Air current control structure of radiator peripheral part

Abstract

To provide an air current control structure of a radiator peripheral part which can restrain heat exchange capacity of the radiator from being deteriorated by air with high temperature generated around rear region of the radiator and moreover can restrain foreign material from being stacked on top face of a radiator support lower.SOLUTION: An air current control structure of a radiator peripheral part comprises tank side shield plates 45, 49 which protrude from a lower tank 37 of the radiator to a downward direction, a support side shield plate 19 which protrudes from a radiator support lower 12 provided on a lower part of a vehicle to an upward direction and of which at least one part opposes to the tank side shield plate in a cross direction, a penetration hole 18 which penetrates the radiator support lower in a vehicle vertical direction and a fan which is located to rear of the radiator.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an airflow control structure around a radiator. [Background technology]

[0002] The following Patent Documents 1 and 2 disclose a vehicle in which a portion of the lower end of a radiator is supported on the upper surface of a radiator support lower (lower part, undercover) that forms the underside of the front part of the vehicle body, and a fan and engine are provided immediately behind the radiator. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2020-138570 A [Patent Document 2] Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. 61-179118 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the above Patent Documents 1 and 2, a gap is formed between the upper surface of the radiator support lower and the lower end of the radiator other than the above-mentioned part. Therefore, air around the engine that is warmed by the engine may flow through this gap to the area just in front of the radiator. When high-temperature air flows to the area just in front of the radiator in this way, the heat exchange capacity of the radiator is likely to decrease.

[0005] Furthermore, in the above-mentioned Patent Documents 1 and 2, there is a risk that foreign matter that passes through the grill shutter provided at the front end of the vehicle body may accumulate on the upper surface of the radiator support lower.

[0006] The present invention takes into consideration the above-mentioned facts and aims to provide an airflow control structure for the periphery of a radiator that can prevent a decrease in the heat exchange capacity of the radiator due to high-temperature air generated in the rear area of ​​the radiator, and that can prevent foreign matter from accumulating on the upper surface of the radiator support lower. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The airflow control structure around the radiator of claim 1 comprises a tank side shielding plate protruding downward from a lower tank of a radiator mounted on a vehicle, a support side shielding plate protruding upward from a radiator support lower provided at the bottom of the vehicle so as to be exposed on the side of the road surface on which the vehicle runs, and at least a portion of which faces the tank side shielding plate in the fore-and-aft direction, a through hole located forward of the tank side shielding plate and the support side shielding plate and penetrating the radiator support lower in the vertical direction of the vehicle, and a fan located rear of the radiator.

[0008] The airflow control structure around the radiator of claim 1 includes a tank-side shielding plate that protrudes downward from the lower tank of the radiator, and a support-side shielding plate that protrudes upward from the radiator support lower, at least a part of which faces the tank-side shielding plate in the front-rear direction. Therefore, the tank-side shielding plate and the support-side shielding plate prevent high-temperature air generated in the rear area of ​​the radiator from passing between the lower tank of the radiator and the upper surface of the radiator support lower and flowing to the front area of ​​the radiator (lower tank). Furthermore, for example, when the fan operates while the vehicle is stopped, the negative pressure generated by the fan causes air in the lower area of ​​the radiator support lower to flow through the through-holes to the front area of ​​the radiator (lower tank). Therefore, the airflow control structure around the radiator of claim 1 can prevent the heat exchange capacity of the radiator from being reduced by high-temperature air generated in the rear area of ​​the radiator.

[0009] In the airflow control structure for the periphery of the radiator of claim 1, for example, when the vehicle is moving, wind is generated in the area below the radiator support lower. This wind causes air in the area immediately in front of the radiator to become an airflow that flows through the through-holes to the area below the radiator support lower. This airflow therefore makes it possible to expel foreign matter on the upper surface of the radiator support lower to the area below the radiator support lower through the through-holes.

[0010] The airflow control structure for the periphery of a radiator according to claim 2 is in accordance with claim 1, wherein the through hole is positioned directly below the lower tank.

[0011] In the airflow control structure for the periphery of a radiator of claim 2, the through hole is located directly below the lower tank. Therefore, for example, when the fan is operating while the vehicle is stopped, air in the area below the radiator support lower passes through the through hole and tends to flow toward the radiator (lower tank). Therefore, the airflow control structure for the periphery of a radiator of claim 2 is more likely to prevent a decrease in the heat exchange capacity of the radiator caused by high-temperature air generated in the rear area of ​​the radiator, compared to a case in which the through hole is located forward of the lower tank.

[0012] The airflow control structure for the area surrounding the radiator described in claim 3 is, in claim 1 or claim 2, a pair of left and right support members supporting the lower tank are provided on the upper surface of the radiator support lower, the first plate and the second plate extend in the left-right direction of the vehicle, and the first plate and the second plate are positioned between the left and right support members, and a part of the support member on one side is positioned on the other side in the left-right direction of the vehicle from an end of one side of the first plate in the left-right direction of the vehicle.

[0013] In the airflow control structure for the periphery of a radiator according to claim 3, a part of the support member on one side is located on the other side of the vehicle in the left-right direction from an end portion on one side of at least one of the tank-side shielding plate and the support-side shielding plate in the vehicle left-right direction. Therefore, the support member on one side prevents high-temperature air generated in the rear area of ​​the radiator from passing between the end portion on one side of at least one of the tank-side shielding plate and the support-side shielding plate and the support member on one side and flowing to the front area of ​​the radiator.

[0014] The airflow control structure for the area surrounding the radiator described in claim 4 is, in claim 3, characterized in that the front support member is provided with an elastic support portion provided on the upper surface of the radiator support lower, and when the lower tank is mounted on the upper surface of the elastic support portion, the elastic support portion elastically deforms so as to move closer to the tank side shielding plate and the support side shielding plate compared to before the lower tank is mounted on the upper surface of the elastic support portion.

[0015] In the airflow control structure for the periphery of a radiator according to claim 4, when the lower tank is mounted on the upper surface of the elastic support part, the elastic support part elastically deforms to approach the tank-side shielding plate and the support-side shielding plate compared to before the lower tank is mounted on the upper surface of the elastic support part. That is, when the lower tank is mounted on the upper surface of the elastic support part, the gap between the tank-side shielding plate and the support-side shielding plate and the elastic support part becomes smaller. Therefore, the airflow control structure for the periphery of a radiator according to claim 4 can effectively prevent high-temperature air generated in the rear region of the radiator from passing between the ends of the tank-side shielding plate and the support-side shielding plate and the support member and flowing to the front region of the radiator. Effect of the Invention

[0016] As described above, the airflow control structure around the radiator according to the present invention has the excellent effect of preventing a decrease in the heat exchange capacity of the radiator due to high-temperature air generated in the rear area of ​​the radiator, and preventing foreign matter from accumulating on the upper surface of the radiator support lower. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0017] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic perspective view of an airflow control structure for a radiator periphery according to an embodiment, as viewed from the front. [Diagram 2] 4 is a perspective view of the lower part of the radiator and the radiator support lower part in a separated state. FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the lower part of the radiator as viewed from below. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 4-4 of FIG. [Diagram 5] 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the arrow line 5-5 in FIG. 4 when the lower surface of the grommet attached to the radiator begins to contact the mounting surface of the base provided on the radiator support lower. [Figure 6] 6 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 5 showing the completed installation of the radiator on the base. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along the line 7-7 in FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 7 when the vehicle is running. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0018] Hereinafter, an embodiment of an airflow control structure 60 for a radiator periphery according to the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 8. Arrow FR, appropriately shown in the figures, indicates the front side in the vehicle longitudinal direction, arrow LH indicates the left side in the vehicle lateral direction, and arrow UP indicates the upper side in the vehicle vertical direction.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 1, a radiator support lower 12 is provided at the lower end of the front part of a vehicle 10. The radiator support lower 12 of this embodiment is an integrally molded product made of resin. The lower surface of the radiator support lower 12 is exposed to the road surface side (lower side) of the road on which the vehicle 10 runs. As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the radiator support lower 12 has a main body 13 which is a plate-like member having a substantially rectangular planar shape. As shown in FIG. 2, a pair of left and right pedestals (support members) 14 are provided at the center in the left-right direction of the main body 13. Each pedestal 14 has a shape in which the upper part of a cone is cut by a plane perpendicular to the up-down direction. That is, the upper surface of the pedestal 14 is constituted by a mounting surface 15 made of a plane, and the peripheral surface of the pedestal 14 is constituted by a tapered surface 16. The mounting surface 15 is provided with a cylindrical mounting hole 17 extending downward. Furthermore, the main body 13 is provided with four through holes 18 that are positioned between the left and right pedestals 14 and that pass through the main body 13 in the up-down direction.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 2, a flat support-side shielding plate 19 extending in the left-right direction is integrally provided on the upper surface of the main body 13. As shown in FIG. 2, the support-side shielding plate 19 is located rearward of each through-hole 18. The front shape of the support-side shielding plate 19 is substantially rectangular, and the upper end of the support-side shielding plate 19 is located above the mounting surface 15 of each pedestal 14. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 5, the lower part of the right end of the support-side shielding plate 19 is integrated with the left end of the tapered surface 16 of the right pedestal 14. Similarly, the lower part of the left end of the support-side shielding plate 19 is integrated with the right end of the tapered surface 16 of the left pedestal 14. That is, both left and right ends of the lower part of the support-side shielding plate 19 are formed by inclined parts 20. The part of the support-side shielding plate 19 located above the inclined parts 20 is formed by an upper part 21. The upper edge 22 of the upper portion 21 is located above the mounting surface 15 of the base 14 .

[0021] 4, the vehicle 10 includes a drive source 30 and a fan 32 provided behind the radiator support lower 12. The drive source 30 is at least one of an internal combustion engine and an electric motor. The fan 32 is located immediately in front of the drive source 30.

[0022] As shown in FIG. 1, the radiator 35, which is substantially rectangular, includes a core portion 36, a lower tank 37, and an upper tank 38. The core portion 36 exchanges heat between high-temperature cooling water flowing inside the radiator 35 and low-temperature air (mainly wind generated by running or wind generated by the fan 32). The high-temperature cooling water from the driving source 30 is cooled when passing through the core portion 36. The cooling water flowing inside the driving source 30 is supplied to the lower tank 37 via a pipe 39 (see FIG. 3) that connects the driving source 30 and the lower tank 37 and has an electric pump (not shown), and is supplied from the lower tank 37 to the core portion 36. The cooling water that has passed through the core portion 36 is returned to the driving source 30 via the upper tank 38 and a pipe (not shown) provided in the upper tank 38.

[0023] The lower tank 37, piping 39, protrusion 41, insertion shaft 43, tank side shielding plate 45, and tank side shielding plate 49 are integrally molded from resin. As shown in Figures 2 and 3, a pair of left and right, approximately rectangular columnar protrusions 41 are integrally provided on the underside of the lower tank 37. The undersides 42 of the protrusions 41 are flat surfaces perpendicular to the up-down direction. A roughly cylindrical insertion shaft 43 protruding downward from the undersides 42 is integrally provided in the center of the left and right undersides 42.

[0024] Furthermore, on the lower surface of the lower tank 37, flat tank-side shielding plates (second plates) 45, 49 are located between the left and right protrusions 41 and extend along the left-right direction, and are integrally provided with the lower tank 37. The tank-side shielding plates 45, 49 have a substantially rectangular front shape and are substantially identical to each other. The lower edges 46, 50 of the tank-side shielding plates 45, 49 are located below the lower surface 42 of the protrusion 41 (see Figures 5 and 6). The right side edge 47R of the tank-side shielding plate 45 and the right side edge 51R of the tank-side shielding plate 49 are located to the left of the left side surface of the right protrusion 41 (see Figures 5 and 6). Similarly, the left side edge 47L of the tank-side shielding plate 45 and the left side edge 51L of the tank-side shielding plate 49 are located to the right of the right side surface of the left protrusion 41. Furthermore, the lower portions of the left side edge portion 47L and the right side edge portion 47R of the tank side shielding plate 45 are formed by inclined portions 48, and the lower portions of the left side edge portion 51L and the right side edge portion 51R of the tank side shielding plate 49 are formed by inclined portions 52.

[0025] The left and right insertion shafts 43 are fitted with grommets (support members) (elastic support parts) 55 made of an elastic material such as rubber. The grommet 55 has a shape in which the upper part of a cone is cut by a plane perpendicular to the vertical direction. The peripheral surface of the grommet 55 is formed by a tapered surface 57. The grommet 55 is further provided with a cylindrical through hole 58 that penetrates the grommet 55 in the vertical direction. When the grommet 55 is in a free state, the diameter of the lower surface of the grommet 55 is smaller than the diameter of the mounting surface 15. The left and right insertion shafts 43 are press-fitted from above into the through holes 58 of the left and right grommets 55. At this time, the upper surface of the grommet 55 contacts the lower surface 42 of the protrusion 41, and the lower end of the insertion shaft 43 protrudes downward from the lower surface of the grommet 55.

[0026] After the pair of grommets 55 are attached to the radiator 35 in this manner, as shown in FIG. 5, the lower surfaces of the left and right grommets 55 are placed on the mounting surfaces 15 of the left and right pedestals 14, respectively, and the insertion shafts 43 are inserted into the mounting holes 17 (only the right pedestal 14 and the right grommet 55 are shown in FIG. 5). At this time, as shown in FIG. 4, the tank side shielding plate 45 is located just before the support side shielding plate 19, and the tank side shielding plate 49 is located just after the support side shielding plate 19. Furthermore, the tank side shielding plates 45, 49 are located between the left and right pedestals 14 and the grommets 55. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, a gap GPR is formed between the side edge 21R of the upper portion 21 of the support side shielding plate 19 and the side edges 47R, 51R of the tank side shielding plates 45, 49 and the right pedestal 14 (tapered surface 16), the grommet 55 (tapered surface 57), and the protrusion 41. Similarly, a gap GPL is formed between the side edge 21L of the upper portion 21 of the support-side shielding plate 19 and the side edges 47L, 51L of the tank-side shielding plates 45, 49 and the left-side pedestal 14 (tapered surface 16), grommet 55 (tapered surface 57), and protrusion 41. At this time, the vertical distance between the bottom surface of the lower tank 37 and the top surface of the radiator support lower 12 is L1.

[0027] Furthermore, when the lower surfaces of the left and right grommets 55 are mounted on the mounting surfaces 15 of the left and right pedestals 14, respectively, the left and right grommets 55 are elastically deformed in the direction of expanding their diameter due to the weight of the radiator 35 as shown in Fig. 6. Therefore, the thickness (vertical dimension) of the left and right grommets 55 is reduced. Therefore, the vertical distance between the lower surface of the lower tank 37 and the upper surface of the radiator support lower 12 becomes L2, which is smaller than L1. Therefore, the right gap GPR becomes smaller in the left and right direction than in the state of Figs. 4 and 5, and the left gap GPL becomes smaller in the left and right direction than in the state of Fig. 4. At this time, the left and right grommets 55 may come into contact with the side edges 47R, 47L, 51R, 51L of the tank side shielding plates 45, 49. 4 and 6, the leftmost portion 16RE of the tapered surface 16 of the right-side pedestal 14 is located to the left of the side edge 47R of the tank-side shielding plate 45 and the side edge 51R of the tank-side shielding plate 49. Similarly, the rightmost portion 16LE of the tapered surface 16 of the left-side pedestal 14 is located to the right of the side edge 47L of the tank-side shielding plate 45 and the side edge 51L of the tank-side shielding plate 49. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 6, a gap GPU is formed between the upper edge 22 of the upper portion 21 and the bottom surface 37A of the lower tank 37, and a gap GPD is formed between the lower edge 46 of the tank-side shielding plate 45 and the lower edge 50 of the tank-side shielding plate 49 and the upper surface of the radiator support lower 12. 4, each through-hole 18 is located forward of the tank-side shielding plate 45, and is located immediately below the bottom surface 37A of the lower tank 37, as shown in Figures 7 and 8. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 4, the fan 32 is located immediately behind the radiator 35.

[0028] Among the components described above, the radiator support lower 12, the fan 32, the insertion shaft 43, the tank side shielding plates 45, 49 and the grommet 55 are components of the airflow control structure 60.

[0029] (Action and Effects) Next, the operation and effects of this embodiment will be described.

[0030] When the driving source 30 operates, heat generated in the driving source 30 is absorbed by the cooling water, and the heated cooling water is sent from the driving source 30 to the lower tank 37 through the piping 39. This cooling water is supplied from the lower tank 37 to the core portion 36. While this cooling water flows from the lower end to the upper end of the core portion 36, the core portion 36 exchanges heat. Therefore, when the vehicle 10 is traveling forward, the heat generated in the core portion 36 is directed toward the rear of the radiator 35 by the traveling wind directed toward the core portion 36 from a bumper (grill) opening (not shown) provided at the front end of the vehicle 10. In addition, when the fan 32 rotates while the vehicle 10 is stopped, the negative pressure generated by the fan 32 causes the heat generated in the core portion 36 to be directed toward the rear of the radiator 35. Therefore, when the core portion 36 exchanges heat, high-temperature air may be retained in the rear area of ​​the radiator 35.

[0031] A portion of the high-temperature air in the rear region of the radiator 35 may pass between the bottom surface 37A of the lower tank 37 and the upper surface of the radiator support lower 12 and attempt to flow toward the front of the lower tank 37. However, the airflow control structure 60 of this embodiment includes tank-side shielding plates 45, 49 that protrude downward from the lower tank 37, and a support-side shielding plate 19 that protrudes upward from the radiator support lower 12 and is positioned between the tank-side shielding plate 45 and the tank-side shielding plate 49. The lower ends of the tank-side shielding plate 45 and the tank-side shielding plate 49 are positioned lower than the upper end of the support-side shielding plate 19. In other words, a portion of the tank-side shielding plate 45 and the tank-side shielding plate 49 faces a portion of the support-side shielding plate 19 in the front-rear direction. Therefore, the support side shielding plate 19 and the tank side shielding plates 45, 49 prevent the high-temperature air generated in the rear region of the radiator 35 from passing between the bottom surface 37A of the lower tank 37 and the upper surface of the radiator support lower 12 and flowing into the front region of the radiator 35 (lower tank 37).

[0032] Here, a comparative example is assumed in which the radiator support lower 12 does not have the support-side shielding plate 19. In this comparative example, the high-temperature air in the rear region of the radiator 35 can reach the front region of the radiator 35 (lower tank 37) by passing forward through the gap GPD between the upper surface of the radiator support lower 12 and the lower end of the tank-side shielding plate 49 and the gap GPD between the upper surface of the radiator support lower 12 and the lower end of the tank-side shielding plate 45. These two gaps GPD are located at approximately the same height, so in this case, it is not very difficult for the high-temperature air in the rear region of the radiator 35 to pass forward through the two gaps GPD. 7, in order for the hot air in the rear region of the radiator 35 to reach the front region of the radiator 35 (lower tank 37), it must first pass forward through the gap GPD between the upper surface of the radiator support lower 12 and the lower end of the tank-side shielding plate 49, then pass forward through the gap GPU between the bottom surface 37A of the lower tank 37 and the upper end of the support-side shielding plate 19, and then pass forward through the gap GPD between the upper surface of the radiator support lower 12 and the lower end of the tank-side shielding plate 45. However, because the gap GPU is located above the gap GPD, it is more difficult for the hot air in the rear region of the radiator 35 to reach the front region of the radiator 35 (lower tank 37) than in the comparative example.

[0033] 6, the lower edge 46 of the tank-side shielding plate 45 and the lower edge 50 of the tank-side shielding plate 49 are separated upward from the upper surface of the radiator support lower 12, and the upper edge 22 of the support-side shielding plate 19 is separated downward from the bottom surface 37A of the lower tank 37. Therefore, the tank-side shielding plates 45, 49 are easier to design and manufacture than when the airflow control structure 60 is designed so that the lower edges 46, 50 contact the upper surface of the radiator support lower 12. Similarly, the support-side shielding plate 19 (radiator support lower 12) is easier to design and manufacture than when the airflow control structure 60 is designed so that the upper edge 22 of the support-side shielding plate 19 contacts the bottom surface 37A of the lower tank 37.

[0034] Furthermore, when the weight of the radiator 35 acts on the left and right grommets 55, the left and right grommets 55 elastically deform so as to approach the side edges 47R, 47L of the tank-side shielding plate 45 and the side edges 51R, 51L of the tank-side shielding plate 49, compared to when the grommets 55 are in a free state. In other words, when the weight of the radiator 35 acts on the left and right grommets 55, the gaps GPR and GPL become smaller. Therefore, compared to when the grommet 55 does not elastically deform, the airflow control structure 60 is more likely to prevent high-temperature air in the rear region of the radiator 35 from reaching the front of the tank side shielding plate 49 through the gap GPR between the side edge 47R of the tank side shielding plate 45 and the side edge 51R of the tank side shielding plate 49 and the right-side base 14, and from reaching the front of the tank side shielding plate 49 through the gap GPL between the side edge 47L of the tank side shielding plate 45 and the side edge 51L of the tank side shielding plate 49 and the left-side base 14.

[0035] Furthermore, the leftmost portion 16RE of the tapered surface 16 of the right-side pedestal 14 is located to the left of the side edge 47R of the tank-side shielding plate 45 and the side edge 51R of the tank-side shielding plate 49. Similarly, the rightmost portion 16LE of the tapered surface 16 of the left-side pedestal 14 is located to the right of the side edge 47L of the tank-side shielding plate 45 and the side edge 51L of the tank-side shielding plate 49. Therefore, for example, in order for high-temperature air in the rear region of the radiator 35 to reach the front of the tank-side shielding plate 49 through the gap GPR between the side edge 47R of the tank-side shielding plate 45 and the side edge 51R of the tank-side shielding plate 49 and the right-side pedestal 14 (tapered surface 16), this air must pass through the gap between the side edge 47R and the pedestal 14, move once to the left along the left end (part 16RE) of the tapered surface 16, and then move diagonally forward to the right, and pass through the gap between the side edge 51R of the tank-side shielding plate 49 and the pedestal 14. However, in reality, the air that passes through the gap between the side edge 47R and the pedestal 14 and then moves to the left along the left end (part 16RE) of the tapered surface 16 is likely to collide with the tank-side shielding plate 49. In this way, the left and right pedestals 14 prevent the hot air in the rear region of the radiator 35 from reaching the front of the tank side shielding plate 49 through the gap GPR between the side edge 47R of the tank side shielding plate 45 and the side edge 51R of the tank side shielding plate 49 and the right-side pedestal 14, and from reaching the front of the tank side shielding plate 49 through the gap GPL between the side edge 47L of the tank side shielding plate 45 and the side edge 51L of the tank side shielding plate 49 and the left-side pedestal 14.

[0036] Furthermore, for example, when the fan 32 operates while the vehicle 10 is stopped, the negative pressure generated by the fan 32 causes air that is cooler than the air in the rear region of the radiator 35 in the lower region of the radiator support lower 12 to flow through the through holes 18 to the front region of the radiator 35 (lower tank 37) (see arrows AF in FIG. 7). Furthermore, since the through holes 18 are located directly below the bottom surface 37A, a portion of the low-temperature air that has passed through the through holes 18 tends to flow toward the bottom surface 37A of the lower tank 37. Furthermore, since each of the through holes 18 provided in the radiator support lower 12 is small, the flow speed of the air passing through the through holes 18 tends to be faster than when passing through a large hole. Therefore, the lower tank 37 and the lower portion of the core portion 36 can be cooled by using this low-temperature air. The radiator 35 of the present embodiment performs heat exchange while flowing the cooling water sent from the driving source 30 to the radiator 35 from the lower tank 37 toward the upper part of the core part 36. Therefore, the lower tank 37 to which the cooling water before heat exchange is supplied and the lower part of the core part 36 through which the relatively high-temperature cooling water flows can be cooled by air.

[0037] In this way, the airflow control structure 60 of this embodiment can prevent the high-temperature air in the rear area of ​​the radiator 35 from reaching the front area of ​​the radiator 35 (lower tank 37), and can cool the lower tank 37 and the lower part of the core portion 36 with air, thereby preventing a decrease in the heat exchange capacity of the radiator 35 due to the high-temperature air generated in the rear area of ​​the radiator 35.

[0038] 8, when the vehicle 10 is traveling, a traveling wind WB is generated in the area below the radiator support lower 12. Due to the negative pressure generated by this traveling wind WB, the air in the area immediately in front of the radiator 35 becomes an airflow WF that flows through the through-hole 18 to the area below the radiator support lower 12. For example, a foreign object (e.g., a pebble St) outside the vehicle 10 may pass rearward through the bumper opening and move to the upper surface of the radiator support lower 12. However, in this embodiment, the foreign object on the upper surface of the radiator support lower 12 is discharged below the radiator support lower 12 through the through-hole 18 by this airflow WF. Therefore, although the airflow control structure 60 includes the support-side shielding plate 19 and the tank-side shielding plates 45, 49, foreign objects are unlikely to accumulate on the radiator support lower 12.

[0039] Although the airflow control structure 60 according to the embodiment has been described above, the design can be appropriately modified without departing from the gist of the present invention.

[0040] For example, two support side shielding plates may be provided in a front-to-back arrangement on the radiator support lower 12, and one tank side shielding plate may be provided on the lower tank 37, with this tank side shielding plate being positioned between the two support side shielding plates.

[0041] In addition, a plurality of support side shielding plates may be provided in a front-to-rear arrangement on the lower radiator support 12, and a plurality of tank side shielding plates may be provided on the lower tank 37, with the tank side shielding plates and the support side shielding plates being arranged alternately in the front-to-rear direction.

[0042] Also, one support-side shielding plate may be provided on the lower radiator support 12, and one tank-side shielding plate may be provided on the lower tank 37 so as to be aligned with the support-side shielding plate in the front-rear direction.

[0043] An upper edge portion of a support-side shielding plate provided on the radiator support lower 12 may come into contact with the bottom surface 37A of the lower tank 37. Also, a lower edge portion of a tank-side shielding plate provided on the lower tank 37 may come into contact with the upper surface of the radiator support lower 12.

[0044] The right end of the support-side shielding plate 19 may be separated from the tapered surface 16 of the right-side pedestal 14, and the portion 16RE of the right-side pedestal 14 may be located to the right of the right end of the support-side shielding plate 19. Also, the left end of the support-side shielding plate 19 may be separated from the tapered surface 16 of the left-side pedestal 14, and the portion 16LE of the left-side pedestal 14 may be located to the left of the left end of the support-side shielding plate 19.

[0045] The radiator support lower 12 may be made of a material other than resin. In addition, the lower tank 37, the piping 39, the protrusion 41, the insertion shaft 43, the tank side shielding plate 45, and the tank side shielding plate 49 may be made of a material other than resin. [Explanation of symbols]

[0046] 10 Vehicles 12 Radiator support lower 14 Pedestal (support member) 18 Through hole 19 Support side shielding plate 32 Fans 35 Radiator 37 Lower tank 45 49 Tank side shielding plate 55 Grommet (support member) (elastic support part) 60 Airflow control structure

Claims

1. A tank side shielding plate protruding downward from a lower tank of a radiator mounted on a vehicle; a support-side shielding plate that protrudes upward from a radiator support lower that is provided at a lower portion of the vehicle so as to be exposed to a road surface side on which the vehicle runs, and at least a portion of which faces the tank-side shielding plate in the front-rear direction; a through hole that is located forward of the tank side shielding plate and the support side shielding plate and penetrates the radiator support lower in a vehicle up-down direction; a fan located behind the radiator; An airflow control structure around a radiator.

2. 2. The airflow control structure around a radiator according to claim 1, wherein the through hole is positioned directly below the lower tank.

3. a pair of left and right support members for supporting the lower tank are provided on an upper surface of the lower radiator support; The tank side shielding plate and the support side shielding plate extend in the left-right direction of the vehicle and are located between the left and right support members, 3. An airflow control structure for the periphery of a radiator as described in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein a portion of the support member on one side is positioned on the other side in the left-right direction of the vehicle from an end portion on one side of at least one of the tank side shielding plate and the support side shielding plate in the left-right direction of the vehicle.

4. The support member includes an elastic support portion provided on an upper surface of the radiator support lower, An airflow control structure around a radiator as described in claim 3, wherein when the lower tank is mounted on the upper surface of the elastic support portion, the elastic support portion elastically deforms so as to approach the tank side shielding plate and the support side shielding plate compared to before the lower tank is mounted on the upper surface of the elastic support portion.

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