Vehicle front structure

Abstract

To provide a vehicle front structure which prevents water from wetting an electric component even in a layout in which the distance between a windshield and the electric component in a vehicle longitudinal direction is short.SOLUTION: A vehicle front structure comprises: an electric component 16 provided below a front windshield 4; and a gutter member 40 which is provided immediately behind the electric component 16 and below the front windshield 4 and receives water droplets dropping off the front windshield 4. The gutter member 40 comprises a flow channel part 47 for letting the water droplets flow in the vehicle width direction when the water droplets drop in the gutter member 40. The flow channel part 47 has: an uppermost part 48 which is configured to have the highest part at a position where the electric component 16 is provided in the vehicle width direction; and inclined parts 49R, 49L which are adjacent to the uppermost part 48 in the vehicle width direction and are inclined downward toward the inner side in the vehicle width direction and toward the outer side in the vehicle width direction respectively.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a front structure of a vehicle, and more particularly to a front structure of a vehicle including electrical components provided below a front windshield, and a gutter member provided immediately behind the electrical components and below the front windshield for receiving water dripping from the front windshield. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a structure is known in which a gutter member (cowl center) is provided to prevent water dripping from a front windshield from reaching electrical components such as a wiper motor (see Patent Document 1).

[0003] However, if a cover member that covers the upper part of accessories such as the battery is provided in the front area on the outer side of the cowl grill in the vehicle width direction, a wide opening is required in order to improve access to the accessories below the cover member during maintenance, etc., and the layout results in the above-mentioned electrical components being close to the front windshield in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle.

[0004] In particular, when the engine unit is positioned vertically in a front engine, rear drive (FR) system, the rear of the engine unit is located close to the dash lower panel, which means that the layout tends to bring the electrical components close to the front windshield.

[0005] In this case, the dimensions of the gutter member in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle, which are necessary to fulfill the drainage function of the above-mentioned gutter member, cannot be sufficiently secured, resulting in problems such as the need to lay out the wiper motor as an electrical component in a position away from the pair of wiper pivots, resulting in unfavorable layout. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] JP 2016-215755 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a front structure for a vehicle that can prevent electrical components from becoming wet even in a layout in which the distance between the front windshield and the electrical components in the vehicle's fore-and-aft direction is small. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The vehicle front structure according to the present invention comprises an electrical component provided below a front windshield, and a gutter member provided immediately behind the electrical component and below the front windshield for receiving water dripping from the front windshield, the gutter member comprising a flow path for directing water droplets in a vehicle width direction when the water droplets drip into the gutter member, the flow path comprising an uppermost portion set to be highest at a position in the vehicle width direction where the electrical component is provided, and an inclined portion adjacent to the uppermost portion in the vehicle width direction and inclined downwardly toward the inside and outside in the vehicle width direction. The electrical component is a wiper motor, and the wiper motor is located between the wiper pivots. The wiper pivots are provided with a pivot drain passage that drains water droplets dripping from the flow path downward. The wiper pivots are provided in pairs on the inside and outside of the vehicle width direction. An auxiliary equipment cover that covers a case that houses auxiliary equipment from above is provided below the pivot drain passage in the wiper pivot on the outside of the vehicle width direction. The auxiliary equipment cover has a cover inclination portion that is inclined downward toward the outside of the vehicle width direction. It is equipped with the following: The electrical component may be a wiper motor. The gutter member may be provided at the cowl center.

[0009] According to the above configuration, at the position where the electrical components are installed, water dripping from the front windshield to the top of the flow path section of the gutter member immediately flows into the inclined section once it reaches the top, so that even if the fore-aft and up-down dimensions of the gutter member at the electrical component arrangement position are small, water contact with the electrical components can be prevented. In short, even in a layout in which the distance between the front windshield and the electrical components in the vehicle longitudinal direction is small, it is possible to prevent the electrical components from becoming wet.

[0010] The electrical component is a wiper motor, which is located between wiper pivots, and the wiper pivots are provided with pivot drainage passages that drain water drops dropped from the flow path downward.

[0011] According to the above-mentioned configuration, the wiper pivot has a pivot drain passage, which drains water droplets dripping from the flow path downward, thereby improving the drainage capacity of the gutter member. Also, the above-mentioned pivot drain passage can be used as a part of the drainage path.

[0012] In addition, a pair of wiper pivots are provided on the inside and outside of the vehicle width direction, and below the pivot drainage passage of the wiper pivot on the outside of the vehicle width direction is an auxiliary equipment cover that covers the case that stores the auxiliary equipment from above, and the auxiliary equipment cover has a cover inclination portion that inclines downward as it approaches the outside of the vehicle width direction. The above-mentioned auxiliary device may be a fuse box.

[0013] According to the above-mentioned configuration, water droplets that have dripped onto the upper surface of the auxiliary equipment cover through the pivot drain passage from the gutter member are drained outward in the vehicle width direction along the inclination direction of the cover inclination portion, thereby preventing the auxiliary equipment from being wetted by water. Also, the above-mentioned auxiliary equipment cover can be used as a part of the drainage path.

[0014] In one embodiment of the present invention, the width of the flow passage portion in the vehicle front-rear direction at the uppermost portion is set to be the smallest compared to other portions. The above-mentioned flow path portion is a region in which the passage cross section is formed in a concave shape, and any portion that is not concave in cross section and is intended for drainage is excluded from the flow path portion. According to the above configuration, even if the width of the uppermost flow passage portion in the front-rear direction is the smallest and the drainage capacity is low, it is possible to prevent water from getting on the electrical components. do.

[0015] child In one embodiment of the present invention, a lower end of the auxiliary equipment cover is offset outward in the vehicle width direction with respect to an upper end of a case that houses the auxiliary equipment.

[0016] According to the above configuration, the offset structure prevents water from entering the inside of the case from the lower end of the cover of the auxiliary equipment due to capillary action, thereby further preventing water from getting on the auxiliary equipment.

[0017] Incidentally, if the upper end of the case and the lower end of the auxiliary equipment cover are not offset from each other, water will seep into the inside of the case due to capillary action, but the above-mentioned configuration prevents such water from seeping in. Effect of the Invention

[0018] According to the present invention, even in a layout in which the distance between the front windshield and the electrical components in the vehicle front-rear direction is small, it is possible to prevent the electrical components from becoming wet. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0019] [Figure 1]1 is a plan view of a front part of a vehicle equipped with a vehicle front structure of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the front part of the vehicle shown in FIG. 1 with the cowl grille removed. [Diagram 3] 3 is a plan view of the front part of the vehicle shown in FIG. 2 with the cover member removed. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a front view showing the wiper motor and its surrounding structure. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the main parts taken along line A-A in FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the main parts taken along line B-B in FIG. 3. [Figure 8] FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. [Figure 10] A cross-sectional view taken along line CC in Figure 9. [Figure 11] 1A is a perspective view showing a pivot drainage structure on the inner side in the vehicle width direction, and FIG. 1B is a perspective view showing a pivot drainage structure on the left end side in the vehicle width direction. [Figure 12] FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of a main part of FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0020] The objective of preventing the electrical components from becoming wet even in a layout in which the distance between the front windshield and the electrical components in the vehicle longitudinal direction is small is achieved by providing an electrical component provided below the front windshield, and a gutter member provided immediately behind the electrical component and below the front windshield to receive water dripping from the front windshield, the gutter member having a flow path portion that causes water droplets to flow in the vehicle width direction when the water droplets drip into the gutter member, the flow path portion having an uppermost portion that is set to be highest at a position in the vehicle width direction where the electrical components are provided, and an inclined portion that is adjacent to the uppermost portion in the vehicle width direction and inclines downwardly toward the inside and outside in the vehicle width direction. The electrical component is a wiper motor, and the wiper motor is located between the wiper pivots. The wiper pivots are provided with a pivot drain passage that drains water droplets dripping from the flow path downward. The wiper pivots are provided in pairs on the inside and outside of the vehicle width direction. An auxiliary equipment cover that covers a case that houses auxiliary equipment from above is provided below the pivot drain passage in the wiper pivot on the outside of the vehicle width direction. The auxiliary equipment cover has a cover inclination portion that is inclined downward toward the outside of the vehicle width direction. This was achieved by providing the following configuration. EXAMPLES

[0021] An embodiment of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The drawings show a front structure of a vehicle, with FIG. 1 being a plan view of the front part of the vehicle equipped with the front structure, FIG. 2 being a plan view of the front part of the vehicle shown with the cowl grill removed from FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 being a plan view of the front part of the vehicle shown with the cover member removed from FIG. 2.

[0022] 4 is an oblique view of FIG. 3, FIG. 5 is a front view showing a wiper motor as an electrical component and its surrounding structure, FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the main parts taken along line A-A in FIG. 1, and FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the main parts taken along line B-B in FIG. 3.

[0023] Prior to describing the front structure of the vehicle, first, the front vehicle body structure will be described. As shown in Fig. 6, dash lower panel 3 is provided as a dash panel that separates engine room 1 (see Figs. 1 to 4) from passenger compartment 2 in the vehicle front-rear direction. This dash lower panel 3 extends in the vehicle width direction, and both left and right ends of dash lower panel 3 in the vehicle width direction are connected to hinge pillars (not shown).

[0024] The hinge pillar is a vehicle body strength member having a closed cross section extending in the vertical direction of the vehicle and including a hinge pillar inner member and a hinge pillar outer member joined and fixed to each other.

[0025] A side sill is provided at the lower end of the hinge pillar and extends rearward from the lower end. The side sill is a vehicle body strength member having a closed cross section extending in the front-rear direction of the vehicle, the closed cross section being formed by joining and fixing a side sill inner member and a side sill outer member.

[0026] A front pillar is provided at the upper end of the hinge pillar and extends obliquely rearward and upward from the upper end. This front pillar is a vehicle body strength member that is formed by joining and fixing a front pillar inner member and a front pillar outer member and has a front pillar closed cross section that extends obliquely rearward and upward of the vehicle.

[0027] As shown in Figures 1 to 4, a front windshield 4 (so-called front windshield glass) is provided in an opening for arranging a front windshield, which is surrounded and formed by a pair of left and right front pillars, a front header located at the upper front side of the vehicle, and a cowl panel 13 described later.

[0028] Here, as shown in FIG. 6, the dash lower panel 3 is a panel member located at the lower end of the front windshield 4, extending in the vehicle width direction and separating the engine room 1 and the passenger compartment 2 in the vehicle front-rear direction.

[0029] Meanwhile, as shown in Figs. 1 to 4, a pair of left and right apron reinforcements 5 are provided at the front upper ends of the above-mentioned left and right hinge pillars and extend forward of the vehicle from the front upper ends. 1 to 4, a pair of left and right front side frames 6 are provided extending forward of the vehicle from both ends in the vehicle width direction of the dash lower panel 3. The front side frames 6 are located on the inner side in the vehicle width direction with respect to the above-mentioned apron reinforcement 5 and below in the vehicle up-down direction.

[0030] The front side frame 6 described above is a vehicle body strength member having a front side frame inner and a front side frame outer joined and fixed together, and having a front side frame closed cross section extending in the front-rear direction of the vehicle.

[0031] 1 to 4, a suspension tower section 7 is provided which is fixed to the front side frame 6, protrudes upward, and supports an upper portion of a damper of a front suspension device (not shown). As shown in Fig. 4, this suspension tower section 7 is attached so as to straddle between a front side panel 8a which constitutes the inner surface of the apron reinforcement 5 and the front side frame 6. Here, a strut tower section may be used as the suspension tower section 7. A rear side panel 8b is provided so as to be continuous with the front side panel 8a in the front-rear direction of the vehicle (see Figs. 4 and 7).

[0032] As shown in Figs. 1 to 4, a connecting member 9 is provided at the front end of the front side frame 6, which connects the front end and a front portion of the apron reinforcement 5 in the vertical direction of the vehicle.

[0033] 1 to 4, both left and right sides of the engine room 1 in the vehicle width direction are covered by a front fender panel 10. In addition, the upper part of the engine room 1 is covered by a bonnet (not shown) that can be opened and closed.

[0034] 1 to 3, the front fender panel 10 is fixed to the apron reinforcement 5 using a plurality of mounting members 11. The bonnet includes a bonnet outer panel and a bonnet inner panel, and the peripheral portion of the bonnet outer panel is hemmed to integrate the bonnet outer panel and the bonnet inner panel.

[0035] 6, a cowl panel 13 having a generally hat-shaped cross section is provided on the upper end bent portion 3a of the dash lower panel 3, with a dash upper panel 12 interposed therebetween. A cowl closed cross section 14 extending in the vehicle width direction is formed between the cowl panel 13 and the dash upper panel 12, so as to improve the rigidity of the cowl portion.

[0036] As shown in FIG. 6, the front windshield 4 is attached via an adhesive 15 to an upper wall portion 13a of the cowl panel 13, which is inclined in a front-low, rear-high shape.

[0037] As shown in Fig. 6, a wiper motor 16 serving as an electrical component is provided below the left side in the vehicle width direction of the front windshield 4. The wiper motor 16 is supported by a wiper motor support bracket 17 shown in Figs. As shown in FIG. 5, the wiper motor 16 is disposed between a pair of wiper pivots WP1, WP2 spaced apart from each other in the vehicle width direction.

[0038] As shown in Figures 1 to 4, a wiper blade 21 is attached via a wiper arm 20 to one wiper pivot WP1 located on the left end side in the vehicle width direction, and a wiper blade 23 is attached via a wiper arm 22 to the other wiper pivot WP2 located on the inner side in the vehicle width direction from the wiper pivot WP1.

[0039] When the wiper motor 16 is driven, the left and right wiper blades 21, 23 are simultaneously driven via the left and right wiper arms 20, 22 with the pair of wiper pivots WP1, WP2 as fulcrums to wipe the front windshield 4.

[0040] As shown in Figures 1 and 6, below the windshield 4 (in this embodiment, below the inclined windshield 4) and above the wiper motor 16, there is provided a cowl grill 24 located at the front of the vehicle on the dash lower panel 3.

[0041] As shown in Fig. 1, the cowl grill 24 extends across substantially the entire width of the vehicle. Also, as shown in Fig. 6, the cowl grill 24 includes front and rear upper surface portions 24a, 24b, front and rear vertical wall portions 24c, 24d, and a cowl seal attachment portion 24e for attaching a cowl seal (not shown).

[0042] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 1, an outside air introduction hole 25 having a mesh structure is formed in the rear upper surface portion 24b of the above-mentioned cowl grill 24 at a portion shifted from the middle portion in the vehicle width direction to the right side in the vehicle width direction.

[0043] As shown in Figures 1 and 3, a cover member 30 (see Figure 1) is provided on the front left side of the cowl grill 24 in the vehicle width direction to cover the upper part of a reservoir tank (not shown) as an auxiliary device and a case 27 that houses a fuse box 26 (see Figure 7) as an auxiliary device.

[0044] As shown in Figures 1 and 3, a cover member 33 (see Figure 1) is provided on the front right side of the cowl grill 24 in the vehicle width direction to cover the upper part of a battery 31 as an auxiliary device and a case 32 that houses a fuse box as an auxiliary device.

[0045] As shown in FIG. 6, a flange portion 30a is integrally formed at the front of the left cover member 30, and a partition member 34 made of an insulator is provided between the underside of this flange portion 30a and a drainage member 60 described later.

[0046] 2, 3, and 4, cowl centers 40, 41 as left and right gutter members are provided at a distance from each other in the middle in the vehicle width direction below the front windshield 4. Each of these cowl centers 40, 41 is a gutter member that receives water dripping from the front windshield 4.

[0047] 6 shows only one cowl center 40, the left and right cowl centers 40, 41 are provided to extend toward the front of the vehicle from the front wall portion 13b of the cowl panel 13. The cowl center 40 on the left side of the vehicle is provided immediately behind the wiper motor 16 (electrical component) described above, as shown in FIGS.

[0048] FIG. 8 is a front view of the cowl center 40, FIG. 9 is an oblique view of the cowl center, FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along line CC in FIG. 9, FIG. 11(a) is an oblique view showing the pivot drainage structure on the inner side in the vehicle width direction, FIG. 11(b) is an oblique view showing the pivot drainage structure on the left end side in the vehicle width direction, and FIG. 12 is an enlarged view of the main parts of FIG. 7.

[0049] As shown in Figures 8 and 9, the above-mentioned cowl center 40 has a recess 42 that is recessed toward the rear of the vehicle in a plan view of the vehicle at position X on the front side of the longitudinal middle part where the wiper motor 16 is provided, and a front wall 40a that rises upward from the periphery of this recess 42 is formed.

[0050] In addition, the above-mentioned cowl center 40 has a recess 43 that is recessed toward the rear of the vehicle when viewed from above at position Y where one of the wiper pivots WP1 is located on the front left side in the vehicle width direction, and a skirt portion 40b is formed extending downward from the periphery of this recess 43.

[0051] Furthermore, the above-mentioned cowl center 40 has a recess 44 that is recessed toward the rear of the vehicle when viewed from above the vehicle, near the right side of position Z where the other wiper pivot WP2 is located at the front right side of the vehicle width direction, and a standing wall 40c that rises upward from the periphery of this recess 44 is formed.

[0052] The left recess 43 at the position Y described above serves as an outflow portion 45 for the dropped water droplets. An outlet 46 for dripping water droplets is provided at the position Z adjacent to the left side in the vehicle width direction of the right recess 44 described above.

[0053] Between the left end of the front wall 40a in the vehicle width direction at the position X and the front part of the right end of the recessed portion 43 in the vehicle width direction at the position Y, a partition wall 40d is provided which rises upward. Furthermore, between the right end of the front wall 40a in the vehicle width direction at the position X described above and the front part of the left end of the outflow portion 46 in the vehicle width direction, a partition wall 40e is provided which rises upward.

[0054] As shown in FIG. 9, the cowl center 40 described above has a bottom wall 40f extending in its longitudinal direction, and a rear wall 40g rising upward from the entire width of the cowl center 40 in the vehicle width direction, including this bottom wall 40f, and a side wall 40h is provided between the front portion of the left end of the recess 43 in the vehicle width direction and the left end of the rear wall 40g in the vehicle width direction. Further, a dam portion 40i extending in the front-rear direction of the vehicle is provided between the right side in the vehicle width direction of the recessed portion 44 and the right side in the vehicle width direction of the rear wall 40g.

[0055] As shown in FIG. 9, an inclined wall 40k is formed on the left side in the vehicle width direction of the bottom wall 40f via a ridge line 40j so as to extend downward toward the outer side in the vehicle width direction. Further, on the right side in the vehicle width direction of the bottom wall 40f, an inclined wall 40n is formed that slopes downward toward the inside in the vehicle width direction via a ridge line 40m.

[0056] Furthermore, an intermediate partition wall 40p that is parallel to the partition wall 40d and rises upward is provided at the midpoint in the front-rear direction of the inclined wall 40k. The above-mentioned walls 40a, 40c, 40d, 40e, 40f, 40g, 40k, 40n, and 40p form a flow path 47 that allows water droplets to flow to both the left and right sides in the vehicle width direction when the water droplets drip onto the cowl center 40.

[0057] This flow path portion 47 has a top portion 48 that is set to be highest at position X in the vehicle width direction where the wiper motor 16 is installed, and inclined portions 49L, 49R that are adjacent to the top portion 48 in the vehicle width direction via ridges 40j, 40m and slope downward toward the outside and inside in the vehicle width direction.

[0058] The above-mentioned uppermost portion 48 has a concave passage cross-section formed by each of the walls 40a, 40f, 40g, one inclined portion 49L has a concave passage cross-section formed by each of the walls 40d, 40k, 40p, and the other inclined portion 49R has a concave passage cross-section formed by each of the walls 40c, 40e, 40n.

[0059] The inclined portion 49L extending downward toward the outer side in the vehicle width direction communicates with one outlet portion 45, and the inclined portion 49R extending downward toward the inner side in the vehicle width direction communicates with the other outlet portion .

[0060] In this manner, the flow path portion 47 has a top portion 48 that is highest at the position X where the wiper motor 16 is installed, and inclined portions 49L, 49R adjacent to the top portion 48 in the vehicle width direction and inclined downward toward the outer side and inner side in the vehicle width direction.

[0061] As a result, at the position X where the wiper motor 16 is provided, water dripping from the front windshield 4 onto the uppermost portion 48 of the flow path portion 47 of the cowl center 40 immediately flows down the inclined portions 49L, 49R, so that even if the front-to-rear and up-to-down dimensions of the cowl center 40 are small at the arrangement position X of the wiper motor 16, water contact with the wiper motor 16 is suppressed.

[0062] 9, the width of the flow passage portion 47 in the vehicle front-rear direction at the above-mentioned uppermost portion 48 is set to be the smallest compared to other portions. As a result, even if the flow passage portion 47 in the uppermost portion 48 has the smallest front-rear width and has a low drainage capacity, the wiper motor 16 is prevented from being wetted.

[0063] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 5, 11(a) and (b), the wiper motor 16 is located between a pair of wiper pivots WP1 and WP2, and the wiper pivots WP1 and WP2 are provided with receiving trays 50 and 51 as pivot drainage passages that drain water droplets dripping from the inclined portions 49L and 49R of the above-mentioned flow path portion 47 downward.

[0064] As shown in Fig. 11(b), the tray 50 for receiving water droplets dripping from the outlet portion 45 at the tip of the inclined portion 49L corresponding to one of the wiper pivots WP1 includes a bottom wall portion 50a, a peripheral wall portion 50b rising upward from the bottom wall portion 50a, and an outlet portion 50c communicating with the bottom wall portion 50a. The bottom wall portion 50a is formed as an inclined surface that inclines downward toward the front of the vehicle and outward in the vehicle width direction toward the outlet portion 50c.

[0065] 11(a), the receiving tray 51 for receiving water droplets dripping from the outlet portion 46 at the tip of the inclined portion 49R corresponding to the other wiper pivot WP2 includes a bottom wall portion 51a, a peripheral wall portion 51b rising upward from the bottom wall portion 51a, and an outlet portion 51c communicating with the bottom wall portion 51a. The bottom wall portion 51a is formed as an inclined surface that inclines downward toward the front of the vehicle and inward in the vehicle width direction toward the outlet portion 51c.

[0066] As a result, the wiper pivots WP1, WP2 have receiving trays 50, 51 as pivot drainage passages, and the receiving trays 50, 51 are configured to discharge downward water droplets dripping from the respective outlets 45, 46 of the flow passage portion 47, thereby improving the drainage capacity of the cowl center 40. Also, the above-mentioned receiving trays 50, 51 are configured to be used as part of the drainage path.

[0067] As shown in Figs. 7 and 12, the case 27 (auxiliary equipment storage case) that houses the fuse box 26 has an auxiliary equipment cover 28 (hereinafter simply referred to as the cover 28) that covers the case 27 from above.

[0068] As shown in the figure, the cover 28 has, at the rear in the vehicle front-rear direction, an upper wall portion 28a, an inner wall portion 28b extending upward from the inner end of the upper wall portion 28a in the vehicle width direction, an outer wall portion 28c extending downward in a stepped manner from the outer end of the upper wall portion 28a in the vehicle width direction, and a rear wall portion 28d extending upward from the rear end of the upper wall portion 28a. Furthermore, the cover 28 has a partition wall portion 28e (see FIG. 11(b)) extending upward from the front end of the above-mentioned upper wall portion 28a.

[0069] 7 and 11(b), the above-mentioned cover 28 (particularly, the upper wall portion 28a) is provided so as to be located below the outlet portion 50c of the receiving tray 50 at the wiper pivot WP1 on the outer side in the vehicle width direction. Also, as shown in Figs. 7 and 12, the upper wall portion 28a of the above-mentioned cover 28 is set as a cover inclined portion 29 that is inclined downward toward the outer side in the vehicle width direction.

[0070] As a result, water droplets dripping from the cowl center 40 through the tray 50 onto the upper surface of the cover 28 (i.e., the upper wall portion 28a) are drained outward in the vehicle width direction along the inclination direction of the cover inclined portion 29, thereby preventing water from reaching the fuse box 26, which is an auxiliary device. Also, the cover 28 is configured to be used as a part of the drainage path.

[0071] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 12, a lower end 28f of an outer wall portion 28c of a cover 28 is offset outward in the vehicle width direction relative to an outer upper end 27a in the vehicle width direction of a case 27 that houses a fuse box 26 as an auxiliary device.

[0072] The offset structure described above prevents water from entering the inside of the case 27 from the lower end 28f of the cover 28 due to capillary action, thereby further preventing the fuse box 26 from becoming wet.

[0073] In the above embodiment, a left-hand drive vehicle with a FR (front engine, rear wheel drive) system and a longitudinally arranged engine unit is illustrated. The above-mentioned cover inclined portion 29 drains water outward in the vehicle width direction, thereby preventing water from splashing onto the brake system. In addition, as shown in FIG. 11(b), a partition wall portion 28e is provided in front of the upper wall portion 28a to prevent water from climbing over the brake system.

[0074] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, a drainage member 60 extending in the vehicle width direction is provided below the front windshield 4 and below the cowl grill 24, the left and right cowl centers 40, 41, and the left and right cover members 30, 33. The drainage member 60 is configured to receive water dripping from the front windshield 4 and drain it from both the left and right outer sides in the vehicle width direction.

[0075] 6 and 7, reference numeral 35 denotes an insulator covering the side of the engine unit, and in Fig. 7, reference numeral 18 denotes an upper cowl rain provided at the lower part of the upper dash panel 12, and reference numeral 19 denotes a lower cowl rain upper 18. Also, in Fig. 7, reference numeral 36 denotes an insulator covering the upper rear part of the engine unit.

[0076] Furthermore, in the figure, arrow F indicates the front of the vehicle, arrow R indicates the rear of the vehicle, arrow IN indicates the inside in the vehicle width direction, arrow OUT indicates the outside in the vehicle width direction, and arrow UP indicates the top of the vehicle.

[0077] In this manner, the front structure of the vehicle in the above embodiment comprises an electrical component (see wiper motor 16) provided below the front windshield 4, and a gutter member (cowl center 40) provided immediately behind the electrical component (wiper motor 16) and below the front windshield 4 to receive water dripping from the front windshield 4, the gutter member (cowl center 40) comprising a flow path 47 for directing water droplets in the vehicle width direction when the water droplets drip onto the gutter member (cowl center 40), the flow path 47 comprising an uppermost portion 48 that is set to be highest at position X where the electrical component (wiper motor 16) is provided in the vehicle width direction, and inclined portions 49R, 49L adjacent to the uppermost portion 48 in the vehicle width direction and inclined downward toward the inside and outside in the vehicle width direction (see Figures 4, 5 and 9).

[0078] According to this configuration, at position X where the electrical component (wiper motor 16) is provided, water dripping from the front windshield 4 onto the uppermost portion 48 of the flow path portion 47 of the gutter member (cowl center 40) immediately flows into the inclined portions 49R, 49L after dripping onto the uppermost portion 48, so that even if the fore-aft and up-down dimensions of the gutter member (cowl center 40) at the position where the electrical component (wiper motor 16) is arranged are small, water contact with the electrical component (wiper motor 16) can be suppressed.

[0079] In short, even in a layout in which the distance between the front windshield 4 and the electrical component (wiper motor 16) in the vehicle front-rear direction is small, it is possible to prevent the electrical component (wiper motor 16) from being wetted.

[0080] In one embodiment of the present invention, the width of the flow passage portion 47 in the vehicle front-rear direction at the uppermost portion 48 is set to be the smallest compared to other portions (see FIG. 9). According to this configuration, even if the flow path portion 47 of the uppermost portion 48 has a minimum width in the front-rear direction and has a low drainage capacity, it is possible to prevent water from reaching the electrical components (the wiper motor 16).

[0081] Furthermore, in one embodiment of the present invention, the electrical component is the wiper motor 16, which is located between the wiper pivots WP1 and WP2, and the wiper pivots WP1 and WP2 are provided with pivot drainage passages (receiving trays 50 and 51) that drain water droplets dripping from the flow path portion 47 downward (see Figures 5 and 11).

[0082] According to this configuration, the wiper pivots WP1, WP2 have pivot drainage passages (receiving trays 50, 51) which drain water droplets dropping from the flow passage 47 downward, thereby improving the drainage capacity of the gutter member (cowl center 40). Also, the pivot drainage passages (receiving trays 50, 51) can be used as part of the drainage path.

[0083] Furthermore, in one embodiment of the present invention, the wiper pivots WP1, WP2 are provided in pairs on the inner side and the outer side in the vehicle width direction, and below the pivot drainage passage (receiving tray 50) of the wiper pivot WP1 on the outer side in the vehicle width direction is provided an auxiliary equipment cover (cover 28) that covers from above the case 27 that stores the auxiliary equipment (fuse box 26), and the auxiliary equipment cover (cover 28) has a cover inclined portion 29 that inclines downward as it approaches the outer side in the vehicle width direction (see Figures 7 and 12).

[0084] According to this configuration, water droplets dripping from the gutter member (cowl center 40) through the pivot drain passage (receiver 50) onto the upper surface of the auxiliary equipment cover (cover 28) can be drained outward in the vehicle width direction along the inclination direction of the cover inclined portion 29, thereby preventing the auxiliary equipment (fuse box 26) from becoming wet. Also, the auxiliary equipment cover (cover 28) can be used as a part of the drainage path.

[0085] In addition, in one embodiment of the present invention, the lower end 28f of the auxiliary equipment cover (cover 28) is offset outward in the vehicle width direction relative to the upper end 27a of the case 27 that houses the auxiliary equipment (fuse box 26) (see Figure 12).

[0086] According to this configuration, the offset structure prevents water from entering the inside of the case 27 from the lower end 28f of the cover 28 of the auxiliary equipment (fuse box 26) due to capillary action, thereby further preventing water from getting onto the auxiliary equipment (fuse box 26).

[0087] Incidentally, if the upper end of the case and the lower end of the auxiliary equipment cover are not offset from each other, water will seep into the inside of the case due to capillary action, but the above-mentioned configuration prevents such water from seeping in.

[0088] In the configuration of the present invention and the above-mentioned embodiment, The electrical component of the present invention corresponds to the wiper motor 16 of the embodiment. Similarly, The auxiliary equipment corresponds to fuse box 26. The auxiliary equipment cover corresponds to Cover 28. The gutter member corresponds to the cowl center 40, The pivot drain passage corresponds to the receiving trays 50 and 51, The present invention is not limited to the configurations of the above-described embodiments.

[0089] For example, in the above embodiment, the vehicle front structure is described as being adopted for a left-hand drive vehicle, but this vehicle front structure may also be adopted for a right-hand drive vehicle, in which case each element such as the cowl center 40, wiper motor 16, wiper pivots WP1, WP2, receiving trays 50, 51, case 27, cover 28, cover inclined portion 29, etc. may be arranged symmetrically on the left and right sides. [Industrial Applicability]

[0090] As described above, the present invention is useful for a front structure of a vehicle that includes electrical components provided below the front windshield, and a gutter member provided immediately behind the electrical components and below the front windshield for receiving water dripping from the front windshield. [Explanation of symbols]

[0091] 4. Front windshield 16...Wiper motor (electrical component) 26...Fuse box (auxiliary equipment) 27…Case 27a…Top end 28...Cover (auxiliary equipment cover) 29…Cover inclination 40...Cowl center (gutter component) 47...Flow passage section 48…Top 49R,49L…Slope part 50,51…Tray (pivot drain passage) WP1, WP2...Wiper pivot

Claims

1. An electrical component provided below the front windshield; a gutter member provided immediately behind the electrical equipment and below the front windshield for receiving water dripping from the front windshield, The gutter member is A flow path portion is provided for directing water droplets in a vehicle width direction when the water droplets drop into the gutter member, The flow path portion has an uppermost portion that is set to be highest at a position where the electrical component is provided in a vehicle width direction; an inclined portion adjacent to the uppermost portion in the vehicle width direction and extending downward toward the inner side and the outer side in the vehicle width direction; Equipped with The electrical component is a wiper motor, The wiper motor is located between the wiper pivots, The wiper pivot includes a pivot drain passage for draining water droplets dripping from the flow path portion downward, The wiper pivot is provided in pairs on the inside and outside in the vehicle width direction, An auxiliary equipment cover is provided below the pivot drainage passage in the wiper pivot on the outer side in the vehicle width direction, the auxiliary equipment cover covering a case for accommodating auxiliary equipment from above, The auxiliary equipment cover is characterized in that it has a cover inclined portion that is inclined downward toward the outer side in the vehicle width direction. Front structure of the vehicle.

2. The width of the flow passage portion in the vehicle front-rear direction at the uppermost portion is set to be the smallest compared to other portions. The vehicle front structure according to claim 1 .

3. The lower end of the auxiliary equipment cover is offset outward in the vehicle width direction with respect to the upper end of the case that houses the auxiliary equipment. The vehicle front structure according to claim 1 .

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