Vehicle front structure

Abstract

To provide a vehicle front structure capable of adjusting a temperature of a front luggage compartment without providing a temperature control mechanism dedicated for the front luggage compartment.SOLUTION: A vehicle front structure 10 comprises: a tank 30 that is disposed in a vehicle front portion and stores cleaning fluid; a front luggage compartment 40 that is disposed in the vehicle front portion; and a temperature control unit 50 that can adjust temperatures of both the cleaning fluid in the tank 30 and inside the front luggage compartment 40.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] The following Patent Document 1 discloses a structure in which a front trunk box is provided in a front compartment. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-029057 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Meanwhile, for example, some cold-climate vehicles are provided with a heat retention mechanism for keeping the inside of a tank warm to prevent the cleaning solution inside the tank located at the front of the vehicle from freezing. On the other hand, in a vehicle equipped with a front trunk box (front luggage compartment) at the front of the vehicle, such as the vehicle described in Patent Document 1, the front trunk box and other components disposed around the front trunk box, such as the tank, function independently without coordination with each other. Therefore, there is room for improvement in the coordination of each function.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and has as its object to provide a vehicle front structure that can regulate the temperature of the front luggage compartment without providing a temperature adjustment mechanism dedicated to the front luggage compartment. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The vehicle front structure according to the first aspect includes a tank disposed at the front of the vehicle and storing cleaning liquid therein, a front luggage compartment disposed at the front of the vehicle, and a temperature adjustment unit capable of adjusting the temperature of both the cleaning liquid in the tank and the temperature inside the front luggage compartment.

[0007] In the vehicle front structure according to the first aspect, the temperature adjustment unit is capable of adjusting the temperature of both the cleaning liquid in the tank located at the front of the vehicle and the temperature in the front cargo compartment located at the front of the vehicle, so that the temperature in the front cargo compartment can be adjusted without providing a dedicated temperature adjustment mechanism for the front cargo compartment.

[0008] The vehicle front structure according to the second aspect is the configuration described in the first aspect, in which at least a portion of the tank wall forming the tank and the cargo compartment wall forming the front cargo compartment are integrated or abutted, and the temperature adjustment unit is arranged in an area including the integrated or abutted portion.

[0009] In the vehicle front structure according to the second aspect, at least a portion of the tank wall forming the tank and the cargo compartment wall forming the front cargo compartment are integrated or abutted, and the temperature adjustment unit is disposed in an area including this integrated or abutted portion, so that the temperature inside the tank and the front cargo compartment can be efficiently adjusted by the temperature adjustment unit.

[0010] The vehicle front structure according to the third aspect is the configuration described in the second aspect, in which the tank wall above the tank and the cargo compartment wall below the front cargo compartment are integrated or abutted.

[0011] In the vehicle front structure of the third aspect, the upper tank wall of the tank and the lower cargo compartment wall of the front cargo compartment are integrated or abutted together, so that the front cargo compartment can be provided above the tank.

[0012] The vehicle front structure according to the fourth aspect is the configuration described in the second aspect, in which the tank wall on one side of the tank in the vehicle width direction and the cargo compartment wall on the other side of the front cargo compartment in the vehicle width direction are integrated with or abut against each other.

[0013] In the vehicle front structure of the fourth aspect, the tank wall on one side of the tank in the vehicle width direction and the cargo compartment wall on the other side of the front cargo compartment in the vehicle width direction are integrated or abutted, so that the tank and the front cargo compartment can be arranged side by side in the vehicle width direction.

[0014] A vehicle front structure according to a fifth aspect is the same as the first aspect, in which the temperature adjustment unit is disposed between the tank and the front luggage compartment.

[0015] In the vehicle front structure according to the fifth aspect, the temperature adjustment unit is arranged between the tank and the front luggage compartment, so that the temperature of the tank and the front luggage compartment can be adjusted by the temperature adjustment unit even in an aspect in which the tank and the front luggage compartment are not in contact. [Effects of the Invention]

[0016] As described above, the vehicle front structure according to the present invention has the excellent effect of being able to regulate the temperature in the front luggage compartment without providing a temperature regulation mechanism dedicated to the front luggage compartment. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0017] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view schematically showing a part of a vehicle front structure relating to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a side cross-sectional view schematically showing a part of the vehicle front structure of FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a side cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 2, schematically showing a modified example of the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional side view corresponding to FIG. 2, schematically showing another modified example of the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] FIG. 6 is a perspective view schematically showing a part of a vehicle front structure relating to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a side view schematically showing a part of the vehicle front structure of FIG. 5. [Figure 7] FIG. 6 is a front cross-sectional view schematically showing a part of the vehicle front structure of FIG. 5. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional side view corresponding to FIG. 7, schematically showing a modified example of the second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional side view corresponding to FIG. 7, schematically showing another modified example of the second embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] First Embodiment A vehicle front structure 10 according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the arrow FR shown as appropriate in each drawing indicates the front side in the vehicle longitudinal direction, and the arrow UP indicates the upper side in the vehicle vertical direction. The arrow RH indicates the right side in the vehicle width direction. Hereinafter, when the directions of front / rear, up / down, and left / right are simply used in the description, they will refer to front / rear in the vehicle longitudinal direction, up / down in the vehicle vertical direction, and left / right in the vehicle horizontal direction (vehicle width direction), unless otherwise specified. Furthermore, since each drawing schematically shows the vehicle front structure 10, the shape, such as the size and angle, may differ from one drawing to another.

[0019] Unless otherwise specified in the specification, each element is not limited to one and may be present in plural. Furthermore, in the drawings, substantially identical elements are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations in the specification will be omitted.

[0020] First, a vehicle 11 to which the vehicle front structure 10 according to this embodiment is applied will be described. For example, the vehicle 11 has a power unit including a motor, an engine, etc. as a drive source, and is an electric vehicle, a fuel cell vehicle, or the like that runs on power generated by the power unit.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 1, a vehicle front structure 10 is provided with front side members 12 extending in the vehicle longitudinal direction on both sides in the vehicle width direction. The front side members 12 are body frame members, and have a cross section along the vehicle width direction that is formed into a substantially rectangular shape. Crash boxes 14 that are deformable in the event of a vehicle collision are provided at the front end portions of the front side members 12 in the vehicle longitudinal direction. Note that, although the front side members 12 and the crash boxes 14 are shown as being integrated in FIG. 1, they may also be separate parts. Furthermore, the rear side of the front side member 12 in the vehicle longitudinal direction is extended toward the rear of the vehicle via a kick portion (not shown) that extends diagonally downward of the vehicle.

[0022] A bumper reinforcement 16 serving as a bumper member extending along the vehicle width direction is disposed on the vehicle front side of the crash boxes 14, i.e., at the front end of the vehicle front structure 10, and connects the left and right crash boxes 14 with the bumper reinforcement 16. The bumper reinforcement 16 has a substantially rectangular cross section along the vehicle front-rear direction, and is formed in a curved shape such that the central portion in the vehicle width direction protrudes toward the front of the vehicle.

[0023] A radiator 20, which is a flat plate-like structure extending in the vehicle longitudinal direction, is disposed between the left and right front side members 12. In this embodiment, the radiator 20 is mounted in an inclined position so that the lower end of the radiator 20 protrudes further toward the front of the vehicle than the upper end of the radiator 20. Although not shown, a cylindrical fan shroud and an electric fan that guide the air introduced from the radiator 20 toward the rear of the vehicle are disposed behind the radiator 20.

[0024] Meanwhile, a tank 30 for storing cleaning liquid for cleaning the windshield and the like is provided in the space between the front side members 12 on both sides in the vehicle width direction, and between the bumper reinforcement 16 on the front side of the vehicle arranged along the vehicle width direction and the radiator 20 on the rear side of the vehicle. Also, a front luggage compartment (hereinafter referred to as the frunk) 40 is provided above the vehicle of the tank 30. Note that the vehicle front structure 10 of this embodiment is not provided with a power unit such as an engine or motor, as an example, and although not shown, the power unit is mounted below or behind the vehicle interior.

[0025] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the frunk 40 has a rectangular box body 42 that forms a luggage compartment, and an opening 42A is formed in the upper part of the box body 42. The box body 42 is made of steel, resin, or the like. A lid body 44 is provided above the opening 42A and can be opened and closed by a hinge part 44A provided at the rear end, for example. As shown in Figure 1, the lid body 44 has a curved surface so as to fit, for example, the hood (not shown) of the vehicle 11, and, like the box body 42, is made of steel, resin, or the like.

[0026] In addition, the tank 30 is provided below a bottom wall 46 which is the lower luggage compartment wall of the box body 42. In this embodiment, the tank box body 32 which forms the tank 30 is formed in a substantially triangular prism shape. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2 , a rear wall 48 which is the rear luggage compartment wall which forms the box body 42 of the frunk 40 extends toward the tank 30, and this rear wall 48 becomes the rear tank wall which forms the tank box body 32 of the tank 30. The rear wall 48 is formed so as to be inclined in accordance with the inclination angle of the radiator 20 which is located behind the rear wall 48.

[0027] 2, in this embodiment, a rear portion of the bottom wall 46 forming the box body 42 of the frunk 40 becomes the upper tank wall forming the tank box body 32 of the tank 30. In this embodiment, as an example, the front tank wall 34 forming the tank box body 32 is positioned rearward of the vehicle than the front wall 49 forming the box body 42 of the frunk 40 as the front luggage compartment wall.

[0028] 1 and 2, a pipe-shaped cleaning nozzle 36 is provided on the top surface of the bottom wall 46 serving as the tank wall, that is, the bottom wall 46 facing the interior of the tank 30 on the rear side of the vehicle. The cleaning nozzle 36 is disposed so that its lower end communicates with the interior of the tank 30, and is disposed with an incline so that it is positioned closer to the front of the vehicle as it extends upward.

[0029] The cover 44 of the flank 40 is formed with a notch 44B through which the cleaning nozzle 36 is inserted, and the cleaning nozzle 36 passes through the inside of the flank 40 and is discharged to the outside through the notch 44B.

[0030] A temperature adjustment unit 50 capable of adjusting the temperature of both the cleaning fluid in the tank 30 and the inside of the frunk 40 is provided on the rear wall 48, which is the cargo compartment wall of the frunk 40 and also the tank wall of the tank 30. As an example, the temperature adjustment unit 50 is configured with an electric heater with a heat retention function. The electric heater is configured with a planar heater that generates heat when electricity is passed through it, and is a so-called resistance heating type heater that generates heat by utilizing Joule heat generated in an electric heating wire when electricity is passed through it, and known technology can be used. Note that the temperature adjustment unit 50 is not limited to an electric heater, and any structure that has a heat retention function may be used.

[0031] Furthermore, the temperature adjustment unit 50 is not limited to a device having a heat retention function, and may be configured as a cooling device having a cooling function. In this case, the cooling device may be configured by having a housing with an internal space, and arranging a refrigerant pipe in this internal space, for example. In this case, the refrigerant pipe may be circulated through the radiator 20, for example. Furthermore, both a heating device using a heater or the like and a cooling device using a radiator or the like may be provided.

[0032] The temperature adjusting unit 50 configured as described above is disposed on the rear surface of the rear wall 48 in an area facing both the interior of the flank 40 and the interior of the tank 30 .

[0033] (Action and effect) Next, the effects of the first embodiment will be described.

[0034] In the vehicle front structure 10 according to the first embodiment, the temperature adjustment unit 50 can adjust the temperature of both the cleaning fluid in the tank 30 located at the front of the vehicle and the cleaning fluid in the frunk 40 located at the front of the vehicle, so the temperature of the frunk 40 can be adjusted without providing a dedicated temperature adjustment mechanism for the frunk 40. Conventionally, for example, vehicles designed for cold climates have been provided with a heat retention mechanism for keeping the inside of the tank warm to prevent the cleaning fluid in the tank located at the front of the vehicle from freezing. If the vehicle 11 according to the present embodiment is a cold climate vehicle that requires a heat retention mechanism for keeping the inside of the tank 30 warm, the heat retention mechanism for the tank 30 can be used as the temperature adjustment unit 50, allowing the tank 30 and the frunk 40 to share the heat retention mechanism.

[0035] Furthermore, in the vehicle front structure 10 according to the first embodiment, the rear wall 48, which is the rear luggage compartment wall that forms the box body 42 of the flank 40, extends toward the tank 30, and this rear wall 48 serves as the rear tank wall that forms the tank box body 32 of the tank 30. In other words, at least a portion of the tank wall that forms the tank 30 and the luggage compartment wall that forms the flank 40 are integrated, and the temperature adjustment unit 50 is disposed in an area that includes this integrated portion, so that the temperature inside the tank 30 and the flank 40 can be efficiently adjusted by the temperature adjustment unit 50.

[0036] In addition, in the vehicle front structure 10 of the first embodiment, the upper tank wall of the tank 30 and the lower cargo space wall of the flank 40 are integrated as the bottom wall 46, so that the flank 40 can be provided above the tank 30.

[0037] In the first embodiment, at least a portion of the tank wall that forms the tank 30 and the luggage compartment wall that forms the flank 40 are integrated together, but the present invention is not limited to this.

[0038] <Modification 1 of the First Embodiment> In the vehicle front structure 10A as the first modified example of the embodiment described above, at least a portion of the tank wall forming the tank 30 and the trunk wall forming the flank 40 abut against each other. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3 , the tank box 32A constituting the tank 30 has an upper wall 37 that is separate from the bottom wall 46 of the flank 40. In this way, even when the tank box 32A of the tank 30 and the box body 42 of the flank 40 are separate, the temperature adjustment unit 50 can be disposed in an area including the portion where the tank wall forming the tank 30 and the trunk wall forming the flank 40 abut against each other. Therefore, compared to when there is a gap between the tank 30 and the flank 40, temperature adjustment by the temperature adjustment unit 50 can be performed more efficiently.

[0039] <Modification 2 of the First Embodiment> In a vehicle front structure 10B as a second modification of the above-described embodiment, a temperature adjustment unit 50 is disposed between the tank 30 and the flank 40. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4 , the tank box 32A constituting the tank 30 has an upper wall 37 that is separate from the bottom wall 46 of the flank 40, and the bottom wall 46 and the upper wall 37 are disposed with a gap between them. The temperature adjustment unit 50 is interposed between the bottom wall 46 and the upper wall 37. The temperature adjustment unit 50 may be provided on both the left and right sides of the washing nozzle 36 in the vehicle width direction, or on only one side. Furthermore, the temperature adjustment unit 50 may be disposed rearward or forward of the washing nozzle 36, including in the center of the vehicle width direction.

[0040] In this way, even if the tank box 32A of the tank 30 and the box 42 of the flank 40 are separate bodies and the tank 30 and the flank 40 are not in contact with each other, the temperature of the tank 30 and the flank 40 can be adjusted on both the upper and lower sides of the temperature adjustment unit 50.

[0041] Second Embodiment Next, a second embodiment of the vehicle front structure according to the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 5 to 7. Note that the same components as those in the first embodiment described above are given the same reference numerals and descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0042] 5, in the vehicle front structure 10C, the tank 30A and the flank 40A are arranged side by side in the vehicle width direction in a space between the front side members 12 on both sides in the vehicle width direction, and between the bumper reinforcement 16 on the vehicle front side and the radiator 20 on the vehicle rear side, which are arranged along the vehicle width direction. In the present embodiment, as an example, the flank 40A is arranged on the right side in the vehicle width direction, and the tank 30A is arranged on the left side.

[0043] As shown in Figure 6, the upper surface of the tank 30A is located below the lid body 44 of the flank 40A, and the rear wall 39 of the tank 30A and the rear wall 48 of the flank 40A are inclined so that they are located on the same plane, as in the above-mentioned embodiment.

[0044] 7, in this embodiment, the bottom wall 46, which is the lower luggage compartment wall that forms the box body 42 of the flank 40A, extends toward the tank 30, and this bottom wall 46 becomes the lower tank wall that forms the tank box body 32 of the tank 30. In this embodiment, a portion of the lower side of the left wall 47, which is the left luggage compartment wall that forms the box body 42 of the flank 40, becomes the right tank wall that forms the tank box body 32 of the tank 30.

[0045] As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the temperature adjusting unit 50 is disposed in an area including both the rear wall 48 of the flank 40A and the rear wall 39 of the tank 30A.

[0046] (Action and effect) Next, the effects of the second embodiment will be described.

[0047] In the vehicle front structure 10C according to the second embodiment, a portion of the lower side of the left wall 47, which is the left-side luggage compartment wall that forms the box body 42 of the flank 40A, serves as the right-side tank wall that forms the tank box body 32 of the tank 30A. In other words, at least a portion of the tank wall that forms the tank 30A and the luggage compartment wall that forms the flank 40A are integrated, and the temperature adjustment unit 50 is disposed in an area that includes this integrated portion, so that the temperature adjustment unit 50 can efficiently adjust the temperature inside the tank 30A and the flank 40A.

[0048] In addition, in the vehicle front structure 10C relating to the second embodiment, the tank wall on the right side of the tank 30 and the luggage compartment wall on the left side of the flank 40 are integrated as a left wall 47, so that a flank 40A can be provided on the right side of the tank 30A.

[0049] In the second embodiment, at least a portion of the tank wall that forms the tank 30A and the luggage compartment wall that forms the flank 40A are integrated together, but the present invention is not limited to this.

[0050] <Modification 1 of the Second Embodiment> In a vehicle front structure 10D as a second modification of the above-described embodiment, at least a portion of the tank wall forming the tank 30A and the trunk wall forming the flank 40A abut against each other. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 8 , the tank box 32B constituting the tank 30A has a right wall 35 that is separate from the left wall 47 of the flank 40. In this way, even when the tank box 32B of the tank 30A and the box body 42B of the flank 40A are separate, the temperature adjustment unit 50 can be disposed in an area including the portion where the tank wall forming the tank 30A and the trunk wall forming the flank 40A abut against each other. Therefore, temperature adjustment by the temperature adjustment unit 50 can be performed more efficiently than when there is a gap between the tank 30A and the flank 40A.

[0051] <Modification 2 of the Second Embodiment> In a vehicle front structure 10E as a second modification of the above-described embodiment, a temperature adjustment unit 50 is disposed between the tank 30A and the flank 40A. Specifically, as shown in Fig. 9, the tank box 32B constituting the tank 30A has a right wall 35 that is separate from the left wall 47 of the flank 40A, and the left wall 47 and the right wall 35 are disposed with a gap between them. The temperature adjustment unit 50 is disposed between the left wall 47 and the right wall 35.

[0052] In this way, even if the tank box body 32B of the tank 30A and the box body 42B of the flank 40A are separate bodies and the tank 30A and the flank 40A are not in contact with each other, the temperature of the tank 30A and the flank 40A can be adjusted on both the left and right sides of the temperature adjustment unit 50.

[0053] [supplementary explanation] In the above-described embodiment, the tanks 30, 30A and the flanks 40, 40A have the shapes described above, but the present invention is not limited to this. The tanks and flanks may have any shape as long as they have a space inside.

[0054] In the second embodiment described above, the flank 40A is disposed on the right side in the vehicle width direction, and the tank 30A is disposed on the left side, but the present invention is not limited to this. The flank 40A may be disposed on the left side in the vehicle width direction, and the tank 30A may be disposed on the right side.

[0055] Furthermore, the configuration of the temperature adjustment unit 50 is not limited to the above. For example, in a configuration in which the tank and the flank are aligned in the vehicle width direction as in the second embodiment described above, a single pipe extending in the vehicle width direction may be provided on the vehicle front side of the tank and the flank, rearward of the grill opening (not shown). In this case, a plurality of holes are provided along the longitudinal direction on the rear side of the pipe, so that the refrigerant is discharged from these holes when flowing through the pipe. As a result, the refrigerant discharged from the holes hits the tank and the flank due to the air flowing in from the grill opening, thereby cooling the tank and the flank. Note that the refrigerant flowing through the pipe circulates with the radiator 20, for example.

[0056] Furthermore, the configuration of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and the configuration can be changed as appropriate as long as the problem can be solved. [Explanation of symbols]

[0057] 10, 10A~10E Vehicle front structure 30, 30A tank 40, 40A Frank (front luggage compartment) 46 Lower wall (lower cargo compartment wall, upper tank wall) 47 Left wall (other side luggage compartment wall, one side tank wall) 50 Temperature adjustment section

Claims

1. a tank disposed at the front of the vehicle and storing a cleaning liquid therein; a front luggage compartment disposed at a front portion of the vehicle; a temperature adjusting unit capable of adjusting the temperature of both the cleaning liquid in the tank and the interior of the front luggage compartment; A vehicle front structure comprising:

2. 2. The vehicle front structure according to claim 1, wherein at least a portion of a tank wall forming the tank and a cargo compartment wall forming the front cargo compartment are integrated or abutted, and the temperature adjustment unit is arranged in an area including the integrated or abutted portion.

3. 3. The vehicle front structure according to claim 2, wherein the tank wall above the tank and the luggage compartment wall below the front luggage compartment are integrated or abut against each other.

4. 3. The vehicle front structure according to claim 2, wherein the tank wall on one side of the tank in the vehicle width direction and the luggage compartment wall on the other side of the front luggage compartment in the vehicle width direction are integrated with or abut against each other.

5. The vehicle front structure according to claim 1, wherein the temperature adjusting unit is disposed between the tank and the front luggage compartment.

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