Vehicle structure

Abstract

To provide a vehicle structure which can suppress water from entering a cover, and is excellent in assemblability of cover members assembled to each other.SOLUTION: A vehicle structure has a cover covering apparatuses installed in a cabin. The cover includes a first cover and a second cover which are engaged with each other. The first cover includes: a first upper wall part; and a first marginal part which is connected with circumference of the first upper wall part. The second cover includes: a second upper wall part; and a second marginal part which is connected with circumference of the second upper wall part to overlap with the top side of the first marginal part. The first marginal part has a groove part which is arranged along at least a part of the first marginal part, and the second marginal part has a protrusion which is arranged to fit in the middle of the groove part in a depth direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Various devices are installed inside the cabin of a vehicle. These devices are sometimes hidden or protected by covers. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a vehicle equipped with a ramp used when loading a wheelchair into the vehicle, a reel that reels in a belt attached to the wheelchair, and a casing that covers the reel. The reel reels in the belt, thereby moving the wheelchair along the ramp and onto a floor panel. The reel is an example of the device, and the casing is an example of the cover. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-27782 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The cover that covers the above-mentioned equipment may be constructed by combining multiple cover members. When the cover has the above-mentioned configuration, for example, if rainwater splashes on the cover when opening or closing the door, or if a passenger inadvertently splashes a drink on the cover, water may enter the cover through the joints between the cover members. If water seeps into the cover and splashes on the equipment, the equipment may deteriorate or malfunction.

[0005] In addition, when a passenger pushes on the cover, unintended force may be applied to the cover. In particular, for equipment installed at the passenger's feet, such as a winding machine, there is a high possibility that the cover will be stepped on by a passenger. In such a case, the cover parts may become misaligned or come off, causing damage.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle structure that can prevent water from entering a cover that covers an equipment, while also allowing cover members to be easily assembled together. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A vehicle structure according to one aspect of the present invention includes: It is equipped with a cover that covers the equipment installed inside the vehicle, The cover includes a first cover and a second cover that are combined with each other, The first cover has a first upper wall portion and a first edge portion connected to a peripheral edge of the first upper wall portion, the second cover has a second upper wall portion and a second edge portion connected to the periphery of the second upper wall portion so as to overlap the first edge portion; the first edge has a groove disposed along at least a portion of the first edge; The second edge portion has a protrusion provided so as to fit into the groove portion partway in the depth direction. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] The above vehicle structure can prevent water that seeps in through the joint between the first cover and the second cover from entering the cover. In the above vehicle structure, a groove provided in the first edge of the first cover functions as a water flow path. Water that seeps in through the joint between the first cover and the second cover collects in the groove. The water that collects in the groove flows along the groove. Water in the groove is guided along the groove to a position where no equipment is placed, thereby preventing water from splashing on equipment placed inside the cover.

[0009] In the vehicle structure described above, the first cover and the second cover can be easily assembled. The first cover and the second cover are included in the plurality of cover members that make up the cover. In the vehicle structure described above, a groove provided on the first edge portion of the first cover and a protrusion provided on the second upper wall portion of the second cover fit together, thereby preventing the first cover and the second cover from shifting or coming off. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic top view showing the interior of a vehicle cabin of a vehicle equipped with a vehicle structure according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic exploded perspective view showing an example of a cover provided in the vehicle structure according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a schematic exploded perspective view showing another example of a cover provided in the vehicle structure according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] 4 is a schematic perspective view showing a first cover of the cover shown in FIG. 2. FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a schematic top view of the cover shown in FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a schematic perspective view showing an enlarged view of a part of the cover shown in FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VII-VII in FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] A specific example of a vehicle structure according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In each drawing, the same or corresponding parts are designated by the same reference numerals. In the drawings, "FR" indicates the front of the vehicle, "RR" indicates the rear of the vehicle, "LH" indicates the left side of the vehicle, "RH" indicates the right side of the vehicle, "UPR" indicates the top of the vehicle, and "LWR" indicates the bottom of the vehicle. Hereinafter, parts will be simply referred to as "front," "rear," etc.

[0012] [Embodiment] A vehicle structure according to an embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 7. First, an overview of a vehicle to which the vehicle structure according to the embodiment is applied will be described, and then the details of the vehicle structure according to the embodiment will be described.

[0013] <Vehicle Overview> A vehicle 100 shown in FIG. 1 is provided with a front seat 2 at the front of the vehicle interior. A luggage compartment is provided behind the front seat 2. A winch 5 is installed in the luggage compartment. In this embodiment, the winches 5 are arranged behind the front seat 2, with a pair of winches 5 provided on the left and right sides of the floor panel 3. The winches 5 are covered with a cover 1 and stored within the cover 1.

[0014] A back door (not shown) is disposed at the rear of the vehicle 100. The back door opens and closes a door opening provided at the rear of the vehicle 100. The vehicle 100 is equipped with a ramp plate 4. This ramp plate 4 is used when loading a wheelchair (not shown) into the vehicle 100. The ramp plate 4 shown in FIG. 1 is stored in the luggage compartment in an upright state on the floor panel 3. The ramp plate 4 is configured to be rotatable from the door opening toward the rear of the vehicle. By rotating the ramp plate 4 from the door opening toward the rear of the vehicle, the ramp plate 4 spans between the door opening and the ground. This allows the wheelchair to pass through the ramp plate 4 and get on and off through the door opening.

[0015] The winch 5 is a device that winds up the belt 50. A hook 51 is attached to the end of the belt 50. The winch 5 is used to move the wheelchair onto the floor panel 3 along the ramp 4 that is stretched between the door opening and the ground. Specifically, the hook 51 is hooked onto the wheelchair, and the winch 5 winds up the belt 50. This allows the wheelchair to be pulled up and loaded into the luggage compartment.

[0016] The vehicle structure of this embodiment includes a cover 1 that covers equipment installed in the vehicle cabin. In this embodiment, the equipment is a winch 5, and the cover 1 is a cover that covers the winch 5. Fig. 2 shows the cover 1R of the right winch 5R shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 shows the cover 1L of the left winch 5L shown in Fig. 1. As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, both the cover 1R and the cover 1L of this embodiment include a first cover 10 and a second cover 20 as multiple cover members. The cover 1R and the cover 1L have the same basic configuration except for differences in shape and size. Below, the configuration of the cover 1R will be described as a representative with reference to Fig. 2 and Figs. 4 to 7. Note that the winch 5 is not shown in Figs. 2 to 6.

[0017] (cover) As shown in FIG. 2, the cover 1R is configured by combining a first cover 10 and a second cover 20. In this embodiment, the cover 1R is divided into two parts, left and right. The cover 1R is made of resin. The cover 1R covers the upper side of the winch 5 (see FIG. 7) placed inside the cover 1R and is molded to surround the front, left, and right sides of the winch 5. The rear side of the winch 5 is not surrounded by the cover 1R. In other words, there is no wall portion on the rear side of the cover 1R.

[0018] <First cover> As shown in Fig. 4, the first cover 10 has a first upper wall portion 11 and a first edge portion 12. The first upper wall portion 11 forms a part of the upper surface of the cover 1R. The first edge portion 12 is connected to the peripheral edge of the first upper wall portion 11.

[0019] (groove) The first edge portion 12 has a groove portion 30. The groove portion 30 is provided along at least a portion of the first edge portion 12. The groove portion 30 opens upward. In this embodiment, the groove portion 30 is provided along the periphery of the first upper wall portion 11. The groove portion 30 extends in the front-to-rear direction of the first edge portion 12. The groove portion 30 functions as a water flow path, as will be described in detail later.

[0020] The cross-sectional shape and size of the groove portion 30 can be selected as appropriate. The cross-section of the groove portion 30 refers to a cross-section perpendicular to the extension direction of the groove portion 30. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, the cross-sectional shape of the groove portion 30 is trapezoidal. Unlike this embodiment, the cross-sectional shape of the groove portion 30 may be, for example, V-shaped or U-shaped. The size of the groove portion 30 may be any size that ensures the required water flow path area.

[0021] In this embodiment, the first edge portion 12 further has a drain outlet 31 provided in the groove portion 30 (see also FIG. 6). In this embodiment, the number of drain outlets 31 is one. The drain outlet 31 is provided at the end of the groove portion 30 located on the rear side of the first edge portion 12. The drain outlet 31 is provided at a position offset from the position of the winch 5 (see FIG. 7) arranged inside the cover 1R. In other words, the winch 5 is not arranged below the drain outlet 31. The number of drain outlets 31 may be two or more. For example, a drain outlet 31 may be provided at the end of the groove portion 30 located on the front side of the first edge portion 12, so that drain outlets 31 are provided at both ends of the groove portion 30. The groove portion 30 may be configured to be inclined downward toward the drain outlet 31 so that water in the groove portion 30 is collected and discharged at the drain outlet 31.

[0022] As shown in FIG. 4, the first cover 10 of this embodiment further has a first side wall portion 13. The first side wall portion 13 is provided from the front surface to the left side surface of the cover 1R. The first side wall portion 13 is connected to the first upper wall portion 11. The first upper wall portion 11, the first edge portion 12, and the first side wall portion 13 are integrally molded. In this embodiment, the first side wall portion 13 has a side edge portion 14. The side edge portion 14 is positioned so as to overlap the side edge portion of the second side wall portion 23, which will be described later, when the first cover 10 and the second cover 20 (see FIG. 2) are combined. A fitting hole 34 is provided in the side edge portion 14.

[0023] <Second cover> As shown in FIG. 2, the second cover 20 has a second upper wall portion 21 and a second edge portion 22. The second upper wall portion 21 constitutes a part of the upper surface of the cover 1R. The second edge portion 22 is connected to the periphery of the second upper wall portion 21. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 7, the second edge portion 22 is provided so as to overlap the first edge portion 12 of the first cover 10. The second edge portion 22 and the first upper wall portion 11 of the first cover 10 abut against each other. The abutting point between the first upper wall portion 11 and the second edge portion 22 forms a joint between the first cover 10 and the second cover 20 on the upper surface of the cover 1R. In this embodiment, the upper surface of the cover 1R is constituted by the first upper wall portion 11, the second upper wall portion 21, and the second edge portion 22.

[0024] (Convex part) The second edge portion 22 has a protrusion 40. As shown in FIG. 7, the protrusion 40 is provided so as to fit partway into the groove 30 in the depth direction. In other words, the protrusion 40 does not reach the bottom of the groove 30. Therefore, there is a gap between the protrusion 40 and the bottom of the groove 30, and the groove 30 is not blocked by the protrusion 40. The protrusion 40 protrudes downward. The number of protrusions 40 may be one or more. In this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, multiple protrusions 40 are provided at intervals over the entire length of the groove 30 in the extension direction. The position of the protrusion 40 is not particularly limited. The protrusion 40 may be provided at the end of the groove 30 in the extension direction or in the middle of the groove 30 in the extension direction. Unlike this embodiment, one protrusion 40 may be provided in a continuous manner along the groove 30.

[0025] The shape of the protrusions 40 may be any shape that fits into the grooves 30. In this embodiment, the protrusions 40 are plate-shaped. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, four plate-shaped protrusions 40 are provided at intervals in the groove 30 on the rear side of the first edge 12. Two plate-shaped protrusions 40 are provided at intervals in the groove 30 on the front side of the first edge 12. The space between adjacent protrusions 40 is not fitted into the groove 30, allowing it to be used as a flow path for sufficient water flow. The protrusions 40 may be plate-shaped or may be multiple block-shaped protrusions. The shape of the protrusions 40 as viewed from the extension direction of the groove 30 can be appropriately selected depending on the cross-sectional shape of the groove 30. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, the shape of the protrusions 40 as viewed from the extension direction of the groove 30 is trapezoidal, similar to the groove 30. The size of the protrusions 40 may be such that it does not reach the bottom of the groove 30.

[0026] The height of the protrusions 40 relative to the depth of the grooves 30 is, for example, 40% to 90%, or even 50% to 80%, of the depth of the grooves 30, assuming that the depth of the grooves 30 is 100%. The depth of the grooves 30 is the distance from the opening to the bottom of the grooves 30. The height of the protrusions 40 is the distance from the opening of the grooves 30 to the tip of the protrusions 40 when the protrusions 40 are fitted in the grooves 30.

[0027] The thickness of the protrusions 40 may be any thickness that ensures the necessary strength. When multiple protrusions 40 are spaced apart, as shown in FIG. 6 , the thickness of each protrusion 40 is, for example, 1 mm to 20 mm, and even 2 mm to 10 mm. The thickness of each protrusion 40 refers to the length along the extension direction of the groove 30. When multiple protrusions 40 are spaced apart, the spacing between adjacent protrusions 40 can be selected as appropriate. The spacing between adjacent protrusions 40 refers to the spacing along the extension direction of the groove 30. Although not shown here, a rib connecting adjacent protrusions 40 may be provided on the second edge 22. The rib is, for example, a protrusion located on the base side of each protrusion 40 and formed along the extension direction of the groove 30. Providing the rib can increase the strength of the protrusions 40 and reduce breakage of the protrusions 40.

[0028] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 7 , the second cover 20 of this embodiment further has a second side wall 23. The second side wall 23 is provided from the front surface to the right surface of the cover 1R. The second side wall 23 is connected to the second upper wall 21. The second upper wall 21, the second edge 22, and the second side wall 23 are integrally molded. In this embodiment, the second side wall 23 has a side edge that overlaps with the side edge 14 of the first side wall 13 of the first cover 10 shown in FIG. 4. The side edge of this second side wall 23 has a protrusion (not shown) that fits into a fitting hole 34 provided in the side edge 14. The fit between the protrusion and the fitting hole 34 makes it difficult for the first cover 10 and the second cover 20 to shift or come off.

[0029] <Action and effect> The effects of this embodiment will be described.

[0030] (1) It is possible to prevent water from entering the cover 1R. When water is splashed onto the top surface of the cover 1R, the water seeps in through the joint between the first cover 10 and the second cover 20. The water that seeps in through the joint collects in the grooves 30, and the water that collects in the grooves 30 flows along the grooves 30. As described above, there is a gap between the convex portions 40 and the bottom of the grooves 30, allowing water to flow through this gap. If the height of the convex portions 40 is 90% or less of the depth of the grooves 30, or even 80% or less, it is easy to ensure a sufficient gap between the convex portions 40 and the grooves 30. This effectively prevents the convex portions 40 from impeding the flow of water in the grooves 30.

[0031] Some of the water in the groove 30 is guided to the drain outlet 31 provided on the rear side of the first edge 12 and discharged from the drain outlet 31. Because the winch 5 is not disposed below the drain outlet 31, it is possible to prevent the water discharged from the drain outlet 31 from splashing on the winch 5. Furthermore, some of the water in the groove 30 is guided along the groove 30 to the front side of the cover 1R and flows down from the end of the groove 30 along the first side wall 13 disposed on the front side of the cover 1R. In this way, water that seeps in from the joint is guided along the groove 30 to a position where the winch 5 is not disposed, thereby preventing the water from splashing on the winch 5.

[0032] (2) The first cover 10 and the second cover 20 can be easily assembled together. The groove 30 and the protrusion 40 fit together, preventing the first cover 10 and the second cover 20 from shifting or coming off. Therefore, when an unintended force is applied to the cover, such as when the cover 1R is stepped on by an occupant, the first cover 10 and the second cover 20 are unlikely to shift or come off. If the height of the protrusion 40 is 40% or more, and even 50% or more, of the depth of the groove 30, the protrusion 40 can be sufficiently fitted into the groove 30. Therefore, the first cover 10 and the second cover 20 can be further prevented from shifting or coming off.

[0033] The groove 30 provided in the first edge 12 is covered by the second edge 22 arranged so as to overlap the first edge 12. Therefore, the groove 30 is difficult to see from the top surface of the cover 1R, resulting in a good appearance.

[0034] The present invention is not limited to these examples, but is defined by the claims, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims.

[0035] In the above-described embodiment, the cover 1 is a cover for the winch 5. The configuration of the cover 1 can be applied to a cover other than the winch 5. The cover 1 may also be a cover provided on an interior material attached to the interior of a vehicle.

[0036] In the above-described embodiment, the cover 1 is divided into two parts, left and right, but the cover 1 may be divided into front and rear parts, or into three or more parts. In the embodiment, when the cover 1R is divided into front and rear parts, water that seeps in from the joint between the first cover 10 and the second cover 20 is guided along the groove 30 to at least one of the left and right side surfaces of the cover 1R and flows down the side surface of the cover 1R. [Explanation of symbols]

[0037] 100 vehicles 1 cover 2 Front seats 3 Floor Panels 5. Winch 10 First Cover 11 first top wall, 12 first edge, 13 first side wall, 14 side edge 20 Second cover 21 second upper wall portion, 22 second edge portion, 23 second side wall portion 30 groove, 31 drain outlet 34 Fitting hole 40 Convex part 50 Belt, 51 Hook

Claims

[Claim 1] It is equipped with a cover that covers the equipment installed inside the vehicle, The cover has a shape including an upper wall portion that covers an upper side of the device and a side wall portion that is disposed around the device, The cover includes a first cover and a second cover that are combined with each other, the first cover has a first upper wall portion, a first edge portion connected to a peripheral edge of the first upper wall portion, a step portion formed between the first upper wall portion and the first edge portion, and a first side wall portion, the second cover has a second upper wall portion, a second edge portion connected to a peripheral edge of the second upper wall portion so as to overlap the first edge portion, and a second side wall portion; an upper surface of the second upper wall portion and an upper surface of the second edge portion are flush with each other; When the second edge portion is disposed so as to overlap the first edge portion, the first upper wall portion and the second edge portion abut against each other, the step portion is formed so that an upper surface of the first upper wall portion and an upper surface of the second edge portion are flush with each other, the first side wall portion has a side edge portion provided so as to overlap with a side edge portion of the second side wall portion, The first edge portion has a groove portion provided along at least a portion of the first edge portion and a drainage port provided in the groove portion, the groove reaches an upper edge of the first side wall portion, The drain outlet is provided at a position that does not overlap the device vertically, The second edge portion has a protrusion provided so as to fit into the groove portion halfway in the depth direction. Vehicle structure.

Images