Instrument panel reinforcement
An instrument panel reinforcement in a tubular shape according to one aspect comprises a large-diameter portion that supports a steering column, a small-diameter portion that has an outer diameter smaller than an outer diameter of the large-diameter portion and has a thickness smaller than a thickness of the large-diameter portion, and an intermediate portion that is arranged between the large-diameter portion and the small-diameter portion. The intermediate portion is formed integrally with the large-diameter portion and has an outer diameter smaller than the outer diameter of the large-diameter portion.
1. An instrument panel reinforcement in a tubular shape, comprising:
a large-diameter portion that supports a steering column;
a small-diameter portion that has an outer diameter smaller than an outer diameter of the large-diameter portion and has a thickness smaller than a thickness of the large-diameter portion;
an intermediate portion that is arranged between the large-diameter portion and the small-diameter portion; and
a floor brace,
wherein the intermediate portion is formed integrally with the large-diameter portion and has an outer diameter smaller than the outer diameter of the large-diameter portion,
wherein the intermediate portion has a straight tubular shape and the large-diameter portion comprises, at an end of an intermediate-portion side thereof, a reduced-diameter portion that is reduced in diameter toward the intermediate portion,
wherein the small-diameter portion is configured separately from the large-diameter portion and the intermediate portion and is joined to the intermediate portion, and
wherein the floor brace is fixedly fastened to a right end of the large diameter portion, the vicinity of the reduced-diameter portion, or the intermediate portion.
2. The instrument panel reinforcement according to claim 1 , wherein a thickness of the intermediate portion is larger than the thickness of the small-diameter portion.
3. The instrument panel reinforcement according to claim 1 , wherein the outer diameter of the intermediate portion is larger than the outer diameter of the small-diameter portion.
4. The instrument panel reinforcement according to claim 1 , wherein the large-diameter portion and the intermediate portion comprise a rolled pipe.
5. The instrument panel reinforcement according to claim 1 , wherein the large-diameter portion comprises, at the end of the intermediate-portion side thereof, a brace attaching portion.
6. The instrument panel reinforcement according to claim 1 , wherein the intermediate portion has a length that is 70 mm or greater.
7. The instrument panel reinforcement according to claim 1 , further comprising:
a first attaching bracket fixedly fastened to an end of the large-diameter portion opposite to the small-diameter portion, for attaching the instrument panel reinforcement to a vehicle body frame;
a second attaching bracket fixedly fastened to an end of the small-diameter portion opposite to the large-diameter portion, for attaching the instrument panel reinforcement to the vehicle body frame;
another floor brace fixedly fastened to the intermediate portion at an end thereof closer to the small diameter portion; and
a steering column fixing bracket fixedly attached to an outer peripheral surface of the large-diameter portion.