JPH07304472A - Body structure of vehicle front section - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide the body structure of a vehicle front section generating little hissing sound, improving the aerodynamic characteristics without impairing the degree of freedom and matching property in designing, and capable of improving the traveling stability. CONSTITUTION:A bumper structure 2 is constituted of a front bumper 2a and a front underpanel 2b as the primary body crust of a vehicle front section, it has the primary shape other than necessary, it is continuous to other body crust, and little hissing sound is generated. The bumper structure 2 maintains the degree of freedom and matching property in designing, it rarely allows the running wind and cross wind to flow into the gap between the lower face of the vehicle and the road surface when the wind is lowered, and it serves as an air spoiler straightening the flow.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a vehicle front body structure for improving running stability during high speed running.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, with the increase of opportunities for high speed running of vehicles, running stability at the time of high speed running has been pursued and improvement of aerodynamic characteristics has been studied. Especially in one-box vehicles, which are said to have poor aerodynamic characteristics, the driver may feel instability due to changes in lift, ground contact force, and lateral force due to air turbulence during high-speed running as well as when receiving side wind. It can make you feel strongly. Therefore, many devices such as an aero bumper, an air spoiler, and an aero slit designed to improve aerodynamic characteristics and traveling stability have been proposed.

According to the structure of the front side portion of an automobile disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 61-47779, as shown in FIG. 5, it is a side corner portion of at least one of the front balance panel 12 and the front bumper 17 of the vehicle body. The turbulent fins 16, 16 projecting forward of the vehicle body are attached to the front side of the vehicle body at a position outside the bifurcation point where the running wind from just in front of the vehicle body diverges in the downward and lateral directions. As side structure, cross wind stability is improved.

[0004]

However, in the case of the front side structure of the automobile described in Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 61-47779, the turbulent flow fins 16 and 16 always project to the front of the vehicle body. Therefore, not only is there a restriction on the design, but the air resistance coefficient (Cd value) may be deteriorated. In recent years, the styling of the vehicle and the numerical value of the air resistance coefficient have become important points as a criterion when the purchaser selects the vehicle to purchase. Met. Even when the retractable air spoiler is projected only when necessary, it is discontinuous with other body contours (body shell that surrounds the outside of the vehicle such as the front under panel) when projecting, resulting in large gaps and steps and wind noise. There was a risk that the styling would not match. There was also a problem that a storage space was required.

The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, and achieves traveling stability by utilizing a part or all of the front bumper, the front under panel, and the like, which are the outer shells of the front portion of the vehicle. Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a body structure in the front part of a vehicle, in which a wind noise is less likely to occur, aerodynamic characteristics are improved without impairing the degree of freedom in design and matching, and driving stability is improved. And

[0006]

As a concrete means for solving the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides at least a body contour below a vehicle front bumper by a vehicle front body structure according to claim 1. Part or all of which can be moved up and down in the vertical direction, and when it descends, it projects into the gap between the vehicle lower surface and the road surface, and the projection makes it difficult for the running wind and crosswind to flow into the gap between the vehicle lower surface and the road surface, and the flow is reduced. A body structure of a front portion of a vehicle is configured, which is an air spoiler for rectifying. Further, according to the body structure of the vehicle front part according to claim 2, a part of the outer body of the vehicle front bumper lower side can be retracted into the body, and a side wind is applied to the vehicle body side from the leeward side of the bumper. A body structure of a front portion of a vehicle, which is an aerohole that eliminates a vortex flow generated in the vehicle.

[0007]

According to the body structure of the front part of the vehicle having the above-mentioned structure, since the body structure is continuous with other body contours, wind noise is less likely to occur, and the degree of freedom in design and matching can be maintained. On the other hand, when descending, traveling wind and side wind are less likely to flow into the gap between the vehicle lower surface and the road surface, and the flow is rectified. Further, according to the body structure of the vehicle front part according to the second aspect, since it is continuous with the outer contour of the other body, wind noise is less likely to occur, and the degree of freedom in design and matching can be maintained while maintaining the interior of the body. When pulling in, a side wind is received to eliminate the eddy current generated on the vehicle body side from the leeward end of the bumper.

[0008]

【Example】

(First Embodiment) A first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. 1 is a perspective view showing a body structure of a vehicle front portion according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The bumper 2a and the bumper under panel (balance panel) 2b, which are the body shell on the lower side of the front part of the vehicle body 1, are integrally molded with resin or steel plate (hereinafter referred to as the bumper structure 2), and are normally in their original positions. It becomes the air spoiler by being in the (home position), descending and projecting into the gap between the vehicle lower surface and the road surface. The back side of the bumper structure 2 is fixed by a pair of mounting plates 4 and 4 of the lifting device as shown in FIG. The attachment plates 4 and 4 are attached to both ends of the lifting beam 5, respectively. The elevating beam 5 is guided by a pair of guides 3, 3 so as to be able to elevate in the vertical direction via linear bearings, rollers, etc., and its central portion is fixed to an elevating box 6. The elevating box 6 forms a ball screw mechanism that circulates a steel ball in cooperation with the ball screw 7.
Is driven to rotate by a motor 8.

Next, the operation of the body structure of the front portion of the vehicle according to the first embodiment having the above structure will be described. If the driver feels that the vehicle is not stable and switches it on while driving, or if a microcomputer (not shown) stabilizes the vehicle in response to a signal from a vehicle speed sensor, wind pressure sensor, or crosswind sensor (not shown). When it is determined that the value is bad, a voltage is applied to the motor 8 and the motor 8 rotates in the normal direction. And the ball screw 7
Is driven to rotate, and an elevating box 6 is circulated through a circulating steel ball.
Goes down. As a result, the lifting beam 5 is guided by the guides 3, 3
The mounting plates 4 and 4 and the bumper structure 2 descend as they are vertically guided by and are projected to the gap between the vehicle lower surface and the road surface. Then, the bumper structure 2 is stopped by descending to a preset position that does not hinder traveling. By doing so, the bumper structure 2 becomes an air spoiler that prevents the vehicle body 1 from rising by making it difficult for running wind and cross wind to flow into the gap between the vehicle lower surface and the road surface due to the protrusion, and It rectifies the flow to improve aerodynamic characteristics and improve running stability.

Further, when the driver turns off the switch to restore the running stability, or when an off signal of the microcomputer is output in response to a signal from the vehicle speed sensor, the wind pressure sensor, or the side wind sensor, the motor 8 is activated. The bumper structure 2 is rotated in the reverse direction, and the bumper structure 2 is lifted by the operation opposite to that at the time of descending, and the bumper structure 2 is returned to the home position and stopped.

As described above, the body structure of the vehicle front portion of the first embodiment having the above-described structure uses the bumper structure 2 which is originally mounted on the vehicle, so that it is not necessary to use the platform. Since the vehicle has the original shape at the position, it is continuous with other body shells both when rising and when descending, and there is little gap, so there is less wind noise. In addition, styling of the vehicle is improved because the degree of freedom in design and matching can be maintained. Further, it is not necessary to secure a storage space unlike the conventional retractable air spoiler. Also, even if the bumper 2a moves up and down,
The shock absorbing function at the time of collision, which is the original function of the bumper, is not impaired.

The bumper structure 2 in the first embodiment
Perform the same raising / lowering operation because the bumper 2a and the bumper under panel 2b are integrally molded. However, it is not limited to this, and when the bumper and the bumper under panel are separate, the bumper It is also possible to adopt a configuration in which the lifting operation is performed only by the under panel. That is, when the bumper under panel and the other body shell are integrated, the bumper under panel and the other body shell (such as the front fender and the radiator grill) are moved up and down. Further, the lifting mechanism is not limited to the motor and the ball screw, and can be manually driven by a tool such as a wrench, driven directly by a power cylinder or via a link, driven by a motor and a geared wire, driven by a motor and a rack and pinion. Can also be used.

(Second Embodiment) A second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a body structure of a vehicle front portion according to a second embodiment of the present invention. Car body 1
The bumper 2a and the bumper under panel 2b, which are the body shell on the lower side of the front part, are integrally formed of resin, steel plate or the like (hereinafter referred to as the bumper structure 2). A pair of left and right aero holes 9, 9 are provided by pulling in two left and right portions of the bumper under panel 2b below the bumper 2a inward. As shown in FIG. 4, the aero holes 9, 9 are formed by turning the turning plate 12 inside the vehicle.
In the normal state (home position), the rotating plate 12 forms the same plane as the bumper under panel 2b, the back side is pivotally supported by the joint 13a, and the rotation of the motor 10 is performed by the link 11b, the joint 13b, the link 11a, and the joint 13a. Is transmitted and is rotated to be drawn in to form the aero holes 9, 9.

Next, the operation of the body structure of the vehicle front portion of the second embodiment having the above-mentioned structure will be described. When the driver feels that the vehicle is not stable and switches it on while driving, or in response to signals from the vehicle speed sensor, wind pressure sensor, and crosswind sensor (not shown), the microcomputer (not shown) makes the vehicle stable. When it is determined that the motor 10 is not good, a voltage is applied to the motor 10 and the motor 10 rotates forward. Then, the rotation is transmitted to the rotary plate 12 via the link 11b, the joint 13b, the link 11a, and the joint 13a, and the rotary plate 12 is rotated and drawn to a preset position, and the aero hole 9 , 9 are formed. By doing so, when the aero holes 9, 9 are formed, the air surface flow that wraps around the leeward side end of the bumper under panel 2b to the side surface of the vehicle body is largely separated, so that the vehicle body 1 of the one-box car receives the side wind and the bumper The eddy current generated on the side surface of the vehicle body from the leeward side end of the structure 2 is eliminated. The generation of this vortex forms a negative pressure portion on the side surface of the leeward side of the body, which may increase the yawing moment. Therefore, the elimination of the vortex improves the aerodynamic characteristics and improves the running stability. As shown in FIG. 3, the aero holes 9, 9 in the second embodiment have a structure in which the outside of the bumper under panel 2b is pulled in. This is more than a structure where the center side of the bumper under panel 2b is pulled in,
This is because the effect of separating the air surface flow that wraps around the side surface of the vehicle body from the leeward side end of the bumper under panel 2b is great.

When the driver turns off the switch or when the off signal of the microcomputer corresponding to the signal of the vehicle speed sensor, the wind pressure sensor, or the crosswind sensor is output, the motor 10 rotates in the reverse direction and the above-described pulling-in operation is performed. The rotating plate 12 is rotated in the opposite direction by the operation opposite to that, and the rotating plate 12 is returned to the home position and the aero holes 9, 9 are
Disappears.

As described above, the body structure of the vehicle front portion of the second embodiment having the above-mentioned structure is as follows.
When 9 is unnecessary, it is continuous with other body shells, and since there is little gap, it produces less wind noise. In addition, styling of the vehicle is improved because the degree of freedom in design and matching can be maintained. Although the aero holes 9 and 9 in the second embodiment are provided in the bumper under panel 2b, it goes without saying that the aero holes 9 and 9 are not limited thereto.
An aero hole can be provided in another body shell (such as an air dam skirt or an air spoiler) at a position where the vortex can be eliminated under the bumper 2a. Further, the rotating mechanism of the aero holes 9, 9 is not limited to the motor and the link, and can be driven directly by a power cylinder or via a link, driven by a motor and a geared wire, driven by a motor and a rack and pinion, etc. Can also be used. Further, since the rotating plate 12 is lightweight, it may be configured to be directly rotated manually. Also, in the second embodiment, the bumper under panel 2
Although the b and the rotating plate 12 are separate bodies, a part or the whole of the bumper under panel 2b is made a deformable member such as a rubber sheet or the like and is depressed by a method such as air suction to form a break. It is also possible to use an aerohole with no continuity and higher continuity. Further, a shutter may be provided at the opening of the aero hole to open and close the aero hole.

As the vehicle speed sensor in the above-described first and second embodiments, it is possible to use the signal from the vehicle speed sensor on the engine side. The wind pressure sensor and the crosswind sensor can detect the wind pressure and the crosswind in the lateral direction at the same time by installing commercially available pressure sensors and pressure switches on the left and right.

Since the body structure of the vehicle front portion of the present invention has the above-described structure and is continuous with the outer contour of the other body, the generation of wind noise is small, and the degree of freedom in design and matching are improved. There is an excellent effect that the aerodynamic characteristics can be improved without impairing the running stability.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an overall configuration of a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a lifting mechanism of the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an overall configuration of a second embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a rotating mechanism of a second embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a conventional example.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... Body, 2a ... Bumper, 2b ... Bumper under panel, 2 ... Bumper structure, 9 ... Aero hole.

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. At least a part or all of a body contour below a vehicle front bumper is vertically movable, and when descending, it protrudes into a gap between a vehicle lower surface and a road surface, and the protrusion causes traveling wind and side wind. A body structure in a front portion of a vehicle, which is an air spoiler that rectifies the flow by making it difficult to flow into a gap between the lower surface of the vehicle and a road surface. 2. An aero hole in which a part of a body contour below a front bumper of a vehicle is retractable into a body and receives a cross wind when retracting to eliminate a vortex generated from a leeward end of the bumper on a side surface of a vehicle body. The body structure at the front of the vehicle, which is characterized in that 3. The body structure for a vehicle front portion according to claim 1, further comprising a vehicle speed detecting means, wherein the movement is controlled in accordance with the detected vehicle speed. 4. The vehicle body front body structure according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising wind pressure detecting means, the movement of which is controlled according to the detected wind pressure. 5. The vehicle body front body structure according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising wind direction detecting means for controlling the movement in accordance with the detected wind direction.