Vehicle front structure

Abstract

The present application provides a vehicle front structure which simplifies an air introduction structure for introducing air introduced from an opening in front of a partition to an engine and reduces cost. The vehicle front structure includes a partition (10) provided in front of a vehicle and supporting a heat exchanger, and an air intake opening portion (12) provided in the partition (10) to introduce air taken in from the air intake opening portion (12) to an air utilizing device such as an engine or an air conditioner. An air guide path (15) extending in a vehicle width direction is formed by an upper member (10b) of the partition (10) extending in the vehicle width direction and a rear air guide portion arranged behind the upper member (10b). The vehicle front structure is configured such that the air taken in from the air intake opening portion (12) is introduced to the air utilizing device after flowing in the vehicle width direction through the air guide path (15).

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to a vehicle front structure that takes in air from an opening provided in the front of a partition and supplies the air to an engine side. BACKGROUND

[0002] In the vehicle front structure described in Patent Literature 1, an opening is provided in the upper support front surface of a partition that is disposed in the front of a vehicle and supports a heat exchanger such as a radiator. Air taken in from the opening flows into an air passage (air guide path) in the lower portion of the upper support, is drawn into an intake duct through a meandering air guide path for raindrop separation, and is introduced to an engine.

[0003] PRIOR ART DOCUMENTS

[0004] PATENT LITERATURE

[0005] Patent Literature 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2014-69591 SUMMARY

[0006] PROBLEMS TO BE SOLVED BY THE INVENTION

[0007] However, in the vehicle front structure of Patent Literature 1 described above, an air guide path is formed to be meandering for raindrop separation, and the air after the meandering is introduced to an engine (referred to as an air introduction structure). In the air introduction structure, a large sound generated by the engine propagates inside the intake system. From the viewpoint of commerciality, it is necessary to suppress (or muffle) the generated sound. A resonator is required in order to suppress (or muffle) the generated sound, and there is a problem that the air introduction structure is complicated and costs are high.

[0008] The present application has been made in view of such circumstances, and has an object to provide a vehicle front structure that can simplify an air introduction structure for air taken in from an opening in the front of a partition and introduced to an engine, reduce costs, and suppress noise generation.

[0009] MEANS FOR SOLVING THE PROBLEMS

[0010] In order to achieve the foregoing object, a vehicle front structure according to the present application includes a partition that is disposed in the front of a vehicle and supports a heat exchanger, and an air intake opening that is provided in the partition, the vehicle front structure introducing air taken in from the air intake opening to an air utilizing device, characterized in that an air guide path extending in a vehicle width direction is formed by an upper member of the partition and a rear air guide portion disposed rearward of the upper member, and the air taken in from the air intake opening is introduced to the air utilizing device after flowing in the vehicle width direction through the air guide path.

[0011] EFFECTS OF THE INVENTION

[0012] In the present application, a vehicle front structure that reduces the weight and costs associated with a partition and suppresses noise generation can be obtained. Attached Figure Description

[0013] Figure 1 This is a perspective view showing the structure behind the partition located inside the engine hood at the front of the vehicle.

[0014] Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration when the upper part of the partition is cut in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle.

[0015] Figure 3 This shows the view from the vehicle width direction. Figure 2 The side view showing the cross-sectional side of the upper component.

[0016] Figure 4 This is a perspective view showing the upper component in the partition and the air intake duct and air filter as viewed from the rear.

[0017] Figure 5 It is a cross-sectional perspective view showing the air guide path formed by the upper component in the partition and the air intake duct, and the cross-section of the air filter.

[0018] Figure 6 This is a perspective view showing the engine hood with its visible lines fixed, viewed from the rear.

[0019] Figure 7 This is a perspective view showing the structure of the rear side of the upper component.

[0020] Figure 8 It is a three-dimensional view showing the ribs on the inner surface of the intake duct.

[0021] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0022] 10 partitions

[0023] 10a Column component

[0024] 10a1 longitudinal rib

[0025] 10b upper component

[0026] 10b0 opening

[0027] upper part of 10b1

[0028] The lower part of the 10b2 upper component

[0029] The upper front part of the 10b3 component

[0030] The lower front part of the 10b4 upper component

[0031] The middle front part of the 10b5 component

[0032] 10b6 opening

[0033] 10b7 upper side branch

[0034] 10b8 lower side branch

[0035] 10b9 horizontally long opening

[0036] 12 air intake opening portion

[0037] 14 air intake duct

[0038] 14a rear air guide portion

[0039] 14b main body portion

[0040] 14c upper surface portion of the rear air guide portion

[0041] 14e lower surface portion of the rear air guide portion

[0042] 14g rib portion

[0043] 15 air guide passage

[0044] 16 air cleaner

[0045] 17a, 17b fixing portion

[0046] 17 partition plate

[0047] 20 engine hood line

[0048] hi height of the upper side branch

[0049] h2 height of the lower side branch DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0050] <Configuration of Embodiment>

[0051] Reference Figures 1-8 Embodiments of the present application are described in detail. In the description, the same reference numerals are assigned to the same elements throughout the drawings and repeated description is omitted. In addition, in each drawing, "front-rear" indicated by an arrow represents a front-rear direction of an automobile (not shown), "left-right" represents a width direction of the automobile, and "up-down" represents a vertical up-down direction.

[0052] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a rear surface of a partition plate arranged in an engine hood at a front portion of a vehicle. Figure 1 The partition plate 10 shown is made of resin, arranged at a front portion of a vehicle, and has a rectangular frame shape in a rear view (or a front view) and supports a heat exchanger 11 such as a radiator in the rectangular frame. The partition plate 10 is fixed to front ends of a pair of front side frames (not shown) of the vehicle left and right. Note that the partition plate 10 can also be made of metal.

[0053] The rectangular frame of the bulkhead 10 is configured to include: an upper member 10b extending horizontally in the vehicle width direction (lateral direction); a lower member not shown, which is disposed below the upper member 10b in parallel therewith; and left and right pillar members 10a connecting the upper member 10b and the lower member in the longitudinal direction at left and right sides. A longitudinal rib 10al is integrally fixed to the upper end portion of the left and right pillar members 10a, extends in the longitudinal direction, and widens in the vehicle width direction as it approaches the upper side. A bulkhead upper support 13 of metal extending toward the obliquely rear side is fastened to the upper outer side of the longitudinal ribs 10al.

[0054] Figure 2 A cross-sectional configuration when the upper member 10b of the bulkhead 10 is cut in the vehicle front-rear direction is shown in the middle. Figure 3 A side surface configuration of the upper member 10b is shown from the vehicle width direction. Figure 2 As shown in the middle, the upper member 10b is configured with a cross-sectional M shape (a shape in which an M shape is rotated 90 degrees to face the lateral direction) at the rear side (refer to Figure 2 or Figure 3 ), and is configured with a closed cross-sectional shape that is hollow by the combination of the intake duct 14 (a rear air guide portion 14a described later) that blocks the lateral opening 10b9. Figure 6 or Figure 7

[0055] As shown in the middle, a quadrangular opening 10b0 (refer to Figure 1 or Figure 6 or Figure 7 ) is formed at the right side of the upper member 10b. A square tube-shaped intake opening portion 12 that protrudes more toward the front side is fixed to the front side peripheral portion of the opening 10b0. Note that the opening 10b0 can also be provided at the left side front, and the intake opening portion 12 is fixed to the front side peripheral portion of the opening 10b0 at the left side. Note that the intake port described in the technical solution is configured by the opening 10b0 of the upper member 10b and the intake opening portion 12.

[0056] Figure 4 A configuration of the upper member 10b and the intake duct 14 in the bulkhead 10 and the air cleaner 16 is shown from the obliquely rear side. Figure 5 A cross-sectional configuration of the air guide path 15 configured by the upper member 10b and the intake duct 14 in the bulkhead 10 and the air cleaner 16 is shown.

[0057] As shown in the middle, the intake duct 14 is configured to include a rear air guide portion 14a and a main body portion 14b. The rear air guide portion 14a blocks the lateral opening 10b9 (refer to Figure 4 or Figure 6 or Figure 7 ​The main body 14b extends from the left end of the rear air guide 14a on the inner side of the vehicle in a perpendicular direction, forming a rectangular shape that extends from the side of the air intake opening 12 along the vehicle width direction. Figure 5 As shown in the cross-sectional view, it extends downward and connects to the rear air filter 16. The air filter 16 is connected to the rear engine side via a hollow passage (not shown).

[0058] In other words, the closed section of the upper component 10b, blocked by the rear air guide section 14a, and the main body 14b connected to the closed section constitute an air guide passage 15, which is connected to the air filter 16. According to this configuration, air (or gas) introduced from the air intake opening 12 of the partition 10 flows into the air filter 16 through the air guide passage 15, and from the air filter 16 is introduced into the engine, air conditioning, etc. It should be noted that the engine, air conditioning, etc., constitute the air utilization equipment described in the technical solution.

[0059] The air filter 16 also functions as a chamber, eliminating noise generated in the air duct 15 by combining with the intake duct 14. The capacity of the air filter 16 chamber is much larger than that of the side supports 10b7 and 10b8 of the upper component 10b described later (see reference). Figure 3 The volume of the chamber is such that the low-frequency generated sound is mainly eliminated by the large-capacity air filter 16, while the remaining high-frequency generated sound is eliminated by the small-capacity side branches 10b7 and 10b8 of the intake duct 14 (described later).

[0060] However, the low-frequency generated sound corresponds to the volume (capacity) of the air filter 16 as a chamber and the combination of the upper component 10b with the air intake duct 14 (in other words, the combination with the air duct 15), and the wavelength of the low-frequency anti-phase sound is adjusted in advance and eliminated.

[0061] The closed cross-sectional structure of the upper component 10b, which is blocked by the rear air guide section 14a of the air intake pipe 14, is described in detail in the above-mentioned air guide 15.

[0062] like Figure 2 or Figure 3 As shown, the upper component 10b has an upper part 10b1 and a lower part 10b2 with an M-shaped cross-section facing vertically. In addition, the upper component 10b has an upper front part 10b3, a lower front part 10b4, and a middle front part 10b5 located between the upper front part 10b3 and the lower front part 10b4.

[0063] The upper front face portion 10b3 is connected orthogonally to the upper face portion 10b1, and the lower front face portion 10b4 is connected orthogonally to the lower face portion 10b2. In addition, the upper front face portion 10b3 and the lower front face portion 10b4 are separated vertically with the intermediate front face portion 10b5 interposed therebetween. The intermediate front face portion 10b5 is disposed rearward of the upper front face portion 10b3 and the lower front face portion 10b4. The intermediate front face portion 10b5 is connected to the upper front face portion 10b3 and the lower front face portion 10b4 via horizontal face portions. Note that the upper front face portion 10b3 and the lower front face portion 10b4 and the intermediate front face portion 10b5 can be collectively referred to as the front face portions 10b3 to 10b5.

[0064] The rear air guide portion 14a of the intake duct 14 has a cross-sectional C-shaped form and is configured to include a rear face portion 14c facing in the vehicle front-rear direction and an upper face portion 14d and a lower face portion 14e connected orthogonally to upper and lower ends of the rear face portion 14c. The rear air guide portion 14a has an opening portion 10b6 (see FIG. 2) for connecting the main body portion 14b at a left end portion thereof. Figure 8 ).

[0065] The upper face portion 14d and the lower face portion 14e of the rear air guide portion 14a are fixed in a state of sandwiching and covering the upper face portion 10b1 and the lower face portion 10b2 of the upper member 10b. Further, the upper face portion 14d of the rear air guide portion 14a and the upper face portion 10b1 of the upper member 10b, which abut against each other, are fastened and fixed in the vertical direction by a plurality of fixing portions 17a formed by screws or bolts and nuts. In addition, the lower face portion 14e of the rear air guide portion 14a and the lower face portion 10b2 of the upper member 10b, which abut against each other, are fastened and fixed in the vertical direction by a plurality of fixing portions 17b formed by screws or bolts and nuts. By this fixing, the horizontally long opening 10b9 (see FIG. 2) of the cross-sectional M-shaped form of the upper member 10b is blocked by the rear face portion 14c of the rear air guide portion 14a. Figure 6 or Figure 7 ).

[0066] As shown in FIG. 2, inside the cross-sectional M-shaped form of the upper member 10b, an upper branch (small capacity chamber) 10b7 and a lower branch 10b8 are provided vertically separated on the front side. Figure 3

[0067] As shown in FIG. 2, the upper branch 10b7 is configured with a plurality of partition plates 17 at a prescribed interval in the vehicle width direction in a manner of straddling the upper front face portion 10b3 and the upper face portion 10b1 (see FIG. 2) of the upper member 10b. The two faces of the partition plate 17 are configured in a state of facing in the vehicle width direction, and the upper branch 10b7 is formed between the partition plates 17. Figure 7 Figure 3

[0068] ​​​The lower side support 10b8 has a plurality of partition plates 18 arranged at predetermined intervals in the vehicle width direction, spanning the lower front part 10b4 and the lower part 10b2. The two sides of the partition plates 18 are arranged facing the vehicle width direction, and the upper side support 10b8 is formed between the partition plates 18.

[0069] The multiple small side branches 10b7, 10b8 formed in the upper component 10b, which serve as chambers, function as resonators and can reduce high-frequency noise generated by airflow in the air guide 15.

[0070] like Figure 3 As shown, the height h1 of the upper side branch 10b7 is higher than the height h2 of the lower side branch 10b8. Thus, by changing the heights h1 and h2 of each side branch 10b7 and 10b8, the chamber volume of each side branch 10b7 and 10b8 becomes different. Because of the different sound resonances of each side branch 10b7 and 10b8 with different volumes, noise over a wide frequency range can be reduced.

[0071] like Figure 4 As shown by the dashed line L1, the air intake opening 12 is disposed on the front side of the upper component 10b, extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. The rear air guide 14a of the air intake duct 14 is disposed on the rear side of the upper component 10b, extending in the width direction of the vehicle. That is, the path L1 of the air entering from the air intake opening 12 to the rear air guide 14a in the longitudinal direction is orthogonal or substantially orthogonal to the path L2 of the air flowing in the rear air guide 14a in the width direction of the vehicle.

[0072] The main body 14b of the intake duct 14 extends orthogonally or substantially orthogonally to the rear air guide 14a extending along the vehicle width direction. That is, the path L2 through which air flows in the rear air guide 14a along the vehicle width direction is orthogonally or substantially orthogonally connected to the path L3 through which air flows from the rear air guide 14a to the main body 14b of the engine, etc., in the front-rear and vertical directions.

[0073] Therefore, the air entering through the air intake opening 12 passes through the air guide 15 via a path that is orthogonally or substantially orthogonally curved at two locations. Consequently, rain and snow entering through the air intake opening 12 are blocked by the orthogonally curved walls of the air guide 15.

[0074] like Figure 8As shown, a plurality of rib portions 14g extending in the vehicle width direction are provided on the inner surface of the rear air guide portion 14a of the intake duct 14 in parallel with the up-and-down direction. The inner surface of the rear air guide portion 14a is not provided with rib portions extending in the up-and-down direction. The plurality of rib portions 14g are orthogonally erected on the inner surface of the rear air guide portion 14a, and the air taken in from the intake opening portion 12 becomes high (low height) in terms of easiness of flowing in the vehicle width direction along the rear air guide portion 14a. Note that the rear surface of the rear air guide portion 14a is provided with rib portions extending in the up-and-down direction (see FIG. 2). Figure 4 ).

[0075] As shown in FIG. 1, the engine hood clear line (also referred to as a wire) 20, which functions to open the engine hood of the vehicle and the like, and an unillustrated front end wire harness (also referred to as a wire harness), which is connected to electronic components such as a horn, are fixed to the front surface side of the upper member 10b. Figure 6 , Figure 7 The fixing of the wire harness is performed by fitting a fixing clip of the wire harness into a through hole 10bb formed in the front portion 10b3 of the upper member 10b.

[0076] The fixing of the wire 20 is performed by fitting a fixing clip 21 of the wire 20 into a plurality of through holes 10ba formed in the upper surface portion 10bl of the upper member 10b.

[0077] The wire 20 and the wire harness fixed in this way are fixed by clips, and therefore a gap is formed between the through holes 10ba, 10bb of the upper member 10b and the clips, through which air can pass. Therefore, when air is taken in from the intake opening portion 12, the intake regulation using the gaps at the plurality of through holes 10ba, 10bb other than the intake opening portion 12 is performed so that the negative pressure of the air in the air guide path 15 is reduced. Therefore, the negative pressure can be reduced to suppress the generation of sound.

[0078] Effects of Embodiments

[0079] Next, the characteristic configuration of the vehicle front structure of the above-described embodiment and the effects thereof will be described.

[0080] (1) The vehicle front structure is configured to include: a partition 10 provided in front of a vehicle and supporting a heat exchanger; and an opening 10b0 as an intake port and an intake opening portion 12 provided in the partition 10, which guides air taken in from the intake opening portion 12 to an air utilizing device (an engine, an air conditioner, or the like).

[0081] The characteristic of the embodiment is that an air guide path 15 extending in the vehicle width direction is formed by an upper member 10b of the partition 10 extending in the vehicle width direction and a rear air guide portion disposed rearward of the upper member 10b. The configuration is formed so that air taken in from the intake opening portion 12 is guided to the air utilizing device after flowing in the vehicle width direction through the air guide path 15 (air guide configuration).

[0082] According to this configuration, air is routed around and introduced into the air-utilizing device in the air guide path 15 formed by the upper member 10b of the partition 10 and the rear air guide portion 14a, and thus the sound generated in the air guide path 15 is reduced. Therefore, the large sound generated by the engine and propagated inside the intake system can be reduced in the air guide path 15. In this air introduction configuration, since a resonator is not needed, the weight and cost of the air introduction configuration can be reduced. In addition, since the air guide path 15 is formed by the partition 10, the number of special parts needed to form the air guide path can be reduced. Therefore, the weight and cost of the air guide path 15 can be reduced.

[0083] (2) The air guide path 15 is configured to have a closed cross-sectional shape formed by the front surface portions 10b3 to 10b5, the upper surface portion 10bl, and the lower surface portion 10b2 of the upper member 10b, and the rear surface portion 14c of the rear air guide portion 14a. The rear air guide portion 14a is fixed so as to cover the upper surface portion 10bl and the lower surface portion 10b2 of the upper member 10b from the top and bottom directions.

[0084] According to this configuration, since the upper member 10b of the partition 10 is used as a member of the air guide path 15, the number of members of the air guide path 15 can be reduced and the cost can be reduced. Further, since the upper member 10b forms three surfaces, the front surface portions 10b3 to 10b5, the upper surface portion 10bl, and the lower surface portion 10b2, the number of members can be reduced and the cost can be reduced. In addition, since the rear air guide portion 14a is fixed so as to cover the upper surface portion 10bl and the lower surface portion 10b2 of the upper member 10b, the rear air guide portion 14a can be firmly fixed to the upper member 10b. Further, since the rear air guide portion 14a is firmly fixed to the upper and lower ends of the long opening on the rear side of the upper member 10b so as to cover the long opening, the air guide path 15 having a firm closed cross-sectional configuration can be formed.

[0085] (3) The side branches 10b7 and 10b8 that become chambers are provided inside the upper member 10b.

[0086] According to this configuration, since the side branches 10b7 and 10b8 are provided inside the upper member 10b, that is, inside the air guide path 15, the noise (sound generation) of the air guide path 15 can be eliminated. Specifically, the low-frequency noise is mainly eliminated by the air cleaner 16 that communicates with the downstream side of the air guide path 15, and the remaining low-frequency noise is eliminated by the side branches 10b7 and 10b8. Since the noise can be suppressed as such, the NV (Noise Vibration Harshness) performance of the vehicle can be improved.

[0087] (4) It is configured that the side branch 10b7, 10b8 has an upper side branch 10b7 arranged in an upper side region inside the upper member 10b and a lower side branch 10b8 arranged in a lower side region, and the upper side branch 10b7 and the lower side branch 10b8 are arranged at different height dimensions h1, h2, respectively.

[0088] According to this configuration, by setting the sizes of the side branches 10b7, 10b8 to be different in the up-and-down direction, it is possible to reduce the noise in a wide frequency band. Therefore, it is possible to further improve the NV characteristics.

[0089] (5) It is configured that a path L1 through which air taken in from the intake opening portion 12 flows to the rear air guide portion 14a communicates orthogonally or substantially orthogonally with a path L2 through which air flows in the vehicle width direction in the rear air guide portion 14a. In addition, the path L2 through which air flows in the rear air guide portion 14a communicates orthogonally or substantially orthogonally with a path L3 through which air flows from the rear air guide portion 14a to the main body portion 14b of an air utilizing device such as an engine.

[0090] According to this configuration, rain and snow taken in from the intake opening portion 12 together with air are blocked by the orthogonally curved wall surface of the air guide path 15, and thus are blocked in the vicinity of the air cleaner 16 located on the front side of the air utilizing device. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the rain and snow from being sucked into the air cleaner 16, and it is possible to suppress the filter paper of the air cleaner 16 from being clogged.

[0091] (6) It is configured that a rib portion 14g extending in the vehicle width direction is provided to the inner surface of the rear air guide portion 14a of the intake duct 14 that constitutes the air guide path 15.

[0092] According to this configuration, when air taken in from the intake opening portion 12 is guided upon encountering the rear air guide portion 14a of the intake duct 14, the air flows in the vehicle width direction along the rib portion 14g. Therefore, the air flow is not hindered and can flow smoothly.

[0093] (7) It is configured that through holes 10ba, 10bb for fixing the hood main wire 20 and the front end wire harness are provided to the upper member 10b.

[0094] According to this configuration, the hood main wire 20 and the front end wire harness are fixed to the upper member 10b by inserting clips for fixing them into the through holes 10ba, 10bb. Since the upper member 10b is used as a part of the air guide path 15, intake air from the through holes 10ba, 10bb of the upper member 10b reduces the negative pressure in the air guide path 15. Therefore, the NV characteristics are further improved.

[0095] The vehicle body structure of the present embodiment has been described above, but the present application is not limited to this, and can be appropriately changed within the scope of the gist of the present application.

Claims

1. A vehicle front structure comprising: a partition provided in front of a vehicle and supporting a heat exchanger; and an air intake provided in the partition, the vehicle front structure guiding air taken in from the air intake to an air utilizing device, characterized in that a wind guide path extending in a vehicle width direction is formed by an upper member constituting one side of a rectangular frame of the partition and a rear wind guide portion disposed behind the upper member, the wind guide path forms a closed cross-sectional shape with an inside hollow, the air taken in from the air intake is guided to the air utilizing device after flowing in the vehicle width direction through the wind guide path, a side branch serving as a chamber is provided inside the upper member, the side branch has an upper side branch disposed in an upper side region inside the upper member and a lower side branch disposed in a lower side region, the upper side branch and the lower side branch are respectively provided with different height dimensions.

2. The vehicle front structure according to claim 1, characterized in that the wind guide path forms a closed cross-sectional shape with a front face portion, an upper face portion and a lower face portion formed by the upper member and a rear face portion formed by the rear wind guide portion, the rear wind guide portion is fixed in a manner covering the upper face portion and the lower face portion in an up-down direction.

3. The vehicle front structure according to claim 1, characterized in that a path through which the air taken in from the air intake flows to the rear wind guide portion communicates with a path through which the air flows in the vehicle width direction in the rear wind guide portion substantially orthogonally, a path through which the air flows in the rear wind guide portion communicates with a path through which the air flows from the rear wind guide portion to the air utilizing device substantially orthogonally.

4. The vehicle front structure according to claim 1, characterized in that a rib portion extending in the vehicle width direction is provided on an inner surface of the rear wind guide portion.

5. The vehicle front structure according to claim 1, characterized in that the upper member is provided with a through hole for fixing a hood line and a front end wire harness. ​

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