Flexible blade group for active air-inlet grille

Abstract

The invention relates to a flexible blade group for an active air-inlet grille, which comprises blades and a flexible shaft, the flexible shaft is provided with a plurality of blades, the flexible shaft is composed of first rotating shafts and second rotating shafts, N first rotating shafts and (N-1) second rotating shafts are connected in sequence, and each blade is arranged on one first rotating shaft in a penetrating manner. Compared with the prior art, the multiple blades and the flexible shaft can be integrally formed, and cost rise and technical difficulty caused by mistake proofing and assembling are avoided; according to the invention, the blades and the flexible shaft are assembled in advance, so that the problem of misassembly of the blades can be conveniently checked, sub-station assembly can also be realized, and the overall assembly efficiency of the active air-inlet grille is improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of automotive air intake grille technology, and in particular to a flexible blade assembly for an active air intake grille. Background Technology

[0002] With the implementation of energy conservation and emission reduction policies, vehicles are facing increasingly stringent requirements regarding fuel efficiency. To reduce fuel consumption, in addition to improving fuel ratios and reducing overall vehicle weight, OEMs are considering enhancing the vehicle's aerodynamics to reduce wind resistance, thereby achieving fuel savings and emission reduction. Active grille shutters can improve airflow during vehicle operation, especially at high speeds; therefore, most high-end vehicles are now equipped with active grille shutters.

[0003] An active grille shutter can selectively open or close the blades on the air intake grille. By intelligently adjusting the grille's opening and closing status, the active grille shutter can keep the engine within a high-efficiency range for extended periods. When the car is at high speeds, it can intelligently select which air intake grilles to close, effectively reducing air resistance during driving and thus improving fuel economy. When the car is cold-started, closing the grille shutter effectively prevents cold air convection, thereby shortening the warm-up time and allowing the engine to quickly reach its optimal operating temperature. It can also quickly raise the interior temperature, providing a comfortable environment for the driver and passengers.

[0004] Currently, most active air intake grilles on the market are multi-blade active air intake grilles. The blades are generally separate, with each blade injection molded individually and then assembled separately. When the number of blades in an active air intake grille is large, the blades are prone to mixing up during assembly, and the assembly cycle is relatively long.

[0005] Therefore, in order to improve the overall assembly efficiency of the active air intake grille, a flexible blade arrangement scheme needs to be proposed. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The purpose of this invention is to provide a flexible blade assembly for an active air intake grille to overcome the shortcomings of the prior art. This invention can achieve the integral molding of multiple blades and flexible shaft, avoiding the increased costs and technical difficulties caused by error prevention and assembly. By assembling the blades and flexible shaft in advance, this invention facilitates the inspection of blade misassembly and can also achieve separate assembly stations, thereby improving the overall assembly efficiency of the active air intake grille.

[0007] The objective of this invention can be achieved through the following technical solutions:

[0008] A flexible blade assembly for an active air intake grille includes blades and a flexible shaft, wherein multiple blades are mounted on the flexible shaft.

[0009] The flexible shaft consists of a first rotating shaft and a second rotating shaft. N first rotating shafts and (N-1) second rotating shafts are connected in sequence, and each blade is respectively mounted on a first rotating shaft.

[0010] In one embodiment of the present invention, the blade is composed of a blade surface and a connector, one end of the connector is fixed to the bottom end of the blade surface, and the other end of the connector is inserted through a first rotating shaft.

[0011] In one embodiment of the present invention, the blade and the flexible shaft are injection molded as a single integral structure.

[0012] In one embodiment of the present invention, the injection molding method is insert injection molding.

[0013] In one embodiment of the present invention, the flexible blade assembly further includes a spring, which is used to fix the blade in the axial position when the blade and the flexible shaft are pre-assembled.

[0014] In one embodiment of the present invention, the cross-section of the second rotating shaft is circular, and the radius of the second rotating shaft is 0.5 to 1.5 mm, preferably 1 mm.

[0015] In one embodiment of the present invention, when the active air intake grille has a large curvature shape, the cross-section of the first rotating shaft is a chamfer, and the radius of the notch of the chamfered insert shaft is 1 to 2 mm, preferably 1.5 mm.

[0016] In one embodiment of the present invention, when the active air intake grille has a small curvature shape, the first rotating shaft is composed of a plug-in shaft and a fixed shaft, and a fixed shaft is provided at each end of the plug-in shaft, and the fixed shaft is connected to the second rotating shaft;

[0017] The connector is movably mounted on the plug shaft, and the fixed shaft is used to connect to the frame.

[0018] In one embodiment of the present invention, the cross-section of the plug shaft is chamfered, and the radius of the notch of the chamfered plug shaft is 1 to 2 mm, preferably 1.5 mm.

[0019] In one embodiment of the present invention, the cross-section of the fixed shaft is circular, and the radius of the fixed shaft is 1 to 3 mm, preferably 2 mm.

[0020] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows:

[0021] This invention integrates multiple blades with a flexible shaft using insert injection molding, reducing the number of parts and lowering assembly cycle costs. Alternatively, the flexible shaft and blades can be pre-assembled, with springs engaging the flexible shaft to constrain the axial position of the blades. This assembly method reduces manufacturing difficulty and improves production efficiency.

[0022] To address different curvature trends in styling, this invention offers two design approaches for flexible shafts. For cases with smaller curvatures, the segmented cross-section design of the flexible shaft solves the issues of anti-slip properties between the plastic blades and the flexible shaft, installation of the flexible shaft on frames and grilles, and compatibility of the flexible shaft with grilles of different styling trends. For styling with larger curvatures, this invention employs a non-circular flexible shaft with a uniform cross-section. This type of flexible shaft is easier to process than the former, but its flexibility is reduced, and its applicability is not as wide. Attached Figure Description

[0023] Figure 1 This is a front view of the flexible blade assembly used in the active air intake grille of the present invention.

[0024] Figure 2 This is a top view of the molded flexible blade assembly insert for the active air intake grille in this invention.

[0025] Figure 3 This is a top view of the flexible blade assembly springs used in the active air intake grille of the present invention after installation.

[0026] Figure 4 This is a partial structural schematic diagram of the flexible blade assembly used in the active air intake grille of the present invention.

[0027] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the flexible shaft in this invention;

[0028] Figure 6 This is a partially enlarged view of the flexible shaft in this invention;

[0029] Figure 7 This is a cross-sectional view of the area where the blade connects to the flexible shaft in this invention;

[0030] Figure 8 This is a cross-sectional view of the frame and flexible shaft mounting area in this invention;

[0031] Figure 9 This is a cross-sectional view of the flexible region of the flexible shaft in this invention;

[0032] Figure 10 This is a uniform circular cross-sectional view of the flexible shaft in this invention;

[0033] Figure 11 This is a schematic diagram showing the orientation of the flexible blade assembly after it has been installed onto the frame in this invention.

[0034] Explanation of the attached figures: 1. Blade, 2. Flexible shaft, 3. Spring, 4. First rotating shaft, 5. Second rotating shaft, 6. Connecting shaft, 7. Fixed shaft, 9. Blade surface, 10. Connector, a. Area connecting blade and flexible shaft, b. Area where frame and flexible shaft are installed, c. Flexible area, d. Radius of the notch of the segmental connecting shaft, e. Radius of the fixed shaft, f. Radius of the second rotating shaft. Detailed Implementation

[0035] The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments. These embodiments are based on the technical solution of the present invention and provide detailed implementation methods and specific operating procedures. However, the scope of protection of the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments.

[0036] It should be noted that similar labels and letters in the following figures indicate similar items. Therefore, once an item is defined in one figure, it does not need to be further defined and explained in subsequent figures.

[0037] In the description of this invention, it should be noted that the terms "center," "longitudinal," "lateral," "upper," "lower," "front," "rear," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "top," "bottom," "inner," and "outer," etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are used only for the convenience of describing the invention and for simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element 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 the invention. Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0038] In the description of this invention, it should be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," and "linking" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; and they can refer to the internal connection of two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention according to the specific circumstances.

[0039] The following detailed description of some embodiments of the present invention is provided in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Unless otherwise specified, the following embodiments and features can be combined with each other.

[0040] Example 1

[0041] This embodiment provides a flexible blade assembly for an active air intake grille, including blades 1 and a flexible shaft 2, wherein the flexible shaft 2 is provided with multiple blades 1.

[0042] The flexible shaft 2 is composed of a first rotating shaft 4 and a second rotating shaft 5. N first rotating shafts 4 and (N-1) second rotating shafts 5 are connected in sequence, and each blade 1 is respectively mounted on a first rotating shaft 4.

[0043] In this embodiment, the blade 1 is composed of a blade surface 9 and a connector 10. One end of the connector 10 is fixed to the bottom end of the blade surface 9, and the other end of the connector 10 is inserted through the first rotating shaft 4.

[0044] In this embodiment, the cross-section of the second rotating shaft 5 is circular, and the radius f of the second rotating shaft 5 is 1 mm.

[0045] In this embodiment, the blade 1 and the flexible shaft 2 are injection molded as a single integral structure.

[0046] In this embodiment, the injection molding method is insert injection molding.

[0047] like Figure 2 As shown, the blade 1 and the flexible shaft 2 are injection molded as a single unit, which combines the original single blade 1 into a single part by connecting it with the flexible shaft 2, reducing assembly time and avoiding errors.

[0048] like Figure 11 As shown, this is a top view of the flexible blade assembly after it is assembled onto the frame. The direction of the flexible shaft 2 is controlled by the direction of the frame. Therefore, the same flexible blade assembly can adapt to different frame trends to achieve high flexibility.

[0049] Example 2

[0050] This embodiment provides a flexible blade assembly for an active air intake grille, including blades 1 and a flexible shaft 2, wherein the flexible shaft 2 is provided with multiple blades 1.

[0051] The flexible shaft 2 is composed of a first rotating shaft 4 and a second rotating shaft 5. N first rotating shafts 4 and (N-1) second rotating shafts 5 are connected in sequence, and each blade 1 is respectively mounted on a first rotating shaft 4.

[0052] In this embodiment, the blade 1 is composed of a blade surface 9 and a connector 10. One end of the connector 10 is fixed to the bottom end of the blade surface 9, and the other end of the connector 10 is inserted through the first rotating shaft 4.

[0053] In this embodiment, the cross-section of the second rotating shaft 5 is circular, and the radius f of the second rotating shaft 5 is 1 mm.

[0054] In this embodiment, the flexible blade assembly also includes a spring 3. When the blade 1 and the flexible shaft 2 are pre-assembled, the spring 3 is used to fix the blade 1 in the axial position.

[0055] like Figure 3 As shown, in this invention, the blade 1 and the flexible shaft 2 are assembled in advance. The blade 1 is positioned in the axial direction by means of the spring 3. During the assembly of the blade 1 to the flexible shaft 2, attention should be paid to preventing errors. At the same time, after the assembly is completed, errors can also be prevented by means of the process, such as the error prevention of the camera.

[0056] Example 3

[0057] This embodiment provides a flexible blade assembly for an active air intake grille. When the active air intake grille has a large curvature shape, the cross-section of the first rotating shaft 4 is a chamfer, and the radius d of the notch of the chamfered insertion shaft 6 is 1.5mm.

[0058] like Figure 10 As shown, the cross-sectional shape of the flexible shaft 2 corresponding to the large curvature shape is a chamfer shape. The radius d of the notch of the chamfer-shaped insertion shaft 6 is 1.5mm. The flexible blade group is assembled onto the grid with the help of the overall flexibility of the metal shaft. Compared with the former, the flexibility of this type of flexible shaft has a relatively small range of application and can be selected according to different shapes.

[0059] Example 4

[0060] This embodiment provides a flexible blade assembly for an active air intake grille. When the active air intake grille has a small curvature shape, the first rotating shaft 4 is composed of a plug-in shaft 6 and a fixed shaft 7. A fixed shaft 7 is provided at each end of the plug-in shaft 6, and the fixed shaft 7 is connected to the second rotating shaft 5.

[0061] The connector 10 is movably inserted on the plug shaft 6, and the fixed shaft 7 is used to connect to the frame.

[0062] In this embodiment, the cross-section of the plug shaft 6 is a cleft circumference, and the radius d of the notch of the cleft circumference plug shaft 6 is 1.5 mm.

[0063] In this embodiment, the cross-section of the fixed shaft 7 is circular, and the radius d of the fixed shaft 7 is 2mm.

[0064] like Figures 7-9 As shown, the flexible shaft 2 with a small curvature is divided into multiple cross sections. The cross section at the installation area b of the frame and the flexible shaft 2 is circular with a radius e of 2 mm. The shape of the connection area a between the blade 1 and the flexible shaft 2 is a chamfer, and the radius d of the notch of the chamfered insertion shaft 6 is 1.5 mm. The flexible area c of the flexible shaft 2 is circular with a radius f of 1 mm. The flexible area c can be bent according to requirements, realizing the self-adaptation of the flexible blade assembly and the surrounding parts.

[0065] The above-described examples are preferred practices of this patent and do not limit the scope of protection of this patent. Other solutions that modify this solution to achieve integral injection molding of multiple blades and a rotating shaft can also be considered within the technical scope of this solution. For example, changes in the shape and size of the flexible shaft, changes in the shape, size, or arrangement of the blades, changes in the material of the flexible shaft, the flexible shaft and blades can be made of the same material (i.e., instead of insert injection molding, ordinary injection molding), the flexible shaft and blades are no longer integrally molded but are combined together by assembly, and other parts that can achieve the same effect.

[0066] The above description of the embodiments is provided to enable those skilled in the art to understand and use the invention. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications can be made to these embodiments, and the general principles described herein can be applied to other embodiments without inventive effort. Therefore, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and any improvements and modifications made by those skilled in the art based on the disclosure of the present invention without departing from the scope of the invention should be within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A flexible blade assembly for an active air intake grille, characterized in that, It includes blades (1) and a flexible shaft (2), wherein the flexible shaft (2) is provided with multiple blades (1). The flexible shaft (2) is composed of a first rotating shaft (4) and a second rotating shaft (5). N first rotating shafts (4) and (N-1) second rotating shafts (5) are connected in sequence, and each blade (1) is respectively mounted on a first rotating shaft (4).

2. The flexible blade assembly for an active air intake grille according to claim 1, characterized in that, The blade (1) is composed of a blade surface (9) and a connector (10). One end of the connector (10) is fixed to the bottom end of the blade surface (9), and the other end of the connector (10) is inserted into the first rotating shaft (4).

3. The flexible blade assembly for an active air intake grille according to claim 1, characterized in that, The blade (1) and the flexible shaft (2) are injection molded as a single unit to form an integral structure.

4. The flexible blade assembly for an active air intake grille according to claim 3, characterized in that, The injection molding method is insert injection molding.

5. The flexible blade assembly for an active air intake grille according to claim 1, characterized in that, The flexible blade assembly also includes a spring (3), which is used to fix the blade (1) in the axial position when the blade (1) and the flexible shaft (2) are pre-assembled.

6. The flexible blade assembly for an active air intake grille according to claim 1, characterized in that, The cross-section of the second rotating shaft (5) is circular, and the radius (f) of the second rotating shaft (5) is 0.5 to 1.5 mm.

7. The flexible blade assembly for an active air intake grille according to claim 1, characterized in that, When the active air intake grille has a large curvature design, the cross-section of the first rotating shaft (4) is a chamfer, and the notch radius (d) of the chamfer-shaped insert shaft (6) is 1 to 2 mm.

8. A flexible blade assembly for an active air intake grille according to claim 2, characterized in that, When the active air intake grille has a small curvature, the first rotating shaft (4) is composed of a plug-in shaft (6) and a fixed shaft (7). The plug-in shaft (6) has a fixed shaft (7) at each end, and the fixed shaft (7) is connected to the second rotating shaft (5). The connector (10) is movably mounted on the plug shaft (6), and the fixed shaft (7) is used to connect to the frame.

9. A flexible blade assembly for an active air intake grille according to claim 8, characterized in that, The cross-section of the plug shaft (6) is a cleft shape, and the radius (d) of the notch of the cleft-shaped plug shaft (6) is 1 to 2 mm.

10. A flexible blade assembly for an active air intake grille according to claim 8, characterized in that, The cross-section of the fixed shaft (7) is circular, and the radius (d) of the fixed shaft (7) is 1 to 3 mm.

Images