Vehicle front part structure

Abstract

To provide a vehicle front part structure that even when a sound generating part is arranged at any one side of a right side in a vehicle width direction and a left side in the vehicle width direction at a front side of a vehicle, can make left and right sound pressure at the front side equal.SOLUTION: A vehicle front part structure 100 according to the present invention comprises a front bumper 104 of a vehicle 102, and a sound generating part 106, loaded on the vehicle at a rear side of the front bumper and is positioned at either the right or left side of the center in a vehicle width direction, which outputs predetermined vehicle-approach notification sound. The front bumper has a reinforcement part 112 extending in a vertical direction at the center in the vehicle width direction. A portion of the other side, not one side, of a front surface 116 of the sound generating part overlaps with the reinforcement part in a front view. The vehicle front part structure further comprises a sound volume adjustment member 108 surrounding the sound generating part over the front surface and a side surface 118 at one side of the sound generating part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle front structure. [Background technology]

[0002] A sound generating unit such as a speaker is placed in the front of a typical vehicle. The sound generating unit outputs a vehicle approach notification sound to notify pedestrians and others of the approach of a vehicle. If the sound generating unit is not directional, placing it in the center of the front of the vehicle in the width direction will ensure that the sound pressure on the left and right sides in the front is uniform.

[0003] Patent Document 1 describes a structure for mounting a sound generator to a vehicle. In this mounting structure, a recess is formed in the front bumper, and the sound generator is disposed in the recess. The lower part of the recess is opened, and the direction of sound emission from the sound generator's emission hole is aligned with the opening direction of the recess, forming a gap through which the sound can pass.

[0004] The mounting structure of Patent Document 1 is said to be such that when the sound device emits an approach warning sound or other sound, the sound emitted from the sound device is not blocked by other components, but is released through the gap between the license plate and the bumper and transmitted to the surrounding area. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-24322 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] In recent years, in vehicle front structures, the front camera and radar are mounted in the center of the vehicle width direction, and therefore, due to layout constraints, the sound generating unit may be located on either the right or left side of the center of the vehicle width direction in the front of the vehicle. In such cases, the sound pressure level of the vehicle approach notification sound in front of the vehicle differs between the left and right.

[0007] Therefore, in order to notify pedestrians on either side of the vehicle of the approach of the vehicle, the sound pressure level was raised overall so that the lower sound pressure level was above the standard value. As a result, some of the sound with a higher sound pressure level penetrated into the vehicle interior, causing a decrease in quietness inside the vehicle. Furthermore, even if additional speakers were to be installed, it would increase costs and be difficult to secure the space.

[0008] The mounting structure of Patent Document 1 merely places the sound generator in the center in the vehicle width direction and forms a gap through which sound can pass between the number plate, which is an obstruction placed in front of the sound generator, and the bumper. In other words, this mounting structure does not take measures to equalize the volume of sound on the left and right sides in the front when the sound generator is placed on either the right or left side in the vehicle width direction in the front of the vehicle.

[0009] In view of such problems, the present invention aims to provide a vehicle front structure that can equalize the volume of sound on the left and right sides in the front of the vehicle, even if the sound generating unit is located on either the right side or the left side in the vehicle width direction in the front of the vehicle. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] In order to solve the above problems, a typical configuration of the vehicle front structure according to the present invention is a vehicle front structure including a front bumper of the vehicle and a sound generation unit mounted on the vehicle on the rear side of the front bumper and located on either the right side or the left side rather than the center in the vehicle width direction and outputting a predetermined vehicle approach notification sound. The front bumper has a reinforcing portion extending in the vertical direction at the center in the vehicle width direction, and a part of the other side of the front surface of the sound generation unit that is not the one side overlaps the reinforcing portion in a front view. The vehicle front structure further includes a volume adjustment member surrounding the sound generation unit from the front surface of the sound generation unit to one side surface.

Effect of the Invention

[0011] According to the present invention, even when the sound generation unit is arranged on either the right side or the left side in the vehicle width direction in front of the vehicle, a vehicle front structure capable of equalizing the left and right volumes in the front can be provided.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0012] [Figure 1] It is a view showing a vehicle front structure according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] It is a view showing a main part of the vehicle front structure of FIG. 1. [Diagram 3] It is a view showing a state in which the vehicle front structure of FIG. 2(a) is viewed from another direction. [Figure 4] It is a view showing a modification example of the vehicle front structure of FIG. 1.

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0013] A typical configuration of a vehicle front structure according to one embodiment of the present invention is a vehicle front structure comprising a front bumper of the vehicle and a sound generating unit mounted on the vehicle rear of the front bumper and located on either the right or left side of the center in the vehicle width direction and outputting a predetermined vehicle approach notification sound, wherein the front bumper has a reinforcing portion extending in the vertical direction at the center in the vehicle width direction, a portion of the front surface of the sound generating unit on the other side other than the one side overlaps the reinforcing portion in a front view, and the vehicle front structure is further characterized in that it comprises a volume adjustment member surrounding the sound generating unit from the front surface of the sound generating unit to one side surface.

[0014] In the above configuration, since a part of the other side of the front surface of the sound generating unit overlaps with the reinforcing member, the sound generating unit can be arranged in a position close to the center in the vehicle width direction where the left and right volumes are equalized. In addition, the sound generating unit is surrounded on one side from the front surface by a volume adjustment member. This allows the volume to be lowered on one side in the vehicle width direction where the sound generating unit is attached, and the volume on the one side can be made the same as the volume on the other side of the front surface that overlaps with the reinforcing member. Therefore, according to the above configuration, even if the sound generating unit is arranged on either the right side or the left side in the vehicle width direction in the front of the vehicle, the volume on the left and right sides in the front can be equalized.

[0015] The volume adjustment member has a front wall portion facing the front surface of the sound generating unit, and a side wall portion facing the side surface of the sound generating unit, the side wall portion bending from one end of the front wall portion and extending at an angle to one side toward the rear of the vehicle.

[0016] In this way, the side wall of the volume adjustment member extends at an incline toward one side in the vehicle width direction as it approaches the rear of the vehicle. Therefore, when a pedestrian is located near one corner of the front bumper, the volume of the vehicle approaching notification sound transmitted to the pedestrian can be reduced. As a result, the vehicle approaching notification sound can be transmitted to the pedestrian while maintaining uniformity in the volume on the left and right near the left and right corners of the front bumper.

[0017] The above-mentioned vehicle front structure further includes a bumper member disposed on the rear surface of the front bumper, extending in the vehicle width direction and curved so as to be positioned toward the front of the vehicle towards the center in the vehicle width direction, a first bracket disposed at the center of the bumper member in the vehicle width direction and supporting the reinforcement portion of the front bumper from below, and a second bracket disposed on the bumper member and located on one side of the first bracket and supporting a volume adjustment member, the volume adjustment member having legs that are overlapped and fixed to the second bracket, and the legs extend at an angle toward the center in the vehicle width direction as they move from the upper end of the second bracket toward the top of the vehicle.

[0018] In this way, the bumper member is curved so that it is located closer to the center in the vehicle width direction and further forward in the vehicle. Therefore, the second bracket located on one side of the first bracket in the vehicle width direction is located further rearward in the vehicle than the first bracket located in the center of the bumper member in the vehicle width direction. This allows the volume adjustment member supported by the second bracket to be located further rearward in the vehicle than the reinforcement part of the front bumper supported by the first bracket.

[0019] In addition, because the legs of the volume control member extend obliquely from the upper end of the second bracket toward the center in the vehicle width direction, the sound generating unit and the volume control member can be positioned closer to the center in the vehicle width direction where the volume is equal on the left and right, thereby further improving the uniformity of the volume between the left and right.

[0020] Furthermore, a radiator for cooling the engine is generally disposed behind the vehicle front structure, and therefore, by disposing the sound generating unit and the volume control member closer to the center in the vehicle width direction, the sound generating unit and the volume control member can be prevented from blocking the passage of the air flowing toward the radiator while the vehicle is moving.

[0021] The sound generating portion has an exposed portion that does not overlap the reinforcement portion and the volume adjustment member in a front view, and the vehicle front structure further includes a sound-proofing member provided on one side of the reinforcement portion, positioned in front of the exposed portion, and covering the exposed portion in a front view.

[0022] In this way, by providing a sound-proofing material that covers the exposed part of the sound generating unit when viewed from the front, it is possible to suppress sound diffusion (sound leakage) from the exposed part. In addition, by adjusting the thickness of the sound-proofing material in the front-rear direction, it is possible to adjust the uniformity of sound between the left and right. EXAMPLES

[0023] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The dimensions, materials, and other specific values ​​shown in the embodiments are merely examples for facilitating understanding of the invention, and do not limit the present invention unless otherwise specified. In this specification and drawings, elements having substantially the same functions and configurations are given the same reference numerals to avoid repeated explanations, and elements not directly related to the present invention are not shown.

[0024] Fig. 1 is a diagram showing a vehicle front structure 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 1(a) shows the vehicle front structure 100 as viewed from the front. Fig. 1(b) is a diagram showing an enlarged portion of the vehicle front structure 100 in Fig. 1(a). In each of the following figures, the front-rear direction of the vehicle is indicated by arrows Front and Back, the left and right in the vehicle width direction are indicated by arrows Left and Right, and the top-bottom direction of the vehicle is indicated by arrows Up and Down.

[0025] The vehicle front structure 100 includes a front bumper 104 of a vehicle 102, a sound generating unit 106, and a volume adjustment member 108. The front bumper 104 is a resin member that is disposed at the front of the vehicle and extends in the vehicle width direction. A radiator 110 that cools an engine (not shown) is disposed behind the front bumper 104.

[0026] The front bumper 104 also has a reinforcing portion 112. The reinforcing portion 112 extends in the vertical direction at the center of the front bumper 104 in the vehicle width direction, and divides an opening 114 of the front bumper 104 into left and right at the center in the vehicle width direction. In the front bumper 104, the wind generated while traveling passes through an opening 114a on the right side of the center in the vehicle width direction and an opening 114b on the left side. Therefore, the openings 114a and 114b of the front bumper 104 become paths for the wind generated while traveling and flowing toward the radiator 110.

[0027] The sound generating unit 106 is a non-directional speaker that outputs a predetermined vehicle approach notification sound, and is mounted on the vehicle 102 behind the front bumper 104, and is located on either the right or left side (here, the right side) of the center in the vehicle width direction.

[0028] 1(b), a part of the other side (left side) of the front surface 116 of the sound generating unit 106 overlaps the reinforcing part 112 in a front view and is located on the other side of the side 112a of the reinforcing part 112. As a result, even if the sound generating unit 106 is located to the right of the center in the vehicle width direction, it is located close to the center in the vehicle width direction where the sound volume is equal on the left and right. Note that the reinforcing part 112 has a side surface 112b on the other side facing the side surface 112a on the one side.

[0029] The volume adjustment member 108 surrounds the sound generating unit 106 from the front surface 116 to one side surface 118 (see FIG. 2) of the sound generating unit 106. This allows the volume on one side in the vehicle width direction, which is the mounting side of the sound generating unit 106, to be lowered, and the volume on one side can be made the same as the volume on the other side of the front surface 116 of the sound generating unit 106 that overlaps with the reinforcing member 112.

[0030] Fig. 2 is a diagram showing a main part of the vehicle front structure 100 in Fig. 1. Fig. 2(a) shows the vehicle front structure 100 in Fig. 1(b) as viewed from diagonally forward right. Fig. 2(b) is a cross-sectional view of the vehicle front structure 100 in Fig. 1(b) taken along line AA.

[0031] The volume adjustment member 108 has a front wall portion 120, a side wall portion 122, and a leg portion 124. The front wall portion 120 faces the front surface 120 of the sound generating unit 106, and is spaced from the front surface 120 toward the front of the vehicle as shown in FIG. 2(b). The side wall portion 122 faces the side surface 118 of the sound generating unit 106, and is spaced from the side surface 118 to one side. Furthermore, the side wall portion 122 bends from an end portion 126 on one side of the front wall portion 120, and extends at an incline to one side as it approaches the rear of the vehicle.

[0032] Because side wall portion 122 of volume adjustment member 108 extends at an incline toward one side in the vehicle width direction toward the rear of the vehicle, it is possible to reduce the volume of the approaching vehicle notification sound transmitted to a pedestrian located near one corner of front bumper 104. As a result, the approaching vehicle notification sound can be transmitted to a pedestrian near the left and right corners of front bumper 104 while maintaining uniformity in the volume on the left and right.

[0033] 2(b), the front wall 120 and the side wall 122 of the volume adjustment member 108 face the front surface 116 and the side surface 118 of the sound generating unit 106 with a predetermined gap therebetween. This makes it possible to suppress the generation of contact noise, i.e., rattle noise, that occurs when the sound generating unit 106 and the volume adjustment member 108 vibrate and come into contact while driving, and furthermore, since there is a predetermined gap, damage to the volume adjustment member 108 can be suppressed even in the event of a minor collision.

[0034] As shown in Fig. 2(a), sound generating unit 106 is cylindrical. Therefore, one end 126 of front wall 120 of volume adjusting member 108 forms an arc shape and faces circular front surface 120 of sound generating unit 106. Sound generating unit 106 also has exposed portion 127 that does not overlap reinforcing portion 112 and volume adjusting member 108 in front view, as shown by the dashed line in Fig. 1(b).

[0035] The legs 124 of the volume adjustment member 108 are provided on a rear edge 128 of the side wall portion 122, and extend obliquely toward the center in the vehicle width direction as they move toward the upper part of the vehicle, as shown in FIG. 1(b).

[0036] Fig. 3 is a diagram showing the vehicle front structure 100 of Fig. 2(a) as viewed from another direction. Fig. 3(a) and Fig. 3(b) show the vehicle front structure 100 of Fig. 2(a) as viewed from the right rear and from the right upper diagonal directions, respectively. Note that Fig. 3(b) omits the reinforcing portion 112 of the front bumper 104.

[0037] The vehicle front structure 100 further includes a bumper member 130, a first bracket 132, a second bracket 134, and a mounting member 136. As shown in Fig. 3(b), the bumper member 130 is disposed on the rear surface of the front bumper 104, extends in the vehicle width direction, and is curved so that the center of the vehicle width direction is located toward the front of the vehicle.

[0038] The first bracket 132 is disposed in an upright position at the center of the bumper member 130 in the vehicle width direction, and forms a base 138. The reinforcing portion 112 of the front bumper 104 has a step portion 140 that is located between the side surfaces 112a, 112b and protrudes toward the rear of the vehicle, as shown in FIG. 2(a). The first bracket 132 supports the step portion 140 of the reinforcing portion 112 from below by the base 138. The second bracket 134 is disposed on the bumper member 130 and is located on one side of the first bracket 132, and supports the volume adjustment member 108.

[0039] Since the bumper member 130 is curved so as to be located closer to the center in the vehicle width direction, the second bracket 134 located on one side of the first bracket 130 in the vehicle width direction is located further rearward than the first bracket 132 located in the center of the bumper member 130 in the vehicle width direction. This allows the volume adjustment member 108 supported by the second bracket 134 to be located further rearward than the reinforcing portion 112 of the front bumper 102 supported by the first bracket 132.

[0040] The second bracket 134 has a vertical wall 142 extending in the up-down direction, and a pair of facing walls 144a, 144b as shown in Fig. 3(b). The facing walls 144a, 144b are continuous from the vertical wall 142, bent forward, and face each other while being spaced apart in the vehicle width direction. The facing walls 144a, 144b also have extensions 146a, 146b that extend forward. Furthermore, the facing walls 144a, 144b have lower flanges 148a, 148b and upper flanges 150a, 150b as shown in Fig. 3(a).

[0041] The lower flanges 148a, 148b extend in the up-down direction and further protrude to one side and the other side, respectively. The upper flanges 150a, 150b extend in the front-rear direction and further protrude to one side and the other side, respectively, from the extensions 146a, 146b. The second bracket 134 is firmly attached to the bumper member 130 by attaching the lower flanges 148a, 148b and the upper flanges 150a, 150b to the bumper member 130 by welding or the like.

[0042] The mounting member 136 is a strip-shaped member as shown in Figures 3(a) and 3(b). The mounting member 136 is attached to the rear surface 152 of the sound generating unit 106, bent so as to wrap around one side surface 118 of the sound generating unit 106, and further extends toward the vertical wall 142 of the second bracket 134, and is overlapped with the vertical wall 142 shown in Figure 2(a).

[0043] Furthermore, leg 124 of volume adjustment member 108 is placed on vertical wall 142 of second bracket 134 from the vehicle front side of mounting member 136, and is fixed to second bracket 134 together with mounting member 136 by two bolts 152a, 152b. Furthermore, leg 124 of volume adjustment member 108 extends at an angle toward the center in the vehicle width direction from upper end 154 of second bracket 134 toward the upper part of the vehicle, as shown in Figures 1(b) and 2(a).

[0044] Since the legs 124 of the volume adjustment member 108 are curved toward the center in the vehicle width direction in this manner, the sound generating unit 106 and the volume adjustment member 108 can be disposed closer to the center in the vehicle width direction where the volume is uniform on the left and right. Therefore, the vehicle front structure 100 can further improve the uniformity of the volume on the left and right.

[0045] Furthermore, by positioning the sound generating unit 106 and the volume adjustment member 108 closer to the center in the vehicle width direction, the sound generating unit 106 and the volume adjustment member 108 can be prevented from obstructing the path of the wind flowing into the openings 114a, 114b of the front bumper 104 toward the radiator 110 (see Figure 1 (a)) while driving.

[0046] Furthermore, since leg 124 of volume adjustment member 108, together with mounting member 136, is fixed to second bracket 134 by two bolts 152a, 152b, volume adjustment member 108 can be prevented from rotating due to vibration or the like.

[0047] In the above vehicle front structure 100, the sound generating unit 106 is disposed on one side (right side) of the center in the vehicle width direction of the vehicle 102, but this is not limiting, and the sound generating unit 106 may be disposed on the other side (left side). In this case, a part of one side of the front surface 116 of the sound generating unit 106 overlaps the reinforcing portion 112 of the front bumper 104 in a front view, and the sound generating unit 106 is surrounded from the front surface 116 of the sound generating unit 106 to the other side surface by a volume adjustment member having a shape symmetrical to the volume adjustment member 108.

[0048] Therefore, according to the vehicle front structure 100, even if the sound generating unit 106 is located on either the right side or the left side in the vehicle width direction at the front of the vehicle, the volume of sound on the left and right sides in the vehicle width direction can be equalized.

[0049] Fig. 4 is a diagram showing a modified example of the vehicle front structure 100 in Fig. 1. Fig. 4(a) shows the modified vehicle front structure 100A as viewed from the right diagonally forward. Fig. 4(b) shows the main part of the vehicle front structure 100 in Fig. 4(a) as viewed from the front.

[0050] The vehicle front structure 100A further includes a sound insulation member 156. The sound insulation member 156 is a member that covers, in a front view, an exposed portion 127 of the sound generating portion 106, which is shown by a chain line in Fig. 1(b). In addition, in the vehicle front structure 100A, an end upper bumper 158 is disposed between the front bumper 104 and the radiator 110 (see Fig. 1(a)).

[0051] The end upper bumper 158 is formed in a frame shape so as to take in air into the radiator 110, and has a pair of connecting members 160a, 160b shown in FIG. 4(b). The connecting members 160a, 160b are members that extend in the vertical direction and are spaced apart in the vehicle width direction. The connecting member 160a connects an upper member 162 and a lower member 164 of the end upper member 158 on one side of a side surface 112a on one side of the reinforcing portion 112 of the front bumper 104. The connecting member 160b connects the upper member 162 and the lower member 164 on the other side of a side surface 112b on the other side of the reinforcing portion 112 of the front bumper 104.

[0052] 4(b) , and is located between the side surface 112a on one side and the connecting member 160a of the end upper bumper 158. Furthermore, the sound insulation member 156 is located in front of the exposed portion 127 and covers the exposed portion 127 in a front view.

[0053] In this manner, in the vehicle front structure 100A, by providing the sound insulation member 156 that covers the exposed portion 127 of the sound generating portion 106 in a front view, it is possible to suppress the diffusion of sound (sound leakage) from the exposed portion 127. In addition, by adjusting the thickness of the sound insulation member 156 in the front-rear direction, it is possible to adjust the uniformity of sound between the left and right.

[0054] Although the preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment. It is clear that a person skilled in the art can think of various modifications or alterations within the scope of the claims, and it is understood that these also naturally belong to the technical scope of the present invention. [Industrial Applicability]

[0055] The present invention can be used in a vehicle front structure. [Explanation of symbols]

[0056] 100, 100A...vehicle front structure, 102...vehicle, 104...front bumper, 106...sound generating portion, 108...volume adjusting member, 110...radiator, 112...reinforcement portion, 112a, 112b...side surface of reinforcement portion, 114, 114a, 114b...front bumper opening, 116...front surface of sound generating portion, 118...side surface of sound generating portion, 120...front wall portion, 122...side wall portion, 124...leg portion, 126...end portion on one side of front wall portion, 127...exposed portion, 128...rear edge of side wall portion, 130...bumper member, 13 2...first bracket, 134...second bracket, 136...mounting member, 138...base of first bracket, 140...step portion of reinforcing portion, 142...vertical wall, 144a, 144b...facing wall, 146a, 146b...extension portion, 148a, 148b...lower flange, 150a, 150b...upper flange, 152a, 152b...bolt, 154...upper end of second bracket, 156...sound insulation member, 158...end upper bumper, 160a, 160b...connecting member, 162...upper member, 164...lower member

Claims

1. A vehicle front structure including a front bumper of a vehicle, and a sound generating unit mounted on the vehicle behind the front bumper and positioned to either the right or left of a center in a vehicle width direction, the sound generating unit outputting a predetermined vehicle approach notification sound, The front bumper has a reinforcing portion extending in a vertical direction at a center in a vehicle width direction, a part of the front surface of the sound generating unit on the other side other than the one side overlaps with the reinforcing unit in a front view, The vehicle front structure further comprises: A vehicle front structure comprising: a volume adjustment member that surrounds the sound generating unit from the front surface to the one side surface of the sound generating unit.

2. The volume adjustment member is a front wall portion facing the front surface of the sound generating portion; 2. The vehicle front structure according to claim 1, further comprising a side wall portion facing the side surface of the sound generating portion, the side wall portion bending from the end portion on one side of the front wall portion and extending at an angle to the one side as it approaches the rear of the vehicle.

3. The vehicle front structure further comprises: a bumper member that is disposed on a rear surface of the front bumper, extends in a vehicle width direction, and curves so that a center of the vehicle width direction is positioned forward of the vehicle; a first bracket that is disposed at a center of the bumper member in a vehicle width direction and supports the reinforcing portion of the front bumper from below; a second bracket that is disposed on the bumper member and is located on the one side of the first bracket and supports the volume adjustment member, the volume adjustment member has a leg portion that is overlapped and fixed to the second bracket, 2. The vehicle front structure according to claim 1, wherein the leg portion extends at an incline toward the center in the vehicle width direction from the upper end of the second bracket toward the upper portion of the vehicle.

4. the sound generating portion has an exposed portion that does not overlap the reinforcing portion and the volume adjusting member in a front view, The vehicle front structure according to claim 2 , further comprising a sound-proofing member provided on the one side surface of the reinforcing portion, positioned in front of the exposed portion and covering the exposed portion in a front view.

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