Fastening structure of vehicle body panel and fastened component

Abstract

This fastening structure for a vehicle body panel and a fastened component comprises: a vehicle body panel; a fastened component that is fastened to an outer surface of the vehicle body panel by means of a bolt and a nut; and a washer disposed between the vehicle body panel and the fastened component. This washer comprises: a metal plate having a through-hole through which the bolt is inserted; and an elastic member surrounding the outer circumference of the metal plate.　

Description

Fastening structure for vehicle body panel and fastened parts

[0001] The present invention relates to a fastening structure for a vehicle body panel and a fastened part.

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a seal washer structure in which an elastic material is provided on the outer periphery of a metal washer body, and an elastic material is also provided on the inner periphery of the washer body.

[0003] International Publication No. 2014 / 080511

[0004] However, when the above-mentioned washer is used to fasten a fastened part to a metal member such as a body panel with a bolt and a nut, there is a risk that the metal member near the bolt will deform, causing loosening in the fastening structure.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to suppress deformation of a vehicle body panel near a bolt in a fastening structure for a vehicle body panel and a fastened part.

[0006] A fastening structure for a vehicle body panel and a fastened part according to one aspect of the present invention includes a vehicle body panel, a fastened part fastened to an outer surface of the vehicle body panel by a bolt and a nut, and a washer disposed between the vehicle body panel and the fastened part. The washer includes a metal plate having a through hole through which the bolt is inserted, and an elastic member surrounding the outer periphery of the metal plate.

[0007] According to the above-described fastening structure for the vehicle body panel and the fastened component, deformation of the vehicle body panel near the bolt can be suppressed.

[0008] FIG. 1A is a perspective view showing a fastening structure for a vehicle body panel and a fastened part according to an embodiment. FIG. 1B is an exploded perspective view showing the fastening structure. FIG. 2A is a cross-sectional view taken along A1-A1 in FIG. 1A, showing the structure of a first fastening portion. FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view taken along A1-A1 in FIG. 1A, showing the structure before fastening. FIG. 3A is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of a washer. FIG. 3B is a plan view showing the structure of a washer. FIG. 4A is a cross-sectional view taken along A2-A2 in FIG. 1A, showing the structure of a second fastening portion. FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view taken along A2-A2 in FIG. 1A, showing the structure before fastening.

[0009] Hereinafter, a fastening structure for a vehicle body panel and fastened components according to an embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. In each drawing, FR and RR indicate the front and rear in the vehicle longitudinal direction, respectively, UP and DN indicate the upper and lower in the vehicle vertical direction, respectively, and LH and RH indicate the left and right in the vehicle width direction, respectively. In the following description, the rear in the vehicle longitudinal direction and the upper and lower in the vehicle vertical direction will be simply referred to as the rear, upper, and lower, respectively. Furthermore, components having the same functions as those already described will be designated by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.

[0010] 1A and 1B, the vehicle body panel 1 is a panel that constitutes an outer panel of the ceiling portion of the vehicle body. The fastened part 11 fastened to the vehicle body panel 1 is, for example, a hinge 31 to which a vehicle back door (not shown) provided at the rear of the vehicle is fastened. The hinges 31 are fastened, for example, to both sides of the vehicle width direction of the vehicle body panel 1 at the rear of the upper surface of the vehicle body panel 1. Below, as an example of the fastening structure of the vehicle body panel 1 and the fastened part 11, a structure provided on the left side in the vehicle width direction at the rear of the vehicle body panel 1 will be described. The structure provided on the right side in the vehicle width direction at the rear of the vehicle body panel 1 is similar, so description thereof will be omitted.

[0011] A fastened part 11 is fastened to the outer surface 1A of the vehicle body panel 1. As illustrated in FIGS. 1A and 1B , a hinge 31 is fastened as the fastened part 11 to the upper surface, which is the outer surface 1A, of the vehicle body panel 1. The fastened part 11 is fastened to the vehicle body panel 1 at a first fastening portion S1 with a first bolt B1 and a first nut N1. Alternatively, the fastened part 11 may be fastened to the vehicle body panel 1 at a second fastening portion S2 with a second bolt B2 and a second nut N2. As illustrated in FIGS. 1A and 1B , the first fastening portion S1 is located rearward of the second fastening portion S2. That is, the first fastening portion S1 is located closer to the vehicle tailgate than the second fastening portion S2. Note that the outer surface 1A of the vehicle body panel 1 to which the fastened part 11 is fastened is not limited to the upper surface of the vehicle body panel 1. Furthermore, the position at which the fastened part 11 is fastened to the vehicle body panel 1 is not limited to the above. Furthermore, the arrangement of the first fastening portion S1 and the second fastening portion S2 is not limited to the above.

[0012] The structure of the first fastening portion S1 will be described. As illustrated in Figures 2A and 2B, the first fastening portion S1 includes a vehicle body panel 1, a fastened component 11 fastened to the outer surface 1A of the vehicle body panel 1 by a first bolt B1 and a first nut N1, and a washer 21 disposed between the vehicle body panel 1 and the fastened component 11. The washer 21 includes a metal plate 23 having a through hole 22 through which the first bolt B1 is inserted, and an elastic member 24 surrounding the outer periphery of the metal plate 23 (see Figures 2A-3B).

[0013] 2A and 2B , in the first fastening portion S1, the first bolt B1 and the first nut N1 fasten and fix the vehicle body panel 1, the fastened component 11, and the washer 21. More specifically, the first bolt B1 is inserted downward through the first bolt insertion hole 15 of the fastened component 11, the through hole 22 of the washer 21, and the through hole 2 of the vehicle body panel 1. The first nut N1 is fastened to a portion of the first bolt B1 that protrudes downward from the through hole 2 of the vehicle body panel 1. As a result, the fastened component 11, the washer 21, and the vehicle body panel 1 are sandwiched and fastened between the first bolt B1 and the first nut N1, in that order from above.

[0014] As illustrated in Figures 2A and 2B, the first bolt B1 has a flange F1 on its head. A bearing surface F1A is provided on the underside of the flange F1. A flat surface 12 is provided on the surface of the fastened part 11 facing the first bolt B1. When the first fastening portion S1 is fastened, the flat surface 12 is in contact with the bearing surface F1A of the flange F1 of the first bolt B1. In this case, the outer dimension L1 of the flat surface 12 in a direction perpendicular to the bolt axis of the first bolt B1 is larger than the outer dimension L2 of the bearing surface F1A of the flange F1 in the direction perpendicular to the bolt axis (see Figures 2A and 2B). The direction perpendicular to the bolt axis of the first bolt B1 is a direction perpendicular to the axial direction BS1 of the first bolt B1.

[0015] As illustrated in FIGS. 2A and 2B , the fastened part 11 has a recess 13 formed on its surface facing the vehicle body panel 1. The recess 13 is recessed in the surface of the fastened part 11, in a direction away from the vehicle body panel 1 (toward the flat surface 12). When the first fastening portion S1 is fastened, the bottom surface 13A of the recess 13 contacts the metal plate 23 (see FIG. 2A ). When viewed in the axial direction BS1 of the first bolt B1, the bottom surface 13A of the recess 13 overlaps with and is larger than the contact surface N1A of the first nut N1 with the vehicle body panel 1. In other words, when viewed in the axial direction BS1 of the first bolt B1, the outer periphery of the bottom surface 13A of the recess 13 is located outside the contact surface N1A of the first nut N1 with the vehicle body panel 1. This allows the bottom surface 13A to receive the entire contact surface N1A of the first nut N1.

[0016] 3A and 3B , the metal plate 23 of the washer 21 is circular and has a through hole 22 in its center through which the first bolt B1 is inserted. That is, the inner peripheral surface of the metal plate 23 forms the wall surface of the through hole 22.

[0017] The elastic member 24 elastically deforms when fastened, providing a sealing property that closes the gap between the components through elastic deformation, and has the ability to return to its original shape when released from fastening. The elastic member 24 is formed, for example, from a rubber material. The elastic member 24 surrounds the outer periphery of the metal plate 23. Therefore, the metal plate 23 forms the inner periphery of the washer 21. The elastic member 24 forms the outer periphery of the washer 21. As illustrated in FIGS. 3A and 3B , the inner periphery of the elastic member 24 may be in contact with the metal plate 23, or the elastic member 24 may be formed adjacent to the metal plate 23. Note that the shapes and arrangements of the through hole 22, the metal plate 23, and the elastic member 24 are not limited to those described above. For example, the through hole 22, the metal plate 23, and the elastic member 24 do not have to be circular.

[0018] As illustrated in Figures 2A and 2B, in the first fastening portion S1, the outer peripheral edge of the metal plate 23 is located radially outward from the inner diameter of the first bolt insertion hole 15 in the fastened component 11 and the through hole 2 in the vehicle body panel 1. Furthermore, the outer peripheral edge of the first nut N1 is located radially outward from the inner diameter of the first bolt insertion hole 15 in the fastened component 11 and the through hole 2 in the vehicle body panel 1. Therefore, when viewed in the axial direction BS1 of the first bolt B1, the first bolt B1, the fastened component 11, the vehicle body panel 1, the metal plate 23, and the first nut N1 are arranged overlapping each other. Furthermore, the adjacent components are in direct contact with each other, with no other components interposed. That is, in the overlapping region, the components are fastened in a metal-to-metal manner. Therefore, axial force can be appropriately transmitted vertically in this region. Furthermore, this region includes the metal plate 23 that forms the inner peripheral portion of the washer 21. That is, the portion of the first fastening portion S1 that is fastened in a metal-to-metal state is near the first bolt B1 and includes a portion adjacent to the first bolt B1 in a direction perpendicular to the bolt axis of the first bolt B1. This makes it possible to suppress deformation of the vehicle body panel 1 near the first bolt B1 and to suppress loosening of the fastening structure of the first fastening portion S1.

[0019] 3A and 3B , an adhesive member 25 is disposed on the surface of the elastic member 24 facing the fastened components 11. This allows the washer 21 to be attached to the underside of the fastened components 11 and temporarily held in place during the fastening operation. The adhesive member 25 according to the embodiment is, but is not limited to, a double-sided tape.

[0020] 3A and 3B, the adhesive member 25 is not disposed on the surface of the metal plate 23. That is, the adhesive member 25 is disposed only on the surface of the elastic member 24. This allows the washer 21 to be temporarily held on the underside of the fastened parts 11, improving workability during fastening, and also allows the metal plate 23 and the fastened parts 11 to be fastened while maintaining the metal-to-metal state described above.

[0021] 3A shows the cross-sectional structure of washer 21 when washer 21 is cut along a plane perpendicular to the surface of washer 21. In this case, outer dimension L4 of elastic member 24 (the dimension in the width direction when viewed in the cross section) may be larger than outer dimension L3 of metal plate 23 (the dimension in the width direction when viewed in the cross section). In this case, it becomes easier to apply adhesive member 25 to the surface of elastic member 24, thereby further improving workability.

[0022] As illustrated in Figures 3A and 3B, the outer edge of the surface of the elastic member 24 facing the vehicle body panel 1 is provided with a lip portion 24A that protrudes downward toward the vehicle body panel 1. The lip portion 24A may be formed to protrude downward in a beaded shape from the lower surface of the elastic member 24. As a result, the lip portion 24A is crushed during fastening, closing the outer edge of the surface of the elastic member 24 facing the vehicle body panel 1. This improves the watertightness of the fastening structure. The shape and arrangement of the lip portion 24A are not limited to those described above, as long as it can close the surface of the elastic member 24 facing the vehicle body panel 1 during fastening. For example, the lip portion 24A may be formed inward from the outer edge of the surface of the elastic member 24 facing the vehicle body panel 1.

[0023] As described above, the fastened part 11 is, for example, a hinge 31 fastened to a vehicle tailgate. The vehicle tailgate is composed of, for example, a tailgate assembly module made of resin. Because the vehicle tailgate is a relatively heavy component, the fastening structure of the hinge 31 to the vehicle body panel 1 may be required to provide watertightness while suppressing loosening due to deformation of the vehicle body panel 1. By providing the first fastening portion S1 in the fastening structure of the vehicle body panel 1 and the hinge 31, the vehicle tailgate can be supported while ensuring the above-mentioned functions. When attaching a tailgate module to the hinge 31, the hinge 31 can fasten the tailgate module to the vehicle body panel 1 while ensuring watertightness and accommodating variations in the arrangement of the tailgate module.

[0024] 4A and 4B , the second fastening portion S2 includes a second bolt B2 and a second nut N2 that fasten the vehicle body panel 1 and the fastened part 11 together, and a second washer 41 that is disposed between the vehicle body panel 1 and the fastened part 11.

[0025] The second washer 41 is formed of an elastic member 43 having a through hole 42 through which the second bolt B2 is inserted. When viewed in the axial direction BS2 of the second bolt B2, the contact surface 14 of the fastened component 11 with the vehicle body panel 1 overlaps the contact surface N2A of the second nut N2 with the vehicle body panel 1 (see Figures 4A and 4B). That is, when viewed in the axial direction BS2 of the second bolt B2, the contact surface 14, the contact surface N2A, and the vehicle body panel 1 are arranged in an overlapping relationship. Furthermore, the adjacent components are in direct contact with each other, with no other components interposed. Therefore, in the overlapping region of the components, the components are fastened in a metal-to-metal manner. Therefore, the axial force can be appropriately transmitted vertically in this region. Note that, as illustrated in Figures 4A and 4B, this region does not include the second washer 41. That is, the portion of the second fastening portion S2 that is fastened in a metal-to-metal contact state does not need to include a portion adjacent to the second bolt B2 in a direction perpendicular to the bolt axis of the second bolt B2. The direction perpendicular to the bolt axis of the second bolt B2 is a direction perpendicular to the axial direction BS2 of the second bolt B2.

[0026] When fastening the fastened parts 11 to the vehicle body panel 1, the second bolt B2 may be welded to the fastened parts 11 in advance (see FIG. 1B). In this case, for example, the vehicle body panel 1 is provided with a second bolt insertion hole 3 through which the second bolt B2 is inserted (see FIGS. 1B, 4A, and 4B). The second bolt B2 welded to the fastened parts 11 is inserted into the second bolt insertion hole 3, thereby determining the position of the fastened parts 11 in the vehicle longitudinal direction. In other words, the second bolt B2 can be used as a locating pin and inserted into the second bolt insertion hole 3 to position the fastened parts 11 in the vehicle longitudinal direction.

[0027] In the above configuration, the gap in the vehicle width direction between the second bolt B2 and the inner peripheral surface of the second bolt insertion hole 3 may be larger than the gap in the vehicle front-rear direction between the second bolt B2 and the inner peripheral surface of the second bolt insertion hole 3 (see FIG. 1B ). In other words, the inner diameter of the second bolt insertion hole 3 in the vehicle width direction may be larger than the inner diameter of the second bolt insertion hole 3 in the vehicle front-rear direction. The position of the fastened part 11 in the vehicle width direction may be adjusted to an appropriate position using, for example, a positioning jig.

[0028] 1B , the fastened part 11 has a first bolt insertion hole 15 through which the first bolt B1 is inserted. In this case, the gap between the first bolt B1 and the inner peripheral surface of the first bolt insertion hole 15 in the vehicle width direction and the vehicle longitudinal direction may be larger than the gap between the second bolt B2 and the inner peripheral surface of the second bolt insertion hole 3 in the vehicle longitudinal direction. That is, the first bolt insertion hole 15 is formed relatively larger than the outer diameter of the first bolt B1, and a gap is provided between the first bolt insertion hole 15 and the first bolt B1 in the vehicle longitudinal direction and the vehicle width direction. As described above, the fastened part 11 is, for example, a hinge 31 fastened to a vehicle tailgate. In this case, when attaching the hinge 31 to the vehicle body panel 1, the vehicle tailgate needs to be centered relative to the vehicle body. The first bolt insertion hole 15 is formed to be relatively larger than the outer diameter of the first bolt B1, so that the attachment can be performed while absorbing variations in the arrangement of the vehicle back door.

[0029] 1A , the fastened part 11 is a hinge 31, also called a Mohawk hinge, that is accommodated in and fastened to a recess 1B provided in a vehicle body panel 1. By accommodating and fastening the hinge 31 in the recess 1B, the hinge 31 can be positioned in a location that is difficult to see from the outside, thereby improving the appearance quality of the vehicle. The recess 1B is, for example, a region recessed toward the inside of the vehicle body in a portion of the outer surface 1A of the vehicle body panel 1. The recess 1B may be provided, for example, at a position where a body side outer panel and a roof panel are joined.

[0030] (1) The fastening structure for a vehicle body panel and fastened components according to the embodiment includes a vehicle body panel 1, a fastened component 11 fastened to an outer surface 1A of the vehicle body panel 1 by a first bolt B1 and a first nut N1, and a washer 21 disposed between the vehicle body panel 1 and the fastened component 11. The washer 21 includes a metal plate 23 having a through hole 22 through which the bolt B1 is inserted, and an elastic member 24 surrounding the outer periphery of the metal plate 23. With the above configuration, the vehicle body panel 1 and the fastened component 11 are fastened together with the metal plate 23 of the washer 21 sandwiched between them. That is, when viewed in the axial direction BS1 of the first bolt B1, the first bolt B1, the fastened component 11, the vehicle body panel 1, the metal plate 23, and the first nut N1 are arranged to overlap. Therefore, in the area where the above components are arranged to overlap, they are fastened together in a metal-to-metal manner. The portion fastened in a metal-to-metal manner is near the first bolt B1 and includes a portion adjacent to the first bolt B1 in a direction perpendicular to the bolt axis of the first bolt B1. This prevents deformation of the vehicle body panel 1 near the first bolt B1, thereby preventing loosening of the fastening structure. Furthermore, since the elastic member 24 is sandwiched between the vehicle body panel 1 and the fastened component 11 during fastening, the fastening structure has watertight properties.

[0031] (2) In the embodiment, the bolt B1 has a flange F1 at its head, the fastened part 11 has a flat surface 12 that contacts the bearing surface F1A of the flange F1, and the outer dimension L1 of the flat surface 12 in the direction perpendicular to the axis of the bolt B1 is larger than the outer dimension L2 of the flange F1 in the direction perpendicular to the axis. This allows the entire flange F1 to be supported by the flat surface 12, and axial force can be appropriately transmitted in the vertical direction. This prevents loosening of the fastening structure and enables strong fastening.

[0032] (3) Furthermore, in the embodiment, the adhesive member 25 is disposed on the surface of the elastic member 24 facing the fastened component 11. This allows the washer 21 to be temporarily held on the lower surface of the fastened component 11 during the fastening operation. This improves the workability during fastening.

[0033] (4) In the embodiment, the adhesive member 25 is not disposed on the surface of the metal plate 23. This temporarily holds the washer 21 on the underside of the fastened part 11, improving workability during fastening, and allows the metal plate 23 and the fastened part 11 to be fastened while maintaining a metal-to-metal state. This prevents deformation of the vehicle body panel 1 in the fastening structure and prevents loosening.

[0034] (5) Furthermore, in the embodiment, the outer dimension L4 of the elastic member 24 in the direction perpendicular to the axis of the first bolt B1 may be larger than the outer dimension L3 of the metal plate 23 in the direction perpendicular to the axis. In this case, the adhesive member 25 can be easily attached to the surface of the elastic member 24 on the side of the fastened part 11, thereby further improving the workability during fastening.

[0035] (6) In the embodiment, the surface of the elastic member 24 facing the vehicle body panel 1 is provided with a lip portion 24A that protrudes toward the vehicle body panel 1. This can further improve the watertightness of the fastening structure.

[0036] (7) Furthermore, in the embodiment, the fastened part 11 is a hinge 31 fastened to the vehicle tailgate. By providing the above-described fastening structure, the vehicle tailgate can be supported while suppressing loosening due to deformation of the vehicle body panel 1 and ensuring watertightness. Therefore, when attaching the tailgate module to the hinge 31, the tailgate module can be fastened to the vehicle body panel 1 with the hinge 31 ensuring watertightness while absorbing variations in the positioning of the tailgate module.

[0037] The above-described embodiments are merely examples described to facilitate understanding of the invention. The technical scope of the invention is not limited to the specific technical matters disclosed in the above-described embodiments, but also includes various modifications, changes, alternative technologies, etc. that can be easily derived therefrom.

[0038] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 Vehicle body panel 1A Outer surface 11 Fastened part 12 Flat surface 21 Washer 22 Through hole 23 Metal plate 24 Elastic member 24A Lip portion 25 Adhesive member 31 Hinge B1 First bolt (bolt) F1 Flange F1A Bearing surface L1 Outer dimension of flat surface L2 Outer dimension of flange L3 Outer dimension of metal plate L4 Outer dimension of elastic member N1 First nut (nut)

Claims

1. A fastening structure comprising: a vehicle body panel; a fastened part fastened to the outer surface of the vehicle body panel by a bolt and a nut; and a washer arranged between the vehicle body panel and the fastened part, wherein the washer comprises a metal plate having a through hole through which the bolt is inserted, and an elastic member surrounding the outer periphery of the metal plate.

2. A fastening structure as described in claim 1, wherein the bolt has a flange on its head, the fastened part has a flat surface that contacts the seating surface of the flange, and the outer dimensions of the flat surface in a direction perpendicular to the bolt's axis are larger than the outer dimensions of the flange in the direction perpendicular to the axis.

3. A fastening structure according to claim 1 or 2, wherein an adhesive member is disposed on the surface of the elastic member facing the fastened component.

4. The fastening structure according to claim 3, wherein the adhesive member is not disposed on the surface of the metal plate.

5. A fastening structure as described in claim 3 or 4, wherein the outer dimensions of the elastic member in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the bolt are larger than the outer dimensions of the metal plate in the direction perpendicular to the axis.

6. A fastening structure according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein a lip portion that protrudes toward the vehicle body panel is provided on the surface of the elastic member facing the vehicle body panel.

7. A fastening structure according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the fastened part is a hinge fastened to a vehicle back door.

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