Vehicle undercover

Abstract

To suppress sound and road noise generated from the inside of a vehicle.SOLUTION: A vehicular undercover 20 is fitted at an underside of a vehicle body 10 and between the left and right wheels 12, 12. The vehicular undercover 20 is provided with a porous sound absorbing part 22 fitted on each of left and right edge parts at the vehicular undercover 20. The vehicular undercover 20 is fitted between the left and right sound absorbing parts 22 and is provided with a solid-like plate body sound insulation part 24 arranged at the underside of a power unit 16.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a vehicle under cover.

Background Art

[0002] An engine under cover made of synthetic resin is attached to the lower side of the vehicle body in a vehicle (for example, Patent Document 1). Since a vehicle during travel generates not only engine noise due to the operation of the engine but also road noise due to the contact between the wheels and the ground, reduction of both engine noise and road noise is required.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The engine under cover of Patent Document 1 has a certain sound insulation effect that does not leak engine noise to the outside. However, since road noise is generated by the wheels outside the engine under cover, the road noise cannot be shielded by the engine under cover.

[0005] In view of the above problems in the prior art, the present invention has been proposed to preferably solve these problems, and an object thereof is to provide a vehicle under cover capable of reducing noise and road noise leaking from the vehicle.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] A first aspect of the vehicle under cover according to the present invention is a vehicle under cover attached to the lower side of the vehicle body and between the left and right wheels, The vehicle under cover has porous sound-absorbing sections provided on each of its left and right edges, The gist of the invention is that it includes a sound-insulating solid plate, which is provided between the left and right sound-absorbing sections and positioned below the power unit.

[0007] A second embodiment of the vehicle under cover according to the present invention is, in the first embodiment, The sound-absorbing section may be provided with a support section for that section.

[0008] A third aspect of the vehicle under cover according to the present invention is, in the first or second aspect, An opening provided in the sound-insulating part, The device may also include a lid that opens and closes the aforementioned opening.

[0009] A fourth aspect of the vehicle under cover according to the present invention is that in any one of the first, second, and third aspects, The sound-insulating portion may also be equipped with a porous sound-absorbing material placed on top of it. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] The vehicle under cover according to the present invention can reduce noise and road noise leaking from the vehicle. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0011] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view of a vehicle under cover according to an embodiment of the present invention, viewed from an oblique upward position. [Figure 2] This is a perspective view of the vehicle under cover of the embodiment, seen from a diagonal downward angle. [Figure 3] This is a bottom view of the underbody cover for a vehicle in the embodiment, with the suspension members indicated by the dashed lines. [Figure 4] This is an end view of the underbody cover for a vehicle of the embodiment, cut in the vehicle width direction. [Figure 5] This is an end view of the vehicle under cover of the embodiment, cut in the front-to-rear direction of the vehicle. [Figure 6] This is an end view of the vehicle under cover of the embodiment, cut in the vehicle width direction, with sound-absorbing material added. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0012] Next, preferred embodiments of the vehicle under cover according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the attached drawings. [Examples]

[0013] As shown in Figure 4, the underbody cover 20 for a vehicle according to this embodiment is attached to the underside of the vehicle body 10 of a vehicle such as an automobile, and between the left and right wheels 12, 12. The underbody cover 20 for a vehicle according to this embodiment is attached to the underside of the suspension member 14 that constitutes the vehicle body 10. The suspension member 14 is a component that forms the framework of the suspension, connecting the vehicle body 10 and the wheels 12 in a vehicle, and preventing shocks and vibrations received from the road surface from being transmitted to the passenger compartment. The suspension member 14 is frame-shaped. Specifically, the suspension member 14 according to this embodiment is constructed by connecting two first members 14a, 14a extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle with two second members 14b, 14b extending in the width direction of the vehicle (see Figure 3). In the suspension member 14, the opening portion surrounded by the left and right first members 14a, 14a and the front and rear second members 14b, 14b is located on the underside of the power unit 16.

[0014] As shown in Figure 4, the vehicle under cover 20 is positioned beneath the power unit room 15. The power unit room 15 houses the power unit 16, which generates noise when the engine, motor, compressor, etc., are driven. The power unit 16 in this embodiment is an example of an engine having an oil pan 18 for storing engine oil beneath the cylinder block. In particular, a vehicle under cover 20 that is installed beneath the engine room (corresponding to the power unit room) where the engine is installed is sometimes called an engine under cover.

[0015] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the vehicle under cover 20 is formed in a plate shape. The vehicle under cover 20 includes a sound absorbing portion 22 provided at each of the left and right edges of the vehicle under cover 20, and a sound insulating portion 24 provided across between the left and right sound absorbing portions 22. In FIGS. 1 and 2, for easy understanding, the sound absorbing portion 22 is shown with diagonal lines. Further, the vehicle under cover 20 includes a support portion 26 that supports the sound absorbing portion 22.

[0016] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the vehicle under cover 20 includes a mounting portion 28 for mounting the vehicle under cover 20 to the vehicle body 10. The mounting portion 28 is formed so as to project upward from the sound absorbing portion 22 and the sound insulating portion 24 (see FIG. 1). Here, the mounting portion 28 is provided on one or both of the sound insulating portion 24 and the support portion 26 (embodiment). The mounting portion 28 of the embodiment is a synthetic resin molded portion formed together with the molding of the sound insulating portion 24 and the support portion 26. In the embodiment, the vehicle under cover 20 is attached to the suspension member 14 through a fastening member such as a bolt or a rivet passed through a hole provided in the mounting portion 28. There is a gap between the upper surface of the sound absorbing portion 22 or the upper surface of the sound insulating portion 24 located directly below the suspension member 14 of the vehicle under cover 20 and the lower surface of the suspension member 14 (see FIG. 4).

[0017] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the sound absorbing portion 22 is disposed in the vicinity of the wheel 12 in the vehicle under cover 20. Further, the sound absorbing portion 22 is preferably disposed at a position deviated from directly below the power unit 16 (see FIG. 4). The vehicle under cover 20 of the embodiment includes the sound absorbing portion 22 disposed below the left and right first members 14a, 14a in the suspension member 14. Thus, the vehicle under cover 20 preferably includes the sound absorbing portion 22 disposed outside the vehicle width direction from the inner edges of the left and right first members 14a, 14a in the suspension member 14. The sound absorbing portion 22 is configured to be exposed on the outer surface (road surface side) of the vehicle under cover 20.

[0018] The sound-absorbing part 22 is composed of a porous plate-like body. As the porous material constituting the sound-absorbing part 22, for example, fibrous bodies, foams, etc. can be used. The sound-absorbing part 22 exhibits required functions such as sound absorption and heat insulation due to the properties derived from the porous material. As the fibrous body constituting the sound-absorbing part 22, non-woven fabrics or woven fabrics made of polyester fibers, polyolefin fibers, aramid fibers, glass fibers, cellulose fibers, nylon fibers, vinylon fibers, rayon fibers, etc. can be used. Also, as the foam constituting the sound-absorbing part 22, foams such as polyurethane-based, polyolefin-based, and polystyrene-based can be used. Note that the sound-absorbing part 22 is preferably a porous material having air permeability from the viewpoint of sound absorption.

[0019] The porous plate-like body may be composed of one layer, or may be composed of two or more layers. For example, the porous plate-like body can have a multi-layer structure including a first layer for ensuring the main function (sound absorption in the embodiment) required for the sound-absorbing part 22 and a second layer disposed on top of the first layer for ensuring an auxiliary function (water repellency in the embodiment) added to the sound-absorbing part 22. In this case, the density of the second layer can be set higher than that of the first layer, or water repellency can be ensured by applying a water-repellent material such as silicone resin or fluororesin to the second layer. Thus, it is preferable to impart water repellency to the second layer on the vehicle outer side in the sound-absorbing part 22 because it can prevent water from entering the sound-absorbing part 22, snow from attaching to the sound-absorbing part 22, and icing on the sound-absorbing part 22.

[0020] As shown in Figure 4, the sound insulation section 24 is positioned below the power unit 16. In this embodiment, the area directly below the power unit 16 is covered by the sound insulation section 24. The sound insulation section 24 is a solid plate, or in other words, a solid plate made of synthetic resin. Here, "solid" refers to a dense state that does not have many bubbles, voids, or holes, unlike porous materials such as foams or fibrous materials such as nonwoven fabrics. The sound insulation section 24 has a higher density than the sound absorption section 22. Furthermore, it is preferable from the viewpoint of improving sound insulation that the sound insulation section 24 has lower or no breathability compared to the sound absorption section 22. As in the embodiment, ribs 25 may be provided on the sound insulation section 24 to reinforce it (see Figures 1 and 3).

[0021] The sound-insulating section 24 is a molded product made by injection molding of synthetic resin. Suitable synthetic resins include thermoplastic resins such as polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), and polyamide (PA).

[0022] As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the support portion 26 is the part that supports the front, rear, left, and right edges of the sound-absorbing portion 22 that closes the opening formed by the support portion 26. The support portion 26, like the sound-insulating portion 24, is made of solid synthetic resin. In this embodiment, the support portion 26 is a synthetic resin molded part formed together with the molding of the sound-insulating portion 24. Furthermore, the support portion 26 is set to have higher rigidity than the sound-absorbing portion 22. In this embodiment, the support portion 26 extending in the front-rear direction is formed in a trough shape (concave shape) that opens downward (see Figure 4), and this shape makes it less prone to bending. Also, the support portion 26 extending in the left-right direction is formed in a "T" shape crosswise with ribs protruding upward (see Figure 5), and this shape also makes it less prone to bending.

[0023] As shown in Figures 1 to 4, the vehicle under cover 20 includes an opening 30 provided in the sound insulation section 24 and a cover 32 that opens and closes the opening 30. In this embodiment, the opening 30 is located below the oil pan 18, and by removing the cover 32, the oil pan 18 can be accessed from below the vehicle under cover 20 through the opening 30. The cover 32 is attached by fitting its upper and lower protruding outer edge 32a into a downwardly opening recess 30a provided on the opening edge of the opening 30 (see Figure 4) and fastening it with bolts or other fastening members. The cover 32 is made of solid synthetic resin, similar to the sound insulation section 24. As in this embodiment, ribs 25 may be provided on the cover 32 to reinforce it (see Figures 1 and 3).

[0024] As shown in Figure 6, the vehicle under cover 20 may include a porous sound-absorbing material 34 placed on top of the sound-insulating section 24. The sound-absorbing material 34 is in the form of a plate. Similar to the sound-absorbing section 22, the sound-absorbing material 34 can be made of porous materials such as nonwoven fabrics or foams. The sound-absorbing material 34 may be made of one type or a combination of multiple types of materials to form multiple layers.

[0025] The vehicle under cover 20 can be manufactured in various ways, such as by attaching the sound-absorbing part 22 to a molded product in which the sound-insulating part 24, support part 26, and mounting part 28 are integrally molded, or by performing insert molding to form the sound-insulating part 24, support part 26, and mounting part 28 in a mold in which the sound-absorbing part 22 is set.

[0026] The vehicle undercover 20 has a sound-insulating section 24 made of solid plate material that is less permeable to sound than the porous sound-absorbing section 22, and the porous sound-absorbing section 22 absorbs sound more easily than the solid plate sound-insulating section 24. Since the vehicle undercover 20 has the solid plate sound-insulating section 24 positioned on the underside of the power unit 16, the sound-insulating section 24 can reflect the driving noise (for example, engine noise in the case of an engine) emitted from the power unit 16, preventing the driving noise from leaking to the outside (see Figures 4 and 6). In addition, since the vehicle undercover 20 is equipped with porous sound-absorbing sections 22 on each of the left and right edges, road noise emitted from the wheels 12 when the vehicle is running can be absorbed and suppressed by the sound-absorbing sections 22 positioned adjacent to the wheels 12 (see Figures 4 and 6).Therefore, the vehicle undercover 20 can reduce noise such as driving noise and road noise generated inside the vehicle, and improve the quietness around the vehicle.

[0027] The vehicle underbody cover 20 has a sound-insulating section 24 made of a solid plate extending between the left and right sound-absorbing sections 22, 22 located on the left and right edges, thereby improving its rigidity. This improved rigidity of the vehicle underbody cover 20 prevents deformation caused by air passing along it during driving, deformation caused by the weight of water when driving on flooded roads, and deformation caused by snow on top of the vehicle underbody cover 20 when driving on snowy roads. Furthermore, by limiting the area of ​​the sound-absorbing sections 22 to the left and right edges of the vehicle underbody cover 20 and increasing the area of ​​the sound-insulating section 24 made of a solid plate, the cost of the vehicle underbody cover 20 can be reduced.

[0028] The vehicle underbody cover 20 is equipped with a support portion 26 that supports the sound-absorbing portion 22, making it difficult to deform the porous sound-absorbing portion 22, which is relatively difficult to ensure rigidity of. Moreover, by making the support portion 26 a molded product integrally molded with the sound-insulating portion 24, the cost of the vehicle underbody cover 20 can be reduced. The rigidity can be improved by making the support portion 26 solid.

[0029] The vehicle underbody cover 20 includes an opening 30 provided in the sound insulation section 24 and a cover 32 that opens and closes the opening 30. By opening the cover 32, the upper side of the vehicle underbody cover 20 can be viewed through the opening 30, allowing maintenance of the power unit 16. By closing the opening 30 with the cover 32, the sound emitted by the power unit 16 can be blocked. In particular, the solid nature of the cover 32 improves sound insulation.

[0030] The underbody cover 20 for the vehicle is equipped with a porous sound-absorbing material 34 that is placed on top of the sound-insulating section 24. This reduces the sound emitted by the power unit 16 by attenuating it with the sound-absorbing material 34, thereby reducing the sound that passes through the sound-insulating section 24.

[0031] (Example of change) In addition to the matters mentioned above, the following may also be applied, for example. Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the specific descriptions of the examples and the following modifications. (1) The power unit is not limited to individual components such as an engine, motor, or compressor, but may also include devices or mechanisms that produce noise when the engine or other components are in operation. (2) The shape of the suspension member is not limited to the embodiment, and may be a frame shape such as a "U" shape or a "C" shape in plan view. (3) The shape of the support portion is not limited to the embodiment, and for example, the support portion extending in the front-rear direction may be rib-shaped, the support portion extending in the left-right direction may be concave (gutter-shaped), flat, or have other shapes. (4) The opening and the lid may be omitted. (5) The sound-absorbing material may be omitted. Alternatively, sound-absorbing material may be placed on top of the sound-absorbing section. [Explanation of symbols]

[0032] 10 Body, 12 Wheels, 16 Power Unit, 20 Underbody Covers for Vehicles 22 Sound-absorbing section, 24 Sound-insulating section, 26 Support section, 30 Opening, 32 Cover section, 34 Sound-absorbing material

Claims

1. A vehicle under cover that is attached to the underside of the vehicle body and between the left and right wheels, The vehicle under cover has porous sound-absorbing sections provided on each of its left and right edges, It comprises a sound-insulating solid plate that is provided between the left and right sound-absorbing sections and positioned below the power unit. A vehicle undercover characterized by the following features.

2. The sound-absorbing section is supported by a support section, The support portion is molded integrally with the sound-insulating portion. The sound-absorbing portion is formed of a porous material that closes the opening formed by the support portion. The under cover for a vehicle according to claim 1.

3. An opening provided in the sound-insulating part, The under cover for a vehicle according to claim 1, further comprising a lid portion for opening and closing the aforementioned opening.

4. The under cover for a vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a porous sound-absorbing material arranged in overlap with the sound-insulating portion.

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