Airflow control structure around the radiator

Abstract

To provide an air current control structure of a radiator peripheral part which can restrain heat exchange capacity of the radiator from being deteriorated by air with high temperature generated around rear region of the radiator and moreover can restrain foreign material from being stacked on top face of a radiator support lower.SOLUTION: An air current control structure of a radiator peripheral part comprises tank side shield plates 45, 49 which protrude from a lower tank 37 of the radiator to a downward direction, a support side shield plate 19 which protrudes from a radiator support lower 12 provided on a lower part of a vehicle to an upward direction and of which at least one part opposes to the tank side shield plate in a cross direction, a penetration hole 18 which penetrates the radiator support lower in a vehicle vertical direction and a fan which is located to rear of the radiator.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an air flow control structure around a radiator.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Documents 1 and 2 below disclose a vehicle in which a part of the lower end of a radiator is supported on the upper surface of a radiator support lower (lower part, under cover) that constitutes the lower surface of the front part of the vehicle body, and a fan and an engine are provided immediately behind the radiator.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] A gap is formed between the upper surface of the radiator support lower of Patent Documents 1 and 2 and the part other than the above-mentioned part of the lower end of the radiator. Therefore, the air around the engine heated by the engine may flow through this gap to the area immediately in front of the radiator. When such high-temperature air flows to the area immediately in front of the radiator, the heat exchange capacity of the radiator is likely to decrease.

[0005] In addition, in Patent Documents 1 and 2, foreign substances passing through the grill shutter provided at the front end of the vehicle body may accumulate on the upper surface of the radiator support lower.

[0006] In consideration of the above facts, the present invention aims to provide an airflow control structure for the area surrounding the radiator that can suppress the reduction in the heat exchange capacity of the radiator due to high-temperature air generated in the rear region of the radiator, and can also suppress the accumulation of foreign matter on the upper surface of the radiator support lower. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The airflow control structure around the radiator according to claim 1 comprises: a tank-side shielding plate protruding downward from the lower tank of a radiator mounted on a vehicle; a support-side shielding plate protruding upward from a radiator support lower provided at the bottom of the vehicle so as to be exposed on the road surface side on which the vehicle travels, with at least a portion of it facing the tank-side shielding plate in the front-rear direction; a through hole located in front of the vehicle and ahead of the tank-side shielding plate and the support-side shielding plate, and penetrating the radiator support lower in the vertical direction of the vehicle; and a fan located behind the radiator.

[0008] The airflow control structure around the radiator according to claim 1 comprises a tank-side shielding plate protruding downward from the lower tank of the radiator, and a support-side shielding plate protruding upward from the radiator support lower, with at least a portion of it facing the tank-side shielding plate in the front-rear direction. As a result, the tank-side shielding plate and the support-side shielding plate prevent high-temperature air generated in the rear region of the radiator from passing through the space between the lower tank of the radiator and the upper surface of the radiator support lower and flowing into the front region of the radiator (lower tank). Furthermore, for example, when the fan operates while the vehicle is stopped, the negative pressure generated by the fan causes air in the lower region of the radiator support lower to flow through the through-hole into the front region of the radiator (lower tank). Therefore, the airflow control structure around the radiator according to claim 1 can suppress a decrease in the heat exchange capacity of the radiator due to high-temperature air generated in the rear region of the radiator.

[0009] In the airflow control structure around the radiator according to claim 1, for example, when the vehicle is in motion, airflow is generated in the area below the radiator support lower. Furthermore, due to this airflow, the air in the area directly in front of the radiator becomes an airflow that flows through the through-hole to the area below the radiator support lower. As a result, this airflow makes it possible to discharge foreign matter on the upper surface of the radiator support lower downwards through the through-hole.

[0010] The airflow control structure around the radiator according to claim 2 is characterized in that, in claim 1, the through hole is located directly below the lower tank.

[0011] In the airflow control structure around the radiator according to claim 2, the through-hole is located directly below the lower tank. Therefore, for example, when the fan operates while the vehicle is stopped, the air in the area below the radiator support lower can easily pass through the through-hole and then head towards the radiator (lower tank). As a result, the airflow control structure around the radiator according to claim 2 is more effective at suppressing the reduction in the heat exchange capacity of the radiator caused by high-temperature air generated in the area behind the radiator, compared to the case where the through-hole is located in front of the lower tank.

[0012] The airflow control structure for the radiator periphery according to claim 3 is as described in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein a pair of left and right support members supporting the lower tank are provided on the upper surface of the radiator support lower, the first plate and the second plate extend in the left-right direction of the vehicle, the first plate and the second plate are positioned between the left and right support members, and a part of the support member on one side is located on the other side in the left-right direction of the vehicle from one end of the first plate in the left-right direction of the vehicle.

[0013] In the airflow control structure around the radiator according to claim 3, a portion of the support member on one side is located on the other side in the vehicle left-right direction from one end of at least one of the tank-side shielding plate and the support-side shielding plate in the vehicle left-right direction. Therefore, the support member on one side prevents high-temperature air generated in the rear region of the radiator from passing through the space between one end of at least one of the tank-side shielding plate and the support-side shielding plate and the support member on the one side and flowing into the front region of the radiator.

[0014] The airflow control structure around the radiator according to claim 4 is further described in claim 3, wherein the support member includes an elastic support portion provided on the upper surface of the radiator support lower, and when the lower tank is mounted on the upper surface of the elastic support portion, the elastic support portion elastically deforms to be closer to the tank-side shielding plate and the support-side shielding plate compared to before the lower tank was mounted on the upper surface of the elastic support portion.

[0015] In the radiator periphery airflow control structure of claim 4, when the lower tank is mounted on the upper surface of the elastic support, the elastic support elastically deforms to move closer to the tank-side shielding plate and the support-side shielding plate compared to before the lower tank was mounted on the upper surface of the elastic support. That is, when the lower tank is mounted on the upper surface of the elastic support, the gap between the tank-side shielding plate and the support-side shielding plate and the elastic support becomes smaller. Therefore, the radiator periphery airflow control structure of claim 4 can effectively suppress the flow of high-temperature air generated in the rear region of the radiator through the gap between the ends of the tank-side shielding plate and the support-side shielding plate and the support member to the front region of the radiator. [Effects of the Invention]

[0016] As described above, the airflow control structure for the radiator periphery according to the present invention has the excellent effect of suppressing a decrease in the heat exchange capacity of the radiator due to high-temperature air generated in the rear region of the radiator, and also suppressing the accumulation of foreign matter on the upper surface of the radiator support lower. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0017] [Figure 1] It is a schematic perspective view when seen from the front of the airflow control structure around the radiator according to the embodiment. [Figure 2] It is a perspective view of the separated state between the lower part of the radiator and the radiator support lower. [Figure 3] It is a perspective view when seen from below the lower part of the radiator. [Figure 4] It is a cross-sectional view along the 4-4 arrow line in FIG. 1. [Figure 5] It is a cross-sectional view along the 5-5 arrow line in FIG. 4 when the lower surface of the grommet attached to the radiator begins to contact the mounting surface of the pedestal provided on the radiator support lower. [Figure 6] It is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 5 when the attachment of the radiator to the pedestal is completed. [Figure 7] It is a schematic cross-sectional view along the 7-7 arrow line in FIG. 1. [Figure 8] It is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 7 when the vehicle is running.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0020] As shown in FIG. 2, a flat plate-like support side shielding plate 19 extending along the left-right direction is integrally provided on the upper surface of the main body part 13. As shown in FIG. 2, the support side shielding plate 19 is located behind each through hole 18. The front shape of the support side shielding plate 19 is substantially rectangular, and the upper end of the support side shielding plate 19 is located above the mounting surface 15 of each pedestal 14. Further, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, the lower part of the right end of the support side shielding plate 19 is integrated with the left end of the tapered surface 16 of the right pedestal 14. Similarly, the lower part of the left end of the support side shielding plate 19 is integrated with the right end of the tapered surface 16 of the left pedestal 14. That is, the left and right both ends of the lower part of the support side shielding plate 19 are constituted by inclined parts 20. The part located above the inclined part 20 of the support side shielding plate 19 is constituted by an upper part 21. The upper edge part 22 of the upper part 21 is located above the mounting surface 15 of the pedestal 14.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 4, the vehicle 10 includes a drive source 30 and a fan 32 provided behind the radiator support lower 12. The drive source 30 is at least one of an internal combustion engine and an electric motor. The fan 32 is located immediately before the drive source 30.

[0022] As shown in Figure 1, the roughly rectangular radiator 35 comprises a core section 36, a lower tank 37, and an upper tank 38. The core section 36 performs heat exchange between the high-temperature coolant flowing inside the radiator 35 and the low-temperature air (mainly the airflow from driving or the fan 32). The high-temperature coolant from the drive source 30 is cooled as it passes through the core section 36. The coolant flowing inside the drive source 30 is supplied to the lower tank 37 via piping 39 (see Figure 3) which connects the drive source 30 and the lower tank 37 and has an electric pump (not shown), and is supplied from the lower tank 37 to the core section 36. Furthermore, the coolant that has passed through the core section 36 is returned to the drive source 30 via the upper tank 38 and piping (not shown) provided in the upper tank 38.

[0023] The lower tank 37, piping 39, protrusions 41, insertion shaft 43, tank-side shielding plate 45, and tank-side shielding plate 49 are integrally molded from resin. As shown in Figures 2 and 3, a pair of roughly rectangular prism-shaped protrusions 41 are integrally provided on the lower surface of the lower tank 37. The lower surface 42 of the protrusions 41 is a plane perpendicular to the vertical direction. In the center of the left and right lower surfaces 42, a roughly cylindrical insertion shaft 43 is integrally provided, protruding downward from the lower surface 42.

[0024] Furthermore, flat tank-side shielding plates (second plates) 45 and 49, positioned between the left and right protrusions 41 and extending along the left-right direction, are integrally provided with the lower tank 37. The frontal shapes of the tank-side shielding plates 45 and 49 are approximately rectangular and substantially identical to each other. The lower edges 46 and 50 of the tank-side shielding plates 45 and 49 are located below the lower surface 42 of the protrusion 41 (see Figures 5 and 6). Also, the right side edge 47R of the tank-side shielding plate 45 and the right side edge 51R of the tank-side shielding plate 49 are located to the left of the left side surface of the right protrusion 41 (see Figures 5 and 6). Similarly, the left side edge 47L of the tank-side shielding plate 45 and the left side edge 51L of the tank-side shielding plate 49 are located to the right of the right side surface of the left protrusion 41. Furthermore, the lower parts of the left side edge 47L and the right side edge 47R of the tank-side shielding plate 45 are formed by inclined sections 48, and the lower parts of the left side edge 51L and the right side edge 51R of the tank-side shielding plate 49 are formed by inclined sections 52.

[0025] Grommets (support members) (elastic support parts) 55 made of an elastic material such as rubber are attached to the left and right insertion shafts 43. The grommet 55 has a shape in which the upper part of a cone is cut by a plane perpendicular to the vertical direction. The circumferential surface of the grommet 55 is made of a tapered surface 57. Furthermore, the grommet 55 is provided with a cylindrical through hole 58 that penetrates the grommet 55 in the vertical direction. When the grommet 55 is in a free state, the diameter of the lower surface of the grommet 55 is smaller than the diameter of the mounting surface 15. The left and right insertion shafts 43 are press-fitted into the through holes 58 of the left and right grommets 55 from above. At this time, the upper surface of the grommet 55 contacts the lower surface 42 of the projection 41, and the lower end of the insertion shaft 43 protrudes downward from the lower surface of the grommet 55.

[0026] Once the pair of grommets 55 are attached to the radiator 35 in this manner, the lower surfaces of the left and right grommets 55 are placed on the mounting surfaces 15 of the left and right bases 14, respectively, as shown in Figure 5, and each insertion shaft 43 is inserted into the mounting hole 17 (only the right base 14 and the right grommet 55 are shown in Figure 5). At this time, as shown in Figure 4, the tank-side shielding plate 45 is positioned directly in front of the support-side shielding plate 19, and the tank-side shielding plate 49 is positioned directly behind the support-side shielding plate 19. Furthermore, the tank-side shielding plates 45 and 49 are positioned between the left and right bases 14 and grommets 55. Furthermore, as shown in Figures 4 and 5, a gap GPR is formed between the side edge 21R of the upper part 21 of the support-side shielding plate 19 and the side edges 47R and 51R of the tank-side shielding plates 45 and 49 and the right base 14 (tapered surface 16), grommet 55 (tapered surface 57), and projection 41. Similarly, a gap GPL is formed between the side edge 21L of the upper part 21 of the support-side shielding plate 19 and the side edges 47L and 51L of the tank-side shielding plates 45 and 49, and the left base 14 (tapered surface 16), grommet 55 (tapered surface 57), and projection 41. At this time, the vertical distance between the lower surface of the lower tank 37 and the upper surface of the radiator support lower 12 is L1.

[0027] Furthermore, when the lower surfaces of the left and right grommets 55 are mounted on the mounting surfaces 15 of the left and right bases 14, the left and right grommets 55 elastically deform in the direction of expanding in diameter due to the weight of the radiator 35, as shown in Figure 6. As a result, the thickness (vertical dimension) of the left and right grommets 55 decreases. Consequently, the vertical distance between the lower surface of the lower tank 37 and the upper surface of the radiator support lower 12 becomes L2, which is smaller than L1. Therefore, the gap GPR on the right side becomes smaller in the horizontal direction than in the state shown in Figures 4 and 5, and the gap GPL on the left side becomes smaller in the horizontal direction than in the state shown in Figure 4. At this time, the left and right grommets 55 may come into contact with the side edges 47R, 47L, 51R, and 51L of the tank-side shielding plates 45 and 49. Furthermore, as shown in Figures 4 and 6, the leftmost portion 16RE of the tapered surface 16 of the right base 14 is located to the left of the side edge 47R of the tank-side shielding plate 45 and the side edge 51R of the tank-side shielding plate 49. Similarly, the rightmost portion 16LE of the tapered surface 16 of the left base 14 is located to the right of the side edge 47L of the tank-side shielding plate 45 and the side edge 51L of the tank-side shielding plate 49. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 6, a gap GPU is formed between the upper edge 22 of the upper part 21 and the bottom surface 37A of the lower tank 37, and a gap GPD is formed between the lower edge 46 of the tank-side shielding plate 45 and the lower edge 50 of the tank-side shielding plate 49 and the upper surface of the radiator support lower 12. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 4, each through-hole 18 is located in front of the tank-side shielding plate 45, and as shown in Figures 7 and 8, it is located directly below the bottom surface 37A of the lower tank 37. Additionally, as shown in Figure 4, the fan 32 is located immediately behind the radiator 35.

[0028] Of the configurations described above, the radiator support lower 12, fan 32, insertion shaft 43, tank-side shielding plates 45 and 49, and grommet 55 are components of the airflow control structure 60.

[0029] (Mechanism of action and effect) Next, the operation and effects of this embodiment will be described.

[0030] When the drive source 30 operates, the heat generated in the drive source 30 is absorbed by the coolant, and the heated coolant is sent from the drive source 30 to the lower tank 37 via the piping 39. This coolant is supplied from the lower tank 37 to the core section 36. The core section 36 performs heat exchange as this coolant flows from the lower end to the upper end of the core section 36. Therefore, when the vehicle 10 is moving forward, the airflow from the bumper (grille) opening (not shown) at the front end of the vehicle 10 towards the core section 36 causes the heat generated in the core section 36 to move towards the rear of the radiator 35. Also, when the fan 32 rotates while the vehicle 10 is stopped, the negative pressure generated by the fan 32 causes the heat generated in the core section 36 to move towards the rear of the radiator 35. Therefore, when the core section 36 performs heat exchange, hot air may accumulate in the rear region of the radiator 35.

[0031] Some of the hot air in the rear region of the radiator 35 may attempt to pass between the bottom surface 37A of the lower tank 37 and the upper surface of the radiator support lower 12 and move towards the front of the lower tank 37. However, the airflow control structure 60 of this embodiment includes tank-side shielding plates 45 and 49 that protrude downward from the lower tank 37, and a support-side shielding plate 19 that protrudes upward from the radiator support lower 12 and is located between the tank-side shielding plates 45 and 49. The lower ends of the tank-side shielding plates 45 and 49 are located below the upper end of the support-side shielding plate 19. That is, a portion of the tank-side shielding plates 45 and 49 and a portion of the support-side shielding plate 19 face each other in the front-rear direction. Therefore, the support-side shielding plate 19 and the tank-side shielding plates 45 and 49 prevent the high-temperature air generated in the rear region of the radiator 35 from passing through the space between the bottom surface 37A of the lower tank 37 and the top surface of the radiator support lower 12 and flowing into the front region of the radiator 35 (lower tank 37).

[0032] Here, we consider a comparative example in which the radiator support lower 12 does not have a support-side shielding plate 19. In this comparative example, the hot air in the rear region of the radiator 35 can reach the front region of the radiator 35 (lower tank 37) by passing forward through the gap GPD between the upper surface of the radiator support lower 12 and the lower end of the tank-side shielding plate 49, and the gap GPD between the upper surface of the radiator support lower 12 and the lower end of the tank-side shielding plate 45. Since these two gaps GPD are located at approximately the same height, in this case, it is not so difficult for the hot air in the rear region of the radiator 35 to pass forward through the two gaps GPD. In contrast, in this embodiment, for the hot air in the rear region of the radiator 35 to reach the front region of the radiator 35 (lower tank 37), it must first pass forward through the gap GPD between the upper surface of the radiator support lower 12 and the lower end of the tank-side shielding plate 49, as shown in Figure 7, then pass forward through the gap GPU between the bottom surface 37A of the lower tank 37 and the upper end of the support-side shielding plate 19, and finally pass forward through the gap GPD between the upper surface of the radiator support lower 12 and the lower end of the tank-side shielding plate 45. However, since the gap GPU is located above the gap GPD, it is more difficult for the hot air in the rear region of the radiator 35 to reach the front region of the radiator 35 (lower tank 37) than in the comparative example.

[0033] Furthermore, in the state shown in Figure 6, the lower edge 46 of the tank-side shielding plate 45 and the lower edge 50 of the tank-side shielding plate 49 are separated upward from the upper surface of the radiator support lower 12, and the upper edge 22 of the support-side shielding plate 19 is separated downward from the bottom surface 37A of the lower tank 37. Therefore, the design and manufacture of the tank-side shielding plates 45 and 49 are easier compared to the case where the airflow control structure 60 is designed so that the lower edges 46 and 50 are in contact with the upper surface of the radiator support lower 12. Similarly, the design and manufacture of the support-side shielding plate 19 (radiator support lower 12) are easier compared to the case where the airflow control structure 60 is designed so that the upper edge 22 of the support-side shielding plate 19 is in contact with the bottom surface 37A of the lower tank 37.

[0034] Furthermore, when the weight of the radiator 35 is applied to the left and right grommets 55, the left and right grommets 55 elastically deform to approach the side edges 47R and 47L of the tank-side shielding plate 45 and the side edges 51R and 51L of the tank-side shielding plate 49, compared to when the grommets 55 are in a free state. In other words, when the weight of the radiator 35 is applied to the left and right grommets 55, the gaps GPR and GPL become smaller. Therefore, the airflow control structure 60 makes it easier to suppress high-temperature air in the area behind the radiator 35 from reaching the front of the tank-side shield plate 49 through the gap GPR between the side edge 47R of the tank-side shield plate 45 and the side edge 51R of the tank-side shield plate 49 and the right-side base 14, and from reaching the front of the tank-side shield plate 49 through the gap GPL between the side edge 47L of the tank-side shield plate 45 and the side edge 51L of the tank-side shield plate 49 and the left-side base 14, compared to the case where the grommet 55 does not undergo elastic deformation.

[0035] Furthermore, the leftmost portion 16RE of the tapered surface 16 of the right base 14 is located to the left of the side edge 47R of the tank-side shielding plate 45 and the side edge 51R of the tank-side shielding plate 49. Similarly, the rightmost portion 16LE of the tapered surface 16 of the left base 14 is located to the right of the side edge 47L of the tank-side shielding plate 45 and the side edge 51L of the tank-side shielding plate 49. Therefore, for example, in order for hot air in the rear region of the radiator 35 to reach the front of the tank-side shield plate 49 through the gap GPR between the side edge 47R of the tank-side shield plate 45 and the side edge 51R of the tank-side shield plate 49 and the right-side base 14 (tapered surface 16), this air must first pass through the gap between the side edge 47R and the base 14, then move to the left along the left end (part 16RE) of the tapered surface 16, then move diagonally forward to the right, and pass through the gap between the side edge 51R of the tank-side shield plate 49 and the base 14. However, in reality, the air that passes through the gap between the side edge 47R and the base 14 and then moves to the left along the left end (part 16RE) of the tapered surface 16 is highly likely to collide with the tank-side shield plate 49. In this way, the high-temperature air in the rear region of the radiator 35 is prevented from reaching the front of the tank-side shield plate 49 through the gap GPR between the side edge 47R of the tank-side shield plate 45 and the side edge 51R of the tank-side shield plate 49 and the right base 14, and from reaching the front of the tank-side shield plate 49 through the gap GPL between the side edge 47L of the tank-side shield plate 45 and the side edge 51L of the tank-side shield plate 49 and the left base 14, by the left and right bases 14.

[0036] Furthermore, for example, when the fan 32 operates while the vehicle 10 is stopped, the negative pressure generated by the fan 32 causes air that is cooler than the air in the rear region of the radiator 35 located in the lower region of the radiator support lower 12 to flow through the through-hole 18 to the front region of the radiator 35 (lower tank 37) (see arrow AF in Figure 7). In addition, since the through-hole 18 is located directly below the bottom surface 37A, some of the cool air that passes through the through-hole 18 is likely to head towards the bottom surface 37A of the lower tank 37. Moreover, since each through-hole 18 provided in the radiator support lower 12 is small, the flow velocity of the airflow passing through the through-hole 18 tends to be faster than when passing through a larger hole. Therefore, this cool air can be used to cool the lower tank 37 and the lower part of the core 36. In this embodiment, the radiator 35 performs heat exchange while the cooling water sent from the drive source 30 to the radiator 35 flows from the lower tank 37 towards the upper part of the core section 36. Therefore, the lower tank 37, to which the cooling water is supplied before heat exchange takes place, and the lower part of the core section 36, to which the relatively high-temperature cooling water flows, can be cooled by air.

[0037] As described above, the airflow control structure 60 of this embodiment can suppress high-temperature air in the rear region of the radiator 35 from reaching the front region of the radiator 35 (lower tank 37), and can also cool the lower tank 37 and the lower part of the core 36 with air, thereby suppressing a decrease in the heat exchange capacity of the radiator 35 due to high-temperature air generated in the rear region of the radiator 35.

[0038] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 8, when the vehicle 10 is in motion, a driving airflow WB is generated in the region below the radiator support lower 12. Due to the negative pressure generated by this driving airflow WB, the air in the region directly in front of the radiator 35 flows through the through-hole 18 to the region below the radiator support lower 12, creating an airflow WF. For example, foreign objects (e.g., small stones St) outside the vehicle 10 may pass through the bumper opening to the rear and move to the upper surface of the radiator support lower 12. However, in this embodiment, this airflow WF causes the foreign objects on the upper surface of the radiator support lower 12 to be discharged downwards through the through-hole 18. Therefore, although the airflow control structure 60 is equipped with a support-side shielding plate 19 and tank-side shielding plates 45 and 49, foreign objects are less likely to accumulate on the radiator support lower 12.

[0039] The airflow control structure 60 according to the embodiment has been described above, but these can be modified as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0040] For example, two support-side shielding plates may be provided on the radiator support lower 12, arranged in a front-to-back configuration, and one tank-side shielding plate may be provided on the lower tank 37, with this tank-side shielding plate positioned between the two support-side shielding plates.

[0041] Alternatively, the radiator support lower 12 may have multiple support-side shielding plates arranged in a front-to-back direction, and the lower tank 37 may have multiple tank-side shielding plates, with the tank-side shielding plates and support-side shielding plates arranged alternately in the front-to-back direction.

[0042] Alternatively, a support-side shielding plate may be provided on the radiator support lower 12, and a tank-side shielding plate may be provided on the lower tank 37 so as to be aligned with the support-side shielding plate in the front-rear direction.

[0043] The upper edge of the support-side shielding plate provided on the radiator support lower 12 may contact the bottom surface 37A of the lower tank 37. Alternatively, the lower edge of the tank-side shielding plate provided on the lower tank 37 may contact the upper surface of the radiator support lower 12.

[0044] The right end of the support-side shielding plate 19 may be separated from the tapered surface 16 of the right base 14, and the portion 16RE of the right base 14 may be located to the right of the right end of the support-side shielding plate 19. Alternatively, the left end of the support-side shielding plate 19 may be separated from the tapered surface 16 of the left base 14, and the portion 16LE of the left base 14 may be located to the left of the left end of the support-side shielding plate 19.

[0045] The radiator support lower 12 may be made of a material other than resin. Also, the lower tank 37, piping 39, protrusion 41, insertion shaft 43, tank-side shielding plate 45 and tank-side shielding plate 49 may be made of a material other than resin. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0046] 10 vehicles 12 Radiator support lower 14. Base (support member) 18 Through holes 19. Support-side shielding plate 32 Fans 35 Radiator 37 Lower Tank 45 49 Tank-side shielding plate 55 Grommets (support members) (elastic support parts) 60 Airflow control structure

Claims

1. A tank-side shielding plate that protrudes downward from the lower tank of the radiator mounted on the vehicle, A support-side shield plate is provided at the bottom of the vehicle so as to be exposed to the road surface on which the vehicle travels, and protrudes upward from the radiator support lower, with at least a portion of it facing the tank-side shield plate in the front-rear direction, A through-hole located in front of the vehicle, beyond the tank-side shielding plate and the support-side shielding plate, and which penetrates the radiator support lower in the vertical direction of the vehicle, A fan located behind the aforementioned radiator, An airflow control structure for the area surrounding the radiator, equipped with the following features.

2. The airflow control structure for the area around the radiator according to claim 1, wherein the through hole is located directly below the lower tank.

3. A pair of left and right support members for supporting the lower tank are provided on the upper surface of the radiator support lower. The tank-side shielding plate and the support-side shielding plate extend in the left-right direction of the vehicle and are located between the left and right support members. The radiator peripheral airflow control structure according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein a portion of the support member on one side is positioned on the other side in the vehicle left-right direction from one end of at least one of the tank-side shielding plate and the support-side shielding plate in the vehicle left-right direction.

4. The support member comprises an elastic support portion provided on the upper surface of the radiator support lower, The airflow control structure for the area around a radiator according to claim 3, wherein when the lower tank is mounted on the upper surface of the elastic support portion, the elastic support portion is elastically deformed to move closer to the tank-side shielding plate and the support-side shielding plate compared to before the lower tank was mounted on the upper surface of the elastic support portion.

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