Air guide structure adapted for motor vehicle

Abstract

An air guide structure includes a radiator core support having a radiator core support side member, and an air guide integrally that is integrally formed with the radiator core support side member through a connecting portion. The air guide is capable of being bent between a formation state in which it is arranged in a lateral direction of a motor vehicle body and an in-usable state in which it projects forward and is fixed to the radiator core support by an engaging mechanism formed on the air guide and the radiator core support. A releasing mechanism is provided to release the engagement of the engaging mechanism when force generated in vehicle crash acts on the air guide from its front side.

1 . An air guide structure, adapted for a motor vehicle, comprising: 
 a radiator core support having a radiator core support side member;    an air guide that is integrally formed with the radiator core support side member through a connecting portion and is capable of being bent between a formation state in which the air guide is arranged in a lateral direction of a motor vehicle body and an in-usable state in which the air guide projects forward and is fixed to the radiator core support by an engaging mechanism formed on the air guide and the radiator core support; and    a releasing mechanism that is capable of releasing the engagement of the engaging mechanism when force generated in vehicle crash acts on the air guide from a front side thereof.    
   
   
       2 . The air guide structure according to  claim 1 , wherein 
 the releasing mechanism includes a peripheral portion of a latch-hole that is formed in the air guide, and a tapered portion that is formed on a latch-projecting portion that is provided with the radiator core support to project forward and be contactable with the peripheral portion.    
   
   
       3 . The air guide structure according to  claim 2 , wherein 
 the tapered portion is formed at a front side of the latch-projecting portion and the latching portion, which constitutes the engaging mechanism and is contactable with the peripheral portion, is formed at a rear side of the latch-projecting portion.    
   
   
       4 . The air guide structure according to  claim 3 , wherein the connecting portion has a first fragile portion, which is weaker in rigidity than the radiator core support side portion and the air guide excluding the fragile portion so that the air guide can be bent at the first fragile portion.  
   
   
       5 . The air guide structure according to  claim 4 , wherein 
 a second fragile portion is provided on the air guide at rear side of the releasing mechanism.    
   
   
       6 . The air guide structure according to  claim 5 , wherein 
 the second fragile portion is provided at a rear side of the latch-hole.    
   
   
       7 . The air guide structure according to  claim 2 , wherein 
 the connecting portion has a first fragile portion, which is weaker in rigidity than the radiator core support side portion and the air guide excluding the fragile portion so that the air guide can be bent at the first fragile portion.    
   
   
       8 . The air guide structure according to  claim 7 , wherein 
 a second fragile portion is provided on the air guide at rear side of the releasing mechanism.    
   
   
       9 . The air guide structure according to  claim 8 , wherein 
 the second fragile portion is provided at a rear side of the latch-hole.    
   
   
       10 . The air guide structure according to  claim 1 , wherein 
 the connecting portion has a first fragile portion, which is weaker in rigidity than the radiator core support side portion and the air guide excluding the fragile portion so that the air guide can be bent at the first fragile portion.    
   
   
       11 . The air guide structure according to  claim 10 , wherein 
 a second fragile portion is provided on the air guide at rear side of the releasing mechanism.    
   
   
       12 . The air guide structure according to  claim 11 , wherein 
 the second fragile portion is provided at a rear side of the latch-hole.    
   
   
       13 . The air guide structure according to  claim 1 , wherein 
 a second fragile portion is provided on the air guide at rear side of the releasing mechanism.    
   
   
       14 . The air guide structure according to  claim 13 , wherein 
 the second fragile portion is provided at a rear side of the latch-hole.