JP3361758B2 - Undercover for vehicle - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a vehicle under-cover that is disposed under the floor of the vehicle, more specifically, mounted along the bumper skirts, underfloor engine room or the like of the edge portion and the vehicle underfloor portion for closing the Ru <br/> relates to a vehicle under-cover that is integrally molded by blow molding.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a vehicle undercover is arranged under the floor of an engine room or the like in a vehicle. Typically,
This undercover is often installed to block or reduce the noise outside the vehicle from entering the room and to prevent the noise such as the engine and intake / exhaust from leaking outside the vehicle. Further, usually, this undercover prevents the intrusion of dust or muddy water and the damage of the engine, the tank, etc. due to the bounced stone, etc. for the purpose of guarding under the floor of the vehicle. At the same time, a guide is formed on the upper surface to improve the air flow to improve the air permeability of the engine compartment, and the unevenness on the lower surface is reduced to form a flat lower surface to form a flat underbody floor. It also has the purpose of reducing the turbulence of the air flowing through, reducing the air resistance and the lift.

The structure of such a vehicle undercover is disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent No. 2762956. According to the structure disclosed in the publication, there are provided two sound insulating plates facing each other with a space therebetween, and a cylindrical portion communicating with a hole provided through the sound insulating plate. Some or all are
A pair of extension portions are formed on the opposite sides of the sound insulation plates so as to project against the opening edge portions, and at least a part of the extension portions has an opening portion that communicates between the sound insulation plates and the hole portion. It has a sound insulation wall structure. According to this sound insulation wall structure, it is possible to exhibit a sound insulation effect while maintaining air permeability.

Further, for example, in Utility Model No. 2554914, there is provided a plate-like undercover for a vehicle, which is stretched along the lower end of the front bumper and extends substantially under the floor from the front end of the vehicle to the vicinity of the rear end of the front wheels. It is disclosed. In the structure disclosed in the publication, a recess is formed in the front portion of the front wheel along the vehicle front-rear direction from the front end to the end face. At the bottom of the recess, a vehicle front side slope is formed on the bottom side of the vehicle front-rear direction intermediate part at the vehicle front side, which has an upward slope toward the vehicle rear side, and the vehicle front side is formed toward the vehicle rear side. A rear slope of the vehicle is formed that has a gentler climbing slope than the slope.

The ground height of the rear end of the rear slope of the vehicle is substantially the same as the center of the brake caliper of the brake mechanism of the front wheel. Furthermore, the slope angle of each slope is set within a range larger than an angle of 0 degrees and smaller than an angle of 15 degrees so that separation of the airflow does not occur, and the width dimension of the recess on the end surface in the vehicle width direction is 15% or more and 30% or less of the vehicle width direction separation dimension between the vehicle width direction inner end of the front wheel facing the vehicle straight direction and the vehicle front-rear direction end surface.

According to this structure, the airflow is separated from the undercover for the vehicle at the end face in the vehicle width direction, and the separation point is on the rear side of the vehicle and is close to the suspension arm or the like, so that the airflow is disturbed. Before passing through, the airflow passes near the suspension arm and the like, and the influence of the turbulence of the airflow from the front of the vehicle to the rear of the vehicle can be reduced, and the deterioration of the air resistance can be minimized. It is possible to obtain sufficient cooling air to the brake mechanism section of the front wheels.

[0007]

However, in the undercover for a vehicle disclosed in the above-mentioned Japanese Patent No. 2762956, in order to obtain the above-described effects, two sound insulating plates facing each other with a space therebetween are provided. The dimensional range such as the space, the area of the hole portion penetrating the sound insulating plate, the length of the cylindrical portion communicating with the hole portion, the area of the opening formed in the cylindrical portion, and the like are limited. That is, since the sound absorbing plate structure having a peculiar shape has to be formed, there is a problem that the structure is likely to be complicated and the structure is relatively thick, which tends to lead to an increase in size of the structure.

Further, since the structure of such an undercover is complicated, there is a case in which manufacturing costs and equipment costs are increased. Furthermore, since the shielding plate has holes, it is difficult to obtain a sound absorbing function stably over a long period unless muddy water, dust, etc. enter the holes, and special maintenance is performed. Since the airflow is apt to be disturbed inside the soundproof wall due to the holes, the air resistance is increased and the vehicle speed and the lift are greatly affected.

On the other hand, in the undercover structure disclosed in Japanese Utility Model No. 2554914, the undercover is composed of a single plate member stretched from the lower edge of the front bumper toward the lower surface of the engine room. However, the sound insulation effect is small, and it is difficult to prevent the noise outside the vehicle from entering the room, and the noise such as engine and intake / exhaust from leaking inside and outside the vehicle. In addition, since the under cover is made of a synthetic resin plate or an aluminum plate as a constituent material, the under cover has low rigidity, and there is a possibility that shake or vibration easily occurs.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and the present invention comprises a blow-molded product which has a sound insulating function, an air resistance reducing function, etc., and is flat, lightweight and has sufficient rigidity. an object of the present invention is to provide an under cover for the vehicle.

[0011]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to solve the above problems, the present invention is a vehicle undercover arranged under the floor of a vehicle, which has an edge portion attached along a bumper skirt. A molded product that includes an underfloor portion that closes the underfloor of the vehicle, and the end edge portion and the underfloor portion are integrally obtained by blow molding, and the underfloor portion has a flat plate-shaped lower surface portion and the same lower surface. Contact with a flat hollow portion surrounded by the upper surface portion which covers the upper parts
At least the upper surface part (8b) of the underfloor part (8)
Some of them are guys who guide the outside air to the engine room.
The main structure of the vehicle undercover is characterized in that the door portion (10) is integrally formed .

According to the vehicle undercover having such a structure, since the end edge portion and the underfloor portion are hollow molded articles integrally obtained by blow molding,
The required sound insulation performance can be obtained. It is also possible to prevent intrusion by dust or muddy water and damage to the engine, etc. due to bounced stones.For example, since mud and dust do not enter the engine room, no special maintenance is required for a long period of time. The sound insulation performance can be maintained.

Further, the lower surface of the under floor is
By reducing the unevenness to form a flat plate, it is possible to reduce the turbulence of the air flowing under the floor of the vehicle body, and it is also possible to reduce the air resistance. In addition, since it is a blow molded product, it is possible to reduce the thickness of the entire cover and reduce the amount of resin used, so that it is possible to effectively use the limited installation space and it is also economical. Become. Moreover, the rigidity can be secured even though the thickness is small, and the occurrence of shake or vibration can be prevented. Note that polypropylene resin or the like is applied to the undercover. Of the lower surface and upper surface of the underfloor
At least one has a guide part that guides the flow of air.
is doing. The guide part has, for example, an inclined surface or an uneven surface.
And at least one of the lower surface portion and the upper surface portion
It can also be integrated by blow molding. Such structure
According to the above, the guide part is closed from the opening of the bumper or the like.
It is possible to increase the directivity of the air flow introduced into the gin room, etc.
Possible without disrupting the air flow
It is possible to improve the air permeability to the rear of the vehicle. Previous
The guide portion is the lower surface portion or the upper surface portion of the underfloor portion.
Since it is provided on at least one of the
If the guide section is provided on the front wheel,
It is possible to improve the cooling of etc. Also above
When the guide portion is provided on the surface portion, for example, a radiator
It is possible to improve the cooling of the engine and engine
Become. Also, for example, from an oil pan or radiator fan
Allow warm air that has passed through the engine to escape under the floor of the vehicle.
And make it possible.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the end edge portion has a lip spoiler for changing the flow of air around the bumper skirt. According to such a structure, it is possible to reduce air entering the underfloor of the vehicle body by the front flap as the lip spoiler,
It is possible to reduce the lift. Since the front flap can be integrally formed as a hollow portion with the underfloor portion by blow molding, the air flow around the front flap becomes good without forming an edge portion,
Moreover, since it has rigidity, it becomes possible to prevent shake and vibration.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, at least a part of the lower surface of the underfloor portion is gradually inclined upward toward the rear. According to this structure, at least a part of the lower surface portion has the inclined surface that gradually increases in height with the ground contact surface of the vehicle toward the rear in the traveling direction of the vehicle, so that the ventilation cross section gradually increases toward the rear. It is possible to improve the air permeability to the rear of the vehicle, and it is possible to improve the cooling effect of the brake mechanism for the front wheels behind the under cover.

[0016]

[0017]

[0018] the vehicle under cover of the present invention, manufacturing by molding integrally with the edge portion attached along a bus <br/> down parsing cart, an under floor section which closes the underside of the vehicle
Can be built. In this production, each bottom surface portion of said end edge and the under floor portion so as to form a flat surface to form a guide portion for guiding the flow of air to at least a portion of the upper surface portion surface of the underfloor section You can do it like this.

According to the above method, since the undercover having the upper surface portion on which the uneven surface for guiding the air flow is formed and the lower surface portion having a flat plate shape is formed in a single step by blow molding, air noise and Good sound insulation properties such as solid sound insulation, low aerodynamic resistance, good aerodynamic properties such as reduced lift and improved breathability, a function to prevent intrusion of dust, muddy water, etc. and a function to prevent engine damage due to obstacles, etc. It can be prepared at the same time as molding. Moreover, since the upper surface portion and the lower surface portion of the under cover can be formed to have the minimum wall thickness that ensures the required strength, it is possible to easily manufacture the under cover in a lightweight and inexpensive manner.

[0020]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In addition,
In the present embodiment, a vehicle undercover combined with a front bumper will be described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this and is also applied to a vehicle undercover combined with a rear bumper, for example.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view schematically showing a vehicle undercover as a typical embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is shown in FIG.
1 is a perspective view of the back surface viewed from the bottom of FIG.
FIG. 4 is a partial arrow view of the line A, and FIG. 4 is an explanatory view schematically showing a state in which a vehicle undercover cut out along the line BB in FIG. 1 is attached under the floor of the vehicle.

In these drawings, reference numeral 1 indicates an undercover arranged under the floor of the engine compartment 3 of the vehicle 2, and the undercover 1 is formed by imitating the bumper skirt 4 and the front cover 5 and the front part thereof. The rear cover 6 has a connecting hole 6a that is inserted and connected to the protrusion 5a of the cover 5. The undercover 1 is a molded product such as polypropylene resin integrally molded by blow molding, and the underfloor portion 8 that closes the underfloor of the engine compartment 3 in the vehicle 2 by the front cover 5 and the rear cover 6 is formed. Is configured. In the illustrated example, the underfloor portion 8 has a flat hollow portion 8c by a flat plate-shaped lower surface portion 8a and an upper surface portion 8b that covers the lower surface portion 8a.

According to the present embodiment, since the front cover 5 and the rear cover 6 are molded products integrally obtained by blow molding, noises inside and outside the vehicle body enter the room, engine, intake and exhaust, etc. It prevents the noise from leaking inside and outside the car. Good and sufficient sound insulation performance necessary for blocking, absorbing or dispersing such air noises and solid sounds can be obtained.
In addition, dust and muddy water do not invade, and bounced stones do not damage the engine. Furthermore, since mud, dust, and the like do not enter the engine compartment 3, it is possible to stably obtain a sound insulation function for a long period of time without any special maintenance work.

As shown in the illustrated example, the front cover 5 has a front end edge 5b having a width extending over the entire width of the bumper skirt 4, and a notch 5c for preventing the front wheel 7 from moving. Has an edge 5d on the rear side,
The lower surface portion 8a has a substantially flat plate shape. The edge 5
Reference numeral d designates four projections 5a that are inserted and connected to the connection hole 6a of the rear cover 6 and that are overlapped with the notch 6c.

At the center of the upper surface 8b of the front cover 5, there is an inclined surface 5e which is inclined downward from the vicinity of the edge 5b and is gently inclined upward toward the rear of the vehicle body. A horizontal surface 5f that is formed and extends horizontally from the inclined surface 5e toward the rear of the vehicle body is formed.
Further, the inclined surface 5e and the horizontal surface 5f are formed with a plurality of long concave portions 5g directed rearward of the vehicle body. The inclined surface 5e and the concave portion 5g serve as a guide portion so that the air flow is not disturbed. With this configuration, it is possible to improve the ventilation of the vehicle 2 toward the rear. For example, warm air that has passed through the engine can be released to the underfloor of the vehicle body from an unillustrated oil pan or radiator fan.

As shown in FIG. 1, reference numeral 9 is a sealing material made of foamed rubber or the like, and the sealing material 9 is sealed by a body around a radiator (not shown) mounted on the vehicle body, so that Air from a center air intake (not shown) provided on the bumper skirt 4 efficiently passes through a radiator core (not shown). With this configuration, cooling of the engine or the like can be improved.

Reference numeral 10 is a guide portion, that is, an air guide for guiding air to the rear of the vehicle body. The air guide 10 is fixed by an insert nut 15 and a screw 16 which are integrally embedded when the front cover 5 is molded. Air introduced from a side air intake (not shown) opened in the bumper skirt 4 is guided to cool an engine and a brake mechanism such as a brake disc.

Further, the air guide 10 directs the air introduced from the center air intake (not shown) of the bumper skirt 4 into the engine compartment 3 toward the intake duct (not shown). The air guide 10 may be provided on at least one of the lower surface portion 8a and the upper surface portion 8b, and may be integrated by blow molding.

At both ends of the front cover 5, a lower surface portion 8 is provided.
The slanted portion 5 having an uneven shape from a toward the upper surface 8b.
The h is projected so that the ventilation cross section gradually increases toward the rear of the vehicle body. According to this structure, the lower surface portion 8a
At least a part of this has an inclined surface that gradually increases in height toward the rear surface of the vehicle body with respect to the ground contact surface of the vehicle 2. For this reason, it is possible to improve the air permeability to the rear of the vehicle, and it is possible to improve the cooling effect of the brake mechanism (not shown) of the front wheel 7 behind the under cover. In order to gradually increase the height of the vehicle 2 toward the rear of the vehicle body, the front cover 5 and the rear cover 6 are required.
It is also possible to attach it while lifting it toward a rear bumper (not shown).

Further, according to this embodiment, the front edge 14b of the front cover 5 is formed with the front flap 14 as a lip spoiler which is attached along the lower edge of the bumper skirt 4. The front flap 14 can reduce the air that enters under the floor of the vehicle body and can reduce the lift. When the front flap 14 is formed into a hollow portion by blow molding as in this illustrated example, an edge portion does not occur, so that the air flow is good, and since it has rigidity, it prevents vibration and vibration. Is possible.

The front cover 5 is provided with ten concavo-convex portions 5i from its lower surface 8a to its upper surface 8b. The concavo-convex portion 5i has a mounting surface 5j in which a molten resin parison is sandwiched and joined to a mold, and after molding, a surplus (burr) is cut off to obtain the outer shape of the product. The front cover 5 is pre-colored in black and is unpainted or painted in the same color as the vehicle body, and as shown in FIG. 3, the bumper skirt 4 is formed by the bolts 13 and the clips 12 with nuts through the uneven portions 5i. Fixed to.

A cap (not shown) may be attached to the concave-convex portion 5i so that the outer surface of the lower surface portion 8a of the front cover 5 has a completely flat shape. By forming the lower surface portion 8a in a flat plate shape with reduced irregularities, it is possible to reduce turbulence of the air flowing under the floor of the vehicle body and reduce air resistance.

According to this illustrated example, the rear cover 6 is provided with a fixing portion 6e which is fixed to the vehicle body. At the front part of the rear cover 6, a stepped tip part 6b protruding upward is formed. Both ends of the tip portion 6b are formed with notches 6c that engage with the protrusions 5a of the front cover 5. The lower surface portion 8a has a substantially flat surface, and a seating portion 6d for seating on the upper surface portion 8b of the front cover 5 is provided in a protruding manner. In the illustrated example, the front cover 5
Inserts the projection 5a of the front cover 5 into the connecting hole 6a of the rear cover 6 which is attached in advance so as to cover the lower portion of the engine compartment 3 of the vehicle 2, and uses the bolt 13 and the nut-equipped clip 12 to insert the projection 5a. Uneven portion 5 of front cover 5
It is supported by the bumper skirt 4 via i.

When the protrusion 5a of the front cover 5 is inserted into the notch 6c and the connecting hole 6a of the front cover 6, the seating portion 6d and the protrusion 5a are strongly pushed right and left, up and down and front and back. Engagement facilitates attachment of the front cover 5 to the front cover 6. According to this structure, since the thickness is small, the limited space between the vehicle body and the ground can be effectively utilized. Further, it has rigidity despite its small thickness, and it becomes possible to prevent shake and vibration. The front cover 5 and the rear cover 6 can be integrally formed.

When manufacturing the undercover 1,
The front flap 14 and the underfloor portion 8 which are edge portions attached along the bumper skirt 4.
The lower surface portion 8a and the upper surface portion 8b are blow-molded into a flat hollow portion 8c. At that time, the lower surface portion 8a of the underfloor portion 8 is formed into a flat plate surface, and at least a part of the upper surface portion 8b of the underfloor portion 8 is gradually inclined upward toward the rear of the vehicle body. Etc. By blow molding, the lower surface portion 8a is made flat, and the upper surface portion 8b can be reinforced by the hollow portion 8c, attached and have a rugged shape for the air guide 10 in a single molding.

According to the present embodiment, the undercover is for the front, but it can be combined with a rear bumper. In a normal front engine vehicle, the underside of the fuel tank is covered to cover the lower surface of the rear of the vehicle. Is made flat to contribute to sound insulation and aerodynamic performance and protect the fuel tank. Further, when it is extended to the front side of the rear wheel, it can be used as a guide for taking in the brake cooling air from the air intake on the body side.

As is clear from the above description, according to the vehicle undercover and the method for manufacturing the same according to the present invention, the end edge portion and the underfloor portion are integrally formed by blow molding to obtain a hollow molding. Since it is a product, in addition to obtaining the required sound insulation performance, the overall thickness of the cover can be reduced and the amount of resin used can be reduced, so that a small installation space can be effectively utilized and it is economical. Will also be excellent. Moreover, the rigidity can be secured even though the thickness is small, and the occurrence of shake or vibration can be prevented.

Further, it is possible to prevent invasion by dust or muddy water and damage of the engine by bounced stones, etc. Since mud and dust do not enter the engine room, no special maintenance is required for a long period of time. Sound insulation performance can be maintained throughout.
Further, by forming the lower surface portion of the underfloor portion into a flat plate shape by reducing the unevenness, it is possible to reduce the turbulence of the air flowing under the floor of the vehicle body, and it is also possible to reduce the air resistance.

Further, the front flap as the lip spoiler makes it possible to reduce the amount of air entering the underfloor of the vehicle body and to reduce the lift. Since the front flap can be integrally formed with the underfloor portion as a hollow portion by blow molding, the air flow around the front flap becomes good without forming an edge portion, and since it has rigidity, it can shake or vibrate. Can be prevented.

Further, since at least a part of the lower surface portion has an inclined surface which gradually increases the height with the ground contact surface of the vehicle toward the rear in the traveling direction of the vehicle, the ventilation cross section gradually increases toward the rear, and The rearward ventilation can be improved, and the cooling effect of the front wheel braking mechanism behind the under cover can be improved. The guide part that guides the air flow can increase the directivity of the air flow introduced into the engine room etc. from the opening of the bumper, etc., and the air permeability to the rear of the vehicle without disturbing the air flow It is possible to improve.

Further, since the upper surface portion on which the guide portion is formed and the lower surface portion having a flat plate shape are molded in a single step by blow molding, sound insulation characteristics, reduction of air resistance, reduction of lift and improvement of air permeability are achieved. It is possible to provide aerodynamic characteristics such as the above, a function of preventing intrusion of muddy water, etc. and a function of preventing engine damage due to obstacles, etc. at the same time as molding. Moreover, since the upper surface portion and the lower surface portion of the under cover can be formed to have the minimum wall thickness that ensures the required strength, it is possible to easily manufacture the under cover in a lightweight and inexpensive manner. It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and naturally includes a technical range that can be easily changed by those skilled in the art from those embodiments.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view schematically showing a vehicle undercover that is a typical embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view viewed from the lower side of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a partial arrow view taken along the line AA in FIG.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory view schematically showing a state in which the vehicle undercover of the present invention cut out along the line BB in FIG. 1 is attached to the underfloor of a vehicle.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Undercover 2 vehicles 3 engine room 4 bumper skirt 5 Front cover 5a protrusion 5b, d edge part 5c hollow part 5e inclined surface 5f horizontal plane 5g, 6e recess 5h slope 5i uneven part 5j Mounting surface 6 rear cover 6a Connection hole 6b tip 6c cutout 6d seat 6e Fixed part 7 front wheels 8 Underfloor 8a Lower surface part 8b Top part 8c hollow part 9 Seal material 10 Guide part 12 Clip with nut 13 volt 14 Front flap 15 Insert nut 16 screws

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (56) References Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-52836 (JP, A) Actual Opening 2-130887 (JP, U) Actual Opening 62-77052 (JP, U) Actual Opening 58- 3377 (JP, U) Actually open 2-69583 (JP, U) Actually open Sho 58-163338 (JP, U) Patent 2762956 (JP, B2) (58) Fields investigated (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) ) B62D 25/20

Claims (3)

(57) [Claims] 1. An undercover (1) for a vehicle, which is arranged under the floor of a vehicle (2), and which is attached along a bumper skirt (4) at an edge portion (5).
b) and an underfloor portion (8) that closes the underfloor of the vehicle (2), and the end edge portion (5b) and the underfloor portion (8) are integrally formed by blow molding. The underfloor portion (8) has a flat hollow portion (8c) surrounded by a flat plate-shaped lower surface portion (8a) and an upper surface portion (8b) that covers the lower surface portion (8a) above. At least a part of the upper surface portion (8b) of the underfloor portion (8) is a guide portion that guides outside air to the engine room.
An undercover for a vehicle, characterized in that (10) is integrally configured. 2. The undercover for a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the edge portion (5b) has a lip spoiler (14) for changing a flow of air around the bumper skirt. 3. A lower surface portion (8a) of the underfloor portion (8)
The undercover for a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein at least a part of the undercover is gradually inclined upward toward the rear.