Housing for a controlled air intake module for the front of a motor vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a housing (1) for a controlled air intake module for the front of a motor vehicle, the housing (1) comprising a peripheral frame (11) defining a housing (110) for movable flaps of the controlled air intake module, the peripheral frame (11) comprising a rigid section (111) projecting from a main body (10) of the housing (1), and sealing lips (112) coupled to a free end of the rigid section (111) and extending axially along said rigid section (111). The sealing lips (112) comprise a first segment (1121) proximal to the rigid section (111) having a first thickness and a second segment (1122) distal to the first segment (1121) having a second thickness less than the first thickness, so as to stiffen the end lips at their free edge. Figure to be published with the abbreviation: Fig. 1

Description

Title of the invention: Housing of a controlled air intake module for a front face of a motor vehicle

[0001] The technical context of the present invention is that of front end equipment for motor vehicles. More particularly, the invention relates to a housing of a controlled air intake module for a front end of a motor vehicle.

[0002] In the state of the art, the use of motor-fan units placed downstream of a front face of a motor vehicle is known in order to meet certain requirements in terms of repairability. This configuration involves, in return, bringing under a hood of the motor vehicle a sufficient quantity of outside air to satisfy its ventilation and heat exchange needs, in particular from the radiator. For this purpose, the dimensions of the air inlets under the hood of the motor vehicle have been increased.

[0003] In order that this increased air intake is not responsible for excessive deterioration of the aerodynamic performance of the motor vehicle, and therefore an increase in its fuel consumption, the use of movable flaps on the front face is known. These movable flaps are part of a controlled air intake module and are controlled by a motor between an open position when it is necessary to increase the heat exchanges of the motor-fan unit and a closed position otherwise, in order to reduce the aerodynamic drag and reduce the fuel consumption of the vehicle.

[0004] Generally speaking, such controlled air inlet modules comprise a peripheral frame delimiting a housing for the movable flaps of the controlled air inlet module, the peripheral frame comprising:

[0005] - a rigid section which projects from a main body of the housing; and

[0006] - sealing lips coupled to a free end of the rigid section and extending in the axial extension of said rigid section.

[0007] The sealing lips thus make it possible to perfect the coupling - both mechanical and fluidic, between the housing of the controlled air intake module and the front bumper to which it is intended to be coupled.

[0008] In a known manner, such sealing lips are generally formed from a bi-material material, a first component of which is sufficiently rigid to define the peripheral frame and a second component of which is sufficiently flexible to ensure the necessary deformation when the housing is placed on the front bumper.

[0009] However, the use of bi-material materials leads to problems complex and sometimes contradictory for the manufacture, transport and installation of the controlled air intake module housing. Indeed, for example, it is necessary that the free end of the sealing lips, formed in the second flexible component, is sufficiently rigid to ensure sufficient hold during transport or handling, but that it is also sufficiently flexible to allow the deformation necessary for assembly against the front bumper.

[0010] However, the known sealing lips have a constant thickness over their entire length, thus making them too flexible to allow precise and high-quality mounting on the front bumper of the motor vehicle, and leading to said sealing lips ultimately never being positioned in the theoretical position in which they should be once the mounting has been carried out.

[0011] This configuration is not desired, of course, and it contributes to a non-capture of air by the controlled air intake module and, ultimately, to a degradation of the aerodynamic coefficient of the motor vehicle.

[0012] The object of the present invention is to propose a new housing for a controlled air inlet module in order to address at least a large part of the preceding problems and to further lead to other advantages.

[0013] Another object of the invention is to provide improved rigidity during transport and handling of the housing.

[0014] Another object of the invention is to allow more precise assembly on the bumper of the motor vehicle equipped with such a housing.

[0015] According to a first aspect of the invention, at least one of the aforementioned objectives is achieved with a housing of a controlled air intake module for a front face of a motor vehicle, the housing comprising a peripheral frame delimiting a housing for movable flaps of the controlled air intake module, the peripheral frame comprising:

[0016] - a rigid section which projects from a main body of the housing; and

[0017] - sealing lips coupled to a free end of the rigid section and extending in the axial extension of said rigid section.

[0018] According to the invention, the sealing lips comprise a first proximal segment of the rigid section having a first thickness and a second segment distal to the first segment and having a second thickness less than the first thickness.

[0019] In the context of the present invention, the peripheral frame delimits an opening through the housing, across which the movable flaps of the controlled air inlet module are intended to be placed. Generally speaking, the frame can take any shape. In particular, it delimits a closed contour of any shape, preferably polygonal, preferably still rectangular. The peripheral frame extends projecting from the housing, so as to form a housing for movable shutters. The housing extends mainly in a vertical extension plane. The rigid frame is delimited by walls which are formed by the rigid section and the sealing lips. Each wall forming the peripheral frame is formed of a bi-material: a first component is associated with the rigid section, and a second component is associated with the sealing lips.

[0020] In the context of the present invention, the rigid section forms a base of the walls of the rigid frame against the housing. In other words, the rigid section projects from the rigid housing, according to the closed contour described above, so as to form the peripheral frame. The rigid section thus forms a first part of the walls of the peripheral frame. The rigid section has greater rigidity than the sealing lips. For this purpose, the rigid section is for example formed from a plastic material, such as for example polypropylene.

[0021] In the context of the present invention, the sealing lips extend after the rigid section. In other words, the sealing lips form a second part of the walls of the peripheral frame. The sealing lips extend in direct extension of the rigid section. The sealing lips are coupled to the rigid section. The sealing lips have less rigidity than the rigid section. For this purpose, the sealing lips are formed from a rubber, such as for example an ethylene propylene diene monomer.

[0022] In the context of the present invention, the first segment forms a first part of the sealing lips. The first segment is proximal to the rigid section. The first segment has a greater thickness than the second segment of the sealing lips. This advantageous configuration thus makes it possible to stiffen the sealing lips at the rigid section, in order to improve their hold and the precision of their placement on the front bumper during their assembly.

[0023] In the context of the present invention, the second segment forms a second part of the sealing lips. The second segment is located in the direct extension of the first segment. The second segment is distal from the rigid section. The second segment thus forms a free end of the sealing lips. The second segment has a lesser thickness than that of the first segment of the sealing lips. This advantageous configuration thus makes it possible to maintain the flexibility necessary for mounting against the front bumper of the motor vehicle.

[0024] In other words, the invention provides that the sealing lips have a greater thickness near the rigid section, and a lesser thickness at their free end.

[0025] Thus, the housing according to the first aspect of the invention solves the technical problem mentioned above due to a particularly clever geometry which makes it possible to reinforce the rigidity of the lips near their terminal end. to provide both greater rigidity which allows for better placement when mounting on the front bumper, while maintaining sufficient flexibility to ensure the necessary seal with said front bumper.

[0026] The housing, in accordance with the first aspect of the invention, advantageously comprises at least one of the improvements below, the technical characteristics forming these improvements being able to be taken alone or in combination:

[0027] - the first segment forms a peripheral bead which extends along at least a portion of the sealing lips. Optionally, the peripheral bead is arranged on a single wall of the peripheral frame, or on several of them. In particular, the peripheral bead extends along an upper wall and / or a lower wall of the sealing lips. This advantageous configuration makes it possible both to stiffen the corresponding wall of the peripheral frame, but also to improve the seal between the peripheral frame and the front bumper with which the housing according to the first aspect of the invention is intended to be associated, and in particular with an air intake grille against which the bead is intended to be affixed;

[0028] - the bead is arranged on a corresponding wall face of the peri frame spherical opposite the housing delimited by the peripheral frame, in other words, the peripheral bead is located on the outer face of the sealing lips, relative to the housing delimited by the peripheral frame;

[0029] - the peripheral bead extends at a constant distance from a free end of the sealing lips;

[0030] - the peripheral bead extends in a rectilinear manner along the free end sealing lips. In particular, the peripheral bead extends along a contour similar and parallel to the free end of the sealing lip(s) with which it is associated;

[0031] - advantageously, the peripheral bead also extends along the edges lateral of the upper wall and / or a lower wall of the sealing lips. This advantageous configuration makes it possible to reinforce the overall rigidity of the peripheral frame;

[0032] - side walls of the sealing lips have a sawtooth profile. This advantageous configuration makes it possible to improve the contact against the front bumper with which the housing according to the first aspect of the invention is intended to be affixed. In particular, the sawtooth profile is irregular. In other words, two successive teeth of the profile of the sealing lips have different dimensions and / or shapes. In the context of the present invention, the profile is for example that of the free end of the sealing lips;

[0033] - the first segment of the side walls of the sealing lips has a profile in extra thickness compared to the profile of the second segment. In other words, the first segment extends from the rigid section and towards a free end of the sealing lips, and the second segment extends in the extension of the first segment and comprises said free end. The first segment thus has a surface whose thickness, taken perpendicular to the relevant wall of the peripheral frame, is greater than that of the second segment. Thus, starting from the rigid section and going towards the free end, the wall of the sealing lips forming the peripheral frame comprises a first part - the first segment - having the first thickness, and a second part - the second segment - having the second thickness less than the first thickness. This advantageous configuration thus makes it possible to provide walls of the peripheral frame whose sealing lips are more rigid at the rigid section and sufficiently flexible at their free end;

[0034] - in particular, the first segment and the second segment of the side walls of the sealing lips have a sawtooth profile;

[0035] - the first thickness is at least 50% greater than the second thickness. Pre preferably the first thickness of the sealing lips taken at the level of the first segment is at least equal to twice the second thickness of the sealing lips taken at the level of the second segment. By way of non-limiting example, the second thickness is between 1 mm and 5 mm. The first thickness is between 2 mm and 10 mm.

[0036] - the first segment is located at a distance of between 2 mm and 15 mm from a free end of the sealing lips. In other words, a length of the second segment, measured perpendicular to the housing and in the extension axis of the peripheral frame, is between 2 mm and 15 mm, beyond the rigid section.

[0037] According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a motor vehicle comprising:

[0038] - a motor-fan unit;

[0039] - a controlled air inlet module fixed on a front face of the motor-fan unit, the controlled air inlet module comprising a housing in accordance with the first aspect of the invention or according to any of its improvements.

[0040] In the context of the present invention, the motor-fan unit is an electromechanical device which provides an efficient air flow for the air conditioning and heating assembly of the passenger compartment of the motor vehicle, and which optimizes the heat exchange with the radiator of the motor vehicle, necessary for cooling the engine. The motor-fan unit generally comprises a support, an electric motor and a fan.

[0041] Various embodiments of the invention are provided, integrating according to all of their possible combinations the different optional characteristics set out here.

[0042] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description on the one hand, and from several examples of embodiment given for informational and non-limiting purposes with reference to the attached schematic drawings on the other hand, in which:

[0043] [Fig. 1] illustrates a three-dimensional view of an exemplary embodiment of a controlled air inlet module housing according to the first aspect of the invention;

[0044] [Fig.2] illustrates a detail view of a side wall of the housing illustrated in [Fig. 1];

[0045] [Fig.3] illustrates a detail view of an upper or lower wall of the housing illustrated in [Fig.l].

[0046] Of course, the features, variants and different embodiments of the invention may be combined with each other, in various combinations, provided that they are not incompatible or mutually exclusive. In particular, variants of the invention may be imagined comprising only a selection of features described below in isolation from the other features described, if this selection of features is sufficient to confer a technical advantage or to differentiate the invention from the prior art.

[0047] In particular, all the variants and all the embodiments described can be combined with each other if nothing prevents this combination from a technical point of view.

[0048] In the figures, the elements common to several figures retain the same reference.

[0049] With reference to FIGURES 1 to 3, the invention relates to a housing 1 of a controlled air intake module for a front face of a motor vehicle, the housing 1 comprising a peripheral frame 11 delimiting a housing 110 for movable flaps of the controlled air intake module. The housing 1 has a generally parallelepiped conformation. The housing is intended to equip a front face of the motor vehicle. In other words, the housing 1 is configured to be coupled to the front face, so that the movable flaps of the controlled air intake module can allow the capture of an air flow.

[0050] Each wall of the peripheral frame 11 is formed from a bi-material material comprising a first material and a second material. The first material is formed from a first component offering a modulus of elasticity greater than that of the second material. The first material is thus more rigid than the second material. According to the invention, the first material is located at one or other of the walls - preferably all of the walls delimiting the peripheral frame 11 - and close to a main body 10 of the housing 1. Conversely, the second material is mainly located at one or other of the walls - preferably all of the walls delimiting the peripheral frame 11 - and at a distance from the body main 10 of the housing 1. In particular, the second material is located at a free edge of the peripheral frame 11 forming sealing lips 112 and making it possible to press said sealing lips 112 against the front bumper on which the housing 1 according to the invention is intended to be mounted.

[0051] As visible in the FIGURES, the peripheral frame 11 comprises:

[0052] - a rigid section 111 which projects from a main body 10 of the housing 1 ; And

[0053] - sealing lips 112 coupled to a free end of the rigid section 111 and extending in the axial extension of said rigid section 111. The sealing lips 112 further comprise a first segment 1121 proximal to the rigid section 111 having a first thickness and a second segment 1122 distal to the first segment 1121 and having a second thickness less than the first thickness.

[0054] Thus, at the level of the second material forming the walls of the peripheral frame 11, that is to say at the level of the sealing lips 112 formed from the second more flexible material, there are two distinct segments on said sealing lips 112.

[0055] Each segment forms a part of the sealing lips 112, on one or more of the walls delimiting the peripheral frame 11. The two segments are arranged one after the other, relative to the longitudinal axis which extends perpendicular to the direction of the housing 110, that is to say perpendicular to the rectangular opening delimited by the peripheral frame 11: the first segment 1121 is located near the rigid section 111 of the wall in question, and the second segment 1122 is located near the free edge of the sealing lips 112.

[0056] Each segment has a different thickness, the thickness being taken according to the smallest dimension of the wall considered, at the level of the sealing lips 112. In particular, the thickness of the sealing lips 112 taken at the level of the first segment 1121 - close to the rigid section 111 - is greater than that of said sealing lips 112 taken at the level of the second segment 1122 - close to the free edge.

[0057] This advantageous configuration thus makes it possible to further stiffen the sealing lips 112, making it easier to package and transport the housing 1 according to the invention, as well as to install it on the front bumper. On the other hand, the expected flexibility at the free edge of the sealing lips 112 is retained so that they are perfectly pressed against the front bumper when installing the housing 1 according to the invention.

[0058] As visible in [Fig. 1], the walls of the peripheral frame 11 take different shapes and dimensions. Also, the invention provides that the first segment 1121 possibly takes different shapes depending on the wall considered.

[0059] Thus, as visible in FIGURES 1 and 3, the first segment 1121 forms a peripheral bead which extends from the sealing lips 112 of the upper wall 113 and / or the lower wall 114. Optionally, the peripheral bead is arranged on a single wall of the peripheral frame 11, or on several of them. The peripheral bead is arranged on a face of the upper wall 113 and / or the lower wall 114 opposite the housing 110 delimited by the peripheral frame 11. The peripheral bead extends linearly along the upper wall 113 and / or the lower wall 114, at a constant distance from the free edge of said upper wall 113 and / or said lower wall 114. In other words, the peripheral bead extends along the upper wall 113 and / or the lower wall 114 parallel to the free edge of the corresponding sealing lips 112.

[0060] On the other hand, as visible in FIGURES 1 and 2, the first segment 1121 of the sealing lips 112 of the side walls 115 has a profile with extra thickness compared to the profile of the second segment 1122. In other words, the first segment 1121 extends from the rigid section 111 and in the direction of a free end of the sealing lips 112, and the second segment 1122 extends in the extension of the first segment 1121 and comprises said free end. The first segment 1121 thus has a surface whose thickness, taken perpendicular to the wall in question of the peripheral frame 11, is greater than that of the second segment 1122. In this case, the first segment 1121 does not form a peripheral bead as in the case of the upper wall 113 and / or the lower wall 114. Conversely, the first segment 1121 here forms a surface with a thickness greater than that of the sealing lips 112 taken at their free edge.

[0061] In particular, the first segment 1121 and the second segment 1122 of the side walls 115 of the sealing lips 112 both have a sawtooth profile. The first segment 1121 is located set back from the second segment 1122, relative to the longitudinal axis taken perpendicular to the plane of the opening delimited by the peripheral frame 11.

[0062] Advantageously, the first thickness is at least 50% greater than the second thickness. Preferably, the first thickness of the sealing lips 112 taken at the level of the first segment 1121 is at least equal to twice the second thickness of the sealing lips 112 taken at the level of the second segment 1122. By way of non-limiting example, the second thickness is between 1 mm and 5 mm. The first thickness is between 2 mm and 10 mm.

[0063] Furthermore, the first segment 1121 is located at a distance of between 2 mm and 15 mm from a free end of the sealing lips 112. In other words, a length of the second segment 1122, measured perpendicular to the housing 1 and in the axis of extension of the peripheral frame 11, is between 2 mm and 15 mm, beyond of the rigid section 111.

[0064] In summary, the invention relates to a housing 1 of a controlled air intake module for a front face of a motor vehicle, the housing 1 comprising a peripheral frame 11 delimiting a housing 110 for movable flaps of the controlled air intake module. The peripheral frame 11 delimits an opening through the housing 1, across which the movable flaps of the controlled air intake module are intended to be placed. As visible in [Fig.l], the peripheral frame 11 delimits a closed contour, of rectangular shape. Thus, the peripheral frame 11 is delimited by an upper wall 113 and a lower wall 114, located respectively on either side of the housing 110 relative to the vertical axis, and side walls 115 located on either side of said housing 110 relative to the transverse axis.

[0065] Of course, the invention is not limited to the examples which have just been described and numerous adjustments can be made to these examples without departing from the scope of the invention. In particular, the different characteristics, forms, variants and embodiments of the invention can be associated with each other in various combinations insofar as they are not incompatible or mutually exclusive. In particular, all the variants and embodiments described above can be combined with each other.

Claims

Claims

1. Housing (1) of a controlled air intake module for a front face of a motor vehicle, the housing (1) comprising a peripheral frame (11) delimiting a housing (110) for movable flaps of the controlled air intake module, the peripheral frame (11) comprising: - a rigid section (111) which projects from a main body (10) of the housing (1); and - sealing lips (112) coupled to a free end of the rigid section (111) and extending in the axial extension of said rigid section (111), characterized in that the sealing lips (112) comprise a first segment (1121) proximal to the rigid section (111) having a first thickness and a second segment (1122) distal to the first segment (1121) and having a second thickness less than the first thickness.

2. Housing (1) according to the preceding claim, in which the first segment (1121) forms a peripheral bead which extends along at least part of the sealing lips (112).

3. Housing (1) according to the preceding claim, in which the peripheral bead extends at a constant distance from a free end of the sealing lips (112).

4. Housing (1) according to any one of claims 2 or 3, in which the peripheral bead extends rectilinearly along the free end of the sealing lips (112).

5. Housing (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein side walls (115) of the sealing lips (112) have a sawtooth profile.

6. Housing (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the first segment (1121) of the side walls (115) of the sealing lips (112) has a profile with an excess thickness compared to the profile of the second segment (1122).

7. A housing (1) according to any preceding claim, wherein the first thickness is at least 50% greater than the second thickness.

8. A housing (1) according to any preceding claim, wherein the second thickness is between 1 mm and 5 mm and the first thickness is between 2 mm and 10 mm.

9. Housing (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first segment (1121) is located at a distance of between 2 mm and 15 mm from a free end of the sealing lips (112).

10. Motor vehicle comprising: - a motor-fan unit; - a controlled air intake module fixed on a front face of the motor-fan unit, the controlled air intake module comprising a housing (1) according to any one of the preceding claims.

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