Engine cover plate, vehicle comprising same and manufacturing method of engine cover plate

Abstract

The invention relates to an engine cover plate, a vehicle comprising the engine cover plate and an electrophoresis method of the engine cover plate. The inner plate comprises a main body part and a connecting edge which is bent and extends from the edge of the main body part, a cavity is defined by the main body part and the outer plate, and the connecting edge is in a roughly flat shape and comprises a sticking part which is stuck to the outer plate; the engine cover plate comprises an exhaust hole which is adjacent to the sticking part and is formed in the inner plate, so that gas in the cavity is exhausted through the exhaust hole in the electrophoresis process of the engine cover plate, and the sticking part continuously extends around the cavity. The engine cover plate has multiple beneficial effects, and particularly, the exhaust holes adjacent to the pasting part are formed in the inner plate, so that gas in the engine cover plate can be completely exhausted in the electrophoresis process, meanwhile, the pasting part is kept to have a continuous and complete pasting path, and therefore the overall rigidity of the engine cover plate is enhanced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates generally to the field of vehicles, and more specifically, to an engine cover, a vehicle including such an engine cover, and a method of manufacturing such an engine cover. Background Technology

[0002] During the cataphoresis process on vehicles, improper hood configuration or limitations in the design of the tooling can lead to ineffective exhaust of gases inside the hood. This gas retention can affect the uniformity and integrity of the cataphoretic coating, reducing its protective effect.

[0003] Engine hoods are typically assembled from inner and outer panels. Existing technology usually incorporates a raised structure (also known as a "boss") on the inner panel as an exhaust channel. This exhaust channel forms an opening at the junction of the outer and inner panels, guiding the gases generated during the electrophoresis process through this opening to ensure uniform coverage of the electrophoretic coating on the engine hood surface.

[0004] The problem with existing technology is that, due to the presence of the protruding structural opening, the edge of the outer panel cannot be bonded to the edge of the inner panel at this location. This discontinuity in the bonding path leads to a decrease in the local stiffness of the hood and a weakening of the overall structural stability. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to provide an engine cover to overcome at least one of the defects of the prior art. More specifically, the engine cover according to the present invention can achieve the exhaust function during the electrophoresis process while ensuring the continuity of the bonding path between the inner and outer panels, thus giving it good structural strength. Furthermore, the engine cover has a simple structure and is easy to manufacture.

[0006] A first aspect of the invention provides a vehicle hood, comprising: an outer panel; and an inner panel, the inner panel including a main body portion and a connecting edge extending from an edge of the main body portion, the main body portion defining a cavity with respect to the outer panel, the connecting edge having a generally flat shape and including an adhesive portion adhered to the outer panel; the hood including an exhaust port disposed on the inner panel adjacent to the adhesive portion for discharging gas from the cavity via the exhaust port during electrophoresis of the hood, and the adhesive portion extending continuously around the cavity.

[0007] According to an optional embodiment of the invention, the vent has a stepped shape extending from the main body to the connecting edge.

[0008] According to an optional embodiment of the present invention, the main body includes a bottom wall that is substantially parallel to the connecting edge and a side wall that extends from the edge of the bottom wall to the connecting edge, and the vent includes a first section formed on the side wall and a second section formed on the connecting edge and communicating with the first section.

[0009] According to an alternative embodiment of the invention, the sidewall has a bent structure so that the vent has a multi-step shape.

[0010] According to an optional embodiment of the invention, the vent is formed at a corner of the inner plate.

[0011] A second aspect of the invention provides a vehicle including an engine cover according to the first aspect of the invention.

[0012] A third aspect of the present invention provides a method for manufacturing an engine hood according to a first aspect of the present invention, comprising: providing the inner panel and the outer panel; attaching the connecting edge of the inner panel to the outer panel via the adhesive portion, and flanging the outer panel; and performing electrophoresis on the engine hood so that at least a portion of the gas in the cavity is discharged from the exhaust port.

[0013] Compared with the prior art, the engine cover plate according to the present invention has several beneficial effects, especially: by providing vent holes adjacent to the adhesive portion on the inner plate, the internal gas of the engine cover plate can be completely discharged during the electrophoresis process while maintaining a continuous and complete adhesive path in the adhesive portion, thereby enhancing the overall rigidity of the engine cover plate. Attached Figure Description

[0014] Other features and advantages of the invention will be better understood through the following detailed description of preferred embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, the same reference numerals denote the same or similar parts.

[0015] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a vehicle, showing the location of the engine hood according to the invention;

[0016] Figure 2 This is a top perspective view of the engine hood according to the present invention;

[0017] Figure 3 This is a bottom perspective view of the engine hood according to the present invention, wherein the enlarged portion shows the exhaust vents located at the corner of the inner panel of the engine hood;

[0018] Figure 4 yes Figure 3 A further enlarged view of the corner of the inner panel of the hood;

[0019] Figure 5 It is along Figure 3 Cross-sectional view taken from the mid-surface AA;

[0020] Figure 6 This is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of the hood plate according to the present invention at this corner position;

[0021] Figure 7 It is a bottom perspective view of a hood for comparison, wherein the magnified portion shows the protruding structure located at the corner of the inner panel of the hood;

[0022] Figure 8 It is along Figure 7 Cross-sectional view taken from the mid-plane BB;

[0023] Figure 9 It is along Figure 7 A cross-sectional view taken from the mid-plane CC; Detailed Implementation

[0024] The implementation and use of specific embodiments are discussed in detail below. However, it should be understood that the specific embodiments discussed are merely illustrative of particular ways of implementing and using the invention, and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

[0025] In this specification, the directional terms used to describe the structural positions of various components, such as "front," "rear," "upper," "lower," "top," and "bottom," are not absolute but relative. These directional terms are appropriate when the components are arranged as shown in the figures, but they should be changed accordingly when the positions of the components in the figures change.

[0026] In this specification, "front" and "rear" are defined with reference to the X-direction of the vehicle V. In addition, the X-direction represents the longitudinal direction of the vehicle V (i.e., the direction of travel of the vehicle V), the Y-direction represents the lateral direction of the vehicle V (i.e., the left-right direction at a 90-degree angle relative to the direction of travel), and the Z-direction represents the vertical direction of the vehicle V (i.e., the up-down direction).

[0027] In this specification, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, the term "connection" and similar terms should be interpreted broadly. For example, it can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; it can be a direct connection, an indirect connection through an intermediate medium, or the internal communication between two components or the interaction between two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this specification according to the specific circumstances.

[0028] A preferred embodiment of the hood 100 according to the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Figure 2 and Figure 3 These are perspective views of the engine hood 100 viewed from above and from below.

[0029] like Figures 1 to 6 As shown, the hood 100 of the vehicle V according to the present invention includes an upper outer panel 1 and a lower inner panel 2, wherein the inner panel 2 includes a main body portion 21 and a connecting edge 22 extending from the edge of the main body portion 21 by bending, and the main body portion 21 and the outer panel 1 define a cavity 23 (see reference). Figure 5 The connecting edge 22 has a generally flat shape and includes an adhesive portion 24 that is adhered to the outer panel 1. According to the invention, the hood 100 includes an exhaust hole 3 disposed on the inner panel 2 adjacent to the adhesive portion 24 for discharging gas from the cavity 23 via the exhaust hole 3 during the electrophoresis process of the hood 100, and the arrangement of the exhaust hole 3 allows the adhesive portion 24 to be designed to extend continuously around the cavity 23.

[0030] More specifically, if Figure 4 As shown, since the exhaust port 3 is located on the inner panel 2 inside the adhesive portion 24, the adhesive portion 24 can form a complete and continuous adhesive path around the cavity 23 on the connecting edge 22, such as the adhesive path EFGHI shown, effectively improving the overall rigidity of the hood 100. Preferably, the adhesive portion 24 of the inner panel 2 and the edge portion of the outer panel 1 are connected by structural adhesive 29 (see reference). Figure 6 Adhesive bonding.

[0031] like Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, the vent 3 has a stepped shape extending from the main body 21 to the connecting edge 22. More specifically, the main body 21 includes a bottom wall 26 that is generally parallel to the connecting edge 22 and a side wall 27 that extends from the edge of the bottom wall 26 to the connecting edge 22. The vent 3 includes a first section 31 formed on the side wall 27 and a second section 32 formed on the connecting edge 22 and communicating with the first section 31. That is, the first section 31 and the second section 32 are integrally formed into a stepped shape.

[0032] Figure 5 The arrows in the diagram indicate the emission direction of the gas inside the hood 100 during the electrophoresis process in this invention. A first section 31 on the sidewall 27 provides a first direction D1 for gas emission, the connecting edge 22 is set as a generally horizontal plane, and a second section 32 on it provides a second direction D2 for gas emission. Since the connecting edge 22 is located at a relatively high position within the inner panel, gas stagnation at the top corner of the cavity 23 is avoided. The first section 31 and the second section 32 utilize the different planes of the main body 21 and the connecting edge 22 to form a three-dimensional exhaust port 3 that adapts to the natural flow characteristics of the gas, allowing the gas to be smoothly discharged from the inside out at multiple angles, ensuring that the electrophoretic paint film fully and evenly covers the surface of the hood 100.

[0033] Preferably, the sidewall 27 itself may have a bent structure so that the vent 3 has a multi-step shape. More specifically, as Figure 6 As shown, at least a portion 33 of the first section 31 of the vent 3 is disposed on the stepped surface 28 of the sidewall 27, which is substantially parallel to the connecting edge 22. This configuration of the vent 3 increases the venting area while increasing the venting angle, thereby improving venting efficiency.

[0034] In the illustrated embodiment, the outer panel 1 and the inner panel 2 have substantially the same outer contour shape, and the exhaust port 3 is formed at a corner position 25 on the rear side of the inner panel 2. For example, an exhaust port 3 can be provided at each of the two corner positions 25 on the left and right sides of the rear side of the inner panel 2. Preferably, the exhaust port 3 has a generally rectangular projected shape when viewed from the bottom. Since the hood 100 typically enters the electrophoresis tank from front to back during electrophoresis, by placing the exhaust port 3 at the corner position 25 on the rear side of the inner panel 2, it can be aligned with the direction of movement of the hood 100 during electrophoresis, and the stagnation and detour of gas at this corner position 25 can be avoided, thereby improving the efficiency of gas emission.

[0035] The present invention also relates to a method for manufacturing an engine hood 100, the manufacturing steps of which mainly include: providing an inner panel 2 and an outer panel 1; attaching the connecting edge 22 of the inner panel 2 to the edge portion of the outer panel 1 through an adhesive part 24, and flanging the outer panel 1 to wrap the connecting edge 22 of the inner panel 2; performing electrophoresis on the engine hood 100, during which at least a portion of the gas in the cavity 23 can be discharged from the exhaust port 3.

[0036] Figures 7 to 9 A similar hood is shown for comparison. Figures 7 to 9 As shown, the difference between this hood and the above-described embodiment of the present invention is that a protruding structure 5 is provided at the edge of the inner plate 2 of the hood 100. This protruding structure 5 forms an opening 51 at the connecting edge between the outer plate 1 and the inner plate 2 for venting gas during electrophoresis. On the one hand, this protruding structure 5 ensures that the gas in the cavity 23 can only be vented outward along a narrow path and in a single direction during electrophoresis. Figure 8 The arrows in the diagram indicate the direction of gas emission. On the other hand, at the opening 51 of the protruding structure 5, the edge of the outer panel 1 cannot be bonded to the edge of the inner panel 2 with structural adhesive or the like, resulting in only a discontinuous first bonding path EF and second bonding path HI being formed at this location, thereby weakening the rigidity and overall stability of the hood 100.

[0037] Therefore, compared with this structure, the exhaust hole 3 provided by the present invention optimizes the exhaust function of the engine cover 100 while taking into account the continuity of the adhesive path of the adhesive part 24, thereby improving the overall rigidity and structural stability of the engine cover 100.

[0038] The technical content and features of the present invention have been disclosed above. However, it is understood that those skilled in the art can make various changes and improvements to the above-disclosed concept under the creative idea of ​​the present invention, but all of these shall fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

[0039] The above description of the embodiments is exemplary and not restrictive, and the scope of protection of the present invention is determined by the claims.

Claims

1. An engine cover (100) for a vehicle (V), comprising: outer panel(1); as well as The inner panel (2) includes a main body (21) and a connecting edge (22) extending from the edge of the main body (21). The main body (21) defines a cavity (23) with the outer panel (1). The connecting edge (22) has a generally flat shape and includes an adhesive portion (24) that is pasted to the outer panel (1). The engine cover (100) is characterized in that it includes an exhaust hole (3) disposed on the inner plate (2) adjacent to the adhesive portion (24) to discharge gas in the cavity (23) via the exhaust hole (3) during the electrophoresis of the engine cover (100), and the adhesive portion (24) extends continuously around the cavity (23).

2. The engine hood (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The vent (3) has a stepped shape extending from the main body (21) to the connecting edge (22).

3. The engine hood (100) according to claim 2, characterized in that, The main body (21) includes a bottom wall (26) that is substantially parallel to the connecting edge (22) and a side wall (27) that extends from the edge of the bottom wall (26) to the connecting edge (22). The vent (3) includes a first section (31) formed on the sidewall (27) and a second section (32) formed on the connecting edge (22) and communicating with the first section (31).

4. The engine hood (100) according to claim 3, characterized in that, The sidewall (27) has a bent structure so that the vent (3) has a multi-step shape.

5. The engine hood (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The vent (3) is formed at the corner (25) of the inner plate (2).

6. A vehicle (V), characterized in that, Includes the engine cover (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. A method for manufacturing an engine hood (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, include: Provide the inner plate (2) and the outer plate (1); The connecting edge (22) of the inner plate (2) is attached to the outer plate (1) via the adhesive part (24), and the outer plate (1) is flanged; and Electrophoresis is performed on the engine cover (100) so that at least a portion of the gas in the cavity (23) is discharged from the exhaust port (3).

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