FOLDING-TYPE CARGO COMPARTMENT COVER UNIT HAVING A SEALING STRUCTURE

Abstract

A folding-type cargo compartment cover unit having a sealing structure, comprising: a plurality of slats (11) sequentially arranged on an upper surface of a vehicle cargo compartment along a direction of a vehicle; connectors (12) each disposed between the adjacent slats (11); shafts (13), each hingedly connecting one of the adjacent slats (11) and the connector (12) by passing through the one of the adjacent slats (11) and through the connector (12); and gaskets (14, 15), each formed of a flexible material and provided on at least one of the slat (11) or the connector (12), thereby sealing a gap between the slat (11) and the connector (12).

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE / INVENTIONField of Disclosure / InventionThe present disclosure / invention relates to a vehicle cargo compartment cover unit, and more particularly, to a fold-type cargo compartment cover unit capable of blocking (e.g., blocking) foreign material (e.g., foreign objects) or moisture.Description of Related ArtThe vehicles, such as pick-up trucks, each have a cargo compartment of predetermined size in the rear.The cargo compartment has a cover to protect a cargo (e.g., cargo) loaded in the cargo compartment. For example, the cover may be provided as a roller blind type / roller shutter type to reduce its volume that it occupies in the cargo compartment. Meanwhile, in order to store the roller blind type / roller shutter type cover, a space inside the cargo compartment was required for installing a housing accommodating the roller blind type / roller shutter type cover. Accordingly, there is a problem that an internal space inside the charge compartment is / is reduced. In addition, when a center gate / door installed between an occupant compartment (e.g., a passenger compartment) and the cargo compartment is / is opened to load a long cargo, the housing obstructs the space formed by opening the center gate / door, thereby hindering a charging operation of the long cargo.To address this problem, as shown in Figs. 1 to 5, a folding type load compartment cover unit 110 has been proposed. The compartment cover unit 110 has a plurality of louvers 111 connected to each other in a zigzag folding manner to open and close a cargo compartment 101 of a vehicle 100.A connector is disposed between the adjacent blades 111, and shafts 113 connect the connector 112 and the adjacent blades 111. In this way, the cover unit 110 has a structure in which the plurality of blades 111 are foldable in a zigzag manner. An upper bracket 123 is fixed to the outer sides of upper portions to which the connector 112 is connected of the adjacent blades 111, and a lower bracket 124 is fixed to the outer sides of lower portions to which the connector 112 is connected of the adjacent blades 111. Movable blocks 123a and 124a are respectively formed on the upper bracket 123 and the lower bracket 124. The movable blocks 123 aand 124 aexpand the cover unit 10 or fold the cover unit 10 in a zigzag manner while moving along a main rail 121 and a guide rail 122 disposed on the cargo compartment 101 in an associated manner. The movable block 123 aon the upper bracket 123 is disposed more outward in a width direction of the vehicle 100 than the movable block 124 aon the lower bracket 124. A track path along which the movable block 123 amoves on the upper bracket 123 is formed along the main rail 121 and the guide rail 122, and a track path along which the movable block 124 amoves on the lower bracket 124 is formed on the main rail 121. The movable block 123a on the upper bracket 123 moves along the main rail 121 and the guide rail 122, and the movable block 124a on the lower bracket 124 moves along the main rail 121A drive motor 133 and a drive gear / drive gear 134 driven by the drive motor 133 are installed between a housing 131 and the cover 132, and a cable 135 is operated by the drive gear / drive gear 134. When the drive motor 133 operates in a state in which the cover unit 110 is spread, i.e., deployed / deployed, the cable 135 pulls the rear end portion of the cover unit 110 toward the front of the vehicle 100. Therefore, the movable block 123a moves a predetermined distance along the main rail 121. Then, the movable block 123 aon the upper bracket 123 moves toward the guide rail 122, while the movable block 124 aon the lower bracket 124 further moves along the main rail 121. Accordingly, the blades 111 rotate, and therefore the cover unit 110 is folded in a zigzag manner. Conversely, when the drive motor 133 operates in a state in which the cover unit 110 is folded in a zigzag manner, the rope 135 operates in the reverse direction to move the rear end portion of the cover unit 110 toward the rear of the vehicle 100. Therefore, the blades 111 move, and therefore the cover unit 110 is spread.However, since no sealing member is provided between the two adjacent blades 111 and the connector 112, moisture or foreign matter / foreign matter may enter the cargo compartment 101, thereby causing damage to the cargo / cargo loaded in the cargo compartment 101.The connector 112 comes into direct contact with the two adjacent blades 111 so as not to leave / leave a gap therebetween to be sealed. Accordingly, when the cover unit 110 is spread or folded in a zigzag manner, moisture or foreign matter / foreign matter easily enters a gap between the blade 111 and the connector 112 (see broken arrows in FIGS. 4 and 5 ). Moreover, the repeated operations of the cover unit 110 may reduce the durability of the blades 111 and the connector 112, thereby causing / causing the wear thereof.The statements in this section merely provide background information related to the present disclosure / invention and do not constitute prior art.DISCLOSURE / INVENTION EXPLANATIONAn object of the present disclosure / invention, which is / has been made to address the above problems, is to provide a vehicle cargo compartment covering unit with improved sealing function in a zigzag fold (e.g., zigzag fold), capable of preventing moisture or foreign matter (e.g., foreign matter) from entering a cargo compartment by having a seal (e.g., a weather strip) for sealing a gap between a blade and a connector.To achieve the above object, an aspect of the present disclosure / invention provides a folding-type cargo compartment cover unit (e.g., a foldable cargo compartment cover unit, e.g., a foldable cargo compartment cover unit, e.g., a folding-type cargo compartment cover unit, e.g., a foldable cargo compartment cover unit, e.g., a foldable cargo compartment cover unit). The folding-type cargo compartment cover unit (hereinafter, "the foldable cargo compartment cover unit", "the cargo compartment cover unit", or "the cover unit") includes: a plurality of slats arranged sequentially (e.g., in order, e.g., in order without overlap, e.g., successively) on (e.g., on) an upper surface of a cargo compartment (e.g., a cargo compartment) (e.g., on top thereof, e.g., on top thereof) along a direction (e.g., a first direction) of a vehicle; connectors (e.g., connectors) each disposed (e.g., in associated fashion) between the adjacent slats (e.g., the adjacent slats, e.g., the directly adjacent slats, e.g., the directly adjacent slats) of the plurality of slats; and shafts (e.g., shafts), each hingedly connecting (e.g., hingedly connecting) one blade of the adjacent blades and one connector of the plurality of connectors, e.g., hingedly connecting (e.g., pivotally connecting) to each other, e.g., hingedly connecting (e.g., pivotally connecting) (e.g., hingedly connecting (e.g., pivotally connecting) each one blade of the adjacent blades and one connector of the plurality of connectors, e.g., hingedly connecting) to each other, e.g., (e.g., hingedly connecting) to each other) by traversing (e.g., passing through) the one of the adjacent blades and the connector. The load compartment cover unit further comprises: seals (e.g., weather strips), each formed of flexible material and provided on (e.g., on) at least one of the blade or the connector, thereby sealing a gap (e.g., a gap) between the blade and the connector (e.g., thereby sealing a gap / gap between the blade and the connector).In one embodiment, the seals may include a blade seal that is / is fixed by being inserted into an end portion of the blade and that seals a gap between the blade and the connector by coming into close contact with the outside of the connectorIn an embodiment, the gasket (e.g., the leaf gasket) may include: a first fixing portion that fixes the leaf gasket to the leaf by being / is inserted (e.g., inserted) into the leaf; a first sealing portion that is convexly formed (e.g., shaped) toward the connector to come into contact with the connector; a second sealing portion that comes into contact with the connector to surround (e.g., enclose) a side thereof; a connecting portion that connects the first sealing portion and the second sealing portion to each other; and a first neck portion (e.g., a first neck portion) formed (e.g., molded) between the first attachment portion and the connection portion in a manner to have a narrower width of the first attachment portion.In an embodiment, a first gasket insertion portion (e.g., a first gasket insertion portion, e.g., a first gasket insertion portion) may be formed in the shape of an elongated hole (e.g., an elongated hole) along the longitudinal direction of the fin, and the first fixing portion may be / are inserted (e.g., inserted) into the first gasket insertion portion.In an embodiment, the connector may have convex portions formed (e.g., shaped) convexly to respectively contact the first sealing portions, and the first sealing portions (e.g., the first sealing portion may) may be formed (e.g., shaped) convexly toward the convex portions (e.g., respectively).In an embodiment, extension portions may be respectively formed on (e.g. on) the fins, towards the adjacent fins, and the first sealing portion may be / are held on (e.g. on) an inner surface of the extension portion (e.g. of the extension portions) (e.g. abutting, e.g. resting on).In an embodiment, the extension portion (e.g., the extension portions) may extend (out / out) from an upper surface or a lower surface of the slat.In one embodiment, a flat portion (e.g., a planar portion) may be formed in the opposite direction to the convex portions of the connector.In another embodiment, the second sealing portion may be formed to extend (toward) from the connection portion (back / forth) in a direction of moving away from the first sealing portion (e.g., in a direction away from the first sealing portion) and then extend back (e.g., rearward) toward the first sealing portion.In an embodiment, a protrusion may be formed on (e.g., on) a portion of the second sealing portion that extends toward the first sealing portion.In an embodiment, a through hole in the connector into which the shaft is / is inserted (e.g. inserted, e.g. inserted) may be provided in pairs (e.g. paired), and therefore the connector may be / are hingedly connected (e.g. pivotally connected, e.g. hingedly connected) to the two adjacent blades.In one embodiment, the seal may be a connector seal that is / is attached to the connector by being / is inserted (e.g., inserted, e.g., inserted) thereinto (e.g., thereinto), and may seal a gap between the two adjacent blades.In an embodiment, the connector seal may include: a second attachment portion that attaches the connector seal to the connector by being / is inserted (e.g., inserted) into the connector; and a third sealing portion that comes into contact with the two adjacent blades, thereby sealing a gap therebetween (e.g., thereby sealing a gap therebetween) when the cover unit is deployed (e.g., unfolded, e.g., deployed). The connector gasket may further include a second neck portion formed (e.g., shaped) to have a width narrower than the second attachment portion, and (which) connects the second attachment portion and the third sealing portion to each other.In another embodiment, a second seal insertion portion in the form of an elongated hole (e.g., an elongated hole) may be formed (e.g., formed) in the connector along the longitudinal direction of the connector, and the second attachment portion may be / are inserted (e.g., inserted) into the second seal insertion portion.In one embodiment, the third sealing portion may have a cavity in the interior (e.g., in the interior thereof, e.g., within).In an embodiment, the third sealing portion may be formed in such a manner that a width thereof increases toward the second neck portion from an end of the third sealing portion.In an embodiment, extension portions, toward the adjacent fin, may be formed on (e.g., on) the adjacent fins in an associated manner (e.g., each), and the third sealing portion may seal a gap between the extension portions.In an embodiment, the extending portion may extend (back / off) from upper and lower surfaces of the fin.In an embodiment, the two mutually adjacent blades may be formed to have the same height when the cover unit is spread out.With / In the above-described cargo compartment cover unit according to the present disclosure / invention, the louver seal and the connector seal may be provided between the louvers and the connector. Therefore, a phenomenon in which moisture or foreign matter (e.g., foreign matter) enters between the blades and the connector can be avoided or prevented.Moreover, since the sealing performance is / is improved by means of the slat seal and the connector seal, a gap (e.g. a gap) may be / is provided between the slat and the connector such that the slat and the connector are not in direct contact (e.g. come / come) when the slat is / is spread out (e.g. unfolded, e.g. deployed) or folded (e.g. folded, e.g. folded, e.g. retracted), thereby improving the durability (e.g. of the cover unit) and preventing the wear (e.g. thereof).BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGSFIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a state in which a related art folding type cover unit is installed on a vehicle cargo compartment. FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a state in which the folding-type cover unit is expanded from the related art. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the related art folding type cover unit. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A of FIG. 2. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B of FIG. 3. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a sealing structure (e.g., a sealing structure) at upper portions of two adjacent blades in a state where a folding-type cargo compartment cover unit according to the present disclosure / invention is spread out (e.g., extended, e.g., extended, e.g., unfolded, e.g., unfolded). FIG. 7 is an exploded cross-sectional view illustrating the sealing structure of FIG. 6 in an embodiment of the present disclosure / invention. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view illustrating that a gap (e.g., a gap) between lower extension portions of the two adjacent blades is sealed in a state in which the folding-type cargo compartment cover unit according to the present disclosure / invention is (e.g., extended, e.g., extended, e.g., unfolded, e.g., unfolded). FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an upper connecting portion of adjacent blades of the folding-type cargo compartment cover unit according to the present disclosure / invention. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a lower connecting portion of adjacent blades of the folding-type cargo compartment cover unit according to the present disclosure / invention.The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure / invention in any way.DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTSA folding-type cargo compartment cover unit (e.g., a folding cargo compartment cover unit, e.g., a folding cargo compartment cover unit, e.g., a folding-type cargo space cover unit, e.g., a folding cargo space cover unit, e.g., a folding cargo space cover unit) having a sealing structure (e.g., a sealing structure) according to the present disclosure / invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.When a component, a device, an element, or the like of the present disclosure / invention is / is described as having a purpose or performing an operation / operation, a function, or the like, the component, the device, or the element is to be considered herein as being "configured to" achieve the purpose or perform the operation / operation or the function.The folding-type cargo compartment cover unit having a sealing structure (e.g., a sealing structure) according to the present disclosure / invention may include: a plurality of louvers (e.g., a plurality of stripes) 11 arranged sequentially (e.g., in order, e.g., in order without overlap, e.g., successively) along a direction of a vehicle at (e.g., on) an upper side of a vehicle cargo compartment (e.g., a vehicle cargo compartment) (e.g., on top thereof, e.g., on top thereof); Connectors (e.g., connecting members) 12 each disposed (e.g., in associated fashion) between the adjacent slats (e.g., the adjacent slats, e.g., the directly adjacent slats, e.g., the directly adjacent slats) 11; and shafts (e.g., shafts) 13 each hingedly connecting (e.g., pivotally connecting, e.g., hingedly connecting) one of the adjacent slats 11 and the connector 12 together by traversing (e.g., passing through) one of the adjacent slats 11 and the connector 12. The cover unit further includes: gaskets (e.g., weather strips) 14 and 15, each formed of flexible material and provided on (e.g., on) at least one of the blade 11 or the connector 12, thereby sealing a gap (e.g., a gap) between the blade 11 and the connector 12 (e.g., thereby sealing a gap (e.g., a gap) between the blade 11 and the connector 12).The cover unit 10 according to the present disclosure / invention may be / is mounted on (e.g., on) an upper side of the vehicle cargo compartment (e.g., on top thereof, e.g., on top thereof). With a drive mechanism installed in the vehicle cargo compartment, the cover unit 10 may be / are unfolded (e.g., unfolded / unfolded, e.g., deployed) or spread to cover (e.g., cover) the upper portion of the vehicle cargo compartment, or may be / are folded (e.g., folded, e.g., collapsed) in a zigzag manner (e.g., zigzag) to open (e.g., make accessible from the outside) the upper portion thereof (e.g., from the vehicle cargo compartment).The slats 11 may be arranged one after the other (e.g., sequentially, e.g., successively) along a direction of the vehicle at (e.g., on) an upper side of the vehicle charge compartment (e.g., on top thereof, e.g., on top thereof). Normally, the cover unit 10 may be spread out along the longitudinal direction of the vehicle or may be / are folded (e.g., folded, e.g., folded) in a zigzag manner. Accordingly, the sipes 11 formed in a width direction of the vehicle may be arranged along the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. In other words, the slats 11 are elongated (e.g. elongated) and their longitudinal sides (e.g. (relatively) long sides) are aligned with (e.g. aligned with, e.g. parallel to) the width direction of the vehicle. The blades 11 are arranged one after the other (e.g. in sequence, e.g. sequentially, e.g. successively) along the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. When the cover unit 10 is fully spread out (i.e. the slats are fully unfolded (e.g. unfolded / unfolded, e.g. extended)), (then) all slats 11 may be arranged parallel to the floor and close (e.g. fully close) the upper portion of the vehicle cargo compartment). When the cover unit 10 is / is folded (e.g. folded, e.g. folded, e.g. retracted) in a zig-zag manner, the slats 11 may be / are arranged in an upright position (e.g. an upright position) (e.g. relative to the vehicle cargo compartment) and then move towards a front of the vehicle cargo compartment, whereby the upper portion of the vehicle cargo compartment is / is opened (e.g. whereby they open).An extending portion (e.g., an extending portion) 11 aand 11 bmay be formed (e.g., each) at (e.g., a respective) end portion of each sipe 11 in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle in a manner to extend toward the adjacent sipe 11 (e.g., the closest adjacent sipe 11, e.g., the directly adjacent sipe 11, e.g., the adjacent sipe 11, e.g., the directly adjacent sipe 1).Each sipe 11 may include an upper extension portion (e.g., an upper extension portion) 11 athat extends (her / off) from an upper surface of the sipe 11 and a lower extension portion (e.g., a lower extension portion) 11 bthat extends (her / off) from a lower surface of the sipe 11. One of the upper and lower extension portions 11 aand 11 bmay be formed at the front end portion of the sipe 11, and the other of the upper and lower extension portions 11 aand 11 bmay be formed at the rear end portion of the sipe 11. For example, in a case where the lower extending portion 11 bis formed at the front end portion of the sipe 11, the upper extending portion 11 amay be formed at the rear end portion of the sipe 11. Alternatively, in a case where the upper extension portion 11 ais formed at the front end portion of the sipe 11, the lower extension portion 11 bmay be formed at the rear end portion of the sipe 11.The fins 11 may be arranged in such a manner that the extension portions 11 aand 11 bare adjacent to each other (e.g., are adjacent to each other, e.g., are adjacent to each other, e.g., are adjacent to each other). For example, the two adjacent blades 11 may be arranged in such a manner that the upper extending portions 11 aare adjacent to each other (see FIG. 6 ) or that the lower extending portions 11 bare adjacent to each other (see FIG. 8 ).In another embodiment, a first gasket insertion portion (e.g., a first gasket insertion portion, e.g., a first gasket insertion portion, e.g., a first weather strip insertion portion, e.g., a first weather strip insertion portion, e.g., a first weather strip insertion portion) 11 cmay be formed in the shape of an elongated hole (e.g., an elongated hole) in the sipe 11 along the longitudinal direction of the sipe 11. The first gasket insertion portion 11 cmay have an opening having a slit-shaped cross section and includes a space formed inside (e.g., therein, e.g., an inside of the sipe 11, e.g., an inside of the sipe 11). A fin seal (e.g., a fin weather strip) 14 may be / is fixed in the first seal insertion portion 11 cby being inserted (e.g., inserted) into the space.The connector 12 may be disposed between the two adjacent blades 11. The connector 12 may include (e.g., have) a through hole 12 aformed in pairs (e.g., pairs). The shafts 13 may be / are inserted (e.g., inserted) into the through hole 12 ain an associated manner (e.g., each) (e.g., a shaft 13 may be / are inserted into both through holes 12 aof a pair of through holes 12 a). Therefore, the two mutually adjacent blades 11 can be spread out by the corrugations 13 or be / are folded in a zigzag manner. The sipe 11 may be formed in a manner that an end portion (e.g., an end portion thereof) is inclined inward. The shaft 13 may pass through (e.g., pass through) the inward-inclined end portion of the blade 11 and may be / are inserted (e.g., inserted) into the through hole 12 a, thereby hingedly connecting the blade 11 and the connector 12 to each other (e.g., thereby hingedly connecting the blade 11 and the connector 12 to each other). The connector 12 may be disposed between the two adjacent blades 11 and may be / are hingedly connected to each of the adjacent blades 11.The connector 12 may have convex portions 12 cwhich are formed convexly so as to oppose (e.g., face) the upper extending portions 11 aformed in an associated manner (e.g., respectively) at the front end portions of the two adjacent blades 11, and a flat portion (e.g., a flat portion) 12 bformed in the opposite direction to the convex portions 12 c.In one embodiment, a second seal insert portion (e.g., a second seal insert portion, e.g., a second seal insert portion, e.g., a second weather strip insert portion, e.g., a second weather strip insert portion) 12 dmay be formed between the two convex portions 12 c. A connector seal (e.g. a connector weather strip) 15 described below may be / is fixed in the second seal insertion portion 12 dby being inserted (e.g. inserted, e.g. inserted) therein.The connector 12 can be / are hingedly connected to the two adjacent blades 11 by the shafts 13 which are / are inserted (e.g. respectively) into the through holes 12 aof the connector 12 in an associated manner. In order to avoid the interference when the two adjacent blades 11 and the connector 12 rotate, the two blade gaskets 14 and the connector gasket 15 described below may be / are disposed between (e.g., interposed between) the two adjacent blades 11 and the connector 12.Regardless of spreading or zigzag folding of the cover unit 10, the seal ( 14 / 15) capable of sealing the gap between the blade 11 and the connector 12 may be provided between the blade 11 and the connector 12.The gasket 14 and 15 may include the blade gasket 14 that seals the gap between the blade 11 and the connector 12 by being / is inserted (e.g., inserted) into the blade 11, or the connector gasket 15 that seals a gap between the two adjacent blades 11 by being / are inserted (e.g., inserted) into the connector 12.The blade seal 14 and the connector seal 15 may be made of flexible material such as rubber. When the cover unit 10 is spread or folded in a zigzag manner (then), cross-sectional shapes of the fin seal 4 and the connector seal 15 between the two adjacent fins 11 and the connector 12 may be / are deformed (e.g., deformed), thereby coming into close contact with the two adjacent fins 11 or the connector 12 and sealing the gaps therebetween (e.g., the gaps therebetween, e.g., the gaps therebetween, e.g., the gaps therebetween).The blade seal 14 may be / can be fixed in a space formed by the extension portions 11 aand 11 bat the end portion of the blade 11 by being inserted (e.g., inserted) thereinto, and comes into close contact with an outer surface of the connector 12, thereby sealing (e.g., sealing) the gap (e.g., the gap) between the blade 11 and the connector 12. In the state of being attached to the blade 11 (e.g., in the state in which the blade seal is attached to the blade 11), the blade seal 14 surrounds (e.g., encloses) the outer surface of the connector 12, thereby sealing (e.g., sealing) the gap (e.g., the gap) between the blade 11 and the connector 12.To this end, the fin seal 14 may include a first attachment portion 14 a, the first sealing portion 14 c, a second sealing portion 14 d, a connection portion 14 e, and a first neck portion (e.g., a first neck portion) 14 b. The first attachment portion 14 acan attach the louver seal 14 to the louvers 11 by being / is inserted (e.g., inserted, e.g., inserted) into the louver 11. The first sealing portion 14 cmay be formed convexly (e.g., shaped) toward the connector 12 to come into contact with the connector 12. The second sealing portion 14 dmay come into contact with the connector 12 to surround (e.g., enclose) one side thereof. The connecting portion 14 emay connect the first sealing portion 14 cand the second sealing portion 14 dto each other. The first neck portion 14 bmay be formed between the first fastening portion 14 aand the connecting portion 14 ein such a manner as to have a width narrower than the first fastening portion 14 a.The first attachment portion 14 amay be / are inserted into the first gasket insertion portion 11 c,thereby attaching the louver gasket 14 to the louver 11 (e.g., thereby attaching the louver gasket 14 to the louver 11). In other words, the first fixing portion 14 amay be / be disposed within the space in the first gasket insertion portion 11 c. The first neck portion 14 bmay be / are coupled (e.g., coupled) to the first gasket insertion portion 11 c.The first sealing portion 14 cand the second sealing portion 14 dmay be / are connected (e.g. to one another) by means of the connecting portion 14 e. The connecting portion 14 emay be connected to the first neck portion 14 b, and the leaf seal 14 may be integrally formed (e.g., integrally formed, e.g., monolithically).The first seal portion 14 cmay be formed to extend (from) the connection portion 14 ealong the extension portion ( 11 a / 11 b) (e.g., when the louver seal 14 is inserted into the first seal insertion portion 11 c). Moreover, the first sealing portion 14 cmay be / be held on (e.g. resting on) an inner surface of the extension portions 11 aand 11 b(e.g. abutting against, e.g. resting on). The first sealing portion 14 cmay be convexly formed (e.g., shaped) toward the convex portion 12 cof the connector 12. The first sealing portion 14 cand the convex portion 12 cmay be formed convexly (e.g., shaped) to face each other (e.g., face each other), thereby easily (e.g., easily) contacting each other. Therefore, the gap between the extending portions 11 aand 11 bcan be / can be sealed at the blade 11 and the connectors 12.The second sealing portion 14 dmay be bent (e.g. curved) towards the first sealing portion 14 c. In other words, the second sealing portion 14 dmay be formed (e.g., shaped) in the shape of the letter "U" to surround (e.g., enclose) the outer surface of the connector 12, thereby sealing (e.g., sealing) the gap between the blade 11 and the connector 12.A protrusion 14 damay be formed on (e.g., on) a portion of the second sealing portion 14 dextending toward the first sealing portion 14 c.The fin seal 14 may have the first sealing portion 14 cand the second sealing portion 14 d. When the cover unit 10 is / is spread or folded in a zigzag manner, (then), although the blade 11 and the connector 12 change their shape (e.g., their common shape, e.g., their arrangement relative to each other), the gap therebetween (e.g., between the blade 11 and the connector 12) may be / become sealed. Specifically, the protrusion 14 daformed on the louver seal 14 may bring the second seal portion 14 din contact with the outer surface of the connector 12 together with an end portion of the second seal portion 14 d.The connector seal 15 may be / can be attached to the connectors 12 by being inserted (e.g. inserted, e.g. inserted) therein, thereby sealing (e.g. sealing) the gap between the two adjacent blades 11. The connector seal 15 may be / be installed (e.g., installed) in the (e.g., in) connector 12 by being / is inserted (e.g., inserted, e.g., inserted) between the convex portions 12 c.The connector packing 15 may include a second attachment portion 15 a, a third sealing portion 15 c, and a second neck portion (e.g., a second neck portion) 15 b. The second attachment portion 15 acan attach the connector gasket 15 to the connectors 12 (e.g., to a respective connector 12) by being / is inserted (e.g., inserted, e.g., inserted) into the connectors 12 (e.g., into the respective connector 12). When the cover unit 10 is / is spread out, the third sealing portion 15 cmay enter (e.g. penetrate, e.g. be / are disposed in / between) the extension portions 11 aand 11 b(e.g. between the extension portions 11 aand 11 b) of two adjacent blades 11, thereby sealing the gap therebetween (e.g. thereby sealing the gap therebetween). The second neck portion 15 bmay be formed (e.g., shaped) to have a width narrower than the second fixing portion 15 a, and connects the second fixing portion 15 aand the third sealing portion 15 cto each other.The second fixing portion 15 amay be / be fixed to the second gasket inserting portion 12 dby being inserted thereinto. The second gasket insertion portion 12 dmay have a space (e.g., a space formed in the interior (thereof)) formed therein (e.g., a space formed in the connector 12). When the second neck portion 15 bis disposed in an opening in the second gasket insertion portion 12 dand the second fixing portion 15 ais disposed within an opening in the second gasket insertion portion 12 d, the connector gasket 15 may be / can be installed in a state in which the second fixing portion 15 ais fixed to the second gasket insertion portion 12 d.The third seal portion 15 cmay have a space (e.g., a cavity) inside (e.g., have a space inside). Therefore, when the cover unit 10 is / is spread, both sides of the third sealing portion 15 cmay come into contact (e.g., come) with the extension portions 11 aand 11 bon the two adjacent blades 11 in an associated manner, thereby sealing a gap therebetween (e.g., thereby sealing a gap therebetween).When the cover unit 10 is / is folded in a zigzag manner, the third sealing portion 15 cmay be disposed at (e.g., on) the two adjacent blades 11 at a distance from / to the extending portions 11 aand 11 b.The third sealing portion 15 cmay be formed (e.g., shaped) in such a manner that a width thereof increases toward the second neck portion 15 bfrom an end of the third sealing portion 15 c / o. The reason for this is that when the cover unit 10 is / is spread or folded in a zigzag manner, the extension portion 11 aand 11 bon (e.g., on) the blade 11 can easily come into contact with or move away from (e.g., move away from) the third sealing portion 15 c. For example, FIGS. 6, 7, and 9 each illustrate that the width of the third sealing portion 15 cis increased toward the lower end of the figure. FIGS. 8 and 10 each illustrate that the width of the third sealing portion 15 cis increased toward the upper ends of the figure.The operation (e.g., the operation, e.g., the operation) of the folding-type cargo compartment cover unit configured as described above according to the present disclosure / invention will be described as follows.FIGS. 6 and 8 illustrate a cross section of a portion of the cover unit 10 in which blades 11 and the connectors 12 (e.g., the connector 12) may be connected in a state in which the cover unit 10 is spread.In the state in which the cover unit 10 is spread, the upper extension portions 11 amay be disposed adjacent to each other at the adjacent blades 11 (see FIG. 6 ), and the lower extension portions 11 b(see FIG. 8 ) at the adjacent blades 11 may be disposed adjacent to each other.In a portion of the cover unit 10 where the upper extension portions 11 aare arranged adjacently to each other, a gap (e.g., a gap) between the upper extension portions 11 amay be / are sealed with the connector packing 15, thereby preventing moisture or foreign matter (e.g., foreign matter) from entering the vehicle charge compartment.In a portion of the cover unit 10 where the lower extension portions 11 bare disposed adjacently to each other, the second sealing portion 14 dof the louver seal 14 may seal the gap (e.g., the gap) between the louver 11 and the connectors 12 (e.g., the connector 12). The second sealing portion 14 dmay come into close contact with the connectors 12 (e.g., the connector 12) while surrounding (e.g., enclosing) the connector 12. Therefore, the second sealing portion 14 dmay seal the gap (e.g., the gap) between the blade 11 and the connector 12. Moreover, the first sealing portion 14 cof the louver seal can seal a gap (e.g., a gap) between the connectors 12 (e.g., the connector 12) and the extending portion ( 11 a / 11 b), thereby realizing dual sealing.FIGS. 9 and 10 illustrate a portion of the cover unit 10 in which the connector 12 and the mutually adjacent blades 11 may be connected in a state in which the cover unit 10 is folded in a zigzag manner.In the state where the cover unit 10 is folded in a zigzag manner, the blade packing 14 may come into close contact with the connectors 12 (e.g., the connector 12), thereby sealing the gap between the blade 11 and the connectors 12 (e.g., the connector 12) (e.g., thereby sealing the gap between the blade 11 and the connectors 12 (e.g., the connector 12). For example, in FIG. 9, the first sealing portion 14 cof the louver seal 14 may seal a gap between the upper extending portion 11 aof the louver 11 and the connectors 12 (e.g., the connector 12). In FIG. 10, the second sealing portion 14 dof the blade packing 14 may seal the gap between the blade 11 and the connector 12.

Claims

A cover unit (10) having a sealing structure for a cargo compartment of a vehicle, the cover unit (10) comprising: a plurality of blades (11) sequentially arranged on an upper surface of the cargo compartment along a first direction of the vehicle; connectors (12) respectively arranged between adjacent blades (11) of the plurality of blades (11); shafts (13), each of the adjacent blades (11) being hinge-connected to a connector (12) of the connectors (12) by passing through the one blade (11) and the connector (12); and gaskets (14, 15) each formed of flexible material and provided on at least one of the blade (11) or the connector (12), thereby sealing a gap between the blade (11) and the connector (12).The cover unit (10) according to claim 1, wherein the gaskets (14, 15) include a louver gasket (14) that is fixed by being inserted into an end portion of the louver (11) and that seals a gap between the louver (11) and the connector (12) by coming into close contact with an outside of the connector (12).The cover unit (10) according to claim 2, wherein the louver seal (14) includes: a first fixing portion (14a) that fixes the louver seal (14) to the louver (11) by being inserted into the louver (11); a first sealing portion (14c) that is formed convexly toward the connector (12) to come into contact with the connector (12); a second sealing portion (14d) that comes into contact with the connector (12) to surround a side thereof; a connection portion (14e) that connects the first sealing portion (14c) and the second sealing portion (14d) to each other; and a first neck portion (14b) which is formed between the first fixing portion (14a) and the connecting portion (14e) and which has a width which is smaller than a width of the first fixing portion (14a).The cover unit (10) according to claim 3, wherein the fin (11) has a first gasket insertion portion (11c) in a shape of a hole elongated along a longitudinal direction of the fin (11), and wherein the first fixing portion (14a) is inserted into the first gasket insertion portion (11c).The cover unit (10) according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the connector (12) has convex portions (12c) formed convexly to come into contact with the first sealing portions (14c) in an associated manner, and the first sealing portion (14c) is formed convexly toward the convex portions (12c).The cover unit (10) according to any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein extending portions (11a, 11b) are respectively formed on the plurality of blades (11) toward the adjacent blades (11), and wherein the first sealing portion (14c) is held on an inner surface of the extending portions (11a, 11b).The cover unit (10) according to claim 6, wherein the extending portions (11a, 11b) extend from an upper surface or a lower surface of each sipe (11) of the plurality of sipes (11).The cover unit (10) according to claim 5 or according to any one of claims 6 or 7 when taken in combination with claim 5, wherein a flat portion (12b) is formed in an opposite direction to the convex portions (12c).The cover unit (10) according to any one of claims 3 to 8, wherein the second sealing portion (14d) extends from the connection portion (14e) in a direction of moving away from the first sealing portion (14c) and then extends back toward the first sealing portion (14c).The cover unit (10) according to any one of claims 3 to 9, wherein a protrusion (14da) is formed at a portion of the second sealing portion (14d) extending toward the first sealing portion (14c).The cover unit (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein each seal (14, 15) includes a connector seal (15) that is fixed to the connector (12) by being inserted thereinto and seals a gap between the adjacent blades (11).The cover unit (10) according to claim 11, wherein the connector packing (15) includes: a second fixing portion (15a) that fixes the connector packing (15) to the connector (12) by being inserted into the connector (12); a third sealing portion (15c) that comes into contact with the adjacent blades (11), thereby sealing a gap therebetween when the cover unit (10) is spread out; and a second neck portion (15b) that is formed to have a width that is less than a width of the second fixing portion (15a), and that connects the second fixing portion (15a) and the third sealing portion (15c) to each other.The cover unit according to claim 12, wherein a second gasket insertion portion (12d) is formed in a shape of an elongated hole in the connector (12) along a longitudinal direction of the connector (12), and wherein the second fixing portion (15a) is inserted into the second gasket insertion portion (12d).The cover unit (10) according to claim 12 or 13, wherein extending portions (11a, 11b) are formed in an associated manner on the adjacent blades (11), and wherein the third sealing portion (15c) seals a gap between the extending portions (11a, 11b).

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