JP2000177652A - Undercover inspection hole structure - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a lightweight, low-cost undercover inspection hole structure having a simple structure, superior installation rigidity, and allowing easy opening and closing, and capable of installing a cover for inspection without distortion and the development of unusual sound. SOLUTION: A cover 3 for inspection is provided slidably housed in an undercover 1 for covering the lower surface part of an engine. The cover 3 for inspection is smoothly easily taken out of the undercover 1 or put in the undercover 1 without lifting up or jacking up a vehicle body. Engine auxiliary machinery, and an oil filter and the like are easily replaced. In housing the cover 3 for inspection, both side ends 7L, 7R are effectively constrained by the slide part 17 of the undercover 1 to assure installation strength in high rigidity.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an inspection hole structure of an under cover installed on a lower surface of an engine for reducing noise and improving running performance.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, vehicles such as automobiles have been provided with an under cover for covering the lower surface of an engine for the purpose of reducing noise or for improving the performance on rough roads in SUV (Sport Utility Vehicle) vehicles. And their shapes and installation forms have evolved and become diversified. Conventional partial covers are no longer able to fully satisfy the required performance, and ideally cover from the vicinity of the rear end of the front bumper to the rear end of the engine with the width of the left and right body frames. . However, such a large undercover installed to reduce noise and improve running performance is used when checking engine accessories and replacing oil filters.
Each time, the vehicle had to be jacked up and lifted up and the large undercover had to be removed, which made the task difficult. Therefore, the replacement of the oil filter and the like, which should be easy for a general user, is extremely troublesome work, and there is a possibility that the user may be required to perform daily maintenance and inspection.

In order to facilitate inspection of engine accessories and replacement of an oil filter without removing the entire under cover, a cover member for inspection has been detachably mounted on the under cover. was suggested. For example, the one disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 54-36251 shown in FIG. 8 and the Japanese Utility Model Application Laid-Open No. 57-803 shown in FIG.
No. 73 is disclosed. The first conventional example shown in FIG. 8 includes a sound insulation undercover 115, an inspection port 116 opened on the lower surface thereof, a lid 119 for closing the inspection port 116, and a cover 119 for closing the inspection port 116. One of a plurality of screws 120, 123 for fixing the lid 119 to the cover 115 is constituted by a shank portion 125 having a thread cut, a stem portion 126 having a smaller diameter than the shank portion 125, and a stopper portion 127. The lid 119 is swingably removed from the cover 115 so as to inspect the engine accessories while preventing the fixing nut 124 from being lost due to falling off. Although not shown in the drawings, some proposals have been proposed in which the lid for inspection is configured to be swingable with respect to the undercover by a hinge or the like.

In the second prior art shown in FIG. 9, an opening 2 is formed at the center of an undercover plate 204 which is attached to a frame of an automobile so as to cover a lower part of an engine.
05 that can open and close the opening hole 205
0 is provided on the under cover plate 204 so as to be detachable. This is the most common one,
10 is provided with a locking portion 211 to the undercover plate 204 at one side end, and the lid 210 is detachably attached to the undercover plate 204 at the other side end by mounting screws 209 and nuts 214. is there.

[0005]

However, the relatively small undercover can be detached from such a relatively large undercover so that the inspection lid can be removed relatively easily. Although the inspection of the engine accessories and the replacement of the oil filter and the like can be easily performed, the lid for inspection as in the first conventional example can be swung with respect to the under cover by a hinge or the like. However, in the case of a vehicle having a small height above the ground, the end of the removed inspection lid interferes with the ground and is not sufficiently released, which hinders maintenance and inspection work. Further, in the case where the lid for inspection as in the second conventional example is configured to be attached to the undercover with several locking portions or screws, the locking portion at the time of mounting the lid is used. In addition to the fact that the alignment of the screw and the screw with respect to the mounting hole and the like is troublesome, the rigidity of mounting the lid to the undercover is inferior, loosening and abnormal noise are likely to occur, and there is a risk of falling off due to obstacles from the road surface. .

Accordingly, the present invention solves the above-mentioned problems of the conventional undercover inspection hole structure, and has a simple structure, is lightweight and inexpensive, is easy to open and close, has excellent mounting rigidity, and does not generate slack or abnormal noise. It is an object of the present invention to provide an undercover inspection hole structure that allows an inspection lid to be attached.

[0007]

For this purpose, the present invention is characterized in that an inspection cover which is slidably accommodated in an under cover which covers the lower surface of the engine is provided.
Further, the present invention is characterized in that a grip portion for an under cover is provided at a rear end portion of the inspection lid in a sliding direction. Further, the present invention is characterized in that gripping portions for the undercover are provided on both front side edges in the sliding direction of the inspection lid. Further, the present invention is characterized in that a guide inclined portion is provided in a grip portion of the inspection lid. Further, the present invention is characterized in that both end portions of the inspection lid are restrained by slide portions of an under cover. Further, the present invention is characterized in that a large number of reinforcing ribs are provided on the slide portion. Further, the present invention is characterized in that slide ridges are erected on both side ends of the inspection lid, and slide grooves for receiving these slide ridges are provided in a slide portion of the under cover. . Further, the present invention is characterized in that the inspection lid and the undercover are fixed with a one-push screw, and these are used as means for solving the problem.

[0008]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. 1 to 7 show an embodiment of an undercover inspection hole structure according to the present invention. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the undercover with an inspection lid removed, and FIG. FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line AA of FIG. 2, and FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line BB of FIG.
5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line CC of FIG. 2, and FIG.
D sectional view, FIG. 7 is a perspective view near the slide portion in the undercover inspection hole. As shown in FIG. 1, the undercover inspection hole structure of the present invention has, as a basic structure, a main body 2 of an undercover 1 that covers a lower surface of an engine.
An inspection hole 4 for maintenance / inspection is drilled at an appropriate portion of the device, for example, a portion located below where engine accessories and an oil filter are installed. For example, an inspection lid 3 is provided which is slidably accommodated in a direction of an arrow which is a front-rear direction of the vehicle. If the design is possible, the sliding direction of the inspection lid 3 may be the width direction of the vehicle.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line AA of FIGS. 1 and 2.
As will be apparent from the above description, on both side edges of the inspection hole 4 of the main body 2 in the undercover 1, the right and left side ends 7L and 7R of the inspection lid 3 are received to form a slide portion 17. , Left and right upper flanges 5L, 5R and lower flanges 6L, 6R (in FIG. 1, lower flanges 6L, 6R).
R is not shown, and FIG. 7B described later, 6L is not shown). In the example of FIG.
7 and 6 are formed on both side edges of the inspection hole 4 so as to extend continuously in the length direction thereof. As shown in FIG. 7B, a plurality of flange portions 5R and 6R (the same applies to the left side) are vertically arranged. They may be arranged in a staggered manner. These left and right upper flanges 5
L, 5R and the left and right side ends 7L, 7R of the inspection lid 3 are inserted between the left and right lower flanges 6L, 6R and slidably stored. In this way, the side edges 7L and 7R of the inspection lid 3 are effectively restrained by the slide portions 17 formed by the upper and lower flanges 5 and 6 on both sides of the inspection hole 4 in the undercover 1.
In FIG. 3, reference numeral 19 indicates that the rear end of the inspection lid 3 is smoothly connected to the upper flanges 5L and 5R and the lower flanges 6L and 6R when the removed inspection lid 3 is stored in the under cover 1. An upwardly curved guide sled is shown which allows guided insertion into a slide part 17 formed between them, and reference numeral 10 in FIG. 1 locks and inserts a finger to remove the inspection lid 3. Shows the handle part of

As is clear from FIG. 5, which is a cross-sectional view taken along the line CC of FIG. 2, slide protrusions 8L, 8R are provided upright on both right and left ends 7L, 7R of the inspection lid 3, respectively. The slide groove 13 for receiving the slide ridges 8L and 8R is provided.
L and 13R are slide portions 17 of the undercover 1,
In the example of FIG. 5, the upper flange 5 constituting the slide portion 17 is provided.
It is provided at the outer end of the inspection hole 4 in R. The sliding contact of the slide ridges 8 with the slide grooves 13 prevents the inspection lid 3 from being blindly moved left and right with respect to the undercover 1, does not cause looseness or abnormal noise when mounted and stored, and is stable. In addition, the sliding operation can be performed lightly, and the inspection lid 3 can be attached to the under cover 1 with high rigidity due to the presence of the slide ridges 8.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along the line BB of FIGS. 1 and 2.
As will be apparent from the above, at the rear end of the inspection lid 3 in the sliding direction, the under cover 1, for example, under the rear edge 16 of the inspection hole 4 is slightly forcibly sunk by its own elasticity during storage. The step portion 11 which is seated and forms a grip portion is formed. The step of the step 11 is substantially equal to the thickness of the rear edge 16 of the undercover 1, and the rear end of the step 11 forming the gripping portion has a shaved guide inclined portion 1.
2 is provided to assist in smoothly guiding the step 11 at the rear end of the inspection lid 3 to be seated below the rear edge 16 as shown by an arrow. As is clear from FIG. 6 which is a cross-sectional view taken along the line DD of FIGS. 1 and 2,
On both front edges of the inspection lid 3 in the sliding direction,
At the time of storage, gripping portions 9L, 9R are provided on lower flanges 6R, 6L provided at the front end of the outer cover of the under cover 1, for example, the inspection hole 4. The gripper 9 in this case
L, 9R is the gap between the lower flange 6R, 6L
Is formed to be slightly smaller than the plate thickness of the inspection lid 3, and the elasticity of the inspection lid 3 causes the lower flanges 6R and 6L to be sandwiched and pressed.

At the rear end of the gripping portions 9L and 9R, a shaved guide inclined portion 14 is provided, and the rear ends of the gripping portions 9L and 9R of the inspection lid 3 are attached to the lower flange 6R as shown by arrows. , 6L to assist smooth guiding. Thus, these inspection lids 3
The grips 9L and 9R at the front side edges of the step 11 at the rear end and the front lid 3 in the sliding direction of the inspection lid 3 can be securely stored in the undercover 1 without rattling. In this manner, in a state where the inspection lid 3 is stored in the under cover 1, the inspection lid 3 and the under cover 1 are penetrated and fixed with at least one one-push screw 18, The stored state of the inspection lid 3 is securely held.

FIG. 7 is a view taken in the direction of the arrow a in FIG. 2, and FIG.
7 shows a state in which the inspection lid is stored (dotted line), and FIG.
(B) shows a state in which the inspection lid has been removed. In the illustrated example, a plurality of flange portions 5R constituting a slide portion 17 that receives the left and right side edges 7L and 7R of the inspection lid 3 are provided.
6R (the same applies to the left side) are arranged in a staggered manner vertically. Also, a large number of reinforcing ribs 15R (same for the left side 15L) are provided on the slide portion 17, preferably on the upper flange 5R (same for the left side 5L), so that the undercover of the inspection lid 3 with higher rigidity is provided. Secure mounting to 1

Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the shape of the under cover, the shape of the inspection hole, the shape of the inspection lid, the shapes of the upper flange and the lower flange, The shape of the slide ridge, the shape of the slide groove, the shape of the grip portion, the shape of the guide inclined portion, the shape and material of the reinforcing rib, and the related configuration between them can be appropriately adopted.

[0015]

As described above in detail, according to the present invention, the inspection cover is provided so as to be slidably accommodated in the under cover which covers the lower surface of the engine, so that the vehicle body can be lifted up or jacked up. It is easy and easy to insert and remove the inspection lid, making it easy to replace engine accessories and oil filters, etc.When the inspection lid is stored, both ends are effectively restrained by the sliding part of the under cover. It is possible to secure the mounting strength with high rigidity. By providing grips for the undercover at the rear end and the front side edges of the inspection lid in the sliding direction, the four sides of the inspection lid are held with high rigidity. In addition, the provision of the guide inclined portion in the grip portion of the inspection lid assists in smoothly guiding the rear end of the grip portion of the inspection lid when holding the lower flange or the like of the undercover. Things.

Further, by providing a large number of reinforcing ribs on the slide portion, it is possible to ensure that the inspection lid is attached to the under cover with higher rigidity.
Further, slide protrusions are erected on both side ends of the inspection lid, and slide grooves for receiving these slide protrusions are provided in the slide portion of the under cover. Due to the sliding contact of the strip, the inspection lid does not blindly move to the left and right with respect to the undercover, so that there is no rattling or abnormal noise when mounted and stored, and the sliding operation can be performed stably and lightly. In addition, the inspection lid can be attached to the undercover with high rigidity due to the presence of the slide ridge. In addition, since the inspection lid and the undercover are configured to be fixed with a one-push screw, the four sides of the inspection lid described above have only one one-push screw as at least one fixing member. The inspection lid and the undercover, which are held with high rigidity, are more reliably integrally fixed. Thus, according to the present invention, there is provided an under cover inspection hole structure which has a simple structure, is lightweight and inexpensive, is easy to open and close, has excellent mounting rigidity, and allows the inspection lid to be mounted without generating looseness or abnormal noise. Provided.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an undercover inspection hole structure according to an embodiment of the present invention with an inspection lid removed.

FIG. 2 shows an embodiment of the undercover inspection hole structure of the present invention, and is a plan view of a half of the undercover on the side where the inspection lid is attached.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA of FIG. 2, showing one embodiment of the undercover inspection hole structure of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB of FIG. 2, showing one embodiment of the undercover inspection hole structure of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line CC of FIG. 2, showing one embodiment of the undercover inspection hole structure of the present invention.

6 shows an embodiment of the undercover inspection hole structure of the present invention, and is a cross-sectional view taken along the line DD of FIG. 2;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing one embodiment of the undercover inspection hole structure of the present invention, in the vicinity of a slide portion in the undercover inspection hole.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a first conventional example of an undercover inspection hole structure.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a second conventional example of an undercover inspection hole structure.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Undercover 2 Main body 3 Inspection lid 4 Inspection hole 5 Upper flange 6 Lower flange 7 Side end 8 Sliding ridge 9 Gripping part 10 Handle part 11 Step part 12 Guide inclined part 13 Slide groove 14 Guide inclined part 15 Reinforcement rib 16 Rear edge of inspection hole 17 Slide 18 One-push screw 19 Guide sled

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. An under cover inspection hole structure, wherein an inspection cover which is slidably stored in an under cover which covers a lower surface of an engine is provided. 2. The undercover inspection hole structure according to claim 1, wherein a grip portion for an undercover is provided at a rear end of the inspection lid in a sliding direction. 3. The under cover inspection hole structure according to claim 1, wherein grips for an under cover are provided on both front side edges in the sliding direction of the inspection lid. 4. The undercover inspection hole structure according to claim 2, wherein a guide inclined portion is provided in a grip portion of the inspection lid. 5. The undercover inspection hole structure according to claim 1, wherein both side ends of the inspection lid are restrained by slide portions of the undercover. 6. The under cover inspection hole structure according to claim 1, wherein a number of reinforcing ribs are provided on the slide portion. 7. A slide ridge is provided upright on both side ends of the inspection lid, and a slide groove for receiving the slide ridge is provided in a slide portion of the under cover. Or the undercover inspection hole structure according to 6. 8. The under cover inspection hole structure according to claim 1, wherein the inspection lid and the under cover are fixed by a one push screw.