Vehicle lid device

Abstract

To reduce a size of a mechanism for opening / closing a lid.SOLUTION: A vehicular lid device includes: a box which is mounted on a vehicle body depth side, and has an opening for exposing a storage space to a vehicle body outer part; a lid which is opened / closed between a close position where the opening is closed and an open position where the opening is opened; and an opening / closing mechanism for opening / closing the lid between the close position and the open position. The opening / closing mechanism has: a rotary gear which is rotated around a rotary shaft extending along a vehicle body rear face on the vehicle body depth side; a slide member which is arranged on the vehicle body depth side, is engaged with the rotary gear, and is slid along the vehicle body rear face by rotation of the rotary gear; a first guide mechanism which moves the lid in vehicle body front / rear directions relative to the box by slide in a first region section of the slide member; and a second guide mechanism which moves the lid in a direction along the vehicle body rear face relative to the box by slide in a second region section of the slide member.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a lid device for a vehicle.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a lid device for a vehicle mounted on a vehicle has been known (for example, Patent Document 1). This lid device for a vehicle is a device that opens and closes an opening of a box that houses a supply port for supplying energy to the vehicle using a lid. The box is arranged on the inner side of the vehicle body. The opening of the box communicates with the outside of the vehicle body through the vehicle body opening, and exposes the supply port to the outside of the vehicle body. The lid opens and closes between a closed position for closing the opening and an open position for opening the opening.

[0003] By the way, as a structure for opening and closing the lid, a so-called dive type structure in which the lid is moved from the closed position to the inner side of the vehicle body and then moved along the back surface of the vehicle body when the lid is opened from the closed position can be considered. And, as this dive type structure, there is one that performs the opening and closing operation of the lid using a wire type worm gear (for example, refer to the Porsche EV Taycan, etc.).

[0004] In the above structure of the wire type worm gear, the rotational force of the motor is transmitted to the lid via the worm gear. The worm gear shaft extends downward from the power bearing of the motor. When the rotational force for opening the lid is transmitted to the lid, the lid retracts to the inner side of the vehicle body with respect to the opening and then retracts upward along the back surface of the vehicle body. Further, when the rotational force for closing the lid is transmitted to the lid, the lid moves downward along the back surface of the vehicle body and then pops out to the outer side of the vehicle body to close the opening.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] However, in the structure of the above-described wire type worm gear, when the lid moves up and down, the worm gear shaft also moves up and down. Specifically, when the lid retracts upward, the worm gear shaft retracts downward in the direction opposite to the lid with respect to the opening. Further, when the lid returns downward, the worm gear shaft moves upward. Therefore, in order to open and close the lid, it is necessary to ensure a long operating stroke of the worm gear shaft in the direction opposite to the lid moving direction with respect to the box, so that the device dimensions become large.

[0007] The present invention has been made in view of such points, and an object thereof is to provide a lid device for a vehicle capable of miniaturizing a mechanism for opening and closing a lid.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0008] One aspect of the present invention includes a box disposed on the rear side of the vehicle body and having an opening for exposing a storage space to the outside of the vehicle body, a lid that opens and closes between a closed position for closing the opening and an open position for opening the opening, and an opening and closing mechanism that moves the lid with respect to the box to open and close the lid between the closed position and the open position. The opening and closing mechanism includes a rotating gear that rotates about a rotation axis extending along the back surface of the vehicle body on the rear side of the vehicle body, a slide member disposed on the rear side of the vehicle body, meshing with the rotating gear, and sliding along the back surface of the vehicle body by the rotation of the rotating gear, a first guide mechanism that moves the lid in the vehicle body front-back direction with respect to the box by the slide member sliding in a first region section, and a second guide mechanism that moves the lid in the direction along the back surface of the vehicle body with respect to the box by the slide member sliding in a second region section continuous with the first region section. It is a lid device for a vehicle having.

[0009] According to this configuration, it is possible to miniaturize the mechanism for opening and closing the lid.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0010]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0011] Hereinafter, with reference to FIGS. 1 to 10, specific embodiments of the lid device for a vehicle according to the present invention will be described.

[0012] A lid device 1 for a vehicle according to an embodiment is a device that opens and closes a lid that can open and close a vehicle body opening provided in a vehicle. The lid device 1 for a vehicle is mounted on vehicles such as gasoline vehicles, diesel vehicles, electric vehicles, and hybrid vehicles.

[0013] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the vehicle has a vehicle body surface portion 2 such as the left and right surfaces of the vehicle body, the front surface of the vehicle body, and the rear surface of the vehicle body. Note that the vehicle body surface portion 2 may include an outer panel of the vehicle body, a vehicle door panel, a bonnet, and the like. The vehicle body surface portion 2 has a vehicle body opening 2a. The vehicle body opening 2a is a hole that penetrates the vehicle body surface portion 2 in the front-rear direction, which is the inside-outside direction, and is provided for accessing a supply port 3 for supplying energy to the vehicle and a door handle for operating a vehicle door to open. Hereinafter, in the present embodiment, it is assumed that the vehicle body opening 2a is an opening for accessing the supply port 3.

[0014] The supply port 3 is a fuel supply port for refueling or a charging port for charging a battery. The supply port 3 is arranged so as to be exposed to the outside of the vehicle body through the vehicle body opening 2a in the lid open state. The supply port 3 is provided at one end of a fuel pipe or an electric wire. The other ends of the fuel pipe and the electric wire are connected to a fuel tank or a battery arranged on the inner side of the vehicle body (that is, the inside of the vehicle body). A fuel gun or a charging gun for energy supply can be connected to the supply port 3 in the cap open state. Note that the supply port 3 may be covered with a cap that can be opened and closed by manual operation of an operator for dust prevention, waterproofing, and the like.

[0015] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the vehicle lid device 1 includes a box 10, a lid 20, and an opening / closing mechanism 30. Hereinafter, directions (for example, left and right) and arrangements are shown based on when viewed from the front side of the lid 20. The vehicle lid device 1 is a so-called dive-type lid device that pushes the lid 20 deeper into the vehicle body than the vehicle body surface portion 2 when the lid 20 is opened from the closed position to the open position, and houses the lid 20 in the accommodation space of the box 10 at the open position of the lid 20.

[0016] The box 10 is a box body that houses the supply port 3. The box 10 is arranged on the inner side of the vehicle body surface portion 2 so as to fit into the vehicle body opening 2a. The box 10 has a box main body portion 11, a cover portion 12, a storage space 13, and an opening portion 14. The box 10 is attached to the vehicle body surface portion 2 such that the opening portion 14 faces, for example, in the horizontal direction or slightly obliquely upward from the horizontal direction.

[0017] The box main body portion 11 is composed of a bottom wall portion 11a and a peripheral wall portion 11b. The bottom wall portion 11a is a bottom wall portion that spreads out in a plate shape. The bottom wall portion 11a is formed, for example, in a square shape. The bottom wall portion 11a is arranged along the back surface of the vehicle body surface portion 2. The peripheral wall portion 11b is a side wall portion that stands up from the periphery of the bottom wall portion 11a. The peripheral wall portion 11b is arranged so as to surround the bottom wall portion 11a. The peripheral wall portion 11b has, for example, four sides.

[0018] The cover portion 12 is a portion that covers the opening on the side of the box main body portion 11 opposite to the bottom wall portion 11a. The cover portion 12 is a wall portion that spreads out in a plate shape. The cover portion 12 is formed, for example, in a square shape. The cover portion 12 is attached to the vehicle body outer side end portion of the peripheral wall portion 11b in contact with the box main body portion 11 by screw fastening or fitting and fixing. The box main body portion 11 and the cover portion 12 house or fix the components of the opening and closing mechanism 30.

[0019] The storage space 13 is a space surrounded by the bottom wall portion 11a and the peripheral wall portion 11b and further surrounded by the cover portion 12. The storage space 13 houses the supply port 3. The storage space 13 is formed according to the size of the lid 20. Specifically, the storage space 13 is formed such that its left - right width is larger than the left - right width of the lid 20 and its up - down width is about twice the up - down width of the lid 20.

[0020] The bottom wall portion 11a has a communication hole 11c. The communication hole 11c is a passage that connects the accommodation space 13 and the rear side of the vehicle body of the bottom wall portion 11a, and is a through hole for passing a fuel supply pipe and an electric wire to accommodate the supply port 3 in the accommodation space 13. The communication hole 11c is provided at the lower center of the bottom wall portion 11a.

[0021] The opening 14 is an opening that can be exposed to the outside of the vehicle body. The opening 14 is provided at the lower part of the side (specifically, the cover portion 12) that faces the bottom wall portion 11a with the accommodation space 13 in the box 10 interposed therebetween. The opening 14 is arranged to communicate with the vehicle body opening 2a. That is, the box 10 is positioned on the vehicle body surface portion 2 such that the opening 14 communicates with the vehicle body opening 2a. The opening 14 exposes the accommodation space 13 to the outside of the vehicle body through the vehicle body opening 2a.

[0022] The opening 14 is opened and closed by a lid 20. The opening 14 is closed when the lid 20 is in the closed position, and is opened when the lid 20 is not in the closed position. When the opening 14 is open, the supply port 3 in the accommodation space 13 is exposed to the outside of the vehicle body. The supply port 3 is exposed to the outside of the vehicle body through the opening 14 and the vehicle body opening 2a at the open position of the lid 20 while being accommodated in the accommodation space 13.

[0023] The lid 20 is a lid member that closes the opening 14 of the box 10 and thus the vehicle body opening 2a. The lid 20 can perform an opening and closing operation between a closed position (specifically, a fully closed position) for closing the opening 14 and an open position (specifically, a fully open position) for opening the opening 14. The lid 20 is supported so as to be movable with respect to the box 10. The lid 20 is accommodated in the accommodation space 13 of the box 10 at the open position.

[0024] The lid 20 is formed in a plate shape. The lid 20 is formed in a shape (for example, a square shape or a circular shape) and size that match the opening 14. The lid 20 closes the opening 14 so as to be flush with the peripheral edge of the opening 14 in the box main body portion 11 and the vehicle body surface portion 2 at the closed position of the lid 20. Incidentally, the surface of the lid 20 may be curved in accordance with the surface shape of the vehicle body surface portion 2.

[0025] The lid 20 has a lid main body portion 21, a lid frame portion 22, and a support pin 23. The lid main body portion 21 is a plate-like portion forming a plate surface that closes the opening 14. The lid frame portion 22 is an annular frame portion forming the outer edge of the lid 20. The lid main body portion 21 and the lid frame portion 22 are integrated with each other by screw fastening or fitting and fixing. The lid 20 is arranged such that the lid main body portion 21 is flush with the vehicle body surface portion 2 at the closed position of the lid 20.

[0026] The lid frame portion 22 has a support portion 22a. The support portion 22a is a hole portion into which one end of the support pin 23 is inserted. The support pin 23 is a cylindrical member extending in the left-right direction. One end of the support pin 23 is inserted into the support portion 22a. The support portion 22a and the support pin 23 are each provided, for example, at two positions each in the up-down direction on the left and right sides of the lid frame portion 22 (a total of four positions). Each support portion 22a is provided on a cylindrical portion protruding in the left-right direction from the main body of the lid frame portion 22. The other end of each support pin 23 is movably supported by a slide member 33, which will be described later, of the opening / closing mechanism 30. The lid 20 is movable with respect to the slide member 33.

[0027] An annular gasket 24 is attached to the lid frame portion 22. The gasket 24 is a member for suppressing abnormal noises generated by direct contact between the lid 20 and the box 10 when the lid 20 closes the opening 14 by a closing operation or when the lid 20 is in a closed position where the opening 14 is closed. The gasket 24 is made of, for example, a resin having flexibility, flexibility, and elasticity.

[0028] The gasket 24 is disposed on the vehicle body surface side of the lid frame body portion 22. The gasket 24 contacts the back surface of the peripheral edge of the opening 14 in the cover portion 12 of the box 10 in the closed position of the lid 20. In the closed position of the lid 20, the outer edge portion of the lid 20 and the peripheral edge portion of the cover portion 12 of the box 10 face each other in the vehicle body front-back direction, and the gasket 24 is interposed between the outer edge portion of the lid 20 and the peripheral edge portion of the cover portion 12 of the box 10. Incidentally, the gasket 24 may be attached to the cover portion 12 instead of the lid frame body portion 22.

[0029] The opening and closing mechanism 30 is a mechanism that opens and closes the lid 20 between the closed position and the open position by moving the lid 20 relative to the box 10. The opening and closing mechanism 30 is interposed between the box 10 and the lid 20. As shown in FIGS. 3 to 10, the opening and closing mechanism 30 includes a motor 31, a gear shaft 32, a slide member 33, a first guide mechanism 40, and a second guide mechanism 50. The opening and closing mechanism 30 opens and closes the lid 20 using the driving force of the motor 31. Incidentally, the opening and closing mechanism 30 may open and close the lid 20 by a manual wire operation by an operator such as a vehicle occupant together with the motor 31 or instead of the motor 31.

[0030] The motor 31 is a device that generates a driving force for opening and closing the lid 20. The motor 31 generates a driving force, for example, in response to an electrical command from a controller. This controller drives the motor 31 in response to an open command or a close command for the lid 20 by an operator or the like. The drive shaft of the motor 31 is connected to the gear shaft 32.

[0031] The gear shaft 32 is a shaft member that rotates about a rotation axis extending along the back surface of the vehicle body surface portion 2. The gear shaft 32 rotates by the drive of the motor 31. The gear shaft 32 is disposed on the back side of the vehicle body (specifically, inside the accommodation space 13) with respect to the vehicle body surface portion 2. The gear shaft 32 is disposed so as to cross the accommodation space 13 near the vertical center of the accommodation space 13. The rotation axis of the gear shaft 32 extends in the left - right direction along the back surface of the vehicle body on the back side of the vehicle body. Rotation gears 32a are provided at both axial ends of the gear shaft 32. The rotation gear 32a is a circular gear.

[0032] The slide member 33 is a lid guide plate that slides in the vertical direction along the back surface of the vehicle body by the rotation of the gear shaft 32. The slide member 33 slides between a lower end position and an upper end position. Note that the sliding direction of the slide member 33 may be a direction slightly inclined with respect to the vertical direction or a direction curved in an arc shape.

[0033] The slide member 33 can slide in the vertical direction by a distance necessary to open and close the lid 20 between the closed position and the open position. The slide member 33 opens the lid 20 from the closed position to the open position by sliding upward (specifically, in one of the vertical directions), and closes the lid 20 from the open position to the closed position by sliding downward (specifically, in the other of the vertical directions).

[0034] The slide member 33 is disposed on the back side of the vehicle body (specifically, inside the accommodation space 13) with respect to the vehicle body surface portion 2. A pair of slide members 33 are provided so as to sandwich the opening 14 on the left side and the right side. Each slide member 33 meshes with the rotation gear 32a of the gear shaft 32. Each slide member 33 has a plate portion 33a, a gear portion 33b, and a flange portion 33c.

[0035] The plate portion 33a is a plate wall that extends in the vertical direction and the front-back direction. The gear portion 33b is a rack gear that meshes with the rotating gear 32a of the gear shaft 32. The rotating gear 32a and the gear portion 33b constitute a rack and pinion type gear. The flange portion 33c is integrated with the end portion on the back side of the plate portion 33a, and is a plate wall that protrudes in the left-right direction from the end portion of the plate portion 33a. The flange portion 33c extends in the vertical direction and the left-right direction. The gear portion 33b is provided on the back end face of the flange portion 33c such that the teeth protrude toward the back side of the vehicle body.

[0036] The flange portion 33c is disposed at a position sandwiched in the front-back direction between a guide forming member 34 and a guide forming member 35 described later. The flange portion 33c is sandwiched between the guide forming member 34 and the guide forming member 35 such that the gear portion 33b meshes with the rotating gear 32a. The flange portion 33c can slide in the vertical direction along the back surface of the vehicle body through a guide hole formed by the guide forming member 34 and the guide forming member 35.

[0037] The guide forming member 34 and the guide forming member 35 are members that form a guide hole for slidably guiding the flange portion 33c. The guide forming member 34 and the guide forming member 35 are attached to the box 10 (specifically, the box main body portion 11) and are integrated with the box 10.

[0038] As shown in FIG. 3, the guide forming member 34 has a frame portion formed along the left and right peripheral portions in the accommodation space 13. The guide forming member 34 is attached to the vehicle body front side of the bottom wall portion 11a of the box main body portion 11. Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the guide forming member 35 has a plate portion formed along the left and right peripheral portions in the accommodation space 13. The guide forming member 35 is attached to the vehicle body front side of the guide forming member 34 or the vehicle body front side of the bottom wall portion 11a of the box main body portion 11 such that a guide hole for sliding the flange portion 33c is formed between the guide forming member 34 and the guide forming member 35.

[0039] The first guide mechanism 40 is a mechanism that moves the lid 20 in the vehicle body front-back direction with respect to the box 10 by sliding the slide member 33 in the first region section between the lower end position and the upper end position. The first region section is the section between the lower end position and the upper and lower intermediate positions (that is, the lower slide section) among all the slide sections where the slide member 33 slides when opening and closing the lid 20 between the closed position and the open position. The first guide mechanism 40 moves the lid 20 in the vehicle body front-back direction between the closed position and an intermediate position on the back side of the vehicle body from the closed position.

[0040] The second guide mechanism 50 is a mechanism that moves the lid 20 in the direction along the back surface of the vehicle body with respect to the box 10 by sliding the slide member 33 in the second region section between the lower end position and the upper end position. The second region section is the section between the above-mentioned upper and lower intermediate positions and the upper end position (that is, the lower slide section) among all the slide sections of the slide member 33 described above. The second region section is continuous with the first region section. The second guide mechanism 50 moves the lid 20 in the direction along the back surface of the vehicle body, that is, the slide direction of the slide member 33, between the above-mentioned intermediate position on the back side of the vehicle body and the open position.

[0041] The first guide mechanism 40 and the second guide mechanism 50 are each composed of a shaft component and a hole groove that engage with each other in order to move the lid 20 with respect to the box 10 by the sliding of the slide member 33. Incidentally, the shaft component of the first guide mechanism 40 and the shaft component of the second guide mechanism 50 may be independent components from each other, or may be the same common shaft component.

[0042] The first guide mechanism 40 has an engagement restricting portion 41, a first support protrusion 42, and a first guide hole portion 43. The second guide mechanism 50 has an integrated portion 51, a second support protrusion 52, and a second guide hole portion 53.

[0043] The engagement restricting portion 41 is a portion that restricts the lid 20 from moving in the direction along the vehicle body rear surface with respect to the box 10, that is, in the sliding direction of the slide member 33, by engaging the box 10 and the lid 20 during the sliding of the slide member 33 in the first region section. The engagement restricting portion 41 is composed of a portion provided on the lid 20 and a portion provided on the box 10. Specifically, the engagement restricting portion 41 is composed of the first support protrusion 42 and the edge portion of the front-back direction region portion 43d, which will be described later, in the first guide hole portion 43.

[0044] The first support protrusion 42 is a protrusion fixed to the lid 20 or the slide member 33. The first support protrusion 42 is inserted into the first guide hole portion 43 and is supported so as to be movable. In the present embodiment, the first support protrusion 42 is provided on the lid 20. Specifically, the first support protrusion 42 is the support pin 23 described above.

[0045] The first guide hole portion 43 is a hole groove portion that guides the first support protrusion 42 so that the lid 20 moves in the vehicle body front-back direction with respect to the box 10 during the sliding of the slide member 33 in the first region section. When the first support protrusion 42 is provided on the lid 20, the first guide hole portion 43 includes a hole groove portion provided on the slide member 33 and a hole groove portion provided on the box 10.

[0046] The first guide hole portion 43 has an idle rotation region portion 43a, an inclined region portion 43b, a protrusion movement region portion 43c, and a front-back direction region portion 43d. The idle rotation region portion 43a, the inclined region portion 43b, and the protrusion movement region portion 43c are provided on the slide member 33. The front-back direction region portion 43d is provided on the box 10 (specifically, the guide forming members 34, 35 integrated with the box 10).

[0047] The idle rotation region part 43a, the inclined region part 43b, and the protrusion movement region part 43c are provided in the slide member 33 such that the idle rotation region part 43a, the protrusion movement region part 43c, and the inclined region part 43b are continuous in that order. The slide member 33 has a single guide hole 33d (see FIGS. 3, 4, 7 to 10) that constitutes the idle rotation region part 43a, the inclined region part 43b, and the protrusion movement region part 43c.

[0048] The idle rotation region part 43a, the inclined region part 43b, and the protrusion movement region part 43c penetrate the plate part 33a of the slide member 33 in the left - right direction and are formed in a hole shape in the plate part 33a. The idle rotation region part 43a, the inclined region part 43b, and the protrusion movement region part 43c have a hole width through which the first support protrusion 42 can be inserted and extend so that the first support protrusion 42 can move relatively.

[0049] The idle rotation region part 43a is a region where, even when the slide member 33 slides in the direction along the vehicle body rear surface near the closed position of the lid 20, the first support protrusion 42 is not moved in the vehicle body front - back direction with respect to the slide member 33. In the plate part 33a, the idle rotation region part 43a is formed to extend in the slide direction of the slide member 33 so that the first support protrusion 42 does not move in the vehicle body front - back direction with respect to the slide member 33 during the slide of the slide member 33, and thus the lid 20 does not move in the vehicle body front - back direction with respect to the box 10. Incidentally, the length of the idle rotation region part 43a in the above - mentioned slide direction may be long or short, but it is preferably short in order to shorten the idle rotation slide distance of the slide member 33. The idle rotation region part 43a is formed at the upper - end side of the first guide hole part 43. The upper end of the idle rotation region part 43a is closed.

[0050] The inclined region portion 43b is a region where the first support protrusion 42 is moved in the vehicle body front-back direction with respect to the slide member 33 when the slide member 33 slides in the first region section. The inclined region portion 43b is formed in the plate portion 33a so as to extend in a direction inclined with respect to the slide direction of the slide member 33 such that when the slide member 33 slides in the first region section, the first support protrusion 42 moves in the vehicle body front-back direction with respect to the slide member 33 and the lid 20 moves in the vehicle body front-back direction with respect to the box 10. Incidentally, the inclination angle of this inclined region portion 43b may be set to an angle (for example, 45°) such that the first support protrusion 42 efficiently moves in the vehicle body front-back direction with respect to the slide of the slide member 33. The inclined region portion 43b is formed at the lower end side of the first guide hole portion 43.

[0051] The inclined region portion 43b is inclined from the upper side to the lower side from the vehicle body front side to the vehicle body rear side. For this reason, when the first support protrusion 42 moves in the inclined region portion 43b, during the opening operation of the lid 20, the first support protrusion 42 moves to the vehicle body rear side with respect to the slide member 33 and the lid 20 moves to the vehicle body rear side with respect to the box 10, and during the closing operation of the lid 20, the first support protrusion 42 moves to the vehicle body front side with respect to the slide member 33 and the lid 20 moves to the vehicle body front side with respect to the box 10. The lower end and the vehicle body rear end of the inclined region portion 43b are closed.

[0052] The protruding movement region portion 43c is a region where the first support protrusion 42 is moved to the vehicle body front side with respect to the slide member 33 when the lid 20 moves from the closed position to the open operation. The protruding movement region portion 43c is formed in the plate portion 33a so as to extend in a direction inclined with respect to the slide direction of the slide member 33 such that when the lid 20 is in the open operation, the first support protrusion 42 moves to the vehicle body front side with respect to the slide member 33 and the lid 20 moves to the vehicle body front side with respect to the box 10.

[0053] The protruding movement region portion 43c is formed such that a compressive force for pressing the gasket 24 against the peripheral edge of the opening 14 in the cover portion 12 of the box 10 and elastically deforming it is applied to the gasket 24 during the opening operation of the lid 20 from the closed position, and the lid 20 is formed to protrude outward from the vehicle body surface (i.e., the vehicle body face portion 2) during the opening operation of the lid 20 from the closed position. Incidentally, the compressive force and the protruding amount applied to the protruding movement region portion 43c may be such that a displacement occurs at the ice adhesion interface between the gasket 24 and the ice when the gasket 24 is frozen and fixed in the closed position of the lid 20.

[0054] The protruding movement region portion 43c is formed in the upper and lower intermediate portion of the first guide hole portion 43. That is, the protruding movement region portion 43c is provided continuously with the idling region portion 43a on the upper side and continuously with the inclined region portion 43b on the lower side. The protruding movement region portion 43c is inclined or curved from the vehicle body inner side to the vehicle body outer side from the upper side to the lower side. For this reason, when the first support protrusion 42 moves in the protruding movement region portion 43c, during the opening operation of the lid 20, the first support protrusion 42 moves toward the vehicle body outer side with respect to the slide member 33 and the lid 20 moves toward the vehicle body outer side with respect to the box 10, and during the closing operation of the lid 20, the first support protrusion 42 moves toward the vehicle body inner side with respect to the slide member 33 and the lid 20 moves toward the vehicle body inner side with respect to the box 10.

[0055] The front-back direction region portion 43d penetrates the wall portion facing the left-right direction of the guide forming member 35 in the left-right direction or is formed between the guide forming members 34 and 35 and opens in the left-right direction, and is formed in a hole shape in the wall portion and the like. The front-back direction region portion 43d has a hole width through which the first support protrusion 42 can be inserted. The front-back direction region portion 43d extends so that the first support protrusion 42 can move relatively.

[0056] The front-back direction region portion 43d is a region that moves the first support protrusion 42 in the vehicle body front-back direction with respect to the box 10 without moving it in the sliding direction with respect to the slide member 33 when the slide member 33 slides in the first region section. In the box 10, the front-back direction region portion 43d extends in the vehicle body front-back direction so that the first support protrusion 42 moves in the vehicle body front-back direction without moving in the sliding direction with respect to the box 10 as it moves in the inclined region portion 43b and the protruding movement region portion 43c during the slide of the slide member 33 in the first region section.

[0057] The integrated portion 51 is a part that integrates the lid 20 and the slide member 33 and moves them in the sliding direction of the slide member 33 during the slide of the slide member 33 in the second region section. The integrated portion 51 is composed of a part provided on the lid 20, a part provided on the slide member 33, and a part provided on the box 10. Specifically, the integrated portion 51 is composed of the second support protrusion 52, the end portion (i.e., the lower end and the vehicle body rear end) of the inclined region portion 43b in the slide member 33, and the edge portion of the slide region portion 53a described later in the second guide hole portion 53.

[0058] The second support protrusion 52 is a protrusion fixed to the box 10, the lid 20, or the slide member 33. The second support protrusion 52 is inserted into the second guide hole portion 53 and is movably supported. In the present embodiment, the second support protrusion 52 is provided on the lid 20. Specifically, the second support protrusion 52 is the support pin 23 described above. That is, in the present embodiment, the first support protrusion 42 and the second support protrusion 52 are the same shaft component, specifically, the support pin 23.

[0059] The second guide hole portion 53 is a hole groove portion that guides the second support protrusion 52 so that the lid 20 moves in the sliding direction of the slide member 33 with respect to the box 10 during the slide of the slide member 33 in the second region section. When the second support protrusion 52 is provided on the lid 20, the second guide hole portion 53 includes a hole groove portion provided on the box 10.

[0060] The second guide hole portion 53 has a slide region portion 53a. The slide region portion 53a is provided in the box 10 (specifically, the guide forming members 34 and 35 integrated with the box 10).

[0061] The slide region portion 53a penetrates in the left - right direction through the wall portion of the guide forming member 35 facing the left - right direction or is formed between the guide forming members 34 and 35 and opens in the left - right direction, and is formed in a hole shape in the wall portion or the like. The slide region portion 53a has a hole width through which the second support protrusion 52 can be inserted. The slide region portion 53a extends so that the second support protrusion 52 can move relatively.

[0062] The slide region portion 53a is a region where the second support protrusion 52 is moved in the slide direction of the slide member 33 with respect to the box 10 when the slide member 33 slides in the second region section. In the box 10, the slide region portion 53a extends in the slide direction of the slide member 33 so that the second support protrusion 52 moves in the slide direction with respect to the box 10 during the slide of the slide member 33 in the second region section. The slide region portion 53a is provided continuously to the front - back direction region portion 43d of the first guide hole portion 43 in the box 10. The box 10 has a guide hole 19 (see FIGS. 3, 4, 7 to 10) that constitutes the front - back direction region portion 43d and the slide region portion 53a.

[0063] Next, the operation of the vehicle lid device 1 will be described. In the vehicle lid device 1, the support pins 23 (that is, the first support protrusion 42 and the second support protrusion 52) provided on the lid 20 are inserted into both the guide hole 33d of the slide member 33 and the guide hole 19 of the box 10 (specifically, the guide forming members 34 and 35 integrated with the box 10) and are supported so as to be movable. The vehicle lid device 1 opens and closes the lid 20 between the closed position and the open position by changing the positions of the support pins 23 in the guide hole 33d and in the guide hole 19 by the slide movement of the slide member 33.

[0064] When the vehicle is running or the like, the lid 20 is in the closed position closing the opening 14 of the box 10. In this case, the lid 20 is locked in the closed position by a locking member (not shown) or the like. In the closed position of the lid 20, since the supply port 3 in the accommodation space 13 of the box 10 is not exposed to the outside of the vehicle through the opening 14 and the vehicle body opening 2a, it is impossible to connect a fuel gun or a charging gun to the supply port 3. Also, in the closed position of the lid 20, as shown in FIG. 7, the support pin 23 of the lid 20 is located at the upper end of the idle region portion 43a of the first guide hole portion 43 and at the vehicle body front side end of the front-back direction region portion 43d among the guide hole 19 of the box 10 and the guide hole 33d of the slide member 33.

[0065] When an operator such as a vehicle driver or a vehicle user wishes to refuel or charge the battery of the vehicle while the lid 20 is in the closed position, after stopping the vehicle, the operator performs the operations necessary to open the lid 20 to the open position with respect to the vehicle. This operation includes a lock release operation for releasing the lock in the closed position of the lid 20. Depending on the situation of the operator, for example, approaching the vehicle while carrying the smart key corresponding to the vehicle and causing the vehicle to perform authentication through communication between the vehicle and the portable device, an opening instruction by an application on a smartphone, a pressing operation of an open switch button arranged inside the vehicle, or a pulling operation of an open lever arranged inside the vehicle, etc.

[0066] When the above operations are performed, the lock in the closed position of the lid 20 is released and the motor 31 of the opening and closing mechanism 30 is driven by an opening command from the controller, and the gear shaft 32 rotates in the direction (open direction) of moving the lid 20 from the closed position to the open position. When the gear shaft 32 rotates in the open direction, the slide member 33 meshing with the gear shaft 32 slides upward along the vehicle body back surface from the lower end position.

[0067] When the slide member 33 slides upward with respect to the box 10 from the lower end position, in the first region section, the support pin 23 relatively moves downward in the idle rotation region section 43a of the first guide hole section 43. In this case, since the support pin 23 engages with the edge of the front-back direction region section 43d of the box 10 that constitutes the engagement restricting section 41, while the lid 20 is allowed to move in the vehicle front-back direction with respect to the box 10, the lid 20 is restricted from moving in the slide direction of the slide member 33. Also in this case, since the support pin 23 does not receive a pressing force in the vehicle front-back direction from the peripheral edge of the idle rotation region section 43a in the slide member 33, the lid 20 does not move in the vehicle front-back direction with respect to the box 10.

[0068] When the upward slide of the slide member 33 continues, eventually, the support pin 23 reaches the protruding movement region section 43c of the first guide hole section 43. In this case, when the support pin 23 moves in the protruding movement region section 43c, it receives a pressing force from the peripheral edge of the protruding movement region section 43c in the slide member 33 toward the vehicle body front side and moves the front-back direction region section 43d from the vehicle body rear side to the vehicle body front side. Therefore, the lid 20 moves to the vehicle body front side with respect to the box 10 and is pushed up (see FIG. 8). The movement of the lid 20 to the vehicle body front side is performed until the support pin 23 reaches the protruding end of the protruding movement region section 43c.

[0069] Then, when the support pin 23 passes through the protruding movement region section 43c, the movement of the lid 20 to the vehicle body front side stops. Next, the support pin 23 reaches the inclined region section 43b. In this case, when the support pin 23 moves in the inclined region section 43b, it receives a pressing force from the peripheral edge of the inclined region section 43b in the slide member 33 toward the vehicle body rear side and moves the front-back direction region section 43d from the vehicle body front side to the vehicle body rear side. Therefore, the lid 20 moves to the vehicle body rear side with respect to the box 10 (see FIG. 9). The movement of the lid 20 to the vehicle body rear side is performed until the support pin 23 reaches the end portion of the inclined region section 43b and the vehicle body rear side end of the front-back direction region section 43d and the slide in the first region section of the slide member 33 ends.

[0070] Then, when the support pin 23 reaches the end portion of the inclined region portion 43b of the first guide hole portion 43 and the vehicle body rear side end of the front-back direction region portion 43d, the movement of the lid 20 toward the vehicle body rear side with respect to the slide member 33 stops. After this, when the slide member 33 continues to slide upward and reaches the second region section, the lid 20 will move integrally with the slide member 33 by the integral portion 51.

[0071] That is, after the support pin 23 reaches the end portion of the inclined region portion 43b and the vehicle body rear side end of the front-back direction region portion 43d and the upward sliding of the slide member 33 further continues, the support pin 23 moves upward from the lower end in the slide region portion 53a of the second guide hole portion 53 with the lid 20 and the slide member 33 integrated (see FIG. 10). That is, since the engagement between the support pin 23 and the edge portion of the front-back direction region portion 43d is released, the lid 20 is allowed to move in the slide direction of the slide member 33 with respect to the box 10. Further, since the support pin 23 does not receive the pressing force from the slide member 33 in the vehicle body front-back direction, the lid 20 moves in the slide direction of the slide member 33 without moving in the vehicle body front-back direction with respect to the box 10 within the accommodation space 13.

[0072] The movement of the lid 20 in the slide direction described above is performed until the upward sliding of the slide member 33 stops due to the drive stop of the motor 31 or until the support pin 23 reaches the upper end portion of the slide region portion 53a and the slide of the second region section of the slide member 33 ends. Then, when the slide of the second region section of the slide member 33 ends, the lid 20 reaches the open position.

[0073] Next, when the operator wishes to close the lid 20 to the closed position after the refueling or battery charging of the vehicle is completed with the lid 20 in the open position, the operator performs the operations necessary to cause the vehicle to close the lid 20 to the closed position. This operation includes a locking operation for locking the lid 20 in the closed position. Depending on the situation of the operator, for example, when the smart key corresponding to the vehicle is carried and the operator leaves the vehicle, the vehicle is authenticated through communication between the vehicle and the portable device; a closing instruction is given by an application on the smartphone; or a closing switch button arranged inside the vehicle or around the lid 20 is pressed down.

[0074] When the above operations are performed, the motor 31 of the opening / closing mechanism 30 is driven by a closing command from the controller at the open position of the lid 20, and the gear shaft 32 rotates in the direction (closing direction) to move the lid 20 from the open position to the closed position. When the gear shaft 32 rotates in the closing direction, the slide member 33 meshing with the gear shaft 32 slides downward along the back surface of the vehicle body from the upper end position.

[0075] When the slide member 33 slides downward with respect to the box 10 from the upper end position, the support pin 23 moves along a path opposite to that during the opening operation of the lid 20 described above. Specifically, when the slide member 33 slides downward, in the second region section, the support pin 23 moves downward in the slide region portion 53a of the second guide hole portion 53. In this case, since the support pin 23 does not receive a pressing force from the slide member 33 in the vehicle body front-rear direction when moving in the slide region portion 53a, the lid 20 moves in the slide direction of the slide member 33 without moving in the vehicle body front-rear direction with respect to the box 10 within the accommodation space 13 (see FIG. 10).

[0076] When the support pin 23 reaches the lower end of the slide region portion 53a of the second guide hole portion 53, the movement of the lid 20 in the above slide direction with respect to the slide member 33 stops, and it is allowed for the support pin 23 to move in the front-rear direction region portion 43d of the first guide hole portion 43 during the subsequent downward slide of the slide member 33, and the integration of the lid 20 and the slide member 33 by the integration portion 51 is released.

[0077] After the support pin 23 reaches the lower end of the slide area 53a and the slide member 33 continues to slide downward to reach the first region section, the support pin 23 moves in the inclined region 43b and the front-back direction region 43d of the first guide hole 43 with the integration of the lid 20 and the slide member 33 released. In this case, since the support pin 23 engages with the edge of the front-back direction region 43d, the lid 20 is restricted from moving in the sliding direction of the slide member 33 with respect to the box 10. Also in this case, since the support pin 23 receives a pressing force from the peripheral edge of the inclined region 43b in the slide member 33 to the vehicle body front side and moves the front-back direction region 43d from the vehicle body rear side to the vehicle body front side, the lid 20 moves to the vehicle body front side with respect to the box 10 (see Fig. 9). This movement of the lid 20 to the vehicle body front side is performed until the support pin 23 reaches the protruding end of the protruding movement region 43c.

[0078] When the support pin 23 passes through the protruding movement region 43c, the lid 20 first moves to the forefront on the vehicle body front side (see Fig. 8) and then reverses and moves to the vehicle body rear side. Then, when the support pin 23 reaches the idle rotation region 43a, the movement of the lid 20 with respect to the box 10 stops. As a result, the lid 20 reaches the closed position.

[0079] When the support pin 23 moves in the idle rotation region 43a, it does not receive a pressing force in the vehicle body front-back direction and the vehicle body up-down direction from the peripheral edge of the idle rotation region 43a in the slide member 33, so the lid 20 does not move with respect to the box 10. Then, when the downward sliding of the slide member 33 stops due to the drive stop of the motor 31 or the support pin 23 reaches the upper end of the idle rotation region 43a (see Fig. 7), the sliding of the slide member 33 in the first region section ends.

[0080] Thus, in the vehicle lid device 1, a gear shaft 32 that rotates using a motor 31 and a slide member 33 are meshed with each other using gears, and the gear shaft 32 is rotated by driving the motor 31 to slide the slide member 33 in a direction along the vehicle body rear surface, whereby the lid 20 can be opened and closed between a closed position and an open position.

[0081] Specifically, when the slide member 33 slides upward along the vehicle body rear surface due to the rotation of the gear shaft 32 in the opening direction, the lid 20 performs an opening operation of retracting from the closed position toward the inner side of the vehicle body and then moving upward along the vehicle body rear surface. When the slide member 33 slides downward along the vehicle body rear surface due to the rotation of the gear shaft 32 in the closing direction, the lid 20 performs a closing operation of moving downward along the vehicle body rear surface and then popping out to the vehicle body front side.

[0082] In this configuration, in order to open and close the lid 20, it is not necessary to ensure a long stroke of the slide member 33 in a direction opposite to the lid moving direction with respect to the box 10, and the slide member 33 can be stroked along the vehicle body rear surface while being disposed in the accommodation space 13 of the box 10 formed in a size that can accommodate the closed position and the open position of the lid 20. Therefore, according to the vehicle lid device 1, it is possible to avoid an increase in the device dimensions for ensuring the stroke of the slide member 33, and it is possible to miniaturize the mechanism for opening and closing the lid 20.

[0083] Also, in order to open and close the lid 20, the gear structure that meshes the gear shaft 32 and the slide member 33 can be a rack and pinion type. Therefore, according to the vehicle lid device 1, the number of parts can be reduced as compared with the structure of a wire type worm gear.

[0084] Also, during the opening operation of the lid 20 from the closed position, there is a timing when the lid 20 moves to the vehicle body outer side with respect to the box 10 and is pushed up. When the lid 20 is pushed up, a compressive force is applied to the gasket 24 to press the gasket 24 against the opposing portion on the vehicle body inner surface of the cover portion 12 of the box 10 and cause elastic deformation. When a compressive force is applied to the gasket 24 in a state where the gasket 24 is frozen and fixed in the closed position of the lid 20, a displacement is likely to occur at the ice adhesion interface between the gasket 24 and the ice. Therefore, it is possible to promote the peeling of the ice from the gasket 24 that is frozen and fixed in the closed position of the lid 20.

[0085] Also, in the closed position of the lid 20, the lid 20 closes the opening 14 so as to be flush with the vehicle body surface portion 2. On the other hand, when the lid 20 is pushed up as described above, the lid 20 protrudes outward from the vehicle body with respect to the vehicle body surface portion 2. When the lid 20 protrudes outward from the vehicle body with respect to the vehicle body surface portion 2 in a state where the vicinity of the boundary between the lid 20 and the vehicle body surface portion 2 is covered with ice in the closed position of the lid 20, cracks are likely to occur in the ice in the vicinity of the boundary. Therefore, it is possible to promote the peeling of the ice from the vehicle body surface side of the lid 20 that is frozen in the closed position of the lid 20.

[0086] Therefore, according to the vehicle lid device 1, by once pushing up the lid 20 to the vehicle body outer side with respect to the box 10 during the opening operation of the lid 20 from the closed position, it is possible to promote the peeling of the ice even if the gasket 24 and the lid 20 are frozen, so that the opening operation of the lid 20 can be performed smoothly.

[0087] By the way, in the above-described embodiment, the first support protrusion 42 of the first guide mechanism 40 and the second support protrusion 52 of the second guide mechanism 50 are the same shaft member, which is the support pin 23 provided on the lid 20. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the first support protrusion 42 and the second support protrusion 52 may be different shaft members from each other, and may be provided at different locations on the lid 20.

[0088] In the above embodiment, the first support protrusion 42 of the first guide mechanism 40 is fixed to the lid 20, and the first guide hole portion 43 is provided in the slide member 33 and the box 10. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the first support protrusion 42 may be fixed to the slide member 33, and the first guide hole portion 43 may be provided in the lid 20 and the box 10.

[0089] In the above embodiment, the second support protrusion 52 of the second guide mechanism 50 is fixed to the lid 20, and the second guide hole portion 53 is provided in the box 10. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the second support protrusion 52 may be fixed to the slide member 33, and the second guide hole portion 53 may be provided in the box 10, or the second support protrusion 52 may be fixed to the box 10, and the second guide hole portion 53 may be provided in the lid 20 or the slide member 33.

[0090] In the above embodiment, the front-back direction region portion 43d of the first guide hole portion 43 and the slide region portion 53a of the second guide hole portion 53 are provided continuously with each other in the box 10. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the front-back direction region portion 43d of the first guide hole portion 43 and the slide region portion 53a of the second guide hole portion 53 may not be provided continuously with each other in the box 10, and may be provided separately.

[0091] In the above embodiment, the opening / closing mechanism 30 has a pair of slide members 33 provided with the opening 14 therebetween, and the lid 20 is opened and closed by the sliding of the pair of slide members 33. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the opening / closing mechanism 30 may have one slide member 33, and the lid 20 may be opened and closed by the sliding of this slide member 33.

[0092] In the above-described embodiment, when the lid 20 moves upward along the back surface of the vehicle body on the rear side of the vehicle body from the closed position to the open position. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and when the lid 20 moves, it may move downward along the back surface of the vehicle body on the rear side of the vehicle body from the opening 14, or may move leftward or rightward.

[0093] In the above-described embodiment, the vehicle body surface portion 2 faces the side of the vehicle body (mainly in the horizontal direction), and the vehicle body opening 2a and the opening 14 penetrate in the inner and outer directions on the side of the vehicle body. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the vehicle body surface portion 2 may face upward or obliquely upward of the vehicle body, and the vehicle body opening 2a and the opening 14 may penetrate in the inner and outer directions in the vertical direction or the oblique direction.

[0094] Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and modified forms, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0095] In addition, the specification of the present invention discloses not only the technical idea indicated by the citation relationship of each claim at the time of filing but also the technical idea obtained by appropriately combining the matters described in each claim.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0096] 1: Vehicle lid device, 2: Vehicle body surface portion, 2a: Vehicle body opening, 3: Supply port, 10: Box, 11: Box main body portion, 12: Cover portion, 13: Accommodation space, 14: Opening, 19: Guide hole, 20: Lid, 23: Support pin, 24: Gasket, 30: Opening and closing mechanism, 31: Motor, 32: Gear shaft, 32a: Rotation gear, 33: Slide member, 33b: Gear portion, 33d: Guide hole, 34, 35: Guide forming member, 40: First guide mechanism, 41: Engagement restricting portion, 42: First support protrusion, 43: First guide hole portion, 43a: Free rotation region portion, 43b: Inclined region portion, 43c: Protrusion movement region portion, 43d: Front and back direction region portion, 50: Second guide mechanism, 51: Integrated portion, 52: Second support protrusion, 53: Second guide hole portion, 53a: Slide region portion.

Claims

1. A box disposed on the rear side of the vehicle body and having an opening that exposes the accommodation space to the outside of the vehicle body, a lid that opens and closes between a closed position for closing the opening and an open position for opening the opening, an opening / closing mechanism that moves the lid relative to the box to open and close the lid between the closed position and the open position, comprising: the opening / closing mechanism includes: a rotating gear that rotates about a rotation axis extending along the back surface of the vehicle body on the rear side of the vehicle body, a slide member disposed on the rear side of the vehicle body, meshing with the rotating gear, and sliding along the back surface of the vehicle body by the rotation of the rotating gear, a first guide mechanism that moves the lid relative to the box in the vehicle body front-rear direction when the slide member slides in a first region section, a second guide mechanism that moves the lid relative to the box in a direction along the back surface of the vehicle body when the slide member slides in a second region section continuous with the first region section, having: the first guide mechanism includes: an engagement restricting portion that restricts the lid from moving in the sliding direction of the slide member relative to the box by engaging the box and the lid during the sliding of the slide member in the first region section, a first support protrusion fixed to the lid or the slide member, a first guide hole portion that guides the first support protrusion so that the lid moves in the vehicle body front-rear direction relative to the box during the sliding of the slide member in the first region section, having: the second guide mechanism includes: an integrating portion that integrates the lid and the slide member and moves the lid in the sliding direction of the slide member during the sliding of the slide member in the second region section, a second support protrusion fixed to the box, the lid, or the slide member, a second guide hole portion that guides the second support protrusion so that the lid moves in the sliding direction of the slide member relative to the box during the sliding of the slide member in the second region section, A lid device for a vehicle.

2. The first guide hole portion has an inclined region portion extending in a direction inclined with respect to the sliding direction of the slide member, The second guide hole portion has a slide region portion extending in the sliding direction of the slide member. The lid device for a vehicle according to claim 1.

3. The first support protrusion and the second support protrusion are the same shaft member provided on the lid. The inclined region portion is provided on the slide member. The sliding region portion is provided in the box. The first guide hole portion is continuously provided in the box in the sliding region portion and has a front-back direction region portion extending in the vehicle body front-back direction. The engagement restricting portion is constituted by the shaft member and the edge portion of the front-back direction region portion in the box, and the vehicle lid device according to claim 2.

4. The first support protrusion and the second support protrusion are the same shaft member provided on the lid. The inclined region portion is provided on the slide member. The sliding region portion is provided in the box. The integrated portion is constituted by the shaft member, the end portion of the inclined region portion in the slide member, and the edge portion of the sliding region portion in the box. The end portion of the inclined region portion of the slide member and the edge portion of the sliding region portion in the box are formed such that the shaft member is guided in the sliding direction of the slide member during the sliding of the slide member in the second region section, and the vehicle lid device according to claim 2.

5. A gasket is provided between the outer edge portion of the lid and the opposing portion of the box facing the outer edge portion in the vehicle body front-back direction in the closed position of the lid. The first guide hole portion has a protruding movement region portion continuously provided in the inclined region portion. The protruding movement region portion is formed such that a compressive force for pressing and elastically deforming the gasket against the opposing portion is applied to the gasket during the opening operation of the lid from the closed position, and the vehicle lid device according to any one of claims 2 to 4.

6. The protruding movement region portion is formed such that the lid protrudes outward from the vehicle body surface during the opening operation of the lid from the closed position, and the vehicle lid device according to claim 5.

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