Vehicle air conditioning unit and front structure of the vehicle

Abstract

To obtain a vehicle air conditioning unit and a vehicle front structure that can improve the energy absorption efficiency inside the power unit cabin. [Solution] The vehicle air conditioning unit comprises an intake structure 50 positioned on the front side of the dashboard panel and having a passage for supplying outside air, and an energy absorption section 60 provided on at least one side of the intake structure 50 in the vehicle width direction and the vehicle vertical direction, positioned along the vehicle longitudinal direction, and made of a plastically deformable metal material.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle air conditioning unit and a vehicle front structure.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 below discloses an attachment structure of a vehicle air conditioning unit attached to a dash panel in a state of passing through an opening provided in the dash panel for air conditioning the vehicle interior.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the attachment structure and the like described in Patent Document 1, in a frontal collision, the members in the power unit chamber move rearward of the vehicle, pushing the dash panel, and the dash panel further pushes devices such as HVAC (Heating, Ventilating, Air-Conditioning) arranged on the indoor side, and there is a risk that the devices will intrude into the vehicle interior. Therefore, an improvement in the energy absorption rate in the power unit chamber is desired.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to obtain a vehicle air conditioning unit and a vehicle front structure capable of improving the energy absorption efficiency in the power unit chamber.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] A vehicle air conditioning unit according to the first embodiment comprises an intake structure positioned on the front side of the dashboard panel and having a passage for supplying outside air, and an energy absorption section provided on at least one of the sides of the intake structure in the vehicle width direction and the sides in the vehicle vertical direction, positioned along the vehicle longitudinal direction, and made of a plastically deformable metal material.

[0007] In the vehicle air conditioning unit according to the first embodiment, when a collision load is input from the front of the vehicle, the energy absorption section undergoes plastic deformation to absorb the energy of the collision, thereby improving the energy absorption efficiency inside the power unit cabin.

[0008] In the second embodiment of the vehicle air conditioning unit, in the configuration described in the first embodiment, the energy absorption section has an uneven or bellows-like shape formed along the longitudinal direction of the vehicle.

[0009] In the vehicle air conditioning unit according to the second embodiment, the intake structure can be compressed in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle by an uneven or bellows shape.

[0010] The vehicle air conditioning unit according to the third embodiment has the configuration described in the first embodiment, wherein the energy absorption section has a plurality of polygonal hollow ribs arranged along the longitudinal direction of the vehicle.

[0011] In the third embodiment of the vehicle air conditioning unit, the intake structure can be crushed by the deformation of the hollow rib.

[0012] The vehicle air conditioning unit according to the fourth embodiment has a configuration described in any of the first to third embodiments, wherein the intake structure is provided with a plate-shaped filter section through which the outside air passes, and the filter section is arranged in a orientation such that the plate thickness direction is in the vertical direction of the vehicle.

[0013] In the vehicle air conditioning unit according to the fourth embodiment, the filter section is arranged in a position where its thickness is in the vertical direction of the vehicle, so that the filter section can deform in response to a collision load input from the front of the vehicle and contribute to energy absorption.

[0014] The vehicle air conditioning unit according to the fifth embodiment is configured in any of the first to fourth embodiments, wherein the intake structure is composed of an air inlet connecting the intake port of the cowl and the blower unit.

[0015] In the fifth embodiment of the vehicle air conditioning unit, the air inlet deforms in response to the input of a collision load from the front of the vehicle, thereby absorbing the energy during the collision, and thus improving the energy absorption efficiency inside the power unit cabin.

[0016] A vehicle front structure according to a sixth embodiment includes a dash panel provided to separate a power unit compartment located on the front side of the vehicle from the passenger compartment; an intake structure located on the front side of the dash panel and having a passage for supplying outside air; and a vehicle air conditioning unit including an energy absorption section provided on at least one side of the intake structure in the vehicle width direction and the vehicle vertical direction, arranged in the vehicle longitudinal direction, and formed of a plastically deformable metal material.

[0017] In the vehicle front structure according to the sixth embodiment, when a collision load is input from the front of the vehicle, the energy absorption part undergoes plastic deformation to absorb the energy of the collision, thereby improving the energy absorption efficiency inside the power unit cabin.

[0018] The vehicle front structure according to the seventh embodiment is configured as described in the sixth embodiment, wherein the intake structure is attached to the dash panel.

[0019] In the vehicle front structure according to the seventh embodiment, when the vehicle is hit in a frontal collision, the intake structure can absorb energy under the support of the dash panel at the rear, thereby effectively absorbing energy inside the power unit cabin.

[0020] The vehicle front structure according to the eighth aspect further includes at least one of a heat management device and a drive device disposed on the front side in the vehicle front-rear direction of the intake structure in the configuration according to the sixth aspect or the seventh aspect.

[0021] In the vehicle front structure according to the eighth aspect, since the heat management device and the drive device are configured to be relatively difficult to be crushed, the intake structure can be crushed by the heat management device or the drive device during a frontal collision of the vehicle.

[0022] The vehicle front structure according to the ninth aspect has the dash panel made of a material harder than that of the intake structure in the configuration according to any one of the sixth aspect to the eighth aspect.

[0023] In the vehicle front structure according to the ninth aspect, the intake structure can be crushed more efficiently.

Advantages of the Invention

[0024] As described above, the vehicle air conditioning unit and the vehicle front structure according to the present invention can improve the energy absorption efficiency in the power unit chamber.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0025] [Figure 1] It is a side sectional view schematically showing an example of a vehicle front structure according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] It is a perspective view schematically showing an example of an intake structure of a vehicle air conditioning unit according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] It is a side sectional view for explaining the operation and effect of the vehicle front structure of FIG. 1. [Figure 4] It is a plan sectional view schematically showing a modified example of the intake structure of FIG. 2. [Figure 5] It is a side sectional view schematically showing an example of an intake structure of a vehicle air conditioning unit according to the second embodiment of the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0026] The vehicle front structure according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the attached drawings. In this specification and drawings, components having substantially the same functional configuration are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations will be omitted. In each figure, the arrow FR indicates 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 RH indicates the right side in the vehicle width direction. Hereafter, when simply using the longitudinal, vertical, and left-right directions, unless otherwise specified, they refer to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, the vertical direction of the vehicle, and the left-right direction (vehicle width direction).

[0027] (Configuration of the front structure of the vehicle) First, the configuration of the vehicle front structure 10 will be described as an example of a vehicle front structure according to one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 1 is a schematic side cross-sectional view showing an example of the vehicle front structure 10.

[0028] Figure 1 schematically shows a vehicle front structure 10, which illustrates the structure of the front of the vehicle. As shown in Figure 1, in the vehicle front structure 10, the power unit room 12, where the vehicle's power is located, and the passenger compartment 14 are separated by a dash panel 16. In this embodiment, the vehicle is, as an example, an electric vehicle (BEV (Battery Electric Vehicle)), a fuel cell vehicle (FCEV (Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle)), a hybrid vehicle (HEV (Hybrid Electric Vehicle)), and a plug-in hybrid vehicle (PHEV (Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle)), etc., which are driven by power generated by a power unit including a drive motor.

[0029] In this embodiment, an electric axle 18 (hereinafter referred to as e-axle 18) is installed as an example of a drive motor (drive device). The e-axle 18 is located in the power unit room 12 and consists of a motor body (not shown) and a power transmission mechanism. The motor body is located on the underside of the vehicle in the passenger compartment 14, specifically under the floor panel (not shown), and is driven by the output from a battery cell 22 housed inside the battery case 20. The output of the motor body is then transmitted to the drive shaft (not shown) via the power transmission mechanism. In other words, the output of the e-axle 18 is transmitted to the front wheels (not shown) via the drive shaft.

[0030] The e-axle 18 is attached to the vehicle's frame via a suspension member 24, for example. The suspension member 24 includes, for example, side members (not shown) that extend in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle on both sides in the vehicle width direction, and a front cross member 24A and a rear cross member (not shown) that are arranged in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, with the left and right side members being connected. The suspension member 24 secures the e-axle 18 by a mounting portion (not shown).

[0031] Furthermore, a vehicle air conditioning unit 30 is mounted in the center of the dash panel 16 in the vertical direction of the vehicle. In this embodiment, as an example, the vehicle air conditioning unit 30 includes an HVAC system 40, an intake structure 50, and an energy absorption section 60 (see Figure 2).

[0032] The HVAC system 40 includes, as an example, a heater core (not shown) that generates warm air for heating, an evaporator (not shown) that generates cool air for cooling, and a blower unit 42 that blows air into the passenger compartment 14 or ventilates the passenger compartment 14. In this embodiment, as an example, the HVAC system 40 is configured to include an air conditioning unit 44 in which the heater core and evaporator are integrated, and the blower unit 42 in which a blower is built in.

[0033] The HVAC system 40 is equipped with a roughly circular air intake port 42A on the front end surface of the blower unit 42 (the end surface on the dash panel 16 side), and the air intake port 42A is positioned opposite the dash panel 16. The HVAC system 40 is also equipped with an air exhaust port (not shown), which, for example, opens towards the interior of the passenger compartment 14. The air whose temperature has been regulated by the HVAC system 40 is discharged into the passenger compartment 14 through the exhaust port.

[0034] The intake structure 50 is located on the front side of the dash panel 16 and is configured to draw in outside air from outside the vehicle and from inside the passenger compartment 14. The intake structure 50 is equipped with a passage 52 (see arrows A1 and A2 in Figure 1) for guiding outside air from outside the vehicle and from inside the passenger compartment 14 to the HVAC system 40. In other words, the intake structure 50 has an internal passage 52 for supplying outside air. In this embodiment, outside air means the air present outside the vehicle air conditioning unit 30, including the intake structure 50.

[0035] As shown in Figure 1, the intake structure 50, as an example, includes a first duct 54 at its upper end that extends diagonally upward and forward and communicates with a first intake port 11D provided in the cowl portion 11C (described later) to introduce outside air into a passage 52 (see arrow A1 in Figure 1) provided inside the intake structure 50. The intake structure 50 also includes a second duct 56 at its upper end that extends diagonally upward and rearward and communicates with a second intake port 16A provided in the dash panel 16 (described later) to introduce outside air from inside the passenger compartment 14 into a passage 52 (see arrow A2 in Figure 1) provided inside the intake structure 50. The first duct 54 and the second duct 56 may be integrally formed with the intake structure 50 body or may be separate components.

[0036] In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 1 as an example, the vehicle front structure 10 includes a cowl portion 11C provided near the boundary between a hood portion 11A located at the upper end of the front of the vehicle and the windshield glass 11B, and located on the rear side of the hood portion 11A, on the lower end side of the windshield glass 11B. The cowl portion 11C is, for example, made of a resin material and serves as a rain gutter to receive rainwater flowing down from the windshield glass 11B during rainy weather.

[0037] The cowl section 11C is provided with a first intake port 11D for introducing outside air into the intake structure 50, and the first intake port 11D faces the outside of the vehicle. The first duct 54 described above is attached to this first intake port 11D from the power unit room 12 side, and outside air is introduced from the first intake port 11D through the first duct 54 into the flow path 52 inside the intake structure 50 (see arrow A1 in Figure 1).

[0038] A second air intake port 16A is provided on the upper side of the dash panel 16 for introducing outside air from inside the passenger compartment 14 into the intake structure 50, and the second air intake port 16A faces the inside of the passenger compartment 14. The second duct 56 described above is attached to this second air intake port 16A from the power unit compartment 12 side, and outside air from inside the passenger compartment 14 is introduced from the second air intake port 16A through the second duct 56 into the flow path 52 inside the intake structure 50 (see arrow A2 in Figure 1).

[0039] Furthermore, the intake structure 50 is provided with a plate-shaped filter section 58 through which outside air from outside the vehicle and outside the passenger compartment 14 passes. In other words, the filter section 58 is located in the middle of the flow path 52 inside the intake structure 50. The filter section 58 is constructed, for example, by fixing an air filter inside a plate frame made of resin and iron, and the air filter has the function of filtering the outside air introduced into the flow path 52. In this embodiment, the filter section 58 is arranged, for example, with the plate thickness direction being the vertical direction of the vehicle.

[0040] Furthermore, the intake structure 50, as an example, has a substantially circular connecting cylinder portion 59 at the rear end of the vehicle, which is downstream of the flow paths A1 and A2. This connecting cylinder portion 59 is connected to the inlet 42A of the blower unit 42 described above. In other words, the intake structure 50 functions as an air inlet connecting the first intake port 11D of the cowl portion 11C and the blower unit 42. As a result, the intake structure 50 introduces outside air from the first intake port 11D and the second intake port 16A by the blower of the blower unit 42 (not shown), and discharges outside air from the intake structure 50 to the HVAC system 40.

[0041] In this embodiment, as an example, the connecting cylinder portion 59 is connected to the inlet 42A of the blower unit 42 by being inserted through a connecting hole 16B provided in the dash panel 16. The outer circumference of the connecting cylinder portion 59 is attached to the dash panel 16 by means of, for example, a bracket (not shown), a fastening member, or an adhesive. In this embodiment, as an example, the dash panel 16 is made of a material harder than the intake structure 50, and is made of, for example, resin or iron.

[0042] In this embodiment, the first duct 54 is equipped with an intake door (not shown) that opens and closes the internal flow path, and is configured to open when the HVAC system 40 is set to outside air intake via an operating unit (not shown), etc. In other words, is configured to close when the HVAC system 40 is set to cabin circulation.

[0043] Figure 2 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of an intake structure 50. Note that the first duct 54 and the second duct 56 are not shown in Figure 2. As shown in Figure 2, energy absorption sections 60 are provided on both sides of the intake structure 50 in the vehicle width direction. The energy absorption section 60 has a bellows shape as an example and is arranged in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. The intake structure 50 is composed of a box made of a plastically deformable metal material such as iron as an example, and in this embodiment, the side of this box in the vehicle width direction is the energy absorption section 60 and has a bellows shape. That is, the energy absorption section 60 is made of a metal material.

[0044] The bellows shape is a shape in which mountain folds and valley folds are alternately repeated. In this embodiment, the energy absorption section 60 is provided on the intake structure 50 such that the bellows shape extends in the vertical direction of the vehicle, and that mountain folds and valley folds are alternately repeated in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle.

[0045] In this embodiment, the intake structure 50 and the energy absorption section 60 are made of metal, but the present invention is not limited to this, and they may be made of resin, for example. If they are made of resin, it is preferable that they are made of a material softer than the dash panel 16, as in the above embodiment.

[0046] Returning to Figure 1, a thermal management device 70 is positioned in front of the intake structure 50 of the vehicle. The thermal management device 70 is a modularized system containing a compressor 72 and other components, and is a system that integrates and controls all components, such as the e-axle 18, battery cells 22, and HVAC system 40, at the optimal temperature. The thermal management device 70 is housed in a case that is relatively resistant to crushing. In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 1, the thermal management device 70, intake structure 50, and HVAC system 40 are arranged in order from the front to the rear of the vehicle.

[0047] Furthermore, a radiator 80 is positioned at an angle on the front side of the vehicle, such as the e-axle 18 and the thermal management equipment 70, so that the upper part of the vehicle is located towards the rear of the vehicle. Behind the radiator 80, a cylindrical fan shroud 82 and an electric fan 84 are provided to guide the air introduced from the radiator 80 towards the rear of the vehicle. The radiator 80 is, for example, formed in a roughly rectangular frame shape when viewed in the front-rear direction of the vehicle, and is a flattened structure in the front-rear direction of the vehicle, and is provided with a refrigerant pipe (not shown) that meanders back and forth multiple times in the vehicle width direction. Numerous fins (not shown) are attached to the refrigerant pipe, and when the vehicle is running, outside air introduced into the power unit room 12 through the front grille 86 passes between the fins and cools the refrigerant inside the refrigerant pipe. This refrigerant pipe circulates with the flow path inside the e-axle 18 and the battery cell 22, and the refrigerant pumped by a pump (not shown) circulates inside the e-axle 18 and the battery cell 22 through the refrigerant pipe to exchange heat. This cools the e-axle 18 and the battery cell 22.

[0048] In the vehicle front structure 10 configured as described above, the collision stroke is set to extend to the vicinity of the front end of the compressor 72 of the thermal management equipment 70, as shown by arrow S in Figure 1 as an example.

[0049] (Operation and effects according to the first embodiment) Next, the effects of the first embodiment will be described. Figure 3 is a side cross-sectional view illustrating the effects of the vehicle front structure 10 of the first embodiment.

[0050] In the vehicle front structure 10 and vehicle air conditioning unit 30 of the first embodiment, a collision stroke is set as shown in Figure 1, so when a collision load is input from the front of the vehicle, the thermal management equipment 70 moves from the position shown by the solid line to the position shown by the dashed line as shown in Figure 3. At this time, since the thermal management equipment 70 is housed in a case that is relatively resistant to crushing, the thermal management equipment 70 does not crush and instead presses the intake structure 50 toward the rear of the vehicle. In the vehicle air conditioning unit 30 of the first embodiment, energy absorption sections 60 having a bellows shape formed along the vehicle longitudinal direction are provided on both sides of the intake structure 50 in the vehicle width direction, so the intake structure 50 can be crushed in the vehicle longitudinal direction by the bellows shape. In this way, in the vehicle front structure 10 and vehicle air conditioning unit 30 of the first embodiment, the energy absorption sections 60 absorb the energy during a collision, so the energy absorption efficiency in the power unit room 12 can be improved.

[0051] Furthermore, in the vehicle front structure 10 and vehicle air conditioning unit 30 of the first embodiment, the intake structure 50 functions as an air inlet connecting the intake port 11D of the cowl portion 11C and the blower unit 42. Therefore, the air inlet, i.e., the intake structure 50, deforms in response to the impact load input from the front of the vehicle, absorbing the energy during the collision, thereby improving the energy absorption efficiency within the power unit chamber 12.

[0052] Furthermore, in the vehicle front structure 10 of the first embodiment, since the intake structure 50 is attached to the dash panel 16, the intake structure 50 can absorb energy under the support of the dash panel 16 at the rear during a frontal collision of the vehicle. Therefore, energy can be effectively absorbed within the power unit compartment 12.

[0053] Furthermore, in the vehicle front structure 10 of the first embodiment, the thermal management equipment 70 is positioned on the vehicle front side of the intake structure 50, and the thermal management equipment 70 is configured to be relatively resistant to crushing, so that in the event of a frontal collision, the intake structure 50 can be crushed by the thermal management equipment 70.

[0054] Furthermore, in the vehicle front structure 10 of the first embodiment, the dash panel 16 is made of a harder material than the intake structure 50, so the intake structure 50 can be compressed more efficiently.

[0055] Furthermore, in the vehicle front structure 10 of the first embodiment, the filter section 58 is arranged in a position where the vehicle's vertical direction is the plate thickness direction. The filter section 58 is not inherently rigid enough to contribute to energy absorption. However, as described above, by arranging the filter section 58 in a position where the vehicle's vertical direction is the plate thickness direction, the filter section 58 deforms when a collision load is input from the front of the vehicle, thus contributing to energy absorption.

[0056] (Modified version of the first embodiment) Furthermore, although the energy absorption section 60 has a bellows shape in the intake structure 50 of the first embodiment described above, the present invention is not limited thereto. Figure 4 is a schematic plan cross-sectional view showing a modified example of the intake structure 50 of Figure 2. Note that Figure 4 shows a cross-section along the central axis of the connecting cylinder section 59.

[0057] As shown in Figure 4, energy absorption sections 60A are arranged on both sides of the modified intake structure 50A in the vehicle width direction, extending in the vehicle longitudinal direction. The energy absorption section 60A has an uneven shape formed along the vehicle longitudinal direction. Specifically, the energy absorption section 60A has a plurality of protrusions 62 that project outward in the vehicle width direction, and the plurality of protrusions 62 are arranged at predetermined intervals from each other in the vehicle longitudinal direction. The plurality of protrusions 62 project in a substantially rectangular shape when viewed from above, and are formed in a substantially rectangular shape when viewed from the side with the longitudinal direction as the vehicle vertical direction. Note that the shape of the protrusions 62 is not limited to a substantially rectangular shape when viewed from above, and may be trapezoidal or triangular when viewed from above, and can be changed as appropriate.

[0058] As shown in the modified example above, the energy absorption section 60A has an uneven shape formed along the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, and this uneven shape allows the intake structure 50A to be compressed in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle.

[0059] (Second Embodiment) Next, a vehicle front structure 10A (see Figure 1) according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. Figure 5 is a schematic side cross-sectional view showing an example of the intake structure 50B of a vehicle air conditioning unit 30B according to a second embodiment of the present invention. In the intake structure 50B of the second embodiment, components similar to those of the intake structure 50 of the first embodiment described above are indicated by the same reference numerals and their explanation is omitted here; only the differences will be described in detail.

[0060] As shown in Figure 5, the intake structure 50B of the second embodiment includes an energy absorption section 60B. The energy absorption section 60B has a plurality of hexagonal hollow ribs 63 arranged along the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. Specifically, the intake structure 50B is composed of a box made of a plastically deformable metal material such as iron, for example, and in this embodiment, the hollow ribs 63 are provided on the side surface 57 of this box in the vehicle width direction.

[0061] Multiple hollow ribs 63 are formed by erecting hollow hexagons outward from the side surface 57, and the energy absorption section 60B has a honeycomb structure in which the hollow ribs 63 are arranged without gaps. That is, multiple rows of hollow ribs 63 are arranged in the vertical direction of the vehicle and along the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. The hollow ribs 63 are arranged so that the direction connecting opposing vertices 64 is in the vertical direction of the vehicle. In other words, the hollow ribs 63 are arranged so that the straight lines forming a pair of opposing sides 66 are in the vertical direction of the vehicle.

[0062] (Effects and Effects of the Second Embodiment) Next, the effects and advantages of the second embodiment will be described.

[0063] In the vehicle air conditioning unit 30B of the vehicle front structure 10A of the second embodiment, the energy absorption section 60B has a plurality of hexagonal hollow ribs 63, so that the intake structure 50B can be crushed by the deformation of the hollow ribs 63.

[0064] [remarks] In the embodiments described above, the energy absorption sections 60, 60A, and 60B are made of a plastically deformable metal material such as iron, but the present invention is not limited to this. The energy absorption sections 60, 60A, and 60B may be made of resin, for example. Even in this case, the energy absorption sections 60, 60A, and 60B undergo plastic deformation in response to the collision load input from the front of the vehicle, thereby absorbing the energy during the collision and improving the energy absorption efficiency within the power unit chamber 12.

[0065] Furthermore, in the embodiments described above, the energy absorption sections 60, 60A, and 60B are provided on the sides of the intake structures 50, 50A, and 50B in the vehicle width direction, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The energy absorption sections 60, 60A, and 60B may be provided on the sides of the intake structures 50, 50A, and 50B in the vertical direction, or on the sides in both the vehicle vertical direction and the vehicle width direction. Also, the energy absorption sections 60, 60A, and 60B may be provided on the entire side or on only a part of it, as long as they are arranged in the vehicle longitudinal direction.

[0066] Furthermore, in the embodiments described above, the intake structures 50, 50A, and 50B are fixed to the dash panel 16, but the present invention is not limited to this, and they do not need to be fixed to the dash panel 16. In this case, as an example, the blower unit 42 to which the intake structures 50, 50A, and 50B are connected may be fixed to the dash panel 16.

[0067] Furthermore, in the embodiments described above, the thermal management equipment 70 is arranged on the front side of the intake structures 50, 50A, and 50B in the vehicle longitudinal direction, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, drive equipment such as an e-axle 18 may be arranged on the front side of the intake structures 50, 50A, and 50B in the vehicle longitudinal direction, or the thermal management equipment 70 and the drive equipment such as an e-axle 18 may be arranged side by side in the vertical direction. Since the thermal management equipment 70 and the drive equipment such as an e-axle 18 are configured to be relatively resistant to crushing, the intake structures can be crushed by the thermal management equipment 70 and the drive equipment such as an e-axle 18 during a frontal collision of the vehicle.

[0068] Furthermore, in the second embodiment described above, the energy absorption section 60B has a hexagonal hollow rib 63, but the hollow rib of the present invention is not limited to a hexagonal shape and may have a polygonal shape such as an octagon.

[0069] 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]

[0070] 10, 10A Vehicle Front Structure 11C Cowl section 11D Air intake 12 Power Unit Room 14 Cabin 16 Dash Panel 18 e-axle (drive equipment) 30, 30B Vehicle Air Conditioning Unit 42 Blower Unit 50, 50A, 50B Intake Structure 52 channels 58 Filter section 60, 60A, 60B Energy Absorption Section 63 Hollow Ribs 70 Thermal Management Equipment

Claims

1. An intake structure located on the front side of the dashboard panel, equipped with a passage for supplying outside air, An energy absorbing portion is provided on at least one side of the intake structure in the vehicle width direction and the vehicle vertical direction, arranged in the vehicle longitudinal direction, and is made of a plastically deformable metal material. A vehicle air conditioning unit equipped with the following features.

2. The vehicle air conditioning unit according to claim 1, wherein the energy absorbing portion has an uneven or bellows-like shape formed along the longitudinal direction of the vehicle.

3. The vehicle air conditioning unit according to claim 1, wherein the energy absorbing section has a plurality of polygonal hollow ribs arranged along the longitudinal direction of the vehicle.

4. The vehicle air conditioning unit according to claim 1, wherein the intake structure is provided with a plate-shaped filter section through which the outside air passes, and the filter section is arranged in a position where the plate thickness direction is in the vertical direction of the vehicle.

5. The vehicle air conditioning unit according to claim 1, wherein the intake structure is comprised of an air inlet connecting the intake port of the cowl portion and the blower unit.

6. A dashboard panel is provided to separate the power unit compartment, located at the front of the vehicle, from the passenger compartment. A vehicle air conditioning unit comprising: an intake structure positioned on the front side of the dash panel and having a passage for supplying outside air; and an energy absorption section provided on at least one of the sides of the intake structure in the vehicle width direction and the sides in the vehicle vertical direction, positioned along the vehicle longitudinal direction, and formed of a plastically deformable metal material; A vehicle front structure equipped with [a specific feature].

7. The vehicle front structure according to claim 6, wherein the intake structure is attached to the dash panel.

8. The front vehicle structure according to claim 6, further comprising at least one of a thermal management device and a drive device located on the front side of the intake structure in the vehicle longitudinal direction.

9. The vehicle front structure according to claim 6, wherein the dash panel is made of a material harder than the intake structure.

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