External active air inlet grille and opening and closing method thereof

Abstract

The invention provides an external active air inlet grille and an opening and closing method thereof. The grille comprises a grille frame and blades, the two ends of the grille frame are covered with cover plates, a main connecting rod is connected to the blades, the two ends of the main connecting rod are clamped to the inner sides of the blades, and the end of the main connecting rod extends to be arranged between the grille frame and the cover plates; the main connecting rod is connected with the grating frame through a connecting rod assembly, one end of the main connecting rod is further connected with an actuator driving assembly used for being connected with a motor, and the motor works to drive the connecting rod to drive the blades to horizontally move and turn over in the grating frame so that the blades can open and close the grating frame. The blade type air-conditioning grille has the beneficial effects that the blade can realize the compound motion of translation and overturning in the grille frame, so that the blade and the grille frame form a better clearance surface difference, and on the premise of ensuring the degree of freedom of movement of the blade, the number of dynamic airflow leakage channels is limited and reduced. Meanwhile, through the sealing gaskets on the peripheries of the blades, the sealing performance of the blades and the grating frame can be improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention belongs to the technical field of automobile air intake grilles, and in particular relates to an external active air intake grille and an opening and closing method thereof. Background Art

[0002] An active grille is an intelligent grille that automatically adjusts its opening and closing based on parameters such as vehicle speed and engine temperature. It is primarily used to optimize engine thermal management, reduce wind resistance, and improve fuel economy. With the continuous advancement of new vehicle energy, external active grilles are becoming a crucial component of vehicle dynamics design to ensure they meet the performance of traditional internal active grilles while also satisfying the vehicle's exterior styling requirements and ensuring improved sealing. However, the external active grilles currently available on the market suffer from poor sealing and clearance surfaces, resulting in large dynamic airflow leakage channels during driving, increasing fuel consumption and insufficient power performance. For electric vehicle grilles, poor sealing and clearance surfaces can lead to increased power consumption. Developing an external active grille to improve grille airflow leakage has become a technical issue that needs to be addressed. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The present invention provides an external active air intake grille and an opening and closing method thereof, which effectively improves the airflow leakage and sealing performance of the external active air intake grille in the prior art.

[0004] The purpose of the present invention is achieved through the following technical solutions: An external active air intake grille comprises a grille frame and blades disposed within the grille frame. Cover plates are provided at both ends of the grille frame. Main connecting rods are connected to the blades, with both ends of the main connecting rods being clamped to the inner sides of the blades. The ends of the main connecting rods extend between the grille frame and the cover plates. The main connecting rod is connected to the grille frame through a connecting rod assembly. One end of the main connecting rod is also connected to an actuator drive assembly for connecting to a motor. When the motor works, it drives the connecting rod to drive the blades to translate and flip within the grille frame to realize the opening and closing of the blades relative to the grille frame.

[0005] Preferably, the blade includes a blade body and side wings vertically arranged on both sides of the blade body, a U-shaped opening is opened at the proximal end of the side wing, a U-shaped slider is protruded from the surface of the U-shaped opening, a blade shaft is protruded from the distal end of the side wing, and limiting protrusions are provided at the upper and lower ends of the blade shaft, the main connecting rod is clamped in the U-shaped opening, and the limiting protrusion cooperates with the limiting block of the grille frame.

[0006] Preferably, a sealing gasket is provided on the periphery of the blade body.

[0007] Preferably, the connecting rod assembly includes a tension connecting arm sleeved on both ends of the main connecting rod, the outer side of the tension connecting arm is provided with a connecting shaft, and the end of the main connecting rod extends outwardly from the tension connecting arm; The connecting rod assembly also includes a sliding rail ring and a U-shaped block arranged at both ends of the main connecting rod. The sliding rail ring is sleeved on the inner side of the tension connecting arm, and the U-shaped block is clamped on the outer side of the tension connecting arm. The upper end of the U-shaped block is sleeved and assembled with the connecting shaft, and the U-shaped distal end of the U-shaped block is connected to the blade shaft on the blade.

[0008] Preferably, the actuator drive assembly is connected to one end of the main connecting rod, and includes a first connecting rod and a hinge drive rod and an actuator drive rod respectively connected to both sides of the first connecting rod through a hole shaft assembly, and the hinge drive rod, the first connecting rod and the actuator drive rod are connected end to end.

[0009] Preferably, the slide rail ring is a sleeve ring, one side of which is provided with a side plate extending outward from the ring. The outer ring of the slide rail ring is provided with a slide groove, and the slide groove cooperates with the U-shaped slider on the blade.

[0010] Preferably, the other end side of the hinge drive rod is assembled with the end hole shaft of the main connecting rod, the first connecting rod end side of the actuator drive rod is sleeved with the actuator drive rod connecting shaft in the grid frame, and the other end side of the actuator drive rod is connected to the motor.

[0011] Preferably, a U-shaped slide is provided on the outer side of the U-shaped block, and a clamping block is provided on the grid frame, and the clamping block is placed on the U-shaped slide.

[0012] Preferably, any one of the above methods for opening and closing the external active air intake grille comprises the following steps: When the motor is working, it first drives the actuator drive assembly and the main connecting rod to rotate. At this time, the connecting shaft on the tension connecting arm will pull the U-shaped block, and the second connecting hole of the U-shaped block is connected to the blade shaft. The U-shaped block is blocked by the limit stopper. The U-shaped block will move toward the inner side of the blade, driving the blade to achieve horizontal translation and sliding. The slide ring is in suspension and remains stationary relative to the absolute coordinate. When the blade moves horizontally, its U-shaped slider moves on the slide ring. As the motor continues to operate, the main connecting rod continues to rotate. When the U-shaped opening of the U-shaped block comes into surface contact with the main connecting rod, the blades' linear motion is converted into rotational motion, causing them to flip around the main connecting rod's axis. As the main connecting rod continues to rotate, the slide ring and the U-shaped block, driven by the force of the main connecting rod, also rotate around the main connecting rod's axis. When the side of the actuator drive rod moves to the rotation stop position within the grid frame, it stops rotating, and the blades rotate back and forth to reset.

[0013] The beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows: the blades can achieve a combination of translational and flipping motion within the grille frame, creating a better clearance difference between the blades and the grille frame. This, while ensuring the freedom of blade movement, limits and reduces dynamic airflow leakage. Furthermore, the sealing gaskets around the blades enhance the sealing between the blades and the grille frame. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention, the following briefly introduces the drawings required for use in the description of the embodiments. Obviously, the drawings described below are some embodiments of the present invention. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without paying any creative work.

[0015] Figure 1 : A schematic diagram of the front three-dimensional structure of the present invention.

[0016] Figure 2 : A schematic diagram of the back structure of the present invention.

[0017] Figure 3 : The present invention Figure 2 Schematic diagram of the structure after the cover is hidden.

[0018] Figure 4 : The present invention Figure 1 Exploded view Figure 5 : Further exploded view of the present invention after the cover is hidden.

[0019] Figure 6 : A structural diagram of the grid frame of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] In order to make the purpose, technical solutions and advantages of the present invention more clear, the following Figures 1-6 It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are only used to explain the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention.

[0021] The present invention provides an external active air intake grille, comprising a grille frame 1, blades 2 positioned within the grille frame 1, and a cover plate 4 connected to the grille frame. The blades 2 are connected to a main connecting rod 3, with both ends of the main connecting rod 3 snapped onto the inner side of the blades 2. The end of the main connecting rod 3 extends between the grille frame 1 and the cover plate 4. One end of the main connecting rod 3 is connected to a motor. When the motor is activated, it drives the connecting rod, driving the blades 2 to perform horizontal translation and flipping movements within the grille frame 1, thereby opening and closing the blades relative to the grille frame.

[0022] Specifically, the blade 2 includes a blade body and side wings vertically arranged on both sides of the blade body. A U-shaped opening 21 is provided at the proximal end of the side wing, and a U-shaped slider 211 is protruding from the surface of the U-shaped opening 21. A blade shaft 22 is protruding from the distal end of the side wing, and limiting protrusions 23 are provided above and below the blade shaft 22. The limiting protrusion 23 cooperates with the limiting block 14 of the grille frame. In order to increase the sealing between the blade and the grille frame, the outer ring of the blade body is provided with a sealing gasket or a compressible sealing flange, such as a wavy lip structure made of EPDM or silicone material. The blade can also be in the form of a two-color blade, and the sealing material uses a soft rubber material, which is not specifically limited here.

[0023] The main connecting rod 3 is a long connecting rod with tension connecting arms 31 sleeved on both ends. The outer side of the tension connecting arm 31 is provided with a connecting shaft 311. The end 32 of the main connecting rod extends outward and protrudes from the tension connecting arm 31. The inner and outer sides of the tension connecting arm 31 are respectively provided with a slide ring 6 and a U-shaped block 5. The slide ring 6 is a sleeve ring with a side plate extending outward from one side of the ring. The outer ring of the slide ring 6 is provided with a slide groove 61, which cooperates with the U-shaped slider 211 on the blade. When the main connecting rod is placed in the U-shaped opening 21 of the blade, the U-shaped slider 211 will abut against the slide groove 61, forming a snap connection between the main connecting rod 3 and the blade.

[0024] One end of the main connecting rod 3 is connected to an actuator drive assembly, which is arranged outside the U-shaped block 5. The actuator drive assembly includes a first connecting rod 7 and a hinge drive rod 9 and an actuator drive rod 8 respectively connected to the first connecting rod 7 on both sides through a hole-shaft assembly. The hinge drive rod 9, the first connecting rod 7 and the actuator drive rod 8 are connected end to end from one side to the other.

[0025] Specifically, one end of the hinge drive rod 9 is assembled with the hole shaft at the end 32 of the main connecting rod 3, and the other end 91 of the hinge drive rod 9 is assembled with the hole shaft at one end 71 of the first connecting rod; the other end 72 of the first connecting rod is connected to the one end 82 of the actuator drive rod, and the other end 81 of the actuator drive rod is connected to the other end 82 of the actuator drive rod. The opposite side of the other end 81 of the actuator drive rod is connected to the actuator drive rod connecting shaft 12 on the grid frame.

[0026] When the components are connected, the upper end of the U-shaped block 5 is sleeved onto the connecting shaft 311 through the first connecting hole 53. The U-shaped distal end of the U-shaped block is provided with a second connecting hole 52 for connection to the blade shaft 22 on the blade. The outer side of the U-shaped block 5 is provided with a U-shaped slide 51, and the inner side of the grid frame 1 is provided with a clamping block 13, which is placed on the U-shaped slide 51. In this embodiment, the clamping block 13 is placed on the side wall of the grid frame 1, which has a U-shaped opening for receiving the main connecting rod. The first connecting rod 7 and the U-shaped block 5 are respectively placed on either side of the side wall.

[0027] An inclined surface 11 is provided in the grid frame. The inclined surface 11 is placed below the actuator driving rod and is used to stop the actuator driving rod from rotating.

[0028] The present invention also discloses a method for opening and closing any of the above-mentioned external active air intake grilles, comprising the following steps: When the motor is operating, it first drives the actuator drive assembly and main connecting rod 3 to rotate. At this point, the connecting shaft 311 on the tension connecting arm 31 pulls the U-shaped block 5. The connection between the second connecting hole 52 of the U-shaped block 5 and the blade shaft 22 is blocked by the stopper 14. The U-shaped block 5 then translates inwardly toward the blade, driving the blade to achieve horizontal translation and sliding. At this point, the guide ring 6 is suspended and remains stationary relative to the absolute coordinates. As the blade translates, its U-shaped slider 211 moves along the guide ring 6.

[0029] As the motor continues to operate, main connecting rod 3 continues to rotate. When the U-shaped opening of U-shaped block 5 comes into surface contact with the main connecting rod, the blades' linear motion is converted into rotational motion, causing them to flip around the axis of main connecting rod 3. As the main connecting rod continues to rotate, the slide ring and U-shaped block rotate around the axis of main connecting rod 3 driven by the force of the main connecting rod. When the side of the actuator drive rod moves to the rotation stop position within the grid frame (i.e., inclined surface 11), it stops rotating, and the blades rotate back and forth to reset.

[0030] The blades in the present invention first achieve translation and then flip during the movement process, thereby ensuring a better gap surface difference between the blades and the grille frame, which can better reflect the tightness of the fit between the blades and the grille frame, and by adding a sealing gasket, the sealing can be further guaranteed, thereby indirectly improving the performance of the vehicle.

[0031] Finally, it should be noted that terms such as "upper," "lower," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "inner," and "outer" indicate positions or relationships based on the positions or relationships shown in the accompanying drawings. These terms are intended solely to facilitate and simplify the description of the present invention and are not intended to indicate or imply that the devices or components referred to must have, be constructed, or operate in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on the present invention. Furthermore, the terms "first," "second," and "third" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0032] The above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention, rather than to limit the same. Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the aforementioned embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that they can still modify the technical solutions described in the aforementioned embodiments, or make equivalent replacements for some of the technical features therein. However, these modifications or replacements do not deviate the essence of the corresponding technical solutions from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the various embodiments of the present invention.

Claims

1. External active air intake grille, characterized by: It includes a grid frame and blades placed in the grid frame. Both ends of the grid frame are covered with cover plates. The blades are connected to main connecting rods. Both ends of the main connecting rods are clamped to the inner side of the blades. The ends of the main connecting rods extend between the grid frame and the cover plates. The main connecting rod is connected to the grille frame through a connecting rod assembly. One end of the main connecting rod is also connected to an actuator drive assembly for connecting to a motor. When the motor works, it drives the connecting rod to drive the blades to translate and flip within the grille frame to realize the opening and closing of the blades relative to the grille frame.

2. The external active air intake grille according to claim 1, characterized in that: The blade includes a blade body and side wings vertically arranged on both sides of the blade body. A U-shaped opening is opened at the proximal end of the side wing, a U-shaped slider is protruded from the surface of the U-shaped opening, and a blade shaft is protruded from the distal end of the side wing. Limiting protrusions are provided at the upper and lower ends of the blade shaft. The main connecting rod is clamped in the U-shaped opening, and the limiting protrusion cooperates with the limiting block of the grille frame.

3. The external active air intake grille according to claim 1, characterized in that: A sealing gasket is arranged on the periphery of the blade body.

4. The external active air intake grille according to claim 2, characterized in that: The connecting rod assembly includes a tension connecting arm sleeved on both ends of the main connecting rod, the outer side of the tension connecting arm is provided with a connecting shaft, and the end of the main connecting rod extends outwardly from the tension connecting arm; The connecting rod assembly also includes a sliding rail ring and a U-shaped block arranged at both ends of the main connecting rod. The sliding rail ring is sleeved on the inner side of the tension connecting arm, and the U-shaped block is clamped on the outer side of the tension connecting arm. The upper end of the U-shaped block is sleeved and assembled with the connecting shaft, and the U-shaped distal end of the U-shaped block is connected to the blade shaft on the blade.

5. The external active air intake grille according to claim 1, characterized in that: The actuator drive assembly is connected to one end of the main connecting rod, and includes a first connecting rod and a hinge drive rod and an actuator drive rod respectively connected to both sides of the first connecting rod through a hole shaft assembly. The hinge drive rod, the first connecting rod and the actuator drive rod are connected end to end.

6. The external active air intake grille according to claim 4, characterized in that: The slide rail ring is a sleeve ring, one side of which is provided with a side plate extending outward from the ring. The outer ring of the slide rail ring is provided with a slide groove, and the slide groove cooperates with the U-shaped slider on the blade.

7. The external active air intake grille according to claim 6, characterized in that: The other end of the hinge drive rod is assembled with the end hole shaft of the main connecting rod, the first connecting rod end of the actuator drive rod is sleeved with the actuator drive rod connecting shaft in the grid frame, and the other end of the actuator drive rod is connected to the motor.

8. The external active air intake grille according to claim 7, characterized in that: The outer side surface of the U-shaped block is provided with a U-shaped slideway, and the grid frame is provided with a clamping block, and the clamping block is placed on the U-shaped slideway.

9. The method for opening and closing an external active air intake grille according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that: The steps include: When the motor is working, it first drives the actuator drive assembly and the main connecting rod to rotate. At this time, the connecting shaft on the tension connecting arm will pull the U-shaped block, and the second connecting hole of the U-shaped block is connected to the blade shaft. The U-shaped block is blocked by the limit stopper. The U-shaped block will move toward the inner side of the blade, driving the blade to achieve horizontal translation and sliding. The slide ring is in suspension and remains stationary relative to the absolute coordinate. When the blade moves horizontally, its U-shaped slider moves on the slide ring. As the motor continues to operate, the main connecting rod continues to rotate. When the U-shaped opening of the U-shaped block comes into surface contact with the main connecting rod, the blades' linear motion is converted into rotational motion, causing them to flip around the main connecting rod's axis. As the main connecting rod continues to rotate, the slide ring and the U-shaped block, driven by the force of the main connecting rod, also rotate around the main connecting rod's axis. When the side of the actuator drive rod moves to the rotation stop position within the grid frame, it stops rotating, and the blades rotate back and forth to reset.

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