Door hole cap and seal member

Abstract

To provide a door hole cap that can reduce cost of manufacture while retaining the cut-off performance of the door hole cap.SOLUTION: A door hole cap (1) comprises a cap member (10) formed with a groove (11) recessed to an in-vehicle side, and a seal member (20) fitted to the groove (11). The groove (11) is formed over the entire periphery of a first peripheral edge part (12). The seal member (20) comprises a body part (21) to be inserted into the groove (11), a first seal part (22) extending from the body part (21) and abutted on a door inner panel (D1), and a groove abutment part (23) extending from the body part (21) toward the inner surface of the groove (11) and abutted on the inner surface.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a door hole cap and a sealing member.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, in order to prevent rainwater and the like from entering the vehicle interior from a door hole formed in a door inner panel of an automobile, a door hole cap has been used. Generally, a sponge material or the like is attached to the peripheral edge of the door hole cap to prevent rainwater and the like from entering. However, since the work of attaching a sponge material or the like to the door hole cap requires time for positioning and proficiency in the work, the man-hours for attaching the sealing member to the door hole cap increase, and the manufacturing cost increases. Therefore, a door hole cap that can reduce the manufacturing cost while maintaining water tightness is desired.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a resin panel with a foamed sealing material, which includes a resin panel body having concave grooves and a foamed sealing material formed by foaming and curing a liquid foamed resin raw material in the concave grooves and bulging on the surface of the panel body.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, in the resin panel with a foamed sealing material disclosed in Patent Document 1, after injecting the liquid foamed resin raw material into the concave groove, it is foamed and cured. The operation of injecting the liquid foamed resin raw material into the concave groove may cause variations in the injection amount by the operator, which may reduce the water-stopping property of the resin panel with a foamed sealing material. Furthermore, since time is required to foam and cure the liquid foamed resin raw material, the working time increases and the manufacturing cost increases. Moreover, once the foamed sealing material is formed on the resin panel body, it is not possible to easily remove only the foamed sealing material. Therefore, even if a defect occurs only in the foamed sealing material portion after the formation of the foamed sealing material, it is necessary to replace the entire resin panel body, resulting in an increase in the manufacturing cost.

[0006] One aspect of the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide a door hole cap or the like that can reduce the manufacturing cost while maintaining the water-stopping property of the door hole cap.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] In order to solve the above problems, a door hole cap according to one aspect of the present invention is a door hole cap attached to a door hole formed in an automobile door inner panel, the door hole cap including a cap member that covers the door hole from the vehicle interior side and has a groove recessed toward the vehicle interior side, and a seal member attached to the groove. The groove is formed over the entire circumference of a first peripheral edge that is the peripheral edge of the cap member, and the seal member includes a main body portion inserted into the groove, a first seal portion that extends outward from the vehicle exterior side end of the main body portion and abuts against the vehicle interior side surface of the door inner panel, and a groove contact portion that extends from the vehicle interior side of the vehicle exterior side end of the main body portion toward at least one inner surface of the groove and abuts against the inner surface.

[0008] According to the above configuration, the attachment of the seal member to the cap member is completed only by a simple operation of inserting the seal member into the groove of the cap member. Therefore, there is no need to perform operations such as positioning and adhesion that are required when attaching a sponge material or the like to the door hole cap, and manufacturing variations due to the proficiency of the operation are less likely to occur. Furthermore, if a defect occurs only in the seal member after the seal member is attached to the cap member, only the seal member can be easily replaced. Therefore, the manufacturing cost of the door hole cap can be reduced.

[0009] Also, according to the above configuration, the first seal portion attached to the first peripheral edge portion of the door hole cap is in contact with the door inner panel. That is, the manufacturing cost can be reduced while maintaining the water-stopping property of the door hole cap.

[0010] In the door hole cap according to one aspect of the present invention, the seal member may include lip portions that respectively extend from the outer end portion of the main body portion on the vehicle exterior side toward the second peripheral edge portions that are the peripheral edge portions on both sides of the groove, and respectively abut against the second peripheral edge portions from the vehicle exterior side.

[0011] According to the above configuration, the lip portions abut against the second peripheral edge portions that are the peripheral edge portions on both sides of the groove, respectively, from the vehicle exterior side, so that the lip portions cover the groove. Thereby, the lip portions can reduce the intrusion of rainwater or the like into the groove. Therefore, the water-stopping property of the seal member can be improved as compared with the case where the seal member does not include the lip portions.

[0012] Also, according to the above configuration, since the lip portions are in contact with the second peripheral edge portions on both sides of the groove, the lip portions support the seal member attached to the groove from both sides. Therefore, the attachment posture of the seal member attached to the groove is more stable as compared with the case where the seal member does not include the lip portions.

[0013] The door hole cap according to one aspect of the present invention may include a second seal portion that extends from the body portion side rather than the tip of the lip portion on the end side of the door hole cap toward the inner surface of the door inner panel inside the vehicle and abuts against the inner surface of the vehicle.

[0014] According to the above configuration, since the seal member includes the second seal portion that abuts against the door inner panel, it is possible to effectively prevent rainwater or the like from entering the vehicle beyond the seal member by both the first seal portion and the second seal portion. Therefore, the water-stopping performance of the door hole cap can be improved compared to the case where the seal member does not include the second seal portion.

[0015] In addition, the second seal portion extends from the lip portion. Therefore, when the second seal portion abuts against the door inner panel, the force applied from the door inner panel toward the inside of the vehicle acts on the lip portion through the second seal portion. Therefore, since the lip portion is strongly pressed against the second peripheral portion from the outside of the vehicle, it is possible to effectively prevent rainwater or the like from entering the groove.

[0016] In the door hole cap according to one aspect of the present invention, in the cap member, a parallel portion is formed as a part of the groove, in which one end of the groove faces the other end, and the one end and the other end are formed in parallel in the surface direction in which the groove of the cap member is formed. A part of the parallel portion may be formed such that the one end and the other end are connected and the width of the groove is formed wider than other portions.

[0017] According to the above configuration, a parallel portion is formed in the groove formed in the cap member. When no parallel portion is formed in the groove, the ends of the seal member may not be in watertight contact due to manufacturing variations or the like, and there may be a portion where the seal by the seal member is insufficient on the first peripheral portion. On the other hand, in the cap member, since both end portions of the seal member are attached in parallel in part to the parallel portion, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of a portion where the seal is insufficient.

[0018] In addition, in a part of the parallel portion, the grooves are connected to each other, while in other parts of the parallel portion, the grooves are not connected to each other, and two grooves are formed in parallel. With such a configuration, even when a fine passage is formed by two abutting seal members and the door inner panel in a part of the parallel portion where the ends of the grooves are connected, the possibility of rainwater or the like entering the grooves due to capillary action can be reduced. Therefore, compared with the case where the grooves are connected throughout the entire parallel portion, the water blocking performance of the door hole cap can be improved.

[0019] Furthermore, in the parallel portion where the grooves are connected to each other, it is preferable to attach the seal member on the door hole side first. By doing so, the second seal portion is folded between the first seal portion and the groove contact portion, and in the parallel portion where the grooves are connected to each other, the first seal portions of the two abutting seal members can also be made to abut against each other, further improving the water blocking performance.

[0020] In the door hole cap according to one aspect of the present invention, the first seal portion may be softer than the main body portion. According to the above configuration, when the first seal portion is pressed against the door inner panel, the first seal portion is bent and easily adheres to the door inner panel, and since the main body portion is less likely to bend than the first seal portion, the main body portion is less likely to deform. Therefore, the seal member can exhibit high water blocking performance while easily maintaining a state of being stably attached to the groove.

[0021] A seal member according to one aspect of the present invention is a seal member attached to a groove formed along the entire circumference of a first peripheral edge portion, which is a peripheral edge portion of a cap member that covers a door hole formed in a door inner panel of an automobile from the inside of the vehicle, the groove being recessed toward the inside of the vehicle, the seal member including a main body portion inserted into the groove, a first seal portion extending outward from an outer end portion of the main body portion on the outside of the vehicle and abutting against an inner surface of the door inner panel on the inside of the vehicle, and a groove contact portion extending from the inside of the vehicle rather than the outer end portion of the main body portion on the outside of the vehicle toward at least one inner surface of the groove and abutting against the inner surface.

Advantages of the Invention

[0022] According to one aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide a door hole cap or the like that can reduce the manufacturing cost while maintaining the water-stopping property of the door hole cap.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0023]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0024] <Overview and Attachment Example of Door Hole Cap 1> With reference to FIG. 1, an overview and an attachment example of a door hole cap 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the example of FIG. 1, the upper side facing the paper surface corresponds to the upper side of the vehicle, the lower side corresponds to the lower side of the vehicle, the right side corresponds to the front side (front side) of the vehicle, the left side corresponds to the rear side (rear side) of the vehicle, the front side corresponds to the inside of the vehicle (inside of the automobile), and the back side corresponds to the outside of the vehicle (outside of the automobile). Further, FIG. 1 is a view of the front door D seen from the inside of the vehicle. However, this does not limit the direction in which the door hole cap 1 is attached to the automobile, and the door hole cap 1 may be attached to the automobile in any direction.

[0025] The front door D is an example of an automobile door and is attached to an opening (not shown) for the front door of the automobile so as to be openable and closable. The front door D includes a door outer panel (not shown) and a door inner panel D1, and a door hole D2 is formed in the door inner panel D1. The door hole D2 is an opening for an operator to insert a hand or a tool or the like in order to repair various parts arranged inside the front door D, for example. Note that the formation mode of the front door D shown in FIG. 1 is merely an example. The number and formation location of the door holes D2 can be arbitrarily changed as required.

[0026] The door hole cap 1 is attached to the inner surface of the door inner panel D1 on the vehicle interior side. By closing the door hole D2 from the inside of the vehicle, the door hole cap 1 prevents rainwater or the like that has entered the inside of the front door D from between the vehicle door glass (not shown) and the belt line outer weather strip (not shown) attached to the door outer panel from entering the vehicle through the door hole D2.

[0027] As shown in FIG. 1, the door hole cap 1 includes a cap member 10 and a seal member 20. The cap member 10 is formed with a groove 11 recessed toward the inside of the vehicle, and is attached to the door inner panel D1 so as to cover the door hole D2 from the inside of the vehicle. The seal member 20 is attached to the groove 11, and by the seal member 20 abutting against the inner surface of the door inner panel D1 on the inside of the vehicle, it prevents rainwater and the like from entering the vehicle from the door hole D2.

[0028] Note that the attachment mode of the door hole cap 1 described above is merely an example. For example, the door of the vehicle to which the door hole cap 1 is attached is not limited to the front door D shown in the example of FIG. 1, and any type of door may be used as long as it is approximately a vehicle door. Therefore, the door hole cap 1 may be attached to, for example, a rear door or a sliding door (not shown). Also, any type of vehicle, including a sedan, a hardtop vehicle, and a convertible vehicle, may be the vehicle to which the door hole cap 1 is attached.

[0029] <Structure of the door hole cap 1> Referring to FIG. 2, the structure of the door hole cap 1 will be described. Note that FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line A-A of the door hole cap 1 attached to the door inner panel D1 shown in FIG. 1. Therefore, in the example of FIG. 2, the upper side facing the paper surface corresponds to the upper side of the vehicle, the lower side corresponds to the lower side of the vehicle, the right side corresponds to the outside of the vehicle (the outside of the automobile), the left side corresponds to the inside of the vehicle (the inside of the automobile), the front side corresponds to the front side of the vehicle (the front side), and the rear side corresponds to the rear side of the vehicle (the rear side).

[0030] As shown in FIG. 2, the door hole cap 1 has a structure in which the seal member 20 is inserted into a groove 11 formed in a first peripheral edge portion 12 which is the peripheral edge portion of the cap member 10. The groove 11 is formed over the entire circumference of the first peripheral edge portion 12. By attaching the door hole cap 1 to the door inner panel D1, the door hole cap 1 covers the door hole D2 from the inside of the vehicle, and the seal member 20 abuts against the inner surface of the door inner panel D1 facing the first peripheral edge portion 12 on the inside of the vehicle.

[0031] The cap member 10 has a shape similar to the door hole D2 as viewed from the side of the vehicle and is a member that is one size larger than the door hole D2. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, since the seal member 20 is attached to the first peripheral edge portion 12, the seal member 20 has a structure that surrounds the door hole D2.

[0032] Examples of the material of the cap member 10 include vulcanized rubber, thermoplastic elastomer, thermoplastic resin, or metal. Examples of vulcanized rubber include EPDM (ethylene-propylene-diene monomer), IR (isoprene rubber), CR (chloroprene rubber), styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR), or acrylonitrile-butadiene rubber (NBR). Examples of thermoplastic elastomers include olefin-based (TPO) or styrene-based (TPS). Examples of thermoplastic molding resins include PE (polyethylene), PP (polypropylene), PVA (polyvinyl alcohol), PVC (polyvinyl chloride), PS (polystyrene), ABS (acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene), and EVA (ethylene vinyl acetate). Examples of composites include aggregates of fibers such as glass fiber blends. Examples of metals include aluminum and iron.

[0033] <Structure of the seal member 20> With reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, the structure of the seal member 20 will be described. Note that FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the seal member 20. In the example of FIG. 3, the upper side facing the paper surface corresponds to the outside of the vehicle (the outside of the automobile), and the lower side corresponds to the inside of the vehicle (the inside of the automobile). As shown in FIG. 3, in the present embodiment, the seal member 20 includes a main body portion 21, a first seal portion 22, a groove contact portion 23, a lip portion 24, and a second seal portion 25.

[0034] The main body portion 21 is the portion inserted into the groove 11. The main body portion 21 is formed such that, in a state of being inserted into the groove 11, the length in the direction from the outside of the vehicle to the inside of the vehicle is equal to or greater than the depth of the groove 11. A first seal portion 22 extends outward from the outer end of the main body portion 21 toward the outside of the vehicle, and the first seal portion 22 abuts against the inner surface of the door inner panel D1 on the inside of the vehicle. A lip-shaped groove contact portion 23 extends from the inside of the vehicle relative to the outer end of the main body portion 21 toward at least one inner surface of the groove 11, and the groove contact portion 23 abuts against the inner surface of the groove 11.

[0035] In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the groove contact portion 23 extends from a plurality of locations toward the inner surfaces on both sides of the groove 11, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The groove contact portion 23 may be provided so as to extend toward at least one inner surface of the groove 11. By the groove contact portion 23 abutting against the inner surface of the groove 11, the seal member 20 can be firmly attached to the groove 11.

[0036] Also, the groove contact portion 23 extends while inclining toward the outside of the vehicle toward the inner surface of the groove 11. Therefore, when the seal member 20 is inserted into the groove 11, the groove contact portion 23 is easily elastically deformed so as to bend toward the outside of the vehicle. Therefore, the groove contact portion 23 is unlikely to hinder the insertion of the seal member 20 into the groove 11. On the other hand, the groove contact portion 23 is difficult to bend in the direction of the inside of the vehicle. Therefore, the seal member 20 is difficult to come out of the groove 11. Thus, according to the groove contact portion 23, it is possible to prevent the seal member 20 from unintentionally coming out of the groove 11.

[0037] Also, as shown in FIG. 2, even when the groove contact portion 23 extends from a plurality of locations of the main body portion 21 toward the inner surface of the groove 11, it is possible to make the shape such that the seal member 20 is more difficult to come out of the groove 11 while maintaining a state in which the seal member 20 is easily inserted into the groove 11.

[0038] Since the sealing member 20 includes the main body portion 21, the first sealing portion 22, and the groove contact portion 23, the attachment of the sealing member 20 to the cap member 10 is completed only by the simple operation of inserting the sealing member 20 into the groove 11 of the cap member 10. When attaching a sponge material or the like as a sealing member to a conventional door hole cap, it was necessary to perform operations such as positioning and adhesion. However, in the present invention, since such operations are not necessary, the manufacturing cost of the door hole cap 1 can be reduced.

[0039] Furthermore, by the first sealing portion 22 abutting against the door inner panel D1, it is possible to prevent rainwater or the like from entering the vehicle interior through the door hole D2 from the outside of the vehicle. The sealing member 20 has a structure that surrounds the door hole D2, and the first sealing portion 22 abuts against the door inner panel D1 at the periphery of the door hole D2. Therefore, the door hole cap 1 of the present invention can reduce the manufacturing cost while maintaining the water-stopping property.

[0040] As shown in FIG. 2, the sealing member 20 may have a lip portion 24. The lip portions 24 extend from the outer end portion of the main body portion 21 on the outside of the vehicle toward the second peripheral portion 13 which is the peripheral portion on both sides of the groove 11, and abut against the second peripheral portion 13 from the outside of the vehicle, respectively. By the lip portions 24 abutting against the second peripheral portions 13 on both sides of the groove from the outside of the vehicle, the lip portions 24 cover the groove 11. Thereby, the lip portion 24 can prevent the intrusion of rainwater or the like into the groove 11, and thus can reduce the intrusion of rainwater or the like into the vehicle interior through the groove 11. Therefore, according to the sealing member 20 having the lip portion 24, the water-stopping property of the door hole cap 1 can be improved as compared with the case where the sealing member 20 does not include the lip portion 24.

[0041] In addition, since the lip portions 24 abut against the second peripheral portions 13 on both sides of the groove 11, the lip portions 24 support the sealing member 20 attached to the groove 11 from two directions. Therefore, according to the sealing member 20 having the lip portion 24, the attachment posture of the sealing member 20 attached to the groove 11 can be stabilized as compared with the case where the sealing member 20 does not include the lip portion 24.

[0042] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 2, the seal member 20 may have a second seal portion 25. The second seal portion 25 extends from the lip portion 24 on the end side of the door hole cap 1 in the seal member 20. More specifically, the second seal portion 25 extends from the body portion 21 side rather than the tip of the lip portion 24 on the end side toward the inner surface of the door inner panel D1 inside the vehicle and abuts against the inner surface of the door inner panel D1 inside the vehicle.

[0043] Since the seal member 20 is provided with the second seal portion 25 that abuts against the door inner panel D1, both the first seal portion 22 and the second seal portion 25 can effectively prevent rainwater or the like from entering the vehicle beyond the seal member 20. Therefore, according to the seal member 20 having the second seal portion 25, the water-stopping performance of the door hole cap 1 can be improved compared to the case where the seal member 20 does not include the second seal portion 25.

[0044] Also, the second seal portion 25 extends from the lip portion 24. Therefore, when the second seal portion 25 abuts against the door inner panel D1, the force applied from the door inner panel D1 toward the inside of the vehicle acts on the lip portion 24 through the second seal portion 25. As a result, the lip portion 24 is strongly pressed against the second peripheral edge portion 13 from the outside of the vehicle, so that the intrusion of rainwater or the like from the groove 11 can be effectively prevented.

[0045] Each part constituting the seal member 20 may be mainly formed of vulcanized rubber, thermoplastic elastomer, thermoplastic resin, or the like. As the material of the vulcanized rubber, for example, EPDM, IR (isoprene rubber), CR (chloroprene rubber), styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR), acrylonitrile-butadiene rubber (NBR), or the like can be used. As the material of the thermoplastic elastomer, for example, olefin-based (TPO) or styrene-based (TPS) can be used. As the material of the thermoplastic resin, for example, polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA), or soft polyvinyl chloride can be used. The material may be solid, foamed sponge-like, or partially foamed sponge-like and the rest solid.

[0046] The first seal portion 22 may be formed to be softer than the main body portion 21. The term "soft" as used herein includes not only the aspect where the material itself is soft but also the aspect where it is formed into a shape that is easily deformable like a hollow shape. When the first seal portion 22 is softer than the main body portion 21, when the first seal portion 22 is pressed against the door inner panel D1, the first seal portion 22 is easily bent, so that the first seal portion 22 and the door inner panel D1 are likely to be in close contact. Further, since the main body portion 21 is less likely to bend than the first seal portion 22, the main body portion 21 is less likely to deform, so that the seal member 20 can easily maintain a state of being stably attached to the groove 11. Therefore, the door hole cap 1 can stably exhibit high water-stopping performance.

[0047] The first seal portion 22 may be mainly formed of the same material as the seal member 20. In that case, it is preferable that the main body portion 21 is solid and the first seal portion 22 is formed into a foamed sponge-like shape. For example, it is particularly preferable that the first seal portion 22 is formed of a high-foam EPDM.

[0048] The seal member 20 may be manufactured by extrusion molding. By manufacturing the seal member 20 by extrusion molding, for example, when the first seal portion 22 and the main body portion 21 are manufactured from different materials, it is possible to manufacture them easily and inexpensively as compared with other manufacturing methods such as molding. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the seal member 20 may be manufactured by a conventionally well-known manufacturing method.

[0049] <Structure of groove 11> With reference to FIGS. 1 and 4, the structure of the groove 11 of the cap member 10 will be described. Reference numeral 401 in FIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional view taken along the arrow B-B of the door hole cap 1 attached to the door inner panel D1 shown in FIG. 1. Reference numeral 402 in FIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional view taken along the arrow C-C of the door hole cap 1 attached to the door inner panel D1 shown in FIG. 1. Reference numeral 403 in FIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional view taken along the arrow D-D of the door hole cap 1 attached to the door inner panel D1 shown in FIG. 1. In the example of FIG. 4, the upper side facing the paper surface is the vehicle interior side (inside of the automobile), the lower side is the vehicle exterior side (outside of the automobile), the right side is the vehicle front side (front side), the left side is the vehicle rear side (rear side), the front side is the vehicle lower side, and the back side is the vehicle upper side, respectively corresponding.

[0050] In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, one end portion 14 of the groove 11 faces the other end portion 15, and a parallel portion 16 in which the one end portion 14 and the other end portion 15 are formed in parallel in the surface direction in which the groove 11 of the cap member 10 is formed is formed as a part of the groove 11. A wide portion 17 which is a part of the parallel portion 16 is formed such that the one end portion 14 and the other end portion 15 are connected and the width of the groove 11 is formed wider than other portions. This will be specifically described below.

[0051] Reference numeral 401 in Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the state where the seal member 20 is inserted into the region 11a other than the parallel portion 16 in the groove 11. In the region 11a in the groove 11, the seal member 20 can be inserted in a single row, and a groove having a width suitable for inserting the seal member 20 in a single row is formed. Further, reference numeral 402 in Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the state where the seal member 20 is inserted into the region 11b of the wide portion 17 in the groove 11. In the region 11b in the groove 11, the seal member 20 can be inserted in two rows, and a groove having a width suitable for arranging and inserting the seal member 20 in two rows is formed. Furthermore, reference numeral 403 in Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view when the seal member 20 is inserted into the regions 11c at both ends of the parallel portion 16 in the groove 11. In the region 11c in the groove 11, the seal member 20 can be inserted in a single row, and grooves having a width suitable for inserting the seal member 20 in a single row are formed in parallel.

[0052] When the above-described parallel portion 16 is formed as a part of the groove 11 in the cap member 10, the seal member 20 can be surely attached over the entire circumference of the first peripheral portion 12. When the parallel portion 16 is not formed in the cap member 10, the groove 11 formed over the entire circumference of the first peripheral portion 12 is only the portion having the width of the region 11a shown by reference numeral 401 in Fig. 4. Therefore, when the seal member 20 is inserted into the groove 11, the length of the seal member 20 becomes short due to manufacturing variations or the like, the ends of the seal member 20 cannot abut against each other, and the watertightness deteriorates. Therefore, there may be a portion where the sealing by the seal member 20 is insufficient on the first peripheral portion 12.

[0053] On the other hand, when the parallel portion 16 is formed in the cap member 10, a part of the groove 11 has the width of the region 11b shown by reference numeral 402 in Fig. 4. Further, in the cap member 10, the grooves 11 can be formed in parallel like the region 11c shown by reference numeral 403 in Fig. 4. Therefore, even when manufacturing variations or the like occur in the seal member 20, both end portions of the seal member 20 are attached in part in parallel to the parallel portion 16, so that it is possible to prevent the occurrence of a portion where the sealing is insufficient on the first peripheral portion 12.

[0054] In addition, in the present embodiment, in the wide portion 17, a region 11b of the wide groove 11 is formed, while at both ends of the parallel portion 16, a region 11c where two grooves 11 are arranged in parallel is formed. Here, in the wide portion 17, two rows of seal members 20 are inserted into one groove 11, and an extremely minute tubular passage S surrounded by the seal members 20 and the door inner panel D1 may be formed along the groove 11.

[0055] For example, when the end portion (one end portion 14 in the present embodiment) of the groove 11 on the lower side of the vehicle is the wide portion 17, rainwater or the like is likely to fall on the passage S formed at the one end portion 14. When rainwater or the like falls on the passage S, the passage S sucks up the rainwater or the like due to capillary action, and there is a risk that the rainwater or the like may enter the vehicle interior. On the other hand, when the region 11c is formed on the lower side of the vehicle of the parallel portion 16, the passage S formed at the one end portion 14 is located above the vehicle compared to the lower end of the seal member 20 on the door hole D2 side in the parallel portion 16. Therefore, since rainwater or the like is less likely to fall on the passage S, the possibility of rainwater or the like entering the groove 11 due to capillary action can be reduced. Therefore, compared with the case where the groove 11 is connected throughout the entire parallel portion 16 to form the wide portion 17, the water blocking property of the door hole cap 1 can be improved.

[0056] However, the present invention is not limited to the structure of the groove 11 described above, and the groove 11 may be formed over the entire circumference of the first peripheral portion 12.

[0057] <Drainage structure> With reference to FIG. 5, the drainage structure will be described. Note that FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line E-E of the door hole cap 1 attached to the door inner panel D1 shown in FIG. 1. Therefore, in the example of FIG. 5, the upper side facing the paper surface corresponds to the upper side of the vehicle, the lower side corresponds to the lower side of the vehicle, the right side corresponds to the outside of the vehicle (the outside of the automobile), the left side corresponds to the inside of the vehicle (the inside of the automobile), the front side corresponds to the front side (the front side), and the back side corresponds to the rear side (the rear side), respectively.

[0058] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, the door hole cap 1 may have a drainage structure for draining water between the first seal portion 22 and the second seal portion 25. Specifically, the door inner panel D1 at the lower part of the door hole D2 may have a drainage hole D3. According to the drainage hole D3, even if rainwater or the like that has reached the first seal portion 22 from the door hole D2 infiltrates between the first seal portion 22 and the second seal portion 25, the infiltrated rainwater or the like moves to the lower part of the door inner panel D1 along the gravity and is drained from the drainage hole D3. Therefore, the drainage hole D3 can form a drainage structure in combination with the shape in which the first seal portion 22 and the second seal portion 25 are separated, so that the water tightness of the door hole cap 1 can be improved.

[0059] 〔Modification Example〕 (Modification Example of the Seal Member 20) Regarding the door hole cap 1 and the seal member 20 according to this embodiment, a plurality of modification examples are assumed. Hereinafter, with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7, modification examples of the door hole cap 1 and the seal member 20 according to this embodiment will be described. Reference numeral 601 in FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a seal member 201 according to a modification example of the present invention. Reference numeral 701 in FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a seal member 202 according to a modification example of the present invention. Reference numeral 602 in FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a door hole cap 2 according to a modification example of the present invention. Reference numeral 702 in FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a door hole cap 3 according to a modification example of the present invention.

[0060] In the examples of reference numeral 601 in FIG. 6 and reference numeral 701 in FIG. 7, the upper side facing the paper surface corresponds to the outside of the vehicle (the outside of the automobile), and the lower side corresponds to the inside of the vehicle (the inside of the automobile), respectively. Also, in the examples of reference numeral 602 in FIG. 6 and reference numeral 702 in FIG. 7, the upper side facing the paper surface corresponds to the inside of the vehicle (the inside of the automobile), the lower side corresponds to the outside of the vehicle (the outside of the automobile), the right side corresponds to the front side of the vehicle (the front side), the left side corresponds to the rear side of the vehicle (the rear side), the front side corresponds to the lower side of the vehicle, and the back side corresponds to the upper side of the vehicle, respectively.

[0061] As shown by reference numeral 601 in FIG. 6, the shape of the first seal portion 221 of the seal member 201 is different from that of the seal member 20. As shown by reference numeral 602 in FIG. 6, by increasing the cross-section of the first seal portion 221 compared to the first seal portion 22 of the seal member 20, the contact area between the first seal portion 221 and the door inner panel D1 is increased. With such a configuration, it becomes difficult for rainwater or the like to penetrate inside the vehicle through the first seal portion 221, so that the water-stopping property of the door hole cap 2 can be improved. Further, as shown by reference numeral 602 in FIG. 6, when two rows of seal members 201 are inserted into the groove 11 in the wide portion 17, a structure can be formed in which a gap is less likely to be formed between the seal members 201, and the water-stopping property of the door hole cap 2 can be improved.

[0062] Subsequently, as shown by reference numeral 701 in FIG. 7, the shape of the main body portion 211 of the seal member 202 is different from that of the seal member 20. By making the length of the main body portion 211 of the seal member 202 from the outside of the vehicle toward the inside of the vehicle shorter than that of the main body portion 21 of the seal member 20, the amount of material required to manufacture the seal member 202 is reduced, so that the manufacturing cost of the door hole cap 3 can be reduced. Further, as shown by reference numeral 702 in FIG. 7, since the cross-section of the main body portion 211 of the seal member 202 is short, the depth of the groove 11 of the cap member 101 can also be shortened. Therefore, the amount of material required to manufacture the cap member 101 is reduced, and the manufacturing cost of the door hole cap 3 can be reduced. Also, it becomes easier to insert the seal member 202 to the bottom of the groove 11.

[0063] (Modification example of the groove 11) Hereinafter, with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9, a modification example of the groove 11 in the door hole cap 1 according to the present embodiment will be described. Reference numeral 801 in FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along the arrow at the same position as the B-B line in FIG. 1 in the door hole cap 4 according to a modification example of the present invention. Further, reference numeral 802 in FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along the arrow at the same position as the B-B line in FIG. 1 in the door hole cap 5 according to a modification example of the present invention.

[0064] As shown by reference numeral 801 in FIG. 8, the door hole cap 4 differs from the door hole cap 1 in that it includes a cap member 102 provided with a groove 11c in which a through hole H1 is formed. The through hole H1 is formed by cutting off approximately the lower half in the depth direction of the groove 11c. When the seal member 20 is inserted into such a groove 11c, at least a part of the groove contact portion 23 is inserted into the through hole H1. The groove contact portion 23 inserted into the through hole H1 is locked to the peripheral wall of the through hole H1 even when the seal member 20 is about to come out. Thus, it is preferable that the door hole cap 4 is formed with a through hole H1 into which at least a part of the groove contact portion 23 is inserted in at least a part of the groove 11c.

[0065] The groove 11c may be formed in a tapered shape that narrows toward the bottom so that the mold release during manufacturing becomes easy. In this case, similar to the mold, the seal member 20 also tends to come out of the groove 11c. However, since the groove 11c is provided with the through hole H1, the groove contact portion 23 is locked to the peripheral wall of the through hole H1, thereby preventing the seal member 20 from coming out of the groove 11c.

[0066] As shown in FIG. 9, it is preferable that a plurality of fixing regions 18 are provided in the groove 11c provided in the door hole cap 4. The fixing region 18 is a region configured such that the seal member 20 is easily fixed to the groove 11c, and in the door hole cap 4, it is a region where the through hole H1 is formed. The fixing region 18 is preferably set not only at a straight portion where the groove 11c is linearly formed but also at a corner portion where the groove 11c is bent at the peripheral edge of the door hole cap 4. In such a corner portion, since the posture of the seal member 20 is not easily stabilized in the groove 11c, it is particularly preferable to have a structure in which the seal member 20 is not easily removed from the groove 11c.

[0067] Note that, like the door hole cap 5 shown by reference numeral 802 in FIG. 8, the fixing region 18 may be provided with a through hole H2 formed only in a narrow portion where any one of the groove abutting portions 23 abuts when the seal member 20 is inserted to the deepest part. Even with such a through hole H2, the groove abutting portion 23 can be well locked to the peripheral wall of the through hole H2. Therefore, the seal member 20 is less likely to come out from the groove 11d in which the through hole H2 is formed.

[0068] Further, in a modified example of the door hole cap 1, the fixing region 18 may be a region where the width of the groove 11 is formed narrower than that of the portions other than the fixing region 18 instead of forming the through hole. The narrower the width of the groove 11 is, the less likely the seal member 20 inserted into the groove 11 is to come out. In this case, according to the configuration in which the fixing region 18 is provided intermittently at a plurality of locations instead of the entire circumference of the door hole cap 1, an excessive force is not required for inserting the seal member 20, and the seal member 20 can be made less likely to come out.

[0069] Further, in a modified example of the door hole cap 1, in the inner surface of the side wall of the groove 11, the friction coefficient of at least a part of the portion where the groove abutting portion 23 abuts may be formed larger than that of the other portions. For example, in the fixing region 18, the inner surface of the side wall where the groove abutting portion 23 abuts may be subjected to a process such as knurling or uneven processing to reduce flatness. Also with such a configuration, the groove abutting portion 23 abutting against the inner surface of the side wall of the groove 11 becomes less likely to slide on the inner surface of the side wall, so that the seal member 20 is less likely to come out from the groove 11.

[0070] 〔Application Example〕 Hereinafter, an application example in which the configurations of the groove 11 and the seal member 20 in the door hole cap 1 are applied will be described with reference to FIGS. 10 and 11. FIG. 10 is a view showing an attachment mode of the air outlet C1 to the automobile C. Reference numeral 1101 in FIG. 11 is a view of the air outlet C1 seen from the outside of the vehicle, and reference numeral 1102 is a cross-sectional view taken along the arrow F-F shown in reference numeral 1101.

[0071] The configuration of the groove 11 and the seal member 20 provided in the door hole cap 1 can be applied not only to the door hole cap but also to various plate-like members attached to the automobile C. In particular, it can be suitably applied to plate-like members attached to the automobile C in a manner that requires water stoppage. The air outlet C1 shown in FIG. 10 is an example thereof.

[0072] The air outlet C1 is attached to the outside opening C3 of the air duct C2 that passes air from the interior space of the automobile C to the outside of the vehicle. The outside opening C3 is formed in the inner panel of the rear bumper C4 of the automobile C. The air outlet C1 is a member that improves the door closing property by discharging air when the door of the automobile C is closed and reducing the increase in the vehicle interior pressure.

[0073] Since the air outlet C1 is attached to the outside opening C3 facing the outside of the automobile C, water stoppage is required. Conventionally, a water stop seal such as foamed urethane was attached to the peripheral edge of the air outlet to ensure water stoppage when attaching to the outside opening C3. However, there was a problem that the processes for positioning and adhering the water stop seal became a factor in increasing the manufacturing cost. By applying the configuration of the groove 11 and the seal member 20 provided in the door hole cap 1 to the air outlet C1, such a problem can be solved.

[0074] As shown by the reference numeral 1101 in FIG. 11, the air outlet C1 includes a plate-like main body C11 and a seal member C13. Regarding the groove C12 formed in the plate-like main body C11 and the seal member C13 inserted into the groove C12, the descriptions of the groove 11 and the seal member 20 provided in the door hole cap 1 can be respectively applied. The groove C12 of the air outlet C1 includes a parallel portion C14 corresponding to the wide portion 17 of the door hole cap 1.

[0075] In addition to the groove C12, the plate-like main body C11 includes an exhaust valve C15 and a fixing portion C16. The exhaust valve C15 is normally closed and opens when air pressure is applied from the vehicle interior side through the air duct C2, discharging air to the outside of the vehicle.

[0076] As shown by reference numeral 1102 in FIG. 11, the fixing portion C16 is a member that locks to the peripheral edge of the outside vehicle opening C3 to fix the air outlet C1 to the outside vehicle opening C3. When the air outlet C1 is fixed to the outside vehicle opening C3, the seal member C13 abuts against the outer surface of the outside vehicle opening C3, so high water-stopping performance can be obtained.

[0077] Since the seal member C13 can be manufactured inexpensively by, for example, extrusion molding, the member cost can be reduced compared to conventional water-stopping seals. Also, the attachment of the seal member C13 to the plate-like body C11 is completed only by the simple operation of inserting the seal member C13 into the groove C12. Thus, according to the configuration in which the groove C12 is formed in the plate-like body C11 and the seal member C13 is inserted therein, high water-stopping performance can be ensured while reducing the manufacturing cost of the air outlet C1.

[0078] 〔Supplementary Notes〕 The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and modified examples, and various modifications are possible within the scope shown in the claims. Embodiments obtained by appropriately combining the technical means disclosed in different embodiments and modified examples are also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0079] 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 Door Hole Caps 10, 101, 102, 103 Cap Members 11 Groove 12 First Peripheral Edge 13 Second Peripheral Edge 14 One End 15 The Other End 16 Parallel Portion 17 Wide Portion (Part of the Parallel Portion) 20, 201, 202 Seal Members 21, 211 Body Portions 22, 221 First Seal Portions 23 Groove Contact Portion 24 Lip Portion 25 Second Seal Portion D1 Door inner panel D2 Door hole

Claims

1. A door hole cap attached to a door hole formed in an inner panel of an automobile door, comprising: a cap member that covers the door hole from the inside of the vehicle and has a groove recessed toward the inside of the vehicle; a seal member attached to the groove; the groove is formed over the entire circumference of a first peripheral edge that is a peripheral edge of the cap member; the seal member includes: a main body portion inserted into the groove; a first seal portion extending outward from the outer end of the main body portion toward the outside of the vehicle and contacting the inner surface of the door inner panel on the inside of the vehicle; a groove contacting portion extending from the inside of the vehicle than the outer end of the main body portion toward at least one inner surface side of the groove and contacting the inner surface; lip portions extending from the outer end of the main body portion toward second peripheral edges that are peripheral edges on both sides of the groove, respectively, and contacting the second peripheral edges from the outside of the vehicle; a second seal portion extending from the side of the main body portion rather than the tip of the lip portion on the end side of the door hole cap toward the inner surface of the door inner panel on the inside of the vehicle and contacting the inner surface of the vehicle. A door hole cap characterized by comprising the same.

2. A door hole cap attached to a door hole formed in an inner panel of an automobile door, comprising: a cap member that covers the door hole from the inside of the vehicle and has a groove recessed toward the inside of the vehicle; a seal member attached to the groove; the groove is formed over the entire circumference of a first peripheral edge that is a peripheral edge of the cap member; the seal member includes: a main body portion inserted into the groove; a first seal portion extending outward from the outer end of the main body portion toward the outside of the vehicle and contacting the inner surface of the door inner panel on the inside of the vehicle; a groove contacting portion extending from the inside of the vehicle than the outer end of the main body portion toward at least one inner surface side of the groove and contacting the inner surface; in the cap member, a parallel portion is formed as a part of the groove, in which one end of the groove faces the other end, and the one end and the other end are formed in parallel in the plane direction of the groove formed in the cap member; a part of the parallel portion is characterized in that the one end and the other end are connected, and the width of the groove is formed wider than other portions. A door hole cap.

3. The door hole cap according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first seal portion is softer than the main body portion.

4. In a door hole cap attached to a door hole formed in an automobile door inner panel, a seal member attached to a groove recessed toward the vehicle interior, the groove being formed continuously around the entire circumference of a first peripheral edge portion which is the peripheral edge portion of a cap member that covers the door hole from the vehicle interior side, a main body portion inserted into the groove, a first seal portion extending outward from the outer end of the main body portion toward the vehicle exterior and contacting the inner surface of the door inner panel on the vehicle interior side, a groove contact portion extending from the inner side of the outer end of the main body portion toward at least one inner surface of the groove and contacting the inner surface, lip portions extending from the outer end of the main body portion toward second peripheral edge portions which are the peripheral edge portions on both sides of the groove, and contacting the second peripheral edge portions from the vehicle exterior side respectively, and a second seal portion extending from the side of the main body portion rather than the tip of the lip portion on the end side of the door hole cap toward the inner surface of the door inner panel on the vehicle interior side and contacting the inner surface on the vehicle interior side.

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