Striker mounting structure

Abstract

To avoid a striker for holding a trunk lid in a closed state from interfering with an operator operating in a state where the trunk lid is in an open state.SOLUTION: In order to engage in a closed state a trunk lid equipped so as to open / close via an arm member on an opening of a trunk room 2 arranged under a floor of a vehicle 1, a striker 11 is supported by a vehicle body structure member 1A constituting an upper edge portion 2U of the opening and is brought into engagement with a catcher disposed on a trunk lid. A striker mounting structure 10A is adapted to mount the striker to a vehicle body of the vehicle and is provided with a movable support member 15, a biasing member, and an interlocking member 13. The movable support member 15 is disposed in the vehicle body structure member 1A to support the striker 11 such that the striker is movable between a protruding state and a retracted state. The biasing member exerts biasing force by which the striker 11 is brought into the protruding state. The interlocking member 13 moves the striker 11 into the retracted state when the trunk lid is opened.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a striker mounting structure for a trunk lid of a vehicle.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, in a large bus, there is a configuration in which a trunk is provided under the floor of the bus so that passengers' luggage can be stored. In this case, for example, the opening of the trunk is provided on the side surface of the bus body and is opened and closed by a swing-type trunk lid. When closing the trunk, the opening is blocked by the trunk lid, and when opening the trunk, the trunk lid is pulled upward and outward in the vehicle width direction with respect to the opening (see Patent Document 1). Also, as a structure for holding the trunk lid in a closed state, a protruding striker protruding downward from the upper edge of the opening is provided, and the striker is engaged with a catcher provided at the upper end of the trunk lid in the closed state of the trunk lid, which is known.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, the above-described striker is generally fixed in a state of protruding downward from the upper edge of the opening. When an operator takes in and out luggage from inside the trunk with the trunk lid open, the operator is likely to interfere with the striker, which may hinder the work of taking in and out luggage. This invention was conceived by paying attention to such problems, and one of its purposes is to provide a striker mounting structure that can prevent a striker for holding the trunk lid in a closed state from interfering with an operator when the trunk lid is open.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0005] This case is made to solve at least a part of the above problems and can be realized as the following aspects or application examples. The striker mounting structure according to this application example is for locking a trunk lid that is equipped to be openable and closable via an arm member to an opening of a trunk room disposed under the floor of a vehicle in a closed state. A striker that is supported by a vehicle body structure member that constitutes an upper edge portion of the opening and engages with a catcher provided at an open-side end of the trunk lid is attached to the vehicle body of the vehicle. The striker mounting structure includes a movable support member provided on the vehicle body structure member for movably supporting the striker between a protruding state in which the striker protrudes below the upper edge portion and a retracted state in which the striker is retracted above the upper edge portion, a biasing member that exerts a biasing force for protruding the striker to the protruding state and that exerts a biasing force smaller than an open holding force for holding the trunk lid in an open state, and a linkage member that moves in conjunction with the arm member when the trunk lid is opened and closed and that moves the striker to the retracted state when the trunk lid is opened.

[0006] According to this application example, when the trunk lid is opened, the striker moves upward as the arm member rotates upward. As a result, the striker changes from a protruding state in which it protrudes downward from the upper edge portion to a retracted state in which it is retracted upward. As a result, when loading and unloading luggage into the trunk room with the trunk lid open, it is possible to prevent an operator from interfering with the striker.

Advantages of the Invention

[0007] According to the striker mounting structure of this case, it is possible to prevent a striker for holding the trunk lid in a closed state from interfering with an operator who works with the trunk lid open.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

Figure 12

Figure 13

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] With reference to the drawings, the striker mounting structure as an embodiment will be described. The following embodiments are merely examples, and there is no intention to exclude various modifications and applications of technologies not explicitly shown in the following embodiments. Each configuration of the embodiments can be implemented with various modifications without departing from their gist. Also, it can be selectively adopted as necessary, or appropriately combined.

[0010] In the following description, the forward direction of the vehicle is defined as the front of the vehicle (simply referred to as "front", "FR" in the figure), the reverse direction is defined as the rear of the vehicle (simply referred to as "rear", "RR" in the figure), and the left and right are determined based on the front. The left and right directions can also be referred to as the vehicle width direction, and the vehicle front-rear direction is simply referred to as the "front-rear direction". Note that "LH" in the figure indicates the left direction when the vehicle is facing forward. Also, the direction of gravity is defined as downward, and the opposite is upward ( "UP" in the figure) to define the vertical direction. Note that the vertical direction does not have to completely coincide with the plumb line direction and may be slightly inclined with respect to the plumb line direction. Similarly, the front-rear direction and the left-right direction do not have to completely coincide with the horizontal direction.

[0011] [Configuration Common to Each Embodiment] The vehicle to which the striker mounting structures 10A to 10D according to each embodiment are applied is a large bus. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the main part of the left side of the vehicle 1 equipped with the striker mounting structures 10A to 10D according to each embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line A-A in FIG. 1.

[0012] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a vehicle 1 to which striker mounting structures 10A to 10D of each embodiment are applied includes a trunk room 2 provided under the floor thereof, and a trunk lid 3 that is provided to be openable and closable at an opening 2A for accessing the trunk room 2. Each of the striker mounting structures 10A to 10D is installed at the upper edge portion 2U of the opening 2A and is applied to the attachment of a striker 11 for locking the trunk lid 3 in a closed state. In FIG. 2, the detailed structure of the striker 11 is omitted, but as will be described later, the mounting structures of the striker 11 are different in each embodiment.

[0013] The trunk room 2 is a luggage compartment for accommodating passengers' luggage and the like, and is provided under the floor of the vehicle 1. The trunk room 2 is partitioned and formed by a plurality of panel members that constitute a part of the vehicle body of the vehicle 1. An opening 2A for accessing the trunk room 2 from the outside of the vehicle is provided on the side surface of the vehicle body of the vehicle 1.

[0014] The opening 2A is an opening for loading and unloading passengers' luggage and the like into and from the trunk room 2, is provided on the side surface of the vehicle body of the vehicle 1, and is formed in a rectangular shape when viewed from the front. The opening 2A is formed in a substantially rectangular shape when viewed from the side of the vehicle, and among the four edge portions of the opening 2A, the height positions of the upper edge portion 2U and the lower edge portion 2D are set to be substantially the same as the height positions of the ceiling surface and the floor surface of the trunk room 2. The upper edge portion 2U forms a part of a vehicle body structure member 1A that extends in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body.

[0015] The vehicle body structure member 1A is a skeletal member of the vehicle 1 and forms a part of the upper edge portion 2U. The vehicle body structure member 1A extends in the front-rear direction and is a member having a C-shaped cross section with a slit-shaped groove portion as shown in FIG. 2. The striker mounting structures 10A to 10D described later are provided on the vehicle body structure member 1A.

[0016] The trunk lid 3 is equipped to be openable and closable via an arm member 4, which will be described later, in order to close the opening 2A and cut off the inside and outside of the trunk compartment 2. The trunk lid 3 is formed in a rectangular shape in a front view according to the contour shape of the opening 2A, and is a panel member that forms the outer surface of the vehicle 1 when the trunk lid 3 is in the closed state. And the opening 2A can be opened by pulling up the trunk lid 3 outward and upward in the vehicle width direction with respect to the opening 2A. Further, a catcher (not shown) that engages with a striker 11, which will be described later, is provided at the open-side end 3U (that is, the upper edge portion) of the trunk lid 3 in the closed state.

[0017] The catcher is a member for holding the trunk lid 3 in the closed state, and is provided at the middle portion in the vehicle width direction and the upper portion of the open-side end 3U. The catcher has, for example, a bifurcated opening and closing mechanism, and automatically engages with the striker 11 when the trunk lid 3 is closed, and the trunk lid 3 is locked in the closed state. Also, by operating a handle (not shown) provided on the outer surface of the trunk lid 3, the engagement with the striker 11 can be released, and the trunk lid 3 can be opened.

[0018] The arm member 4 is a member that constitutes a link mechanism for movably supporting the trunk lid 3 between the open position and the closed position with respect to the opening 2A of the vehicle 1, and is provided at both front and rear ends of the trunk lid 3 respectively. As shown in FIG. 2, each arm member 4 has two arms (first arm 4A, second arm 4B) arranged vertically apart from each other, and a gas spring 4C as an opening and closing spring member.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 2, one end of the first arm 4A and the second arm 4B is rotatably supported with respect to the vehicle body via brackets 5A and 5B, and the other end is rotatably supported on the surface on the inner side in the vehicle width direction of the trunk lid 3.

[0020] The gas spring 4C also functions as an opening and holding member having an opening and holding force for holding the trunk lid 3 in an open state. As shown in FIG. 2, one end of the gas spring 4C is rotatably supported with respect to the vehicle body via a bracket 5C, and the other end is rotatably supported by the first arm 4A. When the trunk lid 3 is on the opening side with respect to an intermediate position between its open position and its closed position, this gas spring 4C exerts an elastic force toward the opening side, and this elastic force serves as the opening and holding force. Also, when it is on the closing side with respect to the intermediate position, it exerts an elastic force toward the closing side. Note that the gas spring 4C is an example, and the opening and closing spring member may be any member that can exert the above-described elastic force, and is not limited to a gas spring.

[0021] [1. First Embodiment] The striker mounting structure 10A according to the first embodiment and the configuration around it will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 to 6. [1.1. Configuration] Note that this striker mounting structure 10A is provided on each of the left and right trunk lids 3 of the vehicle 1, and has a substantially similar (symmetrical) configuration on the left and right. For this reason, in the present embodiment, the striker mounting structure 10A provided on the trunk lid 3 on the left side surface of the vehicle 1 will be described, and the description of the striker mounting structure 10A on the right side surface of the vehicle 1 will be omitted.

[0022] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a main part of the trunk chamber 2 showing the main part configuration of the striker mounting structure 10A and its movement (a figure corresponding to a partially enlarged view of the cross-section taken along the line A-A in FIG. 1). FIG. 4 is a perspective view for explaining the main part configuration of the striker mounting structure 10A. FIG. 5 is a view of the main part in FIG. 4 as seen from the side of the vehicle, where (a) is a side view when the trunk lid 3 is in the closed state, and (b) is a side view when the trunk lid 3 is in the open state. FIG. 6 is a view showing cross-sections of each part in FIG. 5, where (a) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line B-B, (b) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line C-C, (c) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line D-D, and (d) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line E-E.

[0023] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 to 5, this striker mounting structure 10A includes a movable support member 15 that movably supports the striker 11 between a protruding state in which the striker 11 protrudes downward from the upper edge portion 2U of the opening 2A of the trunk chamber 2 and a retracted state in which the striker 11 is retracted above the upper edge portion 2U, a biasing member 14 that exerts a biasing force for protruding the striker 11 into the protruding state, and the biasing force is smaller than the opening holding force for holding the trunk lid 3 in the open state, and a linkage member 13 that moves in conjunction with the arm members 4 (first arm 4A and second arm 4B) when the trunk lid 3 is opened and closed, and moves the striker 11 to the retracted state when the trunk lid 3 is opened. Hereinafter, each part will be described.

[0024] As shown in FIG. 3, the first arm 4A of the present embodiment is provided with a stopper 6 for restricting the rotation angle of the arm member 4 with respect to the vehicle body. The stopper 6 abuts on the upper edge portion 2U when the trunk lid 3 is in the open position, and restricts further rotation of the arm member 4. Here, the stopper 6 is attached to the first arm 4A via a bracket 5D.

[0025] As shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, the striker mounting structure 10A includes a striker 11, a stopper receiving member 12, a linkage member 13, a biasing member 14, and a movable support member 15. Further, the striker mounting structure 10A illustrated in the present embodiment includes a cover 16. In the present embodiment, the striker 11, the stopper receiving member 12, the linkage member 13, the biasing member 14, the movable support member 15, and the cover 16 are pre-assembled and then assembled to the vehicle body structure member 1A. FIG. 4 shows a part of the assembly (hereinafter, also referred to as a "movable support member assembly") 17 in a state before being assembled to the vehicle body structure member 1A.

[0026] The movable support member 15 is fixed to the vehicle body structure member 1A and is a member for movably supporting the striker 11 and the stopper receiving member 12 between the protruding state and the retracted state. The movable support member 15 of the present embodiment includes guides 15A and 15B and a mounting plate 15C as shown in FIGS. 3 to 5.

[0027] The guides 15A and 15B are cylindrical hollow members that position the striker 11 and the stopper receiving member 12 in the front-rear, left-right directions and support the members (striker 11 and stopper receiving member 12) described later so as to be movable in the axial direction (up-down direction). They are fixed to the upper surface of the mounting plate 15C by welding or the like. Notches 15d that penetrate the inside and outside of the cylindrical shape and open downward are formed on both sides in the front-rear direction of the guide 15A that supports the striker 11. Notches 15d that penetrate the inside and outside of the cylindrical shape and open downward are formed on the side of the guide 15B that supports the stopper receiving member 12 facing the guide 15A. These notches 15d extend in the up-down direction, and the interlocking member 13 described later is provided so as to penetrate the notches 15d and moves in the up-down direction along the notches 15d.

[0028] The mounting plate 15C is a plate-shaped member for assembling the guides 15A and 15B to the vehicle body structural member 1A, and through holes are formed along the hollow portions of the guides 15A and 15B. By installing the striker 11, the stopper receiving member 12, the interlocking member 13, the biasing member 14, etc. on the guides 15A and 15B fixed to the mounting plate 15C, the movable support member assembly 17 is constituted. The mounting plate 15C is assembled to the vehicle body structural member 1A by being joined to the lower surface portion of the vehicle body structural member 1A by welding or the like. At the time of this assembly, the guides 15A and 15B are inserted into the vehicle body structural member 1A from the upper part through the slit-shaped groove portion at the lower part of the vehicle body structural member 1A, and the upper surface of the mounting plate 15C is brought into contact with the lower surface portion of the vehicle body structural member 1A. Therefore, naturally, the outer diameter of the guides 15A and 15B is set smaller than the groove width of the slit-shaped groove portion at the lower part of the vehicle body structural member 1A.

[0029] Hereinafter, the striker 11, the stopper receiving member 12, the interlocking member 13, and the biasing member 14 attached to the guides 15A and 15B will be described. The striker 11 is a member for holding the trunk lid 3 in a closed state. The striker 11 holds the trunk lid 3 in a closed state by engaging with the above-described catcher in the closed state of the trunk lid 3. The striker 11 is supported by the vehicle body structure member 1A that constitutes a part of the upper edge portion 2U of the opening 2A. Specifically, the striker 11 is fixed to the lower surface of the interlocking member 13 provided inside the vehicle body structure member 1A. The striker 11 exemplified in this embodiment has a protruding shape protruding downward from the interlocking member 13 as shown in FIGS. 4 to 6.

[0030] The stopper receiving member 12 is a member for moving the striker 11 connected to the interlocking member 13 upward. For this reason, the stopper receiving member 12 is provided through the through hole formed in the mounting plate 15C and moves upward when the trunk lid 3 is opened. The stopper receiving member 12 is disposed at each of both ends of the upper edge portion 2U of the opening 2A and is fixed to the lower surface of the interlocking member 13 provided inside the vehicle body structure member 1A. The stopper receiving member 12 moves upward when the stopper 6 that rises as the arm member 4 rotates comes into contact with the stopper receiving member 12 when the trunk lid 3 is opened. Further, the stopper receiving member 12 is provided with a biasing member 14 having a biasing force for protruding the stopper receiving member 12 downward from the vehicle body structure member 1A. The stopper receiving member 12 exemplified in this embodiment has a protruding shape protruding downward from the interlocking member 13 as shown in FIGS. 4 to 6.

[0031] The linkage member 13 is a member for moving the striker 11 between a protruding state where the striker 11 protrudes below the upper edge portion 2U and a retracted state where the striker 11 is retracted upward in conjunction with the movement of the stopper receiving member 12 when the trunk lid 3 is opened. The linkage member 13 is installed inside the vehicle body structure member 1A and extends in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body. The linkage member 13 connects the striker 11 and the stopper receiving member 12, thereby realizing the above-described interlocking operation. That is, when the trunk lid 3 is opened and the stopper 6 rises while contacting the lower surface of the stopper receiving member 12, the stopper receiving member 12 rises, and accordingly, the linkage member 13 and the striker 11 also move upward. Note that the linkage member 13 illustrated in the present embodiment extends in the longitudinal direction and is formed in a substantially rectangular cross-sectional shape as shown in FIGS. 4 to 6.

[0032] The biasing member 14 is a member that lowers the stopper receiving member 12 and causes the striker 11 to protrude downward when the trunk lid 3 moves from the open position to the closed position, and the stopper 6 also moves downward at the same time. When the striker 11 protrudes downward, the catcher can engage with the striker 11. The biasing member 14 is provided directly above each stopper receiving member 12 as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5.

[0033] The biasing member 14 illustrated in the present embodiment is a spring (here, a coil spring), and the biasing force of the spring is used to cause the stopper receiving member 12 to protrude downward. However, the biasing force of the biasing member 14 is set to be smaller than the elastic force toward the open side when the trunk lid 3 is opened to a certain opening degree or more and the opening holding force of the gas spring 4C that holds the trunk lid 3 in the open state. Thereby, the biasing force of the biasing member 14 does not prevent the opening operation or the open state holding of the trunk lid 3. The biasing member 14 is housed inside the hollow portion of the movable support member 15, and both ends in the expansion and contraction direction abut against the upper surface of the linkage member 13 and the lower surface of a cover 16 described later inside the hollow portion.

[0034] The cover 16 is joined and fixed to the upper ends of the guides 15A and 15B by welding or the like. This cover 16 is a member for restricting the movement of the upper end of the biasing member 14 at the upper ends of the guides 15A and 15B and for causing the restoring force of the biasing member 14 to act downward. The cover 16 is a sheet metal part formed in a substantially rectangular shape with its vehicle width direction dimension set to be equal to or less than the outer diameter dimension of the guides 15A and 15B, and is fixed to the upper ends of the guides 15A and 15B by welding or the like. The vehicle width direction dimension of the cover 16 is set so that when the movable support member assembly 17 is assembled to the vehicle body structural member 1A, the cover 16 disposed on the guides 15A and 15B can be inserted through the slit-shaped groove portion at the lower part of the vehicle body structural member 1A. Note that the biasing member 14 is interposed between the upper surface of the interlocking member 13 and the lower surface of the cover 16 in a predetermined compressed state so that a desired biasing force is exerted.

[0035] [1.2. Function and Effect] According to the striker mounting structure 10A of the present embodiment, the following functions and effects can be obtained by the above-described configuration.

[0036] When the trunk lid 3 is opened, as the arm member 4 rotates upward, the stopper 6 rises. When it is in a state close to full open, the stopper 6 rises while contacting the stopper receiving member 12, and the interlocking member 13 and the striker 11 move upward together with the stopper receiving member 12. As a result, the striker 11 changes from a protruding state where it protrudes downward from the upper edge portion 2U to an excluded state where it is excluded upward. As a result, when loading and unloading luggage into the trunk compartment 2 with the trunk lid 3 open, it is possible to prevent an operator from interfering with the striker 11.

[0037] Note that the biasing force of the biasing member 14 is transmitted from the stopper 6 to the arm member 4 through the stopper receiving member 12 and acts in a direction that hinders the opening operation of the trunk lid 3 (the direction in which the striker 11 protrudes to the protruding state). However, since this biasing force is set to be smaller than the elastic force that rotates the trunk lid 3 from a predetermined opening degree to the opening side and the opening holding force that holds the trunk lid 3 in the open state by the gas spring 4C, there is no problem in the opening operation or the holding of the open state of the trunk lid 3.

[0038] Also, when the trunk lid 3 is closed, as the arm member 4 rotates downward, the stopper 6 descends. Along with this, the biasing force of the biasing member 14 that biases the stopper receiving member 12 downward moves the stopper receiving member 12, the interlocking member 13, and the striker 11 downward. When the stopper 6 further descends and separates from the stopper receiving member 12, the biasing force of the biasing member 14 holds the stopper receiving member 12, the interlocking member 13, and the striker 11 in the state where they have moved to the lowest position. As a result, the striker 11 is in a protruding state protruding downward from the upper edge portion 2U, and when the trunk lid 3 is in the fully closed state, the catcher engages with the protruding striker 11 and the trunk lid 3 is held in the closed state.

[0039] In the present embodiment, while the striker 11 moves up and down, the catcher moves from the outside to the inside in the vehicle width direction and engages with the striker 11. Therefore, due to the pushing force received by the striker 11 from the catcher at the time of this engagement, the striker 11 does not move upward, and the catcher engages with the striker 11 surely.

[0040] [2. Second Embodiment] The striker mounting structure 10B according to the second embodiment and the configuration around it will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8. The striker mounting structure 10B of this embodiment is also provided on each trunk lid 3 on the left and right side surfaces of the vehicle 1, and has a substantially similar (symmetrical) configuration on the left and right. Therefore, in this embodiment, the striker mounting structure 10B provided on the trunk lid 3 on the left side surface of the vehicle 1 will be described, and the description of the striker mounting structure 10B on the right side surface of the vehicle 1 will be omitted. Also, for members similar to those in the first embodiment, the same reference numerals will be used and the description will be omitted or simplified.

[0041] [2.1. Configuration] FIG. 7 is a view of the main part of the striker mounting structure 10B according to the second embodiment as viewed from the side of the vehicle. (a) is a side view when the trunk lid 3 is in the closed state, and (b) is a side view when the trunk lid 3 is in the open state. FIG. 8 is a view showing cross-sections of each part of FIG. 7. (a) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line F-F, and (b) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line G-G.

[0042] As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, this striker mounting structure 10B includes a movable support member 25 that movably supports the striker 21 between a protruding state in which the striker 21 protrudes downward from the upper edge portion 2U of the opening 2A of the trunk chamber 2 and a retracted state in which it is retracted above the upper edge portion 2U, a biasing member 24 that exerts a biasing force for protruding the striker 21 into the protruding state, and the biasing force is smaller than the opening holding force for holding the trunk lid 3 in the open state, and an interlocking member 23 that moves in conjunction with the arm member 4 when the trunk lid 3 is opened and closed, and moves the striker 21 to the retracted state when the trunk lid 3 is opened. Note that in this embodiment, a member corresponding to the stopper receiving member 12 of the first embodiment is not provided. Hereinafter, each part will be described.

[0043] The striker 21 of this embodiment is a member for holding the trunk lid 3 in the open state, similar to the striker 11 of the first embodiment, and is supported by the vehicle body structural member 1A. What is different from the striker 11 of the first embodiment in this embodiment is the support structure of the striker 21. As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the striker 21 is supported by a movable support member 25 provided inside the vehicle body structural member 1A so as to be movable in the axial direction (vertical direction). Note that the striker 21 moves between the protruding state and the retracted state by an interlocking member 23 described later.

[0044] The movable support member 25 is a member for movably supporting the striker 21 on the vehicle body structural member 1A between the protruding state and the retracted state, and includes a guide 25A, a mounting plate 15C, and a cover 16. The guide 25A is a cylindrical member that, similar to the guides 15A and 15B of the first embodiment, positions in the front-rear, left-right directions and supports movably in the axial direction (vertical direction), but a portion corresponding to the notch 15d of the first embodiment is not provided. Note that since the mounting plate 15C and the cover 16 are the same as those of the first embodiment, the description thereof is omitted.

[0045] In this embodiment, the striker 21, the biasing member 24, the movable support member 25, and the cover 16 are assembled in advance and then assembled to the vehicle body structural member 1A. Note that in this embodiment, the mounting plate 15C is a member for assembling the guide 25A to the vehicle body structural member 1A. For this reason, as shown in FIG. 7, it is sufficient that a through hole can be formed along at least the hollow portion of the guide 25A and that it is partially provided so as to be connectable to the lower surface portion of the vehicle body structural member 1A by welding or the like. The vehicle body structural member 1A may also be a member having a rectangular closed cross-sectional shape instead of a member having a C-shaped cross-section with a slit-shaped groove portion at the lower part, and a hole portion into which the guide 25A with the cover 16 can be inserted from below is partially formed.

[0046] In this embodiment, an interlocking member 23 having a rectangular cross-section is provided so as to span each of the first arms 4A provided at both front and rear ends of the trunk lid 3 in the front-rear direction. The interlocking member 23 is a member that abuts against the upper edge portion 2U when the trunk lid 3 is in the open position to restrict further rotation of the arm member 4, and further, is a member for moving the striker 21 from the protruding state to the retracted state in conjunction with the movement of the arm member 4 when the trunk lid 3 is opened. The interlocking member 23 is formed in a rectangular cross-sectional shape and is attached to each of the first arms 4A provided at both front and rear ends of the trunk lid 3 via brackets 5D.

[0047] The biasing member 24 is a member that protrudes the striker 21 downward when the trunk lid 3 moves from the open position to the closed position. When the striker 21 is in the state of protruding downward, the catcher can be engaged with the striker 21. The biasing member 24 is provided directly above the striker 21 as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8.

[0048] [2.2. Action and effect] According to the striker mounting structure 10B of the present embodiment, the following action and effect can be obtained by the above-described configuration.

[0049] When the trunk lid 3 is opened, as the arm member 4 rotates upward, the interlocking member 23 rises. When it is in a state close to full open, the interlocking member 23 rises while abutting against the striker 21, and the interlocking member 23 and the striker 21 move upward. As a result, the striker 21 changes from the protruding state to the retracted state. As a result, when loading and unloading luggage into the trunk room 2 with the trunk lid 3 open, it is possible to prevent the operator from interfering with the striker 21.

[0050] Similar to the first embodiment, the biasing force of the biasing member 24 is transmitted from the interlocking member 23 to the arm member 4 and acts in a direction that obstructs the opening operation of the trunk lid 3 (the direction of protruding the striker 21 to the protruding state). However, since this biasing force is set to be smaller than the elastic force for rotating the trunk lid 3 from a predetermined opening degree to the open side and the holding force for holding the trunk lid 3 open by the gas spring 4C, there is no problem in the opening operation and the holding of the open state of the trunk lid 3.

[0051] Also, similar to the first embodiment, when the trunk lid 3 is closed, as the arm member 4 rotates downward, the interlocking member 23 descends. Accordingly, the biasing force of the biasing member 24 that biases the striker 21 downward moves the striker 21 downward. When the interlocking member 23 further descends and separates from the striker 21, the biasing force of the biasing member 24 holds the striker 21 in the state where it has moved to the lowest position. As a result, the striker 21 protrudes, and when the trunk lid 3 reaches the fully closed state, the catcher engages with the protruding striker 21 and the trunk lid 3 is held in the closed state.

[0052] In this embodiment, similar to the first embodiment, while the striker 21 moves up and down, the catcher moves from the outside to the inside in the vehicle width direction and engages with the striker 21. Therefore, due to the pushing force received by the striker 21 from the catcher during this engagement, the striker 21 does not move upward, and the catcher securely engages with the striker 21.

[0053] Furthermore, the interlocking member 23 of this embodiment moves the striker 21 from the protruding state to the retracted state when the trunk lid 3 is opened, and has a function as a stopper that regulates the rotation angle of the arm with respect to the vehicle body. Thereby, since there is no need to separately provide a member for regulating the rotation of the arm member 4, the striker mounting structure 10B and the structure around it can be simplified.

[0054] [3. Third Embodiment] The striker mounting structure 10C according to the third embodiment and its surrounding configuration will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 to 11. Note that this striker mounting structure 10C is also provided on each of the left and right trunk lids 3 of the vehicle 1 and has a substantially similar (symmetrical) configuration on the left and right. Therefore, in this embodiment as well, the striker mounting structure 10C provided on the trunk lid 3 on the left side surface of the vehicle 1 will be described, and the description of the striker mounting structure 10C on the right side surface of the vehicle 1 will be omitted. Also, for members similar to those in the first and second embodiments, the same reference numerals will be used and the description will be omitted or simplified.

[0055] [3.1. Configuration] FIG. 9 is a partial cross-sectional view of the main part of the striker mounting structure 10C according to the third embodiment and its movement, showing a trunk room 2 (a view corresponding to a partially enlarged view of the cross-section taken along the line A-A in FIG. 1). FIG. 10 is a view of the main part shown in FIG. 9 as viewed from the side of the vehicle, where (a) is a side view when the trunk lid 3 is in the closed state, and (b) is a side view when the trunk lid 3 is in the open state. FIG. 11 is a view showing cross-sections of each part of FIG. 10, where (a) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line H-H, and (b) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line I-I.

[0056] As shown in FIGS. 9 to 11, this striker mounting structure 10C includes a movable support member 25 that movably supports the striker 21 between a protruding state in which the striker 21 protrudes downward from the upper edge portion 2U of the opening 2A of the trunk room 2 and a retracted state in which the striker 21 is retracted above the upper edge portion 2U; a biasing member 24 that exerts a biasing force for protruding the striker 21 into the protruding state, and the biasing force is smaller than the opening holding force for holding the trunk lid 3 in the open state; and an interlocking member 33 that interlocks with the arm member 4 when the trunk lid 3 is opened and closed, and moves the striker 21 to the retracted state when the trunk lid 3 is opened.

[0057] In this embodiment, the striker 21, the movable support member 25, and the biasing member 24 are the same as those in the second embodiment, and the interlocking member 33 is different from that in the second embodiment. Therefore, the interlocking member 33 will be described, and the description of other members will be omitted.

[0058] The interlocking member 33 is a member for moving the striker 21 from the protruding state to the retracted state in conjunction with the movement of the arm member 4 when the trunk lid 3 is opened. The interlocking member 33 is hung on each of the first arms 4A provided at both ends in the front-rear direction of the trunk lid 3. Specifically, the interlocking member 33 has a connecting portion 33A having a rectangular cross-section that connects each of the first arms 4A, and a tongue-shaped acting portion 33B provided at the center in the front-rear direction of the connecting portion 33A, which pushes up the striker 21 from the protruding state to the retracted state when the trunk lid 3 is opened. Note that the interlocking member 33 of this embodiment is attached to each of the first arms 4A via a bracket 33C.

[0059] [3.2. Function and Effect] According to the striker mounting structure 10C of the present embodiment, the following functions and effects can be obtained by the above-described configuration.

[0060] When the trunk lid 3 is opened, as the arm member 4 rotates upward, the interlocking member 33 rises. When it reaches a state close to full opening, the operating portion 33B rises while contacting the striker 21, and the interlocking member 33 and the striker 21 move upward. As a result, the striker 21 changes from the protruding state to the retracted state. As a result, when loading and unloading luggage into the trunk room 2 with the trunk lid 3 open, it is possible to prevent an operator from interfering with the striker 21.

[0061] Note that, similar to the first and second embodiments, the biasing force of the biasing member 24 is transmitted from the interlocking member 33 to the arm member 4 and acts in a direction that obstructs the opening operation of the trunk lid 3 (the direction in which the striker 21 protrudes to the protruding state). However, since this biasing force is set to be smaller than the elastic force for rotating the trunk lid 3 from a predetermined opening degree to the open side or the holding force for holding the trunk lid 3 open by the gas spring 4C, there is no problem in the opening operation or the holding of the open state of the trunk lid 3.

[0062] Also, similar to the first and second embodiments, when the trunk lid 3 is closed, as the arm member 4 rotates downward, the interlocking member 33 descends. Along with this, the biasing force of the biasing member 24 that biases the striker 21 downward moves the striker 21 downward. When the interlocking member 33 further descends and separates from the striker 21, the biasing force of the biasing member 24 holds the striker 21 in the state where it has moved to the lowest position. As a result, the striker 21 protrudes, and when the trunk lid 3 reaches the fully closed state, the catcher engages with the protruding striker 21 and the trunk lid 3 is held in the closed state.

[0063] In this embodiment, similar to the first and second embodiments, while the striker 21 moves vertically, the catcher moves from the outside to the inside in the vehicle width direction and engages with the striker 21. Therefore, due to the pushing force received by the striker 21 from the catcher at the time of this engagement, the striker 21 does not move upward, and the catcher surely engages with the striker 21.

[0064] Furthermore, similar to the second embodiment, the interlocking member 33 of this embodiment has a function as a stopper that regulates the rotation angle of the arm with respect to the vehicle body while moving the striker 21 from the protruding state to the excluded state when the trunk lid 3 is opened. As a result, since there is no need to separately provide a member for regulating the rotation of the arm member 4, the striker mounting structure 10C and the structure around it can be simplified.

[0065] [4. Fourth Embodiment] The striker mounting structure 10D according to the fourth embodiment and the configuration around it will be described with reference to FIGS. 12 and 13. Note that this striker mounting structure 10D is also provided on each of the left and right trunk lids 3 of the vehicle 1 and has a substantially similar (symmetrical) configuration on the left and right. Therefore, in this embodiment as well, the striker mounting structure 10D provided on the left trunk lid 3 of the vehicle 1 will be described, and the description of the striker mounting structure 10D on the right side of the vehicle 1 will be omitted. Also, for members similar to those in the first to third embodiments, the same reference numerals will be used and the description will be omitted or simplified.

[0066] [4.1. Configuration] FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the main part of the trunk chamber 2 showing the main part configuration of the striker mounting structure 10D according to the fourth embodiment and its movement (a figure corresponding to a partially enlarged view of the cross-section taken along the line A-A in FIG. 1). FIG. 13 is a partially enlarged view of FIG. 12, where (a) shows the state immediately before the trunk lid 3 is fully opened, and (b) shows the state where the trunk lid 3 is fully opened.

[0067] As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, this striker mounting structure 10D includes a movable support member 45 that movably supports a striker 41 between a protruding state in which the striker 41 protrudes downward from the upper edge 2U of the opening 2A of the trunk chamber 2 and a retracted state in which the striker 41 is retracted above the upper edge 2U, a biasing member 44 that exerts a biasing force for protruding the striker 41 to the protruding state and that is smaller than the opening holding force for holding the trunk lid 3 in the open state, and an interlocking member 43 that moves in conjunction with the arm member 4 when the trunk lid 3 is opened and closed and that moves the striker 41 to the retracted state when the trunk lid 3 is opened. Each part will be described below.

[0068] The striker 41 is a member for holding the trunk lid 3 in the open state, similar to the strikers 11 and 21 in each embodiment, and is supported by the vehicle body structural member 1A. What is different from the strikers 11 and 21 in each embodiment in this embodiment is the support structure of the striker 41. As shown in FIG. 13, the striker 41 is attached to a movable support member 45 described later.

[0069] The movable support member 45 is a member for rotatably supporting the striker 41 between the protruding state and the retracted state on the vehicle body structural member 1A, and includes a fixing portion 45A, a fastening component 45B, a rotating shaft 45C, a rotating portion 45D, and a catch portion 45E.

[0070] The fixing portion 45A is a portion for fixing the movable support member 45, and is fixed by a fastening component 45B such as a bolt below the inner end surface of the vehicle body structural member 1A on the vehicle interior side. The fixing portion 45A rotatably supports the rotating shaft 45C. The rotating shaft 45C extends along the upper edge 2U of the opening 2A, and the rotating portion 45D to which the striker 41 is attached and the catch portion 45E that engages with an interlocking member 43 described later when the trunk lid 3 is opened are integrally rotated by being attached to each end.

[0071] Note that the catch portion 45E of the present embodiment is attached to the rotation shaft 45C while being inclined such that the tip approaches the striker 41 in the protruding state of the striker 41 with respect to the vertical direction, and the striker 41 can be moved further upward. However, the catch portion 45E may be attached in parallel to the vertical direction. Further, the inclination angle when the catch portion 45E is attached while being inclined with respect to the vertical direction may be appropriately set. Further, the movable support member 45 has a biasing member 44 that holds the movable support member 45 at a predetermined position.

[0072] The biasing member 44 is a member that causes the striker 41 attached to the rotating portion 45D to protrude in the protruding state, and is provided inside the rotation shaft 45C. Specifically, although not shown, it exerts a biasing force as indicated by the arrow SF in FIG. 13. The biasing member 44 that causes the striker 41 to protrude in the protruding state exerts a biasing force smaller than the opening holding force that holds the trunk lid 3 in the open state by the gas spring 4C. Thereby, the biasing force of the biasing member 44 does not interfere with holding the trunk lid 3 in the open position.

[0073] Further, in the state immediately before the trunk lid 3 closes, the biasing force of the biasing member 44 of the present embodiment is exerted from the inner side to the outer side in the vehicle width direction. On the other hand, in the state immediately before the trunk lid 3 closes, the catcher attempts to engage with the striker 41, and the catcher applies a pushing force to the striker 41 from the outer side to the inner side in the vehicle width direction. Therefore, it is also necessary to set the biasing force of the biasing member 44 at this time to be large enough to overcome the pushing force from the catcher.

[0074] The interlocking member 43 is a member for moving the striker 41 from the protruding state to the retracted state in conjunction with the movement of the arm member 4 when the trunk lid 3 is opened. The interlocking member 43 is supported by each of the first arms 4A provided at both front and rear ends of the trunk lid 3 in the longitudinal direction. As shown in FIG. 12, the interlocking member 43 includes a connecting portion 43A that is spanned between the respective first arms 4A via a bracket (not shown) and is formed in a substantially rectangular cross-section, and an operating portion 43B provided at the center of the connecting portion 43A in the longitudinal direction, which moves the striker 41 to the retracted state by engaging with the catch portion 45E when the trunk lid 3 is opened.

[0075] [4.2. Function and Effect] According to the striker mounting structure 10D of the present embodiment, the following functions and effects can be obtained by the above-described configuration.

[0076] When the trunk lid 3 is opened, as the arm member 4 rotates upward, the interlocking member 43 rises. When it reaches a state close to full opening, the interlocking member 43 rises while engaging with the catch portion 45E of the movable support member 45, and the striker 41 pivots about the rotation axis 45C. As a result, the striker 41 changes from the protruding state to the retracted state. As a result, when loading and unloading luggage into the trunk compartment 2 with the trunk lid 3 open, it is possible to prevent the operator from interfering with the striker 41.

[0077] Note that the biasing force of the biasing member 44 is transmitted from the interlocking member 43 to the arm member 4 and acts in a direction that obstructs the opening operation of the trunk lid 3 (the direction in which the striker 41 protrudes to the protruding state). However, since this biasing force is set to be smaller than the elastic force for rotating the trunk lid 3 from a predetermined opening degree to the open side or the holding force for opening the trunk lid 3 by the gas spring 4C, there is no problem in the opening operation or the holding of the open state of the trunk lid 3.

[0078] Also, when the trunk lid 3 is closed, as the arm member 4 rotates downward, the linkage member 43 descends accordingly. Along with this, the biasing force of the biasing member 44 that biases the striker 41 into a protruding state moves the striker 41 into a protruding state. When the linkage member 43 further descends and separates from the striker 41, the biasing force of the biasing member 44 holds the striker 41 in a protruding state. As a result, when the striker 41 becomes protruding and the trunk lid 3 reaches the fully closed state, the catcher engages with the protruding striker 41 and the trunk lid 3 is held in the closed state.

[0079] The striker 41 of the present embodiment is attached to a rotating portion 45D attached to the end of a rotating shaft 45C extending in the front-rear direction, and is supported so as to be rotatable in the vehicle width direction about the rotating shaft 45C. On the other hand, since the catcher moves from the outside to the inside in the vehicle width direction and engages with the striker 41, there is a possibility that the striker 41 may rotate inward in the vehicle width direction due to the pushing force received from the catcher during this engagement. However, inside the rotating shaft 45C, a biasing member 44 that exerts a biasing force large enough to overcome the pushing force from the catcher is provided. Therefore, the catcher can surely engage with the striker 41 without the striker 41 moving inward in the vehicle width direction.

[0080] Furthermore, the linkage member 43 of the present embodiment has a function as a stopper that moves the striker 41 from a protruding state to an excluded state when the trunk lid 3 is opened and regulates the rotation angle of the arm with respect to the vehicle body. As a result, there is no need to separately provide a member for regulating the rotation of the arm member 4, so the striker mounting structure 10D and the surrounding structure can be simplified.

[0081] And since the striker mounting structure 10D of the present embodiment is provided outside the vehicle body structure member 1A, compared with a structure provided inside, operations such as attachment and repair are easier and the workability can be improved.

[0082] [5. Others] The above embodiments are merely illustrative, and each component of the above embodiments can be implemented with various modifications without departing from the spirit thereof. Also, they can be selected as necessary, or appropriately combined.

[0083] The movable support members 15, 25, 45 may have any structure as long as they can movably support the strikers 11, 21, 41 between the protruding state and the retracted state, and are not limited thereto. Although the biasing members 14, 24 are exemplified as springs, they only need to have the function of protruding the strikers 11, 21 downward, and for example, rubber or sponge may also be used. In the above embodiment, a large bus is exemplified as the vehicle 1. However, for a vehicle to which the striker mounting structures 10A to 10D can be applied, it only needs to have a trunk room for accommodating passengers' luggage or the like provided under the vehicle floor, and other vehicles such as medium and small buses may also be used.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0084] 1 Vehicle 1A Body Structure Member 2 Trunk Room 2A Opening 2U Upper Edge Portion 2D Lower Edge Portion 3 Trunk Lid 3U Open Side End 4 Arm Member 4A First Arm 4B Second Arm 4C Gas Spring 5A, 5B, 5C, 5D Brackets 6 Stopper 7 Wheel 10A, 10B, 10C, 10D Striker Mounting Structures 11, 21, 41 Strikers 12 Stopper Receiving Member 13, 23, 33, 43 Linkage Members 33A, 43A Connection Parts 33B, 43B Acting Parts 33C Bracket 14, 24, 44 biasing members 15, 25, 45 movable support members 15A, 15B, 25A guides 15C mounting plate 15d notch 16 cover 17 assembly 45A fixing part 45B fastening component 45C rotating shaft 45D rotating part 45E catching part SF biasing force

Claims

【Claim 1】 A striker mounting structure for attaching a striker, which is engaged by a catcher provided at an open-side end of a trunk lid that is mounted to be openable and closable via an arm member to a vehicle body structure member that constitutes an upper edge portion of an opening of a trunk room provided under a vehicle floor, to the vehicle body of the vehicle, wherein: a movable support member provided on the vehicle body structure member and movably supporting the striker between a protruding state in which the striker protrudes below the upper edge portion and a retracted state in which the striker is retracted above the upper edge portion; a biasing member that exerts a biasing force for protruding the striker to the protruding state and exerts a biasing force smaller than an open holding force for holding the trunk lid in an open state; a linkage member that moves in conjunction with the arm member when the trunk lid is opened and closed and moves the striker to the retracted state when the trunk lid is opened. The striker mounting structure is characterized by the above.

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