Vehicle

Abstract

The invention provides a vehicle capable of suppressing turbulence of running wind, reducing running resistance and removing foreign matters. This vehicle (1) is provided with: a heat exchanger (4) provided in front of the vehicle; an opening (16) that is provided on the front side of the heat exchanger in the vehicle and introduces the traveling wind to the rear side of the vehicle; a foreign matter removal opening (22) which is provided on the lower side of the opening (16) in the vehicle, and which releases and removes foreign matters to the outside of the vehicle; wherein the foreign matter removing opening part is provided with an opening and closing valve (24) capable of opening and closing the foreign matter removing opening part; the opening part (16) is provided with a grid roller shutter (20); the grid roller shutter (20) and the opening and closing valve (24) are connected by a connecting member (42) so as to be capable of synchronous operation, and an actuator (32) for opening and closing the grid roller shutter (20) and the opening and closing valve (24) is provided.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle, and more particularly to a vehicle including a heat exchanger provided in front of the vehicle, a first opening provided on the front side of the vehicle of the heat exchanger and capable of guiding the traveling wind to the rear side of the vehicle, and a second opening provided on the lower side of the vehicle of the first opening and releasing and removing foreign objects to the outside of the vehicle. Background Art

[0002] In the prior art, a so-called radiator provided in front of a vehicle is provided with a so-called grille shutter for controlling the inflow air volume of the traveling wind introduced through a front grille or a lower duct in front of the vehicle into the radiator. The vehicle disclosed in Patent Document 1 is provided with a drainage recess and drainage holes (foreign object removal holes) for removing foreign objects such as rainwater and small stones other than the traveling wind flowing into the grille shutter.

[0003]

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

Patent Document 1

[0004]

Technical Problem to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] Therefore, in order to solve the above technical problems, the present invention aims to provide a vehicle that can suppress the disturbance of the traveling wind and reduce the traveling resistance while removing foreign objects.

[0006]

Technical Means for Solving the Technical Problem

[0007] According to the present invention configured as above, a second opening for releasing and removing foreign objects to the outside of the vehicle is provided on the vehicle front side of the heat exchanger and on the vehicle lower side of the first opening, and a device for opening and closing the second opening is provided. Therefore, the second opening is opened and closed according to the degree of driving resistance (especially air resistance), so that the disturbance of the driving wind can be suppressed and the driving resistance can be reduced, and foreign objects can be removed. That is, although the disturbance of the driving wind flow flowing into the second opening may correspondingly increase the driving resistance, for example, closing the second opening when the driving resistance is large (such as when the vehicle speed is high) can reduce the driving resistance. And when the driving resistance is small (such as when the vehicle speed is low), opening the second opening can remove the intruding foreign objects.

[0008] In the present invention, preferably, there is a frame member forming the first opening; wherein, the second opening is formed in the lower part of the frame member; an inclined portion inclined downward toward the vehicle in the front view is formed in the lower part of the frame member toward the second opening.

[0009] According to the present invention configured as above, since an inclined portion inclined downward toward the vehicle is formed in the lower part of the frame member toward the second opening, foreign objects are likely to accumulate in the second opening, so that foreign objects intruding from the vehicle front can be removed more effectively.

[0010] In the present invention, preferably, the second opening and the second opening opening / closing device constitute a foreign object removing device, and the foreign object removing device is provided at the center of the lower part of the frame member in the front view.

[0011] According to the present invention configured as above, the second opening and the second opening opening / closing device as the foreign object removing device are provided at the center of the lower part of the frame member, so that the foreign object removing device can be provided at a symmetric position on the left and right to remove foreign objects more effectively.

[0012] In the present invention, preferably, a first opening opening / closing device for opening and closing the first opening is provided at the first opening; the first opening opening / closing device and the second opening opening / closing device are connected by a connecting member so as to be able to operate synchronously.

[0013] According to the present invention configured as above, the connecting member enables the first opening opening / closing device and the second opening opening / closing device to operate synchronously, so that the deterioration of the driving resistance caused by operation delay can be prevented. That is, when the driving resistance (air resistance) caused by the driving wind flowing into the heat exchanger is reduced by closing the first opening through the operation of the first opening opening / closing device, through the action of the connecting member, the second opening opening / closing device can be operated simultaneously, and the second opening can be closed simultaneously to reduce the driving resistance (air resistance) caused by the driving wind flowing into the second opening.

[0014] In the present invention, preferably, the first opening is a grille opening provided on the front side of the heat exchanger for introducing traveling wind into the heat exchanger; the first opening / closing device is a grille rolling shutter device having a grille rolling shutter for opening and closing the grille opening; the grille rolling shutter device is connected to an actuator for opening and closing the grille rolling shutter; the second opening / closing device includes an opening / closing valve for opening and closing the second opening; the connecting member is a member connecting the grille rolling shutter and the opening / closing valve so that when the grille rolling shutter is closed by the actuator, the opening / closing valve performs a closing operation as the grille rolling shutter closes.

[0015] According to the present invention configured as above, when the grille rolling shutter is operated by the actuator to close the first opening in order to reduce the traveling resistance (air resistance) caused by the traveling wind flowing into the heat exchanger, the opening / closing valve of the second opening can be simultaneously closed by the action of the connecting member, and the traveling resistance (air resistance) caused by the traveling wind flowing into the second opening can be reduced. Therefore, the first opening and the second opening are simultaneously in a closed state, and the vehicle resistance can be more effectively reduced.

[0016] In the present invention, preferably, it further includes: a first opening / closing device capable of opening and closing the first opening; an actuator for performing the opening and closing of the first opening by the first opening / closing device and the opening and closing of the second opening by the second opening / closing device; a vehicle speed sensor for detecting the vehicle speed; a control device for controlling the actuator according to the value of the vehicle speed sensor; wherein, the control device controls the actuator so that when the value of the vehicle speed sensor is above a certain value, the first opening / closing device and the second opening / closing device jointly perform a closing operation, and when the value of the vehicle speed sensor is below a certain value, the first opening / closing device and the second opening / closing device jointly perform an opening operation.

[0017] According to the present invention configured as above, when the value of the vehicle speed sensor is above a certain value and considering that the traveling resistance is large, the actuator is operated to jointly close the first opening and the second opening to effectively reduce the traveling resistance, and when the value of the vehicle speed sensor is below a certain value and considering that the traveling resistance is small, the actuator is operated to jointly open the first opening and the second opening, and the intruding foreign objects can be effectively removed.

[0018] In the present invention, preferably, it further includes a connecting member that connects the first opening / closing device and the second opening / closing device so that the first opening / closing device and the second opening / closing device can operate synchronously; the actuator drives the first opening / closing device; the second opening / closing device operates synchronously with the driving of the first opening / closing device by the actuator through the connecting member.

[0019] According to the present invention configured as above, the connecting member enables the first opening / closing device and the second opening / closing device to operate synchronously, thereby preventing deterioration of the driving resistance caused by operation delay. That is, when the driving resistance (air resistance) caused by the driving wind flowing into the heat exchanger is reduced by driving the first opening / closing device by the actuator to close the first opening, the second opening / closing device can be operated simultaneously by the action of the connecting member, and the second opening can be closed simultaneously, reducing the driving resistance (air resistance) caused by the driving wind flowing into the second opening.

[0020] In the present invention, preferably, the first opening is a grille opening provided on the front side of the heat exchanger for introducing the driving wind into the heat exchanger; the first opening / closing device is a grille rolling curtain device having a grille rolling curtain for opening and closing the grille opening; the actuator is an actuator for driving the grille rolling curtain of the grille rolling curtain device to open and close; the second opening / closing device operates in conjunction with the opening and closing of the grille rolling curtain, closing when the grille rolling curtain is driven to close and opening when the grille rolling curtain is driven to open.

[0021] According to the present invention configured as above, when the grille rolling curtain is operated by the actuator to close the first opening to reduce the driving resistance (air resistance) caused by the driving wind flowing into the heat exchanger, the second opening can be closed simultaneously by the action of the connecting member, reducing the driving resistance (air resistance) caused by the driving wind flowing into the second opening. Therefore, the first opening and the second opening are simultaneously in a closed state, and the vehicle resistance can be more effectively reduced.

[0022] In the present invention, preferably, the second opening / closing device includes an opening / closing valve for opening and closing the second opening; the vehicle further includes a connecting member that connects the grille rolling curtain and the opening / closing valve so that when the actuator opens and closes the grille rolling curtain, the opening / closing valve performs an opening / closing action synchronously with the opening and closing action of the grille rolling curtain.

[0023] According to the present invention configured as above, when the grille rolling curtain is operated by the actuator to close the first opening to reduce the driving resistance (air resistance) caused by the driving wind flowing into the heat exchanger, the opening / closing valve of the second opening can be closed simultaneously by the action of the connecting member, reducing the driving resistance (air resistance) caused by the driving wind flowing into the second opening. Therefore, the first opening and the second opening are simultaneously in a closed state, and the vehicle resistance can be more effectively reduced.

[0024]

Invention Effects

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0025] Figure 1 It is a side view of the schematic structure of the vehicle according to the embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 Partial cross-sectional side view as seen from the left side of the vehicle, showing the grille shutter device and the foreign object removal device of the vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention together with the front grille, wherein the grille shutter device and the foreign object removal device are in the open state; Figure 3 Oblique view of the grille shutter device and the foreign object removal device according to this embodiment as seen from the left and obliquely in front of the vehicle, wherein each device is in the closed state; Figure 4 Front view of the grille shutter device and the foreign object removal device according to this embodiment as seen from the front of the vehicle, wherein each device is in the closed state; Figure 5 Front view for explaining the main parts of the grille shutter device and the foreign object removal device according to this embodiment, wherein each device is in the closed state; Figure 6 Front view for explaining the main parts of the grille shutter device and the foreign object removal device according to this embodiment, wherein each device is in the open state; Figure 7 Side view as seen from the left side of the vehicle for explaining the schematic structure of the connecting device of the grille shutter device and the foreign object removal device according to this embodiment; Figure 8 Partial cross-sectional oblique view as seen from the left and obliquely in front of the vehicle for explaining the function of the grille shutter device and the foreign object removal device according to this embodiment in the open state; Figure 9 Partial cross-sectional oblique view as seen from the left and obliquely in front of the vehicle for explaining the function of the grille shutter device and the foreign object removal device according to this embodiment in the closed state; Figure 10 Block diagram of the schematic structure of the control device of the vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 11 Flowchart of the control content executed by the control device of the vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Embodiment

[0026] The vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0027] The embodiments of the present invention will be described below based on the accompanying drawings.

[0028] First, Figure 1 The overall structure of the vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. Figure 1 Is a side view of the schematic structure of the vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0029] As shown Figure 1 in the figure, vehicle 1 is a so-called electric vehicle powered by an electric motor 2. Vehicle 1 has a radiator (heat exchanger) 4 that exchanges heat between the cooling water circulating through the electric motor 2 and other components (not shown) for cooling the electric motor 2 and the battery, and the traveling wind. The traveling wind is introduced into the radiator 4 through a front grille 6 at the front end of the vehicle and a lower duct 8 provided below the front end of the vehicle.

[0030] In addition, a grille shutter device 10 is provided adjacent to the radiator 4 on the front side of the vehicle. The grille shutter device 10 is used to close a grille shutter 20 provided in a grille opening 16 (see Figure 3 ), mainly to reduce the traveling resistance as air resistance, thereby improving fuel efficiency, or to open the grille shutter 20 to introduce the traveling wind into the radiator 4 to improve the cooling effect of the radiator 4.

[0031] In addition, a foreign object removal device 12 is provided on the lower side of the vehicle of the grille shutter device 10, mainly used to remove foreign objects such as small stones and rainwater that flow into the vehicle interior through the front grille 6 and the lower duct 8. The foreign object removal device 12 is a device for releasing and removing foreign objects from the vehicle through a foreign object removal hole 22 described later.

[0032] In addition, vehicle 1 is provided with a controller (control device) 14 for controlling the opening and closing operations of the grille shutter device 10 and the foreign object removal device 12. The controller 14 is composed of a computer having one or more processors (typically a CPU), that is, a processing device (circuit), a memory (ROM, RAM, etc.) for storing various programs, an input / output device, and the like.

[0033] Next, Figure 2 and Figure 3 will be used to describe the schematic structure and configuration of the grille shutter device 10 and the foreign object removal device 12. Figure 2 is a partial cross-sectional side view seen from the left side of the vehicle, showing the grille shutter device and the foreign object removal device of the vehicle according to the embodiment of the present invention together with the front grille. In this case, the grille shutter device and the foreign object removal device are in an open state; Figure 3 is an oblique view of the grille shutter device and the foreign object removal device according to the present embodiment seen from the left side and obliquely in front of the vehicle. In this case, each device is in a closed state.

[0034] First, as Figure 2 and Figure 3 shown, the grille shutter device 10 includes a rectangular grille shutter frame 18 having a grille opening (first opening) 16 formed in the center, and a grille shutter 20 provided in the opening 16 of the grille shutter frame 18.

[0035] AsFigure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the grille shutter 20 is composed of a total of four wing-shaped members. The grille shutter 20 is driven by an actuator 32 (see Figure 4 ), and in this embodiment, it switches between a closed state in which the grille opening 16 is closed mainly to reduce air resistance and an open state in which the traveling wind is introduced into the radiator 4 by opening the grille opening 16.

[0036] As Figure 2 and Figure 3 shown, a foreign object removal device 12 is provided below the grille shutter 20. The foreign object removal device 12 mainly includes a foreign object removal hole 22 formed in the grille shutter frame 18, a hole opening / closing valve 24 that opens and closes the foreign object removal hole 22, and a support member 26 that supports the hole opening / closing valve 24 so that it can rotate freely. In addition, the hole opening / closing valve 24 is pivotally supported on both sides in the vehicle width direction by a rotating shaft ( Figure 5 , Figure 7 only the single-side rotating shaft 24b is shown in the figure). In addition, the support member 26 partially supports both end portions and the outer peripheral portion of the hole opening / closing valve 24.

[0037] As Figure 2 and Figure 3 shown, the foreign object removal hole 22 is formed in the lower part of the grille shutter frame 18, and more specifically, in the lower side portion of the four sides of the rectangular grille shutter frame 18. The foreign object removal hole 22 opens downward toward the vehicle, so that foreign objects such as moisture and small stones can be released to the outside of the vehicle through the foreign object removal hole 22.

[0038] In addition, the hole opening / closing valve 24 is a member having a semicylindrical shape with a C-shaped cross section formed with an opening 24a. In a closed state in which the foreign object removal hole 22 is closed mainly to reduce air resistance, that is, a state in which the opening 24a does not face the foreign object removal hole 22 (see Figure 3 , Figure 4 , Figure 9 ), it rotates between an open state in which the foreign object removal hole 22 is opened to remove foreign objects, that is, a state in which the opening 24a faces the foreign object removal hole 22 and the foreign object removal hole 22 is opened (see Figure 2 , Figure 8 ).

[0039] The hole opening / closing valve 24 operates in synchronization with the opening and closing of the grille shutter 20 through a connecting device 28 (see Figures 5 to 7 etc.) described later. When the grille shutter 20 is in the closed state, the hole opening / closing valve 24 also rotates to the closed state.

[0040] Next, Figure 4 the structure of the grille shutter device 10 and the configuration of the foreign object removal device 12 will be described. Figure 4It is a front view of the grille rolling shutter device and the foreign object removal device according to the present embodiment as viewed from the front of the vehicle.

[0041] First, as Figure 4 shown, the foreign object removal device 12 is provided at the center in the vehicle width direction below the grille rolling shutter frame 18. In addition, as Figure 4 shown, a pair of inclined portions 30 that incline downward from the left and right outer sides in the vehicle width direction toward the foreign object removal hole 22 and the hole opening / closing valve 24 provided at the center in the vehicle width direction are formed in the lower portion of the grille rolling shutter frame 18. In the present embodiment, rainwater or the like is transferred along the inclined portion 30, or foreign objects such as small stones roll, so that the foreign objects are collected in the foreign object removal device 12.

[0042] In addition, as Figure 4 shown, an actuator 32 for driving the grille rolling shutter 20 to open and close is installed on the grille rolling shutter frame 18.

[0043] Next, Figures 5 to 7 will be used to describe the structures of the grille rolling shutter device 10 and the foreign object removal device 12 that operate through the above actuator 32. Figure 5 It is a front view for explaining the main parts of the grille rolling shutter device and the foreign object removal device according to the present embodiment, where each device is in a closed state; Figure 6 It is a front view for explaining the main parts of the grille rolling shutter device and the foreign object removal device according to the present embodiment, where each device is in an open state; Figure 7 It is a side view as viewed from the left side of the vehicle for explaining the schematic structure of the connecting device provided in the grille rolling shutter device and the foreign object removal device according to the present embodiment.

[0044] First, as Figure 5 and Figure 6 shown, the above actuator 32 drives the grille rolling shutter 20 to open and close through the drive shaft 34. In the present embodiment, the actuator 32 directly drives one grille rolling shutter 20a among the four-piece wing-shaped grille rolling shutters 20, and then the remaining three grille rolling shutters 20b are driven in a driven manner as the grille rolling shutter 20a moves.

[0045] The end portions on the outer side in the vehicle width direction of the four-piece grille rolling shutters 20a, 20b are pivotally supported by the grille rolling shutter frame 18 in a rotatable manner. And the end portions on the center side in the vehicle width direction are fixed to a shutter flap 36 described later. In the present embodiment, as the shutter flap 36 rotates, the four-piece grille rolling shutters 20a, 20b rotate to open and close the grille opening 16.

[0046] Next, shutter stoppers 36 are attached to the ends on the center side in the vehicle width direction of the four grille shutters 20a and 20b, respectively. The shutter stoppers 36 may also be integrally formed with the grille shutters 20a and 20b.

[0047] As Figures 5 to 7 shown, the shutter stopper 36 is a member having a substantially semi-circular shape and extends in the vertical direction (the direction on a plane including the vehicle up-down direction and the vehicle front-rear direction) with respect to the grille shutters 20a and 20b extending in the vehicle width direction. As Figures 5 to 7 shown, each rotation shaft 36a of the shutter stopper 36 is supported by the grille shutter frame 18 so that the shutter stopper 36 rotates around its rotation shaft (rotation center) 36a, and the rotation shaft 36a is attached to the ends on the center side in the vehicle width direction of the grille shutters 20a and 20b.

[0048] In the present embodiment, the grille opening / closing device 38 is mainly constituted by the above-mentioned grille shutters 20a and 20b and the shutter stoppers 36. In the present embodiment, the actuator 32 drives the grille opening / closing device 38.

[0049] Next, as Figure 7 shown, in each shutter stopper 36, as shown by the dotted line in the figure, a stopper protrusion 36b protruding in the radial direction with respect to the rotation center 36a is formed, and the stopper protrusion 36b is connected to a connection shaft 42 of the connection device 40 according to the present embodiment.

[0050] The connection device 40 according to the present embodiment is a device that connects the grille shutter device 10 and the foreign object removal device 12, and functions as a link mechanism through the interaction of the above-mentioned shutter stopper 36, its stopper protrusion 36b, connection shaft 42, and connection pins 44 and 46 described later. In the present embodiment, through such a connection device 40, the operation of the foreign object removal device 12 is synchronized with the operation of the grille shutter device 10.

[0051] Next, the structure of the connection device 40 will be described in more detail.

[0052] First, as Figure 7 shown, each stopper protrusion 36b and the connection shaft 42 are connected to each other via a connection pin 44 at the upper end and the middle part of the connection shaft 42. Figure 5 And Figure 6 the connection pin 44 is shown by a dotted line in

[0053] In the present embodiment, each connection pin 44 is integrally formed with the shutter stopper 36 (each stopper protrusion 36b), and each connection pin 44 is supported by the connection shaft 42 and can rotate freely. In addition, the connection pin 44 may also be provided separately from the shutter stopper 36.

[0054] On the other hand, as Figure 7 shown, at the lower end of the connecting shaft 42, the connecting shaft 42 and the hole opening / closing valve 24 are connected to each other via a connecting pin (connecting pin for the hole opening / closing device) 46. Figure 5 And Figure 6 the connecting pin 46 is shown by a dashed line in

[0055] In the present embodiment, the connecting pin 46 is integrally formed with the hole opening / closing valve 24, and the connecting pin 46 is supported by the connecting shaft 42 and can rotate freely. In addition, the connecting pin 46 may be separately provided from the hole opening / closing valve 24.

[0056] As Figure 7 shown, the connecting pin 46 is provided at a position protruding in the radial direction with respect to the rotation axis 24b of the hole opening / closing valve 24. With this positional relationship, when the connecting shaft 42 operates, the hole opening / closing valve 24 opens and closes as it operates.

[0057] Next, in the present embodiment, a hole opening / closing device (first opening / closing device) 48 for opening and closing the foreign object removal hole 22 is constituted by the connecting pin 46 connected to the above-mentioned connecting shaft 42, the hole opening / closing valve 24, and its rotation axis 24b, and operates in synchronization with the operation of the grille shutter device 10. In the present embodiment, as described above, the hole opening / closing device 48 is driven as the actuator 32 operates.

[0058] Next, through Figures 7 to 9 the operation of the actuator 32 on the grille shutter device 10, the connecting device 28, and the foreign object removal device 12 will be described. Figure 8 is a partial cross-sectional perspective view seen from the left side and obliquely forward of the vehicle for explaining the action of the grille shutter device and the foreign object removal device according to the present embodiment in the open state; Figure 9 is a partial cross-sectional perspective view seen from the left side and obliquely forward of the vehicle for explaining the action of the grille shutter device and the foreign object removal device according to the present embodiment in the closed state.

[0059] First, Figure 7 in, the actuator 32 is operated. As shown by the arrow A, after being driven in the direction of opening the grille shutter 20a, the connecting shaft 42 moves in the direction of the arrow B. As it moves, the hole opening / closing valve 24 rotates in the direction of the arrow C. As Figure 8 shown, the hole opening / closing valve 24 becomes the open state.

[0060] Secondly, as Figure 8As shown, foreign objects such as small stones and rainwater that mainly flow into the vehicle through the front grille 6 and the lower pipe 8, as exemplified by arrow D, are mainly collected by the inclined portion 30 of the grille rolling shutter frame 18 (and a part of the lower pipe 8 in this embodiment) into the foreign object removal device 12, and are released to the outside of the vehicle from the opening 24a of the hole opening / closing valve 24 and the foreign object removal hole 22, and are removed from the vehicle interior. In addition, the grille rolling shutter frame 18 can be formed such that foreign objects moving on the inclined portion 30 directly flow into the foreign object removal hole 22.

[0061] Then, as Figure 8 shown, in this state, the grille shutter 20 is in the open state, so the running wind can be introduced into the radiator 4, improving the cooling effect of the radiator 4.

[0062] On the other hand, referring to Figure 7 it can be seen that after the actuator 32 operates and drives in the direction of closing the grille shutter 20a (the direction opposite to arrow A), the connecting shaft 42 moves in the direction opposite to arrow B. As it moves, the hole opening / closing valve 24 rotates in the direction opposite to arrow C. As Figure 9 shown, the hole opening / closing valve 24 becomes the closed state.

[0063] Then, as Figure 9 shown, in this state, both the grille shutter 20 and the foreign object removal hole 22 are in the closed state, so the air resistance, that is, the running resistance, can be reduced, thereby improving the fuel efficiency.

[0064] Next, the control content of the vehicle 1 executed by the controller 14 according to this embodiment will be described through Figure 10 and Figure 11 In the following, S represents each step. Figure 11 In the following, S represents each step.

[0065] First, as Figure 10 shown, the controller 14 is connected to a vehicle speed sensor 50 that detects the vehicle speed of the vehicle 1, and a signal representing the vehicle speed of the vehicle 1 is input from the vehicle speed sensor 50 to the controller 14. On the other hand, the controller 14 is connected to the above-mentioned actuator 32, and the controller 14 controls the operation of the actuator 32 based on the obtained vehicle speed.

[0066] More specifically, the controller 14 includes: a grille shutter / foreign object removal hole opening / closing determination unit 52 that determines whether to open or close the grille opening 16 and the foreign object removal hole 22 according to the vehicle speed obtained from the vehicle speed sensor 50; a grille shutter / foreign object removal hole opening / closing instruction unit 54 that, based on the determination of the determination unit 52, sends a signal to the actuator 32 to send an instruction signal to make either the grille opening 16 and the foreign object removal hole 22 become the open state or the closed state.

[0067] Next, as Figure 11As shown, the controller 14 first obtains the vehicle speed of the vehicle 1 based on the signal from the vehicle speed sensor 50 in S1.

[0068] In S2, the grille shutter / foreign object removal hole opening / closing determination unit 52 determines whether the vehicle speed obtained in S1 exceeds a certain vehicle speed V (20 km / h in this embodiment). In this embodiment, when the vehicle speed of the vehicle 1 exceeds the vehicle speed V, the grille shutter / foreign object removal hole opening / closing determination unit 52 determines to close the grille opening 16 and the foreign object removal hole 22; when the vehicle speed does not exceed the vehicle speed V, the grille shutter / foreign object removal hole opening / closing determination unit 52 determines to open the grille opening 16 and the foreign object removal hole 22.

[0069] In S2, when the vehicle speed of the vehicle 1 exceeds the "vehicle speed V" and it is determined to close the grille opening 16 and the foreign object removal hole 22 (S2 is YES), it proceeds to S3, and the grille shutter / foreign object removal hole opening / closing instruction unit 54 sends an instruction signal to the actuator 32 to make the grille opening 16 and the foreign object removal hole 22 in a closed state. Through the processing of S3, the grille shutter device 10 and the foreign object removal device 12 are, for example, Figure 9 in the closed state as shown.

[0070] On the other hand, in S2, when the vehicle speed of the vehicle 1 does not exceed the "vehicle speed V" and it is determined to open the grille opening 16 and the foreign object removal hole 22 (S2 is NO), it proceeds to S4, and the grille shutter / foreign object removal hole opening / closing instruction unit 54 sends an instruction signal to the actuator 32 to make the grille opening 16 and the foreign object removal hole 22 in an open state. Through the processing of S4, the grille shutter device 10 and the foreign object removal device 12 are, for example, Figure 8 in the open state as shown.

[0071] Here, in more detail, the opening and closing actions of the grille opening 16 and the foreign object removal hole 22 in S3 and S4 are performed through the operation of the grille shutter 20 by the grille opening / closing device 38 driven by the actuator 32, and the operation of the hole opening / closing valve 24 by the hole opening / closing device 48 accompanying the operation of the grille shutter 20 and the operation of the connecting device 28.

[0072] In addition, in this embodiment, the influence of the running resistance (air resistance) is small in the low-speed region (the region below 20 km / h), and the influence of the running resistance is large in the region exceeding this low-speed region (the region exceeding 20 km / h), so the threshold V is set to 20 km / h. However, as a modification, this threshold V can be appropriately changed according to various factors such as the shape of the vehicle and vehicle specifications.

[0073] In addition, in this embodiment, the vehicle 1 is exemplified as an electric vehicle, but as a modification, it can also be applied to vehicles with internal combustion engines including hybrid vehicles.

[0074] Next, the effects of the vehicle 1 according to this embodiment will be described.

[0075] The vehicle 1 according to this embodiment includes: a heat exchanger 4 provided in front of the vehicle; a first opening (grille opening 16) provided on the front side of the vehicle of the heat exchanger 4 to introduce the traveling wind to the rear side of the vehicle; a second opening (foreign object removal hole 22) provided on the lower side of the vehicle of the first opening to release and remove foreign objects to the outside of the vehicle; wherein, the second opening is provided with a second opening / closing device (hole opening / closing valve 24, hole opening / closing device 48) capable of opening and closing the second opening.

[0076] According to this embodiment configured as above, a second opening (22) for releasing and removing foreign objects to the outside of the vehicle is provided on the front side of the vehicle of the heat exchanger 4 and on the lower side of the vehicle of the first opening (16), and a device (24, 48) capable of opening and closing the second opening is provided. Therefore, the second opening is opened and closed according to the degree of traveling resistance (especially air resistance), so that the generation of turbulent traveling wind can be suppressed and the traveling resistance can be reduced, and foreign objects can be removed. That is, although the turbulent flow of the traveling wind flowing into the second opening may correspondingly increase the traveling resistance, for example, closing the second opening when the traveling resistance is large (such as when the vehicle speed is high) can reduce the traveling resistance. And when the traveling resistance is small (such as when the vehicle speed is low), opening the second opening can remove the intruded foreign objects.

[0077] According to this embodiment, a frame member 18 forming the first opening (grille opening 16) is included, the second opening (foreign object removal hole 22) is formed in the lower part of the frame member, and the lower part of the frame member forms an inclined portion 30 that inclines downward toward the second opening in a front view. Therefore, foreign objects are likely to gather at the second opening, and thus foreign objects intruded from the front of the vehicle can be removed more effectively.

[0078] According to this embodiment, the second opening (foreign object removal hole 22) and the second opening / closing device (hole opening / closing valve 24, hole opening / closing device 48) constitute a foreign object removal device 12, and the foreign object removal device 12 is provided at the center of the lower part of the frame member in a front view. Therefore, the foreign object removal device 12 can be provided at a symmetric position on the left and right to remove foreign objects more effectively.

[0079] According to this embodiment, a first opening / closing device (grille shutter 20, grille opening / closing device 38) capable of opening and closing the first opening (grille opening 16) is provided at the first opening, and the first opening / closing device (grille shutter device 10, grille shutter 20, grille opening / closing device 38) and the second opening / closing device (hole opening / closing valve 24, hole opening / closing device 48) are connected by a connecting member 42 to be able to operate synchronously.

[0080] According to this embodiment configured as described above, it is possible to prevent the deterioration of the driving resistance caused by operation delay. That is, when the operation of the first opening / closing device closes the first opening to reduce the driving resistance (air resistance) caused by the driving wind flowing into the heat exchanger, through the action of the connecting member 42, the second opening / closing device can be operated simultaneously to close the second opening, thereby reducing the driving resistance (air resistance) caused by the driving wind flowing into the second opening.

[0081] According to this embodiment, the first opening is the grille opening 16 provided on the front side of the heat exchanger to introduce the driving wind into the heat exchanger. The first opening / closing device is the grille shutter device 10 having a grille shutter 20 for opening and closing the grille opening 16. The grille shutter device is connected to an actuator 32 for opening and closing the grille shutter. The second opening / closing device includes an opening / closing valve 24 for opening and closing the second opening. The connecting member 42 is a member that connects the grille shutter 20 and the opening / closing valve 24 so that when the grille shutter 20 is closed by the actuator 32, the opening / closing valve 24 performs a closing operation along with the closing operation of the grille shutter.

[0082] According to this embodiment configured as described above, when the grille shutter 20 is operated by the actuator 32 to close the first opening (grille opening 16) in order to reduce the driving resistance (air resistance) caused by the driving wind flowing into the heat exchanger, the opening / closing valve 24 of the second opening (foreign object removal hole 22) can be closed simultaneously through the action of the connecting member 42, thereby reducing the driving resistance (air resistance) caused by the driving wind flowing into the second opening. Therefore, the first opening and the second opening are simultaneously in a closed state, and the vehicle resistance can be more effectively reduced.

[0083] According to this embodiment, it includes: a first opening / closing device (grille shutter 20, grille opening / closing device 38) capable of opening and closing the first opening (grille opening 16); an actuator 32 for performing the opening and closing of the first opening by the first opening / closing device and the opening and closing of the second opening (foreign object removal hole 22) by the second opening / closing device (hole opening / closing valve 24, hole opening / closing device 48); a vehicle speed sensor 50 for detecting the speed of the vehicle 1; a control device (controller 14) for controlling the actuator 32 according to the value of the vehicle speed sensor. The control device controls the actuator so that when the value of the vehicle speed sensor is above a certain value (V), the first opening / closing device and the second opening / closing device perform a closing operation together, and when the value of the vehicle speed sensor is below a certain value (V), the first opening / closing device and the second opening / closing device perform an opening operation together.

[0084] According to the present embodiment configured as above, when the value of the vehicle speed sensor is equal to or greater than a certain value and the driving resistance is considered to be large, the actuator 32 is operated to jointly close the first opening (the grille opening 16) and the second opening (the foreign object removal hole 22) to effectively reduce the driving resistance. When the value of the vehicle speed sensor is lower than a certain value and the driving resistance is considered to be small, the actuator is operated to jointly open the first opening and the second opening, and the intruded foreign objects can be effectively removed.

[0085] According to the present embodiment, it further includes a connecting member 42 that connects the first opening and closing device and the second opening and closing device, and enables the first opening and closing device (the grille roller blind 20, the grille opening and closing device 38) and the second opening and closing device (the hole opening and closing valve 24, the hole opening and closing device 48) to operate synchronously; the actuator 32 drives the first opening and closing device; the second opening and closing device operates synchronously with the driving of the first opening and closing device by the actuator through the connecting member 42, so that the deterioration of the driving resistance caused by the operation delay can be prevented. That is, when the driving resistance (air resistance) caused by the driving wind flowing into the heat exchanger is reduced by closing the first opening by driving the first opening and closing device by the actuator 32, the second opening and closing device can be simultaneously closed by the action of the connecting member, and the driving resistance (air resistance) caused by the driving wind flowing into the second opening can be reduced.

[0086] According to the present embodiment, the first opening is the grille opening 16 provided on the front side of the heat exchanger 4 to introduce the driving wind to the heat exchanger; the first opening and closing device is the grille roller blind device 10 having the grille roller blind 20 for opening and closing the grille opening, and the actuator 32 is an actuator that drives the grille roller blind 20 of the grille roller blind device to open and close; the second opening and closing device operates in conjunction with the opening and closing of the grille roller blind 20, closes when the grille roller blind is driven to close, and opens when the grille roller blind is driven to open.

[0087] According to the present embodiment configured as above, when the grille roller blind is operated by the actuator to close the first opening to reduce the driving resistance (air resistance) caused by the driving wind flowing into the heat exchanger, the second opening can be simultaneously closed by the action of the connecting member, and the driving resistance (air resistance) caused by the driving wind flowing into the second opening can be reduced. Therefore, when the first opening and the second opening are simultaneously in the closed state, the vehicle resistance can be more effectively reduced.

[0088] According to the present embodiment, the second opening and closing device includes an opening and closing valve 24 for opening and closing the second opening (the foreign object removal hole 22); the vehicle 1 further includes a connecting member 42 that connects the grille roller blind 20 and the opening and closing valve 24, so that when the actuator 32 opens and closes the grille roller blind 20, the opening and closing valve 24 performs an opening and closing action synchronously with the opening and closing action of the grille roller blind.

[0089] According to the present embodiment configured as described above, when the grille shutter 20 is operated by the actuator 32 to close the first opening in order to reduce the running resistance (air resistance) caused by the running wind flowing into the heat exchanger, the opening / closing valve 24 of the second opening can be closed simultaneously by the action of the connecting member 42, thereby reducing the running resistance (air resistance) caused by the running wind flowing into the second opening. Therefore, the first opening and the second opening are simultaneously in a closed state, and the vehicle resistance can be more effectively reduced.

[0090]

Explanation of Numbers

Claims

1. A vehicle, characterized in that include: A heat exchanger, located at the front of the vehicle; A first opening portion is provided on the front side of the heat exchanger for guiding the running wind toward the rear side of the vehicle; A second opening portion, provided on the lower side of the vehicle of the first opening portion, for releasing and removing foreign matter from the vehicle; Wherein, the second opening portion is provided with a second opening opening and closing device capable of opening and closing the second opening portion.

2. The vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that include: a frame member forming the first opening; wherein the second opening is formed at a lower portion of the frame member; The frame member has a lower portion formed with an inclined portion that is inclined downward of the vehicle toward the second opening in a front view.

3. The vehicle according to claim 2, characterized in that include: The second opening portion and the second opening opening and closing device constitute a foreign matter removing device, The foreign matter removing device is provided at a center portion of a lower portion of the frame member in a front view.

4. The vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The first opening portion is provided with a first opening opening and closing device capable of opening and closing the first opening portion; The first opening and closing device and the second opening and closing device are connected by a connecting member so as to be able to operate synchronously.

5. The vehicle according to claim 4, characterized in that: The first opening is a grille opening provided on the front side of the heat exchanger and guiding the traveling wind into the heat exchanger; The first opening opening and closing device is a grille rolling curtain device having a grille rolling curtain for opening and closing the grille opening; The grille rolling curtain device is connected to an actuator for opening and closing the grille rolling curtain; The second opening opening and closing device includes an opening and closing valve that opens and closes the second opening; The connecting member is a member connecting the grille rolling curtain and the opening and closing valve so that when the grille rolling curtain is closed by the actuator, the opening and closing valve is closed along with the closing action of the grille rolling curtain.

6. The vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that Also includes: A first opening opening and closing device capable of opening and closing the first opening; an actuator, configured to open and close the first opening portion by the first opening opening and closing device and to open and close the second opening portion by the second opening opening and closing device; A vehicle speed sensor, detecting the speed of the vehicle; a control device for controlling the actuator according to a value of the vehicle speed sensor; Among them, the control device controls the actuator so that when the value of the vehicle speed sensor is above a certain value, the first opening opening and closing device and the second opening opening and closing device jointly perform a closing action; when the value of the vehicle speed sensor is lower than the certain value, the first opening opening and closing device and the second opening opening and closing device jointly perform an opening action.

7. The vehicle according to claim 6, characterized in that Also includes: A connecting member connecting the first opening opening and closing device and the second opening opening and closing device so that the first opening opening and closing device and the second opening opening and closing device can operate synchronously; The actuator drives the first opening opening and closing device; The second opening and closing device operates synchronously with the driving of the first opening and closing device by the actuator through the connecting member.

8. The vehicle according to claim 6, characterized in that: The first opening is a grille opening provided on the front side of the heat exchanger and guiding the traveling wind into the heat exchanger; The first opening opening and closing device is a grille rolling curtain device having a grille rolling curtain for opening and closing the grille opening; The actuator is an actuator that drives the grille rolling curtain of the grille rolling curtain device to open and close; The second opening and closing device operates in conjunction with the opening and closing of the grille rolling curtain, and is closed when the grille rolling curtain is driven to close, and is opened when the grille rolling curtain is driven to open.

9. The vehicle according to claim 8, characterized in that: The second opening opening and closing device includes an opening and closing valve that opens and closes the second opening; The vehicle further includes a connecting member that causes the opening and closing valve to open and close in synchronization with the opening and closing operation of the grille roller blind when the grille roller blind is opened and closed by the actuator.

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