JP2004026093A

JP2004026093A - Welding structure for air conditioning duct

Info

Publication number: JP2004026093A
Application number: JP2002188880A
Authority: JP
Inventors: Shinji Taniguchi; 谷口　伸二
Original assignee: Nishikawa Kasei Co Ltd
Current assignee: DaikyoNishikawa Corp
Priority date: 2002-06-28
Filing date: 2002-06-28
Publication date: 2004-01-29
Anticipated expiration: 2022-06-28
Also published as: JP4066414B2

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To strongly vibration-weld a peripheral wall of a blow molded air conditioning duct to an instrument panel. <P>SOLUTION: A welding part 21 projected toward a rear end of an upper wall part 3a of the instrument panel 3 is provided on a peripheral wall 13 at a left side duct part of the air conditioning duct 1. A front side flat wall part 13b and a rear side flat wall part 13a formed so as to extend at an approximately linear line are continuously formed at a car body front side and a rear side of the welding part 21. A front side projection 13f and a rear side projection 13d are formed on a lower wall part 13c continuing to both flat wall parts 13b, 13a. The front side projection 13f and the rear side projection 13d are retained by a jig 29 of a vibration-welding machine. The welding part 21 is press-contacted with the instrument panel 3 along the projection direction and the welding is carried out by vibrating the instrument panel 3. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
本発明は、ブロー成形された空調ダクトのパネル部材への溶着構造に関する。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
従来より、例えば、特開平１１−３２１２８７号公報に開示されるように、ブロー成形された空調ダクトをパネル部材としての自動車のインストルメントパネルに振動溶着することが行われている。この振動溶着の際には、振動溶着機の保持治具により空調ダクト及びインストルメントパネルをそれぞれ保持し、空調ダクトの溶着部とインストルメントパネルの被溶着部とを圧接させた状態で振動させるのであるが、円筒状に形成された空調ダクトの周壁に保持治具を押し当てるようにすると、そのときに作用するインストルメントパネルからの反力により空調ダクトが大きく屈曲変形する虞れがある。こうなると、溶着部と被溶着部とを狙い通りに圧接することが困難となるので、前記従来例では、空調ダクトの周壁からインストルメントパネルに沿って延出する取付フランジを設け、この取付フランジのインストルメントパネル側の面に溶着部を突設して反対側の面に保持治具を押し当てることで溶着部を狙い通りに圧接して確実に溶着するようにしている。
【０００３】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
しかしながら、前記従来例のように、空調ダクトの周壁から延出する取付フランジを介して空調ダクトを固定するようにすると、空調ダクトの本体部分とインストルメントパネルへの溶着部とが離れるので、例えば自動車の走行時の振動等に対して空調ダクトが振動し異音を発生させる場合がある。
【０００４】
本発明は斯かる点に鑑みてなされたものであり、その目的とするところは、空調ダクト自体の溶着部に対して振動溶着時の荷重方向を適切に設定することにより、空調ダクトをパネル部材へ強固に溶着することにある。
【０００５】
【課題を解決するための手段】
前記目的を達成するために、本発明では、空調ダクトの周壁における溶着部と振動溶着機の保持治具に保持される保持部との間を略直線状に延びるように形成した。
【０００６】
具体的には、請求項１の発明では、ブロー成形された空調ダクトを振動溶着機の保持治具により保持してパネル部材に振動溶着するようにした空調ダクトの溶着構造を対象とする。そして、前記空調ダクトの周壁には、前記パネル部材の被溶着部に向かって突出する溶着部と、該溶着部の略反対側に位置し振動溶着に際して前記保持治具に保持される保持部とを設け、前記空調ダクトの周壁における溶着部と保持部との間には、略直線状に延びるように形成された平坦壁部を設ける構成とする。
【０００７】
この構成によれば、空調ダクトの周壁の保持部が振動溶着機の保持治具により保持され、該空調ダクトの溶着部とパネル部材の被溶着部とを圧接した状態で両者を相対振動させて空調ダクトがパネル部材に溶着される。この際、空調ダクトの周壁における溶着部と保持部との間には略直線状に延びるように形成された平坦壁部が設けられているので、前記振動溶着時にはその平坦壁部がパネル部材からの反力に対して突っ張るようになり、空調ダクトの周壁が大きく屈曲変形することが防止される。これによって、空調ダクトの溶着部とパネル部材の被溶着部とを狙い通りに圧接させた状態で、空調ダクトの溶着部をパネル部材に直接振動溶着できるので、空調ダクトを強固に固定することが可能となる。
【０００８】
請求項２の発明では、請求項１の発明において、空調ダクトの周壁の平坦壁部の一端を溶着部の両側に連続して２つ設け、該２つの平坦壁部の他端は溶着部から保持部側へ行くに従って互いに離れ該平坦壁部の他端における前記各保持部の両端が空調ダクトの周壁で連続して形成されている構成とする。
【０００９】
この構成によれば、振動溶着時のパネル部材からの反力は溶着部の両側に連続して設けられた２つの平坦壁部にそれぞれ作用する。この際、２つの平坦壁部の他端は保持部側へ行くに従って互いに離れているので、両平坦壁部は溶着部と保持部との間で互いに突っ張るようになり、溶着部を両平坦壁部により被溶着部に安定して圧接した状態で、空調ダクトの溶着部をパネル部材に確実に振動溶着することが可能となる。
【００１０】
【発明の実施の形態】
以下、本発明の実施形態を図面に基づいて説明する。
【００１１】
図１は、本発明の実施形態に係る自動車用空調ダクト１を示し、この空調ダクト１は筒状をなし、図２に示すように車室前部のパネル部材としてのインストルメントパネル３の内部に配設されている。
【００１２】
このインストルメントパネル３は、フロントウインド（図示せず）の下端近傍から車室後側へ延びる上壁部３ａと該上壁部３ａの後端から下方へかつ下側へ行くほど若干車体後側に位置するように傾斜して延びる縦壁部３ｂとからなる。このインストルメントパネル３の縦壁部３ｂの上部における車幅方向両端近傍には、乗員へ向けて調和空気が吹き出すサイドベント吹出口５，５がそれぞれ形成されている。また、その縦壁部３ｂにおけるサイドベント吹出口５，５の間の略中央部には、同様に乗員へ向けて調和空気が吹き出すセンタベント吹出口９，９が２つ車幅方向に並設されている。
【００１３】
前記インストルメントパネル３内部の車幅方向略中央には、図示しないが、空調ユニットが配設されており、この空調ユニットで生成された調和空気が空調ダクト１によってインストルメントパネル３の前記吹出口５，５，９，９に導かれるようになっている。
【００１４】
前記空調ダクト１は、空調ユニットとインストルメントパネル３の上壁部３ａとの間に位置していて、インストルメントパネル３の車幅方向両端に亘って延びている。空調ダクト１の車幅方向中央部の下壁には、図示しないが、前記空調ユニットの上部に形成された調和空気吹出口に接続される調和空気導入口が形成され、空調ダクト１内に調和空気が導入されるようになっている。また、空調ダクト１の車幅方向中央部の車体後側壁部には、前記インストルメントパネル３のセンタベント吹出口９，９に接続される接続口（図示せず）が形成されている。
【００１５】
前記空調ダクト１の車幅方向中央部よりも右側の右側ダクト部の周壁１１はインストルメントパネル３に配設されるメータユニット（図示せず）の車体前方を廻り込むように湾曲形成されており、その右端部が前記右側のサイドベント吹出口５に接続されている。一方、空調ダクト１の車幅方向中央部よりも左側の左側ダクト部の周壁１３は比較的直線状に形成されており、その左端部が前記左側のサイドベント吹出口５に接続されている。
【００１６】
前記空調ダクト１の左側ダクト部の周壁１３は、インストルメントパネル３の縦壁部３ｂの上部近傍に位置しており、その断面形状はインストルメントパネル３の上壁部３ａと縦壁部３ｂとの境界近傍に頂部が位置するような大略三角形の閉断面とされている。左側ダクト部の周壁１３における車体後側の壁部は、インストルメントパネル３の上壁部３ａと縦壁部３ｂとの境界近傍の前記頂部から該縦壁部３ｂに沿うように下方へ略直線状に延びるように形成された後側平坦壁部１３ａとされている。また、この左側ダクト部の周壁１３における車体前側の壁部は、前記頂部から車体前側へ行くほど下方に位置するように傾斜して略直線状に延びるように形成された前側平坦壁部１３ｂとされ、該前側平坦壁部１３ｂの前端は後側平坦壁部１３ａの後端よりも下方に位置している。すなわち、周壁１３の前側平坦壁部１３ｂ及び後側平坦壁部１３ａは、前記頂部において連続しかつ下側へ行くに従って互いに離れるように形成されている。
【００１７】
また、前記左側ダクト部の周壁１３における前側平坦壁部１３ｂの前端及び後側平坦壁部１３ａの後端は下壁部１３ｃの前端及び後端にそれぞれ連続している。該下壁部１３ｃは、その前方が最も下方に位置するように湾曲形成されている。この下壁部１３ｃの車体後縁にはそこから後側平坦壁部１３ａの延びる方向に沿って斜め下方へ延出する後側突出部１３ｄが形成されている。該後側突出部１３ｄの先端には車体後側へ傾斜して上方へ延びる溶着部１３ｅが連なっており、従って、後側突出部１３ｄは略くの字形状を有している。この後側突出部１３ｄの溶着部１３ｅは、インストルメントパネル３の縦壁部３ｂから空調ダクト１側へ突出して車幅方向に延びる突条部３ｃの下側に当接するようになっている。一方、左側ダクト部の周壁１３における下壁部１３ｃの車体前縁には、そこから車体前側へ延びた後、前記前側平坦壁部１３ｂの延びる方向に沿うように斜め下方へ延出する前側突出部１３ｆが形成されている。
【００１８】
前記左側ダクト部の周壁１３における前側平坦壁部１３ｂと後側平坦壁部１３ａとが連続して一体的に結合する前記頂部近傍には、そこからインストルメントパネル３の上壁部３ａ後端に向かって突出する溶着部２１が形成されている。この溶着部２１及び前記溶着部１３ｅは、これらの先端が当接するインストルメントパネル３の上壁部３ａ後端及び前記突条部３ｃの下側の縦壁部３ｂにそれぞれ振動溶着されるようになっており、上壁部３ａ後端及び突条部３ｃの下側の縦壁部３ｂがそれぞれ被溶着部とされている。また、図２に示すように、左側ダクト部の周壁１３の左端近傍には、該周壁１３の前側平坦壁部１３ｂからインストルメントパネル３の上壁部３ａへ延びる脚部２５が形成されており、該脚部２５の上面が上壁部３ａ裏面に溶着されるようになっている。
【００１９】
前記空調ダクト１をインストルメントパネル３に振動溶着するための振動溶着機（図示せず）は、空調ダクト１を保持する保持治具２９と、インストルメントパネル３を保持する保持治具（図示せず）とを備えている。保持治具２９は、その空調ダクト１側である先端側が車体前後方向に分かれる二股状に形成されている。保持治具２９の車体後側の後側部２９ａは、その先端面が左側ダクト部の周壁１３における後側突出部１３ｄ下面の略全体に亘って当接するように形成されている。一方、保持治具２９の車体前側の前側部２９ｂは、その先端面が周壁１３の下壁部１３ｃの前端側下面と前側突出部１３ｆの下面との略全体に亘って当接するように形成されている。従って、後側突出部１３ｄが保持治具２９の後側部２９ａにより保持される保持部とされ、一方、前側突出部１３ｆが保持治具２９の前側部２９ｂにより保持される保持部とされている。そして、この保持治具２９の基端側（図１の下方）は図示しない油圧シリンダに連結されていて、前記空調ダクト１の溶着部２１をその突出方向（図１に示す矢印の方向）に上壁部３ａの後端へ圧接するように構成されている。また、周壁１３における後側突出部１３ｄの溶着部１３ｅは、保持治具２９の後側部２９ａにより縦壁部３ｂにおける突条部３ｃ下側に圧接されるようになっている。
【００２０】
前記空調ダクト１をインストルメントパネル３に振動溶着して取り付ける際には、まず、インストルメントパネル３を振動溶着機にセットするとともに、空調ダクト１を振動溶着機の保持治具２９にセットする。そして、保持治具２９により空調ダクト１をインストルメントパネル３側へ押圧しながら、該インストルメントパネル３のみを振動させることで、空調ダクト１の溶着部２１と後側突出部１３ｄの溶着部１３ｅとをインストルメントパネル３に溶着する。
【００２１】
前記保持治具２９により空調ダクト１を押圧した際には、保持治具２９の前側部２９ｂによって下壁部１３ｃに加わる押圧力は前側平坦壁部１３ｂにより溶着部２１に伝達するとともに、保持治具２９の後側部２９ａによって下壁部１３ｃに加わる押圧力は後側平坦壁部１３ａにより溶着部２１に伝達する。このとき、前側平坦壁部１３ｂ及び後側平坦壁部１３ａはともに略直線状に延びるように形成されているので、両平坦壁部１３ｂ，１３ａは溶着部２１と下壁部１３ｃとの間で突っ張るようになり、空調ダクト１が押圧方向に潰れるように大きく屈曲変形することはない。これにより、保持治具２９による押圧力を空調ダクト１の溶着部２１，１３ｅへ狙い通りに作用させることができる。
【００２２】
また、左側ダクト部の周壁１３における前側平坦壁部１３ｂ及び後側平坦壁部１３ａは、溶着部２１の両側に連続しかつ下壁部１３ｃ側へ行くに従って互いに離れているので、下壁部１３ｃに作用した押圧力を溶着部２１にその両側から集中させて作用させることができ、このことによって周壁１３を殆ど変形させることなく溶着部２１とインストルメントパネル３の上壁部３ａ後端とを確実にかつ安定して圧接することが可能となる。
【００２３】
これらのことにより、空調ダクト１の周壁１３をインストルメントパネル３に直接溶着することができ、自動車の走行時の振動等に対しても空調ダクト１が振動し、異音を発生させることがない。
【００２４】
尚、この実施形態では、左側ダクト部の周壁１３の前側壁部及び後側壁部の両方を平坦壁部としているが、これに限らず、いずれか一方を平坦壁部としてもよく、この場合でも、振動溶着時にその平坦壁部が突っ張るようになるので、溶着部２１とインストルメントパネル３とを狙い通りに圧接することができる。
【００２５】
また、実施形態では、空調ダクト１をインストルメントパネル３の内部に配設する場合について説明しているが、これに限らず、例えば空調ダクトを車室のトリム材の内部に配設し、両者を振動溶着する場合にも適用できる。
【００２６】
さらに、この実施形態では、振動溶着時に空調ダクト１を保持治具２９によりインストルメントパネル３側に押圧して該インストルメントパネル３を振動させるようにしているが、これに限らず、インストルメントパネル３を空調ダクト１側に押圧して該空調ダクト１を振動させるようにしてもよい。
【００２７】
【発明の効果】
以上説明したように、請求項１の発明に係る空調ダクトの溶着構造によると、ブロー成形された空調ダクトを振動溶着機の保持治具により保持してパネル部材に振動溶着するようにしたものであって、空調ダクトの周壁には、パネル部材の被溶着部に向かって突出する溶着部と保持治具に保持される保持部とを設け、空調ダクトの周壁における溶着部と保持部との間に、略直線状に延びる平坦壁部を設けたので、振動溶着時に空調ダクトの溶着部とパネル部材の被溶着部とを狙い通りに圧接させた状態で振動溶着できる。このことで、空調ダクトの周壁をパネル部材に直接振動溶着できるので、パネル部材に発生する振動等によって空調ダクトが振動することはなく、そのことによる異音の発生を未然に防止できる。
【００２８】
請求項２の発明では、空調ダクトの周壁の平坦壁部を２つ設け、該２つの平坦壁部は溶着部から保持部側へ行くに従って互いに離れ平坦壁部の他端における各保持部の両端が空調ダクトの周壁で連続しているので、両平坦壁部は溶着部と保持部との間で互いに突っ張るようになり、溶着部を両平坦壁部により被溶着部に安定して圧接した状態で、空調ダクトの溶着部をパネル部材に確実に振動溶着することができる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本発明の実施形態に係る空調ダクトの溶着構造を示す図２におけるＡ−Ａ線断面図である。
【図２】空調ダクトを自動車のインストルメントパネルに溶着した状態を示す斜視図である。
【符号の説明】
１　　　空調ダクト
３　　　インストルメントパネル（パネル部材）
１３　　周壁
１３ａ　後側平坦壁部
１３ｂ　前側平坦壁部
１３ｄ　後側突出部（保持部）
１３ｅ　溶着部
１３ｆ　前側突出部（保持部）
２１　　溶着部
２９　　治具[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a structure for welding a blow-molded air conditioning duct to a panel member.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H11-32287, a blow-molded air-conditioning duct is vibration-welded to an instrument panel of a vehicle as a panel member. At the time of this vibration welding, the holding jig of the vibration welding machine holds the air conditioning duct and the instrument panel, respectively, and vibrates in a state where the welded portion of the air conditioning duct and the welded portion of the instrument panel are pressed against each other. However, if the holding jig is pressed against the peripheral wall of the cylindrical air-conditioning duct, the air-conditioning duct may be significantly bent and deformed due to the reaction force from the instrument panel that acts at that time. In this case, it is difficult to press the welded portion and the welded portion in a targeted manner. In the above-described conventional example, a mounting flange is provided extending from the peripheral wall of the air conditioning duct along the instrument panel. A welding portion is protruded from the surface on the instrument panel side, and a holding jig is pressed against the opposite surface, so that the welding portion is pressed against the target as intended and securely welded.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, if the air-conditioning duct is fixed via a mounting flange extending from the peripheral wall of the air-conditioning duct as in the conventional example described above, the main body of the air-conditioning duct and the welded portion to the instrument panel are separated from each other. In some cases, the air-conditioning duct vibrates in response to vibration or the like when the vehicle is running, and generates abnormal noise.
[0004]
The present invention has been made in view of such a point, and an object of the present invention is to appropriately set a load direction at the time of vibration welding to a welding portion of an air conditioning duct itself so that the air conditioning duct is formed into a panel member. To be welded firmly.
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, in the present invention, the air conditioning duct is formed so as to extend substantially linearly between the welding portion on the peripheral wall and the holding portion held by the holding jig of the vibration welding machine.
[0006]
More specifically, the invention of claim 1 is directed to a welding structure of an air conditioning duct in which a blow-molded air conditioning duct is held by a holding jig of a vibration welding machine and is vibration welded to a panel member. And, on the peripheral wall of the air conditioning duct, a welding portion protruding toward the welded portion of the panel member, and a holding portion which is located on substantially the opposite side of the welded portion and held by the holding jig during vibration welding. And a flat wall portion formed so as to extend substantially linearly between the welding portion and the holding portion on the peripheral wall of the air conditioning duct.
[0007]
According to this configuration, the holding portion of the peripheral wall of the air conditioning duct is held by the holding jig of the vibration welding machine, and the welding portion of the air conditioning duct and the welded portion of the panel member are relatively vibrated in a state where they are pressed against each other. An air conditioning duct is welded to the panel member. At this time, since a flat wall portion formed so as to extend substantially linearly is provided between the welding portion and the holding portion on the peripheral wall of the air conditioning duct, the flat wall portion is separated from the panel member during the vibration welding. And the peripheral wall of the air conditioning duct is prevented from being significantly bent and deformed. This allows the welded portion of the air-conditioning duct to be directly vibration-welded to the panel member in a state where the welded portion of the air-conditioning duct is pressed against the welded portion of the panel member as intended, so that the air-conditioning duct can be firmly fixed. It becomes possible.
[0008]
According to the invention of claim 2, in the invention of claim 1, two ends of the flat wall portion of the peripheral wall of the air conditioning duct are continuously provided on both sides of the welding portion, and the other ends of the two flat wall portions are separated from the welding portion. The configuration is such that both ends of each of the holding portions at the other end of the flat wall portion are continuously formed by the peripheral wall of the air conditioning duct at the other end of the flat wall portion.
[0009]
According to this configuration, the reaction force from the panel member at the time of vibration welding acts on two flat wall portions provided continuously on both sides of the welded portion. At this time, since the other ends of the two flat wall portions are separated from each other as they go to the holding portion side, the two flat wall portions come into contact with each other between the welding portion and the holding portion, and the welding portion is connected to the two flat wall portions. In this state, the welded portion of the air conditioning duct can be securely welded to the panel member in a state where the welded portion is stably pressed against the welded portion.
[0010]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0011]
FIG. 1 shows an automotive air-conditioning duct 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The air-conditioning duct 1 has a tubular shape, and as shown in FIG. It is arranged in.
[0012]
The instrument panel 3 includes an upper wall portion 3a extending from the vicinity of the lower end of a front window (not shown) to the rear of the vehicle compartment, and a lower and lower side of the vehicle body from the rear end of the upper wall portion 3a. And a vertical wall portion 3b extending obliquely so as to be located at Side vent outlets 5, 5 through which conditioned air is blown out toward the occupant are formed in the upper portion of the vertical wall portion 3b of the instrument panel 3 near both ends in the vehicle width direction. In the substantially central portion between the side vent outlets 5 and 5 in the vertical wall portion 3b, two center vent outlets 9 and 9 for blowing out conditioned air toward the occupant are also juxtaposed in the vehicle width direction. Have been.
[0013]
Although not shown, an air conditioning unit (not shown) is disposed substantially in the center of the instrument panel 3 in the vehicle width direction, and the conditioned air generated by the air conditioning unit is supplied to the air outlet of the instrument panel 3 by the air conditioning duct 1. 5,5,9,9.
[0014]
The air conditioning duct 1 is located between the air conditioning unit and the upper wall 3a of the instrument panel 3 and extends across both ends of the instrument panel 3 in the vehicle width direction. Although not shown, a conditioned air inlet connected to a conditioned air outlet formed in an upper portion of the air conditioning unit is formed in a lower wall of a central portion of the air conditioning duct 1 in the vehicle width direction. Air is introduced. A connection port (not shown) connected to the center vent outlets 9 of the instrument panel 3 is formed in a rear wall portion of the vehicle body at the center of the air conditioning duct 1 in the vehicle width direction.
[0015]
The peripheral wall 11 of the right-side duct portion on the right side of the center portion in the vehicle width direction of the air-conditioning duct 1 is formed to be curved so as to go in front of a vehicle body of a meter unit (not shown) provided on the instrument panel 3. The right end is connected to the right side vent outlet 5. On the other hand, the peripheral wall 13 of the left duct portion on the left side of the center portion in the vehicle width direction of the air conditioning duct 1 is formed relatively straight, and the left end portion is connected to the left side vent outlet 5.
[0016]
The peripheral wall 13 of the left duct portion of the air-conditioning duct 1 is located near the upper portion of the vertical wall portion 3b of the instrument panel 3, and has a cross-sectional shape of the upper wall portion 3a and the vertical wall portion 3b of the instrument panel 3. Is a substantially triangular closed cross-section such that the top is located near the boundary of. The wall on the rear side of the vehicle body in the peripheral wall 13 of the left duct portion is substantially straight downward from the top near the boundary between the upper wall portion 3a and the vertical wall portion 3b of the instrument panel 3 along the vertical wall portion 3b. A rear flat wall portion 13a is formed to extend in a rectangular shape. A front flat wall portion 13b is formed such that the front wall portion of the front wall of the peripheral wall 13 of the left duct portion is inclined so as to be located lower as going from the top to the front side of the vehicle and extends substantially linearly. The front end of the front flat wall portion 13b is located lower than the rear end of the rear flat wall portion 13a. That is, the front flat wall portion 13b and the rear flat wall portion 13a of the peripheral wall 13 are formed so as to be continuous at the top and to be separated from each other as going downward.
[0017]
The front end of the front flat wall portion 13b and the rear end of the rear flat wall portion 13a in the peripheral wall 13 of the left duct portion are respectively connected to the front end and the rear end of the lower wall portion 13c. The lower wall portion 13c is curved so that its front is located at the lowest position. A rear protruding portion 13d is formed on the rear edge of the lower wall portion 13c and extends obliquely downward along the direction in which the rear flat wall portion 13a extends. A welding portion 13e that extends upward while being inclined rearward of the vehicle body is connected to the tip of the rear protruding portion 13d. Therefore, the rear protruding portion 13d has a substantially rectangular shape. The welding portion 13e of the rear protruding portion 13d projects from the vertical wall portion 3b of the instrument panel 3 toward the air conditioning duct 1 and abuts on a lower side of a ridge 3c extending in the vehicle width direction. On the other hand, at the front edge of the lower wall portion 13c of the peripheral wall 13 of the left duct portion, a front protrusion extending obliquely downward along the direction in which the front flat wall portion 13b extends after extending toward the vehicle front side from there. A portion 13f is formed.
[0018]
In the vicinity of the top where the front flat wall portion 13b and the rear flat wall portion 13a of the peripheral wall 13 of the left duct portion are continuously and integrally joined, from there, to the rear end of the upper wall portion 3a of the instrument panel 3. A welded portion 21 protruding toward is formed. The welded portion 21 and the welded portion 13e are vibration-welded to the rear end of the upper wall 3a of the instrument panel 3 and the vertical wall 3b below the ridge 3c, respectively. The rear end of the upper wall 3a and the lower vertical wall 3b on the lower side of the ridge 3c are welded portions. As shown in FIG. 2, near the left end of the peripheral wall 13 of the left duct portion, a leg 25 extending from the front flat wall 13 b of the peripheral wall 13 to the upper wall 3 a of the instrument panel 3 is formed. The upper surface of the leg 25 is welded to the rear surface of the upper wall 3a.
[0019]
A vibration welding machine (not shown) for vibration welding the air conditioning duct 1 to the instrument panel 3 includes a holding jig 29 for holding the air conditioning duct 1 and a holding jig (not shown) for holding the instrument panel 3. Zu). The holding jig 29 is formed in a bifurcated shape in which the front end side, which is the air conditioning duct 1 side, is divided in the vehicle longitudinal direction. The rear side portion 29a of the holding jig 29 on the rear side of the vehicle body is formed such that the front end surface thereof is in contact with substantially the entire lower surface of the rear protruding portion 13d of the peripheral wall 13 of the left duct portion. On the other hand, the front side portion 29b of the holding jig 29 on the front side of the vehicle body is formed such that the front end surface thereof is in contact with substantially the entire lower surface of the lower wall portion 13c of the peripheral wall 13 and the lower surface of the front protruding portion 13f. ing. Therefore, the rear protruding portion 13 d is a holding portion held by the rear portion 29 a of the holding jig 29, while the front protruding portion 13 f is a holding portion held by the front side portion 29 b of the holding jig 29. I have. The base end side of the holding jig 29 (the lower side in FIG. 1) is connected to a hydraulic cylinder (not shown), and the welding portion 21 of the air conditioning duct 1 is moved in the projecting direction (the direction of the arrow shown in FIG. 1). It is configured to be pressed against the rear end of the upper wall portion 3a. Further, the welding portion 13e of the rear protruding portion 13d of the peripheral wall 13 is pressed by the rear side portion 29a of the holding jig 29 below the protrusion 3c of the vertical wall portion 3b.
[0020]
When attaching the air conditioning duct 1 to the instrument panel 3 by vibration welding, first, the instrument panel 3 is set on the vibration welding machine, and the air conditioning duct 1 is set on the holding jig 29 of the vibration welding machine. Then, only the instrument panel 3 is vibrated while the air conditioning duct 1 is pressed toward the instrument panel 3 by the holding jig 29, so that the welding portion 21 of the air conditioning duct 1 and the welding portion 13 e of the rear protrusion 13 d are provided. Are welded to the instrument panel 3.
[0021]
When the air conditioning duct 1 is pressed by the holding jig 29, the pressing force applied to the lower wall portion 13c by the front side portion 29b of the holding jig 29 is transmitted to the welding portion 21 by the front flat wall portion 13b. The pressing force applied to the lower wall portion 13c by the rear side portion 29a of the tool 29 is transmitted to the welding portion 21 by the rear flat wall portion 13a. At this time, since both the front flat wall portion 13b and the rear flat wall portion 13a are formed to extend substantially linearly, both flat wall portions 13b and 13a are located between the welded portion 21 and the lower wall portion 13c. The air-conditioning duct 1 is not bent or deformed so as to be crushed in the pressing direction. Thus, the pressing force of the holding jig 29 can be applied to the welding portions 21 and 13e of the air conditioning duct 1 as intended.
[0022]
In addition, the front flat wall portion 13b and the rear flat wall portion 13a in the peripheral wall 13 of the left duct portion are continuous with both sides of the welded portion 21 and are separated from each other as they go toward the lower wall portion 13c. Can be concentrated on the welded portion 21 from both sides thereof, so that the welded portion 21 and the rear end of the upper wall portion 3a of the instrument panel 3 are hardly deformed. It is possible to reliably and stably press-contact.
[0023]
As a result, the peripheral wall 13 of the air-conditioning duct 1 can be directly welded to the instrument panel 3, and the air-conditioning duct 1 does not vibrate even when the vehicle is running, so that no abnormal noise is generated. .
[0024]
In this embodiment, both the front wall and the rear wall of the peripheral wall 13 of the left duct portion are formed as flat walls. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and either one may be formed as a flat wall. Since the flat wall portion is stretched during vibration welding, the welded portion 21 and the instrument panel 3 can be pressed against each other as intended.
[0025]
In the embodiment, the case where the air-conditioning duct 1 is disposed inside the instrument panel 3 is described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the air-conditioning duct is disposed inside a trim material of a vehicle compartment, Can also be applied when vibration welding is performed.
[0026]
Furthermore, in this embodiment, the air conditioning duct 1 is pressed toward the instrument panel 3 by the holding jig 29 during the vibration welding to vibrate the instrument panel 3, but the invention is not limited to this. The air conditioning duct 1 may be vibrated by pressing the air conditioning duct 3 toward the air conditioning duct 1.
[0027]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the welding structure of the air conditioning duct according to the first aspect of the present invention, the blow-molded air conditioning duct is held by the holding jig of the vibration welding machine and is vibration welded to the panel member. In addition, on the peripheral wall of the air conditioning duct, a welding portion protruding toward the welded portion of the panel member and a holding portion held by a holding jig are provided, and a gap between the welding portion and the holding portion on the peripheral wall of the air conditioning duct is provided. Since a flat wall portion extending substantially linearly is provided, vibration welding can be performed in a state in which the welded portion of the air conditioning duct and the welded portion of the panel member are pressed against each other as intended during vibration welding. Accordingly, the peripheral wall of the air conditioning duct can be directly welded to the panel member by vibration, so that the air conditioning duct does not vibrate due to vibration or the like generated in the panel member, and the generation of abnormal noise due to the vibration can be prevented.
[0028]
According to the second aspect of the present invention, two flat wall portions of the peripheral wall of the air conditioning duct are provided, and the two flat wall portions are separated from each other from the welding portion toward the holding portion, and both ends of each holding portion at the other end of the flat wall portion. Is continuous with the peripheral wall of the air-conditioning duct, so that both flat walls come into contact with each other between the welded portion and the holding portion, and the welded portion is stably pressed against the portion to be welded by the flat wall portions. Thus, the welded portion of the air conditioning duct can be securely welded to the panel member by vibration.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 2 showing a welding structure of an air conditioning duct according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a state where an air conditioning duct is welded to an instrument panel of an automobile.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 air conditioning duct 3 instrument panel (panel member)
13 peripheral wall 13a rear flat wall 13b front flat wall 13d rear protrusion (holding part)
13e Welding part 13f Front protruding part (holding part)
21 welding part 29 jig

Claims

ブロー成形された空調ダクトを振動溶着機の保持治具により保持してパネル部材に振動溶着するようにした空調ダクトの溶着構造であって、前記空調ダクトの周壁には、前記パネル部材の被溶着部に向かって突出する溶着部と、該溶着部の略反対側に位置し振動溶着に際して前記保持治具に保持される保持部とが設けられ、
前記空調ダクトの周壁における溶着部と保持部との間には、略直線状に延びるように形成された平坦壁部が設けられていることを特徴とする空調ダクトの溶着構造。An air-conditioning duct welding structure in which a blow-molded air-conditioning duct is held by a holding jig of a vibration welding machine and is vibration-welded to a panel member, wherein the panel member is welded to a peripheral wall of the air-conditioning duct. A welding portion protruding toward the portion, and a holding portion which is located on substantially the opposite side of the welding portion and is held by the holding jig during vibration welding, is provided.
A welding structure for an air-conditioning duct, wherein a flat wall portion extending substantially linearly is provided between a welding portion and a holding portion on a peripheral wall of the air-conditioning duct.

請求項１において、
空調ダクトの周壁の平坦壁部の一端は溶着部の両側に連続して２つ設けられ、前記２つの平坦壁部の他端は溶着部から保持部側へ行くに従って互いに離れ該平坦壁部の他端における前記各保持部の両端が空調ダクトの周壁で連続して形成されていることを特徴とする空調ダクトの溶着構造。In claim 1,
One end of the flat wall portion of the peripheral wall of the air conditioning duct is provided continuously on both sides of the welding portion, and the other ends of the two flat wall portions are separated from each other as going from the welding portion to the holding portion side. The welding structure for an air-conditioning duct, wherein both ends of each of the holding portions at the other end are formed continuously by a peripheral wall of the air-conditioning duct.