Vehicle rear structure

Abstract

The goal is to obtain a rear vehicle structure that allows for rectification of airflow within the rear wheel wells and communication between the interior and exterior of the vehicle, while suppressing the intrusion of noise into the interior of the vehicle. [Solution] At the rear of the vehicle 10A, the air duct 32 is positioned so as to overlap with the vent duct 24 when viewed from the vehicle width direction, and at the duct mounting portion 22A of the quarter panel 16, the gap between the air duct 32 and the quarter panel 16 is larger at the rear of the vehicle than at the front of the vehicle.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle rear structure.

Background Art

[0002] The following Patent Document 1 discloses an invention related to a vehicle rear structure. In this vehicle rear structure, a rear outlet duct is provided inside the rear bumper cover and on the vehicle rear side of the rear wheel house to discharge the air in the rear wheel house toward the vehicle rear side of the rear bumper cover. Further, an opening is formed in the side wall on the inner side in the vehicle width direction of the rear outlet duct, and a vent duct is integrally provided on the side wall around this opening. And in this vehicle rear structure, the air in the vehicle interior flows into the rear outlet duct through the opening from the passage portion of the vent duct, and is discharged to the outside of the vehicle through the rear outlet duct.

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 the above prior art, the vehicle interior and the rear wheel house are communicated via the rear outlet duct and the vent duct, and it is conceivable that noise such as road noise enters from the rear wheel house side to the vehicle interior side.

[0005] In consideration of the above facts, an object of the present invention is to obtain a vehicle rear structure that can suppress the entry of noise into the vehicle interior while enabling the rectification of the air flow in the rear wheel house and the communication between the vehicle interior and the outside of the vehicle.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The vehicle rear structure according to the first embodiment comprises a vehicle body panel having an opening formed therein at the rear of the vehicle side of the rear wheel house, which constitutes a part of the outer side in the vehicle width direction of the rear of the vehicle body and to which a vent duct is attached that connects the inside of the vehicle interior to the outside of the vehicle interior, and an air duct arranged on the inside in the vehicle width direction of a design panel that connects the rear wheel house side to the rear side of the vehicle and constitutes a part of the design surface of the side of the vehicle, wherein the air duct is arranged so as to overlap at least a part with the vent duct when viewed from the vehicle width direction, and the gap between the air duct and the vehicle body panel at the duct mounting portion provided along the periphery of the opening in the vehicle body panel is larger on the rear of the vehicle side than on the front of the vehicle side.

[0007] According to the vehicle rear structure of the first embodiment, at the rear of the vehicle side of the rear wheel house, a portion of the outer side in the vehicle width direction of the rear of the vehicle body is made of a vehicle body panel, and a vent duct that connects the inside of the vehicle interior to the outside of the vehicle interior is attached to an opening formed in this vehicle body panel. Therefore, in this embodiment, for example, when the air pressure inside the vehicle interior becomes higher than the air pressure outside the vehicle interior, the inside of the vehicle interior and the outside of the vehicle interior can be connected via the vent duct.

[0008] Furthermore, in this embodiment, an air duct is positioned on the inside in the vehicle width direction of a design panel that constitutes a part of the design surface on the side of the vehicle, and this air duct connects the rear wheel house side to the rear side of the vehicle. Therefore, in this embodiment, when the vehicle is in motion, the air around the rear wheel house can be directed to the rear side of the vehicle via the air duct, thereby straightening the airflow around the rear of the vehicle.

[0009] Incidentally, as mentioned above, in this embodiment, since the rear wheel well side and the rear side of the vehicle are connected by an air duct, it is conceivable that noise generated in the rear wheel well will pass between the air duct and the vehicle body panel. In this case, it is conceivable that this noise will enter the passenger compartment through the vent duct located on the rear side of the rear wheel well.

[0010] In this embodiment, the air duct is positioned such that, when viewed from the vehicle width direction, at least a portion of it overlaps with the vent duct, and in the duct mounting portion provided along the periphery of the opening in the vehicle body panel, the gap between the air duct and the vehicle body panel is larger on the rear side of the vehicle than on the front side.

[0011] Therefore, in this embodiment, the front side of the vent duct is more likely to reflect noise transmitted from the rear wheel well side to the vehicle body panel between the air duct and the vehicle body panel compared to the rear side of the vent duct. As a result, in this embodiment, the likelihood of this noise being attenuated before passing through the vent duct can be increased.

[0012] The vehicle rear structure according to the second embodiment further comprises a front sound insulation portion located on the front side of the vent duct and erected inward from the air duct in the vehicle width direction, in addition to the vehicle rear structure according to the first embodiment.

[0013] According to the vehicle rear structure of the second embodiment, a front sound insulation section is located on the front side of the vent duct, extending inward from the air duct in the vehicle width direction. Therefore, in this embodiment, noise that penetrates from the rear wheel house side to the vehicle body panel side can be blocked by the front sound insulation section on the front side of the vent duct.

[0014] The vehicle rear structure according to the third embodiment is the vehicle rear structure according to the second embodiment, wherein the vertical dimension of the front sound insulation portion is larger than the vertical dimension of the vent duct.

[0015] According to the third embodiment of the vehicle rear structure, the vertical dimension of the front sound insulation portion is larger than the vertical dimension of the vent duct. Therefore, in this embodiment, the likelihood that noise transmitted from the rear wheel house side to the vehicle body panel side is blocked by the front sound insulation portion at the front of the vent duct can be increased.

[0016] The vehicle rear structure according to the fourth embodiment is a vehicle rear structure according to the second or third embodiment in which the front sound insulation portion is integrally molded with the air duct.

[0017] According to the vehicle rear structure of the fourth embodiment, the front sound insulation section is integrally molded with the air duct, thereby reducing the number of parts.

[0018] The vehicle rear structure according to the fifth embodiment is a vehicle rear structure according to any one of the second to fourth embodiments, wherein the front sound insulation portion is composed of a pair of wall portions spaced apart in the thickness direction.

[0019] According to the fifth embodiment of the vehicle rear structure, the front sound insulation section is composed of a pair of wall sections, which are spaced apart in the thickness direction. Therefore, in this embodiment, noise transmitted from the rear wheel house side to the vehicle body panel side can be attenuated by reflecting it between the pair of wall sections. In addition, in this embodiment, the pair of wall sections reinforce the air duct and ensure the bending rigidity of the air duct.

[0020] The vehicle rear structure according to the sixth embodiment is the vehicle rear structure according to the fifth embodiment, wherein the front sound insulation portion is arranged in the vehicle width direction at a narrower distance from the vehicle body panel than the distance between the wall portions.

[0021] According to the sixth embodiment of the vehicle rear structure, the pair of walls provided in the front sound insulation section are arranged in the vehicle width direction at a narrower distance from the vehicle body panel than the distance between the walls. Therefore, in this embodiment, the sound path from the front of the vehicle in the front sound insulation section toward the vent duct is expanded between the walls between the air duct and the vehicle body panel, and the likelihood of noise transmitted from the rear wheel house side toward the vehicle body panel side being reflected and attenuated between these walls can be increased. Furthermore, in this embodiment, by securing a gap between the front sound insulation section and the vehicle body panel, resistance to the airflow discharged from the vent duct toward the outside of the vehicle compartment can be reduced.

[0022] The vehicle rear structure according to the seventh aspect is the vehicle rear structure according to any one of the second to sixth aspects, wherein the vent duct includes a front protruding wall portion that protrudes outward in the vehicle width direction and extends in the vehicle vertical direction on the vehicle front side of the opening, and the front protruding wall portion is arranged so as to overlap the front sound insulation portion when viewed in the vehicle front-rear direction.

[0023] According to the vehicle rear structure according to the seventh aspect, the vent duct includes a front protruding wall portion, and this front protruding wall portion protrudes outward in the vehicle width direction and extends in the vehicle vertical direction on the vehicle front side of the opening provided in the vehicle body panel. Therefore, in this aspect, on the vehicle front side of the vent duct, the path of the noise transmitted from the rear wheel house side to the vehicle body panel side can be bent by the front protruding wall portion. And by reflecting the above noise between the front sound insulation portion and the front protruding wall portion, this noise can be attenuated.

[0024] The vehicle rear structure according to the eighth aspect is the vehicle rear structure according to the first aspect, further including a front sound insulation member that is located on the vehicle front side of the vent duct and stands upright from the vehicle body panel outward in the vehicle width direction.

[0025] According to the vehicle rear structure according to the eighth aspect, a front sound insulation member that stands upright from the vehicle body panel outward in the vehicle width direction is located on the vehicle front side of the vent duct. Therefore, in this aspect, on the vehicle front side of the vent duct, the noise transmitted from the rear wheel house side to the vehicle body panel side can be blocked by the front sound insulation member.

[0026] The vehicle rear structure according to the ninth aspect is the vehicle rear structure according to the eighth aspect, wherein the front sound insulation member is composed of a material containing urethane.

[0027] According to the vehicle rear structure according to the ninth aspect, the noise can be attenuated by reflecting the noise in the bubbles of the urethane contained in the front sound insulation member.

[0028] The rear vehicle structure according to the tenth embodiment comprises a vehicle body panel having an opening formed on the rear side of the rear wheel house that constitutes a part of the outer side in the vehicle width direction of the rear of the vehicle body and to which a vent duct that connects the interior of the vehicle to the exterior of the vehicle is attached, and an air duct that connects the rear wheel house side and the rear side of the vehicle and is located on the inside in the vehicle width direction of a design panel that constitutes a part of the design surface of the side of the vehicle, wherein the air duct is arranged so as to overlap at least a part with the vent duct when viewed from the vehicle width direction, and the gap between the air duct and the vehicle body panel at the duct mounting portion provided along the periphery of the opening in the vehicle body panel is larger on the upper side of the vehicle than on the lower side of the vehicle.

[0029] According to the tenth embodiment of the vehicle rear structure, similar to the first embodiment, the interior and exterior of the vehicle can be connected via a vent duct, and the airflow within the rear wheel well can be straightened by an air duct.

[0030] Incidentally, it is conceivable that road noise and other noises generated by contact between the rear tires and the road surface may enter from the underside of the vehicle towards the vent duct.

[0031] In this embodiment, the air duct is positioned such that, when viewed from the vehicle width direction, at least a portion of it overlaps with the vent duct, and in the duct mounting portion provided along the periphery of the opening in the vehicle body panel, the gap between the air duct and the vehicle body panel is larger on the upper side of the vehicle than on the lower side.

[0032] Therefore, in this embodiment, the underside of the vent duct is more likely to reflect noise transmitted from the underside of the vehicle to the vehicle body panel between the air duct and the vehicle body panel compared to the upper side of the vent duct. As a result, in this embodiment, the likelihood of this noise being attenuated before passing through the vent duct can be increased.

[0033] The rear vehicle structure according to the 11th embodiment further comprises a lower sound insulation portion located on the underside of the vent duct and erected inward from the air duct in the vehicle width direction, in addition to the rear vehicle structure according to the 10th embodiment.

[0034] According to the rear vehicle structure of the 11th embodiment, a lower sound-insulating section is located on the underside of the vent duct, extending inward from the air duct in the vehicle width direction. Therefore, in this embodiment, noise that would otherwise pass through from the underside of the vehicle to the vehicle body panel can be blocked by the lower sound-insulating section on the underside of the vent duct.

[0035] The rear vehicle structure according to the 12th embodiment is the rear vehicle structure according to the 11th embodiment, wherein the dimension of the lower sound insulation portion in the vehicle longitudinal direction is larger than the dimension of the vent duct in the vehicle longitudinal direction.

[0036] According to the rear vehicle structure of the 12th embodiment, the dimensions of the lower sound insulation portion in the vehicle longitudinal direction are larger than the dimensions of the vent duct in the vehicle longitudinal direction. Therefore, in this embodiment, the likelihood that noise transmitted from the underside of the vehicle to the vehicle body panel side is blocked by the lower sound insulation portion on the underside of the vent duct can be increased.

[0037] The rear vehicle structure according to the 13th embodiment is a rear vehicle structure according to the 11th embodiment or the 12th embodiment in which the lower sound insulation portion is integrally molded with the air duct.

[0038] According to the vehicle rear structure of the 13th embodiment, the lower sound insulation section is integrally molded with the air duct, thereby reducing the number of parts.

[0039] The rear vehicle structure according to the 14th embodiment is a rear vehicle structure according to any one of the 11th to 13th embodiments, wherein the lower sound insulation portion is composed of a pair of wall portions spaced apart in the thickness direction.

[0040] According to the 14th embodiment of the vehicle rear structure, the lower sound insulation section is composed of a pair of wall sections, which are spaced apart in the thickness direction. Therefore, in this embodiment, noise transmitted from the underside of the vehicle to the vehicle body panel side can be attenuated by reflecting it between the pair of wall sections. In addition, in this embodiment, the pair of wall sections reinforce the air duct and ensure the bending rigidity of the air duct.

[0041] The rear vehicle structure according to the 15th embodiment is the rear vehicle structure according to the 14th embodiment, wherein the lower sound insulation portion is arranged in the vehicle width direction at a narrower distance from the vehicle body panel than the distance between the wall portions.

[0042] According to the rear vehicle structure of the 15th embodiment, the pair of walls provided in the lower sound insulation section are arranged in the vehicle width direction at a narrower distance from the vehicle body panel than the distance between the walls. Therefore, in this embodiment, the sound path from the underside of the lower sound insulation section toward the vent duct is expanded between the walls between the air duct and the vehicle body panel, increasing the likelihood that noise transmitted from the underside of the vehicle toward the vehicle body panel will be reflected and attenuated between these walls. Furthermore, in this embodiment, by securing a gap between the lower sound insulation section and the vehicle body panel, resistance to the airflow discharged from the vent duct toward the outside of the vehicle compartment can be reduced.

[0043] The vehicle rear structure according to the 16th embodiment is a vehicle rear structure according to any one of the 11th to 15th embodiments, wherein the vent duct has a lower protruding wall portion that protrudes outward in the vehicle width direction and extends in the vehicle longitudinal direction on the lower side of the opening of the vehicle, and the lower protruding wall portion is arranged to overlap with the lower sound insulation portion when viewed from the vehicle vertical direction.

[0044] According to the 16th embodiment of the vehicle rear structure, the vent duct is provided with a lower protruding wall portion, which protrudes outward in the vehicle width direction and extends in the vehicle longitudinal direction on the underside of the opening provided in the vehicle body panel. Therefore, in this embodiment, the lower protruding wall portion on the underside of the vent duct can bend the path of noise that passes from the underside of the vehicle to the vehicle body panel side. Furthermore, the noise can be attenuated by reflecting it between the lower sound insulation portion and the lower protruding wall portion.

[0045] The vehicle rear structure according to the 17th embodiment further comprises a lower sound-insulating member located on the underside of the vehicle of the vent duct and erected outward from the vehicle body panel in the vehicle width direction, in addition to the vehicle rear structure according to the 10th embodiment.

[0046] According to the vehicle rear structure of the 17th embodiment, a lower sound-insulating member is located on the underside of the vent duct, erected from the vehicle body panel outward in the vehicle width direction. Therefore, in this embodiment, noise transmitted from the rear wheel house side to the vehicle body panel side can be blocked by the lower sound-insulating member on the underside of the vent duct.

[0047] The rear vehicle structure according to the 18th embodiment is the rear vehicle structure according to the 17th embodiment, wherein the lower sound insulation member is made up of urethane.

[0048] According to the vehicle rear structure of the 18th embodiment, noise can be attenuated by reflecting the noise within the air bubbles of the urethane contained in the lower sound insulation member. [Effects of the Invention]

[0049] As described above, the vehicle rear structure according to the present invention has the excellent effect of enabling rectification of the airflow within the rear wheel wells and communication between the interior and exterior of the vehicle, while suppressing the intrusion of noise into the interior of the vehicle. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0050] [Figure 1] This is a schematic side view showing the configuration of the rear of a vehicle to which the vehicle rear structure according to this embodiment is applied. [Figure 2] This is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the rear of a vehicle to which the vehicle rear structure according to this embodiment is applied (a cross-sectional view showing the state when cut along line 2-2 in Figure 1). [Figure 3] This is a perspective view from the front of the vehicle showing the configuration of the rear of the vehicle to which the vehicle rear structure according to this embodiment is applied. [Figure 4] This is a rear view showing the configuration of the rear of a vehicle to which the vehicle rear structure according to this embodiment is applied. [Figure 5] This is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the rear of a vehicle to which the vehicle rear structure according to this embodiment is applied (a cross-sectional view showing the state when cut along line 5-5 in Figure 1). [Figure 6] This is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the rear of a vehicle to which the vehicle rear structure according to this embodiment is applied (a cross-sectional view showing the state when cut along line 6-6 in Figure 1). [Figure 7] This is a schematic side view, seen from the inside in the vehicle width direction, showing the configuration of the air duct that constitutes the main part of the vehicle rear structure according to this embodiment. [Figure 8] This is a schematic front view, seen from the front of the vehicle, showing the configuration of the air duct, which constitutes the main part of the rear structure of the vehicle according to this embodiment. [Figure 9] This is a schematic rear view, seen from the rear of the vehicle, showing the configuration of the air duct, which constitutes the main part of the vehicle's rear structure according to this embodiment. [Figure 10] This graph compares the noise reduction effect of the sound-insulating section provided in the air duct, which constitutes the main part of the vehicle rear structure according to this embodiment, with a theoretical model when this sound-insulating section is considered as an extended-type silencer. [Figure 11] This is a schematic cross-sectional view (corresponding to Figure 5) showing the configuration of the rear of a vehicle to which the modified rear structure of this embodiment is applied. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0051] An example of an embodiment of the vehicle rear structure according to the present invention will be described below with reference to Figures 1 to 10. Arrows FR shown as appropriate in each figure indicate the front of the vehicle, arrows UP indicate the upper side of the vehicle, and arrows LH indicate the left side in the vehicle width direction.

[0052] First, using Figures 1 and 2, the schematic configuration of the rear section 10A of the vehicle 10 to which the vehicle rear structure according to this embodiment is applied will be described. In this embodiment, the vehicle 10 is basically symmetrical, so below, the configuration of the left side in the vehicle width direction of the vehicle 10 will be mainly described, and the configuration of the right side in the vehicle width direction will be omitted as appropriate.

[0053] The rear of the vehicle 10A comprises a rear body section 12A that constitutes the rear part of the vehicle body 12, and a bumper cover 14 that serves as a design panel covering the rear body section 12A.

[0054] The rear section 12A of the vehicle body includes a quarter panel 16, which is a body panel that forms part of the outer side in the vehicle width direction, and a rear wheel house 20 that houses the rear tire 18, which forms the front part of the quarter panel 16 in the rear section 12A of the vehicle body. A wheel house liner 21 is attached to the surface of the rear wheel house 20 that faces the rear tire 18.

[0055] More specifically, the quarter panel 16 is made of steel plate and is positioned with its thickness direction aligned with the vehicle width direction. This quarter panel 16 has a rectangular opening 22 when viewed from the vehicle width direction. A vent duct 24 is attached to the opening 22.

[0056] The vent duct 24 is composed of a main body portion 26 that constitutes its main part, and a plurality of on-off valves 28. The main body portion 26 is composed of an insertion portion 26A that is inserted into the vehicle compartment 30 from the opening 22, and an outer frame portion 26B that protrudes outward in the vehicle width direction from the insertion portion 26A.

[0057] The insertion portion 26A has a rectangular tubular shape on its outer circumference and a grid-like shape on its inner side when viewed from the vehicle width direction. When inserted into the passenger compartment 30 through the opening 22, it is attached to the opening 22 via a locking portion (not shown), more specifically, to the duct mounting portion 22A provided along the periphery of the opening 22 in the quarter panel 16. The duct mounting portion 22A refers to the portion of the vent duct 24 in the quarter panel 16 that is covered by or in contact with the outer frame portion 26B when the vent duct 24 is attached to the opening 22.

[0058] The outer frame portion 26B is rectangular in shape when viewed from the vehicle width direction. Specifically, the outer frame portion 26B is composed of an upper protruding wall portion 26B1 which constitutes the upper part of the vehicle and whose thickness direction is in the vehicle's vertical direction, a front protruding wall portion 26B2 which constitutes the front part of the vehicle and whose thickness direction is in the vehicle's longitudinal direction, a rear protruding wall portion 26B3 which constitutes the rear part of the vehicle and whose thickness direction is in the vehicle's longitudinal direction, and a lower protruding wall portion 26B4 which constitutes the lower part of the vehicle and whose thickness direction is in the vehicle's vertical direction.

[0059] On the other hand, the on-off valve 28 is made of an elastically deformable material (elastic body) such as rubber and is in the shape of a rectangular sheet extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. Multiple on-off valves 28 are arranged in a row in the vertical direction of the vehicle on the outside of the insertion portion 26A in the vehicle width direction, and their upper edges are pivotably attached to the insertion portion 26A.

[0060] In the vent duct 24 configured as described above, when the air pressure inside the passenger compartment 30 becomes higher than the air pressure outside the passenger compartment 30, such as when an air conditioning system (not shown) is in operation or when a door (not shown) is opened or closed, each on-off valve 28 is pushed and oscillated by the air inside the passenger compartment 30, and the inside of the passenger compartment 30 and the outside of the passenger compartment 30 are connected via the vent duct 24.

[0061] On the other hand, the bumper cover 14 is composed of a rear wall portion 14A that forms part of the design surface on the rear side of the vehicle 10, and a side wall portion 14B that forms part of the design surface on the side side of the vehicle 10 and covers the vent duct 24 from the outside in the vehicle width direction. In this embodiment, the air duct 32 is positioned on the inside in the vehicle width direction of the side wall portion 14B and on the outside in the vehicle width direction of the quarter panel 16.

[0062] The air duct 32 is made of resin and, as shown in Figures 3 and 4, consists of a cylindrical duct body 34 that opens into the rear wheel house 20 at the front of the vehicle and into the rear wall 14A of the bumper cover 14 at the rear of the vehicle, and a sound insulation part 36 that is integrally provided with the duct body 34. In other words, in this embodiment, the duct body 34 is responsible for the main aerodynamic function of the air duct 32.

[0063] More specifically, the duct body 34, when viewed from the vehicle's vertical direction, follows the design surface of the bumper cover 14, extending from the outer edge of the rear wheel house 20 inward in the vehicle width direction and toward the rear of the vehicle, and covering the entire vent duct 24 when viewed from the vehicle width direction. The cross-sectional shape of the duct body 34 when viewed from the vehicle's front-rear direction is rectangular with the vehicle's vertical direction as its longitudinal direction. The duct body 34 is attached to the bumper cover 14 or quarter panel 16 via mounting members (not shown). Furthermore, the duct body 34 does not necessarily have to cover the entire vent duct 24 when viewed from the vehicle width direction; it is sufficient for a portion of the duct body 34 to overlap with the vent duct 24 when viewed from the vehicle width direction.

[0064] On the other hand, the sound insulation section 36 is composed of a pair of sound insulation wall sections 38, as shown in Figures 8 and 9. This sound insulation wall section 38 includes a front wall section 38A which constitutes the front part of the vehicle and extends in the vertical direction of the vehicle with its plate thickness direction being the vehicle's longitudinal direction, and a lower wall section 38B which constitutes the lower part of the vehicle and extends in the vehicle's longitudinal direction with its plate thickness direction being the vehicle's longitudinal direction, and is formed in an L-shape when viewed from the vehicle's width direction.

[0065] These sound-insulating wall sections 38 are arranged at regular intervals in the thickness direction of the sound-insulating wall section 38. In the following, the assembly of a pair of front wall sections 38A will be referred to as the front sound-insulating section 36A, and the assembly of a pair of lower wall sections 38B will be referred to as the lower sound-insulating section 36B.

[0066] As shown in Figure 1, the front wall portion 38A is located on the front side of the vent duct 24, and the lower wall portion 38B is located on the underside of the vent duct 24. Furthermore, the vertical dimension of the front wall portion 38A is larger than the vertical dimension of the vent duct 24. In addition, the longitudinal dimension of the lower wall portion 38B is larger than the longitudinal dimension of the vent duct 24.

[0067] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as shown in Figures 2 and 5, since the front sound insulation portion 36A is provided on the air duct 32, in the area where the lower sound insulation portion 36B is not provided in the vertical direction of the vehicle, the gap between the air duct 32 and the quarter panel 16 is larger on the rear side of the opening 22 than on the front side of the opening 22 of the vehicle at the duct mounting portion 22A of the quarter panel 16.

[0068] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the front sound insulation portion 36A is positioned in the vehicle width direction at a narrower distance from the quarter panel 16 than the distance between the front wall portions 38A.

[0069] In addition, in this embodiment, the front protruding wall portion 26B2 of the vent duct 24 is positioned to overlap with the front sound insulation portion 36A when viewed from the front-rear direction of the vehicle.

[0070] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as shown in Figures 2 and 6, the lower sound insulation portion 36B is provided on the air duct 32. In the area where the front sound insulation portion 36A is not provided in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, the gap between the air duct 32 and the quarter panel 16 is larger on the upper side of the opening 22 than on the lower side of the opening 22 of the vehicle at the duct mounting portion 22A of the quarter panel 16.

[0071] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the lower sound insulation portion 36B is positioned in the vehicle width direction at a narrower distance from the quarter panel 16 than the distance between the lower wall portions 38B.

[0072] In addition, in this embodiment, the lower protruding wall portion 26B4 of the vent duct 24 is positioned to overlap with the lower sound insulation portion 36B when viewed from the vertical direction of the vehicle.

[0073] (Operation and effects of this embodiment) Next, the operation and effects of this embodiment will be described.

[0074] In this embodiment, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, a portion of the outer side in the vehicle width direction of the rear part 12A of the vehicle body is composed of a quarter panel 16 at the rear of the vehicle side of the rear wheel house 20, and a vent duct 24 is attached to an opening 22 formed in this quarter panel 16 to connect the inside of the passenger compartment 30 with the outside of the passenger compartment 30. Therefore, in this embodiment, for example, when the air pressure inside the passenger compartment 30 becomes higher than the air pressure outside the passenger compartment 30, the inside of the passenger compartment 30 and the outside of the passenger compartment 30 can be connected via the vent duct 24.

[0075] Furthermore, in this embodiment, an air duct 32 is positioned on the inside in the vehicle width direction of the side wall portion 14B of the bumper cover 14, which constitutes a part of the design surface on the side of the vehicle 10, and this air duct 32 connects the rear wheel house 20 side with the rear side of the vehicle 10. Therefore, in this embodiment, when the vehicle 10 is in motion, the air around the rear wheel house 20 is directed to the rear side of the vehicle 10 via the air duct 32, thereby straightening the airflow around the rear of the vehicle 10A, particularly around the bumper cover 14.

[0076] Incidentally, as mentioned above, in this embodiment, since the rear wheelhouse 20 and the rear side of the vehicle 10 are connected by the air duct 32, it is conceivable that noise generated in the rear wheelhouse 20 and road noise generated by the contact between the rear tire 18 and the road surface will pass between the air duct 32 and the quarter panel 16. At this time, it is conceivable that this noise will enter the passenger compartment 30 through the vent duct 24 located on the rear side of the rear wheelhouse 20.

[0077] In this embodiment, the air duct 32 is positioned such that at least a portion of it overlaps with the vent duct 24 when viewed from the vehicle width direction, and the gap between the air duct 32 and the quarter panel 16 is larger on the rear side of the vehicle than on the front side of the vehicle at the duct mounting portion 22A provided along the periphery of the opening 22 in the quarter panel 16.

[0078] Therefore, in this embodiment, the front side of the vent duct 24 is more likely to reflect noise transmitted from the rear wheel house 20 to the quarter panel 16 between the air duct 32 and the quarter panel 16 compared to the rear side of the vent duct 24. As a result, in this embodiment, the likelihood that this noise will be attenuated before passing through the vent duct 24 can be increased.

[0079] Furthermore, in this embodiment, a front sound-insulating section 36A is located on the front side of the vent duct 24, extending inward in the vehicle width direction from the duct body 34 of the air duct 32. Therefore, in this embodiment, noise transmitted from the rear wheel house 20 side to the quarter panel 16 side can be blocked by the front sound-insulating section 36A on the front side of the vent duct 24.

[0080] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the vertical dimension of the front sound insulation section 36A is larger than the vertical dimension of the vent duct 24. Therefore, in this embodiment, the likelihood that noise transmitted from the rear wheel house 20 to the quarter panel 16 is blocked by the front sound insulation section 36A at the front of the vent duct 24 can be increased.

[0081] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the sound-insulating section 36, including the front sound-insulating section 36A and the lower sound-insulating section 36B, is integrally molded with the duct body section 34, thereby reducing the number of parts.

[0082] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as also shown in Figure 7, the front sound insulation section 36A is composed of a pair of front wall sections 38A, and these front wall sections 38A are spaced apart in the thickness direction. Therefore, in this embodiment, noise transmitted from the rear wheel house 20 side to the quarter panel 16 side can be attenuated by reflecting it between the pair of front wall sections 38A. In addition, in this embodiment, the pair of front wall sections 38A reinforces the air duct 32, ensuring the bending rigidity of the air duct 32.

[0083] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the pair of front wall portions 38A of the front sound insulation portion 36A are arranged in the vehicle width direction at a narrower distance from the quarter panel 16 than the distance between the front wall portions 38A. Therefore, in this embodiment, the sound path from the front of the vehicle of the front sound insulation portion 36A toward the vent duct 24 between the air duct 32 and the quarter panel 16 is expanded between the front wall portions 38A, and the likelihood that noise transmitted from the rear wheel house 20 side toward the quarter panel 16 side will be reflected and attenuated between the front wall portions 38A can be increased.

[0084] Here, in a model that simulates the portion per unit length of the front sound-insulating section 36A, microphones were placed on either side of the model in the thickness direction of the portion corresponding to the front wall section 38A, and a predetermined sound was transmitted from one side in the thickness direction toward the model. The relationship between the transmission loss TL (dB) and the frequency f (Hz) was shown by the solid line G1 in Figure 10.

[0085] On the other hand, when the portion of the front sound-insulating section 36A per unit length is considered as an extended silencer, the transmission loss TL (dB) can be calculated using the following formula.

[0086]

number

[0087] The relationship between the transmission loss TL obtained by equation (A) and the frequency f is shown by the dashed line G2 in Figure 10, and the dashed line G2 and the solid line G1 can be considered to be approximate. In other words, in this embodiment, the front sound insulation section 36A and by extension the sound insulation section 36 can be considered to function as an extended silencer.

[0088] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as shown in Figure 2, by securing a gap between the front sound insulation section 36A and the quarter panel 16, resistance to the airflow discharged from the vent duct 24 to the outside of the passenger compartment 30 can be reduced.

[0089] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the vent duct 24 is equipped with a front protruding wall portion 26B2, which protrudes outward in the vehicle width direction and extends in the vehicle vertical direction on the vehicle front side of the opening 22 provided in the quarter panel 16. Therefore, in this embodiment, on the vehicle front side of the vent duct 24, the path of noise transmitted from the rear wheel house 20 side to the quarter panel 16 side can be bent by the front protruding wall portion 26B2. Then, by reflecting the above noise between the front sound insulation portion 36A and the front protruding wall portion 26B2, this noise can be attenuated.

[0090] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as shown in Figure 6, in the duct mounting portion 22A provided along the periphery of the opening 22 in the quarter panel 16, the gap between the air duct 32 and the quarter panel 16 is larger on the upper side of the vehicle than on the lower side of the vehicle.

[0091] Therefore, in this embodiment, the underside of the vent duct 24 is more likely to reflect noise transmitted from the underside of the vehicle to the quarter panel 16 side between the air duct 32 and the quarter panel 16 compared to the upper side of the vent duct 24. As a result, in this embodiment, the likelihood that this noise will be attenuated before passing through the vent duct 24 can be increased.

[0092] Furthermore, in this embodiment, a lower sound insulation section 36B is located on the underside of the vent duct 24, extending inward in the vehicle width direction from the duct body 34 of the air duct 32. Therefore, in this embodiment, noise that would otherwise pass through from the underside of the vehicle to the quarter panel 16 can be blocked by the lower sound insulation section 36B on the underside of the vent duct 24.

[0093] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as shown in Figure 1, the dimensions of the lower sound insulation section 36B in the vehicle longitudinal direction are larger than the dimensions of the vent duct 24 in the vehicle longitudinal direction. Therefore, in this embodiment, the likelihood that noise transmitted from the underside of the vehicle to the quarter panel 16 side is blocked by the lower sound insulation section 36B on the underside of the vent duct 24 is increased.

[0094] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as also shown in Figure 6, the lower sound insulation section 36B is composed of a pair of lower wall sections 38B, and these lower wall sections 38B are spaced apart in the thickness direction. Therefore, in this embodiment, noise transmitted from the underside of the vehicle to the quarter panel 16 side can be attenuated by reflecting it between the pair of lower wall sections 38B. In addition, in this embodiment, the pair of lower wall sections 38B reinforce the air duct 32, ensuring the bending rigidity of the air duct 32.

[0095] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the pair of lower wall portions 38B of the lower sound insulation portion 36B are arranged in the vehicle width direction at a narrower distance from the quarter panel 16 than the distance between the lower wall portions 38B. Therefore, in this embodiment, the sound path from the underside of the vehicle of the lower sound insulation portion 36B toward the vent duct 24 is expanded between the lower wall portions 38B between the air duct 32 and the quarter panel 16, and the likelihood that noise transmitted from the underside of the vehicle toward the quarter panel 16 is reflected and attenuated between the lower wall portions 38B can be increased.

[0096] Furthermore, in this embodiment, by ensuring a gap between the side sound insulation portion 36B and the quarter panel 16, resistance to the airflow discharged from the vent duct 24 to the outside of the passenger compartment 30 can be reduced.

[0097] In addition, in this embodiment, as shown in Figure 1, the vent duct 24 is equipped with a lower protruding wall portion 26B4, which protrudes outward in the vehicle width direction and extends in the vehicle longitudinal direction on the underside of the opening 22 provided in the quarter panel 16. Therefore, in this embodiment, on the underside of the vent duct 24, the path of noise that penetrates from the underside of the vehicle to the quarter panel 16 side can be bent by the lower protruding wall portion 26B4. Then, by reflecting the above noise between the lower sound insulation portion 36B and the lower protruding wall portion 26B4, this noise can be attenuated.

[0098] As described above, in this embodiment, it is possible to rectify the airflow within the rear wheel well 20 and enable communication between the inside and outside of the passenger compartment 30, while suppressing the intrusion of noise into the inside of the passenger compartment 30.

[0099] <Variation> A modified example of the above-described embodiment will be explained below with reference to Figure 11. In this modified example, the air duct 32 includes a duct body 34, but does not include a sound insulation section 36.

[0100] On the other hand, the quarter panel 16 is provided with a sound-insulating section 40, which comprises a front sound-insulating member 42 and a lower sound-insulating member 44.

[0101] More specifically, the front sound insulation member 42 is primarily made of urethane and is shaped like a rectangular parallelepiped extending in the vertical direction of the vehicle. This front sound insulation member 42 is located on the front side of the vent duct 24 and is erected from the quarter panel 16 outward in the vehicle width direction. In other words, the front sound insulation member 42 is positioned in the same location as the front sound insulation section 36A in the vehicle's longitudinal direction. The front sound insulation member 42 is joined to the quarter panel 16 by a joint (not shown) made of adhesive or the like. The front sound insulation member 42 may be in close contact with the duct body 34 or it may be positioned with a gap between them.

[0102] On the other hand, the lower sound insulation member 44, like the front sound insulation member 42, is mainly made of urethane and is a rectangular parallelepiped extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. This lower sound insulation member 44 is located on the underside of the vent duct 24 and is erected outward from the quarter panel 16 in the vehicle width direction. That is, the lower sound insulation member 44 is positioned in the same location as the lower sound insulation section 36B in the vehicle's vertical direction. The lower sound insulation member 44 is joined to the quarter panel 16 by a joint made of adhesive or the like (not shown). The lower sound insulation member 44 may be in close contact with the duct body 34 or it may be positioned with a gap between them.

[0103] With this configuration, at the front of the vent duct 24, noise transmitted from the rear wheel house 20 to the quarter panel 16 can be blocked by the front sound insulation member 42. Also, at the underside of the vent duct 24, noise transmitted from the underside of the vehicle to the quarter panel 16 can be blocked by the lower sound insulation member 44.

[0104] Furthermore, in this modified example, the noise can be attenuated by reflecting it within the urethane bubbles contained in the front sound-insulating member 42 and the lower sound-insulating member 44.

[0105] <Supplementary explanation of the above embodiment> (1) In the above-described embodiment, a sound-insulating section 36 was provided in the air duct 32, but depending on the specifications of the vehicle 10, a configuration without a sound-insulating section 36 may be adopted for the air duct 32. In addition, if such a configuration is adopted, the air duct 32 may be configured such that the gap between the duct body 34 and the quarter panel 16 at the duct mounting section 22A of the quarter panel 16 is larger on the rear side of the vehicle than on the front side. In addition, the air duct 32 may be configured such that the gap between the duct body 34 and the quarter panel 16 at the duct mounting section 22A of the quarter panel 16 is larger on the upper side of the vehicle than on the lower side.

[0106] (2) In the above-described embodiment, the sound insulation section 36 was provided integrally with the duct body section 34, but depending on the specifications of the vehicle 10, a configuration in which the sound insulation section 36 is separate from the duct body section 34 may be adopted.

[0107] (3) In the above-described embodiment, the sound insulation section 36 was composed of a pair of sound insulation wall sections 38, but depending on the specifications of the vehicle 10, the sound insulation section 36 may be composed of a single sound insulation wall section 38. Also, the sound insulation section 36 may be a bulging section that protrudes inward in the vehicle width direction from the duct body section 34, and whose cross-sectional shape, when viewed from its extending direction, is U-shaped with the outer side in the vehicle width direction open. Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the sound insulation wall section 38 was formed in an L-shape when viewed from the vehicle width direction, but depending on the specifications of the vehicle 10, the sound insulation wall section 38 may be formed in a U-shape with the upper or rear side of the vehicle open, or the sound insulation wall section 38 may be composed of only the front wall section 38A or the lower wall section 38B.

[0108] (4) In addition, although the duct body 34 was made of a single component in the above-described embodiment, the configuration of the duct body is not limited to this. For example, depending on the specifications of the vehicle 10, the outer side of the duct body in the vehicle width direction may be made of the design panel of the vehicle 10, and the inner side of the duct body in the vehicle width direction may be made of a hat-shaped component whose cross-section, when viewed from the front-rear direction of the vehicle, is open on the outer side in the vehicle width direction. [Explanation of symbols]

[0109] 10 vehicles 12A Rear of the vehicle 14. Bumper cover (decorative panel) 16 Quarter Panel (Vehicle Body Panel) 20 Rear wheel arch 22 Opening 22A Duct mounting section 24 Vent Duct 30 Cabin 26B2 Front protruding wall 26B4 Lower protruding wall 32 Air duct 36A Front sound insulation section 36B Lower sound insulation section 38A Front wall section (wall section) 38B Lower wall (wall) 42 Front sound insulation member 44 Lower sound insulation member

Claims

1. A body panel formed on the rear side of the rear wheel arch, which constitutes a part of the outer width direction of the rear of the vehicle body, and has an opening into which a vent duct is attached that connects the interior and exterior of the vehicle, An air duct is located on the inside in the vehicle width direction of a design panel that connects the rear wheel house side and the rear side of the vehicle and forms part of the design surface of the side of the vehicle, Equipped with, The air duct is positioned such that it overlaps with the vent duct in at least a portion when viewed from the vehicle width direction, and the gap between the air duct and the vehicle body panel at the duct mounting portion provided along the periphery of the opening in the vehicle body panel is larger on the rear side of the vehicle than on the front side. Rear structure of the vehicle.

2. The vent duct is located on the front side of the vehicle and further comprises a front sound insulation section erected from the air duct toward the inward direction in the vehicle width direction, The vehicle rear structure according to claim 1.

3. The dimensions of the front sound insulation section in the vehicle's vertical direction are larger than the dimensions of the vent duct in the vehicle's vertical direction. The vehicle rear structure according to claim 2.

4. The aforementioned front sound-insulating section is integrally molded with the air duct. The vehicle rear structure according to claim 2.

5. The aforementioned front sound-insulating section is composed of a pair of wall sections spaced apart in the thickness direction. The vehicle rear structure according to claim 2.

6. The aforementioned front sound-insulating section is positioned in the vehicle width direction at a distance from the vehicle body panel that is narrower than the distance between the wall sections. The vehicle rear structure according to claim 5.

7. The vent duct includes a front protruding wall portion that protrudes outward in the vehicle width direction and extends in the vehicle vertical direction at the front side of the opening of the vehicle, The aforementioned front protruding wall portion is positioned so as to overlap with the aforementioned front sound insulation portion when viewed from the front-rear direction of the vehicle. The vehicle rear structure according to claim 2.

8. The vent duct is further provided with a front sound-insulating member located on the front side of the vehicle and erected outward from the vehicle body panel in the vehicle width direction, The vehicle rear structure according to claim 1.

9. The aforementioned front sound-insulating member is made up of urethane. The vehicle rear structure according to claim 8.

10. A body panel formed on the rear side of the rear wheel arch, which constitutes a part of the outer width direction of the rear of the vehicle body, and has an opening into which a vent duct that connects the interior and exterior of the vehicle is attached, An air duct is located on the inside in the vehicle width direction of a design panel that connects the rear wheel house side and the rear side of the vehicle and forms part of the design surface of the side of the vehicle, Equipped with, The air duct is positioned such that it overlaps with the vent duct in at least a portion when viewed from the vehicle width direction, and the gap between the air duct and the vehicle body panel at the duct mounting portion provided along the periphery of the opening in the vehicle body panel is larger on the upper side of the vehicle than on the lower side. Rear structure of the vehicle.

11. The vent duct is located on the underside of the vehicle and further comprises a lower sound-insulating section erected from the air duct toward the inward direction in the vehicle width direction, The vehicle rear structure according to claim 10.

12. The dimensions of the lower sound insulation section in the vehicle's longitudinal direction are larger than the dimensions of the vent duct in the vehicle's longitudinal direction. The vehicle rear structure according to claim 11.

13. The lower sound-insulating section is integrally molded with the air duct. The vehicle rear structure according to claim 11.

14. The lower sound-insulating section is composed of a pair of wall sections spaced apart in the thickness direction. The vehicle rear structure according to claim 11.

15. The lower sound-insulating section is positioned in the vehicle width direction at a distance from the vehicle body panel that is narrower than the distance between the wall sections. The vehicle rear structure according to claim 14.

16. The vent duct includes a lower protruding wall portion that protrudes outward in the vehicle width direction and extends in the vehicle longitudinal direction on the lower side of the opening of the vehicle, The aforementioned lower protruding wall portion is positioned so as to overlap with the aforementioned lower sound insulation portion when viewed from the vertical direction of the vehicle. The vehicle rear structure according to claim 11.

17. The vent duct is further provided with a lower sound-insulating member located on the underside of the vehicle and erected outward from the vehicle body panel in the vehicle width direction, The vehicle rear structure according to claim 10.

18. The aforementioned lower sound-insulating member is made up of urethane. The vehicle rear structure according to claim 17.

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