Airflow structure

Abstract

To enable efficient cooling of the object being cooled. [Solution] The vehicle 1a has an opening 11 formed at the front and a duct space formed below the floor panel 22 of the driver's seat 2 that guides cooling air from the opening 11 to the object to be cooled, wherein the duct space has a narrow portion 12 in which the cross-sectional area in a plane perpendicular to the direction of the cooling air flow is smaller than that of the opening 11.

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, Zero Emission Vehicles (ZEVs) that do not emit any exhaust gas are known. ZEVs include, for example, electric vehicles and fuel cell vehicles. In an electric vehicle, a radiator for cooling a battery and a motor is installed, and in a fuel cell vehicle, a radiator used for heat exchange between the refrigerant supplied to the fuel cell and the atmosphere is also installed.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In a cab-over type ZEV truck, equipment that requires cooling, such as a battery unit and a hydrogen tank, may be installed between the cab and the equipment mounted behind the cab (see Patent Document 1, etc.).

[0005] However, when attempting to cool these devices with the running wind, the cab becomes an obstacle and it is impossible to efficiently perform cooling with the running wind.

[0006] This case was conceived by focusing on such problems, and an object thereof is to provide a configuration capable of efficiently cooling an object to be cooled.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] This project was undertaken to solve at least some of the above-mentioned problems and can be implemented in the following forms or applications.

[0008] The air blowing structure according to this application example is an air blowing structure for blowing cooling air to an object to be cooled in a vehicle, comprising an opening formed at the front of the vehicle and a duct space formed below the floor panel of the driver's seat for guiding the cooling air from the opening to the object to be cooled, wherein the duct space has a narrow portion in which the cross-sectional area in a plane perpendicular to the direction of the cooling air flow is smaller than that of the opening.

[0009] According to this application example, airflow (cooling air) is drawn in through an opening and guided through a duct space to the object to be cooled. This allows the object to be cooled, located behind the driver's seat, to be cooled using the airflow. Furthermore, by creating a narrow section, the airflow velocity of the cooling air passing through the duct space can be increased. This increases the airflow velocity of the cooling air guided to the object, thereby improving cooling efficiency. In addition, by increasing the airflow velocity of the cooling air, the cooling air can be distributed to a rear position far from the opening, improving the flexibility of the placement of the object to be cooled and offering high convenience.

[0010] In the ventilation structure according to this application example, it is preferable that the upper part of the duct space is formed by the lower surface of the floor panel.

[0011] In this case, manufacturing costs can be reduced by reusing the floor panel in the configuration of the air vent structure. Also, by configuring the upper part of the duct space with the lower surface of the floor panel, cooling air flows below the floor panel, but since the cooling air flowing through the duct space is equal to the outside temperature, the temperature of the floor panel does not rise. Furthermore, by having the cooling air pass below the floor panel, the floor panel can be given a heat dissipation effect, improving the cooling efficiency of the driver's seat.

[0012] In the air blowing structure according to this application example, it is preferable that downstream of the narrow section, there is an expanded section in which the cross-sectional area in a plane perpendicular to the flow direction of the cooling air in the duct space is wider than that of the narrow section, and that the expanded section is provided with a flow divider that divides the cooling air into multiple branch passages.

[0013] In this case, the cross-sectional area in the expanded section is increased in the plane perpendicular to the direction of cooling airflow in the duct space (vertical plane). However, the flow divider divides the duct space within the expanded section into multiple branches, making the cross-sectional area of ​​each branch smaller than before the division. This suppresses a decrease in the flow velocity of the cooling air.

[0014] In the air blowing structure according to this application example, it is preferable that the narrow portion is formed in front of the object to be cooled in the duct space.

[0015] In this case, the airflow structure can increase the air velocity of the cooling air directed towards the object to be cooled located downstream of the confined area, thereby improving the cooling efficiency. [Effects of the Invention]

[0016] According to this method, the object to be cooled can be cooled efficiently. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0017] [Figure 1] This is a three-view drawing illustrating a vehicle having a ventilation structure according to the first embodiment, where (A) is a front view, (B) is a top view showing the interior of the ventilation structure, and (C) is a side view. [Figure 2] This is an exploded perspective view showing the configuration of the air blowing structure according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3] Figure 1 is a diagram illustrating the flow of cooling air inside the EV equipment box, with (A) being a top view and (B) being a side view. [Figure 4] This diagram illustrates the distribution of wind pressure on the front of a moving vehicle. [Figure 5] This is a side view illustrating a vehicle having a ventilation structure according to the second embodiment. [Figure 6] It is a top view of the vehicle illustrated in FIG. 5. [Figure 7] It is a perspective view seen obliquely from the rear of the A-A cross section of FIG. 6.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0018] Referring to the drawings, embodiments of the present case will be described. Each embodiment is merely an example, and there is no intention to exclude various modifications and applications of technologies not explicitly shown in the following embodiments. Each configuration of each embodiment can be implemented with various modifications without departing from their gist. Also, they can be selected as needed, or appropriately combined.

[0019] In the following description, the forward direction of the vehicle is defined as the front FR, the opposite direction (the reverse direction of the vehicle) is defined as the rear RR, and the left and right (left LH and right RH) are defined based on the state where the vehicle faces the front FR. Also, the front-rear direction is also referred to as the vehicle length direction, and the left-right direction is also referred to as the vehicle width direction. Further, the direction orthogonal to both the vehicle length direction and the vehicle width direction is referred to as the vertical direction (upward UP and downward DW). The vehicle is on a horizontal road surface and is in a posture where the vertical direction coincides with the gravitational direction (the downward direction coincides with the direction of the gravitational force). In this posture, the vertically upward direction is the height direction.

[0020] 〔A. First Embodiment〕 [1. Configuration] FIG. 1 is a three-view drawing illustrating a vehicle 1a having a ventilation structure 10a according to the first embodiment, (A) is a front view, (B) is a top view showing the inside of the ventilation structure 10a, and (C) is a side view. In FIGS. 1(A), (B), and (C), the ventilation structure 10a mounted on the vehicle 1a is shown by a solid line, and other parts are shown by a virtual line (a two-dot chain line).

[0021] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the configuration of the ventilation structure 10a according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the flow of cooling air in the EV equipment box 3 shown in FIG. 1, (A) is a top view, and (B) is a side view.

[0022] In this first embodiment, a truck is used as an example of vehicle 1a. The vehicle 1a shown in Figure 1 is a ZEV, and may be, for example, an electric vehicle. An EV equipment box 3 is located behind the cab 2 of vehicle 1a, and a bodywork 4 such as a cargo box is located behind this EV equipment box 3. Heat-generating components such as a battery are stored in the EV equipment box 3. The heat-generating components inside the EV equipment box 3 correspond to the objects to be cooled.

[0023] The airflow structure 10a is a ventilation space that guides outside air flowing in from the front grille 21 to the object to be cooled inside the EV equipment box 3. The outside air guided by the airflow structure 10a is used to cool the object to be cooled. This outside air guided by the airflow structure 10a can be called cooling air.

[0024] As shown in Figures 1(A), (B), and (C), the ventilation structure 10a is located at the bottom of the cab 2 and guides outside air that flows in from the front grille 21 to the EV equipment box 3.

[0025] As shown in Figure 2, the air blower structure 10a has a duct shape (U-shaped duct or open duct) surrounded by the floor panel 22, side covers 15, 15 and panel section 18. In Figure 2, the outline of the air blower structure 10a is shown by a thick solid line. The air blower structure 10a takes in outside air from the front grille 21 as the airflow generated by the vehicle 1a in motion, and guides the outside air from the front grille 21 to the EV equipment box 3 using the space within the duct. The flow of outside air in the air blower structure 10a is shown by black arrows in Figures 1 and 3.

[0026] A panel section 18 is erected on the front side of the air blower structure 10a. This panel section 18 is positioned behind the front grille 21. An opening 11 is formed in the panel section 18 by cutting out the portion that overlaps with the front grille 21, and this opening 11 is connected to the front end of the duct shape described above. This opening 11 is located at the front end of the air blower structure 10a. The opening 11 may have the same or substantially the same shape and size as the front grille 21.

[0027] Figure 4 illustrates the distribution of wind pressure acting on the front of a moving vehicle 1a (truck).

[0028] In Figure 4, the symbol C represents the center of wind pressure. The opening 11 of the air blower structure 10a is formed at a position that coincides with the center of wind pressure C. This allows for efficient intake of the airflow (cooling air) generated by the vehicle 1a's movement into the air blower structure 10a from the opening 11 when the vehicle 1a is in motion. Furthermore, the wind pressure acting on the vehicle 1a during movement can be used to blow the cooling air within the air blower structure 10a, allowing the cooling air to be efficiently guided to the object to be cooled.

[0029] The upper part of the duct shape is formed by the lower surface of the floor panel 22. The floor panel 22 is a component that makes up the floor of the cab 2 and is laid inside the cab 2. In the center of the floor panel 22 in the vehicle width direction, a tunnel-shaped central floor 221 is formed to rise upward from the front to the rear of the cab 2, widening the internal space. The central floor 221 may be formed by, for example, press forming. The internal space of the central floor 221 may be called the duct space.

[0030] Furthermore, in the floor panel 22, as shown in Figure 2, side floors 222 are formed at positions adjacent to the central floor 221 in the vehicle width direction. In the floor panel 22, the central floor 221 is positioned higher than the side floors 222.

[0031] In the central floor 221, the duct space is formed to widen in the vehicle width direction and height direction, respectively, in the front and rear sections.

[0032] The front portion of the central floor 221 is formed to be wider in the vehicle width direction and higher than the side floor 222, and its front end is open to the front. The front end of the central floor 221 formed in this way is connected to the panel section 18, and the front opening of the central floor 221 is connected to the opening 11 of the panel section 18.

[0033] The intermediate portion of the central floor 221 in the longitudinal direction is formed such that the duct space is narrowed in the vehicle width direction and height direction, that is, the cross-sectional area in the plane perpendicular to the direction of cooling airflow (vertical plane) is reduced.

[0034] For example, the underside of the middle portion of the central floor 221 in the longitudinal direction is sandwiched between side covers 15 that protrude from each side toward the center in the vehicle width direction. As a result, the duct space in the middle portion of the central floor 221 in the longitudinal direction is narrowed in the vehicle width direction.

[0035] Furthermore, the duct space is formed in the middle section of the central floor 221 in the front-to-rear direction, so that it is lower in height compared to the front and rear sections.

[0036] Thus, in the central floor 221, the duct space is formed such that the cross-sectional area in the plane perpendicular to the direction of cooling airflow is reduced in the intermediate portion in the front-to-back direction.

[0037] In the air blower structure 10a, the portion sandwiched between the side covers 15 on both sides in the vehicle width direction, where the cross-sectional area of ​​the duct space is reduced, can be called the narrowed portion 12. The flow velocity (wind speed) of the cooling air flowing through the duct space increases in this narrowed portion 12.

[0038] At least a portion of the lower part of the front section of the central floor 221, that is, the bottom of the duct space, may be blocked by a front lower cover 16 or under cover 17 located below the cab 2. By closing off at least a portion of the bottom of the duct space, the airflow efficiency of the cooling air in the air blower structure 10a can be improved, and the flow velocity of the cooling air can be maintained.

[0039] Downstream of the narrow section 12 in the central floor 221, the duct space is formed to widen. The portion downstream of the narrow section 12 where the duct space widens can be called the expansion section 19. The expansion section 19 is formed at the rear end of the air supply structure 10a.

[0040] Furthermore, a wedge-shaped cone 13 is positioned inside the expansion section 19 (within the duct space). The cone 13 is formed, for example, as a triangular prism with an acute isosceles triangle as its base, and is erected vertically at the center of the duct space in the vehicle width direction, with the acute angle of the triangular prism facing the upstream side of the duct space. The space to the left of the cone 13 in the duct space may be called the branch passage 14L, and the space to the right of the cone 13 in the duct space may be called the branch passage 14R. Hereafter, unless otherwise distinguished, the branches 14L and 14R will be referred to as branch passage 14.

[0041] Cooling air that flows in from the front grille 21 and is guided through the duct space of the air blower structure 10a is divided into two directions, left and right, by the cone 13 and flows through the branch passage 14L and branch passage 14R, respectively. The cone 13 is an example of a flow divider member provided in the expansion section 19 that divides and guides the cooling air into multiple branch passages 14.

[0042] In the expanded section 19, the cross-sectional area in the plane perpendicular to the direction of cooling airflow in the duct space (vertical plane) becomes wider compared to the upstream side. However, the cone 13 divides the duct space within the expanded section 19 into branches 14R and 14L, so that the cross-sectional area of ​​each branch 14 becomes smaller than before the division. This suppresses the decrease in the flow velocity of the cooling air flowing through each branch 14.

[0043] An EV equipment box 3 is connected to the downstream side of the air blowing structure 10a. The EV equipment box 3 may have, for example, a rectangular parallelepiped shape. An air intake port 31 is formed at a lower position on the front side of the EV equipment box 3. The rear ends of the branch passages 14L and 14R are connected to this air intake port 31, and the cooling flow that has passed through the branch passages 14L and 14R flows into the EV equipment box 3 through the air intake port 31.

[0044] Furthermore, exhaust ports 32S are formed on both sides of the EV equipment box 3. Figure 3(A) illustrates the flow of cooling air in the internal space of the right half of the EV equipment box 3 and the branch passage 14R. Therefore, the exhaust port 32S shown in Figure 3(A) is formed on the right side of the EV equipment box 3. Note that the exhaust ports 32S may be formed at an upper position on each of the left and right sides of the EV equipment box 3. Also, as shown in Figure 3(B), an exhaust port 32U is formed on the upper side of the EV equipment box 3.

[0045] In the exhaust ports 32S and 32U, a rectifier plate 321 is formed so that the exhaust cooling air flows towards the rear. The exhaust ports 32R and 32U can be called outlets.

[0046] At the exhaust ports 32S and 32U, negative pressure is generated by the airflow generated as the vehicle 1a moves, creating a suction force that draws the air inside the EV equipment box 3 to the outside of the vehicle 1a.

[0047] Downstream of the air blower structure 10a, the downstream end of each branch passage 14 is connected to an air intake 31 formed in the EV equipment box 3. The air intake 31 may have a rectangular shape, for example, that is erected along a vertical plane in the vehicle width direction. In this air intake 31, three sides, including the left and right vertical sides and the top horizontal side, are enclosed by a rubber enclosure 33, thereby preventing the cooling air guided by the air blower structure 10a from flowing out of the EV equipment box 3 from above or the left and right sides (preventing leakage).

[0048] A portion of the cooling air that flows from the branch passage 14 into the EV equipment box 3 via the air intake 31 flows outward in the vehicle width direction within the EV equipment box 3, as shown in Figure 3(A), and is exhausted from the exhaust port 32S.

[0049] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 3(B), another portion of the cooling air that flows from the branch passage 14 into the EV equipment box 3 via the air intake port 31 flows upward within the EV equipment box 3 and is exhausted from the exhaust port 32U.

[0050] As the cooling air flows through the EV equipment box 3, it cools the objects to be cooled inside the EV equipment box 3.

[0051] [2. Action and Effects] While the vehicle 1a is in motion, outside air (cooling air) entering from the front grille 21 flows into the air blower structure 10a from the front through the opening 11. In the air blower structure 10a, the flow velocity of the incoming cooling air increases in the narrow section 12.

[0052] The cooling air that has passed through the narrow section 12 is then guided to the expanded section 19. In this expanded section 19, the cross-sectional area in the plane perpendicular to the direction of cooling air flow in the duct space is increased, but the cone 13 divides the duct space within the expanded section 19 into two regions, branch passage 14R and branch passage 14L, thereby suppressing the decrease in the flow velocity of the cooling air in each branch passage 14.

[0053] The cooling air that has passed through the branch passage 14 flows into the EV equipment box 3 through an air intake 31 formed at a lower position on the front side of the EV equipment box 3.

[0054] A portion of the cooling air that flows from the branch passage 14 into the EV equipment box 3 via the air intake 31 flows outwards in the vehicle width direction within the EV equipment box 3 and is exhausted from the exhaust port 32S. As this cooling air flows through the EV equipment box 3, it cools the objects to be cooled inside the EV equipment box 3.

[0055] Furthermore, another portion of the cooling air that flows into the EV equipment box 3 from the branch passage 14 via the air intake 31 flows upward within the EV equipment box 3 and is exhausted from the exhaust port 32U. As this cooling air flows through the EV equipment box 3, it also cools the objects to be cooled inside the EV equipment box 3.

[0056] As described above, in the ventilation structure 10a according to the first embodiment, airflow (cooling air) is taken in from the front grille 21, and this cooling air is passed through the duct space within the ventilation structure 10a and flowed into the EV equipment box 3 located at the rear of the cab 2. This makes it possible to cool the objects to be cooled inside the EV equipment box 3 located at the rear of the cab 2 using the airflow.

[0057] By taking in airflow from the opening 11 formed at the position where the airflow pressure is greatest in the vehicle 1a (the center of airflow C), the air velocity of the cooling air passing through the duct space within the air blower structure 10a can be increased. This increases the air velocity of the cooling air passing through the EV equipment box 3 located downstream of the air blower structure 10a, thereby improving cooling efficiency.

[0058] Furthermore, by increasing the airflow velocity of the cooling air, it is possible to distribute the cooling air from the front of the vehicle 1a (front grille 21) to a rear position far away, improving the flexibility of the placement of objects to be cooled and thus offering greater convenience.

[0059] Within the air blowing structure 10a, the airflow velocity of the cooling air passing through the duct space can be increased by providing a narrow section 12. This also increases the airflow velocity of the cooling air passing through the EV equipment box 3 located downstream of the air blowing structure 10a.

[0060] In the narrow section 12, the cooling air's flow velocity is increased. Downstream of the narrow section 12, an expansion section 19 is provided where the cross-sectional area in a plane perpendicular to the flow direction of the cooling air in the duct space (vertical plane) is widened. A cone 13 is placed within this expansion section 19, dividing the cooling air into two branches, branch 14R and branch 14L. This suppresses a decrease in the flow velocity of the cooling air in each branch 14. Furthermore, it suppresses a decrease in the air velocity of the cooling air passing through the EV equipment box 3 located downstream of the air blowing structure 10a.

[0061] In the exhaust ports 32S and 32U formed in the EV equipment box 3, negative pressure is generated by the airflow generated as the vehicle 1a moves, creating a suction force that draws the air inside the EV equipment box 3 to the outside of the vehicle 1a. This allows the airflow velocity of the cooling air passing through the EV equipment box 3 to be increased.

[0062] By reusing the floor panel 22 in the configuration of the air blower structure 10a, manufacturing costs can be reduced. Furthermore, by reusing the floor panel 22 in the configuration of the air blower structure 10a, cooling air flows beneath the floor panel 22, but since the cooling air flowing through the duct space of the air blower structure 10a is equal to the ambient temperature, the temperature of the floor panel 22 of the cab 2 does not rise. In addition, by having the cooling air pass beneath the floor panel 22, the floor panel 22 can be given a heat dissipation effect, thereby improving the cooling efficiency of the cab 2.

[0063] [B. Second Embodiment] [1. Structure] In the first embodiment described above, the vehicle 1a having the air blower structure 10a is a ZEV truck, and an example of cooling an object to be cooled in the EV equipment box 3 is shown, but the embodiment is not limited to this. In this second embodiment, an example of mounting the air blower structure 10b on a ZEV minibus is shown, and an example of cooling an air conditioner radiator 5 is shown. The vehicle 1b is a ZEV and may be, for example, an electric vehicle.

[0064] Figure 5 is a side view illustrating a vehicle 1b having a ventilator structure 10b according to the second embodiment, and Figure 6 is a top view of the vehicle 1b illustrated in Figure 5. Figure 7 is a perspective view of cross section AA of Figure 6, taken from the rear at an oblique angle.

[0065] In Figures 5 and 6, the ventilation structure 10b mounted on vehicle 1b is shown by a solid line, while other parts are shown by dashed lines (two-dot lines). Note that in the figures, the same symbols as those previously described indicate the same parts, and therefore their explanations are omitted.

[0066] In the vehicle 1b illustrated in Figures 5 and 6, the air conditioner radiator 5 is positioned vertically along the vehicle width direction between the left and right front tires. In a typical diesel-engine small bus, the engine radiator is located in the same position as the air conditioner radiator 5 (between the left and right front tires). In this second embodiment, since vehicle 1b is a ZEV, the engine radiator is unnecessary, and the air conditioner radiator 5 is positioned in that location. This improves the cooling efficiency of the air conditioner radiator 5 and also improves the space efficiency of vehicle 1b.

[0067] The ventilation structure 10b is a ventilation space that guides outside air flowing in from the front grille 21 of the vehicle 1b to the air conditioner radiator 5, which is the object to be cooled. The flow of outside air is shown by the black arrows in Figure 5.

[0068] As shown in Figure 5, the air blower structure 10a is located below the driver's seat and guides outside air that flows in from the front grille 21 to the air conditioner radiator 5.

[0069] As shown in Figure 5, the ventilation structure 10b has a duct shape (U-shaped duct or open duct) enclosed by the floor panel 22, and uses the space within the duct to guide outside air from the front grille 21 to the air conditioner radiator 5.

[0070] An opening 11 is formed at the front of the air blower structure 10b by cutting out the portion that overlaps with the front grille 21, and this opening 11 is connected to the front end of the duct shape described above. This opening 11 is located at the front end of the air blower structure 10b. The opening 11 may have the same or substantially the same shape and size as the front grille 21.

[0071] In addition, a panel portion 18 may be erected on the front side of the air blower structure 10b, similar to the air blower structure 10a of the first embodiment. Note that the panel portion 18 is not shown in Figures 5 to 7. An opening 11 may be formed in the panel portion 18 by cutting out the portion that overlaps with the front grille 21.

[0072] The upper part of the duct shape is formed by the lower surface of the floor panel 22. The floor panel 22 is a component that makes up the floor of the driver's seat and is laid inside the driver's seat. In the center of the floor panel 22 in the vehicle width direction, a tunnel-shaped central floor 221 is formed to rise upward from the front to the rear of the driver's seat, widening the internal space. The central floor 221 may be formed by, for example, press forming.

[0073] In the central floor 221, the duct space is formed to widen in the height direction at its front.

[0074] The front portion of the central floor 221 is formed to be wider in the vehicle width direction and is positioned higher than the narrower portion 12 that follows it, with its front end opening forward. The front end of the central floor 221 formed in this way is connected to the front grille 21 as an opening 11.

[0075] In the intermediate portion of the central floor 221 in the longitudinal direction, a narrow section 12 is formed such that the duct space is narrowed in the vehicle width direction and height direction, that is, the cross-sectional area in the plane perpendicular to the direction of cooling airflow (vertical plane) is reduced. It is desirable that this narrow section 12 be formed in front of the installation position of the air conditioner radiator 5.

[0076] For example, the intermediate portion of the central floor 221 in the front-rear direction may be sandwiched between protrusions that project from both the left and right sides toward the center in the vehicle width direction. As a result, the duct space in the narrow section 12 is narrowed in the vehicle width direction.

[0077] Furthermore, the narrow section 12 is formed to be lower in height compared to the front and rear sections of the narrow section 12 within the duct space.

[0078] Thus, in the narrow section 12, the duct space is formed such that the cross-sectional area in the plane perpendicular to the cooling airflow direction is reduced in the intermediate portion in the front-to-back direction.

[0079] In the confined section 12 of the air supply structure 10b, the flow velocity (wind speed) of the cooling air flowing through the duct space increases. This increased flow velocity of the cooling air then passes through the air conditioner radiator 5. Furthermore, downstream of the confined section 12 in the central floor 221, the duct space may be widened.

[0080] Furthermore, in vehicle 1b, multiple batteries may be placed behind the air conditioner radiator 5, for example, between the front and rear tires.

[0081] The cooling air that has passed through the air conditioner heat exchanger 5 may cool these batteries by passing between them. In other words, these batteries may also be an example of objects to be cooled.

[0082] [2. Action and Effects] While vehicle 1b is in motion, outside air (cooling air) entering from the front grille 21 flows into the air blower structure 10b from the front through the opening 11. In the air blower structure 10b, the flow velocity of the incoming cooling air increases in the narrow section 12.

[0083] In the confined section 12, the cooling air, whose flow velocity has increased, circulates from the front to the back of the air conditioner radiator 5. This cooling air cools the cooling water inside the air conditioner radiator 5, causing heat exchange.

[0084] Furthermore, the cooling air that has passed through the air conditioner heat sink 5 may cool these batteries by passing between them.

[0085] Thus, the same effects and advantages as those of the first embodiment can be achieved in the air blowing structure 10b according to the second embodiment.

[0086] In other words, airflow (cooling air) is drawn in from the front grille 21, and this cooling air is passed through the duct space in the air blower structure 10b and then through the air conditioner radiator 5. This cooling air allows for heat exchange of the coolant inside the air conditioner radiator 5.

[0087] An opening 11 of the air blower structure 10a is provided at the position where the air pressure during driving is greatest in the vehicle 1b. By taking in air from the vehicle through this opening 11, the air velocity of the cooling air passing through the duct space within the air blower structure 10b can be increased. This increases the air velocity of the cooling air passing through the air conditioner radiator 5 located downstream of the narrow section 12 of the air blower structure 10b, thereby improving cooling efficiency.

[0088] Furthermore, by increasing the airflow velocity of the cooling air, it is possible to distribute the cooling air from the front of the vehicle 1b (front grille 21) to a rear position far away, improving the flexibility of the placement of objects to be cooled and thus offering greater convenience.

[0089] Within the air blower structure 10b, the airflow velocity of the cooling air passing through the duct space can be increased by providing a narrow section 12. This also increases the airflow velocity of the cooling air passing through the air conditioner radiator 5 located downstream of the air blower structure 10b, and the cooling air passing between the batteries located behind the air conditioner radiator 5.

[0090] Furthermore, the floor panel 22 is used in the configuration of the air blower structure 10b, and cooling air flows beneath the floor panel 22. However, since the cooling air flowing through the duct space of the air blower structure 10b is equal to the ambient temperature, the temperature of the floor panel 22 does not rise. In addition, by having the cooling air pass beneath the floor panel 22, the floor panel 22 can be given a heat dissipation effect, thereby improving the cooling efficiency of the driver's seat.

[0091] [C. Others] The configurations of the air blower structures 10a and 10b shown in the embodiments described above are examples. For example, the air blower structures 10a and 10b may be applied to vehicles other than trucks and small buses. Also, although the embodiments described above show an electric vehicle as an example of a ZEV, it is not limited to this. For example, the air blower structures 10a and 10b may be applied to a fuel cell vehicle, and can be implemented with various modifications.

[0092] Furthermore, while the first embodiment showed the cooling target as equipment inside the EV equipment box 3, and the second embodiment showed the cooling target as an air conditioner radiator 5 or a battery, the embodiment is not limited to these. Other equipment may also be used as the cooling target.

[0093] Furthermore, in the second embodiment described above, the blower structure 10b may have a structure that closes at least a portion of the bottom. This improves the blowing efficiency of the cooling air in the blower structure 10b and maintains the flow velocity of the cooling air.

[0094] [D. Addendum] (Note 1) A blower structure for blowing cooling air onto an object to be cooled in a vehicle, An opening formed at the front of the vehicle, A duct space formed below the floor panel of the driver's seat, through which the cooling air is guided from the opening to the object to be cooled. Equipped with, The duct space has a narrow portion in which the cross-sectional area in a plane perpendicular to the direction of the cooling airflow is smaller than that of the opening. A ventilation structure characterized by the following features.

[0095] (Note 2) The upper part of the duct space is formed by the lower surface of the floor panel. The air blowing structure described in Appendix 1, characterized by the features described herein.

[0096] (Note 3) Downstream of the narrow section, there is an expanded section in which the cross-sectional area in a plane perpendicular to the direction of cooling airflow in the duct space is wider than that of the narrow section. The expanded section is provided with a flow divider that divides the cooling air into multiple branches and guides it through them. The air blowing structure according to Appendix 1 or 2, characterized by the above.

[0097] (Note 4) The aforementioned narrow portion is formed in front of the object to be cooled in the duct space. A blower structure as described in any one of the appendices 1 to 3, characterized by the features described herein. [Explanation of symbols]

[0098] 1a, 1b Vehicles 2 Cab 3 EV equipment box 4 Bodywork 5. Air conditioner radiator 10a, 10b Air blowing structure 11 Opening 12 Narrow area 13 Corn 14R,14L Branch 15 Side cover 16 Front Lower Cover 17 Undercover 18 Panel section 19. Expansion section 21 Front Grille 22 Floor Panels 31 Air supply port 32S, 32U exhaust port 221 Central Floor 222 Side Floor

Claims

[Claim 1] A blower structure for blowing cooling air onto an object to be cooled in a vehicle, An opening formed at the front of the vehicle, A duct space formed below the floor panel of the driver's seat, through which the cooling air is guided from the opening to the object to be cooled. Equipped with, The duct space has a narrow portion in which the cross-sectional area in a plane perpendicular to the direction of the cooling airflow is smaller than that of the opening. A ventilation structure characterized by the following features.

Images