JP5866692B2 - Tonneau cover device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a tonneau cover device provided in an automobile having a luggage compartment door.

  In order to open and close the rear luggage compartment, automobiles such as hatchbacks and station wagons may be provided with a back door (Tailgate) that opens outward and closes downward with the upper edge as a center. Such a car is provided with a tonneau cover device that can deploy a tonneau cover in a substantially horizontal direction and shield the upper part of the luggage compartment in the upper position of the luggage compartment so that luggage in the cargo compartment is not visible from outside the vehicle. May be.

  When the back door is opened and the luggage is taken in and out, if the tonneau cover directly shields the upper part of the luggage compartment, it is difficult to take in and out the luggage. As a technique for enabling the tonneau cover to be operated from the load position to the open position, a roller blind described in Patent Document 1 is disclosed. The roller blind moves the blind sheet from the closed position to the upper intermediate position by raising both ends of the pulling rod at the trailing edge of the blind sheet pulled out from the winding device along the left and right guide rails. By pulling up the rear edge of the blind sheet upward, the blind sheet can be switched from the substantially horizontal unfolded state to the open state of the luggage compartment.

  In addition, the tonneau cover device described in Patent Document 2 includes a retractable front tonneau cover provided on the front side of the cargo compartment, a retractable rear tonneau cover provided on the rear side of the cargo compartment, and a rear end of the front tonneau cover. And a slide mechanism that slides the front end of the rear tonneau cover substantially vertically. In both the front and rear tonneau covers, the sheet member is pulled out from the winding unit.

Japanese Patent No. 3613581 JP 2008-189208 A

  The tonneau cover device described above requires a tonneau cover winding device.

An object of the present invention is to provide a useful tonneau cover device that switches between a closed state and an open state of a cargo compartment according to the open / closed state of the cargo compartment door without requiring a tonneau cover winding device.

The present invention is a tonneau cover device provided in an automobile having a luggage compartment door attached to a luggage compartment forming portion that can be opened outward with the upper edge portion as a rotation center with respect to a closed state as a rotation center,
A flexible tonneau cover;
A door side engagement mechanism for engaging both ends of the door side edge on the cargo door side of the tonneau cover with the cargo door;
Both ends of the rear edge of the tonneau cover opposite to the cargo compartment door are outside in the width direction when the cargo compartment door is closed and inside the width direction when the cargo compartment door is open. A rear side engagement mechanism that is movably engaged with the luggage compartment forming portion so that
At the back edge of the tonneau cover is provided with a shape holding portion that shows elasticity that rises stepwise in the middle of the width direction,
When the cargo compartment door is closed, the tonneau cover having both ends of the back edge on the outer side in the width direction covers an upper portion of the cargo compartment,
When the cargo compartment door is opened, the door side edge of the tonneau cover moves upward to open the cargo compartment, and both ends of the back edge of the tonneau cover move inward in the width direction. It has a mode in which the back side edge is bent to the back side.
Further, the present invention is a tonneau cover device provided in an automobile having a cargo compartment door attached to a cargo compartment forming portion that can be opened outward with the upper edge as a reference when the door is closed,
A flexible tonneau cover;
A door side engagement mechanism for engaging both ends of the door side edge on the cargo door side of the tonneau cover with the cargo door;
Both ends of the rear edge of the tonneau cover opposite to the cargo compartment door are outside in the width direction when the cargo compartment door is closed and inside the width direction when the cargo compartment door is open. A rear side engagement mechanism that is movably engaged with the luggage compartment forming portion so that
When the cargo compartment door is closed, the tonneau cover having both ends of the back edge on the outer side in the width direction covers an upper portion of the cargo compartment,
When the cargo compartment door is opened, the door side edge of the tonneau cover moves upward to open the cargo compartment, and both ends of the back edge of the tonneau cover move inward in the width direction. The back edge is bent to the back side,
The door side engagement mechanism closes both ends of the door side edge of the tonneau cover along the portion of the cargo door that is outward from the upper edge toward the lower edge. It is movable with respect to the luggage compartment door so that it becomes the lower edge side of the luggage compartment door when the cargo compartment door is open and the upper edge side of the luggage compartment door when the luggage compartment door is open Engaged with
The back side engagement mechanism is configured such that both ends of the back side edge of the tonneau cover are on the back side and the bottom when the cargo room door is closed, and the cargo room door is open when the cargo room door is open. Engaging with the luggage compartment forming portion so as to be on the door side and the upper side,
When the distance between the end on the back side of the back side engaging mechanism and the end on the lower edge side of the door side engaging mechanism when the door for the cargo room is closed is L1, the cargo room When the door for the door is open, the distance between the end of the back side engagement mechanism on the door side for the cargo compartment and the end on the upper edge side of the door side engagement mechanism is L1 or less, and the cargo compartment When the door for the door is open, the distance between the end on the back side of the back side engagement mechanism and the end on the top edge side of the door side engagement mechanism is longer than L1, and the door for the luggage compartment is It has a mode in which the distance between the end on the cargo compartment door side of the back side engagement mechanism and the end on the lower edge side of the door side engagement mechanism when opened is longer than L1.
Furthermore, the present invention is a tonneau cover device provided in an automobile having a cargo compartment door attached to the cargo compartment forming portion, which can be opened outwardly with the upper edge portion as a reference when it is closed as a rotation center,
A flexible tonneau cover;
A door side engagement mechanism for engaging both ends of the door side edge on the cargo door side of the tonneau cover with the cargo door;
Both ends of the rear edge of the tonneau cover opposite to the cargo compartment door are outside in the width direction when the cargo compartment door is closed and inside the width direction when the cargo compartment door is open. A rear side engagement mechanism that is movably engaged with the luggage compartment forming portion so that
When the cargo compartment door is closed, the tonneau cover having both ends of the back edge on the outer side in the width direction covers an upper portion of the cargo compartment,
When the cargo compartment door is opened, the door side edge of the tonneau cover moves upward to open the cargo compartment, and both ends of the back edge of the tonneau cover move inward in the width direction. The back edge is bent to the back side,
The back edge of the tonneau cover is adapted to apply a repulsive force to the outside in the vehicle width direction to the back side engaging mechanism when bending to the back side,
When the cargo door is closed, both ends of the rear edge of the tonneau cover are moved outward in the width direction of the rear engagement mechanism by the repulsive force.

  When the cargo compartment door is closed, both ends of the rear edge of the tonneau cover are on the outside in the width direction, and the tonneau cover in this state covers the upper part of the cargo compartment. When the door for the cargo compartment is opened, the door side edge of the tonneau cover whose both ends of the door side edge are engaged with the door for the cargo compartment moves upward, the cargo compartment is opened, and both ends of the back edge of the tonneau cover The portion moves inward in the width direction, and the inner edge is bent toward the inner side. In this way, the luggage compartment is switched from the closed state to the open state.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, it is possible to switch between the closed state and the open state of the cargo compartment according to the open / closed state of the cargo compartment door without requiring a tonneau cover winding device, and with a simple structure. When the door for the luggage compartment is opened, the rear edge of the tonneau cover can be bent to the back.
In the invention which concerns on Claim 2 , the closed state and open state of a luggage compartment can be switched more smoothly.
In the invention which concerns on Claim 3 , when a door for cargo compartments closes, a cargo compartment can be switched more smoothly from an open state to a closed state.

2 is a side view for illustrating a rear interior of the automobile 1 with a rear door (Tailgate) 20 closed. FIG. 2 is a side view for illustrating the rear interior of the automobile 1 with the rear door 20 opened. FIG. 2 is a perspective view for illustrating a rear interior of the automobile 1 with a rear door 20 closed. FIG. FIG. 3 is a perspective view for illustrating the rear interior of the automobile 1 with the rear door 20 opened. It is a figure which illustrates the external appearance of the tonneau cover 40 with a hook. (A) is a plan view illustrating the external appearance of the tonneau cover 40 in the closed state, (b) is a rear view illustrating the external appearance of the tonneau cover 40 in the open state, and (c) is an end surface illustrating the front side of the tonneau cover 40 in the open state. Figure. 4 is a plan view for illustrating a rear interior with the tonneau cover 40 removed. FIG. 4 is a front view illustrating the rear door 20 together with the rear rail 51. FIG. It is a rear view for exemplifying the rear interior with the rear door 20 opened and the tonneau cover 40 removed. It is a perspective view for illustrating a guide mechanism. It is a side view for illustrating the distance between rails.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below. Of course, the embodiments described below are merely illustrative of the present invention.

(1) Configuration of tonneau cover device:
FIGS. 1-11 is a figure for demonstrating the tonneau cover apparatus 30 which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention, and the details may not correspond between drawings for convenience of illustration. Of the symbols shown, D1 is the front-rear direction, D2 is the front direction, D3 is the rear direction, D4 is the up-down direction, D5 is the upper direction, D6 is the lower direction, D7 is the vehicle width direction (width direction), and D8 is the vehicle width. D9 indicates the vehicle width direction inner side (width direction inner side), P1 indicates the closed position of the rear door 20, and P2 indicates the open position of the rear door 20. When describing the positional relationship between the left and right, the description will be based on the case of looking forward from the rear of the automobile 1.

  1 and 2 schematically illustrate a rear interior by omitting the left side surface portion of the cargo compartment forming portion 10. 3 and 4 schematically illustrate the positional relationship between the guide mechanism (50, 60) and the tonneau cover 40. FIG. In FIG. 3, illustration of the left side surface portion of the luggage compartment forming portion 10 and the rear door 20 is omitted. In FIG. 4, illustration of the left side surface portion of the luggage compartment forming portion 10 is omitted. FIG. 5 illustrates an enlarged view and a sectional view of the rear edge portion 41 and a front view of the front edge portion 42 as viewed from the front, in addition to a perspective view illustrating the appearance of the tonneau cover 40 together with the hooks (52, 62). doing. 6A and 6B illustrate the positions of the rails (51, 61) with broken lines. FIG. 6B illustrates the position of the rear door 20 with a two-dot chain line. FIG. 6C illustrates the position of the tonneau cover front edge portion 42 when the rear door 20 is in the closed position P1 by a two-dot chain line. FIG. 7 schematically illustrates a rear interior in which the luggage compartment forming portion 10 and the rear door 20 are broken at the height of the front end portion 61 a of the front rail 61 and the tonneau cover 40 is removed. Since the side wall portion 12 of the cargo compartment forming portion 10 is a portion that becomes the vehicle width direction inner side D9 as it goes upward from the height of the front end portion 61a, the rear end portion 61b is separated from the fracture portion of the cargo compartment forming portion 10. ing. Actually, the front rail 61 is provided along the side wall part 12 which becomes the vehicle width direction inner side D9 as it becomes higher from the front side end part 61a. FIG. 8 illustrates the rear door 20 together with the rear rail 51 in a state where it is removed from the luggage compartment forming portion 10. FIG. 9 illustrates a rear interior in which a part of the luggage compartment forming part 10 is broken, the rear door 20 is opened, and the tonneau cover 40 is removed to show the positional relationship of the front rail 61 with respect to the side wall part 12. FIG. 10 illustrates the rear guide mechanism 50 in order to explain an example of the guide mechanism (50, 60). FIG. 11 schematically illustrates the rear interior by omitting the left side surface portion of the cargo compartment forming portion 10 to illustrate the distance between the rails (51, 61), and the rear door 20 of the closed position P1 is indicated by a two-dot chain line. Is shown.

  The automobile 1 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 and the like is a road traveling automobile designed and equipped to be used on a road, and a luggage compartment LR1 for accommodating luggage is formed behind a seat 2 which is a rear seat. It is said to be a passenger car. The vehicle to which the present invention can be applied includes a two-row seat type motor vehicle having a front seat and a rear seat, a three-row seat type motor vehicle having a third seat, and a load behind the driver seat and in front of the rear seat. There are motor vehicles in which a chamber is formed, and so-called station wagons and one-box cars are included.

  The luggage compartment LR1 generally includes a cargo compartment floor 3 composed of interior materials on a rear floor panel, left and right side wall portions 12 composed of interior materials such as a seat back 2b of a seat 2, and a deck side trim, and rear doors (cargo compartments). The door is a space defined by the door 20. The front passenger compartment and the rear luggage compartment LR1 are partitioned by a seat back 2b extending in the vehicle width direction D7 and extending substantially vertically. Each side wall 12 extends in the front-rear direction D1 and the substantially vertical direction. The intervals between the rear sides of the left and right side wall portions 12 and 12 are gradually narrowed toward the rear. The distance between the upper side of the left and right side wall portions 12 and 12, particularly the upper side from the attachment position of the front end portion 61a of the front rail, becomes the inner side D9 in the vehicle width direction and gradually decreases.

  The luggage compartment forming part 10 which is a part of the vehicle body has a luggage compartment floor 3 and left and right side wall parts 12, and the rear part is an opening 11. A latch 18 that locks the lower edge portion 22 of the rear door 20 at a predetermined closed position P <b> 1 that closes the opening portion 11 is provided below the opening portion 11. Although not shown in the figure, the luggage compartment forming portion 10 restricts the opening operation of the rear door 20 at a predetermined opening position P2 corresponding to full opening or a biasing means for biasing the rear door 20 in the opening direction. A stopper mechanism or the like is provided. The luggage compartment forming unit 10 may be provided with a door opening / closing device to make the rear door 20 electric. The rear door 20 is attached to the luggage compartment forming portion 10 so as to be able to be opened outward with the upper edge portion 21 as a center of rotation when the door is closed, and a closed position P1 illustrated in FIGS. And an open position P2 illustrated in FIGS. The center of rotation means the center of rotation. The rear door 20 and the cargo compartment forming portion 10 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 are connected to each other by a rotary shaft 21a provided on the upper edge portion 21 so as to be able to rotate. The cargo compartment forming portion 10 connects the upper edge portion 21 of the rear door. It is pivotally supported. The rotary shaft 21 a is normally configured by a shaft member that is a separate member, but may be a non-separable shaft portion formed at the connecting portion between the rear door 20 and the luggage compartment forming portion 10. The position of the axis of rotation may vary depending on the rotational position of the rear door 20. The inner wall portion 23 of the rear door 20 is the rear side (outer side) from the upper edge portion 21 toward the lower edge portion 22. Rear rails 51 are attached to the left and right side edges 24, 24 of the inner wall 23, respectively.

  The tonneau cover device 30 includes a tonneau cover 40, a rear side guide mechanism (door side engagement mechanism) 50, and a front side guide mechanism (back side engagement mechanism) 60. The outline of the tonneau cover device 30 is as follows.

The tonneau cover 40 has flexibility, and is bent when both end portions 42a, 42a of the rear side edge portion (front edge portion 42) move inward in the width direction (inner side D9 in the vehicle width direction).
The door-side engagement mechanism (rear guide mechanism 50) is configured such that both end portions 41a of the door side edge portion (rear edge portion 41) of the tonneau cover 40 on the load chamber door (rear door 20) side are connected to the load chamber door (rear door). 20).
The back side engagement mechanism (front side guide mechanism 60) is configured to connect both end portions 42a of the back side edge portion (front edge portion 42) of the tonneau cover 40 opposite to the load room door (rear door 20) to the load room door ( When the rear door 20) is closed, the width direction is outside (vehicle width direction outside D8), and when the cargo compartment door (rear door 20) is open, the width direction is inside (vehicle width direction inside D9). The load chamber forming unit 10 is engaged so as to be movable.

When the cargo compartment door (rear door 20) is closed, both end portions 42a of the rear side edge portion (front edge portion 42) are on the outside in the width direction (vehicle width direction outside D8), and the tonneau cover 40 in this state is loaded. The upper part of the chamber LR1 is covered.
When the cargo compartment door (rear door 20) is opened, the door side edge (rear edge 41) of the tonneau cover 40 moves upward to open the cargo compartment LR1. Further, when the cargo compartment door (rear door 20) is opened, both end portions 42a of the rear edge (front edge 42) of the tonneau cover 40 move to the inner side in the width direction (the inner side D9 in the vehicle width direction) and the rear The side edge portion (front edge portion 42) is bent to the back side (front side).

  As described above, the tonneau cover device 30 can switch between the closed state and the open state of the luggage compartment LR1 in accordance with the open / closed state of the cargo compartment door (rear door 20) without requiring a winding device for the tonneau cover 40. .

Note that the luggage compartment at the rear of the vehicle body is set such that the length in the vehicle width direction (vehicle width length) in plan view gradually narrows toward the rear and upward in accordance with a request from the vehicle body design and the like. For this reason, when the tonneau cover is formed in a rectangular shape as in the conventional retractable tonneau cover device, there is a portion without the tonneau cover in the narrow region generated between the rear pillar and the rear door, and the gap is left in a substantially horizontal unfolded state. It will occur. In addition, in order to raise the rear edge of the retractable tonneau cover in conjunction with the opening and closing operation of the rear door, a rigid connecting member between the rear door and the rear edge of the tonneau cover, or the tonneau cover raised upward A biasing means or the like for pulling back the rear edge portion is required. When these connecting members and urging means are provided, there are problems that the appearance near the tonneau cover device deteriorates, the production cost increases, and the layout space needs to be secured.
Moreover, when the luggage compartment is covered with a retractable front tonneau cover and a retractable rear tonneau cover like the tonneau cover device described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-189208, it is relatively expensive among the tonneau cover devices. Two heavy winding units are required. This is problematic from the viewpoint of cost reduction and weight reduction.

  Since the tonneau cover device 30 does not require a tonneau cover winding device, the tonneau cover device 30 can be reduced in cost and weight, and the tonneau cover is formed in accordance with the shape of the luggage compartment to reduce the gap in the closed state. Can do. Further, since it is not necessary to use the connecting member and the biasing means described above, the appearance near the tonneau cover device can be maintained, and the production cost and layout space can be reduced.

Next, the tonneau cover device 30 will be described more specifically.
When the rear door 20 is in the closed position P1, the tonneau cover 40 is in a closed state so as to cover the upper part of the cargo room LR1 substantially horizontally as illustrated in FIGS. It is difficult to see from the window glass 28 or the like. On the other hand, when the rear door 20 is in the open position P2, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the rear edge portion 41 is raised to open the luggage compartment LR1, thereby opening the luggage or the like with respect to the luggage compartment LR1. 11 can be put in and out.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the tonneau cover 40 is provided with a steel wire (wire) 46 over the outer periphery (41, 42, 44) of the soft sheet 40A. As shown in the enlarged view and the cross-sectional view of FIG. 5, the edges (41, 42, 44) of the sheet 40A are folded back and formed into a bag-like shape by sewing, and a steel wire 46 is attached to the bag portion outside the sewing portion 45. Has been inserted.

The sheet 40A is made of a flexible material, and is preferably an opaque soft material having a light shielding property. The sheet 40A is preferably a stretch material such as a jersey material that is highly stretchable and hardly wrinkles, but a sheet formed from a resin molding material such as a vinyl chloride resin, a leather or fabric using a resin material such as a vinyl chloride resin , Etc. can also be used.
The steel wire 46 is made of elastic wire, and is elastically deformed when a force for narrowing the inner width D9 of the tonneau cover 40 is applied to the tonneau cover 40. When the force disappears, the steel wire 46 is restored to its original shape. In addition, it is possible to fold the entire tonneau cover so that the tonneau cover is restored to its original shape when the tonneau cover device is used. The steel wire 46 is preferably one that can be bent freely and has a restoring force. In addition, as long as it is a wire which shows elasticity, you may use it instead of the steel wire 46. FIG.

  The tonneau cover 40 shown in FIGS. 5 and 6A to 6C has rear hooks (door side engaging portions) 52 and 52 at both end portions 41a and 41a of the rear edge portion (door side edge portion) 41. The front hooks (back side engaging portions) 62 and 62 are attached to both end portions 42 a and 42 a of the front edge portion (back side edge portion) 42. As shown in FIG. 6A, the width between the both end portions 42a and 42a of the front edge portion is matched with the width W1 between the front end portions 61a and 61a of the front rail 61. The width between both end portions 41a and 41a of the rear edge is matched with the width between the rear rails 51 and 51. The length in the front-rear direction D1 between the front hook 62 and the rear hook 52 is the length L1 in the front-rear direction D1 between the front end 61a of the front rail 61 and the rear end 51b of the rear rail 51 (see FIG. 11). ).

  The rear edge portion 41 slightly swells rearward in accordance with the shape of the inner wall portion 23 of the rear door. The front edge portion 42 is provided with crank portions (shape holding portions) 43 and 43 that exhibit elasticity that rises stepwise in the vehicle width direction D7 close to the side edge portions 44 and 44. Crank portions 43 and 43 can be formed on the front edge portion 42 by forming the steel wire 46 provided on the front edge portion 42 into a stepped shape in the vehicle width direction D7. The crank parts 43, 43 bend the front edge part 42 to the front side (back side) when the both end parts 42a, 42a of the front edge part of the tonneau cover move to the vehicle width direction inner side D9 when the rear door 20 opens. A bending means is constituted. With a simple structure in which the front edge 42 is bent in a crank shape, the front edge 42 of the tonneau cover can be bent forward when the rear door 20 is opened.

  The width of the tonneau cover 40 is slightly narrower than the distance between the side wall portions 12 and 12 according to the position in the front-rear direction D1. Most side edge portions 44, 44 connected to the front edge portion 42 are wide portions 44 b, 44 b, and rear portions of the wide width portions 44 b, 44 b are narrow width portions 44 a, 44 a connected to the rear edge portion 41. Since there are narrow width portions 44a and 44a corresponding to the shape of the rear part of the cargo compartment, the width of which becomes narrower toward the rear, and the rear guide mechanism 50 engages both end portions 41a and 41a of the rear edge portion with the rear door 20. In a narrow region formed between the rear doors 20, the gap is reduced in a closed state that covers the cargo room LR1.

  The tonneau cover 40 is configured to be lightweight and inexpensive by the above-described sheet 40A and the steel wire 46. Further, by using a stretchable material for the seat 40A, when the tonneau cover device is not used, the entire tonneau cover can be folded down to make the tonneau cover storage space extremely small. The tonneau cover can be used as an alternative to the holding net even if it is put in the box.

  A rear guide mechanism (door side engagement mechanism) 50 illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 4 extends along the side edge 24 that is the rear side (outside) from the upper edge 21 toward the lower edge 22 in the rear door 20. Thus, both end portions 41a of the rear edge portion of the tonneau cover are on the lower edge portion 22 side of the rear door when the rear door 20 is closed, and on the upper edge portion 21 side of the rear door when the rear door 20 is open. The rear door 20 is movably engaged. The rear guide mechanism 50 includes a rear rail (door side guide portion) 51 and a rear hook (door side engagement portion) 52 and is provided on the left and right.

As illustrated in FIG. 10, each rear rail 51 is generally formed in a curved shape along the side edge 24 of the rear door 20 and attached to the side edge 24. Since the side edge 24 is the rear side as it goes down and the front side as it goes up, the front end (upper end side end) 51a of the rear rail 51 is rear as shown in FIGS. It is set to the upper side and the front side with respect to the side end part (lower end part side end part) 51b.
Each rear hook 52 has a fixing portion to the tonneau cover 40 at one end, and the other end is formed in a substantially C shape, and is attached to both end portions 41a and 41a of the rear edge portion of the tonneau cover by the fixing portion. The rear hook 52 has an insertion portion 52a that allows the rear rail 51 inserted through the C-shaped opening 52b to pass therethrough. The rear hook 52 that has passed the rear rail 51 through the insertion portion 52a is slidably engaged with the rear rail 51, and both end portions 41a of the rear edge portion of the tonneau cover are connected to the side edge portion of the rear door. Guide along 24.

  The front guide mechanism (back side engagement mechanism) 60 illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 4 has a rear portion that is the front side (back side) and the lower side when the rear door 20 is closed at both ends 42a of the front edge portion 42 of the tonneau cover. When the door 20 is open, it is movably engaged with the luggage compartment forming portion 10 so as to be on the rear side (the rear door 20 side) and on the upper side. The front guide mechanism 60 includes a front rail (back side guide portion) 61 and a front hook (back side engagement portion) 62, and is provided on the left and right.

Each of the front rails 61 is generally formed in a straight or curved shape along the side wall portion 12 of the luggage compartment forming portion, and is attached to the side wall portion 12. Since the side wall portion 12 at the mounting position of the front rail 61 becomes the vehicle width direction inner side D9 as it is on the upper side, the width between the front end portions (back end portions) 61a, 61a of the front rail 61 is set to W1 (FIG. 6A). Reference), if the width between the rear end portions (door side end portions) 61b, 61b of the front rail 61 is W2 (see FIG. 6B), W1> W2. Therefore, as shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 7, and 9, the front end (back end) 61a of the front rail 61 is lower than the rear end (door side end) 61b and in the vehicle width direction. The outer side is D8.
Each front hook 62, like the rear hook 52, has a fixing portion to the tonneau cover 40 at one end and is formed in a substantially C shape at the other end, and both ends 42a, 42a of the front edge portion of the tonneau cover at the fixing portion. It is fixed to. The front hook 62 has an insertion portion that allows the front rail 61 inserted through the opening of the C-shaped portion to pass therethrough. The front hook 62 through which the front rail 61 is passed through the insertion portion is slidably engaged with the front rail 61, and both end portions 42a of the front edge portion of the tonneau cover extend along the side wall portion 12 of the luggage compartment forming portion. To guide.

For the rear rail 51 and the front rail 61, rod-shaped molded members such as synthetic resin and metal can be used. The cross-sectional shape of the rod-like member is not limited to a circle, and may be an oval, a substantially polygon such as a substantially square, or the like.
For the rear hook 52 and the front hook 62, a molded member or the like having a slight elasticity such as a synthetic resin can be used. By making the gap between the hook openings (52b) slightly shorter than the diameter of the rails (51, 61), the hooks (52, 62) can be engaged with or removed from the rails (51, 61) in a guideable manner. It becomes easy to do. Further, the rear rail 51 when the rear door 20 is in the open position P2 and the rails (51, 61) when the tonneau cover 40 is not used can be used instead of the hanger and are convenient.

  The tonneau cover device 30 has an apparent width W1 ′ between both end portions 42a and 42a of the front edge portion of the closed tonneau cover 40, and an apparent width between both end portions 42a and 42a of the front edge portion of the tonneau cover 40 in the open state. In this case, W1 '> W2'. The apparent width W1 ′ is adjusted to the width W1 between the front end portions 61a and 61a of the front rail as shown in FIG. 6 (a), and the apparent width W2 ′ is the rear side of the front rail as shown in FIG. 6 (b). This is because the width is adjusted to the width W2 between the end portions 61b and 61b. Thereby, in the process in which the tonneau cover 40 is switched from the unfolded state to the open state, the front edge portion 42 of the flexible tonneau cover interferes with the side wall portions 12 and 12 that gradually narrow toward the upper side (D5), and gradually rises upward. The rear edge 41 of the tonneau cover goes up as it bends. When the rear door 20 reaches the open position P2, the raised tonneau cover 40 is bent so as to stick to the front rear door 20, and the upper portion of the luggage compartment LR1 is greatly opened.

  Moreover, the crank part 43 provided in the front edge part 42 of the tonneau cover makes the bending direction of the tonneau cover 40 in the open state the front side, and the luggage compartment LR1 is opened more largely than in the case of bending to the rear side. Further, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the tonneau cover 40 is opened until the space above the seat back 2 b can be seen from the position behind the automobile 1. As a result, the state of the passenger compartment can be visually confirmed, which is advantageous in terms of crime prevention, and the seat 2 can be directly accessed from the luggage compartment LR1, and the lighting in the passenger compartment can be taken into the luggage compartment LR1. It is possible to improve the performance.

  Next, the preferable positional relationship of the end portions (51a, 51b, 61a, 61b) of the rails (51, 61) will be described.

Each length illustrated in FIG. 11 is as follows.
L1 is the distance between the front end 61a of the front guide mechanism 60 and the rear end 51b of the rear guide mechanism 50 when the rear door 20 is in the closed position P1.
L11 is the distance between the rear end 61b of the front guide mechanism 60 and the front end 51a of the rear guide mechanism 50 when the rear door 20 is in the closed position P1.
L2 is the distance between the rear end portion 61b of the front guide mechanism 60 and the front end portion 51a of the rear guide mechanism 50 when the rear door 20 is in the open position P2.
L3 is the distance between the front end 61a of the front guide mechanism 60 and the front end 51a of the rear guide mechanism 50 when the rear door 20 is in the open position P2.
L4 is the distance between the rear end portion 61b of the front guide mechanism 60 and the rear end portion 51b of the rear guide mechanism 50 when the rear door 20 is in the open position P2.
L5 is an intermediate position P3 where both end portions 42a of the front edge portion of the tonneau cover become the rear end portion 61b of the front guide mechanism 60 and both end portions 41a of the rear edge portion become the rear end portion 51b of the rear guide mechanism 50. The distance between the rear end portion 61b of the front guide mechanism 60 and the rear end portion 51b of the rear guide mechanism 50 when the rear door 20 is present.
L6 is the distance between the front end 61a of the front guide mechanism 60 and the rear end 51b of the rear guide mechanism 50 when the rear door 20 is at the intermediate position P3.
L7 is the distance between the rear end 61b of the front guide mechanism 60 and the front end 51a of the rear guide mechanism 50 when the rear door 20 is at the intermediate position P3.
L8 is a distance between the rear end portion 61b of the front guide mechanism 60 and the rear end portion 51b of the rear guide mechanism 50 when the rear door 20 is in the closed position P1.

The preferred positional relationship is as follows.
L11 <L1
L2 ≦ L1
L3> L1
L4> L1
L6> L1
L5 <L4
L7 <L2
L8 <L5

  Since the distance L11 between the upper ends (61b, 51a) is smaller than the distance L1 between the lower ends (61a, 51b), tall luggage is put in the luggage compartment LR1, and the rear door 20 is closed. When the tonneau cover 40 is caught on the load, the end portions (42a, 41a) of the tonneau cover remain above the lower end portions (61a, 51b) of the rail. Thereby, the tonneau cover 40 is hardly deteriorated.

  Since the distance L2 between the upper end portions (61b, 51a) in the open state is equal to or less than the distance L1 between the lower end portions (61a, 51b) in the closed state, the end portion of the tonneau cover when the rear door 20 is opened An excessive tensile force is not applied between (42a, 41a). Thereby, the tonneau cover 40 is hardly deteriorated. Note that when L2 = L1, the rails (61, 51) are required to be the minimum necessary, so that the cost of the rail can be reduced.

  Since the distance L3 between the front end portions 61a and 51a in the open state is larger than L1, the both end portions 42a and 42a of the front edge portion of the tonneau cover move upward along the front rail 61 when the rear door 20 is opened. Move to the inside D9 in the vehicle width direction. Thereby, the front edge part 42 of a tonneau cover bends to the front side, and the upper part of the luggage compartment LR1 is opened largely.

  Since the distance L4 between the rear end portions 61b and 51b in the open state is larger than L1, both end portions 41a and 41a of the rear edge portion of the tonneau cover are moved upward along the rear rail 51 when the rear door 20 is opened. Moving. Thereby, the rear edge part 41 of the tonneau cover moves to the front side more than the opening operation of the rear door 20, and the upper part of the luggage compartment LR1 is largely opened.

Further, when L6> L1, when the rear door 20 opens from the closed position P1 to the intermediate position P3, both end portions 42a of the front edge portion of the tonneau cover move along the front rail 61 toward the rear end portion 61b. When the rear door 20 opens from the intermediate position P3 to the open position P2 because L5 <L4, the both ends 41a of the rear edge portion of the tonneau cover are front end portions along the rear rail 51. It moves by being pulled toward 51a. Further, when L7 <L2, when the rear door 20 is closed from the open position P2 to the intermediate position P3, both end portions 41a of the rear edge portion are rear end portions along the rear rail 51 due to the weight of the tonneau cover 40. When the rear door 20 closes from the intermediate position P3 to the closed position P1 by moving toward 51b and L8 <L5, both end portions 42a of the front edge portion along the front rail 61 due to the weight of the tonneau cover 40, etc. To the front end 61a. At this time, the front edge portion 42 of the tonneau cover bent toward the front side applies a repulsive force to the front guide mechanism 60 to spread to the outer side D8 in the vehicle width direction, so that both end portions 42a are relatively wide along the front rail 61. A force is applied to move from the rear end 61b arranged narrowly toward the front end 61a arranged relatively wide. Due to this force, both ends 42a of the front edge of the tonneau cover 42a are not smoothly moved only by the dead weight of the tonneau cover 40 toward the front end 61a of the front rail. Smoothly moves toward the front end 61a of the front rail that is relatively wide.
From the various viewpoints described above, the tonneau cover device 30 can switch between the closed state and the open state of the luggage compartment LR1 more smoothly.

(2) Operation, action and effect of tonneau cover device:
Hereinafter, the operation, action, and effect of the tonneau cover device 30 will be described.
When the rear door 20 is in the closed position P1, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the height of the front edge 42 of the tonneau cover is adjusted to the front end 61a of the front rail, and the height of the rear edge 41 of the tonneau cover Is aligned with the rear end 51b of the rear rail, and the tonneau cover 40 covers the upper part of the luggage compartment LR1 substantially horizontally. At this time, both end portions 42a of the front edge portion of the tonneau cover are on the outer side D8 in the vehicle width direction as shown in FIG.

  When the rear door 20 opens, the rear edge 41 of the tonneau cover moves upward together with the rear door 20, and the rear end 51b of the rear rail moves away from the front end 61a of the front rail. Thereby, the front edge portion 42 of the tonneau cover moves upward along the front rail 61, and the rear edge portion 41 of the tonneau cover moves along the rear rail 51 toward the upper edge portion 21 side of the rear door. Then, the tonneau cover 40 is in a state in which the rear edge portion 41 is raised, and the luggage compartment LR1 is opened. The front edge portion 42 of the tonneau cover gradually bends upward as the distance between both end portions 42a and 42a is narrowed as it moves upward. When L1 = L2 (see FIG. 11), when the rear door 20 is in the open position P2, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the position of the front edge 42 of the tonneau cover is aligned with the rear end 61b of the front rail. The position of the rear edge portion 41 of the tonneau cover is matched with the front end portion 51a of the rear rail. At this time, as shown in FIGS. 6B and 6C, both end portions 42a of the front edge portion of the tonneau cover are on the inner side D9 in the vehicle width direction, and the apparent width is narrowed. Therefore, the tonneau cover 40 in the open state bends forward so as to stick to the front rear door 20, and the upper portion of the luggage compartment LR1 is largely opened. Therefore, the luggage compartment LR1 can be widely used.

  Referring to FIG. 11 in detail, when the rear door 20 opens from the closed position P1 to the intermediate position P3, L6> L1, so that the front hooks attached to both ends 42a of the front edge portion of the tonneau cover 62 is pulled and slides toward the rear side and the upper side, and the front edge portion 42 of the tonneau cover moves smoothly toward the rear side and the upper side. When the rear door 20 opens from the intermediate position P3 to the open position P2, since L5 <L4, the front hook 62 attached to both ends 42a of the front edge portion of the tonneau cover has the rear end 61b of the front rail. The both end portions 41a of the rear edge portion are pulled along the rear rail 51 toward the front end portion 51a in a state where they are in contact with each other, and move smoothly.

  When the rear door 20 is closed, the rear edge 41 of the tonneau cover moves downward together with the rear door 20, and the rear end 51b of the rear rail approaches the front end 61a of the front rail. Then, the front edge portion 42 of the tonneau cover moves downward along the front rail 61 due to its own weight, and the rear edge portion 41 of the tonneau cover moves along the rear rail 51 toward the lower edge portion 22 side of the rear door due to its own weight. . As the front edge portion 42 of the flexible tonneau cover moves downward, the space between both end portions 42a and 42a widens, so that the upward bending is gradually eliminated. When the rear door 20 is in the closed position P1, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the height of the front edge 42 of the tonneau cover is adjusted to the front end 61a of the front rail, and the height of the rear edge 41 of the tonneau cover is Aligned with the rear end 51b of the rear rail. Thereby, the tonneau cover 40 returns to the closed state covering the upper part of the luggage compartment LR1.

  Describing in detail with reference to FIG. 11, when the rear door 20 is closed from the open position P2 to the intermediate position P3, L7 <L2, so that the weight of the tonneau cover 40 is attached to both ends 41a of the rear edge. The front hook 62 slides smoothly along the rear rail 51 toward the rear end 51b. When the rear door 20 is closed from the intermediate position P3 to the closed position P1, L8 <L5, so that the weight of the tonneau cover 40 and the urging force of the bent front edge portion 42 toward the vehicle width direction outer side D8 are obtained. The front hooks 62 attached to both end portions 42a of the front edge slide toward the front side and the lower side, which are relatively wide, and the front edge portion 42 of the tonneau cover moves smoothly toward the front side and the lower side.

  As described above, the tonneau cover device has a low-cost and light-weight configuration that covers the upper position of the cargo compartment with almost no gap in a substantially horizontal closed state and does not require a winding unit. It can be switched between a closed state and an open state in conjunction with the opening / closing operation of the door. In other words, a tonneau cover winding device is not required, and the closed state and the open state of the luggage compartment are switched according to the open / closed state of the luggage compartment door.

The present invention includes a rear door that can be opened to the rear with the upper edge as a center of rotation when closed, and a cargo compartment forming portion that forms a cargo compartment between the left and right side walls. Comprising a tonneau cover device provided in an automobile having the rear door attached to the luggage compartment forming portion,
A flexible tonneau cover, a front guide mechanism installed on each of the left and right side walls, and a left and right rear guide mechanism installed on the rear door,
Both front side ends of the tonneau cover are engaged with the front side guide mechanism so as to be able to guide,
Both rear ends of the tonneau cover are engaged with the rear guide mechanism so that they can be guided,
In the process of switching from a closed state where the tonneau cover covers the upper part of the cargo compartment to a state where the cargo compartment is opened, the front both ends of the tonneau cover are guided upward and rearward by the front guide mechanism, and the rear both ends of the tonneau cover Is side-guided upward and forward by the rear guide mechanism, and the apparent length of the tonneau cover in the vehicle front-rear direction is constant, while the apparent length in the vehicle width direction of the front edge of the tonneau cover is narrow. Have

  According to the above aspect, it is possible to switch between a closed state and an open state of the luggage compartment according to the open / close state of the rear door without requiring a tonneau cover winding device.

(3) Modification:
Various modifications can be considered for the present invention.
For example, the luggage compartment door may be a door that is disposed on the side of the luggage compartment and opens sideways.
If the rear edge of the tonneau cover has a shape that is slightly swollen upward on the basis of the closed state without the crank part 43, the door for the luggage compartment opens and both end parts of the inner edge of the tonneau cover Bends to the back when moving inward in the width direction. This shape and the like also constitute the bending means.
Moreover, you may connect between the both ends of the back side edge part of a tonneau cover with end part connection means, such as a string and a spring, so that the back side edge part of a tonneau cover may bulge a little upwards on the basis of a closed state. Then, when the door for cargo compartments opens and both ends of the back side edge of the tonneau cover move inward in the width direction, the back side edge of the tonneau cover bends to the back side. Such end-to-end connecting means also constitutes a bending means.
Further, in the middle of the rear edge of the tonneau cover, for example, the intermediate position in the width direction is connected to the upper inner wall with reference to the time when the cargo compartment door is closed by the upper and lower connecting means such as a string or urging means. May be. The upper and lower connecting means include a string that keeps the inner edge of the tonneau cover from the inner wall of the luggage compartment door at a predetermined distance or more, and the inner wall of the luggage door to the middle of the inner edge of the tonneau cover. A spring or the like that biases toward the part can be used. Such a vertical connection means also constitutes a bending means.

The tonneau cover may be attached with a resin part that partially reinforces the outer periphery of the sheet, or the steel wire may be replaced with a rod-like extruded product and the bending direction may be made constant by the cross-sectional shape thereof.
The front side guide mechanism and the rear side guide mechanism may have a structure in which an engagement member is fitted and slid on a groove-shaped rail.

  The door side engagement mechanism may move both ends of the door side edge of the tonneau cover in the width direction. For example, when the front end of the rear rail is set to the inner side in the vehicle width direction than the rear end, the rear door opens and both ends of the rear edge of the tonneau cover move to the upper edge of the rear door. The gap between both ends of the rear edge of the tonneau cover is narrowed, and the rear edge of the tonneau cover is bent. Such a configuration can be easily provided on the rear door having a side edge portion that becomes the inner side in the vehicle width direction from the height of the rear end portion of the rear guide mechanism to the upper side. If the rear edge portion of the tonneau cover swells rearward with reference to the closed state, the rear edge portion of the tonneau cover is further bent rearward when the rear door is opened. Of course, the rear edge of the tonneau cover in the open state may be bent forward.

Further, the door side engagement mechanism may engage both end portions of the rear edge portion of the tonneau cover so as not to move with respect to the luggage compartment door.
Furthermore, the back side engagement mechanism may engage both ends of the front edge portion of the tonneau cover so as not to move with respect to the luggage compartment forming portion other than in the vehicle width direction. For example, an engagement member such as a rod that moves forward in the width direction in conjunction with the opening of the luggage compartment door and retracts in the width direction in conjunction with closing of the cargo compartment door is provided on both side walls. If both ends of the inner edge of the tonneau cover are engaged with the inner end of the engaging member in the width direction, this engaging member becomes the inner engagement mechanism.
In other words, even technical like comprising only structural elements according to independent claim, the basic action described above, the effect can be obtained.

As described above, according to the present invention, a technology such as a useful tonneau cover device, a tonneau cover, and a tonneau cover with an engaging portion can be provided according to various aspects.
In addition, the configurations disclosed in the embodiments and modifications described above are mutually replaced, the combinations are changed, the known technology, and the configurations disclosed in the embodiments and modifications described above are mutually connected. It is possible to implement a configuration in which replacement or combination is changed. The present invention includes these configurations and the like.

1 ... car, 2 ... seat, 2b ... seat back, 3 ... cargo floor,
10: Cargo compartment forming part, 11 ... Opening part, 12 ... Side wall part,
20: Rear door (loading door),
21 ... Upper edge part, 21a ... Rotating shaft, 22 ... Lower edge part,
23 ... Inner wall part, 24 ... Side edge part of inner wall part,
30 ... tonneau cover device,
40 ... tonneau cover, 40A ... sheet,
41 ... rear edge (door side edge), 41a ... both ends of the door side edge,
42 ... front edge (back side edge), 42a ... both ends of the back side edge,
43 ... crank part (shape holding part),
44 ... side edge, 44a ... narrow part, 44b ... wide part,
45 ... Sewing part, 46 ... Steel wire (wire),
50: Rear guide mechanism (door side engagement mechanism),
51 ... rear rail (door side guide part),
51a ... front end (upper end side end), 51b ... rear end (lower end side end),
52 ... Rear hook (door side engagement portion), 52a ... Insertion portion, 52b ... Opening portion,
60: Front guide mechanism (back side engagement mechanism),
61 ... front rail (back side guide part),
61a ... front end (back side end), 61b ... rear end (door side end),
62 ... front hook (back side engaging portion),
D1 ... front-rear direction, D2 ... forward direction, D3 ... rearward direction,
D4: Up and down direction, D5: Up direction, D6: Down direction,
D7 ... Vehicle width direction (width direction),
D8: vehicle width direction outer side (width direction outer side), D9: vehicle width direction inner side (width direction inner side),
LR1 ... luggage room,
P1 ... closed position, P2 ... opened position.

Claims (3)

A tonneau cover device provided in an automobile having a cargo compartment door attached to a cargo compartment forming portion that can be opened outward with the upper edge portion as a rotation center with respect to a closed time as a rotation center,
A flexible tonneau cover;
A door side engagement mechanism for engaging both ends of the door side edge on the cargo door side of the tonneau cover with the cargo door;
Both ends of the rear edge of the tonneau cover opposite to the cargo compartment door are outside in the width direction when the cargo compartment door is closed and inside the width direction when the cargo compartment door is open. A rear side engagement mechanism that is movably engaged with the luggage compartment forming portion so that
At the back edge of the tonneau cover is provided with a shape holding portion that shows elasticity that rises stepwise in the middle of the width direction ,
When the cargo compartment door is closed, the tonneau cover having both ends of the back edge on the outer side in the width direction covers an upper portion of the cargo compartment,
When the cargo compartment door is opened, the door side edge of the tonneau cover moves upward to open the cargo compartment, and both ends of the back edge of the tonneau cover move inward in the width direction. features and to belt Nokaba device that inner side edges is to deflect toward the back side. A tonneau cover device provided in an automobile having a cargo compartment door attached to a cargo compartment forming portion that can be opened outward with the upper edge portion as a rotation center with respect to a closed time as a rotation center,
A flexible tonneau cover;
A door side engagement mechanism for engaging both ends of the door side edge on the cargo door side of the tonneau cover with the cargo door;
Both ends of the rear edge of the tonneau cover opposite to the cargo compartment door are outside in the width direction when the cargo compartment door is closed and inside the width direction when the cargo compartment door is open. A rear side engagement mechanism that is movably engaged with the luggage compartment forming portion so that
When the cargo compartment door is closed, the tonneau cover having both ends of the back edge on the outer side in the width direction covers an upper portion of the cargo compartment,
When the cargo compartment door is opened, the door side edge of the tonneau cover moves upward to open the cargo compartment, and both ends of the back edge of the tonneau cover move inward in the width direction. The back edge is bent to the back side,
The door side engagement mechanism closes both ends of the door side edge of the tonneau cover along the portion of the cargo door that is outward from the upper edge toward the lower edge. It is movable with respect to the luggage compartment door so that it becomes the lower edge side of the luggage compartment door when the cargo compartment door is open and the upper edge side of the luggage compartment door when the luggage compartment door is open Engaged with
The back side engagement mechanism is configured such that both ends of the back side edge of the tonneau cover are on the back side and the bottom when the cargo room door is closed, and the cargo room door is open when the cargo room door is open. Engaging with the luggage compartment forming portion so as to be on the door side and the upper side,
When the distance between the end on the back side of the back side engaging mechanism and the end on the lower edge side of the door side engaging mechanism when the door for the cargo room is closed is L1, the cargo room When the door for the door is open, the distance between the end of the back side engagement mechanism on the door side for the cargo compartment and the end on the upper edge side of the door side engagement mechanism is L1 or less, and the cargo compartment When the door for the door is open, the distance between the end on the back side of the back side engagement mechanism and the end on the top edge side of the door side engagement mechanism is longer than L1, and the door for the luggage compartment is The distance between the end on the cargo compartment door side of the back side engagement mechanism when opened and the end on the lower edge side of the door side engagement mechanism is longer than L1. to belt Nokaba apparatus. A tonneau cover device provided in an automobile having a cargo compartment door attached to a cargo compartment forming portion that can be opened outward with the upper edge portion as a rotation center with respect to a closed time as a rotation center,
A flexible tonneau cover;
A door side engagement mechanism for engaging both ends of the door side edge on the cargo door side of the tonneau cover with the cargo door;
Both ends of the rear edge of the tonneau cover opposite to the cargo compartment door are outside in the width direction when the cargo compartment door is closed and inside the width direction when the cargo compartment door is open. A rear side engagement mechanism that is movably engaged with the luggage compartment forming portion so that
When the cargo compartment door is closed, the tonneau cover having both ends of the back edge on the outer side in the width direction covers an upper portion of the cargo compartment,
When the cargo compartment door is opened, the door side edge of the tonneau cover moves upward to open the cargo compartment, and both ends of the back edge of the tonneau cover move inward in the width direction. The back edge is bent to the back side,
The back edge of the tonneau cover is adapted to apply a repulsive force to the outside in the vehicle width direction to the back side engaging mechanism when bending to the back side,
When the luggage compartment door is closed, the repulsive force by the tonneau cover of the rear edge of the end portions, wherein the to belt Nokaba that is adapted to move outward in the width direction of the rear side engagement mechanism apparatus.

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