CN110709269A

CN110709269A - System for managing vehicle air intake and front end module for vehicle

Info

Publication number: CN110709269A
Application number: CN201880037322.XA
Authority: CN
Inventors: E.米蒂迪里; S.格伯
Original assignee: Valeo Systemes Thermiques SAS
Current assignee: Valeo Systemes Thermiques SAS
Priority date: 2017-06-05
Filing date: 2018-05-31
Publication date: 2020-01-17
Anticipated expiration: 2038-05-31
Also published as: CN110709269B; EP3609728A1; WO2018224384A1; FR3066958A1; FR3066958B1

Abstract

An air intake management system (10; 100) for a motor vehicle, comprising: -an air intake control device (12) comprising a frame (16) and a plurality of flaps (18) attached to the frame (16) and movable between a closed position and an open position and vice versa, and-an air guide (14) forming a housing (22) for positioning the air intake control device (12) and comprising means (26, 28, 30; 14A, 14B) for attaching the frame (16) to the housing (22) in order to attach the frame (16) to the housing (22).

Description

System for managing vehicle air intake and front end module for vehicle

Technical Field

The present invention relates to vehicles, in particular motor vehicles. The invention also relates to managing air intake on a vehicle. More particularly, the invention relates to an air intake management system, which may be arranged in particular in a front end module of a vehicle.

Background

Motor vehicles typically include a front end that protects an engine compartment. To ensure thermal control of the engine, the front end typically includes an air induction management system.

The air intake management system mainly comprises an air intake control device, also known by the acronym AGS, for an active intake grille. The air intake control device is attached to a grille of the vehicle and comprises a plurality of flaps that are movable between an open position and a closed position, and vice versa, by an actuator connected to an electrical system of the vehicle.

When the plurality of flaps occupy the open position, air may be circulated from outside the vehicle to a heat exchanger forming part of a thermal system for cooling the engine. The resistance is higher during exchange.

When the plurality of flaps are in the closed position, outside air does not pass through the plurality of flaps, which has the effect of reducing resistance. Thus reducing the energy consumption of the vehicle. Therefore, the intake air control apparatus can limit the energy consumption of the vehicle when the outside air is not required to cool the engine of the vehicle.

The intake air control device is typically attached to a structural component of the vehicle, such as a grille, using a plurality of screws. Thus, attaching the intake air control apparatus to the structure of the vehicle is relatively time-consuming and laborious.

Disclosure of Invention

It is an object of the present invention to provide an air intake management system for a vehicle that is easier to assemble.

To this end, the invention relates to an air intake management system for a motor vehicle, characterized in that it comprises:

-an air intake control device comprising a frame and a plurality of flaps attached to the frame and movable between a closed position and an open position and vice versa, and

-an air guide forming a housing for positioning the air intake control device and comprising means for attaching the frame to the housing in order to attach the frame to the housing.

Thus, the air guide comprises means for attaching the frame to the housing, which is sufficient in itself to attach the frame to the housing. Thus, it is not necessary to provide a specific attachment means on the frame or more generally on the air intake control device. The housing of the air conductor is configured such that it can accommodate and position the frame of the intake air control device. The frame may then have a simple overall shape. Therefore, manufacturing is easier. Furthermore, the air intake management system is easier to assemble. Once assembled, the air guide retains the frame without the need for other structural elements such as screws. The frame is mounted on the air guide in a removable or detachable manner. Thus, the air conductor is arranged to hold the frame and to hold it on the air conductor. In other words, the frame need not have attachment means for attaching it inside the air guide, which can ensure the attachment of the frame itself inside the housing of the air guide. According to a certain embodiment, the frame has no attachment means, such as threaded holes or screws, to attach it to the air guide.

When the flaps are in the closed position, it will be understood that the flaps are arranged such that they close the air inlet, in other words to prevent air flow through the air inlet. When the flaps are in the open position, it will be appreciated that the flaps are arranged such that they block the airflow through the air inlet as little as possible.

Furthermore, in various embodiments of the invention, one or more of the following arrangements may also be used:

the housing has a shape complementary to the shape of the frame, so that the frame is positioned in the housing;

the means for attaching the frame to the housing comprise elastic fitting means for positioning the frame with respect to the housing;

the elastic fitting means comprise at least one elastic member forming an end stop for the frame in a direction perpendicular to the main plane of the casing;

the elastic fitting means comprise a raised edge complementary to the elastic member, which forms an end stop for the frame in a direction perpendicular to the main plane of the casing, so as to position the frame in a direction perpendicular to the main plane of the casing;

the air guide comprises two members having complementary shapes, each member forming one half of the air guide and configured to sandwich the frame; therefore, it is necessary to simply attach two members to position the housing, and therefore the latter does not need to have a specific positioning means either;

the two members of the air guide and the frame each comprise a through hole, which is positioned such that the holes of the two members and the frame, respectively, are aligned;

the system comprises means for attaching the two members of the air guide, which are arranged in the holes of the two members and the frame, respectively; it should be noted that the holes in the frame make it possible to pass through the means of attaching the two members of the air guide; but the frame is held in place due to the two members of the air guide that sandwich the frame;

-the attachment means comprises a christmas tree clip;

the air guide comprises means for attachment to a vehicle radiator;

the air guide comprises means for attachment to the vehicle grille;

more generally, the air guide may comprise means for attachment to any structural component of the vehicle or more generally to any component of the vehicle.

The invention also relates to a front-end module for a motor vehicle comprising an air intake management system as described above.

Drawings

Two embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of non-limiting example with reference to the following perspective views:

figure 1 is a view of an air intake management system assembled according to a first embodiment of the invention,

figure 2 is an exploded view of the system,

figure 3 is a view of a portion of figure 2,

FIG. 4 is a view of an air intake management system assembled according to a second embodiment, an

Figure 5 is an exploded view of the system.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1 to 3 show an air intake management system 10 according to a first embodiment of the invention. Similarly, fig. 4 and 5 show an air intake management system 100 according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

The air

induction management system

10, 100 is configured to be incorporated into a motor vehicle front end. Of course, they may also be configured to be disposed on the rear end of the vehicle. More generally, the air

induction management system

10, 100 may be configured to be disposed on any structural component of a vehicle.

The front end of the vehicle typically encloses the engine of the vehicle and a thermal system for cooling the engine. The front end also includes a front grille that is open and in direct contact with air outside the vehicle. Between the front grille and the engine, the air intake management system is arranged such that air from outside the vehicle passes through the front grille and reaches the air

intake management system

10, 100. When the vehicle travels forward, outside air passes through the front grille due to relative displacement between the vehicle and air outside the vehicle.

The intake

air management system

10, 100 includes an intake air control device 12 and an air conductor 14.

The function of the intake air control device 12 is to pass or not pass air coming from outside the vehicle and passing through the front grille, according to commands transmitted by the electrical system of the vehicle, to reach the heat exchanger. The heat exchanger forms part of a thermal system, the function of which is to promote engine cooling. In particular, it may be a plate heat exchanger.

The function of the air guide 14 is to guide air from outside the vehicle and having passed through the front grille to the intake air control device 12. Furthermore, another function of the air guide 14 is to form an interface for attaching the intake air control device 12 to another component of the vehicle. Thus, the air guide 14 is preferably attached by one of its ends to a heat exchanger for cooling the thermal system of the engine, to the tank of the vehicle radiator and/or to the grille of the vehicle and/or to the front grille of the vehicle using attachment means (which may be of any type and may for example comprise screws). Further, the air guide 14 functions to accommodate the intake air control device 12. Thus, the air guide 14 is configured to define a housing 22 for positioning the intake air control device 12. The air conductor 14 is an integral component that includes a housing 22 for positioning the intake air control device 12. In other words, the air conductor is integrally formed, making it impossible to divide it into two or more parts without causing irreversible damage, while the deformable part thus defines the housing.

In addition, the intake control device 12 includes a frame 16 and a plurality of flaps 18. A plurality of petals 18 are attached to the frame 16. The function of the frame 16 is therefore to support a plurality of petals 18. The flaps 18 are adapted to occupy an open position in which they pass the air outside the vehicle passing through the front grille, to reach the engine. In addition, the plurality of flaps 18 are also adapted to occupy a closed position in which they prevent the air outside the vehicle passing through the front grille from reaching the engine. The plurality of flaps 18 are movable between an open position and a closed position and vice versa.

To this end, another function of the frame 16 is to communicate commands to the plurality of petals 18. The frame 16 therefore comprises three transmission members 20 connected to the actuator and in turn to the vehicle electrical system adapted to move the flaps 18 from the open position to the closed position and vice versa.

When the plurality of flaps 18 are in the closed position, external air cannot pass through the intake control device 12 to the heat exchanger. Therefore, the resistance of the vehicle is small and less energy is consumed. Conversely, when the plurality of flaps 18 are in the open position, air outside the vehicle contributes to engine cooling.

The positioning of the inlet control means 12 relative to the air conductor 14 will now be described according to two embodiments of the invention.

Fig. 1 to 3 show an air intake management system 10 according to a first embodiment of the invention. The intake air management system 10 includes two components, each of which includes an intake air control device 12 and an air conductor 14. These components are arranged one after the other in the vertical direction Z.

As mentioned above, the air conductor 14 comprises a housing 22. The housing 22 comprises a main plane YZ and a direction X perpendicular to the main plane YZ. The direction X corresponds to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle or the direction of forward travel. The direction Z corresponds to the vertical direction when the vehicle is in the normal operating position.

Furthermore, the housing comprises four walls defining a free space for positioning the inlet air control device 12.

As can be seen in fig. 3, the lower wall of the housing 22 in the vertical direction Z comprises three pairs of elastic members 26 extending orthogonally to the lower wall. These pairs of elastic members 26 form deformable ramps in the direction X from the front to the rear of the vehicle. Instead, these pairs of elastic members 26 form first end stops in the direction X from the rear to the front of the vehicle.

In addition, the lower wall includes, on its rear end edge in the direction X, a raised edge 28 which extends in the direction Y and forms an end stop in the direction X from the front to the rear of the vehicle.

Thus, the three pairs of elastic members 26 and the raised edges 28 form complementary elastic mounting means which make it possible to position the frame 16 of the air intake control device 12 relative to the housing 22 of the air conductor 14. To assemble the intake control device 12 to the housing 22, the operator must slide the frame 16 in the direction X from the front to the rear of the vehicle, deforming the three pairs of elastic members 26 until the frame 16 abuts against the raised edges 28.

Furthermore, the housing 22 comprises a wall 30 which extends projecting in the plane ZY from an upper wall 32 of the housing 22 and also forms an end stop. Similarly, the side walls of the housing 22 are configured to follow the side walls of the frame 16. Thus, the housing 22 of the air conductor 14 has a shape complementary to the frame 16 of the inlet air control device 12.

Thus, it can be seen that only the housing 22 of the air conductor 14 comprises the attachment means. These attachment means are sufficient by themselves to attach the frame 16 to the housing 22. Thus, the assembly of the intake air control device 12 on the air conductor 14 can be carried out very quickly. The frame 16 of the inlet control device 12 has a standard shape and does not include means for attaching it to the housing 22.

Fig. 4 and 5 show an air intake management system 100 according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

As can be seen in fig. 5, the air conductor 14 comprises two

members

14A and 14B, each forming one half of the air conductor 14. Half 14A is disposed forward of half 14B with respect to the forward travel direction of the vehicle.

Furthermore, the two

members

14A and 14B have complementary shapes such that they form a housing 22 to house the intake air control device 12, as can be seen by comparing fig. 4 and 5. The two

members

14A and 14B sandwich the frame 16, and thus the intake air control device 12.

Therefore, the member 14A located before the intake control device 12 guides the outside air that has passed through the front-end grille before passing through the plurality of flaps 18, and the member 14B located after the intake control device 12 guides the air that has passed through the plurality of flaps 18.

Furthermore, as shown in fig. 5, with respect to the vertical direction Z, the upper wall 34 of the frame 16 is covered by a portion 36 of the member 14A and a portion 38 of the member 14B. The portion 38 of the member 14B directly overlies the upper wall 34 of the frame 16. Additionally, portion 36 of member 14A directly overlies portion 38 of member 14B. The upper wall 34 of the frame 16 includes three through holes 34A. Similarly, the portion 36 of the member 14A and the portion 38 of the member 14B include three through holes 36A and 38A, respectively. When the air intake management system 100 is assembled as shown in FIG. 4, each of the three apertures 34A is aligned in the direction X with one of the three respective apertures 38A, 36A of the

respective portions

38, 36 of the

members

14B, 14A. Thus, the intake air management system 100 comprises three series of three through holes aligned in the direction Y. These three series accommodate means for attaching the

members

14A and 14B forming the air conductor 14. As shown in fig. 4, the means for attaching the

members

14A and 14B here takes the form of three christmas tree clips 40 extending in the direction Z. Of course, according to variants of the present embodiment, these may be rivets or more generally any other type of attachment means.

It should be noted that the lower wall of the frame 16 may be connected to both portions of the

members

14A, 14B in a similar manner.

It will also be noted that the christmas tree clip 40 and the

apertures

34A, 36A and 38A form here a means for attaching the two

members

14A, 14B forming the air conductor 14. However, the frame 16 of the intake air control device 12 is sandwiched by the two

members

14A, 14B. Thus, furthermore, the air conductor 14 comprises means for attaching the frame 16 to the housing 22 of the air conductor 14. These means are sufficient by themselves to attach the frame 16 to the housing 22.

Therefore, the frame 16 of the intake air control device 12 may have a standard shape.

Of course, many modifications may be made to the present invention without departing from its scope.

In particular, the shape of the

members

14A, 14B forming the air conductor 14 may vary.

The shape of the resilient member 26 may also vary.

Claims

1. An air intake management system (10; 100) for a motor vehicle, characterized in that it comprises:

-an air intake control device (12) comprising a frame (16) and a plurality of flaps (18) attached to the frame (16) and movable between a closed position and an open position and vice versa, and

-an air guide (14) forming a housing (22) for positioning the air intake control device (12) and comprising means (26, 28, 30; 14A, 14B) for attaching the frame (16) to the housing (22) in order to attach the frame (16) to the housing (22).

2. The intake air management system (10) of claim 1, wherein the means (26, 28, 30) for attaching the frame (16) to the housing (22) includes resilient mounting means (26, 28) for positioning the frame (16) relative to the housing (22).

3. The intake air management system (10) of claim 2, wherein the resilient mounting means (26, 28) comprises at least one resilient member (26), the at least one resilient member (26) forming an end stop for the frame (16) in a direction (X) perpendicular to a principal plane (YZ) of the housing (22).

4. The intake air management system (10) of claim 3, wherein the resilient mounting means (26, 28) includes a raised edge (28) complementary to the resilient member (26), the raised edge (28) forming an end stop for the frame (16) in a direction (X) perpendicular to a principal plane (YZ) of the housing (22) to position the frame (16) in the direction (X) perpendicular to the principal plane (YZ) of the housing (22).

5. The intake air management system (100) of claim 1, wherein the air guide (14) comprises two members (14A, 14B) having complementary shapes, each member forming one half of the air guide (14) and configured to sandwich the frame (16).

6. The intake air management system (100) of claim 5, wherein the two members (14A, 14B) of the air guide (14) and the frame (16) each include a through hole (34A, 36A, 38A) positioned such that the holes (34A, 36A, 38A) of the two members (14A, 14B) and the frame (16), respectively, are aligned.

7. The intake air management system (100) of claim 6, comprising means (40) for attaching the two members (14A, 14B) of the air guide (14), which are arranged in the holes (34A, 36A, 38A) of the two members (14A, 14B) and the frame (16), respectively.

8. The air intake management system (100) of claim 7, wherein the attachment device (40) comprises a Christmas tree clip (40).

9. The air intake management system (10; 100) of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the air guide (14) comprises means for attachment to a radiator of a vehicle and/or to a grille of a vehicle.

10. A front end module for a motor vehicle comprising an air intake management system according to any preceding claim.