Motor vehicle grille with modulated air intake

Abstract

The present invention relates to a motor vehicle grille comprising: an upper crossmember (30) and a lower crossmember (32) delimiting a front transverse opening (34); a plurality of flaps (38, 42) each having two opposite lateral edges (44, 46), the flaps being pivotably mounted so as to be spaced apart from one another between the crossmembers (30, 32); drive members (52) for pivotably driving the flaps (38, 42) between a position in which they are oriented transversely edge (44) to edge (46) in the transverse opening (34), and a longitudinal position in which they are oriented longitudinally. The flaps are connected to the upper (30) and lower (32) crossmembers, respectively, via a plurality of pairs of connecting rods (76, 78), so as to be able to move the flaps away from the transverse opening towards the rear when the driving members drive the flaps (38, 42).

Description

[0001] Title of the invention: Motor vehicle grille with modulated air intake

[0002] [The present invention relates to a motor vehicle grille allowing the air intake to be modulated.

[0003] Motor vehicles with thermal or electric engines require an air intake at the front to cool the components of the powertrain when in operation.

[0004] Thus, the grille, installed in the front face of vehicles, usually has an air intake opening equipped with a grid and which extends transversely. Also, the dimensions of the opening are predefined and they offer a compromise between good ventilation of the powertrain and a good coefficient of penetration into the air of the vehicle.

[0005] However, when the motor vehicle is moving at high speed, the air intake through the grille causes resistance to forward movement and it would then be advantageous to close the opening. But when the powertrain is relatively hot, for example in the mountains, it is conversely necessary for the opening to be free.

[0006] Also, it was imagined to implement movable shutters pivoting across the opening and thus, to automatically adjust the shutters in a position closing the opening when the vehicle is moving at high speed, or in a position in which they allow the passage of air through the opening when a need for cooling of the powertrain is necessary.

[0007] Reference may be made in particular to document WO2013092141, which discloses such adjustable shutters.

[0008] The shutters are thus movable between a position in which they extend along a plane parallel to the mean plane defined by the opening, when they obstruct it, and a position in which they extend substantially perpendicularly to it to free it.

[0009] However, the safety regulations governing the external projections of vehicles and aimed at protecting people in the event of a collision impose certain rules, and in particular the relative position of the edges between the elements of a grille. Thus, the relative position of the edge of the flaps in the opening of a grille is covered by these regulations. Also, a problem which arises and which the present invention aims to solve is to provide a motor vehicle grille which makes it possible to protect people in the event of a collision.

[0010] In order to solve this problem, a motor vehicle grille is proposed comprising: an upper cross member and a lower cross member opposite each other, delimiting a front transverse opening extended towards the rear by an air passage path; a plurality of flaps each having two opposite lateral edges and a front face opposite a rear face, the flaps being pivotally mounted spaced parallel to each other between said cross members and along pivot axes perpendicular to said cross members; drive members for being able to drive said flaps in pivoting between a transverse position in which they are oriented transversely edge to edge in said transverse opening to close said air passage path, and a longitudinal position in which they are oriented longitudinally to free said air passage path.

[0011] Also, said flaps are connected to said upper and lower crosspieces respectively by means of a plurality of pairs of connecting rods, so as to be able to move said pivot axes of said flaps away from said transverse opening towards the rear when said drive members drive said flaps towards said longitudinal position.

[0012] Thus, a feature of the invention lies in the implementation of a pair of connecting rods for each of the flaps, which pair of connecting rods makes it possible to move the pivot axes of the flaps rearwardly when the flaps pivot to free the air passage path. In this way, when the flaps are pivoted from their position where they transversely block the air passage path, to the position in which they free it, the flaps are correlatively driven towards the rear of the opening. And, the edge located closest to the opening is also moved rearwardly. In this way, the edges of the flaps, which according to the prior art constitute projections that can cause injuries in the event of pedestrian impact, are in a retracted position, behind the opening. There is therefore no risk that these edges could injure a person in the event of a possible impact.Furthermore, each of the pairs of connecting rods advantageously has a parallel upper connecting rod and a parallel lower connecting rod, respectively rotatably mounted on said upper cross member and on said lower cross member in a position spaced from said transverse opening. When the flaps are oriented in the transverse position, the connecting rods are substantially oriented in a perpendicular longitudinal direction. Thus, the connecting rods are pivotally mounted on the cross members away from the transverse opening while the flaps are pivotally mounted on the connecting rods at a distance from the articulation of the connecting rods, towards the transverse opening. And as will be explained below, when the flaps are driven to pivot, the connecting rods also pivot in order to move the flaps away from the transverse opening.

[0013] Also, to do this, each of said shutters comprises an upper pivot and an opposite lower pivot, mounted respectively for rotation on the connecting rods of the same pair of connecting rods.

[0014] Furthermore, said upper and lower pivots of each of said flaps are preferably located in the vicinity of one of said two lateral edges in a position spaced from said rear face. In this way, said one of said two lateral edges can be driven even further back from the transverse opening, while the other lateral edge is driven even further back in the air passage path. Consequently, said one of said two lateral edges is harmless in the event of pedestrian impact.

[0015] According to a particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention, said drive members comprise a frame mounted to move in a front-rear direction between said crosspieces, and said flaps are respectively connected to said frame by pivot links. These pivot links are located at a distance from the pivots of the flaps, which are connected to the connecting rods. Thus, when the frame is driven in movement towards the rear, while the flaps extend transversely, it not only drives the flaps in pivoting, while the edges move away from each other to allow the passage of air, and in addition it causes the driving of the connecting rods which then move the flaps even further towards the rear away from the transverse opening.

[0016] Preferably, said frame has another upper crosspiece opposite another lower crosspiece, and each of said flaps is connected to said other crosspieces respectively by an upper pivot connection and a lower pivot connection. Thus, the two other crosspieces engage between said one upper crosspiece and one lower crosspiece. In this way, the assembly is relatively compact. Also, the upper and lower pivot connections of each of said flaps define a direction parallel to the straight line intersecting the two pivots of the same flap.

[0017] Preferably, said lower crosspiece has non-stick pads to accommodate said sliding frame. The non-stick pads are for example formed from strips, or tracks, of polytetrafluoroethylene. Thus, the other lower crosspiece of the frame can come to rest flat on said lower crosspiece against the strips. And the frame can then be driven in sliding without significant friction on the lower crosspiece.

[0018] According to a particularly advantageous characteristic, said frame and said upper cross member are connected together by at least one connecting rod to guide the movement of said frame relative to said upper cross member. Thus, said at least one connecting rod extends along a transverse component. In this way, the forward / rearward movement of the frame relative to the upper cross member and the lower cross member follows a curved trajectory close to a rectilinear trajectory.

[0019] In addition, said drive members advantageously comprise at least one actuator to be able to drive said frame in movement relative to said crosspieces. Preferably, the actuator comprises an easily recommended electric motor. Furthermore, the drive members advantageously comprise an actuator at each of the two ends of the frame.

[0020] Also, according to a particular mode of implementation, said frame is divided into two half-frames respectively accommodating two half-plurality of shutters. Thus, the two half-frames are arranged symmetrically to each other with respect to a median zone. And the two half-plurality of shutters are rotated in two opposite directions to each other.

[0021] Other features and advantages of the invention will emerge from reading the description given below of a particular embodiment of the invention, given for informational purposes but not as a limitation, with reference to the appended drawings in which:

[0022] [Fig. 1] is a schematic front view of a motor vehicle equipped with a grille according to the invention; [Fig. 2] is a schematic perspective view of three-quarters from the front right of the object of the invention in a first state;

[0023] [Fig. 3] is a schematic three-quarter perspective view from the rear right of the object of [Fig. 2];

[0024] [Fig. 4] is a partial schematic top view along arrow IV of the object of [Fig. 2];

[0025] [Fig. 5] is a partial schematic perspective view of the object of [Fig. 4];

[0026] [Fig. 6] is a partial schematic sectional view along plane VI - VI illustrated in [Fig. 5]; and,

[0027] [Fig. 7] is a partial schematic detail view of the object of [Fig. 2] in a second state.

[0028] [Fig. 1] shows a motor vehicle 10, seen from the front, and it is inscribed in an orthogonal reference frame X, Y, Z, in which the X axis extends in a longitudinal front-rear direction of the motor vehicle, oriented towards the rear; the Y axis extends in a transverse direction of the vehicle, oriented from left to right when in a rolling situation; and the Z axis extends in a vertical direction, oriented away from the ground.

[0029] The motor vehicle 10 is equipped, on its front face, with a grille 12 having an upper part 14 and a lower part 16. Also, the vehicle 10 has a front compartment 18 in which is housed a powertrain unit not shown and located behind the grille 12.

[0030] Also, the lower part 16 of the grille 12, which is the subject of the invention, will be described with reference to [Fig. 2]. It will be noted that the upper part 14 could also be the subject of the invention.

[0031] The lower part 16 of the grille is curved. It extends longitudinally along the Y component, and seen along the -X component, from a left end 20 to a right end 22. It has a left part 24 symmetrical to a right part 26 with respect to a median plane Pm. Also, the median plane Pm intersects the lower part 16 in a median zone 28.

[0032] The lower part 16 of the grille has a first upper crosspiece 30 opposite a first lower crosspiece 32. The first crosspieces 30, 32 define between the two, at the inlet, a transverse opening 34. The first upper crosspiece 30 and the first lower crosspiece 32 extend substantially parallel to each other and they are connected together at their ends 20, 22 to form a single piece.

[0033] The opening 34 is here closed by two half-plurality of shutters, a right half-plurality 36 of right shutters 38 and a left half-plurality 40 of left shutters 42, opposite with respect to the middle zone 28.

[0034] The flaps each have two opposite lateral edges, a convex lateral edge 44, a concave lateral edge 46 and a front face 48. The convex lateral edge 44 is complementary to the concave lateral edge 46. The first has a protrusion, while the second has a notch. Here they are adjusted transversely, and respectively edge 44 to edge 46, so as to close the opening 34.

[0035] As will be explained below, the flaps 38, 42 are pivotally mounted spaced parallel to each other between the first crosspieces 30, 32 and along pivot axes perpendicular to the crosspieces 30, 32.

[0036] In [Fig. 3], seen from the right rear three-quarters, we find the first upper 30 and lower 32 crosspieces connected to each other at their ends 20, 22 and together defining the opening 34. The opening 34 is then extended by a passageway 50 defined by the first crosspieces 30, 32 and extending towards the rear along the +X component.

[0037] We also find the right flaps 38 opposite the left flaps 42. The right flaps 38 extend inside a right frame 52, while the left flaps 42 extend inside a left frame 54. The two frames 52, 54 are themselves engaged between the first two upper crosspieces 30, lower 32.

[0038] We will first refer to [Fig. 5] and [Fig. 6] to describe in more detail the mode of cooperation of the shutters 38, 42 with the frames 52, 54. We partially find in [Fig. 5] only the left frame 54, the first upper 30 and lower 32 crosspieces having been removed for clarity of the description.

[0039] The left frame 54 itself has a second upper crosspiece 56 opposite a second lower crosspiece 58.

[0040] Also, we find the left flap 42 and its front face 48 illustrated in [Fig. 6] in section along the plane VI - VI. It has opposite its front face 48 a rear face 60. In addition, it comprises an upper flange 62 extending substantially perpendicularly from its rear face 60 and opposite, a lower flange 64 parallel to the upper flange 62. The two upper flanges 62, and lower 64 are connected together by a rear partition 66 which extends opposite the rear face 60. In addition, the rear partition 66 is connected by two intermediate spacers 68, 70 to the rear face.

[0041] Also, the upper flange 62 is provided with an upper journal 72 rotatably mounted in the second upper crosspiece 56 through an upper orifice, while the lower flange 64 is provided with a lower journal 74 rotatably mounted in the second lower crosspiece 58 through a lower orifice.

[0042] In this way, the left flap 42 is movable in rotation relative to the frame 54 along a first axis of rotation A1 perpendicular to the second upper 56 and lower 58 crosspieces.

[0043] In [Fig. 5] we find the left flap 42 and its upper journal 72 which defines the first axis of rotation A1. Also appear the lower flange 64 and the rear partition 66 opposite the rear face 60.

[0044] Furthermore, each of the left flaps 42 is equipped with a pair of left links, a lower left link 76 opposite an upper left link 78.

[0045] The upper left link 78 has a first upper end 80 connected to the flap 42 via an upper pivot 82 of the flap 42, while on the other hand the lower link 76 has a first lower end 84 connected to the flap 42 via a lower pivot 86 which appears in [Fig. 6]. It will be observed in [Fig. 5] that the second upper crosspiece 56 has notches 88 for the passage of the upper pivot 82. On the other hand, the second lower crosspiece 58 has symmetrical notches allowing the passage of the lower pivot 86.

[0046] The lower 76 and upper 78 connecting rods respectively have a second lower end 90 and a second upper end 92 mounted to rotate coaxially and respectively on the first lower crosspiece 32 and on the first upper crosspiece 30.

[0047] Thus, all the left flaps 42 of the plurality 40 of flaps are connected in parallel to each other in a similar manner, to the first crosspieces 30, 32 and to the second crosspieces 56, 58. And conversely, all the right flaps 38 of the first half-plurality of flaps are in the same way connected to the first crosspieces 30, 32 and to the second lower and upper crosspieces of the right frame 52.

[0048] On the other hand, all the right flaps 38 are arranged symmetrically to the left flaps 40 with respect to the median plane Pm.

[0049] We will refer to [Fig. 4] showing partially, seen from above, the upper cross member 30 at the level of the median zone 28. We find there the upper left links 78 and upper right links 94. The upper right links are obviously associated with lower right links not shown. Also, we find the right frame 52 and the left frame 54.

[0050] It will be observed that the first upper crosspiece 30 has upper left arc lights 96 and upper right arc lights 98.

[0051] These upper arc-shaped lights 96 are arranged in line with the first ends 80 of the connecting rods 78, respectively, so as to be able to receive the upper pivot 82 of the flaps 42 through the upper crosspiece 30.

[0052] Furthermore, these arc-shaped lights 96 are centered on the second upper end 92 of the connecting rod 78, which is rotatably mounted on the first upper crosspiece 30.

[0053] Conversely, the first lower crosspiece 32 has a lower arc-shaped opening, not shown, arranged at the right of the first lower ends of the lower connecting rods 76.

[0054] Furthermore, the left frame 54 is connected to the first upper cross member 30 via a left arc connecting rod 100, while the right frame 52 is connected to the first upper cross member 30 via a right arc connecting rod 102.

[0055] The left arc-shaped connecting rod 100 has a first left articulation 104 on the upper cross member 30 spaced from the median plane Pm, and a second left articulation 106 on the right end of the left frame 54, brought closer to the median plane Pm.

[0056] It will be observed that the arcuate connecting rods 100, 102 extend essentially along a transverse component Y, while the connecting rods extend along a longitudinal component X.

[0057] Symmetrically with respect to the median plane Pm, the right arc-shaped connecting rod 102 has a first right articulation 108 on the upper cross member 30, spaced from the median plane Pm and a second right articulation 110 on the left end of the right frame 52, brought closer to the median plane Pm.

[0058] Furthermore, the distance separating the two opposite articulations 104, 106; 108, 70 of the two connecting rods 100, 102 is close to the length of the connecting rods 78, 76; 94.

[0059] Reference will be made again to [Fig. 3] showing in right rear view, the lower part 16 of the grille. It further comprises three actuators, a central actuator 112 connected to the first lower cross member 32 and to the left and right ends of the two right 52 and left 54 ​​frames, a left actuator 114 connected to the first lower cross member 32 and to the left frame 54 only by its left end, and a right actuator 116 connected to the first lower cross member 32 and to the right frame 52 only by its right end.

[0060] Furthermore, the first lower crosspiece 32 is equipped with polytetrafluoroethylene tracks 118 regularly spaced from each other. These tracks 118 make it possible to reduce the friction forces between the second right and left lower crosspieces of the right 52 and left 54 ​​frames against the first lower crosspiece 32.

[0061] The central actuator 112 is adapted to drive in movement, relative to the first two crosspieces 30, 34, the left and right ends of the right 52 and left 54 ​​frames, according to the component X.

[0062] The left actuator 114 drives the left end of the left frame 54 in motion along the X component, while the right actuator 116 drives the right end of the right frame 52 also in motion along the X component. Thus, from the position of the two frames 52, 54 as shown in [Fig. 4], when the actuators 112, 114, 116 are controlled, the right frame 52 is driven both in backward motion along the X component and transversely along the -Y component, thanks to the right connecting rod 102. By the same token, and simultaneously, the left frame 54 is driven in motion along the X component and transversely, on the opposite side, along the Y component.

[0063] The frames 52, 54 then cause the right flaps 38 to be driven in one direction, and the left flaps 42 in an opposite direction, by means of the upper 72 and lower 74 journals. The convex 44 and concave 46 edges of the flaps then separate respectively and thus allow the passage of air through the transverse opening 34. In doing so, the right 38 and left 42 flaps in turn drive the lower left 76 and upper left 78 links in one direction, and the upper right 94 and lower right links in an opposite direction. The linkages are driven by the upper 82 and lower 86 pivots of the flaps 38, 42, which connect the links and the flaps together by a pivot connection.

[0064] [Fig. 7] shows partially left flaps 42 in the process of pivoting and moving towards the rear of the transverse opening 34.

[0065] Thus, as the frame 52 is driven in a rearward movement according to the component X, it thereby drives the flaps 42 according to this same component and also, in pivoting on themselves around the axis defined by their upper 82 and lower 86 pivots. It will be observed that the convex edge 44 of the flaps 38, 42 first enter the air passage path 50 downstream of the transverse opening 34, while the concave edge 46 remains near the transverse opening 34 and is oriented towards the front.

[0066] In addition, the lower left 76 and upper left 78 links also pivot while the upper 82 and lower 86 pivots are driven into motion in the corresponding upper left arcuate slots 96 and lower left arcuate slots respectively.

[0067] Thus, the upper 82 and lower 86 pivots are driven in movement according to an X component, and also according to a Y component and they are then driven in movement towards the rear and away from the transverse opening 34.

[0068] Consequently, the concave edges 46 of the flaps are also driven rearwardly along the X component and moved away from the transverse opening 34.

[0069] In this way, in the event of a frontal impact, people are protected from the concave edges 46, since they are retracted relative to the transverse opening 34.

[0070] At the same time, the right flaps 38 are driven simultaneously according to the same kinematics in an opposite direction to free the opening and allow air to enter between the flaps, while protecting people in the event of a frontal impact.

[0071] Furthermore, thanks to the rear partition 66 of each of the flaps 38, 42, which is connected by the two intermediate spacers 68, 70 to the rear face 60, a grid effect is obtained when the flaps are fully pivoted and the rear partition 66 of each of the flaps extends equidistantly between the rear face 60 of its flap and the front face 48 of the adjacent flap. Thanks to an appropriate dimensional choice, it is possible to form a grid in which none of the orifices has a section width greater than 25 mm. In this way, the vehicle is protected from gravel projections.

Claims

CLAIMS

1. [Motor vehicle grille comprising: - an upper cross member (30) and a lower cross member (32) opposite each other, delimiting a front transverse opening (34) extended towards the rear by an air passage path (50); - a plurality of flaps (38, 42) each having two opposite lateral edges (44, 46) and a front face (48) opposite a rear face (60), the flaps being pivotally mounted spaced parallel to each other between said crosspieces (30, 32) and along pivot axes perpendicular to said crosspieces; - drive members (52, 112, 114; 54, 116) for being able to drive said flaps (38, 42) in pivoting between a transverse position in which they are oriented transversely edge (44) to edge (46) in said transverse opening (34) to close said air passage path (50), and a longitudinal position in which they are oriented longitudinally to free said air passage path; characterized in that said flaps are connected to said upper (30) and lower (32) crosspieces respectively by means of a plurality of pairs of connecting rods (76, 78), so as to be able to move said pivot axes of said flaps away from said transverse opening towards the rear when said drive members drive said flaps (38, 42) towards said longitudinal position.

2. Grille according to claim 1, characterized in that each of the pairs of connecting rods has an upper connecting rod (78) and a lower connecting rod (76) which are parallel, respectively mounted for rotation on said upper cross member (30) and on said lower cross member (32) in a position spaced from said transverse opening (34).

3. Grille according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that each of said flaps (38, 42) comprises an upper pivot (82) and an opposite lower pivot (86), respectively mounted for rotation on the connecting rods (78, 76) of the same pair of connecting rods.

4. Grille according to claim 2, characterized in that said upper (82) and lower (86) pivots of each of said flaps (38, 42) are located in the vicinity of one (46) of said two lateral edges (44, 46) in a position spaced from said rear face (60).

5. Grille according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that said drive members comprise a frame (52; 54) mounted to move in a front-rear direction between said crosspieces (30, 32), and in that said flaps (38, 42) are respectively connected to said frame (52; 54) by pivot links (72, 74).

6. Grille according to claim 5, characterized in that said frame (52; 54) has another upper crosspiece (56) opposite another lower crosspiece (58), and in that each of said flaps (38, 42) is connected to said other crosspieces respectively by an upper pivot connection (72) and a lower pivot connection (74).

7. Grille according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that said lower crosspiece (32) has non-stick pads (118) to accommodate said frame (52; 54) in sliding.

8. Grille according to any one of claims 5 to 7, characterized in that said frame (52; 54) and said upper cross member (30) are connected together by at least one connecting rod (100; 102) to guide the movement of said frame relative to said upper cross member (30).

9. Grille according to any one of claims 5 to 8, characterized in that said drive members comprise at least one actuator (112, 114, 116) to be able to drive said frame (52; 54) in movement relative to said crosspieces (30, 32).

10. Grille according to any one of claims 5 to 9, characterized in that said frame is divided into two half-frames (52, 54) respectively accommodating two half-plurality (36; 40) of shutter (38; 42).]

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