Radiator protection structure

Abstract

To provide a radiator protection device that protects the radiator from flying objects while reducing the airflow resistance of the air passing through the protective material, thereby improving the heat dissipation performance of the radiator. [Solution] The air guide shroud 3 has a plurality of horizontal bars 13, 14, and 15 that are spaced apart in the vertical direction and extend in the vehicle width direction, and is equipped with a protective member 4 positioned between the radiator 1 and the air guide shroud 3 in the front-rear direction. The air guide shroud 3 has an upper wall 3A and a lower wall 3B that extend in the front-rear direction and are inclined vertically with respect to the horizontal direction. The upper horizontal bar 13 has an inclined portion 13A that extends from the front end to the rear end and is inclined along the inclination direction of the upper wall 3A, and a horizontal portion 13B that extends horizontally rearward from the rear end of the inclined portion 13A. The lower horizontal bar 15 has an inclined portion 15A that extends from the front end to the rear end and is inclined along the inclination direction of the lower wall 3B, and a horizontal portion 15B that extends horizontally rearward from the rear end of the inclined portion 15A.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a protection structure for a radiator.

Background Art

[0002] In order to prevent damage to the tubes of a heat exchanger caused by collisions with flying stones or the like, a protection device for a vehicle heat exchanger in which the front surface of the tubes of the heat exchanger is covered with a protection member is known (see Patent Document 1).

[0003] This protection device for a vehicle heat exchanger includes a protection member. The protection member covers the core portion on the front surface side of the sub-radiator and protects the tubes of the sub-radiator from flying stones or the like that have entered the engine room from the front grille.

[0004] The protection member has a net portion. The net portion is a substantially rectangular plate-like member having substantially the same area as the core portion, and is formed in a net (mesh) shape from a plurality of horizontal bars extending in the left-right direction and a plurality of vertical bars extending in the up-down direction.

[0005] The horizontal bars have substantially the same vertical dimension as the vertical dimension of the tubes and are arranged at the same vertical position as the tubes. Therefore, when the net portion is viewed from the front surface side, the tubes are hidden by the horizontal bars and cannot be seen, and the tubes can be protected from flying stones or the like.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0006]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0007] In conventional vehicle heat exchanger protection structures, the horizontal bars extend horizontally in the front-to-back direction. Therefore, if a small stone or other flying object smaller than the vertical gap of the horizontal bars flies from the front of the vehicle, there is a risk that the protective component could cause the object to collide with the radiator.

[0008] In contrast, reducing the vertical gap between the horizontal bars can suppress the impact of flying objects on the radiator. However, reducing the vertical gap between the horizontal bars increases airflow resistance, reducing the amount of airflow passing through the radiator and potentially degrading the radiator's heat dissipation performance.

[0009] On the other hand, in the case of a radiator, an air guide shroud is provided in front of the protective member to direct the airflow into the radiator.

[0010] If the upper and lower walls of the air guide shroud are inclined with respect to the horizontal, the airflow that flows diagonally along the upper and lower walls from the front will collide with the horizontally extending crossbars and then change direction horizontally. In other words, the airflow is sharply bent by the crossbars, which increases the airflow resistance of the airflow through the protective material and may worsen the heat dissipation performance of the radiator.

[0011] This invention was made in view of the above circumstances, and aims to provide a radiator protection device that can protect the radiator from flying objects while reducing the airflow resistance of the air passing through the protective member, thereby improving the heat dissipation performance of the radiator. [Means for solving the problem]

[0012] The present invention relates to a radiator protection structure comprising: an air guide shroud provided in front of a radiator located at the front of a vehicle to guide airflow to the radiator; and a protective member having a plurality of horizontal bars spaced apart in the vertical direction and extending in the vehicle width direction, and positioned between the radiator and the air guide shroud in the front-rear direction of the vehicle, wherein the protective member protects the radiator from flying objects flying from the front, wherein the air guide shroud extends in the front-rear direction of the vehicle and has a wall portion that is inclined in the vertical direction with respect to the horizontal direction, and at least a part of the horizontal bars has an inclined portion that extends from the front end to the rear end and is inclined along the inclination direction of the wall portion, and a horizontal portion that extends horizontally rearward from the rear end of the inclined portion. [Effects of the Invention]

[0013] As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to protect the radiator from flying objects while reducing the airflow resistance of the air passing through the protective member, thereby improving the heat dissipation performance of the radiator. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0014] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a front view of a radiator and a radiator protection structure according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a perspective view of a radiator and a radiator protection structure according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line III-III in Figure 1. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a perspective cross-sectional view of the upper part of the protective member, cut along the III-III direction in Figure 1. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the upper horizontal bar of the protective member, cut along the III-III direction in Figure 1. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of a radiator and a radiator protection structure according to a second embodiment of the present invention (corresponding to the section viewed from the line III-III in Figure 1). [Figure 7] Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of a radiator and a radiator protection structure according to a third embodiment of the present invention (corresponding to the section viewed from the line III-III in Figure 1). [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a view showing a protection structure of a radiator according to a third embodiment of the present invention, and is a cross-sectional view of a part of a horizontal bar at the upper part of a protection member.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0015] A protection structure of a radiator according to an embodiment of the present invention is provided in front of a radiator arranged at the front part of a vehicle, and includes an air guide shroud that guides running wind to the radiator, and a plurality of horizontal bars that are spaced apart in the vertical direction and extend in the vehicle width direction, and is arranged between the radiator and the air guide shroud in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, and is a protection structure of a radiator that protects the radiator from flying objects flying from the front by the protection member. The air guide shroud extends in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle and has a wall portion that is inclined in the vertical direction with respect to the horizontal direction. At least a part of the horizontal bar has an inclined portion that extends from the front end portion to the rear end portion and is inclined along the inclination direction of the wall portion, and a horizontal portion that extends horizontally backward from the rear end portion of the inclined portion.

[0016] Thereby, the protection structure of the radiator according to an embodiment of the present invention can improve the heat dissipation performance of the radiator by reducing the ventilation resistance of the running wind passing through the protection member while protecting the radiator from flying objects.

Example

[0017] Hereinafter, a protection structure of a radiator according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. (First Embodiment) FIGS. 1 to 5 are views showing a protection structure of a radiator according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

[0018] First, the configuration will be described. In FIGS. 1 to 8, the vertical, front-rear, left-right directions are based on the radiator arranged in the vehicle, the longitudinal direction of the vehicle is the front-rear direction, the left-right direction (vehicle width direction) of the vehicle is the left-right direction, and the vertical direction (height direction) of the vehicle is the vertical direction.

[0019] In Figure 1, an engine compartment (not shown) is located at the front of the vehicle, and a radiator 1 (see Figure 2) is positioned in the engine compartment as a heat exchanger. An engine (not shown) is located in the engine compartment behind the radiator 1.

[0020] As shown in Figure 2, the radiator 1 has an upstream tank 1A located on the left side (one side in the vehicle width direction) into which high-temperature coolant used to cool the engine is introduced, and a downstream tank 1B located on the right side (the other side in the vehicle width direction) into which low-temperature coolant is introduced to the engine.

[0021] A radiator core 1C (see Figure 3) is provided between the upstream tank 1A and the downstream tank 1B in the vehicle width direction, and the cooling water stored in the upstream tank 1A is discharged to the downstream tank 1B through the radiator core 1C.

[0022] The radiator core 1C comes into contact with the airflow from the front of the vehicle, and cools the coolant by exchanging heat between the airflow and the coolant.

[0023] As shown in Figure 3, a front grille 2, an air guide shroud 3, and a protective member 4 are provided in front of the radiator 1.

[0024] The front grille 2 is located at the front of the vehicle and has multiple openings 2A for taking in airflow. The openings 2A extend in the vehicle width direction along their longitudinal axis and in the vertical direction along their transverse axis. In other words, the openings 2A are formed in a horizontally elongated rectangular shape.

[0025] The radiator 1, front grille 2, air guide shroud 3, and protective member 4 are formed in a horizontally elongated rectangular shape, with the longitudinal direction extending in the vehicle width direction and the short direction extending vertically.

[0026] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, when the radiator 1 is viewed from the front of the vehicle, the area of ​​the front grille 2 is larger than the area of ​​the radiator 1.

[0027] The air guide shroud 3 is located behind the front grille 2. In other words, the front grille 2 is located in front of the air guide shroud 3.

[0028] The air guide shroud 3 directs the airflow taken in through the opening 2A of the front grille 2 to the radiator 1. The protective member 4 is positioned between the radiator 1 and the air guide shroud 3 in the front-rear direction.

[0029] The air guide shroud 3 has an upper wall 3A, a lower wall 3B, a left side wall 3C, and a right side wall 3D. The upper wall 3A connects the upper edge 2a of the front grille 2 and the upper edge 4a of the protective member 4, and is inclined vertically with respect to the horizontal direction (i.e., the horizontal plane). Specifically, the upper wall 3A is inclined downward from the upper edge 2a of the front grille 2 toward the upper edge 4a of the protective member 4.

[0030] The lower wall 3B connects the lower edge 2b of the front grille 2 and the lower edge 4b ​​of the protective member 4, and is inclined vertically with respect to the horizontal. Specifically, the lower wall 3B is inclined upward from the lower edge 2b of the front grille 2 toward the lower edge 4b ​​of the protective member 4.

[0031] As shown in Figure 1, the left side wall 3C connects the left edge 2c of the front grille 2 with the left edge 4c of the protective member 4, and also connects the left edge of the upper wall 3A with the left edge of the lower wall 3B.

[0032] The right-side wall 3D connects the right edge 2d of the front grille 2 with the right edge 4d of the protective member 4, and also connects the right edge of the upper wall 3A with the right edge of the lower wall 3B.

[0033] The air guide shroud 3 directs the airflow taken in through the opening 2A of the front grille 2 towards the radiator 1 between the upper wall 3A, the lower wall 3B, the left wall 3C, and the right wall 3D.

[0034] In this embodiment, the upper wall 3A and the lower wall 3B constitute a wall portion. The left edge 2c of the front grille 2 constitutes one edge of the front grille in the vehicle width direction, and the right edge 2d of the front grille 2 constitutes the other edge of the front grille in the vehicle width direction.

[0035] The left edge 4c of the protective member 4 constitutes one edge of the protective member, and the right edge 4d of the protective member 4 constitutes the other edge of the protective member.

[0036] As shown in Figures 1 and 3, the protective member 4 has an upper plate 11 located at the top of the protective member 4 and extending in the vehicle width direction, a lower plate 12 located at the bottom of the protective member 4 and extending in the vehicle width direction, horizontal bars 13, 14, and 15 located between the upper plate 11 and the lower plate 12 in the vertical direction, spaced apart in the vertical direction and extending in the vehicle width direction, and vertical bars 16 spaced apart in the vehicle width direction and extending in the vertical direction.

[0037] The horizontal bars 13, 14, and 15 intersect with the vertical bar 16, and an airflow opening 4A (see Figures 3 and 4) is formed between the horizontal bars 13, 14, and 15 and the vertical bar 16. The upper edge of the upper plate 11 constitutes the upper edge 4a of the protective member 4, and the lower edge of the lower plate 12 constitutes the lower edge 4b ​​of the protective member 4.

[0038] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the five horizontal bars 13 positioned on the upper side have inclined sections 13A and horizontal sections 13B.

[0039] The inclined section 13A extends from the front end to the rear end and is inclined along the direction of inclination of the upper wall 3A of the air guide shroud 3. The horizontal section 13B extends horizontally rearward from the rear end of the inclined section 13A, with its rear end facing the radiator 1 with a gap between them. The inclined section 13A and the horizontal section 13B are connected at the center of the crossbar 13 in the front-rear direction.

[0040] The connection point between the inclined section 13A and the horizontal section 13B may be either in front of or behind the center of the horizontal bar 13 in the direction in which it extends.

[0041] The five horizontal bars 14, positioned in the center in the vertical direction, extend horizontally, with their rear ends facing the radiator 1 via a gap.

[0042] The five horizontal bars 15 positioned on the lower side have inclined sections 15A and horizontal sections 15B. The inclined sections 15A extend from the front end to the rear end and are inclined along the inclination direction of the lower wall 3B of the air guide shroud 3. The inclined sections 15A and the horizontal sections 15B are connected at the center of the horizontal bar 15 in the front-rear direction.

[0043] The connection point between the inclined section 15A and the horizontal section 15B may be either in front of or behind the center of the horizontal bar 15 in the direction in which it extends.

[0044] The horizontal section 15B extends horizontally rearward from the rear end of the inclined section 15A, with its rear end facing the radiator 1 via a gap.

[0045] The gaps formed between the rear ends of the horizontal bars 13, 14, and 15 and the radiator 1 are to allow for the discharge of flying debris such as pebbles that fly in from the front and are taken in through the opening 4A of the protective member 4.

[0046] Next, the effect of the protective structure of the radiator 1 in this embodiment will be explained. The protective structure for the radiator 1 in this embodiment includes a wind guide shroud 3 located in front of the radiator 1, which is positioned at the front of the vehicle, and which guides airflow to the radiator 1, and a protective member 4 having a plurality of horizontal bars 13, 14, 15 that are spaced apart in the vertical direction and extend in the vehicle width direction, and which is positioned between the radiator 1 and the wind guide shroud 3 in the front-rear direction, and the protective member 4 protects the radiator 1 from flying objects coming from the front.

[0047] The air guide shroud 3 has an upper wall 3A and a lower wall 3B that extend in the front-rear direction and are inclined vertically with respect to the horizontal direction.

[0048] The upper horizontal bar 13 has an inclined portion 13A that extends from the front end to the rear end and slopes along the direction of inclination of the upper wall 3A, and a horizontal portion 13B that extends horizontally to the rear from the rear end of the inclined portion 13A. The lower horizontal bar 15 has an inclined portion 15A that extends from the front end to the rear end and slopes along the direction of inclination of the lower wall 3B, and a horizontal portion 15B that extends horizontally to the rear from the rear end of the inclined portion 15A.

[0049] As a result, as shown in Figure 3, the airflow W1 taken in from the opening 2A of the front grille 2, which flows from top to bottom along the upper wall 3A of the air guide shroud 3, can be taken in and flowed between the inclined portions 13A of adjacent horizontal bars 13 in the vertical direction without changing the direction of flow.

[0050] On the other hand, of the airflow W taken in from the opening 2A of the front grille 2, the airflow W2 that flows from top to bottom along the lower wall 3B of the air guide shroud 3 can be taken in and flowed between the inclined portions 15A of adjacent horizontal bars 15 in the vertical direction without changing the direction of flow.

[0051] Furthermore, of the airflow W taken in through the opening 2A of the front grille 2, the airflow W3 that flows through the central part of the air guide shroud 3 in the vertical direction can be taken in and flowed between the adjacent horizontal bars 14 in the vertical direction without changing the direction of flow.

[0052] Therefore, the airflow resistance of the airflow through the opening 4A of the protective member 4 is suppressed, allowing more airflow to be supplied to the radiator 1 and passed through the radiator core 1C, thereby improving the heat dissipation performance of the radiator 1.

[0053] As shown in Figure 5, by providing an inclined portion 13A on the upper horizontal bar 13, a vertical gap S1 can be formed between a virtual horizontal line 31 passing through the front end of the inclined portion 13A and a virtual line 32 extending in the front-rear direction along the horizontal portion 13B of the horizontal bar 13 located above the horizontal bar 13 having the inclined portion 13A.

[0054] Furthermore, in adjacent inclined sections 13A in the vertical direction, the vertical gap S2 between the inclined sections 13A can be set as a gap S2 for taking in the airflow W1, and this gap S2 can be set to be larger than the gap S1.

[0055] This allows more airflow W1 to be smoothly drawn in through the gap S2, which is larger than the gap S1, and more airflow W1 can be supplied to the radiator 1. As a result, the airflow resistance of the airflow W1 passing through the protective member 4 is reduced, and the heat dissipation performance of the radiator 1 can be improved.

[0056] On the other hand, flying objects 41 such as pebbles (see Figure 5) flying from the front can be made to collide with the vertically adjacent inclined section 13A within the range of a gap S2 that is larger than the gap S1 (see the path 42 of the flying object 41 in Figure 5), thereby mitigating the impact of the flying object 41.

[0057] Therefore, the collision energy of the flying object 41 with the radiator 1 can be reduced, and the radiator 1 can be easily protected from the flying object 41. Note that the lower horizontal bar 15 has the same effect as the upper horizontal bar 13, so its explanation is omitted.

[0058] Thus, the protective structure of the radiator 1 in this embodiment protects the radiator 1 from flying objects while reducing the airflow resistance of the air passing through the protective member 4, thereby improving the heat dissipation performance of the radiator 1.

[0059] Furthermore, according to the protective structure of the radiator 1 of this embodiment, there is a front grille 2 positioned in front of the air guide shroud 3 and having a plurality of openings 2A that take in airflow while driving into the air guide shroud 3.

[0060] The air guide shroud 3 has an upper wall 3A that slopes from the upper edge 2a of the front grille 2 toward the protective member 4 and connects the upper edge 2a of the front grille 2 and the upper edge 4a of the protective member 4, and a lower wall 3B that slopes from the lower edge 2b of the front grille 2 toward the protective member 4 and connects the lower edge 2b of the front grille 2 and the lower edge 4b ​​of the protective member 4.

[0061] In addition, the inclined portion 13A of the upper horizontal bar 13 is inclined along the upper wall 3A, and the inclined portion 15A of the lower horizontal bar 15 is inclined along the lower wall 3B.

[0062] This allows the airflow W1 and W2, which flows along the inclined direction of the upper wall 3A and lower wall 3B of the air guide shroud 3, to be received and flowed into the inclined section 13A of the horizontal bar 13 and the inclined section 15A of the horizontal bar 15 without altering the airflow.

[0063] As a result, the airflow resistance of the air W1 and W2 flowing through the opening 4A of the protective member 4 can be more effectively suppressed, thereby more effectively improving the heat dissipation performance of the radiator 1.

[0064] Furthermore, according to the protective structure of the radiator 1 of this embodiment, the air guide shroud 3 has a left side wall 3C that connects the left edge 2c of the front grille 2 and the left edge 4c of the protective member 4, and a right side wall 3D that connects the right edge 2d of the front grille 2 and the right edge 4d of the protective member 4.

[0065] This prevents the airflow taken in through the opening 2A of the front grille 2 into the air guide shroud 3 from escaping to the outside from the space enclosed by the upper wall 3A, lower wall 3B, left wall 3C, and right wall 3D of the air guide shroud 3.

[0066] Therefore, more airflow taken in through the opening 2A of the front grille 2 can be supplied to the radiator 1, thereby more effectively improving the heat dissipation performance of the radiator 1.

[0067] (Example 2) Figure 6 shows a protective structure for a radiator according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The same reference numerals as in the first embodiment are used, and their descriptions are omitted.

[0068] In the first embodiment, the protective structure for the radiator 1 is such that, when the radiator 1 is viewed from the front of the vehicle, the area of ​​the front grille 2 is larger than the area of ​​the radiator 1.

[0069] In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 6, when the radiator 1 is viewed from the front of the vehicle, the area of ​​the front grille 2 is made smaller than the area of ​​the radiator 1.

[0070] In this case, the upper wall 3M of the air guide shroud 3 is inclined upward from front to rear, and the lower wall 3N of the air guide shroud 3 is inclined downward from front to rear, and the inclined portion 13A of the horizontal bar 13 and the inclined portion 15A of the horizontal bar 15 are inclined along the inclination direction of the upper wall 3M and the lower wall 3N. Even with this configuration, the same effects as in the first embodiment can be obtained.

[0071] (Example 3) Figures 7 and 8 show a protective structure for a radiator according to a third embodiment of the present invention. The same reference numerals as in the first embodiment are used, and their descriptions are omitted.

[0072] In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 8, the rear ends 13c and 15c of the horizontal sections 13C and 15C of the horizontal bars 13 and 15 are positioned behind the intersection point 33a where a virtual straight line 33 intersects with the inclined sections 13A and 15A of adjacent horizontal bars 13 and 15 in the vertical direction.

[0073] In other words, the length of the horizontal sections 13C and 15C of the horizontal bars 13 and 15 is made longer than the inclined sections 13A and 15A of the horizontal bars 13 and 15.

[0074] In this way, as shown in Figure 8, even if a flying object 41 such as a pebble enters the protective member 4 from the front at a relatively high speed and does not collide with the inclined section 13A, it can be reliably made to collide with the horizontal section 13C of the crossbar 13, thereby mitigating the impact of the flying object 41 (see the path 43 of the flying object 41 in Figure 8).

[0075] Therefore, the collision energy of the flying object 41 with the radiator 1 can be reduced more effectively, and the radiator 1 can be protected more effectively from the flying object 41.

[0076] Furthermore, although a horizontal section 13B is formed on the upper horizontal bar 13 in each of the above embodiments, the horizontal bar 13 may be formed in a straight line and inclined overall along the inclination direction of the upper wall 3A of the horizontal bar 13 to reduce ventilation resistance.

[0077] In other words, if the flying object is a flying stone, providing an inclined section 15A and a horizontal section 15B on the lower horizontal bar 15 closer to the ground will significantly reduce ventilation resistance while protecting the radiator 1 from flying stones.

[0078] While embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. All such modifications and equivalents are intended to be included in the following claims. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0079] 1. Radiator 2 Front Grille 2A aperture 2a Upper edge 2b Lower edge 2c Left edge (one edge of the front grille in the vehicle width direction) 2d Right edge (the other edge of the front grille in the vehicle width direction) 3. Wind deflector shroud 3A Upper wall (wall part) 3B Lower wall (wall) 4. Protective component 4a Upper edge (upper edge of protective member) 4b Lower edge (lower edge of protective member) 4c Left edge (one edge of the protective member) 4d Right edge (the other edge of the protective member) 13,15 horizontal bars 13A,15A Slope section 13B,13C, 15B, 15C horizontal part

Claims

1. A wind duct shroud is provided in front of the radiator located at the front of the vehicle, which directs the airflow to the radiator. It comprises a protective member having multiple horizontal bars spaced apart in the vertical direction and extending in the vehicle width direction, and positioned between the radiator and the air guide shroud in the front-rear direction of the vehicle, A radiator protection structure that protects the radiator from flying objects coming from the front by the aforementioned protective member, The aforementioned air guide shroud extends in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle and has wall portions that are inclined vertically with respect to the horizontal direction. A radiator protection structure characterized in that at least a portion of the crossbar has an inclined portion that extends from the front end to the rear end and slopes along the direction of inclination of the wall portion, and a horizontal portion that extends horizontally to the rear from the rear end of the inclined portion.

2. The front grille is positioned in front of the air guide shroud and has multiple openings for taking in airflow while driving, The wall portion of the air guide shroud has an upper wall that slopes from the upper edge of the front grille toward the protective member and connects the upper edge of the front grille and the upper edge of the protective member, and a lower wall that slopes from the lower edge of the front grille toward the protective member and connects the lower edge of the front grille and the lower edge of the protective member. The radiator protection structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, of the plurality of horizontal bars, the inclined portion of the upper horizontal bar is inclined along the upper wall, and the inclined portion of the lower horizontal bar is inclined along the lower wall.

3. The radiator protection structure according to claim 2, characterized in that the air guide shroud has one side wall portion connecting one edge of the front grille in the vehicle width direction to one edge of the protective member, and the other side wall portion connecting the other edge of the front grille in the vehicle width direction to the other edge of the protective member.

4. The radiator protection structure according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the rear end of the horizontal portion of the crossbar is located behind the intersection point where a virtual straight line intersects with the inclined portion of a crossbar adjacent to the crossbar in the vertical direction.

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