EP4225601A1

EP4225601A1 - Closure device for a front-end air flow of a motor vehicle, comprising a shutter fastening system

Info

Publication number: EP4225601A1
Application number: EP21783269.0A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Vijendra Kumar; Sebastien Velasco; Vladimir SZEGENY; Frederic Vacca
Original assignee: Valeo Systemes Thermiques SAS
Current assignee: Valeo Systemes Thermiques SAS
Priority date: 2020-10-07
Filing date: 2021-09-27
Publication date: 2023-08-16
Also published as: FR3114777A1; WO2022073794A1; FR3114777B1; US20230373291A1; CN115943252A

Abstract

Disclosed is a closure device (1) for a front-end air intake of a motor vehicle, comprising: - a support frame (3) having four flanks (3a, 3a', 3b, 3b'), - at least one shutter (5) arranged within the support frame (3) and pivoting about a pivot axis (P) between a first open end position and a second closed end position, the at least one shutter (5) being connected to the support frame (3) by at least one pivot connection, the at least one pivot connection comprising a receiving housing (30) that is open and arranged on one of the faces of the support frame (3) and intended to receive the pivot axis (P) of the at least one shutter (5), the closure device (1) further comprising: - a retaining bar (31) covering the opening of the receiving housing (30) and intended to maintain the pivot axis (P) of the at least one shutter (5) within the receiving housing (30), and - at least two guides (32) aligned and arranged so as to maintain the retaining bar (31) above the opening of the receiving housing (30).

Description

DESCRIPTION

TITLE OF THE INVENTION: MOTOR VEHICLE FRONT FACE AIR FLOW CLOSING DEVICE COMPRISING A FLAP FIXING SYSTEM

[1]The present invention relates to the field of motor vehicle front face airflow blocking devices, and more specifically to a system for fixing flaps.

[2] The front panels of motor vehicles generally have one or more main air inlets through which an air flow enters in the direction of the front compartment of the motor vehicle. Behind these air inlets are generally placed motor vehicle heat exchangers, such as the one used for the air conditioning of the passenger compartment and/or the one used for cooling the engine.

[3] I1 is also known to have, in the air path passing through the main air inlets, a support frame comprising one or more flaps mounted pivoting and able to take a multiplicity of different angular positions, between a position opening and a shutter position and thus forming a shutter device resembling a jalousie. This shutter device is sometimes called an active grille shutter, or even a controlled air intake module. Such a shutter device may also be referred to by the acronym AGS (for “Active Grille Shutter”).

[4]The shutter device adjusts the air flow passing through the air inlets and reaching the heat exchangers. It is thus possible to optimize the efficiency of these heat exchangers according to the needs by varying the quantity of air they receive. In addition, at high speed, the flaps in the closed position make it possible to reduce the drag coefficient of the motor vehicle and thus improve the aerodynamics of said motor vehicle. The shutter device therefore makes it possible to reduce energy consumption and pollution when the motor does not need to be cooled by the outside air. [5]The shutters are generally connected to the support frame by means of one or more pivot links. Installing and securing these pivot links can, however, be complicated and lengthy during manufacture of the closure device.

[6] Generally, these pivot links consist of an open receiving housing arranged on the support frame. Within this reception housing is inserted a pivot axis of a flap. The opening of the receiving housing is then closed by generally a plate screwed onto the support frame so that the pivot pin cannot come out of the receiving housing. The installation and fixing of this plate, generally by screwing, can be problematic and long, extending the manufacturing time and therefore the manufacturing costs.

[7] One of the aims of the present invention is therefore to at least partially remedy the drawbacks of the prior art and to propose a reliable pivot connection that can be mounted quickly during the manufacturing process of the closure device.

[8] The present invention therefore relates to a closing device for the air intake of the front face of a motor vehicle comprising:

- a support frame with four sides,

- at least one flap arranged within the support frame and pivoting about a pivot axis between a first open extreme position and a second closed extreme position, said at least one flap being connected to the support frame by at least one pivot connection, said at least one pivot connection comprising an open reception housing and arranged on one of the faces of the support frame and intended to receive the pivot axis of the at least one flap, the closure device further comprising:

- a retaining bar covering the opening of the receiving housing and intended to maintain the pivot axis of the at least one flap within said receiving housing, and

- at least two guides aligned and arranged so as to hold the retaining bar above the opening of the receiving housing.

[9] According to one aspect of the invention, the retaining bar is inserted into the at least two guides by sliding from one of the sides of the support frame. [10] According to another aspect of the invention, the insertion side of the retaining bar has an insertion opening.

[1 l]According to another aspect of the invention, the flank opposite the insertion flank of the retaining bar comprises an abutment wall on which a first end of the retaining bar is intended to rest.

[12] According to another aspect of the invention, the flank opposite the insertion flank of the retaining bar comprises a housing in which the first end of the retaining bar is intended to be inserted, the bottom of said housing forming the abutment wall.

[13]According to another aspect of the invention, a second end of the retaining bar comprises an elastic tongue having a free end, said free end being intended to bear against the inner face of the insertion side and oppose the extraction of said retaining bar through the insertion opening.

[14]According to another aspect of the invention, the frame comprises two side uprights and two end crosspieces connecting the two side uprights, the flaps extending parallel to the end crosspieces.

[15] According to another aspect of the invention, at least one of the side uprights comprises at least one open receiving housing for a pivot connection with a flap and comprises at least two guides aligned and arranged so as to hold the retaining bar above the housing opening.

[16] According to another aspect of the invention, the frame comprises at least one intermediate upright parallel to the side uprights and connecting the two end crosspieces, said intermediate upright comprising at least one open receiving housing for a pivot connection with a shutter and comprises at least two guides aligned and arranged so as to maintain the retaining bar above the opening of the housing.

[17]According to another aspect of the invention, the at least two guides form an arch inside which the support bar is intended to be inserted.

[18] According to another aspect of the invention, a first end of the retaining bar, intended to be slid first, has a width less than a second end of said retaining bar, opposite the first end. [19] According to another aspect of the invention, the guides have a height defined so that the support bar plate and maintains the pivot axis at the bottom of the receiving housing.

[20]According to another aspect of the invention, the guides are integral with the frame.

[21]According to another aspect of the invention, the grab bar is made of plastic material.

[22]According to another aspect of the invention, the second end of the support bar has a support collar.

[23]According to another aspect of the invention, the insertion opening comprises at least one stop on which the retaining collar is intended to rest.

[24]Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will appear more clearly on reading the following description, provided by way of illustration and not limitation, and the appended drawings in which:

[25] [Fig 1] Figure 1 shows a schematic representation in perspective of the front face of a shutter device,

[26] [Fig 2] Figure 2 shows a schematic representation in perspective of the rear face of a shutter device,

[27][Fig 3] Figure 3 shows a schematic representation in perspective of an upper portion of the support frame and an intermediate upright,

[28] [Fig 4] Figure 4 shows a schematic representation in perspective of the upper portion of the support frame and intermediate upright of Figure 3 with flaps,

[29] [Fig 5] Figure 5 shows a schematic perspective representation of the upper portion of the support frame and intermediate upright with the flaps of Figure 4 with a retaining bar,

[30] [Fig 6] Figure 6 shows a schematic representation in perspective of a support frame portion and an intermediate upright with guides,

[3 l] [Fig 7] Figure 7 shows a schematic representation in perspective of the support frame portion and the intermediate upright with guides of Figure 6 with a retaining bar,

[32] [Fig 8] Figure 8 shows a schematic representation in perspective of a grab bar. [33] In these figures, identical elements bear the same reference numerals.

[34]The following achievements are examples. Although the description refers to one or more embodiments, this does not necessarily mean that each reference is to the same embodiment, or that the features apply only to a single embodiment. Single features of different embodiments may also be combined and/or interchanged to provide other embodiments.

[35] In the present description, it is possible to index certain elements or parameters, such as for example first element or second element as well as first parameter and second parameter or else first criterion and second criterion, etc. In this case, it is a simple indexing to differentiate and name elements or parameters or criteria that are close, but not identical. This indexing does not imply a priority of one element, parameter or criterion over another and it is easy to interchange such denominations without departing from the scope of the present description. Nor does this indexing imply an order in time, for example, to assess such and such a criterion.

[36]In the following description, the term "upper" and "lower" means the arrangement of the elements on the front face air inlet shutter device in the mounted state of the shutter device on the motor vehicle.

[37] Figures 1 and 2 show a closure device 1 for air intake from the front face of a motor vehicle respectively from its front face and its rear face. By front face here is meant the face of the closure device 1 intended to be oriented towards the front of the motor vehicle. By rear face here is meant the face of the closure device 1 opposite the front face and intended to be oriented towards the rear of the motor vehicle.

[38]The closure device 1 comprises a support frame 3 having four sides 3a, 3a', 3b, 3b'. These sides 3a, 3a', 3b, 3b' can in particular comprise two side uprights 3a, 3a' and two end crosspieces 3b, 3b' connecting the two side uprights 3a, 3a' to each other, thus defining an opening of the support frame 3. The support frame 3 then has a generally rectangular shape. More particularly, the support frame 3 has an upper end crosspiece 3b and a lower end crosspiece 3b', these orientations arbitrarily corresponding to the arrangement of the closure device 1 in the state mounted in the motor vehicle. The upper end cross member 3b will then be placed opposite the top of the motor vehicle and the lower end cross member 3b' will, for its part, be placed opposite the bottom of the motor vehicle.

[39] The support frame 3 may also include at least one intermediate upright 3c parallel to the side uprights 3a, 3a' and connecting the end crosspieces 3b, 3b'. This intermediate upright 3c more particularly connects the upper end crosspiece 3b to the lower end crosspiece 3b' within the opening of the support frame 3. In the example presented in FIGS. 1 and 2, the opening of the frame support 3 is divided into three by two intermediate uprights 3c.

[40] The support frame 3 has at least one flap 5 arranged inside the opening. The flap or flaps 5 are pivotally mounted around a pivot axis P (visible in Figures 4 and 5) between a first open end position (not shown) and a second closed end position (visible in Figures 1 and 2) . When the flap or flaps 5 occupy their first open extreme position, the air flow can pass through the opening of the support frame 3. When the flap or flaps 5 occupy their second closed extreme position, the flap or flaps 5 obstruct the opening of the support frame 3 and opposes the passage of the air flow.

[41] Still in the example illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, the support frame 3 comprises a plurality of flaps 5 forming at least one set of flaps 5 arranged parallel to each other on the same plane and which are adjacent. In the present case, the support frame 3 comprises a single set of flaps 5 arranged in the opening of the support frame 3. The flaps 5 are in particular arranged horizontally and one above the other, parallel to the end crosspieces 3b, 3b'. The flaps 5 then form a pivot connection with the side uprights 3a, 3a'. The intermediate uprights 3c here have a supporting role so that the flaps 5 remain straight and do not bend under their own weight. The flaps 5 thus also form a pivot connection with these intermediate uprights 3c.

[42] In addition, the support frame 3 has at least one drive device 7 (visible in Figures 1 and 2) configured to control the positioning, and therefore the pivoting of the flap(s) 5 between their first open extreme position and their second closed extreme position.

[43] The drive device 7 comprises in particular an actuator 7a, for example an electric motor, and a control member 7b (visible in Figure 2). In the example illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, the actuator 7a is connected directly to a control member 7b, for example a connecting rod, by a lever (not visible), the control member 7b is itself also connected to each flap 5. A rotation of the actuator 7a then causes the control member 7b to translate in order to simultaneously pivot the flap or flaps 5. Other modes of transmission of the rotational movements of the actuator 7a to the set of 5 flaps can quite be imagined.

[44]Still in the example illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, the drive device 7 is arranged on one of the side uprights 3a, 3a' of the support frame 3 in order to be able to pivotally drive the flap or flaps 5 simultaneously.

[45] Figures 3 to 5 show in more detail the pivot connection between the flap(s) 5 and the support frame 3. In the example shown, these are pivot connections between the flaps 5 and an intermediate upright 3c. However, as said above, this pivot connection can also be present with one of the sides 3a, 3a', 3b, 3b' of the support frame 3 depending on the configuration and the positioning of the flap(s) 5.

[46] The at least one pivot link thus comprises an insertion housing 30 open and arranged on one of the faces of the support frame 3 and intended to receive the pivot axis P of the flap or flaps 5. As shown in the figures 3 and 4, this receiving housing 30 is here arranged on an intermediate upright 3c when the flap(s) 5 are arranged parallel to the end crosspieces 3b, 3b'. Such a reception housing 30 can nevertheless also be present at the level of one or both side uprights 3a, 3a' to ensure the pivot connection with the flap or flaps 5.

[47] The receiving housing 30 is preferably arranged on the rear face of the support frame 3 so that its opening is oriented towards the rear of the motor vehicle in the mounted state. This makes it possible to protect this pivot link from any debris or dust which could become lodged within the reception housing and seize the pivot link and therefore potentially block the rotation of the flap or flaps 5. [48] In order to maintain the pivot axis P of the flap 5 within the receiving housing 30, the closure device 1 further comprises a retaining bar 31 covering the opening of the receiving housing 30, as shown in Figure 5. This retaining bar 31 is held above the opening of the receiving housing 30 by at least two guides 32 in which said retaining bar 31 is inserted, as illustrated in Figures 6 and 7. These guides 32 maintain the retaining bar 31 above the opening of the receiving housing 30 so that the only degree of freedom of said retaining bar 31 is a sliding along the axis defined by the alignment of the guides 32. These guides 32 can more particularly form an arch inside which the retaining bar 31 is intended to be inserted. The alignment of the guides 32 preferably follows the alignment of the receiving housings 30 and therefore parallel to the side 3a, 3a', 3b, 3b' and/or intermedia upright ire 3c on which the receiving housings 30 are arranged. As for the receiving housing or housings 30, the guides 32 are preferably made on the rear face of the support frame 3.

[49] The guides 32 preferably have a height defined so that the retaining bar 31 flattens and maintains the pivot axis P at the bottom of the receiving housing 30. By height of guide 32 here is meant more particularly the length of the opening through which the retaining bar 31 passes between a receiving housing 30 and the projecting end of the guide 32.

[50]The fact of using guides 32 and a retaining bar 31 allows the pivot connection to be easily made during the manufacture of the closure device. Indeed, an operator has, after placement of the pivot axes P in the receiving housings 30, only one operation of inserting the retaining bar 31 into the guides 32 to form the pivot connection. In addition, this type of fixing of the flaps 5 is particularly useful and interesting for large shuttering devices 1, for example for vehicles such as trucks.

[51] In the example shown, the guides 32 are arranged on an intermediate upright 3c, however, as described above, the pivot connection can also be present at one or more side uprights 3a, 3a'. It is therefore the same for the guides 32 which can also be arranged on at least least one of the side uprights 3a, 3a' when the flap or flaps 5 are arranged parallel to the end crosspieces 3b, 3b'.

[52] In order to facilitate the manufacture of the support frame 3 and the guides 32, the latter can more particularly be made in one piece with said support frame 3. The support frame 3 and the guides 32 can thus for example be made of plastic or composite material and produced simultaneously during a molding or overmolding step.

[53] The retaining bar 31 can more particularly be inserted into the guides 32 by sliding from one of the flanks 3a, 3a', 3b, 3b' of the support frame 3. We then speak of an insertion flank 3a , 3a', 3b, 3b'. In the example shown, this insertion side 3a, 3a', 3b, 3b' is the upper end crosspiece 3b. To allow the retaining bar 31 to pass, the insertion side 3a, 3a', 3b, 3b' may in particular include an insertion opening 33, visible in Figures 3 to 7.

[54] In order to block the sliding movement of the retaining bar 31, the flank 3a, 3a', 3b, 3b' opposite the insertion flank 3a, 3a', 3b, 3b', here the end crosspiece 3b′, may in particular comprise a stop wall 34 on which a first end 31a of the retaining bar 31 is intended to rest, as illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7. More specifically, the opposite flank 3a, 3a′, 3b, 3b' to the insertion side 3a, 3a', 3b, 3b' of the retaining bar 31 may comprise a housing 34a within which the first end 31a of the retaining bar 31 is intended to be inserted. of the housing 34a then forms the abutment wall 34. The presence of such a housing 34a makes it possible to block and hold in place the first end 31a of the retaining bar 31.

[55] In order to prevent the retaining bar 31 from coming out through the insertion opening 33, a second end 31b of the retaining bar 31, opposite the first end intended to come to rest on the abutment wall 34, may comprise an elastic tongue 310 having a free end 311, as illustrated in FIG. 5. This free end 311 is in particular intended to bear against the inner face of the insertion side 3b', here of the upper end crosspiece 3b. By interior, we mean here the face of the insertion side 3a, 3a', 3b, 3b' opposite the interior of the support frame 3. By this positioning, the elastic tongue 310 comes to oppose the extraction of the holding bar 31 through the insertion opening 33. [56] The second end 31b of the retaining bar 31 may also include a retaining flange 312, visible in Figures 7 and 8. This retaining flange 312 may in particular have a shape complementary to the insertion opening 33 in order to to maintain said second end. The insertion opening 33 may for its part comprise at least one abutment 330 (visible in FIG. 6) on which the retaining collar 312 is intended to come to rest.

[57]With this simple fixing system, the retaining bar 31 is automatically fixed after it has been put in place without the need for an operator to carry out a dedicated fixing step.

[58] Figure 8 shows in more detail and in its entirety a retaining bar 8. This retaining bar 31 may in particular be made of plastic material, for example by molding. The retaining bar 31 may in particular have its first end 31a, intended to be slid in first, having a width less than its second end 31b, opposite the first end 31a. By width of the retaining bar 31 is meant here the distance between the edge of the retaining bar intended to come opposite the receiving housings 30 and its opposite edge. Therefore, the height of the guides 32 is adapted to this particular shape so that the retaining bar 31 flattens and maintains the pivot axis (P) at the bottom of the receiving housing 30. Thus, according to the example illustrated in Figures 6 to 7, a "lower" guide 32, that is to say close to the lower end crosspiece 3b', will have a height less than the height of an "upper" guide 32, i.e. that is close to the upper end crosspiece 3b.

[59] Thus, it is clear that by the pivot connection comprising the retaining bar 31 as well as by the mode of installation by sliding and the automatic fixing of the retaining bar 31, the mounting of the shutter device 1 is simplified and fast.

Claims

[Claim 1] Closing device (1) for motor vehicle front face air inlet comprising:

- a support frame (3) having four sides (3a, 3a', 3b, 3b'),

- at least one flap (5) disposed within the support frame (3) and pivoting around a pivot axis (P) between a first open end position and a second closed end position, said at least one flap (5) being connected to the support frame (3) by at least one pivot connection, characterized in that the said at least one pivot connection comprises a reception housing (30) open and arranged on one of the faces of the support frame (3) and intended to receive the pivot axis (P) of at least one flap (5), the closure device (1) further comprising:

- a retaining bar (31) covering the opening of the receiving housing (30) and intended to maintain the pivot axis (P) of the at least one flap (5) within said receiving housing (30), and

- at least two guides (32) aligned and arranged so as to hold the retaining bar (31) above the opening of the receiving housing (30).

[Claim 2] Closing device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the retaining bar (31) is inserted into the at least two guides (32) by sliding from one of the flanks (3a, 3a ', 3b, 3b') of the support frame (3).

[Claim 3] Closing device (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the insertion flank (3a, 3a', 3b, 3b') of the retaining bar (31) comprises an insertion opening (33).

[Claim 4] Closing device (1) according to any one of Claims 2 or 3, characterized in that the flank (3a, 3a', 3b, 3b') opposite the insertion flank (3a, 3a', 3b, 3b') of the retaining bar (31) comprises an abutment wall (34) on which is intended to rest a first end (31a) of the retaining bar (31).

[Claim 5] Closure device (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the flank opposite (3a, 3a', 3b, 3b') to the insertion flank (3a, 3a', 3b, 3b') of the holding bar (31) comprises a housing (34a) within which the first end (31a) of the holding bar (31) is intended to be inserted, the bottom of said housing (34a) forming the wall of stopper (34).

[Claim 6] Closing device (1) according to any one of Claims 3 to 5, characterized in that a second end (31b) of the retaining bar comprises an elastic tab

(310) having a free end (311), said free end

(311) being intended to bear against the inner face of the insertion flank (3a, 3a', 3b, 3b') and oppose the extraction of said retaining bar (31) through the opening of insert (33).

[Claim 7] Closing device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the frame (3) comprises two lateral uprights (3a, 3a') and two end crosspieces (3b, 3b' ) connecting the two side uprights (3a, 3a'), the flaps (5) extending parallel to the end crosspieces (3b, 3b').

[Claim 8] Closing device (1) according to claim 7 characterized in that at least one of the side uprights (3a, 3a') comprises at least one receiving housing (30) open for a pivot connection with a flap (5) and comprises at least two guides (32) aligned and arranged so as to maintain the retaining bar (31) above the opening of the housing (30).

[Claim 9] Closing device (1) according to any one of Claims 7 or 8, characterized in that the frame (3) comprises at least one intermediate upright (3c) parallel to the side uprights (3a, 3a') and connecting the two end crosspieces (3b, 3b'), said intermediate upright (3c) comprising at least one reception housing (30) open for a pivot connection with a flap (5) and comprising at least two guides (32 ) aligned and arranged so as to maintain the retaining bar (31) above the opening of the housing (30).

[Claim 10] Closing device (1) according to any one of Claims 2 to 9, characterized in that a first end (31a) of the retaining bar (31), intended to be slid in first, has a width less than a second end (31b) of said retaining bar (31), opposite the first end (31a).