Vehicle front structure

Abstract

To provide a vehicle front structure which is capable of suppressing swirling up of water in a drainage member even when an area of a closed cross section formed by a cowl grill and a drainage member is small.SOLUTION: A vehicle front structure includes a drainage member 60 which is provided below a cowl grill 24 and forms a closed cross section 26 in cooperation of the cowl grill 24. The drainage member 60 is provided with flow passage parts 64, 65 that extend in a vehicle width direction to become routes where water flows. The flow passage part 65 is provided with wind speed lowering parts 68, 69, 73b lowering flow rate of the air flowing in the flow passage part 65 in an area of range from a position overlapping an outside air introduction hole 25 of the cowl grill 24 to an intake port 3b of a dash panel 3 in the vehicle width direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 11

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 a dash panel extending in the vehicle width direction and dividing an engine compartment and a passenger compartment in the vehicle fore-and-aft direction, an air intake port provided at one end of the dash panel in the vehicle width direction, and a cowl grill having an outside air introduction hole located away from the air intake port at the other end in the vehicle width direction. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, a cowl grill is provided under the front windshield, and this cowl grill is formed with an outside air inlet hole for taking in outside air for air conditioning. Water that enters the cowl grill from the above-mentioned outside air inlet hole together with the outside air is drained outward in the vehicle width direction via a drain member below the cowl grill, and a configuration is known in which only air is introduced into an intake port formed in an opening in a dash panel (see Patent Document 1).

[0003] However, if the area of ​​the closed cross section formed by the cowl grill and the drainage member is small, the flow speed of the air sucked in by the suction force of the air conditioning blower and flowing in the vehicle width direction within the closed cross section will become fast, and the water in the drainage member will be sucked up by the high-speed air, causing water droplets to enter the air intake port, raising a concern that this will cause malfunction of the air conditioning system. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2020-50087 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a front structure of a vehicle that can prevent water in the drainage member from being blown up by high-speed air, even if the area of ​​the closed cross-section formed by the cowl grill and the drainage member is small. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The front structure of a vehicle according to the present invention comprises a dash panel extending in the vehicle width direction and dividing an engine compartment and a passenger compartment in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle, an air intake port provided at one end of the dash panel in the vehicle width direction, a cowl grill having an outside air introduction hole at a position spaced from the air intake port to the other end in the vehicle width direction, and a drainage member provided below the cowl grill and cooperating with the cowl grill to form a closed cross-section, the drainage member having a flow path portion extending in the vehicle width direction and providing a path for water to flow, and the flow path portion has a wind speed reduction portion for reducing the flow speed of air flowing through the flow path portion in a region ranging from a position overlapping with the outside air introduction hole in the vehicle width direction to the air intake port.

[0007] The front structure of a vehicle according to the present invention comprises a dash panel extending in the vehicle width direction and dividing an engine compartment and a passenger compartment in the vehicle fore-and-aft direction, an air intake port provided at one end of the dash panel in the vehicle width direction, a cowl grill having an outside air introduction hole at a position spaced from the air intake port to the other end in the vehicle width direction, and a drainage member provided at the bottom of the cowl grill and cooperating with the cowl grill to form a closed cross-section, the drainage member having a flow path portion extending in the vehicle width direction to provide a path for water to flow, the flow path portion having a wind speed reduction portion for reducing the flow speed of air flowing through the flow path portion in a region ranging from a position overlapping with the outside air introduction hole in the vehicle width direction to the air intake port, the wind speed reduction portion being formed by a plurality of first ribs provided in the flow path portion extending in the vehicle fore-and-aft direction and overlapping partially when viewed from the side of the vehicle.

[0008] According to the above-mentioned configuration, air flows in the closed cross section in the vehicle width direction above the water flowing through the flow path of the drainage member. The above-mentioned wind speed reduction section generates air resistance in the space above the flow path, so the speed (wind speed) of the air flowing through the closed cross section is reduced by the wind speed reduction section. As a result, it is possible to suppress the entrainment of droplets stirred up by the air toward the air intake of the dash panel.

[0009] In other words, even if the area of ​​the closed cross-section formed by the cowl grill and the drainage member is small, it is possible to prevent water in the drainage member from being blown up by the high-velocity air and to prevent splashes from being entrained in the air intake of the dash panel.

[0010] Furthermore, as mentioned above, The wind speed reduction portion is formed by a plurality of first ribs extending in the vehicle front-rear direction in the flow path portion and provided so as to partially overlap each other in a side view of the vehicle. Therefore,The multiple first ribs provide resistance to the air flowing in the vehicle width direction within the closed cross section, suppressing entrainment of droplets into the air intake port.

[0011] In one embodiment of the present invention, the wind speed reduction portion is formed by a plurality of first ribs extending in the vehicle front-rear direction in the flow path portion and provided so as to partially overlap each other in a side view of the vehicle. According to the above configuration, the multiple first ribs provide resistance to air flowing in the vehicle width direction within the closed cross section, making it possible to suppress entrainment of droplets into the air intake port.

[0012] In one embodiment of the present invention, the first rib extends from the front or rear end of the flow path portion toward the center of the flow path portion within the flow path width of the flow path portion in the vehicle fore-and-aft direction, and is inclined toward the outside in the vehicle width direction toward the center end of the rib. According to the above configuration, the flow of water with a slow flow rate is not obstructed. On the other hand, the high-speed air flow within the closed cross section can be impeded by the first rib, thereby slowing down the air speed and further suppressing entrainment of droplets into the intake port.

[0013] In one embodiment of the present invention, the plurality of first ribs include a front rib extending from a front end of the flow path portion to a central portion of the flow path portion within the flow path width in the vehicle fore-and-aft direction, and a rear rib spaced apart in the vehicle width direction from the front rib and extending from the rear end of the flow path portion to the central portion of the flow path portion within the flow path width in the vehicle fore-and-aft direction, and the front rib and the rear rib are arranged so as to overlap partially when viewed from the side of the vehicle.

[0014] According to the above configuration, the space above the flow path portion can be divided in the width direction by the first rib when viewed from the side of the vehicle, and the speed of the air introduced into the intake port can be reduced more effectively.

[0015] In one embodiment of the present invention, the drainage member extends in the vehicle width direction and has an inclined portion that inclines downward toward the outer side in the vehicle width direction. According to the above configuration, the above-mentioned inclined portion of the drainage member is inclined downward toward the outside in the vehicle width direction, and the drainage path on the upper surface of the inclined portion is located lower the closer it is to the air intake port of the dash panel, thereby further suppressing entrainment of droplets into the air intake port.

[0016] In one embodiment of the present invention, the drainage member has a slope-shaped portion extending upward toward the rear from the rear end of the flow path portion, and the slope-shaped portion has a plurality of second ribs extending in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle and spaced apart in the vehicle width direction.

[0017] According to the above configuration, the water flowing in the slope-shaped portion flows down toward the flow path, while the speed of the air flowing in the vehicle width direction within the closed cross section above the water in the slope-shaped portion can be reduced by the second rib, thereby further suppressing entrainment of droplets into the intake port.

[0018] In one embodiment of the present invention, the second rib of the slope-shaped portion has a slanted portion that is inclined inward in the vehicle width direction toward the lower side. According to the above configuration, the water flowing through the slope-shaped portion is redirected toward the inside in the vehicle width direction by the slant portion, weakening the force of the water and decreasing the flow rate, thereby making it possible to suppress the generation of splashes when the water flows down from the slope-shaped portion and joins the flow path portion. In addition, the water flowing through the slope-shaped portion can be made to flow down and join the flow passage portion at a position spaced inward in the vehicle width direction from the air intake port of the dash panel. Effect of the Invention

[0019] According to the present invention, even if the area of ​​the closed cross section formed by the cowl grill and the drainage member is small, it is possible to suppress water in the drainage member from being blown up by high-velocity air. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0020] [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] A cross-sectional view taken along line A-A in Figure 2. [Figure 7] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the right half of the vehicle taken along line B-B in FIG. 3. [Figure 8] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the majority of the right side of the vehicle taken along line C-C in FIG. 3. [Figure 9] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a main part on the right side of the vehicle shown in FIG. 3 . [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the cowl center on the right side of the vehicle shown in FIG. 9 . [Figure 11] 4 is a plan view of the main parts of the vehicle with the right cowl center removed from FIG. 3. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is an enlarged perspective view of the right side of the vehicle shown in FIG. [Figure 13] FIG. 12 is an enlarged plan view of the right side of the vehicle shown in FIG. [Figure 14] 12 is a perspective view showing the state as seen from the direction of the arrows D-D in FIG. 11 . DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0021] The objective of preventing water in the drainage member from being blown up by high-velocity air even when the area of ​​the closed cross-section formed by the cowl grill and the drainage member is small is achieved by a configuration comprising a dash panel extending in the vehicle width direction and dividing the engine compartment and the passenger compartment in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle, an air intake port provided on one end side of the dash panel in the vehicle width direction, a cowl grill having an outside air introduction hole at a position spaced from the air intake port on the other end side in the vehicle width direction, and a drainage member provided below the cowl grill and cooperating with the cowl grill to form a closed cross-section, the drainage member having a flow path portion extending in the vehicle width direction to serve as a path for water to flow, and the flow path portion having a wind speed reduction portion for reducing the flow speed of air flowing through the flow path portion in a region ranging from a position overlapping with the outside air introduction hole in the vehicle width direction to the air intake port. EXAMPLES

[0022] 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.

[0023] 4 is a perspective view of FIG. 3, FIG. 5 is a front view showing the wiper motor and its peripheral structure, and FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA of FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the right-side majority of the vehicle taken along line B-B in FIG. 3, and FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the right-side majority of the vehicle taken along line C-C in FIG.

[0024] Prior to describing the front structure of the vehicle, first, the front vehicle body structure will be described. As shown in Figures 6 and 7, dash lower panel 3 is provided as a dash panel that separates engine room 1 (see Figures 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).

[0025] 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.

[0026] 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.

[0027] 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.

[0028] 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.

[0029] 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.

[0030] Meanwhile, as shown in Figs. 1 to 4, a pair of left and right apron reinforcements 5 extending forward from the front upper ends of the above-mentioned left and right hinge pillars are provided at the front upper ends thereof. 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.

[0031] As shown in Figures 7 and 8, the front side frame 6 described above is a vehicle body strength member having a front side frame inner 6a and a front side frame outer 6b joined and fixed together to form a front side frame closed cross-section 6c extending in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle.

[0032] 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 FIG. 4).

[0033] 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.

[0034] 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.

[0035] 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.

[0036] As shown in FIG. 6, an upper end bent portion 3a is integrally formed at the upper end of the dash lower panel 3, and an air intake port 3b (see FIGS. 7 and 8) for taking in air for air conditioning is formed at one end side in the vehicle width direction, which in this embodiment is the right end side in the vehicle width direction.

[0037] 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.

[0038] 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.

[0039] 2 to 5, 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 FIG. 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.

[0040] 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.

[0041] 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.

[0042] As shown in FIG. 1, 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 dash lower panel 3.

[0043] 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).

[0044] 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. As shown in Figs. 7 and 8, the above-mentioned outside air introduction hole 25 is formed at a position spaced from the air intake port 3b of the dash lower panel 3 toward the inner side in the vehicle width direction, which is the other end side in the vehicle width direction.

[0045] 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 top of a reservoir tank (not shown) as an auxiliary device and a fuse box storage case 27 that stores a fuse box (not shown) as an auxiliary device.

[0046] 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 fuse box storage case 28 that stores a fuse box as an auxiliary device. As shown in FIG. 6, a drainage member 60 is provided at the lower part of the cowl grill 24 to cooperate with the cowl grill 24 to form a closed cross section 26 extending in the vehicle width direction.

[0047] 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. The left and right cowl centers 40, 41 are both provided within the above-mentioned closed cross section 26 between the cowl grill 24 and the drainage member 60 (see FIG. 6).

[0048] 6 shows only the cowl center 41 on the right side of the vehicle, the left and right cowl centers 40, 41 are provided so as 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.

[0049] 6 to 8, reference numeral 18 denotes an upper cowl rain extending from dash upper panel 12 toward the front of the vehicle, and reference numeral 19 denotes a lower cowl rain extending from an upper portion of dash lower panel 3 toward the front of the vehicle.

[0050] Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the main part on the right side of the vehicle in Fig. 3, Fig. 10 is a perspective view of the cowl center 41 on the right side of the vehicle shown in Fig. 9, and Fig. 11 is a plan view of the main part with the cowl center 41 on the right side of the vehicle removed from Fig. 3. Also, Fig. 12 is an enlarged perspective view of the right side of the vehicle in Fig. 11, Fig. 13 is an enlarged plan view of the right side of the vehicle in Fig. 11, and Fig. 14 is a perspective view seen from the direction of the arrows D-D in Fig. 11.

[0051] As shown in FIG. 5, the wiper motor 16 is located between a pair of wiper pivots WP1, WP2, and the wiper pivots WP1, WP2 are provided with receiving trays 50, 51 as pivot drainage passages that drain water droplets dripping from the flow path portion of the cowl center 40 downward. The receiving trays 50 and 51 constitute a part of the drainage path.

[0052] The cowl center 41 located on the right side in the vehicle width direction is configured as shown in FIGS. That is, it has a bottom wall 41a extending in the vehicle width direction, a front wall 41b rising upward from the front portion of the bottom wall 41a, a rear wall 41c extending rearward and upward from the rear portion of the bottom wall 41a, an inner wall 41d rising upward from the front portion of the inner end of the bottom wall 41a in the vehicle width direction, and an outer wall 41e rising upward from the outer end of the bottom wall 41a in the vehicle width direction.

[0053] A drainage portion 41f that drains water into the drainage member 60 is formed at the inner end portion in the vehicle width direction of the cowl center 41, i.e., at a position spaced inward in the vehicle width direction from the air intake port 3b of the dash lower panel 3 (see Figs. 7 and 10). This drainage portion 41f is formed in an inclined shape so as to descend downward toward the inner side in the vehicle width direction.

[0054] As shown in FIG. 10, a drain opening 41h is formed between the inner wall 41d and the cutout portion 41g of the bottom wall 41a. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 7, the above-mentioned drainage portion 41f is provided in the middle portion in the vehicle width direction, or on the left side of the vehicle (the right side in the figure) as the other end side of the middle portion in the vehicle width direction, and is configured to ensure a distance in the vehicle width direction between the air intake 3b of the dash lower panel 3 and the drainage portion 41f.

[0055] 7 and 8, the drainage member 60 extends in the vehicle width direction, and as shown in the figures, the drainage member 60 includes a top deck portion 61 located above the outside air introduction hole 25 at a position overlapping the outside air introduction hole 25 in a plan view of the vehicle. The top deck portion 61 is formed over a predetermined range in the vehicle width direction as indicated by the arrow α in FIGS.

[0056] On the longitudinal sides of the drainage member 60, that is, on both the left and right sides of the top deck portion 61 of the drainage member 60, there are formed inclined portions 62, 63 which are inclined downwards as they go outward in the vehicle width direction.

[0057] As shown in FIG. 7, the above-mentioned drainage portion 41f in the cowl center 41 on the vehicle right side is provided at approximately the same position as the top deck portion 61 of the drainage member 60 in the vehicle width direction.

[0058] This reduces the vertical distance between the drainage portion 41f of the cowl center 41 and the top deck portion 61 of the drainage member 60, and by draining water to the top deck portion 61 of the drainage member 60, which is located a short vertical distance from the drainage portion 41f of the cowl center 41, splashes are less likely to occur.

[0059] In addition, the drainage portion 41f of the cowl center 41 is spaced apart in the vehicle width direction from the air intake 3b of the dash lower panel 3, and is configured to prevent splashes from being entrained in the air flowing within the closed cross section 26 even if splashes are generated.

[0060] Furthermore, the drainage section 41f of the cowl center 41 and the top deck section 61 of the drainage member 60 are located at a position that overlaps with the outside air introduction hole 25 in a plan view of the vehicle, and the pressure in the closed cross section 26 in the area where the outside air introduction hole 25 is formed is the same as the outside air pressure, and the air flow speed is the slowest in the closed cross section 26. In this way, since the water is drained to the top deck section 61, which has the same pressure as the outside air and a slow air flow speed, even if splashes are generated, the configuration is such that the entrainment of the splashes in the air flow in the closed cross section 26 is further suppressed.

[0061] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 7 and 8, the inclined portion 63 of the drainage member 60 is inclined downward as it moves outward in the vehicle width direction, and the upper surface of this inclined portion 63 is positioned lower as it approaches the air intake port 3b of the dash lower panel 3, so that the entrainment of splashes is further suppressed.

[0062] The cross-sectional structure of the top deck portion 61 of the drainage member 60 is configured as shown in FIGS. That is, an intermediate flange 61c is connected to the rear end of the front flange 61a via a vertical wall 61b, and a bottom wall 61e is connected to the rear of this intermediate flange 61c via a recessed wall portion 61d, and an upwardly rising rear wall 61f is integrally connected to the rear of the bottom wall 61e.

[0063] In addition, an upwardly rising partition wall 61g is integrally formed at the boundary between the above-mentioned recessed wall portion 61d and the bottom wall 61e, and a flow path portion 64 is formed between this partition wall 61g and the front part of the bottom wall 61e, extending in the vehicle width direction and serving as a path for water to flow.

[0064] 12, the above-mentioned inclined portion 63 has a flow path 65 on the side of the inclined portion 63, which is formed by a bottom wall 63a, a rear wall 63b rising upward from the rear of the bottom wall 63a, and a wall portion 63c formed in the front portion of the bottom wall 63a and continuing with the recessed wall portion 61d of the top deck portion 61, and which communicates with the above-mentioned flow path 64. This flow path 65 extends in the vehicle width direction along the inclined portion 63, forming a path through which water flows.

[0065] As shown in FIG. 12, the above-mentioned drainage member 60 is provided with a drainage duct 66 at the outer end of the inclined portion 63 . That is, the downstream portion 65a of the flow path portion 65 is surrounded by the extension portion 63d of the rear wall 63b, the side wall 63e, and the front wall 63f, and flow holes 63g are formed between the downstream portion 65a and each of the elements 63d, 63e, and 63f, thereby forming the drainage duct 66. The above-mentioned drain duct 66 ensures a flow path (see the downflow hole 63g), thereby making it possible to more reliably prevent splashes from occurring.

[0066] As shown in Figures 11 to 14, the above-mentioned flow path sections 64, 65 are provided with a plurality of first ribs 68, 69, 73b as wind speed reduction sections that reduce the flow speed of air flowing through the flow path sections 64, 65 in the area ranging from a position overlapping with the outside air introduction hole 25 (see Figure 1) in the vehicle width direction to the air intake 3b of the dash lower panel 3.

[0067] In this embodiment, as shown in Figures 11 to 14, the above-mentioned first ribs 68, 69 are formed so as to rise upward from the bottom surface of the flow path section 65 of the inclined section 63 adjacent to the top deck section 61, and the first rib 73b is formed so as to rise upward from the bottom surface of the flow path section 64, but the formation range of the first ribs 68, 69 is not limited to the positions in the embodiment, so long as it is in the region ranging from the position overlapping with the outside air introduction hole 25 to the air intake port 3b.

[0068] 11 to 14, the above-mentioned first ribs 68, 69, 73b are provided at intervals in the vehicle width direction, and the front ends of two of these first ribs 68, 69, 73b abut against the wall portion 63c, and the lower ends of each of the first ribs 68, 69 abut against the upper surface of the flow path portion 65. In addition, the first rib 73b is provided at the front end of a second rib 73 described later.

[0069] The first ribs 68, 69, 73b acting as the wind speed reduction sections described above generate air resistance in the space above the flow path section 65, reducing the speed of the air flowing through the closed cross section 26 (see FIG. 6), thereby preventing droplets stirred up by the air from being entrained toward the air intake 3b of the dash lower panel 3.

[0070] In other words, even if the area of ​​the closed cross section 26 formed by the cowl grill 24 and the drainage member 60 is small, the water in the drainage member 60 is prevented from being blown up by the high-velocity air, and splashes are prevented from being entrained in the air intake 3b of the dash lower panel 3.

[0071] As shown in Figures 11 to 14, particularly Figure 14, the above-mentioned multiple first ribs 68, 69, 73b extend in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle in the flow path sections 65, 64 and are provided at intervals in the vehicle width direction, and these first ribs 68, 69, 73b are wind speed reduction sections that are provided so as to overlap in part when viewed from the side of the vehicle.

[0072] As a result, the above-mentioned plurality of first ribs 68, 69, 73b provide resistance to the air flowing in the vehicle width direction within the closed cross section 26, and are configured to suppress entrainment of droplets into the air intake port 3b of the dash lower panel 3.

[0073] 13, the above-mentioned first ribs 68, 69, 73b extend from the front or rear end of the flow passage portion 65, 64 to the center side of the flow passage portion 65, 64 within the flow passage width in the vehicle front-rear direction of the flow passage portion 65, 64 so as not to block the flow passage portion 65, 64, and are inclined outward in the vehicle width direction toward the end portion closer to the center of the rib. That is, in this embodiment, two of the first ribs 68, 69, 73b, are formed so as to be inclined outward in the vehicle width direction from their front end to their rear end.

[0074] As a result, the flow of water flowing at a slow speed through the flow path sections 65, 64 is not obstructed, while the flow of air flowing at a high speed within the closed cross section 26 (see Figure 6) is obstructed by the above-mentioned first ribs 68, 69, 73b, thereby reducing the speed of the air and further suppressing entrainment of droplets into the air intake port 3b.

[0075] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 13, the angle formed between the wall portion 63c in the flow path portion 65 upstream of the first ribs 68, 69 in a plan view and the first ribs 68, 69 is set to 115 to 120 degrees, but is not limited to this value.

[0076] As shown in FIG. 13, the first ribs 68, 69, 73b include a front rib (see first ribs 68, 69) extending from the front end of the flow path section 65 to the center of the flow path section 65 within the flow path width in the vehicle fore-and-aft direction, and a rear rib (see first rib 73b) spaced apart in the vehicle width direction from the front rib and extending from the rear end of the flow path section 64 to the center of the flow path section 64 within the flow path width in the vehicle fore-and-aft direction, and the front rib and the rear rib are arranged so as to overlap partially when viewed from the side of the vehicle.

[0077] Thereby, in a side view of the vehicle, the first ribs 68, 69, 73b divide the space above the flow passage portions 65, 64 in the width direction, so as to more effectively reduce the speed of the air introduced into the intake port 3b (see FIG. 7).

[0078] As shown in Figures 6 and 14, the above-mentioned drainage member 60 has a slope-shaped portion 67 that extends upward from the rear end of the flow path portion 64 in the vehicle fore-and-aft direction toward the rear of the vehicle, and at a position on this slope-shaped portion 67 corresponding to the inner end of the cowl center 41 in the vehicle width direction, a plurality of second ribs 71, 72, 73 extending in the vehicle fore-and-aft direction are provided at intervals in the vehicle width direction.

[0079] As a result, while the water flowing in the slope-shaped portion 67 flows down toward the flow path portion 64, the speed of the air flowing in the vehicle width direction within the closed cross section 26 (see FIG. 6) above the water in the slope-shaped portion 67 is reduced by the above-mentioned second ribs 71, 72, 73. As a result, the entrainment of droplets into the air intake port 3b of the dash lower panel 3 shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 is further suppressed.

[0080] 7, a slope-shaped portion 67 that slopes from the rear end of the flow path portion 64 toward the rear of the vehicle is provided on the bottom wall 61e of the above-mentioned drainage member 60, which corresponds in the up-down direction to the drainage portion 41f of the above-mentioned cowl center 41. This allows water that drips from the drainage portion 41f of the cowl center 41, which is a gutter member, to the slope-shaped portion 67 of the drainage member 60, to flow down from the rear portion to the front portion along the slope-shaped portion 67, and reach the flow path portion 64.

[0081] 12 and 13, the above-mentioned slope-shaped portion 67 is provided with a plurality of ribs 71, 72, 73 that rise upward from the slope-shaped portion 67 and extend in the front-rear direction of the vehicle at intervals in the vehicle width direction. These ribs 71, 72, 73 weaken the momentum of the air flowing within the closed cross section 26, thereby further enhancing the effect of suppressing entrainment of droplets.

[0082] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 13, a total of three second ribs 71, 72, 73 as described above are provided, and of these, the second rib 71 located furthest inward in the vehicle width direction is provided substantially straight in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle, while the remaining two second ribs 72, 73 have slant portions 72a, 73a as described below.

[0083] That is, the above-mentioned slant portions 72a, 73a are inclined inwardly in the vehicle width direction toward the bottom at the intermediate portion of the second ribs 72, 73 in the front-rear direction, as shown in Figs.

[0084] As a result, the water flowing through the slope-shaped portion 67 is once redirected inward in the vehicle width direction by the slant portions 72a, 73a, weakening the force of the water and decreasing the flow rate. This suppresses splashing when the water flows down from the slope-shaped portion 67 and joins the flow path portion 64. Furthermore, the water flowing through the slope-shaped portion 67 is configured to flow down and join the flow path portion 64 at a position spaced inward in the vehicle width direction from the air intake 3b of the dash lower panel 3 (see Figures 7 and 8).

[0085] Figures 12 and 13 have described the structures of the first ribs 68, 69, 73b and the second ribs 71, 72, 73 on the right side of the vehicle, but as shown in Figures 4 and 11, a number of ribs are also provided on the left side of the vehicle, approximately symmetrically to the first ribs 68, 69 and the second ribs 71, 72, 73 on the right side of the vehicle.

[0086] As shown in Figures 7 and 8, the auxiliary equipment arrangement space 34, which stores the fuse box storage case 28 and the battery 31 as auxiliary equipment, is surrounded by a cover member 33 (see Figure 1), the rear side panel 8b, a wheel house 35, and an insulator 36.

[0087] The wheel house 35 is connected between the rear side panel 8b and the front side frame outer 6b. The insulator 36 is connected between the lower surface of the inclined lower end of the inclined portion 63 of the drainage member 60 and the front side frame inner 6a.

[0088] The flow of water dripping from the front windshield 4 is as follows. That is, water dripping down the front windshield 4 is first received by the cowl center 41 shown in Fig. 7. The water dripping down to the cowl center 41 flows down from the drainage portion 41f located at a position spaced apart in the vehicle width direction from the air intake 3b of the dash lower panel 3 to the top deck portion 61 of the drainage member 60 shown in Fig. 7.

[0089] The water that flows down to the top deck section 61 flows along the slope-shaped section 67 to the flow path section 64 (see Figure 7), and is discharged downward from the flow path section 64 through the flow path section 65 of the inclined section 63 shown in the same figure and through the drainage duct 66.

[0090] As shown in Figures 11 to 14, the first ribs 68, 69, 73b are provided as wind speed reduction sections that reduce the flow speed of air flowing through the flow path sections 64, 65, so that the speed of air flowing within the closed cross section 26 (see Figure 13) is reduced by the first ribs 68, 69, 73b, thereby making it possible to suppress the entrainment of droplets stirred up by the air toward the air intake 3b of the dash lower panel 3.

[0091] 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.

[0092] As described above, the front structure of the vehicle of the embodiment includes a dash panel (dash lower panel 3) extending in the vehicle width direction and dividing the engine room 1 and the passenger compartment 2 in the vehicle front-rear direction, an air intake 3b provided on one end side of the dash panel (dash lower panel 3) in the vehicle width direction, a cowl grille 24 having an outside air introduction hole 25 at a position spaced apart from the air intake 3b on the other end side in the vehicle width direction, and a rear air intake hole 25 provided below the cowl grille 24 and cooperating with the cowl grille 24. and a drainage member 60 which forms a closed cross section 26. The drainage member 60 has flow path sections 64, 65 which extend in the vehicle width direction and serve as a path through which water flows. The flow path sections 64, 65 have wind speed reduction sections (first ribs 68, 69) which reduce the flow speed of air flowing through the flow path sections 64, 65 in a region ranging from a position which overlaps with the outside air introduction hole 25 in the vehicle width direction to the air intake port 3b (see Figures 1, 6, 7, 11 to 14).

[0093] According to this configuration, air flows in the vehicle width direction within the closed cross section 26 above the water flowing through the flow path portions 64, 65 (see flow path portion 65 in particular) of the drainage member 60. Since air resistance is generated in the space above the flow path portions 64, 65 by the above-mentioned wind speed reduction portions (first ribs 68, 69), the speed (wind speed) of the air flowing within the closed cross section 26 is reduced by the wind speed reduction portions (first ribs 68, 69). As a result, it is possible to suppress the entrainment of splashes stirred up by the air toward the air intake port 3b of the dash panel (dash lower panel 3).

[0094] In other words, even if the area of ​​the closed cross section 26 formed by the cowl grill 24 and the drainage member 60 is small, it is possible to prevent the water in the drainage member 60 from being blown up by the high-velocity air, and to prevent splashes from being entrained in the air intake 3b of the dash panel (dash lower panel 3).

[0095] In one embodiment of the present invention, the wind speed reduction section is formed by a plurality of first ribs 68, 69 that extend in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle in the flow path sections 64, 65 and are arranged so as to overlap in part when viewed from the side of the vehicle (see Figure 14).

[0096] According to this configuration, the multiple first ribs 68, 69 provide resistance to the air flowing in the vehicle width direction within the closed cross section 26 (see FIG. 6), making it possible to suppress entrainment of droplets into the intake port 3b (see FIG. 7).

[0097] In one embodiment of the present invention, the first ribs 68, 69, 73b extend from the front or rear end of the flow passage sections 64, 65 toward the center of the flow passage sections within the flow passage width of the flow passage sections 64, 65 in the vehicle fore-and-aft direction, and are inclined outward in the vehicle width direction toward the center end of the rib (see Figure 13).

[0098] With this configuration, the flow of slow water is not impeded, while the flow of air flowing at high speed within the closed cross section 26 can be impeded by the first ribs 68, 69, 73b, thereby slowing down the air speed and further suppressing entrainment of droplets into the air intake port 3b.

[0099] In one embodiment of the present invention, the multiple first ribs 68, 69, 73b include a front rib (see first ribs 68, 69) extending from the front end of the flow path section 65 to the center of the flow path section 65 within the flow path width in the vehicle fore-and-aft direction, and a rear rib (see first rib 73b) spaced apart in the vehicle width direction from the front rib and extending from the rear end of the flow path section 64 to the center of the flow path section 64 within the flow path width in the vehicle fore-and-aft direction, and the front rib and the rear rib are arranged so as to overlap partially when viewed from the side of the vehicle (see Figure 13).

[0100] According to this configuration, the space above the flow path portions 65, 64 can be divided in the width direction by the first ribs 68, 69, 73b when viewed from the side of the vehicle, and the speed of the air introduced into the intake port 3b (see FIG. 7) can be reduced more effectively.

[0101] In one embodiment of the present invention, the drainage member 60 extends in the vehicle width direction and includes an inclined portion 63 that is inclined downward toward the outer side in the vehicle width direction (see Figs. 7 and 8).

[0102] According to this configuration, the above-mentioned inclined portion 63 of the drainage member 60 is inclined downward toward the outside in the vehicle width direction, and the drainage path on the upper surface of the inclined portion 63 is located lower the closer it is to the air intake 3b of the dash panel (dash lower panel 3), thereby further suppressing entrainment of splashes into the air intake 3b.

[0103] In one embodiment of the present invention, the drainage member 60 has a slope-shaped portion 67 extending upward toward the rear from the rear end of the flow path portion 64, and the slope-shaped portion 67 has a plurality of second ribs 71, 72, 73 extending in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle and spaced apart in the vehicle width direction (see Figures 13 and 14).

[0104] According to this configuration, the water flowing in the slope-shaped portion 67 flows down toward the flow path portion 64, while the speed of the air flowing in the vehicle width direction within the closed cross section 26 above the water in the slope-shaped portion 67 can be reduced by the second ribs 71, 72, 73. As a result, entrainment of droplets into the intake port 3b can be further suppressed.

[0105] In one embodiment of the present invention, the second ribs 71, 72, 73 of the slope-shaped portion 67 include slant portions 72a, 73a that are inclined inward in the vehicle width direction toward the lower side (see FIG. 13).

[0106] According to this configuration, the water flowing through the slope-shaped portion 67 is once redirected inward in the vehicle width direction by the slant portions 72a, 73a, weakening the force of the water and decreasing the flow rate. This makes it possible to suppress the generation of splashes when the water flows down from the slope-shaped portion 67 and joins the flow path portion 64.

[0107] In addition, the water flowing through the slope-shaped portion 67 can be made to flow down and merge with the above-mentioned flow path portion 64 at a position spaced inward in the vehicle width direction from the air intake 3b of the dash panel (dash lower panel 3).

[0108] In the configuration of the present invention and the above-mentioned embodiment, The dash panel of the present invention corresponds to the dash lower panel 3 of the embodiment. Similarly, The wind speed reduction portion corresponds to the first ribs 68, 69, and 73b, The present invention is not limited to the configurations of the above-mentioned embodiments, but may be practiced in many different ways.

[0109] For example, a communication port that connects the upstream side and downstream side of the flow path portion 65 may be formed at the base of the first ribs 68, 69, 73b shown in FIG. 14, and the angle between the wall portion 63c of the flow path portion 65 and the first ribs 68, 69 may be set to a right angle or less. [Industrial Applicability]

[0110] As described above, the present invention is useful for a front structure of a vehicle that includes a dash panel that extends in the vehicle width direction and divides an engine compartment and a passenger compartment in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle, an air intake port provided at one end of the dash panel in the vehicle width direction, and a cowl grill that has an outside air introduction hole at a position spaced from the air intake port to the other end in the vehicle width direction. [Explanation of symbols]

[0111] 1. Engine room 2…Vehicle compartment 3...Dash lower panel (dash panel) 3b…Air intake 24…Cowl grill 25…Outside air intake 26...Closed section 60...Drainage material 63…Slope part 64,65...Flow passage section 67...Slope-shaped section 68,69…First rib (wind speed reduction section, front rib) 71, 72, 73…Second rib 72a, 73a…Slant area 73b…First rib (wind speed reduction section, rear rib)

Claims

1. a dash panel extending in a vehicle width direction and dividing an engine compartment and a passenger compartment in a vehicle front-rear direction; An air intake port provided at one end side of the dash panel in the vehicle width direction; a cowl grill having an outside air introduction hole at a position spaced apart from the intake port toward the other end in the vehicle width direction; a drainage member provided under the cowl grill and cooperating with the cowl grill to form a closed cross section, The drainage member includes a flow path portion that extends in the vehicle width direction and serves as a path through which water flows, The flow path portion is provided with a wind speed reducing portion that reduces the flow speed of air flowing through the flow path portion in a region ranging from a position overlapping with the outside air introduction hole in the vehicle width direction to the air intake port. The front structure of the vehicle.

2. A dash panel extending in the vehicle width direction and dividing an engine room and a passenger compartment in the vehicle front-rear direction; An air intake port provided at one end side of the dash panel in the vehicle width direction; a cowl grill having an outside air introduction hole at a position spaced apart from the intake port toward the other end in the vehicle width direction; a drainage member provided under the cowl grill and cooperating with the cowl grill to form a closed cross section, The drainage member includes a flow path portion that extends in the vehicle width direction and serves as a path through which water flows, The flow path portion includes a wind speed reduction portion that reduces a flow speed of air flowing through the flow path portion in a region ranging from a position overlapping with the outside air introduction hole in the vehicle width direction to the air intake port, The airflow reduction portion is formed by a plurality of first ribs extending in the vehicle front-rear direction in the airflow passage portion and provided so as to overlap with each other in a side view of the vehicle. The front structure of the vehicle.

3. The first rib extends from the front end or rear end of the flow passage portion toward the center of the flow passage portion within the flow passage width of the flow passage portion in the vehicle front-rear direction, and is inclined toward the outside in the vehicle width direction toward the end portion of the rib toward the center. The vehicle front structure according to claim 2 .

4. The plurality of first ribs include a front rib extending from a front end of the flow passage portion to a center portion of the flow passage portion within the flow passage width in the vehicle longitudinal direction, and a rear rib spaced apart from the front rib in the vehicle width direction and extending from a rear end of the flow passage portion to the center portion of the flow passage portion within the flow passage width in the vehicle longitudinal direction, and the front rib and the rear rib are arranged so as to overlap in part when viewed from the side of the vehicle. The vehicle front structure according to claim 3.

5. The drainage member extends in the vehicle width direction and has an inclined portion that is inclined downward toward the outside in the vehicle width direction. A vehicle front structure according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. The drainage member includes a slope-shaped portion that extends upward from the rear end of the flow path portion toward the rear. A plurality of second ribs extending in the vehicle longitudinal direction are provided at intervals in the vehicle width direction on the slope-shaped portion. The front structure of the vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. The second rib of the slope-shaped portion includes a slant portion that inclines inward in the vehicle width direction toward the bottom. The front structure of the vehicle according to claim 6.

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