Drainage structure for a wind deflector

Abstract

Cowl drainage structure, comprising: a lower inner element (20), a lower outer element (40) arranged on the outside of the lower inner element (20) and coupled to the lower inner element (20) so that a closed space (41) is defined therebetween, an upper outer member (60) coupled to both the lower outer member (40) and the lower inner member (20), the upper outer member (60) having a main opening (63), and a portion of a space (61) defined between the upper outer member (60) and the lower inner member (20) being configured to be in fluid communication with an exterior surface, and an upper inner member (80) disposed in a portion of a surface between the upper outer member (60) and the lower inner member (20), the upper inner member (80) having an opening (82) formed therethrough, and a drainage path through the main opening (63) and a drainage path through the opening (82) being arranged parallel to each other.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a cowl (or bulkhead or water box) drainage structure (or drainage structure) for a vehicle.

[0002] The term "cab forward" as used in vehicle design refers to a type of vehicle design in which A-pillars are moved to a forward position to maximize space in the vehicle.

[0003] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 1A, the angle between a hood 510' and a windshield 520' in the forward cab design is significantly increased compared to the angle between a hood 510 and a windshield 520 in a conventional design. In the forward cab design, since the angle between the hood 510' and the windshield 520' is increased, air resistance is reduced, and the interior space at the front for an occupant sitting in a front seat is increased, thereby improving marketability.However, since the cowl point is shifted further forward compared to a conventional design (in the forward cabin design, the cowl point is shifted from P1 to P2), the amount of space in the engine compartment is reduced, and the distance between an instrument panel and the end of a cowl panel is increased, thereby deteriorating the ability to reduce NVH (noise, vibration, and harshness).

[0004] The cowl serves to draw outside air into a vehicle interior for ventilation and to drain water that collects during rainy weather or car washing. The cowl, which is a cross member connecting the right and left front pillars, plays a crucial role in ensuring the torsional rigidity and transverse bending rigidity of a vehicle. Furthermore, since the cowl supports a windshield, wipers, steering column, and the like, the cowl is an important element in reducing NVH.

[0005] As in the Fig. 1B and Fig. As shown in FIG. 1C, since the length L1 of a cowl of a conventional vehicle is relatively short, sufficient space for mounting components is ensured. In contrast, since the cowl point of a cab-type vehicle is shifted forward toward the front and thus the length L2 of the cowl is increased, the amount of space required for mounting components in the engine compartment is reduced. To increase the mounting space as indicated by S2', a process of cutting a portion of the cowl, mounting components in the engine compartment, and providing an additional component 530 may be used. In this case, although the mounting space can be increased from S2 to S2', the NVH reduction performance is deteriorated due to the mounting of the additional component.

[0006] In addition, due to the characteristics of the forward cabin design, the length L2 between the instrument panel and the end of the cowl panel is significantly increased compared to a conventional design, and the NVH reduction performance is impaired. To minimize the deterioration of NVH reduction performance, the cowl panel with the increased length is coupled to a fender skirt section.

[0007] With reference to Fig. 2A, as described above, in order to improve the NVH reduction capability of the cowl, the drainage structure of the cowl 540 is connected to the fender skirt part 550 with an enlarged dimension. Here, since large openings must be formed in an outer and an inner portion of the fender skirt part 550, which significantly contribute to improving collision performance and reducing NVH, the size of a drainage opening 560 must be significantly reduced. As indicated by the arrow in Fig. 2B, a drainage structure of a conventional vehicle is configured to be formed through the outer and inner portions of the fender skirt part 550. Therefore, there is a problem that water drains not only to the outside of the fender skirt part 550 but also to the inside of the fender skirt part 550 (see the shaded area in Fig. 2B). For this reason, corrosion may occur at the inner portion of the fender skirt part 550, and the corrosion performance may be deteriorated due to the reduced thickness of the fender skirt part 550.

[0008] The KR 10-0521676 B1 describes information related to the subject matter at hand.

[0009] DE 10 2019 108 195 A1 describes a cowl drainage structure comprising a lower inner member, a lower outer member disposed on the outside of the lower inner member and coupled to the lower inner member so as to define a closed space therebetween, an upper outer member coupled to both the lower outer member and the lower inner member, the upper outer member having a main opening, and a portion of a space defined between the upper outer member and the lower inner member being configured to be in fluid communication with an outside.

[0010] Further cowl drainage structures are known from JP H07- 89 458 A and JP H10- 218 026 A.

[0011] The invention relates to a cowl drainage structure for a vehicle, and more particularly to a cowl drainage structure constructed to isolate a drainage path from a collision path to prevent corrosion and improve drainage performance.

[0012] The invention provides a cowl drainage structure capable of preventing corrosion of a fender skirt member, which frequently occurs in a vehicle having a cab-forward design, and having excellent drainage performance.

[0013] This is achieved according to the invention by a cowl drainage structure according to the features of claim 1 or 9 and a vehicle according to the features of claim 15. Advantageous further developments are described in the subclaims.

[0014] An embodiment of the invention provides a cowl (or end wall or water box) drainage structure (or drainage structure) comprising a lower inner member, a lower outer member disposed on the outside of the lower inner member and coupled to the lower inner member so that a closed space is defined therebetween, and an upper outer member coupled to both the lower outer member and the lower inner member and having a main opening therein, wherein a portion of the space defined between the upper outer member and the lower inner member communicates with the outside.

[0015] Another embodiment of the invention provides a cowl (or end wall or water box) drainage structure (or drainage structure) comprising a lower inner member connected to a cowl (or end wall or water box), a lower outer member disposed on the outside of the lower inner member and coupled to the lower inner member so that a closed space is defined therebetween, and an upper outer member coupled to both the lower outer member and the lower inner member and having a main opening therein, wherein a space defined between the upper outer member and the lower inner member communicates with the cowl.

[0016] An upper inner member is disposed between the upper outer member and the lower inner member, the upper inner member having an opening, and a drainage path through the main opening and a drainage path through the opening being arranged parallel to each other.

[0017] It is understood that the term "vehicle" or "vehicular" or other similar term, as used herein, encompasses general motor vehicles, such as passenger cars, including sport utility vehicles (SUVs), buses, trucks, various commercial vehicles, watercraft, including a variety of boats and ships, aircraft, and the like, as well as hybrid vehicles, electric vehicles, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, hydrogen-powered vehicles, and other alternative fuel vehicles (e.g., fuels derived from feedstocks other than petroleum). As referred to herein, a hybrid vehicle is a vehicle that has two or more power sources, for example, both gasoline power and electric power.

[0018] The invention is explained in more detail with reference to the drawing. The drawing shows: Fig. 1A is a view illustrating a shift of a cowl point between a vehicle having a conventional design and a vehicle having a cab-forward design; Fig. 1 B and Fig. 1C views illustrating a comparison of the length of a cowl and the mounting space in an engine compartment between a vehicle having a conventional design and a vehicle having a cab-forward design; Fig. 2A is a view of a drainage structure associated with a cowl of a vehicle having a conventional cab-forward configuration; Fig. 2B a schematic section along the line AA' of Fig. 2A; Fig. 3 is a view of a cowl drainage structure according to embodiments of the invention; Fig. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the cowl drain structure according to embodiments of the invention; Fig. 5 is a front view of the cowl drainage structure according to embodiments of the invention; Fig. 6 a schematic section along the line BB' of Fig. 5; Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the cowl drainage structure according to embodiments of the invention; Fig. 8 a schematic section along the line CC' of Fig. 7; and Fig. 9 a schematic section along the line DD' of Fig. 7.

[0019] It should be understood that the attached drawings are not necessarily to scale and present a somewhat simplified representation of various features illustrating the basic principles of the invention. The specific design features of the present invention, including, for example, specific dimensions, orientations, positions, and shapes disclosed herein, will be determined in part by the particular intended application and usage environment.

[0020] In the figures, reference numerals refer to the same or equivalent parts of the present invention throughout the individual figures of the drawing.

[0021] Specific structural or functional descriptions of the embodiments of the present invention disclosed herein are merely for the purpose of illustrating the embodiments of the present invention. The present invention may be embodied in many different forms without departing from the scope and essential characteristics of the invention. The present invention should not be construed as limited to the embodiments recited in this description, but should be construed as including various alternatives, modifications, and alterations included within the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

[0022] It should be understood that while the terms "first," "second," etc., may be used herein to describe various elements, these respective elements should not be limited to these terms, which are used only to distinguish one element from another. For example, within the scope defined by the concept of embodiments of the invention, a first element may be referred to as a second element, and similarly, a second element may be referred to as a first element.

[0023] It is understood that when an element is described as "connected to" another element, there may be intervening elements, or the element may be directly connected to the other element. Conversely, when an element is described as "directly connected to" another element, there are no intervening elements. Other expressions explaining relationships between elements, such as "between," "directly between," "adjacent to," or "directly adjacent to," should be understood in the same way.

[0024] Wherever possible, the same reference characters are used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts. The terminology used throughout this specification is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used in the disclosure and the appended claims, the singular forms are intended to include the plural forms unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It is further to be understood that the terms "comprises" and / or "comprising", when not used in this specification, indicate the presence of stated components, steps, acts, and / or elements, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other components, steps, acts, and / or elements.

[0025] According to embodiments of the invention, since a vehicle is provided with an improved drainage structure in conjunction with a cowl, it is possible to improve corrosion resistance and collision performance.

[0026] According to embodiments of the invention, since a collision load path is isolated from a drainage path, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of corrosion, and it is possible to prevent deterioration of collision performance resulting from this corrosion.

[0027] Furthermore, according to embodiments of the invention, since a fender skirt part is divided into a part contributing to improving collision performance and a part contributing to improving NVH reduction performance, and an inner drain hole and an outer drain hole are spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction of a vehicle, it is possible to increase the size of the drain hole without adversely affecting NVH reduction performance. Accordingly, it is possible to realize drainage more efficiently.

[0028] Embodiments of the invention are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0029] As in the Fig. 3 to 9, the cowl drainage structure according to embodiments of the invention may include a lower inner member 20, a lower outer member 40, an upper outer member 60, and an upper inner member 80.

[0030] The lower inner member 20 guides water or the like flowing from a cowl 10 to the outside of a vehicle. The lower inner member 20 is connected to the cowl 10 and is attached to the vehicle body. In one embodiment of the invention, the lower inner member 20 may be attached to a shock absorber housing of the vehicle. However, those skilled in the art will understand that the position in which the lower inner member 20 is attached to the vehicle body may be changed depending on the position of the cowl 10, which varies depending on the vehicle type. In one embodiment of the invention, the lower inner member 20 includes a guide portion 22, a vertical portion 24, and a base portion 26.

[0031] The guide section 22 is arranged such that it is in direct contact with and connected to the cowl 10. Specifically, the guide section 22 can be arranged below the cowl 10 such that it overlaps the cowl 10. The curvature of the surface of the guide section 22 can be the same as the curvature of the surface of the cowl 10.

[0032] The vertical portion 24 extends from the guide portion 22 in a substantially downward direction. The term "extending in a substantially downward direction" does not mean an exact right angle with respect to the horizontal direction, but rather means extending in a generally vertical direction.

[0033] The base portion 26 is bent from the vertical portion 24 at a predetermined angle and extends therefrom. The base portion 26 is bent approximately perpendicular to the vertical portion 24 and extends therefrom.

[0034] The lower outer member 40 is coupled to the lower inner member 20. The lower outer member 40 is coupled to the lower inner member 20 such that a closed space 41 is defined therebetween. Therefore, since the lower inner member 20 defines a collision load path and prevents water ingress therein, the lower inner member 20 has excellent corrosion resistance and collision performance. In one embodiment of the invention, the lower outer member 40 includes a support portion 43, an extension portion 45, an upper flange 47, and a lower flange 49.

[0035] The support portion 43 and the extension portion 45 define the closed space 41 in communication with the vertical portion 24 and the base portion 26 of the lower inner member 20. The support portion 43 may be formed to be substantially perpendicular to the extension portion 45. The support portion 43 may extend in a substantially horizontal direction, and the extension portion 45 may be bent from the support portion 43 and may extend in a substantially vertical direction.

[0036] The upper flange 47 is bent from and extends from the support portion 43 in a direction substantially perpendicular to the support portion 43, and the lower flange 49 is bent from and extends from the extension portion 45 in a direction substantially perpendicular to the extension portion 45. In one embodiment of the invention, the upper flange 47 may be attached to the vertical portion 24, and the lower flange 49 may be attached to the base portion 26.

[0037] The upper outer member 60 is supported on the lower outer member 40 and defines a space 61 in communication with the lower inner member 20. The lower end of the upper outer member 60 is coupled to the lower outer member 40, and a portion of the upper end of the upper outer member 60 is coupled to the lower inner member 20. A portion of the space between the upper outer member 60 and the lower inner member 20 can communicate with the outside. Specifically, the portion of the space between the upper outer member 60 and the lower inner member 20 can communicate with the cowl 10, and rainwater or the like from the cowl 10 can enter the space 61 via a portion of the space between the upper outer member 60 and the lower inner member 20.

[0038] The upper outer member 60 has a main opening 63 therein through which water or the like introduced into the space defined between the upper outer member 60 and the lower inner member 20 is discharged. The main opening 63 may be formed in a lower region of the upper outer member 60 and may be located adjacent to the lower outer member 40. The main opening 63 is formed in the upper outer member 60 at a position offset from the lower inner member 20 or the guide portion 22 by a predetermined distance. Specifically, the drainage path defined by the cowl 10 and the guide portion 22 and the main opening 63 may be parallel to each other so that the drainage path is doubly curved.In one embodiment of the invention, the upper outer member 60 has at least one sub-opening 65 formed at a position located at a predetermined distance from the main opening 63. The sub-opening 65 may be formed at a position adjacent to the guide portion 22 and may overlap the guide portion 22 with a predetermined distance therebetween. Preferably, the main opening 63 may have an area larger than the area of ​​the sub-opening 65, and the sub-opening 65 in the upper outer member 60 may be positioned higher than the main opening 63. Accordingly, when an excessive amount of rainwater is introduced into the space 61, the rainwater is also discharged through the sub-opening 65, thereby ensuring better drainage performance.

[0039] The upper outer member 60 includes an upper connector 67 forming the periphery of the upper portion thereof. One portion of the upper connector 67 is connected to the lower inner member 20, and another portion of the upper connector 67 is connected to the vehicle body. In one embodiment of the invention, the vehicle body may be a cowl extension (not shown), and the other portion of the upper connector 67 may be attached to a portion of the vehicle body other than the cowl extension, depending on the vehicle type.

[0040] The upper outer member 60 may have a flange portion 69 forming the periphery of the lower portion thereof and bent from the upper outer member 60. The flange portion 69 may be bent at the same angle as the angle of a coupling surface of the lower outer member 40 such that it is coupled to the lower outer member 40.

[0041] In some embodiments of the invention, the cowl drainage structure includes the upper inner member 80. A portion of the upper inner member 80 is coupled to the lower inner member 20. Another portion of the upper inner member 80 is connected to the vehicle body. As described above, the vehicle body may be a cowl extension and may vary depending on the vehicle type.

[0042] The upper inner member 80 has a plurality of openings 82 therein. The plurality of openings 82 can be arranged to overlap the guide portion 22 with a predetermined distance therebetween. Rainwater or the like can flow to the exterior of the vehicle via the cowl 10, the guide portion 22, and the openings 82.

[0043] The function of the cowl drainage structure according to embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to Fig. 3, Fig. 8 and Fig. 9 of the drawing. In Fig. 3, R1 denotes the collision load path, and R2 denotes a drainage path between the cowl 10 and the outside.

[0044] Rainwater flowing from the cowl 10 toward the outside of the vehicle flows along the guide portion 22 and is introduced into the space 61 through the openings 82. The rainwater in the space 61 drains toward the lower outer member 40 and is discharged through the main opening 63 formed in the lower end of the upper outer member 60. When an excessive amount of rainwater or the like is introduced, the rainwater or the like is also discharged to the outside through the sub-openings 65 positioned higher than the main opening 63. Since the drainage path through the main opening 63 and the drainage path through the openings 82 are arranged parallel to each other or spaced apart from each other, the cowl drainage structure has excellent NVH reduction capability.Moreover, since there is no need to form a drain opening in the lower outer member 40, the cowl drain structure has excellent corrosion resistance and collision resistance.

[0045] According to embodiments of the invention, the fender skirt part 550 is divided into an upper group and a lower group. The lower group is composed of the lower inner member 20 and the lower outer member 40, and the upper group is composed of the lower outer member 40, the upper outer member 60, and the lower inner member 20. The upper group serves to perform drainage and contributes to reducing NVH, and the lower group contributes to improving collision behavior.

[0046] Since the upper group, which is responsible for drainage, is adapted to free up the size of the drainage opening, the drainage performance is excellent. Since the lower group is responsible for collision behavior, it is possible to increase the size of the drainage opening without affecting the collision behavior. Furthermore, since the main opening 63 in the upper outer member 60 and the guide portion 22 or the openings 82 are spaced apart from each other, there is no problem with the NVH reduction performance.

[0047] Since there is no need to form a drain hole in the lower group, it is possible to maintain a constant collision load path. Therefore, embodiments of the invention provide excellent collision performance.

[0048] As apparent from the above description, the cowl drain structure according to embodiments of the invention is capable of effectively preventing corrosion of the fender skirt part.

[0049] Furthermore, the cowl drainage structure according to the invention is suitable for realizing efficient drainage of rainwater or the like.

Claims

[1] Windscreen drainage structure, comprising: a lower inner element (20), a lower outer element (40) arranged on the outside of the lower inner element (20) and coupled to the lower inner element (20) so that a closed space (41) is defined therebetween, an upper outer member (60) coupled to both the lower outer member (40) and the lower inner member (20), the upper outer member (60) having a main opening (63), and a portion of a space (61) defined between the upper outer member (60) and the lower inner member (20) being configured to be in fluid communication with an exterior surface, and an upper inner member (80) disposed in a portion of a surface between the upper outer member (60) and the lower inner member (20), the upper inner member (80) having an opening (82) formed therethrough, and a drainage path through the main opening (63) and a drainage path through the opening (82) being arranged parallel to each other. [2] A cowl drainage structure according to claim 1, wherein the main opening (63) is positioned in a lower portion of the upper outer member (60) and is arranged to contact the lower outer member (40). [3] A cowl drainage structure according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the upper outer member (60) has a secondary opening (65). [4] A cowl drainage structure according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the upper inner member (80) is coupled to an upper portion of the lower outer member (40). [5] A cowl drainage structure according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the lower outer member (40) has an upper flange (47) and a lower flange (49) which are bent at an upper and a lower end of the lower outer member (40) and coupled to the lower inner member (20). [6] A cowl drainage structure according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the upper outer member (60) is coupled to the lower outer member (40). [7] A cowl drainage structure according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the lower inner member (20) comprises: a base portion (26) to which the lower outer element (40) is coupled, a vertical portion (24) bent from the base portion (26) and extending upwards, and a guide portion (22) bent from the vertical portion (24) and extending upwards. [8] A cowl drainage structure according to claim 7, wherein the guide portion (22) is connected to a cowl (10) of a vehicle. [9] Windscreen drainage structure, comprising: a lower inner element (20) connected to a cowl (10), a lower outer element (40) arranged on the outside of the lower inner element (20) and coupled to the lower inner element (20) so that a closed space (41) is defined therebetween, an upper outer member (60) coupled to both the lower outer member (40) and the lower inner member (20), the upper outer member (60) having a main opening (63), and a space (61) defined between the upper outer member (60) and the lower inner member (20) being configured to communicate with the cowl (10), and an upper inner member (80) disposed between the upper outer member (60) and the lower inner member (20), the upper inner member (80) having an opening (82), and a drainage path through the main opening (63) and a drainage path through the opening (82) being arranged parallel to each other. [10] A cowl drainage structure according to claim 9, wherein the upper inner member (80) is coupled to an upper portion of the lower outer member (40). [11] A cowl drainage structure according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the lower inner member (20) comprises: a guide section (22) coupled to the cowl (10) in an overlapped state, a vertical portion (24) extending downward from the guide portion (22), and a base portion (26) extending perpendicularly from the vertical portion (24). [12] A cowl drainage structure according to claim 11, wherein the lower outer member (40) comprises: an upper flange (47) bent at an upper end of the lower outer member (40) and coupled to the vertical portion (24), and a lower flange (49) bent at a lower end of the lower outer member (40) and coupled to the base portion (26). [13] A cowl drainage structure according to claim 12, wherein the lower outer member (40) has a support portion (43) extending between the upper flange (47) and the lower flange (49). [14] A cowl drainage structure according to claim 13, wherein a lower portion of the upper outer member (60) is coupled to the support portion (43). [15] Vehicle comprising: a vehicle body having a hood (510) and a cowl (10), a lower inner element (20) connected to the cowl (10), a lower outer element (40) arranged on the outside of the lower inner element (20) and coupled to the lower inner element (20) so that a closed space (41) is defined therebetween, an upper outer member (60) coupled to both the lower outer member (40) and the lower inner member (20), the upper outer member (60) having a main opening (63), and a space (61) defined between the upper outer member (60) and the lower inner member (20) being configured to communicate with the cowl (10), and an upper inner member (80) disposed between the upper outer member (60) and the lower inner member (20), the upper inner member (80) having an opening (82), and a drainage path through the main opening (63) and a drainage path through the opening (82) being arranged parallel to each other. [16] A vehicle according to claim 15, wherein: the lower inner element (20) comprises: a guide section (22) coupled to the cowl (10) in an overlapped state, a vertical portion (24) extending downward from the guide portion (22), and a base portion (26) extending perpendicularly from the vertical portion (24), and the lower outer element (40) comprises: an upper flange (47) bent at an upper end of the lower outer member (40) and coupled to the vertical portion (24), a lower flange (49) bent at a lower end of the lower outer member (40) and coupled to the base portion (26), and a support portion (43) extending between the upper flange (47) and the lower flange (49).

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