Vehicle exterior structure

Abstract

To reduce influence of adhesion of snow ice on an exertion of a function of a functional component through an opening part.SOLUTION: An external structure of a vehicle 10 is applied to the vehicle 10 mounted with a functional component that exerts an own function toward the outside of the vehicle, which comprises an exterior member 21, a first heat generating part 31 and a second heat generating part 32. The functional component is constituted of a sound producing part that radiates sound waves SW forward. The exterior member 21 is arranged closer to a front side than the sound producing part to constitute a portion of an outer shell part of the vehicle 10. The exterior member 21 has an opening part 25 for making the sound producing part exert a function at a position in front of the sound producing part. The first heat generating part 31 and the second heat generating part 32 are arranged around the opening part 25 in the exterior member 21.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to the exterior structure of a vehicle. [Background technology]

[0002] One of the exterior components of a vehicle is a front grille located at the front end of the vehicle, as described in Patent Document 1, for example. This front grille has multiple openings for introducing cooling air into the engine compartment. A horn is located behind the front grille. The warning sound generated by the horn passes through the openings and is emitted forward of the front grille.

[0003] On the other hand, for example, in electric vehicles powered by electric motors, openings in exterior components such as front grilles tend to be reduced or eliminated. Therefore, an opening is sometimes provided in the exterior component in front of a sound-generating component such as a horn to allow sound waves emitted from the sound-generating component to pass through. It is preferable that this opening be small from the perspective of the exterior component's appearance. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-330852 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] When snow and ice adhere to the exterior member, the area of ​​the opening that is actually open becomes smaller than when no snow and ice adheres, and the sound pressure of sound waves passing through that area decreases.

[0006] This problem is not limited to sound-producing parts, but can occur in any vehicle in which functional parts that function through openings, such as sensors and cameras, are located on the interior side of the vehicle's exterior parts. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] Various aspects of the vehicle exterior structure for solving the above problems will be described. [Aspect 1] This is applicable to a vehicle equipped with a functional part that performs its function by emitting sound waves or electromagnetic waves outside the vehicle, and the external structure of the vehicle comprises: an exterior member that is positioned outside the vehicle from the functional part, forms part of the outer shell of the vehicle, and has an opening through which the sound waves or electromagnetic waves emitted from the functional part pass; and a heat-generating part that is positioned around the opening in the exterior member.

[0008] According to the above configuration, the functional component mounted on the vehicle emits sound waves or electromagnetic waves toward the outside of the vehicle. The sound waves or electromagnetic waves pass through the opening in the exterior member and are emitted toward the outside of the vehicle, thereby achieving the function of the functional component. When the entire opening in the exterior member is open, the above function is properly achieved.

[0009] On the other hand, when snow and ice adhere to an opening, the actual open area of ​​the opening becomes smaller, and the snow and ice act as a barrier (hinderance) to the functional parts from performing their functions. In this regard, with the above-described configuration, the heat generated by the heat generating portion melts the snow and ice adhering to the opening, thereby reducing the degree to which the snow and ice pose a barrier to the functioning of the functional components through the opening.

[0010] Furthermore, since the heat generating portion is arranged around the opening, less energy is consumed to make the heat generating portion generate heat than when the heat generating portion is arranged to cover the entire exterior member. [Aspect 2] The heat generating portion has a first heat generating portion as a part thereof, and a part of the first heat generating portion is arranged on the exterior surface of the exterior member or within the exterior member, at a location adjacent to the exterior surface in the exterior-interior direction of the vehicle. [Aspect 1] An exterior structure of a vehicle as described in

[0011] According to the above configuration, when the first heating portion generates heat, the generated heat melts snow and ice that has adhered to the exterior surface of the exterior member around the opening and that blocks the opening from the exterior, reducing the amount of snow and ice that adheres to the opening and reducing the degree to which the snow and ice poses a barrier to the functioning of the functional components through the opening.

[0012] [Aspect 3] The heat generating portion has a second heat generating portion as part of itself, and a portion of the second heat generating portion is arranged on the inner wall surface of the opening or within the exterior member, at a location adjacent to the inner wall surface in a direction intersecting the exterior-interior direction of the vehicle, in an external structure of a vehicle described in [Aspect 1] or [Aspect 2].

[0013] According to the above configuration, when the second heat generating portion generates heat, the snow and ice adhering to the inner wall surface of the opening melts due to the generated heat. This reduces the amount of snow and ice adhering to the opening, and reduces the degree to which the snow and ice poses a barrier to the functioning of the functional components through the opening.

[0014] [Embodiment 4] A pattern portion is formed on at least the portion of the exterior member that faces the exterior of the vehicle relative to the functional component, and the pattern portion is formed by arranging a plurality of unit pattern portions vertically and horizontally, and the unit pattern portion that corresponds to the opening is hollow and matches the opening edge portion on the exterior side of the vehicle of the opening. An exterior structure of a vehicle described in any one of [Embodiment 1] to [Embodiment 3].

[0015] According to the above configuration, the opening edge on the vehicle exterior side of the opening is formed by unit pattern parts that correspond to the opening and are hollow among the unit pattern parts arranged vertically and horizontally. Therefore, the opening blends in with the other multiple unit pattern parts that are not hollow, making it less noticeable (hard to see). The opening blends in with the pattern parts, preventing the appearance of the exterior member from being impaired by the opening.

[0016] Furthermore, the functional component exerts its function through an opening that is partly formed by a hollow unit pattern portion. [Aspect 5] An external structure of a vehicle described in any one of [Aspect 1] to [Aspect 4], wherein the opening is formed by a long hole, the inner wall surface of the long hole is composed of a pair of opposing first wall surfaces and a pair of opposing second wall surfaces with a wall-to-wall distance greater than the wall-to-wall distance between the pair of first wall surfaces, and a portion of the heat generating portion is positioned at least at a location sandwiched between the pair of first wall surfaces.

[0017] According to the above configuration, the heat generating section generates heat at a location sandwiching a pair of first wall surfaces that face each other with a small wall distance between them in the opening formed by the elongated hole. Therefore, the heat generated by the heat generating section is concentrated and transferred to the snow and ice adhering to the opening, which melts the snow and ice efficiently.

[0018] [Aspect 6] An exterior structure of a vehicle described in any one of [Aspect 1] to [Aspect 5], wherein the heat generating portion is composed of an electric heating wire wired in a state surrounding the opening. According to the above configuration, when electricity is passed through the heating wire that constitutes the heat generating portion, the heating wire generates heat. Because the heating wire is wired in a state that surrounds the opening, the heat generated by the heating wire is efficiently transferred to the periphery of the opening.

[0019] [Aspect 7] An exterior structure of a vehicle described in any one of [Aspect 1] to [Aspect 3], [Aspect 5] and [Aspect 6], wherein the exterior member has the opening at a location that contacts or is close to its own peripheral edge.

[0020] By arranging the opening in a position that satisfies the above conditions, the peripheral edge of the opening is closer to the peripheral edge of the exterior member, which makes the peripheral edge of the opening less noticeable than when the opening is located farther from the peripheral edge of the exterior member, for example, in the center, thereby improving the appearance of the exterior member.

[0021] [Embodiment 8] An external structure of a vehicle comprising: a functional part that is mounted on the vehicle and performs its function toward the outside of the vehicle; an exterior member that is positioned outside the vehicle from the functional part and forms part of the outer shell of the vehicle, and that has an opening at a location outside the vehicle from the functional part to allow the functional part to perform its function; and a heat-generating part that is positioned around the opening in the exterior member, wherein the functional part is composed of a sound-generating part that emits sound waves toward the outside of the vehicle.

[0022] According to the above configuration, the sound generating unit mounted on the vehicle as a functional component emits sound waves toward the outside of the vehicle. The emitted sound waves pass through the opening in the exterior member and are emitted toward the outside of the vehicle, thereby exerting the function of the sound generating unit.

[0023] When the entire opening of the exterior member is open, sound waves are appropriately emitted through the opening, and people around the vehicle are notified of the presence of the vehicle by the sound waves. On the other hand, when snow and ice adhere to the opening, the actual open area of ​​the opening becomes smaller, and the snow and ice act as a barrier (obstruction) to the passage of sound waves generated by the sound generating portion through the opening.

[0024] In this regard, with the above-described configuration, the heat generated by the heat generating portion melts the snow and ice adhering to the opening, thereby reducing the degree to which the snow and ice act as a barrier to the passage of sound waves through the opening. Furthermore, since the heat generating portion is arranged around the opening, less energy is consumed to make the heat generating portion generate heat than when the heat generating portion is arranged to cover the entire exterior member. [Effects of the Invention]

[0025] According to the above-described vehicle exterior structure, even if snow and ice adhere to the vehicle, the effect on the functioning of the functional parts through the opening can be reduced. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0026] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic front view of a vehicle to which an external structure of a vehicle according to an embodiment is applied; [Figure 2] 4 is a schematic vertical cross-sectional view showing the positional relationship between an exterior member and a sound-generating unit in the embodiment. FIG. [Figure 3] 2 is an enlarged view of a part of FIG. 1, and is a partial front view showing the positional relationship between an opening and a heat generating part. FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a partial vertical cross-sectional view showing the positional relationship between an opening and a heat generating portion in the embodiment. [Figure 5] 4 is a partial front view corresponding to FIG. 3, showing a modified example of the positional relationship between the opening and the heat generating portion. FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is a partial front view similarly corresponding to FIG. 3, showing a modified example of the positional relationship between the opening and the heat generating portion. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0027] An embodiment of the exterior structure of a vehicle will be described below with reference to FIGS. In the following description, the forward direction of the vehicle 10 is referred to as the front, and the backward direction is referred to as the rear. Furthermore, the up-down direction refers to the up-down direction of the vehicle 10, and the left-right direction refers to the width direction of the vehicle, which coincides with the left-right direction when the vehicle 10 is moving forward.

[0028] As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle 10 in this embodiment is assumed to be an electric vehicle or the like that can be driven by an electric motor that generates rotational power when energized and that produces quiet running noise.

[0029] A pair of headlights 11 are arranged on both the left and right sides of the upper front end of the vehicle 10. <Phonetics section 12> The vehicle 10 is equipped with a sound generating unit 12 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 as a functional component that performs its function outside the vehicle. The sound generating unit 12 is attached to the vehicle body (not shown). The sound generating unit 12 emits sound waves SW of a frequency in the audible sound range to the outside of the vehicle 10 as a horn sound for warning, an approach notification sound that notifies people that the vehicle 10 is approaching, etc. The sound generating unit 12 notifies people around (outside) the vehicle 10 of the presence of the vehicle 10 by using the sound waves SW. The horn sound is output from the sound generating unit 12 at a predetermined single frequency, and the approach notification sound is output from the sound generating unit 12 as a melody, music, etc.

[0030] In this embodiment, the sound producing unit 12 is mounted on the upper front end of the vehicle 10, closer to the right headlight 11 than to the center in the left-right direction. The sound producing unit 12 emits sound waves SW ahead of the vehicle 10, thereby notifying people in front of the vehicle 10 of the presence of the vehicle 10 with the sound waves SW.

[0031] In this embodiment, the front-rear direction corresponds to the outside-inside direction of the vehicle 10. Furthermore, the "front" of each part of the external structure of the vehicle 10 corresponds to the "outside" of the vehicle 10, and the "rear" of each part corresponds to the "inside" of the vehicle 10.

[0032] 3 and 4, an exterior member 21 and a heat generating unit H are disposed at the front end of the vehicle 10, in front of the sound generating unit 12. Next, each unit will be described. <Exterior member 21> 1, the exterior member 21 is made up of a front grille and has a plate shape. The front grille is a member that forms part of the outer shell of the vehicle 10, and is surrounded by an exterior panel 13. The exterior member 21 is located between the headlights 11 at the front end of the vehicle 10 and forward of the sound generating unit 12.

[0033] A hole 22 is formed in the upper part of the exterior member 21, in the center in the left-right direction. An emblem 23 is arranged in this hole 22. The left peripheral edge 21l and the right peripheral edge 21r of the exterior member 21 are linear. In this embodiment, the left peripheral edge 21l and the right peripheral edge 21r are inclined with respect to a vertical line so that the distance between them increases downward, and the exterior member 21 is trapezoidal. However, the exterior member 21 may have a shape other than a trapezoidal shape.

[0034] 2, the exterior member 21 is disposed in an upright state and is fixed to the vehicle body by a fixing method such as screw fastening or claw fitting. 1 and 3, a pattern portion P that appears as a geometric pattern from the front side of the exterior member 21 is formed on the front surface 21f of the exterior member 21 at least in a position in front of the sound generating portion 12. In this embodiment, the pattern portion P is formed on the entire exterior member 21 in a position other than the hole portion 22.

[0035] The pattern section P is formed by arranging a plurality of unit pattern sections 24 vertically and horizontally. In this embodiment, the plurality of unit pattern sections 24 are arranged vertically and horizontally, in both the horizontal and vertical directions. However, the plurality of unit pattern sections 24 may also be arranged in a direction inclined with respect to each of the horizontal and vertical directions. The plurality of unit pattern sections 24 have the same shape and size. Examples of unit pattern sections 24 include polygons such as triangles and squares, as well as circles. Squares include rectangles, which are quadrilaterals with all four interior angles equal; rhombuses, which are quadrilaterals with all four sides equal in length; and trapezoids, which are quadrilaterals with one of two pairs of opposite sides parallel. Trapezoids include parallelograms, with each of two pairs of opposite sides parallel. Examples of the pattern portion P include a checkered pattern, which is a striped pattern that combines vertical and horizontal stripes, a scale pattern, which is a pattern in which isosceles triangles or equilateral triangles are arranged vertically and horizontally, and a diamond pattern, which is a pattern in which diamonds are arranged continuously.

[0036] In this embodiment, each unit pattern portion 24 has a rectangular shape that is longer in the left-right direction than in the up-down direction. An opening 25 is provided in the exterior member 21 at a location forward of the sound generator 12, allowing the sound generator 12 to emit sound waves SW forward. The opening 25 penetrates the exterior member 21 in the front-rear direction.

[0037] The opening 25 is provided corresponding to one of the multiple unit pattern elements 24 located in front of the sound producing unit 12. The unit pattern element 24 corresponding to the opening 25 is hollow and coincides with the front opening edge of the opening 25. In other words, the opening 25 penetrates the exterior member 21 in the front-to-rear direction, containing one hollow unit pattern element 24. The opening 25 is located close to the right peripheral edge 21r of the exterior member 21. The unit pattern elements 24 not corresponding to the opening 25 are not hollow.

[0038] Here, in order to distinguish between unit pattern portions 24 that form part of the opening 25 and other unit pattern portions 24 that do not form part of the opening 25, the former unit pattern portions 24 are shown with thicker lines than the latter unit pattern portions 24 in Figures 1 and 3.

[0039] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the opening 25 is configured as a horizontally elongated hole. The inner wall surface IS of the opening 25 is composed of a pair of first wall surfaces 26 and a pair of second wall surfaces 27. The first wall surfaces 26 extend in the left-right direction while facing each other in the up-down direction. The second wall surfaces 27 extend in the up-down direction while facing each other in the left-right direction. The distance D2 between the second wall surfaces 27 is set to be larger than the distance D1 between the first wall surfaces 26.

[0040] <Heat generating part H> The heat generating portion H is disposed around the opening 25 in the exterior member 21. The heat generating portion H includes a first heat generating portion 31 made of a heating wire, and a second heat generating portion 32 also made of a heating wire.

[0041] The first heat generating portion 31 is disposed in a location adjacent to and rearward of the front surface 21f within the exterior member 21. The rearward of the front surface 21f corresponds to one direction in the exterior-interior direction of the vehicle 10, or in the front-rear direction in this embodiment. The first heat generating portion 31 may also be disposed on the front surface 21f of the exterior member 21.

[0042] The first heat generating portion 31 has a pair of first horizontal heat generating portions 31a that sandwich both first wall surfaces 26 from above and below, and a single first vertical heat generating portion 31b. The upper first horizontal heating portion 31a extends in the left-right direction at a position slightly spaced upward from the upper first wall surface 26. The lower first horizontal heating portion 31a extends in the left-right direction at a position slightly spaced downward from the lower first wall surface 26. The left ends of the upper and lower first horizontal heating portions 31a are located slightly spaced to the left from the left second wall surface 27.

[0043] Above the upper first wall surface 26 and below the lower first wall surface 26 correspond to both directions that intersect (are perpendicular to) the outward / inward direction of the vehicle 10, and in this embodiment, to directions that intersect (are perpendicular to) the forward / backward direction.

[0044] The upper and lower first horizontal heat generating portions 31a extend to the right peripheral edge 21r of the exterior member 21 and are bent rearward at the right peripheral edge 21r. The upper and lower first horizontal heat generating portions 31a extend to a position rearward of the exterior member 21 and are connected to a device (not shown) for supplying power.

[0045] The first vertical heat generating portion 31b extends vertically at a slight distance to the left of the left second wall surface 27. The upper end of the first vertical heat generating portion 31b is connected to the left end of the upper first horizontal heat generating portion 31a. The lower end of the first vertical heat generating portion 31b is connected to the left end of the lower first horizontal heat generating portion 31a.

[0046] In this way, a part of the first heat generating portion 31 surrounds both the upper and lower first wall surfaces 26 of the opening 25 and the left second wall surface 27 . In contrast, the second heat generating portion 32 is disposed in a location adjacent to the inner wall surface IS (around the outer periphery of the inner wall surface IS) within the exterior member 21. The second heat generating portion 32 may also be disposed on the inner wall surface IS of the opening 25.

[0047] The second heat generating portion 32 has a pair of second horizontal heat generating portions 32a that sandwich both first wall surfaces 26 from above and below, and a single second vertical heat generating portion 32b. The upper second horizontal heat generating portion 32a extends in the left-right direction along the upper first wall surface 26. The lower second horizontal heat generating portion 32a extends in the left-right direction along the lower first wall surface 26. The left end portions of the upper and lower second horizontal heat generating portions 32a are located close to the left second wall surface 27.

[0048] The upper and lower second horizontal heat generating portions 32a extend to the right peripheral edge 21r of the exterior member 21 and are bent rearward at the right peripheral edge 21r. The upper and lower second horizontal heat generating portions 32a extend to a position rearward of the exterior member 21 and are connected to a device (not shown) for supplying power.

[0049] The second vertical heat generating portion 32b extends vertically along the left second wall surface 27. The upper end of the second vertical heat generating portion 32b is connected to the left end of the upper second horizontal heat generating portion 32a. The lower end of the second vertical heat generating portion 32b is connected to the left end of the lower second horizontal heat generating portion 32a.

[0050] In this way, part of the second heat generating portion 32 surrounds both the upper and lower first wall surfaces 26 of the opening 25 and the left second wall surface 27 . The supply of electricity to the first heat generating portion 31 and the second heat generating portion 32 is controlled by a sensor and a control device (both not shown) mounted on the vehicle 10. The sensor detects, for example, the outside air temperature. The control device controls the supply of electricity based on the outside air temperature detected by the sensor. For example, the control device supplies electricity to the first heat generating portion 31 and the second heat generating portion 32 when the detected outside air temperature is 0°C or lower.

[0051] Next, the operation of the present embodiment configured as above will be described. <Melting of snow and ice SI> When sound generator 12 generates sound waves SW, the sound waves SW are emitted forward through opening 25 in exterior member 21. If opening 25 is not blocked at all by snow or ice SI and is entirely open, sound waves SW are appropriately emitted through opening 25. People in front of vehicle 10 are notified of the presence of vehicle 10 by the sound waves SW.

[0052] In contrast, when snow and ice SI adhere to opening 25, the portion of opening 25 that is actually open becomes smaller, and the snow and ice SI becomes a barrier (obstruction) to the sound waves SW passing through the opening. As the portion of opening 25 that is actually open becomes smaller, the degree to which the snow and ice SI acts as a barrier to the sound waves SW passing through the opening increases, making it difficult for the sound waves SW to pass through opening 25. The sound pressure of the sound waves SW passing through opening 25 does not meet the required sound pressure, making it difficult for the sound waves SW to reach people in front of vehicle 10.

[0053] Test results showing the relationship between the aperture ratio (hole size) of the opening and the sound insulation function (amount of sound passing through) are disclosed, for example, at https: / / blog.mazda.com / archive / 20190620_01.html. The test results show the following:

[0054] - The smaller the aperture ratio, the greater the sound insulation function and the less sound waves pass through. As the opening ratio increases, the sound insulation function decreases and more sound waves pass through. Here, the above-mentioned phenomenon in which the actual opening portion becomes smaller and the sound waves SW have difficulty passing through the opening 25 is resolved by melting the snow and ice SI. That is, for example, when a sensor detects that the outside air temperature is below 0°C, the control device energizes the first heating portion 31 and the second heating portion 32. The above-mentioned energization causes the first heating portion 31 and the second heating portion 32 to generate heat. Therefore, even if snow and ice SI adhere to the opening 25, it is melted by the heat generated by the first heating portion 31 and the second heating portion 32.

[0055] More specifically, the heat generated by the first heat generating portion 31 melts the snow and ice SI that has adhered to the area surrounding the opening 25 on the front surface 21f of the exterior member 21 and the snow and ice SI that blocks the opening 25 from the front side. The amount of snow and ice SI that blocks the opening 25 from the front side decreases, and the amount of snow and ice SI that adheres to the opening 25 decreases. The area of ​​the opening 25 that is actually open becomes larger compared to when the snow and ice SI does not melt. The degree to which the snow and ice SI acts as a barrier to the sound waves SW passing through the opening is reduced. The sound pressure of the sound waves SW passing through the opening 25 is maintained.

[0056] In addition, the heat generated by the second heat generating portion 32 melts the snow and ice SI adhering to the inner wall surface IS of the opening 25. The amount of snow and ice SI blocking the inside of the opening 25 decreases, and the amount of snow and ice SI adhering to the opening 25 decreases. The area of ​​the opening 25 that is actually open becomes larger compared to when the snow and ice SI does not melt. The degree to which the snow and ice SI acts as a barrier to the sound waves SW passing through the opening becomes even smaller. The sound pressure of the sound waves SW passing through the opening 25 is further ensured.

[0057] Furthermore, heat is generated by first heat generating portion 31, which is made of a heating wire and wired in a state surrounding opening 25, and second heat generating portion 32, which is also made of a heating wire and wired in a state surrounding opening 25. As a result, the heat generated in first heat generating portion 31 and second heat generating portion 32 is efficiently transferred to the periphery of opening 25.

[0058] In particular, in this embodiment, both the first heat generating portion 31 and the second heat generating portion 32 generate heat at a location sandwiching a pair of first wall surfaces 26 that face each other with a small wall-to-wall distance D1 in the opening 25, which is an elongated hole. Therefore, the heat generated by the first heat generating portion 31 and the second heat generating portion 32 is concentrated and transferred to the snow and ice SI that blocks the opening 25 from the front side and the snow and ice SI that blocks the interior of the opening 25.

[0059] <Achieving both the appearance of the exterior member 21 and the functionality of the sound generating unit 12> The opening edge on the front side of opening 25 is made up of unit pattern elements 24 that correspond to opening 25 and are hollow, out of the unit pattern elements 24 arranged vertically and horizontally. Therefore, opening 25 blends in with the other multiple unit pattern elements 24 that are not hollow, making it difficult to stand out (hard to see). Opening 25 blends in (becomes familiar with) pattern element P.

[0060] Furthermore, the sound waves SW emitted by the sound producing unit 12 are emitted outside the vehicle through openings 25 that are partially formed by hollow unit pattern portions 24. In this way, the sound producing unit 12 is ensured to function properly.

[0061] Furthermore, the unit pattern portions 24 in the pattern portion P are used as part of the opening 25. When the exterior member 21 is viewed from the front of the vehicle 10, the external shape of the unit pattern portions 24 that are hollow and form part of the opening 25 is the same as or similar to the external shape of the other unit pattern portions 24 that are not hollow. The only difference between the unit pattern portions 24 that form part of the opening 25 and the unit pattern portions 24 that do not form part of the opening 25 is whether they are hollow or not. Therefore, it is possible to form the opening 25 that allows the sound generating portion 12 to function without making any major changes to the original design of the pattern portion P.

[0062] Next, the effects of this embodiment will be described. (1) In this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 4, the first heat generating portion 31 and the second heat generating portion 32 are arranged around the opening 25 located in front of the sound generating portion 12 in the exterior member 21. Therefore, if the opening 25 is blocked even partially by snow or ice SI, the snow and ice SI can be melted by generating heat from the first heat generating portion 31 and the second heat generating portion 32. The sound pressure of the sound waves SW passing through the opening 25 can be ensured.

[0063] (2) In this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 4, a portion of the first heat generating portion 31 is disposed on the front surface 21f of the exterior member 21 or in a location adjacent to the rear of the front surface 21f in the front-to-rear direction within the exterior member 21. This reduces the amount of snow and ice SI blocking the opening 25 from the front side, thereby achieving the effect of (1) above, which ensures the sound pressure of the sound waves SW passing through the opening 25.

[0064] (3) In this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 4, a portion of the second heat generating portion 32 is disposed on the inner wall surface IS of the opening 25 or in a location within the exterior member 21 adjacent to the inner wall surface IS in a direction intersecting (orthogonal to) the front-to-rear direction. This reduces the amount of snow and ice SI blocking the inside of the opening 25, thereby achieving the effect of (1) above, which ensures the sound pressure of the sound waves SW passing through the opening 25.

[0065] (4) In this embodiment, as shown in Figures 1 and 3, among the multiple unit pattern portions 24 in exterior member 21, those that correspond to opening 25 and are hollow are aligned with the front edge of opening 25. This makes opening 25 less noticeable, and prevents deterioration of the appearance of exterior member 21 due to opening 25. Furthermore, opening 25 can be formed without making major changes to the original design of pattern portion P.

[0066] (5) In this embodiment, as shown in Figures 3 and 4, the first heat generating portion 31 and the second heat generating portion 32 of the heat generating portion H are arranged in positions that sandwich at least one pair of first wall surfaces 26 of the opening 25, which is an elongated hole, from both above and below. Therefore, snow and ice SI that blocks the opening 25 from the front side and snow and ice SI that blocks the inside of the opening 25 can be melted in a concentrated manner and efficiently.

[0067] (6) In this embodiment, as shown in Figures 3 and 4, the first heat generating portion 31 and the second heat generating portion 32 are configured by heating wires that are wired in a state that surrounds the opening 25. Therefore, the heat generated by the first heat generating portion 31 and the second heat generating portion 32 can be efficiently transferred to the periphery of the opening 25, and the snow and ice SI that blocks the front side of the opening 25 and the snow and ice SI that blocks the inside of the opening 25 can be efficiently melted.

[0068] Furthermore, since the first heating portion 31 and the second heating portion 32 are formed by heating wires, the work of wiring the first heating portion 31 and the second heating portion 32 along the inner wall surface IS of the opening 25 can be easily performed.

[0069] The above embodiment can also be implemented as a modified example in which it is modified as follows: The above embodiment and the following modified example can be implemented in combination with each other within a range where no technical contradiction occurs.

[0070] <About opening 25> The exterior member 21 may have an opening 25 at a location where it contacts its peripheral edge. Figure 5 shows an example of this. In this modified example, unlike the above embodiment, the pattern portion P is not provided on the exterior surface (front surface 21f) of the exterior member 21 facing the vehicle exterior.

[0071] In this modified example, the vertically elongated opening 25 is formed by a notch recessed from the right peripheral edge 21r of the exterior member 21. The inner wall surface IS of the opening 25 is made up of a pair of first wall surfaces 26 that are parallel to each other and a second wall surface 27 that is perpendicular to both first wall surfaces 26. The second wall surface 27 is parallel to the right peripheral edge 21r. Both first wall surfaces 26 are perpendicular to the right peripheral edge 21r.

[0072] When opening 25 is positioned at a location that satisfies the above conditions, the peripheral edge (first wall surface 26) of opening 25 comes into contact with right peripheral edge 21r of exterior member 21. Therefore, compared to when opening 25 is positioned at a location away from the peripheral edge of exterior member 21, for example, in the center between left peripheral edge 21l and right peripheral edge 21r as shown in FIG. 1, the peripheral edge of opening 25 becomes less noticeable, improving the appearance of exterior member 21.

[0073] 5, a part of the exterior panel 13 is located to the right of the opening 25. The part of the exterior panel 13 to the right of the opening 25 constitutes the right peripheral edge (second wall surface 27) of the opening 25. Moreover, the peripheral edge (second wall surface 27) is located on an extension of the right peripheral edge 21r. This makes the opening 25 even less noticeable.

[0074] Furthermore, by arranging the vertically elongated opening 25 in an inclined state along the right peripheral edge 21r of the exterior member 21, the peripheral edge of the opening 25 becomes even less noticeable, and the appearance of the exterior member 21 is further improved.

[0075] Although not shown, instead of the vertically elongated opening 25, the horizontally elongated opening 25 may be configured by a notch recessed from the peripheral edge (right peripheral edge 21r) of the exterior member 21. Although not shown, the exterior member 21 may have an opening 25 at a location close to its periphery. In this modified example, unlike the above embodiment, the pattern portion P is not provided on the exterior surface (front surface 21f) of the exterior member 21 facing the vehicle exterior.

[0076] Here, the opening 25 being located in a position close to the peripheral edge of the exterior member 21 means that the vertically elongated opening 25 or the horizontally elongated opening 25 is located in a position slightly away to the left from the peripheral edge, for example, the right peripheral edge 21r, of the exterior member 21. In this case as well, the peripheral edge of the opening 25 is close to the right peripheral edge 21r of the exterior member 21, so that the peripheral edge of the opening 25 is less noticeable, as in the modified example of Fig. 5, and the above-mentioned effect of improving the appearance of the exterior member 21 can be obtained.

[0077] <Functional parts> A typical functional component is the sound generator 12 that emits sound waves SW outside the vehicle, but other components may also be used that perform their functions by emitting electromagnetic waves outside the vehicle. Electromagnetic waves include radio waves and light rays. For example, sensors, cameras, etc., are functional components. When the vehicle external structure of this embodiment is applied to a vehicle 10 equipped with these functional components, the following actions and effects are obtained.

[0078] The functional parts emit electromagnetic waves toward the outside of the vehicle. The functions of the functional parts are exerted when the emitted electromagnetic waves pass through the opening 25 of the exterior member 21 and are emitted toward the outside of the vehicle. When no snow or ice SI is attached to the opening 25 of the exterior member 21 and the entire opening 25 is open, the above functions are exerted appropriately.

[0079] On the other hand, when snow and ice SI adhere to opening 25, heat is generated in heat generating portion H. Then, the heat generated by heat generating portion H melts the snow and ice SI at opening 25. Therefore, the area of ​​opening 25 that is actually open becomes larger than when the snow and ice SI does not melt, and the degree to which the snow and ice SI acts as a barrier to the performance of functions through opening 25 becomes smaller.

[0080] Furthermore, by arranging the heat generating portion H only around the opening 25, less energy is consumed to generate heat in the heat generating portion H than when the heat generating portion H is arranged over the entire exterior member 21.

[0081] <About heating element H> As the heat generating portion H, a resistive film such as a carbon heater may be used in addition to the above-mentioned electric heating wire.

[0082] The opening 25 may be located close to the headlight 11. In this case, the heat generated by the heat generating portion H and the heat generated by the headlight 11 can be used to melt the snow and ice SI blocking the opening 25 from the outside of the vehicle and the snow and ice SI blocking the inside of the opening 25.

[0083] In the above embodiment, the first vertical heat generating portion 31b may be omitted from the first heat generating portion 31. In this case, the first heat generating portion 31 is composed of a pair of first horizontal heat generating portions 31a that are independent of each other. The first horizontal heat generating portions 31a sandwich the pair of first wall surfaces 26 from both the top and bottom.

[0084] <About the pattern part P> The pattern portion P may be formed by arranging figures, pictures, shapes, etc. that are identical in shape but different in size vertically and horizontally.

[0085] Furthermore, the pattern portion P may be formed by arranging figures, pictures, shapes, etc., which are different from one another in both shape and size, vertically and horizontally. The unit pattern elements 24 in the pattern element P may be formed in a shape other than a rectangle. Figure 6 shows a modified example in which the unit pattern elements 24 are formed in a circular shape, which is smaller than the rectangular shape of the above embodiment. The pattern element P is formed by arranging these unit pattern elements 24 closely together in both vertical and horizontal directions. In Figure 6, multiple combinations of multiple circular unit pattern elements 24, which are arranged spaced apart from each other in the left-right direction, are arranged in the vertical direction.

[0086] The left-right position of each unit pattern element 24 may be midway between left-right adjacent unit pattern elements 24 in adjacent rows above and below, as shown in Figure 6. Alternatively, although not shown, the left-right position of each unit pattern element 24 may be the same as the left-right position of the unit pattern elements 24 in adjacent rows above and below.

[0087] The openings 25 are provided corresponding to each of the multiple unit pattern elements 24 located in front of the sound producing unit 12. The unit pattern element 24 corresponding to an opening 25 is hollow and matches the front edge of the opening 25. In other words, each opening 25 penetrates the exterior member 21 in the front-to-rear direction, including the corresponding unit pattern element 24.

[0088] In order to distinguish between unit pattern portions 24 that form part of opening 25 and other unit pattern portions 24 that do not form part of opening 25, the former unit pattern portions 24 are shown in Figure 6 with thicker lines than the latter unit pattern portions 24.

[0089] The heat generating portion H may be composed of a first heat generating portion 31 having the same configuration as in the above embodiment. The first heat generating portion 31 may be composed of a plurality of first horizontal heat generating portions 31a and a plurality of first vertical heat generating portions 31b. Each first horizontal heat generating portion 31a extends in a straight line in the left-right direction above or below a combination of a plurality of circular unit pattern portions 24 that are arranged spaced apart from each other in the left-right direction.

[0090] The first horizontal heat generating portion 31a arranged below the combination of multiple unit pattern portions 24 and the first horizontal heat generating portion 31a arranged above the combination of multiple unit pattern portions 24 located directly below it may be common, as shown in Figure 6.

[0091] Each first vertical heat generating portion 31b connects the left ends or right ends of a pair of first horizontal heat generating portions 31a adjacent to each other in the up-down direction. In the above modification, the heat generated by the first heat generating portion 31 can melt the snow and ice SI adhering to each opening 25, and the same effect as in the above embodiment can be obtained.

[0092] Although not shown, in this modified example, similar to the above embodiment, a second heat generating portion may be provided in addition to the first heat generating portion 31. In this case, the second heat generating portion may be disposed in the exterior member 21, adjacent to the inner wall surface of the circular opening 25, or on the inner wall surface.

[0093] In the above embodiment and the modified example shown in Fig. 6, the unit pattern portion 24 that is hollow to correspond to the opening 25 does not necessarily have to match the opening edge portion on the vehicle exterior side of the opening 25. For example, the unit pattern portion 24 may have the same shape as the opening edge portion and be larger than the opening edge portion.

[0094] The pattern portion P does not necessarily have to be formed over the entire front surface 21f of the exterior member 21. The pattern portion P may be formed over, for example, the portion of the front surface 21f that faces the exterior of the functional component and the surrounding area, or may be formed over only the portion of the functional component that faces the exterior of the vehicle.

[0095] <Other> The exterior member 21 may be the following member other than the front grille.

[0096] These include bumpers, fog covers, hoods, cowl louvers, fenders, fender arches, rocker moldings, roof side moldings, pillars, rear garnishes, spoilers, etc.

[0097] The above-described vehicle exterior structure may be applied to a vehicle 10 powered by an internal combustion engine such as an engine. [Explanation of symbols]

[0098] 10...Vehicle 12...Sound generating unit (functional part) 21...Exterior material 21r...Right peripheral part (periphery) 24...Unit pattern section 25...Opening 26...First wall 27...Second wall 31...First heating section 32...Second heating section IS: Inner wall H...heat generating part D1, D2: Distance between walls P...Pattern section SW...sound wave

Claims

1. This applies to vehicles equipped with functional parts that perform their functions by emitting sound waves or electromagnetic waves outside the vehicle. an exterior member that is disposed on an outer side of the vehicle than the functional component, that constitutes a part of an outer shell of the vehicle, and that has an opening through which sound waves or electromagnetic waves emitted from the functional component pass; a heat generating portion disposed around the opening in the exterior member, the heat generating portion has a first heat generating portion as a part thereof, An exterior structure of a vehicle, wherein a portion of the first heat-generating portion is located on the exterior surface of the exterior member or within the exterior member, at a location adjacent to the exterior surface in the exterior-interior direction of the vehicle.

2. Applicable to a vehicle equipped with a functional part that performs its function by emitting sound waves or electromagnetic waves outside the vehicle, an exterior member that is disposed on an outer side of the vehicle than the functional component, that constitutes a part of an outer shell of the vehicle, and that has an opening through which sound waves or electromagnetic waves emitted from the functional component pass; a heat generating portion disposed around the opening in the exterior member, The heat generating portion has a second heat generating portion as a part thereof, An external structure of a vehicle in which a portion of the second heat generating portion is located on the inner wall surface of the opening or within the exterior member, at a location adjacent to the inner wall surface in a direction intersecting the exterior-interior direction of the vehicle.

3. Applicable to a vehicle equipped with a functional part that performs its function by emitting sound waves or electromagnetic waves outside the vehicle, an exterior member that is disposed on an outer side of the vehicle than the functional component, that constitutes a part of an outer shell of the vehicle, and that has an opening through which sound waves or electromagnetic waves emitted from the functional component pass; a heat generating portion disposed around the opening in the exterior member, a patterned portion is formed at least at a portion of the exterior member that faces the vehicle exterior relative to the functional component; the pattern portion is formed by arranging a plurality of unit pattern portions vertically and horizontally, The unit pattern portion corresponding to the opening is hollow and matches the edge of the opening on the vehicle exterior side.

4. Applicable to a vehicle equipped with a functional part that performs its function by emitting sound waves or electromagnetic waves outside the vehicle, an exterior member that is disposed on an outer side of the vehicle than the functional component, that constitutes a part of an outer shell of the vehicle, and that has an opening through which sound waves or electromagnetic waves emitted from the functional component pass; a heat generating portion disposed around the opening in the exterior member, The opening is formed by a slot, an inner wall surface of the elongated hole including a pair of first wall surfaces facing each other and a pair of second wall surfaces facing each other with a distance between the first wall surfaces greater than a distance between the first wall surfaces; An external structure of a vehicle, wherein a portion of the heat generating portion is disposed at a location sandwiched between at least the pair of first wall surfaces.

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