Vehicle cooling system structure

Abstract

This vehicle cooling structure (1) comprises: a bumper component (2) that is disposed on the frontmost surface of a vehicle and into which wind is introduced from each of a first ventilation unit (2L) and a second ventilation unit (2U) that pass through forward and backward in each of lower and upper portions; a first member (10) that has a first opening part (11) that communicates with the first ventilation unit (2L); a second member (20) that has a second opening part (21) that communicates with the second ventilation unit (2U); and a third member (30) that is disposed in contact with the first member (10) and the second member (20) from the rear and is attached in front of a heat exchanger (3), and has a third opening part (31) that communicates with the first opening part (11) and a fourth opening part (32) that communicates with the second opening part (21).

Description

Vehicle cooling structure

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle cooling structure that introduces airflow from the front of the vehicle into a heat exchanger for cooling.

[0002] Conventionally, heat exchangers such as radiators, oil coolers, and condensers have been known as cooling system components mounted on vehicles. These heat exchangers utilize the airflow taken in from the front of the vehicle as cooling air while the vehicle is moving, and perform their cooling function by exchanging thermal energy with the cooling air. To improve the cooling performance of heat exchangers, various technologies for guiding cooling air to the heat exchanger have been developed. For example, Patent Document 1 proposes a structure for guiding cooling air to the radiator, in which four members are provided that extend from the top, bottom, left, and right outer edges of the radiator toward a bumper component, and these members form a single large duct.

[0003] JP 2010-254112 A

[0004] However, in the structure described in Patent Document 1, a single large duct is formed by four components extending from the radiator to the bumper component, making it difficult to miniaturize the components and prone to gaps between the components. If cooling air leaks through the gaps between the components, the flow rate of cooling air to the heat exchanger may decrease, potentially resulting in a decrease in cooling efficiency. Therefore, there is room for improvement in improving the cooling performance of the heat exchanger.

[0005] The vehicle cooling structure of the present invention was invented in consideration of these problems, and one of its objectives is to improve the cooling performance of the heat exchanger. However, in addition to this objective, another objective of the present invention is to achieve effects derived from the respective configurations shown in the "Description of the Invention" below, which are effects that cannot be obtained with conventional technologies.

[0006] The disclosed vehicle cooling structure can be realized as the following embodiments (application examples) and solves at least part of the above-mentioned problems. Each of the embodiments from embodiment 2 onwards is an embodiment that can be selected as an additional option, and each of the embodiments from embodiment 2 onwards is an embodiment that can be omitted. None of the embodiments from embodiment 2 onwards discloses an embodiment or configuration that is essential to the present invention.

[0007] Aspect 1. The disclosed vehicle cooling structure includes: a bumper component disposed at the front end of a vehicle, the bumper component having a first ventilation portion penetrating longitudinally at a lower portion and a second ventilation portion penetrating longitudinally at an upper portion, with air being taken in through each of the first ventilation portion and the second ventilation portion; a first member fixed to a lower portion of a rear surface of the bumper component and having a first opening communicating with the first ventilation portion; a second member to which an upper portion of the rear surface of the bumper component is fixed and which is fixed to the vehicle body, the second member having a second opening communicating with the second ventilation portion; and a third member disposed in contact with the rear of the first member and the second member and attached in front of a heat exchanger, the third member having a third opening communicating with the first opening and a fourth opening communicating with the second opening.

[0008] Aspect 2. In the above-mentioned aspect 1, it is preferable that the second member has a protruding surface portion that protrudes forward below the second opening. Aspect 3. In the above-mentioned aspect 2, it is preferable that the protruding surface portion is provided in a shape that is inclined downward toward the front.

[0009] Aspect 4. In Aspect 3 above, it is preferable that the protruding surface portion has a sloped surface portion provided in a shape that slopes downward toward the front, a lower step surface portion extending substantially horizontally in front of the sloped surface portion, and an upper step surface portion extending substantially horizontally behind the sloped surface portion. Aspect 5. In any one of Aspects 2 to 4 above, it is preferable that at least a front portion of the protruding surface portion is disposed below the lower surface portion of the second ventilation portion and overlaps at least a rear portion of the lower surface portion of the second ventilation portion in the vertical direction.

[0010] Aspect 6. In any one of Aspects 1 to 5 above, it is preferable that the first member has a side wall that is tapered and located inward in the vehicle width direction toward the rear on the outer side of the first opening. Aspect 7. In Aspect 6 above, it is preferable that a portion of the first member that is outward in the vehicle width direction from the side wall is fixed to the bumper component.

[0011] Aspect 8. In Aspect 6 or 7, the first member preferably has an upper surface portion that is inclined downward and rearward above the first opening. Aspect 9. In any one of Aspects 1 to 8, the third member preferably abuts against the first member and the second member via a sealant.

[0012] According to the disclosed vehicle cooling structure, the cooling performance of the heat exchanger can be improved.

[0013] Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a basic configuration of the vehicle cooling structure. Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the center in the vehicle width direction of the vehicle cooling structure. Fig. 4 is an enlarged sectional view of a main part of Fig. 2. Fig. 5 is an enlarged sectional view showing an example in which another bumper part different from the bumper part of Fig. 2 is applied. Fig. 6 is a perspective sectional view showing the outer side in the vehicle width direction of the vehicle cooling structure.

[0014] A vehicle cooling structure according to an embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. The following embodiment is merely an example, and is not intended to exclude various modifications or applications of techniques not explicitly described in the following embodiment. The configurations of the embodiments can be modified in various ways without departing from the spirit of the embodiment. Furthermore, the configurations can be selected or combined as needed.

[0015] In the following description, the forward direction of the vehicle is referred to as the front of the vehicle (simply referred to as "forward"), and the backward direction is referred to as the rear of the vehicle (simply referred to as "rear"), with left and right defined based on the front. The left and right direction can also be referred to as the vehicle width direction or side. The fore-aft direction of the vehicle is simply referred to as the "fore-aft direction." The up-down direction is defined by defining the direction of gravity as downward and its opposite as upward. Note that the up-down direction does not have to coincide perfectly with the vertical direction, and may be slightly inclined relative to the vertical direction. Similarly, the fore-aft direction and left-right direction do not have to coincide perfectly with the horizontal direction.

[0016] Vehicle structures are often formed with near bilateral symmetry (mirror symmetry with respect to a plane including the yaw axis and roll axis passing through the center of gravity of the vehicle), but a completely symmetrical shape is not required. Furthermore, the vehicle cooling structure according to the embodiment may be applied to any type of vehicle, including gasoline-powered vehicles, electric vehicles (EVs), hybrid vehicles (HEVs), and plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEVs). A plug-in hybrid vehicle is a hybrid vehicle capable of externally charging or externally supplying power from a battery. A plug-in hybrid vehicle is provided with a charging port (inlet) for inserting a charging cable that supplies power from an external charging facility, and a power outlet (outlet) for external power supply.

[0017] [1. Configuration] [1-1. Overall Configuration] Fig. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing the configuration of the vehicle cooling structure 1. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view along the front-rear and up-down directions at the center of the vehicle width direction of the vehicle cooling structure 1. The vehicle cooling structure 1 is a structure that converts traveling wind taken in when the vehicle is traveling forward into cooling wind (wind), and guides this cooling wind from a front bumper 2 (bumper component) to a heat exchanger 3 (heat exchange mechanism).

[0018] The front bumper 2 is disposed at the very front of the vehicle. The front bumper 2 is provided with a lower ventilation section 2L (first ventilation section) that penetrates the lower portion from front to rear, and an upper ventilation section 2U (second ventilation section) that penetrates the upper portion from front to rear. Cooling air is taken in through each of the ventilation sections 2L, 2U, and the introduced cooling air is guided to the heat exchanger 3. The heat exchanger 3 is an on-board cooling system device that exchanges thermal energy with the cooling air introduced from the front.

[0019] Here, a configuration including an oil cooler 4 (first heat exchanger), a condenser 5 (second heat exchanger), and a radiator 6 (second heat exchanger) is shown as an example of the heat exchanger 3. The oil cooler 4 and the condenser 5 are attached to the radiator 6, and the radiator 6 is attached to a vehicle body (not shown).

[0020] The oil cooler 4 cools oil such as lubricating oil and hydraulic oil used in the vehicle. The condenser 5 cools and condenses refrigerant used in the vehicle's air conditioning system, battery cooling circuit, etc. The radiator 6 cools engine coolant (not shown). The heat exchanger 3 may be changed depending on the type of vehicle (on-board equipment), and the object cooled by the heat exchanger 3 may also be changed as appropriate.

[0021] The heat exchanger 3 exemplified in this embodiment is arranged in the following order from front to rear: oil cooler 4, condenser 5, and radiator 6. The oil cooler 4, condenser 5, and radiator 6 have different extending areas when viewed from front to rear (i.e., as viewed from the front), with the extending areas in the front view being larger the further rearward they are located. Specifically, the condenser 5 and radiator 6 are provided in areas extending downward and upward from the oil cooler 4 in the front view, and the radiator 6 is provided in areas extending downward from the condenser 5 in the front view. In other words, the oil cooler 4 is arranged so as to cover the upper portions of the condenser 5 and radiator 6 from the front.

[0022] As shown in Fig. 2, the vehicle cooling structure 1 of this embodiment is formed with cooling air flow paths, including a lower flow path 7 through which cooling air taken in from the lower ventilation section 2L flows, and an upper flow path 8 through which cooling air taken in from the upper ventilation section 2U flows. The lower flow path 7 and the upper flow path 8 are structurally separated and do not communicate with each other on the upstream side, but communicate with each other on the downstream side. Note that "upstream" and "downstream" here refer to upstream and downstream in the flow direction of air taken in from the front of the vehicle. The same applies to the following description.

[0023] More specifically, as upstream flow paths, an upstream lower flow path 71 through which cooling air flows back and forth below the bumper beam 50 is provided upstream of the lower flow path 7, and an upstream upper flow path 81 through which cooling air flows back and forth above the bumper beam 50 is provided upstream of the upper flow path 8. A downstream lower flow path 72 is provided downstream of the upstream lower flow path 71 (downstream side of the lower flow path 7), and a downstream upper flow path 82 is provided downstream of the upstream upper flow path 81 (downstream side of the upper flow path 8).

[0024] That is, the upstream lower flow passage 71 and the upstream upper flow passage 81 are arranged side by side above and below so as to avoid the bumper beam 50, and the downstream lower flow passage 72 and the downstream upper flow passage 82 are arranged to merge behind the bumper beam 50. The bumper beam 50 is a structural member that extends in the vehicle width direction at the front end of the vehicle and connects a pair of left and right side members (not shown) that extend in the fore-and-aft direction.

[0025] The vehicle cooling structure 1 is provided with three members, namely, a first member 10, a second member 20, and a third member 30 (introduction member), which form the above-mentioned flow paths 7, 8. In Fig. 2, the first member 10 is hatched with thin diagonal lines extending from the upper left to the lower right, the second member 20 is hatched with thin diagonal lines extending from the upper right to the lower left, and the third member 30 is hatched with thick diagonal lines extending from the upper left to the lower right. In Fig. 2, the front bumper 2 is hatched with thick diagonal lines extending from the upper right to the lower left, and the sealing materials 9L and 9U, which will be described later, are hatched with intersecting thin diagonal lines.

[0026] 1, the first member 10, the second member 20, and the third member 30 form a duct-like portion (a so-called full duct) that introduces cooling air into the heat exchanger 3 across the entire width of the heat exchanger 3, and is provided behind the front bumper 2. Although shown exploded in FIG. 1, the third member 30 is disposed behind the first member 10 and the second member 20 in contact therewith.

[0027] As shown in Fig. 2, a bumper beam 50 is disposed horizontally between the first member 10 and the second member 20. In other words, the first member 10 is disposed below the bumper beam 50, and the second member 20 is disposed above the bumper beam 50. As also shown in Fig. 1, the third member 30 is disposed such that its lower portion is located behind the first member 10, and its upper portion is located behind the second member 20. In other words, the first member 10 and the second member 20 are separately disposed above and below in front of the third member 30.

[0028] The first member 10 is a member including a portion that forms the upstream lower flow path 71. The second member 20 is a member including a portion that forms the upstream upper flow path 81. The third member 30 is a member including a portion that forms the downstream lower flow path 72 and the downstream upper flow path 82. To summarize these three members 10, 20, 30, the first member 10 is disposed on the front and lower side, the second member 20 is disposed on the front and upper side, and the third member 30 is disposed on the rear upper and lower side.

[0029] The first member 10 in this embodiment is a duct-shaped member that is fixed to the lower part of the rear surface of the front bumper 2 and defines only the upstream lower flow path 71 of the flow paths 7, 8. Therefore, in the following description, the "first member 10" will be referred to as the "lower duct 10." The lower duct 10 is a member that is attached to the front bumper 2 (i.e., assembled). In other words, the configuration of the lower duct 10 is set according to the configuration of the front bumper 2, and a lower duct 10 specific to the front bumper 2 is used. For example, when front bumpers 2 with different shapes are used depending on the vehicle model or specifications, a lower duct 10 that corresponds to the shape of each front bumper 2 is used.

[0030] The second member 20 in this embodiment is a bracket that attaches the front bumper 2 to the vehicle body. The front bumper 2 is attached to the second member 20 with fasteners such as bolts. Specifically, the upper part of the rear surface of the front bumper 2 is fixed to the second member 20, and the second member 20 is attached in front of the radiator 6. In the following description, the "second member 20" will be referred to as the "center bracket 20."

[0031] Some conventional vehicles also include a bracket (center bracket) that attaches the front bumper to the vehicle body. However, conventional center brackets do not have a flow path for airflow, such as the upstream upper flow path 81 described above. In other words, compared to conventional center brackets that attach the front bumper 2 to the vehicle body without forming the upstream upper flow path 81, the center bracket 20 can be considered a component in which a portion that forms the upstream upper flow path 81 has been added to the conventional center bracket. The center bracket 20 is configured to suit the front bumper 2.

[0032] The third member 30 in this embodiment has a box-like outer shape. Therefore, in the following description, the "third member 30" will be referred to as the "box 30." The box 30 is attached in front of the radiator 6. That is, the configuration of the box 30 is set according to the configuration of the radiator 6, and a box 30 specific to the radiator 6 is used. For example, when radiators 6 of different shapes are used depending on the grade or specifications of the vehicle model, a box 30 corresponding to the shape of each radiator 6 is used. The box 30 is fixed with bolts to a rib-shaped portion of the radiator 6 that extends in the vehicle width direction.

[0033] The lower duct 10, center bracket 20, and box 30 are assembled in the following example procedure. First, the box 30 is attached to the radiator 6. Next, the lower duct 10 is attached to the front bumper 2. Alternatively, the front bumper 2 with the lower duct 10 attached is prepared. Then, the front bumper 2 with the lower duct 10 attached is attached to the center bracket 20 fixed to the vehicle body.

[0034] When assembled in the above-described procedure, the box 30 is disposed in abutting contact with the rear of the lower duct 10 and the center bracket 20. If the lower duct 10, the center bracket 20, and the box 30 were secured together with bolts, it would be difficult to assemble them in the above-described procedure. Therefore, although the lower duct 10, the center bracket 20, and the box 30 are disposed in abutting contact with each other as described above, they are not secured together.

[0035] Additionally, the box 30 is in contact with the lower duct 10 and the center bracket 20 via seals 9L and 9U. Specifically, the lower seal 9L is interposed in a slightly compressed state between the lower part of the box 30 and the lower duct 10, and the upper seal 9U is also interposed in a slightly compressed state between the upper part of the box 30 and the center bracket 20. The seals 9L and 9U can be sponges attached to the box 30 with double-sided tape.

[0036] The locations where the sealants 9L, 9U are installed are preset to common positions regardless of the vehicle model, specifications, etc. In other words, the region communicating from the upstream lower flow path 71 to the downstream lower flow path 72 and the region communicating from the upstream upper flow path 81 to the downstream upper flow path 82 are not set in individual regions depending on the vehicle model, specifications, etc., but are preset to common regions. Below, the lower duct 10, the center bracket 20, and the box 30 will each be described in detail.

[0037] 1 and 2, the lower duct 10 is provided with an upstream lower opening 11 (first opening) into which the cooling air taken in from the lower ventilation portion 2L of the front bumper 2 flows. As shown in Fig. 2, the upstream lower opening 11 is a cylindrical portion that defines the upstream lower flow path 71. This upstream lower opening 11 is provided in communication with the lower ventilation portion 2L of the front bumper 2, as the cooling air taken in from the lower ventilation portion 2L flows into it.

[0038] In this embodiment, the upstream lower opening 11 is tapered so that the cross section of the flow path narrows from the front to the rear of the vehicle. That is, the opening that introduces the cooling air from the front into the upstream lower flow path 71 is larger than the opening that guides the cooling air from the upstream lower flow path 71 to the rear.

[0039] As an example of a configuration for forming the tapered upstream lower opening 11, the upper surface portion 12 of the upstream lower opening 11 will be described. The upper surface portion 12 is a planar portion that defines the upper portion of the upstream lower flow path 71 above the upstream lower opening 11. This upper surface portion 12 is provided in a shape that slopes downward toward the rear. In other words, the upper surface portion 12 is disposed in a posture that slopes downward toward the rear. Expressions based on the front-to-rear direction, such as a "shape that slopes downward toward the rear" and a "posture that slopes downward toward the rear," can be rephrased as a forward-sloping shape that slopes downward from the front to the rear, when based on the up-down direction.

[0040] Next, referring to Figure 5, we will explain the side walls 13 as another example of the configuration that forms the tapered upstream lower opening 11. Figure 5 is an enlarged perspective cross-sectional view showing a main portion of the lower duct 10 on the vehicle widthwise outer side (left side in Figure 5) in the vehicle cooling structure 1. The side walls 13 are erected on the left and right sides of the upstream lower opening 11 on the vehicle widthwise outer side, and are portions that define the sides of the upstream lower flow path 71. These side walls 13 have a tapered shape that narrows toward the vehicle widthwise inner side as they extend rearward. In other words, the pair of left and right side walls 13 are arranged so that the distance between them along the vehicle width direction becomes smaller as they extend rearward.

[0041] The area outside the side wall 13 in the vehicle width direction is a region different from the upstream lower flow path 71. In this area outside the flow path, a fixing portion 14 for attaching the lower duct 10 to the front bumper 2 is provided. The fixing portion 14 is a portion of the lower duct 10 outside the side wall 13 in the vehicle width direction, and is a portion that is fixed to the front bumper 2.

[0042] Fig. 5 shows an example of a fixing portion 14 in which the lower duct 10 is fixed to the front bumper 2 by a screw 15. In the example shown in Fig. 5, the screw 15 is threaded into a boss 2B of the front bumper 2. Fig. 5 also shows an example in which a positioning guide pin 2P is inserted into a pin hole 16 drilled in a portion of the lower duct 10 that is more outward in the vehicle width direction than the side wall 13, as a configuration to assist in fixing the lower duct 10. The guide pin 2P is a positioning portion that protrudes rearward from the rear surface of the front bumper 2.

[0043] By inserting the guide pin 2P into the pin hole 16 and bringing the lower duct 10 close to the front bumper 2, the lower duct 10 is guided (i.e., positioned) to a fixed position relative to the front bumper 2. Then, by screwing the screw 15 into the boss 2B, the lower duct 10 is fixed to the front bumper 2.

[0044] 2, the center bracket 20 is provided with an upstream upper opening 21 (second opening) into which the cooling air taken in from the upper ventilation portion 2U of the front bumper 2 flows. The upstream upper opening 21 is a cylindrical portion that defines the upstream upper flow path 81. Since the cooling air taken in from the upper ventilation portion 2U flows into this upstream upper opening 21, the upstream upper opening 21 is provided in communication with the upper ventilation portion 2U of the front bumper 2.

[0045] In this embodiment, the upstream upper opening 21 is tapered so that the cross section of the flow path narrows from the front to the rear of the vehicle. That is, the opening that introduces the cooling air from the front into the upstream upper flow path 81 is larger than the opening that leads the cooling air from the upstream upper flow path 81 to the rear.

[0046] As an example of a configuration for forming the upstream upper opening 21, the lower surface portion 22 of the upstream upper opening 21 will be described with reference to Figure 3. Figure 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing the lower surface portion 22 and its periphery in Figure 2. The lower surface portion 22 is a planar portion that defines the lower portion of the upstream upper flow path 81 below the upstream upper opening 21. This lower surface portion 22 is provided below the upstream upper opening 21 and protrudes forward. Therefore, in the following description, the "lower surface portion 22" will be referred to as the "protruding surface portion 22."

[0047] The protruding surface portion 22 is provided in a shape that is inclined downward toward the front. In other words, the protruding surface portion 22 is disposed in a posture that slopes downward toward the front like a chin spoiler. Expressions based on the front-to-back direction, such as a "shape that slopes downward toward the front" or a "posture that slopes downward toward the front," can be rephrased as a backward-sloping shape that is positioned higher from the front to the rear, when based on the up-down direction.

[0048] The protruding surface portion 22 is provided with three surface portions 23, 24, and 25, each having a different degree of inclination in the front-to-rear direction. Of the three surface portions 23, 24, and 25, the upper step surface portion 23 is provided at the rearmost position, and the lower step surface portion 24 is provided at the frontmost position, with the slope surface portion 25 provided between the upper step surface portion 23 and the lower step surface portion 24.

[0049] The upper surface portion 23 and the lower surface portion 24 both extend substantially horizontally in the front-to-rear direction. Here, "substantially horizontal" does not necessarily mean a completely horizontal configuration, but may also include a configuration in which the upper surface portion 23 and the lower surface portion 24 are slightly inclined downward toward the front. Note that the upper surface portion 23 and the lower surface portion 24 may be parallel to each other, or one may be inclined slightly downward toward the front more than the other.

[0050] The slope surface portion 25 is provided in a shape that slopes downward toward the front. The upper step surface portion 23 is connected to the rear of the slope surface portion 25, and the lower step surface portion 24 is connected to the front of the slope surface portion 25. In other words, the upper step surface portion 23 and the lower step surface portion 24 are less inclined downward toward the front than the slope surface portion 25.

[0051] The protruding surface portion 22 in this embodiment is provided so as to be recessed below the lower surface portion 2F of the upper ventilation portion 2U. That is, at least a front portion of the protruding surface portion 22 is disposed below the lower surface portion 2F of the upper ventilation portion 2U and overlaps at least a rear portion of the lower surface portion 2F in the vertical direction. Fig. 3 shows an example in which the lower step surface portion 24 of the protruding surface portion 22 (at least a front portion of the protruding surface portion 22) overlaps at the vertical direction with a rear portion of the lower surface portion 2F.

[0052] As mentioned above, different shapes of front bumpers 2 are used depending on the vehicle model and specifications. Figure 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing an embodiment in which a front bumper 2' having a different shape from the front bumper 2 in Figure 3 is used. The center bracket 20 in Figure 4 is the same as that in Figure 3.

[0053] In the front bumper 2', the lower surface 2F' of the upper ventilation section 2U' extends rearward and upward beyond the lower surface 2F in Fig. 3. In a vehicle using a front bumper 2' with such a lower surface 2F', at least a front portion of the protruding surface portion 22 is positioned below the lower surface 2F' of the upper ventilation section 2U' and overlaps at least a rear portion of this lower surface 2F' in the vertical direction.

[0054] 4, not only the lower step surface portion 24 but also the front half of the slope surface portion 25 (at least a portion of the front of the protruding surface portion 22) of the protruding surface portion 22 overlaps a portion of the rear of the lower surface portion 2F' in the vertical direction. The rear ends of the lower surfaces 2F, 2F' are spaced apart in the vertical direction from the protruding surface portion 22. This distance is set to a dimension that ensures both the ease of mounting the front bumpers 2, 2' to the center bracket 20 and the suppression of leakage of cooling air.

[0055] 2, the box 30 is provided with a downstream lower opening 31 (third opening) that communicates with the upstream lower opening 11, and a downstream upper opening 32 (fourth opening) that communicates with the upstream upper opening 21. The downstream lower opening 31 is airtightly connected to the upstream lower opening 11 via a seal material 9L. The downstream upper opening 32 is airtightly connected to the upstream upper opening 21 via a seal material 9U. Note that the term "airtight" as used here may include not only a completely sealed state, but also a state in which there is a small gap (a nearly sealed state in which almost no air leaks through the gap).

[0056] The box 30 guides the cooling air that flows into the upstream lower opening 11 through the downstream lower opening 31 to the heat exchanger 3, and the cooling air that flows into the upstream upper opening 21 through the downstream upper opening 32 to the heat exchanger 3. The downstream lower opening 31 is a section that defines a downstream lower flow path 72. The downstream lower flow path 72 is a flow path for the cooling air in the heat exchanger 3 that mainly flows toward the radiator 6. The cooling air flows into this downstream lower flow path 72 from the front through a box lower opening 33 (lower opening, shown by a dashed line in FIG. 2 ), which serves as an inlet for the cooling air. The cooling air that flows into the box lower opening 33 flows toward the radiator 6.

[0057] The downstream upper opening 32 is a portion that defines the downstream upper flow path 82. The downstream upper flow path 82 is a flow path for cooling air toward the radiator 6, and the entire oil cooler 4 and the upper half of the condenser 5 are disposed on this flow path. In other words, the oil cooler 4 is disposed so as to be surrounded by the downstream upper opening 32, and the box 30 is provided in front of the radiator 6.

[0058] Cooling air flows into the downstream upper flow passage 82 from an upper box opening 34 (opening, shown by a dashed line in FIG. 2 ) that serves as an inlet for cooling air. The cooling air that flows into the upper box opening 34 is directed toward at least the oil cooler 4. Note that below the upper box opening 34, the lower box opening 33 is provided.

[0059] In the present embodiment, the downstream upper flow passage 82 is provided with, as flow passages for cooling air, a lower sub-flow passage 8L that avoids the oil cooler 4 downward and an upper sub-flow passage 8U that avoids the oil cooler 4 upward, in addition to a main flow passage 8M that flows toward the oil cooler 4. The cooling air in the lower sub-flow passage 8L and the upper sub-flow passage 8U flows toward the condenser 5 or the radiator 6 after avoiding the oil cooler 4 upward or downward. In other words, the flow passage below the oil cooler 4 that flows toward the condenser 5 or the radiator 6 is the lower sub-flow passage 8L, and the flow passage above the oil cooler 4 that flows toward the condenser 5 or the radiator 6 is the upper sub-flow passage 8U.

[0060] A downstream portion of the lower sub-passage 8L communicates with the downstream lower passage 72. The upstream portion of the downstream portion of the lower sub-passage 8L is structurally separated by a protruding fin 40 provided on the box 30. Figure 2 shows an example in which the box upper opening 34 is provided above the protruding fin 40. The protruding fin 40 is a fin-shaped portion that protrudes rearward (toward the condenser 5 and the radiator 6) while being spaced downward from the oil cooler 4, and extends across the entire area of ​​the oil cooler 4 in the vehicle width direction.

[0061] In this embodiment, the protruding fins 40 are not only spaced downward from the oil cooler 4, but also spaced forward from the condenser 5 and the radiator 6. That is, the rear ends 41 of the protruding fins 40 are provided at positions spaced forward from the condenser 5 and the radiator 6. Specifically, the rear ends 41 of the protruding fins 40 are located at the same longitudinal position as the rear end 4R of the oil cooler 4, or further rearward than this rear end 4R. The longitudinal gaps between the protruding fins 40 and the condenser 5 and the radiator 6 correspond to regions where a downstream portion of the lower sub-passage 8L communicates with the downstream lower passage 72.

[0062] The upper surface 42 of the protruding fin 40 is provided in a shape that slopes downward toward the rear. However, the upper surface 42 of the protruding fin 40 may be provided in a horizontal shape that extends along the front-to-rear direction. The lower end of the lower sub-channel 8L is defined by the protruding fin 40. In other words, the protruding fin 40 forms the lower end of the lower sub-channel 8L, thereby defining the lower end of the lower sub-channel 8L. More specifically, the defined region defined by the protruding fin 40 is the lower end of a region upstream of a downstream portion of the lower sub-channel 8L (i.e., a region that communicates with the downstream lower channel 72).

[0063] On the other hand, the upper end of the upper sub-flow passage 8U is defined over its entire area by the upper surface portion 35 of the box 30. In other words, the upper end of the upper sub-flow passage 8U is defined by the upper surface portion 35 of the box 30 forming the upper end of the upper sub-flow passage 8U. The upper surface portion 35 is attached to the front and upper edge portion 6F of the radiator 6. In other words, the upper surface portion 35 of the box 30 extends forward in an eave-like manner from the edge portion 6F of the radiator 6, and covers the oil cooler 4 and the condenser 5 from above. This upper surface portion 35 is formed in a shape that slopes downward and forward from the edge portion 6F of the radiator 6.

[0064] In this embodiment, the upper surface portion 35 is provided with a front portion 36 located above the oil cooler 4 and a slope portion 37 that extends rearward from the front portion 36. The slope portion 37 is formed with a greater inclination in the front-to-rear direction than the inclination in the front-to-rear direction of the front portion 36. In addition, the dimension by which the front portion 36 is spaced upward from the oil cooler 4 is set to, for example, 20 mm from the viewpoint of simultaneously suppressing excessive inflow of cooling air from the main flow path 8M into the upper sub-flow path 8U and ensuring the flow rate of cooling air flowing into the upper sub-flow path 8U.

[0065] [2. Effects] The vehicle cooling structure 1 of this embodiment has the above-described configuration, and therefore has the following effects. First, the effects of the vehicle cooling structure 1 including the three components of the lower duct 10, the center bracket 20, and the box 30 are described in (1A) to (10A). Then, the effects of the vehicle cooling structure 1 including the protruding fins 40 are described in (1B) to (6B).

[0066] [2-1. Effects of the vehicle cooling structure having three components] (1A) The vehicle cooling structure 1 has three components that introduce cooling air: a lower duct 10, a center bracket 20, and a box 30. The upstream lower opening 11 of the lower duct 10 is provided so as to communicate with the downstream lower opening 31 of the box 30. Furthermore, the upstream upper opening 21 of the center bracket 20 is provided so as to communicate with the downstream upper opening 32 of the box 30. In this way, the lower openings 11, 31 and the upper openings 21, 32 are provided so as to communicate with each other in the front-to-rear direction.

[0067] Therefore, compared to a conventional configuration in which a plate-shaped member extends from the outer edge of the heat exchanger toward the bumper components, the cooling air taken in through the ventilation sections 2L, 2U of the front bumper 2 can be guided to the heat exchanger 3 without leakage, improving the cooling performance of the heat exchanger 3. Furthermore, with the above-described structure, the three components of the lower duct 10, center bracket 20, and box 30 can each be made smaller, and gaps between the components can be reduced. This also allows the cooling air taken in through the ventilation sections 2L, 2U of the front bumper 2 to be guided to the heat exchanger 3 without leakage, improving the cooling performance of the heat exchanger 3.

[0068] The lower duct 10, the center bracket 20, and the box 30 form a lower flow passage 7 and an upper flow passage 8. The lower flow passage 7 is a flow passage through which cooling air taken in through the lower ventilation section 2L passes through the upstream lower opening 11 and the downstream lower opening 31 to the radiator 6. The upper flow passage 8 is a flow passage through which cooling air taken in through the upper ventilation section 2U passes through the upstream upper opening 21 and the downstream upper opening 32 to the heat exchanger 3, including the oil cooler 4. The formation of these two flow passages 7 and 8 facilitates the design of the flow rates of cooling air introduced into the oil cooler 4, the condenser 5, and the radiator 6. In other words, the design and adjustment of the flow rates of cooling air introduced into the upper and lower regions of the heat exchanger 3 is facilitated. This also contributes to improving the cooling performance of the heat exchanger 3.

[0069] (2A) The center bracket 20 has a protruding surface 22 that protrudes forward below the upstream upper opening 21. This protruding surface 22 reduces the gap that separates the center bracket 20 from the front bumper 2. This reduces leakage of cooling air from the gap, improving the cooling performance of the heat exchanger 3.

[0070] (3A) The protruding surface portion 22 is formed in a shape that slopes downward toward the front. Therefore, the opening of the cooling air flowing into the upstream upper opening 21 (i.e., the cooling air inlet) can be expanded downward. This ensures a sufficient flow rate of the cooling air, improving the cooling performance of the heat exchanger 3. In addition, the cooling air can be smoothly introduced while avoiding interference with surrounding structures such as the bumper beam 50.

[0071] (4A) The protruding surface portion 22 is provided with a sloped surface portion 25 that slopes downward toward the front, and an upper step surface portion 23 and a lower step surface portion 24 that extend approximately horizontally in front of and behind the sloped surface portion 25. Therefore, a common center bracket 20 can be attached to a front bumper 2 in which the lower surface portion 2F overlaps only the lower step surface portion 24 in the vertical direction as shown in Figure 3, or to a front bumper 2' in which the lower surface portion 2F' overlaps not only the lower step surface portion 24 but also the front half of the sloped surface portion 25 in the vertical direction as shown in Figure 4.

[0072] Furthermore, for a front bumper 2 in which only the lower step surface portion 24 and the lower surface portion 2F overlap vertically as shown in Fig. 3, the cooling air can be appropriately guided by the upper step surface portion 23 and the slope surface portion 25, while the lower step surface portion 24 suppresses leakage of the cooling air. For a front bumper 2' in which the lower step surface portion 24 and the front half of the slope surface portion 25 overlap vertically with the lower step surface portion 24 and the front half of the slope surface portion 25, as shown in Fig. 4, the cooling air can be appropriately guided by the upper step surface portion 23, while the cooling air can be effectively suppressed by not only the lower step surface portion 24 but also the front half of the slope surface portion 25.

[0073] (5A) As described above, a front portion of the protruding surface portion 22 overlaps a rear portion of the lower surface portion 2F, 2F' in the vertical direction. This prevents cooling air from leaking out from between the lower surface portion 2F, 2F' and the protruding surface portion 22. In particular, in a front bumper 2' in which the lower step surface portion 24 and the front half of the slope surface portion 25 overlap below the lower surface portion 2F' as shown in Figure 4, a so-called labyrinth structure is formed, effectively preventing cooling air from leaking out from between the lower surface portion 2F' and the protruding surface portion 22.

[0074] (6A) The tapered sidewall 13, which is positioned more inward in the vehicle width direction as it extends rearward, allows the width of the opening for the cooling air flowing into the upstream lower opening 11 to be expanded to the left and right. This ensures a sufficient flow rate of the cooling air, improving the cooling performance of the heat exchanger 3. In this way, the cooling air that has flowed into the upstream lower opening 11 can be smoothly guided to the radiator 6 via the downstream lower opening 31, ensuring the cooling performance of the radiator 6.

[0075] (7A) The lower duct 10 is fixed to the front bumper 2 at the fixing portion 14 that is located on the outer side of the side wall 13 in the vehicle width direction. Therefore, the lower duct 10 can be fixed to the front bumper 2 without obstructing the flow of cooling air that flows in from the upstream lower opening 11.

[0076] (8A) The upper surface 12 of the upstream lower opening 11 is formed in a shape that slopes downward toward the rear. This allows the opening of the cooling air flowing into the upstream lower opening 11 to be expanded upward. This ensures a sufficient flow rate of the cooling air introduced through the upstream lower opening 11, improving the cooling performance of the radiator 6. In addition, the cooling air can be introduced smoothly while avoiding interference with surrounding structures such as the bumper beam 50.

[0077] (9A) The box 30 is in contact with the lower duct 10 and the center bracket 20 via the seals 9L and 9U, so gaps that could allow cooling air to leak are blocked by the seals 9L and 9U. This effectively prevents cooling air from leaking, further improving the cooling performance of the heat exchanger 3.

[0078] (10A) The locations where the seal materials 9L and 9U are installed are preset to common positions regardless of vehicle model or specifications. Therefore, the joining and fixing positions of the lower duct 10, center bracket 20, and box 30 can be standardized regardless of vehicle model or specifications, making it possible to suppress the degree of cooling air leakage (ensuring so-called full duct performance) for all vehicle models or specifications. Furthermore, the lower duct 10, center bracket 20, and box 30 form duct-like portions that introduce cooling air into the heat exchanger 3 across the entire width of the heat exchanger 3, so that the cooling air can be guided across the entire width of the heat exchanger 3. This also improves the cooling performance of the heat exchanger 3.

[0079] [2-2. Effects of the Vehicle Cooling Structure with Protruding Fins] (1B) According to the vehicle cooling structure 1, the downstream upper flow passage 82 is defined by the downstream upper opening 32 of the box 30. This downstream upper flow passage 82 is provided with not only a main flow passage 8M leading to the oil cooler 4 but also a lower sub-flow passage 8L that avoids the oil cooler 4 downward as flow passages through which cooling air flows. The lower end of this lower sub-flow passage 8L is defined by the protruding fin 40 of the box 30. Therefore, the cooling air flowing through the main flow passage 8M of the downstream upper flow passage 82 can ensure the cooling efficiency of the oil cooler 4, and the cooling air flowing through the lower sub-flow passage 8L can ensure the cooling efficiency of the condenser 5 or the radiator 6. This improves the cooling performance of the heat exchanger 3.

[0080] If only the main flow path were provided in the downstream upper flow path, the cooling air would be blocked by the oil cooler, causing a pressure increase in front of the oil cooler and potentially reducing the efficiency of introducing the cooling air. This could ultimately result in insufficient cooling performance from a heat exchanger such as an oil cooler. In contrast, the vehicle cooling structure 1 described above includes the lower sub-flow path 8L, which suppresses the pressure increase in front of the oil cooler 4 and ensures efficient introduction of the cooling air. This improves the cooling performance of not only the oil cooler 4 but also the condenser 5 or radiator 6.

[0081] (2B) The box upper opening 34 is located higher than the protruding fins 40, and the upper surfaces 42 of the protruding fins 40 are formed in a shape that slopes downward and rearward. Therefore, the cooling air that flows from the box upper opening 34 into the lower sub-passage 8L can be smoothly guided downward toward the oil cooler 4. By guiding the cooling air toward the condenser 5 or the radiator 6 in this manner, the cooling performance of the condenser 5 or the radiator 6 is improved. This effect can also be achieved if the upper surfaces 42 of the protruding fins 40 are formed in a horizontal shape along the front-to-rear direction.

[0082] (3B) The rear ends 41 of the protruding fins 40 are located at the same longitudinal position as the rear end 4R of the oil cooler 4 or further rearward than the rear end 4R. By positioning the rear ends 41 of the protruding fins 40 in this manner, the cooling air that flows in from the box upper opening 34 and flows through the lower sub-passage 8L of the downstream upper passage 82 is appropriately guided. This makes it possible to suppress interference (i.e., rectify) between the cooling air flowing through the downstream upper passage 82 and the cooling air that flows in from the box lower opening 33 and flows through the downstream lower passage 72.

[0083] (4B) The protruding fins 40 extend across the entire width of the oil cooler 4. This allows the cooling air to be guided across the entire width of the oil cooler 4. This improves the cooling performance of the oil cooler 4.

[0084] (5B) In addition to the main flow path 8M and the lower sub-flow path 8L, the downstream upper flow path 82 is provided with an upper sub-flow path 8U that avoids the oil cooler 4 above as a flow path for the cooling air to flow. The upper end of this upper sub-flow path 8U is defined by the upper surface portion 35 attached to the front and upper edge portion 6F of the radiator 6. The upper sub-flow path 8U defined in this manner further enhances the cooling efficiency of the condenser 5 or the radiator 6. In other words, the lower sub-flow path 8L and the upper sub-flow path 8U can effectively suppress a pressure increase in front of the oil cooler 4, thereby improving the cooling performance of both the oil cooler 4 and the condenser 5 or the radiator 6.

[0085] (6B) The upper surface portion 35 is formed to slope downward and forward from the edge portion 6F of the radiator 6. This allows the flow rate of the cooling air flowing through the upper sub-flow passage 8U to be appropriately throttled, preventing a shortage of cooling air to the oil cooler 4. The upper surface portion 35 is formed with a front portion 36 located above the oil cooler 4 and a slope portion 37 that extends rearward from the front portion 36. Because the slope portion 37 is formed with a greater inclination than the front portion 36, a cooling air opening upstream of the upper sub-flow passage 8U can be secured, and the gap between the front portion 36 of the upper surface portion 35 and the oil cooler 4 can be appropriately set. In other words, it is possible to both suppress excessive inflow of cooling air from the main flow passage 8M into the upper sub-flow passage 8U and ensure the flow rate of the cooling air flowing into the upper sub-flow passage 8U.

[0086] [3. Other] The vehicle cooling structure described above is one example and is not limited to the above. For example, the condenser 5 may be omitted from the heat exchanger 3. Below, Modification I of the vehicle cooling structure 1 including the three components 10, 20, and 30 will be described. After that, Modification II of the vehicle cooling structure 1 including the protruding fins 40 will be described.

[0087] [3-1. Variation I of the vehicle cooling structure having three components] With regard to the center bracket (second component), the lower surface of the upstream upper opening (second opening) may have a shape or posture different from those described above as long as it defines at least the lower portion of the upstream upper flow path. With regard to the lower duct (first component), the side wall and upper surface may have any shape or position as long as it defines at least the upstream lower flow path. The fixing portion of the lower duct may also be fixed at any location.

[0088] With regard to the box (third member), the sealing material may be omitted as long as the downstream lower opening (third opening) communicating with the upstream lower opening (first opening) and the downstream upper opening (fourth opening) communicating with the upstream upper opening (second opening) are arranged in a manner that prevents air leakage. The first member is not limited to the above-described lower duct 10 and may be any member having an upstream lower opening (first opening). The second member is not limited to the above-described center bracket 20 and may be any member having an upstream upper opening (second opening). The third member is not limited to the above-described box 30 and may be any member having a downstream lower opening (third opening) communicating with the upstream lower opening and a downstream upper opening (fourth opening) communicating with the upstream upper opening.

[0089] The vehicle may be provided with a heat exchanger to which cooling air is guided from the downstream lower opening and the downstream upper opening, and may not be provided with an oil cooler or a condenser. The vehicle cooling structure according to Variation I may be provided with a front bumper having a lower ventilation portion and an upper ventilation portion, and a first member, a second member, and a third member, and other configurations are optional.

[0090] [3-2. Variation II of Vehicle Cooling Structure with Protruding Fins] Any shape can be adopted for the box (inlet member). The box does not need to be provided with an upper sub-flow passage. The box only needs to be provided with at least a downstream upper flow passage, and does not need to be provided with a downstream lower flow passage through which cooling air flows in from the box lower opening. The extension area, rear end position, and top surface shape of the protruding fins are not limited to the above-described shapes, and other shapes may also be adopted.

[0091] The heat exchangers may include two types: a first heat exchanger provided in the flow path of the cooling air flowing in from the box upper opening, and a second heat exchanger provided behind the first heat exchanger and including an area extending at least downward from the first heat exchanger in a front view. Specifically, the first heat exchanger may be a known heat exchanger instead of or in addition to an oil cooler. The second heat exchanger may be either a condenser or a radiator, or a known heat exchanger may be used instead of or in addition to at least one of the condenser and the radiator.

[0092] The third member is not limited to the above-described box 30, and may be any member provided with an opening through which cooling air flows in from the front toward the first heat exchanger and a protruding fin that forms the lower end of the lower sub-flow passage. The vehicle cooling structure according to Modification II is required to include at least the heat exchanger and the third member, and other configurations are optional.

[0093] The present invention is applicable to the manufacturing industry of vehicles equipped with heat exchangers.

[0094] DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Vehicle cooling structure 2, 2' Front bumper (bumper part) 2L Lower ventilation section (first ventilation section) 2U, 2U' Upper ventilation section (second ventilation section) 3 Heat exchanger (heat exchange mechanism) 4 Oil cooler (first heat exchanger) 5 Condenser (second heat exchanger) 6 Radiator (second heat exchanger) 9L Lower seal material (sealing material) 9U Upper seal material (sealing material) 10 Lower duct (first member) 11 Upstream lower opening (first opening) 12 Upper surface portion 13 Side wall 14 Fixing portion 20 Center bracket (second member) 21 Upstream upper opening (second opening) 22 Protruding surface portion (lower surface portion) 23 Upper step surface portion 24 Lower step surface portion 25 Slope surface portion 30 Box (third member, introduction member) 31 Downstream lower opening (third opening) 32 Downstream upper opening (fourth opening)

Claims

1. a bumper component that is disposed at the frontmost part of the vehicle, the bumper component having a first ventilation portion that penetrates in the front-rear direction at a lower part and a second ventilation portion that penetrates in the front-rear direction at an upper part, and through which air is taken in through each of the first ventilation portion and the second ventilation portion; a first member fixed to a lower portion of a rear surface of the bumper component and having a first opening communicating with the first ventilation portion; a second member that is fixed to an upper portion of the rear surface of the bumper component and is fixed to a vehicle body, the second member having a second opening that communicates with the second ventilation portion; a third member disposed in contact with the rear of the first member and the second member and attached to the front of the heat exchanger, the third member having a third opening communicating with the first opening and a fourth opening communicating with the second opening; A vehicle cooling structure comprising:

2. The second member has a protruding surface portion that protrudes forward below the second opening. The vehicle cooling structure according to claim 1 .

3. The protruding surface portion is provided in a shape that is inclined downward toward the front.

3. The vehicle cooling structure according to claim 2.

4. The protruding surface portion has a slope surface portion provided in a shape that slopes downward toward the front, a lower surface portion provided in front of the slope surface portion and extending substantially horizontally, and an upper surface portion provided in rear of the slope surface portion and extending substantially horizontally.

4. The vehicle cooling structure according to claim 3.

5. At least a front portion of the protruding surface portion is disposed below the lower surface portion of the second ventilation portion and overlaps at least a rear portion of the lower surface portion of the second ventilation portion in the vertical direction. The vehicle cooling structure according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that:

6. The first member has a tapered side wall located on the outer side of the first opening in the vehicle width direction and tapering toward the rear in the vehicle width direction. The vehicle cooling structure according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that:

7. The first member has a portion that is more outward in the vehicle width direction than the side wall and is fixed to the bumper component. The vehicle cooling structure according to claim 6 .

8. The first member has an upper surface portion that is inclined downward and rearward above the first opening. The vehicle cooling structure according to claim 6 .

9. The third member is in contact with the first member and the second member via a sealant. The vehicle cooling structure according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: