Vehicle

Abstract

The present application relates to a vehicle. The vehicle is provided with a vehicle body, a door provided so as to be openable and closable with respect to the vehicle body, a window frame provided to the door or the vehicle body, a window glass which is a manual up-down type window glass provided to the window frame and is supported so as to be movable between an upper limit position at which the window frame is closed and a lower limit position at which the window frame is opened, a lower support member having a groove that receives a lower edge of the window glass when the window glass is in the lower limit position, and a stop member located in the groove of the lower support member. The stop member has an abutting surface that abuts against the lower edge of the window glass, the abutting surface being curved in a manner that protrudes upward.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The technology disclosed in this specification relates to a vehicle. Background Art

[0002] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2015-85908 discloses a window for a railway vehicle. In this window, an opening is formed in a window glass provided in a window frame, and a manually liftable small window is provided in the opening.

[0003] In vehicles traveling on the road, the window glass installed on the vehicle door is usually opened and closed by a lifting device. The window glass lifting device is arranged inside the vehicle door and has a mechanism that moves the window glass in the up and down directions according to the action of the motor or the operation of the user. In contrast, in a small vehicle for one person, for example, manual lifting window glass can be considered. Manual lifting window glass refers to window glass that is directly operated by the user in the up and down directions without using a lifting device. If manual lifting window glass is used, the above-mentioned lifting device is not required, so, for example, the vehicle can be made lighter. It should be noted that manual lifting window glass is not limited to the window frame installed on the vehicle door, and can also be used in the window frame installed on the vehicle body.

[0004] The manually liftable window glass is configured to be movable between an upper limit position that closes the opening of the window frame and a lower limit position that opens the opening of the window frame. A stopper is provided at the lower limit position, and the lower edge of the window glass is supported by the stopper. Usually, in order to prevent the window glass from being damaged, the stopper is made of a soft material. However, since the stopper provided at the lower limit position has a structure that receives the window glass from above, it is easy for hard foreign objects such as pebbles to be placed on it. In this case, the foreign object is caught between the window glass and the stopper, and the window glass may be damaged. To avoid this situation, it is conceivable to reduce the size of the stopper so that it is difficult for foreign objects to be placed on the stopper. However, if the size of the stopper is reduced, when an impact or vibration is applied to the window glass, the lower edge of the window glass may easily detach from the stopper, which may cause other problems. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In view of the above circumstances, the present specification provides a novel structure related to a stopper member provided at a lower limit position in a vehicle using a manually-operated window glass.

[0006] Solutions to Problems

[0007] The vehicle disclosed in the present specification is provided with: a vehicle body; a door provided so as to be openable and closable with respect to the vehicle body; a window frame provided to the door or the vehicle body; a window glass which is a manually operated up-down type window glass provided to the window frame, supported so as to be movable between an upper limit position at which the window frame's opening is closed and a lower limit position at which the window frame's opening is opened; a lower support member having a groove that receives a lower edge of the window glass when the window glass is in the lower limit position; and a stop member located within the groove of the lower support member. The stop member has an abutting surface that abuts against the lower edge of the window glass, the abutting surface being curved in a manner that protrudes upward.

[0008] In the above vehicle, a manually operated up-down type window glass is provided to the window frame's opening of the door or the vehicle body. The window glass is directly operated by a user in the up-down direction between the upper limit position at which the window frame's opening is closed and the lower limit position at which the window frame's opening is opened. When the window glass is in the lower limit position, the lower edge of the window glass is housed within the groove of the lower support member and abuts against the abutting surface of the stop member. If the stop member is located within the groove of the lower support member, the lower edge of the window glass is difficult to disengage from the stop member. On the other hand, if the stop member is located within the groove of the lower support member, a foreign object such as a small stone is easily placed on the abutting surface of the stop member. However, the abutting surface of the stop member is curved in a manner that protrudes upward, having a shape in which a foreign object is difficult to lodge. Thus, a situation in which a foreign object is caught between the window glass and the stop member can be avoided. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0009] Figure 1 is a side view schematically showing the entire vehicle 10, mainly showing the right side surface of the vehicle 10.

[0010] Figure 2 is a view showing the door 20 and its internal structure as viewed from the inside (i.e., the cab side) of the vehicle 10, with the window glass 32 disposed in the upper limit position.

[0011] Figure 3 is a view showing the door 20 and its internal structure as viewed from the inside (i.e., the cab side) of the vehicle 10, with the window glass 32 disposed in the lower limit position.

[0012] Figure 4 is Figure 2 is an enlarged view of the IV portion in FIG. 8, particularly showing the lower support member 40 and the stop member 50. A portion of the lower support member 40 is cut away in order to illustrate the stop member 50.

[0013] Figure 5 is Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the V-V line in FIG. 8, particularly showing the lower support member 40 and the stop member 50.

[0014] Figure 6 is Figure 3 The enlarged view of the VI portion in FIG. 1 particularly shows the lower support member 40, the stopper member 50, and the window glass 32. In order to illustrate the stopper member 50, a portion of the lower support member 40 is cut away.

[0015] Figure 7 yes Figure 6 The cross-sectional view along line VII-VII in FIG. 1 particularly shows the lower support member 40 , the stop member 50 and the window glass 32 . DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0016] In one embodiment of the present technology, the abutment surface of the stopper may be curved at least in the front-to-back direction. According to such a structure, the abutment surface of the stopper is inclined in the front-to-back direction, and foreign matter on the abutment surface can be easily removed by utilizing the inertial force caused by the acceleration or deceleration of the vehicle.

[0017] In the above embodiment, the stopper may further include a vertical abutment surface perpendicular to the front-to-back direction on at least one side of the abutment surface. This structure prevents foreign matter from climbing onto the abutment surface if it is present in the groove. Here, "perpendicular to the front-to-back direction" means an angle within the range of 90 degrees ± 15 degrees relative to the front-to-back direction.

[0018] In one embodiment of the present technology, the groove of the lower support member may also have a pair of side surfaces facing each other across a stop member. In this case, a gap may be provided between at least one of the pair of side surfaces and the stop member. According to such a structure, when the lower edge of the window glass abuts the stop member, the deformation of the stop member will not be excessively restricted by the lower support member. However, the deformed stop member may also abut the side surface of the groove. By intentionally causing the deformed stop member to abut the side surface of the groove, excessive deformation of the stop member can also be suppressed.

[0019] In one embodiment of the present technology, at least a portion of the stopper may be made of a material softer than the window glass. However, the stopper may also be made of a material with higher rigidity (i.e., a higher elastic modulus) than the window glass, and may have, for example, a hollow shape or a leaf spring shape, thereby achieving the desired flexibility.

[0020] In one embodiment of the present technology, at least a portion of the stopper may be made of a rubber material. Rubber is a material that exhibits suitable flexibility for absorbing shock and vibration. The rubber material may be natural rubber or synthetic rubber. It should be noted that the rubber material referred to herein also includes rubber materials known as elastomers.

[0021] In one embodiment of this technology, a window frame can also be installed on a vehicle door. With this structure, when the vehicle door is opened or closed with the window glass at its lower limit, the lower support member and the stop member can stably support the window glass. However, the window frame is not limited to the vehicle door; it can also be installed on the vehicle body. In this case, the window frame is not limited to the exterior surface of the vehicle body; it can also be installed inside the vehicle body. The window glass can also serve as a partition separating two seats.

[0022] In one embodiment of the present technology, a handle for the user to grasp can be provided on the window glass. This structure makes it easier for the user to operate the window glass using the handle. However, a handle is not necessarily required. In other embodiments, for example, a recessed portion for the user to hook their finger can be provided directly on the window glass.

[0023] In the above embodiment, the handle may be provided with a movable hook operable by the user. In this case, the window frame may be provided with a hook receiver that engages with the hook when the window glass is at the upper limit position. This also allows for a structure in which the window glass at the upper limit position is locked so as not to be lowered.

[0024] [Example]

[0025] Representative and non-limiting examples of the present disclosure are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. This detailed description is intended solely to provide those skilled in the art with details of preferred embodiments for implementing the present disclosure and is not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. Furthermore, the additional features and disclosures disclosed below may be used separately from or in conjunction with other features and techniques to provide further improved vehicles.

[0026] In addition, the combinations of features and steps disclosed in the following detailed description are not necessarily required to practice the present disclosure in the broadest sense, but are described only to specifically illustrate representative embodiments of the present disclosure. Furthermore, the various features of the representative embodiments described above and below, as well as the various features described in the independent and dependent claims, do not necessarily need to be combined as described in the examples herein, or in the order in which they are listed, to provide additional and useful embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0027] All features described in this specification and / or claims are intended to be disclosed separately and independently of each other as limitations of the initial disclosure and specific matters of the claims, as structures different from those described in the examples and / or claims. Furthermore, all descriptions of numerical ranges and groups or groups are intended to disclose intermediate structures thereof as limitations of the initial disclosure and specific matters of the claims.

[0028] The vehicle 10 of the embodiment will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The vehicle 10 of this embodiment is a so-called automobile, which is a vehicle that travels on the road. Here, the direction FR in the accompanying drawings indicates the front in the front-to-back direction (length direction) of the vehicle 10, and the direction RR indicates the rear in the front-to-back direction of the vehicle 10. In addition, the direction LH indicates the left in the left-to-right direction (width direction) of the vehicle 10, and the direction RH indicates the right in the left-to-right direction of the vehicle 10. Moreover, the direction UP indicates the top in the up-down direction (height direction) of the vehicle 10, and the direction DN indicates the bottom in the up-down direction of the vehicle 10. It should be noted that in this specification, the front-to-back direction, the left-to-right direction, and the up-down direction of the vehicle 10 are sometimes referred to as the front-to-back direction, the left-to-right direction, and the up-down direction, respectively.

[0029] like Figure 1 As shown, the vehicle 10 includes a vehicle body 12 and a plurality of wheels 14f, 14r. The vehicle body 12 is not particularly limited and may be constructed using metal or resin materials. The plurality of wheels 14f, 14r are rotatably mounted to the vehicle body 12. The plurality of wheels 14f, 14r include a pair of front wheels 14f and a pair of rear wheels 14r. It should be noted that the number of wheels 14f, 14r is not limited to four. While the vehicle 10 in this embodiment is compact enough for one person, the size of the vehicle 10 and the number of passengers are not particularly limited.

[0030] The vehicle 10 also includes a driving motor 16 and a battery unit 18. The driving motor 16 is connected to a pair of rear wheels 14r and can drive the pair of rear wheels 14r. It should be noted that the driving motor 16 is not limited to the pair of rear wheels 14r, and can be configured to drive at least one of the multiple wheels 14f, 14r. The battery unit 18 is connected to the driving motor 16 via a power supply circuit (not shown) to supply power to the driving motor 16. The battery unit 18 has multiple secondary battery cells built in and is configured to be repeatedly charged by external power. It should be noted that the vehicle 10 can also be configured to include other power sources such as fuel cells and solar panels in addition to the battery unit 18, or to include other power sources such as fuel cells and solar panels instead of the battery unit 18. In addition, the vehicle 10 can also be configured to include other power machines such as engines in addition to the driving motor 16, or to include other power machines such as engines in place of the driving motor 16.

[0031] The vehicle 10 also includes a door 20. The door 20 is configured to be openable and closable relative to the vehicle body 12. The door 20 is a door for users to get on and off the vehicle 10. The door 20 is mounted on the vehicle body 12 via a hinge (not shown) and is configured to be able to swing in the horizontal direction. A window frame 22 is provided on the door 20. The window frame 22 is located at the upper portion of the door 20. Two bars 24 and 26 are provided on the inner side of the window frame 22. The two bars 24 and 26 are parallel to each other and extend generally in the up-down direction. The window frame 22 and the two bars 24 and 26 define three window openings 28a, 28b, and 28c.

[0032] The three window openings 28a, 28b, and 28c include a first window opening 28a, a second window opening 28b, and a third window opening 28c. The first window opening 28a is located at the front, surrounded by the window frame 22 and the bars 24 on one side. A first window glass 30 is provided in the first window opening 28a. The first window glass 30 is a window glass that cannot be opened or closed, and is fixed relative to the window frame 22 and the bars 24 on one side. The second window opening 28b is located in the middle, surrounded by the window frame 22 and the two bars 24 and 26. A second window glass 32 is provided in the second window opening 28b. The second window glass 32 is a window glass that can be opened and closed, and is installed in a manner that can move in the up and down directions between the two bars 24 and 26. A third window glass 34 is provided in the third window opening 28c. The third window glass 34 is a window glass that cannot be opened or closed, and is fixed relative to the window frame 22 and the bars 26 on the other side.

[0033] The second window glass 32 is a manually-operated window glass. A manually-operated window glass is a window glass that is directly operated in the up and down directions by a user without using a mechanism such as a conventional lifting device. Figures 2 to 5 The second window glass 32 and its related structures will be described in detail. It should be noted that in the following description, the second window opening 28b is sometimes referred to as the window opening 28b, and the second window glass 32 is sometimes referred to as the window glass 32.

[0034] like Figure 2 、 Figure 3 As shown, the window glass 32 is directly operated by the user in the up and down directions between the upper limit position of the closed window opening 28b and the lower limit position of the open window opening 28b. The side edge 32b of the window glass 32 is supported by two bars 24 and 26 so as to be able to slide. In addition, a pair of rails 38 that support the side edge 32b of the window glass 32 so as to be able to slide are also provided inside the vehicle door 20. A handle 60 for the user to hold is provided on the window glass 32. The handle 60 is mounted on the inner surface of the window glass 32 and protrudes from the inner surface of the window glass 32. The user can easily operate the window glass 32 using the handle 60. That is, the user can lift the window glass 32 by holding the handle 60, or lower the window glass 32 by holding the handle 60.

[0035] The handle 60 is provided with a movable hook 62 that can be operated by the user. Meanwhile, the window frame 22 is provided with a hook receiver 64 that corresponds to the hook 62. The hook receiver 64 engages with the hook 62 when the window glass 32 is at the upper limit position. This locks the window glass 32 at the upper limit position, for example, so that it does not drop due to its own weight. The positions of the handle 60, hook 62, and hook receiver 64 are not particularly limited. For example, the handle 60 and hook 62 may be provided at different positions. Alternatively, the hook 62 may be provided on the window frame 22, and the hook receiver 64 may be provided on the window glass 32.

[0036] like Figure 2 、 Figure 3 As shown, a lower support member 40, a vibration-proof component 44, and two stopper components 50 are provided inside the vehicle door 20. The lower support member 40 is an elongated component extending in the front-to-back direction and is made of a resin material. However, the material constituting the lower support member 40 is not particularly limited. A groove 42 is formed in the lower support member 40 along the longitudinal direction of the lower support member 40, that is, along the front-to-back direction of the vehicle 10. The groove 42 is open upward and receives the lower edge 32a of the window glass 32 when the window glass 32 is at the lower limit position. The vibration-proof component 44 is made of a material softer than the lower support member 40 and is interposed between the groove 42 of the lower support member 40 and the window glass 32. As a result, the window glass 32 at the lower limit position is stably supported by the pair of rails 38 and the lower support member 40.

[0037] like Figures 4 to 7 As shown, two stop members 50 are located in the groove 42 of the lower support member 40. The number of stop members 50 is not limited to two. As an example, in the vehicle 10 of this embodiment, two stop members 50 are arranged on both sides of the vibration-proof member 44. Each stop member 50 is made of a rubber material and has appropriate flexibility. It should be noted that the material constituting the stop member 50 is not limited to rubber material, but can also be other materials that are softer than the window glass 32 (i.e., have lower rigidity). Each stop member 50 has a contact surface 52. The contact surface 52 is located on the upper surface of the stop member 50 and contacts the lower edge 32a of the window glass 32 when the window glass 32 is at the lower limit position. The contact surface 52 is curved in a manner that protrudes upward. It should be noted that the window glass 32 does not have a frame, and the contact surface 52 of the stop member 50 is in direct contact with the lower edge 32a of the window glass 32.

[0038] As described above, in the vehicle 10 of this embodiment, a manually adjustable window glass 32 is employed in the window opening 28b provided in the vehicle door 20. The window glass 32 is directly operated vertically by the user between an upper limit position, which closes the window opening 28b, and a lower limit position, which opens the window opening 28b. When the window glass 32 is at the lower limit position, the lower edge 32a of the window glass 32 is received within the groove 42 of the lower support member 40 and abuts against the abutment surface 52 of the stopper 50. The stopper 50 is made of a material softer than the window glass 32. Therefore, even if the window glass 32 is violently operated or falls due to its own weight, for example, breakage of the window glass 32 can be avoided.

[0039] If the stopper 50 is located within the groove 42 of the lower support 40, the lower edge 32a of the window glass 32 is unlikely to separate from the stopper 50. On the other hand, if the stopper 50 is located within the groove 42 of the lower support 40, foreign matter such as small stones is more likely to be placed on the contact surface 52 of the stopper 50. However, the contact surface 52 of the stopper 50 is curved to protrude upward, making it difficult for foreign matter to become lodged. This prevents foreign matter from becoming trapped between the window glass 32 and the stopper 50.

[0040] The specific shape of the abutting surface 52 is not particularly limited. For example, the curvature radius of the abutting surface 52 may be constant along the front-back direction, or may change continuously or in stages along the front-back direction. In addition, a portion of the abutting surface 52 may be a flat surface. The amount of the abutting surface 52 protruding upward, that is, the dimension H of the abutting surface 52 in the vertical direction (see Figure 4 As an example, the dimension H may be greater than 3 mm or greater than 5 mm. The specific shape of the stopper 50 can be designed according to the thickness and weight of the window glass 32.

[0041] In the vehicle 10 of this embodiment, the contact surface 52 of the stopper 50 is curved in the front-to-back direction of the vehicle 10. That is, the contact surface 52 of the stopper 50 is inclined in the front-to-back direction. This structure facilitates the removal of foreign matter from the contact surface by utilizing the inertial force caused by the acceleration or deceleration of the vehicle 10. However, in other embodiments, the contact surface 52 of the stopper 50 may be configured to be curved in the left-to-right direction in addition to the front-to-back direction, or in the left-to-right direction instead of the front-to-back direction.

[0042] In the vehicle 10 of this embodiment, the stop member 50 further includes a front end face 54 and a rear end face 56. The front end face 54 is located at the front end of the stop member 50, in front of the abutment face 52. The rear end face 56 is located at the rear end of the stop member 50, in the rear of the abutment face 52. The front end face 54 and the rear end face 56 each form a vertical abutment face perpendicular to the front-to-back direction. With such a structure, when a foreign object is present in the groove 42 of the lower support member 40, the foreign object can be prevented from climbing onto the abutment face 52. Here, perpendicular to the front-to-back direction means that the angle relative to the front-to-back direction is not limited to 90 degrees, and the angle is within the range of 90 degrees ± 15 degrees.

[0043] In the vehicle 10 of this embodiment, the groove 42 of the lower support member 40 has a pair of side surfaces 42a that face each other across the stopper 50. Furthermore, a gap 58 may be provided between each side surface 42a and the stopper 50. With this configuration, when the lower edge 32a of the window glass 32 abuts the stopper 50, deformation of the stopper 50 is not restricted by the side surfaces 42a of the groove 42. However, the stopper 50 may also be designed so that the deformed stopper 50 abuts the side surfaces 42a of the groove 42. By intentionally causing the deformed stopper 50 to abut the side surfaces 42a of the groove 42, excessive deformation of the stopper 50 can also be suppressed. Taking these factors into consideration, the dimension C of the gap 58 can be appropriately designed.

[0044] In the vehicle 10 of this embodiment, the lower edge 32a of the window glass 32 is curved so as to protrude downward in the thickness direction of the window glass 32 (see FIG. Figure 7 Thus, even if a foreign object is caught between the window glass 32 and the stopper 50, the foreign object can be easily removed by the inclination of the lower edge 32a of the window glass 32. Thus, breakage of the window glass 32 can be effectively suppressed.

Claims

1. A vehicle, wherein: The vehicle has: body; a vehicle door, the vehicle door being arranged to be openable and closable relative to the vehicle body; a window frame, the window frame being arranged on the vehicle door or the vehicle body; a window glass, the window glass being a manually liftable window glass provided on the window frame, supported so as to be movable between an upper limit position in the vertical direction for closing an opening of the window frame and a lower limit position in the vertical direction for opening the opening of the window frame, the window glass being moved between the upper limit position in the vertical direction and the lower limit position in the vertical direction by direct operation of a user in the vertical direction; a lower support member having a groove for receiving a lower edge of the window glass when the window glass is located at the lower limit position; a vibration-isolating member interposed between the groove of the lower support and the window glass; as well as a stopper, the stopper being located in the groove of the lower support member and having an abutment surface located on an upper surface of the stopper, the abutment surface being curved so as to protrude upward in the vertical direction, and the abutment surface being in direct contact with the lower edge of the window glass in the vertical direction when the window glass is located at the lower limit position in the vertical direction, The lower support is an elongated member extending in the front-rear direction of the vehicle, and the groove opening toward the upper side is formed in the lower support along the longitudinal direction of the lower support, that is, along the front-rear direction. The abutment surface of the stopper member is curved at least in the front-rear direction, The stopper component further has a vertical surface perpendicular to the front-rear direction on at least one side of the abutting surface in the front-rear direction. The two stopper members are arranged on both sides of the vibration-isolating member in the front-rear direction in the groove of the lower support member. The groove of the lower support member has a pair of side surfaces facing each other across the stopper. A gap is provided between at least one of the pair of side surfaces and the stopper member.

2. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein: At least a portion of the stopper is made of a material softer than the window glass.

3. The vehicle according to claim 2, wherein: At least a portion of the stopper member is made of a rubber material.

4. The vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: The window frame is arranged on the vehicle door.

5. The vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: The window glass is provided with a handle for a user to hold.

6. The vehicle according to claim 5, wherein: The handle is provided with a movable hook operated by the user. The window frame is provided with a hook receiver, and when the window glass is located at the upper limit position, the hook receiver engages with the hook to lock the window glass.

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