JP2006219049A - Above-vehicle air flow control device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce air resistance of a car body when there is no side wind available, and improve the traveling stability of a vehicle when there is a side wind. <P>SOLUTION: A right and a left front pillar opening parts 30 and 32 and a right and a left rear pillar opening parts 70 and 72 are respectively closed with movable covers 34 and 74. A control circuit 50 selectively opens the right and the left front pillar opening parts 30 and 32 and the right and the left rear pillar opening parts 70 and 72 that are closed with the movable covers 34 and 74 depending on the direction of the wind in case where car speed is set speed or more, and as the speed of the side wind is set wind speed or over. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention is applied to a vehicle such as an automobile, and relates to a vehicle upper air flow control device for controlling wind pressure acting on a vehicle body.

Conventionally, in an automobile, a member having a closed cross-sectional shape extending in the left-right direction or the front-rear direction is provided on the vehicle body, and the outer surface of at least two of the left and right portions of the front portion of the vehicle body and the left and right portions of the rear portion of the vehicle body There has been proposed a structure in which members having a closed cross-sectional shape communicate with each other as a ventilation path (see, for example, Patent Document 1). According to this, the generation of the yawing moment due to the cross wind is suppressed by forming the air port for taking in the outside air at the location where the wind pressure is high and passing it through the ventilation path and discharging it from the location where the wind pressure is low.
JP-A-7-215245

  However, in the apparatus of Patent Document 1, all the air ports are always open. As a result, when there is no crosswind, the airflow is disturbed by these air openings, and the air resistance of the vehicle body increases.

  In view of the above facts, an object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle upper airflow control device that can reduce the air resistance of the vehicle body when there is no crosswind and can improve the running stability of the vehicle when there is a crosswind. .

  According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a vehicle upper airflow control device including a front pillar opening formed in each of left and right front pillars of a vehicle body, a rear pillar opening formed in each of the left and right rear pillars of the vehicle body, An air passage that communicates between the front pillar opening and the left and right rear pillar openings, each cover member that is attached so that the left and right front pillar openings and the left and right rear pillar openings can be opened and closed, and the cover member Driving means for driving the vehicle, vehicle speed detecting means for detecting the vehicle speed, wind detecting means for detecting the wind direction and wind speed with respect to the vehicle body, and when the vehicle speed detected by the vehicle speed detecting means is equal to or higher than a predetermined value, the wind detecting means detects Based on the wind direction and wind speed, the cover member is selectively opened by the driving means to reduce the pressure difference around the vehicle. And having a means.

  The control means selectively drives each cover member by the driving means based on the wind direction and the wind speed with respect to the vehicle body detected by the wind detecting means when the vehicle speed detected by the vehicle speed detecting means is equal to or higher than a predetermined value. The pillar opening and the left and right rear pillar opening are selectively opened to reduce the pressure difference between the front, rear, left and right sides of the vehicle body. In addition, the control means closes the left and right front pillar openings and the left and right rear pillar openings by the respective cover members when the above conditions are not satisfied, and the turbulence of the traveling wind is caused by each opening, and the air resistance of the vehicle body To prevent the increase.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the vehicle upper airflow control device according to the first aspect, the cover member that covers the front pillar opening functions as a wind guide member that guides the wind to the front pillar opening when opened. It is characterized by doing.

  In addition to the content of claim 1, the cover member that covers the front pillar opening acts as a wind guide member that guides the wind to the front pillar opening when opened, so that the amount of wind blown into the front pillar opening is reduced. As the air flow increases, the amount of wind blown from the other openings increases, so that the pressure difference between the front, rear, left and right of the vehicle body side surface further decreases.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the vehicle upper air flow control device according to any one of the first and second aspects, the cover member that covers the rear pillar opening portion is configured to generate a wind blown from the rear pillar opening portion when opened. It functions as an air guide member that leads to the rear of the vehicle body.

  In addition to the content described in any one of claims 1 and 2, the cover member that covers the rear pillar opening functions as an air guide member that guides the wind blown from the rear pillar opening when opened to the rear of the vehicle body. As a result, the wind blown from the rear pillar opening smoothly flows toward the rear of the vehicle body along the cover member, so that a large amount of wind blows from the rear pillar opening, further reducing the pressure difference between the front, rear, left and right sides of the vehicle body.

  The vehicle upper airflow control device according to the first aspect of the present invention is configured as described above, so that the air resistance of the vehicle body can be reduced when there is no crosswind, and the running stability of the vehicle is improved when there is crosswind. it can.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the vehicle upper airflow control device according to the first aspect, the cover member that covers the front pillar opening functions as a wind guide member that guides the wind to the front pillar opening when opened. The running stability of the vehicle can be further improved.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the vehicle upper airflow control device according to any one of the first and second aspects, the cover member that covers the rear pillar opening portion causes the wind blown out from the rear pillar opening portion when the vehicle opens to the rear of the vehicle body. Since it acts as a wind guide member that leads to the vehicle, the running stability of the vehicle can be further improved.

  1st Embodiment of the vehicle upper airflow control apparatus in this invention is described according to FIGS.

  In the figure, the arrow UP indicates the vehicle body upward direction, the arrow FR indicates the vehicle body front upward direction, and the arrow IN indicates the vehicle width inside direction.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the shape of the vehicle body 10 of the vehicle in the present embodiment is a sedan, and left and right front pillars (also referred to as A pillars) 12 and 14 provided at the left and right front end portions of the passenger compartment, Left and right rear pillars (also called C pillars or quarter pillars) 16 and 18 provided at the left and right rear ends of the chamber.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the front pillar 12 on the left side of the vehicle body has a closed cross-section in a longitudinally perpendicular cross section with a pillar outer 20 constituting the vehicle body outer side portion of the front pillar 12 and a pillar inner 22 constituting the vehicle body inner side portion of the front pillar 12. It is configured. Further, the cross-sectional shape of the pillar outer 20 as viewed from the vehicle body up-down direction is an open cross-sectional shape with the opening directed toward the inside of the vehicle body, and joint flanges 20A and 20B are formed at the opening edge. On the other hand, the cross-sectional shape of the pillar inner 22 viewed from the vertical direction of the vehicle body is an open cross-sectional shape with the opening directed outward from the vehicle body, and joint flanges 22A and 22B are formed at the opening edge. The joining flanges 20 </ b> A and 20 </ b> B of the pillar outer 20 and the joining flanges 22 </ b> A and 22 </ b> B of the pillar inner 22 are joined together, and the inside of the front pillar 12 is a ventilation path 24.

  The base portion 20C of the pillar outer 20 has an arc shape in which a cross-sectional shape viewed from the vertical direction of the vehicle body bulges toward the outside of the vehicle body, and a front pillar opening 30 is formed at the front portion of the base portion 20C. . Further, the lower end portion of the ventilation path 24 is closed by the wall 31 in the vicinity of the lower portion of the front pillar opening 30.

  Note that an end portion 26A of the windshield glass 26 in the vehicle width direction is fixed to the front surface of the joining flange 20A of the pillar outer 20 with an adhesive 28.

  As shown by a broken line in FIG. 1, the front pillar opening 30 has a long longitudinal direction along the front pillar 12, and supports the front pillar 26 </ b> A of the windshield glass 26 in the vehicle width direction. 12 inclined portions 12A are formed over substantially the entire area in the vertical direction.

  As shown in FIG. 3, a movable cover 34 as a cover member is attached to the outer side of the vehicle body of the front pillar 12.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the movable cover 34 is attached to the outer side surface 20D of the base portion 20C of the pillar outer 20 so that the front pillar opening 30 can be completely closed.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the cross-sectional shape of the inner surface 34 </ b> A of the movable cover 34 viewed from the vertical direction of the vehicle body is an arc shape along the outer surface 20 </ b> D of the base portion 20 </ b> C of the pillar outer 20. Further, the vehicle body outer side surface 34B of the movable cover 34 is also formed in an arc shape along the outer surface 20D of the base portion 20C of the pillar outer 20, and traveling wind (arrow W0 in FIG. 4) is applied to the vehicle body outer surface 34B of the movable cover 34. The air resistance can be reduced by flowing along.

  As shown in FIG. 6, a guide rail 36 is formed along the inner side surface 20 </ b> E with the longitudinal direction thereof in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body in the vicinity of the front pillar opening 30 on the inner side surface 20 </ b> E of the base portion 20 </ b> C of the pillar outer 20. Has been. In these guide rails 36, tip portions 38A of guide bars 38 are slidably inserted, and the guide bars 38 are erected on both ends in the vertical direction on the inner surface 34A of the movable cover 34. A rack 40 is attached to the center of the movable cover 34 on the inner side surface 34A of the vehicle body in the vertical direction along the inner side surface 34A of the movable cover 34.

  On the other hand, a motor 42 as driving means is fixed by a bracket 44 in the vicinity of the rear side of the front pillar opening 30 on the inner side surface 20E of the base portion 20C of the pillar outer 20. A drive gear 46 is attached to the rotating shaft of the motor 42, and the drive gear 46 meshes with the rack 40.

  The motor 42 is connected to a control circuit 50 as control means, and is rotated forward or reverse by an output signal from the control circuit 50. Further, when the motor 42 rotates forward or backward, the rack 40 is moved by the drive gear 46, and the movable cover 34 opens the front pillar opening 30 (in the direction of arrow A in FIG. 6) and closes ( 6 (in the direction of arrow B in FIG. 6). At this time, the tip end portion 38 </ b> A of the guide bar 38 erected on the movable cover 34 slides in the guide rail 36.

  Accordingly, when the motor 42 rotates forward for a predetermined time and then stops, the movable cover 34 moves from the position for closing the front pillar opening 30 shown in FIG. 4 to the rear side of the vehicle body, and the front shown in FIG. The pillar opening 30 is moved to a position where it is opened.

  The front pillar 14 on the right side of the vehicle body has the same structure as the front pillar 12 on the left side of the vehicle body, and the front pillar 14 on the right side of the vehicle body is also provided with a front pillar opening 32 having a movable cover 34.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the rear pillar 16 on the left side of the vehicle body includes a pillar outer 60 that constitutes the vehicle body outer side portion of the rear pillar 16 and a pillar inner 62 that constitutes the vehicle body inner side portion of the rear pillar 16 so that the cross section at right angles is a closed cross section. Yes. Further, the cross-sectional shape of the pillar outer 60 viewed from the vehicle body vertical direction is an open cross-sectional shape with the opening directed toward the inside of the vehicle body, and joint flanges 60A and 60B are formed at the opening edge. On the other hand, the cross-sectional shape of the pillar inner 62 viewed from the vertical direction of the vehicle body is an open cross-sectional shape with the opening directed outward from the vehicle body, and joint flanges 62A and 62B are formed at the opening edge. The joining flanges 60 </ b> A and 60 </ b> B of the pillar outer 60 and the joining flanges 62 </ b> A and 62 </ b> B of the pillar inner 62 are joined to each other, and the interior of the rear pillar 16 is a ventilation path 64.

  A front portion 60D of the base portion 60C of the pillar outer 60 has a cross-sectional shape viewed from the vehicle body vertical direction that is a straight line extending in the vehicle body longitudinal direction, and a rear pillar opening 70 is formed in front of the front portion 60D. . Further, the lower end portion of the ventilation path 64 is closed by the wall 65 in the vicinity below the rear pillar opening 70.

  A vehicle width direction end portion 66 </ b> A of the rear window glass 66 is fixed to the rear side surface of the joint flange 60 </ b> B of the pillar outer 60 by an adhesive 68.

  As shown by a broken line in FIG. 1, the rear pillar opening 70 has a longitudinal direction extending along the rear pillar 16, and is formed over substantially the entire vertical direction of the rear pillar 16.

  As shown in FIG. 9, a movable cover 74 as a cover member is attached to the outer surface 60 </ b> E of the base portion 60 </ b> C of the pillar outer 60, and the movable cover 74 has a size that can completely close the rear pillar opening 70. Yes.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the sectional shape of the inner surface 74 </ b> A of the movable cover 74 viewed from the vehicle vertical direction is a straight line along the outer surface 60 </ b> E of the front portion 60 </ b> D in the base portion 60 </ b> C of the pillar outer 60. In addition, the outer surface 74B of the movable cover 74 has an arc shape, and the traveling wind (arrow W0 in FIG. 7) flows along the outer surface 74B of the movable cover 74, thereby reducing air resistance. It is like that. Further, as shown in FIG. 8, the wind blown from the rear pillar opening 70 (arrow W1 in FIG. 8) flows smoothly along the vehicle body outer surface 74B toward the rear of the vehicle body.

  As shown in FIG. 9, a guide rail 76 is formed in the longitudinal direction of the rear pillar opening 70 on the inner side surface 60 </ b> F of the base portion 60 </ b> C of the pillar outer 60 along the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body. The guide rails 76 are slidably inserted at the tip end portions 78A of the guide bars 78, and the guide bars 78 are erected on both ends in the vertical direction of the inner surface 74A of the movable cover 74. A rack 80 is attached to the movable cover 74 at the center in the vertical direction on the inner side surface 74A of the vehicle body along the vehicle front-rear direction.

  On the other hand, a motor 82 as a driving means is fixed by a bracket 84 in the vicinity of the rear side of the rear pillar opening 70 on the inner side surface 60F of the base portion 60C of the pillar outer 60. A drive gear 86 is attached to the rotating shaft of the motor 82, and the drive gear 86 meshes with the rack 80.

  The motor 82 is connected to the control circuit 50, and is rotated forward or backward by an output signal from the control circuit 50. Further, when the motor 82 rotates forward or backward, the rack 80 is moved by the drive gear 86, and the movable cover 74 opens the rear pillar opening 70 (in the direction of arrow C in FIG. 9) and closes in the direction (see FIG. 9 in the direction of arrow D). At this time, the tip end portion 78 </ b> A of the guide bar 78 erected on the movable cover 74 slides inside the guide rail 76.

  Accordingly, when the motor 82 rotates forward for a predetermined time and then stops, the movable cover 74 moves from the position for closing the rear pillar opening 70 shown in FIG. 8 to the rear side of the vehicle body, and the rear pillar opening shown in FIG. The part 70 is moved to a position where it is opened.

  The rear pillar 18 on the right side of the vehicle body has the same structure as the rear pillar 16 on the left side of the vehicle body, and the rear pillar 18 on the right side of the vehicle body is also provided with a rear pillar opening 72 having a movable cover 74.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a duct 88 serving as a ventilation path is attached between the roof panel 75 of the vehicle body 10 and a molded ceiling (not shown) that forms a ceiling portion of the passenger compartment. The front portion 88A of the duct 88 is attached below the front end portion 75A of the roof panel 75 along its longitudinal direction along the vehicle width direction, and from both ends in the vehicle width direction of the front portion 88A toward the rear of the vehicle body. The left part 88B and the right part 88C extend.

  A front portion 88A of the duct 88 connects the upper ends of the ventilation paths 24 of the left and right front pillars 12 and 14 to each other. The left side 88B of the duct 88 is attached below the left side end 75B of the roof panel 75 along the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body. The upper end of the ventilation path 64 of the rear pillar 16 is connected to each other. The right portion 88C of the duct 88 is attached below the right end portion 75C of the roof panel 75 along the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body. The upper end of the ventilation path 64 of the right rear pillar 18 is connected to each other.

  Therefore, the duct 88 connects all the four openings of the left and right front pillar openings 30 and 32 and the left and right rear pillar openings 70 and 72.

  A wind detection means and a front pressure sensor 92 are attached to a vehicle width direction central portion 90A of the front end portion of the hood 90 of the vehicle body 10, and the front portions 94A and 96A of the left and right front fender panels 94 and 96 of the vehicle body 10 are attached. Are provided with wind detecting means, left pressure sensor 98 and right pressure sensor 100, respectively. Further, the front pressure sensor 92, the left pressure sensor 98, and the right pressure sensor 100 are connected to the control circuit 50, and the pressure data detected by the front pressure sensor 92, the left pressure sensor 98, and the right pressure sensor 100 is controlled by the control circuit. 50 is read. The control circuit 50 is connected to a vehicle speed sensor 102 as vehicle speed detection means, and the control circuit 50 reads vehicle speed data detected by the vehicle speed sensor 102.

  Based on the pressure data read from the front pressure sensor 92, the left pressure sensor 98, and the right pressure sensor 100 and the vehicle speed data read from the vehicle speed sensor 102, the control circuit 50 wind direction of the traveling wind acting on the vehicle body 10 when the vehicle travels. On the basis of the result, the motors 42 and 82 provided in each pillar are selectively driven to selectively open and close the movable covers 34 and 74 provided in each pillar opening. ing.

  Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the control circuit 50 determines in step (hereinafter referred to as “S”) 200 whether or not the vehicle speed V is equal to or higher than the set speed V <b> 1 from the vehicle speed data detected by the vehicle speed sensor 102. If it is determined that V has not reached the set speed V1, in S202, the movable covers 34 of the left and right front pillars 12 and 14 and the movable covers 74 of the left and right rear pillars 16 and 18 are all closed.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in S200 that the vehicle speed V is equal to or higher than the set speed V1, the direction of the traveling wind is determined based on the pressure data read from the front pressure sensor 92, the left pressure sensor 98, and the right pressure sensor 100 in S204. Judge either one. That is, the relationship between each pressure data read from the front pressure sensor 92, the left pressure sensor 98, and the right pressure sensor 100 and the wind direction is obtained in advance by experiments or the like, and the wind direction is determined from these relationships stored in the control circuit 50 in advance. Determine.

  If it is determined in S204 that the wind is from the front of the vehicle body 10 (wind within a set angle range with respect to the vehicle body front), the movable covers 34 of the left and right front pillars 12 and 14 and the movable of the left and right rear pillars 16 and 18 are movable in S206. All the covers 74 are closed.

  As a result, the traveling wind W0 of the vehicle body (see FIGS. 4 and 7) causes the vehicle body outer surface 34B of the movable cover 34 of the left and right front pillars 12 and 14 and the vehicle body outer surface 74B of the movable cover 74 of the left and right rear pillars 16 and 18. And flow along. For this reason, the left and right front pillar openings 30 and 32 and the left and right rear pillar openings 70 and 72 do not disturb the traveling wind, so the air resistance of the vehicle body 10 can be reduced when there is no crosswind.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in S204 that the cross wind is obliquely forward from the left front of the vehicle body (an arrow W2 in FIG. 1), the front pressure sensor 92 and the left pressure sensor 98 are detected in S208. Based on the pressure data read from the right pressure sensor 100, the wind speed of the cross wind is calculated. That is, the relationship between each pressure data read from the front pressure sensor 92, the left pressure sensor 98, and the right pressure sensor 100 and the wind speed is obtained in advance by experiments or the like, and the wind speed is determined from these relationships stored in the control circuit 50 in advance. Is calculated. Further, it is determined whether or not the calculated wind speed S is equal to or higher than the set wind speed S1.

  If it is determined in S208 that the calculated wind speed S has not reached the set wind speed S1, the process proceeds to S206.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in S208 that the calculated wind speed S is equal to or higher than the set wind speed S1, the opening / closing control of the movable covers 34 of the left and right front pillars 12 and 14 and the movable cover 74 of the left and right rear pillars 16 and 18 is performed in S210. Do.

  At this time, as shown in FIG. 1, when the vehicle body 10 is traveling forward, a side wind (arrow W2 in FIG. 1) is generated, and if wind pressure acts on the vehicle body 10 from diagonally left front, the wind pressure acts. It is known that the left side surface 10A of the front portion of the vehicle body 10 is positive pressure, the right side surface 10B of the front portion is negative pressure, and the left side surface 10C and right side surface 10D of the rear portion of the vehicle body 10 are also negative pressure. Yes. It is also known that, at the rear part of the vehicle body 10, the left side surface 10C has a greater negative pressure tendency than the right side surface 10D.

  Therefore, in S210, the following control is performed.

  A predetermined drive signal is output to the motor 42 of the left front pillar 12, the motor 42 of the right front pillar 14, and the motor 82 of the left rear pillar 16, and the left and right front pillars 12, 14 movable cover 34 and the left The movable cover 74 of the rear pillar 16 is moved to open the left and right front pillar openings 30 and 32 and the left rear pillar opening 70. The right rear pillar opening 72 is closed.

  As a result, the wind on the front left side surface 10A of the vehicle body 10 where the wind pressure increases flows from the left front pillar opening 30 into the ventilation path 24 of the left front pillar 12 (arrow W3 in FIG. 1), and in front of the duct 88. The air passes through the portion 88A and blows out from the right front pillar opening 32 through the ventilation path 24 of the right front pillar 14. For this reason, in the absence of this blowout, the wind flowing along the outer surface of the right front pillar 14 is peeled off from the outer surface of the right front pillar 14 by this blowout, and the flow velocity is lowered, so that the front right side The tendency of the negative pressure on the surface 10B is reduced.

  Further, by opening the left rear pillar opening 74, a part of the wind W3 flowing from the left front pillar opening 30 (arrow W4 in FIG. 1) passes through the left part 88B of the duct 88 and passes through the left rear pillar. It blows out from the left rear pillar opening 70 to the rear left side surface 10C through 16 ventilation paths 64. For this reason, in the absence of this blowout, the wind flowing along the outer surface of the left rear pillar 16 is peeled off from the outer surface of the left rear pillar 16 by this blowout, and the flow velocity is lowered, so that the rear left side face 10C Negative pressure tends to be smaller.

  Further, by closing the right rear pillar opening 72, the yawing moment for increasing the vehicle body 10 generated by the cross wind W2 around the vertical axis P in the right direction (the direction of arrow A in FIG. 1) is increased. It is possible to eliminate the blowing of wind from the right rear pillar opening 72 to be caused and to increase the amount of wind blowing from the right front pillar opening 32 and the left rear pillar opening 70.

  Accordingly, the pressure difference between the front, rear, left and right of the side surface of the vehicle body generated by the cross wind W2 can be effectively reduced, so that the running stability of the vehicle can be improved.

  Similarly, in S204, when it is determined that the wind is a set angle or more than the set angle with respect to the front of the vehicle body, and the determined wind speed is S1 or more in S212, the motor 42 of the right front pillar 14 is determined in S214. A predetermined drive signal is output to the motor 42 of the left front pillar 12 and the motor 82 of the right rear pillar 18 to move the movable cover 34 of the left and right front pillars 12 and 14 and the movable cover 74 of the right rear pillar 18. Thus, the left and right front pillar openings 30, 32 and the right rear pillar opening 72 are opened, and the left rear pillar opening 70 is closed, thereby improving the running stability of the vehicle.

  Further, in the present embodiment, when there is no cross wind, the movable covers 34 and 74 are closed, and the front pillar openings 30 and 32 and the rear pillar openings 70 and 72 are concealed, so that the vehicle body 10 has an uncomfortable appearance quality. It can be.

  In the present embodiment, the front pillar openings 30 and 32 are formed over substantially the entire region of the inclined portion 12 </ b> A of the front pillar 12, and the rear pillar openings 70 and 72 are formed over substantially the entire region of the rear pillar 16. As a result, the area of each opening 30, 32, 70, 72 can be increased. For this reason, a large amount of wind can be flowed, and the running stability of the vehicle can be greatly improved.

  Next, a second embodiment of the vehicle upper air flow control device according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

  In addition, the same member as 1st Embodiment attaches | subjects the same code | symbol, and abbreviate | omits the description.

  As shown in FIG. 10, unlike the first embodiment, in this embodiment, the front end portion 34 </ b> C of the movable cover 34 in the left front pillar 12 is pivotally supported by the pillar outer 20 by the shaft 120, and is movable around the shaft 120. The cover 34 rotates from the position at which the front pillar opening 30 indicated by the solid line in FIG. 10 is closed to the front of the vehicle body (in the direction of arrow E in FIG. 10) and moves to the open position indicated by the two-dot chain line in FIG. It has become. Further, in the open position indicated by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 10, the movable cover 34 extends from the front pillar opening 30 toward the front of the vehicle body, and the movable cover 34 acts as a wind guide member, thereby A cross wind (arrow W5 in FIG. 10) blowing toward the front side of the vehicle body can be introduced into the front pillar opening 30.

  A gear 34B is formed on the outer peripheral portion of the front end portion 34B of the movable cover 34. The gear 34B meshes with a drive gear 46 of the motor 42, and the movable cover 34 is opened and closed by driving the motor 42. ing.

  The movable cover 34 of the right front pillar 14 has the same configuration.

  Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described.

  In the present embodiment, in addition to the effects of the first embodiment, when the movable cover 34 is moved to the open position indicated by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 10, the movable cover 34 moves forward from the front pillar opening 30 to the vehicle body. extend. As a result, the cross wind (arrow W5 in FIG. 10) blown toward the front of the vehicle body from the front pillar opening 30 can be introduced into the front pillar opening 30 by the movable cover 34. For this reason, the amount of wind blown into the front pillar opening 30 of the left front pillar 12 increases, and accordingly, from the front pillar opening 32 of the right front pillar 14 and the rear pillar opening 70 of the left rear pillar 16. The amount of wind blowing increases. Therefore, the pressure difference between the front, rear, left and right of the vehicle body side surface is further reduced, and the running stability of the vehicle is further improved.

  Next, a third embodiment of the vehicle upper air flow control device according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

  In addition, the same member as 1st Embodiment attaches | subjects the same code | symbol, and abbreviate | omits the description.

  As shown in FIG. 11, unlike the first embodiment, in this embodiment, the rear portion 74C of the movable cover 74 in the left rear pillar 16 is extended rearward of the vehicle body. Therefore, at the position where the rear pillar opening 70 shown by the solid line in FIG. 11 is opened, the rear portion 74C of the movable cover 74 projects linearly from the rear end of the front portion 60D of the pillar outer 60 toward the rear of the vehicle body. . Accordingly, the wind blown from the rear pillar opening 70 (arrow W6 in FIG. 11) flows along the vehicle body outer side surface 74E of the movable cover 74 acting as a wind guide member, so that a vortex flow occurs in the rear portion 60G of the base portion 60C of the pillar outer 60. Can be suppressed.

  The movable cover 74 of the right rear pillar 18 has the same configuration.

  Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described.

  In the present embodiment, in addition to the effects of the first embodiment, when the movable cover 74 is moved to a position where the rear pillar opening 70 shown by a solid line in FIG. It projects linearly from the rear end of 60D to the rear of the vehicle body. As a result, the wind blown from the rear pillar opening 70 (arrow W6 in FIG. 11) smoothly flows toward the rear of the vehicle body along the vehicle body outer surface 74E of the movable cover 74, and becomes a vortex flow at the rear portion 60G of the base portion 60C of the pillar outer 60. As a result, a large amount of wind blows out from the rear pillar opening 74, and the pressure difference between the front, rear, left and right of the vehicle body side surface is further reduced. For this reason, the running stability of the vehicle can be further improved.

  Next, a fourth embodiment of the vehicle upper air flow control device according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

  In addition, the same member as 1st Embodiment attaches | subjects the same code | symbol, and abbreviate | omits the description.

  As shown in FIG. 12, unlike the first embodiment, in this embodiment, the front end portion 74D of the movable cover 74 in the left rear pillar 16 is pivotally supported by the pillar outer 60 by the shaft 130. From the position where the rear pillar opening 70 indicated by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 12 is closed at the center, the vehicle is turned outward in the vehicle width direction (in the direction of arrow G in FIG. 12), and the rear pillar opening 70 indicated by the solid line in FIG. It moves to the open position where it opens.

  Further, in the open position indicated by a solid line in FIG. 12, the movable cover 74 is in a position protruding toward the rear outer side of the vehicle body, and the wind blown from the rear pillar opening 70 (arrow W7 in FIG. 12) is a wind guide member. By flowing along the vehicle body inner side surface 74A of the movable cover 74 acting as the above, it is possible to suppress the vortex flow that is trapped in the wind (arrow W8 in FIG. 12) from the front of the vehicle body.

  A gear 74F is formed on the outer peripheral portion of the front end portion 74D of the movable cover 74. The gear 74F meshes with the drive gear 86 of the motor 82, and the movable cover 74 is opened and closed by driving the motor 82. It has become.

  The movable cover 74 of the right rear pillar 18 has the same configuration.

  Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described.

  In the present embodiment, in addition to the effects of the first embodiment, when the movable cover 74 is moved to the open position indicated by the solid line in FIG. . As a result, the air blown from the rear pillar opening 70 (arrow W7 in FIG. 12) is blown into the wind (arrow W8 in FIG. 12) from the front of the vehicle body and can be prevented from becoming a vortex, and the vehicle of the movable cover 74 By smoothly flowing toward the rear of the vehicle body along the inner side surface 74A, a large amount of wind blows out from the rear pillar opening 74, and the pressure difference between the front, rear, left and right of the side surface of the vehicle body is further reduced. For this reason, the running stability of the vehicle can be further improved.

  In the above, the present invention has been described in detail with respect to specific embodiments. However, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various other embodiments are possible within the scope of the present invention. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art. For example, in each of the above embodiments, the racks 40 and 80, the motors 42 and 82, and the drive gears 46 and 86 are used as the drive means, but other drive means such as a wire, a solenoid, and a pulley may be used.

  Further, the length in the vertical direction and the position in the vertical direction of the front pillar openings 30, 32 and the rear pillar openings 70, 72 are not limited to the above embodiments, and the pillar openings 30, 32, 70, 72 are moved up and down. It is good also as a structure divided | segmented along the direction.

  In each of the above embodiments, the movable cover 34 has been moved to a position where the front pillar openings 30 and 32 are fully closed and a position where the front pillar openings 30 and 32 are opened. However, the movable cover 34 may be stopped at these intermediate positions. Further, although the rear pillar opening 74 is moved to the position where the rear pillar openings 70 and 72 are fully closed and the position where the rear pillar opening 70 is opened, the movable cover 74 may be stopped at the intermediate position.

  In each of the above embodiments, the duct 88 including the front part 88A, the left part 88B, and the right part 88C is used as the ventilation path. However, the ventilation path is not limited to the duct 88 of the present embodiment, and the left and right front pillars are used. Other ventilation paths may be used as long as the opening can communicate with the left and right rear pillar openings.

  In each of the above embodiments, the front pressure sensor 92, the left pressure sensor 98, and the right pressure sensor 100 are attached to the front portion of the vehicle body as wind detection means, but the number of pressure sensors is not limited to three. For example, it is good also as a structure which added the pressure sensor to the rear part of the left-right side surface of the vehicle body 10, respectively. Moreover, it is good also as a structure using other wind detection means, such as an anemometer and an anemometer, instead of a pressure sensor.

  In each of the embodiments described above, the shape of the vehicle body 10 of the automobile is a sedan. However, the shape of the vehicle body 10 is not limited to a sedan, and a coupe, one can be used as long as the vehicle body includes left and right front pillars and left and right rear pillars. Other shapes such as a box may be used.

1 is a schematic plan view showing a vehicle upper airflow control device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart which shows control of the vehicle upper airflow control apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle body to which a vehicle upper airflow control device according to a first embodiment of the present invention is applied, as viewed from the front side of the vehicle body. It is an expanded sectional view along line 4-4 in FIG. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 4 illustrating an open state of a front pillar opening of the vehicle upper airflow control device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the front pillar outer of the vehicle upper airflow control device according to the first embodiment of the present invention as seen from the obliquely rearward side of the vehicle body. FIG. 10 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line 7-7 in FIG. 9. It is sectional drawing corresponding to FIG. 7 which shows the open state of the rear pillar opening part of the vehicle upper airflow control apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the rear pillar outer of the vehicle upper airflow control device according to the first embodiment of the present invention as seen from the obliquely front side of the vehicle body. It is sectional drawing corresponding to FIG. 4 which shows the front pillar opening part of the vehicle upper airflow control apparatus which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 7 showing an open state of a rear pillar opening of a vehicle upper airflow control device according to a third embodiment of the present invention. It is sectional drawing corresponding to FIG. 8 which shows the open state of the rear pillar opening part of the vehicle upper airflow control apparatus which concerns on 4th Embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Vehicle body 12 Left front pillar 14 Right front pillar 16 Left rear pillar 18 Right rear pillar 24 Front pillar ventilation path 30 Left front pillar opening 32 Right front pillar opening 34 Movable cover (cover member)
40 racks (drive means)
42 Motor (drive means)
46 Drive gear (drive means)
50 Control circuit (control means)
64 Rear pillar ventilation path 70 Left rear pillar opening 72 Right rear pillar opening 74 Movable cover (cover member)
80 racks (drive means)
82 Motor (drive means)
86 Drive gear (drive means)
88 Duct (ventilation path)
92 Front pressure sensor (wind detection means)
98 Left pressure sensor (wind detection means)
100 Right pressure sensor (wind detection means)
102 Vehicle speed sensor (vehicle speed detection means)

Claims (3)

Front pillar openings formed in the left and right front pillars of the vehicle body,
Rear pillar openings formed in the left and right rear pillars of the vehicle body,
A ventilation path communicating the left and right front pillar openings with the left and right rear pillar openings;
Each cover member attached so that the left and right front pillar openings and the left and right rear pillar openings can be opened and closed,
Drive means for driving the cover member;
Vehicle speed detection means for detecting the vehicle speed;
Wind detection means for detecting the wind direction and wind speed relative to the vehicle body;
When the vehicle speed detected by the vehicle speed detection means is equal to or higher than a predetermined value, the cover members are selectively opened by the driving means based on the wind direction and the wind speed detected by the wind detection means. Control means for reducing the pressure difference;
A vehicle upper air flow control device comprising:   The vehicle upper airflow control device according to claim 1, wherein a cover member that covers the front pillar opening portion acts as an air guide member that guides the wind to the front pillar opening portion when opened.   The vehicle according to any one of claims 1 and 2, wherein the cover member that covers the rear pillar opening acts as a wind guide member that guides the wind blown from the rear pillar opening to the rear of the vehicle body when the cover is opened. Upper air flow control device.

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