Device for blocking airflow to a multi-framed vehicle front

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of air flow blocking devices for the front of motor vehicles.

[0002] The front ends of motor vehicles typically feature one or more main air intakes through which air flows into the front compartment. Behind these air intakes are usually located the vehicle's heat exchangers, such as those used for cabin air conditioning and / or engine cooling.

[0003] It is also known to feature, in the air path passing through the main air intakes, a support frame with one or more pivoting shutters capable of assuming a multitude of different angular positions, ranging from fully open to fully closed, thus forming a shuttering device similar to a louver. This shuttering device is sometimes called an active grille shutter, or even a controlled air intake module. Such a shuttering device may also be designated by the acronym AGS (for "Active Grille Shutter").

[0004] The shutter system allows adjustment of the airflow through the air intakes and into the heat exchangers. This makes it possible to optimize the efficiency of these heat exchangers according to demand by varying the amount of air they receive. Furthermore, at high speeds, the shutters in the closed position reduce the vehicle's drag coefficient, thus improving its aerodynamics. The shutter system therefore reduces energy consumption and pollution when the engine does not need to be cooled by outside air.

[0005] A typical car has two main air intakes on its front: a lower intake and an upper intake, usually separated by a bumper. The shutter system typically consists of two support frames, one opposite each of the main air intakes. This type of shutter system generally uses a single actuator to rotate the flaps on both support frames. This makes it difficult, if not impossible, to independently control the flaps on each support frame. Furthermore, these support frames are usually independent of each other, which can complicate the installation and connection of the shutter system within the vehicle.

[0006] An example of a motor vehicle front air intake closure device comprising a first and second support frame is thus known from document US2010243351A1.

[0007] One of the aims of the present invention is therefore to remedy at least partially the disadvantages of the prior art and to propose an improved multi-frame support closure device.

[0008] The present invention therefore relates to a sealing device for the front air intake of a motor vehicle, comprising: a first support frame having four sides, a second support frame having four sides, at least one flap disposed within each of the first and second support frames and pivoting around a pivot axis between a first open extreme position and a second closed extreme position, the first and second support frames being mechanically fixed to each other at one of their sides, called the fixing side, the first and second support frames each comprising at least one drive device dedicated to setting in motion at least one flap which each of the said first and second support frames comprises.

[0009] According to the invention, the first and second support frames each comprise two side uprights, an upper end cross member and a lower end cross member, said end cross members connecting said side uprights, the lower end cross member of the first support frame being fixed directly to the upper end cross member of the second support frame.

[0010] According to the invention, the fixing sides of the first and second support frame have a complementary shape.

[0011] According to another aspect of the invention, the fixing sides of the first and second support frames comprise a fitting device having a male organ complementary to a female organ.

[0012] According to another unclaimed aspect, the male organ is at least a projecting ridge extending parallel to the fixing flank and the female organ is at least a receiving housing into which at least one projecting ridge is inserted.

[0013] According to another unclaimed aspect, at least one protruding bead is disposed on the fixing side of the first frame and at least one receiving housing is disposed on the fixing side of the second frame.

[0014] According to another unclaimed aspect, at least one protruding bead is disposed on a front face of the support frame which carries it and at least one receiving housing is disposed on a rear face of the support frame which carries it.

[0015] According to another aspect of the invention, the fixing sides of the first and second support frame are fixed to each other by a fixing means which opposes the pulling away from the rear of one fixing side relative to the other.

[0016] According to another unclaimed aspect, the fixing sides of the first and second support frame are fixed to each other by means of screws.

[0017] According to another unclaimed aspect, the screws are screwed in from the rear of the sealing device.

[0018] According to another unclaimed aspect, the shutters are connected to the first and second support frames by at least one pivot joint comprising an open insertion housing disposed on one face of the support frames and intended to receive the pivot axis of at least one shutter, the shuttering device further comprising a retaining bar covering the opening of the receiving housing and intended to retain the pivot axis of at least one shutter within said receiving housing, and at least two guides aligned and arranged so as to retain the retaining bar above the opening of the receiving housing, the retaining bar being inserted into the at least two guides by sliding from one of the sides of the support frames.

[0019] According to another aspect of the invention, the support bar is common to the first and second frames.

[0020] According to another unclaimed aspect, the first and second frames each have an individual support bar.

[0021] According to another unclaimed aspect, at least one of the drive devices includes an actuator disposed on the lower part of one of the side posts of the first and second frames.

[0022] According to another unclaimed aspect, at least one of the drive devices includes an actuator disposed on the intermediate part of one of the side posts of the first and second frames.

[0023] According to another unclaimed aspect, at least one of the drive devices includes an actuator disposed on the upper part of one of the side posts of the first and second frames.

[0024] According to another unclaimed aspect, the first and second support frames are of identical dimensions.

[0025] According to another unclaimed aspect, the first and second support frames are of different dimensions.

[0026] Other features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent upon reading the following description, provided by way of illustration and not limitation, and the accompanying drawings in which: [ Fig 1 ] There figure 1 shows a schematic perspective representation of the front face of a sealing device, [ Fig 2 ] there figure 2 shows a schematic perspective representation of the rear face of a shutter device, [ Fig 3a ] there figure 3a shows a schematic side view representation of a shuttering device according to a first embodiment, [ Fig 3b ] there figure 3b shows a schematic side view representation of a shuttering device according to a second embodiment, [ Fig 3c ] there figure 3c shows a schematic side view representation of a shuttering device according to a third embodiment, [ Fig 4 ] there figure 4 shows a schematic perspective and cross-sectional representation of the connection between two support frames, [ Fig 5 ] there figure 5 shows a schematic exploded view in perspective and cross-section of the fixing between two support frames, [ Fig 6 ] there figure 6 shows a schematic perspective representation of an upper portion of a support frame and an intermediate post, [ Fig 7 ] there figure 7 shows a schematic perspective representation of the upper portion of the support frame and intermediate upright of the figure 6 with shutters, [ Fig 8 ] there figure 8 shows a schematic perspective representation of the upper portion of the support frame and intermediate upright with flaps of the figure 7 with a support bar, [ Fig 9 ] there figure 9 shows a schematic perspective representation of a portion of a support frame and an intermediate upright with guides, [ Fig 10 ] there figure 10 shows a schematic perspective representation of the supporting frame portion and the intermediate post with guides for the figure 9 with a support bar, [ Fig 11 ] there figure 11 shows a schematic perspective representation of a grab bar.

[0027] In these figures, identical elements bear the same numerical references.

[0028] The following are examples. Although the description refers to one or more embodiments, this does not necessarily mean that each reference relates to the same embodiment, or that the features apply only to a single embodiment. Simple features from different embodiments can also be combined and / or interchanged to provide other embodiments.

[0029] In this description, certain elements or parameters can be indexed, such as first element or second element, first parameter and second parameter, first criterion and second criterion, and so on. In this case, it is simply a matter of indexing to differentiate and name similar, but not identical, elements, parameters, or criteria. This indexing does not imply any priority of one element, parameter, or criterion over another, and such designations can easily be interchanged without departing from the scope of this description. Nor does this indexing imply any order in time, for example, for evaluating one criterion over another.

[0030] In the following description, "upper" and "lower" refer to the arrangement of elements on the front air intake shutter device in the mounted state of the shutter device on the motor vehicle.

[0031] THE figures 1 And 2 The diagrams show a shutter device 1 for the front air intake of a motor vehicle, respectively its front and rear faces. The front face refers to the face of the shutter device 1 intended to be oriented towards the front of the motor vehicle. The rear face refers to the face of the shutter device 1 opposite the front face and intended to be oriented towards the rear of the motor vehicle.

[0032] The sealing device 1 comprises a first support frame 3 having four sides 3a, 3a', 3b, 3b'. These sides 3a, 3a', 3b, 3b' may, in particular, include two lateral uprights 3a, 3a' and two end cross members 3b, 3b' connecting the two lateral uprights 3a, 3a', thus defining an opening in the first support frame 3. The first support frame 3 then has a generally rectangular shape. More specifically, the first support frame 3 has an upper end cross member 3b and a lower end cross member 3b', these orientations arbitrarily corresponding to the arrangement of the sealing device 1 when mounted in the motor vehicle. The upper end cross member 3b will then be positioned opposite the top of the motor vehicle, and the lower end cross member 3b' will be positioned opposite the bottom of the motor vehicle.

[0033] The first support frame 3 may also include at least one intermediate post 3c parallel to the side posts 3a, 3a' and connecting the end rails 3b, 3b'. This intermediate post 3c specifically connects the upper end rail 3b to the lower end rail 3b' within the opening of the first support frame 3. In the example shown in figures 1 And 2 , the opening of the first support frame 3 is divided into three by two intermediate uprights 3c.

[0034] The first support frame 3 has at least one flap 5 arranged inside the opening. The flap(s) 5 are mounted to pivot about a pivot axis P (visible on the figures 7 And 8 ) between a first open extreme position (not shown) and a second closed extreme position (visible on the figures 1 And 2). When the flap(s) 5 are in their first open extreme position, the airflow can pass through the opening of the first support frame 3. When the flap(s) 5 are in their second closed extreme position, the flap(s) 5 obstruct the opening of the first support frame 3 and oppose the passage of the airflow.

[0035] Still in the example illustrated in figures 1 And 2The first support frame 3 comprises a plurality of shutters 5, forming at least one set of shutters 5 arranged parallel to each other on the same plane and adjacent to one another. In this case, the first support frame 3 comprises a single set of shutters 5 arranged within the opening of the first support frame 3. The shutters 5 are arranged horizontally and one above the other, parallel to the end rails 3b, 3b'. The shutters 5 then form a pivot joint with the lateral uprights 3a, 3a'. The intermediate uprights 3c provide support so that the shutters 5 remain upright and do not sag under their own weight. The shutters 5 thus also form a pivot joint with these intermediate uprights 3c.

[0036] The sealing device 1 also includes a second support frame 4 having four sides 4a, 4a', 4b, 4b'. These sides 4a, 4a', 4b, 4b' may, in particular, include two lateral uprights 4a, 4a' and two end cross members 4b, 4b' connecting the two lateral uprights 4a, 4a', thus defining an opening in the second support frame 4. The second support frame 4 then has a generally rectangular shape. More specifically, the second support frame 4 has an upper end cross member 4b and a lower end cross member 4b', these orientations arbitrarily corresponding to the arrangement of the sealing device 1 when mounted in the motor vehicle. The upper end cross member 4b will then be positioned opposite the top of the motor vehicle, and the lower end cross member 4b' will be positioned opposite the bottom of the motor vehicle.

[0037] The second support frame 4 may also include at least one intermediate post 4c parallel to the side posts 4a, 4a' and connecting the end rails 4b, 4b'. This intermediate post 4c specifically connects the upper end rail 4b to the lower end rail 4b' within the opening of the second support frame 4. In the example shown in figures 1 And 2 , the opening of the second support frame 4 is divided into three by two intermediate uprights 4c.

[0038] The second support frame 4 has at least one flap 5 arranged inside the opening. The flap(s) 5 are mounted to pivot about a pivot axis P (visible on the figures 7 And 8 ) between a first open extreme position (not shown) and a second closed extreme position (visible on the figures 1 And 2). When the flap(s) 5 are in their first open extreme position, the airflow can pass through the opening of the first support frame 3. When the flap(s) 5 are in their second closed extreme position, the flap(s) 5 obstruct the opening of the first support frame 3 and oppose the passage of the airflow.

[0039] Still in the example illustrated in figures 1 And 2The second support frame 4 comprises a plurality of shutters 5, forming at least one set of shutters 5 arranged parallel to each other on the same plane and adjacent to one another. In this case, the second support frame 4 comprises a single set of shutters 5 arranged within the opening of the second support frame 4. Specifically, the shutters 5 are arranged horizontally and one above the other, parallel to the end rails 4b, 4b'. The shutters 5 then form a pivot joint with the side uprights 4a, 4a'. The intermediate uprights 4c provide support so that the shutters 5 remain upright and do not sag under their own weight. The shutters 5 thus also form a pivot joint with these intermediate uprights 3c.

[0040] Furthermore, the first 3 and second 4 support frames each include at least one drive device 7 dedicated to setting in motion the flap(s) 5 that each of said first 3 and second 4 support frames includes. These drive devices 7 (visible on the figures 1 And 2 ) are configured to control the positioning, and therefore the pivoting, of the flap(s) 5 between their first extreme open position and their second extreme closed position.

[0041] The drive device 7 includes, in particular, an actuator 7a, for example an electric motor, and a control element 7b (visible in the figure 2 ). In the example illustrated in figures 1 And 2The actuator 7a is directly connected to a control member 7b, for example a connecting rod, by a lever (not visible), the control member 7b is in turn also connected to each flap 5. A rotation of the actuator 7a then translates the control member 7b in order to simultaneously rotate the flap(s) 5. Other modes of transmitting the rotational movements of the actuator 7a to the set of flaps 5 can certainly be imagined.

[0042] Still in the example illustrated in figures 1 And 2 , the drive device 7 is arranged on one of the lateral uprights 3a, 3a', 4a, 4a' of the first 3 and second 4 support frames 4 in order to be able to pivot the shutter(s) 5 simultaneously.

[0043] Using dedicated drive units 7 for each support frame 3 and 4 allows for individual control of the flap(s) on each support frame 3 and 4. This can be particularly advantageous for limiting the airflow through the shutter device 1, for example, when the vehicle is moving. This potentially improves the vehicle's aerodynamic coefficient and therefore its fuel consumption, while still allowing airflow through one of the support frames 3 or 4 to reach the heat exchangers located downstream of the shutter device 1.

[0044] As shown by figures 3a, 3b And 3c , the drive devices 7 and more specifically their actuators 7a, can be arranged at different levels on the side posts 3a, 3a', 4a, 4a' according to requirements, in particular according to space constraints within the motor vehicle.

[0045] In the figure 3a The drive devices 7 each comprise an actuator 7a located on the lower part of one of the side members 3a, 3a', 4a, 4a' of the first 3 and second 4 frames. By lower part, we mean here the portion of the side member 3a, 3a', 4a, 4a' closest to the lower end cross member 3b', 4b'.

[0046] In the figure 3b The drive devices 7 each comprise an actuator 7a located on the intermediate part of one of the side uprights 3a, 3a', 4a, 4a' of the first 3 and second 4 frames. By intermediate part, we mean the portion of the side upright 3a, 3a', 4a, 4a' situated between the upper end cross member 3b, 4b and the lower end cross member 3b', 4b'.

[0047] In the figure 3c The drive devices 7 each comprise an actuator 7a located on the upper part of one of the side uprights 3a, 3a', 4a, 4a' of the first 3 and second 4 frames. By upper part, we mean here the part of the side upright 3a, 3a', 4a, 4a' closest to the upper end cross member 3b, 4b.

[0048] On the figures 3a, 3b And 3c The actuators 7a of the drive devices 7 of each support frame 3, 4 are on similar parts of a lateral upright 3a, 3a', 4a, 4a'. However, it is entirely possible to imagine an embodiment in which the actuators 7a of each support frame 3, 4 are on distinct parts of a lateral upright 3a, 3a', 4a, 4a'.

[0049] As shown by figures 1 And 2The first 3 and the second 4 support frames are fixed directly to each other at one of their sides 3a, 3a', 3b, 3b' and 4a, 4a', 4b, 4b', referred to as the fixing side. This direct fixing of the support frames 3 and 4 to each other simplifies the installation of the shutter device 1 within the motor vehicle. The use of two support frames 3 and 4 fixed directly to each other is also particularly advantageous for large shutter devices 1, for example, in vehicles such as trucks. Indeed, such a configuration helps to limit the risk of deformation or breakage of the flaps 5 due to the large size of the shutter device 1 and the air pressure. Furthermore, the fact that each support frame 3, 4 has a dedicated drive device 7 simplifies the connections and wiring during this setup.

[0050] The first 3 and second 4 support frames are preferably fixed one above the other. This means that the lower end cross member 3b' of the first support frame 3 is fixed directly to the upper end cross member 4b of the second support frame 4. This allows, in particular, each support frame 3 and 4 to be positioned opposite a lower and an upper air intake on the front of the motor vehicle, respectively.

[0051] THE figures 4 And 5 show in more detail the attachment between the two support frames 3 and 4. More specifically, on these figures 4 And 5 , this refers to the fixing between the lower end cross member 3b' of the first support frame 3 and the upper end cross member 4b of the second support frame 4.

[0052] As shown by figure 4 The mounting flanges 3a, 3a', 3b, 3b' and 4a, 4a', 4b, 4b' of the first 3 and second 4 support frames have complementary shapes. More precisely, here the mounting flanges are the lower end crossbar 3b' of the first support frame 3 and the upper end crossbar 4b of the second support frame 4. This complementary shape ensures that frames 3 and 4 fit together correctly and also allows for easy installation.

[0053] More specifically, the mounting flanges 3a, 3a', 3b, 3b' and 4a, 4a', 4b, 4b' of the first 3 and second 4 support frames have a fitting device comprising a male element 300 complementary to a female element 400. In the example shown, the male element 300 is at least one projecting bead 300 extending parallel to said mounting flange 3a, 3a', 3b, 3b' and 4a, 4a', 4b, 4b'. That is, at least one projecting bead 300 is here disposed on the mounting flange 3a, 3a', 3b, 3b' of the first frame 3, that is to say, its lower end cross member 3b'. In the example shown, the female organ 400 is at least one receiving housing 400 into which at least one projecting bead 300 is inserted. This at least one receiving housing 400 is located here on the fixing side 4a, 4a', 4b, 4b' of the second frame 4, that is to say, its upper end cross member 4b.

[0054] In order to better resist stresses, particularly aerodynamic stresses during rolling, at least one protruding bead 300 is preferably placed on a front face of the support frame 3, 4 which carries it and at least one receiving housing 400 is placed on a rear face of the support frame 3, 4 which carries it.

[0055] As shown by figure 5 The mounting flanges 3a, 3a', 3b, 3b' and 4a, 4a', 4b, 4b' of the first 3 and second 4 support frames are fixed to each other by a fastening means that prevents one mounting flange 3a, 3a', 3b, 3b' and 4a, 4a', 4b, 4b' from being pulled away from the rear relative to the other. More specifically, this fastening means may consist of screws 500 distributed along the mounting flanges 3a, 3a', 3b, 3b' and 4a, 4a', 4b, 4b'. Preferably, and in order to protect these screws 500, they are screwed in from the rear of the closing device 1.

[0056] Support frames 3 and 4 can, in particular, have the same dimensions as the first support frame 3, as illustrated in the figures 1 And 2 . By this, we mean that the lower end cross members 3b', 4b' and upper end members 3b, 4b of the first 3 and second 4 support frames are of the same size and that the side members 3a, 3a', 4a, 4a' of the first 3 and second 4 support frames are also of the same size.

[0057] It is, however, entirely possible to imagine that the two support frames 3 and 4 are of different dimensions. Thus, it is possible that support frames 3 and 4 have mounting flanges 3a, 3a', 3b, 3b' and 4a, 4a', 4b, 4b' of the same size, but other flanges 3a, 3a', 3b, 3b' and 4a, 4a', 4b, 4b' of different dimensions. For example, support frames 3 and 4 may have the same width but different heights. The lower end rails 3b', 4b' and upper end rails 3b, 4b of the first 3 and second 4 support frames may therefore be the same size, and the side posts 3a, 3a' of the first support frame 3 may be a different size than the side posts 4a, 4a' of the second support frame 4.

[0058] THE figures 6 à 8 They show in more detail the pivot joint between the shutter(s) 5 and a support frame 3 or 4. In the illustrated example, these are pivot joints between shutters 5 and an intermediate post 3c. However, as mentioned above, this pivot joint can also be present with one of the sides 3a, 3a', 3b, 3b' and 4a, 4a', 4b, 4b' of the support frames 3, 4 depending on the configuration and positioning of the shutter(s) 5.

[0059] At least one pivot joint thus includes an open insertion housing 30 located on one face of the support frames 3, 4 and intended to receive the pivot axis P of the shutter(s) 5. As shown in the figures 6 And 7This receiving housing 30 is located here on an intermediate post 3c when the shutter(s) 5 are positioned parallel to the end rails 3b, 3b', 4b, 4b'. Such a receiving housing 30 may, however, also be present at one or both of the lateral posts 3a, 3a', 4a, 4a' to provide the pivot connection with the shutter(s) 5.

[0060] The receiving housing 30 is preferably located on the rear face of the support frames 3, 4 so that its opening faces the rear of the vehicle when assembled. This protects the pivot joint from any debris or dust that might become lodged in the receiving housing and seize the pivot joint, potentially blocking the rotation of the flap(s) 5.

[0061] In order to maintain the pivot axis P of the shutter 5 within the receiving housing 30, the shutter device 1 further includes a retaining bar 31 covering the opening of the receiving housing 30, as illustrated in the figure 8 This retaining bar 31 is held above the opening of the receiving housing 30 by at least two guides 32 into which said retaining bar 31 is inserted, as illustrated in figures 9 And 10These guides 32 hold the retaining bar 31 above the opening of the receiving housing 30 so that the only degree of freedom of said retaining bar 31 is a sliding along the axis defined by the alignment of the guides 32. These guides 32 can more particularly form an arch inside which the retaining bar 31 is intended to be inserted. The alignment of the guides 32 preferably follows the alignment of the receiving housings 30 and is therefore parallel to a side 3a, 3a', 3b, 3b', 4a, 4a', 4b, 4b' and / or intermediate upright 3c, 4c on which the receiving housings 30 are arranged. As with the receiving housing(s) 30, the guides 32 are preferably made on the rear face of the support frames 3, 4.

[0062] The guides 32 preferably have a defined height so that the retaining bar 31 presses and holds the pivot axis P at the bottom of the receiving housing 30. By guide height 32, we mean here more particularly the length of the opening through which the retaining bar 31 passes between a receiving housing 30 and the protruding end of the guide 32.

[0063] The use of guides 32 and a retaining bar 31 allows the pivot joint to be easily formed during the manufacturing of the shutter device. Indeed, after placing the pivot axes P in the receiving slots 30, an operator only needs to insert the retaining bar 31 into the guides 32 once to form the pivot joint. Furthermore, this type of shutter attachment 5 is particularly useful and advantageous for large shutter devices 1, for example, for vehicles such as trucks.

[0064] In the illustrated example, the guides 32 are arranged on an intermediate upright 3c, 4c; however, as described previously, the pivot joint can also be present at one or more of the lateral uprights 3a, 3a', 4a, 4a'. Therefore, the guides 32 can also be arranged on at least one of the lateral uprights 3a, 3a', 4a, 4a' when the shutter(s) 5 are arranged parallel to the end rails 3b, 3b', 4b, 4b'.

[0065] To facilitate the manufacture of the support frames 3, 4 and the guides 32, the latter may in particular be made of the same material as the said support frames 3, 4. The support frames 3, 4 and the guides 32 may thus be made, for example, of plastic or composite material and produced simultaneously during a molding or overmolding step.

[0066] The retaining bar 31 can be inserted into the guides 32 by sliding it from one of the sides 3a, 3a', 3b, 3b', 4a, 4a', 4b, 4b' of the support frames 3, 4. This is referred to as an insertion side 3a, 3a', 3b, 3b', 4a, 4a', 4b, 4b'. In the illustrated example, this insertion side 3a, 3a', 3b, 3b', 4a, 4a', 4b, 4b' is the upper end cross member 3b, 4b. To allow passage of the support bar 31, the insertion side 3a, 3a', 3b, 3b', 4a, 4a', 4b, 4b' may include an insertion opening 33, visible on the figures 6 à 10 .

[0067] In order to prevent the sliding movement of the retaining bar 31, the side 3a, 3a', 3b, 3b', 4a, 4a', 4b, 4b' opposite the insertion side 3a, 3a', 3b, 3b', 4a, 4a', 4b, 4b', here the lower end cross member 3b', 4b', may in particular include a stop wall 34 on which a first end 31a of the retaining bar 31 is intended to rest, as illustrated in figures 9 And10 More precisely, the opposite side 3a, 3a', 3b, 3b', 4a, 4a', 4b, 4b' to the insertion side 3a, 3a', 3b, 3b', 4a, 4a', 4b, 4b' of the support bar 31 may have a recess 34a into which the first end 31a of the support bar 31 is intended to be inserted. The bottom of the recess 34a then forms the stop wall 34. The presence of such a recess 34a makes it possible to block and hold in place the first end 31a of the support bar 31.

[0068] According to a first embodiment, notably illustrated in figures 3a et 3b The first 3 and the second 4 frame each have an individual retaining bar 31. More precisely, according to this first embodiment, the side 3a, 3a', 3b, 3b', 4a, 4a', 4b, 4b' opposite the insertion side 3a, 3a', 3b, 3b', 4a, 4a', 4b, 4b' of each support frame 3, 4, here the lower end cross members 3b' and 4b', have a stop wall 34 on which the first end 31a of the individual retaining bar 31 of each support frame 3, 4 is intended to rest.

[0069] According to a second embodiment, notably illustrated in the figure 3c The support bar 31 is common to the first 3 and second 4 frames. This common support bar 31 also reinforces the fixing and alignment of the support frames 3 and 4 with each other. More precisely, according to this second embodiment, the fixing flanges 3a, 3a', 3b, 3b', 4a, 4a', 4b, 4b', by which the first 3 and second 4 frames are fixed to each other, are traversed by the common support bar 31. The common support bar 31 is then inserted for example at the insertion side 3a, 3a', 3b, 3b' of the first support frame 3, here its upper end cross member 3b, passes through the fixing sides 3a, 3a', 3b, 3b', 4a, 4a', 4b, 4b', here the lower end cross member 3b' of the first support frame 3 and the upper end cross member 4b of the second support frame 4.The common support bar 31 comes to rest on the side 4a, 4a', 4b, 4b' opposite the fixing side 4a, 4a', 4b, 4b' of the second support frame 4, here its lower end cross member 4b'.

[0070] To prevent the retaining bar 31 from protruding through the insertion opening 33, a second end 31b of the retaining bar 31, opposite the first end intended to rest on the stop wall 34, may include an elastic tab 310 having a free end 311, as illustrated in the figure 8 This free end 311 is specifically designed to support the inner face of the insertion side 3a, 3a', 3b, 3b', 4a, 4a', 4b, 4b', here of the upper end cross member 3b, 4b. By inner, we mean the face of the insertion side 3a, 3a', 3b, 3b', 4a, 4a', 4b, 4b' opposite the inside of the support frame 3, 4. By this positioning, the elastic tab 310 prevents the retaining bar 31 from being pulled out through the insertion opening 33.

[0071] The second end 31b of the support bar 31 may also include a retaining collar 312, visible on the figures 10 And 11 This retaining collar 312 may, in particular, have a shape complementary to the insertion opening 33 in order to retain said second end. The insertion opening 33 may, for its part, include at least one stop 330 (visible on the figure 9 ) on which the retaining collar 312 is intended to rest.

[0072] With this simple fixing system, the support bar 31 is automatically fixed after it is put in place without the need for an operator to carry out a dedicated fixing step.

[0073] There figure 11 Figure 8 shows in more detail and in its entirety a support bar. This support bar 31 can be made of plastic, for example by molding. The support bar 31 can have its first end 31a, intended to be slid in first, having a width less than its second end 31b, opposite the first end 31a. By width of the support bar 31, we mean here the distance between the edge of the support bar intended to face the receiving slots 30 and its opposite edge. Consequently, the height of the guides 32 is adapted to this particular shape so that the support bar 31 presses against and holds the pivot axis P at the bottom of the receiving slot 30. Thus, according to the example illustrated in Figure 8 figures 9 And 10, a guide 32 "lower", that is to say close to the lower end cross member 3b', 4b', will have a height less than the height of a guide 32 "upper", that is to say close to the upper end cross member 3b, 4b.

[0074] Thus, it is clear that the shuttering device 1, with the presence of two support frames 3, 4 mechanically fixed to each other and each having a dedicated drive device 7 for pivoting the flaps 5, allows for easier assembly and more optimal control of the flaps for better performance both in terms of air circulation to heat exchangers and for the aerodynamics of the motor vehicle.

Claims

1. Shutter device (1) for a motor vehicle front air intake comprising: a first support frame (3) having four sides (3a, 3a', 3b, 3b'), a second support frame (4) having four sides (4a, 4a', 4b, 4b'), at least one flap (5) arranged within each of the first (3) and second (4) support frames and pivoting about a pivot axis (P) between a first extreme open position and a second extreme closed position, the first (3) and second (4) support frames being mechanically fixed to one another at one of their sides (3a, 3a', 3b, 3b' and 4a, 4a', 4b, 4b') referred to as a fixing side, the first (3) and second (4) support frames each comprising at least one drive device (7) dedicated to moving the at least one flap (5) that each of said first (3) and second (4) support frames comprises, the first (3) and second (4) support frames each comprising two lateral uprights (3a, 3a', 4a, 4a'), an upper end cross-member (3b, 4b) and a lower end cross-member (3b', 4b'), said end cross-members (3b, 3b', 4b, 4b') connecting said lateral uprights (3a, 3a', 4a, 4a'), the lower end cross-member (3b') of the first support frame (3) being directly fixed to the upper end cross-member (4b) of the second support frame (4), characterized in that the fixing sides (3a, 3a', 3b, 3b' and 4a, 4a', 4b, 4b') of the first (3) and second (4) support frames have a complementary shape.

2. Shutter device (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the fixing sides (3a, 3a', 3b, 3b' and 4a, 4a', 4b, 4b') of the first (3) and second (4) support frames comprise an interlocking device comprising a male member (300) complementary to a female member (400).

3. Shutter device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fixing sides (3a, 3a', 3b, 3b' and 4a, 4a', 4b, 4b') of the first (3) and second (4) support frames are fixed to one another by a fastening means preventing the rearward detachment of one fixing side (3a, 3a', 3b, 3b' and 4a, 4a', 4b, 4b') relative to the other.