Air intake closing module for a motor vehicle front end and motor vehicle comprising it

Abstract

An intake closure module (10) of a motor vehicle comprising a frame (20) and a closure assembly (11), the frame (20) further comprising at least one through hole (19), the closure assembly (11) comprising at least two leaves (12, 13) pivotable about a common axis (14) between a closed position, in which the through hole (19) is closed by the complementary cooperation of said at least two leaves (12, 13), and an open position, in which a flow of air can pass through said through hole (19); said closure module (10) comprising actuation means (100) of the closure assembly (11), the actuation means (100) being movable between a position close to the frame (20), in which the closure assembly (11) is in said closed position, and a position away from the frame (20), in which the closure assembly (11) is in said open position.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a sealing module, and more specifically, to a sealing module for a sealing device for a front air intake of a motor vehicle, comprising a controlled blade system. The invention also relates to a vehicle front end including such a sealing device. Background Technology

[0002] The front end of a motor vehicle, also known as the fascia or front grille, typically consists of one or more air intakes, such as two air intakes symmetrical with respect to the vehicle's vertical and longitudinal center plane, or two air intakes arranged vertically, referred to as the upper and lower air intakes, separated, for example, by a bumper crossbeam. Heat exchangers in the motor vehicle, such as those used for air conditioning the passenger compartment and / or for cooling the engine, are usually located behind these air intakes.

[0003] It is also known that a sealing device is arranged in the air path through the front air intake of a motor vehicle, the sealing device comprising an outer frame and a plurality of blades, the blades being pivotally mounted about an axis and capable of presenting a plurality of different angular positions between an open position and a closed position under appropriate control and mechanical drive. Each blade is typically fastened to a shaft driven to rotate by a gear mechanism.

[0004] This provides a closure similar to a grille louver, which can be used to regulate the flow rate of air through the intake and reaching the heat exchangers. This optimizes the efficiency of these heat exchangers as needed by changing the amount of air they receive. Furthermore, at high speeds, the blades in the closed position reduce the vehicle's drag coefficient, thereby improving the vehicle's aerodynamic performance.

[0005] Document US2023085317 describes a sealing device for the front end of a vehicle, the sealing device including a plurality of blades arranged in horizontal rows arranged vertically, and control and drive means for sequentially controlling the position of the rows of blades between an open position and a closed position, the closed position closing the front end opposite the air intake.

[0006] However, this type of sealing device is not suitable for controlling the blade positions relative to each other sequentially between open and closed positions. Furthermore, this sealing device is very difficult to install in a convex front end. Summary of the Invention

[0007] Therefore, one of the objectives of this invention is to overcome the shortcomings of the prior art by proposing an improved sealing device that uses a simple mechanism to control the sequential opening and closing of the blades relative to each other, particularly for the front end or front face of a vehicle.

[0008] For this purpose, the present invention relates to an intake sealing module for a motor vehicle, the intake sealing module including a frame defining a through-hole and a sealing assembly including at least two blades pivotable about a common axis, the sealing assembly being movable between a closed position and an open position, in which the through-hole is closed by complementary engagement of the at least two blades, and in which airflow is allowed to pass through the through-hole in the open position, the sealing assembly including an actuation device movable between a position proximal to the frame and a position distal to the frame, in which the sealing assembly is in the closed position and in the position distal to the frame is in the open position.

[0009] Alone or in combination, the closed module according to the invention further includes at least one of the following features:

[0010] - The actuation device includes a rod connected to a closure assembly via a first end of its two ends. The rod is translatable between a position close to the frame and a position far from the frame, in which the closure assembly is in a closed position and in the position far from the frame, the closure assembly is in an open position.

[0011] - The actuation device also includes an actuator for driving the rod at least toward its position near the frame.

[0012] - The actuation device also includes a reset device for driving the rod at least toward a position away from the frame.

[0013] - The actuator includes a cam that contacts the second end of the rod to drive the rod toward a position closer to the frame.

[0014] - The actuation device includes a means for translating the guide rod.

[0015] - The guiding device is a body including a hollow orifice, which is capable of guiding the rod to translate between its near position and its far position.

[0016] - The actuation device includes a connecting element that connects the rod to at least two blades of the enclosed assembly.

[0017] - A connecting element is an elastic element that connects a rod to at least two blades of a closed assembly.

[0018] - The elastic element has a first end and a second end, the first end being connected to at least one of the two blades of the closure assembly, and the second end being fastened to the first end of the rod.

[0019] - The reset device is a reset spring.

[0020] - The reset device is secured near the hollow opening of the guide device used for the rod.

[0021] - The actuator includes means for moving the cam in a direction of movement substantially perpendicular to the translational direction of the rod.

[0022] - The cam has a first flat surface and a second inclined surface. The first flat surface is substantially perpendicular to the translation direction of the rod. The second inclined surface has a first edge shared with the first flat surface and a second edge away from the first edge. In the direction of movement of the rod away from the frame, when the second end of the rod contacts the first flat surface, the rod is in a position close to the frame. When the rod contacts the second inclined surface near the second edge, the rod is in a position away from the frame.

[0023] In other words, when the rod contacts the first flat surface, the closure assembly is in the closed position, and when the rod contacts the second inclined surface near the second edge, the closure assembly is in the open position.

[0024] The present invention also relates to an air intake sealing device for a motor vehicle, the sealing device comprising at least one sealing module according to the present invention.

[0025] The closure device according to the invention, alone or in combination, further includes at least one of the following features:

[0026] - The enclosure includes an outer frame that defines a front end exposed to the intake airflow.

[0027] - The sealing device includes a plurality of sealing modules according to the invention.

[0028] - Enclosed modules are arranged vertically up and down and / or in one or more basic horizontal rows.

[0029] -The front end is a convex surface facing the airflow.

[0030] - The common axis of at least two blades of the enclosed module is arranged in a direction approximately tangential to the front end.

[0031] - The actuators of consecutive blade modules in a given row can move sequentially between positions close to and far from their respective frames.

[0032] The closure device according to the invention, alone or in combination, further includes at least one of the following features:

[0033] - The closure device includes at least two consecutive closure modules in a given row, and each of the at least two closure modules includes an actuation device and includes an actuator shared by the actuation devices.

[0034] - The common actuator includes a beam, on which each of the at least two cams of the actuator of the at least two consecutive closed modules is fastened.

[0035] - The beam is movable to drive each cam in its direction of movement.

[0036] - Each row of closed modules has an actuator shared by the closed modules in that row.

[0037] - The actuator shared by the closed modules in a given row is a beam, on which cams are arranged opposite to rods in each through hole.

[0038] - The beam is movable to drive each cam in its direction of movement, and the direction of movement of the beam substantially follows the direction of the row.

[0039] The movement of the beam is driven by a rack and pinion mechanism and a motor.

[0040] - The cams of two consecutive closed modules in a given row have the same shape.

[0041] - The position of the cams of two consecutive closed modules in a given row is offset relative to their respective levers in the direction of cam movement.

[0042] Therefore, the movement of the beam along its direction of movement causes the first cam to act on the first rod, thereby moving the first rod toward or away from the first closing assembly of the first closing module, and causes the second cam to act on the second rod, thereby moving the second rod toward or away from the second closing assembly of the second closing module that is continuous with the first closing module in the same row. During the movement of the beam along its direction of movement, the action of the second cam on the second rod is offset relative to the action of the first cam, so that the closing assemblies of two consecutive through holes in a given row move sequentially.

[0043] The closure device according to the invention, alone or in combination, further includes at least one of the following features:

[0044] - In two consecutive closed modules in a given row, the positional offset of the cam relative to its respective lever is equal in the direction of movement of the beam supporting the cam.

[0045] - In two consecutive through holes in a given row, the positional offset of the cam relative to its respective lever varies linearly or geometrically or according to any mathematical law.

[0046] Therefore, when the cams of consecutive closed modules in a given row have non-constant positional offsets, for the lever to move at a constant speed, the closed assembly moves sequentially between its open and closed positions and will exhibit acceleration or deceleration.

[0047] The present invention also relates to a vehicle front end including a sealing device according to the present invention.

[0048] The front end may include, alone or in combination, at least one of the following features:

[0049] - The front end comprises two parts separated by a plane perpendicular to the front end, and each part of the front end module includes a closure device according to the invention.

[0050] The present invention also relates to a vehicle including a front end according to the present invention. Attached Figure Description

[0051] Other features and advantages of the invention will become clearer from the following description, given by way of illustrative and non-limiting examples, and from the study of the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0052] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the front end of a vehicle including the sealing device according to the present invention.

[0053] Figure 2 The first embodiment is shown.

[0054] Figure 3 This is a partial view of the actuation device.

[0055] Figure 4 It is a schematic cross-sectional view of two actuators of two consecutive closed modules in a given row.

[0056] Figure 5 This is a partial schematic diagram of a closed module including an actuation device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0057] In the various figures, the same elements have the same reference numerals. Detailed Implementation

[0058] The following embodiments are examples. Although the specification relates to one or more embodiments, this does not necessarily mean that each reference numeral refers to the same embodiment, or that each feature applies only to one embodiment. Features of the various different embodiments can also be combined or interchanged to create other embodiments.

[0059] In this specification, the enclosed module and its components are described as being assembled on a running vehicle.

[0060] The following standard shafts are applicable:

[0061] When the vehicle is in operation,

[0062] - The Z-axis is vertical and points upwards.

[0063] - The Y-axis represents the lateral direction of the vehicle, with Y pointing from left to right, and...

[0064] - The X-axis represents the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, with X pointing from front to back.

[0065] like Figure 1As shown, the front end of the vehicle includes an air intake sealing device 1 for motor vehicles. The sealing device 1 includes a device for regulating airflow.

[0066] When the vehicle is running, the direction of airflow is basically parallel to the X-axis.

[0067] The air intake sealing device includes an outer frame and at least one sealing module 10. For example... Figure 1 As shown, in a non-limiting example of the invention, the closure device 1 includes a plurality of closure modules 10, which are arranged in several substantially horizontal rows and these rows are arranged vertically. In the example shown, each closure module 10 is arranged in several substantially vertical rows, with each row arranged side by side.

[0068] In other cases not shown, the enclosed modules are arranged in rows along the curve.

[0069] Figure 2 This is a schematic cross-sectional view of a closed module 10, which includes a frame 20 defining a through-hole 19 through which airflow can pass.

[0070] The sealing module 10 includes a sealing assembly 11, which includes at least two blades 12 and 13. These blades 12 and 13 are pivotable about a common axis 14 between a closed position and an open position. In the closed position, the through-hole 19 is closed by the complementary engagement of the at least two blades 12 and 13. In the open position, airflow can pass through the through-hole 19. Figure 2 In the middle, the closing component 11 is in the middle position between the open position and the closed position.

[0071] Shaft 14 is fastened to frame 20 ( Figure 2 (The fastening of shaft 14 to frame 20 is not shown in the image).

[0072] The closure module 10 includes an outer wall of the frame 20, on which blades 12 and 13 are at least partially supported in the closed position, thereby sealing the through-hole 19 in the closed position to isolate airflow.

[0073] The closure module 10 includes an actuator 100 located remotely from the frame 20 and downstream of the through-hole in the direction of airflow. The actuator 100 is movable between a position close to the frame 20 (in which the two blades 12 and 13 are in the closed position) and a position away from the frame 20 (in which the two blades 12 and 13 are in the open position), thereby allowing airflow through the through-hole 19.

[0074] The actuator 100 includes a rod 101 connected to the enclosure assembly 11. The rod 101 is arranged opposite to the pivot axis 14 of the two blades 12 and 13, and the rod 101 defines a direction substantially aligned with the axis 14 according to the direction of airflow.

[0075] like Figure 2 As shown, the rod 101 is generally parallel to the longitudinal direction X of the motor vehicle, and the rod 101 can be translated along the X-axis between a position close to the frame 20 and a position away from the frame 20. In the position close to the frame 20, the closure assembly 11 is in the closed position, and in the position away from the frame 20, the closure assembly 11 is in the open position.

[0076] The actuation device 100 includes a means 102 for translating the guide rod 101. Preferably, the guide means 102 is fixedly connected to the frame 20.

[0077] The guide device 102 is a body including a hollow opening for translating the guide rod 101 between a position close to the frame 20 and a position far from the frame 20.

[0078] The guide device 102 includes, for example, a cylindrical orifice into which the rod 101 is inserted, the cylinder allowing the rod 101 to slide without clearance within the cylinder. The guide device 102 is made of metal or plastic material to reduce weight.

[0079] exist Figure 2 In the first embodiment of the through-hole 19 shown, the closure assembly 11 includes two blades 12, 13 having a common pivot 14. The common pivot 14 is fastened to the frame 20, for example, to the outer wall of the frame 20.

[0080] The actuation device 100 also includes an elastic element 111 that connects the rod 101 to the closure assembly 11.

[0081] The rod 101 has two ends. End 101a is referred to as the proximal end of the rod 101 because it is the end of the rod 101 closest to the closure assembly 11. The resilient element 111 includes at least one first end 111b, 111c fastened to at least one of the two blades 12, 13.

[0082] The elastic element 111 has a second end 111a that is fastened to the end 101a of the rod 101.

[0083] exist Figure 2 In the example shown, the elastic element 111 is an α-shaped component. The ends 111b and 111c of the α-shaped free arm are fastened to blades 13 and 12, respectively. The α-shaped ring forms end 111a, which is fastened to end 101a of rod 101.

[0084] When rod 101 moves along the positive X-axis, as Figure 2 As shown, due to its elasticity, the α-shaped free arms constituting the elastic element 111 move closer together, and the two blades 12 and 13 pivot about the axis 14. The free ends of blades 12 and 13, away from the axis 14, move towards each other downstream of the axis 14 in the direction of airflow, thereby allowing airflow through the through-hole 19. When the rod 101 retracts, the free ends of the two blades 12 and 13 pivot about their common pivot axis 14.

[0085] Figure 2 The two blades 12 and 13 are shown in an intermediate position between their closed and open positions. In the example shown, the rod 101 is oriented parallel to the X-axis.

[0086] The actuation device 100 also includes a reset device for driving the rod 101 at least toward a position away from the frame 20.

[0087] In a variant of the present invention, the reset device is a reset spring arranged near the guide cylinder 102. Figure 2 (Not shown in the image).

[0088] In another variation of the invention, the reset device is a reset spring, such as a torsion spring, arranged near the pivot shaft 14.

[0089] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of a cross section along the horizontal plane XY of the actuation device 100 according to the present invention.

[0090] The rod 101 has a first end 101a that is closest to the frame 20 and a second end 101b that is furthest from the frame 20.

[0091] The actuation device 100 also includes an actuator 200, which includes a rigid beam 210 and a cam 201 fastened to the beam 210.

[0092] The cam 201 has two surfaces 202 and 203 for contacting the second end 101b of the lever 101.

[0093] The end 101b of the rod can contact at least one of the surfaces 202 and 203 of the cam 201. Under the action of the reset device, the rod 101 is in constant contact with one of the two surfaces 202 and 203.

[0094] As shown in the figure, the surface 203 of the cam 201 is a flat surface that is substantially perpendicular to the direction of the rod 101. When the end 101b of the rod 101 contacts the surface 203, the sealing assembly 11 is in the closed position, thereby closing the channel for airflow through the through hole 19.

[0095] Surface 202 is a curved or flat surface with a first edge 202b shared with surface 203.

[0096] Surface 202 has a second edge 202a that is away from edge 202b in the lateral direction of the vehicle.

[0097] like Figure 3 As shown, the edges 202b and 202a are oriented basically along the vertical direction Z, and surface 202 is a flat surface.

[0098] The second edge 202a is arranged further away from the frame 20 than the first edge 202a. In other words, edge 202a is further away from the through hole than the first edge 202b and is laterally spaced from the first edge 202b in a direction perpendicular to the rod 101. The surface 202 is arranged such that when the end 101b contacts the surface 202 near the edge 202a, the rod 101 is in a position away from the frame 20 under the action of the reset device, and the two blades 12, 13 are in the open position.

[0099] The actuator 200 also includes means (not shown) for moving the beam 210 in the lateral direction of the vehicle in the illustrated example, and thus moving the cam 201 fastened to the beam 210.

[0100] Under the action of the reset device, end 101b is in constant contact with one of the surfaces 202 and 203.

[0101] When end 101 contacts the surface 202 between edges 202b and 202a, the closing assembly 11 is in an intermediate position between the closed position and the open position.

[0102] Figure 4 An actuation device 100 associated with a first enclosure module and a second actuation device 1100 associated with a second enclosure module are shown. In a given row of enclosure modules, the second enclosure module is consecutive to the first enclosure module.

[0103] The first cam 201 of the first actuating device 100 is arranged to contact the end 101b of the rod 101, and the second cam 1201 is arranged to contact the rod 1101b of the second actuating device 1110 associated with the second through hole.

[0104] The first cam 201 and the second cam 1201 have the same shape.

[0105] The two rods 101 and 1101 are identical and laterally spaced by a distance D (i.e., in the direction of movement of beam 210). The ends 101b and 110b of rod 101 and 1101 are spaced by the same distance from their respective frames in their respective enclosed modules. The first cam 201 and the second cam 1201 are spaced by a distance D+dy. The offset dy can be positive or negative.

[0106] In this embodiment, the first cam 201 and the second cam 1201 are fastened to a given rigid beam 210, which is movable in the lateral direction Y. Therefore, when the beam 210 moves in the lateral direction, the movement of the rod 1101 is similar to the movement of the rod 101, and has a time offset due to the geometric offset dy.

[0107] In one embodiment of the present invention, the sealing module 10 is in Figure 1 In the example, the rows are arranged in a roughly horizontal manner, with each row arranged vertically. A row of closure devices 1 comprises consecutive closure modules 10, arranged laterally, with each closure module 10 spaced apart from its adjacent consecutive closure modules by a distance D. Each closure module 10 includes an actuator comprising a rod spaced at the same distance in the airflow direction from the frame of the closure module and laterally spaced apart from the rods of the actuators of the consecutive closure modules by a distance D; each cam of the actuator of a closure module is laterally spaced slightly differently from the cam of the actuator of the next closure module, for example, distance D plus an offset; each cam is fastened to a single rigid beam 210, and movement of the beam 210 in the lateral direction causes the rods of the actuators of the respective actuators of two consecutive through-holes to move, and has a time offset due to geometric offset. Because the cams are fastened to the single beam 210, the stepping movement of the beam 210 causes the actuators of the through-holes in a given row to move sequentially between a closed position and an open position.

[0108] exist Figure 5 In another embodiment of the invention, schematically illustrated, the closure module 910 includes a frame 920 and a closure assembly 911, the closure assembly 911 including two blades 912 and 913 pivoting about a common axis 914. The closure module 910 also includes an actuation device 9100 including a rod 9101 movable in a translational manner toward or away from the frame 920, the rod 9101 being fastened to the axis 914 via its first end 9101a. Blades 912 and 913 each include at least one end 912a and 913a respectively remote from the pivot axis 914 and are slidably fixed to a portion 9124 of the frame 920.

[0109] The actuation device also includes an actuator ( Figure 5 (Not shown in the image), the actuator is used to drive the rod 9101 to translate at least toward a position close to the frame 920, in which the closing assembly is in the closed position.

[0110] The actuation device 9100 also includes a reset device (not shown) for driving the lever 9101 at least toward a position away from the frame 920, in which the closing assembly is in the open position.

Claims

1. An intake closure module (10) for a motor vehicle, the closure module (10) comprising a frame (20) and a closure assembly (11), the frame (20) further comprising at least one through hole (19), the closure assembly (11) comprising at least two blades (12, 13) pivotable about a common axis (14) between a closed position and an open position, wherein in the closed position the through hole (19) is closed by complementary engagement of the at least two blades (12, 13), and in the open position airflow is permissible through the through hole (19), the closure module (10) comprising an actuation device (100) for the closure assembly (11) movable between a position close to the frame (20) and a position away from the frame (20), wherein in the position close to the frame (20) the closure assembly (11) is in the closed position, and in the position away from the frame (20) the closure assembly (11) is in the open position.

2. The closed module (10) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that, The actuation device (100) includes a rod (101) connected to the closure assembly (11) via a first end (101a) and translatable between a position close to the frame (20) and a position away from the frame (20), in which the closure assembly (11) is in the closed position and in the position away from the frame (20) is in the open position.

3. The closed module (10) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that, The actuation device (100) includes an actuator (200) for driving the rod (101) at least toward the position close to the frame (20).

4. The closed module (10) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that, The actuation device (100) includes a reset device for driving the rod (101) at least toward a position away from the frame (20).

5. The closed module (10) according to claim 4, characterized in that, The actuator (200) also includes a cam (201) that contacts a second end (101b) of the rod (101) to drive the rod (101) toward a position closer to the frame (20).

6. The closed module (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that, The actuator (200) includes means for moving the cam (201) in a movement direction substantially perpendicular to the translation direction of the rod (101).

7. A sealing device (1) comprising a plurality of sealing modules (10) according to any one of the preceding claims.

8. The sealing device (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that, The enclosed module (10) is arranged vertically up and down and / or in one or more generally horizontal rows.

9. The sealing device (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that, The actuators of consecutive closed modules in a given row can move sequentially between positions close to and far from their respective frames.

10. The sealing device (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that, The enclosure (1) includes an outer frame that defines a front end exposed to the inlet airflow, the front end being a convex surface facing the inlet airflow.

11. The sealing device (1) according to claim 10, characterized in that, The sealing device (1) includes a sealing module (10), wherein the common axis (14) of the two blades (12, 13) of the sealing component (11) of the sealing module (10) is arranged to be substantially tangent to the front end.

12. A vehicle front-end module comprising a closure device (1) according to any one of claims 7 to 11.

13. A vehicle comprising the vehicle front-end module according to claim 12.

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