Cover for a bumper opening

Abstract

Cover (1) for a bumper opening for closing the bumper opening formed in a bumper (B) of a vehicle, comprising: a first projection (3) which is provided on one side of a base body (2) of the cover (1) and inserted into the opening (Ba), and a second projection (4) which is provided on another side opposite one side of the base body (2) of the cover (1) and is inserted into the opening (Ba), wherein the first projection (3) has an easily deformable section (7) which is manufactured to be easily deformable, and a support section (6) for the easily deformable section (7), wherein, by elastic deformation of the easily deformable section (7) to the other side, by bringing the easily deformable section (7) into contact with a hole edge (Baa) of the opening (Ba), the second projection (4) can be brought into close contact with the hole edge (Baa) of the opening (Ba) and the base body (2) of the cover (1) can be brought into contact with the bumper (B), wherein the support section (6) of the first projection (3) comprises a base (6a) which is opposite an outer surface of the hole edge (Baa) of the opening (Ba) and an anti-disengagement section (6b) which is arranged to be opposite an inner surface of the bumper (B) in order to prevent disengagement from the bumper (B), characterized by the fact that the easily deformable section (7) of the first projection (3) is an arm part which is inclined and extends from the anti-slip section (6b) of the support section (6) towards the base (6a) such that a free end (7a) is located on one side of the base (6a).

Description

Field of invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a cover having the features of the preamble of claim 1 and in particular to an improvement of a cover which is attached to a bumper of a vehicle, such as a motor vehicle, and which closes an opening formed in the bumper. Background of the invention

[0002] Publication JP 2010 - 202 088 A concerns a removable cover for closing an opening formed in a bumper.

[0003] The cover disclosed in publication JP 2010-202088A includes claw sections on the left and right and is attached to the bumper by the claw sections engaging in an opening in the bumper. When it is necessary to remove the cover, the tip of a screwdriver is inserted into a space between the opening section and the cover, and the cover is moved to one side. This causes an inclined surface on the top of the cover to slide into contact with an inclined surface of the opening, thereby deforming the cover. This deformation exerts a force on the claw section in the direction in which the cover is removed, thus releasing the engagement.

[0004] A generic cover for a bumper opening is known from both DE 103 40 154 A1 and JP 2011 - 168 175 A. Summary of the invention

[0005] The cover disclosed in publication JP 2010-202088A has a structure that necessitates the aforementioned deformation when removing the cover, and it is difficult to adjust the force required for removal, so the force required may be too great. Furthermore, contact between the cover and the bumper is unavoidable when removing the cover due to the force, so at least some damage may occur. This point is disclosed in paragraph 0027 of JP 2010-202088A.

[0006] The invention therefore addresses the problem of making it easy and correct to remove the cover of this type. Means to solve the problem

[0007] To solve this problem, according to the present invention, a cover for a bumper opening is provided for closing the bumper opening formed in a bumper of a vehicle, having the features of claim 1.

[0008] In the above structure, the cover is securely attached to the bumper. Furthermore, when removing the cover from the bumper, one end of a tool, such as a screwdriver, is inserted into a space between the other side of the cover body and the opening. The cover body is then pressed against the pressure of the easily deformable section in one direction, so that the second projection is removed from the opening, and then the first projection is removed. With this structure, the cover body does not need to be significantly deformed when removing the cover. It is also not necessary to press the cover body against the bumper with excessive force. Moreover, the invention is characterized in that the force required for pressing can be easily adjusted by changing the thickness and shape of the easily deformable part without altering the rest of the structure.

[0009] According to the invention, the support section of the first projection comprises a base that faces an outer surface of the hole edge of the opening, and an anti-disengagement section that is arranged to face an inner surface of the bumper in order to prevent disengagement from the bumper.

[0010] According to the invention, the easily deformable part of the first projection is formed into an arm part which is inclined and extends from the anti-slip section of the support section towards the base, so that a free end is located on one side of the base.

[0011] One embodiment of the invention consists in the second projection being provided with an engagement section in relation to the hole edge, wherein the engagement area is opposite the hole edge of the opening. Advantages of the invention

[0012] According to the present invention, it is possible to remove the mounted cover from the bumper without deforming the base body of the cover, so that no damage to the bumper is caused, and such removal can be carried out simply and correctly. Brief description of the drawings Fig. Figure 1 is a perspective view of essential parts of a cover and a bumper according to an embodiment of the invention; Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the lid, showing the lid in a way that is too Fig. 1 points in the opposite direction; Fig. Figure 3 is a perspective view of a molded part of a first projection that is attached to the cover; Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the molded part of the first projection, showing the first projection in a Fig. 3 points in the opposite direction; Fig. Figure 5 is a perspective view of a molded part of a second projection that is attached to the cover; Fig. Figure 6 is a rear view from the inside of the bumper in a state where the cover is attached to the bumper; Fig. 7 is a sectioned view along a line AA in Fig. 6, in which the cover is shown just before it is attached to the bumper and the bumper is shown together; Fig. Figure 8 is a sectional view along line AA in Fig. 6; Fig. Figure 9 is a sectional view along line BB in Fig. Figure 6, which shows the cover just before it is attached to the bumper and the bumper together. Fig. Figure 10 is a sectional view along line BB in Fig. 6. Exemplary embodiments of the invention

[0013] A typical embodiment of the invention is described below with reference to the Fig. Figures 1 to 10 explain. A cover 1 (lid) according to the embodiment of the invention is attached to a bumper B of a vehicle, such as a motor vehicle, and closes an opening Ba formed in the bumper B. The cover 1 has a structure such that it is removable, and after removal, the cover can be reattached to the bumper B. Typically, the cover 1 closes the opening Ba formed in the bumper, which faces a tow hook (not shown) for towing a vehicle, when the tow hook is not in use. When the tow hook is in use, the cover is removed from the bumper B so that the tow hook can be used through the opening Ba.

[0014] The cover 1 comprises a base body 2, a first projection 3 and a second projection 4. The cover 1 is a plastic injection-molded part, so that the desired property of elastic deformability can be easily and correctly generated in an easily deformable section 7 of the first projection 3, which will be described later.

[0015] The cover body 2 is a plate body with a contour that matches the opening Ba. In the illustrated embodiment, the opening Ba, when viewed from the front of the bumper B, has a square contour with a top edge Bb, left and right sides Bc, and a bottom edge Bd, with four rounded corners. In particular, the opening Ba has a rhombus shape. The cover body has a contour similar to the contour of the opening Ba. When the cover 1 is attached to the bumper B such that one side 2a of the cover body 2 follows the top of the opening Ba and the other side 2b of the cover body 2 follows the bottom of the opening Ba, the opening Ba is closed by the cover body 2 in a state where a small gap is formed between the opening Ba and the cover body 2.

[0016] In the illustrated embodiment, a circumferential edge Bg is formed within the opening Ba to create a circumferential step with respect to an outer surface Be of the bumper B. In the illustrated embodiment, a readily deformable section 7, which will be explained later, of the first projection 3 contacts the circumferential edge Bg, whereby a projecting edge Bh of the circumferential edge Bg becomes a hole rim Baa of the opening Ba and an elastic deformation occurs in the direction of the center of the opening Ba.

[0017] In the illustrated embodiment, projections 2d are formed on an inner surface 2c (a surface positioned such that, in a state where the cover 1 is attached to the bumper B, it points in the same direction as the inner surface Bi of the bumper B), except in the sections where the first projection 3 and the second projection 4 are formed. These projections surround an edge of the base body 2. The distance between an end of the projection 2d and the outer surface 2e of the base body 2 is equal to the distance between the circumferential edge Bg and the outer surface Be of the bumper B. In a state where the circumferential edge Bg contacts the projection 2d, the cover 1 is attached to the bumper B. In the attached state, the outer surface 2e of the base body 2 of the cover and the outer surface Be of the bumper B form a common surface (see Figure 1). Fig. 8 and Fig. 10).

[0018] Furthermore, in the illustrated embodiment, recesses are formed in the circumferential edge Bg at the center of the upper edge Bb and the lower edge Bd of the opening Ba to create narrow sections Bj. The first projection 3 and the second projection 4 are inserted into the inner surface Bi of the bumper B through the cutouts that form the narrow sections. In the illustrated embodiment, a wide section Bk is also formed in the circumferential edge Bg at a corner near the upper edge Bb of the opening Ba, and an elongated hole Bm is formed in the wide section Bk. In the illustrated embodiment, the cover 1 comprises a connecting element 5 in the form of a cord, one end of which is integrated into a corner section where one side 2a and one of the left and right edges 2f touch, and an engagement section 5a in the form of an anchor at the other end.In the connecting element 5, the engagement section 5a is elastically deformed to enter the elongated hole Bm, and afterwards the engagement section 5a, which elastically returns to its original shape, is caught on a surface of the circumferential edge Bg that is opposite the same side as the inner surface Bi of the bumper B. Accordingly, even if the cover 1 is removed from the bumper B, the connecting element 5 does not completely separate the cover 1 from the bumper B.

[0019] The first projection 3 is structured such that it is formed on one side 2a of the base body 2 of the cover and is inserted into the opening Ba. In the illustrated embodiment, the first projection 3 is structured such that it extends integrally from the inner surface 2c of the base body 2 of the cover in the middle of the left-right direction of one side 2a of the base body 2 of the cover.

[0020] Furthermore, the second projection 4 is structured such that it is formed on the other side 2b, which is opposite one side 2a of the base body 2 of the cover, and is inserted into the opening Ba. In the illustrated embodiment, the second projection 4 is structured such that it projects integrally from the inner surface 2c of the base body 2 of the cover in the middle of the left and right directions of the other side 2b of the base body 2 of the cover.

[0021] Furthermore, the first projection 3 includes an easily deformable section 7, which is designed to be easily deformable, and a support section 6 for the easily deformable section 7 (see Fig. 3) And through the elastic deformation of the easily deformable section 7 in the direction of the other side 2b due to the contact of the easily deformable section 7 with the hole edge Baa (in the illustrated embodiment the protruding edge Bh of the circumferential edge Bg in the cutout forming the narrow section Bj) of the opening Ba, the second projection 4 is brought into close contact with the hole edge Baa of the opening Ba, and the base body 2 of the cover is brought into close contact with the bumper B.

[0022] Accordingly, the attachment of cover 1 to bumper B is in the direction (an upper-lower direction in) Fig. 8 and Fig. 10), which crosses one side 2a and the other side 2b of the base body 2 of the cover, stable, and the attachment of the cover 1 to the bumper B in the direction (a left-right direction in Fig. 8 and Fig. 10), which crosses the outer surface 2e and the inner surface 2c of the base body of the cover, also becomes stable.

[0023] Furthermore, when removing the cover 1 from the bumper B, one end of a tool, such as a screwdriver, is inserted between the other side 2b of the cover's base body 2 and the opening Ba. The base body 2 of the cover is then pressed against the pressure of the easily deformable section 7 in one direction (upwards in the illustrated embodiment) to pull the second projection 4 out of the opening Ba, and then the first projection 3 can be pulled out of the opening Ba. During removal, it is not necessary to deform the cover's base body 2 extensively, nor is it necessary to press the cover's base body 2 against the bumper B with great force.The arrangement also has the property that it is possible to adjust the force required for the pressure simply by changing the thickness and shape of the easily deformable section 7, without altering the rest of the structure.

[0024] In the exemplary embodiment, the support section 6 of the first projection 3 comprises a base 6a, the outer side of which is opposite the hole edge Baa of the opening Ba, and a release prevention section 6b to prevent release, which is positioned so that it is opposite the inner surface Bi of the bumper B and can detach from the bumper B.

[0025] The outer surface 6c of the base 6a of the support section 6 is located at a position that is closer to the central direction (a direction towards the other side 2b) of the base body 2 of the cover than one side 2a. A distance x1 (see Fig. 2) between an outer surface 6c of the base 6a of the support section 6 and an outer surface 4b under an engagement section 4a of the second projection 4, which will be explained later, is slightly smaller than a distance y (see Fig. 1) between a protruding edge Bh of the circumferential edge Bg near the upper edge Bb of the opening Ba and a protruding edge Bh of the circumferential edge Bg near the lower edge Bd of the opening Ba.

[0026] The anti-ejection section 6b extends from the projecting end of the base 6a in a direction opposite to the center of the base body 2 of the cover. A projecting end 6d of the anti-ejection section 6b is located on the outside of one side 2a (see Fig. 1) Accordingly, the distance is x2 (see Fig. 2) between the protruding end 6d of the anti-roll section 6b and the outer surface 4b under the engagement section 4a of the second projection 4, which will be explained later, greater than the distance y (see Fig. 1) between the protruding edge Bh of the circumferential edge Bg near the upper edge Bb of the opening Ba and the protruding edge Bh of the circumferential edge Bg near the lower edge Bd of the opening Ba.

[0027] Specifically, the base 6a projects in a direction substantially perpendicular to the inner surface 2c of the base body 2 of the cover. The anti-return section 6b extends at an angle from the projecting end of the base 6a, such that as it approaches the projecting end 6d of the anti-return section 6b, the distance to an imaginary plane containing the inner surface 2c of the base body 2 of the cover gradually increases.

[0028] In the illustrated embodiment, the support section 6 is constructed such that the first ends of the curved left and right legs 6e are integrated into the inner surface 2c of the base body 2 of the cover and a connecting section 6f is formed between the second ends of the left and right legs 6e (see Fig. 4) In the support section 6, a section between a base of the left and right leg 6e and the curved section 6g becomes the base 6a, and a section between the curved section 6g and the second end of the left and right leg 6e becomes the anti-fall section 6b (see Fig. 3)

[0029] On the other hand, in the illustrated embodiment, the easily deformable section 7 of the first projection 3 becomes an arm part that extends in an inclined shape from the anti-slip section 6b of the support section 6 to the base 6a in order to form a free end 7a near the base 6a.

[0030] A distance x3 (see Fig. 9) between an outer surface (a surface that is in Fig. 9 on a top side opposite the central section of the base body 2 of the cover) near the free end 7a, which touches the hole edge Baa of the opening Ba in the easily deformable section 7, and an outer surface 4b under the engagement section 4a of the second projection 4 is slightly larger than the distance y (see Fig. 1) between the protruding edge Bh of the circumferential edge Bg near the upper edge Bb of the opening Ba and the protruding edge Bh of the circumferential edge Bg near the lower edge Bd of the opening Ba.

[0031] Specifically, the easily deformable section 7 is arranged between the left and right legs 6e. The easily deformable section 7 extends at an angle similar to the inclination of the anti-disengagement section 6b from the connecting section 6f. Near its free end 7a, the easily deformable section 7 has a shape similar to the outer surface 6c of the base 6a, and the easily deformable section 7 has a configuration that includes the bending section 7b. In a state where the cover 1 is not attached to the bumper B, an outer surface is located between the bending section 7b and the free end 7a of the easily deformable section 7 somewhat further outward (a top surface in Fig. 9) as the outer surface 6c of the base 6a of the support section 6.

[0032] In the illustrated embodiment, raised sections 7c are arranged side by side with a distance in the left-right direction on the bending section 7b of the easily deformable section 7, and the easily deformable section 7 touches the projecting edge Bh of the circumferential edge Bg as the hole edge Baa of the opening Ba through the raised sections 7c (see Fig. 10). The voting can be carried out by simply grinding the raised section 7c.

[0033] The easily deformable section 7, whose free end 7a is located near the inner surface 2c of the base body 2 of the cover and which is inclined such that it approaches the center of the base body 2 of the cover when approaching the free end 7a, is supported by an imaginary straight line that runs parallel to the thickness direction of the base body of the cover, such that it intersects the central axis z of the opening Ba in the longitudinal direction of the easily deformable section 7 (see Fig. 9 and Fig. 10) and touches the edge of the hole Baa of the opening Ba in an elastically deformed state. Accordingly, a force acts in a direction which is in Fig. 10 is indicated with the sign f1, and a force that is in Fig. 10 is specified with the sign f2, so that the second projection 4 touches the hole edge Baa of the opening Ba and the base body 2 of the cover touches the bumper B closely.

[0034] In the embodiment, the second projection 4 also includes an engagement section 4a in relation to the hole edge Baa, which is opposite the hole edge Baa of the opening Ba.

[0035] In the illustrated embodiment, the engagement section 4a of the second projection 4 comprises an outer surface 4b which is directed towards a side opposite the central side of the base body 2 in a plate which is arranged such that one plate surface of it is directed along the other side 2b.

[0036] The engagement section 4a is formed by creating a raised section that constitutes an engagement surface 4c, which is opposite the inner surface 2c of the base body 2 of the cover at a position approximately midway along the direction of the second projection 4, specifically between the end of the second projection 4 and this midway position. A section between the engagement surface 4c in the engagement section 4a and the end of the second projection 4 becomes an inclined surface 4f, in which the thickness gradually decreases as it approaches the end.

[0037] In a state in which the anti-return section 6b of the first projection 3 is inserted in a direction of the inner surface B1 of the bumper B through the cutout forming the narrow section Bj, which is formed near the upper edge Bb of the opening Ba, with the first projection 3 serving as a pivot point, the other side 2b of the base body 2 of the cover is moved into a position that abuts the circumferential edge Bg near the lower edge Bd of the opening Ba, so that the second projection 4 is inserted into the opening Ba through the cutout forming the narrow section Bj, which is formed near the lower edge Bd of the opening Ba, in order to thereby secure the cover 1 to the bumper B.

[0038] More specifically, as mentioned above, when the section near the other side 2b of the base body 2 of the cover is moved, the inclined surface 4f slidably contacts the projecting edge Bh of the circumferential edge Bg near the lower edge Bd of the opening Ba, so that the cover 1 deforms elastically in one direction to reduce the distance between the first projection 3 and the second projection 4, thereby allowing the insertion of the engagement section 4a of the second projection 4 towards an inside of the circumferential edge Bg. When the engagement section 4a is inserted into the inside of the circumferential edge Bg, the cover 1 elastically returns so that the engagement surface 4c is captured by the inner surface Bi of the bumper B at the circumferential edge Bg. Fig. 10).

[0039] Furthermore, in the illustrated embodiment, 3 ribs 6i are formed outside the left and right outer surfaces 6h of the base 6a of the support section 6 of the first projection along the direction of the projection of the base 6a (see Fig. 4), and on the end surfaces 4d on the left and right thick sides in the second projection 4 ribs 4e are formed along the direction of the projection (see Fig. 5) Through these ribs 6i and 4e, the first projection 3 and the second projection 4 enter the cutouts that form the narrow sections Bj without a gap, thus providing stabilization in the left-right direction (a left-right direction in Fig. 6) the coverage is achieved.

[0040] Removing the cover 1 from the bumper B, which is accomplished by inserting one end of a tool, such as a screwdriver, between the circumferential section 2b of the cover's base body 2 and the opening Ba, and attaching the cover 1 to the bumper, which is accomplished by inserting the engagement section 4a of the second projection 4 into the interior of the circumferential edge Bg, is made possible by (1) the elastic deformation of the easily deformable section 7 of the first projection 3 or (2) the elastic deformation of the base body 2 or the second projection 4, or both in addition to the elastic deformation of the easily deformable section 7 of the first projection 3. In the illustrated embodiment, in addition to the elastic deformation of the easily deformable section 7 of the first projection 3, the base body 2 of the cover 1 is also elastically deformed, thus enabling attachment and removal. Reference symbol list B Bumper Opening Baa Lochrand 1 cover (lid) 2 basic shapes 2a one side 2b other side 3 first lead 4 second lead 6 Support section 7 easily deformable section

Claims

[1] Cover (1) for a bumper opening for closing the bumper opening formed in a bumper (B) of a vehicle, comprising: a first projection (3) which is provided on one side of a base body (2) of the cover (1) and inserted into the opening (Ba), and a second projection (4) which is provided on another side opposite one side of the base body (2) of the cover (1) and is inserted into the opening (Ba), wherein the first projection (3) has an easily deformable section (7) which is manufactured to be easily deformable, and a support section (6) for the easily deformable section (7), wherein, by elastic deformation of the easily deformable section (7) to the other side, by bringing the easily deformable section (7) into contact with a hole edge (Baa) of the opening (Ba), the second projection (4) can be brought into close contact with the hole edge (Baa) of the opening (Ba) and the base body (2) of the cover (1) can be brought into contact with the bumper (B), wherein the support section (6) of the first projection (3) comprises a base (6a) which is opposite an outer surface of the hole edge (Baa) of the opening (Ba) and an anti-disengagement section (6b) which is arranged to be opposite an inner surface of the bumper (B) in order to prevent disengagement from the bumper (B), characterized by , that the easily deformable section (7) of the first projection (3) is an arm part which is inclined and extends from the anti-slip section (6b) of the support section (6) towards the base (6a) such that a free end (7a) is located on one side of the base (6a). [2] Cover for a bumper opening according to claim 1, wherein the second projection (4) is provided with an engagement section (4a) in relation to the hole edge (Baa), wherein the engagement section (4a) is opposite the hole edge (Baa) of the opening (Ba). [3] Cover for a bumper opening according to claim 1 or 2, wherein raised sections (7c) are arranged side by side with a distance in the left-right direction on a bending section (7b) of the easily deformable section (7), and the easily deformable section (7) touches a protruding edge (Bh) of a circumferential edge (Bg) as a hole edge (Baa) of the opening (Ba) through the raised sections (7c).

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