Motor vehicle grille with adjustable air flow

Abstract

The invention relates to a motor vehicle grille comprising: a chassis (20) having an upper crossmember and a lower crossmember delimiting a transverse opening (26); a plurality of pivoting flaps (28) each having two opposite lateral edges, the pivoting flaps being kept spaced apart from one another between said crossmembers so that they can be pivoted between a position in which they are aligned edge-to-edge across said transverse opening (26) in order to prevent the passage of air and a position in which they are inclined in order to allow the passage of air. The grille comprises a support frame (32) for supporting the plurality of pivoting flaps (28), said support frame being mounted such that it can move in translation on the chassis (20) so that it can move the plurality of pivoting flaps backwards away from the transverse inlet (26).

Description

[0001] Title of the invention: Motor vehicle grille with adjustable air flow

[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 when the required torque is high, it is necessary, on the contrary, 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, safety regulations governing the external projections of vehicles and aimed at protecting people in the event of a collision impose certain rules, in particular the relative position of the edges between the elements of a grid.

[0010] Thus, the relative position of the edge of the flaps in the front transverse opening of a grille is covered by these requirements. 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.

[0011] In order to solve this problem, a motor vehicle grille is proposed comprising: a chassis having an upper cross member opposite a lower cross member and delimiting a front transverse opening, said transverse opening being extended towards the rear by an air passage path; a plurality of pivoting flaps each having two opposite lateral edges and a front face opposite a rear face, the pivoting flaps being kept spaced apart from each other between said cross members so as to be able to be pivoted between a position in which they are aligned edge to edge across said transverse opening to prevent the passage of air and a position in which they are inclined relative to said chassis to allow the passage of air.The grille comprises a support frame for supporting said plurality of pivoting flaps, said support frame being mounted to move in translation on said chassis to be able to move said plurality of pivoting flaps rearwardly away from said transverse inlet.

[0012] Thus, a characteristic of the invention lies in the implementation of a support frame in which the pivoting shutters are mounted, which support frame is itself mounted to move in forward / backward translation on the chassis. In this way, when the shutters are pivoted to release the transverse opening and allow the passage of air, they are then driven behind the transverse opening so that their edge, which is then projecting, itself extends back from the opening. There is therefore no risk of the edges of the shutters injuring a person in the event of a possible impact.

[0013] According to a particularly advantageous characteristic of the invention, the grille comprises a drive frame mounted so as to be able to move in translation on said support frame, and at least a plurality of connecting rods, the connecting rods being respectively pivotally mounted on said flaps and on said drive frame in order to be able to drive said pivoting flaps in pivoting. In this way, all the flaps are simultaneously driven in pivoting by the simple movement of the drive frame relative to the support frame.

[0014] Also, according to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the grille comprises drive members mounted between said drive frame and said chassis to drive said drive frame in translation relative to said chassis. The drive members are remotely controllable, and preferably automatically controllable depending on the state of the powertrain and the driving conditions. As will be explained below, the movements of the drive frame relative to the chassis also make it possible to drive the support frame.

[0015] Thus, advantageously, said support frame and said drive frame are held integral with each other when said drive members cause the translational movement of said drive frame relative to said chassis according to a first stroke. In this way, in this first phase of movement of the drive frame, the shutters remain in the edge-to-edge closing position while they are moved away towards the rear of the front transverse opening.

[0016] Preferably, the grille according to the invention comprises elastic members installed between said chassis and said support frame to keep said support frame and said drive frame secured to each other. Thus, the support frame being movable in translation relative to the chassis, the elastic members relax as the drive frame moves back. In other words, the elastic members forcefully drive the support frame against the drive frame.

[0017] Furthermore, the grille comprises retaining members for holding said support frame in a fixed position at a distance from said chassis, when said drive frame is driven in translation relative to said chassis according to a second stroke additional to said first stroke. Thus, when the drive frame continues its stroke beyond the first stroke, still moving away from the front transverse opening, the support frame is then retained at a distance from the chassis, so that the drive frame causes the shutters to pivot. In this way, the shutters can be pivoted in a position where they are set back from the transverse opening and where their edges are harmless in the event of pedestrian impact.

[0018] According to a particularly advantageous, but non-limiting, embodiment, said support frame comprises a plurality of pairs of facing fingers, the two facing fingers of each of the pairs receiving a pivoting flap, and each of the fingers slidably receiving a slide secured to said drive frame, each of the slides receiving a pivoting link. Thus, the flaps extend vertically between the pairs of fingers and they are respectively connected to each of the slides by a pair of links. Therefore, the translational movement of the slides via the drive frame, relative to the fingers of the support frame causes the flaps to pivot.

[0019] Furthermore, each of said flaps has an upper edge opposite a lower edge, and it preferably comprises two opposite flanges running respectively along said lower and upper edges, projecting from said rear face, said two flanges being connected respectively to said support frame by a pivot connection. Thus, the two flanges can be respectively connected to the two fingers of each of the aforementioned pairs by the pivot connection.

[0020] Advantageously, each of said flaps further comprises a rear partition extending parallel opposite said rear face. In this way, when the flaps pivot, their edges move apart from each other and they extend longitudinally. The rear partition then extends between the rear face of the flap in question and the front face of the adjacent flap. Consequently, this also occurs for all the flaps of the plurality of flaps. Therefore, the rear partitions obstruct the space which extends between the rear faces and the front faces, for all pairs of adjacent flaps and thus makes it possible to retain any unwanted bodies which would be projected against the grille when the vehicle is in a driving situation.

[0021] In addition, one of said two opposite edges of each of said flaps preferably has a groove. Thanks to this characteristic, when the flaps are edge to edge they join in a watertight manner. Indeed, the groove of one edge provides a recess in which the edge of the adjacent flap is housed.

[0022] 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:

[0023] [Fig. 1] is a schematic front view of a motor vehicle equipped with a grille according to the invention;

[0024] [Fig. 2] is a schematic three-quarter perspective view from the front left of the subject matter of the invention;

[0025] [Fig. 3] is a schematic three-quarter perspective view from the rear left of the object of [Fig. 2]; [Fig. 4] is a partial schematic detail view in perspective and three-quarter front right of the object of the invention illustrated in [Fig. 2];

[0026] [Fig. 5] is a schematic perspective detail view of an element of the object [Fig. 4];

[0027] [Fig. 6A] is a partial schematic top view of the object of [Fig. 3] according to the arrow VIA in a first state;

[0028] [Fig. 6B] is a schematic view of the object of [Fig. 6A] in a second state;

[0029] [Fig. 6C] is a schematic view of the object of [Fig. 6A] in a third state;

[0030] [Fig. 6D] is a schematic view of the object of [Fig. 6A] in a fourth state; and,

[0031] [Fig. 7] is a partial side view of an element as illustrated in [Fig. 5]; and,

[0032] [Fig. 8] is a schematic exploded perspective view of the object of [Fig. 2], [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.

[0033] 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.

[0034] Also, the lower part 16 of the grille 12, which is the subject of the invention, will be described with reference to [Fig. 2] and [Fig. 3]. It extends according to a predefined curve, from a left end 15 to a right end 17. It will be observed that the upper part 14 could also be the subject of the invention.

[0035] Thus, the lower part 16 comprises a frame 20 having an upper crosspiece 22 and opposite, in parallel, a first lower crosspiece 24. The two first crosspieces 22, 24 thus delimit a front transverse opening 26. The transverse opening 26 is here closed by a plurality of contiguous flaps, left flaps 28 and right flaps 30, which will be described in more detail below. The left 28 and right 30 flaps are movable, while a middle flap 25 located between the two series is fixed.

[0036] The plurality of flaps 28, 30 are supported by a support frame 32 which is mounted on the chassis 22.

[0037] Furthermore, the support frame 32 receives a drive frame 34 which is seen in the rear view in [Fig. 3]. Also, the transverse opening 26 extends towards the rear along the component X, through the chassis 20, the support frame 22 and the drive frame, by an air passage path 35.

[0038] We will first describe in detail the above-mentioned elements as shown exploded in [Fig. 8] before specifying their mode of cooperation.

[0039] Thus, we find successively the chassis 20, the left shutters 28 and the right shutters 30, the support frame 32 and the drive frame 34.

[0040] The chassis 20 has a right part 38 symmetrical to a left part 40 with respect to a median plane Pm. It also has a front face 42, opposite a rear face 44.

[0041] We find the first upper crosspiece 22 opposite the first lower crosspiece 24. Also, the first upper crosspiece 22 has equidistant upper right notches 46 and opposite, relative to the median plane Pm, equidistant upper left notches 48. These notches 46, 48 are parallel to the median plane Pm defined by the chassis 20 and they open towards the rear of the chassis 20. Here there are seven of them on each side of the median plane Pm. The first lower crosspiece 24 has in the same way and opposite, equidistant lower right notches 50 and equidistant lower left notches 52, also opening towards the rear.

[0042] Furthermore, it will be observed that the first upper crosspiece 22 is provided with two stop shoulders 55, located respectively between two left notches 48 and two right notches 46 on either side of the median plane Pm. The first lower crosspiece 24 has, on the opposite side, two same stop shoulders not shown.

[0043] Furthermore, the chassis 20 has a first left corner slide 54 located at the left end of the chassis 20 and opposite, a first right corner slide 56 located in the right end of the chassis 20. The first corner slides 54, 56 extend parallel to each other at the rear of the chassis 20 and also parallel to the median plane Pm.

[0044] The left 28 and right 30 flaps are all identical. On the other hand, the left flaps 28 are oriented in one direction, while the right flaps 30 are oriented in an opposite direction. The flaps will be described in detail in the remainder of the description with reference to [Fig. 5],

[0045] As regards the support frame 32, intended to be slidably mounted in the chassis 20, it comprises a second narrow upper crosspiece 58 parallel and opposite a narrow lower crosspiece 60. The two narrow crosspieces 58, 60 are joined together by a second left upright 62 and opposite, by a second right upright 64.

[0046] The second upper crosspiece 58 is divided into two second upper half-crosspieces, a second left upper half-crosspiece 66 and a second right upper half-crosspiece 68 joined together in the center by a V-shaped upper middle portion 70. Conversely, the second lower crosspiece 60 is itself divided into two second lower half-crosspieces, parallel to the two second upper half-crosspieces, a second left lower half-crosspiece 72 and a second right lower half-crosspiece 74 joined together in the center by a V-shaped lower middle portion 76.

[0047] The two V-shaped middle parts are connected together by a second middle upright 78 located equidistant from the two uprights, left 62 and right 64.

[0048] Also, the second upper left half-crossmember 66 has upper left fingers 80 extending forwardly, while the second lower left half-crossmember 72 has lower left fingers 82 extending forwardly and opposite the upper left fingers 80, forming pairs.

[0049] And on the other hand, the second right upper half-crossmember 68 has right upper fingers 84 extending forwardly, while the second right lower half-crossmember 74 has right lower fingers 86 extending forwardly and opposite the right upper fingers 84, also forming pairs. The fingers 80, 82, 84, 86 are respectively spaced from each other on each of the second half-crossmembers 66, 72; 68, 74. Furthermore, they extend parallel to each other, and also, substantially perpendicular to the crosspieces 58, 60. Also, each of the fingers 80, 82, 84, 86 has a free end 88 in which a circular light 90 is made. Conversely, each of the fingers 80, 82, 84, 86 has a slide 92 opening towards the rear of the support frame 32.

[0050] Furthermore, the second left 62 and right 64 uprights are provided respectively with a second left corner slide 94 and a second right corner slide 96. The two second corner slides 94, 96 extend projecting from the rear of the support frame 32.

[0051] Also, the support frame 32 is adapted to cooperate with the chassis 20 in such a way that the fingers, upper left 80, lower left 82, upper right 84 and lower right 86 come to slide into the notches, upper left 48, lower left 52, upper right 46 and lower right 50, respectively, while conversely, the extrados of the first corner slides, left 54 ​​and right 56 ​​are slidably engaged inside the second corner slides left 94 and right 96.

[0052] As for the drive frame 34, intended to be slidably mounted in the support frame 32 and in the chassis 20 also, it comprises a third wide upper crosspiece 98 parallel and opposite to a wide lower crosspiece 100. The two third wide crosspieces 98, 100 are joined together by a left flange 102 and opposite, by a right flange 104.

[0053] The third upper crosspiece 98 is divided into two third upper half-crosspieces, a third left upper half-crosspiece 106 and a third right upper half-crosspiece 108 separated from each other in the center by an upper V-shaped notch 110. Conversely, the third lower crosspiece 100 is itself divided into two third lower half-crosspieces, parallel to the two third upper half-crosspieces, a third left lower half-crosspiece 112 and a third right lower half-crosspiece 114 separated from each other in the center by a lower V-shaped notch 116.

[0054] The two third wide crosspieces 98, 100 are joined together by a third middle upright 118 located equidistant from the two flanges, left 102 and right 104. Also, the third upper left half-crosspiece 106 has upper left slides 120 extending in a forward projection, while the third lower left half-crosspiece 112 has lower left slides 122 extending in a forward projection and facing the upper left slides 120. And on the other hand, the third upper right half-crosspiece 108 has upper right slides 124 extending in a forward projection, while the third lower right half-crosspiece 114 has lower right slides 126 extending in a forward projection and facing the upper right slides 124.

[0055] The slides 120, 122, 124, 126 are respectively spaced from each other on each of the third half-crosspieces 106, 112; 108, 114, by the same distance as that which separates the fingers 80, 82, 84, 86. Furthermore, they extend parallel to each other, and also, substantially perpendicular to the third crosspieces 98, 100.

[0056] Furthermore, each of the slides 120, 122, 124, 126 has a free end 128 in which a hole 130 is made.

[0057] Also, the left 102 and right 104 flanges are V-shaped so as to form a third left corner slide 134 and a third right corner slide 136.

[0058] In addition, the third upper left half-crosspiece 106 extends beyond the left flange 102 by a left wing 138 ending in a crenellated return 140.

[0059] On the other hand, the third upper right half-crosspiece 108 extends beyond the right flange 104 by a right wing 142 ending in a crenellated return 144.

[0060] Thus, the drive frame 34 is adapted to cooperate, not only with the support frame 32 so that the sliders, upper left 120, lower left 122, upper right 124 and lower right 126 come to slide respectively in the slides 92 of the fingers, upper left 80, lower left 82, upper right 84 and lower right 86, but also with the chassis 20 where the extrados of the third angle slides, left 134 and right 136 are slidably engaged inside the first angle slides left 54 ​​and right 56 ​​of the chassis 20.

[0061] We will now refer to [Fig. 5] in order to describe in detail the flaps 28, 30, and in particular a right flap 30. Thus, it has two flap parts, a first flap part 142 and a second flap part 144, symmetrical to each other with respect to a median plane of the flap Pmv.

[0062] Each flap has two opposite lateral edges, a first edge 146 having a median protrusion 148 in the form of a tongue, and opposite, a second edge 150 having a median notch 152 whose shape corresponds to that of the median protrusion 148. The right flap 30 has a first rectilinear edge 154 in the first flap part 142 and a second rectilinear edge 156 and parallel to the first 154, in the second flap part 144.

[0063] Each of the flaps 30 also has a front face 158 opposite a rear face 160. Also, each flap comprises a rear partition 162, or wing, extending parallel to and opposite the rear face 160.

[0064] The rear partition 162 is secured to the rear face 160 of the flap by means of four spacers, two first spacers 164, 166, in the first part of the flap 142 and two second spacers 168, 170, in the second part of the flap 144. The rear partition 162 thus extends at a distance of approximately 25 mm, for example, from the rear face 160.

[0065] One 164 of the two first spacers extends from the rear face 160 in the vicinity of the first edge 154, and one 168 of the two second spacers extends from the rear face 160 in the vicinity of the second straight edge 156. The other two spacers 166, 170 extend parallel opposite each other and in line respectively with those 164, 168 located respectively in the vicinity of the first and second edges 154, 156.

[0066] Furthermore, a first oblong flange 172 is connected along the first rectilinear edge 154, to the first spacer 164 located in the vicinity of the first edge 154. The first oblong flange 172 extends substantially perpendicular to the rear face 160 and it defines a mean plane tangent to the first rectilinear edge 154 and the rear partition 162.

[0067] Conversely, a second oblong flange 174, symmetrical to the first with respect to the median plane of the Pmv flap, is connected along the second rectilinear edge 156, to the second spacer 168 located in the vicinity of the second rectilinear edge 156. Also, it extends substantially perpendicular to the rear face 160 and it also defines a median plane coming tangent to the second rectilinear edge 156 and the rear partition 162. Also, the oblong flanges 172, 174, at one of their two opposite ends, respectively support a first pivot 176 and a second pivot 178 extending respectively in two opposite directions from each other. The second pivot 178 is here masked by the second flange 174.

[0068] Also, the two pivots 176, 178 define a pivot axis substantially parallel to the rear face 160 of the shutter and also to the mean lines defined by the first 146 and second 150 edges.

[0069] At the other of their two opposite ends, the oblong flanges 172, 174 respectively have a first bore 180 and a second bore 182. The first 180 and second 182 bores are in a position spaced from the rear face 160 and substantially equidistant from the two lateral edges 146, 150. The first lateral edge 146 has a groove 175, which defines a rebate 177, from the first edge 154 to the second edge 156.

[0070] Reference will be made to [Fig. 4], illustrating in detail the left end 15, seen from the front, of the part 16 of the grille 12, freed from the chassis 20. In particular, there are two left flaps 28. There are also, partially, the support frame 32 and its second left upright 62, as well as the drive frame 34 whose third left corner slide 134 is engaged inside the second left corner slide 94.

[0071] Furthermore, the upper left sliders 120 are respectively slidably engaged in the slides 92 of the upper left fingers 80, while the lower left sliders 122 are respectively slidably engaged in the slides 92 of the lower left fingers 82.

[0072] In addition, two contiguous flaps 28 are mounted respectively between the upper left fingers 80 and the lower left fingers 82, so that the second pivot 178 is pivotally engaged in the circular slot 90 of the upper left finger 80, while the first pivot 176, hidden in [Fig. 4], is pivotally engaged in the circular slot 90 of the lower left finger 82.

[0073] In addition, the two flanges 174, 172 of each of the flaps 28 are respectively connected to the upper left slides 120 and to the lower left slides 122 by means of an upper left elbowed connecting rod 184 and a lower left elbowed connecting rod 186. The upper left elbowed connecting rod 184 thus connects the second bore 182 of the second flange 174 and the bore 130 of the free end 128 of the upper left slide 120, while on the other hand, the lower left elbowed connecting rod 186 connects the first bore 180 of the first flange 172 and the bore 130 of the free end 128 of the lower left slide 122. In this way, the flaps 28 are held transversely and edge 146 to edge 150 in a sealed manner.

[0074] Thus, the seven left flaps 28 as shown in [Fig. 2] are held edge to edge 146, 150 to close the transverse opening 26. Conversely, the seven right flaps 30, oriented in the opposite direction, are held edge to edge in the same way by means of right lower links and right upper links. [Fig. 4] also illustrates two left return springs 188 extending forwardly from the second left upright 62.

[0075] Furthermore, we also find the crenellated return 140 of the left wing 138 engaged in a motorization member 190.

[0076] Also, on the other hand, as illustrated in [Fig. 3], the crenellated return 144 of the right wing 142 is engaged in an identical motorization member 190.

[0077] Reference will now be made to [Fig. 6A] to [Fig. 6D] to describe the operation of the calender according to the invention.

[0078] In [Fig. 6A], seen from above and partially, we find the two left flaps 28 as shown in [Fig. 4], and supported by the support frame 32. We also partially find the chassis 20 and the front transverse opening 26 that it defines, which is closed by the flaps 28.

[0079] The flaps 28 are held, first lateral edge 146 against second opposite lateral edge 150. More precisely, it will be observed that the second lateral edge 150 engages in the rebate 177 defined by the groove 175. In this way, better airtightness is obtained between the contiguous flaps 28. These structural and functional characteristics are found in a similar manner for the straight flaps 30.

[0080] Furthermore, it will be observed that the left return springs 188, as illustrated in [Fig. 4], but also the right ones, not shown, come to bear respectively against the chassis 20. They are then compressed both on the left and on the right.

[0081] Also, the drive frame 34 is held in abutment against the support frame 32. They are therefore in a fixed position relative to each other. Thus, the left and right motorization members 190, illustrated in [Fig. 3], are actuated, and mesh with the notched returns 140, 144 and then drive the drive frame 34 in translation towards the rear along the X component.

[0082] During this translational movement, the two return springs 188, left and right, relax and forcefully hold the support frame 32 against the drive frame 34 as illustrated in [Fig. 6B]. The support frame 32 has consequently also been driven in translation along the same stroke as the drive frame 34. Consequently, the flaps 28 remain oriented transversely edge 146 to edge 150 while they have moved away towards the rear along the component X, from the opening 26 of the chassis 20. Consequently, the opening 26 of the chassis 20 remains closed by the flaps 28 on the left but also on the right by the flaps 30.

[0083] The motorization members 190 continuing their operation, they drive the drive frame 34 even further towards the rear according to the component X, while the support frame 32 is retained against the stop shoulders 55.

[0084] As a result, the drive frame 34 is driven in a rearward translational movement, while the support frame 32 remains in a fixed position relative to the chassis 20. Therefore, the sliders 120, 122; 124, 126 are driven to slide in the slides 92 of the fingers 80, 82; 84, 86 respectively, and this always according to the component X. The sliders 120, 122; 124, 126 thereby drive the connecting rods 184, 186, which themselves cause the rotation of the flanges 174, 172 and consequently, of the flaps 28, 30. Such a relative movement of the drive frame 34 and the support frame 32 is illustrated in [Fig. 6C].

[0085] Consequently, the flaps 28, 30 tilt substantially to allow the passage of air through the front opening 26 of the chassis 20. In this way, the incoming air allows a heat exchange with the hot components of the powertrain. It will then be observed that the flaps 28 are spaced from the front opening 26, and in particular their first edge 146.

[0086] Furthermore, in the case of the right flaps 30, the pivoting is reversed. However, they are oriented in an opposite direction of 180°. Consequently, their pivoting produces the same effects.

[0087] Further recoil of the drive frame 34 towards the rear according to the component X, via the motorization members 190 causes a further pivoting of the flaps 28, 30 and consequently further frees the front opening 26 of the chassis 20, as illustrated in [Fig. 6D]. As a result, a greater quantity of air can penetrate through the front opening 26.

[0088] Furthermore, the rear partitions 152 are interposed between the rear face 160 of the flap to which it is attached and the front face 158 of an adjacent flap. The rear partitions 162, or wings, of the flaps 28, 30 thus extend substantially parallel and equidistant from the rear faces 160 and the front faces 158.

[0089] Also, the right flaps 30, just like the left flaps 28, are spaced from each other by a distance of approximately 50 mm for example. In addition, the rear partitions 162 are spaced from the rear faces 160 of the flaps by a distance of approximately 25 mm. And consequently, the rear partitions 162 are spaced from the adjacent flap by a distance substantially less than 25 mm.

[0090] In this way, the flaps 28, 30 form, in this position, an air inlet grille preventing the penetration of elements with a diameter greater than 26 mm, and in particular stones and other gravel. In addition, in the rotation phase of the flaps 28, 30 between the position for closing the opening 34 and the position for releasing the opening, no space greater than 25 mm is created.

[0091] As a result, the standardized, stone-guard function is operational.

[0092] It will be observed that the motorization members 190 conversely allow the drive frame 34 to be driven in translation according to the -X component in order to drive the flaps 28, 30 towards their initial position in which they close the front opening 26 of the chassis 20.

[0093] An advantage of the invention lies in the recoil of the flaps 28, 30 downstream of the front opening 26 through the frame 20 so that their first edge 146 moves precisely away from the front opening 26 in order to protect people in the event of a collision.

[0094] Thus, we find in [Fig. 7], a right flap 30 in a position of release of the front opening 26, in accordance with the position it has in [Fig. 6D]. We find the frame 20 and also the first upper crosspiece 22 and the first lower crosspiece 24. In addition, we find the second notched edge 150 of the flap 30 which is set back relative to the front opening 26.

[0095] Also, the spacing between the upper crosspiece 22 and the lower crosspiece 24 is chosen so that the standard ball 192 with a radius of 100 mm cannot reach the second notched edge 150 of the flap 30 when it comes to bear against the two front edges of the first upper crosspieces 22 and lower crosspieces 24.

[0096] In other words, the second notched edge 150 of the flaps is sufficiently set back from the front face of the grille when the opening 26 is released so as not to injure people in the event of a frontal impact.

Claims

CLAIMS

1. [Motor vehicle grille comprising: - a chassis (20) having an upper cross member (22) opposite a lower cross member (24) and delimiting a front transverse opening (26), said transverse opening being extended towards the rear by an air passage path (35); - a plurality of pivoting flaps (28, 30) each having two opposite lateral edges (146, 150) and a front face (158) opposite a rear face (160), the pivoting flaps being kept spaced apart from each other between said crosspieces (22, 24) so ​​as to be able to be pivoted between a position in which they are aligned edge (146) to edge (150) across said transverse opening (26) to prevent the passage of air and a position in which they are inclined relative to said frame (20) to allow the passage of air; characterized in that it comprises a support frame (32) for supporting said plurality of pivoting flaps (28, 30), said support frame being mounted so as to be able to move in translation on said frame (20) so as to be able to move said plurality of pivoting flaps rearwardly away from said transverse inlet (26).

2. Grille according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a drive frame (34) mounted movable in translation on said support frame (32), and at least a plurality of connecting rods (184, 186), the connecting rods being respectively pivotally mounted on said flaps (28, 30) and on said drive frame (34) to be able to drive said pivoting flaps in pivoting.

3. Grille according to claim 2, characterized in that it comprises drive members (190) mounted between said drive frame (34) and said chassis (20) to drive said drive frame (34) in translation relative to said chassis (20).

4. Calender according to claim 3, characterized in that said support frame (32) and said drive frame (34) are held integral with each other when said drive members cause the movement of translation of said drive frame (34) relative to said chassis (20) according to a first stroke.

5. Grille according to claim 4, characterized in that it comprises elastic members (188) installed between said chassis (20) and said support frame (32) to keep said support frame and said drive frame (34) integral with each other.

6. Grille according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that it comprises retaining members (55) for maintaining said support frame (32) in a fixed position at a distance from said chassis (20), when said drive frame (34) is driven in translation relative to said chassis (20) according to a second stroke additional to said first stroke.

7. A grille according to any one of claims 2 to 6, characterized in that said support frame (34) comprises a plurality of pairs of fingers (80, 82; 84, 86) facing each other, the two facing fingers of each of the pairs receiving a pivoting flap (28, 30), and in that each of the fingers receives a sliding slider (120, 122; 124, 126) secured to said drive frame (34), each of the sliders receiving a pivoting connecting rod (184, 186).

8. Grille according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that each of said flaps (28, 30) has an upper edge (156, 154) opposite a lower edge (154, 156), and in that it comprises two opposite flanges (172, 174) running respectively along said lower and upper edges, projecting from said rear face, said two flanges being connected respectively to said support frame (32) by a pivot connection.

9. Grille according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that each of said flaps (28, 30) further comprises a rear partition (162) extending parallel opposite said rear face (160).

10. Grille according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that one (146) of said two opposite edges of each of said flaps has a groove (175).

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