Defroster structure

Abstract

The invention provides a defroster structure. The defroster structure is provided with: an instrument panel of a vehicle; a dash panel extending in a vehicle width direction on a vehicle front side of the instrument panel; a front windshield having a front end portion supported by the dash panel; a central defroster conduit. The defroster duct is bent so as to protrude toward the rear side of the vehicle at a bent portion disposed on the rear side of the vehicle of the dash panel, and is bifurcated into a front opening and a rear opening in the front-rear direction of the vehicle at a bifurcation portion disposed on the upper side of the vehicle relative to the bent portion. The front opening portion and the rear opening portion open to the front windshield side at the front end portion of the instrument panel.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a defroster structure of a vehicle. Background Art

[0002] In the automobile air conditioning device disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 8-183429, the defroster blowing ports of the central duct and the side duct of the defroster device are engaged with the duct of the defroster grille fitted on the panel body of the instrument panel. The air blown from the opening of the defroster duct (hereinafter referred to as the "defroster opening") is blown against the inner surface of the front window panel supported on the cowl top cover. Thus, blurring caused by water droplets attached to the inner surface of the front window panel is removed. Summary of the invention

[0003] In the above-mentioned prior art, there is a problem that the defroster opening provided on the upper surface of the instrument panel directly enters the field of vision of the occupants, so the appearance is not good, and the occupants feel annoyed because the defroster opening reflected on the front window panel enters the field of vision of the occupants in front. In order to solve such a problem, the defroster opening is sometimes arranged at the front end of the instrument panel. However, in order to ensure the field of vision of the occupants in front, it is necessary to set the upper surface of the instrument panel lower. In addition, a dash panel as a vehicle frame member is arranged near the front end of the instrument panel. In order to avoid interference between the dash panel and the defroster duct, it is necessary to make a part of the defroster duct protrude to the rear side of the vehicle and bend it greatly at the rear of the vehicle of the dash panel. As a result, a large pressure loss is generated in the defroster duct, so that sufficient air volume and flow rate cannot be ensured. In order to eliminate this problem, if the defroster opening is enlarged, there is a problem that the blown air from the defroster opening is diffused.

[0004] An object of the present invention is to provide a defroster structure capable of reducing pressure loss and diffusion of blown wind in a structure in which a portion of a defroster duct is curved and convex toward the vehicle rear side at the vehicle rear of a vehicle frame member.

[0005] The defroster structure of the first embodiment includes: a vehicle dashboard; a vehicle frame member, which extends in the vehicle width direction on the vehicle front side of the dashboard; a front windshield, whose front end portion is supported by the vehicle frame member; a defroster duct, which protrudes and bends toward the rear side of the vehicle at a bending portion arranged at the rear of the vehicle of the vehicle frame member, and is branched into a front opening portion and a rear opening portion in the vehicle front-rear direction at a branching portion arranged on the upper side of the vehicle compared to the bending portion, and the front opening portion and the rear opening portion are open to the front windshield side at the front end portion of the dashboard.

[0006] In the first embodiment, a vehicle frame member extends in the vehicle width direction on the vehicle front side of the dashboard of the vehicle, and the front end of the front windshield is supported by the vehicle frame member. The defroster duct protrudes and bends toward the rear side of the vehicle at a bending portion arranged at the rear of the vehicle frame member, and branches into a front opening portion and a rear opening portion in the front-to-rear direction of the vehicle at a branching portion arranged on the upper side of the vehicle relative to the bending portion. The front opening portion and the rear opening portion of the defroster duct open to the front windshield side at the front end of the dashboard. By branching the defroster duct as described above, the pressure loss can be reduced compared to a defroster duct having a single opening portion. In addition, the blown air from the rear opening portion is attracted by the blown air from the front opening portion whose flow velocity becomes faster due to the Venturi effect, thereby suppressing the diffusion of the blown air.

[0007] A defroster structure according to a second aspect is the defroster structure according to the first aspect, wherein an inner wall surface of the rear opening on the vehicle front side has a curved surface that is convex and curved toward the vehicle rear side and the vehicle lower side.

[0008] In the second aspect, the wind flow into the rear opening of the defroster duct flows along the curved surface due to the Coanda effect, thereby controlling the wind flow and effectively slowing down the wind blowing from the rear opening. As a result, the diffusion suppression effect of the blown wind described above can be enhanced.

[0009] As described above, in the defroster structure according to the present invention, in a structure in which a part of the defroster duct is bent and protrudes toward the vehicle rear side at the vehicle rear of the vehicle frame member, pressure loss and diffusion of blown wind can be reduced. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] Features, advantages, and technical and industrial significance of exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which like symbols represent like elements, and in which:

[0011] Figure 1 It is a side view showing the structure of the defroster according to the embodiment.

[0012] Figure 2 It is a perspective view showing a defroster duct included in the defroster structure according to the embodiment.

[0013] Figure 3 A cross-sectional view showing a portion of a defroster duct.

[0014] Figure 4 It is a side view showing the relationship between the defroster structure according to the embodiment and the sight line of the occupant.

[0015] Figure 5It is a side view showing the relationship between the defroster structure according to the first comparative example and the line of sight of the occupant.

[0016] Figure 6 It is a cross-sectional view showing a part of the defroster duct according to the second comparative example.

[0017] Figure 7 It is a cross-sectional view showing a part of a defroster duct according to a third comparative example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0018] Below, refer to Figures 1 to 7 The defroster structure 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described. In addition, the arrows FR, UP, and RH marked appropriately in the drawings represent the front direction (travel direction), the upper direction, and the right direction of the vehicle, respectively. In the following, when only the front, rear, left, right, and upper and lower directions are used for description, the front, rear, left, right, and upper and lower directions of the vehicle are represented.

[0019] like Figure 1 As shown, the defroster structure 10 according to the present embodiment includes an instrument panel 16, a dash panel 20 as a vehicle frame member, a front windshield 18, and a central defroster duct 30 as a defroster duct. The instrument panel 16 is a member formed of, for example, synthetic resin, and extends in the vehicle width direction at the front end of the vehicle cabin 14 of the vehicle 12.

[0020] The dash panel 20 is constructed in a manner including a dash panel outer panel 22 extending in the vehicle width direction (vehicle left-right direction) and a dash panel inner panel (not shown) joined to the dash panel outer panel 22. The dash panel outer panel 22 and the dash panel inner panel are components manufactured by, for example, stamping a steel plate. The vehicle width direction end portions of the dash panel outer panel 22 and the dash panel inner panel are joined to a pair of left and right dash panel side panels (not shown). The left and right dash panel side panels are fixed to a pair of left and right front pillars (not shown) of the vehicle 12. The dash panel outer panel 22 and the dash panel inner panel constitute a vehicle frame component that connects the left and right front pillars in the vehicle width direction via the dash panel side panels.

[0021] The dash outer panel 22 extends in the vehicle width direction along the lower surface of the front end portion of the front windshield 18 disposed above the instrument panel 16, and supports the front end portion of the front windshield 18 from the lower side. The dash outer panel 22 includes a support wall 22A extending along the front windshield 18, an inclined wall 22B extending obliquely from the rear end portion of the support wall 22A toward the rear side and toward the lower side, and a joining wall 22C extending toward the rear side from the rear end portion of the inclined wall 22B. The front end portion of the front windshield 18 is fixed to the support wall 22A by an adhesive 24. The upper end portion of the dash inner panel is joined to the joining wall 22C by welding or other means.

[0022] like Figures 1 to 3 As shown, the central defroster duct 30 constitutes a part of a duct structure that guides conditioned air sent from an air conditioning device (air conditioning unit) disposed inside the instrument panel 16 into the vehicle cabin 14. A pair of left and right side defroster ducts (not shown) are disposed on both sides of the central defroster duct 30.

[0023] The central defroster duct 30 is a member formed into a cylindrical shape with a substantially rectangular cross section by, for example, synthetic resin, and is formed into a strip along the vertical direction. The width dimension of the central defroster duct 30 in the left-right direction is set to be sufficiently larger than the thickness dimension of the central defroster duct 30 in the front-back direction. The lower end portion of the central defroster duct 30, not shown in the figure, is connected to the above-mentioned air conditioning device.

[0024] The middle part of the central defroster duct 30 in the vertical direction is provided as a rearward tilting portion 30A that tilts toward the rear side as it tends toward the upper side. On the upper side of the rearward tilting portion 30A, a bent portion 30B that protrudes and bends toward the rear side is provided on the upper part of the central defroster duct 30. The bent portion 30B is bent into a substantially U-shape that opens toward the front side of the vehicle when viewed from the side of the vehicle, and is disposed at the rear of the front dash outer panel 22. The bent portion 30B is composed of a rearward extension portion 30B1 that extends obliquely toward the upper side and the rear side from the upper end portion of the rearward tilting portion 30A, an upper extension portion 30B2 that extends toward the upper side from the rear end portion of the rearward extension portion 30B1, and a front extension portion 30B3 that extends toward the front side from the upper end portion of the upper extension portion 30B2.

[0025] A bifurcation portion 30C is provided at the upper end portion (top end portion) of the central defroster duct 30 extending from the front extension portion 30B3 to the front side, and the bifurcation portion 30C bifurcates the upper end portion of the central defroster duct 30 into two branches in the front-rear direction of the vehicle. The bifurcation portion 30C is arranged on the upper side compared to the bending portion 30B. At the bifurcation portion 30C, the upper end portion of the central defroster duct 30 is bifurcated into a front opening portion 30D and a rear opening portion 30E. The front opening portion 30D and the rear opening portion 30E are arranged in the front-rear direction, and the front opening portion 30D is arranged on the front side relative to the rear opening portion 30E.

[0026] The front opening 30D and the rear opening 30E are in the shape of a long frame with the vehicle width direction as the long side when viewed in the vertical direction. The front opening 30D is set to have a larger width dimension in the front-to-back direction than the rear opening 30E. The front opening 30D and the rear opening 30E are connected to a central defroster duct connection port (not shown) formed at the front end of the instrument panel 16, and open toward the front windshield 18 side.

[0027] The air-conditioned air introduced from the air conditioner into the central defroster duct 30 passes through the rearwardly inclined portion 30A and the bent portion 30B to reach the branching portion 30C, and is blown out from the front opening 30D and the rear opening 30E toward the front windshield 18. Thus, blurring caused by water droplets attached to the inner surface of the front windshield 18 is eliminated.

[0028] The inner wall surface on the front side of the rear opening 30E has a curved surface 32 that is convex and curved toward the rear side and the lower side. The curved surface 32 is arranged on the root side of the rear opening 30E and is configured so that the conditioned air (wind flow) flowing into the rear opening 30E hits the curved surface 32. Figure 3 ), since the cross-sectional area of ​​the flow passage at the front opening 30D becomes narrower, the flow velocity is increased by the Venturi effect. On the other hand, for the blown wind W2 from the rear opening 30E (refer to Figure 3 ), the wind flowing into the rear opening 30E is decelerated by the Coanda effect flowing along the curved surface 32. Thus, the flow rate of the wind W1 blown from the front opening 30D is faster than the flow rate of the wind W2 blown from the rear opening 30E. Figure 3 In the , outlets are marked for conditioned air. Figure 3 The places where the middle points are denser are where the pressure of the conditioned air is higher.

[0029] In the defroster structure 10 of the above structure, the upper surface of the instrument panel 16 is set low in order to ensure the front field of vision of the occupants. In addition, in order to prevent the front opening 30D and the rear opening 30E of the central defroster duct 30 from entering the field of vision of the occupants, the front opening 30D and the rear opening 30E are arranged at the front end of the instrument panel 16. In order to avoid the interference between the central defroster duct 30 and the dash panel 20, a bent portion 30B that protrudes to the rear side and is greatly bent is formed on the upper portion of the central defroster duct 30 behind the dash panel outer panel 22.

[0030] (Function and Effect)

[0031] Next, the operation and effects of this embodiment will be described.

[0032] In the present embodiment, the dash panel 20 extends in the vehicle width direction at the front side of the instrument panel 16, and the front end of the front windshield 18 is supported by the dash panel 20. The central defroster duct 30 protrudes to the rear side and is bent at a bent portion 30B arranged at the rear of the dash panel 20, and is branched into a front opening portion 30D and a rear opening portion 30E in the vehicle front-rear direction at a branch portion 30C arranged on the upper side of the bent portion 30B. The front opening portion 30D and the rear opening portion 30E of the central defroster duct 30 are open to the front windshield 18 side at the front end of the instrument panel 16.

[0033] As described above, since the front opening 30D and the rear opening 30E of the center defroster duct 30 are arranged at the front end of the instrument panel 16, the front opening 30D and the rear opening 30E are unlikely to directly enter the field of vision of the occupant (see FIG. Figure 4 In this way, the appearance can be improved. In addition, since the position where the front opening 30D and the rear opening 30E are reflected in the front windshield 18 becomes lower, the front opening 30D and the rear opening 30E reflected in the front windshield 18 become less likely to enter the front field of vision of the occupant (see Figure 4 As a result, the occupants are less likely to feel annoyed.

[0034] In addition, although in the present embodiment, pressure loss occurs at the bend 30B of the central defroster duct 30, since the central defroster duct 30 is bifurcated as described above, the pressure loss can be reduced compared to a central defroster duct having a single opening. As a result, it is easy to sufficiently ensure the air volume and flow rate of the blown winds W1 and W2 from the front opening 30D and the rear opening 30E. Moreover, the blown wind W1 from the front opening 30D, whose flow rate becomes faster due to the Venturi effect, attracts the blown wind W2 from the rear opening 30E, thereby suppressing the diffusion of the blown winds W1 and W2. According to the above situation, the window opening performance of removing blur from the front windshield 18 is improved.

[0035] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the inner wall surface on the front side of the rear opening 30E has a curved surface 32 that is convex and curved toward the rear side and the lower side. Therefore, the air-conditioned air (wind flow) flowing into the rear opening flows along the curved surface 32 by the Coanda effect, thereby controlling the wind flow and effectively slowing down the blown wind from the rear opening 30E. As a result, the diffusion suppression effect of the blown winds W1 and W2 can be improved.

[0036] Regarding the above effects, use Figures 5 to 7 The comparative example shown is used for supplementary explanation. Figure 5 In the first comparative example shown, the bent portion 30B is not provided on the upper portion of the central defroster duct 30, and the opening portion 30F provided on the upper end portion of the central defroster duct 30 opens at the middle portion in the front-rear direction of the upper surface of the instrument panel 16. Since the opening portion 30F enters the direct field of vision of the occupant (refer to Figure 5 In addition, although the opening 30F reflected on the front windshield 18 enters the front field of vision of the occupant (see Figure 5 The occupant may feel annoyed because the sight line L2 shown in FIG. 1 is not shown. However, in the present embodiment, this situation can be avoided (see FIG. 1 ). Figure 4 ).

[0037] In addition, if Figure 6 As in the second comparative example shown in the figure, in the central defroster duct 30 having one opening 30G, if the opening 30G is arranged at the front end of the instrument panel 16, the pressure loss at the bent portion 30B increases, thereby reducing the volume and flow rate of the blown air from the opening 30G. In this regard, in the present embodiment, since the pressure loss can be reduced by, for example, 40% or more compared with the above-mentioned second comparative example, the volume and flow rate of the blown air W1, W2 can be sufficiently ensured.

[0038] In addition, if Figure 7As in the third comparative example shown in the figure, in the central defroster duct 30 having only one opening 30G, if the opening 30G disposed at the front end of the instrument panel 16 is enlarged, the pressure loss is reduced, but the blown wind W4 from the opening 30G is diffused. Figure 3 As shown, it is possible to suppress the diffusion of the blown air W1 and W2.

[0039] Although the present invention has been described above by way of the embodiments, the present invention can be implemented with various modifications without departing from the gist of the invention. In addition, the scope of rights of the present invention is obviously not limited to the above-described embodiments.

Claims

1. A defroster structure, comprising: the dashboard of a vehicle; a vehicle frame member extending in a vehicle width direction on a vehicle front side of the instrument panel; a front windshield, the front end of which is supported by the vehicle frame member; A defroster duct protrudes and bends toward the rear side of the vehicle at a bending portion arranged at the rear of the vehicle of the vehicle frame component, and is branched into a front opening portion and a rear opening portion in the front-to-rear direction of the vehicle at a branching portion arranged on the upper side of the vehicle compared to the bending portion, and the front opening portion and the rear opening portion are opened toward the front windshield side at the front end portion of the instrument panel.

2. The defroster structure according to claim 1, wherein: An inner wall surface on the vehicle front side of the rear opening has a curved surface that is convex and curved toward the vehicle rear side and the vehicle lower side.

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