Grille shutter fixing structure and method for fixing a grille shutter

Abstract

A grille flap fixing structure (1) for a motor vehicle, in which a grille flap unit (3) provided with a plurality of flaps (30) extending substantially in a vehicle width direction is fixed or fixable to a frame-like panel (2), comprising: a central strut (24) which is provided to extend substantially in a vertical direction and to connect a central portion in a width direction of a fairing upper part (21) of the fairing (2) and a central portion in the width direction of a fairing lower part (22) of the fairing (2), wherein the grille flap unit (3) is fixed or fixable to one side of a rear surface of the trim (2) and a driving actuator (31) for opening / closing the flaps (30) is arranged on one side of a rear surface of the central strut (24) of the grille flap unit (3), wherein a central frame (63, 64) provided on the grille flap unit (3) is fixed to the rear surface side of the central strut (24) substantially along the central strut (24), wherein a drive member (71) which transmits a driving force of the driving actuator (31) to the flaps (30) is arranged along the central frame (63, 64), wherein a lock receiving portion (9) where a lock of a hood is received is provided at the central portion in the width direction of the cowl upper (21) such that the lock receiving portion (9) protrudes substantially toward an opening portion formed on an inner side in an elevational view of the frame-shaped cowl (2), and / or right and left indirect swing doors (30a1, 30a2, 30a3, 30a4) which are not directly driven by the drive member (71) are provided on both right and left sides of the lock receiving portion (9), and / or a second drive member (74) which is different from the drive member (71) is provided on an outer side in the vehicle width direction of the indirect swing doors (30a1, 30a2, 30a3, 30a4) to drive the indirect swing doors (30a1, 30a2, 30a3, 30a4).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a grille shutter fixing structure for a motor vehicle, in which a grille shutter unit provided with a plurality of shutters extending substantially in a vehicle width direction is fixed to a frame-shaped trim panel. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for fixing a grille shutter.

[0002] As exemplified in JP 2014 - 198 509 A, it is known that the grille door fixing structure for the motor vehicle includes a driving actuator for opening / closing the doors or louvers, which is arranged to control an introduction of air to a radiator according to a driving condition of the vehicle.

[0003] An opening / closing driving means including the actuator disclosed in the above-described patent document is provided on one of side wall portions arranged on both sides of a unit frame of a grille shutter unit (see Fig. 9 and Fig. 11 in the patent document described above).

[0004] However, in the above-described structure including the opening / closing driving means provided on the side wall portion of the grille shutter unit, since the opening / closing driving means is fixed to a fixing flange that protrudes outward in a vehicle width direction beyond the side wall portion (see the same figures in the above-described patent document), there is a concern that the opening / closing driving means that protrudes outward beyond the side wall portion may interfere with or interfere with an auxiliary part such as a sensor or an air introduction member that exists around the side wall portion. Moreover, in a case where the opening / closing driving means is provided on an inside or outside surface of the grille shutter unit, there is a concern that the opening / closing driving means may interfere with or interfere with an auxiliary part such as a sensor or an air introduction member that exists around the side wall portion.inward side in the vehicle width direction of the side wall portion, there is a concern that the opening / closing driving means may partially close an opening of a trim member, so that an opening area may be unduly small. Thus, there is room for improvement because the structure including the opening / closing driving means tends to impose restrictions on a layout.

[0005] US 2012 / 0 110 909 A1 discloses a support for a motor vehicle with an integrated active air duct. The support comprises at least one opening and at least one flap rotatably mounted in the opening. An actuator can move the flap between the open position and the closed position, allowing air to flow through the opening in the open position.

[0006] Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a grille shutter fixing structure for an automotive vehicle which can ensure the layout performance even in the structure including the actuator for opening / closing the shutters.

[0007] This object is solved by the features of the independent claims. Preferred embodiments of the present invention are the subject of the other dependent claims.

[0008] The present invention is a grille door fixing structure for a motor vehicle, in which a grille door unit provided with a plurality of doors extending substantially in a vehicle width direction is fixed to a frame-like panel.Cover is fixed or fixable, comprising a central strut which is provided to extend substantially in a vertical direction and to connect a central portion in a width direction of a trim upper part of the trim and a central portion in the width direction of a trim lower part of the trim, wherein the grille shutter unit is fixed or fixable on one side of a rear surface of the trim and a driving actuator for opening / closing the shutters is arranged on one side of a rear surface of the central strut of the grille shutter unit.

[0009] According to the present invention, the actuator can be arranged by using a dead space created on the rear surface side of the central stay, thereby improving layout performance.

[0010] In one embodiment of the present invention, the central stay is configured such that a lower part thereof is wider than an upper part thereof, and the driving actuator is arranged on a side of a rear surface of the lower part of the central stay.

[0011] According to this embodiment, the position of a center of gravity of the grille door unit including the actuator can be lowered accordingly, thereby improving the rigidity of a connecting portion of the central portion in the width direction of the cowl lower and the central stay.

[0012] According to the invention, a central frame provided on the grille shutter unit is fixed or fixable to the rear surface side of the central stay substantially along the central stay. In another embodiment of the present invention, an actuator arrangement part in the vertical direction of the central frame where the driving actuator is arranged is configured to be wider than the other part of the central frame, and / or an actuator accommodating portion where the driving actuator is accommodated is formed on the actuator arrangement part.

[0013] According to this embodiment, since the actuator arranging part is configured in the vertical direction of the center frame to be wide corresponding to the width of the center stay, the actuator accommodating portion where the driving actuator is accommodated can be formed correspondingly on the actuator arranging part.

[0014] According to the present invention, a driving member which transmits a driving force of the driving actuator to the flaps is arranged along the central frame.

[0015] Accordingly, since the drive member is arranged at the center in the vehicle width direction of the grille shutter unit (due to a so-called central arrangement), the shutters can be smoothly driven by the drive member.

[0016] In another embodiment of the present invention, the grille shutter unit is provided with right and left divided side units provided on both right and left sides of the center frame, and / or the driving member includes right and left driving members provided at respective end portions of the right and left divided side units positioned on one side of the center frame in the vehicle width direction, and / or the right and left driving members are connected to each other on one side of a rear surface of the center frame.

[0017] According to this embodiment, the rigidity of the driving member can be improved, so that the door opening / closing driving can be smooth without causing asynchronous opening / closing between the doors on both sides arranged on the right and left sides of the central frame.

[0018] According to the present invention, a lock receiving portion where a latch of a hood is received is provided at the central portion in the width direction of the cowl upper so that the lock receiving portion protrudes substantially toward an opening portion formed on an inside in an elevational view of the frame-shaped cowl, right and left indirect swing doors that are not directly driven by the drive member are provided on both right and left sides of the lock receiving portion, and / or a second drive member different from the drive member is provided on an outward side in the vehicle width direction of the indirect swing doors to drive the indirect swing doors.

[0019] Accordingly, even in the structure where the indirect swing doors which are not directly driven by the driving member are arranged on both right and left sides of the latch receiving portion in accordance with a configuration of the latch receiving portion, the indirect swing doors can be smoothly driven by the second driving member.

[0020] In another embodiment of the present invention, the central frame is fixed or fixable such that the central frame connects the central portion in the width direction of the cowl upper and the central portion in the width direction of the cowl lower, and / or the central frame and / or the cowl upper and the cowl lower are configured to be integrated with the central stay.

[0021] According to this embodiment, the central stay can ensure rigidity in the vertical direction of the panel together with the central frame. Furthermore, since a lower part of the central frame, which accommodates the actuator as a weighty object, is configured to be wide similar to the central stay, high rigidity can be ensured. And since an upper part of the central frame is integrated with the central stay, its width can be made as small as possible, so that a sufficiently large opening portion can be ensured.

[0022] According to a further aspect, a method for fixing a radiator grille flap or louvre is provided, comprising the steps of: Connecting a central portion in a width direction of a fairing upper part of a fairing and a central portion in the width direction of a fairing lower part of the fairing by means of a central strut, Mounting a grille shutter unit on one side of a rear surface of the panel, Mounting a driving actuator for opening / closing a plurality of flaps of the grille flap unit on one side of a rear surface of the central strut, Providing the grille flap unit with a central frame, and Mounting the central frame on the side of the rear surface of the central strut substantially along the central strut, Arranging a drive member which transmits a driving force of the driving actuator to the flaps along the central frame, Providing a latch receiving portion, where a latch of a hood is received, at the central portion in the width direction of the cowl upper so that the latch receiving portion protrudes substantially toward an opening portion formed on an inner side in an elevational view of the frame-shaped cowl, and / or disposing right and left indirect swing doors, which are not directly driven by the drive member, on both right and left sides of the latch receiving portion, and / or disposing a second drive member, which is different from the drive member, on an outer side in the vehicle width direction of the indirect swing doors to drive the indirect swing doors.

[0023] Preferably, the central stay is formed such that a lower part thereof is wider than an upper part thereof, and the driving actuator is arranged on a side of a rear surface of the lower part of the central stay.

[0024] Other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description which refers to the accompanying drawings. Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a grille shutter fixing structure of an embodiment of the present invention when viewed from a front side. Fig. 2 is a rear view of the grille door fixing structure of the present embodiment in a state where a radiator and a condenser are removed. Fig. 3 is an elevational view of a grille shutter unit of the present embodiment. Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing an upper portion and a central portion in a vertical direction of a right side of a cowl of the present embodiment. Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a central portion in a vehicle width direction of the grille door unit of the present embodiment when viewed from the front side. Fig. 6A is an enlarged view of a main part of a first central frame and its surrounding portion of Fig. 2, and Fig. Fig. 6B is an enlarged perspective view showing the essential part when viewed from an arrow A in Fig. 6A and a paper front. Fig. 7 is a sectional view taken along a line AA of Fig. 2. Fig. 8 is a sectional view taken along a line BB of Fig. 2. Fig. 9 is a sectional view taken along a line CC of Fig. 2. Fig. 10 is a sectional view taken along a line DD of Fig. 2. Fig. 11 is a sectional view of an essential part taken along a line EE of Fig. 2. Fig. 12A is a sectional view of an essential part taken along a line FF of Fig. 3, and Fig. 12B is a sectional view of the essential part taken along a line GG Fig. 3. Fig. 13A is a sectional view of an essential part taken along a line HH of Fig. 2 in a state where flaps are open, and Fig. 13B is a sectional view of the essential part taken along the line HH of Fig. 2 in a state where the flaps are closed. Fig. 14A is a sectional view of an essential part taken along a line II of Fig. 2 in a state where the flaps are open, and Fig. 14B is a sectional view of the essential part taken along the line II of Fig. 2 in a state where the flaps are closed.

[0025] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the drawings. In the figures, an arrow F indicates a front side of a vehicle, an arrow OUT indicates an outward side in a vehicle width direction of the vehicle (rightward side of the vehicle), an arrow IN indicates an inward side in the vehicle width direction of the vehicle (leftward side of the vehicle), and an arrow U indicates an upward side of the vehicle.

[0026] As this is Fig. 1-3, a grille shutter fixing structure 1 for an automobile of the present embodiment includes a rectangular frame-shaped cover 2 and a grille shutter unit 3 fixed to the cover 2. Herein, since the cover 2 and the grille shutter unit 3 of the present embodiment are each configured to be substantially symmetrical, a part of a right side of the grille shutter fixing structure 1 will be described.

[0027] The casing 2 is configured or constructed in a rectangular or right-angled frame shape to accommodate a cooler 4 and a condenser 45 as heat exchangers (see Fig. 8 - 11) and to introduce a wind flow which flows downwards from the front of the vehicle towards the radiator 4.

[0028] As this is Fig. 4 - 9, especially Fig. 4 and Fig. 7, a pair of bumper beam fixing brackets 6 (hereinafter referred to as the “beams 6”) are fixed to both right and left sides of the trim panel 2, and the trim panel 2 is connected to a bumper beam 7 via the brackets 6. An illustration of the brackets 6 and the bumper beam 7 is shown in Fig. 1 is omitted, and an illustration of the bumper support 7 is shown in Fig. 4 omitted.

[0029] The bumper beam 7 comprises a base plate 7a having a substantially hat-shaped cross section and a closing plate 7b having a plate shape as shown in Fig. 7-10, and extends in the vehicle width direction. The bumper beam 7 is fixed to front ends of a pair of front side frames extending substantially in a longitudinal direction on both right and left sides of an engine compartment via fixing plates and impact bushings, not illustrated. The garnish 2 is arranged in an approximately vertical position at a location positioned rearward of the bumper beam 7 and between a pair of right and left impact bushings (not illustrated).

[0030] As this is Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, the cowl 2 includes a cowl upper 21 extending substantially in the vehicle width direction and constituting an upper side of its rectangular frame shape, a cowl lower 22 constituting a lower side of its rectangular frame shape, a pair of right and left cowl sides 23, 23 constituting right and left sides of its rectangular frame shape and connecting both right and left ends of the cowl upper 21 and the cowl lower 22 in the vertical direction, and has a rectangular opening portion 8 (8a, 8b, 8c) penetrating in the longitudinal direction at an inner side in an elevational view thereof.

[0031] As this is Fig. 1 and Fig. 8, a center stay 24, which is provided to extend substantially in the vertical direction and to connect a front side of a central portion in a width direction of the cowl upper 21 (hereinafter referred to as a “upper side center 21M in the width direction of the cowl 2”) and a front side of a central portion in the width direction of the cowl lower 22 (hereinafter referred to as a “lower side center 22M in the width direction of the cowl 2”), is integrally formed on the cowl 2.

[0032] Further, cross members 25a, 25b (an upper side cross member 25a and a lower side cross member 25b) extending substantially in the vehicle width direction and connecting respective front sides of upper and lower portions of the pair of right and left cowl sides 23, 23 are integrally formed on the cowl 2.

[0033] As this is Fig. 1 and Fig. As shown in Fig. 2, the opening portion 8 is divided into six parts by the central stay 24 and the cross stays 25a, 25b. Specifically, the opening portion 8 is divided into upper-level right and left opening portions 8a, 8a at a position located above the upper-side cross stay 25a, middle-level right and left opening portions 8b, 8b at a position located between the upper-side cross stay 25a and the lower-side cross stay 25b, and lower-level right and left opening portions 8c, 8c at a position located below the lower-side cross stay 25b.

[0034] As this is Fig. 1 and Fig. 4, an outward edge 8bo in the vehicle width direction of the middle-level opening portion 8b is positioned on an inward side in the vehicle width direction from respective outward edges 8ao, 8co in the vehicle width direction of the upper-level opening portion 8a and the lower-level opening portion 8c. Accordingly, a wide portion 29 projecting substantially toward the middle-level opening portion 8b is formed at a portion in the vertical direction of the panel side 23 located on the inward side in the vehicle width direction of a fixing position 26 (a bracket fixing surface portion 26, which will be described later) of the bracket 6 (see Fig. 1 and Fig. 4).

[0035] As this is Fig. 1, the central strut 24 is configured such that its lower part is wider than its upper part. Specifically, a portion of the central strut 24 corresponding to the lower-level opening portion 8c in the vertical direction is wider than respective portions of the central strut 24 corresponding to the middle-level opening portion 8b and the upper-level opening portion 8a in the vertical direction.

[0036] As this is Fig. 1, Fig. 4 and Fig. 7, the bracket fixing surface portion 26 is formed on a front surface of a central portion in the vertical direction of the panel side 23 where a portion 6r of a rear surface of the bracket 6 (see Fig. 4 and Fig. 7) is or will be determined.

[0037] Are or will be specific, as described in Fig. 7, insertion holes 26a for bolts B1 to be inserted therethrough are formed at upper and lower portions of the beam fixing surface portion 26, and penetration (through) holes 6a are formed at the rear surface portion 6r of the beam 6 at respective positions corresponding to the insertion holes 26a. Collar nuts N are preliminarily inserted into the upper and lower insertion holes 26a, 26a. Fixing portions 26c are formed by inserting the bolts B1 into the through holes 6a and the collar nuts N being inserted into the insertion holes 26a from the vehicle front side, thereby firmly fixing the beam 6 to the beam fixing surface portion 26.

[0038] As this is Fig. 1 and Fig. 4, a front surface of the fairing 2 is configured such that respective peripheral edges 27a, 27c of the upper level opening portion 8a and the lower level opening portion 8c protrude substantially forward relative to a peripheral edge 27b of the middle level opening portion 8b.

[0039] As this is Fig. 1, 4, 8 - 10, a receiving recess portion 28 for receiving a rear portion of the bumper beam 7 is formed at a central portion in the vertical direction of the front surface of the garnish 2 which is located on the inner side in the vehicle width direction of the pair of right and left beam fixing surface portions 26, 26.The receiving recess portion 28 of the present embodiment includes a recess portion upper wall 28a which inclines such that its front side is positioned at a higher level than its rear side, a recess portion lower wall 28b which inclines such that its front side is positioned at a lower level than its rear side, and a recess portion rear wall 28c which vertically connects respective rear ends of these walls 28a, 28b, whereby the receiving recess portion 28 is configured in a recess shape such that its front side opens.The upper wall 28a of the recessed portion is formed on the upper side cross member 25a, the lower wall 28b of the recessed portion is formed on the lower side cross member 25b, and the middle level opening portion 8b is formed on the rear wall 28c of the recessed portion.

[0040] Herein is how this is done in Fig. 11, a reservoir 41 is formed integrally with an outward portion in the vehicle width direction of the radiator 4, and a rod-shaped protrusion portion 42 projecting substantially outward from the reservoir 41 is provided. The protrusion portion 42 is configured to have a square-shaped cross section (see Fig. 7).

[0041] As this is Fig. As shown in Fig. 11, a support piece 43 for supporting the condenser 45 is formed integrally with a front portion of the reserve tank 41 of the radiator 4. A reservoir tank 46 is also formed integrally therewith on the vehicle width direction outer side of the condenser 45, and a vehicle width direction outer side of the reservoir tank 46 and the above-described support piece 43 are connected by a bracket 44.

[0042] As this is Fig. 7 and Fig. As shown in Fig. 11, the radiator 4 is supported by jigs 5, 5 arranged at positions near upper ends of the pair of right and left cowl sides 23, 23. The jigs 5, 5 support right and left projection portions 42, and each jig 5 includes a mounting rubber 51, which is a resilient member such as rubber, and a support bracket 52, which holds the mounting rubber 51 and fixes this mounting rubber 51 to the cowl side 23. A hole portion 52a, which has a square-shaped cross section and into which the projection portion 42 is fitted, is formed at a central portion of the mounting rubber 51.

[0043] As this is Fig. 11, the support bracket 52 includes a tubular holding portion 53 that holds the protrusion portion 42 via the mounting rubber 51, and a fixing piece 55 that extends substantially outward from a rear portion of the holding portion 53 and is fixed from the rear side to a flange portion 54 at the rear end extending from a rear end of the trim side 23 to an outer end in the vehicle width direction of the trim side 23 by fixing means of a bolt B2 and others that are integrally formed.

[0044] In the right and left cowl side mounting jigs 5 23 , the radiator 4 and the condenser 45 are supported on both right and left sides of the cowl 2 via the two mounting jigs 5 by the right and left protrusion portions 42 formed with a hole.

[0045] As this is Fig. 7 and Fig. 11, a box-shaped portion 10 projecting in a box-like shape (square-cylindrical shape) from the front surface of the cowl side 23 is formed integrally with a portion of the cowl side 23 corresponding to the mounting jig 5 in the vertical direction.

[0046] As this is Fig. 4, Fig. 7 and Fig. 11, the box-shaped portion 10 is formed into the square-cylindrical shape by an upper wall portion 11, a lower wall portion 12, and both side wall portions 13o, 13i, which are further formed integrally with a front wall portion 14 covering a front end of an inner space of the upper wall portion 11, the lower wall portion 12, and the side wall portions 13o, 13i. On the front wall portion 14, a fixing hole 14a for fixing a protector of an airbag sensor, which is not illustrated, is provided (see Fig. 4 and Fig. 11).

[0047] As this is Fig. 4, Fig. 7 and Fig. 11, the upper wall portion 11 and the outward side wall portion 13o project substantially rearwardly beyond the carrier fixing surface portion 26 (see Fig. 4) of the panel side 23, and a rib 15 (see Fig. 7) which projects substantially rearwardly beyond the support fixing surface portion 26 is integrally formed at a position slightly below a rear end of the lower wall portion 12.

[0048] Respective projection portions 11a, 13oa of the upper wall portion 11 and the outward side wall portion 13c and the rib 15 are configured as a base portion of the above-described box-shaped portion 10 (see Fig. 4, Fig. 7 and Fig. 11).

[0049] The tubular holding portion 53 of the support beam 52 is provided to be fitted into a space of the base portion of the box-shaped portion 10 (see Fig. 7), wherein the box-shaped portion 10 is also configured as a reinforcing portion to reinforce the supporting rigidity of the radiator 4 and the condenser 45 by the mounting device 5.

[0050] As this is Fig. 1, the cover 2 includes a cover upper member 17, which is fixed to an upper surface of the cover upper member 21, and the cover side members 18, 18, which are provided on both right and left sides of the cover upper member 17. In Fig. 4, an illustration of the upper member 17 of the fairing and the fairing side members 18 is omitted.

[0051] The cowl upper member 17 is connected to front end portions of skirt members, not illustrated, via the cowl side members 18, 18 on both sides thereof. The rectangular frame-shaped body portion (the cowl upper member 21, the cowl lower member 22, and the two-sided cowl sides 23, 23) is made of a hard plastic material, while the cowl upper member 17 and the cowl side members 18, 18 are made of a steel plate.

[0052] A pedestal (seat) portion 18a, where a stopper rubber, not illustrated, which is an impact absorbing member for absorbing a closing impact of a hood, is disposed, is provided on an inward side of the upper surface of each of the cowl side members 18, 18, specifically at a portion of the cowl side member 18 corresponding to the cowl side 23 in the vehicle width direction (see Fig. 1).

[0053] Further, at a central portion in the vehicle width direction of the upper member 17 of the cowl, a through hole 17a is formed through which a locking device (not illustrated) provided on the radiator hood passes.

[0054] As this is Fig. 1, a downward extension portion 21a is integrally formed at a front side of a central portion in the vehicle width direction of the cowl upper 21, which is positioned below the through hole 17a of the cowl upper member 17 such that the downward extension portion 21a extends substantially downward from a lower surface of the cowl upper 21 and projects substantially toward the right and left upper-level bilateral opening portions 8a, 8a.

[0055] A latch receiving portion 9 (pocket portion) which receives a latch, not illustrated, is provided on the front side of the central portion in the vehicle width direction of the cowl upper 21, which includes the above-described downward extension portion 21a. As shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 8, this lock receiving portion 9 includes a lower wall portion 9a, right and left bilateral side wall portions 9b, 9b, and a rear wall portion 9c such that the lock receiving portion 9 is configured in a recess shape (pocket shape) which opens forward and upward.

[0056] Thereby, the hood is configured to engage with a vehicle body when the latch provided on the hood engages with the latch received in the latch receiving portion 9 passing through the through hole 17a when the hood is closed.

[0057] As this is Fig. 1 and Fig. 8, an upper end of the central stay 24 is integrally connected to a central portion in the vehicle width direction of the lower wall portion 9a of the lock receiving portion 9, and the lock receiving portion 9 is configured to be wider than the central stay 24 (at least an upper portion of the central stay 24) (see Fig. 1).

[0058] Next, the grille flap unit 3 will be described. As shown in Fig. 1, 2, 8 - 11, the grille shutter unit 3 of the present embodiment is fixed to the cowl 2 so as not to protrude beyond the cowl 2 in the elevational view from its rear surface side and a forward side of the radiator 4 and the condenser 45.

[0059] As this is Fig. 3, the grille shutter unit 3, which includes a plurality (six in this embodiment) divided units 3a-3c, ie, upper-level units 3a, 3a, middle-level units 3b, 3b, and lower-level units 3c, 3c, is configured to be substantially symmetrical.

[0060] The grille shutter unit 3 comprises a plurality of shutters or louvers 30 which extend substantially in the vehicle width direction, an actuator (driving actuator or driving actuating device) 31 (see Fig. 3 and Fig. 8), which drives an opening / closing (pivoting) of the flaps 30, and a pivoting member or pivot coupling or connection 70 (71, 74) (see Fig. 2) which transmits a driving force of the actuator 31 to the flaps 30, and a frame 60 (61a, 61b, 61c, 63, 64) which is fixed to the side of the cowl 2 and supports the flaps 30 and the pivot member 70. The flaps 30, the pivot member 70, and the frame 60 are provided to the divided units 3a-3c as basic structural elements.

[0061] The plurality of flaps 30 are arranged in the vertical direction for the divided units 3a - 3c, respectively. In the present embodiment, as shown in Fig. As shown in Fig. 3, four of the flaps are provided at the upper-level unit 3a, two of the flaps are provided at the middle-level unit 3b, and five of the flaps are provided at the lower-level unit 3c. Opening / closing of the upper-level, middle-level, and lower-level opening sections 8a, 8b, 8c are controlled by these flaps, respectively.

[0062] Herein, the four flaps or louvres 30 provided on the upper level unit 3a are defined as one upper level flap 30a, as shown in Fig. 1, wherein first to fourth upper level flaps 30a1 - 30a4 are set in this order from the top side, as shown in Fig. 3. Similarly, the two doors 30 provided on the middle-level unit 3b are set as one middle-level door 30b, with the first and second middle-level doors 30b1, 30b2 being set in this order from the upper side. The five doors 30 provided on the lower-level unit 3c are set as one lower-level door 30c, with first to fifth lower-level doors 30c1-30c5 being set in this order from the upper side.

[0063] Furthermore, as stated in Fig. 1 and Fig. 10, the upper level flap 30a and the lower level flap 30c are positioned slightly forward of the middle level flap 30b in accordance with the above-described structure in which the respective peripheral edges 27a, 27c of the upper level opening portion 8a and the lower level opening portion 8c protrude forward relative to the peripheral edge 27b of the middle level opening portion 8b (see Fig. 1).

[0064] While the opening portion 8 of the panel 2 is configured as described above such that the outward edge 8bo of the middle level opening portion 8b is positioned on the inner side in the vehicle width direction of the outer edges 8ao, 8co of the upper level opening portion 8a and the lower level opening portion 8c (see Fig. 1 and Fig. 4), the flaps 30 are configured accordingly, as shown in Fig. 1 - 3, so that an outer edge 30bo of the middle level flap 30b is positioned on the inner or inward side in the vehicle width direction from outer edges 30ao, 30co of the upper level flap 30a and the lower level flap 30c.

[0065] Accordingly, the respective flaps 30a, 30b, 30c provided on the upper-level, middle-level, and lower-level units 3a-3c are configured such that respective lengths in the vehicle width direction thereof are equal to or slightly shorter than respective opening lengths in the vehicle width direction of the upper-level, middle-level, and lower-level opening portions 8a, 8b, 8c (see Fig. 1 and Fig. 2).

[0066] As this is Fig. 3, the doors 30 include door shafts 34o projecting substantially outwardly from outer edges in the vehicle width direction thereof, and door shafts 34i projecting substantially inwardly from inner edges in the vehicle width direction thereof, and these door shafts 34o, 34i extend coaxially in the vehicle width direction.

[0067] As this is Fig. 2 and Fig. 3, the frame 60 comprises outer frames 61a, 61b, 61c, which pivotally support the outward-side flap shafts 34i of the flaps 30, and central frames 63, 64, which pivotally support the inward-side flap shafts 34i of the flaps 30. As shown in Fig. 2, Fig. 3 and Fig. 5, the central frames 63, 64 include the first central frame 63 and the second frames 64, 64 arranged above and on both right and left sides of the first central frame 63.

[0068] The first central frame 63 is provided as a common frame for all of the divided units 3a - 3c and is fixed to a rear surface of the central stay 24 such that the first central frame 63 matches or fits with the central stay 24 in the vehicle width direction at the central portion in the vehicle width direction of the cowl 2, as shown in Fig. 1, Fig. 2 and Fig. 8 is shown.

[0069] As this is Fig. 2, Fig. 3, Fig. 5 and Fig. 6A, the first central frame 63 extends substantially in the vertical direction between an upper end and a lower end of the central strut 24 and includes a wide portion 63w on the lower side and a narrow portion 63s positioned above the wide portion 63w, corresponding to the central strut 24 (see Fig. 3).

[0070] As this is Fig. 3, Fig. 5 and Fig. 8, an actuator receiving portion 65, which receives the actuator 31, is provided on a lower side of the first center frame 63. In the present embodiment, all of the shutters 30 provided on the grille shutter unit 3 are directly or indirectly driven by the single actuator 31 for opening / closing the shutters 30.

[0071] The actuator receiving portion 65 is provided at a portion of the wide portion 63w of the first central frame 63 which corresponds in the vertical direction to the opening portion 8c at the lower level of the panel 2, and the actuator 31 is received in the actuator receiving portion 65 such that the actuator 31 is arranged on one side of a rear surface of the lower part of the central stay 24 (see Fig. 8).

[0072] Specifically, as stated in Fig. 3, Fig. 5, Fig. 6A and Fig. 8, the actuator accommodating portion 65 includes a front wall portion 65a covering a lower part of the actuator 31 from the front side on the first center frame 63, a rear wall portion 65b covering one side of a rear surface of an upper part of the actuator 31, and side wall portions 65c, 65c covering both sides in the vehicle width direction of the actuator 31 (see Fig. 5).

[0073] Herein, as stated in Fig. 12B, which is the sectional view of the essential part taken along a line GG of Fig. 3, at an upper part of the actuator 31, motor shafts (drive shafts) 31a, 31a are provided which project outwardly from both right and left sides thereof, and the actuator 31 is fixed to the first central frame 63 (see Fig. 8) is fixed in such a way that the right and left motor shafts 31a, 31a coincide with the flap shaft 34i of the second flap 30c2 at the lower level (hereinafter referred to as “second flap shaft 340i at the lower level”) in the side view, ie the motor shafts 31a, 31a and the second flap shaft 340i at the lower level are coaxial (see Fig. 12B).

[0074] Furthermore, as stated in Fig. 2, Fig. 6A and Fig. 8, the above-described first central frame 63 is integrally fixed to the central stay 24 such that the center 21M of the upper side in the width direction of the cowl 2 (i.e., the central portion in the width direction of the cowl upper 21) and the center 22M of the lower side in the width direction of the cowl 2 (i.e., the central portion in the width direction of the cowl lower 22) are connected by these two. Accordingly, the central stay 24 can ensure the rigidity in the vertical direction of the cowl 2 together with the first central frame 63.Furthermore, since the lower part of the first central frame 63, which accommodates the actuator 31 as a weighty object, is configured to be wide similarly to the central stay 24, the high rigidity can be ensured, and since the upper part of the first central frame 63 is integrated with the central stay 24, its width can be made as narrow as possible, so that the sufficiently large opening portion can be ensured.

[0075] Specific are, as in Fig. 3, a plurality of through holes 63a are formed on the first central frame 63 so as to be arranged substantially in the vertical direction. In the present embodiment, as shown in Fig. 3, Fig. 5 and Fig. 6, the through holes 63a comprise at least eight holes formed at upper and lower parts provided along a central portion in the vehicle width direction of the narrow portion 63s of the first center frame 63, parts slightly offset outward from the central portion in the vehicle width direction of the upper portion of the wide portion 63w (upper and lower parts of the portion corresponding to the middle-level opening portion 8b), both right and left sides of a central portion (portion corresponding to an upper end of the lower-level opening portion 8c) in the vertical direction of the wide portion 63w, and both right and left sides of a lower portion (portion corresponding to a lower portion of the lower-level opening portion 8c) of the wide portion 63w.

[0076] Meanwhile, or in contrast, as shown in Fig. 6A and Fig. 8, screw insertion holes 24a are formed at portions of the rear surface of the central stay 24, which respectively correspond to the through holes 63a of the first central frame 63 in the elevational view.

[0077] As this is Fig. 2 and Fig. 6A, self-tapping screws T are respectively inserted into the screw insertion holes 24a and the through holes 63a from the rear surface side, thereby configuring a door support portion 66i and firmly fixing the first center frame 63 to the center stay 24 integrally.

[0078] The first central frame 63 is fixed to the upper portion of the central stay 24, which is integrally fixed to the central portion in the vehicle width direction of the cowl upper 21 at an uppermost flap support portion 66ia (see Fig. 6A and Fig. 8) of the plurality (eight) flap support sections 66i.

[0079] That is, the above-described center 21M of the upper side in the width direction of the cowl 2 is a portion corresponding to the central portion in the vehicle width direction of the cowl upper 21 and the upper portion of the center stay 24 including the uppermost door support portion 66ia (see Fig. 2 and Fig. 6A).

[0080] Similarly, the first central frame 63 is fixed to the lower portion of the central stay 24 which is integrally fixed to the central portion in the vehicle width direction of the cowl lower 22 at a lowermost flap support portion 66ib (see Fig. 6A) of the plurality (eight) flap support sections 66i.

[0081] That is, the above-described center 22M of the lower side in the width direction of the cowl 2 is a portion corresponding to the central portion in the vehicle width direction of the cowl upper 22 and the lower portion of the central stay 24 including the lowermost flap support portion 66ib (see Fig. 2 and Fig. 6A).

[0082] As this is Fig. 3 and Fig. 5, shaft support portions 67ia, 67ib, 67ic are provided on respective sides in the vertical direction of both right and left sides of the first central frame 63, which pivotally support the respective door shafts 34i provided on the inward side of the doors 30 of the upper-level, middle-level, and lower-level divided units 3a-3c.

[0083] Specifically, the shaft support portions 67ia, which pivotally support the door shafts 34i provided on the respective inner sides of a third upper-level door 30a3 and a fourth upper-level door 30a4, are provided at upper and lower portions of the narrow portion 63s of the first central frame 63.

[0084] Further, the shaft support portions 67ib, which pivotally support the door shafts 34i provided on the respective inner sides of the middle-level doors 30b1, 30b2, are provided at upper and lower portions of the wide portion 63w of the first central frame 63 corresponding to the middle-level opening portion 8b.

[0085] Similarly, as in Fig. 5 and Fig. 12A, which is the sectional view of the main part taken along a line FF of Fig. 3, at upper and lower portions of the wide portion 63w of the first central frame 63 corresponding to the lower level opening portion 8c, there are provided the shaft support portions 67ic which pivotally support the door shafts 34i provided on the respective inner sides of the lower level doors 30c1, 30c3 - 30c5 except for the second lower level door 30c2.

[0086] Herein, as described above, the second damper shaft 340i is non-pivotally supported at the lower level by the first central frame 63 and is directly connected to the motor shaft 31a projecting from the actuator 31 provided on the first central frame 63 (see Fig. 12B), whereby the second flap shaft 340i is pivotally supported at the lower level on the motor shaft 31a on both right and left sides. That is, as shown in Fig. 3 and Fig. 5, the shaft support portion 67ic, which pivotally supports the second lower-level damper shaft 340i, is not provided at respective portions of right and left side wall portions of the first central frame 63 corresponding to the second lower-level damper shaft 340i, and a large-diameter through-hole 63b having a larger diameter than the second lower-level damper shaft 340i is provided so that the second lower-level damper shaft 340i can be allowed to pass through this hole 63b and be connected to the motor shaft 31a (see Fig. 3, Fig. 5 and Fig. 12B).

[0087] As this is Fig. 2, Fig. 3 and Fig. As shown in Fig. 5, the second center frames 64 are arranged on the two sides in the vehicle width direction of the latch accommodating portion 9 independently (separately) from the first center frame 63 as a part of the upper-level unit 3a. Each second center frame 64 is provided with shaft support portions 67ia that pivotally support the door shafts 34i provided on the inward side in the vehicle width direction of the first upper-level door 3a1 and the second upper-level door 3a2, respectively.

[0088] As this is Fig. 2, Fig. 3 and Fig. 11, the above-described second central frame 64 is fixedly mounted from the rear surface side of the cowl 2 similarly to the first central frame 63.

[0089] What is specific is how this is Fig. 5, a through hole 64a is formed on the second central frame 64, and a screw penetration (through) hole 22a is formed on a portion of the panel 2 corresponding to the through hole 64a of the second central frame 64.

[0090] The flap shaft portion 66i is constructed by inserting the self-tapping screw T into the screw insertion hole 22a and the penetration hole 64a from the rear surface side, and the second center frame 64 is fixedly fixed to the cowl 2 integrally.

[0091] As this is Fig. 2 and Fig. 3, the outer frames 61a, 61b, 61c include the upper-level outer frames 61a, the middle-level outer frames 61b, and the lower-level outer frames 61c, which are respectively arranged on the two right and left sides corresponding to the upper-level unit 3a, the middle-level unit 3b, and the lower-level unit 3c.

[0092] As this is Fig. 3, shaft support portions 67oa which pivotally support the door shafts 34o provided on the outward side in the vehicle width direction of the upper-level doors 30a1-30a4 are provided at the upper and lower portions of the upper-level outer frames 61a.

[0093] As shown in the same figure, shaft support portions 67ob that pivotally support the door shafts 34o provided on the outboard side in the vehicle width direction of the middle-level doors 30b1, 30b2 are provided at the upper and lower portions of the middle-level outer frames 61b. Further, shaft support portions 67oc that pivotally support the door shafts 34o provided on the outboard side in the vehicle width direction of the lower-level doors 30c1-30c5 are provided at the upper and lower portions of the lower-level outer frames 61c.

[0094] As this is Fig. 2 and Fig. 3, the above-described outer frames 61a, 61b, 61c are fixedly mounted from the rear surface side of the panel 2, similarly to the first and second central frames 63, 64.

[0095] Specifically, through holes 61d are formed at respective upper and lower portions of the upper-level and lower-level outer frames 61a, 61c and a middle portion in the vertical direction of the middle-level outer frame 61b (see Fig. 3). Furthermore, as stated in Fig. 11, screw through holes 22b are formed at portions of the panel corresponding to the above-described through holes 61d. Here, only the screw through hole 22b corresponding to the uppermost through hole 61d is shown in Fig. 11 illustrated.

[0096] In addition, as stated in Fig. 2 and Fig. 11, the self-tapping screws T are inserted into the screw through holes 22b and the through holes 61d from the rear surface side, thereby constructing a door support portion 66o, and the upper level, middle level and lower level outer frames 61a, 61b, 61c are integrally fixed to the panel 2 from the rear surface side.

[0097] In this way, as in Fig. 1, Fig. 2, Fig. 4 and Fig. 7, the carrier 6 described above (see Fig. 4 and Fig. 7) is fixed to the section 26 of the support fixing surface or the support fixing surface section in such a way that it extends substantially in the vertical direction between the outer frame 61a at the upper level (see Fig. 2) and the outer frame 61c at lower level (see the same figure).

[0098] That is, the upper side fixing portion 26c where the beam 6 is fixed to the beam fixing surface portion 26 is positioned to coincide with the upper level outer frame 61a in the vertical direction, and the lower side fixing portion 26c is provided to coincide (overlap) with the lower level outer frame 61c in the vertical direction (see the same figure).

[0099] Furthermore, as stated in Fig. 2 and Fig. 11, the uppermost flap support portion 66o is provided so as to substantially coincide with the box-shaped portion 10 and the mounting device 5 in the vertical direction. In other words, the uppermost flap support portion 66o is provided at a portion extending substantially horizontally inward from the inward-side side wall portion 13i of the box-shaped portion 10 to a position in front of the outer edge 8ao of the upper-level opening portion 8a (see Fig. 11).

[0100] The pivot link or pivot connection 70 will be described below. As shown in Fig. 2, Fig. 3, Fig. 5 and Fig. 6A, the pivot member 70 includes a pair of right and left first pivot members 71, 71 provided on both right and left sides thereof, and a pair of right and left second pivot members 74, 74 provided on right and left and upper sides of the grille door unit 3 (see Fig. 2 and Fig. 3).

[0101] As this is Fig. 3, Fig. 5, Fig. 12A and Fig. 12B, the first pivot members 71 are arranged between the plurality of doors 30 and the first center frame 63 on both right and left sides in the vehicle width direction and positioned on the rear surface side relative to the door shafts 34i, 340i.

[0102] The pair of right and left first pivoting members 71, 71 is constructed as a part of a central pivoting member unit 75 in a crank shape along a shape of the right and left side portions of the first central frame 63 including the narrow portion 63s and the wide portion 63w, such that the first pivoting members 71, 71 are substantially symmetrical (see Fig. 3, Fig. 5 and Fig. 6A).

[0103] That is, as in Fig. 2, Fig. 3, Fig. 5, Fig. 6A, Fig. 8 and Fig. 12, the central pivot unit 75 includes the pair of right and left first pivot members 71, 71 and a plurality of rear surface connecting portions 72 (see Fig. 6A) connecting upper and lower portions of the first pivot members 71, 71 in the vehicle width direction on the rear surface side of the first central frame 63, which are integrally formed.

[0104] As this is Fig. 2, Fig. 6A, Fig. 6B, Fig. 12A, Fig. 12B, Fig. 13A and Fig. 13B, a plurality of pivot shafts 73i project substantially outward in the vehicle width direction from respective outward surfaces in the vehicle width direction of the pair of right and left first pivot members 71, 71 (see Fig. 5), pivotally fixed to the first pivot members 71, 71. These pivot shafts 73i are provided substantially in the vertical direction such that these shafts 73i correspond to the flaps 30 provided on the outboard sides in the vehicle width direction of the first pivot members 71. The pivot shafts 73i are pivotally supported at positions of the inboard end surfaces in the vehicle width direction of the flaps 30, which are offset from the flap shafts 34i (including 340i) (see Fig. 13A, Fig. 13B).

[0105] Herein is how this is done in Fig. 6A, Fig. 6B, Fig. 13A and Fig. 13B, the pivot shaft 73i, which is pivotally supported on the second lower-level door 30c2, is defined as a second lower-level pivot shaft 73ia. Since the second lower-level pivot shaft 340i is directly connected to the motor shaft 31a as described above (see Fig. 12B), when the actuator 31 is driven, the driving force of the actuator 31 is directly transmitted to the second lower-level door 30c2, not via the first pivot member 71, so that the second lower-level door 30c2 is driven (pivoted) for opening / closing.

[0106] The second lower-level pivot shaft 73ia is pivoted around the second lower-level pivot shaft 73ia in accordance with the driving of the second lower-level door 30c2. Since the first pivot link 71 pivots in the vertical direction in accordance with the swing of the second lower-level pivot shaft 73ia, the other pivot shafts 73i other than the second lower-level swing 73ia, which are pivotally supported on the first pivot link 71, are pivoted.

[0107] That is, the other flaps 30 (30a3, 30a4, 30b1, 30b2, 30c1, 30c3 - 30c5) other than the second flap 30c2 at the lower level, which are pivotally supported on the first central frame 63, can also be pivoted.

[0108] For example, the opening / closing of the lower level opening portion 8c by the flaps 30 will be specifically described. In a state where the lower level flaps 30c are open, as shown in Fig. 13A, the first pivot member 71 is positioned downwards, as shown in Fig. 14A, and for example, when the motor shaft 31a is rotated counterclockwise by about 90 degrees by driving the actuator 31 from this open state, as shown in Fig. 14B (see an arrow d2 in Fig. 14B), the second lower level flap 30c2 is rotated counterclockwise by approximately 90 degrees around the second lower level flap shaft 340i together with the second lower level pivot shaft 73ia (see arrow d2 in Fig. 13B).

[0109] Thus, the second flap 30c2 at the lower level is in the open state, as shown in Fig. 13B. At the same time, the first pivot shaft 71 is moved substantially upward in accordance with the above-described rotation of the second pivot shaft 73ia at the lower level, as shown in Fig. 14B (see an arrow in Fig. 14B). According to this upward movement, the respective pivot shafts 73i of the other flaps 30c1, 30c3 - 30c5 at the lower level are rotated counterclockwise by approximately 90 degrees, differently from the second pivot shaft 340i at the lower level (see arrows d1, d3 - d5 in Fig. 14B). Accordingly, the flaps 30c1, 30c3 - 30c5 at the lower level are in a closed state (see arrows d1, d3 - d5 in Fig. 13B).

[0110] As this is Fig. 2 and Fig. 3, the second pivot members 74 are disposed on the right and left upper-level bilateral units 3a between the upper-level doors 30a and the upper-level outer frames 61a, and are arranged on the rear surface side relative to the outward-side door shafts 34o provided on the upper-level doors 30a, respectively.

[0111] The right and left bilateral second pivot members 74, 74 are integrally provided with pivot shafts 73o which project substantially inwardly in the vehicle width direction from their inward end faces (see Fig. 2), and the pivot shafts 73 are provided substantially in the vertical direction to correspond to the upper level unit 30a. That is, the pivot shafts 73o are fixed to the outer end surfaces in the vehicle width direction of the flaps 30 such that the pivot shafts 73o are pivoted from the pivot shafts 34o (see Fig. 3) are offset in the vehicle side view, similar to the pivot shafts 73i described above.

[0112] Herein, in the upper level unit 3a, when the actuator 31 is driven, the third upper level flap 30a3 and the fourth upper level flap 30a4 are directly swung in accordance with the swing of the first swing member 71, while the first upper level flap 30a1 and the second upper level flap 30a2 are not directly swung because these members 30a1, 30a2 are not directly connected to the first swing member 71.

[0113] However, since the first upper-level door 30a1 and the second upper-level door 30a2 are connected to the third upper-level door 30a3 and the fourth upper-level door 30a4 by means of the second pivoting member 74, the first upper-level door 30a1 and the second upper-level door 30a2 can also be pivoted by means of the second pivoting members 74 in accordance with the pivoting of the third upper-level door 30a3 and the fourth upper-level door 30a4.

[0114] The present invention is the grille shutter fixing structure 1 for the motor vehicle, in which the grille shutter unit 3 provided with the plurality of shutters 30 extending substantially in the vehicle width direction is fixed to the frame-shaped cowl 2, including the central stay 24 provided to extend substantially in the vertical direction and connect the central portion in the width direction of the cowl upper 21 (the width center of the cowl upper) and the central portion in the width direction of the cowl lower 22 (the width center of the cowl lower) (see Fig. 1 and Fig. 8), wherein the grille door unit 3 is fixed to the rear surface side of the trim 2, and the driving actuator 31 for opening / closing the doors 30 is arranged to the rear surface side of the central stay 24 (see Fig. 3 and Fig. 8).

[0115] According to the present structure, since the actuator 31 is disposed on the central stay 24 positioned at the central portion in the vehicle width direction of the grille door unit 3 in the elevational view, the bilateral right and left doors 30 can be smoothly opened or closed relative to the central stay 24, and the actuator 31 can be disposed by utilizing a dead space generated on the rear surface side of the central stay 24, thereby improving layout performance.

[0116] In addition, since the doors 30 can be opened / closed with appropriate balance due to the central arrangement of the actuator 31 as described above, compared with a case where the actuator is arranged on both sides in the vehicle width direction of the panel 2 or on one of the panel sides 23, the actuator 31 can be prevented from having a large volume or the swing member 70 from becoming large-sized and complex, so that the layout performance can be further improved.

[0117] In the embodiment of the present invention, the central strut 24 is configured such that its lower part is wider than its upper part (see Fig. 1), and the actuator 31 is arranged on the side of the rear surface of the lower part of the central strut 24 (see Fig. 3, Fig. 5 and Fig. 8).

[0118] According to this structure, the position of the center of gravity of the grille door unit 3 including the actuator 31 can be properly lowered, thereby improving the rigidity of the connecting portion of the central portion in the width direction of the cowl lower 22 and the central stay 24.

[0119] Specifically, since the central stay 24 is configured such that its lower part is wider than its upper part, the rigidity of the connecting portion of the central portion in the width direction of the cowl lower 22 and the central stay 24 is increased.

[0120] Furthermore, since the actuator 31 is arranged at the portion (ie, the first center frame 63) positioned on the side of the grille door unit 3 which is positioned on the side of the rear surface of the lower part of the center stay 24, in addition to the above-described wide configuration of the lower part of the center stay 24, the position of the center of gravity of the grille door unit 3 can be lowered.

[0121] In the embodiment of the present invention, the first central frame 63 provided on the grille door unit 3 is fixed to the rear surface side of the central stay 24 along the central stay 24 (see Fig. 2, Fig. 6A and Fig. 8), the arrangement part of the actuator 31 in the vertical direction of the first central frame 63 where the actuator 31 is arranged is configured to be wider than the other part of the first central frame 63 (see Fig. 2, Fig. 3, Fig. 5 and Fig. 8), and the actuator receiving portion 65, where the actuator 31 is received, is formed on the arranging part of the actuator 31 (see Fig. 3, Fig. 5 and Fig. 8).

[0122] According to this structure, since the arranging parts in the vertical direction of the actuator 31 of the center frames 63, 64 are configured to be wide according to the width of the center stay 24, the actuator accommodating portion 65 where the actuator 31 is accommodated can be formed correspondingly at the arranging part of the actuator 31.

[0123] In the embodiment of the present invention, the first pivot member 71 of the pivot member 70 (71, 74), which transmits the driving force of the actuator 31 to the flaps 30, is arranged along the first central frame 63 (see Fig. 3, Fig. 5 and Fig. 6A).

[0124] According to this structure, since the first pivot member 71 is arranged at the center in the vehicle width direction of the grille door unit 3 (due to a so-called central arrangement) together with the actuator 31, the first pivot member 71 can be prevented from becoming complex or large in size, and also the driving force of the actuator 31 can be efficiently transmitted to the doors 30 by means of the first pivot member 71 arranged close to the actuator 31.

[0125] According to this structure, in the grille shutter unit 3 in which the right-side divided units 3a, 3b, 3c and the left-side divided units 3a, 3b, 3c are provided as the side unit which is divided and arranged on the right and left sides of the center frames 63, 64, the actuator 31 can drive (open / close) the shutters 30 provided on the right-side divided units 3a, 3b, 3c and the left-side divided units 3a, 3b, 3c through the first center frame 63 (and the second center frame 64) from the center side in the vehicle width direction of the grille shutter unit 3 with the appropriate balance.

[0126] In the embodiment of the present invention, the grille door unit 3 is provided with the right side divided units 3a, 3b, 3c and the left side divided sides 3a, 3b, 3c as the side unit, which is divided and arranged on the right and left sides of the central frame 63 (and the second central frame 64) (see Fig. 1 - 3 and 5), the first pivoting members 71, 71 are provided at the end portions of the right-side divided units 3a, 3b, 3c and the left-side divided units 3a, 3b, 3c, which are positioned on the side of the first central frame 63 (see Fig. 2, Fig. 6A and Fig. 6B), and the first right and left pivot members 71, 71 are connected to each other on the side of the rear surface of the first central frame 63 (see Fig. 3, Fig. 4, Fig. 6A and Fig. 8).

[0127] Since the driving force of the actuator 31 can be transmitted to the flaps 30 provided on the right and left divided units 3a, 3b, 3c in cooperation with the right and left first pivoting members 71, 71, in addition to the improvement of the rigidity orRigidity of the first pivot member 71 by connecting the right and left first pivot members 71, 71 to each other through the rear surface connecting portion 72 on the rear surface side of the first central frame 63 as described above, the driving for opening / closing the doors 30 can be correspondingly smooth compared with, for example, a case where the pivot member is configured such that one on the right side and one on the left side are provided independently of each other and the driving force of the actuator 31 is transmitted to the doors 30 provided on the right and left divided units 3a, 3b, 3c by means of the above-described independently provided right and left pivot members.

[0128] In the embodiment of the present invention, the latch receiving portion 9 where the latch (not illustrated) of the engine hood is received is provided at the central portion in the width direction of the cowl upper 21 such that the latch receiving portion 9 protrudes toward the upper level opening portion 8a (see Fig. 1 and Fig. 2), the first upper level flap 30ai and the second upper level flap 30a2, which are not directly driven by the first pivot members 71, are provided on the two right and left sides of the lock receiving section 9 (see Fig. 1 - 3 and 5), and the second pivoting members 74, which are different from the first pivoting members 71, are provided on the outward side in the vehicle width direction of the first upper-level door 30ai and the second upper-level door 30a2 to drive these doors 30a1, 30a2 (see Fig. 2 and Fig. 3).

[0129] According to this structure, even in the structure where the first upper-level door 30ai and the second upper-level door 30a2, which are arranged on both right and left sides of the lock accommodating portion 9 in accordance with a formation of the lock accommodating portion 9, are not directly driven by the first pivot members 71, these doors 30a1, 30a2 can be smoothly driven by the second pivot members 74.

[0130] In the embodiment of the present invention, the first central frame 63 is set such that the first central frame 63 connects the central portion in the width direction of the cowl upper 21 (the center 21M of the upper side in the width direction of the cowl 2) and the central portion in the width direction of the cowl lower 22 (the center 22M of the lower side in the width direction of the cowl 2) while being integrated with the central stay 24.

[0131] According to this structure, the central stay 24 can ensure the rigidity in the vertical direction of the panel 2 together with the first central frame 63. Furthermore, since the lower part of the first central frame 63, which accommodates the actuator 31 as a weighty object, is configured to be wide similar to the central stay 24, the high rigidity can be ensured, and since the upper part of the first central frame 63 is integrated with the central stay 24, its width can be made as narrow as possible, so that the sufficiently large opening portion can be ensured.

[0132] Furthermore, since the grille door fixing structure 1 of the motor vehicle of the present embodiment adopts a central arrangement of the actuator 31 where the actuator 31 is arranged at the center in the vehicle width direction of the grille door unit 3, the first upper-level doors 30a1 and the second upper-level doors 30a2 arranged on both the right and left sides and the second pivot members 74, 74 provided on the outward side in the vehicle width direction of the doors 30a1, 30a2 can be driven with the appropriate balance.

[0133] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, but any other various embodiments are applicable. For example, while the door shafts 34i, 34o are provided on the door 30 side, and the frames 60 (61a, 61b, 61c, 63, 64) are pivotally supported by the door shafts 34i, 34o in the above-described embodiment, these door shafts 34i, 34o may be provided on the frame 60 (61a, 61b, 61c, 63, 64) side, and the doors 30 may be pivotally supported by the door shafts 34i, 34o, for example.

[0134] Furthermore, while the pivot shafts 73i, 73o are provided on the side of the first and second pivot members 71, 74 and the doors 30 are pivotally supported by the pivot shafts 73i, 73o in the above-described embodiment, these pivot shafts 73i, 73o may be provided on the side of the doors 30 and the first and second pivot members 71, 74 may be pivotally supported by the pivot shafts 73i, 73o, for example.

Claims

[1] A grille flap fixing structure (1) for a motor vehicle, in which a grille flap unit (3) provided with a plurality of flaps (30) extending substantially in a vehicle width direction is fixed or fixable to a frame-like panel (2), comprising: a central strut (24) which is provided to extend substantially in a vertical direction and to connect a central portion in a width direction of a fairing upper part (21) of the fairing (2) and a central portion in the width direction of a fairing lower part (22) of the fairing (2), wherein the grille flap unit (3) is fixed or fixable to one side of a rear surface of the trim (2) and a driving actuator (31) for opening / closing the flaps (30) is arranged on one side of a rear surface of the central strut (24) of the grille flap unit (3), wherein a central frame (63, 64) provided on the grille flap unit (3) is fixed to the rear surface side of the central strut (24) substantially along the central strut (24), wherein a drive member (71) which transmits a driving force of the driving actuator (31) to the flaps (30) is arranged along the central frame (63, 64), wherein a lock receiving portion (9) where a lock of a hood is received is provided at the central portion in the width direction of the cowl upper (21) such that the lock receiving portion (9) protrudes substantially toward an opening portion formed on an inner side in an elevational view of the frame-shaped cowl (2), and / or right and left indirect swing doors (30a1, 30a2, 30a3, 30a4) which are not directly driven by the drive member (71) are provided on both right and left sides of the lock receiving portion (9), and / or a second drive member (74) which is different from the drive member (71) is provided on an outer side in the vehicle width direction of the indirect swing doors (30a1, 30a2, 30a3, 30a4) to drive the indirect swing doors (30a1, 30a2, 30a3, 30a4). [2] The grille shutter fixing structure (1) of the motor vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the central stay (24) is configured such that a lower part thereof is wider than an upper part thereof, and the driving actuator (31) is arranged on a side of a rear surface of the lower part of the central stay (24). [3] The grille shutter fixing structure (1) of the motor vehicle according to claim 1 or 2, wherein an actuator arranging part in the vertical direction of the central frame (63, 64) where the driving actuator (31) is arranged is configured to be wider than the other part of the central frame (63, 64), and / or an actuator accommodating portion (65) where the driving actuator (31) is accommodated is formed on the actuator arranging part. [4] The grille shutter fixing structure (1) of the motor vehicle according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the grille shutter unit (3) is provided with right and left divided side units provided on both right and left sides of the central frame (63, 64), and / or the drive member (71) comprises right and left drive members (71, 71) provided at respective end portions of the right and left divided side units positioned on one side of the central frame in the vehicle width direction, and / or the right and left drive members (71, 71) are connected to each other on one side of a rear surface of the central frame (63, 64). [5] The grille shutter fixing structure (1) of the motor vehicle according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the central frame (63, 64) is fixed or fixable such that the central frame (63, 64) connects the central portion in the width direction of the cowl upper (21) and the central portion in the width direction of the cowl lower (22), and / or wherein the central frame (63, 64) and / or the cowl upper (21) and the cowl lower (22) are configured to be integrated with the central stay (24). [6] A method for fixing a grille flap, comprising the steps of: Connecting a central portion in a width direction of a fairing upper part (21) of a fairing (2) and a central portion in the width direction of a fairing lower part (22) of the fairing (2) by means of a central strut (24), Mounting a grille flap unit (3) on one side of a rear surface of the panel (2), Mounting a driving actuator (31) for opening / closing a plurality of flaps (30) of the grille flap unit (3) on one side of a rear surface of the central strut (24), Providing the grille flap unit (3) with a central frame (63, 64), Mounting the central frame (63, 64) on the side of the rear surface of the central strut (24) substantially along the central strut (24), Arranging a drive member (71) which transmits a driving force of the driving actuator (31) to the flaps (30) along the central frame (63, 64), Providing a lock receiving portion (9) where a lock of a hood is received at the central portion in the width direction of the cowl upper (21) such that the lock receiving portion (9) protrudes substantially toward an opening portion formed on an inner side in an elevational view of the frame-shaped cowl (2), and / or arranging right and left indirect swing doors (30a1, 30a2, 30a3, 30a4) which are not directly driven by the drive member (71) on both right and left sides of the lock receiving portion (9), and / or arranging a second drive member (74) which is different from the drive member (71) on an outer side in the vehicle width direction of the indirect swing doors (30a1, 30a2, 30a3, 30a4) to drive the indirect swing doors (30a1, 30a2, 30a3, 30a4). [7] The method according to claim 6, wherein the central stay (24) is formed such that a lower part thereof is wider than an upper part thereof, and the driving actuator (31) is arranged on a side of a rear surface of the lower part of the central stay (24).

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