Vehicle cover structure

Abstract

To provide a vehicle lid structure which can maintain good appearance.SOLUTION: A vehicle lid structure includes: a shaft member (22) which is located at the back side of an exterior surface which is visible from the outside; a lid (40) which swings around the shaft member (22) to open or close an opening (11) formed on the exterior surface (12); and a support member (30) which rotatably supports the shaft member (22). The support member (30) has a fixture part (31) fixed to the back side of the exterior surface (12). When viewed from a direction along the shaft member (22), the fixture part (31) is located at the opposite side of the opening (11) with the shaft member (22) located at the center.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a lid structure for a vehicle.

Background Art

[0002] The fuel filler opening and the charging port of a vehicle may be configured to be opened and closed by a lid device called a fuel lid. As a conventional technology related to such a lid device, there is a technology disclosed in Patent Document 1. The lid device is configured to open and close an opening formed in the vehicle body by a swingable lid.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] According to the lid device disclosed in Patent Document 1, when the lid is in the fully open state, the end portion of the lid is located near the design surface. In this state, for example, a person may inadvertently contact the lid and apply a force in a direction to further open the lid. Then, the end portion of the lid contacts the design surface, and there is a concern that the coating of the design surface may peel off or the design surface may be damaged. Improvement is desired from the viewpoint of maintaining high appearance quality, not limited to the fuel lid.

[0005] The present disclosure aims to provide a vehicle lid structure capable of maintaining high appearance quality.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] According to the present disclosure, a shaft member located on the back side of an exterior surface visible from the outside, a lid capable of opening and closing an opening formed in the exterior surface by swinging about this shaft member, and a support member supporting the shaft member are provided. The support member has a fixing portion that is fixed to the back side of the exterior surface, A vehicle cover structure is provided, wherein, when viewed from a direction along the shaft member, the fixing portion is located on the opposite side of the opening, with the shaft member as the center. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to this disclosure, it is possible to provide a vehicle cover structure that can maintain a high level of aesthetic appeal. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This is a front view of a lid device employing the vehicle lid structure according to the embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a cross-sectional view taken along line 2-2 in Figure 1. [Figure 3] This is a view from arrow 3 in Figure 2. [Figure 4] This diagram illustrates the state in which the lid shown in Figure 2 is fully open. [Figure 5] This is a magnified view of part 5 of Figure 4. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the attached drawings. The embodiments shown in the attached drawings are examples of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to these embodiments.

[0010] <Examples> Refer to Figure 1. Figure 1 shows a vehicle cover device 20 (hereinafter referred to as "cover device 20") using a vehicle cover structure. The cover device 20 is, for example, a fuel lid that opens and closes a fuel filler port or a charging port. The cover device 20 opens and closes an opening 11 made in an exterior member 10 provided on the vehicle body.

[0011] Exterior component 10 is a part made of resin. Exterior component 10 is, for example, a front grille located at the front of a vehicle. The outer surface of the exterior component 10 is called the "exterior surface 12" that is visible from the outside. The exterior component 10 has an opening 11 which is a roughly rectangular hole.

[0012] Refer to Figures 2 and 3. Multiple bosses 14 and 15 for fixing the lid device 20 are formed on the back surface 13, which is the back surface of the exterior surface 12. The lid device 20 is fixed to the bosses 14 and 15 by screw fastening members 17 and 18, which are made of screws.

[0013] Refer to Figure 2. The lid device 20 includes a support member 30 fixed to the back side of the exterior member 10, a shaft member 22 as a shaft supported by the support member 30, and a lid 40 supported by the shaft member 22 that can open and close the opening 11.

[0014] See also Figure 4. The lid 40 can swing from the fully closed position shown in Figure 2 to the fully open position shown in Figure 4.

[0015] Refer to Figure 1. The edges of the roughly rectangular opening 11 are designated as the first edge 11a, second edge 11b, third edge 11c, and fourth edge 11d, respectively, starting from the edge on the left side of the figure.

[0016] Refer to Figure 2 as well. The first edge 11a and the third edge 11c extend substantially parallel to the direction in which the shaft member 22 extends, while the second edge 11b and the fourth edge 11d extend substantially perpendicular to the direction in which the shaft member 22 extends. The first edge 11a is located closer to the shaft member 22 than the third edge 11c, and the first edge 11a can be rephrased as the proximal edge 11a, which is the closest to the shaft member 22 among the first to fourth edges 11a. The third edge 11c is located further from the shaft member 22 than the first edge 11a, and the third edge 11c can be rephrased as the distal edge 11c.

[0017] Note that the shape of the opening 11 formed on the outer surface 11 is not limited to a rectangle, and for example, it may be circular. In the case of a circular opening, the "proximal edge" may include at least a portion that is closest to the shaft member 22 among the circular edges.

[0018] The second edge portion 11b can be rephrased as a first vertical edge 11b that extends perpendicular to the first edge portion 11a and the third edge portion 11c. The fourth edge portion 11d can be rephrased as a second vertical edge 11d that extends perpendicular to the first edge portion 11a and the third edge portion 11c.

[0019] Referring to FIG. 2, among the bosses 14 and 15, the boss 14 formed at a portion close to the first edge portion 11a is referred to as the first boss 14, and the boss 15 formed at a portion close to the third edge portion 11c is referred to as the second boss 15. The first boss 14 is the closest to the shaft member 22 and is farther from the proximal edge 11a than the shaft member 22. The second boss 15 is formed at a position farther from the shaft member 22 than the first boss 14.

[0020] As the screw fastening members 17 and 18, any screws such as small screws, tapping screws, cap bolts, bolts, etc. can be used. Among the screw fastening members 17 and 18, the screw fastening member 17 fastened to the first boss 14 is referred to as the first fastening member 17, and the screw fastening member 18 fastened to the second boss 15 is referred to as the second fastening member 18.

[0021] The support member 30 is made of a single molded resin part. The support member 30 is a roughly box-shaped member with an opening where the lid 40 is attached. The support member 30 has a first fixing part 31 (fixing part 31) fixed to the first boss 14, a second fixing part 32 fixed to the second boss 15, a first side wall part 33 connected to the end of the first fixing part 31 and extending away from the exterior member 10, a second side wall part 34 connected to the end of the second fixing part 32 and extending away from the exterior member 10, and the end of the first side wall part 33 closer to the exterior member 10 ( It has a support member contact portion 35 that extends from one end along the back surface of the exterior member 10 and abuts against the back surface 13 of the exterior member 10, a rear wall portion 36 that connects the end of the first side wall portion 33 furthest from the exterior member 10 (the other end) to the end of the second side wall portion 34 furthest from the exterior member 10 (the other end), a bottom portion 37 that closes the lower end, and a ceiling portion 38 (see Figure 3) that faces the bottom portion 37 and closes the upper end.

[0022] Refer to Figure 5. The support member contact portion 35 has a support member contact portion body 35a which is formed in an arch shape facing the back surface 13, and a rib 35b (support member side rib 35b) which extends from the support member contact portion body 35a toward the back surface 13 and whose tip can contact the back surface 13. Multiple ribs 35b are formed. Since the ribs 35b extend in the axial direction CL, deformation of the support member 30 in the axial direction CL can be suppressed.

[0023] Refer to Figure 2. The lid 40 has a resin lid body 50 supported by the shaft member 22, a resin lid design portion 42 supported by the lid body 50 and exposed to the outside of the vehicle, and a retained portion 43 that extends from the tip of the lid body 50 toward the support member 30 and is held by a locking device (not shown) when fully closed.

[0024] The lid body 50 has a lid contact portion 51 that extends radially from the shaft member 22 and can contact the support member 30 when in the fully open position, and a connecting portion 52 that connects from the tip of the lid contact portion 51 to the end of the lid design portion 42 on the proximal edge 11a side.

[0025] Refer to Figure 5. The lid contact portion 51 includes a plurality of ribs 51a (lid-side ribs 51a) whose tips can contact the support member 30 when fully open.

[0026] Furthermore, when viewed from a direction along the axis CL of the shaft member 22, and using the direction from the proximal edge 11a toward the first fixing part 31 as a reference, the components are arranged in the order of proximal edge 11a, lid contact part 51, shaft member 22, and fixing part 31, with the support member contact part 35 and lid contact part 51 being separated from the proximal edge 11a. In other words, the lid contact part 51 (rib 51a) and shaft member 22 are located closer to the fixing part 31 than the proximal edge 11a. The lid contact part 51 is located between the proximal edge 11a and the shaft member 22. Also, in the direction perpendicular to the outer surface 12, the lid contact part 51 and the support member contact part 35 overlap each other.

[0027] The connecting portion 52 is curved so as not to come into contact with the proximal edge 11a when displaced from the fully closed state to the fully open state. Furthermore, the lid contact portion 51 (rib 51a) also does not come into contact with the proximal edge 11a when displaced from the fully closed state to the fully open state. When the lid 40, which is in the fully open position, is swung in the direction to open it further, the direction of the force acting on the support member 30 is approximately perpendicular to the outer surface 12, and a force acting in the opposite direction acts on the fixing portion 31 on the opposite side of the shaft member 22, causing the lid 40, support member 30, and outer surface 12 to move so as to rotate around the shaft member 22. As a result, contact between the lid 40 and the outer surface 12 is reduced, and damage to the outer surface 12 can be prevented.

[0028] Refer to Figures 1 and 2. Of the lid design portion 42, the lid design surface 42a, which is the surface exposed to the outside of the vehicle, is generally continuous with the exterior surface 12 when the lid 40 is in the fully closed position. The lid design surface 42a has a roughly rectangular shape along the opening 11.

[0029] Furthermore, a portion of the lid's design surface 42a may be a recessed area 42b that is slightly concave compared to other parts. This allows the operator to easily recognize the part they need to operate.

[0030] Refer to Figure 5. When the lid 40 is fully open, at least the end of the lid design portion 42 on the proximal edge 11a side is located further from the proximal edge 11a than the shaft member 22.

[0031] Furthermore, the edge of the opening 11 has an opening projection 11e integrally formed thereon that protrudes toward the interior of the vehicle.

[0032] The vehicle cover structure used in the cover device 20 described above is summarized below.

[0033] Refer to Figure 2. Firstly, the vehicle cover structure includes a shaft member 22 located on the back side of the exterior surface 12 that is visible from the outside, a cover 40 that can open and close an opening 11 formed in the exterior surface 12 by swinging around the shaft member 22, and a support member 30 that supports the shaft member 22. The support member 30 has a first fixing portion 31 (fixing portion 31) that is fixed to the back side of the exterior surface 12. When viewed from a direction along the shaft member 22 (referencing a cross-section that extends circumferentially with the shaft member 22 as the center), the first fixing portion 31 is located on the opposite side of the opening 11 with respect to the shaft member 22.

[0034] Refer to Figure 5. As indicated by arrow 61, when the lid 40, which is in the fully open position, is swung in the direction of further opening, the first fixing portion 31 of the support member 30 is pulled toward the back side of the exterior surface 12, as indicated by arrow 62. Because the exterior surface 12 is displaced in the direction of movement of the lid 40 in accordance with the displacement of the support member 30, contact between the lid 40 and the exterior surface 12 becomes less likely, and damage to the exterior surface 12 can be prevented. A vehicle lid structure that can maintain a high level of aesthetic appeal can be provided.

[0035] Secondly, in the first vehicle cover structure, the cover 40 has a cover contact portion 51 that can contact the support member 30 when the cover 40 is in its fully open position. By the cover contact portion 51 contacting the support member 30, it is possible to avoid applying a load directly to the part including the exterior surface 12.

[0036] Thirdly, in the second vehicle cover structure, the cover contact portion 51 has a rib 51a whose tip can contact the support member 30. The rib 51a can increase the strength of the cover 40.

[0037] Fourth, in any of the first to third vehicle cover structures, the support member 30 has a support member contact portion 35 that is in contact with the back side of the exterior surface 12. If the proximal edge 11a is the part of the edge of the opening 11 of the exterior surface 12 that is closest to the shaft member 22, then the support member contact portion 35 has a rib 35b between the shaft member 22 and the proximal edge 11a, the tip of which can contact the back side of the exterior surface 12. The strength of the support member 30 is increased around the shaft member 22.

[0038] Fifth, in the fourth vehicle cover structure, the cover 40 has a cover contact portion 51 that can contact the support member 30 when the cover 40 is in its fully open position. When the cover 40 is in the fully open position, the support member contact portion 35 is sandwiched between the cover contact portion 51 and the back side of the exterior surface 12 on the back side of the exterior surface 12. By having the cover contact portion 51 contact a high-strength part, the lifespan of the cover device 20 to which the vehicle cover structure is applied can be extended.

[0039] Sixth, in any of the first to fifth vehicle cover structures, when viewed from a direction along the axis CL of the shaft member 22, and using the direction from the proximal edge 11a toward the first fixing part 31 as a reference, the proximal edge 11a, cover contact part 51, shaft member 22, and fixing part 31 are arranged in that order, and the support member contact part 35 and the cover contact part 51 are separated from the proximal edge 11a. In other words, the cover contact part 51 (rib 51a) and the shaft member 22 are located on the fixing part 31 side of the proximal edge 11a. The cover contact part 51 is located between the proximal edge 11a and the shaft member 22. The load on the cover 40 becomes a force that pulls the exterior surface 12 near the fixing part 31 toward its back side, with the shaft member 22 as the axis.

[0040] Seventh, in any of the first to sixth vehicle cover structures, the exterior surface 12 is part of an exterior member 10 (for example, a front grille) that can be fixed to the vehicle body. Since the exterior member 10 can be fixed to the vehicle body, the support member 30 can be fixed to the exterior member 10 in advance, and then the exterior member 10 can be fixed to the vehicle body.

[0041] The exterior member 10 (exterior surface 12) does not recess inward from the opening end (away from the exterior surface 12). In other words, the exterior member 10 does not wrap around to the back side of the lid 40 (lid design portion 42) and does not overlap with the lid 40. Therefore, the shaft member 22 can be brought closer to the exterior surface 12. As a result, the connection portion 52 of the lid 40 does not become larger and can be connected close to the end of the lid design portion 42, thus ensuring high rigidity of the lid 40. In addition, if the connection portion 52 is compact, the amount of deflection of the lid 40 can be suppressed, and interference with and damage to the exterior surface 12 can be prevented.

[0042] Eighth, in any of the first to seventh vehicle cover structures, the support member 30 has a first fixing portion 31 that is fixed to the exterior member 10. The first fixing portion 31 is fixed to the exterior member 10 by a first screw fastening member 17 (screw fastening member 17).

[0043] Screw fastening offers high axial force and excellent resistance to the pulling force of the outer surface 12 (when the support member 30 shifts toward the back of the outer surface 12, the outer surface 12 deflects toward the back along with the support member 30). Therefore, it can prevent interference between the outer surface 12 and the lid 40 and prevent damage to the outer surface 12. In addition, screw fastening is easier to perform than other fastening methods such as welding.

[0044] Although the vehicle cover structure according to the present invention has been described in the example of application to a fuel lid, the cover device 20 is not limited to exterior members 10 fixed to the vehicle body, but may also be provided on parts inside the vehicle interior. When the cover device 20 is provided inside the vehicle interior, the exterior surface 12 visible from the outside refers to the surface visible from occupants inside the vehicle interior.

[0045] Insofar as the present invention achieves its functions and effects, the present invention is not limited to the examples provided. [Industrial applicability]

[0046] The vehicle cover structure of the present invention is suitable for a vehicle's fuel lid. [Explanation of symbols]

[0047] 10…Exterior components 11...Opening, 11a...First margin (proximal margin) 12…Exterior 17…First fastening member (fastening member) 22...Shaft member 30…Support member 31...First fixing part (fixing part) 35...Support member contact portion, 35b...Rib (support member side rib) 40…Lid 51...Lid contact area, 51a...Rib (lid-side rib)

Claims

1. A shaft member located on the back of the exterior surface that is visible from the outside, By swinging around this shaft member, the lid can open and close the opening formed on the exterior surface, The system comprises a support member that supports the shaft member, The support member has a fixing portion that is fixed to the back side of the exterior surface, Viewed from a direction along the shaft member, the fixing portion is located on the opposite side of the opening, with the shaft member as the center. The lid has a lid contact portion that can contact the support member when the lid is in the fully open position. The lid contact portion has a rib whose tip can contact the support member. Vehicle cover structure.

2. If the portion of the edge of the opening on the exterior surface closest to the shaft member is defined as the proximal edge, When viewed from a direction along the shaft member, and using the direction from the proximal edge toward the fixing portion as a reference, The proximal edge, the lid contact portion, the shaft member, and the fixing portion are arranged in that order, The support member has a support member contact portion that is in contact with the back side of the exterior surface, The vehicle cover structure according to claim 1, wherein the support member contact portion and the cover contact portion are separated from the proximal edge. Vehicle cover structure.

3. A shaft member located on the back of the exterior surface that is visible from the outside, By swinging around this shaft member, the lid can open and close the opening formed on the exterior surface, The system comprises a support member that supports the shaft member, When viewed from a direction along the shaft member, if the portion of the edge of the opening on the outer surface closest to the shaft member is defined as the proximal edge, The aforementioned support member is A fixing part fixed to the back side of the exterior surface, A side wall portion is connected to the end of the fixing portion and extends away from the outer surface, and is located between the shaft member and the fixing portion. A vehicle cover structure having a support member contact portion that extends from the side wall portion toward the proximal edge and is in contact with the back side of the exterior surface.

4. The vehicle cover structure according to claim 3, wherein the support member contact portion has a rib between the shaft member and the proximal edge, the tip of which can contact the back side of the exterior surface.

5. The lid has a lid contact portion that can contact the support member when the lid is in the fully open position. The vehicle lid structure according to claim 4, wherein the support member contact portion is sandwiched between the lid contact portion and the back side of the exterior surface on the back side of the exterior surface when the lid is in the fully open position.

6. The vehicle cover structure according to claim 1 or claim 3, wherein the exterior surface is part of an exterior member that can be fixed to the vehicle body.

7. The vehicle cover structure according to claim 6, wherein the fixing portion is fixed to the exterior member by a screw fastening member.

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