FR3046756B1 - AIR INTAKE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM FOR FRONT PANEL OF MOTOR VEHICLE - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to an air management system for an air intake for a motor vehicle front end, comprising at least one flap of the motor vehicle and a device for controlling the displacement of the at least one flap between a position of closing the air intake and at least one open position of the air inlet, the system comprising a safety member (10) for securing and disengaging the control device from the at least one flap, said member safety device (10) being configured so that said at least one flap is driven in motion by the control device in a given position, said position of normal use of the vehicle, and for said at least one flap to be independent in motion of said control device, in another position, said safety position, the safety member (10) comprising a control means (18) of said at least one flap in the open position of the air inlet in the position of safety of the safety member (10), said control means (18) being distinct from said control device.

Description

The invention relates to an air management system for an air intake for a motor vehicle front end.

Such a system generally comprises at least one component for reducing the drag coefficient of the motor vehicle and a device for controlling the displacement of the at least one flap between a closed position of the air intake and at least one position of opening of the air inlet.

Such a system is most often referred to by the acronym AGS, derived from the English phrase "Active Grid Shutter".

The air intake management system is preferably installed at a radiator grille of the motor vehicle.

In the open position of the air inlet, the air can circulate through the calender and participate in particular in cooling the engine of the motor vehicle.

In the closed position of the air inlet, the air does not enter via the grille which reduces drag and thus reduces fuel consumption and carbon dioxide emissions.

The air intake management system therefore reduces energy consumption and pollution when the engine does not need to be cooled by outside air.

However, a failure may occur in the air intake management system; in this case, it is possible that the shutter (s) are locked in the shutter position.

Then, the vehicle engine is not properly cooled, which can lead to overheating, damaging to the vehicle.

The object of the invention is to overcome this disadvantage by proposing an air intake management system for optimizing the safety of the motor vehicle. For this purpose, the subject of the invention is a system for managing an air intake for a motor vehicle front end, comprising at least one motor vehicle drag coefficient reduction flap and a displacement control device of said motor vehicle. at least one flap between a closed position of the air inlet and at least one open position of the air inlet, the system comprising a safety member for securing and disengaging the control device from said at least one flap, said safety member being configured so that said at least one flap is driven in motion by the control device in a given position, said position of normal use of the vehicle, and for said at least one flap to be independent in movement of said control device, in another position, said safety position, the safety member comprising means for controlling said at least one flap in position opening of the air inlet in the safety position of the safety member, said control means being distinct from said control device.

Thus, thanks to the system according to the present invention, it is possible to disengage the flap (s) of the air intake management system in the event of detection of a failure, and to impose an opening of the flap (s). which ensures optimum safety of the motor vehicle.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the safety device comprises a gear train comprising a first gear connected to the control device, a second gear connected to said at least one flap, and at least one third gear, said intermediate gear wheel, the safety member being configured so that, in the normal use position of the vehicle, the first gear engages the second gear wheel via the intermediate gear.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the safety member comprises a housing housing of said first and second gears.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the control means of said at least one flap comprises a spring connected to the housing of the safety member and connected to the second gear.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the system comprises a displacement element of the intermediate gearwheel in a position such that the first gearwheel does not engage the second gearwheel via the intermediate gearwheel in the safety position of the gearwheel. 'security organ.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the displacement element is an actuator, distinct from the control device.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the first gear wheel is indexed to the housing of the safety member, for example by a stop. The invention also relates to a method of securing a management system as described above, comprising a step of separating said at least one component and the control device when a defect of the management system is detected.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the method comprises a step of translation of the intermediate gear in the safety position by activation of the displacement element.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the method comprises a step of opening the shutter by effort of the spring of the control means.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the method comprises a step of translation of the intermediate gear in the normal use position, the first gear being disposed against an indexing stop of the safety member. Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the description which follows. This is purely illustrative and should be read with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: - Figure 1 illustrates a front view of an air intake management system according to the present invention in a first position; FIG. 2 illustrates a front view of an air intake management system according to the present invention in a second position; FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of a security element of the air intake management system of FIG. 1 in a first configuration; FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of the safety member of FIG. 3 coupled to an actuator; FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of the member of FIG. 3 in a second configuration; and FIG. 6 illustrates a timing diagram of a method for securing the management system of FIG. 1 according to the present invention.

The invention relates to an air management system of an air inlet for a motor vehicle front face.

The system is most often referred to by the acronym AGS, derived from the English phrase "Active Grid Shutter".

The air intake management system is preferably installed at a radiator grille of the motor vehicle, and allows an air flow control passing through the front face of the vehicle, including a motor compartment of the vehicle.

In the figures, the management system is referenced 1, while the air inlet managed by the management system 1 is referenced 2.

As can be seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, the management system 1 of an air inlet 2 comprises at least one flap 3.

In the illustrated embodiment, the management system 1 comprises a plurality of shutters 3.

As can be seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, the management system 1 also comprises a frame 4, preferably rigid, secured to the plurality of shutters 3.

The frame 4 has a generally rectangular shape.

The frame 4 defines the air inlet 2 flaps 3 open and close, as will be detailed later.

In the installation position in the motor vehicle, the frame 4 is configured so that the lengths of the rectangle extend substantially horizontally, while the widths of the rectangle extend substantially vertically.

In Figure 1, the flaps 3 are divided into three sets of four components.

In each set, the flaps 3 are arranged parallel to one another, and the three sets are arranged in the extension of each other.

Of course, the invention is not limited to the illustrated embodiment, and in particular, the number of flaps, sets of flaps and the position of the flaps relative to each other may vary.

Each shutter 3 includes a work surface 5.

For example, the work surface 5 is a generally rectangular flat panel.

Of course, the invention is not limited to planar rectangular flaps, and other configurations are quite conceivable.

Each flap 3 comprises an axis 6 secured to the working surface 5.

In Figures 1 and 2, the axes 6 extend substantially horizontally.

Each flap 3 is pivotally mounted between a closed position of the air inlet 2 and at least one open position of the air inlet 2.

In the closed position of one of the flaps 3, also called the closed position, the working surface 5 covers part of the air inlet 2.

In each open position, the working surface 5 forms a non-zero angle with a planar virtual surface of the air inlet 2, which allows a flow of air to pass through the air inlet 2.

As can be seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, the management system 1 also comprises a control device 7 for moving the shutter (s) 3.

The control device 7 is advantageously an actuator.

According to the embodiment variant illustrated, a single actuator 7 controls all the flaps 3 which are pivotally mounted between a closed position, or closure, of the air inlet 2 and at least one open position of the air inlet 2.

Advantageously, the management system comprises a kinematics such that all the flaps 3 of the management system 1 have an identical displacement.

However, the invention is not limited to this case and it is conceivable to provide flaps whose movements are not identical.

As shown in Figure 1, in the open position of the flaps 3, the air inlet 2 is traversed by a stream of air.

This position is particularly advantageous when the vehicle engine requires significant cooling.

In FIG. 2, the air inlet 2 is completely closed by the working surfaces 5.

This position is particularly advantageous when the vehicle is traveling at high speed since the closing of the air intake 2 improves the aerodynamics of the motor vehicle and thus allows a reduction in fuel consumption. It is in this respect that the shutters 3 can be qualified as drag reduction panels.

Security organ

As more particularly visible in Figure 3, the management system 1 comprises a safety member 10 for securing and disengaging the actuator 7 flaps 3. The member 10 is configured so that, in a first configuration, said configuration of In normal use, the shutters 3 are driven in motion by the actuator 7.

This configuration corresponds to the usual operation of the management system 1 installed in the motor vehicle.

In this configuration, according to the control of the actuator, the flaps pivot between the closed position and the open position, in accordance with the description relating to FIGS. 1 and 2, via a shaft or lever which transmits the movement of the actuator to the shutters. The safety device 10 is configured so that, in a second configuration, called security configuration, the shutters 3 are independent in motion of the actuator 7.

In this configuration, the shutters 3 are not controlled by the actuator 7, which makes it possible to guard against any failure of the actuator 7.

As can be seen in FIG. 3, the safety member 10 comprises a gear train 11 arranged in a housing 12.

The gear train 11 comprises a first, a second and a third gear wheel referenced respectively 13, 14 and 15, the intermediate wheel 15 being disposed between the first wheel 13 and the second wheel 14.

The gear train 11 is of straight type with straight teeth with parallel shafts. Nevertheless, the invention is not limited to this type of gear and it is possible that the toothed wheels are of type with helical gears.

The first gear 13 is connected to the actuator 7.

As can be seen in FIGS. 3 and 4, a shaft 16 of the wheel 13 connects the wheel 13 to the actuator 7.

The second gearwheel 14 is connected to at least one of the shutters 3.

Preferably, the second gear 14 is connected to a lever 19 for actuating a kinematics of the flaps 3. The lever 19 can also correspond to one end of the flap 3, and in particular to the axis of rotation of the flap 3.

As can be seen in FIG. 3, the safety member comprises a displacement element 17 of the intermediate wheel 15. The displacement element 17 is preferably an actuator, distinct from the actuator 7.

In the illustrated embodiment, the actuator 17 imparts a translational movement to the intermediate wheel 15.

The translational movement operates in a direction parallel to the shafts of the gears 13 and 14.

In the case where the teeth are chevrons, it is possible to provide a radial movement of the intermediate wheel 14.

The translational movement spreads the toothing of the intermediate wheel 14 out of the toothings of the toothed wheels 13 and 14.

In the normal configuration of use, illustrated in FIG. 3, the first toothed wheel 13, controlled by the actuator 7, meshes with the intermediate wheel 15 which itself engages the second toothed wheel 14.

In the translated position of the intermediate wheel 15, illustrated in FIG. 5, the first wheel 13 is not able to engage the wheel 15 or the wheel 15 to engage the second wheel 14.

In this configuration of the management system 1, said security, the actuator 7 does not control the flaps 3 since the member 10 disengages the kinematics flaps 3 of the actuator 7.

As shown in Figures 3 and 5, the member 10 comprises a control means 18 of the flaps 3 in the open position.

The control means 18 comprises a spiral spring 18.

In the illustrated embodiment, the spiral spring 18 is wound in the center of the second gear 14.

The spiral spring 18 is connected to the housing 12 on the one hand and the lever 19 on the other hand.

In the position of normal use, the control by the actuator 7 of the pivoting of the flaps 3 exerts a force E on the spring 18.

In the safety position, the second gearwheel 14 is not driven by the intermediate wheel 15 and only exerts on the lever 19 a force E 'generated by the spring 18 and opposite the force E. The effort E 'brings the spring 18 to equilibrium and causes the pivoting of the flaps 3 in the open position.

Thus, as soon as the member 10 disengages the flaps 3 of the actuator 7, that is to say in safety configuration, the flaps 3 open the air inlet 2.

Therefore, even in the event of failure of the actuator 7, the management system 1 according to the present invention provides sufficient engine cooling to prevent overheating harmful to the vehicle.

Note that the management system 1 also includes an activation unit of the actuator 17, not shown.

This unit, known to those skilled in the art, is for example coupled to a fault detector of the actuator 7.

It is noted that, advantageously, the first toothed wheel 13 is indexed to the housing 12, for example by means of a stop 20.

The second wheel 14 is indexed to the housing 13 by a stop, not shown, flaps 3. The indexing provides reversibility of movement when the management system 1 is again disposed in the normal use configuration.

Note also that, of course, the gear train 11 is not limited to the illustrated embodiment. In particular, it is possible to provide a plurality of intermediate wheels between the first driving gear 13 and the second driving gear 14.

Securing method Another subject of the invention is a method of securing the management system 1, illustrated in FIG.

The method 60 comprises a step 61 of uncoupling the flap (s) 3 and the actuator 7 when a fault is detected. The uncoupling step 61 comprises a step of translation 62 of the intermediate gear wheel in the safety position by activation of the actuator 17.

The method 60 also comprises a subsequent step 63 of opening the flaps 3 by force of the spring 18.

Once the failure has been repaired, the method 60 preferably comprises a step 64 of translation of the intermediate gear in the normal use position, the first gear being disposed against the indexing stop of the safety member.

Advantages

As already indicated, the management system according to the present invention, as well as the associated security method, ensure the forced opening of the flaps in case of detection of a defect, mechanical or electrical, in the operation of the actuator.

Claims (10)

1. An air intake air management system (2) for a motor vehicle front panel, comprising at least one flap (3) of the motor vehicle and a control device (7) for moving said at least one flap (3) between a closed position of the air inlet and at least one open position of the air inlet (2), the system (1) comprising a safety member (10) for fastening and disengaging the control device (7) of said at least one flap (3), said safety member (10) being configured so that said at least one flap (3) is driven in motion by the control device (7) in a given position, said position of normal use of the vehicle, and for said at least one flap (3) to be independent in motion from said control device (7), in another position, said safety position, the organ safety device (10) comprising a control means (18) of said at least one flap (3) in position d opening the air inlet (2) in the safety position of the safety member (10), the said control means (18) being distinct from the said control device (7), the safety member ( 10) comprising a gear train (11) having a first gear (13) connected to the control device (7), a second gear (14) connected to said at least one flap (3), and a third gear wheel Intermediate gear (15), the safety member (10) being configured such that, in the normal use position of the vehicle, the first gear (13) meshes with the second gear (14). ) via the intermediate gear (15), 2. Management system of an air intake according to the preceding claim, wherein the safety member (10) comprises a housing housing (12) of said first and second gears (13, 14). 3. Management system of an air intake according to the preceding claim, wherein the control means (18) of said at least one flap (3) comprises a spring (18) connected to the housing (12) of the organ safety device (10) and connected to the second gear (14), Air intake management system according to one of the preceding claims, comprising a displacement element (17) of the intermediate toothed wheel (15) in a position such that the first gear wheel (13) does not mesh the second gear (14) via the intermediate gear (15) in the safety position of the safety member (10). 5. An air intake management system according to the preceding claim, wherein the displacement element (17) is an actuator, separate from the control device (7). An air intake management system according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the first gear (13) is indexed to the housing (12) of the safety member (10). 7. A method of securing a management system according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a step (61) for separating said at least one flap (3) and the control device (7) when a defect of the control system. management (1) is detected. 8. Securing method according to the preceding claim of a management system according to one of claims 4 to 6, comprising a step of translation (62) of the intermediate gear (15) in the safety position by activation of the moving element (17). 9. Securing method according to the preceding claim of a management system according to one of claims 4 to 6, comprising a. step (63) of opening the flap (3) by force of the spring (18) of the control means (17). 10. Securing method according to the preceding claim of a management system according to claim 6, comprising a step of translation (64) of the intermediate gear in the normal use position, the first gear being disposed against a stop indexing the safety member (10).