Patent Abstract:
A washer inlet attaching structure, configured to attach a washer inlet to a vehicle structural body made of resin, the washer inlet communicating with a tank main body adapted to store a windshield washer fluid and guiding the windshield washer fluid into the tank main body, the washer inlet attaching structure includes a washer inlet holding portion, configured to hold the washer inlet, the washer inlet holding portion being molded integrally with the vehicle structural body.

Full Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The present invention relates to a washer inlet attaching structure for attaching a washer inlet of a washer tank of a motor vehicle to a vehicle structural body. 
         [0003]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0004]    A washer tank of a motor vehicle is a tank for storing a windshield washer fluid which is used by a windshield wiper system of the vehicle. The washer tank is disposed within an engine compartment of the vehicle, for example. Other component elements are also disposed within the engine compartment, and the washer tank is disposed in such a manner as to avoid accommodation spaces for those component elements. This sometimes causes a case where a washer tank cannot be disposed as an upper portion of the engine compartment, and as this occurs, a washer tank is used which has a configuration in which a washer inlet (a pouring pipe) is provided on a tank main body. 
         [0005]    In attaching a washer tank having the configuration described above to a vehicle body, not only is the washer tank fixed to a vehicle structural body, but also the washer inlet is fixed to the vehicle structural body. This prevents the looseness or unsteadiness of the washer inlet. 
         [0006]    In recent years, there are more and more vehicles which employ reins for their structural bodies. As a washer inlet attaching structure for fixing the washer inlet to such a vehicle structural body of resin, there is known a structure like one shown in  FIGS. 9A and 9B . In this washer inlet attaching structure, a bracket  310  is attached to a washer inlet  301 , and the bracket  310  is then fixed to a vehicle structural body  321  with a fixing tool  316  such as a clip. 
         [0007]    Specifically, the bracket  310  has a washer inlet gripping portion  311 , an attaching let portion  312 , and an attaching surface portion  313 . The washer inlet gripping portion  311  is such that a strip-like member is formed into an arc-like shape. The attaching leg portion  312  has a plate-like shape, and the washer inlet gripping portion  311  is connected to one end portion side of the attaching leg portion  312 . The attaching surface portion  313 , which is molded into a planar shape, is provided on the other end portion side of the attaching leg portion  312 . A projecting portion  315  and a through hole  314  are provided on the attaching surface portion  313 . An attached surface portion  322 , which is molded into a planar shape, is provided on the vehicle structural body  321 . The attached surface portion  322  is adapted to be brought into surface contact with the attaching surface  313  of the bracket  310 . A fixing hole  323  and a positioning hole  324  are provided in the attached surface portion  322 . 
         [0008]    When the washer inlet  301  is attached to the vehicle structural body  321  by the bracket  310 , firstly, the washer inlet gripping portion  311  of the bracket  310  is fixed to the washer inlet  301 . Following this, the projecting portion  315  of the bracket  310  is inserted into the positioning hole  324  in the vehicle structural body  321 , so that the attaching surface portion  313  of the bracket  310  and the attached surface portion  322  of the vehicle structural body  321  are brought into surface contact with each other. In this state, the bracket  310  is fixed to the vehicle structural body  321  with the fixing tool  316 . This allows the washer inlet  301  to be attached to the vehicle structural body  321  via the bracket  310 . 
         [0009]    A washer tank attaching structure described in JP-A-7-329733 is raised as another approach. In this washer tank attaching structure, by making use of a bracket in which a locking portion having a connection hole opened therein is provided on a holder portion which is formed into an arc-like shape, an inlet portion (a washer inlet) is attached to a vehicle body structure (a vehicle structural body). 
         [0010]    In the washer inlet attaching structure described first above, however, the operations of positioning the bracket  310 , bringing the attaching surface portion  313  into surface contact with the attached surface portion  322  and fixing the bracket  310  with the fixing tool  316  needed to be performed, and these operations were complex and troublesome. In addition, places where to dispose the washer tank differs from model line to model line and hence, washer inlets of different shapes need to be attached to different attaching places. Because of this, different brackets need to be prepared to match corresponding model lines, and this reduces the versatility and calls for an increase in manufacturing costs. Further, since a washer tube (not shown) also needs to be fixed to the bracket  310  with a clip or the like, the number of parts is increased. 
         [0011]    As with the washer inlet attaching structure that has just been described above, also in the washer tank attaching structure described in JP-A-7-329733, washer inlets of different shapes need to be prepared for different model lines. Because of this, brackets of different shapes need to be prepared for different model lines, and this reduces the versatility and calls for an increase in manufacturing costs. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0012]    According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided a washer inlet attaching structure, configured to attach a washer inlet to a vehicle structural body made of resin, the washer inlet communicating with a tank main body adapted to store a windshield washer fluid and guiding the windshield washer fluid into the tank main body, the washer inlet attaching structure including a washer inlet holding portion, configured to hold the washer inlet, the washer inlet holding portion being molded integrally with the vehicle structural body. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0013]    The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description given hereinbelow and the accompanying drawing which is given by way of illustration only, and thus is not limitative of the present invention and wherein: 
           [0014]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a washer inlet attaching structure according to a first embodiment of the invention; 
           [0015]      FIG. 2  is a side view of a vehicle showing where to dispose a washer tank in the vehicle; 
           [0016]      FIGS. 3A and 3B  are explanatory diagrams of the washer inlet attaching structure according to the first embodiment of the invention, of which  FIG. 3A  shows a state resulting before a washer inlet is attached and  3 B shows a state resulting after the washer inlet is attached; 
           [0017]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a washer inlet attaching structure according to a second embodiment of the invention; 
           [0018]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the waster inlet attaching structure according to the second embodiment of the invention; 
           [0019]      FIG. 6  is a bottom view of the washer inlet attaching structure according to the second embodiment of the invention; 
           [0020]      FIGS. 7A and 7B  are explanatory diagrams of the washer inlet attaching structure according to the second embodiment of the invention, of which  FIG. 7A  shows a state resulting before a washer inlet is attached and  7 B shows a state resulting after the washer inlet is attached; 
           [0021]      FIGS. 8A and 8B  are explanatory diagrams of a cap&#39;s open-state holding tool included in the washer inlet attaching structure according to the second embodiment of the invention, of which  FIG. 8A  shows a state in which an opening in the washer inlet is closed by a cap and  FIG. 8B  shows a state in the opening in the washer inlet is opened; and 
           [0022]      FIGS. 9A and 9B  are explanatory diagrams of a related-art washer inlet attaching structure, of which  FIG. 9A  shows a state resulting before a washer inlet is attached and  FIG. 9B  shows a state resulting after the washer inlet is attached. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0023]    A best mode for carrying out a washer inlet attaching structure according to the invention will be described specifically based on embodiments thereof. 
         [0024]    A washer inlet attaching structure according to a first embodiment of the invention will be described by reference to  FIGS. 1 ,  2 ,  3 A and  3 B. 
         [0025]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a washer inlet attaching structure according to a first embodiment of the invention,  FIG. 2  is a side view of a vehicle showing where to dispose a washer tank in the vehicle,  FIGS. 3A and 3B  are explanatory diagrams of the washer inlet attaching structure according to the first embodiment of the invention, of which  FIG. 3A  shows a state resulting before a washer inlet is attached and  3 B shows a state resulting after the washer inlet is attached. In FIGS.  1 ,  2 ,  3 A and  3 B, a line with an arrow FR denotes a direction of the front of the vehicle, and a line with an arrow UP denotes a direction of the rear of the vehicle. In  FIGS. 1 ,  3 A and  3 B, a line with an arrow ER denotes a direction of an interior of an engine compartment. 
         [0026]    In this embodiment, as is shown in  FIG. 2 , a washer tank  10  is disposed in an interior of an engine compartment E of a vehicle  20 . The washer tank  10  includes a tank main body  11  and a washer inlet  12  (a pouring pipe) which is provided in such a manner as to communicate with the tank main body  11 . The tank main body  11  is attached to a vehicle structural body (not shown). The washer inlet  12  is attached to an upper frame inner (a vehicle structural body)  21  which extends in a vehicle front-rear or longitudinal direction on a side portion of the vehicle and in the vicinity of an upper portion of the engine compartment E (refer to  FIGS. 1 ,  3 A and  3 B). A windshield washer fluid of the vehicle is stored in the tank main body  11 . The washer inlet  12  guides the windshield washer fluid into an interior of the tank main body  11 . 
         [0027]    As is shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  3 A and  3 B, the washer inlet attaching structure according to the first embodiment has a washer inlet holder  100  (a washer inlet holding portion) which is formed integrally with the upper frame inner  21 . The upper frame inner  21  and the washer inlet holder  100  are molded of a resin. 
         [0028]    The washer inlet holder  100  has a washer inlet gripping portion  111 , a first intermediate portion  120 , a second intermediate portion  130  and a tube holding portion  140 . 
         [0029]    The washer inlet gripping portion  111  is molded as looking like a strip-like member extends into an arc-like shape. Specifically, the washer inlet gripping portion  111  is molded into a shape in which an inner wall portion  111   f  thereof contacts a circumferential wall portion  12   a  of the washer inlet  12  in a circumferential direction thereof. Both end portions  111   c,    111   d  of the washer inlet gripping portion  111  are spaced apart on a side which faces the rear of the vehicle. Namely, the washer inlet gripping portion  111  is molded into a shape in which the washer inlet gripping portion  111  is opened on the side facing the rear of the vehicle. Further, in positions in the vicinity of the end portions  111   c,    111   d  thereof, the washer inlet gripping portion  111  is formed into a shape in which the washer inlet gripping portion  111  extends outwards while being bent in that direction. By this configuration, when the washer inlet  12  is attached to the washer inlet gripping portion  111 , by the washer inlet  12  being brought into contact with both the end portions  111   c,    111   d  of the washer inlet gripping portion  111 , the washer inlet  12  is restrained from being caught at the entrance to the washer inlet gripping portion  111 . As a result, the washer inlet  12  can be guided smoothly into the washer inlet gripping portion  111  from a rear side of the vehicle so that the washer inlet  12  can easily be attached therein. 
         [0030]    The first intermediate portion  120  is such as to be interposed between the washer inlet gripping portion  111  and the upper frame inner  21 . The first intermediate portion  120  is molded into a plate-like shape and is made up of two members such as an intermediate member  121  and a reinforcement member  123 . A boundary portion  161  between one end portion side of the intermediate member  121  and a side wall portion  21   a  of the upper frame inner  21  is formed rectilinearly. The other end portion side of the intermediate member  121  is connected to an outer wall portion  1113   w  of the washer inlet gripping portion  111 . The reinforcement member  123  is connected to a lower portion of the intermediate member  121 , a lower wall portion  21   b  of the upper frame inner  21  and a lower portion  111   b  of the washer inlet gripping portion  111  and is such as to function as a reinforcement material of the intermediate member  121 . A boundary portion  163  between one end portion side of the reinforcement member  123  and the lower wall portion  21   b  of the upper frame inner  21  is formed rectilinearly. By the boundary portions  161 ,  163  being formed rectilinearly in the way described above, the rigidity at the boundary portions can be ensured. 
         [0031]    An upper wall portion  122  of the intermediate member  121  extends from one end portion side (a side facing the upper frame inner  21 ) to the other end portion side (a side facing the washer inlet gripping portion  111 ) while extending downwards of the vehicle and has a first arc portion  122   a  which is formed into an arc-like shape which projects upwards of the vehicle. Further, the upper wall portion  122  of the intermediate member  121  continues to the first arc portion  122   a,  extends from the one end portion side (the side acing the upper frame inner  21 ) to the other end portion side (the side facing the washer inlet gripping portion  111 ) while extending upwards of the vehicle, and has a second arc portion  122 b which is formed into an arc portion which projects downwards of the vehicle. In addition, the second arc portion  122   b  constitutes a tube supporting portion for supporting a washer tube, which will be described in detail later. 
         [0032]    As with the first intermediate portion  120 , the second intermediate portion  130  is such as to be interposed between the washer inlet gripping portion  111  and the upper frame inner  21 . The second intermediate portion  130  is molded into a plate-like shape, is molded in a position lying further rearwards than the first intermediate portion  120  in the vehicle longitudinal direction, and is made up of two members such as an intermediate member  131  and a reinforcement member  133 . A boundary portion  162  between one end portion side of the intermediate member  131  and the side wall portion  21   a  of the upper frame inner  21  is formed rectilinearly. The other end portion side of the intermediate member  131  is connected to the outer wall portion  111   e  of the washer inlet gripping portion  111 . The reinforcement member  131  is connected to a lower portion of the intermediate member  131 , the lower wall portion  21   b  of the upper frame inner  21  and the lower portion  111   b  of the washer inlet gripping portion  111  and is such as to function as a reinforcement material of the intermediate member  131 . A boundary portion (not shown) between one end portion side of the reinforcement member  133  and the lower wall portion  21   b  of the upper frame inner  21  is also formed rectilinearly. By the boundary portion  162  and the boundary portion just described above being formed rectilinearly, the rigidity at the boundary portion  162  and the boundary portion, not shown, can be ensured. 
         [0033]    An upper wall portion  132  of the intermediate member  131  has a first arc portion  132   a  which is formed into an arc-like shape which extends from one end portion side (a side facing the upper frame inner  21 ) to the other end portion side (a side facing the washer inlet gripping portion  111 ) while extending downwards of the vehicle so as to project upwards of the vehicle. Further, the upper wall portion  132  of the intermediate member  131  has a second arc portion  132   b  which is formed into an arc-like portion which continues to the first arc portion  132   a  and extends from the one end portion side (the side facing the upper frame inner  21 ) to the other end portion side (the side facing the washer inlet gripping portion  111 ) while extending upwards of the vehicle so as to project downwards of the vehicle. In addition, the second arc portion  132   b  constitutes a tube supporting portion for supporting the washer tube which will be described in detail later. 
         [0034]    A tube holding portion  140  is molded in such a manner as to connect to the outer wall portion  111   e  of the washer inlet gripping portion  111 . Specifically, the tube holding portion  140  is molded in such a manner as to connect to the outer wall portion  111   e  of the washer inlet gripping portion  111  between a connecting portion with the first intermediate portion  120  and a connecting portion with the second intermediate portion  130  and in the vicinity of an upper end portion  111   a  of the washer inlet gripping portion. The tube holding portion  140  has a horizontal portion  141  which connects to the outer wall portion  111   e  of the washer inlet gripping portion  111  at a proximal end portion side and extends in a substantially horizontal direction and a bent portion  142  which continues to a distal end of the horizontal portion  141  and extends downwards while being bent in that direction. By the tube holding portion  140  which is shaped in the way described above being molded integrally with the washer inlet gripping portion  111 , the necessity of a holder for holding a washer tube  16  is obviated, thereby making it possible to reduce the number of parts. Further, the washer tube  16  can be held by the tube holding portion  140  without using the holder, whereby the attaching work becomes simple, and the working properties are increased. 
         [0035]    Here, attaching work of the washer inlet  12  to the upper frame inner  21 , which constitutes the vehicle structural body, by the use of the washer inlet attaching structure which is configured as has been described heretofore will be describe by reference  FIGS. 3A and 3B . Note that reference numeral  13  denotes a cap, reference numeral  14  denotes a hinge, and reference numeral  15  denotes a cap fixing portion. The cap  13  is connected with the cap fixing portion  15  via the hinge  14 . 
         [0036]    Firstly, as is shown in  FIG. 3A , the washer inlet  12  is positioned at the side of the washer inlet gripping portion  111  which faces the rear of the vehicle. Following this, as is shown in  FIG. 3B , the washer inlet  12  is attached to the washer inlet gripping portion  111 . In addition, the washer tube  16  is positioned below the horizontal portion  141  of the tube holding portion  140  and is positioned above the second arc portion  132   b  of the second intermediate portion  130 . 
         [0037]    Consequently, the washer inlet  12  is held in the washer inlet gripping portion  111 , and the washer tube  16  is supported by the tube holding portion  140  and the second arc portions  122   b,    132   b.  In other words, the washer inlet  12  and the washer tube  16  are fixed to the upper frame inner  21  by the washer inlet holder  100 . 
         [0038]    Consequently, according to the washer inlet attaching structure according to this embodiment, the washer inlet holder  100  is molded integrally with the upper frame inner  21 , which provides the relatively simple structure and increases the assembling accuracy. Positioning work of positioning the washer inlet holder  100  relative to the upper frame inner  21  does not have to be performed, and the washer inlet  12  can easily be attached to the washer inlet holder  100 , which increases the attaching properties. In addition, compared with the washer inlet attaching structure in which the bracket is attached with the clip, the number of parts involved can be reduced. 
         [0039]    By the boundary portions  161 ,  162  being formed in the two locations, the strength of the washer inlet holder  100  itself can be increased. 
         [0040]    By the washer inlet holder  100  being made up of the first and second intermediate portions  120 ,  130 , and the washer inlet gripping portion  111  having the shape in which the strip-like member extends into the arc shape, the washer inlet  12  can be attached to the upper frame inner  21  only by inserting the washer inlet  12  into the washer inlet gripping portion  111 , and compared with the washer inlet attaching structure in which the bracket is attached with the clip, the attaching properties are increased. Further, the number of parts can be reduced. 
         [0041]    By the second arc portions  122   b,    132   b  being provided on the first and second intermediate portions  120 ,  130 , respectively, when the washer tube  16  is attached to the tube holding portion  140 , the washer tube  16  can be supported from therebelow, whereby the washer tube  16  can be attached to the washer inlet holder  100  in an ensured fashion. 
         [0042]    A washer inlet attaching structure according to a second embodiment of the invention will be described by reference to  FIGS. 4 ,  5 ,  6 ,  7 A and  7 B, and  8 A and  8 B. 
         [0043]      FIGS. 4 and 5  are perspective views of a washer inlet attaching structure according to a second embodiment of the invention,  FIG. 6  is a bottom view of the washer inlet attaching structure according to the second embodiment of the invention,  FIGS. 7A and 7B  are explanatory diagrams of the washer inlet attaching structure according to the second embodiment of the invention, of which  FIG. 7A  shows a state resulting before a washer inlet is attached and  7 B shows a state resulting after the washer inlet is attached, and  FIGS. 8A and 8B  are explanatory diagrams of a cap&#39;s open-state holding tool included in the washer inlet attaching structure according to the second embodiment of the invention, of which  FIG. 8A  shows a state in which an opening in the washer inlet is closed by a cap and  FIG. 8B  shows a state in the opening in the washer inlet is opened. In  FIGS. 4 ,  5 ,  6 ,  7 A and  7 B, and  8 A and  8 B, a line with an arrow FR denotes a direction of the front of the vehicle, and a line with an arrow ER denotes a direction of an interior of an engine compartment. In  FIGS. 4 ,  5 ,  7 A and  7 B, and  8 A and  8 B, a line with an arrow UP denotes a direction oriented upwards of the vehicle. 
         [0044]    This second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the opening location of the washer inlet gripping portion included in the washer inlet attaching structure of the latter is changed, the shapes of the first and second connecting portion in the same attaching structure are changed and a cap&#39;s open-state holder is additionally provided to the attaching structure and has the same component elements (including the tube holding portion) other than those changed and added. 
         [0045]    In the second embodiment, like reference numerals will be given to like constituent elements to those of the washer inlet attaching structure according to the first embodiment that has been described above, and the description thereof will be omitted. 
         [0046]    As is shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , a washer inlet attaching structure of this embodiment has a washer inlet attachment  200  which is formed integrally with an upper frame inner  21 . The upper frame inner  21  and the washer inlet attachment  200  are molded of a resin. 
         [0047]    The washer inlet attachment  200  has a washer inlet gripping portion  211 , a first intermediate portion  220 , a second intermediate portion  230 , a tube holding portion  140 , and a cap&#39;s open-state holder  250 . 
         [0048]    The washer inlet gripping portion  211  is molded as looking like a strip-like member extends into an arc-like shape. Specifically, the washer inlet gripping portion  211  is molded into a shape in which an inner wall portion  211  thereof contacts a circumferential wall portion  12   a  of a washer inlet  12  (refer to  FIGS. 7A and 7B , and  FIGS. 8A and 8B ) in a circumferential direction thereof. Both end portions  211   c,    211   d  of the washer inlet gripping portion  211  are spaced apart at a side which faces the front of the vehicle. Namely, the washer inlet gripping portion  211  is molded into a shape in which the washer inlet gripping portion is opened at the side which faces the front of the vehicle. Further, the washer inlet gripping portion  211  is molded into a shape in which the washer inlet gripping portion  211  extends outwards while being bent in that direction in the vicinity of the one end portion  211   d.  By this configuration, when the washer inlet  12  is attached to the washer inlet gripping portion  211 , the washer inlet  12  is restrained from being caught at the one end portion  211   d  as a result of being brought into contact therewith. As a result, the washer inlet  12  can be smoothly guided into the washer inlet gripping portion  211  from a front side of the vehicle so that the washer inlet  12  can easily be attached to the washer inlet gripping portion  211 . 
         [0049]    The washer inlet gripping portion  211  connects to the upper frame inner  21  via the first intermediate portion  220  and the second intermediate portion  230 . A distal end portion of the tube holding portion  140  connects to an outer wall portion  211 e of the washer inlet gripping portion  211 . The cap&#39;s open-state holder  250  is molded integrally with the washer inlet gripping portion  211  in a position on the outer wall portion  211   e  of the washer inlet gripping portion  21  which lies to confront the tube holding portion  140 . 
         [0050]    The first intermediate portion  220  is such as to be interposed between the washer inlet gripping portion  211  and the upper frame inner  21 . The first intermediate portion  220  is molded into a plate-like shape and is made up of two members such as an intermediate member  221  and a reinforcement member  223 . A boundary portion  261  between one end portion side of the intermediate member  221  and a side wall portion  21 a of the upper frame inner  21  is formed rectilinearly. The other end portion side of the intermediate member  221  connects to the outer wall portion  211   e  of the washer inlet gripping portion  211 . The reinforcement member  223  connects to a lower portion of the intermediate member  221 , a lower wall portion  21   b  of the upper frame inner  21 , and a lower portion  211   b  of the washer inlet gripping portion  221  and is such as to function as a reinforcement member of the intermediate member  221 . A boundary portion  263  between the one end portion side of the reinforcement member  223  and the lower wall portion  21   b  of the upper frame inner  21  is formed rectilinearly. By the boundary portions  261 ,  263  being formed rectilinearly in the way described above, the rigidity at the boundary portions  261 ,  263  can be ensured. 
         [0051]    An upper wall portion  222  of the intermediate member  221  has an inclined portion  222   a  which is formed to extend from one end portion side (a side facing the upper frame inner  21 ) to the other end portion side (a side facing the washer inlet gripping portion  211 ) while extending obliquely downwards of the vehicle. Further, the upper wall portion  222  of the intermediate member  221  has an arc portion  222   b  which is formed into an arc-like shape which continues to the inclined portion  222   a  and extends from the one end portion side (the side facing the upper frame inner  21 ) to the other end portion side (the side facing the washer inlet gripping portion  211 ) so as to project downwards of the vehicle. In addition, the arc portion  222   b  constitutes a tube supporting portion for supporting a washer tube, which will be described in detail later. 
         [0052]    As with the first intermediate portion  220 , the second intermediate portion  230  is such as to be interposed between the washer inlet gripping portion  211  and the upper frame inner  21 . The second intermediate portion  230  is molded into a plate-like shape, is molded in a position lying further rearwards than the first intermediate portion  220  in the vehicle longitudinal direction, and is made up of two members such as an intermediate member  231  and a reinforcement member  233 . A boundary portion  262  between one end portion side of the intermediate member  231  and the side wall portion  21   a  of the upper frame inner  21  is formed rectilinearly. The other end portion side of the intermediate member  231  connects to the outer wall portion  211   e  of the washer inlet gripping portion  211 . The reinforcement member  233  connects to a lower portion of the intermediate member  231 , the lower wall portion  21   b  of the upper frame inner  21  and the lower portion  211   b  of the washer inlet gripping portion  211  and is such as to function as a reinforcement material of the intermediate member  231 . A boundary portion  264  between one end portion side of the reinforcement member  233  and the lower wall portion  21   b  of the upper frame inner  21  is also formed rectilinearly. By the boundary portions  262 ,  264  being formed rectilinearly, the rigidity at the boundary portions  262 ,  264  can be ensured. 
         [0053]    An upper wall portion  232  of the intermediate member  231  has an inclined portion  232   a  which is formed to extend from one end portion side (a side facing the upper frame inner  21 ) to the other end portion side (a side facing the washer inlet gripping portion  211 ) while extending obliquely downwards of the vehicle. Further, the upper wall portion  232  of the intermediate member  221  has an arc portion  232   b  which is formed into an arc-like shape which continues to the inclined portion  232   a  and extends from the one end portion side (the side facing the upper frame inner  21 ) to the other end portion side (the side facing the washer inlet gripping portion  211 ) so as to project downwards of the vehicle. In addition, the second arc portion  232   b  constitutes a tube supporting portion for supporting the washer tube, which will be described in detail later. 
         [0054]    A distance L 1  between the boundary portions  261  and the boundary portion  262  that have been described above is, as is shown in  FIG. 6 , becomes almost the same as a diameter D 1  of the washer inlet  12 . In other words, the two boundary portions  261 ,  262  are separated by the distance almost equal to the diameter D 1  of the washer inlet  12 . By this configuration, the holding rigidity of the washer inlet attachment  200  is increased. 
         [0055]    Here, work of attaching the washer inlet  12  to the upper frame inner  21  by the use of the washer inlet attaching structure which is configured as has been described heretofore will be described by reference to  FIGS. 7A and 7B . 
         [0056]    Firstly, as is shown in  FIG. 7A , the washer inlet  12  is positioned at the vehicle front side of the washer inlet gripping portion  211 . Following this, as is shown in  FIG. 7B , the washer inlet  12  is attached to the washer inlet gripping portion  211 . In addition, the washer tube  16  is positioned below the horizontal portion  141  of the tube holding portion  140  and is positioned above the arc portion  222   b  of the first intermediate portion  220  and above the arc portion  232   b  of the second intermediate portion  230 . 
         [0057]    Thus, the washer inlet  12  is held in the washer inlet gripping portion  211 , and the washer tube  16  is supported by the tube holding portion  140  and the arc portions  222   b,    232   b.  In other words, the washer inlet  12  and the washer tube  16  are fixed to the upper frame inner  21  by the washer inlet attachment  200 . 
         [0058]    As is shown in  FIGS. 4 ,  5 ,  6 , the cap&#39;s open-state holder  250  is formed substantially into a box shape which is opened upwards. The cap&#39;s open-state holder  250  has a hinge accommodation portion  251  which accommodates the hinge  14  in a cap closed state. Further, the cap&#39;s open-state holder  250  has projecting portions  255 ,  256  which locks and supports the hinge  14  in a cap open state. The hinge accommodation portion  251  is surrounded by side wall portions  252 ,  253 , a supporting portion  254  and the projecting portions  255 ,  256 . The side wall portions  252  are molded in such a manner as to connect to the outer wall portion  211   e  of the washer inlet gripping portion  211 . The side wall portion  252  and the side wall portion  253  are molded in such a manner as to confront each other. The side wall portions  252 ,  253  are formed into plate-like shapes, in which a proximal end portion side (a side facing the washer inlet gripping portion  211 ) is made higher than a distal end portion side. The supporting portion  254  is molded in such a manner as to connect to the side wall portions  252 ,  253  between the proximal end portion side and the distal end portion side of the side wall portions  252 ,  253 . The projecting portions  255 ,  256  are molded in such a manner as to connect to the side wall portions  252 ,  253 , respectively. The projecting portion  255  and the projecting portion  256  are molded in such a manner as to confront each other and are molded in such a manner that distal ends thereof are spaced apart from each other. The side wall portion  252  and the side wall portion  253  connect to the side wall portion  257  at distal ends thereof. A bottom wall portion  258  is connected to lower portions at the proximal end portion side (the side facing the washer inlet gripping portion  211 ) of the side wall portion  252  and the side wall portion  253 . 
         [0059]    By the cap&#39;s open-state holder  250  that is configured as has been described above being molded in such a manner as to connect to the washer inlet gripping portion  211 , as is shown in  FIG. 8A , with the opening at the upper end of the washer inlet  12  closed by the cap  13 , the hinge  14  is accommodated in the hinge accommodating portion  251 . In addition, as is shown in  FIG. 8B , when the opening  12   b  at the upper end of the washer inlet  12  is opened, the cap  13  is removed from the opening  12   b  of the washer inlet  12 , and the hinge  14  is inclined at an angle larger than about 90 degrees, whereby the hinge  14  is locked and held by the projecting portions  255 ,  256 , whereby the state is maintained in which the opening  12   b  at the upper end of the washer inlet  12  is opened. This allows a windshield washer fluid to be poured into the washer tank main body through the washer inlet  12 . 
         [0060]    Consequently, according to the washer inlet attaching structure according to the embodiment, as with the washer inlet attaching structure according to the first embodiment, the washer inlet attaching structure becomes a relatively simple structure, and the assembling accuracy is increased. The washer inlet holder  200  does not have to be positioned relative to the upper frame inner  21 , and hence, the washer  12  can easily be attached to the washer inlet holder  200 , this increasing the attaching properties. In addition, compared with the washer inlet attaching structure in which the bracket is attached by the clip, the number of component elements can be reduced. 
         [0061]    Further, with the cap&#39;s open-state holder  250  provided, when pouring the windshield washer fluid into the washer tank, the cap  13  can be held opened, whereby pouring work of the windshield washer fluid can be performed with good efficiency, thereby making it possible to increase the working properties. 
         [0062]    While the invention has been described using the washer inlet attaching structure in which the washer inlet  12  is attached to the upper frame inner  21 , the invention can also be applied to a washer inlet attaching structure in which the washer inlet is attached to other vehicle structural bodies than the upper frame. While the invention has been described using the washer inlet attaching structure having the intermediate portions  120 ,  130 ,  220 ,  230  which are made up of the intermediate members  121 ,  131 ,  221 ,  222  and the reinforcement members  123 ,  133 ,  223 ,  233 , the invention can also be applied to a washer inlet attaching structure having intermediate portions made up of intermediate members. Even with these washer inlet attaching structures, the same functions and advantages as those of the washer inlet attaching structures according to the first and second embodiments can be provided. 
         [0063]    Since the washer inlet attaching structure according to the invention increases the attaching properties by the relatively simple structures, the invention can extremely usefully be made use of in the automotive industry.

Technology Classification (CPC): 1