Patent Document

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   This invention relates to a lamp unit mounting structure. 
   There has heretofore been proposed a lamp unit mounting structure of the type in which an interior wall member (covering a car body panel), such as a roof trim or a door trim, and a lamp unit, such as a room lamp or a courtesy lamp, are simultaneously fixed to the car body panel, thereby reducing the time and labor required for an assembling (fixing) operation in a car-assembling line (see JP-A-2001-97112). 
     FIG. 10  is a longitudinal cross-sectional view explanatory of a related room lamp-mounting structure disclosed in JP-A-2001-97112 or others. In the room lamp-mounting structure shown in  FIG. 10 , a room lamp  1  and a roof trim  2  are provisionally fixed to each other by a provisionally-fixing member  4 , and also the room lamp  1  and a roof reinforcing member  3  of the car body are completely fixed to each other by a completely-fixing member  5 . By doing so, the room lamp  1  and the roof trim  2  are simultaneously fixed to the roof reinforcing member  3 . 
   The provisionally-fixing member  4  includes an engagement claw  14  formed at the room lamp  1 , and an engagement portion  15  formed at the roof trim  2 . The completely-fixing member  5 , provided at the room lamp  1  and the roof reinforcing member  3 , includes a spring  7  and a stopper  9  (both of which are provided at the room lamp  1 ), and a fixing portion  10  formed at an edge of a notch  13  formed in the roof reinforcing member  3 . 
   As shown also in  FIG. 11 , the spring  7 , formed of a metal sheet, includes an embedding portion  7   a  embedded horizontally in a lamp housing  11  of the room lamp  1 , a first resilient deformation portion  7   b  extending obliquely upwardly from the embedding portion  7   a  and bent into a generally V-shape or a generally L-shape, a second resilient deformation portion  7   c  extending obliquely downwardly from the first resilient deformation portion  7   b  and bent into a generally inverted U-shape, and a claw portion  7   d  extending generally horizontally from the second resilient deformation portion  7   c , and an operating portion  7   e  extending downwardly from the claw portion  7   d  and bent into a generally V-shape. 
   When the room lamp, having the above mounting structure, is to be fixed to an automobile, each engagement claw  14  on the room lamp  1  is engaged with the engagement portion  15  on the roof trim  2  to thereby provisionally fix the room lamp  1  and the roof trim  2  to each other by the provisionally-fixing member  4  before bringing the room lamp and the roof trim to a car-assembling line. Then, a roof sub-assembly (roof module), including the room lamp  1  and the roof trim  2  thus fixed together by the provisionally-fixing member  4 , is brought to the car-assembling line. 
   In this car-assembling line, the spring  7  on the room lamp  1  is brought into resilient abutting engagement with the fixing portion  10  of the roof reinforcing member  3  to thereby completely fix the roof sub-assembly (including the room lamp  1  and the roof trim  2 ) to the roof reinforcing member  3  by the completely-fixing member  5 . At this time, the engagement claw  14  will not interfere with a horizontal portion  18  of the roof reinforcing member  3  thanks to the provision of the notch  13  in the roof reinforcing member  3 . With this room lamp-mounting structure, the room lamp  1  and the roof trim  2  can thus be simultaneously fixed to the roof reinforcing member  3  in the car-assembling line, and therefore the time and labor, required for the assembling operation in the car-assembling line, can be reduced. 
   In the related room lamp-mounting structure shown in  FIGS. 10 and 11 , however, in case the claw portion  7   d  of the spring  7 , before set on the fixing portion  10 , escapes downward (toward the car room) at the time of fixing the room lamp  1  and the roof trim  2  to the roof reinforcing member  3  by the completely-fixing member  5 . As a result, an inner surface (upper surface in the drawings) of the roof trim  2  abuts against a room-side surface (lower surface in the drawings) of the roof reinforcing member  3  as shown in  FIG. 12A , there is a fear that the claw portion  7   d  fails to be brought into resilient abutting engagement with the fixing portion  10  of the roof reinforcing member  3 , so that the spring  7  remains in a half-fixed condition. 
   Therefore, in order to prevent the spring  7  from being held in such a half-fixed condition, a clearance t need to be formed between the fixing portion  10  and the claw portion  7   d  when the inner surface of the roof trim  2  is brought into abutting engagement with the room-side surface of the roof reinforcing member  3  as shown in  FIG. 12B . However, when this clearance t is large, there is a fear that the roof sub-assembly is shaken by vibrations or others during the travel of the car, and produces abnormal sounds. 
   Further, in the case of the spring  7  of the fixing member  5 , when there is applied a large external force tending to displace the roof sub-assembly (including the room lamp  1  and the roof trim  2 ) toward the room (downward in the drawings) relative to the roof reinforcing member  3 , the claw portion  7   d  is liable to be turned up as shown in  FIG. 12C , and therefore the retaining force is small, which leads to a fear that the fixed condition is canceled. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   It is therefore an object of this invention to solve the above problems, and more specifically to provide a improved lamp unit mounting structure which enables a lamp unit and an interior wall member to be easily and positively mounted simultaneously on a car body panel. 
   In order to achieve the above object, according to the present invention, there is provided a lamp unit mounting structure, comprising: 
   a mounting panel having a mounting portion; 
   a lamp unit; 
   an elastic fixing member, provided on the lamp unit, and including:
         a first portion which is extended from the lamp unit;   a second portion which has a substantially U-shape, and has a first end being integrally connected to the first portion;   a third portion which is extended from a second end of the second portion toward the lamp unit; and   an engagement portion which engages the mounting portion of the mounting panel; and       

   a restricting member, provided on the lamp unit, and restricting a movement of the elastic fixing member in a mounting and dismounting direction of the engagement portion relative to the mounting panel, wherein: 
   the restricting member has an escape portion which allows a movement of the elastic fixing member toward the lamp unit. 
   Preferably, the third portion of the elastic fixing member is disposed in a first position when the engagement portion is not engaged with the mounting panel. The third portion of the elastic fixing member is moved to a second position when the engagement portion is abutted against the mounting panel. The third portion of the elastic fixing member is moved to the first position by elastic restoring force of the elastic fixing member after the engagement portion is engaged with the mounting panel. The restricting member allows the movement of the elastic fixing member toward the lamp unit by the escape portion in the first position. The restricting member restricts the movement of the elastic fixing member in the mounting and dismounting direction in the second position. 
   Preferably, the engagement portion has an upper projection and a lower projection on each of both side faces thereof. The restriction member has a retaining wall which is slidably fitted between the upper projection and the lower projection. The escape portion is provided between the retaining wall and the upper and lower projections. 
   In the above configurations, at the time of mounting a module (formed by attaching the lamp unit to an interior wall member) on a vehicle body panel by the elastic fixing member, the elastic fixing member is elastically deformed such that the engagement portion can be brought into and out of engagement with the mounting portion of the mounting panel. At this time, the restriction member, engaged with the upper and lower projections, prevents the engagement portion from being displaced in the direction of mounting and dismounting. 
   Therefore, when mounting the lamp unit and the interior wall member (combined together to form the module) simultaneously on the mounting panel, the engagement portion of the elastic fixing member will not escape toward a vehicle room in the direction of mounting and dismounting before the engagement portion is retainingly engaged with the mounting portion of the mounting panel. Therefore, in the fixing member, the engagement portion will not fail to be retainingly engaged with the mounting portion of the mounting panel, and hence is prevented from being held in a half-fixed condition, so that the module can be positively mounted on the mounting panel. And besides, when mounting the module on the vehicle body, the engagement portion will not escape toward the car room in the direction of mounting and dismounting, and therefore an excessive clearance for allowing for this escape does not need to be formed between the engagement portion and the mounting portion of the mounting panel. 
   Even when there is applied a large external force tending to displace the fixed module toward the room relative to the mounting panel, the engagement portion, prevented from displacement in the direction of mounting and dismounting, is prevented from being turned up, and therefore the fixed condition will not be canceled. 
   When an excessive upward force acts on the lamp unit after the mounting operation is completed, the upper and lower projections can be displaced without interference with the retaining wall thanks to the provision of the escape portion, and therefore there can be avoided a situation in which the elastic fixing member strikes against a body roof to recess it. 
   Preferably, a projecting length of the upper projection is smaller than that of the lower projection. A notch is formed in the retaining wall, and which allows the upper projection to pass through the notch and which restrict the lower projection to pass through the notch. 
   In the above configuration, when an upward force acts on the lamp unit, the upper projection will not interfere with the retaining wall thanks to the provision of the notch in the restriction member, and therefore the lamp unit can be displaced, thereby allowing this force to escape. On the other hand, when a downward force acts on the lamp unit, the lower projection interferes with the retaining wall to restrict the displacement, thereby preventing the downward movement of the lamp unit, and therefore the lamp unit can be positively mounted in such a manner that the shaking of the lamp unit is prevented. 
   Preferably, the retaining wall has a tapering portion disposed adjacent to the notch. 
   Preferably, the retaining wall is inclined. 
   In the above configurations, when the lamp unit begins to be mounted at a lamp-mounting window, the elastic fixing member abuts against the lamp-mounting window to be elastically deformed inwardly, so that the upper and lower projections move toward the retaining wall of the restriction member. At this time, thanks to the provision of the tapering portion formed at the notch-side end of the retaining wall, the retaining wall is smoothly inserted between the pair of engagement projections, and is slidably fitted therebetween. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The above objects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent by describing in detail preferred exemplary embodiments thereof with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
       FIG. 1  is an exploded, perspective view of a room lamp to which one preferred embodiment of a lamp unit mounting structure of the present invention is applied; 
       FIG. 2A  is an enlarged perspective view of an important portion of fixing member shown in  FIG. 1 , and  FIG. 2B  is a cross-sectional view thereof; 
       FIG. 3  is a front-elevational view as seen from a direction III of  FIG. 2A . 
       FIG. 4A  is an enlarged perspective view of an important portion of modified fixing member, and  FIG. 4B  is a cross-sectional view thereof; 
       FIG. 5  is a longitudinal cross-sectional view explanatory of a process of mounting the lamp unit of  FIG. 1  on a car body panel; 
       FIG. 6  is a longitudinal cross-sectional view explanatory of the process of mounting the lamp unit of  FIG. 1  on the car body panel; 
       FIG. 7  is a transverse cross-sectional view explanatory of a process of mounting the lamp unit of  FIG. 1  on the car body panel; 
       FIGS. 8A and 8B  are enlarged cross-sectional view of an important portion, explaining the operation of the fixing member of  FIG. 2 ; 
       FIGS. 9A and 9B  are cross-sectional views showing an operation when a tapering portion is provided at a retaining wall; 
       FIG. 10  is a longitudinal cross-sectional view explanatory of a related lamp unit mounting structure; 
       FIG. 11  is an enlarged cross-sectional view of an important portion of completely-fixing member shown in  FIG. 10 ; and 
       FIG. 12A  thru  12 C are enlarged cross-sectional views of an important portion explanatory of the operation of the completely-fixing member of  FIG. 10 . 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   One preferred embodiment of a lamp unit mounting structure of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.  FIG. 1  is an exploded, perspective view of a room lamp to which one preferred embodiment of the lamp unit mounting structure of the invention is applied,  FIG. 2A  is an enlarged perspective view of an important portion of a fixing member shown in  FIG. 1 ,  FIG. 2B  is a cross-sectional view thereof,  FIG. 3  is a front-elevational view as seen from a direction III of  FIG. 2A ,  FIG. 4A  is an enlarged perspective view of an important portion of a modified example of the fixing member shown in  FIG. 2A ,  FIG. 4B  is a cross-sectional view thereof, and  FIGS. 5 to 7  are cross-sectional views explanatory of a process of mounting the lamp unit of  FIG. 1  on a car body panel. 
   The room lamp  20  according to the embodiment, shown in  FIG. 1 , is a lamp unit which is adapted to be mounted at a lamp-mounting window  31  formed on a roof trim  30  (serving as an interior wall member) covering a body roof (car body panel). The room lamp  20  includes a lamp function portion A for mounting on that side (upper side in the drawings) of the roof trim  30  facing the body roof, and a design portion B for mounting on that side (lower side in the drawings) of the roof trim  30  facing the room, the lamp function portion A including a bulb  24  mounted in a housing  21 , a switch portion (not shown) and so on, while the design portion B includes a cover lens  51 , and a holder  41 . 
   An FFC  22  (which is a cable forming a roof harness) is connected via the switch portion (not shown) to the bulb  24  mounted in the housing  21  of the lamp function portion A. Namely, a connection portion of the FFC  22  (which is the roof harness beforehand installed on the roof trim  30 ) is electrically connected to a wire connection portion of the lamp function portion A, and at this time the operator can effect this connecting operation with his face directed downward while confirming this connected condition with the eyes. 
   The cover lens  51  of the design portion B is integrally attached to the holder  41  by engaging retaining projections  51   a  respectively with engagement portions (not shown) of the holder  41 . The holder  41  includes engagement claws  42  for engagement respectively in engagement holes  32  (formed through the roof trim  30 ) to fix the holder  41  and the roof trim  30  to each other, a housing fitting hole  46  for fittingly receiving the housing  21 , a fixing member  43  for fixing the room lamp  20  and a reinforcing member  60  of the body roof to each other, and shake-prevention piece portions  48  for being brought into resilient abutting engagement with the reinforcing member  60  after the mounting of the room lamp on the car body so as to prevent the shaking of the room lamp. 
   The pair of engagement claws  42  are provided on a diagonal line of the holder  41  having a generally rectangular shape when viewed from the top, and also the pair of fixing member  43  are provided on another diagonal line of the holder  41 . Two pairs of shake-prevention piece portions  48  are formed integrally on the holder  41 , and each pair of shake-prevention piece portions  48  are provided along a corresponding short side of the holder  41 , and extend obliquely upwardly. 
   As shown in  FIG. 2A , each fixing member  43  is formed on and projects perpendicularly from that side (upper side in the drawings) of the holder  41  (of the room lamp  20 ) facing the reinforcing member  60 . This fixing member  43  includes an elastic arm  44  for retaining engagement at its distal end portion  44   c  with a mounting portion  61  of the reinforcing member  60 , and a pair of elastic arm restriction portions  47  provided respectively on opposite (right and left) sides of the elastic arm  44 . The mounting portion  61  is formed by an edge portion of a notch  62  formed in the reinforcing member  60 . 
   The elastic arm  44  includes a vertical portion  44   a  formed integrally at its proximal end with the holder  41 , an elastic portion  44   b  which extends from the vertical portion  44   a , and is bent into a generally inverted U-shape to extend obliquely downwardly, and a support piece portion  45  extending vertically downwardly from a lower surface of the elastic portion  44   b . The distal end portion  44   c  of the elastic portion  44   b  is adapted to be retainingly engaged with the mounting portion  61  of the reinforcing member  60 . A distal end portion (lower end portion) of the support piece portion  45  extends through a notch portion  41   a  formed on the holder  41 , and is not fixed, and therefore is in a free condition. A pair of upper and lower engagement projections  45   a  and  45   b  are formed on and project outwardly from each of opposite side edges of the support piece portion  45 , these upper and lower engagement projections serving as the engagement portions of the elastic arm  44 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , the amount La of projecting of each upper engagement projection  45   a  is smaller than the amount Lb of projecting of each lower engagement projection  45   b.    
   Each elastic arm restriction portion  47 , formed (molded) integrally on the holder  41 , includes a retaining wall  47   a , and a slanting portion  47   b.    
   As shown in  FIGS. 2A and 2B , a notch  47   c  (serving as an escape portion) is formed in the retaining wall  47   a , and each lower engagement projection  45   b  extends laterally beyond the notch  47   c  to a position beneath the corresponding retaining wall  47   a  since the amount Lb of projecting of the lower engagement projection  45   b  is large. The amount La of projecting of each upper engagement projection  45   a  is small, and therefore the upper engagement projection  45   a  is within the range of the notch  47   c . Therefore, in a non-deformed condition of the elastic arm  44 , that is, before the room lamp  20  is mounted or after the room lamp is properly mounted, the lower engagement projections  45   b  of the elastic arm  44  abut respectively against the lower surfaces of the retaining walls  47   a , and therefore the elastic arm  44  is prevented from being deformed upwardly. On the other hand, each upper engagement projection  45   a  is within the range of the corresponding notch  47   c , and therefore the upper engagement projection  45   a  will not interfere with the retaining wall  47   c  upon downward deformation of the elastic arm, thereby allowing the downward deformation of the elastic arm. 
   Further, each pair of upper and lower engagement projections  45   a  and  45   b  are disposed respectively at upper and lower sides of the corresponding slanting portion  47   b , and therefore can slide along the slanting portion  47   b , but are prevented from movement in a direction perpendicular to the slanting portion  47   b . Therefore, during the mounting of the room lamp on the car body, the distal end portion  44   c  is prevented from being displaced in a direction (upward-downward direction in the drawings) of mounting and dismounting of the room lamp  20  relative to the car body, but can slide along the slanting portions  47   b . Therefore, the elastic arm  44  can be deformed along the slanting portions  47   b , and therefore the room lamp  20  can be mounted on and removed from the car body. 
   Although a starting end of each slanting portion  47   b  is cut vertically as shown in  FIGS. 2A and 2B , a tapering portion  47   d  may be formed at this portion as shown in  FIGS. 4A and 4B . In this case, the engagement projections  45   a  and  45   b , disposed in registry with the notch  47   c , can smoothly move to the slating portion  47   b . And besides, even if the support piece portion  45  is slightly engaged with the slanting portion  47   b  of each elastic arm restriction portion  47  after the mounting operation is completed, each engagement projection  45   a  slides over the tapering portion  47   d  to move to the notch  47   c  when an apex portion  44   d  of the elastic arm  44  abuts against the body roof upon application of an upward force to the room lamp  20 . Thus, the engagement projection  45   a  is disengaged from the slanting portion  47   b , and therefore the upward force is prevented from acting on the body roof. In  FIGS. 4A and 4B , the same portions as described above are designated by identical reference numerals, respectively, and repeated description will be omitted. 
   When the room lamp  20  of this embodiment is to be mounted on the roof trim  30 , first, the holder  41  is attached to the roof trim  30  to cover the lamp-mounting window  31  in the roof trim  30 , and the engagement claws  42  on the holder  41  are engaged respectively in the engagement holes  32  in the roof trim  30 , thereby fixing the holder  41  and the roof trim  30  to each other. At this time, the fixing member  43  and the shake-prevention piece portions  48  will not interfere with the roof trim  30  thanks to the provision of openings  33  in the roof trim  30  (see  FIG. 5 ). The cover lens  51  is attached to the holder  41  from the inside of the car room (that is, from the lower side in  FIG. 1 ), so that the design portion B is beforehand attached to the roof trim  30 . 
   Then, the housing  21 , forming the lamp function portion A of the room lamp  20  connected to the connection portion of the FFC  22 , is fitted into the housing fitting hole  46  in the holder  41  from that side (upper side in the drawings) of the roof trim  30  facing the reinforcing member  60 , and trim mounting portions  23  are retainingly engaged with a peripheral edge portion of the lamp-mounting window  31 , so that the lamp function portion A is directly mounted on the roof trim  30  as shown in  FIG. 5 . The cover lens  51  may be attached to the holder  41  after the housing  21  is fitted into the housing fitting hole  46  in the holder  41 . 
   Then, the FFC  22  is installed on that side of the roof trim  30  facing the reinforcing member  60 , and roof accessories (not shown) such as a back mirror and a sun visor are beforehand attached to the roof trim  30 , thereby forming a roof module in which the room lamp  20  and the roof trim  30  with the roof accessories are integrally combined together as shown in  FIG. 5 . 
   Then, the roof module, having the room lamp  20  and the roof trim  30  integrally combined together, is mounted on the body roof as shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7 . At this time, the distal end portions  44   c  of the elastic arms  44 , disposed at that side where the room lamp  20  is provided, are retainingly engaged respectively with the mounting portions  61  of the reinforcing member  60 , and by doing so, the room lamp  20  and the roof trim  30  are fixed to the reinforcing member  60  by the fixing member  43 . 
   In the lamp unit mounting structure of this embodiment, the mounting operation is thus completed merely by mounting the roof module (having the room lamp  20  and the roof trim  30  integrally combined together) on the reinforcing member  60  of the body roof, and the operation for mounting the roof accessories can be omitted when mounting the roof trim, and therefore the mounting operation is easy. 
   Particularly, the fixing member  43  enable the room lamp  20  and the roof trim  30  to be easily and positively mounted simultaneously on the reinforcing member  60  of the body roof by their elastic arms  44  and elastic arm restriction portions  47 . Namely, in the fixing member  43  of this embodiment, the pair of engagement projections  45   a  and  45   b , formed at each of the opposite side edges of the support piece portion  45  of the elastic arm  44 , are disposed in registry with the notch  47   c  (formed in the retaining wall  47   a  of the elastic arm restriction portion  47  formed integrally with the holder  41 ) as shown in  FIG. 2B  before the room lamp is mounted. 
   When the elastic portion  44   b  of the elastic arm  44  abuts against an edge  61   a  of the mounting portion  61  as shown in  FIG. 8   a  during the mounting of the roof module on the reinforcing member  60 , the elastic portion  44   b  is pressed downward, so that the support piece portion  45  is pressed down rearwardly (in a right-hand direction in  FIG. 8A ). As a result, the slanting portion  47   b  of each elastic arm restriction portion  47  is fitted between the corresponding pair of upper and lower engagement projections  45   a  and  45   b  formed on the support piece portion  45 . Therefore, the elastic arm  44  is prevented from being deformed downwardly, and moves rearward. When the roof module is further pushed up, the support piece portion  45  moves rearward, and the distal end of the elastic arm  44  also moves rearward, and therefore the distal end portion  44   c  of the elastic arm  44  slides past the edge  61   a , and is retainingly engaged with the mounting portion  61 , so that the roof module is mounted on the reinforcing member  60 . 
   Therefore, when mounting the room lamp  20  and the roof trim  30  (combined together to form the module) simultaneously on the reinforcing member  60 , the distal end portion  44   c  of the elastic arm  44  will not escape toward the car room (that is, downward) in the direction of mounting and dismounting of the room lamp  20  relative to the car body before this distal end portion  44   c  is retainingly engaged with the mounting portion  61  of the reinforcing member  60 . Therefore, in the fixing member  43 , the distal end portion  44   c  of the elastic arm  44  will not fail to be retainingly engaged with the mounting portion  61  of the reinforcing member, and hence is prevented from being held in a half-fixed condition, so that the module can be positively mounted on the reinforcing member  60 . 
   And besides, when mounting the module on the car body, the distal end portion  44   c  of the elastic arm  44  will not escape toward the car room in the direction of mounting and dismounting of the room lamp  20  relative to the car body as described above, and therefore an excessive clearance for allowing for this escape does not need to be formed between the distal end portion  44   c  and the mounting portion  61  of the reinforcing member  60 . 
   Furthermore, at the time of mounting the module on the reinforcing member  60  of the body roof, the elastic portion  44   b  is elastically deformed such that its distal end portion  44   c  is moved toward the vertical portion  44   a , and hence is displaced so as to be releasably engaged with the mounting portion  61 , and at the same time this distal end portion  44   c  is also displaced toward the reinforcing member  60  (that is, upward). Therefore, the distal end portion  44   c  can be displaced upwardly beyond its normal position, and therefore can positively slide past the edge  61   a  of the mounting portion  61 . 
   Therefore, the distal end portion  44   c  can be positively engaged with the mounting portion  61  without the need for providing a clearance (as described above for the related room lamp-fixing structure of  FIG. 12B  in which the clearance t is needed) between this distal end portion  44   c  and the mounting portion  61  after the module is completely mounted on the car body. 
   When the distal end portion  44   c  slides past the edge  61  a as shown in  FIG. 6 , the slanting portions  47   b  cease to urge the elastic portion  44   b  upward, so that the distal end portion  44   c  tends to be restored into its normal condition. Therefore, a resilient force is produced in the elastic portion  44   b  when the module is completely mounted on the car body, and the elastic portion  44   b  resiliently abuts against the mounting portion  61 , so that the module is prevented from shaking relative to the reinforcing member  60 . 
   In this embodiment, the shake-prevention piece portions  48  are provided at the holder  41  of the room lamp  20 , and are resiliently abut against the reinforcing member  60  after the module is mounted on the car body as shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 . Therefore, for example, even when a clearance due to a molding error of the elastic arm  44  and an assembling tolerance is formed between the distal end portion  44   c  and the mounting portion  61 , the shake-prevention piece portions  48  positively prevent the shaking of the module relative to the reinforcing member  60 . Therefore, the module will not be shaken by vibrations or others during the travel of the car, and therefore will not produce abnormal sounds. 
   When an excessive upward force acts on the room lamp  20  after the mounting operation is completed, there is a fear that the apex portion  44   d  of each elastic arm  44  strikes against the body roof. However, the support piece portion  45  is located in the notches  47   c  formed respectively in the elastic arm restriction portions  47 , and each engagement projection  45   a  will not interfere with the retaining wall  47   a , so that the elastic arm  44  is allowed to be deformed downward as shown in  FIG. 8B . Therefore, the upward force is absorbed, thereby avoiding a situation in which the body roof is recessed. 
   In the case where the tapering portion  47   d  is formed at that end portion of the retaining wall  47   a  disposed adjacent to the notch  47   c  as shown in  FIGS. 4A and 4B , the engagement projections  45   a  and  45   b , disposed in registry with the notch  47   c , can smoothly move to the slanting portion  47   b  as shown in  FIG. 9A . And besides, even if the support piece portion  45  is slightly engaged with the slanting portion  47   b  of each elastic arm restriction portion  47  after the mounting operation is completed, each engagement projection  45   a  slides over the tapering portion  47   d  to move to the notch  47   c  when the apex portion  44   d  of the elastic arm  44  abuts against the body roof upon application of an upward force to the room lamp  20 , as shown in  FIG. 9B . 
   Even when there is applied a large external force tending to displace the module (fixed to the reinforcing member  60  of the body roof as shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 ) toward the room (downward in the drawings) relative to the roof reinforcing member  60 , the lower wide engagement projections  45   b  (formed on and projecting from the support piece portion  45  of the elastic arm  44 ), each laterally extending beyond the corresponding notch  47   c , abut respectively against the lower surfaces of the retaining walls  47   a  of the elastic arm restriction portions  47 , and therefore the distal end portion  44   c  can hardly be displaced upward in the direction (upward-downward direction in the drawings) of mounting and dismounting of the room lamp  20  relative to the car body. Therefore, the distal end portion  44   c  of the elastic arm  44  is prevented from being turned up, and the retaining force is enhanced, so that the fixed condition will not be canceled. 
   The car body panel, interior wall member, lamp unit, wire connection portion, wires, etc., of the lamp unit mounting structure of the invention are not limited to their respective constructions shown in the above embodiment, and each of these can take any other suitable form on the basis of the subject matter of the invention. For example, in the above embodiment, although the room lamp, serving as the lamp unit, is attached to the roof trim serving as the interior wall member, the invention can be applied also to the cases where a map lamp is attached to a roof trim and where a lamp unit such as a courtesy lamp is attached to a door trim serving as an interior wall member covering a car body panel such as a door panel. The cable (wires) to be installed on the interior wall member is not limited to the FFC described in the above embodiment, and a flat circuit member, such as an FPC (flexible printed circuit board) and a ribbon cable, and a wire harness can be used. 
   Although the present invention has been shown and described with reference to specific preferred embodiments, various changes and modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the teachings herein. Such changes and modifications as are obvious are deemed to come within the spirit, scope and contemplation of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Technology Category: b