Vehicle spare tire mounting structure

Abstract

This invention provides a vehicle spare tire mounting structure that allows for easy adjustment of the spare tire's position in both the longitudinal and lateral directions when mounting the spare tire under the rear floor. [Solution] A vehicle spare tire mounting structure 100 comprises a cover 130 for housing the vehicle's spare tire, and a frame 110 located on the underside of the rear floor of the vehicle, the frame 110 which descends toward the ground with its front end as a pivot axis and mounts the cover 130. The cover 130 has a shape that conforms to the shape of the rear end 118a of the frame 110 in a plan view, and a positioning part 132 that positions the cover 130 relative to the frame 110 by contacting the rear end 118a of the frame 110 when the cover 130 approaches the frame 110 from the rear.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a spare tire mounting structure for a vehicle.

Background Art

[0002] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a rear body structure including a spare tire carrier that has a frame portion and a tire cover and supports a spare tire in a mounted state. In this rear body structure, the rear end portion of the tire cover is raised and lowered so that the spare tire can be attached and detached. According to Patent Document 1, with this rear body structure, the operating force when attaching and detaching the spare tire can be significantly reduced, and the attachment and detachment of the spare tire can be easily performed without much effort.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in a rear body structure such as that of Patent Document 1, there is room for improvement in workability when accommodating a spare tire below the rear floor.

[0005] In view of such problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a spare tire mounting structure for a vehicle that can easily adjust the position of a spare tire in the vehicle longitudinal direction and the vehicle width direction when mounting the spare tire below the rear floor.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] To solve the above problems, a typical configuration of the present invention is a vehicle spare tire mounting structure comprising a cover for housing a vehicle spare tire, and a frame located on the underside of the rear floor of the vehicle, the frame descending toward the ground with its front end as a pivot axis and mounting the cover, wherein the cover has a shape that conforms to the shape of the rear end of the frame in a plan view and has a positioning part that positions the cover relative to the frame by abutting against the rear end of the frame when the cover approaches the frame from the rear. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, when mounting a spare tire under the rear floor, the position of the spare tire in the longitudinal direction and the position in the width direction of the vehicle can be easily adjusted. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This is a side view of a vehicle spare tire mounting structure according to an embodiment of the present invention, showing the spare tire when mounted. [Figure 2] This is a side view of a vehicle spare tire mounting structure according to an embodiment of the present invention, showing the spare tire being attached or detached. [Figure 3] Figure 1 is a perspective view of the vehicle spare tire mounting structure, seen from the rear side. [Figure 4] Figure 1 is a side view showing the frame and cover of the vehicle spare tire mounting structure in the lowered position. [Figure 5] This is a plan view showing the vehicle spare tire mounting structure with the cover in contact with the frame. [Figure 6] This is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the frame and cover of the vehicle spare tire mounting structure according to Modification 1 and Comparative Example 1. [Figure 7] Figure 5 shows a side view of the frame and cover, etc. [Figure 8] Figure 5 is a perspective view of the frame and cover from below. [Figure 9]This is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the frame and cover of the vehicle spare tire mounting structure according to Modifications 3, 4, and 5 and Comparative Example 2. [Figure 10] Figure 5 is a perspective view from below showing the frame with the cover placed on it. [Figure 11] Figure 2 is a perspective view of the vehicle spare tire mounting structure, seen from below. [Figure 12] This is a cross-sectional view of a part of the vehicle spare tire mounting structure, seen from the rear, and a magnified cross-sectional view of a part of it. [Figure 13] This is a partially enlarged perspective view of Figure 11. [Figure 14] This is a schematic diagram of a vehicle spare tire mounting structure according to Modified Example 6 and Comparative Example 3. [Figure 15] Figure 5 is a perspective view of the cover from above. [Figure 16] Figure 1 is a partial rear view of the vehicle's spare tire mounting structure. [Figure 17] This is a plan view showing how the movement-restricting part of the cover engages with the rising part of the frame, and a plan view of a comparative example. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] One embodiment of the present invention relates to a vehicle spare tire mounting structure comprising a cover for housing a vehicle spare tire and a frame located on the underside of the rear floor of the vehicle, the frame having its front end as a pivot axis and descending toward the ground to mount the cover, wherein the cover has a shape that conforms to the shape of the rear end of the frame in a plan view and has a positioning portion that positions the cover relative to the frame by abutting against the rear end of the frame when the cover approaches the frame from the rear.

[0010] According to the present invention, by bringing a cover close to a frame in a state where the frame has descended from a rear floor and bringing a positioning portion of the cover into contact with the rear end of the frame, the position of the cover with respect to the frame in the vehicle front-rear direction can be determined. At this time, the position of the cover in the vehicle width direction can be easily adjusted. By sliding the positioned cover forward, the cover can be appropriately mounted on the frame.

[0011] The frame further has a ground contact portion that contacts the ground when it has descended, the rear end of the frame is disposed at a position higher than the ground contact portion when the ground contact portion is in contact with the ground, the upper end of the positioning portion of the cover is located forward of the lower end, and the rear end of the frame is preferably disposed between the upper end and the lower end of the positioning portion of the cover approaching from the rear to the frame when the ground contact portion is in contact with the ground.

[0012] According to this configuration, since the upper end of the positioning portion is located forward of the lower end and the rear end of the frame is disposed between the upper end and the lower end of the positioning portion of the cover approaching from the rear to the frame when the ground contact portion is in contact with the ground, after bringing the positioning portion of the cover into contact with the rear end of the frame and then getting over it, the cover can be placed on the frame and easily pushed forward.

[0013] The cover further has bifurcated portions that protrude forward on both outer sides in the vehicle width direction of the rear end of the frame, and the dimension of the bifurcated portions of the cover in the vehicle width direction is preferably gradually or stepwise widened as it goes forward.

[0014] According to this configuration, since the bifurcated portions widen as they go forward, the bifurcated portions are wider at the front side and narrower at the rear side. Since the bifurcated portions are wider at the front side, the user can roughly align the bifurcated portions of the cover with respect to the rear end of the frame. Since the bifurcated portions are narrower at the rear side, the accuracy of the position of the cover in the vehicle width direction with respect to the rear end of the frame increases as the user pushes the bifurcated portions of the cover with respect to the rear end of the frame.

[0015] The cover further has a movement-restricting portion that interferes with the frame when mounted on the frame in a lowered state, thereby restricting the cover's movement toward the rear of the vehicle. The position where the movement-restricting portion of the cover interferes with the frame is preferably located between the ground contact portion and the rear end of the frame.

[0016] In this configuration, the movement limiting part and the frame engage, thus fixing the position of the cover relative to the frame.

[0017] The cover further has a chamfered portion between its rear surface and bottom surface, and the chamfered portion is preferably positioned higher than the ground contact portion when the cover is mounted on the lowered frame.

[0018] With this configuration, the chamfered portion is positioned higher than the ground contact portion, so even if the ground contact portion of the frame touches the ground, the chamfered portion of the cover does not touch the ground. This prevents damage to the cover.

[0019] The cover further has an upwardly recessed groove formed on its lower surface, and the groove of the cover abuts against the upper side of the frame in the front-rear direction when the frame is raised, and faces the outer side of the frame in the vehicle width direction in the front-rear direction, thereby allowing the cover to be mounted on the frame.

[0020] With this configuration, the groove contacts the upper side of the frame in the front-to-back direction and faces the outside of the frame in the vehicle width direction. Therefore, if a user accidentally pushes the cover towards the bottom of the frame or in the vehicle width direction, the cover will not move, shift position, or fall off the frame. [Examples]

[0021] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the attached drawings. The dimensions, materials, and other specific numerical values ​​shown in these embodiments are merely illustrative to facilitate understanding of the invention and do not limit the present invention unless otherwise specified. In this specification and drawings, elements having substantially the same function and configuration are denoted by the same reference numerals to avoid redundant explanations, and elements not directly related to the present invention are omitted from the illustrations.

[0022] Figure 1 is a side view of a vehicle spare tire mounting structure 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention, with a spare tire 200 mounted. Figure 2 is a side view of a vehicle spare tire mounting structure 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention, with a spare tire 200 being attached or detached. In Figures 1, 2, and subsequent drawings, the front-rear direction of the vehicle is indicated by arrows F (Forward) and B (Backward), respectively; the left and right directions in the vehicle width direction are indicated by arrows L (Leftward) and R (Rightward), respectively; and the up and down directions are indicated by arrows U (Upward) and D (Downward), respectively.

[0023] As shown in Figure 1, the vehicle spare tire mounting structure 100 includes a carrier 104 located below the rear floor 102 for mounting a spare tire 200. The carrier 104 includes a frame 110 located below the rear floor 102 of the vehicle, a cover 130 for housing the spare tire 200, and hooks 160 for suspending the frame 110.

[0024] As shown in Figure 1, when the cover 130 is in a horizontal position and the frame 110 is suspended by the hook 160, the spare tire 200 inside the cover 130 is mounted on the vehicle. As shown in Figure 2, when the cover 130 is in an inclined position and the frame 110 is detached from the hook 160, the spare tire 200 inside the cover 130 becomes detachable from the vehicle.

[0025] Figure 3 is a perspective view of the vehicle spare tire mounting structure 100 shown in Figure 1, viewed from the rear side. The frame 110 is a U-shaped member with an open front end. The frame 110 also has a circular cross-section. The frame 110 has two straight downward sections 111 and 121, two widening sections 112 and 122 extending from the lower ends of each of the straight downward sections 111 and 121, and two first straight sections 113 and 123 extending from the rear ends of each of the widening sections 112 and 122.

[0026] Furthermore, the frame 110 has two curved downward sections 114, 124 extending downward from the rear ends of each first straight section 113, 123, and two ground contact sections 115, 125 at the lower ends of each curved downward section 114, 124. The frame 110 also has two rising sections 116, 126 extending upward from each ground contact section 115, 125, two second straight sections 117, 127 extending towards the rear of the vehicle from the upper ends of each rising section 116, 126, and one rear end section 118 connecting the rear ends of the two second straight sections 117, 127.

[0027] The upper ends 111a and 121a (front ends of the frame 110) of the two straight downward sections 111 and 121 are attached to the vehicle as pivot axes (see Figure 11). The two straight downward sections 111 and 121 rotate around their upper ends 111a and 121a, and when the rear end is lowered toward the ground, the cover 130 can be mounted and removed. The width of the two widening sections 112 and 122 in the vehicle width direction widens outward as it goes toward the rear. The two first straight sections 113 and 123 extend in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. The two curved downward sections 114 and 124 curve downward.

[0028] Two ground contact sections 115, 125 contact the ground when the frame 110 is lowered. Two rising sections 116, 126 restrict the cover 130 from moving towards the rear of the vehicle. Two second straight sections 117, 127 are positioned higher than the first straight sections 113, 123. The rear end 118 forms the rear end of the frame 110 and extends in the vehicle width direction.

[0029] Figure 4 is a side view showing the frame 110 and cover 130 of the vehicle spare tire mounting structure 100 in Figure 1 in a lowered state. As shown in Figure 4, the rear end 118a of the rear end 118 is positioned higher than the ground contact portion 125 when the ground contact portion 125 is in contact with the ground, i.e., at a height H1 from the ground. Similarly, the rear end 118a is positioned higher than the ground contact portion 115 when the ground contact portion 115 is in contact with the ground, i.e., at a height H1 from the ground. As a result, a gap is formed between the rear end 118 and the ground.

[0030] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 4, the cover 130 has a chamfered portion 150 between its rear surface and bottom surface. The chamfered portion 150 is positioned higher than the ground contact portion 125, i.e., at a height H2 from the ground, when the cover 130 is mounted on the lowered frame 110. Similarly, the chamfered portion 150 is positioned higher than the ground contact portion 115, i.e., at a height H2 from the ground, when the cover 130 is mounted on the lowered frame 110.

[0031] Figure 5 is a plan view showing the state in which the cover 130 is in contact with the frame 110 of the vehicle spare tire mounting structure shown in Figure 2. The cover 130 has a positioning portion 132 formed on its front side. The positioning portion 132 is formed in a shape (straight in this embodiment) that follows the shape (straight in this embodiment) of the rear end 118a of the frame 110 in a plan view. The positioning portion 132 positions the cover 130 relative to the frame 110 by contacting the rear end 118a of the frame 110 when the cover 130 approaches the frame 110 from the rear with the rear end 118a of the frame 110 lowered.

[0032] The positioning portion 132 of the cover 130 is formed to correspond to a part of the rear end 118a of the frame 110, but it may also be formed to correspond to the entire rear end 118a of the frame 110.

[0033] Figure 6(a) is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the frame 210 and cover 230 of a vehicle spare tire mounting structure according to Modification 1. The positioning portion 232 of the cover 230 is formed as an arc-shaped recess that is recessed toward the rear of the vehicle in a plan view. The front ends 234 and 244 of the positioning portion 232 are pointed. On the other hand, the rear end portion 218 of the frame 210 is formed as an arc-shaped convex portion that protrudes toward the rear of the vehicle in a plan view.

[0034] Therefore, the positioning portion 232 of the cover 230 is formed in a shape that follows the rear end portion 218 of the frame 210. With this configuration, users can easily bring the cover 230 closer to the frame 210 so that the positioning portion 232 of the cover 230 fits with the rear end portion 218 of the frame 210, while aligning the front ends 234 and 244 with the outer end of the frame 210 in the vehicle width direction.

[0035] Figure 6(b) is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the frame 310 and cover 330 according to Comparative Example 1 (an inappropriate example). The cover 330 is formed in a triangular shape with one vertex 332 on the front side of the vehicle and two vertices 334 and 344 on the rear side of the vehicle in a plan view. A positioning portion 336 is formed between vertex 332 and vertex 334, and another positioning portion 346 is formed between vertex 322 and vertex 344. On the other hand, the rear end portion 318 of the frame 310 is formed as an arc-shaped convex portion that protrudes toward the rear of the vehicle in a plan view.

[0036] Therefore, the positioning portions 336 and 346 of the cover 330 are formed in a shape that does not conform to the rear end portion 318 of the frame 310. In this case, the user cannot align the positioning portions 336 and 346 of the cover 330 with the rear end portion 318 of the frame 310, making it difficult to bring the cover 330 close to the frame 310 with high accuracy.

[0037] Figure 7(a) is a side view showing the cover 130 in contact with the frame 110 of Figure 5. Figure 7(b) is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of Figure 7(a). As shown in Figure 7(a), the positioning portion 132 has, in order from top to bottom, an upper end 132a, an upper inclined surface 132b, a lower inclined surface 132c, and a lower end 132d.

[0038] The upper end 132a of the positioning portion 132 is located in front of the lower end 132d. The inclination angle of the upper inclined surface 132b is set to be greater than the inclination angle of the lower inclined surface 132c. The lower end 132d is located above the upper surface 152a of the groove portion 152, which will be described later. In addition, the rear end 118a of the rear end portion 118 of the frame 110 is positioned between the upper end 132a and the lower end 132d of the positioning portion 132 of the cover 130, which approaches the frame 110 from the rear when the ground contact portions 115 and 125 are in contact with the ground.

[0039] Figure 7(c) is a schematic view of the rear end portion 418 of the frame 410 according to Modification 2, as seen from the rear. The rear end portion 418 of the frame 410 has a recess 419. The recess 419 has a top surface 419a and a side surface 419b. As mentioned above, the rear end portion 418 of the frame 410 must be at a higher position than the ground contact portions 115 and 125 when lowered. However, as shown in Figure 7(c), the entire rear end portion 418 of the frame 410 does not have to be at a higher position than the ground contact portions 115 and 125 when lowered. For example, the top surface 419a of the recess 419, which is part of the rear end portion 418 of the frame 410, may be at a higher position than the ground contact portions 115 and 125 when lowered.

[0040] In this configuration, even if the rear end 418 of the frame 410 on which the cover 130 is mounted touches the ground when it is lowered, the ceiling surface 419a of the recess 419 does not touch the ground. Therefore, users can easily raise and lower the frame 410 by inserting their fingers into the recess 419.

[0041] Figure 8 is a perspective view of the front side of the frame 110 and cover 130 of Figure 5, viewed from below. The cover 130 further has bifurcated portions 134 and 144 that protrude forward in a bifurcated manner on both outer sides in the vehicle width direction of the rear end 118a of the frame 110. Thus, the width of the bifurcated portions 134 and 144 is greater than the width of the rear end 118a of the frame 110. The dimensions of the bifurcated portions 134 and 144 in the vehicle width direction are set to gradually widen as they go forward. That is, the width gradually widens from the rear ends 134b and 144b to the front ends 134a and 144a. In this embodiment, as an example of gradual widening, an example of linear widening in a plan view is shown.

[0042] Figure 9(a) is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the frame 110 and cover 530 of a vehicle spare tire mounting structure according to Modification 3. The dimensions of the bifurcated portions 534 and 544 in the vehicle width direction may be set to be progressively wider towards the front. The cover 530 is brought close to the frame 110 and pushed so that the rear end portion 118 of the frame 110 fits into the wider portions 534a and 544a of the bifurcated portions 534 and 544, and the rear end portion 118 of the frame 110 is guided into the narrower portions 534b and 544b.

[0043] Figure 9(b) is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the frame 110 and cover 630 of a vehicle spare tire mounting structure according to Modification 4. The dimensions of the bifurcated portions 634 and 644 in the vehicle width direction are set to gradually widen towards the front, and widen in an arc shape towards the front. The cover 630 is brought close to the frame 110 and pushed so that the rear end portion 118 of the frame 110 fits into the front side of the bifurcated portions 634 and 644, and the rear end portion 118 of the frame 110 is guided to the rear side of the bifurcated portions 634 and 644.

[0044] Figure 9(c) shows the process of placing the cover 630 onto the frame 110 of the vehicle spare tire mounting structure according to Modification 5. If the user does not orient the front of the cover 630 precisely toward the front of the vehicle, the width between the bifurcated portions 634 and 644 will be narrower. However, in reality, as the user or other party pushes the cover 630 toward the rear end 118 of the frame 110, the cover 630 rotates counterclockwise in a plan view, transitioning to the state shown in Figure 9(b).

[0045] Figure 9(d) is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the frame 110 and cover 730 of a vehicle spare tire mounting structure according to Comparative Example 2 (an inappropriate example). The cover 730 has bifurcated sections 734 and 744. The bifurcated sections 734 and 744 have front ends 734a and 744a, rear ends 734b and 744b, intermediate sections 734c and 744c, front inclined sections 734d and 744d, and rear inclined sections 734e and 744e.

[0046] The width between the rear ends 734b and 744b of the bifurcated sections 734 and 744 is smaller than the width between the front ends 734a and 744a. However, there are intermediate sections 734c and 744c between the front ends 734a and 744a and the rear ends 734b and 744b of the bifurcated sections 734 and 7444, which are narrower than the width between the front ends 734a and 744a and the width between the rear ends 734b and 744b. As a result, the rear end 118 of the frame 110 cannot be guided to the rear ends 734b and 744b of the bifurcated sections 734 and 744, and the position adjustment function of the cover 730 in the vehicle width direction cannot be fully performed.

[0047] From this, it can be said that the bifurcated portions 734 and 744 should be formed with a width at least equal to the width between their rear ends 734b and 744b. The bifurcated portions 134 and 144 in the embodiment are also formed with a width equal to or greater than the width between their rear ends 134b and 144b.

[0048] Figure 10(a) is a perspective view from below of the frame 110 of Figure 5 with the cover 130 mounted on it. Figure 10(b) is a partially enlarged perspective view of Figure 10(a). Figure 11 is a perspective view from below of the vehicle spare tire mounting structure 100 of Figure 2. As shown in Figures 10(a) and 11, the cover 130 further has movement limiting parts 136 and 146 that interfere with the frame 110 when mounted on the lowered frame 110, thereby restricting the movement of the cover 130 toward the rear of the vehicle.

[0049] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 4, the point where the movement limiting section 146 and the frame 110 (lifting section 126) interfere is located between the ground contact section 125 of the frame 110 and the rear end 118a of the frame 110. Similarly, the point where the movement limiting section 136 and the frame 110 (lifting section 116) interfere is located between the ground contact section 115 of the frame 110 and the rear end 118a of the frame 110.

[0050] As shown in Figures 10(a) and 11, the movement-restricting sections 136 and 146 extend in the height direction of the cover 130. That is, the movement-restricting sections 136 and 146 extend vertically when the cover 130 is placed on the ground so that its lower surfaces 130a and 130b (see Figure 11) are in contact with the ground.

[0051] As shown in Figure 10(b), the movement-restricting sections 136 and 146 are formed in a triangular prism shape. The movement-restricting section 146 has a first surface 146a on the rear side and a second surface 146b on the front side. When the cover 130 is placed on the frame 110, the first surface 146a of the movement-restricting section 146 falls downward along the rising section 126 of the frame 110, restricting its movement backward. Similarly, when the cover 130 is placed on the frame 110, the first surface of the movement-restricting section 136 falls downward along the rising section 116 of the frame 110, restricting its movement backward.

[0052] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 11, the cover 130 has upwardly recessed grooves 152 formed on its lower surfaces 130a and 130b. The grooves 152 are formed between predetermined distances from the vehicle width ends of the lower surfaces 130a and 130b of the cover 130, extending in the vehicle's longitudinal direction.

[0053] Figure 12(a) is a cross-sectional view of a part of the vehicle spare tire mounting structure 100, viewed from the rear. Figure 12(b) is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a part of Figure 12(a). Figure 13 is an enlarged perspective view of a part of Figure 11. The groove 152 of the cover 130 has an upper surface 152a and side surfaces 152b and 152c. The upper surface 152a rests on the first straight sections 113 and 123 of the frame 110. The side surface 152b is located outside the first straight section 113 of the frame 110 in the vehicle width direction, and the side surface 152c is located outside the first straight section 123 of the frame 110 in the vehicle width direction.

[0054] Therefore, when the cover 130 is placed on the frame 110, the groove 152 abuts against the upper side of the raised frame 110 in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle and faces the outer side of the frame 110 in the vehicle width direction, thereby mounting the cover 130 on the frame 110. In this way, the groove 152 restricts the movement of the first straight sections 113 and 123 in the vehicle width direction. The lower end of the groove 152 is located below the cross-sectional center of the first straight sections 113 and 123 of the frame 110.

[0055] Figure 14(a) is a schematic diagram of the cover 830 of the vehicle spare tire mounting structure according to Modification 6. As shown in Figure 14(a), the vehicle spare tire mounting structure 100 has grooves 852 and 854 instead of groove 152. The grooves 852 and 854 have upper surfaces 852a and 854a, outer side surfaces 852b and 854b, and inner side surfaces 852c and 854c.

[0056] Therefore, when the cover 830 is placed on the frame 110, the grooves 852 and 854 abut against the upper side of the raised frame 110 in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, and also face the outer side in the vehicle width direction of the first straight sections 113 and 123 of the frame 110, as well as the inner side in the vehicle width direction. As a result, the grooves 852 and 854 restrict the movement of the first straight sections 113 and 123 in the vehicle width direction. A lower surface 130c is formed between the groove 852 and the groove 854, at the same height as the lower surfaces 130a and 130b.

[0057] Figure 14(b) is a schematic diagram of the cover 930 of the vehicle spare tire mounting structure according to Comparative Example 3. As shown in Figure 14(b), the cover 930 has an upper surface 952a and an outer side surface 952b. The depth L1 of the groove 952 is smaller than the cross-sectional radius R1 of the first straight section 113 of the frame 110. This makes the cover 930 unsuitable because the first straight section 113 of the frame 110 is likely to come out of the groove 952.

[0058] Figure 15 is a perspective view of the cover 130 of Figure 5, viewed from above. The cover 130 has a mounting base 154 for the spare tire 200 (see Figure 16) and a retaining portion 156 for holding the spare tire 200. The mounting base 154 has a first mounting portion 154a and a second mounting portion 154b above it. The retaining portion 156 extends perpendicularly to the lower surface.

[0059] Figure 16 is a partial rear view of the vehicle spare tire mounting structure 100 shown in Figure 1. Figure 16(a) corresponds to a view in which the design surface of the spare tire 200 is positioned downwards, and Figure 16(b) corresponds to a view in which the design surface of the spare tire 200 is positioned upwards. As shown in Figure 16(a), the height from the bottom surface of the cover 130 to the mounting surface of the wheel 200a is defined as h1. The height from the bottom surface of the cover 130 to the upper end of the retaining part 156 is defined as h2. Above the vehicle spare tire mounting structure 100 are the vehicle's rear floor 102 and a component 970 attached to the rear floor 102.

[0060] As shown in FIG. 16(a), when the design surface of the spare tire 200 is facing downward and h2 > h1, the holding portion 156 is exposed upward from the hole of the wheel 200a of the spare tire 200. Also, at this time, it is avoided that the wheel 200a contacts the component 970. From these facts, the user or the like can recognize that the spare tire 200 is properly fixed.

[0061] However, as shown in FIG. 16(b), when the design surface of the spare tire 200 is facing upward and h2 < h1, the holding portion 156 is not exposed upward from the hole of the wheel 200a, and the spare tire 200 is not fixed to the mounting base 154 and the holding portion 156. Also, at this time, the wheel 200a contacts the component 970. From these facts, the user or the like notices that the spare tire 200 is not properly fixed.

[0062] Next, in the vehicle spare tire mounting structure 100, the state of mounting the spare tire 200 will be described while referring to FIGS. 5, FIG. 11, FIG. 2, and FIG. 1. The user lowers the rear end of the frame 110, positions the positioning portion 132 at the rear end portion 118 as shown in FIG. 5, and then pushes out the cover 130 that houses the spare tire 200 onto the frame 110.

[0063] Then, as shown in FIG. 11, the upward inclined surface 132b and the downward inclined surface 132c of the cover 130 straddle the rear end portion 118 of the frame 110, and the groove portion 152 of the cover 130 is placed on the first straight portions 113 and 123 of the frame 110. Thereafter, the cover 130 is raised from the state shown in FIG. 2 to the state shown in FIG. 1, and the frame 110 is suspended by the hook 160, thereby mounting the spare tire 200 on the vehicle.

[0064] As described above, according to this embodiment, the cover 130 can be brought close to the rear end 118 of the frame 110, which has fallen to the ground from the rear floor 102, from the rear, and the positioning portion 132 of the cover 130 can be brought into contact with the rear end 118a of the frame 110, thereby determining the position of the cover 130 in the vehicle's longitudinal direction relative to the frame 110. At this time, the position of the cover 130 in the vehicle width direction can be easily adjusted. By sliding the positioned cover 130 forward, the cover 130 can be properly mounted on the frame 110.

[0065] This prevents the cover 130 from being mounted on the frame 110 in a misaligned state in the vehicle's longitudinal or vehicle width direction before the positioning portion 132 of the cover 130 is placed on the rear end portion 118 of the frame 110.

[0066] The upper end 132a of the positioning portion 132 is located in front of the lower end 132d, and the rear end 118a of the frame 110 is positioned between the upper end 132a and the lower end 132d of the positioning portion 132 of the cover 130, which approaches the frame 110 from the rear when the ground contact portions 115 and 125 are in contact with the ground. As a result, the positioning portion 132 of the cover 130 can be brought into contact with the rear end 118a of the frame 110 and then moved over, allowing the cover 130 to be easily placed on the frame 110 and pushed forward. This, in turn, improves the user's work efficiency.

[0067] Since the bifurcated portions 134 and 144 widen towards the front, the bifurcated portions 134 and 144 are wider towards the front and narrower towards the rear. Because the bifurcated portions 134 and 144 are wider towards the front, the user can roughly align the bifurcated portions 134 and 144 of the cover 130 with respect to the rear end 118a of the frame 110. Because the bifurcated portions 134 and 144 are narrower towards the rear, the user can improve the accuracy of the position of the cover 130 in the vehicle width direction relative to the rear end 118a of the frame 110 as they push the bifurcated portions 134 and 144 of the cover 130 with respect to the rear end 118a of the frame 110.

[0068] The movement-restricting parts 136 and 146 engage with the frame 110 (upper parts 116 and 126), fixing the position of the cover 130 relative to the frame 110. Figure 17(a) is a plan view showing how the movement-restricting parts 136 and 146 of the cover 130 engage with the upper parts 116 and 126 of the frame 110. As shown in Figure 17(a), when the cover 130 is formed in a cylindrical shape and the movement-restricting parts 136 and 146 are provided on the circumferential surface of the cover 130, rotation of the cover 130 relative to the frame 110 is prevented. Figure 17(b) is a plan view showing the cover 130 and frame 110 according to a comparative example. As shown in Figure 17(b), when there are no movement-restricting parts, the cover 130 may rotate in plan view.

[0069] Furthermore, movement-restricting sections 136 and 146 are provided on the circumferential surface of the cover 130, and rising sections 116 and 126 are provided on the frame 110 to receive the movement-restricting sections 136 and 146, so that the movement-restricting sections 136 and 146 are received by the rising sections 116 and 126. This prevents the cover 130 from moving to the rear of the vehicle relative to the frame 110. Additionally, movement-restricting sections 136 and 146 are provided on both sides of the circumferential surface of the cover 130 in the vehicle width direction, and the frame 110 has rising sections 116 and 126 to receive each of the movement-restricting sections 136 and 146. This prevents the cover 130 from moving in the vehicle width direction relative to the frame 110.

[0070] Since the chamfered portion 150 is positioned higher than the ground contact portions 115 and 125, even if the ground contact portions 115 and 125 of the frame 110 come into contact with the ground, the chamfered portion 150 of the cover 130 will not come into contact with the ground. This prevents damage to the cover 130.

[0071] Since the chamfered portion 150 is positioned higher than the ground contact portions 115 and 125, a space is created between the chamfered portion 150 and the ground, making it easy for users to reach under the cover 130 and easily adjust the position of the cover 130.

[0072] Since the groove 152 abuts against the upper side of the frame 110 in the front-rear direction and faces the outside of the frame 110 in the vehicle width direction, if a user or the like accidentally pushes the cover 130 towards the underside of the frame 110 or in the vehicle width direction, movement, displacement, and falling of the cover 130 relative to the frame 110 are prevented. Furthermore, movement, displacement, and falling of the cover 130 relative to the frame 110 are prevented not only during the installation of the cover 130 onto the frame 110, but also while the vehicle is in motion after installation.

[0073] Preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the attached drawings, but it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to these examples. It is clear to those skilled in the art that various modifications or alterations can be conceived within the scope of the claims, and these will naturally also fall within the technical scope of the present invention.

[0074] Furthermore, the present invention can be implemented by freely combining the inventions described in the claims and examples, regardless of the dependency relationships of the claims. [Industrial applicability]

[0075] This invention can be used in a vehicle spare tire mounting structure. [Explanation of symbols]

[0076] 100...Spare tire mounting structure for vehicle, 102...Rear floor, 104...Carrier, 110...Frame, 111...Straight descending section, 111a...Upper end, 112, 122...Wide section, 113, 123...First straight section, 114, 124...Curved descending section, 115, 125...Ground contact section, 116, 126...Rising section, 117, 127...Second straight section, 118...Rear end, 118a...Rear end, 130...Cover 130a, 130b...Bottom surface, 132...Positioning part, 132a...Upper end, 132b...Upper inclined surface, 132c...Lower inclined surface, 132d...Bottom end, 134...Bifurcation part, 136, 146...Movement restricting part, 146a...First surface, 146b...Second surface, 150...Chamfered part, 152...Groove part, 152a...Top surface, 152b, 152c...Side surface, 154...Mounting base, 156...Holding part, 160...Hook, 200...Spare Tire, 200a...Wheel, 210...Frame, 218...Rear end, 230...Cover, 232...Positioning part, 234, 244...Front, 310...Frame, 318...Rear end, 330...Cover, 332, 334, 344...Apex, 336, 346...Positioning part, 410...Frame, 418...Rear end, 419...Recess, 419a...Top surface, 419b...Side surface, 530...Cover, 534, 544...Bifurcated part, 630...Cover, 634, 644...Bifurcated part, 730...Cover, 734, 744...Bifurcated part, 734a, 744a...Front end, 734b, 744b...Rear end, 830...Cover, 85 2, 854...Groove, 852a, 854a...Top surface, 852b, 854b...Outer side surface, 852c, 854c...Inner side surface, 930...Cover, 952a...Top surface, 952b...Outer side surface, 970...Parts

Claims

1. A cover for housing the vehicle's spare tire, A vehicle spare tire mounting structure comprising a frame located on the underside of the rear floor of the vehicle, the frame having its front end as a pivot point and descending toward the ground to mount the cover, The vehicle spare tire mounting structure is characterized in that the cover has a shape that conforms to the shape of the rear end of the frame in a plan view and has a positioning portion that positions the cover relative to the frame by contacting the rear end of the frame when the cover approaches the frame from the rear.

2. The frame further has a ground contact portion that comes into contact with the ground when it is lowered, The rear end of the frame is positioned higher than the ground contact portion when the ground contact portion is in contact with the ground. The upper end of the positioning portion of the cover is located in front of the lower end. The vehicle spare tire mounting structure according to claim 1, characterized in that the rear end of the frame is positioned between the upper and lower ends of the positioning portion of the cover that approaches the frame from the rear when the ground contact portion is in contact with the ground.

3. The cover further has bifurcated portions that protrude forward on both outer sides in the vehicle width direction at the rear end of the frame, The vehicle spare tire mounting structure according to claim 2, characterized in that the dimensions of the bifurcated portion of the cover in the vehicle width direction gradually or in stages as it goes forward.

4. The cover further includes a movement-restricting portion that, when mounted on the lowered frame, interferes with the frame and restricts the cover's movement toward the rear of the vehicle. The vehicle spare tire mounting structure according to claim 3, characterized in that the position where the movement-restricting portion of the cover and the frame interfere is located between the ground contact portion and the rear end of the frame.

5. The cover further has a chamfered portion between its rear surface and its bottom surface, The vehicle spare tire mounting structure according to claim 4, characterized in that the chamfered portion is positioned higher than the ground contact portion when the cover is mounted on the lowered frame.

6. The cover further has an upwardly recessed groove formed on its lower surface, The spare tire mounting structure for a vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the groove portion of the cover abuts against the upper side of the frame in the raised state in the front-rear direction and faces the outer side of the frame in the vehicle width direction in the front-rear direction, thereby mounting the cover on the frame.

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