Motor vehicle grille with modulated air intake

Abstract

The present invention relates to a motor vehicle grille comprising: an upper cross member (30) and a lower cross member (32) defining a front transverse opening (34); a plurality of flaps (38, 42) each having two opposite lateral edges (44, 46), the flaps being pivotally mounted spaced apart from each other between said cross members (30, 32); drive members (52) for driving said flaps (38, 42) by pivoting between a position in which they are oriented transversely edge (44) to edge (46) in said transverse opening (34), and a longitudinal position in which they are oriented longitudinally.The said flaps are connected to the said upper (30) and lower (32) cross members respectively by means of a plurality of pairs of connecting rods (76, 78), so as to be able to move the said flaps away from the said transverse opening towards the rear when the said drive members actuate the said flaps (38, 42). Figure to be published with the abbreviation: Fig. 7.

Description

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

[0001] The present invention relates to a motor vehicle grille making it possible to modulate the air intake.

[0002] Motor vehicles with thermal or electric engines require an air intake at the front to be able to cool the elements of the powertrain when it is in operation.

[0003] Thus, the grille, installed in the front of the vehicle, usually includes an air intake opening equipped with a grille and extending transversely. The dimensions of the opening are predefined and offer a compromise between good ventilation of the powertrain and a good aerodynamic efficiency for the vehicle.

[0004] However, when the motor vehicle is moving at high speed, the entry of air 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.

[0005] Also, it has been imagined to implement movable flaps pivoting across the opening and thus, to automatically adjust the flaps in a position of 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.

[0006] Reference may be made in particular to document WO2013092141, which discloses such adjustable shutters.

[0007] 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.

[0008] 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 grid.

[0009] Thus, the relative position of the edge of the flaps in the opening of a grille is covered by these prescriptions.

[0010] 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: an upper cross member and a lower cross member opposed to each other, delimiting a transverse front opening extended rearward by an air passage; a plurality of flaps each having two opposing lateral edges and a front face opposite a rear face, the flaps being pivotally mounted parallel to each other between said cross members and along pivot axes perpendicular to said cross members; drive members for being able to pivot said flaps between a transverse position in which they are oriented transversely edge to edge in said transverse opening to close said air passage, and a longitudinal position in which they are oriented longitudinally to open said air passage.

[0012] Also, said flaps are connected to said upper and lower cross members 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.

[0013] Thus, a feature of the invention lies in the implementation of a pair of connecting rods for each of the shutters, which pair of connecting rods allows the pivot axes of the shutters to be moved rearward when the shutters pivot to clear the air passage. In this way, when the shutters are pivoted from their position where they transversely obstruct the air passage to the position where they clear it, the shutters are correspondingly moved rearward from the opening. Furthermore, the edge closest to the opening is also moved rearward. Consequently, the shutter edges, which according to the prior art constitute protrusions that could cause injury in the event of a pedestrian collision, are in a recessed position, behind the opening. There is therefore no risk that these edges could injure a person in the event of a collision.

[0014] Furthermore, each pair of connecting rods advantageously has a parallel upper and lower connecting rod, respectively mounted for rotation on said upper cross member and on said lower cross member in a position away from said transverse opening. When the shutters 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 shutters are pivotally mounted on the connecting rods at a distance from the connecting rod articulation, towards the transverse opening. And as will be explained below, when the shutters are driven to pivot, the connecting rods also pivot in order to move the shutters away from the opening. transversal.

[0015] Also, to do this, each of said flaps includes an upper pivot and an opposite lower pivot, mounted respectively for rotation on the connecting rods of the same pair of connecting rods.

[0016] Furthermore, the upper and lower pivots of each of the flaps are preferably located near one of the two lateral edges in a position away from the rear face. In this way, one of the two lateral edges can be moved even further back from the transverse opening, while the other lateral edge is moved even further back into the air passage. Consequently, one of the two lateral edges is harmless in the event of a pedestrian collision.

[0017] According to a particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention, said drive members comprise a frame mounted to move in a front-to-back direction between said cross members, and said flaps are respectively connected to said frame by pivot joints. These pivot joints 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 rearward motion, while the flaps extend transversely, it not only causes the flaps to pivot, while the edges move apart to allow airflow, but also drives the connecting rods, which then move the flaps even further rearward away from the transverse opening.

[0018] Preferably, the frame has another upper cross member opposite another lower cross member, and each of the shutters is connected to the other cross members respectively by an upper pivot joint and a lower pivot joint. Thus, the two other cross members are engaged between the upper and lower cross members. In this way, the assembly is relatively compact. Also, the upper and lower pivot joints of each of the shutters define a direction parallel to the line intersecting the two pivots of the same shutter.

[0019] Preferably, said lower cross member has anti-stick pads to accommodate said frame in sliding motion. The anti-stick pads are, for example, formed of strips, or tracks, of polytetrafluoroethylene. Thus, the other lower cross member of the frame can rest flat against said lower cross member against the strips. And the frame can then be moved in sliding motion without significant friction on the lower cross member.

[0020] According to a particularly advantageous feature, 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 fore / aft movement of the frame relative to the upper and lower cross members follows a trajectory curve close to a straight trajectory.

[0021] Furthermore, said drive elements advantageously comprise at least one actuator for driving said frame in motion relative to said cross members. Preferably, the actuator comprises a readily available electric motor. Moreover, the drive elements advantageously comprise an actuator at each of the two ends of the frame.

[0022] Also, according to a particular embodiment, said frame is divided into two half-frames, each accommodating two half-pluralities of shutters. Thus, the two half-frames are arranged symmetrically with respect to each other about a median zone. And the two half-pluralities of shutters are driven in rotation in two opposite directions.

[0023] Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of a particular embodiment of the invention, given by way of example but not limitation, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0024] [Fig.1] is a schematic front view of a motor vehicle equipped with a grille according to the invention;

[0025] [Fig.2] is a schematic three-quarter front right perspective view of the object of the invention in a first state;

[0026] [Fig.3] is a schematic three-quarter rear right perspective view of the object of [Fig.2];

[0027] [Fig.4] is a partial schematic top view along arrow IV of the object of the [Fig.3];

[0028] [Fig.5] is a partial schematic perspective view of the object in [Fig.4];

[0029] [Fig.6] is a partial schematic cross-sectional view along plane VI-VI illustrated on the [Fig. 5]; and,

[0030] [Fig.7] is a partial schematic detail view of the object of [Fig.2] in a second state.

[0031] Fig. 1 shows a motor vehicle 10, seen from the front, and it is inscribed in an orthogonal frame X, Y, Z, in which the X axis extends along a front-to-back longitudinal direction of the motor vehicle, oriented towards the rear; the Y axis extends along a transverse direction of the vehicle, oriented from left to right when in a driving situation; and the Z axis extends along a vertical direction, oriented away from the ground.

[0032] 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 not shown and located behind the grille 12.

[0033] Also, with reference to [Fig.2], the lower part 16 of the grille 12 will be described, which is the subject of the invention. It will be noted that the upper part 14 could also be the subject of the invention.

[0034] The lower part 16 of the grille is curved. It extends longitudinally along the Y component, and viewed along the X component, from a left extremity 20 to a right extremity 22. It has a left part 24 that is 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.

[0035] The lower part 16 of the grille has a first upper cross member 30 opposed to a first lower cross member 32. The first cross members 30, 32 define between the two, at the entrance, a transverse opening 34. The first upper cross member 30 and the first lower cross member 32 extend substantially parallel to each other and they are connected together at their ends 20, 22 to form a single piece.

[0036] The opening 34 is here closed by two half-pluralities 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 median zone 28.

[0037] Each flap has two opposing 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 former has a protrusion, while the latter has a notch. They are fitted transversely, edge 44 to edge 46 respectively, so as to close the opening 34.

[0038] As will be explained below, the shutters 38, 42 are mounted pivotally spaced parallel to each other between the first cross members 30, 32 and along pivot axes perpendicular to the cross members 30, 32.

[0039] On [Fig.3], viewed from three-quarters rear right, we find the first upper cross members 30 and lower cross members 32 connected to each other at their ends 20, 22 and together defining the opening 34. The opening 34 then extends by a passageway 50 defined by the first cross members 30, 32 and extending towards the rear along the +X component.

[0040] We also find the right shutters 38 opposite the left shutters 42. The right shutters 38 extend inside a right frame 52, while the left shutters 42 extend inside a left frame 54. The two frames 52, 54 are themselves engaged between the first two upper cross members 30, lower cross members 32.

[0041] Reference will first be made to [Fig.5] and [Fig.6] to describe in more detail the mode of cooperation of the flaps 38, 42 with the frames 52, 54. The left frame 54 is partially shown in [Fig.5], the first upper crossbars 30 and lower crossbars 32 having been removed for clarity of explanation.

[0042] The left frame 54 itself has a second opposing upper crossbar 56 to a second lower cross member 58.

[0043] Also, the left flap 42 and its front face 48 are illustrated in [Fig.6] in section according to plane VI - VI. It has a rear face 60 opposite its front face 48.

[0044] 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 flange 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.

[0045] Also, the upper flange 62 is provided with an upper trunnion 72 mounted for rotation in the second upper cross member 56 through an upper orifice, while the lower flange 64 is provided with a lower trunnion 74 mounted for rotation in the second lower cross member 58 through a lower orifice.

[0046] In this way, the left flap 42 is mobile in rotation relative to the frame 54 along a first axis of rotation Al perpendicular to the second upper cross members 56 and lower cross members 58.

[0047] Figure 5 shows the left flap 42 and its upper pivot 72, which defines the first axis of rotation Al. Also shown are the lower flange 64 and the rear partition 66 opposite the rear face 60.

[0048] In addition, each of the left flaps 42 is equipped with a pair of left connecting rods, a lower left connecting rod 76 opposite an upper left connecting rod 78.

[0049] The upper left connecting rod 78 has a first upper end 80 connected to the flap 42 via an upper pivot 82 of the flap 42, while on the opposite side the lower connecting rod 76 has a first lower end 84 connected to the flap 42 via a lower pivot 86 which appears on the [Fig.6].

[0050] It will be observed on [Fig.5] that the second upper cross member 56 has notches 88 for the passage of the upper pivot 82. On the opposite side, the second lower cross member 58 has symmetrically notches allowing the passage of the lower pivot 86.

[0051] The lower connecting rods 76 and upper connecting rods 78 respectively have a second lower end 90 and a second upper end 92 mounted for rotation coaxially and respectively on the first lower cross member 32 and on the first upper cross member 30.

[0052] Thus, all the left-hand shutters 42 of the plurality 40 of shutters are connected parallel to each other in a similar manner, to the first crossbars 30, 32 and to the second crossbars 56, 58. And conversely, all the right-hand shutters 38 of the first half-plurality of shutters are connected in the same way to the first crossbars 30, 32 and to the second crossbars lower and upper part of the right frame 52.

[0053] On the other hand, all the right-hand flaps 38 are arranged symmetrically to the left-hand flaps 40 with respect to the median plane Pm.

[0054] Reference is made to [Fig. 4], which partially shows, from above, the upper cross member 30 at the level of the median zone 28. The upper left connecting rods 78 and upper right connecting rods 94 are shown there. The upper right connecting rods are obviously associated with lower right connecting rods, which are not shown. Also shown are the right frame 52 and the left frame 54.

[0055] It will be observed that the first upper cross member 30 has upper left arc lights 96 and upper right arc lights 98.

[0056] These upper arc lights 96 are provided at the right of 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 cross member 30.

[0057] Furthermore, these arc lights 96 are centered on the second upper end 92 of the connecting rod 78, which is rotationally mounted on the first upper cross member 30.

[0058] On the contrary, the first lower cross member 32 has an lower arc-shaped opening, not shown, provided at the right of the first lower ends of the lower connecting rods 76.

[0059] Furthermore, the left frame 54 is connected to the first upper cross member 30 via a left-hand arc connecting rod 100, while the right frame 52 is connected to the first upper cross member 30 via a right-hand arc connecting rod 102.

[0060] The left-hand arc connecting rod 100 has a first left-hand articulation 104 on the upper cross member 30 away from the median plane Pm, and a second left-hand articulation 106 on the right end of the left frame 54, closer to the median plane Pm.

[0061] It will be observed that the arc connecting rods 100, 102 extend essentially along a transverse component Y, while the connecting rods extend along a longitudinal component X.

[0062] In a symmetrical manner with respect to the median plane Pm, the straight arc connecting rod 102 has a first straight articulation 108 on the upper cross member 30, away from the median plane Pm and a second straight articulation 110 on the left end of the right frame 52, closer to the median plane Pm.

[0063] Moreover, the distance separating the two opposite joints 104, 106; 108, 70 of the two connecting rods 100, 102 is close to the length of the connecting rods 78, 76; 94.

[0064] Reference will again be made 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 frames, right 52 and left 54, and a left actuator 114 connected to the first lower cross member 32 and to the left frame only 54 by its left end, and a right actuator 116 connected to the first lower cross member 32 and to the right frame only 52 by its right end.

[0065] Furthermore, the first lower cross member 32 is equipped with regularly spaced polytetrafluoroethylene tracks 118. These tracks 118 reduce the friction forces between the second right and left lower cross members of the right frame 52 and left frame 54 against the first lower cross member 32.

[0066] The central actuator 112 is adapted to drive in motion, relative to the first two cross members 30, 34, the left and right ends of the right frame 52 and left frame 54, according to the component X.

[0067] The left actuator 114 drives the left end of the left frame 54 in motion according to component X, while the right actuator 116 drives the right end of the right frame 52 also in motion according to component X.

[0068] 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 motion backwards 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, in the opposite direction along the Y component.

[0069] The frames, 52, 54 then cause the right flaps 38 to move in one direction, and the left flaps 42 in the opposite direction, by means of the upper trunnions 72 and lower trunnions 74. The convex edges 44 and concave edges 46 of the flaps then separate respectively and thus allow the passage of air through the transverse opening 34.

[0070] In so doing, the right flaps 38 and left flaps 42 in turn drive the lower left connecting rods 76 and upper left connecting rods 78 in one direction, and the upper right connecting rods 94 and lower right connecting rods in the opposite direction. The driving of the connecting rods is due to the upper pivots 82 and lower pivots 86 of the flaps 38, 42, which connect the connecting rods and the flaps together by means of a pivot joint.

[0071] We can partially see on [Fig.7] left flaps 42 in the process of pivoting and moving towards the rear of the transverse opening 34.

[0072] Thus, as the frame 52 is driven in rearward motion along the X component, it thereby drives the flaps 42 along this same component and also, pivoting on themselves around the axis defined by their upper pivots 82 and lower pivots 86. It will be observed that the convex edge 44 of the flaps 38, 42 enter first into the air passage 50 downstream of the transverse opening 34, while the concave edge 46 remains near the transverse opening 34 and is oriented forwards.

[0073] Moreover, the lower left connecting rods 76 and upper left connecting rods 78 also pivot while the upper pivots 82 and lower pivots 86 are driven in motion in the upper left arc lights 96 and the corresponding lower left arc lights and respectively.

[0074] Thus, the upper pivots 82 and lower pivots 86 are driven in motion along an X component, and also along a Y component, and they are then driven in motion backwards and away from the transverse opening 34.

[0075] Consequently, the concave edges 46 of the flaps are also driven backwards along the X component and away from the transverse opening 34.

[0076] By the same token, in the event of a frontal collision, persons are protected from the concave edges 46, since they are inward relative to the transverse opening 34.

[0077] Simultaneously, 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 also protecting people in the event of a frontal collision.

[0078] 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 flap extends equidistant between the rear face 60 of its flap and the front face 48 of the adjacent flap. With appropriate dimensional selection, a grid can be formed in which none of the openings has a cross-sectional width greater than 25 mm. In this way, the vehicle is protected from gravel spray.

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 cross members (30, 32) and along pivot axes perpendicular to said cross members; - drive members (52, 112, 114;54, 116) to be 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 3, 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. Calender 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 connected respectively 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. Calender 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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