underbody cover

Abstract

This invention provides a vehicle underbody cover that can suppress damage even on icy, snowy roads. A stop (40) of the vehicle underbody cover (10) is mounted on the cover body (20) covering the lower side of the engine unit. The stop (40) is positioned at the middle of the cover body (20) in the vehicle longitudinal direction, and paired feet (42) are mounted on both sides of the cover body (20) in the vehicle width direction, with a middle portion (44) between the feet (42) protruding towards the lower surface of the engine unit. Therefore, even if the cover body (20) comes into contact with raised, icy snow between ruts and experiences high surface pressure, deformation of the cover body (20) is suppressed by the stop (40) abutting against the engine unit. Thus, even when the vehicle is traveling on icy, snowy roads, the vehicle underbody cover (10) can suppress damage within the cover body (20).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to a vehicle body undercover. Background Technology

[0002] In vehicles, there is a type of vehicle with a body cover provided on its lower surface. For example, in a vehicle, the body cover is provided below the lower surface of the engine, covering the lower side of the engine (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Thus, in the vehicle, the body cover protects the engine from impact inputs during road surface interference.

[0003] Prior art literature

[0004] Patent documents

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2012-056573 Utility Model Content

[0006] The problem to be solved by the utility model

[0007] However, on roads where vehicles travel, there are snow-covered roads where tires create ruts due to vehicle movement. When a vehicle travels on a rutted snow-covered road, the wheels typically travel along the ruts by crossing the raised portions (ridges) of snow between them. Therefore, in vehicles traveling on snow-covered roads, the undercarriage is prone to contact with the snow surface between the ruts.

[0008] On the other hand, on snowy roads, the snow melts and turns into a slushy state, which is then kicked up by vehicle wheels and bulges between tire tracks. Slushy snow contains coarse-grained snow (coarse-grained snow) and is easily flowable because it contains water.

[0009] Therefore, in a vehicle, when the underbody comes into contact with the icy, sandy snow that rises between the vehicle's underbody and the ruts while it is in motion, the surface pressure of the underbody increases due to the load from the icy snow, sometimes causing deformation such as deflection. This deformation creates gaps between the underbody and other components.

[0010] Furthermore, when the underbody of a moving vehicle is subjected to surface pressure from icy snow, the icy snow (coarse-grained snow) can be forced into the gaps between the underbody and other components. This can potentially cause damage to the underbody due to the icy snow or other particles that have seeped into these gaps.

[0011] This invention was made in view of the above facts, and its purpose is to provide a vehicle body cover that can suppress damage even when the vehicle is traveling on icy or snowy roads.

[0012] Methods for solving problems

[0013] To achieve the above objectives, the vehicle body cover according to the first aspect of this utility model includes: a cover body, which is disposed below a drive source in a vehicle with its peripheral portion mounted on the vehicle body and covers the lower surface of the drive source; a limiting member, which is opposed to the drive source at the middle portion of the cover body in the vehicle longitudinal direction, wherein the two ends of the limiting member in the longitudinal direction are bent toward the cover body and mounted on the cover body, and the middle portion in the longitudinal direction is opposed to the lower surface of the drive source, thereby limiting the approach of the cover body to the drive source, wherein the longitudinal direction is the vehicle width direction.

[0014] In the vehicle body cover according to the first aspect of this utility model, a cover body is disposed below the drive source and covers the lower surface of the drive source, with its peripheral portion mounted on the vehicle body. On this cover body, a limiting member is disposed at the middle portion in the vehicle's longitudinal direction, opposite to the drive source.

[0015] The limiting member is designed such that its two ends in the length direction of the vehicle width direction are bent toward the cover body and installed on the cover body, and the middle part in the length direction is opposite to the lower surface of the drive source, thereby limiting the approach of the cover body to the drive source.

[0016] Therefore, when a vehicle is traveling on an icy, snowy road, even if the surface pressure increases due to contact between the cover body and the ruts caused by the icy, snowy contact, the deformation of the cover body toward the drive source can be suppressed, and gaps can be suppressed between the cover body and other components.

[0017] Utility Model Effect

[0018] In the vehicle underbody cover of this invention, even if the surface pressure increases due to contact between the cover body and icy snow between tire tracks, the restraining member will suppress the deformation of the cover body toward the drive source, thus preventing gaps from forming between the cover body and other components. Therefore, this invention has the effect that even when the vehicle is traveling on icy snow, damage caused by icy snow getting into gaps between the cover body and other components can be suppressed. Attached Figure Description

[0019] Figure 1 This is a side view of the main part of a vehicle with the body cover according to this embodiment, viewed in the vehicle width direction.

[0020] Figure 2 This is a perspective view showing the outline structure of the vehicle body cover according to this embodiment.

[0021] Figure 3 A top view showing the outline structure of the main parts of the vehicle body underbody.

[0022] Figure 4 A side view of the main part of a vehicle, viewed in the vehicle width direction, to show an example of a vehicle body cover without stoppers. Detailed Implementation

[0023] The embodiments of this utility model will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0024] The vehicle body cover 10 involved in this embodiment is installed on a vehicle (not shown). Figure 1 In the middle, the side view viewed in the vehicle width direction shows an outline of the main parts of the vehicle with the body cover 10 installed. Furthermore, in Figure 2 The perspective view taken from the upper right side shows the outline structure of the vehicle body cover 10 according to the embodiment. Figure 3 The top view, taken from above, shows the general structure of the main parts of the vehicle body underbody 10. Additionally, in the accompanying drawings, the arrow FR indicates the front of the vehicle, HR indicates the right side in the vehicle width direction, and UP indicates the top.

[0025] like Figure 1 As shown, the vehicle according to this embodiment is provided with an engine unit 12 including a drive source, and a drive source for driving is disposed in the engine unit 12. The vehicle transmits the driving force of the drive source in the engine unit 12 to the left and right drive wheels (which may be the front wheels, the rear wheels, or all wheels), and drives the drive wheels to rotate by the driving force, thereby driving.

[0026] An engine is used as the driving source for driving in such an engine unit 12. In addition to an engine, an electric motor (electric motor) can also be used as the driving source for driving.

[0027] The vehicle body cover 10 of this embodiment is disposed on the lower side (road side) of the engine unit 12 in the vehicle, and the vehicle body cover 10 covers the lower surface of the engine unit 12. Therefore, in the vehicle, the vehicle body cover 10 functions as an engine cover, and the vehicle body cover 10 protects the engine unit 12 from the impact input (load) when road interference occurs.

[0028] like Figures 1 to 3 As shown, the vehicle body underbody 10 has a plate-shaped body 20 that is generally rectangular in shape. Figure 2 as well as Figure 3As shown, the cover body 20 is designed as an example with a shape similar to the shape of home plate. In the vehicle's longitudinal direction, the front portion of the cover body 20 is approximately rectangular, while the rear portion gradually narrows in width towards the rear of the vehicle. Furthermore, multiple ribs (not shown) with convex or concave cross-sections are formed on the cover body 20, employing a common structure that improves surface rigidity.

[0029] The front part of the cover body 20 is opposite to the front crossbeam of the vehicle body, and the two ends in the vehicle width direction are opposite to the front longitudinal beams of the vehicle body (both omitted from the figure). The front part of the cover body 20 is mounted on the front crossbeam, and the two sides in the vehicle width direction are mounted on the front longitudinal beams, thereby mounting the periphery to the vehicle body.

[0030] like Figure 2 As shown, a plurality of mounting portions 22 are provided on the cover body 20. Each mounting portion 22 is configured as a hole (mounting hole) formed through the cover body 20 in the vertical direction (thickness direction of the cover body 20). In addition, a plurality of mounting portions 22 are provided on the front part of the cover body 20 in the vehicle width direction, and a plurality of mounting portions 22 are arranged on both sides of the cover body 20 in the vehicle width direction in the vehicle front-rear direction.

[0031] The cover body 20 is fastened to the vehicle body, for example, by using bolts and nuts, and screwing the nuts into the bolts inserted into the mounting part 22. Thus, in the vehicle, the cover body 20 of the body cover 10 is mounted on the vehicle body below the engine unit 12, covering the lower surface of the engine unit 12. Furthermore, the cover body 20 is not limited to using bolts and nuts; it can also be fastened with screws, etc., and the mounting of the cover body 20 to the vehicle body can utilize known common structures.

[0032] Furthermore, side plates 24 are used on the cover body 20 as reinforcing members for attaching the cover body 20 to the vehicle body. The side plates 24 are respectively disposed on both sides in the vehicle width direction in the rear side of the vehicle, and the side plates 24 are respectively configured as members (mounting members) mounted on the cover body 20.

[0033] The side plate 24 is disposed in the peripheral portion of the rear side of the cover body 20 on the portion of the cover body 20 that is inclined relative to the vehicle width direction and the vehicle front-rear direction. The side plate 24 is generally plate-shaped and is disposed along the periphery of the cover body 20 that is inclined relative to the vehicle front-rear direction and the vehicle width direction, respectively.

[0034] On the cover body 20, a mounting portion 26 is formed at a predetermined position overlapping the side plate 24. The mounting portion 26 is configured as a hole formed through the cover body 20 in the vertical direction. On the side plate 24, a mounting portion (through hole) (not shown) is arranged at a position corresponding to the mounting portion 26 on the cover body 20. Thus, a portion of the side plate 24 overlaps on the cover body 20, and the side plate 24 is fastened at each mounting portion 26 using bolts and nuts (or screws).

[0035] On the other hand, a maintenance hole 28 is formed through the central portion (the central portion in both the vehicle longitudinal direction and the vehicle width direction) of the cover body 20 as an opening, and a maintenance hole cover 30 is provided as a cover to seal the maintenance hole 28. The maintenance hole 28 is formed to be positioned opposite a predetermined position on the lower surface of the engine unit 12 in the cover body 20 covering the lower surface of the engine unit 12.

[0036] Within the cover body 20, a predetermined portion of the lower surface of the engine unit 12 can be opened through the maintenance hole 28. In the vehicle, by opening the predetermined portion of the lower surface of the engine unit 12 through the maintenance hole 28, maintenance of the engine unit 12, such as oil changes, can be performed.

[0037] On the cover body 20, a mounting portion 32 is disposed at a position overlapping the periphery of the maintenance hole 28 (inner periphery) with the periphery of the maintenance hole cover 30. Each mounting portion 32 is a through hole formed in the cover body 20, and multiple mounting portions 32 are formed along the periphery of the maintenance hole 28. Furthermore, on the maintenance hole cover 30, mounting portions (holes through the maintenance hole cover 30, not shown) are formed at positions corresponding to the mounting portions 32 on the cover body 20.

[0038] A maintenance hole cover 30 is provided on the cover body 20 to block the maintenance hole 28. The maintenance hole cover 30 is fastened to each mounting part 32 using bolts and nuts (or screws). In addition, in the vehicle body undercover 10, the maintenance hole cover 30 can be removed by releasing the fastening of the bolts and nuts in each mounting part 32 of the cover body 20, thereby opening a predetermined part of the lower surface of the engine unit 12.

[0039] like Figure 1 as well as Figure 3 As shown, a stop 40, serving as a limiting member, is disposed on the body body 20 of the vehicle body undercover 10. The stop 40 is a strip-shaped component made of the same material as the body body 20 (e.g., steel or resin). The stop 40 consists of a pair of feet 42 formed by bending both ends in the same direction along its length and a middle portion 44 between the feet 42. Thus, the stop 40 is approximately U-shaped.

[0040] The stop 40 is disposed in the middle part of the cover body 20 in the vehicle front-rear direction, and is disposed along the vehicle width direction in the length direction. In addition, the top part of the foot 42 of the stop 40 (the end opposite to the middle part 44) is respectively mounted on the upper surface of the cover body 20 (the surface on the side of the engine unit 12).

[0041] Therefore, in the stop member 40, the middle portion 44 protrudes from the upper surface of the cover body 20 by the length of the foot portion 42, and the middle portion 44 is close to the lower surface of the engine unit 12. At this time, in the stop member 40, the length of the foot portion 42 is set in such a way that the upper surface of the middle portion 44 and the lower surface of the engine unit 12 are at a predetermined interval.

[0042] In its normal state, without deformation in the cover body 20, the middle portion 44 of the stop 40 separates from the lower surface of the engine unit 12. However, when the cover body 20 deforms (elastic deformation) by a load (surface pressure) acting on its lower surface, causing the middle portion to convex upwards in the rear-to-rear direction, the middle portion 44 of the stop 40 abuts against the lower surface of the engine unit 12, thereby suppressing the elastic deformation of the cover body 20. At this time, the stop 40 is configured such that its middle portion 44 abuts against the lower surface of the engine unit 12 before a gap forms between the deformed cover body 20 and the side plate 24 mounted on the cover body 20.

[0043] The vehicle body cover 10, constructed in this way, covers the lower surface of the engine unit 12 by mounting the front portion of the cover body 20 and the two sides in the vehicle width direction onto the vehicle body. Thus, the engine unit 12 is protected from impact loads from below within the vehicle by the cover body 20.

[0044] Furthermore, a maintenance hole 28 is formed on the cover body 20 and is sealed by a maintenance hole cover 30. In the cover body 20, by removing the maintenance hole cover 30, a predetermined portion of the lower surface of the engine unit 12 is exposed through the maintenance hole 28. Thus, in the vehicle, necessary maintenance of the engine unit 12 can be performed through the maintenance hole 28 of the cover body 20.

[0045] On the other hand, in the vehicle body cover 10, the cover body 20 bends upwards in a convex shape due to the pressure (surface pressure) received from below. A stop 40 is provided on the cover body 20 of the vehicle body cover 10. The stop 40 is provided with its middle portion 44 protruding from the cover body 20 towards the lower surface of the engine unit 12 by mounting feet on both sides in the vehicle width direction onto the cover body 20.

[0046] The stop 40 is preferably positioned where the middle portion 44 does not overlap with the opening of the maintenance hole 28, but it can also be positioned where the middle portion 44 overlaps with the maintenance hole 28. In the stop 40, even where the middle portion 44 overlaps with the maintenance hole 28, the middle portion 44 is separated from the cover body 20 by the foot 42, thereby ensuring working space for maintenance via the maintenance hole 28.

[0047] Furthermore, in the underbody cover 10, when the cover body 20 is subjected to surface pressure and is about to deform, the middle part 44 of the stop 40 abuts against the lower surface of the engine unit 12, thereby limiting the deformation of the cover body 20.

[0048] On roads where vehicles travel, there are snow tracks where snow has accumulated on the surface. As vehicles move through these tracks, ruts are formed, and between these ruts, snow accumulates and bulges (forming what are called mounds). Therefore, when driving on snow tracks, drivers typically place the wheels into the ruts to cross the snow piled between them, thus guiding the vehicle along the tracks (steering).

[0049] At this time, in the underbody cover 10 installed on the vehicle, the snow between the ruts comes into contact with the lower surface of the cover body 20. Since the snow between the ruts is accumulated snow, deformation of the cover body 20 is suppressed. In addition, because the crystals in the accumulated snow are soft, it is difficult for snow to enter even if a gap is created between the cover body 20 and the side plate 24. Furthermore, even if snow does enter, it will be crushed due to the pressure from the cover body 20 and the side plate 24.

[0050] As the snow melts, it becomes icy and contains granular snow or coarse snow (coarse snow) particles that have formed in the water. For simplicity, the snow contained in the water within the icy snow will be referred to as coarse snow.

[0051] On icy snow roads, coarse snow accumulates between ruts, and water remains in the ruts due to moisture flowing out towards them. Therefore, on icy snow roads, when the snow (coarse snow) accumulated between ruts comes into contact with the cover body 20, it is not compressed, causing the surface pressure generated in the cover body 20 to rise.

[0052] exist Figure 4 The schematic diagram shown in the middle, viewed in the vehicle width direction, illustrates the general structure of a vehicle body underbody cover 10A without the stop 40 installed in the cover body 20. The vehicle body underbody cover 10A differs from the vehicle body underbody cover 10 in that the stop 40 is not installed.

[0053] like Figure 4As shown by the dashed line, in the vehicle underbody cover 10A, the cover body 20 deforms (elastic deformation) in a convex manner toward the engine unit 12 due to the load from snow accumulating between ruts on an icy snow road. Because this deformation is significant, a gap opening toward the front of the vehicle is created between the cover body 20 and the side panel 24 in the vehicle underbody cover 10A. Furthermore, when the vehicle is traveling under the vehicle underbody cover 10A with increased surface pressure from the snow, coarse snow particles contained in the snow are squeezed into the gap between the cover body 20 and the side panel 24. In other words, in a vehicle equipped with the vehicle underbody cover 10A, when a gap opening toward the front of the vehicle is created, the vehicle travels by scraping (scooping up) icy snow (coarse snow particles) through the cover body 20 and side panel 24 that form the gap.

[0054] Therefore, coarse snow particles or other debris that get trapped in the gap between the cover body 20 and the side panels 24 in the vehicle body undercover 10A can widen the gap between them. As a result, damage can occur to the cover body 20, side panels 24, etc. in the vehicle body undercover 10A.

[0055] In contrast, in the underbody cover 10, a stop 40 is installed on the cover body 20. Therefore, in the underbody cover 10, when the cover body 20 is about to deform in a convex manner toward the engine unit 12 due to the load from snow accumulated between ruts on an icy snow road, the stop 40 abuts against the lower surface of the engine unit 12, thereby suppressing the deformation of the cover body 20.

[0056] Therefore, in the vehicle body cover 10, the occurrence of gaps between the cover body 20 and the side panels 24 is suppressed, and the increase of surface pressure on the cover body 20 (especially the rear side of the vehicle) is suppressed even when the vehicle is in motion.

[0057] Therefore, in the underbody cover 10, coarse snow and the like will not get squeezed between the cover body 20 and the side panel 24, thus suppressing the possibility of damage caused by snow (coarse snow) or the like getting squeezed between the cover body 20 and the side panel 24.

[0058] Thus, in the vehicle body cover 10, since a stopper 40 is provided on the cover body 20, it is not only possible to prevent damage to the cover body 20 when driving on snowy roads, but also when driving on icy roads.

[0059] Furthermore, in the embodiment described above, the example given is a vehicle underbody cover 10 that covers the lower surface of the engine unit 12 with the cover body 20. However, the vehicle underbody cover can be constructed in any way that the cover body covers a predetermined portion of the lower surface of the vehicle body, thereby protecting the covered portion from impact loads from the underside of the vehicle.

[0060] Symbol Explanation

[0061] 10…underbody cover;

[0062] 12… Engine unit (drive source);

[0063] 20…the main body of the cover;

[0064] 24…side panels;

[0065] 40…stop (restriction component);

[0066] 42…foot;

[0067] 44…middle section.

Claims

1. A vehicle body underbody cover, characterized in that, include: The main body of the cover is mounted on the vehicle body at its periphery below the drive source and covers the lower surface of the drive source. A limiting member is positioned opposite the drive source at the middle portion of the cover body in the vehicle longitudinal direction. The two ends of the limiting member in the longitudinal direction are bent toward the cover body and mounted on the cover body. The middle portion in the longitudinal direction is opposite the lower surface of the drive source, thereby limiting the approach of the cover body to the drive source. The longitudinal direction is the vehicle width direction.

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