JP2003146047A - Vehicular front structure - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a vehicular front structure capable of leading a sufficient amount of air into an air box and securing convenience of inspection work. SOLUTION: The air box 5 for leading outside air into an air conditioner unit (not illustrated) attached to a vehicle cabin side is provided in a vehicular front part space formed by a radiator core support 2 and side face parts 10 and 10 positioned in the right and left. The air box 5 is provided with a connection opening 13 for introducing an outside air leading-in opening 12 for leading in the outside air to the air conditioner unit. The outside air leading-in opening 12 is formed in an upper part of the air box 5 so as to face a vehicular upward direction, and an inspection apparatus 14 composed of electrical components and replenishing tanks 24 and 25 or the like is provided in the outside air leading-in opening 12. The inspection apparatus 14 is installed on an attachment member 15 suspended between opening rims of the outside air leading-in opening 12 and it is housed in an air box 5 interior.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a vehicle front structure, and more particularly to a vehicle front structure provided with an air box for introducing outside air into a vehicle compartment.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, many vehicles have been made in which a front window glass is provided near the front of the vehicle to shorten the length of the engine room in the front-rear direction to secure a wide vehicle compartment space. In such a vehicle structure, since the air box for the air conditioner is located below the windshield installed near the front of the vehicle, it is difficult to take in outside air directly from the air box.

Therefore, for example, the actual Kaihei 4-57415 is used.
As in the invention disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. JP-A-2003-264, an outside air introducing air box for introducing outside air is separately provided between the rear end portion of the front hood and the front end portion of the front windshield, and the outside air introducing air box and the front An outside air introduction structure has been proposed in which outside air is introduced into an air conditioner by connecting a duct with an air box located below the windshield.

In this outside air introducing structure, the outside air introducing air box covers the rear portion of the engine room, which causes a problem that the work efficiency of engine maintenance is lowered. For example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 111211/1999. According to the invention disclosed in No. 2, an opening for introducing outside air (hereinafter referred to as an opening for introducing outside air) is provided at one end of the duct, and the opening for introducing outside air is a rear end portion of the front hood and a front end portion of the front windshield. It was possible to avoid the above-mentioned problem by using the outside air introduction structure in which the duct is arranged so as to be located between the and.

[0005]

However, even when the outside air introducing structure provided with the duct as described above is used, the front windshield is arranged toward the front of the vehicle to make the front-rear length of the front portion of the vehicle extremely short. Replenishment of electrical components such as fuses and relays and brake oil, radiator water, washer fluid, etc. to the vehicle front space of vehicles that do not have an engine installed in the vehicle front space such as midship cars If a device such as a tank that requires inspection (hereinafter referred to as “inspection device”) is placed, it is difficult to secure a sufficient opening area for the outside air introduction opening because the front space of the vehicle is narrow. There was a problem that it was not possible to introduce fresh outside air into the air box.

If a duct having a sufficient opening area for introducing outside air is installed in the vehicle front space, it is necessary to assemble the inspection device in the limited vehicle front space where the duct is not arranged. The assembling work becomes difficult, and it is difficult to arrange the inspection device so that the inspection work can be performed efficiently, which may hinder the inspection work.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and it is possible to introduce sufficient air into the air box and to ensure the convenience of assembling and inspecting inspection equipment. An object is to provide a vehicle front structure.

[0008]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the vehicle front structure according to claim 1 is provided with an air box for introducing outside air into the vehicle compartment, and the air box is provided with a device requiring inspection. It is characterized in that it is provided in front of the vehicle from the front end of the windshield.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, by providing a device requiring inspection in the air box for introducing the outside air, it is possible to introduce a sufficient amount of outside air without worrying about the installation space of the device requiring inspection. Thus, the air box can be installed in the front space of the vehicle so that the installation space for the device can be easily secured.
Further, since the device is provided in front of the vehicle from the front end portion of the windshield, it becomes possible to easily assemble the device and inspect the vehicle using the device.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an outside air introducing opening for introducing outside air and a connecting opening for introducing the introduced outside air into the vehicle compartment, and the device is provided in the outside air introducing opening. The vehicle front structure according to claim 1 is provided.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, since the device is provided in the outside air introduction opening of the air box, it becomes possible to more easily perform the assembly of the device and the inspection work using the device.

According to a third aspect of the invention, the air passage area obtained by subtracting the installation area of the device from the opening area of the outside air introducing opening is larger than the opening area of the connecting opening.
The vehicle front structure described in 1.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, by providing an air passage area larger than the opening area of the connection opening, an air volume equal to or larger than the outside air volume passing through the connection opening is secured in the outside air introduction opening. As a result, it is possible to introduce a sufficient amount of outside air into the vehicle interior.

The invention according to claim 4 is characterized in that the outside air introducing opening is provided in an upper portion of the air box, and a cover member having a slit is provided above the outside air introducing opening. 3 is a vehicle front structure described in 3.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the external introduction opening is provided in the upper part of the air box, and the slit is provided above the opening so that a sufficient amount of air can be introduced into the vehicle compartment through the slit. In addition to being possible, it is possible to prevent rainwater, dust, and the like from entering the air box.

The invention according to claim 5 is the vehicle front structure according to claim 4, wherein the opening area of the slit is larger than the opening area of the connecting opening.

According to the fifth aspect of the invention, the opening area larger than the opening area of the connecting opening is formed by the slit, so that an air volume equal to or larger than the outside air volume passing through the connecting opening is secured through the opening of the slit. You can
It becomes possible to introduce a sufficient amount of outside air into the vehicle interior.

The invention according to claim 6 is the vehicle according to claim 4 or claim 5, wherein the slit is provided at a position facing a portion of the outside air introduction opening where the device is not installed. It has a front structure.

According to the sixth aspect of the invention, it is possible to prevent rainwater, dust, and the like that enter from the opening of the slit from directly contacting the device.

The invention according to claim 7 comprises a waterproof and dustproof member which is located between the device and the slit and which is used for dustproofing or waterproofing of the device. The vehicle front structure described in 1.

According to the invention described in claim 7, by providing the waterproof and dustproof member, it is possible to prevent rainwater, dust and the like entering from the opening of the slit from directly contacting the device.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, the outside air introduction opening and the device are attached to a radiator core support that holds a radiator and a cowl top member that is installed between the left and right front pillars. The vehicle front structure according to any one of claims 2 to 7.

According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, the outside air introduction opening of the air box and the device can be attached to the radial core support and the cowl top member at the same time, thereby reducing the installation work time and the installation labor. It is possible to plan.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, the device is provided with a harness for connecting to the electrical equipment, and the harness is provided with a connector that allows the electrical equipment to be detached and attached, and the connector is the outside air. The vehicle front structure according to claim 8, which is installed outside the introduction opening.

According to the ninth aspect of the invention, since the harness can be easily removed from the electrical equipment by the connector provided in the equipment, the air box can be easily attached and detached. Furthermore, since the connector portion is installed outside the outside air introduction opening, it is possible to prevent rainwater, dust, etc. that enter the outside air introduction opening from coming into contact with the connector portion.

[0026]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a vehicle having a vehicle front structure according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a front pillar 1, a radial core support 2, a cowl top member 3, and an air box 5. A front hood 6 and a cowl cover 8 are provided. This vehicle has a mid-ship type vehicle structure having an engine in the center of the vehicle, and the vehicle front-rear length from the front end of the windshield 9 to the front end of the vehicle is extremely short.

The front pillars 1 are formed integrally with the side surface portion 10 of the vehicle and are installed in a pair on the left and right sides of the vehicle. A front windshield 9 is installed on the front pillar 1, and the front end portion of the front windshield 9 is
The cowl top member 3 is provided on the left and right front pillars 1 and 1 along the front edge of the front windshield 9.
Has been installed in.

A radiator core support 2 having an opening for installing a radiator 11 in the center is attached to the vehicle front end of the side portion 10 formed integrally with the front pillar 1.

An air for introducing outside air into an air conditioner unit (not shown) mounted on the vehicle compartment side is provided in a vehicle front space formed by the radial core support 2 and the side portions 10 and 10 located on the left and right sides. Box 5 is provided. The air box 5 includes an outside air introduction opening 12 for introducing outside air and a connection opening 13 for introducing the introduced outside air into the air conditioner unit. The outside air introduction opening 12 is formed in the upper part of the air box 5 so as to face the upper side of the vehicle, and the outside air introduction opening 12 has electrical components such as fuses and relays, and brake oil, radiator water, washer fluid, and the like. Replenishment tank 2
An inspection device 14 including 4, 25 and the like is provided.

The inspection device 14 is installed in a mounting member 15 provided on the opening edge of the outside air introducing opening 12 and is housed inside the air box 5. A harness 16 for connecting to an electrical device (not shown) provided in the vehicle body is provided in an electrical component such as a fuse or a relay of the inspection device 14. A connector 18 is provided at the end of the harness 16.
The inspection device 14 has a structure that can be easily attached to and detached from the electrical equipment by using the connector 18. The harness 16 is extended to the outside of the outside air introduction opening 12, and the connector 18 is provided outside the outside air introduction opening 12.

A vehicle body bracket 17 for fixing the mounting member 15 is provided on the radio core support 2 and the cowl top member 3, and the mounting member 15 is a fastening member 17a.
It is fixed to the vehicle body bracket 17 by.

A front hood 6 is attached to the radiator core support 2 and the cowl top member 3. A hood opening 19 that faces the outside air introduction opening 12 of the air box 5 is provided on the upper surface of the front hood 6, and a cowl cover 8 having a slit 20 is installed in the hood opening 19. ing.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view in which the slit 20 and the air box 5 are cut perpendicularly to the vehicle width direction. As shown in FIG. 3, the slit 20 provided in the cowl cover 8 is
It is provided right above the outside air introducing opening 12 in accordance with the shape of the outside air introducing opening 12. However, the slit 20 is not provided directly above the inspection device 14, and an uneven plate portion (pseudo slit) 21 imitating the slit 20 is provided. A partition member 22 extending vertically downward is provided on the slit side edge portion 21a of the uneven plate portion 21,
The opening of the slit 20 and the inspection device 14 are partitioned by the partition member 22. Further, the outside air introduction opening 12
A seal member 8a that closes the gap between the opening edge and the cowl cover 8 is attached to the cowl cover 8 above the opening edge.

In FIG. 3, A1 indicates the opening area of the connecting opening portion 13, and ΔA2a to ΔA2c indicate the area of each opening formed by the inner wall surface of the outside air introducing opening 12 and the side wall surface of the inspection tool 14. , ΔA3 is one slit 2
The opening area of 0 is shown.

When the air passage area of the outside air obtained by subtracting the installation area of the inspection device 14 from the opening area of the outside air introduction opening 12 is A2, the air passage area A2 = ΔA2a + ΔA2b + ΔA2c. The outside air introduction opening 12 is formed so that the air passage area A2 is larger than the opening area A1 of the connection opening 13.

If the sum of the opening areas ΔA3 of the slits 20 provided on the cowl cover 8 (hereinafter referred to as “opening area of all slits”) is A3, A3 = ΣΔ
It becomes A3. The slits 20 are formed in the cowl cover 8 so that the opening areas A3 of all the slits are larger than the opening areas A1 of the connecting openings.

In the vehicle having the vehicle front structure as described above, since the inspection device 14 is provided in the outside air introduction opening 12 of the air box, the outside air introduction opening 12 of the air box is widened to make the air conditioner unit. In addition to being able to introduce a sufficient amount of outside air, it is possible to easily secure an installation space for the inspection device 14.

Further, the inspection device 14 is provided with the opening 1 for introducing the outside air.
By installing the inspection device 14 in No. 2, the inspection device 14 can be easily assembled, and the inspection work using the inspection device 14 can be easily performed.

When the outside air is introduced into the air conditioner unit, the outside air passing through each slit 20 passes through the opening formed by the inner wall surface of the outside air introducing opening 12 and the side wall surface of the inspection tool 14. It is guided to the connection opening 13. At this time, since the opening area A3 and the air passage area A2 of all the slits are larger than the opening area A1 of the connecting opening 13, the outside air having a sufficient air volume should be sent to the connecting opening 13. Is possible.

Further, since the cowl cover 8 having the slit 20 is provided above the outside air introduction opening 12, the slit 20 can take in sufficient outside air to be introduced into the air conditioner unit. It is possible to prevent rainwater and dust from entering the air box.

Further, by the partition member 22, the inspection device 1
Since the slit 4 and the opening of the slit 20 are partitioned, it is possible to prevent rainwater, dust, and the like entering from the opening of the slit 20 from directly contacting the inspection device.

Further, since the mounting member 15 installed on the outside air introduction opening 12 is mounted on the radial core support 2 and the cowl top member 3 via the vehicle body bracket 17, the mounting member 15 should be mounted. Thus, the inspection device 14 and the outside air introduction opening 12 can be attached to the radio core support 2 and the cowl top member 3 at the same time, and the attachment work time and the attachment labor can be reduced.

[0044]

In the vehicle front structure according to the first aspect of the present invention, the air box for introducing the outside air is provided with a device that needs to be inspected, so that a sufficient amount of outside air can be introduced without having to worry about the installation space of the device. As a result, the air box can be installed in the front space of the vehicle, and the installation space for the device can be easily secured. Further, since the device is provided in front of the vehicle from the front end portion of the windshield, it becomes possible to easily assemble the device and inspect the vehicle using the device.

In the vehicle front structure according to claim 2,
Since the device is provided in the outside air introduction opening of the air box, it is possible to more easily perform the assembly of the device and the vehicle inspection work using the device.

In the vehicle front structure according to claim 3,
By providing an air passage area that is larger than the opening area of the connection opening, it is possible to secure a volume of air in the outside air introduction opening that is equal to or larger than the amount of outside air passing through the connection opening, and a sufficient amount of outside air can be introduced into the passenger compartment. It becomes possible to introduce.

In the vehicle front structure according to claim 4,
By providing an external introduction opening in the upper part of the air box and providing a slit above it, it is possible to introduce a sufficient amount of outside air into the vehicle interior and prevent rain and dust from entering the air box. Can be suppressed.

In the vehicle front structure according to claim 5,
By forming a larger opening area than the opening area of the connecting opening by the slit, it is possible to secure a volume of air at the opening of the slit that is equal to or larger than the amount of outside air passing through the connecting opening, and to secure a sufficient amount of outside air. It can be installed in the passenger compartment.

In the vehicle front structure according to claim 6,
It is possible to prevent rainwater, dust, and the like entering from the opening of the slit from directly contacting the device.

In the vehicle front structure according to claim 7,
By providing the waterproof and dustproof member, it is possible to prevent rainwater, dust, and the like that enter from the opening of the slit from directly contacting the device.

In the vehicle front structure according to claim 8,
The outside air introduction opening of the air box and the device can be attached to the radial core support and the front pillar at the same time, and the attachment work time and the attachment labor can be reduced.

In the vehicle front structure according to claim 9,
Since the harness provided on the device can easily remove the harness from the electrical device, the air box can be easily attached and detached. Furthermore, since the connector is installed outside the outside air introduction opening, it is possible to prevent rainwater, dust, etc. entering the outside air introduction opening from coming into contact with the connector.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a vehicle front portion of a vehicle having a vehicle front structure according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the cross section AA shown in FIG. 1 as seen from the side of the vehicle.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the BB cross section shown in FIG. 1 as viewed from the rear of the vehicle.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 front pillar 2 Radio core support 3 cowl top members 5 air boxes 6 front hood 8 cowl covers 9 windshield 12 Opening for introducing outside air 13 Connection opening 14 Inspection equipment (equipment requiring inspection) 15 Mounting member 17 Body bracket 16 harness 18 connectors 20 slits 21 uneven plate part 22 Partition member (waterproof and dustproof member) 24 Washer fluid replenishment tank 25 Brake oil replenishment tank

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Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. A vehicle front structure comprising an air box for introducing outside air into a vehicle compartment, and a device requiring inspection is provided in the air box so as to be located in front of a front end portion of a windshield. . 2. The air box has an outside air introduction opening for introducing outside air and a connection opening for guiding the introduced outside air into a vehicle compartment, and the device is provided in the outside air introduction opening. The vehicle front structure according to claim 1, wherein: 3. The vehicle front according to claim 2, wherein an air passage area obtained by subtracting the installation area of the device from the opening area of the outside air introduction opening is larger than the opening area of the connection opening. Construction. 4. The outside air introducing opening is provided in an upper portion of the air box, and a cover member having a slit is provided above the outside air introducing opening.
Alternatively, the vehicle front structure according to claim 3. 5. The vehicle front structure according to claim 4, wherein an opening area of the slit is larger than an opening area of the connection opening. 6. The vehicle front structure according to claim 4, wherein the slit is provided at a position facing a portion of the outside air introduction opening where the device is not installed. . 7. The waterproof / dustproof member provided between the device and the slit for dustproofing or waterproofing the device, according to any one of claims 4 to 6. Vehicle front structure. 8. The opening for introducing the outside air and the device,
The vehicle front structure according to any one of claims 2 to 7, wherein the vehicle front structure is attached to a radiator core support that holds a radiator and a cowl top member that is installed between the left and right front pillars. 9. The device includes a harness for connecting to an electric device, and the harness is provided with a connector capable of being attached to and detached from the electric device, and the connector is provided in the opening for introducing the outside air. The vehicle front structure according to claim 8, wherein the vehicle front structure is installed outside.