Abstract:
A damper mounting structure is provided with a top buffer member and a bottom buffer member. The bottom buffer member has a protruding section that protrudes with an outer diameter smaller than the outer diameter of the bottom buffer member. The damper mounting structure mates with the protruding section and is anchored to a vehicle body panel, and is provided with a collar formed at substantially the same height as the height of the protruding section. The corner of an opening formed on the vehicle body panel, which comes into contact with the top buffer member, is chamfered.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to a damper mount structure including a vehicular body and a damper of a suspension system, the damper having an end fastened to the vehicular body through damping members. 
       BACKGROUND ART 
       [0002]    A damper mount structure including a rod of a damper, a vehicular body member and a rubber interposed between the rod and the vehicular body member is known in the art, as disclosed in JP-A-2007-162752. 
         [0003]    As for the damper mount structure disclosed in JP-A-2007-162752, a rod of a damper is covered by a rubber extending through an opening portion of a vehicular body member. A tubular retaining member fits in the opening portion and is interposed between the rubber and the opening portion for retaining the rubber in a vicinity of the opening. This prevents contact between the vehicular body member and the rod. 
         [0004]    It is desirable to reduce the number of parts of a damper mount structure and facilitate assemblage of the damper mount structure without using such a part as the tubular retaining member interposed between the opening portion and the rubber. It is also desirable to limit stress concentration occurring in a rubber (a damping member) of the damper mounts structure. 
       PRIOR ART LITERATURE 
     Patent Literature 
       [0000]    
       
         Patent Literature 1: JP-A-2007-162752 
       
     
       SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
     Technical Problem 
       [0006]    An object of the present invention is to provide a damper mount structure which is formed by the reduced number of parts and easy to assemble, the damper mount structure being designed to reduce stress concentration. 
       Solution to Problem 
       [0007]    According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a damper mount structure comprising: a rod of a damper of a suspension system, the rod having an end portion; a vehicular body panel having an opening portion, the end portion of the rod being inserted through and fastened to the opening portion; an upper stationary disk facing toward an upper surface of the vehicular body panel and subjected to a pressure of a nut screwed onto the end portion of the rod; a lower stationary disk facing toward a lower surface of the vehicular body panel and opposed to the upper stationary disk with the vehicular body panel interposed between the upper stationary disk and the lower stationary disk; an annular upper damping member contacting the vehicular body panel and compressed by the upper stationary disk, the end portion of the rod fitting through the annular upper damper; an annular lower damping member disposed between the vehicular body panel and the lower stationary disk in contact with the lower stationary disk; an annular projection protruding from one of the upper damping member and the lower damping member toward the other one of the upper damping member and the lower damping member, the projection having an outer diameter smaller than an outer diameter of the one of the upper damping member and the lower damping member; and a collar having an inner circumferential surface fitting around an outer circumferential surface of the projection in such a manner as to contact the outer circumferential surface, the collar having one end surface and an opposite end surface, the one end surface being contiguous with the inner circumferential surface and fixed to the vehicular body panel, the collar having a height from the opposite end surface to the one end surface, the height of the collar being substantially equal to a height of the projection; and the opening portion of the vehicular body panel contacting the other one of the upper damping member and the lower damping member and having a beveled corner. 
         [0008]    Preferably, the vehicular body panel has a lower surface facing downwardly of a vehicle, the projection is formed on the lower damping member, the collar is integrally fixed to the lower surface of the vehicular body panel, and the beveled corner is contiguous with the upper surface of the vehicular body panel and faces toward the upper damping member. 
         [0009]    Preferably, the damper mount structure further comprises a rubber cover covering the lower damping member and the projection, the rubber cover being interposed between the collar and the lower damping member and between the collar and the projection. 
         [0010]    Preferably, the damper mount structure further comprises a water entry preventing mechanism formed between the collar and the rubber cover for preventing entry of water from an underside of a vehicle, the mechanism including a rib formed on one of the collar and the rubber cover and a groove formed on the other one of the collar and the rubber cover and receiving the rib in close contact with the rib. 
         [0011]    Preferably, the vehicular body panel comprises a damper base contiguous with a vehicular body, and a damper stiffener overlying the damper base and contacting the upper damping member, the damper mount structure further comprising a watertight sealer interposed between the collar and the damper base, the collar being fixed to the damper base by projection welding. 
         [0012]    Preferably, the damper stiffener is joined to the damper base by adhesives. 
         [0013]    Preferably, the upper damping member and the lower damping member are made from urethane rubber. 
       Advantageous Effects of Invention 
       [0014]    When the annular lower damping member is radially outwardly pressed by a load applied to the rod, the projection transmits the load to the collar, and then the load is dispersed by the collar into the vehicular body panel. This means that the transmission of the load into the vehicular body panel can be achieved without any tubular member being interposed between the projection formed on the lower damping member and the collar. Since the damper mount structure does not require such a tubular member, the number of parts of the damper mount structure is smaller and the damper mount structure can be easily assembled. 
         [0015]    The beveled corner of the opening portion can reduce stress concentration occurring in the upper damping member along an edge of the opening portion. 
         [0016]    When the annular lower damping member is radially outwardly pressed by a load applied to the rod, the load is transmitted from the outer circumferential surface of the projection to the inner circumferential surface of the collar. During the transmission of the load, because the collar and the projection are approximately the same in height, the outer circumferential surface of the projection is in contact with only the inner circumferential surface of the collar without contacting a corner of the collar contiguous with the inner circumferential surface. Since the corner of the collar is not pressed against the outer circumferential surface of the projection along the length of the corner, no stress concentration occurs in the projection. 
         [0017]    The collar fixed to the lower surface of the vehicular body panel and the projection fitting in the collar jointly define a gap therebetween. This gap is in the form of a small curve providing a labyrinth structure (adapted to prevent leakage). This makes it possible to prevent entry of water from an underside of the vehicular body panel such as a road surface to the vehicular body panel. 
         [0018]    The rubber cover covering the lower damping member and the projection is interposed between the collar and the lower damping member and between the collar and the projection, thereby preventing entry of water from the underside of the vehicular body panel such as a road surface to the vehicular body panel. 
         [0019]    The water entry preventing mechanism is formed between the collar and the rubber cover for preventing entry of water from an underside of a vehicle. The mechanism includes the rib formed on one of the collar and the rubber cover and the groove formed on the other one of the collar and the rubber cover and receiving the rib in close contact with the rib. The close contact between the rib and the groove is established by a pressure exerted by the rib on the groove, thereby preventing entry of water from underside of the vehicular body panel such as a road surface to the vehicular body panel. 
         [0020]    The vehicular body panel comprises the damper base contiguous with the vehicular body, and the damper stiffener overlying the damper base and contacting the upper damping member. The damper mount structure further comprising the watertight sealer interposed between the collar and the damper base, and the collar is fixed to the damper base by projection welding. The sealer prevents water from entering between the collar and the damper base. 
         [0021]    The projection welding can maintain flatness of a (lower) surface of the damper base contacting the collar. That is, the collar can be fixed to the vehicular body panel without deteriorating the (lower) surface of the damper base contacting the collar. If spot welding is used to weld the collar and the vehicular body panel together in pace of the projection welding, irregularities would be undesirably formed by heat at a first spot on the surface of the damper base contacting the collar. 
         [0022]    Since the damper stiffener is joined to the damper base by the adhesive, the flatness of the surface of the damper base contacting the collar can be reliably maintained. As a result, the collar can be fixed to the vehicular body panel without deteriorating the flatness of the surface of the damper base contacting the collar. 
         [0023]    The urethane rubber can provides the upper and lower damping members with a better damping function than other types of rubber used in cushion members. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         [0024]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a rear suspension system employing a damper mount structure in a first embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0025]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the damper mount structure shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0026]      FIG. 3  is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line  3 - 3  of  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0027]      FIG. 4  is an exploded perspective view of the damper mount structure shown in  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0028]      FIG. 5  is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line  5 - 5  of  FIG. 4 ; 
           [0029]      FIG. 6A  is a plan view of a rubber cover shown in  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0030]      FIG. 6B  is a cross-sectional view taken along line b-b of  FIG. 6A ; and 
           [0031]      FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view of a damper mount structure in a second embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
       [0032]    Certain preferred embodiments of the present invention are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
       Embodiment 1 
       [0033]    Referring to  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 , a damper mount structure in an embodiment 1 is used in a rear suspension system  12  of a vehicle  11 . The rear suspension system  12  includes a damper  14  fastened to a vehicular body  13  of the vehicle  11 . The vehicular body  13  is provided with a vehicular body panel  17  to which is attached a mounting shaft portion  22  formed distally of a rod  21  of the damper  14 . Attached to the mounting shaft portion  22  is a damping mechanism  23 . 
         [0034]    As shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , an upper stationary disk  25  is tightened by a nut  26  to press an upper damping member  27  against the vehicular body panel  17 . The upper stationary disk  25  cooperates with a lower damping member  28  to hold the mounting shaft portion  22  of the damper  14  to the vehicular body panel  17 . 
         [0035]    A lower stationary disk  29  is integrally fixed to the mounting shaft portion  22 . A sleeve member  31  is attached to the lower stationary disk  29 . A tightening force (axial force) exerted by the nut  26  is transmitted through the sleeve member  31  to the lower stationary disk  29 . 
         [0036]    As shown in  FIG. 1 , the damper  14  has a lower end connected to an axle beam  33  to which is attached a coil spring  34 . Reference numeral  35  denotes a rear wheel. The damper  14  is a conventional one. The rear suspension system  12  is symmetrically arranged with respect to a longitudinal centerline of the vehicle  11 . The damper structure is provided in a pair and the pair of the damper structures are also symmetrically arranged with respect to the longitudinal centerline of the vehicle  11 . 
         [0037]    The damper mount structure is discussed below with reference to  FIG. 2  to  FIG. 6 . 
         [0038]    The damper mount structure includes the rod  21  of the damper  14  of the rear suspension system  12 , and the vehicular body panel  17  having an opening portion  41 . The mounting shaft portion  22  (end portion) of the rod  21  is inserted through and fastened to the opening portion  41 . The damper mount structure also includes an upper stationary disk  25  facing toward an upper surface  42  of the vehicular body panel  17  and subjected to a pressure of the nut  26  screwed onto the mounting shaft portion  22 . 
         [0039]    The damper mount structure further includes the lower stationary disk  29  disposed below a lower surface  43  ( FIG. 3 ) of the vehicular body panel  17  in opposed relation to the upper stationary disk  25  with the vehicular body panel  17  interposed between the lower stationary disk  29  and the upper stationary disk  25 . In addition, the damper mount structure includes the annular upper damping member  27  fitting around the mounting shaft portion  22  and compressed by the upper stationary disk  25  in contact with the vehicular body panel  17 . The damper mount structure further includes the annular lower damping member  28  fitting around the mounting shaft portion  22  and disposed between the vehicular body panel  17  and the lower stationary disk  29  in contact with the lower stationary disk  29 . 
         [0040]    Furthermore, the damper mount structure includes an annular projection  44  protruding from the lower damping member  28  (one of the lower and upper damping members) toward the upper damping member  27  (the other one of the lower and upper damping members). The annular projection  44  has an outer diameter D 2  smaller than an outer diameter D 1  of the lower damping member  28 . Moreover, the damper mount structure includes a collar  48  having an inner circumferential surface  46  fitting around an outer circumferential surface  45  of the projection  44  in such a manner as to contact the outer circumferential surface  45 . The collar  48  has an upper surface  47   a  contiguous with the inner circumferential surface  46  and fixed to the vehicular body panel  17 . The collar  48  has a height Hc between a lower surface  47   b  and the upper surface  47   a  (an end surface  47 ). The height Hc is approximately equal to a height Hb of the projection  44 . Additionally, the opening portion  41  contacting the upper damping member  27  has a beveled corner  51 . 
         [0041]    The expression “the inner circumferential surface  46  fitting around the outer circumferential surface  45  in such a manner as to contact the outer circumferential surface  45 ” means that the inner circumferential surface  46  has portions contacting the outer circumferential surface  45  and portions slightly spaced from the outer circumferential surface  45 . 
         [0042]    The lower surface  43  of the vehicular body panel  17  faces in a direction of an arrow a 1 , or downwardly of the vehicle  11  having the vehicular body panel  17 . The projection  44  is formed on the lower damping member  28 . The collar  48  is integrally fixed to the lower surface  43  of the vehicular body panel  17 . The beveled corner  51  is contiguous with the upper surface  42  of the vehicular body panel  17  and faces toward the upper damping member  27 . 
         [0043]    The lower damping member  28  and the projection  44  are covered by a rubber cover  53 . The rubber cover  53  is interposed between the collar  48  and the lower damping member  28  and between the collar  48  and the projection  44 . The beveled corner  51  contacts the rubber cover  53 . 
         [0044]    Provided between the collar  48  and the rubber cover  53  is a water entry preventing mechanism  54  for preventing water below the vehicle  11  to enter toward the vehicular body panel  17 , as indicated by an arrow a 2 . The water entry preventing mechanism  54  includes a rib  55  formed on the rubber cover  53  and a groove  56  formed on the collar  48  and receiving the rib  55  in close contact with the rib  55 . 
         [0045]    The vehicular body panel  17  includes a damper base  61  contiguous with the vehicular body  13 , and a damper stiffener  62  overlying the damper base  61  and contacting the upper damping member  27 . Interposed between the collar  48  and the damper base  61  is a watertight sealer  63 . The collar  48  is fixed to the damper base  61  by projection welding. 
         [0046]    The sealer  63  is typically liquid and thin. That is, no groove need not be formed on the damper base  61  in correspondence to the sealer  63 . 
         [0047]    The damper stiffener  62  is joined to the damper base  61  by an adhesive  64 . The upper and lower damping members  27 ,  28  are made from urethane rubber (polyurethane rubber). 
         [0048]    As shown in  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 4 , the damper base  61  includes a base body  68  extending from an inner panel  67  of the vehicular body  13 . The base body  68  defines a first fastening seat  71  to which is fastened the mounting shaft portion  22  ( FIG. 3 ) of the rod  21  of the base body  68 . 
         [0049]    The first fastening seat  71  has a first opening portion  72  forming the opening portion  41 . The base body  68  is provided with a first rib  73 , a second rib  74  and a joining flange  75  which are perpendicular to the base body  68 . The joining flange  75  overlaps and is joined to the inner panel  67  of the vehicle  13 . The damper stiffener  62  adheres to the first fastening seat  71  by the adhesive  64 . 
         [0050]    The damper stiffener  62  has a second fastening seat  77  shaped to contact the first fastening seat  71 . The damper stiffener  62  further includes third and fourth ribs  81 ,  82  contiguous with the second fastening seat  77 . The third rib  81  is shaped to contact the first rib  73  of the damper base  61 . 
         [0051]    The third rib  81  is joined to the first rib  73  by the adhesive  64 . The second fastening seat  77  defines a second opening portion  83  concentric with the first opening portion  72 . The first and second opening portions  72 ,  83  cooperate with each other to define the opening portion  41 . The second opening portion  83  has the beveled corner  51 , as shown in  FIG. 3 . The beveled corner  51  is inclined at, for example, 45 degrees from a bottom surface of the upper damping member  27 . 
         [0052]    The upper damping member  27  is circular disk-shaped and has a first through-hole  86  formed centrally thereof. The first through-hole  86  has a diameter set to allow passage of the sleeve member  31  ( FIG. 3 ) therethrough. The lower damping member  28  is approximately identical to the upper damping member  27 . The lower damping member  28  has a second through-hole  88 , as shown in  FIG. 3 . The projection  44  is formed integrally with the lower damping member  28 . 
         [0053]    The projection  44  has a tubular shape extending a height Hb from the lower damping member  28 . The projection  44  has a third through-hole  91  contiguous and concentric with the second through-hole  88  of the lower damping member  28 . The rubber cover  53  overlies the projection  44  and the lower damping member  28 . 
         [0054]    As shown in  FIGS. 3 ,  4  and  6 , the rubber cover  53  includes a small tubular portion  93  adapted to contact the outer circumferential surface  45  of the projection  44 . The rubber cover  53  also includes a first cover portion  95  defining a small end surface of the rubber cover  53 . The first cover portion  95  is adapted to contact an end surface  94  contiguous with the outer circumferential surface  45  of the projection  44 . The rubber cover  53  further includes a second cover portion  97  defining a larger end surface of the rubber cover  53 . The second cover portion  97  is contiguous with the small tubular portion  93  and is adapted to contact an end surface  96  of the lower damping member  28 . In addition, the rubber cover  53  includes a large tubular portion  98  contiguous with the second cover portion  97 . The large tubular portion  98  is adapted to be located closely to the lower stationary disk  29  in spaced relationship to an outer circumferential surface  101  of the lower damping member  28 . 
         [0055]    Formed on the second cover portion  97  is the rib  55  having a desired radius. The rib  55  is concentric with the projection  44 , the small tubular portion  93  and the large tubular portion  98 . The rib  55  has a quadrangular, semicircular or triangular cross-section. 
         [0056]    As shown in  FIGS. 3 to 5 , the collar  48  is ring-shaped and has a quadrangular cross-section. The quadrangular cross-section is defined by the inner circumferential surface  46 , an outer circumferential surface  103 , the upper surface  47  and a lower surface  104 . 
         [0057]    The inner circumferential surface  46  of the collar  48  has a radius set such that the inner circumferential surface  46  contacts the small tubular portion  93  of the rubber cover  53 . The radius of the inner circumferential surface  46  is approximately equal to a radius of the opening portion  41 . The outer circumferential surface  103  of the collar  48  has a radius which is approximately equal to a radius of the lower damping member  28 . The height Hc of the collar  48  is approximately equal to the height Hb of the projection  44 . 
         [0058]    The upper surface  47  of the collar  48  faces the vehicular body panel  17 . Formed on the upper surface  47  are three lugs  106  which are equally spaced from one another and located closely to the inner circumferential surface  46 . The lugs  106  are adapted to be joined to the vehicular body panel  17  by projection welding. The upper surface  47  defines a seat  107  formed radially outward of the lugs  106 . The sealer  63  is to be applied to the seat  107 . 
         [0059]    It is noted that the projection welding is a known welding. The lower surface  104  faces the lower damping member  28  in close contact with the second cover portion  97 . 
         [0060]    Assemblage of the damper mount structure is discussed with reference to mainly  FIGS. 3 and 4 . 
         [0061]    First, the collar  48  with the sealer  63  applied thereto is attached to the lower surface  43  of the first fastening seat  71  of the damper base  61  at welds (the lugs  106  melted) by projection welding. 
         [0062]    The adhesive  64  is applied to the first fastening seat  71  of the damper base  61  for adhesion of the second fastening seat  77  to the first fastening seat  71  through the adhesive  64 . In so doing, adhesive may applied to the first rib  73  to join the first rib  73  and the third rib  81  together. Thereafter, the rod  21  provided with the sleeve member  31 , the lower damping member  28  and the rubber cover  53  is inserted from below the vehicular body  13  through the damper base  61  joined to the vehicular body  13 . 
         [0063]    The upper damping member  27  fits around the inserted rod  21  (the sleeve member  31 ) and the upper stationary disk  25  fits around the rod  21 . Finally, the nut  26  is screwed onto the rod  21  in such a manner as to provide a predetermined axial force. This finishes the assemblage of the damper mounts structure. 
         [0064]    Desirably, a member for preventing loosening of the nut  26  screwed onto the rod  21  is attached to the nut  26 . 
         [0065]    Advantages provided by the damper mount structure in the first embodiment are discussed hereinbelow. 
         [0066]    The assemblage of the damper mount structure in embodiment 1 does not require a conventional process of interposing a tubular member between the opening portion  41  of the vehicular body panel  17  and the projection  44 . This results in reduction in the number of parts of the damper mount structure as well as in facilitation of the assemblage of the damper mount structure. 
         [0067]    When the damper  14  absorbs a load from the rear wheel  35  inclining the rod  21  (for example, in a direction of an arrow  3 ), the inclined rod  21  applies a force to the vehicular body  13  through the projection  44  and the collar  48 . During application of the force to the vehicular body  13 , the projection  44  presses the collar  48 , whereupon, because of approximately the same height as that of the collar  48 , the projection  44  does not contact the opening portion  41  of the vehicular body panel  17 . Since the projection  44  does not contact the opening portion  41 , there is no need to interpose any tubular member between the opening portion  41  of the vehicular body panel  17  and the projection  44 . This results in reduction in the number of parts of the damper mount structure as well as in facilitation of assemblage of the damper mount structure. 
         [0068]    Further, the beveled corner  51  reduces stress concentration occurring in the upper damping member  27  along the opening portion  41 . 
         [0069]    Furthermore, since the rib  55  of the rubber cover  53  fits in the groove  56  of the collar  48  in close contact therewith, water having splashed from below the vehicle  11 , as indicated by an arrow a 2 , starts to enter between the collar  48  and the rubber cover  53 , as indicated by an arrow a 4  of  FIG. 6B , but stops flowing at the rib  55  and the groove  56 . This prevents water from flowing between the collar  48  and the rubber cover  53 . 
       Embodiment 2 
       [0070]    A damper mount structure in a second embodiment is discussed with reference to  FIG. 7 . 
         [0071]    It is noted that the same parts of the damper mount structure in the second embodiment which correspond to those in the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals and their descriptions are omitted. 
         [0072]    The damper mount structure in the second embodiment includes an annular projection  44 B protruding from an upper damping member  27 B to a lower damping member  28 B. The projection  44 B has an outer diameter D 2  smaller than an outer diameter D 1  of the upper damping member  27 B. The damper mount structure also includes a collar  48 B having an inner circumferential surface  46  fitting around an outer circumferential surface  45 B of the projection  44 B in contact therewith. The collar  48 B also has a lower surface  47  contiguous with the inner circumferential surface  46  and fixed to a vehicular body panel  17 B. The collar  48 B has approximately the same height from an upper surface  104  to the lower surface  47  as that of the projection  44 B. The vehicular body panel  17 B has an opening portion  41 B including a beveled corner  51 B located on a side of the lower damping member  28 B. The collar  48 B has a lug  106  ( FIG. 5 ) on an end surface thereof. 
         [0073]    The lower damping member  28 B is covered by a rubber cover  53 B interposed between the vehicular body panel  17 B and the lower damping member  28 B. The rubber cover  53 B has a cover portion  97 B defining a large end surface of the rubber cover  53   b . The cover portion  97 B overlies and contacts an entire end surface  96 B of the lower damping member  28 B. 
         [0074]    The damper mount structure in the second embodiment has the same advantages as those of the damper mount structure in the first embodiment, as discussed below. That is, there is no need to interpose any tubular member between the opening portion  41 B of the vehicular body panel  17 B and the projection  44 B. This results in reduction in the number of parts of the damper mount structure as well as in facilitation of assemblage of the damper mount structure. 
         [0075]    When the damper  14  absorbs a load from the rear wheel  35  inclining the rod  21  (for example, in a direction of an arrow  3 ), the inclined rod  21  applies a force to the vehicular body  13  through the projection  44 B and the collar  48 B. During application of the force to the vehicular body  13 , the projection  44 B presses the collar  48 B, whereupon, because of approximately the same height as that of the collar  48 B, the projection  44 B does not contact the opening portion  41 B of the vehicular body panel  17 B. That is, there is no need to interpose any tubular member between the opening portion  41 B of the vehicular body panel  17 B and the projection  44 B. 
         [0076]    Although the damper mount structure in the second embodiment does not include a water entry preventing mechanism  54 , close contact between the vehicular body panel  17 B and the rubber cover  53 B ensures prevention of entry of water from an underside of the vehicular body panel such as a road surface to the vehicular body panel. 
         [0077]    The beveled corner  51 B reduces stress concentration occurring in the rubber cover  53 B along the opening portion  41 B. 
         [0078]    The damper mount structure according to the present invention may be used for a damping mechanism other than a suspension system as well as for a damper of the suspension system. 
       INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY 
       [0079]    The damper mount structure according to the present invention is suitable in use for a damper of a suspension system. 
       REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 
       [0000]    
       
           12  suspension system (rear suspension system) 
           14  damper 
           17  vehicular body panel 
           21  rod 
           22  end portion of rod (mounting shaft portion) 
           25  upper stationary disk 
           26  nut 
           27  upper damping member 
           28  lower damping member 
           29  lower stationary disk 
           41  opening portion 
           42  upper surface of the vehicular body panel 
           43  lower surface of the vehicular body panel 
           44  projection 
           45  outer circumferential surface of projection 
           46  inner circumferential surface of collar 
           47  end surface of collar 
           48  collar 
           51  beveled corner 
           53  rubber cover 
           54  water entry preventing mechanism 
           55  rib 
           56  groove 
           61  damper base 
           62  damper stiffener 
           63  sealer 
           64  adhesive 
         D 1  outer diameter of one (lower) damping member 
         D 2  smaller outer diameter 
         Hb height of projection 
         Hc height of collar