Wheel cover structure

Abstract

The invention provides a wheel cover structure. A wheel house structure (100) is provided with: an arc-shaped wheel house outer panel (10) having a lower end (11) protruding upward; a side member outer plate (20) which has an arc-shaped portion (21) at the lower portion thereof, is connected so as to overlap the outer side of the wheel housing outer plate (10) in the vehicle width direction, and constitutes the side surface of the vehicle (200); and an arch-shaped molding (40) that covers an end region (23) of the arc-shaped section (21) from the outside in the vehicle width direction, the arch-shaped molding (40) being joined to the end region (23) by a clip, the arch-shaped molding (40) being provided with: an adhesive section (60) that adheres the lower end section (11) and the arc-shaped section (21) in a watertight manner above the joining point of the clip; and a sealing part (68) which is coated with a sealant along an overlapping boundary line between the arc-shaped part (21) and the lower end part (11) between the bonding points of the bonding part (60) and the clamp (50).

Description

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims the benefit of Japanese Patent Application No. 2023-126489 filed on August 2, 2023, the entire contents of which, including specification, claims, drawings, and abstract, are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] The invention relates to a wheel cover structure equipped with an arched decorative strip. Background Art

[0004] In a wheel cover structure including a wheel cover plate constituting a wheel cover, and a side member panel covering the wheel cover plate from the outside, there is disclosed a structure in which a portion of the side member panel constituting a wheel arch plate and the wheel cover plate are bonded together by an adhesive, and a sealant is applied to the end portions of the portion of the side member panel constituting the wheel arch plate and the end portions of the wheel cover plate (for example, refer to Japanese Patent Gazette No. 2013-193585). Summary of the invention

[0005] In recent years, a vehicle has been used in which a semicircular arch molding is installed on the outer side of the part of the side member panel that constitutes the wheel arch. In many cases, the arch molding is installed on the side member panel on the upper side of the bonding portion in a manner that covers the bonding portion between the side member panel and the wheel arch and the sealant coating portion at the end of the side member panel and the wheel arch. In this case, the width of the arch molding will become wider, which may sometimes become a restriction on the appearance design.

[0006] Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to narrow the width of the arched molding so as to increase the degree of freedom in appearance design.

[0007] The wheel cover structure disclosed in the present invention comprises: a wheel cover outer panel, whose lower end is in an arc shape that bulges upward and accommodates the wheel inside; a side member outer panel, which has an arc-shaped portion corresponding to the lower end at the lower part, and is overlapped and connected to the outer side of the wheel cover outer panel in the vehicle width direction, and constitutes the side of the vehicle; an arched decorative strip, which covers the end area of ​​the arc-shaped portion of the side member outer panel from the outer side in the vehicle width direction, and the wheel cover structure is characterized in that the arched decorative strip is connected to the end area by a clamp, and the wheel cover structure comprises: a bonding portion, which watertightly bonds the lower end and the arc-shaped portion above the bonding point of the clamp; a sealing portion, which is coated with a sealant along the overlapping boundary line between the lower end and the arc-shaped portion between the bonding portion and the bonding point of the clamp.

[0008] As described above, since the joining point of the clamp that joins the arch molding to the side member outer panel is arranged in the end area of ​​the side member outer panel, the length from the joining point to the arc surface at the lower end of the wheel cover outer panel and the length from the joining point to the arc surface at the lower end of the side member outer panel can be shortened. Therefore, the length from the clamp installation position of the arch molding to the flange on the lower side of the arch molding can be shortened. Thus, the width of the arch molding can be reduced. In addition, since a double watertight structure composed of an adhesive portion and a sealing portion is arranged above the joining point, it is possible to suppress the intrusion of water from the surrounding of the joining point into the interior of the wheel cover structure to improve the rust prevention performance. Thus, the width of the arch molding can be narrowed while maintaining a high rust prevention performance. In addition, since the width of the arch molding can be reduced, the degree of freedom in appearance design can be increased.

[0009] In the wheel cover structure disclosed in the present invention, it can also be arranged that a plurality of clamp holes for the clamp to be coupled are provided in the end area of ​​the side member outer panel, and a plurality of cutouts open toward downward are provided in the lower edge area of ​​the lower end of the wheel cover outer panel, the lower edge area of ​​the wheel cover outer panel and the end area of ​​the side member outer panel are overlapped in such a manner that the cutouts are located at the periphery of the clamp holes, and the sealing portion includes an inner coating portion to which the sealant is applied from the inner side in the vehicle width direction along a boundary line between the cutouts and the end area.

[0010] Thus, even when the arch molding is coupled to the side member outer panel by a clamp, the joint between the wheel house outer panel and the side member outer panel can be sealed, thereby improving the rust prevention performance of the wheel house structure.

[0011] In the wheel cover structure disclosed in the present invention, it can also be arranged that a plurality of auxiliary clamp holes for the clamp to be combined are provided in the lower edge area of ​​the wheel cover outer panel, and a plurality of auxiliary cutouts open downward are provided in the end area of ​​the side member outer panel, each of the auxiliary clamp holes is arranged at a position different from each of the clamp holes, and the auxiliary cutouts are arranged in a manner of being located at the periphery of the auxiliary clamp holes, and the sealing portion includes an outer coating portion to which the sealant is applied from the outer side in the vehicle width direction along the boundary line between the auxiliary cutout and the lower edge area.

[0012] Thus, when a part of the arch molding is coupled to the wheel house outer panel by a clamp, the joint between the wheel house outer panel and the side member outer panel can be sealed from the outside in the vehicle width direction. Therefore, the rust prevention function of the wheel house structure can be improved by simply applying the sealant.

[0013] In the wheel house structure of the present disclosure, at least a part of the bonding portion may be arranged on the back side of the design surface of the side member outer panel.

[0014] Thereby, since the arch molding does not need to cover the bonding portion, the width of the arch molding can be narrowed.

[0015] The wheel cover structure disclosed in the present invention can narrow the width of the arch trim to increase the degree of freedom in appearance design. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] Figure 1 It is a side view of the wheel house structure on the left side of the vehicle according to the embodiment.

[0017] Figure 2 For the general Figure 1 A side view of the wheel arch structure shown with the arch molding removed.

[0018] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of a wheel cover structure according to an embodiment, and Figure 2 A cross-sectional view of section AA is shown.

[0019] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of a wheel cover structure according to an embodiment, and Figure 2 A cross-sectional view of section BB is shown.

[0020] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of a wheel cover structure according to an embodiment, and Figure 2 A cross-sectional view of section CC is shown.

[0021] Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of a wheel cover structure according to an embodiment, and Figure 2 A cross-sectional view of section DD is shown.

[0022] Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of a wheel cover structure according to an embodiment, and Figure 2 A cross-sectional view of section EE is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] Hereinafter, the wheel cover structure 100 of the embodiment will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. And, the arrow mark FR, the arrow mark UP, and the arrow mark LH shown in each figure respectively represent the front side, the upper side, and the left side of the vehicle 200 equipped with the wheel cover structure 100. In addition, the opposite direction of each arrow mark FR, UP, and LH represents the rear side, the lower side, and the right side. Hereinafter, when only the front-back, left-right, and up-down directions are used for description, unless otherwise specified, it is assumed that the front-back direction of the front-back direction of the vehicle 200, the left-right direction of the left-right direction, and the up-down direction of the up-down direction are represented. In addition, the front side, the upper side, and the left side of the wheel cover structure 100 are the same directions as the front side, the upper side, and the left side of the vehicle 200.

[0024] Figure 1 , Figure 2 FIG. 2 shows a wheel cover structure 100 for housing the rear wheels of a vehicle 200. Figure 1 , Figure 2 As shown, the wheel house structure 100 includes a wheel house outer panel 10 , a side member outer panel 20 , a camber molding 40 , a clamp 50 , a bonding portion 60 , and a sealing portion 68 .

[0025] like Figures 2 to 5 As shown, the wheel house outer panel 10 is a plate-shaped member that includes a lower end portion 11 that is convex upward in an arc shape and a lower edge region 13 below the lower end portion 11, and that accommodates the wheel inside. The lower surface of the lower edge region 13 is an arc surface 14. The side member outer panel 20 is a plate member that includes an arc portion 21 and an end region 23 below the arc portion 21, and that constitutes the side of the vehicle 200. The arc portion 21 is an arc shape corresponding to the lower end portion 11 of the wheel house outer panel 10, and the lower surface of the arc portion 21 is an arc surface 24.

[0026] like Figure 3 As shown, the arc-shaped portion 21 of the side member outer panel 20 overlaps with the lower end portion 11 of the wheel house outer panel 10 from the outer side in the vehicle width direction, and Figure 2 The points indicated by X in the figure are connected together by spot welding. Figure 1 , Figure 2 In FIG. 1 , the wheel house outer panel 10 is overlapped on the lower side of the side member outer panel 20 in the drawing. Figures 1 to 5 The two-dot chain line 35 in FIG. 1 is an imaginary line indicating the upper boundary of the joining region 31 between the arc-shaped portion 21 at the rear of the vehicle and the lower end portion 11 at the rear of the vehicle. Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 6 , Figure 7 The two-dot chain line 37 in FIG. 1 is an imaginary line indicating the upper boundary of the joining region 32 between the arc-shaped portion 21 in front of the vehicle and the lower end portion 11 in front of the vehicle. Figure 1 , Figure 2The two-dot chain line 36 in is a joint boundary line connecting the upper boundary of the joint region 31 at the rear of the vehicle and the upper boundary of the joint region 32 at the front of the vehicle.

[0027] Therefore, the area below the two-dot chain line 35 or the two-dot chain line 37 of the wheel house outer panel 10 constitutes the lower end portion 11. Also, the area below the two-dot chain line 35 or the two-dot chain line 37 of the side member outer panel 20 constitutes the arc portion 21.

[0028] like Figure 2 , Figure 3 , Figure 7 As shown in FIG. 1 , a plurality of clamp holes 25 for clamping the clamp 50 are provided in the end region 23 of the side member outer panel 20. The length from the clamp hole 25 to the arc surface 24 is L2. In addition, a plurality of U-shaped cutouts 18 (in the lower edge region 13 of the wheel house outer panel 10) that are open downward are provided. Figure 2 In addition, the lower edge region 13 of the wheel house outer panel 10 and the end region 23 of the side member outer panel 20 are overlapped in such a manner that the cutout 18 is located at the periphery of the clamp hole 25. Therefore, the lower edge region 13 does not overlap with the periphery of the clamp hole 25, and the clamp 50 inserted into the clamp hole 25 is engaged only with the side member outer panel 20.

[0029] like Figure 2 , Figure 4 and Figure 6 As shown, in addition, a plurality of auxiliary clamp holes 15 for the clamp 50 to be coupled are provided in the lower edge region 13 of the wheel house outer panel 10. The length from the auxiliary clamp hole 15 to the arc surface 14 is L1. In addition, a plurality of U-shaped auxiliary cutouts 28 (in the end region 23 of the side member outer panel 20) that are open downward are provided. Figure 2 Here, each auxiliary clamp hole 15 is arranged at a position different from each clamp hole 25, and the auxiliary cutout 28 is arranged in a manner to be located at the periphery of the auxiliary clamp hole 15. Therefore, the end area 23 does not overlap with the periphery of the auxiliary clamp hole 15, and the clamp 50 inserted into the auxiliary clamp hole 15 is only engaged with the wheel house outer panel 10.

[0030] And, in Figure 6 , Figure 7 Reference numeral 70 indicates a rear door of the vehicle 200 , and reference numeral 72 is a rubber seal attached to the vehicle body, which is a rubber member that seals the parting surface of the rear door 70 .

[0031] like Figure 5As shown, the end region 23 of the side member outer panel 20 and the lower edge region 13 of the wheel house outer panel 10, which are not provided with the clamp hole 25 and the auxiliary clamp hole 15, extend downward to approximately the same position. However, the arc surface 14 of the lower edge region 13 extends slightly further downward than the arc surface 24 of the end region 23.

[0032] like Figure 1 As shown, the arch molding 40 is an exterior decorative component that is partially annular and is installed at the end region 23 of the side member outer panel 20 and the lower edge region 13 of the wheel house outer panel 10 and covers the end region 23 from the outer side in the vehicle width direction. Figure 3 As shown in FIG. 1 , the arch molding 40 includes a main body 41 having a partial annular shape and a flange 44. The flange 44 is a partially cylindrical plate member that protrudes from the lower surface or the radially inner surface of the main body 41 toward the inner side in the vehicle width direction. Figure 5 As shown, the flange 44 protrudes toward the inside of the vehicle width direction, lower than the arc surface 14 of the lower edge area 13 of the wheel house outer panel 10 and the arc surface 24 of the end area 23 of the side member outer panel 20, or radially inward. Thus, the arch molding 40 covers the end area 23 from the outside in the vehicle width direction and covers the arc surfaces 14 and 24 from the bottom of the vehicle.

[0033] like Figure 3 , Figure 4 As shown in FIG. 1 , the rear portion of the arch molding 40 has an arm portion 42 inside which the head of the clamp 50 is mounted. The top end of the clamp 50 mounted on the wall portion 42 is fitted into the clamp hole 25 or the sub-clamp hole 15, thereby connecting the rear portion of the arch molding 40 to the end area 23 and the lower edge area 13. The length of the arm portion 42 from the mounting position of the clamp 50 to the lower surface of the flange 44 is L3. In addition, as shown in FIG. Figure 6 , Figure 7 As shown, the vehicle front portion of the arch molding 40 has a bracket 43 inside which the head of the clamp 50 is mounted. The top end of the clamp 50 mounted on the bracket 43 is fitted into the clamp hole 25 or the sub-clamp hole 15, thereby connecting the vehicle front portion of the arch molding 40 to the end area 23 and the lower edge area 13. The length of the bracket 43 from the mounting position of the clamp 50 to the lower surface of the flange 44 is L3.

[0034] Here, the clamp hole 25 provided in the end region 23 of the side member outer panel 20 is a reference hole for positioning the arch molding 40 at a predetermined position of the side member outer panel 20. The size of the clamp hole 25 is a size that specifies the position of the clamp 50 in the up-down direction and the front-rear direction. On the other hand, the sub-clamp hole 15 provided in the lower edge region 13 of the wheel house outer panel 10 is a hole for coupling the arch molding 40 in the vehicle width direction, and is a size that does not specify the position of the clamp 50 in the up-down direction and the front-rear direction. The clamp hole 25 and the sub-clamp hole 15 constitute a coupling point of the clamp 50.

[0035] like Figure 2 As shown, above the clamp hole 25 and the auxiliary clamp hole 15, a bonding portion 60 is provided to bond the lower end portion 11 and the arc-shaped portion 21 in a watertight manner. The bonding portion 60 includes a rear bonding portion 61, a front bonding portion 63, and a connecting portion 62. Figures 3 to 5 As shown, the rear bonding portion 61 is disposed at the joint region 31 between the lower end portion 11 at the rear of the vehicle and the arc-shaped portion 21, and bonds the lower end portion 11 at the rear of the vehicle to the arc-shaped portion 21 in a watertight manner. Figure 6 , Figure 7 As shown, the front bonding portion 63 is disposed at the joint region 32 between the lower end portion 11 and the arc-shaped portion 21 at the front of the vehicle, and watertightly bonds the lower end portion 11 and the arc-shaped portion 21 at the front of the vehicle. The connecting portion 62 connects the rear bonding portion 61 and the front bonding portion 63.

[0036] like Figures 3 to 5 As shown, the rear bonding portion 61 is disposed on the rear surface of the design surface of the side member outer panel 20 or on the inner surface in the vehicle width direction.

[0037] like Figure 2 As shown, a sealing portion 68 is disposed between the adhesive portion 60 and the clamp hole 25 or the auxiliary clamp hole 15. The sealing portion 68 includes an inner coating portion 64, an outer coating portion 65, and an arc surface outer coating portion 66.

[0038] like Figure 2 , Figure 3 , Figure 7 As shown, a sealant ( ) is applied in a U-shape along the boundary line between the end surface of the cutout 18 provided in the lower edge region 13 of the wheel house outer panel 10 and the inner side surface in the vehicle width direction of the end region 23 of the side member outer panel 20. Figure 2 The sealant is applied from the inner side in the vehicle width direction, and the U-shaped portion to which the sealant is applied constitutes the inner side application portion 64.

[0039] like Figure 2 , Figure 4 , Figure 6 As shown, a sealant ( ) is applied in a U-shape along the boundary line between the end surface of the secondary cutout 28 provided in the end area 23 of the side member outer panel 20 and the outer side surface in the vehicle width direction of the lower edge area 13 of the wheel house outer panel 10. Figure 2 The sealant is applied from the outside in the vehicle width direction, and the U-shaped portion to which the sealant is applied constitutes the outside application portion 65.

[0040] like Figure 2 , Figure 5 As shown, the arc surface 14 of the lower edge region 13 of the wheel house outer panel 10 where the clamp hole 25 and the sub-clamp hole 15 are not provided extends slightly downward compared with the arc surface 24 of the end region 23 of the side member outer panel 20. In addition, a sealant is applied along the boundary between the arc surface 24 at the lower end of the end region 23 and the outer side surface in the vehicle width direction of the lower edge region 13. The sealant is applied from the outer side in the vehicle width direction, and the arc-shaped portion to which the sealant is applied constitutes the arc surface outer side coating portion 66.

[0041] As described above, in the wheel house structure 100, since the clamp hole 25 and the sub-clamp hole 15, which are the connection points of the clamp 50 for connecting the arch molding 40 to the side member outer panel 20, are arranged in the end region 23 of the side member outer panel 20 and the lower edge region 13 of the wheel house outer panel 10, the lengths L1 and L2 from the clamp hole 25 and the sub-clamp hole 15 to the arcuate surfaces 14 and 24 can be shortened. Therefore, the length L3 from the mounting position of the clamp 50 in the arm portion 42 and the bracket 43 of the arch molding 40 to the flange 44 can be shortened. As a result, the width of the arch molding 40 can be reduced, and the degree of freedom in the exterior design of the vehicle 200 can be increased.

[0042] In addition, in the wheel cover structure 100, an adhesive portion 60 is arranged above the clamp hole 25 and the auxiliary clamp hole 15, and an inner coating portion 64 and an outer coating portion 65 are arranged between the adhesive portion 60 and the clamp hole 25 or the auxiliary clamp hole 15. The adhesive portion 60, the inner coating portion 64 and the outer coating portion 65 form a double watertight structure around the cutout 18 and the auxiliary cutout 28. In addition, the adhesive portion 60 and the arc surface outer coating portion 66 form a double watertight structure around the arc surfaces 14 and 24. Thus, it is possible to suppress the intrusion of water into the interior of the wheel cover structure 100 from the overlapping portion 30 of the lower end portion 11 of the wheel cover outer panel 10 and the arc-shaped portion 21 of the side member outer panel 20, thereby improving the rust prevention performance.

[0043] Furthermore, since the sealant can be applied to the outer coating portion 65 and the arc surface outer coating portion 66 from the outer side in the vehicle width direction, the rust prevention performance can be improved by simply applying the sealant.

[0044] Furthermore, since the rear adhesive portion 61 is disposed on the rear side of the design surface of the side member outer panel 20 or on the inner side in the vehicle width direction, the arch molding 40 does not need to cover the rear adhesive portion 61 , and the width of the arch molding 40 can be reduced.

[0045] Although the above description is based on the case where the bonding portion 60 joins the lower end portion 11 and the arc-shaped portion 21 by an adhesive, as long as the lower end portion 11 and the arc-shaped portion 21 can be bonded watertightly, a sealant may be used instead of an adhesive for bonding.

Claims

1. A wheel cover structure, comprising: The wheel cover outer plate has a lower end in an arc shape that bulges upward and houses the wheel inside; a side member outer panel having an arc-shaped portion at a lower portion corresponding to the lower end portion, and being overlapped and connected to the wheel house outer panel at the vehicle width direction outer side and constituting a side surface of the vehicle; an arch molding that covers an end region of the arc-shaped portion of the side member outer panel from the outer side in the vehicle width direction, The wheel cover structure is characterized in that: The arch molding is attached to the end region by means of a clamp, The wheel cover structure comprises: a bonding portion for bonding the lower end portion and the arc-shaped portion in a watertight manner above the joining point of the clamp; A sealing portion is coated with a sealant along an overlapping boundary line between the lower end portion and the arc-shaped portion between the bonding portion and the joining point of the clamp.

2. The wheel cover structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: In the end region of the side member outer plate, a plurality of clamp holes for the clamp to be coupled are provided, A plurality of cutouts open downward are provided in a lower edge region of the lower end portion of the wheel house outer panel. The lower edge region of the wheel house outer panel and the end region of the side member outer panel are overlapped in such a manner that the cutout is located at the periphery of the clamp hole, The sealing portion includes an inner coating portion to which the sealant is coated from the inner side in the vehicle width direction along a boundary line between the cutout and the end region.

3. The wheel cover structure according to claim 2, characterized in that: In the lower edge area of ​​the wheel house outer panel, a plurality of auxiliary clamp holes for the clamp to be coupled are provided. In the end region of the side member outer plate, a plurality of sub-cutouts open downward are provided, Each of the auxiliary clamp holes is arranged at a position different from each of the clamp holes, and the auxiliary cutout is arranged in a manner to be located at the periphery of the auxiliary clamp hole. The sealing portion includes an outer coating portion to which the sealant is coated from the outer side in the vehicle width direction along a boundary line between the sub-cutout and the lower edge region.

4. The wheel cover structure according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: At least a portion of the bonding portion is disposed on a rear surface of the design surface of the side member outer panel.

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