Radiator closure device with at least one closure element movable between an open position and a closed position by winding and unwinding, for a radiator module or for a radiator grille of a vehicle.

Abstract

Radiator closure device (20) with at least one closure element (24) movable between a closed position and an open position by means of a drive by winding and unwinding for a radiator module (18) or a radiator grille (16) of a motor vehicle (10), wherein the at least one closure element (24) in the closed position is at least part of a closure element sealing surface and wherein the closure element (24) in the closed position opposes a flow through the closure element sealing surface, wherein the drive is functionally coupled to at least one separate partial closure element (38) in such a way that by moving the partial closure element (38) into an open position of the partial closure element (38) a partial surface of the closure element sealing surface can be opened as required for a partial cooling airflow, characterized by that the coupling between the drive and the partial locking element (38) is realized indirectly via the at least one locking element (24) and at least one coupling element (40), wherein the locking element (24) can be moved further after a movement from the open position to the closed position and the coupling element (40) is arranged such that by moving the locking element (24) further by means of the coupling element (40) an action is taken on the at least one partial locking element (38) in order to move the partial locking element (38) into an open position.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a radiator closure device with a closure element for a radiator module or radiator grille of a motor vehicle, which can be moved between an open position and a closed position by means of a drive mechanism through winding and unwinding. The closure element, by moving into the closed position, counteracts the flow through a sealing surface of the closure element. In practice, the closure element is typically moved into the closed position when flow through the sealing surface of the closure element is not required because no airflow is needed for cooling. In this case, the closed position and the prevention of airflow reduce the air resistance of a vehicle, thus increasing its efficiency.

[0002] Flexible elements that can be wound and unwound via a drive shaft are particularly suitable as closure elements according to the invention. In this context, particular reference is made to closure elements in the form of textiles, films, and other flexible and windable materials. A motor is used as the drive element for the drive shaft. Radiator closure devices with flexible elements that can be wound and unwound by means of a drive shaft are frequently referred to in practice as radiator blinds.

[0003] In practice, louvers or other elements are also used, which are twisted and / or moved in a different way to switch between an open and a closed position. Such radiator shutter devices are often referred to as louvers or blinds.

[0004] In practice, there are also blinds with slats that can not only be rotated and / or otherwise moved between an open and a closed position, but whose slats can also be completely retracted into an open position to fully or almost completely expose a sealing surface of the closure element. However, blinds with slats are not usually movable between an open and a closed position by winding and unwinding.

[0005] Since all the above-described variants of radiator closure devices are intended for vehicles, in particular for motor vehicles, explicit reference is made here to vehicles or motor vehicles with a radiator closure device within the meaning of the invention.

[0006] From DE 10 2016 219 057 A1, a device for adjusting air guides associated with an air guide opening of a body structure is known. This device has louvers that cannot be moved between an open position and a closed position by winding and unwinding.

[0007] From DE 10 2020 108 906 A1, an air damper arrangement with asynchronously movable air damper panels is known. These air dampers also cannot be moved between an open position and a closed position by winding and unwinding.

[0008] From DE 10 2020 111 714 A1, a control mechanism for actuating the closing devices of an airflow control system of a vehicle is known. These closing devices also have a plurality of louvers that cannot be moved between an open position and a closed position by winding and unwinding.

[0009] From DE 10 2019 002 333 A1, a cooling air control system for a motor vehicle is known, which has a lower cooling opening and an upper cooling opening with a first closing element and a second closing element. The closing elements are flaps that can be moved by an actuator and a coupling device. The flaps cannot be moved between an open position and a closed position by winding and unwinding.

[0010] From DE 10 2010 012 485 A1, a radiator shutter device in the form of a radiator roller blind for a motor vehicle is known, comprising a first heat exchanger and a second heat exchanger, wherein the second heat exchanger is arranged offset from the first heat exchanger in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. A radiator roller blind, referred to as a flow control device, is arranged in the space between the first and second heat exchangers. The roller blind has a cross-sectional area through which cooling air can flow, and its permeability to cooling air is adjustable. The flow control device can have a frame through which cooling air can flow, on which at least one actuator, which changes the cross-sectional area through which the flow is directed, is slidably and / or pivotably arranged. In this context, reference is made to louvers, flaps, and surface structures in the form of roller blind panels. Furthermore, reference is made to a drive arranged on the top side in the form of a drive shaft.

[0011] From DE 102 35 192 A1, a cooling system for vehicles and a method for controlling at least one mass flow of air passing through a radiator are known. Also in connection with this cooling system, reference is made to a radiator shutter device in the form of an adjustable radiator roller blind, wherein an air-permeable support in the form of a support grid is provided to support the radiator roller blind against excessively high air pressure.

[0012] From DE 10 2014 117 817 A1, a radiator shutter device for regulating airflow to a vehicle's radiator, similar to a radiator blind, is known. This device comprises at least one cover element with a covering element for closing an opening and with a bearing element for movably mounting the covering element in a bearing receptacle of a carrier. In an operating position, the cover element is mounted in the carrier such that movement of the cover element between an open position (for at least partial release of the opening) and the closed position is possible. Furthermore, in an assembly position, the covering element can be partially inserted into a free space of the bearing receptacle.

[0013] From DE 20 2017 102 954 U1, a radiator shutter device in the form of a retractable flexible radiator blind is known, comprising one or more drive elements for moving the flexible radiator blind between an extended and a retracted position. Furthermore, a motor is provided which is operatively connected to the one or more drive elements. Support struts arranged behind the radiator blind are intended to support the radiator blind from behind in the extended position.

[0014] From DE 85 10 723 U1, a radiator shutter device in the form of a radiator roller blind with an electric motor and automatic limit switch is known. This radiator roller blind consists of an arrangement that includes, in particular, an upper shaft, a lower shaft, and a PVC tarpaulin fabric firmly connected to the lower shaft.

[0015] From DE 10 2019 106 828 A1 a device for closing a motor vehicle cooling module is known, which comprises a closing element for closing air inlets in a motor vehicle and which can be regarded as a radiator closing device within the meaning of the preamble of claim 1.

[0016] A disadvantage of radiator shutter devices known from the prior art is that there is no known way to temporarily open a partial area of ​​the shutter sealing surface – particularly one that is thermally critical – in order to allow a temporary partial flow of cooling air through the sealing surface, especially from the closed position. This is all the more true for radiator shutter devices in the form of a radiator roller blind with a flexible element and a drive shaft, the greater the distance of the desired partial area from the side of the radiator roller blind opposite the winding shaft.

[0017] The invention is based on the objective of providing a radiator closure device - in particular in the form of a radiator roller blind with a flexible closure element that can be rolled up and down - for a radiator module or for a radiator grille of a vehicle according to the preamble of claim 1, which has a technically simple and cost-effective way of temporarily opening a partial area of ​​the closure element sealing surface.

[0018] The problem is solved according to the invention by means of the features of the independent claim. Further practical embodiments and advantages of the invention are described in connection with the dependent claims.

[0019] A radiator closure device according to the invention comprises at least one closure element for a radiator module or radiator grille of a vehicle, which can be moved between a closed position and an open position by means of a drive mechanism by winding and unwinding. The at least one closure element, in the closed position, is at least part of a sealing surface and, in the closed position, the closure element opposes airflow through the sealing surface. The drive mechanism is functionally coupled to at least one separate partial closure element such that, by moving the partial closure element into an open position, a partial area of ​​the sealing surface can be opened as required for a partial cooling airflow.The at least one partial locking element can be, in particular, part of the locking element itself, or it can be arranged in an element surrounding the locking element, for example, in a frame surrounding the locking element laterally, below, and / or above, or in another element adjacent to and / or surrounding the locking element, which is part of the sealing surface of the locking element. A functional coupling within the meaning of the invention is understood to be both a direct coupling of the partial locking element with the drive of the locking element and an indirect coupling.A direct coupling can be implemented, in particular, by connecting an upper shaft, which also serves to wind the locking element, to one or more output elements – arranged, in particular, laterally in a frame – which serve as direct drive elements for one or more partial locking elements. The output element, for example, a pull cable, and / or the partial locking element are designed, in particular, such that predefined opening and closing configurations of the locking element and partial locking element can be realized, depending on the position of the drive.By way of example only, it is noted that one or more partial closure elements can be cylindrical and rotatably mounted to allow for rotation. This enables the partial closure element to open a known and predefined cross-section for cooling or to remain closed by adjusting its angular position (rotation angle). In particular, reference is made to partial closure elements arranged laterally or below within a frame, which allow for demand-based flow control independent of the (main) closure element. This provides a technically simple and cost-effective method for temporarily opening a portion of the closure element's sealing surface.Particularly advantageous in this context is the coupling of the drive of the locking element with the partial locking element, because this allows the use of only one drive element, in particular a motor drive, for both the locking element and the partial locking element.

[0020] Because the coupling between the drive and the partial locking element is realized indirectly via the at least one locking element and a coupling element, the coupling element can be advantageously arranged in the area of ​​these elements, particularly if guide rails and / or a receiving rail are provided as described above. A suitable coupling element is then, in particular, an element that causes, triggers, or effects movement of the partial locking element by contacting its lower end. This can be achieved through mechanical movement, an intermediate element such as a cable, or a driver that is contacted and moved by the lower end of the locking element and then causes further movements or other subsequent actions.

[0021] In a radiator closure device according to the invention, the closure element can be moved further after being moved from the open position to the closed position, and the coupling element is arranged such that by moving the closure element further, the coupling element acts on the at least one partial closure element to move the partial closure element into an open position. This arrangement is particularly suitable for purely mechanical solutions, two specific solutions of which are explained in detail in the exemplary embodiments. Such solutions are particularly simple and reliable.

[0022] In a practical embodiment of the radiator closure device according to the invention, the at least one closure element is surrounded by a closure element frame, and the at least one partial closure element is arranged within the closure element frame. In this case, although the drive is coupled to both the closure element and the partial closure element, the closure element itself and the partial closure element are spatially separated from one another. This enables technically simple designs that function reliably even over the often long service life of a vehicle and are associated with lower susceptibility to failure. Furthermore, cooling airflows can also be generated with the partial closure element in this way, which then pass through other areas of the closure element sealing surface.In this context, it is particularly advantageous if one or more partial locking elements are provided in the locking element frame where a local cooling airflow is first required after a phase in which the locking element was operated in the closed position.

[0023] A local cooling airflow is often required in the upper half of the sealing surface of the sealing element, particularly in radiator closure devices with a drive shaft located on the top. Accordingly, one or more partial closure elements are preferably provided in the upper half of the sealing element and / or in the upper half of the sealing element frame.

[0024] In another practical embodiment of a radiator closure device according to the invention, lateral guide rails for the closure element and / or a lower receiving rail for the closure element are provided on the closure element frame and / or on other elements surrounding the closure element.

[0025] Lateral guide rails, in particular U-shaped rails in the profile, are arranged on both sides of a locking element and serve as lateral guides, especially when the locking element moves between the open and closed positions. These guide rails ensure that the locking element always remains within the sealing plane.

[0026] A lower receiving strip for the locking element refers in particular to a U-shaped profile strip that receives the locking element and / or a finishing strip arranged at the free end of the locking element when the locking element is in the closed position. This further stabilizes the locking element's position within the sealing plane, especially when a lower receiving strip is provided in addition to lateral guide strips. In this case, the area of ​​a receiving strip is also particularly suitable for arranging a coupling element. This will be discussed in more detail below, particularly in conjunction with the description of the figures and the exemplary embodiments.

[0027] As already indicated, the coupling element for driving the partial locking element is preferably arranged at least partially within the locking element frame and / or the other element surrounding the locking element. This coupling element can, for example, be a pressure-actuated control element that, in the closed position of the locking element, is contacted by the lower end of the locking element and, when the locking element moves beyond the closed position—particularly due to gravity and / or a motor-driven locking element—exerts a force on the coupling element. In the case of a mechanical solution, this force then leads to a movement of the coupling element, which is converted into a movement for opening the at least one partial locking element in a suitable manner or is used directly for such a movement.For this purpose, particularly in the case of a transfer of movement, suitable kinematics can optionally be arranged between the coupling element and the at least one partial locking element.

[0028] In another practical embodiment of a radiator closure device according to the invention, in which a closure element that can be wound up on a drive shaft installed on the upper side is provided, the coupling to the partial closure element is effected via the lower free end of the closure element.

[0029] In another practical embodiment, the drive is functionally coupled with several partial locking elements, wherein the partial locking elements are coupled so as to be movable in parallel or sequentially.

[0030] In this context, parallel coupling of several partial locking elements means that the partial locking elements are all opened and closed simultaneously in the same or equivalent manner.

[0031] In this context, "sequential" means that the partial closure elements are coupled to the coupling element in a predetermined, but potentially differing, manner. For example, three partial closure elements can be coupled sequentially such that the first partial closure element moves from the closed position to the open position, then the second, and only then the third. In this way, a single drive element for the closure element and the multiple partial closure elements can control a multitude of configurations. This ensures that only the required cooling capacity is generated by flowing through the closure element sealing plane to the necessary extent, thus minimizing flow losses in the area of ​​the radiator closure device and enabling the vehicle to operate as efficiently as possible.

[0032] The possibility of using kinematics has already been mentioned above. In a further practical embodiment of a radiator cap device according to the invention, a single- or multi-lever kinematic mechanism is provided as the coupling element. This refers in particular to lever kinematics that are displaceable and / or rotatable or otherwise mounted – especially also in the form of a gear mechanism, such as a linkage mechanism – by means of which a first movement – ​​for example, purely translational – is converted into a second movement – ​​for example, another translational and / or rotational movement.

[0033] Alternatively or additionally, a pre-tensioned coupling element can be provided as the drive element for the partial locking element. For example, a spring-loaded actuating element located in the area of ​​a receiving strip can be provided as such, which, in its pre-tensioned position, is positioned in the closed position of at least one partial locking element or all partial locking elements. This allows a standard target position to be defined and ensures that the partial locking element or the multiple partial locking elements assume the defined standard target position in the event of a drive failure.

[0034] Further practical embodiments of the invention are described below in connection with the drawings. They show: Fig. 1. A motor vehicle in a side view, wherein the area of ​​the front of the vehicle in which radiator caps are usually arranged in practice is highlighted by a dashed line. Fig. 2 a first embodiment of a radiator closure device with a closure element between two radiator modules, Fig. 3 a second embodiment of a radiator closure device with a closure element behind a radiator module, Fig. 4 a third embodiment of a radiator closure device with a closure element in front of a radiator module, Fig. 5 only the radiator capping device of the embodiment from Fig. 4 with the locking element in the closed position and four partial locking elements in the closed position in a front view, Fig. 6 the radiator cap device Fig. 5 with the four partial locking elements in the open position, Fig. 7 only a radiator closure device of a further embodiment with the closure element in the closed position and two partial closure elements in the closed position in a front view analogous to Fig. 5 and Fig. 8 the radiator cap device Fig. 7 with the two partial locking elements in the open position.

[0035] Fig. Figure 1 shows a motor vehicle 10 in a side view. In the figures, x denotes the vehicle's longitudinal direction forward, y the vehicle's transverse direction, and z the vehicle's vertical direction upward. Accordingly, the x-direction is used synonymously for the vehicle's longitudinal direction, the y-direction for the vehicle's transverse direction, and the z-direction for the vehicle's vertical direction.

[0036] The dashed area 12 marks the front section 14 of the motor vehicle 10. The following sections are located in the area of ​​the front section 14. Fig. 2 radiator closure devices 20, which are described in detail, are usually installed in practice, in particular directly behind a radiator grille 16 in the area of ​​the front of the vehicle or offset to the rear in the longitudinal direction (x-direction) of the front of the vehicle directly in front of a radiator module 18, behind a radiator module 18 or between two radiator modules 18.

[0037] The various possible arrangements of a radiator closure device 20 relative to a radiator module 18 or several radiator modules 18 are described in the Fig. Figures 2 to 4 are shown. The radiator closure devices 20 according to the invention can be combined with any of these arrangement possibilities, even if these are subsequently referred to in conjunction with the Fig. 5 to 8 only on the basis of the order according to Fig. 4 will be explained.

[0038] Furthermore, it is explicitly pointed out again that the exemplary embodiments exclusively depict radiator closure devices 20 with an upper drive shaft 22 and a closure element 24 that can be wound onto and off the drive shaft 22. Accordingly, the closure element 24 is a flexible material, in particular a film or a textile structure. Nevertheless, the invention is not limited to this type of closure element 24. A closure element 24 according to the invention can, in particular, also have louvers (not shown) that are twisted to move from the open position to the closed position.

[0039] Based on the Fig. 5 and Fig. 6 as well as the Fig. 7 and Fig. 8 Two embodiments of the radiator closure devices 20 according to the invention are described in detail below.

[0040] Unless otherwise described, the same reference symbols are used for identical or at least functionally equivalent elements in all figures.

[0041] The Fig. 5 and Fig. Figure 6 shows a first embodiment of a radiator closure device 20 according to the invention, wherein Fig. Figure 5 shows the radiator closure device 20 with the closure element 24 in the closed position. The closure element 24, here essentially formed by a flexible, airtight curtain attached to a drive shaft 22 installed at the top, is largely unwound. A motor 34, functionally coupled to the drive shaft 22 at the top, serves to roll the closure element 24 up and down.

[0042] A finishing strip 26 is attached to the lower end of the locking element 24.

[0043] The locking element 24 is surrounded laterally and from below by a locking element frame 28, which is formed from two side parts 30 and a lower part 32. The frame 28 can be constructed in one or more parts.

[0044] Not in the Fig. As can be seen from Figures 5 to 8, the side parts 30 and the lower part 32 are U-shaped in profile such that the end strip 26 is guided laterally therein or received by the lower part 32 when the locking element 24 is in the Fig. 5 is in the closed position shown.

[0045] Starting from the closed position, the locking element 24 can be moved by means of the motor 34 - as indicated by the double arrow 36 - both upwards towards the open position and further downwards.

[0046] During the Fig. 5 and Fig. In the embodiment shown in Figure 6, two partial locking elements 38 are arranged in each of the side parts 30 of the frame 28.

[0047] During the Fig. 7 and Fig. In the embodiment shown in Figure 8, two partial locking elements 38 are arranged in the lower part 32 of the frame 28.

[0048] In both embodiments, at least one coupling element 40 is arranged in the area of ​​the lower part 32 for actuating the partial locking elements 38.

[0049] Is the locking element 24, starting from the one in the Fig. As the closing position shown in 5 or 7 is moved further downwards, the end strip 26 contacts the coupling element 40 or coupling elements 40. The coupling elements 40 are each coupled to the partial locking elements 38 by a kinematic mechanism such that, through contact and downward movement of the coupling elements 40, the partial locking elements 38 are moved into the position shown in the Fig. 6 and Fig. The procedure shown in section 8 will be followed.

[0050] This is necessary in the Fig. 5 and Fig. In the embodiment shown in section 6, a multi-lever kinematic mechanism 42 with a rotary joint D is provided on each side. Due to gravity, the partial locking elements 38 always move into the position shown in Fig. 5 shown closed position of the partial locking elements 38 when no pressure force is exerted from above on the coupling elements 40.

[0051] During the Fig. 7 and Fig. In the embodiment shown in Figure 8, the coupling means is pre-tensioned by means of spring-elastic elements 44. Accordingly, the end strip 26 must overcome the pre-tension force of the spring-elastic elements 44 in order to engage the partial locking elements 38 in the Fig. Proceed as shown in section 8.

[0052] For clarification, it should be noted that in the Fig.In the embodiments illustrated in Figures 5 to 8, the sealing surface of the locking element is formed by the frame 28 with the partial locking elements 38 and the locking element 24 arranged within the frame 28. In the described embodiments, the partial locking elements 38 are coupled so as to be movable in parallel. The opening and closing of the partial locking elements 38 can be implemented in a suitable manner, in particular by sliding elements or rotatably mounted flaps that are movable between an open position and a closed position of the partial locking elements 38.

[0053] The features of the invention disclosed in the present description, the drawings, and the claims can be essential for realizing the invention in its various embodiments, both individually and in any combination. The invention can be varied within the scope of the claims and taking into account the knowledge of the person skilled in the art. Reference symbol list 10 motor vehicle 12 dashed area 14 Front section 16 Radiator grille 18 Cooling module 20 Radiator sealing device 22 Drive shaft 24 locking element 26 End strip 28 locking element frames 30 side panel 32 Lower part 34 Engine 36 Double Arrow 38 Partial locking element 40 coupling element 42 Multi-lever kinematics 44 spring-elastic element

Claims

[1] Radiator closure device (20) with at least one closure element (24) movable between a closed position and an open position by means of a drive by winding and unwinding for a radiator module (18) or a radiator grille (16) of a motor vehicle (10), wherein the at least one closure element (24) in the closed position is at least part of a closure element sealing surface and wherein the closure element (24) in the closed position opposes a flow through the closure element sealing surface, wherein the drive is functionally coupled to at least one separate partial closure element (38) in such a way that by moving the partial closure element (38) into an open position of the partial closure element (38) a partial surface of the closure element sealing surface can be opened as required for a partial cooling airflow, characterized by , that the coupling between the drive and the partial locking element (38) is realized indirectly via the at least one locking element (24) and at least one coupling element (40), wherein the locking element (24) can be moved further after a movement from the open position to the closed position and the coupling element (40) is arranged such that by moving the locking element (24) further by means of the coupling element (40) an action is taken on the at least one partial locking element (38) in order to move the partial locking element (38) into an open position. [2] Radiator closure device (20) according to the preceding claim, characterized by , that the at least one locking element (24) is surrounded by a locking element frame (28) and the at least one partial locking element (38) is arranged in the locking element frame (28). [3] Radiator closure device (20) according to the preceding claim, characterized by, that lateral guide rails for the locking element (24) are provided on the locking element frame (28) and / or other elements surrounding the locking element (24) and / or a lower receiving rail for the locking element (24) is provided. [4] Radiator closure device (20) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the coupling element (40) for driving the partial locking element (38) is arranged at least partially in the locking element frame (28) and / or the other element surrounding the locking element (24). [5] Radiator closure device (20) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that a locking element (24) which can be wound up on a drive shaft (22) installed on the top side is provided, wherein the coupling to the partial locking element (38) is made via the lower free end of the locking element (24). [6] Radiator closure device (20) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the drive is functionally coupled with several partial locking elements (38), wherein the partial locking elements (38) are coupled in a parallel or sequential manner. [7] Radiator closure device (20) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that a single or multi-lever kinematic (42) is provided as the coupling element (40). [8] Radiator closure device (20) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that a pre-tensioned coupling element (40) is provided as a drive element for the partial locking element (38).

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