Lid device for vehicle

Abstract

To restrict axial direction movement of each arm.SOLUTION: A lid device for a vehicle includes a box-like base, a lid movable between a close position and an open position, and opening and closing mechanisms for sliding the lid. The opening and closing mechanisms each have first and second arms which extend so as to connect a depth side of a bottom wall part of the base and a rear side of the lid, and are rotatably supported to the base side and the lid side. The first arm and the second arm are arranged so as to be shifted from each other in an axial direction. The base is provided so as to be opened on the surface of the bottom wall part, and has hole grooves for arms for passing the first and second arms in front and back directions. The hole grooves for the arms extend in a cross direction perpendicular to the axial direction on the surface of the bottom wall part by lengths corresponding to a movement track of the first arm and a movement track of the second arm. The base has a first regulation part for regulating movement of the first arm to the second arm side in the axial direction, and a second regulation part for regulating movement of the second arm to the first arm side in the axial direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Conventionally, there is known a vehicle lid device that opens and closes a fuel filler opening, a charging opening, or other refill opening that is exposed and positioned in an opening on the vehicle body side (for example, Patent Document 1). This vehicle lid device includes a base that is attached to the vehicle body to house the refill opening, and a lid that is movable between a closed position that closes the front opening of the base to block the refill opening, and an open position that opens the front opening to expose the refill opening to the outside of the vehicle.

[0003] The vehicle lid device also includes an opening / closing mechanism that opens and closes the lid between a closed position and an open position. In the vehicle lid device described in Patent Document 1, the opening / closing mechanism has a first arm and a second arm that are arranged parallel to each other. The first arm and the second arm each extend so as to connect the base side and the lid side. The first arm and the second arm each are configured so that one end is rotatably supported on the base side and the other end is rotatably supported on the lid side. The rotation axis of the first arm and the rotation axis of the second arm extend parallel to each other and are arranged offset from each other in the vertical direction. The opening / closing mechanism operates the first arm and the second arm to slide the lid along the vehicle body surface between the closed position and the open position. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2015-199421 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In the above-described opening / closing mechanism, the first arm and the second arm are positioned offset from each other in the axial direction and are rotatable around their respective axes. In this structure, if the axial movement of each arm were allowed without limit, the axial assembly position of the arms would fluctuate, making the opening / closing mechanism prone to backlash. Furthermore, the first arm and the second arm are typically positioned close to each other in the axial direction to narrow the operating space of the arms. Therefore, the arms are prone to interfere with each other when they move axially, potentially reducing the operability of opening and closing the lid.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and has an object to provide a vehicle lid device that is capable of restricting the axial movement of each arm. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] One aspect of the present invention is a box-shaped base body attached to a vehicle body and having a storage space for storing a supply port for supplying energy to a vehicle, a bottom wall portion formed with a through hole that exposes the supply port from the inside of the vehicle to the storage space, and a front opening that exposes the supply port in the storage space to the outside of the vehicle; a lid that is movable between a closed position that closes the front opening to block the supply port and an open position that opens the front opening to expose the supply port to the outside of the vehicle; and a storage space that is attached to a vehicle body and has a through hole that exposes the supply port in the storage space to the outside of the vehicle. and an opening / closing mechanism that slides along a body surface, the opening / closing mechanism including a first arm that extends to connect the back side of the lid with the back side of the lid and is supported on the base side and the lid side so as to be rotatable about a first axis, and a second arm that extends to connect the back side of the lid with the back side of the lid and is supported on the base side and the lid side so as to be rotatable about a second axis that extends parallel to the first axis and is positioned radially offset from the first axis. a second arm movably supported by the base, the first arm and the second arm being positioned offset from each other in the axial direction along which the first axis and the second axis extend; the base having an opening on the surface of the bottom wall portion and an arm hole groove through which the first arm and the second arm pass in the front-to-back direction; the arm hole groove extending in an intersecting direction perpendicular to the axial direction on the surface of the bottom wall portion over a length corresponding to the movement trajectories of the first arm and the second arm when the lid moves between the closed position and the open position; the base having a first regulating portion formed on the periphery of the arm hole groove facing from the second arm side to the first arm side in the axial direction and restricting the first arm from moving toward the second arm side in the axial direction; and a second regulating portion formed on the periphery of the arm hole groove facing from the first arm side to the second arm side in the axial direction and restricting the second arm from moving toward the first arm side in the axial direction.

[0008] This configuration makes it possible to limit the axial movement of each arm. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a view showing a vehicle lid device according to an embodiment of the present invention attached to a vehicle body in a state where the lid is in a closed position, as viewed from outside the vehicle. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a view showing the vehicle lid device removed from the vehicle body as viewed from outside the vehicle. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the vehicle lid device. [Figure 4] 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle lid device when viewed from diagonally above and behind with the lid in a closed position; [Figure 5] 1 is a front view of a vehicle lid device when the lid is in an open position; [Figure 6] 7 is a cross-sectional view of the vehicle lid device taken along the same line VII-VII shown in FIG. 5 with the lid in a closed position. [Figure 7] 7 is a cross-sectional view of the vehicle lid device taken along line VII-VII shown in FIG. 5. [Figure 8] 1 is a front view of a vehicle lid device (excluding a lid). FIG. [Figure 9] 9 is a cross-sectional view of the vehicle lid device taken along line IX-IX in FIG. 8. FIG. [Figure 10] 9 is a cross-sectional view of the vehicle lid device taken along line XX shown in FIG. 8. [Figure 11] 9 is a perspective view of a part of the vehicle lid device taken along a line IX-IX shown in FIG. 8, seen obliquely. [Figure 12] 9 is a perspective view of a part of the vehicle lid device taken along the line XX shown in FIG. 8, seen obliquely. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Hereinafter, specific embodiments of a vehicle lid device according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0011] The vehicle lid device 1 of this embodiment is a device that uses a lid to open and close a fuel supply port mounted on a vehicle. Vehicles on which the vehicle lid device 1 is mounted include, for example, gasoline vehicles, diesel vehicles, electric vehicles, hybrid vehicles, and fuel cell vehicles. The fuel supply port that is the target for opening and closing by the vehicle lid device 1 is provided on the side or front of a vehicle body 2 (see FIGS. 1 and 2), and is arranged in a vehicle body opening 2a (see FIGS. 1 and 2) that penetrates the vehicle body 2 in an inward-outward direction (i.e., in a front-to-rear direction). The vehicle body opening 2a may be open facing the side of the vehicle, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, or may be open facing upward or diagonally upward from the vehicle.

[0012] The above-mentioned refill port is a fuel fill port or a charging port provided for replenishing energy, such as refueling a vehicle or charging a battery. The refill port is provided at one end of a pipe or an electric wire. The other end of this pipe or electric wire is connected to a fuel tank or a battery located at the rear of the vehicle body (i.e., inside the vehicle body). The refill port may be covered with a cap that can be opened and closed by an operator. With the cap open, a fuel gun or a charging gun for replenishing energy can be connected to this refill port.

[0013] As shown in FIGS. 2, 3, 4, and 5, the vehicle lid device 1 includes a base body 10, a lid 20, an opening / closing mechanism 30, and a locking mechanism 40. As shown in FIGS.

[0014] The base body 10 is a box-shaped box body that houses the replenishing port. The base body 10 is attached to the vehicle body 2 so as to fit into a vehicle body opening 2a provided in the vehicle body 2. The base body 10 is arranged on the vehicle interior side in line with the vehicle body opening 2a of the vehicle body 2. The base body 10 has a bottom wall portion 11, a side wall portion 12, a box opening 13, and a storage space 14.

[0015] The storage space 14 is a space that accommodates the refilling port. The storage space 14 is surrounded by a bottom wall portion 11 and a side wall portion 12. The bottom wall portion 11 is, for example, a rectangular plate-shaped portion. A through hole 11a is formed in the bottom wall portion 11 to expose the refilling port to the storage space 14 from the inside of the vehicle. The through hole 11a is provided through the bottom wall portion 11 of the base body 10 at approximately the center thereof. The side wall portion 12 is a wall portion that extends from the edge of the bottom wall portion 11 toward the outside of the vehicle so as to surround the periphery of the bottom wall portion 11.

[0016] The box opening 13 is a front opening that exposes the refill port in the storage space 14 to the outside of the vehicle. The box opening 13 is provided on the side of the base 10 that faces the bottom wall portion 11 with the storage space 14 in between. The box opening 13 is closed when the lid 20 is in the closed position, and is open when the lid 20 is not in the closed position. When the box opening 13 is open, the refill port in the storage space 14 is exposed to the outside of the vehicle through the box opening 13. The base 10 is attached to the vehicle body 2 so that the box opening 13 faces, for example, horizontally or tilted upward from the horizontal direction from the inside of the vehicle body to the outside of the vehicle body.

[0017] The base body 10 has a frame portion 15. The frame portion 15 is formed in an annular shape along the peripheral edge of the box opening 13. The frame portion 15 is formed in a flange shape so as to extend from the peripheral edge of the box opening 13 toward the outside of the frame. The base body 10 is positioned on the vehicle body 2 by the back surface of the frame portion 15 abutting against the surface of the peripheral edge of the vehicle body opening 2a of the vehicle body 2, for example.

[0018] The lid 20 is a cover member that opens and closes the box opening 13 and thus the refill port. The lid 20 is movable between a closed position where it closes the box opening 13 to block the refill port, and an open position (specifically, referred to as a fully open position) where it opens the box opening 13 to expose the refill port to the outside of the vehicle. The lid 20 can be moved relative to the base 10 by the operation of the opening / closing mechanism 30 based on a pressing operation by an operator.

[0019] The lid 20 reaches and is held in the fully open position when the biasing force of the biasing member 35, which will be described later, becomes zero or when the lid 20 comes into contact with a full-open stopper and is restricted in movement. The lid 20 has a lid lower portion 21 and a lid upper portion 22. The lid lower portion 21 and the lid upper portion 22 are assembled together and integrated.

[0020] The lid lower portion 21 is a plate-shaped member that closes the box opening 13 of the base 10. The lid lower portion 21 is formed in a shape (for example, a substantially rectangular shape) and size that matches the box opening 13. The lid upper portion 22 is a panel-shaped member that corresponds to the lid lower portion 21. The lid upper portion 22 is disposed on the front surface side of the lid lower portion 21 and assembled to the lid lower portion 21. When the lid 20 is in the closed position, the lid upper portion 22 is positioned so as to be flush with the frame portion 15 on the periphery of the box opening 13 and the vehicle body surface 2b, thereby closing the box opening 13. The surface of the lid upper portion 22 may be curved to match the vehicle body surface 2b.

[0021] The opening / closing mechanism 30 is a mechanism that moves the lid 20 between a closed position and an open position (i.e., performs an opening / closing operation), specifically, a mechanism that slides the lid 20 in a sliding direction X along the vehicle body surface 2b, which is the surface of the vehicle body 2, between the closed position and the open position. The opening / closing mechanism 30 has a shaft 31, a shaft cover 32, a first arm 33, a second arm 34, a biasing member 35, and a damper 36.

[0022] The shaft 31 is a rotating shaft that rotates in synchronization with the opening and closing of the lid 20. The shaft 31 is rotatably supported by a shaft cover 32. The shaft cover 32 is formed in a shape that can support the shaft 31. The shaft cover 32 has a cylindrical support portion 32a that rotatably supports the shaft 31. The shaft cover 32 is attached and fixed to the back side of the base 10 with the shaft 31 supported by the support portion 32a.

[0023] The shaft 31 is formed to extend in a direction Y perpendicular to the sliding direction X of the lid 20. The shaft 31 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape and is rotatably inserted into a support portion 32a of the shaft cover 32. The shaft 31 also has a portion having a polygonal cross section, and this portion is fixed to and integrated with one end of the first arm 33.

[0024] The first arm 33 is an arm-shaped member that connects the base body 10 and the lid 20. The first arm 33 extends so as to connect the back side of the lid 20 with the inner side of the surface of the bottom wall portion 11 of the base body 10. One end of the first arm 33 is connected to the base body 10 side (specifically, the shaft cover 32). The other end of the first arm 33 is connected to the lid lower portion 21.

[0025] One end of the first arm 33 is supported by the shaft cover 32 and thus the base 10, on the back side of the surface of the bottom wall 11, so as to be rotatable about a rotation axis (hereinafter referred to as the base-side first axis) CB1. The base-side first axis CB1 coincides with the axis of the shaft 31. The other end of the first arm 33 is supported by the lid lower portion 21, on the front side of the surface of the bottom wall 11, so as to be rotatable about a rotation axis (hereinafter referred to as the lid-side first axis) CL1. Both of the two rotation axes CB1 and CL1 of the first arm 33 extend in a direction Y perpendicular to the sliding direction X. Specifically, they extend horizontally, and for example, when the box opening 13 is provided on a side surface of the vehicle body 2, they extend in the vehicle fore-and-aft direction. Hereinafter, the extending direction of the rotation axes CB1 and CL1 will be referred to as the axial direction Y.

[0026] A pair of first arms 33 are provided spaced apart in the axial direction Y along which the rotation axes CB1, CL1 extend. One end of one of the first arms 33 is provided with a fitting hole 33a into which the shaft 31 is inserted. The pair of first arms 33 are connected via a connecting rod 33b. The connecting rod 33b is arranged to connect the other ends of the pair of first arms 33. The rotation axes CB2, CL2 of the pair of first arms 33 are arranged coaxially. The pair of first arms 33 rotate synchronously with each other.

[0027] The second arm 34, like the first arm 33, is an arm-shaped member that connects the base body 10 and the lid 20. The second arm 34 extends so as to connect the back side of the lid 20 with the rear side of the lid 20 from the surface of the bottom wall portion 11 of the base body 10. The second arm 34 cooperates with the first arm 33 to open and close the lid 20. The lid 20 slides along the vehicle body surface 2b between the closed position and the open position due to the cooperative operation of the first arm 33 and the second arm 34. One end of the second arm 34 is connected to the base body 10 side (specifically, the base body 10 itself or the shaft cover 32). The other end of the second arm 34 is connected to the lid lower portion 21.

[0028] One end of the second arm 34 is supported by the base 10 on the back side of the surface of the bottom wall 11 so as to be rotatable about a rotation axis (hereinafter referred to as the base-side second axis, as appropriate) CB2. The other end of the second arm 34 is supported by the lid lower portion 21 on the front side of the surface of the bottom wall 11 so as to be rotatable about a rotation axis (hereinafter referred to as the lid-side second axis, as appropriate) CL2. Both of the two rotation axes CB2, CL2 of the second arm 34 extend in a direction Y (i.e., the axial direction Y) perpendicular to the sliding direction X. Specifically, they extend horizontally, and if the box opening 13 is provided on a side surface of the vehicle body 2, for example, they extend in the vehicle longitudinal direction.

[0029] The second arm 34 is disposed above the first arm 33. The base-side second axis CB2 is disposed above the base-side first axis CB1 on the base 10 side. The base-side second axis CB2 extends parallel to the base-side first axis CB1 and is disposed radially offset from the base-side first axis CB1. Furthermore, the lid-side second axis CL2 is disposed above the lid-side first axis CL1 on the lid 20 side. The lid-side second axis CL2 extends parallel to the lid-side first axis CL1 and is disposed radially offset from the lid-side first axis CL1. The rotation axes CB1, CL1, CB2, and CL2 all extend parallel to each other in the same axial direction Y.

[0030] The second arms 34 are provided as a pair, spaced apart in the axial direction Y along which the rotation axes CB2, CL2 extend. The rotation axes CB2, CL2 of the pair of second arms 34 are arranged coaxially. The pair of second arms 34 rotate synchronously with each other. Unlike the pair of first arms 33, the pair of second arms 34 are not connected to each other via a connecting rod or the like, and are independent of each other. The rotation of the pair of second arms 34 is performed in conjunction with the synchronous rotation of the pair of first arms 33. The lid 20 opens and closes with respect to the base 10 while maintaining a state parallel to the box opening 13, sliding along the vehicle body surface 2b, due to the linked rotation of the first arm 33 and the second arm 34 caused by the rotation of the shaft 31.

[0031] The first arm 33 and the second arm 34 are arranged offset from each other in the axial direction Y of the rotation axes CB1, CL1, CB2, and CL2. That is, the axial position at which the first arm 33 is arranged and rotates and the axial position at which the second arm 34 is arranged and rotates are offset from each other. This arrangement relationship between the first arm 33 and the second arm 34 is established on both sides in the axial direction Y. On the right side of the vehicle lid device 1 as viewed from the vehicle exterior, the first arm 33 is arranged to the left in the axial direction Y and the second arm 34 is arranged to the right in the axial direction Y, while on the left side of the vehicle lid device 1 as viewed from the vehicle exterior, the first arm 33 is arranged to the right in the axial direction Y and the second arm 34 is arranged to the left in the axial direction Y. That is, the pair of first arms 33 are arranged axially more inward than the pair of second arms 34.

[0032] The base body 10 has an arm hole groove 16. The arm hole groove 16 is provided so as to open on the surface of the bottom wall portion 11 of the base body 10. The arm hole groove 16 is a passage through which the first arm 33 and the second arm 34 pass in the front-to-back direction of the bottom wall portion 11. A pair of arm hole grooves 16 are provided on the bottom wall portion 11, spaced apart in the axial direction (i.e., the left-right direction when the base body 10 is viewed from the outside of the vehicle), corresponding to the pair of first arms 33 and the pair of second arms 34.

[0033] The arm hole groove 16 may have an opening on the surface of the bottom wall portion 11. For example, the arm hole groove 16 may be a hole that penetrates the plate-shaped bottom wall portion 11, or may be a groove that is recessed from the surface of the bottom wall portion 11 toward the back. In this embodiment, the arm hole groove 16 is a groove that is provided in a storage portion 17 provided in the base body 10.

[0034] The storage section 17 is formed integrally with the bottom wall 11 of the base 10. The storage section 17 is formed so as to protrude from the bottom wall 11 to the rear side. The arm hole groove 16 is surrounded by the wall of the storage section 17 and is formed as a groove recessed from the surface of the bottom wall 11 toward the back side. The arm hole groove 16 is a storage groove that stores a portion of the first arm 33 (specifically, the one end side) and a portion of the second arm 34 (specifically, the one end side). The arm hole groove 16 has an opening formed on the front side of the storage section 17, i.e., on the surface of the bottom wall 11.

[0035] 9, 10, 11, and 12, one end of the first arm 33 can rotate about a base-side first axis CB1 by means of a pivot pin 38 that penetrates two walls of the storage section 17 on either side of the arm groove 16. Also, one end of the second arm 34 can rotate about a base-side second axis CB2 by means of a pivot pin 39 that penetrates two walls of the storage section 17 on either side of the arm groove 16. It is desirable that the pivot pins 38 and 39 be provided in the storage section 17 on the far side from the opening of the arm groove 16 so that the storage area of the first arm 33 and the second arm 34 that are stored in the arm groove 16 during lid opening and closing is wider.

[0036] The arm slot 16 (particularly, its opening) is formed on the surface of the bottom wall 11 to have a predetermined width in the axial direction Y. This predetermined width is set to be larger than the sum of the axial thickness of the first arm 33 and the axial thickness of the second arm 34. The arm slot 16 (particularly, its opening) extends over a predetermined length on the surface of the bottom wall 11 in a transverse direction perpendicular to the axial direction Y (i.e., the sliding direction X of the lid 20; hereinafter, referred to as the transverse direction X). This predetermined length is set to correspond to the movement trajectories of the first arm 33 and the second arm 34 when the lid 20 moves between the closed position and the open position.

[0037] The arm hole groove 16 is formed so that its length in the transverse direction X varies depending on its axial position. The arm hole groove 16 has a first arm region 16a and a second arm region 16b. The first arm region 16a is a region that extends in the transverse direction X over a length corresponding to the movement trajectory of the first arm 33. The second arm region 16b is a region that extends in the transverse direction X over a length corresponding to the movement trajectory of the second arm 34.

[0038] The first arm region 16a and the second arm region 16b are connected to each other and integrated. The first arm region 16a and the second arm region 16b are arranged so as to form a step in the transverse direction X. The first arm region 16a, which corresponds to the movement trajectory of the first arm 33, is arranged to be shifted downward relative to the second arm region 16b, which corresponds to the movement trajectory of the second arm 34. The lower part of the first arm region 16a is located below the lower end of the second arm region 16b. Furthermore, the upper part of the second arm region 16b is located above the upper end of the first arm region 16a.

[0039] The pair of arm grooves 16 are formed in a shape that is symmetrical with respect to an axis extending in the transverse direction X. The step between the first arm region 16a and the second arm region 16b in each of the pair of arm grooves 16 is formed at least at a location that restricts the movement of each of the pair of independent second arms 34 toward the first arm 33 in the axial direction Y. In this embodiment, this step is not only formed at a location that restricts the movement of each of the pair of independent second arms 34 toward the first arm 33 in the axial direction Y, but also at a location that restricts the movement of each of the pair of first arms 33 connected to each other via the connecting rod 33b toward the second arm 34 in the axial direction Y.

[0040] 8, 11, and 12, the base 10 has a first restricting portion 18 and a second restricting portion 19. The first restricting portion 18 is a portion that restricts the first arm 33 from moving toward the second arm 34 in the axial direction Y (to the left in the axial direction Y in this embodiment). The second restricting portion 19 is a portion that restricts the second arm 34 from moving toward the first arm 33 in the axial direction Y (to the right in the axial direction Y in this embodiment).

[0041] The first and second restricting portions 18 and 19 are each provided on the periphery of the arm hole groove 16 in the base 10. The first restricting portion 18 is provided on the lower part of the periphery of the arm hole groove 16 (specifically, the first arm region 16a). The first restricting portion 18 is formed on the periphery of the first arm region 16a as a wall facing from the second arm 34 side to the first arm 33 side in the axial direction Y. The second restricting portion 19 is provided on the upper part of the periphery of the arm hole groove 16 (specifically, the second arm region 16b). The second restricting portion 19 is formed on the periphery of the second arm region 16b as a wall facing from the first arm 33 side to the second arm 34 side in the axial direction Y.

[0042] The first and second restricting portions 18 and 19 are each wall portions that form the storage portion 17 of the base 10. The first and second restricting portions 18 and 19 each have a wall surface that can come into contact with the storage area portion of the arms 33, 34 that is stored in the arm slot 16 (specifically, its axial end surface). This wall surface extends in a planar shape from the front surface side to the rear side of the bottom wall portion 11 on the rear side of the opening of the arm slot 16. Note that, in order to increase the area that can come into contact with the arms 33, 34, the first and second restricting portions 18 and 19 preferably have a planar shape as described above, but they may have any shape, such as a strip shape or a linear shape, as long as they can restrict the axial movement of the arms 33, 34.

[0043] It is preferable that the axial direction restriction position where the first restriction portion 18 restricts the movement of the first arm 33 (i.e., the axial direction position of the wall surface described above) and the axial direction restriction position where the second restriction portion 19 restricts the movement of the second arm 34 (i.e., the axial direction position of the wall surface described above) coincide with each other, but they may be slightly misaligned in the axial direction Y. For example, the axial direction restriction position where the first restriction portion 18 restricts the movement of the first arm 33 may be shifted to the right in the axial direction Y, where movement of the first arm 33 toward the second arm 34 can be more effectively restricted, and the axial direction restriction position where the second restriction portion 19 restricts the movement of the second arm 34 may be shifted to the left in the axial direction Y, where movement of the second arm 34 toward the first arm 33 can be more effectively restricted.

[0044] The biasing member 35 is a member that generates a biasing force that biases the lid 20 from the closed position toward the open position. The biasing member 35 is, for example, a torsion coil spring. The biasing member 35 is mounted on the shaft 31. One end of the biasing member 35 engages with the base 10 side (specifically, the base 10 itself or the shaft cover 32). The other end of the biasing member 35 engages with the lid 20 side (specifically, the shaft 31 or the lid 20 itself). When the lid 20 is in the closed position, the biasing member 35 biases the lid 20 toward the open position with the maximum biasing force.

[0045] The damper 36 is a reducer for reducing the speed at which the lid 20 is biased by the biasing force of the biasing member 35. When the lid 20 is biased toward the open position by the biasing force of the biasing member 35, the damper 36 causes the lid 20 to open at a constant speed.

[0046] The locking mechanism 40 is a mechanism that locks the lid 20 in the closed position. The locking mechanism 40 locks the lid 20 in the closed position by engaging engaging portions provided on the base 10 and the lid 20 when the lid 20 is in the closed position. For example, the locking mechanism 40 locks the lid 20 in the closed position by inserting the axial tip of the lock shaft into the opening hole when the lid 20 is closed, and then rotating the lock shaft to engage the lock portion of the lock shaft at the back side of the opening hole. As shown in FIG. 3 , the locking mechanism 40 has an engaging protrusion 41, an engaging recess 42, and a push lifter 43.

[0047] The engaging protrusion 41 is a substantially columnar or cylindrical portion that forms the lock shaft. The engaging protrusion 41 is provided on the base body 10 side. The engaging protrusion 41 is assembled to a box-shaped case 50 that is fixedly attached to the back side of the base body 10. The engaging protrusion 41 has a rotation shaft portion 41a that can rotate around an axis, and a lock portion 41b that can engage with the engaging recess 42.

[0048] The rotating shaft 41a is rotatably supported by the case 50. The rotating shaft 41a rotates in response to the operation of the push lifter 43. The push lifter 43 is a device that rotates the rotating shaft 41a while moving the push rod 43a in its axial direction by pressing the lid 20 from the front side to the back side. The push lifter 43 is provided on the base 10 side (specifically, the case 50). The push rod 43a is arranged coaxially with the rotating shaft 41a. The rotating shaft 41a is inserted inside the push rod 43a and is rotatable relative to the push rod 43a. The axial tip of the rotating shaft 41a protrudes from the axial tip of the push rod 43a to the front side, is inserted into a through-hole 11c in the bottom wall 11, and is exposed to the storage space 14.

[0049] The push lifter 43 alternately repeats a state in which the push rod 43a is retracted to an axial retracted position and a state in which the push rod 43a is protruded to an axially protruding position each time the lid 20 is pushed from the front side to the back side with a force equal to or greater than a predetermined value. The push lifter 43 may be configured, for example, with a known knock-type cam mechanism. Furthermore, the push lifter 43 rotates the rotary shaft 41a forward or backward by a predetermined angle (e.g., 90°) each time the lid 20 is pushed.

[0050] The locking portion 41b is a propeller portion that moves between an engageable position where it can engage with the engagement recess 42 and a disengaged position where it does not engage with the engagement recess 42 as the rotating shaft portion 41a rotates. The locking portion 41b is provided at the axial tip of the rotating shaft portion 41a and is either integrated with the rotating shaft portion 41a or attached and fixed by fitting or the like. The locking portion 41b protrudes radially outward from a portion of the entire circumference of the rotating shaft portion 41a. The locking portion 41b is provided at one or more locations around the entire circumference of the rotating shaft portion 41a.

[0051] The engagement recess 42 is a portion forming an opening hole through which the locking portion 41b advances and retreats, and is a portion that engages with the engagement protrusion 41. The engagement recess 42 is provided on the lid 20 side (specifically, the lid lower portion 21). The engagement recess 42 has an opening hole portion 42a that opens toward the base 10 side when the lid 20 is in the closed position, and an engagement wall portion 42b on which the locking portion 41b can be caught when the lid 20 is in the closed position.

[0052] The locking portion 41b, which is in a non-engaged position, can advance and retreat through the opening hole 42a. When the lid 20 is closed, the locking portion 41b advances from the front side of the opening of the opening hole 42a to the rear side of the opening. When the lid 20 is opened, the locking portion 41b retreats from the rear side of the opening of the opening hole 42a to the front side of the opening. The opening hole 42a is formed in an elongated hole shape to match the size of the locking portion 41b. The opening hole 42a is formed in a rectangular shape so that the opening width and opening length are both constant. The opening hole 42a is arranged so that the longitudinal direction of the opening hole 42a coincides with the sliding direction X of the lid 20 along the vehicle body surface 2b by the opening / closing mechanism 30.

[0053] The engagement wall 42b is provided on the periphery of the opening 42a in the lid lower portion 21. A space capable of accommodating the locking portion 41b is formed at the rear of the opening 42a in the lid lower portion 21. The engagement wall 42b has an engagement surface facing the outside of the vehicle (i.e., the front side) at the rear of the periphery of the opening 42a. When the lid 20 is in the closed position and the locking portion 41b is in the engageable position, the back surface of the locking portion 41b of the engagement wall 42b abuts against the engagement surface on the front side of the lid lower portion 21, thereby hooking the locking portion 41b. As a result, the locking mechanism 40 locks the lid 20 in the closed position against the biasing force of the biasing member 35.

[0054] The lid 20 has a pressing portion 23 that presses the push rod 43a in the axial direction to contract it. The pressing portion 23 abuts against the axial tip of the rotation shaft portion 41a during the closing operation of the lid 20 (specifically, at the end of the closing operation) and applies a force to the push rod 43a to contract it in the axial direction. The pressing portion 23 is provided on the lid lower portion 21. The pressing portion 23 is located on the inner side of the opening hole 42a (i.e., the front side) and has a surface facing the back side of the lid lower portion 21. This surface is exposed to the outside of the lid lower portion 21 through the opening hole 42a and is formed to a size corresponding to the rectangular shape of the opening hole 42a.

[0055] The pressing portion 23 can come into contact with the axial tip of the rotating shaft 41a when the locking portion 41b enters the opening hole 42a from the front side to the back side during the closing operation of the lid 20. As shown in Fig. 6, after the pressing portion 23 starts to come into contact with the axial tip of the rotating shaft 41a, the position within the plane of the pressing portion 23 at which the pressing portion 23 comes into contact with the axial tip of the rotating shaft 41a changes in the sliding direction X of the lid 20 as the lid 20 moves toward the base 10, i.e., as the push rod 43a pushes forward. The rotating shaft 41a rotates when the in-plane position of the pressing portion 23 at which the pressing portion 23 comes into contact with the axial tip of the rotating shaft 41a changes in the sliding direction X of the lid 20 as the push rod 43a pushes forward.

[0056] The locking portion 41b transitions from the non-engageable position to the engageable position when the push rod 43a is pushed axially from the axially protruding position to the axially retracted position, and from the engageable position to the non-engageable position when the push rod 43a is pushed axially from the axially retracted position to the axially protruding position.

[0057] Hereinafter, the operation of the vehicle lid device 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. When the lid 20 is locked in the closed position, the box opening 13 of the base 10 is closed and the refill port in the storage space 14 of the base 10 is not exposed to the outside of the vehicle, making it impossible to connect a gun to the refill port. Also, when the lid 20 is locked in the closed position against the biasing force of the biasing member 35, the push rod 43a is in the axially retracted position and the locking portion 41b is in the engageable position.

[0058] When an operator desires to refuel the vehicle or charge the battery while the lid 20 is in the closed position, the operator presses the lid 20 from the front side to the back side with a force equal to or greater than a predetermined value. When this pressing operation is performed, the lid 20 moves from the front side to the back side against the biasing force of the biasing member 35, and after the pressing portion 23 abuts against the axial tip of the rotating shaft portion 41a, the push rod 43a further moves from the axial retracted position to the axial end position against the biasing force of the biasing portion of the push lifter 43. During this process, after the pressing portion 23 abuts against the axial tip of the rotating shaft portion 41a, the rotating shaft portion 41a rotates so that the locking portion 41b moves from the engageable position to the disengaged position.

[0059] When the pressing operation on the lid 20 is released, the lid 20 is urged toward the open position by the urging force of the urging member 35. In this case, the lid 20 passes through the opening hole 42a from the rear side to the front side of the opening with the lock portion 41b in the disengaged position, so the lid 20 opens without being restricted in its movement to the open position. Also, when the pressing operation on the lid 20 is released, the push rod 43a returns from the axial end position due to the urging force of the urging portion of the push lifter 43 and moves forward to the axially protruding position.

[0060] The opening operation of the lid 20 is realized when the shaft 31 in the opening / closing mechanism 30 rotates due to the biasing force of the biasing member 35, and the pair of first arms 33 rotate in synchronization with this rotation, and further when the pair of second arms 34 rotate in synchronization with the rotation of the first arms 33. The synchronized rotation of these two types of arms 33, 34 causes the lid 20 to perform an opening operation in which it slides along the vehicle body surface 2b in the sliding direction X relative to the base 10, and is eventually held in the open position.

[0061] Next, when the operator desires to close the lid 20 from the open position, for example, after refueling the vehicle, the operator presses the lid 20 from the front side to the back side with a force equal to or greater than a predetermined value. When this pressing operation is performed, the lid 20 moves from the front side to the back side against the biasing force of the biasing member 35, passes through the opening hole 42a from the front side to the back side with the locking portion 41b in the disengaged position, and after the pressing portion 23 abuts against the axial tip of the rotating shaft 41a, the push rod 43a continues to move from the axially protruding position to the axial end position against the biasing force of the biasing portion of the push lifter 43. During this process, after the pressing portion 23 abuts against the axial tip of the rotating shaft 41a, the rotating shaft 41a rotates so that the locking portion 41b moves from the disengaged position to the engageable position.

[0062] When the pressing operation of the lid 20 is released, the lid 20 is urged toward the closed position by the urging force of the urging member 35. In this case, since the lock portion 41b is in the engageable position, the lid 20 is locked in the closed position by being restricted in movement by the lock portion 41b at the closed position. Furthermore, when the pressing operation of the lid 20 is released, the push rod 43a returns from the axial end position due to the urging force of the urging portion of the push lifter 43 and moves forward to the axial retracted position.

[0063] The closing operation of the lid 20 is realized by the pair of first arms 33 and the pair of second arms 34 rotating in synchronization with each other when the lid 20 is pressed in the opening / closing mechanism 30, and further by the rotation of the shaft 31 against the biasing force of the biasing member 35. The linked rotation of these two types of arms 33, 34 causes the lid 20 to perform a closing operation in which it slides in the sliding direction X along the vehicle body surface 2b relative to the base 10, and is eventually locked in the closed position.

[0064] In this way, in the vehicle lid device 1, pressing the lid 20 from the closed or open position causes the two types of arms 33, 34 of the opening / closing mechanism 30 to rotate in conjunction with each other, causing the lid 20 to slide along the vehicle body surface 2b between the closed and open positions. Pressing the lid 20 also causes the locking portion 41b of the engaging protrusion 41 of the locking mechanism 40 to move between the engageable position and the disengaged position, switching between locked and unlocked states in the closed position of the lid 20.

[0065] In the vehicle lid device 1, the opening / closing mechanism 30 slides the lid 20 along the vehicle body surface 2b by cooperative rotation of two types of arms 33, 34. The base 10 has an arm slot 16 through which the first arm 33 and the second arm 34, which are arranged offset from each other in the axial direction, pass in the front-to-back direction. The arm slot 16 extends in the intersecting direction X on the surface of the bottom wall portion 11 over a length corresponding to the movement locus of the first arm 33 and the movement locus of the second arm 34 during the lid opening / closing operation. The base 10 has a first regulating portion 18 formed as a wall facing from the second arm 34 side to the first arm 33 side in the axial direction Y on the periphery of the arm hole groove 16, which regulates the first arm 33 from moving toward the second arm 34 side in the axial direction Y, and a second regulating portion 19 formed as a wall facing from the first arm 33 side to the second arm 34 side in the axial direction Y on the periphery of the arm hole groove 16, which regulates the second arm 34 from moving toward the first arm 33 side in the axial direction Y.

[0066] In the above configuration, a portion of the first arm 33 and a portion of the second arm 34 are housed in the arm groove 16, and the first arm 33 and the second arm 34 pass through the arm groove 16 in the front-to-back direction of the bottom wall portion 11 of the base 10. In this case, the first arm 33 and the second arm 34 fit into the arm groove 16 in the base 10 and protrude from the surface of the bottom wall portion 11 toward the lid 20 while being surrounded by the peripheral edge of the arm groove 16. In this structure, a portion of each arm 33, 34 is adjacent to the peripheral edge of the arm groove 16 in the axial direction Y on the far side opposite the close side of the arms 33, 34, so that movement of the first arm 33 toward the opposite side to the second arm 34 in the axial direction Y and movement of the second arm 34 toward the opposite side to the first arm 33 in the axial direction Y are restricted.

[0067] Furthermore, in the above configuration, the first regulating portion 18 of the base 10 regulates the first arm 33 from moving toward the second arm 34 in the axial direction Y, and the second regulating portion 19 of the base 10 regulates the second arm 34 from moving toward the first arm 33 in the axial direction Y.

[0068] In particular, in the vehicle lid device 1, the arm hole groove 16 has a first arm region 16a extending in the transverse direction X over a length corresponding to the movement trajectory of the first arm 33, and a second arm region 16b integrated with the first arm region 16a, extending in the transverse direction X over a length corresponding to the movement trajectory of the second arm 34, and arranged so as to form a step with the first arm region 16a in the transverse direction X.

[0069] In this configuration, a portion of the first arm 33 passes through the first arm region 16a and a portion of the second arm 34 passes through the second arm region 16b, with the arms 33, 34 adjacent to the restricting portions 18, 19 serving as peripheral portions of the arm groove 16 in the axial direction Y on the sides of the arms 33, 34 that are closer to each other. Therefore, the first restricting portion 18 restricts the first arm 33 from moving toward the second arm 34 in the axial direction Y, and the second restricting portion 19 restricts the second arm 34 from moving toward the first arm 33 in the axial direction Y.

[0070] Therefore, the vehicle lid device 1 can limit the axial movement of each arm 33, 34. This can prevent the axial assembly position of each arm 33, 34 from fluctuating, thereby reducing backlash that occurs in the opening / closing mechanism 30. Furthermore, the arms 33, 34 can be prevented from moving toward each other in the axial direction Y, which prevents interference between the arms 33, 34 and ensures good opening and closing operability of the lid 20.

[0071] In the vehicle lid device 1, a pair of first arms 33 are provided spaced apart in the axial direction Y, a pair of second arms 34 are provided spaced apart in the axial direction Y, and a pair of arm slots 16 are provided spaced apart in the axial direction Y. The pair of arm slots 16 are formed in an axisymmetrical shape with respect to an axis extending in the intersecting direction X. The step between the first arm region 16a and the second arm region 16b in each of the pair of arm slots 16 is formed at a location that restricts the pair of independent second arms 34 from moving toward the first arm 33 in the axial direction Y, and at a location that restricts the pair of first arms 33 connected to each other via the connecting rod 33b from moving toward the second arm 34 in the axial direction Y.

[0072] In the above configuration, the movement of each arm 33, 34 to both sides in the axial direction can be restricted on the left and right sides separated in the axial direction Y, thereby reducing rattling in the opening and closing mechanism 30 and further improving the opening and closing operation of the lid 20.

[0073] In the above embodiment, the pair of first arms 33 connected to each other via the connecting rod 33b are disposed axially more inward than the pair of independent second arms 34. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and conversely, the pair of first arms 33 connected to each other via the connecting rod 33b may be disposed axially more outward than the pair of independent second arms 34.

[0074] In the above embodiment, the base-side second axis CB2 of the second arm 34 is disposed higher than the base-side first axis CB1 of the first arm 33, and the lid-side second axis CL2 of the second arm 34 is disposed higher than the lid-side first axis CL1 of the first arm 33. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Conversely, the base-side second axis CB2 of the second arm 34 may be disposed lower than the base-side first axis CB1 of the first arm 33, and the lid-side second axis CL2 of the second arm 34 may be disposed lower than the lid-side first axis CL1 of the first arm 33.

[0075] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the steps between the first arm region 16a and the second arm region 16b in each of the pair of arm grooves 16 are formed at locations that restrict the pair of independent second arms 34 from moving toward the first arm 33 in the axial direction Y, and at locations that restrict the pair of first arms 33 connected to each other via the connecting rod 33b from moving toward the second arm 34 in the axial direction Y. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the steps need only be formed at least at locations that restrict the pair of independent second arms 34 from moving toward the first arm 33 in the axial direction Y, and do not necessarily have to be formed at locations that restrict the pair of first arms 33 connected to each other via the connecting rod 33b from moving toward the second arm 34 in the axial direction Y.

[0076] In the configuration of this modified embodiment, when the pair of first arms 33 are connected to each other via the connecting rod 33b, even if there is no step described above for restricting movement of each of the pair of first arms 33 toward the second arm 34 in the axial direction Y, if the movement of each of the pair of first arms 33 toward the inside or outside in the axial direction Y is restricted by the peripheral wall of the arm slot 16 located on the inside or outside in the axial direction Y in both of the pair of first arms 33, movement toward the second arm 34 is restricted as viewed from the first arm 33 on the opposite axial direction. Therefore, even if there is no step described above at a location that restricts movement of the pair of first arms 33 connected to each other via the connecting rod 33b toward the second arm 34 in the axial direction Y, movement of the pair of first arms 33 toward both axial sides can be restricted.

[0077] In the above embodiment, a step between the first arm region 16a and the second arm region 16b formed at a position that restricts movement of the pair of first arms 33 connected to each other via the connecting rod 33b toward the second arm 34 in the axial direction Y is provided in each of the pair of arm grooves 16. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the step between the first arm region 16a and the second arm region 16b formed at a position that restricts movement of the pair of first arms 33 connected to each other via the connecting rod 33b toward the second arm 34 in the axial direction Y may be provided in at least one of the pair of arm grooves 16.

[0078] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the pair of first arms 33 are connected to each other via a connecting rod 33b, and the pair of second arms 34 are independent of each other. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The first arms 33 may be connected to each other via a connecting rod, and the second arms 34 may be connected to each other via a connecting rod. In this modified configuration, at least one of the pair of arm grooves 16 may be provided with a step for restricting movement of the first arm 33 and a step for restricting movement of the second arm 34, and the other of the pair of arm grooves 16 may not be provided with the step. In other words, the pair of arm grooves 16 do not have to be formed in an axisymmetrical shape with respect to an axis extending in the transverse direction X.

[0079] In the configuration of this modified embodiment, even if the above-mentioned step is provided in only one of the pair of arm grooves 16, the peripheral edge of the arm groove 16 associated with the step restricts movement of the first arm 33 in both axial directions Y. Therefore, even if a step for restricting movement of the pair of first arms 33 connected to each other via the connecting rod 33b toward the second arm 34 in the axial direction Y is provided in one of the pair of arm grooves 16, movement of the pair of first arms 33 in both axial directions can be restricted.

[0080] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and modifications, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Furthermore, this specification not only discloses the technical ideas indicated by the citation relationships set forth in the claims at the time of filing, but also discloses technical ideas obtained by appropriately combining the matters set forth in the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0081] 1: vehicle lid device, 2: vehicle body, 2b: vehicle body surface, 10: base, 11: bottom wall portion, 12: side wall portion, 13: box opening, 14: storage space, 16: arm hole groove, 16a: first arm area portion, 16b: second arm area portion, 17: storage portion, 18: first regulating portion, 19: second regulating portion, 20: lid, 30: opening / closing mechanism, 31: shaft, 33: first arm, 33b: connecting rod, 34: second arm, CB1: base side first axis, CL1: lid side first axis, CB2: base side second axis, CL2: lid side second axis.

Claims

1. a box-shaped base body attached to a vehicle body, the base body having a storage space for storing a supply port for supplying energy to the vehicle, a bottom wall portion formed with a through hole for exposing the supply port from the inside of the vehicle to the storage space, and a front side opening for exposing the supply port in the storage space to the outside of the vehicle; a lid that is movable between a closed position where the front opening is closed to block the supply port and an open position where the front opening is opened to expose the supply port to the outside of the vehicle; an opening / closing mechanism that slides the lid along a surface of the vehicle body between the closed position and the open position; Equipped with The opening and closing mechanism is a first arm extending to connect a rear side of the lid with a side deeper than a surface of the bottom wall portion of the base, and supported on the base side and the lid side so as to be rotatable about a first axis; a second arm extending so as to connect a rear side of the lid with a side deeper than the surface of the bottom wall portion of the base, and supported rotatably about a second axis extending parallel to the first axis on the base side and the lid side, respectively, and displaced radially from the first axis; and the first arm and the second arm are arranged to be offset from each other in an axial direction in which the first shaft and the second shaft extend, The substrate is an arm slot provided on the surface of the bottom wall portion and through which the first arm and the second arm pass in a front-to-back direction; the arm groove extends on the surface of the bottom wall portion in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction over a length corresponding to a movement locus of the first arm and a movement locus of the second arm when the lid moves between the closed position and the open position, The substrate is a first restriction portion formed as a wall facing from the second arm side toward the first arm side in the axial direction on a peripheral edge portion of the arm groove, the first restriction portion restricting movement of the first arm toward the second arm side in the axial direction; a second restriction portion formed as a wall facing from the first arm side toward the second arm side in the axial direction on a peripheral edge portion of the arm groove, the second restriction portion restricting movement of the second arm toward the first arm side in the axial direction; A vehicle lid device comprising:

2. The arm hole groove is a first arm region extending in the intersecting direction over a length corresponding to the movement locus of the first arm; a second arm region that is integrated with the first arm region, extends in the intersecting direction over a length corresponding to the movement locus of the second arm, and is disposed so as to form a step with the first arm region in the intersecting direction; The vehicle lid device according to claim 1 , further comprising:

3. The first arms are provided as a pair spaced apart in the axial direction, The second arms are provided as a pair spaced apart in the axial direction, The arm grooves are provided as a pair spaced apart in the axial direction, The pair of arm grooves are formed in line symmetry with respect to an axis extending in the intersecting direction, one pair of the first arms and the second arms are connected to each other via a connecting rod, the other pair of arms of the pair of first arms and the pair of second arms are independent of each other, 3. A vehicle lid device as described in claim 2, wherein the step between the first arm region and the second arm region in each of the pair of arm hole grooves is formed at least at a location that restricts the other pair of arms from moving toward the one pair of arms in the axial direction.

4. The arm hole groove is formed as a groove recessed from the surface of the bottom wall portion toward the back side, A vehicle lid device as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the first regulating portion and the second regulating portion each have a wall surface that extends in a planar shape from the surface side of the bottom wall portion to the rear side at the rear side of the opening of the arm hole groove.

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