Cover attachment structure

Disclosed is a structure of a cover which allows a first link 25 to be pivotally coupled to a front roof panel via a stepped rivet 27, and a cover 31 to be pivotally coupled to the stepped rivet 27 via a first stepped screw 33. An overhang portion 27e of the stepped rivet 27 is joined to the front roof panel with a periphery of a front attachment hole 23c of the front roof panel being sandwiched between the overhang portion 27e and a large diameter portion 27c inserted in an insertion hole 25a of the first link 25 to pivotally support the first link 25. The first stepped screw 33 has a threaded portion 33d fastened into a fastening hole 27f of the stepped rivet 27, and a base end 33c inserted in a first through hole 31b of the cover 31 to pivotally support the cover 31.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention is useful as a structure of a cover which is attached to, and covers a link pivotally coupled to a roof panel which opens and closes the top of a cabin of a convertible.

BACKGROUND ART

According to Patent Document 1, a cover is attached to, and covers a link pivotally coupled to a roof panel which opens and closes a top of a cabin of a convertible for the purpose of improving the appearance.

CITATION LIST

Patent Document

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Technical Problem

In the structure as disclosed by Patent Document 1, the cover can be attached to the link by fastening or fitting via a tab at a position away from the joint between the link and the roof panel. However, if the link is configured to come close to other components while the roof panel is opening or closing, space cannot be kept for a fastener or the tab. Thus, the cover cannot be attached to the link with stability in some cases.

Moreover, the fastener or the tab may be exposed inside the cabin to become obtrusive, which may impair the appearance of the cover and its periphery.

In view of the foregoing, the present invention has been achieved to facilitate stable attachment of a cover to a link, and improve the appearance of the cover and its periphery.

Solution to the Problem

A first aspect of the present invention is directed to a structure of a cover which is attached to, and covers, a link pivotally coupled to a roof panel which opens and closes a top of a cabin of a convertible. In this structure, an attachment hole is formed through the roof panel, an insertion hole is formed through an end of the link, a through hole is formed through an end of the cover, the link is pivotally coupled to the roof panel via a stepped rivet, and the cover is pivotally coupled to the stepped rivet via a stepped screw, the stepped rivet includes a head, and a shaft having a large diameter portion, a small diameter portion, and an overhang portion, the smaller diameter portion having a smaller diameter than the large diameter portion and being located across the large diameter portion from the head, the overhang portion jutting out of a tip end of the small diameter portion, the head being provided with a fastening hole formed in a surface thereof facing opposite to the shaft, the stepped screw has a shaft including a base end, and a threaded portion located across the base end from the head, the threaded portion having a smaller diameter than the base end, the overhang portion of the stepped rivet is joined to the roof panel with a periphery of the attachment hole of the roof panel being sandwiched between the overhang portion and the large diameter portion, and the large diameter portion being inserted in the insertion hole of the link to pivotally support the link, and the threaded portion of the stepped screw is fastened into the fastening hole of the stepped rivet, and the base end of the stepped screw is inserted in the through hole of the cover to pivotally support the cover.

In this configuration, the cover is coupled to the link at the joint between the link and the roof panel. Thus, the cover can be attached to the link more stably and easily than the case where the cover is attached to the link only at a point away from the joint between the link and the roof panel.

Further, this configuration can reduce the point of attachment of the cover to the link except for the joint between the link and the roof panel, thereby reducing the number of fasteners exposed inside the cabin. This can improve the appearance of the cover and its periphery.

Advantages of the Invention

The present invention can facilitate stable attachment of the cover to the link, and can improve the appearance of the cover and its periphery.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. Note that the following description of embodiments is merely examples in nature, and is not intended to limit the scope, application, or uses of the present invention.

A vehicle1of this embodiment shown inFIGS. 1 to 3is a convertible, and equipped with an opening/closing mechanism10. The opening/closing mechanism10is switchable between a closed state where a roof member12covers the top of a cabin2, and an open state where the top of the cabin2is uncovered. The opening/closing mechanism10includes a retractable roof11, a deck cover18, and a lock mechanism20. First, it will be described below the configurations of these components basically in a state where the cabin2is closed (the state shown inFIG. 1).

The retractable roof11includes a roof member12, and a back window15located behind the roof member12. The roof member12extends in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle from an upper edge of a front header3of the vehicle1to an upper edge of the deck cover18. The roof member12includes a front roof panel13, and a middle roof panel14disposed behind the front roof panel13. The back window15is a transparent member, and disposed above a storage4formed in a rear portion of the vehicle1.

The retractable roof11is driven by a roof drive mechanism (not shown). Specifically, the roof drive mechanism includes a first drive motor, and a first link mechanism which links the first drive motor and the retractable roof11together. The first link mechanism transfers rotational power of the first drive motor to the front roof panel13, the middle roof panel14, and the back window15. Thus, the retractable roof11is movable between a use position (shown inFIG. 1) and a retracted position (shown inFIG. 3). The retractable roof11in the use position is located outside the storage4to cover the cabin2. The retractable roof11in the retracted position is retracted into the storage4, thereby uncovering the cabin2.

The front roof panel13includes, as shown inFIGS. 4 and 5, a panel body21, which is a main body thereof, and a coupling bracket23fastened to both ends, in a vehicle width direction, of a rear end of the panel body21. The coupling bracket23includes a plate-like fastening portion23aand a plate-like coupling portion23b. The fastening portion23ais fastened to a rear surface of the panel body21with its face oriented toward the panel body21. The coupling portion23bprotrudes in a direction away from the panel body21from an outer edge, in the vehicle width direction, of the fastening plate23awith its face oriented in the vehicle width direction. The coupling portion23bis provided with a front attachment hole23c(seeFIG. 6) formed through a front end thereof, and a rear attachment hole (not shown) formed in a rear end thereof. The rear attachment hole has a closed bottom and opens toward the outside in the vehicle width direction.

As shown inFIG. 1, the deck cover18is disposed behind the roof member12and above the storage4. Specifically, the deck cover18covers the cabin2from behind, and closes a top opening of the storage4. The deck cover18is provided with a window frame (not shown) to be fitted with the back window15.

The deck cover18is driven by a deck drive mechanism (not shown). Specifically, the deck drive mechanism includes a second drive motor, and a second link mechanism which links the second drive motor and the deck cover18together. The second link mechanism transfers rotational power of the second drive motor to the deck cover18. Thus, the deck cover18is movable between a home position (shown inFIGS. 1 and 3) and a retreated position (shown inFIG. 2, for example).

The deck cover18in the home position covers the top opening of the storage4, and allows the back window15to be fitted in the window frame in the storage4. The deck cover18in the retreated position is located further rearward and obliquely upward than in the home position, and uncovers the top opening of the storage4. Thus, the deck cover18in the retreated position allows the retractable roof11to move between the use position and the retracted position.

The lock mechanism20is attached to a front end of a lower surface (surface toward the inside of the cabin) of the front roof panel13. The lock mechanism20includes a hook member (not shown) which is able to engage with a striker (not shown) fixed to a body (front header3) of the vehicle1. When the retractable roof11is in the use position, the hook member engages with the striker to lock the roof member12and the front header3together. The lock mechanism20is coupled to a lock drive mechanism mounted on a rear portion of the body of the vehicle1via a harness24.

—Detailed Configuration of Rear End of Roof Member and its Periphery—

As can be seen inFIG. 6, a long, plate-like first link25, which is made of metal and a component of the first link mechanism, is pivotally coupled to a front end of the coupling bracket23from the inside in the vehicle width direction, via a stepped rivet27and a metal bushing29, with its face oriented in the vehicle width direction. An insertion hole25ais formed through an end, toward the coupling bracket23, of the first link25. A cover attachment hole25bis formed in a longitudinal middle portion of the first link25. Further, at the longitudinal middle portion of the first link25, an attachment tab25cprotrudes approximately at a right angle from a widthwise edge of the first link25toward the inside in the vehicle width direction. The attachment tab25cis fastened to an end, in the vehicle width direction, of the middle roof panel14. Thus, the first link25is disposed along the rear surface of the roof member12.

The stepped rivet27has a head27aand a shaft27b. The shaft27bhas a large diameter portion27c, a small diameter portion27d, and an overhang portion27e. The small diameter portion27dhas a smaller diameter than the large diameter portion27cand is located across the large diameter portion27cfrom the head27a. The overhang portion27ejuts out of a tip end of the small diameter portion27d. A fastening hole27fis formed in a surface of the head27afacing opposite to the shaft27bto extend to the middle of the large diameter section27cin an axial direction thereof.

The metal bushing29includes a cylindrical portion29a, and a pair of round plate-like annular portions29brespectively jutting out of both ends of the cylindrical portion29a.

The overhang portion27eof the stepped rivet27is joined (swaged) to an outer surface of the coupling bracket23in the vehicle width direction with the periphery of the front attachment hole23cof the coupling bracket23sandwiched between the overhang portion27eand the large diameter portion27c. The small diameter portion27dof the stepped rivet27is inserted in the front attachment hole23cof the coupling bracket23.

The large diameter portion27cof the stepped rivet27is inserted in the insertion hole25aof the first link25so as to pivotally support the first link25. The periphery of the insertion hole25aof the first link25is sandwiched between the head27aof the stepped rivet27and the periphery of the front attachment hole23cof the coupling bracket23. The metal bushing29is interposed between the stepped rivet27and the first link25to be swaged to the first link25, with the cylindrical portion29abeing inserted in the insertion hole25aof the first link25, and the periphery of the insertion hole25abeing sandwiched between the annular portions29bin a thickness direction thereof.

A cover31made of resin is pivotally coupled to the stepped rivet27via a first stepped screw33such that the cover31covers the first link25, except for its longitudinal end without the insertion hole25a, from the inside in the vehicle width direction and the side opposite to the roof member12(from the inside of the cabin2). The cover31includes, as also shown inFIGS. 7 and 8, a long, plate-like principal plane portion31awhose face is substantially oriented in the vehicle width direction. A first round through hole31bis formed through an end, toward the coupling bracket23, of the principal plane portion31a. The end of the principal plane portion31awith the first through hole31bhas an edge rounded in the shape of U along the edge of the first through hole31b. The periphery of the first through hole31bconstitutes a first bulge surface31cprotruding toward the outside in the vehicle width direction. Further, a bulge31dprotruding toward the inside in the vehicle width direction is formed between the first through hole31bof the principal plane portion31aand a substantial center in the longitudinal direction of the principal plane portion31a. A harness insertion hole31eis formed through a side surface of the bulge31dtoward the first through hole31b. The harness24passes through the harness insertion hole31e, and a portion of the harness24is housed between the bulge31dand the first link25. Further, a tab31fprotrudes toward the outside in the vehicle width direction from the principal plane portion31aat a position closer to the first through hole31bthan the longitudinal center of the principal plane portion31aand closer to the widthwise edge of the principal plane portion31atoward the roof member12. The tab31fis caught on the edge of the first link25toward the roof member12. In addition, a second through hole31gelongated in the longitudinal direction of the principal plane portion31ais formed through the principal plane portion31aat a position opposite to the first through hole31bwith respect to the longitudinal center thereof. Inserting a screw35into the second through hole31gfastens the cover31to the first link25. The periphery of the second through hole31gconstitutes a second bulge surface31hprotruding toward the outside in the vehicle width direction. A continuous peripheral wall31iprotrudes toward the outside in the vehicle width direction from the principal plane portion31a. Specifically, the peripheral wall31iextends along both longitudinal ends of the principal plane portion31a, one of the widthwise ends of the principal plane portion31aopposite to the roof member12, and a portion of the other widthwise end of the principal plane portion31acloser to the roof member12and closer to the first through hole31b, thereby covering an edge face of the first link25.

The first stepped screw33includes a head33aand a shaft33b. The shaft33bhas a base end33c, and a threaded portion33dwhich is located across the base end33cfrom the head33aand has a smaller diameter than the base end33c.

The threaded portion33dof the first stepped screw33is inserted and fastened into the fastening hole27fof the stepped rivet27from the inside in the vehicle width direction. The base end33cis inserted in the first through hole31bof the cover31to pivotally support the cover31.

A second link37, which is made of metal and a component of the first link mechanism, is pivotally coupled to a rear end of the coupling bracket23from the outside in the vehicle width direction. A second insertion hole (not shown) is formed in an end, toward the coupling bracket23, of the second link37. A second stepped screw (not shown) is inserted into the second insertion hole and the rear attachment hole of the coupling bracket23from the outside in the vehicle width direction. Thus, the second stepped screw is fastened to the rear attachment hole of the coupling bracket23and pivotally supports the second link37.

—How to Attach First Link and Cover to Coupling Bracket—

To attach the first link25and the cover31to the coupling bracket23, the stepped rivet27, the metal bushing29, the first stepped screw33, and the screw35are prepared in addition to the coupling bracket23, the first link25, and the cover31. At this time, the stepped rivet27has no overhang portion27e, and an end thereof to be the overhang portion27eis a cylindrical end continuous from the small diameter portion27d. Further, the metal bushing29has only a single annular portion29b, and an end thereof to be another annular portion29bis a tubular end continuous with the cylindrical portion29a.

The cylindrical portion29aof the metal bushing29is inserted into the insertion hole25aof the first link25through the end to be the annular portion29b. Then, the end to be the annular portion29bis plastically deformed to jut outward, thereby joining the annular portion29bthus formed to the periphery of the insertion hole25aof the first link25. Thereafter, the first link25is placed on the coupling portion23bof the coupling bracket23such that the cylindrical portion29aof the metal bushing29(the insertion hole25aof the first link25) is aligned with the front attachment hole23cof the coupling bracket23. Then, the shaft27bof the stepped rivet27is sequentially inserted into the cylindrical portion29aof the metal bushing29joined to the first link25and the front attachment hole23cof the coupling bracket23. Then, a tip end of the shaft27bof the stepped rivet27, i.e., an end to be the overhang portion27e, is plastically deformed to jut outward, thereby joining the overhang portion27ethus formed to the periphery of the front attachment hole23cof the coupling bracket23.

Thereafter, the first bulge surface31cof the cover31is brought into contact with the head27aof the stepped rivet27such that the first through hole31bof the cover31is aligned with the fastening hole27fof the stepped rivet27. Simultaneously, the second bulge surface31hof the cover31is brought into contact with the first link25such that the second through hole31gof the cover31is aligned with the cover attachment hole25bof the first link25, and the tab31fof the cover31is caught on the edge of the first link25. Then, the shaft33bof the first stepped screw33is sequentially inserted into the first through hole31bof the cover31and the fastening hole27f, and the threaded portion33dis fastened into the fastening hole27f. The screw35is also inserted into the second through hole31gand the cover attachment hole25b, thereby fastening the cover31to the first link25. As a result, the cover31is attached to the first link25such that the cover31is pivotally supported by the base end33cof the first stepped screw33.

It will be described below how the opening/closing mechanism10performs an opening operation and a closing operation with reference toFIGS. 1 to 3. The “opening operation” is performed to bring the retractable roof11in the use position to the retracted position. The “closing operation” is performed to bring the retractable roof11in the retracted position to the use position.

In the opening operation, the lock mechanism20unlocks the front header3. Further, the deck cover18in the home position moves toward the retreated position. Then, the retractable roof11in the use position moves toward the retracted position.

Specifically, the front roof panel13, the middle roof panel14, and the back window15independently pivot via a plurality of link members (not shown) so that they move together toward the storage4(see, e.g.,FIG. 2). In this process, the first link25and the second link37pass by one another. When the front roof panel13, the middle roof panel14, and the back window15are all stored in the storage4in a folded state, the deck cover18in the retreated position returns to the home position (seeFIG. 3). Thus, the cabin2is opened.

To close the open cabin2, first, the deck cover18in the home position moves toward the retreated position. Then, the retractable roof11in the retracted position moves toward the use position.

Specifically, the front roof panel13, the middle roof panel14, and the back window15independently pivot via the plurality of link members so that they move together toward the cabin2(see, e.g.,FIG. 2). Also in this process, the first link25and the second link37pass by one another. Thereafter, the retractable roof11reaches the use position, and the deck cover18in the retreated position returns to the home position (seeFIG. 1). Thus, the cabin2is closed. The lock mechanism20then locks the front header3.

As can be seen, according to this embodiment, the cover31is coupled to the first link25at the joint between the first link25and the coupling bracket23(front roof panel13). Thus, the cover31can be attached to the first link25more stably and easily than the case where the cover31is attached to the first link25only at a point away from the joint between the first link25and the coupling bracket23.

This configuration can reduce the point of attachment of the cover31to the first link25except for the joint between the first link25and the coupling bracket23, thereby reducing the number of screws35exposed inside the cabin. This can improve the appearance of the cover31and its periphery.

Further, the resin cover31covering the first link25protects the passenger's head from hitting the first link25made of metal. This can ensure the safety of the passenger with reliability.

Additionally, the cover31partially covers the harness24so as not to expose the harness24inside the cabin. This can improve the appearance of the point where the harness24is arranged.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The present invention is useful as a structure of a cover which is attached to, and covers, a link pivotally coupled to a roof panel which opens and closes the top of a cabin of a convertible.

DESCRIPTION OF REFERENCE CHARACTERS