JP5342227B2 - Body front structure - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a vehicle body front structure, and more particularly to a vehicle body front structure in which a movable shutter device is disposed between a bumper, a front grille, and a radiator.

  Generally, an opening for introducing air is provided in a front surface of a radiator installed in an engine room in a bumper or a front grill arranged in the front portion of the vehicle, and the air in the radiator is introduced by the air introduced from these openings. Cool the cooling water. On the other hand, there is a concern that the running resistance increases as the air introduced into the engine room from the opening of the bumper and the front grille increases during running at a high speed and the fuel efficiency decreases. In addition, the engine may be overcooled in winter, in cold regions, or during continuous high-speed running. Furthermore, there is a concern that the engine warm-up performance and the catalyst activity of the exhaust gas purification device may be affected in winter and in cold regions.

  As a countermeasure for this, for example, Patent Document 1 proposes a movable shutter device that blocks air introduction into the engine room according to the vehicle speed and the temperature of engine cooling water between the front grill and the radiator. Yes.

  The movable shutter device of Patent Document 1 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 7A shows an outline of the front part of the vehicle body. A radiator 102 is arranged in the engine room 101, and a bumper 103 having an air inlet 104 opened corresponding to the front lower part of the radiator 102 is arranged in the vehicle width direction. And a front grill 105 having a grill opening 106 corresponding to the front upper side of the radiator 102 is disposed.

  A movable shutter device 110 is disposed between the radiator 102, the bumper 103, and the front grill 105. The movable shutter device 110 has casings 111 and 121 arranged vertically. A first air flow passage 112 communicating with the air inlet 104 is formed in the casing 111, and the casing 121 communicates with the grill opening 106. The second air flow passage 122 is formed.

  A plurality of blade members 114 that can close the first air flow passage 112 are rotatably supported by a plurality of support shafts 113 that are disposed in the casing 111 at intervals in the vertical direction. Each blade member 114 forms an opening between each blade member 114 at an open position horizontal to each other to open the first air flow passage 112, while each blade member 114 is indicated by a virtual line in FIG. 7B. In this manner, the end portions of the blade members 114 are brought into contact with each other to close the first air flow passage 112.

  As shown in FIG. 7B, the driving device 115 that opens and closes each blade member 114 connects the other end of the link member 116 having one end connected to each support shaft 113 to the connection member 117 via a connection pin 117a. The support shaft 113, the link member 116, and the connecting member 117 constitute a four-link mechanism. The operating shaft 119 of the actuator 118 is connected to the connecting member 117 via a connecting pin 119a, and the actuator 118 is supported swingably on the casing 111 or the vehicle body main body 120. As a result, when the operating shaft 119 of the actuator 118 moves in and out with a constant stroke based on the shutter opening command or the shutter closing command from the control device set according to the vehicle speed and the engine cooling water temperature, each blade member 114 is supported. The shaft 113 is pivoted between an open position and a closed position.

  Similarly, a blade member 124 that can close the second air flow passage 122 is rotatably supported by a plurality of support shafts 123 that are spaced apart in the vertical direction in the casing 121, and is opened by an actuator. It pivots between the closed position.

JP 2007-1503 A

  According to Patent Document 1, air resistance during high-speed traveling is reduced by closing the first air passage 112 and the second air passage 122 based on the vehicle speed and the engine coolant temperature. In addition, overcooling of the engine can be suppressed in winter, in cold regions, or during continuous high-speed running. Furthermore, engine warm-up performance and catalyst activity of the exhaust gas purification device can be promoted in winter and cold regions.

  However, the actuator 118 and the first airflow passage 112, which have a large number of blade members 114 and 124 rotatably supported by the casings 111 and 121, and are composed of a link mechanism that drives the blade members 114 and 124, Since the two air flow passages 122 are provided, many components are complicated. In particular, the blade members 114 and 124 in the open position are substantially horizontal and become longer in the front-rear direction, and the lengths of the casings 111 and 121 that house these blade members 114 and 124 in the front-rear direction of the vehicle body are increased. The first and second air flow passages 112 are arranged adjacent to the outside of the 121 and communicate with the air inlet 104 of the bumper 103 and the grill opening 106 of the front grill 105 and the casings 111 and 121. , 122 increases the size of the movable shutter device 110 in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body and increases the size. As the movable shutter device 110 is increased in size, a vehicle-mounted space for the movable shutter device 110 between the radiator 102, the bumper 103, and the front grill 105 is increased, and the front portion of the vehicle body is lengthened to increase the vehicle body weight.

  Further, the first air flow passage 112 communicating with the casing 111 and the air introduction port 104 and the first air passage 122 communicating with the casing 121 and the grille opening 106 are formed in a curved shape, and also in an open position where air is introduced. Combined with the fact that the plurality of blade members 114 and 124 extend in the casings 111 and 121 and the effective opening area of the casings 111 and 121 is suppressed, the cooling performance of the radiator 102 may be reduced. Concerned. As a result, it is necessary to increase the size of the casings 111 and 121 in order to ensure the effective opening area of the casings 111 and 121, and the formation of the bumper 103 and the front grill 105 is limited.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention made in view of the above point is to provide a vehicle body front structure including a movable shutter device that has a simplified structure and is excellent in in-vehicle performance due to downsizing and excellent functionality. is there.

  The invention of the vehicle body front part structure according to claim 1, which achieves the above object, includes a bumper, a front grill disposed above the bumper, and a radiator in the engine compartment, and the bumper, the front grill and the radiator. In the vehicle body front part structure including a movable shutter device for controlling the air flowing into the radiator according to the driving state, the bumper includes a bumper upper part including a bumper beam extending in a vehicle width direction and the bumper The lower part of the bumper extends in the vehicle width direction along the lower part of the upper part, the air introduction port opens between the upper part of the bumper and the lower part of the bumper, and the front grill opens along the upper part of the upper part of the bumper. The movable shutter device includes a grille opening, and an upper frame and a lower frame that are spaced apart in the vertical direction and extend in the vehicle width direction, and extend in the vertical direction. A first vertical frame and a second vertical frame whose upper and lower ends are coupled to the end portions of the upper frame and the lower frame, respectively, and the lower range is opposed to the air inlet and the upper range is opposed to the grill opening. The frame can be moved up and down between an open position concealed above the bumper and a closed position facing the air inlet in a plate shape extending in the vehicle width direction when viewed from the front of the vehicle body. A lower shutter supported by the first vertical frame and the second vertical frame, a plate-like shape extending in the vehicle width direction when viewed from the front of the vehicle body, and an open position and a grill opening that are concealed in the upper part of the bumper An upper shutter supported by the first vertical frame and the second vertical frame so as to be vertically movable between a closed position and a closed position opposite to each other, and the lower shutter and the upper shutter between the open position and the closed position. Characterized in that a moving allowed to drive.

According to the present invention, the movable shutter device disposed between the bumper and the front grille and the radiator disposed in the engine room is supported by the first vertical frame and the second vertical frame of the frame body and viewed from the front of the vehicle body. a lower portion shutter plate that moves between a closed position opposed to a closed position and an air inlet which is concealed in the bumper upper in the front view state, is supported by the first vertical frame and a second vertical frame bumper a plate-like upper portion shutter moves between a closed position opposed to the open position and the grille opening portion which is concealed on the top, is held in an open position which is concealed the lower shutter and an upper shutter bumper upper portion of the bumper Thus, the lower range of the movable shutter device facing the air inlet of the bumper and the upper range facing the grill opening of the front grill are greatly opened. As a result, when the vehicle travels, the air introduced from the air introduction port of the bumper and the grill opening of the front grille is introduced into the front surface of the radiator, and the heat dissipation effect of the radiator can be ensured.

  On the other hand, by moving the lower shutter and the upper shutter to the closed position, the lower range of the frame portion facing the air inlet of the bumper is closed by the lower shutter, and the upper portion of the frame portion facing the grill opening of the front grille. The range is closed by the upper shutter, and an intermediate range between the lower shutter and the upper shutter is concealed on the bumper upper portion of the bumper when viewed from the front of the vehicle body. As a result, the inflow of air into the engine room during traveling is blocked, and air resistance associated with traveling is reduced, thereby improving fuel efficiency. Further, the engine can be prevented from being overcooled, and the warm-up performance of the engine and the catalyst activity of the exhaust gas purification device can be promoted.

  The movable shutter device is supported by the first vertical frame and the second vertical frame of the frame and moves between a closed position and a closed position, respectively, and a plate-like lower shutter and upper shutter, and a lower shutter and an upper shutter. The front and rear of the movable shutter device are configured by a simple structure with a small number of components by the drive mechanism that moves the shutter between the open position and the closed position, and the plate-like lower shutter and upper shutter are arranged to be movable up and down. The dimension of the direction can be suppressed, and the excellent in-vehicle performance and in-vehicle operability of the movable shutter device can be obtained.

  In addition, since the lower shutter and the upper shutter in the open position are disposed opposite to the bumper upper portion having the bumper beam, even if an impact load is input to the bumper upper portion of the bumper due to a vehicle collision accident or the like, the lower shutter and the upper shutter are protected by the bumper beam. The influence on the movable shutter device such as the shutter and the upper shutter is avoided or extremely reduced.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the vehicle body front portion structure according to the first aspect, the drive mechanism is supported by the frame.

  According to this invention, by disposing the drive mechanism on the frame body, the lower shutter, the upper shutter, and the drive mechanism constituent members can be attached to the frame in advance prior to mounting on the vehicle. Workability can be improved and the efficiency of in-vehicle work of the movable shutter device can be improved.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the vehicle body front portion structure according to the first or second aspect, the first vertical frame extends forward from the base portion and both end portions of the base portion, and the front end is separated from the front end. A first drive-side guide rail extending in the vertical direction with a cross-sectional hat shape having a pair of guide portions bent to each other, and a U-shaped cross-section that is coupled to the base portion of the first drive-side guide rail and opens on the second vertical frame side And a second driven frame extending in the vertical direction, and the second vertical frame extends rearward from both ends of the base and the base and bends in the vehicle width direction in which the tips are separated from each other. A second drive-side guide rail having a vertical cross-sectional hat shape and extending in the vertical direction, and a U-shaped cross-section that is coupled to the base of the second drive-side guide rail and opens on the first vertical frame side in the vertical direction Extend A second driven-side guide rail, and the lower shutter includes a slide portion slidably fitted to each guide portion of the first driving-side guide rail, and is vertically moved along the front surface of the first driving-side guide rail. One end is coupled to the moving first slider, the other end is slidably fitted to the second driven guide rail, and is supported by the first driving side guide rail and the second driven side guide rail so as to be movable up and down. The upper shutter has a slide portion that is slidably fitted to each guide portion of the second drive side guide rail, and has one end coupled to a second slider that moves up and down along the rear surface of the second drive side guide rail. The other end is slidably fitted to the first driven guide rail and is supported by the second drive side guide rail and the first driven side guide rail so as to be vertically movable. With drive mechanism The first drive mechanism moves the lower shutter between the open position and the closed position via the first slider, and the second drive mechanism closes the upper shutter to the open position via the second slider. It is characterized by being moved between positions.

  According to the present invention, the first vertical frame and the second vertical frame are formed by combining the driving side guide rail extending in a hat shape with the driven side guide rail extending in a U shape in cross section, and the first vertical frame is formed. And the rigidity of the second vertical frame is improved.

  Furthermore, one end of the lower shutter is supported on the first drive side guide rail via the first slider so as to be movable up and down, and the other end is movable to the second driven side guide rail having a U-shaped cross section over the entire width. By sandwiching, the lower shutter is firmly held movably on the first drive side guide rail and the second driven side guide rail, and similarly, one end of the upper shutter is connected to the second drive side guide rail via the second slider. The upper shutter is supported by the second drive-side guide rail and the first driven-side guide rail by supporting the other end so as to be movable up and down and movably sandwiching the other end with a first driven guide rail having a U-shaped cross section over the entire width. It can be held firmly and movable.

  Furthermore, a rectangular plate-shaped lower shutter and upper shutter are arranged forward and backward so that the space between the upper range of the movable shutter device and the front grille can be set small. Less impact on the

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the vehicle body front part structure according to the third aspect, the first drive mechanism includes an upper pulley rotatably supported on the upper front surface of the first drive side guide rail, and the first pulley. A lower pulley supported on the lower front surface of the one drive side guide rail and rotated forward and backward by a first electric motor, and a wire wound around the lower pulley and the upper pulley and having each end fastened to the first slider The second drive mechanism includes an upper pulley rotatably supported on the upper rear surface of the second drive side guide rail, and a lower rear surface of the second drive side guide rail supported by the second electric motor. A lower pulley that rotates forward and backward, and a wire that is wound around the lower pulley and the upper pulley and each end portion of which is fastened to the second slider are provided.

  According to the present invention, the first drive mechanism and the second drive mechanism are simply driven by the lower pulley driven by the electric motor, the upper pulley, the lower pulley, and the wire that is wound around the upper pulley and each end is fastened to the slider. It can be formed with a simple configuration. Further, the first electric motor and the second electric motor are arranged at the lower part of the frame body, and the size of the upper part of the movable shutter device in the front-rear direction can be suppressed, and the space between the upper range of the movable shutter device and the front grille Can be set small, and the influence on the shaping of the front grill can be reduced.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the vehicle body front structure according to the fourth aspect, the first electric motor and the second electric motor are concealed in the lower part of the bumper when viewed from the front of the vehicle body. And

  According to this invention, the electric motors of the first drive mechanism and the second drive mechanism are covered from the front of the vehicle body by the lower part of the bumper, and the electric motor soars from the ground during snowy roads and snowfall, water droplets, muddy water, scattered pebbles, etc. Protected from.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the vehicle body front structure according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, the movable shutter device closes the lower shutter and the upper shutter when the temperature of the engine coolant is equal to or lower than a predetermined temperature. It has the control apparatus which makes a position, It is characterized by the above-mentioned.

  According to the present invention, air is introduced by controlling the lower shutter and the upper shutter to the closed position when the temperature of the engine cooling water is equal to or lower than a predetermined temperature, for example, during low-speed running or warm-up operation in winter or cold regions. The inflow of air into the engine room from the opening and the grill opening is blocked, and it is possible to prevent the engine from overcooling and to promote the warm-up performance of the engine and the catalyst activity of the exhaust gas purification device.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the vehicle body front part structure according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, the movable shutter device is configured such that the vehicle speed is equal to or higher than a predetermined speed and the temperature of the engine coolant is equal to or lower than the predetermined temperature. It has the control apparatus which makes a lower shutter and an upper shutter a closed position, It is characterized by the above-mentioned.

  According to the present invention, when the vehicle speed is equal to or higher than the predetermined speed and the temperature of the engine cooling water is equal to or lower than the predetermined temperature, the lower shutter and the upper shutter are controlled to be in the closed position. The inflow of air is blocked, and the turbulent flow of air flowing into the engine room from the air introduction port and the grille opening can be effectively prevented, and a significant improvement in fuel consumption can be obtained due to a reduction in running resistance. Further, when the temperature of the cooling water reaches a certain value or more, the first slider and the second slider are switched to the open position even during high-speed traveling, and the temperature rise of the engine cooling water can be suppressed.

  According to the present invention, air is introduced from the air inlet of the bumper and the grill opening of the front grill at the position where the lower shutter and the upper shutter are opened, and acts on the front surface of the radiator to ensure the heat dissipation effect of the radiator. On the other hand, by moving the lower shutter and the upper shutter to the closed positions, the inflow of air into the engine room during traveling is blocked, and the air resistance associated with traveling is reduced, resulting in improved fuel efficiency. Further, the engine can be prevented from being overcooled, and the warm-up performance of the engine and the catalyst activity of the exhaust gas purification device can be promoted.

  The movable shutter device is supported by the first vertical frame and the second vertical frame of the frame and opens the plate-like lower shutter and upper shutter that move between the closed position and the closed position, respectively, and the lower shutter and the upper shutter are opened. It is configured with a simple structure with few components by the drive mechanism that moves between the position and the closed position, and the plate-like lower shutter and upper shutter are arranged to be movable up and down, so that the movable shutter device can be moved in the front-rear direction. The dimensions can be suppressed, and excellent in-vehicle performance and in-vehicle operability can be obtained.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 is a front perspective view of an automobile 1 equipped with a movable shutter device, FIG. 2 is a view taken along an arrow I in FIG. 1, FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line II-II in FIG. FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line IV-IV in FIG. In each figure, the arrow F indicates the front direction of the vehicle body. In FIG. 2, the bumper 10 and the front grille 18 are indicated by a three-dot chain line in order to clarify the configuration.

  An engine room 2 is provided at the front portion of the automobile 1, and the engine room 2 is closed with an openable hood 3 by a hood 3. A radiator 5 for cooling the engine coolant is disposed in the engine room 2. The radiator 5 is attached to a radiator upper panel 6 and a radiator lower panel 7 extending in the vehicle width direction at the front portion of the engine room 2 via brackets (not shown).

  A bumper 10 is disposed extending in the vehicle width direction so as to face the lower front portion of the radiator 5 and a front grill 18 extending in the vehicle width direction facing the upper upper portion of the radiator 5 at the front of the vehicle body.

  The bumper 10 has a bumper upper portion 11 and a bumper lower portion 14 disposed below the bumper upper portion 11. The bumper upper portion 11 includes a bumper beam 12 that extends in the vehicle width direction and is supported by the vehicle body frame, and a bumper face 13 made of resin is attached to the front surface of the bumper beam 12 via a shock absorber (not shown). The bumper lower part 14 is formed by an impact absorbing member (not shown) interposed between the radiator lower panel 7 and the bumper face 13. The bumper lower part 14 has a vertical height smaller than that of the bumper upper part 11 and a front end located behind the front end of the bumper upper part 11 and projects forward from the bumper lower part 14 in a light collision. The impact load is absorbed by the upper bumper 11. An air inlet 15 is opened between the bumper upper portion 11 and the bumper lower portion 14.

  The front grille 18 is disposed between the upper part 11 of the bumper 10 and the front end of the hood 3 so as to face the front upper part of the radiator 5 and has a decorative opening and a grill opening 19 for introducing air.

  Next, the movable shutter device 20 is disposed between the bumper 10 and the front grille 18 and the radiator 5. The movable shutter device 20 will be described with reference to FIGS.

  The movable shutter device 20 has a height substantially corresponding to the upper frame 22 extending in the vehicle width direction at a height substantially corresponding to the upper portion of the front grille 18 or the tip 3a of the hood 3 and a height corresponding to the bumper lower portion 14 of the bumper 10. A lower frame 23 extending in the width direction, and a first vertical frame 24 extending in the vertical direction and extending between the left and right ends of the upper frame 22 and the lower frame 23 and extending in the vertical direction and facing each other. And the second vertical frame 27 have a frame body 21 formed in a rectangular shape. Further, the first vertical frame 24 and the second vertical frame 27 have a separation dimension slightly larger than the dimension in the vehicle width direction of the grill opening 19 of the front grill 18 and the air introduction port 15 of the bumper 10. The lower range 21 </ b> A faces the air inlet 15 of the bumper 10, the upper range 21 </ b> B faces the grill opening 19 of the front grill 18, and the central range faces the bumper upper portion 11 of the bumper 10.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the first vertical frame 24 is bent in the vehicle width direction in which the front end extends from each end of the base 25 a and the base 25 a in the cross-sectional shape and the front ends are separated from each other. A first drive side guide rail 25 having a hat-shaped cross section having a pair of guide portions 25b and 25c and extending in the vertical direction, and a second vertical frame 27 side coupled to the rear surface of the base portion 25a of the first drive side guide rail 25 It is formed by a first driven guide rail 26 having an open U-shaped cross section and extending in the vertical direction.

  The second vertical frame 27 has a base portion 28a extending in the vehicle width direction in a cross-sectional shape, and a pair of guide portions 28b extending rearward from the respective end portions of the base portion 28a and bent in the vehicle width direction in which the distal ends are separated from each other. A second drive-side guide rail 28 having a cross-sectional hat shape 28c extending in the vertical direction, and a U-shaped cross-section that is coupled to the front surface of the base portion 28a of the second drive-side guide rail 28 and opens on the first vertical frame 24 side. It is formed by a second driven guide rail 29 extending in the vertical direction. Here, the first drive side guide rail 25, the second drive side guide rail 28, the first driven side guide rail 26, and the second driven side guide rail 29 are symmetrical and have compatibility. In addition, the first drive-side guide rail 25 that has a hat-like cross section and extends in the up-down direction and the first driven-side guide rail 26 that has a U-shaped cross-section in the up-down direction are combined to form the first vertical frame 24, which has great rigidity. The 1st vertical frame 24 which has can be comprised. Similarly, a second vertical frame 27 is formed by connecting a second drive side guide rail 28 having a hat-shaped cross section and extending in the vertical direction and a second driven side guide rail 29 having a U-shaped cross section extending in the vertical direction. Thus, the second vertical frame 27 having high rigidity can be configured.

  A U-shaped slide portion 31b formed on the first drive side guide rail 25 of the first vertical frame 24 and formed on the base portion 31 and the base portion 31a having a flat front surface and slidably fitted to the guide portions 25b and 25c, A first slider 31 having 31 c is arranged so as to be movable up and down along the front surface of the first drive side guide rail 25. Similarly, the second drive side guide rail 28 of the second vertical frame 27 has a base 32a having a flat rear surface and a U-shaped slide portion that is slidably fitted to the guide portions 28b and 28c. A second slider 32 having 32b and 32c is arranged along the front surface of the second drive side guide rail 28 so as to be movable up and down. The first slider 31 and the second slider 32 are symmetrical and have compatibility.

  A lower shutter 35 is disposed between the first drive side guide rail 25 and the second driven guide rail 29 on the vehicle body front side of the frame body 21 so as to be movable up and down. The upper shutter 36 is disposed between the two drive side guide rails 28 and the first driven side guide rail 26 so as to be movable up and down.

  The lower shutter 35 is formed by a rectangular plate body that extends in the vehicle width direction and includes an upper edge 35a, a lower edge 35b, and both side edges 35c and 35d. The vicinity of the side edge 35c, which is one end of the lower shutter 35, is bolted to the front surface of the first slider 31 and is supported by the first drive side guide rail 25 via the first slider 31 so as to be movable up and down. The side edge 35d is slidably fitted to the second driven guide rail 29. Thereby, the side edge 35c side which becomes one end is couple | bonded with the 1st slider 31 which the lower shutter 35 clamps the slide parts 31b and 31c to the guide parts 25b and 25c so that a pair of 1st drive side guide rail 25 may be moved. Both side edges 35d, which are the other ends, are movably held by a second driven guide rail 29 having a U-shaped cross section over the entire width thereof, so that the lower shutter 35 is connected to the first drive side guide rail 25 and the second driven side guide. The rail 29 is firmly held so as to be movable.

  Although not shown, the first vertical frame 24 abuts on the lower shutter 35 that rises and regulates to the open position of the lower shutter 35 and the lower position shutter that abuts on the lower shutter 35 that descends and restricts it to the closed position. A closing position regulating stopper is provided.

  The lower shutter 35 in the open position opens the lower range 21A of the frame portion 21 facing the air inlet 15 of the bumper 10 of the frame portion 21 when viewed from the front of the vehicle body, and the upper bumper portion 11 of the bumper 10. Is substantially the same height as the bumper upper portion 11 that is concealed, and preferably substantially the same height as the bumper beam 12. The lower shutter 35 in the closed position is substantially at the same height as the air inlet 15 so as to face and cover the air inlet 15 of the bumper 10.

  The upper shutter 36 is formed by a rectangular plate that has an upper edge 36a, a lower edge 36b, and side edges 36c and 36d and extends in the vehicle width direction. The vicinity of the side edge 36c, which is one end of the upper shutter 36, is bolted to the front surface of the second slider 32 and is supported by the second drive side guide rail 25 via the second slider 32 so as to be movable up and down. A side edge 36d as an end is slidably fitted to the first driven guide rail 26. Thus, the upper shutter 36 is coupled to the second slider 32 in which the slide portions 32b and 32c are movably held between the guide portions 28b and 28c to the pair of the second drive side guide rails 28, and the other end and The side edge 36d is movably held by the first driven guide rail 26 having a U-shaped cross section over the entire width, and the upper shutter 36 is movable to the second drive side guide rail 28 and the first driven side guide rail 26. Firmly held.

  Although not shown, the second vertical frame 25 abuts on the lower shutter 36 that is lowered to restrict the upper shutter 36 to the open position, and the upper shutter 36 that is in contact with the upper shutter 36 that is raised is closed. A closed position restricting stopper for restricting the position is provided.

  The upper shutter 36 in the open position is substantially at the same height as the bumper upper part 11 concealed by the bumper upper part 11 of the bumper 10 in the front view as viewed from the front of the vehicle body, preferably at the same height position as the bumper beam 12. On the other hand, the upper shutter 36 is located at substantially the same height as the grill opening 19 so as to face and cover the grill opening 19 of the front grill 18 in the closed position.

  A first drive mechanism 41 that opens and closes the lower shutter 35 between a closed position and an open position is a lower pulley 42 that is rotatably supported on the lower and front surfaces of the first drive-side guide rail 25 of the first vertical frame 22. A guide hole (not shown) of the upper pulley 43 and the first slider 31 is movably inserted, and is wound around the lower pulley 42 and the upper pulley 43, and each end 44 a, 44 b is provided with a wire 44 fastened to the first slider 31. The first pulley 31 is moved up and down by the first drive side guide rail 25 between the open position and the closed position via the wire 44 by rotating the lower pulley 42 forward and backward by the first drive motor 45. As the first slider 31 moves downward, the lower shutter 31 is guided by the first drive side guide rail 25 and the second driven rail 29 to move from the open position to the closed position, and as the first slider 31 moves upward. Then, the lower shutter 31 is guided by the first drive side guide rail 25 and the second driven rail 29 and moves from the closed position to the open position.

  The second drive mechanism 51 that opens and closes the upper shutter 36 between the closed position and the open position includes a lower pulley 52, an upper pulley 53, and a second pulley that are rotatably supported by the lower front surface and the upper front surface of the second drive side guide rail 28. A guide hole (not shown) of the slider 32 is movably inserted, wound around the lower pulley 52 and the upper pulley 53, and provided with a wire 54 whose ends 54a and 54b are fastened to the second slider 32. The second slider 32 is moved up and down by the second drive-side guide rail 28 between the open position and the closed position via the wire 54 by forward and reverse rotation by the two-drive motor 55. As the second slider 32 moves up, the upper shutter 36 is guided by the second drive side guide rail 28 and the first driven rail 26 to move from the open position to the closed position, and as the second slider 32 moves down. Thus, the upper shutter 36 is guided by the second drive side guide rail 28 and the first driven rail 26 and moves from the closed position to the open position.

  The first electric motor 45 and the second electric motor 55 are disposed on the bumper 10 at a position that does not face the air inlet 15 of the bumper 10 when viewed from the front of the vehicle body, for example, at a height that is substantially equal to the bumper lower portion 14. It is set to a hidden position.

  FIG. 6 shows a control device 60 that controls the first electric motor 45 and the second electric motor 55 of the first drive mechanism 41 and the second drive device 51. The control device 60 includes a control unit 61, and a vehicle speed sensor 62 that detects the vehicle speed and a cooling water temperature sensor 63 that detects the water temperature of the engine cooling water are connected to the control unit 61. Alternatively, the vehicle speed signal detected by the vehicle speed sensor 62 and the temperature signal detected by the cooling water temperature sensor 63 are input to the control unit 61 for every fixed travel distance, and a shutter opening command is issued based on the vehicle speed signal and the temperature signal. Alternatively, a shutter close command is output to the drive unit 64, and the drive unit 64 drives the first electric motor 45 and the second electric motor 55.

  Next, the operation | movement according to the driving | operation reception of the movable shutter apparatus 20 is demonstrated. Usually, the lower shutter 35 and the upper shutter 36 are held at the open positions indicated by the solid lines in FIGS. 2 to 4 by the first drive mechanism 41 and the second drive mechanism 51 and face the air inlet 17 of the bumper 10. The upper range 21B of the frame portion 21 that faces the lower range 21A of the front grille 18 and the grille opening portion 19 of the front grille 18, and the upper portion of the bumper 10 of the bumper 10 in the front view state when the lower shutter 35 and the upper shutter 36 are viewed from the front of the vehicle body. The bumper upper part 11 concealed by 11 is held at substantially the same height position. As a result, the lower shutter 35 and the upper shutter 36 are concealed in the bumper upper portion 11 of the bumper 10, and the lower range 21 </ b> A of the movable shutter device 20 facing the air inlet 15 of the bumper 10 is greatly opened to ensure an effective opening area. In addition, the upper range 21B of the movable shutter device 20 facing the grill opening 9 of the front grill 8 is largely opened to ensure an effective opening area.

  Thus, when the vehicle travels, air is introduced from the air introduction port 17 of the bumper 10 and introduced into the front surface of the radiator 5 via the lower range 21A of the frame body 21 of the movable shutter device 20, and the grille opening of the front grill 18 It is introduced from the portion 19 to the front surface of the radiator 5 through the upper range 21B of the frame 21 of the movable shutter device 20 to enhance the heat dissipation effect of the radiator 5 and suppress the temperature rise of the engine cooling water.

  Driven by the controller 61 when the vehicle speed detected by the vehicle speed sensor 62 is high speed running above a predetermined speed set in advance and the cooling water temperature detected by the cooling water temperature sensor 63 is below a predetermined value. A shutter closing command is issued to the unit 64, and the first electric motor 45 and the second electric motor 55 are operated by the drive unit 64.

  The first slider 31 is lowered along the first drive side guide rail 25 from the open position to the closed position via the wire 44 by the rotational drive of the lower pulley 42 by the operation of the first electric motor 45, for example, the forward rotation of the lower pulley 42. As the first slider 31 moves downward, the lower shutter 31 is guided by the first drive side guide rail 25 and the second driven rail 29 and moves from the open position to the closed position, and the first electric motor 45 stops. Then, the lower shutter 31 is held at the closed position facing the air inlet 15 as indicated by phantom lines in FIGS. Similarly, the second pulley 32 is moved from the open position to the closed position along the second drive side guide rail 28 via the wire 54 by the rotational drive of the lower pulley 52 by the operation of the second electric motor 55, for example, the forward rotation of the lower pulley 52. As the second slider 32 moves upward, the upper shutter 36 is guided by the second drive side guide rail 28 and the first driven rail 26 to move from the open position to the closed position, and the second electric motor 55 is moved. The upper shutter 36 is stopped and held at the closed position facing the grill opening 19 as indicated by phantom lines in FIGS.

  In the shutter closed state in which the lower shutter 31 and the upper shutter 36 are held at the closed position, the lower range 21A of the frame portion 21 facing the air inlet 15 of the bumper 10 is closed by the lower shutter 35, and the grill of the front grill 18 The upper range 21B of the frame portion 21 that faces the opening 19 is closed by the upper shutter 36, and the intermediate range between the upper edge 35a of the lower shutter 35 and the lower edge 36b of the upper shutter 36 is the front as viewed from the front of the vehicle body. It is concealed by the bumper upper part 11 of the bumper 10 in the visual state.

  As a result, during high speed traveling, the inflow of air into the engine room 2 is blocked, and the turbulent flow of air flowing into the engine room 2 from the air inlet 15 and the grille opening 19 can be effectively prevented. As a result, the air resistance acting on the vehicle is reduced, and the fuel efficiency is greatly improved due to the reduction in running resistance.

  When the coolant temperature detected by the coolant temperature sensor 62 exceeds a certain value, a shutter opening command is issued from the control unit 61 to the drive unit 64 even during high-speed travel, and the lower pulley due to the operation of the first electric motor 45 is issued. Due to the reverse rotation of 42, the first slider 31 rises from the closed position to the open position along the first drive side guide rail 25 via the wire 44, and the lower shutter 35 moves to the first position as the first slider 31 moves upward. It is guided by the drive side guide rail 25 and the second follower rail 29 to move from the closed position to the open position, and the lower shutter 35 is in front view as viewed from the front of the vehicle body as shown in FIGS. It moves to the open position concealed by the upper part 11 and stops. Similarly, the reverse rotation of the lower pulley 52 due to the operation of the second electric motor 55 causes the second slider 32 to rise from the closed position to the open position along the second drive side guide rail 28 via the wire 54, and the second slider The upper shutter 36 is guided by the second drive side guide rail 28 and the first driven rail 26 and moved from the closed position to the open position with the upward movement of 32, and the upper shutter 36 is moved as shown in FIGS. In the front view as seen from the front of the vehicle body, it moves to an open position concealed by the bumper upper part 11 of the bumper 10 and stops.

  Accordingly, the lower range 21A of the frame portion 21 that faces the air introduction port 15 of the bumper 10 and the upper range 21B of the frame portion 21 that faces the grill opening 19 of the front grill 18 are opened, and the air is introduced into the air introduction port of the bumper 10. 15 is introduced to the front surface of the radiator 5 through the lower range 21A of the frame 21 of the movable shutter device 20, and the upper range 21B of the frame 21 of the movable shutter device 20 is opened from the grill opening 19 of the front grill 18. And introduced into the front surface of the radiator 5 to suppress the temperature rise of the engine coolant.

  On the other hand, when the coolant temperature detected by the coolant temperature sensor 62 is equal to or lower than a certain value in winter or in a cold region, the control unit 61 even if the vehicle speed detected by the vehicle speed sensor 62 is in a low-speed running state. Thus, a shutter closing command is issued to the drive unit 64, the first electric motor 45 and the second electric motor 55 are operated, and the lower shutter 35 and the upper shutter 36 are moved from the open position to the closed position.

  As a result, the lower range 21A of the frame portion 21 facing the air inlet 15 of the bumper 10 is closed by the lower shutter 35, and the upper range 21B of the frame portion 21 facing the grill opening 19 of the front grill 18 is closed by the upper shutter 36. In addition to being closed, an intermediate range between the upper edge 35a of the lower shutter 35 and the lower edge 36b of the upper shutter 36 is concealed by the bumper upper portion 11 of the bumper 10 when viewed from the front of the vehicle body, thereby overcooling the engine. In addition, the engine warm-up performance and the catalyst activity of the exhaust gas purification device can be promoted.

  According to the above-described embodiment, the left and right first vertical frames 24 of the rectangular frame 21 are extended in a cross-sectional U-shape with the first drive-side guide rail 25 extending in a cross-sectional hat shape connected adjacently in the front-rear direction. The first driven side guide rail 26 is provided, and the second driven side guide rail 29 extending in a cross-sectional hat shape that is coupled adjacent to the front and rear of the second vertical frame 27 extends in a U-shaped cross section. By combining the second drive side guide rail 28, the rigidity of the first vertical frame 24 and the second vertical frame 27 is greatly increased, and a rectangular plate-shaped lower shutter 35 and an upper portion that move up and down between the open position and the closed position. The movable shutter device 20 can be configured with a simple configuration with few components by the first drive mechanism 41 and the second drive mechanism 51 that move up and down the shutter 36, the lower shutter 35, and the upper shutter 36. Further, a rectangular plate-like lower shutter 35 and upper shutter 36 are arranged in the front-rear direction so that the lower shutter 35 and the upper shutter 36 can be moved up and down, and the first drive mechanism 41 and the second drive mechanism 51 that move up and down the lower shutter 35 and the upper shutter 36 By disposing, the size of the movable shutter device 20 in the front-rear direction can be suppressed, and the size and weight can be reduced, and the mounting space can be reduced.

  In addition, an upper shutter 36 serving as a movable portion in the upper part of the frame body 21 is supported between a first driven guide rail 26 and a second drive side guide rail 28 on the vehicle body rear side of the frame body 21, and is relatively large. Since the electric motors 45 and 55 are disposed below the frame body 21, there is no movable member protruding to the front of the upper range of the frame body 21, and there is a space between the upper range of the movable shutter device 20 and the front grille 18. It is possible to set a small value, and the degree of freedom of the shape of the front grille 18, that is, the influence on the shaping of the front grille 18 can be reduced.

  The movable shutter device 20 includes a rectangular frame body 21, a lower shutter 35 movably supported by the frame body 21, an upper shutter 36, and a first drive mechanism 41 and a second drive mechanism disposed on the frame body 21. 51, the lower shutter 35, the upper shutter 36, and the first and second drive mechanisms 41, 51 can be assembled to the frame 21 in advance of mounting the movable shutter device 20 on the vehicle. Attachment accuracy and assembly workability are improved. The movable shutter device 20 in which the lower shutter 35, the upper shutter 36, and the first and second drive mechanisms 41 and 51 are assembled to the frame body 21 is inserted between the bumper 10, the front grille 8, and the radiator 5 from above. It can be mounted on the radiator upper panel 6 and the radiator lower panel 7 via a bracket or the like, and excellent in-vehicle performance and in-vehicle operability can be obtained in combination with reduction in size and weight.

  In addition, since the lower shutter 35 and the upper shutter 36 in the open position are spaced apart from the bumper beam 12 of the bumper 10 and the electric motors 45 and 55 are disposed behind the lower bumper lower part 14, a vehicle collision accident occurs. Even if an impact load is input to the bumper upper portion 11 of the bumper 10 due to the damage or the like and the bumper upper portion 11 is damaged, the bumper beam 12 protects the lower bumper 35, the upper shutter 36, the first drive mechanism 41, and the second drive. The influence of the mechanism 51, the frame body 21 and the like on the movable shutter device 20 is avoided or extremely reduced.

  Further, the electric motors 45 and 55 of the first drive mechanism 41 and the second drive mechanism 51 are covered from the front and lower sides of the vehicle body by the bumper lower part 14 and the radiator lower panel 7 and the like, and the electric motors 45 and 55 are in a snowy road or during snowfall. It is protected from snow, water droplets, muddy water, and scattered pebbles that soar from the ground.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment, A various change is possible in the range which does not deviate from the meaning of invention. For example, in the above embodiment, the lower shutter 35 and the upper shutter 36 are switched between the open position and the closed position, but can be controlled in multiple stages according to the water temperature of the radiator 5, etc. The opening and closing operations of the lower shutter 35 and the upper shutter 36 can be controlled separately according to the water temperature of the radiator 5 and the like.

  Further, the first driving side guide rail 25 and the first driven side guide rail 26 constituting the first vertical frame 22 of the movable shutter device 20, the second driving side guide rail 28 constituting the second vertical frame 27, etc. It can also be arranged inclined in the direction.

It is a front perspective view of a car for explaining a body front structure in the present embodiment. It is an I arrow line view of Drawing 1 showing an important section. It is the II-II sectional view taken on the line of FIG. It is the III-III sectional view taken on the line of FIG. It is the IV-IV sectional view taken on the line of FIG. It is a schematic diagram of a control device. It is explanatory drawing of the motor vehicle provided with the conventional movable shutter apparatus.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Car 2 Engine room 5 Radiator 10 Bumper 11 Bumper upper part 12 Bumper beam 14 Bumper lower part 15 Air inlet 18 Front grill 19 Grill opening 20 Movable shutter device 21 Frame 21A Lower range 21B Upper range 22 Upper frame 23 Lower frame 24 First frame Frame 25 First drive side guide rail 25a Base portion 25b, 26c Guide portion 26 First driven side guide rail 27 Second vertical frame 28 Second drive side guide rail 28a Base portion 28b, 28c Guide portion 29 Second driven guide rail 31 First 1 Slider 31a Base portion 31b, 31c Slide portion 32 Second slider 32a Base portion 32b, 32c Slide portion 35 Lower shutter 35c Side edge (one end)
35d side edge (the other end)
36 Upper shutter 36c Side edge (one end)
36d side edge (the other end)
41 First drive mechanism 42 Lower pulley 43 Upper pulley 44 Wires 44a and 44b End 45 First drive motor 51 Second drive mechanism 52 Lower pulley 53 Upper pulley 54 Wires 54a and 54b End 55 First drive motor 60 Control device

Claims (7)

A bumper and a front grill disposed above the bumper and a radiator in the engine compartment are arranged to face each other, and a movable for controlling air flowing into the radiator according to an operating state between the bumper, the front grill, and the radiator. In the front structure of the vehicle body equipped with the shutter device,
The bumper has a bumper upper portion provided with a bumper beam extending in the vehicle width direction and a bumper lower portion extending in the vehicle width direction along a lower portion of the bumper upper portion, and air is introduced between the bumper upper portion and the bumper lower portion. Mouth open,
The front grill includes a grill opening that opens along an upper portion of the bumper upper portion,
The movable shutter device includes:
An upper frame and a lower frame that are vertically spaced apart and extend in the vehicle width direction, and a first vertical frame and a second vertical frame that extend in the vertical direction and have upper and lower ends coupled to the ends of the upper and lower frames. A rectangular frame having a frame and a lower area facing the air inlet and an upper area facing the grill opening;
The first vertical frame that is movable in the vertical direction between an open position concealed in the upper part of the bumper and a closed position facing the air inlet in a plate shape extending in the vehicle width direction when viewed from the front of the vehicle body And a lower shutter supported by the second vertical frame;
The first vertical frame that is vertically movable between an open position concealed above the bumper and a closed position facing the grill opening in a plate shape extending in the vehicle width direction when viewed from the front of the vehicle body And an upper shutter supported by the second vertical frame;
A vehicle body front structure comprising a lower shutter and a drive mechanism for moving the upper shutter between the open position and the closed position.   The vehicle body front structure according to claim 1, wherein the drive mechanism is supported by the frame body. The first vertical frame is
A first drive-side guide rail extending in the vertical direction in a cross-sectional hat shape having a base and a pair of guide portions that extend forward from both ends of the base and bend in the vehicle width direction in which the tips are separated from each other;
A first driven side guide rail that is coupled to the base of the first drive side guide rail and extends in the vertical direction in a U-shaped cross section that opens on the second vertical frame side;
The second vertical frame is
A second drive-side guide rail extending in the vertical direction in a cross-sectional hat shape having a base and a pair of guide portions that extend rearward from both ends of the base and bend in the vehicle width direction where the tips are separated from each other;
A second driven-side guide rail that is coupled to the base of the second drive-side guide rail and extends in the up-down direction in a U-shaped cross section that opens on the first vertical frame side;
The lower shutter is
The first drive side guide rail has a slide portion that is slidably fitted to each guide portion, and one end is coupled to the first slider that moves up and down along the front surface of the first drive side guide rail, and the other end is It is slidably fitted to the second driven guide rail and supported by the first drive side guide rail and the second driven side guide rail so as to be vertically movable.
The upper shutter is
The second drive side guide rail has a slide portion that is slidably fitted to each guide portion, and one end is coupled to the second slider that moves up and down along the rear surface of the second drive side guide rail, and the other end is The first driven guide rail is slidably fitted to the second driven side guide rail and the first driven side guide rail so as to be vertically movable.
The drive mechanism includes a first drive mechanism and a second drive mechanism,
The first drive mechanism includes:
Moving the lower shutter between the open position and the closed position via the first slider;
The second drive mechanism is
The vehicle body front structure according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the upper shutter is moved between an open position and a closed position via the second slider. The first drive mechanism includes
An upper pulley rotatably supported on the upper front surface of the first drive side guide rail;
A lower pulley supported by the lower front surface of the first drive side guide rail and rotated forward and backward by a first electric motor;
A wire that is wound around the lower pulley and the upper pulley and each end is fastened to the first slider;
The second drive mechanism is
An upper pulley rotatably supported on the upper rear surface of the second drive side guide rail;
A lower pulley supported on the lower rear surface of the second drive side guide rail and rotated forward and backward by the second electric motor;
The vehicle body front structure according to claim 3, further comprising: a wire wound around the lower pulley and the upper pulley and each end portion being fastened to the second slider. The first electric motor and the second electric motor are
The vehicle body front part structure according to claim 4, wherein the vehicle body front part structure is concealed in a lower part of the bumper when viewed from the front of the vehicle body. The movable shutter device includes:
The vehicle body front part structure according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising a control device that sets the lower shutter and the upper shutter to a closed position when the temperature of the engine cooling water is equal to or lower than a predetermined temperature. The movable shutter device includes:
6. The control device according to claim 1, further comprising: a control device configured to close the lower shutter and the upper shutter when the vehicle speed is equal to or higher than a predetermined speed and the temperature of the engine coolant is equal to or lower than the predetermined temperature. Body front structure.

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