Automotive air intake management device

Abstract

A motor vehicle air intake management device (1) comprising: A frame adapted to be fixed to a vehicle body and defining at least one air intake opening; A shuttering mechanism (10) configured to regulate the airflow through the opening, the shuttering mechanism comprising: a plurality of flaps (20a-d) extending at least partially along the opening, each flap (20a-d) being arranged to pivot about an axis of rotation between a closed position and one or more open positions allowing air to enter; an actuator (15) connected to a flap (20a; 20b) of the plurality of flaps (20a-d), referred to as the "main flap," and configured to drive said flap in motion about its axis of rotation, the shuttering mechanism (10) being configured to allow partial movement of the main flap (20a; 20b) independently of the other flaps. shutters (20b-d; 20a, 20c-d) referred to as "secondary shutters".Figure for the abbreviation: Figure 2.

Description

Title of the invention: Air intake management device for a motor vehicle Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to an air intake management device for a motor vehicle and an air intake regulation method for this vehicle. Technological background

[0002] In order to improve the cooling and air conditioning performance of the engine of motor vehicles, a known solution consists of using a system of movable shutters 4 controlled using an actuator 2, as illustrated in [Fig.l]. Such a system is most often designated by the acronym AGS for "Active Grille Shutter". The AGS is installed in a known manner at the level of a grille of the motor vehicle. In the open position, air can circulate from the grille, thus allowing the engine to be cooled. In the closed position, air does not enter via the grille. Closing the air access thus makes it possible to reduce drag and consequently to reduce energy consumption and CO2 emissions.

[0003] Examples of AGS systems are described in the following applications: US10100707, US10625597, US10647194, US20230010412, and US20190389411.

[0004] When the vehicle is traveling at high speed, particularly at 165 km / h, the cooling requirements are increased. Therefore, opening the AGS flaps is essential. However, opening these flaps has a significant impact on the aerodynamics of the vehicle. One solution could be to open the flaps at a small angle, for example less than 15°. This solution has the advantage of limiting the drag coefficient. However, this solution does not give complete satisfaction in terms of cooling performance.

[0005] There is therefore a need to have a controlled flap system which makes it possible to improve the cooling performance of the engine, in particular when it is operating at high speed, and without unduly impacting the drag of the vehicle. Summary of the invention

[0006] The invention aims to meet this need and has as its subject an air intake management device for a motor vehicle comprising: - A frame adapted to be fixed to a body of the vehicle and defining at least one air intake opening, - A shutter mechanism configured to regulate the flow rate of air flowing through the opening, the shutter mechanism comprising: • a plurality of flaps extending at least partially along the opening, the shutters being pivoted around an axis of rotation each between a closed position and one or more open positions allowing air to enter, • An actuator connected to a flap of the plurality of flaps, called “main flap” and configured to drive said flap in movement around its axis of rotation, the shutter mechanism being configured to allow partial movement of the main shutter independently of the other shutters known as “secondary shutters”.

[0007] The partial movement may correspond to a partial opening of the main shutter, i.e. to a predefined value of the opening angle less than the maximum opening angle of said shutter.

[0008] In the following, the opening angle of a shutter is measured so that when said shutter is substantially closed, the opening angle is zero.

[0009] In particular, the shutter mechanism being arranged to at least partially open the main shutter while keeping the secondary shutters closed, the opening angle of said main shutter being greater than or equal to 20.

[0010] Opening a single flap to an angle greater than or equal to 20° allows air to be better directed to the desired area. This allows for better control of the quantity of incoming air as well as its use. Cooling performance is improved, while maintaining a reasonable drag coefficient.

[0011] The shutter mechanism according to the invention makes it possible to selectively open one of the plurality of shutters. This makes it possible to improve both the aerodynamics and the thermal performance of the vehicle.

[0012] Preferably, the shutter mechanism further comprises a connecting piece connected to the shutters and connecting the main shutter to the secondary shutters, said piece being arranged to transmit the pivoting movement of the main shutter to the secondary shutters.

[0013] Advantageously, the connecting part is configured to transmit the movement of the main shutter to the secondary shutters, beyond a predetermined position of the main shutter. For example, in the open position, the main shutter can pivot without impacting the other shutters until it reaches a predetermined opening angle. From this predetermined opening angle, the movement of the main shutter causes the secondary shutters to open.

[0014] The predetermined opening angle is preferably greater than 20°, better still greater than 30°, in particular of the order of approximately 40°.

[0015] The axes of rotation of the flaps are preferably parallel to each other.

[0016] Each flap may comprise a central piece of elongated shape extending at least partially along the air inlet opening and two arms arranged on either side and other of the central part and each intended to be articulated on the frame via pivot axes, the arms of the main shutter having a length greater than that of the arms of the secondary shutters. The length is calculated along a longitudinal axis of the arm.

[0017] Preferably, the connecting piece comprises first orifices for receiving the arms of the main flap and second orifices for receiving the arms of the secondary flaps, the first orifices having a different shape from the second orifices.

[0018] In particular, the first orifices are elongated in shape and the second orifices are round in shape.

[0019] The elongated shape allows the pivot axes of the main shutter to move along these orifices when the main shutter pivots. In other words, the pivoting of the main shutter is accompanied by a movement of the pivot axes along a direction, in particular longitudinal, of the first orifices. When the pivot axes reach the ends of the orifices, the movement of the main shutter is transmitted to the secondary shutters. Between the ends of the openings, the movement of the shutter can be decoupled from that of the secondary shutters, that is to say it can be carried out independently of the secondary shutters.

[0020] Preferably, the length of the first orifices being chosen as a function of the predetermined opening angle mentioned above.

[0021] The invention also relates to a method for regulating air intake for a motor vehicle using a device according to the invention, comprising a first step in which the movement of the main flap is decoupled from the movement of the secondary flaps.

[0022] The first step may include opening the main shutter while keeping the secondary shutters closed, the opening angle of said main shutter being greater than or equal to 20°.

[0023] The method may comprise a second step in which the movement of the main flap is coupled to the movement of the secondary flaps.

[0024] The second step may involve opening all of the shutters.

[0025] The invention also relates to a vehicle comprising an entry management device according to the invention. Brief description of the figures

[0026] The following description with reference to the attached drawings, given as non-limiting examples, will make it clear what the invention consists of and how it can be implemented. In the attached figures:

[0027] [Fig.l] [Fig.l] represents a grid system of the prior art;

[0028] [Fig.2] [Fig.2] is a schematic and partial representation of a device for air inlet management according to a first embodiment,

[0029] [Fig.3] [Fig.3] schematically and partially represents a variant of the device of [Fig.2],

[0030] [Fig.4a] [Fig.4a] illustrates the airflow circulating in a prior art configuration, and

[0031] [Fig.4b] [Fig.4b] illustrates the airflow circulating in a configuration according to the invention. Description of embodiment(s)

[0032] In the figures, and unless otherwise provided, identical elements will bear the same reference signs.

[0033] [Fig.2] shows an example of an air intake management device 1 for a motor vehicle according to the invention.

[0034] This device 1 comprises a frame (not shown) adapted to be fixed to a body of the vehicle and defining one or more air intake openings.

[0035] The device further comprises a shutter mechanism 10 configured to regulate a flow rate of air flowing from the opening(s).

[0036] As illustrated, the closure mechanism 10 comprises a plurality of flaps 20a-d, four in number in this example, extending at least partially along the air inlet opening(s). Each flap is pivotable about a pivot axis, between a closed position and an open position. In this example, the pivot axes are parallel to each other. Each flap 20a-d comprises a central part of elongated shape (not shown) extending at least partially along the air inlet opening and two arms 22a-d arranged on either side of the central part and each intended to be articulated on the frame via a pivot axis 24a-d.

[0037] The shutter mechanism 10 also comprises an actuator 15 connected to the flap 20a of the plurality of flaps, called the “main flap”. This actuator drives said flap 20a in movement around its axis of rotation.

[0038] The other flaps 20b-d or “secondary flaps” are connected to the main flap 20a, and consequently to the actuator 15, by a connecting piece 18. This connecting piece makes it possible to transmit the pivoting movement of the main flap 20a to the secondary flaps 20b-d. In the example illustrated, the connecting piece 18 is in the form of a connecting rod.

[0039] As illustrated, the holding part comprises a plurality of orifices 32 for receiving the pivot axes of the flaps. This plurality of orifices comprises first orifices 32a receiving the pivot axes 24a of the main flap 20a and second orifices 32b-d of round shape receiving the pivot axes 24b-d of the secondary flaps.

[0040] The first orifices have an elongated shape. Thanks to this shape, the pivot axes can move along the orifices in a longitudinal direction, indicated by the arrow F, when the main flap is pivoted by the actuator. Also, within a predetermined angle range, in particular before the pivot axis 24a reaches the end 33a of the orifice 32a, the main flap 20a can pivot alone without impacting the secondary flaps 20b-d. The shape of the connecting piece 18 thus described allows partial movement of the main flap 20a independently of the secondary flaps 20b-d.

[0041] In particular, this makes it possible to open the main shutter 20a while keeping the secondary shutters 20b-d closed, with an opening angle of said main shutter greater than or equal to 20°.

[0042] When the pivot axis 24a of the main flap 20a reaches the end 33a of the orifice 32a, the movement of the main flap 20a is then coupled to the secondary flaps 20b-d via the connecting piece 18, thus causing the pivoting of the secondary flaps.

[0043] Also, depending on the cooling requirements, it is possible to open the main shutter 20a alone or all of the shutters 20a-d. In the latter case, the opening of the shutters 20a-d can be done in two stages. In a first stage, only the main shutter 20a is opened with an opening angle greater than 20°. Then, the secondary shutters 20b-d open following the movement of the main shutter 20a.

[0044] The invention is not limited to the example which has just been described.

[0045] For example, the actuator may be connected to a flap different from the first, as illustrated in [Fig.4b]. In this example, the main flap corresponds to the second flap 22b. As described above, the opening 32b of the connecting piece 18 has an elongated shape making it possible to decouple the movement of the main flap 20b from that of the secondary flaps 20a and 20c-d up to a predetermined opening angle. Beyond this angle, the opening of the main flap 20b causes that of the secondary flaps 20a and 20c-d.

[0046] [Fig.4a] shows the air circulation for a conventional configuration of a prior art device where all the flaps 20a-d are open with a small opening angle, for example equal to 12°. Opening the flaps with a small angle makes it possible not to significantly impact the drag of the vehicle.

[0047] [Fig.4a] shows the air flow in a configuration according to the device of [Fig.3] in which only the flap 20b is open with an opening angle equal to approximately 38°. The drag coefficient in this case is comparable to that of the configuration of [Fig.4a]. However, and as can be seen, the configuration of [Fig.4b] makes it possible to better direct the incoming air towards the desired area to be cooled, in comparison with the case where all the flaps are open ([Fig.4a]).

[0048] For a comparable drag coefficient, the device according to the invention has improved thermal performance.

Claims

Claims

1. Device (1) for managing air intake for a motor vehicle comprising: - A frame adapted to be fixed to a body of the vehicle and defining at least one air intake opening, - A closure mechanism (10) configured to regulate the flow of air flowing through the opening, the closure mechanism comprising: • a plurality of flaps (20a-d) extending at least partially along the opening, the flaps (20a-d) each being arranged to pivot about an axis of rotation between a closed position and one or more open positions allowing air to enter, • An actuator (15) connected to a flap (20a; 20b) of the plurality of flaps (20a-d), called "main flap" and configured to drive said flap in movement about its axis of rotation, the closure mechanism (10) being configured to allow partial movement of the main shutter (20a; 20b) independently of the other shutters (20b-d;20a, 20c-d) called “secondary shutters”.;

2. Device according to claim 1, the shutter mechanism (10) further comprising a connecting piece (18) connected to the shutters and connecting the main shutter (20a; 20b) to the secondary shutters, said connecting piece being arranged to transmit the pivoting movement of the main shutter to the secondary shutters.

3. Device according to claim 1 or 2, the closing mechanism being arranged to allow at least partial opening of the main shutter (20a; 20b) while keeping the secondary shutters closed, the opening angle of said main shutter being greater than or equal to 20°.

4. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, each flap (20a-d) comprising a central part of elongated shape extending at least partially along the air inlet opening and two arms (22a-d) arranged on either side of the central part and each intended to be articulated on the frame via pivot axes (24a-d), the arms (22a; 22b) of the main flap (20a; 20b) having a length greater than that of the arms of the secondary flaps.

5. Device according to the preceding claim, the connecting part (18) comprising first orifices (32a; 32b) for receiving the arms (22a; 22b) of the main flap (20a; 20b) and second orifices (32b-d; 32a, 32c-d) for receiving the arms of the secondary flaps, the first orifices having a different shape from the second orifices.

6. Device according to the preceding claim, the first orifices (32a; 32b) being of elongated shape.

7. Device according to the preceding claim, in which the pivoting of the main flap (20a; 20b) is accompanied by a displacement of the pivot axes along a direction, in particular longitudinal, of the first orifices (32a; 32b).

8. Method for regulating air intake for a motor vehicle using a device according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a first step in which the movement of the main flap (20a; 20b) is decoupled from the movement of the secondary flaps.

9. Method according to the preceding claim, comprising a second step in which the movement of the main flap (20a; 20b) is coupled to the movement of the secondary flaps.

10. Method according to claim 8 or 9, the first step comprising opening the main shutter (20a; 20b) while keeping the secondary shutters closed, the opening angle of said main shutter being greater than or equal to 20°.

11. Vehicle comprising an air intake management device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

Images