Fender liner structure and vehicle

Abstract

The goal is to obtain a fender liner structure that can suppress the deterioration of aerodynamic characteristics and reduce heat buildup in the power unit compartment. [Solution] The fender liner structure S includes a fender liner 40 provided in the wheel house 28 of the front wheel 26, a through hole 42 provided in the rear part 40A of the fender liner 40 in the vehicle longitudinal direction, a duct 50 having a first duct located on the vehicle rear side of the through hole 42 and communicating with the through hole 42, and a second duct provided on the inside of the fender liner 40 in the vehicle width direction and connected to the first duct.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a fender liner structure and a vehicle.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 below discloses a fender liner provided with ventilation holes in the front portion in the vehicle front-rear direction.

Prior Art Document

Patent Document

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] By the way, in an electric vehicle, in order to improve aerodynamic characteristics, the underfloor on the lower side of the vehicle is covered with a flat under cover, so air tends to accumulate in the power unit room where a motor or the like is arranged. When the fender liner provided with ventilation holes described in Patent Document 1 is applied to such a vehicle structure of an electric vehicle, when discharging the air accumulated in the power unit room from the ventilation holes, the air flow along the rotation of the tire may be disturbed and the air characteristics may deteriorate. On the other hand, in a gasoline vehicle as well, it is desired to more effectively release the heat in the power unit room where an engine or the like is arranged.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to obtain a fender liner structure and a vehicle that can suppress a decrease in aerodynamic characteristics and reduce heat accumulation in the power unit room.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The fender liner structure according to claim 1 of the present invention comprises a fender liner provided in the wheel well of the front wheel, a through hole provided in the rear of the fender liner in the vehicle longitudinal direction, a first duct disposed on the rear side of the through hole and communicating with the through hole, and a second duct provided on the inside in the vehicle width direction of the fender liner and connected to the first duct.

[0007] The fender liner structure according to claim 1 of the present invention has a through hole at the rear of the fender liner in the vehicle longitudinal direction, and the duct is located on the vehicle rear side of the through hole and has a duct having a first duct that communicates with the through hole and a second duct that is located on the inside of the fender liner in the vehicle width direction and is connected to the first duct. When a through hole is provided at the rear of the fender liner, a negative pressure is generated behind the front wheel in the wheel well due to the air drawn into the front wheel, so that the air in the power unit room can be discharged from the duct by the negative pressure generated at the through hole. This makes it possible to suppress a decrease in aerodynamic characteristics and reduce heat buildup in the power unit room.

[0008] The fender liner structure according to claim 2 is the configuration according to claim 1, wherein the duct is formed in an open cross-sectional shape and is configured as a separate member from the fender liner, and the open end of the duct is attached to the inner surface of the fender liner in the vehicle width direction.

[0009] In the fender liner structure according to claim 2, the open end of the duct is attached to the inner surface of the fender liner in the vehicle width direction to provide a ventilation passage. This allows the duct to be designed without being constrained by the molding of the fender liner. As a result, the shape of the duct can be designed to have low hydrodynamic resistance and high exhaust efficiency. Furthermore, because the duct is constructed as a separate component from the fender liner, the duct can be retrofitted to an existing fender liner. In addition, because the duct is constructed separately from the fender liner, it is possible to construct the duct from a resin material different from that of the fender liner.

[0010] The fender liner structure according to claim 3 is configured in the configuration described in claim 1, wherein the duct is integrally configured with the fender liner.

[0011] In the fender liner structure according to claim 3, since the duct is integrally formed with the fender liner, the number of man-hours required for molding can be reduced, and the number of parts can be reduced. Furthermore, because the duct is integrally formed with the fender liner, a mounting flange between the two is not required, eliminating the step when viewed from the airflow direction. This makes it possible to suppress the generation of wind noise.

[0012] The fender liner structure according to claim 4 is the configuration according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the second duct has a first opening at the end on the vehicle front side, and the duct has a portion where the inner diameter narrows as it moves from the first opening toward the first duct.

[0013] In the fender liner structure according to claim 4, the duct has a section where the inner diameter narrows as it moves from the first opening towards the first duct, so that the air velocity increases as it moves towards the first duct. This makes it possible to increase the amount of air discharged through the duct.

[0014] The fender liner structure according to claim 5 is the configuration according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the second duct has a first opening at the vehicle front end, and at least a portion of the vehicle front side of the second duct has a portion where the inner diameter widens towards the first opening.

[0015] In the fender liner structure according to claim 5, the first duct has a first opening at its front end, and at least a portion of the front end of the second duct has a portion where the inner diameter widens towards the first opening, so that the amount of air taken into the duct can be increased.

[0016] The fender liner structure according to claim 6 is the configuration according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the first duct is provided with a second opening located on the rear side of the through hole and communicating with the through hole, and the second opening is provided facing the through hole in the front-rear direction of the vehicle.

[0017] In the fender liner structure according to claim 6, the first duct is positioned on the rear side of the through hole and has a second opening that communicates with the through hole. Furthermore, since the second opening is provided opposite the through hole in the vehicle's longitudinal direction, air can be efficiently flowed from the through hole to the second opening.

[0018] The fender liner structure according to claim 7 is the configuration according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the second duct has a first opening at the vehicle front end, and the first opening is open toward a fan located behind a radiator mounted on the vehicle.

[0019] In the fender liner structure according to claim 7, the first opening is directed toward a fan located behind the radiator mounted on the vehicle, so that air can be efficiently taken in.

[0020] The fender liner structure according to the present invention described in claim 8, in the configuration described in claim 7, the duct has an extension portion extending from the second duct toward the fan.

[0021] In the fender liner structure according to the present invention described in claim 8, the duct has an extension portion extending from the second duct toward the fan. Therefore, the first opening can be brought closer to the fan by the extension portion, so that air can be taken in more efficiently.

[0022] The vehicle according to the present invention described in claim 9 includes a fender liner provided in a wheelhouse of a front wheel, a through hole provided at a rear portion in the vehicle front-rear direction in the fender liner, a first duct disposed on a rear side of the vehicle of the through hole and communicating with the through hole, and a second duct provided inside the fender liner in the vehicle width direction and connected to the first duct, and has a fender liner structure including a duct.

[0023] In the vehicle according to the present invention described in claim 9, a through hole is provided at a rear portion in the vehicle front-rear direction in the fender liner, a first duct disposed on a rear side of the vehicle of the through hole and communicating with the through hole, and a second duct provided inside the fender liner in the vehicle width direction and connected to the first duct, and has a fender liner structure including a duct. Therefore, air in the power unit room can be discharged from the duct by the negative pressure generated in the through hole. Thereby, a decrease in aerodynamic characteristics can be suppressed, and heat accumulation in the power unit room can be reduced.

Advantages of the Invention

[0024] As described above, according to the fender liner structure described in claim 1 according to the present invention, a decrease in aerodynamic characteristics can be suppressed, and heat accumulation in the power unit room can be reduced.

[0025] Moreover, according to the fender liner structure described in claim 2 of the present invention, the shape of the duct can be designed to have less hydrodynamic resistance and higher exhaust efficiency. Furthermore, the duct can be retrofitted to an existing fender liner. In addition, the duct can be made of a resin material different from that of the fender liner.

[0026] Also, according to the fender liner structure described in claim 3 of the present invention, the number of man-hours required for molding can be reduced, and the number of parts can be reduced. In addition, the generation of wind noise can be suppressed.

[0027] Also, according to the fender liner structure described in claim 4 of the present invention, the amount of air discharged by the duct can be increased.

[0028] Also, according to the fender liner structure described in claim 5 of the present invention, the amount of air taken into the duct can be increased.

[0029] Also, according to the fender liner structure described in claim 6 of the present invention, air can be efficiently flowed from the through-hole to the second opening.

[0030] Also, according to the fender liner structure described in claim 7 of the present invention, air can be efficiently taken in.

[0031] Also, according to the fender liner structure described in claim 8 of the present invention, air can be taken in more efficiently.

[0032] Also, according to the vehicle described in claim 9 of the present invention, a decrease in aerodynamic performance can be suppressed, and heat buildup in the power unit room can be reduced.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0033] [Figure 1] It is a right side view schematically showing an example of the front structure of a vehicle equipped with the fender liner structure according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II in Figure 1. [Figure 3] This is a perspective view showing an example of a fender liner structure according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] This is a perspective view showing an example of a fender liner structure according to a modification of the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] This figure shows a portion of the plan cross-sectional view corresponding to Figure 2 of a fender liner structure according to a modified example of the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] This is a plan cross-sectional view corresponding to Figure 2 of a fender liner structure according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0034] <First Embodiment> A front fender liner structure S according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In this specification and the drawings, components having substantially the same functional configuration are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations will be omitted. Also, the arrows FR shown as appropriate in each figure indicate the front side in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, the arrow UP indicates the upper side in the vertical direction of the vehicle, and the arrow OUT indicates the outside in the width direction of the vehicle. Hereafter, when simply using the directions of longitudinal, vertical, left and right, and inside and outside, unless otherwise specified, these refer to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, the vertical direction of the vehicle, the left and right in the left-right direction (width direction) of the vehicle, and the inside and outside in the width direction of the vehicle.

[0035] Figure 1 is a schematic right side view showing an example of the front structure of a vehicle 10 equipped with a front fender liner structure S according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 2 is a plan cross-sectional view taken along line II-II in Figure 1. Although Figure 1 shows the structure of the right front side of the vehicle 10, the structure is basically symmetrical, so the explanation of the structure of the left front side is omitted. Also, since Figure 2 schematically shows the main parts of the vehicle 10 including the front fender liner structure S, the thickness of each component such as body panels is omitted and shown with thick lines.

[0036] As shown in Figure 2, a pair of left and right front side members 12 are provided on both outer sides in the vehicle width direction at the front of the vehicle 10, each extending along the vehicle's longitudinal direction. The front ends of the pair of left and right front side members 12 are connected to a front bumper reinforcement 13 that extends along the vehicle width direction. Furthermore, the rear ends of the pair of left and right front side members 12 are connected to a dash panel 14 that extends along the vehicle width direction in a plan view. The power unit room 16, which is the space enclosed by these vehicle frame members, houses a power unit 30 that serves as a driving source for the vehicle, such as an engine and a drive motor.

[0037] The power unit room 16 described above is covered by the vehicle's exterior panel, which constitutes the design surface. Specifically, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, the top side of the power unit room 16 is covered by a hood 18 that extends along the vehicle's longitudinal and width directions, and both sides of the power unit room 16 are covered by a pair of left and right front fender panels 19 that extend along the vehicle's longitudinal and vertical directions. Furthermore, the front end of the power unit room 16 is covered by a front bumper cover 22 that extends along the vehicle's width and vertical directions.

[0038] Furthermore, a drive shaft 24 extends from the power unit 30 with the vehicle width direction as its axial direction. The front wheel 26 is attached to the axial end of the drive shaft 24 and is driven to rotate by the drive shaft 24, which rotates around its axis in response to the driving force from the power unit 30.

[0039] The front wheel 26 is located within a front wheel house 28, which has a roughly concave curved shape and is open outward in the vehicle width direction. In Figure 2, the front wheel house 28 is shown as a dashed line. The front wheel house 28 as a whole has a shape like a sphere cut into roughly one-quarter sections, and is positioned to span from the front side member 12 to an apron upper member (not shown).

[0040] Furthermore, within the power unit room 16, a radiator 32 is positioned on the vehicle's front side of the power unit 30, acting as a heat exchanger that circulates refrigerant between the power unit 30 and the radiator 32 to exchange heat. The radiator 32 is positioned opposite a front bumper grille (not shown), located in the center of the front bumper cover 22, in the vehicle's front-to-rear direction, so that airflow during vehicle operation is introduced to the radiator 32 through the front bumper grille. An electric fan 34 is also provided on the rear side of the radiator 32 to forcibly draw outside air towards the radiator 32. The electric fan 34 is held in place by a resin fan shroud 36 attached to the rear side of the radiator 32.

[0041] Although not shown in the diagram, the radiator 32, electric fan 34, and fan shroud 36 mentioned above are supported on the front side member 12, for example, by a radiator support (not shown).

[0042] Next, the front fender liner structure S according to this embodiment will be described in detail. Figure 3 shows a perspective view of an example of the front fender liner structure S. As shown in this figure, the front fender liner structure S is composed of a front fender liner 40 disposed on the inner circumference side of the front wheel house 28 and a duct 50 provided on the rear side 40A of the front fender liner 40. Both the front fender liner 40 and the duct 50 are made of resin.

[0043] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the front fender liner 40 has a shape substantially similar to that of the front wheel house 28 and is attached to the front wheel house 28 by clips (not shown) as an example. The front fender liner 40 is composed of an inner wall 44 that covers the front, rear, and inside of the front wheel 26, and an upper wall 46 that extends outward in the vehicle width direction from the upper end of the inner wall 44 and covers the upper side of the front wheel 26. A substantially circular opening 46A is formed in the approximate center of the upper wall 46, through which the upper end of a shock absorber (not shown) is inserted.

[0044] A through-hole 42 is formed at the rear end of the inner wall 44, penetrating the inner wall 44 in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, and connecting the space behind the front wheel 26 with the space inside the duct 50, which will be described later.

[0045] This duct 50 is constructed separately from the front fender liner 40. The duct 50 is generally elongated and has a hat-shaped vertical cross-section. More specifically, the duct 50 comprises a duct body portion 52 with its open end facing the inner surface 44A of the inner wall 44 of the front fender liner 40, and an upper flange portion 54 and a lower flange portion 56 that are bent from the upper and lower ends of the open end of the duct body portion 52 in a direction that separates them from each other in the vertical direction of the vehicle.

[0046] The duct body 52 is composed of a curved section (second duct) 52A that curves and extends along the shape of the inner surface 44A of the inner wall 44, and a straight section (first duct) 52B that is connected to the curved section 52A and extends in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, bent toward the rear of the vehicle from the outer end of the curved section 52A.

[0047] The upper flange portion 54 is composed of a first upper flange portion 54A bent upward from the front end edge of the upper wall of the curved portion 52A, and a second upper flange portion 54B bent upward from the outer side edge in the vehicle width direction of the upper wall of the straight portion 52B. The lower flange portion 56 is composed of a first lower flange portion 56A bent downward from the front end edge of the lower wall of the curved portion 52A, and a second lower flange portion 56B bent downward from the outer side edge in the vehicle width direction of the lower wall of the straight portion 52B.

[0048] The first upper flange portion 54A and the first lower flange portion 56A are joined to the inner surface 44A of the inner wall 44 of the rear portion 40A of the front fender liner 40 by adhesive, heat welding, or the like. The second upper flange portion 54B and the second lower flange portion 56B are joined to the back side of the front fender panel 19. As a result, a first opening 52C is formed on the inner end side of the curved portion 52A, with its opening surface facing the electric fan 34. On the outer end side of the straight portion 52B, a second opening 52D is formed, with its opening surface facing the surface of the door outer panel 21 of the front side door 20, on the outside of the side outer panel 17, which is located on the outside of the front pillar 15 (see Figure 2) in the vehicle width direction. The second opening 52D is positioned opposite the aforementioned through hole 42 in the vehicle longitudinal direction. The portion of the duct 50 connecting the first opening 52C and the second opening 52D is an air passage D through which air passes.

[0049] In this embodiment, as an example, the duct 50 is positioned such that its vertical centerline, i.e., the center of the air passage D, is horizontal to the vehicle 10. Furthermore, the duct 50 is positioned such that the first opening 52C and the second opening 52D are located within the vertical range of the front wheel 26, preferably slightly above the center of the front wheel 26 in the vertical direction.

[0050] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 2, the duct 50 is formed such that its inner diameter widens towards the first opening 52C. Specifically, as an example, the inner diameter B2 of the first opening 52C is wider than the inner diameter B1 of the middle section in the longitudinal direction of the curved section 52A, and the inner diameter gradually widens from the middle section in the longitudinal direction to the first opening 52C. In other words, the inner diameter gradually narrows from the first opening 52C to the middle section in the longitudinal direction. Alternatively, the inner diameter B2 of the first opening 52C may be wider than the inner diameter B3 of the rear end in the longitudinal direction of the curved section 52A, and the inner diameter may gradually widen from the rear end in the longitudinal direction of the curved section 52A to the first opening 52C.

[0051] The front fender liner 40, which integrates the aforementioned duct 50, is attached to the front wheel house 28, which is shown by a dashed line in Figure 2. Therefore, in this embodiment, a duct housing section 28A is integrally formed at the rear of the front wheel house 28, projecting inward in the vehicle width direction at the location where the duct 50 is to be installed. The duct housing section 28A is formed to be large and shaped to accommodate the duct 50, and is formed by making the rear of the front wheel house 28 protrude inward in a concave shape in the vehicle width direction.

[0052] Furthermore, a third opening 28B is formed at the front end (inner end) of the duct housing 28A, which is positioned opposite the first opening 52C of the duct 50 and communicates with the first opening 52C. Also, a fourth opening (not shown) is formed at the rear end (outer end) of the duct housing 28A, which communicates with the second opening 52D of the duct 50.

[0053] Therefore, when the front fender liner 40 is attached to the front wheel house 28, the duct 50 is housed within the duct housing 28A, and the third opening 28B and the first opening 52C are connected to each other in this order, as are the fourth opening and the second opening 52D.

[0054] (Mechanism of Action and Effects) Next, the effects and advantages of this embodiment will be described.

[0055] In the front fender liner structure S according to this embodiment, a through hole 42 is provided in the rear portion 40A of the front fender liner 40, and the duct 50 is positioned on the vehicle rear side of the through hole 42 and has a straight portion 52B that communicates with the through hole 42 and a curved portion 52A that is provided on the inside in the vehicle width direction of the front fender liner 40 and connected to the straight portion 52B. In this way, when a through hole 42 is provided in the rear portion 40A of the front fender liner 40, as shown in Figure 2, a negative pressure is generated behind the front wheel in the front wheel house 28 due to the air drawn into the front wheel 26 (indicated by arrow A1 in Figure 2).

[0056] Therefore, the negative pressure generated in the through-hole 42 allows air from inside the power unit room 16 to be drawn into the duct 50 through the first opening 52C of the curved section 52A, as indicated by arrow A2. Then, the air that has passed through the duct 50, i.e., the ventilation passage D (indicated by arrow A3 in Figure 2), can be discharged together with the air discharged from the through-hole 42 through the second opening 52D of the straight section 52B, as indicated by arrow A4. This suppresses a decrease in aerodynamic performance and reduces heat buildup inside the power unit room.

[0057] Furthermore, in the front fender liner structure S of this embodiment, the curved portion 52A has a first opening 52C at its front end, and at least a portion of the curved portion 52A on the front end of the vehicle has an inner diameter that widens towards the first opening 52C, so that the amount of air taken into the duct 50 can be increased.

[0058] Furthermore, in the front fender liner structure S of this embodiment, the straight section 52B is positioned on the rear side of the through hole 42 and has a second opening 52D that communicates with the through hole 42. Also, since the second opening 52D is provided opposite the through hole 42 in the vehicle's front-rear direction, air can be efficiently flowed from the through hole 42 to the second opening 52D.

[0059] Furthermore, in the front fender liner structure S of this embodiment, the first opening 52C is directed toward the electric fan 34 located behind the radiator 32 mounted on the vehicle 10, so that air can be efficiently taken in.

[0060] Furthermore, in the front fender liner structure S of this embodiment, the duct 50 is positioned such that its vertical centerline, i.e., the center of the air passage D, is horizontal to the vehicle 10, allowing air to pass through the duct 50 efficiently.

[0061] Furthermore, in the front fender liner structure S of this embodiment, the ventilation passage D is provided by attaching the first upper flange portion 54A and the first lower flange portion 56A of the duct 50, which is constructed separately from the front fender liner 40, to the rear portion 40A of the front fender liner 40. This allows the duct 50 to be designed without being constrained by the molding of the front fender liner 40. As a result, the shape of the duct 50 can be designed to have low hydrodynamic resistance and high exhaust efficiency. Moreover, because the duct 50 is constructed separately from the front fender liner 40, the duct 50 can be retrofitted to an existing fender liner. In addition, because the duct 50 is constructed separately from the front fender liner 40, it is possible to construct the duct 50 from a different resin material than the front fender liner 40.

[0062] <Example 1> In the front fender liner structure S of the first embodiment described above, the front fender liner 40 and the duct 50 are constructed as separate components, but the invention is not limited to this, and the two may be constructed as a single unit.

[0063] Figure 4 shows a perspective view of the front fender liner structure S1 according to the modified example 1 of the front fender liner structure S described above, and will be explained below. In this explanation, the same numbers will be used for components identical to those of the front fender liner structure S described above, and their explanations will be omitted.

[0064] As shown in Figure 4, the modified front fender liner structure S1 of the first modification is characterized in that the duct 50A is integrally formed with the front fender liner 40. Specifically, the duct 50A does not have a first upper flange portion 54A and a first lower flange portion 56A, and the upper wall 52A1 and lower wall 52A2 of the curved portion 52A of the duct 50A extend integrally from the inner surface 44A of the fender liner 40 toward the rear of the vehicle. In addition, the second upper flange portion 54B and the second lower flange portion 56B extend toward the rear of the vehicle from the outer edge in the vehicle width direction of the inner surface 44A of the fender liner 40, with their edges aligned.

[0065] (Mechanism of Action and Effects) Next, the effects and benefits of the front fender liner structure S1 according to Modification 1 will be explained.

[0066] In the front fender liner structure S1 according to Modification 1, the duct 50A is integrally formed with the front fender liner 40, which reduces the number of man-hours required for molding and the number of parts. Furthermore, because the duct 50A is integrally formed with the front fender liner 40, a mounting flange between the two is not required, and as a result, there is no step when viewed from the airflow direction. This helps to suppress the generation of wind noise.

[0067] <Modification 2> Figure 5 shows a portion of the main section of the front fender liner structure S2, which relates to the modified example 2 of the front fender liner structure S described above, and will be explained below. In this explanation, the same number will be used for components identical to those of the front fender liner structure S described above, and their explanations will be omitted.

[0068] As shown in Figure 5, in the modified front fender liner structure S2 of the 2nd example, the curved portion 52A has a first opening 52C at the vehicle front end, and the duct 50B is formed such that its inner diameter narrows from the first opening 52C towards the straight portion 52B. Specifically, as an example, the inner diameter B1 of the middle portion in the longitudinal direction of the curved portion 52A is narrower than the inner diameter B2 of the first opening 52C, and the inner diameter gradually narrows from the first opening 52C to the inner diameter B1 of the middle portion in the longitudinal direction of the curved portion 52A.

[0069] (Mechanism of Action and Effects) Next, the effects and benefits of the front fender liner structure S2 according to modified example 2 will be explained.

[0070] In the modified front fender liner structure S2, the middle section B1 in the longitudinal direction of the curved section 52A is narrower than the inner diameter B2 of the first opening 52C, which is the airflow inlet indicated by arrow A2 in the duct 50B. As a result, the air velocity increases as you move towards the straight section 52B. This makes it possible to increase the amount of air discharged through the duct 50B.

[0071] In the above modified example 2, the inner diameter B1 of the middle section in the longitudinal direction of the curved section 52A is narrower than the inner diameter B2 of the first opening 52C, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the inner diameter B4 of the second opening 52D, which is the outlet for the airflow, may be narrower than the inner diameter B2 of the first opening 52, which is the inlet for the airflow. In this case, in the duct 50B, the inner diameter B4 of the second opening 52D, which is the outlet for the airflow indicated by arrow A4, is narrower than the inner diameter B2 of the first opening 52C, which is the inlet for the airflow indicated by arrow A2, so the airflow velocity increases as you move towards the second opening 52D. Also, for example, the inner diameter may be formed to gradually narrow from the first opening 52C to the rear end in the longitudinal direction of the curved section 52A. Also, for example, the inner diameter B4 of the second opening 52D may be narrower than the inner diameter B1 of the middle section in the longitudinal direction of the curved section 52A. More specifically, the inner diameter may be gradually narrowed from the middle portion in the longitudinal direction to the second opening 52D.

[0072] <Second Embodiment> Next, a front fender liner structure S3 according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. Figure 6 is a plan cross-sectional view of the main part of the front fender liner structure S3 according to the second embodiment, corresponding to Figure 2. In the front fender liner structure S3 according to the second embodiment, components identical to those described in the first embodiment above will be given the same numbers and their descriptions will be omitted.

[0073] As shown in Figure 6, the front fender liner structure S3 of the second embodiment is characterized in that the duct 50C is extended to the vicinity of the electric fan 34. Specifically, the duct 50C is composed of a portion corresponding to the duct body portion 52 in the first embodiment described above (shown with the same reference numeral "52") and an extension portion 60 corresponding to the portion extended from the duct body portion 52.

[0074] The extension 60 extends from the front end of the duct body 52 toward the electric fan 34, and a second ventilation passage D2 is formed inside it. A first opening 62C is provided at the front end of the extension 60 in the vehicle's longitudinal direction, and a second opening 52D is provided at the rear end of the duct body 52 in the vehicle's longitudinal direction.

[0075] Furthermore, the first opening 62C is open toward the electric fan 34, and is formed so that its inner diameter widens towards the first opening 62C. Specifically, as an example, the inner diameter B5 of the first opening 62C is wider than the inner diameter B2 of the front end in the longitudinal direction of the curved portion 52A corresponding to the duct body portion 52, and is formed so that the inner diameter gradually widens from the front end in the longitudinal direction of the curved portion 52A to the first opening 62C. In other words, it is formed so that the inner diameter gradually narrows from the first opening 62C to the front end in the longitudinal direction of the curved portion 52A. It is also possible that the inner diameter gradually widens from the rear end in the longitudinal direction of the curved portion 52A to the first opening 62C.

[0076] (Mechanism of Action and Effects) Next, the effects and advantages of this embodiment will be described.

[0077] In the front fender liner structure S3 of this embodiment, the duct 50C has an extension portion 60 that extends from the front end of the duct body portion 52 in the vehicle longitudinal direction toward the electric fan 34 and has a closed cross-section to constitute a second ventilation passage D2, and a first opening 62C is provided at the front end of the extension portion 60. Therefore, the extension portion 60 brings the first opening 62C closer to the electric fan 34, so that air can be taken in more efficiently.

[0078] [supplementary explanation] In the embodiment described above, the through hole 42 and the second opening 52D are arranged opposite each other in the vehicle's longitudinal direction, but the present invention is not limited to this. As long as the through hole 42 and the second opening 52D are in communication, for example, only a portion of them may be opposite each other, or they may not necessarily be opposite each other at all.

[0079] Furthermore, in the embodiments described above, the inner diameter of the ventilation passages within the ducts 50, 50A to 50C is configured to change, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the inner diameter of the ventilation passages does not have to change.

[0080] Furthermore, in the embodiments described above, the center of the ventilation passages within the ducts 50, 50A to 50C is configured to be horizontal with respect to the vehicle 10, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The center of the ventilation passages within the ducts 50, 50A to 50C may be arranged diagonally such that the rear side of the vehicle is downward, or diagonally such that the rear side of the vehicle is upward.

[0081] Furthermore, in the embodiments described above, a front fender liner structure mounted on the front side of the vehicle 10 was described as an example of a fender liner structure, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The fender liner structure of the present invention can also be applied to a rear fender liner structure mounted on the rear side of the vehicle 10.

[0082] Furthermore, the configuration of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and the configuration can be modified as appropriate, as long as the problem can be solved. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0083] S, S1, S2, S3 Front Fender Liner Structure (Fender Liner Structure) 16 Power Unit Room 26 Front Wheel 28 Front wheel arch (wheel arch) 32 Radiator 34 Electric Fan (Fan) 40 Front Fender Liner (Fender Liner) 40A Rear 42 Through hole 44A Inner surface (inner surface in the vehicle width direction) 50, 50A, 50B, 50C ducts 52 Duct body 52A Curved section (second duct) 52B Straight section (first duct) 52C First opening 52D Second opening 54A First upper flange section (end) 56A First lower flange section (end) 60 Extension 62C First opening D. Ventilation channel (first ventilation channel) D2 Second ventilation channel

Claims

1. The fender liner is installed in the wheel well of the front wheel, A through hole provided at the rear of the fender liner in the vehicle's longitudinal direction, A duct comprising: a first duct located on the rear side of the through-hole and communicating with the through-hole; and a second duct provided on the inside of the fender liner in the vehicle width direction and connected to the first duct; A fender liner structure equipped with this feature.

2. The fender liner structure according to claim 1, wherein the duct is formed in an open cross-sectional shape and is configured as a separate component from the fender liner, and the open end of the duct is attached to the inner surface of the fender liner in the vehicle width direction.

3. The fender liner structure according to claim 1, wherein the duct is integrally configured with the fender liner.

4. The second duct has a first opening at its front end, The fender liner structure according to claim 1, wherein the duct has a portion where the inner diameter narrows as it moves from the first opening toward the first duct.

5. The second duct has a first opening at its front end, The fender liner structure according to claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the second duct on the vehicle-front side has a portion in which the inner diameter widens towards the first opening.

6. The first duct is located on the rear side of the through hole and has a second opening that communicates with the through hole. The fender liner structure according to claim 1, wherein the second opening is provided opposite the through hole in the vehicle's longitudinal direction.

7. The second duct has a first opening at its front end, The fender liner structure according to claim 1, wherein the first opening is open toward a fan located behind a radiator mounted on the vehicle.

8. The fender liner structure according to claim 7, wherein the duct has an extension portion that extends from the second duct toward the fan.

9. The fender liner is installed in the wheel well of the front wheel, A through hole provided at the rear of the fender liner in the vehicle's longitudinal direction, A duct comprising: a first duct located on the rear side of the through-hole and communicating with the through-hole; and a second duct provided on the inside of the fender liner in the vehicle width direction and connected to the first duct; A vehicle having a fender liner structure equipped with the following features.

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