the gap between the two inserted portions is narrowed, the engagement between the main body connecting portion and the inserted portion connecting portion is released.

8. The vehicle interior member according to claim 1, wherein the interior member main body is attached to the attaching portion in such a way that roof trim disposed to cover vehicle-mounted airbag is disposed between the attaching portion and the interior member main body and the tab portion extend at an angle from the leading end side to the base end side of the inserted portion; the leading end of the tab portion is formed to engage the edge portion of the opening portion, and when a strong force is applied by deployment of an airbag, the tab portion is bent and the interior member main body is displaced toward the base end side, and displacement to the base end side by the roof trim is permitted.

9. An affixing member for attaching an interior portion main body to an attaching portion disposed in a vehicle cabin interior, comprising: two inserted portions arranged so as to be mutually separated, the leading end sides of which are inserted into an opening portion;a tab portion disposed on at least one of these inserted portions, such that it engages the edge portion of the opening portion when the interior member main body is attached to the attaching portion, thereby preventing the affixing member from falling out of the opening portion;a connecting portion connecting the two inserted portions in such a way that the width at the base end side of the affixing member is approximately the same as or greater than the width at the opening portion;wherein the affixing member is constituted in such a way that when the interior member main body is attached to the attaching portion, the two inserted portions are placed at a spacing such that the tab portions engage the opening portions, and when the two inserted portions are pulled out from the opening portions, the gap at the leading end side of the two inserted portions is elastically deformed to become narrow, and the engagement between the tab portion and the opening portion is released.

10. A method for removing an interior member main body affixed by an affixing member to an attaching portion disposed in a vehicle cabin, wherein the affixing member comprises two inserted portions arranged so as to be mutually separated, the leading end sides of which are inserted into an opening portion; a tab portion disposed on these inserted portions which engages the edge portion of the opening portion; and a connecting portion connecting the two inserted portions in such a way that the width at the base end side of the affixing member is approximately the same as or greater than the width at the opening portion;the method for removing an interior member main body comprising steps of:elastically deforming the affixing member to narrow the separation gap between the inserted portions, and releasing the engagement between the tab portion and the opening portion; andpulling out the affixing member toward the base end side when the engagement of the tab portion is released.

11. The method for removing an interior member main body according to claim 10, further comprising steps of preparing a falling out prevention means, having two spacer members disposed between the two inserted portions so as to extend on both sides of the connecting portion and hold the separation gap between the inserted portions, and moving the falling out prevention means to the base end side.