PH12018000064A1

PH12018000064A1 - Blinker device of vehicle

Info

Publication number: PH12018000064A1
Application number: PH12018000064A
Authority: PH
Inventors: Ryuhei Soeta; Michito Arai; Yosuke Tsuchiya
Original assignee: Honda Motor Co Ltd
Priority date: 2017-03-02
Filing date: 2018-02-28
Publication date: 2018-10-08
Also published as: JP6553109B2; JP2018144536A; PH12018000064B1

Abstract

The blinker stay (50) includes a main body portion (51) exposed outward from an exterior member (6) with respect to a vehicle width direction, an annular groove (52) in abutment with an inner circumferential surface of an attachment opening (6a) and a body engagement portion (A) protruding further inward from the attachment opening (6a) with respect to the vehicle width direction. The main body portion (51) is formed with a through hole (57) through which a harness (46) passes. The body engagement portion (A) is formed with a fitting portion (58) into which a tubular portion (83) of the holder (80) is fitted. The dimension of the tubular portion (83) of the holder (80) in the vehicle width direction is larger than the dimension of the attachment opening ( 6a) in the vehicle width direction, so that upon the holder (80) being engaged into the blinker stay (50), the tubular portion (83) extends to a position protruding outward from the attachment opening (6a) with respect to the vehicle width direction so as to support the annular groove (52) and the body engagement portion (A) from the inner side of the blinker stay (50).

Description

RC) comprise a first notch section (FC) and a second notch section (RC) provided at ~ positions opposed to long side of the attachment opening (6a). Therefore there is ease > with which the substantially oval shape of the body engagement portion is compressed - in the minor axis direction for deformation.

According to the fifth feature of the present invention, there is difference in depth between the first notch section (FC) and the second notch section (RC). =

Therefore, misassemble upon the holder being engaged into the body engagement ~ portion is preventable.

According to the sixth feature of the present invention, the first notch section : (FC) is provided on a side of the body engagement portion (A) having a larger vertical . + ‘dimension, the second notch section (RC) is provided on a side of the body engagement portion (A) having a smaller vertical dimension, and a depth of the second notch section (RC) is larger in dimension that a depth of the first notch section (FC). Therefore by making larger the depth of the second notch section provided on the body engagement portion side whose vertical dimension is smaller and which permits the body © engagement portion to be mounted into the attachment opening with a smaller degree of ~~ deformation, it further facilitates the body engagement portion to be mounted into the attachment opening.

According to the seventh feature of the present invention, the fitting portion (58) is a bottomed recess portion, and upon the holder (80) being engaged into the fitting portion (58), an end surface (82) of the tubular portion (83) abuts to a bottom portion (58a) of the fitting portion (58). Therefore, by making larger the area in which "the holder supports the blinker stay, it permits the deformation-resistant and vibration-resistant properties of the blinker stay to be enhanced.

According to the eighth feature of the present invention, an outer circumference - of the blinker stay (50) is tapered in shape such that the outer circumference becomes ® gradually smaller in dimension according as the blinker stay (50) goes outward with - ~ respect to the vehicle width direction. Therefore, by reducing the weight of the blinker —- stay according as it goes outward with respect to the vehicle width direction, it permits o vibration to be suppressed and provides the blinker stay with a sharp impression in = appearance. ~

Brief Description of Drawings

FIG. 1 is a right-side view of a motorcycle adopting a blinker device of a

B vehicle according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a frontal view of the blinker device.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the blinker device.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along IV-IV line of FIG. 2. :

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along V-V line of FIG. 3.

Co FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the blinker device from which the holder is removed when viewed from the left and frontal side of the blinker device.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the blinker device from which the holder is : removed when viewed from the left and rear side of the blinker device.

FIG. 8 is a view of the fitting portion from the inner side with respect to the vehicle width direction. } ol FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the holder.

FIG. 10 is a plan view of the holder from the outer side with respect to the vehicle width direction.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the blinker device from the left and frontal -

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the blinker device from the left and rear side. ” - FIG. 13 is a view of the fitting portion which the holder is attached from the bs inner side of vehicle width direction. o

FIG. 14 is an explanatory view to show the state where the body engagement = portion is vertically compressed and deformed. =

FIG. 15 is an explanatory view to show the state where the side plates of the body engagement portion is vertically open.

Description of Embodiments

Hereafter, the preferred embodiments of the present invention are described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a right-side view of a motorcycle 1 adopting a blinker device 40 of a vehicle according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The motorcycle 1 is an off-road type saddled - | vehicle which travels with the driving force of an engine 30 acting as a power source transmitted to a rear wheel WR.

A head pipe 15 for swingably journaling a steering stem not shown in the drawings is provided on a frontal end portion of a body frame 17. A pair of right and left front forks 4 for rotatably journaling a front wheel WF are supported by a top bridge 5 12 and a bottom bridge 9 fixed to the steering stem at the upper and lower portions of the head pipe 15. A pair of right and left rearview mirrors 13 are attached on a steering handlebar 14 fixed to the top bridge 12.

An engine 30 is disposed below the body frame 17, and a pivot 27 is provided on a rear end lower portion of the body frame 17, the pivot 27 swingably journaling a - frontal end portion of a swing arm 26 for rotatably journaling the rear wheel WR. A 5 frontal side of the swing arm 26 is suspended onto the body frame 7 through a rear ” cushion 29. A pair of right and left footrest steps 28 is attached to a lower portion of - the pivot 27. o

In front of the steering handlebar 14, a headlight 8 fixed on the side of the head = pipe 15; a pair of right and left blinker devices 40; a meter display device 11 displaying = information from a speed meter and a distance meter and the like; and a windshield 10 covering the headlight 8 up to its periphery are disposed. A front fender 5 fixed to the front forks 4 is disposed below the blinker devices 40.

A fuel tank 16 fixed to the body frame 17 is disposed between the steering handlebar 14 and a seat 19. A side cowl 18 is disposed below the seat 19 while a seat cowl 20 is disposed behind the seat 19. A tail lamp device 21 and a pair of right and left rear blinker devices 31 are disposed behind the seat cowl 20. A rear fender 25 is : 15 disposed below the tail lamp device 21 and the combustion gas of the engine 30 is discharged from a muffler 23 at the right side with respect to the vehicle width direction.

A pair of right and left radiator shrouds 22 is disposed on the outer sides of the front forks 4 with respect to the vehicle width direction. A pair of right and left side cowls 24 is connected behind the radiator shrouds 22. A pair of right and left exterior a members 6 in the form of thin plates orienting with respect to the vertical direction of the body is disposed between the radiator shrouds 22 and the windshield 10. A pair of right and left blinker devices 40 according to the present invention is attached to the exterior members 6. To note, the structure of the respective blinker devices 40

11 ~ = according to the present invention can be applied to a pair of right and left blinker - . devices 31 on the rear side of the body. =

FIG. 2 is a frontal view of the blinker device 40. And FIG. 3 is a plan view of - the blinker device 40. The right and left blinker devices 40 are symmetrical in shape and structure. The right blinker device 40 is exemplified for the following explanation. e

The blinker device 40 is arranged such that a housing 41 for supporting a light = source 42 and an outer lens 43 is fixed to the outer end portion of a blinker stay 50 - - orienting with respect to the vehicle width direction. The outer lens 43 occluding an opening of the housing 41 with respect to the body frontal side direction made from e.g. a hard and colored resin is made from an orange, transparent synthetic resin or a colorless, transparent synthetic resin corresponding to the color of the light source 42.

The blinker stay 50 inserted through and fixed to an opening on the inner side of the housing 41 with respect to the vehicle width direction is an integrally molded - component made from such synthetic resins as rubber and acting as an elastic member.

The blinker stay 50 includes: a main body portion 51 exposed outward from the body upon the blinker stay 50 being attached to an attachment opening 6a formed through the exterior member 6; an annular groove 52 in engagement with the attachment opening 6a; and a vehicle engagement portion A protruding inward with respect to the vehicle width direction.

The attachment opening 6a has a substantially oval shape whose long side orients in a body longitudinal direction and the annular groove 52 of the blinker stay 50 has a shape corresponding to that of the attachment opening 6a. In turn, the main body portion 51 of the blinker stay 50 takes a shape along the shape of the attachment opening 6a, in which the dimension of the main body portion 51 in the body vertical direction is smaller than that of the main body portion 51 in the body longitudinal . direction so as to provide the blinker device 40 with a sharp impression in appearance © upon the blinker device 40 being viewed from the frontal side of the body. Besides, - the outer contour of the main body portion 51 is tapered such that it thins out according ~ as it goes outward with respect to the vehicle width direction or by reducing the weight on of the blinker stay 50 according as it goes outward with respect to the vehicle width z _ direction, it permits vibration to be suppressed and provides the blinker stay 50 with a = sharp impression in appearance.

The body engagement portion A includes a body engagement portion side flange 53 and side plates 54 arranged upright inward with respect to the vehicle width direction from the upper and lower end portions of the body engagement portion side flange 53. The body engagement portion side flange 53 and the side plates 54 are ~~ formed with such a thickness that an assemblyman can manually and elastically deform them, so that it is arranged such that the blinker stay 50 is mounted into the attachment opening 6a with the body engagement portion A vertically compressed and deformed upon the blinker stay 50 being attached to the attachment opening 6a.

With reference to FIG. 3, upon the blinker stay 50 being fixed to the exterior member 6, a holder 80 made from e.g. a hard resin is engaged from the inner side of the : body engagement portion A mounted into the attachment opening 6a with respect to the vehicle width direction. In this case, by the body engagement portion side flange 53 and the annular groove 52 being supported by a tubular portion 83 of the holder 80 from the inner side of the blinker stay 50, it makes the body engagement portion side flange 53 and the annular groove 52 hard to be deformed so as to prevent the blinker stay 50 from falling off.

- | In this connection, the body engagement portion side flange 53 is arranged - such that it juts out forward from the annular groove 52 in the body frontal side = direction whereas it is made flush with the annular groove 52 in the body rear side - direction. In this case, upon the body rear side of the body engagement portion A being ~ mounted into the attachment opening 6a, the mounting job goes smoothly without any > interference from the flange component. Then, as a result of the holder 80 being = : engaged into the body engagement portion A, the slip-off prevention structure for the - body engagement portion A is established in such a manner that the end portion of the holder 80 juts out further in the body rear side direction than the end portion of the body engagement portion side flange 53 in the body rear side direction.

Long holes 55 with a large length in a body longitudinal direction are formed on the basements of the side plates 54 arranged upright from the body engagement portion side flange 53. The holder 80 is formed with engagement projections engaged in the long holes 55, and the holder 80 is retained at the prescribed position by engaging : 15 the engagement protrusions into the long holes 55. Guide recesses 54a are formed on the side plates 54 to guide the engagement protrusions of the holder 80 upon the holder 80 being pushed into the body engagement portion A. The detailed structure of the holder 80 is described in the course of discussion.

Co FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along IV-IV line of FIG. 2. And FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along V-V line of FIG. 3. FIGs. 4 and 5 both illustrate : the state where the holder 80 is engaged into the blinker stay 50. As mentioned above, a socket 45 supporting a light source 42 is supported on an opening of a reflector 44.

The reflector 44 is housed at the prescribed position with interposed between the housing 41 and the outer lens 43. Two power supply wires 48 connected to the socket

45 are supported by a cap 47 on the inner end portion of the blinker stay 50 with respect - to the vehicle width direction and are connected to a single harness 46 covered with a = coating material. ’

A small diameter portion 56 is formed on the outer side of the blinker stay 50 ~ with respect to the vehicle width direction. The fixing of the housing 41 to the blinker = = | stay 50 is completed by the small diameter portion 56 being inserted into an opening of = the housing 41 and a slip-off prevention plate 49 being engaged to the small diameter ~ portion 56. Most part of the main body portion 51 of the blinker stay 50 is constituted by a thickened portion B only provided with a through hole 57 through which the harness 46 passes, so that the rigidity of the main body portion 51 is enhanced.

A tubular portion 83 having a substantially oval shape in cross section is formed on the holder 80 such that the holder 80 goes along the shape of the annular groove 52. A fitting portion 58 in the form of a bottomed recess into which the tubular portion 83 is fitted is formed on the inner side of the main body portion 51 of the blinker stay 50 with respect to the vehicle width direction. The dimension of the : fitting portion 58 in the body vertical direction is defined a little bit larger than that of the through hole 57 circular in cross section. In this connection, the bottom portion 58a of the fitting portion 58 is formed at a position somewhat advancing into the main body portion 51 by going beyond an abutment surface 51a formed on the blinker stay 50 to abut to the exterior member. By the tubular portion 83 being fitted into the fitting portion 58 so that the supporting range of the tubular portion 83 over the inner side of : the blinker stay 50 reaches the outer side of the exterior member 6 with respect to the vehicle width direction, it enhances the deformation-resistant property of the body engagement portion side flange 53 and the annular groove 52 respectively and prevents the blinker stay 50 from oscillation and vibration. -

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the blinker device 40 from which the holder 80 = is removed when viewed from the left and frontal side of the blinker device 40. FIG. 7 ~ is a perspective view of the blinker device 40 from which the holder 80 is removed - when viewed from the left and rear side of the blinker device 40. And FIG. 8 is a view on of the fitting portion 58 when viewed from the inner side of the fitting portion 58 with = respect to the vehicle width direction. As described above, the body engagement - portion A including the annular groove 52 and the body engagement portion side flange 53 is provided on the inner side of the main body portion 51 with respect to the vehicle width direction. The cross-sectional shapes of the main body portion 51 and the ~~ annular groove 52 are symmetrical in the body longitudinal direction and in the body vertical direction respectively.

On the other hand, the outer dimension of the body engagement portion side flange 53 is substantially the same as that of the main body portion 51 on the body frontal side whereas it is arranged on the body rear side such that such outer dimension "becomes gradually smaller than that of the main body portion 51 and the degree to which its end surfaces 53R on the body rear side jut out becomes zero so as for the body engagement portion side flange 53 to be made flush with the annular groove 52.

In turn, notch sections are provided on the body engagement portion A by partly removing the wall part of the body engagement portion side flange 53 and the fitting portion 58 respectively toward the inner side of the body engagement portion A with respect to the vehicle width direction. These notch sections are provided at the positions opposed to the long sidedirection when it is assumed that the cross-sectional shape of the annular groove 52 is substantially oval. In the present embodiment, these notch sections include a first notch section FC on the body frontal side and a second ~ notch section RC on the body rear side. By providing the first notch section FC and ® the second notch section RC on the body engagement portion A, it facilitates the body - : engagement portion A to be vertically compressed and deformed upon the body a. engagement portion A being mounted into the attachment opening 6a. on

Further, in the present embodiment, there is difference in depth between the = first notch section FC and the second notch section RC. More specifically, the second © notch section RC has such a depth that it goes toward the inner side of the body engagement portion A with respect to the vehicle width direction and reaches the abutment surface 51a to abut to the exterior member whereas the first notch section FC has such a depth that it goes toward the inner side of the body engagement portion A with respect to the vehicle width direction and stops right before reaching the annular groove 52. In other words, as illustrated in FIG. 8, the bottom portion of the second notch section RC corresponds to the abutment surface 5la to abut to the exterior member whereas the bottom portion of the first notch section FC corresponds to a side © ~~ portion 58b of the member on which the annular groove 52 is formed.

According to the above arrangement, by making larger the depth of the second notch section RC on the body rear side at which the degree to which the body engagement portion side flange 53 juts out is smaller and whose dimension in the body vertical direction is smaller than the depth of the first notch section FC at which the degree to which the body engagement portion side flange 53 juts out is larger and whose dimension in the body vertical direction is larger, it facilitates the body engagement portion A on the body rear side to be further deformed.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the holder 80. FIG. 10 is a plan view of the

17 Er = holder 80 when viewed from the outer side of the holder 80 with respect to the vehicle ol width direction. FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the blinker device 40 when viewed ~ from the left and frontal side of the blinker device 40. FIG. 12 is a perspective view of ~ the blinker device 40 when viewed from the left and rear side of the blinker device 40. -

And FIG. 13 is a view of the fitting portion 58 to which the holder 80 is attached when - viewed from the inner side of the fitting portion 58 with respect to the vehicle width @ direction. 0

The holder 80 integrally molded from e.g. a hard resin includes a tubular portion 83 to be inserted into the fitting portion 58 of the blinker stay 50 and a holder : side flange 84 in the form of a plate which extends outward from an end of the tubular portion 83. A through hole 81 through which the harness 46 passes is similar in shape to the outer circumferential shape of the tubular portion 83.

The engagement protrusions 85 in engagement with the long holes 55 provided through the body engagement portion A and notched portions 86 to form the engagement protrusions 85 are provided on the outer circumferential portion of the holder side flange 84 on the holder side. Besides, a first protrusion 87 positioned on the body frontal side and a second protrusion 90 positioned on the body rear side are provided on the longitudinal ends of the holder side flange 84 on the holder side. The second protrusion 90 has a stepped shape provided with a first end surface 91 and a second end surface 92. oo When the holder 80 is engaged into the body engagement portion A, the holder side flange 84 on the holder side abuts to the body engagement portion side flange 53 and an end surface 82 of the tubular portion 83 abuts to a bottom part 58a of the fitting portion 58 as well as the engagement protrusions 85 are engaged into the long holes 55.

18 J

At the same time, the first protrusion 87 is fitted into the first notch section FC while the - second protrusion 90 is fitted into the second notch section RC. In this way, the = positioning and slip-off prevention of the holder 80 is completed to make the body ~ engagement portion A hard to be deformed with the result that the fixing of the blinker ~ stay 50 to the exterior member 6 is completed. .

An end portion 84F of the holder side flange 84 with respect to the body frontal ° ~ side direction has such a shape that it goes along the outer contour of the main body - portion 51. In this connection, the body engagement portion side flange 53 provided with an end surface 53F with respect to the body frontal side direction becomes smaller in outer dimension toward the body rear side so as to be made flush with the annular groove 52 at its end surfaces 53R with respect to the body rear side direction whereas an end portion 84R of the holder side flange 84 with respect to the body rear side direction has such a shape that it further juts out toward the body rear side direction than the end surfaces 53R with respect to the body rear side direction. In this way, the flange section to function as the slip-off prevention means to prevent the body engagement portion A from slipping off from the attachment opening 6a is supplemented by the holder 80. In detail, upon the holder 80 being engaged into the body engagement portion A, the first protrusion 87 abuts to the side portion 58b while the first end surface 91 of the second protrusion 90 functions as a part of the flange to directly abut to the exterior member 6.

Simultaneously, a side surface 83F of the tubular portion 83 with respect to the body frontal side direction and a side surface 83R of the tubular portion 83 with respect to the body rear side direction abut to a side surface of the fitting portion 58 positioned in the body longitudinal direction while the second end surface 92 of the second protrusion 90 abuts to the abutment surface 51a to abut to the exterior member. In this ~ pt ~ way or according to such arrangement that the respective portions of the holder 80 abut = to the respective portions of the body engagement portion A, the precision, with which - the holder 80 is positioned, and its vibration-resistant property are enhanced. In this regard, by being arranged such that the holder 80 takes a different shape on the body i. frontal side and the body rear side, it prevents the holder 80 from misassembly. z

FIG. 14 is an explanatory view to show the state where the body engagement - } portion A is vertically compressed and deformed. As described above, the blinker stay 50 is made from an elastic member and the second notch section RC has such a depth that it reaches the abutment surface 51a to abut to the exterior member. In this way, the assemblyman can readily deform the body engagement portion A up to the state where the second notch section RC disappears in such a manner that the end surfaces 53R of the body engagement portion side flange 53 with respect to the body rear side direction make into contact with each other by vertically sandwiching the vicinities of the side plates 54. :

Comparatively, on the body engagement portion side flange 53 in the body frontal side direction, because the depth of the first notch section FC is small in size and the dimension of the body engagement portion side flange 53 in the body vertical direction is large, it is hard to be deformed even with the vicinities of the side plates 54 vertically sandwiched with the same force as in the case of the body engagement portion side flange 53 in the body rear side direction, but by firstly inserting the easily deformable body rear side of the body engagement portion side flange 53 into the attachment opening 6a and then applying larger force on the body engagement portion side flange 53 with the blinker stay 50 grabbed, it facilitates the body engagement

20 m portion’ side flange 53 in the body frontal side direction to be inserted into the - attachment opening 6a as well. =

FIG. 15 is an explanatory view to show the state where the side plates 54 of the . body engagement portion A is vertically open. The holder 80 can be engaged into the ~ body engagement portion A just by pushing the former into the latter, so that assembly on operability is enhanced. This is because force to gradually spread outward the side © : plates 54 arises as a result of the engagement protrusions 85 abutting to the guide recesses 54a of the side plates 54 while the holder 80 is pushed into the body engagement portion A. On the other hand, when the holder 80 is detached from the body engagement portion A, the engagement protrusions 85 can be readily dismounted from the long holes 55 by vertically opening the side plates 54 made from an elastic member, so that maintainability is also enhanced.

As described above, according to the blinker device 40 of the present invention, on account that it is arranged such that the holder 80 is made from a hard member and includes the tubular portion 83 through which the harness 46 to supply the light source : 42 with power passes; the blinker stay 50 is made from an elastic member and includes the main body portion 51 exposed outward from the exterior member 6 with respect to the vehicle width direction; the annular groove 52 in abutment with the inner circumferential surface of the attachment opening 6a; and the body engagement portion

A protruding further inward with respect to the vehicle width direction than the attachment opening 6a, in which the thickened portion B only provided with the through hole 57 through which the harness 46 passes is formed for the main body portion 51 and the fitting portion 58 into which the tubular portion 83 of the holder 80 is fitted is formed on the body engagement portion A; and the dimension of the tubular portion 83

21 BN of the holder 80 in the vehicle width direction is larger than that of the attachment - opening 6a in the vehicle width direction, so that upon the holder 80 being engaged into = the blinker stay 50, the tubular portion 83 extends to a position in abutment with the ~ thickened portion B of the main body portion 51 so as to support the annular groove 52 and the body engagement portion A from the inner side of the blinker stay 50, it leads to v making the through hole 57 provided through the main body portion 51 smaller so as to = increase the thickness of the blinker stay 50, so that the rigidity of the elongated portion - of the blinker stay 50 is further enhanced than the blinker stay 50 having a hollow structure and made from a member in the form of a thin plate. In this way or by vertically reducing the dimension of the blinker stay 50, it provides the blinker device 40 with a sharp impression in appearance when viewed from the frontal side of the hlinker device 40. :

To note, as regards the form of the vehicle, the form and material of the blinker device, the shapes of the housing and lens, the shape and structure of the blinker stay, the shape and structure of the holder, the shape of the body engagement portion, the shape and number of the notch sections and protrusions and the like, they are not limited to those presented in the above embodiment, but they can be modified in various - manners. The blinker device of the vehicle according to the present invention is not limited to a motorcycle, but can be applied to saddled three-wheel and four-wheel vehicles arranged such that the blinker stay is engaged into an opening formed through the exterior member.

Reference Signs List oo l...motorcycle (vehicle), 6...exterior members, 6a...attachment opening,

40...blinker device, 41...housing, 42...light source, 46... harness, 50...blinker - stay, 51...main body portion, 52...annular groove, 53...body engagement portion = side flange, 58...fitting portion, 58a...bottom portion, 80...holder, 83...tubular portion, 4...holder side flange, 87...first protrusion, 90...second protrusion, -

A...vehicle engagement portion, B...thickened portion, FC...first notch section, =

RC.. second notch section >

BLINKER DEVICE OF VEHICLE = fund

Technical Field -

The present invention relates to a blinker device of a vehicle, more specifically, © pertaining to a blinker device of a vehicle which fixes a housing for supporting a light on source and the like to the body through a blinker stay orienting in a vehicle width = direction. =

Background Art

Conventionally, such arrangement on the blinker device acting as a direction : indicator for a vehicle is known as the housing receiving a light source, a reflector and an outer lens therein being attached to an exterior member through a long blinker stay orienting in the vehicle width direction.

In Patent Literature 1, such a blinker device is disclosed as the blinker stay : supporting a housing to receive a light source and the like therein being formed into a substantially cylindrical shape with a hollow structure.

Citation List

Patent Literature :

Patent Document 1: JP-A-2011-184028

Summary of Invention Technical Problem

In recent years, in order to provide the blinker device with a sharp impression

2 = co in appearance when viewed from the body front, the attempts through which the vertical i. ~~ dimension of the blinker stay is reduced have been made. However, the problem with - such a thinly hollow structure as disclosed in Patent Literature 1 lies in that rigidity be large enough to sustain vibration and oscillation is not achieved upon the vertical : dimension of the blinker stay being reduced. -

The present invention, in order to solve the above technical problem of the = prior art, is to provide a blinker device of a vehicle capable of reducing the vertical 5 - ‘dimension of the blinker stay while securing rigidity large enough so as to enhance the visual impression.

Solution to Problems

To achieve the afore-mentioned object, the present invention has a first feature in that a blinker device (40) of a vehicle comprising a housing (41) receiving a light oo source (42), a blinker stay (50) supporting the housing (41) and attached to an attachment opening (6a) provided through an exterior member (6) of the vehicle (1), and } a holder (80) engaged with an inner side of the blinker stay (50) with respect to a vehicle width direction so as to prevent the blinker stay (50) from slipping off, wherein the holder (80) is made from a hard member and includes a tubular portion (83) through which a harness (46) to supply the light source (42) with power passes, the blinker stay . © 20 (50) is made from an elastic member and includes a main body portion (51) exposed outward from the exterior member (6) with respect to the vehicle width direction, an annular groove (52) in abutment with an inner circumferential surface of the attachment opening (6a) and a body engagement portion (A) protruding further inward with respect to the vehicle width direction than the attachment opening (6a), the main body portion

(51) is formed with a through hole (57) through which the harness (46) passes, the body - : engagement portion (A) is formed with a fitting portion (58) into which the tubular & portion (83) of the holder (80) is fitted, a dimension of the tubular portion (83) of the ” holder (80) with respect to the vehicle width direction is larger than a dimension of the - attachment opening (6a) with respect to the vehicle width direction, and upon the holder (80) being engaged into the blinker stay (50), the tubular portion (83) extends to a = position protruding outward from the attachment opening (6a) with respect to the o . vehicle width direction so as to support the annular groove (52) and the body engagement portion (A) from an inner side of the blinker stay (50).

The present invention has a second feature in that a flange (84) on a side of the holder (80) which is larger in outer dimension than the attachment opening (6a) is formed on an end portion of the tubular portion (83) of the holder (80), a body engagement portion side flange (53) in abutment with the holder side flange (84) is formed on the body engagement portion (A), at least one notch section (FC, RC) orienting in the vehicle width direction is provided on the body engagement portion (A), and an end surface of an outer contour of the body engagement portion side flange (53) : is made flush with a bottom surface of the annular groove (52) at one of places where the notch sections (FC, RC) are provided.

The present invention has a third feature in that protrusions (87, 90) in . 20 engagement with the notch sections (FC, RC) are provided on the holder (80). :

The present invention has a fourth feature in that the notch sections (FC, RC) comprise a first notch section (FC) and a second notch section (RC) provided at positions opposed to long side of the attachment opening (6a).

The present invention has a fifth feature in that there is difference in depth

~~ between the first notch section (FC) and the second notch section (RC). -

The present invention has a sixth feature in that the first notch section (FC) is > provided on a side of the body engagement portion (A) having a larger vertical ” dimension, the second notch section (RC) is provided on a side of the body engagement ~ portion (A) having a smaller vertical dimension, and a depth of the second notch section = (RC) is larger in dimension that a depth of the first notch section (FC). =

The present invention has a seventh feature in that the fitting portion (58) is a ~ bottomed recess portion, and upon the holder (80) being engaged into the fitting portion (58), an end surface (82) of the tubular portion (83) abuts to a bottom portion (58a) of the fitting portion (58).

The present invention has an eighth feature in that an outer circumference of the blinker stay (50) is tapered in shape such that the outer circumference becomes gradually smaller in dimension according as the blinker stay (50) goes outward with respect to the vehicle width direction.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

According to the first feature of the present invention, a blinker device (40) of a vehicle comprising a housing (41) receiving a light source (42), a blinker stay (50) supporting the housing (41) and attached to an attachment opening (6a) provided through an exterior member (6) of the vehicle (1), and a holder (80) engaged with an inner side of the blinker stay (50) with respect to a vehicle width direction so as to : prevent the blinker stay (50) from slipping off, wherein the holder (80) is made from a hard member and includes a tubular portion (83) through which a harness (46) to supply the light source (42) with power passes, the blinker stay (50) is made from an elastic

. member and includes a main body portion (51) exposed outward from the exterior - member (6) with respect to the vehicle width direction, an annular groove (52) in S abutment with an inner circumferential surface of the attachment opening (6a) and a - body engagement portion (A) protruding further inward with respect to the vehicle - 5 width direction than the attachment opening (6a), the main body portion (51) is formed 5 with a through hole (57) through which the hamess (46) passes, the body engagement = - portion (A) is formed with a fitting portion (58) into which the tubular portion (83) of = the holder (80) is fitted, a dimension of the tubular portion (83) of the holder (80) with respect to the vehicle width direction is larger than a dimension of the attachment opening (6a) with respect to the vehicle width direction, and upon the holder (80) being engaged into the blinker stay (50), the tubular portion (83) extends to a position protruding outward from the attachment opening (6a) with respect to the vehicle width direction so as to support the annular groove (52) and the body engagement portion (A) from an inner side of the blinker stay (50). Therefore, the rigidity of the elongated portion of the blinker device can be enhanced.

This allows the vertical dimension of the blinker stay to be reduced so as to provide the blinker device with a sharp impression in appearance when viewed from the body front. a Further, as regards the body engagement portion and annular groove portion of the blinker stay, the ease with which the blinker stay is attached to the body can be secured by arranging such portions such that rigidity is enhanced with the engagement of a holder through such portions, in other words, such that they are relatively and readily deformable without the engagement of such holder.

Moreover, the area in which the holder supports the blinker stay enlarges by inserting the tubular portion of oo such holder up to the main body portion of the blinker stay so as to enhance the

6 Bh deformation-resistant and vibration-resistant properties of the blinker stay. -

According to the second feature of the present invention, a flange (84) on a side = of the holder (80) which is larger in outer dimension than the attachment opening (6a) is ~ formed on an end portion of the tubular portion (83) of the holder (80), a body - engagement portion side flange (53) in abutment with the holder side flange (84) is i . formed on the body engagement portion (A), at least one notch section (FC, RC) = orienting in the vehicle width direction is provided on the body engagement portion (A), O and an end surface of an outer contour of the body engagement portion side flange (53) is made flush with a bottom surface of the annular groove (52) at one of places where the notch sections (FC, RC) are provided. Therefore, on account that the degree to ‘which the body engagement portion side flange juts out with respect to the annular groove portion becomes zero only at one of the places where the notch sections are formed, upon the body engagement portion side flange being mounted into an attachment opening, the outer edge surface of the body engagement portion side flange does not interfere with the attachment opening, so that the blinker stay is smoothly attachable to the exterior member.

N According to the third feature of the present invention, protrusions (87, 90) in engagement with the notch sections (FC, RC) are provided on the holder (80).

Therefore by forming the notch sections so as to deform the body engagement portion, it facilitates the body engagement portion to be mounted into the attachment opening and by the protrusions being engaged into the notches, it enhances the deformation-resistant property of the body engagement portion upon the holder being .. engaged into the notches.’

According to the fourth feature of the present invention, the notch sections (FC,

Claims

23 ~ CLAIMS -

I. A blinker device (40) of a vehicle comprising: ~ a housing (41) receiving a light source (42); - a blinker stay (50) supporting the housing (41) and attached to an attachment a opening (6a) provided through an exterior member (6) of the vehicle (1); and = a holder (80) engaged with an inner side of the blinker stay (50) with respect to - a vehicle width direction so as to prevent the blinker stay (50) from slipping off, wherein the holder (80) is made from a hard member and includes a tubular portion (83) through which a harness (46) to supply the light source (42) with power passes, the blinker stay (50) is made from an elastic member and includes a main body portion (51) exposed outward from the exterior member (6) with respect to the vehicle width direction, an annular groove (52) in abutment with an inner circumferential surface of the attachment opening (6a) and a body engagement portion (A) protruding : further inward with respect to the vehicle width direction than the attachment opening (6a), : the main body portion (51) is formed with a through hole (57) through which the harness (46) passes, the body engagement portion (A) is formed with a fitting portion (58) into which the tubular portion (83) of the holder (80) is fitted, a dimension of the tubular portion (83) of the holder (80) with respect to the vehicle width direction is larger than a dimension of the attachment opening (6a) with respect to the vehicle width direction, and

- a Co 24 = upon the holder (80) being engaged into the blinker stay (50), the tubular ~ portion (83) extends to a position protruding outward from the attachment opening (6a) = with respect to the vehicle width direction so as to support the annular groove (52) and ~ the body engagement portion (A) from an inner side of the blinker stay (50). :
2. The blinker device of a vehicle according to claim 1, | c wherein a flange (84) on a side of the holder (80) which is larger in outer - dimension than the attachment opening (6a) is formed on an end portion of the tubular portion (83) of the holder (80), 0 a body engagement portion side flange (53) in abutment with the holder side flange (84) is formed on the body engagement portion (A), at least one notch section (FC, RC) orienting in the vehicle width direction is provided on the body engagement portion (A), and an end surface of an outer contour of the body engagement portion side flange (53) is made flush with a bottom surface of the annular groove (52) at one of places where the notch sections (FC, RC) are provided.
3. The blinker device of a vehicle according to claim 2, wherein protrusions (87, 90) in engagement with the notch sections (FC, RC) are provided on the holder (80).
4. The blinker device of a vehicle according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the notch sections (FC, RC) comprise a first notch section (FC) and a second notch section (RC) provided at positions opposed to long side of the attachment opening (6a).
5. The blinker device of a vehicle according to claim 4, wherein there is ~ difference in depth between the first notch section (FC) and the second notch section = (RC). ~
6. The blinker device of a vehicle according to claim 4 or 5, a wherein the first notch section (FC) is provided on a side of the body = engagement portion (A) having a larger vertical dimension, ho the second notch section (RC) is provided on a side of the body engagement portion (A) having a smaller vertical dimension, and a depth of the second notch section (RC) is larger in dimension that a depth of the first notch section (FC).
7. The blinker device of a vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the fitting portion (58) is a bottomed recess portion, and i5 upon the holder (80) being engaged into the fitting portion (58), an end surface (82) of the tubular portion (83) abuts to a bottom portion (58a) of the fitting portion (58).
8. The blinker device of a vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein an outer circumference of the blinker stay (50) is tapered in shape such that the outer circumference becomes gradually smaller in dimension according as the blinker stay Co (50) goes outward with respect to the vehicle width direction.