FR3065402A1 - SHUTTER COMPONENT FOR A DEVICE FOR REGULATING AN AIR INTAKE AIR FLOW FOR A FRONT FACE MODULE OF A MOTOR VEHICLE - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a shutter (2) for a control device (24) for an air flow of an air intake for a front-end module of a motor vehicle comprising: a panel ( 4) serving to prevent the flow of an air flow, - a pivot pin (6) integral with the panel (4). According to the invention, the pivot pin (6) has a diameter that varies at least locally along its longitudinal axis.

Description

® FRENCH REPUBLIC

NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF INDUSTRIAL PROPERTY © Publication number:

(only to be used for reproduction orders) © National registration number

065 402

53448

COURBEVOIE © IntCI ⁸ : B 60 K 11/08 (2017.01)

PATENT INVENTION APPLICATION

A1

FR 3 065 402 - A1

©) Date of filing: 20.04.17. (© Priority: © Applicant (s): VALEO THERMAL SYSTEMS Simplified joint stock company - FR. (© Date of public availability of the request: 26.10.18 Bulletin 18/43. @ Inventor (s): HERLEM JEAN-PAUL and GERBER SYLVAIN. ©) List of documents cited in the preliminary search report: See the end of this booklet (© References to other related national documents: ® Holder (s): VALEO THERMAL SYSTEMS Simplified joint-stock company. ©) Extension request (s): © Agent (s): VALEO SYSTEMES THERMIQUESTHS. © SHUTTER FOR A DEVICE FOR REGULATING AN AIR FLOW FROM AN AIR INLET FOR A FRONT PANEL MODULE OF A MOTOR VEHICLE. The invention relates to a shutter (2) for a device for regulating (24) an air flow from an air inlet for a front panel module of a motor vehicle comprising: - a panel (4) serving to obstruct the flow of an air flow, - a pivot pin (6) integral with the panel (4). According to the invention, the pivot pin (6) has a diameter which varies at least locally along its longitudinal axis. 6 20

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The present invention relates to the field of devices for regulating an air flow for air intake of a front panel module of a motor vehicle as well as a shutter and a support frame included in such a regulating device. The invention further relates to a method of manufacturing such a support frame. The device for regulating an air flow is also called an active grille shutter, or an air inlet control device. Such a device is sometimes designated by the acronym AGS, coming from the English expression Active Grille Shutter. The invention also relates to the front panel module for a motor vehicle comprising such a device for regulating an air flow.

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 of said vehicle. This is particularly important when the motor vehicle is traveling at high speed.

A motor vehicle comprises an engine compartment in which various components are housed, such as an engine and heat exchangers. The motor vehicle comprises on an front face an air inlet allowing an outside air flow to enter inside the engine compartment and thus to cool the various components, in particular the heat exchangers.

A device for regulating an air flow is arranged at the level of the air inlet on the front face of the motor vehicle, in other words directly on the external front face of the motor vehicle, and makes it possible to vary the external air flow rate entering the engine compartment. Obviously, the regulating device is capable of completely obstructing the air inlet so that the flow of outside air cannot enter the engine compartment.

A device for regulating an air flow for a front panel module therefore makes it possible to open or close the air access via a radiator grille of the motor vehicle. In the open position, air can circulate through the grille and participate in the cooling of the motor vehicle engine. In the closed position, air does not enter via the grille, which reduces drag and thus reduces fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. AGS therefore reduces energy consumption and pollution when the engine does not need to be cooled by the outside air.

Such a device for regulating an air flow for a front panel module usually comprises flaps controlled by an actuator in order to reduce the drag coefficient and also to improve the cooling and air conditioning performance.

Known regulating devices generally include a plurality of flaps carried by a support frame at bearings arranged on the support frame with a clamp (more commonly called "clamp") which is fixed to the support frame by means of closing screws. thus the bearings so that the flaps can no longer escape. Such an assembly is complex and involves several risky stages where the elements of the device can be assembled in a wrong manner. In fact, the flap journals can be assembled in the wrong direction, the clamp can be fixed upside down, etc., thereby compromising the structural integrity of the assembly.

The present invention aims to overcome this drawback by proposing a device for regulating an air flow which is simple and quick to assemble and which prevents any assembly error.

For this, the invention relates to a shutter for a device for regulating an air flow from an air inlet for a front panel module of a motor vehicle comprising:

- a panel used to obstruct the flow of an air flow,

- a pivot pin attached to the panel.

According to the invention, the pivot pin has a diameter which varies at least locally along its longitudinal axis.

In other words, the pivot pin comprises a local deformation. In other words, the pivot pin has a different shape from a straight cylinder, or cylinder of revolution, where the base is equal over its entire height. In other words, the pivot pin comprises a part where the base or surface, for example circular, (also called the director) is equal over a part of the height (generatrix) and a part where the base varies over a part of the height .

Thus, the operator by assembling the shutter flaps on the support frame, by the shape of the pivoting pin, can directly introduce the shutter flap within the bearing without worrying about the correct positioning of the shutter flap during of its installation. Indeed, the local deformation catches the clearances, and manufacturing tolerances, the operator can thus arrange a shutter shutter within the support frame without worrying about the correct positioning of the shutter.

One aspect according to the invention is that the pivot pin has a shape arranged to allow its introduction into a bearing in an oblique direction relative to an axis of the bearing.

One aspect according to the invention is that the pivot pin comprises a chamfer.

One aspect according to the invention is that the pivot pin comprises at least one, or even two, rounded edges at one end.

One aspect of the invention is that the pivot pin is olive-shaped.

Such local deformations, or withdrawal of material, allow the shutter to pivot within the bearing more easily.

The invention also relates to a support frame for a device for regulating an air flow from an air inlet for a front panel module of a motor vehicle comprising at least one bearing intended to receive a pivot pin. a shutter as described above. According to the invention, the bearing has a shape arranged to trap the pivot pin when the latter is put in place, or introduced, into the bearing.

Another aspect according to the invention is that the bearing has a recess with a closed contour.

The operator seeing a bearing with a closed contour has no other choice 5 than to introduce the pivot pin within the recess which avoids any assembly error.

Another aspect according to the invention is that the bearing has a recess with an arcuate contour.

Another aspect according to the invention is that the bearing has a recess with a partially open contour at an angle less than 90 °.

The invention also relates to a device for regulating an air flow from an air inlet for a front panel module of a motor vehicle comprising:

- at least one component as described above,

- a support frame as described above.

According to the invention the pivot pin and the bearing respectively have shapes configured to allow the shutter to pivot when the pivot pin is introduced into the bearing so as to allow the establishment, or the introduction, of the shutter within the support frame in a different movement from a single pure translation.

One aspect according to the invention is that the compound movement comprises a first movement in translation in a transverse direction relative to the support frame and then in a second movement in translation in a longitudinal or vertical direction relative to the support frame.

The invention also relates to a method for manufacturing a support frame as described above, comprising the following steps:

a step of closing a mold comprising a matrix, a punch and a drawer, where the punch comes at least partially to bear on the matrix and the drawer comes at least partially into abutment against the matrix and the punch so as to form gaps between the drawer, the die and the punch;

- a step of injecting the plastic material into the mold at the interstices;

- a cooling step;

- a step of opening the mold where the drawer is removed and the punch is separated from the die.

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the description which follows. This is purely illustrative and should be read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

- Figure 1 illustrates a shutter according to the invention according to a perspective view;

- Figure 2 illustrates part of a shutter according to the invention according to a perspective view;

- Figure 3 illustrates a part of a support frame and a shutter according to the invention according to a top view;

- Figure 4 illustrates a part of an air flow regulation device according to the invention according to a top view;

- Figure 5 illustrates a support frame according to the invention in a perspective view;

- Figure 6 schematically illustrates part of the mold used for the implementation of the manufacturing process of the support frame according to the invention;

- Figure 7 illustrates a device for regulating an air flow according to the invention according to a perspective view.

Figure 1 illustrates a shutter 2 according to the invention. Such a flap comprises a panel 4 comprising a leading edge and a trailing edge with respect to the flow of air. The leading edge of the flap is the front section of the aerodynamic profile formed by the shutter 2. The leading edge thus houses the stagnation point where the flow is divided into two sections (each passing on one side profile). The trailing edge is the rear part of the profile of the shutter 2. The panel 4 here corresponds to a surface of substantially flat and rectangular shape capable of obstructing the flow of the air flow.

The shutter 2 is able to pivot between two extreme positions, a closed position or configuration where the panel obstructs the flow of the air flow, which can no longer pass through the inlet d air and therefore cannot penetrate into the engine compartment, and an open position where the shutter 2 obstructs the passage of the air flow as little as possible so that the air intake is clear and the air flow can pass through the air inlet and thus enter the engine compartment. Obviously, each shutter 2 is able to adopt any intermediate position at the extreme positions.

To pivot, each shutter 2 comprises an axis of rotation which is characterized by a pivot pin 6 in the form of a cylinder, in other words a cylindrical part around which the shutter 2 receives a rotational movement. . The shutter 2 further comprises a lever 20 corresponding to an arm capable of engaging with a connecting rod 28, corresponding to an element integral with each shutter 2 so as to be able to cause the simultaneous rotation of each shutter d shutter 2 when the connecting rod is moved.

Generally, an actuator not illustrated under the effect of a command which can be pneumatic, electric and / or mechanical, actuates the rotation of one of the shutter flaps 2. This shutter flap 2 is then driven by pivoting according to a defined angle, for example within a range from 0 to 90 °.

Either the shutters 2 end their respective travel in a position where they extend along a plane defined by the longitudinal (X) and transverse (Y) axes, as shown in FIG. 7, this position corresponding to the open position in which the air flow circulates through a support frame 14 which will be described later. Either these shutter flaps 2 end up in a position where they extend along a plane defined by the transverse (Y) and vertical (Z) axes, that is to say that the shutter flaps 2 end their course perpendicular to the open position. This position corresponding to the closed position in which the shutter flaps 2 close the support frame 14 and where the air does not circulate through the support frame 14. The shutter flaps 2 can end their travel in a configuration between these two extreme positions.

The shutter 2, following its rotation caused by the actuator, causes the movable connecting rod 28 to translate down or up along the vertical axis (z) of the support frame 14. The movable connecting rod 28 , moving causes the simultaneous rotation îo of each shutter 2 which adopt the same rotational movement as the first shutter 2.

According to the invention, the pivot pin 6 has a local deformation 8. This local deformation 8 here corresponds to a shrinkage of material or a recess relative to a perfectly cylindrical pin.

As illustrated in Figure 2, the shutter 2 includes a pin 6 comprising a chamfer 10, in other words a pivot pin 6 with a small bevel cut made on the sharp edge of the cylinder thus giving a pin

6 of relatively cylindrical pivoting part of which has an oblique surface. The chamfer 10 can also be defined as a small surface formed by a cut edge. The chamfer can extend for example over a revolution of the height (or length) of the pivot pin 6.

As illustrated in Figure 3, the shutter 2 can also include a pivot pin 6 which includes at least one rounded edge 12 at one end. Here, the pivot pin 6 comprises two rounded edges at the same end. In other words, the pivot pin 6 comprises at least one rounded angle, or a radius, or a portion in an arc of a circle at its end which is intended to be introduced, or put in place, within a bearing 18. On can also define the rounded edge 12 as a non-tangent rounded 12 corresponding to a smooth transition between two intersecting planes, here the base 44 of the cylinder or director and the height 46 of the cylinder or generator, replacing at least part of the edge between these two surfaces by a section in an arc of a circle which is of convex section for the non-tangent rounding 12. According to another embodiment, the rounded edge 12 corresponds to a fillet where at least part of the edge between the two intersecting planes 44,46 mentioned above is replaced by an arcuate section of concave section.

The bearing 18, as illustrated in FIG. 3, can also include a rounded edge 48 in order to facilitate the introduction of the pivot pin 6.

According to an embodiment not shown, the shutter 2 can also include an olive-shaped pivot pin, in other words ellipsoidal.

The invention also relates to a support frame 14 illustrated in FIG. 5. The support frame 14 corresponds to a frame with two longitudinal sides and two lateral sides for a given thickness, thus defining an interior surface 16 through which the air flow can pass corresponding to the air inlet of the engine compartment. In other words, the support frame 14 comprises two crosspieces connected to each other by two lateral uprights so as to form a frame. The support frame 14 here has a rectangular shape so that the longitudinal sides are larger than the lateral sides. All of the shutter flaps 2 are arranged in the interior surface 16 of the support frame 14 so that all of the shutter flaps 2 are able to cover the entire interior surface 16 of the support frame 14 as illustrated in Figure 7. The support frame 14 can be made of various rigid materials so as to serve as a support for the shutters 2, however certain elements, such as an actuator, can be subjected to the support frame 14 without being included in the inner surface 16. The support frame 14 can adopt other polygonal shapes such as for example a square or even a circle, the invention not being limited to the shape of the support frame 14.

The support frame 14 carries the shutter flaps 2. For this, the support frame 14 has bearings 18 corresponding to recesses, or orifices, produced within the structure of the support frame 14, for example at the lateral sides . Each bearing 18 is intended to receive a pivot pin 6 for a shutter 2 as described above. According to the invention, each bearing 18 has a shape arranged to trap the pivot pin 6 when the latter is placed in the bearing 18.

For this, each bearing 18 has a recess 22, that is to say a cavity, an orifice or a cutout, produced within the support frame 14, with a closed contour as illustrated in FIG. 5. The contour of the recess 22 has a shape with a portion in an arc. As illustrated in FIG. 5, the contour of the recess 22 is a circle of complementary shape to the pin 6 of the pivot.

The bearing 18 can also have a recess 22 with a partially open contour at an angle of less than 90 ° so as to trap the pivot pin 6 when the latter is introduced into the bearing 18.

The invention also relates to a device 24 for regulating an air flow from an air inlet for a front panel module of a motor vehicle comprising a shutter 2 as described above and a support frame. 14 as previously described. According to the invention the pivot pin 6 and the bearing 18 respectively have shapes configured to allow the shutter 2 to pivot when the pivot pin 6 is introduced into the bearing 18 so as to allow the establishment, or the introduction of the shutter 2 within the support frame 14 according to a movement composed in two stages, different from a single pure translation.

The bearing 18, in particular the contour of the recess 22, and the pivot pin 6 for the shutter 2 are of complementary shapes so as to allow the introduction of the pivot pin 6 within the recess 22 of the bearing 18.

The shutter 2 also includes a dust cover 26 corresponding to a disc used to close the bearing 18 once the pivot pin 6 has been inserted. This thus prevents external elements such as small gravel or dust from passing through the regulating device 24 via the bearings 18.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, the shutter 2 is introduced into the recess 2 according to a compound movement which comprises a first movement in translation F1 in a transverse direction (Y) relative to the support frame 14 then according to a second movement in translation F2 in a longitudinal (X) or vertical (Z) direction relative to the support frame 14. The first movement F1 is a translation in a direction oblique to the transverse plane (XY) at an angle îo between 1 and 20 °, preferably 5 °, relative to the center of the recess 22. The introduction of the pivot pin 6 within the bearing 18 according to the first movement in translation F1 at an inclined angle is possible thanks to the local deformation 8 of the pivot pin 6. Indeed, the removal of material, namely the chamfer 10 or the ellipsoidal shape of the olive 12, allows a little play to allow the operator to introduce a large majority, that is to say more than 75%, of the pivot pin 6 within the recess 22 as illustrated in FIG. 3. In addition, having a withdrawal of material implies that there is less friction between the support frame 14 and the pivot pin 6 when the flap d shutter 2 changes position.

Once this first movement in translation F1 is finished, generally when a part of the flap, in particular the dust cover 26, abuts against the support frame 14, the pivot pin 6 is entirely introduced within the recess 22 continued to a second movement in translation F2 in a longitudinal or vertical direction relative to the support frame 14.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the shutter 2 comprises a lever 20 capable of engaging with a connecting rod 28. As illustrated in FIG. 5, the support frame 14 may include bearings 18 with closed contours as well as bearings 18 with open contours, corresponding here to hemispherical cutouts, although any other polygonal shape is possible within the scope of the invention. The levers 20 can be introduced within these cutouts.

Obviously, an embodiment according to the invention not illustrated, proposes that the levers 20 also include a local deformation 8 with a withdrawal of material, such as a chamfer 10 or in the form of an olive 12, so as to be introduced in bearings 18 with a closed or partially open contour.

Once the pivot pin 6 is introduced into the bearing 18 following a first movement in translation F1, the lever 20 is inserted into the corresponding bearing 18, located opposite the bearing 18 where the pivot pin 6 has been introduced, as well as in the connecting rod 28 during the second movement in translation F2. îo The support frame 14 comprises a housing 30 where the connecting rod 28 is arranged as well as the actuator (not illustrated). The regulating device 24 further comprises a cover for covering the housing.

The invention also relates to a method for manufacturing a support frame 15 14 as described above. To illustrate this process, a mold allowing such manufacture has been shown in part schematically in FIG. 6.

The mold 34 comprises a first part, a matrix 36 serving as a support for the support frame 14 once manufactured. The mold comprises a second part, a punch 38 able to come at least partially into abutment against the die 36. The mold comprises a third part, a drawer 40 able to come at least partially to bear against the punch 38 and against the die 36 so as to form interstices 42 between these three elements. Injection points not shown are also present within these three elements, or only within the punch 38.

The process includes the following steps. Firstly there is a step of closing the mold, for this the punch 38 comes at least partially to bear on the die 36 and following this, the drawer 40 comes at least partially into abutment against the punch 38 and against the matrix 36. The plastic is then injected into the mold 34 and accumulates at the two interstices 42. Then, following a cooling step, there is a step of opening the mold 34. For this, the drawer 40 is removed then the punch 38 is separated from the matrix 36. It is then possible to recover the support frame 14 according to the invention on the matrix 36.

It should be understood, however, that these exemplary embodiments are given by way of illustration of the subject of the invention. The invention is not limited to these embodiments described above and provided only by way of example. It encompasses various modifications, alternative forms and other variants that a person skilled in the art may envisage within the framework of the present invention and in particular any combination of the various embodiments described above.

Claims (10)

Claims 1. Shutter shutter (2) for regulating device (24) of an air flow from an air inlet for a front panel module of a motor vehicle 5 including: - a panel (4) serving to obstruct the flow of an air flow, - A pivot pin (6) integral with the panel (4), characterized in that the pivot pin (6) has a diameter which varies at least locally along its longitudinal axis. 2. Shutter shutter (2) according to claim 1, wherein the pivot pin (6) has a shape arranged to allow its introduction into a bearing in an oblique direction relative to an axis of the bearing. 15 3. shutter shutter (2) according to one of claims 1 or 2, wherein the pivot pin (6) comprises a chamfer (10). 4. shutter shutter (2) according to one of claims 1 or 2, wherein the pivot pin (6) comprises two rounded edges (12) at a 20 end. 5. Support frame (14) for a device for regulating (24) an air flow from an air inlet for a front panel module of a motor vehicle comprising at least one bearing (18) intended to receive a pin (6) from 25 pivoting of a shutter (2), characterized in that the bearing (18) has a shape arranged to trap the pivot pin (6) when the latter is placed in the bearing (18). 6. Support frame according to claim 5, wherein the bearing (18) has a 30 recess (22) with a closed contour. 7. Support frame according to one of claims 5 or 6, wherein the bearing (18) has a recess (22) with an arcuate contour. 8. Device for regulating (24) an air flow from an air inlet for a front panel module of a motor vehicle comprising: - at least one shutter (2) according to one of claims 1 to 4, - a support frame (14) according to one of claims 5 to 7, characterized in that the pivot pin (6) and the bearing (18) respectively have shapes configured to allow the shutter (2) to pivot when the pivot pin (6) is introduced into the bearing (18) so as to allow the establishment of the shutter (2) within the support frame (14) in a movement composed of a different composition pure translation. 9. A device for regulating (24) an air flow according to claim 8 in which the compound movement comprises a first movement in translation in a transverse direction relative to the support frame (14) then in a second movement in translation according to a longitudinal or vertical direction relative to the support frame (14). 10. Method for manufacturing a support frame (14) according to one of claims 5 to 7, comprising the following steps: a step of closing a mold (34) comprising a matrix (36), a punch (38) and a drawer (40), where the punch (38) comes at least partially to bear on the matrix (36) and the drawer (40) at least partially abuts against the die and the punch (38) so as to form interstices (42) between the drawer (40), the matrix (36) and the punch (38); - A step of injecting the plastic material into the mold (34) at the interstices (42); - a cooling step; - a step of opening the mold (34) where the drawer (40) is removed and then the punch (38) is separated from the matrix (36). 1/4