Cowl cover

Abstract

To provide a cowl cover that is able to stably take outside air into a vehicle cabin and able to secure pedestrian protection performance.SOLUTION: A cowl cover 7 includes: a general portion 10 extending from an edge part of a windshield 5; a vertical wall portion 14 formed so as to rise toward a hood 3 with respect to the general portion 10; a protruding portion 20 formed in a vehicle width direction at a position away from the vertical wall portion 14 toward the windshield 5 so as to rise toward the hood 3 with respect to the general portion 10, a top part 24 of the protruding portion being inclined downward toward the vertical wall portion 14; and an outside air introduction port 30 formed in the top part 24 of the protruding portion 20 and configured to take outside air into a vehicle cabin 4.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a cowl cover that covers a cowl portion between a windshield of a vehicle and a mating member. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, cowl covers have been used to cover the so-called cowl portion between the front end of the windshield (windshield) and the rear side of the hood of an automobile, improving the appearance of the vehicle. Among these cowl covers, some have vertical walls extending in the vehicle width direction to prevent the engine compartment from being seen from the passenger compartment. For example, by forming the vertical walls by assembling a separate member such as a rubber member, the strength of the cowl cover is reduced compared to vertical walls formed integrally with the general portion, making it easier to deform, thereby improving pedestrian protection performance (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-199376 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, if an air inlet for taking in outside air into the vehicle cabin is formed in front of or behind the vertical wall portion of the general portion of the cowl cover, there is a concern that the air inlet may be blocked by the accumulation of foreign matter such as dead leaves or snow that is blocked by the vertical wall portion, making it difficult to stably take in outside air. Furthermore, if the vertical wall portion is formed using a separate member, there are concerns that installation workability may be reduced and costs may increase.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above points, and has an object to provide a cowl cover that can stably take in outside air into the vehicle interior and ensure pedestrian protection performance. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A cowl cover according to one aspect of the present invention is a cowl cover that covers a cowl portion between a vehicle windshield and a mating member, and comprises a general portion extending from the edge of the windshield, a vertical wall portion formed to rise toward the mating member relative to the general portion, a protrusion formed in the vehicle width direction at a position away from the windshield side and rising toward the mating member relative to the general portion, with its top inclined downward toward the vertical wall portion, and an outside air inlet formed at the top of the protrusion for taking outside air into the vehicle compartment. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to stably take outside air into the vehicle interior and ensure pedestrian protection performance. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 4 is a cross-sectional view of the cowl cover according to the first embodiment of the present invention taken along a line II in FIG. 3. FIG. [Figure 2] FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an example of a vehicle equipped with the same cowl cover. [Figure 5] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a cowl cover according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a cowl cover according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a cowl cover according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] A first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0010] In Fig. 4, reference numeral 1 denotes the body of an automobile as a vehicle. A cowl cover 7, which is a vehicle part, is disposed on the body 1 to cover a cowl portion 6 between a hood 3, which is a mating member covering an engine compartment 2, and a windshield 5, which is a windshield located in front of a passenger compartment 4. Directions such as front-rear, back-rear, up-down, and both sides will be described below based on the direction of straight-ahead travel of the body 1, with the arrow FR indicating the forward direction, the arrow RR indicating the rearward direction, the arrow U indicating the upward direction, the arrow D indicating the downward direction, the arrow L indicating the leftward direction in the vehicle width direction, and the arrow R indicating the rightward direction in the vehicle width direction.

[0011] 1 is also called an air box, and is formed in a gutter-like shape with an open upper side by a body panel (front cowl) 8 formed, for example, from a steel plate in the shape of a gutter. An air intake for an air conditioner that introduces outside air into the passenger compartment 4 is opened in the front-rear direction in the cowl 6, and a motor for driving a wiper arm of the wiper, a wiper link, etc. are arranged on one side of the cowl 6.

[0012] The hood 3 shown in FIG. 4 is a bonnet hood that is located at the front of the vehicle body 1 and covers the engine compartment 2 in an openable and closable manner.

[0013] 1 to 4 is also called a cowl top cover, and it covers the cowl portion 6 between the windshield 5 and the hood 3, i.e., the upper side of the body panel 8, to improve the appearance and also acts as a so-called rag cover, preventing the engine room 2 from being seen from the passenger compartment 4. The hood 3 is located above the front side of the cowl cover 7, and the cowl cover 7 is supported by the windshield 5 and the body panel 8.

[0014] The cowl cover 7 is formed by injection molding using, for example, a synthetic resin, and has a longitudinal shape. The cowl cover 7 is disposed longitudinally in the vehicle width direction.

[0015] The cowl cover 7 has a general portion 10. The general portion 10 extends forward from the front edge of the windshield 5 and is formed to be continuous in the longitudinal direction, inclined substantially parallel to the windshield 5. In this embodiment, the general portion 10 forms a general surface that is substantially flush with the glass surface of the windshield 5. That is, the general portion 10 is inclined downward from the rear to the front as a whole in accordance with the inclination of the windshield 5, and is disposed with its longitudinal direction aligned with the vehicle width direction. The cowl cover 7 will be described below based on the state in which it is installed on the vehicle body 1.

[0016] Side wall portions 12 are formed on both longitudinal ends of the general portion 10, i.e., on both left and right side ends of the general portion 10. The side wall portions 12 are located on both sides of the vehicle body 1 and are connected to the lower ends of the front pillars, which are supports of the vehicle body 1. In this embodiment, the side wall portions 12 have a portion extending in the front-rear direction along the side edge portions of the general portion 10 and a portion extending from the front end portion toward the longitudinal center portion along the longitudinal direction of the general portion 10, and are formed to be bent in an L shape when viewed from above.

[0017] Furthermore, a receiving portion 13 that receives the front edge of the windshield 5 is formed at the rear of the general portion 10 facing the front edge of the windshield 5. The receiving portion 13 is formed in a gutter shape that continues in the vehicle width direction, i.e., the longitudinal direction of the cowl cover 7. In this embodiment, the receiving portion 13 is formed over the entire rear edge of the general portion 10.

[0018] Furthermore, a vertical wall portion 14 and a supported portion 15 are integrally formed at the front portion of the general portion 10 on the engine room 2 side.

[0019] The vertical wall portion 14 is a partition portion interposed between the cowl portion 6 and the engine compartment 2. The vertical wall portion 14 constitutes the front end portion of the cowl cover 7. The vertical wall portion 14 extends upward in front of the general portion 10. The vertical wall portion 14 is formed to extend in the vehicle width direction. In this embodiment, the vertical wall portion 14 is an inclined portion that slopes forward and upward. A facing portion 17 is formed continuously at the upper end portion of the vertical wall portion 14. The facing portion 17 extends further forward from the vertical wall portion 14 and is located opposite the lower part of the hood 3 that closes the engine compartment 2. A hood seal 18, which is a sealing member, is attached to the upper part of the facing portion 17. The hood seal 18 is liquid-tightly attached to the lower part of the hood 3 that closes the engine compartment 2, thereby blocking out heat and odors from the engine compartment 2.

[0020] The supported portion 15 is formed to be continuous with the lower end of the vertical wall portion 14. That is, the vertical wall portion 14 and the supported portion 15 are branched off vertically at the front end of the general portion 10. The supported portion 15 is supported by the upper portion of the vehicle body panel 8. Therefore, the vertical wall portion 14 is located between the vehicle body panel 8 and the hood 3.

[0021] Furthermore, a protrusion 20 that protrudes upward is formed integrally with the general portion 10. The protrusion 20 narrows the gap between the hood 3 and the cowl cover 7 and reinforces the cowl cover 7 against loads from the windshield 5 side, such as accumulated snow. The protrusion 20 is formed at a position away from the vertical wall portion 14, toward the rear of the windshield 5. The protrusion 20 is located between the receiving portion 13 and the vertical wall portion 14 in the front-to-rear direction.

[0022] The protruding portion 20 is formed to extend in the longitudinal direction of the cowl cover 7, i.e., in the vehicle width direction. The protruding portion 20 is formed toward one end of the general portion 10 in the longitudinal direction, i.e., biased toward one side in the vehicle width direction. In the present embodiment, the protruding portion 20 is positioned toward the right side of the general portion 10, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the protruding portion 20 may be positioned toward the left side of the general portion 10. As shown in FIG. 3 , the protruding portion 20 is positioned apart from not only the vertical wall portion 14 but also other structures formed on the cowl cover 7, such as structures that protrude upward relative to the general portion 10, and is an independent structure. In other words, the front, rear, and left and right side portions of the protruding portion 20 are not directly connected to any wall portion, and are positioned apart from the vertical wall portion 14 and the side wall portion 12.

[0023] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the protruding portion 20 integrally includes a pair of front and rear wall portions 22, 23 that rise upward relative to the general portion 10, and a top portion 24 located between the upper portions of these wall portions 22, 23.

[0024] The front wall portion 22 rises relative to the general portion 10 from a position rearward of the vertical wall portion 14 and the supported portion 15. In this embodiment, the wall portion 22 rises upward from the general surface of the general portion 10, which is substantially flush with the glass surface of the windshield 5. For example, the wall portion 22 is formed so as to incline in a direction away from the vertical wall portion 14. Therefore, a space portion 26 that expands upward in the front-to-rear direction is formed between the vertical wall portion 14, the general portion 10, and the wall portion 22. The space portion 26 is formed in a groove shape extending in the vehicle width direction. In this embodiment, the wall portion 22 is in a state in which it inclines slightly upward and forward when installed due to the inclination of the general portion 10.

[0025] The rear wall portion 23 is spaced rearward from the front wall portion 22 and rises toward the general portion 10 from a position close to the receiving portion 13. In this embodiment, the wall portion 23 rises upward from the general surface of the general portion 10, which is substantially flush with the glass surface of the windshield 5. For example, the wall portion 23 is formed in a direction perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the general portion 10. Therefore, the wall portion 23 has a shape that approaches the wall portion 22 as it goes upward.

[0026] Preferably, the projecting portion 20 includes a weakened portion 28 for breaking the protruding portion 20 from its base end toward the general portion 10 when an external force is applied from the hood 3 side. In this embodiment, the weakened portion 28 is formed near the base end of the projecting portion 20, in the illustrated example, at a position where the lower end, which is the base end of the wall portions 22, 23, is connected to the general portion 10. For example, the weakened portion 28 is formed on the back side of the wall portions 22, 23, i.e., at a lower position. The weakened portion 28 is formed to extend in the left-right direction. The weakened portion 28 may be continuous or discontinuous, and may extend across the entire left-right direction of the wall portions 22, 23, or may be formed in a portion of the left-right direction. In this embodiment, the weakened portion 28 is formed as a thin-walled portion. However, the weakened portion 28 may also be formed as a cut portion (slit) or the like.

[0027] The top 24 is formed as a surface portion that is connected between the upper ends of the wall portions 22, 23 and extends in the front-rear direction and the vehicle width direction. In this embodiment, the top 24 is inclined downward toward the front. The top 24 is located close to the lower part of the hood 3 when the engine compartment 2 is closed, and is spaced downward from the lower part of the hood 3. For example, the top 24 is in a position that is covered from above by the hood 3 when the engine compartment 2 is closed. In this embodiment, the top 24 is in a position that is covered from above by the hood 3. Furthermore, the top 24 has an inclination that is parallel or approximately parallel to the lower part of the hood 3 when the engine compartment 2 is closed.

[0028] An outside air inlet 30 is formed in the top portion 24. The outside air inlet 30 is an opening formed by penetrating the top portion 24 in the plate thickness direction and communicating with the air intake portion to take outside air into the passenger compartment 4. In this embodiment, the outside air inlet 30 is formed in a lattice pattern with many small openings arranged in the vehicle width direction and the front-rear direction, and is distributed over substantially the entire front-rear direction of the top portion 24. In the illustrated example, the outside air inlet 30 is distributed over substantially the entire top portion 24 except for the central portion in the left-right direction. The outside air inlet 30 is formed only in the top portion 24 of the protruding portion 20, and is not formed in the wall portions 22, 23. Note that the outside air inlet 30 may also be formed in the general portion 10 at a position other than the protruding portion 20.

[0029] Preferably, a protrusion 32 is formed on the top 24. The protrusion 32 is a portion that protrudes further upward from the top 24. The protrusion 32 is located on the rear side, on the windshield 5 side, of the outside air inlet 30. In the example shown in the figure, the protrusion 32 is formed at a position that continues to the upper end of the rear wall 23.

[0030] Additionally, a wiper pivot hole 34 is formed in the general portion 10. A shaft of a wiper device is inserted into the wiper pivot hole 34. In this embodiment, the wiper pivot hole 34 is formed toward the other end of the general portion 10 in the longitudinal direction, that is, biased toward the other side in the vehicle width direction, opposite the outside air inlet 30 in the vehicle width direction.

[0031] The cowl cover 7 can be integrally molded by injection molding or the like. The molded cowl cover 7 is attached to the vehicle body 1, covering the cowl portion 6, by clamping the front edge of the windshield 5 in the receiving portion 13 and fixing it to the vehicle body panel 8 with a clip or the like.

[0032] The cowl cover 7 covering the cowl part 6 prevents water and foreign matter from entering the cowl part 6 and the interior of the vehicle compartment 4, and when the hood 3 is closed, the hood seal 18 deforms and adheres tightly to the hood 3, blocking out hot air and odors from the engine room 2.

[0033] In this case, according to the first embodiment, the cowl cover 7 has a protrusion 20 that rises toward the hood 3 relative to the general part 10 that extends from the edge of the windshield 5, and an outside air inlet 30 is formed at the top 24 of the protrusion 20.Therefore, even if foreign matter P such as dead leaves or snow that has fallen and adhered to the windshield 5 is pushed toward the protrusion 20 by external forces such as the sliding of the wipers or the wind from driving, moves toward the protrusion 20 along the slope of the windshield 5 and the general part 10 and is blocked by the protrusion 20, the outside air inlet 30 is unlikely to be blocked by the accumulation of foreign matter P.

[0034] Furthermore, even if foreign matter P blocked by the protrusion 20 accumulates and rides up on the protrusion 20, and enters between the top 24 and the hood 3, the top 24 is inclined downward toward the front, so that the foreign matter P flows down along the top 24 into the space 26 in front of the protrusion 20 and is less likely to accumulate on the top 24. In particular, in this embodiment, the top 24 of the protrusion 20 is substantially parallel to the hood 3 when the cowl cover 7 is installed, so a gap is maintained between the top 24 and the hood 3 in the fore-and-aft direction, making it easier for the foreign matter P to flow down into the space 26. Therefore, the outside air inlet 30 is less likely to be blocked by the accumulation of the foreign matter P. Note that the foreign matter P carried into the space 26 is expelled from the space 26 in the vehicle width direction by rainwater or the like.

[0035] Furthermore, since a protrusion 32 is formed on the windshield 5 side of the top 24 of the protrusion 20, foreign matter P from the windshield 5 side is less likely to climb onto the top 24, and even if foreign matter P does climb onto the top 24, it is less likely to fall back backward and is more likely to fall into the space 26, making it possible to more reliably prevent the outside air inlet 30 from being blocked by foreign matter P.

[0036] Furthermore, since the top 24 of the protrusion 20 is covered from above by the hood 3, foreign matter P does not accumulate directly from above on the outside air inlet 30 formed on the top 24, making it less likely that the outside air inlet 30 will become blocked.

[0037] Therefore, it becomes possible to stably take outside air into the vehicle interior 4 through the outside air inlet 30.

[0038] Furthermore, since the protruding portions 20 are formed integrally with the general portion 10, the cowl cover 7 can be formed at lower cost than when the protruding portions are formed from separate members such as rubber members.

[0039] Furthermore, since the protruding portion 20 is located away from the vertical wall portion 14 toward the windshield 5, the protruding portion 20 and the vertical wall portion 14 do not form a continuous reinforcing structure in the cowl cover 7, and the cowl cover 7 is easily crushed by an impact from the hood 3 side. In particular, in this embodiment, the protruding portion 20 is independent from the side wall portion 12 as well, and therefore does not form a reinforcing structure in which the protruding portion 20, the side wall portion 12, and the vertical wall portion 14 are connected.

[0040] Moreover, since the top 24 of the protrusion 20 is positioned below and away from the hood 3, it is easier to absorb impacts from the hood 3 side.

[0041] In addition, since a weak portion 28 extending in the vehicle width direction is formed near the base end of the protruding portion 20, when an impact is applied from the hood 3 side, stress is concentrated in the weak portion 28, and the protruding portion 20 tends to collapse straight downward from the position of the weak portion 28 without being distorted and deformed from the top 24.

[0042] In particular, in this embodiment, the outside air inlet 30 is formed only at the top 24 of the protrusion 20, and not at the wall portions 22, 23. Therefore, compared to when the outside air inlet 30 is formed at the wall portions 22, 23, strength is maintained at the position of the wall portions 22, 23 against impact, and stress is more likely to be concentrated at the weak portion 28, and the entire protrusion 20 is more likely to be crushed straight from the position of the weak portion 28 without being distorted and crushed.

[0043] Furthermore, because the top 24 of the protrusion 20 is covered from above by the hood 3, an impact from the hood 3 side is likely to be applied directly to the protrusion 20. In particular, because the top 24 of the protrusion 20 is approximately parallel to the lower part of the hood 3, an impact from the hood 3 side is likely to be applied directly to the protrusion 20. Therefore, it is possible to promote shock absorption by deformation of the protrusion 20 in response to an impact from the hood 3 side.

[0044] Therefore, the strength of the cowl cover 7 can be minimized, and pedestrian protection performance can be ensured.

[0045] Furthermore, by forming the weak portion 28 as a thin portion, it can be easily molded as a single unit, and under normal conditions, it is possible to prevent foreign matter P and the like from entering the cowl portion 6 from the position of the weak portion 28.

[0046] The outside air inlet 30 may be formed directly on the top 24, or may be formed by attaching a mesh member 37 made of synthetic resin, metal, or the like to an opening 36 formed on the top 24, as in the second embodiment shown in Figure 5.

[0047] Furthermore, the protruding portion 20 is not limited to a portion rising from the general surface of the general portion 10 that extends substantially flush with the glass surface of the windshield 5, but may be formed on the upper portion of a rising portion 39 that is formed on the general portion 10 and protrudes in a stepped manner upward from the glass surface of the windshield 5, i.e., the general surface of the general portion 10, as in the third embodiment shown in Fig. 6. In this case, the weak portion 28 may be formed, for example, at a position where the wall portions 22, 23 and the rising portion 39 are continuous.

[0048] Furthermore, as for the position of the weak portion 28, as long as it is near the base end of the protruding portion 20, even if it is formed at a position on the back side of the general portion 10 at a corner where the protruding portion 20 and the general portion 10 are connected, as in the fourth embodiment shown in Figure 7, when an impact is applied from the hood 3 side, stress is concentrated in the weak portion 28, and the protruding portion 20 tends to collapse straight downward from the position of the weak portion 28 without being distorted and deformed from the top 24, and the same effect as in the first embodiment can be achieved.

[0049] Furthermore, any combination of the second to fourth embodiments may be used. For example, when combining the third embodiment with the fourth embodiment, the protrusion 20 may be formed on the back side of the rising portion 39 at a corner where the protrusion 20 and the rising portion 39 are connected.

[0050] In each embodiment, the cowl cover 7 may be provided in a portion other than the front portion of the vehicle body 1, for example, between the rear glass serving as a windshield and the rear trunk hood serving as a mating member. [Industrial Applicability]

[0051] The present invention is applicable to, for example, a cowl cover disposed between the windshield and the bonnet hood of an automobile. [Explanation of symbols]

[0052] 3 Hood, which is the mating part 4 Cabin 5. Windshield 6 Cowling section 7 Cowl cover 10 General section 14 Vertical wall section 20 Protrusion 24 Top 28 Weak part 30 Fresh air intake

Claims

1. A cowl cover that covers a cowl portion between a windshield of a vehicle and a mating member, a general portion extending from an edge of the windshield; a vertical wall portion formed on the opposite side of the general portion so as to rise toward the mating member; a protruding portion formed in a vehicle width direction at a position away from the vertical wall portion toward the windshield, rising toward the mating member relative to the general portion, and having an apex inclined downward toward the vertical wall portion; an outside air inlet formed at the top of the protrusion for taking outside air into the vehicle compartment; A cowl cover comprising:

2. A weak portion extending in the vehicle width direction is provided near the base end of the protrusion.

2. The cowl cover according to claim 1.

3. The weak part is the thin part 3. The cowl cover according to claim 2.

4. The top of the protrusion is covered from above by the mating member.

2. The cowl cover according to claim 1.

5. The top of the protrusion is approximately parallel to the mating member when installed.

2. The cowl cover according to claim 1.

Images