EP3880543A1

EP3880543A1 - Deflector device for a motor vehicle wheel, and vehicle comprising such a device

Info

Publication number: EP3880543A1
Application number: EP19813124.5A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Laura MARION; Frédéric Vacca
Original assignee: Valeo Systemes Thermiques SAS
Current assignee: Valeo Systemes Thermiques SAS
Priority date: 2018-11-14
Filing date: 2019-10-28
Publication date: 2021-09-22
Also published as: FR3088294B1; WO2020099753A1; JP2022507385A; US20220348271A1; FR3088294A1; CN113260556A

Abstract

Deflector device (7) for a motor vehicle wheel (3), comprising at least one aerodynamic region (4, 400, 401) designed to be exposed to an external air flow (10), the device (7) further comprising an articulated mechanism (21) for moving the at least one aerodynamic region (4, 400, 401) so as to allow the deflector (7) to move from the retracted position to the deployed position, said articulated mechanism (21) comprising a drive member (22), and said articulated mechanism (21) being arranged to move the drive member (22) translationally when the deflector device (7) moves from the retracted position to the deployed position, the deflector device (7) comprising an actuator (19) configured to control the articulated mechanism (21) so as to allow the aerodynamic regions of the deflector to move relative to each other, said deflector device (7) further comprising a security device (50) configured to return said deflector device (7) to the retracted position without intervention by the actuator (19).

Description

DEFLECTOR DEVICE FOR MOTOR VEHICLE WHEEL AND VEHICLE COMPRISING SUCH A DEVICE

The invention relates to a deflector device for a motor vehicle wheel, said deflector device further comprising a safety device. The invention also relates to a vehicle equipped with such a deflector device.

A constant concern in the automotive sector is the fuel consumption and the ecological impact of the vehicle, in particular through its greenhouse gas emissions such as C0 ₂ or by toxic gases such as Nox. To reduce fuel consumption, car manufacturers are trying to make propulsion engines more efficient on the one hand, and to reduce the consumption of vehicle equipment on the other.

An important factor in the consumption of a vehicle is determined by the wind resistance or aerodynamics of the vehicle. Indeed, the aerodynamics of a motor vehicle is an important characteristic because it influences in particular the fuel consumption (and therefore pollution) as well as the performance in particular of acceleration of said vehicle.

In particular, drag or aerodynamic resistance to travel plays a decisive role, in particular at higher speeds, because the drag varies as a function of the square of the speed of movement of the vehicle.

It is known to place a fixed deflector device in front of a motor vehicle wheel. Such a fixed deflector, which can take the form of a flap, makes it possible to reduce turbulence in the wheel arch.

However, such a fixed deflector may be damaged when crossing obstacles (sidewalk, speed bump type speed reducer, etc.).

To resolve this problem, deflector devices equipped with an actuator have been envisaged and described in various documents, in particular documents FR1561093 and FR15621 1 1, the actuator being arranged to deploy and retract the deflector in front of the wheel of a vehicle. automobile.

The vehicle control unit orders, for example, the deployment of the deflector device when the vehicle reaches a speed substantially higher than 80 km / h, while it orders its retraction for a speed significantly lower than 80 km / h.

However, in the event of an anomaly, in particular in the event of an actuator failure, the deflector device may find itself blocked in the deployed position, which increases the risk of collisions between the deflector device and the external environment (back-type retarders donkey, obstacles on the road, sidewalk, etc.).

The present invention aims to provide a solution to the above problem.

The subject of the present invention is a deflector device for a motor vehicle wheel comprising at least one aerodynamic region, arranged to be exposed to an outside air flow, the device further comprising an articulated mechanism for moving said at least one aerodynamic region. , so as to allow the deflector to pass from the retracted position to the deployed position, this articulated mechanism comprising a drive member, and this articulated mechanism being arranged to move the drive member in a translational movement when the device deflector passes from the retracted position to the deployed position, said deflector device comprising an actuator, configured to control the articulated mechanism, so as to allow movement of the aerodynamic regions of the deflector relative to each other, said deflector device further comprising a safety device configured to bring said device back in the retracted position without the intervention of the actuator.

The deflector device according to the invention may include one or more characteristics described below, taken alone or in combination:

- The safety device is configured to separate said actuator from the articulated mechanism in the event of an anomaly, such as a failure of the actuator or emergency braking,

- a control unit (24) of the vehicle is configured to activate said safety device, - the articulated mechanism comprises a base arranged to be fixed relative to the vehicle, said base being mounted on the vehicle, and the drive member moving in a translational movement relative to said base, - the drive member and the base of the articulated mechanism are connected by means of at least two rods moving relative to each other,

- The drive member is a slide provided with at least one displacement rail, each of the rods is provided with a toothed wheel at its end in connection with the base of the articulated mechanism, said toothed wheels meshing together, and each rods comprises at least one sleeve at its end in connection with the slide of the articulated mechanism, said sleeve cooperating with the rail for moving the slide, so that one of the rods, when it is driven by the actuator, transmits its movement to the adjacent link, the safety device comprises at least at least one member made of shape memory material configured to be electrically powered so as to deform between a first state and a second state to separate the actuator from the mechanism articulated, in the event of an anomaly, such as a failure of the actuator or emergency braking, the safety device comprises a track support having at least two conductive tracks s for electrically supplying said at least one member made of shape memory material, and said at least one member made of shape memory material comprises at least two contact elements configured to be arranged each in electrical contact with an associated conductive track, at least when said at least one member made of shape memory material is in the first state. The electrical supply is therefore ensured by the contact between the contacting elements with the conductive tracks, said at least one member made of shape memory material is mounted so as to be able to rotate relative to the track support around a drive axis. A rotary contactor is thus produced in order to electrically supply the member with shape memory material, said at least one member made of shape memory material is configured to pass from a compressed rest state to a relaxed state when it is supplied, the support has a generally annular shape centered on the axis drive and having a predefined radial size, said at least two contactor elements are arranged with a lower radial size or of the same order as the radial size of the track support, the contactor elements are made by wipers, the contactor elements are each arranged in electrical contact with an associated conductive track, whatever the state of said at least one member made of shape memory material, the contactor elements are each arranged in electrical contact with an associated conductive track, whatever the angular position of said at least one member made of shape memory material with respect to the track support, the contactor elements are at least partly flexible , the conductive tracks are on one face of the track support arranged opposite said at least one member made of shape memory material, the track support comprises at least one electrical connector for supplying the conductive tracks, arranged on the side opposite to the conductive tracks, said device comprises a drive shaft configured to be arranged so as to transmit a movement of the actuator to said articulated mechanism, said drive shaft comprises a cavity for receiving said at least one member made of shape memory material , said safety device comprises a transmission element coupled in rotation to the drive shaft and mounted to move between a engaged position in which it is coupled in rotation to the driver, and a disengaged position in which it is decoupled from the 'coach, said at least one member made of shape memory material is configured to urge the transmission element towards the disengaged position in the event of failure of the actuator,

- the drive shaft is configured to be driven in rotation about a drive axis by the actuator, the transmission element is axially movable between the engaged and disengaged positions, the coach comprises a housing in which the drive shaft and the transmission element are arranged at least partially,

- the track support is assembled to the trainer so as to close the housing,

the transmission element is arranged around an end portion of the drive shaft having the receiving cavity of said at least one member made of shape memory material,

the transmission element comprises a main body arranged around the end portion of the drive shaft and an end wall arranged opposite the end portion of the drive shaft,

- The end wall is formed on a closure cover assembled to the main body, the end wall of the transmission element has at least two openings for the passage of the contactor elements of said at least one member made of memory material of shape, said at least one member made of shape memory material comprises at least one spring,

- Said device comprises an elastic return element arranged so as to urge the transmission element towards the engaged position, so that said at least one member made of shape memory material is configured to urge the transmission element towards the position disengaged against the force exerted by the elastic return element.

The invention also relates to a motor vehicle comprising a deflector device as described above. Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear more clearly on reading the following description, given by way of illustrative and nonlimiting example, and the appended drawings among which:

FIG. 1 is a diagram of the deflector device in the deployed position, comprising an articulated mechanism for moving the aerodynamic regions of said deflector device according to a particular embodiment of the invention, as well as a safety device,

FIG. 2 is a diagram of the deflector device in the retracted position, comprising an articulated mechanism for moving the aerodynamic regions of said deflector device according to a particular embodiment of the invention, as well as a safety device,

FIGS. 3 and 4 show a perspective view, from the side, of the articulated mechanism for moving the aerodynamic regions according to a particular embodiment of the invention, when the deflector device is in the retracted position,

FIG. 5 is an exploded view of a clutch and disengage mechanism of the safety device of the deflector device of FIGS. 1 and 2,

FIG. 6 is a view in the assembled state of the clutch and disengage mechanism of FIG. 3, FIG. 7 shows the member made of shape memory material of FIG. 8 connected to an associated track support, FIG. 8 shows in detail a member made of shape memory material from FIG. 5.

The following embodiments are examples. Although the description refers to one or more embodiments, this does not necessarily mean that each reference relates to the same embodiment, or that the characteristics apply only to a single embodiment. Simple features of different embodiments can also be combined or interchanged to provide other embodiments.

The horizontal plane is designated by a coordinate system (X, Y) and the vertical direction by the direction Z, the three directions forming a trihedron (X, Y, Z). These axes may correspond to the designation of the axes in a motor vehicle, that is to say by convention, in a vehicle, the X axis corresponds to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle, the Y axis corresponds to the axis transverse of the vehicle and the Z axis to the vertical axis according to the height of the vehicle.

In the present description, the terms vertical / horizontal or up / down are designated with reference to the arrangement of the elements in the figures, which corresponds to the arrangement of the elements in the mounted state in the motor vehicle.

FIG. 1 shows a deflector device 7 comprising four aerodynamic regions (401, 4, 4, 400) for the wheel of a motor vehicle.

In the diagram of FIG. 1, the vehicle moves according to arrow 9, so that a flow of air 10 impacts the motor vehicle.

The deflector device 7 comprises four aerodynamic regions (401, 4, 4, 400) arranged to be exposed to the air flow 10. These aerodynamic regions are arranged to move relative to each other when the deflector device 7 goes from a deployed position (Figure 1) to a retracted position (Figure 2). In other words, the deflector device 7 is telescopic with elements which interlock and slide into one another.

More particularly, the aerodynamic region 401 is configured to be fixed to the chassis 300 of the vehicle, upstream of a wheel (not shown in the diagram), and in particular at the level of a wheel arch. Said aerodynamic region is fixed to the chassis 300 of the vehicle for example by screwing or by staples, or by any other fixing means.

The shape of the aerodynamic regions is not limitative of the present invention and can be freely adapted.

In the deployed position shown in Figure 1, the deflector device 7 is placed in the path of the air flow 10 upstream of the vehicle wheel. Thus, the air flow 10 is deflected so as not to be able to rush into the wheel arch. When the deflector device 7 is in the retracted position as in FIG. 2, the space requirement of such a device is minimal. The aerodynamic regions being of progressive size, they are all fitted into one another when the deflector device 7 is in the retracted position (FIG. 2. The deflector device 7 therefore does not substantially obstruct the flow of air 10 impacting the wheel.

When the deflector device 7 is in the deployed position (FIG. 1), the size of such a device is maximum. The total height H _A of the aerodynamic regions which are deployed is substantially greater than the total height H _B of the aerodynamic regions when the deflector device 7 is in the retracted position (comparison illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2.

When the deflector device 7 passes from the deployed position (FIG. 1) to the retracted position (FIG. 2), the aerodynamic regions are arranged to move parallel to one another along a retraction axis 20, which is substantially parallel to the Z axis.

In order to be able to operate the movement between the deployed position (FIG. 1) and the retracted position (FIG. 2), the deflector device 7 further comprises an articulated mechanism 21 for displacement of the aerodynamic regions. Figures 1 and 2 show a transparent view of the articulated mechanism 21 within the deflector device 7, when the deflector device 7 is on the one hand in the deployed position (Figure 1) and on the other hand when the deflector device 7 is in retracted position (Figure 2). FIGS. 3 and 4 show more precisely this articulated mechanism 21 when the deflector device 7 is in the retracted position as in the example of FIG. 2.

The articulated mechanism 21 comprises a drive member 22, for example a slide, and it is arranged to move the drive member 22 in a translational movement (along the Z axis when the deflector device 7 passes from the position retracted to the deployed position). The drive member 22 is therefore integral with the aerodynamic region 400 of the deflector device 7, that is to say that which is furthest from the chassis of the motor vehicle {ie. the one closest to the road once the deflector is deployed).

The articulated mechanism 21 is configured to be controlled by an actuator 19. The articulated mechanism 21 is therefore connected to the actuator 19. The actuator 19 is connected to a base 33 of the articulated mechanism 21. The actuator 19 is configured to move the aerodynamic regions in relation to each other in parallel along the retraction axis 20, when the deflector device passes from the deployed position to the retracted position (and vice versa).

The actuator 19 can be an electric actuator, for example an electric motor.

The articulated mechanism 21 has a base 33 arranged to be fixed relative to the vehicle. The base 33 can be mounted on the chassis 300 of the vehicle. The drive member 22 moves in a translational movement (along an axis substantially parallel to the axis Z) relative to the base 33.

According to a particular embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figures 1 to 4, the drive member 22 and the base 33 of the articulated mechanism 21 are connected by means of two rods (70, 71) moving l 'one over the other. The links (70, 71) have for example a rod shape.

According to the embodiment described in FIGS. 1 to 4, the drive member 22 is a slide provided with a displacement rail 69.

Each of the links (70, 71) is provided with a toothed wheel 80 at its end in connection with the base 33 of the articulated mechanism 21, the toothed wheels 80 meshing together. It can be seen in FIGS. 3 and 4 that each of the links (70, 71) comprises at least one sleeve 90 at its end in connection with the slide 22 of the articulated mechanism 21. The sleeve 90 cooperates with the displacement rail 69 of the slide 22, so that the link 70, when it is driven by means of the actuator 19, transmits its movement to the adjacent link 71.

FIG. 4 represents the articulated mechanism 21 stripped of its base 33, in order to make the gear system more visible.

According to FIG. 4, the actuator 19 comprises an output member in indirect engagement with the base 33 of the articulated mechanism 21. The output member of the actuator 19 comprises a driver 9, or motor shaft, provided with a toothed main body 27 meshing with the toothed wheel 80 of the link 70.

Let us now describe more precisely the movements of the mechanism articulated 21 in the case of normal operation without failure of the actuator 19. The driver 9 drives the rod 70 in translation relative to the retraction axis 20 via the toothed main body 27. The movement of the link 70 is transmitted to the adjacent link 71 via the pinions 80 meshing together, while the sleeves 90 cooperate with the displacement rail 69 of the slide 22. The slide 22 then moves in a translational movement relative to to the base 33 of the articulated mechanism 21, parallel to the retraction axis 20.

The aerodynamic region 400 being connected to the drive member 22 of the articulated mechanism 21, the translational movement is transmitted to all of the aerodynamic regions.

Furthermore, the deflector device 7 may further comprise a control unit 24 electrically connected to the actuator 19 and configured to activate or start the actuator 19 when the deflector device 7 has to pass from a retracted position to a position deployed or vice versa.

The control unit 24 comprises for example an electronic circuit such as a microprocessor or a microcontroller receiving speed information from a speed sensor, and ordering the deployment or retraction of the deflector device 7.

To counteract any malfunction of the actuator 19, the deflector device 7 further comprises a safety device 50 (visible in detail in FIG. 5) configured to return said deflector device 7 to the retracted position without the intervention of the 'actuator 19. Such a safety device 50 prevents the deflector device from being damaged when crossing obstacles (sidewalk, donkey-type retarder, etc.) on the road.

The safety device 50 is configured to separate said actuator 19 from the articulated mechanism 21 in the event of an anomaly, such as a failure of the actuator 19 or emergency braking of the vehicle.

In particular, the security device 50 comprises at least one member made of shape memory material 8 (more particularly visible in FIG. 5). The organ made of shape memory material 8 is configured to be electrically supplied so as to deform between a first state and a second state. This change of state can take place in the event of failure of the actuator 19. The member made of shape memory material 8 is therefore able to be connected to an electrical power source (not shown).

The member made of shape memory material 8 is configured to change state in the event of failure of the actuator 19. This member made of shape memory material 8 is arranged so as to separate the actuator 19 from the articulated mechanism 21 , when it goes from one state to another, in particular from the first to the second state.

The body made of shape memory material 8 can go from a compressed or retracted state to a relaxed state and vice versa. The body made of shape memory material 8 can, when compressed, relax or lengthen by a predefined distance. By way of nonlimiting example, a member made of shape memory material 8 can be provided with a retraction coefficient of the order of 2% to 8%, preferably of the order of 4%.

In the event of only temporary failure of the actuator 19, when the failure ceases, the member made of shape memory material 8 can return to the initial or resting state, for example to the compressed state.

One can for example provide that when it is supplied with the member of shape memory material 8 is in its compressed form and that when it is no longer supplied with current, it regains its relaxed form in the state of rest and returns to its original length. Or conversely, it can be provided that, when it is supplied, the member made of shape memory material 8 is in its relaxed form and that when it is no longer supplied with current it regains its compressed form at the state of rest. This is the preferred embodiment variant.

The member made of shape memory material 8 may comprise at least one spring.

In particular, as illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6, the member made of shape memory material 8 may comprise two springs 81, for example helical, joining at one end. In other words, the two springs 81 have a common end. We can also speak of double winding 81 to form the member in shape memory material 8. The production of the member in shape memory material 8 is not limited to this particular example. Any other form of the member made of shape memory material 8 can be envisaged. For example, one can provide a wire of shape memory material, which can be substantially straight or have at least on a section a curved or spiral shape.

The safety device 50 further comprises one or more electrical connection means for connecting the member made of shape memory material 8 to the power supply source (not shown in the figures).

According to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5, the security device 50 comprises a support 10 for tracks. The support 10 of tracks is mounted in the safety device 50 while being retained in rotation. The support 10 of tracks can be mounted on the base 33, so as to be locked in rotation. In a complementary manner, the cover 10 may have an indexing member 100 with at least one flat 102. The indexing member 100 is configured to be received in a housing of complementary shape on the base 33 allowing in particular a translation of the support 10 of tracks relative to the base 33 for assembly, and preventing the support 10 of tracks from being movable in rotation relative to the base 33.

Referring to FIG. 7, the support 10 has at least two conductive tracks 101 for electrically supplying the member with shape memory material 8.

In the example illustrated, two conductive tracks 101 are provided, a track for the positive pole and a track for the negative pole. For example, the conductive tracks 101 can for example be electrically powered in the event of failure of the actuator 19. When the actuator 19 is detached from the articulated mechanism 21, the electrical supply of the conductive tracks 101 can be cut.

The conductive tracks 101 are for example made of brass. The conductive tracks 101 are on one face of the support 10 for tracks arranged opposite the member made of shape memory material 8 in the assembled state of the safety device 50. By way of nonlimiting example, the conductive tracks 101 can be overmolded on the support 10 of tracks. The conductive tracks 101 can be arranged concentrically with respect to a central axis. According to FIG. 5 or 7, the member made of shape memory material 8 comprises at least two contacting elements 87 configured to each come into electrical contact with a conductive track 101 associated at least under certain conditions, for example at least when the member made of shape memory material 8 is in the first state, in this example in the rest state.

These are, for example, 87 wipers.

According to the particular example illustrated with a member made of shape memory material 8 produced by two springs or two windings 81 connected by a common end 83, a wiper 87 is connected to the end 85 of each spring or winding 81, which is opposite the common end 83. The wiper 87 is connected at least electrically to the end 85 of the spring 81.

To this end, the safety device 50 includes a connection interface between the member made of shape memory material 8 and the wiper (s) 87. In particular, it is possible to provide for each wiper 87, a plate 88 from which s 'extends the wiper 87. It is for example a plate 88 plane or substantially planar.

Each plate 88 may have a sheath 89 intended to receive the end 85 of the corresponding spring 81. The shape of the sheath 89 is adapted to the shape of the end 85 of the spring 81. As a variant, any other form may be envisaged for receiving one end of the member made of shape memory material 8.

The wipers 87 may each have a tongue 871 extending from the plate 88 and ending in one end 872. The tongues 871 are for example configured to extend in a direction inclined with respect to the general plane defined by the plate 88, when the member made of shape memory material 8 is in the rest state, namely with the springs 81 compressed.

The wipers 87 are movable relative to the support 10 of tracks. In other words, the wipers 87 can pass from one position to another with respect to the support 10 of tracks when the organ made of shape memory material 8 changes state.

In particular, the wipers 87 are at least partly flexible. More specifically, at least the tongues 871 are flexible.

Referring more particularly to FIG. 7, the member made of shape memory material 8 and the support 10 of tracks can be arranged such that the ends 872 of wipers 87 are in electrical contact with conductive tracks 101.

When the member made of shape memory material 8 changes state, that is to say in the example described that the springs 81 pass from a compressed to relaxed state, the plates 88 approach the support 10 of tracks, conversely when the springs 81 are compressed again, the plates 88 move away from the support 10 of tracks. Clearly, the angle of inclination of the tongues 871 with respect to the plates 88 decreases when the springs 81 relax, thus approaching the support 10 of tracks, and conversely increases when the springs 81 compress again in s moving away from the support 10 of tracks.

The wipers 87 thus remain in abutment against the conductive tracks 101 to ensure good electrical contact with them, whatever the axial position of the member made of shape memory material 8, in particular springs 81, relative to the support 10 of tracks. In addition, as detailed below, the member made of shape memory material 8 is mounted in a movable assembly in rotation, while the support 10 of tracks remains retained in rotation. As a result, the wipers 87 rotate around the drive axis A following the complementary circular shape of the conductive tracks 101. A rotary contactor is thus formed for supplying the member with shape memory material 8.

At least when the member made of shape memory material 8 is in the first state, in this example in the rest state, the wipers 87 can be in abutment against the conductive tracks 101, whatever the angular position of the body made of shape memory material 8 relative to the support 10 of tracks. Thus, when the member made of shape memory material 8 is supplied, in the event of failure of the actuator 19 for example, electrical contact is ensured between the wipers 87 and the conductive tracks 101, whatever the angular position of the body made of shape memory material 8.

Thus, according to one embodiment, when the member made of shape memory material 8 is not supplied, it is in its compressed form and the wipers 87 are in contact with the conductive tracks 101. In the event of failure of the actuator 19, the member made of shape memory material 8 is supplied and deforms between the first state and the second state, that is to say according to the example described, relaxes. In se relaxing, the member made of shape memory material 8 participates in the separation of the actuator 19 from the articulated mechanism 21. The plates 88 approach the support 10 of tracks. The relaxation of the organ made of continuous shape memory material, crushing the wipers 87 against the support 10 of tracks. At the end of the travel of the member made of shape memory material 8, at least one wiper 87 or even the two wipers 87, more precisely their ends 872 are moved so as to leave the tracks 101. In particular, the ends 872 are then in the space between the tracks 101, that is to say on the non-conductive track 101 '. The contactor elements 87 are then in mechanical contact with the non-conductive intermediate track 101 'and without electrical contact (this configuration is not visible in FIG. 7).

The output of the wipers 87 from the conductive tracks 101 then stops the electrical supply of the member with shape memory material 8. This makes it possible to perform an additional safety function. The body made of shape memory material 8 while cooling then tends to return to the state of rest, that is to say to regain its compressed form.

In addition, when the actuator 19 is detached from the articulated mechanism, the tracks 101 are no longer supplied with current. Thus, when the member made of shape memory material 8 compresses so that the wipers 87 are again in contact with an associated conductive track 101, the electrical supply having been stopped, the member made of shape memory material 8 can return to the rest state, that is to say in the example described compressed.

Furthermore, the support 10 for tracks can also carry at least one electrical connector 105. The electrical connector 105 is provided on the side opposite to the conductive tracks 101. It is for example overmolded on the support 10 of tracks. The electrical connector 105 is intended to be connected to the power supply source (not shown) so as to allow the power supply of the conductive tracks 101, for example when a complementary electrical connector (not shown) is inserted in the electrical connector 105.

The cooperation of the member made of shape memory material 8 with the other elements of the safety device 50 is described in more detail below.

The safety device 50 also comprises a drive shaft 70 (visible in FIG. 5), arranged so as to transmit a movement from the actuator 19 to the articulated mechanism 21. The safety device 50 also comprises in this example a driver 9 provided with a toothed main body 27 meshing with the toothed wheel 80 of the rod 70, and a transmission element 1 1 which can be coupled in rotation or detached from the driver 9. The separation occurs in the event of failure of the actuator 19 under the action of the member made of shape memory material 8.

As regards the drive shaft 70, it is configured to be driven by the actuator 19. The drive shaft 70 can be driven in a rotational movement around the drive axis A.

This drive shaft 70 may include at least one means for rotating the transmission element 1 1 of the safety device 50.

The drive shaft 70 comprises for example a first part 71 configured to be driven by the actuator 19 (not visible in Figure 5) and a second part 72 configured to cooperate with the transmission element 1 1. The first 71 and second 72 parts extend for example longitudinally along the drive axis A.

The section of the first part 71 may have, without limitation, a general shape of a star.

According to the embodiment described, the second part 72 is configured to be received in the transmission element 11.

The second part 72 is configured to drive the transmission element 1 1 in rotation. In other words, the second part 72 of the drive shaft 70 comprises the means for driving in rotation the transmission element 1 1. The second part 72 may have, in a nonlimiting manner, a generally elongated shape, such than a generally oblong shape. The second part 72 is configured to guide the movement of the transmission element 1 1 as will be described later.

In addition, this second part 72 may have on its external contour, a peripheral groove 721 (better visible in FIG. 5). The drive shaft 70 further comprises a junction part 73 between the first 71 and second 72 parts of the drive shaft 70. This part of junction 73 is shaped to be received in the coach 9. This junction part 73 can serve as a surface for guiding in rotation of the coach 9.

In addition, the drive shaft 70 comprises at least one blocking element 731 in translation or axial blocking of the coach 9.

The translational locking of the driver 9 can be achieved by snap-fastening for this purpose, with reference to FIG. 5, the drive shaft 70 can have a peripheral groove 731 configured to cooperate with at least one complementary locking element carried by the coach 9. This peripheral groove 731 is for example at the level of the junction part 73. In this example, this groove 731 is closer to the first part 71 than to the second part 72.

Finally, the drive shaft 70 has a cavity 75 for receiving the member made of shape memory material 8. The cavity 75 is formed at the second part 72 of the drive shaft 70 intended to cooperate with the transmission element 1 1. This cavity 75 is of complementary shape to the shape of the member made of shape memory material 8. By way of nonlimiting example, the cavity 75 has an outline of general shape substantially in "eight" or in peanut, or nephroid. This “eight” or peanut shape is adapted to receive at least in part, or even entirely, the two adjoining springs 81 described above. The plates 88, the sleeves 89 and the contacting elements 87 at the ends of the springs 81 can extend outside this cavity 75.

Regarding the trainer 9, it may be a drive shaft provided with a toothed main body 27. The trainer 9 means any means or member making it possible to transmit a movement to the link 70. For this purpose, the driver 9 is on the one hand directly coupled to the link 70 and on the other hand is configured to be driven by the actuator 19 via the drive shaft 70.

The shape of the trainer 9 can be adapted as a function of the safety device 50 in which it is installed and of the actuator 19. With reference to FIG. 5, the trainer 9 comprises a toothed main body 27 intended to be crossed by the drive shaft 70. The main toothed body 27 is for example of generally cylindrical shape.

The driver 9 further comprises a portion 92 which extends from the toothed main body 27 on the side of the actuator 19. This portion 92 is for example of generally tubular shape. The portion 92 extends, for example centrally, from of a face of the toothed main body 27. The portion 92 has a smaller diameter than the toothed main body 27.

Referring to Figure 5, the coach 9 has a cavity defining a housing 91 in which the drive shaft 70, and the transmission element 1 1 are arranged at least partially. This cavity is provided in the main body 27.

As shown in FIG. 5, the trainer 9 has a plurality of teeth 95 alternated with a plurality of recesses 97. More generally speaking, there are teeth. This toothing is formed on the internal surface of the main body 27. More specifically, the toothing is provided so as to cooperate with the transmission element 1 1 (not visible in this figure) when it is received in the housing 91.

With reference to FIG. 5 or to FIG. 6, the coach 9 can also have one or more blocking elements of the drive shaft 70. It is a blocking in translation along the axis These blocking elements can be arranged at the level of the portion 92 of the coach 9. The blocking elements can be produced by blocking lugs 98 configured to cooperate with the groove 731 on the drive shaft 70 (visible in Figure 5). The locking tabs 98 end for example with hooks. This produces, for example, an assembly by clipping or snap-fastening between the drive 9 and the drive shaft 70. For example, the portion 92 may have notches 99 which delimit the locking tabs 98.

Finally, the trainer 9 is intended to be assembled to the support 10 of the tracks described above, as illustrated in FIG. 6. To this end, the safety device 50 comprises means for additional fixing members, such as clipping means or latching, carried on the one hand by the support 10 of tracks and on the other hand by the coach 9.

In the assembled state of the safety device 50, the support 10 of tracks is arranged opposite the housing 91. The support 10 of tracks can be assembled to the coach 9 so as to close the housing 91 on one side, here on the side opposite to the first part 71 of the drive shaft 70. The support 10 for tracks is therefore arranged on the side of the coach 9 opposite to the actuator 19. The support 10 for tracks can thus form a cover for the trainer 9. The support 10 of tracks can be assembled to the coach 9 by any suitable fixing means, such as by clipping, or snap-fastening.

The transmission element 1 1 can be produced by a clutch bell. This transmission element 1 1 is arranged so as to couple in rotation the drive shaft 70 and the driver 9 in normal operation, and to separate from the driver 9 in the event of failure of the actuator 19. On here means "normal operation" a mode without anomaly, without failure of the actuator

19.

To do this, the transmission element 1 1 is mounted movable between a engaged position and a disengaged position. In this example, the transmission element 1 1 is mounted axially movable, that is to say movable in translation along the drive axis A.

In the engaged position, the transmission element 1 1 can transmit a movement of the drive shaft 70 to the trainer 9. The transmission element 1 1 is coupled in rotation with the drive shaft 70 and is coupled in rotation with the coach 9, thus making it possible to couple the coach 9 and the actuator 19 via the drive shaft 70. The coach 9 can then drive the link 70 of the articulated mechanism 21 .

In the disengaged position, the transmission element 1 1 is detached from the driver 9. In this example, the transmission element 1 1 remains integral with the drive shaft 70 and is decoupled from the driver 9. The transmission element 1 1 therefore makes it possible to disengage the actuator 19 from the articulated mechanism 21 by disengaging from the driver 9.

To this end, the member made of shape memory material 8 is arranged so as to urge the transmission element 1 1 in the event of failure of the actuator 19 towards the disengaged position. More specifically, the member made of shape memory material 8 axially biases the transmission element 1 1. In other words, when the actuator 19 is blocked following a failure, the transmission element 1 1 can, under the effect of the action of the member made of shape memory material 8, be moved in translation to the disengaged position, independently of the drive shaft 70.

As long as the member made of shape memory material 8 is compressed, it does not stress the transmission element 1 1 towards its disengaged position. So the element 1 1 transmission remains in the engaged position, the transmission element 1 1 being coupled with the driver 9.

On the contrary, in the relaxed state, the member made of shape memory material 8 exerts an axial stress on the transmission element 1 1 urging it towards the disengaged position, which results in the separation of the transmission element 1 1 and the coach 9 if the latter were secured to each other beforehand, or which leaves the transmission element 1 1 in the disengaged position if the transmission element 1 1 was already detached from the coach 9.

More specifically, regarding the cooperation of the transmission element 1 1 with the drive shaft 70, the transmission element 1 1 is placed around a portion of the drive shaft 70, namely in this example around an end portion which corresponds to the second part 72 of the drive shaft 70. This arrangement is produced by cooperation of shapes between the transmission element 11 and the second part 72 of the shaft 70. In addition, the second part 72 of the drive shaft 70, in particular the external surface which is opposite the transmission element 11, is configured to guide the movement in this example the sliding, of the transmission element 1 1 around the second part 72 between the engaged and disengaged positions. It is a linear guide. According to the embodiment illustrated in Figure 5, the transmission element

1 1 comprises a main body 15 which is arranged around the second part 72 of the drive shaft 70.

In particular, the transmission element 1 1 includes a housing 150 configured to receive the second part 72 of the drive shaft 70. This housing 150 is provided in this example at the main body 15 of the transmission element 1 1.

The housing 150 has an elongated general shape complementary to the shape of the second part 72 of the drive shaft 70. The second part 72 of the drive shaft 70 is intended to be arranged in this housing 150 so that the flats 720 are arranged opposite the long sides of the housing 150. This allows the drive shaft 70 to slide in the transmission element but blocks it in rotation. This makes it possible to transmit the torque from the actuator 19 to the driver 9 via the transmission element 11. In addition, as illustrated in Figure 5, the transmission element 1 1 may have at least one lateral opening 151, in this example two opposite lateral openings 151. The elongated, for example oblong, shape of the second part 72 of the drive shaft 70 makes it possible to orient the arrangement of the latter in the housing 150 of the transmission element, so that the short side of the second part 72 is positioned opposite a lateral opening 151 of the transmission element 1 1. When the transmission element 11 and the drive shaft 70 are assembled, each lateral opening 151 is aligned with the peripheral groove 721 of the drive shaft 70.

The second part 72 of the drive shaft 70 having this cavity 75 being surrounded by the main body 15 of the transmission element 1 1, the member made of shape memory material 8 is at least partly inside of the main body 15. As said previously, the springs 81 of the member made of shape memory material 8 are received in the second part 72 of the drive shaft 70 while the plates 88, the sleeves 89 and the elements contactors 87 extend out of this second part 72. In this case, the plates 88 and the sleeves 89 can be arranged in abutment against a complementary bearing surface provided for this purpose in the main body 15 of the transmission element 1 1.

The transmission element 1 1 further comprises an end wall arranged opposite the end portion of the drive shaft 70, that is to say of the second part 72.

As illustrated in FIG. 5, it is possible to provide a cover 17 for closing the transmission element 11, which is fixed on the main body 15. The assembly is done for example by form cooperation between the main body 15 and the cover 17 for closing. In this case, the end wall is formed on this closing cover 17.

When the main body 15 and the closing cover 17 are assembled, the plates 88 and the sleeves 89 are arranged between the main body 15 and the closing cover 17. In other words, the arrangement of the closing cover 17 on the main body 15 makes it possible to sandwich the plates 88 and the sleeves 89 between the closing cover 17 and the main body 15.

The end wall, here the cover 17 for closing the transmission element 1 1 has at least two openings 171 for the passage of the elements contactors 87 of the member made of shape memory material 8. These are longitudinal openings 171 of shapes complementary to the contactor elements 87, in particular the tabs 871, of the member made of shape memory material 8. These openings 171 can be extended by housings 173. The end regions of the contacting elements 87, these end regions comprising the ends 872, can at least partially fit into the housings 173 when the springs 81 extend.

Furthermore, with reference again to FIG. 5, the control device 1 also comprises at least one elastic return element 21.

The elastic return element 21 is arranged so as to exert a return force urging the transmission element 1 1 towards the engaged position. This allows the coupling of the driver 9 and the actuator 19 under normal conditions of use, that is to say here in the absence of failure of the actuator 19. In this example, the stress on the 1 1 transmission element is axially.

When the member made of shape memory material 8 changes state and biases the transmission element 1 1 towards the disengaged position, for example when it relaxes, it is against the force exerted by the elastic return element 21.

In this example, the elastic return element 21 is arranged so as to urge the main body 15 of the transmission element 11.

By way of example, the elastic return element 21 can be produced in the form of a clip intended to grip the drive shaft 70, here the second part 72, housed in the transmission element 11 , while coming to bear against at least one surface of the transmission element 1 1. The elastic return element 21, for example in the form of a clip, thus makes it possible to link the drive shaft 70 and the transmission element 11.

The clip comprises a base 21 1 from which extend two legs 213, in a parallel or substantially parallel manner. In the example illustrated, the legs 213 are curved when the clip is in the rest state. When the member made of shape memory material 8 changes state and urges the transmission element 11 to the disengaged position, the clip is compressed so that the tabs 213 extend substantially in the same plane as the base 21 1 of the clip. Furthermore, with regard to the cooperation of the transmission element 1 1 with the coach 9, the transmission element 1 1, in particular the main body 15, can be coupled by form cooperation to the coach 9 in normal operation. According to the embodiment described, the transmission element 1 1 is configured to mesh with the coach 9 in normal operation. To this end, with reference to FIG. 5, the transmission element 11 has a toothing complementary to the toothing of the coach 9. This toothing is provided on a face of the main body 15 arranged on the side of the coach 9 The toothing of the transmission element 1 1 is configured to cooperate with the toothing of the coach 9 so as to couple in rotation the coach 9 and the transmission element 1 1 in the engaged position. The teeth of the transmission element 1 1 comprises a plurality of teeth 153 alternated with a plurality of recesses 155. The teeth 153 of the transmission element 1 1 are configured to be inserted between the teeth 95 of the coach 9 so as to make integral in rotation the transmission element 1 1 and the coach 9.

In the disengaged position of the transmission element 1 1, its teeth are disengaged from the teeth of the trainer 9.

Furthermore, the separation between the actuator 19 and the articulated mechanism 21 by the separation between the transmission element 1 1 and the driver 9 can be reversible. In other words, the driver 9 and the transmission element 1 1 can return to the engaged position in which they are integral, for example when the failure of the actuator 19 was only temporary, to return to a normal operating configuration without anomaly.

The member made of shape memory material 8 is therefore mounted and maintained in a movable assembly around the drive axis A, with respect to the support 10 of tracks which remains retained in rotation. This movable assembly is formed by the drive shaft 70 and the transmission element 1 1, more precisely, by the second part 72 of the drive shaft 70, and the main body 15 and the closure cover 17 of the transmission element 1 1. This mobile assembly is itself mounted in the coach 9 which is also mobile.

These elements form a clutch and declutching mechanism making it possible to couple or separate the transmission element 1 1 and the driver 9. Normal operating mode without failure

Thus, in a normal operating mode, that is to say without anomaly, without failure of the actuator 19, the actuator 19 controls the articulated mechanism 21, so as to allow the displacement of the aerodynamic regions of the deflector with respect to the others, via, in the example illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 4 of the two links 70 and 71.

The elastic return element 21 is in the rest state, and the member made of shape memory material 8 is not supplied and is compressed. The wipers 87 can be arranged in contact with the tracks 101. As long as the member made of shape memory material 8 remains in the compressed state, the transmission element 1 1 is kept coupled with the driver 9 by virtue of the restoring force exerted by the elastic return element 21 .

The actuator 19 causes, under the effect of a command, the rotation of the drive shaft 70 coupled in rotation to the transmission element 1 1, the driver 9 being integral with the transmission element 1 1, it then adopts the same rotary movement.

The trainer 9 drives the link 70 in translation relative to the retraction axis 20 via the toothed main body 27 of the trainer 9. The movement of the link 70 is transmitted to the adjacent link 71 by the intermediate of the pinions 80 meshing together, while the sleeves 90 cooperate with the displacement rail 69 of the slide 22. The slide 22 then moves in a translational movement relative to the base 33 of the articulated mechanism 21, parallel to the axis of withdrawal 20.

Operating mode in case of actuator failure

In the event that the actuator 19 undergoes a failure, such as for example when the actuator 19 is no longer supplied following a short circuit or a cut in the electrical harness or further following a non-functioning of the electrical control , or even in the case of an internal breakage of an element of the actuator 19, the actuator 19 is detached from the articulated mechanism 21, more precisely, the actuator 19 is detached from the drive shaft 70 More specifically, the member made of shape memory material 8 can be supplied electrically via the conductive tracks 101 of the track support 10, and deforms between the first state and the second state, that is to say according to the example describes that it can relax or lengthen by a sufficient distance to decouple the transmission element 1 1 and the trainer 9. Indeed, the member made of shape memory material 8 by relaxing requests the transmission element 1 1 which moves towards the disengaged position and thus disengages from the coach 9. In this example, the teeth provided respectively on the transmission element 1 1 and the coach 9 are disengaged one of the other.

In addition, with reference to FIG. 7, during the relaxation of the member made of continuous shape memory material 8, the plates 88 approach the support 10 of the tracks, advantageously until at the end of the travel of the member made of shape memory material 8, the ends 872 leave the tracks 101 and come into mechanical contact with the non-conductive track 101 'and without electrical contact. The output of the wipers 87 from the tracks 101 then stops the electrical supply to the member of shape memory material 8. Thus, the wipers 87 are only electrically supplied for the minimum necessary allowing the separation of the trainer 9 and the transmission element 1 1, that is to say long enough for the toothing of the transmission element 1 1 to disengage from that of the trainer 9.

The driver 9 is detached from the transmission element, itself coupled to the drive shaft 70 which is integral with the actuator 19.

The driver 9, once detached from the actuator 19, is then found free to rotate. In the event of failure of the actuator 19, and when the deflector device 7 is in the deployed position, the return to the retracted position can take place in various ways. By way of example, a return means can be provided such as a return spring 500 arranged so as to exert a return force on at least one of the aerodynamic regions of the deflector device 7 to maintain said deflector in the deployed position when the operation of the actuator 19 is normal, and such that in the event of a malfunction of the actuator 19, the aerodynamic regions move relative to each other so as to bring the deflector device 7 into the retracted position. When the actuator 19 is detached from the articulated mechanism 21, the tracks 101 are no longer supplied with current. As for the member made of shape memory material 8, on cooling, it returns to the compressed state.

As long as the actuator 19 does not again transmit a rotational movement to the drive shaft 70, the driver 9 remains in the open position.

If the actuator 19 comes to operate again, provision can be made for the transmission element 11 to be able to join again to the driver 9. The safety device 50 could then be repositioned in its initial configuration.

The device according to the present invention therefore has the advantage, in a situation where the actuator 19 has failed, to allow a return to a configuration where the deflector device is in the retracted position (FIG. 2) without the need for from outside intervention.

Claims

1. Deflector device (7) for a motor vehicle wheel (3) comprising at least one aerodynamic region (4, 400, 401), arranged to be exposed to an outside air circulation (10), said device (7) comprising furthermore an articulated mechanism (21) for moving said at least one aerodynamic region (4, 400, 401), so as to allow the deflector (7) to pass from the retracted position to the deployed position, this articulated mechanism (21 ) comprising a drive member (22), and this articulated mechanism (21) being arranged to move the drive member (22) in a translational movement when the deflector device (7) passes from the retracted position to the deployed position, said deflector device (7) comprising an actuator (19), configured to control the articulated mechanism (21), so as to allow the movement of the aerodynamic regions of the deflector relative to each other, said deflector device (7) including in addition e a safety device (50) configured to bring said deflector device (7) into the retracted position without the intervention of the actuator (19).

2. Deflector device (7) according to claim 1, in which said safety device (50) is configured to separate said actuator (19) from the articulated mechanism (21) in the event of an anomaly, such as a failure of the actuator (19) or emergency braking.

3. Deflector device (7) according to any one of the preceding claims, the articulated mechanism (21) comprising a base (33) arranged to be fixed relative to the vehicle, said base (33) being mounted on the vehicle, and the 'drive member (22) moving in a translational movement relative to said base (33).

4. Deflector device (7) according to the preceding claim, the drive member (22) and the base (33) of the articulated mechanism (21) being connected by means of at least two rods (70, 71) moving relative to each other.

5. Deflector device (7) according to the preceding claim, the drive member (22) being a slide (68) provided with at least one displacement rail (69).

6. Deflector device (7) according to the preceding claim, in which each of the rods (70, 71) is provided with a toothed wheel (80) at its end in connection with the base (33) of the articulated mechanism (21), said toothed wheels (80) meshing together, and wherein each of the links (70, 71) comprises at least one sleeve (90) at its end in connection with the slide (68) of the articulated mechanism (21), said sleeve (90 ) cooperating with the displacement rail (69) of the slide (68), so that one of the links (70, 71) when it is driven by the actuator (19) transmits its movement to the adjacent link ( 71, 70).

7. Deflector device (7) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which said safety device (50) comprises at least one member made of shape memory material (8) configured to be electrically supplied so as to deform between a first state and a second state to separate the actuator (19) from the articulated mechanism (21), in the event of an anomaly, such as a failure of the actuator (19) or emergency braking, the security (50) comprising a support (10) for tracks having at least two conductive tracks (101) for electrically supplying said at least one member made of shape memory material (8), and said at least one member made of memory material form (8) comprising at least two contacting elements (87) configured to be arranged each in electrical contact with an associated conductive track (101), at least when said at least one member made of shape memory material (8) is in the first state.

8. Deflector device (7) according to the preceding claim, in which:

- the support (10) has a generally annular shape centered on the drive axis {A) and having a predefined radial size, and in which

- Said at least two contact elements (87) are arranged with a smaller radial dimension or of the same order as the dimension radial of the track support (10).

9. Deflector device (7) according to any one of claims 7 to 8, in which the safety device (50) comprises a drive shaft (70) configured to be arranged so as to transmit a movement of the actuator (19) to said articulated mechanism (21), the drive shaft (70) comprising a receiving cavity (75) of said at least one member made of shape memory material (8).

10. Motor vehicle, comprising at least one aerodynamic deflector device (7) according to any one of the preceding claims arranged upstream of a vehicle wheel.