JPH10236129A - Automobile duct structure - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an automobile duct in which an error generated at an aperture end part at the time of manufacture can be absorbed, so it can be fixed to a specified position in a gas-tight condition, and in which parts in a car body are not damaged by move by pressure in the case where it is pushed by other members. SOLUTION: In a suction duct 10, a first drum part 11 and a second drum part 12 are connected to each other at respective connection end parts 11a, 12a by an expansion part 13 which can be deformed to be expanded/contracted in a length direction of the duct 10. An aperture area of the connection end part 12a of the second drum part 12 is larger than an aperture area of the connection end part 11a, the expansion part 13 is formed like a circular belt which is thinner than the drum parts 11, 12, and its inner and outer circumferential edges 13a, 13b are integrated with the respective connection end parts 12a, 11a. In addition, an aperture end part 12b of the second drum part 12 on the installation side to a car body is formed as bellows to be expanded/contracted in a length direction, and from a connection part of the aperture end part 12b with a drum part main body, an installation flange 12d to the car body is extended to be parallel to an end surface of the aperture end part 12b.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a duct for an automobile, for example, installed between an intercooler inside a vehicle body and an intake port of a bumper, with an opening end of the intercooler closely contacting the opening end. The present invention relates to an automobile duct such as an intake duct.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Many ducts, such as an intake duct and an exhaust duct, are installed inside a vehicle body. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, an intake duct 3 is provided between an intake port 1a formed in a bumper 1 and a heat radiating portion 2a of an intercooler 2 disposed inside the vehicle body, and external air is introduced into the intercooler 2. Used to introduce.

The intake port 1a formed in the bumper 1 has a substantially elliptical front surface, and a rectangular frame-shaped wall portion 1b extending from the periphery of the intake port 1a toward the inside of the vehicle body. . The intake duct 3 has the same thickness, has a rectangular cross section, and has a gradually increasing cross-sectional area from the opening end 3a on the bumper side to the opening end 3b on the intercooler 2 side. The intake duct 3 accommodates a part of the frame-shaped wall portion 1b at the opening end 3a on the bumper side and also connects the opening end 3b on the intercooler 2 side to the intercooler 2
The duct is supported by the vehicle body so as to face the heat radiating portion 2a.

[0004] The intake duct 3 is manufactured by cutting both closed ends after blow molding. At this time, the cut surface may be inclined to cause a cutting error at the open ends 3a and 3b. . Therefore, the intake duct 3 has a slight gap between the opening end 3b on the intercooler 2 side and the heat radiating portion 2a of the intercooler 2 so that the intake duct 3 can be used even when the cutting error occurs. After being supported on the vehicle body in a state of being held, the gap is sealed with a seal member (not shown) made of a separate body to reduce air leakage.

[0005]

However, as described above, in the case where the cutting error is absorbed by interposing a sealing member in the gap between the heat radiating portion 2a and the opening end 3b of the intercooler 2, at least, The need for the sealing member increases the number of parts. Further, a step of attaching the seal member is required, and at the same time, the operation is complicated, so that the operation efficiency is reduced.

Further, for example, when the vehicle body collides to the extent that only the bumper 1 moves rearward, the intake port 1a formed in the bumper 1 and the intercooler 2 are formed as described above.
When the air intake duct 3 is installed between the air intake duct 3 and the heat radiating portion 2a, the bumper 1 presses the duct side opening end 3a of the air intake duct 3 and the air intake duct 3 moves rearward together with the bumper 1. I do. As a result, the opening end 3b on the intercooler 2 side presses against the heat radiating portion 2a of the intercooler 2, and even if the collision is such that only the bumper 1 moves rearward of the vehicle body, the heat radiating portion 2a and the Even the cooler 2 is damaged.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above, the present invention absorbs an error in an opening end of an automobile duct without using other members even when an error occurs during molding of the duct for an automobile. In a state of being airtight with the members, the duct can be installed on the vehicle body, and even if, for example, an automobile collides to the extent that only the bumper moves, the movement of the bumper can be absorbed by the duct, and the vehicle approaches the duct. It is an object of the present invention to provide a motor vehicle duct that prevents parts from being damaged.

[0008]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides an automotive duct comprising a hollow cylindrical body having an open end, wherein the duct is provided at an intermediate portion in the longitudinal direction of the hollow cylindrical body. A main structure is an automobile duct characterized by having an elastic portion that can be elastically deformed in the longitudinal direction.

Preferably, the hollow cylindrical body has two trunks connected at the connecting end thereof by the expansion and contraction portion, and an opening area of a connecting end of one of the trunks has a connecting end of a connecting end of the other trunk. The expansion and contraction portion is formed in an annular band thinner than the trunk portion, and the inner and outer peripheral edges are integrated with each connection end portion. In this case, the cross section of the elastic portion is substantially S
It is preferable that the inner and outer peripheral edges are connected to respective connection ends of the one and other body portions. Further, it is preferable that the one and other trunk portions and the expansion and contraction portion of the duct are integrally formed by blow molding, and the expansion and contraction portion is preferably stretched and formed at a stretch ratio larger than each of the trunk portions. Alternatively, the elastic portion is formed in a bellows shape,
The duct may be capable of expanding and contracting in the longitudinal direction.

Further, as another main constitution of the present invention, in an automotive duct comprising a hollow cylindrical body having an open end, at least the open end of the hollow cylindrical body on the mounting side to the vehicle body is stretchable in the longitudinal direction. An automotive duct is provided, characterized in that it is made possible. Preferably, the opening end portion is formed in a bellows shape, and further, a flange for attaching to a vehicle body is provided at a connection portion between the trunk main body of the hollow cylindrical body and the bellows-like opening end portion. It is preferable that the opening extends parallel to the opening end face of the portion.

In the above-described automobile duct, for example, one of the open ends is opposed to a heat radiating portion of a heat exchanger inside the vehicle body, and the other open end is opposed to an intake / exhaust port formed in a bumper. Can be installed. In this case, the vehicle duct is fixed by a fixing tool such as a bolt with a predetermined gap between the mounting flange and the heat radiating portion. At the same time, the opening edge of the opening end is brought into close contact with the heat radiating portion. For example, even when the opening edge is cut obliquely at the time of manufacturing the duct and an error occurs, as in the present invention, the opening edge is closed as in the present invention. Since the portion is formed in a stretchable portion, for example, in a bellows shape, since the end portion expands and contracts in the longitudinal direction, the opening edge can be easily brought into close contact with the heat dissipation portion.

Further, for example, in the case where the bumper moves rearward due to a collision of the vehicle body and the vehicle duct is pressed rearward with the movement of the bumper, the vehicle duct is elongated in the longitudinal direction of the hollow cylinder. In the middle part of the duct and at the opening end on the vehicle body side, the duct has a telescopic part that can be deformed in the longitudinal direction of the duct, so that the duct contracts and absorbs the movement. If the rearward movement due to the collision is too large to cope with the expansion and contraction of the expansion and contraction part, the expansion and contraction part formed in the middle part of the duct is formed to be thinner than the trunk part. Is also fragile, so that it breaks at the elastic portion to absorb the movement. Therefore, even when the bumper moves rearward and presses the duct backward, the open end of the duct does not collide with the heat exchanger and does not damage the heat exchanger.

[0013]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG.
Is a perspective view of a vehicle body in which the automotive duct of the present invention is installed,
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the automobile duct of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view in a state where the automobile duct is installed on a vehicle body.

The bumper 1 of the vehicle body 4 is formed with an intake port 1a having a substantially elliptical front surface, and a frame-shaped wall portion extending from the periphery of the intake port 1a toward the inside (rear) of the vehicle body. 1b is extended. Further, an intercooler 2 is installed inside the vehicle body, a front surface of the intercooler 2 serves as a heat radiating portion 2a, and a mounting portion 2b (see FIG. 3) of the intake duct 10 is provided above and below the heat radiating portion 2a. Is formed. An intake duct 10 is provided between the intake port 1a of the bumper 1 and the heat radiating section 2a of the intercooler 2. The air intake duct 10 includes a first body 11 and a second body 12 each of which is formed of a hollow cylindrical body having a rectangular cross section, and an expansion / contraction part 13 that connects their connection ends 11a and 12a.

The first body 11 has a substantially uniform thickness from the opening end 11b to the connection end 11a, and has a sectional area extending from the intake port 1a. 1b having a size capable of accommodating the edge of the opening 1b.
1b to the connecting end 11a. On the other hand, the second body 12 is a rear opening end 12b.
The body except for the body is formed with a substantially uniform thickness. The second body 12 is formed by inclining an upper wall portion 12c in an arc shape from the connection end portion 12a toward the opening end portion 12b, and gradually increasing the cross-sectional area from the connection end portion 12a to the opening end portion 12b. I have. Further, the opening end 12b of the second body 12
Is formed in a bellows shape, and makes the opening end 12b extendable in the longitudinal direction. In addition, mounting flanges 12d extend outward from the upper and lower walls of the connecting portion between the trunk body of the second trunk 12 and the opening end 12b in parallel with the opening end surface of the opening end 12b. And the same flange 1
A bolt insertion hole 12e is formed in 2d.

The opening area of the connecting end 12a of the second body 12 is set larger than the opening area of the connecting end 11a of the first body 11, and these connecting ends 11a,
Reference numeral 12a is connected via the elastic portion 13. The expansion / contraction part 13 is formed of an annular band which is thinner than the first and second body parts 11 and 12 and has a substantially S-shaped cross section, and has an inner peripheral edge 13 a connected to the second body part 12. The outer peripheral edge 13b is integrally connected to the connecting end 11a of the first body 11 to the portion 12a. With such a configuration, the intake duct 10 can expand and contract in the longitudinal direction at the portion of the expansion and contraction section 13.

The intake duct 10 is manufactured by integrally forming the first and second body portions 11 and 12 and the expansion and contraction portion 13 by blow molding, and thereafter cutting both closed end portions. FIG. 4 shows a cross section of the mold near the elastic portion 13 during the blow molding. When the cylindrical parison 6 having a uniform thickness is set in the molding die 5, as shown by the imaginary line in the figure, a portion where the first body 11 and the second body 12 are formed is formed. The parison 6 is set along the mold surface, and the parison 6 is set in a non-contact state on the mold surface of the portion where the elastic part 13 is formed. When blow molding is performed in this state, the parison portions forming the first and second body portions 11 and 12 come into contact with the mold surface when the parison 6 is set, and are cooled by the mold surface. However, the parison portion forming the elastic portion 13 is not in contact with the mold surface and can flow freely because there is no cooling of the resin by the mold surface. Therefore, the stretchable portion 13 is stretch-formed by blow at a stretch ratio larger than that of each of the body portions 11 and 12, and becomes thin.

In order to attach the intake duct 10 having the above structure to the vehicle body, the opening end 11b of the first body 11 is required.
To accommodate the edge of the frame-shaped wall portion 1b extending from the intake port 1a of the bumper 10, and the second body portion 1
2 with the bellows-like opening end 12b facing the heat radiating portion 2a of the intercooler 2, the bolt insertion hole 12e of the mounting flange 12d is aligned with the screw hole of the mounting portion 2b of the intercooler 2. , The bolt insertion hole 12e
The bolt 7 is screwed into the screw hole through. At this time, when the bolt 7 is screwed in until the bellows-like open end 12b is in close contact with the heat radiating portion 2a, the end 12b is slightly contracted. Even at the time of this close contact, the mounting flange 12d is attached to the mounting portion 2b of the intercooler 2.
A gap is formed between the bellows-like open end 1
With the elasticity of 2b, the contact end is brought into close contact with the heat radiating portion 2a, and the body of the second body 12 is connected to the first body 1
Pushed back to one side.

Incidentally, the opening end 12b is cut after blow molding as described above.
There is a case where a cutting error such as an oblique cut occurs. Even in such a case, since the opening end 12b is formed in a bellows shape in the intake duct 10 of the present invention, the degree of tightening of the plurality of bolts 7 is adjusted to each of the opening ends 12b to adjust the opening end 12b. It can be airtightly fixed by closely contacting the heat radiating portion 2a, and air leakage can be prevented.

Further, when the vehicle body 4 to which the intake duct 10 is attached collides to the extent that, for example, only the bumper 1 is moved backward, the opening end of the first body 11 of the intake duct 10 is moved by the bumper 1. The part 11b is pressed backward. At this time, the elastic portion 13 contracts in the longitudinal direction, and the bellows-like open end portion 12 of the second body portion 12 is formed.
b shrinks in the longitudinal direction by the length of the gap formed between the mounting flange 12d and the mounting portion 2b of the intercooler 2, and the intake duct 10 absorbs the movement. Therefore, the opening end 12 of the second body 12
b does not strongly press the heat radiating portion 2b. When the rearward movement due to the collision is too large to be dealt with by the contraction of the elastic part 13 and the bellows-like opening end 12b, the elastic part 13 is larger than the body parts 11, 12. Since it is formed to be thin and fragile, the intake duct 10 is broken at the elastic portion 13,
The first body 11 can move rearward in the second body 12. Therefore, even if the bumper 1 moves rearward and presses the first body 11 of the duct 10 backward, the opening end 12b of the second body 12 is
a is strongly pressed and the intercooler 2 is not damaged.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an intake duct 10 'which is a modification of the above-described intake duct 10. As shown in FIG. The intake duct 10 ′ has almost the same configuration as the above-described intake duct 10, except that the upper and lower and left and right wall portions of the first body 11 ′ and the second body 12 ′ have a longitudinal direction of the duct 10 ′. Recess 11
The difference is that a plurality of f and 12f are formed. The intake duct 10 is also manufactured by cutting the closed end portion after blow molding, but the recesses 11f and 12f are formed to be thin at the time of blow molding, so that these recesses 11f and 12f are weak.

Similarly to the above-described intake duct 10, the intake duct 10 'according to this modified example has a configuration in which the opening end 11b' of the first body 11 'is pressed backward by the bumper 1 due to a collision of the vehicle body or the like. , Elastic part 13 ′ and bellows-like open end 1
When the movement is large, the air intake duct 10 'is broken at the expansion and contraction portion 13' and the first body 11 'is moved to the second body. It is possible to move backward in the inside of 12 'to cope. Further, in this modification, the thin recesses 11 are formed in the walls of the body portions 11 'and 12'.
Since a plurality of f and 12f are formed, the body portions 11 'and 12' themselves are easily deformed by the pressing force in the longitudinal direction, and the pressing force is prevented from being transmitted to the heat radiating portion 2a.

In addition, the intake duct 10 'according to the present modified example.
Means that the mounting flange 12d 'to the vehicle body is
Although it is different from the above-described intake duct 10 also in that it extends from the left and right walls instead of the upper and lower walls 2 ′,
This difference is merely changed in relation to the configuration of the intercooler 2 to be mounted and the space between the intercooler 2 and surrounding members, and the functions and effects related to the mounting are the same as those of the above-described intake duct 10.

In each of the above-described embodiments, the intake ducts 10 and 10 'are provided between the heat radiating portion 2a of the intercooler 2 and the intake port 1a of the bumper 1. , 10 'can be applied to various ducts mounted on the vehicle body.

[0025]

As described above, the duct for automobiles of the present invention has a thin-walled stretchable portion which is expandable and contractible in the longitudinal direction of the duct at an intermediate portion thereof. Therefore, for example, when the intake duct is installed facing both the intake port of the bumper and the heat radiating section of the intercooler, when only the bumper moves rearward due to a collision of the car body, the movement is contracted by the elastic part. Alternatively, the duct is absorbed by breaking, and the duct does not collide with the internal intercooler, thereby preventing damage to the intercooler.

Further, the duct for an automobile of the present invention has an opening end on the mounting side to the vehicle body which can be extended and contracted in the longitudinal direction. Therefore, even if an error occurs in the opening end at the time of manufacturing the duct. By adjusting the degree of expansion and contraction of the opening end, the opening end can be fixed to a predetermined portion in an airtight state, and air leakage at the fixed portion of the duct can be prevented.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle body provided with an intake duct according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the intake duct.

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a state where the intake duct is installed on a vehicle body.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a mold in the vicinity of an expansion and contraction portion during blow molding of the intake duct.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an intake duct according to a modification of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view of a conventional intake duct installed on a vehicle body.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Bumper 1a Inlet 1b Frame-shaped wall part 2 Intercooler 2a Heat radiating part 2b Attachment part 3 Intake duct 3a Open end on the side of a bumper 3b Open end on the side of an intercooler 4 Body 5 Molding die 6 Parison 7 Bolt 10,10 ′ Intake duct 11, 11 ′ first body 11a connecting end 11b open end 11f concave groove 12, 12 ′ second body 12a connecting end 12b opening end 12c upper wall 12d, 12d ′ mounting flange 12e Bolt insertion hole 12f Groove 13 Elastic part 13a Inner peripheral edge 13b Outer peripheral edge

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Kenichi Kamio 218 Aoshima-cho, Fuji-shi, Fuji City, Japan Plast Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Masayuki Sekine 218 Aoshima-cho, Fuji City, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan Plast Co., Ltd.

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. An automobile duct comprising a hollow cylindrical body having an open end, wherein an intermediate portion in the longitudinal direction of the hollow cylindrical body has an expandable portion capable of expanding and contracting in the longitudinal direction of the duct. An automotive duct characterized by the following: 2. The hollow cylindrical body has two trunks connected at the connecting end thereof by the expandable / contractible part, and the opening area of the connecting end of one trunk is the same as that of the connecting end of the other trunk. The vehicle duct according to claim 1, wherein the expansion / contraction portion is formed in an annular band having a thickness larger than an opening area and thinner than the body portion, and inner and outer peripheral edges thereof are integrated with each connection end portion. 3. The vehicle duct according to claim 2, wherein a cross section of the expandable portion has a substantially S-shape, and inner and outer peripheral edges thereof are connected to respective connection ends of the one and other body portions. 4. The duct according to claim 1, wherein the one and other trunks and the elastic part are integrally formed by blow molding, and the elastic part is stretch-molded at a stretching ratio larger than that of each trunk. 4. The vehicle duct according to 2 or 3. 5. The vehicle duct according to claim 1, wherein the expansion and contraction portion is formed in a bellows shape. 6. An automotive duct comprising a hollow cylindrical body having an open end, wherein at least the open end of the hollow cylindrical body on the side of attachment to the vehicle body is capable of extending and contracting in the longitudinal direction. Automotive ducts. 7. An automobile duct according to claim 6, wherein said open end is formed in a bellows shape. 8. A flange for attachment to a vehicle body extending parallel to an opening end face of the opening end portion at a connecting portion between the trunk main body of the hollow cylindrical body and the bellows-like opening end portion. Item 7
An automotive duct as described. 9. The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein one of the opening ends faces a heat radiating portion of a heat exchanger inside the vehicle body, and the other opening end faces a suction / exhaust port formed in a bumper. An automotive duct according to any one of claims 1 to 8.