Slat device, a motor vehicle and a method for operating such a slat device

Abstract

Slat device (10) of a front area of ​​a motor vehicle, with an actuator (12), with a drive plate (14), wherein the drive plate (14) and the actuator (12) are coupled to one another in such a way that the drive plate (14) can be pivoted about a pivot axis (17) by means of the actuator (12), with at least one further slat (16) and with at least one push rod (18), wherein the at least one further slat (16) and the drive slat (14) are pivotally coupled by means of the at least one push rod (18), characterized in that the drive plate (14) has a connecting arm (20) arranged on the drive plate (14) and connected thereto, the at least one push rod (18) has a first through-opening (22) and the actuator (12) has a drive section (24) with a second through-opening (26) the drive plate (14) is coupled to the actuator (12) in that the connecting arm (20) extends through the first through-opening (22) of the at least one push rod (18) and through the second through-opening (26) of the drive section (24) of the actuator (12), the slat device (10) is designed such that if the drive slat (14) breaks, the connecting arm (20) slips out of the first and second through-openings (22, 26) due to movement and / or gravity, thus breaking the coupling between the drive slat (14), the at least one push rod (18) and the actuator (12), so that the actuator (12) can rotate freely.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a slat device for a motor vehicle according to the preamble of claim 1, a motor vehicle with such a slat device and a method for operating such a slat device.

[0002] WO 2021 / 104 992 A1 discloses a radiator shutter and a method for controlling a radiator shutter, wherein an error message is output when a drive motor detects a blocking condition without contacting the predefined stops.

[0003] DE 10 2016 224 846 A1 discloses a louvre device for a motor vehicle according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0004] DE 10 2015 216 924 A1 and US 2017 / 0 248 066 A1 disclose further prior art.

[0005] The disadvantage is that a fault condition of the radiator shutter cannot be reliably determined if the radiator shutter breaks.

[0006] It is an object of the invention to provide a lamella device, a motor vehicle with such a lamella device and a method for operating such a lamella device, wherein a fault condition of the lamella device in the event of a break can be reliably determined in a simple manner.

[0007] The object is achieved by a slat device according to claim 1, a motor vehicle with such a slat device according to claim 8 and a method for operating such a slat device according to claim 9.

[0008] The slat device according to the invention for a motor vehicle, in particular for a front region of a motor vehicle, has an actuator and at least one drive slat. The drive slat and the actuator are coupled to one another in such a way that the drive slat can be pivoted about a pivot axis by means of the actuator. In particular, the drive slat can be driven rotationally by means of the actuator. Preferably, the drive slat and the actuator are coupled to one another without a gear. In other words, in particular, no gear is arranged between the drive slat and the actuator. The drive slat can be connected to the actuator exclusively in the direction of rotation, so that the drive slat can be driven rotationally or pivoted by the actuator, and the drive slat can be easily detached from the actuator, for example by axially pulling it away from the actuator.

[0009] The slat device is designed in such a way that if the drive slat breaks, the coupling between the drive slat and the actuator is released due to gravity (due to gravity) and / or due to movement, so that the actuator can rotate freely.

[0010] In particular, the actuator can be designed in the form of an electric motor with a drive shaft, wherein the actuator can have a drive element (or drive section) that is non-rotatably coupled to the drive shaft, in particular arranged on the drive shaft. The drive element can be coupled to the drive plate and drive it in a rotatable or pivotable manner.

[0011] By detecting free rotation of the actuator, a breakage of the drive slat can be reliably detected and thus a fault condition of the slat device can be detected.

[0012] "Freely rotating" can mean that the actuator experiences no or only a negligible counter-torque (no resistance) (no drive of the drive plate). Alternatively or additionally, "freely rotating" can mean that the pivoting movement of the actuator (due to lack of coupling with the drive plate) and / or the drive plate is not limited by end stops that restrict the pivoting of the drive plate or other plates. In particular, the actuator can "freely rotate" if there is no contact between the drive plate and the actuator (or its drive section).

[0013] A broken drive plate refers specifically to the drive plate breaking apart. A broken drive plate is shorter than a non-broken drive plate. In particular, a drive plate breaks into at least two separate pieces.

[0014] The slat device comprises at least one (further) slat and at least one push rod, in particular two push rods. The at least one (further) slat and the drive slat are pivotally coupled by means of the push rod(s).

[0015] In particular, the slat can be driven (rotationally) by the push rod. In other words, the push rod can couple the drive slat and the slat in such a way that they can (simultaneously) perform the same rotational or pivoting movement.

[0016] The drive plate is coupled to the push rod in such a way that the coupling between the push rod and the drive plate can be broken if the drive plate breaks. If the drive plate breaks, it can slip out of the push rod due to gravity and / or movement.

[0017] In particular, the drive slat and the at least one (further) slat can be arranged parallel to one another. In particular, all slats can be arranged parallel to one another. In other words, the central longitudinal axes and / or the pivot axes of all slats can be arranged parallel to one another.

[0018] The drive plate has a connecting arm arranged on the drive plate and connected to it. The push rod has a first through-opening, and the actuator has a drive section with a second through-opening. The drive section of the actuator can be designed as a drive element for the (pivoting movement of the) drive plate and / or a connecting element (connecting section) for coupling the actuator to the drive plate.

[0019] The drive plate is coupled to the actuator by the connecting arm extending through the first through-hole of the push rod and through the second through-hole of the actuator's drive section. This creates a rotationally fixed coupling between the drive plate and the actuator. The actuator, the drive plate, and the push rod are thus coupled to one another. It is conceivable for the second through-hole to be designed as a blind hole, with the connecting arm opening into the blind hole.

[0020] Preferably, the connecting arm can have a radial portion projecting from the drive plate and a parallel portion adjacent to the radial portion. The parallel portion of the connecting arm can extend through the first through-opening of the push rod and through the second through-opening of the drive portion of the actuator.

[0021] In particular, the radial section extends away from the pivot axis and / or the central longitudinal axis of the drive plate. In other words, the radial section projects radially outward from the pivot axis and / or the central longitudinal axis of the drive plate. In particular, the parallel section is arranged parallel to the pivot axis and / or the central longitudinal axis of the drive plate and spaced apart from the drive plate. In particular, the central longitudinal axis of the drive plate corresponds to the pivot axis (or rotation axis) of the drive plate.

[0022] Preferably, the parallel section of the connecting arm can be tapered, in particular conical, toward the drive section of the actuator. Accordingly, the first through-opening can have a larger diameter than the second through-opening. In other words, the first through-opening can be larger than the second through-opening. In the event of a drive plate breakage, the tapered (conical) shape can promote the parallel section's slipping out of the two through-openings, and thus out of the actuator (or its drive section) and the push rod.

[0023] Preferably, the drive slat and / or the slat (in particular, all slats) can be arranged orthogonally to the direction of gravity (i.e., horizontally aligned). It is also conceivable that the drive slat and / or the slat (in particular, all slats) can be tilted relative to the direction of gravity (i.e., partially vertically and partially horizontally aligned).

[0024] Preferably, at least one end stop, in particular two end stops, can be arranged on the drive slat. The end stop can be designed to limit the rotational or pivoting movement of the drive slat in one or two directions of rotation. A first end stop can determine (define) the open position and / or a second end stop can determine (define) the closed position of the slat device.

[0025] The actuator can preferably have a bearing mount for supporting (or receiving) the drive plate. In particular, the end of the drive plate facing the actuator can be supported in the bearing mount. In particular, the rotational axis (rotational or pivotal axis) of the actuator and the rotational axis (rotational or pivotal axis) of the drive plate can be identical. The bearing mount preferably supports a bearing section of the drive plate radially without fixing it axially. In other words, the bearing section of the drive plate can simply slide out of the bearing mount, for example, if the drive plate breaks.

[0026] The drive plate can only be mounted longitudinally at the end facing away from the actuator. The end of the drive plate facing the actuator can detach from the actuator if the drive plate breaks.

[0027] The actuator can preferably have a control device. The control device can be configured to control (activate / deactivate) the actuator. The control device can be configured (e.g., diagnostic function of the control device) such that, when the actuator (or its drive section) can be rotated freely (see "free rotation," above), the control device can detect a malfunction and / or output an alarm signal (see "alarm signal output," below).

[0028] According to the invention, a motor vehicle with a louvre device, particularly arranged in a front region of the motor vehicle, is proposed, featuring one or more of the above aspects. Regarding the advantages achievable thereby, reference is made to the relevant statements regarding the louvre device. The measures described in connection with the louvre device can be used to further configure the motor vehicle.

[0029] According to the invention, a method for operating a louvre device according to the above statements is proposed. Regarding the advantages achievable thereby, reference is made to the relevant statements regarding the louvre device. The measures described in connection with the louvre device and / or those explained below can be used to further refine the method.

[0030] The procedure includes the following steps: Detecting a malfunction of the slat device, whereby the actuator (or the drive element or the drive section of the actuator) can rotate freely when the malfunction occurs (see above).

[0031] Emitting an alarm signal when a malfunction is detected, which signals a breakage of the drive slat (and thus a defect in the slat device).

[0032] The alarm signal can be issued and / or transmitted acoustically and / or visually. A silent notification (signal transmission), for example, to a vehicle's OBD (on-board diagnostics) system is also conceivable.

[0033] Further advantageous embodiments will become apparent from the following description and the drawing. The drawing shows Fig. 1 schematically shows a section of a perspective sectional view of a slat device according to the invention.

[0034] In the present case, the slat device 10 is designed and intended for a front area of ​​a motor vehicle.

[0035] The slat device 10 has an actuator 12 and a drive slat 14. The drive slat 14 can be pivoted about a pivot axis 17 by means of the actuator 12. The actuator 12 and the drive slat 14 are in Fig. 1 is shown only schematically. The actuator 12 has a bearing mount 34 for supporting the drive slat 14. The slat device 10 has a control device 36 for controlling the actuator.

[0036] The slat device 10 has, in addition to the drive slat 14, further slats 16. In Fig. 1 only one further slat 16 is shown, although a different number of slats 16 is also conceivable.

[0037] The slat device 10 has a push rod 18. The drive slat 14 is pivotally coupled to the other slats 16 by means of the push rod 18. In other words, the push rod 18 transmits the pivoting movement of the drive slat 14 to the other slats 16. This allows all slats 14, 16 to pivot simultaneously and in the same direction.

[0038] The drive plate 14 has a connecting arm 20, and the actuator 12 has a drive section 24, wherein the connecting arm 20 and the drive section 24 can be coupled to one another in a rotationally fixed manner. In other words, the actuator 12 can pivot (rotationally drive) the connecting arm 20 (and thus the drive plate 14) by means of the drive section 24.

[0039] The connecting arm 20 has a radial section 28 and a parallel section 30 adjacent to the radial section 28. In this case, the parallel section 30 is tapered in the direction of the actuator 12 (or its drive section 24).

[0040] The parallel section 30 couples the drive plate 14 to the push rod 18 and the drive section 24 of the actuator 12. For this purpose, the push rod 18 has a first through-opening 22 and the drive section 24 of the actuator 12 has a second through-opening 26. In the coupled state, the parallel section 30 extends through the two through-openings 22, 26. This is the case with an intact (not broken) drive plate 14 (in Fig. 1) is the case.

[0041] The actuator can thus drive the connecting arm 20 and thus the drive slat 14 via the drive section 24 and pivot it about the pivot axis 17. The pivoting movement of the drive slat 14 is transmitted to the other slats 16 by means of the push rod 18, so that all slats 14, 16 are pivoted simultaneously and in the same direction (i.e., in the same direction).

[0042] In this case, an end stop 32 is arranged on the drive slat 14. The end stop 32 serves to limit the pivoting movement of the drive slat 14 (and thus also of the other slats 16) into an open position and / or a closed position of the slat device 10.

[0043] If the drive plate 14 now breaks, the parallel section 30 of the connecting arm 20 slips out of the two through-holes 22, 26 (due to gravity or movement), thereby breaking the coupling between the actuator 12, the push rod 18, and the drive plate 14. In addition, the end of the drive plate 14 that is supported in the bearing receptacle 34 (facing the actuator 12) slips out of the bearing receptacle 34.

[0044] This, in particular, eliminates the contact between the actuator 12 and the drive plate 14. In other words, the drive plate 14 is then arranged at a distance from the actuator 12. The actuator 12 will now no longer experience any resistance when attempting to pivot the drive plate 14 and will rotate freely.

[0045] This free rotation of the actuator 12 can be detected by the control device 36. An alarm signal indicating a fault condition of the louvre device can then be output, for example, to the vehicle's OBD system.

Claims

[1] Slat device (10) of a front area of ​​a motor vehicle, with an actuator (12), with a drive plate (14), wherein the drive plate (14) and the actuator (12) are coupled to one another in such a way that the drive plate (14) can be pivoted about a pivot axis (17) by means of the actuator (12), with at least one further slat (16) and with at least one push rod (18), wherein the at least one further slat (16) and the drive slat (14) are pivotally coupled by means of the at least one push rod (18), characterized by , that the drive plate (14) has a connecting arm (20) arranged on the drive plate (14) and connected thereto, the at least one push rod (18) has a first through-opening (22) and the actuator (12) has a drive section (24) with a second through-opening (26) the drive plate (14) is coupled to the actuator (12) in that the connecting arm (20) extends through the first through-opening (22) of the at least one push rod (18) and through the second through-opening (26) of the drive section (24) of the actuator (12), the slat device (10) is designed such that if the drive slat (14) breaks, the connecting arm (20) slips out of the first and second through-openings (22, 26) due to movement and / or gravity, thus breaking the coupling between the drive slat (14), the at least one push rod (18) and the actuator (12), so that the actuator (12) can rotate freely. [2] Slat device (10) according to claim 1, characterized byin that the connecting arm (20) has a radial section (28) projecting from the drive plate (14) and a parallel section (30) adjacent to the radial section (28), wherein the parallel section (30) of the connecting arm (20) extends through the first through-opening (22) of the at least one push rod (18) and through the second through-opening (26) of the drive section (24) of the actuator (12). [3] Slat device (10) according to claim 2, characterized by that the parallel section (30) of the connecting arm (20) is conically tapered in the direction of the drive section (24) of the actuator (12). [4] Slat device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the drive blade (14) and / or the blade (16) are arranged orthogonally to the direction of gravity. [5] Slat device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat at least one end stop (32) is arranged on the drive slat (14), wherein the at least one end stop (32) is designed to limit the pivoting movement of the drive slat (14) in one or two pivoting directions. [6] Slat device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the actuator (12) has a bearing holder (34) for supporting the drive plate (14). [7] Slat device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the actuator (12) has a control device (36) which is configured such that the control device (36) detects a malfunction and / or outputs an alarm signal when the actuator (12) can rotate freely. [8] Motor vehicle with a slat device (10) according to one of the preceding claims arranged in a front region of the motor vehicle. [9] Method for operating a slat device (10) according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized by that the procedure includes the following steps: - detecting a malfunction of the slat device (10), wherein the actuator (12) can rotate freely in the presence of the malfunction; - Emitting an alarm signal when a malfunction is detected, which signals a breakage of the drive blade (14).

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