JP7746789B2 - Vehicle airflow straightening structure - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a vehicle airflow straightening structure.

Patent Document 1 below discloses a straightening device for a vehicle having an entry/exit step provided below the cab door. The straightening device includes a first opening that opens toward the front of the vehicle in the cab or bumper and introduces wind while the vehicle is moving, a second opening that opens so that the wind introduced from the first opening is blown out into a lateral area on the vehicle widthwise outer side of a recessed area that forms the entry/exit step in the vehicle, and a connecting path that connects the first and second openings. The second opening is provided on the side of the vehicle, forward of the recessed area.

Patent No. 6488255

However, when a vehicle is in motion, turbulence can occur on the sides of the vehicle, increasing running resistance. For this reason, vehicle airflow straightening structures sometimes incorporate duct members inside the vehicle body so that the outside air introduced through an air intake located at the front of the vehicle can be directed to an opening located on the side of the vehicle. However, these duct members are designed or manufactured separately from the vehicle's exterior components, and are added depending on the vehicle shape, etc. Furthermore, when manufacturing the vehicle, a process is required to incorporate the duct inside the vehicle body. This can complicate the manufacturing process and increase manufacturing costs.

The object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle airflow straightening structure that simplifies the manufacturing process and reduces manufacturing costs.

One aspect of the present invention provides a vehicle airflow straightening structure comprising an air intake, an outlet that discharges the introduced outside air introduced through the air intake, and a guide member that guides the introduced outside air from the air intake to the outlet. The flow path for the introduced outside air is defined by the rear surface of the vehicle's headlamp unit or the inner surface of the vehicle's interior side of the vehicle exterior member, and the guide member. The guide member includes a side wall portion that defines the interior side of the flow path in the vehicle width direction, an upper wall portion that defines the upper part of the flow path, and a lower wall portion that defines the lower part of the flow path.

The present invention provides a vehicle airflow straightening structure that simplifies the manufacturing process and reduces manufacturing costs.

FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining a vehicle airflow straightening structure according to an embodiment, and is a perspective view showing the arrangement relationship between an air intake, a vehicle exterior member, a headlamp unit, and an outlet in a vehicle. FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating the arrangement of a vehicle exterior member, a front wall portion, and a discharge port in a vehicle, for explaining the vehicle airflow straightening structure according to the embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the airflow straightening structure for a vehicle according to the first embodiment, and is a perspective view showing the arrangement relationship between an air intake, a vehicle exterior member, a headlamp unit, and a guide member. FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the vehicle straightening structure relating to the first embodiment, and is a schematic partial cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV in FIG. 1, showing the arrangement relationship between the air intake, the vehicle exterior member, the headlamp unit, the guide member, the front wall portion, and the discharge port. 5 is a diagram for explaining the vehicle straightening structure relating to the first embodiment, and is a schematic partial cross-sectional view taken along line V-V in FIG. 4, showing the arrangement relationship between the air intake, the vehicle exterior member, the headlamp unit, the guide member, and the front wall portion. FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining the airflow straightening structure for a vehicle according to the second embodiment, and is a perspective view showing the arrangement relationship between the air intake, the vehicle exterior member, and the guide member. FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a vehicle airflow straightening structure relating to a third embodiment, and is a perspective view showing the arrangement relationship between an air intake, a vehicle exterior member, a headlamp unit, and a guide member.

The following describes an embodiment of a vehicle airflow straightening structure with reference to the drawings. In each figure, FR and RR represent the front and rear in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, LH and RH represent the left and right in the widthwise direction of the vehicle, and UP and DN represent the top and bottom in the vertical direction of the vehicle. The center of the vehicle in the widthwise direction is referred to as the inner side in the vehicle width direction, and the side opposite the inner side in the widthwise direction is referred to as the outer side in the vertical direction of the vehicle. In each figure, the inner side in the widthwise direction of the vehicle is indicated by IS, and the outer side in the widthwise direction of the vehicle is indicated by OS. In the following description, the front and rear in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, the left and right sides in the widthwise direction of the vehicle, and the top and bottom sides in the vertical direction of the vehicle are simply referred to as the "front of the vehicle," "rear of the vehicle," "left side of the vehicle," "right side of the vehicle," "top," and "bottom," respectively. Elements with the same function are designated by the same symbols, and redundant explanations will be omitted.

In the examples shown in Figures 3 to 7, the left side of the vehicle corresponds to the outward side in the vehicle width direction, and the right side of the vehicle corresponds to the inward side in the vehicle width direction. Also, the front of the vehicle corresponds to the outward side of the vehicle, and the rear of the vehicle corresponds to the inward side of the vehicle.

The vehicle airflow straightening structure according to the embodiment can be used for a vehicle V, such as a freight vehicle such as a van. As shown in FIG. 1, the front of the vehicle V is formed by a vehicle exterior member 10, which is a member that constitutes the exterior body of the vehicle V. In the illustrated example, the vehicle exterior member 10 includes a front panel 11, a corner panel 12, a cover member 13, and a bumper fascia 14.

The front panel 11 is a member that extends in the vehicle width direction below the windshield 1 and has a roughly rectangular shape when viewed from the front to rear of the vehicle. The front panel 11 forms the upper edge of the front of the vehicle V.

The corner panel 12 is a component disposed outward in the vehicle width direction from the front panel 11, and has a generally rectangular shape when viewed in the vehicle front-rear direction. The corner panel 12 constitutes the outer end in the vehicle width direction of the upper side edge of the front surface of the vehicle V.

The cover member 13 is disposed below the front panel 11. The cover member 13 is a member that covers at least a portion of an opening formed in approximately the center of the front of the vehicle V. In the illustrated example, the cover member 13 has a substantially rectangular shape when viewed in the vehicle's longitudinal direction. A radiator opening (not shown) that penetrates in the vehicle's longitudinal direction may be provided in approximately the center of the cover member 13. The radiator opening is an opening that introduces outside air, such as wind generated by driving, toward an engine radiator (not shown) disposed inside the vehicle body, for example, when the vehicle V is traveling forward. The engine radiator is a heat exchanger that dissipates heat from the coolant of an engine (not shown) disposed inside the vehicle V.

The bumper fascia 14 is a component disposed below the cover member 13 and extending in the vehicle width direction. The bumper fascia 14 forms the lower end of the front surface of the vehicle V.

The vehicle exterior member 10 may be made of metal, such as iron or steel, or resin. The resin may be, for example, polypropylene resin or ABS resin (a copolymer of acrylonitrile, butadiene, and styrene).

The vehicle airflow straightening structure according to the embodiment includes an air intake 30, an outlet 35, and a guide member 40.

The air intake 30 is disposed in the vehicle exterior member 10 that constitutes the front of the vehicle V, and is an opening that introduces outside air from outside the vehicle. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the vehicle V has a first opening 31 and a second opening 32 as the air intake 30.

The first openings 31 are air intakes 30 arranged in the cover member 13. The first openings 31 are formed by opening a portion of the outer end of the cover member 13 in the vehicle width direction so as to penetrate the cover member 13 in a generally rectangular shape in the vehicle front-to-rear direction. By providing the first openings 31, when the vehicle V is traveling, for example, toward the front of the vehicle, outside air such as traveling wind is introduced into the vehicle body through the first openings 31. Note that in the illustrated example, four first openings 31 are arranged in parallel in a generally vertical direction at the outer end of the cover member 13 in the vehicle width direction, but this is not limited to this. For example, the first opening 31 may be a single opening extending in the vertical direction.

The second opening 32 is an air intake 30 arranged on the front surface of the bumper fascia 14. The second opening 32 is formed by opening a portion of the outer end of the bumper fascia 14 in the vehicle width direction so as to penetrate the vehicle in a generally rectangular shape in the fore-and-aft direction. By providing the second opening 32, when the vehicle V is traveling, for example, toward the front of the vehicle, outside air such as traveling wind is introduced into the vehicle body through the second opening 32. Note that a portion of the second opening 32 may be covered by a cover member (not shown) having, for example, a mesh or lattice shape. In addition, fog lamps (not shown) may be arranged in the second opening 32.

The outside air introduced into the vehicle body through the air intake 30 passes through a flow path defined by a guide member 40 (described below) and is directed to the discharge port 35. As shown in FIG. 1 or 4, the discharge port 35 is an opening disposed on the side of the vehicle V that discharges the outside air introduced through the air intake 30. In the illustrated example, the discharge port 35 is a gap 24 formed between the front end 21 of the front door 20 of the vehicle V and the inner peripheral edge 23 of the door opening 22 blocked by the front door 20. Note that, for example, an opening may be formed in a region of the body of the vehicle V that extends forward of the front door 20 and used as the discharge port 35.

The door opening 22 is formed by opening a predetermined area of the side of the vehicle V on the front side of the vehicle in the vehicle width direction. In the illustrated example, a corner panel 12, exterior components of the headlamp unit 25, and a bumper fascia 14 are arranged on the front side of the door opening 22. The inner peripheral edge 23 of the door opening 22 defines the entrance and exit for the vehicle V.

The front door 20 separates the interior and exterior of the vehicle V. The front door 20 is configured so that the door opening 22 can be opened and closed. For example, the front door 20 may be attached to the front pillar 2 via a hinge (not shown) so that it can rotate within a predetermined range. As shown in Figure 2, the front pillar 2 is a vehicle body frame member that extends vertically in front of the front door 20.

As shown in Figures 1 and 4, when the door opening 22 is closed by the front door 20, a gap 24 is formed between the inner peripheral edge 23 of the door opening 22 and the front end 21 of the front door 20. In some embodiments, the width of the gap 24 in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle may be 2 mm to 10 mm.

As shown in FIG. 1, a headlamp unit 25 constituting a headlamp of the vehicle V is disposed on the outer side of the cover member 13 in the vehicle width direction. Therefore, the headlamp unit 25 is disposed on the outer side of the first opening 31 in the vehicle width direction. Furthermore, as shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the headlamp unit 25 includes a body 26 as an exterior member and a cover lens 27. Optical components (not shown), such as a light source, reflector, and inner lens, are housed inside the headlamp unit 25.

The body 26 is a box-shaped member that is open toward the front of the vehicle and constitutes the rear side of the headlamp unit 25. In the illustrated example, the body 26 has a generally rectangular shape when viewed in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. The rear surface 28 of the headlamp unit 25 is formed by the surface of the body 26 facing inward. The body 26 may be made of a resin such as polypropylene. The cover lens 27 is a member that covers the opening on the front side of the body 26 and is exposed to the outside of the vehicle. The cover lens 27 may be made of a resin such as polycarbonate.

As shown in Figures 4 and 5, a front wall 5 extends in the vehicle width direction inside the corner panel 12, cover member 13, and headlamp unit 25. The front wall 5 is a wall that defines the front side of the passenger compartment of the vehicle V, and is, for example, a dash panel that separates the engine compartment of the vehicle V from the passenger compartment. There are gaps between the corner panel 12, cover member 13, and headlamp unit 25 and the front wall 5.

A facing wall portion 6 is formed in the area of the front wall portion 5 that faces the rear surface 28 of the headlamp unit 25 in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. In other words, the front wall portion 5 that defines the front side of the passenger compartment of the vehicle V includes the facing wall portion 6 that faces the rear surface 28 of the headlamp unit 25 in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle.

3 to 7, the guide member 40 is a member that guides introduced outside air from the air intake 30 to the discharge port 35. The guide member 40 also includes a side wall portion 50, an upper wall portion 60, and a lower wall portion 70. The side wall portion 50 is a wall portion that extends inward from the inner surface 15 of the vehicle exterior member 10 on the vehicle interior side and defines the inner side of the flow path in the vehicle width direction. The upper wall portion 60 is a wall portion that extends inward from the back surface 28 of the headlamp unit 25 of the vehicle V or the inner surface 15 of the vehicle exterior member 10 and defines the upper part of the flow path. The lower wall portion 70 is a wall portion that extends inward from the back surface 28 of the headlamp unit 25 or the inner surface 15 of the vehicle exterior member 10 and defines the lower part of the flow path. In addition, the flow path for the introduced outside air is defined by the rear surface 28 of the headlamp unit 25 of the vehicle V or the inner surface 15 on the vehicle interior side of the vehicle exterior member 10, and the guide member 40.

The guide member 40 included in the vehicle airflow straightening structure according to the embodiment will be described in more detail below with reference to the drawings.

(First embodiment)
3 to 5 , a side wall portion 51 serving as the side wall portion 50 is formed on the inner surface 16 of the cover member 13. The inner surface 16 is the surface of the inner surface 15 that constitutes the surface of the cover member 13 facing inward from the vehicle. An upper wall portion 61a serving as the upper wall portion 60 is formed above the rear surface 28 of the headlamp unit 25. A lower wall portion 71a serving as the lower wall portion 70 is formed below the rear surface 28. In this manner, the upper wall portion 60 and the lower wall portion 70 may extend from the rear surface 28 of the headlamp unit 25.

The side wall portion 51 extends from the inner surface 16 of the cover member 13 toward the inside of the vehicle. The side wall portion 51 is a plate-like portion having a generally rectangular shape when viewed in the axial direction parallel to the vehicle width direction, and extends from the upper end 16a to the lower end 16b of the inner surface 16. The side wall portion 51 is disposed in the area between the center of the inner surface 16 in the vehicle width direction and the first opening 31. In other words, the side wall portion 51 is a wall portion that extends from the inner surface 16 toward the front wall portion 5 and is disposed inward in the vehicle width direction of the first opening 31. The upper end 16a is the upper end of the inner surface 16. The lower end 16b is the lower end of the inner surface 16.

The side wall portion 51 may be made of, for example, resin. The side wall portion 51 may be molded integrally with the cover member 13 by, for example, injection molding. In other words, the cover member 13 and the side wall portion 51 may be molded as a single component.

The upper wall portion 61a extends from the rear surface 28 of the headlamp unit 25 toward the inside of the vehicle. The upper wall portion 61a is a plate-like portion formed at the rear surface upper end portion 28a and having a generally rectangular shape in plan view, and extends from the inner end of the rear surface upper end portion 28a in the vehicle width direction to the outer end thereof in the vehicle width direction. The rear surface upper end portion 28a is the upper end portion of the rear surface 28. In this way, the upper wall portion 61a extends from the rear surface upper end portion 28a toward the front wall portion 5, and is a wall portion extending in the vehicle width direction.

The lower wall portion 71a extends from the rear surface 28 toward the inside of the vehicle. The lower wall portion 71a is a plate-like portion formed at the rear surface lower end portion 28b and having a generally rectangular shape in plan view, and extends from the inner end of the rear surface lower end portion 28b in the vehicle width direction to the outer end thereof in the vehicle width direction. The rear surface lower end portion 28b is the lower end portion of the rear surface 28. In this way, the lower wall portion 71a extends from the rear surface lower end portion 28b toward the front wall portion 5 and is a wall portion extending in the vehicle width direction.

The upper wall portion 61a or the lower wall portion 71a may be made of, for example, resin. Furthermore, the upper wall portion 61a or the lower wall portion 71a may be molded integrally with the body 26 that forms the back surface 28, for example, by injection molding. In other words, the body 26 and the upper wall portion 61a or the lower wall portion 71a may be molded as a single member.

In the example shown in Figures 4 and 5, a gap is formed between the upper wall portion 61a, the lower wall portion 71a, or the side wall portion 51 and the front wall portion 5, but this is not limited to this. The upper wall portion 61a, the lower wall portion 71a, or the side wall portion 51 may be in contact with the front wall portion 5.

The guide member 40 includes a side wall portion 51, which prevents the introduced outside air introduced through the first opening 31 from flowing inward in the vehicle width direction. Therefore, the introduced outside air flows outward in the vehicle width direction, passing between the back surface 28 and the opposing wall portion 6. Since the back surface 28 is formed with an upper wall portion 61a and a lower wall portion 71a, the introduced outside air is prevented from flowing upward or downward. In other words, the back surface 28, the guide member 40, and the opposing wall portion 6 define a flow path for the introduced outside air introduced through the first opening 31. Therefore, as shown by arrow A in Figure 3 or Figure 4 , the introduced outside air flows from the first opening 31 toward the outside and rear of the vehicle and is released from the area of the outlet 35 surrounding the headlamp unit 25.

As illustrated in the figure, the guide member 40 may include an upper wall portion 61b as the upper wall portion 60. The guide member 40 may also include a lower wall portion 71b as the lower wall portion 70. The upper wall portion 61b and the lower wall portion 71b are plate-shaped portions that extend from the inner surface 16 of the cover member 13 toward the inside of the vehicle and have a generally rectangular shape in a plan view.

The upper wall portion 61b extends from the upper end 16a toward the front wall portion 5 above the first opening 31. The upper wall portion 61b also extends outward in the vehicle width direction from the upper end of the side wall portion 51. The lower wall portion 71b extends from the lower end 16b toward the front wall portion 5 below the first opening 31. The lower wall portion 71b also extends outward in the vehicle width direction from the lower end of the side wall portion 51.

The upper wall portion 61b defines the upper portion of the flow path for the introduced outside air above the first opening 31. The lower wall portion 71b defines the upper portion of the flow path for the introduced outside air below the first opening 31. This more reliably prevents the introduced outside air introduced through the first opening 31 from flowing upward or downward.

The upper wall portion 61b or the lower wall portion 71b may be made of, for example, resin. The upper wall portion 61b or the lower wall portion 71b may be molded integrally with the cover member 13 by, for example, injection molding. In other words, the cover member 13 and the upper wall portion 61b or the lower wall portion 71b may be molded as a single component.

If the cover member 13 has a radiator opening, the side wall portion 51 may extend from the inner surface 16 between the first opening 31 and the radiator opening. This prevents the outside air introduced through the radiator opening from flowing outward in the vehicle width direction. This allows the outside air to be more reliably guided from the radiator opening toward the engine radiator.

Second Embodiment
6 , the guide member 40 extends inward from the inner surface 17 of the bumper fascia 14. The inner surface 17 is the surface of the inner surface 15 that forms the surface of the bumper fascia 14 facing inward toward the vehicle. The guide member 40 also includes a side wall portion 52 serving as the side wall portion 50, an upper wall portion 62 serving as the upper wall portion 60, and a lower wall portion 72 serving as the lower wall portion 70.

The side wall portion 52 extends from the inner surface 17 toward the inside of the vehicle. The side wall portion 52 is a plate-shaped portion that has a generally rectangular shape when viewed in the axial direction parallel to the vehicle width direction, and extends downward from the upper end portion 17a of the inner surface 17. The side wall portion 52 is also disposed on the inner surface 17, inside the second opening 32 in the vehicle width direction. The upper end portion 17a is the upper end portion of the inner surface 17.

The upper wall portion 62 extends from the inner surface 17 toward the inside of the vehicle. The upper wall portion 62 is a plate-shaped portion that is disposed above the second opening 32 on the inner surface 17 and has a generally rectangular shape in a plan view. The upper end 17a of the upper wall portion 62 extends in the vehicle width direction from the upper end of the side wall portion 52 to the outer end of the inner surface 17 in the vehicle width direction.

The lower wall portion 72 extends from the inner surface 17 toward the inside of the vehicle. The lower wall portion 72 is a plate-shaped portion that is disposed below the second opening 32 on the inner surface 17 and has a generally rectangular shape in a plan view. The lower wall portion 72 also extends in the vehicle width direction from the lower end of the side wall portion 52 to the outer end of the inner surface 17 in the vehicle width direction.

The side wall portion 52, upper wall portion 62, or lower wall portion 72 may be made of, for example, resin. The side wall portion 52, upper wall portion 62, or lower wall portion 72 may be molded integrally with the inner surface 17 of the bumper fascia 14, for example, by injection molding. In other words, the bumper fascia 14 and the side wall portion 52, upper wall portion 62, or lower wall portion 72 may be molded as a single member.

As shown in the figure, the space inside the vehicle that communicates with the second opening 32 is surrounded by the side wall portion 52, the upper wall portion 62, and the lower wall portion 72. This prevents the introduced outside air introduced through the second opening 32 from flowing inward, upward, or downward in the vehicle width direction. In other words, the inner surface 17 and the guide member 40 define the flow path of the introduced outside air introduced through the second opening 32. As illustrated in FIG. 5 , a component constituting the vehicle V, such as a heat exchanger 3, is disposed behind the second opening 32. Therefore, the introduced outside air flows from the second opening 32 toward the outside and rear of the vehicle, as indicated by arrow B in FIG. 6 , and is released from the lower region of the outlet 35. The heat exchanger 3 may be, for example, a radiator that dissipates heat from the coolant of an automatic transmission (not shown) equipped in the vehicle V.

(Third embodiment)
In the example shown in FIG. 7 , the guide member 40 extends from the inner surface 16 of the cover member 13, the inner surface 17 of the bumper fascia 14, the inner surface 18 of the corner panel 12, and the rear surface 28 of the headlamp unit 25. The inner surface 18 is the surface of the inner surface 15 that forms the surface of the corner panel 12 facing inward from the vehicle. The side wall portion 50 includes a side wall portion 51, a side wall portion 52, and a side wall portion 53. The upper wall portion 60 includes an upper wall portion 63a and an upper wall portion 63b. The lower wall portion 70 includes a lower wall portion 72. As illustrated in the figure, the guide member 40 may also include an upper wall portion 61b or a lower wall portion 71b.

The side wall portion 53 is a plate-like portion that extends from the inner surface 18 toward the inside of the vehicle and has a generally rectangular shape when viewed in the axial direction parallel to the vehicle width direction. In the illustrated example, the side wall portion 53 extends obliquely relative to the vertical direction on the inner surface 18, but this is not limited to this. The side wall portion 53 may also extend in the vertical direction.

The upper wall portion 63b is a plate-like portion that extends from the inner surface 18 toward the inside of the vehicle and has a generally rectangular shape in a plan view. In the illustrated example, the upper wall portion 63b extends in the vehicle width direction from the upper end of the side wall portion 53 to the outer end of the inner surface 18 in the vehicle width direction.

The upper wall portion 63a extends from the rear surface 28 of the headlamp unit 25 toward the inside of the vehicle. The upper wall portion 63a is a plate-like portion formed on part of the upper end portion 28a of the rear surface and having a generally rectangular shape in plan view. The upper wall portion 63a extends inward in the vehicle width direction from near the lower end of the side wall portion 53. Note that the upper wall portion 63b may extend all the way to the inner end of the upper end portion 28a of the rear surface in the vehicle width direction.

The side wall portion 53 or the upper wall portion 63b may be made of, for example, resin. The side wall portion 53 or the upper wall portion 63b may be molded integrally with the inner surface 18 of the corner panel 12, for example, by injection molding. In other words, the corner panel 12 and the side wall portion 53 or the upper wall portion 63b may be molded as a single member.

The upper wall portion 63a may also be made of, for example, resin. The upper wall portion 63a may be molded integrally with the body 26, for example, by injection molding. In other words, the body 26 and the upper wall portion 63a may be molded as a single member.

As illustrated in the figure, the guide member 40 includes a side wall portion 51, which prevents the introduced outside air introduced through the first opening 31 from flowing inward in the vehicle width direction. Therefore, the introduced outside air flows inward in the vehicle width direction. A portion of the introduced outside air passes through the gap between the rear surface 28 and the opposing wall portion 6, as indicated by arrow C, and is guided to the discharge port 35. Furthermore, a portion of the introduced outside air introduced through the first opening 31 passes through the gap between the rear surface 28 and the opposing wall portion 6 and flows upward, as indicated by arrow D. Here, the guide member 40 includes a side wall portion 53 and an upper wall portion 63b. Therefore, a portion of the introduced outside air flows outward and toward the rear of the vehicle along the vehicle interior side of the corner panel 12 and is discharged from the upper region of the discharge port 35. Furthermore, the introduced outside air introduced through the second opening 32 flows outward and toward the rear of the vehicle from the second opening 32, as indicated by arrow E, and is discharged from the lower region of the discharge port 35. Therefore, the introduced outside air introduced through the first opening 31 and the second opening 32 is released from the region of the outlet 35 that extends from the upper side to the lower side.

The flow path of the introduced outside air introduced through the first opening 31 or the second opening 32 is not limited to the example shown by arrows C, D, or E in Figure 7. For example, the introduced outside air introduced through the first opening 31 may flow downward through the gap between the back surface 28 and the opposing wall 6 and be released from the lower region of the outlet 35. Furthermore, the introduced outside air introduced through the second opening 32 may flow upward, pass through the gap between the back surface 28 and the opposing wall 6, and be released from the upper region of the outlet 35 or the region around the headlamp unit 25.

In the above explanation, the vehicle airflow straightening structure according to the embodiment has been described using as an example the air intake 30 disposed on the left side of the vehicle exterior member 10, the headlamp unit 25 disposed on the left side of the vehicle V, the discharge port 35 disposed on the left side of the vehicle V, and the guide member 40 disposed on the left side of the inner surface 15. However, this is not limiting. For example, the air intake 30, headlamp unit 25, discharge port 35, and guide member 40 may be disposed on the right side of the vehicle. In this case, the body of the vehicle V may have a shape that is line-symmetrical with respect to the vertical axis from the shape shown in FIG. 1 or FIG. 2. Furthermore, the air intake 30, headlamp unit 25, discharge port 35, and guide member 40 may have a shape that is line-symmetrical with respect to the vertical axis from the shape shown in FIG. 1 to FIG. 7.

Next, we will explain the effects of the vehicle airflow straightening structure according to the embodiment.

(1) The vehicle airflow straightening structure according to the embodiment is arranged in a vehicle exterior member 10 that constitutes the front surface of the vehicle V and includes an air intake 30 that introduces outside air from outside the vehicle, an outlet 35 that is arranged on the side of the vehicle V and that discharges the introduced outside air introduced from the air intake 30, and a guide member 40 that guides the introduced outside air from the air intake 30 to the outlet 35. The flow path of the introduced outside air is between the rear surface 28 of the headlamp unit 25 of the vehicle V or the inner surface 15 on the vehicle interior side of the vehicle exterior member 10 and the guide member 40. The guide member 40 includes a side wall portion 50 that extends inward from the inner surface 15 of the vehicle exterior member 10 on the vehicle interior side and defines the inner side of the flow path in the vehicle width direction, an upper wall portion 60 that extends inward from the back surface 28 of the headlamp unit 25 of the vehicle V or the inner surface 15 of the vehicle exterior member 10 and defines the upper part of the flow path, and a lower wall portion 70 that extends inward from the back surface 28 of the headlamp unit 25 or the inner surface 15 of the vehicle exterior member 10 and defines the lower part of the flow path.

For example, when wind blows from one side of a vehicle V traveling forward, turbulence may occur on the other front side of the vehicle V, potentially increasing running resistance. According to the vehicle airflow straightening structure of the embodiment, the introduced outside air introduced through the air intake 30 can be discharged to the side of the vehicle V. This suppresses the generation of turbulence on the side of the vehicle, reduces the yawing moment input to the vehicle V, and ultimately reduces running resistance. The yawing moment refers to the moment around an axis parallel to the vertical direction passing through the center of gravity of the vehicle V. Furthermore, according to the vehicle airflow straightening structure of the embodiment, the flow path of the introduced outside air is defined by the rear surface 28 of the headlamp unit 25 or the inner surface 15 of the vehicle exterior member 10 and the guide member 40 extending from the rear surface 28 or inner surface 15 toward the interior of the vehicle. This eliminates the need to additionally design or manufacture a component for guiding the introduced outside air to the discharge port 35. Furthermore, it also eliminates the need for a process for incorporating the component into the vehicle body. This means the manufacturing process can be simplified and manufacturing costs can be reduced.

(2) In the vehicle airflow straightening structure according to the embodiment, the front wall 5 defining the front side of the passenger compartment of the vehicle V includes an opposing wall 6 that faces the rear surface 28 of the headlamp unit 25 in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, and the flow path is defined by the rear surface 28, the guide member 40, and the opposing wall 6, with the upper wall 60 and lower wall 70 extending from the rear surface 28.

In the vehicle airflow straightening structure according to the embodiment, the upper wall portion 61a serving as the upper wall portion 60 of the guide member 40 and the lower wall portion 71a serving as the lower wall portion 70 are formed on the rear surface 28 of the headlamp unit 25. Therefore, by assembling the headlamp unit 25 to the vehicle body, the upper and lower portions of the flow path for the introduced outside air can be defined. This more reliably simplifies the manufacturing process and reduces manufacturing costs. Furthermore, the rear side of the flow path for the introduced outside air is defined by the opposing wall portion 6 of the front wall portion 5 of the vehicle interior that faces the rear surface 28. Therefore, the introduced outside air can be more reliably guided to the discharge port 35.

(3) In the vehicle airflow straightening structure according to the embodiment, the vehicle exterior member 10 includes a bumper fascia 14, and the guide member 40 extends from the inner surface 17 of the bumper fascia 14 toward the inside of the vehicle.

In the vehicle airflow straightening structure according to this embodiment, the guide member 40 is formed on the inner surface 17 of the bumper fascia 14. Therefore, by assembling the bumper fascia 14 to the vehicle body, the inward side, upper and lower portions of the flow path for the introduced outside air can be defined in the vehicle width direction. This further simplifies the manufacturing process and reduces manufacturing costs.

(4) In the vehicle airflow straightening structure according to the embodiment, the discharge port 35 is a gap 24 formed between the vehicle front end 21 of the front door 20 of the vehicle V and the inner peripheral edge 23 of the door opening 22 that is blocked by the front door 20.

For example, if wind blows from one side of a vehicle V traveling forward, turbulence may occur around the gap 24 on the other side of the vehicle V. With the vehicle airflow straightening structure according to the embodiment, the introduced outside air introduced through the air intake 30 can be released through the gap 24. This more reliably suppresses the occurrence of turbulence on the side of the vehicle, reducing running resistance. Furthermore, there is no need to form an additional opening on the side of the vehicle V to release the introduced outside air. This more reliably simplifies the manufacturing process and reduces manufacturing costs.

In the above explanation, the configuration of the vehicle airflow straightening structure according to the embodiment has been described using a freight vehicle such as a van as an example, but this is not limited to this. The vehicle airflow straightening structure according to the embodiment may also be used in passenger cars, for example.

V Vehicle 5 Front wall portion 6 Opposing wall portion 10 Vehicle exterior member 14 Bumper fascia 15, 16, 17, 18 Inner surface 20 Front door 21 Vehicle front side end portion 22 Door opening 23 Inner peripheral edge portion 24 Gap 25 Headlamp unit 28 Rear surface 30 Air intake port 35 Discharge port 40 Guide member 50, 51, 52, 53 Side wall portions 60, 61a, 61b, 62, 63a, 63b Upper wall portions 70, 71a, 71b, 72 Lower wall portion

Claims (4)

an air intake that is disposed in a vehicle exterior member that constitutes a front surface of the vehicle and that introduces outside air from outside the vehicle;
an outlet disposed on a side of the vehicle and configured to discharge the introduced outside air introduced through the air intake;
a guide member that guides the introduced outside air from the air intake port to the discharge port;
Equipped with
a flow path of the introduced outside air is defined by a rear surface of a headlamp unit of the vehicle and the guide member;
The guide member is
a side wall portion extending from the inner surface on the vehicle inner side of the vehicle exterior member toward the vehicle interior and defining the inner side of the flow path in the vehicle width direction;
an upper wall portion extending from the rear surface of the headlamp unit of the vehicle toward an interior of the vehicle and defining an upper portion of the flow path;
a lower wall portion extending from the rear surface of the headlamp unit toward the inside of the vehicle and defining a lower portion of the flow path,
Vehicle airflow straightening structure. a front wall portion defining a front side of a passenger compartment of the vehicle includes an opposing wall portion opposing the rear surface of the headlamp unit in the vehicle longitudinal direction,
the flow path is defined by the back surface, the guide member, and the opposing wall portion;
The airflow straightening structure for a vehicle according to claim 1 , wherein the upper wall portion and the lower wall portion extend from the rear surface. The vehicle exterior member includes a bumper fascia,
The airflow straightening structure for a vehicle according to claim 1 , wherein the guide member extends from the inner surface of the bumper fascia toward an inside of the vehicle. The airflow straightening structure for a vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the discharge port is a gap formed between the front end of the vehicle's front door and the inner peripheral edge of the door opening blocked by the front door.