JPH0237657Y2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] <<Industrial Application Field>> The present invention relates to a joint cover that covers a joint portion of a steering shaft that penetrates a partition wall between a passenger compartment and an engine compartment of an automobile.

<<Prior Art>> Fig. 3 shows a general conventional example. A partition wall 52 between the vehicle compartment B and the engine compartment A is provided at the front lower part of the instrument panel 51 in the direction of travel, and a joint 54 provided in the vehicle interior portion of the steering shaft 53 passing through this is covered by a joint cover 55. has been done. A groove 56 is formed on the side of the joint cover 55 along the entire length in the longitudinal direction, and a flange 57 is formed at one end. The flange 57 is fixed to the partition wall 52 with a clip or the like, and surrounds a shaft hole 58 provided in the partition wall 52. This joint cover 55 not only improves the appearance of the joint 54 portion, but also protects the engine 5 from entering the vehicle compartment B from the engine room A through the shaft hole 58.
9 noise is blocked.

In addition, Utility Model Publication No. 56-33761 and Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 58-78864
The column cover or shaft cover is also mentioned in the issue. In the former case, the end surfaces of covers that are divided into two parts in the longitudinal direction are butted against each other, and male and female engaging bodies protruding toward the other side along the mating portions are engaged and integrated. . The latter includes
A slit is provided along the entire length of the side of the cylindrical body, which has a two-layer structure of a rubber skin and a felt sound-absorbing material. After attaching the cover to the shaft, the end surfaces of the sound-absorbing material along the slits are butted against each other, and the slit is made at both ends of the skin. In this example, the joint is closed and the mating portion is fixed with a holder (velcro fastener).

<<Problems to be solved by the invention>> By the way, the joint cover 5 shown in FIG.
The dividing groove 56 of No. 5 may be deformed and opened due to deformation during installation and heat or vibration during use. In this case, the noise generated by the engine 59 enters the joint cover 55 from the engine compartment A through the shaft hole 58 as shown by arrow C, and further leaks into the passenger compartment B through the split groove 56, making the occupants uncomfortable. There are things to do. For this reason, a structure that is difficult to open during installation and use is desired.

On the other hand, in JP-A-58-78864,
Even if the ends of the butted sound absorbing materials open, they can be closed by the ends of the rubber skin, resulting in an improvement in preventing noise leakage. However, the part that closes the mouth opening is not the sound-absorbing material that plays a major role in noise prevention, but is the skin, and the ends of the skin cannot necessarily be in close contact with each other, so there is a risk of noise leaking from some parts. Other issues remain.

In addition, since the device disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Application No. 56-33761 butts the end faces of the divided bodies against each other, there is a possibility that the gap may open at a portion of the mating portion.

The purpose of the present invention is to solve this problem by making it difficult for the divided portion to open, thereby more reliably preventing noise leakage.

<Means for Solving the Problems> The joint cover of the present invention is for covering the joint part in the passenger compartment of the steering shaft that penetrates the partition wall between the engine room and the passenger compartment, and is made of elastic material. A substantially cylindrical main body portion is divided at one side along the entire length in the longitudinal direction to form two edges along the divided portion,
These two edges are integrally extended from the main body portion so as to overlap with each other, and the tip of the outer edge projects in the radial direction from the inner edge and extends along the entire length in the longitudinal direction. It is characterized in that the protrusion is brought into contact with the protrusion, and the protrusion and the outer edge are integrally engaged with each other by the engagement portion.

《Operation》 The divided part forms an overlapping part where the edges overlap, so even if noise that enters the joint cover from the engine room tries to escape from between the tip of the inner edge and the main body, it will be prevented. thwarted. Also,
Since the edges extend integrally from each other from the body portion, noise transmission is reduced. Moreover, if there is a partial gap between the inner and outer edges of the overlapping part, the noise that attempts to leak through this gap will be
Since the space between the protrusion and the tip of the outer edge is closed by the abutment between the two, it is finally blocked here. Therefore, noise leakage is prevented in two stages by the double portion of the edge and the contact portion between the protrusion and the tip of the outer edge.

Furthermore, even if you try to partially open the opening between the protrusion and the tip of the outer edge, the engagement between the two is integrated at the engagement section, so it can be used for a relatively long time during installation work and afterward. Even if you are familiar with the topic, it is becoming difficult to open your mouth. Therefore, the degree of sealing between the tip of the outer edge and the protrusion, which is the final noise leakage prevention part, is constantly increased, and as a result, the noise leakage prevention effect is further enhanced.

<<Example>> An example of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 1 and 3. As shown in FIG. 1, a steering shaft 10, which is a member to be paved, is provided with a joint 12 made of a universal joint in the middle, and a shaft hole formed in a partition wall 14 between the engine room and the passenger compartment. It passes through 16. Moreover, at least one of the joints 12 is arranged on the inside of the vehicle interior. Note that a mounting hole 18 is formed in advance around the shaft hole 16. Reference numeral 20 in the figure,
Reference numerals 22 denote a column cover and a steering wheel, respectively, which are attached to the end of the steering shaft 10.

The joint cover 24 is a substantially cylindrical member bent at an obtuse angle in the middle corresponding to the bent shape of the joint 12, and is molded from synthetic resin such as polyethylene by an appropriate method such as injection molding or blow molding. It is formed by However, it may also be made of other suitable elastic materials such as metal. An overlapping portion 26 is provided on the side portion of the joint cover 24 along its entire length in the longitudinal direction. As shown in FIG. 2, the overlapping portion 26 is formed in a portion obtained by dividing the side portion of the joint cover 24 over the entire length in the longitudinal direction. Reference numeral 28 in the figure indicates one of the grooves. Both end edges 30 and 32 formed by this division are formed so as to extend integrally from the main body portion of the joint cover 24 so as to overlap each other toward the other side, and are overlapped in a double-layered manner. Of these two edges, the outer edge 30 is provided with an outwardly projecting step 34, which overlaps onto the inner edge 32. Further, a protrusion 36 is formed on the inner edge 32 and protrudes in the radial direction and extends along the entire length in the longitudinal direction. The protrusion 36 is provided at a portion where the tip of the outer edge 30 is located when superimposed, and serves as a stopper for the tip of the outer edge 30. On the other hand, the tip of the inner edge 32 faces a bent portion 35 of the stepped portion 34, and this bent portion 35 serves as a stopper for the inner edge 32.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 1, engaging portions 38 are formed on the overlapping portion 26 at appropriate intervals along its length. As shown in FIG. 3, the engaging portion 38 is
It consists of a buckle 40 and an engaging protrusion 44. The buckle 40 extends integrally from the protrusion 36,
Thick gripping part 41 at the tip, protrusion 36 and gripping part 41
A bendable hinge portion 4 formed thinly between the
2 and an engagement hole 43 formed by penetrating a part of the hinge part 42. On the other hand, the step portion 34 corresponding to the buckle 40 is provided with an engagement protrusion 44 formed by integrally protruding a portion thereof outward, and the engagement protrusion 44 engages with the edge of the engagement hole 43. Engagement stepped portion 45
is provided.

A flange 46 for attachment is formed on the partition wall 14 side of the longitudinal end of the joint cover 24 . The flange 46 is attached to the bulkhead 14 by appropriately positioned attachment clips 47 engaging the attachment hole 18, and in this state surrounds the shaft hole 16. The other end 48 is tightly attached to the steering shaft 10 with a clip (not shown) or the like.

Next, a method of attaching the joint cover 24 will be explained. As shown in Figure 1, the joint cover 2
4 over the joint 12, first cover the overlapping part 2.
The end edges 30, 32 around the joint 12 are elastically deformed to enlarge and open the split groove 28, and in this state, the split groove 28 is pressed against the joint 12 portion. Then, the joint 12 is easily accommodated within the main body portion of the joint cover 24. Therefore, polymerization part 2
Excluding the force applied to 6, joint cover 2
4 is restored by the elasticity of the material itself, and the edges 30 and 3
2 return to the overlapping state. At this time, edge 3
0 is in contact with the protrusion 36.

Therefore, the hinge portion 42 is bent as shown by the two-dot chain line in FIG.
When the buckle 40 and the engagement protrusion 44 are pressed together, the engagement protrusion 44 enters the engagement hole 43, the engagement step 45 engages the edge of the engagement hole 43, and the buckle 40 and the engagement protrusion 44 are engaged and integrated. This engagement makes the overlapping portion 26 impossible to separate. Therefore, even if there is deformation during installation or use, the tip of the edge 30 and the protrusion 3
6. This makes it difficult for gaping to occur between the two. Moreover, since this engagement work is done by bending the hinge portion 42, it can be done by hand, so-called blind touching.

Thereafter, when the clip 47 is engaged with the mounting hole 18, the flange 46 is pressed against and fixed to the partition wall 14 around the shaft hole 16. At this time, a suitable elastic material may be interposed between the flange 46 and the partition wall 14. Finally, the other end 48 is brought into close contact with the steering shaft 10.

The joint cover 24 formed in this way is
Even if the split groove 28 is open between the main body parts, the outer edge 30 covers the outside of the split groove 28, so that noise entering the joint cover 24 from the engine compartment A will not be split. Even if it tries to leak out through the groove 28, it is blocked by the double structure of the overlapping part 26. At this time, each edge 30, 32
Since it is formed integrally with the main body portion, there is little noise transmission, and the joint cover 24 effectively insulates the noise.

Furthermore, if a partial gap is formed between both end edges 30 and 32 of the overlapping portion 26, noise may be caused by the split groove 2.
8 tries to leak to the outside through the gap between both end edges 30 and 32, but as the tip of the outer end edge 30 comes into contact with the protrusion 36, the gap between the two is closed. is finally stopped. Therefore, the leakage of noise is caused by the edges 30,
In addition to the double structure portion 32, the abutting portion between the tip of the outer edge 30 and the protrusion 36 prevents it in two stages.

Moreover, the engagement between the buckle 40 of the protrusion 36 and the engagement protrusion 44 of the outer edge 30 allows the final noise leakage prevention part to be formed between the tip of the outer edge 30 and the protrusion 36. The contact portion becomes extremely difficult to open, and leakage of noise can be more reliably prevented. Moreover, it is difficult to open due to work errors during installation or deformation due to vibration or heat during use, making installation work easier and increasing durability. Furthermore, by forming the buckle 40 integrally with the protrusion 36, the mold structure is simplified and molding becomes easier.

Further, since the deformation in the direction of reducing the radius of the joint cover 24 is regulated by the bent portion 35 and the protrusion 36, which are stoppers, the overlapping portions 26 do not overlap more than necessary, and as a result, the joint cover The side of 24 is the steering shaft 10
There is no interference with the joint 12 or joint 12.

Note that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments.
The structure of the polymerization part can be changed in various ways. for example,
The overlapping portion may simply overlap the edges, and does not necessarily require a stepped portion or the like. A fitting structure may be used so that the overlapping portion is difficult to separate.

Further, the joint cover may have a rectangular cross section.

<<Effects of the invention>> The joint cover of the invention has two end edges that extend integrally from the main body so as to overlap each other and overlap each other, and also protrudes from the inner edge in the radial direction and extends longitudinally. The tip of the outer edge is brought into contact with the protrusion that extends to the entire length in the direction, and the two are engaged and integrated at the engagement part, so noise that enters the joint cover from the engine room leaks out from the overlapping part. Even if an attempt is made to do so, this can be prevented in two steps by the double structure portion of the edge in the overlapping portion and the contact portion between the protrusion and the tip of the outer edge. In addition, the edges of the double structure part,
Since they are integral with the main body, noise transmission can be reduced.

Furthermore, the contact area between the tip of the outer edge and the protrusion, which is the final part to prevent noise from leaking, engages and integrates with each other, making it difficult for the mouth to open, ensuring a high degree of sealing at all times. The noise leakage prevention effect is further enhanced.

Moreover, since it is difficult to open during the installation work and after relatively long-term use, reliable installation work is facilitated and durability is improved.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

1 to 3 show an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 1 is a perspective view, FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line -- in FIG. 1, and FIG. FIG. 4 is a sectional view of a conventional example. Explanation of symbols, 10... Steering shaft,
12... Joint, 14... Bulkhead, 16... Shaft hole, 18... Mounting hole, 24... Joint cover, 26... Overlapping part, 28... Division groove, 32
...Edge, 34...Step, 36...Protrusion, 38...
...Engaging part, 40...Buckle, 41...Gripping part,
42...Hinge portion, 43...Engagement hole, 44...Engagement protrusion, 45...Engagement stepped portion, 46...Flange.

Claims (1)

[Scope of utility model registration request] It is intended to cover the joint 12 portion in the vehicle interior of the steering shaft 10 that passes through the partition wall 14 between the engine room A and the vehicle interior B, and the elastic, substantially cylindrical main body portion is attached to one side portion. In the one in which two edges 30 and 32 are formed along this divided part by dividing the entire length in the longitudinal direction,
These two edges 30 and 32 are integrally extended from the main body portion and overlapped so as to overlap each other, and the tip of the outer edge 30 is projected from the inner edge 32 in the radial direction. A joint cover 2 characterized in that the joint cover 2 is brought into contact with a protrusion 36 extending along the entire length in the longitudinal direction, and the protrusion 36 and the outer edge 30 are integrally engaged with each other at an engagement part 38.
4.