Lid device for vehicle

Abstract

To inhibit a liquid, which enters the back side of an opening from a gap between a base and a lid at a closed position of the lid, from entering a housing space when the lid is opened.SOLUTION: A vehicle lid device includes: a base having an opening for exposing a housing space at the back side of a vehicle body to the outer side of the vehicle body; a lid which is moved relative to the base at the back side of the vehicle body relative to the opening by operation of an opening / closing mechanism to conduct opening / closing operation between a closed position where the lid closes the opening and an open position where the lid opens the opening; and a seal member which seals an area between the back side of the base and the front side of the lid when the lid is in the closed position. The base has a discharge passage extending along a peripheral edge of the opening at the back side of a peripheral edge part of the opening at the base. The discharge passage guides a liquid, which enters the back side of the opening from a gap between the base and the lid at the closed position of the lid, to the outside of the housing space.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Conventionally, a vehicle lid device mounted on a vehicle has been known (for example, Patent Document 1). This vehicle lid device is a device that uses a lid to open and close an opening in a base body. The opening in the base body is, for example, a vehicle body entrance / exit through which vehicle occupants enter and exit the interior space of the vehicle, a fuel filler port or charging port for supplying energy to the vehicle, or an opening that exposes to the outside of the vehicle an accommodation space that accommodates a door handle located at the rear of the vehicle body. The lid is, for example, a sliding door that opens and closes the vehicle body entrance / exit, a charging lid, a fuel filler lid, or a panel cover that opens and closes the above-mentioned opening, etc. The lid opens and closes between a closed position that closes the opening in the base body and an open position that opens the opening, using a driving force such as a motor.

[0003] In order to prevent liquids such as water from entering the storage space inside the vehicle from outside the vehicle when the lid is in the closed position, it is possible to provide a sealing member such as an annular gasket that seals between the base and the lid. Meanwhile, in the lid device described in Patent Document 1, the lid moves relative to the base at a position deeper in the vehicle body than the opening to open and close. When the above-mentioned sealing member is applied to this lid device, the sealing member seals between the back side of the base and the front side of the lid when the lid is in the closed position. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Special Publication No. 2019-512623 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, in a structure in which a seal member is interposed between the back side of the base body and the front side of the lid when the lid is in the closed position, even when the lid is in the closed position, liquid can enter from outside the vehicle through the gap between the base body and the lid to the seal member behind the opening, and the liquid can flow downward along the annular seal member, potentially remaining in a lower portion of the seal member (particularly at the bottom end).When the lid is opened from the closed position in this state, liquid remaining around the seal member behind the opening can flow down and enter the storage space, potentially causing dirt to adhere to the inner walls of the storage space or the liquid to adhere to the charging port inside the storage space.

[0006] The present invention has been made in consideration of these points, and aims to provide a vehicle lid device that can prevent liquid that has entered the back of the opening through the gap between the base and the lid when the lid is in the closed position from entering the storage space when the lid is opened. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] One aspect of the present invention is a vehicle lid device comprising: a base having an opening that exposes a storage space at the rear of the vehicle body to the outside of the vehicle body; a lid that opens and closes between a closed position that closes the opening and an open position that opens the opening by moving relative to the base at a position rearward of the opening by operating an opening / closing mechanism; and a sealing member that seals between the back side of the base and the front side of the lid when the lid is in the closed position, wherein the base has a drain path that extends along the periphery of the opening on the back side of the periphery of the opening in the base, and the drain path guides liquid that has entered the rear side of the opening through a gap formed between the base and the lid when the lid is in the closed position to the outside of the storage space.

[0008] With this configuration, liquid that has entered the inner side of the opening through the gap between the base and the lid when the lid is in the closed position can be prevented from entering the storage space when the lid is opened. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle lid device according to an embodiment of the present invention in a lid closed position. [Figure 2] 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle lid device according to an embodiment of the present invention in a lid open position; [Figure 3] 1 is a front view of a base body and a lid provided in a vehicle lid device of the present embodiment, seen from outside a vehicle body. [Figure 4] 2 is a perspective cross-sectional view of a main part of a base body provided in the vehicle lid device of the present embodiment. FIG. [Figure 5] 1 is a perspective view of a base body and a lid provided in a vehicle lid device of the present embodiment, seen from inside a vehicle body. [Figure 6] 6 is a cross-sectional view of the vehicle lid device of the present embodiment taken along line VI-VI shown in FIG. 1 with the lid in a closed position. [Figure 7] 7 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a main part of the vehicle lid device of the present embodiment taken along line VII-VII shown in FIG. 1 with the lid in a closed position. [Figure 8] 8 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a main part of the vehicle lid device of the present embodiment taken along line VIII-VIII shown in FIG. 1 with the lid in a closed position. [Figure 9] 10 is a diagram illustrating a state in which liquid accumulates in a reservoir of a discharge path when the lid is in a closed position in the vehicle lid device of the present embodiment. FIG. [Figure 10] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating a state in which liquid accumulated in a reservoir is discharged to the outside of an accommodation space in the vehicle lid device of the present embodiment. [Figure 11] 7 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a main part of a vehicle lid device according to a first modified embodiment of the present invention, taken along line VII-VII shown in FIG. 1, with the lid in a closed position. [Figure 12] 8 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a main part of a vehicle lid device of a first modified embodiment taken along line VIII-VIII shown in FIG. 1 in a lid closed position. [Figure 13] 8 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a main part of a vehicle lid device of a first modified embodiment taken along line VIII-VIII shown in FIG. 1 with the lid positioned on the vehicle body inner side relative to a lid closed position. [Figure 14]FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a vehicle lid device according to a second modified embodiment of the present invention in a lid closed position. [Figure 15] 15 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a main part of a vehicle lid device of a second modified embodiment taken along line XV-XV shown in FIG. 14 with the lid in a closed position. [Figure 16] 16 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a main part of a vehicle lid device of a second modified embodiment taken along line XVI-XVI shown in FIG. 14 with the lid in a closed position. 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 according to one embodiment is a device for opening and closing a lid that can open and close a vehicle body opening provided in a vehicle. The vehicle lid device 1 is mounted on vehicles such as gasoline vehicles, diesel vehicles, electric vehicles, and hybrid vehicles.

[0012] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, a vehicle has a body surface 2 such as the left and right sides, front and rear of the vehicle. The body surface 2 may be an outer panel of the vehicle, a vehicle door panel, a hood, etc. The body surface 2 has a body opening 2a. The body opening 2a is a hole that penetrates the body surface 2 in the front-to-rear direction, i.e., in the inward-to-outward direction.

[0013] The vehicle body opening 2a is, for example, an opening for accessing a supply port that supplies energy to the vehicle, a door handle that opens the vehicle door, an entrance / exit for vehicle occupants to enter and exit the vehicle interior, an opening in the vehicle ceiling, etc. Hereinafter, in this embodiment, the vehicle body opening 2a is appropriately assumed to be an opening for accessing a supply port.

[0014] The supply port is a fuel supply port for refueling or a charging port for charging the battery. The supply port is arranged so as to be exposed to the outside of the vehicle body through the vehicle body opening 2a when the lid is in the open position. The supply port is provided at one end of a fuel filler pipe or an electric wire. The other end of this fuel filler pipe or electric wire is connected to a fuel tank or a battery arranged at the rear side of the vehicle body (i.e., inside the vehicle body). A fuel gun or a charging gun for supplying energy can be connected to the supply port when the cap is open. The supply port may be covered with a cap that can be opened and closed manually by an operator to protect it from dust and water.

[0015] 1 and 2, the vehicle lid device 1 includes a base body 10, a lid 20, a seal member 30, and an opening / closing mechanism 40. The vehicle lid device 1 is a so-called dive-type lid device in which, when the lid 20 is opened from the closed position to the open position, the lid 20 is pushed toward the rear of the vehicle body relative to the vehicle body surface portion 2, and when the lid 20 is in the open position, the lid 20 is accommodated in an accommodation space on the rear side of the vehicle body of the base body 10. Note that, hereinafter, directions (e.g., left and right) and positions are indicated based on the lid 20 viewed from the front side of the vehicle body toward the rear side of the vehicle body.

[0016] The base 10 is a member having an opening. The base 10 may be a box having a storage space, a plate (e.g., a ceiling) or a frame (e.g., a pillar) having a storage space formed on the far side through the opening, or the like. Hereinafter, in this embodiment, the base 10 is appropriately assumed to be a box that houses a supply port.

[0017] The base body 10 is disposed on the vehicle body rear side of the vehicle body opening 2a in the vehicle body surface portion 2. As shown in Figures 3, 4, and 5, the base body 10 has a base body main body portion 11, a cover portion 12, an accommodation space 13, and an opening portion 14. The base body 10 is attached to the vehicle body surface portion 2 so that the opening portion 14 faces, for example, horizontally or slightly diagonally upward from the horizontal.

[0018] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the base body portion 11 is composed of a bottom wall portion 11a and a peripheral wall portion 11b. The bottom wall portion 11a is a wall portion that extends like a plate. The bottom wall portion 11a is formed, for example, in a rectangular shape. The bottom wall portion 11a is arranged so as to follow the back surface of the vehicle body surface portion 2. The peripheral wall portion 11b is a side wall portion that stands upright from the peripheral edge of the bottom wall portion 11a. The peripheral wall portion 11b is arranged so as to surround the bottom wall portion 11a. The peripheral wall portion 11b has, for example, four sides.

[0019] The cover portion 12 is a portion that covers the front opening of the base body portion 11 that faces the bottom wall portion 11a. The cover portion 12 is arranged on the vehicle body front side of the base body portion 11 so as to contact the vehicle body front end portion of the peripheral wall portion 11b. The cover portion 12 is a wall portion that extends in a plate shape. The cover portion 12 is formed, for example, in a rectangular shape. The cover portion 12 is attached to the base body portion 11 by screw fastening or fitting and fixing. The base body portion 11 and the cover portion 12 house or fix the components of the opening and closing mechanism 40. In addition, the cover portion 12 forms a guide rail 45 of the opening and closing mechanism 40, which will be described later, between the cover portion 12 and the base body portion 11.

[0020] The storage space 13 is a space surrounded by the bottom wall portion 11a and the peripheral wall portion 11b, and is further surrounded by the cover portion 12. The storage space 13 accommodates a supply port. The storage space 13 is formed to match the size of the lid 20. Specifically, the storage space 13 is formed so that its left-to-right width is larger than the left-to-right width of the lid 20 and its vertical width is approximately twice the vertical width of the lid 20 (see FIGS. 2, 4, and 6).

[0021] The bottom wall portion 11a has a communication hole 11c. The communication hole 11c is a passage that connects the accommodation space 13 with the rear side of the bottom wall portion 11a, and is a through-hole that allows a fuel filler pipe or electric wires to run through and accommodate the supply port in the accommodation space 13. The communication hole 11c is provided in the lower center of the bottom wall portion 11a.

[0022] The opening 14 is an opening that exposes the storage space 13 to the outside of the vehicle body. The opening 14 is provided in the lower part of the side of the base body portion 11 that faces the bottom wall portion 11a across the storage space 13 (specifically, the cover portion 12). The opening 14 is arranged so as to communicate with the vehicle body opening 2a. That is, the base 10 is positioned on the vehicle body surface portion 2 so that the opening 14 communicates with the vehicle body opening 2a. The opening 14 is formed in a shape and size that matches the vehicle body opening 2a. The opening 14 is formed to a size that is the same as or larger than the size of the vehicle body opening 2a. The base 10 is arranged so that the vehicle body opening 2a fits within the area range of the opening 14. The opening 14 exposes the storage space 13 to the outside of the vehicle body through the vehicle body opening 2a.

[0023] The opening 14 is opened and closed by the lid 20. The opening 14 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 opening 14 is open, it exposes the supply port in the storage space 13 to the outside of the vehicle body. When the supply port is housed in the storage space 13 and the lid 20 is in the open position, the supply port is exposed to the outside of the vehicle body through the opening 14 and the vehicle body opening 2a.

[0024] The lid 20 is a cover member that closes the opening 14 of the base body 10, and therefore the vehicle body opening 2a. The lid 20 can be opened and closed between a closed position (specifically, a fully closed position) that closes the opening 14 and an open position (specifically, a fully open position) that opens the opening 14. The lid 20 is supported so as to be movable relative to the base body 10. In the open position, the lid 20 is housed within the housing space 13 of the base body 10. The lid 20 may be a fuel filler lid, a charging lid, a panel cover, a sliding door, a sunroof door, or the like. Hereinafter, in this embodiment, the lid 20 will be referred to as a fuel filler lid or a charging lid, as appropriate.

[0025] The lid 20 is formed in a plate shape as shown in Fig. 4. The lid 20 is formed in a shape (for example, a square or a circle) and size that matches the opening 14. When the lid 20 is in the closed position, the lid 20 closes the opening 14 so that it is flush with the periphery of the opening 14 in the base main body 11 and the vehicle body surface 2. The surface of the lid 20 may be curved to match the surface shape of the vehicle body surface 2. The lid 20 has a lid main body 21, a lid frame 22, and a support protrusion 23.

[0026] The lid main body portion 21 is a plate-like portion that forms a plate surface that closes the opening 14. The lid main body portion 21 may be formed by assembling multiple parts. The lid frame portion 22 is an annular frame-like portion that forms the outer edge of the lid 20. The lid frame portion 22 is arranged so as to surround the outer edge of the lid main body portion 21. The lid main body portion 21 and the lid frame portion 22 are assembled to each other and integrated with each other by screw fastening or fitting and fixing. The surface of the lid main body portion 21 protrudes toward the vehicle body surface side more than the surface of the lid frame portion 22. The lid 20 is arranged so that the surface of the lid main body portion 21 is flush with the surface of the vehicle body surface portion 2 when the lid 20 is in the closed position.

[0027] The overall size of the lid 20, i.e., the size of the outer edge of the lid frame portion 22, is larger than the size of the opening 14. On the other hand, the size of the portion of the lid main body portion 21 that protrudes toward the surface of the vehicle body is slightly smaller than the size of the opening 14. When the lid 20 is in the closed position, a gap 4 is formed between the outer edge of the portion of the lid main body portion 21 that protrudes toward the surface of the vehicle body and the periphery of the opening 14 in the cover portion 12 (see Figures 7 and 8).

[0028] The support protrusions 23 are protruding members extending in the left-right direction. The support protrusions 23 are integrated with the lid frame body 22. For example, the support protrusions 23 are provided at two locations, one above the other, on each of the left and right sides of the lid frame body 22 (four locations in total; see FIG. 4). The other end of each support protrusion 23 is movably supported by a guide rail 45 (described below) of the opening / closing mechanism 40. The lid 20 can slide relative to the base body 10 as the support protrusions 23 move along the guide rails 45 provided on the base body 10.

[0029] The sealing member 30 is a member that seals between the base body 10 and the lid 20 when the lid 20 is in the closed position. The sealing member 30 prevents liquid from entering the storage space 13 from outside the vehicle through the gap 4 when the lid 20 is in the closed position, and also serves to suppress abnormal noises that may be generated due to direct contact between the base body 10 and the lid 20 when the lid 20 closes the opening 14 during the closing operation or when the vehicle vibrates while the lid 20 is in the closed position with the opening 14 closed. The sealing member 30 is made of rubber or resin that has flexibility, resilience, and elasticity. The sealing member 30 is, for example, a gasket or packing such as an O-ring.

[0030] The seal member 30 is formed in a ring shape so as to surround the outer edge of the lid 20. The seal member 30 is attached to the front side of the lid frame 22. The seal member 30 may also be attached to the rear side of the vehicle, around the periphery of the opening 14 in the cover 12. The seal member 30 is interposed between the rear side of the cover 12 and the front side of the lid frame 22 when the lid 20 is in the closed position.

[0031] The opening / closing mechanism 40 is a mechanism that moves the lid 20 relative to the base body 10 to open and close the lid 20 between a closed position and an open position. The opening / closing mechanism 40 is interposed between the base body 10 and the lid 20. As shown in FIGS. 3, 4, and 5, the opening / closing mechanism 40 has a motor 41, a gear shaft 42, a rack gear (not shown), and a guide rail 45. The opening / closing mechanism 40 opens and closes the lid 20 using the driving force of the motor 41. Note that the opening / closing mechanism 40 may open and close the lid 20 by manually operating a wire by an operator such as a vehicle occupant, together with or instead of the motor 41.

[0032] The motor 41 is a device that generates a driving force for opening and closing the lid 20. The motor 41 generates the driving force in response to an electrical command from, for example, a controller (not shown). The controller drives the motor 41 in response to a command to open or close the lid 20 from an operator or the like. The drive shaft of the motor 41 is connected to a gear shaft 42.

[0033] The gear shaft 42 is an axial member that rotates around a rotation axis that extends along the rear surface of the vehicle body of the cover part 12. The gear shaft 42 is rotated by being driven by the motor 41. The gear shaft 42 is rotatably supported by the base 10 (specifically, the base main body part 11). The gear shaft 42 is arranged further back in the vehicle body than the cover part 12 (specifically, within the accommodation space 13). The gear shaft 42 is arranged near the vertical center of the accommodation space 13. The rotation axis of the gear shaft 42 extends in the left-right direction along the rear surface of the vehicle body on the rear side of the cover part 12. The gear shaft 42 has a rotation gear 42a that is a circular gear. The rotation gear 42a is provided at each of both axial ends of the gear shaft 42.

[0034] The rack gear is a gear that meshes with the rotary gear 42a. The rotary gear 42a and the rack gear form a rack-and-pinion gear. The rack gear is provided on the lid 20. The rack gear is formed on the back surface of the lid 20 so that its teeth protrude toward the rear of the vehicle body. The rack gear extends in the vertical direction on the back surface of the lid 20. The rack gear is provided on each of the left and right ends on the back surface of the lid 20.

[0035] The lid 20 opens and closes as the gear shaft 42 rotates with the rack gear meshing with the rotary gear 42a. Specifically, the lid 20 opens from the closed position to the open position as the gear shaft 42 rotates in one direction, and closes from the open position to the closed position as the gear shaft 42 rotates in the other direction. The lid 20 slides along the front-to-rear direction of the vehicle body near the closed position, and slides up and down along the rear surface of the vehicle body at other times. The up-and-down sliding of the lid 20 may be along a direction slightly inclined relative to the up-and-down direction, or along a direction curved like an arc.

[0036] The guide rail 45 is a rail that moves the lid 20 relative to the base body 10. The guide rail 45 is a guide hole groove that guides the support protrusion portion 23 of the lid 20. The guide rail 45 is provided on the base body 10. The guide rail 45 is formed in a concave shape between the base body main body portion 11 and the cover portion 12 by attaching the cover portion 12 to the base body main body portion 11. The guide rails 45 are arranged at the left and right ends of the storage space 13.

[0037] The guide rail 45 may be formed by having pre-formed portions on the base main body portion 11 and the cover portion 12 facing each other in the front-to-back direction of the vehicle body, or may be formed by two columnar guide forming members separate from the base main body portion 11 and the cover portion 12 being fitted into the storage space 13 of the base main body portion 11 so as to face each other in the front-to-back direction of the vehicle body and being integrated into the base 10.

[0038] The guide rail 45 is formed so that the support protrusion 23 of the lid 20 moves in the front-to-back direction of the vehicle body relative to the base 10 near the closed position of the lid 20, and is also formed so that the support protrusion 23 of the lid 20 moves in the direction along the back side of the vehicle body relative to the base 10 (specifically, in the up-and-down direction) other than near the closed position of the lid 20.

[0039] Incidentally, the vehicle lid device 1 described above is provided with a seal member 30 that seals between the base body 10 and the lid 20 for the purpose of preventing liquid from entering the storage space 13 inside the vehicle from outside the vehicle when the lid 20 is in the closed position. The seal member 30 is interposed between the back side of the cover portion 12 and the front side of the lid frame portion 22 when the lid 20 is in the closed position. In this structure, even when the lid 20 is in the closed position, liquid may enter the seal member 30 from outside the vehicle through the gap 4, and the liquid may flow downward along the annular seal member 30, resulting in the liquid remaining in a lower portion of the seal member 30.

[0040] In the vehicle lid device 1, the base body 10 has a drainage path 15, as shown in Figures 7, 8, 9, and 10. The drainage path 15 is a passage or groove that guides liquid that has entered the gap 4 formed between the base body 10 and the lid 20 to the rear side of the opening 14 when the lid 20 is in the closed position, to the outside of the storage space 13. The drainage path 15 is formed on the back side of the peripheral edge of the opening 14 in the base body 10 (specifically, the cover part 12), and extends along the peripheral edge of the opening 14.

[0041] It is sufficient that the discharge path 15 is provided only in the lower part of the periphery of the opening 14 in the cover part 12. Specifically, the discharge path 15 is required to extend in the left-right direction along the periphery of the opening 14 between the left and right ends of the opening 14 and below the left end and the right end of the opening 14.

[0042] The discharge path 15 is formed by being surrounded by a front side wall 10a and a groove-forming wall 10b of the base 10. The front side wall 10a is a plate wall of the cover portion 12. The groove-forming wall 10b is a portion that connects to the back side of the front side wall 10a and forms a groove as the discharge path 15. The groove-forming wall 10b may be formed into a U-shaped or V-shaped groove through which liquid can flow between itself and the front side wall 10a. For example, as shown in FIGS. 7 to 10, the groove-forming wall 10b may be formed into an L-shape by a bottom wall 10b1 and a back side wall 10b2, or may be formed into a plate-like shape that extends obliquely upward from the front side wall 10a. Hereinafter, the groove-forming wall 10b is assumed to be formed into an L-shape.

[0043] The bottom wall 10b1 and rear wall 10b2 of the groove forming wall 10b are each formed in a plate shape. The bottom wall 10b1 protrudes from the front wall 10a toward the rear of the vehicle body. The rear wall 10b2 stands upright from the tip of the bottom wall 10b1 and faces the front wall 10a at a distance toward the rear of the vehicle body. The bottom wall 10b1 and rear wall 10b2 each extend along the periphery of the opening 14.

[0044] The seal member 30 contacts the back side of the back wall 10b2 of the groove forming wall 10b when the lid 20 is in the closed position. To ensure the sealing performance between the back side of the base 10 and the front side of the lid 20 by the seal member 30 when the lid is in the closed position, it is preferable that the groove forming wall 10b and therefore the discharge path 15 be formed around the entire periphery of the opening 14 in the cover part 12, or that a wall portion corresponding to the groove forming wall 10b be formed in the upper part of the periphery of the opening 14 in the cover part 12. The discharge path 15 communicates with the gap 4 and is exposed to the outside of the vehicle even when the lid 20 is in the closed position.

[0045] As shown in Figures 3 and 7 to 10, the discharge path 15 has a storage portion 15a and an inclined portion 15b. The storage portion 15a is a portion capable of storing liquid. The storage portion 15a is provided at the lower end of the discharge path 15. The position of the storage portion 15a in the discharge path 15 may be set according to the shapes of the lid 20 and the opening 14. For example, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, when the lid 20 and the opening 14 are formed so that their lowermost ends are at the lower center, the storage portion 15a of the discharge path 15 is formed in that lower center.

[0046] The inclined portion 15b is a portion of the discharge path 15 that slopes obliquely downward toward the storage portion 15a. The inclined portion 15b allows the liquid that has entered the inclined portion 15b to flow toward the storage portion 15a due to the gravity of the liquid itself. The inclined portions 15b may be provided on both the left and right sides of the storage portion 15a, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, or may be provided on only one of the left and right sides. The inclined portions 15b may be directly connected to the storage portion 15a, or may be indirectly connected to the storage portion 15a via a horizontal portion. Furthermore, the inclined portions 15b may be provided on both sides of the horizontal portion.

[0047] Storage portion 15a has discharge outlet 15c. Discharge outlet 15c is a passage for guiding the liquid stored in storage portion 15c to the outside of storage space 13. Discharge outlet 15c is provided in cover portion 12, which is front side wall 10a. Discharge outlet 15c is preferably located at a location on the bottom side of storage portion 15a. Discharge outlet 15c is preferably set to a size that allows the liquid to be discharged to the outside of storage space 13 without overflowing from storage portion 15a and therefore from discharge path 15, relative to the maximum amount of liquid that can enter the depth of opening 14 from gap 4.

[0048] The outlet 15c is formed so as to penetrate the cover portion 12 in the front-to-back direction. The outer opening of the outlet 15c in the cover portion 12 is exposed to the space 5 (see Figures 9 and 10) between the front side of the cover portion 12 and the back side of the body surface portion 2. The liquid discharged from the outlet 15c enters the space between the front side of the cover portion 12 and the back side of the body surface portion 2 and flows outside the base 10, i.e., outside the storage space 13.

[0049] The base 10 (specifically, the base main body portion 11) may have a water drainage hole 10d, as shown in Figures 7, 9, and 10. The water drainage hole 10d is a hole that guides liquid that has entered the storage space 13 to the outside of the storage space 13. The water drainage hole 10d is formed by penetrating the peripheral wall portion 11b that constitutes the lower wall of the storage space 13 in the base main body portion 11. The water drainage hole 10d is provided at the lower end of the peripheral wall portion 11b. With the water drainage hole 10d, even if liquid enters the storage space 13 from outside the vehicle through the opening 14 when the lid 20 is opened or in the open position, the liquid can be discharged to the outside of the storage space 13.

[0050] Next, the operation of the vehicle lid device 1 will be described. While the vehicle is running, the lid 20 is in a closed position that blocks the opening 14 of the base body 10. In this case, the lid 20 is locked in the closed position by a locking member (not shown) or the like. With the lid 20 in the closed position, the supply port in the accommodation space 13 of the base body 10 is not exposed to the outside of the vehicle body through the opening 14 and the vehicle body opening 2a, so it is not possible to connect a fuel gun or a charging gun to the supply port.

[0051] When an operator such as a vehicle driver or user wishes to refuel the vehicle or charge the battery while the lid 20 is in the closed position, the operator stops the vehicle and performs the necessary operations to open the lid 20 to the open position. This operation may involve, for example, approaching the vehicle while carrying a smart key corresponding to the vehicle and having the vehicle verify the key through communication between the vehicle and a portable device, and then having the sensor 52 described below detect the operator once verification is complete, issuing a lid open command using a remote key, issuing a lid open command using a smartphone app, pressing an open switch button located inside the vehicle, or pulling an open lever located inside the vehicle.

[0052] When the above operation is performed, the lid 20 is unlocked from the closed position, the motor 41 of the opening / closing mechanism 40 is driven by an open command from a controller (not shown), and the gear shaft 42 rotates in a direction (opening direction) that opens the lid 20 from the closed position. When the gear shaft 42 rotates in the opening direction, the rack gear that meshes with the gear shaft 42 moves, and the lid 20 first moves from the closed position toward the back of the vehicle body relative to the base 10, and then slides along the rear surface of the vehicle body of the bottom wall portion 11a.

[0053] The above-described movement of the lid 20 during the opening operation continues until the driving of the motor 41 is stopped or the support protrusion 23 reaches the upper end of the guide rail 45, and the upward sliding of the lid 20 ends. Then, when the upward sliding of the lid 20 ends, the lid 20 reaches the open position.

[0054] Next, when the operator has finished refueling the vehicle or charging the battery and wishes to return the lid 20 to the closed position with the lid 20 in the open position, the operator performs the necessary operations to close the lid 20 to the closed position. This operation can be performed, for example, by leaving the vehicle while carrying a smart key corresponding to the vehicle and having the vehicle verify the key through communication between the vehicle and a portable device, by issuing a command to close the lid using a smartphone app, or by pressing a close switch button located inside the vehicle or around the lid 20.

[0055] When the above operation is performed, the motor 41 of the opening / closing mechanism 40 is driven by a closing command from a controller (not shown) with the lid 20 in the open position, and the gear shaft 42 rotates in a direction (closing direction) that closes the lid 20 from the open position. When the gear shaft 42 rotates in the closing direction, the rack gear that meshes with the gear shaft 42 moves, causing the lid 20 to first slide from the open position relative to the base 10 along the rear surface of the vehicle body of the bottom wall portion 11a, and then move toward the front surface of the vehicle body.

[0056] The above-described movement of the lid 20 during the closing operation continues until the driving of the motor 41 is stopped or the support protrusion 23 reaches the lower end of the guide rail 45, and the downward sliding of the lid 20 ends. Then, when the downward sliding of the lid 20 ends, the lid 20 reaches the closed position and is locked in that closed position.

[0057] In this way, in the vehicle lid device 1, the lid 20 can be opened and closed between the closed position and the open position by sliding the lid 20 along the guide rail 45 by driving the motor 41. When the gear shaft 42 rotates in the opening direction, an opening operation can be performed in which the lid 20 is pushed from the closed position toward the rear of the vehicle body and then moved along the rear surface of the vehicle body within the accommodation space 13. When the gear shaft 42 rotates in the closing direction, a closing operation can be performed in which the lid 20 is moved from the open position along the rear surface of the vehicle body within the accommodation space 13 and then pushed up toward the front surface of the vehicle body.

[0058] Furthermore, in the vehicle lid device 1, the base 10 has a discharge path 15 that extends along the periphery of the opening 14 on the back side of the periphery of the opening 14 in the base 10. The discharge path 15 guides liquid that has entered deeper than the opening 14 from the gap 4 formed between the base 10 and the lid 20 when the lid 20 is in the closed position to the outside of the storage space 13.

[0059] In this configuration, liquid that has entered the rear side of the opening through the gap 4 formed between the base 10 and the lid 20 when the lid is in the closed position is discharged to the outside of the storage space 13 through the discharge path 15. This makes it possible to prevent liquid that has entered the rear side of the opening through the gap 4 from entering the storage space 13 when the lid 20 is opened.

[0060] In particular, the drain path 15 is formed in a state surrounded by the front side wall 10a of the base 10 and a groove-forming wall 10b connected to the back side of the front side wall. The seal member 30 contacts the back side of the back side wall 10b2 of the groove-forming wall 10b when the lid 20 is in the closed position. In this case, the drain path 15 communicates with the gap 4 and is exposed to the outside of the vehicle even when the lid 20 is in the closed position. In other words, the drain path 15 is a passage that can circulate liquid that has entered the back side of the opening from the gap 4, even when the lid 20 is in the closed position.

[0061] In this configuration, even when the lid 20 is maintained in the closed position, liquid that has entered the rear side of the opening through the gap 4 flows into the discharge path 15 and is discharged outside the storage space 13. This makes it difficult for liquid to accumulate around the seal member 30 before the lid 20 starts to open from the closed position, thereby making it possible to minimize the amount of liquid that enters the storage space 13 when the lid 20 starts to open.

[0062] Furthermore, in the vehicle lid device 1 of this embodiment, the discharge path 15 has a storage portion 15a provided at the lower end thereof and capable of storing liquid, and an inclined portion 15b inclined obliquely downward toward the storage portion 15a. In this configuration, when liquid that has entered the inner side of the opening from the gap 4 flows into the inclined portion 15b of the discharge path 15, the liquid is collected in the storage portion 15a. This prevents the liquid that has entered the inner side of the opening from the gap 4 from being discharged from the discharge path 15 to the outside of the accommodation space 13 throughout the entire area of ​​the discharge path 15, thereby limiting the location from which the liquid is discharged from the discharge path 15. Furthermore, because the liquid flowing into the discharge path 15 can be collected in the storage portion 15a, the liquid can be prevented from overflowing from the discharge path 15.

[0063] Furthermore, storage portion 15a has outlet 15c that directs the stored liquid to the outside of storage space 13. In this configuration, the liquid in discharge path 15 is discharged from outlet 15c of storage portion 15a. Therefore, the liquid in discharge path 15 can be concentrated and discharged from outlet 15c to the outside of storage space 13, and the liquid can be prevented from overflowing from storage portion 15a of discharge path 15.

[0064] Furthermore, the outer opening of the drain outlet 15c is exposed in the space between the front side of the cover portion 12 and the back side of the body surface portion 2. In this structure, the drain outlet 15c is not exposed to the front side of the body surface portion 2, and liquid is not discharged from the drain outlet 15c toward the front side of the body surface portion 2. Therefore, a structure that discharges liquid in the drain path 15 to the outside of the storage space 13 can be realized without impairing the appearance of the body surface portion 2, and it is possible to prevent traces of discharged liquid from remaining on the front side of the body surface portion 2 or the adhesion of water stains, etc.

[0065] In the above embodiment, the seal member 30 contacts the back side of the groove-forming wall 10b that constitutes the discharge path 15 when the lid 20 is in the closed position, and the discharge path 15 communicates with the gap 4 and is exposed to the outside of the vehicle even when the lid 20 is in the closed position. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and may be applied to a first modified embodiment as shown in Figures 11, 12, and 13, in which the seal member 30 contacts the back side of the cover portion 12, i.e., the front side wall 10a that constitutes the discharge path 15, when the lid 20 is in the closed position, and the discharge path 15 does not communicate with the gap 4 and is not exposed to the outside of the vehicle due to the partition provided by the seal member 30 when the lid 20 is in the closed position.

[0066] In the first modified embodiment, when the lid 20 is opened from the closed position, the partition provided by the seal member 30 is released, and the drain path 15 communicates with the gap 4 and is exposed to the outside of the vehicle. Therefore, when the lid 20 starts to open from the closed position, the liquid remaining around the seal member 30 flows into the drain path 15, so that the liquid in the drain path 15 can be drained to the outside of the storage space 13.

[0067] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the lid 20 is a fuel filler lid or a charging lid. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and may be applied to a second modified embodiment in which the lid 20 is a panel cover that opens and closes an opening 14 that exposes a storage space 13 that accommodates a door handle, as shown in Figures 14, 15, and 16. In this second modified embodiment, as in the above embodiment, liquid that has entered the rear side of the opening through the gap 4 formed between the base 10 and the lid 20 when the lid is in the closed position can be discharged to the outside of the storage space 13 through the discharge path 15, thereby preventing liquid that has entered the rear side of the opening through the gap 4 from entering the storage space 13 when the lid 20 is opened.

[0068] In the above embodiment, the outer opening of the outlet 15c is exposed to the space 5 (see FIGS. 9 and 10) between the front side of the cover portion 12 and the back side of the body surface portion 2. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the outer opening of the outlet 15c may be exposed to the front side of the body surface portion 2.

[0069] 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.

[0070] Furthermore, the specification of the present invention discloses not only the technical idea indicated by the citation relationship of each claim at the time of filing, but also the technical idea obtained by appropriately combining the matters described in each claim. [Explanation of symbols]

[0071] 1: vehicle lid device, 2: vehicle body surface portion, 2a: vehicle body opening, 4: gap, 10: base, 10a: front side wall, 10b: groove forming wall, 10b1: bottom wall, 10b2: back side wall, 10d: drainage hole, 11: base main body portion, 12: cover portion, 13: storage space, 14: opening, 15: discharge path, 15a: storage portion, 15b: inclined portion, 15c: discharge port, 20: lid, 21: lid main body portion, 22: lid frame body portion, 23: support protrusion portion, 30: sealing member, 40: opening / closing mechanism, 41: motor.

Claims

1. a base having an opening that exposes the storage space at the rear of the vehicle body to the outside of the vehicle body; a lid that moves relative to the base body at a position deeper than the opening in the vehicle body by actuation of an opening / closing mechanism, thereby performing opening and closing operations between a closed position that closes the opening and an open position that opens the opening; a seal member that seals between the back side of the base and the front side of the lid when the lid is in the closed position; Equipped with the base body has a discharge passage extending along the periphery of the opening on the back side of the periphery of the opening in the base body, and a discharge outlet provided at a lower end of the discharge passage and opening between the front side of the base body and the back side of the vehicle body surface portion, The discharge path guides liquid that has entered the rear side of the opening through a gap formed between the base and the lid when the lid is in the closed position to the outside of the storage space through the discharge outlet.

2. 2. The vehicle lid device according to claim 1, wherein the discharge passage is formed by being surrounded by a front side wall of the base and a groove-forming wall connected to a rear side of the front side wall.

3. The vehicle lid apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein the seal member contacts a rear side of the groove-forming wall when the lid is in the closed position.

4. a base having an opening that exposes the storage space at the rear of the vehicle body to the outside of the vehicle body; a lid that moves relative to the base body at a position deeper than the opening in the vehicle body by actuation of an opening / closing mechanism, thereby performing opening and closing operations between a closed position that closes the opening and an open position that opens the opening; a seal member that seals between the back side of the base and the front side of the lid when the lid is in the closed position; Equipped with the base body has a discharge channel extending along the periphery of the opening on the back side of the periphery of the opening in the base body, the discharge path is formed by being surrounded by a front side wall of the base and a groove-forming wall connected to a back side of the front side wall, and guides liquid that has entered the back side of the opening through a gap formed between the base and the lid when the lid is in the closed position to the outside of the storage space, The seal member contacts the rear side of the groove forming wall when the lid is in the closed position.

5. The discharge path is a storage section provided at the lower end section and capable of storing liquid; an inclined portion inclined obliquely downward toward the storage portion; The vehicle lid device according to claim 4, further comprising:

6. The vehicle lid device according to claim 5 , wherein the reservoir portion has a discharge port for guiding the stored liquid to the outside of the accommodation space.

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