Tiltable, active air damper assembly

Abstract

A tiltable, active air flap assembly (20) for controlling an airflow through a radiator grille (12) into an engine compartment (11) of a vehicle, wherein the tiltable, active air flap assembly comprises: an air flap unit (21) comprising a plurality of air flaps (21a) arranged parallel to each other and configured to rotate simultaneously, such that when the plurality of air flaps is in an open configuration, airflow passes through the vehicle's radiator grille into the engine compartment, and when the plurality of air flaps (21a) is in a closed configuration, airflow into the engine compartment is blocked. a drive motor (24), a transmission means for transmitting a rotational force from the drive motor (24) to any of the plurality of air flaps (21a) and a tilting device which is actuatably connected to a drive gear (25) and coupled to at least one of the plurality of air flaps (21a), wherein an output gear (27) is arranged to move any one of the air flaps from an upper end and a lower end of the air flap assembly (21) along a longitudinal direction of the vehicle when each of the air flaps (21a) is rotated to close the radiator grille (12), wherein the tilting device comprises the output gear (27) coupled to a rotary shaft from any of the air flaps (21a), and a curved rack (28) arranged to mesh with one side of the output gear (27), and which is fixedly installed in a housing (29), and wherein the output gear (27) has a pinion part (27a) at which the rotational force of the drive motor (24) is input, and a gear section part (27b) which is formed integrally with the pinion part (27a) and meshes with the curved rack (28).

Description

Area

[0001] The present invention relates to controlling an airflow into an engine compartment through a radiator grille of a vehicle (e.g. motor vehicle). background

[0002] In a vehicle equipped with an internal combustion engine, the internal combustion engine can be kept at a suitable temperature by cooling with a coolant that is discharged from the hot internal combustion engine into a radiator located at the front of the vehicle, and then by forcing the coolant to flow back into the internal combustion engine to cool the internal combustion engine.

[0003] The radiator grille is usually always open, and as a result, air flowing through the radiator grille into the engine compartment acts as a driving resistance of the vehicle.

[0004] Furthermore, although it is not necessary for the internal combustion engine to be cooled when the internal combustion engine is in a cold state or when an electric motor of a hybrid vehicle is operating, air flows into the engine compartment through the open radiator grille, and as a result, driving resistance is increased.

[0005] In some cases, an active air flap assembly is installed in such a way that air is selectively introduced into the engine compartment 11, as shown in the Fig. 1 is shown.

[0006] In the active air flap assembly, a plurality of air flaps 121 are rotatably installed at the rear of the radiator grille 12 in the engine compartment 11, in such a way that they are open or are opened when it is necessary for the airflow to enter the engine compartment 11, with each of the air flaps 121 being rotated to be in contact with the other, adjacent air flaps in order to avoid or prevent the airflow from entering the engine compartment 11 when an inflow of the airflow is not required.

[0007] However, in some cases the air flap assembly in the related technology does not adequately block the flow of air into the radiator grille 12 and into the engine compartment 11, and therefore air flows into the engine compartment 11.

[0008] The radiator grille 12 is shaped in a curved form when viewed in cross-section as shown in the Fig. Figure 1 shows the situation. Therefore, the air flap 121, which is located on a lower section, is positioned farther away from the air flap 121 on the radiator grille 12, which is located on an upper section. Furthermore, in recent years, a start-stop coasting module 31, a front camera, and similar components have been installed on or in front of the radiator grille 12 to ensure functions related to autonomous driving or driving comfort. As a result, it is difficult to position the air flap 121, which is located on the lower section, in a more forward position to avoid obstruction.

[0009] Accordingly, even when the air flaps 121 are closed, air flows into the engine compartment through a space between a lower end of the air flap assembly and the radiator grille 12 or between the lower end of the air flap assembly and a rear or back support 14 that supports a bumper 15.

[0010] Although the air flap assembly is operated (in other words, the air flaps close the radiator grille), airflow enters the engine compartment 11, so the aerodynamic performance of the vehicle is worsened due to the inflow of airflow, and this results in worsened fuel efficiency.

[0011] For example, US 2006 / 0060401A1 discloses an active air flap assembly for controlling airflow through a radiator grille, comprising: an air flap unit having a plurality of air flaps arranged parallel to each other and configured to rotate simultaneously, such that when the plurality of air flaps are in an open configuration, air flows out through the radiator grille, and when the plurality of air flaps are in a closed configuration, the air is blocked; a drive motor; and a transmission means for transmitting a rotational force from the drive motor to any of the plurality of air flaps.

[0012] Furthermore, an air flap assembly is known from, for example, WO 2010 / 034 489 A1. Brief explanation

[0013] The present invention provides a tiltable, tiltable, or pivotable active air flap assembly (hereinafter referred to as: tiltable active air flap assembly) which is configured such that when the air flaps are actuated, they are tilted, inclined, or pivoted (hereinafter referred to as: tilted) so that no gap is formed between the air flaps (of the air flap assembly) and the components within the engine compartment.

[0014] The present invention can be understood from the following description and will become clear by reference to numerous embodiments of the present invention.

[0015] The present invention provides a tiltable, active air damper assembly with the features according to claim 1. Further embodiments of the air damper assembly are described in the dependent claims.

[0016] This means that the tiltable, active air flap assembly comprises: an air flap unit having a plurality of air flaps rotatably mounted in such a way that they are parallel to each other and can rotate simultaneously, so that airflow into an engine compartment through a vehicle's radiator grille or the airflow is prevented from entering; a drive motor; a transmission means for transmitting a rotational force from the drive motor to any of the plurality of air flaps; and a tilting mechanism or tilting means (hereinafter referred to as "tilting means") for moving any of the upper and lower ends of the air flap unit along a longitudinal direction of the vehicle when each of the air flaps is rotated to close the radiator grille. The tilting means further comprises an output gear (e.g.,The output gear (for outputting a rotary motion to one of the air flaps) is coupled to a rotary shaft of one of the air flaps and comprises a curved or bent (hereinafter referred to as: curved) rack that meshes with one side of the output gear and is fixed in a housing. The output gear also includes a pinion section, to which a rotary force from the drive motor is applied, and a gear section (e.g., an angle sector gear section) that is integrally formed with the pinion section and meshes with the curved rack.

[0017] The tiltable, active air flap assembly can be characterized, for example, by the fact that the radius (e.g. radius of curvature) of the curved rack is larger than that of the gear section part.

[0018] The tiltable, active air flap assembly can be characterized, for example, by the fact that the curved rack is shaped in a curvature form whose height increases along the longitudinal direction of the vehicle.

[0019] The tiltable, active air flap assembly can be characterized, for example, by the fact that a plurality of transmission means (e.g. gears) are provided between the drive motor and the pinion part for transmitting a rotational force from the drive motor to the output gear.

[0020] The tiltable, active air flap assembly can be characterized, for example, by the fact that at least one gear element is provided between the drive motor and the pinion part.

[0021] The tiltable, active air flap assembly can be characterized, for example, by the fact that a drive gear is attached to a rotating shaft of the drive motor and an intermediate gear is provided between the drive gear and the pinion part to transmit a rotational force from the drive motor to the output gear.

[0022] The tiltable, active air damper assembly can, for example, be characterized by the fact that an intermediate gear guide groove and an output gear guide groove are formed in the housing to guide the rotation of the intermediate gear and the output gear around the drive gear when the intermediate gear and the output gear rotate on their respective axes.

[0023] The tiltable, active air flap assembly can be characterized, for example, by the fact that the output gear is coupled to a rotary shaft of the air flap, which is located at a lowest position of the air flaps.

[0024] The tiltable, active air damper assembly can be characterized, for example, by the fact that one side of the air damper, which is located at the uppermost position of the air dampers, is rotatably installed in the housing.

[0025] The tiltable, active air flap assembly can be characterized, for example, by the fact that the curved rack is shaped in a curvature form whose height increases towards the front of the vehicle.

[0026] The tiltable, active air flap assembly can be characterized, for example, by the fact that each side (e.g., left side or right side in relation to the vehicle) of the air flaps is connected to each other by locking connecting elements, so that the air flaps are locked or coupled to each other.

[0027] The tiltable, active air damper assembly can be characterized, for example, by the fact that the upper, adjacent air dampers are connected to each other at one end from the left and right end of the air dampers by a locking connecting element, while the lower, adjacent air dampers are connected to each other at the other end from the left and right end of the air dampers by a locking connecting element.

[0028] The tiltable, active air flap assembly according to the present invention, which has the features described above, enables the air flaps to be tilted when the air flaps are actuated (in other words, when the air flaps close the radiator grille), so that the upper and lower ends of the air flaps used or installed are brought into close contact with the components inside the engine compartment.

[0029] In this way, the upper and lower ends of the air flaps can be in close contact (e.g., without a gap) with the components inside the engine compartment, so that once the air flaps are actuated, it is possible to prevent air or wind from flowing into the engine compartment, thereby improving the aerodynamic performance of the vehicle.

[0030] If the vehicle's aerodynamic performance is improved, the vehicle's fuel efficiency is correspondingly improved.

[0031] Other areas of application will become clear from the description given herein. It should be understood that the description and specific examples are intended solely for illustrative purposes and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. Brief description of the drawings

[0032] To ensure that the invention is well understood, numerous embodiments thereof are now described in the form of examples, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which air flaps are installed (open) within an engine compartment according to the relevant technology, Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which air dampers are used or installed (closed) according to the relevant technology, Fig. 3 a perspective view of a tiltable, active air damper assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 4 is a side view showing an arrangement of an output gear and a curved rack in a tiltable, active air damper assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 5 is a perspective view showing a state in which a tiltable, active air damper assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention is actuated. Fig. 6 is a side view showing an arrangement state of an output gear and a curved rack when a tiltable, active air flap assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention is actuated, and Fig. Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which a tiltable, active air flap assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention is actuated in an engine compartment.

[0033] The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way. Detailed description

[0034] A tiltable, active air damper assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention is described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0035] A tiltable, active air flap assembly 20 according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises an air flap unit 21, which has a plurality of air flaps 21a rotatably installed in such a way that they are arranged parallel to each other and can be rotated simultaneously or synchronously, so that an airflow through a radiator grille 12 of a vehicle flows into the engine compartment or the airflow is blocked, a drive motor 24, a transmission means for transmitting a rotational force from the drive motor 24 to any of the plurality of air flaps 21a and a tilting means for moving any of the upper and lower ends of the air flap unit 21 along a longitudinal direction of the vehicle when each of the air flaps 21a is rotated to close the radiator grille 12.

[0036] A plurality of air flaps 21a are arranged within the engine compartment 11. The plurality of air flaps 21a are arranged along a vertical direction (e.g. up-down direction) of the vehicle behind the radiator grille 12 in the engine compartment 11.

[0037] The air flaps 21a are rotatably installed such that airflow can enter the engine compartment 11 when the air flaps are parallel to the ground (e.g., the road) (i.e., an open configuration). Conversely, when the air flaps are oriented essentially vertically to the ground and are in vertical contact with adjacent air flaps 21a (i.e., a closed configuration), the flow of air or airflow into the engine compartment 11 is blocked by the radiator grille 12.

[0038] The air flaps 21a are installed to be locked or coupled to each other by a respective locking connecting element 22. The air flaps 21a are locked or coupled to each other in such a way that they are held at the same angle of rotation. A locking connecting element 22 for locking or coupling the air flaps 21a is connected to one side of the air flaps 21a (e.g., two adjacent air flaps are locked or coupled to each other on the same side, e.g., their right or left side relative to the vehicle, by the locking connecting element), so that the air flaps 21a are rotated simultaneously at the same angle.

[0039] Accordingly, a unit of air flaps 21a, which are locked or coupled together, forms an air flap unit 21, so that they are rotated simultaneously to open or close the radiator grille 12. The air flap unit 21 can be tilted in such a way that a lower end of the air flap unit 21 is movable in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle with respect to an upper end thereof. If desired, the air flap unit can be tilted in such a way that the upper end of the air flap unit 21 is moved in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle with respect to the lower end thereof.

[0040] A pivot shaft from one of the air flaps 21a, on which the air flap unit 21 is not moved (e.g., tilted), for example the uppermost air flap 21a, can be rotatably installed in the housing 29, e.g. by means of a bearing 23 (e.g. ball bearing), in which the air flap unit 21 is installed. In this case, the uppermost air flap 21a can be coupled to the housing 29 by means of the bearing 23.

[0041] The tilting device forces one end and the other from the lower end of the air flap assembly 21 to move along the longitudinal direction of the vehicle when the air flaps 21a of the air flap assembly 21 are rotated to close the radiator grille 12. This aspect shows an example where the tilting device forces the lower end of the air flap assembly 21 to move forward in the vehicle. When the tilting device forces the lower end of the air flap assembly 21 to move forward in the vehicle, with the end of the air flap 21a located in the lowest position of the air flaps 21a coming into contact with the radiator grille 12 or a rear support 14 carrying a bumper 15, the air flap 21a prevents air from flowing through a space (e.g., a gap) between structures within the engine compartment 11 once the air flaps are actuated (in other words, the air flaps close the radiator grille).

[0042] A specific example of the tilting means can be an output gear 27 for rotating an air flap 21a and a curved rack 28 which is provided inside the engine compartment 11 to mesh with the output gear 27.

[0043] The output gear 27 is coupled to the drive motor 24 for rotating the air flaps 21a by means of a transmission, such as a drive gear 25 attached to a rotating shaft of the drive motor 24 and an intermediate gear 26 which meshes with the drive gear 25, causing it to be rotated by the drive motor 24. The output gear 27 has a pinion 27a which meshes with the intermediate gear 26, so that the output gear 27 rotates when the drive motor 24 rotates. A rotating shaft of the output gear 27 is coupled to any of the air flaps 21a to rotate the air flaps 21a. Since the air flaps 21a are arranged to be interlocked or coupled to each other, even if only one of the air flaps 21a is rotated, the remaining air flaps 21a are rotated simultaneously with it.

[0044] The output gear 27 is formed with a gear section 27b. The gear section 27b is integrally formed with the pinion section 27a and has the same center of rotation as the pinion section 27a. The gear section 27b is configured so that the output gear 27 meshes with the curved rack 28 between an angle at which the air flap unit 21 fully opens the radiator grille 12 and an angle (e.g., the gear section meshes / rolls within this angle with / on the rack) at which the air flap unit closes the radiator grille 12.

[0045] The intermediate gear 26 and the output gear 27 rotate around the drive gear 25 by means of guide grooves 29a and 29b, respectively, which are formed in the housing 29. The guide grooves formed in the housing 29 are an intermediate gear guide groove 29a, which has a rotating shaft of the drive gear 25 as its center of gravity or center of curvature and receives or guides a rotating shaft of the intermediate gear 26 therein, and an output gear guide groove 29b, which has the rotating shaft of the drive gear 25 as its center of gravity or center of curvature and receives or guides the rotating shaft of the output gear 27 therein. When the drive gear 25 is rotated, the intermediate gear 26 and the output gear 27 rotate about their respective axes and simultaneously rotate at the same angular velocity due to the intermediate gear guide groove 29a and the output gear guide grooves 21b (about the drive gear 25's rotating shaft) in order to open or close the air flaps 21a.

[0046] The curved rack 28 is fixedly installed inside the engine compartment 11, for example in or on the housing 29 in which the air flap unit 21 is installed. The curved rack 28 is shaped in a curvature whose height increases in the tilting direction of the air flap unit 21. For example, if it is assumed that the lower end of the air flap unit 21 is raised while moving towards the front of the vehicle, the curved rack 28 is configured to rise higher in the direction towards the front of the vehicle.

[0047] The inner radius of the curved rack 28 is shaped to be larger than a radius of the gear section part 27b.

[0048] Furthermore, the curved rack 28 is arranged to form a circular arc which is part of a circular arc which has the pivot point of the drive motor 24 as its center of gravity or midpoint.

[0049] When the curved rack 28 meshes with the gear section part 27b of the output gear 27 and therefore the output gear 27 is rotated, the output gear 27 moves along the curved rack 28 while rotating about the center (axis) of the output gear 27, thereby tilting the air flap unit 21.

[0050] The operation of the tiltable, active air damper assembly, which has the features described above, is described below according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0051] The Fig. 3 and Fig. Figure 4 shows the state before the air flaps are actuated.

[0052] Before the air flaps are actuated, i.e. when the radiator grille 12 is open, the air flaps 21a are essentially parallel to the ground, so that the airflow passes through the space between the air flaps 21a into the engine compartment 11.

[0053] Simultaneously, the intermediate gear 26 and the output gear 27 (e.g., a virtual connecting line of their axes of rotation) are held essentially perpendicular to the ground. In particular, the output gear 27 meshes with the lowermost side, surface, or section of the curved rack 28.

[0054] On the other hand, if the engine is cold or a hybrid vehicle is operating in electric mode, it may be undesirable for airflow to enter the engine compartment 11. In this case, the flaps are actuated to block airflow through the radiator grille 12.

[0055] For this purpose, electrical energy is supplied to the drive motor 24 to rotate its axis of rotation, and the rotational force of the drive motor 24 is transmitted to the air damper unit 21 via the drive gear 25, the intermediate gear 26, and the output gear 27. The air dampers 21a are arranged in the air damper unit 21 and are locked or coupled to each other by a respective locking connecting element 22. Therefore, when rotational force is applied from the output gear 27 to any of the air dampers 21a, the air dampers 21a begin to rotate simultaneously.

[0056] Subsequently, when the air flaps have been rotated to a large or maximum extent, one air flap 21a contacts the other air flap 21a which is adjacent to it in the vertical direction, thereby preventing the airflow from passing through the radiator grille 12.

[0057] At this point, the upper or lower end of the air flap unit 21 is moving in the front-to-back direction of the vehicle, and therefore one end of the (e.g., uppermost or lowermost) air flap 21a contacts an surrounding structure or other parts, so that air is prevented from entering from the edge of the air flap unit 21, thus preventing the airflow from entering the engine compartment 11.

[0058] The air flap unit 21 can be configured such that either the upper or lower end of the air flap unit 21, in some cases the lower end of the air flap unit 21, is moved (or tilted) forward in the vehicle by the tilting means, thereby bringing the lower end of the air flap unit 21 into close contact with the radiator grille 12.

[0059] The process of tilting the lower end of the air flap unit 21 is now described in detail below.

[0060] When the drive motor 24 is driven to rotate the air flaps 21a, the air flaps 21a are rotated by a rotary force transmitted from the drive gear 25 via the output gear 27. At this time, the intermediate gear 26 and the output gear 27 rotate about their respective axes, and simultaneously they rotate around the drive gear 25 while being guided by the guide grooves 29a and 29b. When the output gear 27 rotates concurrently with the (previously described) rotation, the shaft of the output gear 27 moves along the curved rack 28, since the gear section 27b of the output gear 27 is in the position where it meshes with the curved rack 28.

[0061] The curved rack 28 is shaped to have a curvature whose height increases towards the front of the vehicle. Accordingly, when the output gear 27 is rotated, the rotating shaft of the output gear 27 moves along the curvature of the curved rack 28, while the gear section part 27b moves on the curved rack 28.

[0062] At this point, the lowest air flap 21a, which is coupled to the output gear 27, also moves along the curvature of the curved rack 28. Since the curved rack 28 is shaped such that its curvature increases towards the front of the vehicle, the air flap 21a, in its lowest position, is rotated along the curvature of the curved rack 28 in the direction of closing the radiator grille 12 and is simultaneously moved further forward than its initial position (i.e., a position where the radiator grille is open).

[0063] When the air flaps 21a are moved forward to their lowest position in the vehicle, and at the same time the air flaps 21a close the radiator grille 12, the air flap 21a in its lowest position comes into contact with the radiator grille 12 or a rear support 14 that carries the bumper 15. Since no gap is formed between any of the air flaps 21a and the structures within the engine compartment 11, such as the radiator grille 12 or the rear support 14, when the air flap assembly 20 is actuated (i.e., when the radiator grille is / becomes closed), the airflow is prevented from entering the engine compartment 11, thus improving the vehicle's aerodynamic performance.

[0064] On the other hand, the drive gear 25, the intermediate gear 26, and the output gear 27 are arranged such that their rotating shafts are fixed relative to each other when the output gear 27 is rotated. Accordingly, when the rotating shaft of the output gear 27 revolves around the drive gear 25 while the output gear 27 is moved along the curved rack 28, the rotating shaft of the intermediate gear 26 revolves around the rotating shaft of the drive gear 25 at an angle equal to the rotation angle of the rotating shaft of the output gear 27.

[0065] Furthermore, since the intermediate gear 26 is arranged such that when the rotating shaft of the intermediate gear 26 together with the output gear 27 rotates around the rotating shaft of the drive gear 25 while the output gear 27 moves on the curved rack 28, the intermediate gear 26 is also moved to transmit the rotational force of the drive motor 24 to the output gear 27.

Claims

[1] A tiltable active air flap assembly (20) for controlling an airflow through a radiator grille (12) into an engine compartment (11) of a vehicle, wherein the tiltable active air flap assembly comprises: an air flap unit (21) comprising a plurality of air flaps (21a) arranged parallel to each other and configured to rotate simultaneously, such that when the plurality of air flaps is in an open configuration, airflow passes through the vehicle's radiator grille into the engine compartment, and when the plurality of air flaps (21a) is in a closed configuration, airflow into the engine compartment is blocked. a drive motor (24), a transmission means for transmitting a rotational force from the drive motor (24) to any of the plurality of air flaps (21a) and a tilting device which is actuatably connected to a drive gear (25) and coupled to at least one of the plurality of air flaps (21a), wherein an output gear (27) is arranged to move any one of the air flaps from an upper end and a lower end of the air flap assembly (21) along a longitudinal direction of the vehicle when each of the air flaps (21a) is rotated to close the radiator grille (12), wherein the tilting means comprises the output gear (27) coupled to a rotary shaft from any of the air flaps (21a), and a curved rack (28) arranged to mesh with one side of the output gear (27), and which is fixedly installed in a housing (29), and wherein the output gear (27) has a pinion part (27a) at which the rotational force of the drive motor (24) is input, and a gear section part (27b) which is formed integrally with the pinion part (27a) and meshes with the curved rack (28). [2] The tiltable, active air flap assembly (20) according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of transmission means for transmitting the rotational force of the drive motor (24) to the output gear (27) is provided between the drive motor (24) and the pinion part (27b). [3] The tiltable, active air flap assembly (20) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein at least one gear element is provided between the drive motor (24) and the pinion part (27b). [4] The tiltable active air flap assembly (20) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the drive gear (25) is attached to a rotary shaft of the drive motor (24) and an intermediate gear (26) is provided between the drive gear (25) and the pinion part (27a) for transmitting the rotational force of the drive gear (25) to the output gear (27). [5] The tiltable active air flap assembly (20) according to claim 4, wherein an intermediate gear guide groove (29a) and an output gear guide groove (29b) are formed in the housing (29) to guide the intermediate gear (26) and the output gear (27) to rotate around the drive gear (25) when the intermediate gear and the output gear rotate on their respective axes. [6] The tiltable, active air flap assembly (20) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the output gear (27) is coupled to a rotary shaft of the air flap (21a) which is arranged at a lowest position of the air flaps (21a). [7] The tiltable, active air flap assembly (20) according to claim 6, wherein one side of the air flap (21a), which is arranged at a topmost position of the air flaps (21a), is rotatably installed in the housing (29). [8] The tiltable, active air flap assembly (20) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the plurality of air flaps (21a) are arranged to be connected to each other by a locking connecting element (22) at one end of a left and a right end of at least one of the air flaps (21a).

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