Vehicle airflow straightening structure

Abstract

To provide a vehicular rectification structure capable of simplifying a manufacturing process and reducing a cost of manufacture.SOLUTION: A vehicular rectification structure includes an air intake port, a release port for releasing introduced outside air which is introduced through the air intake port, and a guide member for guiding the introduced outside air from the air intake port into the release port. A channel of the introduced outside air is defined by a back surface of a headlamp unit of a vehicle or an internal surface on an inward side of the vehicle of a vehicular exterior member, and the guide member. The guide member includes a side wall part for defining an inward side in a vehicle width direction of the channel, an upper wall part for defining an upper part of the channel, and a lower wall part for defining a lower part of the channel.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an airflow straightening structure for a vehicle. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 below discloses a straightening device for a vehicle having an entry / exit step provided below a cab door. The straightening device includes a first opening that opens toward the front of the vehicle in the cab or bumper and introduces a traveling wind while the vehicle is moving, a second opening that opens so that the traveling wind introduced from the first opening is blown out to a lateral area that is on the outer side of a recessed area that forms the entry / exit step in the vehicle, and a connecting path that connects the first opening and the second opening. The second opening is provided on the side of the vehicle, forward of the recessed area. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6488255 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, when a vehicle is moving, turbulence may occur on the sides of the vehicle, increasing running resistance. To address this issue, in some vehicle airflow straightening structures, a duct member may be incorporated into the vehicle body so that the outside air introduced through an air intake provided at the front of the vehicle can be guided to an opening provided on the side of the vehicle. However, the duct member is designed or manufactured separately from the exterior components of the vehicle, depending on the vehicle shape, etc. Furthermore, when manufacturing the vehicle, a process of incorporating the duct into the vehicle body is required. This may complicate the manufacturing process and increase manufacturing costs.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle airflow straightening structure that can simplify the manufacturing process and reduce manufacturing costs. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A vehicle airflow straightening structure according to one aspect of the present invention includes an air intake, an outlet that discharges the introduced outside air introduced through the air intake, and a guide member that guides the introduced outside air from the air intake to the outlet. The flow path of the introduced outside air is defined by the rear surface of a vehicle headlamp unit or the inner surface of a vehicle interior side of a vehicle exterior member, and the guide member. The guide member includes a side wall portion that defines the inner side of the flow path in the vehicle width direction, an upper wall portion that defines an upper portion of the flow path, and a lower wall portion that defines a lower portion of the flow path. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an airflow straightening structure for a vehicle that can further simplify the manufacturing process and reduce manufacturing costs. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining a vehicle airflow straightening structure according to an embodiment, and is a perspective view showing the arrangement relationship between an air intake, a vehicle exterior member, a headlamp unit, and an outlet in a vehicle. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating the arrangement of a vehicle exterior member, a front wall portion, and a discharge port in a vehicle, for explaining the vehicle airflow straightening structure according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the airflow straightening structure for a vehicle according to the first embodiment, and is a perspective view showing the arrangement relationship between an air intake, an exterior member for a vehicle, a headlamp unit, and a guide member. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the vehicle straightening structure relating to the first embodiment, and is a schematic partial cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV in FIG. 1, showing the arrangement relationship between the air intake, the vehicle exterior member, the headlamp unit, the guide member, the front wall portion, and the discharge port. [Figure 5]5 is a diagram for explaining the vehicle airflow straightening structure relating to the first embodiment, and is a schematic partial cross-sectional view taken along line VV in FIG. 4, showing the arrangement relationship between the air intake, the vehicle exterior member, the headlamp unit, the guide member, and the front wall portion. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining the airflow straightening structure for a vehicle according to the second embodiment, and is a perspective view showing the arrangement relationship between an air intake, an exterior member for a vehicle, and a guide member. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining the airflow straightening structure for a vehicle relating to the third embodiment, and is a perspective view showing the arrangement relationship between an air intake, a vehicle exterior member, a headlamp unit, and a guide member. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, a vehicle airflow straightening structure according to an embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. In each drawing, FR and RR indicate the front and rear in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, LH and RH indicate the left and right in the vehicle width direction, and UP and DN indicate the upper and lower in the vertical direction of the vehicle, respectively. The center of the vehicle in the vehicle width direction is referred to as the inner side in the vehicle width direction, and the side opposite the inner side in the vehicle width direction is referred to as the outer side in the vehicle width direction. In each drawing, IS indicates the inner side in the vehicle width direction, and OS indicates the outer side in the vehicle width direction. In the following description, the front and rear in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, the left and right sides in the vehicle width direction, and the upper and lower sides in the vertical direction of the vehicle will be simply referred to as the "front of the vehicle," "rear of the vehicle," "left side of the vehicle," "right side of the vehicle," "upper," and "lower," respectively. Elements having the same function will be designated by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be omitted.

[0010] 3 to 7, the left side of the vehicle corresponds to the outer side in the vehicle width direction, the right side of the vehicle corresponds to the inner side in the vehicle width direction, the front side of the vehicle corresponds to the outer side of the vehicle, and the rear side of the vehicle corresponds to the inner side of the vehicle.

[0011] The vehicle airflow straightening structure according to the embodiment can be used in a vehicle V, which is, for example, a freight vehicle such as a van. As shown in FIG. 1 , the front of the vehicle V is made up of a vehicle exterior member 10, which is a member that constitutes the exterior of the body of the vehicle V. In the illustrated example, the vehicle exterior member 10 includes a front panel 11, a corner panel 12, a cover member 13, and a bumper fascia 14.

[0012] The front panel 11 is a member extending in the vehicle width direction below the windshield 1, and has a substantially rectangular shape when viewed in the vehicle front-rear direction. The front panel 11 forms the upper end of the front surface of the vehicle V.

[0013] The corner panel 12 is a member disposed outward in the vehicle width direction of the front panel 11, and has a substantially rectangular shape when viewed in the vehicle front-rear direction. The corner panel 12 constitutes the outer end in the vehicle width direction of the upper end of the front surface of the vehicle V.

[0014] The cover member 13 is disposed below the front panel 11. The cover member 13 is a member that covers at least a portion of an opening formed in approximately the center of the front of the vehicle V. In the illustrated example, the cover member 13 has a substantially rectangular shape when viewed in the vehicle longitudinal direction. A radiator opening (not shown) that penetrates in the vehicle longitudinal direction may be provided in approximately the center of the cover member 13. The radiator opening is an opening that introduces outside air, such as wind generated by the vehicle, toward an engine radiator (not shown) disposed inside the vehicle body, for example, when the vehicle V is traveling forward. The engine radiator is a heat exchanger that dissipates heat from the coolant of an engine (not shown) disposed inside the vehicle V.

[0015] The bumper fascia 14 is a member that extends in the vehicle width direction and is disposed below the cover member 13. The bumper fascia 14 forms the lower end of the front surface of the vehicle V.

[0016] The vehicle exterior member 10 may be made of metal such as iron or steel, or may be made of resin, such as polypropylene resin or ABS resin (a copolymer of acrylonitrile, butadiene, and styrene).

[0017] The airflow straightening structure for a vehicle according to the embodiment includes an air intake 30, an outlet 35, and a guide member 40.

[0018] The air intake 30 is an opening that is disposed in the vehicle exterior member 10 that constitutes the front surface of the vehicle V and that introduces outside air from outside the vehicle. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the vehicle V has a first opening 31 and a second opening 32 as the air intake 30.

[0019] The first openings 31 are air intakes 30 arranged in the cover member 13. The first openings 31 are formed by opening a portion of the outer end of the cover member 13 in the vehicle width direction so as to penetrate the cover member 13 in a generally rectangular shape in the vehicle front-to-rear direction. By providing the first openings 31, when the vehicle V is traveling, for example, toward the front of the vehicle, outside air such as traveling wind is introduced into the vehicle body through the first openings 31. Note that in the illustrated example, four first openings 31 are arranged in parallel in a generally vertical direction at the outer end of the cover member 13 in the vehicle width direction, but this is not limiting. For example, the first opening 31 may be a single opening extending in the vertical direction.

[0020] The second opening 32 is an air intake 30 disposed on the front surface of the bumper fascia 14. The second opening 32 is formed by opening a portion of the outer end of the bumper fascia 14 in the vehicle width direction so as to penetrate the bumper fascia 14 in a generally rectangular shape in the vehicle front-to-rear direction. By providing the second opening 32, when the vehicle V is traveling, for example, toward the front of the vehicle, outside air such as traveling wind is introduced into the interior of the vehicle body through the second opening 32. Note that a portion of the second opening 32 may be covered by a cover member (not shown) having, for example, a mesh or lattice shape. Furthermore, fog lamps (not shown) may be disposed in the second opening 32.

[0021] The introduced outside air introduced into the vehicle body from the air intake 30 passes through a flow path defined by a guide member 40 described below and is guided to the discharge port 35. As shown in FIG. 1 or 4, the discharge port 35 is an opening disposed on the side of the vehicle V and for discharging the introduced outside air introduced from the air intake 30. In the illustrated example, the discharge port 35 is a gap 24 formed between the vehicle front end 21 of the front door 20 of the vehicle V and the inner peripheral edge 23 of the door opening 22 closed by the front door 20. Note that, for example, an opening may be formed in a region of the body of the vehicle V that extends toward the vehicle front of the front door 20 and used as the discharge port 35.

[0022] The door opening 22 is formed by opening a predetermined area on the front side of the side of the vehicle V in the vehicle width direction. In the illustrated example, a corner panel 12, an exterior member of a headlamp unit 25, and a bumper fascia 14 are arranged on the vehicle front side of the door opening 22. An inner peripheral edge 23 of the door opening 22 defines an entrance / exit for the vehicle V.

[0023] The front door 20 is a door that separates the interior and exterior of the vehicle V. The front door 20 is configured so that a door opening 22 can be opened and closed. For example, the front door 20 may be attached to a front pillar 2 via a hinge (not shown) so as to be rotatable within a predetermined range. As shown in FIG. 2 , the front pillar 2 is a vehicle body frame member that extends in the vertical direction in front of the front door 20.

[0024] 1 or 4, when the door opening 22 is closed by the front door 20, a gap 24 is formed between an inner peripheral edge 23 of the door opening 22 and a vehicle front end 21 of the front door 20. In one embodiment, the width of the gap 24 in the vehicle front-rear direction may be 2 mm to 10 mm.

[0025] As shown in Fig. 1, a headlamp unit 25 constituting a headlamp of the vehicle V is disposed outward in the vehicle width direction of the cover member 13. Therefore, the headlamp unit 25 is disposed outward in the vehicle width direction of the first opening 31. Furthermore, as shown in Figs. 3 to 5, the headlamp unit 25 includes a body 26 as an exterior member, and a cover lens 27. Optical components (not shown), such as a light source, a reflector, and an inner lens, are housed inside the headlamp unit 25.

[0026] The body 26 is a box-shaped member that is open toward the front of the vehicle and constitutes the rear side of the headlamp unit 25. In the illustrated example, the body 26 has a substantially rectangular shape when viewed in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. A rear surface 28 of the headlamp unit 25 is formed by the surface of the body 26 facing inwardly toward the vehicle. The body 26 may be made of a resin such as polypropylene. The cover lens 27 is a member that covers the opening of the body 26 toward the front of the vehicle and is exposed to the outside of the vehicle. The cover lens 27 may be made of a resin such as polycarbonate.

[0027] 4 or 5, a front wall 5 extends in the vehicle width direction inside the corner panel 12, the cover member 13, and the headlamp unit 25. The front wall 5 is a wall that defines the front side of the passenger compartment of the vehicle V, and is, for example, a dash panel that separates the engine compartment from the passenger compartment of the vehicle V. Gaps are present between the corner panel 12, the cover member 13, and the headlamp unit 25 and the front wall 5.

[0028] An opposing wall 6 is formed in a region of the front wall 5 that faces the rear surface 28 of the headlamp unit 25 in the vehicle longitudinal direction. That is, the front wall 5 that defines the front side of the passenger compartment of the vehicle V includes the opposing wall 6 that faces the rear surface 28 of the headlamp unit 25 in the vehicle longitudinal direction.

[0029] As illustrated in FIGS. 3 to 7 , the guide member 40 is a member that guides introduced outside air from the air intake 30 to the discharge port 35. The guide member 40 also includes a side wall portion 50, an upper wall portion 60, and a lower wall portion 70. The side wall portion 50 is a wall portion that extends inward from the inner surface 15 of the vehicle exterior member 10 on the vehicle interior side and defines the inner side of the flow path in the vehicle width direction. The upper wall portion 60 is a wall portion that extends inward from the back surface 28 of the headlamp unit 25 of the vehicle V or the inner surface 15 of the vehicle exterior member 10 and defines the upper part of the flow path. The lower wall portion 70 is a wall portion that extends inward from the back surface 28 of the headlamp unit 25 or the inner surface 15 of the vehicle exterior member 10 and defines the lower part of the flow path. The flow path of the introduced outside air is defined by the rear surface 28 of the headlamp unit 25 of the vehicle V or the inner surface 15 on the vehicle interior side of the vehicle exterior member 10, and the guide member 40.

[0030] Hereinafter, the guide member 40 provided in the airflow straightening structure for a vehicle according to the embodiment will be described in more detail with reference to the drawings.

[0031] (First embodiment) 3 to 5, a side wall portion 51 serving as the side wall portion 50 is formed on the inner surface 16 of the cover member 13. The inner surface 16 is the surface of the inner surface 15 that constitutes the surface of the cover member 13 facing inward from the vehicle. An upper wall portion 61a serving as the upper wall portion 60 is formed above the rear surface 28 of the headlamp unit 25. A lower wall portion 71a serving as the lower wall portion 70 is formed below the rear surface 28. In this manner, the upper wall portion 60 and the lower wall portion 70 may extend from the rear surface 28 of the headlamp unit 25.

[0032] The side wall portion 51 extends from the inner surface 16 of the cover member 13 toward the inside of the vehicle. The side wall portion 51 is a plate-like portion having a substantially rectangular shape when viewed in an axial direction parallel to the vehicle width direction, and extends from an upper end portion 16a to a lower end portion 16b of the inner surface 16. The side wall portion 51 is disposed in an area between the center of the inner surface 16 in the vehicle width direction and the first opening 31. That is, the side wall portion 51 is a wall portion that extends from the inner surface 16 toward the front wall portion 5 and is disposed inward of the first opening 31 in the vehicle width direction. The upper end portion 16a is an upper end portion of the inner surface 16. The lower end portion 16b is a lower end portion of the inner surface 16.

[0033] The side wall portion 51 may be made of, for example, resin. The side wall portion 51 may be molded integrally with the cover member 13 by, for example, injection molding. That is, the cover member 13 and the side wall portion 51 may be molded as a single component.

[0034] The upper wall portion 61a extends from the rear surface 28 of the headlamp unit 25 toward the inside of the vehicle. The upper wall portion 61a is a plate-like portion formed at the rear surface upper end portion 28a and having a substantially rectangular shape in a plan view, and extends from the end of the rear surface upper end portion 28a on the inner side in the vehicle width direction to the end on the outer side in the vehicle width direction. The rear surface upper end portion 28a is the upper end portion of the rear surface 28. In this way, the upper wall portion 61a extends from the rear surface upper end portion 28a toward the front wall portion 5 and is a wall portion extending in the vehicle width direction.

[0035] The lower wall portion 71a extends from the rear surface 28 toward the inside of the vehicle. The lower wall portion 71a is a plate-like portion formed at the rear surface lower end portion 28b and having a generally rectangular shape in a plan view, and extends from the end of the rear surface lower end portion 28b on the inner side in the vehicle width direction to the end on the outer side in the vehicle width direction. The rear surface lower end portion 28b is the lower end portion of the rear surface 28. In this way, the lower wall portion 71a extends from the rear surface lower end portion 28b toward the front wall portion 5 and is a wall portion extending in the vehicle width direction.

[0036] The upper wall portion 61a or the lower wall portion 71a may be made of, for example, resin. The upper wall portion 61a or the lower wall portion 71a may be molded integrally with the body 26 that forms the back surface 28, for example, by injection molding. That is, the body 26 and the upper wall portion 61a or the lower wall portion 71a may be molded as a single member.

[0037] 4 or 5, a gap is formed between the upper wall portion 61a, the lower wall portion 71a, or the side wall portion 51 and the front wall portion 5, but this is not limiting. The upper wall portion 61a, the lower wall portion 71a, or the side wall portion 51 may be in contact with the front wall portion 5.

[0038] Because the guide member 40 includes the side wall portion 51, it is possible to prevent the introduced outside air introduced through the first opening 31 from flowing inward in the vehicle width direction. Therefore, the introduced outside air flows outward in the vehicle width direction and passes between the back surface 28 and the opposing wall portion 6. At this time, because the back surface 28 is formed with the upper wall portion 61a and the lower wall portion 71a, the introduced outside air is prevented from flowing upward or downward. In other words, the back surface 28, the guide member 40, and the opposing wall portion 6 define a flow path for the introduced outside air introduced through the first opening 31. Therefore, as shown by arrow A in FIG. 3 or 4 , the introduced outside air flows from the first opening 31 toward the outside and rear of the vehicle and is released from the area of ​​the outlet 35 around the headlamp unit 25.

[0039] As illustrated in the drawings, the guide member 40 may include an upper wall portion 61b as the upper wall portion 60. The guide member 40 may also include a lower wall portion 71b as the lower wall portion 70. The upper wall portion 61b and the lower wall portion 71b are plate-like portions that extend from the inner surface 16 of the cover member 13 toward the inside of the vehicle and have a generally rectangular shape in a plan view.

[0040] The upper wall portion 61b extends from the upper end portion 16a toward the front wall portion 5 above the first opening 31. The upper wall portion 61b also extends outward in the vehicle width direction from the upper ends of the side wall portions 51. The lower wall portion 71b extends from the lower end portion 16b toward the front wall portion 5 below the first opening 31. The lower wall portion 71b also extends outward in the vehicle width direction from the lower ends of the side wall portions 51.

[0041] The upper wall portion 61b defines the upper portion of the flow path of the introduced outside air above the first opening 31. The lower wall portion 71b defines the upper portion of the flow path of the introduced outside air below the first opening 31. Therefore, the introduced outside air introduced from the first opening 31 can be more reliably prevented from flowing upward or downward.

[0042] The upper wall portion 61b or the lower wall portion 71b may be made of, for example, resin. The upper wall portion 61b or the lower wall portion 71b may be molded integrally with the cover member 13 by, for example, injection molding. That is, the cover member 13 and the upper wall portion 61b or the lower wall portion 71b may be molded as a single component.

[0043] If the cover member 13 has a radiator opening, the side wall portion 51 may extend from the inner surface 16 between the first opening 31 and the radiator opening. This makes it possible to prevent the outside air introduced from the radiator opening from flowing outward in the vehicle width direction. Therefore, the outside air can be more reliably guided from the radiator opening toward the engine radiator.

[0044] (Second embodiment) 6, guide member 40 extends inward from inner surface 17 of bumper fascia 14. Inner surface 17 is the surface of inner surface 15 that forms the surface of bumper fascia 14 facing inward toward the vehicle. Guide member 40 also includes side wall portions 52 serving as side wall portions 50, an upper wall portion 62 serving as upper wall portion 60, and a lower wall portion 72 serving as lower wall portion 70.

[0045] The side wall portion 52 extends from the inner surface 17 toward the inside of the vehicle. The side wall portion 52 is a plate-like portion having a substantially rectangular shape when viewed in an axial direction parallel to the vehicle width direction, and extends downward from an upper end portion 17a of the inner surface 17. The side wall portion 52 is disposed on the inner surface 17, inside the second opening 32 in the vehicle width direction. The upper end portion 17a is the upper end portion of the inner surface 17.

[0046] The upper wall portion 62 extends inward from the inner surface 17. The upper wall portion 62 is a plate-like portion that has a generally rectangular shape in a plan view and is disposed above the second opening 32 on the inner surface 17. The upper wall portion 62 has an upper end 17a that extends in the vehicle width direction from the upper end of the side wall portion 52 to the outer end of the inner surface 17 in the vehicle width direction.

[0047] The lower wall portion 72 extends inward from the inner surface 17. The lower wall portion 72 is a plate-like portion that has a substantially rectangular shape in a plan view and is disposed below the second opening 32 on the inner surface 17. The lower wall portion 72 extends in the vehicle width direction from the lower end of the side wall portion 52 to the outer end of the inner surface 17 in the vehicle width direction.

[0048] The side wall portion 52, the upper wall portion 62, or the lower wall portion 72 may be made of, for example, resin. The side wall portion 52, the upper wall portion 62, or the lower wall portion 72 may be molded integrally with the inner surface 17 of the bumper fascia 14, for example, by injection molding. In other words, the bumper fascia 14 and the side wall portion 52, the upper wall portion 62, or the lower wall portion 72 may be molded as a single member.

[0049] As shown in the figure, the space inside the vehicle that communicates with the second opening 32 is surrounded by the side wall portion 52, the upper wall portion 62, and the lower wall portion 72. Therefore, the introduced outside air introduced through the second opening 32 can be prevented from flowing inward, upward, or downward in the vehicle width direction. In other words, the inner surface 17 and the guide member 40 define a flow path for the introduced outside air introduced through the second opening 32. As illustrated in FIG. 5 , a component constituting the vehicle V, such as a heat exchanger 3, is disposed behind the second opening 32. Therefore, the introduced outside air flows from the second opening 32 toward the outside and rear of the vehicle, as indicated by arrow B in FIG. 6 , and is discharged from a lower region of the discharge port 35. The heat exchanger 3 may be, for example, a radiator that dissipates heat from a coolant in an automatic transmission (not shown) provided in the vehicle V.

[0050] (Third embodiment) In the example shown in FIG. 7 , the guide member 40 extends from the inner surface 16 of the cover member 13, the inner surface 17 of the bumper fascia 14, the inner surface 18 of the corner panel 12, and the rear surface 28 of the headlamp unit 25. The inner surface 18 is the surface of the inner surface 15 that forms the surface of the corner panel 12 facing inward from the vehicle. The side wall portion 50 includes a side wall portion 51, a side wall portion 52, and a side wall portion 53. The upper wall portion 60 includes an upper wall portion 63a and an upper wall portion 63b. The lower wall portion 70 includes a lower wall portion 72. As illustrated in the figure, the guide member 40 may also include an upper wall portion 61b or a lower wall portion 71b.

[0051] The side wall portion 53 is a plate-like portion that extends from the inner surface 18 toward the inside of the vehicle and has a substantially rectangular shape when viewed in an axial direction parallel to the vehicle width direction. In the illustrated example, the side wall portion 53 extends obliquely with respect to the up-down direction on the inner surface 18, but is not limited to this. The side wall portion 53 may also extend in the up-down direction.

[0052] The upper wall portion 63b is a plate-like portion having a generally rectangular shape in a plan view, which extends inward from the inner surface 18. In the example shown, the upper wall portion 63b extends in the vehicle width direction from the upper end of the side wall portion 53 to the outer end of the inner surface 18 in the vehicle width direction.

[0053] The upper wall portion 63a extends from the rear surface 28 of the headlamp unit 25 toward the inside of the vehicle. The upper wall portion 63a is a plate-like portion formed on part of the upper end portion 28a of the rear surface and having a generally rectangular shape in a plan view. The upper wall portion 63a extends from near the lower end portion of the side wall portion 53 toward the inside in the vehicle width direction. Note that the upper wall portion 63b may extend to the inside end portion of the upper end portion 28a of the rear surface in the vehicle width direction.

[0054] The side wall portion 53 or the upper wall portion 63b may be made of, for example, resin. The side wall portion 53 or the upper wall portion 63b may be molded integrally with the inner surface 18 of the corner panel 12 by, for example, injection molding. That is, the corner panel 12 and the side wall portion 53 or the upper wall portion 63b may be molded as a single member.

[0055] Furthermore, the upper wall portion 63a may be made of, for example, resin. The upper wall portion 63a may be molded integrally with the body 26 by, for example, injection molding. That is, the body 26 and the upper wall portion 63a may be molded as a single member.

[0056] As illustrated in the figure, the guide member 40 includes a side wall portion 51, which can prevent the introduced outside air introduced through the first opening 31 from flowing inward in the vehicle width direction. Therefore, the introduced outside air flows inward in the vehicle width direction. Then, as indicated by arrow C in the figure, a portion of the introduced outside air is guided to the discharge port 35 through the gap between the back surface 28 and the opposing wall portion 6. Furthermore, as indicated by arrow D, a portion of the introduced outside air introduced through the first opening 31 flows upward through the gap between the back surface 28 and the opposing wall portion 6. Here, the guide member 40 includes a side wall portion 53 and an upper wall portion 63b. Therefore, a portion of the introduced outside air flows outward and rearward in the vehicle width direction along the vehicle interior side of the corner panel 12 and is discharged from the upper region of the discharge port 35. Furthermore, the introduced outside air introduced through the second opening 32 flows outward and rearward from the second opening 32 as indicated by arrow E and is discharged from the lower region of the discharge port 35. Therefore, the introduced outside air introduced through the first opening 31 and the second opening 32 is discharged from the region of the discharge port 35 that extends from the upper side to the lower side.

[0057] 7. For example, the introduced outside air introduced through the first opening 31 may pass through the gap between the rear surface 28 and the opposing wall 6, flow downward, and be discharged from a lower region of the discharge port 35. The introduced outside air introduced through the second opening 32 may flow upward, pass through the gap between the rear surface 28 and the opposing wall 6, and be discharged from an upper region of the discharge port 35 or from a region around the headlamp unit 25.

[0058] In the above description, the vehicle airflow straightening structure according to the embodiment has been described using as an example the air intake 30 disposed on the vehicle left side of the vehicle exterior member 10, the headlamp unit 25 disposed on the vehicle left side of the vehicle V, the discharge port 35 disposed on the vehicle left side of the vehicle V, and the guide member 40 disposed on the vehicle left side of the inner surface 15. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the air intake 30, the headlamp unit 25, the discharge port 35, and the guide member 40 may be disposed on the vehicle right side. In this case, the body of the vehicle V may have a shape that is line-symmetrical with respect to the vertical axis from the shape shown in FIG. 1 or FIG. 2. Furthermore, the air intake 30, the headlamp unit 25, the discharge port 35, and the guide member 40 may have a shape that is line-symmetrical with respect to the vertical axis from the shape shown in FIG. 1 to FIG. 7.

[0059] Next, the effects of the airflow straightening structure for a vehicle according to the embodiment will be described.

[0060] (1) The vehicle airflow straightening structure according to the embodiment is provided in a vehicle exterior member 10 that constitutes the front surface of the vehicle V and includes an air intake 30 that introduces outside air from outside the vehicle, an outlet 35 that is provided on a side surface of the vehicle V and that discharges the introduced outside air introduced from the air intake 30, and a guide member 40 that guides the introduced outside air from the air intake 30 to the outlet 35. The flow path of the introduced outside air is formed by connecting a rear surface 28 of a headlamp unit 25 of the vehicle V or an inner surface 15 on the vehicle interior side of the vehicle exterior member 10 with the guide member 40. The guide member 40 includes a side wall portion 50 that extends inward from the inner surface 15 of the vehicle exterior member 10 on the vehicle interior side and defines the inner side of the flow path in the vehicle width direction, an upper wall portion 60 that extends inward from the back surface 28 of the headlamp unit 25 of the vehicle V or the inner surface 15 of the vehicle exterior member 10 and defines an upper portion of the flow path, and a lower wall portion 70 that extends inward from the back surface 28 of the headlamp unit 25 or the inner surface 15 of the vehicle exterior member 10 and defines a lower portion of the flow path.

[0061] For example, when wind blows from one side of a vehicle V traveling forward, turbulence may occur on the other front side of the vehicle V, potentially increasing running resistance. According to the vehicle airflow straightening structure of the embodiment, the introduced outside air introduced through the air intake 30 can be discharged to the side of the vehicle V. This suppresses the generation of turbulence on the side of the vehicle, reduces the yawing moment input to the vehicle V, and ultimately reduces running resistance. The yawing moment refers to a moment around an axis parallel to the vertical direction passing through the center of gravity of the vehicle V. Furthermore, according to the vehicle airflow straightening structure of the embodiment, the flow path of the introduced outside air is defined by the back surface 28 of the headlamp unit 25 or the inner surface 15 of the vehicle exterior member 10 and the guide member 40 extending from the back surface 28 or the inner surface 15 toward the inside of the vehicle. This eliminates the need to additionally design or manufacture a component for guiding the introduced outside air to the outlet 35. Furthermore, it eliminates the need to perform a process for incorporating the component into the vehicle body. That is, the manufacturing process can be further simplified and the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

[0062] (2) In the vehicle straightening structure according to the embodiment, the front wall 5 defining the front side of the passenger compartment of the vehicle V includes an opposing wall 6 facing the rear surface 28 of the headlamp unit 25 in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle, and the flow path is defined by the rear surface 28, the guide member 40, and the opposing wall 6, and the upper wall 60 and the lower wall 70 extend from the rear surface 28.

[0063] According to the vehicle airflow straightening structure of the embodiment, the upper wall portion 61a serving as the upper wall portion 60 of the guide member 40 and the lower wall portion 71a serving as the lower wall portion 70 are formed on the rear surface 28 of the headlamp unit 25. Therefore, by assembling the headlamp unit 25 to the vehicle body, the upper and lower portions of the flow path of the introduced outside air can be defined. This more reliably simplifies the manufacturing process and reduces manufacturing costs. Furthermore, the vehicle rear side of the flow path of the introduced outside air is defined by the opposing wall portion 6 of the front wall portion 5 of the vehicle interior that faces the rear surface 28. Therefore, the introduced outside air can be more reliably guided to the discharge port 35.

[0064] (3) In the airflow straightening structure for a vehicle according to the embodiment, the exterior member 10 for a vehicle includes the bumper fascia 14, and the guide member 40 extends from the inner surface 17 of the bumper fascia 14 toward the inside of the vehicle.

[0065] According to the airflow straightening structure for a vehicle according to the embodiment, the guide member 40 is formed on the inner surface 17 of the bumper fascia 14. Therefore, by assembling the bumper fascia 14 to the vehicle body, the inner side in the vehicle width direction, the upper portion, and the lower portion of the flow path for the introduced outside air can be defined. This makes it possible to more reliably simplify the manufacturing process and reduce manufacturing costs.

[0066] (4) In the vehicle straightening structure of the embodiment, the discharge outlet 35 is a gap 24 formed between the vehicle front end 21 of the front door 20 of the vehicle V and the inner peripheral edge 23 of the door opening 22 blocked by the front door 20.

[0067] For example, when wind blows from one side of a vehicle V traveling in front of the vehicle, turbulence may occur around the gap 24 on the other side of the vehicle V. According to the vehicle airflow straightening structure of the embodiment, the introduced outside air introduced through the air intake 30 can be discharged from the gap 24. This makes it possible to more reliably suppress the occurrence of turbulence on the side of the vehicle and reduce running resistance. Furthermore, it is not necessary to form an additional opening on the side of the vehicle V for discharging the introduced outside air. This makes it possible to more reliably simplify the manufacturing process and reduce manufacturing costs.

[0068] In the above description, the configuration of the vehicle airflow straightening structure according to the embodiment has been described using a freight vehicle such as a van as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this. The vehicle airflow straightening structure according to the embodiment may also be used in, for example, a passenger car. [Explanation of symbols]

[0069] V vehicle 5 Front wall 6 Opposing wall 10. Exterior parts for vehicles 14 Bumper fascia 15, 16, 17, 18 Inner 20 Front Door 21 Front end of vehicle 22 Door opening 23 Inner edge 24 Gap 25 Headlamp unit 28 Back 30 Air intake 35 Outlet 40 Guide member 50, 51, 52, 53 Side wall 60,61a,61b,62,63a,63b Upper wall part 70,71a,71b,72 Lower wall part

Claims

1. an air intake that is disposed in a vehicle exterior member that constitutes a front surface of the vehicle and that introduces outside air from outside the vehicle; an outlet disposed on a side of the vehicle and configured to discharge the introduced outside air introduced through the air intake; a guide member that guides the introduced outside air from the air intake port to the discharge port; Equipped with a flow path of the introduced outside air is defined by a rear surface of a headlamp unit of the vehicle and the guide member; The guide member is a side wall portion extending from the inner surface on the vehicle inner side of the vehicle exterior member toward the vehicle interior and defining an inner side of the flow path in the vehicle width direction; an upper wall portion extending from the rear surface of the headlamp unit of the vehicle toward an interior of the vehicle and defining an upper portion of the flow path; a lower wall portion extending from the rear surface of the headlamp unit toward the inside of the vehicle and defining a lower portion of the flow path, Vehicle airflow straightening structure.

2. a front wall portion defining a front side of a passenger compartment of the vehicle includes an opposing wall portion opposing the rear surface of the headlamp unit in the vehicle longitudinal direction, the flow path is defined by the back surface, the guide member, and the opposing wall portion; The airflow straightening structure for a vehicle according to claim 1 , wherein the upper wall portion and the lower wall portion extend from the rear surface.

3. The vehicle exterior member includes a bumper fascia, The airflow straightening structure for a vehicle according to claim 1 , wherein the guide member extends from the inner surface of the bumper fascia toward an inside of the vehicle.

4. 4. The airflow straightening structure for a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the outlet is a gap formed between a front end of a front door of the vehicle and an inner peripheral edge of a door opening blocked by the front door.

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