Fastening structure for vehicle body panel and fastened component

Abstract

According to the present invention, a 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 a first bolt and a first nut, and a washer that is between the vehicle body panel and the fastened component and comprises a metal plate and an elastic member, the metal plate having a through hole into which the first bolt is inserted. The first bolt has a head part that has a flange, and the fastened component has a flat surface that contacts a seat surface of the flange. The outside dimension of the flat surface in a direction orthogonal to the axis of the first bolt is larger than the outside dimension of the flange in the direction orthogonal to the axis.

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 structure in which a gasket is inserted between a panel and a bumper and the panels are fastened together with bolts and nuts.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 7-81501

[0004] However, when fastening components to a vehicle body panel or the like while taking into consideration variations in the dimensions and fastening positions of the components, it is sometimes necessary to form the bolt insertion holes in the vehicle body panel and the components to be fastened larger than the bolt diameter. In such cases, the bolt flange may protrude beyond the panel and the components to be fastened, which may result in insufficient axial force being transmitted to the fastened portion and cause loosening.

[0005] The object of the present invention is to prevent loosening from occurring in the fastened portion in the fastening structure of a vehicle body panel and a fastened component when the bolt insertion holes in the vehicle body panel and the fastened component are formed larger than the bolt diameter.

[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 first bolt and a first nut, a metal plate disposed between the vehicle body panel and the fastened part and having a through hole through which the first bolt is inserted, and a washer including an elastic member. The first bolt has a flange on its head, the fastened part has a flat surface that contacts the seat surface of the flange, and the outer dimension of the flat surface in the direction perpendicular to the axis of the first bolt is larger than the outer dimension of the flange in the direction perpendicular to the axis.

[0007] According to the above-mentioned fastening structure for the vehicle body panel and the fastened part, when the bolt insertion holes in the vehicle body panel and the fastened part are formed larger than the bolt diameter, loosening in the fastened parts can be prevented in the fastening structure for the vehicle body panel and the fastened part.

[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) A fastening structure for a vehicle body panel and a fastened component according to an 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 including a metal plate 23 having a through hole 22 through which the first bolt B1 is inserted, and an elastic member 24. The first bolt B1 has a flange F1 at its head, and the fastened component 11 has a flat surface 12 that contacts the bearing surface F1A of the flange F1. The outer dimension L1 of the flat surface 12 in the direction perpendicular to the axis of the first bolt B1 is larger than the outer dimension L2 of the flange F1 in the direction perpendicular to the axis. This allows the entire bearing surface F1A of the flange F1 to be received by the flat surface 12, thereby appropriately transmitting axial force in the vertical direction. This prevents loosening of the fastening structure.

[0031] (2) In the embodiment, the fastened part 11 has a recess 13 formed on the surface facing the vehicle body panel 1. The bottom surface 13A of the recess 13 contacts the metal plate 23. When viewed in the axial direction (BS1) of the first bolt B1, the bottom surface 13A overlaps with and is larger than the contact surface N1A of the first nut N1 with the vehicle body panel 1. This allows the entire contact surface N1A of the first nut N1 to be received by the bottom surface 13A, allowing the axial force to be appropriately transmitted. This further reduces loosening in the fastening structure.

[0032] (3) Furthermore, in this embodiment, the fastening device further includes a second bolt B2 and a second nut N2 that fasten the vehicle body panel 1 and the fastened component 11, and a second washer 41 that is disposed between the vehicle body panel 1 and the fastened component 11 and includes 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. In this overlapping region, the contact surface 14, the vehicle body panel 1, and the second nut N2 are in direct contact with each other, resulting in a metal-to-metal fastening. This configuration achieves a robust fastening structure. Therefore, the second washer 41 can be configured solely with the elastic member 43 for watertightness.

[0033] (4) In the embodiment, the second bolt B2 is welded to the fastened part 11, the vehicle body panel 1 is provided with a second bolt insertion hole 3 through which the second bolt B2 is inserted, and the gap between the second bolt B2 and the inner peripheral surface of the second bolt insertion hole 3 in the vehicle width direction is larger than the gap between the second bolt B2 and the inner peripheral surface of the second bolt insertion hole 3 in the vehicle fore-and-aft direction. This allows the second bolt B2 to be used as a locating pin and inserted into the second bolt insertion hole 3 to position the fastened part 11 in the vehicle fore-and-aft direction.

[0034] (5) Furthermore, in the embodiment, the fastened part 11 is provided with a first bolt insertion hole 15 through which the first bolt B1 is inserted, and 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 is 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. When the fastened part 11 is a hinge 31 fastened to a vehicle tailgate, the vehicle tailgate needs to be centered relative to the vehicle body when attaching the hinge 31 to the vehicle body panel 1. Because the first bolt insertion hole 15 is formed relatively larger than the outer diameter of the first bolt B1, the attachment can accommodate variations in the positioning of the vehicle tailgate.

[0035] (6) In the embodiment, the fastened part 11 is a hinge 31 that is accommodated and fixed in a recess 1B provided in the vehicle body panel 1. By accommodating and fixing the hinge 31 in the recess 1B, the hinge 31 can be positioned in a position that is difficult to see from the outside, thereby improving the appearance quality of the vehicle.

[0036] 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.

[0037] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 Vehicle body panel 1A Outer surface 1B Recess 3 Second bolt insertion hole 11 Fastened part 12 Flat surface 13 Recess 13A Bottom surface 14 Contact surface 15 First bolt insertion hole 21 Washer 22 Through hole 23 Metal plate 24 Elastic member 31 Hinge 41 Second washer 42 Through hole 43 Elastic member B1 First bolt B2 Second bolt F1 Flange F1A Bearing surface L1 Outer dimension of flat surface L2 Outer dimension of flange N1 First nut N1A Contact surface N2 Second nut N2A Contact surface

Claims

1. A fastening structure comprising: a body panel; a fastened part fastened to the outer surface of the body panel by a first bolt and a first nut; a washer arranged between the body panel and the fastened part, the washer comprising a metal plate having a through hole through which the first bolt is inserted, and an elastic member; the first bolt has a flange on its head; the fastened part has a flat surface that contacts the seat surface of the flange; and the outer dimension of the flat surface in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the first bolt is larger than the outer dimension of the flange in the direction perpendicular to the axis.

2. The fastening structure according to claim 1, wherein the fastened part has a recess formed in its surface facing the vehicle body panel, the bottom surface of the recess contacts the metal plate, and when viewed in the axial direction of the first bolt, the bottom surface overlaps with and is larger than the contact surface of the first nut with the vehicle body panel.

3. A fastening structure as described in claim 2, further comprising: a second bolt and a second nut that fasten the body panel and the fastened part; and a second washer that is disposed between the body panel and the fastened part and that comprises an elastic member having a through hole through which the second bolt is inserted, wherein, when viewed in the axial direction of the second bolt, the contact surface of the fastened part with the body panel overlaps with the contact surface of the second nut with the body panel.

4. A fastening structure as described in claim 3, wherein the second bolt is welded to the fastened part, the body panel is provided with a second bolt insertion hole through which the second bolt is inserted, and the gap between the second bolt and the inner surface of the second bolt insertion hole in the vehicle width direction is larger than the gap between the second bolt and the inner surface of the second bolt insertion hole in the vehicle fore-and-aft direction.

5. A fastening structure as described in claim 4, wherein the fastened part is provided with a first bolt insertion hole through which the first bolt is inserted, and the gap between the first bolt and the inner surface of the first bolt insertion hole in the vehicle width direction and the vehicle longitudinal direction is larger than the gap between the second bolt and the inner surface of the second bolt insertion hole in the vehicle longitudinal direction.

6. A fastening structure according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the fastened part is a hinge that is housed and fixed in a recess provided in the vehicle body panel.

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