JP3680900B2

JP3680900B2 - Vehicle hole cover

Info

Publication number: JP3680900B2
Application number: JP35590597A
Authority: JP
Inventors: 雄一坂上; 章里加藤
Original assignee: Toyota Motor Corp
Current assignee: Toyota Motor Corp
Priority date: 1997-08-29
Filing date: 1997-12-24
Publication date: 2005-08-10
Anticipated expiration: 2017-12-24
Also published as: JPH11132328A

Description

【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
本発明は車両のパネルの孔を覆う為のホールカバー、例えば車両のステアリングシャフトの一部を覆いボデーパネルに取り付けるステアリングコラムホールカバーに関する。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
車両の車体にはボデーパネル等多くのパネルが採用されているが、このパネルに孔が空けられている場合にこの孔を覆うカバーを取り付けているものがある。代表的な例としてステアリングシャフトがボデーパネルを貫通する場所に取り付けられているホールカバー（この場合はステアリングコラムホールカバーとも呼ばれる。）がある。
【０００３】
ステアリング機構はステアリングホイールの回転力をステアリングギヤに伝達し、更にこれをタイロッドの左右方向運動に変換して車輪の制御を行う。ここで前記ステアリングホイールは車室内にあるが、ステアリングギヤ以降は車室内になく車両のボデーの外に位置している。従って通常ステアリングコラム及びステアリングシャフトは運転席の足元近くのボデーパネルに空けられた孔を貫通している。すると走行中車両の外部から泥や水等が車室内に入って来てしまう恐れがあるので、遮断する為に通常ゴム等の弾性体でできたカバーで覆い外部から泥や水等が侵入しないように阻止している。
【０００４】
このカバーを構成部品としパネルの孔を覆う袋状のものをホールカバーと呼ぶが、このホールカバーをステアリングに適用された場合にはステアリングコラムホールカバーとも呼ばれる。従来構造のステアリングコラムホールカバーがステアリングとボデーパネルに取り付けられたところの断面図を図２１に示す。ここで図２１に示すホールカバー１０１の場合はゴムでできたカバー１３０のみで構成されているので、前記ホールカバー１０１と前記カバー１３０とは実質同じものとなる。
【０００５】
図示しないステアリングホイールに一方で連結されたステアリングシャフト１２１は他方でギヤハウジング１２０に結合されている。ゴムを材料として形成されたカバー１３０は袋状をしていて両端に開放口１３４と第２開放口１３１を有している。該第２開放口１３１の近傍には第２嵌合部１３２が形成されていて、前記ギヤハウジング１２０に結合されている。
【０００６】
前記第２開放口１３１の反対側に開放された開放口１３４の近傍には、嵌合部１３５が形成されている。該嵌合部１３５には凹部となる嵌合部溝１３５Ａが形成されている。パネル１１０には略円形あるいは略多角形あるいは曲線と多角形とで形成された形の孔であるコラムホール１１２が形成されているので、その形状を形成するパネル淵部１１１が凸部となって、嵌合部溝１３５Ａと嵌合している。
【０００７】
前記嵌合部１３５では前記嵌合部溝１３５Ａを形成する面の一つが長く延びていて嵌合部支持部１３６を形成している。また前記カバー１３０の端部には嵌合部押え部１３５Ｃが形成されている。そして前記嵌合部支持部１３６と前記嵌合部押え部１３５Ｃの間に前記嵌合部溝１３５Ａが形成されているわけである。この嵌合部溝１３５Ａの幅すなわち前記嵌合部押え部１３５Ｃと前記嵌合部支持部１３６との間の間隙は前記パネル淵部１１１の厚さより小さく設定されている。この為嵌合部支持部１３６の面はパネル淵部１１１に密着させられており、前記カバー１３０及び前記パネル１１０とで仕切る内外の空間を隔壁して遮断し、泥や水等の侵入を防止するシールの役割りを果している。
【０００８】
またホールカバー１０１をパネル１１０に組み込む際に、前記嵌合部押え部１３５Ｃを摘んで嵌合部溝１３５Ａを拡げることができ、パネル淵部１１１にホールカバー１０１を嵌め込み易くしている。
【０００９】
前記嵌合部１３５と前記第２嵌合部１３２との間の部分においては、一つあるいは複数の山谷を有する蛇腹部１３３が形成されていて、前記コラムホール１１２を形成する前記パネル淵部１１１に前記ホールカバー１０１を組付ける時及び組付けた後の形状の自由度を確保している。
【００１０】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
このような従来の構成になるホールカバー１０１においては、前記カバー１３０をパネル１１０に組付ける作業に比較的長い時間が掛かると言う問題があった。
【００１１】
この組付け作業の手順を述べる。前記ステアリングシャフト１２１はギヤハウジング１２０と切り離された状態で、前記ギヤハウジング１２０にカバー１３０が第２嵌合部１３２にて嵌合された状態のホールカバー１０１をパネル１１０に近づけて行き、コラムホール１１２に開放口１３４が合うようにする。室内側即ち図２１にてパネル１１０の右上方から手を差し込み嵌合部押え部１３５Ｃを摘んでまず最初に嵌合部溝１３５Ａの一か所を拡げ、パネル淵部１１１に嵌め込んで行く。次に隣接するところの嵌合部溝１３５Ａを拡げて次々とパネル淵部１１１に嵌め合わせて行き、全周に拡げて行って嵌め合わせを完了する。この時前記カバー１３０はゴムでできており、剛性が低いことから、作業の途中で嵌合部１３５の形が変形し易く、当初嵌め込んだところが外れてくることもある。また嵌合部溝１３５Ａをパネル淵部１１１に滑らせながら嵌め込んで行く必要があるが、ゴムと金属板との摩擦係数が大であり滑りにくく作業に手間取る。このようなことから組付け作業時間が長くなると言う問題があった。
【００１２】
このような問題の対策の為にはカバー１３０の剛性を高くしてやれば良いわけであるが、前述の蛇腹部１３３を設けて形状の自由度を増すようにしていることからも分かる通り、カバー１３０全体ではある程度の低い剛性でないと形状の柔軟性がなく、コラムホール１１２と嵌合部１３５とが少しでもずれていると組付けづらくなってしまう。また嵌合部溝１３５Ａの挟み幅はパネル淵部１１１の板厚より小さくなっていて締め代を持たせるような寸法になっていることから、剛性が高くなると嵌め込みづらくなる。更に各種のギヤハウジングや各種のパネル形状に対して同一のホールカバー１０１を共通使用しようとする時、形状の柔軟性がなく対応しにくくなる。すなわちホールカバー１０１はゴムで一体的に形成されたカバー１３０のみで構成されているので、組付けに適するようにホールカバー１０１の剛性をある部分では大きく、ある部分では小さくと大きな差を設けることはほぼ不可能と言える。
【００１３】
そこでこのような問題点に鑑み、カバーとしては剛性を低く取り、一方パネルへ嵌合する開放口近くの嵌合部では剛性を高く取ると共に、パネルとの間の摩擦係数を小さくすることにより、ホールカバーのパネルへの組付けを容易にし、短時間で簡単に作業ができるようにすることを本発明の目的とする。
【００１４】
【課題を解決するための手段】
請求項１に記載の発明は、開放口を有する袋状の弾性体のカバーと、内周に孔を設けてある嵌合部材本体と弾性変形可能な爪状部材とで構成されており前記カバーより硬質の材料でできている嵌合部材とを前記カバーの前記開放口近傍で結合し、前記嵌合部材と前記カバーの間にて車体のパネルを押し付けることができると共に前記嵌合部材は前記嵌合部材本体に複数の前記爪状部材を結合して構成されるか、あるいは複数の前記爪状部材の中の一部が前記嵌合部材本体に一体で形成されており、残りの前記爪状部材は前記嵌合部材本体に結合されて構成されているとともに、前記嵌合部材の前記爪状部材は、前記パネルを挟み込む為の一つの案内爪と、この案内爪でパネルを挟んだ後に前記パネルに嵌め込まれ、かつ、前記カバーの開放口側の端部を前記パネルに押し付けて密着させる為の一つあるいは複数の圧着爪からなるとともに、この圧着爪によりカバーの開放側の端部を前記パネルに押し付けた際に、前記カバーの前記開放口の近傍の面と前記嵌合部材との間で、前記パネルを挟み込みシールする為のシール機構が、前記カバーの開放口の近傍の面に設けられており、このシール機構のシールリップが全周に渡って形成されているとともに、前記圧着爪は、圧着爪根元部と、この圧着爪根元部につながり、かつ、湾曲部を支点として撓む圧着爪壁部と、この圧着爪壁部に傾斜した傾斜面である圧着爪滑り部と、この圧着爪滑り部の先端に形成された圧着爪先端部とを有し、前記圧着爪壁部は、前記嵌合部材本体の嵌合部材壁部あるいは位置決め部の内周にあって、前記圧着爪滑り部が前記パネルに接触して、前記圧着爪壁部が前記圧着爪のばね作用によって、前記湾曲部を支点として前記カバーの内周側に撓む時に、前記嵌合部材の嵌合部材水平部の面の垂直方向にて圧着爪先端部が該嵌合部材水平部から離れる方向に変位するとともに、前記圧着爪滑り部も前記圧着爪壁部に向かって屈曲することを特徴とする車両用ホールカバーである。
【００１８】
請求項２に記載の発明は、開放口を有する袋状の弾性体のカバーと、内周に孔を設けてある嵌合部材本体と弾性変形可能な爪状部材とで構成されており前記カバーより硬質の材料でできている嵌合部材とを前記カバーの前記開放口近傍で結合し、前記嵌合部材と前記カバーの間にて車体のパネルを押し付けることができると共に前記嵌合部材は前記嵌合部材本体に複数の前記爪状部材を結合して構成されるか、あるいは複数の前記爪状部材の中の一部が前記嵌合部材本体に一体で形成されており、残りの前記爪状部材は前記嵌合部材本体に結合されて構成されているとともに、前記嵌合部材の前記爪状部材は、前記パネルを挟み込む為の一つの案内爪と、この案内爪でパネルを挟んだ後に前記パネルに嵌め込まれ、かつ、前記カバーの開放口側の端部を前記パネルに押し付けて密着させる為の一つあるいは複数の圧着爪からなるとともに、この圧着爪によりカバーの開放側の端部を前記パネルに押し付けた際に、前記カバーの前記開放口の近傍の面と前記嵌合部材との間で、前記パネルを挟み込みシールする為のシール機構が、前記カバーに設けられているとともに、前記圧着爪が、圧着爪滑り部と圧着爪先端部に圧着爪先端肉盗み部を備えており、前記圧着爪先端肉盗み部の幅は、嵌合部材水平部にほぼ垂直に突き出た位置決め部の幅より大であって、前記圧着爪が前記パネルに接触して撓む時に、この圧着爪が前記位置決め部に干渉しないことを特徴とする車両用ホールカバーである。
【００１９】
請求項３に記載の発明は、開放口を有する袋状の弾性体のカバーと、内周に孔を設けてある嵌合部材本体と弾性変形可能な爪状部材とで構成されており前記カバーより硬質の材料でできている嵌合部材とを前記カバーの前記開放口近傍で結合し、前記嵌合部材と前記カバーの間にて車体のパネルを押し付けることができると共に前記嵌合部材は前記嵌合部材本体に複数の前記爪状部材を結合して構成されるか、あるいは複数の前記爪状部材の中の一部が前記嵌合部材本体に一体で形成されており、残りの前記爪状部材は前記嵌合部材本体に結合されて構成されているとともに、前記嵌合部材の前記爪状部材は、前記パネルを挟み込む為の一つの案内爪と、この案内爪でパネルを挟んだ後に前記パネルに嵌め込まれ、かつ、前記カバーの開放口側の端部を前記パネルに押し付けて密着させる為の一つあるいは複数の圧着爪からなるとともに、この圧着爪によりカバーの開放側の端部を前記パネルに押し付けた際に、前記カバーの前記開放口の近傍の面と前記嵌合部材との間で、前記パネルを挟み込みシールする為のシール機構が、前記カバーに設けられているとともに、前記圧着爪が、前記嵌合部材本体に隙間を有してリベットで係合されており、前記嵌合部材本体に設けられ前記圧着爪の回転を制限する回転止め部に規制されて所定の範囲だけ回転可能であることを特徴とする車両用ホールカバーである。
【００２０】
請求項４に記載の発明は、請求項３に記載の圧着爪を取り付けた嵌合部材本体には、前記回転止め部と、嵌合部材水平部にほぼ垂直に突き出た位置決め部とが、分離されているかあるいは別部材で形成されていることを特徴とする車両用ホールカバーである。
【００２１】
請求項５に記載の発明は、請求項３に記載の圧着爪を有する嵌合部材本体の嵌合部材壁部の一部あるいは前記位置決め部と、前記回転止め部とが一体かあるいは同一部材で位置決め兼回転止め部を形成していることを特徴とする車両用ホールカバーである。
【００２２】
請求項６に記載の発明は、開放口を有する袋状の弾性体のカバーと、内周に孔を設けてある嵌合部材本体と弾性変形可能な爪状部材とで構成されており前記カバーより硬質の材料でできている嵌合部材とを前記カバーの前記開放口近傍で結合し、前記嵌合部材と前記カバーの間にて車体のパネルを押し付けることができると共に前記嵌合部材は前記嵌合部材本体に複数の前記爪状部材を結合して構成されるか、あるいは複数の前記爪状部材の中の一部が前記嵌合部材本体に一体で形成されており、残りの前記爪状部材は前記嵌合部材本体に結合されて構成されているとともに、前記嵌合部材の前記爪状部材は、前記パネルを挟み込む為の一つの案内爪と、この案内爪でパネルを挟んだ後に前記パネルに嵌め込まれ、かつ、前記カバーの開放口側の端部を前記パネルに押し付けて密着させる為の一つあるいは複数の圧着爪からなるとともに、この圧着爪によりカバーの開放側の端部を前記パネルに押し付けた際に、前記カバーの前記開放口の近傍の面と前記嵌合部材との間で、前記パネルを挟み込みシールする為のシール機構が、前記カバーに設けられているとともに、前記爪状部材を構成する前記案内爪及び前記圧着爪に対応する部分の前記カバーの前記開放口の近傍の面に、全周に亘ってシール機構としてシールリップが設けられており、前記案内爪に対応する部分の前記シールリップの剛性は、前記圧着爪に対応する部分の前記シールリップの剛性より大であることを特徴とする車両用ホールカバーである。
【００３０】
【発明の作用と効果】
上記のように構成された請求項１に記載の発明のホールカバーを車体のパネルに組付けるに当たっては、嵌合部材のところで前記パネルに嵌め合わせるので、少なくも金属の前記パネルと、金属あるいは樹脂あるいは金属と樹脂のような硬質な材料でできている前記嵌合部材とを滑らせるので、摩擦係数が小さくなり嵌め込み易くなる。
【００３１】
また前記ホールカバーは弾性体のカバーの開放口近くで前記嵌合部材が結合しており、この前記嵌合部材は硬質な材料でできていて剛性が高いので、組付け途中で変形することがなく組付け易い。
【００３３】
また案内爪と圧着爪に機能を分けたタイプの嵌合部材を有するホールカバーである請求項１に記載の発明においては、組付けに当たってまず前記案内爪を前記パネルに嵌め込む。するとこの案内爪の部分はしっかり固定されるので、その後嵌合部材本体に結合されている前記圧着爪を順にあるいは一気に嵌め込んで行けば良いので簡単に前記パネルに組付けられ、短時間で作業を完了できる。また圧着爪が前記パネルに嵌め込まれた時は、節度感の手応えがあるので、子細にチェックしなくても完了したことが分かる。さらに、前記カバーの開放口の近傍の面と前記嵌合部材との間で、前記パネルを挟み込みシールする為のシール機構を前記カバーに有しているので、水や泥等がホールカバーの内側の空間へ侵入することを阻止できる。
【００３５】
請求項１に記載の発明によれば、圧着爪の圧着爪壁部が、前記嵌合部材本体の嵌合部材壁部あるいは位置決め部の内周にあるので、前記圧着爪壁部が前記圧着爪のばね作用によって前記カバーの内周側に撓む時に、前記嵌合部材壁部や位置決め部が妨げることがないので、前記圧着爪の前記圧着爪壁部の撓みに当たって支点と荷重の掛かる点との長さが大きく取れる。従って前記圧着爪の弾性変形の為のモーメントを大きくできるので軽い荷重で撓ませることが可能となる。また前記圧着爪がばね作用によって前記カバーの内周側に撓む時に圧着爪先端部が前記嵌合部材の嵌合部材水平部の面から離れる方向に変位するので、前記ホールカバーを前記パネルに組付ける際に、前記ホールカバーにシールリップが設けられていても該シールリップを変形させる量が少なくて済み、前記ホールカバーを前記パネルに引き上げる荷重を低減できる。
【００３７】
請求項２に記載の発明によれば、前記圧着爪が圧着爪滑り部と圧着爪先端部に圧着爪先端肉盗み部を備えており、前記圧着爪先端肉盗み部の幅が、嵌合部材水平部にほぼ垂直に突き出た位置決め部の幅より大であって、前記圧着爪が撓む時に前記位置決め部に干渉しないので、前記圧着爪の撓みが大きい時でも前記位置決め部で撓みを規制されてしまうことがなく、スムーズな組付けができる。また、前記シール機構に前記カバーの前記開放口の近傍にシールリップを全周に渡って設けており、これを前記嵌合部材で挟んで押付けているのでより確実なシールが可能となる。
【００３８】
請求項３に記載の発明によれば、前記圧着爪が前記嵌合部材本体に隙間を有してリベットで係合されており、前記嵌合部材本体に設けられ前記圧着爪の回転を制限する回転止め部に規制されて所定の範囲だけ回転可能であるから、前記ホールカバーを前記パネルに組付ける際に該パネルのコラムホールにぴったりと合っていなくても、前記圧着爪が隙間分の揺動の自由度があるのでずれを補正してスムーズに組付けすることができる。
【００３９】
請求項４に記載の発明によれば、前記圧着爪を取り付けた嵌合部材本体に、前記回転止め部と、嵌合部材水平部にほぼ垂直に突き出た位置決め部とが、分離されているかあるいは別部材で形成されているので、前記ホールカバーの前記パネルに対する位置の調整が独立に設定可能である効果がある。
【００４０】
請求項５に記載の発明によれば、前記圧着爪を有する嵌合部材本体の嵌合部材壁部の一部あるいは前記位置決め部と、前記回転止め部とが一体かあるいは同一部材として位置決め兼回転止め部を形成しているので、前記位置決め兼回転止め部の剛性を高くできると言う効果がある。
【００４１】
請求項８に記載の発明によれば、前記圧着爪の材料がばね鋼でできているので、ホールカバーの前記パネルへの嵌め込み時大きな弾性変形で適度な力で撓むことが可能であり、また数多くの再使用をすることも可能である。
【００４４】
請求項６に記載の発明によれば、前記カバーの開放口の近傍に設けられた前記シールリップにおいて、前記案内爪に対応する部分の前記シールリップの剛性は、前記圧着爪に対応する部分の前記シールリップの剛性より大であるので、前記パネルに前記ホールカバーを嵌め込む最初において前記案内爪を素早く強く押し込んで滑り込ませても、前記案内爪に対応する前記シールリップの先端が本来撓むべき方向と逆の方向に変形したままになることがない。また、前記シール機構に前記カバーの前記開放口の近傍にシールリップを全周に渡って設けており、これを前記嵌合部材で挟んで押付けているのでより確実なシールが可能となる。
【００４５】
請求項１１に記載の発明によれば、ホールカバーを前記パネルに組付ける時、前記ホールカバーにおいて前記嵌合部材の内周の孔の一部に案内部材を有しているので、この案内部材を手に持って適当な位置に持って来ることができるので作業がやり易く素早くできる。
【００４６】
請求項１２に記載の発明によれば、ホールカバーを前記パネルに組付ける時に、前記パネルに空けられているコラムホールに対して、前記パネルには前記パネルと同じ面内にて凹部あるいは凸部が形成されているので、この凹部あるいは凸部を目印として前記嵌合部材の前記案内爪を近づけて行くことができる。従って、ギヤハウジングに取り付けられた前記ホールカバーが搭載時に位置のばらつきがあったとしても前記パネルの前記コラムホールに合わせられスムーズに作業ができる。
【００４７】
このようにホールカバーを車体のパネルに組付ける作業が、従来に比べ格段に簡単となり、より短い時間で完了することができるようになる効果があり、本発明の目的を達成できる。
【００４８】
【発明の実施の形態】
発明の実施の形態について説明する為に本発明のホールカバーがステアリング機構に適用された例で示す。ギヤハウジングに嵌合された本発明の第１の実施の形態のホールカバーが車体のパネルに取り付けられているところを示す断面図が図１である。図１に示すホールカバー１は弾性体でできたカバー３０と嵌合部材４０で構成されている。
【００４９】
図示しないステアリングホイールに一方で連結されたステアリングシャフト２１は他方でギヤハウジング２０に結合されている。弾性体のカバー３０は袋状をしていて両端に開放口３４と第２開放口３１を有している。該第２開放口３１には第２嵌合部３２が形成されていて、凹部を形成した第２嵌合部溝３２Ａと前記ギヤハウジング２０の上方に形成された凸部をなすつば状をしたギヤハウジングつば部２２とが嵌まり合うことにより前記カバー３０と前記ギヤハウジング２０とが嵌合させられている。また前記第２開放口３１の端部の方はギヤハウジング２０の外周の全周あるいはその一部を覆う第２開放口延設部３１Ａが形成されている。
【００５０】
前記第２開放口３１の反対側に開放された開放口３４の近傍には嵌合部３５が形成されている。該嵌合部３５には凹部となる嵌合部溝３５Ａが形成されている。該パネル１０には略円形あるいは略多角形あるいは曲線と多角形とで形成された形の孔であるコラムホール１２を形成している。
【００５１】
前記カバー３０の開放口３４側の端部は面を形成していてシール機構３６となっている。この図１に示すシール機構はシールリップ３６Ａを有しており、前記嵌合部材４０を構成する嵌合部材本体４５（図２に示す）に結合された爪状部材４１との間にパネル１０を挟んでいる。該爪状部材４１によって前記シールリップ３６Ａは弾性的に撓ませられて押付けられており、全周に渡って締め付け力が働くからシール性が良い。この為パネル１０とで仕切る車室の内外の空間は隔壁され室内への泥や水等の侵入が防止される。
【００５２】
また前記嵌合部３５に近接して、前記カバー３０の内周側には開放口突出部３４Ａを形成しているので、車室内のゴミ等の異物が下に落ちた時に、前記第２嵌合部３２の近くでカバー３０と回転するステアリングシャフト２１との間に落ちてしまって異物が噛み込むことのないように、空間的余裕のある前記嵌合部３５の近くにおいて車室内から落ちた異物を捕えて置くものである。図１では前記開放口突出部３４Ａは平らな面のままであるが、前記ステアリングシャフト２１や前記ギヤハウジング２０から突き出ているエクステンションシャフト２２のまわりに薄い板の円筒状のガイドを設けることによって異物が下に落ちないようにしても良い。
【００５３】
前述の嵌合部材４０の詳細を示す平面図が図２である。嵌合部材４０は金属あるいは樹脂あるいは金属と樹脂と言うように、弾性体の前記カバー３０より硬質の材料でできていて剛性がより高くなっている。また前記嵌合部材４０は、図２の実施例においては円形のリング状をしている。しかしこれは円形に限定されるものではなく、パネル１０の孔のところで述べたように前記パネル１０の孔であるコラムホール１２の形状が略円形であったり略多角形であったり曲線と多角形とで形成されるいろいろの形状であっても、それに合わせた孔を有した形状とすれば良い。このように嵌合部材４０はパネル１０の孔の形状に合わせた形状で内周部に孔４４を設けた嵌合部材本体４５と爪状部材４１とで構成されている。嵌合部材本体４５は内周に添ってほぼ均一の幅を持ったリングに近い形状に形成する嵌合部材水平部４５Ａを有し、内周側でこの嵌合部材水平部４５Ａにほぼ垂直の円筒状に嵌合部材壁部４５Ｂが一体的に形成されている。この嵌合部材壁部４５Ｂを設けることによって嵌合部材４０の剛性を高めている。前記嵌合部材壁部４５Ｂは前記嵌合部材本体４５と別体で結合するものであっても良い。また前記嵌合部材本体４５は平板以外に棒状のものであっても波状の板であっても良い。
【００５４】
嵌合部材本体４５の内周に空けられた孔４４の一部においては前記嵌合部材壁部４５Ｂの上部先端が折れ曲がって内周側に向かって棚状に延びた部分である案内部材４６が形成されている。これはカバー３０と嵌合部材４０とが合体されてホールカバー１が構成されパネル１０に組付ける時に、手でこの案内部材４６を持てるようにして作業がし易くする為に設けたものである。従ってこの案内部材４６は必ずしも平板に限られるものではなく、曲面でもまた棒状のものでも良く、更に複数箇所に設けても良い。前記案内部材４６は組付け時に手で持って作業がし易い為だけでなく、前記パネル１０の前記コラムホール１２との円周方向の位置を決める時の印としても役立つものである。
【００５５】
図２の実施例の嵌合部材４０では円周を３等分して１２０度の角度で３つの爪状部材４１が配置結合されている。この爪状部材４１の一つは案内爪４２であり、残りの２つは圧着爪４３となっている。別の実施例として前記爪状部材４１を全て圧着爪４３とすることも可能である。ここで前記案内爪と前記圧着爪の数の合計あるいは前記圧着爪だけの場合の数の合計は、３つに限定されるものではなく、また必ずしも円周上に均等の角度に位置させる必要もない。前述の如く前記嵌合部材４０は円形でない場合もあるわけで、その形状に合わせて適宜その数と位置を決定してやれば良い。
【００５６】
またこの実施例では、前記爪状部材４１の一つである前記案内爪４２は前記嵌合部材本体４５と一体で形成されているが、前記嵌合部材本体４５にかしめやスポット溶接やリベットによって結合しても良い。
【００５７】
またこの実施例では圧着爪４３は嵌合部材本体４５とは別体で構成しているが、嵌合部材本体４５とともに一体で形成することも可能であり、この場合は爪状部材４１を別体とした時に比べて製造コストを低くできる。
【００５８】
図２に示す嵌合部材４０の平面図においてＡ−Ａ断面で切った断面図で前記案内爪４２の詳細を示すものが図３である。この実施例では案内爪４２は嵌合部材本体４５と一体でできており、嵌合部材壁部４５Ｂの上部はＳ字カーブを描いて案内爪先端部４２Ａが形成されている。嵌合部材壁部４５Ｂに直角に嵌合部材水平部４５Ａが延びていてその先端は折り曲げられていて案内爪根元部４２Ｂを形成している。この案内爪根元部４２Ｂは嵌合部材水平部４５Ａに対しほぼ直角に折れ曲がっているので、図１に示す嵌合部穴３４Ｂに入るようになっている。
【００５９】
図２の嵌合部材４０の平面図においてＢ−Ｂ断面で切った断面図で前記圧着爪４３の詳細を示すものが図４である。また前記圧着爪４３の作用時の説明図として示した詳細断面図が図５である。嵌合部材本体４５の嵌合部材水平部４５Ａにリベット４７で圧着爪４３が結合されている。この圧着爪４３はばね鋼でできており弾性変形し易いので組付け時無理な力を入れる必要がなく、スムーズにホールカバー１をパネル１０に組付けられる。また数回の再使用にもへたることがない。前記圧着爪４３は上部が折り曲げられて断面の一部が３角形の形をしたヘアピン形状をしていて、圧着爪壁部４３Ｃに傾斜した傾斜面である圧着爪滑り部４３Ｂを有し、更に先端部は少し折り曲げられていて圧着爪先端部４３Ａを形成している。また前記圧着爪壁部４３Ｃの下側はほぼ直角に折れ曲がっていて嵌合部材水平部４５Ａに沿った面である圧着爪根元部４３Ｄを形成している。
【００６０】
前記ホールカバー１を前記パネル１０に組付ける時の前記圧着爪４３の作用を述べる。図５の点線で示すように前記パネル淵部１１に前記圧着爪滑り部４３Ｂの下方先端即ち前記圧着爪先端部４３Ａが接し始め、その後図５の左方に押し込むことになる。ここで前記圧着爪４３は前記圧着爪壁部４３Ｃの背面となる左方には支えがないので、前記圧着爪壁部４３Ｃの下方の前記圧着爪根元部４３Ｄにつながる湾曲部を支点として倒れ込んで行く。同時に前記圧着爪滑り部４３Ｂも前記圧着爪壁部４３Ｃに向かって前述のヘアピン形状の角度を狭めるように屈曲する。前記圧着爪先端部４３Ａが前記パネル端部１１を乗り越えられる迄前記圧着爪４３が倒れ込めば図６に示すように前記圧着爪４３が前記パネル１０にしっかりと嵌め込まれた状態となる。
【００６１】
ここで比較の為に図７に示すような圧着爪２４３が嵌合部材２４５の外周に位置している例について触れておく。前述の図５の例では前記圧着爪４３は前記嵌合部材４５の内周側に位置したが、図７の例では逆であり、圧着爪壁部２４３Ｃの倒れ込みの背面にあって倒れ込みを支えるように位置している。即ち図５の例の前記圧着爪４３の倒れ込みの支点が前記圧着爪根元部４３Ｄへ湾曲するところであって下方なのに対して図７の場合は前記嵌合部材２４５の上方先端部のところとなるので、前記圧着爪壁部２４３Ｃを倒れ込ませようとするモーメントが小さい為、図７に示すように前記圧着爪壁部２４３Ｃは殆ど撓まず、前記圧着爪滑り部２４３Ｂが撓む。
【００６２】
そこで図５の前記圧着爪先端部４３Ａの上下方向の位置と図７の前記圧着爪先端部２４３Ａの上下方向の位置とを比較して見ると、前者は初期の位置より上方にＨ移動しているのに対して、後者では下方にｈだけ移動している。これは後者の場合前記パネル淵部１１が前記カバー３０の上面に設けられたシールリップ３６Ａを組付け作業の途中で余分にｈだけ下方に押し込まねばならないことを意味している。その為その分の反力が必要となるのでより大きな力を要することになる。その点で最初に図４、５、６で示した前記圧着爪４３の前記嵌合部材４５への取付け構成の場合は、前記ホールカバー１をより軽く組付けることが可能となり有利と言える。
【００６３】
前述のカバー３０に嵌合部材４０を結合させるには、嵌合部材４０の嵌合部材水平部４５Ａを前記カバー３０の嵌合部３５に設けられた嵌合部溝３５Ａに挿入してやれば良い。この方法以外に接着剤を用いて結合したり、前記カバー３０がゴムの場合にゴムの成形時に加硫接着してしまう方法や、インジェクション成形やインサート成形によって造る方法などがある。このようにしてカバー３０と嵌合部材４０とを結合したホールカバー１の斜視図を示したものが、図８である。
【００６４】
次に第１の実施の形態のホールカバーの嵌合部材と圧着爪との別の実施例を示した断面図が図１０であり、図１０に示す圧着爪５４３の平面図を図１１（Ａ）に、断面図を図１１（Ｂ）に、側面図を図１１（Ｃ）に示す。また斜視図として示したものが図１２である。前記圧着爪５４３の圧着爪滑り部５４３Ｂの中程から圧着爪先端部５４３Ａにかけては図１２に示すように切り落とすことによって、圧着爪先端肉盗み部５８０が形成されている。即ち圧着爪先端部５４３Ａは幅方向で先端が分離した熊手のような形状となっている。また圧着爪壁部５４３Ｃにおいても中程から圧着爪根元部５４３Ｄに掛けて図１２に示すように圧着爪根元肉盗み部５７０が形成されている。このような圧着爪根元肉盗み部５７０が設けられていることによって、前記圧着爪５４３の前記圧着爪滑り部５４３Ｂにほぼ水平方向からの荷重が掛けられると、前記圧着爪壁部５４３Ｃが下方の湾曲部を支点として前記嵌合部材本体５４５の内周側に倒れ込むが、この時の倒れ込みの剛性が低くなっているので、倒れ込み易い。また前記圧着爪先端肉盗み部５８０が設けられていて、幅が後述の位置決め部５６０の幅より大きいので、前記位置決め部５６０に妨げられないで、前記圧着爪５４３が撓んで変位することができる。
【００６５】
嵌合部材本体５４５は外周にほぼ水平な面となる嵌合部材水平部５４５Ａと、内周側にほぼ垂直な薄い円筒上をなす嵌合部材壁部５４５Ｂを有している。前記圧着爪５４３の取り付けられるところでは図１２に示すように一部が切り落とされていて、前記圧着爪５４３の前記圧着爪先端部５４３Ａが倒れ込んだ時に、前記嵌合部材壁部５４５Ｂに接触せずに内周側に入り込むことができるようになっている。
【００６６】
前記位置決め部５６０は前記嵌合部材水平部５４５Ａにほぼ垂直に突き出た形状をしており、根元のところで前記嵌合部材水平部５４５Ａに一体的に連結されている。前記圧着爪５４３は前記圧着爪根元部５４３Ｄにて、前記嵌合部材水平部５４５Ａにリベット５４７で固定されている。但しこのリベット５４７の固定の仕方は完全な固定ではなく前記圧着爪５４３が前記リベット５４７を支点として回転可能な程度に隙間が設けられている。図１２に示すように前記嵌合部材壁部５４５Ｂの切り落としを形成する淵になるところは回転止め部５５０となっている。前述のようにこの回転止め部５５０の上方は前記圧着爪先端部５４３Ａが倒れ込み時通過できるように段付きに切り込みが入っている。前記圧着爪５４３が前記リベット５４７を支点として回転可能であっても、前記回転止め部５５０がある為に、その回転による揺動は所定の範囲に制限される。
【００６７】
図１０に示す前記位置決め部５６０と前記回転止め部５５０とは、嵌合部材本体５４５において分離されて形成されているが、別部材を溶接等で結合したものであっても良い。前記圧着爪５４３の若干の揺動を可能とする為に図１０の断面図に示すように前記回転止め部５５０と前記圧着爪壁部５４３Ｃとの間には隙間Ｃが設けられている。このＣの大きさを適宜設定することによって、前記圧着爪５４３が前記嵌合部材本体５４５に対して動き得る量を調節することができる。
【００６８】
この隙間Ｃの機能について説明する。前記圧着爪５４３を取付けた前記嵌合部材本体５４５が前記パネル１０の前記パネル淵部１１に嵌め込まれる時の状態を図１３に上方から見た平面図で示す。前記嵌合部材本体５４５が前記パネル１０のコラムホール１２に近づき、前記パネル淵部１１に前記圧着爪５４３の前記圧着爪滑り部５４３Ｂが接触するようになる。しかし前記パネル淵部１１と前記圧着爪５４３とは組付けの精度上、図１３の左右方向でぴったりと平行になるわけには行かないので、通常前記圧着爪滑り部５４３Ｂが前記パネル淵部１１に偏った当たり方をしながら図１３の紙面に垂直に上方に移動させられて行く。このような状態では前記圧着爪５４３のばね作用が図１３の左右方向で均一にならないので、こじたりして組付けづらくなる恐れがある。これに対してこの前記圧着爪５４３は隙間ｄだけ右回転及び左回転するガタを有しているので、所定の範囲において前記圧着爪５４３は前記パネル淵部１１に沿って平行となり均一な滑らかな倒れ込みが可能となる。
【００６９】
図１０から１３迄に示した実施例の嵌合部材５４０が車体のパネル１０に嵌め込まれたところを示す平面図が図１４である。嵌合部材５４０はコラムホール１２に対応して、内周に孔５４４を有するがこれは図２のような円形状ではなくコーナー部が円形状の四角形となっている。この略四角形を構成する辺の３辺の中央付近に圧着爪５４３が取り付けられていて、残りの一辺の中央付近に案内爪５４２が位置している。この時前記パネル１０のパネル淵部１１の一部にはこのパネル淵部１１と同じ面のまま凸部１３が２つ形成されていて、前記コラムホール１２に対して突き出している。この２つの凸部１３の間隔は案内爪５４２の幅より大であるから、図１４に示すようにちょうど案内爪５４２を挟む形で取り付くこととなる。この凸部１３が設けてあることで、嵌合部材５４０をパネル１０に組み込む時に目印とすることができ、作業性が向上する。目印となれば良いことから、この凸部は必ずしも凸ではなくて凹んでいる凹部であっても良いし、複数でなく１つであっても良い。
【００７０】
第１の実施の形態の更に別の実施例としての嵌合部材と圧着爪とを図１５に示す。これは前述の図１０、１２で示した前記位置決め部５６０と前記回転止め部５５０とを一つの部材で兼ねてしまうものである。図１５ではこれを位置決め兼回転止め部６６０として形成したものである。この位置決め兼回転止め部６６０は嵌合部材６４０とパネル１０との位置関係を決める為のものであり、図１０の例で示すように前記回転止め部５５０よりやや外周側に位置させる必要がある。しかし前記位置決め兼回転止め部６６０は同時に圧着爪６４３のリベット６４７を支点とする回転を規制する為のものでもあるので、前記圧着爪６４３に近接している必要もある。圧着爪先端部６４３Ａを外周にてほぼ同じ程度の外径に保つ必要があるから、圧着爪滑り部６４３Ｂと圧着爪壁部６４３Ｃとのヘアピンの折れ曲がり角度は図１５の点線で示すように鋭い鋭角になってしまう。従って図１５の実線の如く圧着爪６４３Ｃを２段折れにして、折れ曲がり角度を緩和してやる工夫が必要である。
【００７１】
このような位置決め部と回転止め部の兼用によって前記位置決め兼回転止め部６６０の剛性を高く取ることが可能となる。
【００７２】
図１及び図５に示した第１の実施の形態の嵌合部材において、別の実施例の嵌合部材３４０を組み込んで示したホールカバー３３０の斜視図が図１７である。この嵌合部材３４０においては、爪状部材３４１が嵌合部材本体３４５と一体で形成されている。この爪状部材３４１の詳細を示す断面図が図１８であり、図１７のＣ−Ｃ’断面で切った面を示している。前記爪状部材３４１は複数の圧着爪３４３で構成されているが、圧着爪根元部３４３Ｄは嵌合部材水平部３４５Ａの一部となっており、これにほぼ直角に圧着爪壁部３４３Ｃが延びている。この圧着爪壁部３４３Ｃの上方では折り曲がっていて、圧着爪滑り部３４３Ｂが傾斜した面を形成している。先端部では圧着爪先端３４３Ａがあり、パネル淵部１１をカバー３３０の嵌合部押え部３３５Ｃの面とで挟んでいる。ここでこの圧着爪３４３を有する嵌合部材３４０は前記カバー３３０に加硫接着されている。
【００７３】
次に前記ギヤハウジング２０に第２嵌合部３２にて組付けられたホールカバー１をパネル１０に嵌め込む作業について図９を主として用いて説明する。ステアリングシャフト２１は未だギヤハウジング２０に結合されていないので、ホールカバー１を上部に取り付けたギヤハウジング２０を下から徐々に上げて行き所定の位置で止める。コラムホール１２の位置とカバー３０の開放口３４とはほぼ合っているので、パネル１０の上方より手を入れて前記案内部材４６を持ちホールカバー１を持ち上げる。ここでまず前記案内爪４２をパネル１０のパネル淵部１１に嵌め込む。これは図３で示した案内爪先端部４２Ａと図１の嵌合部押え部３５Ｃとの間にパネル淵部１１を挟み込む。前述のように案内爪４２は先端に向かってＳ字状を形成している。従ってパネル１０のパネル淵部１１にホールカバー１を嵌め込む時に案内爪滑り部４２Ｃで接触するが、その接触面積は小さいので挿入力が小さくて済む。
【００７４】
案内爪４２をパネル淵部１１に滑り込ませる時は、案内爪先端部４２Ａの近くの屈曲した場所である案内爪滑り部４２Ｃの面とパネル淵部１１とは滑ることになるが、この時は同時にシールリップ３６Ａでもパネル淵部１１と滑ることになる。しかし案内爪に対応する部分のシールリップの剛性は、圧着爪を含む他の場所に位置するシールリップの剛性よりも大であるから、前述の案内爪４２を滑り込ませる時にシールリップ３６Ａが反転したりする不具合が起こらずスムーズに作業ができる。
【００７５】
次に案内部材４６を上に引き上げて行く。嵌合部材壁部４５Ｂ及び圧着爪４３の最上部はコラムホール１２を通り抜けられる寸法になっているが、前記圧着爪４３の圧着爪滑り部４３Ｂは前記コラムホール１２を通り抜けられず、図５に示したように圧着爪滑り部４３Ｂがパネル淵部１１に接触するようになる。更に案内部材４６を上に上げようとすると、ばね鋼でできた圧着爪４３は圧着爪滑り部４３Ｂが内周側に撓みつつ同時に圧着爪壁部４３Ｃも図５の下方の湾曲部を支点として前述のヘヤピン形状の先端部が内周側に入り込むように撓む。この際の圧着爪４３が図１０、１２に示したような若干の回転が可能なタイプであれば、前記パネル淵部１１に平行に均一に当たって行くので、こじることがなくスムーズに嵌め込まれて行く。図５において圧着爪４３は点線から実線のように変化して行く。このようにしてパネル淵部１１の先端部との間で滑りながら上に上昇して行く。この時の滑りは金属と金属あるいは金属と樹脂との摩擦であり、ゴムとの摩擦ではないので摩擦係数が低くスムーズである。そしてさらに上に持ち上げられると案内爪先端部４３Ａがパネル淵部１１を乗り越えて、図６に示すようにばね力で元の形状に戻りしっかりと嵌め込まれる。前述の如く前記圧着爪４３はばね鋼であるから大きな撓みも可能であると共に、分解組付けを何度か実施してもへたることがなく再利用が可能である。
【００７６】
ここでシールリップ３６Ａは圧着爪４３によって撓まされ適度な緊迫力を持たされるので、確実なシール機能を果たすことができる。このシール機構では必ずしもシールリップを有さなくとも良い。別の実施例を図１６に示すが、この場合は嵌合部押え部３５Ｃは平らな面となっており、圧着爪４３の圧着爪先端部４３Ａと圧着爪根元部４３Ｄとの間で緊迫力を与えられ、パネル淵部１１に密着させられている。
【００７７】
このように案内爪４２を嵌めることも簡単にできるし、一度案内爪４２がパネル１０に付けられれば後は案内部材４６を引き上げるだけで簡単にスムーズにホールカバー１をパネル１０に取り付けることが可能となり、作業時間が大幅に短縮できると共に、圧着爪４３を嵌め終わると節度感のある手応えがあるので、正しく嵌め込まれているかチェックしなくても感知できる。
【００７８】
こうしてホールカバー１がパネル１０に組み込まれた後、ステアリングシャフト２１を上方から降ろして来て、前記エクステンションシャフト２２に嵌合させるとステアリング機構が車両に取り付け完了となる。
【００７９】
第２の実施形態のホールカバーについて示した斜視図が図１９であり、図１９の中に示すＤ−Ｄ’断面で切った詳細断面図を図２０に示す。嵌合部材４４０は一体でできており、嵌合部材水平部４４５Ａにほぼ直角に嵌合部材壁部４４５Ｂが形成され、更にその上部に行くと下に向かって反転していて軸方向に沿って外径が変化している。この図１２の例では外径が下方に向かって大きくなって行き、裾が開いたスカート状の形状となっていて嵌合部材スカート部４４８を形成している。カバー４３０の嵌合部４３５に設けられた嵌合部溝４３５Ａに前記嵌合部材水平部４４５Ａが嵌め込まれている。前記嵌合部材スカート部４４８には全周にて幾つかの複数のスリット４４９が設けられている。このスリット４４９は嵌合部材スカート部４４８の上方では閉じられているが先端部では開いている。
【００８０】
従って案内部材４４６を手に持ってカバー４３０を前述のパネル１０に空けられたコラムホール１２に合わせてから引き上げると、嵌合部材スカート部４４８の先端はパネル淵部１１に添って縮められ、パネル淵部１１を乗り越すと一気に開いて図２０に示す元の形状になる。嵌合部材スカート部４４８と嵌合部材水平部４４５Ａとでパネル淵部１１と嵌合部押え部４３５Ｃとを挟む。この挟む間隔は、前記パネル淵部１１と嵌合部押え部４３５Ｃの厚さの和より狭い寸法が取ってあるので、弾性体でできているカバー４３０の一部をなす嵌合部押え部４３５Ｃは撓ませられ、上面でパネル淵部１１の下面に密着するので、シールが確実になされる。このように第２の実施の形態のホールカバー４０１においても、前記案内部材４４６を引き上げることによって簡単に組付けられるので、作業時間が大幅に短縮できると共に、嵌め終わると節度感のある手応えがあるので、正しく嵌め込まれているかチェックしなくても感知できる。
【００８１】
この第２の実施の形態においても前記カバー４３０と前記嵌合部材４４０との嵌合は、第１の実施の形態と同じく、嵌め込む方法や接着剤による結合の方法や前記カバー４３０がゴムの場合に加硫接着による方法やインジェクション成形やインサート成形等がある。
【００８２】
以上の説明においては、本発明の車両用ホールカバーをステアリングの部品がボデーのパネルを貫通するところにおいて適用した場合について述べたが、これは当然この場合のみに限定されるものではなく、車両の他のパネルにおいても広く適用され得るものである。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本発明の第１の実施の形態のホールカバーが、ステアリング機構に適用されてギヤハウジングと車体のパネルに取り付けられているところを示す断面図である。
【図２】図１に示す嵌合部材４０の平面図である。
【図３】図２においてＡ−Ａ’断面で切った詳細断面図を示す。
【図４】図２においてＢ−Ｂ’断面で切った詳細断面図を示す。
【図５】図４の圧着爪４３の作用を示す詳細断面図である。
【図６】図４の圧着爪４３がパネル１０に取付けられた状態を示す詳細断面図である。
【図７】圧着爪が嵌合部材の外周側に固定されている場合の例で、図４の圧着爪４３との比較の為に示した断面図である。
【図８】図１のホールカバーのみを示す斜視図である
【図９】本発明の第１の実施の形態のホールカバーをパネル１０に取り付ける作業の途中を示す断面図である。
【図１０】本発明の第１の実施の形態において圧着爪と嵌合部材との別の実施例を示す部分詳細断面図である。
【図１１】図１０の圧着爪５４３の平面図が図１１（Ａ）、断面図が図１１（Ｂ）、側面図が図１１（Ｃ）である。
【図１２】図１０の圧着爪５４３が嵌合部材本体５４５に取り付けられているところを示す斜視図である。
【図１３】図１０の圧着爪５４３が回転可能でパネル１０の沿ってスムーズに嵌め込まれることを示す説明図である。
【図１４】図１０の圧着爪５４３が嵌合部材本体５４５に取り付けられた嵌合部材５４０の平面図である。
【図１５】更に別の実施例として、本発明の第１の実施の形態において位置決め部と回転止め部とを兼用した場合の圧着爪と嵌合部材とを示す部分詳細断面図である。
【図１６】本発明の第１の実施の形態においてカバーの上面のシール機構の異なる別の実施例を示す部分詳細断面図である。
【図１７】本発明の第１の実施の形態において別の実施例の嵌合部材３４０を有するホールカバー３３０の斜視図である。
【図１８】図１７のＣ−Ｃ’断面で切った爪状部材３４１を示す詳細断面図である。
【図１９】本発明の第２の実施の形態のホールカバーを示す斜視図である。
【図２０】図１９のＤ−Ｄ’断面で切った詳細断面図を示す。
【図２１】従来構造のホールカバーが、ステアリング機構に適用されてギヤハウジングと車体のパネルに取り付けられているところを示す断面図である。
【符号の説明】
１、１０１、３０１、４０１・・・ホールカバー
１０、１１０・・・パネル
１１、１１１・・・パネル淵部
１２、１１２・・・コラムホール
１３・・・凸部
２０、１２０・・・ギヤハウジング
２１、１２１・・・ステアリングシャフト
３０、１３０、２３０、３３０、４３０、５３０、６３０・・・カバー
３３、１３３・・・蛇腹部
３４、１３４・・・開放口
３５、１３５・・・嵌合部
３６・・・シール機構
３６Ａ・・・シールリップ
４０、１４０、３４０、４４０、５４０、６４０・・・嵌合部材
４１、３４１・・・爪状部材
４２・・・案内爪
４３、３４３、５４３、６４３・・・圧着爪
４５、２４５、３４５、５４５、６４５・・・嵌合部材本体
４６、３４６、４４６・・・案内部材
４７、５４７、６４７・・・リベット
５５０・・・回転止め部
５６０・・・位置決め部
５７０、６７０・・・圧着爪根元肉盗み部
５８０、６８０・・・圧着爪先端肉盗み部
６６０・・・位置決め兼回転止め部[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a hole cover for covering a hole in a panel of a vehicle, for example, a steering column hole cover that covers a part of a steering shaft of a vehicle and is attached to a body panel.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Many panels, such as a body panel, are adopted for the body of a vehicle. When a hole is made in this panel, there is one in which a cover that covers this hole is attached. As a typical example, there is a hole cover (also called a steering column hole cover in this case) attached at a place where the steering shaft penetrates the body panel.
[0003]
The steering mechanism transmits the rotational force of the steering wheel to the steering gear, and further converts this into the lateral movement of the tie rod to control the wheel. Here, the steering wheel is in the vehicle interior, but after the steering gear is not in the vehicle interior but is located outside the vehicle body. Therefore, the steering column and the steering shaft normally pass through holes formed in the body panel near the feet of the driver's seat. Then, mud, water, etc. may enter the passenger compartment from the outside of the vehicle while traveling, so it is usually covered with a cover made of an elastic body such as rubber to block off mud, water, etc. from outside So as to prevent.
[0004]
A bag-like thing covering this panel with the cover as a component is called a hole cover. When this hole cover is applied to steering, it is also called a steering column hole cover. FIG. 21 shows a cross-sectional view of the steering column hole cover having a conventional structure attached to the steering and the body panel. Here, in the case of the hole cover 101 shown in FIG. 21, the hole cover 101 and the cover 130 are substantially the same because the hole cover 101 is composed only of a cover 130 made of rubber.
[0005]
A steering shaft 121 connected on one side to a steering wheel (not shown) is connected to the gear housing 120 on the other side. A cover 130 made of rubber is made into a bag shape, and has an opening 134 and a second opening 131 at both ends. A second fitting portion 132 is formed in the vicinity of the second opening 131 and is coupled to the gear housing 120.
[0006]
A fitting portion 135 is formed in the vicinity of the opening 134 opened to the opposite side of the second opening 131. The fitting portion 135 is formed with a fitting portion groove 135 A serving as a recess. The panel 110 is formed with a column hole 112 which is a hole formed in a substantially circular shape, a substantially polygonal shape, or a curve and a polygonal shape, so that the panel collar 111 forming the shape becomes a convex portion. , And fitted into the fitting portion groove 135A.
[0007]
In the fitting part 135, one of the surfaces forming the fitting part groove 135A extends long to form a fitting part support part 136. Further, a fitting portion pressing portion 135 C is formed at an end portion of the cover 130. The fitting portion groove 135A is formed between the fitting portion support portion 136 and the fitting portion pressing portion 135C. The width of the fitting portion groove 135A, that is, the gap between the fitting portion pressing portion 135C and the fitting portion support portion 136 is set smaller than the thickness of the panel flange 111. For this reason, the surface of the fitting support part 136 is in close contact with the panel flange 111, and the internal and external spaces partitioned by the cover 130 and the panel 110 are blocked by a partition to prevent entry of mud, water, etc. It plays the role of a seal.
[0008]
Further, when the hole cover 101 is incorporated into the panel 110, the fitting portion pressing portion 135C can be grasped to widen the fitting portion groove 135A, and the hole cover 101 can be easily fitted into the panel flange portion 111.
[0009]
A bellows portion 133 having one or a plurality of peaks and valleys is formed in a portion between the fitting portion 135 and the second fitting portion 132, and the panel flange portion 111 forming the column hole 112 is formed. The degree of freedom of the shape when assembling the hole cover 101 and after assembling is ensured.
[0010]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
The hole cover 101 having such a conventional configuration has a problem that it takes a relatively long time to assemble the cover 130 to the panel 110.
[0011]
The procedure of this assembly work will be described. The steering shaft 121 is separated from the gear housing 120, and the hole cover 101 with the cover 130 fitted to the gear housing 120 at the second fitting portion 132 is brought close to the panel 110, and the column hole is obtained. 112 so that the opening 134 fits. In the indoor side, that is, in FIG. 21, a hand is inserted from the upper right side of the panel 110 to grasp the fitting portion pressing portion 135 C. Next, the adjacent fitting portion groove 135A is expanded and fitted to the panel flange 111 one after another, and is extended to the entire circumference to complete the fitting. At this time, since the cover 130 is made of rubber and has low rigidity, the shape of the fitting portion 135 is likely to be deformed during the work, and the initially fitted portion may come off. Further, although it is necessary to fit the fitting portion groove 135A while sliding it on the panel flange portion 111, the friction coefficient between the rubber and the metal plate is large, and it is difficult to slip and takes time. For this reason, there has been a problem that the assembling work time becomes long.
[0012]
In order to deal with such a problem, the rigidity of the cover 130 may be increased. However, as can be seen from the fact that the above-described bellows portion 133 is provided so as to increase the degree of freedom of the shape, the cover 130 can be improved. If the rigidity is not low to some extent as a whole, the shape will not be flexible, and if the column hole 112 and the fitting portion 135 are slightly displaced, it will be difficult to assemble. Further, since the sandwiching width of the fitting portion groove 135A is smaller than the plate thickness of the panel collar 111 and has a dimension to allow tightening, it becomes difficult to fit when the rigidity is increased. Further, when the same hole cover 101 is commonly used for various gear housings and various panel shapes, the shape is not flexible and it is difficult to cope with them. That is, since the hole cover 101 is composed of only the cover 130 integrally formed of rubber, the hole cover 101 has a large rigidity at a certain portion and a small difference at a certain portion so as to be suitable for assembly. Is almost impossible.
[0013]
Therefore, in view of such problems, the cover has a low rigidity, while the fitting portion near the opening that is fitted to the panel has a high rigidity, and the friction coefficient with the panel is reduced, It is an object of the present invention to facilitate the assembly of the hole cover to the panel so that the work can be easily performed in a short time.
[0014]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The invention according to claim 1 is composed of a bag-shaped elastic cover having an opening, a fitting member main body provided with a hole in the inner periphery, and an elastically deformable claw-shaped member. A fitting member made of a harder material is coupled in the vicinity of the opening of the cover, and a vehicle body panel can be pressed between the fitting member and the cover, and the fitting member A plurality of the claw-shaped members are coupled to the fitting member main body, or a part of the plurality of claw-shaped members is formed integrally with the fitting member main body, and the remaining claw The claw-like member is configured to be coupled to the fitting member main body, and the claw-like member of the fitting member has one guide claw for sandwiching the panel, and after sandwiching the panel with the guide claw The cover is fitted into the panel and the opening of the cover One or more crimping claws for pressing and adhering the end of the cover to the panel, and when the end on the open side of the cover is pressed against the panel by the crimping claws, the opening of the cover A sealing mechanism for sandwiching and sealing the panel between the surface in the vicinity of the fitting member and the fitting member.On the surface near the openingProvidedThe sealing lip of this sealing mechanism is formed over the entire circumference, and the crimping claw is connected to the crimping claw root part and the crimping claw root part and is bent with the curved part as a fulcrum. A claw wall portion, a pressure claw slip portion that is an inclined surface inclined to the pressure claw wall portion, and a pressure claw tip portion formed at a tip of the pressure claw slip portion, the pressure claw wall portion is In the inner periphery of the fitting member wall portion or the positioning portion of the fitting member main body, the crimping claw sliding portion contacts the panel, and the crimping claw wall portion is bent by the spring action of the crimping claw. And the tip of the crimping claw is displaced in a direction away from the horizontal portion of the fitting member in a direction perpendicular to the surface of the fitting member horizontal portion of the fitting member when the portion is bent toward the inner peripheral side of the cover. The crimping claw sliding portion is also bent toward the crimping claw wall portion.This is a vehicle hole cover.
[0018]
The invention according to claim 2The cover is made of a material harder than the cover, which is composed of a bag-shaped elastic cover having an opening, a fitting member body having a hole in the inner periphery, and an elastically deformable claw-shaped member. A fitting member is coupled in the vicinity of the opening of the cover, and a panel of a vehicle body can be pressed between the fitting member and the cover, and the fitting member is attached to the fitting member main body by a plurality of the fitting members. The claw-like member is combined, or a part of the claw-like members is formed integrally with the fitting member main body, and the remaining claw-like members are the fitting member main body. And the claw-shaped member of the fitting member is fitted into the panel after the panel is sandwiched between the guide claw and the guide claw. The end of the cover on the opening side is the panel It is composed of one or a plurality of crimping claws for sticking together, and when the end portion on the open side of the cover is pressed against the panel by the crimping claws, the surface of the cover near the opening and the surface A sealing mechanism for sandwiching and sealing the panel between the fitting members is provided on the cover, and the crimping claw is connected to the crimping claw sliding portion and the crimping claw tip portion. A width of the crimping claw tip meat stealing portion is larger than a width of the positioning portion protruding substantially perpendicular to the fitting member horizontal portion, and the crimping claw contacts the panel and bends This crimping claw should not interfere with the positioning part.It is a hall cover for vehicles characterized by these.
[0019]
The invention according to claim 3The cover is made of a material harder than the cover, which is composed of a bag-shaped elastic cover having an opening, a fitting member body having a hole in the inner periphery, and an elastically deformable claw-shaped member. A fitting member is coupled in the vicinity of the opening of the cover, and a panel of a vehicle body can be pressed between the fitting member and the cover, and the fitting member is attached to the fitting member main body by a plurality of the fitting members. The claw-like member is combined, or a part of the claw-like members is formed integrally with the fitting member main body, and the remaining claw-like members are the fitting member main body. And the claw-shaped member of the fitting member is fitted into the panel after the panel is sandwiched between the guide claw and the guide claw. The end of the cover on the opening side is the panel It is composed of one or a plurality of crimping claws for sticking together, and when the end portion on the open side of the cover is pressed against the panel by the crimping claws, the surface of the cover near the opening and the surface A sealing mechanism for sandwiching and sealing the panel with the fitting member is provided on the cover, and the crimping claw is engaged with a rivet with a gap in the fitting member body. It is restricted by a rotation stop provided on the fitting member body and restricts the rotation of the crimping claw, and can rotate only within a predetermined range.This is a vehicle hole cover.
[0020]
The invention according to claim 4 is the claimIn the fitting member main body to which the crimping claw according to item 3 is attached, the rotation stopping portion and the positioning portion protruding substantially perpendicular to the fitting member horizontal portion are separated or formed by separate members. IkoIt is a hall cover for vehicles characterized by these.
[0021]
The invention according to claim 5A part of the fitting member wall portion of the fitting member main body having the crimping claws described in Item 3 or the positioning portion and the rotation preventing portion are integrated or the same member forms the positioning and rotation stopping portion.This is a vehicle hole cover.
[0022]
The invention according to claim 6The cover is made of a material harder than the cover, which is composed of a bag-shaped elastic cover having an opening, a fitting member body having a hole in the inner periphery, and an elastically deformable claw-shaped member. A fitting member is coupled in the vicinity of the opening of the cover, and a panel of a vehicle body can be pressed between the fitting member and the cover, and the fitting member is attached to the fitting member main body by a plurality of the fitting members. The claw-like member is combined, or a part of the claw-like members is formed integrally with the fitting member main body, and the remaining claw-like members are the fitting member main body. And the claw-shaped member of the fitting member is fitted into the panel after the panel is sandwiched between the guide claw and the guide claw. The end of the cover on the opening side is the panel It is composed of one or a plurality of crimping claws for sticking together, and when the end portion on the open side of the cover is pressed against the panel by the crimping claws, the surface of the cover near the opening and the surface A seal mechanism for sandwiching and sealing the panel with the fitting member is provided on the cover, and the cover of the portion corresponding to the guide claw and the crimping claw constituting the claw-shaped member A seal lip is provided as a seal mechanism over the entire surface in the vicinity of the opening, and the rigidity of the seal lip in the portion corresponding to the guide claw is that of the portion corresponding to the crimping claw. Greater than seal lip stiffnessThis is a vehicle hole cover.
[0030]
[Operation and effect of the invention]
Claims configured as above1When assembling the hole cover of the invention described above to the panel of the vehicle body, since it is fitted to the panel at the fitting member, at least the metal panel and a hard material such as metal or resin or metal and resin are used. Since the fitting member that has been made is slid, the friction coefficient becomes small and the fitting becomes easy.
[0031]
The hole cover is connected to the fitting member near the opening of the elastic cover, and the fitting member is made of a hard material and has high rigidity. Easy to assemble.
[0033]
Further, the hole cover has a fitting member of a type in which the function is divided into a guide claw and a pressure claw.In item 1In the described invention, at the time of assembly, the guide claw is first fitted into the panel. Then, since this guide claw part is firmly fixed, the crimping claw coupled to the fitting member main body can be fitted in order or at a stroke, so it can be easily assembled to the panel and work in a short time. Can be completed. Also, when the crimping nail is fitted into the panel, there is a feeling of moderation, so you can see that it was completed without checking carefully. Further, since the cover has a sealing mechanism for sandwiching and sealing the panel between the surface near the opening of the cover and the fitting member, water, mud, or the like is inside the hole cover. Can be prevented from entering the space.
[0035]
ClaimIn item 1According to the described invention, PressureSince the crimping claw wall portion of the fitting claw is on the inner circumference of the fitting member wall portion or the positioning portion of the fitting member main body, the crimping claw wall portion is moved to the inner circumference side of the cover by the spring action of the crimping claw. Since the fitting member wall portion and the positioning portion do not hinder when bending, the length of the fulcrum and the point where the load is applied can be increased when the crimping claw is bent. Accordingly, since the moment for elastic deformation of the crimping claw can be increased, it can be bent with a light load. Further, when the crimping claw is bent toward the inner peripheral side of the cover by a spring action, the tip of the crimping claw is displaced in a direction away from the surface of the fitting member horizontal portion of the fitting member, so that the hole cover is attached to the panel. When assembling, even if the hole cover is provided with a seal lip, the amount of deformation of the seal lip is small, and the load for lifting the hole cover to the panel can be reduced.
[0037]
ClaimIn item 2According to the invention described above, the crimping claw includes the crimping claw tip meat stealing portion at the crimping claw sliding portion and the crimping claw tip portion, and the width of the crimping claw tip meat stealing portion is substantially equal to the fitting member horizontal portion. Since it is larger than the width of the positioning part protruding vertically and does not interfere with the positioning part when the crimping claw bends, the positioning part may restrict the deflection even when the crimping claw is large. Smooth assembly is possible. Further, a seal lip is provided in the seal mechanism in the vicinity of the opening of the cover over the entire circumference, and the seal lip is sandwiched and pressed by the fitting member, so that a more reliable seal is possible.
[0038]
ClaimItem 3According to the described invention, the crimping claw is engaged with the rivet with a gap in the fitting member main body, and is provided on the fitting member main body with the rotation stopper for limiting the rotation of the crimping claw. Since it is restricted and can rotate only within a predetermined range, the crimping claw can be freely swung by a gap even when the hole cover is not exactly aligned with the column hole of the panel when the hole cover is assembled to the panel. Because there is, you can correct the deviation and assemble smoothly.
[0039]
ClaimIn item 4According to the described invention, in the fitting member main body to which the crimping claw is attached, the rotation stopping portion and the positioning portion protruding substantially perpendicular to the fitting member horizontal portion are separated or formed by separate members. Therefore, there is an effect that the adjustment of the position of the hole cover with respect to the panel can be set independently.
[0040]
ClaimItem 5According to the described invention, a part of the fitting member wall portion of the fitting member main body having the crimping claw or the positioning portion and the rotation stopping portion are integrated with each other or the positioning and rotation stopping portion is formed as the same member. Therefore, there is an effect that the rigidity of the positioning / rotation stopper can be increased.
[0041]
ClaimItem 8According to the described invention, since the material of the crimping claw is made of spring steel, it can be bent with an appropriate force with a large elastic deformation when the hole cover is fitted into the panel. It is also possible to use it.
[0044]
ClaimItem 6According to the described invention, in the seal lip provided in the vicinity of the opening of the cover, the rigidity of the seal lip in the portion corresponding to the guide claw is that of the seal lip in the portion corresponding to the crimping claw. Since the rigidity is greater than the rigidity, even if the guide claw is quickly pushed strongly and slid into the panel when the hole cover is fitted into the panel, the tip of the seal lip corresponding to the guide claw is opposite to the direction in which the guide lip should originally bend. Will not remain deformed in the direction of. Further, a seal lip is provided in the seal mechanism in the vicinity of the opening of the cover over the entire circumference, and the seal lip is sandwiched and pressed by the fitting member, so that a more reliable seal is possible.
[0045]
Claim11According to the described invention, when the hole cover is assembled to the panel, the hole cover has a guide member in a part of the inner peripheral hole of the fitting member. Can be brought to an appropriate position, making work easier and quicker.
[0046]
ClaimTo 12According to the described invention, when the hole cover is assembled to the panel, the panel is formed with a recess or a protrusion in the same plane as the panel with respect to the column hole opened in the panel. Therefore, the guide claw of the fitting member can be brought closer to the concave portion or the convex portion as a mark. Therefore, even if the hole cover attached to the gear housing has a variation in position at the time of mounting, the hole cover can be smoothly fitted to the column hole of the panel.
[0047]
As described above, the operation of assembling the hole cover to the panel of the vehicle body becomes much simpler than the conventional one, and there is an effect that it can be completed in a shorter time, and the object of the present invention can be achieved.
[0048]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
In order to describe the embodiment of the invention, an example in which the hole cover of the present invention is applied to a steering mechanism will be shown. FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing the hole cover of the first embodiment of the present invention fitted to the gear housing attached to the panel of the vehicle body. The hole cover 1 shown in FIG. 1 includes a cover 30 made of an elastic body and a fitting member 40.
[0049]
A steering shaft 21 connected to a steering wheel (not shown) on one side is connected to the gear housing 20 on the other side. The elastic cover 30 has a bag shape and has an opening 34 and a second opening 31 at both ends. A second fitting portion 32 is formed in the second opening 31, and has a collar shape that forms a second fitting portion groove 32 A having a concave portion and a convex portion formed above the gear housing 20. The cover 30 and the gear housing 20 are fitted together by fitting the gear housing collar portion 22 together. Further, the end portion of the second opening 31 is formed with a second opening extending portion 31A that covers the entire outer periphery of the gear housing 20 or a part thereof.
[0050]
A fitting portion 35 is formed in the vicinity of the opening 34 opened to the opposite side of the second opening 31. The fitting portion 35 is formed with a fitting portion groove 35 A serving as a recess. The panel 10 is formed with a column hole 12 which is a hole formed in a substantially circular shape, a substantially polygonal shape, or a curved and polygonal shape.
[0051]
An end portion of the cover 30 on the opening 34 side forms a surface and serves as a seal mechanism 36. The seal mechanism shown in FIG. 1 has a seal lip 36A, and the panel 10 is interposed between a claw-like member 41 coupled to a fitting member main body 45 (shown in FIG. 2) constituting the fitting member 40. Is sandwiched. The sealing lip 36A is elastically bent and pressed by the claw-like member 41, and a sealing force is good because a tightening force acts on the entire circumference. For this reason, the space inside and outside the vehicle compartment partitioned by the panel 10 is partitioned so that intrusion of mud, water, etc. into the room is prevented.
[0052]
Further, since an opening projection 34A is formed on the inner peripheral side of the cover 30 in the vicinity of the fitting portion 35, when the foreign matter such as dust in the passenger compartment falls down, the second fitting is performed. In order to prevent foreign matter from getting caught between the cover 30 and the rotating steering shaft 21 near the joint portion 32, it fell from the vehicle interior near the fitting portion 35 with sufficient space. It captures and places foreign objects. In FIG. 1, the opening projection 34 A remains a flat surface, but by providing a thin cylindrical guide around the extension shaft 22 protruding from the steering shaft 21 or the gear housing 20, May not fall down.
[0053]
FIG. 2 is a plan view showing details of the fitting member 40 described above. The fitting member 40 is made of a material harder than the cover 30 that is an elastic body, such as metal, resin, or metal and resin, and has higher rigidity. The fitting member 40 has a circular ring shape in the embodiment of FIG. However, this is not limited to a circle, and as described in the description of the hole of the panel 10, the column hole 12 which is the hole of the panel 10 has a substantially circular shape, a substantially polygonal shape, a curved line and a polygonal shape. Even if it is a variety of shapes formed by the above, it is sufficient that the shape has a hole corresponding to the shape. As described above, the fitting member 40 is constituted by the fitting member main body 45 and the claw-like member 41 in which the hole 44 is provided in the inner peripheral portion in a shape matching the shape of the hole of the panel 10. The fitting member main body 45 has a fitting member horizontal portion 45A formed in a shape close to a ring having a substantially uniform width along the inner periphery, and is substantially perpendicular to the fitting member horizontal portion 45A on the inner periphery side. A fitting member wall 45B is integrally formed in a cylindrical shape. By providing the fitting member wall 45B, the rigidity of the fitting member 40 is increased. The fitting member wall portion 45B may be coupled to the fitting member main body 45 separately. Further, the fitting member main body 45 may be a rod-like member or a wave-like plate other than a flat plate.
[0054]
In a part of the hole 44 formed in the inner periphery of the fitting member main body 45, a guide member 46, which is a portion in which the upper end of the fitting member wall 45B is bent and extends in a shelf shape toward the inner periphery side, is formed. Is formed. The cover 30 and the fitting member 40 are combined to form the hole cover 1 so that the guide member 46 can be held by hand when the hole cover 1 is assembled to the panel 10 so as to facilitate the work. . Therefore, the guide member 46 is not necessarily limited to a flat plate, and may be a curved surface or a rod shape, and may be provided at a plurality of locations. The guide member 46 is useful not only because it is easily held by hand when assembled, but also as a mark for determining the circumferential position of the panel 10 with the column hole 12.
[0055]
In the fitting member 40 of the embodiment of FIG. 2, the claw-like members 41 are arranged and coupled at an angle of 120 degrees by dividing the circumference into three equal parts. One of the claw-like members 41 is a guide claw 42, and the other two are crimping claws 43. As another example, the claw-like members 41 can be all made into the crimping claws 43. Here, the total number of the guide claws and the crimping claws or the total number of the crimping claws only is not limited to three, and it is not always necessary to be positioned at equal angles on the circumference. Absent. As described above, the fitting member 40 may not be circular, and the number and position may be determined as appropriate according to the shape.
[0056]
In this embodiment, the guide claw 42, which is one of the claw-like members 41, is formed integrally with the fitting member main body 45. However, the fitting member main body 45 is caulked, spot welded, or riveted. May be combined.
[0057]
In this embodiment, the crimping claw 43 is formed separately from the fitting member main body 45. However, it can be formed integrally with the fitting member main body 45, and in this case, the claw-like member 41 is separated. The manufacturing cost can be reduced compared with the case of using the body.
[0058]
FIG. 3 is a plan view of the fitting member 40 shown in FIG. In this embodiment, the guide claw 42 is integrally formed with the fitting member main body 45, and a guide claw tip portion 42A is formed in an upper part of the fitting member wall 45B in an S-shaped curve. A fitting member horizontal part 45A extends at right angles to the fitting member wall part 45B, and its tip is bent to form a guide claw root part 42B. Since the guide claw root portion 42B is bent at a substantially right angle with respect to the fitting member horizontal portion 45A, the guide claw root portion 42B enters the fitting portion hole 34B shown in FIG.
[0059]
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB in the plan view of the fitting member 40 in FIG. FIG. 5 is a detailed cross-sectional view shown as an explanatory diagram when the crimping claw 43 is operated. A crimping claw 43 is coupled to a fitting member horizontal portion 45 A of the fitting member main body 45 by a rivet 47. The crimping claw 43 is made of spring steel and easily elastically deforms. Therefore, it is not necessary to apply an excessive force during assembly, and the hole cover 1 can be assembled to the panel 10 smoothly. In addition, there is no hesitation in reuse several times. The crimping claw 43 has a hairpin shape in which the upper part is bent and a part of the cross section is a triangular shape, and has a crimping claw sliding portion 43B that is an inclined surface inclined to the crimping claw wall portion 43C. The tip is bent slightly to form a crimping claw tip 43A. Further, the lower side of the crimping claw wall portion 43C is bent at a substantially right angle to form a crimping claw root portion 43D which is a surface along the fitting member horizontal portion 45A.
[0060]
The operation of the crimping claws 43 when the hole cover 1 is assembled to the panel 10 will be described. As shown by the dotted line in FIG. 5, the lower end of the crimping claw sliding portion 43B, that is, the crimping claw tip portion 43A starts to contact the panel collar 11, and is then pushed to the left in FIG. Here, since the crimping claw 43 has no support on the left side which is the back surface of the crimping claw wall portion 43C, the crimping claw 43 falls down with a curved portion connected to the crimping claw root portion 43D below the crimping claw wall portion 43C as a fulcrum. go. At the same time, the crimp claw sliding portion 43B is also bent toward the crimp claw wall portion 43C so as to narrow the angle of the hairpin shape. If the crimping claw 43 falls down until the crimping claw tip 43A gets over the panel end 11, the crimping claw 43 is securely fitted into the panel 10 as shown in FIG.
[0061]
Here, for comparison, an example in which the crimping claws 243 as shown in FIG. 7 are located on the outer periphery of the fitting member 245 will be described. In the example of FIG. 5 described above, the crimping claw 43 is located on the inner peripheral side of the fitting member 45. However, in the example of FIG. 7, the reverse is the case, and the crimping claw wall 243C is on the back side of the fall of the crimping claw wall 243C. Is located. That is, the fulcrum of the crimping claw 43 in the example of FIG. 5 is bent to the crimping claw root portion 43D and is lower, whereas in the case of FIG. 7, it is the upper tip of the fitting member 245. Since the moment to cause the crimping claw wall portion 243C to fall is small, the crimping claw wall portion 243C hardly bends and the crimping claw sliding portion 243B is bent as shown in FIG.
[0062]
Therefore, when comparing the vertical position of the crimping claw tip 43A in FIG. 5 and the vertical position of the crimping claw tip 243A in FIG. 7, the former moves H higher than the initial position. In contrast, the latter moves downward by h. This means that in the latter case, the panel collar 11 has to push the seal lip 36A provided on the upper surface of the cover 30 downward by an extra h during the assembling operation. For that reason, the reaction force corresponding to that is required, so a greater force is required. In that respect, the hole cover 1 can be assembled more lightly in the case of the attachment configuration of the crimping claw 43 to the fitting member 45 first shown in FIGS.
[0063]
In order to couple the fitting member 40 to the cover 30 described above, the fitting member horizontal portion 45A of the fitting member 40 may be inserted into the fitting portion groove 35A provided in the fitting portion 35 of the cover 30. In addition to this method, there are a method of bonding using an adhesive, a method of vulcanizing and bonding when the cover 30 is rubber, a method of making by injection molding or insert molding, and the like. FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of the hole cover 1 in which the cover 30 and the fitting member 40 are combined in this manner.
[0064]
Next, FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing another example of the fitting member and the crimping claw of the hole cover of the first embodiment, and FIG. 11 (A) is a plan view of the crimping claw 543 shown in FIG. ), A cross-sectional view is shown in FIG. 11 (B), and a side view is shown in FIG. 11 (C). FIG. 12 shows a perspective view. A crimping claw tip meat stealing portion 580 is formed by cutting off from the middle of the crimping claw sliding portion 543B of the crimping claw 543 to the crimping claw tip portion 543A as shown in FIG. That is, the crimping claw tip 543A has a shape like a rake with the tips separated in the width direction. Also, in the crimping claw wall portion 543C, a crimping claw root meat stealing portion 570 is formed from the middle to the crimping claw root portion 543D as shown in FIG. By providing such a crimping claw root meat stealing portion 570, when a load from a substantially horizontal direction is applied to the crimping claw sliding portion 543B of the crimping claw 543, the crimping claw wall portion 543C is moved downward. Although it falls into the inner peripheral side of the fitting member main body 545 using the curved portion as a fulcrum, it is easy to fall down because the falling rigidity at this time is low. Further, since the crimping claw tip meat stealing part 580 is provided and the width is larger than the width of a positioning part 560 described later, the crimping claw 543 can be bent and displaced without being obstructed by the positioning part 560. .
[0065]
The fitting member main body 545 has a fitting member horizontal portion 545A that is a substantially horizontal surface on the outer periphery, and a fitting member wall portion 545B that is formed on a thin cylinder that is substantially perpendicular to the inner periphery. As shown in FIG. 12, a part of the crimping claw 543 is cut off as shown in FIG. 12. When the crimping claw tip 543A of the crimping claw 543 falls down, it does not contact the fitting member wall 545B. It is possible to enter the inner circumference side.
[0066]
The positioning portion 560 has a shape protruding substantially perpendicular to the fitting member horizontal portion 545A, and is integrally connected to the fitting member horizontal portion 545A at the base. The crimping claw 543 is fixed to the fitting member horizontal portion 545A by a rivet 547 at the crimping claw root portion 543D. However, the method of fixing the rivet 547 is not complete fixing, and a clearance is provided so that the crimping claw 543 can rotate with the rivet 547 as a fulcrum. As shown in FIG. 12, a portion that becomes a ridge that forms a cut-off of the fitting member wall portion 545B is a rotation stop portion 550. As described above, a stepped notch is provided above the rotation stopper 550 so that the crimping claw tip 543A can pass when it falls down. Even if the crimping claw 543 can rotate with the rivet 547 as a fulcrum, because of the rotation stopper 550, the swing due to the rotation is limited to a predetermined range.
[0067]
The positioning portion 560 and the rotation stop portion 550 shown in FIG. 10 are formed separately from each other in the fitting member main body 545, but another member may be joined by welding or the like. In order to allow the crimping claw 543 to swing slightly, a gap C is provided between the rotation stop portion 550 and the crimping claw wall portion 543C as shown in the sectional view of FIG. By appropriately setting the size of C, the amount by which the crimping claw 543 can move relative to the fitting member main body 545 can be adjusted.
[0068]
The function of this gap C will be described. A state when the fitting member main body 545 to which the crimping claws 543 are attached is fitted into the panel flange portion 11 of the panel 10 is shown in a plan view as viewed from above in FIG. 13. The fitting member main body 545 approaches the column hole 12 of the panel 10, and the crimping claw sliding portion 543B of the crimping claw 543 comes into contact with the panel flange portion 11. However, the panel collar 11 and the crimping claw 543 cannot be exactly parallel to each other in the left-right direction in FIG. It is moved vertically upward with respect to the paper surface of FIG. In such a state, the spring action of the crimping claws 543 is not uniform in the left-right direction in FIG. On the other hand, the crimping claw 543 has a play that rotates clockwise and counterclockwise by the gap d. Therefore, the crimping claw 543 is parallel to the panel flange 11 in a predetermined range and is uniform and smooth. Can fall down.
[0069]
FIG. 14 is a plan view showing the fitting member 540 of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 10 to 13 fitted into the panel 10 of the vehicle body. The fitting member 540 has a hole 544 on the inner periphery corresponding to the column hole 12, but this is not a circular shape as shown in FIG. A crimping claw 543 is attached in the vicinity of the center of the three sides of the substantially rectangular side, and the guide claw 542 is located in the vicinity of the center of the remaining one side. At this time, two convex portions 13 are formed on a part of the panel flange portion 11 of the panel 10 while keeping the same surface as the panel flange portion 11, and protrude from the column hole 12. Since the interval between the two protrusions 13 is larger than the width of the guide claw 542, the guide claw 542 is attached as shown in FIG. By providing this convex portion 13, it can be used as a mark when the fitting member 540 is incorporated into the panel 10, and workability is improved. Since it only needs to be a mark, the convex portion is not necessarily convex but may be a concave concave portion, or may be a single concave portion.
[0070]
FIG. 15 shows a fitting member and a crimping claw as still another example of the first embodiment. This is because the positioning portion 560 and the rotation stop portion 550 shown in FIGS. 10 and 12 are combined with one member. In FIG. 15, this is formed as a positioning / rotation stopper 660. The positioning / rotation preventing portion 660 is for determining the positional relationship between the fitting member 640 and the panel 10, and as shown in the example of FIG. . However, the positioning / rotation stopper 660 is also for restricting the rotation of the crimping claw 643 around the rivet 647 as a fulcrum, and therefore needs to be close to the crimping claw 643. Since it is necessary to keep the crimping claw tip 643A at the same outer diameter on the outer periphery, the bending angle of the hairpin between the crimping claw sliding part 643B and the crimping claw wall part 643C is a sharp acute angle as shown by the dotted line in FIG. Become. Therefore, it is necessary to devise a method in which the crimping claw 643C is folded in two steps as shown by a solid line in FIG. 15 to relax the bending angle.
[0071]
By using both the positioning portion and the rotation stop portion, the positioning and rotation stop portion 660 can have high rigidity.
[0072]
FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the hole cover 330 in which the fitting member 340 of another example is incorporated in the fitting member of the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 5. In the fitting member 340, the claw-like member 341 is formed integrally with the fitting member main body 345. FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view showing details of the claw-like member 341, and shows a surface cut along a C-C ′ cross-section of FIG. The claw-like member 341 is composed of a plurality of crimping claws 343, but the crimping claw root portion 343D is a part of the fitting member horizontal portion 345A, and the crimping claw wall portion 343C extends at a substantially right angle thereto. ing. The crimping claw wall portion 343C is bent above, and the crimping claw sliding portion 343B forms an inclined surface. There is a crimping claw tip 343 A at the tip, and the panel flange 11 is sandwiched between the surface of the fitting portion presser 335 C of the cover 330. Here, the fitting member 340 having the crimping claws 343 is vulcanized and bonded to the cover 330.
[0073]
Next, an operation of fitting the hole cover 1 assembled to the gear housing 20 with the second fitting portion 32 into the panel 10 will be described mainly with reference to FIG. Since the steering shaft 21 is not yet coupled to the gear housing 20, the gear housing 20 with the hole cover 1 attached to the upper portion is gradually raised from below and stopped at a predetermined position. Since the position of the column hole 12 and the opening 34 of the cover 30 are substantially matched, a hand is inserted from above the panel 10 to hold the guide member 46 and lift the hole cover 1. Here, the guide claw 42 is first fitted into the panel collar 11 of the panel 10. This sandwiches the panel collar 11 between the guide claw tip portion 42A shown in FIG. 3 and the fitting portion presser portion 35C of FIG. As described above, the guide claw 42 forms an S shape toward the tip. Therefore, when the hole cover 1 is fitted into the panel collar 11 of the panel 10, the guide claw sliding portion 42C makes contact, but since the contact area is small, the insertion force can be small.
[0074]
When the guide claw 42 is slid into the panel collar 11, the surface of the guide claw sliding part 42C, which is a bent place near the guide claw tip 42A, and the panel collar 11 are slid. At the same time, the seal lip 36A slides with the panel collar 11. However, since the rigidity of the seal lip corresponding to the guide claw is larger than the rigidity of the seal lip located elsewhere including the crimping claw, the seal lip 36A is reversed when the guide claw 42 is slid. Work smoothly without any problems.
[0075]
Next, the guide member 46 is pulled up. The fitting member wall 45B and the uppermost portion of the crimping pawl 43 are dimensioned to pass through the column hole 12, but the crimping pawl sliding portion 43B of the crimping pawl 43 cannot pass through the column hole 12, and FIG. As shown, the crimping claw sliding portion 43 B comes into contact with the panel flange 11. When the guide member 46 is further raised, the crimping claw 43 made of spring steel is bent by the crimping claw sliding portion 43B toward the inner peripheral side, and at the same time, the crimping claw wall portion 43C is also supported by the lower curved portion of FIG. The above-mentioned hairpin-shaped tip is bent so as to enter the inner peripheral side. In this case, if the crimping claw 43 is of a type that can be slightly rotated as shown in FIGS. 10 and 12, since it hits the panel collar 11 uniformly in parallel, it will fit smoothly without twisting. . In FIG. 5, the crimping claw 43 changes from a dotted line to a solid line. In this way, it rises upward while sliding between the front end of the panel collar 11. The slip at this time is friction between metal and metal or metal and resin, and is not friction with rubber, so the friction coefficient is low and smooth. When it is further lifted upward, the guide claw tip 43A gets over the panel collar 11, and returns to its original shape with a spring force as shown in FIG. As described above, since the crimping claw 43 is made of spring steel, it can be bent greatly, and can be reused without being sunk even if it is disassembled and assembled several times.
[0076]
Here, since the seal lip 36A is bent by the pressure-bonding claws 43 and has an appropriate tightening force, a reliable sealing function can be achieved. This sealing mechanism does not necessarily have a sealing lip. FIG. 16 shows another embodiment. In this case, the fitting portion pressing portion 35C has a flat surface, and the tension force between the crimping claw tip portion 43A and the crimping claw root portion 43D of the crimping claw 43 is shown. And is brought into close contact with the panel flange 11.
[0077]
The guide claw 42 can be easily fitted in this way, and once the guide claw 42 is attached to the panel 10, the hole cover 1 can be easily and smoothly attached to the panel 10 simply by pulling up the guide member 46. Thus, the working time can be greatly shortened, and there is a moderate response when the crimping claw 43 has been fitted, so that it can be sensed without checking whether the fitting is properly done.
[0078]
After the hole cover 1 is assembled in the panel 10 in this way, the steering shaft 21 is lowered from above and fitted to the extension shaft 22, and the steering mechanism is completely attached to the vehicle.
[0079]
FIG. 19 is a perspective view showing the hole cover of the second embodiment, and FIG. 20 is a detailed cross-sectional view taken along the D-D ′ cross section shown in FIG. 19. The fitting member 440 is integrally formed, and a fitting member wall portion 445B is formed at a substantially right angle to the fitting member horizontal portion 445A. Further, when it goes to the upper portion, the fitting member 440 is inverted downward and along the axial direction. The outer diameter has changed. In the example of FIG. 12, the outer diameter increases downward, and the skirt-like shape with an open skirt is formed to form a fitting member skirt portion 448. The fitting member horizontal portion 445A is fitted in a fitting portion groove 435A provided in the fitting portion 435 of the cover 430. The fitting member skirt portion 448 is provided with a plurality of slits 449 around the entire circumference. The slit 449 is closed above the fitting member skirt 448 but is open at the tip.
[0080]
Therefore, when the guide member 446 is held in hand and the cover 430 is lifted after being aligned with the column hole 12 formed in the panel 10 described above, the tip of the fitting member skirt portion 448 is shrunk along with the panel flange 11, and the panel When it gets over the buttocks 11, it opens at a stretch and becomes the original shape shown in FIG. The panel flange portion 11 and the fitting portion pressing portion 435C are sandwiched between the fitting member skirt portion 448 and the fitting member horizontal portion 445A. Since the interval between the sandwiched portions is smaller than the sum of the thicknesses of the panel flange portion 11 and the fitting portion pressing portion 435C, the fitting portion pressing portion 435C forming a part of the cover 430 made of an elastic body. Is bent and is in close contact with the lower surface of the panel flange 11 on the upper surface, so that the sealing is reliably performed. As described above, the hole cover 401 according to the second embodiment can be easily assembled by pulling up the guide member 446. Therefore, the working time can be greatly reduced, and there is a moderate response when the fitting is finished. So it can be sensed without checking if it is fitted correctly.
[0081]
Also in the second embodiment, the fitting of the cover 430 and the fitting member 440 is the same as in the first embodiment, such as a fitting method, a bonding method using an adhesive, or the cover 430 made of rubber. In some cases, there are vulcanized adhesion methods, injection molding, insert molding, and the like.
[0082]
In the above description, the case where the vehicle hole cover according to the present invention is applied where the steering component passes through the panel of the body has been described, but this is naturally not limited to this case. It can be widely applied to other panels.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a hole cover according to a first embodiment of the present invention applied to a steering mechanism and attached to a gear housing and a panel of a vehicle body.
FIG. 2 is a plan view of the fitting member 40 shown in FIG.
FIG. 3 is a detailed cross-sectional view taken along the line A-A ′ in FIG. 2.
FIG. 4 is a detailed cross-sectional view taken along a B-B ′ cross section in FIG. 2.
5 is a detailed cross-sectional view showing the operation of the crimping claw 43 of FIG.
6 is a detailed cross-sectional view showing a state in which the crimping claw 43 of FIG. 4 is attached to the panel 10. FIG.
7 is an example of a case where the crimping claws are fixed to the outer peripheral side of the fitting member, and is a cross-sectional view shown for comparison with the crimping claws 43 of FIG.
8 is a perspective view showing only the hole cover of FIG. 1. FIG.
FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing the middle of the work of attaching the hole cover according to the first embodiment of the present invention to the panel 10;
FIG. 10 is a partial detailed cross-sectional view showing another example of the crimping claw and the fitting member in the first embodiment of the present invention.
11A is a plan view of the crimping claw 543 of FIG. 10, FIG. 11B is a sectional view, and FIG. 11C is a side view.
12 is a perspective view showing a state where the crimping claw 543 of FIG. 10 is attached to the fitting member main body 545. FIG.
13 is an explanatory view showing that the crimping claw 543 of FIG. 10 is rotatable and can be smoothly fitted along the panel 10. FIG.
14 is a plan view of the fitting member 540 with the crimping claws 543 of FIG. 10 attached to the fitting member main body 545. FIG.
FIG. 15 is a partial detailed cross-sectional view showing a crimping claw and a fitting member when the positioning portion and the rotation stopper are combined in the first embodiment of the present invention as still another example.
FIG. 16 is a partial detailed cross-sectional view showing another example of the sealing mechanism on the upper surface of the cover according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a hole cover 330 having a fitting member 340 according to another example in the first embodiment of the present invention.
18 is a detailed cross-sectional view showing a claw-like member 341 cut along a C-C ′ cross section of FIG. 17. FIG.
FIG. 19 is a perspective view showing a hole cover according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 20 is a detailed cross-sectional view taken along the D-D ′ cross section of FIG. 19;
FIG. 21 is a sectional view showing a hole cover having a conventional structure applied to a steering mechanism and attached to a gear housing and a panel of a vehicle body.
[Explanation of symbols]
1, 101, 301, 401 ... hole cover
10, 110 ... Panel
11, 111 ... Panel collar
12, 112 ... Column Hall
13 ... convex part
20, 120 ... Gear housing
21, 121 ... Steering shaft
30, 130, 230, 330, 430, 530, 630 ... cover
33, 133 ... bellows
34,134 ... Open mouth
35, 135 ... fitting part
36 ... Sealing mechanism
36A ・・・ Seal lip
40, 140, 340, 440, 540, 640 ... fitting member
41, 341 ... Claw-shaped members
42 ... Guide nails
43, 343, 543, 643 ... Crimping claws
45, 245, 345, 545, 645 ... fitting member main body
46, 346, 446 ... guide members
47, 547, 647 ... Rivet
550 ... Rotation stopper
560 ... Positioning part
570, 670 ... Crimp nail root stealing part
580, 680 ... Crimp claw tip meat stealing part
660 ... Positioning and rotation stopper

Claims

It is composed of a bag-shaped elastic cover having an opening, a fitting member body having a hole in the inner periphery, and a claw-shaped member that can be elastically deformed, and is a fitting made of a material harder than the cover. A joint member is coupled in the vicinity of the opening of the cover, and a panel of a vehicle body can be pressed between the fitting member and the cover, and the fitting member is attached to the fitting member main body with a plurality of the claws. A plurality of the claw-shaped members are formed integrally with the fitting member main body, and the remaining claw-shaped members are connected to the fitting member main body. The claw-like member of the fitting member is configured to be combined with one guide claw for sandwiching the panel, and is fitted into the panel after sandwiching the panel with the guide claw, and Push the end of the cover on the opening side against the panel. It is composed of one or a plurality of crimping claws for attaching and closely contacting the surface of the cover in the vicinity of the opening when the end of the cover on the open side is pressed against the panel by the crimping claws. between the engagement member, the sealing mechanism for sealing sandwiching the panel, the provided on the surface in the vicinity of the mouth opening of the cover, the sealing lip of the seal mechanism is formed over the entire circumference The crimping claw includes a crimping claw root portion, a crimping claw wall portion that is connected to the crimping claw root portion and bends with the curved portion as a fulcrum, and a crimping surface that is inclined to the crimping claw wall portion. A claw sliding portion and a crimping claw tip portion formed at a tip of the crimping claw sliding portion, and the crimping claw wall portion is formed on an inner periphery of the fitting member wall portion or the positioning portion of the fitting member body. And the crimp claw sliding portion is on the panel. The vertical direction of the surface of the fitting member horizontal portion of the fitting member when the crimping claw wall portion is bent toward the inner peripheral side of the cover with the curved portion as a fulcrum by the spring action of the crimping claw A vehicular hole cover , wherein the crimping claw tip portion is displaced in a direction away from the fitting member horizontal portion and the crimping claw sliding portion is also bent toward the crimping claw wall portion .

It is composed of a bag-shaped elastic cover having an opening, a fitting member body having a hole in the inner periphery, and a claw-shaped member that can be elastically deformed, and is a fitting made of a material harder than the cover. and a case member coupled with the open port near the cover, both the fitting member to be able to press the vehicle body panel in between the cover and the fitting member is a plurality of the said fitting member body The claw-like member is combined, or a part of the claw-like members is formed integrally with the fitting member main body, and the remaining claw-like members are the fitting member main body. And the claw-shaped member of the fitting member is fitted into the panel after the panel is sandwiched between the guide claw and the guide claw. Push the end of the cover on the opening side to the panel. It is composed of one or a plurality of crimping claws for attaching and closely contacting the surface of the cover in the vicinity of the opening when the end of the cover on the open side is pressed against the panel by the crimping claws. A seal mechanism for sandwiching and sealing the panel with the joint member is provided on the cover, and the seal mechanism is provided on the entire surface of the cover in the vicinity of the opening of the cover. The crimping claw includes a crimping claw tip meat stealing portion at a crimping claw sliding portion and a crimping claw tip portion, and the width of the crimping claw tip meat stealing portion protrudes substantially perpendicular to the fitting member horizontal portion. and a larger than the width of the positioning portion, when the crimping pawl is deflected in contact with the panel, vehicular hole cover characterized that you this crimp claw does not interfere with the positioning portion.

It is composed of a bag-shaped elastic cover having an opening, a fitting member body having a hole in the inner periphery, and a claw-shaped member that can be elastically deformed, and is a fitting made of a material harder than the cover. A joint member is coupled in the vicinity of the opening of the cover, and a panel of a vehicle body can be pressed between the fitting member and the cover, and the fitting member is attached to the fitting member main body with a plurality of the claws. A plurality of the claw-shaped members are formed integrally with the fitting member main body, and the remaining claw-shaped members are connected to the fitting member main body. The claw-like member of the fitting member is configured to be combined with one guide claw for sandwiching the panel, and is fitted into the panel after sandwiching the panel with the guide claw, and Push the end of the cover on the opening side against the panel. It is composed of one or a plurality of crimping claws for attaching and closely contacting the surface of the cover in the vicinity of the opening when the end of the cover on the open side is pressed against the panel by the crimping claws. between the engagement member, the sealing mechanism for sealing sandwiching the panel, along with are provided in the cover, the crimping pawl is engaged with rivets with clearance into the fitting member body And a hole cover for a vehicle, wherein the hole cover is restricted by a rotation stopper provided on the fitting member main body and restricts rotation of the crimping claw and is rotatable only within a predetermined range .

In the fitting member main body to which the crimping claw according to claim 3 is attached, the rotation stopping portion and the positioning portion protruding substantially perpendicular to the fitting member horizontal portion are separated or formed by separate members. vehicle for the hole cover, wherein the child has.

A part of the fitting member wall part of the fitting member main body having the crimping claw according to claim 3 or the positioning part and the rotation stopping part are integrated with each other, or the positioning and rotation stopping part is formed by the same member. A hall cover for a vehicle.

It is composed of a bag-shaped elastic cover having an opening, a fitting member body having a hole in the inner periphery, and a claw-shaped member that can be elastically deformed, and is a fitting made of a material harder than the cover. A joint member is coupled in the vicinity of the opening of the cover, and a panel of a vehicle body can be pressed between the fitting member and the cover, and the fitting member is attached to the fitting member main body with a plurality of the claws. A plurality of the claw-shaped members are formed integrally with the fitting member main body, and the remaining claw-shaped members are connected to the fitting member main body. The claw-like member of the fitting member is configured to be combined with one guide claw for sandwiching the panel, and is fitted into the panel after sandwiching the panel with the guide claw, and Push the end of the cover on the opening side against the panel. It is composed of one or a plurality of crimping claws for attaching and closely contacting the surface of the cover in the vicinity of the opening when the end of the cover on the open side is pressed against the panel by the crimping claws. A sealing mechanism for sandwiching and sealing the panel with the joint member is provided in the cover, and the guide claws constituting the claw-like member and the portions of the cover corresponding to the crimping claws are provided. A seal lip is provided as a seal mechanism over the entire surface in the vicinity of the opening, and the rigidity of the seal lip at the portion corresponding to the guide claw is determined by the seal at the portion corresponding to the crimping claw. A hall cover for a vehicle characterized by being larger than the rigidity of the lip .