JP3603633B2 - Automobile undercover structure - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to under-cover structure for closing the lower side of the drive unit mounted room such as a vehicle body front part of an engine room of an automobile.
[0002]
[Prior art]
For the purpose of improving the aerodynamic characteristics of the lower part of the vehicle body, preventing splash intrusion into a drive unit mounting room such as an engine room at the front of the vehicle body, preventing chipping, and preventing hot air, noise, etc. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, there is known one in which the lower sides of engine rooms E and R are closed by an under cover 51 made of a synthetic resin material.
[0003]
Basically, the under cover 51 has a plurality of locations on the left and right sides thereof fastened and fixed to the strength member 52 at the front of the vehicle body, and the front edge is fixed to the lower edge of the front bumper 53.
[0004]
As shown in FIG. 6, a chin spoiler 54 made of a synthetic resin having a substantially U-shaped cross section is attached to the lower edge of the front bumper 53 so as to further improve the aerodynamic characteristics and the appearance. In this case, the front edge of the under cover 51 is, for example, an engaging portion 51a provided on the front edge as shown in the figure, and an engaging portion 54a provided on the upper wall of the chin spoiler 54. Are fixed to the lower edge of the front bumper 53 integrally with the upper wall in a state where they are engaged with each other.
[0005]
In FIG. 6, reference numeral 55 denotes an air introduction port of the front bumper 53, reference numeral 56 denotes a condenser for air conditioning, reference numeral 57 denotes a radiator, and reference numeral 58 denotes a reinforcing stay for the front body front frame.
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
The under cover 51 is made of a single resin panel. The under cover 51 has a panel structure with many irregularities for the purpose of attachment, air guide, reinforcement, and the like. Therefore, the flow on the lower surface of the undercover 51 is disturbed by these irregularities, and a large number of vortices are generated, so that the air is difficult to flow smoothly.
[0007]
In addition, as described above, when the chin spoiler 54 having a substantially U-shaped cross section is attached to the lower edge of the front bumper 53 to increase the flow rate under the floor and increase the downforce acting on the front part of the vehicle body, the chin spoiler is required. As shown by the arrow in FIG. 6, a large vortex is generated behind the air flow 54, which further deteriorates the flowability of the air.
[0008]
In addition, when the downforce is increased in this manner, the bending rigidity (surface rigidity) of the under cover 51 to the lower side due to the negative pressure is insufficient.
[0009]
Further, apart from such aerodynamic characteristics problems, since the under cover 51 has a single resin panel structure as described above, it cannot be denied that it is disadvantageous in terms of sound insulation and heat insulation effects.
[0010]
Therefore, the present invention provides an undercover structure for an automobile that can further improve the aerodynamic characteristics of the front portion of the vehicle body and further increase the rigidity, sound insulation, and heat insulation effects.
[0011]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
According to the first aspect of the present invention, the flat undercover for closing the lower side of the drive unit mounting room separated from the front of the vehicle body is formed in a hollow upper and lower double wall structure, and the lower wall is formed. The chin spoiler has a substantially flat surface and is connected to the lower edge of the front bumper. A fin spoiler is disposed at a distance from the side edge to the center of the vehicle body and is continuous with the rim of the chin spoiler at the center of the vehicle body, and a front fender extends over the chin spoiler and the baffle plate. The front end portion of the protector is connected to form a duct portion that opens in the front-rear direction toward the tire house .
[0012]
In the invention of claim 2, the front edge portion of the under cover according to claim 1, attached to the lower wall of the switch down spoiler, that is arranged below the chin spoiler said undercover Features.
[0013]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, a plurality of downwardly bulging bead portions are formed on the upper wall of the under cover according to the first and second aspects, and the bead portions are joined to the lower wall. I have.
[0014]
According to the invention of claim 4, the undercover according to any one of claims 1 to 3 is divided into a front part and a rear part, and the front part and the rear part are inserted into one of the insertion piece and the other. It is characterized in a socket portion provided that connect plug fitted in the front-rear direction.
[0015]
According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the socket portion according to the fourth aspect receives the insertion piece and engages with the lower surface thereof, and the guide concave portion is formed so as to be offset from the guide concave portion in the front-rear direction. And an upper surface pressing portion that engages with the upper surface of the insertion piece while forming an insertion port with the end of the insertion piece.
[0016]
According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, a projection is provided on the upper surface of the insertion piece according to the fifth aspect, which is in contact with the upper surface pressing portion of the socket portion.
[0017]
According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, the positioning projection is provided such that the lower wall terminal of the chin spoiler engages with the upper wall of the front edge portion of the undercover joined to the lower wall of the chin spoiler according to the second to sixth aspects. It is characterized in that the formed part.
[0019]
In the invention of claim 8, the upper wall of the under cover side portion serving as a bottom portion of the double wall structure of the duct portion according to claim 7, elaborate around the side edges from the leading edge substantially along the edge shape is characterized in that recessed drainage guide groove for draining backward.
[0020]
In the invention of claim 9, the substantially rear half portion of the lower wall of the under cover side portion serving as a bottom portion of the double wall structure of the duct portion according to claim 1 to 8, are inclined obliquely rearwardly upwards diffuser It is characterized by the formation of the surface.
[0021]
【The invention's effect】
According to the first aspect of the present invention, the undercover has a hollow double-walled structure, and the lower wall is formed on a substantially flat surface. it made it, it is possible to enhance the anti-lift effect by increasing the down force generated in the vehicle body front portion.
[0022]
Also, even if the upper wall of the under cover is provided with many irregularities for its mounting, air guide, reinforcement, etc., it does not affect the aerodynamic characteristics of the lower wall in a small way. it is possible to expand the degree of freedom of the functional parts of the design.
[0023]
Further, since the undercover has a hollow upper and lower double wall structure, the rigidity can be increased without using a dedicated metal reinforcing member, and a surface rigidity that can sufficiently resist a large downforce can be obtained.
[0024]
In addition, this hollow structure enhances the sound insulation and heat insulation effects, and suppresses the emission of driving noise and hot air in the drive unit mounting room to the outside of the vehicle.
Further, a duct portion opened in the front-rear direction is provided in front of the tire house, and the duct portion enhances the rectifying effect of the airflow at the front side portion of the tire house, which is the most effective in aerodynamic characteristics, so that it is down. force can be further enhanced anti-lift effect more to further increase the.
In addition, since air flows from the duct toward the tire house, the cooling effect of the brake is enhanced, and the braking performance can be improved.
Further, the splash scattered from the tire house side into the duct portion by the air guide plate can be prevented from entering the drive unit mounting room.
[0025]
According to the second aspect of the present invention, in addition to the effect of the first aspect of the present invention, since the undercover is disposed below the chin spoiler, the underfloor flow rate of air is increased to further increase the downforce. it can be a by generating further enhance the anti-lift effect.
[0026]
According to the third aspect of the present invention, in addition to the effects of the first and second aspects of the present invention, the upper wall and the lower wall of the undercover are interposed via a plurality of bead portions bulged on the upper wall of the undercover. because you have joined the door, it is possible to further increase the rigidity of the under cover.
[0027]
According to the fourth aspect of the invention, in addition to the effects of the first to third aspects, the undercover is divided into a front portion and a rear portion, so that moldability can be improved, and Since the front and rear parts are inserted and connected in the front and rear direction with the insertion piece and the socket part, they are connected when using the towing hook, when exchanging radiator liquid or engine oil, and other maintenance work. Occasionally, only the front part or only the rear part, which is necessary, can be removed without having to remove the entire undercover, thereby improving workability.
[0028]
According to the fifth aspect of the invention, in addition to the effect of the fourth aspect, if the insertion piece is inserted into the insertion slot, the positioning in the left-right direction can be performed by the guide recess, so that the insertion workability can be improved. it can.
[0029]
According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the effect of the fifth aspect, the projection on the upper surface of the insertion piece abuts against the upper surface pressing portion of the socket, thereby pressing the insertion piece against the guide recess. able to not connect unit loose Te, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of rattling or the like.
[0030]
According to the seventh aspect of the invention, in addition to the effects of the second to sixth aspects, by engaging the chin spoiler lower wall terminal with the positioning projection, the surface consistency between the chin spoiler and the under cover is improved. As a result, it is possible to improve the sense of quality by eliminating displacement between the chin spoiler and the undercover in the front-rear direction or the left-right direction.
[0034]
According to the eighth aspect of the invention, in addition to the effects of the first to seventh aspects , even if the splash that has accumulated at the bottom of the duct portion flows forward during braking of the vehicle, the splash is reliably secured by the drain guide groove. Therefore, the splash can be prevented from flowing out from the wind guide port on the front side of the duct portion and deteriorating the appearance, and the sense of quality and reliability can be improved.
[0035]
According to the invention described in claim 9, in addition to the effect of the invention of claim 8, since the substantially rear half portion of the bottom lower surface of the duct section is formed with diffuser surface of the obliquely rearward upward, said diffuser Furthermore it is possible to improve the aerodynamic characteristic can be suppressed exfoliation from the wall surface of the air flow by the surface.
[0036]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
[0037]
FIG. 5 is an external perspective view showing a front portion of a vehicle body of an automobile adopting the present invention. A chin spoiler 3 is attached to a lower side of a front bumper 1 to improve aerodynamic characteristics of a vehicle front portion together with an under cover 11 described later. as was with are in, it is so enhanced the design effect established a look by the chin spoiler 3.
[0038]
Reference numeral 2A denotes a wind guide port provided in the center of the front bumper 1 to take in outside air into the engine room, 2B denotes a wind guide port provided on both sides to take outside air into an intercooler (not shown), and 4 denotes a chin spoiler 3. shows the air guide port provided on both sides of the front wall 3b of the.
[0039]
The chin spoiler 3 has a substantially U-shaped cross section made of a synthetic resin material, and has an upper wall 3a fixed to a lower edge portion of the front bumper 1 by a fastening member (not shown).
[0040]
Reference numeral 11 denotes a flat undercover made of a synthetic resin material for closing the lower side of the engine compartments E and R. The undercover 11 is formed by blow molding, for example, as shown in FIGS. It is formed into a hollow vertical double wall structure having and.
[0041]
In this embodiment, the undercover 11 is provided with side portions 11S on both sides projecting forward of the tire house 5 accommodating the front wheel, and a front portion 11A for closing a substantially front lower portion of a lower side of the engine rooms E and R. , it is divided into a rear portion 11B which closes the substantially rear half portion of the lower side of the engine room E · R.
[0042]
The lower wall 13 of the under cover 11 is formed in a substantially flat surface, while the upper wall 12 has a shape and a structure as required for mounting on the vehicle body side, for air guide, or for reinforcement. For example, a plurality of bead portions 14 bulging downward are formed on the upper wall 12 and the bead portions 14 are joined to the lower wall 13 to reinforce the upper wall 12 (see FIG. 4).
[0043]
The under cover 11 is basically fastened and fixed to a strength member (not shown) (not shown in FIG. 6) through a bracket 15 and a boss 16 provided on the upper wall 12. The portion is fastened and fixed to the lower wall 3C of the chin spoiler 3 via a boss portion 16 with a bolt / nut 17 or the like.
[0044]
The front portion 11A and the rear portion 11B of the undercover 11 are connected by inserting and inserting a plug 20 provided on one of them and a socket 21 provided on the other in the front-rear direction.
[0045]
In this embodiment, the insertion piece 20 is provided on the front portion 11A and the socket portion 21 is provided on the rear portion 11B. However, the arrangement may be reversed.
[0046]
The socket portion 21 is formed so as to receive the insertion piece 20 and engage with the lower surface thereof, and to be formed offset to the front of the guide recess 21a to form an insertion opening 21b between the front end of the guide recess 21a. In addition, an upper surface pressing portion 21C that engages with the upper surface of the insertion piece 20 is constituted. If the insertion piece 20 is inserted into the insertion opening 21b, positioning in the left-right direction can be performed by the guide concave portion 21a, and the insertion workability can be improved. It is like that.
[0047]
A projection 22 is formed on the upper surface of the insertion piece 20 to be in contact with the upper surface pressing portion 21C of the socket portion 21. When the insertion piece 20 is inserted into the socket portion 21, the projection 22 contacts the upper surface pressing portion 21C. The contact piece presses the insertion piece 20 against the guide recess 21a to prevent looseness as a loose connection part.
[0048]
On the upper wall 12 of the front edge portion of the front portion 11A, a positioning projection 25 to be engaged with the terminal of the lower wall 3C of the chin spoiler 3 is formed by bulging, and the surface alignment between the chin spoiler 3 and the front portion 11A is improved. , The chin spoiler 3 and the front portion 11A can be prevented from shifting in the front-rear direction or the left-right direction (particularly in the present embodiment, the positioning in the left-right direction) to improve the sense of quality.
[0049]
Also, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the side portions 11S on both sides of the front portion 11A are spaced apart from the side edges toward the center of the vehicle body, and the front edge portion is curved, so that the air introduction port 4 of the chin spoiler 3 is bent. The front end portion of the front fender protector 6 is connected to the front edge of the front fender protector 6 over the wind guide plate 31 and the upper wall 3a of the chin spoiler 3. constitute a duct 32 for feeding wheel house 5 f incorporates the air introduction port 4.
[0050]
In FIG. 3, reference numeral 33 denotes a sealing member interposed at a portion where the wind guide plate 31 and the front fender protector 6 are connected, and reference numeral 7 denotes a front side member to which the inner edge of the front fender protector 6 is connected.
[0051]
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the upper wall 12 of the side portion 11S, which is the bottom of the double wall structure of the duct portion 32, is recessed in a substantially V-shaped cross section and has a front edge to a side edge. substantially along the edge shape elaborate around the parts is provided with a water discharge guide groove 34 for draining to the rear.
[0052]
As shown by the imaginary line in FIG. 1, a diffuser surface 35 that is inclined obliquely upward and rearward is formed substantially in the rear half of the lower wall 13 of the side portion 11S.
[0053]
According to the structure of the above embodiment, the undercover 11 has a hollow double-walled structure, and the lower wall 13 is formed on a substantially flat surface. and it can be, it is possible to enhance the anti-lift effect by increasing the down force generated in the vehicle body front portion.
[0054]
Further, even if the upper wall 12 of the under cover 11 is provided with many irregularities for the purpose of attachment, air guide, reinforcement, etc., the aerodynamic characteristics of the lower wall 13 are not affected in any small way. Therefore, it is possible to expand the degree of freedom in design of the various functional parts of the.
[0055]
Further, since the undercover 11 has a hollow upper and lower double wall structure as described above, the rigidity can be enhanced without using a dedicated metal reinforcing material or the like, and the surface rigidity capable of sufficiently resisting a large downforce is generated. Can be secured.
[0056]
Further, the sound insulation and heat insulation effects are enhanced by this hollow structure, and the emission of engine driving noise and hot air in the engine rooms E and R to the outside of the vehicle can be suppressed.
[0057]
Here, in particular, in the present embodiment, since the under cover 11 is disposed below the chin spoiler 3, the under-flow velocity of the air is increased to generate a larger downforce, thereby further enhancing the anti-lift effect. Can be.
[0058]
Further, since the undercover 11 is divided into a front portion 11A and a rear portion 11B, the formability can be improved, and the front portion 11A and the rear portion 11B are separated by the insertion piece 20 and the socket portion 21. Because it is inserted and fitted in the front-rear direction, it is connected, so when replacing radiator liquid or engine oil or other maintenance work, only the front part 11A or only the rear part 11B without removing the entire undercover 11 can work by removing necessary portions, it is possible to improve the workability.
[0059]
In particular, when the front portion 11A is used to remove the front portion 11A, such as when using a towing hook, since the rear end portion is attached only by fitting the insertion piece 20 except for fastening and fixing the front edge portion. The attachment / detachment can be performed simply by removing the fastening portion provided at the front edge, and the attachment / detachment work can be easily performed without jacking up the vehicle body.
[0060]
On the other hand, a duct portion 32 opened in the front-rear direction is provided in front of the tire house 5, and the duct portion 32 enhances the rectifying effect of the air flow at the front side of the tire house 5, which is the most effective in aerodynamic characteristics. Therefore, the downforce can be further increased to further enhance the anti-lift effect, and the air can flow from the duct portion 32 toward the tire house 5, whereby the cooling effect of the brake can be enhanced and the braking performance can be improved. Can be improved.
[0061]
In addition, when the vehicle is running on rainy weather or the like, splash splashed from the front wheels scatters in the duct portion 32, but the splash is blocked by the air guide plate 31 and does not enter the engine rooms E and R.
[0062]
Since the splash is staying in the bottom of the duct portion 32, but this staying splash flows forward during vehicle braking, which can be drained rearward reliably caught in the drain guide grooves 34, thus, splash It is possible to improve the quality and reliability without flowing out from the air guide opening 4 on the front side of the duct portion 32 and deteriorating the appearance.
[0063]
Furthermore, since the diffuser surface 35 which rises obliquely rearward is formed substantially at the rear half of the lower surface of the bottom of the duct portion 32, the air diffuser surface 35 can suppress the separating action of the airflow from the wall surface, thereby improving aerodynamic characteristics. It can be further improved.
[Brief description of the drawings]
Exploded perspective view of the under cover in the embodiment of the present invention; FIG.
2 is a cross-sectional view showing a fitting state of connection between plug piece and the socket portion in FIG.
3 is a cross-sectional view showing a duct portion configured to the side portion in FIG. 1.
FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view of an area A in FIG. 1;
Figure 5 is an external perspective view of an automobile front adopting the same embodiment.
FIG. 6 is an explanatory sectional view showing a conventional structure.
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an undercover used in a conventional structure.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Front bumper 3 chin spoiler 4 air introduction port 5 tire housing 6 the front fender protector 11 under cover 11A front portion 11B rear portion 11S side portion 12 upper wall 13 bottom wall 14 bead portion 20 insertion piece 21 socket portion 21a guide recess 21b spigot 21c upper surface pressing portion 22 protruding portion 25 positioning projection 31 baffle plate 32 duct 34 the drain guide grooves 35 diffuser surface

Claims (9)

A flat undercover for closing a lower side of a drive unit mounting room separated from a front part of a vehicle body is formed in a hollow upper and lower double wall structure, a lower wall is formed in a substantially flat surface , and a front bumper is formed. The chin spoiler, which has a substantially U-shaped cross section connected to the lower edge of the vehicle, has airflow guide holes formed on both sides of the front wall, while the undercover covers both sides protruding forward from the tire house. The chin spoiler is provided with a wind guide plate that is continuous with the rim of the wind guide port of the chin spoiler on the center side of the vehicle body, and the front end portion of the front fender protector is connected over the chin spoiler and the wind guide plate to provide under cover structure for an automobile, characterized by being configured to the opened duct portion in the longitudinal direction towards the house. The front edge portion of the under cover, Ji emissions spoiler attached to the lower wall of the under cover structure for an automobile according to claim 1, characterized in that a said undercover below the chin spoiler. The undercover structure for an automobile according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of downwardly bulging bead portions are formed on an upper wall of the undercover, and the bead portions are joined to the lower wall. The undercover is divided into a front part and a rear part, and the front part and the rear part are connected by inserting and inserting the insertion piece provided on one of them and the socket part provided on the other in the front-rear direction. The undercover structure for an automobile according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: The socket portion receives the insertion piece and engages with the lower surface thereof, and is formed so as to be offset from the guide recess in the front-rear direction to form an insertion port between the guide recess and the end of the guide recess. 5. An undercover structure for an automobile according to claim 4, wherein said undercover structure comprises an upper surface pressing portion which engages with an upper surface of said vehicle. The undercover structure for an automobile according to claim 5, wherein a projection is formed on an upper surface of the insertion piece so as to abut on an upper surface pressing portion of the socket portion. 7. A positioning projection for engaging a terminal of a lower wall of a chin spoiler is formed on an upper wall of a front edge portion of an under cover coupled to a lower wall of the chin spoiler. An undercover structure for an automobile as described in the above. On the upper wall of the undercover side portion, which is the bottom of the double wall structure of the duct portion, a drain guide groove for draining rearward substantially along the edge portion extending from the front edge to the side edge is recessed. under cover structure for an automobile according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that. The substantially rear half portion of the lower wall of the under cover side portion serving as a bottom portion of the double wall structure of the duct portion, any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the formation of the diffuser surface inclined obliquely rearwardly upwards 4. An undercover structure for an automobile according to any one of the above.

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