Vehicle front structure

Abstract

To obtain a vehicle front structure which can reduce the number of components and assembly man-hours while ensuring a design of a front grille.SOLUTION: A vehicle front structure has: a cover member 38 which transmits light emitted from a light source 34, and constitutes a part of a design surface of a vehicle; and an integral molded part 48 in which a housing part 36 which can accommodate the light source 34 between itself and the cover member 38 and a front grille part 42 located at a front end part of the vehicle are integrally formed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Patent Document 1 below discloses a headlamp for a vehicle equipped with a light source unit and millimeter-wave radar. The headlamp is configured to include a lamp body (housing) and a front cover (cover member). A light source cover is installed inside the lamp body, and two light source units are attached to the light source cover. The front cover is provided with a lens portion that transmits light from the light source units. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2010-137758 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In order to reduce the number of parts and assembly steps, it has been considered to integrally form a front grille located at the front end of a vehicle with a cover member that covers the light source. However, the material of the cover member that functions as a lens cannot be molded into a complex shape, making it difficult to ensure the design of the front grille. Therefore, there is room for improvement in reducing the number of parts and assembly steps in the front of the vehicle while maintaining the design of the front grille.

[0005] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In consideration of the above, an object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle front structure that can reduce the number of parts and assembly steps while ensuring the design of the front grille. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The vehicle front structure of the first embodiment has a cover member that transmits light emitted from a light source and forms part of the design surface of the front of the vehicle, a housing portion that is configured to be able to accommodate the light source between the cover member, and an integrally molded portion that is integrally molded with a front grill portion that is located at the front end of the vehicle.

[0007] According to the vehicle front structure of the first aspect, the light source is housed between a cover member that transmits light and constitutes part of the vehicle's design surface and a housing portion. The housing portion is molded integrally with the front grill portion. This reduces the number of parts and assembly steps. Unlike the cover member, the housing portion does not need to be transparent, so various materials can be used. Therefore, the design of the front grill portion can be ensured even if the front grill portion has a complex shape. Note that the "front grill portion" referred to here is not limited to a grill that sends airflow into the engine compartment through openings in gasoline-powered vehicles to take in outside air for radiator cooling and the interior air conditioner, but also includes a grill without ventilation holes that imitates conventional grilles in electric vehicles.

[0008] A vehicle front structure according to a second aspect is the first aspect, wherein the light source is arranged further inward in the vehicle width direction than a pair of left and right lamps arranged at both ends in the vehicle width direction.

[0009] According to the vehicle front structure of the second aspect, the light source lights up an area inside the pair of left and right lamps in the vehicle width direction, thereby improving the design of the vehicle, providing necessary information to pedestrians, oncoming vehicles, etc., and illuminating an area inside the area illuminated by the pair of left and right lamps in the vehicle width direction.

[0010] A vehicle front structure according to a third aspect is based on the first aspect, and the integrally molded portion extends in the vehicle width direction at a center portion in the vehicle width direction.

[0011] According to the vehicle front structure of the third aspect, the collision load received by the front of the vehicle during a frontal collision is distributed to the left and right by the integrally molded portion extending in the vehicle width direction and transmitted to the vehicle body, thereby enabling the collision load during a frontal collision to be distributed efficiently.

[0012] The vehicle front structure of the fourth aspect is the first aspect, in which the front grille portions are provided as a pair on the left and right with a gap between them, and the housing portion is molded integrally with the pair of left and right front grille portions.

[0013] According to the vehicle front structure of the fourth aspect, a pair of left and right front grille sections are provided with a gap between them, allowing an emblem or millimeter-wave radar to be placed between the pair of left and right front grille sections. This improves the design freedom of the vehicle front section. In this case, because the housing section is molded integrally with the pair of left and right front grille sections, the number of parts and assembly man-hours can be significantly reduced compared to when the housing section and the pair of left and right front grille sections are configured separately. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] As described above, the vehicle front structure according to the present invention has the excellent effect of reducing the number of parts and assembly steps while ensuring the design of the front grille. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of a front portion of a vehicle to which a vehicle front structure according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied, viewed from diagonally forward left. [Figure 2] 2-2 line cross section of FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0016] A vehicle front structure according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to Figures 1 and 2. Note that the arrows FR, UP, and LH shown as appropriate in each figure indicate the front side, upper side, and left side in the left-right direction (width direction) of a vehicle to which the vehicle front structure is applied, respectively. Furthermore, when the terms "front-rear," "up-down," and "left-right" are used in the following description unless otherwise specified, they refer to front-rear in the front-rear direction of the vehicle, up-down in the up-down direction of the vehicle, and left-right in the left-right direction (width direction) of the vehicle, respectively.

[0017] (Overall structure of the front of the vehicle) Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a front portion 14 of a vehicle 12 to which a vehicle front structure according to this embodiment is applied, as seen diagonally from the front left. As shown in Fig. 1, a front windshield 18 is disposed on the vehicle front side of a roof 16 that forms the ceiling of the passenger compartment. The front windshield 18 is disposed at a downward slope from the front end of the roof 16 toward the front of the vehicle, and is fixed to a pair of left and right front pillars 20 at both ends in the vehicle width direction.

[0018] A hood 22 is disposed on the vehicle front side of the front windshield 18. The hood 22 covers the upper side of the vehicle of the power unit compartment that houses the engine. In addition, a pair of left and right front wheels 24 (the right front wheel is not shown) disposed in the front part 14 of the vehicle 12 are each covered by a fender 26.

[0019] A pair of left and right headlamps 30 serving as lighting fixtures are arranged at the front end 28 of the vehicle 12, at both ends in the vehicle width direction. The headlamps 30 are equipped with a low beam light source and a high beam light source (neither of which are shown). The headlamps 30 are also configured to include a headlamp housing (not shown) that houses these light sources, and a headlamp lens 30A that is arranged on the vehicle front side of these light sources and transmits light. The headlamp lens 30A covers the low beam light source and the high beam light source, and forms part of the design surface of the front end 28 of the vehicle 12.

[0020] A center lamp 32 extending in the vehicle width direction is provided between the pair of left and right headlamps 30. As shown in Fig. 2, the center lamp 32 includes a plurality of light sources 34 arranged side by side in the vehicle width direction, and a center lamp housing 36 (see Fig. 2) that houses the plurality of light sources 34. Note that Fig. 2 shows only one light source 34.

[0021] The center lamp 32 also includes a center lamp lens 38, which serves as a light-transmitting cover member and is disposed on the vehicle front side of the multiple light sources 34. The center lamp lens 38 covers the multiple light sources 34 and forms part of the design surface of the front end 28 of the vehicle 12.

[0022] The low beam light source and high beam light source (both not shown) of the headlamp 30 (see FIG. 1) and the multiple light sources 34 of the center lamp 32 are assumed to be, for example, LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes), but are not limited thereto and may also be incandescent lamps or HIDs (High Intensity Discharge lamps).

[0023] The headlamp lens 30A and the center lamp lens 38 are made of, for example, a transparent resin such as polycarbonate (PC) or acrylic resin (PMMA).

[0024] As shown in Fig. 1, the center lamp lens 38 is formed in a horizontally elongated, generally rectangular shape when viewed from the front of the vehicle. Light emitted from the multiple light sources 34 shown in Fig. 2 is reflected by a reflector (not shown) provided, for example, within the center lamp housing 36. When viewed from outside the vehicle, the center lamp 32 appears to shine like a single stripe extending in the vehicle width direction. Note that the center lamp does not necessarily have to be equipped with a reflector.

[0025] As shown in Fig. 1, a millimeter-wave radar transparent cover 40 is disposed below the center lamp 32 and in the center in the vehicle width direction. The millimeter-wave radar transparent cover 40 is formed in a substantially rectangular shape when viewed from the front of the vehicle. A millimeter-wave radar (not shown) that detects objects in front of the vehicle is disposed on the vehicle rear side of the millimeter-wave radar transparent cover 40. As an example, the millimeter-wave radar transparent cover 40 is made of a resin such as polypropylene (PP) or ASA (Acrylonitrile Styrene Acrylate).

[0026] A pair of left and right front grilles 42 that direct airflow into the power unit compartment are disposed on both sides of the millimeter-wave radar transparent cover 40 in the vehicle width direction. Each of the pair of left and right front grilles 42 is formed in a generally rectangular shape with the vehicle width direction as the longitudinal direction when viewed from the front of the vehicle. The right front grille 42 is disposed so that its right end is positioned generally in the vertical direction of the vehicle as the right end of the center lamp 32. The left front grille 42 is disposed so that its left end is positioned generally in the vertical direction of the vehicle as the left end of the center lamp 32. The front grilles 42 constitute the front grille portion of the integrally molded part of the present invention. Note that the shapes and positions of the front grille portion and the cover member are not limited to those described above.

[0027] An upper panel 44 extends in the vehicle width direction above the center lamp lens 38. Furthermore, a bumper 46 extends in the vehicle width direction below the pair of left and right front grilles 42. That is, in this embodiment, the center lamp lens 38, the millimeter-wave radar transparent cover 40, and the integrally molded portion 48 are disposed between the upper panel 44 and the bumper 46 in the vehicle up-down direction.

[0028] A lower grille 50 is disposed on the vehicle lower side of the bumper 46. As an example, the dimension of the lower grille 50 in the vehicle width direction is set to be larger than the dimension of the center lamp lens 38 in the vehicle width direction. Note that the lower grille may be divided in the vehicle up-down direction or in the vehicle width direction.

[0029] As shown in Figure 2, the center lamp lens 38 is formed in a roughly U-shape that is open toward the rear of the vehicle when viewed from the vehicle width direction, and is composed of a front wall portion 38A that transmits light emitted from the multiple light sources 34, an upper wall portion 38B that extends from the upper end of the front wall portion 38A toward the rear of the vehicle and is connected to the lower end of the upper panel 44, and a lower wall portion 38C that extends from the lower end of the front wall portion 38A toward the rear of the vehicle.

[0030] Here, the center lamp housing 36 and the pair of left and right front grilles 42 are integrally molded to form an integrally molded portion 48. As an example, the integrally molded portion 48 is made of a resin such as polypropylene (PP) or ASA. Note that the material constituting the integrally molded portion 48 is not limited to the above, and other resins such as ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) may also be used.

[0031] In the integrally molded portion 48, the center lamp housing 36 extends in the vehicle width direction for approximately the same length as the center lamp lens 38, and is formed in a generally U-shape that is open toward the front of the vehicle in a side view of the vehicle. The center lamp housing 36 is configured to include a rear wall portion 36A that is disposed on the vehicle rear side of the multiple light sources, an upper wall portion 36B that extends toward the front of the vehicle from the upper end of the rear wall portion 36A and is fixed to the rear end of an upper wall portion 38B of the center lamp lens 38, and a lower wall portion 36C that extends toward the front of the vehicle from the lower end of the rear wall portion 36A and is fixed to the rear end of a lower wall portion 38C of the center lamp lens 38.

[0032] Furthermore, in the integrally molded portion 48, the front grille 42 includes a frame portion 42A formed in a generally rectangular shape when viewed from the front of the vehicle, and a partition portion 42B extending in the vehicle width direction at a generally vertical center portion of the frame portion 42A, whereby an upper opening 52 is formed on the vehicle upper side of the partition portion 42B, and a lower opening 54 is formed on the vehicle lower side of the partition portion 42B. Wind generated while the vehicle is traveling is sent into the power unit compartment through the upper opening 52 and the lower opening 54. A lower end portion of the frame portion 42A of the front grille 42 is connected to the bumper 46.

[0033] (action) Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described.

[0034] According to the vehicle front structure of this embodiment, the multiple light sources 34 of the center lamp 32 are housed between a light-transmitting center lamp lens 38 and a center lamp housing 36. The center lamp housing 36 is molded integrally with the front grille 42. This reduces the number of parts and assembly steps. Unlike the center lamp lens 38, the center lamp housing 36 does not need to be light-transmitting, and therefore various materials such as polypropylene (PP) or ASA can be used. Therefore, even if the front grille 42 has a complex shape, the fluidity of the corresponding resin can be ensured, thereby ensuring the design of the front grille 42. Furthermore, the rigidity of the front grille 42 can be ensured. Furthermore, polypropylene (PP) and ASA are less expensive than polycarbonate (PC) and acrylic resin (PMMA) used for the center lamp lens 38, thereby reducing material costs.

[0035] Furthermore, according to the vehicle front structure of this embodiment, the multiple light sources 34 of the center lamp 32 light up an area inward in the vehicle width direction than the pair of left and right headlamps 30. This improves the design of the vehicle 12, provides necessary information to pedestrians, oncoming vehicles, etc., and can illuminate an area inward in the vehicle width direction than the area illuminated by the pair of left and right headlamps 30.

[0036] Furthermore, with the vehicle front structure according to this embodiment, the collision load received by the front portion 14 of the vehicle 12 during a frontal collision of the vehicle 12 is distributed to the left and right by the integrally molded portion 48 extending in the vehicle width direction, and is then transmitted to the vehicle body. Therefore, the collision load during a frontal collision can be distributed efficiently.

[0037] Furthermore, according to the vehicle front structure of this embodiment, a pair of left and right front grilles 42 are provided with a gap between them, so that a millimeter-wave radar (not shown) and a millimeter-wave radar transparent cover 40 can be disposed between the pair of left and right front grilles 42. This improves the degree of freedom in designing the front part 14 of the vehicle 12. In this case, because the center lamp housing 36 is molded integrally with the pair of left and right front grilles 42, the number of parts and the number of assembly steps can be significantly reduced compared to when the center lamp housing 36 and the pair of left and right front grilles 42 are configured as separate bodies.

[0038] Furthermore, the multiple light sources 34 of the center lamp 32 are arranged side by side in the vehicle width direction. Therefore, when viewed from outside the vehicle, the light emitted from the multiple light sources 34 appears as a single beam of light extending in the vehicle width direction, making the vehicle appear wider and improving its design.

[0039] [Supplementary explanation of the above embodiment] In the above embodiment, the vehicle 12 is a gasoline-powered vehicle, and the pair of left and right front grilles 42 each have an upper opening 52 and a lower opening 54, and the airflow taken in through the front grilles 42 cools the radiator (not shown), but this is not limiting. For example, the vehicle may be an electric vehicle, in which case the front grille portion may be a grille without air vents that imitates a conventional grille.

[0040] In the above embodiment, the center lamp 32 is described as having a plurality of light sources 34 arranged in the vehicle width direction, but this is not limited to this. For example, the plurality of light sources do not have to be arranged in the vehicle width direction. Also, the number of light sources in the center lamp may be one.

[0041] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the center lamp housing 36 of the center lamp 32 and the pair of left and right front grilles 42 are described as being integrally formed, but this is not limited thereto. For example, the housing portions of the pair of left and right headlamps and the front grille portion may be formed integrally.

[0042] Furthermore, although the pair of left and right front grilles 42 have been described as being formed separately from the lower grille 50, this is not limitative. For example, a front grille portion in which the front grille and the lower grille are integrally formed may be formed integrally with the housing portion.

[0043] In addition, in the above embodiment, the millimeter-wave radar transparent cover 40 and the millimeter-wave radar (not shown) are described as being disposed between the pair of left and right front grilles 42, but this is not limited to this. For example, an emblem may be disposed between the pair of left and right front grilles 42. Furthermore, the front grill portion does not have to be divided into left and right portions when viewed from the front of the vehicle. Furthermore, for example, the front grill portion may be divided in the vertical direction of the vehicle when viewed from the front of the vehicle, and the pair of upper and lower front grill portions may be formed integrally with the housing portion. [Explanation of symbols]

[0044] 12 vehicles 14 Front 30 Headlamp (lighting fixture) 34 Light source 36 Center lamp housing (housing part) 38 Center lamp lens (cover part) 42 Front grill (front grill part) 48 Integral molding part

Claims

1. a cover member that transmits light emitted from the light source and that constitutes a part of the design surface of the front part of the vehicle; an integrally molded portion in which a housing portion configured to be able to accommodate the light source between itself and the cover member and a front grill portion disposed at a front end portion of a vehicle are integrally molded; A vehicle front structure having:

2. The light source is disposed on the inner side in the vehicle width direction of a pair of left and right lamps disposed at both ends in the vehicle width direction. The vehicle front structure according to claim 1 .

3. The integrally molded portion extends in the vehicle width direction at a center portion in the vehicle width direction. The vehicle front structure according to claim 1 .

4. The front grill portion is provided as a pair on the left and right sides with a gap between them, The housing portion is integrally formed with the pair of left and right front grill portions. The vehicle front structure according to claim 1 .

Images