External active grille shutter

Abstract

The utility model provides an active air inlet grille of external mode, the grille includes the grille frame, blade, and the both ends cover of grille frame is equipped with the apron, is connected with the main connecting rod on the blade, and the both ends of main connecting rod are connected in blade inside, and the end of main connecting rod extends and is placed between the grille frame and apron, and main connecting rod is connected with the grille frame through the connecting rod subassembly, and one end of main connecting rod still is connected with the actuator drive subassembly for connecting motor, and motor works, drives the connecting rod and drives the blade to carry out the translation and the turning action in the grille frame and realizes the opening and closing of blade to the grille frame. The utility model's beneficial effect reflects: the utility model blade can realize the compound motion of translation and turning in the grille frame, makes blade and grille frame form better clearance face difference, under the premise of guaranteeing blade movement degree of freedom, limit reduces dynamic air leakage channel. Meanwhile, through the sealing washer of blade perimeter, can increase the sealing property of blade and grille frame.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model belongs to the field of automotive air intake grille technology, specifically relating to an external active air intake grille and its opening and closing method. Background Technology

[0002] An active grille shutter is an intelligent air intake grille that automatically adjusts its opening and closing degree 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. However, with the continuous improvement of automotive performance, external active grille shutters are becoming an important part of vehicle dynamics design to ensure that the performance of traditional built-in active grille shutters is met while also satisfying vehicle styling requirements and better sealing. However, currently available external active grille shutters have poor sealing and clearance, resulting in significant dynamic airflow leakage channels during vehicle operation. This leads to increased fuel consumption and insufficient power performance. For electric vehicles, poor sealing and clearance can increase power consumption. Therefore, developing an external active grille shutter that improves airflow leakage has become a key technical problem that needs to be solved. Summary of the Invention

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

[0004] The objective of this utility model is achieved through the following technical solution: An external active air intake grille includes a grille frame and blades placed inside the grille frame. The two ends of the grille frame are covered with cover plates. A main connecting rod is connected to the blade. The two ends of the main connecting rod are snapped into the inside of the blade. The end of the main connecting rod extends and is placed between the grille frame and the cover plates. The main connecting rod is connected to the grid frame via a connecting rod assembly. One end of the main connecting rod is also connected to an actuator drive assembly for connecting a motor. When the motor is working, it drives the connecting rod to drive the blades to perform translational and flipping actions within the grid frame, thereby opening and closing the blades relative to the grid frame.

[0005] Preferably, the blade includes a blade body and side wings placed vertically on both sides of the blade body. A U-shaped opening is provided at the near end of the side wing, and a U-shaped slider is protruding on the surface of the U-shaped opening. A blade shaft is protruding at the far end of the side wing. Limiting protrusions are provided at both the upper and lower ends of the blade shaft. The main connecting rod is engaged in the U-shaped opening, and the limiting protrusions cooperate with the limiting blocks of the grid frame.

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

[0007] Preferably, the linkage assembly includes tension connecting arms 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 tension connecting arm extends outward from the end of the main connecting rod; The connecting rod assembly also includes slide rail rings and U-shaped blocks disposed at both ends of the main connecting rod. The slide rail rings are sleeved on the inner side of the tension connecting arm, and the U-shaped blocks are snapped onto the outer side of the tension connecting arm. The upper end of the U-shaped blocks is sleeved and assembled with the connecting shaft, and the U-shaped distal end of the U-shaped blocks 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, including a first connecting rod and a hinge drive rod and an actuator drive rod respectively assembled and connected to both sides of the first connecting rod through a hole shaft, wherein 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 with a side plate extending outward from one side. The outer ring of the slide rail ring is provided with a sliding groove, which cooperates with the U-shaped slider on the blade.

[0010] Preferably, 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.

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

[0012] Preferably, the opening and closing method of any one of the above-described external active air intake grille includes 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. The second connecting hole of the U-shaped block is connected to the blade shaft. The U-shaped block is blocked by the limiting stop block. The U-shaped block will make a translational movement in the direction of the blade, driving the blade to achieve horizontal translational sliding. The slide rail ring is suspended and remains stationary relative to the absolute coordinate. When the blade translates, its U-shaped slider moves on the slide rail ring. As the motor continues to operate, the main connecting rod continues to rotate. When the U-shaped opening of the U-shaped block is in surface contact with the main connecting rod, the blades will change from linear motion to rotational motion, causing the blades to flip around the axis of the main connecting rod. As the main connecting rod continues to rotate, the slide rail ring and the U-shaped block rotate around the axis of the main connecting rod under the force of the main connecting rod. When the side of the actuator drive rod moves to the stop position within the grid frame, it will stop rotating, and the blades will reciprocate to reset.

[0013] The beneficial effects of this invention are as follows: the blades of this invention can achieve a composite movement of translation and rotation within the grid frame, resulting in a better gap between the blades and the grid frame. While ensuring the freedom of blade movement, this limits and reduces dynamic airflow leakage channels. Simultaneously, the sealing gasket around the blades increases the sealing performance between the blades and the grid frame. Attached Figure Description

[0014] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of this utility model, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are some embodiments of this utility model. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0015] Figure 1 : A frontal three-dimensional structural diagram of this utility model.

[0016] Figure 2 : A schematic diagram of the back structure of this utility model.

[0017] Figure 3 This utility model Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the structure behind the hidden cover plate.

[0018] Figure 4 This utility model Figure 1 Explosion diagram Figure 5 : A further exploded view of the concealed cover plate of this utility model.

[0019] Figure 6 : A schematic diagram of the structure of the grid frame of this utility model. Detailed Implementation

[0020] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this utility model clearer, the following description is provided in conjunction with the appendix. Figures 1-6 The present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are merely illustrative of the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention.

[0021] This utility model proposes an external active air intake grille, including a grille frame 1, blades 2 placed inside the grille frame 1, and a cover plate 4 connected to the grille frame. A main connecting rod 3 is connected to the blades 2, with both ends of the main connecting rod 3 engaged inside 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 operates, it drives the connecting rod to move, causing the blades 2 to perform horizontal translation and flipping movements within the grille frame 1, thus opening and closing the blades relative to the grille frame.

[0022] Specifically, the blade 2 includes a blade body and side wings perpendicularly positioned on both sides of the blade body. A U-shaped opening 21 is provided near the proximal end of each side wing, and a U-shaped slider 211 protrudes from the surface of the U-shaped opening 21. A blade shaft 22 protrudes from the distal end of each side wing, and limiting protrusions 23 are provided above and below the blade shaft 22. The limiting protrusions 23 cooperate with the limiting blocks 14 of the grid frame. To increase the sealing between the blade and the grid frame, a sealing gasket or compressible sealing flange is provided on the outer ring of the blade body, such as a wavy lip structure made of EPDM or silicone. Two-color blades can also be used, and soft rubber is used as the sealing material; no specific limitations are made here.

[0023] The main connecting rod 3 is a long connecting rod with tension connecting arms 31 sleeved at both ends. A connecting shaft 311 is provided on the outer side of the tension connecting arm 31, and the end 32 of the main connecting rod extends outwards, protruding from the tension connecting arm 31. A slide rail ring 6 and a U-shaped block 5 are respectively provided on the inner and outer sides of the tension connecting arm 31. The slide rail ring 6 is a sleeve ring with a side plate extending outwards on one side. A groove 61 is provided on the outer ring of the slide rail ring 6, and the groove 61 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 groove 61, forming a snap-fit ​​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 located on the outside of 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 both sides of the first connecting rod 7 via a hole shaft. 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 end of the main connecting rod 32 (hole shaft), and the other end 91 of the hinge drive rod 9 is assembled with the end of the first connecting rod 71 (hole shaft); the other end 72 of the first connecting rod is connected to one end 82 of the actuator drive rod, and the other end 81 of the actuator drive rod... It will be connected to the motor. 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 fitted with the connecting shaft 311 through the first connecting hole 53, and the far end of the U-shaped block is provided with a second connecting hole 52 to connect with the blade shaft 22 on the blade. The outer side of the U-shaped block 5 is provided with a U-shaped slide rail 51, and the inner side of the grid frame 1 is provided with a locking block 13, which is placed on the U-shaped slide rail 51. In this embodiment, the locking block 13 is placed on the side wall of the grid frame 1, and the side wall has a U-shaped opening for holding the main connecting rod. The first connecting rod 7 and the U-shaped block 5 are respectively placed on both sides of the side wall.

[0027] An inclined surface 11 is provided inside the grid frame. The inclined surface 11 is located below the actuator drive rod and is used to stop the rotation of the actuator drive rod.

[0028] This utility model also discloses a method for opening and closing the external active air intake grille as described above, comprising the following steps: When the motor is working, it first drives the actuator drive assembly and the main connecting rod 3 to rotate. At this time, the connecting shaft 311 on the tension connecting arm 31 will pull the U-shaped block 5. The second connecting hole 52 of the U-shaped block 5 is connected to the blade shaft 22. The U-shaped block 5 is blocked by the limiting stop block 14, and the U-shaped block 5 will make a translational movement in the direction of the blade, driving the blade to achieve horizontal translational sliding. At this time, the slide rail ring 6 is suspended and remains stationary relative to the absolute coordinate. When the blade translates, its U-shaped slider 211 moves on the slide rail ring 6.

[0029] As the motor continues to operate, the main connecting rod 3 continues to rotate. When the U-shaped opening of the U-shaped block 5 is in surface contact with the main connecting rod, the blade will change from linear motion to rotational motion, causing the blade to flip around the axis of the main connecting rod 3. As the main connecting rod continues to rotate, the slide rail ring and the U-shaped block rotate around the axis of the main connecting rod 3 under the force of the main connecting rod. When the side of the actuator drive rod moves to the stop position within the grid frame (i.e., inclined plane 11), it will stop rotating, and the blade will reciprocate to reset.

[0030] In this invention, the blade first translates during movement and then flips, thus ensuring a better gap between the blade and the grille frame. This better reflects the tightness of the fit between the blade and the grille frame. Furthermore, the addition of a sealing gasket further ensures the sealing performance, thereby indirectly improving the vehicle's performance.

[0031] Finally, it should be noted that the terms "upper," "lower," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "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 solely for the convenience of describing this utility model 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 this utility model. 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] Furthermore, the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of this utility model, and are not intended to limit it; although this utility model has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent substitutions can be made to some of the technical features; and these modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of this utility model.

Claims

1. An external active air intake grille, characterized in that: It includes a grid frame and blades placed inside the grid frame. The two ends of the grid frame are covered with cover plates. The blades are connected to main connecting rods. The two ends of the main connecting rods are snapped into the inside of the blades. The end of the main connecting rod extends and is placed between the grid frame and the cover plates. The main connecting rod is connected to the grid frame via a connecting rod assembly. One end of the main connecting rod is also connected to an actuator drive assembly for connecting a motor. When the motor is working, it drives the connecting rod to drive the blades to perform translational and flipping actions within the grid frame, thereby opening and closing the blades relative to the grid frame.

2. The external active air intake grille as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The blade includes a blade body and side wings placed vertically on both sides of the blade body. A U-shaped opening is provided at the near end of the side wing, and a U-shaped slider is protruding on the surface of the U-shaped opening. A blade shaft is protruding at the far end of the side wing. Limiting protrusions are provided at both the upper and lower ends of the blade shaft. The main connecting rod is engaged in the U-shaped opening, and the limiting protrusions cooperate with the limiting blocks of the grid frame.

3. The external active air intake grille as described in claim 2, characterized in that: A sealing gasket is provided around the outer periphery of the blade body.

4. The external active air intake grille as described in claim 2, characterized in that: The linkage assembly includes tension connecting arms sleeved on both ends of the main connecting rod, and a connecting shaft is provided on the outer side of the tension connecting arm. The tension connecting arm extends outward from the end of the main connecting rod. The connecting rod assembly also includes slide rail rings and U-shaped blocks disposed at both ends of the main connecting rod. The slide rail rings are sleeved on the inner side of the tension connecting arm, and the U-shaped blocks are snapped onto the outer side of the tension connecting arm. The upper end of the U-shaped blocks is sleeved and assembled with the connecting shaft, and the U-shaped distal end of the U-shaped blocks is connected to the blade shaft on the blade.

5. The external active air intake grille as described in claim 4, 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 assembled and connected to both sides of the first connecting rod through a hole shaft. 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 as described in claim 5, characterized in that: The slide rail ring is a sleeve ring with a side plate extending outward from one side. The outer ring of the slide rail ring is provided with a sliding groove, which cooperates with the U-shaped slider on the blade.

7. The external active air intake grille as described in 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 as described in claim 7, characterized in that: The outer side of the U-shaped block is provided with a U-shaped slide rail, and the grid frame is provided with a locking block, which is placed on the U-shaped slide rail.

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