Shock absorber for vehicle

Abstract

To provide a shock absorber for a vehicle capable of suitably protecting a collision body from shock when the collision body collides with an exterior member, and capable of restraining reduction in cooling efficiency of a power device, even when arranged above a flow passage for making outside air flow to a power room from an outside air intake port.SOLUTION: The impact absorbing body 1 is positioned between the exterior member 103 and the power chamber PR in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body 101, and is arranged above a flow passage 120 for circulating the outside air from the outside air intake port 106a to the power chamber PR. The shock absorber 1 includes a first portion 10, a second portion 20, and a shock absorbing portion 30 connecting the first portion 10 and the second portion 20. The shock absorbing part 30 has a plurality of through-hole 31a or the like penetrating in the vertical direction, and a plate-shaped outflow restraining body arranged in the respective through-hole 31a or the like. Each of the outflow suppression bodies is deformed so as to be crushed in the front-rear direction by the impact, and extends in the front-rear direction and the vehicle-width direction to suppress the outside air flowing through the flow passage 120 from passing upward through the through hole 31a and the like.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a shock absorber for a vehicle. [Background technology]

[0002] A conventional shock absorber is disclosed in Patent Document 1. This shock absorber is used in a vehicle.

[0003] A vehicle generally has an exterior member such as a bumper having an outside air intake, a power compartment located at a distance from the exterior member to the rear of the vehicle and housing a power unit such as an engine, and a circulation passage extending along the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle and allowing the outside air taken in through the outside air intake to circulate to the power compartment.

[0004] The shock absorber is disposed between the exterior member and the power compartment in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. The shock absorber has a shock absorbing section that deforms so as to crush in the longitudinal direction upon impact. When an object outside the vehicle or an installation on the road (hereinafter collectively referred to as a collision object) collides with the exterior member of this shock absorber, the shock causes the shock absorbing section to deform so as to crush in the longitudinal direction. In this way, the shock absorber absorbs the impact when the collision object collides with the exterior member. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-88240 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] This type of vehicle impact absorber is required to be able to effectively protect the impact body from the impact when the impact body collides with the exterior member. To address this issue, it is conceivable to make the impact absorbing portion more easily crushable in the front-to-rear direction by providing multiple through holes that penetrate the impact absorbing portion in the vertical direction. However, it has been found that this can pose the following problems depending on the installation position of the impact absorber in the front structure of the vehicle.

[0007] In other words, depending on the front structure of the vehicle, an impact absorbing body may be placed above the airflow passage while facing the airflow passage. In this case, outside air flowing through the airflow section may pass upward through the through-holes in the impact absorbing body and exit the airflow section. If outside air exits the airflow section, the amount of outside air sent to the power chamber may decrease, which may reduce the cooling efficiency of the engine, etc.

[0008] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned conventional situation, and aims to solve the problem of providing a vehicle shock absorber that can effectively protect a collision object from the impact when the collision object strikes an exterior member, and that can suppress a decrease in the cooling efficiency of the power unit even when it is placed above a circulation passage that circulates outside air from the outside air intake to the power chamber. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] The vehicle impact absorber of the present invention is used in a vehicle having a vehicle body, an exterior member provided on the vehicle body and having an outside air intake, a power chamber arranged spaced apart in a first direction from the exterior member and accommodating a power unit, and a flow passage extending along the first direction and allowing outside air taken in through the outside air intake to flow to the power chamber, the vehicle impact absorber being positioned between the exterior member and the power chamber in the first direction and above the flow passage, and absorbing impact when an impacting object collides with the exterior member, a first portion fixed to the vehicle body; a second portion disposed closer to the exterior member than the first portion in the first direction; a shock absorbing section that is located between the first section and the second section, connects the first section and the second section, and absorbs the shock while deforming in response to the shock so as to bring the first section and the second section closer to each other in the first direction, The impact absorbing portion is arranged side by side in a second direction intersecting both the vertical direction and the first direction, and has a plurality of through holes penetrating in the vertical direction, and a plate-shaped outflow suppressor provided in each of the through holes, Each of the outflow suppression bodies is characterized in that it is deformed by the impact so as to be crushed in the first direction, and is configured to extend in the first direction and the second direction to suppress the outside air flowing through the circulation passage from passing upward through each of the through holes.

[0010] The vehicle impact absorber of the present invention is located between an exterior member and a power chamber in a first direction, and is disposed above a flow passage that circulates outside air from an outside air intake of the exterior member to the power chamber. In this vehicle impact absorber, the first and second portions are connected by an impact absorbing portion. The impact absorbing portion has a plurality of through holes that are arranged side by side in the second direction and penetrate the interior in the vertical direction. Therefore, the impact absorbing portion is easily deformed so as to be crushed in the first direction due to the impact when a collision object collides with the exterior member. As a result, the impact absorbing portion effectively absorbs the impact when a collision object collides with the exterior member.

[0011] In addition, in this vehicle impact absorber, an outflow suppression body is provided in each through-hole. Each outflow suppression body is deformed so as to be crushed in a first direction due to the impact when a collision object collides with the exterior member. As a result, in this vehicle impact absorber, the impact when a collision object collides with the exterior member is absorbed by the impact absorbing portion.

[0012] Each outflow suppressor extends in the first and second directions, thereby suppressing the outside air flowing through the circulating portion from passing upward through the through-holes. This prevents the outside air from flowing out of the circulating portion. As a result, the outside air flowing through the circulating passage can be reliably circulated to the power chamber.

[0013] Therefore, the vehicle impact absorber of the present invention can effectively protect the impact body from the impact when the impact body strikes the exterior member, and can suppress a decrease in the cooling efficiency of the power unit even when it is placed above the circulation passage that circulates outside air from the outside air intake to the power chamber.

[0014] It is preferable that each outflow suppressor is formed integrally with another portion of the vehicle impact absorber.

[0015] In this case, the manufacturing cost of the vehicle impact absorber can be reduced.

[0016] Each outflow suppressor preferably has a weak portion having a bending strength lower than that of other portions of the outflow suppressor.

[0017] In this case, each outflow suppressor is more likely to bend from the weak portion as a starting point, which makes each baffle plate more likely to be crushed in the first direction, thereby improving the shock absorption performance of the shock absorbing section.

[0018] The fragile portion is preferably a thin-walled portion that is thinner than other portions of the outflow suppressor.

[0019] In this case, the outside air flowing through the flow passage can be prevented from passing through the weak portion, so that the outside air flowing through the flow passage can be more reliably circulated to the storage chamber.

[0020] The weakened portion preferably comprises a slit.

[0021] In this case, each outflow suppressor becomes more likely to collapse starting from the slit.

[0022] The weakened portion preferably extends in the second direction.

[0023] In this case, each outflow suppressor is easily bent in the first direction and crushed, which further improves the shock absorption performance of the shock absorbing section.

[0024] The weakened portion preferably extends in a cross shape.

[0025] In this case, each outflow suppressor is easily bent in the first direction and the second direction and crushed, which further improves the shock absorption performance of the shock absorbing section.

[0026] The weakened portions preferably extend radially.

[0027] In this case, each outflow suppressor is easily bent in the radial direction and crushed, which further improves the shock absorption properties of the shock absorbing portion. [Effects of the Invention]

[0028] The vehicle impact absorber of the present invention can effectively protect a collision object from the impact when the collision object strikes the exterior member, and can suppress a decrease in the cooling efficiency of the power unit even when it is placed above the circulation passage that circulates outside air from the outside air intake to the power chamber. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0029] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration of a vehicle in which a shock absorber for a vehicle according to the first embodiment is used. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of the impact absorber for a vehicle according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a plan view showing a schematic configuration of the impact absorber for a vehicle according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is an enlarged plan view of the main part of the shock absorber for a vehicle according to the first embodiment, showing the X1 portion of FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing the AA cross section of FIG. 4, relating to the shock absorber for a vehicle of the first embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the main part of the shock absorber for a vehicle according to the first embodiment, showing the X2 portion of FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 5 of the vehicle shock absorber of the first embodiment when the shock absorbing portion is deformed. [Figure 8]FIG. 8 is an enlarged plan view of a main part similar to FIG. 4, relating to a shock absorber for a vehicle according to a second embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is an enlarged plan view of a main part similar to FIG. 4, relating to a shock absorber for a vehicle according to a third embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is an enlarged plan view of a main part similar to FIG. 4, relating to a shock absorber for a vehicle according to a fourth embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is an enlarged plan view of a main part similar to FIG. 4, relating to a shock absorber for a vehicle according to a fifth embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0030] Hereinafter, first to fifth embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0031] Example 1 As shown in FIG. 1, a vehicle impact absorber (hereinafter referred to as "impact absorber") 1 of Example 1 is used in a vehicle 100. Specifically, the vehicle 100 is a passenger automobile, and has a vehicle body 101, a front hood 102, a front bumper 103, a first front grille 106, a second front grille 107, a power chamber PR, and a circulation passage 120. The front bumper 103, the first front grille 106, and the second front grille 107 correspond to "exterior members" in the present invention. Note that, for ease of explanation, the shapes of the impact absorber 1, the front bumper 103, etc. are shown in a simplified form in FIG. 1.

[0032] In this embodiment, the up-down direction and the front-rear direction of the vehicle body 101 are defined by the arrows shown in Fig. 1. Furthermore, in Fig. 2, in addition to these up-down direction and front-rear direction, the left-right direction of the vehicle body 101, i.e., the width direction of the vehicle body 101, is defined. Then, in Fig. 3 and subsequent figures, the up-down direction, front-rear direction, and left-right direction of the vehicle body 101 are defined in accordance with Figs. 1 and 2. These up-down direction, front-rear direction, and left-right directions are perpendicular to one another. The up-down direction corresponds to the height direction of the vehicle body 101, and the front-rear direction corresponds to the "first direction" in the present invention. The left-right direction corresponds to the "second direction" in the present invention.

[0033] 1, a vehicle body 101 forms the basic structure of a vehicle 100, such as a power compartment PR. The vehicle body 101 also has a bumper frame 101a, a bumper absorber 101b, and a radiator support 101c, as well as a body frame (not shown).

[0034] The bumper frame 101a extends in the left-right direction of the vehicle body 101. The bumper absorber 101b is fixed to the bumper frame 101a and is located in front of the bumper frame 101a. The radiator support 101c is formed in a rectangular frame shape and is fixed to the vehicle body frame. The radiator support 101c is located in the front part of the power chamber PR. A radiator 104 is located inside the radiator support 101c. In addition, a bracket 105 is fixed to the radiator support 101c. The bracket 105 has a plurality of mounting holes (not shown) formed therein.

[0035] The front hood 102 is swingably mounted on the vehicle body 101 and is located at the top of the vehicle body 101. The front hood 102 opens and closes the power chamber PR. The front hood 102 has an outer panel 102a and an inner panel 102b. The outer panel 102a and the inner panel 102b are formed by pressing a metal plate. A front seal rubber 102c is attached to the front ends of the outer panel 102a and the inner panel 102b. As shown in FIG. 1, the front seal rubber 102c extends in the left-right direction of the vehicle body 101 and forms the front edge of the front hood 102. The shape of the front hood 102 can be designed as appropriate.

[0036] The front bumper 103 is made of resin and is attached to the vehicle body 101 in front of the front hood 102. As a result, the front bumper 103 is located at the front end of the vehicle body 101 and covers the bumper absorber 101b, the radiator 104, etc. from the front of the vehicle body 101.

[0037] The front bumper 103 is formed with an upper covering portion 103a, a front upper covering portion 103b, a front middle covering portion 103c, and a front lower covering portion 103d. When the front bumper 103 is attached to the vehicle body 101, the upper covering portion 103a is located further forward of the front hood 102 on the vehicle body 101, and is adjacent to the front seal rubber 102c. In other words, in the front bumper 103, the upper covering portion 103a is exposed in front of the front hood 102. The upper covering portion 103a is disposed above the impact absorber 1 and covers the upper side of the impact absorber 1. The front upper covering portion 103b is located below the upper covering portion 103a and extends further forward of the vehicle body 101 than the upper covering portion 103a. The upper end of the front upper covering portion 103b is integrally connected to the lower end of the upper covering portion 103a, which is also the front end of the upper covering portion 103a. The front upper covering portion 103b is disposed in front of the impact absorber 1 and covers the front of the impact absorber 1. The front middle covering portion 103c is located below the front upper covering portion 103b and spaced apart in the height direction from the lower end of the front upper covering portion 103b, and covers the front of the bumper absorber 101b. The front lower covering portion 103d is located below the front middle covering portion 103c and spaced apart in the height direction from the lower end of the front middle covering portion 103c.

[0038] The first front grille 106 and the second front grille 107 are attached to the front bumper 103. The upper end of the first front grille 106 is fixed to the lower end of the front upper covering part 103b, and the lower end of the first front grille 106 is fixed to the upper end of the front middle covering part 103c. The upper end of the second front grille 107 is fixed to the lower end of the front middle covering part 103c, and the lower end of the second front grille 107 is fixed to the upper end of the front lower covering part 103d.

[0039] A first outside air intake 106a is formed in the first front grille 106, and a second outside air intake 107a is formed in the second front grille 107. The first outside air intake 106a is an example of an "outside air intake" in the present invention. Both the first front grille 106 and the second front grille 107 extend in the left-right direction and have a width in the left-right direction greater than that of the radiator 104. Both the first outside air intake 106a and the second outside air intake 107a extend in the left-right direction with approximately the same width as the first front grille 106 and the second front grille 107, respectively. The first outside air intake 106a is disposed in front of the radiator 104.

[0040] An undercover 108 is also attached to the front bumper 103. The upper end of the undercover 108, which is also the front end of the undercover 108, is fixed to the lower end of the front lower covering portion 103d, which is also the rear end of the front lower covering portion 103d. The undercover 108 is located below the vehicle body 101. The shape of the front bumper 103 can be designed as appropriate, and the front bumper 103 may be configured to be covered from above by the front hood 102.

[0041] The power chamber PR is disposed rearward and spaced apart from the front bumper 103. A power unit 110 such as an engine is provided within the power chamber PR. Although not shown in detail, the vehicle 100 is provided with components necessary for running the vehicle 100, including side doors, in the same manner as a typical passenger car. Note that the vehicle 100 may be configured as an electric vehicle by providing an electric motor or the like instead of the engine.

[0042] The circulation passage 120 extends in the front-rear direction and is provided between the first front grille 106 and the radiator 104 in the front-rear direction. The circulation passage 120 is formed with a width in the left-right direction that is greater than the width of the radiator 104. The circulation passage 120 allows outside air taken in from the first outside air intake 106a to flow through the radiator 104 to the power chamber PR.

[0043] The impact absorber 1 is disposed between the front bumper 103 and the radiator support 101c in the longitudinal direction, more specifically, behind the upper covering portion 103a and the front upper covering portion 103b, in front of the bracket 105, and below the upper covering portion 103a. The impact absorber 1 is made of resin. The impact absorber 1 extends in the left-right direction with a width approximately equal to that of the first front grille 106 and the first outside air intake 106a, and is wider in the left-right direction than the radiator 104.

[0044] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the shock absorber 1 includes a first portion 10, a second portion 20, and a shock absorbing part 30. As shown in FIG.

[0045] The first portion 10 is located at the rear of the impact absorber 1 and constitutes the rear portion of the impact absorber 1. The first portion 10 is composed of a main body portion 11, a first side wall portion 12, a second side wall portion 13, and a plurality of tubular portions 14.

[0046] The main body 11 is formed in a generally rectangular cylindrical shape extending in the left-right direction along the shape of the bracket 105. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, the main body 11 has a first standing wall 11a, a second standing wall 11b, and an upper wall 11c. The upper end of the first standing wall 11a is connected to the upper end of the second standing wall 11b, which is disposed rearward and spaced apart from the first standing wall 11a in the front-to-rear direction, by the upper wall 11c. This forms a space 11d within the main body 11. Note that the main body 11 does not have side walls that close the space 11d from the left-to-right direction. Therefore, the space 11d is open in the left-to-right direction.

[0047] As shown in FIG. 3, the main body 11 is provided with six first fixing portions 111. Each first fixing portion 111 is disposed at a predetermined position in the left-right direction. A first fixing hole 111a is formed in each first fixing portion 111. The first fixing hole 111a passes through the first fixing portion 111 in the up-down direction. A bolt 109 (see FIG. 1) can be inserted into each first fixing hole 111a. The shape and number of each first fixing portion 111 can be designed as appropriate.

[0048] 3, the first side wall 12 is disposed at the right end of the main body 11. Meanwhile, the second side wall 13 is disposed at the left end of the main body 11. The first side wall 12 and the second side wall 13 are connected at their lower ends to the lower end of the first standing wall 11a, and are integral with the first standing wall 11a, i.e., the main body 11. The first side wall 12 and the second side wall 13 each extend forward from the main body 11 and also extend in the up-down direction.

[0049] Each cylindrical portion 14 is connected to the main body portion 11 and is located behind the main body portion 11. The cylindrical portions 14 are also arranged at equal intervals in the left-right direction. Each cylindrical portion 14 has a fixing hole 14a that penetrates the cylindrical portion 14 in the up-down direction. This gives each cylindrical portion 14 a cylindrical shape that extends in the up-down direction. Like each first fixing hole 111a, each fixing hole 14a can also receive a bolt 109 (see FIG. 1). The number and shape of each cylindrical portion 14 can be designed as appropriate.

[0050] As shown in FIG. 3, the second portion 20 is disposed at a distance forward from the first portion 10. More specifically, it is located at the front end of the impact absorber 1 and constitutes the front portion of the impact absorber 1. The second portion 20 extends in the left-right direction of the impact absorber 1. The second portion 20 also has a shape that protrudes forward in an arc shape so as to fit the shape of the front bumper 103. The shape of the second portion 20, including the shapes and number of a front wall portion 21 and second fixing portions 22 (described later), can be designed as appropriate.

[0051] The second portion 20 is made up of five front wall portions 21 and four second fixing portions 22. The front wall portions 21 and the second fixing portions 22 are integrally formed so as to be alternately arranged in the left-right direction.

[0052] Each front wall 21 has a generally rectangular upright wall shape extending in the up-down, front-rear, and left-right directions. As shown in Fig. 5, the front wall 21 is open at the bottom, and a space 23 is formed inside. In other words, the front wall 21 is hollow. The vertical length of the front wall 21 is shorter than the vertical length of the main body 11 of the first section 10.

[0053] Each second fixing portion 22 is disposed at a predetermined position in the left-right direction. A second fixing hole 22a is formed in each second fixing portion 22, penetrating the second fixing portion 22 in the front-rear direction. A screw (not shown) can be inserted into each second fixing hole 22a.

[0054] The shock absorbing portion 30 is located between the first portion 10 and the second portion 20 in the front-rear direction. As a result, the shock absorbing portion 30 is located approximately in the center of the shock absorber 1 in the front-rear direction. The shock absorbing portion 30 is also located between the first side wall portion 12 and the second side wall portion 13 in the left-right direction. In this case, the shock absorbing portion 30 is separated from the first side wall portion 12 and the second side wall portion 13 in the left-right direction and is not connected to them.

[0055] As shown in FIG. 4, the shock absorbing part 30 includes a plurality of central bodies 31, a plurality of first connecting bodies 32, a plurality of second connecting bodies 33, and a plurality of reinforcing bodies .

[0056] Each central body 31 has the same shape and is located approximately in the center of the shock absorbing section 30 in the front-rear direction. The central bodies 31 are arranged side by side in the left-right direction. The central bodies 31 are connected to each other in the left-right direction. As shown in FIG. 4, each central body 31 has a circular through hole 31a and a pair of rectangular through holes 31b formed therein. The circular through hole 31a and the rectangular through hole 31b are examples of the "through hole" in the present invention.

[0057] The circular through-hole 31a passes through the central body 31 in a circular shape in the up-down direction. More specifically, the circular through-hole 31a has a perfect circular shape and passes through the central body 31 in the up-down direction. Note that the circular through-hole 31a is not limited to a perfect circular shape, and may be an elliptical or other circular shape, as long as it passes through the central body 31 in a circular shape in the up-down direction.

[0058] The rectangular through holes 31b are arranged to the left and right of the circular through hole 31a in the central body 31. The rectangular through holes 31b penetrate the central body 31 in a generally rectangular shape in the up-down direction. More specifically, the rectangular through holes 31b have a rectangular shape whose length in the front-to-back direction is longer than its length in the left-to-right direction. Furthermore, the rectangular through holes 31b are separated from the circular through holes 31a and do not communicate with the circular through holes 31a. As a result, the rectangular through holes 31b, the circular through holes 31a, and the rectangular through holes 31b are arranged side by side in the left-to-right direction in this order in the central body 31. The number and shape of the rectangular through holes 31b can be designed as appropriate.

[0059] Each first connector 32 is located between each central body 31 and the first portion 10. The first connectors 32 are spaced apart in the left-right direction. A first through hole 32a is formed in each first connector 32. The first through hole 32a is an example of the "through hole" of the present invention. The first through hole 32a penetrates the first connector 32 in the vertical direction in a substantially semicircular shape. As a result, each first connector 32 has a substantially U-shape with a bifurcated rear portion in a plan view. The first through hole 32a may be a perfect circle or a rectangle that penetrates the first connector 32 in the vertical direction.

[0060] Each first connecting body 32 is connected to the central body 31 at its front portion and connected to the first standing wall 11a of the main body 11 at its rear portion. The first connecting bodies 32 are not connected to each other. In addition, in this shock absorber 1, two first connecting bodies 32 are connected to one central body 31. In this way, each first connecting body 32 is integral with each central body 31 and first portion 10, and connects each central body 31 to the first portion 10.

[0061] Each second connection body 33 is located between each central body 31 and the second portion 20. Similarly to each first connection body 32, each second connection body 33 is also spaced apart in the left-right direction. Each second connection body 33 has a second through-hole 33a. The second through-hole 33a is an example of a "through-hole" in the present invention. The second through-hole 33a penetrates the second connection body 33 in the vertical direction in a substantially semicircular shape. As a result, each second connection body 33 has a substantially U-shape with a bifurcated front portion in a plan view. In other words, each second connection body 33 has a shape substantially symmetrical to each first connection body 32 in the front-rear direction. The second through-hole 33a may also be a perfect circle or a rectangle penetrating the second connection body 33 in the vertical direction.

[0062] Each second connecting body 33 is connected to the central body 31 at its rear portion and to the second portion 20 at its front portion. Like the first connecting bodies 32, the second connecting bodies 33 are not connected to each other. Also, like the first connecting bodies 32, in this shock absorber 1, two second connecting bodies 33 are connected to one central body 31. In this way, each second connecting body 33 is integral with each central body 31 and the second portion 20, and connects each central body 31 to the second portion 20.

[0063] In addition to the circular through-hole 31a, the rectangular through-hole 31b, the first through-hole 32a, and the second through-hole 33a, a plurality of third through-holes 30a and a plurality of fourth through-holes 30b are formed in the impact absorbing part 30. The third through-hole 30a and the fourth through-hole 30b are examples of the "through-hole" in the present invention.

[0064] The third through holes 30a are arranged in front of and behind the circular through hole 31a in the central body 31. That is, the third through hole 30a, the circular through hole 31a, and the third through hole 30a are arranged in this order in the front-to-rear direction. The third through holes 30a are also arranged in front of and behind the central body 31, between the first connectors 32 and between the second connectors 33.

[0065] The fourth through holes 30b are disposed in front of and behind the connection portions between the central bodies 31. The fourth through holes 30b are also disposed in front of and behind the central bodies 31, between the first connectors 32 and between the second connectors 33.

[0066] Thus, the second through hole 33a, the third through hole 30a, the second through hole 33a, and the fourth through hole 30b are repeatedly lined up in this order in the left-right direction in front of each central body 31. Moreover, the first through hole 32a, the third through hole 30a, the first through hole 32a, and the fourth through hole 30b are repeatedly lined up in this order in the left-right direction in the rear of each central body.

[0067] The shock absorbing unit 30 includes a plurality of circular restraining bodies 35a, a plurality of rectangular restraining bodies 35b, a plurality of first restraining bodies 35c, a plurality of second restraining bodies 35d, a plurality of third restraining bodies 35e, and a plurality of fourth restraining bodies 35f. The circular restraining bodies 35a, the rectangular restraining bodies 35b, the first restraining bodies 35c, the second restraining bodies 35d, the third restraining bodies 35e, and the fourth restraining bodies 35f are examples of the "outflow restraining bodies" of the present invention.

[0068] Hereinafter, the circular suppressor 35a, the rectangular suppressor 35b, the first suppressor 35c, the second suppressor 35d, the third suppressor 35e, and the fourth suppressor 35f may be collectively referred to as outflow suppressors 35. Furthermore, the circular through-hole 31a, the rectangular through-hole 31b, the first through-hole 32a, the second through-hole 33a, the third through-hole 30a, and the fourth through-hole 30b may be collectively referred to as through-holes 37.

[0069] The circular suppressing body 35a is formed integrally with the central body 31 at the lower end of the circular through-hole 31a. The circular suppressing body 35a is plate-shaped and has an outer peripheral surface shape that corresponds to the inner peripheral surface shape of the circular through-hole 31a. That is, the circular suppressing body 35a extends in the front-rear and left-right directions within the circular through-hole 31a, closing the circular through-hole 31a.

[0070] The rectangular restraining body 35b is formed integrally with the central body 31 at the lower end of the rectangular through-hole 31b. The rectangular restraining body 35b is plate-shaped and has an outer peripheral surface shape that corresponds to the inner peripheral surface shape of the rectangular through-hole 31b. That is, the rectangular restraining body 35b extends in the front-rear and left-right directions within the rectangular through-hole 31b, closing the rectangular through-hole 31b.

[0071] The first suppressing body 35c is formed integrally with the first connecting body 32 at the upper end of the first through hole 32a. The first suppressing body 35c is plate-shaped and has an outer circumferential surface shape that corresponds to the inner circumferential surface shape of the first through hole 32a. That is, the first suppressing body 35c extends in the front-rear and left-right directions within the first through hole 32a and closes the first through hole 32a.

[0072] The second suppressing body 35d is formed integrally with the second connecting body 33 at the upper end of the second through hole 33a. The second suppressing body 35d is plate-shaped and has an outer circumferential surface shape that corresponds to the inner circumferential surface shape of the second through hole 33a. That is, the second suppressing body 35d extends in the front-rear and left-right directions within the second through hole 33a and closes the second through hole 33a.

[0073] The third suppressing body 35e is formed integrally with the central body 31 and the first connecting body 32 at the rear of the central body 31 at the lower end of the third through hole 30a, and is formed integrally with the central body 31 and the second connecting body 33 at the front of the central body 31. The third suppressing body 35e is plate-shaped and has an outer circumferential surface shape that corresponds to the inner circumferential surface shape of the third through hole 30a. That is, the third suppressing body 35e extends in the front-rear and left-right directions within the third through hole 30a, closing the third through hole 30a.

[0074] The fourth suppressing body 35f is formed integrally with the central body 31 and the first connecting body 32 at the rear of the central body 31 at the lower end of the fourth through hole 30b, and is formed integrally with the central body 31 and the second connecting body 33 at the front of the central body 31. The fourth suppressing body 35f is plate-shaped and has an outer circumferential surface shape that corresponds to the inner circumferential surface shape of the fourth through hole 30b. That is, the fourth suppressing body 35f extends in the front-rear and left-right directions within the fourth through hole 30b, closing the fourth through hole 30b.

[0075] The thickness of the circular restraining body 35a, the rectangular restraining body 35b, the first restraining body 35c, the second restraining body 35d, the third restraining body 35e and the fourth restraining body 35f is formed thinner than the thickness of other parts of the impact absorbing section 30.

[0076] The circular suppressor 35a has radially extending recesses from the center of the circular suppressor 35a to the outer periphery, forming radially thinned portions 36. Similarly, the rectangular suppressor 35b, the first suppressor 35c, the second suppressor 35d, the third suppressor 35e, and the fourth suppressor 35f also have radially extending recesses from the center of the rectangular suppressor 35b to the outer periphery, forming radially thinned portions 36. The thinned portions 36 are an example of a "weak portion" in the present invention. The thinned portions 36 have lower bending strength than other portions of the outflow suppressor 35.

[0077] Each reinforcing body 34 is integrally formed with each central body 31. Each reinforcing body 34 is provided for each central body 31, and is disposed above the circular through-hole 31a.

[0078] Each reinforcing body 34 has the same shape and is composed of a first plate portion 34a, a second plate portion 34b, and a connecting plate portion 34c. The first plate portion 34a is integral with the rear portion of the central body 31 and extends upward in a plate-like manner beyond the central body 31. The second plate portion 34b is integral with the front portion of the central body 31 and extends upward in a plate-like manner beyond the central body 31. The first plate portion 34a and the second plate portion 34b are spaced apart in the front-to-rear direction. As shown in FIG. 5, the first plate portion 34a extends upward further than the second plate portion 34b.

[0079] The connecting plate portion 34c is located between the first plate portion 34a and the second plate portion 34b and extends in a plate-like shape in the front-to-rear direction. The rear end of the connecting plate portion 34c is connected to the upper end of the first plate portion 34a and the front end is connected to the upper end of the second plate portion 34b. Thus, the first plate portion 34a forms the rear portion of the reinforcing body 34, and the second plate portion 34b forms the front portion of the reinforcing body 34. The connecting plate portion 34c forms the upper portion of the reinforcing body 34. A space 340 is formed between the first plate portion 34a, the second plate portion 34b, and the connecting plate portion 34c.

[0080] The first plate portion 34a and the second plate portion 34b each close the space 340 from the front and rear directions, and the connecting plate portion 34c closes the space 340 from above, whereas the reinforcing body 34 does not have any plate portions that close the space 340 from the left and right directions or below. Thus, the reinforcing body 34 is open at the bottom and in the left and right directions, and is generally U-shaped in side view.

[0081] In this way, the impact absorbing portion 30 is located between the first portion 10 and the second portion 20, and connects the first portion 10 and the second portion 20 in the front-rear direction.

[0082] When attaching this impact absorber 1 to the vehicle body 101, as shown in FIG. 1, the first portion 10 is placed above the bracket 105 with the second portion 20 facing the front bumper 103. Then, in this state, the first fixing portions 111 and the tubular portions 14 of the first portion 10 are fixed to the bracket 105 with bolts 109, respectively. In this state, the first portion 10 is fixed to the bracket 105 and, ultimately, to the radiator support 101c. As a result, the impact absorber 1 is disposed between the radiator support 101c and the front bumper 103 in the longitudinal direction. Although not shown, the second portion 20 has each second fixing portion 22 secured to the front bumper 103 with a screw. The impact absorber 1 is disposed above the circulation path 120 and facing the circulation path 120. The cross-sectional view of the impact absorber 1 in FIG. 1 shows the cross-section BB of FIG. 4.

[0083] In a vehicle 100 using this impact absorber 1, if a collision object (not shown) collides with the front bumper 103 from the front, the impact causes the front bumper 103 to collapse rearward and collide with the second portion 20 of the impact absorber 1. As a result, as shown in FIG. 7 , the impact absorber 1 absorbs the impact when the collision object collides with the front bumper 103 by deforming the impact absorbing portion 30 so that it collapses in the front-to-rear direction. At this time, the impact absorbing portion 30 has a through-hole 37 that extends in the vertical direction, although the upper or lower end is closed by the outflow suppression body 35. Moreover, each outflow suppression body 35 has a thin-walled portion 36 that extends radially. Therefore, each outflow suppression body 35 is prone to bending radially from the thin-walled portion 36 and collapsing. As a result, the impact absorbing portion 30 is prone to deforming so that it collapses in the front-to-rear direction due to the impact. Therefore, in the vehicle 100, it is possible to suitably protect a colliding object from the impact when the colliding object collides with the front bumper 103.

[0084] Furthermore, the impact absorber 1 is disposed above the flow passage 120 and facing the flow passage 120. Therefore, the impact absorber 1 is exposed to the outside air flowing through the flow passage 120. In this regard, each outflow suppression body 35 extends in the front-rear and left-right directions within each through-hole 37 and closes the upper end or lower end of each through-hole 37, thereby preventing the outside air flowing through the flow passage 120 from passing upward through each through-hole 37. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the outside air from flowing out of the flow passage 120. As a result, it is possible to reliably circulate the outside air flowing through the flow passage 120 to the power chamber PR.

[0085] Therefore, this impact absorber 1 can effectively protect a colliding object from the impact when the colliding object hits the front bumper 103, and can suppress a decrease in the cooling efficiency of the power unit 110 even when it is placed above the circulation passage 120 that circulates outside air from the first outside air intake 106a to the power chamber PR.

[0086] Furthermore, in this impact absorber 1, each outflow suppressor 35 is formed integrally with other portions of the impact absorber 1. This allows the manufacturing cost of the impact absorber 1 to be reduced.

[0087] Furthermore, with this shock absorber 1, when hot air from the power chamber PR travels around from above and reaches the shock absorbing section 30, the hot air can be prevented from passing downward through the shock absorbing section 30 and flowing into the circulation passage 120. As a result, it is possible to suppress an increase in the temperature of the outside air sent into the power chamber PR, which also makes it possible to suppress a decrease in the cooling efficiency of the power unit 110.

[0088] Example 2 As shown in Fig. 8, the shock absorber of Example 2 is provided with slits 38 instead of the thin-walled portions 36 in the shock absorber 1 of Example 1. The slits 38 are an example of the "weak portion" in the present invention.

[0089] That is, radially extending slits 38 are formed in each outflow suppressor 35 of the impact absorbing section 40 of this impact absorber. The outflow suppressor 35 is penetrated in the vertical direction at the location of the slits 38.

[0090] Therefore, although there is a risk that the outside air in the flow passage 120 may slightly leak upward through the slits 38, each outflow suppression body 35 itself becomes more easily crushed starting from the slits 38. As a result, the shock absorbing section 40 of this shock absorber becomes more easily deformed so as to be crushed in the front-to-rear direction.

[0091] The other configurations and effects are the same as those of the first embodiment.

[0092] Example 3 As shown in FIG. 9, in the impact absorber of Example 3, the shape of the thin-walled portions 36 in the impact absorber 1 of Example 1 is changed from a radial shape to a cross shape.

[0093] That is, each outflow suppressing body 35 of the impact absorbing section 41 in this impact absorber has a thin-walled portion 36 extending in a cross shape. Specifically, the thin-walled portion 36 extending in a cross shape extends in the front-rear direction and the left-right direction. Therefore, the impact absorbing section 41 in this impact absorber is likely to be crushed in the front-rear direction and the left-right direction, starting from the thin-walled portion 36 where each outflow suppressing body 35 extends in a cross shape. As a result, the impact absorbing section 41 of this impact absorber is likely to be deformed so as to be crushed in the front-rear direction and the left-right direction.

[0094] The other configurations and effects are the same as those of the first embodiment.

[0095] Example 4 As shown in FIG. 10, the shock absorber of the fourth embodiment has a modified shape of the thin-walled portion 36 in the shock absorber 1 of the first embodiment.

[0096] That is, each outflow suppressor 35 of the impact absorbing section 42 of this impact absorber has a thin-walled section 36 extending in the left-right direction. Therefore, the impact absorbing section 42 of this impact absorber is likely to collapse in the front-to-rear direction, starting from the thin-walled section 36 where each outflow suppressor 35 extends in the left-to-right direction. As a result, the impact absorbing section 42 of this impact absorber is likely to deform and collapse in the front-to-rear direction.

[0097] The other configurations and effects are the same as those of the first embodiment.

[0098] Example 5 As shown in FIG. 11, the shock absorber of Example 5 has a modified shape of the thin-walled portion 36 in the shock absorber 1 of Example 1.

[0099] That is, each outflow suppressor 35 of the impact absorbing section 43 of this impact absorber has a thin-walled section 36 extending in the front-rear direction. Therefore, the impact absorbing section 43 of this impact absorber is likely to collapse in the left-right direction, starting from the thin-walled section 36 where each outflow suppressor 35 extends in the front-rear direction. As a result, the impact absorbing section 43 of this impact absorber is likely to deform and collapse in the left-right direction.

[0100] The other configurations and effects are the same as those of the first embodiment.

[0101] The present invention has been described above in accordance with Examples 1 to 5, but it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the above Examples 1 to 5, and can be modified and applied as appropriate within the scope of the invention.

[0102] For example, in Examples 1 to 5, the outflow suppressor 35 is formed integrally with other portions of the impact absorber. However, this is not limiting, and the outflow suppressor may be provided as a separate body from other portions of the impact absorber. When the outflow suppressor is provided as a separate body, it may be made of a low-rigidity material, such as a resin that is less rigid than the resin that constitutes the impact absorber. Furthermore, when the outflow suppressor is made of a low-rigidity material, the fragile portion may be omitted.

[0103] In addition, in Examples 1 to 5, the outflow suppressor 35 is formed to have a thickness thinner than the other parts of the shock absorbing part 30. However, this is not limiting, and the outflow suppressor 35 may be formed to have a thickness equivalent to the other parts of the shock absorbing part 30.

[0104] In addition, in Examples 1 to 5, the front bumper 103 disposed at the front end of the vehicle body 101 is defined as an "exterior member" in the present invention. However, this is not limiting, and side panels, side doors, and the like disposed on the sides of the vehicle body 101 may also be defined as "exterior members" in the present invention. In this case, the left-right direction of the vehicle body 101 corresponds to the "first direction" in the present invention, and the front-rear direction corresponds to the "second direction" in the present invention.

[0105] In the impact absorbers 1 of Examples 1 to 5, the impact absorbing parts 30 do not necessarily have to have the reinforcing members .

[0106] This specification includes the following inventions: (Appendix 1) a power chamber that is disposed apart from the exterior member in a first direction and that houses a power unit; and a flow passage that extends along the first direction and that allows outside air taken in through the outside air intake to flow to the power chamber, the vehicle shock absorber being positioned between the exterior member and the power chamber in the first direction and above the flow passage, and absorbing shock when a collision object collides with the exterior member, a first portion fixed to the vehicle body; a second portion disposed closer to the exterior member than the first portion in the first direction; a shock absorbing section that is located between the first section and the second section, connects the first section and the second section, and absorbs the shock while deforming in response to the shock so as to bring the first section and the second section closer to each other in the first direction, The impact absorbing portion is arranged side by side in a second direction intersecting both the vertical direction and the first direction, and has a plurality of through holes penetrating in the vertical direction, and a plate-shaped outflow suppressor provided in each of the through holes, Each of the outflow suppression bodies is configured to deform so as to be crushed in the first direction due to the impact, and to extend in the first and second directions to suppress the outside air flowing through the flow passage from passing upward through each of the through holes.

[0107] (Appendix 2) 2. The vehicle impact absorber according to claim 1, wherein each of the outflow suppressors is formed integrally with another portion of the vehicle impact absorber.

[0108] (Appendix 3) 3. The vehicle impact absorber according to claim 1, wherein each of the outflow suppressors has a weak portion having a bending strength lower than that of other portions of the outflow suppressor.

[0109] (Appendix 4) 4. The impact absorber for a vehicle according to claim 3, wherein the fragile portion is a thin-walled portion that is thinner than the other portions of the outflow suppressor.

[0110] (Appendix 5) 4. The impact absorber for a vehicle according to claim 3, wherein the weakened portion is a slit.

[0111] (Appendix 6) 6. The impact absorber for a vehicle according to any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein the weak portion extends in the second direction.

[0112] (Appendix 7) 6. The impact absorber for a vehicle according to any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein the fragile portion extends in a cross shape. (Appendix 8) 6. The impact absorber for a vehicle according to any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein the weakened portions extend radially. [Industrial Applicability]

[0113] The present invention can be used in vehicles such as transportation vehicles and industrial vehicles in addition to passenger cars. [Explanation of symbols]

[0114] 1... Shock absorber for vehicles 10…First part 20…Second part 30, 40, 41, 42, 43...Shock absorbing parts 31a...Circular through hole (through hole) 31b…Rectangular through hole (through hole) 32a...1st through hole (through hole) 33a...Second through hole (through hole) 30a...Third through hole (through hole) 30b...4th through hole (through hole) 35... Outflow suppressor 35a...Circular suppressor (outflow suppressor) 35b...Rectangular suppressor (outflow suppressor) 35c...First suppressor (outflow suppressor) 35d…Second suppressor (outflow suppressor) 35e...Third suppressor (outflow suppressor) 35f...Fourth suppressor (outflow suppressor) 36...Thin-walled section (weak section) 37...Through hole 38...Slit (weak part) 100...Vehicle 101...Car body 103...Front bumper (exterior part) 106a...First outside air intake (outside air intake) 110...Power plant 120…Distribution path PR…power room

Claims

1. a power chamber that is disposed apart from the exterior member in a first direction and that houses a power unit; and a flow passage that extends along the first direction and that allows outside air taken in through the outside air intake to flow to the power chamber, the vehicle shock absorber being positioned between the exterior member and the power chamber in the first direction and above the flow passage, and absorbing shock when an impacting object collides with the exterior member, a first portion fixed to the vehicle body; a second portion disposed closer to the exterior member than the first portion in the first direction; a shock absorbing section that is located between the first section and the second section, connects the first section and the second section, and absorbs the shock while deforming in response to the shock so as to bring the first section and the second section closer to each other in the first direction, The impact absorbing portion is arranged side by side in a second direction intersecting both the vertical direction and the first direction, and has a plurality of through holes penetrating in the vertical direction, and a plate-shaped outflow suppressor provided in each of the through holes, A vehicle impact absorber characterized in that each of the outflow suppression bodies is configured to deform so as to be crushed in the first direction due to the impact, and to extend in the first direction and the second direction to suppress the outside air flowing through the flow passage from passing upward through each of the through holes.

2. 2. The vehicle impact absorber according to claim 1, wherein each of the outflow suppressors is formed integrally with another portion of the vehicle impact absorber.

3. 3. The vehicle impact absorber according to claim 1, wherein each of the outflow suppressors has a weak portion having a bending strength lower than that of other portions of the outflow suppressor.

4. 4. The impact absorber for a vehicle according to claim 3, wherein the weakened portion is a thin-walled portion that is thinner than the other portions of the outflow suppressor.

5. 4. The impact absorber for a vehicle according to claim 3, wherein the weakened portion comprises a slit.

6. The impact absorber for a vehicle according to claim 3 , wherein the weakened portion extends in the second direction.

7. The impact absorber for a vehicle according to claim 3, wherein the weakened portion extends in a cross shape.

8. The impact absorber for a vehicle according to claim 3, wherein the weakened portions extend radially.

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