Ventilation flap of a fairing part, namely a front part or a rear part, of a vehicle

Abstract

Ventilation flap (100) of a covering part, namely a front part or a rear part, of a vehicle, with a frame (102), with a plurality of slats (104) which are designed to be pivotable relative to the frame (102), with a drive device (10) for adjusting the slats (104) of the ventilation flap (100) for the vehicle, wherein the drive device (10) comprises an actuator (12), an output shaft (14) for pivoting the slats (104) and a gear (16) connected between the actuator (12) and the output shaft (14), which gear is driven by the actuator (12) and drives the output shaft (14), wherein the transmission (16) is designed as a separate gear transmission (16) arranged downstream of the actuator (12), characterized in that the gear (16) is designed with non-circular gears (18, 20), namely with a first non-circular gear (18) which is driven by the actuator (12), and a second non-circular gear (20) meshing therewith, which drives the output shaft (14), wherein the gears (18, 20) are designed such that they have a large transmission ratio in a first rotational position, namely in a closed position of the slats (104), wherein the transmission ratio decreases with increasing angle of rotation of the output shaft (14), in the direction of an open position of the slats (104), and the slats (104) are pivotably mounted eccentrically relative to the frame (102), outside the plane of the frame (102).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a ventilation flap of a trim part, namely a front part or a rear part, of a vehicle.

[0002] DE 10 2014 107 103 A1 discloses an actuator for a ventilation grille flap assembly comprising a motor with a motor shaft, an output with an output shaft, and a gear train connecting the motor shaft to the output shaft. All components are combined into one actuator or integrated into its housing. This actuator can be used to actuate slats of the ventilation grille flap assembly. If the requirements for the ventilation grille flap assembly change, the actuator must be redesigned. This involves considerable effort and expense.

[0003] US 2017 / 0 297 424 A1 discloses a ventilation flap of a front part of a vehicle according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0004] DE 10 2004 054 570 A1 and DE 697 07 755 T2 disclose flaps of interior components.

[0005] The object of the invention is to provide an improved ventilation flap for a vehicle trim part with improved adjustment of the louvres of the ventilation flap. It is desirable that the louvres can be opened quickly and powerfully.

[0006] This object is achieved by a ventilation flap of a trim part of a vehicle according to claim 1.

[0007] The ventilation flap (cooling air flap) is used for the front or rear section of a vehicle. The ventilation flap has a frame, several louvres (cooling air louvres) pivotally coupled to the frame, and a drive device. The output shaft of the drive device is coupled to the louvres, allowing the louvres to be pivoted relative to the frame by means of the drive device.

[0008] The ventilation flap drive device is used to adjust the slats (cooling air slats) of a ventilation flap (cooling air flap) for a vehicle. The drive device comprises an actuator, an output shaft for pivoting the slats, and a gear connected between the actuator and the output shaft. The gear is driven by the actuator and drives the output shaft. The gear is designed as a gear transmission with non-circular gears connected downstream of the actuator (a separate non-circular gear transmission designed as a downstream transmission).

[0009] The separate design of the actuator and downstream gear (modular structure) allows for flexible packaging. This allows the actuator to be arranged flexibly, as it does not have to be positioned in the axial direction of the slats, as is the case with an actuator with an integrated gear. Furthermore, the use of an inexpensive, simple actuator in large quantities is possible (cost-effective). The downstream gear allows for a vehicle-specific design of the required gear ratio, taking into account the torque requirements (torque requirements and characteristics depend on the vehicle's maximum speed, the module size, and the position of the rotation axis). The variable gear ratio, thanks to the non-circular gears, allows the required torque to be provided while simultaneously maintaining the opening duration.

[0010] The actuator, in particular, comprises an electric motor with a motor shaft. The actuator can be coupled to the transmission via the motor shaft.

[0011] The gear transmission comprises a first non-circular gear, which is driven by the actuator (e.g., by the motor shaft of the electric motor), and a second non-circular gear meshing with it, which drives the output shaft. The gears are designed such that they have a large gear ratio (e.g., a gear ratio of 5:1) in a first rotational position (closed position of the output shaft or the plates). The gear ratio decreases with increasing rotation angle of the output shaft (pivoting from the closed position toward the open position) (e.g., the gear ratio can be 1:1 in the open position).

[0012] At the start of rotation, a high torque can be provided at the output shaft (slats are still closed). This means that the slats can be opened even when wind load (headwind) is acting on the slats. The required torque is provided by a high initial gear ratio (slats open slowly). As soon as the slats are slightly open (headwind flows behind the slats), the required torque drops. The gear ratio is reduced to the minimum torque in favor of rapid opening. The slats are then open. The high initial torque is advantageous for reliable opening of the slats at high speeds and also for breaking free if the slats are icy in winter.

[0013] The slats are mounted eccentrically to pivot relative to the frame (the slats are mounted outside the frame plane). This allows the cooling air flap to be designed with comparatively tight airflow when the slats are closed. This contributes to a reduction in the drag coefficient when the slats are closed.

[0014] Preferably, the gears (first gear and second gear) can each be designed as non-circular pitch circle gears (non-circular pitch circle gear pair). This saves installation space and material. Since the opening angle of the slats is only approximately 30° to 90° (depending on the position in the vehicle), a complete gear is not necessary. The shape of the gears can be designed to correspond to the transmission / angle ratio of the determined function graph. This can be freely determined depending on requirements.

[0015] Preferably, the gear transmission can be adjusted in size and / or position relative to the output shaft by adjusting the center distance (distance between the rotational axis of the output shaft and the pitch circle of the second gear, or distance between the drive axis of the actuator and the pitch circle of the first gear) and / or the axis length (axial length of the output shaft). This contributes to flexible positioning and / or alignment of the downstream transmission. The center distance can be changed while maintaining the same radius ratio of the gears. The transmission ratio characteristics remain unchanged.

[0016] Preferably, the actuator can be freely arranged within the effective radius of the second gear. In other words, the output shaft of the actuator's electric motor can be arranged within the effective radius of the second gear. Alternatively or additionally, the actuator can be rotatable about its own axis (the axis of the rotor shaft of the actuator's electric motor). These measures contribute to flexible packaging. Thus, the actuator can be arranged in different positions and / or orientations compared to an actuator with an integrated gear.

[0017] The frame can be a frame element (separate from the trim part) or a section of the vehicle's trim part. The slats can be pivoted relative to the frame between a closed and an open position. In the closed position, the slats largely or completely close off the clear cross-section delimited by the frame. For this purpose, the slats can rest against each other and against the frame (sealing frame) in the closed position. In the open position, the slats are each pivoted by a defined opening angle relative to the frame (opening angle, for example, 30° to 90°).

[0018] Preferably, the slats can be pivotably coupled to one another by means of a coupling element, for example, a coupling rod. This allows the slats to be pivoted together in a structurally simple manner.

[0019] This also contributes to a flexible arrangement of the drive device, as it can engage any slat. The slats can each have a pivot lever (possibly connected to the slats in a rotationally fixed manner) that is pivotally coupled to the coupling element. The slats can each have a bearing pin protruding from the slat on either side, with the bearing pins of a slat forming the pivot axis of that slat. The pivot lever can optionally extend from one of the bearing pins.

[0020] Preferably, the slats can be designed in such a way that adjacent slats at least partially overlap in the closed position. This contributes to a reduction of the c w -value in the closed position of the slats. The overlap can be designed such that a slat has a stepped section at both ends.

[0021] At a first end, the slat may have a first stepped section on a first slat side. At a second end, the slat may have a second stepped section on a second slat side (opposite the first slat side). When the slats are in the closed position, the stepped sections of adjacent ends of neighboring slats may abut one another. This promotes the sealing of the slats and contributes to a low thickness of the slats in the overlapping area.

[0022] Further advantageous embodiments will become apparent from the following description and the drawing. The drawing shows. Fig. 1 schematically shows a perspective view of a ventilation flap, Fig. 2a, b schematically shows a longitudinal section of the ventilation flap from Fig. 1, once with slats in closed position ( Fig. 2a) and once in open position ( Fig. 2b), and Fig. 3 schematically shows the ventilation flap Fig. 1 with illustrated arrangement area for the drive device.

[0023] In Fig. Figure 1 schematically shows a perspective view of a ventilation flap 100 for a vehicle. The ventilation flap 100 serves for a vehicle, in particular for a trim part (front part or rear part) of a vehicle.

[0024] The ventilation flap 100 has a frame 102, a plurality of slats 104, which are designed to be pivotable relative to the frame 102, and a drive device 10. An output shaft 14 of the drive device 10 is coupled to the slats 104, so that the slats 104 can be pivoted relative to the frame 102 by means of the drive device 10. The slats 104 can be moved relative to the frame 102 between a closed position (see Fig. 2a) and an open position (cf. Fig. 2b) pivotable.

[0025] In closed position (cf. Fig. 2a), the slats 104 largely or completely close the clear cross-section 106 delimited to the outside by the frame 102. For this purpose, the slats 104 can rest against each other and against the frame 102 in the closed position. In the open position (cf. Fig. 2b) the slats 104 are pivoted by a defined opening angle relative to the frame 102 (opening angle of e.g. 30°).

[0026] The slats 104 are mounted eccentrically pivotable relative to the frame 102 (cf. Fig. 1, Fig. 2a, Fig. 2b). In other words, the bearing of the slats 104 is arranged outside the plane of the frame 102.

[0027] The slats 104 are pivotally coupled to one another by means of a coupling element 108 (cf. Fig. 1 and Fig. 2a). In the example, the coupling element 108 is designed as a coupling rod. The slats 104 each have a pivoting lever 110 connected to them in a rotationally fixed manner and pivotably coupled to the coupling element 108. The slats 104 can each have a bearing pin 112, 114 projecting from the slat 104 on either side, with the bearing pins 112, 114 of a slat 104 forming the pivot axis of this slat 104. The pivoting lever 110 can extend from one of the bearing pins 112, 114.

[0028] In the example, the slats 104 are designed in such a way that adjacent slats 104 partially overlap in the closed position (cf. Fig. 2a). The overlap can be designed such that a slat 104 has a stepped section 120, 122 at each of its ends 116, 118 (cf. Fig. 2a, Fig. 2b). The stepped portion 120 is located on a first slat side 124, and the stepped portion 122 is located on a second slat side 126. In the closed position of the slats 104, the stepped portions 120, 122 of adjacent ends 120, 122 of adjacent slats 104 can abut one another.

[0029] The drive device 10 is described in more detail below. The drive device 10 serves to adjust the slats 104 of the ventilation flap 100. The drive device 10 has an actuator 12, the output shaft 14 for pivoting the slats 104, and a gear 16 connected between the actuator 12 and the output shaft 14, which is driven by the actuator 12 and drives the output shaft 14. The gear 16 is designed as a gear transmission with non-circular gears 18, 20 connected downstream of the actuator 12.

[0030] The actuator 12 has an electric motor (not shown in detail) with a motor shaft 22 (cf. Fig. 1). The actuator 12 is coupled to the gear 16 via the motor shaft 22.

[0031] The gear transmission 16 has a first non-circular gear 18, which is driven by the actuator 12, and a second non-circular gear 20 meshing therewith, which drives the output shaft 14.

[0032] The gears 18, 20 are designed in such a way that they are in a first rotational position (closed position of the output shaft 14 or the slats 104; cf. Fig. 2a) have a large gear ratio (in the example, a gear ratio of 5:1). The gear ratio of this rotational position is determined based on the effective radius r 1 of the first gear 18 and the effective radius r 2 of the gear 20 is illustrated (cf. Fig. 2a).

[0033] The transmission ratio increases with increasing angle of rotation of the output shaft 14 (pivoting from the closed position towards the open position; see Fig. 2b) (in the example, the transmission ratio in the open position is 1:1). The transmission ratio of this rotational position is determined based on the effective radius r 1 ' of the first gear 18 and the effective radius r 2 ' of the gear 20 (cf. Fig. 2b).

[0034] The gears 18 and 20 are each designed as non-circular pitch gears. Since the opening angle of the slats 104 in the example is only approximately 30°, a complete gear is unnecessary.

[0035] Fig. 3 shows the area in which the actuator 12 can be arranged.

[0036] The gear transmission 16 can be arranged by center distance A 1 , A 2 (Distance A 2between the rotation axis of the output shaft 14 and the pitch circle of the second gear 20 or distance A 1 between the motor shaft 22 of the actuator 12 and the pitch circle of the first gear 18) and / or axis length L (axial length of the output shaft 14) can be adjusted in size and / or position relative to the output shaft 14. With the radius ratio of the gears 18, 20 remaining the same, the center distance A 1 , A 2 The translation characteristics remain unchanged.

[0037] The actuator can be freely arranged within the effective radius W of the second gear 20. Thus, the output shaft 14 of the electric motor of the actuator 12 can be arranged within the effective radius W of the second gear 20. Furthermore, the actuator 12 can be rotatable about its own axis (axis of the motor shaft 22 of the electric motor of the actuator 12). The actuator 12 can be arranged in different positions and / or orientations compared to an actuator with an integrated gear (In Fig. 3 shows three possible positions of the actuator 12, 12', 12" as examples).

Claims

[1] Ventilation flap (100) of a covering part, namely a front part or a rear part, of a vehicle, with a frame (102), with a plurality of slats (104) which are designed to be pivotable relative to the frame (102), with a drive device (10) for adjusting the slats (104) of the ventilation flap (100) for the vehicle, wherein the drive device (10) comprises an actuator (12), an output shaft (14) for pivoting the slats (104) and a gear (16) connected between the actuator (12) and the output shaft (14), which gear is driven by the actuator (12) and drives the output shaft (14), wherein the transmission (16) is designed as a separate gear transmission (16) arranged downstream of the actuator (12), characterized by , that the gear (16) is designed with non-circular gears (18, 20), namely with a first non-circular gear (18) which is driven by the actuator (12), and a second non-circular gear (20) meshing therewith, which drives the output shaft (14), wherein the gears (18, 20) are designed such that they have a large transmission ratio in a first rotational position, namely in a closed position of the slats (104), wherein the transmission ratio decreases with increasing angle of rotation of the output shaft (14), in the direction of an open position of the slats (104), and the slats (104) are pivotably mounted eccentrically relative to the frame (102), outside the plane of the frame (102). [2] Ventilation flap (100) according to claim 1, characterized by that the gears (18, 20) are each designed as non-circular pitch circle gears. [3] Ventilation flap (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the gear transmission (16) is separated by the center distance (A 1 , A 2 ) and / or axis length (L) is adjustable in size and / or position relative to the output shaft (14). [4] Ventilation flap (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the actuator (12) can be freely arranged in the effective radius (W) of the second gear (20) and / or that the actuator (12) is rotatable about its own axis (M). [5] Ventilation flap (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the slats (104) are pivotally coupled to one another by means of a coupling element (108). [6] Ventilation flap (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the slats (104) are designed such that adjacent slats (104) partially overlap in the closed position.

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