JP2017149328A - Movable front spoiler device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To allow a tow hook or the like to be used even when a front spoiler body is at a storage position.SOLUTION: A front spoiler body 10 has a quadrilateral opening part 12 penetrating the front spoiler body 10 in a thickness direction. The front spoiler body 10 has a lid part 13 which can rotate between a closing position for closing the opening part 12 and an opening position for opening the opening part 12, the lid part being attached thereto. A planar shape of the lid part 13 is quadrilateral, similar to the opening shape of the opening part 12. The lid part 13 is attached to an opening edge on a tip side of the front spoiler body 10, out of the opening edge of the opening part 12, through a hinge 14 with a spring. The lid part 13 can rotate around the hinge 14 with a spring. Since a tow hook F contacts the lid part 13 in a step in which the front spoiler body 10 rotates to the storage position, the lid part 13 rotates to the opening position. When the lid part 13 is at the opening position, a part of the tow hook F is exposed to outside.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to a movable front spoiler device.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been proposed a movable front spoiler device that can operate between a deployed position that is deployed downward from the lower part of the vehicle body and a retracted position that has a lower air resistance when the vehicle travels than the deployed position. For example, in the movable front spoiler device of Patent Document 1, the front spoiler body is connected to an air cylinder. Then, based on the driving of the air cylinder, the front spoiler body operates between a deployed position where the front spoiler body projects downward from the lower part of the vehicle body and a storage position stored in the vehicle body.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 62-221978

  In the movable front spoiler device, a part of the lower part of the vehicle may be covered with the front spoiler body at the storage position depending on the movable aspect of the front spoiler body and the posture of the front spoiler body at the storage position. If a tow hook or a jack-up point disposed at the lower part of the vehicle is covered with the front spoiler body at the retracted position, it becomes impossible to use the tow hook or the jack-up point.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides a plate-shaped front spoiler body that is rotatably attached to a lower portion of a vehicle, a deployment position that projects the front spoiler body downward from the lower portion of the vehicle, and the deployment position. And a movable front spoiler device that is driven to rotate between storage positions along the lower part of the vehicle, wherein the front spoiler body has an opening that penetrates the front spoiler body in the thickness direction, The front spoiler body is attached with a lid that can be rotated between a closed position that closes the opening and an open position that opens the opening, and the front spoiler body is in the deployed position. In the process of rotating from the storage position to the retracted position, it contacts the interference provided at the lower part of the vehicle and rotates to the open position. To.

  According to the above configuration, even when the front spoiler body is located in the retracted position and the corresponding portion of the lower part of the vehicle is covered with the front spoiler body, the lid portion is moved to the open position by the contact with the lid portion. And turn. Accordingly, the interference object is exposed to the outside through the opening of the front spoiler. Thereby, it can suppress that an interference | interfering object is covered by the front spoiler main body in a storing position, and becomes unusable. Specifically, for example, if the tow hook arranged at the lower part of the vehicle comes into contact with the lid as an interference, even if the front spoiler body is in the retracted position, the tow hook is connected to the outside through the opening of the front spoiler body. Exposed to. As a result, the front spoiler body does not become unusable because the tow hook is covered.

The schematic perspective view of the vehicle front part in case a front spoiler main body exists in a deployment position. The schematic perspective view of the vehicle front part in case a front spoiler main body exists in a storing position. Explanatory drawing which shows the principle model of a drive mechanism when a front spoiler main body exists in a deployment position. Explanatory drawing which shows the principle model of a drive mechanism when a front spoiler main body exists in a storing position. Sectional drawing of the front spoiler main body in a deployment position. Sectional drawing of the front spoiler main body in a storing position.

An embodiment of a movable front spoiler device will be described with reference to FIGS.
First, a schematic configuration of the movable front spoiler device will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a pair of support members 11 projecting downward are provided below the bumper cover B in the front portion of the vehicle C. The pair of support members 11 in the movable front spoiler device are provided at a predetermined interval in the vehicle width direction of the vehicle C. A square plate-shaped front spoiler body 10 is attached to the pair of support members 11. The longitudinal dimension of the front spoiler body 10 is substantially equal to the distance between the pair of support members 11, and both longitudinal ends of the front spoiler body 10 are supported by the pair of support members 11. Further, the dimension in the short direction of the front spoiler body 10 is shorter than the distance from the bumper cover B of the vehicle C to the ground.

  The front spoiler body 10 is rotatably supported by a pair of support members 11. In other words, the front spoiler body 10 can be rotated with respect to the lower part of the vehicle C (the lower part of the bumper cover B) by rotating around the base end side parts supported by the pair of support members 11 as the central axis. It has become. As shown in FIG. 1, the front spoiler body 10 is disposed so as to protrude substantially perpendicularly to the lower part of the bumper cover B from the lower part of the bumper cover B toward the lower side in the deployed position. As shown in FIG. 2, the front spoiler body 10 is arranged along the lower part of the bumper cover B in the retracted position rather than in the deployed position. Accordingly, the front spoiler body 10 receives air pressure from the front of the vehicle at the deployed position and exhibits a function as a spoiler, and is difficult to receive air pressure from the front of the vehicle at the retracted position.

  Next, the drive mechanism 20 for rotationally driving the front spoiler body 10 will be described. 3 and 4, the lower part of the bumper cover B in the vehicle C is illustrated by a two-dot chain line, and the dimensional relationship between the front spoiler body 10 and the drive mechanism 20 is schematically illustrated. 3 and 4, the left side is the front side of the vehicle C and the right side is the rear side of the vehicle C.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the drive mechanism 20 of the movable front spoiler device includes a drive unit 21 mounted inside the bumper cover B (vehicle C) on the rear side of the vehicle C with respect to the front spoiler body 10. Yes. The drive unit 21 includes, for example, an electric motor as a drive source. A first rod 22 extending toward the rear side of the vehicle C is connected to the drive unit 21. The first rod 22 moves in the vertical direction of the vehicle C when the drive unit 21 is driven. A rod-shaped second rod 23 that extends in the vertical direction of the vehicle C as a whole is connected to the tip of the first rod 22 (the end on the rear side of the vehicle C). The upper end portion of the second rod 23 is rotatably connected to the tip portion of the first rod 22. An L-shaped link member 24 is connected to the lower end portion of the second rod 23.

  The link member 24 is connected to a support portion 25 attached to the lower part of the bumper cover B. The link member 24 is connected to the support portion 25 so as to be rotatable about an L-shaped bent portion (corner portion) as a central axis. One end of the link member 24 is rotatably connected to the lower end of the second rod 23. The other end of the link member 24 is connected to a rod-like third rod 26 that extends in the front-rear direction of the vehicle C as a whole. The rear end portion of the third rod 26 is rotatably connected to the other end portion of the link member 24. A front end portion of the third rod 26 is connected to a connecting portion 27 attached to the front spoiler body 10. In the front spoiler body 10, the connecting portion 27 is provided on a surface facing the rear side of the vehicle C when in the deployed position (a surface facing the lower portion of the bumper cover B when in the retracted position). Moreover, the connection part 27 is provided in the front end side (lower side in FIG. 3, back side in FIG. 4) rather than the part connected with the support member 11 in the front spoiler main body 10. FIG. A front end portion of the third rod 26 is rotatably connected to the connecting portion 27.

  As shown in FIG. 3, when the drive unit 21 is driven from the state where the front spoiler body 10 is in the deployed position and the first rod 22 moves upward as shown in FIG. 4, the second rod 23 is accordingly moved. Moves upward. Then, the L-shaped link member 24 to which the lower end of the second rod 23 is connected rotates around the bent portion (in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, it rotates counterclockwise). When the L-shaped link member 24 rotates, the third rod 26 connected to the link member 24 is pulled to the rear side of the vehicle C, and the third rod 26 moves to the rear side of the vehicle C. . Then, the front spoiler body 10 connected to the third rod 26 is also pulled to the rear side of the vehicle C, and rotates about the portion connected to the support member 11 (in FIG. 3 and FIG. Rotate clockwise). As a result, the front spoiler body 10 is rotated to the retracted position along the lower part of the bumper cover B in the vehicle C. Note that when the front spoiler body 10 rotates from the retracted position to the deployed position, an operation opposite to the above operation is performed.

Next, a specific configuration of the front spoiler body 10 will be described.
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, the front spoiler body 10 is provided with an opening 12 that penetrates the front spoiler body 10 in the thickness direction. As shown in FIG. 1, the opening shape of the opening part 12 is a square shape. Two openings 12 are arranged side by side in the longitudinal direction of the front spoiler body 10 (the vehicle width direction of the vehicle C). As shown in FIG. 2, the position of each opening 12 corresponds to the position of the traction hook F protruding from the lower part of the bumper cover B in the vehicle C.

  As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the front spoiler body 10 is attached with a lid portion 13 that is rotatable between a closed position that closes the opening 12 and an open position that opens the opening 12. The planar shape of the lid portion 13 is a quadrangular shape similar to the opening shape of the opening portion 12. Further, the lid portion 13 has the same thickness as the front spoiler body 10.

  The lid portion 13 is attached to the opening edge of the front spoiler body 10 among the opening edges of the opening 12 (the lower side in FIG. 5 and the rear side in FIG. 6) via a hinge 14 with a spring. Thereby, the cover part 13 can be rotated centering | focusing on the hinge 14 with a spring. The lid 13 is biased by a spring-equipped hinge 14 so as to rotate from the open position side to the closed position side (clockwise direction in FIGS. 5 and 6).

  The front spoiler body 10 is provided with a stopper portion 15 that restricts the lid portion 13 from excessively rotating by the urging force of the spring-equipped hinge 14. In the front spoiler body 10, the stopper portion 15 is provided on a surface facing the rear side of the vehicle when in the deployed position (a surface facing the lower portion of the bumper cover B when in the retracted position). A part of the stopper portion 15 protrudes from the opening edge of the opening portion 12 toward the opening center side. When the lid portion 13 is in the closed position, a portion of the stopper portion 15 that protrudes from the opening edge toward the opening center side is in contact with the lid portion 13.

Next, operations and effects of the movable front spoiler device will be described.
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, when the front spoiler body 10 is in the unfolded position, the lid 13 is positioned at the closed position where the opening 12 is closed by the urging force of the spring-equipped hinge 14. Here, due to the urging force of the spring-equipped hinge 14, a force is exerted on the lid portion 13 to turn to the rear side of the vehicle C beyond the closed position. Further, when the vehicle C is traveling with the front spoiler body 10 in the unfolded position, a corresponding air pressure acts on the lid 13 from the front side of the vehicle C. In this regard, in the movable front spoiler device of the above-described embodiment, the front spoiler body 10 is provided with a stopper portion 15, and the stopper portion 15 causes the lid portion 13 to rotate beyond the closed position to the rear side of the vehicle C. To be regulated. Therefore, when the front spoiler body 10 is in the deployed position, the lid portion 13 is maintained in a closed position that closes the opening 12 of the front spoiler body 10. As a result, the front spoiler body 10 and the lid 13 integrally function as a spoiler.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 6, when the front spoiler body 10 is rotated from the deployed position toward the retracted position, the tow hook F provided at the lower part of the bumper cover B in the vehicle C is interfered with. It abuts on the lid portion 13. When the front spoiler body 10 is further rotated from the state to the retracted position, the lid portion 13 is rotated downward so as to be pushed out by the pulling hook F against the urging force of the spring-loaded hinge 14. For this reason, when the front spoiler body 10 is in the retracted position, the lid portion 13 is located at an open position where the opening 12 of the front spoiler body 10 is opened. A part of the tow hook F of the vehicle C is exposed to the outside through the opening 12 that is open. Therefore, even if the front spoiler body 10 is in the retracted position and the corresponding area under the vehicle C (bumper cover B) is covered, the traction hook F is covered and cannot be used.

  When the front spoiler body 10 is in the retracted position, the traveling speed of the vehicle C is assumed to be relatively low, and the air pressure from the front side of the vehicle C is not so high. Therefore, even if the air pressure from the front side of the vehicle C acts on the lid portion 13 in the open position, the lid portion 13 is prevented from opening excessively against the urging force of the spring-equipped hinge 14.

The above embodiment can be modified as follows.
-The structure of the drive mechanism 20 for rotationally driving the front spoiler body 10 does not matter. For example, the drive unit 21 in the drive mechanism 20 may include an air cylinder or a hydraulic cylinder as a drive source instead of the electric motor. Moreover, if the structure of the 1st rod 22, the 2nd rod 23, the link member 24, the 3rd rod 26, etc. is suitably changed according to the structure etc. of the front spoiler main body 10, the angle which rotates the front spoiler main body 10, etc. Good. That is, any mechanism can be applied as the drive mechanism 20 as long as the mechanism can rotate the front spoiler body 10 between the deployed position and the retracted position.

  -It may replace with providing the support member 11 in the bumper cover B, and may provide it in another member. For example, the support member 11 may be provided on the chassis of the vehicle C. The support member 11 can be provided as long as it is a member having sufficient strength to support the weight of the front spoiler body 10 supported by the support member 11. In addition, what is necessary is just to change suitably the shape, a dimension, etc. of the supporting member 11 according to what kind of member the supporting member 11 is provided in.

  -The shape of the front spoiler main body 10 is not restricted to what was illustrated by the said embodiment. For example, a partially curved shape may be used. Further, the front spoiler body 10 may be provided with an opening, a slit, or the like other than the opening 12. If it is the front spoiler main body 10 which has comprised plate shape as a whole, the technique of the said embodiment is applicable.

  -The angle with respect to the lower part of the bumper cover B of the front spoiler main body 10 in the expansion | deployment position may not be a right angle. The angle of the front spoiler body 10 at the unfolded position may be appropriately set in consideration of the function required for the front spoiler body 10 as a spoiler.

  -The angle with respect to the lower part of the bumper cover B of the front spoiler main body 10 in a storing position can also be changed suitably. If it is a position along the lower part of the bumper cover B rather than the front spoiler body 10 when it is in the unfolded position and is less susceptible to air pressure from the front of the vehicle C than the unfolded position when the vehicle C is traveling, the retracted position It can be said that.

  -The shape of the opening part 12 in the front spoiler main body 10 is not restricted to square shape. For example, the shape may be a circle or an ellipse, or may be a polygon other than a quadrangle. What is necessary is just to determine the shape of the opening part 12 suitably according to the magnitude | size, shape, etc. of the interference object (tow hook F in the said embodiment) which is going to expose outside via the opening part 12. FIG. Note that if the shape of the opening 12 is changed, the shape of the lid 13 may be changed accordingly.

  The stopper portion 15 in the front spoiler body 10 can be omitted. In general, the rotation range of the spring-loaded hinge 14 has a limit. When the lid 13 is in the closed position, if the spring-equipped hinge 14 is set to the limit position of the rotation range, the lid 13 rotates beyond the closed position even if the stopper 15 is omitted. That can be suppressed.

  In place of the stopper portion 15 of the front spoiler body 10, a stopper portion may be provided on the lid portion 13. For example, when the front spoiler body 10 is in the unfolded position and the lid portion 13 is in the closed position, the stopper protrudes outward from the outer edge of the lid portion 13 on the surface facing the front side of the vehicle C in the lid portion 13. A part may be provided. In this case, when the lid portion 13 is in the closed position, the stopper portion provided on the lid portion 13 comes into contact with the peripheral edge portion of the opening edge of the opening portion 12 in the front spoiler body 10. And by this contact relationship, it is suppressed that the cover part 13 rotates excessively exceeding a closed position.

The attachment position of the spring-equipped hinge 14 is not limited to the opening edge on the front end side of the front spoiler body 10 among the opening edges of the opening 12, and may be any part of the opening edge.
-Lid part 13 does not need to be energized so that it may rotate from an open position to a closed position. As described above, when the vehicle C is traveling with the front spoiler body 10 in the unfolded position, air pressure from the front side acts to rotate the lid portion 13 from the open position to the closed position. The force to act. Therefore, if at least the vehicle C is traveling at a suitable speed, the lid 13 is maintained in the closed position when the front spoiler body 10 is in the deployed position.

  -The structure which enables the cover part 13 to rotate is not restricted to the hinge 14 with a spring. For example, one side of the quadrangular lid portion 13 is formed integrally with the front spoiler body 10, and the lid portion 13 rotates on one side of the lid portion 13 (a boundary line between the lid portion 13 and the front spoiler body 10). It may be possible. That is, the lid portion 13 may be rotatable with respect to the front spoiler body 10 by a so-called “living hinge”. When the lid 13 can be rotated by the living hinge, the living hinge portion can be bent easily by making the thickness of the living hinge portion smaller than the thickness of other portions to reduce the strength. It is preferable to keep it.

  When the lid portion 13 is configured to be rotatable by the living hinge, for example, a leaf spring or the like is attached to the lid portion 13 and the front spoiler body 10 to urge the lid portion 13 to rotate from the open position to the closed position. It is preferable to do. In this case, the same operation and effect as the above embodiment can be obtained.

  The member that comes into contact with the lid 13 as an interference is not limited to the traction hook F of the vehicle C. If the member protrudes from the lower part of the vehicle C (bumper cover B) and can be used even when the front spoiler body 10 is in the retracted position, the opening 12 of the front spoiler body 10 can be used. By exposing it to the outside, it can be used even when the front spoiler body 10 is in the retracted position. Examples of such a member include a jack-up point in addition to the pulling hook F.

  C ... Vehicle, B ... Bumper cover, F ... Traction hook, 10 ... Front spoiler body, 11 ... Support member, 12 ... Opening part, 13 ... Cover part, 14 ... Hinge with spring, 20 ... Drive mechanism.

Claims (1)

A plate-like front spoiler body that is rotatably attached to the lower part of the vehicle;
A movable front spoiler device comprising: a driving mechanism for driving the front spoiler body to rotate between a deployed position protruding downward from a lower part of the vehicle and a retracted position along the lower part of the vehicle from the deployed position;
The front spoiler body has an opening that penetrates the front spoiler body in the thickness direction,
The front spoiler body is attached with a lid that is rotatable between a closed position that closes the opening and an open position that opens the opening,
The lid is pivotable to an open position by abutting against an interference provided at a lower part of a vehicle in a process in which the front spoiler body is pivoted from the deployed position to the retracted position. Front spoiler device.

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