Undercover structure

Abstract

To provide an undercover structure which can inhibit load input to an oil pan when a relatively large load is input to a resin undercover from a road surface or the like.SOLUTION: An undercover structure 1A includes: a resin undercover 2 located at the vehicle body lower side of an oil pan 4 and attached to a vehicle body 5; and a metallic lining plate 3 fixed to an oil pan 4 side surface in the undercover 2. The lining plate 3 is formed with a bead 22 extending in a vehicle body fore and aft direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an undercover structure. [Background technology]

[0002] The undercover structure includes a resin undercover that is attached to the vehicle body and positioned below the oil pan (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In the undercover structure described in Patent Document 1, a heat-resistant metal undercover is fixed to the oil pan. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 11-105747 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Because the heat-resistant undercover is fixed directly to the oil pan, when a relatively large load is input to the undercover from the road surface, etc., there is no relative movement (slip) between the heat-resistant undercover and the oil pan, and therefore the load input to the oil pan cannot be suppressed.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and its purpose is to provide an undercover structure that can suppress the load input to the oil pan when a relatively large load is input to a resin undercover from the road surface, etc. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] An undercover structure according to one aspect of the present invention includes a resin undercover, a metal backing plate, and a fastening portion that fastens the backing plate to the undercover. The backing plate is disposed on the oil pan side of the undercover, and the fastening portion forms a fragile portion that separates the backing plate from the undercover when the undercover is deformed by an external load.

[0007] An undercover structure according to one aspect of the present invention includes a resin undercover and a metal backing plate. The backing plate is fixed to a surface of the undercover facing the oil pan, and a bead is formed on the backing plate, extending in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle body. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an undercover structure that can suppress the load input to the oil pan when a relatively large load is input to a resin undercover from the road surface or the like. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the configuration of an undercover structure according to a first embodiment, as viewed from below a vehicle body. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the undercover and the backing plate. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a plan view showing the undercover and the backing plate. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view showing a main part of the undercover structure according to the first embodiment. [Figure 5A] FIG. 5A is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the movement of the backing plate when the undercover interferes with the road surface or the like. [Figure 5B] FIG. 5B is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the movement of the backing plate when the undercover interferes with the road surface or the like. [Figure 5C] FIG. 5C is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the movement of the backing plate when the undercover interferes with the road surface or the like. [Figure 5D] FIG. 5D is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the movement of the backing plate when the undercover interferes with the road surface or the like. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view showing a main part of the undercover structure according to the second embodiment. [Figure 7A] FIG. 7A is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the movement of the backing plate when the undercover interferes with the road surface or the like. [Figure 7B] FIG. 7B is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the movement of the backing plate when the undercover interferes with the road surface or the like. [Figure 7C] FIG. 7C is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the movement of the backing plate when the undercover interferes with the road surface or the like. [Figure 7D] FIG. 7D is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the movement of the backing plate when the undercover interferes with the road surface or the like. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] The embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. In the description of the drawings, the same parts are designated by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted.

[0011] (First embodiment) [Configuration of undercover structure 1A] The configuration of an undercover structure 1A according to a first embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 4. The undercover structure 1A includes an undercover 2 and a backing plate (protector) 3.

[0012] The undercover 2 is made of synthetic resin and is attached to the vehicle body 5, positioned below the oil pan 4 (see FIG. 5A). The undercover 2 is fixed to the underside of the vehicle body 5 using a plurality of fixing members (for example, bolts) 11.

[0013] The undercover 2 has a flat bottom surface portion 12 formed in the center portion and an inclined surface portion 13 formed on the vehicle body further forward than the bottom surface portion 12. The inclined surface portion 13 inclines upward on the vehicle body as it moves toward the front of the vehicle body. In addition, the inclined surface portion 13 has rivet holes 15 (see FIG. 4) formed therein through which rivets 14 are inserted to fix the backing plate 3 to the undercover 2.

[0014] A flange portion 16 is provided extending from the peripheral edge of the undercover 2, and an insertion hole 17 is formed in the flange portion 16, through which the fixing member 11 is inserted.

[0015] The oil pan 4 is made of metal and is attached to the bottom of an engine (not shown) disposed in the engine room of the vehicle.

[0016] The oil pan 4 is made of an iron-based material or an aluminum-based material, and is made of, for example, a cold-rolled steel plate having a thickness of 1.2 mm.

[0017] On the other hand, the backing plate 3 is made of metal and is fixed to the surface (inner surface) of the undercover 2 facing the oil pan 4. The backing plate 3 is placed on an inclined surface portion 13 of the undercover 2 and fixed using a plurality of rivets 14.

[0018] The backing plate 3 is formed in a rectangular shape (oblong shape) in a plan view. In this embodiment, the length (depth) of the backing plate 3 in the vehicle body longitudinal direction is shorter than the length (width) of the backing plate 3 in the vehicle body width direction. In addition, rivet holes 21 (see FIG. 4 ) are formed at both ends of the backing plate 3 in the vehicle body width direction, through which rivets 14 are inserted to fix the backing plate 3 to the undercover 2.

[0019] The backing plate 3 is positioned so that the rear end 3b of the backing plate 3 in the vehicle's fore-and-aft direction is located further rearward on the vehicle body than the front face 4a of the oil pan 4 in the vehicle's fore-and-aft direction, and so that the front end 3a of the backing plate 3 in the vehicle's fore-and-aft direction is located higher on the vehicle body than the lower face 4b of the oil pan 4 (see Figure 5A).

[0020] Additionally, beads (convex portions) 22 extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body are formed on the backing plate 3. The beads 22 are formed so as to convex in a direction away from the undercover 2 (toward the upper side of the vehicle body). Additionally, a plurality of the beads 22 are arranged side by side at intervals in the width direction of the vehicle body.

[0021] Furthermore, both the front end 3a and the rear end 3b of the backing plate 3 in the vehicle longitudinal direction are warped in a direction away from the undercover 2 (toward the upper side of the vehicle body) (see FIG. 5A). However, this is not limited thereto, and at least one of the front end 3a and the rear end 3b of the backing plate 3 in the vehicle longitudinal direction may be warped in a direction away from the undercover 2.

[0022] The backing plate 3 is made of a metal material that is weaker than the material of the oil pan 4. For example, the backing plate 3 is made of a cold-rolled steel plate with a thickness of 1.0 mm. By forming the backing plate 3 in this manner, the backing plate 3 is made weaker than the oil pan 4.

[0023] [Backing plate behavior when undercover comes into contact with an obstacle such as the road surface] 5A to 5D, the operation (movement) of the backing plate 3 when the undercover 2 interferes with an obstruction 23 such as a road surface (for example, a curb) will be described.

[0024] As shown in FIG. 5A, assume that the vehicle (vehicle body 5) moves from the right side to the left side (front B of the vehicle body) in the drawing, and the location where the backing plate 3 of the undercover 2 is arranged interferes with the obstruction 23.

[0025] As shown in FIG. 5B, when the vehicle further travels forward B of the vehicle body, the undercover 2 together with the backing plate 3 is partially lifted up by the obstruction 23.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 5C, when the vehicle further travels forward B of the vehicle body, the undercover 2 and the backing plate 3 are further lifted, and the backing plate 3 comes into contact with the lower surface of the oil pan 4.

[0027] As shown in Figure 5D, as the vehicle continues to travel forward B, the oil pan 4 slides relative to the backing plate 3 in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle. The presence of the metal backing plate 3 between the obstruction 23 and the oil pan 4 prevents the obstruction 23 from directly hitting the oil pan 4. Furthermore, the backing plate 3 abuts against the underside of the oil pan 4, thereby preventing the load input to the oil pan 4 in the shear direction.

[0028] The effects of the first embodiment will be described below.

[0029] (1) The undercover structure 1A includes a resin undercover 2 that is attached to a vehicle body 5 and positioned below an oil pan 4 on the vehicle body, and a metal backing plate 3 that is fixed to the surface of the undercover 2 facing the oil pan 4. A bead 22 that extends in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle body is formed on the backing plate 3.

[0030] By combining the resin undercover 2 with the metal backing plate 3, a relatively lightweight and relatively inexpensive undercover structure 1A can be constructed.

[0031] Because the bead 22 is formed on the backing plate 3, the contact area when the backing plate 3 and the oil pan 4 come into contact is smaller than when the bead 22 is not formed, making it easier for the oil pan 4 to slide relative to the backing plate 3. In particular, because the bead 22 extends in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle body, the oil pan 4 slides more easily relative to the backing plate 3 in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle body. As a result, the load input to the undercover 2 from the road surface or the like is less likely to be input to the oil pan 4 in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle body. This makes it possible to suppress the load input to the oil pan 4.

[0032] (2) The undercover 2 has an inclined surface portion 13 that slopes upward toward the front of the vehicle body, and the backing plate 3 is disposed on the inclined surface portion 13.

[0033] The load input to the oil pan 4 from the road surface or the like is dispersed by the inclined surface portion 13 of the undercover 2, and the backing plate 3 and the oil pan 4 can slide.

[0034] (3) The backing plate 3 is positioned so that the rear end 3b of the backing plate 3 in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle body is located rearward of the front face 4a of the oil pan 4 in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle body, and so that the front end 3a of the backing plate 3 in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle body is located higher on the vehicle body than the lower face 4b of the oil pan 4.

[0035] When a load is input from the road surface or the like, stress concentration from the backing plate 3 to the oil pan 4 can be suppressed.

[0036] (4) At least one of the front end 3 a and the rear end 3 b of the backing plate 3 in the vehicle longitudinal direction is warped in a direction away from the undercover 2 .

[0037] When the undercover (2) is lifted by a load input from the road surface or the like, the backing plate (3) can be brought into contact with the lower surface (4b) of the oil pan (4) reliably.

[0038] (Second embodiment) [Configuration of undercover structure 1B] The configuration of an undercover structure 1B according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 6. The undercover structure 1B includes a fastening portion 24.

[0039] The fixing portion 24 fixes the backing plate 3 to the undercover 2. The fixing portion 24 forms a weakened portion 25 that separates the backing plate 3 from the undercover 2 when the undercover 2 is deformed by an external load.

[0040] The weakened portion 25 is configured by providing a slit 26 in the rivet hole 15 of the resin undercover 2 so that the rivet 14 can be removed from the rivet hole 15 when a load is input from the road surface or the like.

[0041] [Backing plate behavior when undercover comes into contact with an obstacle such as the road surface] 7A to 7D, the movement of the backing plate 3 when the undercover 2 interferes with the interfering object 23 will be described.

[0042] It is assumed that the vehicle moves forward B from the state shown in FIG. 7A and the portion of the undercover 2 where the backing plate 3 is disposed interferes with the obstruction 23.

[0043] As shown in FIG. 7B, when the vehicle continues to move forward B of the vehicle body, the backing plate 3 is lifted by the obstruction 23, and the relative movement between the undercover 2 and the backing plate 3 causes the backing plate 3 to separate from the undercover 2.

[0044] As shown in FIG. 7C, when the vehicle further travels forward B of the vehicle body, the backing plate 3 is further lifted and comes into contact with the lower surface of the oil pan 4.

[0045] As shown in Figure 7D, as the vehicle continues to travel forward B, the oil pan 4 slides relative to the backing plate 3 in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle. The presence of the metal backing plate 3 between the obstruction 23 and the oil pan 4 prevents the obstruction 23 from directly hitting the oil pan 4. Furthermore, the backing plate 3 abuts against the underside of the oil pan 4, thereby preventing the load input to the oil pan 4 in the shear direction.

[0046] The effects of the second embodiment will be described below.

[0047] (1) Undercover structure 1B comprises a resin undercover 2 that is positioned below oil pan 4 on the vehicle body and attached to vehicle body 5, and a metal backing plate 3 that is placed on the surface of undercover 2 facing oil pan 4. Undercover structure 1B comprises a fastening portion 24 that fastens backing plate 3 to undercover 2, and fastening portion 24 constitutes a fragile portion 25 that separates backing plate 3 from undercover 2 when undercover 2 is deformed by an external load.

[0048] By combining the resin undercover 2 with the metal backing plate 3, a relatively lightweight and relatively inexpensive undercover structure 1B can be constructed.

[0049] By releasing the fixation (rivets 14) by the fastening portions 24 and separating the backing plate 3 from the undercover 2, the backing plate 3, which is in contact with the oil pan 4, can be slid on the undercover 2. This makes it difficult for the load input to the undercover 2 from the road surface or the like to be input to the oil pan 4 in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle body. This makes it possible to suppress the input of the load to the oil pan 4.

[0050] (2) The undercover 2 has an inclined surface portion 13 that slopes upward toward the front of the vehicle body, and the backing plate 3 is disposed on the inclined surface portion 13.

[0051] The load input to the oil pan 4 from the road surface or the like is dispersed by the inclined surface portion 13 of the undercover 2, and the backing plate 3 and the oil pan 4 can slide.

[0052] (3) The backing plate 3 is positioned so that the rear end 3b of the backing plate 3 in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle body is located rearward of the front face 4a of the oil pan 4 in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle body, and so that the front end 3a of the backing plate 3 in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle body is located higher on the vehicle body than the lower face 4b of the oil pan 4.

[0053] When a load is input from the road surface or the like, stress concentration from the backing plate 3 to the oil pan 4 can be suppressed.

[0054] (4) At least one of the front end 3 a and the rear end 3 b of the backing plate 3 in the vehicle longitudinal direction is warped in a direction away from the undercover 2 .

[0055] When the undercover (2) is lifted by a load input from the road surface or the like, the backing plate (3) can be brought into contact with the lower surface (4b) of the oil pan (4) reliably.

[0056] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the descriptions and drawings that form part of this disclosure should not be understood to limit the present invention. Various alternative embodiments, examples, and operating techniques will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure. [Explanation of symbols]

[0057] 1A, 1B Undercover structure 2 Undercover 3 Backing board 3a Front end 3b Rear end 4 Oil pan 4a front 4b Bottom side 5. Body 13 Slope section 22 Bead 24 Fixing part 25 Weak part

Claims

1. a resin undercover that is attached to the vehicle body and positioned below the oil pan; a metal backing plate fixed to a surface of the undercover facing the oil pan, The backing plate has a bead formed thereon extending in the front-rear direction of the vehicle body, An undercover structure in which the backing plate is positioned so that its rear end in the vehicle's fore-and-aft direction is located rearward of the front face of the oil pan in the vehicle's fore-and-aft direction, and its front end in the vehicle's fore-and-aft direction is located higher on the vehicle body than the underside of the oil pan.

2. The undercover structure according to claim 1 , wherein the undercover has an inclined surface portion that slopes upward toward the front of the vehicle body, and the backing plate is disposed on the inclined surface portion.

3. 3. The undercover structure according to claim 1, wherein at least one of a front end portion and a rear end portion of the backing plate in the vehicle longitudinal direction is warped in a direction away from the undercover.

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