Patent Publication Number: US-11654826-B2

Title: Vehicle interior member

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/652,184 having a filing date of Mar. 30, 2020, which is the U.S. national stage entry of International Application No. PCT/JP2018/036360 filed under the Patent Cooperation Treaty and having a filing date of Sep. 28, 2018, which claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2017-192976 having a filing date of Oct. 2, 2017, all of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates to a vehicle interior member configured to be fitted on a vehicle. 
     BACKGROUND ART 
     A known door lining fitted on a vehicle door is provided with a linear light guide member for transmitting light from a light source, and a lens provided along the light guide member, and these components are positioned between a door lining main body and a switch panel. (see Patent Document 1, for example) The lens is provided with a groove that retains the light guide member, a clamped portion that is clamped between the door lining main body and the switch panel, and engagement claws that are engaged by through holes provided in the door lining main body. The light guide member is connected to the door lining main body via the lens. A part of the light emitted from the light source is irradiated from a side surface of the light guide member, and reaches the cabin after passing through the clamped portion of the lens. 
     PRIOR ART DOCUMENT(S) 
     Patent Document(s) 
     
         
         Patent Document 1: JP2015-155298A 
       
    
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Task to be Accomplished by the Invention 
     According to the prior art disclosed in Patent Document 1, since the lens is clamped between the door lining main body and the switch panel, at the time of assembly, it is necessary to properly position the lens with respect to the door lining main body and the switch panel when clamping the lens between the door lining main body and the switch panel. Therefore, the assembly work is not simple. 
     In view of such a problem of the prior art, a primary object of the present invention is to provide a structure for a vehicle interior member having an interior member main body, a light guide member for conducting light from a light source, and a lens extending along the light guide member that allows the light guide member to be easily connected to the interior member main body. 
     To achieve such an object, the present invention provides an interior member ( 1 ) for a vehicle, comprising: an interior member main body ( 10 ,  11 ,  12 ) forming an inner wall of a cabin; a linear light guide member ( 17 ) configured to conduct light from a light source in a lengthwise direction and to irradiate the light from a side surface thereof; and a lens ( 18 ) that transmits the light irradiated from the light guide member; wherein the lens extends along the light guide member, and is provided with a groove ( 26 ) receiving the light guide member therein, a first engaging portion ( 21 ) provided on a wall that defines the groove, and a second engaging portion ( 22 ) provided on a wall that defines the groove, and the interior member main body is provided with a first engaged portion ( 34 ) engaged by the first engaging portion, and a second engaged portion ( 35 ) engaged by the second engaging portion, the lens being resiliently deformable so as to bring the walls defining the groove toward each other. 
     Since the relative position of the first engaging portion and the second engaging portion can be changed by resiliently deforming the lens so as to bring the walls defining the groove come toward each other, the first engaging portion and the second engaging portion can be brought into engagement with the first engaged portion and the second engaged portion, respectively, with ease. Owing to this engagement, the interior member main body and the lens can be joined to each other so that the lens and the light guide member can be mounted to the interior member main body with ease. 
     Preferably, the lens includes a first wall ( 23 ) extending along the light guide member, and a second wall ( 24 ) and a third wall ( 25 ) extending from either side edge of the first wall toward the light guide member, the groove being defined by the first wall, the second wall and the third wall. 
     Thereby, the lens can be resiliently deformed so as to cause the second wall and the third wall to come toward each other with ease, and a groove can be thereby formed in the lens. 
     Preferably, the interior member main body is provided with an interior member recess ( 29 ) receiving the light guide member and the lens therein, wherein the first engaging portion projects from a surface of the second wall facing away from the light guide member, and the first engaged portion comprises a hole formed in a wall part of the interior member main body defining the interior member recess so as to receive the first engaging portion therein, and wherein the second engaging portion projects from a surface of the third wall facing away from the light guide member, and the second engaged portion comprises a hole formed in a wall part of the interior member main body defining the interior member recess so as to receive the second engaging portion therein. 
     Since the lens is received in the interior member recess, the occupant is prevented from touching the lens so that damages to the lens can be avoided. Since the first engaging portion and the second engaging portion project in mutually opposing directions, and the lens and the interior member are joined to each other at the first engaging portion and the second engaging portion, the lens and the interior member can be firmly joined to each other. 
     Preferably, a projecting amount (L 1 ) of the first engaging portion from the surface of the second wall is smaller than a projecting amount (L 2 ) of the second engaging portion from the surface of the third wall. 
     The deformation of the lens that is required in the assembling process can be minimized by engaging the second engaging portion with the second engaged portion, and then engaging the first engaging portion with the first engaged portion so that the process of joining the lens to the interior member main body is facilitated. 
     Preferably, the second engaged portion is passed through the wall part defining the interior member recess, and the second engaging portion is passed through the second engaged portion. 
     Since the second engaging portion is engaged by the second engaged portion by being passed through the second engaged portion, the connection between the lens and the interior member main body can be made highly firm. 
     Preferably, the second engaging portion is formed in a free end edge of the third wall. 
     Thereby, the opening region of the groove can be reinforced by the second engaging portion. 
     Preferably, the first engaging portion includes a plurality of first engaging portions arranged in the extending direction of the lens, and the second engaging portion includes a plurality of second engaging portions arranged in the extending direction of the lens, the second engaging portions being each interposed between a corresponding mutually adjoining pair of the first engaging portions. 
     Since the first engaging portions and the second engaging portions can be engaged by the corresponding first engaging portions and the corresponding second engaging portions one after the other in an alternating manner, the lens can be attached to the interior member main body with ease. Since the first engaging portions and the second engaging portions are provided in mutually different positions along the extending direction of the lens, the attachment strength between the lens and the interior member main body can be maximized. 
     Preferably, the interior member main body includes a plate like main board ( 10 ) provided on a door panel ( 3 ) of a vehicle door ( 2 ), and a pocket member ( 11 ,  12 ) disposed on an inner side of the main board and defining a door pocket ( 6 ) in cooperation with the main body, and the light guide member and the lens are provided on at least one of the main board and the pocket member. 
     Thereby, the interior of the door pocket can be illuminated. 
     Preferably, the door pocket extends in a fore and aft direction on the vehicle door, and the interior member recess is formed in a wall surface of at least one of the main board and the pocket member on an inside of the door pocket, the interior member recess extending linearly along an extending direction of the door pocket. 
     The door pocket can be illuminated along the extending direction of the door pocket. Since the light guide member is formed as a linear member, the light guide member can be connected to the interior member main body without bending so that the assembly work is facilitated, and the light guide member is protected from being damaged. 
     Preferably, the interior member recess is defined by an upper wall ( 30 ), a side wall ( 31 ) and a lower wall ( 32 ), the lower wall inclining downward toward an inner part of the door pocket. 
     The light from the lens can illuminate a lower part of the door pocket so that the visibility of the storage space in the door pocket can be improved. 
     Preferably, the upper wall defining the interior member recess is disposed substantially horizontally. 
     Thereby, the light irradiated upward from the lens is shielded by the upper wall so that the visibility of the storage space in the door pocket can be improved. 
     Effect of the Invention 
     The present invention thus provides a structure for a vehicle interior member having an interior member main body, a light guide member for conducting light from a light source, and a lens extending along the light guide member that allows the light guide member to be easily connected to the interior member main body. 
     Owing to the structure wherein the lens includes a first wall extending along the light guide member, and a second wall and a third wall extending from either side edge of the first wall toward the light guide member, the groove being defined by the first wall, the second wall and the third wall, the lens can be resiliently deformed so as to cause the second wall and the third wall to come toward each other with ease, and a groove can be thereby formed in the lens. 
     In the arrangement where the lens is received in the interior member recess, and the first engaging portion and the second engaging portion project in mutually opposing directions, the occupant is prevented from touching the lens so that damages to the lens can be avoided, and the lens and the interior member can be firmly joined to each other. 
     If a projecting amount of the first engaging portion from the surface of the second wall is smaller than a projecting amount of the second engaging portion from the surface of the third wall, the lens can be joined to the interior member main body with ease by engaging the second engaging portion with the second engaged portion, and then engaging the first engaging portion with the first engaged portion. At this time, the deformation of the lens that is required in the assembling process can be minimized, and the process of assembling the lens to the interior member main body can be facilitated. 
     If the second engaged portion is passed through the wall part defining the interior member recess, and the second engaging portion is passed through the second engaged portion, the strength of the connection between the lens and the interior member main body can be further improved. 
     If the second engaging portion is formed in a free end edge of the third wall, the opening region of the groove can be reinforced by the second engaging portion. 
     According to the arrangement where the first engaging portion includes a plurality of first engaging portions arranged in the extending direction of the lens, and the second engaging portion includes a plurality of second engaging portions arranged in the extending direction of the lens, the second engaging portions being each interposed between a corresponding mutually adjoining pair of the first engaging portions, the lens can be easily and firmly attached to the interior member main body along the extending direction of the lens. 
     If the interior member main body includes a plate like main board provided on a door panel of a vehicle door, and a pocket member disposed on an inner side of the main board and defining a door pocket in cooperation with the main body, and the light guide member and the lens are provided on at least one of the main board and the pocket member, the interior of the door pocket can be illuminated. 
     If the door pocket extends in a fore and aft direction on the vehicle door, and the interior member recess is formed in a wall surface of at least one of the main board and the pocket member on an inside of the door pocket, the interior member recess extending linearly along an extending direction of the door pocket, the door pocket can be illuminated along the extending direction of the door pocket. In particular, since the light guide member can be connected to the interior member main body without bending, the assembling process is facilitated, and the light guide member is protected from damages. 
     If the interior member recess is defined by an upper wall, a side wall and a lower wall, the lower wall inclining downward toward an inner part of the door pocket, the light from the lens can illuminate a lower part of the door pocket so that the visibility of the storage space in the door pocket can be improved. 
     If the upper wall defining the interior member recess is disposed substantially horizontally, the light irradiated upward from the lens is shielded by the upper wall so that the visibility of the storage space in the door pocket can be improved. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING(S) 
         FIG.  1    is a side view showing a vehicle interior member (door trim) according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG.  2    is a sectional view taken along line II-II of  FIG.  1   : 
         FIG.  3    is a side view of an outer board and an inner board as viewed from the inside of the vehicle; 
         FIG.  4    is a side view of the inner board as viewed from the outside of the vehicle; 
         FIG.  5    is a perspective view of a light source, a light guide member, and a lens: 
         FIG.  6    is a perspective view of a lighting device: 
         FIG.  7    is a sectional view taken along line VII-VII of  FIG.  3   : 
         FIG.  8    is a sectional view taken along line VIII-VIII of  FIG.  3   ; 
         FIG.  9    is a sectional view showing the lens before deformation (broken line) and after deformation (solid line) when assembling the lens into a recess of the inner board: 
         FIG.  10 A  is a sectional view showing a case where engagement projections are provided on an outer surface of a second wall, and engagement claws are provided on an outer surface of a third wall; and 
         FIG.  10 B  is a sectional view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention where engagement claws are provided on an outer surface of each of a second wall and a third wall. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S) 
     A vehicle interior member according to an embodiment of the present invention as applied to a door trim of a vehicle door on a right front seat of a vehicle is described in the following with reference to the drawings. 
     As shown in  FIG.  1   , a door trim  1  (interior member of a vehicle) covers an inboard surface of a door panel  3  which is a structural member of the door  2 , and forms an inner wall of a cabin. The door panel  3  has an inner panel and an outer panel formed from sheet steel. The outer panel defines the outer surface of the vehicle body, and the inner panel is disposed on the inboard side of the outer panel, and is connected to the outer panel. 
     The door trim  1  is formed in a plate shape by a plurality of members each made of plastic material, and is arranged so that a major plane of the door trim  1  faces laterally on the inboard side of the door panel  3  or, more specifically, on the inboard side of the inner panel. 
     A substantially vertically middle part of the door trim  1  is formed with an armrest  4  that bugles in the inboard direction. The armrest  4  extends in the fore and aft direction from a middle part of the door trim  1  to the rear edge thereof. The upper surface of the armrest  4  is provided with a switch for controlling a window regulator and a lighting fixture of the cabin. 
     A speaker grill  5  is provided in a lower front part of the door trim  1 . A door pocket  6  extends in the fore and aft direction behind the speaker grill  5  and under the armrest  4 . The door pocket  6  is provided with a pocket recess  8  that has an open upper end, and defines a storage space  7  therein. 
     The door trim  1  includes a plate shaped main board  10  serving as a base member. The peripheral portion of the main board  10  extends toward the inner panel, and is connected to the inner panel. A gap is formed between the inner panel and the main board  10 . 
     As shown in  FIGS.  1  and  2   , the main board  10  has a through hole  9  passed laterally therethrough at a position corresponding to the door pocket  6 . The door trim  1  is provided with an outer board  11  connected to an outboard surface of the main board so as to cover the through hole  9  from the outboard side, and an inner board  12  interposed between the main board  10  and the outer board  11  and connected to the outboard side of the main board  10 . The main board  10 , the outer board  11 , and the inner board  12  jointly form the main body (interior member main body) of the door trim  1 . 
     As shown in  FIGS.  1  and  3   , the inner board  12  is formed in a plate shape, and extends in the fore and aft direction along the lower edge of the through hole  9  of the main board  10  on the outboard side of the main board  10 . The inner board  12  is thus positioned along the lower edge of the through hole  9 . The outer board  11  is formed in a plate shape, and generally corresponds to the through hole  9  of the main board  10  and the inner board  12  in shape. As shown in  FIG.  2   , the outer board  11  protrudes in the inboard direction at the peripheral part thereof, and is recessed in the outboard direction at the center. Screw holes  13  are formed in the peripheral part of the outer board  11 , and the front edge part, the lower edge part, and the rear edge of the inner board  12  so that the inner board  12  and the outer board  11  are jointly fastened to the main board  10 . The door pocket  6  is thus formed by fastening the inner board  12  and the outer board  11  to the main board  10 . Therefore, the inner board  12  and the outer board  11  function as a pocket member forming a door pocket in cooperation with the main board  10 . The inner board  12  forms the inboard wall of the storage space  7 , and the outer board  11  forms the outboard wall of the storage space  7 . 
     As shown in  FIG.  1   , the front edge of the inner board  12  extends forward from the gap between the main board  10  and the outer board  11  beyond the front edge of the outer board  11 . The front edge of the inner board  12  is located between the inner panel and the main board  10 . 
     As shown in  FIGS.  3  and  4   , the inner board  12  is provided with a lighting device  15 . As shown in  FIG.  5   , the lighting device  15  includes a light emitting member  16  including a light source, a light guide member  17 , and a lens  18  connecting the light guide member  17  to the inner board  12 . 
     The light emitting member  16  includes a circuit board (not shown) provided with an LED device, a lens (not shown) for concentrating the light emitted from the LED device at a predetermined position, and a holder  19  for accommodating the circuit board and the lens therein. As shown in  FIGS.  1  and  4   , the light emitting member  16  is fastened to the outboard surface of a front part of the inner board  12 . The light emitting member  16  is electrically connected to a prescribed power supply (not shown) mounted on the vehicle body. The LED device functions as a light source, and is controlled by the switch provided on the armrest  4 . A prescribed bolt hole is provided in the holder  19 , and the light emitting member  16  is fastened to the inner board  12 . 
     The light guide member  17  is formed of a highly transparent resin. The light guide member  17  is formed in a linear shape (wire shape), and has a circular cross section taken along a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, or in cross section. As shown in  FIG.  4   , the light guide member  17  extends rearward from the light emitting member  16  along the inner board  12 , and reaches the rear end of the inner board  12 . One end of the light guide member  17  is coupled to the light emitting member  16 . Light emitted from the LED device is collected by the lens of the light emitting member  16  and is incident to an end of the light guide member  17  coupled to the light emitting member  16 . The light guide member  17  transmits the incident light along the lengthwise direction, and emits the incident light from the outer peripheral side surface thereof. The light guide member  17  may consist of an optical fiber cable configured to emit light from the side surface thereof by having a core member mixed with a material that diffuses the transmitted light, or a core member with an irregular circumferential surface that diffuses the transmitted light. 
     The lens  18  is formed of a highly transparent resin that transmits light emitted from the light guide member  17 . As shown in  FIGS.  5  and  6   , the lens  18  includes a lens main body  20  extending along the lengthwise direction of the light guide member  17 , a plurality of engagement claws  21  (first engagement portions) protruding from the outer surface of the lens main body  20 , and a plurality of engagement projections  22  (second engagement portions) protruding from the outer surface of the lens main body  20 . 
     As shown in  FIGS.  2  and  6   , the lens main body  20  includes a first wall  23  provided along the light guide member  17 , and a second wall  24  and a third wall  25  protruding from either side end of the first wall  23  toward the light guide member  17 . The first wall  23 , the second wall  24 , and the third wall  25  jointly form a groove  26  in the lens main body  20  so as to be recessed in a direction perpendicular to the extending direction thereof. The lens main body  20  thus has a substantially U-shaped cross section with an open side facing in the inboard direction. The light guide member  17  is received in the groove  26 . The light guide member  17  is located between the second wall  24  and the third wall  25 . The first wall  23 , the second wall  24 , and the third wall  25  each extend along the extending direction of the light guide member  17 , and the groove  26  is formed so as to extend along the extending direction of the lens main body  20 . 
     In the present embodiment, the diameter of the light guide member  17  is slightly larger than the distance between the second wall  24  and the third wall  25 , and the light guide member  17  is press-fitted into the groove  26 . The light guide member  17  is thus held between the second wall  24  and the third wall  25 , and connected to the lens main body  20 . The light emitted from the side surface of the light guide member  17  passes through the lens main body  20  and is emitted from the outer surface of the lens  18 . 
     The engagement claws  21  protrude from the surface of the second wall  24  facing away from the light guide member  17  (hereinafter, referred to as the outer surface of the second wall  24 ), or, in other words, from the upper surface of the second wall  24 , and are arranged along the extending direction of the lens main body  20  substantially at regular intervals. Each engagement claw  21  is provided with an inclined surface  27  which is inclined so as to come close to the light guide member  17  toward the opening direction of the groove  26 , and an engagement surface  28  which is formed at an end of the inclined surface  27  remote from the opening of the groove  26  and substantially perpendicular to the outer surface of the second wall  24 , and is thus claw-shaped. In the present embodiment, the lens  18  is provided with six engagement claws  21 . 
     The engagement projections  22  project from a surface of the third wall  25  facing away from the light guide member  17  (hereinafter, referred to as an outer surface of the third wall  25 ), or, in other words, the lower surface of the third wall  25  and are arranged at substantially equal intervals in the extending direction of the lens main body  20 . The engagement projections  22  protrude in a direction opposite to the direction in which the engagement claws  21  protrude in a cross-sectional view of the lens main body  20 . Each engagement projection  22  is plate shaped, and has a major plane parallel to the extending direction of the lens main body  20 . The engagement projections  22  are each formed at a substantially central position between two mutually adjoining engagement claws  21  with respect to the extending direction of the lens main body  20 . Therefore, the engagement claws  21  and the engagement projections  22  alternately protrude upward and downward, respectively, along the extending direction of the lens main body  20 , and are thus arranged in a staggered manner. In the present embodiment, the lens  18  is provided with five engagement projections  22 . 
     As shown in  FIG.  6   , the amount of protrusion of each engagement claw  21  from the outer surface of the second wall  24  (L 1  in  FIG.  6   ) is selected to be smaller than the amount of protrusion of each engagement projection  22  from the outer surface of the third wall  25  (L 2  in  FIG.  6   ). 
     As shown in  FIG.  8   , in the present embodiment, each engagement projection  22  is provided on the free end of the outer surface of the third wall  25 , or, in other words, at the end of the third wall  25  on side of the groove  26 . Thereby, the opening edge of the groove  26  is reinforced, and damage to the lens  18  can be prevented. 
     Under a loading that causes the second wall  24  and the third wall  25  to move toward each other, the lens main body  20  is elastically deformed so that the second wall  24  and the third wall  25  approach each other.  FIG.  9    shows the lens  18  before deformation in a broken line, and the lens  18  after deformation in a solid line. When a downward load is applied to the second wall  24  and an upward load is applied to the third wall  25 , the lens main body  20  is deformed so that the distance between the second wall  24  and the third wall  25  is reduced. 
     As shown in  FIGS.  2  and  7   , the inner board  12  is formed with a board recess  29  (interior member recess) that is recessed in the outboard direction. As shown in  FIG.  4   , the board recess  29  extends substantially linearly rearward from the position where the light emitting member  16  is attached to the inner board  12 . The board recess  29  receives the lens  18  and the light guide member  17  therein. 
     The light guide member  17  extends from the light emitting member  16  along the board recess  29 , between the outer board  11  and the inner board  12 , and reaches the interior of the pocket recess  8 . The lens  18  extends in the fore and aft direction along the light guide member  17  inside the pocket recess  8 . The light emitted from the LED device reaches the pocket recess  8  via the light guide member  17 . As shown in  FIG.  2   , inside the pocket recess  8 , the light emitted from the side surface of the light guide member  17  reaches the storage space  7  through the lens  18 , and illuminates the storage space  7 . Therefore, the occupant can easily visually recognize the stored items inside the storage space  7 . In the present embodiment, the lens  18  is provided so as to extend only along the part of the light guide member  17  located inside the pocket recess  8 , but, alternatively, the lens  18  may extend additionally along the part of the light guide member  17  extending from the light emitting member  16  to the pocket recess  8 . 
     As shown in  FIG.  1   , a door pocket  6  is formed in the door trim  1  so as to extend in the fore and aft direction. As shown in  FIG.  4   , the board recess  29  also extends substantially in the fore and aft direction so as to correspond with the door pocket  6 . The light guide member  17  also extends along the direction in which the door pocket  6  extends. Therefore, the storage space  7  is illuminated over the entire fore and aft length thereof. In addition, since the board recess  29  extends substantially linearly, the light guide member  17  can be received in the board recess  29  without being bent so that the damage to the light guide member  17  that could be caused by bending can be avoided. 
     As shown in  FIGS.  7  and  8   , the upper surface of the board recess  29  is defined by an upper wall  30 , the inboard surface by an inboard wall  31 , and the lower surface by a lower wall  32 . The upper wall  30  and the lower wall  32  face each other. The lens  18  is arranged such that the outer surface of the second wall  24  thereof faces upward, the outer surface of the third wall  25  thereof faces downward, and the first wall  23  thereof closes the opening of the board recess  29  while spaced from the inboard wall  31 . The first wall  23 , the second wall  24 , the third wall  25 , and the inboard wall  31  jointly define a receiving chamber  33  that receives the light guide member  17 . The light guide member  17  is surrounded by the first wall  23 , the second wall  24 , the third wall  25 , and the inboard wall  31  in the receiving chamber  33  so that the movement of the light guide member  17  in the vertical and lateral directions is restricted. 
     The upward movement of the lens main body  20  is restricted by the upper wall  30 , and the downward movement of the lens main body  20  is restricted by the lower wall  32 . Preferably, the mutually opposing wall surfaces of the upper wall  30  and the lower wall  32  respectively contact the second wall  24  and the third wall  25 , respectively, when the lens main body  20  is received in the board recess  29 . Since the second wall  24  abuts on the upper wall  30  and the third wall  25  abuts on the lower wall  32 , the lens  18  is prevented from being dislodged from the board recess  29 . 
     A first receiving hole  34  (first engaged portion) is passed vertically through the part of the upper wall  30  corresponding to each engagement claw  21 . A second receiving hole  35  (second engaged portion) is passed vertically through the part of the lower wall  32  corresponding to each engagement projection  22 . In the present embodiment, six first receiving holes  34  and five second receiving holes  35  are formed in the inner board  12 . 
     As shown in  FIG.  7   , each engagement claw  21  is fitted in the corresponding first receiving hole  34 . Once the engagement claw  21  is received in the first receiving hole  34 , the engagement surface  28  of the engagement claw  21  contacts a wall surface defining the first receiving hole  34  so that the movement of the upper part of the lens  18  in the lateral direction is restricted. 
     As shown in  FIG.  8   , each engagement projection  22  is fitted in the corresponding second receiving hole  35 . Owing to the engagement between the engagement projection  22  and the second receiving hole  35 , the lower part of the lens  18  is restricted from moving in the lateral direction. Since the engagement projection  22  is passed through the second receiving hole  35 , the movement of the lower part of the lens  18  in the lateral direction is restricted in a highly reliable manner. 
     In the present embodiment, as shown in  FIG.  7   , each first receiving hole  34  extends through the upper wall  30  and an upper part of the inboard wall  31 . As shown in  FIG.  8   , each second receiving hole  35  extends through the lower wall  32  and a lower part of the inboard wall  31 . Therefore, the corresponding engagement claw  21  and the engagement projection  22  can be easily fitted into the first receiving hole  34  and the second receiving hole  35 , respectively. 
     As shown in  FIGS.  2 ,  7 , and  8   , the vertical movement of the lens main body  20  is restricted by the upper wall  30  and the lower wall  32 . Owing to these restrictions, the lens  18  is connected to the inner board  12 , and the light guide member  17  is connected to the inner board  12  via the lens  18 . 
     The width of each second receiving hole  35  in the extending direction of the board recess  29  is substantially equal to or slightly greater than the width of the engagement projection  22  in the extending direction of the lens main body  20 . Since the front wall and the rear wall defining the second receiving hole  35  restrict the movement of the engagement projection  22  in the fore and aft direction, the movement of the lens  18  in the extending direction of the board recess  29  is restricted. Thereby, the lens  18  can be firmly connected to the inner board  12 . 
     As shown in  FIG.  2   , the upper wall  30  has a major plane that extends substantially horizontally, or faces in the vertical direction. Therefore, the light emitted upward from the lens  18  is blocked by the upper wall  30 . On the other hand, the lower wall  32  is inclined downward toward the inside of the pocket recess  8 . Therefore, the light irradiated downward from the lens  18  reaches the storage space  7  without being blocked by the lower wall  32 . Since the light emitted from the lens  18  does not directly reach the occupant&#39;s eyes, the occupant can easily see the inside of the storage space  7 . 
     The process of assembling the lens  18  and the light guide member  17  to the inner board  12  is discussed in the following. After the light guide member  17  is pressed into the groove  26 , the engagement projections  22  are inserted into the respective second receiving holes  35 . Thereafter, as shown by an arrow in  FIG.  9   , the lens main body  20  is pushed into the board recess  29 . At this time, the inclined surface  27  is pressed by the upper wall  30  so that a downward force is applied to the second wall  24 . As the upward force is applied to the third wall  25  by the lower wall  32 , the lens main body  20  is elastically deformed. The engagement claws  21  move toward the third wall due to the elastic deformation of the lens main body  20 . As a result, the lens  18  can be rotated about the lower end of the lens main body  20  in the direction to move the lens main body  20  into the board recess  29 . At this time, by elastically deforming the lens main body  20  to such an extent that the distance between the second wall  24  and the third wall  25  becomes smaller by about the amount of protrusion of the engagement claws  21  before deformation, the lens main body  20  can be inserted into the board recess  29 . Thus, since the amount of protrusion of the engagement claws  21  from the outer surface of the second wall  24  is smaller than that of the engagement projection  22 , the amount of deformation of the lens main body  20  required for the assembly process can be reduced so that the assembly process is facilitated. 
     As the lens  18  is rotated, the engagement claws  21  are fitted into the respective first receiving holes  34 , and the assembly process is completed. As described above, since the assembly process is completed simply by inserting the lens main body  20  into the board recess  29 , the assembly process can be performed with ease. Since the inclined surface  27  is formed on each engagement projection  22 , the lens main body  20  can be easily deformed so that the lens main body  20  can be easily inserted into the board recess  29 . 
     The advantages of the door trim  1  are discussed in the following. After the light guide member  17  is pressed into the groove  26 , the engagement projections  22  are inserted into the respective second receiving holes  35  in such a manner that the lens main body  20  is elastically deformed, and the engagement claws  21  are engaged by the respective first receiving holes  34 . This completes the assembly of the light guide member  17  and the lens  18  to the inner board  12 . Therefore, the assembly is simple. Further, by suitably selecting the arrangement of the first receiving holes  34  and the second receiving holes  35 , the light guide member  17  and the lens  18  can be attached to desired positions of the inner board  12 . Therefore, the degree of freedom of arrangement of the light guide member  17  and the lens  18  is improved. 
     The lens  18  is connected to the inner board  12  via the engagement claws  21  and the engagement projections  22  formed on the upper and lower surfaces of the lens main body  20 , respectively. The engagement claws  21  and the engagement projections  22  project in mutually opposite directions. Since the lens main body  20  is connected to the inner board  12  at the upper part and the lower part thereof, the connection between the lens  18  and the inner board  12  is very firm. Therefore, even when the occupant touches the lens  18 , the lens  18  is prevented from being dislodged from the inner board  12 . 
     The lens  18  is received in the board recess  29 , and does not protrude from the inner wall surface of the inner board  12  into the pocket recess  8 . Therefore, the occupant&#39;s hand is prevented from touching the lens  18  so that the lens  18  is prevented from being dislodged from the inner board  12 . 
     As shown in  FIG.  2   , the light guide member  17  is covered by the lens main body  20  from above and below and from the outboard direction, and is surrounded by the lens  18  and the outer wall surface of the inner board  12  in such a manner that the light guide member  17  is not exposed to the interior of the pocket recess  8 . Therefore, the light guide member  17  is protected by the lens main body  20 , and the light guide member  17  is protected from damages. Further, the light guide member  17  is prevented from becoming dirty so that stable illumination can be ensured. 
     The engagement projections  22  project from the outer surface of the third wall in parallel with each other. Therefore, the engagement projections  22  can be easily fitted into the respective second receiving holes  35 . Further, by providing the engagement claws  21  and the engagement projections  22  on the lens main body  20 , the lens main body  20  is reinforced and the lens  18  is protected from damages. 
     Further, since the light guide member  17  is press fitted into and retained in the groove  26 , no engagement features are required to be provided on the light guide member  17  so that the connecting structure between the light guide member  17  and the lens  18  can be simplified. 
     The engagement claws  21  and the engagement projections  22  alternately protrude along the extending direction of the lens  18 . Therefore, as compared with the case where the engagement claws  21  and the engagement projections  22  project up and down, respectively, at the same positions in the extending direction of the lens main body  20 , the assembling of the lens  18  is simplified because the engagement claws  21  and the engagement projections  22  can be engaged with the first receiving holes  34  and the second receiving holes  35 , respectively, in a sequential manner from one end to the other. Further, since the lens  18  is coupled to the inner board  12  in the upper part and the lower part thereof in an alternating manner along the extending direction, the coupling between the lens  18  and the inner board  12  can be strengthened. 
     The present invention has been described in terms of a specific embodiment, but is not limited by such an embodiment, and can be modified in various ways without departing from the scope of the present invention. The first receiving holes  34  and the second receiving holes  35  were formed as through holes for receiving the engagement claws  21  and the engagement projections  22 , respectively, in the foregoing embodiment, but may also be formed in any forms of recesses that are configured to receive and engage the engagement claws  21  and the engagement projections  22 . 
     As shown in  FIG.  10 (A) , the engagement projections  22  may be provided on the outer surface of the second wall  24  of the lens main body  20 , and the engagement claw  21  may be provided on the outer surface of the third wall  25  of the lens main body  20 . In this case, the engagement projections  22  are inserted into the respective first receiving holes  34 , and the engagement claws  21  are engaged by the respective second receiving holes  35 . As shown in  FIG.  10 (B) , the engagement claws  50  may also be provided on both the outer surface of the second wall  24  and the outer surface of the third wall  25  of the lens main body  20 , and are engaged by the first receiving holes  34  and the second receiving holes  35 . 
     In the foregoing embodiment, the light guide member  17  was press fitted into the groove  26 . However, it may be arranged such that the light guide member  17  is clamped between the second wall  24  and the third wall  25  of the lens main body  20  owing to the pressure which the second wall  24  and the third wall  25  of the lens main body  20  receives from the upper wall  30  and the lower wall  32  of the board recess  29  in the direction directed toward the light guide member  17  when the lens main body  20  is fitted into the board recess  29 . Further, the optical fiber (the light guide member  17 ) may be prevented from being dislodged from the groove  26  by providing projections on the surfaces of the second wall  24  and the third wall  25  facing the light guide member  17 . 
     In the foregoing embodiment, the light guide member  17  and the lens  18  were provided on the inner board  12 , but may also be provided on the outer board  11 . When a pocket board for forming the door pocket  6  is attached the main board  10  without forming the through hole  9 , the light guide member  17  and the lens  18  may be provided either on the main board  10  or on the pocket board. 
     In the foregoing embodiment, the lighting device  15  illuminated the storage space  7  of the door pocket  6 , but may also be provided on any other member forming a part of the cabin. For example, the lighting device  15  may be configured to illuminate a switch provided on the armrest, or the feet of the occupant when closing or opening the door. Further, in the foregoing embodiment, the present invention was applied to the door trim  1 , but may also be applied to a member forming a center console or a dashboard. 
     GLOSSARY 
     
         
           1 : door trim (vehicle interior member) 
           2 : door 
           3 : door panel 
           6 : door pocket 
           10 : main board 
           11 : outer board (pocket member) 
           12 : inner board (pocket member) 
           17 : light guide member 
           18 : lens 
           19 : holder 
           21 : engagement claw (first engaging portion) 
           22 : engagement projection (second engaging portion) 
           23 : first wall 
           24 : second wall 
           25 : third wall 
           26 : groove 
           29 : board recess (recess of interior member) 
           30 : upper wall 
           31 : inboard wall 
           32 : lower wall 
           34 : first receiving hole (first engaged portion) 
           35 : second receiving hole (second engaged portion)