WO2009025414A1

WO2009025414A1 - Hood panel protection cover for vehicle

Info

Publication number: WO2009025414A1
Application number: PCT/KR2007/004846
Authority: WO
Inventors: Chul-Woo Joo
Original assignee: Chul-Woo Joo
Priority date: 2007-08-20
Filing date: 2007-10-04
Publication date: 2009-02-26
Also published as: KR20090019285A

Abstract

There is provided a hood panel protection cover in accordance with the invention includes an upper cover having a shape and size to cover an overall surface of an automobile hood panel; a lower cover having a predetermined width along the edge of the upper cover; and a fixing tape adhered to one side of the lower cover, wherein the lower cover is provided to be overlapped with the underside of the upper cover and the edge of the lower cover is sewed to be integrated with the upper cover, and wherein a folded portion folded in the middle of the upper cover is provided and the folded part is taped by a masking tape. A fixing tape attached to one side of a lower cover is attached to an underside of the hood panel so as not to have an influence on a paint film at the time of installing the automobile hood panel protection cover having the above-mentioned structure is installed, whereby there is no possibility that the paint film will be damaged. Further, the folded portion is prepared in the middle of the upper cover to prevent the protection cover from being broken by retraction of the hood panel protection cover.

Description

Description HOOD PANEL PROTECTION COVER FOR VEHICLE

Technical Field

[1] The present invention relates to a hood panel protection cover for vehicle, and more particularly a hood panel protection cover capable of preventing a paint film from being damaged by a fixing tape for installing a hood panel protection cover and preventing the protection cover from being broken by stresses occurring at an adhesion portion of the fixing tape at the time of retraction of the hood panel protection cover. Background Art

[2] Generally, automobiles manufactured in factories are delivered directly to consumers or through agencies through transportation means such as inland transportation means, marine transportation means and aviation transport means. During the transportation, in case when a paint film of the automobile is prevented from being damaged due to external environments such as moisture, dusts and direct rays of light, the commercial value of the automobile decreases. Therefore, the automobile may become impossible to sell or may be returned. In particular, in the case of automobiles exported to foreign countries, in consideration of export procedure, transport period to import counties, duration of storage after transport, and inland and standby period delivered to final consumers, period more than 6 to 8 months may be consumed. Therefore, there is a high possibility that the above-mentioned problems will occur.

[3] In order to solve these problems, in a conventional method, an opaque vinyl wrap has been covered on the surface of the paint film or anti-rust additives have been applied to the surface of the paint film of the vehicle. However, adhesion of the vinyl wrap needs much time and manpower, and this causes a new problem that adhesives may remain at the paint film after removal of the vinyl wrap. On the other hand, although the anti-rust additives do not bring about the problems caused in the case of the vinyl wrap, since wastewater generated during car washing causes environmental contaminations, the use of the anti-rust additives has been restricted in developed countries.

[4] Meanwhile, there has been recently used a protection cover constituted of a plurality of covers so as to be installed in each part of an exterior panel and having the fixing tape attached to an underside of the protectioncover along the edge of the protection cover.

[5] However, since the fixing tape is prepared on the underside of the protection cover, it is impossible to solve the problem that adhesion materials remain on the paint film or the paint film is damaged by the remaining adhesion materials. In particular, in case when the protection cover is exposed to an external environment for a long period, the protection cover is shrank and thus, stresses occur at the adhesion portion of the fixing tape or a weakest portion. As a result, a new problem that a protection cover of the corresponding part is damaged may additionally occur.

[6]

Disclosure of Invention Technical Problem

[7] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, it is therefore an object of the invention to provide a hood panel protection cover capable of preventing a paint film from being damaged by a fixing tape for installing a hood panel protection cover.

[8] It is another object of the invention to a hood panel capable of preventing the protection cover from being broken by stresses occurring at an adhesion portion of the fixing tape when the hood panel protection cover is retracted.

[9]

Technical Solution

[10] In order to achieve the above-mentioned objects, a hood panel protection cover in accordance with the invention includes an upper cover having a shape and a size to cover an overall surface of an automobile hood panel, a lower cover having a predetermined width along a edge of the upper cover, and a fixing tape attached to one surface of the lower cover, wherein the lower cover is provided to be overlapped with an underside of the upper cover and the edge of the lower cover is sewed be integrated with the upper cover, and a folded portion in the middle of the upper cover is provided withe a predetermined width.

[H]

Advantageous Effects

[12] Accordingly, a fixing tape attached to one side of a lower cover is attached to an underside of a hood panel so as not to have an influence on a paint film at the time of installing the hood panel protection cover, whereby there is no possibility that the paint film will be damaged. Further, a folded portion is provided in the middle of an upper cover to prevent the protection cover from being broken by retraction of the hood panel protection cover.

[13]

Brief Description of the Drawings

[14] Fig. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a state where a hood panel protection cover is installed in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention;

[15] Figs. 2 and 3 are a plan view and a bottom view illustrating the hood panel protection cover in accordance with the first embodiment of the invention;

[16] Figs. 4 to 6 are process diagrams illustrating a process of manufacturing the hood panel protection cover in accordance with the first embodiment of the invention;

[17] Fig. 7 is a perspective view illustrating a state where a hood panel protection cover is installed in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention;

[18] Figs. 8 and 9 are a plan view and a bottom view illustrating the hood panel protection cover in accordance with the second embodiment of the invention; and

[19] Fig. 10 is a diagram illustrating a state where the hood panel protection cover is disassembled in accordance with the second embodiment of the invention.

[20]

[21] *Description of Reference Numerals and Signs*

[22] 100: Hood Panel Protection Cover

[23] 110: Upper Cover

[24] 112: Folded Portion

[25] 114: Masking Tape

[26] 116: Through-hole

[27] 120: Lower Cover

[28] 130: Fixing Tape

[29]

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[30] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[31] Fig. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a state where a hood panel protection cover is installed in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention. Figs. 2 and 3 are a plan view and a bottom view of the hood panel protection cover is installed in accordance with the first embodiment of the invention.

[32] As shown in Figs. 1 to 3, in accordance with the first embodiment of the invention, a hood panel protection cover 100 applied to an automobile where a chrome-plated part is not provided on a front end of a hood panel includes an upper cover 110 having a shape and a size to cover an overall surface of the hood panel, a lower cover 120 having a predetermined width along a edge of the upper cover 110 and a fixing tape 130 attached to one side of the lower cover 120. At this time, the lower cover 120 is prepared to be overlapped with an underside of the upper cover 110. The edge of the lower cover 120 is sewed to be integrated with the upper cover 110.

[33] Components constituting the automobile hood panel protection cover 100 will be described in more detail.

[34] First, the upper cover 110 has the same shape as the hood panel, but the upper cover

110 is manufactured in a size slightly larger than a hood panel so that the lower cover 120 is sewed with the edge of the upper cover 110. A folded portion 112 is elongated in a horizontal direction (for example, a vertical direction of an automobile) in the middle of the upper cover 120. A pair of through-holes 116 are formed at positions corresponding washer fluid spray nozzles (not shown) of the hood panel.

[35] To solve a retraction problem when the automobile hood panel protection cover 100 is exposed to external environments for a long period, the folded portion 112 is foled in the middle of the upper cover 110 and the folded portion 112 is taped by masking tape 114.

[36] In accordance with this configuration, the masking tape 114 is torn by a force pulled in both opposite directions when the automobile hood panel protection cover 100 is retracted, thereby the folded portion 112 is extended to complement the retraction at the same time. At this time, it is preferable that the adhesive strength of the masking tape 114 is weaker than the adhesive strength of the fixing tape 130 for fixing the automobile hood panel protection cover 100. In this embodiment, the folded portion 112 is elongated in a horizontal direction, but this is just an example. The folded portion 112 may be elongated in a vertical direction in accordance with a user's need.

[37] As described above, the through-holes 116 are formed at the positions corresponding to the washer fluid spray nozzles. The washer fluid spray nozzles are exposed to the outside through the through-holes 116 to allow the upper cover 110 to be in close contact with the surface of the hood panel. As described in this embodiment, tapes 140 are attached to the edges of undersides of the through-holes 116, thereby preventing foreign substances from being introduced through the through-holes 116.

[38] Lids (not shown) for protecting the washer fluid spray nozzles are attached to the through-holes 116 to seal off the through-holes 116, thereby preventing the foreign substances from being introduced. Among them, in case that the tapes 140 are additionally attached, one end of a release paper 142 is elongated. Therefore, in case that the through-holes 116 are exposed, the tapes 140 can be adhered in a state where the automobile hood panel protection cover 100 is installed.

[39] As described above, the lower cover 120 is formed in a predetermined width along the edge of the upper cover 110. The fixing tape 130 are attached to one side of the lower cover 120, that is, one inner side of the lower cover 120 facing the upper cover 110. The lower cover 120 having the above-mentioned shape is provided to be overlapped with an underside of the upper cover 110 and the edges of the lower cover 120 are sewed, whereby the lower cover 120 is integrated with the upper cover 110. Further, the sewed portion is reversely installed so that it is not exposed to the outside. That is, when the automobile hood panel protection cover 100 is installed, the lower cover 120 is installed to wrap the edge of the hood panel and the fixing tape 130 attached to the underside of the lower cover 120 is adhered to the underside of the hood panel to fix the automobile hood panel protection cover 100. Accordingly, adhesion materials of the fixing tape 130 do not remain on the paint film of the hood panel, and thus there is no possibility that the paint film will be damaged.

[40] The hood panel protection cover 100 in accordance with the invention having the above-mentioned shape and structure is manufactured by the use of high-density polyethylene nondirectional fine-thread fiber having a diameter of approximately 0. 5 to 10 mm. It is molded only by heat and pressure without adding any binder or filling material. The fiber is lighter and more durable than other materials. A dust is not laid on the fiber. Each cover is so durable that each cover is not broken even though it is folded and unfolded over 20,000 times, and so chemical resistant that it does not react with chemical components such as an acid, a base and a salt. Each cover has extensibility and flexibility so as to be in close contact with each highly-curved panel. Each cover has good breathability and waterproof property, and excellent ultraviolet ray and heat shielding property, and its surface is antistatic-treated.

[41] Figs. 4 to 6 are process diagrams illustrating a process of manufacturing the automobile hood panel protection cover in accordance with the first embodiment of the invention. The processes are described with reference to the figures as follows.

[42] As shown in Fig. 4, the upper cover 110 has the same shape as the hood panel, but the upper cover 110 is cut and manufactured in a size slightly larger than a hood panel so that the lower cover 120 shown in Fig. 5 is sewed with the edge of the upper cover 110. After the middle of the upper cover 110 is folded in a predetermined width and a folded portion 112 is elongated in a horizontal direction, the masking tape 114 is taped on the folded portion 112.

[43] The through-holes 116 are formed at the positions on the upper cover 110 corresponding to the washer fluid spray nozzles and the tapes 140 are attached to the edges of the undersides of the through-holes 116. After then, one end of the release paper 142 of the tape 140 is exposed to the outside through the through-hole 116.

[44] As described above, after the manufacturing of the upper cover 110 is completed, the lower cover 120 shown in Fig. 5 is manufactured in a predetermined width and the fixing tape 130 is attached to the one end of the lower cover 120. As shown in Fig. 6, the lower cover 120 is prepared to be overlapped with the upper cover 110 and then, the edge is sewed.

[45] The hood panel protection cover 100 manufactured through the above-mentioned processes is installed reversely so that the sewed portion is not exposed to the outside as shown in Fig. 3.

[46] Fig. 7 is a perspective view illustrating a state where the hood panel protection cover is installed in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention. Figs. 8 and 9 are a plan view and a bottom view illustrating the automobile hood panel protection cover in accordance with the second embodiment of the invention. [47] As shown in Figs. 7 to 9, in accordance with the second embodiment of the invention, an automobile hood panel protection cover 200 applied to an automobile where the chrome-plated part is prepared on the front end of the hood panel includes an upper cover 210 having the shape and the size to cover the overall surface of the automobile hood panel, a lower cover 220 having a predetermined width along a edge of the upper cover 210, a chrome-plated part protection cover 230 for protecting the chrome-plated part prepared on the front end of the hood panel, and a fixing tape 240 attached to undersides of the lower cover 220 and the chrome-plated part protection cover 230.

[48] Remaining components except the chrome-plated part protection cover 230 among the above-mentioned components in the second embodiment are the same as or similar to the corresponding components in the first embodiment. Therefore, detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[49] Fig. 10 is a diagram illustrating a state where the automobile hood panel protection cover is disassembled in accordance with the second embodiment of the invention. The chrome-plated part protection cover and a connection structure thereof will be described with reference to Fig. 10.

[50] As shown in Fig. 10, the chrome-plated part protection cover 230 is constituted of a first cover 232 having a shape and a size to cover a surface of the chrome-plated part, and a second cover 234 prepared in a lower part of the first cover 232. The first and second covers 232 and 234 are sewed with each other along the edges of the covers and are formed in a pouch shape so that the front end of the hood panel including the chrome-plated part is inserted into the covers. The fixing tape 240 is attached to the underside of the second cover 234 along the edge of the second cover 234.

[51] The chrome-plated protection cover 230 is installed so that the front end of the hood panel is inserted into the chrome-plated protection cover. The first cover 232 is adhered to the upper cover 210 by a fixing tape 240 attached to an underside of the front end of the upper cover 210 and the second cover 234 is adhered to the underside of the hood panel by the fixing tape 240.

[52] As described above, in the hood panel protection cover 200 in accordance with the second embodiment including the chrome-plated part protection cover 230 similarly to the hood panel protection cover 100 in accordance with the first embodiment, the fixing tape 240 is not adhered directly to the paint film of the hood panel, and thus the adhesion materials do not remain on the paint film of the hood panel. Therefore, there is no possibility that the paint film will be damaged.

[53] The configuration and manufacturing processes of the hood panel protection cover in accordance with the above-mentioned preferred embodiments of the invention are illustrated with reference to the above-mentioned description and drawings, but it is just described as an example. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the technical spirit or scope of the invention. [54]

Claims

[1] A hood panel protection cover for a vehicle, comprising: an upper cover having a shape and size to cover an overall surface of an automobile hood panel; a lower cover having a predetermined width along the edge of the upper cover; and a fixing tape adhered to one side of the lower cover, wherein the lower cover is provided to be overlapped with the underside of the upper cover and the edge of the lower cover is sewed to be integrated with the upper cover. [2] The hood panel protection cover for a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein a folded portion folded in the middle of the upper cover is provided and the folded part is taped by a masking tape. [3] The hood panel protection cover for a vehicle according to claim 2, wherein the folded portion extends in a horizontal direction or a vertical direction. [4] The hood panel protection cover for a vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to

3, wherein the upper cover includes through-holes at positions corresponding to nozzles for jetting washer liquid, and further includes lids for protecting the nozzles for jetting washer liquid which are protruded through the through-holes. [5] The hood panel protection cover for a vehicle according to claim 4, further comprising: a chrome-plated part protection cover for protecting a chrome -plated part provided on a front end of the hood panel. [6] The hood panel protection cover for a vehicle according to claim 5, wherein the chrome-plated part protection cover is formed in a pouch shape so that the front end of the hood panel including the chrome-plated part is inserted into the chrome-plated part protection cover and a fixing tape is adhered to the underside of the chrome-plated part protection cover.