Lid device

Abstract

The present invention improves reliability.　In a lid device (10), a lid seal member (74) is provided integrally with an opening end of a lid base (50). The lid seal member (74) protrudes outward in the vehicle width direction from the opening end of the lid base (50), abuts the rear surface of a lid panel (60), and is compressed and deformed in the vehicle width direction. Accordingly, a space between the lid base (50) and the lid panel (60) is sealed by the lid seal member (74). Therefore, it is possible to prevent a liquid from entering the inside of the lid base (50) and being stored in the lid base (50). As a result, deformation or the like of the lid (40) can be suppressed. Consequently, the reliability of the lid device (10) can be improved.

Description

Lid device

[0001] The present invention relates to a lid device.

[0002] The lid device of Patent Document 1 below includes a housing provided with a power supply port, a lid (lid body) for opening and closing the housing, and an arm (lid base) for supporting the lid so as to be openable and closable. Specifically, the base end portion of the arm is rotatably supported by the housing, and the back surface of the lid is attached to the tip portion of the arm. In addition, an annular sealing material is provided on the peripheral edge of the housing, and the space between the peripheral edge of the housing and the outer peripheral portion of the lid is sealed by the sealing material. Thereby, in the closed state of the lid, the sealing member suppresses the intrusion of liquids such as rainwater into the housing.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2021-054186

[0004] However, the above lid device has room for improvement in the following points. That is, in the above lid device, although the sealing performance between the lid and the housing in the closed state of the lid is described, the sealing performance between the lid and the arm is not described. Therefore, for example, in the open state of the lid, there is a possibility that a liquid such as rainwater may enter and accumulate between the back surface of the lid and the tip portion of the arm. In this case, the resin lid and arm may absorb the liquid and deform, which may reduce the reliability of the lid device. Therefore, the above lid device has room for improvement in terms of improving reliability.

[0005] In consideration of the above facts, the present invention provides a lid device capable of improving reliability.

[0006] One or more embodiments of the present invention are lid devices comprising: a base provided on the inside of an opening in a vehicle panel; a lid configured to be movable between a closed position that closes the opening and an open position that opens the opening; and an arm that connects the base and the lid and moves the lid between the closed position and the open position by operation, wherein the lid comprises: a lid body that constitutes the surface side portion of the lid; a lid base that constitutes the back side portion of the lid, is formed in a concave shape that opens to the surface side of the lid and is connected to the arm; and a sealing portion that is elastic and compressively deforms in the front-back direction of the lid to seal the space between the opening end of the lid base and the lid body.

[0007] According to one or more embodiments of the present invention, reliability can be improved.

[0008] This is a schematic front view of the lid device according to this embodiment, viewed from the outside in the vehicle width direction. This is a front view showing the lid of the lid device shown in Figure 1 in the open position. This is a cross-sectional view viewed from the rear (section 3-3 in Figure 1) showing the connection between the arm and the lid shown in Figure 1. This is a cross-sectional view viewed from above (section 4-4 in Figure 1) showing the inside of the lid device shown in Figure 1. This is a cross-sectional view viewed from the rear (section 5-5 in Figure 2) showing the connection between the arm and the lid in the lid device shown in Figure 2. This is a perspective view of the lid base shown in Figure 3, viewed from the outside in the vehicle width direction. This is a perspective view of the lid panel shown in Figure 3, viewed from the inside in the vehicle width direction. (A) is a cross-sectional view from above (cross-sectional view along line 8A-8A in Figure 3) showing the engagement state between the panel engagement portion of the lid panel and the base engagement portion of the lid base shown in Figure 3, and (B) is a cross-sectional view from above showing the positional relationship between the panel engagement portion and the base engagement portion when the lid panel of (A) is placed in the non-assembled position.

[0009] The lid device 10 according to this embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. Arrows UP, as shown in the drawings, indicate the upper side of the vehicle (automobile) to which the lid device 10 is applied; arrows FR indicate the front side of the vehicle; and arrows OUT indicate the outer side of the vehicle in the vehicle width direction. In the following description, when using the up / down and front / rear directions, unless otherwise specified, they refer to the up / down and front / rear directions of the vehicle. The front / rear direction corresponds to the orthogonal direction of the present invention.

[0010] As shown in Figures 1 to 5, the lid device 10 is installed on the rear side of the vehicle (in this embodiment, the right side of the vehicle). The lid device 10 consists of a housing 20 as a base, an arm 30, a lid 40, and a sealing mechanism 70. The components of the lid device 10 will be described below.

[0011] (Regarding the housing 20) The housing 20 is provided on the inside in the vehicle width direction of the opening 80A provided in the outer panel 80, which is a panel of the vehicle. The housing 20 has a recess 22 that opens outward in the vehicle width direction (towards the opening 80A). Specifically, the recess 22 is composed of a bottom wall 22A whose thickness direction is in the vehicle width direction, and a cylindrical side wall 22B extending outward in the vehicle width direction from the outer periphery of the bottom wall 22A. The upper and lower side walls 22B are inclined outward in the vertical direction as they are viewed from the front-rear direction and extend outward in the vehicle width direction.

[0012] A receiving hole 22C is formed through the bottom wall 22A of the recess 22, and the receiving hole 22C is formed in a substantially elongated shape with the front-to-back direction as its longitudinal direction. A part of the energy receiving section 82 (see Figure 2) is arranged inside the receiving hole 22C, and the energy receiving section 82 is exposed outward in the vehicle width direction by the receiving hole 22C.

[0013] The bottom wall 22A of the recess 22 has a pair of front and rear link housing sections 22DF and 22DR formed on the outer side in the front-rear direction of the receiving hole 22C for housing the arm 30, which will be described later. The link housing sections 22DF and 22DR are formed in a concave shape that opens outward in the vehicle width direction and extend in the vertical direction. The vertical length of the rear link housing section 22DR is set to be longer than the vertical length of the front link housing section 22DF.

[0014] (Regarding the arm 30) The arm 30 is a mechanism that connects the housing 20 and the lid 40 (described later), and moves the lid 40 between a closed position (the position shown in Figures 1 and 3) and an open position (the position shown in Figures 2 and 5) by operating. The following description will be based on the assumption that the lid 40 is in the closed position. The arm 30 is composed of a drive link 31 as a link and a pair of front and rear driven links 32.

[0015] The drive link 31 is formed in a substantially elongated shape extending in the vertical direction and is bent into a substantially U-shape that opens outward in the vehicle width direction when viewed from the front-rear direction. The drive link 31 is housed in the rear link housing portion 22DR of the housing 20. The lower end (base end) of the drive link 31 is rotatably connected to the housing 20 within the link housing portion 22DR with the front-rear direction as the axial direction. The upper end (tip) of the drive link 31 protrudes outward in the vehicle width direction from the link housing portion 22DR and is rotatably connected to the lid base 50, which will be described later, with the front-rear direction as the axial direction.

[0016] The pair of driven links 32 are formed in a substantially elongated shape extending in the vertical direction and are bent in a substantially crank shape when viewed from the front-rear direction. Specifically, the longitudinal middle portion of the driven link 32 is bent so that the upper end (tip) of the driven link 32 is located outward in the vehicle width direction than the lower end (base) of the driven link 32. The driven links 32 are housed in the link housing portions 22DF and 22DR of the housing 20, respectively. The rear driven link 32 is located outward in the vehicle width direction of the drive link 31.

[0017] The lower end of the driven link 32 is rotatably connected to the housing 20 within the link housings 22DF and 22DR, with the front-rear direction as the axial direction. The upper end of the driven link 32 protrudes outward in the vehicle width direction from the link housings 22DF and 22DR and is rotatably connected to the lid base 50, which will be described later, with the front-rear direction as the axial direction. The pivot axis at the lower end of the front driven link 32 and the pivot axis at the lower end of the rear driven link 32 are arranged coaxially. Furthermore, the pivot axis at the upper end of the front driven link 32 and the pivot axis at the upper end of the rear driven link 32 are arranged coaxially.

[0018] Furthermore, a link connecting portion 33 (see Figures 1 and 4) is provided between the upper ends of the pair of front and rear driven links 32. The link connecting portion 33 extends in the front-rear direction and connects the upper ends of the driven links 32. This allows the pair of driven links 32 to rotate together as a single unit. The arm 30 is configured as a so-called four-bar link, and the operation of the arm 30 causes the lid 40, which will be described later, to move between an open position and a closed position.

[0019] An actuator 34 (see Figures 1, 2, and 4) is connected to the base end of the drive link 31 as a drive unit. The actuator 34 is located behind the drive link 31 and is electrically connected to a control unit (not shown). When the control unit drives the actuator 34, the drive link 31 rotates around its base end, and the arm 30 operates. Specifically, when the drive link 31 rotates in one direction (towards arrow A in Figure 3), the lid 40 is displaced from the closed position outward and downward in the vehicle width direction to move to the open position. Also, when the opening operation of the lid 40 begins, the lid 40 moves from the closed position to approximately outward in the vehicle width direction. In other words, when the closing operation of the lid 40 is completed, the lid 40 moves from just before the closed position to approximately inward in the vehicle width direction and is positioned in the closed position. Alternatively, the actuator 34 may be configured to rotationally drive the driven link 32. Even with this configuration, it is possible to similarly rotationally drive the lid 40 from the open position to the closed position and from the closed position to the open position.

[0020] A switch 35 (see Figures 1, 2, and 4) is provided on the upper side of the actuator 34, behind the drive link 31. The switch 35 is positioned inward in the vehicle width direction relative to the bottom wall 22A of the recess 22 in the housing 20. The switch 35 is a push switch and is electrically connected to the control unit. A switch hole 22E is formed through the bottom wall 22A of the recess 22 to expose the button portion 35A of the switch 35, and the button portion 35A protrudes outward in the vehicle width direction from the switch hole 22E so that it can be pressed. When the button portion 35A is pressed inward in the vehicle width direction, an ON signal is output from the switch 35 to the control unit, and the actuator 34 is driven by the control unit.

[0021] (Regarding the lid 40) The lid 40 is formed as a roughly rectangular plate with the vehicle width direction as the thickness direction. The lid 40 is composed of a lid base 50 which constitutes the inner portion (back side portion) of the lid 40 in the vehicle width direction, and a lid panel 60 which is the lid body which constitutes the outer end (front side portion) of the lid 40 in the vehicle width direction. In other words, the front and back directions of the lid 40 coincide with the vehicle width direction.

[0022] (Regarding the lid base 50) As shown in Figures 3 to 6, the lid base 50 is made of resin. The lid base 50 is formed in the shape of a roughly rectangular box with a relatively shallow bottom that opens outward in the vehicle width direction. A relief recess 51 is formed at the upper end of the bottom wall of the lid base 50. The relief recess 51 is formed in the shape of a recess that opens inward in the vehicle width direction and extends in the front-rear direction. The upper end of the driven link 32 and the link connecting portion 33 described above are arranged in the relief recess 51, and the upper end of the driven link 32 is connected to the front and rear side walls of the relief recess 51 so as to be rotatable in the front-rear direction as the axial direction. At the upper end of the bottom wall of the lid base 50, above the relief recess 51, a pair of front and rear link support pieces 52 (see Figures 3 and 5) are provided (in Figures 3 and 5, only the front link support piece 52 is shown). The link support pieces 52 are arranged with the front-rear direction as the thickness direction and protrude inward from the lid base 50 in the vehicle width direction. The upper end of the aforementioned drive link 31 is positioned between a pair of link support pieces 52 and is rotatably connected to the link support pieces 52 with the front-rear direction as the axial direction. As a result, when the drive link 31 is driven, the lid base 50 (lid 40) moves between the closed position and the open position.

[0023] When the lid 40 is in the closed position, the inner portion of the lid base 50 in the vehicle width direction is positioned within the recess 22 of the housing 20. That is, the outer peripheral portion 50A of the lid base 50 is surrounded by the side wall 22B of the recess 22, and a predetermined gap is formed between the outer peripheral portion 50A and the side wall 22B. When viewed from the circumferential direction of the recess 22, the outer peripheral surface of the lid base 50 is formed to be parallel to the inner peripheral surface of the side wall 22B.

[0024] On the other hand, in the open position of the lid 40, the lid 40 is positioned on the outer and lower side in the vehicle width direction of the housing 20, and also on the outer side in the vehicle width direction of the outer panel 80. Furthermore, in the open position of the lid 40, when viewed from the front-rear direction, the lid 40 extends along a direction that slopes inward in the vehicle width direction as it moves downward.

[0025] As shown in Figures 4 and 6, a switch pressing portion 53 is provided on the bottom wall of the lid base 50 at a position corresponding to the switch 35. The switch pressing portion 53 is formed in a substantially rectangular concave shape that opens outward in the vehicle width direction and protrudes inward in the vehicle width direction from the bottom wall of the lid base 50. A housing portion 53A is formed on the bottom wall of the switch pressing portion 53, opening inward and downward in the vehicle width direction. The housing portion 53A is formed in a substantially inverted T shape when viewed from below. A rubber member 54 made of an elastic material such as rubber or elastomer is housed in the housing portion 53A. The rubber member 54 is formed in a substantially inverted T-shaped block when viewed from below and is exposed inward in the vehicle width direction from the housing portion 53A. A protruding portion 54A is provided on the inner surface of the rubber member 54 in the vehicle width direction, and the protruding portion 54A is positioned adjacent to the outer side in the vehicle width direction of the button portion 35A of the switch 35. Then, when the operator presses the lid 40 in the closed position, it is displaced inward in the vehicle width direction, causing the protruding portion 54A of the switch pressing portion 53 to press against the button portion 35A, and the switch 35 switches from off to on.

[0026] On the inner surface of the switch pressing portion 53 in the vehicle width direction, a pair of front and rear abutment bosses 53B are formed on the outer side in the front-rear direction of the protruding portion 54A. The abutment bosses 53B are formed in a substantially cylindrical shape with the vehicle width direction as the axial direction, and protrude inward in the vehicle width direction from the switch pressing portion 53. The abutment bosses 53B abut against the bottom wall 22A of the housing 20, thereby limiting the inward displacement of the lid 40 in the vehicle width direction after the switch pressing portion 53 presses against the button portion 35A.

[0027] As shown in Figures 3 and 6, multiple (six in this embodiment) base engagement portions 55 are provided on the outer surface of the bottom wall of the lid base 50 in the vehicle width direction. Three of the base engagement portions 55 are arranged at predetermined intervals in the front-rear direction at the upper end of the lid base 50 (above the relief recess 51). The other three base engagement portions 55 are arranged at predetermined intervals in the front-rear direction at the lower end of the lid base 50. The base engagement portions 55 located at the upper end of the lid base 50 and the base engagement portions 55 located at the lower end of the lid base 50 are configured symmetrically. Therefore, the configuration of the base engagement portions 55 will be described below using the base engagement portion 55 located at the upper end of the lid base 50.

[0028] The base engagement portion 55 has a base portion 55A, which is formed in a substantially rectangular plate shape with the vertical direction being the plate thickness direction and the front-rear direction being the longitudinal direction, and protrudes outward in the vehicle width direction from the bottom wall of the lid base 50. A first base engagement wall 55B is provided at the rear of the base portion 55A. The first base engagement wall 55B extends upward from the tip of the base portion 55A with the vehicle width direction being the plate thickness direction. A second base engagement wall 55C is provided at the rear end of the first base engagement wall 55B, extending inward in the vehicle width direction, and the tip of the second base engagement wall 55C is connected to the bottom wall of the lid base 50. The inner surface of the first base engagement wall 55B in the vehicle width direction is the base engagement surface 55D, and the base engagement surface 55D is inclined inward in the vehicle width direction as it approaches the rear side (one side in the front-rear direction) when viewed from the vertical direction (see Figures 8(A) and (B)).

[0029] Multiple (four in this embodiment) first stopper portions 56 are provided on the outer surface of the bottom wall of the lid base 50 in the vehicle width direction. The first stopper portions 56 are formed in a substantially H-shaped block and protrude outward in the vehicle width direction from the bottom wall of the lid base 50. In the lid base 50, two first stopper portions 56 are arranged in pairs at a predetermined interval in the vertical direction, and the upper and lower pair of first stopper portions 56 are located at the front end and rear end of the lid base 50, respectively. Specifically, the pair of first stopper portions 56 located at the front end of the lid base 50 are provided in the middle of the lid base 50 in the vertical direction. At the rear end of the lid base 50, the upper first stopper portion 56 is located adjacent to the upper side of the switch pressing portion 53, and the lower first stopper portion 56 is located above the lower base engaging portion 55.

[0030] As shown in Figure 6, a second stopper portion 57 is provided at the rear end of the outer surface of the bottom wall of the lid base 50 in the vehicle width direction. The second stopper portion 57 is formed in a substantially inverted L-shaped plate when viewed from above. Specifically, the second stopper portion 57 includes a base end portion 57A that is oriented in the front-rear direction as the plate thickness direction and extends outward in the vehicle width direction from the bottom wall of the lid base 50, and a stopper engaging portion 57B that is oriented in the vehicle width direction as the plate thickness direction and extends rearward from the tip of the base end portion 57A. A raised portion 57C is formed at the rear end of the stopper engaging portion 57B, which is raised outward in the vehicle width direction. The stopper engaging portion 57B is configured to be elastically deformable in the vehicle width direction.

[0031] A stopper hole 58 is formed through the bottom wall of the lid base 50 at the rear side of the base end 57A of the second stopper portion 57. The stopper hole 58 is formed in a substantially trapezoidal shape that extends in the vertical direction, and the stopper hole 58 allows the stopper engaging portion 57B of the second stopper portion 57 to be visible from the back side of the lid 40. In order to ensure the waterproofness of the lid 40, the stopper hole 58 is covered by a concealing seal (not shown) attached to the back surface of the lid base 50.

[0032] (Regarding the lid panel 60) As shown in Figures 1 to 5 and Figure 7, the lid panel 60 is made of resin. The lid panel 60 is formed in a substantially rectangular plate shape with the vehicle width direction as the plate thickness direction. The lid panel 60 is positioned on the outside of the lid base 50 in the vehicle width direction and is assembled to the lid base 50 so as to close the opening of the lid base 50 (hereinafter, this position is shown in Figures 1 to 5, and this position of the lid panel 60 is called the assembly position). At the assembly position of the lid panel 60, there is a relatively narrow gap between the inner surface (back surface) of the lid panel 60 in the vehicle width direction and the opening end of the lid base 50.

[0033] As shown in Figures 3 and 7, the back surface of the lid panel 60 is provided with six panel engagement portions 61, which serve as engagement portions, at positions corresponding to the base engagement portions 55 of the lid base 50. Specifically, three panel engagement portions 61 are arranged at predetermined intervals in the front-rear direction at the upper end of the lid panel 60, and the other three panel engagement portions 61 are arranged at predetermined intervals in the front-rear direction at the lower end of the lid panel 60. The panel engagement portions 61 located at the lower end of the lid panel 60 and the panel engagement portions 61 located at the upper end of the lid panel 60 are configured symmetrically. Therefore, the configuration of the panel engagement portions 61 will be explained using the panel engagement portion 61 located at the lower end of the lid panel 60.

[0034] The panel engagement portion 61 has a base portion 61A, which is formed in a substantially rectangular plate shape with the vertical direction as the plate thickness direction and the front-rear direction as the longitudinal direction, and extends inward in the vehicle width direction from the back surface of the lid panel 60. A panel engagement wall 61B is provided at the front of the base portion 61A. The panel engagement wall 61B extends upward from the tip of the base portion 61A with the vehicle width direction as the plate thickness direction. The outer surface of the panel engagement wall 61B in the vehicle width direction is the panel engagement surface 61C, and the panel engagement surface 61C, like the base engagement surface 55D, is inclined inward in the vehicle width direction as it is viewed from above and heads towards the rear (see Figures 8(A) and (B)).

[0035] In the lid 40, the lid panel 60 is assembled to the lid base 50 by sliding it from a non-assembled position (shown in Figure 8(B)) that is shifted forward relative to the assembly position, to the rear (one side in the front-rear direction). In the assembled position of the lid panel 60, the panel engagement wall 61B of the lid panel 60 is inserted from the front into the inward side in the vehicle width direction of the first base engagement wall 55B of the lid base 50, and the panel engagement surface 61C and the base engagement surface 55D are in contact with each other (see Figure 8(A)). This restricts the outward movement of the lid panel 60 relative to the lid base 50 in the vehicle width direction in the assembled position. In addition, in the assembled position of the lid panel 60, the first stopper portion 56 of the lid base 50 contacts the back surface of the lid panel 60, restricting the movement of the lid panel 60 to the back side (see Figure 3). In other words, the first stopper portion 56 is configured to function as a positioning portion for the lid panel 60 in the vehicle width direction.

[0036] Furthermore, in the assembled position of the lid panel 60, the panel engagement wall 61B is positioned adjacent to the front side of the second base engagement wall 55C of the lid base 50, restricting the rearward movement of the lid panel 60 (see Figure 8(A)). In addition, although not shown in the figures, in the assembled position of the lid panel 60, the panel engagement wall 61B is positioned adjacent to the vertically outward side of the base portion 55A of the lid base 50, restricting the vertical movement of the lid base 50.

[0037] As shown in Figure 7, a restricting section 62 is provided on the back surface of the lid panel 60. The restricting section 62 is composed of a restricting piece 62A and three restricting ribs 62B. The restricting piece 62A is formed in a substantially rectangular plate shape with the front-to-back direction as the plate thickness direction and the up-to-down direction as the longitudinal direction, and protrudes inward from the lid panel 60 in the vehicle width direction. The restricting ribs 62B are formed in a substantially trapezoidal plate shape with the up-to-down direction as the plate thickness direction, and extend to the rear from both ends and the middle part in the up-to-down direction of the restricting piece 62A.

[0038] In the assembled position of the lid panel 60, the tip of the restricting piece 62A is positioned adjacent to the rear side of the stopper engaging portion 57B of the second stopper portion 57 on the lid base 50, and the restricting piece 62A and the stopper engaging portion 57B are engaged in the front-rear direction. As a result, the forward movement of the lid panel 60 is restricted in the assembled position. When the lid panel 60 slides from the non-assembled position to the assembled position, the restricting rib 62B presses against the raised portion 57C of the second stopper portion 57, causing the stopper engaging portion 57B to elastically deform inward in the vehicle width direction. Then, as the restricting portion 62 overcomes the raised portion 57C, the stopper engaging portion 57B elastically deforms outward in the vehicle width direction, causing the second stopper portion 57 and the restricting portion 62 to engage. Furthermore, by releasing the engagement between the second stopper portion 57 and the restricting portion 62 through the aforementioned stopper hole 58, the lid panel 60 is permitted to slide forward relative to the lid base 50.

[0039] In the assembled position of the lid panel 60, the outer periphery of the lid panel 60 is positioned outside the lid base 50. That is, both vertical ends of the lid panel 60 protrude outward in the vertical direction relative to the lid base 50, and both front-to-rear ends of the lid panel 60 protrude outward in the front-to-rear direction relative to the lid base 50.

[0040] (Regarding the sealing mechanism 70) The sealing mechanism 70 includes an outer sealing member 72 that seals the space between the outer periphery of the lid panel 60 and the housing 20, and a lid sealing member 74 that serves as a sealing portion that seals the space between the lid panel 60 and the open end of the lid base 50.

[0041] As shown in Figures 3, 4, and 6, the outer sealing member 72 is made of an elastic material such as rubber or elastomer. The outer sealing member 72 is formed in a substantially rectangular annular (frame-like) shape when viewed from the vehicle width direction and is integrally provided on the outer peripheral portion 50A of the lid base 50 in the lid 40. Specifically, the outer sealing member 72 protrudes from the inner end in the vehicle width direction of the outer peripheral portion 50A of the lid base 50 toward the side wall 22B of the recess 22 in the housing 20, and is positioned between the side wall 22B of the housing 20 and the lid base 50, surrounding the lid base 50 (its outer peripheral portion 50A).

[0042] The outer sealing member 72 is formed in a plate shape with its thickness generally in the vehicle width direction when viewed from the circumferential direction of the lid base 50, and it is curved outward in the vehicle width direction as it approaches the side wall 22B of the recess 22. Specifically, the outer sealing member 72 is curved in a substantially arc shape that is convex toward the side wall 22B and inward in the vehicle width direction when viewed from the circumferential direction of the lid base 50. The tip of the outer sealing member 72 abuts against the side wall 22B of the recess 22 and is pressed toward the outer peripheral portion 50A of the lid base 50 by the side wall 22B, causing the outer sealing member 72 to elastically deform toward the outer peripheral portion 50A of the lid base 50. As a result, the tip of the outer sealing member 72 is pressed against the side wall 22B, and the space between the lid 40 and the recess 22 of the housing 20 is sealed by the outer sealing member 72.

[0043] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 6, the lid seal member 74 is made of an elastic material such as rubber or elastomer, similar to the outer seal member 72. The lid seal member 74 is formed in a substantially rectangular ring shape (frame shape) when viewed in the vehicle width direction, and is integrally provided at the opening end portion of the lid base 50 (the outer end portion in the vehicle width direction of the outer peripheral portion 50A). The lid seal member 74 projects outward in the vehicle width direction from the opening end portion of the lid base 50 and is disposed in the gap between the opening end portion of the lid base 50 and the lid panel 60. Seal protrusions 74A are formed on the front end surface of the lid seal member 74 (the surface facing the back surface of the lid panel 60), and the seal protrusions 74A are formed in a substantially triangular shape that protrudes outward in the vehicle width direction when viewed in the circumferential direction of the lid seal member 74. Then, the seal protrusions 74A are pressed by the lid panel 60 and are compressed and deformed in the vehicle width direction (in FIG. 3, the state before the seal protrusions 74A are compressed and deformed is shown by a two-dot chain line). Thereby, the lid seal member 74 seals the gap between the opening end portion of the lid base 50 and the back surface of the lid panel 60 over the entire circumference in the circumferential direction of the opening end portion of the lid base 50.

[0044] (Operation and Effect) Next, the operation and effect of this embodiment will be described.

[0045] In the lid device 10 configured as described above, at the closed position of the lid 40, the opening 80A of the outer panel 80 is closed by the lid panel 60 of the lid 40. Also, at the closed position of the lid 40, the lid base 50 is inserted into the recess 22 of the housing 20, and the tip portion of the outer seal member 72 abuts against the side wall 22B of the recess 22 of the housing 20, and the outer seal member 72 is elastically deformed toward the outer peripheral portion 50A side of the lid base 50. Thereby, the outer seal member 72 seals between the recess 22 and the lid 40, and as a result, it is possible to suppress the intrusion of liquid such as rainwater into the recess 22 of the housing 20 by the outer seal member 72 at the closed position of the lid 40.

[0046] To open the opening 80A of the outer panel 80, the actuator 34 rotates the drive link 31 to one side in the rotational direction, thereby activating the arm 30. Specifically, the operator presses on the area around the rear upper corner of the lid panel 60. This causes the drive link 31 and driven link 32 of the arm 30 to bend and deform, displacing the lid 40 inward in the vehicle width direction, and the switch pressing portion 53 of the lid 40 presses the button portion 35A of the switch 35. This causes the switch 35 to output an ON signal to the control unit, which drives the actuator 34. When the actuator 34 is driven, the drive link 31 rotates to one side in the rotational direction, and the lid 40 is positioned in the open position. Specifically, the lid 40 is positioned on the outer side in the vehicle width direction of the outer panel 80 below the opening 80A.

[0047] In this configuration, when the lid 40 is in the open position, the entire lid 40 is positioned on the outside of the outer panel 80 in the vehicle width direction. As a result, the underside of the lid 40 is also exposed to liquids such as rainwater. The lid 40 is composed of a lid panel 60 which constitutes the surface portion of the lid 40 and a lid base 50 which constitutes the underside portion of the lid 40, with the lid panel 60 being assembled to the lid base 50. Therefore, when the lid 40 is in the open position, there is a risk that liquids such as rainwater may seep between the lid panel 60 and the lid base 50. Furthermore, even when the lid is in the closed position, depending on the sealing position of the sealing member between the lid 40 and the housing 20, there is a risk that liquids such as rainwater may seep between the lid panel 60 and the lid base 50.

[0048] Here, a lid seal member 74 is integrally provided at the opening end of the lid base 50. The lid seal member 74 protrudes outward in the vehicle width direction from the opening end of the lid base 50, abuts against the back surface of the lid panel 60, and is compressed and deformed in the vehicle width direction. Thereby, the space between the lid base 50 and the lid panel 60 is sealed by the lid seal member 74. Thus, it is possible to suppress liquid such as rainwater from entering the inside of the lid base 50 and accumulating therein, and as a result, deformation of the lid 40 and the like can be suppressed. Therefore, the reliability of the lid device 10 can be improved.

[0049] Also, in the lid 40, the lid panel 60 is assembled to the lid base 50 by sliding from the non-assembled position to the rear assembled position. That is, the lid panel 60 is slid with respect to the lid base 50 in the direction (front-rear direction) orthogonal to the direction in which the lid seal member 74 is compressed and deformed, whereby the lid panel 60 is assembled to the lid base 50. Therefore, it is possible to ensure the sealing performance of the lid 40 while suppressing damage to the lid panel 60 when assembling the lid panel 60.

[0050] That is, for example, in the lid 40, a method of ensuring the sealing performance of the lid 40 by omitting the lid seal member and making the opening end of the lid base 50 adhere to the back surface of the lid panel 60 is also conceivable. In this structure, when the lid panel 60 is assembled, the back surface of the lid panel 60 slides on the opening end of the lid base 50, so there is a possibility that the back surface of the lid panel 60 may be damaged. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, an elastic lid seal member 74 is provided at the opening end of the lid base 50. Therefore, when the lid panel 60 is assembled, the back surface of the lid panel 60 slides on the elastic lid seal member 74, so damage to the back surface of the lid panel 60 can be suppressed. As described above, it is possible to ensure the sealing performance of the lid 40 while suppressing damage to the lid panel 60 when assembling the lid panel 60. Even when the lid base 50 is configured to be rotationally slid and assembled with respect to the lid panel 60, the same effect can be obtained.

[0051] Furthermore, the lid base 50 is provided with a first stopper portion 56, which contacts the back surface of the lid panel 60, restricting the movement of the lid panel 60 inward in the vehicle width direction (towards the lid base 50). This allows the lid panel 60 to slide from the unassembled position to the assembled position while the position of the lid panel 60 relative to the lid base 50 in the vehicle width direction is determined by the first stopper portion 56. In addition, since the position of the lid panel 60 relative to the lid base 50 in the vehicle width direction is determined by the first stopper portion 56, excessive compression deformation of the lid seal member 74 during assembly of the lid panel 60 can be suppressed. Therefore, damage to the lid seal member 74 during assembly of the lid panel 60 can be suppressed.

[0052] Furthermore, in the lid device 10, pressing the lid 40 in the closed position toward the rear side causes the lid 40 to displace inward in the vehicle width direction, and the switch pressing portion 53 of the lid 40 presses the button portion 35A of the switch 35. This suppresses the generation of abnormal noises during the pressing operation on the lid 40. That is, for example, when pressing the lid 40 in the closed position, the outer periphery of the lid panel 60 may bend and deform toward the rear side due to the pressing force. Here, if the lid base 50 were to omit the lid seal member 74, the outer periphery of the lid panel 60 that bends and deforms toward the rear side may come into contact with the opening end of the lid base 50, potentially generating abnormal noises. In contrast, in this embodiment, since the lid seal member 74 is provided between the lid panel 60 and the opening end of the lid base 50, the lid seal member 74 functions as a buffer, preventing direct interference between the lid panel 60 and the lid base 50. Therefore, even if the outer periphery of the lid panel 60 bends and deforms toward the back side during the pressing operation on the lid 40, the generation of abnormal noises and other issues during the pressing operation on the lid 40 can be suppressed.

[0053] Furthermore, in the lid base 50, one first stopper portion 56 is positioned adjacent to the upper side of the switch pressing portion 53. Therefore, even if the area around the switch pressing portion 53 on the lid 40 is pressed by excessive pressing force (operating force), damage to the lid seal member 74 can be suppressed. In other words, when pressing the lid 40, mainly the area around the switch pressing portion 53 is pressed. At this time, if the area around the switch pressing portion 53 is pressed by excessive pressing force (operating force), the abutment boss 53B of the lid 40 comes into contact with the bottom wall 22A of the housing 20, restricting the movement of the lid 40 to the back side. Therefore, due to this pressing force, the lid panel 60 may elastically deform toward the back side (inward in the vehicle width direction) and crush the lid seal member 74. In contrast, in this embodiment, since the first stopper portion 56 is positioned adjacent to the upper side of the switch pressing portion 53, the first stopper portion 56 can suppress elastic deformation of the lid panel 60 toward the back side. As a result, the transmission of the pressing force (operating force) applied to the lid 40 to the lid seal member 74 can be suppressed. Therefore, even if the area around the switch pressing portion 53 on the lid 40 is pressed by excessive pressing force (operating force), damage to the lid seal member 74 can be suppressed.

[0054] In this embodiment, the first stopper portion 56 is provided on the lid base 50, but the first stopper portion 56 may also be provided on the back surface of the lid panel 60, or it may be provided on both the lid base 50 and the lid panel 60.

[0055] Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the invention.

[0056] 10 Lid device 20 Housing (base) 30 Arm 31 Drive link (link) 34 Actuator (drive unit) 35 Switch 40 Lid 50 Lid base 53 Switch pressing part 55 Base engaging part (engaged part) 56 First stopper part (stopper part) 60 Lid panel (lid body) 61 Panel engaging part (engaged part) 74 Lid seal member (seal part) 80 Outer panel (panel) 80A Opening

Claims

1. A lid device comprising: a base provided on the inside of an opening in a vehicle panel; a lid configured to be movable between a closed position that closes the opening and an open position that opens the opening; and an arm that connects the base and the lid and moves the lid between the closed position and the open position by operation, wherein the lid comprises: a lid body that constitutes the surface side portion of the lid; a lid base that constitutes the back side portion of the lid, is formed in a concave shape that opens to the surface side of the lid and is connected to the arm; and a sealing portion that is elastic and compresses and deforms in the front-back direction of the lid to seal the space between the opening end of the lid base and the lid body.

2. The lid device according to claim 1, wherein the lid body is assembled to the lid base by sliding it from a non-assembled position to an assembly position on one side in an orthogonal direction perpendicular to the front-back direction.

3. The lid device according to claim 2, wherein the lid body is provided with an engaging portion configured to engage with the lid base, the lid base is provided with an engaged portion configured to engage with the engaging portion, and in the assembled position, the engaged portion engages with the engaging portion in the front-to-back direction, thereby restricting the movement of the lid body on the front-to-back side relative to the lid base.

4. The lid device according to claim 1, wherein the arm comprises a link connecting the base and the lid, a drive unit provided on the base that operates the link when driven, and a switch provided on the base that drives the drive unit when pressed, and the lid base is provided with a switch pressing unit that presses the switch, and the switch is pressed by the switch pressing unit when the lid is pushed to the back side.

5. The lid device according to claim 4, wherein one of the lid body and the lid base is provided with a stopper portion, and the stopper portion abuts against the other of the lid body and the lid base to restrict the movement of the lid body toward the rear side.

6. The lid device according to claim 5, wherein the stopper portion is arranged adjacent to the switch pressing portion.

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