JP4568199B2 - Vehicle cowl structure and brake fluid reservoir tank - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a cowl structure of a vehicle and a brake fluid reservoir tank located below the cowl.

  As the engine room becomes smaller, a brake fluid reservoir tank may be disposed below the cowl. Patent Document 1 discloses an example thereof as shown in FIG. In this example, the tank body 51 is provided with an oil supply pipe 52 extending obliquely forward from the upper front portion thereof. The tip of the oil supply pipe 52 is an oil supply port, and the oil supply port is covered with a cap 53.

In order to inject the brake fluid from the brake fluid container into the tank body 51, first, the cap of the lubrication port is removed. After opening the spout, the brake fluid container covers the spout by hand. The pouring spout of the brake fluid container is directed downward, and the pouring spout is inserted into the lubricating spout of the lubricating pipe 52 while releasing the hand of the spout from the side of the lubricating pipe 52.
Japanese Patent No. 3167575 (see paragraph [0016] in particular).

  In the case of Patent Document 1 described above, in injecting the brake fluid from the brake fluid container to the brake fluid reservoir tank, the posture of the brake fluid container is correctly determined with respect to the inlet of the injection pipe, and the operator holds the brake fluid container. It must be gripped and supported while paying attention to the inlet. This is because the injection port is inclined depending on the configuration of the injection tube, and the brake fluid container cannot be placed upside down vertically. At this time, if the posture of the brake fluid container is not correct with respect to the inlet, the brake fluid may leak from the inlet.

  Unlike Patent Document 1, even when the inlet is facing upward, the cowl is disposed above the brake fluid reservoir tank, and when the cowl component is present close to the inlet, the brake is In many cases, the liquid container cannot contact the component of the cowl and cannot be placed vertically upside down on the inlet. In this case as well, the operator needs to support the brake fluid container as in the case where the inlet is inclined.

  The present invention has been made in view of such disadvantages of the prior art, and an object thereof is a vehicle capable of stably injecting brake fluid into a brake fluid reservoir tank from a brake fluid container via an injection pipe. A cowl structure and a brake fluid reservoir tank are provided.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a vehicle cowl structure disposed above a brake fluid reservoir tank having an injection pipe for injecting brake liquid, wherein the brake liquid from the brake liquid container via the injection pipe is provided. Brake fluid container support means capable of supporting the brake fluid container at the time of injection is provided, and the brake fluid container support means includes a support arm body that supports the brake fluid container, and the support arm body includes the injection pipe. The gist of the present invention is that a front end portion disposed on the front side of the vehicle with respect to the opening edge is provided .

  According to this configuration, the brake fluid container is supported by the brake fluid container support means when the brake fluid is injected. The brake fluid is injected from the brake fluid container into the brake fluid reservoir tank via the injection pipe. At this time, the posture of the brake fluid container with respect to the injection pipe is maintained, so that the injection of the brake fluid is stabilized. To do. In particular, even when the brake fluid container cannot be placed vertically upside down at the inlet of the brake fluid reservoir tank, the operator can hold the brake fluid container in an appropriate posture without gripping the brake fluid container. It is possible to hold it. In addition, the cowl structure is newly added with a function that did not exist in the prior art to contribute to stabilization of brake fluid injection.

Further , according to this configuration, the brake fluid container inclined toward the vehicle front side can be supported on the vehicle front side from the opening edge of the injection pipe when the brake fluid is injected. Therefore, even when the brake fluid container is inclined toward the vehicle front side when the brake fluid is injected, the brake fluid container can be prevented from falling to the vehicle front side.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the cowl structure of the vehicle according to the first aspect , the support arm body includes a protrusion that protrudes in the width direction of the vehicle on the front side of the vehicle, and the protrusion is formed when the brake fluid is injected. The gist is to support the brake fluid container. According to this configuration, since the protrusion protrudes in the width direction of the vehicle, the brake fluid container can be supported from the vehicle front side when the brake fluid is injected, and the brake fluid container is more reliably prevented from falling to the vehicle front side.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the vehicle cowl structure of the first or second aspect of the present invention, a pair of the supporting arm bodies are provided, and the brake fluid container is inserted between the supporting arm bodies. The gist is to support the brake fluid container when the brake fluid is injected.

  According to this configuration, the brake fluid container is pushed between the support arm bodies from the front end portion toward the vehicle rear side. By inserting the brake fluid container between the two supporting arm bodies and supporting the brake fluid container by the two supporting arm bodies after the insertion, the brake fluid container can easily reach an appropriate posture with respect to the brake fluid reservoir tank. In addition, since a pair of support arm bodies are provided, the risk of the brake fluid container falling over in the width direction of the vehicle is avoided.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the vehicle cowl structure according to any one of the first to third aspects of the present invention, a cowl louver is provided between a vehicle hood and a windshield, and the cowl louver includes the brake. The gist of the present invention is that it includes a notch recess that opens above the injection pipe of the liquid reservoir tank, and the brake fluid container support means is disposed below the notch recess.

  In this configuration, the cowl louver is provided with a notch recess, and when the brake fluid is injected, the brake fluid container is supported by the brake fluid container support means below the notch recess while being present in the space in the notch recess. It will be. Since the brake fluid container support means is disposed below the cowl louver, its presence does not stand out. Further, at the time of injecting the brake fluid, since the brake fluid container can be disposed in the inner area of the notch recess while being supported by the brake fluid container support means, the brake fluid container can be held in a more upright state. .

The invention according to claim 5 is a brake fluid reservoir tank of a vehicle provided with an injection pipe for injecting brake fluid, and supports the brake fluid container when injecting brake fluid from the brake fluid container via the injection tube. The gist is that possible brake fluid container support means is provided.

  According to this configuration, the brake fluid container is supported by the brake fluid container support means when the brake fluid is injected. The brake fluid is injected from the brake fluid container into the brake fluid reservoir tank via the injection pipe. At this time, the posture of the brake fluid container with respect to the injection pipe is maintained, so that the injection of the brake fluid is stabilized. To do. In particular, even when the brake fluid container cannot be placed vertically upside down at the inlet of the brake fluid reservoir tank, the operator can hold the brake fluid container in an appropriate posture without gripping the brake fluid container. It is possible to hold it. In addition, the brake fluid reservoir tank is newly added with a function that did not exist in the prior art to contribute to stabilization of brake fluid injection.

  According to the present invention, the brake fluid can be stably injected into the brake fluid reservoir tank from the brake fluid container via the injection pipe.

  DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, embodiments embodying the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a cowl, FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of a portion corresponding to a brake fluid container support means, FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view of a cowl when brake fluid is injected, and FIG. 4 is a cowl of a vehicle. FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along the line AA of FIG. 3. In the following description, “upward”, “downward”, “front side of vehicle”, and “rear side of vehicle” will be described based on the usage pattern as shown in FIG.

  The cowl 1 includes a cowl louver 2, a cowl panel 3, and other cowl members. The cowl louver 2 is provided between the hood 7 and the windshield 4 of the vehicle, and is formed to extend in the vehicle width direction along the windshield 4 so as to cover a drive unit of a wiper (not shown). As shown in FIG. 1, the cowl louver 2 includes a louver portion 10 and a lid body 20, and the louver portion 10 and the lid body 20 are configured by injection molding a resin.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the louver portion 10 includes an upper wall 10 a that extends along the front edge of the windshield 4 while curving toward the front side of the vehicle in a state where it is assembled to the vehicle body, and the upper wall 10 a. And a front wall 10b bent at the front end and extending downward. The louver portion 10 is formed with a flange 11 extending from the front wall 10b and extending in the vehicle width direction.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the upper wall 10a and the front wall 10b are formed with a plurality of vertically long and elliptical outside air inlets 12 for introducing outside air into the vehicle interior, and the upper wall 10a has a wiper pivot (see FIG. 1). Two pivot holes 13 (not shown) are formed.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the flange 11 includes a notch recess 30 at a position corresponding to a brake fluid reservoir tank 5 described later. As shown in FIG. 2, two insertion holes 14 are provided in the front wall 10 b corresponding to the notch recesses 30, and two fitting holes 31 are provided in the vehicle front side of the flange 11. .

  On the other hand, the lid 20 includes a convex portion that can be inserted into the insertion port 14 and a bent portion 21 that can be fitted into the fitting hole 31. The plate-like lid 20 is provided so as to be attachable to and detachable from the notch recess 30. When the lid 20 is attached to the cutout recess 30, the projection is inserted into the insertion port 14, and the bent portion 21 is fitted into the fitting hole 31. When the lid 20 is removed from the louver unit 10, the brake fluid reservoir tank 5 and the brake fluid container support means 40 disposed below the louver unit 10 can be viewed from above.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the louver portion 10 is provided with a brake fluid container support means 40 capable of supporting the brake fluid container 6 on the front wall 10b. The brake fluid container support means 40 includes a pair of support arm bodies 41 that extend from the front wall 10b of the louver portion 10 toward the front side of the vehicle and are provided at predetermined intervals. The support arm body 41 is provided so that the front end portion 44 is located on the vehicle front side with respect to an injection pipe 61 of a brake fluid reservoir tank 5 described later. The support arm body 41 includes a protrusion 45 extending on the lower surface in the front-rear direction of the vehicle. The ridge 45 has a rectangular cross section, and is provided so that the short side faces are positioned vertically. The support arm body 41 is made of resin, and is elastically deformed in response to the pushing-in of the brake fluid container 6 between the support arm bodies 41 and the pushing-out from the support arm body 41.

  The support arm body 41 includes a protrusion 46 that protrudes in the width direction of the vehicle at the front end portion 44. As described above, a pair of support arm bodies 41 are provided, but the protrusions 46 are provided on the support arm bodies 41 so as to face each other. The tip of the protrusion 46 is recessed so as to form an arc shape from the vehicle rear side toward the vehicle front side. Although it is this concave shape, it is set so as to face the center of the storage area S described later, and functions to increase the contact surface with the cylindrical brake fluid container 6 when supporting the brake fluid container 6. .

  The brake fluid container support means 40 includes a support base 42 that extends from the front wall 10 b of the louver portion 10 and connects the base end portions 43 (rear side of the vehicle) of both support arm bodies 41. The support base 42 has a plate shape and is formed such that the protruding length of the louver portion 10 from the front wall 10b is smaller toward the center and becomes larger in the vehicle width direction. The space defined by the both support arm bodies 41 and the support base 42 functions as a storage area S for storing the brake fluid container 6 when the brake fluid is injected.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the brake fluid reservoir tank 5 is disposed below the cowl 1. The brake fluid reservoir tank 5 is provided with an injection pipe 61 that extends obliquely upward on the front side of the vehicle and is provided with an injection port 62 (opening edge) that opens upward at the tip of the vehicle. A cap (not shown) is attached to the inlet 62. The length of the injection tube 61 is set so as not to contact the cowl 1. The injection tube 61 is provided so as to be directed to the accommodation region S and the notch recess 30 surrounded by the support arm body 41 and the support base 42.

  Next, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, a process of supporting the brake fluid container 6 by the brake fluid container support means 40 and injecting the brake fluid in the brake fluid container 6 into the brake fluid reservoir tank 5 will be described. First, the hood 7 is opened, and the lid 20 attached to the flange 11 is removed. The cap attached to the inlet 62 of the inlet pipe 61 is removed, and the spout of the brake fluid container 6 is opened. The spout of the brake fluid container 6 is covered with a hand, and the spout is brought close to the inlet 62 so that the brake fluid container 6 is laid down.

  Thereafter, the spout of the brake fluid container 6 is inserted into the inlet 62 while releasing the hand covering the spout of the brake fluid container 6. Then, immediately, the brake fluid container 6 is raised. At this time, the brake fluid container 6 is inserted between the protrusions 46 of the support arm body 41. The distance between the support arm bodies 41 (between the protrusions 46) once increases at the time of insertion, but when the brake fluid container 6 is supported, it returns to the same distance between the support arm bodies 41 (between the protrusions 46) as before the insertion. As shown in FIG. 5, the brake fluid container 6 is accommodated in the accommodating region S, and the inner side surface (the surface in contact with the accommodating region S) of the support arm body 41 and the protrusion 46 are supported while being in contact with the brake fluid container 6.

This embodiment has the following effects.
(1) The louver unit 10 is provided with a brake fluid container support means 40 that can support the brake fluid container 6 when the brake fluid is injected from the brake fluid container 6 via the injection pipe 61. Therefore, since the brake fluid container 6 is held in an inclined posture when the brake fluid is injected, the brake fluid can be stably injected. Therefore, even if the brake fluid container 6 cannot be placed upside down on the inlet 62 because the inlet 62 is inclined or the cowl structure is close to the inlet 62, the operator can use the brake fluid. The need to support the container 6 can be eliminated.

  (2) The brake fluid container support means 40 includes a support arm body 41 that supports the brake fluid container 6, and the front end portion 44 of the support arm body 41 is disposed on the vehicle front side with respect to the injection port 62 of the injection pipe 61. Yes. Therefore, since the brake fluid container 6 can be supported on the vehicle front side from the inlet 62 of the injection pipe 61 when the brake fluid is injected, the brake fluid container 6 inclined to the vehicle front side can be prevented from falling.

  (3) The support arm 41 includes a protrusion 46 that protrudes in the vehicle width direction on the front side of the vehicle, and the protrusion 46 supports the brake fluid container 6 when the brake fluid is injected. Therefore, the brake fluid container 6 can be supported from the front side of the vehicle when the brake fluid is injected, and the fall of the brake fluid container 6 to the front side of the vehicle is more reliably suppressed.

  (4) A pair of support arm bodies 41 are provided, and the brake fluid container 6 is inserted between the projections 46 at the front end 44. After the insertion, the brake fluid container 6 is separated by the inner surface of the support arm body 41 and the projections 46. Supported. If the brake fluid container 6 is inserted between the pair of support arm bodies 41, it is held in an appropriate posture with respect to the inlet 62 of the brake fluid reservoir tank 5. That is, since the axial direction of the brake fluid container 6 and the axial direction of the injection pipe 61 of the brake fluid reservoir tank 5 are substantially matched with each other, the injection of the brake fluid is stabilized. Further, since the inner side surface of the support arm body 41 also contributes to the support of the brake fluid container 6, the brake fluid container 6 is prevented from falling in the vehicle width direction.

  (5) The lid 20 is attached to the notch recess 30 of the flange 11. Therefore, at the time of injecting the brake fluid, the brake fluid container 6 can be suitably erected with respect to the injection pipe 61 simply by removing the lid 20 and the brake fluid can be injected from the brake fluid container 6 into the brake fluid reservoir tank 5. . That is, since it is not necessary to remove the entire louver unit 10 from the vehicle, the brake fluid injection process can be simplified. And the external appearance of the louver part 10 is not impaired by presence of the cover body 20. FIG.

  (6) The support arm body 41 is reinforced by the protrusion 45. Even if some external force is applied, the support arm body 41 can be prevented from being damaged. Moreover, even if the brake fluid container 6 is inserted between the support arm bodies 41, the protrusion 45 functions to smoothly return the support arm body 41 to the state before the brake fluid container 6 is inserted.

  (7) The pair of support arm bodies 41 are each provided with a projection 46 projecting in the vehicle width direction at the front end portion 44. Since the tip of the projection 46 is recessed so as to form an arc shape and is set to face the center of the containing area S, it is suitable for supporting the cylindrical brake fluid container 6. Further, the brake fluid container 6 can be guided to the storage area S or outside the storage area S without being caught when inserted between the pair of protrusions 46.

  (8) The lid 20 is attached to the louver 10 by fitting the bent portion 21 into the fitting hole 31 and inserting the convex portion of the lid 20 into the insertion port 14. Therefore, the mounting operation of the lid body 20 is easier than the configuration in which the lid body 20 is attached by bolts or the like.

  (9) The support base 42 is integrally connected between the base end portions 43 of the pair of support arm bodies 41 while extending from the front wall 10 b of the louver portion 10. Therefore, bending of the support arm body 41 with respect to the front wall 10b on the base end portion 43 side of the support arm body 41 can be suppressed.

  (10) The cowl louver 2 is provided with a notch recess 30, and the injection tube 61 is provided so as to face the notch recess 30. For example, when the notch recess 30 is not provided, the injection pipe 61 is directed to the front side of the vehicle with respect to the cowl louver 2, but the length of the injection pipe 61 can be shortened as compared with that case. it can. The configuration of the notch recess 30 is advantageous in terms of securing the rigidity of the injection tube 61.

  (11) The support arm body 41 is provided below the notch recess 30 to which the lid body 20 can be attached. Therefore, since the support arm body 41 is usually located below the flange 11, the presence of the support arm body 41 is not conspicuous. Further, since the support arm body 41 is disposed close to the injection pipe 61 of the brake fluid reservoir tank 5 when the brake fluid is injected, the support function of the support arm body 41 can be easily understood.

The embodiment described above can be modified as follows.
O About the injection pipe 61 of the brake fluid reservoir tank 5, the inclination state to the vehicle front side can be arbitrarily changed. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the inlet 62 of the injection pipe 61 may be further inclined to the vehicle front side than the flange 11 of the louver part 10 by tilting further to the vehicle front side than the above embodiment. It may extend vertically upward without inclination. In the former case, it is not necessary to provide the notch recess 30 in the flange 11, and therefore it is not necessary to provide the lid 20. In this modified example, the inclined state of the injection pipe 61 has been described. However, if the brake fluid reservoir tank 5 is disposed on the front side of the vehicle, the same inclined state as that of the injection pipe 61 of the above embodiment can be maintained.

In the above embodiment, the lid 20 is attached to the notch recess 30, but the lid 20 may be omitted.
One of the pair of support arm bodies 41 may be omitted. For example, a protrusion 46 provided at the front end 44 of the support arm 41 is extended longer in the width direction of the vehicle, and the brake liquid container 6 is supported by the extended protrusion 46 when the brake liquid is injected. May be. In this case, in order to stabilize the support state, for example, a measure such as making the side surface of the projection 46 in contact with the accommodation region S into an arc shape to increase the contact surface with the brake fluid container 6 can be considered. The brake fluid container 6 is inserted into the accommodation region S, but is inserted between the projection 46 of the support arm body 41 and the front wall 10b.

  O The protrusion 46 of the support arm body 41 may be omitted. For example, the brake fluid container 6 may be sandwiched and supported by a simple bar-shaped support arm body 41. Further, the arrangement of the protrusions 46 is configured in the front end portion 44 in the above embodiment, but this configuration may be provided in the support arm body 41 on the front side of the vehicle including the front end portion 44. Furthermore, the tip shape of the protrusion 46 is not limited to the recessed shape, and may be a protruding shape, for example.

The distance between the support arm bodies 41 does not need to return to the same as before the support after supporting the brake fluid container 6.
The length of the support arm body 41 may be shortened so that the front end of the vehicle is positioned on the rear side of the vehicle from the inlet 62, for example. In this case, it is necessary to ensure a considerable clamping force between the pair of support arm bodies 41.

  O You may change the site | part in which the support arm body 41 is provided. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, it may extend from the cowl panel 3 toward the vehicle front side. Moreover, it may be made to extend from the joining site | part of the cowl louver 2 and the cowl panel 3, and may be made to extend from another cowl member.

  ○ The protruding length of the support base 42 protruding from the front wall 10b of the louver portion 10 is increased so that the brake fluid container 6 is supported when the brake fluid is injected into the storage region S. May be. In this case, the support base 42 constitutes a brake fluid container support means, and the support base 42 suppresses the fall of the brake fluid container 6 toward the rear side of the vehicle. Further, the side surface on the vehicle front side is provided in an arc shape, which is advantageous for extending the contact surface with the cylindrical brake fluid container 6.

  The configuration of the brake fluid container support means 40 may be changed. For example, the brake fluid container support means 40 is configured so as to include an elastic rubber band having one end fixed to the front wall 10b of the louver part 10 and the other end being detachable. May be supported. Further, if the brake fluid container 6 is made of iron, the brake fluid container support means 40 is configured so as to include a ferromagnetic magnet with respect to the front wall 10b of the louver portion 10, and the brake fluid container 6 is moved by the magnetic force of the magnet. It is also possible to support it.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the brake fluid reservoir tank 5 may be provided with a brake fluid container support means 40. The brake fluid reservoir tank 5 is provided with a support plate 70. The support plate 70 includes a base end portion 71 coupled to the brake fluid reservoir tank 5 and an arm portion 72 that extends upward from the base end portion 71 and contacts the brake fluid container 6. The arm portion 72 is configured to have a circular arc shape when viewed from the upper surface in the extending direction, and is formed such that a contact surface with the brake fluid container 6 is expanded. Further, the arm portion 72 extends in the same direction as the axial direction of the injection tube 61, and is set so that the posture of the brake fluid container 6 with respect to the injection port 62 of the injection tube 61 is more suitable. . Although it is the height of the arm part 72, it is preferable to set so that it may not exceed the cover body 20 (flange 11). This is because when the tip of the arm portion 72 protrudes from the lid body 20 (flange 11), it not only becomes a hindrance but also increases the possibility that an external force is applied, causing damage. In the configuration of the support plate 70, at least the front end of the arm portion 72 is configured to be disposed on the vehicle front side with respect to the injection port 62 (opening edge) of the injection pipe 61 as a support structure of the brake fluid container 6. Are preferable, and these points are as described in the above embodiment.

The model perspective view of the cowl in this embodiment. The model perspective view of the part corresponding to the brake fluid container support means in this embodiment. The model perspective view of the cowl at the time of the brake fluid injection | pouring in this embodiment. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a vehicle cowl and a brake fluid reservoir tank in the present embodiment. FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 3. FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a vehicle cowl and a brake fluid reservoir tank according to another embodiment. FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a vehicle cowl and a brake fluid reservoir tank according to another embodiment. FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a vehicle cowl and a brake fluid reservoir tank according to another embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Cowl, 2 ... Cowl louver, 3 ... Cowl panel, 4 ... Windshield, 5 ... Brake fluid reservoir tank, 6 ... Brake fluid container, 7 ... Hood, 20 ... Lid, 30 ... Notch recess, 40 ... Brake fluid Container support means, 41 ... support arm, 44 ... front end, 46 ... projection, 61 ... injection tube, 62 ... injection port (opening edge).

Claims (5)

A cowl structure for a vehicle disposed above a brake fluid reservoir tank having an injection pipe for injecting brake fluid,
A brake fluid container support means capable of supporting the brake fluid container is provided at the time of injecting the brake fluid from the brake fluid container via the injection pipe ,
The brake fluid container support means includes a support arm body that supports the brake fluid container, and the support arm body includes a front end portion disposed on the vehicle front side of the opening edge of the injection pipe. . 2. The vehicle cowl structure according to claim 1 , wherein the support arm includes a protrusion that protrudes in a vehicle width direction on a front side of the vehicle, and the protrusion supports the brake fluid container when the brake fluid is injected. 3. The support arm body according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein the support arm body is provided in a pair, the support arm body allows the brake fluid container to be inserted therebetween, and supports the brake fluid container when the brake fluid is injected. The cowl structure of the vehicle. A cowl louver is provided between the hood of the vehicle and the windshield, the cowl louver is provided with a notch recess that opens above the injection pipe of the brake fluid reservoir tank, and the brake fluid container support means is provided on the notch recess. The vehicle cowl structure according to any one of claims 1 to 3 , which is disposed below. A brake fluid reservoir tank of a vehicle provided with an injection pipe for injecting brake fluid,
A brake fluid reservoir tank of a vehicle provided with a brake fluid container support means capable of supporting the brake fluid container when the brake fluid is injected from the brake fluid container via the injection pipe .

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