Fitting structure for inlet box unit

Abstract

To improve fitting workability for an inlet box unit.SOLUTION: This fitting structure is for fitting an inlet box unit 10 to a fitting port 3 of an exterior panel 2 forming the appearance of a vehicle 1. The inlet box unit 10 includes a box body 11 constituting a recess 16 opened to the vehicle outside, and a lid 13 rotatably connected to the box body 11 to open / close an opening 17 of the recess 16. The fitting structure includes an alignment fixture 60 mounted to the peripheral edge of the lid 13 so as to align the lid 13 with the exterior panel 2 when the inlet box unit 10 is fitted to the fitting port 3. The fitting structure includes a fitting part 62 fittable to a fitting port edge 4 of the exterior panel 2 that defines the fitting port 3 on the outer peripheral side of the alignment fixture 60.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9B

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a mounting structure for an inlet box unit. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a jig used to adjust the position of a tank flap relative to an exterior panel. As disclosed in Patent Document 2, some inlet box units are larger than the mounting opening of the exterior panel. In this case, the inlet box unit is attached to the mounting opening by rotating it from a pre-tilted state relative to the exterior panel. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] German Patent Application Publication No. 102004028969 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2012-240443 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] If the jig disclosed in Patent Document 1 is applied to the inlet box unit disclosed in Patent Document 2 for position adjustment, there is a risk that the inlet box unit will be difficult to install due to interference between the jig and the exterior panel, etc.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to improve the workability of installing an inlet box unit. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] One aspect of the present invention provides an inlet box unit mounting structure comprising an installation opening in an exterior panel that forms the exterior of the vehicle, a box body that forms a recess that is open to the outside of the vehicle, a lid that is rotatably connected to the box body to open and close the opening of the recess, and an alignment jig that is attached to the peripheral edge of the lid to align the lid with the exterior panel when mounting it to the installation opening, characterized in that the alignment jig has a fitting portion on the outer periphery that can fit into the installation opening edge of the exterior panel that defines the installation opening.

[0007] According to the above configuration, the inlet box unit can be rotated with the fitting portion of the alignment jig fitted to the edge of the mounting opening. Because the fulcrum for rotation is stable, the inlet box unit can be easily attached to the mounting opening. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, the workability of installing an inlet box unit can be improved. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a partial cross-sectional view of a vehicle to which an inlet box unit according to an embodiment is applied; [Figure 2] FIG. 10 is a front perspective view showing the inlet box unit in a closed state. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a front perspective view showing the inlet box unit in an open state. [Figure 4] FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the mounting structure of the inlet box unit. [Figure 8A] FIG. [Figure 8B]FIG. [Figure 9A] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing the installation work of the inlet box unit. [Figure 9B] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing the installation work of the inlet box unit. [Figure 9C] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing the installation work of the inlet box unit. [Figure 9D] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing the installation work of the inlet box unit. [Figure 9E] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing the installation work of the inlet box unit. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the same or corresponding elements are designated by the same reference numerals throughout the drawings, and detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0011] FIG. 1 is a partial cross-sectional view of a vehicle 1 to which an inlet box unit 10 according to an embodiment is applied. The inlet box unit 10 is attached to an attachment opening 3 formed in an exterior panel 2 of the vehicle 1. The exterior panel 2 is also called a body skin and forms the exterior appearance of the vehicle. Unless otherwise specified, the "attached state" refers to a state in which the inlet box unit 10 is attached to the attachment opening 3. The attachment opening 3 penetrates the exterior panel 2, and the exterior panel 2 has an attachment opening edge portion 4 that defines the attachment opening 3.

[0012] An example of the exterior panel 2 to which the inlet box unit 10 is attached is a rear fender that forms the rear appearance of the vehicle 1 in a side view. In this case, the thickness direction of the exterior panel 2 is roughly oriented in the vehicle width direction, and the "outside of the vehicle" or "front side" refers to the outside in the vehicle width direction, and the "inside of the vehicle" or "rear side" refers to the inside in the vehicle width direction. However, this correspondence can be changed as appropriate depending on the type and orientation of the exterior panel 2 in which the mounting opening 3 is formed.

[0013] A tire house 6 that houses a rear tire 5 is formed on the back side of the rear fender that serves as the exterior panel 2. The tire house 6 is defined by an inner panel 7 that is disposed on the back side of the exterior panel 2. The inner panel 7 is also called a tire house body.

[0014] The inner panel 7 includes a lower panel portion 7a extending from below the mounting opening edge portion 4 toward the vehicle interior, a vertical panel portion 7b extending upward from the lower panel portion 7a, and an upper panel portion 7c extending from the upper end of the vertical panel portion 7b toward the vehicle interior. The tire housing 6 is formed on the inner side of the vertical panel portion 7b and on the lower side of the upper panel portion 7c. The inner panel 7 separates the tire housing 6 from an interior area 8 that can form the vehicle interior. The interior area 8 is formed on the inner side of the exterior panel 2, the upper side of the lower panel portion 7a, and the outer side of the vertical panel portion 7b.

[0015] The vehicle 1 is provided with a supply member 9 having an inlet 9a into which an energy source for driving the vehicle flows. For example, if the driving source of the vehicle 1 is an internal combustion engine, fuel (e.g., gasoline) as the energy source is supplied to the supply member 9 via the inlet 9a and stored in a fuel tank (not shown). The supply member 9 is a pipe through which the fuel flows, and the inlet 9a is the upstream end opening of the pipe. For example, if the driving source of the vehicle 1 is an electric motor, current as the energy source is supplied to the supply member 9 via the inlet 9a to charge a battery (not shown). The inlet 9a is a connector, and the supply member 9 is an electric wire for charging. Hereinafter, unless otherwise specified, the supply member 9 is referred to as a fuel supply pipe.

[0016] The inlet box unit 10 is housed in an internal area 8 surrounded by an exterior panel 2 and an interior panel 7. The inlet box unit 10 comprises a box body 11, an elastic member 12, and a lid 13. The box body 11 forms an opening 17 and a side portion 18 of a recess 16. The elastic member 12 covers the box body 11 from the opposite side of the opening 17 (the vehicle interior side) and forms a bottom portion 19 of the recess 16. In the mounted state, the recess 16 is open to the exterior of the vehicle, and the mounting opening edge portion 4 of the mounting opening 3 surrounds the opening 17. The bottom portion 19 is close to the outer surface of the vertical panel portion 7b.

[0017] The supply member 9 penetrates the bottom 19 and the inner panel 7 (particularly, the vertical panel portion 7b), and the inlet portion 9a is housed in the recess 16. The bottom 19 (i.e., the elastic member 12) is provided with an insertion hole 56 through which the supply member 9 is inserted, and a lip portion 57 surrounding the insertion hole 56. The lip portion 57 is in close contact with the inner panel 7 (particularly, the outer surface of the vertical panel portion 7b) and prevents foreign matter such as water from entering the internal area 8 from the tire housing 6.

[0018] The lid 13 is rotatably connected to the box body 11 and opens and closes the opening 17. The lid 13 rotates between a fully closed position where it fits into the inner area of ​​the mounting opening 3 to close the opening 17, and a fully open position where it moves away from the mounting opening 3 to widely open the opening 17. Hereinafter, the state where the lid 13 is in the fully closed position will be referred to as the "closed state," and the state where the lid 13 is in the fully open position will be referred to as the "open state."

[0019] In the attached and open state, the inlet portion 9a is exposed, allowing for the refilling of the energy source. In the attached and closed state, the supply member 9 is hidden by the lid 13. In order to enhance the aesthetic appearance of the vehicle 1, more specifically, to ensure that the outer surface of the lid 13 is smoothly continuous with the outer surface of the exterior panel 2 in the closed state and that the gap between the attachment opening edge portion 4 and the lid 13 is uniform in the entire circumferential direction, it is necessary to properly attach the inlet box unit 10 to the exterior panel 2.

[0020] The mounting opening 3, lid 13, and opening 17 have the same shape when viewed from outside the vehicle, for example, a rectangular shape with rounded corners. The mounting opening 3 is slightly larger than the lid 13, and the opening 17 is slightly smaller than the lid 13. One pair of opposite sides of the rectangle extends in the vehicle length direction, and the other pair of opposite sides extends in the vehicle height direction. The rotation axis of the lid 13 extends in the vehicle height direction.

[0021] 2 to 6, the inlet box unit 10 includes a hinge plate 14 and a pivot mechanism 15 in addition to the box body 11, elastic member 12, and lid 13 described above.

[0022] The lid 13 is molded from the same metal material as the exterior panel 2, such as steel or aluminum alloy. The box body 11 and hinge plate 14 are molded from a synthetic resin material, for example. The elastic member 12 is molded from an elastic material, such as elastomer or rubber. For ease of explanation, Figures 4 and 5 show the box body 11 and the elastic member 12 in a separated state, but the box body 11 and the elastic member 12 are actually formed simultaneously and integrally by so-called two-color molding.

[0023] The lid 13 is flat and rectangular with rounded corners when viewed in the thickness direction. The peripheral edge 20 of the lid 13 includes a first short edge 21 and a second short edge 22 that are parallel to each other, and a first long edge 23 and a second long edge 24 that are parallel to each other. The first short edge 21 and the second short edge 22 extend in the vehicle height direction parallel to the rotation axis of the lid 13, and the first long edge 23 and the second long edge 24 extend in the vehicle length direction perpendicular to the first short edge 21 and the second short edge 22. The first short edge 21 is an edge on the hinge proximal side that is adjacent to the rotation axis of the lid 13 in the vehicle length direction. The second short edge 22 is an edge on the hinge distal side that is farther from the rotation axis of the lid 13 than the first short edge 21.

[0024] The hinge plate 14 has a backplate portion 26 fixed to the back surface of the lid 13, an arm portion 27 continuing from the backplate portion 26, and a cylindrical portion 28 provided at the tip of the arm portion 27. The backplate portion 26 is rectangular and smaller than the lid 13, and is placed on the back surface of the lid 13 so as to be completely hidden by the lid 13 when viewed from the front side. In other words, when viewed from the rear side, the backplate portion 26 is surrounded by the peripheral portion 20 of the lid 13. The peripheral portion of the backplate portion 26 also includes four edges that form a rectangle, just like the lid 13.

[0025] The arm portion 27 protrudes from the peripheral edge of the back plate portion 26 that is adjacent to the first short side edge 21. The arm portion 27 is J-shaped when viewed in the vehicle height direction, protrudes from the back plate portion 26 toward the rear side, is folded back toward the front side, and terminates behind the back plate portion 26. The arm portion 27 is folded back so that the tip of the arm portion 27 is located outside the lid 13 when viewed in the thickness direction of the lid 13. The central axis of the cylindrical portion 28 extends in the vehicle height direction and forms the rotation axis of the lid 13. The cylindrical portion 28 is open at both ends in the axial direction.

[0026] The box body 11 is generally in the shape of a truncated quadrangular pyramid with both ends open. The box body 11 has a flange 31 and a peripheral wall 32. The flange 31 defines the opening 17. The peripheral wall 32 forms the side portion 18 and defines the internal space of the recess 16.

[0027] The flange 31 has a rectangular window frame shape when viewed from the front side (the vehicle exterior side when installed), and its four corners are curved in an arc shape. The peripheral wall 32 extends from the flange 31 to the rear side (the vehicle interior side when installed). The peripheral wall 32 includes four walls corresponding to the four sides of the flange 31. The four walls approach each other as they move away from the flange 31 and are inclined toward the center of the box body 11, and the recess 16 becomes smaller as it extends further from the opening 17. The box body 11 is also open on the opposite side of the flange 31, and the end of the peripheral wall 32 defines a bottom opening 33 that is narrower than the opening 17.

[0028] The box body 11 further has a bulge 34 that protrudes outward relative to the recess 16 for connection with the lid 13. The bulge 34 protrudes outward from the hinge-proximal wall 32a, one of the four walls that make up the peripheral wall 32, and forms a hinge space 35 that communicates with the internal space of the recess 16. The bulge 34 includes a pair of protruding walls 34a, 34b that protrude from the hinge-proximal wall 32a, and a closing wall 34c that connects the peripheral edges of the protruding walls 34a, 34b. The hinge space 35 is defined by the inner surfaces of the protruding walls 34a, 34b and the closing wall 34c.

[0029] The bulging portion 34 is provided with a pair of shaft support portions 36a, 36b that protrude from the outer surfaces of the protruding walls 34a, 34b, respectively. The shaft support portions 36a, 36b are cylindrical and arranged coaxially. Both ends of the shaft support portions 36a, 36b are open and communicate with the hinge space 35. The bulging portion 34 also has a spring locking portion 37 provided on the outer surface of the protruding wall 34a.

[0030] The lid 13, assembled with the hinge plate 14, is connected to the box body 11 via a pivot mechanism 15. The pivot mechanism 15 includes a shaft 40 and a spring 45. The outer peripheral surface of the shaft 40 is provided with a key 41 (see FIG. 9A) extending in the axial direction and a protrusion 42 protruding in the radial direction. A lever 43 is provided on one end of the shaft 40. The spring 45 is, for example, a torsion coil spring.

[0031] When assembling the lid 13 with the hinge plates 14 to the box body 11, the arm portion 27 is inserted into the recess 16 through the opening 17 and then into the hinge space 35. The cylindrical portion 28 is arranged coaxially with the pair of shaft support portions 36a, 36b. The tip of the shaft 40 (the end opposite the lever 43) is inserted into the shaft support portion 36a, the cylindrical portion 28, and the shaft support portion 36b, in that order. During this process, the key 41 fits into the key groove 28a, and the protrusion 42 is received in the slit 28b. The lid 13 with the hinge plates 14 becomes rotatable integrally with the shaft 40 and is rotatably supported by the shaft support portions 36a, 36b via the shaft 40. When the back plate portion 26 fits into the opening 17, the lid 13 closes the opening 17. When the lid 13 is in the closed position, the peripheral edge 20 of the lid 13 and the flange 31 are slightly spaced apart in the vehicle width direction. The spring 45 is disposed along the outer surface of the protruding wall 34a. One end of the spring 45 is engaged with the spring engaging portion 37, and the other end of the spring 45 is engaged with the lever 43. The spring 45 biases the lid 13 toward the closed position.

[0032] The elastic member 12 has a flange portion 51, a cover portion 52, a connecting portion 53, and a locking piece 54. The flange portion 51 has a rectangular window frame shape and is provided on the flange 31 from the vehicle interior side. The cover portion 52 abuts against the end of the peripheral wall 32 and covers the bottom opening 33 from the vehicle interior side. The cover portion 52 forms the bottom 19 and defines the internal space of the recess 16. A drain hole 52a is formed in the cover portion 52, and water that has entered the recess 16 can be drained through the drain hole 52a. The connecting portion 53 connects the flange portion 51 and the cover portion 52 and is disposed on the outer surface of the peripheral wall 32. The locking piece 54 protrudes from the flange portion 51 distal to the hinge and is locked to the peripheral wall 32.

[0033] The elastic member 12 has a restricting piece 55 that protrudes from the hinge-proximal side of the flange portion 51 toward the center of the box body 11. On the other hand, the hinge plate 14 has a stopper portion 29 (see FIG. 9A) that protrudes from the inner surface of the arm portion 27. When the lid 13 rotates from the closed position to the open direction, the stopper portion 29 abuts against the restricting piece 55, restricting the rotation of the lid 13. This restricted position corresponds to the fully open position, which is one of the limits of the movable range of the lid 13. The cooperation of the restricting piece 55 and the stopper portion 29 prevents excessive movement of the lid 13.

[0034] The aforementioned insertion hole 56 and lip portion 57 are provided in the cover portion 52 that forms the bottom portion 19. The insertion hole 56 penetrates the center of the cover portion 52. The lip portion 57 protrudes from the cover portion 52 toward the opposite side of the recess 16 and surrounds the insertion hole 56. The lip portion 57 is double-ring shaped and has an annular outer peripheral portion 57a ​​and inner peripheral portion 57b, with the inner peripheral portion 57b being located between the insertion hole 56 and the outer peripheral portion 57a ​​in the radial direction of the insertion hole 56. The inner peripheral portion 57b protrudes more than the outer peripheral portion 57a. The outer peripheral portion 57a ​​is skirt-shaped and expands in diameter toward the tip.

[0035] The elastic member 12 has an extension 58 extending from the lip 57. The extension 58 is continuous with a portion of the lip 57 on the hinge proximal side in the circumferential direction, extends toward the bulging portion 34, and is disposed on the outer surface of the box body 11. Specifically, the extension 58 protrudes from the outer circumferential portion 57a ​​of the lip 57, and is disposed on the outer surface of the closing wall 34c of the bulging portion 34, the outer surfaces of the pair of protruding walls 34a, 34b of the bulging portion 34, and the outer surface of the hinge proximal wall 32a.

[0036] In the inlet box unit 10 configured as described above, the lid 13 has substantially the same size and shape as the mounting opening 3, while the bulging portion 34 protrudes beyond the lid 13. For this reason, when attaching the inlet box unit 10 to the exterior panel 2, the inlet box unit 10 is tilted and the bulging portion 34 is first inserted into the internal area 8 through the mounting opening 3. Thereafter, the inlet box unit 10 is rotated so that the tilt is eliminated, and the entire inlet box unit 10 is inserted into the internal area 8. To facilitate this attachment work, an alignment jig 60 (see FIG. 7) is used.

[0037] As shown in Figures 7, 8A, and 8B, the alignment jig 60 constitutes the mounting structure of the inlet box unit 10 during the production stage of the vehicle 1. The mounting structure includes the mounting opening 3, the box body 11, the lid 13, and the alignment jig 60. On the other hand, once the mounting of the inlet box unit 10 is complete, the alignment jig 60 is removed from the inlet box unit 10 and is omitted from the vehicle 1 as a completed product. The mounting opening 3, the box body 11, and the lid 13 remain on the vehicle 1 as a completed product.

[0038] The alignment jig 60 is molded from a hard resin material. The alignment jig 60 is attached to the peripheral edge 20 of the lid 13 to align the lid 13 with the exterior panel 2 when attaching the inlet box unit 10 to the attachment opening 3.

[0039] In this embodiment, the alignment jig 60 has a closed-loop base 61 and is attached to the entire periphery of the peripheral edge 20 of the lid 13. However, a portion of the alignment jig 60 may be cut out, or the alignment jig 60 may be attached only partially to the peripheral edge 20 of the lid 13.

[0040] The base 61 includes a first short edge portion 61a attached to the first short edge 21 of the lid 13, a second short edge portion 61b attached to the second short edge 22 of the lid 13, a first long edge portion 61c attached to the first long edge 23 of the lid 13, and a second long edge portion 61d attached to the second long edge 24 of the lid 13.

[0041] The alignment jig 60 has a base 61 provided with a fitting portion 62, a plurality of engagement portions 63, a jig extension portion 64, and a plurality of knob portions 65.

[0042] The fitting portion 62 is provided on the outer periphery of the base 61 and can fit into the mounting opening edge portion 4 of the exterior panel 2. The fitting portion 62 is configured by a groove formed on the outer periphery of the base 61. The fitting portion 62 has a first fitting portion 62a provided on the first short edge portion 61a and a second fitting portion 62b provided on the second short edge portion 61b, which is a point symmetrical portion of the first short edge portion 61a. Furthermore, the fitting portion 62 is provided around the entire outer periphery of the base 61. The first fitting portion 62a and the second fitting portion 62b communicate with each other via grooves provided in the first long edge portion 61c and the second long edge portion 61d.

[0043] In this embodiment, the alignment jig 60 as a whole is point-symmetric, not limited to the fitting portion 62. The base portion 61 and the jig extension portion 64 are entirely symmetric in shape, and the multiple engagement portions 63 and the multiple knob portions 65 are all arranged point-symmetrically.

[0044] The multiple engagement portions 63 are provided on the inner peripheral side and rear side of the base 61 and protrude toward the center of the alignment jig 60. Four engagement portions 63 are provided on each of the four peripheral portions that make up the base 61. Each engagement portion 63 is provided at the center in the extension direction of the corresponding peripheral portion. Each engagement portion 63 extends along the corresponding peripheral portion and protrudes slightly toward the center from the rear surface of the corresponding peripheral portion. These engagement portions 63 can engage with the rear surface of the peripheral portion 20 of the lid 13.

[0045] The jig extension 64 is provided on the front side of the base 61 and protrudes toward the center of the alignment jig 60. The jig extension 64 is provided around the entire circumference of the base 61. The jig extension 64 and the engagement portion 63 sandwich the lid 13 in the thickness direction of the lid 13. The jig extension 64 can engage with the front of the peripheral portion 20 of the lid 13 around the entire circumference.

[0046] When viewed from the front side of the alignment jig 60, the multiple knobs 65 overlap at least a portion of the engagement portion 63. In this embodiment, two knobs 65 are provided on each of the first short edge portion 61a and the second short edge portion 61b. Each knob 65 protrudes from the front of the corresponding edge portion and overlaps in the thickness direction with the engagement portion 63 provided on that edge portion.

[0047] Each knob 65 has a pair of projections 65a protruding from the front of the corresponding edge portion and a bridge 65b connecting the tips of the projections 65a. Each knob 65 is formed integrally with the base 61, seamlessly continuing from the base 61, while a clearance is provided between the bridge 65b and the base 61. As will be described further below, an operator can hook their fingers into this clearance.

[0048] 8A, 8B, and 9A to 9E, the installation of the inlet box unit 10 using this alignment jig 60 will be described below. At the stage when the inlet box unit 10 is installed to the exterior panel 2, the configuration on the vehicle 1 side includes the exterior panel 2 as well as the inner panel 7 and the supply member 9. The inlet box unit 10 is in a state in which the lid 13 with the hinge plate 14 is rotatably connected to the box body 11 with the elastic member 12 via the pivot mechanism 15. The lid 13 is in a closed state.

[0049] 8A and 8B, first, an operator attaches the alignment jig 60 to the peripheral portion 20 of the lid 13. At this time, the four engagement portions 63 come into close contact with the back surface of the peripheral portion 20, and the jig extension portions 64 come into close contact with the front surface of the peripheral portion 20. Cooperation between the engagement portions 63 and the jig extension portions 64 allows the alignment jig 60 to be securely attached to the lid 13.

[0050] The lid 13 has a point-symmetric shape, and the alignment jig 60 also has a point-symmetric shape. Therefore, there is essentially no distinction between a state in which the first short edge 61a engages with the first short edge 21 and the second short edge 61b engages with the second short edge 22, and a state in which the first short edge 61a engages with the second short edge 22 and the second short edge 61b engages with the first short edge 21. This allows workers to attach the alignment jig 60 to the lid 13 without worrying about the orientation, improving work efficiency. Hereinafter, unless otherwise specified, it is assumed that the first short edge 61a engages with the first short edge 21.

[0051] Next, as shown in FIG. 9A, the inlet box unit 10 is tilted so that the bulging portion 34 faces the interior and front of the vehicle, and the bulging portion 34 is inserted into the internal area 8 through the mounting opening 3.

[0052] 9B, one of the first fitting portion 62a and the second fitting portion 62b is fitted into the mounting opening edge 4. In this embodiment, the first short side edge 61a on which the first fitting portion 62a is provided engages with the first short side edge 21 of the lid 13, and this first fitting portion 62a is fitted into the mounting opening edge 4.

[0053] Next, as shown in FIGS. 9C and 9D , the inlet box unit 10 is rotated around the mating point between the first mating portion 62a and the mounting opening edge portion 4 as a fulcrum so as to eliminate the tilt. At this time, the lip portion 57 interferes with the supply member 9 on the proximal side of the hinge. However, the elastic member 12 is flexible. The elastic member 12 also has an extension 58 that extends from the lip portion 57 on the proximal side of the hinge. Therefore, even if the lip portion 57 interferes during rotation, the force acting on the lip portion 57 is distributed to the extension 58, allowing the lip portion 57 to be displaced, and the elastic member 12 can overcome the supply member 9.

[0054] 9E, while maintaining one of the first fitting portion 62a and the second fitting portion 62b fitted to the mounting opening edge 4, the other of the first fitting portion 62a and the second fitting portion 62b (in this example, the second fitting portion 62b) is fitted to the mounting opening edge 4. This positions the inlet box unit 10 relative to the mounting opening 3. Finally, the gripping portion 65 is grasped, and the alignment jig 60 is pulled out from the exterior panel 2 and the lid 13 to the outside of the vehicle.

[0055] According to the mounting structure of this embodiment, the alignment jig 60 has a fitting portion 62 on the outer periphery that can fit into the mounting opening edge portion 4 of the exterior panel 2 that defines the mounting opening 3. With the above configuration, the inlet box unit 10 can be rotated with the fitting portion 62 of the alignment jig 60 fitting into the mounting opening edge portion 4. Because the pivot point for rotation is stable, the inlet box unit 10 can be easily mounted into the mounting opening 3.

[0056] The fitting portion 62 includes a first fitting portion 62a and a second fitting portion 62b provided at a position point-symmetrical to the first fitting portion 62a. When the inlet box unit 10 is attached to the attachment opening 3, either the first fitting portion 62a or the second fitting portion 62b is fitted into the attachment opening edge portion 4. Because of this point symmetry, incorrect assembly of the alignment jig 60 to the lid 13 can be prevented, improving production efficiency.

[0057] The fitting portion 62 is provided around the entire circumference of the alignment jig 60. This reduces the contact area between the alignment jig 60 and the exterior panel 2, lowering frictional resistance and improving the workability of attaching the inlet box unit 10 to the exterior panel 2.

[0058] The alignment jig 60 has a plurality of engagement portions 63 on its inner periphery that engage with the back surface of the lid 13. This allows the alignment jig 60 to be fixed to the lid 13, improving installation workability. The alignment jig 60 has a jig extension portion 64 on its front side that extends toward the center. The jig extension portion 64 and the engagement portions 63 hold the lid 13 in place. This allows the alignment jig 60 to be firmly fixed to the lid 13.

[0059] The alignment jig 60 has a knob 65 that protrudes from the front side. This allows the alignment jig 60 to be easily removed. When viewed from the front side of the alignment jig 60, the knob 65 overlaps with at least a portion of the engagement portion 63. This allows the engagement portion 63 to be pulled directly. The engagement of the lid 13 at the engagement portion 63 can be easily released, allowing the lid 13 to be securely attached to the lid 13 while also being easily removed from the lid 13.

[0060] The vehicle includes an inner panel 7 arranged on the back side of an exterior panel 2, and a supply member 9 that penetrates the inner panel 7 and supplies an energy source for driving the vehicle. An elastic member 12 that forms a bottom 19 of a recess 16 is provided on a box body 11. The elastic member 12 has a lip portion 57 that protrudes from the back side and is in close contact with the inner panel 7. This prevents water from entering from the inside to the outside in the vehicle width direction of the inner panel 7 (from the wheel well 6 to the internal area 8 between the inner panel 7 and the exterior panel 2), improving waterproofing.

[0061] The elastic member 12 has an insertion hole 56 through which the supply member 9 is inserted, and the lip portion 57 surrounds the insertion hole 56. This makes it possible to prevent water from entering around the entire periphery of the insertion hole 56, further improving waterproofing.

[0062] The box body 11 has a bulge 34 that bulges outward relative to the recess 16. The elastic member 12 has an extension 58 that extends from the lip 57 toward the bulge 34. This allows the force acting on the lip 57 to be dispersed to the extension 58, making the lip 57 displaceable and improving the ease of installation of the inlet box unit 10.

[0063] Although the embodiment has been described above, the above configuration can be modified as appropriate within the scope of the present invention. The mounting structure can also be applied to a case where an inlet box unit 10 without a bulge 34 is mounted to an exterior panel 2 without rotation. [Explanation of symbols]

[0064] 1 vehicle 2 exterior panels 3 Mounting port 4 Mounting edge 5 rear tires 6 Tire house 7 Inner Panel 7a Lower panel 7b Vertical panel section 7c Upper panel 7d through hole 8. Inner Area 9. Supply Materials 9a Inlet 10 Inlet box unit 11 Box body 12 Elastic member 13 Lid 14 Hinge plate 15 Pivot support mechanism 16 Recess 17 Aperture 18 Side 19 Bottom 20 Periphery 21 First short edge 22 Second short edge 23 1st long edge 24 2nd long edge 26 Back plate part 27 Arm section 28 Cylindrical part 28a Keyway 28b slit 29 Stopping part 31 flange 32 Peripheral wall 32a Hinge proximal wall 33 Bottom opening 34 Bulge 34a,34b Projecting wall 34c closing wall 35 Hinge space 36a,36b Shaft support part 37 Spring locking part 40 shaft 41 keys 42 Protrusion 43 Lever 45 Spring 51 Flange 52 Cover 52a Drain hole 53 Connection 54 Locking piece 55 Regulatory piece 56 Insertion hole 57 Lip 57a outer periphery 57b Inner circumference 58 Extension 60 Alignment jig 61 Base 61a First short edge 61b 2nd short edge 61c First long edge 61d Second long edge 62 Fitting part 62a First fitting portion 62b Second fitting portion 63 Engagement part 64 Jig extension 65 Knob 65a Convex part 65b Bridge

Claims

1. a mounting port for an exterior panel that forms the exterior appearance of the vehicle; a box body that forms a recess that is open to the outside of the vehicle; a lid that is rotatably connected to the box body and opens and closes the opening of the recess; an alignment jig attached to a peripheral edge of the lid to align the lid with the exterior panel when attaching the lid to the attachment opening; In the inlet box unit mounting structure, The alignment jig has a fitting portion on the outer periphery thereof that can be fitted to the edge of the mounting opening of the exterior panel that defines the mounting opening. Mounting structure for inlet box unit.

2. The fitting portion includes a first fitting portion and a second fitting portion provided at a position point-symmetrical to the first fitting portion. The inlet box unit mounting structure according to claim 1.

3. The fitting portion is provided over the entire circumference of the alignment jig. The inlet box unit mounting structure according to claim 1.

4. The alignment jig has a plurality of engagement portions on the inner periphery thereof that engage with the rear surface of the lid. The inlet box unit mounting structure according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. a jig extension portion extending toward the center of the alignment jig on the front side of the alignment jig; The jig extension and the engagement portion hold the lid. The inlet box unit mounting structure according to claim 4.

6. The alignment jig has a knob protruding from the front side. The inlet box unit mounting structure according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

7. The alignment jig has a plurality of engagement portions on an inner circumferential side thereof that engage with the rear surface of the lid, The gripping portion overlaps at least a part of the engaging portion when viewed from the front side of the alignment jig. The inlet box unit mounting structure according to claim 6.

8. The vehicle, an inner panel disposed on the rear side of the exterior panel; a supply member that penetrates the inner panel and supplies an energy source for driving the vehicle; The box body is provided with an elastic member that forms a bottom of the recess, The elastic member has a lip portion that protrudes from the rear side of the elastic member and is in close contact with the inner panel. The inlet box unit mounting structure according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

9. the elastic member has an insertion hole through which the supply member is inserted, The lip portion surrounds the insertion hole. The inlet box unit mounting structure according to claim 8.

10. the box body has a bulging portion that bulges outward relative to the recessed portion, The elastic member has an extension extending from the lip portion toward the bulge portion. The inlet box unit mounting structure according to claim 8.

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