JP4847238B2 - Roof carrier - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a roof carrier, and more particularly to a roof carrier that loads and conveys a load on a vehicle roof.

A roof carrier installed on the roof of a vehicle is used to carry long objects and bulky loads that do not enter the vehicle. This roof carrier is composed of two horizontal frames (decorative frames) installed in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle and a plurality of frames in the vehicle width direction, and loads are loaded on the frames. There are many things.
An example of the shape of the frame is a cross-sectional shape as shown in FIG. In the case of a quadrangular prism frame having such a rectangular cross-sectional shape, when traveling without loading a load on the frame, as shown in FIG. A Karman vortex is generated behind the frame, producing a loud wind noise. Since it is well known that this Karman vortex is generated with respect to a cylinder, wind noise is also increased when a cylindrical frame is employed.

  Therefore, in order to reduce wind noise, it has been proposed that the frame has a configuration in which large-diameter portions and small-diameter portions are alternately formed along the longitudinal direction (see Patent Document 1 below). Even if Karman vortices are generated on the downstream side of the large-diameter portion and the small-diameter portion when the vehicle travels, the Karman vortices interfere with each other to disturb the periodic arrangement of the Karman vortices, and the regularity It prevents it from being lost and producing a loud wind noise.

However, if the frame is configured such that the large-diameter portion and the small-diameter portion are alternately formed, the strength at the small-diameter portion becomes weak, and when the large-diameter portion and the small-diameter portion are configured to be joined together, The strength also decreases. Furthermore, the manufacturing cost increases.
The roof carrier is sometimes used for the purpose of loading relatively light items such as skis and surfboards for leisure purposes, but for the purpose of loading various heavy materials such as various construction materials and camping equipment. In many cases, it is installed, and high load resistance is also required.

  Also in the conventional frame as shown in FIG. 11A, the thickness t is about 20 to 30 mm and there is not sufficient strength. In addition, since this frame is attached to the decorative frame using a clamp or the like as shown in FIG. 11B, it is fixed through a screw or the like at a right angle to the thin surface of the frame. It cannot be secured.

JP-A-6-247212

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems of the prior art, and provides a roof carrier having high load resistance and low manufacturing cost while reducing wind noise generated by the frame. To do.

The invention according to claim 1 is a roof carrier that is installed on a roof of a vehicle and loads a load, has a substantially vehicle width, and is arranged in parallel to each other at intervals in the front-rear direction of the vehicle. A plurality of frames for loading the load, two decorative frames attached to both ends of the plurality of frames at right angles to the length direction, and the two decorative frames on the left side of the roof of the vehicle or The frame has a substantially horizontal stacking surface, and has a substantially elliptical cross section perpendicular to the length direction. In the cross section, the frame is substantially perpendicular to the right end. minor axis being oriented in the above 35 mm, and the leading edge radius Ri leading edge radius less der ellipse having a minor axis and major axis of the same length as the cross-section, wherein the fixing member, the makeup the frame And fix the decorative frame to the vehicle roof. Frame relates roof carrier, characterized in that the inserted screws through the fixing member in the longitudinal direction formed screw holes of the inner surface and is fixed at right angles to the longitudinal direction of the decorative frame.

The invention according to claim 2 includes an intermediate beam having the same shape as the frame disposed between the plurality of frames, and a fixing plate for fixing the intermediate beam to the two decorative frames, The intermediate rail is fixed at right angles to the length direction of the decorative frame by screws inserted through screw holes formed in the length direction of the inner surface of the intermediate rail through a fixing plate. The described roof carrier .

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, the frame has a substantially horizontal loading surface, the cross section perpendicular to the length direction is substantially elliptical, and the minor axis oriented in the substantially vertical direction in the cross section is 35 mm. Since it is set as described above, the load resistance is increased and sufficient strength can be secured. In the cross section, the leading edge radius is the front of an ellipse having a minor axis and a major axis having the same length as the section. Since it is below the edge radius, the generation of wind noise can be suppressed. Since such a frame can be manufactured without splicing, the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

According to the first aspect of the invention, the frame is fixed at right angles to the length direction of the decorative frame by the screws inserted through the fixing members into the screw holes formed in the length direction of the inner surface of the frame. Since the frame is easily fixed to the decorative frame and the entire length of the screw passes through the screw hole, the screw is fixed at right angles to the thin surface of the frame using a clamp or the like as in the past. In comparison, it can be firmly fixed to the decorative frame.

According to the invention according to claim 2 , the intermediate rail has the same shape as the frame, that is, has a substantially horizontal loading surface, and a cross section perpendicular to the length direction has a substantially elliptical shape. Since the minor axis oriented in the vertical direction is set at 35 mm or more, the load resistance becomes higher and sufficient strength can be secured, and the leading edge radius is equal to the minor axis and length of the cross section. Since the radius is equal to or less than the leading edge radius of the ellipse having the axis, generation of wind noise can be suppressed.

Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of a roof carrier according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of an embodiment of a roof carrier according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the state in which the roof carrier is installed on the roof of the vehicle as viewed from the front upper side of the vehicle. 3 is an enlarged view of the vicinity of the roof carrier of the vehicle shown in FIG. 2, wherein (a) is a front view and (b) is a rear view. 4A is a cross-sectional view showing the internal structure of the frame, and FIG. 4B is a comparative view showing an ellipse having a minor axis and a major axis that are the same length as FIG. 4A.

A roof carrier 1 according to the present invention includes a plurality of frames 2, two decorative frames 3, and a plurality of fixing members 4.
The decorative frame 3 is attached to both ends of the frame 2 at right angles to the length direction of the frame 2.
The fixing member 4 fixes the two decorative frames 3 to the left or right end of the vehicle roof, respectively.

  The frame 2 has a length substantially equal to the vehicle width, and is arranged in equilibrium with each other at intervals in the front-rear direction of the vehicle so as to load a load. As shown in FIG. 4 (a), the frame 2 has a substantially elliptical cross section perpendicular to the length direction, and a loading surface 11 that is substantially horizontal when installed in the vehicle, and a vehicle front side. It has a certain front edge portion 12 and a rear edge portion 13 on the vehicle rear side. Further, beams 14 are provided on the inner surfaces of both ends of the loading surface 11, and screw fixing pilot holes 15 are provided at six locations on the inner surface of the cylindrical portion having a substantially elliptical cross section of the frame 2.

  The cross-sectional shape of the frame 2 is substantially the left and right and top and bottom, and the major axis a is configured to be approximately twice as long as the minor axis b. The radius of curvature (front edge radius) at the front edge 12 is an ellipse (see FIG. 4B) 16 having a major axis c and a minor axis d having the same length as the major axis a and minor axis b, respectively. Is set shorter than the curvature radius (leading edge radius). The length of the short axis b is set to 35 mm or more, preferably 45 mm to 60 mm, in order to ensure high load resistance. In the illustrated example, it is 50 mm. This cross-sectional shape is the same shape from one end to the other end of the frame 2 and coincides with the end face shape.

  In this cross-sectional shape, the screw fixing pilot holes 15 do not need to be formed in the entire length direction of the frame 2, and may be formed only by a length through which the screws pass at both ends. Therefore, the entire cross-sectional shape is the same in the entire length direction. The screw fixing pilot hole 15 is opened at a constant angle (60 °) as shown in FIG. 4 because it is easy to form the frame 2. Therefore, the screw fixing pilot hole 15 may have no opening, or may have an angle wider than 60 ° as long as the screw does not come off.

  Here, regarding the wind noise generated by the frame 2, as described above, the cross section perpendicular to the length direction is rectangular or circular, and Karman vortices are generated to increase the wind noise. Therefore, the roof carrier according to the present invention. In No. 1, the shape is approximately elliptical so that Karman vortices are less likely to occur. In the elliptical shape, there is no loading surface, and the load is supported on the line of the frame 2. Therefore, in the cross section of the frame 2, the loading surface 11 is secured and a substantially elliptical shape that is not an ellipse is used.

  Further, the curvature radius (front edge radius) of the front edge 12 is an ellipse front edge having a major axis and a minor axis that are the same as the major axis a and the minor axis b, respectively, in order to reduce the generation of Karman vortices. Shorter than the curvature radius (leading edge radius). In other words, since the generation of Karman vortices can be suppressed as the leading edge radius is shorter, it can be considered to have a flat oval shape. However, as described above, the length of the short axis b ensures load bearing strength. Therefore, it is necessary to set it to at least 35 mm or more, and in order to obtain a flat elliptical shape while ensuring the length of the short axis b, it is necessary to make the long axis considerably long, and the material cost increases. Therefore, portions other than the loading surface 11 are also formed in a substantially elliptical shape in which the protrusion of the intermediate portion 17 is suppressed so that the curvature radius (front edge radius) of the front edge portion 12 is shortened.

In the frame 2, the thickness of the substantially oval cylindrical portion e can ensure the strength, but it cannot be so thick considering the material cost. The thickness e is appropriately determined in consideration of the material used. Although it does not specifically limit as a material, Light weight and intensity | strength can illustrate aluminum and aluminum alloy which are easy to process. Examples of the aluminum alloy include an Al—Mg alloy, an Al—Mg—Si alloy, and an Al—Zn—Mg alloy.
For example, if an Al—Mg—Si alloy is used as the material, the cross-sectional shape as shown in FIG. 4A and the minor axis b is 50 mm, sufficient load resistance can be ensured by setting the thickness e to about 2 mm. can do. Moreover, if the thickness of the beam 14 is set to the same level, it is possible to ensure a higher load resistance as the entire frame 2.

  The shape and material of the decorative frame 3 are not particularly limited. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the corners of the cross-sectional rectangle are rounded so as to protrude outwardly in the vehicle direction, and the same material as that of the frame 2 is used.

In the roof carrier 1 according to the present invention, the frame 2 has a substantially horizontal loading surface, the section perpendicular to the length direction is substantially elliptical, and the minor axis oriented in the substantially vertical direction in the section is 35 mm. Since it is set as described above, the load resistance is increased and sufficient strength can be secured, and the leading edge radius is equal to or less than the leading edge radius of an ellipse having a minor axis and a major axis having the same length as the cross section. Therefore, the generation of wind noise can be suppressed. Since such a frame can be manufactured without splicing, the manufacturing cost can be reduced.
Further, by providing the beams 14 on the inner surface side of both end portions of the loading surface 11, further load resistance strength can be ensured.

Next, installation of the frame 2 and the decorative frame 3 on the vehicle roof by the fixing member 4 will be described.
Fig.5 (a) is a right view of the vehicle which installed the roof carrier, FIG.5 (b) is the elements on larger scale which show the attachment state of the roof carrier in Fig.5 (a). FIG. 6 is a partially enlarged view showing the attachment portion of FIG. FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the attachment portion of FIG. In FIGS. 5B and 6, all attachment portions are indicated by solid lines.

  The roof carrier 21 shown in FIG. 5 includes a plurality of frames 2, two decorative frames 3, and a plurality of fixing members 4, as well as the roof carrier 1 shown in FIG. A fixing plate 7 for fixing the crosspiece 7 to the decorative frame 3 is added. The intermediate rail 7 is exactly the same as the frame 2, but is different from the frame 2 in the manner of attachment to the decorative frame 3. Therefore, in the roof carrier 21 shown in FIG. 5 and the roof carrier 1 shown in FIG. 1, the mounting state by the frame 2, the fixed frame 3 and the fixing member 4 is the same. That is, the frame 2 is attached to the decorative frame 3 by the fixing member 4 and the decorative frame 3 is attached to the roof of the vehicle.

  The fixing member 4 includes a bracket 23 and a clamp 24, and a nut plate for strengthening fixing, a hook 31 for fixing a load, and the like are added as necessary. As shown in FIGS. 5B and 6, the bracket 23 of the fixing member 4 at the foremost part of the vehicle is inclined at a portion overlapping with the clamp 24 according to the inclination of the roof of the vehicle. The state is the same as that which is not inclined. Therefore, the mounting state will be described by taking the fixing member 4 having the bracket 23 not inclined as an example.

FIG. 8 shows the structure of the bracket, where (a) is a front view and (b) is a right side view.
First, attachment for fixing the frame 2 to the decorative frame 3 via the bracket 23 will be described with reference to FIGS. 4, 6, and 8.
The bracket 23 is provided with six screw holes 41 corresponding to the six screw fixing pilot holes 15 shown in FIG. 4 and countersunk holes 42 through which bolts for fixing the bracket 23 to the decorative frame 3 are passed. ing. The decorative frame 3 is also provided with bolt holes corresponding to the countersunk holes 42. The front side of the bracket 23 shown in FIG. 8A is arranged on the decorative frame 3 side, and the upper surface of the bracket 23 provided with the screw hole 41 and the countersink 42 abuts the decorative frame 3. The back side of the bracket 23 is in contact with the end surface of the frame 2 having the same structure as that of the cross section shown in FIG.

  As a mounting method, screws are passed through six screw holes 41 from the front side of the bracket 23, and these screws are inserted into the screw fixing pilot holes 15 of the frame 2. Then, the upper surface of the bracket 23 is brought into contact with the decorative frame 3 so that the head of the screw protruding on the front side of the bracket 23 is pressed against the decorative frame 3. In this state, from the back side of the bracket 23, the bolt is passed through the countersink 42 and the bolt hole of the decorative frame 3, and the bracket 23 is fixed to the decorative frame 3. At this time, the frame 2 is also fixed to the decorative frame 3 via the bracket 23.

  In this way, the frame 2 has the screw fixing pilot holes 15 formed in the length direction, and the frame 2 is easily fixed to the decorative frame by passing the screws through the bracket 23. Since the entirety passes through the screw fixing pilot hole 15, for example, it is firmly fixed to the decorative frame as compared with the case where the screw is fixed through the screw at a right angle to the thin loading surface 11 of the frame 2 using a clamp.

FIG. 9 shows the structure of the clamp, where (a) is a front view and (b) is a right side view.
Next, attachment for fixing the bracket 23 to the left and right ends of the roof of the vehicle with the clamp 24 will be described with reference to FIGS.
The lower side of the bracket 23 is bent at an angle similar to that of the clamp 24 so as to sandwich the left or right end portion of the vehicle roof without being displaced with the clamp 24, and is divided into an intermediate surface and a lower surface. Therefore, the back side of the clamp 24 and the front side of the bracket 23 face each other. In addition to the screw hole 41 and countersink 42 described above, a tap hole 43 for fixing a bolt is provided on the lower surface of the bracket 23, and a long hole 51 corresponding to the tap hole 43 is also provided on the clamp 24. On the intermediate surface of the bracket 23, a tap hole 44 for attaching a hook 31 for hanging a rope or the like for fixing a load is provided.

  As a mounting method, the front side of the bracket 23 and the back side of the clamp 24 are opposed to each other so that the left or right end of the roof of the vehicle is sandwiched between them. Then, it is fixed to a tap hole provided on the lower surface of the bracket 23.

As described above, the frame 2 is attached to the decorative frame 3 and the decorative frame 3 is attached to the roof of the vehicle by the fixing member 4 (particularly, the bracket 23). Can be fixed to the roof.
Note that the attachment of the frame 2 to the decorative frame 3 and the attachment of the decorative frame 3 to the vehicle roof may be performed first, and can be appropriately selected depending on the attachment location or the like.

FIG. 10 shows a structure of a fixing plate for fixing the middle rail to the decorative frame, (a) is a front view, and (b) is a right side view.
Next, attachment for fixing the intermediate rail 7 to the decorative frame 3 through the fixing plate 6 will be described with reference to FIGS. 4, 6, and 10.
As shown in FIG. 10, the fixing plate 6 is a substantially rectangular flat plate, and is provided with two countersunk holes 61 for inserting bolts from the front side and four countersinks 62 for inserting screws from the back side. It has been. The back side of the fixed frame 6 contacts the decorative frame 3.

Here, the middle rail 7 is exactly the same as the frame 2 as described above, and the cross section and the structure of the end face are the same as the cross section of the frame 2 shown in FIG.
The four countersunk holes 62 shown in FIG. 10 are provided so as to correspond to the four screw fixing lower holes 15 provided between the beam 14 and the inner surface of the frame 2 shown in FIG. Two countersinks 61 are provided so as to be located outside the hole 15.

  The method of attachment is the same as when the frame 2 is fixed to the decorative frame 3 via the bracket 23 described above. That is, the screws are passed through the four countersunk holes 62 from the back side of the fixed frame 6, and the screws are also passed through the screw fixing pilot holes 15 of the intermediate rail 7. Then, the fixing plate 6 is brought into contact with the decorative frame 3 so that the screw head on the front side of the fixing plate 6 is pressed against the decorative frame 3. In this state, the bolt is passed through the countersink 61 and the bolt hole of the decorative frame 3 from the front side of the fixed plate 6, and the fixed plate 6 is fixed to the decorative frame 3. At this time, the intermediate rail 7 is also fixed to the decorative frame 3 through the fixing plate.

In this way, the middle rail 7 has the screw fixing pilot hole 15 formed in the length direction, and the middle rail 7 is easily fixed to the decorative frame 3 by passing the screw through the fixing plate 6. Since the entire length of the screw passes through the screw fixing pilot hole 15, it is firmly fixed to the decorative frame 3.
The middle rail 7 has the same shape as the frame 2, that is, has a substantially horizontal loading surface, and has a substantially elliptical cross section perpendicular to the length direction, and is oriented in a substantially vertical direction in the cross section. Since the short axis is set at 35 mm or more, the load resistance as a whole becomes higher together with the frame 2, and sufficient strength can be secured, and the leading edge radius is equal to the short axis and length of the cross section. Since the radius is equal to or less than the leading edge radius of the ellipse having the axis, generation of wind noise can be suppressed.

  In addition, in the attachment to the decorative frame 3 of the middle rail 7 via the fixing plate 6, the number of screws and bolts is reduced compared to the attachment of the frame 2 to the decorative frame 3 via the bracket 23, Although the strength is slightly reduced, sufficient strength can be ensured as the intermediate rail 7 disposed between the frames 2 in order to reduce the load applied to the frames 2.

  INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention is suitably used in a general vehicle such as a box car that loads and transports a long object that does not enter the vehicle or a bulky load on a roof.

It is a perspective view showing an example of an embodiment of a roof carrier concerning the present invention. It is the perspective view which looked at the state which installed the roof carrier on the roof of vehicles from the front upper direction of vehicles. FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the vicinity of the roof carrier of the vehicle in FIG. 2, (a) is a front view, and (b) is a rear view. (A) is sectional drawing which shows the internal structure of a flame | frame, (b) is a comparison figure which shows the ellipse which has the short axis and long axis of the same length as (a). (A) is a right view of the vehicle which installed the roof carrier, (b) is the elements on larger scale which show the attachment state of the roof carrier in (a). It is the elements on larger scale which expand and show the attachment part of Drawing 5 (b). It is a perspective view of the attachment part of FIG. The structure of a bracket is shown, (a) is a front view, (b) is a right view. The structure of a clamp is shown, (a) is a front view, (b) is a right view. The structure of the fixing plate for fixing an intermediate | middle crosspiece to a decorative frame is shown, (a) is a front view, (b) is a right view. (A) is sectional drawing which shows the cross-sectional shape of the conventional frame, (b) is a perspective view which shows the clamp for attaching the frame of (a) to a decorative frame.

Explanation of symbols

1 roof carrier 2 frame 3 decorative frame 4 fixing member

Claims (2)

A roof carrier that is installed on the roof of a vehicle and loads a load,
A plurality of frames having a substantially vehicle width length, arranged parallel to each other at intervals in the front-rear direction of the vehicle,
Two decorative frames attached to both ends of the plurality of frames at right angles to the length direction;
A fixing member for fixing the two decorative frames to the left or right end of the vehicle roof,
The frame has a substantially horizontal loading surface, a cross section perpendicular to the length direction is substantially elliptical, and a short axis oriented in a substantially vertical direction is 35 mm or more in the cross section, and a leading edge radius Ri leading edge radius less der ellipse having a minor axis and major axis of the same length as the cross-section,
The fixing member fixes the frame to the decorative frame, and fixes the decorative frame to a vehicle roof,
The roof carrier , wherein the frame is fixed at right angles to the length direction of the decorative frame by screws inserted through screw holes formed in the length direction of the inner surface of the frame through fixing members . An intermediate beam having the same shape as the frame disposed between the plurality of frames, and a fixing plate for fixing the intermediate beam to the two decorative frames;
The middle rail is fixed at right angles to the length direction of the decorative frame by a screw inserted through a fixing plate into a screw hole formed in the length direction of the inner surface thereof. The roof carrier according to 1 .

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