Shutter device

Abstract

In the case where an abnormality occurs in a link mechanism that transmits power from an actuator to a shutter, the occurrence of the abnormality is easily detected. A vehicle shutter device has first and second shutters (10, 20), an actuator (50), and a link mechanism (30). The link mechanism includes a link (31) that links the two shutters to each other in such a manner that the two shutters are rotated in synchronization with each other. A stopper unit (4, 16; 6, 29; 6, 28) that prohibits displacement of the two shutters beyond a normal opening / closing operation range between a fully open position and a fully closed position of the two shutters when the link mechanism is in a normal state is provided. The link mechanism is configured to allow rotation beyond a normal rotation range of the actuator corresponding to the normal opening / closing operation range of the first and second shutters when the link is disengaged from the first shutter while the link is maintained in engagement with the second shutter.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to a shutter device configured at a front portion of a front chamber of a vehicle, for adjusting an amount of outside air introduced into the front chamber. BACKGROUND

[0002] A vehicle has a chamber called an engine chamber or a motor chamber, etc. (hereinafter, in the present specification, referred to as "front chamber") which is isolated from a passenger compartment in which a passenger is seated, at a front side thereof. An original engine such as an internal combustion engine, an electric motor, a battery, a refrigeration cycle of an air conditioner, etc. are housed in the front chamber. A front grille having an opening for introducing outside air into the front chamber is provided at a front face of the front chamber.

[0003] In recent years, in order to achieve improvement of aerodynamic characteristics of a vehicle, efficient warm-up operation, etc., a shutter device capable of opening and closing is provided on the front grille, and the front grille is closed according to the situation. Such a shutter device is described in Patent Literature 1. The shutter device has a plurality of closing elements (also referred to as shutters, fins, etc.) arranged in the up-down direction. These closing elements are respectively rotatably supported to a frame, and are pivotally connected to one common arm. By driving the arm with an actuator, the closing elements are rotationally linked, and the front grille is opened and closed.

[0004] In the shutter device of this form, if the connection of one of the closing elements to the arm is disengaged, the one closing element no longer operates. As long as the disengaged closing element does not hinder the operation of the other closing elements, it is difficult to recognize the phenomenon that the one closing element is disengaged. In this case, a situation in which the amount of air passing through the front grille is different from the desired amount can continue for a long time.

[0005] PRIOR ART DOCUMENTS

[0006] PATENT LITERATURE

[0007] Patent Literature 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2016-147552 SUMMARY

[0008] PROBLEMS TO BE SOLVED BY THE INVENTION

[0009] An object of the present application is to provide a shutter device for a vehicle having a function of easily detecting generation of an abnormality in a link mechanism that transmits power from an actuator to a shutter, in a case where the abnormality is generated.

[0010] MEANS FOR SOLVING THE PROBLEMS

[0011] According to an embodiment of the present application, there is provided a shutter device for a vehicle, including: a support frame; a first shutter installed to the support frame so as to be rotatable about a first rotation axis; a second shutter installed to the support frame so as to be rotatable about a second rotation axis parallel to the first rotation axis; an actuator that generates a driving force that rotates the first shutter and the second shutter; and a link mechanism that transmits the driving force generated by the actuator to the first shutter and the second shutter, the link mechanism including a connecting rod that links the first shutter and the second shutter so as to rotate them in synchronization with each other, a first pivot portion of the connecting rod being pivoted to the first shutter, and a second pivot portion of the connecting rod being pivoted to the second shutter, the shutter device further including a stopper unit that prohibits displacement of the first shutter and the second shutter beyond a normal opening / closing operation range between a fully open position and a fully closed position of the first shutter and the second shutter when the link mechanism is in a normal state, the link mechanism being configured to allow rotation beyond a normal rotation range of the actuator corresponding to the normal opening / closing operation range of the first shutter and the second shutter when the connection of the connecting rod to the first shutter in the first pivot portion is released while the connection of the connecting rod to the second shutter in the second pivot portion is maintained.

[0012] Effects of the Invention

[0013] According to the above-described embodiment, since rotation of the actuator beyond the normal rotation range is allowed in the case where the connection of the shutter to the link mechanism is released, it is possible to detect an abnormality of the link mechanism based on a detection result of a rotation position detector of the actuator. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0014] Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of a right half of a shutter device for a vehicle, viewed from an inner side of a front chamber.

[0015] Figure 2 is a diagram showing a configuration of a link mechanism and an operation in a normal state according to an embodiment, (A) shows a state of the link mechanism when the shutters are in a fully closed state, and (B) shows a state of the link mechanism when the shutters are in a fully open state.

[0016] Figure 3 is a diagram showing an operation of the link mechanism when the connection of the connecting rod to the first shutter is released (a first abnormal state), (A) shows a state of the link mechanism when the actuator is at the same rotation angle position as in (B) of Figure 2 , and (B) shows a state of the link mechanism when the actuator is displaced beyond the rotation angle position in (A).

[0017] Figure 4 is a diagram showing an operation of the link mechanism when the connection of the connecting rod to the second shutter is released (a second abnormal state), (A) shows a state of the link mechanism when the actuator is at the same rotation angle position as in (B) of Figure 2(B) shows the state of the linkage when the actuator is displaced beyond the rotational angle position in (A).

[0018] Figure 5 This diagram illustrates the action of the linkage mechanism when the connection between the connecting rod and the slewing arm is disengaged (third abnormal state). (A) shows the actuator in the position of... Figure 2 (B) shows the state of the linkage when the actuator is displaced beyond the rotational angle position in (A).

[0019] Figure 6 The diagrams show the configuration of the linkage mechanism in other embodiments and its operation in the normal state. (A) shows the state of the linkage mechanism when the baffle is in the fully closed state, and (B) shows the state of the linkage mechanism when the baffle is in the fully open state. Detailed Implementation

[0020] An embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0021] Figure 1 This is a schematic perspective view of the right half of the visor device for viewing a vehicle from the inside of the vestibule (for the definition of "vestibule," please refer to the background section at the beginning of this specification). Figure 1 The inside (top left) is the exterior of the vehicle (the outer space of the front cabin). Figure 1 The front side (lower right) is the interior of the antechamber.

[0022] like Figure 1 as well as Figure 2 As shown, the vehicle cover device includes a support frame 2, a first flap 10 rotatably mounted on the support frame 2 about a first axis of rotation, a second flap 20 rotatably mounted on the support frame about a second axis of rotation parallel to the first axis of rotation, and an actuator 50 that generates a driving force to rotate the first flap 10 and the second flap 20. Typically, the first and second axes of rotation extend horizontally along the width direction (left-right direction) of the vehicle.

[0023] The first baffle 10 has a first sealing plate 10A for opening and closing a front grille and a first disk 10B disposed on the side of the first sealing plate and extending radially along a first axis of rotation. The second baffle 20 has a plate-shaped second sealing plate 20A for opening and closing a front grille and a second disk 20B disposed on the side of the second sealing plate and extending radially along a second axis of rotation.

[0024] like Figure 2 As shown, at both ends of the first baffle 10 and the second baffle 20 along their length (in Figure 2Only one end side is provided with a shaft 12, 22. These shafts 12, 22 are rotatably supported by bearings (not shown) provided to the support frame 2. The aforementioned first and second rotation axes respectively pass through the centers of the shafts 12, 22.

[0025] The actuator 50 has at least an electric rotary motor. The actuator 50 can also have a reduction mechanism (for example, a reduction gear mechanism). The output shaft (rotation axis) 52 of the actuator 50 is, for example, a rotation axis of the electric rotary motor, or an output shaft of the reduction mechanism mounted to the rotation axis of the electric rotary motor in a manner capable of transmitting power.

[0026] The shutter device has a link mechanism 30 that transmits a driving force generated by the actuator 50 to the first and second shutters 10, 20. The link mechanism 30 includes a connecting rod 31 and a swing arm 40.

[0027] The connecting rod 31 links the first and second shutters 10, 20 to each other in a manner such that the first and second shutters 10, 20 rotate in synchronization with (preferably, in the same phase as) each other.

[0028] The connecting rod 31 has a first pivot portion 32 that is pivoted to the first disc 10B of the first shutter 10, and a second pivot portion 34 that is pivoted to the second disc 20B of the second shutter 20. Specifically, a cylindrical pin 14 is provided to the first disc 10B, and a hole (also referred to as "hole 32") is formed at the first pivot portion 32 of the connecting rod 31, in which the pin 14 is rotatably inserted. Similarly, a cylindrical pin 24 is provided to the second disc 20B, and a hole (also referred to as "hole 34") is formed at the second pivot portion 34 of the connecting rod 31, in which the pin 24 is rotatably inserted. The pins 14, 24 are mounted by a mounting method that does not easily come off with respect to the corresponding holes 32, 34. It is also possible to provide a pin to the connecting rod 31, and to provide a hole to the first and second shutters 10, 20.

[0029] As the mounting method that does not easily come off, although not shown, it is possible to consider (i) providing a large-diameter head portion to the pin 14, 24 having a slightly smaller diameter than the holes 32, 34 of the connecting rod 31, and causing the holes 32, 34 to pass through the large-diameter head portion, or (ii) forming an internal thread to the pin 14, 24, causing the pin 14, 24 to pass through the hole 32, 34, and then causing an external thread having a larger diameter than the hole 32, 34 to be screwed to the internal thread, and the like.

[0030] The connecting rod 31 has an elongated hole 36 in the vicinity of the second pivot portion 34. A slide 42 is slidably engaged in the elongated hole 36. One end of the swing arm 40 is fixed to the output shaft 52 of the actuator 50. The slide 42 is fixed to the other end of the swing arm 40.

[0031] AsFigure 2 As shown, in the case where the link mechanism 30 is in the normal state, by causing the swing arm 40 to swing with the actuator 50, the first shutter 10 and the second shutter 20 are caused to rotate in conjunction with each other within a rotation angle range (hereinafter, also referred to as "normal opening / closing operation range") between the fully closed position shown in (A) of FIG. 10 and the fully open position shown in (B) of FIG. 10. Figure 2 As shown, in the case where the link mechanism 30 is in the normal state, by causing the swing arm 40 to swing with the actuator 50, the first shutter 10 and the second shutter 20 are caused to rotate in conjunction with each other within a rotation angle range (hereinafter, also referred to as "normal opening / closing operation range") between the fully closed position shown in (A) of FIG. 10 and the fully open position shown in (B) of FIG. 10. Figure 2 As shown, in the case where the link mechanism 30 is in the normal state, by causing the swing arm 40 to swing with the actuator 50, the first shutter 10 and the second shutter 20 are caused to rotate in conjunction with each other within a rotation angle range (hereinafter, also referred to as "normal opening / closing operation range") between the fully closed position shown in (A) of FIG. 10 and the fully open position shown in (B) of FIG. 10. That is, at this time, the rotation angle position of the first shutter 10 and the second shutter 20 is determined in accordance with the rotation angle position of the swing arm 40. The swing angle range of the swing arm 40 at this time (i.e., the rotation angle range of the output shaft 52) is indicated as "θN" in (B) of FIG. 10. Figure 2 As shown, in the case where the link mechanism 30 is in the normal state, by causing the swing arm 40 to swing with the actuator 50, the first shutter 10 and the second shutter 20 are caused to rotate in conjunction with each other within a rotation angle range (hereinafter, also referred to as "normal opening / closing operation range") between the fully closed position shown in (A) of FIG. 10 and the fully open position shown in (B) of FIG. 10.

[0032] The center of the rotation axis of the swing arm 40, i.e., the output shaft 52, and the center of the rotation axis of the second shutter 20, i.e., the shaft 22, do not coincide, and therefore (although it is slightly difficult to see from (A) of FIG. 10 and (B) of FIG. 10) when moving from the state of (A) of FIG. 10 to the state of (B) of FIG. 10 (or vice versa), the slide member 42 moves within the long hole 36 in the length direction (relative to the long hole 36) in conjunction with the swing of the swing arm 40. That is, the slide member 42 is positioned at a position (first position) within the long hole 36 when the second shutter 20 is in the fully closed position, and the slide member 42 is positioned at a second position within the long hole 36 when the second shutter 20 is in the fully open position. Figure 2 Figure 2 In addition, in order to prevent the slide member 42 from being locked within the long hole 36, the slide member 42 is disposed within the long hole 36 with some play. That is, the diameter of the slide member 42 is made to be slightly smaller than the size of the short diameter of the long hole 36. Figure 2 Figure 2 As shown, in the case where the link mechanism 30 is in the normal state, by causing the swing arm 40 to swing with the actuator 50, the first shutter 10 and the second shutter 20 are caused to rotate in conjunction with each other within a rotation angle range (hereinafter, also referred to as "normal opening / closing operation range") between the fully closed position shown in (A) of FIG. 10 and the fully open position shown in (B) of FIG. 10.

[0033] In addition, in order to prevent the slide member 42 from being locked within the long hole 36, the slide member 42 is disposed within the long hole 36 with some play. That is, the diameter of the slide member 42 is made to be slightly smaller than the size of the short diameter of the long hole 36.

[0034] The support frame 2 is provided with frame stoppers 4, 6. The first shutter 10 is provided with a shutter stopper 16 that abuts against the frame stopper 4 to restrict the rotational movement of the first shutter 10. More specifically, the shutter stopper 16 is provided to the first shutter plate 10A as shown in (A) of FIG. 11. The second shutter 20 is provided with shutter stoppers 28, 29 that abut against the frame stopper 6 to restrict the rotational movement of the second shutter 20. More specifically, the shutter stoppers 28, 29 are provided to the second disc 20B. Here, the "frame stopper" refers to a stopper provided to the support frame 2, and the "shutter stopper" refers to a stopper provided to the shutter (10 or 20). The frame stoppers 4, 6 and the shutter stoppers 28, 29 prevent the first shutter 10 and the second shutter 20 from rotating beyond the fully closed position when rotating toward the fully closed position, and prevent the first shutter 10 and the second shutter 20 from rotating beyond the fully open position when rotating toward the fully open position. Figure 1 In addition, in order to prevent the slide member 42 from being locked within the long hole 36, the slide member 42 is disposed within the long hole 36 with some play. That is, the diameter of the slide member 42 is made to be slightly smaller than the size of the short diameter of the long hole 36.​​

[0035] like Figure 2 As shown in (B), a baffle stop 28 is provided in the second baffle 20. Additionally, in Figure 2 In (A), the baffle stop 28 is difficult to see because it is located at the same position as the elongated hole 36 of the connecting rod 31. The baffle stop 28 prevents the second baffle 20 from rotating beyond the fully open position when it rotates toward the fully open position by colliding with the frame stop 6. Additionally, as... Figure 2 If the linkage mechanism 30 is in normal condition as shown, the first baffle 10 connected to the second baffle 20 via the connecting rod 31 can be prevented from rotating beyond the fully open position by the baffle stop 28 and the frame stop 6.

[0036] Based on the above-mentioned stop configuration, when the linkage mechanism 30 is in a normal state, the first baffle 10 and the second baffle 20 cannot rotate beyond the above-mentioned "normal opening and closing action range". Therefore, the output shaft 52 of the actuator 50 cannot rotate beyond the above-mentioned rotation angle range θN.

[0037] The connections between the various elements of the linkage mechanism 30 are configured to prevent easy disengagement, but in the event of disengagement, the disengagement can be easily detected. The following will explain the state of disengagement (abnormal state) of the connections in three cases.

[0038] Figure 3 The first abnormal state of the linkage mechanism 30 is shown. The first abnormal state refers to the disengagement of the connection between the connecting rod 31 and the first baffle 10 (separation of the pin 14 from the hole 32), and the maintenance of the connection and engagement of other parts of the linkage mechanism 30.

[0039] At this time, if the intention is to rotate the first baffle 10 and the second baffle 20 toward the fully open position and the actuator 50 is used to rotate the rotary arm 40, then although the first baffle 10 will not rotate, the second baffle 20 will rotate in the same way as in the normal state, and the baffle stop 28 will rotate to the fully open position where it collides with the frame stop 6 (see reference). Figure 3 (A)).

[0040] In the first abnormal state, since the first pivot 32 of the connecting rod 31 disengages from the pin 14 of the first baffle 10, the connecting rod 31 can rotate freely about the pin 24 of the second baffle 20. Therefore, the output shaft 52 of the actuator 50 can be rotated until the slider 42 mounted on the rotary arm 40 reaches the end of the elongated hole 36 (in other words, a third position further away from the first position than the aforementioned second position). The rotation angle range of the rotary arm 40 (i.e., the rotation angle range of the output shaft 52) ​​is within... Figure 3 (B) is represented as “θA”.

[0041] The case where the output shaft 52 of the actuator 50 rotates beyond the aforementioned rotation angle range θN is detected by a rotation angle detection unit 54 (only in Figure 1 Fig. 8) provided to the actuator 50. The rotation angle detection unit can be, for example, a rotary encoder attached to an electric rotary motor provided to the actuator 50. The rotation of the output shaft 52 of the actuator 50 beyond the rotation angle range θN indicates that some abnormality exists in the link mechanism 30. Such an abnormality is reported to the occupant, for example, by a reporting unit. As the reporting unit, for example, there can be a warning lamp provided to an instrument panel of the vehicle, and / or a buzzer or a buzzer. In addition, when it is detected that the output shaft 52 of the actuator 50 rotates beyond the rotation angle range θN, the actuator 50 can also be stopped (emergency stop) in order to prevent damage to the link mechanism 30 and the actuator 50. The above-described reporting and / or stopping of the actuator 50 based on the above-described detection can be performed via a control unit not shown.

[0042] Figure 4 A second abnormal state of the link mechanism 30 is shown. The second abnormal state indicates a state where the connection of the link rod 31 to the second baffle 20 is released (the pin 24 is separated from the hole 34), and the connection and engagement of the other parts of the link mechanism 30 are maintained.

[0043] In this case, if the first baffle 10 and the second baffle 20 are intended to be rotated toward the fully open position by the swivel arm 40 being swiveled by the actuator 50, the first baffle 10 rotates to the fully open position (A) as in the normal state, although the second baffle 20 does not rotate. Figure 4 In the case where the swivel arm 40 is continuously swiveled, since there is no stopper that prevents the first baffle 20 from rotating beyond the fully open position, the output shaft 52 of the actuator 50 can rotate beyond the above-described rotation angle range θN. The rotation angle range of the output shaft 52 of the actuator 50 at this time is indicated as "θB" in (B) of Fig. 8. In this case, too, the case where the output shaft 52 of the actuator 50 rotates beyond the rotation angle range θN is detected by the rotation angle detection unit, and the occupant is reported by the reporting unit that an abnormality exists in the link mechanism 30. Figure 4

[0044] Figure 5 A third abnormal state of the link mechanism 30 is shown. The third abnormal state indicates a state where the connection of the link rod 31 to the swivel arm 40 is released (the long hole 36 is separated from the sliding member 42), and the connection and engagement of the other parts of the link mechanism 30 are maintained.

[0045] ​In this case, even if the actuator 50 is used to rotate the rotary arm 40 to the fully open position with the intention of rotating the first baffle 10 and the second baffle 20 towards the fully open position, neither the first baffle 10 nor the second baffle 20 will rotate but will remain at their original rotation angle positions. The movement of the rotary arm 40 is completely unrestricted, therefore the output shaft 52 of the actuator 50 can rotate beyond the aforementioned rotation angle range θN. Figure 5 (B) shows the rotation angle range "θC" of the output shaft 52 of the actuator 50 under the third abnormal state. Furthermore, as can be seen from the construction of the linkage mechanism 30, the output shaft 52 can rotate freely until it exceeds the rotation angle range θC and, for example, collides with the connecting rod 31. However, in actual use, if the rotation angle range θC is exceeded, the actuator 50 stops operating. In this case, the rotation angle detection unit detects that the output shaft 52 of the actuator 50 is rotating beyond the rotation angle range θN, and the reporting unit reports an abnormality in the linkage mechanism 30 to the occupant.

[0046] According to the above-described embodiments, it is easy to determine whether the connection or engagement between the elements contained in the linkage mechanism 30 has disengaged. In most cases, in order to control the opening of the first baffle 10 and the second baffle 20, a rotation angle detection unit (54) for detecting the rotation angle of the output shaft 52 of the actuator 50 is provided, so there is no need to install a new rotation angle detection unit. Therefore, it is possible to prevent or suppress the increase in cost of the baffle device in order to achieve the above functions.

[0047] It is also possible to make the actuator 50 and the linkage mechanism 30 relative to Figures 1 to 5 The implementation shown is reversed vertically. Figure 6 Configure it as shown. Figure 6 The shielding device shown is also with Figures 1 to 5 The shielding device shown operates in the same manner.

[0048] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0049] 2 Support frame 4, 16; 6, 29; 6, 28 Stop unit 10 First baffle 20 Second baffle 30 Linkage mechanism 31 Connecting rod 32 First pivot 34 Second pivot 40 Rotary arm 50 Actuator

Claims

1. A vehicle cover device, characterized in that, Possessing: a support frame (2); a first shutter (10) installed to the support frame in a manner rotatable about a first rotation axis; a second shutter (20) installed to the support frame in a manner rotatable about a second rotation axis parallel to the first rotation axis; a mover (50) that generates a driving force that rotates the first shutter and the second shutter; and a link mechanism (30) that transmits the driving force generated by the mover to the first shutter and the second shutter, the link mechanism including a link rod (31) that links the first shutter and the second shutter in a manner that rotates the first shutter and the second shutter in synchronization with each other, a first pivot portion (32) of the link rod being pivoted to the first shutter, and a second pivot portion (34) of the link rod being pivoted to the second shutter, the shutter device further possessing a stopper unit (4, 16; 6, 29; 6, 28) that prohibits displacement of the first shutter (10) and the second shutter (20) beyond a normal opening and closing range of operation between a fully open position and a fully closed position when the link mechanism (30) is in a normal state, the link mechanism (30) being configured to, when the linking of the link rod (31) in the first pivot portion (32) and the first shutter (10) is released in a state where the linking of the link rod in the second pivot portion (34) and the second shutter (20) is maintained, allow the mover to rotate beyond a normal rotation range of the mover corresponding to the normal opening and closing range of operation of the first shutter (10) and the second shutter (20), and thus enable detection of an abnormality of the link mechanism (30) based on a detection result of a rotation position detector of the mover, wherein the link rod (31) has an elongated hole (36) in which a slider (42) driven by the mover (50) to slide within the elongated hole is engaged, the length of the elongated hole being set to a length that allows the mover (50) to rotate beyond the normal rotation range when the linking of the link rod in the first pivot portion (32) and the first shutter (10) is released in a state where the linking of the link rod in the second pivot portion (34) and the second shutter (20) is maintained.

2. The shutter device according to claim 1, characterized in that as the stopper unit, a frame stopper (6) provided to the support frame (2) and a shutter stopper (28, 29) provided to the second shutter (20) are possessed, the shutter stopper (28, 29) preventing the second shutter (20) from rotating beyond the fully open position by colliding with the frame stopper (6), In the case where the link mechanism (30) is in the normal state and the second shutter (20) is in the fully closed position, the slider (42) is located in a first position within the long hole (36), and in the case where the link mechanism (30) is in the normal state and the second shutter (20) is in the fully open position, the slider (42) is located in a second position within the long hole (36), the long hole extending to a third position further from the first position than the second position.

3. The shutter device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that a swing arm (40) is provided, one end of the swing arm (40) being fixed to an output shaft (52) of the actuator (50), the other end of the swing arm (40) carrying the slider (42), the angular positions of the first shutter and the second shutter being determined in accordance with the angular position of the swing arm in the case where the link mechanism (30) is in the normal state.

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