Attachment structure for vehicle exterior panel

A weather strip 5 is attached to a peripheral edge of an opening 4a of a vehicle body 1′, and a deck cover 18 includes a resin outer panel 21 and an inner panel 23 joined onto a rear side of the outer panel 21. A spacer 35 is interposed between the outer panel 21 and the inner panel 23 such that a portion of the deck cover 18 provided with the spacer 35 makes contact with the weather strip 5 when the deck cover 18 is closed.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention is useful as a structure for attaching a vehicle external panel to a vehicle body in such a manner that the vehicle external panel can cover and uncover an opening of the vehicle body.

BACKGROUND ART

Patent Document 1 discloses, as a vehicle external panel which is attached to a vehicle body in such a manner that the panel can cover and uncover an opening of the vehicle body, a deck cover which can cover and uncover an opening of a storage formed in a rear portion of the vehicle.

CITATION LIST

Patent Document

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Technical Problem

According to a structure for attaching a vehicle external panel to the vehicle body, as disclosed by Patent Document 1, an inner panel is placed on a rear side of an outer panel made of resin with their outer peripheral edges directly joined together to form an external panel. When the external panel is closed, a peripheral edge of the external panel makes contact with a weather strip attached to a peripheral edge of an opening of the vehicle body.

In this structure, however, the outer and inner panels are directly joined together at a portion of the external panel to be in contact with the weather strip for the purposes of saving space and giving watertightness to the external panel itself, and the contact between the external panel and the weather strip. Therefore, the outer panel needs to be substantially parallel to the inner panel at the contact between the external panel and the weather strip. This lowers the design flexibility.

In view of the foregoing, the present invention has been achieved to improve design flexibility of a vehicle external panel.

Solution to the Problem

A first aspect of the present invention is directed to a structure for attaching, to a vehicle body of a vehicle, an external panel which is able to cover and uncover an opening of the vehicle body, wherein a weather strip is attached to a peripheral edge of the opening of the vehicle body, the external panel includes an outer panel made of resin, and an inner panel joined onto a rear side of the outer panel, a spacer is interposed between the outer panel and the inner panel, and a portion of the external panel provided with the spacer makes contact with the weather strip when the external panel is closed.

In this configuration, the spacer is interposed between the outer and inner panels at the contact between the external panel and the weather strip. Thus, the outer panel can be inclined steeply with respect to the inner panel at the contact between the external panel and the weather strip. This can improve design flexibility.

Further, the contact between the external panel and the weather strip is reinforced by the spacer. This can provide the external panel with improved rigidity.

A second aspect of the invention is an embodiment of the first aspect. In the second aspect, a positioning hole is formed through the inner panel, the spacer is bonded to the inner panel with an adhesive, and the spacer has a positioning protrusion fitting in the positioning hole of the inner panel.

In this configuration, in a bonding process, the positioning protrusion of the spacer fits in the positioning hole of the inner panel. Thus, the spacer can be positioned with respect to the inner panel in a direction along a face of the inner panel. This facilitates the bonding process.

A third aspect of the invention is an embodiment of the first or second aspect. In the third aspect, a first rivet insertion hole is formed through the inner panel, the spacer is bonded to the inner panel with an adhesive, and a second rivet insertion hole is formed through the spacer, and a rivet is inserted and swaged in the second rivet insertion hole and the first rivet insertion hole of the inner panel.

In this configuration, in the bonding process, the adhesive can be cured in a state where the rivet is inserted and swaged in the first rivet insertion hole of the inner panel and the second rivet insertion hole of the spacer to position the spacer with respect to the inner panel in the thickness direction. This can reduce the possibility of bonding failure caused by lifting of the spacer or lack of an adhesive between the spacer and the inner panel.

Advantages of the Invention

The present invention can improve design flexibility of a vehicle external panel.

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.

In a vehicle1of this embodiment shown inFIGS. 1 to 3, a cabin2which opens upward is formed substantially in the middle of a vehicle body1′ in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle body1′, and a storage4having an opening4awhich opens upward is formed in a rear portion of the vehicle body1′. A weather strip5(seeFIGS. 8 to 10) is attached to a peripheral edge of an opening4aof the vehicle body1′. The peripheral edge includes both edges in a vehicle width direction, and rear edge. The weather strip5is an annular member surrounding the cabin2and the opening4a. The vehicle1is equipped with an opening/closing device10which covers and uncovers the cabin2and the storage4. The opening/closing device10is switchable between a closed state in which a roof member12covers a top of a cabin2and an open state in which the top of the cabin2is uncovered. The opening/closing mechanism10includes a retractable roof11, a deck cover18as a vehicle external panel, 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 the storage4formed in the rear portion of the vehicle body1′.

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.

As shown inFIG. 1, the deck cover18is attached to the vehicle body1′ behind the roof member12so as to cover and uncover the opening4aof the storage4. The deck cover18in a closed state covers the cabin2from behind. The deck cover18is provided with a mounting port19into which the back window15is mounted.

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 opening4aof the storage4, and allows the back window15to fit in the mounting port19. The deck cover18in the retreated position is located further rearward and obliquely upward than in the home position, and uncovers the opening4aof 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 the front header3of the vehicle body1′ 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.

<Detailed Configuration of Deck Cover>

As shown inFIGS. 4 to 6 and 9 to 11, the deck cover18includes an outer panel21located toward the outside of the vehicle1, and an inner panel23joined onto a rear side of the outer panel21. The outer panel21is made of resin such as a sheet molding compound (SMC), while the inner panel23is made of metal such as iron.

The outer panel21includes a rectangular plate-like principal plane21a, substantially triangular inner side planes21b, and substantially triangular outer side planes21c. The principal plane21aextends in the vehicle width direction with its face oriented in the vertical direction. Each of the inner side planes21bprotrudes upward from an associated one of edges, in the vehicle width direction, of the principal plane21awith a slight inclination toward the outside in the vehicle width direction. Each of the outer side planes21cextends downward from a tip end of an associated one of the inner side planes21bwith an inclination toward the outside in the vehicle width direction so as to form a cross section substantially in the shape of an inverted V together with the associated inner side plane21b. The inner and outer side planes21band21cdecrease in width as they go toward the rear of the vehicle body. The inner side planes21band the outer side planes21chave rear ends protruding further rearward than the rear end of the principal plane21a, thereby forming tapered protrusions21d. The outer side planes21chave front ends located further forward than those of the inner side planes21d. Flanges21e, each having its face oriented substantially in the vertical direction, protrude from an inner edge, in the vehicle width direction, of each of the inner side planes21b, and an outer edge, in the vehicle width direction, of each of the outer side planes21c. An outer peripheral protrusion21fprotrudes downward from the rear edge of the principal plane21aand tip ends of the flanges21e. A tab21gprotrudes inward in the vehicle width direction from a front end portion, in the vehicle width direction, of each of the inner side planes21b. The tabs21gand the inner side planes21bare respectively integrated with each other. A rectangular plate-like decorative panel25is attached to the tabs21gwith its outer face oriented in a direction obliquely upward and rearward. The decorative panel25bridges front end portions of inner edges, in the vehicle width direction, of the outer side planes21c. An opening26forming the mounting port19is formed between the decorative panel25and the outer panel21. The front ends of the inner side planes21bare respectively covered with substantially triangular rear pillars27from the inside in the vehicle width direction.

The inner panel23includes a substantially trapezoidal body23awhich increases in width as it goes toward the front of the vehicle, and tapered protrusions23bextending from both ends of a narrower edge of the body23a. The protrusions23bhave outer edges in the vehicle width direction which are continuous with the edges, in the vehicle width direction, of the body23a. The body23ais provided with an opening29corresponding to the opening26of the outer panel21. At each edge (a portion adjacent to each edge) of the inner panel23in the vehicle width direction, three positioning holes31ato31care formed as through holes arranged at intervals from the front to the rear, and three first rivet insertion holes33aare formed as through holes arranged at intervals from the front to the rear. The two front positioning holes31aand31band the two front first rivet insertion holes33aand33bare located in the body23a, while the rearmost positioning hole31cand the rearmost first rivet insertion hole33care located in the protrusions23b. The two front first rivet insertion holes33aand33bare adjacent to the positioning holes31aand31b, respectively.

An outer peripheral portion of the inner panel23is entirely bonded to the outer panel21and the decorative panel25with an adhesive. The flanges21eof the outer panel21are entirely bonded to the outer peripheral portion of the inner panel23with an adhesive. The protrusions21dof the outer panel21are aligned with the protrusions23bof the inner panel23in their thickness direction.

Long spacers35(seeFIGS. 7 and 8) made of resin such as a sheet molding compound (SMC) are respectively provided on portions of the inner panel23slightly inward of the edges in the vehicle width direction thereof so that each spacer35is interposed between the inner side plane21band the outer side plane21cof the outer panel21. The spacers35extend substantially in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. Each of the spacers35has a long plate portion35a. The plate portion35aincludes a main face35b(serving as a body of the spacer) extending with a substantially constant width, and a rear end portion35clinked to a rear end of the main face35band is in the shape of a substantially rectangle when viewed in plan to correspond to the shape of the protrusion23bof the inner panel23. The main face35bis bonded with an adhesive to the portion of the body23aof the inner panel23slightly inward of its edge in the vehicle width direction, and the rear end portion35cis bonded with an adhesive to the protrusion23bof the inner panel23. A triangular protrusion35d, which is triangular when viewed in section, protrudes toward the outer panel21from an outer end in the vehicle width direction, and front end, of the plate portion35a, and extends along the whole length of the plate portion35a. The triangular protrusion35dhas an inclined face35ewhich is inclined toward a base end thereof (toward the inner panel23) as it goes outside in the vehicle width direction. The inclined face35eis bonded with an adhesive to a rear side of the outer side plane21cof the outer panel21. A plate-shaped wall35fprotrudes from an edge of the rear end portion35cof the plate portion35a, the edge corresponding to the inner edge, in the vehicle width direction, of the protrusion23bof the inner panel23, with an inclination toward the outside in the vehicle width direction as it goes toward the outer panel21. A face of the wall35ftoward the inside in the vehicle width direction is bonded with an adhesive to a rear side of the inner side plane21bof the outer panel21. A pair of ribs35g, each of which is in the shape of a triangular plate when viewed in plan, is disposed adjacent to an outer side, in the vehicle width direction, of the wall35fon the rear end portion35c. The ribs35gprotrude toward the outer panel21and arranged at intervals with their faces oriented in a direction along the inner edges, in the vehicle width direction, of the protrusions23bof the inner panel23, and are integrally coupled to the wall35fColumn-shaped bosses37ato37cprotrude from the plate portion35aof the spacer35toward the inner panel23at positions corresponding to the positioning holes31ato31cof the inner panel23. The bosses37ato37c, serving as positioning protrusions, are arranged in this order from the front to the rear. Further, second rivet insertion holes39ato39care formed through the plate portion35aof the spacer35at positions corresponding to the first rivet insertion holes33ato33cof the inner panel23. The second rivet insertion holes39ato39care arranged in this order from the front to the rear. Thus, the rearmost boss37cand the rearmost second rivet insertion hole39care formed in the rear end portion35cof the plate portion35a. The bosses37ato37crespectively fit in the positioning holes31ato31cof the inner panel23. Rivets41are inserted and swaged in the second rivet insertion holes39ato39cand the first rivet insertion holes33ato33cof the inner panel23.FIGS. 6, and 9 to 11show the state where the rivets41are not swaged.

To bond the outer and inner panels21and23configured as described above together with the spacers35interposed therebetween, first, an adhesive is applied to an entire outer peripheral portion of the inner panel23slightly inward of its outer peripheral edge. Then, the spacers35are placed on the inner panel23to be located slightly inward of the edges, in the vehicle width direction, of the inner panel23so that the bosses37ato37cof the spacers35correspond to the positioning holes31ato31cof the inner panel23. In this state, the spacers35are pressed onto the inner panel23to spread the adhesive toward the outer peripheral edges of the inner panel23, and the bosses37ato37care allowed to fit in the positioning holes31ato31c. As a result, the adhesive is pushed toward the outer periphery of each spacer35. Then, each of the rivets41is inserted and swaged in an associated one of pairs of the first rivet insertion holes33ato33cof the inner panel23and the second rivet insertion holes39ato39cof the spacers35. Thus, the spacers35are positioned with respect to the inner panel23in the thickness direction. Further, an adhesive is applied to each of the spacers35, in particular, the inclined face35eand a side of the wall35ffacing the inside in the vehicle width direction. Thereafter, an outer peripheral portion of the outer panel21slightly inward of its outer peripheral edge and a front end portion of the decorative panel25are brought closer to the outer peripheral portion of the inner panel23to be in contact with the adhesive on the inner panel23. At this time, the flanges21eof the outer panel21come into contact with the adhesive that has come out of a gap between the spacers35and the inner panel23. Further, each of the outer side planes21cof the outer panel21makes contact with the adhesive on the inclined face35eof the spacer35, and each of the inner side planes21bof the outer panel21makes contact with the adhesive on the inner side of the wall35fof the spacer35. In this state, the inner and outer panels23and21are left for a while at room temperature to cure the adhesive. Thus, the bonding of the panels is finished.

As can be seen, in the bonding process, the bosses37ato37cof the spacers35fit in the positioning holes31ato31cof the inner panel23, and therefore, the spacers35can be positioned with respect to the inner panel23in a direction along the face of the inner panel23. This facilitates the bonding process. Further, the adhesive is cured in a state where the rivets41are inserted and swaged in the first rivet insertion holes33ato33cof the inner panel23and the second rivet insertion holes39ato39cof the spacers35to position the spacers35with respect to the inner panel23in the thickness direction. This can reduce the possibility of bonding failure caused by lifting of the spacers35or lack of an adhesive between the spacers35and the inner panel23.

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). 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 cabin2in the opened state, first, the deck cover18in the home position moves toward the retreated position. Next, the retractable roof11in the storage 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). 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. In this state, both ends of the closed deck cover18in the vehicle width direction and a portion of the deck cover18slightly inward of a rear edge thereof are continuously in contact with the weather strip5from above. Thus, a portion of the deck cover18provided with the spacers35makes contact with the weather strip5.

Hence, according to this embodiment, the spacers35are interposed between the outer panel21and the inner panel23at the contact between the deck cover18and the weather strip5. Therefore, the outer panel21can be inclined steeply with respect to the inner panel23at the contact between the deck cover18and the weather strip5. This improves design flexibility.

Moreover, as compared to a structure in which a portion of the inner panel23inward of its outer peripheral portion is joined to the outer panel21, the structure of this embodiment in which the outer peripheral portion of the inner panel23is joined to the outer panel21is more resistant to water entering between the panels21and23. This can reduce the possibility of water leakage in the cabin2and rust.

Further, the spacers35reinforce the contact between the deck cover18and the weather strip5. This can provide the deck cover18with improved rigidity.

In addition, the spacers35are interposed between the protrusions21dof the outer panel21and the protrusions23bof the inner panel23to reinforce the portions of the deck cover18corresponding to the protrusions21dand23d. This can reduce the possibility of peeling of the portions of the deck cover18corresponding to the protrusions21dand23dfrom the vehicle body.

Furthermore, the deck cover18makes contact with the weather strip5at a portion near its outer peripheral edge. Thus, as compared to the case where the deck cover18makes contact with the weather strip5at a further inward portion, the opening4aof the storage4can have a larger opening area.

In this embodiment, the structure of the present invention has been applied to the deck cover18of a convertible. Alternatively, the present invention can be applied to other vehicle external panel, such as a trunk lid, a door, or a hood.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The present invention is useful as a structure for attaching a vehicle external panel to a vehicle body in such a manner that the vehicle external panel can cover and uncover an opening of the vehicle body.

DESCRIPTION OF REFERENCE CHARACTERS