Assembly structure of an instrument panel

• Main Authors: SUTOU MITSURU, NANBA TAKANORI
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 04.07.2002
• Edition: 7
• Subjects: ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PLURAL DIVERSE PRIME-MOVERS INVEHICLES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PROPULSION UNITS OR OFTRANSMISSIONS IN VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH COOLING, AIR INTAKE, GASEXHAUST OR FUEL SUPPLY OF PROPULSION UNITS, IN VEHICLES; AUXILIARY DRIVES FOR VEHICLES; INSTRUMENTATION OR DASHBOARDS FOR VEHICLES; LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS; MOTOR VEHICLES; PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRAILERS; TRANSPORTING; VEHICLES IN GENERAL

The present invention is directed to an assembly structure designed to improve the process of accurately assembling an instrument panel supported by a steering support member in a vehicle. The assembly structure includes side brackets 16, 17 arranged to mount both ends of a steering support member 15 to a car body. Side bracket 16 includes an extended portion 20 provided with an instrument panel mounting seat 22, a car body mounting seat 23, and a side trim mounting seat 24. The upper side of an instrument panel 14 is mounted to the cylindrical portion of the steering support member 15 and the lower end portion thereof is mounted to the instrument panel mounting seat 22. The car body mounting seat 23 of the side bracket 16 is mounted to the car body, while a dash side trim 31 is mounted to the side trim mounting seat 24. Instead of mounting the instrument panel 14 so as to be directly coupled to the car body, it is mounted to the car body via the steering support member 15. Since the processes of assembling the instrument panel 14 and the body panel are separated from each other, the instrument panel can be assembled accurately with an improved appearance.