Fender liner and front vehicle structure
The fender liner with a protruding bead and rib/flange configuration addresses the issue of mud and water entry into the engine compartment, maintaining appearance without additional sealing materials, thus avoiding cost increases.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- TOYOTA JIDOSHA KK
- Filing Date
- 2023-10-19
- Publication Date
- 2026-05-19
AI Technical Summary
The existing vehicle front structures allow mud and water to enter the engine compartment through gaps between the front fender liner and wheelhouse sheet metal, leading to unsightly appearance, especially in electric vehicles where dirt is more visible, and adding sealing materials increases costs.
A fender liner with a bead protruding upward and extending in the vehicle width direction, and a rib and flange facing the wheelhouse sheet metal, to guide and slow down mud and water, preventing adhesion to the upper surface without additional sealing materials.
Prevents mud and water adhesion to the visible area of the fender liner, maintaining appearance without additional costs by using the bead, rib, and flange configurations.
Smart Images
Figure 0007861759000001 
Figure 0007861759000002 
Figure 0007861759000003
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The present invention relates to the front structure of a vehicle, and particularly to a fender liner.
Background Art
[0002] The front structure of a vehicle disclosed in Patent Document 1 below includes a front fender liner that covers a front wheel along the circumferential direction of the front wheel disposed at the front of the vehicle, and a splash shield that covers the front part of the front wheel from the inner side in the vehicle width direction and abuts on the inner bent portion of the front fender liner from the outer side in the vehicle width direction. The splash shield has a rib extending along the vertical direction of the vehicle adjacent to the abutting portion where the inner bent portion of the front fender liner abuts. Thereby, even when the splash shield is pressed inward in the vehicle width direction by water pressure, the intrusion of water droplets into the engine room is suppressed.
Prior Art Document
Patent Document
[0003]
Patent Document 1
Summary of the Invention
Problems to be Solved by the Invention
[0004] On the rear side of the front fender liner, a wheelhouse sheet metal, for example, equipped with a suspension tower, is positioned. The rear edge of the front fender liner overlaps the lower side of the front edge of the wheelhouse sheet metal. Because a gap exists between the front edge of the wheelhouse sheet metal and the rear edge of the front fender liner, mud and water kicked up by the rotation of the front wheels may enter the front compartment, such as the engine compartment, through this gap. If the mud and water that enters the front compartment adheres to the upper surface of the front fender liner, the dirt will be visible when the user opens the front hood, resulting in an unsightly appearance. In particular, in electric vehicles (Battery Electric Vehicles), where the front compartment is simpler compared to internal combustion engine vehicles, dirt adhering to the upper surface of the front fender liner is less likely to be hidden by harnesses and tanks, making it more likely to look unsightly. Adding sealing material between the front fender liner and the wheelhouse sheet metal, or adding a cover to hide the dirt, to prevent this would increase costs.
[0005] In consideration of the above facts, the present invention aims to provide a fender liner and a vehicle front structure that can prevent or suppress the deterioration of appearance caused by mud and water adhering to the upper surface of the front fender liner without the need for additional sealing materials. [Means for solving the problem]
[0006] The fender liner of the first embodiment comprises a front fender liner positioned on the vehicle front side of a wheelhouse sheet metal having a suspension tower, with its rear edge overlapping the vehicle lower side of the front edge of the wheelhouse sheet metal, and a bead formed on the rear edge of the front fender liner on the vehicle front side of the suspension tower that protrudes upward toward the vehicle, extends in the vehicle width direction, and is curved in a convex shape toward the rear of the vehicle in a plan view.
[0007] According to the first embodiment of the fender liner, the front fender liner is positioned on the vehicle-front side of the wheelhouse sheet metal having a suspension tower. The rear edge of this front fender liner is positioned overlapping the vehicle-lower side of the front edge of the wheelhouse sheet metal. A bead is formed on the vehicle-front side of the suspension tower at the rear edge of this front fender liner. This bead protrudes upward from the vehicle, extends in the vehicle width direction, and curves convexly towards the rear of the vehicle in a plan view. Therefore, when mud and water kicked up by the rotation of the wheel in the wheelhouse enter the gap between the front edge of the wheelhouse sheet metal and the rear edge of the front fender liner, the mud and water flow along the bead to both sides in the vehicle width direction. This prevents or suppresses the adhesion of mud and water to the upper surface of the front fender liner on the vehicle-front side of the bead. As a result, deterioration of appearance due to the adhesion of mud and water to the upper surface of the front fender liner can be prevented or suppressed without the addition of sealant or the like.
[0008] In the second embodiment, the fender liner, in the first embodiment, has a rib formed on the rear edge of the front fender liner on the vehicle rearward side of the bead, facing from the vehicle rearward side to the vertical wall provided on the front edge of the wheelhouse sheet metal, and a flange formed from the upper end of the rib toward the vehicle rearward side, facing from the vehicle lower side to the upper wall that extends toward the vehicle rearward side from the upper end of the vertical wall of the wheelhouse sheet metal.
[0009] According to the second embodiment of the fender liner, a rib is formed on the rear edge of the front fender liner, on the vehicle rearward side of the bead. This rib faces a vertical wall provided on the front edge of the wheelhouse sheet metal from the vehicle rearward side. A flange extends from the upper end of this rib toward the vehicle rearward side. This flange faces an upper wall extending toward the vehicle rearward side from the upper end of the vertical wall of the wheelhouse sheet metal from the vehicle rearward side, from the vehicle lower side. These ribs and flanges directly prevent mud and water from entering the gap between the front edge of the wheelhouse sheet metal and the rear edge of the front fender liner. Furthermore, even if mud and water do enter the gap, the flow velocity of the mud and water is slowed as they flow between the upper wall and vertical wall and the flange and rib. As a result, it becomes more difficult for mud and water to pass over the bead, thus further preventing or suppressing the adhesion of mud and water to the upper surface of the front fender liner on the vehicle front side of the bead.
[0010] The front vehicle structure of the third embodiment comprises a wheelhouse sheet metal having a suspension tower, and a fender liner of the first or second embodiment, wherein the rear edge of the front fender liner overlaps the front edge of the wheelhouse sheet metal on the lower side of the vehicle.
[0011] In the third embodiment, the rear edge of the front fender liner overlaps the front edge of the wheelhouse sheet metal having the suspension tower on the lower side of the vehicle. Since this front fender liner is of the same type as in the first or second embodiment, the aforementioned effects are obtained. [Effects of the Invention]
[0012] As described above, according to the present invention, deterioration of appearance due to muddy water or the like adhering to the upper surface of the front fender liner can be prevented or suppressed without the addition of sealing materials or the like. [Brief explanation of the drawing]
[0013] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view showing the front structure of a vehicle according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a plan view showing the front structure of a vehicle according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] This is a plan view showing a part of the fender liner according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] This is a cross-sectional view corresponding to the line F4-F4 in Figure 3, showing a part of the front structure of the vehicle according to the embodiment. [Figure 5] This is a cross-sectional view corresponding to Figure 4, illustrating the flow of muddy water, etc. [Modes for carrying out the invention]
[0014] The vehicle front structure 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to Figures 1 to 5. In each figure, some reference numerals may be omitted for the sake of clarity. The arrows FR, UP, IN, and OUT in each figure indicate the front direction (direction of travel), the upward direction, the inward direction in the width direction (left and right direction), and the outward direction in the width direction, respectively. Hereafter, when simply using the front / back, left / right, and up / down directions, unless otherwise specified, these refer to directions relative to the vehicle.
[0015] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the vehicle front structure 10 according to this embodiment constitutes, for example, the right front wheelhouse 12 of the vehicle, and includes a wheelhouse sheet metal 18 having a suspension tower 20 and a fender liner 30. This vehicle front structure 10 is positioned on the outside in the vehicle width direction (here, on the right side) relative to the vehicle's front compartment 14 (reference numerals omitted in Figure 1). This front compartment 14 houses an engine and motor (not shown) that are the power source of the vehicle. Note that if the vehicle front structure 10 constitutes the left wheelhouse of the vehicle, the configuration will be symmetrical to that of this embodiment.
[0016] The wheelhouse sheet metal 18 is made of, for example, press-formed steel plate and, together with the apron upper member 28, constitutes part of the front fender 16 on the right side of the vehicle. The apron upper member 28 is a closed-section skeletal member that extends in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle and is composed of multiple members made of, for example, press-formed steel plate joined together. A suspension tower 20, to which the upper end of a front suspension (not shown) is fixed, is provided in the center of the wheelhouse sheet metal 18. In Figures 1 and 2, 29 is a reinforcing panel that spans the front part of the wheelhouse sheet metal 18 and the apron upper member 28.
[0017] The fender liner 30 is a component that prevents mud and water, etc., kicked up by the front wheels of the vehicle (not shown) from entering the wheel well, and is positioned below the wheel well sheet metal 18 and the apron upper member 28. The fender liner 30 is, for example, a molded product of synthetic resin and is formed in an arch shape. The fender liner 30 is fixed to the wheel well sheet metal 18 and the apron upper member 28 using clips or the like. The inner end of the fender liner 30 in the vehicle width direction is fixed to a fender apron (not shown) using clips or the like. The outer end of the fender liner 30 in the vehicle width direction is fixed to a fender panel (not shown) using clips or the like.
[0018] This fender liner 30 integrally comprises a front fender liner 32 positioned forward of the wheelhouse sheet metal 18, a rear fender liner 34 positioned rearward of the wheelhouse sheet metal 18, and an outer fender liner 36 positioned outward in the vehicle width direction relative to the wheelhouse sheet metal 18. The front fender liner 32 and the rear fender liner 34 are integrally connected by the outer fender liner 36.
[0019] On the upper surface of the front fender liner 32, a visible area V is provided on the front side with respect to the wheelhouse sheet metal 18 and on the inner side in the vehicle width direction with respect to the apron upper member 28. This visible area V is an area not covered by the harnesses and tanks arranged in the front compartment 14, and is an area visible to the vehicle user when the front hood of the vehicle is opened.
[0020] On the rear side of the visible area V, the trailing edge portion 32A (see FIGS. 3 to 5) of the front fender liner 32 is disposed so as to overlap with the lower side of the leading edge portion 18A (see FIGS. 1, 2, 4, and 5) of the wheelhouse sheet metal 18. As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, a bead 40 is formed on the trailing edge portion 32A of the front fender liner 32. This bead 40 is formed by a part of the trailing edge portion 32A of the front fender liner 32 protruding upward, and extends in the vehicle width direction. This bead 40 is bent (here, buckled) so as to be convex toward the rear side of the vehicle in plan view, and has a substantially inverted V-shaped cross section in the vehicle width direction view. This bead 40 is covered from above by the leading edge portion 18A of the wheelhouse sheet metal 18.
[0021] In the bead 40, the portion 40B on the outer side in the vehicle width direction than the bent portion 40A provided at the center in the vehicle width direction is inclined or curved so as to go toward the front side of the vehicle as it goes toward the outer side in the vehicle width direction, and the portion 40C on the inner side in the vehicle width direction than the bent portion 40A is inclined or curved so as to go toward the front side of the vehicle as it goes toward the inner side in the vehicle width direction. On the outer side in the vehicle width direction than the bent portion 40A, the upper surface of the front fender liner 32 is inclined or curved downward toward the outer side and the front side in the vehicle width direction, and on the inner side in the vehicle width direction than the bent portion 40A, the upper surface of the front fender liner 32 is inclined or curved downward toward the inner side and the front side in the vehicle width direction.
[0022] A rib 42 and a flange 44 are formed on the rear edge 32A of the front fender liner 32, behind the bead 40. The rib 42 is a part of the rear edge 32A of the front fender liner 32 that extends integrally upward, and is plate-shaped with the thickness direction approximately in the front-to-back direction. This rib 42 is slightly inclined so as it extends upward towards the rear. The flange 44 extends integrally from the upper end of the rib 42 toward the rear, and is plate-shaped with the thickness direction approximately in the up-to-down direction. This flange 44 is slightly inclined so as it extends rearward towards the rear.
[0023] The rib 42 and flange 44 described above face the vertical wall 22 and upper wall 24 provided on the front edge 18A of the wheelhouse sheet metal 18. The vertical wall 22, like the rib 42, is plate-shaped with its thickness direction approximately in the front-to-back direction and is slightly inclined towards the rear as it moves upward. The rib 42 faces this vertical wall 22 from the rear side of the vehicle in close proximity. The upper wall 24 extends from the upper end of the vertical wall 22 toward the rear. This upper wall 24, like the flange 44, is plate-shaped with its thickness direction approximately in the up-to-down direction and is slightly inclined towards the upward as it moves towards the rear. The flange 44 faces this upper wall 24 from below in close proximity.
[0024] There are small gaps between the upper wall 24 and the flange 44, and between the vertical wall 22 and the rib 42. A lower wall 26 extends forward from the lower end of the vertical wall 22. The lower wall 26 is plate-shaped with its thickness oriented roughly vertically, and is slightly inclined downwards as it approaches the front. The aforementioned bead 40 is covered from above by this lower wall 26. There is a small gap between the bead 40 and the lower wall 26.
[0025] Next, the operation and effects of this embodiment will be described. According to the vehicle front structure 10 with the above configuration, the front fender liner 32 of the fender liner 30 is positioned on the front side of the wheelhouse sheet metal 18 having the suspension tower 20. The rear edge portion 32A of this front fender liner 32 is positioned overlapping the lower side of the front edge portion 18A of the wheelhouse sheet metal 18. A bead 40 is formed on the front side of the suspension tower 20 at the rear edge portion 32A of this front fender liner 32. This bead 40 protrudes upward, extends in the vehicle width direction, and is bent in a convex shape towards the rear in a plan view.
[0026] Here, for example, when a vehicle travels through harsh environments such as flooded roads, mud and water kicked up by the rotation of the front wheels in the wheel well 12 may seep into the gap between the front edge 18A of the wheel well sheet metal 18 and the rear edge 32A of the front fender liner 32. In such cases, the mud and water that seeps into the gap flows along the bead 40 to both sides in the vehicle width direction (see arrows W1 and W2 in Figure 3), thereby preventing or suppressing the adhesion of mud and water to the visible area V on the upper surface of the front fender liner 32. As a result, deterioration of appearance due to the adhesion of mud and water to the visible area V can be prevented or suppressed without the need for additional sealing materials or covers, thus avoiding an increase in manufacturing costs.
[0027] Furthermore, in this embodiment, a rib 42 is formed on the rear edge portion 32A of the front fender liner 32, on the side behind the bead 40. This rib 42 faces the vertical wall 22 provided on the front edge portion 18A of the wheelhouse sheet metal 18 from the rear side. A flange 44 extends rearward from the upper end of this rib 42. This flange 44 faces the upper wall 24 extending rearward from the upper end of the vertical wall 22 of the wheelhouse sheet metal 18 from the lower side.
[0028] The ribs 42 and flanges 44 described above directly prevent mud and water from entering the gap between the front edge 18A of the wheelhouse sheet metal 18 and the rear edge 32A of the front fender liner 32 (see arrows W3 and W4 in Figure 5). Furthermore, even if mud and water do enter the gap, the flow velocity of the mud and water is slowed down as it flows between the upper wall 24 and the flange 44 and between the vertical wall 22 and the ribs 42 (see arrow W5 in Figure 5). As a result, it becomes more difficult for mud and water to pass over the bead 40, further preventing or suppressing the adhesion of mud and water to the visible area V.
[0029] In the above embodiment, the fender liner 30 is configured to have a front fender liner 32, a rear fender liner 34, and an outer fender liner 36 as a single unit, but it is not limited to this configuration. For example, the fender liner may be divided into a front fender liner and a rear fender liner.
[0030] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the bead 40 is configured to be bent with a convex shape towards the rear when viewed from above, but the bead is not limited to this configuration, and may be configured to be curved with a convex shape towards the rear when viewed from above.
[0031] Furthermore, the present invention can be implemented with various modifications without departing from its spirit. Of course, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above. [Explanation of symbols]
[0032] 10. Front structure of the vehicle 18 Wheelhouse sheet metal work 18A Leading edge 20 Suspension Tower 22 Vertical walls 24 Upper wall 30 Fender Liner 32 Front fender liner 32A Trailing edge 40 bead 42 Ribs 44 Flange
Claims
1. A front fender liner is provided, which is positioned on the front side of the wheelhouse sheet metal having a suspension tower, with its rear edge overlapping the front edge of the wheelhouse sheet metal on the lower side of the vehicle. On the front side of the suspension tower, at the rear edge of the front fender liner, a bead is formed that protrudes upward towards the vehicle, extends in the vehicle width direction, and is curved in a convex shape towards the rear of the vehicle when viewed from above. At the rear of the vehicle from the bead, the rear edge of the front fender liner is: A rib facing the vertical wall provided on the front edge of the wheelhouse sheet metal from the rear side of the vehicle, A flange extending from the upper end of the rib toward the rear of the vehicle, and facing from the lower side of the vehicle, the upper wall extending from the upper end of the vertical wall of the wheelhouse sheet metal toward the rear of the vehicle, The fender liner is formed in this way.
2. A wheelhouse sheet metal having a suspension tower, The fender liner according to claim 1, wherein the rear edge of the front fender liner is positioned overlapping the front edge of the wheelhouse sheet metal on the lower side of the vehicle, A vehicle front structure equipped with [a specific feature].