Fender liner structure and vehicle

Abstract

Provided is a fender liner structure capable of suppressing deterioration of aerodynamic characteristics and reducing heat buildup in a power unit room.　This fender liner structure comprises: a fender liner provided in a wheel house of a front wheel; and a duct having a through-hole provided in a rear part of the fender liner in the vehicle front-rear direction, a first duct that is disposed on a vehicle rear side of the through-hole and communicates with the through-hole, and a second duct that is provided on an inner side of the fender liner in the vehicle width and connects to the first duct.

Description

Fender liner structure and vehicle

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a fender liner structure and a vehicle.

[0002] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2019-104296 discloses a fender liner provided with ventilation holes in a front portion in the vehicle front-rear direction.

[0003] By the way, in an electric vehicle, since the underfloor on the lower side of the vehicle is covered with a flat under cover to improve aerodynamic characteristics, air easily accumulates in the power unit room where a motor or the like is arranged. When the fender liner provided with the ventilation holes described in the above Patent Document 1 is applied to such a vehicle structure of an electric vehicle, when discharging the air accumulated in the power unit room from the ventilation holes, the air flow along the rotation of the tire may be disturbed and the air characteristics may deteriorate. On the other hand, also in a gasoline vehicle, it is desired to further release the heat in the power unit room where an engine or the like is arranged.

[0004] One embodiment of the present disclosure has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object is to obtain a fender liner structure and a vehicle that can suppress a decrease in aerodynamic characteristics and can reduce heat accumulation in the power unit room.

[0005] The fender liner structure according to the first aspect of the present disclosure includes a fender liner provided in a wheel house of a front wheel, a through hole provided in a rear portion in the vehicle front-rear direction in the fender liner, a first duct disposed on a rear side in the vehicle of the through hole and communicating with the through hole, and a second duct provided inside the fender liner in the vehicle width direction and connected to the first duct, and a duct having the second duct.

[0006] In a fender liner structure according to a first aspect of this disclosure, a through-hole is provided at the rear of the fender liner in the vehicle longitudinal direction, and the duct is located on the vehicle rear side of the through-hole and has a duct comprising a first duct communicating with the through-hole and a second duct provided on the inside of the fender liner in the vehicle width direction and connected to the first duct. When a through-hole is provided at the rear of the fender liner, a negative pressure is generated behind the front wheel in the wheel well due to the air drawn into the front wheel, so that the air in the power unit room can be discharged from the duct by the negative pressure generated at the through-hole. This makes it possible to suppress a decrease in aerodynamic characteristics and reduce heat buildup in the power unit room.

[0007] A fender liner structure according to a second aspect of the present disclosure, in the configuration of the first aspect described above, wherein the duct is formed in an open cross-sectional shape and is configured as a separate member from the fender liner, and the open end of the duct is attached to the inner surface of the fender liner in the vehicle width direction.

[0008] In the fender liner structure according to the second aspect of this disclosure, the open end of the duct is attached to the inner surface of the fender liner in the vehicle width direction to provide a ventilation passage. This allows the duct to be designed without being constrained by the molding of the fender liner. As a result, the shape of the duct can be designed to have low hydrodynamic resistance and high exhaust efficiency. Furthermore, because the duct is constructed as a separate component from the fender liner, the duct can be retrofitted to an existing fender liner. In addition, because the duct is constructed separately from the fender liner, it is possible to construct the duct from a resin material different from that of the fender liner.

[0009] A fender liner structure according to a third aspect of the present disclosure is configured such that, in the configuration of the first aspect, the duct is integrally configured with the fender liner.

[0010] In the fender liner structure according to the third aspect of this disclosure, the duct is integrally formed with the fender liner, which reduces the number of man-hours required for molding and the number of parts. Furthermore, because the duct is integrally formed with the fender liner, a mounting flange between the two is not required, eliminating the step when viewed from the airflow direction. This suppresses the generation of wind noise.

[0011] A fender liner structure according to a fourth aspect of the present disclosure, in any configuration of the first to third aspects described above, wherein the second duct has a first opening at the vehicle front end, and the duct has a portion where the inner diameter narrows as it moves from the first opening toward the first duct.

[0012] In the fender liner structure according to a fourth aspect of this disclosure, the duct has a section where the inner diameter narrows as it moves from the first opening towards the first duct, so that the air velocity increases as it moves towards the first duct. This makes it possible to increase the amount of air discharged by the duct.

[0013] A fender liner structure according to a fifth aspect of the present disclosure, in any configuration of the first to fourth aspects described above, wherein the second duct has a first opening at its vehicle-front end, and at least a portion of the vehicle-front side of the second duct has a portion where the inner diameter widens towards the first opening.

[0014] In a fender liner structure according to a fifth aspect of the present disclosure, the first duct has a first opening at its front end, and at least a portion of the front end of the second duct has a portion where the inner diameter widens towards the first opening, thereby increasing the amount of air taken into the duct.

[0015] A fender liner structure according to a sixth aspect of the present disclosure, in any configuration of the first to fifth aspects described above, wherein the first duct is provided with a second opening located on the rear side of the through hole and communicating with the through hole, and the second opening is provided facing the through hole in the front-rear direction of the vehicle.

[0016] In a fender liner structure according to a sixth aspect of this disclosure, the first duct is positioned on the vehicle rear side of the through-hole and has a second opening that communicates with the through-hole. Furthermore, since the second opening is provided opposite the through-hole in the vehicle longitudinal direction, air can be efficiently flowed from the through-hole to the second opening.

[0017] A fender liner structure according to a seventh aspect of the present disclosure, in any configuration of the first to sixth aspects, wherein the second duct has a first opening at its front end, and the first opening is open toward a fan located behind a radiator mounted on the vehicle.

[0018] In the fender liner structure according to the seventh aspect of this disclosure, the first opening is directed toward a fan located behind the radiator mounted on the vehicle, so that air can be efficiently taken in.

[0019] A fender liner structure according to an eighth aspect of the present disclosure, in the configuration of the seventh aspect, the duct has an extension that extends from the second duct toward the fan.

[0020] In the fender liner structure according to the eighth aspect of the present disclosure, the duct has an extension that extends from the second duct toward the fan. As a result, the extension brings the first opening closer to the fan, allowing for more efficient air intake.

[0021] A vehicle according to a ninth aspect of the present disclosure has a fender liner structure comprising: a fender liner provided in the wheel well of the front wheel; a through hole provided in the rear of the fender liner in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle; a first duct positioned on the rear side of the through hole and communicating with the through hole; and a second duct provided on the inside of the fender liner in the width direction of the vehicle and connected to the first duct.

[0022] A vehicle according to the ninth aspect of this disclosure has a fender liner structure that includes a through-hole provided at the rear of the fender liner in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, a first duct located on the rear side of the through-hole and communicating with the through-hole, and a second duct provided on the inside of the fender liner in the width direction of the vehicle and connected to the first duct. As a result, the negative pressure generated in the through-hole can expel air from the power unit room through the duct. This suppresses a decrease in aerodynamic characteristics and reduces heat buildup in the power unit room.

[0023] As described above, the fender liner structure of the first aspect of this disclosure can suppress a decrease in aerodynamic characteristics and reduce heat buildup in the power unit room.

[0024] Furthermore, according to the fender liner structure of the second aspect of this disclosure, the shape of the duct can be designed to have low hydrodynamic resistance and high exhaust efficiency. In addition, the duct can be retrofitted to an existing fender liner. Moreover, it is possible to construct the duct from a resin material different from that of the fender liner.

[0025] Furthermore, according to the fender liner structure of the third aspect of this disclosure, the number of man-hours required for molding can be reduced, and the number of parts can be reduced. In addition, the generation of wind noise can be suppressed.

[0026] Furthermore, according to the fender liner structure of the fourth aspect of this disclosure, the amount of air discharged through the duct can be increased.

[0027] Furthermore, according to the fender liner structure of the fifth aspect of this disclosure, the amount of air taken into the duct can be increased.

[0028] Furthermore, according to the fender liner structure of the sixth aspect of this disclosure, air can be efficiently flowed from the through hole to the second opening.

[0029] Furthermore, according to the fender liner structure of the seventh aspect of this disclosure, air can be efficiently taken in.

[0030] Furthermore, according to the fender liner structure of the eighth aspect of this disclosure, air can be taken in more efficiently.

[0031] Furthermore, according to the vehicle of the ninth aspect of this disclosure, a decrease in aerodynamic characteristics can be suppressed, and heat buildup in the power unit room can be reduced.

[0032] This is a schematic right side view showing an example of the front structure of a vehicle equipped with the fender liner structure according to the first embodiment of this disclosure. This is a plan cross-sectional view taken along line II-II in Figure 1. This is a perspective view showing an example of the fender liner structure according to the first embodiment of this disclosure. This is a perspective view showing an example of the fender liner structure according to a modified example of the first embodiment of this disclosure. This is a diagram showing a part of the plan cross-sectional view corresponding to Figure 2 of the fender liner structure according to a modified example of the first embodiment of this disclosure. This is a plan cross-sectional view corresponding to Figure 2 of the fender liner structure according to the second embodiment of this disclosure.

[0033] <First Embodiment> The front fender liner structure S according to the first embodiment of this disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. In this specification and the drawings, components having substantially the same functional configuration are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations will be omitted. Also, the arrow FR shown as appropriate in each figure indicates the front side in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, the arrow UP indicates the upper side in the vertical direction of the vehicle, and the arrow OUT indicates the outer side in the width direction of the vehicle. Hereafter, when simply using the directions of longitudinal, vertical, left and right, and inner and outer, unless otherwise specified, these refer to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, the vertical direction of the vehicle, the left and right in the left-right direction (width direction) of the vehicle, and the inner and outer sides in the width direction of the vehicle.

[0034] Figure 1 is a schematic right side view showing an example of the front structure of a vehicle 10 equipped with the front fender liner structure S according to the first embodiment of this disclosure, and Figure 2 is a plan cross-sectional view taken along line II-II in Figure 1. Although Figure 1 shows the structure of the right front side of the vehicle 10, the structure is basically symmetrical, so the explanation of the structure of the left front side is omitted. Also, since Figure 2 schematically shows the main parts of the vehicle 10 including the front fender liner structure S, the thickness of each component such as body panels is omitted and shown with thick lines.

[0035] As shown in Figure 2, a pair of left and right front side members 12 are provided on both outer sides in the vehicle width direction at the front of the vehicle 10, each extending along the vehicle's longitudinal direction. The front ends of the pair of left and right front side members 12 are connected to a front bumper reinforcement 13 that extends along the vehicle width direction. Furthermore, the rear ends of the pair of left and right front side members 12 are connected to a dash panel 14 that extends along the vehicle width direction in a plan view. A power unit 30, which serves as a driving source for the vehicle, such as an engine and a drive motor, is provided in the power unit room 16, which is the space enclosed by these vehicle frame members.

[0036] The power unit room 16 described above is covered by the vehicle's exterior panel, which forms part of the design surface. Specifically, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, the top surface of the power unit room 16 is covered by a hood 18 that extends along the vehicle's longitudinal and width directions, and both sides of the power unit room 16 are covered by a pair of left and right front fender panels 19 that extend along the vehicle's longitudinal and vertical directions. Furthermore, the front end of the power unit room 16 is covered by a front bumper cover 22 that extends along the vehicle's width and vertical directions.

[0037] Furthermore, a drive shaft 24 extends from the power unit 30 with the vehicle width direction as its axial direction. The front wheel 26 is attached to the axial end of the drive shaft 24 and is driven to rotate by the drive shaft 24, which rotates around its axis in response to the driving force of the power unit 30.

[0038] The front wheel 26 is located within a front wheel house 28, which has a roughly concave curved shape and is open outward in the vehicle width direction. In Figure 2, the front wheel house 28 is shown as a dashed line. The front wheel house 28 as a whole has a shape like a sphere cut into roughly one-quarter sections, and is positioned to span from the front side member 12 to an apron upper member (not shown).

[0039] Furthermore, within the power unit room 16, a radiator 32 is positioned on the vehicle's front side of the power unit 30, acting as a heat exchanger that circulates refrigerant between the power unit 30 and the radiator 32 to exchange heat. The radiator 32 is positioned opposite a front bumper grille (not shown), located in the center of the front bumper cover 22, in the vehicle's front-to-rear direction, so that airflow during vehicle operation is introduced into the radiator 32 through the front bumper grille. An electric fan 34 is also provided on the rear side of the radiator 32 to forcibly draw outside air towards the radiator 32. The electric fan 34 is held in place by a resin fan shroud 36 attached to the rear side of the radiator 32.

[0040] Although not shown in the diagram, the radiator 32, electric fan 34, and fan shroud 36 mentioned above are supported on the front side member 12, for example, by a radiator support (not shown).

[0041] Next, the front fender liner structure S according to this embodiment will be described in detail. Figure 3 shows a perspective view of an example of the front fender liner structure S. As shown in this figure, the front fender liner structure S is composed of a front fender liner 40 disposed on the inner circumference side of the front wheel house 28 and a duct 50 provided on the rear side 40A of the front fender liner 40. Both the front fender liner 40 and the duct 50 are made of resin.

[0042] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the front fender liner 40 has a shape substantially similar to that of the front wheel house 28 and is attached to the front wheel house 28 by clips (not shown) as an example. The front fender liner 40 is composed of an inner wall 44 that covers the front, rear, and inside of the front wheel 26, and an upper wall 46 that extends outward in the vehicle width direction from the upper end of the inner wall 44 and covers the upper side of the front wheel 26. A substantially circular opening 46A is formed in the approximate center of the upper wall 46, through which the upper end of a shock absorber (not shown) is inserted.

[0043] At the rear end of the inner wall 44, a through hole 42 penetrating the inner wall 44 in the vehicle front-rear direction is formed, which communicates the space behind the front wheel 26 with the space in a duct 50 described later.

[0044] This duct 50 is configured as a separate body from the front fender liner 40. The duct 50 is generally formed in a long shape and has a hat-shaped longitudinal cross-sectional shape. More specifically described, the duct 50 includes a duct main body portion 52 with an open side facing the inner side surface 44A of the inner wall 44 of the front fender liner 40, and an upper flange portion 54 and a lower flange portion 56 that are bent in a direction away from each other in the vehicle up-down direction from the upper and lower end portions on the open side of the duct main body portion 52.

[0045] The duct main body portion 52 is composed of a curved portion (second duct) 52A that is curved and extended along the shape of the inner side surface 44A of the inner wall 44, and a straight portion (first duct) 52B that is connected to the curved portion 52A and is bent from the outer end of the curved portion 52A toward the rear side of the vehicle and extended in the vehicle front-rear direction.

[0046] The upper flange portion 54 is composed of a first upper flange portion 54A bent upward from the front edge of the upper wall of the curved portion 52A and a second upper flange portion 54B bent upward from the outer side edge in the vehicle width direction of the upper wall of the straight portion 52B. The lower flange portion 56 is composed of a first lower flange portion 56A bent downward from the front edge of the lower wall of the curved portion 52A and a second lower flange portion 56B bent downward from the outer side edge in the vehicle width direction of the lower wall of the straight portion 52B.

[0047] The first upper flange portion 54A and the first lower flange portion 56A are joined to the inner side surface 44A of the inner wall 44 of the rear portion 40A of the front fender liner 40 by an adhesive, heat welding, or the like. Further, the second upper flange portion 54B and the second lower flange portion 56B are joined to the back side of the front fender panel 19. As a result, a first opening 52C with an opening surface facing the electric fan 34 is formed on the inner end side of the curved portion 52A. Also, on the outer end side of the straight portion 52B, a second opening 52D with an opening surface facing the surface side of the door outer panel 21 of the front side door 20 is formed outside the side outer panel 17 disposed on the outer side in the vehicle width direction of the front pillar 15 (see FIG. 2). The second opening 52D is disposed to face the through hole 42 described above in the vehicle front-rear direction. And the portion connecting the first opening 52C and the second opening 52D in the duct 50 is taken as a ventilation passage D through which air passes.

[0048] In the present embodiment, as an example, the duct 50 is arranged such that the center line in the vertical direction of the duct 50, that is, the center of the ventilation passage D, is horizontal with respect to the vehicle 10. Also, the duct 50 is arranged such that the first opening 52C and the second opening 52D are located within the range in the vehicle vertical direction of the front wheel 26, and preferably, is arranged to be located slightly above the center in the vehicle vertical direction of the front wheel 26.

[0049] Also, as shown in FIG. 2, the duct 50 is formed such that the inner diameter becomes wider toward the first opening 52C. Specifically, as an example, the inner diameter B2 of the first opening 52C is wider than the inner diameter B1 of the middle portion in the longitudinal direction of the curved portion 52A, and is formed such that the inner diameter gradually becomes wider from the middle portion in the longitudinal direction to the first opening 52C. In other words, it is formed such that the inner diameter gradually becomes narrower from the first opening 52C to the middle portion in the longitudinal direction. Note that the inner diameter B2 of the first opening 52C may be wider than the inner diameter B3 of the rear end in the longitudinal direction of the curved portion 52A, and may be formed such that the inner diameter gradually becomes wider from the rear end in the longitudinal direction of the curved portion 52A to the first opening 52C.

[0050] The front fender liner 40, which integrates the aforementioned duct 50, is attached to the front wheel house 28, which is shown by a dashed line in Figure 2. Therefore, in this embodiment, a duct housing portion 28A is integrally formed at the rear of the front wheel house 28, projecting inward in the vehicle width direction at the location where the duct 50 is to be installed. The duct housing portion 28A is formed to be the size and shape necessary to accommodate the duct 50, and is formed by making the rear of the front wheel house 28 protrude inward in a concave shape in the vehicle width direction.

[0051] Furthermore, a third opening 28B is formed at the front end (inner end) of the duct housing 28A, which is positioned opposite the first opening 52C of the duct 50 and communicates with the first opening 52C. Also, a fourth opening (not shown) is formed at the rear end (outer end) of the duct housing 28A, which communicates with the second opening 52D of the duct 50.

[0052] Therefore, when the front fender liner 40 is attached to the front wheel house 28, the duct 50 is housed within the duct housing 28A, and the third opening 28B and the first opening 52C are connected to each other in this order, as are the fourth opening and the second opening 52D.

[0053] (Function and Effects) Next, the function and effects of this embodiment will be described.

[0054] In the front fender liner structure S according to this embodiment, a through hole 42 is provided in the rear portion 40A of the front fender liner 40, and the duct 50 is positioned on the vehicle rear side of the through hole 42 and has a straight portion 52B that communicates with the through hole 42 and a curved portion 52A that is provided on the inside in the vehicle width direction of the front fender liner 40 and connected to the straight portion 52B. In this way, when a through hole 42 is provided in the rear portion 40A of the front fender liner 40, as shown in Figure 2, a negative pressure is generated behind the front wheel in the front wheel house 28 due to the air drawn into the front wheel 26 (indicated by arrow A1 in Figure 2).

[0055] Therefore, the negative pressure generated in the through-hole 42 allows air from inside the power unit room 16 to be drawn into the duct 50 through the first opening 52C of the curved section 52A, as indicated by arrow A2. Then, the air that has passed through the duct 50, i.e., the ventilation passage D (indicated by arrow A3 in Figure 2), can be discharged together with the air discharged from the through-hole 42 through the second opening 52D of the straight section 52B, as indicated by arrow A4. This suppresses a decrease in aerodynamic performance and reduces heat buildup inside the power unit room.

[0056] Furthermore, in the front fender liner structure S of this embodiment, the curved portion 52A has a first opening 52C at its front end, and at least a portion of the curved portion 52A on the front end of the vehicle has an inner diameter that widens towards the first opening 52C, so that the amount of air taken into the duct 50 can be increased.

[0057] Furthermore, in the front fender liner structure S of this embodiment, the straight section 52B is positioned on the vehicle rear side of the through hole 42 and has a second opening 52D that communicates with the through hole 42. Also, since the second opening 52D is provided opposite the through hole 42 in the vehicle front-rear direction, air can be efficiently flowed from the through hole 42 to the second opening 52D.

[0058] Furthermore, in the front fender liner structure S of this embodiment, the first opening 52C is directed toward the electric fan 34 located behind the radiator 32 mounted on the vehicle 10, so that air can be efficiently taken in.

[0059] Furthermore, in the front fender liner structure S of this embodiment, the duct 50 is positioned such that the vertical centerline of the duct 50, i.e., the center of the air passage D, is horizontal with respect to the vehicle 10, allowing air to pass through the duct 50 efficiently.

[0060] Furthermore, in the front fender liner structure S of this embodiment, the ventilation passage D is provided by attaching the first upper flange portion 54A and the first lower flange portion 56A of the duct 50, which is constructed separately from the front fender liner 40, to the rear portion 40A of the front fender liner 40. As a result, the duct 50 can be designed without being constrained by the molding of the front fender liner 40. Therefore, the shape of the duct 50 can be designed to have low hydrodynamic resistance and high exhaust efficiency. Moreover, because the duct 50 is constructed separately from the front fender liner 40, the duct 50 can be retrofitted to an existing fender liner. In addition, because the duct 50 is constructed separately from the front fender liner 40, it is possible to construct the duct 50 from a different resin material than the front fender liner 40.

[0061] <Modification 1> In the front fender liner structure S of the first embodiment described above, the front fender liner 40 and the duct 50 are constructed as separate components, but the invention is not limited to this, and the two may be constructed as an integrated unit.

[0062] Figure 4 shows a perspective view of the front fender liner structure S1 according to modification 1 of the front fender liner structure S described above, and will be described below. In this explanation, the same numbers will be used for components identical to those of the front fender liner structure S described above, and their explanations will be omitted.

[0063] As shown in Figure 4, the modified front fender liner structure S1 of the first modification is characterized in that the duct 50A is integrally formed with the front fender liner 40. Specifically, the duct 50A does not have a first upper flange portion 54A and a first lower flange portion 56A, and the upper wall 52A1 and lower wall 52A2 of the curved portion 52A of the duct 50A extend integrally from the inner surface 44A of the fender liner 40 toward the rear of the vehicle. In addition, the second upper flange portion 54B and the second lower flange portion 56B extend toward the rear of the vehicle from the outer edge in the vehicle width direction of the inner surface 44A of the fender liner 40, with their edges aligned.

[0064] (Function and Effects) Next, the function and effects of the front fender liner structure S1 according to Modification 1 will be explained.

[0065] In the front fender liner structure S1 according to Modification 1, the duct 50A is integrally formed with the front fender liner 40, which reduces the number of man-hours required for molding and the number of parts. Furthermore, because the duct 50A is integrally formed with the front fender liner 40, a mounting flange between the two is not required, and as a result, there is no step when viewed from the airflow direction. This helps to suppress the generation of wind noise.

[0066] <Modification 2> Figure 5 shows a portion of the main cross-sectional view of the front fender liner structure S2 according to modification 2 of the front fender liner structure S described above, and will be explained below. In the explanation, the same numbers will be used for components identical to those of the front fender liner structure S described above, and their explanations will be omitted.

[0067] As shown in Figure 5, in the modified front fender liner structure S2 of the 2nd example, the curved portion 52A has a first opening 52C at its front end, and the duct 50B is formed such that its inner diameter narrows as it moves from the first opening 52C towards the straight portion 52B. Specifically, as an example, the inner diameter B1 of the middle portion in the longitudinal direction of the curved portion 52A is narrower than the inner diameter B2 of the first opening 52C, and the inner diameter gradually narrows from the first opening 52C to the inner diameter B1 of the middle portion in the longitudinal direction of the curved portion 52A.

[0068] (Function and Effects) Next, the function and effects of the front fender liner structure S2 according to modified example 2 will be explained.

[0069] In the modified front fender liner structure S2, the middle section B1 in the longitudinal direction of the curved section 52A is narrower than the inner diameter B2 of the first opening 52C, which is the airflow inlet indicated by arrow A2 in the duct 50B. As a result, the air velocity increases as you move towards the straight section 52B. This makes it possible to increase the amount of air discharged through the duct 50B.

[0070] In the above modified example 2, the inner diameter B1 of the middle portion in the longitudinal direction of the curved portion 52A is narrower than the inner diameter B2 of the first opening 52C, but the disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, the inner diameter B4 of the second opening 52D, which is the outlet for the airflow, may be narrower than the inner diameter B2 of the first opening 52, which is the inlet for the airflow. In this case, in the duct 50B, the inner diameter B4 of the second opening 52D, which is the outlet for the airflow indicated by arrow A4, is narrower than the inner diameter B2 of the first opening 52C, which is the inlet for the airflow indicated by arrow A2, so the airflow velocity increases as you move towards the second opening 52D. Alternatively, for example, the inner diameter may be formed to gradually narrow from the first opening 52C to the rear end in the longitudinal direction of the curved portion 52A. Furthermore, for example, the inner diameter B4 of the second opening 52D may be narrower than the inner diameter B1 of the intermediate part in the longitudinal direction of the curved portion 52A. More specifically, the inner diameter may be gradually narrowed from the intermediate part in the longitudinal direction to the second opening 52D.

[0071] <Second Embodiment> Next, a front fender liner structure S3 according to the second embodiment of this disclosure will be described. Figure 6 is a plan cross-sectional view of the main part of the front fender liner structure S3 according to the second embodiment, corresponding to Figure 2. In the front fender liner structure S3 according to the second embodiment, components that are the same as those described in the first embodiment above will be given the same numbers and their descriptions will be omitted.

[0072] As shown in Figure 6, the front fender liner structure S3 of the second embodiment is characterized in that the duct 50C is extended to the vicinity of the electric fan 34. Specifically, the duct 50C is composed of a portion corresponding to the duct body portion 52 in the first embodiment described above (shown with the same reference numeral "52") and an extension portion 60 corresponding to the portion extended from the duct body portion 52.

[0073] The extension 60 extends from the front end of the duct body 52 toward the electric fan 34, and a second ventilation passage D2 is formed inside it. A first opening 62C is provided at the front end of the extension 60 in the vehicle's longitudinal direction, and a second opening 52D is provided at the rear end of the duct body 52 in the vehicle's longitudinal direction.

[0074] Furthermore, the first opening 62C is open toward the electric fan 34, and is formed so that its inner diameter widens towards the first opening 62C. Specifically, as an example, the inner diameter B5 of the first opening 62C is wider than the inner diameter B2 of the front end in the longitudinal direction of the curved portion 52A corresponding to the duct body portion 52, and is formed so that the inner diameter gradually widens from the front end in the longitudinal direction of the curved portion 52A to the first opening 62C. In other words, it is formed so that the inner diameter gradually narrows from the first opening 62C to the front end in the longitudinal direction of the curved portion 52A. It is also possible that the inner diameter gradually widens from the rear end in the longitudinal direction of the curved portion 52A to the first opening 62C.

[0075] (Operation and Effects) Next, the operation and effects of this embodiment will be described.

[0076] In the front fender liner structure S3 of this embodiment, the duct 50C extends from the front end of the duct body 52 in the vehicle's longitudinal direction toward the electric fan 34 and includes an extension 60 having a closed cross-section that constitutes a second ventilation passage D2, with a first opening 62C provided at the front end of the extension 60. Therefore, the extension 60 brings the first opening 62C closer to the electric fan 34, allowing for more efficient air intake.

[0077] [Supplementary Explanation] In the embodiment described above, the through hole 42 and the second opening 52D are provided facing each other in the vehicle's longitudinal direction, but this disclosure is not limited to this. As long as the through hole 42 and the second opening 52D are in communication, for example, only a portion of them may face each other, or they may not necessarily face each other at all.

[0078] Furthermore, in the embodiments described above, the inner diameter of the ventilation passages within the ducts 50, 50A to 50C is configured to change, but the disclosure is not limited to this, and the inner diameter of the ventilation passages does not have to change.

[0079] Furthermore, in the embodiments described above, the center of the ventilation passages within the ducts 50, 50A to 50C is configured to be horizontal with respect to the vehicle 10, but the disclosure is not limited thereto. The center of the ventilation passages within the ducts 50, 50A to 50C may be arranged diagonally such that the rear side of the vehicle is downward, or diagonally such that the rear side of the vehicle is upward.

[0080] Furthermore, in the embodiments described above, a front fender liner structure mounted on the front side of the vehicle 10 was described as an example of a fender liner structure, but the disclosure is not limited thereto. The fender liner structure of the disclosure can also be applied to a rear fender liner structure mounted on the rear side of the vehicle 10.

[0081] Furthermore, the configuration of this disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described above, and the configuration can be modified as appropriate, as long as the problem can be solved.

[0082] Furthermore, the disclosure of Japanese Patent Application No. 2024-176132, filed on 7 October 2024, is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. All documents, patent applications, and technical standards described herein are incorporated herein by reference to the same extent as if each individual document, patent application, and technical standard were specifically and individually noted to be incorporated by reference.

Claims

1. A fender liner structure comprising: a fender liner provided in the wheel well of the front wheel; a through hole provided in the rear of the fender liner in the vehicle longitudinal direction; a first duct positioned on the rear side of the through hole and communicating with the through hole; and a second duct provided on the inside of the fender liner in the vehicle width direction and connected to the first duct.

2. The fender liner structure according to claim 1, wherein the duct is formed in an open cross-sectional shape and is configured as a separate component from the fender liner, and the open end of the duct is attached to the inner surface of the fender liner in the vehicle width direction.

3. The fender liner structure according to claim 1, wherein the duct is integrally configured with the fender liner.

4. The fender liner structure according to claim 1, wherein the second duct has a first opening at its front end, and the duct has a portion where the inner diameter narrows as it moves from the first opening toward the first duct.

5. The fender liner structure according to claim 1, wherein the second duct has a first opening at its front end, and at least a portion of the front end of the second duct has a portion where the inner diameter widens towards the first opening.

6. The fender liner structure according to claim 1, wherein the first duct is provided with a second opening located on the rear side of the through hole and communicating with the through hole, and the second opening is provided facing the through hole in the front-rear direction of the vehicle.

7. The fender liner structure according to claim 1, wherein the second duct has a first opening at its front end, and the first opening is open toward a fan located behind a radiator mounted on the vehicle.

8. The fender liner structure according to claim 7, wherein the duct has an extension portion that extends from the second duct toward the fan.

9. A vehicle having a fender liner structure comprising: a fender liner provided in the wheel well of the front wheel; a through hole provided in the rear of the fender liner in the vehicle longitudinal direction; a first duct positioned on the rear side of the through hole and communicating with the through hole; and a second duct provided on the inside of the fender liner in the vehicle width direction and connected to the first duct.

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