An active air intake grille, its working method, and a vehicle

Abstract

This invention relates to an active air intake grille, its working method, and a vehicle. The grille includes a blade assembly comprising an upper blade and a lower blade. The lower blade is connected to a swing drive mechanism, which in turn is connected to a swing telescopic mechanism. The swing telescopic mechanism is connected to at least one connector. The connector passes through a guide rail plate on the side of the lower blade and is fixedly connected to the upper blade. The guide rail plate has a guide groove, through which the connector passes. Simultaneously, the swing drive mechanism rotates the lower blade and the swing telescopic mechanism, while the swing telescopic mechanism extends and retracts, causing the upper blade to move relative to the lower blade along the guide groove via the connector, thus adjusting the width of the blade assembly. Using this active air intake grille saves on parts and manufacturing costs.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of air intake grille technology, and more specifically to an active air intake grille and vehicle. Background Technology

[0002] The statements herein provide only background information in relation to this invention and do not necessarily constitute prior art.

[0003] As the industry continues to develop, consumers are paying increasing attention to vehicle energy consumption. Once a car's speed exceeds 80 km / h, air resistance (drag) becomes the largest contributor to driving resistance; this drag directly affects the fuel consumption per 100 kilometers for gasoline vehicles and the driving range for electric vehicles. It is calculated that a 1% reduction in aerodynamic drag can increase the driving range by approximately 1.5 km. Therefore, reducing the drag coefficient has become an extremely important performance goal for vehicles. More and more active aerodynamic kits are being applied to automobiles.

[0004] To reduce drag coefficient and improve driving range, more and more active aerodynamic kits are being applied to automobiles. Active grille shutters are one of the most common active aerodynamic kits currently available. For example, patent CN117360211A discloses an active grille shutter, CN113043838A discloses an air intake grille unit and its active grille shutter, and CN110641273A discloses an active grille shutter for automobiles. When using these grilles, they only function as traditional air intake grilles. A lower cooling deflector needs to be installed inside the cabin to guide airflow, increasing the installation process and manufacturing cost of the lower cooling deflector during vehicle production, and also increasing the maintenance cost of the cooling deflector later on. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In view of the shortcomings of the existing technology, the purpose of this invention is to provide an active air intake grille, a working method and a vehicle. When the active air intake grille is open, it can replace the lower cooling air guide plate, thereby saving the installation and manufacturing costs of the cooling air guide plate.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention is implemented through the following technical solution:

[0007] In a first aspect, embodiments of the present invention provide an active air intake grille, including a blade assembly, the blade assembly including an upper blade and a lower blade, the lower blade being connected to a swing drive mechanism, the swing drive mechanism being connected to a swing telescopic mechanism, the swing telescopic mechanism being connected to at least one connecting member, the connecting member passing through a guide rail plate provided on the side of the upper blade and being fixedly connected to the upper blade, the guide rail plate being provided with a guide groove, the connecting member passing through the guide groove through the guide rail plate;

[0008] While the oscillating drive mechanism drives the lower blade and the oscillating telescopic mechanism to flip, the oscillating telescopic mechanism can extend and retract to drive the upper blade to move relative to the lower blade along the guide groove through the connecting piece, so as to adjust the width of the blade assembly.

[0009] Optionally, the swing drive mechanism includes a swing drive component, which is connected to an output shaft. The output shaft is connected to the lower blade via a lower blade connecting rod to drive the lower blade to swing.

[0010] Optionally, both sides of the inner side of the lower blade are connected to a lower blade connecting rod. One side of the lower blade connecting rod is connected to the output shaft of the swing drive, and the other side of the lower blade connecting rod is connected to the rotating shaft, which is rotatably connected to the support base.

[0011] Optionally, the swing telescopic mechanism includes a swing shaft connected to the swing drive mechanism. The swing shaft is rotatably connected to the bottom end of the rotating rod. The swing drive mechanism is connected to the rotating rod through a transmission mechanism to drive the rotating rod to swing while causing the rotating rod to rotate around its own axis. The rotating rod is vertically provided with a drive rod, which is inserted into the spiral groove of the telescopic cylinder around the outer periphery of the rotating rod. The outer periphery of the telescopic cylinder is fitted with a fixed cylinder that is fixed to the guide rail plate. The fixed cylinder is provided with long grooves distributed along the axis. After the connecting piece passes through the long groove and the guide groove, one end of it is fixed to the upper blade, and the other end is fixed to the telescopic cylinder.

[0012] Optionally, the transmission mechanism includes a helical gear, which is fixed to the bottom end of the rotating rod and rotatably connected to the swing shaft. The helical gear meshes with a bevel gear, and the bevel gear is connected to the swing drive mechanism to achieve rotation.

[0013] Optionally, the drive rod is located at the top of the rotating rod, and the middle part of the drive rod is connected to the top of the rotating rod, with both ends of the drive rod inserted into the helical groove.

[0014] Optionally, guide rail plates are fixed on both sides of the lower blade, and guide rail plates on both sides are provided with guide grooves. Correspondingly, connectors are fixed on both sides of the upper blade. One connector passes through the guide groove of the same side guide rail plate and is connected to the swing telescopic mechanism, while the other connector extends into the guide groove of the same side guide rail plate.

[0015] Optionally, the connecting member includes a connecting rod that passes through a guide groove through a guide rail plate. One end of the connecting rod is connected to the swing telescopic mechanism, and the other end is provided with a connecting block, which is fixedly connected to the inner side of the upper blade.

[0016] Secondly, embodiments of the present invention provide a method for operating an active air intake grille:

[0017] The swing drive mechanism drives the lower blade to rotate to the closed position, and at the same time, the swing drive mechanism drives the upper blade to rotate to the closed position through the swing telescopic mechanism. At this time, the upper and lower blades are in the extended state, closing the air intake grille.

[0018] The swing drive mechanism drives the lower blade to flip inward to the open position. At the same time, the swing drive mechanism drives the upper blade to flip inward through the swing telescopic mechanism, while the upper blade and the lower blade generate a relative contraction motion. The width of the blade assembly is reduced to match the distance between the front bumper and the radiator core, and the blade assembly is used to replace the cooling lower air guide plate.

[0019] Thirdly, embodiments of the present invention provide a vehicle equipped with the active air intake grille described in the first aspect.

[0020] The beneficial effects of this invention are as follows:

[0021] 1. The active air intake grille and its working method of the present invention are provided with a swing telescopic mechanism. When the swing drive mechanism drives the lower blade to flip inward to the open position, the upper blade can also flip synchronously under the drive of the swing telescopic mechanism, and generate a relative contraction motion with the lower blade. This allows the width of the blade assembly to be adjusted to match the distance between the front bumper and the radiator core when the blade assembly is in the open position. This allows the blade assembly to act as a cooling lower air guide plate, replacing the cooling lower air guide plate in guiding airflow into the radiator core. This expands the function of the active air intake grille, eliminating the need for a cooling lower air guide plate in the vehicle, saving the installation process and manufacturing cost of the lower cooling air guide plate, and reducing vehicle manufacturing and maintenance costs.

[0022] 2. The active air intake grille and its working method of the present invention, the swing telescopic mechanism, through the arrangement of swing shaft, rotating rod, driving rod, transmission mechanism, telescopic cylinder, spiral groove and fixed cylinder, allows the swing telescopic mechanism and the swing drive mechanism to share a single power element. The swing and telescopic movements of the swing telescopic mechanism do not require additional drive equipment, saving equipment costs and reducing the space occupied. Attached Figure Description

[0023] The accompanying drawings, which form part of this invention, are used to provide a further understanding of the invention. The illustrative embodiments of the invention and their descriptions are used to explain the invention and do not constitute an improper limitation of the invention.

[0024] Figure 1 This is a front view of the overall structure of Embodiment 1 of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of Embodiment 1 of the present invention;

[0026] Figure 3This is a schematic diagram of the closed and open states of Embodiment 1 of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 4 The above is a schematic diagram of the swing drive mechanism of Embodiment 1 of the present invention;

[0028] Figure 5 The above is a schematic diagram of the telescopic process of the swing telescopic mechanism in Embodiment 1 of the present invention;

[0029] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the swinging process of the swinging telescopic mechanism in Embodiment 1 of the present invention;

[0030] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the connection between the connector and the guide groove in Embodiment 1 of the present invention;

[0031] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the active air intake grille in the open state in Embodiment 2 of the present invention;

[0032] Among them, 1. front bumper, 2. upper blade, 3. lower blade, 4. guide rail plate, 5. swing telescopic mechanism, 6. swing drive mechanism, 7. guide groove, 8. connecting block, 9. swing drive motor, 10. output shaft, 11. lower blade connecting rod, 12. helical gear, 13. bevel gear, 14. rotating rod, 15. drive rod, 16. telescopic cylinder, 17. connecting piece, 18. fixed cylinder, 19. support base. Detailed Implementation

[0033] For ease of description, the words "upper" and "lower" appearing in this invention only indicate that they are consistent with the upper and lower directions of the accompanying drawings and do not limit the structure. They are merely for the purpose of facilitating the description of this invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or component referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this invention.

[0034] Example 1

[0035] This embodiment provides an active air intake grille, such as Figures 1-3 As shown, the device includes a blade assembly. In this embodiment, two blade assemblies are provided. The two blade assemblies are used to be installed at the air intake grille of the front bumper 1. Each blade assembly includes an upper blade 2 and a lower blade 3. A swing drive mechanism 6 and a swing telescopic mechanism 5 are provided between the two blade assemblies. The swing drive mechanism 6 and the swing telescopic mechanism 5 are connected to the blade assemblies on both sides to drive the two blade assemblies to move synchronously.

[0036] The swing drive mechanism 6 is connected to the lower blade 3 and the swing telescopic mechanism 5, and can drive the lower blade 3 and the swing telescopic mechanism 5 to swing synchronously. The side of the lower blade 3 is provided with a guide plate 4, and the guide plate 4 is provided with a guide groove. The moving part of the swing telescopic mechanism 5 is fixedly connected to one end of the connector, and the other end of the connector passes through the guide groove and is fixedly connected to the upper blade 2. While the swing telescopic mechanism 5 swings under the action of the swing drive mechanism 6, it can drive the upper blade 2 to move along the trajectory of the guide groove through the connector, so that the upper blade 2 and the lower blade 3 produce relative telescopic motion to adjust the width of the entire blade assembly.

[0037] In this embodiment, when the upper blade 2 and the lower blade 3 are fully deployed, that is, when the upper blade 2 and the lower blade 3 have no overlapping parts, they can cover the entire air intake grille, thereby blocking the air intake grille.

[0038] The inner sides of the lower blade 4 are fixedly connected to the lower blade connecting rod 11. The bottom end of the blade connecting rod 11 on the side away from the swing drive mechanism 6 and the swing telescopic mechanism 5 is vertically connected to the rotating shaft, and the rotating shaft is rotatably connected to the support base 19. The bottom end of the blade connecting rod 11 on the other side is connected to the swing drive mechanism 6.

[0039] The lower blade 3 is supported on both sides by the lower blade connecting rod 11, which ensures the stability of the lower blade 3.

[0040] like Figure 4 As shown, the swing drive mechanism 6 includes a swing drive component, which is a swing drive motor 9. The swing drive motor 9 is connected to the output shaft 10. The swing drive motor 9 can drive the output shaft 10 to rotate around its own axis. The output shaft 10 is vertically and fixedly connected to the bottom end of the lower blade connecting rod 11 on one side of the lower blade 3 of the two blade assemblies on both sides. The output shaft can drive the two lower blades 3 to swing, that is, swing towards the engine compartment or swing away from the engine compartment.

[0041] Guide rail plates 4 are fixed to both sides of the lower blade 3 by fixing rods, and the top of the guide rail plates 4 extends to the side of the upper blade 2.

[0042] The guide rail plate 4 is provided with a guide groove 7. The shape of the guide groove 7 allows the upper blade 2 to swing synchronously with the lower blade 3, and the upper blade 2 can move along the trajectory of the guide groove 7 to achieve relative contraction or expansion with the lower blade 3. Contraction means that the upper blade 2 moves toward the lower blade 3 so that part of the upper blade 2 moves to one side of the lower blade 3 to create an overlapping part. Therefore, the guide groove 7 is a non-linear groove, and its shape allows the upper blade 2 and the lower blade 3 to be misaligned.

[0043] like Figures 5-6As shown, the swing telescopic mechanism 5 includes a swing shaft, the bottom end of which is vertically and fixedly connected to the output shaft 10. Specifically, the bottom end of the swing shaft is fixedly connected to the outer circumferential surface of the sleeve wall, and the sleeve is sleeved and fixed on the outer circumference of the output shaft 10.

[0044] The top end of the swing shaft is coaxially rotatably connected to the bottom end of the rotating rod 14. The rotating rod 14 can rotate around its own axis. The rotating rod is connected to the output shaft 10 through a transmission mechanism. The rotation of the output shaft 10 can drive the rotating rod 14 to rotate around its own axis through the transmission mechanism.

[0045] In this embodiment, the transmission mechanism includes a helical gear 12, which is fixedly connected to the bottom end of the rotating rod 14 and rotatably connected to the swing shaft. The helical gear 12 meshes with a bevel gear 13, and the bevel gear 13 is fixedly connected to the output shaft 10.

[0046] The output shaft 10 can drive the bevel gear 13 to rotate, thereby using the meshing of the bevel gear 13 and the helical gear 12 to drive the rotating rod 14 to rotate around its own axis.

[0047] The rotating rod 14 is fitted with a telescopic cylinder 16, and the wall of the telescopic cylinder 16 is provided with a spiral groove. Correspondingly, the rotating rod 14 is provided with a driving rod 15 perpendicular to it, and the end of the driving rod 15 extends into the spiral groove.

[0048] Furthermore, the drive rod 15 is located at the top of the rotating rod 14, and the rotating rod 14 is vertically fixed at the middle position of the drive rod 15. Both ends of the drive rod 15 extend into the spiral groove, and the telescopic cylinder 16 can generate a certain radial movement relative to the rotating rod 14.

[0049] The telescopic cylinder 16 is surrounded by a fixed cylinder 18. The fixed cylinder 18 is fixedly connected to the guide rail plates on both sides of the fixed cylinder 18 by a fixed rod. The fixed cylinder 18 is provided with two elongated grooves spaced 180 degrees apart. The elongated grooves are distributed along the axial direction of the fixed cylinder 18.

[0050] The outer surface of the telescopic cylinder 16 is fixedly connected to one end of two sets of connecting parts 17. The two sets of connecting parts 17 are spaced 180° apart and are used to connect the upper blades 2 of the two blade assemblies respectively. Taking one set of connecting parts 17 as an example:

[0051] like Figure 7 As shown, the same group includes multiple connectors 17 distributed along the axis of the telescopic cylinder 16. Preferably, the same group is provided with two connectors 17. Correspondingly, two guide grooves 7 are also provided on the guide rail plate 4. Each connector 17 corresponds to one guide groove 7. After passing through the long groove and the corresponding guide groove 7, the connector 17 is fixedly connected to the inner side of the upper blade 2.

[0052] In this embodiment, the connector includes a connecting rod with a diameter smaller than the width of the long groove. The connecting rod can be locked in the long groove. One end of the connecting rod is fixedly connected to the outer cylinder surface of the telescopic cylinder 16. After the connecting rod passes through the long groove and the guide groove 7 in sequence, its other end is provided with a connecting block 8. The connecting block 8 is fixedly connected to the inner side surface of the upper blade 2.

[0053] Furthermore, in order to ensure the stability of the movement of the upper blade 2, a connector 17 is provided on both sides of the upper blade. One side of the connector 17 is fixed to the telescopic cylinder 16, and the other side of the connector 17 extends into the guide groove 7 of the guide rail plate 4 on the same side.

[0054] The elongated groove can limit the telescopic movement of the telescopic cylinder 16.

[0055] Example 2

[0056] This embodiment provides a method for operating the active air intake grille described in Embodiment 1:

[0057] The swing drive motor 9 drives the lower blade 3 to rotate to a vertical position through the output shaft 10. At this time, the swing shaft, rotating rod 14, telescopic cylinder 16, and fixed cylinder 18 are in a vertical position. The connecting piece 17 is located at the top of the guide groove. The upper connecting piece 17 is located at the top of the long groove. The upper blade 2 is located above the lower blade 3. At this time, the upper blade 2 and the lower blade 3 are in a fully extended state. At this time, the upper blade 2 and the lower blade 3 are in a closed position. The air intake grille is closed by the upper blade 2 and the lower blade 3, and the engine compartment cannot take in air.

[0058] like Figure 8 As shown, the swing drive motor 9 drives the lower blade 3 to swing towards the inside of the engine compartment to the open position via the output shaft 10. During the rotation of the output shaft 10, the rotating rod 14, telescopic cylinder 16, and fixed cylinder 18 are driven to swing inward via the swing shaft. At the same time, the guide plate 4 also swings inward with the lower blade 3. During the swing, the output shaft 10 drives the bevel gear 13 to rotate. Under the meshing action of the bevel gear 13 and the helical gear 12, the rotating rod 14 rotates around its own axis. Since the drive rod 15 is engaged with the spiral groove, the telescopic cylinder 16 generates a telescopic motion along the axis of the rotating rod 14. The connecting piece 17 moves along the trajectory of the guide groove 7, causing the upper blade to retract relative to the lower blade. The upper and lower blades retract with overlapping parts. The width of the entire blade assembly is reduced to match the distance between the front bumper 1 and the heat dissipation core. The entire blade assembly replaces the cooling lower air guide plate and guides the airflow to the heat dissipation core.

[0059] In this embodiment, the active air intake grille uses a blade assembly that functions as a cooling lower air guide, replacing the lower air guide to direct airflow into the radiator core. This expands the functionality of the active air intake grille, eliminating the need for a lower air guide in the vehicle. This saves on the installation process and manufacturing costs of the lower air guide, reducing vehicle manufacturing and maintenance costs. Furthermore, the swing telescopic mechanism and the swing drive mechanism share a single power element, eliminating the need for additional drive equipment for the swing and telescopic movements, thus saving equipment costs and reducing the space occupied.

[0060] Example 3

[0061] This embodiment provides a vehicle equipped with the active air intake grille described in Embodiment 1. The swing drive motor 9 and the support base are both fixed in the engine compartment space inside the blade assembly. The rest of the vehicle structure can be constructed using existing technology and will not be described in detail here.

[0062] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of this application and is not intended to limit this application. Various modifications and variations can be made to this application by those skilled in the art. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of this application should be included within the protection scope of this application.

Claims

1. An active air intake grille, characterized in that, The blade assembly includes an upper blade and a lower blade. The lower blade is connected to a swing drive mechanism, which is connected to a swing telescopic mechanism. The swing telescopic mechanism is connected to at least one connector. The connector passes through a guide rail plate on the side of the lower blade and is fixedly connected to the upper blade. A guide groove is provided on the guide rail plate, and the connector passes through the guide groove through the guide rail plate. The swing drive mechanism includes a swing drive component, which is connected to an output shaft. The output shaft is connected to the lower blade via a lower blade connecting rod to drive the lower blade to swing. The swing telescopic mechanism includes a swing shaft connected to the swing drive mechanism. The swing shaft is rotatably connected to the bottom end of the rotating rod. The swing drive mechanism is connected to the rotating rod through a transmission mechanism to drive the rotating rod to swing while causing the rotating rod to rotate around its own axis. The rotating rod is vertically provided with a drive rod, which is inserted into the spiral groove of the telescopic cylinder around the outer periphery of the rotating rod. The outer periphery of the telescopic cylinder is fitted with a fixed cylinder that is fixed to the guide plate. The fixed cylinder is provided with long grooves distributed along the axis. After the connecting piece passes through the long groove and the guide groove, one end of it is fixed to the upper blade and the other end is fixed to the telescopic cylinder. While the oscillating drive mechanism drives the lower blade and the oscillating telescopic mechanism to flip, the oscillating telescopic mechanism can extend and retract to drive the upper blade to move relative to the lower blade along the guide groove through the connecting piece, so as to adjust the width of the blade assembly.

2. An active air intake grille as described in claim 1, characterized in that, Both sides of the inner surface of the lower blade are connected to a lower blade connecting rod. One side of the lower blade connecting rod is connected to the output shaft of the swing drive, and the other side of the lower blade connecting rod is connected to the rotating shaft, which is rotatably connected to the support base.

3. An active air intake grille as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The transmission mechanism includes a helical gear, which is fixed to the bottom end of the rotating rod and rotatably connected to the swing shaft. The helical gear meshes with a bevel gear, and the bevel gear is connected to the swing drive mechanism to achieve rotation.

4. An active air intake grille as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The drive rod is located at the top of the rotating rod, and the middle part of the drive rod is connected to the top of the rotating rod. Both ends of the drive rod are inserted into the spiral groove.

5. An active air intake grille as described in claim 1, characterized in that, Guide rail plates are fixed on both sides of the lower blade, and guide rail plates on both sides are provided with guide grooves. Correspondingly, connectors are fixed on both sides of the upper blade. One connector passes through the guide groove of the same side guide rail plate and is connected to the swing telescopic mechanism, while the other connector extends into the guide groove of the same side guide rail plate.

6. An active air intake grille as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The connector includes a connecting rod that passes through a guide groove through a guide rail plate. One end of the connecting rod is connected to a swing telescopic mechanism, and the other end is provided with a connecting block that is fixedly connected to the inner side of the upper blade.

7. A method for operating an active air intake grille according to any one of claims 1-6, characterized in that: The swing drive mechanism drives the lower blade to rotate to the closed position, and at the same time, the swing drive mechanism drives the upper blade to rotate to the closed position through the swing telescopic mechanism. At this time, the upper and lower blades are in the extended state, closing the air intake grille. The swing drive mechanism drives the lower blade to flip inward to the open position. At the same time, the swing drive mechanism drives the upper blade to flip inward through the swing telescopic mechanism, while the upper blade and the lower blade generate a relative contraction motion. The width of the blade assembly is reduced to match the distance between the front bumper and the radiator core, and the blade assembly is used to replace the cooling lower air guide plate.

8. A vehicle, characterized in that, The unit is equipped with an active air intake grille as described in any one of claims 1-6.

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