A movable cover outer plate structure with a limiting clip

Abstract

This invention relates to the field of vehicle component technology and discloses a movable cover outer plate structure for a limiting clip. The structure includes a hinge arm and a cover outer plate connected to the hinge arm. The cover outer plate has an inner wall surface, and the hinge arm has a sliding outlet. A first limiting structure and a second limiting structure are fixed to the inner wall surface. A shaft is installed between the first and second limiting structures. A first guide structure with a first guide groove and a second guide structure with a second guide groove are fixed to the inner wall surface. A movable limiting slider and a spring are slidably connected to the shaft. The movable limiting slider is slidably installed within the first and second guide grooves. The spring abuts against the first limiting structure and the movable limiting slider. The movable limiting slider has a fixed lever that overlaps with the hinge arm. This invention allows the movable limiting slider to overcome the spring force and slide to the sliding outlet by pushing the lever, thus releasing the overlap between the movable limiting slider and the hinge arm and enabling manual disassembly of the cover outer plate.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of vehicle parts technology, specifically to a movable cover outer plate structure for a limiting clip. Background Technology

[0002] The vehicle's outer cover panel and hinge arm work together to form the cover assembly mounted on the vehicle body. Conventional cover panels are secured to the hinge arm using internally pre-installed limiting clips. The engagement of the limiting clips and the hinge arm creates spatial constraints in three mutually perpendicular directions. As a vulnerable component of the vehicle, the cover panel requires separate disassembly and replacement upon damage.

[0003] When disassembling a standard hatch cover, maintenance personnel need to use external tools inserted through pre-drilled removal holes in the hinge arm. They then use these tools to forcefully pry up the retaining clips, disengaging them from the hinge arm's restraint surface. Once the retaining clips are no longer engaged, the personnel pull the hatch cover outwards, detaching it from the hinge arm. However, the hard end of the external tool can easily scratch and abrade the hinge arm's surface when prying the retaining clips. The prying force applied by the external tool can also deform or break the plastic retaining clips. If the retaining clips are damaged during disassembly, the hatch cover and hinge arm cannot be reassembled, requiring maintenance personnel to replace the entire hatch assembly, including the hinge arm, increasing overall component replacement costs. This cumbersome disassembly process, relying on external tools, makes it impossible for maintenance personnel to disassemble and replace the hatch cover without them, highlighting the inconvenience of the process. Summary of the Invention

[0004] To address the shortcomings of existing technologies, this invention provides a movable cap outer plate structure with a movable limiting clip, which solves the problem of surface wear and structural breakage caused by the need for tools to pry open the limiting clip when disassembling the existing cap outer plate.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides the following technical solution:

[0006] The present invention provides a movable cover outer plate structure with a limiting clip, including a hinge arm mounted on a vehicle and a cover outer plate fixedly connected to the hinge arm. The cover outer plate is provided with an inner wall surface facing the internal space. A sliding outlet is opened on one side edge of the hinge arm. A first limiting structure and a second limiting structure are fixedly connected to the inner wall surface.

[0007] A shaft is fixedly connected between one end of the first limiting structure and the other end of the second limiting structure. A first guide structure and a second guide structure are fixedly connected to the inner wall surface. The first guide structure is provided with a first guide groove, and the second guide structure is provided with a second guide groove.

[0008] A movable limiting slider and a spring are slidably connected on the outer surface of the shaft. The movable limiting slider is slidably installed inside the first guide groove and the second guide groove, respectively. The spring is sleeved on the shaft and abuts between the first limiting structure and the movable limiting slider. A lever is fixedly connected to the movable limiting slider. The movable limiting slider and the hinge arm are offset from each other in the axial position.

[0009] Preferably, the first limiting structure is provided with a first assembly slot, the second limiting structure is provided with a second assembly slot, one end of the shaft is pressed into the first assembly slot, and the other end of the shaft is pressed into the second assembly slot.

[0010] Preferably, the first guide structure is located in a region close to the axis of the shaft, and the second guide structure is located in a region close to the axis of the shaft, with the first guide structure and the second guide structure symmetrically distributed around the axis of the shaft.

[0011] Preferably, both the first guide groove and the second guide groove are provided with a left side wall and a right side wall that are parallel to each other, and the center lines of the first guide groove, the second guide groove, and the shaft center line are parallel to each other.

[0012] Preferably, the movable limiting slider is provided with a solid base, the solid base having a cylindrical through hole, the inner diameter of the cylindrical through hole being larger than the outer diameter of the shaft, and a sliding gap being maintained between the inner wall of the cylindrical through hole and the outer surface of the shaft.

[0013] Preferably, the movable limiting slider is provided with a side wing edge extending in the direction of the first guide groove and a other side wing edge extending in the direction of the second guide groove. The side wing edge is slidably inserted into the first guide groove, and the other side wing edge is slidably inserted into the second guide groove.

[0014] Preferably, both the bottom surface of the first guide groove and the bottom surface of the second guide groove are provided with intermittently distributed sewage discharge holes.

[0015] Preferably, the lever extends in a direction perpendicular to the axis centerline, and the lever and the movable limiting slider are integral components fixed by injection molding, with anti-slip texture provided on the end face of the lever.

[0016] Preferably, the spring is installed in the space between the first limiting structure and the movable limiting slider, and the axial length of the spring under compression is less than the original standard length.

[0017] Preferably, the slide outlet is a rectangular notch that extends through the wall thickness of the hinge arm and has an open edge. The direction of the axis extending from the first limiting structure to the second limiting structure is set as the Z direction. The internal span dimension of the slide outlet along the Z direction is greater than the maximum external dimension of the movable limiting slider along the Z direction.

[0018] This invention provides a movable cover outer plate structure with a limiting clip. It has the following beneficial effects:

[0019] 1. This invention involves sliding a movable limiting slider and a spring on the outer surface of a shaft, fixing a lever to the movable limiting slider, and using a sliding outlet on one side edge of the hinge arm. Maintenance personnel can manually push the lever to overcome the spring force and move the movable limiting slider, allowing it to enter the clearance space of the sliding outlet, thus releasing the overlapping and jamming state between the movable limiting slider and the hinge arm, and enabling manual disassembly of the outer panel of the cover.

[0020] 2. The present invention fixes a first guide structure and a second guide structure on the inner wall of the outer plate of the lid. A first guide groove is provided on the first guide structure and a second guide groove is provided on the second guide structure. The movable limiting slider is slidably installed inside the first guide groove and the second guide groove respectively. The first guide groove and the second guide groove constrain the movement trajectory of the movable limiting slider to a straight line, preventing the movable limiting slider from deflecting and getting stuck when it moves under force.

[0021] 3. The present invention installs a shaft between the first limiting structure and the second limiting structure, and a spring abuts between the first limiting structure and the movable limiting slider. After the thrust applied to the lever is removed, the spring releases the thrust generated by the compression deformation and drives the movable limiting slider back to the initial locked position, thus completing the automatic recovery of the overlapping and locking state. At the same time, the pre-tightening thrust continuously output by the spring eliminates the assembly gap of the parts and maintains the stable connection between the outer plate of the cover and the hinge arm. Attached Figure Description

[0022] Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 2 for Figure 1 Enlarged view of point A in the middle;

[0024] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the internal limiting structure of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 4 This is a partial schematic diagram of the base fixing structure of the present invention.

[0026] Among them, 1. movable limiting slider; 11. lever; 2. first guide structure; 21. first guide groove; 3. second guide structure; 31. second guide groove; 4. first limiting structure; 5. second limiting structure; 6. spring; 7. shaft; 8. hinge arm; 9. outer cover plate; 10. sliding outlet. Detailed Implementation

[0027] The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0028] See attached document Figure 1 - Appendix Figure 4 The present invention provides a movable cover outer plate structure with a limiting clip, including a hinge arm 8 installed on a vehicle and a cover outer plate 9 fixedly connected to the hinge arm 8. The cover outer plate 9 is provided with an inner wall surface facing the internal space. A sliding outlet 10 is opened on one side edge of the hinge arm 8. A first limiting structure 4 and a second limiting structure 5 are fixedly connected to the inner wall surface.

[0029] Specifically, in routine vehicle maintenance, the outer cover plate 9, as a vulnerable part, requires disassembly and replacement. The outer cover plate 9 forms a limiting engagement with the hinge arm 8 through the first limiting structure 4 and the second limiting structure 5. The sliding outlet 10 provides clearance for the outer cover plate 9 to detach from the hinge arm 8. The outer cover plate 9 can be removed without the aid of external hard objects, avoiding wear and scratches on the surface of the hinge arm 8 caused by external hard objects, eliminating the risk of deformation or even breakage caused by external hard objects damaging the limiting components, and reducing the economic loss from replacing the entire cover assembly.

[0030] See attached document Figure 3 and attached Figure 4 A shaft 7 is fixedly connected between one end of the first limiting structure 4 and the other end of the second limiting structure 5. A first guide structure 2 and a second guide structure 3 are fixedly connected on the inner wall. The first guide structure 2 is provided with a first guide groove 21, and the second guide structure 3 is provided with a second guide groove 31.

[0031] Specifically, the first limiting structure 4 and the second limiting structure 5 respectively wrap and fix the ends of the shaft 7, and simultaneously apply constraint forces in the X, Y, and Z directions to the shaft 7. The first guide structure 2 and the second guide structure 3 are arranged relatively parallel on the inner wall surface, and the first guide groove 21 and the second guide groove 31 form a sliding channel. The first guide structure 2 and the second guide structure 3 constrain the sliding component in the Y and Z directions, limiting the sliding trajectory to remain on a predetermined straight line and preventing the sliding component from flipping or derailing.

[0032] See attached document Figure 2 - Appendix Figure 4 A movable limiting slider 1 and a spring 6 are slidably connected on the outer surface of the shaft 7. The movable limiting slider 1 is slidably installed inside the first guide groove 21 and the second guide groove 31 respectively. The spring 6 is sleeved on the shaft 7 and abuts between the first limiting structure 4 and the movable limiting slider 1. A lever 11 is fixedly connected to the movable limiting slider 1. The movable limiting slider 1 and the hinge arm 8 are offset from each other in the axial position.

[0033] Specifically, when the movable limiting slider 1 slides along the first guide groove 21 and the second guide groove 31 under the action of external force, the movable limiting slider 1 compresses the spring 6. The spring 6 deforms and accumulates elastic potential energy. When the external force applied to the lever 11 is removed, the spring 6 releases the elastic potential energy and pushes the movable limiting slider 1 back to its initial position. When the movable limiting slider 1 moves to the slide outlet 10 via the lever 11, the X-direction locking and limiting state between the movable limiting slider 1 and the hinge arm 8 is completely released, meeting the actual separation requirements.

[0034] See attached document Figure 3 The first limiting structure 4 is provided with a first assembly slot, and the second limiting structure 5 is provided with a second assembly slot. One end of the shaft 7 is pressed into the first assembly slot, and the other end of the shaft 7 is pressed into the second assembly slot.

[0035] Specifically, maintenance personnel sequentially attach spring 6 and movable limiting slider 1 to the outside of shaft 7, and then align both ends of shaft 7 with the first and second mounting slots, respectively. The maintenance personnel apply pressure perpendicular to the inner wall surface of shaft 7, causing it to engage with the bottom of the first and second mounting slots. The inner wall surface of the first mounting slot tightly adheres to the outer surface of one end of shaft 7, and the inner wall surface of the second mounting slot tightly adheres to the outer surface of the other end of shaft 7, ensuring that shaft 7 will not detach from the first and second mounting slots when subjected to vibration.

[0036] See attached document Figure 3The first guide structure 2 is located in the region near the center line of the axis 7, and the second guide structure 3 is located in the region near the center line of the axis 7. The first guide structure 2 and the second guide structure 3 are symmetrically distributed around the center line of the axis 7.

[0037] Specifically, the symmetrical arrangement of the first guide structure 2 and the second guide structure 3 evenly distributes the frictional force on the movable limiting slider 1 across their surfaces. When a finger presses and pushes the lever 11, the symmetrically distributed first guide structure 2 and second guide structure 3 prevent the movable limiting slider 1 from tilting and jamming due to unilateral force eccentricity, thus reducing overall sliding resistance. The movable limiting slider 1 maintains a smooth and stable movement under the clamping of the first guide structure 2 and the second guide structure 3.

[0038] See attached document Figure 3 and attached Figure 4 The first guide groove 21 and the second guide groove 31 are both provided with a left side wall and a right side wall that are parallel to each other. The center line of the first guide groove 21, the center line of the second guide groove 31 and the center line of the shaft 7 are parallel to each other.

[0039] Specifically, the parallel first guide groove 21 and second guide groove 31 strictly define the movement path of the movable limiting slider 1. The movement path is in the same straight line direction as the center line of the shaft 7. When the movable limiting slider 1 moves linearly within the parallel channel, it only generates axial compressive force on the spring 6. The parallel structure eliminates the conditions for the movable limiting slider 1 to generate radial shear force or torsional stress on the spring 6, extending the fatigue life of the spring 6 and ensuring the reliability of the springback after long-term use.

[0040] See attached document Figure 3 The movable limiting slider 1 is provided with a solid base, and the solid base has a cylindrical through hole. The inner diameter of the cylindrical through hole is larger than the outer diameter of the shaft 7, and a sliding gap is maintained between the inner wall of the cylindrical through hole and the outer surface of the shaft 7.

[0041] Specifically, the sliding gap reduces the contact area between the solid base and the outer surface of shaft 7. In outdoor sandy environments, tiny dust particles can enter between the inner wall of the cylindrical through-hole and the outer surface of shaft 7. The sliding gap can accommodate these particles, preventing them from getting stuck and causing the movable limiting slider 1 to jam. The sliding gap also provides ample space for subsequent application of lubricating grease.

[0042] See attached document Figure 3 and attached Figure 4The movable limiting slider 1 is provided with a side wing edge extending in the direction of the first guide groove 21 and another side wing edge extending in the direction of the second guide groove 31. The side wing edge slides into the interior of the first guide groove 21, and the other side wing edge slides into the interior of the second guide groove 31.

[0043] Specifically, the edges of one wing and the other wing are respectively limited and blocked by the upper and lower walls of the first guide groove 21 and the second guide groove 31. When the vehicle experiences bumps and vibrations, the edge of one wing will not jump out of the first guide groove 21, and the edge of the other wing will not jump out of the second guide groove 31. The cooperation between the edge of one wing and the first guide groove 21, and the cooperation between the edge of the other wing and the second guide groove 31, together bear the external impact forces in the Y and Z directions transmitted from the outer panel 9 of the cover.

[0044] See attached document Figure 4 Both the bottom surface of the first guide groove 21 and the bottom surface of the second guide groove 31 are provided with intermittently distributed sewage discharge holes.

[0045] Specifically, rainwater or water from car washing flows into the first guide groove 21 and the second guide groove 31 through the gaps in the outer panel 9 of the cover. Accumulated water flows to the outside of the vehicle body through the drain hole. The drain hole blocks the path for water to remain on the bottom surfaces of the first guide groove 21 and the second guide groove 31 for extended periods. In low-temperature winter conditions, the drain hole prevents accumulated water from freezing and causing the movable limiting slider 1 to freeze against the first guide groove 21 and the second guide groove 31, maintaining the normal sliding function of the movable limiting slider 1 under harsh weather conditions.

[0046] See attached document Figure 2 and attached Figure 3 The lever 11 extends along the direction perpendicular to the axis of shaft 7. The lever 11 and the movable limiting slider 1 are integral components fixed by injection molding. The end face of the lever 11 is provided with anti-slip texture.

[0047] Specifically, maintenance personnel place their fingers on the end face of lever 11 and apply pressure. The anti-slip texture increases the coefficient of friction between the skin of the fingers and the end face of lever 11, preventing the fingers from slipping off when pressing lever 11. The injection-molded, integral component design ensures that lever 11 and movable limiting slider 1 have a highly uniform structural strength. When the pressure applied to lever 11 increases, the joint between lever 11 and movable limiting slider 1 will not break, thus completely transmitting the driving force applied by the maintenance personnel's hand to movable limiting slider 1.

[0048] See attached document Figure 3 Spring 6 is installed in the space between the first limiting structure 4 and the movable limiting slider 1. The axial length of spring 6 under compression is less than the original standard length.

[0049] Specifically, spring 6 undergoes compression deformation in its initial assembled state without manual pushing of lever 11. This compression deformation causes spring 6 to continuously output a pushing preload force to the movable limiting slider 1. This pushing preload force forces the movable limiting slider 1 to press tightly against the defined area, eliminating any assembly gaps between the movable limiting slider 1 and the surrounding structure. The pushing preload force also prevents abnormal noises during vehicle travel and ensures the stability of the connection between the outer cover plate 9 and the hinge arm 8.

[0050] See attached document Figure 2 and attached Figure 3 The slide outlet 10 is a rectangular notch that penetrates the wall thickness of the hinge arm 8 and has an open edge. The direction of the axis 7 extending from the first limiting structure 4 to the second limiting structure 5 is set as the Z direction. The internal span dimension of the slide outlet 10 along the Z direction is greater than the maximum external dimension of the movable limiting slider 1 along the Z direction.

[0051] Specifically, the dimensional difference design provides ample clearance for the movable limiting slider 1 to pass through the slide outlet 10. When maintenance personnel continuously push the lever 11 to align the movable limiting slider 1 with the slide outlet 10, they maintain the pushing force while simultaneously pulling the outer cover 9 outwards. The movable limiting slider 1 disengages from the hinge arm 8 along the edge of the slide outlet 10. After separation, the lever 11 is released, and the outer cover 9 is removed individually. The entire disassembly and replacement process is completed entirely by hand.

[0052] Working principle: In the initial locked state, the spring 6 is compressed and continuously outputs a pushing force to the movable limiting slider 1. The movable limiting slider 1 stays in the set position, and the outer contour edge of the movable limiting slider 1 forms an overlapping and engaging state with the hinge arm 8. The outer plate 9 of the cover is fixedly constrained on the hinge arm 8. The first guide groove 21 and the second guide groove 31 cooperate with the shaft 7 to restrict the movement trajectory of the movable limiting slider 1 to a straight line.

[0053] During the disassembly operation, a force parallel to the shaft 7 is applied to the lever 11. The movable limiting slider 1 overcomes the force of the spring 6, and one side wing edge and the other side wing edge of the movable limiting slider 1 slide along the first guide groove 21 and the second guide groove 31 towards the second limiting structure 5, respectively. During the sliding, the cylindrical through-hole inside the movable limiting slider 1 undergoes relative displacement along the outer surface of the shaft 7, and the spring 6 is compressed, shortened, and accumulates elastic potential energy.

[0054] When the movable limiting slider 1 slides to the area flush with the slide outlet 10, the thrust applied to the lever 11 remains unchanged, and the overlapping obstruction between the movable limiting slider 1 and the hinge arm 8 is completely released. Pull the outer cover plate 9 outward, and the movable limiting slider 1 passes through the open space of the slide outlet 10. The outer cover plate 9 then disengages from the hinge arm 8.

[0055] After the outer cover plate 9 is completely disengaged from the hinge arm 8, the thrust applied to the lever 11 is removed, the spring 6 releases the stored elastic potential energy, and the end of the spring 6 pushes the movable limiting slider 1 to slide in the opposite direction to the first limiting structure 4. The movable limiting slider 1 returns to the initial set position along the first guide groove 21 and the second guide groove 31, completing the overall restoration of the structure.

[0056] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention, and not to limit them; although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent substitutions can be made to some or all of the technical features; and these modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention.

Claims

1. A movable cover outer plate structure with a limiting clip, characterized in that, It includes a hinge arm (8) installed on the vehicle and a cover plate (9) fixedly connected to the hinge arm (8). The cover plate (9) is provided with an inner wall surface facing the interior space. A sliding outlet (10) is opened on one side edge of the hinge arm (8). A first limiting structure (4) and a second limiting structure (5) are fixedly connected to the inner wall surface. A shaft (7) is fixedly connected between one end of the first limiting structure (4) and the other end of the second limiting structure (5). A first guide structure (2) and a second guide structure (3) are fixedly connected on the inner wall surface. The first guide structure (2) is provided with a first guide groove (21), and the second guide structure (3) is provided with a second guide groove (31). A movable limiting slider (1) and a spring (6) are slidably connected on the outer surface of the shaft (7). The movable limiting slider (1) is slidably installed inside the first guide groove (21) and the second guide groove (31) respectively. The spring (6) is sleeved on the shaft (7) and abuts against the first limiting structure (4) and the movable limiting slider (1). A lever (11) is fixedly connected to the movable limiting slider (1). The movable limiting slider (1) and the hinge arm (8) are misaligned in the axial position.

2. The movable cover outer plate structure of the limiting clip according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first limiting structure (4) is provided with a first assembly slot, and the second limiting structure (5) is provided with a second assembly slot. One end of the shaft (7) is pressed into the first assembly slot, and the other end of the shaft (7) is pressed into the second assembly slot.

3. The movable cover outer plate structure of the limiting clip according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first guide structure (2) is located in the region near the center line of the shaft (7), and the second guide structure (3) is located in the region near the center line of the shaft (7). The first guide structure (2) and the second guide structure (3) are symmetrically distributed around the center line of the shaft (7).

4. The movable cover outer plate structure of the limiting clip according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first guide groove (21) and the second guide groove (31) are both provided with a left side wall and a right side wall that are parallel to each other. The center line of the first guide groove (21), the center line of the second guide groove (31) and the center line of the shaft (7) are parallel to each other.

5. The movable cover outer plate structure of the limiting clip according to claim 1, characterized in that, The movable limiting slider (1) is provided with a solid base, and the solid base has a cylindrical through hole. The inner diameter of the cylindrical through hole is larger than the outer diameter of the shaft (7). A sliding gap is maintained between the inner wall of the cylindrical through hole and the outer surface of the shaft (7).

6. The movable cover outer plate structure of the limiting clip according to claim 1, characterized in that, The movable limiting slider (1) is provided with a side wing edge extending in the direction of the first guide groove (21) and another side wing edge extending in the direction of the second guide groove (31). The side wing edge slides into the first guide groove (21) and the other side wing edge slides into the second guide groove (31).

7. The movable cover outer plate structure of the limiting clip according to claim 4, characterized in that, Both the bottom surface of the first guide groove (21) and the bottom surface of the second guide groove (31) are provided with intermittently distributed sewage discharge holes.

8. The movable cover outer plate structure of the limiting clip according to claim 1, characterized in that, The lever (11) extends in a direction perpendicular to the axis (7) centerline. The lever (11) and the movable limiting slider (1) are integral components fixed by injection molding. The end face of the lever (11) is provided with anti-slip texture.

9. The movable cover outer plate structure of the limiting clip according to claim 1, characterized in that, The spring (6) is installed in the space between the first limiting structure (4) and the movable limiting slider (1), and the axial length of the spring (6) under compression is less than the original standard length.

10. The movable cover outer plate structure of the limiting clip according to claim 1, characterized in that, The slide outlet (10) is a rectangular notch that penetrates the wall thickness of the hinge arm (8) and has an open edge. The direction of the axis (7) extending from the first limiting structure (4) to the second limiting structure (5) is set as the Z direction. The internal span dimension of the slide outlet (10) along the Z direction is greater than the maximum external dimension of the movable limiting slider (1) along the Z direction.

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