Vehicle under cover drain structure

Abstract

Provided is a vehicle under cover water drainage structure capable of rapidly draining water that has entered an upper surface of an under cover. The vehicle under cover water drainage structure includes an under cover (1(1A)), a water drainage hole (11) formed in the under cover (1(1A)), and a reinforcing rib (10(10A)) provided to an upper surface of the under cover (1(1A)). The reinforcing rib (10(10A)) is disposed so as to span the water drainage hole (11).

Description

Vehicle under-cover drainage structure Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a drainage structure for a vehicle underbody cover. Background Technology

[0002] Sometimes a bottom cover is installed and fixed under the vehicle floor to facilitate airflow and protect the battery mounted on the floor (see Patent Document 1 below). During driving in rain, snow, or other similar conditions, water enters the upper surface of the bottom cover. Normally, the water that enters the upper surface of the bottom cover disappears from the upper surface due to drainage from dripping through gaps and evaporation.

[0003] Existing technical documents

[0004] Patent documents

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2016-49850 Summary of the Invention

[0006] The problem the invention aims to solve

[0007] However, in snowy areas, there is a possibility that water entering the upper surface of the undercarriage may freeze directly into ice, which can then grow further on the undercarriage's surface. If the ice grows, even if some of it melts into water, its drainage is hindered, increasing vehicle weight and worsening fuel economy. Furthermore, if the undercarriage flexes due to the weight of the ice, the airflow correction effect is weakened, or it may interfere with the road surface. Therefore, the object of this invention is to provide a vehicle undercarriage drainage structure that can quickly drain water that has entered the upper surface of the undercarriage. In addition, by quickly draining the water from the undercarriage, moisture under the floor is also eliminated, preventing adverse effects on the vehicle body and other components.

[0008] Solution for solving the problem

[0009] The vehicle underbody drainage structure of the present invention includes: an underbody; a drainage hole formed in the underbody; and a reinforcing rib disposed on the upper surface of the underbody. The reinforcing rib is arranged across the drainage hole.

[0010] The effects of the invention

[0011] According to the vehicle undercover drainage structure of the present invention, water that has entered the upper surface of the undercover can be quickly drained. Attached Figure Description

[0012] Figure 1 is a bottom view of the vehicle undercarriage drainage structure according to the embodiment.

[0013] Figure 2 is a top view of the bottom cover in the aforementioned structure.

[0014] Figure 3 is a perspective view of the bottom cover.

[0015] Figure 4 is a top view of the bottom cover.

[0016] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the VV line in Figure 4.

[0017] Figure 6 is a sectional view along line VI-VI in Figure 4.

[0018] Figure 7 is a bottom view showing the structure of the lift in use.

[0019] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0020] 1. Bottom cover; 1A. End cover (part of the bottom cover); 10 (10A~10C) Reinforcing ribs; 10A. Reinforcing ribs; 10B. Other reinforcing ribs; 10C. Other reinforcing ribs; 11. Drain hole. Detailed Implementation

[0021] The drainage structure of the vehicle underbody according to this embodiment will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In this embodiment, the drainage structure is located below the front end of the side beam 2 of the vehicle. In other words, the drainage structure of this embodiment is located behind the wheel arch of the front wheel. Therefore, during driving in rain, snow, or other conditions, there are locations where rainwater splashed up by the tires can easily enter the upper surface of the underbody 1, and water must be drained quickly. Furthermore, a top point is also provided at the aforementioned location. Hereinafter, the drainage structure on the left side of the vehicle will be described as an example; the right side of the vehicle is also constructed symmetrically in the same manner.

[0022] In this embodiment, the vehicle is equipped with a battery pack (not shown) that occupies the entire area under the passenger compartment floor, and a bottom cover 1 is installed to completely cover the bottom surface of the battery pack. The area for installing the bottom cover 1 is relatively wide, making it difficult to form the bottom cover 1 as a single piece; it is divided into several parts. The bottom view in Figure 1 only shows the portion directly behind the wheel arch of the left front wheel of the bottom cover 1. The left side in Figure 1 represents the front of the vehicle.

[0023] The bottom cover 1 (including end covers 1A and corner covers 1B) is mounted to the bottom surface of the battery pack, side beams 2, and other parts of the vehicle body using fasteners such as resin pins and bolts. By mounting the bottom cover 1 to the battery pack and the vehicle body, the bottom surface of the vehicle is formed to be approximately flat. In this embodiment, the bottom cover is made of resin and manufactured using injection molding.

[0024] The drainage structure of this embodiment is constructed in end cap 1A and corner cap 1B, with end cap 1A being described as an example. Furthermore, end cap 1A and corner cap 1B are shown in Figures 2 and 3, but the drainage structure (drainage hole 11) of corner cap 1B is omitted from these figures. Corner cap 1B is installed at the corner of bottom cap 1 such that its inner edge overlaps with the bottom cap 1. In the overlapping portion, corner cap 1B is located at the bottom.

[0025] As shown in Figures 1-3, a notch is formed at the side end of the corner cap 1B, and an end cap 1A is installed to seal the notch. The end cap 1A is installed with its inner edge overlapping the corner cap 1B. In the overlapping portion, the end cap 1A is located below (see Figures 1 and 2). As shown in Figures 2 and 3, reinforcing ribs 10 are formed on the upper surfaces of the end cap 1A and the corner cap 1B. Furthermore, for ease of understanding, the overall labeling of the corner cap 1B in Figure 3 is slightly shaded.

[0026] The end cap 1A, i.e., the drainage structure, will be described in detail with reference to Figures 4 to 6. Figure 4 is a top view of the end cap 1A, showing the upper surface of the end cap 1A. The left side in Figure 1 represents the front of the vehicle, and the lower side represents the outer side of the vehicle. Furthermore, Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view along line VV in Figure 4, and Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view along line VI-VI in Figure 4. The end cap 1A is a plate-shaped component that slopes downwards and inwards from the outer side of the vehicle (i.e., the upper portion in Figure 4 slopes downwards).

[0027] As described above, multiple reinforcing ribs 10 (10A to 10C) are erected from the upper surface of the end cap 1A, and each reinforcing rib 10 extends from the upper surface. The reinforcing ribs 10 increase the strength and rigidity of the end cap 1A (bottom cap 1). The reinforcing ribs 10 are formed simultaneously during the injection molding of the end cap 1A. In addition, multiple drain holes 11 are formed on the end cap 1A to drain water that has entered the upper surface of the end cap 1A. Each drain hole 11 connects the upper surface and the bottom surface of the end cap 1A (bottom cap 1). The arrangement of the drain holes 11 relative to the reinforcing ribs 10 will be described in detail below. Mounting holes 12 relative to the corner cap 1B are formed at both ends of the outer edge of the end cap 1A. On the other hand, a pair of locking pieces 13 protrude outward from the inner edge of the end cap 1A. The locking pieces 13 are engaged with a pair of locking holes 16 (see Figure 7) formed in the corner cap 1B.

[0028] A jack notch 14 is also formed on the outer edge of the end cover 1A for inserting the saddle (contact portion in contact with the vehicle body) of a diamond-shaped telescopic jack used as a vehicle-mounted tool. A flange 14a is formed around the periphery of the jack notch 14 to suppress the reduction in strength and rigidity of the end cover 1A caused by the formation of the jack notch 14. The flange 14a is also erected from the upper surface of the end cover 1A, but in order to prevent water from entering through the jack notch 14, the height of the flange 14a is higher than the height of the reinforcing rib 10 (see Figures 5 and 6). If the end cover 1A is installed on the vehicle body, the top starting point of the side beam 2 is located above the jack notch 14 (see Figure 1).

[0029] To install end cap 1A onto corner cap 1B, which is already installed on the vehicle body (battery pack), first, insert locking tab 13 into locking hole 16 of corner cap 1B (see Figure 7). In this state, slide end cap 1A rearward, thereby locking tab 13 into the inner edge of locking hole 16. From this state, further move the outer edge of end cap 1A upward and install resin pin into mounting hole 12. At this time, resin pin also passes through mounting hole 15 of corner cap 1B, and end cap 1A is fixed to corner cap 1B (see Figures 2 and 3). Conversely, end cap 1A can be easily removed by simply disengaging the resin pin. That is, end cap 1A can be easily installed and removed freely.

[0030] For the multiple reinforcing ribs 10 erected on the upper surface of the end cap 1A, firstly, the main reinforcing rib 10A extends from the outer edge of the end cap in a generally U-shape to the flange 14a, corresponding to the shape of the end cap 1A. Inside the reinforcing rib 10A, five reinforcing ribs 10 are formed from the outer edge of the end cap or the flange 14a toward the reinforcing rib 10A, i.e., parallel to the vehicle width direction. Three of the other reinforcing ribs 10B intersect the reinforcing rib 10A in a T-shape, forming drainage holes 11 at their intersections. That is, the reinforcing ribs 10A are arranged across the drainage holes 11.

[0031] A portion of the reinforcing rib 10A extends at a right angle relative to the upper surface of the end cap 1A, and a drain hole 11 (two drain holes 11 on the right side in FIG. 4) is disposed on this portion. However, in this embodiment, all three drain holes 11 are disposed on the lower side of the reinforcing rib 10A at an angle relative to the end cap 1A. In addition, the upper surface of the end cap 1A is divided into multiple sections by the reinforcing rib 10, and each section communicates with at least one drain hole 11.

[0032] To achieve this structure, in this embodiment, one of the five parallel reinforcing ribs 10 extending in the vehicle width direction, another reinforcing rib 10C, does not intersect with reinforcing rib 10A, but instead ends in front of reinforcing rib 10A. No drainage hole 11 is formed at the intersection of the extension line of this other reinforcing rib 10C (which is neither reinforcing rib 10A nor another reinforcing rib 10B) and reinforcing rib 10A. However, since the other reinforcing rib 10C ends in front of reinforcing rib 10A, the section on the left side of the other reinforcing rib 10C shown in FIG. 4 is not closed and communicates with the central drainage hole 11.

[0033] According to this embodiment, a reinforcing rib 10A is erected on the upper surface of the bottom cover 1 (end cover 1A) and extends from the upper surface, positioned across the drain hole 11. Therefore, water entering the upper surface of the bottom cover 1 (end cover 1A) is captured by the reinforcing rib 10A and guided towards the drain hole 11, where it is quickly discharged. Since the bottom cover 1 (end cover 1A) is installed under the floor of the vehicle, water adhering to its upper surface collides with and is captured by the reinforcing rib 10 due to vibrations and acceleration / deceleration during driving. At this time, due to the surface tension of the water, water droplets are captured at the root of the reinforcing rib 10 and flow along the reinforcing rib 10. Therefore, the water is reliably guided by the reinforcing rib 10 to the drain hole 11 for discharge.

[0034] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the reinforcing rib 10A intersects with other reinforcing ribs 10B at the location of the drain hole 11. Therefore, more water is guided to the drain hole 11 by both the reinforcing rib 10A and the other reinforcing ribs 10B and discharged rapidly. Moreover, the area around the drain hole 11 is reinforced by both reinforcing ribs 10A and 10B, thus effectively preventing a decrease in the strength and rigidity of the bottom cover 1 (end cover 1A) caused by the drain hole 11.

[0035] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, a portion of the reinforcing rib 10A is provided on the inclined surface and extends at a right angle relative to the inclined surface. Therefore, water is rapidly discharged not only due to the aforementioned vibrations, accelerations and decelerations, but also due to gravity moving towards the reinforcing rib 10A.

[0036] In this embodiment, additional reinforcing ribs 10C extending toward reinforcing rib 10A are also included. Furthermore, no drain hole 11 is formed at the intersection of the extension line of the additional reinforcing rib 10C and reinforcing rib 10A, and the additional reinforcing rib 10C does not intersect with reinforcing rib 10A, but rather has an endpoint in front of reinforcing rib 10A. Therefore, no partition not communicating with the drain hole 11 is formed due to the additional reinforcing ribs 10C. Moreover, water guided by the additional reinforcing ribs 10C is guided from the endpoint of the additional reinforcing ribs 10C toward reinforcing rib 10A and is eventually discharged quickly.

[0037] As described above, when using a diamond-shaped telescopic jack to lift the vehicle, even without removing the end cap 1A, the jack seat can pass through the jack notch 14 and contact the side beam 2. However, in repair shops and the like, two-post lifts and plate lifts (also known as flat lifts) are also used. A two-post lift uses a pair of arms mounted to each post in a lifting manner to lift the vehicle body. A rubber pad P (mostly round) is mounted at the top of the arm, and the pad P is placed at the top point. In the case of a plate lift, a brick-shaped rubber block B is placed on a lifting plate, and this block B is placed at the top point.

[0038] These pads P and blocks B are larger than the saddle of the rhomboid telescopic jack. Therefore, the end cap 1A of this embodiment is constructed in a way that allows for easy disassembly as described above, so that it does not become an obstacle when using the pads P and blocks B. The relationship between the pads P and blocks B and the end cap 1A is shown in Figure 7. Figure 7 shows the state after the end cap 1A is removed, and the outline of the end cap 1A is represented by a double-dotted line.

[0039] As shown in Figure 7, when using a lift (pad P, block B), only the end cover 1A needs to be removed, without the need for extensive removal of the bottom cover 1. Furthermore, the end cover 1A can be removed without lifting the vehicle body, thus avoiding any obstacle to lifting (as the bottom cover 1 is difficult to remove without lifting). According to this embodiment, only the portion near the top point of the bottom cover 1 (end cover 1A) can be partially removed, thus allowing for easy lifting. In particular, in this embodiment, while the resin pin needs to be removed from the outer edge of the end cover 1A, the inner side can be removed simply by releasing the locking piece 13 (and the locking hole 16), thus facilitating the removal of the end cover 1A itself.

[0040] This invention is not limited to the embodiments described above. For example, in the above embodiment, a drainage hole 11 is formed at the intersection of the reinforcing ribs 10 in the end cap 1A (and the corner cap 1B). However, it is also possible to construct the drainage structure of the above embodiment in the parts of the bottom cap 1 other than the end cap 1A and the corner cap 1B. Reinforcing ribs and drainage holes are also formed in other caps, so as long as they are constructed as in this embodiment, water that has entered the upper surface of the bottom cap 1 can be quickly drained.

[0041] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, at the location where the drain hole 11 is formed, the reinforcing ribs 10 intersect in a T-shape, but they may also intersect in a cross shape or a Y-shape, and multiple reinforcing ribs 10 may also intersect. Conversely, it is also possible that only one reinforcing rib 10 spans the drain hole 11, and the reinforcing ribs 10 do not intersect at the location of the drain hole 11. Moreover, for all the drain holes 11 formed on the bottom cover 1, it is not necessary for the drain holes 11 to be formed in such a way that the reinforcing ribs 10 span the drain holes 11.

Claims

1. A vehicle underbody drainage structure comprising: an underbody; a drainage hole formed in the underbody and communicating with an upper surface and a bottom surface of the underbody; a reinforcing rib erected from the upper surface of the underbody and extending therefrom the upper surface; other reinforcing ribs erected from the upper surface of the underbody and extending therefrom the upper surface; and additional reinforcing ribs extending toward the reinforcing ribs, the upper surface being inclined, the reinforcing ribs extending at right angles relative to the inclination, the reinforcing ribs and the other reinforcing ribs crossing over the drainage hole and intersecting the drainage hole, wherein the drainage hole is not formed at the intersection of the extension line of the other reinforcing ribs with the reinforcing ribs, and the other reinforcing ribs do not intersect the reinforcing ribs but have an endpoint in front of the reinforcing ribs.

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