Rear structure of vehicle

Abstract

A rear structure (10) of a vehicle includes a back window part (BW) composed of resin. This rear structure (10) comprises: a central region (R10) that is formed at the center in the width direction and extends in the front-rear direction; and a pair of outer-side regions (R20) provided to both sides of the central region in the width direction. The central region (R10) includes a central outer surface (S10) that is continuously connected from the front end (11) to the rear end (12) of the rear structure (10) of the vehicle. Each outer-side region (R20) includes: a front-side outer surface (S21) that protrudes upward from the central outer surface (S10); and a rear-side outer surface (S22) that is formed behind the front-side outer surface (S21) and is continuously connected to the central outer surface (S10) in the width direction.

Description

Rear structure of a vehicle

[0001] This disclosure relates to a rear structure of a vehicle.

[0002] For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2010-30465 discloses a rear structure of a vehicle including a roof portion, a back door, and a spoiler fixed to the upper part of the window of the back door. A recess extending in the vehicle front-rear direction is formed across the upper surface of the roof portion, the upper surface portion of the back door, and the upper surface portion of the spoiler. The recess has a first recess formed behind the upper surface of the roof portion, a second recess formed in the upper surface portion of the back door, and a third recess formed in the upper surface portion of the spoiler. The first recess, the second recess, and the third recess are substantially continuous in the vehicle front-rear direction. A gap is formed between the rear end portion of the first recess and the front end portion of the second recess, and between the rear end portion of the second recess and the front end portion of the third recess.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2010-30465

[0004] In the rear structure of a vehicle as described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2010-30465, it is desirable to further improve the aerodynamic characteristics.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a rear structure of a vehicle capable of improving aerodynamic characteristics.

[0006] A rear structure of a vehicle according to an aspect of this disclosure is a rear structure of a vehicle including a back window portion made of resin, having a central region formed at the center in the width direction of the vehicle and extending along the front-rear direction of the vehicle, and a pair of outer regions provided on both sides of the central region in the width direction. The central region has a central outer surface that is continuously connected from the front end portion to the rear end portion of the rear structure of the vehicle. Each of the pair of outer regions includes a front outer surface that bulges upward from the central outer surface, and a rear outer surface that is formed behind the front outer surface and is continuously connected to the central outer surface in the width direction.

[0007] According to this disclosure, it is possible to provide a rear structure of a vehicle capable of improving aerodynamic characteristics.

[0008] This is a schematic plan view showing a vehicle including the rear structure of a vehicle in one embodiment of the present disclosure. This is a schematic side view showing a vehicle. This is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III in Figure 1. This is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV in Figure 1. This is a schematic plan view showing a modified example of the vehicle. This is a schematic side view showing a modified example of the vehicle.

[0009] Embodiments of this invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the drawings referred to below, the same or equivalent components are given the same numbers.

[0010] Figure 1 is a schematic plan view showing a vehicle including the rear structure of a vehicle in one embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 2 is a side view of the vehicle. Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line III-III in Figure 1.

[0011] The vehicle 1 shown in Figures 1 and 2 is a so-called sedan type. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the vehicle 1 includes a body 2, a front windshield section FW, a rear windshield section BW, etc. The body 2 includes a back door 4.

[0012] The rear structure 10 of the vehicle includes a back window portion BW made of resin. The rear structure 10 of the vehicle may consist only of the back window portion BW. The rear structure 10 of the vehicle does not include a back door 4. As shown in Figure 1, the front end portion 11 of the rear structure 10 of the vehicle faces the rear end portion of the front window portion FW. The rear end portion 12 of the rear structure 10 of the vehicle faces the front end portion of the back door 4. The rear structure 10 of the vehicle is formed by bending a single resin plate. For example, the rear structure 10 of the vehicle may be manufactured by heating a flat polycarbonate resin molded product formed by extrusion molding or injection molding and forming it into a desired shape (such as a curved surface), or it may be manufactured by injection molding a resin substrate having a desired shape. The rear structure 10 of the vehicle has a central region R10 and a pair of outer regions R20.

[0013] The central region R10 is formed in the center of the vehicle 1 in the width direction. The central region R10 extends along the longitudinal direction. The central region R10 has a central outer surface S10 that is continuously connected from the front end 11 to the rear end 12 of the rear structure 10 of the vehicle. More specifically, the central outer surface S10 is smoothly continuous without steps or gaps over its entire length from its front end to its rear end. The central outer surface S10 may consist of a single curved surface that is convex upward. Here, "single curved surface" includes a curved surface having a constant curvature and curved surfaces having different curvatures and being continuously connected to each other. "Continuously connected" means that multiple curved surfaces having different curvatures are continuously connected, and the joints of each curved surface also have a smooth and consistent curvature, and there are no steps or discontinuous parts between each curved surface, and the whole consists of a seamless and uniform curved surface. Specifically, this means that the tangents at the junction of any two surfaces having different curvatures coincide, thereby maintaining a continuous and smooth curvature (continuous curve). Furthermore, it means that even in the parts where the convex direction of each surface reverses in an S-shape, a smooth and consistent curvature is maintained, the tangents at the junctions of each surface coincide, the change in curvature is continuous, and there are no steps or discontinuities.

[0014] A pair of outer regions R20 are provided on both sides of the central region R10 in the width direction. Each outer region R20 has an outer surface S20. The outer surface S20 has a front outer surface S21, a rear outer surface S22, and a connecting surface S23.

[0015] The front outer surface S21 rises upward from the central outer surface S10. The front outer surface S21 extends in the front-rear direction. The central outer surface S10 and the front outer surface S21 may be smoothly connected by a curved surface.

[0016] The rear outer surface S22 is formed behind the front outer surface S21. The rear outer surface S22 is continuously connected to the central outer surface S10 in the width direction. More specifically, each rear outer surface S22 and the central outer surface S10 are smoothly continuous without steps or gaps over the entire area from the left end of the rear outer surface S22 formed on the left side in the width direction to the right end of the rear outer surface S22 formed on the right side in the width direction. The front end of the rear outer surface S22 is located behind and below the rear end of the front outer surface S21.

[0017] The connecting surface S23 connects the front outer surface S21 and the rear outer surface S22. The connecting surface S23 is inclined so as it moves towards the rear. As shown in Figure 2, the connecting surface S23 and the front outer surface S21 are smoothly connected by a curved surface, and the connecting surface S23 and the rear outer surface S22 are smoothly connected by a curved surface.

[0018] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the central region R10 and each outer region R20 have a base layer 510, a heat shielding layer 520, a waterproof layer 530, a hard coat layer 540, a functional layer 550, and a back surface protective layer 560.

[0019] The base layer 510 is made of a light-transmitting resin (such as polycarbonate). The base layer 510 may be colorless or lightly colored with additives.

[0020] The heat-shielding layer 520 is provided on the surface of the base layer 510 via the adhesive layer 505. The heat-shielding layer 520 covers the base layer 510 via the adhesive layer 505. The thickness of the heat-shielding layer 520 is less than the thickness of the base layer 510. The heat-shielding layer 520 is light-transmitting.

[0021] The waterproof layer 530 is provided on the surface of the heat-shielding layer 520 via an adhesive layer 506. The waterproof layer 530 covers the heat-shielding layer 520 via the adhesive layer 506. The waterproof layer 530 is made of polyethylene terephthalate, polycarbonate, or the like. The waterproof layer 530 is light-transmitting. The waterproof layer 530 may be colored. The light transmittance of the base layer 510 is higher than that of the waterproof layer 530. The thickness of the waterproof layer 530 is less than the thickness of the base layer 510.

[0022] The hard coat layer 540 is provided on the surface of the waterproof layer 530. The hard coat layer 540 is made of a material with higher hardness than the material constituting the waterproof layer 530 and covers the surface of the waterproof layer 530. The hard coat layer 540 is light-transmitting. Preferably, the hard coat layer 540 has the function of protecting the heat-shielding layer 520 from ultraviolet rays.

[0023] The functional layer 550 is provided within the base layer 510. The functional layer 550 has a predetermined function. Examples of predetermined functions include power generation function, dimming function, and display function. In the example shown in Figures 3 and 4, a dimming layer is used as the functional layer 550. Specifically, the functional layer 550 has a dimming element 552 that can be dimmed and a sealing layer 554 that seals the dimming element 552. The functional layer 550 may be omitted, and if the functional layer 550 is omitted, the base layer 510 may be a single layer.

[0024] The back surface protective layer 560 is provided on the back surface of the base layer 510. The back surface protective layer 560 covers the back surface of the base layer 510. The back surface protective layer 560 may be composed of a low-emission film (Low-E film). In this case, the low-emission film is bonded to the back surface of the base layer 510 via an adhesive layer. The back surface protective layer 560 may further include a hard coat layer that covers the low-emission film. The back surface protective layer 560 may be omitted. The base layer 510 may be made by co-extrusion molding of polycarbonate resin and acrylic resin. Since the co-extruded acrylic resin can serve as a substitute for the hard coat layer, the hard coat layer 540 may be omitted when the acrylic resin portion is located on the outermost surface in a co-extruded product.

[0025] A printed layer 570, such as black, is provided on the back surface of the protective layer 560. An adhesive 507 is provided between the printed layer 570 and the vehicle body 2.

[0026] As described above, in the rear structure 10 of the vehicle in this embodiment, the central outer surface S10 is continuously connected from the front end 11 to the rear end 12 of the rear structure 10 of the vehicle, so that the air resistance generated in the rear structure 10 while the vehicle 1 is running is reduced. Therefore, the aerodynamic characteristics are improved.

[0027] As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the vehicle 1 may be a so-called SUV type. In this embodiment, the rear structure 10 of the vehicle is formed behind the roof portion 20, which includes the shark fin 22. In other words, the front end 11 of the rear structure 10 of the vehicle in this embodiment faces the rear end of the roof portion 20. In this embodiment, the roof portion 20 is provided with a dimming element 552 of the functional layer 550.

[0028] The roof section 20 has a central upper surface S101 and a pair of outer upper surfaces S201 provided on both sides of the central upper surface S101 in the width direction. The central upper surface S101 is continuously connected to the central outer surface S10 of the vehicle's rear structure 10, except for the boundary between the roof section 20 and the vehicle's rear structure 10. Each outer upper surface S201 is also continuously connected to the front outer surface S21 of the vehicle's rear structure 10, except for the boundary between the roof section 20 and the vehicle's rear structure 10.

[0029] Those skilled in the art will understand that the exemplary embodiments described above are specific examples of the following embodiments.

[0030] [Aspect 1] A rear structure of a vehicle including a back window portion made of resin, comprising: a central region formed in the center in the width direction of the vehicle and extending along the front-rear direction of the vehicle; and a pair of outer regions provided on both sides of the central region in the width direction, wherein the central region has a central outer surface that is continuously connected from the front end to the rear end of the rear structure of the vehicle, and each of the pair of outer regions includes a front outer surface that rises upward from the central outer surface, and a rear outer surface formed behind the front outer surface and continuously connected to the central outer surface in the width direction.

[0031] In this vehicle's rear structure, the central outer surface is continuously connected from the front to the rear end of the rear structure, thus reducing air resistance generated in the rear structure while the vehicle is in motion. Therefore, the aerodynamic characteristics are improved.

[0032] [Aspect 2] The rear structure of a vehicle according to aspect 1, wherein each of the outer regions further includes a connecting surface that connects the front outer surface and the rear outer surface, and the front end of the rear outer surface is located behind and below the rear end of the front outer surface.

[0033] In this embodiment, rearward visibility from inside the vehicle is ensured while maintaining the rigidity of the outer region. Therefore, for example, damage to the outer region when a load is applied to its rear end is suppressed.

[0034] [Aspect 3] The rear structure of a vehicle according to aspect 1 or 2, wherein the central outer surface is composed of a single curved surface that is convex upward.

[0035] In this embodiment, the aerodynamic characteristics of the central outer surface are further improved while the vehicle is in motion.

[0036] [Aspect 4] The rear structure of a vehicle according to aspects 1 to 3, wherein the central region and the pair of outer regions include a base layer made of a light-transmitting resin and a heat-shielding layer provided on the surface of the base layer.

[0037] It should be noted that the embodiments disclosed herein are illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is indicated by the claims rather than the description of the embodiments above, and further includes all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims.

[0038] 1 Vehicle 2 Body 4 Back door 10 Rear structure of the vehicle 11 Front end 12 Rear end 22 Shark fin 510 Base layer 520 Heat shielding layer 530 Waterproof layer 540 Hard coat layer 550 Functional layer 560 Back surface protection layer 570 Printing layer BW Back window section FW Front window section R10 Central area R20 Outer area S10 Central outer surface S20 Outer outer surface S21 Front outer surface S22 Rear outer surface S23 Connecting surface S101 Central upper surface S201 Outer upper surface

Claims

1. A rear structure of a vehicle including a back window portion made of resin, comprising: a central region formed in the center in the width direction of the vehicle and extending along the longitudinal direction of the vehicle; and a pair of outer regions provided on both sides of the central region in the width direction, wherein the central region has a central outer surface that is continuously connected from the front end to the rear end of the rear structure of the vehicle, and each of the pair of outer regions includes a front outer surface that rises upward from the central outer surface, and a rear outer surface formed behind the front outer surface and continuously connected to the central outer surface in the width direction.

2. The rear structure of a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein each of the outer regions further includes a connecting surface that connects the front outer surface and the rear outer surface, and the front end of the rear outer surface is located behind and below the rear end of the front outer surface.

3. The rear structure of a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the central outer surface is composed of a single curved surface that is convex upward.

4. The rear structure of a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the central region and the pair of outer regions include a base layer made of a light-transmitting resin and a heat-shielding layer provided on the surface of the base layer.

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