JP4682776B2 - Vehicle front end structure - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a vehicle front end structure that constitutes a vehicle body front end portion of a vehicle.

  Heat exchangers such as radiators and condensers mounted on vehicles cool air and fluids such as cooling water and refrigerant by introducing air from the front end of the vehicle. The hot air in the engine room heated by the engine circulates to the front side of the heat exchanger (vehicle), resulting in a problem that the cooling capacity of the heat exchanger is reduced.

  In order to solve this problem, a method has been proposed in which a duct that protrudes from the front end panel around the heat exchanger (up, down, left, and right) to the front side of the vehicle is provided to prevent hot air from flowing into the heat exchanger.

  However, in the above method, when the periphery of the heat exchanger is completely ducted, the ventilation path is narrowed, so that the ventilation resistance is increased. For this reason, there is a problem that the cooling air passing through the heat exchanger is reduced and the cooling capacity of the heat exchanger is reduced.

  In view of the above points, an object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle front end structure that can improve the cooling capacity of a heat exchanger.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention includes a heat exchanger (1, 2) arranged in an engine room (5a) in which an engine (5) is mounted, and performs heat exchange between air and a heat medium, A front end structure of a vehicle including a front end panel (3) to which an exchanger (1, 2) is assembled. The front end panel (3) protrudes toward the front side of the vehicle and is located in the engine room (5a). Duct members (11, 12, 13) that prevent the hot air from flowing around to the front side of the heat exchanger (1, 2) and guide the air present on the front side of the vehicle to the heat exchanger (1, 2). The lower side of the duct member is provided with a protruding member (13) that pays the pedestrian's foot when the vehicle collides with the pedestrian. The protruding member (13 ) has a bumper cover (front side ). 6a) and a protruding member ( 13) on the vehicle rear side of the portion covered with the bumper cover (6a) and the vehicle front side of the lower side member (3b) of the front end panel (3) 13a) is formed as a first feature.

  Thereby, since air can be taken in into the front side of heat exchanger (1, 2) from opening (13a) of protrusion member (13), the circumference of heat exchanger (1, 2) is made into a duct. It is possible to improve the cooling capacity of the heat exchanger (1, 2) by suppressing the decrease in the cooling air volume due to the heat.

  Further, the present invention has a second feature that the protruding member (13) is provided with a reinforcing member (13b) for connecting the inner walls facing each other of the opening (13a).

  Thereby, since the intensity | strength of a protrusion member (13) can be ensured, it becomes possible to make compatible the function to pay a pedestrian's foot, and the improvement of the cooling efficiency of a heat exchanger (1, 2).

  Moreover, this invention is provided with the under cover (14) which covers the vehicle downward side of an engine room (5a), and a through-hole (14a) is provided in the site | part corresponding to the opening part (13a) in an under cover (14). A predetermined gap (15) is provided between the under cover (14) and the front end panel (3), and the gap (15) is an opening ( 13a), the first wall (13c) provided on the under cover (14) side on the vehicle rear side and the front end panel (3) side on the vehicle rear side from the through hole (14a) of the under cover (14). A third feature is that it has a labyrinth structure constituted by the second wall portion (14b) provided in the first wall.

  As is well known, the “maze structure” means that at least one portion where the passage is bent is provided in a portion extending from the entrance side to the exit side of the passage so that the fluid flowing through the passage flows linearly. It is something that cannot be done.

  In this way, by forming a maze structure in the gap (15) between the under cover (14) and the front end panel (3), it is possible to prevent hot air from flowing into the front side of the heat exchanger (1, 2). it can. For this reason, it becomes possible to improve the cooling capacity of the heat exchangers (1, 2).

  In addition, the code | symbol in the bracket | parenthesis of each said means shows the correspondence with the specific means as described in embodiment mentioned later.

(First embodiment)
Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing the front end structure of the vehicle according to the first embodiment, FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the front end structure of the vehicle according to the first embodiment, and FIG. 3 is related to the first embodiment. It is a perspective view which shows the heat exchangers 1 and 2 and the front end panel 3. FIG.

  As shown in FIGS. 1-3, the capacitor | condenser 1 and the radiator 2 of this 1st Embodiment are integrated in the common front end panel 3, and comprise the assembly structure integrated with the air blower 4, ie, a cooling module. is doing. The front end panel 3 supports the periphery of the condenser 1 and the radiator 2 and guides the air flow passing through the condenser 1 and the radiator 2. The condenser 1 and the radiator 2 are collectively referred to as heat exchangers 1 and 2.

  The condenser 1 is a heat exchanger that cools the refrigerant by exchanging heat between the refrigerant circulating in the refrigeration cycle (not shown) and the outside air. The radiator 2 is a heat exchanger that cools the engine coolant by exchanging heat between the engine coolant and the outside air. Note that the refrigerant and the engine cooling water correspond to the heat medium of the present invention.

  1 and 2, the specific configurations of the capacitor 1 and the radiator 2 are not shown, but the capacitor 1 and the radiator 2 are, as is well-known, a heat exchange core unit composed of a combination of a flat tube and a corrugated fin. And a tank part that plays a role of distributing and collecting refrigerant or cooling water with respect to the flat tube of the heat exchange core part.

  The tank part in the capacitor | condenser 1 is normally arrange | positioned at the right-and-left both sides of the heat exchange core part. On the other hand, the tank part in the radiator 2 is arrange | positioned at the up-and-down both sides or right-and-left both sides of the heat exchange core part according to the form of the arrangement | positioning space given.

  The front end panel 3 is one in which the heat exchangers 1 and 2 are assembled and fixed, and is also called a carrier or a radiator support depending on the literature. The front end panel 3 includes an upper beam member 3a that is positioned on the upper side and extends in the horizontal direction, a lower beam member 3b that is positioned on the lower side and extends in the horizontal direction, and a beam member 3a that extends in the vertical direction. 3b has a rectangular frame-shaped panel main body portion composed of support columns 3c for connecting 3b.

  A fan shroud 3 d is integrally formed on the front end panel 3. The fan shroud 3d blocks the gap between the blower 4 that blows air to the heat exchangers 1 and 2 and the radiator 1, and prevents the air flow induced by the blower 4 from flowing around the heat exchanger. A function and a function of supporting the blower 4.

  The capacitor 1 is disposed at the most upstream portion (frontmost portion) of the front end panel 3, and the radiator 2 is disposed downstream of the capacitor 1. In addition, the blower 4 is disposed on the downstream side (most downstream portion) of the radiator 2.

  The heat exchangers 1 and 2 are assembled to the vehicle body via the front end panel 3. In the first embodiment, the heat exchangers 1 and 2 are mounted on the vehicle rear side of the bumper reinforcement 6 at the front end portion of the vehicle, in other words, at the front end portion of the engine room 5a on which the engine 5 is mounted.

  Here, the bumper lean force 6 is a beam-like member that extends in the vehicle width direction at the front end portion of the vehicle and absorbs a collision force from the front side of the vehicle, and is usually formed of a metal in a rectangular cross section. Yes. Both left and right end portions of the bumper lean force 6 in the vehicle width direction are connected to the side member 7 of the vehicle body via a stress absorbing portion (not shown). This stress absorbing portion is generally called a crash box and is a member that can be easily deformed by a collision force. In FIG. 2, the illustration of the bumper lean force 6 is omitted.

  A bumper cover 6a as a resin design part is disposed on the front side of the bumper reinforcement 6 and the front side of the bumper reinforcement 6 is covered with the bumper cover 6a. The bumper cover 6a is also provided on the front side of a protruding member 13 described later, and covers the front side of the protruding member 13.

  The upper opening of the engine room 5a on which the engine 5, the radiator 1 and the like are mounted is closed by an engine hood (bonnet) 8 that forms a lid member.

  On the upper side and the lower side of the bumper lean force 6, vehicle front openings 9, 10 are provided, respectively. The first vehicle front opening 9 on the upper side and the second vehicle front opening 10 on the lower side are for introducing the cooling air of the heat exchangers 1 and 2.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the upper side beam member 3 a in the front end panel 3 is provided with an upper duct 11 that protrudes toward the vehicle front side. Similarly, as shown in FIG. 2, the side ducts 12 projecting toward the front side of the vehicle are also provided on the column portions 3 c of the front end panel 3.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the lower beam member 3 b in the front end panel 3 is provided with a protruding member 13 whose end on the vehicle rear side is supported. The protruding member 13 is configured to extend over the entire width in the vehicle width direction, and is formed of a synthetic resin such as polypropylene, polyethylene, or ABS resin. Further, the protruding member 13 has a foot removal function for protecting the pedestrian by placing it on the upper portion of the engine hood 8 at the time of collision between the vehicle and the pedestrian.

  The ducts 11 and 12 and the projecting member 13 prevent the hot air from the engine room 5a from flowing from the gap between the front end panel 3 and the vehicle body to the front side of the heat exchangers 1 and 2 and to the front side of the vehicle. The existing fresh air (air not mixed with hot air) is guided to the heat exchangers 1 and 2. The upper duct 11, the side duct 12 and the protruding member 13 correspond to the duct member of the present invention.

  The projecting member 13 is provided with an opening 13a that opens from the upper side to the lower side of the vehicle. Air can be taken into the heat exchangers 1 and 2 from the front side of the opening 13a. The longitudinal direction of the opening 13a is the vehicle width direction.

  Further, in order to ensure the strength of the projecting member 13, the projecting member 13 is provided with a plurality of reinforcing members 13b that connect the opposing inner walls of the opening 13a in the short direction of the opening 13a.

  As described above, by providing the protrusion 13 with the opening 13a, air can be taken into the front side of the heat exchangers 1 and 2 from the opening 13a. For this reason, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the amount of cooling air due to the provision of ducts around the heat exchangers 1 and 2, and to improve the cooling capacity of the heat exchangers 1 and 2.

  Here, in the case where openings are provided in the ducts around the heat exchangers 1 and 2, the relationship between the position of the openings and the influence of the hot air from the engine room 5a will be examined. Here, the protruding member 13 serves as a duct on the lower side of the heat exchangers 1 and 2.

  When the opening is provided on the upper side of the heat exchangers 1 and 2, as shown in FIG. 4, the hot air in the engine room 5 a flows from the gap between the engine hood 8 and the upper beam member 3 a to the heat exchangers 1 and 2. Go directly to the front side. Similarly, when the openings are provided on the sides of the heat exchangers 1 and 2, as shown in FIG. 5, the hot air in the engine room 5a is transmitted between the end portions of the heat exchangers 1 and 2 in the vehicle width direction and the support column 3c. Go directly to the front side of the heat exchangers 1 and 2 through the gap.

  On the other hand, when an opening is provided on the lower side of the heat exchangers 1 and 2, as shown in FIG. 6, the hot air in the engine room 5a is once exhausted from the engine room 5a and transmitted to the ground surface. Go around the front. In this case, as compared with other cases, the path for hot air to enter the heat exchangers 1, 2 and the front side becomes longer, and the amount of hot air is reduced. Therefore, the influence of the hot air flowing from the engine room 5a on the cooling performance of the heat exchangers 1 and 2 is small.

  Therefore, as in the first embodiment, by providing the opening 13a in the lower projecting member 13 of the heat exchangers 1 and 2, the influence of hot air from the engine room 5a can be minimized. .

  Moreover, since the reinforcement member 13b which connects the inner walls which the opening part 13a opposes is provided in the protrusion member 13, since the intensity | strength of the protrusion member 13 can be maintained, a foot removal function and the cooling efficiency of the heat exchangers 1 and 2 It is possible to achieve both improvement.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. The same parts as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted. In the second embodiment, the present invention is applied to a vehicle provided with an under cover 14.

  FIG. 7 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing the front end structure of the vehicle according to the second embodiment. As shown in FIG. 7, the lower side of the engine room 5 a is roughly covered with an under cover 14. The front end of the under cover 14 on the vehicle front side is disposed so as to enter between the bumper cover 6 a and the protruding member 13. Further, a predetermined gap 15 is provided between the lower side beam member 3 b of the front end panel 3 and the under cover 9.

  A through hole 14a is provided in a portion corresponding to the opening 13a in the under cover 14, and air can be introduced into the heat exchangers 1 and 2 from the front side through the through hole 14a and the opening 13a of the protruding member 13. It can be done. In the second embodiment, a portion of the under cover 14 on the vehicle front side with respect to the through hole 14a is referred to as a front side under cover 141, and a portion on the vehicle rear side of the opening is referred to as a rear side under cover 142.

  A first wall portion 13c extending toward the under cover 14 (the vehicle lower side) is provided on the vehicle rear side of the opening 13a in the protruding member 13. Further, a second wall portion 14b extending to the front end panel 3 side (vehicle upper side) is provided at the front end of the rear under cover 142 on the vehicle front side. The ends of these wall portions 13c and 14b are bent in an L-shaped cross section in opposite directions. And the maze structure is comprised because the front-end | tips of these wall parts 13c and 14b mesh.

  When the configuration of the first embodiment is applied when the under cover 14 is provided in the vehicle, the hot air in the engine room 5a passes through the gap 15 between the front end panel 3 and the under cover 14 as shown in FIG. There was a risk that the cooling capacity of the heat exchangers 1 and 2 would be reduced due to wrapping around the front side of the heat exchangers 1 and 2.

  On the other hand, in the second embodiment, by forming a maze structure in the gap 15 between the front end panel 3 and the under cover 14, it is possible to prevent hot air from flowing into the front side of the heat exchangers 1 and 2. it can. For this reason, it becomes possible to improve the cooling capacity of the heat exchangers 1 and 2.

It is sectional drawing which shows the front-end structure of the vehicle which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a top view which shows the front-end structure of the vehicle which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a perspective view which shows the heat exchangers 1 and 2 and the front end panel 3 which concern on 1st Embodiment. It is sectional drawing which shows the flow of the hot air in the front-end structure of the vehicle which provided the opening part above the heat exchangers 1 and 2. FIG. It is a top view which shows the flow of the hot air in the front-end structure of the vehicle which provided the opening part in the heat exchangers 1 and 2 side. It is sectional drawing which shows the flow of the hot air in the front-end structure of the vehicle which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is an expanded sectional view showing the front end structure of the vehicle of a 2nd embodiment. It is an expanded sectional view showing the front end structure of vehicles which applied the composition of a 1st embodiment to vehicles with undercover 14 provided.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Condenser (heat exchanger), 2 ... Radiator (heat exchanger), 3 ... Front end panel, 11 ... Upper duct (duct member), 12 ... Side duct (duct member), 13 ... Projection member, 13a ... Opening part, 13b ... reinforcing member, 13c ... first wall part, 14 ... under cover, 14a ... through hole, 14b ... second wall part.

Claims (3)

A heat exchanger (1, 2) for exchanging heat between air and a heat medium, and the heat exchanger (1, 2) are assembled in an engine room (5a) on which the engine (5) is mounted. A front end structure of a vehicle including a front end panel (3),
Around the front end panel (3), it protrudes to the front side of the vehicle and prevents hot air in the engine room (5a) from flowing around to the front side of the heat exchanger (1, 2). Duct members (11, 12, 13) for guiding the air present on the side to the heat exchangers (1, 2) are provided,
The vehicle lower side of the duct member constitutes a protruding member (13) that pays the pedestrian's foot when the vehicle collides with the pedestrian,
The protruding member (13 ) has a front side covered with a bumper cover (6a),
In the vehicle up-down direction , a vehicle rear side of a portion of the protruding member (13) covered with the bumper cover (6a) and a vehicle front side of the lower side member (3b) of the front end panel (3) are arranged. The vehicle front end structure is characterized in that an opening (13a) penetrating through is formed. The vehicle front end structure according to claim 1, wherein the projecting member (13) is provided with a reinforcing member (13b) for connecting inner walls facing each other of the opening (13a). An under cover (14) covering the vehicle lower side of the engine room (5a);
A through hole (14a) is formed in a portion corresponding to the opening (13a) in the under cover (14),
A predetermined gap (15) is provided between the under cover (14) and the front end panel (3),
The gap (15) includes a first wall (13c) provided on the under cover (14) side on the vehicle rear side of the opening (13a) of the protruding member (13), and the under cover ( 14) having a labyrinth structure composed of a second wall portion (14b) provided on the front end panel (3) side on the vehicle rear side from the through hole (14a). The vehicle front end structure according to claim 1 or 2.

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