Spare tire attachment device

Abstract

To facilitate the task of attaching / detaching a spare tire.SOLUTION: A spare tire attaching device 20 includes: a carrier 21 and a lock device 50. A first structure 22 of the carrier 21 has: a support end part 28; and a connected portion 24 above it. A second structure 32 has a placement portion 37 and a turning end part 33, and a hook 15 is releasably locked. The first structure 22 is supported at the support end part 28 so as to be capable of turning in forward and backward directions. The second structure 32 has a connection portion 38 at a front end part and is connected to the connected portion 24 at the connection portion 38. A lock device 50 is brought into a locked state when the carrier 21 is held at a storage position. In a locked state, the lock device 50 locks the first structure 22 in the first posture. In an unlocked state, the lock device 50 allows the first structure 22 to turn between the first posture and a second posture in which the connected portion 24 is positioned behind the position in the first posture.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a spare tire mounting device for mounting a spare tire under the floor of a vehicle. [Background technology]

[0002] A known spare tire mounting device is one that mounts a spare tire under the floor of a vehicle (see, for example, Patent Document 1). As shown in Fig. 6, a spare tire mounting device 80 includes a carrier 81 having a mounting portion 82 on which a spare tire 75 is placed in a recumbent position. The carrier 81 also has a support end portion 83 and a rotating end portion 84 around the mounting portion 82 in the circumferential direction of the spare tire 75. The carrier 81 is rotatably supported on the vehicle body or the like at the support end portion 83 by a shaft 85 that extends along the floor 72 of the vehicle 71.

[0003] As shown by the solid line in Figure 6, when the carrier 81 is located at the storage position for storing the spare tire 75, a hook (not shown) arranged to be able to rise and fall under the floor 73 is engaged with the rotating end 84 of the carrier 81. The carrier 81 is suspended from the support end 83 and the rotating end 84. By restricting the rotation of the carrier 81 around the shaft 85, the carrier 81 is held in the storage position.

[0004] When the spare tire 75 is removed from under the floor 73, the hooks engaged with the carrier 81 at the pivot end 84 or the like are lowered, causing the carrier 81 to pivot downward about the shaft 85. Alternatively, the carrier 81, from which the hooks have been released, is pivoted downward about the shaft 85 by manual operation or the like. As shown by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 6 , the carrier 81, along with the spare tire 75, tilts with respect to the horizontal plane so as to become lower as it moves away from the support end 83. The pivot end 84 approaches the road surface 76. As the gap between the floor 72 and the pivot end 84 widens, the placement portion 82 and spare tire 75 are inclined more with respect to the horizontal plane than when the carrier 81 is in the storage position. This makes it easier to attach and detach the spare tire 75 to and from the spare tire mounting device 80.

[0005] When the spare tire 75 is to be attached to the underfloor 73, the spare tire attachment device 80 is operated in the reverse order to that described above. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2012-245907 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] However, an underfloor structure consisting of various devices, members, components, etc. is arranged under the floor 73. Examples of the underfloor structure include a motor 86, a cross member 87, etc., as shown in FIG. 6 . If the underfloor structure is arranged in the rotation area of the carrier 81, it will interfere with the carrier 81. The rotation area of the carrier 81 is narrowed by the underfloor structure. Since the rotation end 84 is located at a high position and the inclination of the mounting portion 82 and the spare tire 75 relative to the horizontal plane is small, it becomes difficult to attach and detach the spare tire 75. There is a demand for a spare tire mounting device that makes it easy to attach and detach the spare tire 75, even when an underfloor structure is arranged in the rotation area of the carrier 81. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] Various aspects of the spare tire mounting device for solving the above problems will be described below. [Aspect 1] A spare tire mounting device that is installed under a floor of a vehicle and mounts a spare tire under the floor, the spare tire having a mounting portion on which the spare tire is placed in a lying position, a carrier having support ends and pivoting ends around the mounting portion, and supported rotatably at at least the support ends, wherein a hook that is arranged to be able to rise and fall under the floor engages with the carrier to hold the carrier in the storage position where the spare tire is stored, the spare tire mounting device comprising: a first component that has the support ends and a connected portion above the support ends, and is supported at the support ends rotatably in the direction of the support ends and the pivoting ends relative to a vehicle body structural member arranged under the floor; a second component having a base portion and the pivoting end portion, to which the hook is releasably engaged, and a connecting portion on the opposite side of the base portion from the pivoting end portion, the second component being pivotally connected to the connectable portion at the connecting portion, the second component further comprising a locking device configured to be switchable between a locked state and an unlocked state, the locking device being set to the locked state when the carrier is held in the storage position, the locking device locking the first component in a first position in the locked state, and releasing the lock in the unlocked state, thereby allowing the first component to rotate between the first position and a second position in which the connectable portion is positioned closer to the pivoting end portion than its position in the first position.

[0009] According to the above configuration, when the carrier is located in the storage position, the locking device is locked. The first component is locked in the first position by the locking device. The first component is restricted from rotating around the support end toward the rotation end in the arrangement direction. In the first position, the connectable portion of the first component is positioned farther from the rotation end than in the second position. The hook is engaged with the second component connected to the connectable portion at the connecting portion. The second component is restricted from rotating relative to the connectable portion at the connecting portion. The carrier, in which the rotation of each of the first component and the second component is restricted, is held in the storage position. The spare tire is sandwiched between the floor and the second component and held in a stored state under the floor.

[0010] When the spare tire is removed from under the floor, the hook engaged with the second component is lowered. Alternatively, the hook is released from the second component. While the locking device is in the locked state, rotation of the first component around the support end remains restricted, so the position of the connected component does not change. The portion of the second component closer to the rotating end than the connecting component is rotated downward relative to the connected component at the connecting component. This rotation causes the second component to become inclined with respect to the horizontal plane so that it is lower toward the rotating end. If the second component is inclined with respect to the horizontal plane when the carrier is in the storage position, the rotation increases the degree of inclination with respect to the horizontal plane. The spare tire also becomes inclined in a similar manner.

[0011] When the locking device is switched from the locked state to the unlocked state, the restriction on rotation of the first component is released. This release allows the first component to rotate around the support end toward the rotation end in the arrangement direction. As the first component rotates, the connected portion moves toward the rotation end in the arrangement direction, accompanied by the connecting portion. As a result of this movement, the rotation area of the second component moves farther away from the locking device than when the locking device is in the locked state.

[0012] Therefore, even if the underfloor structure is located closer to the rotation end than the first structure and below the portion of the second structure near the connecting portion, and the rotation range of the second structure is to be narrowed, the rotation range can be expanded by activating the spare tire mounting device. The activation refers to the process of unlocking the locking device as described above and moving the connecting portion, while or after the locking device is unlocked, and rotating the portion of the second structure closer to the rotation end than the connecting portion downward relative to the connected portion at the connecting portion. When the connecting portion moves above the underfloor structure toward the rotation end, the portion of the second structure located above the underfloor structure decreases. Even if the portion of the second structure closer to the rotation end than the connecting portion is rotated downward by a large amount, it is less likely to interfere with the underfloor structure. As the downward rotation of the portion closer to the rotation end than the connecting portion increases, the second structure becomes more inclined relative to the horizontal plane. The distance between the floor and the rotation end also increases. This makes it easier to mount and remove the spare tire on and from the spare tire mounting device.

[0013] When the spare tire is mounted under the floor, the spare tire mounting device is operated in the reverse order to that described above. [Aspect 2] A spare tire mounting device according to [Aspect 1], wherein an operating unit for switching between the locked state and the unlocked state of the locking device is provided at a location away from the locking device.

[0014] According to the above configuration, even if the user is located away from the locking device, the user can switch the locking device between the locked state and the unlocked state by operating the operating unit.

[0015] [Aspect 3] A spare tire mounting device as described in [Aspect 2], wherein the operating unit and the locking device are connected by a transmission member that transmits the movement associated with the operation of the operating unit to the locking device and switches between the locked state and the unlocked state, and a flexible cable is used as the transmission member.

[0016] According to the above configuration, when the operating unit is operated, the movement of the operating unit associated with the operation is transmitted to the locking device via the transmission member. This transmission switches the locking device between a locked state and an unlocked state. Because a flexible cable is used as the transmission member, the transmission member can be positioned with appropriate flexure. This allows for a high degree of freedom in the positioning of the transmission member, and therefore a high degree of freedom in the positioning of the operating unit.

[0017] [Aspect 4] A spare tire mounting device according to any one of [Aspect 1] to [Aspect 3], wherein the connected portion is formed by a reinforcing member and extends along the floor of the vehicle in a cross direction that is a direction that crosses the arrangement direction, and the connecting portion is formed by a reinforcing member and surrounds at least a portion of the connected portion in the cross direction.

[0018] According to the above configuration, the portion of the coupled part that is surrounded by the coupling part functions as an axis. When the coupling part rotates around the coupled part, the second component rotates around the coupling part and the coupled part.

[0019] [Aspect 5] A spare tire mounting device according to any one of [Aspect 1] to [Aspect 4], wherein the first component has a bar portion above the support end, the locking device has a moving path extending in the arrangement direction, the bar portion is arranged to be movable in the arrangement direction relative to the moving path, the bar portion is located at an end of the moving path farther from the pivot end in the first position, and is located at an end of the moving path closer to the pivot end in the second position, and the locking device holds the bar portion at the end of the moving path farther from the pivot end in the locked state.

[0020] According to the above configuration, when the locking device is in the locked state, the latch is held at the end of the movement path farther from the pivot end, thereby locking the first component in the first position. The first component is restricted from pivoting about the support end in the arrangement direction. In the first position, the connected portion is positioned farther from the pivot end than in the second position.

[0021] When the locking device is switched from the locked state to the unlocked state, the locking device no longer holds the bar at the end of the travel path farther from the pivot end. This allows the bar to move along the travel path. As the bar moves along the travel path, the first component rotates around the support end in the arrangement direction. The first component rotates until the bar moves to the end of the travel path closer to the pivot end, thereby assuming a second position. In the second position, the connected portion is positioned closer to the pivot end than in the first position. [Effects of the Invention]

[0022] According to the present invention, the work of attaching and detaching a spare tire can be facilitated. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0023] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a spare tire mounting device according to one embodiment, together with a part of a cross member and a part of a hook. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a side cross-sectional view of the spare tire mounting device in the embodiment, in which the carrier is held in the storage position. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional side view showing an enlarged view of the first structure and its surrounding area in the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a side cross-sectional view showing a state in which the second component has been rotated downward around the coupled portion of the first component locked in the first position in the embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a side cross-sectional view showing a state in which the locking device is switched to an unlocked state in the embodiment, and the second component is rotated downward around the connected portion of the first component, which is unlocked from the first position. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a side view of a conventional spare tire mounting device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0024] Hereinafter, an embodiment of a spare tire mounting device will be described with reference to FIGS. In the following description, the forward direction of the vehicle 10 is referred to as the front, and the backward direction is referred to as the rear. Furthermore, the up-down direction refers to the up-down direction of the vehicle 10, and the left-right direction refers to the width direction of the vehicle, which coincides with the left-right direction when the vehicle 10 is moving forward.

[0025] 2, in a vehicle 10 of this embodiment, a spare tire 13 is stored under the floor 12, which is one aspect of the exterior of the vehicle body. Here, the under floor 12 refers to the space adjacent to the lower side of the floor panel that constitutes the floor 11 of the vehicle 10, or in other words, the space between the floor 11 and the road surface 9 below it.

[0026] <Spare tire 13> The spare tire 13 is a tire used to temporarily replace a punctured tire mounted on the vehicle 10 for normal driving in the event that the tire becomes punctured. The spare tire 13 may be the same type of tire as the tire mounted on the vehicle 10 for normal driving, or may be a temporary tire, a space saver tire, or the like.

[0027] <Underfloor structures and vehicle body components> As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the spare tire mounting device 20 is a device used when mounting a spare tire 13 under the floor 12. The spare tire mounting device 20 is installed in a location close to an underfloor structure consisting of devices, members, parts, etc. installed in the rear of the underfloor 12 of the vehicle 10. In this embodiment, the motor 16 and cross member 17 are arranged in the rear of the underfloor 12 as the corresponding underfloor structure. The cross member 17 is used as one of the vehicle body components. The cross member 17 extends in the left-right direction at a location rearward and away from the motor 16. The upper surface of the cross member 17 is located lower than the top of the motor 16.

[0028] A brace 18 such as a V-brace is disposed below the motor 16 and cross member 17 in order to increase the rigidity of the rear of the vehicle body. The brace 18 is used as one of the vehicle body components. A first bearing 19 is provided on the brace 18 or the cross member 17.

[0029] <Spare tire mounting device 20> The spare tire mounting device 20 includes a carrier 21, a locking device 50, and an operating unit 53. The spare tire mounting device 20 stores the spare tire 13 under the floor 12 by cooperating with a hanging tool 14 installed under the floor 12.

[0030] <Hanging device 14> The suspending device 14 is disposed at a location further rearward than the cross member 17 and near the front of the rear end of the vehicle body. An upper end (not shown) of the suspending device 14 is attached to the floor 11. The suspending device 14 includes a hook 15 that is J-shaped in a side view. The suspending device 14 has a mechanism (not shown) for raising and lowering the hook 15. In other words, the hook 15 is configured to be able to be raised and lowered on the suspending device 14.

[0031] <Outline of Carrier 21> The carrier 21 has a mounting portion 37 on which the spare tire 13 is placed in a recumbent position. The carrier 21 also has a support end portion 28 and a pivoting end portion 33 around the mounting portion 37. In this embodiment, the support end portion 28 is disposed below the front of the mounting portion 37, and the pivoting end portion 33 is disposed behind the mounting portion 37. If the direction in which the support end portion 28 and the pivoting end portion 33 are disposed is referred to as the "disposition direction," then in this embodiment, the disposition direction coincides with the front-to-rear direction.

[0032] When storing the spare tire 13, the carrier 21 supports the spare tire 13 in a lying position from at least below, restricting its movement, and holds it in a position close to the floor 11 under the floor 12, as shown in Fig. 2. The position of the carrier 21 at this time is referred to as the "storage position."

[0033] <Detailed configuration of Carrier 21> As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the carrier 21 includes a first component 22 supported by a brace 18 or a cross member 17 as a vehicle body component, and a second component 32 connected to the first component 22.

[0034] [First structure 22] The first component 22 includes a pair of connected portions 24, an intermediate connection portion 26, and a pair of pillar portions 27. These portions are formed by bending a reinforcing material such as a round bar or a hollow pipe-shaped member. The first component 22 is disposed in an upright position between the motor 16 and the cross member 17, near the cross member 17.

[0035] The pair of connectable parts 24 each extend along the floor 11 in a left-right direction that intersects with the arrangement direction. Here, if the direction that intersects with the arrangement direction along the floor 11 is referred to as the "intersecting direction," then in this embodiment, the intersecting direction and the left-right direction coincide. The two connectable parts 24 are spaced apart from each other in the left-right direction. The central axis of one connectable part 24 and the central axis of the other connectable part 24 are located on the same line.

[0036] The intermediate connection part 26 is located between the two connectable parts 24 in the left-right direction. The end of the intermediate connection part 26 in the left-right direction is connected to the inner end of each connectable part 24 in the same direction. The inner end of each connectable part 24 is the end closest to the other connectable part 24.

[0037] The pillars 27 extend parallel to each other from the outer end of each connectable part 24 in the left-right direction in a direction that intersects with the connectable part 24. The outer end of each connectable part 24 is the end farthest from the other connectable part 24.

[0038] The end of each pillar 27 that is not connected to the connected part 24 constitutes a support end 28. Each pillar 27 is supported at the support end 28 by a first shaft 29 via a first bearing 19 relative to the brace 18 or the cross member 17 so as to be rotatable in the front-to-rear direction.

[0039] The first constituent 22 further includes a bar portion 31. The bar portion 31 is formed of a reinforcing member, like other portions of the first constituent 22. The bar portion 31 extends in the left-right direction above both support end portions 28. In this embodiment, the bar portion 31 extends in the left-right direction between the support end portions 28 and the connected portion 24, and bridges between both pillar portions 27.

[0040] [Second structure 32] The second component 32 has a rotating end portion 33 and a pair of mounting reinforcing portions 36. These portions are formed by bending reinforcing members, similar to the respective portions of the first component 22.

[0041] The pivot end portion 33 includes a second horizontal reinforcing portion 34 and a pair of second vertical reinforcing portions 35. The second horizontal reinforcing portion 34 extends in the left-right direction. The second vertical reinforcing portions 35 extend from both ends of the second horizontal reinforcing portion 34 in the left-right direction, parallel to each other, in a direction that intersects with the second horizontal reinforcing portion 34.

[0042] The pair of support reinforcement sections 36 extend in the front-to-rear direction parallel to each other. The support reinforcement sections 36 form a support section 37 on which the spare tire 13 is placed in a recumbent position. The rear end of each support reinforcement section 36 is connected to the end of the second vertical reinforcement section 35 located behind the support reinforcement section 36 that is not connected to the second horizontal reinforcement section 34. Each support reinforcement section 36 is inclined relative to the rear second vertical reinforcement section 35.

[0043] A connecting portion 38 is formed at the front end of each mounting reinforcement portion 36. The location where the connecting portion 38 is formed in each mounting reinforcement portion 36 is the end opposite the rotating end portion 33, with the mounting portion 37 in between. The connecting portion 38 of each mounting reinforcement portion 36 is formed in an annular shape so as to surround a portion of the corresponding connectable portion 24 in the left-right direction. The second component 32 is rotatably connected to the pair of connectable portions 24 of the first component 22 at the pair of connecting portions 38. Because both connecting portions 38 are located at the front end of the second component 32, when the second component 32 is rotated in the up-down direction relative to the connectable portions 24 at both connecting portions 38, the entire second component 32 rotates in the same direction.

[0044] The second component 32 further includes a locked portion 39 and an auxiliary restraining portion 41. The locked portion 39 is a location where the hook 15 is releasably locked. When the locked portion 39 is provided on the rotating end portion 33, it may be formed by a part of the second horizontal reinforcement portion 34, or may be formed by a part of at least one of the second vertical reinforcement portions 35. Furthermore, the locked portion 39 may be formed by a member separate from the rotating end portion 33 and the mounting reinforcement portion 36. In this embodiment, the locked portion 39 is formed by a pin-shaped member and fixed to one of the second vertical reinforcement portions 35.

[0045] The auxiliary restraint portion 41 is intended to restrain the spare tire 13 placed on the two support reinforcement portions 36 from both sides in the left-right direction. Like the pivot end portion 33 and the two support reinforcement portions 36, the auxiliary restraint portion 41 is formed by bending a reinforcing member. The auxiliary restraint portion 41 includes an auxiliary horizontal reinforcement portion 42 and a pair of auxiliary vertical reinforcement portions 43. The auxiliary horizontal reinforcement portion 42 extends in the left-right direction below the two support reinforcement portions 36. The auxiliary horizontal reinforcement portion 42 is formed to be longer in the left-right direction than the distance between the two support reinforcement portions 36. The auxiliary horizontal reinforcement portions 42 are fixed to the two support reinforcement portions 36. Each auxiliary vertical reinforcement portion 43 extends upward from the end of the auxiliary horizontal reinforcement portion 42 in the left-right direction, in a direction intersecting the auxiliary horizontal reinforcement portion 42. The two auxiliary vertical reinforcement portions 43 restrict left-right movement of the spare tire 13 placed on the two support reinforcement portions 36.

[0046] <Locking device 50> 1 and 3, the locking device 50 controls the rotation of the first component 22 around both support ends 28. The locking device 50 is disposed between the motor 16 and the cross member 17 and above the brace 18. The locking device 50 is fixed to high-strength members such as the brace 18 and the cross member 17.

[0047] The locking device 50 has a moving path 51 extending in the front-to-rear direction. The front end of the moving path 51 is closed, and the rear end is open at a rear end surface 52 of the locking device 50. The front end of the moving path 51 is the end farther from the pivot end 33, and the rear end of the moving path 51 is the end closer to the pivot end 33. The vertical dimension of the moving path 51 is set to be larger than the thickness of the bar 31. The bar 31 is disposed in the moving path 51, and is movable in the front-to-rear direction between the front end and rear end of the moving path 51.

[0048] The locking device 50 includes a mechanism (not shown) that restricts the movement of the latch 31 rearward beyond the rear end of the movement path 51. As described above, the first component 22 is rotatably supported at the support end 28. Therefore, as described above, when the bar 31 moves along the movement path 51, the first component 22 can rotate in the front-rear direction around the support end 28.

[0049] Here, the posture of the first component 22 when the bar 31 is located at the front end of the travel path 51 is referred to as the "first posture." The posture of the first component 22 when the bar 31 is located at the rear end of the travel path 51 is referred to as the "second posture." The first posture and the second posture are set to postures in which the first component 22 does not interfere with the motor 16 and the cross member 17, that is, postures in which the first component 22 does not contact the motor 16 and the cross member 17, or postures in which the first component 22 lightly contacts the motor 16 and the cross member 17 without pressing against them.

[0050] 2 and 3, in the first posture, both pillar portions 27 of the first constituent 22 are inclined with respect to the vertical plane so that the upper portions are positioned further forward. In the first posture, both connectable portions 24 are positioned further forward from the pivot end portion 33 than in the second posture.

[0051] 5, in the second position, both pillars 27 are inclined relative to the vertical plane so that the upper portions are positioned further rearward. In the second position, both connectable portions 24 are closer to the cross member 17 than when the first component 22 is in the first position. In other words, in the second position, the connectable portions 24 are positioned on the rear side, closer to the pivot end 33, than in the first position.

[0052] The locking device 50 is provided with a locking mechanism (not shown) that locks the first component 22 in the first position by holding the bar 31 in that position when the bar 31 is located at the front end of the moving path 51, and that releases the lock. By releasing the lock, the locking mechanism allows the bar 31 to move in the front-to-rear direction between the front end and rear end of the moving path 51, and allows the first component 22 to rotate between the first position and the second position.

[0053] The state of the locking device 50 in which the locking mechanism locks the first component 22 in the first position will be referred to as the "locked state." Additionally, the state of the locking device 50 in which the locking mechanism releases the lock will be referred to as the "unlocked state."

[0054] The locking device 50 is configured to be switchable between a locked state and an unlocked state, and is in the locked state when the carrier 21 is held in the storage position.

[0055] <Operation unit 53> As shown in FIG. 1 , the operating unit 53 is a part that is operated to switch the locking device 50 between a locked state and an unlocked state. The operating unit 53 is located at a distance away from the locking device 50. The operating unit 53 is located at a position that does not or is unlikely to interfere with the installation and removal of the spare tire 13, and is located at a distance forward from the rear end of the vehicle 10 that is within reach. A mounting member 54 is attached to a part of the second component 32, for example, the rear of one of the support reinforcement portions 36. The operating unit 53 is attached to the mounting member 54 at a position that is spaced outward in the left-right direction from the support reinforcement portion 36. Here, "outward" refers to the side farther from the other support reinforcement portion 36.

[0056] The operating unit 53 is connected to the locking device 50 by a transmission member 55. The transmission member 55 transmits the movement associated with the operation of the operating unit 53 to the locking device 50 to switch between a locked state and an unlocked state. In this embodiment, a flexible cable is used as the transmission member 55, and this cable is a wire arranged inside a tube so that it can slide in the length direction. The transmission member 55 can be appropriately bent, and is arranged in a location that does not or is unlikely to interfere with the installation and removal of the spare tire 13, similar to the operating unit 53.

[0057] A frame portion 56 is fixed to the mounting reinforcement portion 36 to which the mounting member 54 is attached. The frame portion 56 is formed of a reinforcement material, similar to the mounting reinforcement portion 36. The mounting member 54 and the operating unit 53 are surrounded by the frame portion 56 and the mounting reinforcement portion 36. The frame portion 56 and the mounting reinforcement portion 36 ensure a space for arranging the operating unit 53 and also protect the operating unit 53.

[0058] <Operation of this embodiment> [Spare tire 13 storage status] 2 and 3, when the spare tire 13 is stored under the floor 12, the carrier 21 is located in the storage position. In the storage position, the latch 31 is located at the front end of the moving path 51, and the first component 22 is in the first position. In the first position, both pillars 27 of the first component 22 are inclined with respect to the vertical plane so that the upper part is located further forward.

[0059] Furthermore, the locking device 50 is put into the locked state. The latch 31 is held at the front end of the moving path 51, and the first component 22 is locked in the first position. The first component 22 is restricted from rotating rearward around both support end portions 28. Both connected portions 24 and both connecting portions 38 are located forward of their positions in the second posture and rearward of the motor 16.

[0060] Furthermore, in the storage position, the hook 15 is engaged with the engaging portion 39 of the second component 32, which is connected to the connected portion 24 at the connecting portion 38. The second component 32 is restricted from rotating relative to the connected portion 24 at the connecting portion 38. As described above, the carrier 21, which includes the first component 22 and the second component 32, both of which are restricted from rotating, is maintained in the storage position. The spare tire 13, which is placed in a recumbent position on the mounting portion 37 of the second component 32, is sandwiched between the floor 11 and the second component 32 and maintained in a stored state under the floor 12. At this time, the rotating end 33 of the second component 32 is located at a position significantly above the road surface 9. The mounting portion 37 and the spare tire 13 are maintained in a gently inclined state with respect to the horizontal plane so that their rear ends are lower. The front portions of both mounting reinforcement portions 36 are located at a position significantly above the cross member 17. The spare tire mounting device 20 and the spare tire 13 do not interfere with the motor 16 and the cross member 17.

[0061] [When spare tire 13 is removed] When the spare tire 13 is removed from under the floor 12, the hook 15 engaged with the engaging portion 39 of the second structure 32 is lowered. The hook 15 is released from the engaging portion 39 while or after the hook 15 is lowered.

[0062] As shown in FIG. 4 , while the locking device 50 is in the locked state, rotation of the first component 22 around the support ends 28 remains restricted. The positions of the connectable parts 24 do not change. The second component 32 rotates downward at the connecting part 38 relative to the connectable parts 24. This rotation occurs when the annular connecting part 38 rotates around the connectable parts 24. As a result of this rotation, the second component 32, together with the spare tire 13, is inclined with respect to the horizontal plane so that its rear end is lower than when the carrier 21 is in the storage position. In addition, the rotating end 33 descends and is closer to the road surface 9 than when the carrier 21 is in the storage position. The degree to which the second component 32 and the spare tire 13 are inclined with respect to the horizontal plane so that their rear ends are lower is greater than when the carrier 21 is in the storage position.

[0063] As the second component 32 rotates, the front portions of the support reinforcement portions 36 approach the cross member 17. The rotation of the second component 32 is permitted until the support reinforcement portions 36 come into contact with the cross member 17, at which point the rotation is restricted.

[0064] 1 is operated from the rear of the vehicle 10 to set the locking device 50 to the unlocked state. Then, the movement of the operating part 53 accompanying the operation is transmitted to the locking device 50 via the transmission member 55. This transmission switches the locking device 50 from the locked state to the unlocked state. The locking device 50 no longer holds the latch 31 at the front end of the moving path 51. The latch 31 is now able to move along the moving path 51.

[0065] 5, the first component 22 rotates rearward around both support ends 28 while the bar 31 moves along the path of travel 51. The first component 22 rotates until the bar 31 reaches the rear end of the path of travel 51, thereby assuming the second position.

[0066] In the second position, both pillar portions 27 of the first component 22 are inclined relative to the vertical plane so that the upper portions are positioned further rearward. In the second position, both connectable portions 24 are closer to the cross member 17 than when the first component 22 is in the first position. In the second position, both connectable portions 24 are positioned further rearward than in the first position. However, the latch portion 31 is restricted by the locking device 50 from moving rearward beyond the rear end of the movement path 51. Therefore, it is unlikely that the first component 22 will interfere with the cross member 17.

[0067] The connecting portion 38 connected to the connected portion 24 also moves rearward together with the connected portion 24. At this time, the second component 32 can also rotate downward together with the spare tire 13 placed on the placing portion 37.

[0068] As the two connecting portions 38 move as described above, the rotation area of the second component 32 moves further rearward than when the locking device 50 is in the locked state. In this embodiment, the cross member 17 is located rearward of the first component 22 and below the portions of the second component 32 near the connecting portions 38, narrowing the rotation range of the second component 32. However, the rotation range can be widened by operating the spare tire mounting device 20 as follows. This operation involves unlocking the locking device 50 as described above and rotating the second component 32 while or after moving the connecting portions 38 rearward. This movement of the connecting portions 38 changes the positional relationship between the connecting portions 38 and the cross member 17. When the connecting portions 38 move rearward above the cross member 17, the portion of the second component 32 located above the cross member 17 decreases. Even if the second component 32 is rotated downward significantly, it is less likely to interfere with the cross member 17. The rotating end 33 is brought closer to the road surface 9, widening the gap between the floor 11 and the rotating end 33. Furthermore, as the amount of downward rotation of the second component 32 increases, the degree of inclination of the second component 32 with respect to the horizontal plane increases. The mounting portion 37 and the spare tire 13 are now in a state of being inclined even more greatly with respect to the horizontal plane, becoming lower toward the rear. The spare tire 13 is removed from the mounting portion 37 in this state. Then, a new spare tire 13 is placed on the mounting portion 37.

[0069] [If spare tire 13 is installed] When a spare tire 13 newly placed on the mounting portion 37 is to be attached to the underfloor 12, the spare tire mounting device 20 is operated in the reverse order to that described above.

[0070] 5, the locking device 50 is in an unlocked state, and the restriction on the rotation of the first component 22 is released. This release of restriction allows the first component 22 to rotate forward around both support end portions 28.

[0071] In this state, the second component 32 is rotated upward around both connecting portions 38. This rotation is caused by an upward external force being applied, by manual operation or the like, to the second component 32 to which the hook 15 is not locked. As the second component 32 rotates, a forward force is applied by the connecting portion 38 to the connected portion 24. This force is transmitted to the bar 31 via both pillar portions 27. As the bar 31 moves forward in the travel path 51, the first component 22 rotates forward around both support end portions 28. When the bar 31 moves to the front end of the travel path 51, the first component 22 assumes the first posture and is restricted from further rotating forward.

[0072] As the first component 22 rotates as described above, the coupled portion 24 moves forward together with the connecting portion 38. At this time, the second component 32 can also be rotated upward at the connecting portion 38 relative to the coupled portion 24.

[0073] The second component 32 is rotated upward together with the spare tire 13, centering on the connecting portion 38 supported by the connected portion 24 of the first component 22. As this rotation progresses, the degree of inclination of the second component 32 with respect to the horizontal plane decreases so that the rear side becomes lower.

[0074] When the first component 22 is in the first position, if an operation is performed from the rear of the vehicle 10 using the operating unit 53 shown in FIG. 1 to place the locking device 50 in the locked state, the movement of the operating unit 53 associated with the operation is transmitted to the locking device 50 via the transmission member 55. This transmission switches the locking device 50 from the unlocked state to the locked state. The first component 22 is held in the first position. Rearward rotation of the first component 22 about both support ends 28 is restricted.

[0075] During the above-described upward rotation of the second component 32, the engaged portion 39 is hooked onto the hook 15. An operation is performed on the suspending tool 14 to raise the hook 15. This rising hook 15 applies an upward force to the second component 32 via the engaged portion 39. The second component 32, together with the spare tire 13, is further rotated upward about both connecting portions 38.

[0076] When the carrier 21 reaches the storage position by the above rotation, the spare tire 13 is sandwiched between the floor 11 and the carrier 21 and stored under the floor 12, as shown in FIG. <Effects of this embodiment> (1) As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the spare tire mounting device 20 includes a carrier 21 having a first component 22 and a second component 32, and a locking device 50 configured to be switchable between a locked state and an unlocked state.

[0077] The first component 22 has a support end 28, and has a connected portion 24 above the support end 28. The first component 22 is supported at the support end 28 so as to be rotatable in the front-to-rear direction relative to a vehicle body component such as the brace 18 or the cross member 17. The second component 32 has a mounting portion 37 and a rotating end 33, and has a connecting portion 38 at its front end, to which the hook 15 is releasably engaged. The second component 32 is rotatably connected to the connected portion 24 at the connecting portion 38.

[0078] In the locked state, the locking device 50 locks the first component 22 in the first position. In the unlocked state, the locking device 50 releases the lock, thereby allowing the first component 22 to rotate between the first position and the second position.

[0079] Therefore, when the spare tire 13 is stored, the locking device 50 is set in the locked state, and the first component 22 is held in the first position. When removing the spare tire 13 from under the floor 12, first, the second component 32 is rotated downward around the connecting portion 38. Thereafter, the locking device 50 is switched to an unlocked state, thereby enabling the first component 22 to rotate between the first position and the second position. As the first component 22 rotates, the coupled portion 24 moves rearward together with the connecting portion 38, thereby allowing the rotation range of the second component 32 to move further rearward than when the locking device 50 is in the locked state.

[0080] Therefore, even if the cross member 17 tries to narrow the rotation range of the second component 32, the rotation range can be expanded by setting the locking device 50 to the unlocked state and rotating the second component 32 while or after moving the connecting portion 38, as described above.

[0081] Even if the second component 32 is rotated downward a great deal, interference with the cross member 17 can be suppressed. In other words, the second component 32 can be rotated downward a great deal more than in the past while avoiding the cross member 17. The rotating end portion 33 can be positioned at a lower position than in the past. The mounting portion 37 and the spare tire 13 can be inclined more greatly with respect to the horizontal plane so that they become lower toward the rear.

[0082] As a result, not only can the spare tire 13 be attached and detached in a limited space, but the work of attaching and detaching the spare tire 13 to and from the spare tire mounting device 20 can be facilitated. It is also possible to make it easier to attach and detach the spare tire 13 in a limited space by extending the rear end of the vehicle 10 rearward. However, in this embodiment, the above-described configuration makes the attachment and detachment work easier, so there is no need to extend the rear end of the vehicle 10 rearward.

[0083] (2) As shown in Fig. 1, the operating unit 53 is provided at a location away from the locking device 50. Therefore, even if the user is at a location away from the locking device 50, the locking device 50 can be switched between a locked state and an unlocked state by operating the operating unit 53.

[0084] (3) The operating unit 53 and the locking device 50 are connected by the transmission member 55. Therefore, the movement of the operating unit 53 caused by the operation of the operating unit 53 is transmitted to the locking device 50 via the transmission member 55, thereby switching between the locked state and the unlocked state.

[0085] In particular, in this embodiment, a flexible cable is used as the transmission member 55. Therefore, the transmission member 55 can be arranged while being bent appropriately. This increases the degree of freedom in the arrangement of the transmission member 55, and therefore increases the degree of freedom in the arrangement of the operation unit 53.

[0086] 2 and 3, the first component 22 is arranged in an upright state, and the support end 28 is provided at the lower end thereof, and the connected portion 24 is provided at the upper end thereof. Therefore, the first component 22 can be configured to be more compact in the vertical direction than when one or both of the support end 28 and the connected portion 24 are provided in the middle portion of the first component 22 in the vertical direction.

[0087] (5) As shown in Fig. 2, the connecting portion 38 is provided at the front end portion of the second component 32. Therefore, compared to when the connecting portion 38 is provided rearward of the front end portion of the second component 32, the second component 32 can be configured to be more compact in the front-to-rear direction.

[0088] (6) As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the connectable portion 24 and the connecting portion 38 are both formed of reinforcing members. The connectable portion 24 extends in the left-right direction along the floor 11. The connecting portion 38 surrounds a portion of the connectable portion 24 in the left-right direction.

[0089] Therefore, the portion of the connectable portion 24 that is surrounded by the connecting portion 38 can function as an axis. By rotating the annular connecting portion 38 around the connectable portion 24, the second component 32 can be rotated around the connecting portion 38 and the connectable portion 24.

[0090] (7) As shown in Figures 1 and 3, the first component 22 has a bar portion 31 above the support end portion 28, and the locking device 50 has a moving path 51 extending in the front-to-rear direction. The bar portion 31 is disposed so as to be movable in the front-to-rear direction relative to the moving path 51. In the first position, the bar portion 31 is positioned at the front end of the moving path 51. In the second position, the bar portion 31 is positioned at the rear end of the moving path 51. In the locked state, the locking device 50 holds the bar portion 31 at the front end of the moving path 51.

[0091] Therefore, in the locked state, the first component 22 can be locked in the first position by holding the bar 31 at the front end of the moving path 51 by the locking device 50. When the locking device 50 is switched from the locked state to the unlocked state, the above-mentioned holding of the bar 31 is released, and the bar 31 is allowed to move along the movement path 51. While the bar 31 moves along the movement path 51, the first component 22 can be rotated rearward about the support end 28 to assume the second position.

[0092] <Example of change> This embodiment can be modified as follows: This embodiment and the following modifications can be combined and implemented within the scope of technical compatibility.

[0093] [Matters regarding Career 21] The first structural body 22 may be a vehicle body structural member disposed under the floor 12 and rotatably supported by a member different from the brace 18 and the cross member 17 .

[0094] The direction in which the first axis 29 and the connected part 24 extend may be changed to a direction different from the left-right direction, provided that the direction is along the floor 11 and is the intersecting direction. For example, the direction may be a direction inclined relative to the left-right direction, or a direction perpendicular to the left-right direction.

[0095] The coupled portion 24 may be provided below the upper end of the first component 22. The support end 28 may be provided above the lower end of the first component 22. The bar 31 may be provided above the connected portion 24 in the first component 22 .

[0096] The connecting portion 38 may surround a portion of the connected portion 24 in the left-right direction, or may surround the entire connected portion 24. The connecting portion 38 may be provided at a location on the second component 32 opposite the rotating end portion 33 across the mounting portion 37, different from the end portion. In this case, of the second component 32 that rotates in the up and down direction, the portion farther from the rotating end portion 33 than the connecting portion 38 will rotate in the opposite direction to the portion closer to the rotating end portion 33.

[0097] The locked portion 39 may be provided at a location on the second component 32 that is different from the rotating end portion 33 . The connectable portion 24 may have a portion that functions as a bearing, the connecting portion 38 may have a portion that functions as an axis, and the second component 32 may be rotatably supported by the connecting portion 38 relative to the connectable portion 24. In this case, the shapes of the connectable portion 24 and the connecting portion 38 may be changed to shapes different from those in the above embodiment. For example, the shape of the connecting portion 38 may be changed to a shape that extends along the floor in the intersecting direction. Furthermore, the connectable portion 24 may be formed in an annular shape so as to surround a portion of the connecting portion 38 in the intersecting direction.

[0098] The support end 28 and the rotating end 33 may be disposed at positions different from those in the above embodiment, provided that they are disposed around the mounting portion 37 . [Matters regarding operation unit 53] The operating unit 53 may be slid by being pushed or pulled to switch between the locked state and the unlocked state of the locking device 50. The operating unit 53 may also be rotated to switch between the locked state and the unlocked state.

[0099] [Matters related to transmission component 55] The transmission member 55 may be any member that transmits the movement accompanying the operation of the operating portion 53 to the locking device 50 and switches between the locked state and the unlocked state. Therefore, a member other than a cable may be used as the transmission member 55.

[0100] [Other matters] When a temporary tire, a space saver tire, or the like is used as the spare tire 13, a spacer may be used when attaching it to the underfloor 12.

[0101] The spare tire mounting device 20 may be a device for exclusively mounting a temporary tire, a space-saver tire, or the like. [Explanation of symbols]

[0102] 10...Vehicle 11...Floor 12...Underfloor 13...Spare tire 15...Hook 17...Cross member (body component) 18...Brace (body component) 20...Spare tire mounting device 21...Career 22...first construct 24...Connected part 28...Support end 31...Latch 32…Second construct 33…Rotating end 37...Placement section 38...Connection part 50...locking device 51...Travel route 53...Operation unit 55...Transmission member

Claims

1. A device that is installed under the floor of a vehicle and that attaches a spare tire under the floor, a carrier having a placement portion on which the spare tire is placed in a lying position, a support end portion and a rotation end portion around the placement portion, and the carrier being rotatably supported at least at the support end portion; a hook that is arranged under the floor and can be raised and lowered is engaged with the carrier, thereby holding the carrier at the storage position for storing the spare tire; the carrier comprises: a first component having the support end portion and a connected portion above the support end portion, and supported at the support end portion so as to be rotatable in the direction of arrangement of the support end portion and the rotating end portion relative to a vehicle body component arranged under the floor; and a second component having the placing portion and the rotating end portion, to which the hook is releasably engaged, and having a connecting portion on the opposite side of the placing portion from the rotating end portion, and being rotatably connected to the connected portion at the connecting portion, a locking device configured to be switchable between a locked state and an unlocked state and set to the locked state when the carrier is held at the storage position; In the locked state, the locking device locks the first component in a first position, and in the unlocked state, the locking device releases the lock, thereby allowing the first component to rotate between the first position and a second position in which the connected portion is positioned closer to the rotation end than in the first position.

2. 2. The spare tire mounting device according to claim 1, wherein an operating portion for operating the locking device to switch between the locked state and the unlocked state is provided at a location separate from the locking device.

3. 3. The spare tire mounting device according to claim 2, wherein the operating portion and the locking device are connected by a transmission member that transmits a movement accompanying the operation of the operating portion to the locking device to switch between the locked state and the unlocked state, and a flexible cable is used as the transmission member.

4. the connected portion is formed of a reinforcing member and extends along a floor of the vehicle in a cross direction that is a direction crossing the arrangement direction, 2. The spare tire mounting device according to claim 1, wherein the connecting portion is formed by a reinforcing member and surrounds at least a portion of the connected portion in the cross direction.

5. the first structure has a bar portion above the support end portion, The locking device has a movement path extending in the arrangement direction, the bar portion is disposed so as to be movable in the disposition direction relative to the movement path, In the first position, the bar portion is located at an end of the movement path that is farther from the rotation end portion, and in the second position, the bar portion is located at an end of the movement path that is closer to the rotation end portion, 5. The spare tire mounting device according to claim 1, wherein, in the locked state, the locking device holds the latch at an end of the movement path that is farther from the rotation end.

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