Vehicle exterior resin component

Abstract

To provide a vehicle exterior resin component capable of improving an aerodynamic characteristic.SOLUTION: A design surface 4a of a vehicle exterior resin component 4 includes a special processing surface 4b in which a plurality of recesses 10 having a rhombus opening are arrayed along a surface direction via a rib 11 formed along four sides 19, 20, 21, 22 of the rhombus. An extension direction of a first diagonal line 12 that is one of two diagonal lines 12, 13 of the rhombus substantially matches a front and rear direction of the vehicle. The first diagonal line 12 is a longer one of the two diagonal lines 12, 13 of the rhombus.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to exterior resin parts of a vehicle.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, various exterior resin parts have been attached to vehicles such as automobiles and trucks. For example, an arch-shaped arch mold having a special processed surface with fine irregularities (texture) on the design surface is attached to the periphery of the tire house on the side surface of the vehicle. In addition, Patent Document 1 below discloses a technique for improving the aerodynamic characteristics of a vehicle by providing a rear spoiler on the trunk cover. In this technique, a special processed surface having a plurality of recesses is formed on the upper surface of the rear spoiler. The recess has an opening of a regular polygon or a perfect circle. Therefore, as the vehicle travels, a part of the airflow flowing backward over the rear spoiler generates minute vortices due to the plurality of recesses formed on the special processed surface. Accordingly, the airflow that tries to flow upward by the upper surface of the rear spoiler approaches the special processed surface and flows along the special processed surface to the rear of the rear spoiler. As a result, a certain improvement effect on the aerodynamic characteristics of the vehicle can be obtained.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the above-mentioned arch mold, as the vehicle travels, the airflow flowing from the front to the rear along the design surface (surface) of the arch mold peels off in a direction away from the width direction from the design surface of the arch mold near the top of the arch, which is the central part of the arch mold (near part A in FIG. 2). Therefore, the flow velocity of the peeled airflow becomes low, and there was a risk that the aerodynamic characteristics could not be improved. Therefore, there has been a demand for providing an exterior resin part of a vehicle that can improve aerodynamic characteristics.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0005] According to one feature of the present disclosure, an exterior resin part of a vehicle includes a specially processed surface in which a plurality of concave portions having rhombic openings are arranged in a plane direction along ribs formed along the four sides of the rhombus on the design surface. One of the two diagonals of the rhombus, the first diagonal, has an extending direction that substantially coincides with the front-rear direction of the vehicle.

[0006] Therefore, as the vehicle travels, a part of the airflow (hereinafter referred to as "traveling airflow") flowing from the front to the rear along the design surface (surface) of the exterior resin part generates minute vortices in the plurality of concave portions formed on the design surface (specially processed surface) of the exterior resin part, respectively. At this time, the traveling airflow reaches the vertex first, not the side of the rhombus. That is, the traveling airflow reaches the vertex (corner) of the rhombus first, not the side (linear part) of the rhombus. Therefore, compared with the case where the traveling airflow reaches the side of the rhombus first, the resistance from the rib to the traveling airflow is smaller when the traveling airflow reaches the vertex of the rhombus first. Therefore, the traveling airflow peels off in a direction away from the width direction from the design surface of the exterior resin part behind the central part of the exterior resin part. That is, in the exterior resin part, the position where the traveling airflow peels off moves backward. Therefore, in the exterior resin part, it becomes difficult for the traveling airflow to peel off from the design surface. As a result, since the traveling airflow flows smoothly, the aerodynamic performance of the vehicle is improved.

[0007] According to another feature of the present disclosure, the first diagonal is the longer one of the two diagonals of the rhombus. Therefore, the interior angle of the rhombus at the vertex of the first diagonal of the rhombus is set smaller than the interior angle of the rhombus at the vertex of the second diagonal of the rhombus. That is, the interior angle of the rhombus at the vertex of the first diagonal of the rhombus is an acute angle. Thus, the resistance from the rib to the traveling airflow is smaller. Therefore, in the exterior resin part, the traveling airflow is less likely to separate from the design surface. As a result, since the traveling airflow flows more smoothly, the aerodynamic performance of the vehicle is further improved.

[0008] Also, according to another feature of the present disclosure, among the four vertices of the rhombus, the interior angle of the rhombus at the front vertex in the front-rear direction is in the range of 40° to 89°. Thus, the resistance from the rib to the traveling airflow is smaller. Therefore, in the exterior resin part, the traveling airflow is less likely to separate from the design surface. As a result, since the traveling airflow flows more smoothly, the aerodynamic performance of the vehicle is further improved.

[0009] Also, according to another feature of the present disclosure, the width length of the rib is in the range of 0.2 to 0.5 mm. Therefore, many recesses can be formed on the limited design surface of the exterior resin part. Thus, the position where the traveling airflow deviates from the design surface of the exterior resin part can be surely moved rearward.

[0010] Also, according to another feature of the present disclosure, the total length of the rib in the front-rear direction is in the range of 1.0 to 4.0 mm. Therefore, many recesses can be formed on the limited design surface of the exterior resin part. Thus, the position where the traveling airflow deviates from the design surface of the exterior resin part can be surely moved rearward.

[0011] Also, according to another feature of the present disclosure, the height length of the rib is in the range of 20 to 70 μm. Therefore, minute vortices required for improving the aerodynamic performance of the vehicle can be appropriately generated.

[0012] Also, according to another feature of the present disclosure, the exterior resin part is an arch mold. Therefore, while enhancing the design property of the vehicle by the arch mold, the aerodynamic performance of the vehicle can be improved.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0013]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0014] The embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4. In the following description, the up-down, front-rear, and left-right directions are the directions based on the automobile 1, and the up-down, front-rear, and left-right directions indicated by the arrows in each figure are shown.

[0015] As shown in FIG. 1, an automobile 1, which is an example of a vehicle, includes tire houses 2 for storing tires 3 at the left front, left rear, right front, and right rear, respectively. The automobile 1 includes arch-shaped arch moldings 4 at the peripheries of the respective tire houses 2. The arch molding 4 is an exterior resin part having a design property and is integrally molded from a synthetic resin having rigidity.

[0016] As shown in FIG. 2, the arch molding 4 has a special processing surface 4b (in FIG. 2, the special processing surface 4b is indicated by dots) on its outer surface, which is the design surface 4a. As shown in FIG. 3, the special processing surface 4b has a plurality of recesses 10 having rhombic openings arranged along the two-dimensional direction (the up-down direction and the front-rear direction) along the four sides (the first side 19 to the fourth side 22) of the rhombus via ribs 11 formed along the four sides of the rhombus.

[0017] As shown in FIG. 3, the rhombus includes a first diagonal line 12 and a second diagonal line 13, which are two diagonal lines. The extension direction of the first diagonal line 12 substantially coincides (coincides or substantially coincides) with the front-rear direction. The extension direction of the second diagonal line 13 substantially coincides (coincides or substantially coincides) with the up-down direction. Also, the first diagonal line 12 is set to be longer than the second diagonal line 13.

[0018] As shown in FIG. 3, the rhombus includes four vertices, namely a first vertex 15 to a fourth vertex 18. The first vertex 15 is the upper vertex, and the second vertex 16 is the lower vertex opposite to the first vertex 15. The third vertex 17 is the front vertex, and the fourth vertex 18 is the rear vertex opposite to the third vertex 17.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 3, the rhombus includes four sides, namely a first side 19 to a fourth side 22. The first side 19 is the side connecting the first vertex 15 and the third vertex 17. The second side 20 is the side connecting the second vertex 16 and the third vertex 17. The third side 21 is the side connecting the first vertex 15 and the fourth vertex 18. The fourth side 22 is the side connecting the second vertex 16 and the fourth vertex 18.

[0020] The inner angle θ1 of the rhombus (rib 11) at the third vertex 17 is 60°. The width length L1 of the rib 11 is 0.3 mm. As shown in FIG. 4, the total length L2 of the rib 11 in the front-rear direction is 3.25 mm. The height length H of the rib 11 is 50 μm. The arch mortar 4 is configured in this way.

[0021] Next, the operation of the arch molding 4 will be described. As the vehicle 1 travels, a part of the airflow (hereinafter referred to as the "traveling airflow") flowing from the front to the rear along the design surface 4a (surface) of the arch molding 4 generates minute vortices in a plurality of recesses 10 formed in the design surface 4a (specially processed surface 4b) of the arch molding 4. At this time, as already described, since the extending direction of the first diagonal line 12 substantially coincides (coincides or substantially coincides) with the front-rear direction, the traveling airflow reaches the third vertex 17 first, rather than the first side 19 and the second side 20 of the rhombus. That is, the traveling airflow reaches the vertex (corner) of the rhombus first, rather than the side (linear part) of the rhombus. Therefore, compared with the case where the traveling airflow reaches the side of the rhombus first, the resistance from the rib 11 to the traveling airflow is smaller when the traveling airflow reaches the vertex of the rhombus first. Accordingly, the traveling airflow peels off from the design surface 4a of the arch molding 4 in a direction away from the width direction behind the vicinity of the top of the arch, which is the central part of the arch molding 4 (in FIG. 2, near part A). That is, in the arch molding 4, the position where the traveling airflow peels off moves backward. Therefore, in the arch molding 4, it becomes difficult for the traveling airflow to peel off from the design surface 4a. As a result, since the traveling airflow flows smoothly, the aerodynamic performance of the vehicle 1 is improved.

[0022] Also, the first diagonal line 12 is set to be longer than the second diagonal line 13. Therefore, the inner angle θ1 of the rhombus at the third vertex 17 and the fourth vertex 18 is set to be smaller than the inner angle θ2 of the rhombus at the first vertex 15 and the second vertex 16. That is, the inner angle θ1 of the rhombus at the third vertex 17 and the fourth vertex 18 is an acute angle. Accordingly, the resistance from the rib 11 to the traveling airflow becomes smaller. Therefore, in the arch molding 4, it becomes more difficult for the traveling airflow to peel off from the design surface 4a. As a result, since the traveling airflow flows more smoothly, the aerodynamic performance of the vehicle 1 is further improved.

[0023] Among the four vertices of the rhombus (the first vertex 15 to the fourth vertex 18), the inner angle θ1 of the rhombus at the third vertex 17, which is the front vertex in the front-rear direction, is 60°. Therefore, the resistance from the rib 11 to the traveling airflow becomes smaller. Thus, in the arch molding 4, it becomes more difficult for the traveling airflow to separate from the design surface 4a. As a result, since the traveling airflow flows more smoothly, the aerodynamic performance of the automobile 1 is further improved.

[0024] Also, the width length of the rib 11 is 0.3 mm. Therefore, many recesses 10 can be formed on the limited design surface 4a of the arch molding 4. Thus, the position where the traveling airflow deviates from the design surface 4a of the arch molding 4 can be surely moved rearward.

[0025] Also, the total length L2 of the rib 11 in the front-rear direction is 3.25 mm. Therefore, many recesses 10 can be formed on the limited design surface 4a of the arch molding 4. Thus, the position where the traveling airflow deviates from the design surface 4a of the arch molding 4 can be surely moved rearward.

[0026] Also, the height length of the rib 11 is 50 μm. Therefore, minute vortices required for improving the aerodynamic performance of the automobile 1 can be appropriately generated.

[0027] Also, the exterior resin part is the arch molding 4. Therefore, while enhancing the design of the automobile 1 by the arch molding 4, the aerodynamic performance of the automobile 1 can be improved.

[0028] Note that in the arch molding 4 according to the embodiment of the present invention, it is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and the following parts may be appropriately changed.

[0029] In the embodiment, as an example of a vehicle, the automobile 1 was described. Instead of this, a truck, a bus, or the like may be used. In the embodiment, as an example of an exterior resin component, the arch mold 4 was described. Instead of this, as shown in FIGS. 5 to 7, as an example of an exterior resin component, at least one of a bumper 30, a front fender panel 31, a rear fender panel 32, a hood 33, a door panel 34, a roof 35, a door lower mold 36, a rocker mold 37, a pillar 38, a front bumper spoiler 39, a rear spoiler 40, a rear bumper spoiler 41, a door mirror cover 42, an under cover 43, etc. may be used.

[0030] In the embodiment, an example in which the interior angle θ1 of the rhombus (rib 11) at the third vertex 17 is 60° was described. Instead of this, the interior angle θ1 may be within the range of 40° to 89°. Similarly, an example in which the width length L1 of the rib 11 is 0.3 mm was described. Instead of this, the width length of the rib 11 may be within the range of 0.2 to 0.5 mm.

[0031] Similarly, an example in which the total length L2 of the rib 11 in the front-rear direction is 3.25 mm was described. Instead of this, the total length L2 of the rib 11 in the front-rear direction may be within the range of 1.0 to 4.0 mm. Similarly, an example in which the height length H of the rib 11 is 50 μm was described. Instead of this, the height length of the rib 11 may be within the range of 20 to 70 μm.

Explanation of Signs

[0032] 1 Automobile (Vehicle) 4 Arch Mold (Exterior Resin Component) 4a Design Surface 4b Special Processing Surface 10 Concave Portion 11 Rib 12 First Diagonal Line 13 Second Diagonal Line 15 First Vertex 16 Second Vertex 17 Third Vertex 18 Fourth Vertex 19 First Side 20 Second Side 21 Third side 22 Fourth side

Claims

1. An exterior resin part of a vehicle, wherein a special processed surface having recesses with rhombic openings is arranged in a plurality along the surface direction via ribs formed along four sides of the rhombus on a design surface, and a first diagonal line, which is one of two diagonal lines of the rhombus, has an extending direction substantially coinciding with the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. The exterior resin part of the vehicle.

2. The exterior resin part of the vehicle according to Claim 1, wherein the first diagonal line is the longer one of the two diagonal lines of the rhombus. The exterior resin part of the vehicle.

3. The exterior resin part of the vehicle according to any one of Claims 1 to 2, wherein, among four vertices of the rhombus, an interior angle of the rhombus at the front vertex in the longitudinal direction is in a range of 40° to 89°. The exterior resin part of the vehicle.

4. The exterior resin part of the vehicle according to Claim 3, wherein a width length of the rib is in a range of 0.2 to 0.5 mm. The exterior resin part of the vehicle.

5. The exterior resin part of the vehicle according to Claim 4, wherein a total length of the rib in the longitudinal direction is in a range of 1.0 to 4.0 mm. The exterior resin part of the vehicle.

6. The exterior resin part of the vehicle according to Claim 5, wherein a height length of the rib is in a range of 20 to 70 μm. The exterior resin part of the vehicle.

7. The exterior resin part of the vehicle according to Claim 6 is an arch mold. The exterior resin part of the vehicle.

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