Air deflection element

Abstract

The invention relates to an air guiding element (10), in particular a cooling air lamella for an air inlet of a motor vehicle body (3), having a flat base body (11) and a bearing region (12), wherein the air guiding element (10) can be arranged pivotable about a pivot axis with its bearing region (12), wherein the flat base body (11) is composed of two housings (13, 14) and has a carrier element (15) arranged between the housings (13, 14), wherein the carrier element (15) is injection molded between the two housings (13, 14) by means of an injection molding process and the two housings (13, 14) are connected to one another as a result. The invention also relates to a corresponding manufacturing method.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to an air deflection element, in particular a cooling air flap for an air inlet of a motor vehicle body. BACKGROUND

[0002] Cooling air flaps are known in motor vehicles which are located at an air inlet of a motor vehicle body. Such cooling air flaps are designed to be connected to a front portion of the motor vehicle body and are a rigid component of the front portion. Mobile cooling air flaps are also known which can be pivoted about a longitudinal axis and can close and open a cooling air opening. For example, cooling air flaps are known which are arranged horizontally in the cooling air opening and can be pivoted about a longitudinal axis and are pivotably supported at the edges of the sides of the cooling air opening. Cooling air flaps are also known which are arranged vertically in the cooling air opening and can be pivoted about a longitudinal axis and are pivotably supported at the upper and lower edges of the cooling air opening. In this case, it occurs that the cooling air flaps extend flag-like from the axis of rotation and are in the driving wind. Accordingly, the construction of the cooling air flaps must be designed to be very stable so that the cooling air flaps can withstand the wind even at higher driving speeds. At the same time, the cooling air flaps must also meet visual requirements, in particular in terms of black tone, stability of the colour over time, gloss and resistance to UV light. For this reason, the known cooling air flaps comprise a carrier part made of a stable, but not visually suitable plastic material, for example PP-GF50, and a barrier made of a visually suitable, but not necessarily stable plastic material, for example PP-T20. Accordingly, the carrier part and the barrier are connected to one another in order to create a visually appealing component with the necessary stability properties. This can have the disadvantage, however, that the carrier part is also visible in some pivoted positions of the cooling air flap, which is undesirable because it does not meet the visual requirements. However, it is not feasible to manufacture the cooling air flap only from visually suitable material because this would not meet the stability requirements, for example at high vehicle speeds or in contact with rotating washing brushes in a washing device. SUMMARY

[0003] It is an object of the present application to provide an air deflection element which meets the visual properties of such a component and at the same time also meets the stability requirements. It is also an object to provide a method for manufacturing an air deflection element which is efficient and cost-effective and which enables the provision of an air deflection element which is suitable in terms of stability and appearance.

[0004] The object relating to the air guiding element is achieved by the features of the air guiding element according to the application.

[0005] One embodiment of the application relates to an air guiding element, in particular a cooling air lamella for an air inlet of a motor vehicle body, having a flat base body and a bearing region, wherein the air guiding element can be arranged pivotable about a pivot axis with its bearing region, wherein the flat base body is composed of two housings and has a carrier element arranged between the housings, wherein the carrier element is injection molded between the two housings by means of an injection molding process and thus connects the two housings to one another. Thereby, an integrated component is provided as air guiding element, which meets the visual requirements and also has the necessary stability by means of the injected carrier element. The carrier element serves here as a kind of reinforcement and supports the housing, which is designed less stable as such. The integrated component is provided by means of the injection molding process, which can be manufactured effectively and thus also cost-effectively with only few steps.

[0006] It is particularly advantageous if the injection molding process is an assembly injection molding process or a cavity injection molding process, so that the carrier element can be injection molded into a cavity between the two housings. This enables a particularly effective method of manufacturing the air guiding element, without further high-cost assembly steps being necessary. It is particularly advantageous if both the two housings and the carrier element can be injection molded in a tool, wherein the two housings are first injection molded separately from one another and then combined to form a cavity, so that the carrier element can then be injection molded into the cavity between the two housings.

[0007] It is also particularly advantageous if the bearing region is part of or formed in one piece with at least one of the two housings. The bearing region serves here for the displacement, in particular the pivoting, of the air guiding element and, for example, carries a rotation axis, which can be composed of one housing or of both housings, in particular also with the involvement of the carrier element. The bearing region can thus also achieve the stability required of it.

[0008] It is also advantageous if the carrier element is designed frame-shaped between the two housings. The carrier element can thus form a stable support on its frame-shaped region and form free spaces within the frame-shaped region for weight reduction.

[0009] It is particularly advantageous if the carrier element is designed as a substantially rectangular frame between the two housings, which has two first legs, which are arranged opposite one another, and two second legs, which are arranged opposite one another. The first legs are here preferably arranged at right angles to the second legs. A stable configuration is thus achieved, which is arranged preferably close to the outer edges of the housings and extends stably and supportingly there.

[0010] It is also advantageous that the gate of the carrier element has a functional structural configuration. Thereby, the outwardly protruding and also visible gate of the carrier element can take over additional tasks that might otherwise have to be performed elsewhere, which promotes the realization of further functions of the gate and can save further parts.

[0011] It is also advantageous that the functional structural configuration forms a housing for a push rod, a bearing bushing and / or a gearwheel. The gate, which is otherwise rather undesirable, thus has a further function, which can be used as a kind of housing for further elements.

[0012] It is particularly advantageous that the two housings are made of a first plastic material, for example of polypropylene PP-T20. Thereby, the housings can be made of a visually appealing material, but which does not necessarily have to meet stability criteria.

[0013] It is also advantageous that the carrier element is made of a second plastic material, for example of polypropylene PP-GF30. The material of the carrier element as a reinforcement can be made of a material that has the required stability, so that it together with the two housings ensures the overall stability of the component.

[0014] The object with regard to the method is achieved by the features of the inventive method.

[0015] One embodiment of the present application relates to a method for manufacturing an air guide element, wherein two housings are first manufactured in an injection molding process, the two housings are then combined together with a cavity left, so that a carrier element is then injection molded between the two housings in an injection molding process, in particular an assembly injection molding process or a cavity injection molding process. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0016] The present application is explained in detail below by means of embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings:

[0017] Figure 1 A schematic partial view of a front of a motor vehicle body with a cooling air opening and an air guide element according to the prior art arranged therein is shown.

[0018] Figure 2 A schematic view of an air guide element according to the prior art with its parts is shown,

[0019] Figure 3 A schematic view of an air guide element according to the present application is shown, and

[0020] Figure 4 A schematic partial view of an air guide element with a housing and a carrier element injection molded inside is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0021] Figure 1 The arrangement of an air deflector element 1 according to the prior art is shown in a schematic partial view of a front portion 2 of a motor vehicle body 3 with a cooling air opening 4, for example an air inlet. The air deflector element 1 has a base body 5 and a bearing region 6 and is arranged pivotably in the cooling air opening 4. Here, an actuator, not shown, is provided in order to pivot and adjust the air deflector element 1 between a first operating position in which the cooling air opening 4 is open and a second operating position in which the cooling air opening 4 is closed. The air deflector element 1 is supported on the front portion 2 with the bearing region 6, on which the actuator also engages for pivoting.

[0022] Figure 2 It is shown that the respective air deflector element 1 according to the prior art comprises a carrier element 7 and a partition 8, wherein the carrier element 7 and the partition 8 are connected to one another in a planar manner and the partition 8 is arranged to be visible from the front, whereas the carrier element 7 is arranged behind. Here, however, the carrier element 7 is also well visible in the first operating position.

[0023] The carrier element 7 and the partition 8 together jointly form the base body 5, so that the carrier element 7 has the required stability due to its shape and its material, but does not meet the visual requirements. For this purpose, the carrier element 7 is covered on one side with the partition 8, which, although it does not meet the stability requirements, does meet the visual requirements. In the example shown, the partition 8 is latched with the carrier element 7. In order to achieve the stability, the carrier element 7 is designed to be flat and has the overall flat profile of the air deflector element 1, wherein the partition 8 covers the planar portion of the carrier element 7 on the side.

[0024] Figure 3 and Figure 4 An embodiment of an air deflector element 10 according to the application is shown, which meets the visual requirements in each operating position and at the same time also meets the stability requirements.

[0025] The air deflector element 10 according to the application, in particular for a cooling air flap of a motor vehicle body 3, for example a cooling air opening 4 of an air inlet, can be applied in an arrangement Figure 1 , so that reference is made to the description of the motor vehicle body 3 and the cooling air opening 4 of the front portion 2 of Figure 1 .

[0026] The air deflector element 10 has a flat base body 11, which is to influence the air duct. On the base body 11, a bearing region 12 is arranged, which projects from both sides of the base body 11.

[0027] The bearing region 12 serves to arrange the air deflector element 10 pivotably about a pivot axis by means of the bearing region 12.

[0028] The flat base body 11 is formed by two housings 13, 14, wherein a carrier element 15 is arranged between the two housings 13, 14, which is injection molded into the two housings 13, 14 by means of an injection molding process, so that the two housings 13, 14 are connected to one another.

[0029] The two housings 13, 14 are essentially flat and are arranged next to one another or against one another with a cavity 16 being left. The two housings are advantageously made of plastic. After the two housings 13, 14 have been manufactured, the two housings are arranged with the cavity 16 being left, so that the material of the carrier element 15 is then injected into the cavity 16 in an injection molding process, in particular in an insert injection molding process or in a cavity injection molding process, so that the carrier element 15 is formed in connection with the two housings 13, 14. Thereby, a very stable connection is produced between the two housings 13, 14 and the injected carrier element 15.

[0030] From Figure 3 and Figure 4 It can also be seen that the support region 12 is part of at least one of the two housings 13, 14 or is formed in one piece with at least one of the two housings 13, 14. The carrier element 15 can also be part of the support region 12, as Figure 4 is shown.

[0031] From Figure 4 It can also be seen that the carrier element 15 is designed as a frame between the two housings 13, 14. Here, the term "frame" means that the component is not designed all around, but forms a frame which is in particular circumferential and leaves a central region free in order to be able to save material and reduce weight.

[0032] Correspondingly, the carrier element 15 can be designed as an essentially rectangular frame between the two housings 13, 14, which has two first legs 17 which are opposite one another and two second legs 18 which are opposite one another. Preferably, the first legs 17 are arranged at a right angle to the second legs 18.

[0033] It is also advantageous in this design that the gate 19 of the carrier element 15 optionally has a functional structure configuration. Here, the gate 19 can be designed as a functional structure configuration of a receptacle for a push rod, a bearing bushing and / or a gearwheel, so that the gate 19 has a structural function which is retained thereafter in addition to its original function when injection molding.

[0034] Preferably, the two housings 13, 14 are optionally made of a first plastic material, for example of polypropylene PP-T20.

[0035] Furthermore, it is also optional that the carrier element 15 is made of a second plastic material, for example made of polypropylene PP-GF30.

[0036] A method for manufacturing the air guide element 10 can be proposed here, in which first the two housings 13, 14 are manufactured in an injection molding process, and then the two housings 13, 14 are combined together with the cavities 16 remaining, so that the carrier element 15 is then injection molded between the two housings 13, 14 in a subsequent injection molding process, in particular a build-up injection molding process or a cavity injection molding process. This on the one hand produces the carrier element 15 for stabilizing the air guide element 10, and on the other hand simultaneously connects the two housings 13, 14 with the carrier element 15 into a stable construction unit.

[0037] List of reference signs

[0038] 1 air guide element

[0039] 2 front

[0040] 3 motor vehicle body

[0041] 4 cooling air opening

[0042] 5 base body

[0043] 6 support region

[0044] 7 carrier element

[0045] 8 partition

[0046] 10 air guide element

[0047] 11 base body

[0048] 12 support region

[0049] 13 housing

[0050] 14 housing

[0051] 15 carrier element

[0052] 16 cavity

[0053] 17 first leg

[0054] 18 second leg

[0055] 19 gate

Claims

1. An air deflector element (10) having a flat base body (11) and a bearing region (12), wherein the air deflector element (10) can be arranged to be pivotable about a pivot axis with its bearing region (12), wherein the flat base body (11) is composed of two housings (13, 14) and has a carrier element (15) arranged between the two housings (13, 14), wherein the carrier element (15) is injection molded between the two housings (13, 14) by means of an injection molding process and thus the two housings (13, 14) are connected to one another, wherein the material of the carrier element (15) is injected between the two housings (13, 14) so that the carrier element (15) is formed in connection with the two housings (13, 14).

2. The air deflecting element (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that The injection molding process is an insert injection molding process or a cavity injection molding process.

3. The air deflecting element (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The bearing region (12) is part of or is formed in one piece with at least one of the two housings (13, 14).

4. The air deflector element (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The carrier element (15) is designed as a frame between the two housings (13, 14).

5. The air deflection element (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The carrier element (15) is designed as a substantially rectangular frame between the two housings (13, 14), which frame has two first legs (17) which are opposite one another and two second legs (18) which are opposite one another.

6. The air deflector element (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The gate (19) of the carrier element (15) has a functional structural configuration.

7. The air deflecting element (10) according to claim 6, characterized in that The functional structural configuration forms a receptacle for a push rod, a bearing bushing and / or a gearwheel.

8. The air deflector element (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The two housings (13, 14) are made of a first plastic material.

9. The air deflector element (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The carrier element (15) is made of a second plastic material.

10. The air deflecting element (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that The air deflector element (10) is a cooling air flap for an air inlet of a motor vehicle body (3).

11. The air deflecting element (10) according to claim 8, characterized in that The first plastic material is polypropylene PP-T20.

12. The air deflecting element (10) according to claim 9, characterized in that The second plastic material is polypropylene PP-GF30.

13. A method for manufacturing an air guide element (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that The two housings (13, 14) are first manufactured in an injection molding process, then the two housings (13, 14) are combined together with a cavity (16) left, then the carrier element (15) is injection molded between the two housings (13, 14) in an injection molding process, wherein the material of the carrier element (15) is injected between the two housings (13, 14) so that the carrier element (15) is formed in connection with the two housings (13, 14).

14. The method of claim 13, wherein, The injection molding process is an insert injection molding process or a cavity injection molding process.

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