Front end structure for a vehicle

A front end structure for a vehicle includes a front end body having a front end surface and a grille body having a plurality of openings. The grille body is mounted to be movable with respect to the front end body. The grille body is movable between a position close to the front end surface of the front end body and a position recessed from the front end surface of the front end body.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is based on and claims the benefit of priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2019-0143688, filed on Nov. 11, 2019, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a front end structure for a vehicle, and more particularly, to a front end structure for a vehicle, in which a grille body is movable in a driving direction (or longitudinal direction) of the vehicle at a front end of the vehicle, thereby improving aerodynamic performance and cooling performance.

BACKGROUND

A grille is mounted at a front end of a vehicle. The grille has a plurality of openings that permit ambient air to flow into an engine compartment. The grille may be mounted at the front end of the vehicle to protect an engine, a radiator, and the like in the engine compartment.

The engine for driving the vehicle and various types of heat exchangers such as a radiator, an intercooler, an evaporator, and a condenser are mounted in the engine compartment.

When the ambient air is introduced into the grille through the openings, the ambient air flows into the engine compartment so that the engine or the heat exchangers may be properly cooled. As the temperature of the engine compartment is reduced, heat damage may be prevented.

When the vehicle is running at low speed, the amount of ambient air flowing into the engine compartment through the openings of the grille may be relatively small. When the vehicle is running at high speed, the amount of ambient air flowing into the engine compartment through the openings of the grille may be relatively large.

When the amount of ambient air flowing into the engine compartment through the openings of the grille is relatively large, cooling performance (and heat damage prevention) may be improved, but aerodynamic performance of the vehicle may be reduced due to the increased air flow rate. On the other hand, when the amount of ambient air flowing into the engine compartment through the openings of the grille is relatively small, cooling performance (and heat damage prevention) may be reduced, but aerodynamic performance of the vehicle may be improved.

As the vehicle speed changes, the ambient air flow rate may change, which may result in a conflict between cooling performance and aerodynamic performance.

To solve this problem, an active air flap system or active grille shutter system, which adjusts the opening and closing of an air flap depending on vehicle speed, ambient air temperature, and the like, may be applied to appropriately adjust an ambient air flow rate or an ambient air flow direction, thereby reliably improving cooling performance and aerodynamic performance.

However, an active air flap system according to the related art has a complex configuration of a motor for driving an air flap, a support structure for supporting the movement of the air flap, and the like, which may cause excessive power waste of the motor, increase manufacturing cost, and increase the weight of the vehicle.

In addition, the active air flap system according to the related art may suffer from breakage of the air flap, and accordingly require an additional sensor for sensing the breakage of the air flap, which may further increase the manufacturing cost.

Furthermore, the active air flap system according to the related art is configured to always open at least some openings of the grille in preparation for a failure of the air flap, which may reduce the operating efficiency of the active air flap system.

If the active air flap system according to the related art is mounted on a mesh-type grille, the flap extending in a horizontal direction (vehicle width direction) or a vertical direction (vehicle height direction) may be exposed even when the active air flap system does not operate. The exposed flap may degrade exterior styling. In addition, the opening area of the grille may be relatively narrowed, resulting in poor air flow.

The above information described in this background section is provided to assist in understanding the background of the inventive concept, and may include any technical concept which is not considered as the prior art that is already known to those having ordinary skill in the art.

SUMMARY

An aspect of the present disclosure provides a front end structure for a vehicle, in which a grille body having a plurality of openings is movable with respect to a front end body of the vehicle in a longitudinal direction (or driving direction) of the vehicle, thereby improving aerodynamic performance and cooling performance.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a front end structure for a vehicle may include: a front end body having a front end surface; and a grille body having a plurality of openings and mounted to be movable with respect to the front end body.

The grille body may be movable between a position close to the front end surface of the front end body and a position recessed from the front end surface of the front end body.

The front end structure may further include a guide member configured to guide a movement of the grille body.

The front end body may have a front compartment configured to receive a plurality of heat exchangers. The grille body may have an extension portion extending toward the front compartment. A movement of the extension portion may be guided by the guide member.

The guide member may have a stopper configured to restrict a movement position of the grille body.

The front end structure may further include an actuator configured to move the grille body.

The front end body may include a bumper cover.

The bumper cover may have a grille opening. The grille body may be movably received in the grille opening.

The bumper cover may have a bumper portion adjacent to the grille opening.

The front end structure may further include a controller to control the actuator to move the grille body depending on conditions of the vehicle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure are described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, the same reference numerals are used throughout to designate the same or equivalent elements. In addition, a detailed description of well-known techniques associated with the present disclosure are ruled out in order not to unnecessarily obscure the gist of the present disclosure.

Referring toFIG. 1, a front end structure10for a vehicle, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, may include a front end body1and one or more grille bodies11and12, which are movable with respect to the front end body1in a longitudinal direction (or driving direction) of the vehicle.

The front end body1may have a front end surface1aexposed to the outside of the vehicle. A front compartment5may be defined as the interior space of the front end body1. The front compartment5may receive an engine, a power module (an electric motor, an inverter, and the like), and the like. For example, the front compartment5in an internal combustion engine vehicle may receive an internal combustion engine and its relevant components. The front compartment5in an electric vehicle may receive electronic components such as a power unit (an electric motor, a reduction gear), an inverter, a circuit box, and a PTC heater.

The front compartment5may receive a plurality of heat exchangers such as an intercooler6, a condenser7a, a radiator7b, and a cooling fan7cforcibly drawing ambient air to the plurality of heat exchangers.

According to the embodiment illustrated inFIGS. 2 to 4, the intercooler6may be located in front of the condenser7aand the radiator7b, and the condenser7amay be located in front of the radiator7b. According to another embodiment, the condenser7amay be located behind the radiator7b. The arrangement of the condenser7aand the radiator7bmay vary according to vehicle types.

Referring toFIGS. 1 to 4, the front end structure10according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include an upper grille body11and a lower grille body12.

The front end structure10according to another embodiment of the present disclosure may include any one of the upper grille body11and the lower grille body12. In other words, the front end structure10according to another embodiment of the present disclosure may include only one grille body.

According to an embodiment, the front end body1may include a bumper cover30. The bumper cover30may include one or more grille openings31and32for receiving the grille bodies11and12. The front end surface1aof the front end body1may be defined at the front of the bumper cover30.

Referring toFIGS. 1 and 2, the bumper cover30may have an upper grille opening31and a lower grille opening32. The upper grille opening31may receive the upper grille body11and the lower grille opening32may receive the lower grille body12.

The bumper cover30may have an upper bumper portion33adjacent to the upper grille opening31and a lower bumper portion34adjacent to the lower grille opening32. The upper bumper portion33may be located between the upper grille opening31and the lower grille opening32. The lower bumper portion34may be located below the lower grille opening32. The upper bumper portion33and the lower bumper portion34may extend in a width direction of the vehicle. A shock absorbing material may be mounted on the inside or rear of the upper bumper portion33. A shock absorbing material may be mounted on the inside or rear of the lower bumper portion34.

Referring toFIG. 1, the bumper cover30may have a pair of lamp openings38and39. The pair of lamp openings38and39may be spaced apart from each other in the width direction of the vehicle. Headlamps8and9may be received in the corresponding lamp openings38and39, respectively.

The upper grille body11may be movably received in the upper grille opening31. The upper grille body11may have a plurality of openings13that permit the ambient air to flow into an engine compartment. The upper grille body11may be movable between a first position P1(seeFIGS. 2, 5, and 6) and a second position P2(seeFIG. 3).

The first position P1may be a position in which a front surface11aof the upper grille body11is close to the front end surface1aof the front end body1.

According to an embodiment, as illustrated inFIG. 2, the first position P1may be a position in which the front surface11aof the upper grille body11is recessed from the front end surface1aof the front end body1toward the front compartment5by a first distance d1. In other words, the front surface11aof the upper grille body11may be spaced apart from the front end surface1aof the front end body1by the first distance d1.

According to another embodiment, as illustrated inFIG. 5, the first position P1may be a position in which the front surface11aof the upper grille body11is substantially flush with the front end surface1aof the front end body1. For example, a distance between the front surface11aof the upper grille body11and the front end surface1aof the front end body1may be 0.

According to another embodiment, as illustrated inFIG. 6, the first position P1may be a position in which the front surface11aof the upper grille body11protrudes from the front end surface1aof the front end body1toward the front of the vehicle by the first distance d1. In other words, the front surface11aof the upper grille body11may be spaced apart from the front end surface1aof the front end body1by the first distance d1.

Referring toFIG. 3, the second position P2may be a position in which the front surface11aof the upper grille body11is recessed from the front end surface1aof the front end body1toward the front compartment5by a second distance d2. In other words, the front surface11aof the upper grille body11may be spaced apart from the front end surface1aof the front end body1by the second distance d2. Referring toFIGS. 2 and 3, the second distance d2may be greater than the first distance d1.

The movement of the upper grille body11may be guided by an upper guide member45. The upper guide member45may be fixedly disposed within the front compartment5. The upper grille body11may have a duct-shaped extension portion15extending from a rear end of the upper grille body11toward the front compartment5. As the extension portion15is integrally connected to the upper grille body11, the upper grille body11may move together with the extension portion15. The movement of the extension portion15may be guided by the upper guide member45. The upper grille body11may have a projection16protruding from a rear end of the extension portion15in a height direction of the vehicle.

The upper guide member45may have a stopper46for restricting a movement position, i.e., limiting movement or travel of the upper grille body11. Referring toFIG. 2, when the upper grille body11moves to the first position P1, the projection16of the upper grille body11may be brought into contact with the stopper46of the upper guide member45, so that the upper grille body11may be precisely restricted to the first position P1. Referring toFIG. 3, when the upper grille body11moves to the second position P2, a rear surface of the upper grille body11may be brought into contact with the stopper46of the upper guide member45, so that the upper grille body11may be precisely restricted to the second position P2.

In addition, the periphery of the extension portion15may be sealed by the projection16and the stopper46so that the leakage of ambient air through the periphery of the extension portion15may be prevented. In particular, a sealing member (not shown) may be attached to at least one of the projection16and the stopper46.

The upper grille body11may be linearly moved by an upper actuator40. The upper actuator40may move the upper grille body11between the first position P1and the second position P2. For example, the upper actuator40may be a hydraulic cylinder having a cylinder tube41and a rod42which is movable with respect to the cylinder tube41. An end of the rod42may be connected to the extension portion15of the upper grille body11. As another example, the upper actuator40may be various actuation structures such as a linear motor, allowing the upper grille body11to move linearly.

The lower grille body12may be movably received in the lower grille opening32. The lower grille body12may have a plurality of openings14that permit the ambient air to flow into the engine compartment. The lower grille body12may be movable between a third position P3(seeFIGS. 2, 5, and 6) and a fourth position P4(seeFIG. 3).

The third position P3may be a position in which a front surface12aof the lower grille body12is close to the front end surface1aof the front end body1.

According to an embodiment, as illustrated inFIG. 2, the third position P3may be a position in which the front surface12aof the lower grille body12is recessed from the front end surface1aof the front end body1toward the front compartment5by a third distance d3. In other words, the front surface12aof the lower grille body12may be spaced apart from the front end surface1aof the front end body1by the third distance d3.

According to another embodiment, as illustrated inFIG. 5, the third position P3may be a position in which the front surface12aof the lower grille body12is substantially flush with the front end surface1aof the front end body1. For example, a distance between the front surface12aof the lower grille body12and the front end surface1aof the front end body1may be 0.

According to another embodiment, as illustrated inFIG. 6, the third position P3may be a position in which the front surface12aof the lower grille body12protrudes from the front end surface1aof the front end body1toward the front of the vehicle by the third distance d3. In other words, the front surface12aof the lower grille body12may be spaced apart from the front end surface1aof the front end body1by the third distance d3.

The fourth position P4may be a position in which the front surface12aof the lower grille body12is recessed from the front end surface1aof the front end body1toward the front compartment5by a fourth distance P4. In other words, the front surface12aof the lower grille body12may be spaced apart from the front end surface1aof the front end body1by the fourth distance d4. Referring toFIGS. 2 and 3, the fourth distance d4may be greater than the third distance d3.

The movement of the lower grille body12may be guided by a lower guide member55. The lower guide member55may be fixedly disposed within the front compartment5. The lower grille body12may have a duct-shaped extension portion17extending from a rear end of the lower grille body12toward the front compartment5. As the extension portion17is integrally connected to the lower grille body12, the lower grille body12may move together with the extension portion17. The movement of the extension portion17may be guided by the lower guide member55. The lower grille body12may have a projection18protruding from a rear end of the extension portion17in the height direction of the vehicle.

The lower guide member55may have a stopper56for restricting a movement of the lower grille body12. Referring toFIG. 2, when the lower grille body12moves to the third position P3, the projection18of the lower grille body12may be brought into contact with the stopper56of the lower guide member55, so that the lower grille body12may be precisely restricted to the third position P3. Referring toFIG. 3, when the lower grille body12moves to the fourth position P4, a rear surface of the lower grille body12may be brought into contact with the stopper56of the lower guide member55, so that the lower grille body12may be precisely restricted to the fourth position P4.

In addition, the periphery of the extension portion17may be sealed by the projection18and the stopper56, so that the leakage of ambient air through the periphery of the extension portion17may be prevented. In particular, a sealing member (not shown) may be attached to at least one of the projection18and the stopper56.

The lower grille body12may be linearly moved by a lower actuator50. The lower actuator50may move the lower grille body12between the third position P3and the fourth position P4. For example, the lower actuator50may be a hydraulic cylinder having a cylinder tube51and a rod52which is movable with respect to the cylinder tube51. An end of the rod52may be connected to the extension portion17of the lower grille body12. As another example, the lower actuator50may be various actuation structures such as a linear motor, allowing the lower grille body12to move linearly.

The front end structure10for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include a controller80for controlling the operation of the upper actuator40and the operation of the lower actuator50. The controller80may control the operation of the upper actuator40and the operation of the lower actuator50depending on the conditions of the vehicle (engine RPM, vehicle speed, torque, navigation information, and the like). For example, the controller80may receive information on the conditions of the vehicle (engine RPM, vehicle speed, torque, navigation information, and the like) from a vehicle controller such as an electronic control unit or engine control unit (ECU). As another example, the controller80may be integrated with the vehicle controller. The controller80may include a processor and a memory. The processor may receive instructions stored in the memory and be programmed to transmit instructions to the upper actuator40and the lower actuator50. The memory may be a data store such as a hard disk drive, a solid state drive, a server, a volatile storage medium, or a non-volatile storage medium.

According to the above-described embodiments of the present disclosure, when the grille bodies11and12move close to the front end surface1aof the front end body1, a pressure acting on the front end surface1aof the front end body1may, and the amount of ambient air flowing into the front compartment5, may be reduced. This allows the ambient air to flow along the front end surface1aof the front end body1, thereby improving aerodynamic performance. When the grille bodies11and12are recessed from the front end surface1aof the front end body1toward the front compartment5, a pressure acting on the front end surface1aof the front end body1may be increased. The amount of ambient air flowing into the front compartment5may also be increased. This improves the cooling performance with respect to the heat exchangers6,7a, and7blocated in the front compartment5.

The upper grille body11and/or the lower grille body12may be moved depending on vehicle driving conditions.

Referring toFIG. 2, in a fuel efficiency improving condition in which cooling with respect to the heat exchangers6,7a, and7blocated in the front compartment5is not required, the upper grille body11and the lower grille body12may advance so as to be close to the front end surface1aof the front end body1.

In detail, when the upper grille body11is moved to the first position P1by the upper actuator45, the first distance d1between the front surface11aof the upper grille body11and the front end surface1aof the front end body1may be minimized or be close to 0. At the same time, when the lower grille body12is moved to the third position P3by the lower actuator55, the third distance d3between the front surface12aof the lower grille body12and the front end surface1aof the front end body1may be minimized or be close to 0. As a result, the ambient air may be uniformly distributed throughout the front surfaces11aand12aof the grille bodies11and12and the front end surface1aof the front end body1. Since the pressure (static pressure) acting on the front surfaces11aand12aof the grille bodies11and12and the front end surface1aof the front end body1is relatively reduced, the ambient air may flow to the upper and lower sides of the vehicle along the front surfaces11aand12aof the grille bodies11and12and the front end surface1aof the front end body1, and thus cooling drag (CD) may be improved by approximately 13%. The cooling drag (CD) is a difference between drag Do in a state in which the openings of the grille body are opened and drag Dc in a state in which the openings of the grille body are closed (CD=Do−Dc).

Referring toFIG. 3, in a cooling condition in which cooling with respect to the heat exchangers6,7a, and7blocated in the front compartment5is required, the upper grille body11and the lower grille body12may be retracted so as to be recessed from the front end body1toward the front compartment5.

In detail, when the upper grille body11is moved to the second position P2by the upper actuator45, the second distance d2between the front surface11aof the upper grille body11and the front end surface1aof the front end body1may be greater than the first distance d1. At the same time, when the lower grille body12is moved to the fourth position P4by the lower actuator55, the fourth distance d4between the front surface12aof the lower grille body12and the front end surface1aof the front end body1may be greater than the third distance d3. In other words, as the upper grille body11and the lower grille body12are retracted so as to be recessed from the front end surface1aof the front end body1toward the front compartment5, an air pocket space may be formed at the front surface11aof the upper grille body11and the front surface12aof the lower grille body12. As a result, the ambient air may be concentrated on the front of the upper grille body11and the front of the lower grille body12. The pressure (static pressure) acting on the front surface11aof the upper grille body11and the pressure (static pressure) acting on the front surface12aof the lower grille body12may be relatively increased. Thus, the ambient air may easily flow into the front compartment5through the openings13of the upper grille body11and the openings14of the lower grille body12. This increases the amount of ambient air flowing into the front compartment5, i.e., a cooling air flow rate. For example, when the second distance d2and the fourth distance d4are approximately 40 mm, the cooling air flow rate may be increased by approximately 4.5%. When the ambient air flows into the front compartment5through the openings13and14of the upper grille body11and the lower grille body12, the heat exchangers such as the intercooler6, the condenser7a, and the radiator7bmay be cooled, so that heat damage may be prevented.

Referring toFIG. 4, in a driving condition of the vehicle (the internal combustion engine vehicle) for increasing the output of the internal combustion engine, it is necessary to increase the amount of ambient air passing through the intercooler6. In this case, the lower grille body12adjacent to the intercooler6may be retracted so as to be recessed from the front end body1toward the front compartment5and the front surface11aof the upper grille body11may advance so as to be close to the front end surface1aof the front end body1.

In detail, when the upper grille body11is moved to the first position P1by the upper actuator45, the first distance d1between the front surface11aof the upper grille body11and the front end surface1aof the front end body1may be minimized or be close to 0. At the same time, when the lower grille body12is moved to the fourth position P4by the lower actuator55, the fourth distance d4between the front surface12aof the lower grille body12and the front end surface1aof the front end body1may be greater than the third distance d3. Thus, the amount of ambient air flowing into the front compartment5through the openings14of the lower grille body12, i.e., the cooling air flow rate may be relatively increased, so that the cooling performance of the intercooler6may be improved.

As set forth above, according to embodiments of the present disclosure, as the grille body having the plurality of openings is movable with respect to the front end body of the vehicle in the longitudinal direction (or driving direction) of the vehicle, a pressure acting on the front end surface of the front end body may be varied, so that aerodynamic performance and cooling performance may be selectively improved.

According to embodiments of the present disclosure, when the grille body moves close to the front end surface of the front end body, the pressure acting on the front end surface of the front end body, and the amount of ambient air flowing into the front compartment, may be reduced. This allows the ambient air to flow along the front end surface of the front end body, thereby improving aerodynamic performance.

According to embodiments of the present disclosure, when the grille body is recessed from the front end surface of the front end body toward the front compartment, the pressure acting on the front end surface of the front end body, and the amount of ambient air flowing into the front compartment, may be increased. This improves the cooling performance with respect to the heat exchangers located in the front compartment.