Vehicle structure

Abstract

To improve comfort inside the vehicle. [Solution] The present invention divides the vehicle into an upper and lower section at a predetermined height, and provides a cooling plate on the outer panel 11 of the vehicle in the upper section that maintains a temperature lower than the temperature of the interior space of the vehicle by radiative cooling, and provides an insulating structure in the lower section of the vehicle in the area that separates the outside from the inside of the vehicle.

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, the interior of a vehicle is configured such that air conditioning equipment such as an air conditioner is installed to control the interior of the vehicle so that it does not become excessively hot. In the conventional technology related to temperature control in the vehicle interior, the vehicle body is divided into an upper part and a lower part of the vehicle body with a substantially horizontal boundary line, a means having a reflection function is provided in the upper part of the vehicle body, and a means having a heat dissipation function is provided in the lower part of the vehicle body.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in summer, warm air tends to accumulate in the upper part, and it is difficult to dissipate heat from the lower part. Therefore, the effect of promoting the comfort of the interior temperature is small. On the other hand, in winter, due to the heat dissipation function of the lower part of the vehicle body, the temperature of the internal space tends to drop. Therefore, there is room for improving the comfort according to the interior temperature.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle structure that improves the comfort of the vehicle interior.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] One aspect of the present invention divides a vehicle into an upper part and a lower part at a prescribed height. Then, a cooling plate that maintains a temperature lower than the temperature of the internal space of the vehicle by radiative cooling is provided on the outer panel of the vehicle in the upper part of the vehicle. Further, a heat insulation structure is provided in the lower part of the vehicle in a region that partitions the outside and the inside of the vehicle compartment.

[0007] The above vehicle structure can improve comfort inside the vehicle. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This is a schematic diagram showing a cross-section along the vehicle width direction, representing a vehicle structure according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a schematic diagram showing a vehicle structure according to an embodiment, specifically a high-thermal-conductivity member provided on the upper part of the vehicle. [Figure 3] This is a schematic diagram showing a vehicle structure according to an embodiment, with a cross-section along the front-rear direction, and illustrating a blower fan (first blower) that provides airflow into the cabin. [Figure 4] This is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the blower fan according to the embodiment when cooling the interior of a vehicle. [Figure 5] This is a schematic diagram showing a cross-section along the front-rear direction and illustrating a modified example of a high-heat-conductivity member installed on the upper part of a vehicle. [Figure 6] This is a schematic diagram showing a cross-section along the width direction of the vehicle and illustrating a modified example of a high-heat-conductivity member installed on the upper part of the vehicle. [Figure 7] This is a schematic diagram showing a high thermal conductivity member related to a modified example of Figure 6. [Figure 8] This is a modified version of Figure 6, showing a cross-section along the front-rear direction and illustrating a high-heat-conductivity member installed on the upper part of the vehicle. [Figure 9] This is a schematic diagram of a vehicle structure relating to a modified example of Figure 3, showing a cross-section along the front-rear direction, and illustrating a blower fan (first blower) that provides airflow into the cabin. [Figure 10] This is a schematic diagram illustrating a modified vehicle structure of Figure 3, showing a cross-section along the front-rear direction, and illustrating the airflow when a blower fan (second blower) is installed on the seat. [Figure 11] This is a schematic diagram showing the airflow when a blower fan is installed on the sheet in a modified example of Figure 10. [Figure 12] This is a schematic diagram illustrating a modified vehicle structure of Figure 3, showing a cross-section along the longitudinal direction, and illustrating the airflow when a blower fan is installed on the seat. [Figure 13] This is a schematic diagram showing the airflow when a blower fan is installed on the sheet in a modified example of Figure 12. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the attached drawings. In the drawings, the same reference numerals are used for identical components, and redundant descriptions are omitted. In the drawings, the size and proportions of each component are exaggerated to facilitate understanding of the embodiments and may differ from the actual size and proportions.

[0010] In each figure, arrows denoted by X, Y, and Z indicate the orientation of the components constituting the vehicle structure according to the embodiment. X represents the longitudinal direction of the vehicle and is denoted as longitudinal direction X. Y represents the width direction of the vehicle and is denoted as vehicle width direction Y. Z represents the height direction of the vehicle and is denoted as height direction Z.

[0011] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing a cross-section along the vehicle width direction Y of a vehicle structure according to an embodiment. Figure 2 is a schematic diagram showing the upper part of a vehicle showing a vehicle structure according to an embodiment. Figure 3 is a schematic diagram showing a cross-section along the longitudinal direction X of a vehicle structure according to an embodiment, illustrating a configuration for blowing air into the cabin.

[0012] The vehicle structure according to this embodiment can be widely used for four-wheeled vehicles, including gasoline vehicles, EVs (electric vehicles), and FCVs (fuel cell vehicles). As shown in Figures 1 and 3, the vehicle structure according to this embodiment comprises an upper body section 10, a lower body section 20, and an air conditioning unit including a blower fan 30 (corresponding to the first blower). The following will be a description.

[0013] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the upper body portion 10 and the lower body portion 20 of the vehicle body divided at a specified height are configured to have the structures shown below. A cooling plate for radiating the heat in the interior space of the vehicle to the outside of the vehicle by radiative cooling can be provided on the outer panel 11 of the vehicle in the upper body portion 10 of the vehicle. Such a cooling plate is made of a metamaterial, painted with a paint having infrared reflection and radiative cooling performance, or composed of metal or the like, and has a radiative cooling function itself, and known ones as cooling sheets and structures in fields such as moving bodies and buildings can be used. The upper part of the vehicle refers to, for example, the part above the lower end of the side window glass when the lower end of the side window glass is used as a reference. Further, as a member other than the cooling plate, a member that promotes the heat radiation of the indoor heat, such as infrared reflecting glass, can be used for the window glass.

[0014] And, in the lower body portion 20 of the vehicle, a heat insulation structure can be provided in the region partitioning the outside and the inside of the vehicle compartment. The heat insulation structure can be realized by sandwiching a heat insulation material such as a vacuum heat insulation material, aerogel, or polyurethane between an interior material including a carpet material and a vehicle body panel. Although an arbitrary position in the front-rear direction X of the vehicle is illustrated in FIG. 1, the heat insulation structure can be provided between the boundary and the carpet in the front of the vehicle, and can be provided between the boundary and the lower part of the vehicle compartment in the rear. By configuring in this way, in a vehicle having a cooling outer plate by radiative cooling, it is possible to perform heat exchange with the air that tends to accumulate in the upper part of the interior through interior parts. Thereby, the temperature of the internal space can be reduced. Further, in winter, by adopting a heat insulation structure for the lower body portion 20, the influence of heat radiation can be reduced, and it is possible to make it difficult to lower the temperature of the air in the vehicle compartment.

[0015] As described above, the boundary (specified height) between the portion where the outer panel 11 is provided and the portion where the heat insulation structure is provided can be, for example, the lower end of the window glass on the side of the vehicle. Thereby, the heat dissipation property of the portion where heat is likely to be trapped can be improved. In particular, the temperature of the air that is easily affected by solar radiation and is likely to increase in temperature can be actively lowered. Thereby, the air temperature of the part where the skin exposure such as the head of the occupant is large can be lowered, and the comfort can be improved.

[0016] Among the upper body part 10, as the structure near the roof, a high heat conductivity member 13 having a high heat conductivity for transferring the heat in the vehicle interior to the cooling plate can be arranged between the outer panel 11 and the interior of the vehicle (see FIG. 2). Here, the high heat conductivity member 13 can include polyamides such as nylon, polyesters such as PET, polycarbonate, polyphenylene sulfide, polyimide, graphite sheet, silicon sheet, alumina sheet, copper sheet, graphite composite sheet, and the like.

[0017] By configuring as described above, a heat circuit with the cooling plate (outer panel 11) is formed through the high heat conductivity member 13 from the air contact surface of the vehicle interior, and the heat in the upper part of the vehicle interior can be dissipated from the interior surface to the outside of the vehicle to lower the temperature in the vehicle interior. Also, by configuring the high heat conductivity member 13 as described above, the temperature in the vehicle interior can be lowered without significantly changing the interior shape. Note that the component that the high heat conductivity member 13 contacts may be the outer panel 11 itself, or as shown in FIGS. 2, 5, 6, 7, 8, etc., the outer panel 11 may be reinforced, and it may be the reinforcing plate 12 provided inside the outer panel 11. Further, the high heat conductivity member 13 may be provided instead of a normal trim component (interior trim), or a conventional trim component may be provided further inside the high heat conductivity member 13, and slits may be provided in the trim component so that the heat in the vehicle interior is transmitted to the high heat conductivity member 13. The high heat conductivity member 13 is not particularly limited as long as it can transfer heat to the outer panel 11. For example of the specific shape of the high heat conductivity member 13, as shown in FIG. 2, a relatively rigid member having a corrugated shape (concave and convex shape) in cross section extending in the front-rear direction X can be arranged to contact the cooling plate or the reinforcing plate 12 located inside the cooling plate. Note that as long as the heat in the vehicle interior can be transferred to the outside, the number of concavities and convexities in the high heat conductivity member 13 is not limited to FIG. 3. Also, for the sake of convenience, the illustration of the high heat conductivity member 13 is omitted in FIG. 1 (the same applies to FIGS. 3, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13).

[0018] The air conditioning unit is configured to regulate the room temperature by blowing air or by blowing temperature-controlled gas. The air conditioning unit includes outlets, a blower fan 30, a compressor, an evaporator, a heater core, and other components. The outlets are included in the lower body and can be provided along the vehicle width direction Y on the upper surface of the instrument panel, either in the center, near both left and right ends, or near the lower end of the window glass, as shown in Figure 3. The blower fan 30 is located inside the instrument panel, and several rotation speeds can be set, allowing the user to select which rotation speed to use. The air conditioning unit can be controlled by an ECU (hereinafter referred to as the control unit 40), etc. The temperature of the vehicle interior can be detected by a temperature sensor (room temperature sensor) installed inside the instrument panel.

[0019] When the blower fan 30 rotates, either internal or external air is drawn into the air conditioning unit. The compressor drives the refrigerant to the evaporator, and the air drawn into the air conditioning unit passes through the evaporator for dehumidification and cooling. The air that has passed through the evaporator is heated by passing through the heater core at a rate corresponding to the opening of the air-mixed door, or it bypasses the heater core as air.

[0020] The air that passes through or bypasses the heater core is mixed downstream of the heater core to generate conditioned air. This conditioned air is then blown out through the aforementioned outlets.

[0021] The above-mentioned air conditioning unit can be operated in the following cases, separate from the above-mentioned operation while driving. Figure 4 is a flowchart showing the operation when the air conditioning unit according to the embodiment cools the interior of the vehicle. The temperature inside the vehicle can be adjusted using the above-mentioned air conditioning unit as follows. First, the control unit 40, such as the ECU, is configured to operate the air conditioning unit and determines whether the vehicle is currently parked or stopped (S1). Parking or stopping can be determined by whether the car key is turned on or by the detection result of a seat sensor installed on the seat, etc.

[0022] If the vehicle is not parked (S1:NO), the air conditioning unit can easily adjust the temperature, so the control unit 40 causes the air conditioning unit to adjust the temperature and send air from the outlet based on the user's operation (S2).

[0023] If the vehicle is parked or stopped (S1:YES), the control unit 40 checks the room temperature using a temperature sensor installed inside the vehicle (S3). If the room temperature is above a predetermined value (S3:YES), the control unit 40 checks whether the side window glass is completely closed (S5). The position of the side window glass can be determined, for example, by installing a reflective sensor inside the side door and detecting that if the window glass is displaced even slightly downward from the completely closed position, the reception time of the transmitted signal changes compared to when the window glass is completely closed.

[0024] If the windows are completely closed (S5: YES), the control unit 40 controls the blower fan 30 of the air conditioning unit to operate at the lowest selectable rotation speed, for example, without adjusting the temperature using other components of the air conditioning unit (recirculation, S7). With this configuration, if a timer is set in advance, the blower fan 30 can circulate air that is not too hot, cooled at the top, towards the upper part of the vehicle, even without turning the key on and operating the engine or battery. This improves passenger comfort. Furthermore, this configuration allows for efficient dissipation of heat from the vehicle interior to the outside, and also reduces the temperature of interior components, thereby improving comfort inside the vehicle.

[0025] Conversely, if the room temperature is below a predetermined value (S3:NO) or if the window is open (S5:NO), there is no need to adjust the room temperature by the air conditioning unit. Therefore, the control unit 40 does not perform the operation of S7 by the blower fan 30 as described above (S4, S6).

[0026] (Variation 1) Figure 5 is a schematic diagram showing the upper part of a vehicle structure according to a modified example of Figure 2, with a cross-section along the longitudinal direction X. In this embodiment, it was explained that a high-thermal-conductivity member 13 is arranged to extend in the longitudinal direction X and have a cross-section along the vehicle width direction Y that has an uneven pattern, thereby dissipating heat from inside the vehicle to the outside. However, the shape of the high-thermal-conductivity member provided inside the vehicle is not limited to Figure 3. In addition to the above, as shown in Figure 5, the high-thermal-conductivity member 13a may extend in the vehicle width direction Y in a cross-section along the longitudinal direction X, and the cross-section along the longitudinal direction X may have a solid shape such as a rectangle, which may be arranged at regular intervals in the longitudinal direction X. This allows heat from inside the vehicle to be dissipated from the high-thermal-conductivity member 13a to the outside through the reinforcing plate 12 and the heat-dissipating painted outer panel 11. In this case, the shape of the high-thermal-conductivity member 13a is not limited to a rectangle, but may be other polygons, etc.

[0027] (Modified versions 2, 3, and 4) Figure 6 is a schematic diagram showing a vehicle structure according to a modified example of Figure 2, with a cross-section along the vehicle width direction Y, and representing the upper part of the vehicle. In the embodiment, a relatively rigid member formed with an uneven shape, such as a groove, is placed between the exterior panel 11 and the passenger compartment as a high thermal conductivity member 13. However, the high thermal conductivity member is not limited to the member shown in Figure 3, as long as it can dissipate heat from the passenger compartment to the outside. In addition to the above, a high thermal conductivity member 13b including a filler material such as a thermally conductive silicon gel, graphite gel, or polymer gel may be provided between the exterior panel 11 and the passenger compartment. In this case, the conventional interior trim 14 can be positioned on the interior side of the high thermal conductivity member 13b by providing slits or the like. Even with this configuration, heat from the passenger compartment can be efficiently dissipated to the outside through the high thermal conductivity member 13b from the air contact surface of the vehicle interior to the exterior panel 11. By configuring the high thermal conductivity member 13b as a filler material, the heat dissipation effect can be improved without significantly changing the shape of the interior. Here, the shape of the filler can be formed into a rectangular shape or the like, where the cross-section along the vehicle width direction Y extends over a wide area in the vehicle width direction Y, as shown in Figure 6 (Modification 2).

[0028] Figures 7 and 8 are schematic diagrams showing modified versions of Figure 6. In addition to the configuration shown in Figure 6, the filler material set as a high-thermal-conductivity member may be configured such that multiple members extending in the longitudinal direction X in a cross section along the vehicle width direction Y are arranged at intervals in the vehicle width direction Y, as shown in Figure 7 (Modification 3). In this case, the filler material can be configured to be approximately the same size as the interior trim 14 and can be placed between the exterior panel 11 and the interior trim 14. Furthermore, when the filler material is arranged at intervals, the direction in which the filler material is arranged at intervals is not limited to the vehicle width direction Y, as shown in Figure 7. In addition to the above, filler material extending in the vehicle width direction Y in a cross section along the longitudinal direction X is also arranged at intervals in the longitudinal direction X, as shown in Figure 8 (Modification 4). Note that, in the case of Figure 8 as well, the interior trim may be placed inside the high-thermal-conductivity member 13d related to the filler material, similar to Figures 6 and 7.

[0029] (Variation 5) Figure 9 is a schematic diagram showing a vehicle structure relating to a modification of Figure 3, with a cross-section along the longitudinal direction X, illustrating a configuration for blowing air into the cabin. In the embodiment, it was explained that when the vehicle is parked, etc., the air conditioning unit blows air from a blower fan 30 located inside the instrument panel toward the rear. However, the configuration for blowing air is not limited to blowing air from inside the instrument panel. The air conditioning unit may have a blower fan 30a located at the rear lower part of the vehicle in the longitudinal direction X. In this case, the blower fan 30a located at the rear lower part of the vehicle may be configured to blow air from the rear toward the front, etc., by operating when the vehicle is parked, etc., as in the flowchart of Figure 4. Even in this case, the air conditioning unit can be controlled by a control unit 40 located inside the instrument panel. By configuring it in this way, the temperature inside the cabin can not rise too high before the occupants get into the vehicle, thereby improving the comfort of the occupants immediately after they get into the vehicle. Note that the blower fan can be installed both inside the instrument panel as shown in Figure 2 and at the rear lower part as shown in Figure 9. Furthermore, while Figure 9 shows the case where the sheet has 3 columns, the number of columns in the sheet can be other than 3.

[0030] (Variations 6 and 7) Figure 10 is a schematic diagram showing a vehicle structure relating to a modified example of Figure 3, with a cross-section along the longitudinal direction X, illustrating the airflow when a blower fan 30b is installed in the seating area of ​​the seat. Figure 11 is a schematic diagram showing the airflow in the seat in a modified example of Figure 10. In the embodiment, it was explained that air is supplied from a blower fan 30 installed inside the instrument panel, etc., when the vehicle is parked or stopped. However, the configuration for supplying air is not limited to the inside of the instrument panel. In addition to the blower fan 30 installed inside the instrument panel, the air conditioning unit can be configured to have a blower fan 30b (corresponding to a second blower) installed inside the seating area of ​​the first or second row seats, etc. By operating the blower fan 30b installed inside the seating area together with the blower fan 30 installed inside the instrument panel, airflow is generated in the vertical direction of the vehicle. Then, the air cooled by the outer panel 11 at the top is circulated into the passenger compartment to improve the comfort of the occupants. Here, the airflow is generated by operating a blower fan 30 installed inside the instrument panel and a blower fan 310 installed inside the seat, drawing air in from above downwards in front of the seat, as shown in Figures 10 and 11. This allows the air that has been cooled from the upper part of the passenger compartment to be circulated into the passenger compartment (modification 6).

[0031] Figure 12 is a schematic diagram showing a vehicle structure relating to a modified example of Figure 3, with a cross-section along the longitudinal direction X, illustrating the airflow when a blower fan 30c is installed in the seat. Figure 13 is a schematic diagram showing the airflow in the seat in a modified example of Figure 12. The direction of airflow when a blower fan is installed inside the seating area of ​​the seat is not limited to the cases in Figures 10 and 11. In addition to the above, as shown in Figures 12 and 13, the blower fan 30a installed at the lower rear as described in Figure 9 is used to send air from back to front. In this case, the blower fan 30c installed inside the seating area of ​​the seat can be operated in the opposite direction of rotation to the cases in Figures 10 and 11, allowing air to be sent from bottom to top.

[0032] This configuration allows hot air from the lower part of the passenger compartment to come into contact with a relatively large heat dissipation area, enabling efficient heat release from the passenger compartment to the outside. Furthermore, by sending cooled air from the upper part of the passenger compartment downwards, the air temperature and interior temperature in the lower part of the passenger compartment can be reduced.

[0033] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the claims.

[0034] Furthermore, the following embodiments are also included in the scope of the present invention: a vehicle structure according to claim 1 having the features of claim 2; a vehicle structure according to claim 1 or 2 having the features of claim 3; a vehicle structure according to claim 3 having the features of claim 4; a vehicle structure according to claim 3 having the features of claim 5; a vehicle structure according to any one of claims 1 to 5 having the features of claim 6; a vehicle structure according to claim 6 having the features of claim 7. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0035] 10 Upper body section, 11 exterior panels, 13, 13a, 13b, 13c, 13d High thermal conductivity material, 20 Lower body section, 30, 30a blower fan (first blower), 30b, 30c Blower fan (second blower), X front and rear direction, Y in the vehicle width direction, Z is the height direction.

Claims

1. Above the specified height of the vehicle, the exterior panels of the vehicle are coated with a paint that allows heat present in the vehicle's interior to be dissipated to the outside of the vehicle through radiative cooling. A vehicle structure in which, below the specified height in the vehicle, an insulating structure is provided in a region that separates the outside from the inside of the vehicle.

2. The vehicle structure according to claim 1, wherein the specified height is the lower edge of the window glass on the side of the vehicle.

3. The vehicle structure according to claim 1, wherein a high heat-conducting member is provided between the outer panel and the interior of the upper part.

4. The vehicle structure according to claim 3, wherein the high heat-conducting member has an uneven shape provided such that at least a portion of it is in contact with the outer panel.

5. The vehicle structure according to claim 3, wherein the high thermal conductivity member is provided with a filler that is in contact with at least a portion of the outer panel.

6. The vehicle structure according to any one of claims 1 to 5, comprising a first blower that blows air upward from at least one of the front or rear of the vehicle while the vehicle is parked.

7. The vehicle structure according to claim 6, further comprising a second blower for forming vertical airflow within the vehicle.

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