Vehicle tarpaulin storage structure

Abstract

This invention discloses a tarpaulin storage structure for a vehicle. A joint groove (28) is formed at the junction of the roof structure (12) and the side structure (26) of the vehicle body. A hollow roof longitudinal beam (14) is fixed to the vehicle body, extending along the joint groove (28). A storage space (30) for storing the tarpaulin (16) is defined by the roof longitudinal beam (14) and the joint groove (28). Compared to the case where the storage space is defined solely by the roof longitudinal beam (14), it is easier to ensure sufficient storage space.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a storage structure for a tarpaulin that unfolds to the side of a vehicle during use. Background Technology

[0002] Various solutions have been proposed for a tarpaulin that unfolds to the adjacent area on the side of the vehicle to become a rain shelter when passengers get on and off the vehicle. Patent Document 1 below describes a rain shelter device in which one side of a stretchable and flexible tarpaulin (rain shelter A) is attached to the upper side edge (10) of the vehicle body, and the other side is attached to the upper edge (16) of the front door. When the front door is opened, the tarpaulin (A) extends and unfolds to the adjacent area on the side of the vehicle, thus becoming a rain shelter. Furthermore, the component names and symbols in parentheses above are only used in Patent Document 1 below and are not related to the component names and symbols used in the description of the embodiments of this application.

[0003] Prior art literature

[0004] Patent documents

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-172020 Summary of the Invention

[0006] The problem that the invention aims to solve

[0007] Even if the tarpaulin is elastic, it's difficult to prevent it from slacking when the front doors are closed. When the tarpaulin slacks, the vehicle's appearance deteriorates.

[0008] The purpose of this invention is to avoid the deterioration of the vehicle's appearance when the tarpaulin is not in use.

[0009] Methods for solving problems

[0010] The vehicle tarpaulin storage structure of the present invention includes: a tarpaulin that can be pulled out from a rolled-up state and unfolded to an adjacent area on the side of the vehicle; a vehicle body with a joint groove formed at the joint between the roof structure and the side structure; and a roof longitudinal beam that is a hollow structure, extends along the joint groove, and is fixed to the vehicle body. The roof longitudinal beam and the joint groove cooperate to define a storage space for storing the rolled-up tarpaulin.

[0011] By utilizing roof longitudinal beams and joint grooves to define storage space, it is easier to ensure the size of the storage space compared to defining storage space solely by roof longitudinal beams.

[0012] Furthermore, in the aforementioned tarpaulin storage structure for the vehicle, it can be further configured to include a flexible retractor for rolling up the tarpaulin, and the retractor is arranged in a flexible and bent state within the storage space.

[0013] Even with curved roof beams, the tarpaulin can still be stored. Attached Figure Description

[0014] Figure 1 A perspective view illustrating the vehicle of this embodiment.

[0015] Figure 2 To indicate Figure 1 The image shown is a 3D view of the vehicle with the roof longitudinal beams removed.

[0016] Figure 3 This is a cross-sectional view showing the roof longitudinal beams, the joint grooves, and the structure around them.

[0017] Figure 4 A diagram showing the interior of the storage space defined by the roof longitudinal beams and joint grooves.

[0018] Figure 5 This diagram shows the front and rear ends of the winding shaft used to roll up the tarpaulin.

[0019] Figure 6 This diagram illustrates an example of a method for keeping a tarpaulin in an unfolded state. Detailed Implementation

[0020] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description, unless otherwise specified, statements describing relative positions and orientations such as front, back, left, right, up, and down refer to relative positions and orientations related to the vehicle. Furthermore, the side closer to the centerline extending in the front-rear direction of the vehicle in the left-right direction (width direction) is designated as the inner side in the vehicle width direction, and the side farther away is designated as the outer side in the vehicle width direction. In the accompanying drawings, arrow FR points forward, arrow UP points upward, arrow LH points to the left, and arrow OUT points to the outer side in the vehicle width direction.

[0021] Figure 1 The following is a schematic perspective view of a vehicle 10 according to the present invention. Roof longitudinal beams 14 extend in the longitudinal direction from the left and right side edges of the roof structure 12, which is part of the vehicle body. The vehicle 10 includes a tarpaulin 16 that serves as a rain shelter or sunshade. The tarpaulin 16 is stored within the roof longitudinal beams 14 when not in use and is pulled out when in use, and as... Figure 1The adjacent area to the side of the vehicle is unfolded as shown. An end bar 18 is fixed to the side edge of the tarpaulin 16, and the pulled-out tarpaulin 16 is maintained in a stretched state in the front-rear direction by the end bar 18.

[0022] The front edge of the tarpaulin 16 of the vehicle 10 is located slightly rearward compared to the front edge of the roof structure 12, and the rear edge is located slightly rearward of the rear edge of the rear door 20. The tarpaulin 16 can cover approximately half of the rear half of the side area of ​​the vehicle corresponding to the opening 24 when the front door 22 is opened, and can prevent at least the upper body of a person sitting in or getting out of the front seat from getting wet in the event of rain. Regarding getting in and out of the rear seat, it can cover the entire area corresponding to the opening when the rear door 20 is opened.

[0023] Figure 2 This is a perspective view of a vehicle 10 with the tarpaulin 16 rolled up, omitting the roof longitudinal beam 14. The roof structure 12 engages with a side structure 26, which is part of the vehicle body, at its side edge. A groove is formed at the joint between the roof structure 12 and the side structure 26, at the bottom of which the roof structure 12 and the side structure 26 are joined together. This groove is designated as a joint groove 28. The joint groove 28 extends in the longitudinal direction, and the roof longitudinal beam 14 is configured to cover the joint groove 28.

[0024] Figure 3 This is a diagram showing a cross-section orthogonal to the front-rear direction of the roof longitudinal beam 14, the joint groove 28, and the structure surrounding them. Figure 3 In this diagram, only the surface materials of the roof structure 12 and the side structure 26 are shown; the body frame components are omitted. The roof structure 12 and the side structure 26 are joined together at the bottom of the joining groove 28 by welding, for example, spot welding. A hollow roof longitudinal beam 14 is disposed above the joining groove 28. The roof longitudinal beam 14 and the joining groove 28 work together to define a storage space 30 for storing the rolled-up tarpaulin 16. The interior space of the roof longitudinal beam 14 is integrated with the space within the joining groove 28, and a portion of the roll formed by the rolled-up tarpaulin 16 is also stored within the space within the joining groove 28. The tarpaulin 16 is rolled onto a take-up shaft 32 and becomes a roll. The take-up shaft 32 is flexible. The take-up shaft 32 can be formed of a resin material, such as vinyl chloride. As described later, the take-up shaft 32 is disposed in a flexible and bent state within the storage space 30.

[0025] On the outer side of the roof longitudinal beam 14 in the vehicle width direction (in Figure 3A slit 34 is formed on the right side (the middle side). Through this slit 34, the tarpaulin 16 is pulled out from or stored in the storage space 30. When the tarpaulin 16 is fully rolled up, the gap between the rolled-up tarpaulin 16 and the upper edge of the slit 34 is narrower than the diameter of the end rod 18, so the end rod 18 stops here and the tarpaulin 16 is no longer rolled up. Alternatively, instead of using the edge of the slit 34 to stop the end rod 18, a protrusion or strip can be provided as a stop on the inner wall surface near the slit 34 of the roof longitudinal beam 14 to stop the end rod 18.

[0026] The roof longitudinal beam 14 is bolted to the bottom of the engagement groove 28 at the front and rear of the section housing the tarpaulin 16. Specifically, a fixing block with an upright double-ended bolt is positioned inside the roof longitudinal beam 14, and the fixing block is fixed to the roof longitudinal beam 14. The double-ended bolt is passed through a through hole formed in the bottom surface of the engagement groove 28, and a nut is threaded onto the double-ended bolt, thereby fixing the roof longitudinal beam 14 to the vehicle body. At the section fixed by the double-ended bolt, the roof longitudinal beam 14 can be fixed to the roof structure 12 using double-sided tape 31. The roof longitudinal beam 14 can be made of resin such as polycarbonate or ABS resin. Furthermore, if a roof rack can be installed, aluminum can be used to construct the part where the roof rack is installed to ensure strength.

[0027] Figure 4 , 5 This is a side sectional view showing the storage space 30 defined by the roof longitudinal beam 14 and the joint groove 28. Figure 4 The image shows the entire roll of tarpaulin 16. Figure 5 The diagram shows the structure around the front and rear ends of the reel. Figure 4 End rod 18 is omitted in the text. Figure 5 The tarpaulin 16 is further omitted in the text.

[0028] The take-up shaft 32 has a hollow cylindrical shaft portion 32a and flange portions 32b joined at both ends of the shaft portion 32a. The diameter of the flange portions 32b is larger than the diameter of the shaft portion 32a. A coil spring (not shown) is disposed inside the shaft portion 32a, and the tarpaulin 16 is rolled up by the spring force of the coil spring. The take-up shaft 32 is rotatably supported on a bracket 36 fixed to the bottom surface of the engagement groove 28. The bracket 36 is generally L-shaped and is fixed to the bottom surface of the engagement groove 28 by a bolt 38 erected on one side of the L-shape and a nut 40 threadedly engaged with the bolt 38. A support pin 42 is joined on the other side of the L-shape and is inserted into the central hole of the flange portion 32b. The take-up shaft 32 is rotatably supported by the support pin 42.

[0029] like Figure 4 As shown, the roof longitudinal beam 14 bends in the longitudinal direction, and the storage space 30 also bends. The roll of the tarpaulin 16, formed by being rolled up, is positioned in a bent manner within the storage space 30. The spacing between the brackets 36 at both ends supporting the winding shaft 32 is shorter than the length of the winding shaft 32 in its unbent state, and the winding shaft 32 receives a compressive load from the brackets 36. The winding shaft 32 flexes under this compressive load, thus becoming bent. The roof longitudinal beam 14 bends upward as a whole, and the storage space 30 is also bent in the same way. As the storage space 30 bends, the rolled-up tarpaulin 16 also bends upward in a convex shape. The winding shaft 32 and the roll of the tarpaulin 16 maintain their upward convex bending state even when rotating during the rolling up process, thanks to the storage space 30.

[0030] The slit 34 of the roof longitudinal beam 14 bends in accordance with the curvature of the roof longitudinal beam. To correspond to the curvature of the slit 34, the end rod 18 also bends. Furthermore, the end rod 18 can be made flexible, in which case the end rod 18 can be accommodated within the curved slit 34 by flexing.

[0031] Figure 6 The figure illustrates an example of a method for maintaining the tarpaulin 16 in an unfolded state. A support rod 44 is erected on the upper edge of the side structure 26, the so-called side beam, and an end rod 18 abuts against the top of the support rod 44, thereby maintaining the tarpaulin 16 in an unfolded state. The support rod 44 may have a suction cup 46 that adheres to the side structure 26, thereby securing the end of the support rod 44 on the side structure 26 side.

[0032] By defining the storage space 30 of the tarpaulin 16 using the roof longitudinal beams 14 and the connecting grooves 28, the storage space 30 can be increased compared to the case where the storage space 30 is formed solely by the roof longitudinal beams 14. Increasing the storage space 30 allows for the storage of larger or thicker tarpaulins. Furthermore, the roof longitudinal beams 14 can be reduced in size, or lowered, while maintaining the same size of the storage space 30.

[0033] Symbol Explanation

[0034] 10. Vehicle; 12. Roof structure; 14. Roof longitudinal beam; 16. Canopy; 18. End rod; 26. Side structure; 28. Joint groove; 30. Storage space; 32. Rewind spool; 34. Slit; 36. Bracket; 42. Support pin.

Claims

1. A tarpaulin storage structure for a vehicle, comprising: The tarpaulin can be pulled out from its rolled-up state and unfolded to the adjacent area on the side of the vehicle; The vehicle body has a joint groove formed at the junction of the roof structure and the side structure; The roof longitudinal beam is a hollow roof longitudinal beam that extends along the joining groove and is fixed to the vehicle body, and the roof longitudinal beam and the joining groove cooperate to define a storage space for storing the rolled-up tarpaulin. A slit is formed on the outer surface of the roof longitudinal beam in the vehicle width direction for the tarpaulin to be pulled out from the storage space.

2. The tarpaulin storage structure for a vehicle as described in claim 1, wherein, Includes a flexible winding shaft for winding up the tarpaulin, the winding shaft being configured in a flexible and bent state within the storage space.

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