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 sections (20b-d; 20a, 20c-d) called "secondary sections".Figure for the abbreviation: Figure 2.

Description

Title of the invention: Air intake management device for motor vehicles. Technical field

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

[0002] To improve the cooling and air conditioning performance of motor vehicle engines, a known solution is to use a system of movable shutters 4 controlled by an actuator 2, as illustrated in [Fig. 1]. Such a system is most often referred to by the acronym AGS, from the English word "Active Grille Shutter." The AGS is installed in a known manner on the grille of the motor vehicle. In the open position, air can flow through the grille, thus cooling the engine. In the closed position, air does not enter through the grille. Closing the air intake thus reduces drag and consequently reduces 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, cooling requirements increase. Therefore, opening the AGS flaps becomes essential. However, opening these flaps has a significant impact on the vehicle's aerodynamics. One solution could be to open the flaps at a shallow angle, for example, less than 15°. This solution has the advantage of limiting the drag coefficient. However, this solution does not provide entirely satisfactory cooling performance.

[0005] There is therefore a need for a system of controlled flaps that improves engine cooling performance, particularly when operating at high speeds, without unduly increasing vehicle drag. Summary of the invention

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

[0007] The partial displacement may correspond to a partial opening of the main shutter, that is to say to a predefined value of the opening angle less than the maximum opening angle of said shutter.

[0008] In what follows, the opening angle of a shutter is measured in such a way 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 flap while keeping the secondary flaps closed, the opening angle of said main flap being greater than or equal to 20.

[0010] Opening a single flap at an angle of 20° or greater allows for better air direction towards the desired area. This enables better control of the amount of incoming air and its use. Cooling performance is thus improved while maintaining a reasonable drag coefficient.

[0011] The shutter mechanism according to the invention allows one flap from the plurality of flaps to be selectively opened. This improves both the aerodynamics and the thermal performance of the vehicle.

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

[0013] Advantageously, the connecting piece 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 affecting 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 greater than 30°, in particular in the order of approximately 40°.

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

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

[0017] Preferably, the connecting piece has first holes to receive the arms of the main flap and second holes to receive the arms of the secondary flaps, the first holes having a different shape from the second holes.

[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 openings during the main shutter's pivoting. In other words, the pivoting of the main shutter is accompanied by a movement of the pivot axes along a direction, particularly a longitudinal one, of the first openings. When the pivot axes reach the ends of the openings, the movement of the main shutter is transmitted to the secondary shutters. Between the ends of the openings, the movement of the main shutter can be decoupled from that of the secondary shutters; that is, it can occur independently of the secondary shutters.

[0020] Preferably, the length of the first orifices being chosen according to the predetermined opening angle mentioned above.

[0021] The invention further relates to a method of 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 flap while keeping the secondary flaps closed, the opening angle of said main flap being greater than or equal to 20°.

[0023] The method may include 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 the shutters.

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

[0026] The following description, with reference to the accompanying drawings, given by way of non-limiting examples, will clearly explain what the invention consists of and how it can be implemented. In the accompanying figures:

[0027] [Fig-1] The [Fig.1] represents a prior art grid system;

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

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

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

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

[0032] In the figures, and unless otherwise specified, identical elements shall bear the same reference symbols.

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

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

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

[0036] As illustrated, the shutter mechanism 10 comprises a plurality of flaps 20a-d, four in this example, extending at least partially along the air inlet opening(s). Each flap is movable by pivoting 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 an elongated central piece (not shown) extending at least partially along the air inlet opening and two arms 22a-d arranged on either side of the central piece, each intended to be articulated on the frame via a pivot axis 24a-d.

[0037] The shutter mechanism 10 also includes an actuator 15 connected to the flap 20a of the plurality of flaps, referred to as the "main flap". This actuator drives said flap 20a in motion 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 allows the pivoting movement of the main flap 20a to be transmitted to the secondary flaps 20b-d. In the illustrated example, the connecting piece 18 is in the form of a connecting rod.

[0039] As illustrated, the retaining piece has a plurality of holes 32 for receiving the pivot axes of the flaps. This plurality of holes includes first holes 32a receiving the pivot axes 24a of the main flap 20a and second holes 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 arrow F, when the main flap is pivoted by the actuator. Also, within a predetermined angle range, particularly before the pivot axis 24a reaches the end 33a of the orifice 32a, the main flap 20a can pivot independently 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 allows the main flap 20a to be opened while keeping the secondary flaps 20b-d closed, with an opening angle of said main flap 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 secondary flaps to pivot.

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

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

[0045] For example, the actuator can 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 that allows the movement of the main flap 20b to be decoupled 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 the opening of the secondary flaps 20a and 20c-d.

[0046] Figure 4a shows the airflow 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 at a small angle prevents a significant impact on the vehicle's drag.

[0047] Figure 4a shows the airflow in a configuration according to the device of Figure 3, in which only flap 20b is open with an opening angle of approximately 38°. The drag coefficient in this case is comparable to that of the configuration in Figure 4a. However, as can be seen, the configuration in Figure 4b allows for better direction of the incoming air towards the desired cooling area, compared to the case where all flaps are open (Figure 4a).

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

Claims

1. Demands Device (1) for managing air intake of a motor vehicle 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 flow of air through the opening, the shuttering 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 the "main flap" and configured to drive said flap in motion around its axis of rotation, the shutter mechanism (10) being configured to allow partial movement of the main flap (20a; 20b) independently of the other flaps (20b-d; 20a, 20c-d) called "secondary flaps", the shutter mechanism (10) further comprising a connecting piece (18) connected to the flaps and linking the main flap (20a; 20b) to the secondary flaps, said connecting piece being arranged to transmit the pivoting movement of the main flap to the secondary flaps. each flap (20a-d) comprising an elongated central piece extending at least partially along the air inlet opening and two arms (22a-d) arranged on either side of the central piece 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 greater length than the arms of the secondary flaps, the connecting piece (18) having first openings (32a; 32b) for receiving the arms (22a; 22b) of the main flap (20a; 20b) and second openings (32b-d; 32a, 32c-d) for receiving the arms

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7. secondary flaps, the first openings having a different shape than the second openings, the pivoting of the main flap (20a; 20b) accompanied by a displacement of the pivot axes along a direction, in particular longitudinal, of the first orifices (32a; 32b). Device according to claim 1, the shuttering mechanism being arranged to allow at least partial opening of the main flap (20a; 20b) while keeping the secondary flaps closed, the opening angle of said main flap being greater than or equal to 20°. Device according to one of the preceding claims, the first orifices (32a; 32b) being elongated in shape. Method of 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. 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. Method according to claim 4 or 5, the first step comprising opening the main flap (20a; 20b) while keeping the secondary flaps closed, the opening angle of said main flap being greater than or equal to 20°. Vehicle comprising an air intake management device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

Images