RADIATOR BLIND FOR AUTOMOBILES

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to a radiator shutter for automobiles made of a thermoplastic material. Furthermore, the present invention relates to methods for producing such a radiator shutter and uses of such a construction. STATE OF THE ART

[0002] A radiator shutter for automobiles is a device for the controlled guidance of outside air flowing into the vehicle via the front to the engine. Reliable control of this airflow is crucial for reliable combustion control, and therefore for engine efficiency and pollutant emissions. A radiator shutter is usually a group of parallel horizontally or vertically arranged slats that are rotatably or pivotably mounted in a frame in such a way that they can be rotated by an angle of slightly less than 90° from a fully open position (the planes of the blades of the horizontal slats oriented perpendicular to the vehicle axis are then essentially arranged in a horizontal plane) to a closed position, in which the slats then run approximately vertically and overlap at the edges.

[0003] The slats mounted in such frame constructions are now controlled by a small electric motor into the desired angular position specified by a control system, so that the optimal air supply is available for every operating condition.

[0004] In US2014335778, a vehicle radiator shutter is provided for detecting a louvre to which power transmission is interrupted by providing rotational movement limiting units in the louvres, each having a simple structure.A vehicle radiator louver is provided, comprising: a plurality of louvers capable of opening and closing an outside air supply path for introducing outside air into an engine compartment and arranged in parallel to each other so as to cross the outside air supply path; a coupling operation section that couples the louvers to each other to open / close the louvers; a drive section for driving the louvers to an open and a closed position by the coupling operation section; an abnormality detection section for detecting an abnormal state of the louvers based on an operating state of the drive section; and an abnormality notification section for informing a user of the abnormal state based on an output signal of the abnormality detection section.An opening fault detecting limiting unit and a closing fault detecting limiting unit are formed on adjacent slats as rotational movement limiting units which, when the power transmission from the drive section to one of the adjacent slats is interrupted, limit the rotational movement of the other slat.

[0005] WO2018029655 discloses an active grille shutter assembly having an assembled modular frame with a plurality of primary frame members formed by extrusion. Each of the plurality of primary frame members has a first end, a second end, and at least one key slot extending between the first end and the second end. Each of the plurality of frame members also includes a hollow bore extending through each of the plurality of primary frame members and forming an opening at the first end and an opening at the second end. When the modular frame is assembled, there is an upper frame portion and a lower frame portion, each formed from one of the plurality of primary frame members. The assembly also includes a number of alternative frame and air baffle pieces that allow for several different shapes and configurations of the active grille to be formed. DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0006] It is an object of the present invention, among others, to provide a radiator shutter, in particular for automobiles, which can be operated reliably, can be manufactured easily and is particularly robust with regard to malfunctions or prevents them and / or reports them back to the control system as quickly as possible.

[0007] The invention accordingly relates to a radiator shutter, in particular for an automobile for controlled ventilation of the engine, with a frame in which at least two slats are rotatably mounted in such a way.

[0008] These slats can be pivoted from a fully closed position (approx. 0°), in which the slat blades of the slats are arranged substantially parallel to the frame plane, and in the adjacent area either partially overlap or lie close to one another, so that the frame opening is substantially closed to the air flow, into an open position (approx. 90°, typically in reality approx. 85°), in which the slat blades of the slats are arranged substantially perpendicular to the frame plane, so that the frame opening is substantially maximally open for the air flow.

[0009] These slats are mounted in bearings on two opposite sides of the frame. Furthermore, a motor is provided in or on the frame, preferably integrated into a corresponding frame area, on one side of the frame, which drives a single slat. Furthermore, a coupling element is provided on the same side of the frame, which synchronously transmits the rotation of the driven slat to the other slats.

[0010] The proposed design is characterized by the fact that on the bearing side of the frame facing away from the motor side, in the area of ​​the slat bearings provided there, a locking element is provided for each slat. This locking element fulfills the function of automatically locking the rotational movement on this bearing side facing away from the motor by these locking elements, if a single slat no longer rotates synchronously with the other slats (this includes the driven slat). The motor detects this because it suddenly requires increased torque due to the unusual stop not provided for in normal operating conditions.

[0011] On the bearing side of the frame facing away from the motor side of the frame, in the area of ​​the bearing of the slats provided there, a locking element is provided for each slat, wherein the locking elements are coupled directly or indirectly in such a way that, if at least one of the locking elements does not rotate synchronously with all other locking elements, the rotational movement of the locking elements is blocked in at least one direction, preferably in a force-locking and / or form-locking manner.

[0012] The locking elements can be designed as separate elements from the actual slats, so that if a slat breaks, the locking elements remain in the frame and can ensure the locking function, for example with a locking rod, or through interaction with the adjacent locking elements. Alternatively, it is possible to connect the slats or even form them integrally with the actual slats. This preferably ensures that the locking elements remain in the frame even if a slat breaks. For this purpose, the connection between the locking elements and the slat (in the form of a connecting pin, for example) can be designed as a detachable plug connection or as a predetermined breaking point, so that the locking element remains in the frame if the slat breaks.To support this, the locking element can additionally be at least partially trapped in the frame or in an additional cover of the frame (for example by a corresponding contour in a cover) in such a way that the locking element cannot emerge from the frame or this cover at all when the slat breaks out.

[0013] According to the claimed invention, a locking disc is provided as the locking element, and the locking discs have a shape which, if at least one of the locking discs does not rotate synchronously with all the other locking discs, blocks the rotational movement of the locking discs, in particular in a force-locking and / or form-locking manner.

[0014] According to a first preferred embodiment, the construction is characterized in that at least three, preferably at least four, particularly preferably exactly four slats are mounted in parallel in the frame.

[0015] A further preferred embodiment is characterized in that the respective locking disc is coupled to the associated slat in both directions of rotation, and wherein the locking discs preferably each have at least one locking plate arranged substantially perpendicular to the respective slat axis.

[0016] A further preferred embodiment is characterized in that at least one first locking plate has a larger radius in a first circumferential region than in a second, preferably substantially opposite circumferential region.

[0017] A further preferred embodiment is characterized in that there are two locking plates, offset with respect to the axis of the locking disc, preferably adjacent to one another, wherein particularly preferably a second locking plate has lateral projections.

[0018] A further preferred embodiment is characterized in that at least one, preferably all of the locking discs are formed mirror-symmetrically with respect to a mirror plane, which mirror plane includes the axis.

[0019] A further preferred embodiment is characterized in that in the non-locked operating state a minimum distance is always maintained between the locking discs, wherein this minimum distance is preferably in the range of 0.1-5 mm or 0.1-4 mm, preferably 0.1-1 mm, in particular in the range of 0.25-0.75 mm.

[0020] According to a further embodiment of the claimed invention, the locking elements have at least one engagement pin which is radially offset with respect to the axis of rotation of the slats, which engagement pin runs parallel to the axis of rotation of the slats and, when the slat rotates, performs a circular arc-shaped movement synchronously with the slat, and the engagement pins of all locking elements are coupled via a common locking rod which runs perpendicular to the axis of the slats.

[0021] The engagement pins preferably run into locking recesses in the locking rod, wherein the locking recesses are preferably designed as an elongated hole or elongated recess whose longer axis runs perpendicular to the main direction of travel of the locking rod. The elongated hole or elongated recess can be designed as a through-opening or as a groove, particularly in the form of a slotted guide. Furthermore, it is possible for the elongated hole or elongated recess to be left open on at least one side for easier assembly in the locking rod, and for this open side to be subsequently closed by another component for operation. Especially with this open design, it is advantageous if the elongated hole or elongated recess is not designed as a through-opening, but rather in the form of a groove.The locking rod can further preferably be mounted in such a way that it can be displaced essentially only along its main direction of travel, but not in a direction perpendicular thereto. For this purpose, corresponding guide grooves or corresponding through-openings can be arranged along the main direction of travel of the locking rod, into which stationary guide pins engage.

[0022] The engagement pins are preferably deflected substantially to their maximum in the fully closed position or in the fully open position in the main direction of travel of the locking bar with respect to the axis of rotation of the respective slat, and rotate during rotation into the fully open or fully closed position into a position in which they are substantially level with the axis of rotation of the respective slat in the main direction of travel of the locking bar, wherein the engagement pins preferably come to rest in the end region of the elongated hole or the elongated recess in the fully open or fully closed position, respectively.

[0023] The elongated hole or the elongated recess preferably has a catch recess and / or a lateral offset in the direction of the maximum deflection of the engagement pins, preferably halfway up the height of the elongated hole or the elongated recess.

[0024] The locking rod can be guided in a locking guide in such a way that it can only be moved in a single direction perpendicular to the axes of rotation of the slats but not in the direction of the normal to the plane spanned by the axes of rotation of the slats.

[0025] A further preferred embodiment is characterized in that the locking discs are designed as components separate from the slats, into which preferably bearing pins of the slats are inserted only in a rotationally secured manner.

[0026] A further preferred embodiment is characterized in that the locking discs are arranged in an encapsulated region of the frame separated from the through-opening of the frame by a partition wall, and wherein bearing pins of the slats preferably extend through through-openings in the partition wall. The bearing projections of the locking discs can in turn extend into the through-opening in the partition wall, and these bearing projections can be configured with a blind hole or a through-opening, so that a corresponding bearing pin of the respective slat engages in this hole. There is preferably a structuring of the interior of this opening and a corresponding structuring of the outer contour of the bearing pin of the respective slat, so that the slats are secured against rotation when inserted.On the outside of such bearing projections, axially extending sliding webs can also be arranged, which reduce the susceptibility to contamination, since these sliding webs only slide in areas in the corresponding receiving openings in the frame or a corresponding partition wall.

[0027] A further preferred embodiment is characterized in that the slats have a length of at least 10 cm, or at least 20 cm or at least 50 cm, preferably of more than 60 cm or more than 1 m, particularly preferably in the range of 10 - 150 cm or 20 - 120 cm, or also in the range of 1.2-2 m, and wherein in particular preferably a vertical intermediate web is provided in the frame, which supports intermediate storage areas of the slats.

[0028] The design can also be a radiator blind with more than one louvre section, for example, two louvre sections on either side. The louvre sections can each be driven individually by a motor, or they can preferably both be driven by the same motor. In the latter situation, this motor is preferably located in the middle between the two louvre sections, and the locking mechanism is located individually on the outside for each louvre pack. If a central motor is used, a rod can be chosen as the coupling rod that moves both louvre packs as a single piece or at least as a fixed assembly.

[0029] In particular, if individual slats have insufficient torsional stability for feedback to the engine, one of the slats in a slat pack can be selectively designed with a higher torsional stability than that of the other slats, or a separate transmission element with sufficient torsional stability can be provided instead of a slat or in addition to a slat (for example, arranged in the frame above or below the slat pack) in order to ensure sufficient feedback to the engine in the event of a slat blockage or failure.

[0030] A further preferred embodiment is characterized in that the slats have a manufacturing-related cavity inside them extending along the axis of the respective slat.

[0031] A further preferred embodiment is characterized in that the coupling element is designed as a coupling rod, wherein preferably the motor drives the driven slats directly via their axis, and the coupling rod, which is preferably arranged parallel to the frame plane and perpendicular to the axes of the slats, is moved via a coupling lever, and the other slats are moved synchronously via corresponding coupling levers coupled to the coupling rod.

[0032] In addition, the present invention relates to a method for operating or controlling a radiator shutter as described above, wherein this method is preferably characterized in that the control of the motor is designed such that an error message is output if the motor moves to a locked stop position due to the locking of the locking discs, which does not correspond to the closed or open end position of the slats, wherein the reaching of such a locked stop position is preferably detected by an increase in the torque generated by the motor.

[0033] Furthermore, the present invention relates to a method for producing a radiator blind as described above, which is preferably characterized in that frames, slats and locking discs are individually produced from a thermoplastic material, preferably from a glass fiber reinforced thermoplastic material, particularly preferably from glass fiber reinforced thermoplastic polyamide in an injection molding process, and are then assembled to form the radiator blind.

[0034] Last but not least, the present invention relates to the use of a radiator shutter as described above as an air intake control element in an automobile or generally in a means of transport, in particular in an automobile, preferably for the targeted supply of air to an engine (internal combustion engine, electric motor), an engine component, an energy storage device (for example a battery in an electrically powered vehicle) or another heat-generating component.

[0035] Further embodiments are specified in the dependent claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0036] Preferred embodiments of the invention are described below with reference to the drawings, which are for illustrative purposes only and are not to be construed as limiting. In the drawings: Fig. 1 shows a radiator blind in the assembled state in a perspective view; Fig. 2 shows a radiator blind according to Figure 1in an exploded view; Fig. 3 a radiator shutter with locking elements; Fig. 4 the radiator shutter of Figure 3 in exploded view; Fig. 5 another radiator shutter with locking elements; Fig. 6 the radiator shutter according to Figure 5 , in a) an enlarged section of the engine side and in b) an enlarged section on the bearing side of the slats with the locking elements; Fig. 7 the radiator shutter according to Figure 5in exploded view; Fig. 8 the locking elements in a) a view from the inside of the frame, in b) a view from the outside of the frame and in c) a perspective view; Fig. 9 in perspective view locking elements according to a further embodiment, wherein in a) a view of the first locking plate and in b) a view of the second locking plate is shown; Fig. 10 the various standard positions from the side of the first locking plate, wherein in a) the closed position (0°), in b) the half-open position (42.5°) and in c) the open position (85°) are shown; Fig. 11 the various standard positions from the side of the second locking plates, wherein in a) the closed position (0°), in b) the half-open position (42.5°) and in c) the open position (85°) are shown;12 the different positions when a locking element does not rotate (the lowest one) and is to be opened starting from the closed position (0°), whereby in a) the open position (0°) is shown from the side of the first locking plate and in b) the blocking achieved after opening rotation at approx. 12° from the side of the first locking plate, and in c) the open position (0°) is shown from the side of the second locking plate and in d) the blocking achieved after opening rotation at approx. 12° from the side of the second locking plate; Fig. 13 the different positions when a locking element does not rotate (the lowest one) and is to be closed starting from the open position (85°), whereby in a) the closed position (85°) is shown from the side of the first locking plate and in b) the blocking achieved after closing rotation at approx.42° from the side of the first locking plate, and in c) the closed position (85°) is shown from the side of the second locking plates, and in d) the blocking achieved after closing rotation at approximately 42° from the side of the second locking plate; Fig. 14 the various positions when a locking element does not rotate (the lowest one) and is to be closed starting from the half-open position (42.5°), each from the side of the first locking plate, where in a) the half-open starting position (42.5°) is shown, in b) the closed position (0°), with the lowest locking element remaining stationary, in c) the reverse rotation to the open position at approximately 45° is shown when the lowest locking element is pushed out of its rotational position, in d) the open position (85°), and in e) the blocked position at approximately 40° after being rotated back towards the closed position; Fig.15 the different positions when a locking element is not rotating (the lowest one) and is to be closed starting from the half-open position (42.5°), each from the side of the second locking plate, where in a) the half-open starting position (42.5°) is shown, in b) the closed position (0°), where the lowest locking element remains stationary, in c) the reverse rotation to the open position at approx. 45° is shown when the lowest locking element is pushed out of its rotational position, in d) the open position (85°), and in e) the blocked position at approx. 40°, after it has been rotated back towards the closed position; Fig. 16 the different positions when a locking element is not rotating (the lowest one) and is to be opened starting from the half-open position (42.5°), each from the side of the first locking plate, where in a) the half-open starting position (42.5°), in b) the position at approximately 45° when the lowest locking element is pushed out of its rotational position, in c) the open position is shown, in which the first locking plates come into contact but do not lock, and in d) the blocked position at approximately 40° after it has been rotated back towards the open position; Fig. 17 the different positions when a locking element does not rotate (the lowest) and is to be opened from the half-open position (42.5°), in each case from the side of the second locking plate, in a) the half-open starting position (42.5°) is shown, in b) the position at approximately 45° when the lowest locking element is pushed out of its rotational position, in c) the open position is shown, in which the first locking plates come into contact but do not lock, and in d) the blocked position at approximately40°, after being rotated back towards the open position; Fig. 18 shows another embodiment of a radiator shutter in a perspective view from the side of the engine, this time with five slats, which is typically intended for a vertical orientation of its axes; Fig. 19 shows the radiator shutter according to . Figure 18, this time in a perspective view of the locking side, in a) in the assembled state without cover and in b) in an exploded view with regard to locking; Fig. 20 shows the behavior of the locking rod when the slats rotate from the closed position (top) to the open position (bottom) for different angular positions Fig. 21 in a) the starting position in the closed position, in b) the locking when the slat on the far right is broken and does not rotate, starting from the fully closed position, and in c) starting from a slightly open position Fig. 22 shows the locking when the engagement pin of the broken slat is caught in the catch recess; Fig. 23 shows the locking when the slat on the far right is broken and starting from the fully closed position;Fig. 24 shows the locking mechanism when the slat on the far right is broken and the starting position is fully open; Fig. 25 shows the locking mechanism when the slat on the far right is broken and the starting position is from the half-opened position (45°) towards closing; Fig. 26 shows the locking mechanism when the slat on the far right is broken and the starting position is from the half-opened position (42.5°) towards opening; Fig. 27 shows alternative designs of the locking rods, wherein a) shows a side view of a first embodiment in which the locking recesses are designed as through-openings with an offset, b) shows a side view of a second embodiment in which the locking recesses are designed as grooves open on one side with an offset, and c) shows a perspective view of the second embodiment;28 shows a further radiator shutter with locking elements, wherein in a) an exploded view is shown, and in b) and c) according to the sections in a) details of the slats on the side of the locking rod and on the engine side respectively and in d) according to the section in a) details of the relative arrangement and design of the locking rod and cover. DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0037] Figure 1 shows a radiator blind 1 with a frame 2. The frame has two horizontally opposite long sides and two opposite vertical frame sections. The vertical frame section shown here on the right has a lateral fastening area 4, and in this frame section shown on the right side, the storage area 5 for the horizontally running slats is provided. Figure 1This picture shows such a radiator shutter mounted in an automobile, viewed from the engine side. Before installation in the vehicle, an additional inner cover is applied. This cover is not shown here or in the following illustrations to allow the interior of the frame to be visible.

[0038] The slats 8-11 run horizontally over a great length of over 1 m. They are mounted and driven on the vertical frame side shown here on the left, the motor area. They are also mounted on the other side, the bearing area 5 of the frame. Because the slats 8-11 are very long, there is a vertical space in the frame between web 3, in which the slats are also mounted. For this purpose, they have, as can be seen from the exploded view according to Figure 2As can be seen, the slats each have an intermediate bearing 8"-11", where the slat is cylindrical and does not have the actual slat blades 17 extending on both sides of the central axis of the slat. On the motor side 6, the frame has a corresponding recess so that the motor 12 can be pushed into a motor mount 15, which is an injection-molded component. The motor drives the second slat from the top, designated 9, directly by coupling the motor shaft directly or indirectly to the bearing head 9‴. The slats are mounted on the motor side via such bearing heads 8‴-11‴, and on the opposite side via bearing journals 8'-11'.

[0039] For assembly, the slats are first inserted with their bearing pins 8'-11' into corresponding bearing recesses in the bearing area 5, and into corresponding bearing positions in the motor mount 15. The motor 12 is preferably first inserted into the mount 15 and then pushed into the frame together with the slat pack until the intermediate bearings 8"-11" engage in the corresponding recesses 17 of the vertical intermediate web 3. The intermediate bearing can then be closed from the front with a cover 16.

[0040] The motor 12 is, as already mentioned above, coupled to the bearing head 9" of the driven louvre 9. The motor moves the louvres between a fully closed position (0°), in which the lateral ends of the louvres just overlap slightly, and a fully open position (approx. 90°), in which the planes of the louvres are essentially perpendicular to the frame plane, and the flow of air is maximally released. In Figure 1 the closed position is shown.

[0041] A coupling rod 7 is provided to synchronously couple the movement of the other slats 8, 10-11 to the movement of the driven slat 9. The coupling rod is driven by an eccentric of the drive slat 9 and synchronously moves the other slats 8, 10-11, which in turn have analogous eccentrics.

[0042] In Figure 3 A radiator shutter with locking elements is shown. In Figure 4A corresponding exploded view is shown. Analogous or identical elements that have already been used in connection with Figures 1-2 described, to be described again in the following.

[0043] In bearing area 5, there are now OBD disks 18-21 (OBD stands for on-board diagnosis) attached to the ends of the slats. The function of these disks is explained in detail below. This means that the ends of the slats facing away from the engine, shown on the right, are no longer mounted directly in the frame, but in these OBD disks 18-21, which serve as the locking elements mentioned above. All of these disks 18-21 are preferably of identical dimensions and, just like the frame and the slats, are manufactured using an injection molding process from a thermoplastic material, preferably polyamide 6 with a glass fiber content of approximately 50%.

[0044] In order to be able to absorb the increased torques caused by the locking mechanism in the event of a defect on the side facing away from the engine, the areas of the slats facing the engine are provided with reinforcements 39. The reinforcements are designed as separate components that are screwed on, but they can preferably be manufactured integrally with the slats using the injection molding process. The locking elements, i.e. the discs 18-21, are designed as separate elements from the slats 8-11. This is important because if a slat were to break completely, the associated OBD disc would otherwise also break and would then no longer be able to perform its locking function in the event of a defect. Also more robustly designed than in the illustration according to Figure 1 Here is the coupling rod, again because of the locking moments that can be heard in the event of a defect. In Figure 5Another slightly different design of such a radiator shutter with locking elements is shown. A corresponding exploded view is shown in Figure 7 In this embodiment, as can be seen in particular from the Figures 6 a) and b)As can be seen, there are no reinforcements 39 in the form of separate screwed-on components on the motor side. Here, the respective eccentrics are more robust in the form of coupling levers 25 of the respective slats. The coupling levers 25 each have a coupling pin 26 facing the coupling rod 7. This coupling pin 26 engages in corresponding coupling grooves in the coupling rod 7. Here, too, the motor 12 directly drives the corresponding bearing head 9‴ of the driven slat 9. Movement coupling with the other slats takes place accordingly via the coupling lever 25 of the slat 9 to the coupling rod 7 and from there via the corresponding coupling levers 25 of the other slats to these.

[0045] In Figure 6 b)It shows how, to protect against dirt and the like, the locking elements 18-21 are arranged in an encapsulated space 22. This prevents water, dirt, etc., from affecting these locking elements, which are important for diagnosis. The encapsulated area 22 is closed at the front and, upon completion of assembly, is also closed at the rear by a frame cover (not shown here). The encapsulated area 22 for the locking elements is thus essentially completely separated by a partition wall 23 from the frame opening 37, through which air and also dirt, water, etc. can flow.

[0046] The function and shape of the locking elements 18-21 can best be understood by Figure 8 explain. Here, the row of locking elements 18-21 is shown from the side of the frame opening, and in b) the quasi-folded view from the outside. In Figure 8 c)A perspective view of this series of locking elements is illustrated. All locking elements are preferably designed identically; here, the outermost locking elements 18 and 21 are slightly modified (compare the capped areas 34) because the available housing in the frame would otherwise have led to collisions in certain rotational positions. Preferably, however, all locking elements 18-21 are identical (cf. Figures 9ff). Each locking element has two guide axes 28 or guide pins projecting in both directions. The side facing the slat is designed in such a way that there is a guide collar 29 with axially extending notches into which the blades 17 of the slats engage.Alternatively, it is possible to dispense with such a guide collar 29 and provide an axle hole or recess on this side in the pin 28 directly for the respective bearing pin 8'-11' of the corresponding slat. This recess has an internal structure so that the corresponding pin of the slat can be inserted into this recess in a rotationally secured manner.

[0047] The two axes 28 projecting on either side engage in corresponding bearing recesses, on the side facing the frame opening, in the through holes 27. The locking elements are thus mounted individually and independently of the slats 8. It is important that if a slat 8 falls out, the corresponding locking disc 18-21 must not also fall out of the frame, otherwise it would no longer perform the locking function and, accordingly, the diagnostic function would no longer be available.

[0048] The locking elements 18-21 are provided with corresponding locking plates 30, 31, which are designed as eccentrics and run perpendicular to the axis 28. The shape of these locking plates is selected so that only synchronous corotation is possible without an early or late locking collision of the locking plates. If one of the locking plates or one of the locking elements 18-21 does not rotate while the other locking elements rotate, then in any case, after at most one complete cycle (e.g., starting from open: closed and then open again), regardless of the starting position, a radial outer contour of a moving locking element will come into contact with an outer contour of the non-moving locking element, resulting in a quasi-positive locking.For this purpose, there is a first locking plate 30, which has a projecting area 32 and, on the opposite side, a less projecting area with a notch 33. These first locking plates are all at the same axial height for the adjacent locking elements. To ensure that locking occurs either immediately or at least after one or two complete movement cycles for all starting positions in which one of the slats fails, there is also a second locking plate 31, which has lateral projections 35. This second locking plate 31, if necessary, pushes the adjacent, non-rotating locking plate into a changed rotational position in one cycle, so that the first locking plate or the second locking plate is then moved into a locked state in this changed rotational position.

[0049] Figure 9shows a perspective view of a locking disc 18-21 according to another embodiment. The shape can be seen more clearly here. The locking disc has a through-opening in the form of an axle hole 40, within which there is a contour, here a flat flank 41, which serves to insert an axle element 8' of the slat inserted into this hole such that the locking disc is coupled to the corresponding slat with respect to rotation in both directions. There is also a circumferential flange 44 on which sliding webs 43 are provided. The circumferential flange 45 runs in a corresponding recess in the frame, and the flange 44 arranged on the opposite side of the disc runs in the through-opening 27 in the partition 23.Such a flange is therefore present not only on the side of the second locking plate 31, but also on the opposite side of the first locking plate 30, where this flange 40 is higher than on the opposite side. The discs 18-21 are inserted into the encapsulated space 22 by first inserting the tall flange 45 into the corresponding openings. Subsequently, the disc is inserted with the aid of the mobility or flexibility of the partition 23 until the respective opposite flange 54 is clipped into the respective through-opening 27. The sliding webs 43 reduce susceptibility to dirt. Dirt can collect in particular in the areas arranged between the sliding webs and designed with a smaller radius, thus not hindering the rotational movement.

[0050] As mentioned above, the first locking plate 30 has a projecting area 32 on one side. The contour in this area is limited by two blocking areas 46, which are connected via a transition area 49, and two lateral areas 47, in which the radius decreases successively. These two lateral areas 47 are connected by the incision area 48, which, in connection with Figure 8 indicated by the reference number 33.

[0051] On the next level and directly adjacent to the first locking plate 30 is the second locking plate 31. Here, there is a circumferential circular-cylindrical region 50 with a small radius, which is arranged in the projecting region of the first locking plate 30. To save weight or to avoid warping during production, a recess 42 can be provided here. On the side opposite this circular-cylindrical region 50, there is again a projecting region with the lateral projections 35 already mentioned above. In the projecting region, these two projections 35 are connected via a concave transition region 52 and an intermediate convex blocking region 51. Towards the circular-cylindrical region 50, the lateral projections 35 are followed by the concave second transition region 53.Both the first locking plate 30 and the second locking plate 31 contribute to the locking, but the first locking plate 30 also serves in particular to move a non-moving disc into a position in a cycle so that locking can take place in the further sequence of movements.

[0052] Based on the Figures 10-17 The locking function of the discs 18-21 can be explained.

[0053] The starting point is the normal position, which is shown in the Figures 10 and 11 from the side of the first locking plate 30 and the second locking plate 31, respectively. The three normal positions are closed (0°), half-open (42.2°), and open (85°). In each of these positions, the discs do not touch each other. The minimum distance is 0.1 - 5 mm, or 3 mm, or 0.5 mm.

[0054] Figure 12now shows what happens when, starting from the closed position (0°), the lowest slat is defective and the corresponding disc 55 does not rotate. As in Figure 12 a) As indicated, the discs viewed here from the side of the first locking plate 30 begin to rotate counterclockwise (see arrows) towards the opening. At a position of approximately 12° (see Figure 12 b) the lateral region 47 of the disc adjacent to the disc 55 then comes into blocking engagement with the blocking region 46 of the failed disc 55.

[0055] The blockade occurs almost immediately and after only 12° rotation. The same sequence of steps is in the Figures 12c shown for the view from the side of the second locking plate 31, accordingly the discs rotate clockwise here.

[0056] Figure 13shows what happens when, starting from the open position (85°), the discs are rotated toward the closed position, again in figures a) and b) from the side of the first locking plate, and in figures c) and d) from the side of the second locking plate. Here, too, the bottom disc 55 is inactive. The locking occurs after the top three discs have rotated approximately 42°.

[0057] The blocking area 51 of the lowest disc then comes into contact with one of the lateral projections 35 of the second lowest disc, thus blocking the three upper discs. Starting from the open position, less than a quarter cycle is required to reach a blocked situation. This also results in a very rapid diagnostic block.

[0058] In Figure 14shows what happens when turning from the half-open position (42.5°) to the closed position (0°), from the side of the first locking plate, and in Figure 15 The same applies to the side of the second locking plate. As can be seen from the transition from a) to b), nothing happens at first until the closed position (0°) is reached. The lower disc simply does not rotate. If the upper discs now rotate back again (compare figure c), the lateral area 47 of the second lowest disc comes into contact with the corresponding lateral area 47 of the lowest disc at approximately 45° and then rotates the lowest disc into a different rotational position when the open position is reached (compare figure d).

[0059] If the three upper discs are now turned back towards the closed position, locking occurs at approximately 40° (compare Figure e), again because the lateral projection 35 of the second lowest disc blocks the blocking area 51 of the lowest disc 55.

[0060] Last but not least, the Figures 16 and 17 the behavior of the discs when, starting from the half-open position (42.5°), they are first rotated into the closed position and the lowest disc 55 does not rotate.

[0061] Here, the bottommost disc is rotated immediately after reaching a position of approximately 45° due to contact between the adjacent lateral regions 47 (see Figure b) and pushed to the quasi-open position (see Figure c). If we then rotate the top three discs back toward the open position, the bottom two discs lock again via the projections 35 and the locking region 51 (see Figure d).

[0062] The shape of the discs ensures that no more than one complete cycle has to be completed before a blockage is detected, a correspondingly higher torque is measured at the drive motor of the discs, and thus a diagnosis of the operating status of the disc pack is possible via the motor. Figure 18shows another embodiment of a radiator shutter, this time with five slats. A perspective view from the motor 12 shows the mounting of the slats. The motor drives the slat on the far right, i.e., slat 11a, directly on its axis of rotation, and the four subsequent slats arranged further to the left are rotated via a coupling rod 7, similar to the previously described embodiments, when the motor rotates the first slat 11a. The closed position is shown. The entire radiator shutter is arranged here on a mounting plate 68 for illustrative purposes; it would normally be mounted in a housing in a component connected upstream of the motor.

[0063] Opposite the motor 12, a locking housing 67 is provided in which the bearing pins of the slats 8-11a opposite the drive side are mounted. Figure 19 a)In this locking housing 67 the cover plate 69 has been removed (see exploded view according to Fig. 19b ), so that a view into this locking housing 67 is permitted. The locking rod 61, which runs transversely to the plane of the slats, can now be seen in the locking housing; this locking rod can only be moved parallel to the plane spanned by the axes of the slats and perpendicular to the direction of the slat axes in the housing 67.

[0064] At the height of each slat, there is a locking recess 64 running perpendicular to the main direction of the locking rod 61. Engagement pins 63 engage in these locking recesses 64. These engagement pins 63 are arranged on rotary plates 60. These rotary plates 60 have a receiving opening 70, and they are attached to the bearing pins of the slats with this receiving opening 70 in a rotationally secured manner. In these rotary plates 60, the engagement pin 63 is arranged eccentrically to the rotation axis of the slat, and the rotary plates 60 rotate with the slats, for example, through a positive fit between the respective bearing pin 77 and the respective receiving opening 70.

[0065] All turntables 60 are aligned with their engagement pin 63 in the same direction, and for each turntable 60 the engagement pin 63 points from the slats towards the locking rod 61.

[0066] For better guidance of the locking rod 61, it has parallel elongated holes 74 extending along its main direction of travel between the locking recesses 64 for the engagement pins 63. Guide pins 75, which are provided on the rear wall of the housing, slide in these elongated holes 74. Lower guide webs 72 are provided on the lower wall of the housing, and the locking rod 61 is caught between this upper housing wall 73 and the guide webs 72 in such a way that it can only be moved along the Figure 20 can be moved in the specified direction, or in the opposite direction. However, it can be moved freely in this housing in this one direction.

[0067] In Figure 20This shows how the various components move relative to each other when all slats are intact and none are broken. The closed position is shown at 0° at the very top; the slat on the far left is driven by the motor.

[0068] When the slats rotate to the open position at 30°, the guide pins 63 all move upwards synchronously, and in a counterclockwise direction, they describe a quarter circle until they are fully open. At 30°, there is initially a slight displacement in the direction of displacement 76, but then at 45° and during further rotation beyond 60° to 90°, the locking rod 61 is driven in the direction of displacement 76. During closing, the same thing happens in the opposite direction, meaning the engagement pins 63 describe a quarter circle clockwise. During the movement from 0-90°, the locking rod 61 is driven in the left direction in this figure, with the engagement pins 63 moving from a position at the very bottom in the corresponding locking recess 64 to the very top.

[0069] In Figure 21aThe initial situation is shown for the case where slat 11a, i.e., the slat on the far right, is broken. Starting with the fully closed position shown here at 0°, the engagement pins 63 are each located in the locking recess 64 in a lower end region 66, which essentially forms a stop, but which is normally not reached.

[0070] Now, as in Figure 21bAs shown, the plate pack is rotated via the motor, but the broken plate 11a does not rotate, so the engagement pins 63 of the intact plates move upwards in the locking recesses 64 and begin to take the locking rod 61 with them to the left. Since the broken plate 11a shown here on the far right does not rotate, its engagement pin 63 remains right at the bottom in the end area 66 of its locking recess 64, and because the right-hand circumferential area of ​​the engagement pin then comes into clamping contact with the inner contour of the locking recess immediately below the catch recess 65, the locking rod 61 can now no longer be moved to the left, and thus the engagement pins 63 of the plates arranged further to the left are prevented from rotating any further, and thus also the corresponding plates. The motor 12 is blocked and it is therefore detected that a lamella is broken.

[0071] This locking mechanism operates from the fully closed position up to a deflection angle of approximately 11.3°, as shown in Figure 21c In other words, as long as the broken slat is in the range between 0° and approximately 11° as the starting position, a locking takes place as shown in Figure 21b respectively c.

[0072] Starting from a starting position of 30°, as shown in Figure 22 As can be seen, the broken slat remains in this position, it is then virtually caught in the catch recess 65, whereupon the slats further to the left with 45° can no longer rotate and thus the entire slat package is blocked.

[0073] Figure 23shows the situation of the entire stack when the rightmost slat, i.e., slat 11a, is broken, assuming the closed position, as already discussed above. The slat stack can now be rotated to the maximum position shown below at 15°, since in this position, further displacement of the locking rod to the left is blocked by the engagement pin 63 of the rightmost slat 11a.

[0074] In Figure 24 The situation is shown in which the rightmost slat, i.e. slat 11a, is broken and the starting point is the fully open position. Here, all slats rotate, including the broken one, until the fully closed position of 0° is reached. Only when the package is to be opened again in the next opening process does the system block, again at 15°, as is the case with Figure 23 was explained.

[0075] Figure 25 shows the situation when starting from the half-open position (above) of 45° and closing the plate pack. Here, too, the broken plate is initially carried along until the closed position (0°), and only when the plate pack is subsequently to be opened again does the broken plate 11a lock the system at 15°, as already explained in connection with Figure 23 was described.

[0076] Last but not least, Figure 26 the situation when starting from a half-open position, here 42.5°, and the slat pack is to be opened further. Here, too, the broken slat on the far left 11a is initially moved to the fully open position, and only when it has been completely closed again, or at least closed to a position of 30°, and then opened again, is the locked slat in Figure 26 position shown at the very bottom.

[0077] Fig. 27 shows alternative designs of locking bars 61. In Figure 27a ) shows a side view of an implementation in which the locking recesses 64 are not designed as simple vertical slots with a lateral catch recess 65, the locking recesses 64 have a lateral offset 79 between the lower end region 66 and the upper end region 78. The offset 79 has the same effect as the catch recess 65 when a slat remains at 0° (compare Figure 21 ), and the analogous effect as the catch recess 65, when a slat stops at 30° (compare Figure 22). The advantage of the design with the lateral offset 79 is, on the one hand, that the engagement pin 63 is always guided laterally in the slot of the locking recess 64 and never has any play. A further advantage is that, for illustration purposes, compare the situation with Figure 22 , whereby one must imagine a corresponding locking recess with an offset, so that starting from a blockage of a slat at 90° or up to 45°, depending on the height of the offset even further, and an attempted rotation of the other slats towards 0° also results in a locking and a corresponding feedback of a fault to the motor. Another alternative design of a locking rod 61 is shown in the Figures 27b and c. In order for the slats to be inserted after inserting the locking rod 61 (see also Figure 28), it may be advantageous if the locking recesses 64 are open at the top or bottom. The open side is then closed by another component (in Figure 28 the cover) is closed. Furthermore, it is not necessary for the locking recesses 64 to be designed as through-openings. As illustrated in connection with this embodiment, they can also be designed as grooves, i.e., on the side facing away from the slats, the locking rod 61 has a closed rear wall 81 or a groove bottom. This can be advantageous for stability reasons, particularly when the locking recesses 64 are open on one side.

[0078] Fig. 28shows another radiator shutter with locking elements. In this case, two slat packs are driven and controlled by a centrally arranged motor 12. The frame 2 here has a vertical intermediate web 3, which not only serves to support the slats as described above, but also to accommodate the motor 12. In contrast to the examples described above, the slats do not extend across the entire width of the frame, but rather two individual slat packs are arranged in the two recesses arranged to the sides of the vertical intermediate web: a first group of slats 86 in the left area as shown, and a second group of slats 87 in the right area as shown.

[0079] The motor 12, which is arranged behind the vertical intermediate web 3 and is protected in the direction of travel, drives the two disk packs 86 / 87 jointly and synchronously, in that the motor drives one disk or a transmission shaft 85 (see discussion below), and the other disks are moved via the common coupling element 7. For this purpose, the coupling element 7 has two coupling areas 83 and an intermediate bridging area 84. The locking elements already described above are then provided on the outer side of the frame, again in the form of a locking rod 61, which is connected via turntables 60, which are provided on the respective disk 86 / 87, with eccentric engagement pins 63 attached thereto or formed integrally therewith. These engagement pins 63 engage in the grooves of the locking rod 61, each of which is a locking rod 61, as described above in connection with Figure 27 b) and c)has already been described. In other words, it is a locking rod 61 in which the grooves are open upwards, or more precisely, at the rear in the direction of travel. This design allows the frame to be fitted from the rear, so to speak, by first inserting the locking rods 61, then the slats, and finally closing them with the covers 82, which are fastened, for example, with the screws shown. Here, too, the locking rods are mounted in such a way that they can only be moved along their main direction of travel.

[0080] In such plate packs with a comparatively large number of plates, a thin design of the plates is preferred for weight reasons and to ensure the largest possible flow cross-section when the plates are open. This can lead to the torsional stability of the plates no longer being sufficient if a plate fails and becomes blocked. It may then happen that the rotation of the plates is blocked on the side facing away from the engine, but this blockage is not transmitted to the engine side and thus not transmitted as feedback to the engine, because the plates can easily be twisted by the engine.

[0081] In this embodiment, this problem is solved by providing a horizontal intermediate web 88 in the frame 2, which is arranged at the same height as the slats. At the vertical height of this intermediate web 88 and protected behind it, on both sides of the frame, there is not a slat, but rather a transmission shaft 85 that has sufficient torsional stability. This transmission shaft 85 is also coupled to the locking rod 61 in the same way as the slats, and if a blockage occurs via the locking rod 61, then this transmission shaft 85 is also blocked. Either this transmission shaft 85 is also the element that is coupled to the motor 12 and actuates the coupling rod 7, in which case the feedback in the event of a blockage is returned directly to the motor.If the transmission shaft 85 is not directly coupled to the motor, but via the coupling rod 7, the feedback is provided indirectly via this coupling rod 7. However, the feedback can also be secured in another way, for example by designing a plate specifically for torsional stability.

[0082] Figure 28 b) shows, in a detail according to the section in a), the detailed design of the side of the slats 87 where the rotary plates 60 are arranged. In this case, the rotary plates 60 are formed integrally with the slats 87 and connected to them via the bearing pins 89. An engagement pin 63 is provided eccentrically in each rotary plate 60.

[0083] Figure 28 c)shows, in a detail according to the section in a), the detailed design of the side of the slats 86, where the coupling to the motor 12 takes place. The bearing pins 89 are arranged on the axle and are mounted in corresponding recesses in the vertical intermediate web 3 of the frame 2. A coupling pin 26 is provided via a coupling lever 25, which engages in corresponding recesses in the coupling rod 7. Here, too, the coupling lever and coupling pin are formed integrally with the slat.

[0084] Figure 29 d) shows in detail according to section in Figure 28 a)the locking rod 61 with the locking recesses 64, which in this illustration are open to the rear with an insertion opening 80, and which have a lateral offset 79 approximately halfway up, as described above. The cover 82 is placed onto this locking rod 61 and then connected to the frame. The cover 62 has a rear wall 90, which guides the locking rod 61 on this side, as well as a cover wall 91, which closes the upper insertion opening 80 when the cover is placed and fastened in the frame. In the front wall of this cover facing the slats, there are contours 92, in each of which recesses 93 are provided for the bearing pins 89, and behind which the rotary plates 60 of the slats are trapped.These contours ensure that, should a slat break, it will break in the area of ​​the corresponding bearing pin 89 between the actual slat and the turntable 60, and thus, even if a slat breaks, the turntable remains in the frame and ensures the coupling to the locking rod 61. Without this measure, it would be possible for a slat to break together with the turntable and, accordingly, locking via the locking rod 61 would no longer be possible because a turntable no longer rotates. LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS 1 Radiator blind 8 first slat 2 Frame 8' Bearing pins of 8 3 vertical intermediate web 8" Interim storage of 8 4 lateral mounting area of ​​2 8‴ Storage head of 8 9 drive lamella 5 Storage area of ​​2 9' Bearing pins of 9 6 Engine range of 6 9" Interim storage of 9 7 coupling rod 9‴ Storage head of 9 10 third lamella 33 Cutting area of ​​30 10' Bearing pins of 10 34 cut-off areas due to prototype construction 10" Interim storage of 10 10‴ Storage head of 10 35 lateral projections on 31 11 fourth lamella 36 Minimum distance 11' Bearing pins of 11 37 Frame opening 11" Interim storage of 11 38 Mirror plane 11‴ Storage head of 11 39 Reinforcements 11a fifth lamella 40 axle hole 12 Motor 41 flat flank for 13 drive-side bearing of 8-11 42 Rotation insurance recess 14 bearings facing away from the drive from 8-11 43 Sliding bridges 44 circumferential flange on the side of the second locking plate 15 Engine mount 16 Coverage of 3 17 Cover area of ​​slat, slat blade 45 circumferential flange on the side of the first 18 OBD disc of 8 Locking plate 19 OBD disc of 9 46 Blocking area of ​​30 20 OBD disc of 10 47 lateral area of ​​30 21 OBD disc of 11 48 Cutting area of ​​30 22 encapsulated room for 18-21 49 Transition range of 30 23 Partition wall of 22 50 circular cylindrical area of ​​31 24 Coupling groove in 7 25 Coupling lever from Lamelle 51 Blocking area of ​​31 26 Coupling pin on 25 52 first transition area of ​​31 27 Passage opening for Bearing pin in 23 53 second transition area of ​​31 28 Axis from 18-21 29 Guide collar 54 blocking collision 30 first locking plate from 18-21 55 "failed" OBD disc 56 Contact without locking 31 second locking plate from 18-21 60 turntable 61 locking bar 32 expansive area of ​​30 62 locking guide, Locking housing Locking recess 63 engagement pin 79 lateral offset of the locking recess 64 Locking recess in 61 80 upper insertion opening of the locking recess 65 Catch deepening 66 lower end area of ​​the locking recess 81 closed rear wall of locking recess 67 Locking housing 82 cover 68 Mounting plate 83 Coupling range of 7 69 cover plate 84 Bridging area of ​​7 70 Receiving opening in 60 for bearing pin of lamella 85 transmission shaft 86 Slats of the left area 87 Lamellae of the right area in general 71 Fixing screws 72 lower guide rails 88 horizontal intermediate web 73 upper housing wall 89 Bearing pin from 86 / 87 74 parallel slot to the guide 90 Back wall of 82 91 Cover wall of 82 75 Guide pin for engagement in 74 92 Contours in front wall of 82 to accommodate 60 76 Direction of displacement of locking rod 93 Recess in 92 for 89 77 Bearing pin of the lamella EV first locking plate, 30 Central Administrative Court second locking plate, 31 78 upper end area of ​​the

Claims

1. Cooling louvre (1), in particular for an automobile for controlled ventilation of the engine, with a frame (2) in which at least two discs (8-11) are rotatably mounted in such a way that they can be moved by a completely closed position (approx. 0°), in which the louvre blades (17) of the louvres (8-11) are arranged substantially parallel to the frame plane and either partially overlap or lie close together in the adjacent area, so that the frame opening (37) is substantially closed to the air flow, into an open position (approx. 90°), in which the blades (17) of the louvres (8-11) are arranged essentially perpendicular to the frame plane, so that the frame opening (37) is essentially maximally open for the air flow, can be swivelled, whereby the discs (8-11) are mounted in bearings on two opposite sides of the frame, wherein a motor (12) is provided in or on the frame on a motor side (6) of the frame, which drives a single slat (9), and wherein a coupling element (7) is provided on the same motor side (6) of the frame, which synchronously transmits the rotation of the driven slat (9) to the other slats (8, 10-11), and wherein a locking element (18-21, 60, 63) is provided for each slat on the mounting side (5) of the frame (2) facing away from the motor side (6) of the frame (2) in the region of the mounting of the slats (8-11) provided there, and wherein the locking elements (18-21, 60, 63) are coupled directly or indirectly in such a way that, if at least one of the locking elements (18-21, 60, 63) does not rotate synchronously with all the other locking elements (18-21, 60, 63), the rotational movement of the locking elements (18-21, 60, 63) is blocked in at least one direction, preferably in a force-locking and / or form-locking manner characterised in that the locking elements are designed as locking discs (18-21, 60, 63) or as locking elements (60, 63) with at least one engagement pin (63) that is radially offset with respect to the axis of rotation of the discs (8-11), wherein the engagement pin (63) extends parallel to the axis of rotation of the discs (8-11) and performs an arcuate movement synchronously with the disc when the disc rotates, and wherein the engagement pins (63) of all locking elements (60) are coupled via a common locking rod (61) extending perpendicular to the axis of the discs, and wherein the locking discs (18-21) have a shape which, if at least one of the locking discs does not rotate synchronously with all the other locking discs (18-21), blocks the rotary movement of the locking discs in a force-locking and / or form-locking manner .

2. Cooling louvre (1) according to claim 1, characterised in that at least three, preferably at least four, in particular preferably exactly four slats are mounted in parallel in the frame, and preferably each of the slats has a locking disc.

3. Cooling louvre (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the respective locking element (18-21, 60, 63), in particular in the form of a locking disc (18-21), is coupled to the associated slat (8-11) in both directions of rotation, and wherein the locking elements (18-21, 60,63) or locking discs preferably each have at least one locking plate (30, 31) arranged substantially perpendicular to the respective slat axis, at least one first locking plate (30) preferably having a larger radius in a first circumferential region (32) than in a second, preferably substantially opposite circumferential region (33).

4. Cooling louvre (1) according to one of the preceding claims 3 or 4, characterised in that there are two locking plates (30, 31) which are offset in relation to the axis (28) of the locking disc (18-21), preferably abutting, preferably each mirror-symmetrical, wherein in particular each of these locking plates has a first peripheral region with a larger radius and a second peripheral region with a smaller radius, wherein preferably the circumferential regions each having a larger radius of the two locking plates (30, 31) are arranged opposite one another with respect to the axis of the locking disc, and wherein preferably a second locking plate (31) in the circumferential region having a larger radius preferably has two lateral projections (35), and / or characterised in that at least one, preferably all, of the locking discs (18-21) are designed to be mirror-symmetrical with respect to a mirror plane (38), which mirror plane (38) includes the axis (28) and / or characterised in that a minimum distance (36) is always maintained between the locking discs (18-21) in the non-locked operating state, this minimum distance preferably being in the range of 0.1-5 mm, or 0.1-4 mm, or 0.1-1 mm, in particular in the range of 0.25-0.75 mm.

5. Cooling louvre (1) according to claim 1, characterised in that the engagement pins (63) in the locking rod (61) run in locking recesses (64).

6. Cooling louvre according to the preceding claim, characterised in that the locking recesses (64) are designed as an elongated hole or elongated recess (64), as a through opening or as a groove, the longer axis of which extends perpendicularly to the main direction of travel of the locking rod (61), and wherein the locking rod (61) is further preferably mounted in such a way that it can be displaced substantially only along its main direction of travel, but not in a direction perpendicular thereto.

7. Cooling louvre according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that, in the fully closed position or in the fully open position, the engagement pins (63) are deflected substantially to the maximum with respect to the axis of rotation of the respective slat (8-11) in the main direction of travel of the locking rod (61), and rotate into a position during rotation into the fully open or the fully closed position, in which they lie substantially at the level of the axis of rotation of the respective slat (8-11) in the main direction of travel of the locking rod (61), and wherein the engagement pins (63) preferably come to lie in an end region (66) of the elongate hole or the elongate recess (64) in the fully open or fully closed position, wherein preferably the elongated hole or the elongated recess (65) each has a catch recess (66) or a lateral offset (79) in the direction of the maximum deflection of the engagement pins (63), preferably at half the height of the elongated hole or the elongated recess (65), and / or characterised in that the locking rod (61) is guided in a locking guide (62) in such a way that it can only be displaced in a single direction perpendicular to the axes of rotation of the slats (8-11) but not in the direction of the normal to the plane spanned by the axes of rotation of the slats (8-11).

8. Cooling louvre (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the locking elements (60, 63), preferably in the form of locking discs (18-21), are designed as components separate from the slats, into which preferably bearing pins of the slats are inserted only in a rotationally secured manner.

9. Cooling louvre (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the locking elements (60, 63), preferably in the form of locking discs (18-21), as well as an optionally present locking rod (61), are arranged in an encapsulated region (22) of the frame separated from the through opening (27) of the frame (2) by a partition wall (23), and wherein preferably bearing pins of the slats engage through through openings (27) in the partition wall (23).

10. Cooling louvre (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the slats have a length of at least 10 cm, or at least 20 cm, or at least 50 cm, preferably of more than 60 cm or more than 1 m, in particular preferably of in the range of 10 - 150 cm or 20 - 120 cm, or also in the range of 1.2 - 2 m, and wherein in particular preferably a vertical intermediate web (3) is provided in the frame, which supports intermediate bearing regions of the slats.

11. Cooling louvre (1) according to claim 10, characterised in that the slats have a manufacturing-related cavity in the interior extending along the axis of the respective slat.

12. Cooling louvre (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the coupling element is designed as a coupling rod (7), the motor preferably driving the driven slat (9) directly via its axis, and the coupling rod (7), which is preferably arranged parallel to the frame plane and perpendicular to the axes of the slats, is moved via a coupling lever (25), and the other slats (8, 10-11) are moved synchronously via corresponding coupling levers (25) coupled to the coupling rod (7).

13. Method for operating or controlling a cooling louvre according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the control of the motor (12) is designed such that an error message is output if the motor moves to a locked stop position which does not correspond to the closed or open end position of the slats due to locking of the locking elements (60, 63), preferably in the form of locking discs, wherein preferably the reaching of such a locked stop position is detected via an increase in the torque generated by the motor.

14. Method for producing a cooling louvre (1) according to one of the preceding claims 1-12, characterised in that the frame, slats and the locking elements (60, 63), preferably in the form of locking discs and / or locking rods (61), are produced individually from a thermoplastic material, preferably from a glass fibre-reinforced thermoplastic material, in particular preferably from glass fibre-reinforced thermoplastic polyamide in an injection moulding process, and are then assembled to form the cooling louvre (1).

15. Use of a cooling louvre (1) according to any of the preceding claims 1-12 in a means of transport, in particular in an automobile, for the targeted supply of air to an engine, an engine component, an energy storage device or another heat-generating component.