Vehicle

Abstract

To provide a vehicle capable of removing a foreign object while suppressing occurrence of turbulence of a travel wind and thereby reducing travel resistance.SOLUTION: A vehicle 1 according to the present invention includes: a heat exchanger 4 provided at a vehicle front part; an opening part 16 provided at a vehicle front side relative to the heat exchanger, for introducing a travel wind to a vehicle rear side; and a foreign-object-removal opening part 22 provided at a vehicle lower side relative to the opening part 16, for discharging a foreign object to outside the vehicle, thereby removing it. The foreign-object-removal opening part is provided with an opening / closing valve 24 capable of opening and closing the foreign-object-removal opening part. The opening part 16 is provided with a grille shutter 20. The grille shutter 20 and the opening / closing valve 24 are linked by a linkage member 42 such that they can be operated synchronously. The vehicle includes an actuator 32 for opening and closing the grille shutter 20 and the opening / closing valve 24.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle, and particularly to a heat exchanger provided in front of the vehicle, a first opening provided on the front side of the vehicle with respect to the heat exchanger and capable of introducing traveling wind to the rear side of the vehicle, and a second opening provided on the lower side of the vehicle with respect to the first opening and discharging and removing foreign matter to the outside of the vehicle.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a so-called radiator provided in front of a vehicle is provided with a so-called grill shutter that controls the amount of inflow air of traveling wind introduced through a front grill, a lower duct, etc. in front of the vehicle into the radiator. Here, Patent Document 1 discloses a vehicle provided with a drainage recess and a drain hole (foreign matter removal hole) for removing foreign matter such as rainwater and small stones other than traveling wind that has flowed into the grill shutter.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in the vehicle of Patent Document 1, since the foreign matter removal hole is always open, the traveling wind always flows in even when rainwater and small stones do not flow in. In such a structure, when the traveling wind passes through the foreign matter removal hole, turbulence occurs and the traveling wind is disturbed, increasing the air resistance of the vehicle. Such an increase in the air resistance of the vehicle is a problem for all vehicles that require further reduction of vehicle resistance. In particular, in recent years, it has become a more serious problem when meeting the demand for extending the cruising range in vehicles (especially electric vehicles) equipped with heavy batteries.

[0005] Therefore, the present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object thereof is to provide a vehicle that can suppress the generation of running wind turbulence, reduce running resistance, and remove foreign matter.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] In order to solve the above-described problems, the present invention provides a vehicle including a heat exchanger provided in front of the vehicle, a first opening provided on the front side of the vehicle relative to the heat exchanger for introducing running wind to the rear side of the vehicle, and a second opening provided on the lower side of the vehicle relative to the first opening for discharging and removing foreign matter to the outside of the vehicle, wherein a second opening / closing device capable of opening and closing the second opening is provided in the second opening.

[0007] According to the present invention configured as described above, a second opening for discharging and removing foreign matter to the outside of the vehicle is provided on the front side of the vehicle relative to the heat exchanger and on the lower side of the vehicle relative to the first opening, and a device capable of opening and closing this second opening is provided. Therefore, by opening and closing the second opening according to the degree of running resistance (especially air resistance), it is possible to suppress the generation of running wind turbulence, reduce running resistance, and remove foreign matter. That is, although there is a risk that the running resistance may decrease due to the turbulence of the running wind flowing into the second opening, for example, when the running resistance is large (for example, at high vehicle speed), the second opening can be closed to reduce the running resistance. On the other hand, when the running resistance is small (for example, at low vehicle speed), the foreign matter that has entered can be removed by opening the second opening.

[0008] In the present invention, preferably, a frame member forming the first opening is provided, the second opening is formed in the lower portion of the frame member, and an inclined portion inclined downward toward the vehicle in the second opening is formed in the lower portion of the frame member when viewed from the front. According to the present invention configured as described above, since an inclined portion inclined downward toward the vehicle is formed in the lower portion of the frame member in the second opening, foreign matter is likely to collect in the second opening, and thereby, it is possible to more effectively remove foreign matter that has entered, for example, from the front of the vehicle.

[0009] In the present invention, preferably, the second opening and the second opening / closing device constitute a foreign matter removing device, and the foreign matter removing device is provided at the center of the lower part of the frame member when viewed from the front. According to the present invention configured as described above, since the second opening and the second opening / closing device, which are the foreign matter removing device, are provided at the center of the lower part of the frame member, the foreign matter removing device can be provided at a symmetric position on the left and right, and foreign matters can be removed more effectively.

[0010] In the present invention, preferably, a first opening / closing device capable of opening and closing the first opening is provided in the first opening, and the first opening / closing device and the second opening / closing device are connected by a connecting member so that they can operate synchronously. According to the present invention configured as described above, the connecting member can be used to operate the first opening / closing device and the second opening / closing device synchronously, so that deterioration of the running resistance caused by an operating delay can be prevented. That is, when the first opening is closed by the operation of the first opening / closing device to reduce the running resistance (air resistance) caused by the running wind flowing into the heat exchanger, the second opening / closing device is simultaneously operated by the action of the connecting member to simultaneously close the second opening, and the running resistance (air resistance) caused by the running wind flowing into the second opening can be reduced.

[0011] In the present invention, preferably, the first opening is a grill opening provided on the front side of the heat exchanger for introducing running wind into the heat exchanger, the first opening / closing device is a grill shutter device including a grill shutter for opening and closing the grill opening, an actuator for opening and closing the grill shutter is connected to the grill shutter device, the second opening / closing device includes an on-off valve for opening and closing the second opening, and the connecting member is a member that connects the grill shutter and the on-off valve so that the on-off valve is closed as the grill shutter is closed by the actuator. According to the present invention configured as described above, in order to reduce the running resistance (air resistance) caused by the running wind flowing into the heat exchanger, when the grill shutter is operated by the actuator to close the first opening, due to the action of the connecting member, the on-off valve of the second opening is simultaneously closed, and the running resistance (air resistance) caused by the running wind flowing into the second opening can be reduced. Therefore, by simultaneously closing the first opening and the second opening, the vehicle resistance can be more reliably reduced.

[0012] In the present invention, preferably, further, a first opening opening / closing device capable of opening and closing the first opening, an actuator for opening and closing the first opening by the first opening opening / closing device and opening and closing the second opening by the second opening opening / closing device, a vehicle speed sensor for detecting the speed of the vehicle, and a control device for controlling the actuator according to the value of the vehicle speed sensor are provided. The control device operates the first opening opening / closing device and the second opening opening / closing device to close when the value of the vehicle speed sensor is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, and operates the first opening opening / closing device and the second opening opening / closing device to open when the value of the vehicle speed sensor is less than the predetermined value, so as to control the actuator. According to the present invention configured as described above, when the value of the vehicle speed sensor is equal to or greater than a predetermined value and the running resistance is considered to be relatively large, the actuator is operated so that the first opening and the second opening are both closed, effectively reducing the running resistance. On the other hand, when the value of the vehicle speed sensor is less than the predetermined value and the running resistance is considered to be relatively small, the actuator is operated so that the first opening and the second opening are both open, and the intruded foreign matter can be effectively removed.

[0013] In the present invention, preferably, further, a connecting member for connecting the first opening opening / closing device and the second opening opening / closing device so that they can operate synchronously is provided. The actuator drives the first opening opening / closing device, and the second opening opening / closing device operates synchronously with the driving of the first opening opening / closing device by the actuator through the connecting member. According to the present invention configured as described above, since the first opening / closing device and the second opening / closing device can be operated synchronously by the connecting member, it is possible to prevent the deterioration of the running resistance caused by the operating delay. That is, when the first opening is closed by driving the first opening / closing device by the actuator in an attempt to reduce the running resistance (air resistance) caused by the running wind flowing into the heat exchanger, the second opening / closing device is operated simultaneously by the action of the connecting member to close the second opening simultaneously, and the running resistance (air resistance) caused by the running wind flowing into the second opening can be reduced.

[0014] In the present invention, preferably, the first opening is a grill opening provided on the front side of the heat exchanger for introducing the running wind into the heat exchanger, the first opening / closing device is a grill shutter device including a grill shutter for opening and closing the grill opening, the actuator is an actuator for driving and opening and closing the grill shutter of the grill shutter device, and the second opening / closing device is configured to operate in conjunction with the opening and closing of the grill shutter, closing when the grill shutter is driven to close and opening when the grill shutter is driven to open. According to the present invention configured as described above, in order to reduce the running resistance (air resistance) caused by the running wind flowing into the heat exchanger, when the grill shutter is operated by the actuator to close the first opening, the second opening is closed simultaneously by the action of the connecting member, and the running resistance (air resistance) caused by the running wind flowing into the second opening can be reduced. Therefore, the first opening and the second opening can be simultaneously closed, and the vehicle resistance can be more reliably reduced.

[0015] In the present invention, preferably, the second opening / closing device includes an on-off valve for opening and closing the second opening, and the vehicle further includes a connecting member connecting the grill shutter and the on-off valve so that the on-off valve is opened and closed in synchronization with the opening and closing operation of the grill shutter when the actuator closes the grill shutter. According to the present invention configured as described above, in order to reduce the running resistance (air resistance) caused by the running wind flowing into the heat exchanger, when the grill shutter is actuated by the actuator to close the first opening, due to the action of the connecting member, the on-off valve of the second opening is simultaneously closed, and the running resistance (air resistance) caused by the running wind flowing into the second opening can be reduced. Therefore, by simultaneously closing the first opening and the second opening, the vehicle resistance can be more reliably reduced.

Advantages of the Invention

[0016] According to the vehicle of the present invention, it is possible to suppress the generation of turbulence in the running wind to reduce the running resistance while removing foreign matters.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0017]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0018] Hereinafter, a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0019] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. First, with reference to FIG. 1, the overall configuration of a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 is a side view showing the schematic configuration of a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle 1 is a so-called electric vehicle having a motor 2 as a power source. The vehicle 1 includes a radiator (heat exchanger) 4 that performs heat exchange between cooling water circulating through the motor 2 and the like and traveling air in order to cool the motor 2 and a battery (not shown). Traveling air is introduced into the radiator 4 through a front grill 6 at the front end of the vehicle and a lower duct 8 provided below the front end of the vehicle.

[0020] In addition, a grille shutter device 10 is provided adjacent to the radiator 4 on the vehicle front side of the radiator 4. This grille shutter device 10 closes the grille shutter 20 (see FIG. 3) provided in a grille opening 16 described later, mainly reducing the running resistance which is the air resistance, and as a result improving the fuel efficiency. Or, it is a device provided to open the grille shutter 20, introduce the running wind into the radiator 4, and enhance the cooling effect by the radiator 4.

[0021] In addition, on the vehicle lower side of this grille shutter device 10, a foreign object removal device 12 for removing foreign objects such as small stones and rainwater that mainly flow into the vehicle interior through the front grille 6 and the lower duct 8 is provided. This foreign object removal device 12 is a device for discharging and removing foreign objects from the vehicle through a foreign object removal hole 22 described later.

[0022] In addition, the vehicle 1 is provided with a controller (control device) 14 for controlling the opening and closing operations of the grille shutter device 10 and the foreign object removal device 12. The controller 14 is composed of a processing device (circuit) which is one or more processors (typically a CPU), a memory (such as ROM and RAM) for storing various programs, and a computer equipped with an input / output device and the like.

[0023] Next, with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, the schematic configurations and arrangements of the grille shutter device 10 and the foreign object removal device 12 will be described. FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional side view seen from the left side of the vehicle showing the grille shutter device and the foreign object removal device provided in the vehicle according to the embodiment of the present invention together with the front grille, and is a view showing the open state of the grille shutter device and the foreign object removal device. FIG. 3 is a perspective view seen from the left side and obliquely forward of the vehicle of the grille shutter device and the foreign object removal device according to the present embodiment, and is a view showing the closed state of each device. First, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the grille shutter device 10 includes a rectangular grille shutter frame 18 having a grille opening (first opening) 16 formed at its center, and a grille shutter 20 provided in the opening 16 of this grille shutter frame 18.

[0024] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the grill shutter 20 is composed of a total of four wing-shaped members. The grill shutter 20 is driven by an actuator 32 (see FIG. 4) described later, and in this embodiment, it is switched between a closed state in which the grill opening 16 is closed mainly to reduce air resistance and an open state in which the grill opening 16 is opened to introduce oncoming air into the radiator 4.

[0025] Also, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a foreign matter removing device 12 is provided below the grill shutter 20. This foreign matter removing device 12 mainly includes a foreign matter removing hole 22 formed in the grill shutter frame 18, a hole opening / closing valve 24 for opening and closing the foreign matter removing hole 22, and a support member 26 for rotatably supporting the hole opening / closing valve 24. Note that the hole opening / closing valve 24 is pivotally supported by pivot shafts (only one pivot shaft 24b on one side is shown in FIGS. 5 and 7) on both sides in the vehicle width direction. Further, the support member 26 partially supports both end portions and the outer peripheral portion of the hole opening / closing valve 24.

[0026] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the foreign matter removing hole 22 is formed in the lower portion of the grill shutter frame 18, more specifically, in the lower side portion of the four sides of the rectangular grill shutter frame 18. The foreign matter removing hole 22 is open downward of the vehicle, so that foreign matters such as moisture and small stones can be discharged to the outside of the vehicle through the foreign matter removing hole 22.

[0027] The hole opening / closing valve 24 is a semi-cylindrical member having a C-shaped cross section with an opening 24a formed therein, and is mainly switched between a closed state in which the foreign matter removing hole 22 is closed to reduce air resistance, that is, a state in which the opening 24a does not face the foreign matter removing hole 22 (see FIGS. 3, 4, and 9), and an open state in which the foreign matter removing hole 22 is opened to remove foreign matters, that is, a state in which the opening 24a faces the foreign matter removing hole 22 to open the foreign matter removing hole 22 (see FIGS. 2 and 8).

[0028] This orifice opening / closing valve 24 operates in synchronization with the opening and closing of the grille shutter 20 by a connecting device 28 (see FIGS. 5 to 7 etc. described later), and rotates so as to be in a closed state when the grille shutter 20 is in a closed state.

[0029] Next, with reference to FIG. 4, the configuration of the grille shutter device 10 and the arrangement of the foreign matter removing device 12 will be described. FIG. 4 is a front view of the grille shutter device and the foreign matter removing device according to the present embodiment as viewed from the front of the vehicle. First, as shown in FIG. 4, the foreign matter removing device 12 is provided at the central portion in the vehicle width direction in the lower part of the grille shutter frame 18. Further, as shown in FIG. 4, in the lower part of the grille shutter frame 18, a pair of inclined portions 30 inclined downward in the vehicle are formed from the left and right outer portions in the vehicle width direction toward the foreign matter removing holes 22 and the orifice opening / closing valve 24 provided at the central portion in the vehicle width direction. In the present embodiment, due to these inclined portions 30, rainwater or the like is transmitted along the inclination, or foreign matters such as small stones roll, so that the foreign matters gather at the foreign matter removing device 12. Further, as shown in FIG. 4, an actuator 32 for driving the grille shutter 20 to open and close the grille shutter 20 is attached to the grille shutter frame 18.

[0030] Next, with reference to FIGS. 5 to 7, the configuration of the grille shutter device 10 and the foreign matter removing device 12 that operate by the above-described actuator 32 will be described. FIG. 5 is a front view for explaining the main part of the grille shutter device and the foreign matter removing device according to the present embodiment, and shows the state where each device is closed. FIG. 6 is a front view for explaining the main part of the grille shutter device and the foreign matter removing device according to the present embodiment, and shows the state where each device is open. FIG. 7 is a side view of the vehicle as viewed from the left side for explaining the schematic configuration of the connecting device provided in the grille shutter device and the foreign matter removing device according to the present embodiment.

[0031] First, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the actuator 32 described above drives and opens and closes the grill shutter 20 via the drive shaft 34. In the present embodiment, the actuator 32 directly drives one of the four wing-shaped grill shutters 20, i.e., the grill shutter 20a, and the remaining three grill shutters 20b are driven passively in accordance with the operation of the grill shutter 20a.

[0032] The four grill shutters 20a and 20b are pivotally supported at their outer ends in the vehicle width direction by the grill shutter frame 18. On the other hand, their inner ends in the vehicle width direction are fixed to a shutter flap 36 described later. In the present embodiment, the four grill shutters 20a and 20b rotate in accordance with the rotation operation of the shutter flap 36 to open and close the grill opening 16.

[0033] Next, shutter flaps 36 are attached to the inner ends in the vehicle width direction of the four grill shutters 20a and 20b, respectively. These shutter flaps 36 may be integrally formed with the grill shutters 20a and 20b. As shown in FIGS. 5 to 7, these shutter flaps 36 are members formed approximately in a semicircular shape and extend in a direction perpendicular to the grill shutters 20a and 20b extending in the vehicle width direction (a direction on a plane including the vehicle vertical direction and the vehicle longitudinal direction). As shown in FIGS. 5 to 7, these shutter flaps 36 are supported by the grill shutter frame 18 about their rotation axes (rotation centers) 36a so as to rotate about the rotation axes 36a, and the inner ends in the vehicle width direction of the grill shutters 20a and 20b are attached to these rotation axes 36a.

[0034] In the present embodiment, the grill opening / closing device 38 is mainly constituted by the above-described grill shutters 20a and 20b and the shutter flap 36, and in the present embodiment, this grill opening / closing device 38 is driven by the above-described actuator 32.

[0035] Next, as shown in FIG. 7, each shutter flap 36 is formed with a flap projection 36b that projects radially with respect to the rotation center 36a as shown by the dashed line in the figure, and a connecting shaft 42 provided in the connecting device 40 according to this embodiment is connected to these flap projections 36b. Here, the connecting device 40 according to this embodiment is a device that connects the grill shutter device 10 and the foreign matter removing device 12, and acts as a link mechanism by the interaction between the shutter flap 36 described above, its flap projection 36b, the connecting shaft 42, and the connecting pins 44 and 46 described later. In this embodiment, the foreign matter removing device 12 is operated in synchronization with the operation of the grill shutter device 10 by such a connecting device 40.

[0036] Next, the configuration of this connecting device 40 will be described in more detail. First, as shown in FIG. 7, each flap projection 36b and the connecting shaft 42 are connected to each other via a connecting pin 44 at the upper end and the middle part of the connecting shaft 42. In FIGS. 5 and 6, those connecting pins 44 are shown by dashed lines. In this embodiment, each connecting pin 44 is formed integrally with the shutter flap 36 (each flap projection 36b), and each connecting pin 44 is rotatably supported by the connecting shaft 42. Note that the connecting pin 44 may be separate from the shutter flap 36.

[0037] On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 7, at the lower end of the connecting shaft 42, the connecting shaft 42 and the hole opening / closing valve 24 are connected to each other via a connecting pin (connecting pin for the hole opening / closing device) 46. In FIGS. 5 and 6, the connecting pin 46 is shown by a dashed line. In this embodiment, the connecting pin 46 is formed integrally with the hole opening / closing valve 24, and the connecting pin 46 is rotatably supported with respect to the connecting shaft 42. Note that the connecting pin 46 may be separate from the hole opening / closing valve 24.

[0038] As shown in FIG. 7, the connecting pin 46 is provided at a position protruding in the radial direction with respect to the rotation shaft 24b of the hole opening / closing valve 24. Due to such a positional relationship, when the connecting shaft 42 is operated, the hole opening / closing valve 24 is caused to perform an opening / closing operation accordingly. And in the present embodiment, the connecting pin 46 connected to the above-described connecting shaft 42, the hole opening / closing valve 24, and its rotation shaft 24b constitute a hole opening / closing device (first opening / closing device) 48 for opening and closing the foreign matter removal hole 22, and operates in synchronization with the operation of the grill shutter device 10. In the present embodiment, as described above, this hole opening / closing device 48 is driven in accordance with the operation of the above-described actuator 32.

[0039] Next, with reference to FIGS. 7 to 9, the operations of the grill shutter device 10, the connecting device 28, and the foreign matter removal device 12 by the above-described actuator 32 will be described. FIG. 8 is a partial cross-sectional perspective view seen from the left side and obliquely forward of the vehicle for explaining the operation in the open state of the grill shutter device and the foreign matter removal device according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 9 is a partial cross-sectional perspective view seen from the left side and obliquely forward of the vehicle for explaining the operation in the closed state of the grill shutter device and the foreign matter removal device according to the present embodiment. First, in FIG. 7, when the actuator 32 is operated to drive the grill shutter 20a in the opening direction as indicated by the arrow A, the connecting shaft 42 moves in the direction of the arrow B, and along with this movement, the hole opening / closing valve 24 rotates in the direction of the arrow C, and as shown in FIG. 8, the hole opening / closing valve 24 is in an open state.

[0040] Then, as shown in FIG. 8, mainly, foreign matters such as small stones and rainwater that have flowed into the vehicle through the front grill 6 and the lower duct 8, as shown by an example in the arrow D, mainly gather in the foreign matter removal device 12 through the inclined portion 30 of the grill shutter frame 18 (and a part of the lower duct 8 in the present embodiment), and are discharged to the outside of the vehicle through the opening 24a of the hole opening / closing valve 24 and the foreign matter removal hole 22, and are removed from the vehicle interior. Note that the grill shutter frame 18 may be formed so that foreign matters moving on the inclined portion 30 directly flow into the foreign matter removal hole 22.

[0041] And, as shown in FIG. 8, in this state, since the grill shutter 20 is in the open state, the traveling wind can be introduced into the radiator 4 to enhance the cooling effect by the radiator 4.

[0042] On the other hand, as can be understood with reference to FIG. 7, when the actuator 32 is operated to drive the grill shutter 20a in the closing direction (the direction opposite to the arrow A), the connecting shaft 42 moves in the direction opposite to the arrow B, and with this movement, the hole opening / closing valve 24 rotates in the direction opposite to the arrow C, and as shown in FIG. 9, the hole opening / closing valve 24 becomes the closed state.

[0043] And, as shown in FIG. 9, in this state, since both the grill shutter 20 and the foreign matter removal hole 22 are in the closed state, the traveling resistance, which is the air resistance, can be reduced, and as a result, the fuel efficiency can be improved.

[0044] Next, with reference to FIGS. 10 and 11, the control content of the vehicle 1 executed by the controller 14 according to the present embodiment will be described. In FIG. 11, S indicates each step. First, as shown in FIG. 10, a vehicle speed sensor 50 for detecting the vehicle speed of the vehicle 1 is connected to the controller 14, and a signal indicating the vehicle speed of the vehicle 1 is input from this vehicle speed sensor 50. On the other hand, the actuator 32 described above is connected to the controller 14, and the controller 14 is configured to control the operation of the actuator 32 based on the acquired vehicle speed.

[0045] More specifically, the controller 14 includes a grill shutter / foreign matter removal hole opening / closing determination unit 52 that determines whether to open or close the above-described grill opening 16 and foreign matter removal hole 22 according to the vehicle speed obtained by the vehicle speed sensor 50, and based on the determination by this determination unit 52, sends a signal to the actuator 32 and sends an instruction signal so that the grill opening 16 and the foreign matter removal hole 22 are either in the open state or the closed state, namely, a grill shutter / foreign matter removal hole opening / closing instruction unit 54.

[0046] Next, as shown in FIG. 11, the controller 14 first acquires the vehicle speed of the vehicle 1 based on the signal from the vehicle speed sensor 50 in S1. Next, in S2, the grill shutter / foreign object removal hole opening / closing determination unit 52 determines whether the vehicle speed acquired in S1 exceeds a predetermined vehicle speed V (20 km / h in this embodiment). Here, in this embodiment, when the vehicle speed of the vehicle 1 exceeds the vehicle speed V, the grill shutter / foreign object removal hole opening / closing determination unit 52 determines that the grill opening 16 and the foreign object removal hole 22 are to be closed, and when the vehicle speed does not exceed the vehicle speed V, it determines that the grill opening 16 and the foreign object removal hole 22 are to be opened.

[0047] Next, in S2, when it is determined that the vehicle speed of the vehicle 1 exceeds "vehicle speed V" and the grill opening 16 and the foreign object removal hole 22 are to be closed (YES in S2), the process proceeds to S3, and the grill shutter / foreign object removal hole opening / closing instruction unit 54 sends an instruction signal to the actuator 32 so that the grill opening 16 and the foreign object removal hole 22 are in a closed state. By the process of S3, the grill shutter device 10 and the foreign object removal device 12 are in a closed state as shown in FIG. 9, for example.

[0048] On the other hand, in S2, when it is determined that the vehicle speed of the vehicle 1 does not exceed "vehicle speed V" and the grill opening 16 and the foreign object removal hole 22 are to be opened (NO in S2), the process proceeds to S4, and the grill shutter / foreign object removal hole opening / closing instruction unit 54 sends an instruction signal to the actuator 32 so that the grill opening 16 and the foreign object removal hole 22 are in an open state. By the process of S4, the grill shutter device 10 and the foreign object removal device 12 are in an open state as shown in FIG. 8, for example.

[0049] Here, the opening / closing operations of the grill opening 16 and the foreign object removal hole 22 in S3 and S4 are, in more detail, the operation of the grill shutter 20 by the grill opening / closing device 38 driven by the actuator 32 as described above, and the operation of the hole opening / closing valve 24 by the hole opening / closing device 48 accompanying the operation of the grill shutter 20 and the operation of the connecting device 28.

[0050] In this embodiment, in the low-speed region (region with a speed of 20 km / h or less), the influence of running resistance (air resistance) is small. On the other hand, in the region exceeding the low-speed region (region with a speed exceeding 20 km / h), it is assumed that the influence of running resistance is large, and the threshold value V is set to 20 km / h. As a modification, this threshold value V may be appropriately changed according to various factors such as the shape of the vehicle and the specifications of the vehicle.

[0051] In addition, in this embodiment, an example where the vehicle 1 is an electric vehicle has been described. As a modification, it is also applicable to vehicles equipped with an internal combustion engine including hybrid vehicles.

[0052] Next, the operation and effect of the vehicle 1 according to this embodiment will be described. The vehicle 1 according to this embodiment includes a heat exchanger 4 provided in front of the vehicle, a first opening (grill opening 16) provided on the front side of the vehicle with respect to the heat exchanger 4 for introducing the running wind to the rear side of the vehicle, and a second opening (foreign object removal hole 22) provided on the lower side of the vehicle with respect to the first opening for discharging and removing foreign objects to the outside of the vehicle. A second opening and closing device (hole opening and closing valve 24, hole opening and closing device 48) capable of opening and closing the second opening is provided in the second opening. According to this embodiment configured as described above, a second opening (22) for discharging and removing foreign objects is provided on the front side of the vehicle with respect to the heat exchanger 4 and on the lower side of the vehicle with respect to the first opening (16), and a device (24, 48) capable of opening and closing this second opening is provided. Therefore, by opening and closing the second opening according to the degree of running resistance (especially air resistance), it is possible to suppress the generation of turbulence in the running wind and reduce the running resistance while removing foreign objects. That is, although there is a possibility that the running resistance may decrease due to the turbulence of the running wind flowing into the second opening, for example, when the running resistance is large (for example, high vehicle speed), the second opening can be closed to reduce the running resistance. On the other hand, when the running resistance is small (for example, low vehicle speed), the foreign objects that have entered can be removed by opening the second opening.

[0053] Further, according to the present embodiment, a frame member 18 that forms a first opening (grill opening 16) is provided. The second opening (foreign matter removal hole 22) is formed in the lower portion of the frame member. In the lower portion of the frame member, an inclined portion 30 that is inclined downward toward the second opening in a front view is formed. Thus, foreign matters are likely to gather at the second opening, and thereby, for example, foreign matters that have entered from the front of the vehicle can be removed more effectively.

[0054] Further, according to the present embodiment, the second opening (foreign matter removal hole 22) and the second opening opening / closing device (hole opening / closing valve 24, hole opening / closing device 48) constitute a foreign matter removal device 12. The foreign matter removal device 12 is provided at the center of the lower portion of the frame member in a front view. Therefore, by providing the foreign matter removal device 12 at a symmetric position, foreign matters can be removed more effectively.

[0055] Further, according to the present embodiment, a first opening opening / closing device (grill shutter 20, grill opening / closing device 38) that can open and close the first opening is provided in the first opening (grill opening 16). The first opening opening / closing device (grill shutter device 10, grill shutter 20, grill opening / closing device 38) and the second opening opening / closing device (hole opening / closing valve 24, hole opening / closing device 48) are connected by a connecting member 42 so that they can operate synchronously. According to the present embodiment configured as described above, deterioration of running resistance due to an operation delay can be prevented. That is, when the first opening is closed by the operation of the first opening opening / closing device to reduce the running resistance (air resistance) caused by the running wind flowing into the heat exchanger, the second opening opening / closing device is simultaneously operated by the action of the connecting member 42 to simultaneously close the second opening, and the running resistance (air resistance) caused by the running wind flowing into the second opening can be reduced.

[0056] Further, according to the present embodiment, the first opening is a grill opening 16 provided on the front side of the heat exchanger for introducing the traveling wind into the heat exchanger. The first opening / closing device is a grill shutter device 10 including a grill shutter 20 for opening and closing the grill opening 16. An actuator 32 for opening and closing the grill shutter is connected to the grill shutter device. The second opening / closing device includes an on-off valve 24 for opening and closing the second opening. The connecting member 42 is a member that connects the grill shutter 20 and the on-off valve 24 so that when the grill shutter 20 is closed by the actuator 32, the on-off valve 24 is closed along with the closing operation of the grill shutter. According to the present embodiment configured as described above, in order to reduce the running resistance (air resistance) caused by the traveling wind flowing into the heat exchanger, when the grill shutter 20 is operated by the actuator 32 to close the first opening (grill opening 16), due to the action of the connecting member 42, the on-off valve 24 of the second opening (foreign matter removal hole 22) is simultaneously closed, and the running resistance (air resistance) caused by the traveling wind flowing into the second opening can be reduced. Therefore, by closing the first opening and the second opening simultaneously, the vehicle resistance can be more reliably reduced.

[0057] Further, according to the present embodiment, a first opening / closing device (grill shutter 20, grill opening / closing device 38) capable of opening and closing the first opening (grill opening 16), an actuator 32 for opening and closing the first opening by the first opening / closing device and opening and closing the second opening (foreign matter removal hole 22) by the second opening / closing device (hole on-off valve 24, hole opening / closing device 48), a vehicle speed sensor 50 for detecting the speed of the vehicle 1, and a control device (controller 14) for controlling the actuator 32 according to the value of the vehicle speed sensor are provided. The control device controls the actuator so that when the value of the vehicle speed sensor is equal to or higher than a predetermined value (V), both the first opening / closing device and the second opening / closing device are closed, and when the value of the vehicle speed sensor is less than the predetermined value (V), both the first opening / closing device and the second opening / closing device are opened. According to this embodiment configured as described above, when the value of the vehicle speed sensor is equal to or greater than a predetermined value and the running resistance is considered to be relatively large, the actuator 32 is operated so that both the first opening (grill opening 16) and the second opening (foreign matter removal hole 22) are closed, effectively reducing the running resistance. On the other hand, when the value of the vehicle speed sensor is less than the predetermined value and the running resistance is considered to be relatively small, the actuator is operated so that both the first opening and the second opening are opened, and the intruded foreign matter can be effectively removed.

[0058] Further, according to this embodiment, a connecting member 42 is provided that connects the first opening / closing device (grill shutter 20, grill opening / closing device 38) and the second opening / closing device (hole opening / closing valve 24, hole opening / closing device 48) so that they can operate synchronously. The actuator 32 drives the first opening / closing device, and the second opening / closing device operates synchronously with the driving of the first opening / closing device by the actuator via the connecting member 42. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the deterioration of the running resistance due to the operation delay. That is, when the first opening is closed by driving the first opening / closing device by the actuator 32 to reduce the running resistance (air resistance) caused by the running wind flowing into the heat exchanger, the second opening / closing device is simultaneously operated by the action of the connecting member to simultaneously close the second opening, thereby reducing the running resistance (air resistance) caused by the running wind flowing into the second opening.

[0059] Further, according to this embodiment, the first opening is the grill opening 16 provided on the front side of the heat exchanger 4 for introducing the running wind into the heat exchanger. The first opening / closing device is the grill shutter device 10 including the grill shutter 20 that opens and closes the grill opening. The actuator 32 is an actuator that drives and opens and closes the grill shutter 20 of the grill shutter device. The second opening / closing device is configured to operate in conjunction with the opening and closing of the grill shutter 20, closing when the grill shutter is driven to close and opening when the grill shutter is driven to open. According to this embodiment configured as described above, in order to reduce the running resistance (air resistance) caused by the running wind flowing into the heat exchanger, when the grill shutter is actuated by the actuator to close the first opening, due to the action of the connecting member, the second opening is simultaneously closed, and the running resistance (air resistance) caused by the running wind flowing into the second opening can be reduced. Therefore, by simultaneously closing the first opening and the second opening, the vehicle resistance can be more reliably reduced.

[0060] Further, according to this embodiment, the second opening / closing device includes an on-off valve 24 for opening and closing the second opening (foreign matter removal hole 22). When the vehicle 1 closes the grill shutter 20 by the actuator 32, the vehicle 1 further includes a connecting member 42 that connects the grill shutter 20 and the on-off valve 24 so that the on-off valve 24 is opened and closed in synchronization with the opening and closing operation of the grill shutter. According to this embodiment configured as described above, in order to reduce the running resistance (air resistance) caused by the running wind flowing into the heat exchanger, when the grill shutter 20 is actuated by the actuator 32 to close the first opening, due to the action of the connecting member 42, the on-off valve 24 of the second opening is simultaneously closed, and the running resistance (air resistance) caused by the running wind flowing into the second opening can be reduced. Therefore, by simultaneously closing the first opening and the second opening, the vehicle resistance can be more reliably reduced.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0061] 1 Vehicle 2 Motor (prime mover) 4 Radiator (heat exchanger) 6 Front grill 8 Lower duct 10 Grill shutter device 12 Foreign matter removal device 14 Controller (control device) 16 Grill opening (first opening) 18 Grill shutter frame (frame member) 20, 20a, 20b Grill shutter 22 Foreign object removal hole (second opening) 24 Hole opening / closing valve 26 Hole opening / closing valve support member 28 Connecting device 30 Inclined part 32 Actuator (driving device) 34 Driving shaft 36 Shutter flap 36a Rotation center 36b Flap protrusion 38 Grill opening / closing device (first opening / closing device) 40 Connecting device 42 Connecting shaft (connecting member) 44 Connecting pin 46 Connecting pin 48 Hole opening / closing device (second opening / closing device)

Claims

1. A heat exchanger provided in front of the vehicle, A first opening provided on the front side of the vehicle with respect to the heat exchanger for introducing the traveling wind to the rear side of the vehicle, A second opening provided on the lower side of the vehicle with respect to the first opening for discharging and removing foreign matter to the outside of the vehicle, and a vehicle comprising: A second opening opening / closing device capable of opening and closing the second opening is provided in the second opening, and the vehicle is characterized by this.

2. Comprising a frame member forming the first opening, The second opening is formed in a lower portion of the frame member, In the lower portion of the frame member, an inclined portion inclined downward of the vehicle toward the second opening is formed in a front view, and the vehicle according to claim 1.

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

4. A first opening opening / closing device capable of opening and closing the first opening is provided in the first opening, The first opening opening / closing device and the second opening opening / closing device are connected by a connecting member so that they can operate synchronously, and the vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. The first opening is a grill opening provided on the front side of the heat exchanger for introducing the traveling wind to the heat exchanger, The first opening opening / closing device is a grill shutter device including a grill shutter for opening and closing the grill opening, An actuator for opening and closing the grill shutter is connected to the grill shutter device, The second opening opening / closing device includes an on-off valve for opening and closing the second opening, The connecting member is a member connecting the grill shutter and the on-off valve so that when the grill shutter is closed by the actuator, the on-off valve is closed in accordance with the closing operation of the grill shutter, and the vehicle according to claim 4.

6. Furthermore, a first opening opening / closing device capable of opening and closing the first opening, An actuator for opening and closing the first opening by the first opening opening / closing device and opening and closing the second opening by the second opening opening / closing device, A vehicle speed sensor for detecting the speed of the vehicle, And a control device for controlling the actuator according to the value of the vehicle speed sensor. When the value of the vehicle speed sensor is greater than or equal to a predetermined value, the control device closes both the first opening / closing device and the second opening / closing device. When the value of the vehicle speed sensor is less than the predetermined value, the control device controls the actuator to open both the first opening / closing device and the second opening / closing device. The vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

7. Furthermore, the vehicle includes a connecting member that connects the first opening / closing device and the second opening / closing device so that they can operate synchronously. The actuator drives the first opening / closing device. The second opening / closing device operates synchronously with the driving of the first opening / closing device by the actuator by means of the connecting member. The vehicle according to claim 6.

8. The first opening is a grill opening provided on the front side of the heat exchanger for introducing traveling wind into the heat exchanger. The first opening / closing device is a grill shutter device including a grill shutter that opens and closes the grill opening. The actuator is an actuator that drives and opens and closes the grill shutter of the grill shutter device. The second opening / closing device operates in conjunction with the opening and closing of the grill shutter, and is configured to close when the grill shutter is driven to close and to open when the grill shutter is driven to open. The vehicle according to claim 6.

9. The second opening / closing device includes an on-off valve for opening and closing the second opening. When the actuator closes the grill shutter, the vehicle further includes a connecting member that connects the grill shutter and the on-off valve so that the on-off valve is opened and closed synchronously with the opening and closing operation of the grill shutter. The vehicle according to claim 8.

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