Cover structure for vehicle
The vehicle cover structure addresses the issue of unintentional detachment by using intersecting surfaces and multiple engagement points to securely attach and detach the cover, ensuring reliable coverage of the opening.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- JP2023105847
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2023-06-28
- Publication Date
- 2025-01-17
AI Technical Summary
Existing vehicle cover structures risk unintentional detachment from the opening due to unintentional release of engagement, leading to potential loss or damage.
A vehicle cover structure design featuring intersecting first and second surfaces with connecting surfaces that engage with the opening edges, preventing unintentional detachment by ensuring engagement is maintained through multiple points and elastic deformation.
Prevents the cover from unintentionally coming off the opening by maintaining engagement through multiple points and facilitating easy attachment and detachment.
Smart Images

Figure 2025005612000001_ABST
Abstract
Description
[Technical field]
[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle cover structure. [Background technology]
[0002] A known vehicle cover structure is one in which an opening for a towing hook is provided in a predetermined vehicle component, such as a bumper face, and the opening is covered with a cover. In such a vehicle cover structure, when the towing hook is used, the cover is removed from the opening, and when the towing hook is not used, the opening is covered with the cover.
[0003] Patent Document 1 describes a cover for opening and closing an opening of a vehicle member. The cover has a first surface and a second surface extending in different directions, with a first engagement portion and a second engagement portion provided on the first surface and a third engagement portion provided on the second surface. The first engagement portion engages with the vehicle member so as to become a rotation axis when the cover is opened or closed. The second engagement portion engages with the vehicle member so as to resist the opening direction of the cover about the rotation axis. The third engagement portion does not abut against the opening when the cover is opened, but abuts against the opening when the cover is displaced in a direction different from the opening direction of the cover when the cover is closed.
[0004] Patent Document 1 states that this cover makes it easy to keep the opening of the vehicle component closed, and makes it easy to open and close the opening. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]
[0005] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-55678 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]
[0006] However, in the cover of Patent Document 1, the length of the third engagement portion provided on the second surface is set short enough so that it does not come into contact with the end surface of the opening when the cover is opened. Therefore, if the engagement between the second engagement portion and the opening is unintentionally released, there is a risk that a part of the cover will come off the opening, leaving room for improvement.
[0007] In view of the above problems, the present invention has an object to provide a vehicle cover structure that can prevent a cover from unintentionally coming off from an opening in a vehicle component. [Means for solving the problem]
[0008] In order to solve the above problems, a representative configuration of a vehicle cover structure according to the present invention is a vehicle cover structure comprising a specified vehicle component and a cover covering an opening provided in the vehicle component, wherein the cover comprises a first surface having one or more first engagement portions covering a portion of the opening and engaging with the edge of the opening, a second surface spaced from the first surface and having one or more second engagement portions covering another portion of the opening and engaging with the edge of the opening, and a connecting surface that connects the first surface and the second surface by covering the area surrounded by the first surface, the second surface, and the edge of the opening, and has an intersecting attitude with the first surface and the second surface, and the connecting surface is characterized in that it does not engage with the edge of the opening at at least one of two points where it contacts the edge of the opening. Effect of the Invention
[0009] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a vehicle cover structure that can prevent a cover from unintentionally coming off from an opening of a vehicle component. [Brief description of the drawings]
[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing a vehicle cover structure according to an embodiment of the present invention together with a part of a vehicle. [Diagram 2] 2 is a diagram showing a main part of the vehicle cover structure of FIG. 1. [Diagram 3] 2 is a diagram showing a cover of the vehicle cover structure of FIG. 1. [Figure 4] 2(a) is a cross-sectional view of the vehicle cover structure taken along line AA in FIG. [Diagram 5] 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB of the vehicle cover structure of FIG. 2(a). [Figure 6] 3A to 3C are diagrams showing a procedure for removing the cover of FIG. 2(a). DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0011] A representative configuration of a vehicle cover structure according to one embodiment of the present invention is a vehicle cover structure comprising a specified vehicle component and a cover covering an opening provided in the vehicle component, wherein the cover comprises a first surface having one or more first engagement portions covering a portion of the opening and engaging with the edge of the opening, a second surface spaced from the first surface having one or more second engagement portions covering another portion of the opening and engaging with the edge of the opening, and a connecting surface connecting the first surface and the second surface by covering the area surrounded by the first surface, the second surface, and the edge of the opening and having an intersecting attitude with the first surface and the second surface, wherein the connecting surface does not engage with the edge of the opening at least one of two points where it contacts the edge of the opening.
[0012] In the cover configured as described above, the first surface and the second surface that engage with the edge of the opening of the vehicle member are connected by the connecting surface, whereby the first surface and the second surface of the cover can reliably engage with the edge of the opening of the vehicle member to cover the opening.
[0013] The connecting surface of the cover has an orientation in which it intersects with the first surface and the second surface, and at least one of the two locations in contact with the edge of the opening is not engaged with the edge of the opening. Therefore, when the edge of the opening is released from the first surface or the second surface by a predetermined tool in the operation of removing the cover from the opening of the vehicle member, at least one location of the connecting surface that is not engaged with the edge of the opening is displaced. As a result, even if the first surface or the second surface is released from the edge of the opening, it is difficult for the first surface or the second surface to receive a reaction force (resistance force) from the second surface or the first surface. Therefore, according to the above configuration, in the operation of removing the cover from the opening of the vehicle member, it is possible to prevent the engagement between the first surface or the second surface of the cover and the edge of the opening from being unintentionally released, causing the cover to come off from the opening. The first surface and the second surface may be in an orientation in which they intersect with each other, or may not be in an orientation in which they do not intersect with each other.
[0014] One of the one or more first engagement portions of the first surface may be adjacent to one location of the connecting surface.
[0015] As a result, when the cover is attached to the opening, it is possible to prevent a gap from occurring between a point on the connecting surface adjacent to the first engagement portion and the edge of the opening, or to prevent the point on the connecting surface from deforming so as to move away from the opening.
[0016] Preferably, none of the two points on the connecting surface are engaged with the edge of the opening, and the first surface has two first engagement portions adjacent to the two points on the connecting surface, respectively.
[0017] As a result, the first surface engages with the edge of the opening by the two first engagement portions, and the engagement area of the first surface with the opening can be increased. Therefore, the first surface can be reliably engaged with the edge of the opening, and unintentional removal of the cover can be prevented. In addition, since the two first engagement portions are adjacent to two locations on the connecting surface, when the first surface of the cover is attached to or detached from the edge of the opening using the two engagement portions, the connecting surface is displaced, making the work easy.
[0018] The above cover may have a third surface covering an area opposite to the connecting surface of the first surface, the third surface having an orientation that intersects with the first surface and a third engagement portion that engages with the edge of the opening.
[0019] In this way, the third surface of the cover is located on the opposite side to the connecting surface of the first surface, has a posture that intersects with the first surface, and engages with the edge of the opening by the third engagement portion. Therefore, compared to the case where an engagement portion that engages with the opening is provided on the edge of the first surface opposite the connecting surface instead of the third surface, by the third surface engaging with the edge of the opening by the third engagement portion, it is possible to make it easier to elastically deform the cover and to facilitate the operation of attaching and removing the cover by adjusting the engagement direction between the third engagement portion of the third surface and the edge of the opening.
[0020] The direction in which the third engagement portion of the third surface engages with the edge of the opening may extend so as to intersect with the opening direction of the cover.
[0021] This makes it possible to release part of the engagement between the third engagement portion on the third surface and the edge of the opening in conjunction with the operation of releasing the engagement between the first engagement portion on the first surface and the edge of the opening, making it easy to attach and remove the cover.
[0022] The above-mentioned cover has a third surface covering an area opposite to the connecting surface of the first surface, the third surface having an orientation that intersects with the first surface and a third engagement portion that engages with the edge of the opening, and the third engagement portion may include an inclined surface that is inclined along the opening direction of the cover.
[0023] As a result, the third engagement portion on the third surface and the edge of the opening are engaged or disengaged along the inclined surface of the third engagement portion, making it easy to attach and detach the cover.
[0024] The above-mentioned cover is provided with a fall prevention portion that prevents the cover from falling, and the vehicle component has a retaining portion that holds the fall prevention portion and a plurality of panel surfaces that respectively correspond to the first surface, second surface, connecting surface and third surface of the cover, and the retaining portion is formed to span the plurality of panel surfaces.
[0025] In this way, the holding portion of the vehicle component holds the fall prevention portion of the cover, so that the cover can be prevented from falling off the vehicle component. In addition, since the holding portion is formed to span multiple panel surfaces, deformation of the multiple panel surfaces can be suppressed.
[0026] The second surface may be tapered toward one point on the connecting surface and away from one of the one or more first engagement portions.
[0027] As a result, when the first engagement portion on the first surface is disengaged from the edge of the opening to open the cover while the second engagement portion on the second surface is engaged with the edge of the opening, the distance between the first engagement portion on the first surface and the second surface increases, which increases the distance of the first engagement portion on the first surface from the starting point of rotation, making it easy to attach and detach the cover. EXAMPLES
[0028] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The dimensions, materials, and other specific values shown in the embodiments are merely examples for facilitating understanding of the invention, and do not limit the present invention unless otherwise specified. In this specification and drawings, elements having substantially the same functions and configurations are given the same reference numerals to avoid repeated explanations, and elements not directly related to the present invention are not shown.
[0029] Fig. 1 is a diagram showing a vehicle cover structure 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention together with a part of a vehicle 102. Fig. 1(a) shows the vehicle cover structure 100 as viewed from the front of the vehicle. Fig. 1(b) is an enlarged view of a main part of the vehicle cover structure 100 in Fig. 1(a). In each of the following figures, the front-rear direction of the vehicle is indicated by arrows Front and Back, the left and right directions of the vehicle width are indicated by arrows Left and Right, and the top-bottom direction of the vehicle are indicated by arrows Up and Down.
[0030] The vehicle cover structure 100 includes a bumper face 104, which is a vehicle member of a vehicle 102, and a cover 106. The bumper face 104 also includes an upper panel portion 108 shown in Fig. 1(a). The bumper face 104 is provided with an opening 110 for a towing hook (see Fig. 1(b)).
[0031] 1(b), the bumper face 104 includes a first panel surface 112, a second panel surface 114, a third panel surface 116, and a fourth panel surface 118, and each panel surface extends in an arc shape toward the bottom of the vehicle as it approaches the outer side in the vehicle width direction. Although not shown, the first panel 112 may be provided with a plurality of projections and recesses extending in the vehicle width direction, for example.
[0032] The bumper face 104 includes a reinforcing rib 120 and a connecting rib 122. The reinforcing rib 120 extends in the vehicle width direction below the first panel surface 112. The connecting rib 122 extends in the vehicle up-down direction and connects the second panel surface 114 and the reinforcing rib 120, suppressing deformation of the periphery of the opening 110 of the bumper face 104 and suppressing unintentional removal of the cover 106.
[0033] The cover 106 is a lid that covers an opening 110 in the bumper face 104. In the vehicle cover structure 100, the cover 106 is removed from the opening 110 when a towing hook (not shown) is used, and the opening 110 is covered with the cover 106 when the towing hook is not used.
[0034] 1(b), a recess 124 is provided in the cover 106. When removing the cover 106 from the opening 110 of the bumper face 104, a worker can insert a tool (not shown) into the recess 124 of the cover 106 to apply a load to the cover 106. Thus, the recess 124 is provided in the cover 106, making it easier to remove the cover 106.
[0035] Fig. 2 is a diagram showing a main part of the vehicle cover structure 100 in Fig. 1. Fig. 2(a) is a diagram showing the vehicle cover structure 100 in Fig. 1(b) as viewed from the rear side of the vehicle. Fig. 2(b) is a diagram showing the bumper face 104 in a state where the cover 106 is omitted from the vehicle cover structure 100 in Fig. 2(a).
[0036] Fig. 3 is a diagram showing the cover 106 of the vehicle cover structure 100 of Fig. 1. Fig. 3(a) is a perspective view showing the vehicle rear side of the cover 106. Fig. 3(b) is a diagram showing the cover 106 of Fig. 2(a).
[0037] The cover 106 includes a first surface 126, a second surface 128, a connecting surface 130, a third surface 132, and a drop prevention portion 134. The first surface 126, the second surface 128, the connecting surface 130, and the third surface 132 are not limited to flat surfaces, and may be curved surfaces that are curved with a predetermined radius of curvature. The first surface 126 is a surface that covers a partial area of the opening 110. The first surface 126 has one or more (two in this case) first engagement portions 138a, 138b that engage with the notched edges 136a, 136b of the opening 110 shown in FIG. 2(b).
[0038] The second surface 128 is a surface that is separated from the first surface 126 and covers another part of the area of the opening 110. The second surface 128 has one or more (two in this case) second engagement portions 142a, 142b that engage with the notched edges 140a, 140b of the opening 110 shown in FIG. 2(b). The second surface 128 also has a plurality of projections and recesses on its exterior surface 128a shown in FIG. 1(b). This increases the contact area between the hand of an operator attaching or detaching the cover 106 and the exterior surface 128a of the second surface 128, making it difficult for the cover 106 to slip when gripped.
[0039] The connecting surface 130 is a surface that connects the first surface 126 and the second surface 128 by covering the area surrounded by the first surface 126, the second surface 128, and the edges 143a, 143b of the opening 110 shown in Fig. 2(b), and is bridge-shaped across the opening 110. The connecting surface 130 has an orientation in which it intersects with the first surface 126 and the second surface 128, and extends in an orientation different from that of the first surface 126 and the second surface 128 as shown in Fig. 3(a). The first surface 126 and the second surface 128 may or may not intersect with each other.
[0040] Furthermore, the connecting surface 130 does not engage with the edges 143a, 143b of the opening 110 at least at one of the two points 144a, 144b (here, the two points 144a, 144b) that contact the edges 143a, 143b of the opening 110. Furthermore, the two points 144a, 144b of the connecting surface 130 are adjacent to the first engagement portions 138a, 138b of the first surface 126, respectively, as shown in Figures 3(a) and 3(b).
[0041] The third surface 132 is a surface that covers the area of the first surface 126 on the opposite side to the connecting surface 130. The third surface 132 has a posture that intersects with the first surface 126, and extends in a posture different from that of the first surface 126, as shown in Fig. 3(a). Furthermore, the third surface 132 has a third engagement portion 148 that engages with the notched edge 146 of the opening 110 shown in Fig. 2(b).
[0042] As shown in FIG. 2B, the opening 110 of the bumper face 104 connects edges 136a, 136b, edges 140a, 140b, edges 143a, 143b and edge 146 to form a cover storage section 149 as a whole.
[0043] 1(b) and 2(a), the first surface 126, the second surface 128, the connecting surface 130, and the third surface 132 of the cover 106 correspond to the second panel surface 114, the first panel surface 112, the second panel surface 114, and the third panel surface 116 of the bumper face 104, respectively. Since each panel surface of the bumper face 104 is arc-shaped, each surface of the cover 106 also extends in an arc shape.
[0044] The cover 106 has a plurality of ribs 150, 152, 153. The ribs 150 are erected at a predetermined interval in the vehicle width direction along a boundary 150a between the first surface 126 and the connecting surface 130 so as to connect the first surface 126 and the connecting surface 130. This makes it possible to suppress unintended deformation of the first surface 126 and the connecting surface 130 near the boundary 150a.
[0045] The ribs 152 are erected at a predetermined interval in the vehicle width direction along a boundary 152a between the first surface 126 and the third surface 132 so as to connect the first surface 126 and the third surface 132. This makes it possible to suppress unintended deformation of the first surface 126 and the third surface 132 near the boundary 152a. The number of these ribs 150, 152 may be changed as appropriate, making it possible to adjust the ease or difficulty of deformation near the boundary 150a between the first surface 126 and the connecting surface 130 and near the boundary 152a between the first surface 126 and the third surface 132.
[0046] The fall prevention portion 134 is a portion that prevents the cover 106 from falling off, and is attached by integral molding or the like near the boundary 152a between the first surface 126 and the third surface 132. The fall prevention portion 134 is held by a holding portion 154 provided on the bumper face 104 (see FIGS. 2(a) and 2(b)).
[0047] The holding portion 154 has an insertion hole 154a. The fall prevention portion 134 is held by the holding portion 154 as its tip portion 134a passes through the insertion hole 154a from the front side of the vehicle while elastically deforming. The holding portion 154 is also formed to straddle the second panel surface 114 and the third panel surface 116 of the bumper face 104. This makes it possible to suppress deformation of the second panel surface 114 and the third panel surface 116.
[0048] 2(a), 3(a) and 3(b), the plurality of ribs 153 of the cover 106 (two in this example) are provided so as to straddle the first surface 126 and the third surface 132. This makes it possible to prevent the first surface 126 and the third surface 132 from being unintentionally deformed in the vicinity of the boundary 152a.
[0049] In addition, the base end 134b of the fall prevention part 134 is connected to the first surface 126 by the rib 153. Therefore, in the fall prevention part 134, deformation such as displacement of the tip end 134a of the fall prevention part 134 in the direction of disengagement can be suppressed. Furthermore, since the rib 153 is provided so as to straddle the first surface 126 and the third surface 132, a closed cross section is formed between the base end 134b of the fall prevention part 134 and the first surface 126, the third surface 132, and the multiple ribs 153. This can increase the support rigidity of the fall prevention part 134.
[0050] In the cover 106, a boundary 129a (see FIGS. 3(a) and 3(b)) between the second surface 128 and the connecting surface 130 is inclined downward as it approaches a point 144a of the connecting surface 130. The second surface 128 becomes thinner as it approaches a point 144a of the connecting surface 130 so as to move away from the first engagement portion 138a of the first surface 126, for example, as shown in FIG. 3(a).
[0051] Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA of the vehicle cover structure 100 in Fig. 2(a). Fig. 4(a) is a front perspective view showing the state in which the AA cross section is viewed from the direction indicated by the arrow C in Fig. 5. Fig. 4(b) is a top view of the AA cross section.
[0052] As shown in Fig. 4(a) and Fig. 4(b), the connecting surface 130 extends in the vehicle front-rear direction. The first engagement portions 138a, 138b of the first surface 126 engage with the notched edges 136a, 136b of the opening 110 to cover the opening 110. The boundary 129a between the second surface 128 and the connecting surface 130 extends further toward the rear of the vehicle as it moves toward the outside in the vehicle width direction (to the right in the figure) as shown in Fig. 4(b). Therefore, the distance between the first engagement portion 138a of the first surface 126 and the second surface 128 becomes larger as it approaches one point 144a (see Fig. 3) of the connecting surface 130.
[0053] Fig. 5 is a BB cross-sectional view of the vehicle cover structure 100 in Fig. 2(a). Arrow α shown in the figure indicates the opening direction of the cover 106, which is the direction in which the cover 106 rotates so as to fall forward of the vehicle, starting from the second engaging portion 142a of the second surface 128 that engages with the edge 140a of the opening 110. The cover 106 rotates backward of the vehicle along the mounting direction indicated by arrow β in the figure and is mounted to the opening 110.
[0054] 5, the engagement direction D of the third engagement portion 148 of the third surface 132 with the edge 146 of the opening 110 extends so as to intersect with the opening direction α of the cover 106. Furthermore, the third engagement portion 148 includes an inclined surface 148a. This inclined surface 148a is inclined so as to be substantially aligned with the opening direction α of the cover, as indicated by the arrow E.
[0055] Fig. 6 is a diagram showing a procedure for removing the cover 106 of Fig. 2(a). First, an operator inserts a jig (not shown) into the recessed portion 124 of the cover 106 and applies a load in the direction indicated by the arrow F in Fig. 6(a). As a result, the first engagement portion 138a of the first surface 126 of the cover 106 is disengaged from the edge 136a of the opening 110, and at the same time, the third engagement portion 148 of the third surface 132 is also disengaged from the edge 146 of the opening 110.
[0056] Therefore, the cover 106 is displaced toward the inside in the vehicle width direction (to the left in the figure) as indicated by dotted line G. At this time, the engagement between the first engagement portion 138b of the first surface 126 and the edge 136b of the opening 110 is maintained, and further the engagement between the second engagement portions 142a, 142b of the second surface 128 and the edges 140a, 140b of the opening 110 is also maintained.
[0057] Next, as shown by the arrow H in FIG. 6(b), when the worker applies a load to the cover 106 toward the outside in the vehicle width direction (the right side in the figure), the cover 106 shifts toward the outside in the vehicle width direction as shown by the dotted line I in the figure, and the engagement between the first engagement portion 138b of the first surface 126 and the edge 136b of the opening 110 is released. Note that in FIG. 6(b), the dotted line G shown in FIG. 6(a) is added by a solid line. At this time, although the cover 106 shifts toward the outside in the vehicle width direction, the engagement between the second engagement portions 142a, 142b of the second surface 128 and the edges 140a, 140b of the opening 110 is maintained. In particular, since the engagement between the second engagement portion 142b of the second surface 128 and the edge 140b of the opening 110 (FIG. 2(b)) is maintained while the cover 106 shifts toward the outside in the vehicle width direction, the disengagement can be further prevented.
[0058] 6(c), the worker further shifts the cover 106 outward in the vehicle width direction, thereby releasing the engagement between the second engagement portion 142b of the second surface 128 and the edge 140b of the opening 110. As a result, the cover 106 rotates so as to fall forward of the vehicle along the opening direction α shown in FIG.
[0059] The worker can then remove the cover 106 from the opening 110 in the bumper face 104 by pulling the cover 106 upward to disengage the second engagement portion 142a of the second surface 128 from the edge 140a of the opening 110.
[0060] As described above, in the vehicle cover structure 100, the cover 106 connects the first surface 126 and the second surface 128, which engage with each edge of the opening 110 of the bumper face 104, with the connecting surface 130. This allows the cover 106 to cover the opening 110 by reliably engaging the first surface 126 and the second surface 128 with each edge of the opening 110.
[0061] Furthermore, the connecting surface 130 of the cover 106 is oriented so as to intersect with the first surface 126 and the second surface 128, and is not engaged with the edges 143a, 143b of the opening 110 at two points 144a, 144b that contact the edges 143a, 143b of the opening 110.
[0062] For this reason, in the operation of removing cover 106 from opening 110 of bumper face 104, when the edges of opening 110 are disengaged from first surface 126 or second surface 128 by a predetermined tool, at least one of two points 144a, 144b of connecting surface 130 that are not engaged with edges 143a, 143b of opening 110 is displaced. As a result, even if first surface 126 or second surface 128 is disengaged from each edge of opening 110, it is less likely to receive a reaction force (resistance) from second surface 128 or first surface 126.
[0063] Therefore, according to the vehicle cover structure 100, when removing the cover 106 from the opening 110 in the bumper face 104, the engagement between the first surface 126 or the second surface 128 of the cover 106 and each edge of the opening 110 can be prevented from being unintentionally released, thereby preventing the cover 106 from coming off the opening 110.
[0064] Furthermore, first surface 126 engages with edges 136a, 136b of opening 110 by two first engagement portions 144a, 144b, thereby increasing the engagement area of first surface 126 with opening 110. Therefore, first surface 126 can be reliably engaged with edges 136a, 136b of opening 110, preventing cover 106 from being unintentionally removed.
[0065] In addition, the two first engagement parts 138a, 138b of the first surface 126 are adjacent to two points 144a, 144b of the connecting surface 130, respectively. Therefore, when attaching or detaching the first surface 126 of the cover 106 to or from the edges 136a, 136b of the opening 110 using the two first engagement parts 138a, 138b, one of the two adjacent points 144a, 144b of the connecting surface 130 is displaced, so that the work can be easily performed. Furthermore, in a state where the cover 106 is attached to the opening 110, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of a gap or the like between one point of the connecting surface 130 and the edges 143a, 143b of the opening 110, or the deformation of one point of the connecting surface 130 so as to move away from the opening 110.
[0066] Additionally, third surface 132 has a posture that intersects with first surface 126, and engages with edge 146 of opening 110 by third engagement portion 148. This makes it easier for cover 106 to be elastically deformed, and further makes it easier to attach and detach cover 106 by adjusting engagement direction D between third engagement portion 146 and edge 146 of opening 110 shown in FIG.
[0067] 5 of cover 106. Therefore, a part of the engagement between third engagement portion 146 and edge 146 of opening 110 can be released in conjunction with the operation of releasing the engagement between first engagement portions 138a, 138b of first surface 126 and edges 136a, 136b of opening 110, so that the operation of attaching and detaching cover 106 can be easily performed.
[0068] Furthermore, since the third engagement portion 148 includes an inclined surface 148a that is inclined along the opening direction of the cover 106, the third engagement portion 148 and the edge 146 of the opening 110 are engaged with or disengaged from each other along the inclined surface 148a of the third engagement portion 148. This makes it easy to attach and detach the cover 106.
[0069] Furthermore, in cover 106, second surface 128 becomes thinner as it approaches one point 144a of connecting surface 130, and the distance between first engagement portion 138a of first surface 126 and second surface 128 becomes larger as it approaches one point 144a of connecting surface 130 (see Figures 3 and 4).
[0070] As a result, when the first engagement portion 138a of the first surface 126 is disengaged from the edge 136a of the opening 110 to open the cover 106 while the second engagement portions 142a, 142b of the second surface 128 are engaged with the edges 140a, 140b of the opening 110, the distance between the first engagement portion 138a of the first surface 126 and the second surface 128 becomes large. Therefore, the distance from the starting point of rotation of the first engagement portion 138a of the first surface 126 becomes large, and the operation of attaching and detaching the cover 106 can be easily performed.
[0071] Furthermore, in cover 106, no rib equivalent to ribs 150, 152 shown in Figures 3(a) and 3(b) is formed at boundary 129a between second surface 128 and connecting surface 130. However, boundary 129a is curved in an arc shape, so that excessive deformation of second surface 128 relative to connecting surface 130 can be suppressed.
[0072] The vehicle cover structure 100 includes the bumper face 104, which is a vehicle component of the vehicle 102, and the cover 106 (towing hook cover), which is a lid that covers the opening 110 of the bumper face 104, but is not limited to this. As an example, the vehicle component may include an exterior panel such as a grille or a rear bumper face. In addition, the cover is not limited to the towing hook cover, and may include, for example, a fuel supply lid or a power supply port lid for a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV).
[0073] Although the preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment. It is clear that a person skilled in the art can think of various modifications or alterations within the scope of the claims, and it is understood that these also naturally belong to the technical scope of the present invention. [Industrial Applicability]
[0074] The present invention can be used in a vehicle cover structure. [Explanation of symbols]
[0075] 100...Vehicle cover structure 102...Vehicle 104…Bumper Face 106…Cover 108…Upper panel 110…Opening 112…First panel surface 114…Second panel surface 116…Third panel surface 118…4th panel 120…Reinforcing rib 122…Connecting rib 124…Recess 126...Side 1 128…Second side 128a…Exterior surface 129a…Boundary between the second surface and the connecting surface 130…Connection surface 132...Third side 134…Fall prevention part 134a…Tip of fall prevention part 134b...base end of fall prevention part 136a, 136b, 140a, 140b, 143a, 143b, 146...Edge of opening 138a, 138b...first engagement part 142a, 142b...second engagement part 144a, 144b...Connecting surface 148...Third engagement portion 148a…Slope surface 149…Cover storage section 150, 152, 153…Ribs 150a...Boundary between the first surface and the connecting surface 152a...Boundary between the first and third sides 154...Holding part 154a...insertion hole
Claims
1. A vehicle cover structure including a predetermined vehicle component and a cover for covering an opening provided in the vehicle component, The cover is a first surface having one or more first engagement portions that cover a partial area of the opening and engage with an edge of the opening; a second surface spaced apart from the first surface, covering another part of the opening and having one or more second engagement portions that engage with an edge of the opening; a connecting surface that connects the first surface and the second surface by covering an area surrounded by the first surface, the second surface, and an edge of the opening, and that has an orientation that intersects with the first surface and the second surface; The vehicle cover structure, wherein the connecting surface does not engage with the edge of the opening at at least one of two points where the connecting surface contacts the edge of the opening.
2. The vehicle cover structure according to claim 1 , wherein one of the one or more first engagement portions of the first surface is adjacent to the one location of the connecting surface.
3. None of the two points of the coupling surface engage with the edge of the opening, 3. The vehicle cover structure according to claim 1, wherein the first surface has two first engagement portions adjacent to the two locations of the connecting surface, respectively.
4. the cover includes a third surface that covers an area of the first surface opposite to the connecting surface, The vehicle cover structure according to claim 2 , wherein the third surface has a position intersecting with the first surface and has a third engagement portion that engages with an edge of the opening.
5. The vehicle cover structure according to claim 4, wherein a direction in which the third engagement portion of the third surface engages with the edge of the opening extends so as to intersect with a direction in which the cover is opened.
6. the cover includes a third surface that covers an area of the first surface opposite to the connecting surface, the third surface has a position intersecting with the first surface and has a third engagement portion that engages with an edge of the opening, The vehicle cover structure according to claim 1 or 4, wherein the third engagement portion includes an inclined surface that is inclined along an opening direction of the cover.
7. The cover includes a drop prevention portion that prevents the cover from dropping, The vehicle member includes: A holding part that holds the fall prevention part; a plurality of panel surfaces respectively corresponding to the first surface, the second surface, the connecting surface, and the third surface of the cover; The vehicle cover structure according to claim 4, wherein the holding portion is formed so as to straddle the plurality of panel surfaces.
8. The vehicle front structure according to any one of claims 2, 4, 5 and 7, characterized in that the second surface tapers away from one of the one or more first engagement portions as it approaches the one point on the connecting surface.
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JP2021055678A