JP7740140B2 - Lid device for vehicle - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a vehicle lid device.

Vehicle lid devices mounted on vehicles are known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). This vehicle lid device uses a lid to open and close an opening in a base body. The opening in the base body can be, for example, a vehicle body entrance/exit through which vehicle occupants enter and exit the interior of the vehicle, a fuel filler or charging port for supplying energy to the vehicle, or an opening that exposes to the outside of the vehicle a storage space that houses a door handle located at the rear of the vehicle body. The lid can be, for example, a sliding door that opens and closes the vehicle body entrance/exit, or a charging lid, fuel filler lid, or panel cover that opens and closes the above-mentioned opening. The lid opens and closes between a closed position that closes the opening in the base body and an open position that opens the opening, driven by a driving force such as a motor.

In order to prevent water and other liquids from entering the storage space inside the vehicle from outside the vehicle when the lid is in the closed position, it is possible to provide a sealing member such as an annular gasket that seals between the base and the lid. Meanwhile, in the lid device described in Patent Document 1 above, the lid moves relative to the base at a position deeper in the vehicle body than the opening, opening and closing the lid. When the above-mentioned sealing member is applied to this lid device, the sealing member seals between the back side of the base and the front side of the lid when the lid is in the closed position.

Special table 2019-512623 publication

However, in a structure where a seal member is interposed between the back side of the base body and the front side of the lid when the lid is in the closed position, even when the lid is in the closed position, liquid can enter from outside the vehicle through the gap between the base body and the lid and reach the seal member behind the opening. This liquid can then flow downward along the annular seal member, potentially leaving liquid in the lower part of the seal member (particularly at the bottom end). When the lid is opened from the closed position in this state, liquid remaining around the seal member behind the opening can flow down and enter the storage space, potentially causing dirt to adhere to the inner walls of the storage space or liquid to adhere to the charging port inside the storage space.

The present invention was made in consideration of these points, and aims to provide a vehicle lid device that can prevent liquid that has entered the back of the opening through the gap between the base and the lid when the lid is in the closed position from entering the storage space when the lid is opened.

One aspect of the present invention is a vehicle lid device comprising: a base having an opening that exposes a storage space at the rear of the vehicle body to the outside of the vehicle body; a lid that opens and closes between a closed position that closes the opening and an open position that opens the opening by moving relative to the base at a position rearward of the opening through the operation of an opening/closing mechanism; and a sealing member that seals between the rear side of the base and the front side of the lid when the lid is in the closed position; the base has a drainage channel that extends along the periphery of the opening on the rear side of the periphery of the opening in the base, and the drainage channel guides liquid that has entered the rear side of the opening through a gap formed between the base and the lid when the lid is in the closed position to the outside of the storage space.

This configuration prevents liquid that has entered the back of the opening through the gap between the base and the lid when the lid is closed from entering the storage space when the lid is opened.

1 is a perspective view of a vehicle lid device according to an embodiment of the present invention in a lid closed position. 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle lid device according to an embodiment of the present invention in a lid open position; 1 is a front view of a base body and a lid provided in a vehicle lid device of the present embodiment, seen from outside a vehicle body. 2 is a perspective cross-sectional view of a main part of a base body provided in the vehicle lid device of the present embodiment. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a base body and a lid provided in a vehicle lid device of the present embodiment, seen from inside a vehicle body. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the vehicle lid device of the present embodiment taken along line VI-VI shown in FIG. 1 in a lid closed position. 7 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a main part of the vehicle lid device of the present embodiment taken along line VII-VII shown in FIG. 1 with the lid in a closed position. 8 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a main part of the vehicle lid device of the present embodiment taken along line VIII-VIII shown in FIG. 1 with the lid in a closed position. 10 is a diagram illustrating a state in which liquid accumulates in a reservoir of a discharge path when the lid is in a closed position in the vehicle lid device of the present embodiment. FIG. 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating a state in which liquid accumulated in a reservoir is discharged to the outside of an accommodation space in the vehicle lid device of the present embodiment. 7 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a main portion of a vehicle lid device according to a first modified embodiment of the present invention, taken along line VII-VII shown in FIG. 1, with the lid in a closed position. 8 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a main part of a vehicle lid device according to a first modified embodiment taken along line VIII-VIII shown in FIG. 1 in a lid closed position. 8 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a main part of a vehicle lid device according to a first modified embodiment, taken along line VIII-VIII shown in FIG. 1, with the lid positioned at a position deeper in the vehicle body than the lid closed position. FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a vehicle lid device according to a second modified embodiment of the present invention in a lid closed position. 15 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a main portion of a vehicle lid device of a second modified embodiment taken along line XV-XV shown in FIG. 14 in a lid closed position. 16 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a main portion of a vehicle lid device of a second modified embodiment taken along line XVI-XVI shown in FIG. 14 in a lid closed position.

Specific embodiments of a vehicle lid device according to the present invention will be described below with reference to Figures 1 to 16.

In one embodiment, the vehicle lid device 1 is a device that opens and closes a lid that can open and close a vehicle body opening provided in a vehicle. The vehicle lid device 1 is installed in vehicles such as gasoline vehicles, diesel vehicles, electric vehicles, and hybrid vehicles.

As shown in Figures 1 and 2, a vehicle has a body surface 2, such as the left and right sides, front and rear of the vehicle. The body surface 2 may be an outer panel of the vehicle, a vehicle door panel, or a hood. The body surface 2 has a body opening 2a. The body opening 2a is a hole that penetrates the body surface 2 in the front-to-back direction, i.e., in the inward-to-outward direction.

The vehicle body opening 2a may be, for example, a supply port that supplies energy to the vehicle, an opening for accessing a door handle that opens the vehicle door, an entrance/exit for vehicle occupants to enter and exit the interior space of the vehicle, or an opening in the vehicle ceiling. Hereinafter, in this embodiment, the vehicle body opening 2a will be referred to as an opening for accessing a supply port, as appropriate.

The supply port is a fuel filler port for refueling or a charging port for charging the battery. The supply port is positioned so that it is exposed to the outside of the vehicle body through the vehicle body opening 2a when the lid is in the open position. The supply port is provided at one end of a fuel filler pipe or an electric wire. The other end of this fuel filler pipe or electric wire is connected to a fuel tank or battery located at the rear of the vehicle body (i.e., inside the vehicle body). When the cap is open, a fuel gun or charging gun for supplying energy can be connected to the supply port. The supply port may be covered with a cap that can be opened and closed manually by the operator to protect it from dust and water.

As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the vehicle lid device 1 comprises a base body 10, a lid 20, a seal member 30, and an opening/closing mechanism 40. The vehicle lid device 1 is a so-called dive-type lid device that pushes the lid 20 toward the rear of the vehicle body beyond the vehicle body surface portion 2 when opening the lid 20 from the closed position to the open position, and stores the lid 20 in a storage space on the rear side of the vehicle body of the base body 10 when the lid 20 is in the open position. Note that, below, directions (e.g., left and right) and positions are indicated based on the lid 20 viewed from the front side of the vehicle body toward the rear side of the vehicle body.

The base 10 is a member having an opening. The base 10 may be a box body having a storage space, a plate body (e.g., a ceiling) or a frame body (e.g., a pillar) with a storage space formed on the far side through the opening, etc. Hereinafter, in this embodiment, the base 10 will be referred to as a box body that houses a supply port, as appropriate.

The base body 10 is disposed on the vehicle body surface 2, on the rear side of the vehicle body opening 2a. As shown in Figures 3, 4, and 5, the base body 10 has a base body main body 11, a cover 12, a storage space 13, and an opening 14. The base body 10 is attached to the vehicle body surface 2 so that the opening 14 faces, for example, horizontally or slightly diagonally upward from the horizontal.

As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the base body 11 is composed of a bottom wall 11a and a peripheral wall 11b. The bottom wall 11a is a wall portion that extends like a plate. The bottom wall 11a is formed, for example, in a rectangular shape. The bottom wall 11a is arranged so as to fit along the back surface of the vehicle body surface 2. The peripheral wall 11b is a side wall portion that stands upright from the peripheral edge of the bottom wall 11a. The peripheral wall 11b is arranged so as to surround the bottom wall 11a. The peripheral wall 11b has, for example, four sides.

The cover portion 12 is a portion that covers the front opening of the base body portion 11 that faces the bottom wall portion 11a. The cover portion 12 is arranged on the vehicle body front side of the base body portion 11 so as to contact the vehicle body front end portion of the peripheral wall portion 11b. The cover portion 12 is a wall portion that extends like a plate. The cover portion 12 is formed, for example, in a rectangular shape. The cover portion 12 is attached to the base body portion 11 by screw fastening or fitting. The base body portion 11 and the cover portion 12 house or secure the components of the opening/closing mechanism 40. Furthermore, the cover portion 12 forms a guide rail 45 (described below) of the opening/closing mechanism 40 between itself and the base body portion 11.

The storage space 13 is a space surrounded by the bottom wall portion 11a and the peripheral wall portion 11b, and is further surrounded by the cover portion 12. The storage space 13 accommodates a supply port. The storage space 13 is formed to match the size of the lid 20. Specifically, the storage space 13 is formed so that its left-to-right width is larger than the left-to-right width of the lid 20 and its vertical width is approximately twice the vertical width of the lid 20 (see Figures 2, 4, and 6).

The bottom wall portion 11a has a communication hole 11c. The communication hole 11c is a passage that connects the storage space 13 with the rear side of the bottom wall portion 11a, and is a through-hole that allows a fuel filler pipe or electrical wires to run through and accommodate the supply port in the storage space 13. The communication hole 11c is located in the lower center of the bottom wall portion 11a.

The opening 14 exposes the storage space 13 to the outside of the vehicle body. The opening 14 is provided in the lower part of the side of the base body 11 opposite the bottom wall 11a across the storage space 13 (specifically, the cover 12). The opening 14 is arranged to communicate with the vehicle body opening 2a. That is, the base 10 is positioned on the vehicle body surface 2 so that the opening 14 communicates with the vehicle body opening 2a. The opening 14 is formed in a shape and size that matches the vehicle body opening 2a. The opening 14 is formed to be the same size as or larger than the size of the vehicle body opening 2a. The base 10 is arranged so that the vehicle body opening 2a fits within the area of the opening 14. The opening 14 exposes the storage space 13 to the outside of the vehicle body through the vehicle body opening 2a.

The opening 14 is opened and closed by the lid 20. The opening 14 is closed when the lid 20 is in the closed position and is open when the lid 20 is not in the closed position. When open, the opening 14 exposes the supply port in the storage space 13 to the outside of the vehicle body. When the supply port is housed in the storage space 13 and the lid 20 is in the open position, the supply port is exposed to the outside of the vehicle body through the opening 14 and the vehicle body opening 2a.

The lid 20 is a cover member that covers the opening 14 of the base body 10, and therefore the vehicle body opening 2a. The lid 20 can be opened and closed between a closed position (specifically, a fully closed position) that closes the opening 14 and an open position (specifically, a fully open position) that opens the opening 14. The lid 20 is supported so that it can move relative to the base body 10. In the open position, the lid 20 is housed within the housing space 13 of the base body 10. The lid 20 may be a fuel filler lid, a charging lid, a panel cover, a sliding door, a sunroof door, or the like. Hereinafter, in this embodiment, the lid 20 will be referred to as a fuel filler lid or a charging lid, as appropriate.

As shown in Figure 4, the lid 20 is formed in a plate shape. The lid 20 is formed in a shape (e.g., rectangular or circular) and size that matches the opening 14. When the lid 20 is in the closed position, the lid 20 closes the opening 14 so that it is flush with the periphery of the opening 14 in the base main body 11 and the vehicle body surface 2. The surface of the lid 20 may be curved to match the surface shape of the vehicle body surface 2. The lid 20 has a lid main body 21, a lid frame 22, and support protrusions 23.

The lid main body 21 is a plate-like portion that forms a plate surface that closes the opening 14. The lid main body 21 may be formed by assembling multiple parts. The lid frame 22 is an annular frame-like portion that forms the outer edge of the lid 20. The lid frame 22 is arranged to surround the outer edge of the lid main body 21. The lid main body 21 and the lid frame 22 are assembled to each other and integrated with each other by screw fastening or fitting and fixing. The surface of the lid main body 21 protrudes toward the vehicle body surface side more than the surface of the lid frame 22. The lid 20 is arranged so that the surface of the lid main body 21 is flush with the surface of the vehicle body surface 2 when the lid 20 is closed.

The overall size of the lid 20, i.e., the size of the outer edge of the lid frame portion 22, is larger than the size of the opening 14. On the other hand, the size of the portion of the lid main body portion 21 that protrudes toward the vehicle body surface is slightly smaller than the size of the opening 14. When the lid 20 is in the closed position, a gap 4 is formed between the outer edge of the portion of the lid main body portion 21 that protrudes toward the vehicle body surface and the periphery of the opening 14 in the cover portion 12 (see Figures 7 and 8).

The support protrusions 23 are protruding members that extend in the left-right direction. The support protrusions 23 are integrated with the lid frame body 22. For example, two support protrusions 23 are provided on each of the left and right sides of the lid frame body 22, one at the top and one at the bottom (four in total; see Figure 4). The other end of each support protrusion 23 is movably supported by a guide rail 45 (described below) of the opening/closing mechanism 40. The lid 20 can slide relative to the base body 10 as the support protrusions 23 move along the guide rails 45 provided on the base body 10.

The sealing member 30 is a member that seals between the base body 10 and the lid 20 when the lid 20 is in the closed position. The sealing member 30 prevents liquid from entering the storage space 13 from outside the vehicle through the gap 4 when the lid 20 is in the closed position, and also suppresses abnormal noises that may occur due to direct contact between the base body 10 and the lid 20 when the lid 20 closes the opening 14 during the closing operation, or when the vehicle vibrates while the lid 20 is in the closed position with the opening 14 closed. The sealing member 30 is made of rubber or resin that has flexibility, resilience, and elasticity. The sealing member 30 is, for example, a gasket or packing such as an O-ring.

The sealing member 30 is formed in a ring shape so as to surround the outer edge of the lid 20. The sealing member 30 is attached to the front side of the lid frame 22. The sealing member 30 may also be attached to the rear side of the vehicle, around the periphery of the opening 14 in the cover 12. When the lid 20 is in the closed position, the sealing member 30 is interposed between the rear side of the cover 12 and the front side of the lid frame 22.

The opening/closing mechanism 40 is a mechanism that moves the lid 20 relative to the base body 10 to open and close the lid 20 between a closed position and an open position. The opening/closing mechanism 40 is interposed between the base body 10 and the lid 20. As shown in Figures 3, 4, and 5, the opening/closing mechanism 40 has a motor 41, a gear shaft 42, a rack gear (not shown), and a guide rail 45. The opening/closing mechanism 40 opens and closes the lid 20 using the driving force of the motor 41. Note that the opening/closing mechanism 40 may open and close the lid 20 by manually operating a wire by an operator such as a vehicle occupant, together with or instead of the motor 41.

The motor 41 is a device that generates a driving force to open and close the lid 20. The motor 41 generates a driving force in response to an electrical command from, for example, a controller (not shown). This controller drives the motor 41 in response to a command to open or close the lid 20 from an operator or the like. The drive shaft of the motor 41 is connected to the gear shaft 42.

The gear shaft 42 is an axial member that rotates around an axis of rotation extending along the rear surface of the cover portion 12. The gear shaft 42 is rotated by the drive of the motor 41. The gear shaft 42 is rotatably supported on the base 10 (specifically, the base main body portion 11). The gear shaft 42 is located further back in the vehicle body than the cover portion 12 (specifically, within the storage space 13). The gear shaft 42 is located near the vertical center of the storage space 13. The rotation axis of the gear shaft 42 extends in the left-right direction along the rear surface of the vehicle body on the rear side of the cover portion 12. The gear shaft 42 has a rotary gear 42a, which is a circular gear. The rotary gear 42a is provided at each of both axial ends of the gear shaft 42.

The rack gear meshes with the rotary gear 42a. The rotary gear 42a and the rack gear form a rack-and-pinion gear. The rack gear is provided on the lid 20. The rack gear is formed on the back surface of the lid 20 so that its teeth protrude toward the rear of the vehicle body. The rack gear extends in the vertical direction on the back surface of the lid 20. A rack gear is provided on each of the left and right ends of the back surface of the lid 20.

The lid 20 opens and closes when the gear shaft 42 rotates with the rack gear meshing with the rotary gear 42a. Specifically, the lid 20 opens from the closed position to the open position when the gear shaft 42 rotates in one direction, and closes from the open position to the closed position when the gear shaft 42 rotates in the other direction. Furthermore, the lid 20 slides along the front-to-back direction of the vehicle body near the closed position, and slides vertically along the back surface of the vehicle body at other times. The vertical sliding of the lid 20 may be along a direction slightly inclined relative to the vertical direction, or along an arc-shaped curve.

The guide rail 45 is a rail that moves the lid 20 relative to the base body 10. The guide rail 45 is a guide hole groove that guides the support protrusion 23 of the lid 20. The guide rail 45 is provided on the base body 10. The guide rail 45 is formed in a concave shape between the base body body 11 and the cover part 12 by attaching the cover part 12 to the base body body 11. The guide rail 45 is located at each of the left and right ends of the storage space 13.

The guide rail 45 may be formed by having pre-formed portions on the base body 11 and the cover 12 facing each other in the front-to-back direction of the vehicle body, or by two columnar guide-forming members separate from the base body 11 and the cover 12 being fitted into the accommodation space 13 of the base body 11 so as to face each other in the front-to-back direction of the vehicle body and being integrated into the base 10.

The guide rails 45 are formed so that the support protrusions 23 of the lid 20 move in the front-to-back direction of the vehicle body relative to the base 10 when the lid 20 is in the closed position, and so that the support protrusions 23 of the lid 20 move in the direction along the back side of the vehicle body (specifically, in the up-and-down direction) relative to the base 10 when the lid 20 is not in the closed position.

The vehicle lid device 1 described above is provided with a seal member 30 that seals between the base 10 and the lid 20 to prevent liquid from entering the storage space 13 inside the vehicle from outside the vehicle when the lid 20 is in the closed position. The seal member 30 is interposed between the back side of the cover portion 12 and the front side of the lid frame portion 22 when the lid 20 is in the closed position. With this structure, even when the lid 20 is in the closed position, liquid may enter the seal member 30 from outside the vehicle through the gap 4. This liquid may flow downward along the annular seal member 30, and may remain in the lower portion of the seal member 30.

In the vehicle lid device 1, the base body 10 has a drainage channel 15, as shown in Figures 7, 8, 9, and 10. The drainage channel 15 is a passage or groove that guides liquid that has entered the gap 4 formed between the base body 10 and the lid 20 to the rear side of the opening 14 when the lid 20 is in the closed position, to the outside of the storage space 13. The drainage channel 15 is formed on the back side of the periphery of the opening 14 in the base body 10 (specifically, the cover portion 12) and extends along the periphery of the opening 14.

The discharge path 15 only needs to be provided in the lower portion of the periphery of the opening 14 in the cover portion 12. Specifically, the discharge path 15 needs to extend in the left-right direction along the periphery of the opening 14 between the left and right ends of the opening 14, below the left end of the opening 14 and below the right end of the opening 14.

The discharge path 15 is formed by being surrounded by the front wall 10a and groove-forming wall 10b of the base 10. The front wall 10a is a plate wall of the cover portion 12. The groove-forming wall 10b is connected to the back side of the front wall 10a and forms a groove serving as the discharge path 15. The groove-forming wall 10b may be formed into a U- or V-shaped groove between itself and the front wall 10a, allowing liquid to flow. For example, as shown in Figures 7 to 10, the groove-forming wall 10b may be formed into an L-shape by the bottom wall 10b1 and the back wall 10b2, or it may be formed as a plate-like wall extending diagonally upward from the front wall 10a. Hereinafter, the groove-forming wall 10b will be assumed to be L-shaped.

The bottom wall 10b1 and rear wall 10b2 of the groove-forming wall 10b are each formed in a plate shape. The bottom wall 10b1 protrudes from the front wall 10a toward the rear of the vehicle body. The rear wall 10b2 stands upright from the tip of the bottom wall 10b1 and faces the front wall 10a at a distance toward the rear of the vehicle body. The bottom wall 10b1 and rear wall 10b2 each extend along the periphery of the opening 14.

The seal member 30 contacts the back side of the back wall 10b2 of the groove forming wall 10b when the lid 20 is in the closed position. To ensure a seal between the back side of the base 10 and the front side of the lid 20 by the seal member 30 when the lid is in the closed position, it is preferable that the groove forming wall 10b and, therefore, the discharge path 15 be formed around the entire periphery of the opening 14 in the cover portion 12, or that a wall portion corresponding to the groove forming wall 10b be formed in the upper part of the periphery of the opening 14 in the cover portion 12. The discharge path 15 is connected to the gap 4 and exposed to the outside of the vehicle even when the lid 20 is in the closed position.

As shown in Figures 3 and 7 to 10, the discharge path 15 has a storage portion 15a and an inclined portion 15b. The storage portion 15a is a portion capable of storing liquid. The storage portion 15a is provided at the lower end of the discharge path 15. The position of the storage portion 15a in the discharge path 15 may be set according to the shape of the lid 20 and the opening 14. For example, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, when the lid 20 and the opening 14 are formed so that their lowermost ends are at the lower center, the storage portion 15a of the discharge path 15 is formed in that lower center.

The inclined portion 15b is a portion of the discharge path 15 that slopes diagonally downward toward the storage portion 15a. The inclined portion 15b allows liquid that has entered the inclined portion 15b to flow toward the storage portion 15a due to the gravity of the liquid itself. The inclined portions 15b may be provided on both the left and right sides of the storage portion 15a, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, or may be provided on only one of the left and right sides. The inclined portions 15b may be directly connected to the storage portion 15a, or may be indirectly connected to the storage portion 15a via a horizontal portion. Furthermore, the inclined portions 15b may be provided on both sides of the horizontal portion.

The storage section 15a has a drain outlet 15c. The drain outlet 15c is a passage for directing the liquid stored in the storage section 15c to the outside of the storage space 13. The drain outlet 15c is provided in the cover section 12, which is the front side wall 10a. It is preferable that the drain outlet 15c is located at the bottom of the storage section 15a. It is also preferable that the drain outlet 15c is sized to allow the liquid to be discharged to the outside of the storage space 13 without overflowing from the storage section 15a and therefore the drain path 15, relative to the maximum amount of liquid that can enter the back of the opening 14 from the gap 4.

The outlet 15c is formed so as to penetrate the cover portion 12 in the front-to-back direction. The outer opening of the outlet 15c in the cover portion 12 is exposed to the space 5 (see Figures 9 and 10) between the front side of the cover portion 12 and the back side of the body surface portion 2. Liquid discharged from the outlet 15c enters the space between the front side of the cover portion 12 and the back side of the body surface portion 2 and flows outside the base 10, i.e., outside the storage space 13.

The base 10 (specifically, the base main body portion 11) may have a water drainage hole 10d, as shown in Figures 7, 9, and 10. The water drainage hole 10d is a hole that directs liquid that has entered the storage space 13 to the outside of the storage space 13. The water drainage hole 10d is formed by penetrating the peripheral wall portion 11b that constitutes the lower wall of the storage space 13 in the base main body portion 11. The water drainage hole 10d is provided at the lower end of the peripheral wall portion 11b. With the water drainage hole 10d, even if liquid enters the storage space 13 from outside the vehicle through the opening 14 when the lid 20 is opened or in the open position, the liquid can be discharged to the outside of the storage space 13.

Next, the operation of the vehicle lid device 1 will be described.
While the vehicle is running, the lid 20 is in a closed position that blocks the opening 14 of the base body 10. In this case, the lid 20 is locked in the closed position by a locking member (not shown) or the like. With the lid 20 in the closed position, the supply port in the accommodation space 13 of the base body 10 is not exposed to the outside of the vehicle body through the opening 14 and the vehicle body opening 2a, so it is impossible to connect a fuel gun or a charging gun to the supply port.

When an operator, such as a vehicle driver or user, wishes to refuel or charge the battery while the lid 20 is in the closed position, they stop the vehicle and perform the necessary steps to open the lid 20 to the open position. This can involve, for example, approaching the vehicle while carrying a smart key corresponding to the vehicle and having the vehicle verify the key via communication between the vehicle and a portable device, then having the sensor 52 (described below) detect the operator once verification is complete, issuing a lid open command using a remote key, issuing a lid open command using a smartphone app, pressing an open switch button located inside the vehicle, or pulling an open lever located inside the vehicle.

When the above operation is performed, the lid 20 is unlocked from the closed position, the motor 41 of the opening/closing mechanism 40 is driven by an open command from a controller (not shown), and the gear shaft 42 rotates in a direction (opening direction) that opens the lid 20 from the closed position. When the gear shaft 42 rotates in the opening direction, the rack gear that meshes with the gear shaft 42 moves, causing the lid 20 to first move from the closed position toward the back of the vehicle relative to the base 10, and then slide along the underside of the bottom wall portion 11a of the vehicle.

The above-described movement of the lid 20 during the opening operation continues until the driving of the motor 41 is stopped or the support protrusion 23 reaches the upper end of the guide rail 45, and the lid 20 stops sliding upward. Then, when the lid 20 stops sliding upward, it reaches the open position.

Next, if the operator wishes to return the lid 20 to the closed position after refueling or charging the battery, with the lid 20 in the open position, the operator performs the necessary steps to close the lid 20 to the closed position. This can be done, for example, by leaving the vehicle while carrying the smart key corresponding to the vehicle and having the vehicle verify the key through communication between the vehicle and a portable device, by issuing a command to close the lid via a smartphone app, or by pressing a close switch button located inside the vehicle or near the lid 20.

When the above operation is performed, the motor 41 of the opening/closing mechanism 40 is driven by a closing command from a controller (not shown) when the lid 20 is in the open position, and the gear shaft 42 rotates in a direction (closing direction) that moves the lid 20 from the open position to the closing direction. When the gear shaft 42 rotates in the closing direction, the rack gear that meshes with the gear shaft 42 moves, causing the lid 20 to slide from the open position relative to the base 10 along the underside of the bottom wall portion 11a of the vehicle body, and then move toward the front side of the vehicle body.

The above-described movement of the lid 20 during the closing operation continues until the driving of the motor 41 is stopped or the support protrusion 23 reaches the lower end of the guide rail 45, and the downward sliding of the lid 20 ends. Then, when the downward sliding of the lid 20 ends, the lid 20 reaches the closed position and is locked in that closed position.

In this way, in the vehicle lid device 1, the motor 41 drives the lid 20 to slide along the guide rails 45, thereby allowing the lid 20 to open and close between the closed and open positions. When the gear shaft 42 rotates in the opening direction, an opening operation can be performed in which the lid 20 is pushed from the closed position toward the rear of the vehicle body and then moved along the rear surface of the vehicle body within the storage space 13. Furthermore, when the gear shaft 42 rotates in the closing direction, a closing operation can be performed in which the lid 20 is moved from the open position along the rear surface of the vehicle body within the storage space 13 and then pushed up toward the front of the vehicle body.

In addition, in the vehicle lid device 1, the base 10 has a discharge path 15 that extends along the periphery of the opening 14 on the back side of the periphery of the opening 14 in the base 10. The discharge path 15 guides liquid that has entered the back side of the opening 14 through the gap 4 formed between the base 10 and the lid 20 when the lid 20 is in the closed position to the outside of the storage space 13.

In this configuration, liquid that has entered the rear of the opening through the gap 4 formed between the base 10 and the lid 20 when the lid is in the closed position is discharged to the outside of the storage space 13 through the discharge path 15. This prevents liquid that has entered the rear of the opening through the gap 4 from entering the storage space 13 when the lid 20 is opened.

In particular, the drain path 15 is formed in a state surrounded by the front wall 10a of the base 10 and the groove-forming wall 10b connected to the back side of the front wall. The seal member 30 contacts the back side of the back wall 10b2 of the groove-forming wall 10b when the lid 20 is in the closed position. In this case, the drain path 15 is connected to the gap 4 and exposed to the outside of the vehicle even when the lid 20 is in the closed position. In other words, the drain path 15 is a passage that allows liquid that has entered the back side of the opening from the gap 4 to circulate, even when the lid 20 is in the closed position.

With this configuration, even when the lid 20 is maintained in the closed position, liquid that has entered the rear of the opening through the gap 4 flows into the drain path 15 and is discharged outside the storage space 13. This makes it difficult for liquid to accumulate around the seal member 30 before the lid 20 begins to open from the closed position, thereby minimizing the amount of liquid that enters the storage space 13 when the lid 20 begins to open.

In addition, in the vehicle lid device 1 of this embodiment, the discharge channel 15 has a storage portion 15a located at the lower end and capable of storing liquid, and an inclined portion 15b that slopes diagonally downward toward the storage portion 15a. With this configuration, when liquid that has entered the back of the opening from the gap 4 flows into the inclined portion 15b of the discharge channel 15, the liquid is collected in the storage portion 15a. This prevents liquid that has entered the back of the opening from the gap 4 from being discharged from the discharge channel 15 to the outside of the storage space 13 throughout the entire discharge channel 15, thereby limiting the location from which the liquid is discharged from the discharge channel 15. Furthermore, because the liquid flowing into the discharge channel 15 can be collected in the storage portion 15a, it is possible to prevent the liquid from overflowing from the discharge channel 15.

The storage section 15a also has a discharge port 15c that directs the stored liquid to the outside of the storage space 13. In this configuration, the liquid in the discharge path 15 is discharged from the discharge port 15c of the storage section 15a. As a result, the liquid in the discharge path 15 can be concentrated and discharged to the outside of the storage space 13 from the discharge port 15c, preventing the liquid from overflowing from the storage section 15a of the discharge path 15.

Furthermore, the outer opening of the drain port 15c is exposed in the space between the front side of the cover portion 12 and the back side of the body surface portion 2. With this structure, the drain port 15c is not exposed on the front side of the body surface portion 2, and liquid is not discharged from the drain port 15c toward the front side of the body surface portion 2. As a result, a structure that discharges liquid from the drain path 15 to the outside of the storage space 13 can be realized without compromising the appearance of the body surface portion 2, and it is possible to prevent traces of liquid discharge or the adhesion of water stains on the front side of the body surface portion 2.

In the above embodiment, the seal member 30 contacts the back side of the groove-forming wall 10b that forms the discharge path 15 when the lid 20 is in the closed position, and the discharge path 15 communicates with the gap 4 and is exposed to the outside of the vehicle even when the lid 20 is in the closed position. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and may be applied to a first variant, as shown in Figures 11, 12, and 13, in which the seal member 30 contacts the back side of the cover portion 12, i.e., the front wall 10a that forms the discharge path 15, when the lid 20 is in the closed position, and the discharge path 15 is not exposed to the outside of the vehicle because it is partitioned by the seal member 30 when the lid 20 is in the closed position.

In the first modified embodiment described above, when the lid 20 is opened from the closed position, the partition provided by the seal member 30 is released, and the drain path 15 communicates with the gap 4 and is exposed to the outside of the vehicle. Therefore, when the lid 20 begins to open from the closed position, any liquid remaining around the seal member 30 flows into the drain path 15, allowing the liquid in the drain path 15 to be drained outside the storage space 13.

Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the lid 20 is a fuel filler lid or a charging lid. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and may be applied to a second modified embodiment in which the lid 20 is a panel cover that opens and closes the opening 14 that exposes the storage space 13 that houses the door handle, as shown in Figures 14, 15, and 16. In this second modified embodiment, as in the above embodiment, liquid that has entered the rear of the opening through the gap 4 formed between the base 10 and the lid 20 when the lid is in the closed position can be discharged to the outside of the storage space 13 through the discharge path 15, thereby preventing liquid that has entered the rear of the opening through the gap 4 from entering the storage space 13 when the lid 20 is opened.

Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the outer opening of the exhaust port 15c is exposed to the space 5 (see Figures 9 and 10) between the front side of the cover portion 12 and the back side of the vehicle body surface portion 2. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the outer opening of the exhaust port 15c may also be exposed to the front side of the vehicle body surface portion 2.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and variations, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

Furthermore, the specification of the present invention discloses not only the technical idea indicated by the inter-claim citations at the time of filing, but also the technical idea obtained by appropriately combining the matters described in each claim.

1: Vehicle lid device, 2: Vehicle body surface, 2a: Vehicle body opening, 4: Gap, 10: Base, 10a: Front side wall, 10b: Groove-forming wall, 10b1: Bottom wall, 10b2: Back side wall, 10d: Drainage hole, 11: Base body, 12: Cover, 13: Storage space, 14: Opening, 15: Drain path, 15a: Storage section, 15b: Sloped section, 15c: Drain outlet, 20: Lid, 21: Lid body, 22: Lid frame, 23: Support protrusion, 30: Sealing member, 40: Opening/closing mechanism, 41: Motor.

Claims (6)

a base having an opening that exposes the storage space at the rear of the vehicle body to the outside of the vehicle body;
a lid that moves relative to the base body at a position deeper than the opening in the vehicle body by actuation of an opening/closing mechanism, thereby performing opening and closing operations between a closed position that closes the opening and an open position that opens the opening;
a seal member that seals between the back side of the base and the front side of the lid when the lid is in the closed position;
Equipped with
the base body has a discharge passage extending along the periphery of the opening on the back side of the periphery of the opening in the base body, and a discharge outlet provided at a lower end of the discharge passage and opening between the front side of the base body and the back side of the vehicle body surface portion ,
The discharge path guides liquid that has entered the rear side of the opening through a gap formed between the base and the lid when the lid is in the closed position to the outside of the storage space through the discharge outlet . A vehicle lid device as described in claim 1, wherein the discharge passage is formed by being surrounded by a front side wall of the base and a groove-forming wall connected to the back side of the front side wall. The vehicle lid device described in claim 2, wherein the sealing member contacts the back side of the groove-forming wall when the lid is in the closed position. a base having an opening that exposes the storage space at the rear of the vehicle body to the outside of the vehicle body;
a lid that moves relative to the base body at a position deeper than the opening in the vehicle body by actuation of an opening/closing mechanism, thereby performing opening and closing operations between a closed position that closes the opening and an open position that opens the opening;
a seal member that seals between the back side of the base and the front side of the lid when the lid is in the closed position;
Equipped with
the base body has a discharge channel extending along the periphery of the opening on the back side of the periphery of the opening in the base body,
the discharge path is formed by being surrounded by a front side wall of the base and a groove-forming wall connected to a back side of the front side wall, and guides liquid that has entered the back side of the opening through a gap formed between the base and the lid when the lid is in the closed position to the outside of the storage space,
The seal member contacts the rear side of the groove forming wall when the lid is in the closed position . The discharge path is
a storage section provided at the lower end section and capable of storing liquid;
an inclined portion inclined obliquely downward toward the storage portion;
The vehicle lid device according to claim 4 , further comprising: The vehicle lid device according to claim 5 , wherein the reservoir portion has a discharge port for guiding the stored liquid to the outside of the accommodation space.