Vehicle exterior components

Abstract

To provide a vehicle exterior member which prevents occurrence of breakage, by a structure for controlling the flow of a resin material with respect to a portion on which a load is applied.SOLUTION: In a vehicle exterior member, a first panel and a second panel are joined together. The second panel includes: a mounting portion 2 on which a fastening member to be mounted on a vehicle can be mounted; a gate portion 3 into which a resin material is injected; and a resin-flow assisting portion 4 protruding toward the first panel. The mounting portion 2 includes a seat surface portion 5 and an opening portion 6. The seat surface portion 5 is formed in a U-shape that is open in one direction. Of the seat surface portion 5, an end portion on an open side is defined as a tip end portion 7, and an end portion opposite to the tip end portion 7 is defined as a closed end portion 8. The resin-flow assisting portion 4 is formed from the gate portion 3 to a first tip end portion 7a which is a tip end portion 7 on a side far from at least the gate portion 3. As an example, a tip end position 4a is formed as far as a position adjacent to the first tip end portion 7a.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an exterior member for a vehicle that can be attached to a vehicle.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, exterior members for vehicles such as spoilers have been proposed. For example, according to the description in Patent Document 1, a roof spoiler is configured by assembling an upper member and a lower member made of resin and is fixed to an outer panel. The lower member has a contact portion that protrudes toward the outer panel, and this contact portion has a hollow contact wall portion that extends in the vehicle width direction, and the contact wall portion contacts the outer panel.

[0003] Also, the roof spoiler usually receives its own weight by clip fixing portions and clamping fixing portions. When closing the rear gate or during car washing, etc., a downward load acts on the upper surface portion of the roof spoiler. At this time, the first and second contact wall portions of the contact portion contact the bent portion of the outer panel, and the load is transmitted to the rear gate. That is, it is described that since the load applied to the clip fixing portions and the clamping fixing portions is dispersed, the roof spoiler is stably supported by the rear gate.

[0004] According to this, it is described that a stable contact state with the vehicle body can be obtained and a vehicle spoiler with improved moldability can be provided.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] However, the conventional example described in Patent Document 1 has the following problems. Although it is stated that the load applied to the clip fixing part and the clamping fixing part is distributed, it is unavoidable that a certain amount of load will be applied. In particular, spoilers are usually manufactured by injection molding of resin material. In the case of injection molding of resin material, various shapes such as ribs and holes are formed, which makes the flow of the resin material complex, and linear marks called weld lines may occur at the parts where the materials meet. The strength of the parts where weld lines occur is reduced compared to other parts. In particular, the clip fixing part and the clamping fixing part are combined with a hole and rib structure, so weld lines are likely to occur around them. Consequently, the clip fixing part or the clamping fixing part has the problem of being prone to damage if weld lines occur around the parts where load is applied.

[0007] The objective of the present invention is to solve the problems of the past and to provide a vehicle exterior component that suppresses the occurrence of damage by controlling the flow of resin material to the load-bearing part. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] A vehicle exterior member according to a first aspect of the present invention is formed by joining a first panel and a second panel, the second panel having a mounting portion to which a fastening member for attachment to a vehicle can be attached, a gate portion into which a resin material is injected, and a resin flow support portion protruding toward the first panel, the mounting portion having a seating surface and an opening, the seating surface being formed in a U-shape with one side open, the end of the seating surface on the open side being the tip, and the end opposite the tip being the closed end, and the resin flow support portion being formed between the gate portion and at least the first tip portion which is the tip portion furthest from the gate portion.

[0009] According to this, in the vehicle exterior component, the resin flow support section is formed between the gate section and at least the first tip section, which is the tip section away from the gate section. Since the resin material flows faster between the gate section where the resin flow support section is formed and the first tip section, it is expected that weld lines will occur at a position away from the seating surface. Therefore, the vehicle exterior component can suppress the reduction in strength of the seating surface and reduce the occurrence of damage.

[0010] Furthermore, the resin flow support portion of the vehicle exterior member may be formed adjacent to the mounting portion, from at least a portion of the side of the closed end of the mounting portion to the first tip portion.

[0011] In this case, the resin flow support section is formed adjacent to the mounting section, from at least a portion of the closed end side of the mounting section to the first tip section, so it is expected that the weld line will occur at a position further away from the seating surface. Therefore, the vehicle exterior member can suppress the reduction in strength of the seating surface and reduce the occurrence of damage.

[0012] Furthermore, the vehicle exterior member may be formed such that the resin flow support portion is spaced apart from the second tip portion, which is the tip portion closer to the gate portion.

[0013] In this case, since the resin flow support section is formed at a distance from the second tip, it is expected that the weld line will occur at a position separated from the second tip. Therefore, the vehicle exterior component can suppress the reduction in strength of the seating surface and reduce the occurrence of damage.

[0014] Furthermore, the exterior vehicle member may be formed such that the perpendicular line connecting the first tip and the second tip, which is the tip closer to the gate, is the center line of the tip, and the line passing through the center of the tip between the first tip and the second tip is the center line of the tip, and the resin flow support section may be formed extending from the gate to the space between the first tip and the center line of the tip.

[0015] In this case, the resin flow support section is formed continuously from the gate section to the area between the first tip and the center line of the tip. Therefore, since weld lines are expected to form at positions spaced apart from the first and second tips of the seat surface in the vehicle exterior member, the reduction in the strength of the seat surface can be further suppressed, and the occurrence of damage can be reduced.

[0016] A second aspect of the present invention provides a vehicle exterior member comprising a first panel and a second panel joined together, wherein the second panel includes a mounting portion to which a fastening member for attachment to a vehicle can be attached, a gate portion into which a resin material is injected, and a resin flow support portion protruding toward the first panel, the mounting portion having an opening forming a U-shaped opening edge, and the resin flow support portion being formed adjacent to the mounting portion on the first opening edge of the U-shaped opening edge of the mounting portion that is furthest from the gate portion.

[0017] According to this, the vehicle exterior member is formed such that the resin flow support section is adjacent to the mounting section at the first opening edge of the U-shaped opening edge of the mounting section, which is the side furthest from the gate section. Therefore, the position where weld lines are expected to occur can be set at a position spaced apart from the first opening edge. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0018] [Figure 1] This is a view of the second panel 12 of the vehicle exterior member 1 of the present invention, seen from below. [Figure 2] This is a cross-sectional view showing section II in Figure 1. [Figure 3] This shows a vehicle exterior member 1 according to a first aspect of the present invention, a detailed view of part A in Figure 1, showing the case where the gate portion 3 and the mounting portion 2 are in a first positional relationship, the seating surface portion 5 is in the first and second quadrants, and the gate portion 3 is in the fourth quadrant. [Figure 4] This shows a vehicle exterior member 1 according to a first aspect of the present invention, a detailed view of part A in Figure 1, showing the case where the gate portion 3 and the mounting portion 2 are in a second positional relationship, the seating surface portion 5 is in the first and second quadrants, and the gate portion 3 is in the first quadrant. [Figure 5]It is a cross-sectional view showing cross-section II-II in FIG. 3, where (a) shows the case where the cross-section of the resin flow assistance portion 4 is semi-circular, and (b) shows the case where the cross-section of the resin flow assistance portion 4 is rectangular. [Figure 6] It is the first example of a cross-sectional view showing cross-section III-III in FIG. 3, showing the state where the fastening member is attached. [Figure 7] It is the first example of a cross-sectional view showing cross-section IV-IV in FIG. 3, showing the state where the fastening member is attached. [Figure 8] It is the second example of a cross-sectional view showing cross-section III-III in FIG. 3, showing the state where the fastening member is attached. [Figure 9] It is the third example of a cross-sectional view showing cross-section III-III in FIG. 3, showing the state where the fastening member is attached. [Figure 10] It is a detailed view of part A in FIG. 1, showing the case where the gate portion 3 and the mounting portion 2 are in a third positional relationship, where the seating surface portion 5 is in the first and second quadrants and the gate portion 3 is on the boundary between the third and fourth quadrants. [Figure 11] The vehicle exterior member 1 according to the second aspect of the present invention is shown, which is a figure corresponding to FIG. 3. [Figure 12] It shows a conventional example, corresponding to the detailed view of part A in FIG. 1, and is a figure showing the predicted range W of weld line generation when there is no resin flow assistance portion 4. ​​​​​​​​​​​​The first aspect of the present invention, a vehicle exterior member 1, will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 10. The vehicle exterior member 1 is attachable to a vehicle 20 and is an example of a car spoiler, bumper, outer garnish, etc. Figure 1 shows the case where the vehicle exterior member 1 is a spoiler as an example, and the front-rear and left-right directions are defined according to the direction in which it is attached to the vehicle 20. Figure 2 shows a cross-section of a spoiler, which is an example of a vehicle exterior member 1, when it is attached to the vehicle 20, and the front-rear and up-down directions are defined.

[0021] The vehicle exterior component 1 is formed by joining a first panel 11 and a second panel 12. The second panel 12 includes a mounting portion 2 to which fastening members for attachment to the vehicle 20 can be attached, a gate portion 3 into which resin material is injected, and a resin flow support portion 4 that protrudes toward the first panel 11.

[0022] As shown in Figure 3, the mounting portion 2 comprises a seating surface portion 5 and an opening 6. The seating surface portion 5 is formed in a U-shape with one side open. The open end of the seating surface portion 5 is designated as the tip portion 7, and the opposite end of the tip portion 7 is designated as the closed end portion 8. The resin flow support portion 4 is formed between the gate portion 3 and the first tip portion 7a, which is at least the tip portion 7 furthest from the gate portion 3. In the example shown in Figure 3, the tip position 4a of the resin flow support portion 4 is formed to a position adjacent to the first tip portion 7a.

[0023] As shown in Figure 5, the resin flow support section 4 is formed to protrude from the second panel 12 toward the first panel 11, and its cross-sectional shape may be arc-shaped as shown in Figure 5(a) or rectangular as shown in Figure 5(b). The cross-sectional shape of the resin flow support section 4 is not limited to these examples and may be other shapes.

[0024] Furthermore, the resin flow support section 4 is formed adjacent to the mounting section 2, from at least a portion of the side of the closed end 8 to the first tip 7a. In the example shown in Figures 3 and 4, the resin flow support section 4 is formed adjacent to the mounting section 2 from a portion of the side of the closed end 8 to the first tip 7a.

[0025] Furthermore, the resin flow support section 4 is formed at a distance from the second tip 7b, which is the tip 7 closest to the gate section 3. In the example shown in Figures 3 and 4, the resin flow support section 4 is formed at a distance from the gate section 3 and from the periphery of the seating surface 5 from the second tip 7b to the closed end 8.

[0026] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 3 and 4, the tip centerline L1 is defined as the perpendicular line to the straight line connecting the first tip 7a and the second tip 7b, which is the tip 7 closer to the gate 3, and which passes through the tip center 7c between the first tip 7a and the second tip 7b. It is more desirable that the resin flow support section 4 extends from the gate 3 to the area between the first tip 7a and the tip centerline L1. As will be described in detail later, as shown in Figures 3 and 4, it is more desirable that the tip of the resin flow support section 4 be formed between tip position 4a and tip position 4b, as indicated by the dashed line.

[0027] <Explanation of cases where the resin flow support section 4 is not formed> Here, with reference to Figure 12, we will explain the case where the resin flow support section 4 is not formed on the vehicle exterior member 1. Figure 12 shows the case in Figure 3 where the resin flow support section 4 is not formed. In the example of the vehicle exterior member 30 shown in Figure 12, the mounting portion 32 is provided with a seating surface portion 35 and an opening 36, and the seating surface portion 35 is formed in a U-shape with one side open. When resin flows from the gate portion 33, it is assumed that a weld line will be generated on the seating surface portion 35 within the expected range W. In other words, if the resin flow support section 4 is not formed as shown in Figure 12, there is a risk that the seating surface portion 35 may break when stress is applied to the fastening member attached to the mounting portion 32.

[0028] <Explanation of the relationship between the position of the gate section 3 and the path of the resin flow support section 4> Next, with reference to Figures 3 and 4, the relationship between the position of the gate portion 3 and the path of the resin flow support portion 4 will be explained in detail. As shown in Figure 3, the tip portion center 7c is the center, and the area is divided into four regions from the first to the fourth quadrant by the vertical tip portion center line L1 and the horizontal center line L2. The seat portion 5 is formed in a U-shape with the lower side open as shown. The opening 6 is formed inside the U-shaped seat portion 5 and extends across the horizontal center line L2 to the lower side as shown. The seat portion 5 and the opening 6 are formed spanning the first and second quadrants, and a part of the opening 6 further extends into the third and fourth quadrants.

[0029] In the example shown in Figure 3, the resin flow support section 4 starts from the gate section 3 and is formed spaced apart from the seating surface section 5 from the second tip section 7b to the closed end section 8. The resin flow support section 4 approaches the closed end section 8 from around the center line L1 of the tip section and is formed adjacent to the seating surface section 5 up to the first tip section 7a. The resin flow support section 4 is formed adjacent to the seating surface section 5 at least up to a certain point between the closed end section 8 and the first tip section 7a. Since the weld line is generated further along the resin flow direction from the tip of the resin flow support section 4, it is expected to be generated at a position spaced apart from the seating surface section 5.

[0030] As shown in Figure 3, it is desirable that the resin flow support section 4 be formed up to the tip position 4a, which is adjacent to the first tip 7a. In this case, it is assumed that weld lines will occur in the expected range W1. Furthermore, if the resin flow support section 4 is formed further up to the tip position 4b, it is assumed that weld lines will occur in the expected range W2. It is even more desirable that the resin flow support section 4 be formed extending between the tip position 4a, which is adjacent to the first tip 7a, and the tip position 4b, which is the position of the tip centerline L1. In this case, it is assumed that weld lines will occur in the expected range W.

[0031] Next, with reference to Figure 4, the case where the gate portion 3 is located in the first quadrant will be explained. If the resin flow support portion 4 is not formed, although not shown, it is assumed that weld lines will occur in the second quadrant, or around the boundary between the second and third quadrants. In this case as well, there is a risk that weld lines will occur in or adjacent to the seating surface portion 5. Furthermore, when the gate portion 3 is located in the first quadrant between the horizontal center line L2 and the closed end portion 8, weld lines are likely to occur in the seating surface portion 5. In this case, the formation of the resin flow support portion 4 adjusts the position of the weld lines, which is particularly effective.

[0032] In the example shown in Figure 4, the resin flow support section 4 is formed linearly from the gate section 3 to the closed end section 8, and beyond that, it is formed in the same way as in the case shown in Figure 3. The location where weld lines are expected to occur is also the same as in the example shown in Figure 3.

[0033] The examples described above are for the case where the gate portion 3 is located in the fourth quadrant and the case where it is located in the first quadrant. When the gate portion 3 is located in the third quadrant, the resin flow support portion 4 is formed in a position symmetric to the tip centerline L1 compared to the case where it is located in the fourth quadrant. Also, when the gate portion 3 is located in the second quadrant, the resin flow support portion 4 is formed in a position symmetric to the tip centerline L1 compared to the case where it is located in the first quadrant.

[0034] Furthermore, if the seat portion 5 and the opening 6 are symmetrical with respect to the horizontal center line L2 in the example shown in Figure 4, the result will be the same as in the example shown in Figure 3.

[0035] <Explanation of mounting part 2> Next, the mounting portion 2 of the vehicle exterior member 1 will be described. Figures 6 and 7 show the case where the seating surface 5 protrudes toward the vehicle 20 to which it is attached. Other examples will be described later. The fastening member, the bolt 21, is inserted from the open side of the seating surface 5 shown in Figure 3, that is, from bottom to top as shown in the figure, resulting in the state shown in Figures 6 and 7. The bolt 21 has a groove 21a formed in it and is inserted into the seating surface 5. The bolt 21 is guided by the groove 21a in the seating surface 5 and by the bolt upper surface 21d in the support portion 13, and is inserted toward the closed end 8 to the upper side of Figure 7. The threaded portion 21b of the bolt 21 protrudes toward the vehicle 20, and the bolt mounting surface 21c is fastened with a nut 22 on either side of the vehicle 20.

[0036] In the example shown in Figure 6, the resin flow support section 4 is formed with the portion where the wall 5a forming the seating surface 5 bends as the base 10, and protrudes toward the first panel 11. In the examples shown in Figures 6 and 7, the bolt 21 is formed integrally, but it may be formed by combining multiple members.

[0037] Next, other examples of the seating surface 5 and opening 6 will be described with reference to Figures 8 and 9. Figure 8 shows an example in which the seating surface 5 protrudes toward the first panel 11. The amount by which the seating surface 5 protrudes toward the first panel 11 is set so that when the bolt 21 is installed, the bolt mounting surface 21c is on the same plane as the second panel mounting surface 9. The vehicle exterior member 1 is fastened to the vehicle 20 with the bolt mounting surface 21c and the nut 22 sandwiching the vehicle 20. In the example shown in Figure 8, the resin flow support section 4 is formed to protrude toward the first panel 11 from the base 10 of the wall 5a of the seating surface 5.

[0038] In the example shown in Figure 9, the seating surface 5 is formed as a flat surface. Similar to the example shown in Figure 6, the bolt 21 protrudes from the second panel 12 toward the vehicle 20. The resin flow support section 4 is formed with its base 10 located close enough to the bolt 21 that it does not come into contact with it, and protrudes toward the first panel 11. The exterior vehicle member 1 is fastened to the vehicle 20 with the bolt mounting surface 21c and the nut 22 sandwiching the vehicle 20.

[0039] Next, with reference to Figure 10, the case where the gate portion 3 is on the tip centerline L1 will be explained. The resin flow support portion 4 follows a path spaced apart from the seating surface portion 5 from the gate portion 3 to the closed end portion 8. From the point where the closed end portion 8 intersects with the tip centerline L1, it branches out to the first quadrant side and the second quadrant side, and is formed continuously to the two tip portions 7 by passing through the periphery of the seating surface portion 5. As shown in Figure 10, the tip of the resin flow support portion 4 is formed between tip position 4a and tip position 4b.

[0040] In the illustration, the resin flow support section 4 formed on the periphery of the seating surface 5 in the first quadrant and the resin flow support section 4 formed on the periphery of the seating surface 5 in the second quadrant may or may not be symmetrical with respect to the center line L1 of the tip. The expected location where a weld line is to occur is the expected range W1 when the tip of the resin flow support section 4 is at tip position 4a, and the expected range W2 when it is at tip position 4b. Based on the resin flow support section 4 formed in the first quadrant and the resin flow support section 4 formed in the second quadrant, the expected location where a weld line is to occur is the expected range W, which is the sum of W1 and W2.

[0041] <Effects of the vehicle exterior component 1 according to the first embodiment> The vehicle exterior member 1 according to the first aspect of the present invention described above provides the following effects. As shown in Figure 3, etc., the vehicle exterior member 1 has a resin flow support section 4 formed between the gate section 3 and the first tip section 7a, which is at least the tip section 7 away from the gate section 3. Since the resin material flows faster between the gate section 3 where the resin flow support section 4 is formed and the first tip section 7a, a weld line can be generated at a position away from the seating surface 5. Therefore, the vehicle exterior member 1 can suppress a decrease in the strength of the seating surface 5 and reduce the occurrence of damage.

[0042] Furthermore, since the resin flow support section 4 is formed adjacent to the mounting section 2 from at least a portion of the side of the closed end 8 on the mounting section 2 to the first tip 7a, the weld line can be generated at a position further away from the seating surface 5.

[0043] Furthermore, since the resin flow support section 4 is formed at a distance from the second tip 7b, which is the tip 7 closest to the gate section 3, a weld line can be generated at a position separated from the second tip 7b.

[0044] Furthermore, the resin flow support section 4 may be formed continuously from the gate section 3 to the space between the first tip 7a and the tip centerline L1. In this case, since weld lines are expected to form on the vehicle exterior member 1 at a position spaced apart from the first tip 7a and the second tip 7b of the seating surface 5, the reduction in strength of the seating surface 5 can be further suppressed, and the occurrence of damage can be reduced.

[0045] <Description of the vehicle exterior component 1 in the second embodiment> Next, a vehicle exterior member 1 according to a second aspect of the present invention will be described. The example shown in Figure 11 corresponds to Figure 3 of the vehicle exterior member 1 according to the first aspect. The vehicle exterior member 1 is formed by joining a first panel 11 and a second panel 12, similar to the first aspect. The second panel 12 includes a mounting portion 2 to which a fastening member for attachment to a vehicle 20 can be attached, a gate portion 3 into which resin material is injected, and a resin flow support portion 4 that protrudes toward the first panel 11. The mounting portion 2 has an opening 16 that forms a U-shaped opening edge 17. The resin flow support portion 4 is formed adjacent to the mounting portion 2 at the first opening edge 17a of the U-shaped opening edge 17 of the mounting portion 2 that is farther from the gate portion 3.

[0046] The U-shaped opening edge 17 is formed on the periphery of the seating surface 5, as shown in Figure 11. The first opening edge 17a is the approximately straight portion 4t formed in the second quadrant of the U-shaped opening edge 17. The second opening edge 17b is the portion symmetrical to the first opening edge 17a along the center line L1 of the tip.

[0047] The resin flow support section 4 may be formed continuously from the gate section 3, adjacent to the mounting section 2 at the first opening edge 17a of the U-shaped opening edge 17 of the mounting section 2 that is furthest from the gate section 3.

[0048] Furthermore, although not shown in the figures, similar to the first embodiment, the tip of the resin flow support section 4 may be formed up to tip position 4a, as shown in Figure 3, or it may be formed up to tip position 4b. Figure 11 shows the case where the gate section 3 is in the fourth quadrant, but similar to Figure 4, the gate section 3 may also be in the first quadrant.

[0049] <Effects of the vehicle exterior component 1 according to the second embodiment> The vehicle exterior member 1 according to the second aspect of the present invention described above provides the following effects. The vehicle exterior member 1 is formed such that the resin flow support portion 4 is adjacent to the mounting portion 2 at the first opening edge 17a of the U-shaped opening edge 17 of the mounting portion 2 that is farther from the gate portion 3. Therefore, the position where weld lines are expected to occur can be set at a position spaced apart from the first opening edge 17a. [Explanation of symbols]

[0050] 1. Vehicle exterior components 2 Mounting part 3 Gate section 4. Resin Flow Support Unit 5 Seat part 6 openings 7 Tip 7a First tip 7b Second tip 7c Center of tip 8 Closed end 11 First Panel 12 Second Panel 16 Opening 17 U-shaped opening edge 17a First opening edge 20 vehicles L1 Tip center line

Claims

1. A vehicle exterior component in which a first panel and a second panel are joined together, The second panel is, A mounting section to which fastening members for attachment to a vehicle can be attached, The gate section into which the resin material has been injected, The first panel side is equipped with a resin flow support section, The mounting portion comprises a seating surface and an opening, The aforementioned seat portion is formed in a U-shape with one side open, Of the aforementioned seat portion, the end that is open is designated as the tip, and the end opposite the tip is designated as the closed end. The aforementioned resin flow support unit is A vehicle exterior member formed between the gate portion and the first tip portion, which is the tip portion furthest from the gate portion.

2. The aforementioned resin flow support unit is Furthermore, the vehicle exterior member according to claim 1 is formed adjacent to the mounting portion, between at least a portion of the side of the closed end of the mounting portion and the first tip portion.

3. The vehicle exterior member according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the resin flow support portion is formed at a distance from the second tip portion, which is the tip portion closer to the gate portion.

4. The perpendicular line connecting the first tip and the second tip, which is the tip closer to the gate, is defined as the tip centerline, and the line passing through the center of the tip between the first tip and the second tip is defined as the tip centerline. The vehicle exterior member according to claim 2, wherein the resin flow support portion is formed by extending from the gate portion to the space between the first tip portion and the center line of the tip portion.

5. A vehicle exterior component in which a first panel and a second panel are joined together, The second panel is, A mounting section to which fastening members for attachment to a vehicle can be attached, The gate section into which the resin material has been injected, The first panel side is equipped with a resin flow support section, The mounting portion has an opening that forms a U-shaped opening edge, The aforementioned resin flow support unit is A vehicle exterior member formed adjacent to the mounting portion at the first opening edge of the U-shaped opening edge of the mounting portion that is furthest from the gate portion.

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