Arrangement for varying the flow cross-section of an air intake opening located at the front of a vehicle

Abstract

Arrangement (3) for varying a flow cross-section of an air inlet opening (4) arranged at the front of a vehicle, comprising at least one control component (6) that can be movably arranged on the vehicle relative to the air inlet opening (4) between a release position which completely opens the air inlet opening (4) and a closing position which at least partially closes the air inlet opening (4), wherein the control component (6) is at least partially formed by at least one section of a pedestrian protection component (7) that can be arranged on the vehicle, wherein the pedestrian protection component (7) is designed to absorb collision energy, characterized in that the control component (6) is linearly displaceable between the release position and the closing position.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to an arrangement for varying a flow cross-section of an air inlet opening arranged at the front of a vehicle.

[0002] Furthermore, the invention relates to a vehicle with a front bumper having a pedestrian protection element and a cross member and at least one front air inlet opening.

[0003] From published patent application DE 10 2011 089 275 A1, an air supply adjustment device is known with which the flow cross-section of an air inlet opening arranged at the front of a vehicle can be varied. For this purpose, the air supply adjustment device comprises at least one air flap with a first flap element and a second flap element, which can assume a first position in which the air supply adjustment device is open, and a second position in which the air supply device is closed, wherein the first and second flap elements abut one another in the first position.

[0004] Furthermore, DE 20 2013 007 805 U1 shows a generic arrangement for varying a flow cross-section of an air inlet opening arranged at the front of a vehicle.

[0005] The object of the invention is to provide a space-saving possibility for varying a flow cross-section of an air inlet opening arranged at the front of a vehicle.

[0006] This object is achieved by an arrangement according to claim 1 and a vehicle according to claim 9. Advantageous embodiments are recited in the subclaims, which may each represent an aspect of the invention individually or in various combinations with one another.

[0007] According to the invention, an arrangement for varying a flow cross-section of an air inlet opening arranged on the front of a vehicle is proposed, comprising at least one control component that can be arranged on the vehicle so as to be movable relative to the air inlet opening between a release position that completely releases the air inlet opening and a closed position that at least partially closes the air inlet opening, wherein the control component is formed at least partially by at least a section of a pedestrian protection component that can be arranged on the vehicle. According to the invention, a pedestrian protection component is understood to be a component that can absorb collision energy, wherein the collision energy is generated in particular by an impact from a pedestrian. The absorption of collision energy can occur in different ways; preferably, the pedestrian protection component is deformed, particularly preferably plastically deformed.According to the invention, pedestrian protection is thus realized regardless of whether the control component or the pedestrian protection component is in the release position or in the closed position or in between.

[0008] Furthermore, according to the invention, a vehicle component already installed on the vehicle, namely the pedestrian protection component, is used to vary the flow cross-section of an air inlet arranged at the front of a vehicle. This eliminates the need, as is conventional, to arrange a separate device with additional components on the vehicle to vary the flow cross-section of an air inlet arranged at the front of a vehicle. This allows for space savings, which is associated with a shortening of the vehicle length and / or has a beneficial effect on the design freedom of the vehicle. The air flow through the air inlet can be controlled by means of the control component.

[0009] The control component, which can be arranged on the vehicle so as to be movable relative to the air inlet opening, can, depending on its design, also completely close the air inlet opening in its closed position. Furthermore, in a further development, the control component can also be formed entirely by at least a portion of a pedestrian protection component arranged on the vehicle. Furthermore, in a further development, the control component can also be formed partially or completely by the entire pedestrian protection component arranged on the vehicle. The pedestrian protection component can be formed partially or completely from a foam material. Alternatively, the pedestrian protection component can be formed at least partially from an elastomer or the like.

[0010] According to an advantageous embodiment, the control component, in its release position, is arranged below the air inlet opening. This represents a favorable configuration with regard to the available installation space in a vehicle, which can be implemented without affecting the vehicle's design.

[0011] According to a further advantageous embodiment, the arrangement comprises at least one controllable actuator unit, which engages on the one hand with the control component and on the other hand with a vehicle component, in particular with a cross member of a vehicle's bumper. The actuator unit can, for example, be integrated into the cross member of the bumper. The actuator unit allows the control component, which can be movably arranged on the vehicle, to be moved back and forth between its release position and its closed position.

[0012] Advantageously, the actuator unit comprises at least one electric motor that can be arranged on the vehicle component, at least one gear that can be driven by the electric motor, and at least one rack that can be connected to the control component and interacts with the gear. This provides a precise way of moving the control component that can be movably arranged on the vehicle. Furthermore, a position assumed by the control component can be reliably secured by the actuator unit.

[0013] A further advantageous embodiment provides that the arrangement has at least one control blade that can be arranged in an upper region of the air inlet opening and that can be arranged on the vehicle within the air inlet opening so as to be rotatable about a rotation axis arranged parallel to its longitudinal axis between a closed position closing the upper region of the air inlet opening and a release position partially releasing the upper region. This embodiment is particularly advantageous when the control component that can be movably arranged on the vehicle does not completely close the air inlet opening in its closed position, but rather an upper region of the air inlet opening adjacent to the upper boundary of the air inlet opening remains open when the control component is in its closed position.To close the upper section, the control louvre can interact with vehicle components arranged above and below the control louvre by coming into contact with the vehicle components in its closed position. Depending on the size of the upper section of the air inlet opening and / or the dimensions of the individual control louvre, the arrangement can also comprise two or more corresponding control louvres. The control louvre can be used to control the air flow through the air inlet opening.

[0014] Advantageously, the arrangement comprises at least one coupling connecting the control slat to the control component. The control slat is coupled to the control component via the coupling, so that a movement of the control component inevitably leads to a movement of the control slat. This eliminates the need for a separate actuator for moving the control slat, which is accompanied by a reduction in weight and reduced control effort. According to this embodiment, the control slat can instead be moved via the coupling to the control component by means of the actuator unit that moves the control component. The control slat can also be connected to the control component via two or more couplings.

[0015] According to a further advantageous embodiment, the arrangement comprises at least one electronic controller configured to control the actuator unit for moving the control component based on detected vehicle condition parameters. This allows for the air supply via the air inlet opening into the engine compartment of a vehicle to be optimally regulated depending on the vehicle condition. For example, the vehicle speed, the temperature of a vehicle engine, or the like can be detected as condition parameters and processed by the electronic controller to control the actuator unit.

[0016] Advantageously, the electronic control is designed to actuate the actuator unit in such a way that the control component is in its release position when the vehicle is moving at a speed below a predetermined limit speed or at the limit speed, and in such a way that the control component is in its closed position once the limit speed is exceeded. For example, the control component, which can be arranged movably on the vehicle, can be in its release position up to a limit speed of 60 km / h and in its closed position once this limit speed is exceeded. Since pedestrian protection by means of a pedestrian protection component is usually only possible to a limited extent above a vehicle speed of 60 km / h, relocating the control component orof the pedestrian protection component from a vehicle speed of 60 km / h from its optimal position for pedestrian protection into a position in which the control component formed at least partially by at least part of the pedestrian protection component is in its closed position, represents only a minor and therefore acceptable restriction of pedestrian protection.

[0017] According to the invention, the control component or pedestrian protection component is linearly displaceable between the release position and the closed position. Thus, the control component or pedestrian protection component can be moved without rotation. In particular, the linear displacement occurs in a vertical direction, whereby, according to the invention, vertical is assumed if there is a maximum deviation of 5°, preferably a maximum of 10°, from the vertical direction. Due to the linear displaceability, the control component or pedestrian protection component can be moved quickly and easily, thus requiring only minimal installation space within a vehicle.

[0018] According to the invention, a vehicle with a front bumper comprising a pedestrian protection component and a cross member and at least one front air inlet opening is proposed, with an arrangement according to one of the aforementioned embodiments or any combination thereof. The advantages mentioned above with regard to the arrangement are correspondingly associated with this vehicle.

[0019] Further details, features, and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description and the figures. They show: Fig. 1 a schematic front view of an embodiment of an arrangement according to the invention arranged on vehicle components with the control component in its release position, Fig. 2 a schematic front view of the Fig. 1 shown arrangement with the control component in its closed position, Fig. 3 a schematic sectional view of the Fig. 1 shown arrangement, and Fig. 4 a schematic sectional view of a further embodiment of an arrangement according to the invention arranged on a vehicle with the control component in its closed position.

[0020] Fig. 1 shows a schematic front view of an exemplary embodiment of an arrangement 3 according to the invention arranged on vehicle components 1 and 2 for varying the flow cross-section of an air inlet opening 4 arranged at the front of a vehicle (not shown in detail). Vehicle component 1 is a body part forming a front air inlet opening 4 on the vehicle. Vehicle component 2 is a cross member of a bumper of the vehicle. In the area of ​​the air inlet opening 4, three slats 5 are arranged one above the other on vehicle component 1.

[0021] The arrangement 3 comprises a release position relative to the air inlet opening 4 between the shown release position completely releasing the air inlet opening 4 and a Fig. 2, the control component 6 is arranged movably on the vehicle in the closed position partially closing the air inlet opening 4. The control component 6 is formed entirely by a section of a pedestrian protection component 7 arranged on the vehicle. In its Fig. In the release position shown in Figure 1, the control component 6 is arranged below the air inlet opening 4.

[0022] Fig. 2 shows a schematic front view of the Fig. 1 with the control component 6 in its closed position, in which the control component 6 partially closes the air inlet opening 4. Only an upper region 8 of the air inlet opening 4 remains open.

[0023] Fig. 3 shows a schematic sectional view of the Fig. 1. It can be seen that the pedestrian protection component 7 has a lower section serving to protect pedestrians and an upper section forming the control component 6. A controllable actuator unit 9 is arranged on the cross member 2, engaging on the one hand on the control component 6 and on the other hand on the cross member 2. The actuator unit 9 comprises at least one electric motor (not shown in detail) arranged on the cross member 2, at least one gear (not shown in detail) drivable by the electric motor, and at least one gear rack (not shown in detail) connected to the control component 6 and interacting with the gear.

[0024] The arrangement 3 comprises an electronic controller 10 configured to control the actuator unit 9 to move the control component 6 based on detected state parameters of the vehicle. In particular, the electronic controller 10 can be configured to control the actuator unit 9 such that the control component 6 is in its release position when the vehicle is moving at a speed below a predetermined limit speed or at the limit speed, and such that the control component 6 is in its closed position once the limit speed is exceeded.

[0025] Fig. 4 shows a schematic sectional view of a further embodiment of an arrangement 3 according to the invention arranged on a vehicle with the control component 6 in its closed position. This embodiment differs from the one shown in the Fig.1 to 3, in particular by a control blade 11 arranged in the upper region 8 of the air inlet opening 4, which is arranged on the vehicle within the air inlet opening 4 so as to be rotatable about a rotation axis 12 arranged parallel to its longitudinal axis between the shown closed position closing the upper region 8 of the air inlet opening 4 and a release position partially releasing the upper region 8. The arrangement 3 comprises a coupling 13 connecting the control blade 11 to the control component 6. In addition, an articulated unit 14 is arranged on the control blade 11, via which the coupling 13 is articulatedly connected to the control blade 11. The arrangement 3 further comprises an electronic controller 10, which is configured to control the actuator unit 9 to move the control component 6 based on detected state parameters of the vehicle. List of reference symbols: 1 body component 2 cross members 3 Arrangement 4 Air inlet opening 5 slats 6 Control component 7 Pedestrian protection component 8 upper area 9 Actuator unit 10 Electronic control 11 Control slat 12 axis of rotation 13 paddocks 14 Joint unit

Claims

[1] Arrangement (3) for varying a flow cross-section of an air inlet opening (4) arranged at the front of a vehicle, comprising at least one control component (6) which can be arranged on the vehicle in a movable manner relative to the air inlet opening (4) between a release position which completely releases the air inlet opening (4) and a closed position which at least partially closes the air inlet opening (4), wherein the control component (6) is at least partially formed by at least a section of a pedestrian protection component (7) which can be arranged on the vehicle, wherein the pedestrian protection component (7) is designed to absorb collision energy, characterized by that the control component (6) is linearly displaceable between the release position and the closed position. [2] Arrangement (3) according to claim 1, characterized by that the control component (6) arranged in its release position is arranged below the air inlet opening (4). [3] Arrangement (3) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by at least one controllable actuator unit (9) which acts on the one hand on the control component (6) and on the other hand on a vehicle component, in particular on a cross member (2) of a bumper of the vehicle. [4] Arrangement (3) according to claim 3, characterized by that the actuator unit (9) has at least one electric motor that can be arranged on the vehicle component, at least one gear that can be driven by the electric motor and at least one rack that can be connected to the control component (6) and interacts with the gear. [5] Arrangement (3) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized byat least one control lamella (11) which can be arranged in an upper region (8) of the air inlet opening (4) and which can be arranged on the vehicle within the air inlet opening (4) so as to be rotatable about a rotational axis (12) arranged parallel to its longitudinal axis between a closed position closing the upper region (8) of the air inlet opening (4) and a release position partially releasing the upper region (8). [6] Arrangement (3) according to claim 5, characterized by at least one coupling (13) connecting the control lamella (11) to the control component (6). [7] Arrangement (3) according to one of claims 3 to 6, characterized by at least one electronic controller (10) which is configured to control the actuator unit (9) to move the control component (6) on the basis of detected state parameters of the vehicle. [8] Arrangement (3) according to claim 7, characterized bythat the electronic control (10) is designed to control the actuator unit (9) in such a way that the control component (6) is in its release position when the vehicle is moving at a speed below a predetermined limit speed or at the limit speed, and that the control component is in its closed position when the limit speed is exceeded. [9] Vehicle with a front bumper having a pedestrian protection component (7) and a cross member (2) and at least one front air inlet opening (4), characterized by an arrangement (3) according to one of claims 1 to 8.

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