Vehicle front structure

Abstract

To inhibit flapping of a blade of a wiper mechanism even if a groove for housing the blade is omitted.SOLUTION: A cowl top garnish 30 includes an exposed surface 32 and a rib 34. The exposed surface 32 includes a front end 32A having a height equivalent to a height of a rear end 22B of the exposed surface 22A of an engine food 20 and extends in a planar form from the front end 32A to windshield glass 10. The rib 34 is provided at the front relative to a wiper pivot 51, protrudes from the exposed surface 32 of the cowl top garnish 30, and extends along a blade 53 in a vehicle width direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] Disclosed herein is a front structure for a vehicle. [Background technology]

[0002] A windshield glass is installed at the front of the passenger compartment. An engine hood is installed in front of the windshield glass. A cowl top garnish is installed between the engine hood and the windshield glass.

[0003] When it rains, rainwater flows down from the windshield glass. The cowl top garnish catches this rainwater. In other words, the cowl top garnish acts as a rain gutter. The wiper pivot, which serves as the rotation axis of the wiper mechanism, is also attached to the cowl top garnish.

[0004] For example, the cowl top panel disclosed in Patent Document 1 has an exterior portion that extends substantially flush with the engine hood. A groove extending in the vehicle width direction is formed in the cowl top panel rearward of the exterior portion. The blades of the wiper mechanism are housed in this groove. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2010-143288 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] However, a layout in which the exposed surface of the cowl top garnish is flush with the exposed surface of the engine hood and extends flatly to the windshield glass is considered. However, if such a layout is adopted, there will be no groove to accommodate the wiper mechanism blades. This could result in the blades being directly exposed to the wind from the front of the vehicle.

[0007] The blades are equipped with wiper rubber that contacts the windshield glass. When wind hits the blades from below, the wiper rubber is positioned to block the wind. Depending on the force of the wind, the wiper rubber may be lifted off the windshield glass. As the wiper rubber is lifted intermittently, the blades flap, causing the wiper rubber to intermittently hit the windshield glass. This transmits noise into the vehicle cabin.

[0008] Therefore, this specification discloses a vehicle front structure that can suppress flapping of the blade even when the groove for accommodating the blade of the wiper mechanism is omitted. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] This specification discloses a vehicle front structure. The vehicle front structure includes a windshield glass, an engine hood, a cowl top garnish, and a wiper mechanism. The windshield glass is located at the front of the vehicle compartment and extends in the vehicle width direction. The engine hood is located forward of the windshield glass and covers the engine compartment. The cowl top garnish is located between the windshield glass and the engine hood. The wiper mechanism is attached to the cowl top garnish. The wiper mechanism includes a wiper pivot, an arm, and a blade. The wiper pivot protrudes toward the front of the vehicle from a through-hole provided in the cowl top garnish. The arm has one end connected to the wiper pivot and extends in the vehicle width direction. The blade is connected to the other end of the arm and extends in the vehicle width direction. The arm also includes a wiper rubber that abuts against the windshield glass. The cowl top garnish has an exposed surface and a rib. The exposed surface has a front end that is equal in height to the rear end of the exposed surface of the engine hood and extends in a planar shape from the front end to the windshield glass. The rib is provided forward of the wiper pivot, protrudes from the exposed surface of the cowl top garnish, and extends in the vehicle width direction along the blade.

[0010] According to the above configuration, the rib redirects the airflow flowing from the front of the vehicle along the engine hood upward, thereby preventing the airflow from directly hitting the wiper mechanism blades from below.

[0011] In the above configuration, the rib may have a rearward inclined surface that extends obliquely forward from bottom to top and faces the windshield glass, and a washer nozzle is attached to the rearward inclined surface.

[0012] Conventional washer nozzles protrude from the engine hood and are positioned in a way that draws attention to their appearance. Instead, by integrating the washer nozzle into the rib, the washer nozzle can be positioned in a more inconspicuous manner.

[0013] In the above configuration, the rib may have a forward inclined surface that extends obliquely rearward from bottom to top. Furthermore, an intersection of an extension of the forward inclined surface, which extends from the upper end of the forward inclined surface in a side view of the vehicle, with the windshield glass is located above the blade.

[0014] The extension line represents the main trajectory of the wind as it travels. By positioning the intersection of this extension line and the windshield glass above the wiper blades, the wind is prevented from directly hitting the blades from below. [Effects of the Invention]

[0015] According to the vehicle front structure disclosed in this specification, even if the groove for accommodating the blade of the wiper mechanism is omitted, flapping of the blade can be suppressed. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view illustrating an example of an overall image of a vehicle front structure according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the right seat side portion of FIG. 1. [Figure 3]3 is a side cross-sectional view taken along dashed line L0 in FIG. 2. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] The vehicle front structure according to this embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. The shapes, materials, quantities, and values ​​described below are examples for the purpose of explanation and can be changed as appropriate depending on the specifications of the vehicle front structure. Furthermore, the same reference numerals will be used to designate equivalent elements in all of the drawings.

[0018] In addition, in Figures 1 to 3, a Cartesian coordinate system consisting of the FR axis, RW axis, and UP axis is used to represent the position and direction of each component. The FR axis is the longitudinal axis of the vehicle, with the front of the vehicle being the positive direction. The RW axis is the transverse axis of the vehicle, with the right side of the vehicle being the positive direction. The UP axis is the vertical axis of the vehicle, with the upward direction being the positive direction.

[0019] A vehicle front structure according to this embodiment is shown in Fig. 1. The vehicle front structure includes a windshield glass 10, an engine hood 20, a cowl top garnish 30, and a wiper mechanism 50.

[0020] The windshield glass 10, also called a windshield, is disposed at the front of the vehicle interior. The windshield glass 10 extends in the vehicle width direction, tilting obliquely rearward from bottom to top.

[0021] For example, both ends of the windshield glass 10 in the vehicle width direction are supported by a pair of A-pillars 12, 12. Also, referring to FIG.

[0022] The engine hood 20 is disposed forward of the windshield glass 10. The engine hood 20 is a lid component that covers an engine compartment (not shown) provided at the front of the vehicle. The engine compartment is an engine room that houses an internal combustion engine that is the driving source of the vehicle.

[0023] 1 is a rotating electric machine rather than an internal combustion engine, the engine compartment is more accurately called a motor compartment, and the engine hood 20 is called a motor hood. However, in the following, based on the usual names, the engine room in which the driving source is mounted will be referred to as the engine compartment, and the lid part covering it will be referred to as the engine hood, regardless of whether the driving source is an internal combustion engine or a rotating electric machine.

[0024] 1, the engine hood 20 extends in the vehicle width direction, and both ends in the vehicle width direction are adjacent to the upper ends of the fender panels 26. For example, the engine hood 20 extends in a planar shape along the vehicle front-rear direction. For example, the engine hood 20 extends in the vehicle front-rear direction with an arched cross-sectional shape such that the central portion in the vehicle width direction is higher than the outer portions in the vehicle width direction.

[0025] As illustrated in FIG. 3, the engine hood 20 includes a hood outer panel 22, which is an outer plate, and a hood inner panel 24, which is an inner plate. For example, an end of the hood outer panel 22 is bent, and an end of the hood inner panel 24 is inserted into the bent portion. In this case, as illustrated in FIG. 3, the rear end 22B of the engine hood 20 becomes the folded portion of the hood outer panel 22. The exposed surface 22A of the engine hood 20 is the outer surface of the hood outer panel 22. The exposed surface 22A becomes part of the exterior design of the front part of the vehicle.

[0026] 1, a cowl top garnish 30, which is a decorative part, is disposed between a windshield glass 10 and an engine hood 20. The cowl top garnish 30 is made of, for example, a resin material.

[0027] The cowl top garnish 30 has an exposed surface 32 as its main surface. The exposed surface 32 is part of the exterior design of the front of the vehicle. As illustrated in Figures 1 and 3, the position of the cowl top garnish 30 is determined so that the front end 32A of the exposed surface 32 is at the same height as the rear end 22B of the exposed surface 22A of the engine hood 20.

[0028] Note that the front end 32A of the exposed surface 32 and the rear end 22B of the exposed surface 22A being equal in height does not necessarily mean that they are exactly the same height. For example, if there is a difference in height between the front end 32A of the exposed surface 32 and the rear end 22B of the exposed surface 22A, the heights are considered to be (substantially) the same as long as the difference is within the assembly tolerance set for the cowl top garnish 30 and the engine hood 20.

[0029] The cowl top garnish 30 extends in a planar shape from the front end 32A to the windshield glass 10. For example, an arched cross-sectional shape extends in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle, with the central portion in the vehicle width direction being higher than the outer portions in the vehicle width direction. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 3, the rear end portion of the cowl top garnish 30 is provided with a folded portion 33 that is bent downward. The folded portion 33 faces the lower end of the windshield glass 10. Furthermore, an adhesive is filled between the folded portion 33 and the windshield glass 10.

[0030] Since the exposed surface 32 extends planarly up to the windshield glass 10, no grooves for accommodating the blades 53 of the wiper mechanism 50 are formed in the cowl top garnish 30. The absence of the grooves expands the space below the cowl top garnish 30. This space may be used to accommodate, for example, a wiper motor (not shown) and a link mechanism. The link mechanism is connected to the wiper motor and wiper pivots 51, 51.

[0031] The exposed surface 22A of the engine hood 20 and the exposed surface 32 of the cowl top garnish 30 are arranged flush, with no substantial step formed between them. Note that "no substantial step formed" refers to the case where the difference in height between the exposed surface 22A and the exposed surface 32 falls within the assembly tolerance set for the cowl top garnish 30 and the engine hood 20.

[0032] The exposed surfaces 22A and 32 may have different color schemes. If the exposed surfaces 22A and 32 are the same color, the vehicle front structure may have a so-called "long nose" impression, but by making the color schemes of the exposed surfaces 22A and 32 different, this impression can be alleviated.

[0033] Garnish side panels 31 are connected to both ends of the cowl top garnish 30 in the vehicle width direction. The garnish side panels 31 extend around the A-pillar 12 from the outside. The rear end of the garnish side panel 31 is connected to the window frame lower end 14A of the side door window frame 14. The straight line that passes through the window frame lower end 14A and extends in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle is called the "belt line." For example, by extending the garnish side panel 31 in a straight line and connecting it to the window frame lower end 14A, the belt line is connected from the cowl top garnish 30 to the window frame lower end 14A, improving the design.

[0034] Ribs 34, recesses 36, and mesh 39 are formed on the exposed surface 32 of the cowl top garnish 30. For example, a pair of meshes 39 are provided side by side in the vehicle width direction. In rainy weather, rainwater flows from the windshield glass into the mesh 39. Below the mesh 39, a rain gutter (not shown) extends in the vehicle width direction.

[0035] The recesses 36 are shaped to be recessed downward with respect to the exposed surface 32. The recesses 36 are formed in the same number as the wiper pivots 51. For example, a pair of recesses 36, 36 are formed in the exposed surface 32.

[0036] The recess 36 has a surface facing the front of the vehicle. A protrusion 38 is provided on the surface to protrude toward the front of the vehicle. As shown in FIG. 2, a through-hole 38A is drilled at the front end of the protrusion 38. A wiper pivot 51 is inserted into the through-hole 38A.

[0037] A wiper mechanism 50 is attached to the cowl top garnish 30. The wiper mechanism 50 includes a wiper pivot 51, an arm 52, and a blade 53. For example, the cowl top garnish 30 is provided with a pair of wiper mechanisms 50, 50 arranged side by side in the vehicle width direction.

[0038] 2, the wiper pivot 51 protrudes forward of the vehicle from the through-hole 38A of the cowl top garnish 30. The wiper pivot 51 has a rotation axis C1 oriented in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle.

[0039] The rear end of the wiper pivot 51 is connected to a link mechanism (not shown). The front end of the wiper pivot 51 is connected to an arm 52. One end of the arm 52 is connected to the wiper pivot 51, and the other end is connected to a blade 53. The arm 52 is curved and extends in the vehicle width direction.

[0040] The blade 53 is a component that extends in the vehicle width direction, and a wiper rubber 54 is attached to the surface facing the windshield glass 10. The tip of the wiper rubber 54 abuts against the windshield glass 10. For example, the end of the arm 52 is connected to the center of the blade 53 in the vehicle width direction.

[0041] A rib 34 is formed on the exposed surface 32 of the cowl top garnish 30. As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the rib 34 is formed in a portion forward of the wiper mechanism 50 including the wiper pivot 51.

[0042] The rib 34 protrudes upward relative to the exposed surface 32. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the height of the rib 34 is determined so that the apex of the rib 34 is located lower than the blade 53. The rib 34 extends in the vehicle width direction along a pair of blades 53, 53 aligned in the vehicle width direction. For example, the rib 34 is formed so that it occupies 60% or more and less than 80% of the overall width of the cowl top garnish 30.

[0043] As will be described later, the rib 34 has the function of directing the flow of traveling wind upward and suppressing the amount of traveling wind flowing from below the blades 53, 53. However, the rib 34 does not have to extend across the entire width of the pair of blades 53, 53 aligned in the vehicle width direction. For example, the vehicle width direction dimension of the rib 34 is determined to be in the range of 80% to 100% of the entire width of the pair of blades 53, 53.

[0044] 1 to 3, the rib 34 has a front inclined surface 34A and a rear inclined surface 34B. The front inclined surface 34A is an inclined surface that extends obliquely rearward from bottom to top. The rear inclined surface 34B is an inclined surface that extends obliquely forward from bottom to top.

[0045] As shown by arrow L2 in FIG. 3 , the traveling wind flowing along the exposed surface 22A of the engine hood 20 changes its trajectory diagonally upward along the forward inclined surface 34A. The inclination angle of the forward inclined surface 34A is determined so that the changed trajectory is above the blades 53. For example, the inclination angle of the forward inclined surface 34A is determined so that, in a side view of the vehicle, an intersection P1 between an extension line L1 of the forward inclined surface 34A, which extends from the upper end of the forward inclined surface 34A, and the windshield glass 10 is located above the blades 53. Setting the inclination angle in this manner suppresses the flow of traveling wind passing below the blades 53, as shown by arrow L3. As a result, flapping of the blades 53 is suppressed.

[0046] The rear inclined surface 34B faces the windshield glass 10. For example, the cowl top garnish 30 does not have a protruding structure that blocks the space between the rear inclined surface 34B and the windshield glass 10.

[0047] Based on this structure, a washer nozzle 60 is attached to the rear inclined surface 34B of the rib 34. For example, a pair of washer nozzles 60, 60 are attached to the rib 34 corresponding to the pair of blades 53, 53. Note that tubes and the like that supply washer fluid to the washer nozzles are not shown in Figure 3.

[0048] In conventional vehicle front structures, washer nozzles are positioned so that they protrude from the engine hood or cowl top garnish. This positioning makes the washer nozzle an eye-catching feature in terms of appearance. Instead, by integrating the washer nozzle 60 into the rib 34, the washer nozzle 60 can be positioned in a more inconspicuous manner.

[0049] In order to position the washer nozzle 60 inconspicuously on the rib 34, the inclination angle of the discharge surface 60A of the washer nozzle 60 is set to be equal to the inclination angle of the rear inclined surface 34B of the rib 34, as illustrated in Figures 2 and 3.

[0050] For example, the discharge axis of the washer nozzle 60 is determined based on the cleaning area of ​​the windshield 10 and the discharge range of the washer nozzle 60. The inclination angles of the discharge surface 60A of the washer nozzle 60 and the rearward inclined surface 34B of the rib 34 are determined so that they are perpendicular to this discharge axis. Furthermore, there is no substantial step between the discharge surface 60A and the rearward inclined surface 34B, and both are arranged on the same plane. Note that "no substantial step" refers to when the misalignment between the discharge surface 60A and the rearward inclined surface 34B is within the assembly tolerance to the rib 34 set for the washer nozzle 60. By adopting such an arrangement, the washer nozzle 60 can be made to blend in visually with the rib 34. [Explanation of symbols]

[0051] 10 windshield glass, 20 engine hood, 22 hood outer panel, 22A exposed surface of engine hood, 22B rear end of engine hood, 30 cowl top garnish, 32 exposed surface of cowl top garnish, 32A front end of cowl top garnish, 34 rib, 34A forward inclined surface, 34B rear inclined surface, 50 wiper mechanism, 51 wiper pivot, 52 arm, 53 blade, 54 wiper rubber, 60 washer nozzle, 60A discharge surface.

Claims

1. a windshield glass disposed at the front of the vehicle compartment and extending in the vehicle width direction; an engine hood that is disposed forward of the windshield glass and covers an engine compartment; a cowl top garnish disposed between the windshield glass and the engine hood; a wiper mechanism attached to the cowl top garnish; A vehicle front structure comprising: The wiper mechanism includes: a wiper pivot protruding forward of the vehicle from a through hole formed in the cowl top garnish; an arm having one end connected to the wiper pivot and extending in the vehicle width direction; a blade including a wiper rubber connected to the other end of the arm, extending in the vehicle width direction, and abutting against the windshield glass; Equipped with The cowl top garnish is an exposed surface having a front end that is equal in height to a rear end of the exposed surface of the engine hood and extending in a planar shape from the front end to the windshield glass; a rib provided forward of the wiper pivot, protruding from the exposed surface of the cowl top garnish, and extending in the vehicle width direction along the blade; Equipped with The rib has a forward inclined surface extending obliquely rearward from bottom to top, an upper end portion of the forward inclined surface has a flat cross section as viewed from the vehicle width direction, and an intersection of an extension line of the forward inclined surface extending from the upper end of the forward inclined surface in a side view of the vehicle and the windshield glass is located above the blade; a mesh is formed on the exposed surface behind the rib; A rain gutter is disposed below the mesh. Vehicle front structure.

2. 2. The vehicle front structure according to claim 1, the rib extends obliquely forward from bottom to top and includes a rearward inclined surface facing the windshield glass, A washer nozzle is attached to the rear inclined surface. Vehicle front structure.

Images